2012 .......Fact or Fiction????

     Some of us are living in the here and now and haven't given 2012 another thought. Yet there are others who are preparing themselves for the END. Whatever kind of end you may think. I'm still trying to figure it out myself. It all reminds me of when we were preparing for the year 2000( Y2K). People weren't sure of what to expect. Some went OVER board with all of the hype. There were news reports and interviews with people that were storing food and emergency items for the GREAT Y2K that never was. But luckily we were ALL safe. Should we have thanked the Heavens, scientists or whoever else kept us from total disaster?
     Now, we have reports supposedly made by the Mayan, Stonehenge, and others; we hear that it's the end, the Rapture, a great disaster, a master mix of things to come. What shall it be??

     Are you one of the foolish who laugh it off and ignore it or are you the SUPER preparers ready to take on 2012 with a fight? I am not sure which category I have placed myself...or have I been put in the foolish department by default............

Image via Wikipedia

Image by Bearman2007 via Flickr

 

Yes....I am still trying all Different Concoctions

     O.k....I haven't posted in a while. I have just been feeling blah and there has been loads of things going on personally. Yet, here I feel like I can get away.....even for a moment. So here I am to tell you another
cooking concoction story.
 Well...tonight I decided to make soup for everyone. It may not look good but it tasted fantastic!
      So here goes.....I took a store bought whole baked chicken from last night and put it into a pot with carrots, onions, red peppers and celery. I let it simmer for 3 hours very low. Then I put NO egg yolk noodles in after the two hours and let it sit for 30 minutes. These noodles don't need a lot of cooking because they will get real soft and mushy very fast. I love them because they are so healthy for you.

So this is it below....a picture BEFORE I put the noodles in ........












Picture of the noodles I used.

Finally, this how it came out.

     As you can see it comes out more like a stew. I did put other seasonings in it like chili powder (that's why it has a red tint), basil, garlic powder and oregano. Oh.....and I know you are saying dag, that pot looks old! Well, you are correct! It was my grandmother's. Yes, it's falling apart I know. Well just the handles (the pot itself is very strong) I am so attached to it. She was such a good cook. I often wonder if she were alive would  she be into all of these cooking shows and stuff. She was a caterer and I haven't meet anyone who could make rolls like she could. She passed way before it was "IN" to cook.
Jeezzzz, I also wonder is she looking down at me now saying..." I should have taken MORE time to teach her to cook?"

The Next Food Network Reject!

     
      I haven't been feeling good for a while so I thought to myself, since I have been eating so much lately from stress and all.............I would fast on Wednesday. Well, that is what I did until about 3:30p.m. then I had a salad with heaps of dressing on it. Then I had a granola bar and then I had some carrots and dip. UGHHHH!!!!
     O.K. after that I was good (for awhile)! At 9:45p.m. I ended up having some tea and another salad. Yea, I know I was rapidly unfastening myself and my entire day of fasting! I tried though.....Lord knows I tried!!! But it was just not to be for me.....on that day at least.
     Now, we come to Thursday. Good old Thursday and what did I do???? I woke up saying to myself.....girl, don't try to starve yourself eat but eat mindfully. So, I came up with making a soup full of veggies that I can eat ALL day. I am not a fan of cold raw vegetables so I decided to get my daily dose with a soup. So, I have been watching the Food Network's show "The Next Food Network Star" and my favorite Bravo's "Top Chef". On Top Chef they were doing all kinds of puree peas and things on Wednesday night. So on Thursday I try to put a little of that action together myself. I roasted vegetables and then got my blender out to puree them..........well, things were looking good and it smelled so dag on good too. When I went to taste my little puree/soup part of the friggin' blender's rubber bottom was ALL blended up and pureed into my concoction also known as vegetable soup!
     Well, I'll be........!!!! I was so mad at myself, the blender and those cook's, chef's (WHATEVER)  on t.v. that make it seem so simple! But guess what? That didn't stop me. I got a colander and tried to strain the big pieces I could see out. Then........... I ate it!! Yes I did!!!! Rubber and all..................I ate my rubber and vegetable medley for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!!
     Yes, I am officially the Next Food Network Reject because I don't know how the heck it got all jumbled up in there in the first place???
Who knows what tomorrow will bring..........
I guess I pulled a FAST one on myself for even attempting to Fast!

See you at the.......

         See you at the Drive-In!!!!
Do you know that there are STILL Drive-In's?
     I can remember as a child going to our local drive-in movie theatre. It was a fun outing for me as a child. I would have on my PJ's and just be as comfy as possible. I didn't have to worry about a crowded movie theater or bumping into someone accidentally. It was a heavenly
experience that I will cherish. Back then the movie screen seemed to be so large to me. It felt like it was in 3-D.
      I haven't been to a drive-in movie since that one closed. Then a year ago I decided to see just what happened to Drive-In's. So I began my research. I was so surprised that there were some (the last of the Mohican's) still left! So, a friend and I ventured off 3 1/2 hours to find our Drive-In paradise. Then after loads of wrong turns and bends we arrived at our spot. Now, I didn't think that with all of the high tech movie theaters a plain old drive-in would be crowded but to my dismay it was! There were people in lawn chairs with big ole' cozy blankets, it was such a great sight to behold and it took me back to my old PJ days. It was a great trip and just as I remembered.  My only regret was that we didn't make reservations at a hotel close by. The 3 1/2 hour trek back home at 12:30a.m. was a doozy!!

   So, if you have nothing to do go and support a Drive-In this weekend! If you can get there early to buy some refreshments. This is how they make proceeds to sustain their business.
Let's try to keep Drive-In's around for our children and theirs! So see you at the Drive-In!



Here are some Drive-In links:
http://www.driveinmovie.com/

http://www.drive-ins.com/ (on this site you can put your zip code in and it will give you the closest one)

http://www.americandrivein.com/ (a movie about drive-in's)

http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm (gives a list of operating and dead theatres by state, also how many were open in a particular year)

See my skills as a matchmaker.....

Does anyone want to hire me as a matchmaker?
This is just a brief preview into my matchmaking skills. I have always attempted to hook up people thinking I have a good knack for this. Well, to tell you the truth none of my matches ever worked out but I keep trying.
I love to see people happy and together. So here is a brief look into who I think should give it a try........

   

Terrell Owens and Kim Kardashian would be perfect together. She is already used to the lifestyle of dating a NFL player and they both are gorgeous and very seasoned DIVAS!!!!!

               Martha Stewart and Ryan Seacrest would be PERFECT together!!!!! They both take work VERY seriously! They both are attractive and I think this cougar would just open up many more doors for him.

                       

These two would be perfect together!!!! They both LOVE reproducing! They have many children and could possibly have more. Here Octomom would have a permanent sperm donor and Flava Fav would have the ultimate BABY Mama!

Also, we have Simon Cowell and Rupal. I don't know why but this works for me. Seems like a good fit!!!!

Sandra Bullock's ex Jesse James and Lady Gaga would do great together. She is just as edgy as he likes and she is a fierce performer.  Their unique personalities could either make it or break it! But, I say...give it a try!!!!!

Disclaimer......I hope you haven't taken me that serious!!!!!!!!

Have you ever gotten.......

     Have you ever gotten that random e-mail at home or at work?
.......the one that has been sent to everybody that person knows and then repeated by the next person and then the next person. The one that lists at least 100 e-mail addresses and then yours.  We have all gotten them, some of us more than others though. It's usually no harm just something to give us a little chuckle; something to break up the normality of our days. Well, I received one of these e-mails recently with a sign in it I posted below. I never really thought about it before. I never really cared where the e-mail originated. Or if the author or the creator of the e-mail intentionally looked for this crazy weird thing or did they in fact take the picture or video of it themselves.
     Well........it brought me to the quest of seeing what's out there in the world of crazy signs. Some of these signs I wonder what was the thought process of those creating them.
Here they are........

First there's

I mean didn't anyone here know that SHIT was a curse word in English?

Then there's


Then.......


What about this one.....


Then there's.......


This one is extremely detailed....
It should be rated R
It's sooooo detailed.



This one here is just totally weird.........
I mean what are people doing in bathrooms these days?


We also have.......
Lost in translation.


Finally.......

Can I give this excuse to the cops too?????

How SILLY is this?????

Pretty cool right!!!!

   Silly bands or so called SILLY BANDZ are the newest craze for kids these days.......

 You should have heard of them by now. For those of you that have children between the ages of 8 and 18 then silly bandz are nothing new to you.

Well....as my daughter gears up for her school year she is getting her stash of silly bandz ready. These cool rubber bands are multi-colored and they come in a whole bunch of incredible shapes like stars, fruit, and animals. Some of them even glow in the dark. They are really becoming a hot item among young kids today.

I wear my silly bandz.....do you? My daughter will give me some of her silly bandz to wear, I wear them without difficulty or putting up a fuss. Actually now, I have resorted to looking through the packs with her and picking out my own. But it does take me back to when I was young. I used to emulate Madonna's every move. She was the "IT" girl to follow for tweens back in the 80's. She wore rubber bands around her arm and so did every other girl from here to Timbuktu. But I can't remember my mom wearing them. I don't even think I would have had the guts to ask her. It just never occurred to me back then. She may have worn them if I insisted.....hmmmmmmm I don't know?  But today kids are different....they demand a different kind of parenting than what we had.

Madonna and her famous rubber bracelets...
(1980's circa)

Even when we are out my daughter will look for moms and other adults with silly bandz on. Do you wear your silly bandz? If not, you better get some! They are one of the most inexpensive gifts to buy. You can buy them just about anywhere. They are sold at Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreen's and even gas stations. They range in price depending on where you go from $1.00 to $6.00 per pack. They are usually sold right in front near  check out.
 It's funny how trends repeat themselves. My daughter allowed me to take some pictures of her silly bandz and some recent packs she purchased.

Here they are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Bandz    

Oh...and if you do have children and or grandchildren going back to school ask if SILLY Bandz are allowed because some schools are banning them for being too distracting to children while they are in school. Other schools just have firm guidelines that they are only to be played with or traded during lunch time, recess and after school programs. Here are some links:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Silly-Bandz-Banned.html

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1991797,00.html

An Ode to Benji....not really it just sounded good.....

      As I was driving today, I saw a dog that reminded me of the first dog I ever had. Benji. I got Benji when I was nine years old. He stayed apart of my life and my family until I was about 20 years old. My parents came to visit me and I remembered I said to them quite matter of factually...."How's Benji?" Well..... they looked at each other and then at me and my father gently explained that Benji was no more!!!! I broke down in front of my parents and two friends. I whimpered, "Why didn't you tell me"? Looking back.......they did the best they could with telling me and I know that their intentions were good. It was hard and uncomfortable for them too.

     Well, Mr. Benji as I so named him, was very unique as dogs go. I named him Benji after BENJI the dog in several movies I fell in love with as a child. Remember .....I was nine when I got him. He NEVER ever barked at anyone or anything. Well....I heard him bark only once which was weird. I still wonder what Benji saw in that person to get him all riled up. He was such a friendly dog. When someone was at the door he got excited and waged his tale to no end. He was always ready for entertaining company. He also had a smile that would out shine any sun rise.........

     O.k.....I digress. My point for this itsy-bitty Commemorate to Benji was sparked by a dog I saw that looked so much like him. It made me think of all of good times we shared the vacations we went on and so forth. In seeing the dog today I wondered if that dog had the same characteristics as my Benji did being they were the same breed and all. I wanted to stop and ask the person but people today are so peevish I didn't want to bother.

    Benji was a COCKAPOO. A cocker spaniel and poodle mixed. I NEVER see these types of dogs anymore. These days "TOY" dogs are all the rage so it was so cool to see someone with a good old fashioned cockapoo. I mean I have never talked to anyone else that said they or anyone they know has a cockapoo. Every time I have discussed dear Benji people they always say ....."Oh, I've never seen a cockapoo, what kind of dog is that?" I wonder maybe they have seen it and thought it was just a poodle or something else........... I really don't know. But I miss Benji, he was a blast. His disposition was just right for a child like me. I treated him like a baby and he dealt with it patiently and he was never aggressive.
I kinda miss him now.
    
Well, as I end this stroll down Benji lane, I wanted to share with you some of his pictures...........

Freshly groomed and lookin' sharp!

Needing a cut badly.......

In between his grooming appointments.

New Jersey Housewives with their guest star......... Kim G????

Last night's episode was so filled with backstabbing drama. Kim G. told Danielle's business (wanting to find her birth mom) to the other Housewives. Kim G. came on the scene this year as Danielle's dear and faithful friend. She clearly stated in the beginning that she wasn't friend's with Caroline so then Danielle felt comfortable letting her into her life. Danielle was sooooo wrong for doing that!!!!

      The matronly Kim G. is still paying Reindeer Games. She should have thrown in the towel on those games a good 15 years ago. Danielle had her agenda BUT Kim G's was MUCH more calculated with her plan to weasle her way into the "IN" crowd. Kim G. wants to be a housewife so bad she took the easiest road there (Danielle). She sang on occasion  Rodney King's....."Can We all Get Along" and other times she went right in for the kill. I wanted to believe she was a good person BUT her 2-faced actions spoke much louder than her words.

   While Kim G. was shouting and cursing at Danielle about how sqaure her ta-ta's were. Teresa was in la la land planning and executing an outrageously expense christening party for her youngest bambina Audriana. Dear Joe fullfilled his wifes EVERY wish for the extravagant party. I still wonder what would a scaled down Teresa be like? Would she except it or would she fight it tooth and nail? They are truly a beautiful family with lots of LOVE, but if she had to take one for the HOME team and scale it down a few notches could she??? I mean...I couldn't see her at Walmart catching the sales and stuff..........

Despicable me?

I took my daughter to see this movie......... I wasn't sure what I was in for but overall this was a cute movie. Of course we can find something wrong with everything but for the most part it was a good movie to see. It had an unrivaled villain character and his whole life was focused around doing the most appalling things to  people, the world and his rival...Victor. The movie also has 3 little heroines. The 3 little girls lived in a HOME For GIRLS BUT they are VERY strong and self sufficient. They long to be adopted and wish for the PERFECT mom and dad to whisk them away from it all. What they get is Gru (Steve Carrell) a selfish villain who is ONLY focused on his evil plots. The little girls end up softening his heart and he gets all caught up in fatherhood. It was refreshing to see a moving that was pro-adoption for those kids out there in foster care or who have been adopted.  It had some aspects that were not so adoption friendly...like a box of shame at the HOME for Girls. But, in the end the girls got what they NEEDED....someone to love them fully. Overall it was a very different twist on villains verses the good guys. It was truly a unique movie.

Housewives of New Jersey..OOOOPS they did it again!!!!!

Click here to getImages &
Real Housewives Of New Jersey Cast Pictures
http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/videos/ashleys-court-papers

Watching the drama between the New Jersey housewives is just as necessary as your cup of coffee, expresso or whatever in the morning. Though Monday's episode was mild compared to those of yester days it did have some profound moments. Jacqueline took Ashley to get her court papers from the post office. I wonder though......I know I'm not a rocket scientist BUT how did she get a certified letter from the courts when the post office was closed....... it was night time? Am I missing something or what. I know all court/certified letters don't need a signature but.... she MUST have a P.O. Box or something. Maybe Jaqueline's mansion has NO room in the mailbox for her daughter's mail I just don't know...maybe I'm the ONLY one with this question.


Ashley was laughing and Jacqueline managed to keep her GAME face on. She did not break out in any giggles about the situation as Ashley made jokes about Danielle suing her for pulling her hair. Again, I say...as batty as they say Danielle is she STILL deserved an IMMEDIATE apology, meaning that DAY, right after it happened.
Ashley ......respect YOUR elders!!!!!! That lesson should have been taught at home many moons ago. We will see as the season winds down if she ever FULLY RIGHTS her WRONGS!!!!!!

New Jersey Housewives/10nth Anniversary

The Real Housewives of New Jersey - Videos - Anniversary Equals Diamonds Bravo TV Official Site





Joe and Teresa's 10nth Anniversay! Congrats!
Teresa talks with Jacqueline as their husbands talk seperately about Anniversary gifts and such.
Teresa truly loves her husband and he is definately, most positively head over heels for her.....
But there is a little part of me that wonders........
I mean, with all of the "Forclosure " talk and stuff would Teresa REALLY stand by her man if they had to take it down a few notches(economically I mean).
I know, according to her he is doing VERY, VERY well in ALL of his business ventures and he is an endless cash source for her lavish lifestyle BUT would Teresa be as giddy and FULL of leopard print smiles and big tiara giggles if she had to put an end to her EXCESSIVE lifestyle to save her family or simply to save her husband from going under.
Really, would Teresa be as happy with Joe and her four Healthy and Beautiful daughters if they had to live in a smaller house or even a house that had many previous owners?

In the above episode it is sooooo clear that dear old Joe would do EVERYTHING and ANYTHING in his power to make Teresa happy. I am not sure if that's GOOD or bad because only they know their CURRENT financial state. My heart ached for him for several reasons though..............

My Fair Wedding.......Hmmmmm

O.k. Mr. David Tutera last night(Sunday) on We TV you took on a very unique challenge. Your bride Brooke wanted a Pirate wedding! What the #$%&!!!!! I have never heard of such thing BUT EVERYBODY is different.

Well...Mr. Tutera I could do a better job than what you did. Why O Why. Didn't you just STOP dear Brooke!!! I mean really......

Ok.....No, I was just KIDDING!! Mr. Tutera you are truly the Cat's MEOW!!!! I LOVE your show and how you make ALL of the girl's dreams come true!!! You take an ORDINARY theme and transform it into GRANDEUR. That is BEYOND talent. You are NOT a WEDDING PLANNER....you are a WEDDING DESIGNER!!!!!

I thought that the Pirate Theme was going to be a disaster BUT it was totally elegant.

You are WE TV 's PRINCE CHARMING!!!!!

BY the way does anyone out there want to get HITCHED so I could have a DAVID Tutera wedding.....

Just Kidding...
I'll just have to settle with watching the show and having my DREAMS come true by seeing all the brides and their lovely transformations.

I love you DAVID!!!!!

Reality Bites though ......

Diversity by way of Barbies.........

My daughter loves Barbie's....she has them in ALL shapes sizes and colors. These are her BARBIE's ABOVE.


But seeing her play with her Barbies allowed me to reflect on this DIVERSE world in which we live in.

Some people are totally against diversity.......... fighting it tooth and nail. Some are gradually wakening up to the idea...... and there are others it just doesn't effect because of where they live and what they do so they could care less......

It's OK to have your OWN views on this subject...because this makes you who you are. Weather I or anyone else agrees with your views is pointless because NO one has lived your particular life and experience all that you have.

But I do believe we ALL are sharing this world for a reason. It would be nice if we could stay safe in our COMFORT ZONE of people who look and act like us BUT how would we grow as people as individuals???? What lessons would we learn if we are constantly surrounded ourselves with CARBON Copies of ourselves for the rest of our lives........

I PERSONALLY want to keep growing as a person........

I love who I am and I am proud of that. Everyone should be proud of their culture and so forth!!! But there is room in our lives to grow from those totally DIFFERENT than ourselves........

It's OK to have frustrating views about other cultures(at times) we are HUMAN!!!! If people don't do things like us or what we view as right or wrong it could get a little annoying to us.  BUT also DON'T succumb to those views because everyone is different. Just as we have good and bad days we have good and bad thoughts and opinions. But we shouldn't HOLD on to them........ALWAYS keep our hearts and minds OPEN for NEW thoughts just as we look ahead for better days........

Keep moving and keep evolving or this world will leave you behind!!!!!!
Or choose not too....whatever works for you!!!

I totally love the arts........

This is a sketch my lovely daughter made.....
I think it's better than ANY piece of art I could ever do.

We are a family that loves the artsy stuff. My father dabbles in paintings and sketches too!