tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318750042024-03-13T07:57:52.966-04:00Joanie's Random RamblingsJoaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.comBlogger586125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-44680919033035029222012-04-30T13:54:00.001-04:002012-04-30T13:54:02.820-04:00My empty nest... or so I thought<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7O10vQPeHA/T57O2Uy2mDI/AAAAAAAACL8/6sMw_gdsQ8g/s1600/empty+nest+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7O10vQPeHA/T57O2Uy2mDI/AAAAAAAACL8/6sMw_gdsQ8g/s1600/empty+nest+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I haven't written any blog posts since October of last year. Nor have I really read any blogs (unless they showed up on networked blogs on Facebook). My daughter sent me a link to a blog to read and then I started checking out the blogs I was following before. This got me to write a new post. Not sure how long I'll last. Let's see how this goes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought I'd just catch everyone up on what's been happening since last summer. You all know my oldest kid, Gina got married last July. Great wedding, fun times! Gene is still my favorite son-in-law.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not a whole lot has changed in the past year (maybe that's why I stopped blogging). </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My son (typical middle kid... only son, my only leftie, my only blonde kid when he was little) moved to Buffalo, NY to go to grad school and get his Master's degree in Applied Economics (whatever THAT is).</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My youngest kid decided not to go back to college after her freshman year, despite the fact that she made the Dean's list. Dani really wanted to do hair, so she went back to the Pittsburgh area, moved in with her boyfriend (possibly my other future favorite son-in-law), and went to Cosmetology school. She finished, took her test, got her license and has been gainfully employed since the end of last summer. And she's a damn good hairdresser! </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few months ago, Dani calls me and asks me if she can move back home "for a while" this summer. How long is "a while", I ask. Um... a year? Is Dustin coming with you? Yes. So, softie me says yes, even though her empty nest will no longer be empty. Dustin wants to work for a year before applying to grad school, and living on their own at this point is too hard, financially for them. And she doesn't want to work in the Pittsburgh are (where they'd be living with Dustin's parents in a very small town. The commute for a decent job for her would be a good hour each way) She says they'll help with utilities and stuff. I made a deal with them that they wouldn't have to pay rent for 2 months if Dustin gets all my gardens into shape. He also wants to plant a vegetable garden behind my garage. Go for it! So they'll be moving home in mid-May. Dani made a quick weekend trip home last week with some stuff and to go on a job interview at a salon in our area. She also got her job back at the outlet store she's worked at for a few years, at least until she can get comfortable in a hairdressing job. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then, a few weeks ago, my son call me. Mom? Can I move home for a while? sigh. My empty nest is getting smaller and smaller. Apparently, the classes he needs to take for this next (and final) semester have been cancelled and he's going to do this semester as independent study. No need for him to live in Buffalo if all he needs to do is email his work to his professors. And his job at the college is finished anyway. So he will also be moving home in mid-May. He came home this week and brought some stuff with him. Tim did inform me me that he's only staying until the end of June when he can move in with a buddy of his. Now he just needs to find a job.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I'll have 2 of my 3 kids back with me for a while. Time for me to get my house back in shape (I admit. I've been lazy about cleaning. Without Mr. Anal Retentive living here to make sure everything is in order, I've become <strike>somewhat lax</strike> OK, I've become a slob. There. I've said it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I"m thinking I wish I could afford a cleaning lady, but I'd have a lot of cleaning up to do before I could even think about something like that! </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sigh. Guess I better dust off the old vacuuming cleaner and get moving.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Good thing I like my kids now.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-22361397878870991942011-10-13T20:00:00.000-04:002011-10-13T20:00:59.685-04:00A Teeny Favor.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so many friends who live all over this country and indeed, around the world. If anyone wants to help my great nephew out, I'd appreciate it and he'd be so thrilled!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister, Peggy's grandson Marty has a postcard project at school. The class is collecting postcards from all over and the class will learn all about the places in the postcards. It would be great if people reading this would send him a postcard from their state/country. If you'd like to help out, here's where to send it:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Marty C.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>c/o Mrs. Prahm's Class</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saint James School</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>830 W. Broad Street</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Falls Church, VA 22046</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please send a postcard, please! Thanks!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a yearlong project, so if you want to participate, and are afraid of missing a deadline because you live far far away and the post takes weeks to get here, don't worry!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-4628645945734364372011-09-09T22:37:00.000-04:002011-09-09T22:37:12.786-04:00Tenth Anniversary. Never Forgotten.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even 10 years later, it's difficult to remember that fateful day. A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. It's still so hard to write about it, so here is my blog post from 3 years ago. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In Honor of September 11, 2001</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where were you when it happened?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think there is an American alive who doesn't know where he or she was and what they were doing when they heard the news about the attack on New York and Washington DC on September 11, 2001. I was driving to Kutztown, PA to my job at the restaurant my ex-husband and I owned. I was listening to Good Morning America on my car radio when Charlie Gibson reported a plane crashed into Tower 1, the North Tower of the World Trade Center. They didn't know it was intentional at that point. It wasn't long before the 2nd plane crashed into the South Tower and the world knew America was under attack. I rushed into work and put the TV on. The employees and I spent the better part of that day and indeed the rest of the week, absolutely glued to the TV, watching in horror as the government tried to get a handle on this horrific event. Our business took a major nose dive as Americans stayed in their homes, afraid to travel anywhere.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a friend who was in the air, flying home from France on business when the towers were hit and his flight was diverted to Canada. He somehow managed to get his hands on a car and he and a colleague drove home. It took hours to get over the Canadian border.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew 2 people who died that day. On the night of September 11, we got a phone call from Greg's sister, Rita. Rita's husband, Bryan had a sister named Deborah Jacobs Welsh. Debbie was the head purser on Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, PA. She was the first person to die on that flight. Debbie tried to keep the terrorists out of the cockpit and they slit her throat. What a shock it was to get that phone call! We didn't know Debbie well, but we saw her from time to time over the years when Rita would have a christening or First Communion party or something like that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second person I knew was Maria Behr. Mia worked as a Securities Trader at Cantor Fitzgerald in Tower 1. She is the sister of Dr. Edith (Delmi) Delmar Behr. Delmi's son was friends with my son, Tim. I remember Tim coming home from school on the 12th and telling me they can't find Max's Aunt Mia, that she worked in one of the towers. I told Tim they probably just can't get in contact with her because communication was really bad at that time. It wasn't long before we found out the awful truth, that Maria was in the Tower and that she did die that day. Mia was a beautiful, vibrant, sort of wacky woman who had so much going for her! She left this world way too soon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our restaurant was in a college town, and for most of that week, the place was like a ghost town. No one came out, whether they were afraid of more attacks or just glued to the TV for news. But that Saturday, we were so busy, with families... parents and their college children, coming in for lunch and dinner. You would have thought it was Parents' Weekend, but it wasn't. These kids had just gotten to school 2 weeks before and Parents' Weekend wasn't for several more weeks. It was just parents feeling the need to see their kids and spend time with them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that is my memory of September 11, 2001. It is a day that I will never forget. If you get a chance, visit Ground Zero in New York City. Say a prayer for those who lost their lives that day.... all the folks who were on those planes, the brave police and firefighters who entered those buildings, the people who worked in the towers, the brave military men and women who were working in the Pentagon in Washington DC. Pray for those heroic people on Flight 93 who fought the terrorists, knowing they were going to die, but realizing they must do this or many more would perish along with them. Pray for the loved ones left behind. Praise God for those brave souls who found Osama bin Laden and served him the justice he deserved. I just pray it never happens again</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-57539233655237554512011-08-06T10:33:00.000-04:002011-08-06T10:33:11.857-04:00Six Word Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ku8_zKzQpM/Tj1OlSCuHpI/AAAAAAAACH4/5vVdKGrw4Dg/s1600/6wsButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ku8_zKzQpM/Tj1OlSCuHpI/AAAAAAAACH4/5vVdKGrw4Dg/s1600/6wsButton.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Party for my brother in NJ!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brother, Michael has accepted a job with the US Army in Saudi Arabia. His youngest child just graduated from college, he's a widower, and he says it's now time for him! So he has a one year contract (that I'm guessing can be renewed), and will be leaving for Fort Bragg next week for orientation and maybe some kind of training before heading to Saudi Arabia. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His oldest daughter is throwing him a Bon Voyage, We'll Miss You, Dad party at her place today! It's always a good time when the Mack Family gets together!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to try your own</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5588aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2011/08/six-word-saturday.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Six Word Saturday</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Go see Cate at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_536526598" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2008/01/six-word-saturdays.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Show My Face</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and link up!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-57024475806514499292011-08-04T17:23:00.004-04:002011-08-04T17:38:59.754-04:00What are you afraid of?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>True story from a Kansas State Highway Patrol officer:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding on U.S. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan, KS. I asked for her driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The lady took out the required information and handed it to me. In with the cards I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age) to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if she had a weapon in her possession at this time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something---body language, or the way she said it---made me want to ask if </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she had any other firearms. She did admit to also having a 9mm Glock in her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">center console. Now I had to ask one more time if that was all. She </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">responded once again that she did have just one more, a .38 special in her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">purse. I then asked her what was she so afraid of.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked me right in the eye and said, "Not a damn thing!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Joanie talking here) I want to be her when I grow up!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-1894903541334913052011-07-27T10:12:00.002-04:002011-07-27T10:19:03.493-04:00John's Latest Health Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This should be the last update until late October.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John had an appointment yesterday with his oncologist, Dr. Sunita Nasta at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It was a good appointment, once we got into the exam room to talk to her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">John thought he needed to be there by 10:30 for labs, but he really wasn't scheduled until 11:30. That was fine. He got his blood drawn, then we went to eat at the</span><a href="http://www.potbelly.com/Stores/StoreLocator.aspx?PL=1&SearchAddrZip=19464#&&parms=ShowStoreDetail%09%09False%09PA%09False%09False%09True%09True%09%0940.2672473%09-75.6091696%09PA%09%09True%0919464%0919464%09True%09%09%090%092%09162%09True%09False"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b> Potbelly Sandwich Shop</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">, which is attached to the hospital. Great little place! There are several across the country. I had a lot of meals there when John was HUP for his transplant 2 years ago. I enjoyed the roast beef with provolone sandwich, while John had the Italian. We both got Broccoli Cheddar soup, since it was Tuesday. YUM!!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we go back to the Perleman Center to wait for John to be called. John spent most of the time talking back to the TV which was set for a news station (CNN maybe, not sure) Not all the patients were waiting for Dr. Nasta (but it sure felt like it!). She only handles lymphoma and leukemia. But still, this place was hopping yesterday. John's appointment was for 11:45. They called him into the exam room at 2 pm. Sheesh.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not long after, Dr. Nasta came in. She didn't look concerned, like the last time. She told us that the 2nd PET scan had her puzzled. They had the scan repeated because John was showing activity in his chest, with a couple of nodes lighting up (showing signs of cancer) but the nodes were very small, about the size of a bee bee pellet. The 2nd scan showed a node lit up in the groin, but the ones on the chest were gone. The 1st scan didn't show any activity in the groin. I said the node was like a gremlin, hopping about on the scans to confuse everyone. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Nasta has determined that the cancer is not showing signs of returning at this time. She did, however, ask for a CT scan of his pelvic area to be done in 3 month's time, in October. She doesnt' want John to get another PET scan because she says he'll be glowing in the dark if he gets any more! (PET scans are nuclear and CT scans have less radiation). John had just gotten to the point where he was seeing her every 6 months but now he's back to every 3 months, at least for the time being.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She does want to be told if John loses 10 lbs or more (he's already lost about 10 lbs, but that could be because of his diabetes) , if he develops a fever repeatedly or if he gets bad night sweats. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the final diagnosis is that John is still in remission and he's coming up on his 2nd re-birthday on August 28! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yes, we do celebrate it! So stay tuned for another update around Halloween and hopefully, I'll still have good news!!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-44558372117252695932011-07-23T10:27:00.000-04:002011-07-23T10:27:43.393-04:00Six Word Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpTpwj4CQQw/TirZGixOlcI/AAAAAAAACHo/0G92Y1ZbmV4/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpTpwj4CQQw/TirZGixOlcI/AAAAAAAACHo/0G92Y1ZbmV4/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Unbelievably hot. Thank goodness for a/c!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to try your own</span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2011/07/six-word-saturday_23.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5588aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Six Word Saturday</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Go see Cate at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_536526598" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2008/01/six-word-saturdays.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Show My Face</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and link up!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-5066575161697312042011-07-18T21:39:00.000-04:002011-07-18T21:39:47.724-04:00Monday's Music Moves Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUmzet-GzE/TiTXil0vhwI/AAAAAAAACHg/moWTbGU1_M8/s1600/monday+music+moves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUmzet-GzE/TiTXil0vhwI/AAAAAAAACHg/moWTbGU1_M8/s1600/monday+music+moves.png" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's Mon days Music is a Freebie theme. We can put up whatever we want! So I chose a few of my all-time favorites.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/2011/07/mondays-music-moves-me_17.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FbJvX+%28Xmas+Dolly%29"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> XmasDolly is one of the hosts of Monday's Music Moves Me</span></a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You can follow the ink and see what other folks have contributed!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This first one is my very favorite version of Beethoven's Ode To Joy. It's the funky rendition of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joyful Joyful from the movie, Sister Act 2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-wNmlrdCBkE" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always loved Petula Clark! Here is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My Love</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, from 1966.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jz-6fLWcAwI" width="425"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to have a Best of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons album that I'd play really loud when I was cleaning. This song was written for just Frankie Valli. His producer didn't think it was a good song for him, but he recorded it anyway, and I'm sure glad he did! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're Just Too Good To Be True</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NGFToiLtXro" width="425"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh! Now this song brings me back to 1969, when I was absolutely in love with this song and BJ Thomas! I played this song over and over and over again! sigh! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Hooked On A Feeling</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JNnnWfUpYGg" width="425"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And last, but certainly not least (and forgive me if I did this one before), when I was in 8th grade, The Cowsills stole my heart, Barry Cowsill in particular! The TV show The Partridge Family was based on The Cowsills, a family band with mom and all the kids singing! Sadly, Barry Cowsill lost his life in Hurricane Katrina. This is my very favorite song of theirs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is The Rain, The Park and Other Things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8q6fLhnwEKk" width="425"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-66951080255279008972011-07-11T00:05:00.001-04:002011-07-11T00:05:01.204-04:00Monday's Music Moves Me: I heart Broadway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BAkXWvlPfo/ThoedgqKT1I/AAAAAAAACHc/nXdv1YJApBc/s1600/monday+music+moves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BAkXWvlPfo/ThoedgqKT1I/AAAAAAAACHc/nXdv1YJApBc/s1600/monday+music+moves.png" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HEY!! Remember me? I haven't done a Musical Monday in quite a while! I guess I sort of took a break from blogging for a while and I'm getting back into it. Anyway, Dolly told me that this week's theme was a Patriotic song or a Broadway hit tune. Well, I don't know if you know this, but I am a Drama Mama!! I'm also patriotic, but I really am a Drama Mama! I might even get that as my license plate!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason I'm a Drama Mama is because my 2 girls were bitten by the acting bug. Both girls were in at least 1 or 2 high school musicals when they were in grade school and little kids were needed. Then, as each girl went to high school, they joined the Drama Club (Gina was President her senior year and Dani was Treasurer her Senior year). Gina had the lead in her Junior (Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz) and her Senior year (Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Not to be outdone, Dani had leads too! In Junior year, she was Amazing Maizie in Seussical the Musical, and in her Senior year, she was Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both girls have amazing singing voice! Not sure where they got them. I can't sing to save my life and their dad can carry a tune but that's about it. I spent a LOT of time, volunteering at the school. I made the programs for 3 plays a year for about 7 or 8 years. I sold tickets, I worked in the costume shop, I sold T-shirts, and I drove those girls to a lot of practices over the course of 11 years! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gina went on to earn her degree in Theatre, with a concentration on acting/directing. She now writes and does voiceovers for commercials. Dani went to college for theatre also, but decided by the end of her freshman year that she REALLY wanted to do hair! So she went to hairdressing school and is getting ready to take her state test for her license. Don't be surprised, if, a few years down the road, you find out that Dani is working for a studio in California, doing hair and make up. And trust me, if it happens I'll be shouting from the rooftops!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my! I really do seems to be rambling on! So, to get to my selection for this week. A few years ago, I absolutely fell in love with the musical Wicked. Everyone knows what Wicked is about, so I won't get into that. This song, For Good is at the end of the play. It's a duet with Elphaba aka Wicked Witch of the East (Idina Menzel) and Galinda aka Glinda the Good Witch (Kristen Chenowith). It's very poignant, and I cry every time I hear it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, without further ado, I give you...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For Good</b></span></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CQJaZO2nfGg" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ELPHABA<br />
I'm limited:<br />
Just look at me - I'm limited<br />
And just look at you -<br />
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda<br />
So now it's up to you<br />
(spoken) For both of us<br />
(sung) Now it's up to you:<br />
<br />
GLINDA<br />
I've heard it said<br />
That people come into our lives for a reason<br />
Bringing something we must learn<br />
And we are led<br />
To those who help us most to grow<br />
If we let them<br />
And we help them in return<br />
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true<br />
But I know I'm who I am today<br />
Because I knew you:<br />
<br />
Like a comet pulled from orbit<br />
As it passes a sun<br />
Like a stream that meets a boulder<br />
Halfway through the wood<br />
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?<br />
But because I knew you<br />
I have been changed for good<br />
<br />
ELPHABA<br />
It well may be<br />
That we will never meet again<br />
In this lifetime<br />
So let me say before we part<br />
So much of me<br />
Is made of what I learned from you<br />
You'll be with me<br />
Like a handprint on my heart<br />
And now whatever way our stories end<br />
I know you have re-written mine<br />
By being my friend:<br />
Like a ship blown from its mooring<br />
By a wind off the sea<br />
Like a seed dropped by a skybird<br />
In a distant wood<br />
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?<br />
But because I knew you:<br />
<br />
GLINDA<br />
Because I knew you:<br />
<br />
BOTH</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been changed for good<br />
<br />
ELPHABA<br />
And just to clear the air<br />
I ask forgiveness<br />
For the things I've done you blame me for<br />
<br />
GLINDA<br />
But then, I guess we know<br />
There's blame to share<br />
<br />
BOTH<br />
And none of it seems to matter anymore<br />
<br />
GLINDA ELPHABA<br />
Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown<br />
From orbit as it Off it's mooring<br />
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the<br />
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed<br />
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a<br />
Through the wood Bird in the wood<br />
<br />
BOTH<br />
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?<br />
I do believe I have been changed for the better?<br />
<br />
GLINDA<br />
And because I knew you:<br />
ELPHABA<br />
Because I knew you:<br />
<br />
BOTH<br />
Because I knew you:<br />
I have been changed for good.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/2011/07/mondays-music-moves-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Marie, at Xmas Dolly</span> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">reminded me that I should join in to Monday's Music Moves Me again. Why not take a stab at it! Each week is a theme and it's fun to see what everyone comes up with!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-38559570173830272972011-07-10T18:36:00.000-04:002011-07-10T18:36:48.705-04:00John's health update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John had his PET scan redone two weeks ago, on June 28. He couldn't get an appointment to see Dr. Nasta until July 26. So he called on Friday to see if they'd give him the results of his scan. And it looks like the test NEGATIVE!! And he's still in remission!!! Woo hoo! And WHEW!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be doing another update after his appointment at the end of the month. But it was a relief to hear this news!!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-15485324757500026752011-07-09T11:02:00.001-04:002011-07-09T17:29:41.625-04:00Six Word Saturday: Wedding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5Ct45yTYu4/ThhrC04zonI/AAAAAAAACHU/_MEb7RdNleI/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5Ct45yTYu4/ThhrC04zonI/AAAAAAAACHU/_MEb7RdNleI/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The wedding last Saturday was beautiful!!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZm39M2WjU/Thhr_fN-zkI/AAAAAAAACHY/cO2Yfd-iOMQ/s1600/269952_187780517943905_165839953471295_425127_3524175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZm39M2WjU/Thhr_fN-zkI/AAAAAAAACHY/cO2Yfd-iOMQ/s320/269952_187780517943905_165839953471295_425127_3524175_n.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and especially the Bride!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to try your own</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1177822244" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2011/07/six-word-saturday_09.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Six Word Saturday</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Go see Cate at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_536526598" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2008/01/six-word-saturdays.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Show My Face</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and link up!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">p.s. there are more photos on the blog post below this one!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-41605730295684363422011-07-03T17:38:00.004-04:002011-07-21T18:11:43.780-04:00The bride was breathtaking and I have the pictures to prove it!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday my daughter's wedding day finally arrived! I have a few photos that someone took and posted to Facebook, so I'm going to post them here.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rehearsal on Friday night went smoothly. A funny moment was when the parents had to go up on the altar and each light tapered candles. So Gene and Jane (parents of the groom) and Greg (my ex) and I walk up the steps to the altar. The priest tells Greg and me that we should be showing love and affection as we do this. I turn to the nun who is helping with rehearsal and say, "Doesn't Father know that we're divorced??" Later on, Father tells us to act like we know each other! LOL!! Too funny!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rehearsal dinner was good! Hot roast beef sandwiches and baked ziti with meatballs and salad. Fresh fruit, cheese and pepperoni and crostini as appetizers. One of Gina's friends made a really fun cake out of Tastycake tandytakes! (if you're from the greater Philadelphia area, you'll "get" this!) What fun!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We woke up early on Wedding Day because all the bridesmaids, the bride, the flower girl and mother of the groom had appointments to get their hair done. My daughter, Dani, just finished hairdressing school, so she did Gina's hair. The salon owner was kind enough to give Dani a station to work while the others were getting their hair done. I did my own hair since it's so short. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got back to the house for lunch and to get ready for the wedding. I kept my cool all the while Gina was getting her makeup done and getting dressed. Her Dad showed up around 2 pm, took one look at her in her gown and started crying. YES!! He cried before I did! Gina asked me to get a box out of the closet and bring it down, and THAT'S when I lost it! When Gina was Christened, someone gave her a hankie, sewn into the shape of a bonnet, with a poem attached. She was supposed to wear the bonnet at her Baptism, and then, when she was getting married, to carry it on her wedding day (ok, I'm getting all filled up just typing this!). I saved the hankie for Gina all these years, and when she got engaged last year, I gave it to her, in the original box! Then I forgot all about it. So, when I got the box out of the closet, I just lost it! So silly to be affected by something silly like that!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An amusing incident. I bought my shoes and bag at DSW. On Saturday morning, I showed the shoes to Jane (mother of the groom). She informs me that she has the exact shoes in silver! A few hours later, when Greg and Pam are at the house and I'm putting my shoes on, Pam tells me that she was going to buy those exact shoes in silver but chose another pair instead! And all of our dresses coordinated too. I wore light blue, Jane wore dove gray and Pam wore dark blue and it was a complete coincidence!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Click on the pictures to enlarge them</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vq4fHiHCTA4/Tiii4OQGGhI/AAAAAAAACHk/AazVVH6Z9aM/s1600/me+and+tim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vq4fHiHCTA4/Tiii4OQGGhI/AAAAAAAACHk/AazVVH6Z9aM/s320/me+and+tim.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> My son is escorting me down the aisle. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ceremony went off without a hitch. The church is just lovely and Gina's good friend, Morgan cantored the wedding and she did a magnificent job! Morgan has a gorgeous voice! I guess Greg and I showed enough love and affection because Father seemed pleased with our performance at the candle lighting ceremony. Hahaha!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J04GJx8uNZM/ThDYYGRAyVI/AAAAAAAACGI/QipAgl1aI2g/s1600/270519_562892352565_51402578_31721442_8332107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J04GJx8uNZM/ThDYYGRAyVI/AAAAAAAACGI/QipAgl1aI2g/s400/270519_562892352565_51402578_31721442_8332107_n.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> Here comes the bride!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_vJK63sZEQ/ThDYbcb8QVI/AAAAAAAACGM/bTWrqYJDIu8/s1600/263118_573080894851_72001425_32261820_7777119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_vJK63sZEQ/ThDYbcb8QVI/AAAAAAAACGM/bTWrqYJDIu8/s400/263118_573080894851_72001425_32261820_7777119_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Gina with her dad, going down the aisle</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frP4aj8-nxY/ThDYfcE6FSI/AAAAAAAACGQ/cC8OX7pU9c0/s1600/267459_562892227815_51402578_31721436_293171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frP4aj8-nxY/ThDYfcE6FSI/AAAAAAAACGQ/cC8OX7pU9c0/s400/267459_562892227815_51402578_31721436_293171_n.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> my daughter, Dani, a bridesmaid</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYo44wAn69E/ThDYicIM-GI/AAAAAAAACGU/cXBDFrb4kMg/s1600/269124_562892287695_51402578_31721439_6031326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYo44wAn69E/ThDYicIM-GI/AAAAAAAACGU/cXBDFrb4kMg/s400/269124_562892287695_51402578_31721439_6031326_n.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the bridesmaids</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did get a little tickle from something. At rehearsal, only people directly involved in the wedding ceremony were permitted to be there, so Greg's wife wasn't there. Greg was sitting with me in the pew. On the day of the wedding, she sat in the row behind us and he went into a bit of a panic because he didn't know whether to sit with me or sit with her. He sat with me. Hehehehe I think if John was there, sitting in my pew with me, Greg would have sat with her. But John chose not to go to the wedding (the jerk).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lN1jqjfJXd8/ThDZ6ZW_ApI/AAAAAAAACGc/UlqmI6Z0dv8/s1600/269934_562892367535_51402578_31721443_1645356_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lN1jqjfJXd8/ThDZ6ZW_ApI/AAAAAAAACGc/UlqmI6Z0dv8/s400/269934_562892367535_51402578_31721443_1645356_n.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">saying their vows</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6v7U7qhERT8/ThDaBfWF3hI/AAAAAAAACGg/W-yJVtLHlSg/s1600/270939_562892482305_51402578_31721447_8281453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6v7U7qhERT8/ThDaBfWF3hI/AAAAAAAACGg/W-yJVtLHlSg/s400/270939_562892482305_51402578_31721447_8281453_n.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> the deal is done, and sealed with a kiss!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe2vwaBZ-k/ThDaE4BikbI/AAAAAAAACGk/Q7nLhoDLUqE/s1600/270514_562892412445_51402578_31721445_8136696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDe2vwaBZ-k/ThDaE4BikbI/AAAAAAAACGk/Q7nLhoDLUqE/s400/270514_562892412445_51402578_31721445_8136696_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>lighting the Unity Candle</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reception was held at the Clarion Hotel (Greg worked there as the food and beverage director when Gina was a baby, so we got some extra special treatment.) Open bar for 5 hours, sit down dinner, good food, drinks were flowing. The featured drink of the bride and groom was a Lemon Drop Martini. I think I had 6 of them! They were yummy!! They must have been weak ones because I never got even close to being drunk! I felt fine all night, although I would not have gotten behind the wheel of a car.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The DJ was AWESOME!! Her name is Jenny Z and she sometimes works at the radio station where Gina and Gene work. Jenny mostly works at a sister station in Maryland since it's closer to her home than Wilmington, but she has a DJ business on the side. I was very happy when Gina told me that Jenny was working her wedding! Some of the other DJs were there as guests. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of Gina's made the cake. The cake topper was the bride and groom high-5-ing each other. My daughter, Dani spied the cake in the corner and realized the bride and groom were standing side by side on top of the cake, in what looks like a Nazi salute (Heil Hitler!)!!! She quickly found a server and asked her to fix it! I wonder if anyone got a "before" shot? By the way, the cake was scrumptious!!! Bibi did a fantastic job!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCs8wTIAzOM/ThDbjoFmgDI/AAAAAAAACGs/PVXY6F-Wb9Q/s1600/267843_573081179281_72001425_32261837_590316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCs8wTIAzOM/ThDbjoFmgDI/AAAAAAAACGs/PVXY6F-Wb9Q/s400/267843_573081179281_72001425_32261837_590316_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> this wedding cake was yummy!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXunK9ycg1A/ThDbl1eePWI/AAAAAAAACGw/01Kspu6l3Zw/s1600/268498_573081164311_72001425_32261836_123435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXunK9ycg1A/ThDbl1eePWI/AAAAAAAACGw/01Kspu6l3Zw/s400/268498_573081164311_72001425_32261836_123435_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> a close-up of the topper</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Frc1Ff9mQ7c/ThDbpP6AYuI/AAAAAAAACG0/hLXFDLRNtMU/s1600/262348_573081328981_72001425_32261846_2095059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Frc1Ff9mQ7c/ThDbpP6AYuI/AAAAAAAACG0/hLXFDLRNtMU/s400/262348_573081328981_72001425_32261846_2095059_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>she got him good!</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it came time to throw the bouquet and garter, not sure how it happened, but the ring bearer and the flower girl were the big winners!!! Hahaha!!! Patrick put the garter on Leah's arm! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGj3g6ioTts/ThDad4rn5KI/AAAAAAAACGo/L63mWHecRQw/s1600/263849_562893066135_51402578_31721471_3215725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGj3g6ioTts/ThDad4rn5KI/AAAAAAAACGo/L63mWHecRQw/s400/263849_562893066135_51402578_31721471_3215725_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the bouquet and the garter</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reception lasted until 11 pm. We had 17 rooms booked for overnight guests. The bar was scheduled to close at 9 pm (apparently Saturday is the slowest night of the week). Greg slipped the general manager some dough and asked her to open the bar for the overnight guests, and they did! We had that place filled and hopping until the wee hours of the morning! The father of the bride got rather drunk, and I'm happy to say I never did! He had to go to bed, which was disappointing because he was paying for my drinks! I still did my fair share of drinking (Captain Morgan and Diet Coke) and even did 2 shots (I NEVER do shots!)! My son bought me a Mind Eraser (kahlua, vodka and club soda), and my niece's fiance (and our wedding photographer) bought me a Dirty Girl Scout (vodka, Kahlua, Baileys and white creme de menthe) It tasted like a thin mint! I finally went to my room around 2:30 am. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> these were taken with my cell phone.</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgFZWfgwBm0/ThDcA4ZjKtI/AAAAAAAACG4/qArKTnojIlQ/s1600/278365_10150220878072135_609712134_7261909_4316962_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgFZWfgwBm0/ThDcA4ZjKtI/AAAAAAAACG4/qArKTnojIlQ/s400/278365_10150220878072135_609712134_7261909_4316962_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gina and me!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aX9BTpds_A/ThDcDxdw-xI/AAAAAAAACG8/b_Cp68tTrak/s1600/277643_10150220906222135_609712134_7262499_7881602_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aX9BTpds_A/ThDcDxdw-xI/AAAAAAAACG8/b_Cp68tTrak/s400/277643_10150220906222135_609712134_7262499_7881602_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>my favorite son-in-law and me! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3OheQXAHMc/ThDd-9l-LeI/AAAAAAAACHA/66fRsbuL3kw/s1600/265674_10150220885462135_609712134_7262128_5232646_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3OheQXAHMc/ThDd-9l-LeI/AAAAAAAACHA/66fRsbuL3kw/s400/265674_10150220885462135_609712134_7262128_5232646_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> my daughter, Dani </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and me!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdBSXTomWwU/ThDeRLw4evI/AAAAAAAACHE/uHIlgruCaIM/s1600/265869_10150220896477135_609712134_7262328_6173306_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdBSXTomWwU/ThDeRLw4evI/AAAAAAAACHE/uHIlgruCaIM/s400/265869_10150220896477135_609712134_7262328_6173306_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>my son, Tim and me!</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gina and Gene had the Bridal Suite for the night. This morning she messaged me to come downstairs for breakfast. And Gene called me Mom. It made my day! And on Monday, they leave for a week-long honeymoon in Aruba!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-20120215294315264372011-06-25T10:12:00.000-04:002011-06-25T10:12:40.300-04:00Six Word Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dALZWvPdw4/TgXrtP1OsXI/AAAAAAAACF8/9LUkmnwkOVk/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dALZWvPdw4/TgXrtP1OsXI/AAAAAAAACF8/9LUkmnwkOVk/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I'm finally starting to feel better!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Seven more days to Gina's wedding!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I had to do two today!</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make that three! hehehe</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to try your own</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1177822244" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2011/06/six-word-saturday_25.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Six Word Saturday</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Go see Cate at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_536526598" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2008/01/six-word-saturdays.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Show My Face</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and link up!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-89304091972134368632011-06-24T00:05:00.012-04:002011-07-15T17:40:03.494-04:00Dear So and So<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zms7oE7QrlU/TgPICA7APOI/AAAAAAAACF0/bz4i4hhoWIA/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zms7oE7QrlU/TgPICA7APOI/AAAAAAAACF0/bz4i4hhoWIA/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Ah, it's Friday again (I'm writing this on Thursday evening, but all day long I thought it was Friday) and Friday means Dear So and So! Go visit Kat at</span><a href="http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b> 3 Bedroom Bungalow To Let In Crazytown</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> She's the genius who dreamed up Dear So and So. It's a great way to </span><strike style="color: #38761d;">get shit off your chest</strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> say stuff you want to say to people but are too polite to do so. So here's mine.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear House guest,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know I love you, but it's really time for you to <strike>get the fuck out of my house</strike> go back to Oregon. I'm sure your mother misses you and <strike>that bi-polar brat of yours</strike> your darling 2 year old daughter. It was (ahem) wonderful to see you and I'm sure I'll miss you when you're gone (OK, even I'm not buying that) (SATURDAY!!! doing cartwheels)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy to be getting her peace and quiet again,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mimi"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ps. and thank you for this GD cold that I can't seem to shake. I'll be sending you a bill for my cold medicine you helped yourself to and all the missing tips I lost this week . and all the yogurt your brat ate that was supposed to be my breakfast.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear John,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really do miss you since I haven't seen you since last Tuesday. I know I've been too sick to make the drive to your house, since you're too stubborn to come here when my youngest in residence. But that's your problem. You say you are coming here </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"to take care of me". We shall see, since you can't cook to save your life. I see a lot of take out and food delivery in our very near future.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love you lots!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joanie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Bosses at my job,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for being understanding when I leave early every day because I really still feel like crap. And thank you for not forcing me to go to the doctor since I don't have insurance right now, and I really don't want to pay $200 for my doc to tell me I have a cold. (duh!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swearing she'll be better soon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joanie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Gina and Gene (aka Eugina),</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EIGHT MORE DAYS!!!!!!! The wedding is in eight more days!!!! I can't wait to party and have a great time on Daddy Dearest's dime (or $15,000)!! I'm so happy for the two of you I could just burst!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hoping she's the best mother-in-law ever,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Kimmy at work,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so sorry, dear, but you really are too stupid to be a shift leader. The fact that you were able to take over my station today at work so I could go home because Jess was selfish and took away your good station for herself before I got to work, was just me being nice. My fault. I'm sorry I even told you to finish up the shift at my station. Trust me. I won't be doing that again. Besides, anyone who has 2 children and still insists on being called Kimmy (by people other than your parents and siblings) should not in charge of anything.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still in charge,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joan</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Dani,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OH. MY. GOD. 'Smores turnovers are to die for!!! I'm so glad I only had one though. Any more would send my glucose levels through the roof!!!! And dinner was really good tonight. Thanks for making it so I could hide in my room for a while.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mutti</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-71025772651531527712011-06-23T00:05:00.009-04:002011-06-23T20:52:46.123-04:00Spin Cycle: Books!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pG3WBbc6Kk/Tf-F36bbXaI/AAAAAAAACFM/CZdFBo6veBQ/s1600/spincyclesmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pG3WBbc6Kk/Tf-F36bbXaI/AAAAAAAACFM/CZdFBo6veBQ/s1600/spincyclesmall.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Even though I just did a reading challenge update, I saw that</span> <a href="http://www.spriteskeeper.com/my_weblog/2011/06/spin-cycle-read-all-about-it.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Jen, at Sprite's Keeper</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> has brought back a favorite of mine.... The Spin Cycle! This week's spin is about books. What we're reading now, what are our favorite books and authors. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my spin.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aJcSx-gN_E/Tf-JStIkGaI/AAAAAAAACFQ/H-U3p-qcm_A/s1600/the+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aJcSx-gN_E/Tf-JStIkGaI/AAAAAAAACFQ/H-U3p-qcm_A/s320/the+girl.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished Stieg Larsson's Millenium trilogy, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. I listened to these books in my car. I loved them!!! I was rooting for Lisbeth Salander and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Mikael Blomkvist</span> throughout the books! I'm sad that Stieg Larsson has passed away and we won't get to enjoy any more wonderful books from this gifted author.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VpoW3dZguo/Tf-JpTOP7zI/AAAAAAAACFU/4XYmg9ZQQtQ/s1600/the+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VpoW3dZguo/Tf-JpTOP7zI/AAAAAAAACFU/4XYmg9ZQQtQ/s200/the+pond.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Pond is a wonderfully spooky book! </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> "</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>A small boy drowns in a Pennsylvania pond, enters the ranks of the ghostly and seemingly returns decades later to haunt the family indirectly responsible for his demise."</i> ~KIrkus Reviews</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Although this story is strictly fiction, the idea for the book is based on an actual event that occurred many years ago in the Reading, Pennsylvania area. You may have to get this book from Amazon, and it is available for Kindle!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-en07ljUbg/Tf-MqnUPJ9I/AAAAAAAACFY/knjVlswPJps/s1600/false_dawn_150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-en07ljUbg/Tf-MqnUPJ9I/AAAAAAAACFY/knjVlswPJps/s200/false_dawn_150.jpg" width="131" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Right now I'm reading False Dawn, the third of the Jake Lassiter series by Paul Levine. Jake Lassiter is a former pro football player, turned attorney-at-law in Miami, Florida. In the course of his job, Jake manages to find himself in the middle of murders and intrigue. I like the subtle humor in these books too!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkX8IP-creE/Tf-P2X7FKbI/AAAAAAAACFc/tc1VqRKZyuY/s1600/barefoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkX8IP-creE/Tf-P2X7FKbI/AAAAAAAACFc/tc1VqRKZyuY/s200/barefoot.jpg" width="127" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjbgEjrjyEQ/Tf-QB6AgN0I/AAAAAAAACFg/UJpXlEnRdV0/s1600/blue+bistro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjbgEjrjyEQ/Tf-QB6AgN0I/AAAAAAAACFg/UJpXlEnRdV0/s200/blue+bistro.jpg" width="122" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SXU_yIP1qI/Tf-QQtPSTrI/AAAAAAAACFk/ksBeBSFse-o/s1600/silver+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SXU_yIP1qI/Tf-QQtPSTrI/AAAAAAAACFk/ksBeBSFse-o/s1600/silver+girl.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">If you like beach books, you can't go wrong with any or all of Elin Hilderbrand's books! All of Elin's books take place on Nantucket, and each story is unique. The first book of Elin's that I read was Barefoot, about a woman going through chemotherapy for lung cancer and how her summer on Nantucket affects those around her, including her sister and her friend, as well as her husband and children. I loved this book! My favorite was The Blue Bistro about a woman working in a restaurant over one summer on Nantucket. Maybe it's because I also work in a restaurant, I wanted to work here!! If I did, I could have taken the rest of the year off! All of Elin's books are wonderful! I'm waiting for her newest novel, Silver Girl to be delivered to my Kindle any day now!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_XVzhn99K4/Tf-Q0Vu6m8I/AAAAAAAACFo/Mxak0A51YtA/s1600/opposite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_XVzhn99K4/Tf-Q0Vu6m8I/AAAAAAAACFo/Mxak0A51YtA/s200/opposite.jpg" width="128" /></span></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IAtwvUk_ZY/Tf-Q-SO_mCI/AAAAAAAACFs/lagjPd2r2T8/s1600/skip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IAtwvUk_ZY/Tf-Q-SO_mCI/AAAAAAAACFs/lagjPd2r2T8/s200/skip.jpg" width="129" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my new very favorite author, Sarah Pekkanen! Her first book, The Opposite Of Me, I read in less than 3 days! I haven't done that in years! She was recommended by Jennifer Weiner (another favorite of mine!) and I'm so glad she did! The Opposite Of Me is the story of twins and how different they really are! Not long after I read it, her second novel came out, Skipping A Beat. This one was equally enjoyable! Skipping A Beat is about a married couple whose lives are completely changed when the husband suffers cardiac arrest and he dies for several minutes. Even Oprah says to pick up this book! Sarah just finished her third novel, but I have to be patient, because it won't hit the book store until April 2012! </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there are my recommendations for reading this summer! Enjoy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-17271047354091298752011-06-21T00:05:00.010-04:002011-06-21T12:20:02.731-04:00Random Tuesday Thoughts: so not ready for grandkids edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gK9o2x-JPjg/Tf-zGeVGf4I/AAAAAAAACFw/gA1FkX0EfAw/s1600/randomtuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gK9o2x-JPjg/Tf-zGeVGf4I/AAAAAAAACFw/gA1FkX0EfAw/s200/randomtuesday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I'm so glad Stacy took over</span><a href="http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> Random Tuesday Thoughts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">. I enjoy reading what others have to say and sometimes it's fun to just put down lots of randomness on "paper" (so to speak).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter's friend is visiting from Oregon (the real Oregon, not Vodkamom's Oregon). With her 2 year old daughter. It's been interesting, to say the least. My house is not baby-proofed. I haven't had to worry about that stuff for quite a few years now. I guess it's good practice for when I have grandchildren of my own. But this kid is driving me up the friggin' wall! I think God makes kids really cute so you don't strangle them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three times I caught Lillian scooping all the dry cat food into the cats' water bowl. The last time I threatened to make her eat it. She was making cereal for the cats. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She keeps taking my Longaberger baskets and trying to stand in them. If she breaks them, Mommy will be replacing them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She keeps finding Sharpie markers. That alone scares the crap out of me! I have no idea where she's finding them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has eaten all of my yogurt. Tell Mommy to buy your own yogurt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I retaliated. I ate her Apple Jacks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh. She did give me something, quite unselfishly, I might add. She gave me her friggin' cold! Mommy brought her here with full-blown bronchitis and a fever. I've been hacking up lungs since Thursday and missed 2 days of work, so far. And Mommy keeps taking my Dayquil/Nyquil because she's sick too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no idea when they are leaving. She hasn't made her reservations yet. I hope it's soon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hack, hack. Ah-choo! </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-30826158346052970342011-06-19T13:46:00.003-04:002011-06-20T11:07:21.332-04:00Reading Challenge Updates<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm in the middle of 3 reading challenges for this year. I'm making some progress, especially since I'm down with a lousy cold and I'm home trying to get well. I seem to have lots of time to get some reading done!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS8xsxriwIk/Tf4tfjqme6I/AAAAAAAACFA/yUPAMjWBm7o/s1600/OutdoYourself_thumb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS8xsxriwIk/Tf4tfjqme6I/AAAAAAAACFA/yUPAMjWBm7o/s1600/OutdoYourself_thumb2.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I have a general reading challenge, called The Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2011. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/2010/11/2011-reading-challenge-sign-up-outdo.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The Book Vixen is hosting this challenge</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">! Click on the link to check her out! I'm keeping track of the books I've finished here. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://joanies-random-rambling.blogspot.com/2011/01/joanies-reading-challenge.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Outdo Yourself Challenge</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">. So far, I have 29 books listed on this challenge. My hope is to read 100 books this year (I read 65 in 2010) I'm not sure if I can get to 100, but I'm sure going to try! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vreyWS2ChKg/Tf4tlB5o5II/AAAAAAAACFE/z39glo0n8Lc/s1600/jp+challenge+II+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vreyWS2ChKg/Tf4tlB5o5II/AAAAAAAACFE/z39glo0n8Lc/s200/jp+challenge+II+small.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">This next challenge is a </span><a href="http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/james-patterson-reading-challenge-ii.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">James Patterson Reading Challenge.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> It goes from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011. I have to say I have read far more James Patterson books than I have listed on my challenge. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/james-patterson-reading-challenge-ii.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Yvonne at Socrates Book Review</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> is hosting this one! The thing I like about reading James Patterson is he also introduces you to new writers. At least one writer that I know of, Andrew Gross, has gone on to write fabulous books on his own! I just finished reading Gross's The Blue Zone and it was great!! Couldn't put it down! Anyway, I'm halfway through the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://joanies-random-rambling.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-james-patterson-challenge-book-list.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> JP Challenge, having read 8 of the 16 books I have listed</span></a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Check them out by clicking on the link!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd0ngOqOSG0/Tf4v6UbGaVI/AAAAAAAACFI/Z1bqW6BZvH0/s1600/NicholasSparks_thumb%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd0ngOqOSG0/Tf4v6UbGaVI/AAAAAAAACFI/Z1bqW6BZvH0/s1600/NicholasSparks_thumb%255B2%255D.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">And last, but not least, I have the</span><a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/2010/11/2011-reading-challenge-sign-up-nicholas.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> This challenge is also hosted by The Book Vixen. Until I started reading these books, I never read a Nicholas Sparks book, or seen any of his movies. I'm not a big Romance book fan, but these aren't like the romance novels I've read in the past. I thought I'd do my best to see if I could read all of the 16 books Nicholas Sparks has written. I have finished 5 of them. To be honest, I've been listening to these on audio, in my car. </span><a href="http://joanies-random-rambling.blogspot.com/2011/01/nicholas-sparks-reading-challenge-2011.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">My list of all his books, and the ones I"ve finished, crossed out, can be found here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">. I've discovered that I do like his books! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the past year, I have discovered many new writers (and some old favorites) that I really enjoy reading! You can Google them to see what they've written. I'm listing them below. Please check them out!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah Pekkanen</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maryann McFadden</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamera Lawrence</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Grisham</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claire Cook</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Hatvany</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Levine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa Scottoline</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Janet Evanovich</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tess Gerritsen</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew Gross</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elin Hilderbrand</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stieg Larsson</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patricia Cornwell</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sue Grafton</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and so many more that I have yet to discover!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what authors do you love?</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-56683883695982469562011-06-10T09:28:00.001-04:002011-06-16T19:10:15.291-04:00Dear So and So<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLjWhT7a33c/TfIW2_pGxXI/AAAAAAAACE8/Lm6bA6IEnI8/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLjWhT7a33c/TfIW2_pGxXI/AAAAAAAACE8/Lm6bA6IEnI8/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Dear So and So,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm back! Did you miss me? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying to get back on the Bloggy Wagon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joanie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Dani,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations on finishing hairdressing school, and in record time! I hope you do well on your exam, get your license and find a job quickly!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love you!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proud Mama (and former hairstylist herself!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joanie</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Former Co-workers,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm VERY happy that some of you no longer work with me. For the most part, you were lazy, inconsiderate and did little more than complain that you were too busy or not busy enough. Those other restaurants can have you. And because you work at those other places, I will no longer frequent those establishments. I had enough of you when you worked here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good riddance,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joanie</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If you like Dear So and So, and want to give it a try, just pop over to </span><a href="http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com/2011/06/dear-so-and-soyes-we-can.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Kat's Place at Three Bedroom Bungalow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">, hook up with her Linky and add your own! It's a great way to blow off steam, and you can read lots of other letters!</span></span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Love,</span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Joanie</span></b></span></b></div></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-26022246498778003082011-06-08T12:22:00.000-04:002011-06-08T12:22:35.517-04:00True Confessions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I saw this article on </span>Facebook<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> by a new author that I plan to read in the next few weeks. Her name is Amy </span>Hatvany<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> and her newly published book is called</span><a href="http://amyhatvany.com/default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b> Best Kept Secret</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">. (you should read it!)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Anyway, on </span>Facebook<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> today, she put up a link about signs you might be drinking too much. It's a short article, and one I easily could have written myself. </span><a href="http://www.tipsonlifeandlove.com/self-help/drinking-too-much-3-signs-you-might-be"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <b>Here it is if you're interested.</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> (with permission)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My story is slightly different, but the basis is very similar.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in December 2004, I caught my husband cheating. He left at the end of January 2005 "to figure things out" and by that he meant "start a new life with a younger woman with no kids, a clean house, a slim body". He told me he was living with his brother. He was not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My oldest child was away at college. My son was in high school and my younger daughter was in 8th grade. My son had a job but no car, so I had to pick him up from work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I "needed" alcohol to be able to get into that bed alone every night, the bed I shared with my husband for 23 years. I'd wait until all the kids were in for the night before I'd start drinking.(sign #1, watching the clock. also rule #2, making rules)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd consume a magnum bottle of Merlot every night. That's the big bottle they have in restaurants when they serve wine by the glass. Or I'd down half a bottle of Captain Morgan with my Diet Coke with Lime. I'd pour the rum right into the soda can so the kids wouldn't know I was drinking. (they knew) (rule #3, sneaking)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was good and drunk, I'd go to bed. I have no idea how I functioned, but the doors were locked, lights were out, coffee ready for the next day, I woke up in my pajamas, in my bed. A few times I had no recollection of doing these things. I NEVER EVER intentionally got in the car and drove!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One time I started drinking early in the evening. When it was time to get coffee ready for the next day, I realized I was out of coffee. I can't wake up after a bender and not have coffee!! My son had his driver's permit, so I had him drive me to the grocery store to get the coffee. I wasn't drunk, but I had 2 glasses of wine and didn't want to take any chances. I thought I was being quite clever! I learned the next day that if we had gotten into an accident, I'd have been arrested for drunk driving (or something like that) because my son was driving with someone was was NOT a responsible driver! So don't do that!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did this every single night for about 3 months. The funny thing is, I was going to therapy once a week. I told my therapist what I was doing. He was concerned that I was developing a drinking problem. I told him that was not true! I was doing this very deliberately! I could stop whenever I wanted! I needed this to be able to go to sleep. Sigh. So in denial.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What finally made me stop was this. I was going to my therapy session on my day off. I had drunk a large bottle of wine the night before, as usual. One of my tires was getting low, so I stopped at a gas station to put air in my tires. When I got out of my car, I bent over to fill the tire and I nearly fell over! GASP!!! I WAS STILL DRUNK AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL THEN! That scared the hell out of me! I still had enough alcohol in me that I had lost my balance. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told myself that I had to get a grip and stop the drinking. And I did. That day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't have any alcohol for at least a year after that. Now I can have a drink or two and be okay. There are times, however, if I have a bottle of rum or tequila in the house I tend to have 1 or 2 drinks a night until the bottle is gone. So I rarely keep any in the house. Besides, with the diabetes, I shouldn't be drinking anyway. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have gotten past my ex-husband's cheating and leaving me. I can even be in their company and be fine. If you saw us, you'd think we were friends (trust me, we're not. Maybe my girls get their acting talent from me after all!) Suffice it to say if (or I'd like to think when) their marriage breaks up (oh yeah, he married her shortly after the divorce was final... no one went to the wedding), I will celebrate!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even 4 years of dealing with John's battle with Lymphoma has not driven me to drink. My drug of choice now seems to be food, and junk food at that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm happy. My kids all finished with school. They are living their own lives. My oldest is getting married in a month. And hopefully, at John next doctor appointment ( a few days after the wedding) we'll find out that the cancer hasn't returned. We have our fingers crossed. If not, then we begin the next battle to get rid of it. And I'll do it without booze to help me.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-37834664044158462922011-06-07T09:10:00.000-04:002011-06-07T09:10:28.593-04:00Random Tuesday Thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvZkyr3KOSA/Te4b0-d8ccI/AAAAAAAACE4/RBB5nNM5lJM/s1600/randomtuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvZkyr3KOSA/Te4b0-d8ccI/AAAAAAAACE4/RBB5nNM5lJM/s1600/randomtuesday.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geez! I haven't done a Random Tuesday in ages! I guess since Keely decided to go on Random Tuesday Sabbatical! Happy to see Stacy has taken up the banner and is running with it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The countdown to the wedding has begun! Twenty-five more days! I have my dress, my shoes, my bag, a cute new do. Now if only I could lose 50 lbs in a hurry. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My youngest child graduates from hairdressing school this Thursday. I don't think there is any kind of real big ceremony. She'll be coming home on Friday and will go to the beach with her friend's family on Saturday for a week, but then she heads back to Pittsburgh to get ready for her State Board exam and to find a JOB!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things are settling down a bit at work. Lots of new faces. One VERY annoying new server who is pushy and is a liar (no way in hell did you make $115 last Saturday when your sales were about the same as mine and we stood around with nothing to do for a good portion of the shift). His days are numbered. I just wish that number would come up soon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still haven't mailed a postcard to Captain Dumbass. I will, though! I promise!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was informed last night that Gina and her future mother-in-law are coming up to my house on June 15 for my dress fitting. (Jane is doing the alterations on my dress) I thought I was driving to Delaware for the fitting. Shit. Now I have to clean my house.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather keeps jumping around. First it's hot, then it's pleasant and warm, then the nights are chilly, now it's going to get hot again. And with it comes the severe thunderstorms and chances of tornadoes (yep! even in Pennsylvania!) I used to worry that the high winds on these storms would knock over a tree onto my house. But I need a new roof and now I keep hoping it WILL fall on my house! I can pay the deductible!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I think I'm randomed out. Now go visit Stacy @ </span><a href="http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/2011/06/hot-flashes-pretty-bird-and-an-absent-minded-nod-rtt-rebel/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Stacy Uncorked </b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">and leave your random link with her!</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-40183881676752919882011-06-04T10:18:00.000-04:002011-06-04T10:18:37.201-04:00Six Word Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFLTwlJoDSg/Teo8_Xyj7lI/AAAAAAAACE0/sg_y8e0_6fY/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFLTwlJoDSg/Teo8_Xyj7lI/AAAAAAAACE0/sg_y8e0_6fY/s1600/Six+Word+Saturday+Button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Four more weeks until the wedding!!!</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter, Gina's wedding, that is! This year just flew by! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in 4 short weeks, July 2 to be exact, my favorite future son-in-law will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">officially become my favorite son-in-law! Yes, I will blog about it and yes, there will be pictures! Can't wait!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to try your own</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1177822244" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2011/06/six-word-saturday.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Six Word Saturday</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? Go see Cate at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_536526598" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><a href="http://www.showmyface.com/2008/01/six-word-saturdays.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Show My Face</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and link up!</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></span></b></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-41867288084354479592011-05-30T21:16:00.002-04:002011-05-30T23:37:37.333-04:00Thank you for your service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6qA9AvpTao/TeQ3YA9PcWI/AAAAAAAACEw/JHbQ_gBrZxs/s1600/american-flag-clipart-america-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6qA9AvpTao/TeQ3YA9PcWI/AAAAAAAACEw/JHbQ_gBrZxs/s400/american-flag-clipart-america-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Today is Memorial Day. So many people forget what today is really for. It's fine to have barbecues, picnics and the first official weekend of the summer at the beach. But today is also to remember the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom. <br />
<br />
Like my brother, Michael reminded me just a short while ago, we must give special tribute to the soldiers of World War II. Without their sacrifice, bravery and profound sense of duty to God and country, we very well could be speaking German or Japanese now. I know for sure the citizens of France should thank their lucky stars they are still able to speak French!<br />
<br />
My Uncle Francis Curry was a Tech Sergeant in World War II, fighting in North Africa and Europe. We just recently got documentation about when he was killed in action. His plane went down and we learned Uncle Francie and some of the others survived the crash only to be burned alive in the fire that happened after the crash. He is buried in Anzio, Italy. <br />
<br />
Uncle Francie was the only person I knew of who gave his life for our freedom. Thankfully, my father survived as a radioman in the Navy and came home unscathed. <br />
<br />
I have a decidedly military family. Three of my 4 brothers are retired Marines. One of my brothers served 20 years! My brother, Michael, served in Viet Nam. My brother Jimmy served in the first Gulf War. My brother, Marty somehow managed to miss every confrontation in his 20 years in the Marines. He was either in Korea or Okinawa at the time. For 3 years, he was a drill instructor at Parris Island. <br />
<br />
My John served for 20 years in the Army with the 82nd Airborne and was involved in Grenada. His son, Mark is also with the Army's 82nd Airborne. Mark has completed 3 tours of Iraq, a stint in Haiti after the earthquake there last year and as soon as he got stateside after that, was sent to Afghanistan! He is stateside again, but still serving.<br />
<br />
My brother-in-law, Jim served for 29 years in the Army. He did 2 tours in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne Division. He went on to be become an Army Ranger and then a Green Beret with Special Forces. He retired in 1995 as a full Colonel. <br />
<br />
My nephew, Steve served 9 years with the US Marines as a helicopter mechanic. Steve was part of the President's helicopter fleet. He had the honor of flying with some great dignitaries, among them Pope John Paul II. Then the Army said, "Join us and we'll let you become a pilot!' So he's been with the Army's 82nd Airborne for the past 12 years, piloting a Black Hawk helicopter! He has served in Iraq, Afghanistan and spent time in the Bahamas (aw, such a tough assignment) chasing drug runners. Steve is still serving in the Army.<br />
<br />
Steve's sister, Marianne also served in the Army during and after college and law school in the Army Reserves! She resigned her commission when she became pregnant with her first child.<br />
<br />
So thank a Soldier or a Sailor or an Airman or a Marine when you see them. They are willing to give their lives so we can have the freedoms we enjoy to this day. And say a prayer for their continued safely. Remember those, like my Uncle Francie, who gave their lives so we can enjoy our freedom. We are so very fortunate to live here and we have freedoms that people in countries around the world can only dream about!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-82779397852143449732011-05-19T22:03:00.003-04:002011-05-19T22:38:07.158-04:00Update: John's 6 month PET scan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Yesterday, John had an appointment with Dr. Sunita Nasta, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to get the results of the 6 month PET scan to see if his cancer has returned or not. For those of you new to my blog, you can read</span> <b><a href="http://joanies-random-rambling.blogspot.com/2010/01/update-on-john.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">John's full story here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You can also read more of John's story by clicking on the Label, CANCER SUCKS on my sidebar.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">** NOTE: my brother Michael describes a PET scan <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_922679568"><b>(</b></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/pet_scan/hic_pet_scan.aspx"><b>positron emission tomography)</b></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as this: they make you drink nuclear shit and then they x-ray you, similar to a CT scan. If anything lights up, you probably have cancer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, about 2 weeks ago, John had his semi-annual PET scan done. We drove to HUP for his appointment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When he had his appointment in October 2010, Dr. Nasta leaped into the air as she popped into the room, with a big grin on her face and pronounced <b>YOU ARE BETTER THAN EVER!!! </b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not so much this time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, she walked into the room, no smile on her face. Oh shit. This isn't good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She told us that the scan showed 2 very small nodes, less than a centimeter in diameter each. For those of us Americans who are not metric literate, a centimeter is about 1/3 of an inch. Teeny tiny. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But they lit up and that's not good. One in the groin, one in the neck. They are so small she couldn't even feel them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She asked if John had been sick recently or had a fever. Nope. He has lost about 10 pounds since his last visit. He does get tired and often falls asleep when he gets home from work at 4 pm. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So John had 2 choices. He could get an ultra-sound and she'd then do a biopsy (on a teeny tiny node that she can't feel), or John could get another PET scan in 6 weeks to see if they grew and to also see if they light up again. He opted to get the PET scan at the end of June (6 weeks will have gone by since his last one) and see her again on July 6.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a possibility that the lighting up was a fluke caused by a fever or virus that John wasn't aware of. Or the scanner in the lab is new and maybe a little "enthusiastic" in his interpretation of the scan. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, now John has an appointment on June 28 for his scan and then an appointment on July 6 to get the results. If the scan shows the nodes are cancerous again, John will have to start yet another round of Chemo.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to the Potbelly Sandwich Shop to grab a bite, since John had been fasting all day. While we were there, we discussed it, calmly. Again, we are taking a positive approach. This is another battle in this war called Cancer. He's not going to let this get him down. Hopefully, the next test will be a good one and we can relax for a few months again. If not, well, I guess I'll be driving the Schuylkill Expressway into Center City Philadelphia quite often again. I think I should get my AAA membership renewed.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-77538974448049354302011-05-13T21:40:00.003-04:002011-05-13T21:45:45.044-04:00Dear So and So: Royally duped!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8aLVdTWLc9A/Tc3WgWXqvtI/AAAAAAAACEY/1Qzxph4q2d8/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8aLVdTWLc9A/Tc3WgWXqvtI/AAAAAAAACEY/1Qzxph4q2d8/s1600/dearsoandso_button.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Whoever Posted the comparison photos of Prince William and his lovely bride,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, you got me and a lot of other folks across America.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, yesterday, someone posted these photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton and compared them to the Disney pictures of Cinderella and Prince Charming at their wedding. Also in the picture are comparison photos of the Ugly Stepsisters and The Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. The similarities was astounding! Look for yourself! (sorry the photo isn't real clear. It's the best I could do)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JznMZCEeCe0/Tc3bNnfg2MI/AAAAAAAACEs/l4J2nsRHaQw/s1600/duped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JznMZCEeCe0/Tc3bNnfg2MI/AAAAAAAACEs/l4J2nsRHaQw/s400/duped.jpg" width="340" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all laughed at the similarities. C'mon, you know you did! You might even have put them on your own Facebook page and shared them with your friends. I know I did! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then this evening, I read an article online about how someone photo-shopped the Disney pictures to match the ones taken at the Royal Wedding. Surely they were kidding!!! So I googled Disney Cinderella wedding images and this is what I found.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uhXo-H67Sd0/Tc3agvACuYI/AAAAAAAACEk/WCkWQ-5vcbw/s1600/cinder+real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uhXo-H67Sd0/Tc3agvACuYI/AAAAAAAACEk/WCkWQ-5vcbw/s400/cinder+real.jpg" width="257" /></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--szV5UkCdS0/Tc3apfY03WI/AAAAAAAACEo/70amEw_pY0E/s1600/ugly+stepsisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--szV5UkCdS0/Tc3apfY03WI/AAAAAAAACEo/70amEw_pY0E/s400/ugly+stepsisters.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They aren't even close! We were duped!!! Someone just pointed another flaw out to me. In the fake photo, Cinderella is a brunette. In the real photo, she's a blonde! I didn't even notice that!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel cheated, especially with the Ugly Stepsister/ Real Princesses photos! I thought that was brilliant!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If you like Dear So and So, and want to give it a try, just pop over to </span><a href="http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com/2011/05/dear-so-and-sohalf-asleep-edition.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Kat's Place at Three Bedroom Bungalow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">, hook up with her Linky and add your own! It's a great way to blow off steam, and you can read lots of other letters!</span></span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Love,</span></b></span></b></div></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Joanie</span></b></span></b></div></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875004.post-32317381400138345252011-05-04T13:16:00.001-04:002011-05-04T14:01:15.252-04:00Update on the job front, and a surprise visitor!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so it's been a few weeks since <strike>the shit hit the fan</strike> the new company took over, and <strike>people are dropping like flies</strike> quite a few employees have decided to move on to other jobs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pissed at the ones who just walked out. A few of the crew kids thought it would be fun to walk out in the middle of their shift, on a busy Friday night, hoping to cause chaos. Didn't happen. Fortunately, we had managers and trainers from other stores in to help with proper training and they took over hosting and bussing duties.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our general manager discovered via a cook that there were want ads on our website, for a GM position and a kitchen manager position. When he asked if his job was in jeopardy, the response from our new District Manager was, "Well, are you doing your job?" (he wasn't... he is why so any are jumping ship). He packed his stuff and left. Rumor has it that he went back to his former store and tried to get his kitchen manager job back, but was turned down when they found out he walked out of this job. If he had waited until he got fired, he could have collected unemployment. Now he's screwed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of now, about 20 employees that I can recall have left. We are in the process of hiring and training new servers and hosts, as well as cooks and dishwashers. Soon we will have an entirely new staff working here! And they will all be trained properly! Our former General Manager was filling the place with bodies, didn't matter if they had any kind of training whatsoever. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing is, with leaving a job like serving, when you go to a new restaurant, no matter how much experience you have, you are still the new kid on the block. You need to earn the right to get good hours, good sections and make decent money. You WILL be one of the first ones out every night. You WILL get the crappy stations to work in. You WILL get smaller sections until you prove you can handle more tables. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did learn when I validate someone I get a higher hourly wage AND I keep their tips!! Woo hoo!!! I made an extra $50 on Monday night! So I'll work extra hours when they need me if that's going to happen! Validation is when a server in training takes tables and I follow them around to make sure they are doing everything correctly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have managers and trainers from a few of our other stores to help out, mostly from New York. We have a temporary General Manager until they can hire someone permanently. I want her to stay forever! I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> HEART</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> HER A LOT!!! She's fun. She's energetic. She doesn't take shit from anyone, but is quick to bestow praise when she sees it. I've seen her sit down and have quite a few little "chats" with disgruntled employees. Our place of employment is supposed to be energetic and fun. These folks are bringing fun back to our jobs! She gave me $5 the other night for answering a question correctly!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two in particular that I will be happy to see leave this place and I hope it's soon. They are both disrespectful and rude to fellow workers, me included. They both had chats with management and I'm guessing their days are numbered. Good riddance to them. I don't need negative rude people around me. I like my job and I want to have fun when I'm there. This is a new company. If you don't like the rules, there's the door. See ya later. Bye. There are so many people willing to take your job and play by the rules. We don't need you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are cleaning (literally, with soap and water and Windex and degreaser, etc.) our place up, really good. They are getting us tons of new equipment. Everyone is getting proper training. We are going to be awesome!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in other news.....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">While I was at work yesterday I had a visitor! It was none other than Matty from </span><a href="http://www.mattythoughts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Matty Thoughts</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">!! Matty stopped by to say hello! We've been reading each others blog for a couple of years now, and we live not far from each other. Matty's been telling me he was going to drop by one of these days and yesterday he did! He happened to be in the mall where I work and dropped in to see if I was working. We didn't have much time to chat, since I had tables to take care of, but we did get to chat for a minute. It was a pleasure meeting you, Matty! You look just like your picture!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">And a great big </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WAY TO GO</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> and an </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">OO-RAH</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> for our Navy Seal Team who took out Osama Bin Laden! Even if the photo going around Facebook is a fake, I still think it's a good look for him! And we can handle anything those extremists throw at us! Maybe now, some of the 3,000+ families can have some peace and closure. God Bless America!</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/371/3C20F08615696C84ECD9E01AD843B320.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Joaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08943128638748507880noreply@blogger.com13