Blooms....

I had some nerves going on today...

Then the interview went smoothly.....

And I got some Harvest Spice coffee....

And to top it all off - this came to my house...

Cue a big smile that makes my dimples into craters....

Dodging Acorns....

Yesterday, we took a hike (literally - yeah, that joke does not get old for me at all)...

We stood with our thoughts looking at the NYC skyline for a bit before making friends with the hawk watching guys (incredible camera gear!). And after that, we set out for a few hours of acorn dodging! (there was also an incident where I was attacked by a tree.....I guarantee you the tree has another version of that story.....)

Fun with VFF's and some dirt/gravel...

The levitating grasshopper!! (on the ground right now but he did levitate!)

Gnarly tree....do not remember if it was an acorn chucker or not.....

D-D-D-Deals!!

So as not to bore you all with another pic of stuff, I simply would like to thank the following stores….

Target

$0.39 box of 375 count Q-tips (manufacturer & Target coupon)
$1.99 Purex 3 in 1 – 20 loads of laundry for ten cents each? Yeah, I’ll take that!

Rite Aid

For $0.42, I took home:
2 20 oz. Pepsi Max’s
1 snack size bag of Doritos
2 packs of Orbit gum

The Pepsi’s had BOGO coups from both RA and the manufacturer (combined equaled to 2 free sodas), the Doritos coupon was for a free bag when you bought 2 Pepsis and the gum was a BOGO coupon as well. (The person at the register keyed in the full price vs the sale price. Total should have really been about $1)

Shoprite

I saved $28.50 between sales and coupons – OOP was $11.66 for 4 packs of Weaver chicken products (nuggets, tenders, etc.) at $1.99 each, cottage cheese at $0.77, 2 boxes of Quaker Instant Oatmeal at $1.50 each and Milk at $0.99. Only thing I paid full price for was the chopped spinach ($0.99) which I need for dinner tonight.

North Shore or Bust!

A fun way to spend Labor Dkay Weekend - I can finally say that I have conquered Splitrock’s North Shore! (there is even video footage of this event!)

After a slightly bumpy start (involving waves), the rest of the paddle trip was a lot of fun. Lots of nature to check out, islands to see, minimal trash to pick up and I got to experience the other side of the reservoir. Very peaceful!!

There may have been some knocking over of this very carefully constructed cairn….total accident though!


And there were doggies!!! They did not care that we were there – all the wanted to do was swim and catch tree branches – no wussy sticks for these dogs!!

The paddle back was long but I put my head down and actually enjoyed the waves….those with binoculars just kept chuckling – I did not need any device to see the whitecaps that were waiting for me in the last two miles!!

Sunday's night company made me a bit of a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Huge thanks to TGP for helping ALOT with the food and clean up!! A good group of people, pumpkin beers and a fire pit made for a great night!!

Dancing At The Movies...

This just makes me smile....

Dreams....

I had a very vivid dream last night – it’s still bugging me so I have to share….

Car carnage at every turn...

A big UPS truck backing into my driveway and crumpling up my car.

A Jeep Wrangler tries to climb a tree (that used to be in our front yard) and gets about halfway and comes crashing down.

Everywhere I looked there were cars being destroyed.

And I just stood on the front lawn yelling that it all had to stop.

Moral of the story? No more spicy food after 8 pm!

Adventure!

I have taken to recapping my weekends in a lump statements...

This past one included - Fire Pit, Kayak, E & C, more Fire Pit and BBQ!!

But I feel compelled to elaborate!

Fire Pit - snuggly, controlled fire with "sprinkles" that made it change color!! (purple, teal, 3 shades of blue, green - just SO cool)

Kayak - got to help with more garbage clean up but also realize how far I have come with paddling - I can paddle backwards comfortably!

E & C - had not seen them in a while and we got to chat about life...

More Fire Pit - self explanatory, right?

BBQ - fun times even though we did not indulge our hostess and play Beer Pong....

And then there was the Grand Finale to the weekend.....taking the One Who Must Not Be Blogged About home.....she yanked my car out of gear on the highway twice (from automatic to fake stick), breathed a sigh of relief at being in her own home and adapted SO quickly to the caretakers....we all breathed our own sigh of relief!

Cling....

Like Press & Seal....

There are things that I am holding onto very tightly....

I know I am but I need them in order to get through all this...

And I will get through all this...

Tis me!!!

I have been told that I am a Muppet.....one friend's nephew told me that I remind him of a cartoon character....well, I was on the phone with a friend and I was told that I remind them of Isabella from Phineas & Ferb due to one phrase...."Whatcha Doin'?"......hilarious because it's true!

Round and Round....

The mention of a certain phrase just swirls me to one song and then along to the next one...for some reason these three are forever linked in my mind....here's the loop...

I hear the phrase “Chances are…”

Flash to Robert Downey Jr. in the movie “Chances Are” which ends with the song “After All” – a duet by Cher & Peter Cetera…

Then flash to Robert Downey Jr. on Ally Mcbeal singing "Chances Are" with Vonda Shephard….

And then that flashes to an Ally McBeal episode where Vonda sings "You Belong To Me"….which is also a book...

All three songs break my heart in one way or another….but in a good way….they are not linked to any person or any event in my life....I just love these songs....

After All
Lyrics - http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/peter+cetera/after+all_20107398.html
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihQxiObdY9c
(this song has been making me cry for over 15 years...I do prefer their duet but I could not find a video of them together!)

After All the stops and starts,
We keep coming back to these two hearts,
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall.
After All that we've been through,
It all comes down to me and you.
I guess it's meant to be,
Forever you and me, After All.

Chances Are
Lyrics - http://www.lyricsfreak.com/v/vonda+shepard/chances+are_20144709.html
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnQtSUbgFL0

Chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smiling like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you and I'll offer
All I have

You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best, I've ever met

You Belong To Me
Lyrics - http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/cline-patsy/you-belong-to-me-5575.html
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEU_iiXcyPc

Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember till you're home again
You belong to me

Pirate Jokes....

Tee-hee! A new website for me to amuse myself with…. http://www.piratejokes.net/
plus a daily joke on Twitter!! (@piratejokes)

And check out the stuff in the Booty Shop….I’m still cracking up over the shirt where one Jolly Roger says “Yaaargh” and the other Jolly Roger says “I was just thinking the same thing!”

The people that make all of these ARR! jokes should be what? ARRested!

What is a pirate receptionist scared of? Getting CAAARRRRRpal Tunnel!

Why do pirates prefer to sail? Because they can't drive CARRRRRRRs!

Where did the pirate keep his boat? In the HARRRrrrrbor!

What did the pirate get when he cut himself in a battle? A SCAAAAARRRrrrrr!

Why did the pirate go back to the future? To see MAARRRTY McFly!!!

What's a pirate's favorite coffee spot? Starrrrrrrbucks

Why did the man have to become a pirate? He didn't learn the 3 ARRRRRRRs!

Why was the pirate's butt so big? He kept stealing everyone's booty!

What's the smelliest part of a pirate ship? The poop deck!

Why didn't the pirate get hungry when he was left on a desert island? Because of all the sand which is there!

What's a pirate's favorite herb? PARRRRsley!

What is a pirate's favorite board game? MonARRRRpoly!!

What do you call and official pirate? A carrrrrrd caarrrrrrying pirate!

What do nerd pirates do in high school? They run the video projectaaaaaaaaar.

What do pirates keep for good luck? Charrrrrrrrms!

What does a stoned pirate say? FARRrrrrgh out, matey!

Did you hear about the stupid pirate? Yeah, what a ret-AAAARRRRR-d!

What does a pirate say when he has a heart attack? Arrr! Me heartie!

Rainy Faire...

The Ren Faire in the rain is a different kind of fair...there really is no need to be family friendly because no one brings their kids out in a monsoon…As a result, you get to see the more adult side of the fair!

It is more intriguing to play this instrument while wearing a mask….it adds to the Phantom of the Opera theme.

The Washing Well Wenches are one of the best new acts at the faire. Wet dirty women providing good clean fun and making sure that grown men do the silliest things in order to get a flower for their ladies!

Watching women being chased by a very large Nordic looking man wanting to be fed like a baby bird provides quality entertainment!

Whenever there was a VFF question, it was directed to me first. ("Hey, they have those creepy shoes!")

We watched ducks being raced in a puddle – Orange should have won, but he lost it midway through…

We sent the rose girl after other people with cleavage after letting her know that beer was more important at the moment.

Moist is similar to damp…

I collected about an inch and a half of rainwater in an empty cup in about 15 minutes.

And the Ginger Pirate now owns a costume that I consider to be fan-f&*king-tastic!

There is a politically correct way to define what a pirate does....see the pic below...

Unfortunately, the day ended with a flat tire, but luckily we were in a safe (and dry!!) place so the wait for AAA was not bad. (always nice to know that car dealers are looking out for you when they give you the wrong size wrench for your lug nuts)

The Essence of Success

This is on the mousepad that I have owned since 1998....

I recently took the time to read it again....

Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of children, who leaves the world better than they found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earth’s beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of themselves.

Weekend Ying Yang...

The weekend went from one extreme to the other.....nicely balanced!

Saturday - I helped with the Splitrock Reservoir Cleanup. I was energized afterwards and felt really good about helping out the place that I have come to enjoy both on foot and on water. Plus I was able to really break in my new VFF's!

After that I had a mini family event with a very recalcitrant birthday girl. (99 year old cranky pants) There was a considerable amount of effort and time put into the party and her behavior was that of a complete brat. I really think that if she could have seen what she was going to become, she would have changed things in her life.

And then I headed to my third event of the day – one of my friends was in town from the South and he had a get together at his parent’s house. So I drove the hour long commute that I did for a good six months before moving closer. Lots of laughs and lots of empanadas fueled my energy for the ride home!

Sunday – a very sleepy trip to IHOP and then zonking out on the couch while watching a bunch of TV……perfect balance to Saturday’s running around!

Zapatos Locos!!

An early birthday present....Vibram Five Fingers Trek Sports! I lurve them!!

And just because I find it cute, I have to share....

Fair Faire!! (more than fair actually!)

Ah, the NY Ren Faire....a yearly tradition!



It still amazes me how many band geeks end up at the faire. Like a natural migration!

We had a bunch of people and a few that had never been to the faire! I NEEDED a fun time & my friends did not disappoint.

A few of the high points:

“Yeti Feet” (FiveFingers) were used to cut the bar line.

Booby roses for all!

Feather envy was overcome.

Wacky Chickens were worth the trouble finding the stage.

Beards were referred to as scrub brushes.

We heckled at the Kissing Bridge.

And on the way out – frozen chocolate covered bananas and the stocks….that combination proved that we still had enough energy to roar with laughter after a LONG day in the hot sun!


Any guesses as to what this says?? (pouches....really....)

Wheeling & Dealing...

Retail therapy in any form is good....getting a deal is even better!!

I know that you're all used to me posting about CVS, Walgreens and occasionally Rite Aid and Target but I have had a couple of trip lately at the supermarket where I just have to stop and glow about the savings....

Last two trips went a little something like this:

Purchased shredded cheese, ice cream & sausages
Total savings between items being on sale & coupons = $19.56
$2.78 OOP

Purchased many frozen treats, yogurt, snacks, bacon & eggs
Total savings between items being on sale & coupons = $28.86
$7.06 OOP

Both times the cashiers complimented me on savvy shopping!

Sparkle Lounge…..

Everybody, everyone c'mon c'mon
C'mon c'mon

Baby, baby won't you give me a good time?
Squeeze me, please me, make it feel like the last time
Hold me close and I'll make every dream come true
Just let the man in me meet the woman in you

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose
Get back the spark, come light the fuse
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everybody, everywhere

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Give a little, take a little
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Give it all ya' gotta give
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Let me hear it everyone, c'mon, c'mon
C'mon, c'mon

Baby, baby take the ride of a lifetime
Thrill me, kill me, won't you send me a lifeline?
Ready, steady go wherever you want to
I'll bet the 7 wonders ain't got nothin' on you

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose
Get back the spark, come light the fuse
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everybody, everywhere

C'mon, c'mon
C'mon, c'mon
C'mon, c'mon
C'mon, c'mon

Smilez!!!

Check out this incredibly patient smiling kitty!!


The rest of the pix are HERE - my favorite is the kitty in a basket with a kitty in a basket on it's head!!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Descriptors...

None of the recent entries that I have written would go over well right now - lots of anger and negativity…no need to expose the masses to it....I do have some creative phrases though!!

Some of the overly dramatic descriptive phrases in my head that are apparently just dying to come out…I have caught myself writing:

Acting like a complete curmudgeon
Verbal Vorpal Sword
Devastatingly blue eyes
Spouting venom like a geyser
Crumbling into nothingness
Emotional vampires

I know that I am run down – I need to see my friends to recharge. And I will have the chance this weekend during the Ren Faire (bring on the debauchery!!)

That thought (and some good hugs) are helping me get through the week!