John Rich WINS

John Rich won the apprentice .... so happy for him and his charity. No other celebrity (except maybe Meatloaf who surprised the heck out of all of us) had more of a focus on his charity than any other person competing. He kept his eye on the prize - not the prize of winning - but the prize of raising money for his beloved charity St. Jude's Children's Hopsital. Congratulations John Rich. I'm even a bigger fan than I was before.

I don't understand

I'm so irritated by the same things over and over. I had some friends that I introduced ...and I was pushed out. I don't understand and it has damaged me and bothered me and continues to haunt me. I valued them - why didn't they value me?

I'm still HERE!

I swear. Here I am. Perhaps I should use this blog (that no one reads) to get all of my frustrations out instead of using facebook (which everyone reads).
Today (and everyday) I am frustrated by many things. Stay tuned.

Lucky number 5

Saw it again .... won the wicked lottery and got two front row tickets for the Saturday matinee. Wicked cool .... wicked special.

Free for your pleasure .... my blog - as uninteresting as it is.

I think I am losing my sanity - just a bit. I start to have anxiety about one thing and then before you know it, everything is snowballing and I am bundle of nerves who doesn't know which end is up.

Help!

On another note - I can usually put on a brave face and hide my dirty little secret from the world....

Here's the fakin' it.

Winding Down

What can I say? Time passes, I don't blog. Here's the deal...when school is in, I am busy busy busy. When school is out I am lazy lazy lazy. The pool calls - the couch calls - friends call. I don't blog.

Today is a new day. Starting today, I will post - something - anything - once a week.

Thats all for now.

So much going on - no time to post.

A friend came across my blog the other day ... and that reminded me that I hadn't written much lately. Last we spoke - I was sending my children off to their first day of school and I was starting my first day of subbing work. Well, that has worked out pretty well - I love it and am hoping daily for the opportunity to have a permanent position with the school district. Now, that is not to say it doesn't come with its ups and downs. For example- Kids (of all ages) are little germ carriers - and me the germ phobe - it can be interesting. On the upside if you're not worried about the germs, you can get all kinds of hugs from the elementary kids. On the downside you have kids who will just not warm up to you no matter what you do. But the one's who do make you grin from ear to ear. I have really enjoyed working at all the different levels. I am looking for a job at any school level, but ultimately think the best match for me is the middle or high school level. Time will tell and patience is my friend.

Anyway - not much else going on - just chilling. But I am planning a bus trip to NYC to see ...................................................................




You guessed it - WICKED.

Wake me up when September ends.

Never were truer words spoken. Yesterday was the start of school, and like I posted before, I sent my kids. Inside I screamed... stay home, stop growing, don't go... but I quietly wished them a great day and told them I loved them. Today was presented another first for me as well, I worked. Earlier in the summer I put in my paperwork to sub in the school district ( support sub, not teaching) .... I said to myself... I will say YES to everything, I will try everything, and this WILL turn into a part time/ or full time position. So, the first opportunity was to work as the front desk receptionist at the High School.... I clicked yes ...and then the reality set it.... the hours were 3 to 6.... I wasn't going to be here when the kids got home from school..... On their first day..... tears followed.... small panic attack.... and then... I realized, so many moms do this, I can do this.... so I sat the kids down and explained to them how sorry I was.....

And do you know what they said?

Don't care mom, glad you won't be here, like being home alone!!!!!

WHAT?????????????????????????????????

Insanity Looms

Its the end of summer. I always get sad and anxious as the start of school approaches. I worry about the kids. I worry about other people's kids. I worry that my kids won't find friends to sit with at lunch. I worry that they will get lost going to classes. I worry that this will be the year something bad happens. All in all - I worry. I will send them off on their first day, because as a good mother, that is what I am supposed to do. But I won't like it.

a new friend

i have a crush - this boy holds my heart in his smile

Bella

Our newest addition :

3 sisters

Just recently realized how lucky I am to have sisters!

wedded bliss

My baby sister Holly married her fiance' Ryan Seickel on December 31, 2008. It was a wonderful day... isn't the bride lovely?

halloween

I support

Snopes verified


http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/castro.asp


From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008
Dear Editor,
Times-Dispatch:
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4 I celebrate America 's.
This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my
independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The
election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there.
In the late 1950's, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, so when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at
least receptive.
When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in.
When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed.
When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.'
And when the young leader said, 'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing.
By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status.
By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who
promises change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America ?
Would we?
Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

Preparing for Girls Night

Tonight is Girls Night ... a few friends and I will be celebrating with cocktails and a special screening of - SEX AND THE CITY.... can't wait... I've been preparing all day... - check out dessert!

Blast From the Past

SO - I've been posting on facebook like a fiend. I don't know what has come over me, but I have reconnected with many old classmates. We all decided to start posting old photos and stroll down memory lane....

Here is me on senior day... with mom and dad..... Wilson Area High School, Easton PA

The costume? We were the WARRIORS and I was a twirler/headm majorette... yeah, we wore headresses... thats he we rolled....

Too Busy

I know, I know... I haven't posted lately.... Kids started school (Parker started HIGH SCHOOL) Chase in 5th grade... first few days of freedom I am never sure what to do with my time... is it time to get a job? Nah! Volunteer more? I don't think I could handle more volunteer time. My family and I value DOWN TIME. I can't explain it, but we all need to spend a certain amount of time at home. We love to entertain and that doesn't affect us at all, but if there are too many activities planned outside of the home, we all go into overdrive and meltdown mode.

Anyway, I've become very enthralled with the upcoming election. I am a big McCain/Palin fan ... and I am anxious to watch this whole election play out. I watch the news like a fiend .... and of course, got a kick out of the SNL skit with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.... freakin' hilarious....

I promise to post some more pics soon.... Facebook has been sucking up my time.... but not to worry... the blog will live on... maybe I'll even get some fans... (spread the word)

Until next time....

While I was gone.....

So, while I was busy not blogging, I forgot to mention my fabulous birthday. My blog title reflects my obsession with the broadway musical wicked..... so its only appropriate that I tell you about my wicked adventure for my 36th birthday....

On Saturday June 7th.... My husband chauffered my mother, my sisters (Raegan and Holly) my sons, and myself to NYC for the Saturday matinee of WICKED.... it was the hottest day of the year... probably atleast 98 degrees with 90 percent humidity... but we were in good spirits... After we picked everyone up ... we headed to Hoboken to take the path train into the city. Usually this works just fine..... No one has to fight the NYC traffic and its easy enough to jump on the train and enjoy the ride...USUALLY.... on this day we didn't imagine how crowded it would be, so we were really happy when we stuffed ourselves (all seven of us) onto a VERY CROWDED car.... the doors closed...and we were on our way. We were all standing...stuffed in like sardines.... and it felt pretty warm. I turned to my husband and said..."they have a/c on these trains, right????" I looked over and saw my mother and sisters looking ...shall I say... concerned???? And then I saw it.... a sign... on the inside of the sliding doors.... "WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE BUT THE AC IS OUT OF ORDER" ... are you kidding me?????? It was so hot, the air was stagnant, and we were crushed in like you couldn't imagine. All I could think was we better not break down, cause I will not make it.... My mother and sisters looked ill... my kids were sweating, and I was trying not to panic. I won't go into further detail, but suffice to say, I was so happy when that train ride ended.....

When we got to the theater.... I was so happy.... I can't even tell you. This show does something to me that I can't even explain.... I couldn't wait to share it with my sisters and mother... (SCott and the boys went off for an adventure of their own) .... Such anticipation ...and of course, there was NO let down.... Now, I've become somewhat of a WICKED know it all... I have my favorite Elpahabas (Idina Menzel and Stephanie Block) and my favorite Glinda's ( Kristen Chenoweth and the VERY TALENTED Anna Leigh Ashford ) .... I was not disappointed, the show... MOVES me..... when it was over... a standing ovation ... and tears ... I was so sad that it was over..... I can't wait to go again ... perhaps in the fall... I think I have my youngest son convinced that he would love it..... I'll keep you posted....

Anway, the pictures show us on our way in.... in the theatre, and culiminating the day at my new favorite restaurant... PF CHANGS.... but... I found out... I dont' really like saki!

Summer

Ok - I've been out of touch for awhile..... however, I don 't know that I have too many regulars, so I'm sure I haven't been missed....much!

Anyway, summer has been upon us for about 8 weeks now...and the kids and I have had wonderful - LAZY - days poolside. As a little girl - I ALWAYS wanted a pool... I vowed, when I was an adult, I would have a pool. So about 6 years ago, we took the plunge .... literally. For me it was the best investment we could have made. The kids loved it and I was in heaven. Now, having your own pool can present problems.... but the benefits far outweigh the negative. (That will be my mantra when neighborhood children show up in full on swimming gear and ask if they can play/swim... did I mention that I don't personally know their parents? .... I mean what kind of parent lets their children leave in full on swimming gear and doesn't ask where they are going and if they've been invited. I'm not a lifeguard for pete's sake, right?)

Anyway, I digress... having the pool has been wonderful...and I just love to look at the blue water .... float in my chair ..... and just reflect on how damn lucky I am to be living this life.....

Our time was cut short....

Our beloved dog Gracie had her young life cut short one week ago today. We miss her terribly and it was a terrible accident. Here she is just a few weeks ago with her best friend Chase..... We will never forget you Gracie!

The Discovery of CVS ing

Recently I came across a website dedicated to the science of shopping CVS to get the most value for your dollar. I read and soaked up as much information as I could. Frugality is my new GAME. (Is frugality a word)... .anyway, let me explain.... recently my husband put me on a cash budget. Although some people think my budget is a ridiculously large amount of money (and it very well may be) - I 'm trying to find ways to stretch every dollar so that I can get and do more of what the kids and I want (eating out, games, movies, new clothes - for me- stuff like that) and still keep up with all the necessities. If I weren't trying to stretch every dollar for my shopping trips (I'm a bit of a shopaholic) I would have plenty to meet our weekly needs.

So, I began perusing the internet for coupons (Lots of printable coupons available). I started clipping coupons from my Sunday paper.... now I must say, unlike some diehards, I only clip coupons for items I would normally buy. Under most circumstances I will not buy something I don't need or normally use just to save money. I find that ends up being a bigger waste of money and adds to the clutter in my home that I am currently trying to declutter. While I was websurfing I came across a website called 'themoneysavingmom' - she has dedicated her entire blog to the science of CVS. If I could sum this up quickly and concisely- it would go something like this.... every week/month CVS offers up certain products at a special rate and with the added bonus you get back 'ecbs' (extra care bucks) on your register receipt to use toward a future purchase. These ecbs work like cash on your future purchase. So if you plan carefully, use coupons, collect your ecb's, you can almost always save a lot, spend nothing, or ultimately make money on certain deals. I have figured it will take some time of coupon clipping and ecb collecting to work yourself up to a point where you almost NEVER spend out of pocket money... clearly I am not there yet... but I have to say.... I'm pretty happy with this weeks purchases ... Let me run it down for you:

3 bottles of Palmolive dish liquid @ 99cents each
2 bottles of SHOUT @ 2.99 each
2 bottles of FANTASTIK @ 2.99 each
1 bottle of WINDEX @ 2.99 each
1 DVD ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS 19.99 ( I know I could have paid less elsewhere, but this purchase made sense with the coupons I had available to me.)
3 Maybelline Cosmetics @ 15.00 total
= 53.00 (plus tax)

ok here's where the 'science' comes in:
ECB deals for this weeks order are as follows:
Buy $15 worth of shout, fantastik, palmolive, windex - get $5 ECB's back
Buy $15 worth of Maybelline Products - get $5 ECB's back
Ok - so these are the coupons I had to subtract from the $53.00
1.00 off Palmolive
1.00 off 2 Shouts
1.00 off Windex
4.50 ECB's
2.99 ECB's
5.00 ECB's
10.00 off a 50 dollar purchase

When the total comes up I owe 26.50... but I also received 10.00 in ECB's for next time...... bringing my total (in my head atleast to 16.50 - the cost of the movie at one of those places where it would have cost me less --- such as Walmart or Target)

I think thats pretty good for a newbie.....

Tell me how you save money.....

Who Knew?

Did you know pine cones started so small?

Nostalgia

So lately I've been feeling nostalgic about my childhood. I often say I was a child of the 70's, but I guess in reality I am a child of the 80's .... Its funny when I think back to the things we had and collected at that time. I had a collection of pvc plastic smurfs ... collected 45's of my favorite songs.... went to the local t-shirt kiosk in the mall and picked my favorite image (often smurfs) and then had my name emblazoned on the back with puffy/fuzzy letters....I wore jelly shoes.... had big hair ( well who am I kidding - I still have big hair) - wore leg warmers.... and head bands... - look at the picture above... remember those? I think I had themin every color .... some with beads....

You know you are a child of the 80's if...

1. Your first date took you to the roller rink and you held hands for "Couples Only" skate.
2. You wore a banana clip at some point in your youth.
3. You carried a big colored comb in your back pocket.
4. You know what "Push Up" ice cream is.
5. You know the profound meaning of "Wax on. Wax off".
6. You know who Tina Youthers is.
7. You wanted to be a Goonie.
8. You know who Max Headroom is.
9. You ever wore fluorescent or neon clothing.
10. You could breakdance or wish you could.
11. You wanted to dress like the Hulk or She-Ra at Halloween.
12. You believed the "By the power of Greyskull," you had the power.
13. Partying "like it was 1999" seemed sooo far away.
14. You thought that Transformers were more than meets the eye.
15. You wanted to be on Star Search.
16. You remember Michael Jackson when he was still black.
17. Your first Walkman weighed about as much as a brick.
18. You owned a doll with "Xavier Roberts" signed on its butt, or knew someone who did.
19. You knew what Willis was "talkin' 'bout".
20. You HAD to have your MTV.
21. You hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future."
22. You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name."
23. You thought Molly Ringwald was REALLY cool.
24. You actually thought "Dirty Dancing" was a REALLY good movie.
25. You have heard of the "Garbage Pail Kids" and possibly owned and traded them with friends.
26. You got a Little Professor calculator for Christmas.
27. You knew "The Artist", when he was humbly called "Prince".
28. You stared a SLAM book or wrote in one.
29. You remember when ATARI was a state of the art video game.
30. You own any cassettes or records.
31. You were led to believe that in the year 2000 we'd all be living on the moon.
32. You remember and/or owned any of the CareBear glass collections from Pizza Hut.
33. Poltergeist freaked you out.
34. You carried your lunch to school in a Gremlins or an ET lunchbox.
35. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the ONLY female Smurf.
36. You wore biker shorts underneath a short skirt and felt stylish, or know someone who did.
37. You ever had a Swatch Watch, and a Swatch Guard for it.
38. You had a crush on one of the Corey's (Haim or Feldman).
39. You had to stay after class to scrub your desk because your silver Outliner pen leaked through.
40. You remember when Saturday Night Live was funny.
41. You were in Cub Scouts or Girl Scouts but now you have no idea what all the badges you got were for.
42. You know what a "Whammee" is.
43. You had a crush on Jon Bon Jovi, or know someone who did.
44. You thought eating Reeses Pieces would attract your own alien.
45. Your name is Jennifer or Jason.
46. You have ever called 867-5309.
47. You had a poster of Rob Lowe, Kirk Cameron, Michael J. Fox or Don Johnson on your wall.
48. You held the top score on PacMan.
49. You had MALL Hair.
50. You owned a T-shirt that said, "I shot J. R. " or know someone who did.
51. If you ever said "I pity the fool".
52. Your dream car was either: the A-team van, KITT or The General Lee.
53. You knew who Max's boss Jonathan Hart was.
54. You were sad when the "Where's the Beef" lady died.
55. You remember when Ricky Martin was a member of Menudo.
56. You wore a feather roach clip in your hair from the local carnival because you didn’t know what it really was.
57. You remember when cellular phones weighed 15 lbs. and had to be carried over your shoulder.
58. You had to come in the house when the street lights came on.
59. You still know the Big Mac song. "Two all beef patties, special sauce…"
60. You own a real Rubik’s Cube
61. You think there should be a Kids Incorporated original cast reunion.
62. You used to own a Snoopy Sno Cone Machine.
63. You have a tendency to turn the collar up on your Polo shirts.
64. You know what the "P" in Alex P. Keaton stands for.
65. You remember exactly where you were when you heard the space shuttle had exploded.
66. You know all of the words to at least one of the Schoolhouse Rock songs.
67. You could go through a case of Aqua Net hairspray in a week.
68. Your first computer was a Commodore 64 or an Atari 800.
69. You thought being a latch key kid was completely normal.
70. You were disappointed when an episode of 3-2-1 Contact didn’t include a Bloodhound Gang segment.
71. There were days that the homework just had to wait until the ABC Afterschool Special was over.
72. You know what movie the phrase, "Number 5 is alive!" is from.
73. You remember when Molly Ringwald was on Facts of Life.
74. You tried a can of clear Pepsi but hated it like everyone else did.
75. You wore the little bootie socks with the colored balls on the back.
76. You wrote your boyfriends name on the side of your canvas Keds.
77. You just had to have a Trapper Keeper to stay organized at school.
78. You remember when McDonald’s served their burgers in styrofoam boxes.
79. You remember when you could buy half cans of soda (great for field trip days!).
80. You like the guy who played Freddy Kruger better as Willie on "V".
81. You hid out behind the gym during recess to read "Are you there God, it’s me Margaret?" with your friends.
82. Four-square was THE playground game.
83. You were afraid of the Sleestacks on Land of The Lost.
84. You know who Derek Wildstar, Mark Venture, Captain Avatar, Nova and Desslock are.
85. You chewed Dr. Pepper bubble gum.
86. You remember Dirk Benedict as Starbuck long before he played Face.
87. You know who played Uncle Ned, Elyse’s brother, on Family Ties.
88. You skipped school on the day Luke and Laura got married on General Hospital.
89. You never thought they’d be able to top the special effects in TRON.
90. You freaked out a little when you realized you fall into the "26-50" category of most surveys.
91. You played with Lego’s when they were just blocks of various sizes, not any of the special little parts.
92. You made Star Wars shrinky dinks in your oven.
93. You know who Spuds McKenzie, The Noid, and Joe Isuzu are.
94. The TV movie "The Day After" still scares the heck out of you.
95. Pierce Brosnon will always be Remington Steele, not James Bond.
96. You owned at least one Choose Your Own Adventure book.
97. You watched Mary Lou Retton win the gold.
98. The Dark Crystal is still one of your favorite movies.
99. In many of your childhood photos you are wearing something plaid.
100. You still love to play Pong!

The following entries came from an e-mail I received from a friend entitled "Girl of the 70's". A lot of these apply as well so I thought I would add them to the list.

1. You owned a bicyle with a banana seat and a basket.
2. Your roller skates had metal wheels.
3. You begged Santa for the electronic game Simon.
4. You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color.
5. You wore the Little House on the Prairie inspired high neck, ruffled, plaid shirt in at least one school picture.
6. You can sing at least one song from "Annie" by heart.
7. You would tape songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.
8. You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes.
9. You had the shoelaces with the rainbow or heart designs.
10. You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.