New Years Resolutions.. Assignment #92

Weekend Assignment 92: Do you Have New Year's Resolutions for 2006? If so, share one (or more, if you like).

Extra Credit: How did you do on your resolutions for 2005?

Mr. Scalzi wants us to write down our resolutions for the new year...  Here are mine:

1.  Eat more like a RABBIT!!  I need to eat more fruits and especially more vegetables..  I have gone astray the last month.  Eating chocolates that resemble veggies and fruit don't count!

2.  Walk, walk, walk WALK!!!  I need to promise myself to go take a walk at least once a day.

3.  GET ORGANIZED!!  I need to go through my closet of boxes and get all my important documents together.  This means getting all the birth certificates, immunization records in order..etc..etc..  I also need to do another closet over haul with clothes I don't wear anymore and things in the garage that are just sitting there for no particular reason other than taking valuble space!!

4.  Get the baby potty trained!!!  YIPEEE!!!  I can't wait until I can finally throw out that diaper genie!!

5.  Lose those last 10 lbs. to 15lbs.  I'm hoping that #1 & #2 on my list will get me there.  Yeah, I think so. 

6.  Go on a NICE LONG vacation. 

7.  I vow never to postpone time with the ones I truly love. 

8.  I will try and think twice before saying "yes".  I have to stop being "Ms. People Pleaser."

9.  Use body moisturizer--not just on my face

10. I will try to stop stressing over the stupid stuff and people I deal with in my life.

Okay, there is 10 things. 

Extra Credit:  I DON'T REMEMBER what my resolutions were in 2005!!!  Sorry!  I am pretty sure I kept may be one of them, but I honestly don't think I thought of any!  I'm just finally comfortable in my life right now.  Life is good for the most part.

Wheeewweee

The past three days I've been recooperating from the busy Christmas weekend!! 

Christmas Eve went well!  The weather was good, and the spiral ham, and my roast turned out perfect!  There was plenty of food, and everything went well.  Of course, my mother-inlaw was a great help--I can always depend on her to help out, and my sister-inlaw was there witht he ziploc bags.  As usual--I just had too much food!!!  Oh well..better more than not enough!  We will be eating leftovers for quite some time.  WE have good leftovers however, so it isn't that bad...it's just all the sweet stuff that is driving me crazy.  Of course, we have a lot of veggies left over...and candy....OMG... 

I will NEVER buy so much candy ever again.  Too much of a good thing is just EVIL.  I've been grazing on the stuff a little too much.  Chocolate is BAD...very bad...  Tomorrow I plan to take all the unconsumed chocolate to the office.  I will plant them out in plain view for all my co-workers to graze upon.  It will tempt them, and I know it will be consumed sooner or later.  Better them than me.  I swear..my fillings are screaming in agony!  The roof of my mouth is sore from all the sugar.  It's not a good thing. 

My Santa was good to me again this year.  How I love him... :)  As soon as I have some time, I will be posting more pictures on here.  Yes, I did get my new digital camera!  It's beautiful....as far as digital cameras go... Exciting stuff.  :) 

Today was the only day I found enough energy to actually get things done around the house.  The house is again spic and span as it was on Friday.  Wheeww...  I love having a clean house.  The tree is still standing, and it is a wonder.  Nicholas has been taking off ornaments, knocked his new basketball hoop on the tree at least a dozen times, but it is still standing!  It's almost a Christmas miracle!

Yesterday I got a call from my cousin Adelaide.  It was so nice hearing from her----it was almost as though she was calling me from right next door.  How I wish she lived closer.  I miss her so much.  We must have been on the phone for almost a hour; just laughing and talking.  She lives so far away..  It is so hard to live so far away to the people you are so close too.  I hated to say goodbye; I was in tears.  I need to go to the Azores this summer; I really do.  And of course, my other cousin Jose Carlos, AKA: Coelho has called a few times already today.  He put my address on his satelite scanner on the computer, and actually was describing my neighborhood to me.  This guy really has a lot of free time on his hands; but you gotta love him.  I'm so lucky I have such a wonderful bunch of cousins...too bad most of them live clear across the world in the Atlantic.  Oh well; maybe that is the reason we still speak to eachother..ha ha ha... (inside joke). 

Anyway, it's back to the ole' grind tomorrow.  WORK.  Lovely.  I'm really looking forward to it.  NOT.  I have really enjoyed staying home the past 4 days with the kids.  I am finally coming down from my chocolate high, and I really could use another morning just lounging in bed until 7:30 am...but, nope..  Back to the old routine tomorrow!! 

Christmas Haiku - Assignment #91

Haiku #1

It's Christmas time!

Let peace and love be on Earth!

Clarence got his wings!               

My favorite holiday movie of all time?  It's a Wonderful Life of course!  I get teary eyed just thinking about it. 

Haiku #2                           

Cold, dark night behold  

A baby is born in the cold         

A star shines brightly

 

I hope there is room at your inn this Christmas for him.          

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

It's Thursday...ALREADY?!

Am I the only one here that finds the above picture frightening?!  Would you dance with this man? I would be afraid to.  He looks like the devil; just too intense for me!  Eeek!!!

Look at those eyes!!!!!!  All he needs is a beard and Santa hat, and he would become the EVIL SANTA!!!  Scary, man!  To tell you the truth, he looks a lot like some of the shoppers I've run into lately.

I don't know what it is about Target, but I've seen the strangest characters in that store during the last week.  I've been there a little too often.  After Christmas, I think I will boycott all malls. 

At this point, I know I need to stop at the grocery store either today or tomorrow.  I don't know what I should do.  I could go today after work, BUT, my inlaws are coming tomorrow.  Hmm..  I could go tomorrow, but I'm going to Costco tomorrow...  Hmm...  Things would be so much easier if I had taken the day off today!!  Why or why am I here?!!!  Woe is me.  I may just call it an early day---I don't know why I do this to myself anyway... 

 

Cutie Bunny-Fairy

    Apparently, everyone has a Christmas Elf Name!  Check it out:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/fun_stuff/christmas/santas_little_helper_names.shtml

My name, appropriately is:  Cutie Bunny-Fairy!  Ironically, I go by the name "Coelha"--(girl rabbit)!  Isn't ironic..doncha think?  HA..  Find out what your Elf name is--it's fun! 

This year, in particular, I really do feel like the elf.  If you see me at the mall AGAIN, please, just SHOOT ME.  I was up again late last night up to 1:30 this morning wrapping Christmas gifts, and putting things away for the next day.  I'm looking forward to next Monday more and more each day...  I plan to just put my feet up and have a kahlua on ice.  That is all I want this year Santa..just a hour of relaxation with no interuptions and a kahlua, peace on Earth, and a digital camera...  :) 

 

      

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

It's Christmas time YAHOOO!!!  Celebrate, celebrate...dance in the streets incoido! (naked--only if it's warm out of course.)  It really isn't warm here in sunny California--yes, it does in fact RAIN, and it has been raining off and on since Saturday.  Today, it's just clear and cold, but the sun came out again, and I actually wore my sunglasses to work!!

I had a bit of a scare last night.  My in-laws are coming down from Arizona, and they had planned on coming down on Wednesday.  They are going to stay in my daughter's room, which, is not clean.  My daughter did do a good job cleaning up her closet--I was impressed because everything was nice and neat and tidy, however the rest of the room was quite a mess.  On our answering machine, my mother- inlaw announced that they were thinking of coming over tomorrow instead.  I kind of freaked, and rushed upstairs to start the cleaning frenzy.  I love my mother-inlaw, she is great---but I can't shake the feeling off that my home must be spotlessly clean before she can enter!!  Well, hubby called, and she and father in-law changed their minds, and are coming down on Friday instead.  I asked hubby, you didn't tell her to come later, did you?  He insisted that he didn't, and I believe him.  I guess they just changed their minds.  Then I felt a little guilty.  It was sort of a relief because I knew I could have Lizzy finish cleaning her room, but kind of a let down too.  Oh well...  I cleaned my oven a little last night--can't have her see a dirty oven.  Too bad I can't clean windows at night--damn rain.  I sighed a heavy sigh of relief, and decided to put off the vacuuming until Thursday night, that way the carpets will still look nice and fluffy looking when she arrives.  I just wish my son would work on his target.  Boys and toilets...eeek!!  I'm constantly worried that someone is going to sit down on a wet toilet seat.  Sorry...maybe I shouldn't share that bit of information.. :) 

I'm glad to say however, that I'm almost completely done with shopping.  I have started shopping since Thanksgiving, but my list never seems to end.  It's always something.  After promising myself I wouldn't involve myself in planning the office potluck this year based on the fact that the people here automatically assume that it is part of the job specifications for all clerical, one of the probation officers decided to plan it.  Bah humbug...  I wanted so much to go out for lunch with the clerical pool and have margaritas during working hours instead. Oh well.  Of course, someone has already left a present on my chair.  I'm guessing by the size, and the sound (yes, I did shake it), it is chocolates...  Hmmmm....chocolate...my BIG weakness.  Enclosed was a really nice card from one of the probation officers that really calls me quite often in regards to her mentally ill clients.  That was really sweet of her, and she is a really sweet lady, but now I'm faced with a dilemma.  Do I give her a gift?!  Eeek..  I did buy a whole bunch of stocking stuffer things from Avon (don't tell my mother-inlaw--she sells Mary Kay!), but I only bought for clerical.  Damn..  Bah humbug!!  Oh well... 

It's Christmas time!!!  YIPPEE!!!  I love Christmas, and I don't want my last entry wasted on my EX to be the last entry right now.  I might just delete it.  I just needed to vent you see.  Just be thankful you aren't here to HEAR me vent.  :) 

Poem for the EX

                                    A Woman's Poem

He didn't like the casserole

And he didn't like my cake.

My biscuits were too hard...

Not like his mother used to make.

I didn't perk the coffee right

He didn't like the stew,

I didn't mend his socks

The way his mother used to do.

I pondered for an answer

I was looking for a clue.

Then I turned around and smacked him...


Like his Mother used to do.

(or in this case, maybe she should have done it a little more often)

 

I had a unworthwhile conversation the other day with my ex-husband, who reminded me "how good he was to me and the kids".  Excuse me?  Can you say light a match near some gasoline?  Could I really catch myself from exploding after that comment?!!  Oh yeah, mister, you have been really good to me and the kids!  Gee, you were the one that decided to move all the way to the east coast to be with that woman you met on the internet after your two week, get to know you rendez vous, away from your two children, so I could be left working three jobs, and have you still send me to court to reduce your child support payments!  Gee, golly gee---I'll never forget those handwritten payroll slips that were done in your own handwriting that the court accepted as your payroll documents.  Gee...and how can I forget those threatening emails and telephone calls from you and your ex-girlfriend--(you know the one from Canada that was married?  Yeah, that was before you met your current wife) threatening that you would leave the country and make me go on welfare.

Gee...you have been good to me and the kids.  Thanks for the judge in NJ who threatened you jailtime--for the last three years you have paid your child support.  And thanks again for the generous Christmas gifts and birthday gifts for the kids, and your visits every two years, and your 3 or 4 calls a year.  Gee..you have been good to us... 

Okay; it's out of my system. 

After getting off of the phone with the EX; I rushed towards my husband; so glad to be in the arms of a REAL, caring and loving man who has been good to me, and my kids, and his son, and our little one--there isn't anything better.  Thank God for him.  You can't appreciate a good man until you've been with a real loser. 

Assignment # 90 Holiday Memories

I've been fortunate to have many special Christmas memories.  Growing up, I remember going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve; sitting in our cold, crowded church, all huddled together singing Christmas carols in our good clothes and coats and hats.  My mother made sure that my sister and I were always dressed like we just popped out of the Sears catalogue with our matching outfits (that she usually made) with big bows on our heads.  I didn't realize  what impression we had left on the other parisherners, until one day, a few years ago when I was working part time at a retail store during Christmas.  A woman came up to my register recalling how she remembered me as a child with my brother and sister all dressed up for church.  Aww...the memories of having my hair pulled back so tightly with rubberbands and ribbons in my hair..ouch.  Little did we know we were part of the Christmas scenery.  Still today, Christmas isn't Christmas without midnight mass; it's the smell of the candles, and the celebration of the birth of the Savior is all that it's about.

Another Christmas memory that I have very fond of is the Christmas I spent overseas in the Azores.  It was the first Christmas I could remember when gifts weren't really important to me; I just wanted that special dress with the gold piping and matching leather shoes so I could go to the new years dance with my cousin Adelaide.  I was 15, and it was just so magical to be there at the time.  I had met a boy earlier that summer and I was in full anticipation of dancing the night away with him that new years.  Of course, it didn't happen; I danced with someone else, but it was still a lot of fun.  I will never forget the carolers coming to our door with violins and guitars, and the way the church smelled, the cold wind blowing, and the slippery cobblestone streets, or the way I felt the day after New Years--the room would not stop spinning!! 

Still, another Christmas I hold dear to my heart is the last Christmas spent with my father, and the first Christmas spent with our new expanded family.  My son Nicholas was only a month old at the time, but it seemed as if he had filled the missing part that my father had left on my heart the Christmas previous. 

Extra Credit:  Fruitcake?  Bolo de Natal (translated to Portuguese)...  I love my aunt's fruitcake--she makes it by scratch, and in Portugal, making one is a MUST.  I have tried others, and they just don't compare.

I hate the mall...

I'm sorry, I know the picture above betrays very dark holiday humor, but I got it in the mail today from a friend, and just had to post it.

I'm so sick of shopping at the mall.  I'm tired of the endless Macy commercials, and the dozens upon dozens email from different retail stores offering free shipping.  I am proud to say that I'm pretty much DONE with my holiday shopping.  I just have to finish my hubby's list, (should I REALLY buy those enormous bear claw slippers he wanted?) and all I need to buy is food for the 25+ relatives that will be dining at our home on Christmas Eve. 

I'm actually not stressing over dinner, but I would really LOVE to take some time off so I can take the kids out and about; see a movie, look at Christmas lights...etc..etc..  These errands I've been making are really getting to me.  Yes, I have to stop at the drug store again today, because my mother discovered she has no Christmas lights, and she has another prescription to pick up. 

Last night, I found myself at the mall AGAIN because my daughter forgot to buy her gift for the little girl she chose for the Salvation Army gift drive, and of course, instead of going to only one store, I found myself in about 4 others.  The mall is crazy this time of year, and I'm noticing that a lot of "odd people", or should I say, LOUD families coming in who are pretty much stressed, talking out loud about personal family problems that really should be left unheard by strangers.  For example, here is one conversation I over heard between a mother and her apparently delinquent son, "I'm not going to give you nuthin' until I see your report card!"  Or, by another couple and their elderly mother in a wheelchair.  (Please imagine the husband carting a very elderly woman wearing un matching socks with her pant legs both pulled up, while he is munching on Hot Tamales).  "I want to look at other places at the mall!  I'm sick of standing around the damn ole dog toys!"  Wife:  "Okay, Harold, for God's sake!  Hand me a Hot Tamale--you are hogging them all!"  Husband:  "Your pants are tight enough, you don't need any!  These are mine!  Can't a guy have a box of candy at Christmas time?"  During this exchange of conversation, the poor elderly woman is shaking her head in disgust. 

Aww...the Christmas season.  I am going to make a point of doing something outrageous this weekend, go to church, and like--do something FUN!!! 

My lunch hour

Today, like many days, my lunch hour involved many stops and errands. 

First errand:  Pick up child from school.  This went rather smoothly.  My child was in front of the school at his usual corner standing there with his 6th grader friends. 

2nd errand:  Go to the drug store.  I am not exaggerating when I say I LIVE at Longs.  I seem to find myself there everyday!!!  If I'm not mailing packages, I'm buying tissue paper, or candy...  Today I picked up my mother's medication, tissue paper, wrapping paper, and stamps to mail my mother's cards.  I see these people that work there more often than some members of my family.

3rd errand:  Drop of child with his grandmother.  Once there, my mother asks me if I can stop and get a new urinal for her specimen she has to drop off at the doctor.  She insists that her urinal container does not work because there is no "hole" to put the "specimen" in.  I wait in car while she retrieves the urinal so I can take back to the clinic.  After careful inspection, I notice there is nothing wrong with it.  This is when my mother asks me to pick up a Christmas tree.

4th errand:  Pick up tree.  Knowing that I don't have to go to the clinic to get a new urinal, I am relieved, and willing to do this task.  As I drive up to the Rite Aide, I run into traffic, and of course everyone is all full of the holiday spirit, and are honking away at each other, and exchanging rude obscenities.  Apparently, the ole' converted school bus, that is now the Jerry Garcia Dead Head Mobile is blocking the intersection and no one on the turning left  lane can move.  The two young people in the car in front of me are having a hard time dealing with this problem, because no one in the right lane is letting them change lanes.  It comes to a point where the young man in the passenger seat, actually gets out of his car in desperation.  He gets out of his car and pulls up his pants which are practically down to his knees, and throws his hands up in the air in frustration.  Oh brother..  He then gets back into the car, and traffic in his lane starts moving, but of course, the driver still seems to think he needs to get into the other lane, and quickly darts in front of the blonde in the Camaro.  They both exchange the honking of the horns and the middle fingers to each other.  How charming. 

As I drive up to the Rite Aide, I spy the perfect little tree standing there.  The tree wasn't exactly perfect, because I couldn't get it to fit in my car.  Of course, I may have been able to, IF the 100 men who passed me by would have helped.  Not one of them offered.  I stood there and thought.  Would they have stopped if I was blonde?  Where is the blonde wig when a girl needs it anyway?  Anyways, there was no way I was going to leave the parking lot without this tree!  Sure, I do have siblings that live in town that own trucks; but of course, they weren't asked to get the tree.  I have a truck at home; but I live 40 miles away from town however.  I eventually had the idea of stuffing the tree in the backseat, and have part of hanging out of the car window on the baby seat side. 

My car will have the beautiful scent of evergreen for months.  How wonderful is that?!

Yes, all of this was accomplished during a working hour.  Where is my martini?

 

 

Christmas Funnies

 

What I really want this Christmas...Weekend Assignment #89

Weekend Assignment #89: Money is no object: What do you really want for Christmas/Hanukkah/The Seasonal Celebration of Your Choice? Shoot for the moon, here folks. Share the thing you'd want to get if everyone you knew was a billionaire and wanted to spend money on you. One caveat: Don't ask to get celebrities of other people for the purposes of, well, you know. We're trying to keep things PG around here. Also: wishing for world peace is all very nice, but come on. Treat yourself.

I don't know what it is, but I would really like to own a jaguar.  Each time I see one on the road, I just breathe a heavy sigh and smile.  I know it is really an unpratical gift for someone like myself---I mean, where would I put the kids?  I would have to drive it like ALONE!  Hmm....it's getting to sound better and better already... ha ha ha..

Extra Credit: Seriously, what would you do if someone got you that thing?

Seriously, I'd probably pee my pants.  After driving it for a few days, the pratical person inside of me would probably have it driven to the nearest luxury car dealership and trade it in, and use the money to buy a pool with a hot tub, diapers, and money for college.  Damn, I could even quit my job...

Card Givin'/Package Shippin'

Well, I did it!  I finally made a dent in my gift giving and card sending! 

I have mailed all my cards!  I've even sent my cards to my ex-inlaws, and relatives in Portugal.  This is a grand feat.  You see, I don't simply just sign my cards, I actually WRITE a small message in all of my cards.  True, I didn't go to bed until way past 12:30 am, but it had to be done!  I ususally don't get as many cards as I send out--but that is okay.  Christmas isn't Christmas for me if I don't send cards; and I know it's appreciated.  Apparently, everyone is just so busy, and personally written cards are a thing of the past, so I make it a point to do it.  When I get a card, I don't throw them away.  Nope--never do.  I save them.  They come in handy, and it's a cheap and easy way to decorate the house..  Relatives come over and point to them, and they say, didn't I send you that card, like 10 years ago?!   

This year I've also decided to send a few packages to cousins overseas.  I usually don't do this, but the idea was sparked by my cousin, the fireman--"Coelho".  During one of our phone conversations, he mentioned how he shops at EBay quite often, and that he was in desperate search for his favorite candy, Sugar Daddy's.  I know, Sugar Daddy's--who on Earth still eats those?  The last time I had a Sugar Daddy, I was like, 11 and I was at the drive-in.  I'll never forget it because  I lost one of my back molars from eating that darn thing.  Well, I see those darn things almost everyday when I go to Longs, so I told him I'd buy him a box.  I couldn't deprive my cousin from his Sugar Daddys.  It just snow balled after that...  I went a little crazy--and bought a few things for his daughter, some clothes I never wear for his wife, a few more things for his two nieces...., and then I remembered my other cousin and how I wanted to send her kids a few things...etc...  Eeek..  I know, but I haven't seen them for a long time, and I usually never do this, so what the hey, it's Christmas!!!

I have another package to send to my ex-husband (how thrilling for me) from the kids, and then I'm done with the post office department at Longs.  These people over there must think I own stock at the place.  It's almost embarrassing how many times I go into thatstore each week. 

NOW, I have to start decorating the house, and finishing the shopping for my kids, hubby and mom.  My youngest is done because he is only 2 and he likes whatever I buy.  The other three on the other hand is so hard--it's like pulling teeth...they don't know what they want.  Kids when they get older are so hard to shop for.  It's kind of sad.  Yesterday I bought a blender for my nephew.  He just moved out, and he wants one.  A blender?!  It seems like yesterday he wanted toys..this is really depressing.  Maybe that is why I went a little overboard with my cousins' kids---I have a need to shop for toys!  Can everyone please just stop growing up!!!???!!!

 

My So. Park Family

 What have I been doing for the last two hours?! 

Check out http://spstudio.elena.hosting-friends.de/spstudio.html and create your own South Park family!! 

I don't watch South Park, and I turn the T.V. off whenever my kids happen to watch it, but this was pretty fun!

'Tis the Season...

'Tis the season to find oneself in aisles and aisles of different department stores, scurring about and wondering what to buy...  Am I the only person out there that is going crazy? 

I have so many things to do.  I have cards to send, I have presents to wrap, I have a tree to decorate, and halls to deck, and a Christmas Eve dinner to plan..  Costco, here I come!!! 

Challenge:  How to do this with a 2 year old, 3 other children and a sometimes grumpy hubby who is trying to quit smoking...  Eeek.... Poor guy.  Smoking is BAD---please don't even think about starting.   Bah Humbug....  :)  Well, at least we are recovering from our very bad colds we got hit with last week. 

Christmas isn't suppossed to be so stressful.  As I look at the yards of many of my neighbors who have already decked out their front lawns and homes (yes, I am a little envious that these people have NO LIVES) with Christmas lights, and plastic snowmen, santas, reindeer, oversized Christmas snowing globes....etc... Did Santa just throw up? 

 I'm wondering to myself--what is this anyway?  Have we all went a little over-board with this?  It doesn't snow in San Jose, California!  What is this with the artificial snowmen?!  Did it even snow in Jerusalem?  I don't think so.  Is there room at the inn for someone whom we may have forgotten AGAIN this year?  Just a thought. 

I'm looking forward in decorating for this holiday, but, God please don't let me get caught in the Christmas vaccuum of overboard shopping and useless tinsel! 

 

 

Decorate To Donate

                                             

Hey, I'm decorating so I can get Teresa out there to donate more of her money to Toys for Tots!  Every quarter counts, so go out and decorate for a good cause!!  I haven't even started decorating my home yet.  Thanks Teresa for getting me started!!  This is a very cute idea by the way. 

To be part of the cause, decorate and leave your link at Teeisme57's blog: 

                 http://journals.aol.com/teeisme57/OhMyWord/entries/1632

 

 

Politically Correct Stupidness

Okay, I just read on AOL, that our government is contemplating on re-naming the Christmas tree, the holiday tree?!  What the crap does that mean?! 

Okay, this is gone too far.  It's a Christmas tree, okay?  If you don't like it, don't get one! 

Good New Days

The Blogfather, John Scalzi writes:  "Taking a page off my long ramble about technology yesterday, a Weekend Assignment to make you glad you're alive right this moment:

Weekend Assignment #88: Talk about something people have today that you wished you had when you were a kid.  

Julie answers:    Gee..  There are just so MANY things my kids have now, that I would have LOVED to have when I was their age.  I would have to say however that I would have KILLED for my own computer!    When I was a kid, I had very sore fingers, mainly because I wrote a lot.  Writing was my escape from the every day, boring school days of my childhood.  I would write stories and distribute them to my friends.  I also even had a Potato Man Newsletter I used to write.  (Okay, you can say I was the geeky girl at school.  Think of that old show "Square Pegs"...that was me--I LOVED that show.)            

                                                             

 I would usually use ink and binder paper to write my stories, and sometimes I even used to use my brother's ole' manual (yes, manual) typewriter.  Ironically enough, it was a Brother Typewriter.  I cannot tell you how many times I would have to go to the library or the copy shop to make copies of what I typed.  Imagine how easy it would have been to have been able to type my little stories, and print them all at home!  Aww..those were those lovely awkard nerdy days of my youth... I can only dream of all the creative things I could have done back then with a computer and Google!   

                                 

 Extra Credit: Rocket or Robot Butler?   Robot Butler of course!!!  I have a house full of kids-including a 2 year old!!  Although it is very tempting to escape and take off on a rocket to the moon, I really prefer living with the humans.  I'll let Tom Cruise and George Bush deal with the aliens.

                                                                            

100 Things About Me...

I got this from Teeisme57's Blog, but it was orignally from PLittle's Blog.

1.  I was born on the 4th Day, during the 4th month, at 12:04 a.m., and I'm the 4th child born in my family. 

2.  I've been pregnant 4 times; I miscarried my first. 

3.  Did I mention that I was married once on May 4th, at 4pm----I didn't plan it--it just fell into place that way.

4.  I was married civilly on Valentines Day (Feb. 14th), in my parent's living room by a retired judge when I was 19 years old, and then married in the church a few months later after turning 20.  (No, I wasn't pregnant.  This sometimes happens when you marry someone who is here only with a VISA.) 

5.  I still remember being teased for being chubby in elementary school.   

6.  I cry watching sad movies.

7.  When I laugh, I clap my hands, or slap my leg.  (No, I'm not a hillbilly.)   

8.  I sometimes snort when I laugh. 

9.  I've never had short hair.  The shortest was shoulder length, and I hated it. 

10.  I cannot change a tire.

11.  I hate driving in the rain.

12.  I didn't pass my first driver's test either.  (That's for you Teresa.)

13.  I once stole a doll from the TG&Y. (I was 6.)

14.  I love chocolate.

15.  I hate black licorice.

16.  I'm bi-lingual.

17.  I left an abusive marriage in my early 30's. 

18.  I actually never really dated until afterwards in my early 30's. 

19.  I have 3 kids and a step-son. 

20.  I got married on a beach in Pacific Grove, California.

21.  I've travelled across the U.S. by car twice. 

22.  I've been to the Azores (Portugal) 9 times.

23.  I met my current husband in front of a hotel during a chatroom bash.  (There was a reason why I was outside....scary people.)

24.  My father used to call me "Poopsie". 

25.  I have a cousin who calls me "Julie McQueen"...and I don't know why. 

26.  My nickname is Coelha; fem. form of "rabbit" in Portuguese.  Why?  Long story. 

27.  My sister and I used to play with Barbies and often get into fights over them.  (Somethings never change.)

28.  I grew up waking up to Bee Gee posters all over the walls.  (This happens when you share a room with a Bee Gee Fanatic like my sister.) 

29.  I've had some psychic experiences. 

30.  I've been "read" by a medium, but promised myself never again.

31.  I was a proud member to the Thompson Twin and Culture Club fan clubs. 

32.  I think Danny Kaye was cute. 

33.  I used to like watching Mr. Rogers.

34.  My cousin taught me how to drive a stick shift in Portugal. 

35.  My favorite color is red. 

36.  Two of my children were born on their due dates.  The third was born 2 days early. 

37.  I have a collection of all the ABBA records. 

38.  I hate gambling.

39.  I commute around 45 miles a day to and from work. 

40.  I've been working for county government for almost 18 years. 

41.  I started working when I was 14. 

42.  I once worked as a parking lot sweeper for 1 day. 

43.  I once went to work with two different shoes on. 

44.  I once had my under slip fall to my ankles at a grocery store.

45.  I write best when I'm going through a crisis. 

46.  I save all mail and correspondence, cards...etc. 

47.  I love Disneyland. 

48.  I do not feel comfortable in big cities. 

49.  I love the ocean.

50.  I was a bad girl in Vegas once.  (I've only been there once..)

51.  I'm part of a first generation American on my mom's side, 2nd on my father's. 

52.  I don't like eating fish. 

53.  I don't eat much meat.

54.  I eat veggie burgers. 

55.  I'm not into sports at all. 

56.  I don't watch Oprah or Dr. Phil.

57.  I was 35 when I went on my very first REAL rollercoaster. 

58.  I am afraid of aliens, and Tom Cruise.

59.  I hate watching movies that depict alien invasions or movies of mass destruction of natural causes.

60.  I can swim ok, but I've always been afraid of water.

61.  I sometimes watch Chinese soap operas and guess what they are saying.

62.  I like watching black and white movies when it is raining. 

63.  I enjoy re-runs...I Love Lucy never is tiresome. 

64.  I don't watch soap operas.

65.  My dream job is to become a private investigator. 

66.  There is never enough hours for me in a day.

67.  It doesn't take much to make me feel guilty.

68.  I go to church; I'm Catholic. 

69.  I tend to be a people pleaser, but I wear my emotions on my face.

70.  Rude people annoy me. 

71.  I usually eat a muffin with my coffee each morning.

72.  Lawyers annoy me. 

73.  I love babies/children in general.

74.  I enjoy walking; perferably near the ocean. 

75.  I'm a loud sneezer. 

76.  I come from a LOUD family.

77.  I want a digital camera for Christmas.

78.  I get cold feet at night.

79.  I crochet blankets.

80.  I like to pull weeds and plant things in my garden.

81.  I like to create things. 

82.  I need time to stop and smell the roses.

83.  My first marriage lasted almost 12 years; they weren't fun. 

84.  I like Monet and Van Gogh.

85.  I want to go to Paris and Rome before I die.

86.  I'm starting my Christmas shopping, and it is stressing me out.

87.  I hope to go to the Azores this summer.

88.  I want to lose 10 pounds.

89.  I work full-time.

90.  I'm envious of stay at home moms.  I would like to try it at least part-time. 

91.  When I feel insecure I sometimes become the "clean fanatic". 

92.  Dirty clothes on the floor bother me. 

93.  My daughter wants to put me on that show, "What Not To Wear". 

94.  My kids say that song, "1985", reminds them of me.  I don't get it. 

95.  I don't look like Kirstie Alley, contrary to my children's belief.

96.  If I had a chance to do it all over again, I don't know if I would change anything.  The past is part of who I am. 

97.  I am a worry wart. 

98.  I find that the more I plan, the less likely it will turn out.

99.  I am not very organized; don't let my clean desk deceive you.

100.  I'm a procrastinator. 

I am so friedright now.  Thanksfor reading.

 

 

G is for GRUMPY!!!

John Scalzi's Monday Photo Shoot :  Take a snapshot of something starting with the letter G.  Well, since I DON'T have a camera handy, I will just describe the mood I've been having for the past 4 days----G is for GRUMPY!!!!!

I know it's because I'm sick that I feel this way.  It started with my oldest child, down to my youngest, down to me, and on to my hubby.

Attempting to shop after Thanksgiving sales, with sick people just isn't a good idea. 

Going to the doctor's office with a sick, screaming child, and not having enough tissue paper for runny noses is not a good idea.  (Wearing black while holding a runny nose toddler is not a good idea either.) 

Since I've been feeling under the weather, I've been entering parking lots the wrong way, (I almost turned into a bank teller drive thru), and I've been talking nasty to pedestrians who won't cross the street parking lots when I stop for them.  I mean, honestly, if I stop my car to let you cross the damn street...CROSSTHE STREET why don't you?!  I shouldn't have never attempted to do the Thanksgiving weekend shopping thing at all. 

I've found online shopping better, but not when the computer freezes like it did last night, before I could enter the code to my $10 off coupon....eerrr...  Yes, I called customer service JcPenny already...  I think they have black listed me.  Oh well.  Maybe I'll do more today.  I'm at work, and I'm sick, and I really shouldn't be here, so I might as well work on my Christmas shopping and buy stuff for all the brats on my shopping list. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'm off for the rest of the week for work, so chances are that I won't be around the computer too often this Holiday weekend to put in another entry for awhile.  I'll be too busy cooking, driving somewhere, or shopping!!!  Yes, I wake up at the crack of dawn on Friday morning and do the shop 'til you drop thing with my daughter--it's kind of a tradition. 

Have a great Thanksgiving, and have may God keep you safe this holiday!!

 

Thankfully Remembered Assignment#86

This an easy assignment for me.  I'm thankful for my family; but there has been someone missing at the table the last three years--my Dad. 

While growing up, there was only one Thanksgiving we had spent apart, and that was when we had to over extend one of our summer vacations in the Azores.  My father had to go back to the states and work.  My family in the Azores always threw a Thanksgiving dinner in November, and my uncle got a frozen turkey from the U.S. Airforce Base (he worked there) and we had a big ole' Thanksgiving dinner.  It was nice, but it wasn't the same without my father.  Later for Christmas he sent us Christmas cards with money along with a little personal note.  I treasure this card because it was the first time, and last time my father actually sent me one---he never had a reason to before because we never were apart.  Although he wasn't what you call overly affectionate towards his kids, he demonstrated his love for us other ways.  Although this card was a bit out of character for him, I understood it, and it touched me back then when I was 15, and it still does today. 

Thank you Daddy for always being there...I'm forever grateful. 

Extra Credit:  Pecan or Pumpkin Pie?  I like them both, but I will have to say Pumpkin!

Oh My Word!

Okay, this was copied from Teeisme57's journal:  Oh My Word!   This is assuming that I was single again, and that these men had an interest in me.  Ha..  I know, one can only dream.

Teresa writes:  "HATE, DATE or MATE  Let's play HATE, DATE or MATE! Copy and paste these fine looking hunks into your journal and tell us if you hate 'em, would date 'em or if you would mate 'em. Feel free to be as shallow as you want. If your journals not working play along in my comment area"

•  Mate Antonio Banderas
• MATE Orlando Bloom
•  Date George Clooney
• DATE Patrick Dempsey
•  Date Jake Gyllenhaal (don't know him)
•  Date Daniel Dae Kim  (who is he?)
• MATE Matthew McConaughey
• HATE Brad Pitt (eew)
•  DATE Kanye West
• MATE Owen Wilson

My Journal: An advertising billboard

Thank you very much AOL....

Don't bank at Bank of America, don't even dare about looking for love on the internet through Match.com or Love On AOL (suggestion:  try the bar scene or the frozen food section of your grocery store), and don't bother looking for old classmates on Classmates Dot Com (think about it, if you aren't in touch with your "old friends" now, there probably is a GOOD REASON why.

Do you want a journal WITHOUT advertising?  Try:  www.diaryland.com or www.blogspot.com. 

 

 

Halloween Pics

Okay, I know Halloween has come and gone, but I finally got my pictures developed. 

Please Santa, send me a digital!!!!

 

Reach Out and SKYPE someone...

Do you have relatives and friends who happen to live overseas?  Are you still friendly with these people?!  When was the last time you sat down and wrote an email, or better yet a letter, or call them on the phone just to say "hello"?  Well, thanks to my cousin, Jose Carlos (the fireman who has a lot of free time), I have enrolled in SKYPE.  I can call my dear cousin, and my other relatives..aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Azores for as little as 2 cents a minute.  That is pretty darn good. 

It gets better.  If you happen to be online at the same time, you can instant message eachother, and actually call eachother for FREE. 

It's pretty awesome.  All you need to do is prepay your calls with your credit card for 10 pounds---about $15 American dollars.  Just remember though, please remember that if you are calling overseas, be aware of the time change.  They may be hours ahead or hours behind your time, and if someone should get a call at 2 am in the morning; don't expect a very receptive conversation.  They may think someone just died or something. 

Do you have Skype?  I'm under, "juliecoelha"----what is your Skype name?

Magazines Anyone? Assignment #85

Weekend Assignment #85: What magazines do you subscribe to and why? This assumes you currently subscribe to a magazine or two, of course, but I'm reasonably confident most of us do. If you don't have any current subscriptions, however, you can list some of your most recent subscriptions or magazines you want to subscribe to.

Extra Credit: What was your first magazine subscription?

 

Okay, MY FIRST Magazine as a teenager was STAR HITS!!  In fact, I have 4 of these magazines still in my footlocker of memories that sits in the garage.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

I didn't get a subscription though.  I would buy these on my own at the grocery store.  I loved these magazines because there were always good posters that I used to decorate my bedroom with, and they always had written lyrics to all the popular songs of the day.  The magazine was "hipper" than Star Beat in my opinion, because it highlighted a lot of British musicians.  Back then, I LOVED the CURE, and Culture Club, and the Thompson Twins....  Yes, I was a teenager in the early 1980's...  Aww..the memories.....

  Mademoiselle was my first REAL subscription.  It had the latest clothing styles, and the subjects were interesting.  My father however disapproved of it and called it a "dirty" magazine.  But I only read if for the clothes!!   I discontinued the subscription, and bought it over the counter after that, and remember never to take it outside of my room.

What do I read now??  I don't have time toread!!!! 

  Nowadays, I get my Kraft Kitchen magazines sent to me in the mail, and if my family is lucky, I'll try a new receipe from it now and then... 

The children magazine subscriptions I have subscribed to Seventeen for my oldest daughter, but she didn't seem to be interested in it anymore and that was cancelled, and Nickelodeon was for the boys, but they have out-grown it as well.  So, besides my receipe magazines, that I always try to read, but sometimes forget, lately, we really don't have magazine subscriptions.  We used to get T.V. Guide, but since Tivo, we really don't need it anymore.  It might be more expensive, but I buy it over the counter.                 

I'll buy First for Women, for receipes, and a People magazine now and then for celebrity drama, and even the National Enquirer---great beach reading!!