Rain, Rain, Rain...

Guess what?

 

It's raining today....  AGAIN! 

Apparently, it's just not raining in California--but in the Azores as well.  Here are some pictures my good cousin "Coelho"  (The rabbit man, AKA:  Jose Carlos Barbosa) sent me.... 

Lisa Jo, my cousin reminds me of you--he likes taking pictures from his car too. 

Kind of reminds me of Willy Wonka's stream of chocolate!  :) 

Notice the small cars?  On the islands, it's ideal to have a little compact car.  If you could see how narrow the roads were, you would understand.   

 

 

Very wet, but look how nice and green it is! 

Finally!

YAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LIZZY PASSED HER DRIVER'S PERMIT TEST!!!

(Never mind she is 19 years old and is way over due to get her license....  But hey, a step to the right direction has been made!!)

LET THE DRIVING AROUND IN PARKING LOTS, AND STREETS BEGIN!  ATTENTION ALL MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS:  THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING!  LIZZY IS HITTING THE STREETS!

Guess who is going to be riding along shot gun?  YEP.  Lucky me!  I can't wait. 

I'm sure Erik would be proud too... 

 

 

A Meme In 4's

A meme after my favorite number in the whole wide world:

      4

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1.  Data Entry Clerk

2.  Chili Cheese Dog Maker

3.  Parking Lot Leaf Blower (one day..believe me, it was enough)

4.  Hotline Girl at the local newspaper, circulation desk. 

Four movies I've watched more than once:

1.  Ghost

2.  Moonstruck

3.  Pretty Woman

4.  Dirty Dancing

T.V. Shows I regularly watch:

1. Amazing Race

2. Desperate Housewives

3. Ghost Whisperer (I'm weaning off of this one..)

4.  American Idol

Four places I have been:

1.  Azores

2.  Disneyland

3.  Massachusettes

4.  Las Vegas

People who e-mail me (regularly)

1.  My cousin, Rute

2.  My cousin, "Coelho"

3.  Maria

4.  Tania

Four of my favorite foods:

1.  Crab cakes

2.  Quesedillas

3.  Salad

4.  Cheeseburgers

Four places I would rather be right now:

1.  In bed

2.  On a sunny beach

3.  On the couch in front of T.V. with no one in the house.

4.  In a hot jacuzzi

Four friends I think will respond

1.  You

2.  And you...

3.  And may be you

4.  And you BETTER!

Things I'm looking forward to this year

1.  Vacation with husband

2.  Summer vacation

3.  Fixing our shower/pipes

4.  New furniture

Feel free to play along!  I'm just feeling pretty bored.  Humor me. 

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Happy Tuesday

Gee, it's been awhile since I posted anything..  I guess I'm over due, hey?

Well, my children are almost back to their normal selves again.  First Andrew got sick, then Nick, and then husband..  It looked like my daughter was getting sick there for awhile, but thankfully that didn't happen.  I'm feeling a little congested and just "slow" and "sore", but so far it really hasn't it me yet.  I know it was bound to happen if I was going to share a bed with a sick husband and sick child..but hopefully it won't hit me too hard.  I do feel better today than I did yesterday. 

What a weekend!  That is all I'm going to say.  It was a tad stressful.  Without really getting in to it, teenagers and 4 year olds can really test your limits.  They will make you run barefoot outside in the rain, as well as just making you want to sit down and cry.  Urrr...  They can also make you feel just plain EVIL. 

I got a good much needed happy laugh of delight yesterday afternoon.   There was a large manilla envelope sitting on the kitchen counter addressed to my daughter.  Return address was from Erik Estrada!  Yes, we got the autographed picture!  I will take a picture of Lizzy holding the picture today when I get home from work.  She wants it framed, and she told me that it will be sitting on her fireplace mantel when she is older so her grandchildren will know the story about their nutty great-grandmother, Julie, and the story of how Eric Estrada, T.V. sitcom star "Ponch" helped the delivery of their grandmother's birth.  I'm sure one day my daughter will write a book about her childhood---she has been threatening this since the day I told her that I almost named her "Jennifer" after my pet chicken, "Jenny." 

On the picture Erik writes:  "To Lizzy, Love & happiness to you, your friend, Erik Estrada."  And then under "Ponch".  It was really sweet of him to send his picture.  I'm going to have to try and find a CD of the sitcom---I would love the Halloween episode--the actual episode--that would be ideal.  My supervisor pointed out to me that the picture would be "meaningless" to future generations if I didn't have some artifact to fall back on.  I will have to research this.  Yes, I'm serious... 

It is soooo cold over here.  Hats off to you people who live in the snow and experiencing those really cold temperatures.  I know here in California I've been spoiled with warmer weather.  When the temperature falls below 50 degrees I'm shivering and shaking in my boots. 

Yesterday, this young "lady" came into the lobby on her way out of court.  I don't know how she got into court looking the way she did.  I am not exaggerating--this is what she wore:  oversized men's pants falling right above her pubic area and a very short sleeveless, spaghetti strapped top.  I'm sure she chose this look that morning because she wanted to show off her tattoos that were right under her pelvis, above her pubic bone.   Lovely.  I'm sure she was very proud of her tatts and wanted to make a fashion statement.  Realize that it was pouring rain outside, and here comes this girl out from the rain, coughing in the lobby waiting to be pee tested.  Gee, all she would have to do is squat down, and I'm sure the pants would fall right off of her.  Great for pee testing!  How cleaver of her!  I bet she wasn't even wearing underwear. 

Times like these I just bite my lip and suppress what I really want to say...  "Gee, aren't you cold?"  "Uh...  You want a sweater?"  "If you were my daughter, I would smack you silly...."  Thank God my daughter has more sense.  It just blows my mind what I see and who I see in the lobby at work. 

After a lot more coughing, the half naked girl asked if she could have some Kleenex.  I went over and gave her about 10 sheets of tissue paper.  Yes, I was quite generous, and she was very appreciative. I was hoping she would cover herself with it.  

 

 

Snow in them there hills!

                                              

Well, the kids missed the snow during their trip on the east coast, but it's snowing here!

At the moment it is snowing on the summit in the Santa Cruz Mountains...  Pretty strange, but neat at the same time, because it doesn't happen very often.  Traffic was slow coming in to work today, and I didn't have Nicholas with me (he is at home with his older sister today--just too cold for him to be out and about with him being still sickly), so I was later in to work than usual.  My kids get me on the car pool lane--no kids: no car pool lane = bumper to bumper traffic = mom's late for work!  

Oh well, people were surprised I actually came to work!  Gee, when I came to work I was greeted by the following:  "Why did you bother?"  "How did you get to here?"  It just makes you want to ask yourself why.  Traffic reports always sound worse than they usual are.  Sure, it was snowing a little, and I drove slow, but it was no big deal people!  I am leaving as soon as my son gets out of school--don't want to be driving in the snow at night, or find the highway closed. 

Teresa alerted me that I have been referring to Erik Estrada's character as "Pooch" instead of "Ponch"...  So sorry!  I've corrected my blog--looks like Erik already read it with the error...sorry!!  Oh well.. Yes, it is VERY cool he responded--I wasn't expecting a response at all.  I told my supervisor and she was impressed---she added that she absolutely LOVED watching CHiPs. 

Boyfriend Update:  No--Lizzy isn't back with old boyfriend...they just had to have a "talk".  I was a little frazzled because we have a rule in our house.  If boys are over, her bedroom door has to be open.  When she closed the door,  I did not like that.  She later explained that her ex-boyfriend was embarrassed and didn't want to see anyone, and they wanted a private conversation.  Okay..whatever.  She also added that she "knew" I would be lurking around snooping, and pretending that I wasn't hearing anything.  "You do that mom every time Dad calls.."   Hey she should be lucky I don't sneak on the other line and listen in like my mom used to when he would call me!   HA HA HA HA..  Oh well--I don't snoop!  I'm just being a mom; we have to keep informed, ya' know?

It's still raining and cold outside...brrr..  The cold air does wonders for my Avon business however.  I got 3 new customers yesterday..wow!  I went online and sat in a chatroom, and low and behold they were talking about Avon, and some lady wanted to know about Sweet Honesty..  Yep, Avon still carries the stuff; a very popular item.  Okay, here is a shameless plug once again: 

My website:  www.youravon.com/julielangley

Free shipping coupon:  FSFF---type it in in coupon box and get free shipping! 

Believe it or not, cold whether also brings lots and lots of calls from arresting agencies..  I've been getting a lot of calls from cops asking about client status this morning.  I don't know what it is--perhaps not enough coffee or the donut shops are closed or something due to bad weather.  Busy, busy day!  

I was reading "entertainment gossip" earlier this morning.  My God, what is going on with "young Hollywood" nowadays...  Another presumed overdose--with a connection to  one of the Olsen twins, and Britney continuing to be as looney as ever ...  Not good.  I was watching Nickelodeon Channel with my youngest yesterday, (my son is addicted to SpongeBob) and saw a little bit of Zoey 101 starring Britney's younger sister--you know the one who is preggers.  My God..she is so young looking.  Crazy, and scary stuff going on nowadays...  Makes you wonder if there any young celebrity kids can look up to.  Oh well, at least we'll have "Ponch's" picture hanging on my daughter's wall soon... 

  

 

Email From Erik & Long Lost Friend...

Well...  It's Wednesday... 

I left work early and  took my mom to her doctor's appointment, and Nicholas is still pretty much under the weather.  He isn't well enough to go to preschool today, and when he saw me he didn't want me to leave him to go work, so I caved in and went home with him early.

Guess who I got an email from?  Yep... Erik Estrada:

"1/23/08
Hello Julie.  I read the blog you have going and I am
flattered that I was in any part of your daughter's
delivery!  My wife, Nana keeps tabs on what is out
there and when she came across the article, she
immediately brought it to my attention.  Very cool!  I
will definitely send you a photo for her, but please
send me her name and an address where it should be
mailed to.    It's really neat for me to continue to
hear about how the show (all those years ago!) touched
people and their memories from that time.
I wish you & your daughter (and all the rest of the
children) a wonderful new year and will wait to hear
back from you."

Pretty cool, huh? 

I also got another cool email from an old friend that I hadn't heard from since Jr. High.  I was getting these annoying emails from classmates, and I finally decided to check to see who was leaving me emails there.  An old friend that I hadn't seen or heard from in years signed my guestbook there, and I sent her an email.  She has an amazing story.  She was married for 14 years, and said the last 8 of them were "hell".  A classmate of ours who had a huge crush on her when he was 12 got into contact with an old friend of hers, and sent her an email that she received on the very day her ex-husband left her.  Since then they have been emailing and calling eachother on the phone, and meeting between her home in Arizona and his home in Sacramento, California.  They are now going to be together after all these years---29 years..  Amazing, huh?  Just proof to that old saying:  "When a door closes, a window opens."  She looks so happy in the pictures she posted of her and him..you can't help but smile. 

I'm sitting here at home in front of the computer feeling very confused at the moment.  Remember when I told you that my daughter broke up with the old boyfriend?  Well, apparently he was here yesterday at my door, in tears, bringing stuff she had left at his house.  Now, he is upstairs with Lizzy having a "talk"..  I don't know if it's a "break up talk", or a "get back together talk"..  It was just the other day the NEW boyfriend was here watching To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar...  Weird.  I'm confused.  Teenagers!! 

                                     

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Happy Monday/Martin Luther King Day

Happy Monday--if there is such a thing.. HA HA HA..

I'm home today due to it being Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  It's been a 4 day weekend for me, but not a real productive one.  My youngest is still sick, and now hubby man is sick.  Both have been coughing for the last three nights.  Sharing a bed with both of them, I'm bound to get sick too, but so far, so good.  I'm still okay. 

The weather here has been cold, and rainy.  Good day to stay home and make cookies---did that already this morning.  It's 46 degrees outside at the moment. That may sound warm to some of you outside of California, but it feels pretty darn cold for me.  At night it goes down to the 30's.  Don't laugh.  In the words of my son, Andrew after being on the east coast for a week, "This weather is nothing!"  Yep, he is back wearing shorts again. 

I'm going to have to post some pictures they took.  The only problem is, it's all on my son's memory card on his movie camera, and I have no idea how to take it out so I can load it on the computer.  I've scanned a few pictures--my scanner is dirty and the quality of the pictures isn't very good however. 

Lizzy in NY..  This is her Mary Tyler Moore pose.  She almost threw her hat. 

 

Andrew & Liz in Atlantic City, NJ    Is that my son, in pants?!  The pictures are so small...sorry..  Is it true you can't swim at the beach because it's so dirty?  That's what the kids were told anyway. 

Poor hubby came home sick from work.. (He NEVER misses work), only to be called back again to do a job that is due that was not on his desk, and he of course is the only person who can program it, because naturally he is the ONLY person who knows how to program.  Poor guy.. 

Well, I got another get away planned for next month.  We are going to spend the night at a hotel not too far away--the hotel that we first met.  (We met in front of the nightclub at the hotel.)  Something to look forward to...it will our Valentines gift to eachother. 

Well, so far, not sick yet.  Have a great Monday everyone!  Take some time to reflect on words from the great American whom we celebrate this day for: 

 "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

In The Name Of Love, (Pride) U2

One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come, he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed on an empty beach.
One man betrayed with a kiss

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

(nobody like you...)

Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love...

Wow..

I was just informed that my good blogger friend, Dawn at: Carpe Diem - Seize the Day is guest editor at: http://journals.aol.com/journalseditor/magicsmoke/  Well, all I can say it's about time that she gets that title!! Congratulations, Dawn! 

She highlighted this journal!  OH MY GOD...  Thank you, Dawn--but--I don't know where to start!  I'm adding an entry tonight, because I'm not quite sure if it's up for visitors!  The Portuguese woman in me is getting all preoccupied whether or not my blog is up for appearances!  I feel like unexpected company is coming!  I hope everything looks clean!  I hope there aren't too many spelling errors..  Does it look cluttered?  Should I make a cake?  Should I fry up some linguica?  Should I vacuum?  Oh the pressure....  If I could make you a cake--I would.  Welcome new readers to my blog!

Today I called into work sick.  I'm not sick, but my youngest was up all night with a runny nose, and a cough.  He was feeling better today, and I was able to do some errands and some grocery shopping, and a trip to the mall, but now--he is feeling sickly again.  He gets very clingy and whiney.  Why is it that little boys always seem to be more clingy and whiney than little girls? 

Well, at least today I was able to spend some quality time with my "little girl."  I hardly see her anymore in between work, her work, her college courses, and the NEW boyfriend-the Erik Estrada lookalike.  (No autographed picture yet-but give it some time.  I will make sure to post it once I do receive it.  If you want to read how Erik assisted me in the birth of my oldest child-go down a few entries in this journal.)  We spent some time shopping at the mall, and even shared a vegetarian pizza for dinner. We haven't done that in a LONG time.  We are out-numbered by the meat eating men folk of the house.  They see a tomato or a piece of artichoke on a pizza and they wrinkle their noses in disgust and run away from the kitchen. 

I'm glad I took the day off, but I must confess I felt guilty when I called work to say I wasn't coming in.  Of course our office receptionist wasn't there AGAIN-(she has been there only once this week), and the poor stand in clerical woman who covers her desk was home sick.  Oh well.  I have to stop feeling guilty for those things.  Yes, Teresa--I do think she has some black mail material on the manager staff she is withholding--I think you are right. 

It has proven to be a long week--a draining one.  I'm looking forward to the weekend getaway with hubby man, but in his words:  "Do we really have to wait until April?!  I don't know if I can wait that long."  Hmm..  Nicely said dear.  I'm currently looking for places to "get away" for next month--believe me.  How does Reno sound?  The last time we went together we were still dating, and I dragged him to see Julio Iglesias.  He pretended to enjoy it--but never let on that he would have much rather see Carrot Top perform.  Who would you rather see, Julio or Carrot Top? 

Julio was fine-even for an old guy, but he kept on referring to every song to "making love"--he kept on bringing up the subject over and over again, leaving me to believe that he was a very over-sexed man.  In his own words...  "Dancing is like making love, but standing up."  I will always remember that, Julio...  Always. 

 

Well, it's finally Friday, and I'm having a 4 day weekend!  Yeah...  Have a great weekend everybody, and HAPPY GIRLFRIENDS DAY.  Okay, it's officially, Dia Das Amigas today in Portugal, but celebrate it anyway!!  Hugs to all of mine--you know who you are! 

 

 

Pumpkin's Meme

Pumpkin's Meme - Who are you?

(For:  Princess Pumpkin--Goddess Dawn's offspring..) 

1.   What is your name?  Julie
2.   How old are you?  41
3.   Where are you from?  California
4.   Do you smoke?  No
5.   Do you drink?   Not very often..
6.   Do you have a family?  Please explain, if yes.  Yes...  Fortunately I have a lot of family around me, and 4 kids! 
7.   What are your hobbies?  Write, crochet, travel..photography--haven't had much time for them all however..
8.   What is your favorite ice cream?  Rocky Road
9.   What is your favorite animal?  Hmm..  Kitty Cat
10.  Do you wear glasses?  Only when I drive at night. 
11.  What nationality are your ancestors from?  Portugal
12.  What color is your hair?  Brownish
13.  What are you wearing now?  Black sweats, and sweatshirt
14.  What is your favorite color?  Red
15.  What teacher do you remember most from your childhood?  Miss Maxwell--my kindergarten teacher--I thought she was the most beautiful woman on Earth--next to my mom. 
16.  What are your pets and their names?  Currently, I have no pets.  My kitty died!  :(
17.  What is your favorite food?  Crab cakes! 
18.  What is your job?  Secretary for a county probation office. I am also an Avon Lady!

 

Loopy Thursday

I posted this earlier, but I ended up deleted it because it copied on so terribly...  I am just having a perfectly loopy day---drained and overwhelmed!  Driving in circles, toddler tantrums, and errands can do that to me.  I feel like that lady with the leash tied around her neck, being led down the street by the 12 foot tall 4 year old... 

I need a holiday---we BOTH NEED a holiday...  Hubby's business is doing FANTASTIC, but poor guy is so over worked...  We both look like two drained, zoned out zombies. Our kids have more of a social life than we do!!  Well, I booked a hotel for hubby and I for our anniversary in April.  We both need time away from the zoo.  HA HA HA...  It's still a few months away, but hey--something to look forward to, right?!   I feel better already just thinking about it. 

Okay, here is the meme...(AGAIN)

A meme to peel away the layers of you.  (From Goddess of the Meme's, DAWN)

LAYER ONE:
-- Name: Julie
-- Birth date: April 4
-- Birthplace: Santa Cruz, CA
-- Current Location: the study
-- Eye Color: brown

-- Hair Color: brownish red
-- Height: 5'6"
-- Righty or Lefty: righty
-- Zodiac Sign: Aries

LAYER TWO:
-- Your heritage: 100% Portuguese/American--as much as I know! 
-- The shoes you wore today: Black Ballet flats
-- Your weakness: Chocolate
-- Your fears: Natural disasters, War, Illness...I could go on and on...ya' know

-- Your perfect pizza: Vegetarian--with lots of artichokes please!

-- Goal you'd like to achieve: I'd like to start walking 5 miles a week atleast--need to walk off those chocolate truffles!!

LAYER THREE:
-- Your most overused phrase: "No means no, and I don't have to make sense, because I'm the mom!"

-- Your first waking thoughts: "Is it 6 a.m. already?"
-- Your best physical feature: hair

-- Your most missed memory: Driving the car with my Dad.

LAYER FOUR:
-- Pepsi or Coke: I'll drink them both--just has to be diet.  I prefer Dr. Pepper though..
-- McDonald's or Burger King: McD's
-- Single or group dates: Doesn't matter..just as long as I'm with hubby man. 
-- Adidas or Nike: ...I have them both--doesn't make a difference to me.

-- Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton Tea--I grew up seeing the old man holding the tea bag on those red and yellow boxes.  There is a Lipton Plant near my mom's house.  I learned to drive around it's parking lot!

-- Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate--duh..  Although, vanilla is one of my most favorite scents! 

-- Cappuccino or coffee: Cappuccino.

LAYER FIVE:

-- Smoke: Nope

-- Cuss:Occasionally.
-- Sing: Daily, in the car.  It keeps me sane, and makes the passerbys think I'm crazy.  They leave me alone and give me lots of room.

-- Take a shower everyday: Yes--but I was the hair every other day..
-- Do you think you've been in love: I know it.
-- Want to go to college: Might like to go back one day..
-- Liked high school: It was alright.
-- Want to get married: Only to re-do our vows again--that would be nice.
-- Believe in yourself: yes
-- Get motion sickness: Sometimes in the car.
-- Think you're attractive: Depends on how my mood is.

-- Think you're a health freak: Wish I was more of one.
-- Get along with your parent(s): For the most part..
-- Like thunderstorms: When I'm home with the family--not when I'm driving though. 
-- Play an instrument: Used to play the clarinet.  Wanted to play the flute, but couldn't do it!  I can still read music though..

LAYER SIX: In the past month...
-- Drank alcohol: Yes--always during the holidays.
-- Smoked: I don't smoke.
-- Done a drug: Nope, not a druggie either

-- Made Out: Yeah, with husband.
-- Gone on a date: Yes..with husband again.

-- Gone to the mall: Yes, far too many times.

-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No.  Do people actually do that?!
-- Eaten sushi: No--don't like raw fish--or really any fish for that matter. 
-- Been on stage: Yes, but didn't perform. 

-- Been dumped: Thankfully no. 
-- Gone skating: Only in my dreams. 
-- Made homemade cookies: Lots of Christmas cookies! 
-- Gone skinny dipping: No--too shy.

-- Dyed your hair: Yes, and I'm due for another box of color!
-- Stolen anything: If I did, it was totally unintentionally! 

LAYER SEVEN: Ever...
-- Played a game that required removal of clothing: Nope--too shy, remember?
-- Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Never drink more than two cups of Port Wine--note to self.. 
-- Been caught "doing something": yes
-- Been called a tease: Does "temptress" count?

-- Gotten beaten up: Emotionally--yes.

-- Shoplifted: Nah

-- Changed who you were to fit in: I honestly don't ever remember doing that as a child. 

LAYER EIGHT:
-- Age you hope to be married: For as long as I live.

-- Numbers and names of children: Liz 19, Matthew 17, Andrew 13, Nicholas 4-yes--he was the "surprise." 

-- Describe your dream wedding: A blue sky, and a sandy white beach.

-- How do you want to die: old, in bed having a beautiful dream that I never want to wake up from.

-- Where you want to go to college: Close to home.
-- What do you want to be when you grow up: I haven't figured that one yet.

-- What country would you most like to visit: What country do I NOT want to visit?!  Let's start in Europe!  All of it! 

LAYER NINE:
-- Number of drugs taken illegally: I'm not a druggie, remember?

-- Number of people I could trust with my life: 10

-- Number of CDs that I own: maybe 50?

-- Number of piercings: one on each ear--the other two grew in. 
-- Number of tattoos: I don't do needles.

-- Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Oh gosh, not very often..may be 3, or 4 times? 

-- Number of scars on my body: 1---if you don't count stretch marks! 
-- Number of things in my past that I regret: I'm a product of my past...  I wouldn't change a thing.  I'm a much happier person than I was 20 years ago--that is all that matters. 

Windy Wednesday

It's a very windy day over here...  And the wind is cold!  Brrrr.... 

Gee, thanks for the comments for my last entry..  I had a better day on Tuesday, and today has just been a whirlwind of being extremely busy at work, errands, driving in circles...the usual stuff.  I appreciate your comments and concern.  I am feeling better.  I don't think I'm eating very well, lots of work at work, and work is a little depressing at the moment...  I'm looking forward to the weekend!  Yeah...  It's a 3 day weekend for us county employees!!!  Celebrate, celebrate, dance in the streets incoido! 

I had to make an emergency stop at Kinkos this morning at 6:30 a.m. to get more ink for the printer.  Andrew was up all night (guess who else was) finishing his science project-a science dictionary with pictures...and of course our color ink ran out..  Sigh.  We tried to send the project to another printer in the house that had ink, but it just wouldn't print.  Don't you love it when that happens---projects due the following day and you are out of printer paper, ink and folders?!  Well, miraculously it got done, and he wasn't even late to school this morning. 

I was surprised to get a comment in my last entry from Nanette Estrada.  (Erik's wife!)Thanks, Nanette!  I'm looking forward to the autographed picture!  My daughter and I will be anxiously awaiting!!  Can you believe it?!  I'm not quite sure if she read about my story.  I sent it to her again, just in case.  I was blown away that she actually left a comment. 

Nicholas was better today.  It only took a few moments for him to get out of the car, of course I had to tell him that if he didn't get out, I would have to tell his teacher, Beranice that he didn't want to go to school.  He is a little afraid of this particular teacher for some reason.  I wish I didn't have to persuade him to get out of the car.  I know he is testing his boundaries..teenagers do that too. 

There is tons and tons of work here this week!  I've been such the worker bee, that filing tabs are getting stuck to my clothes.  A client sitting in the lobby was more than eager to point this out to me. 

"Miss, you have a sticker stuck to your pants."

I immediately look down, and I must admit to you that I'm a little embarrassed considering that the client sitting in the lobby is an older gentleman who smells like beer and Old Spice.  Lovely.  This guy is looking at my pants, and of course I don't see it right away.

"Its inside your leg."

Great.. Inside my leg.  Now why in the world is this guy looking so intently on my legs?  I am wearing pants--thank God.  Oh well, at least it wasn't stuck to my butt.  That would have been worse.

"Thank you!" I say this as I quickly walk away.  What am I supposed to say to that?

 

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My Way Or No Way!

For the past week, my youngest has been testing my nerves each afternoon. 

I don't know what is up with his behavior lately, but for the past week it has been a chore to get him to preschool.  He will insist that I'm not going "the wrong way" when driving to his preschool, and demand that I turn around and go "the right way."  Of course, I do not turn around, and continue to drive to his school my way.  Then the screaming and crying begins until I get to his school.  Once we get to his school, he stops crying, but then refuses to get out of the car.  I either have to coax him out with the usual, "Bob the Gnome is watching you."  Or I have to tell him that a teacher is at the window.  It usually takes a good 5 minutes or more just to get him out of the car.  Normally, once he is in the classroom, he goes directly to his mat and lies down and takes a nap.  Today he would not let go of my hand...  Urrr...  Eventually one of his teachers got him to calm down.  Usually though, I never have trouble.  He just lies on his matt hugs and kisses me goodbye, and closes his eyes and sleeps.  He has been totally draining my nerves-and I don't know why he is suddenly acting this way.  After leaving his school, I felt exhausted.  I had to drive back to Burger Kingto get a BK Mocha; yes it was that bad!  I am sure when I get him later this afternoon, I will hear that he was a "total angel" again.

I've been in a real bitchy mood lately.  I don't know really why..  I think it's a combination of teenager and preschooler anxiety.  I like to leave the house fairly clean and organized.  There is nothing that aggravates me more than coming home to a sink full of dishes that wasn't there in the morning, or a pile of towels from the dryer sitting on my wooden coffee table that aren't even fully dry yet.  I was too tired to deal with it yesterday-but I did.  It took me a good hour to put things away after I got home to even change out of my work clothes.  I felt like Cinderella---before she met the prince..  The step-sisters were disguised as teenagers.  No cute mice to help me though.  I miss my cat. 

At work everyone is a little blue.  A past co-worker who retired a few years ago past away suddenly last week.  The funeral is this week.  I dislike going to funerals--last one I went to was for a mother of a friend from high school.  I left the service literally shaking all over.  It was a very weird experience, and it made me feel quite ill for the rest of the day.  I don't think I'll be going.  I mentioned something about the sensor lights blinking on in the next office near me when no one was there, and the department manager laughed and said that it might be some dead probation officer visiting the office.  Well, he said that last week, and if the light in the next office turns on right now while I'm writing this, I will be freaking screaming right now...  So far, nothing.  This is good. 

Damn..  And it's only Tuesday! 

I've got loads and loads of work to do today.  Yesterday was spent moving boxes upon boxes of old files down the hall to another file cabinet.  It took me about an hour to do it all-perhaps that is why I have been feeling so drained this week.  I just wanted it to get done--I hate clutter, and I don't like not finishing what I set to do once I get it in my mind. 

No word from Erik Estrada yet.  Isn't that disappointing?  LOL...  I'll be surprised if I actually get a response.  I asked him to send me a picture with an autograph so we could frame and put in my daughter's room.  (This was my daughter's idea by the way.)  We shall see; I'll let you know. 

I got an invite by a friend to meet up with a bunch of other women for Girlfriend Day.  Yes there is such a day---apparently it's Girlfriend Day in Portugal on Friday, and a friend of mine is celebrating it Saturday.  We meet up for dinner and then we go to a a strip club. 

Just kidding. 

 After dinner they plan on going to a club to see a folkloric dance.  Purely innocent, I assure you. It's where people dress up in traditional Portuguese clothing and dance around to old world style music.  Kind of like the American square dancing.  A group from the Azores will beperforming that day.  Iam thinking of going--perhaps a night out with the girls, is just what I need; that and a strong drink and an uninterrupted bubble bath.  If I go, I'll bring my camera to show you what I'm talking about. 

You know, I did a search of the blogs and wrote down the word "Portuguese."  All I really got was a list of MY entries.  Damn.  I think I am the ONLY Portuguese woman who writes about it on AOL.  I feel like I have an obligation now or something to continue.  Oh the pressure of it all--it's killing me.  (Not really.) 

Eu sou mesmo o unica pessoa Portuguesa no AOL?  Nao acredite!! 

Feed The Hungry-Learn A New Word

Hello!

My friend, Maria sent me this cool link, please visit it!  http://freerice.com/index.php 

Brush up on your vocabulary, and learn a new word!!  Each correct answer the site will donate rice to the hungry! 

Speaking of hungry, I have a full house waiting for a really late breakfast...eggs, linguica & hash browns...  Very small entry today..

Anyways...I have yet to hear from Mr. Estrada.  I found his website, and it does state that he answers "each and every piece of mail."  We shall see!  http://www.erikestrada.com/contact.htm

Have a great weekend--the following tag was given to me by Miss Lisa Jo.  Ain't it cool?  Thank you Lisa Jo--Luv 'ya!

Erik Estrada: My Birth Coach

It was a late night in September, 1988. I was having back pain since early that afternoon, and it was impossible to sleep. I was 22 years old, and pregnant with my first child. I really didn't know whether I was in the beginning stages of labor, but I definitely knew that I had never experienced this sort of back pain in my life. I had kept all my pre-natal visits, and I had another one scheduled that week, but I had not taken any of the pre-natal birth coaching classes that was suggested by my doctor months ago. I was going to "wing it," but I was a little frightened of the unknown to tell you the truth. My husband at the time however had no trouble sleeping that night. I was up, feeling restless and alone with only Erik Estrada there to ease some of my fears. 

 

My due date was the next day. I had gotten calls all that morning and afternoon from my mom and relatives that assured me that I would not give birth on the day the doctor said I was due. I was told: "It just never happens!" Even my doctor had told me that it rarely did. My doctor had just had a baby herself and was on maternity leave. The last two weeks I was seen by different doctors taking her place while she was gone. They all told me the same thing, to not worry, and that my regular doctor would be starting work again right on my due date—but again, I probably wouldn't give birth on that day any way. Yeah, that is what you think.. 

 

 

I knew better. I just "knew" Lizzy was going to be born on Sept. 2. I proceeded to pack her baby bag, and my hospital bag was all ready by that early evening. I took shower after shower, and tried to sleep, but I couldn't. Back then we had just moved into our place from my parent's home that July, and we didn't have cable T.V.  I had three choices of television programs to choose from that night. It was either watching an old western, some talk show, or an episode of CHiPS. I chose the CHiPS show. 

 

I'll never forget that episode-it was the Halloween one. 10 minutes into the show, I knew I could not change the channel! The sitcom was about this pregnant woman—it caught by attention so I stayed glued to the T.V.  I don't remember much about the plot to tell you the truth, but somehow this pregnant woman is stranded somewhere, and "Pooch" (Erik Estrada) was coaching her on her breathing technique for child birth. Suddenly a light when on in my head: "Gee, I should really be paying attention to this!" So, as Erik coached this woman---little did he know he coaching me too, as I sat in my living room couch. "Ponch" taught me how to breathe and push. And I will tell you that later at the hospital, I even impressed my nurses and doctor. They thought I had taken classes! I just closed my eyes and pictured Ponch's breathing instructions. Oh, it might seem funny now, but it's true! 

 

Thank you Ponch! I swear, if I hadn't already chosen "Elizabeth" as my daughter's name, I would have named her Erika. I'm not kidding. 

 

Yes, my daughter was born ON her due date. My son, Andrew was also born on his due date. But, my 3rd child couldn't wait that long—he popped out 2 days early. His due date fell on his Godmother's' birthday. She was a delivery nurse and wasn't scheduled to work on her birthday. Nicholas somehow knew this and decided to be born right when his Godmother started her shift at the hospital—yes she delivered him! Erik was there too….still in the back of my head I could still hear his voice coaching me on…   

 

Thankful Thursday/Feeling pretty crappy today..

(Yeah, that's me with the knife..)

Years and years ago, I was called "a psycho chick" by someone that used to "like" me.  Of course, he said it wasn't him who called me that--someone "told" him that I was.  Of course this "someone" wasn't somebody who actually knew me--but this guy wanted to make sure I knew that "somebody" called me that.  Who knows who that someone was; and who really cares why the loser chose a fictional character to explain his own phobic committment issues, but, whenever I see this graphic of the blue bunny holding a knife with a grin, it reminds me of the idiot who told me this, and I can't help but smiling.  I'm so glad he "dumped" me. 

FOR THIS, I AM VERY THANKFUL!!!  Thanks, loser! 

Any ways... 

I don't know what I did to my right knee, but it feels twisted...ouch..  It started last Saturday when we were going to the airport to pick up the kids.  I either sat wrong with my knee or something..  May be it's the weather--it's rainy.  I must be getting old--my joints hurt with the rain.  Damn..after 40 it's all down hill..huh?  HA HA HA.. 

Remember that bad dream I wrote about where my youngest got out of his stroller and we couldn't find him?  Well, Nicholas told me about HIS bad dream.  Apparently my little guy has similar dreams:

"I heard you leave the house, and you left me all alone!"

Poor baby.  We are working on him to remember our phone numbers if he in fact every gets lost.  I hope this never happens, but he does know his full name, and the city he lives in.  I'm going to have to write phone numbers down so he can call me at work, and he needs to know his home phone number.  I sometimes get really bad dreams where I need a phone to contact someone, but I can't find a phone-or if I find a phone, it doesn't work, or I forget the number..etc..etc..  I hate those dreams--there are right up there with black bulls chasing me.  Fortunately, I haven't had any of those dreams for a long time. 

Everyday, during my lunch time I pick up my youngest and take him to preschool for the remainder of the day.  I pretty much drive in circles a lot during the day--I'm either driving someone to school, picking them up, going back to work, going back to my mom's going to preschool....going back to work..etc..etc..  Anyway, when I take Nick to school we have this route that we usually take.  Sometimes we take a different route.  We call this route "our secret short cut."  Well, I was a "bad Mommy" today and I forgot to take the "secret short cut", and this made Nick quite an unhappy backseat driver.  He wanted me to go back from where I started, and then take the short cut.  There was no way I was going to do that, so he balled the whole, entire trip to preschool.  Once we got to preschool, he refused to get out of the car.  He threw his shoes down, and insisted that we go back and take that missed turn to the secret short cut. 

SIGH...

After what seemed like eternity, and after a few stares from a few people, I got him finally out of the car, but..he would not budge away from the car.  He is a very stubborn and determined little boy.  Then I got him to walk halfway to the door of the preschool, and then he decided to just stand there.  In the meantime I'm trying to coax him to go to school telling him that "Bob the Gnome" is in the parking lot in that blue car...etc..  My knee is killing me as I try to move him on...and I'm wearing boots--not helping the situation any.  Finally I tell him his teacher is at the window, and immediately he walks into the preschool.  He gets on his mat, and suddenly the angry 4 year old who wants nothing to do with his mother who took the wrong turn, only wants to give her hugs and kisses. 

As I head to the car, I feel so damn exhausted...all I want is an iced coffee mocha.  It's not raining right now, but it's cold.  I am so glad the weekend is almost here... 

My daughter has a new boyfriend.  He seems nice, and he is cute, but he reminds me of ErikEstrada for some reason--he has that smile.  One day I will have write about how Erik Estrada helped me go through childbirth.  I'm not kidding. 

I'll have to save that story for another day..  HA HA 

Yeah, you've guessed it---I've been feeling kind of loopy, and crampy, and craving chocolate  There is still a box half full of chocolate truffles.  God help me stay away from them this week!! 

Happy Birthday, Elvis

Elvis Presley--born 1/8/35... 

It's a busy, busy day here...  Not much to write about, but it's a very cold day here in California.  Another rain storm is due to arrive by this afternoon.  I am not looking forward to be driving home in the rain again tonight, but husband has checked the car, and it is running nicely now.  It needed a new belt--don't ask me which or what kind....I'm oblivious when it comes to car repair.

The toilets here in the ghetto building were backed up, and flooded the hallway yesterday and inoperable, and now the bathroom door to the women's bathroom is open while a fan is running.  I don't feel comfortable using the toilet when the door is open.  There are just too many strange people that visit the building.  I'm not talking about the IRS people, I'm talking about the mentally disturbed, and the drug users, and sex offenders that walk in and out of this building everyday.  The jail is just a few buildings away.  Eeew..  I've been avoiding consuming large quantities of fluids; it's that bad.  If I worked in a county owned building conditions would have improved--but the county rents this building, and we have to rely on the building managers.  They aren't much on the ball on things.  How I wish we could move out of this building!!! 

I will post some pictures from the kid's trip to NJ later.  I will not post the ones with the Ex and his wife for obvious reasons--those are his pictures of his time with the kids--by posting it, it's almost taking that away from him--you know what I mean?  So out of respect for him and his wife I will NOT post the pictures of him and her sucking on lobster legs during their New Years Eve dinner.  See how nice I am?  

I shouldn't have drank that cup of vanilla coffee from the gas station machine next door!!  I have another hour to go until I can get to my mom's house to use her toilet.  I hope I can hold it in for a hour!! 

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Home At Last

Well, they finally made it in at 12:22 a.m. this morning!  As soon as they landed I gave mother a call.  She was up all night waiting watching her Golden Girls CD's.  What a relief to know they are home! 

I've seen a few pictures, (I don't have any to post right now) and they did have loads and loads of fun...but they are happy to be home.  In the pictures I can hardly recognize my son because he isn't wearing shorts! 

Apparently, Bloomfield is very close to Newark, but they might as well have gone to Portugal, because according to them all they did was hang out in the Portuguese section of Newark.  People were annoyed that they didn't speak enough Portuguese.  Excuse me?    Oh well...  Apparently, there are a lot more places on the east coast where you really don't have to know English, and that is where their father and step-mom like to hang out.  Everyone knows eachother...etc..and they only eat at Portuguese establishments, banks, florists...etc..etc..  Weird, and different, and closed off in my opinion, but oh well.  As long as their dad isn't part of the Portuguese mafia.. (ha ha ha)  it's okay--they are home away from Newark, and I'm so glad they are home safe and sound back at home in "crazy California" home of the "tree huggers."  I am a proud tree hugger--see the picture on my side bar? 

We finally got home at 3 a.m. and we were all starving.  All six of us sat at the kitchen table eating Jack In The Box.  It's sure nice to have a full house again! 

 

 

Airport Delays

Well, it's another rainy day here in California...  It has stopped for a moment, and I did see some blue skies right before dinner, but it was pouring down really hard this afternoon.  I've been checking the flight status for the kids all day, and there have been 4 delays so far, but the flight has not been canceled.  I spoke to an agent for United who explained to me that the reason why the flight was canceled was because of Tornado Winds in the San Francisco Bay Area.  And they also had accommodate the passengers whose flights were cancelled that morning..etc..etc..  I got a call from the kids already from the airport.  They've checked in, and are just waiting to board.  Poor kids are so ready to come home by now.  I am ready for them to come home too.  They are due to fly into San Francisco a little after midnight---the were scheduled before to arrive by 9:35 pm..  Oh well. 

It was pretty nasty here yesterday.  I never left the house until this morning.  I drove to the grocery store and discovered many uprooted trees on the roads and side walks.  By the time I was loading groceries, it started to pour rain.  Lovely.  My poor poinsettia plant I had sitting in a pot near the front door.  The only thing left of it are the green stems.  The poinsettia flower and leaves are on my lawn.  It looked like someone just ripped it off.  Oh well.  My poor mother..  I spoke to her early Friday morning to tell her that I wouldn't be going down to work that morning, and apparently, as soon as I got off the phone with her, her electricity went out.  As soon as I found out that the kid's flight was canceled, I called her to tell her the news, but the phone just rang and rang...etc..  I got a call later from her.  She told me that she only had bread and jelly to eat due to not have electricity, and my sister picked her up and took her to her house.  She was relieved to know that the kids did not leave that day.  As soon as they get off the plane she wants them to call her.

 "But mom, they probably won't be out of the airport until after 1 a.m." 

"I don't care!  I won't sleep until I know they are home!' 

I can understand her worry.  I had an awful dream last night.  I dreamt we were in NY and Nicholas escaped from the stroller, and we didn't know where he was.  I hate those dreams.  I woke up, and was so relieved to feel Nicholas sleeping right in between us.  I have a really bad headache, and have been craving chocolate all day.  You know what this means..and I've been stressed over this trip.  Rich just had me call Lizzy's cell phone just now, and the call is already blocked---they are probably in the air right now.  I'm praying for a safe journey home.  I need chocolate.  I've cleaned the house from top to bottom, so what to do now??  LOL.. Sigh..  I could take a nap, but like my mother---I can't sleep!! 

Flight Cancelled

Well...  All morning I was monitoring the flight status, and sure enough, after 3 different delay times, I got a Flight Cancelled status.  Oh well..  The weather here in San Francisco Bay is TERRIBLE!!  I wouldn't want them flying out over here right now anyway--not safe.  Mother Nature has ruined their plans.  Andrew is bummed beyond words.  Liz is not too happy either.  She was scheduled to work tomorrow--I called them and told them the situation.  Oh well..  If all goes well, and the weather cooperates, they'll be home tomorrow night. 

Sigh.. 

I look outside the window now, and it stopped raining.  Good thing I didn't go to work today.  Co-workers, including my boss lady emailed me to say that Hwy 17 is closed due to mudslides and unsafe conditions.  There is a flood watch near the ghetto.  I'm so glad I didn't go to work today.  I'm cleaning, took care of Avon paperwork, and watching a court show.  Court shows, and business vocational college commercials, as well as car insurance commercials are all that is on T.V.  If the weather was better I would go grocery shopping. I'm getting a bit stir crazy at home. 

I got an email from a niece, Joana from the Azores..  She is my ex-husband's sister's daughter..  It was nice to get an email from her.  She is the oldest grand-daughter in the family and is so cute.  She is looking into working at the airport there, and there may be possibility she will be able to come to California to visit one day--free airline fare and all.  It would be great to have her come down.

Above is a picture of my three nieces, Joana, Bridgida & Cesaria from my ex-husband's side of the family, and Lizzy.  Joana is the one with the pearly white smile.  They came to visit us while we were there last summer. Fortunately my daughter was able to spend some time with her cousins--she had a blast. 

   

Lizzy and Andrew with their Aunt Otilia this summer.

 

Rain, Rain...Go Away...

It's raining cats and dogs and elephants here in California...

I woke up to a very dark morning, and the sounds of thunder went through the house.  It sounded like there was someone in the house actually walking around--but no, it was just the thunder.  I was going to put in a half a days work today, but with the weather outside I concluded that it just wasn't worth the trip.  I have to drive up to San Francisco later tonight and that's another hour drive.  Driving in circles up the hill, and back again, and then up to San Francisco in this weather is too much to deal with today.  I'm just going to stay home and watch the rain and keep track on the status of my kid's flight out of NJ.  Rich will go with me and Nicholas.  Lizzy is missing her youngest brother and wants to see his chubby face at the airport.

My daughter already printed out their boarding passes online, so one less thing to worry about.  She said it was quite easy--that is good.  Her flight was supposed to leave a little before 6, but now it's not leaving until 7:10 pm.  The winds are supposed to settle down here by mid afternoon, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no more delays.

Yesterday the kids had dinner on the Hudson River on a boat overlooking the BIG APPLE.  Boy, that sounds beautiful, doesn't it?  According to Liz, the city is still decorated for Christmas.  They visited all the sights, and she has pictures in front of the Broadway sign for: Chorus Line (her first high school musical she performed in)--of course she has a picture of herself in front of that, and one of her jumping in Garden Square.  Her dad got her a new camera (of course) and she said she took a lot of pictures--can't wait to see them!  I'm just glad I'm not in their father's shoes when he has to say goodbye to them.  It's going to be hard, and I feel sorry for him.  Times like these it really makes you wonder WHY a parent would choose to move so far away from their own kids.  It's a shame.  I'm sure this will be the first of many visits however.  We shall see. 

Well..  I have time to put my Xmas linens away until December, and I have more Avon work to organize.  I have to get back on track with it.  Just when I felt like quitting, I get a call from my Aunt who lives in San Francisco.  I have 3 cousins having babies early this year, one this month, and two in March--that means a triple baby shower set for March.  She ordered 30 Skin So Soft moisturizers for party favors.  I couldn't say no to my Aunt--of course not!  Then I went back to work with 4 more orders waiting for me.  A sign from the Avon Gods that I must continue!  Avon did not charge a penny for my last shipment, so this is good.  And, I must mention that there is an awesome sale going on at the moment--with free shipping I must add...  (yeah, it's another long belated Avon plug--I'll do only one a month, I promise.)   My link: 

www.youravon.com/julielangley

Just type: REPFS in coupon code box when you place your order!! 

Thursday Meme...

I just got off the phone with the kids in NJ...  Lizzy almost scared me to death--I thought she lost her receipt for her tickets!  When we checked in at the airport with their E-tickets, they got one ticket for NJ----they will need to check in again for their other ticket.  I haven't flown domestic in such a long time, I had no idea.  Things at airports are so much different.  Last time we flew last summer, we had our tickets months before the flight, and we had both sets coming and going..  I called the airline and the reassured me the kids would have no problem getting their boarding passes.  They have their confirmation #'s and flight itinerary.  They also have the credit card # I purchased the tickets with.  Hopefully they won't have to call me.. 

We got an unexpected visitor at the door.  The doorbell rang, and it always throws me off when we aren't expecting someone coming over.  It was my daughter's boyfriend at the door with a Christmas gift that came late in the mail.  He left saying that Lizzy "can call him when she gets back.."  Hmm..  Makes me wonder if they are still boyfriend and girlfriend??  I was a little surprised that he didn't ask to go to the airport with us.  Interesting. 

It's cold and rainy here in California.  At 3 pm the calm broke, and it just started raining cats and dogs.  On the way home, the battery and brake light came on again. It had done that once before, and the day we decided to take it to the dealership the lights went off as soon as my husband drove it up.  I was a little nervous about driving over Santa Cruz mountains, so stopped and called hubby who met me half way and escorted me home.  Of course the brake and battery lights turned off again, but it was nice knowing that hubby was there driving behind me in the rain.  My knight driving the shining white Mustang.. :)  I'll be driving the van tomorrow.

Well, because it's so quiet around here, according to Dawn....  Here is a meme I copied and pasted form her blog: 

The Alphabet List of Things I can see from the Computer

A  -  Avon brochure sitting on my desk---of course..

B  -  Boxes--my storage boxes with all my Avon invoices stored away.  I love these boxes--they are covered with pictures of the Eiffel Tower and of France.  I got them at Ross for $10. 

C  -  Candle-my Christmas sugar cookie candle my old neighbor gave me before she moved away. 

D  -  Discs..Cd discs.. They are sitting on my desk in front of me. 

E  -  Elizabeth's picture on the mantle.

F  -  Frame collage I got for Christmas from boss lady---I need to still fill it with pictures.

G  -  Glasses in the kitchen.

H  -  Humingbird lamp.

I  -  Ink marks on my hand.

J  -  Jumping Nicholas---he's dancing and jumping to his playschool toy.. 

K  -  Kitchen!!  My home is 3 level split home... my kitchen is right above me.. 

L  -  Light bulbs in the kitchen ceiling fan.

M  -  M&M's in hubby's candy dish.

N  -  Nicholas!  He's busy playing with his Christmas toys in front of the T.V,

O  -  Oven

P  -  Plates my aunt gave me years ago--they are hanging on the wall.

Q  -  Quince jelly in my fridge.  Okay I can't really see it from here, but I know it's there, and it's been there for weeks.  Have any of you had quince jelly before? 

R  -  Red bricks in the fireplace.

S  -  Sliding doors in my kitchen and livingroom.

T  -  T.V.---Celebrity Apprentice is one with Mr. Trump.

U  -  Ugly dish towel sitting on my pile of towels. 

V  -  Vanilla candles.

W -  Windows

X  -  X-box game.. someone left in the kitchen. 

Y  -  Yellow curtains in my kitchen. 

Z  -  Zipper on my wallet.