Sunday, October 15, 2006

Say CHEESE!!!

Get out your cameras girls, and gents, and start cracking!!! 

"There's only one rule. No staged photographs. Just a suggestion, don't photograph anything that might have Homeland Security detain you, get your ass kicked or your face punched in. Other than that, leave a link either here or at Julie's, and post your photo's at the end of the week or everyday if you like.

Oh, and this isn't a Federal Holiday or anything, so if you have a job, go to work...just bring your camera with you."

This came directly from Teeisme57's Blog--- see below! 

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

Check it out, and take those pictures!!  Post them--I wanna see!!  Have fun!!  I know I will!  (Because according to my daughter..  I have no social life!) 

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Rembrance Day

                      

Thank you Mandy from Unhappily Ever After for lettng me be aware if this special day! 

I light my candle for the angels who have touched our family's lives..  My niece, Stephany, my brother Edwin, and my unborn child, Jillian. 

Heaven is always closer when there is someone there waiting for you...

Friday, October 13, 2006

Monkee Trivia

Here is some Monkee Trivia that you may have never heard of before:

Which Monkee is related to the inventor of Liquid Paper?               

                                                                     

Michael Nesmith's mother, Bette Nesmith Graham was the inventor of Liquid Paper..AKA:  White Out.                                                                      

Look here if you don't believe me: 

http://www.answers.com/main/ntq-tname-michael%252Dnesmith-fts_start-

               

Paraskevidekatriaphobia?!

Do you have Paraskevidekatriaphobia?  In other words, are you afraid of Friday the 13th? 

If you are, your are probably naturally "unlucky" anyway.  According to this article: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2987934.stm

Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman, who carried out the research, said: "Unlucky people tend to buy into negative superstitions, like having seven years bad luck after smashing a mirror.

"If you're one of these people, the fact that it's Friday the 13th could make you anxious and that will make you more likely to have accidents, drive less well, and perhaps find it harder to relate to other people.

"So your bad luck could be your own doing."

So, word to the wise:  Don't believe in all that bad karma out there..  It's just another day...  Or is it?  It's up to you!!!

This all reminds me of an incident that happened to me years ago.  A couple of friends of mine, invited me to go with them to see a "botanical, spiritual adviser"---in other words, a witch.  With nothing better to do, I decided to go.  It was interesting, to say the least. 

From the get go, upon entering the place, I got a bad feeling.  Not only did the "Botanical Store" smell strange, but, I just got this strange unexplainable feeling when I stepped inside.  One of my "friends" (I use this term loosely) had gone and sought counsel from the old woman inside, and thoroughly BELIEVED in her.  She wanted me and the other friend to sit down with her and be read because she thought we could also be "helped".  I honestly believe that what she really wanted was us to BELIEVE in this woman's hocus pokus as well.  All I could see in this old woman's eyes however were dollar signs...CHA CHING< CHA CHING..

I reluctantly however sat with this old woman, as she proceeded to read my cards.  Without getting too descriptive, she basically told me 2 things.  She told me that my ex-husband's girlfriend was very jealous of me, and had put a curse on mydaughter.  She went on to say that my daughter would become very difficult and rebellious and that I needed to break the cursebefore it got worse.  Of course the old woman said she would be able to break the curse very easily.  It would involve her physically going to my house, and blessing it.  But, she did not stop there..  She went on to say that my mother had problems with her legs because someone had placed an evil curse on her, and put the ingredients of the spell under a bush in my mother's front yard.  Of course, to break this curse, she would have to go to my mother's house as well.  All of this would cost me a mere $1,500.

Keep in mind that I did not tell her that I was divorced, nor did I tell her that my husband had a girlfriend.  Also, I did not reveal to her that my mother was experiencing pains in her legs either. 

For a moment there after my "reading" I sat there in the "lobby" thinking about what I was told.  My other friend, Linda was sitting there with me, and honestly, if she hadn't been there, I think I would have bought in to this woman's words.  I turned to her, and whispered, "$1,500?!  I can't afford that!"

Immediately, after saying this, way from across the room, I heard the old woman explain in Spanish:  "Tell your friend, that she can pay half now, and half later!"

I just froze. 

Before leaving the establishment, the old woman turned to me, and admired my silver earrings that my mother had given me from her recent trip to Portugal.  She went on to say, that perhaps, when I go there next summer, I could also bring her a pair.  Then, she went to tell me that there was a man in my life that would be in a serious accident.  This man drove a pickup truck.  She also told me that I would be involved with a man who had a tattoo on his shoulder, and that a girl I went to school with, who recently died, had "followed" me into the store.  Lovely. 

After the reading, we went to lunch.  The woman who invited us to see the woman took us to a lunch buffet, where we met another woman who was also a patron of the "witch."  They both recanted to me their experiences.  The other woman told me how the witch had "saved" her husband from depression, and helped him get work.  She also warned me that there was a man who came in to seek the witch, but ignored her warnings about an auto accident. A  week later, this daughter died in a serious accident.  I will not lie to you when I tell you that I did in fact write up a check that afternoon.  I gave it to the friend, and I told her to hold on to it.  I hadn't decided what to do, and she promised me that she would not give it to the witch until I made my decision. 

On the way home, Linda and I started to talk.  We went through the whole experience, and fortunately Linda talked me out of it.  Is was as if after leaving the botantical store, and away from the stories at the restaurant, the fog of doubt and fear rose off and lifted.  I was able to see everything for what it was, and it was almost laughable that I actually wrote that check.  I couldn't believe I was so gullible, and I was disappointed in myself.  Upon returning home, I ran immediately to the phone and called the friend who was holding the check that I had written.  I instructed her to rip it up in a million pieces.  She did rip it up, but I could tell that she was not happy with my decision.  She wanted me to believe that the witch could help me, just as much as she believed she was helping her.  I guess she thought that I thought she was crazy for believing, (yes, and I did) and to make a long story short, we stopped talking.  Linda told me that this friend paid the witch approximately almost $5,000--beyond what she was able to afford, and no, her life didn't change for the better--the man she wanted basically dumped her, and her problems, sadly just got bigger. 

If I want to bless my home, for a small donation, I can get a priest to do it.  Sure, my daughter was a little rebellious as a teenager, but most are.  And more importantly, no one would have, or could have put an evil spell on my mother and hid it under a bush!  And no, I never met a man with a tattoo on his shoulder, and I don't know who was the old classmate that died that followed me inside.  I however do have a friend who was in his pickup and was in a bad auto accident involving a flat bed truck..

Although, I do believe the "witch" did possess some psychic gifts, I think she used them in the wrong way.  The last I heard, she left her Botanical Store and ventured off to another town full of other people to manipulate. 

 Be careful what you do believe in!!  

Thursday, October 12, 2006

50 Questions..

I found these 50 Questions surveys at various journals..  Just don't remember exactly who started it...  But here goes..  Feel free to snag it!
 
DsDesignsOrientalRoom.gif
 
1. FIRST NAME: Julie
2. MIDDLE NAME: Anne
3. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE: No, I'm just glad my dad wouldn't let my mother name me "Aida" after my aunt--although I love my Aunt Aida very much. 
4. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY: Yesterday--when I was laughing.
5. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING: It's okay
6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT: I prefer no meat--but thin sliced ham is ok.
7. KIDS:  1 daughter, 2 sons, & 1 step-son.
8. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU: I sincerely hope so.
9. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL:Yes, I have two. 
10. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT: Sometimes. 
11. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS: Yes.
12. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP: Only if large amounts of money were involved.
13. FAVORITE CEREAL: Raisin Bran
14. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF:No--and I try to put them on without untying them too.. My son does the same thing.
15. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes!
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate Rocky Road.
17. SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2, but sometimes 9.
18. RED OR PINK? Red.
19. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF: I wish I had a smaller butt--but, doesn't everyone?
20. WHOM DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My daddy! 
21. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU: Only if they are bored.
22. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING: Stressed out blue jeans, and pink pumps!
23. LAST THING YOU ATE: Special K Bar (chocolatey drizzle--only 90 calories!)
24. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW: A duet--Faith Hill & Tim McGraw--Like We Never Loved At All--aww..
25. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE: Red!
26. FAVORITE SMELL: Jasmine, vanilla, chocolate chip cookies, freshly baked bread, burning leaves...baby powder--I could go on, and on..
27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: My daughter, Elizabeth.
28. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLEYOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?Eyes, smile, sense of humor.
29. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU: Ha.. I snagged this from someone I don't know, but I'm sure she is a lovely person.
30. FAVORITE DRINK: Iced Tea
31. FAVORITE SPORT? Hmm.. My favorite sport to do is walking--is that a sport?  Best spectator sport--SOCCER--FUTEBOL!!!
32. HAIR COLOR: Brownish red.
33. EYE COLOR: Brown.
34. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS: No
35. FAVORITE FOOD: Italian..  I don't eat much meat though.
36. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING: Happy!
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING: Pink--got to match the pumps!
38. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate fudge sundaes!
39. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND: I don't know..
40. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND: The Queen of England.
41. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING: Blue Beyond Blue, and it's a little strange.
42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD: A Rip-Curl. 
43. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV:SpongeBob and CSI.
44. FAVORITE SOUNDS: Baby giggles!
45. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES: Rolling Stones.
46. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME:Azores.
(Original Questions 47 & 48 were lost in hyper space--I made these ones up.)
47.  FAVORTE SESAME ST. CHARACTER:  Grover.
48. ARE YOU AN ELVIS OR BEATLES PERSON?  Elvis.
49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT:I can touch my nose with my tongue.
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN: I was born on a cloudy Monday, at 12:04 am, on 4/4/66 in Santa Cruz, California.  Yes, my doctor was in his pajamas. 

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Recipe Hunting..

Thanks to D's Designs.. :)

I got an email from an old high school friend last week.  It was one of those "chain" recipe exchange emails, where you list two people's email address, and you send a favorite recipe to the person on the top of the list, and then the 10 people you send your email to, is supposed to put your name on the top, and by the end you end up with 38 recipes or something like that..  Well, I've yet to receive one fricken recipe so far..  I emailed my friend, Samantha, and she has received 10 so far...  OH well, at least the friends I sent emails came through...

It would be nice to try a new recipe now and then..  Sometimes it helps to spice up my kitchen menu..  Sometimes I'll ask my kids what they want for dinner.  "Something." is their reply.  Then I recite a list of various dishes I can prepare for them.  "No, I don't want that...make something else.."  I wish I had a recipe for "Something."  Does anyone out there have this special recipe?  If you do, may I borrow it?

Earlier this morning, a co-worker whom I have known since middle school came up to me with a pastry a family friend had made.  This family friend happens to be Portuguese as well, and this co-worker was curious if I knew of the recipe.  I had never seen a pastry quite like it, so it was taken to my other Portuguese co-worker in crime, Maria to see if she knew of it.  She didn't either.  So with nothing better to do, I went on a search for this particular recipe online, but with no success.  During my search however, I did find some interesting recipes...here are a few.. 

Portuguese Biscotti

Ingredients:  1 cup of Sugar, 1/2 cup of Butter, 1 tbl of Lemon Zest, 1/4 cup of Lemon Juice, 3 Eggs, 3 cups of Flour

In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat 1 cup of sugar and butter until well blended.  Add lemon peel and juice; mix to blend. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until smooth.  Gradually stir in 3 cups of the flour, mixing well.  Cover and chill until dough is firm enough to handle easily, at least 3 hours or as long as 2days. For easier handling, chill the dough before you form the ring-shaped cookies.  Divide dough in half.  Cover and chill 1 portion.  Divide other half into 8 equal pieces.  With floured fingers, roll each piece on a lightly floured board to make a 10 inch rope.  Overlap ends of each rope slightly to form a ring.  Place rings about 1 inch apart on a greased 14x17 inch baking sheet.  Sprinkle light with sugar.  Bake in a 300 F oven until golden, 35-40 minutes.  Remove cookies from pans and let cool completely on racks.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Serve or store airtight up to 10 days. 

Portuguese Orange Cake

Ingredients:  2 cups of Sugar, 6 large Eggs, 2 1/4 cup of Flour, 2 tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 cup Milk, 1/4 cup Orange Rind grated, Cinnamon, Powdered Sugar

Melt butter in microwave for 50 seconds on high.  Beat sugar and eggs until smooth about 1 1/2 minutes.  Blend in melted butter.

Sift together flour and baking powder.  Add flour mixture alternately with milk to the egg mixture.  Stir in grated orange rind.

Bake in greased bundt pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool and sprinkle with cinnamon or confectioners sugar.

Delicious with strawberries in Port Wine sauce.  (Hmmm..)

Bon Apetit! 

 

 

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Nick Goes Potty!!!

Yes, Nicholas has finally done it!!  He went pee pee on the potty!!!  HURRAH!!!!!

Last week, out of desperation I went online and bought a "potty book" along with some computer preschool software for his birthday.  He'll be THREE the first weekend of November, and yes--the pressure is on..  WILL HE BE TOILET TRAINED before he is 3?!? 

Well, "the potty book" came today, and I read it to him after he took his bath.  He was very interested in the book as I read it.  After we were done reading, I asked him where his potty was.  He got off my lap, still nude from his bath, and proceeded to go into the closet in search of his potty.  It was a little hard at first because the potty was sitting right underneath his SpongeBob tent, but he managed to get it out. 

After getting to know his potty, and taking it apart, and putting the "pee guard" up (the little boy device to prevent unwanted squirts--which really doesn't work very well, and pops off constantly) he got comfortable on his potty, but not before he got a few books.  He must have remembered the little boy in the book reading on the potty. 

I was not expecting anything to happen at his point.  He just seemed happy sitting there in the nude, on his plastic potty reading his Winne the Pooh book, when suddenly, I hear the twinkling sound of liquid hitting the hollow plastic cup under his potty!  

"Mommy, I'm going potty!"

Oh JOY!!!  You don't know how long I've been waiting for this!!! 

                                          DsDesignsWhatlittleboys.gif