Today is "National Maple Syrup Day"

From Holiday Insights:

National Maple Syrup Day provides us with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate this delicious American treat. This sweet and unique flavor originated in America. Native American Indians were the first to harvest and boil the sap of the maple tree into a thick syrup.

Watching or participating in a maple sap harvest, or demonstration, is a fun late winter event. They are held in February-March, when the sap is flowing. It is educational for the kids, too. During field demonstrations, some of the sap is boiled down into syrup. Best of all, free samples are often giving, poured over a pancake or vanilla ice cream.

Did you know? Sap of the maple tree, the same sap used to make maple syrup, makes a refreshing drink. Just put it in the refrigerator and pour a drink whenever you want. Or, have a drink as you harvest the sap from the tree!

How do you participate in National Maple Syrup Day? Pour real maple syrup onto your pancakes or waffles. Or, for an evening treat, pour warm maple syrup onto vanilla ice cream.

Please note, make sure you are using maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Unless the ingredients state otherwise, pancake syrup no longer contains maple syrup.(a surprise to many)

A~friggin'~men! I so agree!

Thank you so much to Becky & Connie for posting this originally in their blogs.

Time Flies Whether You're Having Fun or Not

I can't believe that it's just shy of a month since I last posted ~ OY! Remember how slowly time went when we were kids? Why can't it be like that into adulthood???

Where to start? On October 25th, Wilton (the town in CT where our store is) held its' annual Halloween parade & the kiddies then go around to the local stores in their costumes trick~or~treating. After the 2 hours alloted for this, Skip went across the parking lot to another store whose owner we are friendly with & my Dad went to the back of the store & into the teeny office. He wasn't having any perceptable (sp?) problems before this, but he called me back there saying he needed me. He was pale & having pain across his shoulders & into his arms & was kind of slouched back in a folding chair. I insisted that we needed to call 911, but he kept saying no & to take care of the customers coming in. I finally got a friend who came into the store to go get Skip. He took my Dad's blood pressure, looked him over (as I had) ~ we're both EMT's ~ & was able to convince him to have the paramedics at least come look at him. My Dad ended up going to the hospital & it turned out that he had had a mild heart attack. 2 cardiac catheterizations & 2 or 3 stents later, he is home & doing well. He's actually taking it easy & listening to the doctors (as far as I can tell) & after 62 years of smoking, he's quit. Whew ~ what a scare!

In the meantime, his friend & business partner, Clarice (who broke her femur on November 11, 2007 & has only been in the store a handful of times to say hello or get cat food because she's having her own physical problems since then), has come in like friggin' Mussolini...yelling, screaming, telling us how so many of the things in the store are wrong or look terrible, how we're stealing time from the store (I've had long standing appointments that I make a point of scheduling on Wednesdays only unless otherwise impossible) & that we're liars. My father knew of the schedules that Skip & worked out, he saw everyday, even if only for an hour or less, how we had the store running & never complained. He would make a few odd suggestions, but nothing like what this woman is doing. Some of the things she's upset about have been in the same spot since before she had her accident! She's also started "docking" our pay to reflect time we've "stolen" instead of giving us the weekly equity checks that we had an agreement with my father about. We told her that was unfair & unacceptable (because of the agreement with my father & that he knew how we ran things) & that we couldn't survive on what she wanted to give us. She didn't give a flying rats' ass. She didn't believe that I had various doctors appointments (including re~starting group therapy & seeing my therapist & psychiatrist weekly which is none of her beeswax) & called me a liar several times to my face. I said we could go back to high school & I could bring in doctors notes if she wanted. She had nothing to say. She called both of us liars regarding what time Skip came in to work this past Monday (he has a standing therapy appointment on Mondays at 10:00). We told her that Skip was in at Noon ~ 1 hour for therapist, a quick stop at the hardware store & the 45 minute drive up ~ which was the truth, because I looked at my watch. She said it was all a lie & that he couldn't have gotten to work until at least 2:00 because the hardware store receipt said 12:48. She actually called the hardware store yesterday to find out if their cash register time was correct & they looked at it & said "no, it's actually about an hour and a half off." We had nothing to do with her calling them, nor did we have them cover for us. She was forced to realize her mistake & apologize. It has been a never ending sense of dread & fear for me about what she's going to do & how she's going to act. I'm hoping it's true when she says she'll be totally removed from the store in 2 weeks. Skip has been wonderful in helping me remain fairly calm & in sticking up for me. He's my angel! In the middle of all of this, I celebrated my 42nd birthday.

On to lighter news...I set up something in honor of my grandmother who will have been gone 3 years this coming January 14th. She had a glass vase of some sort in the right hand corner of her kitchen window in her apartment with a string of Christmas lights that she kept on continuously year round...she never turned them off. I decided I wanted to do the same, so as of November 9th, I set up my own glass vase with some really pretty LED Christmas lights. I haven't turned them off yet. I won't turn them off either...they only way they're going off is if they burn out or she somehow turns them off. They're so pretty & cheery & make me feel connected to her & they can be seen in the picture at the top of this entry. The reflection on the wall almost looks like the Northern Lights.

Anywho, I'm still here, still breathing, & apologize for being so long in posting anything. Can y'all forgive me? Now it's off for me to make a handmade postcard to send out to Phinney for a swap we're both in & maybe do a little ghosthunting with Skip tonight & see if we can get any EVPs at the condo complex clubhouse.

Holy crap....how the heck did my boyfriend, Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters, get in here? Is my blog haunted? Paranormal stuff going on in here? Don't tell Skip that he's here 'cause.....OMG.....I'd be in trouble! LOL

Anywho........I'm still here & getting a little better...just taking it day by day. I'm getting back into group therapy & having weekly visits with the therapist & shrink, hopefully by next week. Meds are in the process of being adjusted. All steps in the right direction! But friggin' winter is coming & I hate the damn winter. :::sigh:::

On an aside note ~ I've got an art blog if you want to check it out. I just need to remember to post artsy stuff I send & receive there more regularly. Just click here to check it out.

Now if this sore throat & head stuffiness would just go away.......

Deep Breaths

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." ~ Buddha

Once again, I know it has been a while since I've posted. I've been going through so much........I don't know........inner turmoil lately. Lots of anxiety & panic over all sorts of stuff, especially work. I've not been myself. I've been depressed. I wake up every morning with the only things that are making me glad are Skip, Lucy (our dog), Stella (our cat)........& that I'm still alive......still.....sometimes.....I wonder.

There are days that I am absolutely terrified to go into work. There are times that I want to just stay in the Tarrytown area, where I feel "safe". The way I've been feeling/acting/panicking has not only myself, but others concerned apparently.

I need some time off from work to shake it all out of my head & get back to real life, but I don't know how long that is or what it means exactly. I wish I could go to Montauk for at least a few days to be alone where I love it the most & meditate by the ocean.

I don't know what to do for myself or feel anymore really...........

Hmmmmmm....

Crush a Can Day is today. How flat can you squish it?

After you get done kicking the can around, you get the fun of crushing it too. Use it as a stress reliever to take out all of the frustrations of your day. See how flat you can get it. It will make you feel good. Go ahead, give it a big squeeze. There, now don't you feel better?
You can crush a can anyway you want. There's no rules. Just make sure to do so safely.

Have a very happy Crush a Can Day.

Found on Holiday Insights.

Head Noise

I'm still out here. Just been having a hard time lately. Tons of what I'm calling "head noise." Anxiety. Panic attacks daily. Must clear it out. I'm seeing the shrink Monday morning. May need meds to be altered. Will update on Wednesday when I've got more time.

I'm sorry I've been so quiet lately.

Is there anybody still out there?

Maybe I'm too boring/repetitive/depressing & should quit this blog.

Self affirmations are not working/worthless right now.

Anybody else having a hard time or "head noise" lately?

Why do I feel so alone?

Anybody out there?

Hello?

Echo......echo.......echo.......

One Last Post For Today...

Anyone out there in my tiny reader~land interested in postcards and/or swaps? I've recently set up a swap for unusual postcards at swap~bot. It's a pretty neat website with all sorts of swaps going on. If you're interested (as I'm trying to get as many participants as possible), you can click HERE to join my particular swap.

Whew.....3 posts in 1 day.....I think that's the most I've ever friggin' done! WOW!

School Lunches

Today, as children return to school, the Meme Express (http://memeexpress.blogspot.com/) is all about school lunches. Here are a few questions to whet your appetite:

Do you remember eating lunch at school?

Yes...very well, not only in high school (sheesh...25 year reunion next year!), but in elementary school. I always looked forward to lunch time throughout my school career.

Did you purchase your lunch or bring it with you?

In elementary school, I brought it with me, packed lovingly (& with a little note each day) by my mom. In high school, I bought lunch 99% of the time.

Did you carry a sack or a lunch box?

Until about 4th or 5th grade, I carried a lunch box. Growing up, we didn't have the fancy lunch boxes kids do today...we had the metal kind with the thermos inside. I loved picking out a lunch box & wish I still had some of them. My favorite was my first one with Pebbles & BamBam from the Flintstones. In 5th & 6th grades, I used a brown paper bag because by this point I thought I was "too old" for a lunch box.

If you had a lunch box, what was on it?

Oooops! Already answered this above!

What was your favorite school lunch?

In elementary school, probably either peanut butter & jelly or bologna sandwiches. In high school, I loved french fries.

What was your least favorite menu item?

Sloppy Joes in high school....there was just something nasty about them. To this day, I still don't like them.

Do you remember any of the cafeteria staff?

Yes...I can picture the cafeteria ladies in high school perfectly, but don't remember their names. They were probably around the age I am now & most of them were blonde & wore the standard hair net. One of them seemed especially "old." LOL

What friends sat with you for lunch?

I don't really remember sitting with any particular people in elementary school, just at the table for my class/grade. In high school, each grade kinda took over a certain section of the cafeteria, where they'd always sit (fresman always sat over here, seniors over there, etc). Class schedules varied from semester to semester, so I'd have different lunch mates at different times of the year.

Now how about you? If you've just read this, I'm officially tagging you for your blog/journal!

Just Because...

"Today is Just Because Day. Finally, you have a chance to do something without a rhyme or reason. Most often in life, we do things because we have to, or we want to, or it's expected of us. None of those reasons apply today.

Is there something you'd like to do, but there isn't a reason or logic for doing it? Well, today is the day to go out and do something "just because". It is most enjoyable if it is an uncommon, or unexpected activity or action. Perhaps, you have something in mind. If not, just go with the first thing that comes to your mind.

"Just because" activities often come from a "whim" or a "what if I" type of thought. We know you will quickly get the hang of this day, and have a lot of fun with it.

To get you started, here are some of our suggestions for Just Because Day :

Take an unplanned day of vacation

Visit someone you haven't seen in a while

Knock on someone's door and compliment them for their great lawn

Skip, don't walk

Spin a wheel, and bicycle in the opposite direction of where the arrow points.

Buy something you don't need.

Jump in a puddle

Walk backwards"

From the website http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/

Short Vacations & Obsessions

Aloha to my few but loyal readers! Skip & I are back from our short vacation to Westport, Mass & we had a great time. Why is it, though, that a vacation is never long enough & you always need another vacation after your vacation? Luckily, we are closing the store for the long (at least long for us...3 days) Labor Day weekend.

We relaxed, went to the beach with our pooch, shopped, ate good food & did some "Sunday Driving"...which leads me to these 2 pictures. The first being of the oldest general store in the U.S. & the other being of the only memorial that I know of to a rooster...the Rhode Island Red. Both are located in Adamsville, RI, just a little ways from where Skip's family cottage is. The gas prices when I left Westport were at $3.50, which is at least 30 cents a gallon or more lower than they are here where I live. How are gas prices where you live?

As for my obsession with Jason Hawes & "Ghost Hunters" (obsession being officially defined as "1.the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. 2.the idea, image, desire, feeling, etc., itself.")....the new season starts on September 3rd. HOORAY!!!! I've been filling the time until it starts in with "Ghost Hunters International" & a few of "Paranormal State," but they're just not the same...not nearly as good.

Now........how about giving me some ideas/questions/whatever of what to write about here. My brain is empty & I need some input! Thanks!

All Over the Place.......

I'm so beyond knowing where to start with this post....I'm so far behind in trying to post. Sooooooo....this post is just gonna be all over the place. Be kind!

First off, I went to a cousin's wedding in PA at Villanova University (where she met her groom). She's actually a 2nd cousin ~ her grandfather & my grandmother were brother & sister. She's a sweet, vivacious, adorable girl, as you can see by the picture I've posted. The reception was about 30 minutes away in DE, at a beautiful hotel. I got to see a lot of family that I haven't seen in a looooong while & to "re-introduce" myself to some younger cousins that are now "all grown up" but I haven't seen them since they were little kids. I keep remembering them as being 6 or 10 or 12 & now they're in their 20's, getting married or already married. WOW...does that age a person quickly or what?!?! Sheesh! Skip didn't join me because he'd been dealing with the shingles & in a lot of pain.

Speaking of Skip...he's up in south~eastern MA, where his family has a cottage. He headed up in the middle of the night last night (literally...he left around 3:30 am). I'll be joining up with him tomorrow night after work. We decided to close the store only for 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thurs), so as not to be closed too long...that's why I'm not up there already...lucky me, huh?

On to silly little things...everybody's got a celebrity crush, right? I know that Phinney likes David Cook & Carly likes David Duchovny. Well my "obsession" is 3~fold...naughty little me. Besides my eternal crushes on Mike Piazza (former catcher for the NY Mets) & Vincent D'Onofrio (from "Law & Order: Criminal Intent")...I've got a new boyfriend...Jason Hawes from T.A.P.S. ("Ghost Hunters" on the SciFi channel). They may not be any of your cups of tea, but they all just do something to me. LOL Decisions...decisions! Who's your celebrity crush?

Really, really quick update

I've only got a few minutes before I head out to my therapy session, but I wanted to post here. I saw the endocrinologist today ~ she's just the nicest person. We've worked out a schedule over the next month to get me up to full dosage on metoformin (the generic of glucophage) which should not only help me with the Diabetes, but the hormonal imbalances, excess hair growth & help me to lose some weight. I also got a free meter to check my glucose levels once a day about 2 hours after a meal. I need to keep my numbers under 140.

I also need to go on a low glycemic index diet & work my way up to walking 5 times a week (yes, Lori, you read that right...we'll be walking more!). My question here is...besides the books I've ordered from Amazon on the low glycemic index diet...is anyone else out there in my limited readership do a diet like this & know any tried & true recipes you can share with me? This is all brand new to me & I'm a little overwhelmed. Skip also has diabetes, but we've never really gotten into this full swing & I could sure use some ideas & encouragement. Thanks in advance!

More to come in a few days...after my cousin's wedding.......will keep you posted....

Hello out there......

OK...so I've been pretty lax about posting here lately, but I've honestly been busy. I didn't want to post just for the sake of posting & have my blog end up sounding like the ramblings of a 4 year old.

Work has been a little slow on the customer front over the past couple of days ~ I blame that on people being on vacation ~ but busy in getting orders done & deliveries put away. I've also had several doctors appointments over the past month or so. I mentioned in a post a while ago that I had a colonoscopy, but now I've also had an endoscopy (done by the same gastroentorologist ~ sp?) & also a gastric emptying study (ordered by that same doc because she wanted to see why my stomach wasn't emptying as fast as it should). The gastric emptying study was done in nucleur radiology at a local hospital ~ I had to eat the worst scrambled egg sandwich (dry,with no salt, pepper, anything) that was "laced" with whatever nucleur crap was in it. I guess I'm glowing on the inside now! No results from that yet, as it was only done this past Wednesday.

As for my visit to an endocrinologist, I had an OGTT (oral glucose tolerence test) done a few weeks ago. I loved this doctor, she was super nice. I'm seeing her for various hormonal things (obviously). Some of the blood work came back with no surpises for me ~ I have polycystic ovarian syndrome & 2 of the male hormone tests are slightly elevated (DHEA-S & testosterone). At my next office visit this week, we'll discuss potential ways to decrease the effects of these hormones & hopefully decrease the excess hair growth (chin, upper lip, & slight chest hair). There was, however, a surprise in other results. The OGTT revealed normal fasting glucose levels, but a very elevated 2 hour glucose level (they take fasting blood first, have you drink some highly concentrated sugar stuff, & then take your blood again at the 1 & 2 hour marks), which confirms the diagnosis of Diabetes Type 2. She says that my Diabetes is very mild (normal reference range is 4.0-6.0% & controlled Diabetes is 6.0-8.0% when doing an HA1c test ~ mine was 6.2%) & can probably be controlled with diet & exercise. It's good to know that it's mild, but it scares me a bit.

So..........now I wait for this Wednesday & see what exactly she has to say about medications & diet. I also wait to see what the gastroentorologist says from all her tests & my stupid chronic diarrhea. I've started walking ~ although only a little ~ I went out twice this past week with my friend Lori & walked for roughly an 45 minutes or an hour. It may not be much, but it's very hilly around here & you have to start somewhere. Thanks to Lori for giving me the motivation to get out there those 2 evenings!

I'm going to a cousin's daughter's wedding this coming Saturday in Villanova, PA (the reception is about 35 minutes away in Wilmington, DE). It's black tie "invited" (must be new wording ~ I've heard "black tie," "black tie requested," "black tie optional" but not "invited). My mom, her husband, & my aunt & uncle will be there, too. Staying overnight Saturday night since it's not local ~ it'll be nice to be away for 36 hours. It's just too bad that Skip won't be joining me. I had RSVP'd that he would (& I feel horrible that he's not at the last minute), but he's getting over the shingles & also wants to open the store that day. I was really looking forward to getting away with him & seeing him in a tux! Oh well............

Hope all is well with all of you out there!

Is it just me.......

Is it just me, or is there something inherently wrong with this ad? Does this border on child pornography or something? I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks...

My Little Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

RIP

I've been meaning to post this for a few days. I'm saddened by his passing because I personally think he was genius & had the guts to say what others wouldn't. I remember seeing him in concert at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY & laughing my ass off. Rest in peace, George............

When did I get this chubby?

Jeez...it's so damn hot & humid here today, I'm afraid to go outside...I'm gonna sweat like a pig in about 2 seconds...it's not a pretty sight. I've got a ton of things to catch up on today (as usual LOL): laundry (& lots of it), cards to make, brownies to bake for tomorrow nights' book club, finish (or at least try to) reading the book for tomorrow nights' book club, a run over to my mom's house to drop off some farm fresh eggs from my gay boyfriend, stop at the supermarket near her house to get stuff I can't find anywhere else...yada, yada, yada. I was also hoping to take Lucy (our pooch) to the brand new doggie park in our condo complex, but: 1) when am I gonna get the chance; 2) it's supposed to rain later; 3) it's so friggin' hot/humid, maybe I should wait for another day. To top it all off, my throat is slightly sore. YIKES!

As promised, here are some more pictures from my trip to Montauk, NY.

The boardwalk at our hotel to the beach....note the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon.

What else but the Atlantic Ocean?!?!

Me...in all my chubby pinkness, on our last full day there. Yes....that's a tattoo on my left arm. Gotta love that Mr. Spock eyebrow going! Don't laugh too hard.........

I'm Baaaaack!

Greetings from my small part of the world! I'm back.....& have been back since Sunday evening......from my all too fast trip to Montauk, NY. My mom & I were there for 5 nights & had a fabulous time with great weather, but it ended all too soon (we're usually there for about 6 or 7 nights).

We were supposed to stay at the Panoramic View on the Old Montauk Highway, but they've been slowly converting the place into million dollar ocean~front condos, with a few rooms to rent as a "regular" hotel. They started this renovation when we were there last year & it wasn't too bad...all the construction was away from us. When I called to book our room in advance for this year, we were promised that the noise level wouldn't be any worse than last year & that the pool would still be useable. However, when we got there no one told us what the extent of the construction was & that there was no pool to use...it, too, was being renovated. When we got to our room, it overlooked a damn construction pit & we saw the lack of a pool. The guy helping us with our luggage said that we could get a pass to use the indoor (indoor!!!) pool at the hotel next door. We'd also have to skirt the construction zone to get to the beach. We also learned (within the next 5 minutes) from other guests that the construction noise was intolerable & started around 7:15 in the morning. Needless to say, we weren't happy campers ~ I was shaking, I was so upset! Long story short.......we complained, got a full refund, & got a room in another hotel ~ the Surf Club in town ~ (with a shorter walking distance to the beach & pool) & had a blast.

So............here are my first 3 pictures from our trip (more to come). The first being (obviously) from the train station (nope...we didn't take the train, we drove), the second being of my sandy feet at the beach on our last full day there, & the third of some gorgeous beach roses. I'll post more when I get a chance...probably won't be until Sunday.

As for the "Aunt Nub Originals" (hand stamped cards)...the offer still stands if you'd like one. I've only gotten 1 request so far...........

Direct From Never~Never~Land

Helloooooooo out there! Been wondering where I've been? As usual, I've been going to work, coming home, eating & collapsing.....never in the mood to do an entry here. Pathetic, I know. No excuses except for lame ones. Is anyone still out there....reading my blog....waiting for me to re~appear & update? I hope so! I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone or Never~Never~Land & desperately wanting to update & desperately wanting to know that someone is still out there.

To make matters worse on my lack of updates & readership, I'll be going away to Montauk, NY with my mom from June 17th to June 22nd. This is our 7th or 8th time going out there on a yearly basis, just me & her. I used to go every year with my parents when I was little, but then that stopped. Now I crave the time I'm there...it's just so beautiful, peaceful & relaxing. The picture at the top of my page is of the Montauk Point Lighthouse that I took last year. I should have lots to talk about & pictures to post when I get back. Will you all still be there & reading?

As for what's been going on BESIDES work...I had my first colonoscopy (not counting the disasterous (sp?) one I had a few years ago with no prep, no sedation, etc at the whack of a general physician's office that I used to go to) at my gasteroenteroligist (again, sp?). For those of you who haven't had one done, the prep work during the preceeding 36 hours is definately the worst....horrible, nasty stuff to drink, followed by horrible, nasty stuff afterwards. During the procedure the anesthesiologist gave me an IV with some funky stuff to make me pretty much out of it. The procedure took about 20 minutes & all I remember is a little pressure (barely noticeable) & some muffled voices. Skip brought me home & I just relaxed & farted for the rest of the day. I need to remember to call the doctor's office while I'm away for the results.

I also got some fun new rubber stamps that I want to experiment with. The cards that I saw in the store (The Great American Stamp Store in Westport, CT) were really cool & I want to try to re~create them. As I'll have a bunch of newly made cards in the next couple of weeks just dying to fly off to someone, I'm wondering who I can send one to. Anybody want an "Aunt Nub Original"???? Just let me know & I'll be more than willing to make one for you...provided I've got your snail~mail address!

The cuties at the top of this post are 6 Bichon Frise puppies that a customer brought in to our store in the past week. She's a breeder & the mama doggie just had them on April 6th, so they're only about 8 or so weeks old. She had them all in the carrier & brought them & the proud mama into the store. There was another customer in the store at the time, so we each got to hold one or two of them at a time. I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of their cute little faces (at least 5 of them) peeking out of the carrier on my camera phone.

Anywho.....must go get my eyebrows & other assorted & sundry facial hairs waxed (AKA "defuzzed") plus start getting stuff packed for my Tuesday morning departure for Montauk. Have a great week! I'll talk to you soon!

Two Word Meme

I snagged this meme from my good friend, Phinney (who's blog is private, unfortanately, or I'd link it here) (update...I now have a link to Phinney's other blog, which is public...here...YAY!). Looked like fun, so I decided to do it....but where the heck is #10 & #19? Now it's your turn to do it.......

1. Where is your cell phone? in charger

2. Where is your significant other? at work

3. Your hair? needs washing

4. Your mother? in Virginia

5. Your father? in Connecticut

6. Your favorite thing? can't pick

7. Your dream last night? re-occuring again

8. Your favorite drink? chocolate milk

9. Your dream/goal? buy RV

11. Your hobby? rubber stamping

12. Your fear? lose Skip

13. Where you want to be in 6 years? not working

14. Where were you last night? at therapist

15. What you're not? thin enough

16. Muffins? chocolate chip

17. One of your wish list items? an RV (can Mike Piazza or Vincent D'Onofrio count)

18. Where you grew up? North End (of New Rochelle, NY that is)

20. What are you wearing? sweat pants

21. Your TV? on alot

22. Your pets? dog cat

23. Your computer? big help

24. Your life? it's there

25. Your mood? needs relaxing

26. Missing someone? my mom

27. Your car? kinda old

28. Something you're not wearing? any shoes

29. Favorite store? Yankee Candle

30. Your summer? cheery sunny

31. Like someone? love husband

32. Your favorite color? always purple

33. When is the last time you laughed? today hopefully

34. Last time you cried? last night

PS The picture above was taken on my camera phone on my way home from work with Skip this past Saturday. There were some really, really wild thunderstorms going on that we kept driving in & out of....& all of a sudden there was a gorgeous double rainbow (look closely for the 2nd rainbow...it was faintly off to the right).

Memorial Day

Hi gang! I hope you are all enjoying your long holiday weekend...doing whatever it is that you are doing! I know I am enjoying 3 days off in a row from the store...what a pleasure it has been, even though some of it is being spent playing catch up on stuff I usually put off until the last minute.

Since it is Memorial Day, I thought I'd save these pictures for today, even though I took them this past Friday. A church that Skip & I pass every day to & from work had these flags out front on their lawn & when we happened across them on Thursday, we got the chills, we were that moved by it. I wanted to make a point of getting pictures of it as best I could on Friday evening on our way home. There must be at least several thousand of these little flags, no exaggeration.

So, in honor of all Americans who gave their lives in Iraq & Afghanistan (& in other wars, too)...here are my pictures of the "Field of Flags."

A Kid in a Candy Shop

Yesterday my friend Lori & I went on a day trip to the Berkshires in Massachusetts...destination...the great big mama store of the Yankee Candle Company in South Deerfield. The place is fabulous & I'm like a kid in a candy shop!

I've been heading up there at least once a year since I first discovered Yankee Candles about 15 years or so ago & my how they've changed & expanded big time over the years. The "headquarters" ~ the candles used to be made right there, but that part of it is down the road a bit now ~ has everything from their candles (of course ~ duh!) to stuff for your home & garden & a Bavarian Christmas village & the Black Forest. Although there are Yankee Candle stores in malls & Yankee Candle candles to be found at Bed Bath & Beyond (among other places), no place has the immense selection of scents that they do here in South Deerfield, MA. Thee's every scent from tea & honey to dune grass to gardenia to fresh ground coffee...& everything in between! I myself, picked up 29 different scented tarts (wickless "candles" that I put in an electric tart warmer)...& 2 of each of those different scents! I had this trip planned & saved my pennies so I could go a little nuts. I also picked up some of their jar candles. It's no exaggeration when I tell you that 1 of these little tarts scents my entire house for the day...so I'm pretty well set for a while, don't ya think?

I took a couple of pictures on my camera phone of the Bavarian Christmas village & thought I e-mailed them to myself, but they haven't shown up yet. Bizarre! Sooooo....you'll have to make do with the picture I snapped here at home of my basket~o~tarts & what I've lifted from their website.

Music Video

For my hubby, Skip, 1 of my favorite songs of all time, by 1 of my favorite artists of all time. Where's a boombox when you need 1?

Catchin' Up With Nub

I bet you all thought I fell off the face of the Earth, didn't you? Well...no....not exactly. Skip was unable to work for about a week & a half, so I had the store to myself for that time. I basically went to work, came home & forced myself to eat something (anything) & went to bed. It's not easy running a busy little store all on your own for a day or 2, but for an extended period it's....well.....draining, physically & emotionally. Skip has rallied beautifully, but I'm still feeling the effects. I'm just sort of blah & going through the motions right now. I don't blame Skip at all, please don't get me wrong! I'm just feeling how difficult running a retail store on your own can be. I need a vacation or at least a day off where I'm not running around to my own various doctor's appointments (I've got a lot going on there, but that's another story ~ I'm ok, but figuring out what's going on), trips to the vet (Stella the kitty either has a kidney infection, UTI, or her kidneys are failing because of her age ~ let's hope it's not the last), doing laundry, etc. I just plainly & simply need to re~group. Thank the powers above that next weekend is Memorial Day weekend & the store is closed on Saturday, Sunday & Monday. I'm thinking of doing a day trip up to the main Yankee Candle Company store in South Deerfield, MA (Lori....do you want to join me? I'll be calling you! Phinney...do you want to meet me there?)

Anywho...yesterday, my mom, aunt & I went to a young (or at least young to me, she was born in 1982 ~ LOL) cousin's bridal shower in Bethlehem, PA. It has gotten to that point where our cousins kids are now all getting married. They're all young enough to be my own kids, but old enough to be getting married ~ WOW! She's a cute little thing (as you can see by the picture below...that's the nicest bridal~shower~ribbon~bouquet I've ever seen made!), quite bubbly, has a great smile & just all around sweet. Her mom (also my cousin, obviously) is 1 of 8 kids (5 boys, 3 girls) & her 2 sisters & her mom (my great~aunt & the bride's grandmother) were there. The 3 girls I mentioned are so funny (especially Patty) & all are fabulously crafty & great at baking ~ look out Martha Stewart! Later on, my great~uncle Jack (the bride's grandfather & my grandmother's brother) showed up (he's in the other picture below with my great~aunt, my mom & my aunt). It was wonderful to see him, as he's now 87 & his health, unfortunately, is really starting to fail. My grandmother would be sooooo pleased that we got to spend some time with him.

That's enough rambling for me for now. I must now get off my butt & continue on with the 42bazillion things that need to get done. And if you're wondering about the picture above, that's taken from the deck behind my house & shows the view at night, down the valley to White Plains, NY. Hope all is well with you...if any of you are still out there reading my blog....I hope I haven't lost all of you! LOL

I'm still here....

Hi everybody! Yes.........I'm still out here......alive & kicking! I've just had a rough couple of weeks for one reason or another, I'm still rather out of sorts & not sure what to write, but I'm OK...there's nothing to worry about. Will catch up with a post on Sunday....I promise!

AAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKK!

Been trying to post a new entry for the past 2 hours....I keep re~typing nice long entries & I keep getting an error message & losing my dang entry! And now it's publishing my last post...I don't freakin' get it!!!!!!!!!

I'm giving up for right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I need this t-shirt:

Long Time...No Post

I've been a lazy slob about posting here lately.....I'm the first to admit it.....so sue me. LOL I've been loving the Spring weather for the past week (actually, it's summery here today ~ incredible!) & have been working like crazy. What else is friggin' new?

Our dishwasher was apparently spewing water all over the kitchen floor 2 nights ago. I usually turn it on last thing before toddling upstairs to bed. Skip was downstairs in the basement checking his e-mail when he said it sounded like a waterfall. YIKES! So....for the past couple of nights I've been hand washing any plates, silverware, glasses. Makes me realize how dang spoiled I am by having a dishwasher & how I never want to be without it again! I know...I know....."Awwwwww, poor baby! 2 days of handwashing stuff! ::sniff:: ::sniff::" Break out the violins!!! Anywho, the repairman came to fix it today & I'm thrilled ~ especially since the bill wasn't too bad.

Tomorrow is my grandmother's 90th birthday. She passed away a year ago in January & I miss her, but I do hear from her from time to time & quite often can smell her scent. But, I'm working tomorrow & won't be able to go to the cemetery. My mom & I are having dinner tonight in her honor.

The Lisa Williams show was fabulous! A lot of people came through to her & she gets very specific with the family/friends who are in the audience. Truly amazing! The first person to come through was someone named Richard (I've got a cousin named Richard who died at age 36 in a horrible car accident up in the Nanuet, NY area), but I don't know if it was MY Richard or someone else's.....he got shy & stepped back to let others come through & she never got back to him. I really wish I could've known if it was my cousin or not ~ bothers me a little.

My wonderful neighbor, Jane, moved to Kansas as of this past Monday. She was a fabulous lady, good friend, & terrific neighbor! Why does it seem like as soon as I make friends with somebody or become close with somebody, they up & leave me somehow? I find myself putting a wall up around myself....keeping people at an arm's length, yet desperately yearning for friends...just because I'm afraid they'll leave. I hate that I do this, but afraid of being hurt. People die, move far, far away, become too busy to be with me or have some excuse not to hang out with me(yet are friends & hang out with other people)......I don't know why.....so therefore, up goes my shield. I really value the importance of friendship ~ sometimes it's all that you have. Hmmmmmmmmmm.......wish I could break free all these mixed emotions.

What's New with Nub?

After a gray~ish weekend weather wise, it promises to be sunny (at least through Thursday) with a warming trend ~ should get to 70 on Thursday. I'm posting today, a Monday, instead of my usual Wednesday or Sunday, because I needed to get home early from work & finish up last minute tax sh*t. Nothing like last minute, right?

This past Sunday, Skip & I wanted to try to get closer to a "lighthouse" (although there's no water near where's it's located) that we see every morning on our way to work. There's also a hand painted sign on a fence on the side of the road advertising "farm fresh eggs." I'm a sucker for farm fresh eggs, as they're richer & better tasting than the ones you get in the supermarket. We were able to drive just inside the property to the caretaker's house (I forget how old he said it was) & ~ HOORAY! ~ purchase a dozen eggs. He said there'll be a lot more where that came from very soon, since they have 400 ~ yes! 400! ~ chickens & they're starting to lay eggs like crazy. MMMMmmmmmm! I can foresee some hard~boiled eggs & baking in my future! However, we couldn't get any closer to this "lighthouse." Turns out, according to the farm caretaker, that it's a water tower. Veddy interesting! All of this & I'm still in Westchester County...suburbs of NYC! Whoda thunk?

Tomorrow I have off (again, a change from my usual Wednesday & Sunday off) because: 1) I had a week from heck last week, what with Skip being so sick; 2) I'm going with my friend Anabel to see Lisa Williams (she talks to the dead & I'm all into that sort of stuff) at the Tarrytown Music Hall tomorrow night. Dinner at the diner & then the show...should be a good girl's night out!

Anywho, in closing...I share with you a picture of the daffodils that I planted at my Mom's house several years ago. They are in full bloom (mine at home aren't ready to bloom yet. Why is that? We live only 9 miles apart.) & are magnificent. Gotta love their sunny, happy faces!

Tag I'm It!

I know that my last post was similar to this one, but I've been unofficially tagged by Becky. So...here goes.

Here are the rules

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here are my 7 random and/or weird things:

1) Like Becky, I also cough like crazy when I clean my ears with Q~tips, but it happens with both ears.

2) I have a form of synesthesia. This means that certain senses "overlap" ~ whatever I see (whether it's colors or a scene), I can taste it & also have some sort of texture associated with it. Blue has a very different taste & texture than yellow which has a very different taste & texture than green. The sky has various tastes & textures depending on what's going on up there (sunny; cloudy; the sun streaming through clouds; etc). Everything has a taste & texture. My niece also has something like this, but to do with music.

3) My right foot is pigeon~toed.

4) I like raw spinich but hate it when it's cooked.

5) I always need to have the car window open (even just a little) no matter how hot or cold it is outside.

6) I enjoy rambling around cemeteries. It's very peaceful & I like looking at the headstones & statues. I could spend an entire day doing this.

7) I immediately have to pee when I go out in very cold weather.

I'm supposed to tag people now, here at the end of my entry, but I'm not going to do that to specific people. Consider yourself tagged simply by reading this. You can leave me a link to your journal or simply answer in the comments section. Either way, I hope you play along!

PS I took the picture above recently on the main street that leads to my street ~ imagine the tastes & textures I'm experiencing!