And so ends NaBloPoMo for November 2014

Okay so I didn't blog for the entire month but 20 posts out of a possible 30 isn't so bad. Right? I think what's important is the effort made. Kind of like, it's the thought that counts.

If this were a school test I would have scored a B-. Or at the very least a C+. I wonder if I write two posts for today I could get some sort of extra credit. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. I couldn't even post every single day during the month so doing 2 posts on the last day would be like a Christmas miracle.

Anyway, it's been fun and I got to read some really great blogs in my reading travels that were written by more disciplined bloggers than me who actually wrote a blog post a day. Yeah some of you people are way awesomer than me.

 

So even though I feel like I'm crawling toward the NaBloPoMo finish line it's nice to know that I went through this with such a wonderful community of bloggers. And I can honestly look back to when I first signed on to do this and say, wtf was I thinking?

Here's a little celebratory Rah! Rah! gif to commemorate the occasion. We did it!

Source:giphy.com

I love this movie, but seriously when I say "We did it!" in my head it's less like Elle Woods and more like Grumpy Cat.

Now tell me, did anyone else blog for less than the whole month? Come on, don't leave me hanging here all alone.

Zounds or holy crap, it's all the same in meaning

On Sleepy Hollow this past Monday, Ichabod, in frustration, said the phrase "God's wounds". I'm guessing this was their version of "holy crap". So I thought, hmm let me look up the whats and wheres of this phrase.

According to Wiktionary, the term comes from Christ's wounds before the crucifixion.

Sadly, God's wounds has suffered the same fate as the planet, Pluto, in that it's been demoted. Yep. Recognize the word, Zounds? No? Well, humor me because that's what has become of God's wounds.

Seems kind of sacrilegious. But I guess if you're in a hurry or don't want to sound so wordy, or if you have limited word/character space then Zounds is a better fit. So maybe it's not actually a demotion but an economical wording preference. God's wounds just happened to get edited. Makes sense to me.

Holidays aren't supposed to be perfect

It never fails. No matter how organized or planned out you are, there's always something that gets forgotten. And so it goes that today, the day before Thanksgiving, I was at the local grocery store picking up that one those two several things that were still needed for tomorrow's meal.

I don't mind. In fact I expect it. It's as inevitable as burning dinner rolls or someone spilling something on the table linen during dinner. I always say, it's not a successful meal until someone spills something or ends up eating on their clothes. Unless you dripped sauce on your shirt because that's messy and stains instantly. So does hot chocolate. We won't talk about how I know this.

But these things make great stories for all the Thanksgivings to come. And as long as you are surrounded by good friends and family who don't mind a little mess and there's something delicious (or at least edible) to eat tomorrow, then that's all that matters. Unless you're the turkey.

source

A reminder in light of recent events

Because we could all benefit from remembering this.

source

A quick dessert idea for Thanksgiving

I'm not a foodie blogger and I don't pretend to be one. In fact any food-related posts usually just reference my love for cookies. And brownies. But since we're heading into Thanksgiving week and everywhere I turn there's a food recipe or commercial, I thought I would make an exception. I've made this several times and everyone loves it (especially me when I lick the spoons during clean up).


Layered Pudding In A Cup

If you're hosting turkey dinner this year and have a need for a quick dessert (as if you don't have enough to do), or, if you want to be nice and bring dessert then this is a delicious and easy-to-make dish. It doesn't require a lot of ingredients (you're welcome) or a lot of prep time and best of all, you can make it in advance.

Amounts vary based on how many people are in your party. Here are the  how's and what's of my dessert:

1 box of vanilla pudding (I used Jello for both)
1 box of chocolate pudding
Reddi Wip whipped cream in a can
2 mixing bowls
A clear glass or mug (I used a small coffee mug for mine)

Mix each pudding in a separate bowl.

Place vanilla pudding as first layer.
Then add the chocolate pudding.
Spray a little whipped cream layer.
Add more vanilla pudding.
Add more chocolate pudding.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled or until serving time.
Feel free to make an extra one for yourself for sampling purposes.

Top with whipped cream before serving.

You can also add chocolate sprinkles or a cherry to the top.

Of course, you can use whatever pudding flavors you and your guests like. I went with basic flavors because I'm plain like that and it was just simpler that way.

Sadly, I don't have a pic to post. Here's what my dessert would have looked like in a glass and with one less vanilla layer.

source

Enjoy! And let me know how it turns out. Except if it's bad, then let's keep it between us.

These are harmless and funny

I want to be friends with whoever is responsible for these. I know if I do the first one people will look at me oddly but that's okay I'm used to it. At the very least I'll make myself laugh because I think it's funny.


I was tempted to do this at the grocery store this morning but it was so busy that I just wanted to get out of there. Some other time, detergents, some other time.

source

I love this because I used to "mis"label the file cabinets in my former co-workers' offices with tags like, Contraband, Body Parts, and Lost Socks. 

source

The Devil's Arithmetic

6a - 3b
2(x + 4)
5x + 3 = -2

This is what my son is learning in Math class. He's only in sixth grade. At least I was in 8th grade when I had to learn Algebra. I barely passed. When I finally finished all the required math classes in school, which included absurdly enough, Algebra II, my guidance counselors wisely kept me from stepping foot inside another one.

Because I love to read and write, I did very well in English and Literature classes. But numbers and I are like oil and water, we do not get along.

My son is the opposite. English is his least favorite class but he loves math. I don't get it. I blame the husband.


Algebra is the Devil's Arithmetic. Numbers and letters mixing together. I think a, b, x, and y all need to mind their own business.

Sometimes during homework, he gets frustrated and declares, I don't understand what this means! You and me both, kid. But after a moment he 'gets it' and goes on solving the problems with ease while I'm sitting there referencing Google for help.

This all reminds me of when I was working for a company in NJ. Somehow the burden of monthly and quarterly tax filings fell on me. I told them I couldn't do it because quite plainly I sucked at math. I protested. I pleaded with them. I think I even held my breath until I turned blue.

In their defense, it wasn't that big a deal and the off-site bookkeeper taught me what to do and always looked over my work.

But still, what were they thinking? I couldn't even be trusted to make a decent cup of coffee.

I envy people who are math whizzes. Give them a numeric problem and they can do it in their heads and give you the answer. I'm the one counting on fingers and trying to remember to carry the 2.  And let's just forget the x's and y's, shall we?

I'm not done with my Christmas shopping, in fact I haven't even started

Has anyone started their Christmas shopping yet? No? Okay, good. Now I don't feel so bad. I do, however, have a list appropriately titled, "Ideas of What to Get People". This list will get updated, changed, crumpled up and smoothed out several times before the last gift is purchased. But it's a start!

I have this friend who just posted that she is nearly done with all her shopping. I could just reach through my computer and smack her with a turkey leg. But I think we all have that one friend. You know the one. She's super organized and always just so ready for the holidays. If I have all my gifts bought and wrapped by Christmas Eve I call it a win.

And whoever came up with the gift bag idea is a genius in my book. Take your present, add some tissue paper (or, if you're in a pinch - tissues, not used of course) and toss it in a bag and you're done. Simple.

Have I mentioned that my wrapping is sub-par? I'm known for using too much tape and having too little paper. It's not entirely my fault that when I put the item down it moves as I'm cutting the wrapping paper. But I have perfected the art of cobbling together scraps of paper for those times I do come up short on one end.

This looks like something I wrapped.

I bring all this up because yesterday while I was at the store I noticed something that would be cool for the husband. Did I buy it? No. Because I prefer adding the undue stress to my life of running around like a crazy person looking for a gift that I saw weeks ago but didn't buy. I'm not even sure it was on the list.

Thanks-for-giving such laughs

We're coming down the homestretch to Thanksgiving so I wanted to share some turkey day funnies. This first one should appeal to anyone who's ever been elbow deep in a turkey's butt trying to grab the giblets and gizzards found in there.

source

I'd rather sit at the kid's table quite personally. There, you don't have to partake in boring grown-up conversation. And you get to throw peas at the other kids and tell fart jokes and laugh until someone yells at you to "keep it down". Wait a minute. I still tell fart jokes and laugh even now at the adult table. Nevermind.

source

And of course, the Peanuts Gang.

source

I once worked with a girl who didn't like turkey. Come to think of it, I don't think she ate any poultry. Anyway, for Thanksgiving, her Italian grandma would cook lasagna specifically for her.  This would be considered a win-win for the birds and anyone who doesn't eat birds because if you've ever eaten lasagna homemade by an Italian grandmother you would know my co-worker wasn't missing out much on the traditional foods.

Jake and Jenny and Me and Bill

In between all the reality shows and the endless Christmas movies on the Hallmark channels, a few of my favorite movies have been on television recently. And even though I can quote them by heart I watch them, sometimes keeping them on as background noise that I refer to as I'm doing other random things on my computer but always following happily along.

Sixteen Candles was on yesterday. This movie makes me laugh (a lot) and cry a little. I liken Bill to the main male character. He's the guy worth waiting for who always comes to my rescue.

For the hundred-thousandth time, Forrest Gump is on TV, as I write this. I love this movie for its sweetness, its great soundtrack and the love story. Whenever I ask Bill why he loves me or why he's so good to me, his reply is:

Corny? Probably a little. Okay, a lot.  What can I say? We speak in movie quotes so it stands to reason that we should reference movie characters when describing our love story. Minus the fact  that Bill doesn't drive a red Porsche and I was never a flower child/hippie chick.

World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day. In honor of this day I salute people, like my son, who have diabetes as well as their caregivers/supporters. We're all in this together.

source

Many will take this day to spread awareness of this auto-immune disease and try to dispel the myths and stigmatisms that surround it. I don't want to get too preachy, I just want to mention all the things my type 1 diabetic son can do. He's no different than any other 11-year old boy, except he wears an insulin pump and has to check his blood sugar levels and dose himself with insulin accordingly.

In spite of having diabetes...

he goes to Middle School and maintains A-B Honor Roll grades.
he plays video games and hangs out with his friends.
he eats pizza and chocolate cake. (yep, because it's only a myth that sugar causes diabetes and that once you get it you can never eat sugary products again)
he swims and runs and kicks my butt at chess.
he laughs and plays pranks.
he likes toilet humor and fart jokes.
he flies model airplanes and rides his scooter.
he thinks he might be a teacher in the future.
he has a great smile.
he has a sunny demeanor.


According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are 382 million people living with diabetes worldwide. Check out this link  and this link if you want to learn more about World Diabetes Day.

I like eating turkey so I guess that makes me Thanksgiving

I took one of those Fb quizzes. Again. This one asked, What holiday are you? My answer seems appropo considering the month and all. There was one question which asked if I liked eating turkey. I answered, Yes, because I do and I think this question single-handedly resulted in my answer.

I agree with most of the description. In truth I am a homebody and I do like being a hostess, and it really doesn't take a lot to make me happy, however, I draw the line at utilizing so much energy in preparation that it's like a full time job. I like Thanksgiving but let's be serious here, Quiz people.

    
   
   
     

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job               Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!

Thank you, Veterans.

This Veteran's Day I want to say a big Thank You to all veterans for their service to our country.

source

Hey, what's your hurry?

I was looking at some pictures of Autumn and kind of missing the changing leaves-cooler weather-crispness of it all. Then I came across this and was like Whoa! Everyone and everything is always in such a hurry. Even me, when I'm not putting things off till the last minute, or, maybe because I do, I can be in a hurry. My grandmother had a saying: Everything always gets done. She was right.

source

The weather is 78 degrees but Baby It's Cold Outside

I've had the song,  "Baby It's Cold Outside" going through my head for days. Also, it's been 78 degrees all week. I can explain. I'm not someone who shivers and grabs a sweater the minute the mercury dips below 80. I have, however, been listening to Christmas music because I want to add to the full onslaught of early Christmas this year. I'm taking a "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach.

I know it seems like every year Christmas is thrust on us earlier and earlier but usually it's like a slow leak until around Thanksgiving when it becomes a huge flood of Tis the Season. But this year is different. It's like I told a friend of mine the other day, Halloween is barely cold in the ground and already everyone's gone Christmas. Makes me feel bad for Thanksgiving, like we're giving it the bum's rush. But if you check your calendar you'll see that Thanksgiving is late this year. It occurs on the last week of November. And Christmas is three and a half weeks later so we're not even getting the full 4 weeks which might explain why the stores and Hallmark Channels jumped the Yuletide gun before the trick-or-treaters even had a chance to go door-to-door.

It doesn't, however, explain why this of all Christmas songs, is stuck in my head. Catchy lyrics? An evil ear worm? I might never know why and maybe it's best to leave it at that. But could someone explain the song's relevancy to Christmas? At no point during the song does it reference the holiday. In fact, this song could be sung at any point in the winter, like February. Don't get me wrong, I like this song and there's one rendition featuring  Harry Connick, Jr. which is smokin'. Go on, give it a listen.

Pretty cool (pun intended) version, amiright? But, no mention of Santa, elves or trees. And yet this song finds itself being played every year between Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderland during the Christmas season. Wait a minute, neither of these songs is about Christmas either. I give up. I better quit while I'm ahead or I'll have them stuck in my head and besides, I really can't stay...

I gave a drink company some nice feedback

I've been drinking regular unsweetened ice tea for months now. Why? Because I like it. No, really, I do. But recently I discovered a new flavored ice tea drink and because I was so wowed by them I thought, why not leave them a nice comment on their feedback. This is what I wrote:

Dear (Name Withheld So I Don't Get Sued) Tea Makers,

I tried your drink for the first time this week, specifically the Not Too Sweet Peach. It was DELICIOUS! Usually I'm skeptical about drinking flavored teas because they're too sweet or the flavor over-powers the tea itself. I was pleasantly surprised with your drink. I am now a fan and looking forward to drinking more and maybe trying your other flavors, too. Except for the diet ones, I'm not big on diet drinks. Anyway, I know most people usually take the time to send complaints but I thought you would appreciate hearing some positive news regarding your product. 
 

Thanks for the great drink!

I wanted to add the following post scripts at the bottom but I thought it might seem too pushy and could perhaps land me in jail on bribery or extortion charges, even though I would have added the PPS to seem more light-hearted and less of a shyster.

PS: I accept bribes in the form of free bottles of tea in exchange for a review on my blog.
PPS: If this seems unacceptable or unprofessional I at least hope whoever reads your company feedback gets a chuckle out of this reply. Or, at the very least a smile. 

 
In the end I left it out because with my luck they wouldn't have gotten my attempt at humor. As yet, I haven't received a reply. I'm guessing my kind words left them speechless. You're welcome, Tea People.

This blog may sound funny but that's just how I tawk

My blog has a voice and it's all me. I write the way I talk.

Warm and fuzzy holiday memories

Today's writing prompt is difficult. It should be easy but it requires picking out one of an endless supply of choices. I like having choices but when there are so many it overwhelms me.

I probably should have skipped this writing prompt and written about anything else

The first writing prompt for this month's NaBloPoMo is: Write about an amazing imaginary brand or organization you'd love to work with. I was going to skip this and write about something else because I'm not creative enough to think of an imaginary brand/organization. Then it hit me. Not so much hit me like a bus but more like the splat you get when a bird poops on you.

I speak in movie quotes so this seemed like a great idea. I would like to work with an organization dedicated to archiving random quotes from movies and television because let's face it there's a quote for just about every situation in life. We could have a phone number and  live people on hand to research the perfect quote or, a mobile app for instant access to our library database. This could seriously help benefit those with weak comeback responses.


Does something like this exist? It probably does. Which means I'm already screwing up NaBloPoMo. And the month just started!

In all seriousness, if I could work for any imaginary brand I'd like to work for Santa Claus. I could even learn to love all the cold and snow because of the great perks, like an endless supply of cookies from Mrs. C. Yes, I do love Christmas and all that it brings so working at the North Pole would be so much fun. Besides, everyone's always so jolly and happy, it would be better and cheaper than anti-depressants. Now, I'm not talking as an elf making the toys but I wouldn't mind being a journalist on the North Pole Gazette or contributing to their website.

And now that I've added to the full on rush of Christmas by mentioning it this early in November and also possibly traumatized any children reading this, I'm going to end right here and hope that my month and my posts get better. Maybe I should have asked the Great Pumpkin to bring me a list of acceptable topics to write about.

I'm committing myself, again, but to writing for NaBloPoMo not to an institution

I'm taking part in NaBloPoMo, again. NaBloPomo stands for National Blog Posting Month which means I'll be chained to my computer writing a post every day for the month of November or else the NaBloPolice come after me. I'm kidding but only about the police although you are expected to post daily or else why do this? I actively participated in the October 2013 one because I wanted to add unnecessary stress to my life. It wasn't so bad. Given the month and time of year, I had a lot of material to work with which is why my posts centered mainly on Halloween and Halloween-related things. This time around I might actually follow a few of their writing prompts because there's really only so much you can write about Thanksgiving before you lose your audience.

This is also a good way to commit myself to writing on a daily basis and let's face it I have been slacking off big time in that department. So here's to 30 days (give or take) of writing. Cheating by way of posting only gifs or jokes is optional. I made up that last rule, ya know, just in case.



 

Trick or Treat, Wednesday Addams

This was the easiest and most comfortable costume I ever put together/wore for Halloween. The only thing I had to buy was the black tights. How cool is that? Plus, I already have the sullen expression so it's like I was born to be Wednesday Addams.

I got my own haul of candy, too. Partly because I'm as tall as my kid so I guess people thought I was also a kid out trick-or-treating. And partly because some people thought it was cool that I dressed up because not all parents bother to. And some had too much candy and too few trick or treaters. I didn't know this was an issue?

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Halloween weirdness

It's Halloween week. So, naturally I thought I would post some festive weirdness. These things reinforce my belief that there's a lot of weird in the world and Jim Morrison was right when he sang, "People Are Strange".

Some take an ordinary pumpkin and transform it into a Jack-O-Lantern work of art. And then there are those who take carving to a whole other level. Check out these weird pumpkin masterpieces. 

Am I the only one who thought of Mike Wazowski from "Monsters, Inc."? Probably.

source

  Is this your handiwork, Calvin & Hobbes?

source

There's an awful lot wrong with the person who carved this. That doesn't mean I don't like it. That also doesn't make it any less disturbing.

source

When it comes to Halloween costumes it seems like nothing is off limits. This one is practical because you never know when ya gotta go.

source

Pound sign? Tic Tac Toe? At first I couldn't tell what this was but then I saw the cell phone in her hand and it made sense. Hashtag. #Imapoundsigndressedasatictactoegame.

source

I've been seeing a lot of banana costumes this year. I'm not sure what that's about. Here's a lime wedge costume, which I thought at first was a banana that wasn't ripe yet.

source

Fearless crusader for diabetes truth

Non-d peeps, this post is about diabetes. Just putting that out there in case you've come for some laughs and feel like you stumbled into something way serious. But I encourage you to stick around anyway. Maybe learn something new. Or have a cookie. Chips Ahoy chocolate chip. Two cookies = 24 carbs. I think. I get them and another brand confused.

Why do I mention cookies and carbs? Because today for Fearless Friday I am spotlighting someone who is making it his fearless mission on twitter to educate the misinformed regarding type 1 diabetes.

His name is @darthskeptic and I "met" him through the Diabetes Online Community. He's a type 1 diabetic (obviously) with a great sense of humor and an encyclopedic amount of knowledge regarding the carb count of foods. I'm certain that if there was a diabetes version of Jeopardy he would win hands down and probably beat the pants off Ken Jennings. Ew, okay, bad analogy.

source

Sadly, his tweets despite being informative are often met with sarcasm and anger or ignored all together. Sadder still is just how much inaccuracy is still out in the world regarding this disease with  the most widely held myth still being that sugar and sugar-related foods cause diabetes. It doesn't. But no matter how far this disease has come in medical and technological advancements it is still regarded as the 'sugar disease'. Darthskeptic is working to change that. But he doesn't do it in a mean-spirited way although there is a hint of sarcasm there. I've read some of the stupid tweets he replies to and believe me, he is being nice. 

So, if you ever tweet about some delicious chocolate cake you just ate and reference getting diabetes from it, don't be surprised if you get a reply from him informing you otherwise.

Driving around in cars

I was driving behind a bunch of old classic cars the other day. It was like driving down the local drag in American Graffiti. Or driving behind ZZ Top.

source

So I started thinking about cars back then and cars now and seriously, classic cars were so much cooler back in the day. They looked badass and had tough names like GTO, T-bird, and Dart.

Now we have cars with tame names like Encore and Cadenza. Can you just see Vin Diesel tearing it up down the road in a Versa Note? No so much Fast & Furious as it is Slow & Steady.

Not that I'm making fun of these cars. I'm sure they're good vehicles and as long as you can get from Point A to Point B in one piece and with as little aggravation as possible it's all good. I just prefer muscle cars with kick-ass names. My first car was a Mustang. I also owned a Camaro (which my son was delighted to find out) and a Grand Am GT. These days I drive a sensible car, not because I want to but because it's what I can afford. My dream car is a yellow and black trim Camaro that I will happily name Bumblebee. I'll even take the '76 version, I'm not picky. And if he turned out to be an Autobot, well that would be a bonus.

source

If it's Friday, this must be pizza

For as long as I can remember Fridays has always meant pizza for dinner. As a kid it was like a mini-celebration and a day off from cooking for mom all in one.

We still continue this tradition. Every Friday I ask Little Man what he wants for dinner. And the answer is always an enthusiastic "Pizza!"

source

I think all households have some variation of this kinda like Taco Tuesday. It's something fun and gives everyone the kids me something to look forward to. I'm not quite sure how or when this got started in my family but I do recall one memorable Friday-pizza night when I was little.

We were at my grandparents' house waiting for the pizza delivery guy. It seemed to be taking longer than usual and my grandfather was getting impatient. Grandma called to check on the status and was told our pies were en route. So Grandpa decided to go wait out on the porch and told me to come with him. It was like a covert pizza sting operation. After five minutes we moved our base of operations to the street where I guess Grandpa was going to wait for the guy and grab his food to save time.

Suddenly we saw a pizza delivery guy across the street. Grandpa started yelling at him that he was at the wrong place, while also whispering to me that the guy was either new or an idiot. So, the delivery guy comes running across the street. He hands Grandpa our pies, we pay him and head inside to eat.

In between bites, Grandpa told everyone how the pizza guy was obviously lost but thankfully we saw him and managed to get our food before it got cold. It was everything a good pizza should be. Hot and cheesy and delicious. Sure our plain pie had mushrooms on it, but occasionally we ordered one with mushrooms so we forgave this mistake. After all, the pepperoni one was correct. Maybe the place was having an unusually busy night and got our order mixed up.

Halfway through the meal the doorbell rang. It was a pizza delivery man. With our pizzas. Seems the first delivery guy was at the right address and we were eating someone else's pizzas.

I told Bill this story and he rolled his eyes and said, "Now I know where you get it from!"

"My love of pizza?" I asked.

"No, your hunger induced impatience."

May I remind you who drove you to Papa John's to pick up his pizza rather than wait for delivery, Bill?

Show me that smile

Today is our wedding anniversary. That's 18 years of dreams, laughter and love. And since I'm a fan of all things Pop Culture I thought the best way to celebrate would be with this TV theme song, which I found to be quite appropriate. (I also loved this show back then) For those who were also fans, I included the music and lyrics. Enjoy!

Growing Pains Theme
Show me that smile again
Oh, show me that smile
Don't waste another minute on your crying
We're nowhere near the end
The best is ready to begin

As long as we've got each other
We've got the world spinning right in our hands

Baby you and me
We've gotta be
The luckiest dreamers who never quit dreaming

As long as we keep on living
We can take anything that comes our way
Baby rain or shine
All the time
We've got each other
Sharing the laughter and love
Sharing the laughter and love

Halloween ha-ha's

Found some Halloween funnies to share. Consider this my treat to you.

I think we can all agree that there's an Uncle Joe in everyone's family.

source

I can relate to Helda the witch for many reasons.

source

Two words you should never say to your hair dresser. Or, someone with a knife.

source

I freely admit that I'm a scaredy cat

Yesterday while I was out running errands I came across this:

Step right in, past the razor sharp teeth.

This is one of three Haunted Houses being set-up near where I live. So, naturally, I got out of my car and took a pic which I posted to Facebook specifically for one of my friends who has a fear of clowns. (Just so you know, I did this in jest and she took it as such. I'm not a complete meanie.)

I remember seeing the flyers advertising this huge Halloween attraction and so I did some googling research. Two of the houses are your run-of-the-mill spooky haunts. People in ripped/bloody/scary clothes acting out all kinds of horror shows. The above is called "Circus of Horrors"and the other is called "Castle Vampyre".

The husband is all over this shit. Me? No. Hell, no. Read on.

Then there's the third Haunted House called, "The Gates of Hell". Of course with a name like that, how could I resist?  (That's sarcasm, there). But wait, it gets better. The sub-heading is called, "The Victim Experience II" because last year's "Victim Experience I" was such a huge hit with all the scare lovers!

Now, let's take a closer look at this and see exactly why, even if I wasn't such a Scaredy McFraidypants I will NOT be going. GoH is rated R for mature audiences. (Who you callin' mature??) And, there's a list of rules and regulations. The big one is that in buying the tickets and entering you are allowing the actors to not only violate your personal space but to get handsy because you are after all, the Victim. There's even a safe word! So, thanks, but no thanks. The closest I get to any of this is reading about it from the safety of my own weird little home.

Considering how de-sensitized to violence our society has become, this really does sound brilliant. Not enough to make me go, but still.

I've always thought it would be cool to be an actor in a haunted house. I know, this makes no sense because I'm not a fan of them as a 'guest' but I think actually doing the scaring is a different matter. I know this makes me a loser in that whole 'you can dish it out but you can't take it' way. However, to be fair, I have gone to my share of haunted houses in the past. I always got picked on, too, despite the brave "you can't scare me" face I put on. Maybe because I was the shortest?

When it comes to candy, that's a different matter. On Halloween I go right up to the front door no matter how spooky the houses are decorated. I won't let a little scare keep me from my sweets, I mean, keep my kid from his treats.

In New Jersey, there was a house around the corner from where we lived that went all out one Halloween. They would "plant" actors to stand on line with you (yes, there was a line it was that popular) as you waited to get candy. Then the other characters would periodically drag these actors away seemingly against their will. It was scary and cool at the same time.


Who out there is skeered of haunted houses and who loves to get the crap scared outta them?

Hello, I'm Morticia Addams

And here we are at October 1st already. Even though candy, costumes and pumpkins have been in the stores for a few weeks, I usually don't feel the Halloween spirit until October.

I'm not big on the scary Halloween stuff like horror movies. I prefer the "family-friendly" films. One of my all time favorite TV shows/movies is The Addams Family. So, because of this and the time of year it is, I took a "Which Addams Family Member Are You?" quiz. I was not surprised by the results.

You are:

Morticia Addams
 

Morticia is described as a vamp; she is slim, with extremely pale skin and long flowing straight black hair. She commonly wears black gothic dresses to match her hair, tightly form fitting, with a hobble skirt. According to Wednesday, Morticia applies baking powder to her face instead of actual makeup. In each episode, she easily allures her husband Gomez by speaking French (or any other foreign language for that matter). Morticia is musically inclined, and is often seen freely strumming a Japanese shamisen. She frequently enjoys cutting the buds off of roses which she discards (keeping only the stems), likes cutting out paper dolls with three heads and making sweaters with three arms, collecting the mail from the hand-in-the-box Thing, and cooking unusual concoctions for her husband; including eye of newt. She also has acarnivorous plant, an African Strangler named Cleopatra, which she enjoys feeding. Morticia also has an affinity for making certain that her family upholds the traditional Addams way, and is usually the most taken aback when one of the clan goes astray and does something "pleasant."

source

 
Let's break this down.

I'm far from a vamp but I do like vampires. I'm not as slim as I once was, but then again, who is? Considering I live in a sunny climate my skin is not pale but I do have straight, black hair (with some grey in it). I wear more color in my wardrobe than I used to but I still have more than enough black.

I don't speak French but I do hope to visit Paris one day and I can still allure my husband, which might be mistaken for nagging, but still.

I'm not musically inclined unless you count my iPod or the Pandora app on my phone. I don't have a green thumb which explains why my roses end up like Morticia's. I don't knit but I imagine if I did my sweaters would come out with three arms as well.

I wouldn't mind a hand-in-the-box Thing getting my mail for me. And I certainly wouldn't protest Thing giving me a hand (pun intended) in the kitchen. Hold the eye of newt, please, but pass the Strawberry Newtons.   

I also love our little family traditions like the annual viewing of  "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". If only I had a big wicker chair to sit in while watching.

We need more kindness in the world

Because the world is full of tension and unrest. Because life is short. Because it really does make a difference.

I think Abraham Lincoln said it best when he addressed an auditorium full of students.

"Be excellent to each other."

- "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure"

Back in time to Saint Elmo's

This past weekend I went back in time. No, I wasn't in a DeLorean with the Doc. I was watching "St. Elmo's Fire".

I'm one of those people who can watch a certain movie and instantly be transported back to a specific time and place. People feel that way with music a lot. There's a clinical term for it, I think. Associative Mood Takes Me Back something or other. Or, more simply, nostalgia.

So, there I was late Sunday afternoon watching Demi, Rob, Judd, Emilio, Ally, Andrew, and Mare. And instantly I was back in my town's small theater with my two best friends. We were sixteen then and we thought these young people on screen who had just graduated from college were so cool.

It made me smile to remember such good times. And I'm grateful to still be friends with those girls who sat next to me as we watched a group of friends and dreamed of ourselves someday hanging out at a bar, having a drink and trying to figure out life.

source

source

I'm adding the pic below because, who didn't love (and want?!) the huge Billy Idol face painted on Jules' apartment wall? 

source

And that's how I found out I didn't get the job

I'm in the market for a job, again. The one I mentioned starting back in June didn't work out. As it turns out, it's for the better. In the meantime I thought I would write about all the ways in which I found out I didn't get the job I interviewed for.

First, there's the impersonal and pre-formatted email that simply says, "Upon review we've decided to go with another candidate." Hey, at least I got my answer, however stale and carbon-copied it may be. Then again, it's easier on the company this way, not to mention less confusing. I would hate to get a personalized rejection letter, with the wrong name! "Dear Alice..." Damn, I didn't get the job. Wait, who's Alice?

A while back I interviewed with a company not once, not twice, but three times with a different department head each time. After the third interview they said they would let me know either way at week's end. Yeah, right. Two weeks later I got a call from the son of the President of that company asking if I could come and interview for his business. That's how I found out I didn't get the other job. Nothing like being passed around like a note in study hall.

A lot of times I see a new ad a couple weeks later for the same position I just interviewed for. Hey, thanks for getting back to me like you said you would. How about I hit the "Apply" button and send you my resume 78 times? 

I used to send a follow-up 'thank you for taking the time to interview me' email to the jobs I really wanted. I thought it would make a good impression and keep my name fresh in their minds. But then I got to feeling too kiss-assy and stopped.

Bill says I should call these companies back after a week or so and just ask outright if they made a decision. I'm too stubborn to do that. It makes me feel desperate. Then again, maybe Edible Arrangements has a "Please hire me, you won't regret it" bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries I could send? If not, they should. Hey, Edible Arrangements, call me. I have many other such interesting ideas.

How the hell did you find this blog?

Somehow a search term for non horror Halloween movies brought some people to my blog. So, not merely content with this being a cool thing, I went and conducted such a search using those keywords.

As it turns out I couldn't find myself. It figures. I gave up on page twenty-something of my Google search. The reason I kept going was because I wanted to see how far someone would go to find what they were looking for. But then that whole this-is-taking-too-long-I-can't-be-bothered-with-this took over and I gave up.

However, I did come across some interesting sites in relation to my search. Actually, it was more of my interpretation of them that was interesting. And a bit scary.

realmofryan - I read this as real mo fryan. Considering this was a search of non horror movies I thought a site about cooking was odd.
hecklerspray - And my instant reaction was, "Ew."
boombotix - Which I thought said boob o tix. I have no idea what I was thinking here. Perhaps it's time at last to see the eye doctor.
straightdope - Well, alright then.

I'm sure all of these sites are excellent and my reaction and comments are no reflection on them at all, in fact it says more about me and my knack for reading things wrong.

Also, I want to say that the referring sites that lead people to my blog are scary. I mean, We're gonna need a bigger boat, scary.

Fearless Beauty

I love when I can show my son a famous person who has achieved success in spite of their diabetes. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor. Olympic skier, Kris Freeman. And now, Miss Idaho, Sierra Sandison, who will be proudly wearing her insulin pump as she competes in the Miss America pageant Sunday.

It sends a great message to all diabetics that there is no shame in having this disease. It also serves to encourage those who were previously on the fence about getting an insulin pump.

By fearlessly wearing her insulin pump in full view she is saying, "Yes, I'm a diabetic and this device is part of me."

It's on her right hip.

 source

 

What I'll never forget about 9/11

I'll never forget, thirteen years ago...


looking across the Hudson and watching the City on fire.

worrying about family, friends and neighbors at work in NYC that day and hoping, praying that they made it home safely.

the smoke. It was unbelievable.

watching the towers crumble. It was shocking and surreal. One minute they were there and then..nothing.

the stories on the news of people searching for loved ones. I cried with them.

the eerie silence in the skies as all flights were grounded for a week.

joining my neighbors and others everywhere as we sat outside and lit candles for peace and remembrance in the nights that followed.

worrying about the immediate future. 

feeling so sad, angry, and scared. 

donating food, juice, and what little else I could to the mobile drives that went into the city and re-supplied those working to search, rescue, and give aid.

feeling pride as our country united in strength and love.

Up on your feet, somewhere there's music playing

Hey! How's Trix? Tricks?
I love asking that in lieu of "How are you?" even though it's a confusing question with a truckload of answers. Trix, as in the cereal? Good I guess, even though I had a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles this morning. Trix, as in Trixie, Alice Kramden's friend/neighbor on The Honeymooners? She's fine. She and Norton will be over for dinner. Tricks as in turning tricks? Whoa. See what I mean?

I haven't been blogging as much as I should be and not for lack of topics either. I have dozens scribbled away in a notebook and in my brain. Yesterday I stared at the screen for longer than seemed necessary and the words wouldn't come. Oh sure I could have slapped something together but that wouldn't be fair to anyone who comes here looking to be amused.

I've also been in a bit of a funk. Life hasn't been a bowl of cherries (or Trix) lately. It's time to get back to fun. So I have decided to include more Pop Culture references, particularly past faves from when I was younger. You will still get some serious posts and some goofy posts but also the fluff of entertainment thrown in. I promise no celebrity gossip; just lots of nostalgia and a few trips down memory lane.

Now, to start things off and tie this whole post together, I give you "One Day At A Time". Some of you (older) folks might remember this show about a single mom raising two teen-age girls and starring a very young Valerie Bertinelli. I used to watch it and hearing the theme song again made me smile and lifted my spirits. Okay, I sang along, too. I dare you not to; it's very catchy. The lyrics also helped me remember a few things.

This is life, the one you get so go and have a ball.

Fearless in school and life

If you tuned in last Friday expecting to see something  inspirational for Fearless Friday, I'm sorry you were disappointed. I couldn't come up with anything proper and I wasn't in the right frame of mind. However, I think I might keep Fearless Friday alive a bit longer but only if I have something worth posting so that means there might be some Fridays that go by with no Fearless post and something else (or nothing) in its place.

Today's Fearless post is for all the kids and young adults who started school this week and last and found themselves in the unfamiliar surroundings of a new campus/school.

When my son expressed his anxiety and nervousness prior to the first day of middle school I told him he would be fine. That despite how scary it might seem he had to see it through. Then I told him that life will be filled with uncertainties and terrifying moments but you must be fearless because so often they will become the best experiences.

Face the scary.
Embrace the unknown.
And Be Fearless!
It just might be worth it in the end.

I wash my hands of this weirdness

Here are some amusingly weird things I've overheard and participated in recently. Who knows, this could become a weekly segment entitled: "I wash my hands of this weirdness."

My kid and I stopped in at McDonald's for a quick lunch one early afternoon. Actually it was around 11:30 in the morning but since they stop breakfast at 10:30 (idk, weird hour) let's call it lunch. So we were seated across from this couple that were about my parents age. They had the table covered with papers and files and her laptop and a coffee cup. A heated discussion ensued. Then the man casually says, "We should get something to eat."

Of course, how novel, you are after all in an eating establishment, I think to myself.

Then he asks the woman, "You want to go to Fuddruckers?" Then they pack up and leave McDonald's. To go eat somewhere else. I so wanted to follow them and see if this was a pattern. Maybe they sat in Fuddruckers and while eating their meal debated on going to Wendy's for something to drink?

Weird.

Last week I went to the bank to deposit a birthday check my son received. Here's how that turned out:

Teller: (after looking at check and my signature) Is this your son?

Now, I wanted to smart-ass her and say something like, No, I was standing in the checkout at Wal-Mart when some random woman asked me if I could deposit her son's check.

Me: Yes.

Then she looked at the check again and back at me.

Me: If you need him to come verify I'll have to sign him out of P.E. class first.

Teller: No, no but you need to indicate that you are his mother on the back of the check.

So I had to write "Mom" next to my signature. (Curious, are women coming into banks and depositing strange kids' checks? Is this a thing?)

Teller: (while completing the transaction) Have you ever thought about opening up a savings account for your son?

Me: (a little confused) Um, he already has one, this one that you're depositing the money into.

Teller: Oh, right. I'm sorry.

Weird.

Busy, but not too busy for sweets

I've been busy. I'm sorry. Here, have a brownie...with powdered sugar on top. No, that isn't a bribe. But, is it working?

Okay, so school started on Monday. And then Tuesday was Chris's birthday. There's been notebooks and pencils and folders to buy. And cake to eat. And parental forms to fill out. And more cake. And homework to help with. But no more cake cause we ate it all.  ::boo boo face::

I've also been on some weird organizing/cleaning kick, which explains the neatnik status of my kid's room and also my closet. Still haven't gotten around to last school year's mess of papers and notebooks but I've concealed it nicely so it looks more like organized chaos and less like a school-nado ran through.

I've also got a touch of the blues, which might have something to do with summer ending. Even though our weather will stay summer-warm through September (Groundhog Summer), I still feel like it's a formal ending since Chris is back at school. So, with that in mind, I haven't felt much like blogging, despite having a notebook full of blogging ideas that practically write themselves, not to mention several drafts that need finishing.

I promise to get my butt in gear and post more. But first, more brownies! mmm good!

source

PS: This is an image I borrowed. I did not bake these. Although, now I wish I did.

Diabetes and the first day of school

Today was the first day of school for Chris. The first day of Middle school. I had been quietly dreading this day since last June when he graduated from Elementary. Of course on the outside I was all, "This will be fine." "It'll be great." Especially when talking to him in the days leading up to today but I was more or less trying to reassure myself.

Last night I calmed his worries. I never led on that I was anxious myself. I didn't sleep well, either. Hey, I remember what it was like to go to a new school. Back then we called it Junior High School. We also walked uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes. Okay, maybe not both ways.

Normally I'm not an over-protective, hovercraft of a parent but I do worry about him in regards to his diabetes and how this transition will affect him.

Will he be nervous? And how will that affect his blood-sugar levels?
Will his teachers be understanding of his disease?
Will his classmates be nice to him?
Will he have someone to eat lunch with?


All these things were going on in my head. When I spoke to some other d-parents who have older kids and so they had already experienced this angst, they all said, "He'll be fine." "Don't worry, it'll be great." Wasn't I telling my kid the same things? Is there an echo..echo..echo?

When I picked him up from school I started asking questions as we walked to the car. His answers were brief but in short: School was good. Some of his former classmates were in his classes. It was a little boring but it was also exciting.

As for his diabetes, upon dismissal he informed each teacher that he was a diabetic and they all appreciated him letting them know. Also, his blood-glucose numbers were good and in-range all day.

And, he had a friend and former classmate to eat lunch with.