May 2010 bring you happiness, prosperity, health and peace.

Happy New Year :)

This is the ball dropped in Times Square at midnight.

This pic is from several years ago when it was on display in Macy's in NYC.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas to you and your family...

and my best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!

WOW

For all of you Guitar Heroes out there;

Beat this!

I love the boy's smile at 49 seconds in.

His dad is a former imagineer for Disney and it took 21,268 lights and LEDs.

Watch til the end. I think it's awesome :)

click on the video to see it on a larger scale on Youtube

Is Bigger Better?

Forget about Texas, Christmas decorations in NYC are bigger.

Inside Trump Tower. Maybe it's made of real gold?

Giant snowflakes on the outside of Saks

76 foot Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center

Big balls

Big string of lights

Huge

Rock Center tree during the day

Candy cane hanging off an office building

This building is wrapped up in a big lighted red bow. Yes it is red, the camera didn't capture the true color.

Wreaths everywhere

All the trees are covered in white lights. How'd you like to put them all on. Even worse would be untangling them while removing.

On the outside of Macy's

Anniversary

Leaving town on our trip to NYC we were outrunning a snowstorm. The roads were a mess but the farther east we went the better the weather got.

Our 27th wedding anniversary was while we were in NYC and on that day we went to Tiffany's. Should we go in? Could we afford to go in? Oh hell, let's look around inside.



Welcome to Tiffany's said the handsome young man at the door wearing a Tiffany blue scarf.

Oh look, I got something!!!!

The little Tiffany blue box.

There it is, the heart on my charm bracelet. I've been collecting charms since high school and just love it. Starting with the four leaf clover and going clockwise I"ll bore you with each charm.

1. Four leaf clover ~from an Irish teacher I worked with.

2.Umbrella~means something to me, I also have an umbrella tattoo. Want to know, ask me

3.peanut~before my oldest was born, on an ultrasound he looked like Mr. Peanut and for 3 years we and his family called him that.

4.RN~he's now a registered nurse

5.pine cone~for many years we camped on Cape Cod in the scrub pine trees out in North Truro.

6.Cape Cod

7.Bee~I had a student that was petrified of bees and he would literally climb up me when one was near.

8.Seashell~I love them and the beach.

9.Ohio~I was born there

10.Tea cup~I have a large collection of them, many were my grandmother's.

11.Popcorn~I love it!

12.Twin Towers~Never forget

13.Flamingo~each year at our campsite we would make a mini golf course and have a tournament called the Flamingo Open with the other families that we went with.

14.Hershey Kiss~went to Hershey Park in 1977 and I love chocolate.

15.Baseball mitt~both my boys played little league and I loved it.

16.Dog bone~for all the dogs in my life.

17.Lobster~Cape Cod again

18.Book~I'm an avid reader

19.Senior~High school graduation

20.Adirondack chair~trips to the mountains

21.Maple leaf~I love Canada, got this when on I went on a class trip with my youngest to Ottawa.

22.Palm tree~Florida visits

23.Box of Chocolates~again I love chocolate and Forrest Gump is a fave movie of mine. The box hinges open and chocolate is inside.

24.Whale fluke~gone whale watching many times in Cape Cod, love whales.

25.Hockey player~was a rink rat as a kid, got this at the hockey hall of fame in Toronto

26.Pineapple~Code word for something.

27.Heart~just because

28.Eagle~both boys are Eagle Scouts

29.Crown~I am the queen

30.Tinkerbell~I had a student who was obsessed with Tink and he was very special to me

31.Tiffany heart~from my hubby for our wedding anniversary. The only thing reasonable in Tiffany's and it was overpriced at that. But I love it.

Anyone still reading??

I Love New York

I'm off for a few days in New York City to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. Oh and to visit my son too :)

I guess it's so...

There seems to be two differing opinions on Tiger and his "transgressions". Some say leave him alone, this isn't any one's business, he's a great golfer etal. Then there's the other camp that has turned against him. I say move on with it, it's out there now so leave them alone to work this nightmare out. I feel bad for his family, this isn't going to be easy. He's come somewhat clean in a statement on his website and in case you missed it, here's a sampling of quotes. My thoughts are in green.

He offers a "profound apology" to his fans. You need to be publicly apologizing to the woman you committed yourself to in marriage.

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He's "not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves" Uh, you got that right because no matter how you feel Elin feels worse. Imagine the embarrassment, humiliation and disappointment she feels.

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"There is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy" That I agree with. To an extent. When you're the top athlete in your sport, the most well known face in sports you have to know you're going to lose some privacy. When you're a role model for young people, when you're as rich as you are you will be on the public radar. How did you earn all that money? Sure you're a spectacular golfer but it is the fans that pay the money to see you in tournaments and buy all the products you hawk. That's where the real money comes from. You put yourself out there and people will notice what you're doing.

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He is "dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means". Say what?! He didn't know that the tabloids and gossip shows are rabid for stuff like this. I can't believe you kept this behavior under wraps this long. If you thought that these "transgressions" weren't of interest to anybody, that the tabloids would look the other way you must be dumber than dirt. You can't be serious to think that things wouldn't get out when you leave voice mail messages to your girlfriend. If you left me one you bet I'd be saving it. People wait for others who have a squeaky clean image to fall off their pedestal.

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He regrets "those transgressions with all my heart". Why is it that the remorse is only expressed when the cheater gets caught? I'll tell you what, a momentary lack of discression is a one night stand not an ongoing relationship. I can't help but feel that these very visible, public men are just sorry they got caught.

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It just goes to show that money can't buy happiness. If he was happy would he be out catting around? This mess he's got himself into won't change the fact that he's a great golfer but it shows his lack of integrity. I'll not think of him the same way.

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I'll leave you with the quote my oldest son used in his high school yearbook.

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"Character is much easier kept than recovered"

Thomas Paine

Say It Ain't So

Once again we see a celebrity receiving preferential treatment from the police. Case in point this time is Tiger Woods. He's involved in a motor vehicle accident in the wee hours of the morning, taken away in an ambulance, stitched up and returned home but will not talk to the police. Friday the police came to his home to speak with him about it and were told Tiger was unavailable, Saturday his agent told authorities to come back tomorrow. Hmmm, now it's too late for a breathalyzer test.

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According to reports and how much of this is true I don't know because Woods remains mum; he backed out of his driveway in his Cadillac SUV, proceeded to hit a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree. The accident was bad enough that his wife had to break into the car with a golf club to get the unconscious golfer out. Sounds like to me he may have been going pretty fast to do that amount of damage being only "spitting distance" from his home. Something fishy is going on here. Why didn't the police follow him to the hospital? I was in an accident once and they questioned the other driver in the emergency room. BTW, not my fault, she pulled out in front of me after she stopped at a stop sign. I hit her in the front passenger fender going about 25 mph. Thank goodness I was driving a Dodge Caravan and not a Cadillac SUV because my only injuries were bruises and broken glasses from the air bag deployment. None of the 4 children with me were hurt but the van was totaled.

On Saturday I got my Star magazine in the mail. (Yes, I have a subscription, go ahead and roll your eyes, of course I don't believe half of what's in it but it's my cheap entertainment and I love the big crossword puzzle.) I happen to come across this little story:

Coincidence I wonder? The day the magazine hits newsstands Tiger gets in his fender bender. Here's my theory and of course it's just conjecture on my part.

His wife finds out about the article (maybe she subscribes too :) and is furious. Whether she believes the story or not it gives the couple negative, unwanted attention. They fight, he goes to leave and she smashes in the back window of the vehicle with one of his clubs. Not so far fetched now eh? Maybe this is why they are putting the cops off.

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All I can say is that IF this story is true Tiger is damn lucky she she only bashed in the window and not his head. We've seen it before, a powerful, rich man is done in because he thinks he's untouchable and can do what he pleases. Remember John Edwards, Bill Clinton, David Letterman, Jim Baker and the list goes on.

Oh Adam

Dear Adam,

Over the last year I've sung your praises, defended your sexuality and tried to convince people that you will sell records with your style and voice. Then you go and undo all my hard work with your antics on the American Music Awards.

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For me it was pure raunch. I didn't like the S&M aspect of it, the man on all fours with a leash, ugh. The kiss, I could have done without that but I hated the simulated oral sex. HATED IT. I watched your interview on CBS after Good Morning America blew you off and I just didn't buy your justifications.

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Obviously those escapades were not done in rehearsal because you knew as well as I do that you'd be told no way on live network TV. You say that there's a double standard because female singers a la Madonna and Brittany do it and get away with it. That may be true but that kiss happened on MTV, a cable channel which has a different viewing audience than ABC. FYI, growing up my sons weren't allowed to watch MTV because of the way many of the videos and music portrayed females. The disrespect, humiliation and violence against women was horrible. Maybe there is a double standard on female/female actions. For some reason, I've never met a man that didn't mind seeing girl on girl action but will freak out over guy/guy. And maybe there's been female performers who've simulated sex on stage but on a prime time music show?

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I didn't like how you managed to blame the parents who let their children watch. Based on what I've seen of you on American Idol if my young one loved your music, as a special treat I'd let them stay up to see you perform. This was a side of you that not many have been privy to. I don't think many expected the adult content. If your intent was to shock and awe you succeeded.

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Finally your assertion that you were discriminated against because you're gay is full of crap. There are many gay performers out there and some are pretty flamboyant, think Liberaci and Elton John in the 70's. In my humble opinion your conduct on stage didn't help the perception of gay people or advance gay rights at all. It may quite possibly have set them back a bit.

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I still love your voice but please don't turn into another Boy George or fall from grace like George Michael.

Love,

Summer

Awwwww

Look what my sister has!
He's a 14 week old Golden. After several suggestions for names such as Dexter (my fave), Jethro (yuk), Brody and Murray they named him Cooper.

He joins Maisie who's 2 1/2 years old.
I love the smell of a puppy.

Do you like to read?

I can never understand why some people don't like to read. I've always been a prolific reader. As a kid my mom took me to the public library every Wednesday where I eventually checked out and read every Nancy Drew mystery they had. To this day I don't go anywhere without a book in case I have a few minutes to read. When my own boys were young I took them to the public library and have instilled a love of books. Hubby, he never reads and I blame his dad. As a kid his father made him read for 30 minutes after dinner every night before he could go out and play with the neighborhood kids. He hated that and fast forward to today, he doesn't enjoy reading at all and does as little as possible. I think that's so sad.

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I'd gotten away from reading for awhile when I got into blogging and reading blogs as well as my addiction to Facebook and Farmville. I've decided I need to do more reading and have become a regular again at the library. What makes me look at a certain book? I don't judge a book by it's cover but I do by the title. The title has to pique my interest, then I read the inside front flap as well as the first page. I've got a bunch of favorite authors and one is Steven King although I like Dean Koontz a smidge better. S.K. has a new book out and was thrilled when I saw it on the new release shelf, as a matter of fact I was the first person to check it out. Thank goodness it wasn't a 7 day speed read book because this sucker is huge. And unusual.

For one thing there is nothing on the inside front or rear flap or back of the book to tell you anything about it. Ok, I like his books especially The Stand, Needful Things and the very scary It so I eagerly checked out the book.

Here's the thing; I gave up on this book. It has 1072 pages which doesn't intimidate me at all. I love long books but it was the weight. On the way to the library to return the book I stopped at the post office and weighed the tome on their digital scale. It weighed in at 3 lbs. 11.3 oz. Compared to a bag of sugar or flour at 5 lbs Under The Dome may seem light but for a book, that thing is heavy. I like to read in bed and holding it is awkward. Even sitting up it was a struggle to hold it. I hope King is successful with this endeavour but it's got a few strikes against it in my book. No pun intended :)

kindergarten Past and Present

Who knew that I would eventually end up back in kindergarten.

Kindergarten school picture 1963

Kindergarten school picture 2009

No Way

People magazine has named their Sexiest Man Alive and I have 3 words to say...

ARE YOU KIDDING?

Johnny Depp?

Again?

Please...

Of course it's all about what you think is sexy in a man and while I like long hair on the right guy I don't think stringy hair or facial hair that looks like a 16 year old's attempt at growing a beard is sexy. Not to mention he falls into my category of "Girly Man". What's a girly man? In my opinion it's a guy who has delicate features. Think Rob Pattinson or Rob Lowe. Maybe it's because I'm older than the average teen girl but I like the more mature, rugged, manly look and always have.

Sam Elliott

There's many things besides looks that make a man sexy, take the voice. I love a deep, deep voice. Especially if it's whispering in my ear.

John Travolta

Loved him in Urban Cowboy.

And a long time favorite, Emmit Smith. Not only good looking but a good person, uses his fame and fortune for good. Hmmm, must be I have a thing for cowboys in one form or another.

Who's on your list?

Not Everybody Likes It or Does It

There are people that dislike daylight savings time but I'm not one of them. They say it screws up their sleep schedule and moods but I honestly don't mind "fallling back" and have it get darker earlier for several reasons.



I love to be in my jammies. Once in a while on a Sunday I'll stay in them all day. When it gets dark early I can get into them at 5:30 and not feel guilty since it's dark out. Of course the downside is that if you have to go out it seems very late even though it's early evening.

The other reason I don't mind is that my living room is so warm and cozy. Three walls are painted cream and one is done with Firedance. It's an orange red color and makes it comfortable to curl up on the couch with a book.

Weekend Update

I'm getting nervous about the weather. You see November in Western New York is famously dreary, wet and cold with very little sunshine. But the past 10 days and into this coming week it has been/will be sunny, dry and warm for this time of year. It's been frosty in the mornings but beautiful the rest of the day. That's what makes me nervous. Will we have to pay big time for this wonderfulness during this winter? Will it be extra snowy and cold come January and February? I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.

This is the backyard before all the leaves dropped. Our house has trees on two side and it makes for lots of leaves to rake. By the time the raking started the leaves were about 6 inches deep. The good thing is thanks to Mother Nature this fall they're dry and crisp rather than wet and heavy. Some years we have snow before they're off the trees and it doesn't melt until Spring. That makes for a mess.


This year in anticipation of said leaves being wet and heavy hubby recruited our youngest and three college friends to come rake and drag the leaves to the front for pick up by the town. The boys were lucky and they made short work of it. Here they are resting after their efforts.

A job well done and since they're still kids at heart they had to climb on the rocks along the back of the yard. Thanks guys! The yard is ready for winter.

PS. Mine is the kid with the goofy hat on.

I Love NY

Have you ever been to New York City at Christmas time? If not it is worth every penny spent. The city is so alive and vibrant with holiday spirit. Hubby and I as well as two good friends of ours are going to NYC Dec. 10-12 and I can't wait. While I'd LOVE to stay in Manhattan it's just too pricey. We'll stay in Queens at The Verve Hotel. Which just so happens to be very near our son's apartment so I guess that's better than Manhattan. :) Speaking of the holidays, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center arrived Thursday and was put into place.

It came from the property of fifth grade teacher, Maria Corti who resides in Easton Conn.
It's a 76 foot tall Norway spruce.

On the evening of December 2 30,000 lights will be lit.

11/11

Thank you to all of our country's Veterans,

My father and father-in-law are US Army veterans as well as our nephew Tommy who served in the US Army 1996-2003 and is an Iraq War veteran. We're grateful you came home safely.

Is it really him?

Being the dedicated blogger that I am I never leave home without my camera. Especially when I go to Walmart. Never know what I could contribute to this site. Anyway, we had just come out of a store when I saw this guy out front waiting for the Mrs....

Is that who I think it is??

Can it be?

It was true!! It was him!

In case people couldn't figure it out his identity, check out his license plate.

Weekend Update

Friday night and Saturday we did some Christmas shopping and put a decent dent in the gift giving, we also put a nice dent in the Christmas money. I don't know how people do Christmas if they don't save for it all year. We put money away every month. I realize that not everyone is lucky enough to do so and we're fortunate that we can.

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Sunday the King of the Castle got up on the roof and blew leaves out of the gutter.

He's not crazy about going up there but I'm sure not going to do it.
The weather was absolutely beautiful. I need to find out where the weather is like this year around and move there. Only the leaves would still need to be on the trees.

Where's Cody?

Along the edge of the woods next to our house grows a patch of bittersweet. I usually cut some every year but this year I was too late, the berries were already falling off. Some milkweed got tangled up in it.

If you know me at all you'd know that I'm not a fan of fall, it's my least favorite season. I don't like how everything dies off, no more flowers or lush green trees. I hate naked trees, the only good thing about them is you can find some that are very uniquely shaped or have interesting bark.

One of the few things I do enjoy about fall other than a perfect sunny, warm day is the colors of fall. I'm not a pastel person at all, I'm all about deep vibrant colors. This Indian corn hangs on the front of my house. Usually by now some little critter has found it's way up to it and eats it but not this year. When my Boy Scout purchased evergreen wreath goes up in this spot I'll throw this out back for the squirrels to fight over.

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I hope where ever you were this weekend it was as beautiful there

as it was here in Rochester, New York.