HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What's on your list of things to do; things to change; resolutions for '08? I know, I know, they never work, and people hate making them, right? I totally agree with that theory. Me? Well, I plan to do less housework, cook less, worry less, nag less, bitch less, and to enjoy it all more! Ha! How do you like that for a resolution! Lately, I've deliberately slowed down. Yes, that's right.... I do things more slowly. It struck me one day as I was senselessly going about doing things around the house like a bat outta' hell.... It was ridiculous! I really had no where to be at a certain time, nor was I late for anything. So, I stopped and thought to myself, "What difference will it make if I get this done now, or in another hour?" I used to race through emptying the dishwasher; getting the laundry done; walking the dogs. No more. I'm enjoying that walk with my pups more; those dishes - well, there's not much to enjoy there, but I don't plan on breaking any records emptying the dishwasher anymore. I plan to eat more slowly, and enjoy a conversation with my family at the table. I plan to turn the TV off, and to engage with a real person, instead of a reality show. I plan on going to church more regularly, and focus on things that matter, not on just things. I don't consider myself a materialistic person at all, and I don't think I'm perceived as such, but I plan on simplifying my life even more. I plan on hopefully changing jobs soon and enriching my brain cells somewhat and filling my day with learning more, rather than with just existing.

I hope '08 brings you and your family all the wonderful things that life has to offer. I personally continue to wish everyone much peace.

Happy New Year!

The After-Christmas List...

Our Christmas was great; kinda low-key this year...not much hoopla, which was nice. My two brothers had to work the day after, so our partying was cut short. Nonetheless, it was wonderful and very relaxing. I hope you got everything you ever wanted, and then some, but mostly, I hope you got what I wished for you: Peace. Here's some pictures to share with you. Check out my nieces; are they gorgeous or what? Oh, and Pat, the one and only lucky boy.... ha!

A VERY VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! I hope Santa brings you everything you want, and then some! But this year for Christmas, I personally wish everyone Much Peace...very simple.

The Ice Storm

I was awestruck by the beauty of the trees today caused by the storm, which quickly turned into the realization of the inevitable destruction it made. We were without electric for a while, but I know others went all day without it. I saw many trees down today and can only imagine the after-effects of this ice storm. I couldn't help it though; I had to take some photos, and here are a few:

Say It Ain't So...

I'll never believe the men of my dreams are involved! Never!

Christmas Card Photo Pic.

I've been told, this is the last one ever; enjoy it...

:(

Memphis, Graceland, Ole Miss, Beale Street, The Peabody, etc.

Our trip was fantastic! If you ever get to that area of the country, you must see Graceland! It's as cheesy as I thought it would be, and then some! No, honestly, it was something to see. The man was a phenom. Not only was he bigger than life and his talent awesome, he was a wonderful philanthropist. I was blown away by his generosity. He loved to give to the local organizations and did so every single year. I was awestruck while walking through his home, and then on the grounds, but the chills and a tiny tear came while walking through the Award Room. It was mind blowing the amount of awards he received throughout his lifetime. I was captivated by it, and could have spent the entire time, reading about the awards. Gold records everywhere you looked. The planes also blew me away, as well as his cars. I think there were about 10 luxury cars and a bunch of motorcycles. Priscilla even returned the car that Elvis bought for her - a cute little black Mercedes sports coup, to the collection. Why do you think someone needed gold-plated seat belts, and gold-plated sinks? I know, I know.... 'cause he could. Go to Graceland; you won't be sorry.

Our trip was jammed packed: we ate at Elvis' fav. rib joint, The Rendezvous, we toured Beale Street, The Peabody, and we drove 3 hrs south to the Mississippi River, to a small town called Natchez, Miss. We toured old southern mansions, you know, like in Gone with the Wind, and drank a Mint Julep (yuk). Ate real southern fried chicken, and frozen fruit; baked beans are served with every meal - it was quite an experience. The Southern folk really know how to live and better yet, know how to eat and drink.

If you want to see all the photos from the trip, double click on my Flickr icon at the upper right of this web site, and check them out. I think you'll enjoy the tour.

WWMS?

What Would Martha Say?

Elvis-Bound

Those who know me know that I love the King...Elvis that is! Next week, I'm going with Joe on a business trip to Memphis, and we'll be touring Graceland. Can you imagine all the cheesy things in the souvenir shop there? I just can't imagine all the corny things I'll see, and can't wait! I'll be sure to blog! We plan to do Beale Street, and tour the Peabody Hotel; I'll take lots of photos! How cute is he?????????

AND ONE PUPPY-ATHLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the odds?

Mark Cuban winning Dancing with the Stars? Long shot, I realize.... But geez, he's so hot.... It was Mario all the way last season - this time, GO MARK! He's JUST TOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!

(Ok, It's really Maxim who I dream about, if I must be truthful...........)

King's College

Pat and I went to King's College today. I'm just blown away by these small schools; I'm so impressed. While sitting in the cafeteria having lunch, the president of the college came over to us because he overheard us talking about baseball. He started a conversation, and we chatted a bit. We had a few questions, he asked us to wait a minute, and came back with the Athletic Director. This is the truth: I've never once, in four years, had a conversation with the principal at Pat's school, and here I was, a nobody, yet the president of this college took the time to talk with me. We are blown away by their business school, and the professors. The founder of MCI, Bill McGowan, started a business school there some eleven years ago. It's a fabulous program, state of the art facility with a 99% job placement rate. The head of the accounting department networks with all the major accounting firms; she has the FBI's business office on her speed dial as they attend the job fairs at King's. She placed many students with them. She told us, she, personally gets to know the students by about the third week of class, and can tell which discipline within the business school is a fit for them. She's seldom wrong. It blew me away; sign me up!

Em Spilled Something....

ooooops, Emil dropped a little 9 layer lasagna on his shirt, on his beard, on his lap..... It's all good though! We got Emil out of the home for a bit, and I got to see Mar and Olivia! Little Willy was sick, so he didn't come. I ate too much though.........uuuuuggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh...

Meet Chance...

Check out the new Greyhound! Isn't he a cutey! His name is Chance! It was his first time at Pet Therapy and he was a hit! He's quite a beautiful dog! We had a nice time tonight, but Pat's not lovin' his community service that I force him to do... Check out the look on his face - is that hysterical or what????

Four Pierces and a Grumpy Mulligan...

You certainly wouldn't think that this was so hard, right??? Trust me, THIS WAS TORTUROUS!

Start of School is All A'buzzzzzzzz.....

Everywhere you look: School's starting! Well, this is the last year for me to say that about Pat, other than college, God willing. Anyway, tonight, I got kinda nostalgic about those first days of school, and found this photo to share. Please don't tell Pat, whatever you do; he'd kill me. It's his first day of 8th Grade. Check out Mack in the doorway. Too funny!

My Brother Mark Reincarnated....

My friend Sandy took this photo of Pat. I just loved it! It's the spitting image of my brother Mark... Scarey, huh??? No, seriously, what a lucky boy to look like Uncle Mark! My brother Mark is a dear, dear soul.

I tell everyone this story of my brother Mark: When we were all little, getting ready for school in the mornings, we'd all sit in the kitchen, eating our cereal at our big pine table (six of us!) ... Mark would torment us the entire time, making faces at us girls, scaring us, just plain tormenting us... We'd line up all the cereal boxes in the middle of the table so that he couldn't look at us! I'll never forget that!

Yusuf Islam - Midday (Avoid City After Dark)

Note: Eyes Wide Open.

Lots of New Things....

Can you believe it's August already? I really can't. This summer just flew by, it really did! We did some really really neat things this summer; I can in all honesty say all the changes that happened this summer have been so great, and our vacations were all wonderful; I got to spend time with my niece's - it's all good! But, I'll miss it! Soon, Pat will start school, and then the daunting task of college admissions begin. We've done so much college-search wise, and are pretty certain of the schools we've narrowed down. We've found so many schools that we feel Pat will fit so nicely into. Now comes the hard part: Admissions. I wake up nights thinkin' about, only to come to the realization that I'm not alone. How many other high school senior parents share my anxiety? A lot! I know there's a school out there that's a perfect fit for Pat, just like I know there's a school that will think Pat's a perfect fit for them! Stay tuned for my anxiety this Fall ...

Sorry I don't have much more to blog about, but like I said, it's pretty much status quo, with little little busy things to do.... A coach emailed Pat last week asking for additional information on him, and I've kept myself so busy with that paperwork. Like I said, it's all good! Pat's keeping very very busy and understanding the meaning of that dreaded four letter word we all dread - work! He was scheduled to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night this weekend. On Friday, he comes walking in the house about 6 ish. Honestly, you would have thought that kid just won the lottery, he comes running in the house, so excited... I said, Pat, why are you home? He said, Mom, they only needed one worker tonight; they told us to work it out who stays, and I told them I'm outta here, how cool is that? Simple pleasures, huh?

The Quinn Photo-Shoot...

I spent a few days with my sister and her family in Bethany Beach and did a photo-shoot of them on the beach. We had a wonderful time; such a lovely day, and I'm very very happy with the photos! I will post just a few here, and you can look at my Flickr if you want to see more. What fun! Plus, my nieces are super-model like, don't you think? They're lovely, both inside and out!

Cat Stevens - How Can I Tell You

Another favorite of mine; so beautiful.

Oh, My Baseball Moms...

I'll surely miss them.... Good Season; Great kids!

Check out this Homer!

You gotta look at the bat and ball! I was happy I got this shot for Pat! What a great game! A great win for our boys who've lost the last few games! I'm back in town, and now, Let the Games Begin! They poured the water on Pat at the end of the game, and he got the game winning ball! I was so happy for Pat, and our Team! Go Middletown Legion!

Cat Stevens - Hard Headed Woman (live)

Ladies, Grab a glass of wine before watching this, and enjoy.... I did.

I think I may be a Greyhound Whisperer.......

Meet Willie, Olivia's New Baby Brother!

My friend Mary Anne, just got back from China with her new addition, Willie, or as he was known in China: Chow Dang. How cute is he? These kids simply amaze me! They don't have the greatest lives in the orphanages in China for the first year or so of their lives. They are kept in chairs, and have little to do. Their leg muscles are weak from always being kept in the chairs, and getting little exercise. Often times, they can hardly walk when they come here with their American parents; they're nearly 2 years old when they arrive here. Anyway, Willie's already walking really well, and trying to talk. He just glances at his big sister Olivia, and tries to do everything she does. This little boy has only been in America for almost a month, and is already so connected to his new family. He's been through a lot in his short little life, but now, little Willie, is home.

I said it before, and I'll say it again, the human spirit never ceases to amaze me.

So, What'da Think????

I wasn't sure about it; but after thinkin' about it for a couple of days, I'm happy with it now. Very thought provoking, and, left it wide open for more! Which is exactly what everyone wants, right?

My brother has the entire series in DVD's and brought them over for me to watch. I never watched the earlier seasons, and really, know nothing about its' origins, etc. I've watched two so far; I think I'll watch one episode every night before bed, before I fall asleep - gives me something to watch in the summer when there's only re-runs. Not a relaxing show to watch, and then try and sleep though.... I may have to think this one through. I just love Carm; she's so loving. I wonder if she knows when she snuggles at night with her hubby, he may have just offed someone? Funny, huh????????????

The Hotties are BACK!!!!!! Gotta Love The Yankees, huh? If only for the Hotties....

A few days have gone by...

reality has set in, monthly bills are here to be paid, taxes are due soon - I guess you can say I'm back in the Central PA mode, and hating it.... We won't be buying a beach house... Just thought I'd let you all know.... What a bummer.......... I guess you can say it was one of those deals, where I wanna live at the last place I vacationed... I say the next vacation place should be, uhhhhh, I dunno, how about Hawaii, or Aruba........... Stay tuned......

We're Buying a Beach House!!!

You all are the first to know: We're buying a beach house! That's it... We just are! Forget this tiny little fact here: The very last place we go to vacation, we want to live there. Those of you who know us know exactly what that means. We wandered through little beach towns on our way home from the really expensive beach towns... They are all so lovely, and it's oh so peaceful there. We figured that Pat will have to pay his own way through college, and the Greyhounds will have to eat Weis Quality dog food. No more Corona's for me; I'll drink water, and no more fancy groceries. I love P & J sandwiches, and I happen to love pasta with salt and pepper on top... That's it, we're buying a beach house!