We are soooo much alike....

Pictured in this picture is the cast of the Godfather..... As pictured here are:

Michael Corleone(youngest brother-most responsible and caring), Vito Corleone (the father), Sonny Corleone (oldest brother-hot tempered, thought of no one but himself) and Fredo Corleone (middle brother- really the black sheep due to his ignorance.)

I am Italian. More so, I am Sicilian which means I take my familia ties VERY serious. My father and I love the trilogy of the Godfather. No, not because we have any mafioso ties, but simply because we can relate. Let me break this down for you.........

I am the youngest. My name is Michelle (or Michael as we refer to me in my family) and I am and always have been the glue that holds my family together. (The roles of my brothers have been switched) Next in line is the middle son, Steve (or Sonny). He is such an ass hole. He is married, has two YOUNG daughters and lives his life for himself ONLY. Then there is my oldest brother Ron. (we call him Fredo) as he is such a simple man. Very naive. Very much NOT a part of the family businesses...........

Now, if you know anything about the Godfather movies the roles of each child is VERY well layed out for each character....... This story alone is about my Sonny (Steve).

My mother died- he went hunting in Georgia because he "had to be with God". Leaving me (the youngest) to plan and pay for the funeral of our mother. When he came back for the funeral, he had the nerve to tell me the song choices were too emotional for him and his wife and I wasn't allowed to use the list of songs I chose. At that point I didn't care as he high tailed it out of town and didn't help.

That is not a build out for this story, just a point on his selfish ways........

As you watch the trilogy, you see the relation between Michael and Sonny at its highest. Sonny feels it is his calling to protect Michael from the world that he is not allowed to be a part of. Sonny does it well, until ultimately Michael is forced into the lifestyle he never wanted, to clean up his brothers messes, as he is the only one with any compassion, common sense or sense of loyalty to anyone other than himself. Throughout the entire trilogy, Michael is forced to do things he doesn't want to solely to protect what his father had created. (That Sonny's selfishness had put in danger so many times)

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. I had invited my brother and his family over for breakfast and he refused to come. He always refuses to come. He is so selfish that he takes no part in our family events unless he feels there is something in it for him. I won't tell you about the conversation we had between church and my house over the phone. Suffice it to say he must have felt bad because he did make it a point to come over with his oldest daughter to do baskets between our kids. ( I am gonna start crying as this next part is burned into my head. I do not think I will ever forget seeing it) I can't remember what all I saw, or what all happened. I am finding out though that more of what I thought was not actual reality. That is the hardest pill to swallow.

I walked by him, he fell down (not because I walked by him just really BAD timing), he hit his head, he had a seizure.He had no clue as to who any of us were or where he was or what he remembered. The ambulance came and took him away....... He got better, had had another seizure. He cant move. He is told to allow the staff at the hospital to put a nicotine patch on him, since he shouldn't get out of bed to go smoke. He refuses. He is told to stay in his bed. He gets up to go to the bathroom. He is scared to go to sleep as he has little seizures in his sleep. He gets pissy because of what is happening to him. He gets angry and yells at me and his wife as we tell him to stay in bed. His friend comes to see him. He gets out of bed and goes down stairs and has a cigarette. HE HAS BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING TRAUMATIC AND FEELS ENTITLED. He is an ass.

In the movie, the first one to die is Sonny. Because he is hot headed and doesn't listen to anyone. Hence he gets ambushed and killed MUCH before his time. I am afraid for my Sonny. He WILL be the first to die. I already miss him..........

Today Vito called Michael and told him to fix Sonny as he feels he no longer can. Michael simply replied that Sonny doesn't care so he no longer does either. Vito is left heart broken.........

The only thing I don't have that Michael had in the movie was a strong poker face. He never allowed his emotions to get the best of him......... I always do.

I got proof yet again, yesterday, that God does in fact exist. He had not been at my house 3 minutes when this all happened. Had he left his house 5 minutes later than he did, he would have gotten into a car accident. Possibly hurting himself, his daughter or someone else. He was at my house. Our father was there. He wasn't at home somewhere out in the back yard where he usually spends his time, or away from people. He was with people who took care of him right then and there. But the worst thing about all of this is while he was being treated in the emergency room, he had a second episode. He doesn't remember any of either of them. He doesn't care about the fact that we are all traumatized by the vision of someone we love going through all of that and us not being to help him. It was, and still is far worse is my head as I play it over and over again trying to figure it out, than it actually ended up being. (aside from the seizures....)

He doesn't remember any of it, so technically, he doesn't care. He will go back to doing what he does, how he does it without any consideration for those of us around here that will never forget. We will have to watch him die because he is too selfish to change.

Please don't get me wrong. He is my favorite person on the face of the earth. We are closer than white on rice. I love him very much but hate him very much at the same time.

I was hoping that in writing this, I could release it and have closure to the situation. One can only hope it works...........

Until next time (please be praying for my brother and his family)

-M

Would YOU?

I just got back from the Good Friday service at my church. Today is the MOST emotional day of the YEAR for me. I cry like a baby all through out the worship part and then spend the rest of the time wiping my eyes from the aftermath of my tears in hopes that I don't look like Alice Cooper while in church.

With today being what it is- let me ask you....... Have you ever thought about what it FELT like for Jesus to go through everything he went through? Both the emotional and physical pain he endured? How did he handle the last few weeks or days KNOWING he was about to die a terrible death? How did he survive the days leading up knowing one of his closest friends would betray him? Not to mention the flogging, beating and mocking. The ripping of his skin. The weight of the cross on the gravel road all the way up the hill to where he would be murdered. What about the feeling of the nails going through his appendages? That alone is a pain I see when I think about it, and yes, sometimes I can imagine how much it hurt.

Are you THAT obedient to your parents? Let alone to the actual will of God?

The following is a song I wrote when I was in a rock christian band in high school (actually the band existed only in my mind- it never became a reality- but I did write this at age 17). I feel it is completely pertinent to this weekend.

"I shed this blood for you" by Fortress (or rather Michelle Rossi)

Uncaringly they toss a garment across his weakened form

as his blood pressure fell deathly low, the crowd began to swarm

They forced him to carry his cross up the hill, as his face they punched and smacked

While the splinters of the criss cross beam dug deep into his back

From the lack of sleep and dehydration, his tongue began to swell

And weakened by his loss of blood, the prophet teacher fell

When he did, some blood splattered on a man named Simon Shoe

As he bent to wipe it off, the prophet looked and said

"Simon - I shed this blood for you"

**This blood can save the soul, heal the sick, mend the heart. This blood can give you access to the very throne of God. It can go the distance through the pain to where you are. This blood I shed for you, the blood of the lamb.

Violently they grabbed his arms as they tightly strapped each wrist

with the hellish looks of an army soldier-whip clinched in his fist.

Laced with chips of bone they beat him hard, from his shoulders to his feet.

It sliced right through his olive skin just like razors through a sheet.

Countless times the blood splattered as each inhumane lash was given

and several times his knees gave way as his flesh just hung like rivets

then surprisingly he turned his head though the words he used was few.

The soldiers faces all turned pale when he said "I shed this blood for you"

**This blood can save the soul, heal the sick, mend the heart. This blood can give you access to the very throne of God. It can go the distance through the pain to where you are. This blood I shed for you, the blood of the lamb.

Then they pounded spikes into his wrists bursting arteries and veins

And as they dropped the cross into the hole they dug his body convulsed with pain

Through anguish and torment that never a soul shall find

He tilted his head toward heaven and full control of his mind

With more love than any human ever heard before from that time or since

He made a statement that to this day makes the strongest skeptic wince

He cried "Father God forgive them for they know not what they do"

And he gave his life for the lost in sin he said "I give this blood for you"

**This blood can save the soul, heal the sick, mend the heart. This blood can give you access to the very throne of God. It can go the distance through the pain to where you are. This blood I shed for you, the blood of the lamb.

When your lost and alone, and your mind is confused

He shed his blood for you

When you feel you've been hurt or abused...

He shed his blood for you.

I hope you liked my song.

til next time

-M

With tears in my eyes........

With tears in my eyes........ I write this. Knowing that I could NOT write it tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. The day Jesus Christ was crucified and killed. We always sit through our lives wondering how a God that is merciful could allow us such pain as we go through ( disease, famine, job loss, home foreclosure- whatever the case is right now) but please bear in mind that we are brought THROUGH all our strives that God brings us to. He has not left us. And for all the complaining we do, we need to step back and remember that nothing, NOTHING, we go through is as much as Jesus did on the day he was murdered. Nothing.

Although we find our own storms to be simply a source of pain, maybe we should step back and look at it differently. Maybe our tumultuous time is meant to be a calling, or a saving grace- for someone else. Maybe even someone we don't know. My mother died about 3 and a half years ago. When she did, we weren't speaking. I have to live with this every day, for the rest of my life. I am only telling you this because once I came through my own pain of her death, I can view it differently. I miss her very much, but I have found such a peace in her death that I never knew could exist. I have also found God. I am just sorry she never got to know this me.

I look at things totally differently then I did while she was alive. I can now look at things through another set of eyes in hopes that whatever I say to someone can help them. I am not simply giving advice that SOUNDS good, but that IS good. I am not a selfish person. I am not indulgent in much of anything any longer. I know that whatever my day to day brings me, my God will get me through it in the end. Just as he did his son.

Whatever you are going through, I implore you to hand it over to God. Allow him to give you a peace that you so deserve. There is nothing more glorious. He died for you.... He loves you. We don't deserve it, but it is truth.

Whatever cross your walking with this weekend, know that it will be ok. This weekend dates back to Jesus' death- and His Rising. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. Please take from it more than colored eggs and chocolate bunnies.

til next time

-M

Seriously- a tournament?

Cornhole is a lawn game in which players take turns pitching cornhole bags—cotton duck bags filled with feed corn—at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. These platforms are usually made with plywood or occasionally plastic, and are often decorated. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a player reaches the score of 21.

This being said my brother is all about the game. Its a great past time where he and his beer drinking buddies bet and play.

He called me Thursday afternoon and asked me if I owned a sewing machine because he needed to get new bags as he went to his shed to pull his out for the tournament Friday, but rats had eaten through the bags..... OH CRAP!

I told him I could arrange for the new ones to be filled to exactly the weight they needed to be and he could be made ready! He goes to the feed store and buys a bag of corn. He goes to Dicks sporting goods and buys new bags. He goes to Walgreen's and buys a measuring cup. He then proceeds to come here to where I have arranged a MEET between him and the seamstress to get together for this epic disaster he has laying on his shoulders.

He comes to my store and starts measuring out the corn needed to an exact kernel.

He then proceeds to let me know that my friend needs to simply have red thread and blue thread and a seam puller..........and that his competition is Friday and he needs them back asap.

Now anyone with half a brain could tell you needed red and blue thread as the bags were , well um, blue and red. AND if he wanted them opened and filled , well then yeah you sort of need a way to open them. AHH I MUST NOW INVENT SOMETHING TO OPEN SEAMS.... Oh wait, such a thing exists...........

Anyway the meets happens and my friend picks up his bean bags (its about 3 pm now) We told him we would call him when they were done........ but reassured him that he would have them in time for the tournament. He then starts getting antsy telling us we may need to come up with game plan #2...... why was it gonna take so long blah blah freaking BLAH!!!!

I get a phone call from Steve at 5:32 that night "Are they done?"

"Um, no Steve. I will call you once I hear from Robyn." and we hang up. Not two minutes later I get a call from Robyn "Um, about these bags....." she says. "The one that had a hole in it I tried to fix. But it didn't look good so I re opened the bag and was gonna do a sew on inside of it. When I put the iron on the material (that he had told her was a cotton) it shrunk. I have to go to the material store to get new material for him."

She did. She got what she needed and made these bags miraculously for him so very quickly. She then calls me at maybe 7pm and told me his bags were ready. I called him and had him go get them from her.

I spoke to him this morning....... He got them, used them for practice and have already broken one...... ALL THAT and now he still doesn't have good and proper bags to play with. MEN!

My moral to this cornhole of a story is- If you know you have something to do, don't wait til the last minute to check your stuff out that you need for it. Shit happened- ALL THE TIME. There is no proper balance to this universe...... you need to prepare rather than wait. Before hand. GRRRRRRRR

So, Steve, for tonites tournament of CORNHOLE- this buds for you.

til next time

XO XO

-m

I want to meet this guy....

This is really a cute story. If you like this sort of thing. I pass a car wash to get to work. One day I noticed that out in front of the building, by where the vacuum and air hoses are, there was this little old man polishing his bicycle. I giggled about it then and it makes me smile every time I pass this place as he is there EVERY morning. He takes his bike ride for either something to do, or for some doctor recommended exercise- either way he is at the car wash EVERY morning by 8 a.m.

He takes such good care of this bike too..... I can't see any specific bags in his basket to tell me what he is off to do or where he has been before. I do look to see if I can. What is funny though, is that this just started about 2 weeks ago as I have passed this placed quite a few times a day every day for the last 3 years and have never noticed him before.

It takes me back to a time when I was a little girl. My family and I used to visit my grandparents who lived the next town over from us every Sunday. We would spend ALL day there and for a 10 year old , it became quite monotonous and mundane. My grandfathers girlfriend had allowed me to dig out her old beach bike from the shed to ride around while I was there on Sundays. I did.

The first time I dug it out, it was such an ordeal. It was way in the back and covered in all sorts of stuff. Once I got it out I wasn't even sure it was really a bike. It was so bent up and rusty. I brought my father out to inspect it and advise me as to what all I needed ti make it an actual specimen of a bike. I learned a lot that summer. I took the wheels off and propped this bike upside down and went to work on it. I removed the chain that was all rusty, sanded down the base of the bike, de-oxidised the chrome, re painted what I had sanded down. I got a new seat to replace the one that was previously on it and a pretty basket for the front.

It took me 2 months of Sundays to fix it up to where I could ride it. And did I ever do so. I rode that bike all over the neighborhood. Up to the park and back with my brother. All over the place. I could get on that bike for HOURS and simply enjoy the la la la's in my head and the same old houses I had looked at over and over again. It didn't matter as this was my way to escape into my own little world for a while. And I MADE IT. All by myself....... WHAT needed to be done was supervised by my father but the actual chore of making this bike ready to ride was all me...........

I enjoy seeing that little old guy and his bike every morning. Maybe one day I will bring him a cup of coffee and go talk to him.

We shall see..................................

Til next time

XO XO

-M

How does this crap keep happening to me?

You asked for it.

I was not gonna write this as I simply thought it a bit unnecessary but as it continued I couldn't laugh quietly and tears were rolling down my face............ here it go:

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved pita bread! She became a lucky girl one day when she drove by a new restaurant in her town called The Pita Pit. Yummmmmmy! Delish and healthy..... that is where I want to eat.

So she convinced her husband to try it ,and asked her friends if any of them had. Only one had and she said there was soooo much mustard on it that it was gross..... But this lucky little girl tried it anyway.

O K long story short(er) they did eat there but the sandwiches were less then great. For 2 pitas, 1 bag of chips and a smoothie.... it came to over $22.00....... UGH! Ok- whatever. Not a problem.......yum yum yum eat eat eat. um, um, um......why is my stomach talking to me? I was still hungry. We were both still hungry. (This is a quote from a letter later sent) We are not all you can eat folk. We should NOT still be hungry. But we are. I decide to let my friends know of my experience and the more I thought about it....... I let the mgr know as well. Actually what I did was send them a two page fax including a print out copy of what I sent my friends and a cover page with a little more detail.

I am expecting a phone call and am just not getting it.....ok, maybe there is no mgr on duty right now...... but BAM I get an email. This dude not only calls me out on my sarcasm but he proceeds to email my friends as their email addresses were on the print out. I would never have thought to do that!!!! Anyway he pretty much tells me stuff happens and from business owner to business owner surely I understand that. THAT wasn't the issue. I wasn't looking for anything free. I wasn't looking for anything other than just to let them know OUR experience. THAT'S IT.

I get an email from one of my friends who tells me she almost replied to me but then realized he would get a copy THIS IS WHEN I REALIZE WHO EXACTLY HE EMAILED. So, I email him back, once again explaining that I do understand as stuff happens blah blah blah.....

Girlfriend #2 emails him a short scathing note about how she didn't appreciate getting an email from him........ Girlfriend #3 is flabbergasted that he now has her email address.......all the while exposing our not so nice nicknames for one another.....

This goes on for a while and we are going back & forth (my friends and I) but in a few of them we cc all and I think he was getting some of out correspondence between ourselves......

So at this point I am a bit embarrassed. Tears are rolling down my face from laughing so hard. I cant laugh quiet any longer and am making noises like I should be beaker form the Muppet's or something... AHHHHHHH my cheeks hurt.

Anyway, now that the nonsense has settled, and I do realize I am a business owner in the same town that he is um, I am a bit embarrassed. Who said free pitas free pitas? I thin it is a quote by the queen of the dorks. Free mustard samiches for everyone!!!! wooohoooooooo

And to think, I didn't have a blog topic this morning...........

oh well-till next time

xoxo

-M

I am sorry....WHAT just happened?

So there are two couples in a bar minding their own business on Saturday night. Eating, talking, sharing and just keeping to their own....(well, for the most part. One may have said that she was a reporter for a local magazine and that was why she was snapping all the pictures.) That is 100% beside the point however.

Anyway, as the night progresses, the two couples have a few drinks, and are really into their surroundings. A bunch of people are showing up all dressed up and these few were a bit more casually dressed. There is no further point that will be made about the clothing and attire, so I don't know why I even wrote that. The one lady however, sitting with her back to the bar, the crowd and to the entire establishment, is the one this tale of WHOA! is about.

Ok- I will admit, The lady reporter sitting like this is me. Little ol' me.

If you were a person on the west side of the building, you would have to pass me to go to the bathroom, the dance floor, the exit- whatever. And there was this guy who traveled that direction (and back I think) a few too many times that night. He walked by to go...... well to the other side of me and was swinging his arms a bit much. He makes it from one side of me to the other when WHOA!!! My friends husband looks at me and says "did you just get felt up?" my answer...."Um, yeah I think I did....."

This happened a total of 3 times by that one guy that night. I don't know if he was even cute as I was really a bit more concentrated on looking shocked.

I cant even say that I liked it. He was such a slyyyy guy! sneaky sneaky!

Um, pickup line tip: guys- if this is your weapon of choice to get a girl to notice you- it didn't work. If it was a cheap way to thrill yourself..."Lets see how many times I can touch her boobs." Come on- how old are we? NOT the best way to gain attention.

Aw hell- I got a great blog idea out of it and WOW will my article be a winner. So when you see this story in your local magazine you will know it was me. It is a good thing I don't remember getting HIS picture that night.

Til next time (hands to yourself)

XO XO

-m

what IS beauty?

Some would say a perfect face. Some would say a perfect body. Some would say a perfect sun scape. A beautiful landscape, great architecture, a nice smile,silence in the middle of a hectic day, a mickey d's after a long diet......There are far too many sides to that coin. So I asked a few people for their responses......

One response was simply stated as "grace" so I looked that up for a better understanding. As per wikepedia:

1. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion.
2. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.
3. A sense of fitness or propriety.
4.
a. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.
b. Mercy; clemency.
5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.
6. A temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve.
7. Graces Greek & Roman Mythology Three sister goddesses, known in Greek mythology as Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia, who dispense charm and beauty.
8.
a. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
b. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
c. An excellence or power granted by God.
9. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.
10. Grace Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.
11. Music An appoggiatura, trill, or other musical ornanment in the music of 16th and 17th century England.

Another response I got was Blonde. I don't need to look that word up. Allow your imagination to do what it will.

Farrah Fawcett in her 20's

The way a womans legs give proper length to their body

And sunrises, sunsets, blue skys and billowy white clouds.

My response: well,to me the following link is beauty in its rarest .......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDQ04uHn9nE as in MY opinion there is nothing more beautiful than a well written song. A story that moves you so much that you are part of it. Every time I hear this song, I have to stop what I am doing- close my eyes and FEEL it. I am very musical and to me that is beauty. Few songs move me quite that way. And when one does, I love it. Some of you may not agree with that and you are entitled to that opinion. I heard this song twice today so I knew I had to write this........ I was "MOVED" to do so.

In any case- no matter what beauty is to you, have it in your life. Every chance you get to be around it do so. You will be that much better for it.

till next time

XOXO

-M

ps (this is so funny I had to add it on...) All the women I asked answered teh question no problem. the men ALL asked if it was a trick question..... go figure.

UGH

I own my own store. I employ people. I had one girl who worked for me who was the most accidental person. The sort of things that happened to her never surprised me but ONLY could happen to her. One time she brushed her teeth with baby lotion (cuz she picked up the wrong tube). One time she got lost going home (because the city had a detour set up). Her car is the sort of car she has to hot wire every once in a while.......

You KNOW this person. Each one of us has one juuuuust like her in our lives. She was mine..... I felt for her and was amused all at the same time. Until she left.............. Now I am sooooooo that person.

I don't want to be that person.

I don't do stupid stuff like the above list. Nah- I just hurt myself every day in one way or another- AND let me add, quite stupidly!!! Proof? Here we go:

The other day at work I was working on a box (explained below) printing off copies..... multiple copies. Which take a lot of toner. Which tends to stink. (especially in a closed in area such as my office). Visualize this please after about 2 hours of constant printing . The STENCH that was fumigating through out my office. Headache building right about now...... One of the sheets had a lot of errors on it. I grab my white out and start covering all of the errors with a lot of white out. Headache getting worse right about now....... We have a file box that we keep paperwork in for this office at another office. I have this box with me (hence the copying and fixing) but the person who works in the other office WITH this box of papers smokes in this office. UGH! I open the box......smoke stench gets out into my office...HEADACHE GETTING EVEN WORSE......... I go to the kitchen , grab the oust and oust the papers in the box....HEADACHE GETTING WORSE. I have to make copies of the paper I used all the white out on now that it had all dried up.... (so I thought. ) There was one spot, a rather large spot, that hadn't dried and when I took the paper out of the copier there was white out all over it. LUCKY ME! I get to go get the nail polish remover and clean it off. HEADACHE IS AT THE ALL TIME WORST RIGHT ABOUT HERE.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Why didn't I just take some aspirin? Why didn't I turn on a fan? Why didn't I leave the room for a while? I know right! DUH!!!! Can anyone say STUPID!??!!! UGH!

Skipping ahead to today...... I had been housing the store birds at a different location as we had pest control come spray for bugs...blah blah blah. Fast forward to today. The day I bring them home. I cage them all up, bring them in, release them from the carrier cages back into their own cages and walk the carriers out back to be hosed down and washed. Yada yada yada....I complete this task and so obviously have to come in to start my day. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that where the hose is out back is rather , um, MUDDY! I wipe my feet- one, two. Good to go........ I pass the threshold and step on to the bare tile and VIOLA I am upside down, side ways and ON MY BUTT!!!!

$%#@$*&^%@%#&$#&%!#@%^*$%&*!^&*)!%@$%^#@&%$#@&!@%&^!#r%(&#$&^#$(@^!#(@^#%@^#%*&@!#^&!@$%&!@#!#%&*!$%&!^$%!#%#^$!

Ok- I so obviously did NOT wipe my feet off really well now did I? UGH

There are so many other case in points but that would simply take away other possible blogs and just simply make you, my reader think "who the hell is this girl that she is just so stupid?" Well, let me answer that right now before we go any further..... I am the NEWLY crowned QUEEN OF THE IDIOTS!!! (not be confused with the recently crowned queen of dorks-she IS all together someone else)

Ok- there it is....today's confessional of pain. I am learning that my pain amuses yall, and I guess I can say thank you for that? I am happy to share....... If you cant laugh at yourself........... well, hell you should- cuz someone else will!!

till next time

XO XO

-M

Todays Inner bitch thought

"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have gotten anywhere" -Marilyn Monroe

Ok, so I like to quote people. But that only shows that others have gone through whatever you go through. On a day to day we go through our lives, paying attention to the rules set forth for us and hoping we don't offend anyone. Let me ask you though- what good is that? Now don't get me wrong, I am an avid rule follower. I am speaking 100% out of experience. I have lived out of fear my entire life and its sort of inhibiting.

Marilyn Monroe has left SUCH a legacy she will NEVER be forgotten. Let me ask you, whats your legacy?

There comes a time in everyones life where they are at that crossroads. And either you happily go down one direction by choice, or you sell your soul to the devil to go another direction. Eventually learning it may not have the everlasting effect you wish it did. Either way, we as a race are never happy with what we have. We are never happy with our choices or their outcomes. The grass is always greener on the other side??

Why does it have to be like that though? We can be what we choose to be. We are our own destiny. We write our own pages....... of our own story. Although it is predetermined by the higher up- the choices are there for us to make. Why can't they make us happy? Why is settling for what will just make us happy be good enough.

Why are we always trying to do better? Let today be a turning point. Let it be a new day. Enjoy who you are, where you are and what you are. And if you can't do that-may I suggest you find what will make it possible.

XOXO

til next time

-M

YOU ARE A STAR!!!!!

I am flipping channels last night on the TV as my normal shows are not on because the president was addressing the union again. I watched a bit of it but got bored by the repetition of his comments.... I was getting frustrated. SO, I start flipping channels and I land on this show hosted by Ru Paul- queen bee extraordinaire... Sort of a drag queens next top model named "Ru Pauls Drag Race" where she was looking to crown the next big drag queen. Never seen the show before- didn't know it existed. But couldn't turn the channel.

They amuse me so.

I like to be entertained and drag queens so do that to me..... And what makes it worse is how do those MEN get to lookin so much more glamorous and beautiful than most women????? Its absolutly outrageous!

Anyway, the episode I watched was the season finale...she crowned the next Queen and the credits rolled. BUT- I hung around a bit longer and they did a bring the cast back in to confront one another show............. WOW can those men cry!!! It actually was a bit amazing. One of the queens was telling the judges that she was made to feel like a loser EVERY time she walked on stage. RuPaul quickly jumped to the defense of the judges by simply saying "This is TV honey. There has to be ups and downs! If you walked away feeling badly about yourself its because you allowed it to be. Your a contestant, these are judges. The fact of the matter is, YOU forgot you are wonderful. YOU DID."

Wow.

I must say I was actually taken back by her words...... so blatent and open to the fact that you can't give a damn about what other people think. You can't waste your time worried about how other people perceive you. If you are comfortable in your own skin, that is all that matters. You take what they say as an issue THEY have and let it roll of your backs. Or in the words of Ru Paul "Bring it on Bitches!!!"

There you have it.

Inner bitch fashion tip : If you entering a drag race- make sure you tuck properly....... no one wants to see a gorgeous girl "packing"

Til next time

XO XO

-M

I can't believe I forgot this!!!!

Ok- so the last few blogs have been real information and not just silliness. That is because nothing wonderful has happened that was worth writing about. (Or we will say I made myself forget....until my darling Penny reminded me of it)

We go to yoga last Saturday at the Sebastian ashram. You must remove your shoes before entering and you MUST be quiet to "focus on your breath" and such...... Ok..... I can do that. I don't have a yoga mat of my own YET, so I borrowed one of theirs. No big. We are doing bridge and mad cat and all sorts of wonderful moves. It is going great. The teacher then states, "we are now to roll over on our belly's and corpse lay" From there we did some sit in a 90 degree angle with our faces pressed to the earth and our hands extended outwards from our bodies....... The position is fine... I can't stop thinking to myself though "UGH I have got to get my own mat. This mat smells like FEET."

And it DID. I was once again holding in my gags. Press your face to the earth on a mat that smells like feet and relax? Um, I don't think so................concentrate on your breath and your nostrils.......we will say that was NOT hard to do. Even if she had not said for us to, there was nothing else I could do.

I get home and am talking to Lance about the class and he so lovingly says to me "Michelle, please take a shower, you smell like feet."
I just LOVE my husband.
Alright- I have to wash my face again. Just the thoughts of that are making me sick.....
until next time

xo xo
-m

Inner bitch food for thought

You're braver than you belive, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think!

That is something the boy named Christopher Robin told his friend Pooh one sunny afternoon in the Hundred Acre Woods. It seems like smart words coming from a youth. Maybe we all need to step back and think more like we did when we were kids. When we could DO anything. Be anything. Go anywhere. Nothing had limits. The world was curious to us. Why is it that as we grow into adults, we lose such way of thinking?

This weeks self challenge: go do something you have not done in a while or that you have been putting off. Fear of the world, of yourself, or what others may think is a terrible reason to NOT. Then comment to me what you did, why you chose it and the outcome.........

I am under 130 FINALLY

Ok, I have weighed myself over and over for the last few weeks and I couldnt understand it. I was maintaining a straight 130 and ARGH it was frustrating. I couldn't understand why? I have been working out, strength training, i have given up ALL caffeine (which meansplainly I am not eating sweets nor am I drinking soda all day) so WHY WHY WHY??????

But then, as a miracle of God, I weighed myself this weekend and VIOLA- I have lost some pounds. I like to think partly becasue I have traded my soda and chocolate in for water and yogurt. I want to share some knowledge about yogurt that most people dont know...... It is sooo yummy but there are SOOOOO many reasons you should eat it too.

Yogurt is a fermented dairy product made by adding bacterial cultures to milk, which causes the transformation of the milk's sugar, lactose, into lactic acid. This process gives yogurt its refreshingly tart flavor and unique pudding-like texture, a quality that is reflected in its original Turkish name, Yoghurmak, which means "to thicken". The lactic acid bacteria that are traditionally used to make yogurt-Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus-also confer on yogurt many of its health benefits.

Health Benefits
Our food ranking system qualified yogurt as a very good source of calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin-vitamin B2 and iodine. Yogurt also emerged from our analysis as a good source of vitamin B12, pantothenic acid-vitamin B5, zinc, potassium, protein and molybdenum. These 10 nutrients alone would make yogurt a health-supportive food. But some of the most interesting health information about yogurt comes from a different context-its potential inclusion of live bacteria.
Yogurt for A Longer Life
The highest quality yogurt in your grocery store contains live bacteria that provides a host of health benefits. Yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures may help you to live longer, and may fortify your immune system. Research studies have shown that increased yogurt consumption, particularly in immunocompromised populations such as the elderly, may enhance the immune response, which would in turn increase resistance to immune-related diseases.

Eating yogurt may help to prevent vaginal yeast infections. In one study, women who had frequent yeast infections ate 8 ounces of yogurt daily for 6 months. Researchers reported that a threefold decrease in infections was seen in these women.
Yogurt Boosts Immune Response Lactobacillus casei, a strain of friendly bacteria found in cultured foods like yogurt and kefir, significantly improved the immune response and ability to fight off pneumonia in an animal study published in the Journal of Nutrition.
A human study has confirmed that a daily serving of probiotic-rich yogurt bolsters your body's ability to protect you from infection.
Daily consumption of yogurt- both conventional, commercially available yogurt and probiotic yogurt (yogurt containing health-promoting bacteria)-stimulated cellular immunity in a study involving 33 healthy women aged 22-29 years.
Cellular immunity-our immune system's first line of defense-involves special white cells which serve as our body's primary means of protection against infection by viruses, yeasts, and parasites. In addition, cellular immunity is also critical in preventing the development of cancer.
In addition, not only did the ability of immune cells to effectively kill pathogens increased following intake of the yogurt, but this effect persisted in the washout period after the women had stopped their daily yogurt consumption. These results suggest that enjoying a daily cup of yogurt-either conventional or probiotic-may boost immune function.
Yogurt Lowers LDL, Raises HDL Cholesterol
Daily consumption of 3 ounces of probiotic yogurt significantly improved the cholesterol profile, lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol, in women volunteers.

Yogurt, Specifically, Significantly Increases Fat Loss
In just 3 months, 16 obese men and women on a reduced calorie diet that included three daily portions of yogurt lost 61% more fat and 81% more abdominal fat than 18 obese subjects assigned to a diet with the same number of calories but little or no dairy products and low amounts of calcium.
Not only did those in the yogurt group lose more fat, especially around their waistlines, but they also retained more lean, muscle tissue than subjects on the yoghurt-free diet.
How yogurt promotes fat loss while preserving muscle is still a matter of debate. It may be due to the fact that calcium reduces fat cells' ability to store fat, so cells burn more, and less is produced in the liver. Or, it may be due to the branched chain amino acids present in dairy products. Regardless, this study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, indicates that adding one or two servings of yogurt to your daily diet can help you maximize loss of fat and minimize loss of muscle-the optimal outcome for any diet.
Calcium-rich Dairy Foods Boost the Body's Fat Burning After a Meal
Yet another study suggests those ads linking a daily cup of yogurt to a slimmer silhouette have a real basis in scientific fact. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition not only confirms earlier studies showing a calcium-rich diet is associated with fat loss, but may help explain why.
Normal-weight women ranging in age from 18-30 years were randomly assigned to a low (less than 800 mg per day) or high (1000-1400 mg per day) calcium diet for 1 year, and the rate at which their bodies burned fat after a meal was assessed at the beginning and end of the study.
After 1 year, fat oxidation (burning) was 20 times higher in women eating the high calcium diet compared to those in the low-calcium control group (0.10 vs. 0.06 gram per minute).
The women's blood levels of parathyroid hormone were also checked and were found to correlate with their rate of fat oxidation. (The primary function of parathyroid hormone is to maintain normal levels of calcium in the body. When calcium levels drop too low, parathyroid hormone is secreted to instruct bone cells to release calcium into the bloodstream.)
Higher blood levels of parathyroid hormone were associated with a lower rate of fat oxidation and lower dietary calcium intake, while lower blood levels of parathyroid hormone levels were seen in the women consuming a diet high in calcium, who were burning fat more rapidly after a meal. So, it appears that a high-calcium diet increases fat oxidation, at least in part, by lessening the need for parathyroid hormone secretion, thus keeping blood levels of the hormone low.
Boost the Body's Ability to Build Bone
It's not just its calcium that makes yogurt a bone-friendly food, cow's milk and fermented milk products such as yogurt and kefir also contain lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein that boosts the growth and activity of osteoblasts (the cells that build bone).
Not only does lactoferrin increase osteoblast differentiation, it also reduces the rate at which these cells die by up to 50-70%, and decreases the formation of osteoclasts (the cells responsible for breaking down bone) thus helping to prevent or reverse osteoporosis. In addition, lactoferrin also increases the proliferation of chondocytes, the cells that build cartilage. For building bone, enjoying both milk and yogurt seems a good idea since lactoferrin's effects were found to be dose-dependent, stimulating an up to a 5-fold increase in osteoblasts at higher doses.
Help Prevent and Heal Arthritis
Lactobacillus, a probiotic (friendly) bacteria found in yogurt offers "remarkable preventive and curative" effects on arthritis, say Israeli researchers in a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.
Because lactobacillus has already demonstrated beneficial effects in other inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disorders, researchers thought it might also lessen the inflammation of arthritis. To find out, they ran two groups of animal experiments.
In both sets of experiments, laboratory animals fed the yogurt with large amounts of lactobacilli had the least amount of arthritic inflammation, while those fed plain yogurt experienced only moderate inflammation. The animals that received just lactobacillus, even heat-killed lactobacillus, also showed significant benefit. Milk, however, had no effect. So impressed were the researchers with the study's results that they recommended trials using commercial yogurts containing lactobacilli in arthritic patients.
Protection against UlcersHelicobater pylori the bacterium responsible for most ulcers, can be shut down by yogurt, suggests a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In this study, for six weeks, 48 adult volunteers infected with H. pylori ate yogurt containing the probiotic bacteria Lactobaciullus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis twice daily after a meal, while 11 others received a milk placebo. After eight weeks, subjects were given the C-urea breath test, which measures the amount of urease, an enzyme used by H.pylori to allow it to penetrate and infect the stomach lining. In those receiving the yogurt containing probiotics, H.pylori activity was effectively suppressed.
Reduce Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Although we've focused on the benefits of low-fat yogurt, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that enjoying full-fat yogurt and other full-fat dairy foods, such as whole milk, kefir, cheese, cream, sour cream and butter, may significantly reduce risk for colorectal cancer.
Although high in saturated fat, these dairy foods contain a number of potentially cancer-preventive factors, including a protective fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has also been shown to be cardioprotective.
In this study, over 60,000 women aged 40-76 years were followed during an average of 14.8 years. Those women who ate at least 4 servings of high-fat dairy foods each day were found to have a 41% lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to women eating less than a serving of high-fat dairy foods daily.
For each increment of 2 servings of high-fat dairy foods a woman consumed each day, her risk of colorectal cancer dropped 13%. So, while research continues to indicate that it is wise to limit your intake of saturated fat by cutting back on servings of high-fat meats, enjoying full-fat versions of yogurt and other dairy products may actually be protective.
For Fresh Breath and a Healthy Mouth, Eat Yogurt
Consuming just 3.2 ounces (90 grams) of yogurt twice a day not only lowers levels of hydrogen sulfide and other volatile sulfide compounds responsible for bad breath, but may also eliminate tongue-coating bacteria and reduce dental plaque formation, cavities, and risk for gingivitis. The sugar-free yogurt eaten by 24 volunteers in this 6-week study was fermented with two strains of probiotic (friendly) bacteria: streptococci and lactobacilli.
Be careful when selecting yogurt and choose yogurts that contain live cultures-highest quality prodcts will often indicate exactly how many live bacteria are contained in the product. Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermopholis are the lactic acid bacteria usually used to make yogurt in the United States.

meal tip: Here are just a few ways to enjoy yogurt: Top your daily cup of yogurt with a quarter-cup of granola, a handful of nuts, and some frozen berries or dried fruit for a quick, delicious and sustaining breakfast. Creamy yogurt, chives, and freshly ground sea salt and pepper make a great topping for baked potatoes, yams or other cooked vegetables. For a creamy salad dressing or vegetable dip, just mix a cup of yogurt with a quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil and your favorite herbs and spices

The take-home message: adding a daily cup of yogurt-preferably a yogurt with probiotic bacteria-to your healthy way of eating is an easy and delicious way to improve your cholesterol profile.

The truth about acai berry

This is it!!! The magical fruit all of Hollywood is talking about. Before I begin my story, let me start by stating that it was branches of the acai berry plant that was dipped in gold when they were carrying the ark to water......... It is as old as the Bible.

That being said I am at a tossup as to if it is heavens miracle diet fruit or not. As any woman does, I am always looking for the next great health booster fruit. Something that will make me a wonder woman of sorts in health, simply by taking it. But I do believe, this actually IS it.

Acai Berry Benefits
Acai isn’t called nature’s perfect food for nothing. Below are just some of the health benefits that research has shown you can get from consuming the acai berry.
Acai Berry Increases Energy & Stamina
Jiu-jitsu fighters and soccer players in Brazil often have a large meal of acai berry pulp before a competition. Why? Aside from being a perfect source of nutrition and carbohydrates, the high levels of antioxidants in the acai berry lead to a drastic increase in energy levels and stamina. Taken on a regular basis, the acai berry strengthens the immune system to the point where the body isn’t constantly fighting off infections and disease. This frees up even more energy for other uses.
Acai Berry Fights Cancer & Disease
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body, cause diseases, and can even damage DNA. Antioxidants are the body’s fuel for strengthening cells and fighting off free radicals. As you know by now, the acai berry is jam packed with these powerful antioxidants.
There are some exciting studies regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer.
Acai Berry Fights Obesity
The acai berry's natural combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, and amino acids work together to help your body function better, process food easier, and burn fat more efficiently. It's one of the best things you can put into your body to keep it healthy. Subsequently, when your body is healthy and well-balanced, it will be much easier for you to reach your perfect weight.
Acai Berry Boosts the Immune System
The powerful antioxidants in the acai berry antioxidants in the acai berry, combined with the essential fatty acids, work as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent while simultaneously boosting the immune system.
Acai Berry Maintains Good Cholesterol & Fights Heart Disease
The essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the acai berry fight bad cholesterol (LDL) while simultaneously maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) and fighting heart disease. The same fatty acids also aid in the absorbency of necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, E, D, and K.
The acai berry also contains phytosterols, a group of plant phytochemicals that reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Studies show that these plant compounds can reduce cholesterol in humans by up to 15%
Acai Berry Improves Vision
British pilots in World War II reportedly ate large amounts of bilberry jam before dangerous missions as they swore it drastically improved their night vision. Billberry is also popular in Japan where it is used to relieve eye strain from excessive staring at computer monitors. Modern scientists have tracked these results down to a rare type of antioxidant in the bilberry called “anthocyanins”. Not surprisingly, these antioxidants are also found in the acai berry.
On a somewhat related note, other antioxidants in the acai berry fight various eye related diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Acai Berry Helps With Digestion
The acai berry contains enzymes and other vital nutrients that aid in the digestion process. A functioning digestive system will not be plagued with acid reflux and other ailments. Acai also contains a healthy amount of fiber which helps your digestive tract process food.
Acai Berry Promotes a More Peaceful Sleep
Your ability to sleep can be frequently affected by stressed muscles. Acai contains amino acids that relax your muscles and allow for a more restful sleep. It also contains Vitamin B which helps to regulate the dopamine and serotonin (both neurotransmitters that impact sleep) production in the brain.

All that being said- take it as directed!! ONLY. Too much is NOT a good thing............... I know. I bought some recently that I didnt check the expiration date on and left myself literally 2 days to drink 7 days worth. As it is not cheap, I drank it all in one sitting. IF YOU DO THAT YOU BEST BE SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO A POTTY WITHIN AN HOUR OF TAKING IT. That is all I am gonna say. (also make sure that your near one for the reast of the day as while I write this, it is 6pm..... I drank it at 1 and I am still gurgling in the pit of my stomach!!!)

I think I lost 6 lbs just this afternoon alone WHEW

**Health note: this is not a game. I did not do it on purpose. I do not condone over taking this fruit as ANYTHING can be bad if not taken in moderation. You need to be careful when dieting, or taking anything ............follow all instructions according to your doctor.

**substitute purpose note: If you do have issues with B.M.'s in any day- this would be an inexpensive ONE TIME cleanse...........

there you have it.

-m

the boy who wanted to be a super..........

Ok- so I was talking to my son about yesterdays blog and he quickly started asking questions. What was his super power? What was daddys? What was anyone and everyone listed. I had to quickly explain to him that wasn't at all the type of hero story I wrote. He just couldn't wrap his brain around why I would write a story about heros without divulging ALL specifications about each and every one of the characters........... He then started getting huffy about how he wasn't really even listed so I told him todays blog would be a concentrated effort about my son the superhero (oh, wait he then decided he wanted to be a super villain)....................................

Lets see if I get all this right: SUPER TRISTAN has super strength, there was something about ripping doc oc's arms off, something about grabbing rhino by his horn and ripping his horns off too..... then he said he would get in a fight with spiderman for some reason. Lets see if I can come up with something a bit more complete and creative that will do my boy wonder justice.....

Once upon a time, there was a 9 yr old boy. He was a regular 9 yr old boy to the outside world, but what no one knew was that by night- when everyone was asleep, it was he who protected the earth. He battled demons as they are real as shown on Supernatural (which is a smart way for the heros of the world to entertain the masses while showing what really does exist). He battled The Underminer as The Incredibles never had the opprotunity to do so. He battled Two Face as Batman never really killed him. He took on Rhino, Sandman and Doc Oc as Spiderman is simply not as strong as this little boy to really prevent them from coming back.

This little boy was such a saving grace that on his 10th birthday, all his friends and family threw him a huge party celebrating how happy they were just to be around him.

But unexpectedly, right in the middle of the party his arch nemesis showed up and together they fought a battle so huge that the adults simply thought they were playing around.

At the end of the party, all of SUPER TRISTANS friends thanked him for letting them come and they all went home........ Tristans mommy tucked him to bed that night and kissed him on the head telling him how much she loved him and wished him the final happy birthday of the day. She then climbed into bed and fell fast asleep. All the while not knowing that her 10 yr old son had slipped out of the house not AS her son but as SUPER TRISTAN. Off to battle the evil that surrounds the world at night while we all sleep so soundly.

I am happy I am safe........

(wink wink)

THE END

Is it a bird? Or a plane?

Duh duh na naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Why is it that all superhero figures have to stand feet apart, and fists on their hips with such majestic looks to their faces while their heads are pointed to the sky? When in all reality, mine doesn't look ANYTHING like that! In fact, if he was to stand like that I would probably start laughing out loud.
Mine- well let's see, how DO I describe him? He is a short wearing, shaven headed, corn fed white boy whose hair is turning gray as he ages. He takes longer then I do to get ready so I can't say he is faster than the speed of lightning. If he jumps too far he pulls a muscle so I can't say he leaps higher than tall buildings. But he does always tend to know when I need him.
He is always there to help me when I am in trouble and he always catches me when I fall. He is stronger than any one I know as he puts up with all the day to day crime brought about by his nemesis GRUMPY! (Or any of the other members of the evil world we live in)
Do I feel like Lois Lane from Superman as I am reporting all this day to day action? Na- I really feel more like Mary Jane from Spiderman who triumphantly marries a superhero of her own and does her best to support his cause.
This is how I see a good marriage. They take two parties that have an equal amount of NEED and want to cooperate in their said cause. Good marriages are so beautiful to watch because much like a good superhero movie, when orchestrated properly- are eventful and entertaining to the masses. I thank God every night I have one.
But then there are the unsung superheros behind our day to day protectors. In my movie I have this list of villaneous male cousins who use trickery and sarcasm as their weapon against my superhero- which he battles whenever they are around with as much failure as he has success. These characters are repeat actors in our saga and I don't think they will ever be beaten or defeated 100%. There is a list of super men and women behind him too, that taught him the tools he would need - when and how to use them, and most importantly how to pick your battles. They taught him that a superhero can only be super if he knows which villans to choose and which to leave for others to conquer on their own. If it weren't for the people behind my superhero, he wouldn't be so super. They have schooled him into the person he is and I am thankful they played such a part in our lives. Even as they have all un leashed my superhero on to the world on his own, they are all still doing great deeds too. The world really does need more superheros!

Superhero fashion tip: Tights are NEVER ok for men to wear. These should be left for the female heros of the world ONLY. Capes also NEVER a good idea- from what I hear they catch drafts and can be rather dangerous. If left too long, one could trip and fall and just look silly. Masks- as everyone wears them, I believe they are ok. Makeup- also should be left for the female heros of the world. Its not about how your dressed- but who you are that makes you a superhero!

My very own SLICE OF HEAVEN

I hate oatmeal

I hate non white bread

A friend of mine mentioned a yummy sandwich she had on this bread...another friend of mine has a new good for you meal plan and oatmeal is on it THIS WOULD WORK RIGHT?....ok- hook line and sinker I was curious. I went to the store and bought some. I was a little afraid to try it though but OHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYY!!! Then, my husband tried it....... ok dude GET OFF MY BREAD! He will eat ANY bread so when I buy a specialty bread it should be left for me!!!!!! He can eat the other whole grain, 9 grain specialty crap that ONLY he will eat. I would not eat the LAST piece of his bread........ But oh, he did mine!!!!!

This bread IS delicious! I am making a special trip to the grocery store tonite just to get it..... no more store brand 89 cent bread ................ YUMM. What is the point of this blog posting- um , well theres none really. Other than I have found a slice of heaven in every slice of this oatmeal bread!!!!!

-m

Who's the diva now????

Ok- look at him? He is sooo cute and cuddly AND FAT!!!! My father lives by himself in a huge house. Well, not exactly alone...... he has (at the house) 2 umbrella cockatoos, 1 african grey, 1 quaker parrot, 2 white eyed conures, 1 fat black lab and 1 fat beagle. (This is in his house- not mentioning the birds, geese, ducks, goat, chickens or horses he houses out back.) Todays story is strictly about his beagle. A 7 yr old pain in the %$# male beagle LUCKY.

My dad is out of town right now. That being said, the internal animal care falls on me. That is fine, I love his animals........ BUT he is a bit strange when it comes to their "outside time" schedule, and eating habits. One of the morning routines is that he gets 5 pieces of all natural turkey meat, warms it in the microwave for these dogs for 5 seconds and feeds it evenly to them. (this goes back to his lab- she has serious internal issue of her own and the vet has put her on a weird human food diet. My dad firmly believes that you can not be special to one and ignore the other so Lucky gets all the perks of Babys illness too!)

Anyway- after our trip to the zoo on Sunday, Tristan and I decided that we would go over to my fathers house to go swimming in the pool. Realizing that I dont believe the same way my father does in how to feed his dogs, I take out the turkey meat that I had ignored giving them, to give them their snack. I AM NOT WARMING IT UP FOR THEM THOUGH! THEY ARE DOGS!!!!! I hand it over to the lab and she gobbles the pieces up I give her. I offer the same amount to Lucky and he turns his nose up to it. ALRIGHT THEN, BABY CAN HAVE HIS SHARE!

Today is Wednesday. It has been a few days since I have given them their turkey treat. I figure if its not gone in the least my father will notice and get upset that I didn't properly take care of his animals. ARGH!!!! I get the turkey out, and this morning, I do admit, I warmed it up for them. I give Baby hers, and she gobbles it up. The I proceed to offer some to Lucky- and he gobbles it up. Are you kidding me? I really have to warm this up for him? Who does he think he is? Who does he think I am? And what is my purpose in this world to him? To simply be his meat butler?

The fat as anything beagle pictured up top is not picky about anything....he will eat ANYTHING!!! But obviously not! Lesson learned (as I have always said) I understand when people allow their animals to adopt their childrens spot in their hearts, really I do. But when your animals train you -instead of the other way around, it is a bit ridiculous. I think I will be having me some turkey sandwiches for a few days for lunch!

-m

Um what should I call this one?

"A bottle of red........ A bottle of white...... whatever kind of mood you're in tonite............... I'll meet you any time you want............ At our Italian Restaraunt"

Friday night, I had the opportunity to dine with a good friend of mine at a place I had never been to named "skewers". It is mediteranean food (greek) and oh soooo delish. We dined on yummy pita bread, and white rice, and I ordered a garlic chicken dish (you can never go wrong with anything douced in garlic) and she ordered Kafka (or rather hamburger) hers was not so delish. We enjoyed good food, great water, exceptional atmosphere, and delighted in the company we kept. It was a night of all nights. The conversation was one of intellect, as I try to always make it such with this particular friend becasue she IS an intellect- but she loves me anyway! There was a father daughter team sitting at the table behind us, and as they got up to leave she proceeded to ask "are we being too loud?" and the father quickly replied...."I was gonna ask you the same thing......"

Monday night, I had the opportunity to dine with another good friend of mine at yet another place I had never been to before named "island fish grill". It is a quaint little locals restarant that is home to a number of fresh fish dishes and probably Melbournes best ceasar salad. (No, seriously- that is how it is listed on their menu.) I dined on a steak and she on fish. To be honest though the conversation was so good and comical at times, that we could have been eating tar off the boardwalk and I don't think either one of us would have noticed. We discussed everything from past friends, to God, cars, drugs and death. It too was a night I will never forget. There was a party of 5 sitting next to us- a woman , her sister, her brother , and her two nieces....she asked "Are we being too loud?" we replied "We were gonna ask the same thing!"

There is something to be said about the dinner company you keep. In this day and age, it is far too easy to be and not really be alive. There is such a difference, and I am finding that more and more people are enjoying thier situations, making the most of them, and that are just happy to be alive. I know I am!!!

until next time

XO XO

-M

Another day in history..........

As everyone in America knows (well, ok, probbably in the world too) we, the American people sent up another shuttle yesterday evening. Normally I dont care about these, but for some reason I felt impelled to grab my whole family, go outside, wait patiently to see the smoke soaring through the sky and take pictures as it happened.

As I waited, I felt the urge to fight back tears. As much as I don't usually care about the lauches, I did last night. It was beautiful to me. We not only are sending up the american astronauts,we also are sending up an asian astronaut who will be dropped off to live in space for at least 6 months.............

When I heard a few months back that they will be shutting down the space program here soon, I was a little disturbed. Every time we send a shuttle up (and as we have been for decades) it is a piece of history............ how can we be ok with shutting it down? Yes I understand the expense that goes along side of it..............

Its a beautiful thing to be able to watch so close to home. I consider myself lucky to live close enough to be able to see it from my backyard..........................and to be able to feel it when they enter the atmosphere................

I don't know. Color me silly, but I believe few amazing things happen that we can be a part of............... Although not directly involved, I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of it.

-m

(wo) Man vs. the crocodile

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon in sunny Florida. The sun is shining and it is 85 degrees outside. I decide to be a good mom and take my one and only child to the zoo for a day together for fun animal adventure. Tristan is all decked out is safari gear- his beige shorts, zoo camp tee shirt and his zoo camp safari hat tied all together with his binoculars around his neck. He picked out army green pants and white shirt for me and a Brevard Zoo hat to wear myself. We are ready to go on an adventure.
Knowing that it is hot outside, we also bring along his zoo camp water bottle full of icey water goodness!!!!!! Ready- Set- GO!!!!! Our day at the zoo begins with the newly remodled childrens center. Exploring the cave and making our way to the top to lower eggs into a birds nest and raise other eggs back up to the one where we were standing....... THAT was fun. It was the making it to that point that was, well, lets say a bit difficult for someone my height (and I am not a tall girl.) walking through the cave it is BLACK, PITCH BLACK. I can't see an inch in front of me but I am walking and BONK!!! I hit my head on the cave ceiling...... OMG that HURT!!!!!! Ok, I find my way out of the cave but I am up on top of it....AW crap TELL me there is another

way down....... nope. I have to go back through that cave......BONK AGAIN I hit my head....... OW!!!! Ok we are outside of this cave and I am not happy right now.... hy head is throbbing, I feel stupid as all get out.... why didn't I dunk you ask? Well because it is high enough for an average adult to walk through except at that one unsuspecting spot that I continuously bumped my head.

Tristan goes back in and yells to me "come on mom! " I simply look at him and say "Um, I will be right here- you go have fun....." But after a bit, long enough that he should have been up to the top and out again I venture back in to look for him. BONK AGAIN! same friggin spot on my head, same friggin spot on the cave ceiling........at this point I yell "tristan I told you I didnt want to come in here. I told you I am not short enough to do this LETS GO!!!!" ............ ok so here is the first NO that tristan ignored for the day...............what you may ask, does this have to do with a crocodile...well here goes......

We decide it is time to leave the zoo and to get out, you walk through the alligator/ crocodile display....... Tristan decided he wanted to cool the little fellow off by pouring his drinking water on to the back of the guy sunning himself directly under the protective wire..... and this guy was HUUUUUGE. I even had said "OMG Tristan look at the size of this guy- he's huge" SO, as my darling son is "cooling the big fella down, he drops his bottle into the display (after I had asked his to NOT do it about 5 times......and of course, all the parents around us are taunting me to get this for my child. Not to leave it there...... I wouldnt want to be a bad mom and have him leave without it now would I? Um, of course not- NO! So i reach my arm through the hole of the fence and grab the bottle.........Um, why did it fit IN but I seem to be having trouble getting it OUT? ARGH>>>>>>>>>>>Hence the SECOND no he ignored from me.

I have to do a finger to finger hole to hole move on this bottle which by the way finally succeeded in getting it up to the top for another by standing mother to reach over and grab it. Argh- all this with out even as much as a thank you from the boy who almost got me killed!!!! heeheeeeeeeeee

Woo hooo its Saturday!!!!! No work!!! (well not for most- today there is for me) I am missing my sons soccer game to be here BUT THAT'S OK!!!!! I am still in a good mood. The sun can not decide if it wants to be out to shine or if it wants to hide behind the clouds so it can share the light with rain (which we so desperately need).

Today- I woke up, worked out, made breakfast for the clan and came in to work. I am playing servant to everyone who walks through those doors so I hope most of them share the good mood I am in today! I have had great cyber company thus far today and am looking forward to....... well nothing really. As long as I am alive, I am happy. Point being- happy Saturday yall!! Go make it great!!!

XO XO

-M