Cape Cod Dreamer

Spooky Skull Handmade Earrings

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Spooky Skull Handmade Earrings
I just listed these for sale up on yardsellr. :-)

Sally's Quilting Corner: Harvest of Quilts Quilt Show

2011-10-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

If you like quilting and quilts, and you'll be on Cape Cod for the weekend of Oct 22-23, then check out the Harvest of Quilts Show at the Cultural Center on Old Main Street in South Yarmouth...

Sally's Quilting Corner: Harvest of Quilts Quilt Show: Come one come all to a Harvest of Quilts Quilt Show!!! Cape Cod Quilters Guild is holding their 3rd Annual Quilt Show Saturday, Octobe...

HandmadeBits4U: Christmas in July

2011-07-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

HandmadeBits4U: Christmas in July: "I'm dreaming of cooler temperatures during this hot, ugly, never-ending heat wave we are experiencing here in Minnesota. Yesterday we broke..."

I LOVE her handmade bowl holders... like a cozy for a hot bowl of soup! And, everything is 10% off!!!

"Everything in my HandmadeBits4u ETSY shop is on sale - to receive a 10% discount you must use this coupon code when you check out : CHRISTMASINJULY2011 "

Rebooting and Juicing Up!

2011-07-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the documentary, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead", yet? My hubby and I watched it the other day... actually, I did... he fell asleep half way through...

We watched it on Netflix... here's the trailer...

Though not the most entertaining flick, it is very interesting and quite inspiring... so much so, that I''ve decided to try the juicing "Reboot" for two weeks... maybe longer. My plan is to use the reboot to cleans and jump-start my way to healthier eating through adding more fruits and veggies to my diet, and eliminating processed foods to once-in-a-blue-moon.

This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision for me... it's something I've been working my way up to for a long time... especially since having colon cancer surgery almost a year ago. I was lucky, the surgery "cured" me of that bout with cancer, but it also made me realize, I'm not as healthy as I thought I was, and that diet plays a major roll in overall health. (not that I didn't always know it, but now I really have to do something about it)

Yesterday I purchased a juicer and about $65 worth of veggies and fruits, which I'm figuring should take me through the next 4 or 5 days (I shopped at a local "up-scale" grocer, and would have spent less buying "on sale" at the regular supermarket). I got the $149.99 Cuisinart CJE-1000 at Macy's using a couple of gift cards I had gotten for Xmas, and with a coupon the sales lady had, I got it for around $37... Merry Christmas to me! They also had a store brand juicer for $39.99 with a $10 rebate, so it's not too expensive to try juicing. :)

So, here's my first juice of the day... pretty dang tasty!

7 Veggie Yum

2 tomatoes

1 green pepper

1/2 a large cucumber

large carrot (or 2 reg carrots)

2 stalks celery

big handful of spinach

3-4 leaves of kale

1/2 a lemon

about 8 fresh basil leaves

Wash everything under running water, cut to fit (if necessary) and juice.

I added a pinch of sea salt and some fresh ground pepper to my juice, 'cause I likes it like that! ;)

I ended up with about 30 ounces of juice and had a big glass for breakfast, and another around mid-morning when my tummy started rumbling.

Make sure you keep your leftovers refrigerated, and drink within a day.

If you have any of your own "juicing" recipes, please share them in your comments!

Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure: Working on the Chain Gang

2011-06-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

Have a look at my UWIB friend Janet's new earring inspirations... they're gorgeous!

Aqua Splash Earrings by Honey From The Bee

They're so cool and refreshing... just like a walk along the shore of a Cape Cod beach. :) These were the first pair pictured from Janet's recent caffeine fueled creating sessions, and my favorite of the group, but the others are just as beautiful... have a look at her blog post to see them all!

Follow the link to her blog post...

Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry inspired by Nature and Adventure: Working on the Chain Gang: "I tasked myself with creating some new earrings for my shop this week using my supply of vintage and interesting chain. Aqua Splash ..."

UWIB BlogHop - A Cape Cod Wedding

2011-05-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

Back on June 30th, 2007, I became a happy, blushing bride... okay, at my age I was well past the "blushing" stage... let's just say I was happy and "flushed". ;) It was a gorgeous day, and my now husband and I had a lovely outdoor ceremony and reception, with friends and family here on Cape Cod. It was a magical day. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Cape Cod is a romantic place to hold a wedding, and whether you can tie the knot here, or are looking for a little Cape Cod flavor for your nuptials, I thought I would share a few local items that will make your special day even more special. :)

Sailboat Wedding Invitation by Dulce Press on Etsy

I love these nautical themed invitations. :) Jen, from Dulce Press, has a small shop/studio on Cape Cod, where she makes her beautiful handcrafted, custom paper products. She has an Etsy shop (click ^ pic) with a modest selection, or visit her website for more variety and styles to choose from... www.dulcepress.com

Hold Everything by hheaslip on Etsy

These adorable clay place/note/card/photo holders are handmade by Holly Heaslip, a native Cape Codder and award winning artist, who's inspiration comes from the sea shore. Holly has had an extensive art education and over 30 years experience in working with clay. Visit her Etsy shop (click ^ pic) to see more... she is also happy to take custom orders. :)

Cape Cod Scallop Shell Necklace by MidWestMermaid on Etsy

What a precious necklace - fit for bride or bridesmaid! Gigi Golato, who proclaims to be a "beach loving displaced Cape Cod girl", handcrafts these pendants from fine silver using a mold she made from a tiny scallop shell she found on a Cape Cod beach. Click the pic to see her listing, and browse her shop for many more beautiful pieces of her original, handmade jewelry. :)

"The Wedding Cod" by Cape Card on Etsy

Last, but not least, is this whimsical customizable print by Cape Cod graphic artist - Andrew Newman. My husband and I discovered his art hanging on the walls of a local breakfast spot, and knew we would some day have one of his pieces. For our first anniversary, my husband presented me with a customized, "The Wedding Cod". It is just the most awesome commemoration of our vows... I LOVE it! <3 Check out Andrew's Etsy shop, and his website: http://www.capecard.net for prints, posters, notecods, postcods and stickers for ANY occasion!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This post is a part of the Unique Women in Business' monthly blog hop... for more wonderful wedding themed goodness, check out our other members contributions...

Rita Wetzel http://RitasCreativeNest.com

Judy Woodley http://WellspringCreations.blogspot.com

Ann Rinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com

Cory Trusty http://aquarianbath.blogspot.com

Nancy Pace http://NancysWildWireJewelry.blogspot.com

Trudy Miller http://MommaGoddessTreasures.blogspot.com

Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com

Miriam http://goldcrestbags.blogspot.com/

UWIB Blog http://uniquewomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/

UWIB ETSY Team Page http://www.etsy.com/teams/6263/unique-women-in-business-uwib

Whimsical Herbal Art with "good4you"

2011-05-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

I found this shop on Etsy, "good4you" that hails from Cape Cod. I don't know who's behind it, or where exactly on the Cape they are, but I like their style. :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/good4you

"my work is an herbal creation oasis. a seven year project. i make herbal art. what i create comes as the inspiration does, and goes with your choosing."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61320882/pure-bliss-chai-tea-bags

"the teas are my roots, salves are the stems and everything else i create are the leaves. the remedies give color, I draw to feel how it heals... "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67344190/cocoa-vanilla-bean

"new projects may lead me in other ways eventually... so i say, if you see something that clicks with you, don't wait to bring it home"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67832673/apricot-honey-scrub

Visit this colorful shop of

herbs love art and eco friendliness

at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/good4you

♥ ::@
www.facebook.com/good4youtea
www.good4youtea.tumblr.com
www.good4youtea.blogspot.com
www.good4youherbaltea.com

Cape Cod Profile: The Sleeping Dog

2011-05-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for custom photo jewelry, whether you live on Cape Cod, or points beyond, you'll find an awesome assortment offered by The Sleeping Dog!

The Sleeping Dog is a one woman shop run by artist and teacher, Jenn. Having a love of all things found, reclaimed, re-treasured, and re-loved serves as a catalyst for much of her creations.

All pieces are handmade with love and one of a kind - but should you see something that's been sold and want more - contact Jenn and she will do her best to create a new piece just for you.

Jenn lives with her best friend (who also happens to be her husband) their cherished daughter, and their crazy (but wonderful) dog Lilly.

When Jenn isn't teaching she can often be found staring up at the trees and moonlighting making art and jewelry into the very wee hours of the night in her Cape Cod studio...where the memory of her much beloved dog Kaia (for whom her shop is named) lives on.

A thousand thank you's...and enjoy!

*************A Portion of Select Proceeds
*will be Donated to Canine Cancer Research*

Please visit Jenn's shop at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thesleepingdog

This is a periodic Cape Cod Dreamer feature of local Cape Cod artisans... support your local artists... and buy handmade! :)

Etsy's Team Cape Cod Spring Treasuries

2011-03-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Have a look at these handmade goodies by local Cape Cod sellers on Etsy.com.
Shop our local artists and crafters for Easter, Mother's Day, etc... gifts for all occasions!

Treasury by Where on Earth Tees

Treasury by Market 1

Treasury by Cape Cod Soy Candle

Enjoy the day!
Linda :)

Reply to a fellow Blogger

2010-10-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

I came across this article about Cape Cod... a place that is obviously near and dear to my heart, and thought the majority of what P. J. Thomas says is very true, I took exception to his portrayal of the Town of Hyannis, especially the Main Street area.

You may read his article here.

The following is my reply:

Your article is “spot on” as far as the wonderfulness of this place called Cape Cod… until you come to the part about Hyannis. It was there, that I wondered if this article was written back in the 1990′s. Main Street in Hyannis is far from bleak, as portrayed.

A daytime stroll down Main Street, of all the various shops and the village green is made all the more delightful by a stop in to the Common Grounds for an all natural smoothie or a vegan repast – you’ll think you’ve stumbled into Middle Earth, with all the carved wood, nooks and crannies… not to forget the “characters” who inhabit the place, with their long beards and interesting clothing. On Main Street you can get a tattoo, satisfy a sweet tooth, shop for an evening gown and pick up some beads and things to make jewelry, or purchase some locally handcrafted fine jewelry, if you prefer.

A quick walk will take you down to the waterfront, where you can watch the fishermen unload their catch, have a snack and a drink across the street on a balcony overlooking the harbor, and then back across the street to catch a ferry to the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.

The night life alone on Main Street in Hyannis, is worth a visit. From the fine dining of Alberto’s, to a pasty pie at the BBC, or, tapas and karaoke at Embargo’s… just a few of your possible stops… you won’t find a more pleasant place to spend an evening.

Hyannis is booming, in-spite of the downturn in economy, and is a great destination here on Cape Cod, for SO many reasons.

So... what do you think? Am I right, or is P.J.?
Feel free to comment below. :)

Yes, it's hot... so, why am I thinking about crochet?

2010-07-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

I know it's hot... it's been hot for weeks... it's gonna be hot for weeks to come. So, I can't help but dream of Fall, and cool weather, and yarn, and sweaters, and cozy crocheted things. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28971301/crocheted-shrug-lacy-black-sexy

Valerie is Etsy's "crochetgal", and she made the beautiful shrug above. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51873571/a-little-bit-loopy-multicoloured-hairpin

I just love this "loopy" little scarf... it's light enough to add a colorful accent, even in this heat!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/16984757/crocheted-lace-butterfly-shawl-silver

This gorgeous shawl is a wearable piece of art!

Have a look around her shop... she also carries crochet patterns, an awesome collection of yarns, as well as, home make wooden soap dishes!

Etsy shop - crochetgal.etsy.comRight now, until the end if the month, crochetgal is having a Christmas in July Sale...All shawls and yarn are 20% off!(as a paypal refund)
Stay cool, and stay dry, my friends. :)

Potato Chips and Good Taste

2010-05-28T04:57:00.000-07:00

I start my day with a hot cup of coffee, AFTER I feed the cats (they're pokin' their paws under my door, before I even get out of bed) and wake up the kids on my way downstairs to my office/crafting room. So, I sit down at my desk, with my now luke-warm coffee, and flip on the monitor to see if I sold anything overnight, check out the front page of Etsy to see what's up, surf around the site... and I come upon this hand knit market bag that's really cute, AND on sale for only $8... can you say "handcrafted steal"!?!

Then, I take a second look... hey, that's a "Cape Cod Potato Chips" bag! I LOVE Cape Cod Potato Chips!
So, I look to the side of the listing, and see it's Peanut and Tommy, based in Connecticut. They OBviously have good taste, I mean, CCPC are the BEST dang potato chips in the WORLD, and they're made right here on Cape Cod... just sayin'.
So, I look around the store, and I found a couple of things that would be very nice to have here on CC.

How about this Hand Knit Tote Bag in fabulous nautical colors... and, it's on sale, too! Only $10 !!!

And, for when the sun goes down, and it gets a little chilly, wouldn't this be nice to wrap around your neck? It's hand crocheted in organic cotton yarn, and a bargain at only $25!

Check out the rest of what Peanut and Tommy has to offer, and while you're at it, check out Peanut and Tommy Too , for some unique vintage finds. :)

Sun is out, but cleanup continues

2010-04-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

Sun is out, but cleanup continues

Watch this at My Fox Boston

My hubby Jeff is in this video that ran on FOX25 yesterday... he's one of the Red Cross volunteers from the Cape who have gone out to assist folk who have been affected by the recent flooding throughout the state. He couldn't help but practically break down when speaking about the devastation the floods have caused to people and their property... he heard a lot of sad stories yesterday as he was handing out clean-up kits, water and snacks.

Touched by Angels? More like touched by greed!

2010-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

If you live on Cape Cod, you've probably seen the tables set up in your local supermarket, or gotten the phone calls or mailings looking for donations, and you've probably given money to the charity group that calls themselves, "Touched by Angels". You may have even attended one of their "charity events".

I had given them money in the past, and as of a couple of weeks ago, when I got one of their mailings, I assumed they were still in business helping unfortunate families who had experienced incredible loss or hardship. I happened to catch this video on local ch17 yesterday while channel surfing, and to say I'm horrified is an understatement.

Please take the time to watch this, and share it with everyone you know.

Touched by Angels from Stephen Ledwell on Vimeo.

I hope the Attorney General's Office and our local District Attorney are going to do something about Gina and Chris Clark. They are obviously still in business, their website is still up accepting purchases and donations. Wouldn't all those sponsors like to know if their donations are really helping the people they were meant to, after this video has come out?

Look, Touched by Angels is having a 50% off sale on gift certificates... must be in a hurry to get as much money as they can, before someone pulls the plug!
http://store.touchedbyangelsonline.com/

Look at all the good people who are sponsors... wouldn't one of our local lawyers like to take on a class action suite to make Gina and Chris Clark pay for anything they might have stolen from these good people on the premiss of a charity?
http://www.touchedbyangelsonline.com/TBA_Sponsors.htm

Wouldn't one of our local lawyers like to take on a class action suite to right the wrongs committed against the grieving families in the video?

I hope so, and I hope the Clarks pay a heavy price for anything criminal they may have done!

Touched by Angels on Vimeo:http://www.vimeo.com/10337401

Siobhan's Gorey Tattoo

2010-03-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you noticed, or not, but Siobhan has a wicked cool tattoo of an Edward Gorey illustration on her upper right arm. Our local CapeCast gives some nice info on the origins of her tat, as well as, shows us some local fan excitement for our favorite Idol contestant - Siobhan. :)

GLBT Expo '10 with the PBG

2010-03-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I are in the Big Apple this weekend for the GLBT Expo '10 at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center.

The weather is awesome, as you can see...

Jeff went to last years expo, but this is my first time, and I'm glad I came along. :)

We're helping to work the Provincetown Business Guild booth.

Robert Sanborn- PBG Tourism Director and Jeff Stranger- Sales with Plymouth & Brockton Buslines, and my hubby. :)

Robert, Betsy from Bayside Betsy's and Nick - Executive Director of the PBG

I helped stuff the bags, and Jeff worked the floor, handing them out.

Of course, before I got down to work, I scoped out where the beer booth was...

and took some pics of other booths...

took in a little seminar with Pink Banana Media on Web 2.0 and Social Networking given by Matt Skallerud...

Then after my shift, I took some pics of the crowds...

I even got to schmooze with one of my favorite celebrities!

It was a long day, but a very fun day, and we'll be going back for a few more hours tomorrow. :)

Jeff is uploading more pics we took, up on the PBG fan page on Facebook.

Siobhan!

2010-03-19T16:21:00.000-07:00

I think it's pretty awesome to have our local girl, Siobhan Magnus, take American Idol by storm!

I expect we'll see her talent take her to the top, and my fingers are crossed that she be, the NEXT American Idol!

Pretty little totes...

2010-03-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

While browsing through Etsy- something I often do- I found the cutest little tote bags. :)

Hey look... the Cape & Islands never looked so good!

And, did I mention, this bag is customizable with your choice of state and color?

I'm lovin' this bag... thank goodness the little birdies are arriving back north...

must mean it's Spring!

I must be crazy, but I'm already thinking about summer with this Anchors Away purse!

All these great bags came from Etsy seller La Lune Designs

based out of Leavenworth, Kansas.

These awesome totes, bags and purses would look great right here on the Cape!

Have you been to SmuTopia?

2010-03-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

Take a trip to SmuTopia, home of handmade jewelry and accessories inspired by nature!

SmuTopia is based out of Raleigh, NC,

but her creations will wear just as well here on the Cape.

SmuTopia, like my own Etsy shop, is a member of the Etsy Twitter Team.

Have a look at her shop, her handcrafted, original jewelry is beautiful!

SmuTopia's links:
Etsy: http://smutopia.etsy.com
Blog: http://smutopia.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SmuTopiaJewelry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smutopia
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smutopia

Looks like I'm being featured...

2010-02-16T05:59:00.000-08:00

Looks like this blog - the blog I haven't made a posting to in over 7 months - is being featured on the site makingjewelrysupplies.com, on their "blog awards" page... lol

How's that for creative marketing?!?

I suppose now, I'm supposed to let all my friends and followers (all 2 of them) know about it, and add this link: "Jewelry Making Beads" , which will take you to a site that will show you some beads and supplies, but will take you to a generic search on ebay for "jewelry making".

Maybe they're getting "paid per click" for sending folk to ebay?
Well, okay, I hope you make lots of money from my two followers, who may, or may not see this post and waste the time to click thru your links... and THANKS for the award for my blog. ;)

Secret life of gulls: Unpleasant carnage | CapeCodOnline.com

2009-07-11T14:19:00.001-07:00

Secret life of gulls: Unpleasant carnage | CapeCodOnline.com

Posted using ShareThis

What's a little flu between friends?

2009-05-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

TODAY ONLY! My First EVER Jewelry Sale!

2009-04-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I've had a sale in my 1000 Markets store, and I don't know when there'll ever be another one, so check it out NOW!

http://capecodjewel.com

I've recently added new items, and marked others down, so you'll save even more today.
Pay with PayPal to get your 50% refund of your purchase. :)

I'll also refund 50% of any "jewelry items only" from my Etsy Store.

http://capecodjewel.etsy.com

Again, use PayPal to get your 50% refunded.

Sale ends TODAY, April 30th 2009 at Midnight EST

Linda :)
capecodjewel.etsy.com
capecodjewel.com
lotsofsamples.com

My puzzle earrings are in a treasury :)

2009-04-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

...link to treasury
My puzzle earrings are in a treasury of items in beautiful shades of green and blue!...link to earrings

My blog's word cloud!

2009-04-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

My blog's word cloud!

99 Things I have done

2009-04-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

Here's another of those meme's going around. Got a few minutes to waste? Cut and Paste, and do it too! :)

Things you’ve already done: bold

Things you want to do: italicize

Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band -school band counts, right?
4. Visited Hawaii -I'd rather visit Alaska
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo -kids won't let me sing ;)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - watched a lightning storm roll across the Missisippi delta... awesome sight!
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child -My hubby and I are foster parents :)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -lived in NYC for 8 1/2 years, and never did this!
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked I lived on Nantucket in the 70's... a lot of people hitch hiked :)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon - no way!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise -one of these days :)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors -that would be cool
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied -quite a few times :)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke -maybe
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching -saw some whales while deep sea fishing :)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check -I didn't mean to
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar -meh
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square many times, but NOT on New Years(I'm not crazy)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car -bought a previous rental car... almost new :)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury... not yet, have jury duty next month
91. Met someone famous -Howard Stern
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee -stepped on a dead bee, stung like heck!

Rainy day? Read a book :)

2009-03-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Book Wormz

Reading has always been a favorite pass time here on Cape Cod, especially on a rainy day like today.

I just read another fellow blogger's post about "DARE", Drop Everything And Read Day which is on April 12th.

It's a great reminder to read, to your kids, with your kids and all for yourself!
I used to be an avid reader, before my eyesight became not so great.

Top 100 books in the BBC's search for the nation's best-loved novel of all time.

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie

I'm a little surprised I've read almost half of them! Of course, that also means that I've many more good books to go. I'd better invest in a good pair of reading glasses, and get busy! :)

Thanks, Aimee, for posting about this first.
By the way, if anyone likes really good hand-dipped chocolates, check out Aimee's web site: Shake Your Bon Bons.
Her chocolates are AWESOME!

Barack Obama Infomercial - Watch it here

2008-10-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

If you didn't get a chance to watch the Barack Obama Infomercial last night, please take the time out of your busy schedule to watch it here.

Barnstable High on the WB?!?

2008-10-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

The students at Barnstable High School are known for showcasing the best high school productions in the country. Follow the cast and crew as they put on their best show yet: The Wizard of Oz.

Watch as Warner Bros. airs it's web only episodes, or "Webisodes" of
"High Drama: Against All Oz".

Picture courtesy of The Cape Cod Times and Cape Cod Online.

Party Favors

2008-10-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

My friend Nicole just started a new blog that features sites offering party favor ideas... take a look!
Party Boutique

Let's party!!!

The Name Game...

2008-09-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Sandy Shoes... this was fun! :)
http://notedandblogged.blogspot.com/2008/08/purple-pinot-does-have-kind-of.html

The Name Game

1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car)
Kitty Sable

2. Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe)
Vanilla Loafer

3. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born)
Louise Providence

4. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name)
StrLi

5. Superhero name (favorite color, favorite drink)
Green Crystal Lite

6. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers)
Harry Stephan

7. Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Green Tea Truffle

8.TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Manning Marboro

9.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Iris

10.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now)
Cantalope Tanktop

11.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Raisin Bran Maple

12.Movie star name (first pet, first street where you lived)
Kitty Welcome

Join our Cape Cod Dreamer Network

2008-09-16T07:02:00.001-07:00

I started working on this site quite a while ago, now it's ready! Come and join the fun. :)

View my page on Cape Cod Dreamers

Affirmation Girl

2008-09-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

I hope this YouTube video shows up... It's great! Affirmation Girl, you rock!

snatched from:
http://thebloggess.com/?p=634

Don't put your used clothing in the big Pink Boxes!

2008-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

As reported by By George Brennan, of Cape Cod Online, your donations may not be going to the needy people you THINK they are. :(

capecodonline.com

It seems your donations are going to a group that is selling them for profit... shame!

Summertime for kids...

2008-08-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

This is the way summer used to be for kids. :)

Thanks for the gentle reminder, Berkeley. :)

Farting Around :)

2008-05-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, I admit it, I was just typing in random words to see where they would take me.
That's when I came upon this hilarious guide.
You can read more if you like, HERE.

Enjoy. ;)

Survival Guide for Taking a Dump at Work.

Memorize these definitions and pooping at work will become a pure pleasure.

ESCAPEE: A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of panic/embarrassment. This is similar to the hot flash you receive when passing an unseen police car & speeding. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter at the urinal, pretend that you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee, it is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

JAILBREAK (Used in conjunction with escapee): When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun's pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen do not panic, remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom so to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.

COURTESY FLUSH: The act of flushing the toilet the instant the nose cone of the poop log hits the water and the poop is whisked away to an undisclosed location. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.

WALK OF SHAME: Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk-up the shitter. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with all farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of a COURTESY FLUSH.

OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER: A colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an Out of the Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under their arm. Always look around the office for the Out OF THE CLOSET POOPER before entering the bathroom.

THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (PFN): This is a group of coworkers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPERS and identify SAFE HAVENS.

SAFE HAVEN: A seldom used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.

TURD BURGLAR: A pooper who does not realize that you're in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that occur when taking a dump at work. If this occurs, remain in the stall until the TURD BURGLAR leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact. TURD BURGLARS have been know to cause premature pinchage, which inevitably causes you to pinch one off in the middle.

CAMO-COUGH: A phony cough which alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON or to alert potential TURD BURGLARS. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.

ASTAIRE: This is a subtle toe-tap that is used to alert all potential TURD BURGLARS that you are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an ASTAIRE, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.

WATERMELON: A turd that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a WATERMELON coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.

HAVANA OMELET: A load of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an escapee. Try using a CAMO-COUGH with an ASTAIRE.

UNCLE TED: A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An UNCLE TED makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to drop your load when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees.

FLY BY: The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in, check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.

Touched by gangs

2008-04-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

An Internet friend of mine, here on the Cape, is asking for prayers for her two nephews, who were jumped by some gang members in Fairhaven(not a very appropriate name in this instance) this past Friday night. My friends son was supposed to go with them to see a HipHop concert, but circumstances prevented him... and thankfully, so. The nephews were stabbed numerous times... one died that night, and the other is in critical condition.

I just don't get the pull of gangs, especially here on the Cape. I know there are some wangsters here (wanna-be gangsters), my younger foster son is one. He plasters his MySpace with pictures of himself, adorned with bandannas of a particular color, striking a pose, with fingers contorted to show his particular "affiliation". It is with great relief, that he has not found anyone else here to bang with, and our family, and his have been able to keep him occupied with wholesome activities, like Boy Scouts, fishing and the Civil Air Patrol. Since he's been with us, his "gang talk" has considerably diminished, and I am grateful.

Tasers have come to the Cape

2008-04-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

It was only a matter of time before tasers made their way into the hands of our local police. What do you think?

Two-alarm house fire in Truro

2008-03-28T04:29:00.001-07:00

My husband, Jeff, took this pic... he was there, volunteering with the Red Cross.

TRURO - A two-alarm fire has gutted a house in Truro Thursday afternoon. The fire broke out at 32 Town Hall Road sometime around 3:20 p.m. Reports say an elderly woman lived at house and was not injured. The house is believed to be a total loss. Firefighters from across the outer Cape responded to bring in water by tanker to help quell the flames while others covered empty stations. No word yet on a cause. The American Red Cross also provided rehab to firefighters on scene. Photo courtesy of Jeff Stranger.

Article by Tim Caldwell

Animals are people, too.

2008-03-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Reuters/Reinhard Krause

Caged dogs photographed on a motorway on the outskirts of Beijing.

I just finished posting a comment to an article I read on Salon...

It made me catch my breath...in surprise, horror and shame.

To me, the worse part about the consumption of animals is, I feel horrible knowing how animals in this country are raised and slaughtered, and yet, I still eat meat and prepare it for my family. Meat is the centerpiece of my families diet. We eat a lot less of it than we used to, mostly for health reasons, but what will it take for me to, once and for all, remove it from the table?

The de-evolution of Chinese food in America

2008-03-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

As a child, I always loved going with my mother on a trip to Centerdale. It was around a two and a half mile walk, and whether we were going to the A&P for groceries, or a trip to the 5&10, I knew one of our stops would be the China Jade Restaurant for their delicious luncheon special. :)

For under $5.00, we would stuff ourselves on Cantonese Chicken Chow Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork and, my favorite - Chow Har Kew, which would come to the table in a large oval silver pedestled bowl, full of crunch- cooked, piping hot bok choy, pea pods, water chestnuts, onions and ripply sliced carrots in a clear sauce, topped with six huge golden fried, batter dipped, butterflied shrimp that were way more batter than shrimp. The food was oh-so good, and the dishes had a taste like nothing my mother herself had ever cooked. It would be years before we would discover that the mysterious flavor came from an over abundance of MSG, a big no-no for most people today, and an ingredient that I suspect was in more American kitchens as "Accent", than in authentic Chinese homes.

Even then, I knew that what we were eating was NOT what real Chinese people ate.
This all came back to me after reading an interesting article and interview by Nina Lalli, with Jennifer 8. Lee, the author of "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles."
You can find it at Salon,
http://www.salon.com/mwt/food/eat_drink/2008/03/11/fortune_cookie_chronicles/index.html
It's a nice article, and it sounds like an interesting book. :)
Now, I'm going to go and eat my instant Chicken and Abalone flavored oriental soup... of which I'm pretty sure no chickens or abalone were harmed in the making of...

I saw this on the news, so it's real... I'm in!

2008-03-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

I signed up... instead of donating to the state lottery, I'll spend my $3 a week on this site, and get money back when I shop online, too. Take a look, and see what you think. :)

Someone will win a $1 Million Jackpot this Sunday!

Do you want to win $1 Million?

I just joined this club that is giving away $1 million this week and it offers "the best odds ever of winning $1 million." We also get incredible deals every day, huge cash-back rewards and lots of other cool stuff.

What the experts have to say about our incredible odds...
Richard McGowan, Ph.D., a noted professor of statistics at Boston College and a nationally recognized expert in gaming says, "These are extremely good odds in comparison to those given in other sweepstakes games and much better than any state lottery. In fact, to my knowledge, these are the best odds ever to win a $1 million jackpot."

There is a free One Week Trial , and if you join now using this invitation link, we both double our chances of winning the weekly $1 Million Jackpot.

http://snurl.com/21cha

The Parade between two storms...

2008-03-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

It rained all night, and it's supposed to rain again this afternoon thru midnight... and it's drizzly and grey this morning, but it looks like the St. Patty's Day Parade in Yarmouth is still a go! Jeff left a few minutes ago to the Red Cross Chapter House to get the URV ready to serve up hot chocolate and coffee to the parade participants, which I'm sure will be very welcome in this raw weather. Hopefully, the heavy rain and winds will hold off until the parade is over. Maybe a splash of Irish whiskey in that coffee would be nice. :)

Take care of you, & help your cause even more!!!

2007-11-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

This was passed on to me, by my friend Emily, who got it from her friend Aquaman... I thought it was too good to keep to myself, as it applies to anyone who feels passionate about caring for animals, or any living thing, for that matter.

1. Examine your motivation to help animals. Be willing to work on eliminating thoughts and beliefs which contribute to compassion fatigue and add those which prevent and heal it.

2. Remember to love yourself as much as you love the animals! Whatever your unique motivation to help animals, be sure it's balanced with loving yourself. If you don't take care of you, there will be little of quality left to give to the animals.

3. Honor yourself as one of the heroes who does some of the hardest and most important work done for animals in the world. Recognize and remember that in the complex, big picture of animal welfare issues you are part of the solution. You deserve and need to feel proud about what you are contributing.

4. Identify and work on healing your own painful life issues. Many of us are attracted to helping animals not only because we genuinely love them but because we also have been neglected, abandoned, or abused and it can be very fulfilling to help others who have been hurt like us. This is a commendable thing--but not if we avoid facing and healing our own pain. Sometimes we can even become addicted to helping in an unconscious quest to really heal ourselves. Don't be afraid to seek professional counseling, participate in a support group or other modes of healing. Sometimes we all need help processing overwhelming feelings or understanding and healing the hurts from our past, or need support to live with the horrors we sometimes see in this work. Seeking the help of a counselor when your heart is in pain is just as important as seeking the help of a doctor when your body is hurt.

5. Learn to protect yourself from others' emotional pain. We each have the capacity to feel and express deep compassion and empathy for animals and each other without taking on others' pain. We are less able to help when we take ownership of others' problems and pain because to do so takes so much energy. Let others have their own pain; use your energy to support and help them.

6. Accept your limitations - you can't save them all. No one person alone will change the overpopulation problem, find appropriate homes for every animal, or rescue every wild animal in distress. Yet together we can make a huge difference and change the world for the better, one animal at a time. When you feel overwhelmed or unable to do more, ask for help. Ask other people to help and, if it's in your belief system, pray.

7. Maintain a healthy and strong support system. Seek out people who share your values and nurture your growth. Cherish and enjoy your relationship with your own companion animals. Feel good about the love and home you provide for them.

8. Schedule time to simply relax and play! Cultivate interests, activities, and hobbies beyond your work. Shelter work is emotionally, physically, and spiritually taxing. Your deserve rejuvenation time - regularly!

9. Learn that strong emotions can be tolerated and need not be avoided. The work you do with and for animals is probably the most emotionally complex and exhausting work of any of the helping professions. Strong feelings of anger and rage, deep sorrow and anguish, and guilt are likely to be regular, returning experiences. Because of their strength and recurring nature, it's very, very important to learn ways to not merely temporarily cope and escape their intensity (though that's certainly healthy and necessary), but to learn to process these feelings and to release them. It's possible to live with these intense emotions without feeling overwhelmed or scared, or without stuffing and denying them. Feeling overwhelmed leads quickly to burnout, and denied feelings always come back later to haunt us. Find safe, comfortable, and appropriate ways to express your emotions:

~ Talk about your feelings with someone who will listen and not judge you.

~ Write your feelings_in a journal, in unsent letters, in poetry, articles, or in carefully thought out letters to the person or group with whom you're angry.

~ Draw your feelings_with paper and pen, with paints, with colored markers, etc.

~ When you're really angry express your anger through a safe "temporary stopgap" until it's released so you have the energy and calmness to explore it further.

When feeling overwhelmed by sadness or grief, know this is a normal response to the work you do, and know you will not always feel it. Temporarily contain your overwhelming feelings in your "safe place" where you can take them out to process when you have the energy and the support you need to do so.
It's natural for any of us experiencing overwhelming emotions to seek relief. Some of us may stretch out in front of the TV, go shopping, sleep, work out or take a walk. Sometimes, too, it's easy for people with on-going, unchanging pressure to turn to alcohol or drugs for needed relief. Be very, very careful about your consumption of addictive substances, including prescription drugs. If you believe you are currently addicted to any substance, reach out for help now. You deserve a whole, full life in return for your work for the animals, not one riddled with the pain of addiction.

10. Learn and practice effective interpersonal skills to help you communicate with people at every level of your organization, the public, and with other agency personnel. Though it's true that most people are in this field because they love animals, we still all have varying personalities which can be cause for conflict, and our values and philosophies about how numerous animal issues should be handled will never be identical. Sharing love for the animals does not in and of itself make people working for them get along or work productively together. If we ex pect others to hear and care about our ideas and concerns, we all have a responsibility to build skills in empathic listening, influencing, negotiating, supervising, handling conflicts and customer service.

11. Treat yourself to laughter! The heaviness of your work deserves to be balanced with humor and lightness. Watch those funny movies, laugh at your companion animals' antics, enjoy jokes with your colleagues. Enjoy your sense of humor...

12. Embrace your spirituality. Take time out from the stress of this work to connect with your spirit everyday. Clarify what it is that makes you feel in touch with your true spirit and do these things regularly. Whether it's prayer, meditation, being with your own companion animal, viewing wildlife, hugging your significant other, smelling roses, walking at the o cean, spiritual reading_you need and deserve to feel centered and whole. Find comfort, strength, and meaning in your own spiritual beliefs and practices.

Psychological approaches to stress management tend to be the ones that help us cope. Though coping is a necessary competency for daily living, to truly heal stress, to truly comes to terms with the deep pain of compassion fatigue, we need to be at peace in our own souls. We need to embrace our own spirituality and spiritual views, whatever they may be.

Good news from my doctor :)

2007-11-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

I got some really good news today from my Doctor, and I just have to share it with everyone. :)

It all started around 6 months ago. When I had my physical, my Dr told me my blood pressure had gotten too high (180 somethin’ over 90 somethin’), and he wanted to put me on meds. I know those meds have some nasty side effects, so I talked him into letting me see if I could bring it down by taking some weight off, eating better and taking some natural products. He said he’d give me one month, and if it hadn’t gone down, I’d have to take the meds. :(

When I went back a month later, I had lost 10 lbs and my blood pressure was down to 140 over 80 somethin’. He said he figured all I had to do was loose some weight, and that’s what did it. I told him it might have also been the supplements I was taking... I don’t think he really thought they had anything to do with it.

Since then, I’ve continued to take my supplements- Pro-Argi9 Plus, Mistica and Core Greens, but my diet has gone to pot, and I’ve actually put back on the 10 lbs I lost, plus a few more.

So, when I went to a different Doctor this morning to have some more extensive testing done, I was afraid my blood pressure would be high because of my weight gain, and he’d see that my arteries would be chock full of bad plaque.

Surprise!!! My blood pressure has dropped even lower, and my cardio-plumbing is as clean as a 30 year old’s!!! I’m 52, by the way, over weight, stressed, eat better than I used to, but still like butter, ice cream and chocolates... oh heck, I love food, and the total extent of my exercise is a 20 minute walk every other day or so. The Doctor said if I could try to eat a more alkaline diet, walk every day and keep taking my supplements - especially the Pro-Argi9, I could restore my cardiovascular system to as healthy as a 20 year old’s. How cool is that!

Okay, that’s all I have to say... yippie! :) :) :)

Halloween Treats and the Digestive System

2007-10-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

I went to BJ’s today for Halloween candy, and ended up spending a total of over $200! It’s not unusual for me. While I was there, I picked up 10 lbs of wings and a rack of ribs for the Pat’s game on Sunday, Scoops and salsa, salad stuff, razors and deodorant, a pot roast, chicken tenders, cereal and bananas, a bunch of other stuff... oh yeah, and candy.

My husband kept saying, "Get the cheap candy, Tootsie Rolls and the like." So I did. I got a 5 lb bag of assorted Tootsies, 5 lbs of assorted hard candies, a bucket of Twizzlers and a box of granola bars. It wasn’t cheap. I also already have a stash of assorted mini candy bars... the good stuff... that I’ll keep hidden in case we run out of the other stuff... if we don’t, it’s mine!

After lunch, hubby broke into the Tootsies, and I went for the granola bars, the sweet & salty peanut kind. I don’t think I’ve had any since last Halloween, and I LOVE them. I wolfed the first one down, then took my time to savor the second one... mmmmmm. After that, I cleaned up after lunch, did a little internet surfing, answered a few emails... <yawn> and got a little sleepy. It was time for a nap. Zzzzzzz.

Two hours later, I wake up feeling like I have a gullet full of marbles... It was those peanuts, they were still there! I’ve heard of older people having trouble digesting nuts, but that can’t be the reason. Maybe I should have taken my time and chewed those peanut bars up a little better. Do you think the pharmaceutical companies will come up with a drug to fight peanut reflux?

Post2Blog

2007-10-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

I just set up Post2Blog... let’s see if it works. :)

First day, and memories...

2007-10-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I just got back from taking Cam to his first day in the Middle School. As soon as I started the car, the CD player started up... it was playing Archie's Dipset disk. I realized it had been a couple of weeks since I drove that car, 'cause the last time was the day before Archie left to go live with his mother in Cooperstown.

We listened to it for most of the trip. Conversation was sparse, as the music played. I asked Cam if he knew who they were, he said it sounded familiar... I guessed it wasn't quite his type of music. If Archie had been there, he would have skipped thru a lot of it. I let the songs play in their order, and it was the first time I heard some of them all the way thru... I liked it.

After awhile, Cam had had enough, and he pulled out his mp3 player and headphones. I didn't want to be selfish, so I told him he could plug it into the radio (we were almost at the school, anyway, and I could reminisce about Archie another time). I didn't ask, but whoever he was listening to was more melodic, and less hardcore. I would have expected tougher music from a kid who poses as a Crip.