ViCarrie!

Everything came up Roses!

2012-01-05T22:32:00.010-05:00

It was the 123rd Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California, (Fine...120th for the picture to the left, with my FAVORITE elephant!) And if you are reading this and took a sharp breath in and said "I WANNA SEE THAT SOMEDAY!!!"...then go ahead and book your tickets for 2013, cuz it's beyond plenty awesome!!! I'll give you the number for Al Brooks-the company of choice to work for and go with for the Rose Parade/Game...and I'll even wait for you to book it and come back. 1-800-341-2766. Tell them I sent you, you won't get a discount, but if you promise to bring a dozen honey crisp apples to Jay Brooks....perhaps you'll get a seat cushion upon arrival!?

Okay. Are ya booked?

Good. Read on.

I'm SMITTEN with the flowers, and it of course helps that it's in SUNNY CALIFORNIA where the average temperature on parade day is? DRUM ROLL PLEASE?! 68 degrees. Insane. And fabulous! Granted layers are clutch, and some years are cooler than others, but this year...it was about 82 degrees by 1pm after our fabulous Mexican lunch on Olvera Street!

So hit the 5 "W"s? Who? What? When? Why? Where? Oh...and HOW!

Who?

I didn't think this through very well. Who what? Who puts it on? The Tournament of Roses! Who has a float in the parade? Whomever can pay for one! Who marches in the parade? Whatever bands qualify, and whatever bands that can raise the money to get to Cali! Who benefits? CALI! They say that the Parade and game generate like $400 million dollars for southern California. Who gets to watch? YOU! On TV! Or hopefully, some year, NEXT, in person! People camp out for good free seats. I vote for paying, sleeping in your own bed the night before, and being dropped off pretty near to your sweet seats!

What?

The parade...full of flowers. 40+ floats...made entirely, and I mean ENTIRELY, of some sort of a living plant. The more actual ROSES, the better, but seeds, petals, bark, leaves, fibers, stems, vegetables, nuts, and almost any other part of a plant are also used! Only 7 types of glue are allowed to be used! Every single visible part of the float, must be covered. Next time, take notice of the hitches! Generally those are covered in onion seeds. Amazing.

When?

January 1! UNLESS January 1 is on a Sunday, then it's January 2. "Never on a Sunday" is a rule steeped in tradition, and thankfully still adhered to today!

Where?
Pasadena, California. 5.5 miles of Rose Parade goodness. Where is best to sit? Me? I've never not sat directly on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado, but I've been spoiled and living a dream. You? Somewhere in a bleacher! And if you can be somewhere where the sun is behind you? That'd be swell, plus your pictures will turn out better! Honestly though....book a tour with Al Brooks-less hassle, better seats, worth every penny, and plus I hear they have great guides...

Why?

WHY NOT! Well, the real answer is this...which I will steal from the official site of the Rose Parade...

"This uniquely American event began as a promotional effort by Pasadena's distinguished Valley Hunt Club. In the winter of 1890, the club members brainstormed ways to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." They invited their former East Coast neighbors to a mid-winter holiday, where they could watch games such as chariot races, jousting, foot races, polo and tug-of-war under the warm California sun. The abundance of fresh flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade would precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms. The Tournament of Roses was born.

"In New York, people are buried in snow," announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."

(I INTERRUPT THIS QUOTE TO SAY TRUE TRUE TRUE! I SHOVELED OUT OF 36INCHES OF SNOW HERE ON THE EAST COAST IN 2010 SIMPLY TO MAKE IT TO THE 2011 ROSE PARADE!)

"During the next few years, the festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. The games on the town lot (which was re-named Tournament Park in 1900) included ostrich races, bronco busting demonstrations and a race between a camel and an elephant (the elephant won). Reviewing stands were built along the Parade route, and Eastern newspapers began to take notice of the event. In 1895, the Tournament of Roses Association was formed to take charge of the festival, which had grown too large for the Valley Hunt Club to handle."

It's pretty much? JUST AWESOME!

HOW?

Well, it's a science for sure. They estimate that over 18 million flowers are used each year! Growers must time their growing cycle exactly so that the flowers are ready to be picked and shipped just a few days before the parade! Volunteers from all over help out! YOU! Yes, YOU could be a volunteer! "Petal Pushers" as they say! There are many different requirements as to height, as there is a bridge to pass under, and the float must be able to fit under the bridge in less than 25 seconds so as to NOT slow the parade! Planning starts in January, once the THEME is announced, then ideas must be submitted so there are no overlaps, and then by March the sponsor shopping begins! In May those builders must have a scale model to present to the sponsors! June sees them working on the main framework, and by September, the main construction is complete, and any small items are fabricated and installed on the float. Deliveries of non-perishable items such as seeds and beans start in October. Flowers start arriving in late-December and are stored in separate tents until they are needed. Approximately 30,000 workers, many of them young people from schools and church groups, report to the various builder's construction sites to begin the round-the-clock job of decorating the floats. Most flowers are prepared by popping the heads off the stems before being glued in place. Delicate flowers are placed in narrow plastic vials filled with water before being pushed in place. Each float requires an average of 10,000 lbs of flowers and takes 7,000 person-hours or more to decorate! (The photo here is of the 2012 float promoting organ donation, and featured those that had lost a loved one, and the one saved by their loss. )

The first time I ever saw it, I was given SWEET tickets, and I went to all the floats before the parade, they are located in various parts of the county. There are many out by where the Rose Bowl actually takes place in the Rosemont Pavilion. There are some in other buildings around the city. The La Canada-Flintridge float gets built underneath an overpass-and every year is hysterical and VERY cute! Then the morning of? I walked the row of floats, yes, at like 5am. (PS? They get disqualified if they aren't in line by 3am) THEN? You watch the parade, and after? You go to the Post-Floats! Where they are all lined up and ready for onlookers like us! And just when you are all flowered out? You fall into bed, since you've not slept all week, and wake up to the option of having "In and Out Burger" for dinner, as you are in California after all!

Go to the Parade. Go to the game if you want, but really, get float stalking, and get to the parade. You'll thank me. And I'll just go ahead and say it now. You. Are. Welcome!

And yes...yes HGTV DID make it snow on their float! Seriously. MAGICAL!

"Must be nice..."

2011-12-28T17:25:00.003-05:00

I'm pretty certain that there is NEVER a time or place for "Must be Nice"....I'm racking my brain here. Maybe...when you think of ridiculous money....like Paris Hilton or some other silly trust fund baby, that just shops and does nothing substantial with her life....whilst you are working your tail off? Maybe then. And EVEN then? You should be aware, that that poor little soul is most likely not going to heaven...simply for how she lives and I've yet to hear her claim that Jesus has her heart. SO...it MAY be nice to have oodles of money...but it's gonna be niceR when we're in HEAVEN eternally.

Now listen...all of this said. Honestly...when was the last time you said the phrase "must be nice...". Can you truly truly say that it wasn't laced with bitterness? Or jealousy? I mean did you really say it out of true LOVE!? Answer? No. It's always said with a jab of the knife to the side. We don't get to be jealous...and we're called to love. I know that we are human.....but boy oh boy do we need to rise above, and edify. Encourage. As hard as that may be....it's back to the green grass situation. I travel for a living. I have the best job in the world. I LOVE what I do. My Christmas card is RIDICULOUS! (And includes a picture of Keifer Sutherland and I on it.) AND...and and and...I love Jesus. I am secure in my position in heaven, He has forgiven my sins...and has sent His son to die for me. I, have it all, in a sense. BUT...I don't. I'm not married...I don't have babies....I don't have a house....I'm nobody's last call, there are LOTS of things that make your grass greener than mine...lots of things that make me want to say..."must be nice"...but in the end...they edify nobody, and really...it IS nice to be me!

I get that we say it in jest...but I challenge you to love what you have jealousy of....and encourage that which you are jealous of, and more importantly to somehow, in love, impart on that person that says "must be nice", that in fact...it is nice, or at least it WAS nice, until they ruined it. We shouldn't feel guilty for having things others don't....we should share, we should feel blessed, and we should be sure that WE are not being jealous of things that OTHERS have that we don't. We are all ALL blessed in different ways. I preach "love anyway"....I mean it. I preach the part where GREEN GRASS...still has to be mowed! So now, I challenge you to take the phrase..."must be nice", and change it into real excitement, and happiness and say "AWESOME! I am SO JEALOUS of that right now!" And more so-I challenge you to mean it!!!!!

No more "must be nice". I won't be offended if I hear it, but I will challenge you to lace it in love! Love more, speak less, judge not.

Happy New Year friends! I'll be in LA "working" and going to the Rose Parade...and yes...it WILL be nice!

:-)

PS...inspired by a dear friend that I love completely. This blog is based on the conversation that we had, and she said "must be nice" to me as I left. We laughed at it, and it may have been...the only appropriate time, for the phrase to be used! Ha...there, found ONE! So my dear friend...please know....I like your green grass...though it isn't green at all when it comes to some things. And I am more than blessed to have you in my life, and will forever be praying for you and yours. I also promise to never say, nor think, "must be nice" in your general direction! Love you dearly! And may loving those that think that it really "must be nice"...just come easy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

2011-12-22T21:17:00.004-05:00

Ah yes....tis the season. The season of giving, spending too much, being crabby in traffic, eye-rolling at shoppers, and WRAPPING...oh wrapping. I like to wrap. One present. Now put those two sentences together....I like to wrap one present. HA! Seriously. Lots of rad ribbon, awesome bows, and perhaps a spring of pine. However, then I'm tapped. Of course, we're not that family that buys one present for each other, I literally just wrapped like 20 presents for my mother....(1. by "I"...I mean Schmols. Thank you. And 2. Perhaps I didn't HAVE to wrap them all individually. Oh...and 3. Thanks also to the fact that my mom doesn't read my blog.) Anyway, wrapping isn't my thing, I mean maybe it would be if I did nothing for a living, because I think that's when I'll start cooking too. Dear working mothers...how DO YOU DO IT! Anyway, since Christmas Cards are starting to go out, I thought I'd take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas....the time of year when we should be impacted by the BIRTH of Jesus. He came so that we might have life....more abundantly. From a cliche' standpoint....He is the reason for the season....cliche'? Yes. True....YES! May you know Him, may you have His peace this holiday season. As an added bonus to the blog....know that I like the "idea" of santa...but we never believed in him. He didn't bring us presents....my parents and loved ones spent good money on presents for us...they got the credit! Not some man in a suit. We still left him cookies....but our parents were sure to have us believe that Jesus was the true reason...and he is. So, the bonus, includes a picture of me, and Santa....when I was about 3....not a big fan...of the big man! lol MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!!

We count....you don't.

2011-11-26T14:13:00.004-05:00

When I title this "We count....you don't.", I mean it, but CHILL first. I am not saying you aren't important. I'm saying that when we are counting people....like 1, 2, 3, and so on? YOU DO NOT! You don't say 14, 37, 9, it's ANNOYING, aggravating, there's one (sometimes two) of you on every tour, and honestly? IT WASTES TIME!!!!!! Now, there is the occasional old man who can't help himself, he's just trying to get your attention, well intended perhaps, annoying still? YEP!

We GET that it's the "thing" to do. I find that even I want to do it sometimes, but the difference? I DON'T!!! Seriously, we have limited time, chances are you were late on the bus anyway, having been given 2 hours for lunch, yet having to go to the bathroom upon meet time. REALLY? (Side blog...when you get free time? It's yours, but be smart and listen to your OWN BLADDER! GO, in the time given. We don't set "meet time", and then the "after meet time" for "bathroom time", we quit doing that once you were over the age of 7.)

So I try to count fast and so we can go, making up for the lateness, and when you jack my counts? It takes longer. Duh. ALSO? It JACKS MY COUNTS! And that's when we leave people, or wait LONGER for people that aren't coming!

So, bottom line, when you hear counting, resist the 12 year old boy in you and do NOT throw out meaningless numbers. Don't do it. We'll instantly like you better.

ATH-LHR-EWR-BED

2011-11-01T15:19:00.005-04:00

Well, my trip home is ALWAYS an adventure!

When I was standing at the base of the Acropolis....there was a wind....a movie moment of silence, and that was the exact moment when the cold hit me. I was standing there listening to Daniel and his guide....zoning....and it hit me....from there, my nose ran continuously until I could start to really mix meds. THANKFULLY...I keep all sorts of drugs, just short of the "good stuff" in my "Mary Poppins" bag. We rock out Greek Night, well, my dancing left a little to be desired, but we had a good time, and I loved my group-every last one of them.

Anyway, so then of course we get to the hotel, I finish up the address list after a dose or two of Nyquil...and woozy is my middle name...I'm not sure how I took a shower, or if in fact I did use hand lotion as shampoo. 3am rolled around too quick, I got up, gave myself a pep talk, had 3 cups of coffee, and made my way downstairs to drop off the Florida crew. Check in actually worked out well, our driver, Babbis, didn't speak a lick of English, but he also didn't smile either, so I obviously had a task ahead of me. Not smiling is not an option. I head back to the hotel, jam with Daniel, pack a little, have more coffee, set 3 more alarms, and fall into bed for another 1.5 hours. Up, again, more coffee, some more drugs, downstairs, to drop off the remaining bits of my fabulous group. Airport, all is well, of course it's so sad to say goodbye, but I like knowing that all the rest of my peeps are together at least for the big leg of their trip home-warms my heart. And they are all smiling. I hop back on the coach, and head back to the hotel.

BREAKFAST! Fresh OJ-yum...and? MORE COFFEE!? In a normal world? I'd be WIRED-pinging-and highly entertaining...though in the sick, on drugs, not enough sleep world...I'm barely functioning. So I head back up....must...pack...for...real....now. (Sidenote...I can't remember if I've blogged about it yet or not, but the word EXPLOSION is very common in the tour guide world. We get to a hotel room, and it's literally like a bomb goes off...it's how we appear to be put together, but it's also why we don't let people see behind closed doors...we can't explain how THAT got THERE either!) Anyway, packing, and of course going down to say farewell to sweet Daniel. Au Revoir. I'm standing there at the front desk, and Babbis comes in, and so I pretend to fall asleep at the counter, a simple snore out loud, and the man giggles. He. Giggled. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!! HA!! Daniel comes running over, and says...HOW DID YOU DO THAT!? "I've been trying to make him laugh since 2am!" He says! lol He had the same mind set, only he tried walking like a zombie, the "snore" was apparently the way to Babbis' heart. We then proceeded to "have a conversation" about how I was headed home to see Momma, and we were bff's from then on. I think he hugged me somewhere in there. Cracked him. :-) It's the little things people.

Daniel goes on his way, I'm the sole survivor at the hotel, I have 45 minutes till nice looking Greek man takes me to the airport. I pack. My bag weighs like 65lbs at least. Hmmm....I'll deal with that later. I get to the airport....cute Greek never lets me tip him-he's another blog....he's sweet, adorable, and told me to calm down once because I was fretting about something needlessly-total strangers know that I need to chill. lol. At the airport...reunited with Daniel, and I "babysit" his bag, translation, HIDE it from silly Alitalia and their silly little "policies". See prior blog-I've nothing nice to say about Alitalia. He meets up with me at my counter when I'm deep in funny distracting conversation about the weight of my bag, I mean I was comparing his ticket machine to old movie reels....it was a good time, I had to take out about 4lbs, but in the end, I checked a 59lb bag with a smile, and a genuine smile. And he specifically said, "normally it's only 50lbs, but for you, since you are so nice...." :-) Ahhh.

Daniel then treated me to lunch at McDonalds....oooh! YUM! And he was walking away to catch his flight home, turned to say "I'll miss you"....and? Guess what? THAT is when the cold hit him!!! UGH!!! Poor guy.

My flight, I am saving my very last Nyquil for the London leg, but I've got some Sudafed for this leg. I sleep the whole time, well, as much as I can, as I am an aisle seater-another blog-but my middle seater had her elbows full on out, like IN my side. She's lucky I was sick, but getting tossed between her and the carts going by, it's a good thing I was also heavily drugged. London-played fair. Shocking I know. I even had time for a stop at the "Giraffe" in Terminal 5. Over priced place to sit, which has now become a joke with my brother and I, as he'd never noticed it, and for a while and he was flying to Deathrow monthly? Well, he didn't notice it because he was in the "lounge". Turn your noses up people. I, am not lounge worthy, so I go to the Giraffe. So when I send him the picture of where I am, he asks me if I'm slumming it. Yes, yes I am. I'm also having some sort of smoothie, pretending it's $8 is worth it because it's got some magic healing property to it. It doesn't/didn't, but don't tell me that.

I head to my flight, board, sit down, next to Greek woman, who, before I sit? Asks me if I'll help her with her customs form. Really? I put my stuff up, sit down, and she asks again, in great English. I say yes? But I don't trust this because I only really know mine, not visa's/visitors/aliens/etc. And she says "Do you know how to read?"? I should have said no. I say yes, she says good, because I can't. I don't know what this means. Like you can't read English? Or you can't read. At all. Okay, well, I say yes anyway, as she picks up an English newspaper and proceeds to read...hmmm...suspect. In the mean time, lanky feminine boy with bad boots gets on in a fret and late, and I help him find room for his bag, move mine for his, and he plops down, turns to me, and gives me the "most considerate neighbor award!" AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! YAYA!!!!!!!!! I'm a WINNER!! lol It made me laugh, and smile (later he gives me a cookie-true story)

I pop my precious Nyquil, break out my neck pillow, insert ear plugs, and eye mask, I'm gone. I wake for dinner, eat a little, and she's already asked the flight attendant for help on her customs form....I go back to bed....to be woken by the flight attendant over me...helping her. AT LEAST an hour she spent on the form that takes 3 minutes. She filled out every form, and then when I did pull up my eye mask, she saw, and made me look at her forms. LOL! And the best part is she didn't know what "livestock" was. So I say "animals". She looks more confused. I say, "This question asks if you have been around animals"....NO! I HAVE NOT NOT NOT been around animals!!! As though I was accusing her. Oh boy. And so for the next 15 minutes, we go over it, I repeat the question, she gets defensive about the answer, and I say I'm just repeating the question, she calms down till the next translation. I can imagine she makes her daughter roll her eyes often! Anyway, back to the eye mask. We land, in SLUSH! WHAT THE HECK!? And we SAT on the run way for a solid 2 hours, waiting for our gate, since the plane that was there was de-icing. Seriously, get me a staircase, and get me to my mother....the drug medley I'd fashioned is fading, and I've just taken my last Sudafed. Finally, the fasten seat belt sign goes off, Greek mama BOLTS OVER ME, to get her bags and stand there, awkwardly, so that I can't do anything, but wait. I get off the plane, surely I'm in slow motion, the drug fog, tired fog, sleepy fog. Greek mama is lost in passport control land, I'm okay with not being near her for that-I can only imagine. I make it through, pay $5 for a cart, if for no other reason, than to keep me upright. I wait one hour for my luggage, I mean, there is slush on the ground after all. HELLO, it's NEW JERSEY! It snows all the time! Whatever. I grab my luggage-heave it onto the overpriced cart and roll out. Roll out to Momma Bear. It's snowing out. That's right...SNOWING! And I have to drive home. I'm not sure that was safe or legal, but it was the right decision, my poor mother, waiting for me for WAY too long.

We get home, I fell asleep on the porch. Ha-no, I made it into my bed somehow, and forced myself to keep sleeping. Skipped church. Got up, had some cereal-told my mom I was disappointed in the breakfast that this establishment had, and where was the coffee.

She didn't slap me.

She should have.

Then, after having been up for 2 hours, I needed a nap. I had to be at work by 7pm. I work at Bath & Body Works part time when I'm home, and like a goofball, I said I'd do the Christmas Floor Set. Well, I had new drugs that I'd tapped, so I'm feeling okay, but I'd still rather be sleeping, and this floor set is a hot mess. At 3:50am I was done, and drove home, and fell into bed. Now, I didn't fall into bed and then SLEEP!? I LAID THERE! Till 7:30am. Then slept for an HOUR!!!! Then, LAID THERE! And was USELESS! Until 3pm when I got up, finally showered, put mascara on, donned my Halloween colors and decided I'd be awake to the world and rocked out the "rainstick" craft at the "Harvest Party". And now, here I am, I got up at 7:30 this morning...and I've sort of been productive, I've put off paperwork all day, I did some shopping, I got coffee, and I took a conference call. I've also not taken a nap-I'm proud of that. And? I wrote this giant run on paragraph, in response to the email sent my way by some of my fabulous pax. Intended as a response, turned into a blog. HA! But? I LOVE THE QUOTE! I'm sharing it here. Isn't that the truth!? Especially coming from our "Footsteps of Paul" tour through Greece, and a drop of Turkey.

"Trying to follow in the footsteps of the masters, but it's a lot harder than it looks because even though they had the same size feet as us, they weren't looking down the whole time while they walked to make sure they were doing it right."

My amendment to that of course is...."OR FALLING"! They had it good, things weren't RUINED when they lived there, just when we visit...how is that!?

I miss you friends. Thank you again, for a great great trip. And --------------->

is my "Halloween" outfit. Own orange? Wear it. DONE! And of course....Darian...the nerd....DariaNerd. NerDarian.

2011-10-19T08:40:00.006-04:00

MOMENTS!

You know that quote that life is not measured by the breaths that we take but by the moments that take our breath away!? Well, granted, I firmly believe that our life is measure by our relationship with Christ, but I do believe that we are BLESSED with moments. I-for one-am blessed all the time….and these past two nights, were no exception.

I left San Francisco, after a solid 7 hour hang out time in the airport…..boooring, but a little productive, counting out my meager bills (Seriously, all excellents, but a ten spot for 8 days is NOT really okay….), and FINALLY we boarded for Deathrow. I do mean Deathrow. Some of you out there may call it Heathrow, but you clearly have never transferred there if you still refer to it by it’s given name. The airport is new, organized, and HUGE! Oh, along with ridiculous. So I have an hour and five minutes to make my connection! HA! And my flight from San Fran left 30 minutes late. The little desk agent, assured me I’d make it, even came over to me, to assure me that it would be no problem, there were tail winds, I’d not have immigration, OR security! HAHAHAH! The Flight Attendant said the SAME THING! I don’t know why I listen-the gate agent had clearly never been to Deathrow, or never had to connect, and the flight attendant has her own line for everything. Now, if I didn’t make that flight, my next option was just 9 hours later, I’m certain that Deathrow makes these ridiculous schedules on purpose, marketing and humor. So, we land, I crawl over people with my 30lb backpack, and RUN! There is an agent waiting with a sign for “ATHENS”-that’s me I say, she hands me my boarding pass, and tells me to RUN! Mind you, very little signs telling me where to go for Gate A, so praise God she was there! All that running made useless as I have to wait for a tram. Tram stops, running continues, and UP escalators (ALWAYS take the elevator by the way). Then we get to immigration, and I’m THAT person in line, sighing, looking impatient, then I say the excuse me’s, sorry, as I pass people on the next escalators, and I ask 3 different security mongrels if I can cut because my flight closes in 5 minutes, hmmm? No. So then the last one opens up a new line and I’m in the BACK of another, I say HELLO! Can I go over here!? He says…”Lemme see your boarding pass” In my head I was wondering if he had meant to say AGAIN!?? Tool. So, he lets me in, then I ask the whole line if I can cut, that my flight closes in 5 minutes, they look at me like, NO WAY WILL YOU MAKE THAT! And they all let me, with shouts of “You’d better run!” Kind of laughing, as they’ve done the same route. So I finally get out of security…..and RUN….again! Running into the gate agent that handed me my boarding pass and I was a little relieved to see her….except that SHE was running! HAHAHAH! So…we round the corner…? And there is a line of people waiting to board…..PHEW!!!! We both sigh and laugh….Ahhhhh….made it! God is good-all the time.

I slept the whole way, and awoke upon the double landing-again. Maybe it’s Greece!? Maybe there is a speed bump? And I grab my luggage, a treat, and a taxi! To the Intercontinental I say-knowing I’m spending way too much money on a taxi vs. the metro, but I’ve been up for too long, San Fran to a marathon on Deathrow to Athens. I’m ready for my 2 nights by myself! I’d booked the hotel on priceline, I got a decent deal, but the hotel isn’t altogether THAT expensive anyway. I arrive, it’s HUGE, and I get to the desk, and he checks me in, and I ask, any acropolis view rooms? He says yes, for a fee….I say how much? He tells me, I deem it WORTH IT! So then, for a bit more, I can upgrade to CLUB. Club? I’m not a club kid, because I’m cheap. BUT….CLUB is free breakfast, snacks in the afternoon, and at night, plus any drink I could imagine (hindsight, I never asked for a Frappe-what’s the matter with me?), oh and free wifi? What? Free food, free wifi, WITH acropolis view? THAT. Friends, is the DEFINITION of AcropoBLISS! So I say YES! NE! (Greek for YES!)

I get to my room, and it’s true, there is some sort of gingham going on, but I don’t care, because there she is, the Acropolis-and she’s all lit up, and I’m smiling. I then hit up the “Club Lounge”, to make snack time, dinner time. The next morning? SLEPT IN! Until it was time for breakfast-so for a brief moment, I left the view of the Acropolis-and arrived at breakfast, which was AWESOME, and sat down to continue my view of the Acropolis….AcropoBLISS!

Of course the bliss goes on and on, and I did take an afternoon “tour” of Cape Sounion-which I fell in love with wanting to see back in 2007 when it was an excursion on MSC. The “tour” was terrible. An hour ride out where she blurbed for a total of 5 minutes, I was all ready to take notes. BOO! We get to the site, she gives us 3 minutes of information, WIKI would have been embarrassed, and let us go. The pictures are stunning of course, despite her. The ride home of course was quiet, but stunning along the sparkling Aegean. Stunning. Arrival back at the hotel, and I tip her and the driver, more than the lady and her husband, from Georgia tipped me for the entire last week. C’est la vie. Back at the hotel, it’s time for “snacks”…aka…AcropoBLISS dinner….ahhhhh….

The rest of the story gets a little muddled with waking up too early and not being able to fall asleep, then of course falling asleep an hour before it’s AcropoBLISS breakfast time, and knowing I’d have to really say goodbye to my view, and head out and pay WAY too much for a car to take me 2 miles to my next hotel, since it was STRIKE day…..BUT….for those two days….AcropoBLISS….look for it in a dictionary near you! OR? Make it in YOURS! Book your ticket, and pay the upgrade! I mean maybe wait till things chill over here, but bucket list for sure. Ah-Maze-ing. Love me some Greece, Love me some AcropoBLISS!

From Seattle to San Francisco...

2011-10-16T02:07:00.007-04:00

As a "Tour Manager"...I freak out on a daily basis. You wouldn't notice per say...but I am. Why? Because I don't know every single thing. Seem silly? It is. But saying "I don't know" to something is this crushing blow to my self-esteem and I see it as over all incompetence for the tour. Harsh? PERHAPS!? Thankfully I have an inflated ego so that I'm able to deal with these common blows, thankfully I know some good jokes that I deflect with, thankfully my God protects me from a lot of them, and thankfully I'm a pretty good judge of people and know when I should duck around the corner or "make a phone call"! I adore my job, don't get me wrong, but every day is different....every tour is different, and from an adult tour perspective, I don't do the same route, every week, the entire year! HA! Sometimes I think that'd be nice, but MORE times I love the every day is NEW of my job! If I did the same thing? I'd know more things, I'd be able to rock out California's History, and the Missions, and say why we didn't see whales, and exactly what kind of tree that was, and how deep the Columbia River is, and what there is to do in Coos Bay...if anything! But...I don't do the same thing....and tomorrow I leave for Athens, not Georgia, to do another "Footsteps of Paul" tour, and may the freaking out begin again!

BUT I LOVE IT! I'm just setting the stage for you to tell you this. Every passenger is different, and that's how you deal with them. Some love you because they love everybody, some love you after you've proven yourself, some love you after you love them, some will NEVER love you, and some, you THINK don't love you, but then they blindside you and tell you they do! THAT is what this blog is about....because it warmed my heart.

I'm on a "Pacific Northwest & California" this tour, I have a group, they are travelers through and through, but from a smaller town. There are 40 of them...and I really like them....I'm really enjoying the tour. We've had some blah weather, like fog on our day to view Mt. St. Helens, and SNOW on our day to see Mt. Hood! There was also rumored to be an earthquake the night we were in Coos Bay! Finally there was sun on the coast, my driver is great, my passengers love her, I'm feeling "okay" about the tour, but I don't think I'm talking enough, granted, enough would be all the time, and nobody wants that. (Realize, if your tour manager is worth their salt, and it's quiet? They are wondering if they should talk! Or maybe that's just me....but that's what's happening in my brain, up front, and y'all are sleeping or looking out the window!) So....it's night 5, we're in Eureka, and my passengers want to do Alcatraz in San Francisco. I'm bitter at Alcatraz for this. It's ALWAYS booked too early, and people ALWAYS want to do it! It puts me in the position to help them, but if something goes wrong, and it's government run-so something ALWAYS goes wrong, well, then it's my fault. So, I'm in the lobby, on my computer, trying to book tickets. Tickets go WAY fast, and I have to book them 2 at a time, with their credit cards,( I've learned looooong ago to not put things like that on my card, though, I question myself every time, as it would be easier to buy 14 tickets at once vs. separately....) And it's quiet, I've got 10 people huddled around me....and my passenger that I was worried about the most, says "I've got something to say, and I'm just gonna say it...". I about die. He, is younger than the majority, very adventurous and he knows his stuff, and I have been feeling like I had to be more than at the top of my game so that he would get something out of this tour. He's smarter than me, and the only advantage I've felt like I've had with him is the fact that I know where the restaurant is in the hotel. I like him, but I'm a little intimidated. And so we are all ears. He says (please read with a southern drawl) "I just want you to know......that you are the most knowledgeable tour guide I have ever had. You know a lot of things about all of these places that we are visiting. Now I know a LOT of things, but you have taught me so many new things, and I think you are very good at what you do." My mouth drops a little, my tears start to well, I stop booking tickets, and I look at him, and I say thank you. Thank you very much, that means a LOT to me. And in my head I add "especially coming from you". He then says "And I mean it. I don't give out compliments, so it means something when I say it.". And I knew that to be true. And it warmed my heart. Everybody murmured in agreement, and I continued to book tickets, but I was filled, my cup runneth over! Awesome. Very great compliment. I'm not sure that the time spent stopping ticket booking was the right thing to do, as I was only able to book 12 of the 14 tickets as Alcatraz ran out....and guess who didn't get to go? HIM! ARGH!!!!! I was so mad. I tried all night, I called all my secret numbers for Alcatraz....I checked Craigslist, eBay, called my SF friends, looked at a bunch of other ticket sites, called the next day, continued to check, made friends with the girl at the Alcatraz office who talked to her manager who could still do NOTHING! In the end....they were more than fine with it, and I over worried, but still, it's what I do. There is no moral to this story, because I'm certain that another passenger still doesn't like me, doesn't think I'm doing enough, and his wife had the audacity to mark "good" not "excellent" for "Created a fun and enjoyable environment". ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? If nothing else that is ALL I know how to rock out! lol. Please, I bought the birthday girl a sash to wear around all day with glitter....she's 80. I'm fun. Like me. But, whatever, it's part of the job, and my heart was warmed by what my other passenger said, and meant. Oh if he only knew...

Once you go Mac...

2011-10-06T19:57:00.003-04:00

I miss Steve Jobs like the rest of us. I heart Apple...and have since my grandpa first let me play with whatever "draw a picture" program they had back in like 1983! And I got my first mac as an adult....and love every drop of it. Thank you Steve Jobs for being more than a CEO! I hope you knew Jesus....and I hope you are in heaven! In honor...I love this picture that I stole from Autumn! AND? This article that I found from a year ago is kind of a riot! And since I laugh in sad tense situations....why change now!

ENJOY!

Thank you Stephanie Weehawk!

Apple to turn NY’s Central Park into giant walled garden

New York, NY — How much does the Big Apple love Apple? Apparently, enough to turn over the reins to Central Park.

Enamored with Apple’s ability to create a happy environment by exerting totalitarian control — dubbed a “walled garden” by some — NY mayor Michael Bloomberg has enlisted the tech giant to turn Central Park into a real-world walled garden.

The new park, dubbed Apple Gardens, will open on January 1, 2011.

Keeping out the riff-raff will be a 6.2-mile, 16-foot glass wall that runs along the park’s perimeter. Visitors will be welcomed through the main gate by gleeful Apple employees — once they’ve paid the $99 annual subscription fee. (Family Pack: $149.)

“New Yorkers are going to fall in love with Apple Gardens,” said a jubilant Mayor Bloomberg, “as long as they follow the rules.”

Imagine: even the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park will become part of Apple Gardens

In Apple style, the rules will be plentiful. There will be a dress code, language code, behavior code and picnicking code. Footpaths and lawns that fail to meet Apple standards will be off-limits to visitors. And, of course, Apple reserves the right to eject any visitors it finds annoying.

“We’ll do everything we can to make sure people have an enjoyable day, whether they like it or not,” said an Apple spokesperson.

Developers are invited to create fee-based attractions and concessions for the park, providing that they can first endure a torturous inquisition. Apple will reward surviving developers by taking a 30% cut of their fees.

Apple Gardens will also feature a 200-foot-long Genius Bar where visitors can receive free advice, maps and basic treatment for corns and blisters, up to one year from their first park visit. An extended three-year GardenCare plan is available covering a range of podiatry issues.

Needless to say, Google will not sit idly by and watch Apple revolutionize our public parks. Negotiations are already underway to turn Golden Gate Park into Google Gate Park. In direct contrast to Apple’s walled-garden approach, Google’s park will extend a warm welcome to all — including muggers, pickpockets, drug dealers and rapists.

BIttaly. (And it's only day one.)

2011-09-08T16:39:00.009-04:00

My day started out on September 7...like any other travel day. Running around, trying to get the last minute things done, barely remembering the brand new strawberries in my car (no longer brand new as I'd already forgotten them for 2 days-whoops), and hoping I'd packed everything. Jump in the car because my Momma Bear is the best. She drops me off at the train station and I'm on my way...wondering what I've forgotten. At the Asbury Park station this, hmmmm, SNAKE? Gets on the train. And I don't mean creepy person, nor do I mean a real boa, I simply mean this wooden snake. Too windy for a walking stick, I have NO idea what it was!

Moving along. I get to the airport, pretty late as there are still some residual flooding issues affecting the tracks. I book it, get to the Alitalia counter, and mean Jasmine informs me that the flight is running 15 to 20 to well actually an hour late. So is it 15 or is it 20 or is it an hour? It's an hour. She pauses. At least. GREAT! But she assures me I'll make my connection in Roma-no problem. I almost asked her if she'd ever been to Roma. I refrained. Too infuriated at having to take out 14kg from my suitcase. I'd read somewhere that morning that 32kg was acceptable, turns out it's 23kg. I didn't flip my numbers, but I did read the wrong thing. Thankfully they made me feel stupid about it, which is always a bonus. (Moral of the blog here is to never fly Alitalia if you want to skip the rest!) I took the 14kg out and made it into a second carry on. For those of you doing the math? That's a 30lb carry on, that's IN ADDITION to my already 22lb back pack. Yay. So, I go down to my gate, surprisingly TSA wasn't too much of an issue, he did swab my bag, but as usual, paid no mind to my liquids-none of which are in their appropriate "baggies". I found a sushi place, I had time to kill, I ducked in. Awesome. Yum. And then? Stephen Walker waltzed right into where I was having my sushi. WHAT?! Friends in the airport?! I tell you, it's a small world all the time. I say, are you going to Roma!?? He says YES! Are you!? I have a friend for sushi, for waiting, and for ROMA! Granted, I go on to Milan-but whatever! Who is Stephen Walker?! Well, he's another guide, and I met him in France when we were both doing a tour COLD (having never done it before) and we were a two bus move, and we had some adventures for sure...one included a late lost night in Avignon. Oh good times! Last time I saw him was for dinner in Paris with another awesome guide Molly, and some friends Christy and Karyn that I was traveling with. So I've never seen this cat in the country, and I certainly hadn't seen him in 2.5 years. It was awesome. So then...we board, we aren't near each other, and the plane is full. Boo, but I'm sure we both got more sleep because of it! Though, the plane had static music pumped loud enough through it, mainly opera, the whole time, and my seat slid back whenever it wanted to. More plugs on why never to fly Alitalia. We arrive in Roma, I'd said my goodbyes to Stephen on my last run to the bathroom as I'd have to sprint if I had any hope of making my flight.

I bolt. Bolting, as it turns out, doesn't work for cattle getting onto a car or into a pasture, and really, that's the best example I can give you for what security looks like in Roma. If you aren't bold or brazen, they'll mow you down. It's a fierce, evil game, and I was late for a flight, that I was making. I was kind, I prayed, I prayed a LOT! God's got this I told myself, vs. doing the heavy sighing that the lady behind me/trying to cut me was doing. Was I prepared to throw down and defend my spot!? Yes. Was I literally breathing down the neck of the kid in front of me!? You bet I was. So, I make it through, and I still have to get through customs. Bonus to Italy is that signs mean close to nothing so regardless of what countries passport I had, I picked the shortest line, and she stamped it, and I ran. (Let's clarify. I was not running. I do not run holding 55lbs of bags. I barely run with less!) So, walk quickly, pray, and mow down the Italian that thinks it's A-OK to stop in the middle of the walk way. Seriously people. I MADE IT! All grace of God. I boarded at 9:07, my flight was to leave at 9:10, too close for comfort, and I did not smell delicious. Didn't care. Made the flight. Did we leave at 9:10? Nope. We left about 45 minutes later. What was the hold up? FRATERNIZING WORKERS OF ALITALIA! Are you feeling me people!? Seriously? We had some non-revs on board, and one by one they'd come on, greet every one of them, try and find room for their luggage, and then try and find a seat. Seriously. Landing in Milano was so nice, we did it twice. The second bump/landing is what woke me up, a la "throwing me out of my seat". Arrival. Milano. To luggage? NOPE! NO WAY! NO LUGGAGE! So I go to the counter for lost luggage...this photo is an accurate description of what happened when it was my turn up. Oh, you don't see anybody either!? She eventually saunters in, as the other 4 people at the other end of the counter were apparently for a "different" sort of lost luggage!? It was on the next flight, that was landing in 15 minutes, but by the time we were done with paperwork, 5 minutes later? The story changed to it was on the ground. I still waited another hour. FINALLY! I leave the airport, head for my hotel, and I NAP! Never nap, you should never nap on day 1...but, well, I napped. Granted, I was woken up when a strange man simply used his card to open my door. NO BIG DEAL!? Um? WHAT!? I get up, I do paperwork, and then I am determined to not let my BIttaly get the Best of me. BIttaly. My new word for Bitter at Italy equals Bittaly. Since I am, or tend to be. Outside is a gorgeous sky, and as I go to take a picture of it, I see that my camera screen is broken. Yes, the brand new one, apparently it's cracked somewhere between American and Italy. You know who I blame. There's nothing I can do about it, and it's not worth my tears. It still takes pictures, I just can't see them, or any of the settings or whatever. Kinda old school, yet still new school prices! UGH! I proceed to dinner, I walk down dark roads that my mother would question were safe or not (except I know well, as this isn't Alitalia's first punch at me, striking on departure day forcing me to find food/shelter/transportation for 40+ people!) and I found this gem of a restaurant, Samarcanda. Sweet from the outside, where I dined in perfect weather, and fun and pubby on the inside where I steered clear of. I had a prosciutto and mushroom pizza of perfection, and an entire liter of ungassed water. Bliss. Also, affordable at under 11 Euros. Pizza...making Italy bearable for centuries. The Italians should look into that slogan... I leave you with this life lesson. Avoid Alitalia at ALL costs. Give your self 6-8 hours of transfer time within this country. Pray-a Lot, since you still have to maintain that whole LOVE thing! CHILL cuz they don't care. And when all that fails? Have a nap and some pizza!

CUPCAKES!

2011-08-23T16:43:00.005-04:00

Since I travel so much, people ask me all the time...."What is your favorite cupcake?"

Wait...nobody has ever asked me that. People ask me things like "What's your favorite city"? And well, that's all. Which, by the way? Is a TERRIBLE question, making me pick? NOT FAIR! So, branch out people, think of new questions to ask when feigning interest!!!!

ANYWAY, IF anybody did ask me what my favorite cupcake was? I'd have to answer Georgetown Cupcakes....Vanilla Birthday Cake, with Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting. I'm no cupcake expert, I've not tried them all, but I've had a fair share.

It's true, I'm not the biggest fan of cream cheese frosting, so I'm very partial to my butter cream, but I've had the illustrious "Sprinkles" cupcake? And the only word I have to say is D-R-Y!! And granted, I only tried 2 kinds, but MOIST wasn't involved!

Georgetown cupcakes, are seriously just MOIST! I don't care if you hate that word, it's what they are! So add fabulous frosting, and all of a sudden waiting in ANY line for them, is alright by me!

As a side note? "Cakes by Melissa" in NYC are AWESOME! Yet, totally in a different category! They are fabulously bite size, which is awesome, I mean seriously, most cupcakes are too huge to enjoy! SO! Cakes by Melissa is a great runner up, but #1 in it's own category of goodness!

BUBBLE NET FEEDING!

2011-08-21T23:25:00.010-04:00

Alaska...was the most amazing thing...and I can't possibly do it justice in a blog...so just go GO VISIT! There were so many fabulous things, I couldn't ever pick a favorite, but being able to witness whales, "bubble net feeding"....you just couldn't imagine such a thing! We took this sightseeing cruise put on by the Kenai Fjords National Park...and we were expecting to see marine wildlife....well....we did. And we saw a whale! Off our boat...and here is that picture. It's pretty cool right? Oooh. A whale! So we saw many like this. Which, is really awesome. We also saw puffins, sea stars, gulls, sea lion, an otter (see prior blog), and loads of other animals. THEN....then came the bubble net feeding whales. A site to behold, and the pictures will never do it justice, but I will post them anyway!!

According to wiki....this sort of feeding is their inventive technique! A group of whales swims in a shrinking circle blowing bubbles below a school of prey. The shrinking ring of bubbles encircles the school and confines it in an ever-smaller cylinder. This ring can begin close to a 100ft in diameter and involve the cooperation of a dozen animals. Some whales blow the bubbles, some dive deeper to drive fish toward the surface, and others herd prey into the net by vocalizing. The whales then suddenly swim upward through the 'net', mouths agape, swallowing thousands of fish in one gulp. Plated grooves in the whale's mouth allow the creature to easily drain all the water that was initially taken in. It's truly awesome...have I said that already! I feel uber blessed to have been able to see such a thing, however, seeing a singular whale off the boat was officially common place! Go to Alaska. You may not see what I saw, but it doesn't matter, it's all pretty spectacular!!!!

See? He's waving at you!

You otter know by now....

2011-08-20T03:24:00.010-04:00

Seriously....I'm very uber smitten with these animals...and I wonder if they like to cuddle. I'm a real person....and I took a real trip to Alaska....and my camera is nothing special...and I'm not really all that great with my not so special camera...so THIS. THESE pictures...happened....in real life. This little guy was just lurking by himself....near the Aialik Glacier...which was AMAZING in and of itself...but worthy of another blog!

Here he is....alone, happy in his freezing cold water, loving his gorgeous surroundings. Does he look far away? Let's get closer then shall we?

Ah...he's so adorable. Here's the "didjaknow" part...Otters can eat up to 25% of their body weight each day-for you and I? That's like eating about 100 hamburgers! To eat, clean, and lounge....is to be...an otter.

So seriously cute! I'm pretty sure he was calling out to me! And to watch them fluff their fur, all part of their keeping warm process. Adorable!

So....as am I at this hour....so was he! I leave you with this yawn...from both him and I!

Seattle....and around!

2011-06-29T02:04:00.004-04:00

A little montage from last September on why Seattle makes me smile....or the Seattle AREA....I should say....as some things, I stepped outside the city limits for. (That's a small lesson for all you people that live in Wisconsin, but tell unsuspecting people that you are from Chicago....no, you are not.) This list is not all inclusive....but I smiled....a lot...and these were the reasons...

A post for April!?

2011-04-30T22:29:00.004-04:00

What do I write! I've got 52 minutes left to post...I'm SO TIRED....AND? I have a shot at being in bed before 11:30....I'm taking it. I was sent a "Flat Stanley" this month....and I was so worried that I'd let this girl down, as I did the last "Flat People", though....we redeemed ourselves....and by "WE"? I mean Momma Bear did! And then....LOST them in some church in Austria!? At least they are to a good home....we hope! So, I color copied him, laminated him, and have taken more than a hundred pictures of him! So....he's had some adventures...and no lie...I might miss him. Did I go overboard on pictures? Did I make him into a story book because she deserves the world? Yes...yes I did! Will I do that again? Doubt it....so moms...dads...don't get any ideas...unless you think I really love you. Which, I probably do, but how about...lower the expectations, as I've set my own bar too high!

Love to all! Extra to Julia for giving me her Flat Stanley!

True Story...

2011-03-31T23:49:00.003-04:00

Turns out...I over use the phrase..."True Story"....also turns out...I don't care....I like it. So...here's a TRUE STORY for you....my mom is the best. She's Momma Bear to me....sometimes "Gayle"...."Gayley" to others, "Whence" to Fitzy, "Jefita" to Schmols....and when all is said and done...she's my mom, she's Curt's mom (and I, am still the favorite!) Today, was/is her birthday, and I'm away working, and my brother and his wife don't live in the same state, AND? My rad cupcake flowers that I ordered for her? Couldn't be delivered for whatever reason! BOO! And I ordered very much on time, so I'm a little mad! All that to say...she wasn't showered with birthday today, nor was she last year, I am SO SORRY ABOUT THAT!!! I hope that we make up for it by sending you to Cali to see "Dancing with the Stars!"

Since it's about my mum, I have to say that she's awesome for loads of reasons, and she spoils me rotten. Like COUNTLESS way too early or way too late rides to the airport...though, crabby as I sometimes am, so early, I always love the time spent. She's crazy patient with me, and she takes too good of care of me....what would I do without her? I don't rightly know. Sure, I'd manage, but it wouldn't be pretty. She's patient, she's kind, she's damn funny....and if you know her, you know she doesn't curse, would hate that I did, but somehow, the "d-word" when done right, evokes a smile. She's a hoot....seriously...if you've read any of my other posts of stories....and she keeps me updated on current events, and they are ALWAYS relevant! Like the other night, when the moon was so bright in DC? I just thought full moon. There were TONS of people with tri-pods out at the WWII memorial...way more than normal....at that point? I got a random text from my mom that said "The moon is the closest to earth than it has been in 18 years". BRILLIANT! Any important deaths, she lets me know. Bronx Cobra found!? TEXT! (Mind you, she didn't let me know it was missing because she knows I NEVER GO THERE! Turns out...that week....we did! LOL)

Anyway, my mom is awesome, and she is amazing, and she is FILLED with love, and she loves Jesus, and I know she prays for me, and I could only hope and pray to be such a woman as she, let alone a mom that she's been! Happy Birthday Mom!! I love you Momma Bear! MORE!

Shuttle Launch....3.2.1

2011-03-05T01:04:00.006-05:00

The launch of the shuttle "Discovery". Can I really blog about it? Can I really put it into words!? Answer. No. HOWEVER!? For you, my 3 readers...I'll try. (Photo....structure just left of what looks like a mountain...Discovery...and all her shuttle glory!) I'm 12 miles away...so gimme a break! :-)

Who? What? Why? Where? When? How? Is the best format I can come up with, lest I get all my wordy self and lose you!

WHO!?

ME! Yes, I went by myself, but what else was I supposed to do!? NOT go because I didn't have a crony to go with? NO! I mean, rarely do I have cronies to do things with, so, yes, I went with just me. That said? I did stay with some ROCKIN' peeps in St. Augustine! The Blacks were more than kind in opening there home, and SWEET Murphy bed to me! PLUS...hang time with Ella and Kate...whom I like very much, and I'm quite picky about my babies! I also was able to be a total tourist in St. Augustine, and while riding the trolley around town, I realized that I am a total tour nerd...and I'm okay with that. I also got to re-connect with a friend I went to high school with, and meet his wife, and his new baby! Now, that, in and of itself was cool, but cooler? My small world connection. His wife, and the Blacks were in the same pre-natal yoga! And then? His mom, teaches at the same day care that Ella goes to! CRAZY RIGHT!? So...I may have been alone for the launch, but that was all! (And by alone...I mean with hundreds of my closest friends....that picture is my walkway to my chair...right up front!)

What?
The shuttle launch. I've always wanted to see one....would secretly like to go up IN one...love the idea of space, it just seems cool. So, I figured "someday" I'd see one...well, the end to the space program was enough of a kick in the pants to GO see one! So, the "Discovery" launched into space...at 4:50pm and 27 seconds...on February 24, 2011

Why?
I wanted to. I could. I'd always wanted to. NASA gave me an ultimatum. I don't have a husband, or babies, so doing what I want, when I want, because I can? Is my green grass.

Where?
The ultimate question. I didn't know where was best, where had parking, where trees were in the way, where it would be too small....yaddey yaddey yada! SO, my friend Karl-Dad Scherm did a little recon (when I was down visiting, and finally meeting baby Petra, keeping my face in Lars and Stina's brain as favorite Aunt Carrie, AND bringing down the "Cars" cake pan for birthday number 3 in April!) And he came up confirming what I'd read about Titusville, FL. So, I watched the launch from "Spaceview Park"...12 miles away, so, my eyebrows weren't singed, and I didn't fall over from the noise, but I was moved to tears...true story. (A GIANT thank you to my friends that gave suggestions, sent pictures, and tidbits of how to make it great, how to avoid traffic, and to remember my SPF 50!! Mr. Westervelt, so great at sending me info and pictures....THANK YOU! )

When?
Well, I left the house in St. Augustine at like 7:30...I arrived in the 9:15 family...and honestly...any later? Who knows! I scored a great parking spot near the exit of the lot, easy out, and managed to squeak in a good sitting spot too. Any earlier...may not have mattered...as the first two rows...came the night before...chained their chairs down, and slept in their cars...so I couldn't have beat them! I had to be strategic about where I put my stuff...knowing that when push came to shove, I had to stake out a safe place where I wouldn't be pushed into oblivion and see nothing! So, I found a sweet spot, and? The lady next to me had an awning on her chair...so I hid from the sun in that! GLORIOUS SUN! I've been in SNOW, and COLD for too long. I THAWED! GLORIOUS! So...when push came to shove, I was all set with my tri-pod. 4:50pm 27 seconds.....lift-off.

How?
I flew into Jacksonville...sweet Apryl and her ROCKIN' mini scooped me up....which, she let me borrow to drive to the launch. HELLO! Launch AND a convertible mini!? BEST EVER!! Spoiled Rotten I am! Then I drove down in the morning, and drove home in the evening, somehow escaping the atrocious traffic that I've heard about. Ah. Maze. Ing!

Overview?
I've said BEST THING EVER...over and over again...but I mean it. You can't prepare for the COOL factor...in my opinion! It was overwhelming. I mean...I'm trying to film it, my camera on my tripod, but I couldn't zoom it out in time...and I'm trying to capture it with my big camera, but I also want to SEE it with my eyeballs, and FEEL it (40 seconds later when the sound hits us)....it was all so so overwhelming...and really..."out of this world", and then? In the end? I'm CRYING!!! I'm not a big cryer...but I couldn't help it. It's totally AWEsome...in the truest sense of the world. And seriously....it was an emotion I couldn't help. And this...I'm sure is to no scale of what it will be like in heaven....but I couldn't help but think about that too. I mean, when I was little, I was worried that I wouldn't fall to my knees, would I remember, would I be distracted, etc....and of course you'll fall to your knees to worship Him, and really, the shuttle was like this minute reminder that when things truly AWE you, you have no control...I'm grateful for that. I wish I could describe to you the glow of that fire, but there are no words for that...and it was launched, up, and GONE! Out of sight...only remaining was this cloud of smoke following it! And that, friends, is life. We are here for just a time, a "vapor" the bible says. I mean I was overwhelmed with 2 cameras, and trying to experience it, in the 2 minutes I got to see it...that, is our life, so it's what we do in those 2 minutes that matter. So...really...boiling down the shuttle launch...what am I doing with those 2 minutes...?

Shuttle Launch. Best. Thing. Ever.

2011-02-25T00:45:00.010-05:00

It was....the best thing ever. Top 10? Try TOP 5! Or top 1 right now! I'm too tired for the whole saga right now...but the short version is that if you "youtube" shuttle launch videos? The crowd acts all "oooh....ahhh..." and REALLY WOWWED!? And you think....why do you act like a 4 year old with sparkly things...is it really THAT cool? Well friends....yes. YES IT IS. Perhaps the those that have seen it on a daily basis (my exaggerated way of saying "once before") think it's "neat"...but it took my breath away, I mean, I'm snapping pictures one minute, and CRYING THE NEXT! Maybe I didn't know I was that excited to have seen it? Ah. MAZE. ing. Seriously...lived up to every drop....and SURPASSED! It was too busy...too short of a span! I didn't have time to watch, film, take pictures, AND absorb the sound! Just...WOW! Here is a video...until it lifts off the screen...but alas...

Sweat the Small Things!

2011-02-22T10:31:00.004-05:00

In life...sometimes it IS the small things! You know that book/cult...."Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff"? I get it...pick your battles, and CHILLAX! BUT, sometimes it's the "small stuff" that makes your day! AND LET IT! I walked into the Sheraton on my last tour, into my bedroom, and there it was...a MINI SPONGE! I don't travel with mesh sponges....I don't know people that do...and I might be inclined to make fun if I did! (That said-there may be excusable circumstances....) I also don't use them at home, because they idea of it sitting in the shower, never fully drying...? Is not appealing to me! BUT...if I could have one NEW every day? I'd be in! So, this little guy? PERFECT! 3 nights with me, and then he's trash! It was a treat to use a sponge, and more of a treat to use one on a TOUR! Dear Sheraton....THANK YOU! (And the rest of the stay was also enjoyable, minus the little rug rats from the Mt. Laurel Hockey team, whose parents thought it best to have them run up and down the hallways screaming whilst they talked loudly in their rooms with the doors open...that is, IF they weren't at the bar. IS THE ART OF PARENTING DEAD!? YOU ARE CREATING MONSTERS!!!!!! That, is a prime example of "not sweating the small stuff" I think!) I say, revel in the small stuff, if it's a mini mesh sponge in your hotel room!

Clay High School 2011

2011-02-22T02:13:00.001-05:00

A great trip to DC!

6 degrees of our small world!

2011-02-16T01:25:00.006-05:00

There IS just ONE moon, and just ONE golden SUN! And a smile DOES bring friendship to EVERYONE! Though the mountains divide-And the oceans are wide-It's a small small world!!!

It's a song for a reason! Wow. I seriously can't get over it! Just today, on the precious world of Facebook...a friend that has been in my life since I was born-and I love her dearly, she's been my mom's besty since they were 11! ELEVEN! Well, we have a mutual friend, that we never knew about! NOR WOULD WE HAVE! Thank you FB! When I did my two week training for one of the companies I work for....I met this fabulous lady...and we don't work full time with the company we trained with anymore, and our paths NEVER cross, and I haven't seen her since that one time meeting of 2 weeks in a row...but FB has kept us in touch?! Well, turns out SHE met my mom's childhood friend back in the 80's they were neighbors then....in Missouri, and then AGAIN in the 90's in Hawaii! Already they shared a small world...and then? ENTER ME! Well, I'd been entered I guess....but it's really incredible. God keeps us small huh!? Granted, what I do for a living, makes my world smaller...I mean I run into people in the strangest of places because of what I do...but this...wow!

And for fun!? Well, last fall, I ran into a friend at the Eiffel Tower that I'd met in San Diego 2008, then I ran into him in NYC last April, WITH....another girl I didn't know he knew, that I'd met in LA in November of 2007....amazing, but that's touring. That...friends...is the norm!!

What's not NOT normal? In 2006? I think?! I went to Budapest...read prior blog, I mentioned it in there I think. Anyway, not really a planned trip, then we randomly decided to head to Slovenija with my friend Jana, we spent 2 nights...got in late, spent the night, TOURED for one day, spent the night, then I headed back up to Budapest? In that ONE day of touring? We were productive...and went out the Postojna Caves? We did other things too...and ended our day with a visit to her mum in the country side, and dinner in Bled! Amazing, by the way, amazing. ANYWAY, we're at these caves, and waiting for our tour, so we hop into the gift shop, and I hear English...but American English, and it's weird to hear familiar, when in foreign...more so in some places than others. I mean Slovenija isn't this huge country, and certainly this little place isn't riddled with American tourists...I look up, and low and behold? I KNOW THE GIRL! She's Lisa, from my gym! (Yes, when I HAD a gym, and when I would actually go, duh, this is so not now! lol) Anyway, small SMALL world...and I do NOT believe in coincidence! She was just finishing the tour we were waiting on! Amazing!!!

And most recently? I was in Paris this October, and it's departure day...I'm taking my gaggle to the airport, and we are leaving the hotel....or TRYING! And this van is parked and blocking us....my driver is NOT happy about this! So, we finally escape, to be cut off by a taxi, and then? The local bus headed to the airport is parked crooked so that we don't fit to pass....my driver is now LESS happy! And then? He taps me...and points...and people are FRANTICALLY WAVING AT US!! And well!? It's friends from a trip that I did in June to LA! AMAZING! They were on vacay, staying at a hotel in the neighborhood of mine! And were just headed out for the day, and he saw the bus, and saw ME! And since we were stuck we had the time to recognize, open the door, hug, and say TEXT ME! Amazing amazing amazing!!!

It's encouraging to see love on the road! To see people that you've met, in parts of your life, and to see them and you, out of your normal element! Unexpected bursts of happiness is what that is!!!!! That said....be nice to people...especially strangers! YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOUR PATHS WILL CROSS! Once, I had a customer come into the store, we had a conversation, he was memorable....low and behold, the next day, he's on my flight to Miami! I was headed off to Peru...him to visit his folks, I think...anyway, he was sitting 2 rows in front of me! And, I saw him a year later at a Thai restaurant-that's another story. lol. But that KICKER of him, is that he's not from around here...he lives in WYOMING! So....be nice to strangers, love on God's people. And from the lesson side of things? If you ever get annoyed with that other driver? Be assured they'll park next to you, or go to your church. Or if you are in an airport? Guaranteed they will be sitting next to you!

Love on all...that's your lesson! And Love on our small world! God is so big, and so orchestrating the small things!

Grammy's Re-cap

2011-02-14T15:29:00.002-05:00

Grammy's. Meh. Sure....I love music...but I may love the WRONG music. I mean I watched more OTHER things last night, WHILST watching the Grammy's! Sure....the 5 "divas" singing was impressive...though...Yolanda...bores me. And I did feel bad when Christina fell, though, I'm always just surprised more don't. Gaga did her weird thing....that's fine...and then? Martina Lambert came on, put people to sleep, Bob Dylan was a hot mess....or maybe technical jacked it all. It was error after error I felt. Yes, of course I'm perfect, how else could I comment like this?! Then angry Eminem, which is always a good time because of Momma Bear's M&M comment...hahaha. And Dr. Dre. Special place in my heart because my brother and I met him, WAY back in the day...like 1991. He was sitting in front of us at a Knicks game at the Garden. My brother knew who they were...I, did not. Ed Lover & Dr. Dre...apparently they had a show on MTV then? I don't know....but anyway, I remember it, my brother barely did, and I'm very sure Dr. Dre does not. Back to the Grammy's....as I'd flipped away....and the Kris Kristofferson was a train wreck, back up-so was P. Diddy (or is it just Diddy), oh, yeah. so was Jamie Foxx. BUT....Barbara Streisand. UGH. I don't like her anyway, but I thought I'd give her a chance. YAWNER! Back to "Criminal Minds" I went. Better a repeat of THAT than listening to Barbara. So then...this ATROCIOUS band comes on...Arcade Fire? AND THEN THEY WIN RECORD OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!! To which, I rolled my eyes and went back to "The Holiday"...where things made more sense. Am I getting old? What's going on? I like hip music....I mean I'm not THAT old! Pshhh. Whatever. Kudos out there to Lady Antebellum....I like them, hint of normalcy...and am secretly glad Beiber didn't win a Grammy, but I do wish Usher would take care of his velcro he's passing off as "hair". Thank you....and good night.

Not so Imperial March...

2011-02-11T00:05:00.002-05:00

I'd changed my ringtone to the "Imperial March"...in honor of Mini-Darth-Cutie....but as it turns out...it scares the LIFE out of me whenever it rings. So...I've changed it back to Super Mario Brothers...that said? I still love you Mini-Darth-Cutie!

Dear Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, GO AWAY!

2011-02-10T23:26:00.010-05:00

I'm not real big on bugs....I mean, I can't STAND them in house. Outside? Well, meh...fine. This year....however, those STINKIN' BUGS!!! I mean that LITERALLY!!!! STINK BUGS! I've yet to be offended by the odor, and now having said that, I will be, but I just killed one in the bathroom....which is where I kill them the most....but I've certainly killed my fair share in other rooms of the house too. Banner night was when I took out the air conditioner in the extra bedroom....ELEVEN! And while it may be my favorite number? I didn't like counting ELEVEN dead little bodies! It's hard for them to "tell their friends" when I kill them, as they are then dead.....so do I wound one to send a message or what!?? They are SLOW as all get out...which makes me feel better, at least I can catch them to kill them....but I'm still convinced they've crawled in my mouth during the night. YUK-O! Anyway, thanks Pennsylvania....we appreciate them....thanks so much. On a positive note? It's not a bed bug, yet. So for now, I'll be thankfully annoyed! ;-) And yes, another ode to NONUMENTAL!

Below is some info about the bug....you've probably seen tons this year...if you are around these here parts. BOO! Happy hunting!!

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an insect not previously seen on our continent, was apparently accidentally introduced into eastern Pennsylvania. It was first collected in September of 1998 in Allentown, but probably arrived several years earlier. As of September 2010, Halyomorpha halys has been recorded from the following 37 counties, although it is probable that they are in all counties:

Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Snyder, Washington, Westmoreland and York

It is also recorded from many other states such as:

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia

This true bug in the insect family Pentatomidae is known as an agricultural pest in its native range of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Recently, the BMSB has become a serious pests of fruit, vegetables and farm crops in the Mid-Atlantic region and it is probable that it will become a pest of these commodities in other areas in the United States.

BMSB becomes a nuisance pest both indoors and out when it is attracted to the outside of houses on warm fall days in search of protected, overwintering sites. BMSB occasionally reappears during warmer sunny periods throughout the winter, and again as it emerges in the spring.

Description

Adults are approximately 17 mm long (25 mm = one inch) and are shades of brown on both the upper and lower body surfaces (Fig. 1). They are the typical “shield” shape of other stink bugs, almost as wide as they are long. To distinguish them from other stink bugs, look for lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the membranous, overlapping part at the rear of the front pair of wings. They have patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored puntures (small rounded depressions) on the head and pronotum. The name “stink bug” refers to the scent glands located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and the underside of the thorax.

The eggs are elliptical (1.6 x 1.3 mm), light yellow to yellow-red with minute spines forming fine lines. They are attached, side-by-side, to the underside of leaves in masses of 20 to 30 eggs.

There are five nymphal instars (immature stages). They range in size from the first instar at 2.4 mm to the fifth instar that is 12 mm in length. The eyes are a deep red. The abdomen is a yellowish red in the first instar and progresses to off-white with reddish spots in the fifth instar. Protuberances are found before each of the abdominal scent glands on the dorsal surface. The legs, head and thorax are black. Spines are located on the femur, before each eye, and several on the lateral margins of the thorax (Fig. 2).

Figure 1. Adult brown marmorated stink bug.

Figure 2. BMSB nymphs on Trumpet Creeper

Life History

This species probably has a single generation per year in Pennsylvania depending on the temperatures. Warm spring and summer conditions could permit the development of two or three generations. However, in parts of sub-tropical China, records indicate from four to possibly six generations per year. Adults will emerge sometime in the spring of the year (late April to mid-May), and mate and deposit eggs from May through August. The eggs hatch into small black and red nymphs that go through five molts. Adults begin to search for overwintering sites starting in September through the first half of October.

Damage

In its native range, it feeds on a wide variety of host plants. Fruits attacked include apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus fruits and persimmons. This true bug has also been reported on many ornamental plants, weeds, soybeans and beans for human consumption. Feeding on tree fruits such as apple results in a characteristic distortion referred to as “cat facing,” that renders the fruit unmarketable as a fresh product.

Apple Damage

This insect is becoming an important agricultural pest in Pennsylvania. In 2010, it produced severe losses in some apple and peach orchards by damaging peaches and apples. It also has been found feeding on blackberry, sweet corn, field corn and soybeans. In neighboring states it has been observed damaging tomatoes, lima beans and green peppers.

Peach and Sweet Corn Damage

These insects are not known to cause harm to humans, although homeowners become alarmed when the bugs enter their homes and noisily fly about. The stink bug will not reproduce inside structures or cause damages. If many of them are squashed or pulled into a vacuum cleaner, their smell can be quite apparent.

Management For BMSB In Homes

Before Bugs Enter a Building

Mechanical exclusion is the best method to keep stink bugs from entering homes and buildings. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced.

Exterior applications of insecticides may offer some minor relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the exterior is difficult or impossible. Applications should consist of a synthetic pyrethroid (i.e. deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin or tralomethrin) and should be applied by a licensed pest control operator in the fall just prior to bug congregation. Unfortunately, because insecticides are broken down by sunlight, the residual effect of the material will be greatly decreased and may not kill the insects much beyond several days or a week.

After Stink Bugs Have Entered the Structure

If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of the home, attempt to locate the openings where the insects gain access. Typically, stink bugs will emerge from cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other suitable materials to prevent the insects from crawling out. Both live and dead stink bugs can be removed from interior areas with the aid of a vacuum cleaner - however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.

It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas. Although insecticidal dust treatments to these voids may kill hundreds of bugs, there is the possibility that carpet beetles will feed on the dead stink bugs and subsequently attack woolens, stored dry goods or other natural products in the home. Although aerosol-type pyrethrum foggers will kill stink bugs that have amassed on ceilings and walls in living areas, it will not prevent more of the insects from emerging shortly after the room is aerated. For this reason use of these materials is not considered a good solution to long-term management of the problem. Spray insecticides, directed into cracks and crevices, will not prevent the bugs from emerging and is not a viable or recommended treatment.

Warning

Pesticides are poisonous. Read and follow directions and safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not contaminate forage, streams, or ponds.

Authored by: Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate

(Thank you Steve Jacobs for letting me use this article...even though I don't think you knew you did....THANK YOU!!!)

M&M's and Momma Bear

2011-02-10T01:28:00.007-05:00

Mom
"So, everybody was talking about the M&M commercial during the Super Bowl..."

Me
"What M&M commercial? I don't remember that one...not surprising, since I'm still obsessed and only focused on mini Darth, what was it?"

Mom
"Yeah, well, it's this guy, and a car, and a stage, I watched the whole commercial and didn't see one M&M the entire time...turns out it's the name of some person...I didn't get it..."

Laughter.

Me
"Mom, the guys NAME is "Eminem", and he was actually that "guy" in the commercial...and that was his song playing in the background."

Mom
"Yeah, well, I didn't see one M&M in the whole thing."

(Understand....I'm uber proud that my mom doesn't know who Eminem is...her cool points just shot through the roof!)

Nonumental.

2011-02-09T01:49:00.007-05:00

Matt Lauer-Nonumental. I'd have named the blog that...but I didn't feel he deserved to be IN a title on my blog.....my blog where I normally write of things I love! Well, I'm not his biggest fan....who are we kidding...I'm not a fan at all. I don't watch the show, for one thing, I'm never home-and if I am-I'm sleeping, eating pancakes, or watching HGTV. For another thing? He drives me SO SO SO bonkers!! I watch as little of him as I can...but the other day, when googling the Darth cutie, as he'd been on tv all day and I missed it, I saw a snippit of ML interviewing said cutie...and he (Matt) seemed just SO FAKE! And really....a little jealous. Sounds silly...but I betcha it's true. And then last I caught him was with McCain I think. I don't care how you feel about McCain...but Lauer goes after every interview with his own agenda...and generally...it's to find a weakness and stick a knife in it. He didn't get the memo in the 5th grade that making others look bad to make yourself look better wasn't cool-in fact it was almost textbook definition for "bully". Oh, let's not forget his penchant for interrupting....and then, his finale, of speaking softer and pretending he cares.

My word of Nonumental...well, it's "Not Monumental". I am, in fact...."nonumental"...to the reader that stumbled here, not knowing me, I'm just a great blogger, funny, interesting, you kind of want to be me, but you read my Green Grass blog, so you know to wish for other things, etc. That said? I'm MONUMENTAL....to those that love me. So perhaps....and I do hope...that Matt Lauer, is in some way..."M"onumental to someone....just not me. Be nicer Matt Lauer.

Oh...and since you have the thought of Matt Lauer in your head, let me lighten the mood and turn that frown upside down...here are some gems of the "Making of 'The Force' Commercial"!

STUFF!!!

2011-02-08T02:38:00.004-05:00

ARGHHHH!! I don't know who lets me out of the house with money...I shouldn't be allowed to buy anything....ever....because it exists...in my BASEMENT! Bath & Body Works is officially the death of me! Working there, getting stuff close to free....I NEED HELP! lol So....I'm obviously mucking out a little. There is so much to be done....SO MUCH! My goal is to have a method to the madness though....Christmas with Christmas, Kitchen with Kitchen, etc.....so we'll see. We still have Grams stuff in the garage, and she had NOTHING compared with what I feel I have!! And then we (and by "we" I mean not me) emptied the attic to the basement, so there is THAT to go through...and all I can think about is what if I died tomorrow? My poor mother is stuck with all that BURDEN!! So....I'm making a bigger SELL pile, and trying to pitch and condense the rest. And I'll just say this...holy candles batman! YIKES! So, dear readers, quit buying, and start purging. HEAVENLY TREASURES!!!!!!!! And? In time, if you must buy, make sure it's from my ebay store! ;-)

And? Now...because I can't stop watching it, and don't think you should either?

LAUGH!!

2011-02-07T00:36:00.010-05:00

I'm big on laughing....I do it a lot...and I'm a sucker for when other people do it too. PLUS? It's healthy to laugh! I googled....and got this top 10 list....(I stole it, so give me no credit.)

1. Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike? Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.
2. Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain.
3. The levels of two stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine which suppress the body's immune system, will actually drop after a dose of laughter.
4. Laughter causes positive changes in brain chemistry by releasing endorphins, and it brings more oxygen into the body with the deeper inhalations.
5. Laughter releases anger, fear, guilt, anxiety and tension.
6. Laughter encourages concentration on "right" attitudes rather than "wrong" attitudes.
7. Higher levels of an antibody (salivary immunoglobulin A) that fights infectious organisms entering the respiratory tract were found in the saliva of people who watched humorous videos or experienced good moods.
8. Researchers found after watching an hour-long video of slapstick comedy that the "natural killer cells," which seek out and destroy malignant cells, more actively attacked tumor cells in test tubes. And these effects lasted up to 12 hours.
9. The 1998 movie Patch Adams told the real-life story of a nonconformist doctor convinced that fun, play, and clowns are important in improving patients' quality of life in a grim hospital atmosphere.
10. Planning enjoyable activities for the future will reduce the stressor hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine.
Now....with that said....laugh with me....there are 3 videos that have made me laugh out loud in the past two days....they MUST be shared.....you must laugh! Two I saw on Facebook, one, was played during the Super Bowl.....here we go!
The first...is DARTH! I could watch this one over and over and over again. When his mom pushes his sandwich at him....he's so defeated.....it's so sad....and then....well, just watch it, I don't want to be a spoiler! (Thank you Kim & Kim for "liking" it! I wouldn't have seen it so soon!)

My next prize....was posted on Fitzy's wall....and it's a RIOT!!!!! (Let's try it on ORANGE! HAHAHAHA)
And the last gem!? The BEAVER from the Superbowl! Remember the Geico squirrels would high five when they made a car wreck? At first-I thought it was along those lines....but BEST ENDING EVER!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD TIMES! Now...LAUGH!!

JUST SAY NO! (To Scoops)

2011-02-04T22:51:00.009-05:00

It's official....scoops are NOT the chip of choice. It's never been with Tammy and I...but we let JP decide tonight, and he was NOT down with the scoop! ( I mean look at his face! OBVIOUSLY he doesn't like them!) He'll also agree that it cuts up the roof of your mouth. So be considerate....don't bring them to parties...especially since this Sunday is a big chip day. Think of others. We realize you can "scoop" up the goodness....dips...salsa....whichever, but really? In order to "scoop"? You have to plunge it in there, and your thumbs get all messy, plus...it's gross, I mean have you been washing your hands after every "scoop"? No! And? It's SICK SEASON! Buy the bite size....everybody wins....you can fit them in your mouth, AND fit dip on them, and most importantly? NO HARM DONE!!!!!! The roof of your friends mouth will thank you for it. Hmmm....why isn't that a t-shirt. A picture of scoops with a red circle stamped on it, and then "Just say no, the rooves of your friends mouths will thank you for it!" I like it (Is "rooves" a word?!). And really? We're not saying down with Tostitos....love Tostitos....just hate scoops. So...fight for the right to eat "Hint Of Jalapeño" in normal form-not mouth hurting form. This last picture, is of JP standing up for non scoops....we're getting him a onesie made. And? Just to clarify? Mrs. Corti must also agree...I mean she's got a chip ON her shoulder for the love! (Had to be said friends....had to be said.)

American Idle (not a spelling error!)

2011-02-03T23:41:00.004-05:00

I can't hold it in any longer. Steven Tyler is a mess on American Idol. J Lo-well, she's fine, but that's all...fine. And Randy, I've never been a big fan, but this year, his teeth got whiter, and I'm over the "dawg" bit....though, I never really was down with it. Do I watch American Idol? Not really. I made it through one season till the end-the one where Fantasia and her big flat tongue won., and then one season till the last three, and then I bailed, but I do like the beginning rounds...where people get to "go to Hollywood" (dawg)....but this year? YAWN! I mean Steven Tyler's face doesn't move....I'm okay with plastic surgery, and hey, I'm okay with botox, but his face is the same, happy, sad, scared, annoyed, hungry, whatever, the SAME! J Lo-meh. She's just "Jenny from the Block"....plain boring Jenny. Sure, they do her up, put her in some tramp shorts, play with her hair, whatever, but in the end? Booorrrinng! And? I think she could actually be funny under the drama of "Glamour" or whatever it is. And well, Randy, he was the short stick with Paula and Simon anyway, and now? He's the hot stuff...compared to THOSE two....perhaps. Ryan Seacrest, however, still continues to be great.. I like him, there seems to be a little bit of normal in him, he, is the glue. So when all is said and done...I miss Simon...I loved him. Paula, well, I missed her too, she was consistently true to who she was, and Randy? I'd like to be missing you. Idol, needs a break, and Steven Tyler....goodness....two words. Hot Mess.

Happy Groundhog Day!

2011-02-02T23:26:00.008-05:00

If you know me, you know I heart me some groundhogs....see really old blog from May of 2008. And I have a stuffed pet one that I got for Christmas a few years back, sometimes, he calls me on skype when I'm away for long periods of time-true story. Though, he doesn't do it alone. Brenda is usually with him...Brenda...is my teddy bear...duh. :-)

So this year, I had BIG PLANS for seeing the Groundhog live and in person. I was trekking over to Punxatawney to see Phil, but alas, that silly "winter storm" got a hold of the mid-west, and I did not. BOO! So, turns out he did NOT see his shadow this year, and rumor is that "spring is just around the corner"....we'll see...that could also mean that my front lawn may make an appearance in 2011. Wow. So, back to the blog. Everybody knows it's February 2. Right? Well, everybody except "Viktor" (who also swears that nobody in Texas....NOBODY...knows when Groundhog Day is-poor Texas missing holidays.) February 2, is also my 6 month birthday, equally as important! :-)

So why February 2? Why the Groundhog? Well, READ ON! According to Al Gore's internet, it all started with "Candlemas Day". This day originally came from the Germans and was the mid-point between the first day of the winter and the first day of spring. Legend said that if this day was fair (sunny), then the second-half of winter would be stormy. In their native land of Germany, the Germans looked at a badger to see if they could see his shadow. When they settled in North America in Pennsylvania, the local Indians had a great respect for groundhogs so they substituted a groundhog for the badger, and really...badgers sounds meaner-sorry Wisconsin fans.

What, for the love, is "Candlemas Day"? The 2nd of February is an ancient festival that marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February. (So you slackers with your tree up, can feel justified, but ONLY through TODAY!) So why call THAT day "Candlemas"?

Well, apparently it was was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them - so it was the Festival Day (or 'mass') of the Candles.

Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights, but also some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Jesus IS 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this.

Some Factoids?
-It was a Gopher in Caddyshack, not a groundhog.
-Groundhogs whistle when courting...which seems sweet...until you learn that boy groundhogs take off before the babies are born...leaving it all up to mom.
-IF a woodchuck could chuck wood? He'd chuck about 700 pounds. (Groundhogs are not beavers, but the joke is IF a woodchuck could chuck wood-beaver do chuck wood!) They are not so adept at moving timber, but some will chew wood....(According to a wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that -- if wood filled the hole instead of dirt -- the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds' worth. Thanks Cornell University for that!)

SO THAT, my friends, is why the 2nd and why the Groundhog. Perhaps NEXT year, I'll see Phil live and in person, for now? I'm celebrating my 6 month birthday AND Chinese New Year! I went to my Chinese Restaurant today to pick up sushi (yes again, something IS the matter with me, I can't go 24 hours without raw fish!?) Anyway, I told the girl Happy New Year! She got all excited, and asked me if I celebrated. Um...sort of-I support you...and your Chinese Restaurant...by ordering Japanese food?! Taper off.... And then I said, year of the Rabbit huh!? And she got more excited! YES!!! Finally! Should be better!! She says. I said Oh? What was last year? Her face got all serious...and she said....the year of the tiger, the tiger is hard...the rabbit should be better. So there you have it folks....the groundhog didn't see his shadow and it's officially the year of the Rabbit and you have 6 months to find me the perfect present. :-)

Love in the mail!/Lovin' the mail!

2011-02-01T22:34:00.012-05:00

I love me some mail, but really some hand written notes, old school. But what I really REALLY dig? Christmas Cards from my passengers. It warms my heart. I'm not just saying that...this is my blog, I don't have to say anything!!! Today....came an envelope from one of my companies that I work for, and in it? TWO, T-W-O cards from passengers I had this fall on one of my "France Magnifique" tours. I have over 700 passengers a year....I'd say...just an average....I've actually never counted!? Anyway, for the most part, my memory can be jogged, but some? Just stand out...chances are...if you've ever been a passenger of mine, and your reading this, you stood out. Some for better, some for worse-(you non-tippers....I know you who are! lol) Of course it's not about the tip that I remember the good ones, it's about their heart, or their visible love, or their sense of humor, or sometimes, for the atrocious things that happen on a tour! Viva Italian bus drivers!!! Well, today, is my dear passenger Jackie Keeton's birthday...so happy birthday Jackie, and I met her and Chybo, WAAAAaaay back in the beginning of my touring days, with Miss Stacy from Lawrenceburg...Tennessee Tuesdays in DC...oh good times (Also good Johnny Fleeman Sauces and SODA! What was that goodness called again!?!). Today also came those two cards, and I knew from the names on the return address labels, and both made me smile. Sure, you get letters from your friends, you know exactly who they are, but imagine you have new friends every week for only a week! What I'm saying...is these ladies stand out. BOTH, made me laugh, a lot on their tour....and to hear from them?! Glorious. One of them, included a picture of her husband...holding a certain mug. I'm not saying how he got that mug, but I am saying that I smile when I think about it. :-) Thank you Miss Cil, and Miss Helene (Helene-do you remember that sign above? From that restaurant we ate at in Sainte-Mère-Église? How true it is! lol), I am honored to have received holiday greetings from you both....truly I am....and yours...is in the mail. Yes, I know it's February....but I still have like 60 New Years cards to get out! It's why I certainly don't do Christmas Cards! I do Happy New Years cards!!!! Next year...may be Valentine's Day cards!!!!! SO, go send your friends Valentines....tis the season, and I promise, they love mail just as much as I do....and if they don't? Well, mail ME those Valentines!!!!!! XOXO (And? Hugs to Mary and Darlene!!!) And? Update?! That soda goodness was called SUNDROP! Thanks Miss Jackie!

RABBITS!!!

2011-02-01T09:17:00.004-05:00

Today...is February 1. So if you've jacked your New Year's Resolutions already, it's your chance to start over. NOT that any of you/(read I) would. lol Today...is also "RABBITS"! And...for me...it's a "camp thing" My FAB FAB FAB ranch in Montana that I worked at for 5 summers, Clydehurst Christian Ranch, had a thing.....where every 1st of the month...you had to say "RABBITS" to the other person....before they said it to you! So....July 1, and August 1, were VERY big days. My mom and I do the same, generally I forget, and then mutter when I get got.....BUT...I do try to win on the big one...January 1, of the new year. I got that this year....but then WHAM...this morning....at midnight...."RABBITS" was yelled down the hall. MUTTER MUTTER!!!

Why "Rabbits"? Well, in googling....(love that "googling" is a word!) It's a UK thing, that had spread to Massachusetts!? It initially was for good luck, which, I think luck is bogus, I'm quite sure I need more than luck-God's got that, but now it's become for fun. I'm reading where it says to say "white rabbits"? What about all those wild BROWN rabbits! lol

Wiki, the legit source of all, says this....

"It is believed that saying "Rabbit Rabbit" on the first day of the New Year will bring year long good luck." (So....I got that....because when I called my mom-to wish her a Happy New Year.....I started with "RABBITS"....but her clock hadn't turned...so I kept saying it until it did! lol)

So then, RABBITS to you!!!!!

(Did you know that a rabbit can reproduce at 1 month old!?-see what you learn when you blog!?)

SUSHI!

2011-01-30T16:07:00.009-05:00

Will ALSO be in my heaven's pantry....DELISH! Spicy Tuna is my total drug of choice, with crunchies if I may be so picky. No...I don't know what "crunchies" technically are, and really...I don't care....they are YUMMY! We have a place near us that has half-price sushi on Sundays from 12-4....YES PLEASE! So...Spicy Tuna....here I am! Do you hate sushi? Have ya even tried it? Because it's not fair if you haven't. Not all sushi is raw you know. Anything with a shell gets cooked, and they have vegetarian sushi....so haters...chill...and TRY IT!!! That said, if you ever need me, on Sundays after church? I'll be there, getting my spicy tuna on. YUM! (And today...a special shout out to my kronies who crashed my solo sushi party, and I loved it....Karyn, Steph, Jackie, Trav, and Jessica! THANKS!)

So...in honor of sushi....

What did Sushi A say to Sushi B?

WASSAp-Bi!?

(A skosh lame, sure...but it's funny)

SWEET tire cover....

And? I found this SWEET blog....and they made Sushi as a dessert!!!! SO SO SO COOL! Perhaps...I will have a sushi birthday...hmmm...
Life is Better With Cake! I'd love to post a picture, but I don't know how that works with copyrights and what not...so for fun, click on the link and check it out. AWESOME!

Nothing

2011-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

It's not that I wish I could do nothing all day...it's that I wish I had nothing to do!

Just love.

2011-01-28T13:51:00.004-05:00

So....I heart me some smoked salmon, cream cheese, and an everything bagel. I'm quite certain were it not for the price or addition to my booty...I'd eat it DAILY! So...it's on the menu for my Heaven's Pantry. Heaven's Pantry? All delicious things that will be...in my pantry (in my mansion) in Heaven! Am I sure we get to eat in Heaven? Nope, we will be praising Jesus all the day, so I wonder if they'll be time for food, but hey, a girl can hope right? So...back to my salmon. We got a new bagel place near us...and I tried it out, and it's good. I don't like all the frills with my lox....JUST lox and cream cheese, no onion/tomato/lettuce drama. At this place....they do it right, and more importantly...Valerie does it right. She's the one I run into the most, and quite frankly, am disappointed when she's not there. And so, I know some things about her, like Sweet Pea is her favorite BBW fragrance.....and her dad is from Hungary, and well, that might be all. BUT...I brought her dad some paprika from Hungary when I was there in December, and some Sweet Pea lotion for her, and she was ECSTATIC! And so today, I was in again, and she was saying her dad was so excited and wanted to use it, but her mom wanted to save it! (Mom won) At any rate, I walked out of there, just happy, blessed to get to love on a total stranger, though, slowly becoming my friend. It's just such an honor to share God's love, because it is, by grace, that I have it to begin with. I'm not saying you have to go out and buy presents for people you want to love on....I am saying, just to love! We've been loved, so pass it on. And? Don't pass it on if you aren't doing it to your inner circle. We all know what I mean! Why is it so easy to love on total strangers, and not so easy to love on your own family!? Love on friends....LOVE!

Green Grass..

2011-01-26T23:46:00.008-05:00

I say this all the time....and I mean it. There is ALWAYS gonna be greener grass...but in the end? It's still gotta be mowed! So LOVE your own grass! And support your neighbors in the growing of theirs!!! (Listen psychos...there are no drug references here) Seriously though, I am blessed blessed blessed with what I do for a living....BLESSED! But you are too. Are ya married? Green. Do you have babies? Green. Can you run more than a quarter mile? Green. Do you have fabulous eyelashes? Green. Do you make more money than me (not hard)? Green. Do you have your own TV show? Green. (Shameless plug for my friend Sarah Kouba doing the "Billings Way" starting January 30!) So listen...you have green grass in front of you, quit looking over the fence!!! I have friends that are "jealous" of being gone all the time, and living in my suitcase, and going to Paris.....I get that. But they have babies, and husbands, and HOUSES!!! There is some semblance of normalcy and consistency to their lives. So for me...that's green grass. Don't get me wrong, I adore what I do for a living, and don't really know what else I would do, but there are short moments in my life, (usually when my bus driver is jacking up my tour) when I wonder what 9-5 Monday through Friday is really like. So, do me a favor. Love on your green grass.

(This photo is courtesy of my green grass....Tower Bridge in London this past November....also featured in this years Carrie-alendar for the month of September.)

Go Bananas, and EAT THEM TOO!

2011-01-25T23:07:00.004-05:00

Did you know that bananas were America's #1 fruit? Turns out they are! They aren't necessarily my all time favorite? (Cherries, Pineapples, Strawberries, Raspberries, are on top, but they are not a sure thing, year-round!) But they are the most consistent and EASY to eat! I love them...(Please note, that I take them from breakfast at hotels and never eat them during the day...for some reason, if I don't eat my banana immediately? I don't eat them...) Did you also know that a cluster of bananas is called a "hand" and consists of 10 to 20 bananas, which are known as fingers ("Banan" is also Arabic for "Finger"...now, I know two words in Arabic!) They are amazing...healthy...and come in their OWN packaging. God...is awesome. Down to every banana! And get this staggering factoid...."Over 96% of American households purchase bananas at least once each month." WOW!! That is a HUGE percentage! Bananas for president! What if we agreed that much over anything important! IMAGINE! My last, and favorite factoid about the banana is this...."bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier." So....lesson here? EAT BANANAS!!!! (Incidentally, I had a rather uneventful great day, slept in, did some returns, saw "Black Swan", and hung out with Momma Bear, so when it came blog time, I wasn't feeling so inspired, and I attempted a "this time last year", and I had no photos! But then my small banana picture caught my eye...taken the week that Caleb Junda was born! So, in doing research about bananas? Or looking for quotes about bananas? I've found some bloggers that have blogged about bananas as well! CRAZY! So...pick a fruit...do some research...and EAT IT!)

Love Anyway

2011-01-24T23:38:00.004-05:00

In the past three days....I've seen "Memphis", had dinner with 10 of the cast members, gone to the Philharmonic, had delish gnocchi in Little Italy, gone to the ballet, and visited the U.N. That...is AWESOME! (I also managed to get a little AFitz time!) The flip of that...is that I had a driver who was rude, picked up on the wrong side of the busy streets of NY, TWICE, verbally did not like students, and did not answer his phone, after me calling him 18, that's right, EIGHTEEN TIMES, in a span of less than an hour. He didn't like, nor stay with, the other bus that was part of the group, and as expected, he said he knew where he was going, and never did. I have mad perks to my job, I adore what I do, and but there is ALWAYS a driver, to bring me back to reality....awesome. lol

LOVE ANYWAY!

THIS...is a picture of the Gum Wall and I (rumor has it that it started in the mid 90's in Seattle, it's a few inches fat and like 50 feet long! HAPPY CHEWING!) I am wearing what was my favorite hat that I bought in Paris....and left on a bus in Austria...it's my blog. I get to write things like that. lol BLESSED! I'm BLESSED!!! Find your green grass...whichever side you think it's on...remember...it still must get mowed....

Marrying a Polar Bear!?

2011-01-22T00:25:00.027-05:00

11-11-11....already you know 11 is my favorite number, so therefore, my favorite date. I've picked it as my wedding date. No groom....well, UNTIL I MET THE COCA-COLA POLAR BEAR!!! He's adorable...and he's agreed to marry me. Back story!? I went to Atlanta for an ITMI Symposium,where other tour people like me, get together once a year. (It's pretty much the best time ever! And best class ever!) I flew out early, because I've never spent any time in Atlanta...save RUNNING like a fiend through the airport. This time, however, a TOURIST I would be! The World of Coca-Cola was high on my priority list! I managed to make it to a 3pm VIP tour...and lemme tell ya...WORTH THE EXTRA $10! Adult admission was $16....VIP tour...was $26. (I'll have you know? It also includes 10% off in the gift shop, TWO free cokes, AND? $10 off my photo package, which I HAD to buy of the my precious polar bear kissing me...so I consider the upgrade to VIP-FREE!) My guide was Steve...he was STELLAR! I'm sure other Coca-Cola guides are great? But...Steve was SUPER! At the World of Coca Cola....I met...the Coca Cola Polar Bear! Replacing Santa since 1993...he's the cutest thing in the WORLD!!!! So animated, I was smitten from the second I laid eyes on him....and then? HE KISSED ME! (Sounds like a song eh!?) Well, I said my sad farewells, and over the next few days...the love grew, and then I found out he was to be at our closing event! (PS? Closing event at the World of Coca Cola?? AMAZING!) Boy, was I jazzed, and wearing only cute things that night! I asked him if he'd marry me in November...and he nodded. Sure...I'd always hoped a boy would propose to me, but in his defense...he doesn't speak! So I just verbalized for him! Anyway, the story grew, and I flew home last night....missing my bear, posting pictures of us up on facebook, and tonight, when I wasn't looking, my mom put this in my room! If you can't see the details? It's a polar bear holding a BABY polar bear! S0, wedding...11-11-11. Baby...11-11-12. HA ha ha ha. Oh Momma Bear...she'll take those grandkids/grandcubs any way she can get them! "The Date for this will be 11-11-12. I love you HUGS!" Some info about the wedding? Reception? World of Coca Cola. Theme colors? Red and White. And? I'm off to meet his family in Alaska in July. I hope they like me, because if they don't? I'm not sure I'll be coming back....

Tom's Schmom's...Go GROOBS or GO HOME!

2011-01-13T22:45:00.010-05:00

Groobilicious.
Groobtastic.
Groobified.
Grooberific!

Are you sensing a theme here?! Needless to say?
I just got my GROOB ON!

My Groobs, came in the mail today!!!!!

What are Groobs you ask?! SHOES!
G.R.O.O.B.S.
Giving Relief Out Of Buying Shoes.

Catchy little name-sure...but to be honest? I like their slogan of ...BOGO FIVE-O better! Buy ONE, they give ONE, and then? 50% of the proceeds go to the charity of your choice! YOUR CHOICE! So...when I bought mine, I liked all the listed charities-who wouldn't, I even picked some of my faves of "Operation Smile" "The Thirst Project", "Caring Bridge" and "Project Mosquito Net", but in the end? I opted for "Bombay Teen Challenge" A charity that my brother and sister-in-law are very very involved in! (Since 1990, Bombay Teen Challenge has worked to rescue and rehabilitate destitute and desperate people living on the streets and in the red light district of Mumbai. These people include women trapped in prostitution, their at-risk daughters and other girls vulnerable to the sex industry, street children who are in danger of being abused and exploited, abandoned and orphaned by AIDs and HIV positive orphans and those addicted to drugs and alcohol.)

So, at the end of the day....I have a SWEET pair of shoes....er...I mean I have COUPLE sweet pair of shoeS! (Uber comfy and really really really LIGHT!-I travel for a living-that's WAY important!) And the most most most most MOST comfortable t-shirt EVER! You know the kind that you have since you were 12? Well, it CAME like that! I'm smitten. It says "Groobs are for lovers"...I'm not so sure about that, but I do love GROOBS-I guess that makes me a lover! So, shoes, perfect t-shirt, and now, someone else will have a pair of Groobs...well, two someone else's will have Groobs, and Bombay Teen Challenge will have a little extra cash!

For fun, check out the Groobs website, highly entertaining, very real, and yes, yes I did go to college with that Jason Fry guy. Am I name dropping? HECK YEAH! IT'S MY BLOG!! (And be sure to check out thePicture of Nachos -best. ever.) And also for fun, check out Bombay Teen Challenge website too, if you aren't led to give, or buy shoes, let your heart be burden to pray.

Matthew 21:22 says..."If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Mark 10:27 says "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.

Now....get shopping!

*Warning* Do not leave your Groobs outside in the below freezing weather and then try them on....your feet WILL BECOME a part of the tundra that is the outside! Silly UPS men is scared of our snow too I guess-ditching my package by the garage door and leaving!!

Half-Marathon

2011-01-12T23:54:00.004-05:00

Psssshhh....NO! OF COURSE I'M NOT RUNNING ONE!!! If there were a quarter-mile-a-thon, I might entertain the notion. My brother, however, is. And here is the website...should you care to drop some coin his way for a good cause!!!! www.firstgiving.com

If you'd like to just send me money, well then...that's fine too.

(This photo, is me beating Jesse Owens...so since I've beaten the best, I don't run anymore....)

Hello! My name is Carrie, and I AM an aisle seater.

2011-01-11T23:43:00.000-05:00

I hate the middle seat...but who doesn't you know!? Um...yes, I'd LOVE to fight for armrest space, and I'd love to have to move someone if I have to go to the bathroom, and yet STILL have to move if window has to go to the bathroom! That said? THAT's LIFE!!!!! Middle seat= Life. Ooooh. Profound. Well, with flash mobs going around, what about one with Southwest, everybody checks in early, and a people in the A zone RUN onto the plane and fill in the middles....preferring the ones from the back! Wouldn't THAT be the day!? Mind you, I'm anti-Southwest for this reason. I love me some assigned seatage! (No, of course that's not a word.) I read "Nuts" in college, I did the case study, but thankfully, Southwest is never a really great option for me, I HATE not having an assigned seat!! There are not a lot of "hard and fast" things about me...I'm pretty "it depends" about everything-sadly....BUT, I am an aisle seater. I will ALWAYS prefer aisle...always. And so when flying Southwest, you have to remember to check-in online the SECOND that you can...and then if you do get a good spot, you have to go around, checking peoples numbers, and somehow, not feel bad when you have to "cut" that mom with a crying kid, or the old lady with too many bags, or the gum smacker (since you'd rather smack her/him). So once you've successfully found your given place in line, and pretended it didn't matter when there was a 12 standing in front of your 11....but it did. You get on, and then, you'd pick an aisle...in the front, and WATCH ALL THOSE PEOPLE PASS YOU!! And then, the couples that get split up, and then watch the window person crawl over you, and then watch the middle person miserably take the first avail middle, and me personally? I FEEL BAD!!!! I hate the method. I like..., scratch that, LOVE...when I have an assigned seat. I can't move, I HAVE to sit there, the airline says I have to...blame, properly passed.

Fitionary!

2011-01-11T01:29:00.001-05:00

I wrote this a while ago, and I haven't been adding to it...don't worry, it's not that I've been understood more, and I have less to define, people just care less about the definitions! SO...cleaning up my blog a little, for my one reader, me, and I'm making it into a blog vs. junking up the SIDE of my blog.

BUSSED-The act of getting thrown under the bus. Not LITERALLY of course....just being sold out, thrown to the wolves, outted, generally to make tiny small person feel good about themselves. Generally childlike behaviour.
COAT HANGERED-The grin that you can't help! Being helpless against the smile! We all know the kind...whether it be the cute boy/girl, seeing that "Blue Man Group" AND "Wicked" are on your Chicago Itinerary, or knowing you'll be having dinner IN the Eiffel Tower. It's as though someone has put a coat hanger in your mouth!
DONE DONE-When we play Rummikub in our house you have 2 chances to be done...so you can say..."I'm done" and then if you see something else to play? You have that chance....but if you say you are "DONE DONE"? You are done. I mean DONE....no going again...DONE DONE!
DUH FACTOR-when things are so clearly obvious and we cannot resist the 2nd grader within to just say "DUH".
DOUBLE DUH-When things are MORE than just CLEARLY obvious!. (Phrase actually coined by Bill Taylor-I cannot take credit)
FITCHETT COMPLEX-says that a Fitchett's way is best (usually of the Carrie Fitchett Fitchett's)...regardless of whether it is or not. Also can be defined as "I'll just do it myself as it will be much quicker that way". Commonly followed with acts or feelings of being a martyr.
FOF-FILTER ON FUN-Essentially? Knowing when to stop having a good time, never wearing out your welcome, heeding your limits. Generally something I DON'T have. What? It's 2:30 in the morning? And I have to be at work at 7? And it's an hour away? Let's play another game.
FREEZER SECTION NEUROSIS (FSN)-the overwhelming feeling that hits you, usually in the freezer section, when you look at your cart, realize you have like a hundred and something dollars of food in your cart and you just want to walk away and leave it there.
"HI POT? IT'S KETTLE."-When clearly one chides another about a behaviour that he/she does him/herself. Stemming from the quote used by your grandma..."Well, (hands on hips) THAT's the pot calling the kettle black!"
JIC!-Just In Case!
MARY POPPINS BAG-The end all be all of JIC's...and perfect for travel!
OTS- Oncoming Traffic Syndrome, the neurotic desire to just turn into oncoming traffic...not necessariy in a suicidal fashion so much as to really emphasize your rotten mood.
PANERA DAY-When you are able to spend an entire day catching up on e-mails, doing research, and putting together speeches at a "Panera Bread" because of their free WiFi and refills! Acceptable substitues are often Caribou Coffee or Corner Bakery.
RG's-Round Goodness. Essentially they mean a specific type of pizza from Andy's Pizza in Sea Girt, but now there are exceptions...as long as it's round. The originals are these mini personal pizzas of broccoli or tomatoes. Both coming with loads of cheese & GARLIC! They are delish, and they are always a good time.
SQUARE PEG ROUND HOLE-can also be said in reverse....essentially? Used when something doesn't fit....generally in dealing with relationships.
THE BACKPACK-is the shortened version of the BITTER BACKPACK...which is this horrible thing that happens...and it tends to affect women more strongly. It's a self-induced "woe is me" pity burden, that is really REALLY annoying.
WOE IS ME COMPLEX-Generally used in a mocking tone...more to small children when the whole world is RUINED because Barbie only has one shoe, or some other similar situation. NEVER to be used in a real situation where woe really IS you. Used best when feigning faint and putting your arm over your forehead with your eyes closed

1.11.11

2011-01-11T01:13:00.000-05:00

So...eleven has been my favorite number since I was little....and today, is a taste of the elevens....but come November? It may be my favorite day....I should get married, or have a kid, but alas, mayhaps I will just have a coffee. Do I make wishes at 11:11 when I see it? Yes, yes I do, but since wishing is for the birds, I just pray for my wish, and yes, it's always the same. Happy 11111....or 5 sticks as my Tracy would say!

Turned out to be a blog about Budapest!?

2011-01-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It's come to my attention that it's 2011....which means today, January 10, 2011...could be seen as 011011. I like it. Though, I'm more excited about tomorrow's 1-11-11...and just WAIT till NOVEMBER!!!!!! Anyway, big day for me, washing my mattress pad AND sheets. So live Vi-Carrie-ously THAT way! HA! Photo for the day is the Chain Bridge and I, taken from the Pest side of Budapest, Hungary. What about Hungary you ask!? Some people love love love it. I think it's beautiful, but I like it....not love. I went for the first time back in 2007? Mayhaps? I have no idea what year that was, but I was going to meet my dad there, his plans changed, my flight was booked! lol-typical me. Anyway, a friend met me over there from NC, and another from Slovenija. We had a great time, did a tour, saw the highlights, went to the Central Market, at goulash, and then we took a 2 day trip down to Ljubljana-capital of Slovenija! LOVED that! We went to some caves, some castle,Bled (the "town of" Bled..we didn't actually BLEED!), and then home. So then, when this cruise (catch up, I went on a Danube River Cruise this past December) ended up in Budapest, I didn't really know what else I wanted to do there. I couldn't get a groove on the language, I didn't really get the history, so I'd gotten the highlights? YES, I realize that is shallow to say-thank you, but it's my blog. Deal. I did want to go to "Monument Park", where all the old communist statues were moved to, after the fall of communism in Hungary...we did-the "HOW" is another whole blog in and of itself, but we went, and it was great, snowy, but great...weird....but great. That afternoon we went to the Fine Arts Museum, not my idea, but I am SOOO glad we did! And so now, how do I feel about Budapest? Well, I still think it's beautiful, but I think that I could visit one more time and be good- granted, the more often you go places, the more you find to do....

Last minute procrastination...

2010-12-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

It's fly day!! Am I ready? Sort of. I'm packed....I'm just not dressed....and my room is a mess. Ironically...I clean my room before I leave on trips. Something about being rushed? It's ridiculous...but it's true...and how I function. I can't decide if I should bring a book or not...I rarely read, though lately have been trying to, but I'm not traveling alone? And I've recently downloaded Ms Pac-Man on my phone, so it's not like I'm lacking in things to do! lol I also need to study for my NY text-tour guide test-so perhaps I should do that....Hmmm....all these choices! Anyway, I should be off. Packing, bringing downstairs, last minute trips to the bank, mail box, and maybe a bagel and lox for lunch?! Yumtastic! KNOODLES here I come!!

München BOUND!!!

2010-12-05T22:59:00.000-05:00

I'm actually pretty stoked for a trip...and yes, that's rare. I love what I do, I love traveling, but I don't get JAZZED. Good, Bad, or otherwise...it's true...but this time? I'm not in charge! I am excited to say things like "I don't know" or "Who cares when it was built"! I also get to see great friends...and eventually....see great family! YAY! So...French? Deleted...Deutsch? It's time for you to be recovered! Uh-oh. Here's a great shot of Silvia, myself, and GQ....note the delicious knoodles and Spezi! YUM!!!!!! (Thanks Fraus for the photo!)

BOO to XM Radio!!

2010-12-04T23:39:00.000-05:00

Dear XM,

Never again. NEVER AGAIN! My brother bought me the radio in January of 08....not with the service...my first sign of a problem should have been when hooking it up, the automated person kept getting my zip code wrong, and once I asked to speak with a real person, the set up was an extra $10. So...I had it for a year...loved it, and in January 09, with all my touring, I decided to cancel...they decided to ignore and automatically take it from my debit card. So the calling began. I tried to cancel....they said, how about we give you the year for half price....? Um....okay....well, come July, the service was off....so of course I had to assume that in fact, they charged me for half for the full year, but only gave me half the year....whatever, I couldn't be bothered....I was finally done with them. Oh no no no....so January 10, bills....I call....the guy says, you've had xm all year....I say no, I haven't, he says yes you have, maybe you just need a new station, or it needs to be re-somethingorothered. What? So he gives me a new code, I try it, it works, so in fact, they changed whatever that was, so I thought it was done....whatever, I try and cancel....but then he gives me two months free...I was still naive. So...I take the two months free. Come March....I get a bill....FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS!!! I call...go over my situation again, and he says, okay, how about if I take that price, and delete it, and charge you $24 for another 6 months. I'm still naive, I take it, and he's swearing up and down that it will be canceled in July, and I call in July....to make sure. Fine. Done and done....though, I still receive HEAPS of mail from them. Okay, so then I am GONE forever, and YESTERDAY, in the mail comes a BILL for xm for $55....WHAT?! DUE a WEEK AGO!!! So I call, to cancel....and get transferred, and cancel, and we get "disconnected"....after she offers me a "free month"....I said you couldn't offer me 3 years! So then I call back, and get some other ninny, who tells me I have TWO radios on this account and have a balance of $30....NO I DO NOT!!!!!!! So....we cancel that....and I make sure...AGAIN, that there is NO account whatsoever with my name on it, and put me on any do not call list you want to, but I would like to NEVER hear from you again. Done. And what comes in the mail? ANOTHER BILL FROM XM! And so, I assume it was sent before the conversation, that's fine, but then, literally 3 hours later....the house phone rings. "Hi, this is Sarah from XM....we just wanted to confirm your billing address?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME!????? I said seriously? FOR WHAT?! I am NO longer a customer, she points out the two accounts, (that I do not have) and then says oh....I see they are canceled, I said right, do you see the part where I am on a DO NOT CONTACT? No. Of course not, she puts me on that, apologizes, and does not offer me a free anything, but wishes me a Happy Holiday. I wish her a Merry Christmas, and am PRAYING that xm never contacts me again. BOOO TO XM!!!! I loved the satellite radio...I do, but trying to quit? Worse than a break up! FOR THE LOVE, LET ME GO!!!!!!!!!

Theme? VOLCANO!

2010-12-04T00:55:00.000-05:00

Tonight....heading out to play....I grabbed my zip up fleece...and then I saw my hat sitting there...neglected and all...so I put it on, it deserved some play, I wear hats all the time, how could I pass up the chance!? So I get downstairs, and realize? I'm one giant VOLCANO!! My fleece if from Mt. Etna in Sicily (YES, that is ALWAYS in EVERY CROSSWORD PUZZLE! ETNA!), and then my hat....cool as can be....made by hand in Iceland...to represent "Eyjafjalljokull" (the volcano in Iceland that apparently blows up all the time, but because it really messed up flights to/from Europe this spring, was a bigger deal than normal!) So how cool is THAT! Heart me some volcano apparel! I have a volcanic ash necklace from Santorini I should have thrown on for the photo shoot...

2010-12-02T21:48:00.000-05:00

Dear Zappos,

I think I might love you....don't tell Amazon.com...

Love, Carrie

(BLOG. Zappos...is sort of new for me. I JUST ordered sweet boots, plural, 3 pair, from them. NONE of them fit right....for that I blame the reese cup I had for dinner, not Zappos. Either way, I mailed them back, done and done. They mailed them to me for free.....I mailed them back-for free. Gorgeous. So then, I received something as a gift that I wasn't head over heels about-pun intended, and well, I took just short of FOREVER to send them back, and they were AWESOME on the phone about it-thankyouReginanotapuppet? Anyway, so she said they'd be there "tomorrow".....WOW...really!? So....okay....crazy quick, but okay. So, then TODAY-which was "tomorrow" yesterday-ya with me? Anyway, I got an e-mail from Zappos, with their SINCEREST apologies about the fact that I wouldn't be getting my shipment today/tomorrow as promised! What? "Due to this situation, and as an apology, we want to give you a $15 off coupon to assure you this was not indicative of the level of service we provide to our loyal Zappos customers." WHAT? YES PLEASE! AND THANK YOU!!! Cool. Very cool. Not at all necessary, but FAB!! FAB! Thank you Zappos, could you now call ebay and tell them to step up!?)

VOTE FOR ROB!

2010-12-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

www.127definingmoments.com

Click the thumbs up next to Rob Vernon! JUST DO IT!!

We went to college together! So...keep him in the top 10...pretty please!

The Antibac Angel!

2010-12-01T00:07:00.000-05:00

I may have a problem. Isn't admitting it the first sign!? I knew I had extras...but I didn't know I had a LOT of extras!! In my defense...I use the stuff. NOT CRAZY, but enough to go through them, if I quit buying them for a little while! What are they? Anti-bacterials...MINIS! "POCKETBACS" as the Bath & Body Works world calls them! And they attach with that little rubber holder! They are IDEAL when traveling! I attach them on every bag, so I have one, at all times. (Also? They serve well for attaching zippers together, makes it a little harder to pick pocket, just a deterrent...) I think it's what kept me healthy ON the trip with the "GERM". I didn't nickname him that-the bus did....he was an open mouthed no cover cougher. He got a LOT of people sick-I didn't know it was only him till too late, or maybe I'd have booted him?! Nah...I wouldn't have, but I'd have handed him a box of tissues and said "COVER"! Anyway, I didn't get sick till AFTER the trip was over....so THAT was good! lol Anyway, that said....I obviously have too many. I even gave one away to my last Paris guide...I should have given her more huh!? Well, maybe next year! :-)
For now, don't they look like and ANGEL!? Antibac Angel. I love it.

2010-11-30T01:16:00.000-05:00

Mmmmmm....the craving for the insides of a peanut butter cup started promptly after my nap this afternoon....I didn't know why....but I knew I MUST have the insides. Sure, I could go buy a Reese Cup, but to be honest, I like them for a brief while, and it's really the chocolate that doesn't hold my interest, but oh the insides. So I google and insides recipe, mind you, my mom makes DA BOMB reese cups, and used to make them every Christmas...along with her famous popcorn cakes, to which my brother and I would DREAD having to deliver on Christmas Eve....anyway, I go downstairs...and I say to mom, I need insides to reese's. She says, I have a recipe, I said I know, butter, confectionery sugar, graham crackers and peanut butter right? Yes, she answers, but I'll do it, I don't want you knowing my secrets....LOL! (Tricky me getting her to make them eh?) Anyway, so she mixes, and then I hear the BLECK....turns out graham crackers can go bad! As the box is from 2006, I pull out another box....from 2008...Hmmm....PROBLEM! Well, I'm too far into it to give up now. SO I put on shoes and grab my keys, she says, get new peanut butter too! (Do you have ANY idea how MANY different types of peanut butter there are!?) I get home, having spent $20 at the store, buying other things I didn't need...I have such a weakness for Snapple too. Anyway, home, and Momma Bear whips up this batch, that has now turned from a tasting to the full blown cup, she's melting chocolate and everything! Which worries me, I JUST WANT INNERDS....and NOW! She hands me a little bowl of it, warm buttery goodness, and BLISS BLISS BLISS! I couldn't even speak! YUMTASTIC!! I'm sure...that home made reese cup innerds will be in my heavens pantry....and is also a way to my heart! :-) Josh Mings....it is NOT just PEANUT BUTTER!!

So today? FIREMEN!

2010-11-28T18:17:00.001-05:00

1. If you are capable of raking or have a leaf blower...call me.
2. If you read this blog call me. lol.

On our way to Sunday Sushi (half price from 12-4), we saw to hombres blowing leaves, so we pull over to ask how much, they point me to their "jefe"...who was a kid....a guy...whatever. And he's like, I'll follow you to your house and see? Super! So, he does, and mom and I were discussing what we'd pay...she said $50...I said $80. So this cat gets out of his truck, asks where we want them, I say...off the lawn? He says okay....I can do it for $210. I laugh out loud and say, yeah no, we're good thanks. TWO HUNDRED AND TEN DOLLARS! For him to do NOTHING, and for him to have his 2 hombres with leaf blowers do it!!! So he pays them $10 and hour and pockets the rest!? Note to self...."Earth & Turf"...steer clear. (Unless...you think that is a REASONABLE amount for leaves...)

Mom was "mowing"...(aka...leaf blowing)...she got half done...and then all of a sudden....she opens the door, and says, sort of calm actually..."Um...Carrie, I think I need your help....I...I think the lawnmower is on fire..." WHUUUUUAAATTT? So I ask if there are flames...she says yes. (You THINK it's on fire!?) So I grab my phone, to call 911, and wet a towel, and then the water bottle by the door....I go out...and it's smokin', and mom has her watering can...the pretty one she painted that is on display in our house, and she's filling it with water. I spray the bottle on it-not HUGE flames mind you, but yes, flames. And then the watering can...and I ask if we have a fire extinguisher, she says yes, I say where (which should cause you, reader, to ask yourself if you know where yours is-OR go buy one.), she says by the washer. So I run get it, while she's on the phone with 911. I spray it twice, and it's DONE! (Fire extinguishers are so cool), and I hear a siren...I look at mom..."is that for us I ask"....she nods..."I told them not to come as we'd put it out from when we first called to before we hung up...". A cop shows up. LOL. So he walks around it, assess the situation, and then STARTS it up again! It starts...ooohh! Mom is back in business...and then he says, if it doesn't work...I could use the tires. Ha ha ha. So THEN a firetruck FILLED with firemen, rolls up...8, EIGHT of them pile out, and a truck behind, then another pick-up truck, so all of them crowded around it. It was a sight to see....good times. I felt bad they, all EIGHT, had to come, but I'm grateful. I secretly think mom was just trying to meet the boys. lol. Anyway, the mower, may or may not work, but it did give me something blogworthy!

2010-11-28T00:21:00.001-05:00

So....I'm just throwing this out there....my streak of 2 blogs in a row was interrupted by sleeping for 15 hours....IN 4 DAYS! So....perhaps I'll be back for a little bit?! We'll see! For now!? No more SCHEDULED tours....one never knows what may pop up...but my next trip....I get to be the tourist....watch out world! :-)

For now....since I don't like to blog without some sort of photo!? THIS...is a picture of DINNER in London this past fall...INDIVIDUALLY wrapped sushi. Cool...but NOT practical....AT ALL! And I was too hungry to have my food individually wrapped....hmmm...sounds like a diet scheme!

The CROOKED House of Windsor...NOT CRICKET!

2010-11-23T22:54:00.000-05:00

Well, what a GLORIOUS day we had at Windsor Castle...I call it Windsor Palace....I have no idea why, but really....Palace...Castle...WHO CARES! Royalty lives there! We had a SUNNY DAY! A first for me...the leaves were REALLY beautiful....as was St. George's, in all it's sun and splendor. Some day? I'll go INSIDE the chapel! Turns out the Queen WAS there that day....but she didn't come say hello. Sad. Maybe next time. So, we do this trip as an option, so not all my peeps go, but on this particular trip, I had two other guides with me. Two FABULOUS guides-thank you Mark & Sarah for being as awesome as you are! Anyway, I tell my people about "The Crooked House" and how it's fun to grab a coffee, or tea, or lunch. However, THIS particular time? Nobody heard Crooked....but nobody! They all heard CRICKET! So when I had a lady say, you have to point out the "Cricket" house to me....I froze, (insert the part where I have to know everything all the time and when I don't, it's failure...and I'm RACKING my brain about crickets, and how do they relate to England, and what cricket house, and should I know this? Is it so obvious that I missed it in my research...on and on my brain goes...) and she interrupts my quizzical face, and says..."you know, the "Cricket House" you said to go to!? PHEW!!!!!!! SIGHS OF RELIEF! I had dodged a bullet! CROOKED! I SAID CROOKED!!!!! (By the way, she still heard CRICKET!) Anyway, I proceed to point it out, and then they go off to the castle. The other two guides and I head through the castle, and take the shortest way out...not without my stopping to have a picture taken with the guard...you know, the ones with the fuzzy hats!? So, I'm never with people here, I've NEVER had my picture take with them...so I DID! And I felt silly, but well, who cares, I can be a tourist. So I stand next to him, and mutter, "just stand there"...HAHAHAHAHAHA! As IF he would do anything else. Then, prompted by Mark or Sarah, I nuzzled closer, and after the picture, I apologized profusely and we went on our way. Ah...the CROOKED house...the reason for the blog. I ordered a hot cocoa...and it came with THOUSANDS of marshmallows! By thousands...I of course mean more than 50, less than a hundred, either way...oodles of mallows! It was great, along with some smoked salmon & cream cheese too, yum-tastic! And it was here, at the Crooked/Cricket House, that I enjoyed, what very well may have been, my favorite hot cocoa to date. Or should I write...favoUrite (a la British spelling!) So...get to Windsor...see the castle...but HAVE A HOT COCOA at the Crooked House! (I'll not vouch for the service or prices or even claim they have honey, but I overlook some things when woo'd by mallows!

2010-11-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

So...I love fall...I do...and I love pumpkins. THAT SAID!? I like to LOOK at pumpkins...not eat them...well, seeds, okay, pies? Pancakes? Lattes? NO THANK YOU! They are, however, VERY VERY PRETTY! And I say this a lot, but how can you look at a pumpkin, and not believe in God. I mean they are a GORGEOUS color...they blend perfect with the leaves...which are another beauty all together, but then they are edible too (for those of you that like them that is...) So...God is real, He is big, and He's all or nothing. I'm just throwing that out there...more for me. Enjoy fall...enjoy every crunchy leaf. (My thanks to Lorrie Hanson for the use of her pumpkin for the photo shoot! Glorious time spent with her and Peter outside of Chi-town!)

BLAHHH!

2010-07-07T12:52:00.000-04:00

In a nutshell...it's how I feel right now. Not how I felt on that day at SEARS when I was like 4. Not gonna lie. All I want to do is sleep-but in air conditioning...am I so picky!? WHY IS IT A 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently...this is what happens to me when I'm not on tour. Is it bad that I'm alive on the road living out of a suitcase with total strangers to greet me every day!? Mayhaps...but that's how it goes. The blog is called "ViCarrie"....you know...a play on words...like..."VICARIOUSLY"? And...say...MY NAME? Though...I don't think I'm very good at blogging, let alone at blogging so that you feel you are living VI-CARRIE-OUSLY!!! Sorry...I'd say I'd try to do better, but I've met me...I doubt it! See...my tour days typically start with an alarm in the 6am era...though the 5am's do happen...then we go go go go and THEN GO, in whatever weather, walking however many miles, and smiling the whole time, until I run out of bus driver hours....and then we re-check in to hotel/home, and I check in security, no matter how incompetent they are, and I go to my room....sometime around 11 ish. Do I go right to bed? PAH!!!! NEVER!!!!!!!!! I want to...but I have to lay out my clothes...because what happens when one of my three alarms doesn't go off? And I have to rush!? I have to do my paperwork, because if I don't glue stick daily...well, it's a mess. And then I have to unwind...shower....stalk facebook, and sometimes...prep commentary for the next day. Usually, on kid tours....I'm safe....it's adult tours.....they ask some questions, and they expect some answers....they PAID for answers...and then I wonder...if I'm the best person for the job! lol I AM...by the way. (since all my bosses have access to this!). And then...maybe around midnight, or 1, I go to bed. I try NOT to go to bed past 2, unless it's the last night, or second to the last night, rarely third to the last night, because I can't recover from that....and I get all "woe is me" on me...and it's not pretty. 1 am...is usually my goal. And 5 hours later, the alarms start ringing...is it Ground Hog day!? And is that one word or two...? Groudhog or Ground Hog...?

So there....I did it....I posted in the year 2010. AND...it was something relevant...a window into my life. And just fyi...it's 1:04....I'm not really in real clothes yet....and on the agenda is an un-needed trip to Home Goods-recent discovery.....and church. Don't hate me because I'm plan-less and you've been up since 5. I don't get weekends...or days off on tour...so I take them all together at home. HOWEVER....parents...you don't get those either....so you can perhaps hate me if you want....but just a little.

Love to all...I'll try to be better.

P.S. I didn't take a picture of it...and I should have...but yesterday...while shopping to stay cool...I saw a pepto bismol PINK Mustang. I would like to take the time right now...to say that is not okay...ever. UNLESS that person ACTUALLY owns the pepto bismol company....and I'm gonna sincerely doubt that.

2009-11-10T21:47:00.001-05:00

Oh HELLO KITTY! So....here's the Panini Maker story! Doesn't everybody have at least ONE!? We know about my war on my basement. Well, one year for my birthday...I got a Hello Kitty Panini Maker! AND I LOVED IT! I love HK...who doesn't! Well, the gift was appropriate, and I was grateful. That's all. So then, it sat in my basement...you know, for my "someday", when I had a house, when I actually cooked, when I had kids to make them for! I'm over all that...if/when it happens? I'll re-buy it eBay! Anyway, so I finally decided to put it up on ebay. I couldn't find them anywhere online...to steal facts from or get an idea of price. Waffle Makers, Toasters, etc....Panini Makers!? NONE! So...I put it up...make up a description...and voila. Well...I start it at $18...and immediately I have like 15 people watching it and emails...from FRANCE! SO...then...2 days later, I get a letter from-drumroll please-SANRIO THEMSELVES! The company that birthday Hello Kitty 35 years ago...wants my panini maker! NOW! For her BIRTHDAY PARTY in LA! So she wants to "buy it now"....WOW I say, am flattered, and then ask how much. She says $50. I, hem, haw, and then I get home to write her back, and well, someone bid on it already. I always feel bad if someone has already bid. So I tell her so....and she's sad, but will try to bid for it. So that night, I'm talking to my family, and secretly I am hoping for more than $50, because there are 15 people watching it!? So my family/friends say....sell it to Sanrio! How cool would it be for your Panini Maker to help celebrate HK's birthday! So...I knew they were right....and that night...after they all left!? I unposted it from eBay and sold it to Sanrio! She was STOKED that I did! AND? All that...and she ended up paying me $60 AND paid for shipping, AND?!!!!!! SENT ME A GOODY PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GLORIOUS GOODY PACKAGE!!!! I love Kerokerokeroppi, and she sent me a bag, notebook, keychain, and pen with him, then a bunch of pens with Hello Kitty on it, a shirt, and a HOODY! I'm sure this box was worth WAY MORE in product than that Panini Maker ever was! WHAT A BLESSING!!!!! WHAT A BLESSING! So it was awesome awesome! And my Panini Maker was involved in celebrating Hello Kitty! WHAT FUN! So...I love eBay, not just for the part where I empty my basement, or where I get paid, but for GEMS like that! VIVA the panini maker!!!

2009-10-24T01:24:00.001-04:00

Tears.

2009-10-24T00:28:00.000-04:00

So...it's nights like tonight that I wonder how people without Jesus make it through. I mean where do you find your hope!? What do you hold onto when things hurt? Why bother when things really suck? I mean are you really okay with this world if things were up to "chance". HOPING you make it through another day!? We actually just spoke about God's Providence on Wednesday night, but my heart just hurts for my Hollie. Her sister Heidi, went to be with the Lord this week...it's sad. She has 2 kids, she was only 38, and she was great. And Hollie, has to be the strong one. The thing is too? People say "she's in a better place"....you know what? SHE IS! And she is because of her belief and relationship with God. Someone wrote on facebook that she'll be with her folks in heaven...except? That her father wasn't a christian...so he's not there. My point of that is!? If you aren't a christian....you don't go to heaven. That's it. That's all. It's that simple. So if you believe you go to heaven when you die?! Be sure. Know. NOT EVERYBODY WILL! Funerals...for believers...hurt, but are celebrations-knowing they are with their Lord and Savior. Funerals for unbelievers, are the saddest most helpless things in the world. My friend Nate's mom passed away this week....more sadness...but she was SUCH a woman of the Lord....and they are calling it a graduation to heaven service, and it's true...so we miss her here, but she's dancin' with Heidi, Hollie's sister up in heaven. My hearts heavy with the loss, but I know they are in a better place. I KNOW THAT. If you do NOT know Him, Jesus...you are NOT going to heaven. There IS a hell, it IS eternal...and you'll stay there. Even if you are "good". It's about the relationship with Jesus Christ. It's about your belief in Him, and acceptance of Him in your heart....and that's it. You can't be "good" enough. We're sinners, every single one of us. We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Where are you?
1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4.Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

How to Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Step 4 God's Assurance: His Word

If you prayed this prayer,

The Bible says...

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

Step 4"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:12-13

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the "new birth."

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:

1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.

It's not a simple life, being His...but it's certainly full of Hope and Grace, and knowing that EVERY single thing is for a reason and His Providence, and that NOTHING is left to "chance"...I mean it's ENCOURAGING! It's worth living for. He died so that we might have life, and life more abundantly. He made us in HIS likeness, we're HIS. It's heavy on my heart, being in trials and not knowing Him. So I pray that you as a reader, are blessed, encouraged, something, with this, and I hope and pray that you choose Him, as your life. He chose to give you life. And you as a believer...be encouraged that Christ has a perfect plan, even when there are lots of tears and terrible situations. He loves us, we need to trust and obey. And feel free to email me, I'm no expert but I'll pray with and help all I can. God is faithful. The picture is Hollie and I in July. Pray for her, Heidi's kids, and Heidi's husband.

2009-10-20T00:49:00.000-04:00

So...maybe you know...and maybe you don't...but I've declared war on my basement...it's STAGGERING the amount of CRAP I have down there...and NO NEED! It's not like I have a house! Or like I have kids I'm saving it for....argh...if only I'd met me now...THEN! Oh well....so...eBAY! Oh the joys. Sure...it's a lot of work, it's a little annoying, packing packages is a CHORE...but for a little extra cash, SCORES more than a garage sale, and in the name of "making cleaning fun"....I'm selling. Anything and everything. I LOVE what people will buy! It's CRAZY! And then of course...I buy too...but not NEARLY what I could be buying....that's got to count for something right!? Well, at any rate...I research a little on somethings, you know accurate description, pricing, RECALLS! RECALLS!? Yeah...so I listed my "Mini Lite Brite Keychain" tonight, and it said to check the Consumer Safety website...which, incidentally....is STILL loading, as I type this. So I gave up, I mean I already warned people not to eat the pieces or let their little ones eat the pieces, what more can I do!? BUT, in researching this....I found this write up about old school lite brites-which I still have, and will be eBaying shortly-though not a high value item....and not that any of my items are, but I'm just sayin'. I found this blog "stuff that was cool" and this cats write up about the lite brite was HYSTERICAL...and the Larry King part was great, AND? He made me want the lite brite with 4 sides and BATTERY POWERED! OOOOOoooh! Things like this...make me want kids...a little. Anyway, I remember the Christmas when Curtis and I got our lite brite, we were in Montana...and laying on the floor...I feel like we played with it all day...you'd have to ask mom and dad if that were true. Good times. And it was like cheating if you turned the light on before you were done matching every single light to every single dot or x or whatever! GOOD TIMES! Well...I had hopes and dreams of being in bed before 3 tonight...looks like it might actually be before 1! So...in closing...here's a picture of my lite brite keychain that is being sold on eBay right now.....bid bid bid!

Terrible...

2009-10-17T01:29:00.000-04:00

I'm absolutely terrible at keeping this up, I have great ambitions, but alas....to no avail. BLAH! So...here I am...plugging along. I just got back from 3 weeks in Cali....2 tours, and some chill time with the Swaynes, which was great, really great. So now I'm home, it's fall, and I've officially declared war on my basement. EBAY for all! So hopefully, I'll fight a good fight, and eventually, own nothing but what I might need. I'm over the "somedays"...as who knows what will happen, and if I haven't used it in like 7 years...chances are slim I will ever use it! All this is ramblings, my body is still jacked on west coast time, AND I took a nap today! Viva the freezing fall! So for warm feelings...I leave you with this gorgeous rose that I found at V. Sattui, a winery in St. Helena, California. It may very well make the 2010 calendar. We'll see. And? For some tour guide trivia!? Do you know why there are often rose bushes around the vineyards!? They predict disease, and bugs, and all that. So they are the canary of the grape world! Cool right!?

"Slumdog Millionaire"

2009-02-28T22:53:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen it yet? GO! If you have seen it? Go again. Really great movie...for once, the Academy got it right! And? If you really know me? Get practicing your dance to "Jai Ho"...we're breaking it out at my wedding (no, no date yet)! JAI HO!

The "Ted Danson" story.

2009-01-13T01:21:00.000-05:00

A blessing for the 5th of January! So...we're in the LA airport...and I went off in search of Cinnabon...which was RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER...and I was off, who knows where. I come back and my mom says that she's pretty sure she just saw Ted Danson....he looked older...but she was sure it was him. I say that's cool, and it's about time....we'd been in LA for over a week and I'd spent a day in Hollywood, and NO encounters! So, we go to get on our flight...and I'm over trying to get our seats, and we go to get on the plan and mom says.....Ted is ON our flight! Ahh...COOL! So now I'll be looking for him! We board...and there he is....his hair is straight white...and his head is down...bummer. Well, in boarding...we naturally stop...I happen to stop next to him...he's reading the Amazon Kindle (an electronic book-for those of you that aren't up on it...) and so I say to him...."do you like that better than the Sony Reader?" He looks up...and says...it was a gift...what's the Sony Reader? I say it's the same thing practically...just a little thinner. He says oh, well, I don't know anything about it, but I kind of miss the pages....I say yeah...he then says, but it's great for the plane, I say that's true, and then he says...but best of all? It was free! We laugh, I pat him on the knee/shoulder (can't remember) and I say, well, enjoy the rest of your book! He says thanks...goes back to reading. My mom, laughing, can't believe I just started a conversation with Ted Danson. I HAD TO! Especially since we didn't get to take a picture together! So, not that many people noticed him, but there was a couple in front of me that saw him too. And get this....THEY SHOWED AN EPISODE OF "CHEERS" ON THE FLIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who does that! lol. When it came on...I looked around...and really...nobody noticed! Except that one couple. What a hoot. Anyway, he was super nice, and nowhere to be found afterwards....oh well, I still have time for my 2009 Celebrity Photo! Keep your cameras handy folks!!

Blessings....

2009-01-13T00:52:00.000-05:00

I just wonder why we aren't more thankful...on a daily basis. It's already January 12....where time goes....we'll never know. But, as the world, I want to start out the new year being the person I should be...the person God wants me to be. I'm not. I wanted to blog a blessing daily. I haven't. I might still...but we'll see. Today? Of course there are many, unseen, unspoken, not realized...and this isn't all inclusive...(I like to give a disclaimer....simply because it's funny...the only person that would care about the disclaimer IS God..and I'm pretty sure He knows! lol) Anyway, today...on top of sleeping in, being warm, having receipts for items returned? I won tickets to see David Letterman on Wednesday! I forgot that I had signed up....maybe I was still in Cali? Or right after I got back? Anyway, I filled out two dates in January that we could run up there...and one in February....and tonight? I'm cleaning out my closet....sort of...and my phone rings...a 212 number...and I almost let it go to voice mail...but since I'm job hunting? I picked it up. It was "JACK"...from the Letterman show! I was JAZZED! So he's going through when and all that...and then I have to answer a question...so I make him talk to Gayle...she's better suited, and essentially IN LOVE with Dave. So the question? What color are Dave's cards that he reads the "Top Ten" from. PLEASE! I knew that answer! So, of course...mom got it right...duh....and so we'll be at Letterman on Wednesday! YAY! God is just cool like that...He loves us anyway, we don't deserve it....that's why it's called "GRACE". So...that's my blessing for today. Last Thursday? I was in DC....Wednesday night I went down to see Edwin McCain with my friend Jen, who turned 30, and he was amazing! So Thursday I was a tourist....doing a little research for upcoming tours in DC....anyway....I go to the Washington Monument, since I've never been up it....can you believe it? Anyway, well, on the way up...I practically break my leg on some ice, blessing that I didn't....and so I get my tickets...and it was FREEZING? But hardly any line! Ahhhh! If only I could preserve the NO-LINE for tour season! Anyway, I'm in line...and I literally....walk IN the building? And it starts SNOWING LIKE CRAZY!!!! Like out of NOWHERE! Insane...so I'm initially grateful for being inside at that time...and then wondering if the rest of my day is going to be spent in SNOW...because I chose not to wear my fabulous uggs. Anyway, I go up....take some pictures, snowy pictures, fight off some pushy children (side story? There were like 18 of them...maybe age 7 or 8? And one of them...I just got to the window to look out? PUSHES ME! In my head...ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? I'm A PERSON! I realize that a child gets priority? BUT YOU DON'T PUSH! So I look at him, and I said, "you need to be patient and wait your turn"....he looks up at me...and says "I'm sorry"....so he gets points for apologizing? But he TOTALLY knew he shouldn't have pushed! Anyway, those kids....lol) So then...I look out the other side? And I SEE the snow storm moving over the capitol building and away! I get down and outside? It's just as sunny as I left it, and nobody even really knew it snowed! So ....blessing that God kept me in the monument during the 10 minute freak blizzard! He's just good like that! May your days be filled with blessings...and may you remember them!

"FUR REAL"

2008-12-03T01:40:00.000-05:00

Speaking of "Fashion Police" though....THIS PHOTO IS REAL! I was in the town of Como, Italy....and wandering around....and I FOUND THIS! I could kick myself for not using my real camera...because I bet I could have gotten away with it...but outside the chocolate shop...was this....this....ANIMAL! It's Sunday afternoon....and he's an OLDER gentleman....in a jogging-type LEOPARD PRINT SUIT....with....MATCHING LEOPARD PRINT SANDALS! FURRY SANDALS! So I couldn't resist a phone picture....and I mailed it to my brother and Brad....and they are funny funny cats-no pun intended....but I sent it to them...and put "For REAL?" in the subject line....my brother promptly responds with...."FUR REAL!". LOLOLOLOL!!! WHAT IS GOING ON! Seriously! Though....what laughs would we have if the Fashion Po Po were out there doing their jobs.....?!

Fashion Police..

2008-12-03T01:29:00.000-05:00

Speaking of "REALLY?" This picture...I took while riding an elevator up and out of the tube in London. I have NO idea what is happening.....but I don't even know what part of this is acceptable....I mean the fact that you have on red tights? Or that the back of your pants are intentionally missing? Or that on top of all this you are wearing a skirt? Anyway, I just really wanted to share...seriously. Where are the fashion police when you need them....because this? Is a crime that affects us all!

True Story....

2008-12-03T01:02:00.000-05:00

It's not MY story...but it's a TRUE story...and I'm posting it for a few reasons...first of all...it's just funny when re-told....second of all....maybe you'll realize that we "tour managers" don't just get paid to go on "vacations"....we put up with CRAP! Or...THROW UP, in this case.

This....THIS happened to my dear friend Annie....my BFF Annie....and here we go.

She's at the airport, in Rome, it's arrival day....the day, I think we all hate, it's just inexplicable, unless you've been there. It's generally ALWAYS insanely early, you generally get ZERO sleep the night before....and I'm positively a MENTAL case on those mornings....call it stage fright....Annie is the same way. So we hate it. We only hate it till we get our passengers though. For me....before they come through that door....I want to cry, run away, quit, and cry some more. I wonder, if I wasn't here....would it be that big of a deal? Why am I doing this? What is the matter with me...? And on and on. But the thing is? The SECOND that my little green tags and bags walk through that door? I'm FINE! And I'm in LOVE LOVE with what I do....and I'm grounded, and on, and all is RIGHT with the world. So again, Annie, the same....except in this case....and I'll just quote from the e-mail I received from her....
This is a new one.....I pick up Ms. Beltz (henceforth, Ms. BELCH) at the airport and she is carrying a Ziploc baggie full of throw up....after I almost vomited looking at it, she shakes it in front of my face and says "What do you want me to do with this?"

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! Really...."what do you want me to do with this?!" Um...people...when doing group tours....I think they leave their brain at home....this one though....really? I have a million answers....and who knows what I would have said if I had been in her position-something way too polite I'm sure...as Tour Carrie is freaky Customer Service and Brand Image....but my first thought....was the obvious....
"Are you kidding me!?????"
but then I really got thinking.....
"Pack it in pack it out!"
or
"You are gonna have to keep that for customs when you leave....can I get you some ice?"
or just the simple
"really? REALLY?"

I mean...so many gems....but that...that my friends, was the beginning of Annie's trip....so when you think we just vacation....remember Ms. Belch...and her ziploc bag of throw up.

And what did Annie say? You were wondering?
Well, she's a rock star....and she #1. did not throw up OR dry heave and #2 was polite and said this... "Yours to take care of. I recommend a trash can." She didn't coddle AND was polite....a rough line.....I mean you can't coddle or they walk all over you, and you HAVE to still be polite because of brand image, customer service, etc.

The joys of our job....I love the MB story....and if you are having a bad day at work....and you deal with people? Maybe it will make things appear "not that bad"....I mean...nobody tried to hand you a bag of throw up today right?!

And also....on behalf of Annie....and another one of her tours? I'm putting up a picture of shoes....a pair of shoes worn on one of her trips by one of her passengers. These are really out there folks....and if you own them....and are reading my blog? I'm gonna need you to stop! SERIOUSLY!? lololol!

Momma Bear

2008-12-03T00:32:00.000-05:00

So....I just have to say it, if you don't already know, which, really? How could you not, but here goes. My mom? DARN FUNNY!!! On a lot of levels....but this is what happened today....

I'm at work....Bath & Body Works....part time....and FUN! I love it part time....seriously. So...I go in tonight because I'm going to work my "magic" in the back room...which I love....and more importantly...my "Secret Weapon" is coming to help! So...I dress in appropriate "get buried in boxes and sweat" attire...but I put on the wrong shoes. I put on my birks...that are really just comfy shoes....but here's what I forgot....there is NO room in the back...duh, that's why I was there...and really? I'm just not nimble in my birks. So I'm kind of fussy about it. And I'm kind of getting blocked on being productive because of my shoes...I'm neurotic...I get that. So, it's BUSY on the floor....and there were only 2 girls out there....and there are mad people...and then lines at the register...so I hop on....get the line down, and then continue to empty the cart and am just doing things out there because they need me...and because "Secret Weapon" doesn't get there for an hour! So, I can't handle it...I live a mile away...I need better shoes. Now, me going home...involves me making my way to the back desk....crawling over the store manager on the phone....getting my purse...and making her approve my clock-out...and explaining....then driving home....grabbing my shoes, and doing the whole punch in process, WHICH, if you have ever seen a back room at BBW at holiday...you'd get...but a back room in this store? Somehow worse....somehow...my bedroom is bigger! Anyway, so I text mom. I did try and call her first. And so I said...."if you could, and no big deal if you can't, or when, but can you bring me my pink shoes please? (pictured to the left) I think that they are downstairs or they could be in my room....probably in my jeans where I kicked them off....oh...and not my crocs." (I added the "not my crocs" part because I know that they too are "out" somewhere, and are pink, and are something that I would wear in the back room, and they are pictured to the right!) I text her my request....she texts back...okay. And THEN she texts back...."is there a prize involved?" She is so my mother....I am so her daughter....I write back "duh". So...a little while later, she's there....I run out to the car.....she opens the window....and hands me...are you ready? MY LEAST COMFY HEELS I OWN.....MY PINK HEELS!!!! (Pictured to the left.) My face fell. I mean FELL. Two things are happening in my brain....#1. okay...I guess I'll just make do, I mean I can't make her go back for the right ones, I gotta suck it up, it's not that big of a deal, she is the best for bringing them....oh well, and Carrie, don't freak out, she did you a favor, be an adult....say thanks, I mean after all...they were out....and they are pink!..... and #2.!? I'm HOT about it! WHEN WOULD I EVER EVER EVER WEAR HEELS TO WORK!!!! ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE SAW ME IN MY BACK ROOM GRUNGE ATTIRE BEFORE I LEFT!? WAS THIS SOME SORT OF JOKE?! HOW COULD SHE REALLY THINK THOSE WERE THE ONES!!! LOL So...all of this is occuring in my brain in less than 3 seconds....and she cracks the BIGGEST SMILE and says "that was a GOOD one huh!".....and she's laughing....and I'm DYING....but dying! I mean I'm relieved on one hand....and then mushy that she TOTALLY has my number and KNOWS me and what I do/DID for a living! WHAT A HOOT!! SHE TRICKED ME! And I fell hard hard hard for it.....and seriously....roaring with laughter. So funny. So that....THAT is a perfect example of "from whence I came"....what a riot. Oh my goodness. So that's my momma bear for you. Tricking me....in the midst of crabby me.....I love her.

2008-11-04T20:30:00.000-05:00

So....get this! WD-40? WD stands for "water displacement," because it was first concocted to seal metal and prevent rust. The "40" honors the company's thirty-nine unsuccessful attempts to get it right! WHO KNEW!

Just simply praising Him.

2008-08-06T18:57:00.000-04:00

So...I leave today for Ireland/Scotland....we all know about that...and we know I'm a procrasinator...that's fine. BUT! This trip? I was packed LAST NIGHT....like in my suitcase...and I had to add my computer, chargers, and some copies! So...I went to bed...slept NOT AT ALL...and woke up this morning....had coffee with Melissa and baby Jack...which was great. My then next agenda was to clean the kitchen, drop books off at the library, make copies of my welcome letter, run to the store to buy oatmeal and marshmellows. Oatmeal so as to avoid breakfast on the trip as it's huge, time consuming, and I like my moments where I'm not "on". So thanks to another guide who suggested it...I'm heeding. Marshmellows....for Fitzy's birthday present...which is breakable....and packed weird....so they are my packing legumes. After that, get lunch at Andy's...my favorite chicken panini of Round Goodness (see the "Fitionary") From there....post office to mail her present...then home to change...and all this so that Kathy Guyer-MY SAVING GRACE- who was going to drop me off at the train station so that I didn't have to take a cab. I had a 4:08 train to catch. Can I recap that I don't really love taking the train to the airport? I have to leave 5 hours before my flight leaves....vs. 3 hours? And I have to lug...change trains...lug....hop on air shuttle....and it's really not any cheaper than driving. But alas...momma bear is still on the west coast...so I was training. The other thing about the train is that I have to take what's available...so 4:08 it is...the same one I took last Friday to head to California for the weekend...my birthday weekend. WHICH? Thank you to those of you who texted, e-mailed, called, facebooked? You made me smile all day long. Okay...so train...me...4:08. Okay...dropped books off at the library...check. Stop at Andy's...order food...run to Foodtown....buy Oatmeal and Marshmellows....run back to Andy's...pick up RG....and look at the clock. Andy's was slow today...and so I am nixing the copies...and decide that I can do them in Ireland...somewhere I'm sure....and off to the Post Office I go. I get there...grab Annie's box....grab my wallet....lock my doors and head in. Um...DID I GRAB MY KEYS??? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!! FOR THE LOVE!!!! WHY DO I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!? When will I learn. See...I did this the other night at Summerfest too. And I had to get a ride home to get my spare. And someone said to me..."well, that's a mistake you only make once."...but it's SO NOT!!!! Anyway, so here I am....with wallet...and package. No cell phone...no keys...and now it's 3:15....and I have to be at my house and ready to leave by 3:45....I'm screwed. So...I mail my package....and ask the lady to borrow her phone, and start the calling. Here is where modern day technology screws us....I know my mom's number...and I know Kathy's home phone number....and that is ALL!!!! I try to think of my options here....NO ANSWER at Kathy's....okay....call mom in Nevada for Kathy's cell phone.....okay...NO ANSWER THERE! Then...onto AAA.....they put me on hold. And I'm rock and a hard place here. I mean I'm wasting time....I'm about 1.5 miles from home...but I can't phone and walk at the same time. So I give up on AAA. I call Kathy's numbers back like 3 times each.....to no avail. She's got a house key...so ideally? She picks me up here...brings me to the house....I get my spare, come back and get the car...and I still make my 4:08. You should also know...if you've read this far? The next train doesn't get me to the airport till like 8pm...my flight is at 9:15...not gonna work. So now...since I have nobody to take me to the airport? I'm leaving my car there till mom gets in next Tuesday. BOOOO! But oh well. Anyway, so....no answer......and I'm close to wits end...so I give up...and start the walk home....with the WORST "woe is me" attitude. And I get like 1 hot minute up the road...and I'm like...I need to leave a message...I need to do what I can to get in touch with Kathy...and I run out of phones after this place....so I pop my head in to this violin store....use their phone....call Kathy again...call AAA again...still holding....so I left Kathy a message....and call mom...tell her to keep calling Kathy...I have to start walking. And I walk out the door again. And I'm HOT! And literally and figuratively....I mean WHO DOESN'T have their cell at their hip....and....the thought of smashing in my car window DID cross my mind...I mean I don't have time for this! And my mini flood gates open...not completely....but the tears start....I don't need this! I have a TRAIN TO CATCH...and so then the pity...woe is me creeps up...and that of course encompasses EVERYTHING....from EVERYWHERE....my heart....my grams....whatever....and so for one second....I have clarity...and I say to myself...I have 2 choices here. I can fall apart...and cry the whole way home...which is a mile and a half away....on public busy roads....OR? I can praise God...because there is something here....some sort of something....that I may get to know about .....I may not. And so I want to cry...I do...but I stepped up...and said...okay...I'll praise you. So....it's hot....I'm sweaty...and gross...and a truck goes by me...HONKS...and WAVES! Like they knew me? NO idea who it was...but part of me wanted to be MAD at them for not stopping. But the "praising" decision nixed that. Boo.....so I'm walking...hot, sweaty....officially missing my train.....and knowing I'll have to now pay for parking at Newark for a week...which is like giving up my first born...which will I have even? (That comes up in pity parties too-lol) Anyway, so I'm like, there is a reason for this...I mean...the 4:08...could be the worst place in the world for me to be right now....or I need to leave my car at the airport for mom next week....or I need this time to get my head straight...or a hundred different reasons. So...I say....okay...what am I grateful for.....I'm wearing shoes....flip flops....but shoes none-the-less, I'm in acceptable clothing...I'm not in my pj's....mom answered her cell phone...she never does that....I'm early....I still have time to make my flight...even if I didn't? I'm going over 2 days early...so I have that window.....it's not raining....it's not SCORCHING....my roads are relatively safe...it's day light....I trust where I'm at....I'm healthy....and so...then TRYING to be annoyed is much MUCH harder. So I'm walking...being grateful...and I'm okay. I'm okay...I mean woe is me walking home in the heat and missing my train...but it's ALL my fault. So I turn the corner into the neighborhood and I see Kathy driving towards me....she pulls up....says..."GET IN"...I do...and she hugs me....and it was all okay. Normally? I cry, and rant....but I'm good. God is good....faithful too. So she says she talked to mom, and mom said to try the shuttle place....I didn't even think of that. I go in....google them...no idea their name....phone book them-member phone books? lol So I call...and the lady is like your flight is at 9:15? International? You need to be on a shuttle right now! DUH! I know...but I'm not. She's like okay...there is a 6 o'clock...I say okay...and I'm on their website by now...and I see a 5 o'clock...I'm like what about the 5...she goes...well, yeah...there is that. I say great...book it. So I book it....it's $33.00...I'm sort of still under my budget. So now...it's 4...I still have to go back and get my car....change...and pack up my last minutes....I run out the door....drive up to my car...get it...drive back...shower....change...and put all my last minutes in one more bag...to deal with on the way up to where I get the shuttle. I'm in the car 20 minutes later...and? My lunch...my delicious RG was still hot....and perfect for the car. I mean I was HOT pulling off my red peppers! (Why nor order without them then? I like the flavoring...not the texturing...I'm ridiculous...I know). SO...sprint to the car...and we're off. I fit all my stuff into my back pack...and so I'm set....one HUGE suitcase...well, normal size...but HEAVY....and my backpack. I'm kind of proud of myself. 2 weeks...mad paperwork and books? One suitcase...3 pairs of shoes and 1 pair of flips. Gloater....I know. Anyway, so I get to the shuttle place with 15 minutes to spare....and I make it up to the airport still a good 45 minutes sooner....and less drama. ALL this to say....God IS faithful....and HE does have a plan....and we CHOOSE our attitudes about it. Did I have grounds for griping and crying about it? Yeah probably....but some songs rolled through my head...."Praise you in this storm"....and it wasn't even a storm...I mean it was FRAMA....nothing real....just stupidity...and "I have decided...to follow Jesus"....just over and over...because I have....and I need to. If you aren't a believer...you don't get this...and that's sad...but He just loves us...promises to be faithful to us...and offers us eternal life....how would you not want that? AND? For those of us that KNOW that? Why are we so stupid sometimes/most times? And....I was talking to a dear friend today...and we were talking about blessings...and how God is just awesome...and perfect...and EVERYTHING for a reason...and how He is always talking...always....we just aren't listening. I'm not saying I'm listening perfectly....I'm not.....but I do hope it's a stronger closer walk, if just a little bit. He is faithful to us...and He's perfect....I mean who knows what would have happened on that 4:08. You know I have this theory when I drop my keys? I'm convinced it's a little angel batting them out of my hand.....so I'll stop...and pick them up. And MOST of the time? I see what I was being spared from...traffic...accidents....etc. So...when the batting them out of my hands isn't enough? They lock doors on me. Well, they love me...and He's protecting me for something....so thanks to Him....and thanks to you for reading this far! May you drop your keys and smile about it....may you lock them in your car...walk home a mile and a half....and praise Him for it.

TIO PACO!!

2008-07-29T08:31:00.001-04:00

or....UNCLE DOUG...is officially going to Myanmar/Burma whichever you are still calling it. And as you know...is a funny man...and writes HYSTERICAL emails, so he's made a blog...and this is just me...linking to it! Here is a picture of him and Tia at a Thai Restaurant in Cali when Fitzy and I were visiting back in January...of 08....when Thailand was a mere twinkle/tear in his eye!

John LOCKE!

2008-06-30T15:42:00.000-04:00

So……we pick up our passengers in the morning….deliver them to the hotel…then we have the afternoon free. WE, being Bentley and I…on our training trip of Ireland and Scotland. So, our afternoon off…we have 5 lofty goals….1. Book of Kells (google it…I’m way too tired to expand)-super cool…would have been super coolER sans the Italian women pushing and glaring, push and glare back or push and no eye contact back seems to work just fine, anyway, very cool. 2. Bog bodies! Bodies found in Bogs! On display at a museum….more history goodies…so google away. 3. National Gallery of Ireland-and having an Impressionism exhibit! 4. EAT 5. Get a converter of some sort for Carrie, since she’s retarded and brought her EUROPE stuff…not her UK stuff…really it’s just MAC and BBerry, so a phone store. Okay…so we head to town….on our blustery cold Dublin rainy day….and turn the corner to hit up the phone store. He has one perfect for my phone AND travel…with all sorts of converters to it! It’s 30 Euro….45 bucks….a little steep…so I ask where I can just get a converter…not necessarily a blackberry one. He tells us a place called “Boots”-of course…it’s where you’d think to buy converters..duh…BOOTS! Anyway, we walk out of the phone store….and pass this couple…and this guy? Looks JUST LIKE JOHN LOCKE! So I turn around, in time to see him sideways…and I am SURE that it is John Locke! I grab Bentley’s arm…and turn around and say..THAT was John Locke! She confirms…and now…the crossroads….do we head off to stalk? Or just brag we saw him? I say stalk…so we head back to the phone place…where we just were…and where HE WAS! So…we go to re-ask where “Boots” is…and another girl helps us too quickly…so I didn’t get a chance to really work my magic….so…we head out to “Boots”…find it…and they didn’t have my converter. At this point? I say screw it…I’ll buy the expensive one….and I did actually figure that he’d be gone by now. We get back to the phone place? HE IS STILL THERE! So I go up….and the guy, who was helping me? Is now helping John Locke at the counter right next to me. He looks up, and says…you didn’t find it? PHEW! Gave me credibility in case JL saw me stalking! I say no, they had the wrong kind….so I’m paying…and so is JL…he’s buying a phone, and they don’t take AMEX…he offers Wegmans..ha ha ha…and the girl that is ringing me up? Hands me his receipt to sign….to which I hand back to her and say no, I’m paying cash, this isn’t mine….she is flustered, says oh sorry…hands it to him…he looks at me and says well you can sign it if you want! I say I would, but honestly? I don’t know your real name! My real name.? I say yeah…I can sign it as John Locke if you want…he smiles…I smile…and apologize again. Then I say, can we take a picture? He says sure. So we finish paying…well, I finish paying…he still is…and with his significant other…who was nice, but not really into us, she has to hate this….so instead of hovering, I go up to him and say listen we’ll wait for the picture, but I don’t want to be stalking, so whenever, so he comes over, I introduce myself…and Amanda…and he says his name is Terry…we shake hands. So…picture with me…then I say, and one with Amanda? And all ready to do a party pic, when the sig other needs money, so he forks over a credit card, and he’s like nah…Lori can take it, and Lori goes yeah…I’m used to it…but annoyed really! Ah…so be it. Anyway, so we take it, thank him, then I asked him if it was as bad over here as in the states, and he said no where as much as Dublin! People in Stockholm didn’t look him in the eye….and Norway and Denmark were normal, but Dublin, everybody talked to him. So we apologized of course…and let him be…to hear Lori say honey they want to take a picture with you too..the phone people. We said our thank you’s and left. It was COOL! We just met John Locke! Incidentally, his real name is Terry O’Quinn…and he’s been in a ton of things….but most recently “LOST” of course…but then if you remember the “Cutting Edge”? He was her father? So….celebrity sitings for 08…you might want to look for him on this year’s Christmas card….to which I was telling Amanda…what happens when I don’t have an annual celeb? She’s like just go up to NY and do a show or something…I mean you did meet Al Roker last week…DUH! I TOTALLY FORGOT! So here….here is Al Roker….we just shook hands…I’m not sure that qualifies to make the Christmas card or not! And? Apparently his head IS that shiny RB! Anyway, that’s what I got! I’m typing this on the bus…on our way to Glenveagh National Park..still on my training tour of Irealnd and Scotland. Hope all is well out there! Hugs and celebrity stalkings!

"Private Collection"

2008-05-29T18:10:00.000-04:00

WHY does it have to be "Private Collection"? And can I have some information as to WHO owns this "Private Collection"? So that I can make friends and SEE the painting? Anyway, just annoyed...share with the world man! It's the "Son of Man" by Rene Magritte...1964. You probably are most familiar with it from that little remake of "The Thomas Crowne Affair"....good ole Pierce Brosnan. Anyway, that's the only place you'll be seeing this puppy....so sad. So....if you know who that "Private Collecter" is? Lemme know...so I can put him/her/them on my Christmas Card list!!

"From Whence I Came"

2008-05-29T00:20:00.000-04:00

I totally MUST go to bed before 1am tonight/day, but I must write this. This morning I came down to a note from my mom written on a paper towel...along with a dead head of lettuce and some stale rolls. The note said this...."After I mow we'll throw these out for your friends, so we can see where they are. Or MAYBE you can tear them into pieces and put it close to the house so you can lure them to be your pet." This of course in regards to my over-obsession with the groundhogs...see blog below. Anyway, this cracked me up....I mean almost fits of giggles. It launched me back to a conversation I had with Annie-with whom you should all be familiar with by now-but we were talking about the Flip-Flop party and how she couldn't come because of a tour, but how she really wanted to because she wanted to see "from whence I came". It was funny, and she said she just really wanted to see where I came from...my peeps/cats/etc. And...so...that note...from my mom...about helping me lure the groundhogs into "petdom" was so TOTALLY from whence I came! I mean this apple hasn't fall far from the tree....if I've fallen at all. So...if you think I'm funny...you haven't met my brother, father, or mother...cuz I have nothing on them. Anyway, I pulled the Hansel and Gretel on the groundhogs...and now I'm waiting......

Love!

2008-05-27T12:41:00.000-04:00

So...this is a catch up....since I wasn't home for 2 months...and then I got to come home for a solid 6 days....and it was really great...and it's just great to be surrounded by love! And so...it was said to me, by another near and dear, as they just went home to their family for a spell....that it was so nice to be around people you love and that love you right back. It is. And if you aren't the person that leaves and comes back...be aware of the love you are surrounded by daily....cherish it. I feel like coming home is a recharge. I didn't get a Nintendo till I graduated from college...but on the N64...Mario could run through the heart for a recharge? I feel like that is what I do when I come home....topped up on love to go again! I LOVE being on the road....and I feel more at home away from home sometimes...but it is just so nice to come home and chill in love's company. So thanks...for those of you who love me-cuz I love you right back! And this picture? Excuse what I look like...I was coming off tour and it was 5 in the morning after a 1am bedtime...but Lorrie Hanson met me at the door on St. Patty's Day with green scones...and one shaped like a heart. I wasn't kidding about feeling loved!

I heart groundhog/gophers!

2008-05-27T01:03:00.002-04:00

So....a groundhog IS a woodchuck....and a gopher is a gopher. Groundhogs live in our backyard, and? BABIES ARE OUT!! So today...setting up for the bbq...I came upon 2...so cute they were, and I love them. So yay. The background on my obsession is that every year, he-and yes, there is only one and he's always the same, anyway, he waddles out.....and to the nearest dandelion head....CHOMPS down on it...then stands to chew it....and his standing does two things....1. let's him chew and 2. let's him look around for his next treat! So then he RUNS to the next dandelion....CHOMP....STAND....RUN to the next! It's the coolest process in the world. LOVE IT! They are like otters on land! So...speaking of otters? I was just at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago...which I love, and finally this time? No drama....and I got some time to chill and hang with the sea otters. I want one for my bathroom. No picture I take ever does them justice...but goodness they are SO CUTE! I mean they just primp and PLAY! Always cleaning....scratching...etc. Entertaining for sure....and weird! I mean can you imagine them on land? So...I kinda want one for my bathtub....and you cats know I'm not much of a pet person....but an otter? I might be in! I wonder if they make leashes.... Anyway, so...since I won't be getting an otter soon? This groundhog will have to do! Back to the babies...so I came across 2....they let me stare for a while....one was instantly leery of me...and waddled off....the other....just kind of watched me...I don't think he was the smart one....but then figured since his brother went...he should too...so he did, but he only got to the tree line, then turned around to poke his nose out again, then he saw me, and slowly turned around again and went further into the woods. So I turned the corner of the backyard to go in the backdoor? AND THERE HE WAS! Sitting there! And his face...his precious little face....was SCARED TO DEATH! If he'd been a baby rabbit? He'd have been "scared to death". So....there I am...in between him and the woods...but since he's new to living...he doesn't know that he could bolt left and then get to the woods....he only knows straight! So now while I feel bad that I'm scaring him? I also want a picture...and I want to feed him....and I want to cuddle with him. I get my picture....I get mom to hand me some watermelon....and I throw it his way...he does nothing...he's too scared to be curious....and knows that his mom is gonna kill him if I don't. So I go to toss it closer. Then I just GO closer...the whole cuddle part? He kind of jumps at me....and growl BARKS!!! It was SO CUTE! And a little scary...I'm convinced he could hurt me a little! Though....mom was just telling me a story about how a couple babies attacked my dad's feet and it was funny. He? Had on shoes and pants...and they were smaller....I had on capri's and flips! So....alright....I got my picture....I tried to feed you....and I tried to cuddle....missionS accomplished. I stepped aside....he didn't immediately move. But then mom said it best...give him a second and he is gonna take off at a certain point. So I had the video ready and THAT he did. What a hoot. I posted it down below so that you could enjoy as well. Just know that it's me screaming "mommy", not him...just in case you didn't know they didn't talk! You know his mom was watching...knowing I wouldn't hurt him, but she knew he needed to be taught a lesson about staying with his brothers and not wandering off! What fun that was. Sorry for scaring you little guy...but thanks for the fun pictures!!!

And for fun....some internet info...I have no idea what he is....I think a gopher...cuz they aren't that big? But some get pretty fat...and I have no idea if they hibernate or not. Anyway, so the following is stolen...there...will that cover the plagerism?

Q: What is the difference between a groundhog and a gopher?

A: The big groundhog is about 24 times heavier than the little gopher. The animals look somewhat similar, however, with short neck, legs, and tail.

The groundhog (also known as a "woodchuck" and "whistle pig") is a marmot — essentially, a giant North American ground squirrel. The gopher is, like the groundhog, a burrowing member of the rodent order but its closest living relatives are kangaroo rats and pocket mice.

The groundhog hibernates and the gopher does not. By the end of October, the groundhog descends into her hidden burrow beneath a stump or a rock, curls into a relaxed ball, slows her heart from 75 to 4 beats a minute, and drops her body temperature to that of her home. She is so far "asleep" that, even if we warm her, she needs several hours to waken.

Groundhog: species Marmota monax from the squirrel family, Sciuridae, order Rodentia

up to 13 pounds, 6 kg

head and body 20 inches(50 cm) long; tail 18 inches

found in eastern and central United States, across Canada, and into Alaska along forest edges abutting meadows, open fields, roads, and streams.

good swimmers, can climb tall shrubs and sizable trees

Gopher: any of 38 species from the family Geomyidae, order Rodentia

0.5 pound (250 g)

head and body 6 inches (15 cm) long; tail 3 inches (8 cm)

range from southern Canada and the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to northwestern Colombia. Found from coastal areas to above the timberline in high mountains.

two to three-year lifespan

Lake Champlain...a new "Great Lake"?

2008-05-26T13:33:00.000-04:00

Oh Hysterical. So…I’m sitting in O’Hare…just sat down…break out my mac…and I know better….but I see anyway…is there free WiFi? I mean I know there can’t be…since there are signs all over…that it’s too good to be true. It is…freaking BOINGO spot…which is great for Bents…not for me…I can’t commit to that yet. So…now I am really questioning how Fitzy can claim this hot mess as her favorite airport? Also…on that note? I don’t really think the Sears Tower is that ugly….but I do agree that it is TOTAL crap to count the height with the towers…I mean really….it is like measuring your height with a top hat on. HYSTERICAL comparison. ANYWAY…so I sit down…break out the mac…as I do have work to do..and I hear it….corner of my ear…..”Are you from Chicago?” This…not directed at me…but the answer from the person was “No”…so now I’m really listening…since I am super nosey and if I can answer a question from a total stranger…I will…and I’ll love it! So…despite the answer being “No”…this guy proceeds to ask the question anyway…”yeah…that lake…what’s that lake that’s here…isn’t there like a big lake here?” The guy…who isn’t from Chicago…goes “Michigan?” But you’d have to hear it incredulously…cuz he wasn’t sure…since it was too easy…surely that wasn’t the lake he was talking about, but alas…it was. The guy, asker, is like…”Michigan? Yeah…sounds right….k…thanks”…so then they turn away to talk amongst themselves…and this? THIS is where the fun really starts. They say,” now what are the other ones? Well, Lake Champlain, yeah, Lake Champlain, um….Erie…yeah…Erie…and one more….we have Michigan….oh wait…SUPERIOR…yep…there are 5 of them.” I don’t really know where to start with this one…I was forced to put on my headset….maybe a little Josh Groban would be able to stifle the fit of giggles …and their voices. Can we talk about this? I mean I GET that I just did a few tours of Chi-town…I get that I’m a tour person for a living…but really? Did you never learn HOMES!? And so, okay, you have one of the lakes wrong….no biggie…but then you proceed to name 4 of them? Oh yeah wow! COME ON!!! So then…he dials out on his phone…which I cannot do the noise justice…but it was so loud that I was convinced it was the PA system that was dialing! Nope…him, thankfully….he didn’t have obnoxious cell phone voice…but I barely catch the part about how they, his wife, mom, and him just got back from Ireland, Britain, and France, and all I could think of was ….what poor soul had them on tour!!!!! LOL. Okay…so we’re good…I THINK! Until this happens…I am unintentionally catching bits and pieces in between songs. (LOVE JJ HELLER by the way…mad props to Aubs for hooking me up there! LOVE HER!) So…I hear…"no, we’re still on central time." Let’s do keep in mind we are waiting for non-stop to Newark. So…”mom” goes….."when do we switch? When we get home?" I turned the volume up stat. I can excuse the part of when he opens his laptop and asks me if the wifi is free…I say no…freaking boingo….I actually didn’t say that…I said no…you have to pay. He says oh…it used to be free, in NY it’s free. I put my headphones back on-I’m pretty sure that wifi in NY airports is never free with the exception of JetBlue terminal in JFK!…but all this not before “mom” says…so you can’t use it on the plane? This? This happening right now?? Regular riot. I’m tempted to take my headphones off…I mean…entertaining isn’t the word really. Awwwwwwwwwwww…they are leaving! They just made an announcement for “Passenger Mary Allen to recheck”…so they all got up, with their stuff and have headed off to the counter…..and someone stole their seat. Okay….well I’m done poking fun at seemingly nice strangers that think there are 4 great lakes and one of them being Lake Champlain. Look out Vermont…your lake just got stolen…and moved! You might want to ask him what lake he thinks Lake Champlain is....and steal that one! I wonder where poor forgotten Lake Ontario will end up.....! This picture? The Superheroes at Lake Champlain/Ontario/Tanganyika.

Legume shot #1...

2008-05-23T01:00:00.000-04:00

As you have read before..the peanut is NOT a nut. That little factoid was read to me by Annie...and it's since become this joke with us. And...so...since I haven't seen her since training in Vermont (Shout out to my Super Heroes traveling to Europe sans ME this weekend...) so...anyway, I've been gone for 2 months....just got home last week...and to an envelope...from her. In it...was a little white box...and in that little white box....was....A PEANUT! An eraser peanut! She had bought it on her last trip with CAPITOL (whom we love love love) at the Field Museum-where Sue the T-Rex lives. It brought me to tears...I mean was I tired? But whatever! It was so funny, and sweet, and perfect! SO...since then...I've officially named this peanut "Annie" and it is traveling with me...and is becoming my Flat Stanley. So here...is my first picture with Annie...the Legume.....at the White Sox-Indians game in Chicago! White Sox won...so that was exciting...since I'm from NJ...my group was from NY...huge loyal fans we are. HUGS!

See Andy...

2008-05-22T01:32:00.000-04:00

So...I LOVE this blog about this song....so I'm linking....go there....read "Fix Me"...it's fab. And thanks Andy for letting me steal it and link to it.

Dancing trees.

2008-05-20T00:33:00.000-04:00

So...today...in driving to Target with Gayley...a tree caught my eye...and really made me laugh, and almost out loud. It was totally dancing! Not just any dancing though! You have to know the background, which could be impossible, but I'll try. We had training for work, you know that tour manager thing I do, and it was in Vermont for 2 weeks. It was great....see the huge house down below. Anyway, so at the end of the 2nd week, JCrom (our boss-who HATES nicknames, but for the sake of anonymity...it works!) had a birthday and was coming up to the house ON his birthday. So of course Annie says...."well, we have to make up a birthday dance" and just so matter of factly. It wasn't like "hey....we should make up a dance...right guys?" It was just like duh...of course we did. I love that Annie...like nobody you have ever met. So....we do...we ended up doing it to "Blue" by Eiffel 65. So...we get some moves down....and then we get all peeps on board...which was a riot. ANYWAY...my whole point here...is in the beginning? We all start bent over with our heads down...then we "swim" up? And this "swimming" is what the tree was TOTALLY doing! It wasn't "swaying" or "blowing" or anything! IT WAS SWIMMING! So...it made me laugh, and it made my heart smile. So start to notice more...the wind doesn't make the trees move...it makes them DANCE!

Hundred Dollar Bill

2008-05-20T00:22:00.000-04:00

Sometimes...I'm just curious as to why we are so stupid. I mean seriously...God promises us so much more than we ever ever deserve....and we still fight with Him. I don't know...just how I feel. I was talking about it with a friend last night....and it's just true. We take things as our own, and we try to control it...and God just wants us to let it go so He can make it His...and better! Like I can't describe it...but you know what I'm talking about. It's like we have this hundred dollar bill in our pocket...which a hundred dollars? YAY...but the thing is? He wants us to give it back to Him...so that he can perfectly and infinitely MULTIPLY it, but yet....we hang on to that hundred dollar bill. And that hundred dollar bill? In the end? Will pay for not very much at all...but infinite multiples? Will pay for quite a lot. So why isn't it easy to give up? I mean it just makes sense! So..that's my current struggle...well, one of them.....letting go...giving it to Him...since it's not mine anyway. Grrrrr.

YIKES!!

2008-05-18T01:31:00.000-04:00

My last post was April 4? And from training in Vermont? SORRY! So...just to re-cap briefly? Training was until April 13...on which day I flew home...after waiting a good 5.5 hours in the airport of Providence...watching at LEAST 4 planes fly right to Newark!!! Grr...tis how it rolls! Anyway...so Jackie and Linds picked me up....YAY! And somewhere else I'll blog about my flight home..it's funny AND embarrassing! So...then I had ALL DAY Monday at home...in NJ! Then I left Tuesday for Paris...with a VAGUE operating itinerary...and NO idea what to expect. (INSERT LONG BLOG ABOUT FRANCE TRIP HERE!) So then....flew back to Newark on the 27th of April...where Fousin Jaime and Cheri picked me up and took me home to Long Island...where I left half of my luggage...did some laundry and spent a good 3 hours sleeping on the couch! The next morning I headed off to JFK to fly down to DC for my "ride-along" for two days...then my own tour of DC for the next 3! Which...thank goodness it was a 3 bus move...I'd have died...too beat and too new to DC! So....our groups left on Friday the 2nd of May and I left early on the morning of the 3rd for LA...to be at cousin Steven's wedding...well, as much as I could anyway! I made the rehearsal....and rehearsal dinner! The next day...well...I saw where the wedding would be and salivated over some cupcakes! Then...I had to leave an hour before the wedding...:-( and off to the "Pacific NW"....for my "training tour"....and there I spent 8 days working my way from Portland to San Fran, via Coos Bay and Eureka....and then? I flew back to LA....spent a day with Tia Martha....GROOMING! I felt human after that day...and Tuesday...the 13th I flew BACK to NJ! And was home...with the Grunkies...and sleeping in my own bed!!!!! YAY! It is now Saturday night....Sunday morning actually...and I should be in bed...but I'm not....and all this to say...there is a HUGE pile of laundry outside my bedroom door..that HAUNTS me...as I leave in 3 days for a trip to Chicago....(I heart Capitol!) and I need to do it....but here is what happens!? That pile? Is filled with weird colors....that have to be separated...and since I can't mentally process it? I keep stepping over it! AHHHHHH!!! So be it. Anyway...me...nutshelled....or 3 minuteted. I KNOW that is not a word...but I like it! So...there you have it....more to come...I'm sure. I mean I still have to tell you about the yogurt in my eye incident...or the man that just ate the center out of his pizza! I'm outty, but I leave you with a night view from my window at my hotel in Paris.....

Vermont!

2008-04-04T21:19:00.001-04:00

Hey kids! Since I'm supposed to be studying....WHAT IS UP!? Just a shout out from VT....and it SNOWED today! I heart snow. Though...there were no snow angels or walks in it....eh...I still have a week, and OODLES of warm clothes! So here's the "lean to". Lots of love to you all...I hope that SP was awesome and that the Guyers were great....which I know they were. And for fun! Visit my Annie and Amanda! My study buddies...though...I dare say...with more interesting topics! This to the right? Us "studying", slang for checking facebook! We have been having a great time...and learning tons too. We are blessed with a great environment...and as always...I am truly blessed with the best job for me! Love love to all!

Is a peanut a nut???

2008-03-21T15:38:00.000-04:00

Wiki says....."The peanut, or Groundnut, is a species in the legume family! A legume is a plant in the family Fabaceae, or a fruit of these plants. A legume fruit is a simple dry fruit which develops from a simple carpel and usually dehisces (opens along a seam) on two sides. A common name for this type of fruit is a "pod", although pod is also applied to a few other fruit types. Well-known legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupins and peanuts. A peanut is not a nut in the botanical sense; a peanut is an indehiscent legume, that is, one whose pod does not split open on its own."

I GET that Wiki is not the end all be all....thanks to those of you spoiling my life with that tidbit...but none the less...can you counter any of these facts mentioned above??? NO! So...in honor of the LEGUMES....which an awesome word....here is a picture of Annie and I at the giant LEGUME in Chicago. Affectionately known as the "Bean"...though it's real name is "Cloud Gate"...BOoooooring! Also, you should know...Annie has a dog named Bean...who is misunderstood, fat, and completely loveable. You also should know that she "peers" at you...which is really just Annie's justification of her lazy eye. LOL! Go see the LEGUME of Chi-town...it's fabeanlous!

Hoppy Easter!!!

2008-03-21T14:14:00.000-04:00

Here are some facts about this year’s Easter. One of the factors determining the early date of Easter in 2008 is the leap year. Since February, 2008 had 29 days instead of the usual 28, the vernal equinox arrives a day earlier, on March 20 instead of March 21. It also so happens that the Full Moon in this month lands on March 21, earlier than in most years. Since March 21 is a Friday, the following Sunday is March 23, and it is on this date that Easter is celebrated in 2008. The earliest theoretical date for Easter is March 22, which would happen in a leap year if the Full Moon were the day after the equinox on a Saturday. Easter has not landed on March 22 since 1818 and will not fall on that date again until 2285. And Easter will not again fall on March 23 until 2160! So 2008 will be the earliest Easter for everyone alive today, since it will not fall this early again for another 152 years! So kids, be sure to tell your great-grandchildren about the early Easter of 2008! There you have it! Have a great weekend!

Tour Carrie

2008-03-19T00:57:00.000-04:00

is the WORST at blogging! She has great ideas....but doesn't blog on tours...this...for sure...will be an issue.

I have so much to say....though...it's nearly midnight here in Illinois...so again, it will have to wait. I'm hoping for a Panera Day....see the Fitionary...on Friday...but we'll see. I mean...Sophie Germain? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? More on her later.

Hugs to those of you that love me and stalk me here!!!! I will also have you know that I won a shirt on St. Patrick's Day. Why? How? Well, apparently I can rock out on a tamborine, and was asked to play with the BAND! OOOOOOOoooooooohhhhh! Translation? Lorrie...Hanson? Volunteered me to shake the Tamb...and then they were giving t-shirts away! Pictures coming soon. For now...just this one...on Navy Pier...playing with hats I didn't buy!

Praise God for great friends!

2008-03-11T23:36:00.000-04:00

So...I'm off on a string of travels.....YAY...and leaving my near and dears.... :'-( Sad. Just a huge thanks to the Grunkies that coffee'd tonight, shown here, various pictures taken throughout the year...or stolen from your facebook page! (sorry man! I have NONE of you!! We'll have to start taking some!)....you guys are the best....and I HEART my t-shirt...oh my goodness. I am so on pink long sleeve shirt patrol. Viva la cupcake! And with a CHERRIE on top? Hand made? In GREEN!? The best best. Do you get it? UH....DO YOU!? You all are the best....so thanks for coming, supporting, loving me!!!! And bloggings to come? Luz from Michaels....and the infamous Dawn and Olive Oil story.....good times...good times. Love you all! Thanks for being super....and Jimmy thanks for playing, and Gill, thanks for stopping by! Of course to the girls for being there, that goes without saying right? And to all my Grunkies that didn't make it? WHAT IS UP!??? LOL. Hugs friends!

Round Goodness!

2008-03-06T01:59:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's taken me this long to blog about RG's. See the Fitionary...they are there. They are Round Goodnesses (Delicious doughy pizzas....broccoli for Linds...tomato bits for me!)....and I don't know exactly when it began, but Lindsay works in the same plaza as Andy's Pizzeria....and since I didn't really work this winter? I was certainly available for lunches! So generally? We'd do 11:30...and have RG's and conversation for lunch. It's really...just an awesome time...and in the beginning...when we were just learning the ways of RG's....we'd use like 8 napkins...and over time...we've gotten it down to one. Now...sometimes I like to branch out to a different sort of Round Goodness...and on those days...Linds usually opts for the Vegetable Pizza. It's okay...we still have the time that we spend together. So today...we finally took some pictures....thanks to my new phone...(10 megapixels....ha ha ha) And so above? You'll see Linds with the RG's....and then down here? You see me....because we love the CRAZY pictures that are up...everybody should decorate with raw eggs. Today, was kind of a farewell for a little while, as I'm gone, and we decided we can still have them...as long as we are honest and open about having them...and who we are having them with! Here's to RG's and here's to Lindsay!

LamBie slipper socks....

2008-03-06T01:39:00.000-05:00

First of all...I'll put an actual picture up when I get one...I mean yes, I'll steal one similar from the website, but the actual slipper/sock isn't there. Apparently? The don't exist. Second of all...I feel it very VERY important to pronounce the B in LamBie...it makes it more fun.

Let's set the stage. Bath and Body Works, as of maybe Holiday 05? Did this whole "sweetest softest" bit...and it's continued at Holidays and then last summer, they brought out the LamBie. Who is really more like the cutest, softest thing ever. So...I buy the slippers....you see the picture. I love them. I buy them for my sister-in-law and for my Fousin. So, fine, great, I'm set...but then? THEN?! Last week...I'm in the store...and I spy them....little lamBie socks....kind of like Mary Jane socks? But with LamBie's little eyelashes and mouth? I snatched them right up. NO, I did not need them, but they were so cute, and I'd never seen them before! I don't know where they came from, but I didn't care...LamBie slipper/sock/cute foot goodness was coming home with me.

It's like a puppet for my FEET! I almost feel like a ballerina when I wear them. I said almost. They are so soft...so warm....so fuzzy...and when I look down at them? I smile. And it's one of those things, that if I ever saw another pair? I'd buy them...just to have....as you never know.

So that's it...I'm tired...putting off going to bed, and I thought that you should know, I own the sweetest, softest, cutest, LamBie slippers/socks/foot puppets.....EVER!

Travel Tips!

2008-02-27T12:42:00.000-05:00

Well...just a couple for now....and stolen from the March issue of Reader's Digest. In talking about flying, and the fear of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). As it turns out...they have just found one in every 4,656 trips of four hours or more, HOWEVER, the longer you are in the air....and the more you fly in a short period? The higher the risk. So travelers...be smart. Walk around, drink lots of water, wear loose clothing, avoid sitting with your legs crossed, and get those fun stockings that keep your veins in place! www.nwa.com/travel/tips/tips.html is a good sources for exercises you can do in your seat. My poor sister-in-law got a blood clot on the way to Paris? And it was MISERABLE she said....and it's a process....so prevention is clutch!

Just a shout out since I travel...and most of you cats do too!

Earnest, Rhode Island

2008-02-21T23:24:00.000-05:00

Just real quick...WHAT AN AWESOME DAY/DAYS...whichever. You should know...that on the news this morning...in Rhode Island....PAWTUCKET to be exact? The weather reaport said....that on Friday? It would be "snowing in earnest"....um? LOVE IT! Never have I heard the description, it's like an endearing quality to the gorgeous white stuff that falls! Or...is there a town of "Earnest" IN Rhode Island!? What a hoot. I love it.

XOXOXO, Me...happy, wonderful, tired, spoiled, ME!

"Woe is me..."

2008-02-19T01:29:00.000-05:00

Perfect example of WHEN to use the "Carrie-ism/Cherrie-ism" from the Fitionary....?

I had to make a decision today.....stay with my confirmed 9 day trip to Sicily? Or take the 11 day "French Impressions" trip today. See? WOE IS ME!

In the end? I picked French Impressions....I'd go through the pros and cons...but I can't. Both places have a base pay of love...and "have dinner at the restaurant ON the Eiffel Tower" OR climb Mt. Etna? Really? If either way I'm missing Kirkwood's wedding....sad....but now? To pick between choices like that? Somebody pinch me.

Along the traveling lines? Between March 12 and May 6? I'm home for 7 days....ahhh....and not all in a row of course...speed laundering will be a new skill! Or...buy new clothes? Hmmm....decisions decisions.

God is just cool...and full of grace...so praise Him huge for blessing me beyond, very beyond what I deserve.

France/Italy.....Woe is me....but really? WHOA, IS ME!

No real title!!

2008-02-16T23:55:00.002-05:00

To be clear about this....I have interviews...THIS week....well, one hard core interview...and one "orientation". AND...for this interview? I have to have a 5 minute speech about ME....no problem....and a 10 minute speech about whatever! I was clearly instructed NOT to talk about Britney Spears or NSYNC...which is a TOTAL downer...and now...who knows what I'll talk about! lol. Anyway...so I've narrowed it down to 2 things....mind you...this late in the game? And I'm still "narrowing"? UGH! We will see which prevails. All this to say...I'm blogging...as a way to put off cleaning my room and/or prepping for my interview. Mind you too? I want this job...pretty bad. BLAH...why am I only motivated under pressure? Moving on...I hope you cats have a great week! I'm jazzed for Saturday...I'll be breathing easier...and it's small group night...which is always a good time. Let's talk about small group for a second....it's apparently come to my attention that I have my own language....so in honor of communication...I'm making a dictionary...and of course calling it a "fictionary"...fake dictionary..though...it's so close to Fitchett...how about a "Fitchionary"? So when I use phrases like the "duh factor" or "OTS" etc? It will all make sense. Happy Birthday still to my Janelley Belly....who is officially IN her 30's! Love you!!!! And...for fun....here is my current desktop picture. It's just a cool shot.

A forgotten quote, for the Super Heroes...

2008-02-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

The Super Heroes, being Annie, Amanda, and myself. This quote is just here, so we don't forget, not that we could if we tried.

to Amanda..."You're a good dancer."
Amanda...skeeved. "Why aren't you dancing?"
him..."I'm more of a lurker".

REALLY? Cuz we hadn't noticed.

And just for good times..."He was charismatic, and I was....." AB re: KV.

It's all cryptic here, because it's for my own entertainment as well.

Spanwich explained!

2008-02-12T00:50:00.000-05:00

Let's just clear up the "SPANWICH" thing. It was WAY funnier when I first told the story to Annie, and now....it was too long ago. Sorry kids. The long of the short of it is....I get on my flight from Atlanta to Phoenix...(the first time that I wasn't RUNNING for at least 3 miles before barely making my flight in ATL)...so I get on....I'm an aisle....my total preference btw, and I have a seat between myself and sleeping Mexi. WHICH, is NOT said in any derogatory fashion, so get off your righteous horse, he was sleeping, he was Mexican....those extra 4 letters of "ican" are much too much for me. Moving on. So...at the last minute, this big, tall guy gets on....and he's squashed in the middle with us. I failed to mention the part where we were in the EXIT row...which translates to more leg room, less booty room. He squeezes in, WITH his CHINESE food, and proceeds to confuse himself. Um...somewhere? He missed the memo about CHINESE food and EASE? So, I grabbed his food away from him, which at first, was a dangerous thing-never come between a man and his food, and quite frankly, it startled him, but really, it was driving me crazy...he was like a circus act juggling his food, belt, bag, etc. You can think that I was thinking of him, but in reality? I don't look good in noodles. So....he settles...I give him back his food, he is now grateful for me, it only gets better folks. So now he's trying to eat, and saying outrageous things like..."I can't believe they let me on with this!". You'd expect him to have a knife....or a kitten...or something else! But no...he's talking about his food, which, now? I'm kind of in disbelief myself! (Those of you who have brought on Chinese food on a plane? I won't apologize for offending you, in fact, I'm going to forgive you for having done it...don't do it again. Suck it up and go hungry, get a burger, or do the "Annie" and eat your Clif Bar!-And yes...Clif Bars are now officially on the packing "list" and in the MP bag) Moving on...he's a mess....I pull out his table for him...of which? He had no knowledge. No, not that he didn't notice me doing it....he didn't KNOW it was an option! And why wasn't it on the seat in front of him. Sir, we're in the Exit row....to which he says..."wow...you know a lot about planes, you are like an expert...". Incredible. And while YES, I do know a lot about planes, as Popsicle is a pilot, and so is my brother? It's also my mode of transportation to work....HOWEVER....all I did was show you where your table was. Some sort of alarms should be going off like mad in your head right now....like...THIS GUY IS IN THE EMERGENCY EXIT ROW????? So here we go...the "flight attendant" (I still like stewardess better...and it's the longest word able to be typed with solely your left hand), anyway, the F.A. comes over....and proceeds to ask the question, you are in the exit row...are you able to help out in the event of an emergency? I say yes, Chinese eater says yes, the 3 to my right...they say yes....here's where the title come into play. Sleeping Mexi wakes up to say..."Que? Que?" And I close my eyes...have an interior battle with myself....self loses, and I say to the F.A. "do you want me to translate?" She says no, as he can't sit there anyway. Oh...okay....so now, here is my prob. I've already scoped my surroundings....I know that there is this huge black guy, he was, sitting up and to my right, and before even Chinese Eater, I thought, wow...he should sit here, he's pretty tall, but then I didn't know how much booty room he needed. Please, be aware that is more leg room....less butt room....I LIKE butt room! So I was eyeing him to switch....so now back to the situation.....F.A. has to move Sleeping Mexi....so then BBG (Big Black Guy) says something like nah...I need the leg room...and at the same time, F.A. and I say...."actually, there is more leg room"....his eyes light up and he says REALLY? Side note? It's like his 2nd time flying ever....yeah....put him in the emergency row. SO....he is next to a girl....I say, are you two together? He says yeah, and I say fine, why don't you two sit here, and Sleeping Mexi and I will move, I just scored more butt room....HERE IS WHERE MY TRIP WAS OVER. I was on the aisle...so I got out first....this now gives me an CENTER!!! NOBODY likes an CENTER...NOBODY...I mean unless curled in between Clive Owen and George Clooney....so I get the CENTER....and S.M. gets the aisle....ARGH. So I sit down....smile at the girl next to me.....and avoid the GRIN from S. M. So...F.A. now gets in my face, and says, can you explain to S.M. what just happened? OUTTED for my Spanish. So I explained...S.M. didn't care...he DID, however, care about the fact that I spoke Spanish. Yippee...I'm sure we can talk the whole way now? To which...I turn right? She doesn't speak English either, THUS? SPANWICH (the act of being between two Spanish only speakers)....she's from Central America (which translates to Carrie can't remember which country it was) and she's visiting America for the 2nd time in her life and she doesn't speak English. Her Spanish, however, was audible, and legit...unlike...S.M. WHO STARTS NAMING FRUIT! Yes...that's right....he starts naming fruit in Spanish. Clearly, since I speak it, I must only know the frutas? Tengo ningun idea pero....he ended on Papaya. Praise the Lord. I have to give you a quick version now, as I'm pretty sure it was the worst flight of my life...people wise....as there was one from Denver to Billings where I thought I was going to for sure meet Jesus sooner than later! Moving on...praise God for iPods...and I mean that...100%. Thank you Kevin Swayne for making me want one, Curtis for buying me one, and Brian for upgrading me....and simply Mr. Jobs for making them. So....I have that on...more as a deflection...to which S.M. had NO regard....I also resorted to sleeping. MIND YOU...I was SUPER involved in a book from the last flight...but the iPod warded more than the book, and AND...I had some video to watch on my iPod, but NO WAY would I do that with S.M. in my grill. EVERY time the F.A.'s would come around....S.M. needed to talk to me....it started with "Como se dice jugo de manzana?" I say...."Apple Juice"....we practice...he's ready to go. F.A. gets to him, asks him what he wants to drink? He says..... he says..."AGUA"...IN SPANISH!!!!! I have nothing more to say. So...let me not forget that before we even took off...was the "do you travel a lot?" from him, and I say "a little", and he says....I travel a lot, and proceeds to name every state he'd been in, and cities....I'm not totally sold on the fact that he didn't think "Chicago" was a state, but whatever. So then he asks me what a do for a living....argh....I don't want conversation....but I say "guia" anyway, amazingly? HIM TOO! I'm so sure...but then he launched into something else....and realize that he didn't have all his teeth, his Spanish was atrocious (yes, I'm a snob, and trained by experts, and in Spain), but I had NO idea what he was saying MOST of the time. So..the trip goes on....misery....I sleep a little...and mind you? Girl/Chica on my right? Doesn't sleep? Can't....she says....and wants to talk...and I'm so lucky that I can sleep....etc. So I feel her eyeing me, like I shouldn't sleep, so I can talk her off her ledge. Now, here's a problem...I would have TOTALLY relished in talking to her, practicing my Spanish, etc....HOWEVER....S.M. is a lurker (ha ha ha "lurker"-maybe that's a story for later) anyway, when I habla with her? HE LISTENS...too intently. Moving on....we land...welcome to Phoenix Sky Harbor-land of free WiFi, In-N-Out Burger, Cacti, Schugs, Christies, Kellums, Easts, Casson, and ANNIE! So...I'm now JAZZED to be out of my SPANWICH, and JAZZED to be here...to be picked up by my Annie. So...I'm "free"....and getting my luggage....and I FEEL someone behind me....IT'S HIM! And unfortunately, in my nature of being safe in my environment, my looking around? I caught his eye....to which clearly CLEARLY means, talk to me. Duh. He comes up to me....and in the end? He needed to make a phone call....were there phones. I'm like...I'm NOT ON DUTY!....but I am on duty....ALWAYS on duty for Christ....and I remembered that then...though not in spirit...but I looked around....found the phones...and pointed him. He then pulls out a handful of coins....NONE of which were American. I see my bag now....and I'm actually borderline creeped out...so I say...Credit Card....he says oh....didn't like that answer....but walked away a little....I was, in the end, polite, but very glad that he walked a little...so I could promptly run away to the other side of the belt...retrieve my bag, and run like mad outside....only to have the thought in my head that he is going to be out here too.....so I starting texting "GET HERE NOW" to Annie...and the big red van!! So you'll have some closure? The girl from Central America? Had like 10 people meeting her...so she was fine....and happy, and didn't need me. I like her. So, thank God....Annie pulled up, before S. M. came out to say "Adios". And that...my "amigos" is what a "SPANWICH" really is.

Thanks Gayley!

2008-02-05T13:15:00.001-05:00

25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP.
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

"SPANWICH"!

2008-01-19T04:28:00.000-05:00

Definition coming soon! If it weren't 4:29 Jersey time...I'd let you know right now...but I'd hate to spoil the fun....

Cherrie...Cherrie Fritchett

2007-12-02T23:14:00.000-05:00

Ah...the Cherrie Fritchett story.....so...I wear a name tag all day,every day, for a
number of reasons, one of which is free ice cream in Croatia, but that
is just a perk. SO my last week...I hand out my evals on the
bus...and I proceed to spell my name...at the very least 6 times. And
slow. Especially since unless they really paid attention? Why would
they know how to spell my last name?! So I get them back, and one my pax? She writes down..."Cherrie Fritchett". Now I'm
fine with Fritchett....but really? CHERRIE? The second you wrote
that? Wouldn't it sound funny in your head, and cause you to
think...wow...her name is Cherrie? That's weird. Is she a dancer?
Was her mom on crack? Why wasn't it spelled with a Y? She's like a
fruit? Weird. Oh no...not my pax...Cherrie Fritchett it was! So as of late? I've been going by "Cherrie"!