Gato Grove

been down with the sickness.....

2012-01-30T08:29:00.000-08:00

Guinness on the perch in the studio..he sure is getting big..and yes, that is Aiko smushed up behind him..they insist on sleeping up there together

Wow...been so sick for over a week. Exhausted on top of a chest cold but Im just about back on my feet. Cleaning and taking many little surf breaks today. I axed my Monday night shift at work..its NOT worth it to me stress wise with the fill in docs toddler there, the minimal pay and the drive both ways...sticking to thurs fri and sat, and hoping that works out. The stress level has been rising at work...there are some horrible clashes going on..none that actually involve me, but i am there to witness it nonetheless...and that is just purely toxic to me I wont live like that. Anyway...hubby got me a treadmill..ive yet to use it since i am sick..still coughing i dont want to overdo it, but im really excited...also excited ive started creating again as of today...i will post when projects are done...Trying to keep a magickal positive outlook on my life and enjoy every minute i can with my hubby...being bed/couch ridden for a week makes you appreciate every minute. Happy day all

i hate snow

2012-01-20T15:31:00.000-08:00

So i worked a double on Thurs, and worked during the day today and was scheduled to work tomorrow with another girl. She asked if i could work alone and i said yes. Then they said that 4 letter word....(snow) and i began to panic....but i bit the bullet and went out and bought new snow boots...got out the thermal underwear and bagged my scrubs and nurses shoes all ready to go tomorrow morning..figuring i would leave at least an hour and a half ahead...on a good day it takes 25-30 minutes....Then hubby called and told me he has to take my truck because there is going to be even more snow where he works...and he has to be in before 6 am..which is when its going to be its heaviest....problem is the doc i work for isnt working...another doc is...i have the key...ugh....so the other girl i work with who pulls alot of hours there agreed to go in...she is a saint...i TRIED TO FIND A BUS...TURNS OUT IT WOULD TAKE OVER TWO HOURS BY BUS, AND I WOULD HAVE TO TRANSFER IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD....AND NO GUARANTEES ON TIME BECAUSE OF WEATHER......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! i feel soo bad...but i told them when i came back i DONT DO SNOW BECAUSE HUBBY WILLL NOT RISK HIS CAR IN IT, he takes our truck...One son is at Rutgers till tomorrow night and the other has class in NYC so they are of no help either....damn..and my timecard was looking pretty good this week for once :-( But the kicker is that i feel horrible my workmate is stuck going in when she works like a crazy person all the time... i hate you snow

2012 is flying past already

2012-01-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

pic of hubby and me a couple of weeks ago...strolling the waterfront in Hoboken after an amazing lunch at Grimaldis

Where in the world does the time go! I am working on a ton of projects at home...got our walk in bedroom closet CLEAN and organized woo hoo! Next step is to fix up the 'stockpile' shelves in the basement and clean clutter so that our basement feels more like a finished basement. I cant work out on the equipment down there when there is clutter on the table or floor, it bothers me. Been a crazy week here..a friend was hit by a car (hit and run) and in the hospital...i was terrified to go see her from what i had heard, but when i got there yesterday she felt so much better and was even able to get out of bed, they were going to let her go home. Two days prior she could barely move, she had head trauma and bleeding on the brain as well as facial contusions and stitches in her head. I am SO RELIEVED she is ok, its a reminder of how things can change in an instant. I am still working at the vet..some days are fantastic..some days i want to curl up and die when i leave....it can be ridiculously stressful for a meager wage...the job itself is easy..its the office dynamic of unhappy people who clearly hate each other and just make things uncomfortable. I am STILL searching for that epiphany that catapults me into a position somewhere doing something creative and happy...whether its at home, or somewhere else. The kitten has a UTI again, and is in heat again..ugh...well..work later..want to at least TRY to attempt some sort of organization and dinner prep before i leave..happy day all

PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS ALONG

2012-01-13T03:07:00.001-08:00

I am cancelling my trip to universal and booking with Disney instead, who DOES uphold a TNR program. Shame on you Universal for being so heartless.

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/loews-hotels-feral-cat-trapping/2012/01/11/

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T03:30:00.000-08:00

Poor little girl Aiko is in heat...ugh..cant wait to get her spayed...my boss said to wait till she was 6 months...hindsight i should have done it already

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Was a very quiet evening here...went to bed early...my youngest had friends over they hung out in the livingroom...of course i passed out and never saw the ball drop. Resolutions? Well, would love to get back into a size 2 and build up some more muscle, but getting healthy seems like a better goal. The kitten (aiko) is in heat...fabulous. Gonna have to grab that window when she finishes and get her in for the spay. My boss is still out, just coming in here and there since his surgery. I am going to take her to the low cost spay neuter clinic instead..but its in a bad neighborhood so i have to do it on a day hubby is home. Also have to take a kennel from work to keep her in for a few days afterwards..i dont want her using the regular litter and dont want Guinness to tear her stitches. Hate to takethe tree down this year it looks so pretty. Need to set some goals for this year...happy new year all.

ALMOST A NEW YEAR

2011-12-29T03:40:00.000-08:00

Aiko and Guinness chillin out in the "studio" room. Going to try to get back to the workbench in 2012...even if i cant make a living off of it...i miss creating

i am soo sure i dont want to spend the rest of my life working at the vet. Although i love everyone dearly, there is just too much drama going on. I want a job i can go to, and smile, and help people, and just have a happy day. It seems everyone dislikes everyone else there and feels the need to express that verbally IN FRONT of the other person as well as gossiping. Its toxic, and drags me down. I should have read all of my old posts to remind myself before going back. The Doc is OUT for i dont know how long with a knee replacement. The fill in docs dont seem to happy to be there, since there is ZERO communication amongst the staff. I will miss working directly with Kait when i leave...and i have no idea how long thats going to take...i need to find something else flexible...i ALSO want to get back to the workbench and create....im going to try very hard this 2012 to be happy, and healthy...i need to destress my life and drop all the dead weight....i am going to learn how to say NO!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

2011-12-25T04:07:00.001-08:00

Blessed Yule

2011-12-22T07:23:00.001-08:00

A BLESSED YULE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO FOLLOW THE WHEEL

finally interacting

2011-12-15T03:59:00.000-08:00

Aiko and her brother Guinness. They are finally interacting. I wont say "getting along" just yet...there is alot of flying squirrel ninja action and love bites going on in their room right now....but at least theyre interacting. For the past few days they were on opposite ends of the room..and its a huge room!

they made it through the night

2011-12-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

No longer hiding, but content to snuggle with anything or anyone that will let him

Aiko does NOT like her brother Guinness rooming with her..she is whiney, and hissy, and grumpy...but dealing with him. He has really come out of his shell in one day...Not hiding at all...roaming, rolling, playing, eating, using the box. Now....all we need is for her to stop bopping him on the head and we will be ok. She is sleeping on the top tier of the cat tree right now..he is sprawled out on the floor below it on the bear rug both sleeping. I left the radio on in there on low because he LOVES music (classic rock lol) Heres to hoping they can find some common ground and get along...crossing paws :-) Happy sunday all

Guinness update

2011-12-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Guinness in his man cave...finally in the house with real heat not an electric heater.

Aiko on the top tier, Guinness is at the bottom...she will not give up her perch to her brother

It is going to be 25 degrees tonight..so even with the heater and hot packs, i dont feel good about leaving Guinness on the porch....he was neutered 8 days ago and is healed...he also seems to be flea free now after the capstar and frontline treatments. So i lured him in to the sunroom (aka my studio) with a piece of chicken...Initially he sort of freaked out he didnt know where he was...he jumped up on the couch, then the work bench..then started howling...so i draped a blanket over the bottom tier of the cat tree, put his big cushy blanket in it after washing and drying it, so he has a little man cave now....i gave him his radio and he began to purr and stomp. He DID try to share the top tier with Aiko..she does not want him near her..hopefully they will bond soon...at least there is no fighting..........lets just hope when i wake up in the morning that he hasnt A. ripped down all the curtains and blinds, or B. Scaled the wrought iron doors and escaped into the rest of the house....

yawn

2011-12-09T04:26:00.000-08:00

ATHENOS STALKING THE TREE

Worked a little later than usual last night..didnt leave work till about 7..didnt get home till after 730 with traffic. My tooth saga continues..it wound up being a molar that had migrated which makes the game different apparently..they found more canals and did 3 the other day. I didnt have as violent a reaction to the novacaine, but unfortunately my tooth STILL hurts i dont go back till the 16th..no idea if theyre doing anything else before the crown or not, this is just ridiculous. Have today off and SO MUCH to do but all i want to do is sleep..have to grab another cuppa java and get moving..happy day all

kitty love

2011-12-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

GUINNESS IS TURNING OUT TO BE THE MOST WONDERFUL KITTY...ALL NEUTERED NOW AND GETTING USED TO THE SUNPORCH, HE WILL BE MOVED TO THE SUNROOM WITH HIS SISTER AFTER SHE IS SPAYED AND STARTING TO HEAL..WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP HER SEPARATED IN A BIG KENNEL CAGE TILL THERE IS NO FEAR OF HER RIPPING HER STITCHES....I am sort of hoping they DONT bond...because its going to be very hard for me to adopt him out if they do.

Guinness

2011-12-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

New heater fireplace with realistic flames...yes, for the stray cat...

Guinness last night while still under anesthesia...he is out on the sunporch now enjoying the fireplace heater and his new rug...he is hiding under the wicker couch though..and unfortunately STILL has fleas..ugh...

Guinness has been trapped and neutered and got his vaccs. He is on the sunporch on the mend...unfortunately the little dude STILL has fleas even after Capstar AND Frontline....Hoping to socialize him QUICKLY and find him a good home...looks like we are keeping his sister Aiko though..she has really bonded with my hubby.

It's beginning to look a lot like Yule!

2011-11-28T05:35:00.000-08:00

LETS ALL HAVE A NO DRAMA HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Happy belated thanksgiving

2011-11-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

turkey coma

hubby relaxing watching the game

YUM!

Well Hubby is off starting this afternoon on a MUCH NEEDED vacation from work...needs to recharge his batteries before the Christmas rush. I am off from work also..we are trying to get all the fall decor down, house cleaned and holiday tree up. Found out this morning that those beautiful doors we put up are NOT keeping the kitten in the other room...she sneaks under them!!LOL.... So today we are putting up the molding and staining it, and putting an extra strip of molding on the inside of the doors so she cant squeeze through. Thanksgiving was nice..just us and a few friends of my oldest son...I started a rootcanal last week, and wont be finished until Dec. 5th. I am still in pain, but it isnt excruciating anymore, its tolerable but still stinks. I finally caved and called the dentist when my face started swelling. Unfortunately I had MAJOR anesthesia issues..i can NOT drive i have to walk on my next trip..that should be interesting. Well today I have to iron winter curtains, wash windows, take the fall stuff down, finish the doors....at least i dont have to cook..gee i wonder what we should have for dinner .....i made a 22 lb turkey yesterday..boy was it good~ Have a happy day all :-)

11 11 11

2011-11-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is Cornbread. She is a rescue from Virginia and is the sweetest dog i have ever seen....im hoping Doc decides to keep her as our office dog...she is THAT good!

Some say 11/11/11 is good luck...well i fail to see it, but guess i shouldnt complain at least i woke up this morning. I had a flu shot a couple days ago, and im NOT feeling well at all today..i assume totally unrelated since its not a live vaccine, but bleech. Worked yesterday..had today off but did not complete all of the things on my list. My molar that i broke is KILLING ME today and the tylenol has stopped working for it..guess I am going to have to give in to the root canal eventually...grrrr....The hardware finally came to install the room divider as a door. We got rid of the monstrosity of a 36 inch huge wega tv that was taking up half the sunroom last night...Now Aiko has nowhere to hide, which is good...it forces her to be social. Work tomorrow...then hubby took sunday off...first one since last may....we will probably just do yardwork, but it will be nice to have him all to myself...well happy night all..happy 11/11/11...make that wish anyway :-)

Plugging along

2011-11-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Doc likes Aiko...and Salem on the back of the chair could care less...Mardi however in the background is still afraid of her

Tons to do as usual...wanted to check in and let those of you know who were following my kitten saga, that she is doing great. We moved her from the sunporch to the sunroom, which is just off my livingroom. Right now the plywood is still up..hubby is trying to figure out how to hang those doors i posted, because the dimensions were WRONG..so he is plotting and planning before destroying the wall. I have been bringing her into the livingroom to get used to the rest of them...as you can see by the pic things are looking up..She loves to play now and is such a sweetheart, hubby loves that he has a lapcat again since losing his Casey and Angel a few years ago (21 and 22 yrs) Well..cleaning almost done..making eggplant rollatini for dinner..didnt have to work today so that helped. Happy weekend all

FREAKISH WEATHER!!

2011-10-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

This is the room divider we ordered that hubby is installing between the livingroom and our sunroom to keep the kitten contained

limbs down blocking my back door exit! Just one of many HUGE ones that crashed down on our house, driveway, garage, and sons car :-(

SOOOO.... we had a SNOWSTORM yesterday..in October. This past few months we have experienced an earthquake (that shook my whole house), a hurricane, and now a snowstorm...unbelievable. Our old oak dumped some very large branches on the house..we have not yet checked all the damage, as hubbys work is out of power and he had to leave at the crack of dawn to get there..i will probably not see him till late today..the store is closed. Oscar hasnt shown up to eat yet, but i know he found a place to hide..he always does..guinness slept in the nesting box..i would have grabbed him but he is flea infested and i know he has parasites as well..i cant bring him into the house without vetting him first, and my boss is away but will be back this week...I have so much to do today..been up since 5...having major issues with our alarm company that hubby uses for work too and im not too happy, we WILL be dumping them for the house and getting someone else pronto. Theyre worthless. Kitten is set up in the sunroom now, not sunporch, and we ordered a room divider that hubby is going to install like doors...right now we have plywood up, it looks horrible but she doesnt seem to mind....she is sleeping on the couch out there, sitting on the kitty tree looking out the window...racing around like a crazy kitty playing with her toys...the room is bigger than my kids room i think lol....well..gotta throw on jeans and boots, go shovel the walk, it is melting fast its sunny out........have to start sawing the limbs and drag them out to the curb since hubby is stuck at work......i have to go back to work tomorrow :-) happy weekend all

It's Sunday again??!!

2011-10-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

Fat Boy Doc, has lost 3 lbs. this week...he is down to 23 lbs...we hve him on a strict diet...he isn't too pleased but he has no choice

I can't believe its Sunday, already!!! Now that I am back to work at the vet, the time is just flying by. I assume I will be adding more hours once I am comfortable again, filling in for people who want time off. As long as it isn't my husband's day off from work I am ok with it. I didn't have to work yesterday so i mowed the lawn, cleaned the house from top to bottom and tended the herd...the new kitten is coming along fine...just need to get her into my sunroom, and have to figure out a cheap quick way to put a door up for now until she can go in the rest of the house without being so scared, or bullied by the others. One more vaccination in two weeks and another check for parasites and then she is all good. We were going to put french doors from the livingroom to the sunroom, but we are still waiting for the contractor. Not much else is new..just soo busy between cleaning, cooking, and fall cleanup plus a couple days at work..life is flying by. I didn't even put Halloween decorations up this year..just fall decorations..I figure its just one more thing to take down.....Thanksgiving day, these will come down and the winter ones will go up. Today Im cooking a turkey breast when hubby and son get home from work, lighting the fire, and chillin' on the couch next to hubby...doing my couponing for the week...i have work tomorrow...well happy weekend all :-)

Time goes by...

2011-10-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

Wow..the time is just FLYING by. Hubby has been working weird extra hours since May, we have had sort of a crummy summer..no real vacation...but his assistant is coming back to work monday..sooo...we are going to try to at least get a day away next week. We cant go very far since i have the kittens to take care of anyway..but at least we will have some time together. We changed Peles name to Aiko...it seems she is totally enamored with the Grateful Dead...and she is now being vocal and jumping into my lap. We may go backwards though once she is off the sunporch and into the herd. Unfortunately she still has roundworm..i just knew it...i took a sample into work tuesday and checked it..and i was right...so she got another round of meds..and gets one more next week then i will retest...if she is all clean she can come in. THEN we must trap Guinness and Oscar..get them to be vetted and put on the sunporch..im NOT taking them to work..im taking them to the low cost clinic, theyre used to handling ferals. I work today till early eve..surgery day....hopefully wont be as stressful since im not working as a tech in the back, but as reception up front....trying to get my feet wet there all over again, its been over a year...without speaking Spanish or Portuguese, i have not been able to find a job...they called and asked me to come back so i said yes. My oldest son went for two readings in NYC for a movie...he thinks he did well...crossing our fingers...the other one is back at Rutgers but comes home most weekends so he can go to work..and have his laundry done lol. The yard and outside of the house have to be worked on before the winter...it will be here before we know it...well..cant post a pic today...my so has my computer while his is being fixed...i have hubbies tiny notebook and no photo software set up....happy day all

back to work

2011-10-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

Salem thinks he is hiding

First day back to work at the vet.....was a little..weird. Worked with a different vet..who is frankly, young enough to be my son, and VERY LAID BACK...almost too laid back, but from what i can see, great with the patients. He brought his 4 yr old son to work...and the receptionist brought her 3 year old...Initially i was thinking that was a recipe for disaster, but they were SO well behaved it wasnt an issue for even a minute. The regular doc showed up for something and stayed..was nice to work with him...i missed him. Still a little weird to be back..but it felt good.

bit the bullet

2011-09-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Officially go back to work at the vet on Monday afternoon..........really...where else was i gonna go?

Pele

2011-09-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Is socializing much better...final shots are on the 11th then we are going to try to put her into our herd...that may sound easier than it actually is...cross yer paws.

Sunday

2011-09-18T04:31:00.000-07:00

Mardi enjoying the fall decorations

Homemade copykat version of Starbucks pumpkin latte...only mine has frisky bears on the mug ;-)

I believe almost all of the cupcakes i made for the fundraiser sold, at a dollar a piece woo hoo! My sister had her progressive party yesterday..moving from one house to the next for food and drink in her neighborhood...she took advice and coaching from me and made the pretzeldogs and they came out amazing..i knew she could do it! Eldest son is sick, youngest came home last night so he could go to work with hubby this am...i made a big pot of Irish onion soup and B.L.T.'s for dinner last night it was so good....Kitten is happy one minute, still hiding the next...thinking about going apple picking when hubby and son get in..but then we have to get him back to campus tonight....i hate that hubby has no time off...supposedly theyre gonna get him some help..its been since May he has been burning the candle at both ends and is just exhausted...what sucks is he is salaried..if he was making overtime it would be a dream come true. Well...gotta straighten the house up and plot dinner...happy sunday all

Its only just begun

2011-09-15T03:11:00.000-07:00

YAY...Fall is on the way!! I started decorating yesterday..nothing for Halloween yet, just the Harvest season. Unfortunately, when I got up into the attic...I realized those "mouse" noises i heard, were NOT MICE but something much larger..they had pulled my winter clothes out of containers..made nests with leaves..there are acorns everywhere..they also DESTROYED all the insulation that was up there..it looks like cotton candy everywhere...and i can see clear out along the eaves lol. Little buggers. Tomorrow I have a zillion creamsicle cupcakes to make for hubbys work fundraiser..so MAYBE i will get up there today and start cleaning it up. **sigh** its always something isnt it? Well rain is coming today, then COOLER TEMPS WOO HOO...it seems the kitten is sweet and purring when its cool out, but nasty and hides under the couch when its hot. Well..its 6 am..Ive been up for an hour and a half already..time to feed the kitties outside soon, as soon as its a little lighter out..then will spend some time with the kitten Pele. Happy day all!....COME ON FALL!

fall is almost here

2011-09-14T04:33:00.000-07:00

what a little deer...

did not see any bear :-(

Oscar and Guinness lazing on the picnic table...no..we never eat there

Unfortunately, another HOT day coming again today. It was hot yesterday (84) but no humidity which was nice. Hubby had off yesterday so we went to Spruce Run..didn't see any bears but almost stepped on a snake..saw a black kitten we tried to catch but it ran away, and walked right up to a deer. It was a beautiful day...then we hit ritas ice on the way home so i could get my Rootbeer vanilla creme misto..mmmm..Today I plan on finishing up the fall decorating...hubby has got to get on the ladder and take down the red white and blue buntings off the front of the house one of these days that he is around. Oscar and Guinness are still chillin in the yard..with no idea we are going to trap them soon...Pele is NOT socializing as planned, but we have no choice..we have to keep her and keep trying...Guinness should not be an issue, he even comes when called outside. Pele goes for her second shots next Tues..and we are PLANNING on trapping Guinness thurs morning and getting him in for the works..including his neuter..then onto the sunporch with Pele...im PRAYING someone adopts these guys..i CANT take any more cats...and i need that sunporch for Oscar for the winter..he is so feral he can not live inside someones home..but is getting old and needs to be kept warm. Friday I have to bake TONS of cupcakes for a fundraiser at hubbys work...Im making creamsicle cupcakes..a vanilla bean with orange swirl...cream cheese frosting..not sure how im decorating yet. Still havent found a flexible job..thinking i might hit the workbench and make some new earrings and pendants for the holidays to at least make a little bit of $$ to help pay bills..the catfood/litter and sons travel expenses to get in and out of NYC for classes has gone WAY up..and its getting tight...well..happy day everyone..cant WAIT till fall and the crisp air..and apple cider, and hay rides, and pumpkins...and baking etc etc etc..woo hoo..my fave time of year ;-)

one day at a time

2011-09-08T05:14:00.000-07:00

Doc is in love with the jackalope

Little Miss Pele is coming along better than expected...we need to find her a forever home, i can NOT keep her

Socialization is going well with Pele..much better than we expected. Since i gave her a blanket on the chair (it got a little chilly past couple of days, but is supposed to be 80 again by tomorrow) she is happier. She is purring now when i approach her and not running away..and loves to be petted. This morning she jumped down from the chair and ate while i cleaned her box..which is a feat..she is usually afraid of me moving around she hides till i leave. She still has a ways to go but is doing much better. Hubby is working 6 days a week as usual..but now switched his day off while yet ANOTHER assistant is out for the next 6 or 8 weeks..which makes it difficult for me to look for a job and ask for that one day a week he gets off....Been raining here forever..jersey is just flooded everywhere ive never seen anything like it. I feel sooo bad for all the people who have been affected by this. Well..lots to do..in the middle of making kitchen curtains for fall..and im not my sister, i am not good at it LOL. happy day all

SHAPING UP

2011-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Finally got our furniture..well , i shouldn't say finally, it was custom made and took less time than anticipated. I love it..the cats do as well..which is why i am going to have to put something over the two arms that are exposed and can be clawed. Goddess Pele let me pet her today..but wants no part of being picked up..going to take awhile to socialize her, i just need patience..i am absolutely, positively exhausted...i am going to take a mini nap, since i havent gotten more than 6 hours sleep total in the past few days due to stress...happy day all

OMG ITS VICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Mz. Pele on her foster dad..on our sunporch..her home till we finish vetting her and find her a forever home. no!!! she is NOT staying

JUST KIDDING...her name is Pele....after the Hawaiian fire goddess...NOT the soccer dude lol

HURRICANE IRENE

2011-08-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

lots of downed powerlines and tree branches..only saw one actual tree down

Golf course by our house looks like a lake

Well where to start..well we all survived but what a mess. I trapped the tortie kitten but the lady taking them had her house destroyed in the hurricane..so i am stuck with a feral kitten..none of the shelters can help me. Its littermate (the red one that got away, and is actually eating his dinner on my patio right now) bit me and i had to get medical attention (cat bites can be nasty and dangerous)..sigh...The doc i worked for came over and vetted all my guys for me this week, and he still has the kitten, he had to start her shots and do lab work, she is fine and healthy. I have changed her name to what else....Irene. We are going to get sons stuff for college off the sunporch and put her out there for now..and pray we find someone who can foster a feral..then i will trap mr. nasty who tried to decapitate my finger. My son can not move into Rutgers yet, the road there is flooded..we have tons of tree limbs and wires down..all the neighbors flooded we were so lucky we didnt, getting a french drain and pumps was a smart thing to do...we were just so lucky not to lose power...rivers are cresting and the PARKWAY is closed at many exits its under water...the wind has picked up again, and temp dropped dramatically...feels like fall. My heart goes out to all of the people who have huge messes on their hands we were so fortunate. Also fortunate that Oscar and the kitten could not be trapped but showed up unscathed as soon as the rain stopped. I REALLY dont want FERAL KITTENS but i guess the universe has a reason. Stay dry...stay safe all.

crazy weather

2011-08-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

DOC THE CANOE CAT AWAITS YOUR PRESENCE

CHEECH, OSCAR, AND CHONG..THE MISSING KITTEN IS DAVE....DAVES NOT HERE...

A lot has happened this past week. Just the other day while on the phone with the vets office i was working for, we got hit with a minor earthquake...IN JERSEY! Everything in my china cabinet was tinkling, my candle chandelier swayed, and the little beads on my lamp were swinging..The cats didnt budge...Now, we are due to get SLAMMED with a hurricane tomorrow night into sunday. I have started bringing in lawn furniture..removed the top to our gazebo, and im going to pick all my tomatoes. My fence is bamboo..im assuming it wont be there sunday afternoon :-(. Oscar brought two kittens back with him..a ginger male and a tortie female..i plan to scoop them up tomorrow and put them on the sunporch after moving my son into his dorm. I am praying i can get Oscar..not an easy task, he is very feral..we got him last year in a trap..he is too smart. So much going on here...a time of endings..hopefully new career beginnings with a little luck...onward and upward. Happy weekend all..STAY SAFE..if youre in the zone..get your kits ready and get your pets in.

got a lot done

2011-08-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

Hubby was on vacation this past week..we did a lot, but not what we were planning on. We were originally going to visit my friend in Hull, but we never made it. His gastank cracked and his car was in for a week being fixed. My truck is a gas hog...so we just hit the beach one day...Peddlars village, New Hope, Rices Market, and we had the BEST day at Bushkill falls hiking with our youngest son. I FINALLY re-did the livingroom..no more medieval stuff..its lodge now. Its still not done...im waiting for the furniture, the bear steamer for the woodstove, and i am still looking for a deer mount. The sconces i got are gorgeous, though the pics dont show how pretty they really are. After the furniture is delivered im going to decide if im changing the area rugs..but i am replacing the lace curtains, im going to sew new lodge style ones, probably in a buffalo check or a plaid. It feels sooo comfortable in here now..gonna be really nice in the winter with the woodstove on. Well..backed up on work since hubby was home..gotta go mow..have kitchen curtains to sew and lots to clean..happy day all

where is the summer going?

2011-08-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

Pillow choice on left..faux leather to the right....the plaid to the far right was my first choice of pillows..but then decided on the other fabric

Wow, where is the summer going? My son will be going back to Rutgers in another couple weeks. He spent most of his summer working with his dad...the other one thats in New York Film academy went back to work with him also...he had no choice lol. I FINALLLLLYYYYY started the redecoration process of the livingroom. The plum walls and furniture will be GONE...the Medieval statuary and weapons...GONE.....I will finally have my cabin/lodge style room. We ordered a faux leather set (it is impossible to tell its not a soft cowhide..i dont know how they do it, but its gorgeous) and the fabric we picked for the pillows is "sort of" southwestern..regardless it will go with "lodge". I ordered 3 canoe oars from Cabelas..two large pine ones, and a smaller one that has a stripe on it, a Canoe sign, a big Moose Lodge sign, Moose lanterns and assorted other stuff....The area rugs may or may not pull the room together, i may have to replace them..I wont know until the walls are painted, artwork is up, and pillows and throws are on the new furniture...We are having it custom made to our own specs (well my husband..i didnt really care but i did love the material)..we were given a date of Oct 1st but it may be done before then...hubby is on vacation starting this weekend for a week..hoping we can get this all done...oh yeah..he bought me (against his better judgement) a Jackalope from Cabelas, we had Cabela points saved up. I really want a deer for over the hearth...eventually i will find one on Craigslist...cant WAIT to get this done..soooo excited.....now, to sit the cats down and discuss this "no scratching policy"......happy day all :-)

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

2011-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

I made homemade bruschetta last night with tomatoes and herbs from the garden..mixed in minced onion, garlic, olive oil, and topped with asiago cheese topped on grilled garlic semollina bread...it was great

I feel like a completely different person. I actually got up at 530 and worked outside for over 4 hours. I cut my bushes, edged the lawn and cut it...i even cut the bushes in our driveway that were creeping over from a neighbor. Got the front and back done,.it looks great. Got the house clean, and now have to plot dinner. Hubby is off tomorrow so im not sure what we will be doing...but no chasing waves, its gonna rain :-(. I have a ton of Anaheim chilis hubby brought home from a customer that i have to roast, peel, seed and put in freezer bags for the winter...still indecisive what to make for dinner. Well..happy day all :-)

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

2011-07-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

THE AMAZING STRAWBERRY MARGARITA AND RED VELVET NUTELLA CUPCAKES I MADE FOR MY SONS FRIENDS BIRTHDAY....I DIDNT HAVE ANY BUT SHE SAID THEY WERE GREAT

Feeling SO MUCH BETTER its like a miracle. Started a para-cleanse 3 days ago..and while i have a LONG way to go, i woke up this am with no hand joint pain or swelling, clear sinuses, and for the most part, a clear head. I havent touched dairy, gluten, or sugar for the past 4 days...its killing me lol...id KILL for a pizza lol. Once ive got a full cleanse under my belt and the sugar cravings stop, i will start incorporating foods back into my diet....i have plans on vacation in aug...and first week of sept..and im CHEATING on my diet! Toby Keith concert coming up, and the Redneck games...cant miss those..at least i hope we dont. Today I have a service for my buddys moms passing this past wed. I feel horrible for him...i am so glad im feeling so much stronger today, if i was feeling like i was the service would have just been unbearable. Got a pot of sausage gravy and meatballs on the stove for tonight..picked eldest up from a friends..they stumbled off the train after 3 am so he crashed there..he is sleeping it off right now.no filming of music video today...hubby and other son are on their way home from work...just making lists here of stuff to catch up on...im actually in an autumn mood already..i know i know...im rushing things :-) happy sunday all

i need a nap

2011-07-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

Me and Athenos

Was up till 230 waiting for my son to get in from NYC he missed his bus :-( Open casting call went well, he got THREE parts...all just internships but helpful for his resume. The horror movie that he filmed last year is out of post production, we are awaiting its release. I got up at 5 so i really havent gotten sleep...Made some espresso and toasted semolina and biscoff for him for the ride on the bus back to NYC this am..he is exhausted. I started my sugar/simple carb free diet..also eliminated all pickled stuff..hoping this cures my ills...been 3 days i DO have more energy and am starting to feel better. Spent yesterday catching waves...i still dont have energy to really enjoy it fully, it really sucks being sick with something that is so vague. Eating healthy and exercising, and supplements should help..if not i may hit up a acupuncturist and holistic physician. Anyway..lots to do today, but DEFINATELY catching a nap at some point...Happy day all

happy sunday all

2011-07-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

LIVE BY THE SUN..LOVE BY THE MOON

I have been furiously following my muse the past week..I have found myself disconnecting from that slavemaster I call Facebook..and leaning more toward blogging again...I have been getting my work room in order..and sketching jewelry ideas...i want to hit up Borders today, since they are closing they are running a big sale..want to get the Somerset Studio publications that are normally around 16 bucks..they always seem to give me inspiration. Its still abnormally HOT here. If my allergies would just ease up on me a bit and let me breathe it wouldnt be so bad. As much as i love hitting the surf with my husband, i think i MAY be ready for fall lol. I already have fall and winter decorating ideas in my head, and im already scrambling for firewood for the woodstove lol. Well..back to work..happy sunday all.

bABY ITS hOT OutSidE

2011-07-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

I painted my one of my cruisers..too bad its too hot ro ride right now

Wow..its a hot one...111 here today..humid as hell. Rotating air conditioners and fans, and keeping shades pulled to keep cats coool. Poor Oscar is still outside..but better than on the sunporch, that you could probably fry an egg on. Hit the beach yesterday for some relief...feeling bad for my oldest son who has to endure a busride, then subway to get into NYC to get to classes..looong day for him..out by 7 am...in around 9 pm...well before you know it we will be whining about shoveling snow lol. I have to prep for the long hard winter here as well..trying to line up a bunch of firewood to keep us warm all winter. With the weather as hot as it is, its hard to believe more than half the summer is over and my youngest will be going back to school in a few weeks..where does the time go? Well.keep cool everyone!!!

im baaaaack

2011-07-12T04:20:00.000-07:00

Oscar is still hanging around..we had to let him off the porch because the heat is unbearable out there..and he is too feral to find a home for

Been very busy... Still not working outside of the house, but have enough to keep me busy here...my Rutgers son is home for the summer and working pretty much full time..the other has started New York Film academy and doing 15 hour days...been spending my days cooking and cleaning and doing gardening and yardwork....catching waves every chance i get with hubby when he has a day off...and trying to tackle projects around here that need done, like trying to make our crummy basement seem more comfortable..since we have a little kitchen bathroom, laundry area and our workout stuff is down there..as well as Captain Nemo who can not get along with our other cats. Summer has been great so far..hot and humid as hell today..and i am supposed to go see Kid Rock tonight...hoping the rain holds out. Hoping you are all enjoying your summer...its good to be back :-)

Blessed Beltane

2011-05-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

OOPS OUR BELTANE FIRE IS SIDEWAYS....i really need to figure out how to upright these pics on my new computer lol
A Blessed Beltane, and Happy May Day to you all. Busy Busy Busy around here as usual...tackling Spring chores, and some winter ones that were never finished. Spent 8 hours by myself working on the lawn and bushes in the front, then in the backyard. I dug a new herb garden area, actually just extended the old one. Put some woodash in the main garden and need to turn it over today with more soil. Raked, used the blower, mowed...that was two days ago and i am still sore. I also drug the summer furniture out of the garage all by myself...i think it looks great. Had our Beltane fire on the patio last night...oddly enough its usually quiet outside..the one night we decided to go out i think every neighbor in the area had a party..it was so loud! It was still nice..we sat by the fire in the darkness, watching the flying squirrels soar from one tree to the other. Today I am going to to tackle cleaning the grill before hubby gets home from work..making the dough this am for pretzel dogs since my son is home from school this weekend. Got some GREAT NEW IDEAS for jewelry...will post pics soon......bought paint to paint my bedroom...and still have a list to tackle.....my walk in closet is at the top of the list...basement, and the remainder of the attic i didnt finish...have spent 3 days searching for my kitchen curtains i used to have up in our country house..i KNOW theyre here somewhere. Well..lots to do....Oscar the stray will be released in a couple weeks when its not chilly at night anymore..he can NOT be socialized..we have been trying since Jan..he is too wild..but at least he had a nice winter inside a warm dry place..i will continue to feed and house him in our tent outside..he is pretty cool about hanging around. Happy day all..cant wait to start planting my veggies soon!

sorry for the lack of posting..been so busy

2011-04-22T16:12:00.001-07:00

Michael Godards "key to paradise" i assume the olive with a guitar is supposed to be jimmy buffet..and the shark is holding a cheeseburger in paradise
LOVE IT

It has been CRAZY around here!!! Even without having a 9-5 job!!! I have so many social functions coming up this Spring my head is SPINNING. My oldest son was in Chicago for a week with a girlfriend..OF COURSE HE MISSED HIS FLIGHT LAST NIGHT..so we had to pick him up 4 hours later than planned......I am still in the throes of setting up and cleaning the studio area..omg i found stuff in there from years ago i had forgotten about...my WONDERFUL husband surprised me with an original numbered and signed Michael Godard painting for my studio area...we are taking it to Atlantic City in August when he is there to be dedicated and take pics with him..i am so excited, i am a HUGE fan...unfortunately i had to move my dedicated Peter Max to another wall...the Godard wouldnt fit anywhere else.....been cleaning and purging closets and such..trying to make the house perfect for the summer...the last hold outs are basement, half the attic and my work room....im working on it. I am so incredibly tired today i cant believe it..if i shut my eyes id be snoring...........youngest is home from college for the weekend..no Easter for us :-( sons and hubby work all day..im gonna clean instead of yardwork since its going to rain, and make them a small turkey dinner for when they get home..then motor son back to school..only a few more weeks and he will be home for the summer woo hoo..anyway..need to rest..happy weekend all..happy easter if you celebrate.

Extreme Couponing

2011-04-07T03:22:00.000-07:00

Did you see Extreme Couponing on TLC last night? These women, are BATS**T CRAZY. Yes..i coupon...YES i STOCKPILE..but not 300 toothbrushes and 300 boxes of cereal. I understand if you have a large family, and i DO COVET the one system that was shown (a cool shelving system that when you dropped your cans in it rotated stock for you). I totally get that its a "rush". I also dont think i need to be storing cases and cases of stuff under my kids beds. I DO have a pantry area set up in our basement, and i DO stockpile..but only stuff thats ridiculously cheap, or free, and stuff that WILL BE USED....77 bottles of MUSTARD IS CRAZY...3, is ok! I will stockpile things like cat litter on sale (i use the corn litter which is EXPENSIVE), some canned goods when on sale, only what i will use up in a few short months...shampoo, toothpaste, papertowels and toilet paper, lightbulbs, foil...stuff like that. If I DO COME ACROSS extra coupons for free stuff that i know won't get used, i get it and donate it but i dont leave the store with 10 carts and a boxtruck to haul it in. My hubby is a grocery store manager, so i know his couponing policies well..no stacking..no splitting orders, and a LIMIT OF 4 on most items. That makes sense..if people start shopping like these ladies it will make it harder for the rest of us...I cant tell you how annoying it is to go to pick up an item that is on sale with a coupon..only to find the shelf EMPTY because some crazy lady bought 3 carts full of the item to stock under her kids bed. Don't misunderstand me, i LOVE to coupon..I love to find sales..i NEVER pay full price for anything. If you are going to use those items, more power to you...but when you open up your shower stall and 150 rolls of paper towels fall out, then there is something seriously wrong. Well, long day ahead...still doing spring cleaning, and oh yeah...gotta clip my coupons ;-) HAPPY DAY ALL

Review of 1 Republik in Hoboken

2011-03-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

beautiful brownstone on washington in hoboken
little niche in the wall for the candles in 1Republik
THE MENU
IRISH ONION SOUP AND THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE....NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COPYKAT BOTH!
Ate lunch at 1Republik in Hoboken today. We planned on pizza at Grimaldi's, but then thought hmmm...maybe a lunch special at Arthurs Steak house...We walked up and down Washington Avenue admiring the beautiful brownstones and their architecture, and decided the 1Republic menu looked interesting.

Once inside, my eyes had a hard time adjusting initially. The room being dark, and tables being black didnt help. The booths were raised up so you sort of had to climb up into them...the wall was all brick, with a little niche cut out and a little candle. The menu was fabulous, we had such a hard time deciding what to eat.

I finally decided on the Irish onion soup, with dubliner cheese, and an order of mac and cheese that was made with gruyere, marscapone, goat cheese, thick chunks of bacon, wild mushrooms truffle oil and bread crumbs. It had such a rich buttery flavor it was wonderful. Hubby got the soup and a whisky bbq burger. He said it was very good..nothing super special but very good, it could have used more bbq..but our server didnt come back till we were almost done eating...considering only 4 booths were filled in this huge place and there were two servers, I thought we would have gotten better service, though she was very sweet.

Oh, and they have over 40 beer choices, though I never order anything but Guinness lol...

I would DEFINATELY go back there, and although i would like to try some of the other things on the menu like the blue cheese chips, I am pretty certain i will still order the soup and macaroni and cheese..even if i take it home.... happy day all

An epiphany of gigantic proportion

2011-03-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

DOC THINKS HE IS HIDING

Years ago when I started this blog, i was a working self-employed mixed media art jewelry artist. I did fairly well, but my vet asked me to help him out and fill in for someone sick for a couple months...that turned in to over 2 years. I let the business go by the wayside...i let the workbench grow cold and it made me sad.

Fast forward, two kids in college and bills out my ears like everyone else....cant find a job that allows me to be around for my 80 yr old mom who lives with us, the herd, kids, and hubby. Everytime I am due to start a job it falls through...so the past few weeks i decided to work on fixing up the work room and straightening out. To my surprise, the muse not only came back...but back with a BANG. I am changing the name of my business, so the paperwork is so confusing to me right now..i need to call the state again tomorrow regarding my tax id and business license. I am still doing art jewelry, but branching about a bit stylewise...i must admit i have been bitten by the 'european' bug...also want to work on a line of pillow cases and pillows, sachets and accessories....lots of work to do...i am so excited...New blog to come soon...business cards were designed today, need to tweak them a bit..got the new business email up...but cant move forward till state approves the new name..shouldnt be a problem..its fairly uncommon..happy day all...wishing you all your own special epiphany

Saturday decisions

2011-03-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Everytime hubby brings a new line into the store, i HAVE TO try them all out....this new brand is AMAZING..i am not a sausage lover...love the taste, HATE the texture..but these are just amazing. I havent tried them all but im working on it..Tonight I am going to split and grill them, and serve them on flat bread with tzatziki sauce , lettuce and tomato, and a cous cous salad on the side....CANT WAIT!

LOL , YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

2011-03-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

So since i was planning on starting work on Monday, i decided to clean out our walk in closet and put winter clothes into attic, and bring down summer ones..got my son to help me this am since he was here...phone rings, its the new boss....THE JOB HIRING IS ON HOLD THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME....really??? lol u kiddin'???

ACTUALLY its fine..im not even upset..tofu is not my culinary forte...and hubby was stressing about me not getting home till like 7 3 days a week... "WHAT ABOUT THE YANKEE TICKETS" lol....its all good...spring is starting..i have plenty to keep me busy...i think i make more money by staying home, cooking and cutting coupons....but seriously, really??? two jobs i was promised that fell through...i think the universe wants me to stay home and take care of my family :-) happy day all

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

2011-03-17T03:37:00.001-07:00

Was still feeling lousy yesterday...3 days of left arm pain and numbness, then a short bout of clamminess and dizziness so i gave in and went to the doctor..after a quick ekg they sent me over to the hospital cardiologist where i got an ultrasound ..(which hurt by the way im still sore). I have two MILDLY leaky valves, but the pain is not from my heart...it seems to be a cervical disc and/or pinched nerve which is good news...i start my new job monday and dont need to die.

Making corned beef, potatoes and cabbage for dinner...trying to tie up loose ends around here..projects i never finished..since i will be going back to work. Still didnt buy a new vacuum, been struggling with my crappy upright which is probably how i hurt my arm and neck. My sons friend crashed here again last night..which meant they were all up until 4 when i got up..so of course im tiptoeing around now. Well, Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all...may all your weeds be wildflowers!

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

I GOT THE JOB!!!!! WORKING IN A TEST KITCHEN/LAB FOR A NON-DAIRY KOSHER FOOD CO..I AM SOOOOO SOOOO SOOOO PSYCHED..I START MONDAY....happy dance :-)

Interview went well..i felt very comfortable with the owner...place is AMAZING i was like a kid in a candy store looking around...when i saw the 'wall of flavors' i almost passed out....things are looking up....its just a probationary period, and its Mondays tuesdays and thursdays (they dont work fri) so that totally rocks..and he is super flexible with hubbys vacations..and the pay is really good as well...i cant wait to start training in the lab im so excited..i would have started today!

exhaustion

2011-03-14T03:12:00.000-07:00

FOR THE BEST GNOCCHI RECIPE, SEARCH 'KITCHEN BOSS' BUDDY VALASTROS GNOCCHI RECIPE WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE..it really was easy, and good
Changing the time didn't hit me until this morning. Yesterday went well..we didn't go anywhere when hubby got home from work at noon, we lit the woodstove, and put the Yankee game on. I spent the afternoon in the kitchen making homemade gnocchi, which was melt in your mouth delicious by the way. I had run out of regular and semolina flour, so i used whole wheat..worrying about the outcome, but it was great. I also made a mushroom sauce to go over it that included homemade chicken stock, reduced, in it..it was heaven. After dinner and working out we decided to finally watch "The Town" that i got from netflix....our dvd player wouldnt work...its the hdmi cable..and we were too lazy to go upstairs and steal the wii from the kids to watch it on that...spring break is great.....for the kids..not so much for me...my son didnt creep in until after 2, with a friend..so there are 3 snoring guys upstairs right now..which means no vacuuming..or banging around in the attic until probably 10 or 11..it also means cooking a big breakfast for them..which is the GOOD THING, now that i enjoy. I did NOT want to get out of bed this morning..i am seriously exhausted...yesterday i only got 8 miles out of 10 done on the bike..i started feeling nauseous and my arm felt numb, and my left ear...NO i wasnt having a heart attack..my pulse was fine..i think i actually pinched a nerve again in my back...anyway, i never rested at all yesterday after being awake so early..and with the time change its killing me now...i drifted in and out of sleep but was up at 230 talking to my son....and then my eyes normally pop open between 4 and 430 when cats want breakfast..today even they didnt move..but i had to get up anyway..hubby got up before me, and I SLEPT TILL ALMOST 530..i NEVER do that...i cleaned litter boxes and fed cats with one eye open..Have lots i want to do today...want to finally make the homemade mozzarella and ricotta since my son is home, just not sure if we are doing it today..have a happy day all....i need more coffee :-)

Sunday

2011-03-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

THE ANGELFOOD CAKE I MADE YESTERDAY....OMG IT WAS SOOOO GOOD...NOOOOO IT WASNT ON MY DIET......
Cats did NOT sleep late with the time change...they were hovering over me staring by 430, regular time...which was actually 3:30....I guess that was a good thing because although hubby changed the clocks before bed, he forgot to set the alarm for work lol. No worries, the furry clan woke him up. Oldest son was with his friends band last night, got in at a reasonable hour...only because he had to be up early for work, so he is gone too....have my youngest home from college this week on Spring break..and the oldest has his audition at ny film academy in two weeks to see if he can get some talent scholarships..i sure hope so. I repainted some clouds in the bathroom and shaded them to make them more prominent..im REALLLY happy with the way they came out. I need to hop on the bike this morning and get my 10 miles today..i did not do it yesterday and that wasnt a good choice. Still havent painted the bin from the kitchen because its oil paint and i have to do it outside..its still been too chilly. Started finally cleaning out art supplies and organizing..need to get it done because my son is sharing the space while he is home, doing his chain maile. I dont think there is anything he does not do well, the kid is talented as hell. Both of them are...i think i may have brought the wrong kids home from the hospital lol. Planning on making homemade gnocchi today, and since son is home this week, making homemade mozzarella and ricotta...cant wait im pretty excited. Been enjoying the new wood stove all week..so have the cats..have a lot of little things to do around here before it gets warmer, because they i will be working on planting outside...hoping the gardens do as well as they did last year so i can do some canning this year. Didnt hear back from the job i applied for...hoping they call this week..i didnt mention i couldnt work wednesdays so we will see....im sure i will find something flexible eventually...i am truly lucky that my husband would rather have me home...with the amount of things i do myself, and coupons etc..i save more than i would make anyway....Well lots to do..crossing fingers the sun comes out...i dislike these grey days, they make me sluggish....as soon as the sun comes out im on a roll! HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE...ENJOY WHATS LEFT OF YOUR WEEKEND

Hoping

2011-03-11T04:34:00.000-08:00

Hoping that the wave warnings are as minimal as they were after the Chilean earthquake. I know everyone has to evacuate for their safety, but im hoping its not as bad as they expect....wishing all my family and friends who are in the Zone safety...and my heart goes out to the people of Japan...heres to hoping the nuclear plant issue is gotten under control quickly.

omg..REALLLLLYYYY!!!???

2011-03-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

Salem really loves the new woodstove...and i love being able to use the cooktop!!!! woo hooo
Remember that job i applied for working for a food distributor last month that i SWORE i would be perfect for? I was so upset they didn't even call me. Well, this morning i saw an even BETTER job working in a TEST KITCHEN as an assistant coming up with new recipes and testing their products..OMG..a DREAM FOR ME...welll......I send the resume from my desktop (which is in word from 2000) to my new dell laptop...i prepare my letter and just when I am going to hit send, i decide to look at it....ITS BLANK..NADA..NOTHING....software not compatible??? So I go back to the email i had sent the other company, and yep....BLANK...uuuughhhhhhh. I am hoping this place will call and interview me...and im praying since it says flexible, i will be able to opt out of Wednesdays, hubbys only day off...Have a wake to go to tonight in Queens..not happy about having to go in the bad flooding storm that is coming but have no choice. Just did ten miles on the bike..need to shower but sons friend is in there right now, he stayed over....hate this weather..trying to be optimistic this place calls me..im sort of..well REALLY excited...IRONICALLY, hubby and i were just talking about me going back to work..he is perfectly fine with me staying home...i told him i only want to work if its something im passionate about and said "too bad there are no test kitchens around like betty crocker" and then this pops up from another company..i almost fell off my chair i shreiked with excitement! Well..happy day all..much to do..gotta make pizza before the day is out so son and mom have something to eat while we are at the wake. paws crossed....OH YEAH..and the job would come in handy since the oldest just applied to NY Film school...that and rutgers for the youngest are gonna bleed us dry

Painted the bathroom

2011-03-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

Painted the recessed areas of the bathroom yesterday a pale blue green, then painted clouds over it....unfortunately you really dont see it in the pics...im actually thinking about painting the clouds a little darker..i thinned the paint with a glaze so they were translucent, and looked like real clouds but you have to be standing right in front of them to see them...i dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing. I didnt take a pic of the recessed area of the tub yet, because i definately want more clouds in there, and im running out of paint... Lots to do today..happy day all.

POTATO LOVE!!!!

2011-03-05T14:25:00.001-08:00

SaLeM loves his new lair

2011-03-05T05:45:00.001-08:00

NOW SALEM CAN WATCH ME CREATE FROM HIS PERCH

first fire

2011-03-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

Mardi scoping out the fire...while Doc is in the background checking out the window i painted with Celtic Knots
The woodstove insert was approved by the town yesterday, so last night we burned our first fire...we burned purchased seasoned wood instead of the stuff we split and cure for the firepit...i dont want any surprises in the stove lol...wow, does it burn fast though when you leave the damper open...we didnt use it for heat last night, more for ambiance and to burn it hot to burn the junk off the cast iron so it wont smell anymore...the cats love it...worked more in the sunroom yesterday..going to TRY to paint bathroom today but i have hubbys friend coming sometime later to check on a list of fixes/upgrades that we need done. Before you know it i will be outside planting for the summer..where does the time go. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER DEBBIE....and happy weekend everyone!

Fini!!!!

2011-03-03T16:56:00.001-08:00

I want to get a baroque gold frame for around my Peter Max painting that he signed just for ME!!! I LOVE Peter Max
FINISHED..except i have to clean the workbench area...Salem is happy

paintbrushes await

2011-03-03T03:48:00.000-08:00

Color is much more complex and varied in person...im in love with it :-)
Ran to the fireplace place (thats what its called lol) yesterday to pick up our fireproof mat..the inspector wont look at the stove till the mat is down (thanks for that)...Started painting my workspace yesterday to something more artsy and inspirational....the pic doesnt do it justice, its deeper and more complex than the camera captured, and i LOVE LOVE LOVE it...i cant wait to straighten out my supplies and get to work. My son will be home from college in a couple weeks on spring break..so i want to have it done. He is making chainmaille with me so we will be working side by side so i hope i can get this all done. Only got one wall done yesterday, the one with the workbench. I did it because hubby was home and able to help move it (omg soo heavy). Hoping i dont run out of paints today...the eggshell coat on the wall is latex, the marbeling is acrylic and latex mixed, i mixed it myself...im so excited to get it done...well sun is up, its getting brighter in that room so im going to get started soon..there are 6 huge windows in there so i will have good light to paint all day...happy day all!

YAY THE STOVE IS IN!!!!

2011-03-02T04:01:00.000-08:00

It took all day but its in..its awesome..i cant wait to use it. Now i have to wait for the town to inspect it, and the contractor to come back to put the shroud around it and cover the pipe, and show us how to use it....so i can assure you it will be 75 degrees by that time and i wont be able to use it. The guys screwed up the new chimney cap they broke the clay pipe at the top and now it looks like its leaning..i didnt notice it when they left but my hubby noticed it as soon as he pulled up....gonna have to mention it to them when they come back..cant leave it like that..actually it might not even pass inspection like that. Hubby is off today..i have so many projects i want to work on but dont know where/how to start. Well happy day all

CRAAAAZY

2011-03-01T04:20:00.001-08:00

GUINNESS CHILI WITH DUBLIN DROUGHT CHEESE, BEANS, RED ONION, BASMATI RICE AND A JALAPENO HONEY CORNCAKE....IT WAS GOOD :-)
I made the BEST pot of Guinness chili yesterday, with a side of jalapeno honey corncakes and basmati rice..it was SO GOOD! I spent the entire day on the main floor waiting for a fedex delivery of hubbys new phone..and it NEVER CAME..at 6 last night fedex changed online status to delivery today....he paid extra for yesterdays delivery...i hate fedex. Today my woodstove is being installed. They were supposed to be here by 8 am, but will be late because they were rained out of a job yesterday..so theyre thinking around 11. So since im waiting for fedex, AGAIN im stuck downstairs (cant hear our doorbell upstairs or on the lowest level just the main floor) I am pulling my hair out trying to redecorate my sunroom which doubles as my workroom. The color on the walls doesnt speak to me..i need something more inspirational..and need to get the art back up on the walls....i need a new fireblock for torching and a flexshaft...i need to set up my stuff so its easier to get to. The problem is these darned cats get into everything so i cant even leave stuff out on the workbench. I am reassessing my business plan and have to reinstate my tax number..i still have my business license i never cancelled that..but i do want to add a d/b/a name to it, though i havent decided what that will be..i also want to change my stuff to cover accessories and art, not just jewelry. Doc called me yesterday...was surprised to hear his voice..he is going to stop over and give the herd their vaccs so i dont have to drag them in..theyre bears in the truck, they hate it. We are spending all of our florida house money fixing this one up lately...so looks like we will be here for a couple more years. Well..gonna straighten up a bit so the contractors can make their mess..happy day all

FOODIES PARADISE

2011-02-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

70 dollars worth of pastries from Carlos bakery..worth their weight in gold mmmm
Buddy is sooo handsome in person
Grace was such a sweetheart..she even came out from behind the counter for pics

Horns up dude..i got my pastries...after 4 hours

Grimaldis pizza..indescribable goodness

Tuesday night we headed to the Tropicana in Atlantic City for the night. P.F. Changs for dinner, some 'let it ride' and slots. Had a decent room..booked it for the next day so didnt bother with a suite..had a beautiful view of the city and Borgata..so i slept with the shades wide open to look at the gorgeous lights...then was awake by 430, my usual...so i got to see the sun come up over the Atlantic Ocean..it was beautiful. Motored home to make sure all the cats were taken care of (my mom and son were home, but i like to double check..i roll like that)..once all was in order i motored to Hoboken..which should be named a 'FOODIES PARADISE'. We had lunch at Grimaldis (fabulous btw) and then like two crazy people, waited in line for about 3 hours to get into Carlos Bakery (featured on Cake Boss). Once inside, it was another hour before we left. THEN we went back to Grimaldi's to order another pizza to bring home for my mom and son...we never made it to the younger sons dorm, so we have to motor tomorrow to bring him leftover pizza and the BEST pastries ever. To be honest, not many things live up to their hype in life. I have been disappointed many times, so i take every adventure with a grain of salt, though i try to stay on the optimistic side. The line was long..really long. It was cold. I was wearing minnetonka moccasins..my feet were icecubes. We were fortunate to have really fantastic people in line with us. Oddly enough, of all the thousands of people to run into...the woman behind me is a fellow mixed media artist with her own studio...we swapped business cards...i found that to be a tad surreal...one of those in the right place at the right time scenarios lol. I checked out her blog and found that a good number of her blogroll people are people i visit frequently. Getting back to Carlo's...as crazy as the line was, the beat cop was adorable..so nice..the crowd (with many kids who had off today) were just fantastic...bakery is SMALL so they let about 50 people at the most in...at a time..and it is TIGHT...But everyone seems to just chill out..no pushing or shoving..everyone very accommodating and sweet. Two things i was surprised about....Buddy came out a couple of times while i was there, (boy is he handsome in person) and Grace came OUT from behind the counter to take pics. While they are keeping the line going, they are unbelievably personable, and it was really a wonderful experience for me. I wasn't impressed with the 'look' of the shop...very main street inside..like any other bakery, nothing special...but, let me tell you, WHEN YOU TASTE THOSE ST. JOSEPH ZEPPOLE YOU WILL BE IN HEAVEN. I bought 70 dollars worth of pastries and a t shirt..so i spent just short of 100 bucks in there, and let me tell you..SOOOOOOO worth it, AND they DEFINATELY LIVE UP TO THE HYPE. It was a pleasure to see people loving what they do and making other people happy. Carlos, we love u, and we WILL be back. Grimaldi's, your pizzas rock, we will be back to see you as well. If you all have a chance to hit up Hoboken, do it...ive lived 15 minutes away my whole life...and this is a first for me.

i love u craigslist

2011-02-20T16:36:00.000-08:00

Emailed someone this am for a 'celestial' rug..dark blue with a sun in the middle, and little moons and such around the border..i actually have the throw pillows that match on my sunporch....after i emailed him i found ANOTHER rug i fell in love with so i emailed him..i figured whichever emailed me back first i would buy............they both emailed at the same time not even 10 minutes after i emailed them....both in opposite directions on the parkway lol......long story short...got both of them for a STEAL....Hubby also got me my ab exerciser..it goes up and down on the track, AND circles...tried it out tonight......im sore.........after only 5 minutes IM SORE, and i have been doing TEN MILES A DAY ON THE BIKE..HOW CAN I BE SORE...i guess that means it works..........happy night all

what an absolutely beautiful day

2011-02-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

DOC AND HIS VOLE...ITS NOT A MOUSE, ITS A VOLE lol

Its 70 degrees..and i have a new computer that has a working keyboard..life is good. The town called me today..my building permit was ready...really? In 2 days??!! OK sounds good to me. Picked it up and called the contractor and left a message. Hubby is on vacation next week..we have a zillion things to do..but will squeeze in a couple hours to get !this woodstove in...they have assured us its an easy thing. Although i want these warmer temps, next week its gonna dip into the 30's again..so if the stove is in we will be able to test it out. My sons first night at the college radio station is tonight...during heavy metal hour...he is excited..and he has a concert at the Gramercy in NYC tomorrow night, so he wont be home this weekend :-(. Looks like my other son will be taking Full Sail University classes..now to just figure out where to get the money...i cant believe it costs more than Rutgers! Did 14.8 miles on the bike this morning...4.8 more miles than i planned...but i was on the phone with my sister so i kept going LOL. Making pizzas tonight with wheat crust and healthy toppings...think i might make them on the grill....snow is melting, its HEAVENLY outside. Well..have a happy day all..hope its just as beautiful in your neck of the woods today as it is in mine..........now, if i would get a call for an INTERVIEW my day would be complete lol. ;-)

snow is finally melting

2011-02-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

the snow is melting..i can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel..im just hoping its not an oncoming train......the contractor came this morning with all of our paperwork, we have to drop it off for the permit this morning..hopefully it wont take too long i want to get this woodstove in before i cant use it till next year....my generous husband got me a laptop..i suspect because he was sick of me swearing at my crappy macbook..which im actually still on right now until all the stuff is finished running on the new one.....i will finally have exclamation points, a return key, and no more full pages disappearing....hubby is home today..so lots to do...need to get the paint to do my onion bin in the kitchen..and assorted other errands..im sure when i get home my son will be in the same spot i left him..in front of the tv lol..he doesnt work till later tonight...happy day all...one day closer to spring ;-]SORRY NO PIC TODAY..NOT SURE IF ITS BLOGGER OR MY MAC, BUT IT WONT LET ME POST

disaster averted/happy valentines day

2011-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

i made a pre-valentines turkey dinner for kids and friends..turkey, mashed potatoes with garlic parsley and white truffle oil, sweet potatoes in a vanilla orange molasses sauce, cranberry sauce with tangerine, garlic potatobread stuffing, white corn, and the BEST gravy i ever made
happy valentines day everyone...id make a little virtual heart, but as some of you know my MACBOOK keyboard is fried....my wonderful hubby ordered me a new pc from Dell and i will have it thursday..finally a computer that doesnt erase a whole page of text before i get a chance to post....yesterday on a quick trip to target for jeans for my son...i wound up getting a new set of pots and pans because the price was too good to pass up...an entire stainless steel clad with aluminum by kitchen aid was only 127. i looked at saucepans for more than that in william sonoma...i used it last night, and i love it....i really wanted copper clad but wasnt willing to pay the price...for the money the set is fantastic, and nice and heavy too. i needed stainless steel without the nonstick coating for making ricotta and mozzarella, so now im ready ;-]. i was also able to pick up the eat, pray love dvd for FIVE DOLLARS with a coupon...happy about that.....made a huge turkey dinner yesterday for valentines day early since my son had to get back to rutgers..my other son had a couple friends here too it was nice...then i baked 60 cupcakes...one batch baileys irish cream one red velvet..the baileys had an odd texture...almost like angelfood cake and the top was like a sugar cookie..hope hubbies co-workers like them..i frosted both with cream cheese, but hindsight, i should have made homemade, those prepack ones are too sweet...ANYWAY HERE COMES THE ALMOST DISASTER PART...i was exhausted, REALLY exhausted..i woke up just after 3 am and was out of bed by 345 after only 3 hrs. of sleep..ran all day...so by the time i was decorating i was spent...nothing fancy...so i decide to grab a box of 'conversation hearts' without my glasses on...after decorating i look at one of them and think...does that say F--- --..... omg these arent regular hearts...theyre XRATED HEARTS from spencers ....if i hadnt noticed his co-workers would have had quite an eyefull....yes..i took them off....finished cleaning my kitchen...threw the stockpot of turkey stock..carcass and all in the 2nd fridge to finish today...showered and promptly PASSED OUT...it was a long day ....HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ALL..HERES WISHING YOU A DAY FULL OF LOVE AND NO DISASTERS ;-o

im on a roll

2011-02-13T04:39:00.000-08:00

OATMEAL WITH SHAVED CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TRUFFLE AND RASPBERRY AGAVE SYRUP
Did NOT sleep well last night...got up at 3;50 am and fed the herd, cleaned the kitchen and boxes, swept the floors...hubby got up at 5...he and youngest left for work at 630..just got other son up for work and fed him...making that turkey today that i cleaned out a couple days ago..gonna re-soak it to make sure its ok...decided to paint my old country cabinet that has the chicken wire a burgundy...my sister in law gave it to us when we bought our first house over 20 years ago and its really falling apart..gonna put new screws in it, fix the chicken wire and paint it....my accents in the kitchen are burgundy so it should look really nice. Have to do my weekly couponing either today or tomorrow..run to Target for pants for my son...and MAYBE sneak a nap in there somewhere, i only slept about 3 hours again last night. have to make a list, room by room of stuff that needs done...since i havent found a new job yet i might as well try to knock off some of these things...gotta call the fireplace guy back monday, the contractor never called us about coming wednesday to measure and apply for permit..by the time they get the damned thing in it will be spring...well happy day all

morning inspiration

2011-02-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

LAST NIGHTS FRY BREAD..MADE IT TO GO WITH MY GARLIC CHICKEN MEXI SOUP, FLAVORED WITH SUGARED CORN IN TEQUILA AND LIME...GARNISHED WITH SOUR CREAM, HOT SAUCE AND CILANTRO...IT WAS AMAZING...SORRY NO PIC THEY ATE IT TOO FAST LOL
was awake bright and early as usual...ten minutes to four to be exact...after feeding the herd i usually sit and have coffee before hubby leaves for work, then surf a bit, listen to a little tv then begin cleaning and cooking for the day. This morning, Julia and Julia was on Starz network. I knew it was about cooking, but didnt know it was about blogging...i was intrigued....and pleasantly surprised. As many of you well know, i am first and foremost, food obsessed. It encompasses everything from growing it, picking it, cooking it, presenting it, and seeing the happy faces of the people eating it....it is such a 'high' for me. i am certainly no gourmand, but i think im a damn good cook. I have no classical training...other than on hands food prep in a restaurant and a school kitchen. I really have no desire to go to culinary school at my age...hindsight, i really should have. My skills are sort of unorthodox at best, but the result works out fine. I am obsessed with new foods out on the market, menu planning and restaurants...to be honest im not even out of bed in the morning and im thinking about food. Lucky for me i must still have a fast metabolism at my age or i would need a forklift to get me around. So in the movie Julie becomes obsessed with cooking as a release from her crappy govt. job and decides to write a blog, cooking her way through Julia childs cookbook in 365 days. IRONICALLY I JUST DECIDED to start my own cooking blog because thats where my posts always wind up anyway..and i dont mind sharing my recipes. by blogging for a year and cooking she sort of found her strength...i was pleased to find out it was actually based on a true story. Julie found her niche while cooking and blogging.....i am on my jobsearch, and hoping that i can do the same...i will post my new blog when i start it...i am waiting until i buy a new PC, as my MACBOOK is not cooperative...no return key...super duper software issues...its ready for the scrap heap...looking forward to the new windows and 'cloud' for my pics which will make my life easier, and blogging that much more enjoyable....i get a little disappointed that i have 4 comments at best, but maybe i need to network more...or maybe im just not all that interesting LOL.....hopefully the food blog will remedy that...happy day all...im off to clean.....and cook, of course

getting my spark back

2011-02-11T05:17:00.000-08:00

MOLDED PLASTIC PANELS THAT I FAUX FINISHED TO LOOK LIKE COPPER YESTERDAY..NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT IM DOING WITH THEM BUT IM WORKING ON IT...I FINISHED A MIRROR THE SAME WAY AND HUNG IT ON MY STAIRWELL AND IT LOOKS FANTASTIC
no call yet for an interview ;-[ but im keeping busy.....since we are having the fireplace insert put in...i wanted to update the livingroom a bit...but dont want to spend the money. as some of you long time blog followers know, our livingroom is medieval..swords, cauldron, etc....i THOUGHT i wanted to put it all away and go either more 'lodge' or primitive, but my husband works sooo hard, and this is sort of his 'thing'....so i moved stuff around and borrowed from other rooms...and it looks pretty darn good....i just finished tackling cleaning a 14 lb turkey that leaked all over my 2nd fridge..it took me an hour to clean and disinfect that..but at least it got me moving....lots to do around here...cant sit around waiting for someone to call me for an interview..i guess when the time is right it will happen, i just need to trust the universe...that doesnt mean stop trying, just stop stressing....in the mean time, still cleaning out my work area and i actually faux finished molded plastic yesterday to look like copper...going to mat and frame a piece and make faux wrought iron with baked clay to go over it for the wall in the livingroom....trying not to spend money thats not coming in for frivolous stuff....well...HAPPY HAPPY DAY ALL...WE ARE ONE DAY CLOSER TO SPRING

DECISIONS DECISIONS, and really good pizza

2011-02-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

OOPS SORRY PIC IS SIDEWAYS....PIC OF HUBBY AND FANTASTIC WHEAT CRUST PIZZA AT CALANDRAS ITALIAN VILLAGE...its amazing i only bought pizza, bread and pastries...if he had let me continue the trunk would have been full
LOPI WOODSTOVE WITH COOKTOP THAT WE ORDERED..YES i said cooktop..i will be making pizzas in/on this thing and cant wait
Our desire has been to sell in Jersey and move to Florida..but i just dont see that happening..anytime soon anyway...i am in no rush. i love my home, even though it needs some work. Yesterday we made the decision to just go ahead and have a wood fireplace insert put in. The contractor wanted over 5 grand to fix our woodburning fireplace that has issues....by putting in a stove insert and new pipe, we bypass any of that work that needs done, it comes out cheaper, and is a better fit for us. Salem has asthma, so a roaring 'open' fire is no longer an option, but closed doors on the stove will be fine.....i also like the idea that the model we picked will definately help heat our home....we just missed out on a 1500. state rebate, but as of yesterday theyre offering a 300. one, so i guess that is better than nothing....we get free wood so it should pay for itself in 2 or 3 seasons at the most. I must say i am REALLLY excited...only problem is now i want to re-decorate the livingroom lol....so im going to compromise and just get something new for over the hearth and 2 of the other wall spaces, and leave the rest..i moved rugs around so im pretty happy...i would LOVE a new couch and loveseat..but that is on hold until im working full time again....yes, im still waiting to hear about an interview for that food co and let me tell you im starting to feel anxiety. After we picked out our woodstove, we went to Calandras Italian Village...look it up and check it out....we had great pizza for lunch and bought fresh bread to make homemade jersey style italian hotdogs for dinner last night....i also hit up whole foods and got sourdough straight out of the oven, and some black hawaiian sea salt. Today i want to surprise my husband and work on the exercise area in the basement..it has become sort of a dumping ground. i know he doesnt care, but i cant focus unless stuff is put away, clean, and pleasing to the eye so i am going to try to do some damage control. OK GUYS...A LITTLE HELP PLEASE CROSSING YOUR FINGERS OR PAWS....I REALLLLLLLY WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW FOR THIS JOB....HAVE A HAPPY HAPPY DAY ALL...spring is almost here ;-]

keeping busy

2011-02-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

LAST NIGHTS DINNER...PORK CHICHARRONE TACOS MARINATED IN LIME, RUM, BROWN SUGAR, GARLIC, AND SOY.....SPICY SLAW MADE WITH BAGGED SLAW, JALAPENOS, RED ONION, SCALLIONS MANGO CHUNKS AND A MANGO VINIAGRETTE, ARROZ AMARILLO, CHEESE, TOMATOES AND LETTUCE....ON CORN TACOS WRAPPED IN A FLOUR TORTILLA..TOPPED WITH SOUR CREAM AND HOT SAUCE
job hunting is going to be the death of me..my left eye is twitching, and im exhausted...im watching the money go out, and none coming in. I KNOW i could have found something this fall, or even something pt for the holidays but i didnt because i was promised the other job, so i just coasted...not so smart. Last night i tried to get it off my mind...well should i say this morning..it was 2 am..so i put food tv on..and whats on...a show about NUTS lol [insert irony, its a nut company i applied to]...next show was chocolate [insert irony again, they sell chocolate as well]...barely slept..woke up at 430...stayed in bed a bit then got up to feed the herd and start cleaning.....did 5 miles on the bike this am..want to do 5 more...need to clean the drawers out in my desks today...other than that everything is clean, and i must add im getting frustrated and bored...if it were spring it wouldnt be an issue because i would be outside digging in the dirt. hubby is off tomorrow..need to hit up the fireplace store to see if they can fix out flue and put in a new woodburning stove..have some other minor errands to do...but thats about it..cant wait till spring/summer when i will be leaving the house at 6 am on hubbys days off to hit the waves....also cant wait to hear singing birds and the splashing of the water in my backyard pond....the sun DID peek out for a bit...wish it would stay out....well, on to clean out desk....and wait...and wait...and wait....to see if i get a call ;-[ HAPPY DAY ALL

power of intention

2011-02-07T03:17:00.000-08:00

HOMEMADE PRETZELS FOR SON TO TAKE BACK TO CAMPUS WITH HIM..omg they came out REALLLLLY good
POSITIVE THINKING...thats what i have to set my sights on. Yesterday i whipped up a few trays of homemade pretzels...auntie annes style, dipped in melted butter to send back to Rutgers with my son for the Superbowl. We dropped him back off and i proceeded to start my job hunt via computer while we kicked back on the couch....before i started i envisioned the criteria i need to make this thing work. I want a job that lets me utilize my personality, first and foremost. I LOVE helping people, i LOVE feeding people, i LOVE making people smile...as my ex-boss at the catering hall said about me at every meeting 'lets try to be more like terri, nauseatingly nice'....i THINK that was a compliment lol....so i decided to search for customer service jobs, and then see if there was one relating to food...the first job that popped up was working for an internet gourmet food company that has been in business since 1929 and family run...OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME...and its local...and the money is good...THE ONLY PROBLEM IS I DONT KNOW IF I COULD HAVE WEDNESDAYS OFF, and thats my husbands ONLY day off from work...so im doing my resume this morning and emailing them. I LOVED their sense of creativity and humor in the ad, and LOVE LOVE LOVE their website i got SO EXCITED reading all about it. i have to fire up the desktop to do my resume and letter because this mac doesnt always do what its supposed to....the cap lock doesnt work all the time, and there is no return key now...or half the punctuation keys dont work lol...wish me luck..this is a job that would DEFINATELY excite me, not just bring home a check....lots of other stuff to do today around here...and need to hit the tanning parlor if i have time..im WHITE as a ghost and feel blech. HAVE A HAPPY DAY ALL....THINK POSITIVE ;-]

yesterday was NOT so easy

2011-02-06T04:05:00.000-08:00

YESTERDAYS HOMEMADE MANICOTTI FOR DINNER...AFTER RUINING THE FIRST BATCH OF HOMEMADE MANICOTTI SHELLS, I WAS FINALLY ON A ROLL...IT CAME OUT FANTASTIC
so i had my friends moms memorial service yesterday...can you say exhausting...i stood in that church looking around, oblivious to the fact that i had been married on that very altar 27 years prior...i spied two other friends moms in the crowd, and instantly realized my life is passing me by so quickly. Of course i was very sad at the loss, but i think a big part of me 'losing it' was after seeing people that i grew up with that i hadnt seen in years...many years, and it made me feel my own mortality. I dont think my husband had a clue how horrible i felt standing there. We have been to alot of funerals throughout the years, family and friends, and im very good about my composure...yesterday, not so much, i just LOST IT. I also found out yesterday, that the person training me for my job [who IS the jersey office] has to go for radical cancer surgery...which renders the jersey office, well, GONE i guess...so definately back to the drawing board job hunting, like i posted yesterday...i decided to hit Lowes and get some paint and stuff to finish fixing up around here what needs done before i go back to work...this way by the time im done the threat of driving anywhere in a major snowstorm is gone as well. My bedroom needs done badly, we havent painted since we moved in 10 years ago..the only thing left is diningroom, livingroom and sunroom..which have all been painted..many times lol..but i need a change of color here. I have a ceiling to spackle in the sunroom...need new shades on the sunporch since the feral shredded my drapes...need to recaulk the shower,,,,yes, again...and would like to do something nice in the recessed areas of my bathroom behind my buddha statue...rustoleum NOW HAS A FORMICA PAINT WOO HOO so i can finally paint my crappy off white cabinets, that always look dirty, WHITE...by the time this is done..hopefully it will be time to till the yard and get the gardens started..ive had more than my share of ice and snow this year...3 years ago we had 68 degree weather this week..and hubby and i were out galavanting enjoying it. Son and hubby are at work for a few hours...i was requested to make my homemade pretzels ala aunti anne style for my son to take back to rutgers for superbowl tonight....the stray is doing fine, but still not social at all...the rest of the herd are content...now we just wait for spring..happy superbowl day everyone

more ice, and minor annoyances

2011-02-05T04:41:00.000-08:00

LAST NIGHTS HOMEMADE PIZZAS...I USED HALF WHEAT FLOUR THIS TIME..WE ARE TRYING TO BE HEALTHIER...OMG THEY CAME OUT SOOOO GOOOOD THERE IS NONE LEFT
My macbook keyboard is fried..so i have no return key or top keys..ugh..so i lack question marks, exclamation points, etc........i have been up since 330.....eldest worked and got in late, and then stayed up all night..as a matter of fact its almost 8 am and he is still up...the youngest is home from rutgers..and he was up till almost 5 am....because their lights and tv was on, it got the herd in a tizzy..they were confused and began stalking each other , and the house for food. Knowing it was cold out i just said the hell with it and got up and put the heater on the porch for stray cat porch kitty and fed everyone around 5 am. I have my friends memorial mass this morning at 1030..hubby ran in to work but is going to come home to attend and then go back to work. im tired.,,very tired...i may just take a nap when i return from the church. Its icing out again..i cant stand this...i need to be digging in the dirt....i also think i need to be looking for another job...i cant even remember if i mentioned this in prior posts..but the job i was promised might fall through, the person training me who is the ONLY person in the office has a health issue, and i have no idea how long she will be out of work....i am toying with the idea of applying to my favorite places...PANERA, WHOLE FOODS, and maybe just back to working in the school kitchen..problem with retail foods is that i might get stuck working holidays, and my husband would not be amused.....with the school i have school holidays, reg holidays, and summers off...with pay....the pay actually worked out to MORE than i made as a stressed out VET TECH....i left because i had herniated a disc a few years ago..i planned on going back, but the company that runs the kitchen would NOT REPLACE ME if i was on disability....this would definately have been a stress to the rest of the women in the kitchen, so i QUIT...i actually almost went back, i called and was set to go in, and THEN GOT THIS CALL ABOUT THE OTHER JOB..which never happened..so i have been sitting with no paycheck SINCE SEPTEMBER...yes, i got alot done around here, but i NEED A PAYCHECK. working with food, or plants is comfortable for me...even though i love animals, i never quite 'bonded' with the job. i also love making my jewelry, but with this economy i just dont think depending solely on that is reality...so i am putting out intention to the universe, FIND ME A DAMNED JOB WORKING WITH FOOD THAT I CAN TAKE WEDS. OFF AND MY HUBBYS VACATION IN THE SUMMER lol....well, it was worth a try

where are you spring

2011-02-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

thank goodness for my candle chandelier from the now defunct ILLUMINATIONS store...i miss that place
So glad the ground hog didnt see his shadow lol..still a winter wonderland here...my patio looks like shattered glass from all the ice that fell off of our oak tree...its so shiny and slippery out. My oldest woke at 230 am with what seems to be the flu...again.....his head hurt so bad he thought it was going to burst. He is finally sleeping, so i dont want to make noise vacuuming..im tiptoeing around cleaning as quietly as i can. The porch-cat stray is doing fine..the heater is keeping him comfortable, as are all the blankets, and the radio is keeping him company...he can watch the squirrels play from the floor to ceiling windows..although he hides most of the time under the wicker couch in the blankets. Eventually the weather will warm up a bit so i can have him/her vetted. If the cat needs fixed, i dont want him/her recouperating on a porch that is less than toasty warm...i mean its ok out there but not as warm as in the house, even with the heater. We lost power for about 40 minutes last night, its a good thing i have a candle chandelier in the livingroom, and lots of candles for the hearth...my trusty old battery operated coleman lantern helped out too...The sun is FINALLLLLY peeking out, though we are due for YET ANOTHER STORM ON SATURDAY OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME...jersey is NOT known for this much snow and ice i feel like im in alaska. PLANNING on cleaning out the studio area today..organizing my metals and beads and tools and a general clean out..dont know if i will actually start working on that again at a fast pace, but i would like it accessible even for just a little creativity for myself. i was disappointed to find out i did NOT win the johnsonville sausage recipe contest..out of all of the zillion recipes, i believe there were only two that used wontons..mine was one of them....the other persons won...OH WELL..back to the drawing board. well dont want to waste all this beautiful sunshine streaming in just sitting on the couch with the cats surfing...gotta keep cleaning......quietly so my son can sleep...happy day all

BLESSED IMBOLC

2011-02-02T04:03:00.000-08:00

the ice continues to come down...i had to throw out garbage and the cans are ENCASED in ice and the ground is a skating rink...ooh i cant wait till spring...oddly enough IMBOLC is today..and i guess mr. groundhog wont see his shadow...lucky you groundhog..i wont have to make stew out of you........so grateful that my eldest son and hubby have no work today, and the other is safe at his dorm. also thrilled that the stray is curled up in front of the heater on blankets sleeping on my sunporch and is safe, dry, and warm even if he does hate us, thats ok. for those of you who have followed my blog over the years, you know i used to have my own jewelry business. i closed it down over 2 years ago when i started working as a vet tech..well now that i havent worked outside of the house since sept...and im waiting for this new office job to start [been one set back after another] im seriously thinking about starting again...i have the room and workbench still set up...a little dust on the blowtorches and solder equip lol...but i think im ready..if nothing else but to keep me creative. i am craving spring...which i think most people in the north east are at this point....cant even light an imbolc fire in our firepit on the patio..its underneath mounds of ice and snow. wishing you all a blessed imbolc, happy candlemas, or happy groundhogs day, whatever you may follow. COME ON SPRING

a heavy heart

2011-01-29T04:01:00.000-08:00

a sad day today....an old friends mom passed last night. i have known her for i guess about 30 years..i used to go to her house and cut her hair every few weeks...i spent long hours at her kitchen table drinking coffee...copying recipes and listening to her housekeeping tips....she had a warm cozy well kept home, and always something good on the stove, even though she worked a full time job with a family business...she never pulled any punches or held her tongue, she was as outspoken as they came. she had a strong personality..i assume u loved her or hated her..but i loved her....she was a strong rolemodel that i really looked up to...she had more balls than most men i know. i was in her sons first wedding many years ago, and unfortunately as life goes, we really dont see each other anymore though we do speak via facebook frequently. i also keep up with his younger brother, so i was aware she wasnt well since summer...i am feeling horrible that i didnt drive over to see her, we do live in the same town..but by the same token i didnt want to make her uncomfortable..the last time i saw her was over a year ago at my youngest sons high school graduation. i doubt she ever thought twice about all the advice she gave me over the years...probably thought it went in one ear and out the other but it didnt..i respected her, she was a hard worker and lived for her family and didnt take crap from anyone. i will miss her....after she left the family business she became a crossing guard down the street from my house, so i would see her a couple times a day....its not the same with her gone from her post.......she will be truly missed...so pick up that phone...get in your car...go see someone you love and respect ...life is too short to regret not telling those dear to you how important they really are.

ahhh. flu season

2011-01-22T04:15:00.000-08:00

I NEED SOME KEY WEST AND SUNSHINE PLEASE
everything hurts...even my hair...ive been down since monday with the flu....fever was nasty, but i think i lost a couple lbs. lol....yesterday i felt a bit better, but think i over did it for the first day up off the couch....i cleaned, cut my eldest sons hair, shoveled for an hour, made dinner, and plunged the pipes in the shower...woke up this am sore again all over and feverish...when is this gonna go away..........youngest came home from college for the week...he had JUST gone back to start the next semester and came down with it...took him to the doc and they gave him nothing due to it being viral..however, the older son was put on antibiotics, cough syrup and a steroid spray..bunch of sickies....stray is doing ok on the porch, but DESTROYED my drapes trying to get out during the night..during the day he is quiet he hides in the blankets under the couch..he IS EATING every meal and using the box so thats good...need to get him vetted, but looks like i wont be able to do it till the week of feb 20th when hubby is home....my electric bill is gonna be ridiculous with this heater...and it has to be shut overnight when we are sleeping....so i am still using microwave packs and spaceblankets in the quilts to keep him warm...THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, but this situation is tying us to the house we cant do anything....so i am LOOKING FORWARD to when it gets warmer...he is safe on the porch if we go out..but if i go out i HAVE TO shut the heater and its bad enough i do that at night so i dont want him to be cold...its only 5 degrees right now...we put the heater back on at 5 am...its almost 730 and finally decent out there...i know regardless of the heater, he is still warmer than outside, but i cant help but feel bad he isnt curled up on the couch with the rest of my guys, i dont think that will ever happen..so my goal is to get him vetted and well..and eartipped and back out..then retrapped next winter...we will give him a window of time to try to socialize him once he is vetted, but i fear he is too feral..its never taken a cat this long to respond to me....i still havent started my job..im a little stressed..and my eldest son is as well..he didnt enroll for his next semester in community college because its not getting him anywhere...and the college he is looking at is well over 100 grand for the program he wants to go for..he has an interview monday, but i dont know about getting the loan...sucks..but he may need to find a job, work full time and take pt classes....the entertainment field is rough..the movie he was in last year FINALLY released a trailer, but no word when it will be out..and he hasnt been paid yet...he did computer work for a surgeon a few weeks ago,...and still hasnt been paid...economy sucks...when i was his age i made over 20 bucks an hour....its a shame the direction this country has gone.well..time to take dayquil and try to accomplish something...herd is fed and cleaned..house is swept and dusted..but no real work till everyone else is awake i dont wanna make noise..happy weekend all....pray for the spring thaw..we are due another TWO FEET of snow this week..ugh

wow its thursday...already

2011-01-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

HUBBY TRYING TO COAX OSCAR OUT FROM UNDER THE COUCH ON THE SUNPORCH LOL
Oscar is still on the sunporch...he is enjoying the oil filled radiator hubby got him...making a hole through the door into the sunroom to plug it in worked great...we cleaned the porch out yesterday..he hid under the couch..we took all the palm trees and plants down to the basement and put them in our workout area behind the universal equipment..now when i work out i feel like im in florida lol. he let hubby rub him under the chin yesterday, but he scratched me this morning...he is venturing out from under the couch, jumping up on the end table and peeking out of the sunporch into our sunroom..as soon as he sees us coming though he runs...he is also enjoying the shower radio hubby picked up that uses batteries, and continues to use the box and eat...he looks unhappy though and stressed....vetting was cancelled due to snow, its scheduled for next wed. Have no idea what to do with him once its done...the heater is costing so much money, and we cant leave it unattended so i put microwave heaters in a covered box that has blankets in it, under it, and around it to keep him warm at night..but im not sure he is using it. anything is better than the frigid temps he endured hiding behind out garbage cans. son had to be at work at 4 am for inventory..so i was up just about all night with everyone milling around here...and i got up and out of bed before 530 i was wide awake..tired but have a list a mile long to do today....made guinness stew and irish soda bread yesterday, which is NOT hubbys fave, so have to figure out something yummy and HEALTHY for him today..he had leftover 4 cheese lasagna that is a heart attack waiting to happen last night. moms bp meds were NOT called in by doctor so i have to go all the way back today she is out of them..super pain in the but especially in the ice and snow...cant wait for spring..happy day all

miles to go before i sleep...

2011-01-09T06:15:00.000-08:00

APPROPRIATE CARTOON
had an anxiety attack last night.SCARED the hell out of me guessing its stress from the new cat and oldest son..didnt go to sleep till 3 am...and got up at 5..dont feel too bad though..already swept, washed the floors, dusted etc..want to vacuum indian rugs after everyone wakes up..hubby went to work, kids and mom are still sleeping...wanna go tan today it always makes me feel better..my only vice..package was a gift from my hubby..and i dont go often just to perk me up...oscar used the box again, ate all the food, and last night hubby stopped at Lowes on the way home and got him a DeLonghi heater..it looks like a radiator, is filled with some sort of oil, and is electric...since we dont have electric on porch, only a ceiling light/fan...hubby drilled a hole from porch to sunroom so we an plug it in...its certainly not 70 degrees out there, but its not freezing anymore...if he was smart he would lay next to it, its radiant heat like a radiator...it has a thermostat on it, but i still shut it off when we went to bed....he is used to sleeping outside anyway....when i went out in the morning, it didnt feel bad at all and i had a tshirt on. i flicked it on and its been running since 5 am...he is underneath the couch again...we are going to move stuff around and pull stuff out so the only place he can run is under the couch or chair...this way we should be able to get him into the kennel wed. for his vet appt.....with any luck he is already neutered, or she is spayed lol..still needs knocked out for shots and to check over and do bloodwork. got the box of trashbags ready..planning on purging more stuff today..im in a nesting mood..and getting really uptight i havent started this job yet...i cant apply for another job until im sure how many hours im working here....not sure what im gonna do..maybe call the hairdresser i used to work in years ago and see if they need a shampoo person sats and suns.....i have had my license for 29 years, but have no desire to cut hair anymore unless its friends, family or friends of friends...son got a call not come into work AGAIN yesterday..he has NO IDEA what he is doing next semester...community college is a total waste of money..he wants to go to full sail in florida for entertainment journalism....dont know if we will get the aid for that..already have one going for a masters at rutgers..im tired...and hoping 2011 will be better....and please god...no more cats for awhile anyway

OSCAR UPDATE

2011-01-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

PIC OF OSCAR FROM A FEW YEARS AGO SLEEPING IN OUR TENT..WHICH IS NOW DOWN FOR THE WINTER...THIS WAS HIS FAVE SPOT
oscar did use the couch and blankets last night...AND THE LITTER BOX WOOOOO HOOOOO...however, due to the condition of the box and surrounding puppy pads...im SUSPECTING Oscar is a girl...lol....cant get close enough...have wed appt. at local lo cost spay clinic, because the vet i worked for is away till next sat.....spay clinic doesnt want me to knock him out so good luck getting him into a carrier again....if i cant do it i will cancel and pick up tranqs to knock him out and take him to my vet next week..half the battle was using the litterbox..now if i could get him out from under the cold tile floor under the couch during the day and onto the couch or chair......he IS EATING finally which is a good thing....using that box just took my stress level from a 10 down to a 2. i cleaned up the area that had been peed on....again, it was on the floor not the wall which leads me to believe its a female......female is a good thing..hope i can socialize after this is all done..if not keeping it in till the spring thaw then letting it out, there isnt much more i can do...getting oscar vetted with blood test neuter/spay..which ever it is...if it even needs to be done.....and immunizations is my main thing. sitting here with a bag on my head lol..dying my roots and frosting my ends at the same time....nice to have my hairdressers license and 30 years experience so i dont have to spend a ton of money in a salon...well lots to do today..just wanted to update u guys...thanks to vicki for that trap...i cant believe he just waltzed right into it lol after trying so many other times...the power of positive thinking....now lets all cross our paws after i put him on clomicalm he/she calms down enough to be socialized and put in a warm loving home.

I FINALLY CAUGHT OSCAR OMGGGGG

2011-01-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

FINALLY CAUGHT HIS FERAL BUTT AFTER ALMOST 4 YEARS...he is on the sunporch ..he was freaking out but now hiding under the couch..he has litter, dry and wet food and water...tons of blankets and hot packs...its cold out there but still warmer than outside..next step is to drug his food, knock him out and get him to the vet for a FELV/FIV test..if he is negative get him neutered...well that is if he is indeed a male...cant get close enough..he is so scared i feel so bad..but another snowstorm coming tomorrow..he needs to be in but he is so feral i fear we will never find him a home

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

DOC SAYS.....'WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER'
been busy....going back to work is growing closer...the software tech is at the office this week trying to fix the glitches so i can get started...nothing was done this week because flights were cancelled and the owner couldnt get here from florida..i am SO excited to start work.....pulling out the heavy artillery for tonight..a friend lent me a bigger trap..GONNA TRY to grab oscar the stray..so cross your paws..we have another 7 inches of snow coming tomorrow, i want that cat in at least on the sunporch dry and safe. my oldest sons friend that he worked with at disney flew in this week..she went back yesterday...last night hubby kids and i went to pf changs for dinner....i did 15 miles on the bike today..and im sore as hell...making a cappellini caprese for dinner [low carb dreamfields pasta] with fresh tomatoes , garlic, olive oil, small amount of lo fat mozzarella and fresh basil...had my special k for breakfast...and protein shake for lunch after my 15 miles and im actually full. DREADING another snowfall..and due another next tues through wed. ugh....i miss summer.....well...vacuuming and cleaning to do..happy day all

we survived..barely

2010-12-28T06:05:00.000-08:00

so the final total was 31.8 inches..hubby and i took a stroll out to buy our lottery tickets..i went down twice lol..we looked like two drunks..the snow was so deep in spots it was up to my waist...we saw SO MANY people who thought they could get through in suvs or trucks just abandoning their stuck vehicles..which made it impossible for the plows to do their job..they finally did our street last night..unfortunately there is no room on the street for our cars which makes jockeying difficult..but i dont like driving in this anyway..and i dont go back to work till next week..so this should all be melted i hope.......need to go outside and throw the rocksalt..praying the sun will actually shine some today...then i have to dig out hubbys car and sons truck...im sort of glad my other son wrecked HIS car..or i would have another to dig out lol....making homemade pizzas today...maybe a cheesecake..cleaning the house, shoveling etc. gonna try to dig out the firepit so we can actually use it...you cant even see it now. hubby said once you got out of our neighborhood the main roads were fine...sons friends flight was cancelled and she is flying in NYE now from chicago...i hate this weather...i SERIOUSLY cant wait till we can move to florida...hubby has been talking about it for YEARS...i even found an old letter and resume he sent back in 1985..yes...1985 its been THAT long...i know we will have to deal with hurricanes, geckos, alligators and heat.....but thats just fine with me ;-]. happy day all...stay warm

BLIZZARD

2010-12-27T04:19:00.000-08:00

we got about 26 inches, which wouldnt have been too bad..but they havent plowed our streets yet....hubby dug out my truck..pulled out of the driveway..got a few feet and was just pushing snow till it came up over the windshield..took him an hour to dig out and get back into the driveway..he is stressing because he wants to be at work..son is supposed to be at work at 3..not happening..snow drifted up over his truck which is stuck behind hubbys car and my truck in the driveway..we have no where to put the snow...and our row of privacy pine trees all snapped..now we need a new fence...this sucks..been awake since 230...because hubbys night crew called him..we couldnt get back to sleep..im exhausted and have tons to shovel later...just waiting for the plows..i cant WAIT to move to florida it cant come soon enough

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-25T03:53:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS i was going to say 'not a creature was stirring' but look under the tree lol

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

2010-12-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

trying to muster up some holiday spirit...kind of tough this year...coasting a bit today..just did the general daily housecleaning..went to the tanning parlor so i dont look like the walking dead for dinner at the inlaws....tomorrow starts the craziness..up at 5 and starting to cook...like i said before..have to make FOUR sauerbraten and gravy..and a big tray of arancini to take to inlaws christmas eve...friday, i will be baking my pies, prepping my bird, prepping the sweet potatoes and sides as much as possible.. want everything fresh on christmas, but dont want to be chained to the kitchen that day. just made myself a cosmo..yes its 5 o clock....and tonight we are just having philly cheesesteaks..i hope my husband doesnt get stuck at work, because he has the rolls...happy day everyone

its beginning to look alot like christmas..maybe not lol

2010-12-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

ORCA THE CAT..HE WAS MY FAVORITE OFFICE CAT..MY WORKMATE ELISE TOOK HIM HOME I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY..HE IS DOING GREAT
holiday cards are mailed..i hope i didnt forget anyone..dropped off 2 lbs. of sauerbraten and a loaf of bread to the office wed..never heard from anyone...so i dont know if that was a good thing or a bad thing...hubby is stressed and sad at work after being at the same company for 33 years..i have no idea what the deal is but i back him 100 percent.....did ok shopping this year..got 99 percent stuff that was needed, not wanted..in this economy we have no choice....got a call from my new boss...and its ON...i finally start in january..and i cant wait...too long i havent contributed a substantial paycheck. made mexican chicken tortilla soup for dinner..and have chicharrone chicken breasts marinating so i can make a latin pizza tomorrow with the grilled chix, and cilantro and monterrey jack on a grilled pizza dough....the marinade is rum, brown sugar, soy, margarita mix and fresh lime. still cleaning and purging around here..trying to declutter and downsize.....still havent caught oscar the stray though we have tried. worried what the future holds for all of us...i have no problem selling our big home and living in a double wide as long as its in a warm place in a good neighborhood lol where i can bring my cats....this economy just sucks...anyway..on a lighter note..hope you are all ready for the holiday

BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE...AGAIN

2010-12-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

MARDI BY THE TREE..SORRY I DONT KNOW HOW TO MOVE IT AROUND..BUT THE PIC FITS HIS FOREST GUMP PERSONALITY LOL

im hating this weather...i know my husband is..and im SURE the stray cat oscar i havent been able to trap is..its breaking my heart...we built him a great shelter but he is afraid of it. Yesterday i cleaned the entire house top to bottom..changed sheets..vacuumed, dusted, washed wood floors, scrubbed the shower etc...i was on a roll..then i made chix cutlet parm and spaghetti and my son had 3 friends over...i felt like Jesus with the loaves and fishes..i dont know how it fed everyone and there were left overs, and everyone was stuffed. i didnt sleep well last night at all..partly because i had an energy drink yesterday...partly because i had poor oscar and issues with my oldest son on my mind..why cant anything be easy....my mom DID find my sons wallet so that was one thing resolved...we are at that stage of the game when he is turning 20 and wants to do what he wants to do and feels he is invincible..leaving his family (including his brother) home shaking their heads and crossing their fingers he makes it home in one piece. Never got the holiday cards addressed yesterday..doing that today..and definately taking a nap at some point and time...got a call from the vet yesterday..going in tomorrow...got a request to bring food so im making Sauerbraten....right now i have a headache and feel like someone beat me....nowhere to look but UP today lol....stupid Macbook is giving me grief again....missing all my desktop icons again....and cant use the character keys....well happy day all..lots to do :-)

what do you mean its December already?

2010-12-05T08:53:00.001-08:00

IM A COOK, NOT A BAKER..SO IM PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK FOR THE POPPYSEED ROLL YOU SEE ABOVE...OMG THE BEST EVER AND THE HOUSE SMELLS LIKE A BAKERY

OMG where does the time go..crazy crazy as usual..going to Christkindlmarkt with my son and hubby later..just made THE BEST poppyseed roll EVER! and my whole house smells like a bakery...had a full week of good meals..made an awesome brisket and latkes yesterday..sourcream cuke salad and a tomato salad..and mashed potatoes as well, hubby doesnt like latkes. older son lost his wallet..so tomorrow morning will be a scramble to get to motorvehicle for a new license before he has to be at classes..ugh..always something huh???
Have most of my holiday shopping done...this year i got stocking stuffers for the boys..i havent done that in years..and i swear they are way cooler than their regular gifts. NO I HAVENT STARTED WORK YET OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! But all in all, its working out great, there has been so much to do around here..Salem is coughing again..and im STILL trying to trap oscar cat to put him at least on our sun porch.yeah its cold out there but we can give him his hutch and heating pad at least..and during the day with the shades open it warms up in the sun nicely.....yes another cat to get vetted that isnt mine..$$. i have distanced myself from my old job...there are a couple of new people there i just dont like..and life is too short so i avoid the drama...My diet is going well..i would like to drop 5 more..but i think the exercising has really boosted my metabolism..because im eating a ton of junk, and staying at the weight i attained dieting strictly..woo hoo!Well.hubby will be home in 5 minutes..gotta fly..happy weekend all :-)

turkey day is almost here!

2010-11-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

ATHENOS PRACTICING TO BE A TURKEY
First off, please excuse any typos..my MAC keyboard is being ornery today..i suspect one of the cats did something when they walked across it this morning..need to get my MACBOOK for dummies out and see if i can figure it out...i am re-submitting my recipe to johnsonville sausage today..somehow they didnt get it, so i have to start all over...both boys are home for the holidays..sleeping right now to be exact...a couple of energy drinks and Assassins Creed on x-box and they were up all night. i was able to capitalize on that energy spurt..and the eldest raked some leaves for me this am lol. i woke up with a horrible headache today..been up since 430 and its finally just going away..and its almost noon...ugh..this is the first time today i could even look at the computer my eyes hurt so bad this morning. have to bake an apple pie, pumpkin pie, and start my sweet potatoes for tomorrow...i already vacuumed swept and dusted...tonight when hubby gets home, or tomorrow am after the bird is in the oven, we will bring the Christmas decorations including the tree down from the attic and get started...hubby is a manager for a grocery store..so for the last 30 years together, holiday time spent together is short and sweet..we grab it while we can. We put the tree up on Thanksgiving while we are all home together. ive done most of my shopping online this year..i thought id be working by now but the office still isnt done...yes, its a done deal its just taking alot longer than planned..but thats ok..gives me more time at home to get things done....friday, going to hit lowes to get the insulation to finish building the feral cat shelter for the last hold out we cant catch...he is definately feral...he will come right up to me but i cant touch him at all...i am glad there are no more to place in homes...its very stressful taking care of outside kitties..the trapping, feeding, meds..etc...the biggest thing is when the weather is bad i lie awake worrying about them..we have been so lucky up to this point on catching and getting homes ...got my new southern home mag and the recipes this month are amazing...and great ads from dillards..wish we had a dillards in jersey..but thanks to the magic of the internet..i can shop anyway lol..well..headache going away..time to go start making pies...if i forget, PLEASE EVERYONE HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING

im still here!

2010-11-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

i havent started work yet, but i DID go in and finish paperwork and check out my new office..i cant WAIT..im really excited..new software is being loaded now and then training will start.

been trying to get everything done around here before the holidays but i keep hitting road blocks..and holiday shopping is a NIGHTMARE this year, as NOBODY is telling me what they want or need.

Went to Atlantic City the other night had dinner at pf changs and then went to the holiday show at the trop..stayed over and came home in the morning.....

Making greek food for dinner, and made cream puffs for dessert, but they arent as fluffy as i would have liked. Well..just checking in...happy day all

THANK YOU

2010-11-11T04:35:00.001-08:00

chicken piccata recipe for Sandi

2010-11-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

8 chicken cutlets (pounded thin)

mix 2 eggs and a little milk and dip the pounded chicken in

then dredge in flour, that you season with garlic powder, dried parsley and some parm

saute in olive oil with a little butter for flavor until brown, and put in a baking dish.

Saute one package of sliced mushrooms of your choice and 1 med. onion. pour over the chicken in the baking dish

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup red dry wine, 2 cups of chicken stock..a little cornstarch to thicken it up...pour over chicken...add 2 tbsp capers (rinse first) Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes..i know it sounds long but it makes it nice and tender so you dont need a knife. i spooned the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with some dried parsley...enjoy!

chicken piccata and blueberry cinnamon buns

2010-11-09T15:29:00.001-08:00

chicken piccata recipe from Patsys nyc cookbook...but i added mushrooms onions and capers..it was fantastic and soooo tender
before cream cheese frosting

Well, they called from my new job!!!! i start in two weeks i cant wait! i am also making alot more per hour, and getting triple the hours vs. the old job at the vet...which is great! i made chicken piccata (ala patsys nyc restaurant recipe) but i added capers mushrooms and onions to it..it was sooo tender and fantastic..and i made cinnamon buns and put blueberries in them..they came out ugly :-( but taste WONDERFUL...happy night all!

BUSY BUSY but no work yet!

2010-11-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

Havent started work yet, but thats ok..painted the kitchen AND hallway this past week...hubby emptied the pond and put away the Buddha...he also started building a feral cat shelter but its not finished...i cleaned out the walk in closet but still have some straightening up to do..the big cleanup is the sunporch..it had become a dumping ground for stuff since we dont really use it..need to clean it up and get the palm trees in for the winter..we usually put them in the basement but we have since put down carpet and put all of our gym equipment down there. im guessing another week without work :( what am i gonna do..if this falls through for some reason, im definately going to look for a foodservice job..i love food..i love prepping it..eating it..feeding people..shopping for it...recipes...food network...its at the TOP of my list, its the one thing i never get tired of..you will NEVER hear me say i dont feel like cooking...well..had a LONG day..woke up at 3 instead of 4 due to the time change....cleaned the whole house, and made a killer stuffed pork loin, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, apple cider gravy, and glazed carrots for dinner..it was so good..not on the diet so i will have to work out twice as hard.......things are going well around here, starting to look up....i miss the animals at work, but am glad that i left...i have been hearing gossip about some really upsetting things going on with the staff, so im glad to be out of there...dont need the drama. well...tomorrow is another day..i have had a bad back again for a few days due to painting..going to attempt to mow and rake leaves tomorrow if i am able...happy sunday evening all :-)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND BLESSED SAMHAIN

2010-10-31T04:32:00.000-07:00

SALEM AND SUSHI IN THEIR WITCHES HATS......WE MISS U SUSHICAT

happy halloween, blessed samhain, and happy Celtic new year to those of you who celebrate. im STILL painting around here and have NO IDEA if i start work tomorrow or if its going to be another week..have to call my 'boss' and find out...one more week would be a pain in the pocketbook, BUT i could press on here and get the painting done...the HARDEST THING TO PAINT is our hallway..and i have a lot done..the top of the first landing is gonna be a pain..need to find the pole and get one of those rectangular pads or i cant get the high ceiling, the ladder wont fit in a small space up there :-(. i DID get the attic stair area done..and spackled all the venetian plaster that needed fixed, from the stretcher damage (when EMS took my husband last time, what a mess) im using the same gold as the kitchen, and hoping the paint i have left will be enough.....SO MUCH FOR A TUSCAN THEME IN MY HEAD, because as usual, NO MATTER WHAT I DO, it winds up looking country prim..which is JUST FINE with me...not hubbys fave but im much more comfortable..it feels like home...our livingroom is STILL renaissance style, with weapons on the wall and suits of armor...im so sick of it..and just want a comfortable and cozy country look/feel....we shall see. Lots to do today, and have to get son back to Rutgers later and help him clean his dorm, his roommate moved out. Had some fantastic hot cider last night..so much for the diet........my whining and pining for summer has turned into joy for the fall..if the darned sun would just come out....happy day all..happy halloween!

so very sad

2010-10-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

i havent started the new job yet, because the phones and computers are not hooked up yet..so i took this extra week or two and decided to purge closets and paint...crazy i know....i spent 9 hours in our walk in closet going through boxes and rubbermaid tubs..threw out A LOT of unnecessary stuff, but came across some wonderful memories.....this coming summer will be 30 years my hubby and i are together.....thats a lot of stuff lol!
So day two in the walk in, i come across another tub with pics and letters from friends..you know, those things people used to use a pen and paper for before computers. i read this letter from an OLD friend that was a customer of mine over 25 years ago...i used to cut her hair, and her daughters hair...She remarried and moved to florida from jersey, and hubby and i made a trip to visit her once...then they moved to Georgia..she joined a southern baptist church, and kept trying to "save" me...we still stayed in touch even after her boys and my boys were born...calls became fewer, and soon it was down to just Christmas cards and an occasional letter..no one to blame, just very busy lives, she was a Secretary at her church......anyway...i read this beautiful letter she had sent me in 1994 (i had spoken to her since, the last time in 2000) so i decided to look her up on facebook and she wasnt there...so the detective in me didnt give up...and i was heartbroken to find out the truth.....she had a rare form of brain cancer, diagnosed in 2001, and passed at the end of 2008......i wish i had been a better friend, i wish i had known...her online blog chronicled her struggle, and through it all, EVEN AFTER HER DEATH, no one complained...their faith in God is amazing..and just made me feel like an EVEN WORSE person.....Wherever she is...i know she is at peace..she was the most wonderful funny, faithful person i ever met.

I PAINTED THE KITCHEN....YES AGAIN

2010-10-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

COULDNT STAND THE BLAH COLOR ANYMORE...went gold...it looks so much nicer..and now i can switch off and put my key west margaritaville stuff up on the walls when i feel like it!

i personally think he looks more like his dad than me

2010-10-25T15:32:00.001-07:00