Amazing

Caro Coure

Caro Coure,

Why does it still sting in my eyes and my heart?  My practicality tells me that I shouldn't hurt anymore.  Do I just get obsessive when I'm depressed or when I dream of you?  Why are you still a "clear and present danger" to my emotions?  Why must I keep trying to focus on the negative?

Hearing the music that once was for us makes me so very nostalgic and puts me adrift on a cloud of remembrance.  Not the ugly, just the beauty of the precious moments.

It's been so long.  It hurts.  I'm fighting not to become broken again.

tua sempre

Guess Who's Back??

LOL I'm baaaaaa aaaak!  It's only been a year and a half.  I'm happy to see that some of my old buddies are still blogging away!!  Not much new on TypePad I see . . .

I've been trying to get the biz in gear, and now I'm belly up!  I am quite sure that I have finally ended my endeavors to start ANY kind of biz.  They all failed.  I thought the eBay thingy was gonna be good, I did plenty of research but still, I didn't know until I knew and it was all too late.  I hope it doesn't discourage anyone else from trying to have a biz of their own!  It's me, not the idea of having a biz.

My 10th grandchild was born this past January, and she is something else!!  Of course all my grandkids are special!!  I'll try to get some pix up soon - if anyone is still looking for me to post . . .

I have a myspace which is free - this one isn't.  My url is: http://www.myspace.com/trudies_treasures
For what it's worth, give a look.  I'm not as verbal, but like to change up designs every once in a while, and songs and pictrures.

If you are here reading this, please leave me a comment so that I know if I just wasted my money to get my blogs back!!  Thank you!!  I missed you!!

posted recently on myspace.com

If you can even grasp the concept, our lives are filled with circles!! The sun, the moon, revolving, cycles of seasons. birth, rebirth. everyone at the same time but different. I think that's the big-ass secret of life. Uh oh, since I figured out the puzzle, am I out? Game Over?? My brain is just all over the place. No, not my brains, I only have "a" brain left, not enough to necessitate the need of such a large orb. Live long and proposterous. Why do we have to be out of our children's lives? And who are you to tell me I'm abrieviated? Ok, phew, so there might just be another cycle? *wipping the sweat from her brow* But, hey you young whippersnapers, I'm going to be busted by me FATHER!!! So why the heck can't we all live together in peace? (you must have enjoyed this one!!) What is the secret of life, you ask? And with that, Trudie began to smile a very big smile and held up a coffee cup. Nirvana

Business is Booming - NOT

   As some of you know, I've been trying to earn a living online since last January.  I've tried the following:    
   Blogging for Pennies - I earned my first $100.00 from Adsense after 7 months, and just recently was excommunicated from Adsense for some unknow, unpaid offense.    
   Blogging as an "Associate" meaning that anyone who bought anything advertised on my blog would earn me some type of percentage.  Since about February I haven't earned a plug nickel.
   My own "stores" - I have a florist shop and had a Christian book store.  These are the two that I bought from myself and "earned" a commission from.    
   Surveys.  I got myself into a whole big mess with this one.  Besides identity theft as an after thought, I received more emails than I could burn in hell (that line was from Helen)!  I am still getting them, along with a gazillion phone calls from everybody and their uncle.  Craftmatic must know my phone number by heart.  Another wonderful outcome of surveys is that they have big offers to "give" you after you buy at least 3 items from the sponsors.  Don't fall for this!!  There are some good surveys out there, but I'm afraid that I can't recommend any.    
   A "turn key" auction biz.  The one I chose was way too much information than I needed, very complicated, and just not a very good decision on my part.  This type of service offers your own web store, access to a drop shipper, information, help when you need it, and coaching.  I left them, I felt that that was way too much product for me and costing me $99 a month.    
   Dropshipping.   This is where you shop their website, choose products, put them on eBay, and earn profits AFTER  paying a couple of bucks less than you can sell them for.  Then you have to pay eBay to list, a small commission when sold, and of course PayPal gets their share, too.  I figured out that I would have to sell a gazillion items at a really cheap price in order to make anything resembling a profit.
   My own stuff.  Well, I've been buying things online since last October so I have plenty of them.  I just need to take pictures, figure out how much to charge, pay eBay to list and sell, and pay PayPal for their service.  This is a little tricky because I have two choices:  1) Sell just to make back some of the money I spent or 2) try to make a profit based on what I paid for the item.
   Let me tell you a secret - EVERYONE wants to make money, and nobody wants to pay retail or even a good price for an item.  Buyers are paranoid that sellers are trying to rip them off in some way, and Sellers are paranoid because other sellers either have a better supplier with lower costs, or other sellers are trying to steal their customers.
   I have met two outstanding gentlemen who have graciously taken me under their wing and offered
many suggestions on how to sell the eBay way.  If you have a chance, please just visit their stores on eBay.  They are NOT rip off artists, they are eBay sellers, like myself, who are trying to earn a living through the sale of quality items at very reasonable prices.  They are mastercutlery (Ian), and kingdiamond91 (Carl).  These two have integrity, and can be trusted.  Oh, and of course the same goes for Trudies-Treasures!!

Who Else???

   

Did you got tossed off Google's Adsense??  Did they owe you money??  Were you told that they were returning the money for advertising clicks back to the advertisers?  I am starting to think that there are a lot of us.  If you are one, please leave a note on this post.  If there are a lot of us, this is surely FRAUD.  Please let me know!!  Maybe there is something we can do together!!

OK, So I'm Blonde!

    I have another confession to make.  Googlepex and Advertising and Selling have nothing to do with Google.  Know how I found that out?  Google Adsense dumped me!!!  Not only dumped me, but told me never to darken their doorstep again!  I am permanently excommunicated.  All of a sudden Adsense decided that I must be breaking some kind of rule.  Even though it took me about 7 months to collect $100.00 worth of clicks, now I am making too many.  What makes me even sicker about the situation is the fact that even though I see their actions, which include "sending back the money to the advertisers," as liable.  I had a few exchange emails from the Webmaster, and it's no go.  I am out on my butt.  Period.  Who do I go to for this injustice?
    Adsense states in their long agreement policy that I can't do anything to attract clickers.  They have me.  Googlepex and Advertising and Selling are traffic sites that you can join for traffic and "clickage."  I went back to see who the heck was in charge of Googlepex, and surprise, surprise, it's not Google.  OOPS.  The annoying part is that a couple of Adsense people were allowed back in, but not before Adsense confiscated $300 - $400 worth of clickage.      Know what I think?  I think that I had too many ads on my blogs anyway, and now I won't have to pay Googlepex and Advertising and Selling for their clickage.  Now I can concentrate on my own little eBay Store, "Trudie's Treasures."  Visit me, would you??  It gets lonely sometimes!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

TIRADE

     Excuse me, but what the HELL IS GOING ON????  It's like really making me CRAZY!!  Is Google bonkers, abusive, or just catchin' while catch can??  Is it just me?  Did anyone else notice the horrendous abuse they are subjecting us bloggers to, or what?
     Way back in January when I first started using "traffic" sites they were like, "Hello, how may I kiss your ass, for free of course.  And "I'll even give you free stuff and a percentage if you recommend my ass kissing, stupid, and annoying traffic site to all your oblivious, turnip brained blogger friends.  You've heard of the pyramids, right?  So I'll let you participate in the first ever to even look like it's gonna work pyramid.  Oh, and by the way, oops, we accidentally purged your account because we have brass ones.  We figured that we'd make you pay, now that you're hooked on a couple hundred blog visitors a day, and have reached the 6th tier in the pyramid.  Of course we didn't back up our files, that would defeat our main purpose of ripping you off as long as we can.  Oh, and another oops, my sister-site is run by the same dude that runs this one, so in a few days your other traffic site Will purge you, too and we can get away with it because you agreed to the agreement.  What a shame it was so long and you didn't want to read it so you accepted it without reading the part that we can change any damn thing we want, drop your account, or cancel the least expensive of our programs to try to get some more money out of you dumb ass bloggers."  OK, those are the obvious things that they want us to let ride. 
    Once we are all back up, giving them more money for a "free" traffic site, and doing all the repairs and upgrades that they so nicely "accidentally" deleted they scam us covertly.  Have you ever checked the amount of traffic they say we are getting with any other traffic counter??  I have.  Typepad has a feature that you can use to check the traffic on your blogs.  One of my blogs, for example, had about 80 visits one day.  The traffic site "Advertising and Selling" statistics said I got 145 visits.  I've even emailed them several times about this dilemma and never heard anything back.  I even suggested that maybe I was getting hijacked somehow.  No answer, no answer, no answer. 
    This wonderful wide world of webbing is getting totally ridiculous, uncaring and even the "free" stuff isn't free anymore.  Not only that, but now we get to see the commercials that annoy us on TV on the once commercial free internet and -- we are asked to pay to see these commercials along with the information we requested. 
    Heaven forbid we want to make any money ourselves!  Every time you turn around it's another fee and another fee and another fee until what could have been just isn't.  Ain't it amazing???

 

Up and Running

      Yeah!!!!!  "Trudie's Treasures" is finally on eBay.  I'm just so excited - finally I got an item up for auction.  This is my first, something I will remember.  I hope it sells, there are a gazillion earrings up for bid.   If anyone out there has any experience with eBay they would like to share with me, I would much appreciate some input.
     I have two other items for bid, also - but not anything as pretty as this.  Actually the other items aren't jewelry, so I guess I can say that LOL.  OK, well wish me luck, say a prayer, and Melann, you can cross your fingers!

Stolen Meme

I don't have a list of 100 things about me, but I got this:
I thought it was time for my psychotherapy so I stole this meme from Melody who stole this from Sue , who stole it from Sheri who stole it from her sister-in-law Sandra. Just put an X in the ones you've done. I also added a few comments to explain myself if I felt compelled too. Those will be in red.

smoked a cigarette ... yes, way too long
crashed a friend's car no, only my car and my Dad's
stolen a car . . . nope
been in love ... several times too many 
been dumped .... hell yeah
shoplifted... I stole a tube of lipstick when I was really young, got   caught, was mortified and cured.
been fired ... Not in so many words
been in a fist fight ... high school I was ambushed.
snuck out of your parent's house..... yes, of course (I was bad)
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. .. several times 
ever been arrested? . . .   he he he, walked into a police station to pay a late ticket for having one of the two bulbs that light the license plate burned out.  I was ambushed
gone on a blind date...oh yeah, wound up going through the Holland Tunnel at 100 mph.  Two drunk sailors and my friend.
lied to a friend ... probably, but in a good way
skipped school .... no, just told my Mom when I wasn't going.
seen someone die... yes, but only people I was very close to
been to Canada.... Oh my yes.  Beautiful!  Started dreaming in French
been to Mexico ... no, but had a good friend that was from there
been on a plane .... took 12 hours to get to California from Newark Airport when I was 11 - jets were far too expensive.
purposely set a part of yourself on fire - not intentionally
eaten Sushi...... Does swallowing gold fish count?
been skiing..... been to Mt. Snow, Vt. . .  almost did.
met someone in person from the internet . . . yes, happened to be a friend of a friend who just happened to live in the same town as my daughter in Florida.  It was exciting and great!!  Note to self:  Email Nancy
been moshing at a concert .... No, but fell asleep during a "Mountain" concert . . . gee I wonder why . . .
taken pain-killers . . .  yep, was addicted for about four years
love someone or miss someone right now . . .  yes, miss a lot of people
laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by ... yup, when I was a kid on my grandparents grass, and when I was about 45, on my own grass.
made a snow angel ..... well, I did sculpt a likeness of my daughter during a snow and sleet storm.  It melted slowly.
had a tea party .... all the time
flown a kite. . . umhum
built a sand castle .... umhum, I don't think there are any people in Jersey who haven't been down the shore.
gone puddle jumping .... umhum
played dress up . . .  all the time, fell down a flight of stairs when I was a kid cause I had on my friend's mother's skirt and I tripped over it, right after she told me "be careful, don't trip on the steps."  Never told her, wouldn't that be direct disobedience?
cheated while playing a game.......I don't play games
been lonely . . . all the time
fallen asleep at work/school .... both:  HS history right after lunch, started taking "No Doze" before lunch.  Work, tried as hard as I could, but it was going on the third shift I was doing.
used a fake id..... Oh yeah!  My name was "Carol" something, gave my number, wrong name to a guy I met "down the shore."  He finally busted me and dumped me . . .
watched the sun set. . .   yes, down the shore over the ocean.
felt an earthquake ..... every time they are bombing at Maguire AFB, and New Jersey actually had a tremor several years back.
touched a snake....... yes, even married one
slept beneath the stars...... Yes, when I ran away from home - does a trailer count?
been tickled. . . to death
been robbed . . .  Yes, by my neighbors who lived the floor below me.
been misunderstood . . . chronically
petted a reindeer/goat ...does it count if you use your car?  Ever had deer fur stuck in your headlights?
won a contest ... YES I DID!  At St. Elizabeth's Fair, I won the "Pick up the peas with a straw" game, and won a beautiful doll.  To me it was beautiful and I could hardly believe I actually won.  oh, I just remembered that I also won a prize from a radio station for identifying "take another shot of courage" as the Eagle's song "Tequila Sunrise."

ran a red light... yes, oops, and stopped at a green one
been suspended from school   nope
dropped out of school . . . yes, I'm officially a "beauty school dropout" 
been in a car accident ... yes, when I was 17 I totaled my dad's Renault (sorry Daddy!!)
had braces. . . yep - on my left knee (torn cartilage in knee from a fall) and also for my back.
eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night...... yes, many, too many times
had deja vu. . . yes, did you ever have a vu jade?  that's when you feel like this never ever happened to you before.
danced in the moonlight ......a little dancing, a little howling
witnessed a crime ........ yes, and we won't go there
questioned your heart . . . .  I think we all do
been obsessed with post-it notes . . . oh hell yeah, when I realized that I lost my mind, I had to put post it notes on everything.
squished barefoot through the mud . . . no, but pooh when it was an accident.  (did your adult relatives tell you you must have stepped in pooh because you got so tall all of a sudden?)
been lost.... No, just temporarily misplaced.
been to the opposite side of the country... yup, see above.
swam in the ocean .... of course, and even got stuck in the undertow
felt like dying.......which time?
cried yourself to sleep .... um, cried myself sick 
recently colored with crayons .... no, my grand-kids broke all my crayons!
sung karaoke....oh HELL YES!  I was a kj/dj.  sometimes I really sounded like crap!!
paid for a meal with only coins . . . yup, back in the day at the 5 and 10 when hot dogs were like 30 cents and a milk shake was 50 cents
done something you told yourself you wouldn't.....yep, every time
laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose..... yes, but I wouldn't exactly call it a "beverage"
caught a snowflake on your tongue . . . lots
danced in the rain . . . naked
written a letter to Santa Claus . . . yes, and this year I'm asking for money
been kissed under a mistletoe .... are you kidding?  I used to stand under the mistletoe until I got kissed!
watched the sun rise with someone you care about?. . .  yup
blown bubbles... who's bubbles?
made a bonfire on the beach . . . no, but came pretty close
crashed a party. . .  me and Flake sort of did
gone roller-skating....... yup, all the time when I was a kid, and one time years ago
had a wish come true ...still waiting
worn pearls ... yes, for my high school senior picture - they were my mother's
jumped off a bridge ... no, but wished I had sometimes, and was told to go do it, too
told a complete stranger you loved them. . .   um, yeah, and there's nobody stranger than him.
kissed a mirror . . . you saw that?
sang in the shower .... once a month whether I need it or not
had a dream that you married someone .... no, had a nightmare that I married someone
glued your hand to something..... no, but wanted to
got your tongue stuck to a flag pole.... (ok, for the sake of  sarcastic humor only) no, but got it stuck in a zipper once
kissed a fish... what the hell kind of question is that?
sat on a roof top ... lots, I grew up in an apartment over the main street in town.  I used to go on the roof tops all the time.
screamed at the top of your lungs. . .  guilty
done a one-handed cartwheel....no but I stood on my hands once and almost broke my fingers
talked on the phone for more than 6 hours ...yup, even fell asleep on the phone
stayed up all night.... all the time
didn't take a shower for a week. . . yes, but washed with water heated in an electric coffee pot during my trailer days.  Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
pick and ate an apple right off the tree . . .  yes, and got caught "looting" an orange tree with my cousin on that California trip.
climbed a tree . . . yup
had a tree house . . . no, but built one for my kids (for real!)
had a complete stranger tell you You are Hot..... all the time when I was a young lady (now I'm an ugly old lady)
met someone you swear you have met in another life .... yes, and one is a fellow blogger.  doesn't freak me out, just feels comfy.

In The Wake

Let's just think about the ramifications.  People are priority, as they should be.  But what happens when EVERYONE is priority.  Where do you start?  Can you imagine the rescue workers picking out the white people to treat them first?  Yeah, OK.  Keep in mind that black people are the majority citizens in the gulf region, the police department, the fire department, the mayor, the parish president, and the senator.  What I noticed was a whole big bunch of people.  Black and white together at last.  Every life is priority.  What the hell is wrong with Jesse Jackson anyway?

I saw strangers cradling small children, women, babies, old people, their peers.  I saw people.  Not white people and black people, and yellow people, and red people, and green people (martians).  I saw people helping each other and caring about each other.   I heard people calling each other brother and sister.  I saw the unification of ALL mankind.  I heard about the tsunami victims taking up a collection to send to the US for storm relief.  Even Cuba's Castro extended a helping hand to our country.  Can't you hear "We Are the World" being sung at last?

Gees.  Jesse, you still back in the 60's or what?  Know what I mean homes?  (Will Smith phrase from "Fresh Prince")  People are so much closer together, especially when there is a crisis.  I was so thankful that such a gift could come out of this tragedy.  Yo, Mr. J, is it true they can't teach an old dog new tricks?  I don't know.  You've wanted this for so long, it's become a part of you.  OK.  Just let's rejoice in what the good Lord has done.  Pick up a new cause.  How about making all Christian churches depict Jesus in different ethnicitys: black, white, Oriental, Jamaican, African, Indian ("Native American," what the hell kind of name is that?  They know they are Indians, we know that they are Indians, so what the heck?).  Throw in a Latino for good measure. 

I hardly know what to say.  We've had a huge hurricane in the gulf.  The shear immensity of it leaves me speechless and quite humbled.  Those poor, poor people, helplessly going through one trauma to the next.  Now that "Speedy Sam" has started to get "his" act together, maybe there's something that "he" hasn't planned on:    hundreds of thousands of people going through various levels of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Help, Please!

    A fellow blogger, Cat, "A Mom in the Swamp" needs our help.

Help for Cat and her family:

I have permission from Cathy to post this, she was very leary of asking for help, but they really could use it.

They are on their way to KC right now, and have had to leave everything behind (basically just closed the door behind them). Everything they owned is a loss. Both storage rooms were flooded, and the rental was flooded. They are not sure if their items are covered by their renters insurance (due to it being flood related) and FEMA cannot give an estimate as to when/what they will be able to help with. I am asking that if any of you can give something (anything, no matter how small) please consider giving it to this family. I can tell by the comments on her posts that there are people who care about her deeply, and right now they really need the support, not only financially, but also emotionally. If you cant help financially, email me and I will give you an address to send a card to her and her family.

Paypal Donations:
If you would like to donate via paypal, I will make sure the money is sent to them. My paypal also takes Credit Cards, if that is easier. If the donate button below is not working, please go to www.paypal.com and send your donation to heather AT ciaomybella DOT com.

Items the family needs (with sizes)

Cathy: Shirts: M/L Shorts/Jeans: 6 long (if you can send some bathstuff/etc, that would be great. She needs some relaxation)

Jeff: Shirts:L/XL Shorts/Jeans: 36-38 waist/ 32 length (He wears mostly T-shirts)
Gregory: (16) Shirts: L Shorts/Jeans: 29/30 waist/32 length

Matt: (10) - Shirts: Childrens Lg. (adult small) Pants/Shorts: 12
He lost all of his pokemon cards- they were able to salvage one plastic box of lego’s for him. He is very mature for his age, loves to build and do things with his hands. Anything that takes alot of thought and time, he would love it. He really enjoys bionicles (some sort of building thing.) and legos.

Brandon- (7) Shirts: Medium Pants/Shirts: 7
Anything you think a 7 year old would want, he would love it! Matchbox cars are his favorite. And his stuffed animals (dogs/animals) were lost, and meant alot to them.) His birthday is in 5 days (he will be 7).

All the children will need new school supplies, including backpacks.

If you want to mail them items, please contact me and I will let you know where to send them. Please use my yahoo email (jax_bella AT yahoo DOT com)

They also have 2 golden retrievers, which are like their children. They lost their cat last week

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jax_bella AT yahoo DOT com

Those of you who are so inclined, please put this information on your blogs, directing people here. They could really use the help, and I know from the comments that she is receiving that there are people out there wanting to help.

Thank you all so very much for caring for my SIL and her family, It means more than you will ever know.

Heather

Written by Heather @ 2:50 pm on Sep 7, 2005

A Prayer for Storm Victims

Father God,
We ask that you send your Holy Spirit to surround all the victims of this terrible storm with Your love and protection.  Father, please be with these, Your children, as they try to escape from harm's way.  Help them through this horrendous ordeal, and quiet their souls, comfort their tears, and allow them to start this day, to rebuild their lives.  We ask Your blessings and protection also for the people working to help the victims, no matter how big or small their effort in helping.  Guide these, Your children to help with compassion and love, with clear minds, strong bodies, and sure steps.  We ask this is Jesus' name.
Amen   
Online Relief Organizations Links:
The Red Cross;  Episcopal Relief;  United Methodist;  Salvation Army; Catholic Charities;  Network for Good;  Baton Rouge Area;  Nat'l Vol. Orgs.;  B'nai B'rith;   Louisana SPCA            

Trudie's Treasures

   Alrighty then.  I'm proud to announce that I am now a business woman.  The name of my company is "Trudie's Treasures."  I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of everyone making a gazillion bucks on me.  My goal is to find name brand and/or quality merchandise, and offer it at the lowest possible price that I can.  Yes, I need the income - but anytime I get involved with any type of selling, I have to believe in the company and the product.
    Two of my kids don't think that I can make it work.  What I can't make work is their father - which is a whole other blog.  I have to believe in myself and get moving with this.  Please visit my store, and let me know what you think - CONstructive criticism is always welcomed.  I will also be coming to you from an eBay site near you!!  Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have some items on the auction.  Please say a prayer, or cross your fingers for me, whichever the case may be (MelodYann)!!
   
    I'd also like to mention another talented blogger, Helen (who just happens to be Janet's sister and grew up in NJ).  I read her blog "Just Playin'" and feel like I'm "back in the day."  Her posts are short, but very enjoyable.  Helen also writes poetry and some really good stuff aka "heavy, heavy" on her other blog "Box of Rain."
    I'm so blessed to have met these bloggers because  they actually read  my posts and have extended a hand of friendship to me.  My own fam damily doesn't read my blogs!  It means a lot to me that I am read, and even if just once I caused a smile then it's all worth while.  Thanks!

Confession Time

    OK, I'll confess.  I've been very depressed since I found out that a good friend of mine died four years ago.  OK, so he was more than "just a friend," but that was over 30 years ago.  I don't quite know why I am reacting this way, I haven't seen or even bumped into him for 29 years.
    While perusing the classmates.com website, I ran into his widow's profile.  I got up the courage to email her and she was gracious enough to email me back, 3 times so far.  I was shocked.  I don't know why, either.  Flake told me that it is because I had some real feelings for him and now he's outta here.  Maybe.  And maybe it's because it was so long ago.  In any case, I'm still shaking my head.
    I did have real feelings for him, but knew that I had to let go.  He was engaged which I didn't know at the time.  They married, she gave him a son and daughter.  He died too soon.  He should have been able to walk his daughter down the aisle, be a grandfather, he should have been able to laugh, retire, travel, and dance to "Stairway to Heaven" one more time.  Ironic; he was climbing the stairway to heaven.

    This one's for you, Abro.

 There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.

There’s a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
’cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook
There’s a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it makes me wonder.

There’s a feeling I get
When I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who standing looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.

And it’s whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter.

If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow
Don’t be alarmed now,
It’s just a spring clean for the may queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There’s still time to change the road you’re on.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won’t go
In case you don’t know,
The piper’s calling you to join him,
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How ev’rything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.

And she’s buying a stairway to heaven. 

Cousins

    I found some of my cousins at Classmates.com.  It was great to find my cousins - we were good friends when I was a little girl.  My mother's cousin and her kids were so much fun to be around.  They were always laughing and so were we when my mother, brother and I were with them.
    Looking back, I'm wondering if anyone ever did this:  we used to call our cousins "Cousin" and then their name.  Like Cousin Ronnie, Cousin Natalie, Cousin Trudie, Cousin David, etc.  We are not from the south, we are from New Jersey, born and raised. We did this on both sides of the family, too.  I wish I had a dollar for each cousin I have!  I have a gazillion cousins.  We were raised around family get togethers.  It was awesome.
    I think that people used to stay put more years ago.  My dad graduated from the high school I graduated from, and I actually became friends with some of the kids of his classmates!  I couldn't raise my kids around cousins because the brother, Uncle Vito, moved his family to California and I moved "down the shore."  Good friends became "family."  Now some friends have moved away, too.  I think it sucks.

P.S.

     Just to let you see some of the people I was talking about in the last post:
(click on pix to see larger)

                                                 

Marissa, Gracie, Amanda 8/05

Michael, Natalie, Melodie 1980

Does Color Really Matter?

  My daughter Melodie Ann (34) called me from Florida and we had such a weird conversation.  I was crying, it was so funny.  She has my grand-daughter Grace staying with her until this Monday.   Grace lives with her dad a couple of blocks from me in NJ  (Exit 88).
    Now, you've got to understand that she has 4 girls and a son.  Mel is carrying on a conversation with me, her daughters, her son, her niece, and her husband while talking to me.  Right now my daughter is trying to talk Grace into wearing other colors beside black.  Grace (13) responded by telling her aunt, "I have hyperhydrosis."  Aunt asks "what the hell is 'hyperhydrosis'?"  Grace explained to her that her arm pits drip and black's the only color that doesn't show the sweat ring.  Auntie told her that "mine  used to 'cry' at your age and so what, you sweat, you sweat there's a ring, so what."  Meema (me) over the phone says "oh bullshit, she just wants to wear black, if anyone has hyperhydrosis, it's me!  My whole body sweats!"   
    Now Melodie is telling her husband "Gracie's telling Mandie that she has super-halitosis so she can wear black."  Danny walks away just shaking his head.  Then she was studying a map on line and asked her son, Billy (17) "what are these little thingys."  Billy says "who cares what they are" so she repeats it in the form of a question:  "You don't care what they are?"  Apparently not.
   Back to the sweats:  I'm telling Mel that "Gracie doesn't have a problem, I do, even my scalp sweats."  Mel answers "my tongue sweats!"  So I totally go back to laughing my butt off.  Now Mel's arguing with her daughter, Mandie, about what color wedding gown she should wear.  Mandie is 12, and not dating, let alone planning her wedding.  She's telling her she should "wear taupe, if you're pure, you're pure.  Some people just don't look good in white."   Mel is 1/2 Sicilian and lives in Florida.  Her hubby is Puerto Rican-American.  She and her girls are all dark.  Nat's part Swedish, has blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, and her skin is snow white.  Mel, "look at Aunt Nat, she doesn't look good in white."  She's trying to tell her she doesn't have to wear white.   Mel wore an "ice pink" satin and champagne beaded lace wedding gown that I made for her.   It wasn't because of her purity or lack thereof, it was because pink was "in" for wedding gowns.  Now if you watched "Days of Our Lives," you'd remember that Jennifer married Jack in a pink wedding gown.  It was after Jen's wedding, but we both fell in love with the idea.
    Now Mel's telling me that the gay flag is a rainbow.  "What's the name of that gay skater?  He was skating around with one."  OK, Mel...

   While we're on the subject of "Melodie Ann," I'd like to mention another awesome blogger whose name happens to be "MelodY Ann."  The name of the blog is "Searching for a Rainbow."  This woman is a genious and needs to be published.  She has it all as a writer.  She has started writing "The Book  of the Century:  Girl."   Only the first two chapters are done, but done with total brilliance.  If you have a sense of humor, and an imagination, you'll love reading it.  MelodY also writes incredible poetry that you can picture in your mind's eye - total mind candy!!   Please check her out, a link to her blog is under "Amazing People, Melody's Rainbow."
   

Blogging . . .

   I guess my "site pal" was a bomb.  Here I was thinking that it would be unique and stuff.  Turned out that it was annoying to some people who complained to Googlepex who in turn threatened to suspend me until I stopped my blog from talking.  It doesn't have to start up when the window opens - I just thought it would be fun.  Wrong.  It is fairly simple to operate, and can have a start button on it.  I think it's really unique, and I thought it was amazing.  Maybe on someone else's blog, someone who knows what the heck they're doing.  Anyway, there is a link to the site where you can get one if you want one.

   I got a dumb remark on my last post that I decided to delete, only because of the name that they chose to use for themselves.  I don't appreciate it.  The remark wasn't very earth shaking, either.  I invite anyone's criticism, but prefer a little manners.

   I have met some truly amazing people since I started blogging.  They are listed under "Amazing People" with links to their blogs.  I'd like to share a little about each of them over the next several posts.  I check their blogs every day looking for new posts.  Some amazing people have gotten lost or stopped blogging.  There are other amazing people who leave comments on my blogs that really touch my heart, and help me keep blogging.  I am truly blessed with their caring enough to cheer me on when things are rough.  So here's a very sincere "thank you" to all of them.

  The first blogger that I started to follow was Janet, "Cog Blog."  Even though she has a life, a family, and a job, she took the time to try to get to know me a little.  Janet was originally from New Jersey, and now lives in Vermont.  She has a wonderful sense of humor that is reflected in her posts.  We seemed to become friends so easily, and share the same views in a lot of areas.  Check out "Cog Blog" and I'm sure you will enjoy it, too.

   "Blogging" has really helped me in so many ways.  Through my blogs I am able to explore myself and sometimes find answers to things that I question, find things to amuse myself and hopefully others, and work through some of the really tough life events that knock the wind out of me.  So, thank you again for taking the time to read a post, and commenting when the spirit moves you!   

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm

 

How did such a beautiful world get so ugly?
    Why did I dream about my ex-husband last night?
    Why does time "fly?"
    When will there be an end to obesity?
    Why aren't we feeding OUR children?
    Do animals go to heaven?
    Is death similar to birth?
    Why must we go through such trauma in life?
    Aren't all murderers mentally ill?
    What goes on in a brain that tells a person to kill?
    Why do we wish to be young when we're old?
    If we were created in the image of the Creator, is God a monkey?            
    Why is sex a sin?
    Why is abortion legal AND
    Why is disposing of a live baby at birth considered murder?
    Is George Doubleya Chevy Chase's doppelganger?
    Why is polygamy illegal?
    Can we really trust drug manufacturers?
    Can we really trust a doctor?
                                                             hmmmmmmm
   

   

Hello

Hello, I have removed my site pal from this post due to the complaints received by Googlepex.  I wish to apologize for this, and let you know that I appreciate your problem with hearing the audio over and over again.  I was amazed that I actually got it posted and running, please excuse my lack of experience with this.  If I figure out the way to use it allowing readers to choose whether or not they want to hear it, I will post with it again.  If not I won't bother you with the unwanted audio again.  Thank you for visiting!

Next Joke

     Not very funny, I'm afraid.  When I look in the mirror I see some old lady that reminds me of my mother.  It's really weird . . . I look out of the same eyes that I looked out of since I was born, and don't want to see what I've become.  I even have a hard time "acting my age."  How does one act at 50?
    I know how to act myself, that is with a mind set of about 28 years.  I know my body hates me for that.  In fact, it totally objects to all the weight I've gained and the little favors I expect it to do.  How did the floor get so far away??  In the tub I feel like a weeble; this gut makes it hard to move around.  What makes it so hard to get up out of the tub?  Who ever heard of a "wet sneeze?"  Why does my bra cut off my circulation, and my undies don't fit?  This junk all has to go, but what do I do about being near sighted and not being able to see things up close?  According to my grand-daughter I'm bald toothed, and my grandson asked me why I wear a "wig hat."  I'm not ready for all these wrinkles, either.
    So, in between typing, surfing, and trying to make some money, I apply all kinds of magic potions to get rid of wrinkles, "look 10 years younger without surgery," polish my nails, and take herbal suppliments for all that ails me.  Oh, and the most important thing I have learned is to laugh at myself, even if I do feel displaced.
P.S. Sorry for the last post being so long!   

NJ "The Garden State"

If you've ever lived in Jersey you know that:

1.  New Jersey is a peninsula.

2.  Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

3.  New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.

4.  New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

5.  New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.

6.  New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the  US.

7.  New Jersey has the highest cost of living.

8.  New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.

9.  New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

10.  New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World."

11.  New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club (no, not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

12.  Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italian sausage w/peppers and onions.

13.  North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.

14.  New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

15.  The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland.

16.  New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's most famous:  Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch, Cape May.

17.  New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

18.  New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.

19.  Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

20.  New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production (and  here you thought Massachusetts?)

21.  Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country!  In 1642, the first brewery in America, opened in Hoboken.

22.  New Jersey rocks!  The famous Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.

23.  New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in the US, located in Elizabeth.  Nearly 80 percent of what our nation imports comes  through Elizabeth Seaport first.

24.  New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports (in Newark), Liberty International.

25.  George Washington slept here.  Several important Revolutionary War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General George Washington.

26.  The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion picture projector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory.

27.  We also boast the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.

28.  The first seaplane was built in Keyport, NJ.

29.  The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.

30.  The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJ.

31.  New Jersey is home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City.

32.  The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on it's playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City.

33.  And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world, not to mention salt water taffy.

34.  New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.

35.  The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the Watchung Mountains.

36.  New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union, NJ!!!)

37.  New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.

38.  The Pulaski Sky Way, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skyway highway.

39.  NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson (Holland Tunnel).

40.  The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.

41.  The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton). 

42.  The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ (but they're all gone now!).

43.  New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams.

44.  The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.

45.  The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. Thomas Armstrong.

46.  All New Jersey natives: Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifah, Susan Sarandon, Connie Francis, Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Joan Robertson, Ken Kross, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Budd Abbott, Lou Costello, Alan Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Linda McElroy, Eileen Donnelly, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise, Joyce Kilmer, Bruce  Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauryn Hill, Ice-T, Nick Adams, Nathan Lane, Sandra  Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti, Joe Pesci, Joe Piscopo, Robert Blake,  John Forsythe, Mer yl Streep, Loretta Swit, Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry  Herman, Gorden McCrae, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne  Morrow Lindbergh, Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, James  Fennimore Cooper, Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr., Dave Thomas (Wendy's), William  Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers, Paul Robeson, Ernie  Kovacs, Joseph Macchia and, of course, Francis Albert Sinatra and  "Uncle Floyd" Vivino, Kelly Ripa.  Remember the "1910 Fruitgum Company?"  I went to high school with them.

47.  Bob Meade adds: The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic River, is the  second highest waterfall on the East Coast of the US.

  You know you're from Jersey when . . .
1.   You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."

2.   You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
3.  A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.
4.   You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
5.   You've eaten at a diner,at 3 A.M.
6.   You've been to the OB Diner and/or Olga's Diner.

7.   You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
8.    At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
9.    You know what a "jug handle" is.
10.  You know that WaWa is a convenience store.
11.  You know that the state isn't all farmland.
12.  You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and  you don't go "to the shore," or "to the beach," you go "down the shore."  And when you are  there,   you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore."
13.  You know how to properly negotiate a circle.
14.  You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.
15. You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to  identify it (try . . Mexico . . . York .! . . Hampshire-- doesn't work,  does it?).
16.  You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a  fast food sandwich.
17.  You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege
18.  You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.
19.  You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different."  Yes they are!
20.  You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton--that's for out-of-staters.
21.  The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
22.  You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
23.  You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
24.  Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.
25.  You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits.
26.  You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.
27.  You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood.  It can be no other way.
28.  You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey (and you know what exit).

29.  You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state.
30.  You remember the stores (E. J.) Korvette's, Two Guys (from Harrison), Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's, and Orbach's.
31.  You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.
32.  You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.
33.  You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.

  And finally . . .
  You've NEVER, NEVER pumped your own gas. AMEN!!!

If you've ever lived in Jersey you know that:

1.  New Jersey is a peninsula.

2.  Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

3.  New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.

4.  New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

5.  New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.

6.  New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the  US.

7.  New Jersey has the highest cost of living.

8.  New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.

9.  New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

10.  New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World."

11.  New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club (no, not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

12.  Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italian sausage w/peppers and onions.

13.  North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.

14.  New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

15.  The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland.

16.  New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's most famous:  Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch, Cape May.

17.  New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

18.  New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.

19.  Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

20.  New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production (and  here you thought Massachusetts?)

21.  Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country!  In 1642, the first brewery in America, opened in Hoboken.

22.  New Jersey rocks!  The famous Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.

23.  New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in the US, located in Elizabeth.  Nearly 80 percent of what our nation imports comes  through Elizabeth Seaport first.

24.  New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports (in Newark), Liberty International.

25.  George Washington slept here.  Several important Revolutionary War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General George Washington.

26.  The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion picture projector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory.

27.  We also boast the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.

28.  The first seaplane was built in Keyport, NJ.

29.  The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.

30.  The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJ.

31.  New Jersey is home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City.

32.  The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on it's playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City.

33.  And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world, not to mention salt water taffy.

34.  New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.

35.  The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the Watchung Mountains.

36.  New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union, NJ!!!)

37.  New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.

38.  The Pulaski Sky Way, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skyway highway.

39.  NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson (Holland Tunnel).

40.  The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.

41.  The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton). 

42.  The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ (but they're all gone now!).

43.  New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams.

44.  The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.

45.  The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. Thomas Armstrong.

46.  All New Jersey natives: Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifah, Susan Sarandon, Connie Francis, Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Joan Robertson, Ken Kross, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Budd Abbott, Lou Costello, Alan Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Linda McElroy, Eileen Donnelly, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise, Joyce Kilmer, Bruce  Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauryn Hill, Ice-T, Nick Adams, Nathan Lane, Sandra  Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti, Joe Pesci, Joe Piscopo, Robert Blake,  John Forsythe, Mer yl Streep, Loretta Swit, Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry  Herman, Gorden McCrae, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne  Morrow Lindbergh, Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, James  Fennimore Cooper, Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr., Dave Thomas (Wendy's), William  Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers, Paul Robeson, Ernie  Kovacs, Joseph Macchia and, of course, Francis Albert Sinatra and  "Uncle Floyd" Vivino, Kelly Ripa.  Remember the "1910 Fruitgum Company?"  I went to high school with them.

47.  Bob Meade adds: The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic River, is the  second highest waterfall on the East Coast of the US.

  You know you're from Jersey when . . .
1.   You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."

2.   You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
3.  A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.
4.   You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
5.   You've eaten at a diner,at 3 A.M.
6.   You've been to the OB Diner and/or Olga's Diner.

7.   You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
8.    At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
9.    You know what a "jug handle" is.
10.  You know that WaWa is a convenience store.
11.  You know that the state isn't all farmland.
12.  You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and  you don't go "to the shore," or "to the beach," you go "down the shore."  And when you are  there,   you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore."
13.  You know how to properly negotiate a circle.
14.  You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.
15. You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to  identify it (try . . Mexico . . . York .! . . Hampshire-- doesn't work,  does it?).
16.  You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a  fast food sandwich.
17.  You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege
18.  You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.
19.  You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different."  Yes they are!
20.  You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton--that's for out-of-staters.
21.  The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
22.  You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
23.  You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
24.  Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.
25.  You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits.
26.  You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.
27.  You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood.  It can be no other way.
28.  You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey (and you know what exit).

29.  You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state.
30.  You remember the stores (E. J.) Korvette's, Two Guys (from Harrison), Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's, and Orbach's.
31.  You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.
32.  You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.
33.  You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.

  And finally . . .
  You've NEVER, NEVER pumped your own gas. AMEN!!!

Oh Please?

   This post is dedicated to the writer of a blog called "Mackin With Pappy."  This kind author left a weird comment on my last post, simply "Oh please." 
   Thinking that this person must have a professional journalism career, I went to their site (please check it out:  http://mackinwithpappy.blogspot.com, "The Religious Poop").
    Now I'm not judging anyone, but what I found was really crappy, and way too long, sorry.  If you check out the post, you will find out why I called it a "crappy" post.
    For some reason I thought to myself, as I often do, "what the heck?"  I "borrowed" the above cartoon from Luann, by the way, and saved it for just the right time that I thought I would really need it.
    It's not PMS, I'm past that and can't even use it as an excuse.  I'm just in a foul mood, and need to take it out on someone, but please know that it is with fondest wishes that this person will get over it.  I'm not trying to be a mean person, really.  I am aware that  this is not my usual style, but everyone has a breaking point and no body's perfect.
     So could someone please tell me what "mackin" means?  What the heck?
P.S.  Thank you, "Mackin" for visiting my site.

Helplessly Hoping

   Waa!  I'm trying to earn some money and I let my blogs go!  I'm back, however, see?? 
   One would think it would be easy to find a way to earn a living on the internet, right?  I mean there are a gazillion surveys that promise either an entry into a "lottery" to win money, or they promise a huge prize.  All you have to do is fill out the survey.  Sounds simple enough.  But then when you select all "nos" on the offers, you come to a page that tells you that you must select at least one offer.
   An "offer" is really a purchase of some kind.  It's supposed to be a free offer, but it has an automatic "membership" along with billing once the trial period is over.  They have magazines, life insurance, book clubs, record clubs, health insurance, vacation time sharing, diet products, beauty products, and what ever else you can think of.  I got suckered into several of them and am trying to stay on top of things so I don't have to lose the farm, so to speak.
   Now that's not all.  I am gifted with spam by the truck load each day.  I wanted to get paid for surveys online, not pay the surveys!  All these greedy little people suck you dry while under the guise of helping you to make money!  What is a ditz to do???

Meme

I've been tagged by my blogging buddy Melody Ann.

What 5 Things do you miss about your childhood?

But first the rules to this meme game: Remove the blog at #1 from the following list and bump every one up one place; add your blog's name in the #5 spot; link to each of the other blogs for the desired cross pollination effect:

1. JustaskJudy
2. Loose Leaf
3. Lu's News
4. Searchin' For A Rainbow
5. Ain't it Amazing?  

Next: select new friends to add to the pollen count. (No one is obligated to participate).

1.  Jenny

2.  Melissa

3.  Ms.  J. Mind

4. Helen 

5. Abraham Lincoln

now on to the game...

1.  Visiting my grandparents and having dinner with them.  My grandmother would cook, and the adult ladies would help, and clean up.  The kids had a card table in the living room.  When the kids got bigger, they got to sit at the dining table with the adults.  When my grandfather retired, my grandparents sold their house and bought a travel trailer and traveled all over the US so I never got to sit at the big table.  On the way home, my dad would put a radio program on in the car, and we would listen to it.  (The Shadow)

2.  The scent of my grandmother.  She used cover girl powder and that's what might have given her that scent.  She always smelled good!  I was named after my two grandmothers.  My Mom's mother was Mary, and I never got to know her.  She passed away when I was only 6 months old.  My paternal grandmother was my role model, and we had a very close relationship.  I miss her terribly.

3.  Sitting on my Daddy's lap watching the "Brooklyn Dodgers" and falling asleep.  Sometimes he would put me on his lap in the car and let me "drive" into the parking lot at out apartment.

4.  My "big" brother.  Except for a short time of sadistic teasing, he was always there for me, and is today, but lives in California.  I'm in New Jersey.  It's not like when we lived at home, tho.  I miss him.

5.  Going to Pa. to visit family on weekends and during the summer.  My Uncle Al drove most of the time, and we would stop at Cesar's diner where we would get fresh lumpy orange juice (it was so yummy!)

Who's Your Soul Mate?

    I've been thinking (for a change).  If I could choose my soul mate, who would it be? I tried to determine the qualities that I would like my soul mate to have.  Well at my age, looks no longer mean squat.  I'd like a man who enjoyed the ocean, is hard working and enjoyed his job, a good provider, has a good heart, and above all honest.  I wouldn't mind if he had a hobby like fishing or something because then he could teach me to fish.  I like to eat fish anyway, so it would cut down on the grocery bills.
    After much thought, I decided that Sponge Bob Square Pants would be perfect for me, even if he does wear "tighty whitey" underwear.  Hopefully he has compatible fixtures underneath.  He's so sweet, loves his job, is honest, and well, if funds are low, he could go jelly fishing and we'd at least have peanut butter and jelly fish sandwiches to eat.  I know he'd have to have meticulous bathing habits or else he'd dry up.  We could do a lot together like, um, washing the car???   

PLEASE READ!!

Jackson suicide rumor spreads virus E-mail link directs users to Website, Trojan horse

For details, check out this link:  msnbc.msn.com/id/8169177 or go to msnbc news.

Amazing Fish Tale

This was much too funny, I had to post this!
It's from the Associated Press.   

"Woman charged with smuggling fish in skirt

Customs officials hear 'flipping' noises, find 51 tropical species

Australian Customs Service officials took this photograph of the woman's skirt."

Check out the full story click link:  www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8117876/?CTI=6657

Mean People Suck

   Isn't it amazing how some people are self-proclaimed authorities on just about any subject when in fact they are the most ignorant?
   While surfing I ran into a few posts about the "blog-god," didn't write down the name, oh well.  Anyway, who does this person think they are, and why are people actually worried about what they have to say??  Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.
    I'll comment if the spirit moves me, if not, I just continue to surf.  I'm sure that there are a lot of people who know that blogs are just opinions, feelings, beliefs, and experiences of other humans in the world.  Why do some think they should judge anybody???