Commin' Home for the Summer...

(so OK...this is a bit of an exaggeration)!!!

We LOVE our son... he's home from school in less than a week (my tulips JUST bloomed... is it time for summer vacation already)?... I'm very happy to have him home...as he's maturing he's fun company and fills the house. But... I really am not excited about all his STUFF that comes home with him! I'm mentally preparing myself for it...trying to get ready with bins that we can store his STUFF in ... It's a long summer - 4 months, I find the transition for college kids to "family life and rules" is not automatic.
So... I'm psyching myself up... staying positive, determined to start the summer in a healthy upbeat note. He's turning 21 in July... that's hard for me to except... but in a way, it can't come soon enough.
This Saturday is his last Rugby Game... we're hoping for a big w for the Pirates ...no injuries and our last weekend to get decent "sleep" until the end of August...when I'll be very melancholy that it's already time for him to go back to school... (with his STUFF)!

I'm commin' back home for the summer!

Grudges... Just Let Them Go!!!

I have family (not my immediate, Thank God)... that have family members that they just "don't talk to". It seriously took me a while to "get it"... like - "what do you mean, you don't talk to them?"... I just don't understand how anyone can wake up in the morning and know there are people "out there" that they just won't talk to??? Serious Grudges... And, I'm sure they can all go to their grave in good conscious ... it's usually over 1 incident in the family... no one "cleared the air"... and that's it... the relationship is OVER! PLEASE...don't ever let that be me... if I've ever done anything to upset or insult anyone... my biggest wish is that you tell me - if I was ever someone that was on some one's "black list" - it would be devastating. Everyone gets hurt or disappointed at some point, that's life! Some people are able to shake things off and move on. Others hold on to resentment for years. Here are my feeling If you are holding a grudge (is that not an ugly word "grudge")?
1. Decide to move on. You expend more energy holding a grudge than you do letting one go. Once you choose to move on, the grudge will gradually dissipate.
2. Take the time to get clear about what you're feeling and why. If you have something that needs to be said, say it. If you have already voiced your grievance, then resolve any other feelings yourself.
3. Accept what is. Be the bigger person and put the incident behind you. Stop waiting for signs of remorse. Chances are the other person has already put the issue behind them.
4. Forgive. Forgiving someone doesn't exempting them from their actions. It doesn't change the facts. It does mean that you acknowledge that the person is human and that we all make mistakes.
5. Try and find the positive out of the situation (this is hard, I know) Shift your focus. Maybe you learned a lesson and discovered something new about yourself.
6. Just "drop it". Don't feed the monster. Once you've voiced your resentment and committed to moving on, don't continually talk about the offense. Dwelling on it is too much wasted energy!
Make sure you can go to bed at night knowing there is NO ONE out there that you "don't talk to"... I'm sure you'll sleep better!

Stay Positive for your Health!

I'm not a Doctor, Therapist, Social Worker, etc... but I do believe in surrounding yourself with positive people and positive thinking... In today's current climate we can't live in a dream world and need to be realistic... BUT we can't give up and start the contagious negative way of thinking.
Practice positive thinking. I believe it takes practice to change your way of thinking. Look for the good things. It's so easy to always point out "what's wrong". It's best to try and stop yourself and intentionally look for the "good" instead. .
Forgive. If necessary, then take a small step towards forgiveness. Forgiveness prevents bitterness, which is extremely taxing, on both your soul and your mind. Check out my earlier blog "True acts of Forgiveness", March 7, 09
Surround yourself around positive people. I've met people who "thrive" on bad things happening to them...they love to "top every story you share" with an example... "oh, I have one better". I don't think they can exist any other way... it's all they know.... They think if people "feel sorry for them" they are accepted better...or we feel compelled to "befriend" them... I find this trait to be the most selfish of them all and (try) to avoid their company at all costs!
Be ready for change. I think it's important to realize that things can turn around for you at any stage and in any age in life. Remember, it's for your own well being and health!

"OTO" A "One Time Only" ...Way to go Mackenzie!

Mackenzie Brown who says she plays baseball because she always has been successful against the boys and just wanted to continue with it, knew she had something special going midway through a recent game.
“In like the fourth inning I kind of knew,” she said. “Then I just tried to keep doing what I was doing and not try to mess it up.” Mackenzie is a 12-year-old girl who pitched a perfect game in a Bayonne, New Jersey Little League game.
When her Little League career ends at the conclusion of this season, she will make the switch to softball. She has enjoyed her heyday playing ball with the boys but has aspirations of a chance to play college sports — either in softball or basketball, in which she's a highly touted point guard. Baseball doesn't fit that mold as easily."
Four days after throwing a perfect game against a team of boys in a New Jersey Little League, Mackenzie Brown was invited to throw out the first pitch yesterday at the new Citi Field during a Mets game. What an inspiring "feel good" story. My friend Bridget refers to these opportunities at "OTO" - "One time Only"! My son played little league, it was a great experience, but knowing and admiring his coach, I wonder how he'd of felt with a girl in the dugout!

Saturday ... Featured Favorite Humanitarian # 1

Paul David Hewson

AKA "Bono"

"My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them"

Charter School Dilemma...

More difficult than getting into Harvard or Princeton? That's how competitive it was for kids to land seats at a Harlem Charter School in a lottery last night that attracted more than 400 anxious parents. Parents like us who just want the best education for their children. Over 1,500 parents applied for 100 spots. The tragedy here is that between the Harlem Charter School and other Charter Schools in NYC, only 7 % are admitted. What is that saying for the other 93 % of students who are looking for a quality education? Fortunately, there are still isolated areas where public schools in NYC have good ratings... There was a time that earning a public education in NYC was highly regarded. This is not even touching the competitiveness in starting your preschooler in a very selective, highly competitive, prohibitively expensive nursery school search! (that's a topic for another "blog") What's fair? I believe all children should be given the same foundation for an equal education... I actually remember hearing about "busing" as a kid and in my heart I thought, it was a "good" thing - it sounded "fair" for everyone. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make the foundation for learning fair for all children ... happy as I am for the lucky lottery winners that will have an amazing opportunity and education at the Harlem Charter School and other selective Charter Schools, I can't help but focus on those that are not as fortunate.

Happy 50th Birthday Barbie... take 2!

Are we all happy that something significant

finally happened to her!

Take our Daughters (Child) to Work Day!

It all started as "Take Our Daughters to Work Day", which is being observed today, as "Take your Child to Work Day", it was originally designed to make girls more visible, valued and heard. I know I'm "going out on a limb"... but the initial intention, founded by the Ms. Foundation for Women in 1993, was to show young girls and women many opportunities they knew they could aspire to. I do not have a daughter...so during the 90's I bent the rules and proudly took turns with a few of my nieces, one at a time. My son was not thrilled (because it was a day they got to miss school and that just seemed - totally unfair).... too bad. At that time I was less vocal, but I could not help to think "hey, it's a man's world" get over it ... this is important. So today we have a young boy who's 12 and with his Mom at the University. I do feel differently and happy to see him here, but I do still prefer the intention behind the original "Take Our Daughters to Work Day"!

"Zero" Tolerance for littering!

Today being "Earth Day"... one of my new found favorite holidays... it's very significant and it's a "no gift" holiday... (a topic for another blog... let's have more "no gift" holidays)!
It made me remember the inner rage I get when I see people litter! I have "zero tolerance" for littering... that includes everything! I remember seeing litter in towns, along highways, etc - and I'm happy to say...there is much less of it... Thank God.
This is a TRUE story...I've told it to many people. In 1993, walking down Madison Ave at lunch time...stop and go traffic... I witnessed a family open their window and throw out a large plastic container with a huge salad in it.... right onto the street. I was NOT the only one who witnessed this... I was enraged. Traffic did not move...but I did... I walked into the street, picked up the plastic container with food and through it back into the car. (the window was open)... I turned around and had a few others on the sidewalk openly applaud me.... It took guts... but not much and it was a reactionary moment that I did not give much thought to...I reacted quickly and just gave it back to them... it was INNER JOY.
Don't litter...zero tolerance - there are trash receptacles all over...and if not...hold on to it until you find one- this includes cigarette butts. We have only one earth.

Be Kind to our Planet Earth!

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth's environment. The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after the horrific oil spill off the coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to DC and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate our earth.

"Earth Day Symbol"

Here is a terrific website... 50 ways to help save our planet earth. Please take the time to open and incorporate these environmental changes into our daily lives...I'm taking a few lessons too!

http://www.50waystohelp.com/

5 Minute Chocolate Cake....

Looks pretty good to me...

It could NOT sound any easier.... I've not tried this...just sharing!
4 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well...
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don ' t be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

Going Green... Happy Earth Day!

I'm sure you too have noticed how conscious shoppers have become in bringing their own bags for groceries... I appreciate when stores have a reminder note on their door if you forgot them in the car... that always happens to me....Whole Foods Market Estimates Reusable Bag Use Has Tripled Since Last Year; 150 Million Plastic Bags Have Been Kept out of Landfills and our Environment Since Company Banned Plastic Grocery Bags Last Earth Day.

I've become accustomed to looking at the bags different markets offer to purchase... my favorite is HomeGoods ... over sized shopping bags, that are durable, fashionable and only .99 cents. I've also become very fond of the Elizabeth Haub Foundation bags that you can purchase in many places, I have purchased well over 20 of them from our local A&P, they too are only .99 cents, they have a flat bottom, 2 size handles, very durable, colorful and practical. I'm not a big fan of the small cloth bags...maybe for small trips, but they don't seem as practical to me. What really inspired me is the "Earth Day Special" being offered by Vera Bradley... Now through April 27, for only $12.00 (no other purchase is necessary) is their Shopper Tote. It's lightweight, water-resistant and ...

Oh, So Pretty...Vera Bradley Earth Day Special Bag!

2 PLUGS...

I guess I like to try new products, but I'm getting more selective. It took me a while to try a "different" aluminum foil and what I always refer to as "saran" wrap.
I have to give 2 PLUGS.... Reynolds Wrap Easy Release Non-Stick....I LOVE it, absolutely NOTHING sticks on it, it's a little more expensive than the original...but worth it. The other is Glad Press 'n Seal.... it will stick to every and anything - nice tight fit and it's so easy to tear without all sticking together!
In the event you've seen these items on the shelf... go for it!

Just say "NO"

OK... it's long overdue - the condition of my basement, I need to "wake up" out of this state of denial...unless I tackle it myself...it will NEVER change - time for some MAJOR purging. I'm famous for just "shoving" things away quickly to get rid of them. Our basement is not a finished basement... laundry, Phil's tie flying table and equipment, Gene's weights - BUT the majority is MY STUFF.
I wonder who else has 2 "George Foreman Grills, Bread Machine, Fondue Set, Wok, S'mores Maker Thing, Pasta Maker, Margarita Maker, Food Dehydrator, old crock pot "just in case" old toaster oven "just in case" ... I'm sure their are additional "things" I've not found yet ~ mind you, this is NOT to mention the appliances we do use... kitchen aid, food processor, blender, etc.
What's scary is I still want to try the famous Ronco "Set it and Forget it".... maybe so the other appliances we've used once have some additional company, they've been together in the basement without a new member.... Somehow this item has intrigued me...the few times I've seen it on an "infomercial" it's so convincing...but I've NOT broken down and purchased... maybe because I know where it will end up...

Just say "NO"

Good News...Bad News.

Looks like a typical family with a new puppy to me!

I just heard that Bo is in his forth home! That sounds like a rescue puppy to me.... (good news)
Can we leave this "pooch" and family alone! We have more important "recent issues" like .... Somali pirate attacks - I know they are terrorists... I just can't comprehend "pirates" and that they truly exist outside of Disney! (bad news)

A Somali Pirate...for real!

When you REALLY feel OLD!

Do you remember when you realized a physician that was examining you (or your child) was possibly "younger than you"? I do. It's when I officially felt OLD!
I also felt "old" when a parish priest was younger than I was! I've been following the recent news about NYC's new Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who last evening celebrated his Solemn Vespers, and today is his Instillation Mass. OK...he's older than I am... but not by that much... he was born in 1950, I'm only trailing behind in 1957... he's an Archbishop ...as I remember - someone his "tenure" is to be MUCH OLDER THAN I AM... Does this mean I'm officially old?

On a side note: Archbishop Dolan seems like a "down to earth" religious man ~ I'm hoping he'll bring some contemporary views to the Archdiocese. I like seeing his jovial big smile...I look forward to attending one of his Masses at St. Patrick's and hearing him...I wish him well!

Back to being old... I just heard about a high school classmate of mine becoming a grandfather...that did it for me too. I'm wondering what it will REALLY take for me to REALLY, REALLY feel old?

Thank God no one I've graduated with has "retired"... or at least I've not heard about it...
I always remember what someone once said to me "Susan, it's OK to get old, just not Old and boring"!

Dressing Room Horror!

I've read all the "TIPS" on buying a "slimming style bathing suit" - to 98% of the women I know...we call that an oxymoron! This is the time of year to take the "plunge" and purchase a bathing suit... good selection, most sizes are available and primarily to get it over with! So tonight I took the plunge ~ OMG - white scaly legs that have hardly been out of a pair of cords all winter ... there is just nothing good about looking at oneself in a 3 way mirror with horrifying florescent lights while sporting a bathing suit (underwear sticking out...you get the picture) I would like to seriously thank someone in the fashion world for at least making a 2 piece tankini with a skirt popular... they are the MOST forgiving style of them all... (on me, anyway). Enough said, it was humiliating, depressing and even more discouraging because I left without one in the bag. (a side bar: did you ever realize just how WONDERFUL the clothes you shopped in feel after trying on clothes in a fitting room)???
Time to hunt for the numerous Lands End and LL Bean Catalogs, fantasize that I look the way the models looks - order a few more than I need - try them on in the comfort of my home and return hopefully ~ all but one, hopefully.

Welcome Bo!

It's official... "puppygate" is out and the Obama's long awaited puppy that was promised to his girls during his acceptance speech is arriving to The White House today! Welcome Bo.

Bo is not from a shelter. Bo comes from Ted Kennedy. Bo's mother is Cappy, one of several dogs owned by dog lover Kennedy. And Bo is a re purposed pup. The White House will be Bo's second home, having lived with another family first. (So, can we officially say that "they kept him in the family")???
Having many nieces and a nephew allergic to dogs... Portuguese Water Dogs have been a breed that I've heard about, a hypo allergic dog that has hair and not fur, therefore, no dander. (Being the owner of 100 lb hairy golden retriever that sheds something terrible....that sounds like a good solution to me) Portuguese Water Dogs, also referred to as Porties are knows to be smart, easy to train and do well with children!
How did they come up with the name... I understand the girls have cousins with a cat named "Bo" and Michele's father's nickname was "Diddley"... sort of cute. I think a Dog in the White House adds a lot of character... did you know Bush's "Barnery" has his own web page...
(hmmm.... sounds like a topic for another blog)!!!

Same Cosmetic... half the cost!

Kohl's "American Beauty" Line = $12.50

Lord and Taylor = $26.50

Little things like this can make me happy.... I heard, then researched and YES, the cosmetics they sell at Kohls (a favorite store)... is made by Estee Lauder - just under different packaging "American Beauty". After loosing ALL of my makeup a few weeks ago... I was slowly replenishing it... only a few items at L&T (thank you Alison)!
I bought 1 item at Kohls... a blush - the container is sturdy and it seems "up to par"!
I may need to go back... need an eye shadow! I LOVE finding out tips like this!!!

Put on your Easter Bonnet!

Downey Girls - Easter, 1960 - Florida

Unlike most New York City Parades, the Easter Parade is a far less organized event. From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. the area along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets is closed to traffic, and folks wander the street admiring various Easter Bonnets and Easter outfits. Something everyone should see just once!
Some things have changed... here is the parade in the early 1900's .This parade doesn't have any floats or marching bands but it is a spectacle nonetheless.

Outfits still range from elegant to outrageous. This parade doesn't have any floats or marching bands but it is great "people watching"!
My memories of Easter as a little girl ~ always a new outfit (frequently home sewn that mom made for us) ... white shoes and gloves, an Easter Hat and a basket filled with candy.... that we were able to dig into once the colored hard boiled eggs were found! More recently my folks went over-the-top with an Easter Egg Hunt, Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt for the Grand kids... it's still something they talk about every year, it kept them all busy during the afternoon, I'm not sure who enjoyed it most... my parents who planned it for weeks, the kids, or my sisters and brother-in-laws who all got to sit and chat together with no kids! Have a Blessed Easter!

Good Friday Means Hot Cross Buns!

Hot Cross buns have long been a symbol of Good Friday. They are commonly sold in bakeries and supermarkets throughout the Easter season. Each bun has an icing cross on top to signify the crucifixion.
Although they have been a Lenten and Good Friday tradition for centuries, Hot Cross Buns were not always associated with Christianity. Their origins lie in pagan traditions of ancient cultures, with the cross representing the four quarters of the moon. During early missionary efforts, the Christian church adopted the buns and re-interpreted the icing cross. In 1361, a monk named Father Thomas began a tradition of giving Hot Cross Buns to the poor of St Albans on Good Friday.
In years that followed, many customs, traditions, superstitions, and claims of healing and protection from evil and were associated with the buns. In the 16th century, Roman Catholicism was banned in England, but the popularity of Hot Cross buns continued. Queen Elizabeth I passed a law banning the consumption of Hot Cross Buns except during festivals such as Easter, Christmas and funerals.
I actually love Hot Cross Buns... what yeast bread isn't delicious! (although, when I make them, I omit the currants) Here's a recipe to make your own Hot Cross Buns!

Ingredients:

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon salt
2 packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
8 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups currants (I prefer raisins)
Scald milk; add shortening and butter and stir until melted. Cool.Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add cooled milk mixture, the sugar, and vanilla. Dissolve yeast in warm water; add to mixture. Sift together flour and spices. Stir in sifted ingredients, a little at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Stir in currants. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a buttered bowl; turn to butter both sides. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Turn out onto floured board and knead a few times. Shape into smooth balls about 2 inches in diameter. Place balls on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Cover with a dish towel and let rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled in bulk. Just before baking, make a cross in top of each bun by snipping dough with scissors. Bake at 400° for about 15 minutes, or until browned. Makes about 3 to 4 dozen buns. Drizzle with Vanilla Icing or Glaze following the cross mark.

The Last Supper.

As an observant Catholic, I don't know if it's appropriate to say that I have a favorite Mass, but I do, last night was Maundy Thursday of Holy Week it is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with the disciples who had followed him for so long. (The Last Supper) The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means "to give," "to entrust," or "to order". According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and the Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples' feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood. The traditional washing the feet of members of the congregation as part of the Mass as well as receiving the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday is the means by which most Catholics observe.

What is more humbling than to have your pastor wash your feet?

My Eggplant Obsession...I'm not alone!

I'm becoming eggplant obsessed! From writing about it...and talking about it, I'm finding so many friends and family are as passionate about it! Facebook has reconnected me to some high school friends... Kathy, commented "she ate it everyday while pregnant 20 years ago"! Astrid has sent me 2 amazing recipes...one I'm making for Easter "warm rice salad with eggplant"... so, not only have I been privy to some great recipes...it's brought me back to being in touch with some people I've truly missed!!!
Last night, Phil's Aunt hears me talking about "my blog" and somehow "eggplant" comes up....she perks up and tells me how much she LOVES it and how she knows what it's called in many different languages (Aunt Ilene does a lot of traveling)....
Of course...I just can't leave it at that... I'm curious and have to check out many countries language translation for this purple fruit (yes, it's a fruit, not a vegetable)! I know in Ireland they call it aubergine...it appears to be called that in France, Denmark and many other European Countries.
But, in the event you were wondering (and if you are... join the "eggplant club") - here are some other translations!

aubergine - French
melanzana - Italian
esculenta - Indian
munakoiso - Finnish
μελιτζάνα - Greek
berenjena - Spanish
баклажан - Russian
oberżynowy - Polish
vânătă - Romanian
ナス - Japanese

Starting to "loose" it for Idol!

I think I know what's bugging me tonight ....

"American Idol".... I'm officially sick of it! Maybe a 4th judge and too much time spent on them... maybe this season (8 seasons of anything gets OLD) they're just not that exciting? Thank God for Simon, he's still the dynamic personality I enjoy. I like some reality TV... I find "The Biggest Loser" fascinating... Lord knows I'd NEVER get on a scale in front of millions of people! I loved the first "Survivor".... I don't think I ever watched it again. I just could NOT allow myself to ever watch "The Bachelor" - I may have watched the final show of one of them, can't really remember.
What would good reality TV be? Seeing the Obama's having dinner in their private apartment? Watching Angelina vacuum? Seeing Kelly Ripa in back-to-school night? I don't know...but I'd probably tune in to that total trivia! Any other ideas of what we'd "really" like to see??

"EASY" Lasagna!

I will NEVER cook lasagna noodles again. I resisted for a while using the "oven ready" noodles...thinking they just can't be that good... so wrong. I'm partial (very) to Ronzoni. I've tried Barilla a few times, they're easier to use as they are flat, but they are just not as good and the noodles taste sticky. I don't have an ounce of Italian blood in me... but it's genuinely my favorite food. Eggplant is my all time favorite food, I can eat it any way. Lasagna is my son's favorite and it's always great to make a small tray and what is not consumed is sent back to school with him (he loves to heat it up in his dorm microwave).. or I'll freeze!
Making lasagna used to be such a project, boiling those huge noodles, that always break up! I know many buy fresh lasagna noodles... I'm sure they are the best, but I've not researched them yet (I have to give them a try too). My son and husband love it with sausage meat cooked in the sauce...I've often added frozen spinach as well!
Anyway...if you've never tried the "oven ready" Ronzoni Lasagna, I highly recommend them...it makes it SO EASY. You may need a little extra sauce, but that's the only difference.

Hunting for Kisses!

Easter Candy...way TOO many choices....
Today, I decided to pick up a bag of Hershey Kisses, Easter is next Sunday and if I don't get them today, there will be absolutely NO selection left...what I wanted are the pastel color foil kisses they usually sell at Easter.... I'm hunting through: dark chocolate kisses, peanut butter kisses, dulce de leche kisses, cherry kisses, caramel kisses and today for the first time I see, coconut creme kisses.... not to be confused with Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, which I'm not entirely sure of what they are! I could not find the pastel color milk chocolate kisses, never mind the original silver foiled kisses.... So, I move down the aisle to look for Nestle or Dove...same thing...over 10 choices.... Then I see Easter Bunnies filled with peanut butter, caramel, cookies n creme, sugar free.... etc. Jelly Beans.....how about red hot, spice, pastel sprinkle, black, - or you can take out a mortgage and buy a bag of jelly beans at Williams Sonoma for $16.00!
I think I bought some Cadbury Easter Eggs, I picked up a few bags of some pastel chocolate things, hopefully some were small eggs... (they're already hidden so I'm not tempted)
I briefly mentioned this to my son...he loves dark chocolate and I've traditionally gone to a speciality chocolate store and bought him a dark chocolate bunny - he tells me.... "Ma, just buy me a Hershey Bar... it's all I want - you end up throwing it away every year anyway"....which is true, one bite of the ears...and he's had enough. I'm wondering if I can actually break a tradition (God Forbid) and limit myself... I THINK I'm going to give it a try...it will be hard to not hunt for his Easter Basket in the attic... I guess I'm the biggest traditionalist in the family ~ and I'll continue to hunt for the milk chocolate pastel colored kisses!

Facebook...it's not just for kids!

It started quite innocently... come on Aunt Susan...I'm sending you the link...just sign up - I know you'll like it. ME... I'm over 50 - what will I do with facebook! Well, 4 months and 89 friends later ... I'm hooked and love it! It's the "buzz"... are you on facebook? Unless you've joined and "embrace it" you don't "get it" ... it's just trivia... but take the leap and sign up - at least give it a try. I'm social...so the idea of a social network is just fascinating to me... I've reconnected with friends from grammar school, friends I lost touch with, work acquaintances who's company I really enjoyed, some cousins that I don't get to see as often as I'd like, etc. I'll admit, some requests to "friend" someone are VERY random and I just don't correspond with them, a few I've even taken off my list (and they are NOT notified...so it's OK to do) My "favorite" thing on facebook is looking at the pictures that people post.

I'm totally aware of the downside to facebook, anything on the WWW is open to everyone, no matter what security you go through, so you have to be careful... this has especially "haunted" kids and working in an industry with college students and as a career counselor, I warn everyone about it...don't get "tagged" in a photo you don't want anyone else to see!
With adults becoming more familiar and comfortable with technology, students have become accustomed to seeing both parents and teachers becoming a part of the facebook craze that has spread worldwide
Don't knock it until you give it a try... It's as time consuming as you want it to be...a quick check everyday is all it takes to "keep up to date"!
Will my 20 year old EVER want to "friend" his mother? Never. I've accepted it, it bothered me initially, I would have felt exactly the same way at his age. Take the leap...sign up and have fun with it!

"The rules are set in stone."

… ”Whatever you do, don’t touch the Queen!”

Royal etiquette dictates that the Queen not be touched unless she reaches out first. Patting the Queen's back, however, is almost unprecedented behavior in Buckingham Palace."
Of course, there are corollaries to this. One must certainly touch the Queen if the monarch offers her hand (though you should return this not with a firm handshake but just a touch). On Wednesday, Michelle Obama put her hand on the Queen only after the Queen had placed her own hand on the First Lady's back as part of their conversation. So there is room for theological argument as to whether the American reciprocity of touch was allowable given the social dynamics of the situation.
The Obama's gave the Queen (what I think) is a perfect gift. An iPod.

"Go Elizabeth Go"

It was loaded with video and photos of her 2007 trip to the United States, as well as songs and accessories. I heard the "buzz" before the gift exchange... what are they going to give her... perfect choice (to me anyway). I just "eat up" the pomp and circumstance of the entire Royal Family... but sadly, it's not quite as interesting since Princess Diana's death...

Sorry Camilla, youjust don't cut it.
Is this Queen EVER going to step down and let Charles take the thrown... or does she really dislike him so much and waiting for Prince William ~ another fun chapter. And, way to go Michelle, for being one of the first to break the centuries of etiquette and give those ladies in waiting a near heart attack!