The Life of Jennifer

Day Nine - Faceless Self-Portrait

2011-11-09T21:23:00.003-05:00

Day Eight - Technology

2011-11-09T21:21:00.000-05:00

Day Seven - Something New

2011-11-09T21:20:00.003-05:00

Day Six - Childhood Memory

2011-11-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

Day Five - Someone I Love

2011-11-06T16:25:00.003-05:00

Day Four - Favorite Color

2011-11-06T16:24:00.003-05:00

Day Three - Clouds (or lack thereof)

2011-11-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

Day Two - What I Wore

2011-11-02T04:56:00.000-04:00

Day One - Self Portrait

2011-11-01T04:48:00.000-04:00

Out-of-the-Box Nails

2011-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

I own a million shades of red nail polish. Everytime I look at nail polish I am drawn to the red polishes with an invisable magnet. Every once in a while I'll branch out and wear my beloved Russian Navy (OPI) or Lincoln Park After Dark (OPI), but then I go right back to red.

This fall, however, I've discovered some lovely new colors and have branched out, at least nail-wise.

My first purchase was Chanel Le Vernis in Peridot. Depending on how you look at this color, it can look gold, green, or anywhere in between. It's totally fun, has an easy-to-apply formula and is very long-lasting.

I've also recently gotten into the company, butter LONDON. butter LONDON is, according to their website created "without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens." And, "butter LONDON was the first company to sell non-toxic nail lacquer in the United States." Cool, right? And they have lots of nifty colors. For the fall I have purchased Bluey and The Old Bill. (I'm also jonseing to get a bottle of Blagger!)

The only fault I can find with butter LONDON polish is that you must apply at least three coats, as the formula tends to be on the thin side.

What nail polish are you wearing this fall? Did you branch out and try something new, or are you using an old tried-and-true friend?

Rite of Passage

2011-09-05T22:03:00.000-04:00

The other day I googled "Doc Martens" to see what cool and hip boutique was selling them these days, as I'd like to pick up a pair of boots for the upcoming fall/winter season. And I don't know where to buy them anymore because the thing about Docs is, they last forever. I've had the same pair of three-hole shoes for over 15 years and they're not even showing wear for the most part. These shoes are indestructible.

So there I am...googling. And the results surprised the heck of me. Zappos? Nordstrom online? What?

Where were the cool and hip boutiques?

I have to pull a "back in my day thing" here.

BUT, back in my day, shopping for a pair of Doc Marten boots was an adventure. One you shared with your best girlfriends on a Saturday afternoon. These shoes just weren't available anywhere. You had to hop on a train and walk from 8th and Market to South Street. Your group donned their coolest skirts, Smiths t-shirts and layers of silver jewelry to make this trip. You talked about the boys in your circle and which one you wanted to hook up with.

You stood outside Zipperhead and took the final few drags of your cigarette, batting your heavily black-lined eyes at the Ian McCulloch look alike roaming aimlessly down the street. And finally you went in the store and asked the oh-so-intimidating older punk girl behind the counter for a pair of 14-hole ox blood steel toe boots in a men's 5 (because these boots didn't come in women's sizes).

And finally, you slip your foot into the coolest boots that ever were. They envelope your calf and your girlfriends nod in approval. These are the boots you've been waiting for and it's finally time to bring them home.

$120 that you saved from your minimum wage drugstore job later, you have finally acquired THE shoes. The shoes that are as cool as you are.

Buying Doc Martens was an event. It was brilliant. And like so many brilliant things that made up my younger years, it no longer works that way.

You just log on to the net and order them from Nordstrom. No dressing up. No best girlfriends. No trip to the city. Just the anonymous act of filling in your credit card information.

It was a simple thing, but a beautiful rite of passage nonetheless.

The Year of Jo-Ann

2011-08-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

Today is my mom's 59th birthday.

Not too long ago she decided that she was going to celebrate being 59 everyday, so she would ease into 60 instead of hitting it head on. She declared the next 365 days to be The Year of Jo-Ann.

I recently asked Jo-Ann (eh-hem, Mom) to share some of the wisdom she has gained in the past 59 years.

Jennifer: You have declared the next year to be The Year of Jo-Ann. What does that entail?

Jo-Ann: I am going to celebrate every day of my life like a special day.

Jennifer: Looking back, what is the most fun age?

Jo-Ann: 19. You're old enough to have independance, but young enough that if you screw up people will still say, "She's just a kid."

Jennifer: Between you and I, who is really your favorite child?

Jo-Ann: Jessica

Jennifer: What did you never do that you should have done?

Jo-Ann: Kicked your father (smile).

Jennifer: If you could go anywhere, where would you chose to go?

Jo-Ann: Paris

Jennifer: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

Jo-Ann: Ben Franklin.

Jennifer: Favorite beverage?

Jo-Ann: Fountain coke, complete with sugar which I never drink

Jennifer: Favorite food?

Jo-Ann: Cheeseburger, which I never eat.

Jennifer: Favorite treat?

Jo-Ann: Anything chocolate.

Jennifer: Happiest memory?

Jo-Ann: As a child on Christmas Eve, we were walking down the dark city street to Midnight Mass and the snow began to fall. It was beautiful.

Jennifer: Worst memory?

Jo-Ann: I was about 5 and we were at Thanksgiving dinner at my grandmother's. My father cracked a joke at my mother's expense and she threw a cup at him.

Jennifer: What are your words of wisdom regarding life?

Jo-Ann: Shit happens.

Happy birthday, Momma Mia!

The Sleepwalker

2011-07-24T19:17:00.000-04:00

Once, several decades ago, I slipped out of my bed and wandered into the doorway of my parents bedroom. They lay in bed watching TV, as I stood, wide-eyed, staring in their direction.

"Hello," I said, then turned around, walked back into my bedroom and climbed back into my bed.

And so was my first recorded episode of sleepwalking.

I wonder where the mind is during this moment where sleep and consciousness meet, yet neither takes over the body. What forces allowed me to safely walk into my parents bedroom, rather than out the front door or toppling down the 13 stairs into the living room?

Just yesterday I saw some photographs of myself that I haven't seen in almost 20 years. At first I laughed at the goofy expressions my friends and I were making, but then I looked closely at my face, my smile, my eyes.

I could see the anticipation of an unknown future in my eyes. I could recall the deep love I felt for one of my dearest friends that I tried so hard to overcome. I felt the flutter of excitement that used to overwhelm me when our group of friends got together to hang out, dance or party.

How I lived! How I felt every pleasure and pain so deeply in those younger years!

The only reminder I had today that I was alive was the steam burn I suffered cooking dinner.

Somewhere, between the smiling 18-year-old girl in the photograph and the 39-year-old woman with a steam burn, I fell asleep. And in that stupor I walked through the motions, unaware of what path I was taking or where I'd end up.

I'm not where I was meant to be. If I'd only had the courage to keep living my life, instead of becoming merely a passenger.

"I should have told him I loved him. I should have written novels. I should have done so much more," I thought, climbing into bed last night.

And it was then, as I prepared for sleep, that I decided it was time to wake up.

Happy Fourth!

2011-07-04T08:36:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July, my friends!

I hope you have a lovely day celebrating our independence.

The Top Five - Things I Will Be Doing This Weekend

2011-06-24T20:56:00.000-04:00

1. Water My Garden While the Local Ducks Play.

There is a stream that runs gently behind where I live and it is a haven for the duck community. Every spring there are groups of babies, waddling behind their mommies, pecking at the earth for worms. If you have any love of animals or nature, you can't help but be in awe of their communities. Because they see some of us so frequently, they will approach some of us without fear. Many times when I'm out watering my garden, one, two or up to a dozen ducks can be at my feet, curious to see what's going on.

2. Watch Coverage Updates of the Casey Anthony Trial.

I'm a sucker for true crime and I have been known to be seduced by the Nancy Grace show, even though she gets on my nerves...I cannot explain it. But, I have been frequently tuning in to hear what's going on with the Casey Anthony trial.

3. Refresh the Paint on my Patio Furniture.

If you read my blog normally, you may remember I re-did my patio furniture last year. I still love the look, but the table has seen some peeling and I have to sand it down and apply some fresh coats of paint. I'm hoping the humidity is low tomorrow so I can get this off my checklist.

4. Grocery Shopping.

When I got there, my cupboards where freaking bare! Yes, it's not glamorous, but I will be hitting Wegmans sometime this weekend; most likely early Sunday morning. I am already dreaming of the delicious fresh fruit...

5. Old Navy.

I hear Old Navy is having a special on tanks this weekend...only $2! Whoo-hoo! I think I may run over there tomorrow and pick a few up. I also have a $5 coupon so depending on what they have I may walk out with more than a couple tank tops.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Jennifer and Diane Moments

2011-06-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

In case you're not aware, my friend Diane and I have been pals since September of 1986. We have been through it all and have some great memories. Some of which we were recalling tonight over appetizers. At one point I grabbed my pen and notebook out of my purse and told her that our memories would be tonight's Top Five list. I'm not sure if it's cheating when you have a collaborator for Blogger Challenge...I hope not.

1. Shopping for Christmas Gifts on South Street.

Sophomore Year of high school, Diane and I went to South Street to do our Christmas shopping for our friends, including each other. While in Tower Records, I picked up a Smiths tape for myself and I believe she chose a Love and Rockets tape. Instead of just buying our own items, we decided they would be each others Christmas gifts so I paid for Love and Rockets and she paid for The Smiths. We exchanged bags outside and acted truly surprised at the contents of each bag and thanked each other profusely.

2. Making An Entrance.

Also Sophomore Year, we went to a high school party. We think it was Pat Duffy's birthday, but cannot be sure. We remember walking through the house and being told the party was in the basement. We both went to walk first down the flight of stairs and ended up falling on our butts and sliding down the entire staircase, right into the middle of the festivities. We still swear that the record screeched to a halt and everyone stared at us for a minute before going back into their conversations.

3. Mad Cow Disease.

In May of 1995, we took a trip to London together and ate just enough not to get alcohol poisoning. However, what we did eat was steak. And steak. And then there was the night we ordered steak. And just as we washed down the last bite, the Mad Cow Disease story broke. And for the following year or two whenever one of us got a hangnail, we were convinced it was the beginning of the end.

4. The Glow Bra.

Okay, this happened to a friend (who I will not name because I don't have permission), but Diane and I were there. On night we were at the club we always frequented...Revival. At one point on the dance floor a black light came on and our nameless friend was laughing that you could see a spec of white fuzz glowing here and there on our black clothing. And then we looked at our friend. Our friend whose white bra was glowing right through her black shirt for the whole world to see.

5. The Little Guy Under the Kitchen Table.

One night at a small gathering of friends, Diane and I may have drank too much. The group decided to play with a Ouija Board, but the oracle was missing. One of the guys said the oracle was in his car and I ran to go get it. I did, and ended up hooking up with said guy in the woods.

There was another boy there who was living in the basement of the house. Evidently he accessed it through a trap door in the floor under the kitchen table. Diane ended up hooking up with that guy.

After these hookups, we both separately wondered to a field behind the house we were hanging out in. We laid down together, side by side, under the stars.

"I just hooked up with [insert name here to protect the innocent]," I said, picking leaves out of my hair.

"I hooked up with the the little guy who lives under the kitchen table," she replied.

"Huh? He what?"

And that's when we may have have passed out cold.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Things That Make Me Think "Summer"

2011-06-22T22:15:00.001-04:00

1. Mister Softee Music.

How many times as the summer sun slipped into evening did you hear the familiar tune of Mister Softee in the distance? Even now, as an adult, when I hear those notes, I feel the need to run to my mom and ask her for a dollar to buy a Popsicle.

2. Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

I bought my first and only pair of Wayfayers in 1984 for $45 (can you imagine?). Although not in the best of shape, I still own them; they reside in my car for those sunny days when I forget my current shades. And although I wore them year round for decades, they always remind me of Don Hendley's Boys of Summer. (A song I never understood until I grew up, I might add.)

3. Noxema.

The smell of Noxema always reminds me of those summer days when I got too much sun and I would sooth it on my upset skin. The cool formula would "pull" the heat right out of sun-burned skin.

4. Love's Baby Soft.

Did you know they still make this fragrance? They do! A staple in the beauty wardrobe of every lady under 12 in the 1980's, Love's Baby Soft is infused with delicate notes of baby powder. I recently saw this in a CVS and was instantly transported to the summer of 1984 or prior. The smell made me recall that feeling of playing all day in the sun and bike riding in the neighborhood, then getting a refreshing shower and laying down on cool, fresh bed sheets. It was just so airy and clean.

5. Iced Tea Mix.

Growing up we always had a pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator. ALWAYS. Lipton Iced Tea Powder in an enormous tub. And although it was a year-long staple, it evokes summer memories because we drank it that much faster and had the inevitable "who gets stuck making the next pitcher of iced tea fight." All you had to do was take something like 6 pre-measured scoops of the stuff and mix it with tap water, but you'd think it was torture the way we avoided it. Two ounces left in the pitcher? Put it back in the fridge; you didn't finish it and shouldn't have to make it!

The Top Five - My Summer Must Haves

2011-06-20T19:49:00.000-04:00

1. LOFT gem row bracelets.

I just bought two of these little suckers the other day (one blue and one purple) and I love them. Lightweight and delicate, they are a perfect summer accessory. And did I mention they're shiny? Now who doesn't like shiny?

2. Dooney & Bourke Florentine Satchel.

Who doesn't need a new summer bag? Awesome for both work and play, the large satchel is perfect for holding all my goodies. Moreover, this bag is a long-term friend, as it's a timeless design.

3. NARS Blush/Bronzer Trio.

The most popular blush and the most popular bronzer have been combined in one convenient package! Yippee for NARS Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer. Plus, you get some Albatross for highlighting as well. This is so convenient to just toss in your bag.

4. Old Navy Flip-Flops.

These flippies are a serious must have in my summer season. I have a bunch and try to add more colors with every trip to Old Navy.

5. Juicy Couture's Couture Couture Perfume.

I do not own this...yet. This is the happiest fragrance I've sniffed in a long time and it just screams "summer" in my opinion. Can't wait to get my hands on some, especially now that my samples are all gone.

The Top Five - Things That Creep Me Out

2011-06-19T20:02:00.000-04:00

1. Bathtubs.
Well, not the tubs themselves, but the sheer thought of laying in one and taking a bath. I am strictly a shower kind of girl. The thought of stewing in the same water for a given period of time actually makes me feel a little nauseous. Weird, huh? This is also related to my fear of swimming in oceans, lakes or any body of water without a running filter and tons of chlorine.

2. Hair that detaches.

Blech! Eeeewww...I can't even think about it too much. I skeeve every time I wash my hair and little strands come off in my hands in the shower...and it's my own hair. All I can say is it's a good thing I'm not a hairdresser.

3. Clowns.

I know they're supposed to be all happy and jovial, but underneath the forced grins, I think they're pure evil and plotting to kill us all. I blame the film Poltergeist for this fear. (Shivers...)

4. The smell of roasting chestnuts.

Every darn time I'm in NYC in the fall or winter and stop to cross a street, I inevitably am next to a vendor who opens the damn roasting chestnuts and the smoke blows right in my face. This odd and smelly phenomena has plagued me since childhood.

5. Yucky tootsies.

This is far worse in summer than any other time of year because of sandals, but I freak at the sight of feet that are all scaley and cracked. Eek! Seriously, invest in some lotion!

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - TV Shows I Should Be Ashamed That I Love

2011-06-18T22:05:00.003-04:00

1. The Jersey Shore.

I don't know if it's my deep love of hairspray or my addiction to bronzer, but I love those darn Jersey Shore kids. And, yes, I may have a little (big) crush on Pauly D. What can I say? It's all that GTL he does, I guess.

2. The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Although I'm a bit disappointed in Season Three, I can't get enough of those ladies from Franklin Lakes, NJ. Caroline is my complete favorite - I love her common sense and no-nonsense approach to life, I totally miss Dina because she was so darn cute and I wish Jacqueline would beat some respect into her daughter Ashley. Don't like these NJ girls? Beware that I don't flip a table on your butt.

3. Jerseylicious.

Wow, there's a real NJ theme going on here. I can never tell if I'm on Team Olivia or Team Tracey when it comes to these tacky lasses from the Gatsby Salon. I love, love, love the over-the-top clothes, enormous hair and cat fights that make up every fun-filled episode.

4. Tabitha's Salon Takeover.

Tabitha is a stuck up hairdresser from the UK. She goes into failing US salons, berates the owner, mocks the skills of the staff and points out how filthy the place really is. Then she has the place cleaned and beats sense into the staff and all is well. What more could you want from a TV show?

5. Pretty Little Liars.

OMG! This show makes me want to be a high schooler all over again. But this time I'd go to public school so I could wear all those fantastic outfits, date a teacher and try to find out who murdered my friend in my spare time.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Yummy Places to Eat

2011-06-17T21:13:00.001-04:00

1. The old Mexican Post in Philadelphia.

One beef Chimichanga please. Please? No, seriously, PLEASE? The Mexican Post is a delightful, narrow and unobtrusive little place that you would miss if you sneezed too hard while walking down Chestnut Street in Philly. From the food to the tattooed waiters (yes, the waiters were always hot), this place is yum, yum, yummy.

2. Morning Glory in Philadelphia.

The place the be for the breakfast or champions...or, a breakfast so delightful and delicious you will not think about food for the rest of the day. And, they have outstanding coffee, I may add. If you find yourself at 10th & Fitzwater, I highly recommend the Neighborhood Frittata. Oh, and bring cash...Morning Glory accepts no plastic.

3. The Crab Trap in Somers Point, NJ.

Seafood, seafood, seafood. They do seafood and they do it amazingly well. I'd get the fried seafood combination if I were you. And while waiting for it to arrive, munch on the bounty of oyster crackers and horseradish on the table. It'll clear your sinuses, I swear. Just be prepared to wait unless you go during the week just before noon (oh, yeah, I've done it!), as it can take over an hour to get a table. But the Crab Trap is worth the wait.

4. Tarantella Ristorante in Medford, NJ.

Delicious Italian food in enormous portions. Owned by the Coppola Family, who work on the premises and speak Italian to the patrons, Tarantella is simply divine and quite reasonable. Their complimentary house salad is so good you'll want to lick the bowl, as is the complimentary bruchetta. One negative, they don't do good coffee...drive down Route 70 and find a Dunkin' Donuts...trust me on this.

5. Mack and Manco Pizza, the Boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.

Mack's has several location on the boards, but the 9th Street one is open year-round. Yes, I know this off-hand...I'm not proud. Stand in the long line for this pizza. I repeat, STAND IN THE LONG LINE FOR THIS PIZZA. Then grab a bench looking out toward the ocean and munch on the goodness. Swooping seagulls are included.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Odd Things I Love

2011-06-16T20:45:00.000-04:00

1. Having my hair shampooed by someone else.

I don't know about you, but when I have my hair shampooed at the salon, I am sent into world of complete and utter relaxation. I close my eyes and feel the warm water cascade through my hair, flooding out the color. And then the hairdresser lathers the suds throughout and gently scrubs my scalp, messaging along the way. That feeling alone is almost worth the $100 every 6 weeks!

2. The smell of Crayola Crayons.

I don't know what it is, but the smell of Crayola's makes me so happy. I'm sure it has something to do with happy childhood memories. And it HAS to be Crayola's - crappy knock-off crayons just don't cut it.

3. Cleaning.

You're probably thinking I'm nuts, but hear me out. Keeping the house clean is a super-mindless task and after a week full of stress at work, 15 hours commuting in traffic and whatever freelance work I may be doing, working on something mindless that has a tangible result when I'm finished is very satisfying.

4. Diners.

Maybe this is because I was born and raised in the great state of New Jersey, the land where you can't spit without hitting one, but I love eating in diners. Diners that have waitresses that call me "hon" make me even happier. My favorites are Diamond Diner on Route 38 in Mt. Laurel and Pete's Diner on the Black Horse Pike in Williamstown. I'll meet you at the counter for a cup of coffee.

5. Nancy Drew Books.

About a year ago I purchased a Nancy Drew book in an antique store. I fell in love with the simplicity of the characters and the wholesome manner of the Nancy Drew world. The world Nancy Drew lived in never really exisited, but it's nice to think there was a time when people hoped it could. Since that first book, I have purchased and read a few more. I hope to build the collection in time.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

Just for Fun - Beauty Questions

2011-06-07T05:08:00.000-04:00

So I came across this beauty quiz and I thought, "This will be a quick, easy and fun blog topic."

I love hearing about the products people use and getting new ideas.

I hope you do too, otherwise I spent and hour linking products for absolutely no reason and that would just stink!

How many times do you wash your face a day?
Twice

What skin type do you have?
Dry to normal

What is your current facial wash?
MAC wipes, Clinique Facial Wash, Up & Up Apricot Scrub

Do you exfoliate?
Yes

Waht brand do you use?
Up & Up Apricot Scrub

What moisterizer do you use?
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Neutrogena Tinted Moisterizer, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, Clinique Youth Surge Night

Do you have freckles?
A few here and there

Do you use eye cream?
Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream and Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream

Do you, or did you ever, have acne prone skin?
I got acne prone skin in my thirties

Did you ever use Proactiv?
Yes. It was good stuff, but dried out my skin

What foundation do you use?
MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation, MAC Studio Fix Power Foundation

What concealer do you use?
MAC Select Moisturecover

Do you know your undertone color?
Cool

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love them, but don't wear them

Did you know you're suppossed to change yor mascara every three months?
Yes, I do

What brand of mascara do you use?
Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black and Loreal Telescopic Clean Definition

Sephora or ULTA?
ULTA because they're closer

Do you have a MAC Pro Card?
Sadly, I don't :(

What tools do you use in makeup application?
Brushes and an eyelash curler

Do you makeup base primer for the eyes?
Urban Decay Primer Potion

Do you makeup primer for the face?
Smashbox Photo Finish

What is your favorite eye shadow color or shade?
Cranberry by MAC

Do you pencil or liquid liner?
I like both. Liquid is great for a cat eye, but recently I am getting into tightlining and I use a pencil

What do you think of pigment eye shadows?
I have two pigments and I'm not good with them. I make a mess

Do you use mineral makeup?
Nope

What's your favorite lipstick?
MAC Viva Galm IV and Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Rose Crystal

What's your favorite lip gloss?
Clinique in Whisper

What is your favorite blush?
I don't have one, but I just bought NARS in Orgasm in a trio and think it looks great

Do you buy your makeup on Ebay?
Nope

Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes. Especially mascara. I've never found a high-end mascara that I love

Do you go to a cosmetic company outlet?
No. I don't know of any.

Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I would love to!

Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Not blending in foundation and seeing that line of demarcation at the chin/neck area

Do you like colorful shades of makeup?
I like to play with color on my eyes and I always love red lipstick

Which celebrity always has great makeup?
I think Adele always has a great look

If you had to leave the house with just one makeup item, what would you use?
Lip balm (I'm addicted!)

Could you ever leave the house without makeup?
I have, sadly

Do you think you look good without makeup?
I look like the Crypt Keeper

In you opinion, what is the best makeup line?
I have a lot of MAC, so I guess I favor them

Grief

2011-06-04T22:07:00.004-04:00

I dreamed about my father for the first time since he passed away the other night.

In my dream I was small and I found his briefcase. I routed through it looking for important papers, but all I found were black Pentels and blank yellow legal-sized tablets. My father walked in the room and laughed, telling me it was time to stop playing.

I woke up with a jolt. I could smell the leather of that familiar briefcase as though it had been in the bedroom with me. I longed to fall back asleep and visit with him again, but it was not to be.

I find myself crying at odd times. The other week my friend Sean was in town from overseas. I drove into Philly to visit him and I was so happy...it's not often I get to see or talk to him. As I crossed the bridge I had a flashback of visiting my dad's office as a little girl. I remembered the smell of the office supplies, his big desk complete with ashtray and a pack of Camels (yes, you could smoke in offices then!) and the room-temperature bottles of Coca-Cola that were always on hand. I sobbed.

Grief is so lonesome. No matter who you speak to about your sorrow, or how many people you surround yourself with, grief still rips at your heart. Quietly. Relentlessly.

Endlessly.

Chip

2011-05-22T14:29:00.006-04:00

Yesterday afternoon all I wished for was some well-deserved sleep. It had been a long week and I was beyond exhausted. Just as I was about to sit down and relax I saw a little boy walking down the path behind my apartment holding something in his hand.

"What is that?" I asked him through the screen door.

"I found a baby duck all alone," he replied.

Crap.

I ran outside and looked at the duckling. From my non-veterinarian perspective, he looked alright, but scared to death. His little body was shaking like a leaf.

I called my neighbor, Julie. She has assisted in many animal rescues and knows a lot about wildlife.

Julie saw a duck family close by and put our new little friend near them. He wobbled over to the group and at first we got really excited thinking this may actually be his family. But even though the mom and dad duck didn't seem to mind the little guys presence, their babies began pecking at him.

And then I did something brave! I reached into a gathering of about 8 pecking and angered ducklings to pick up my little lost buddy.

I held a duck in my hand for the first time in my life. His fuzzy baby feathers felt so soft against my hand. I pet his little head with my fingertip and told him not to fret. He didn't seem to understand though :)

Julie said the best thing to do was to take him to Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford. They would give him any medical attention he may need and let him live in a safe environment as he grows into an adult duck.

I threw one of my hottest pair of dressy sandals on the closet floor and created a makeshift transport out of the shoebox.

On the way to the refuge, I named my new friend Chip because he made little cries that sounded like "chip, chip, chip".

We gave Chip over and they told us he was in very good shape and not to fear. They also said they had a lot of ducklings so he would be raised with a group of friends until they were ready to fend for themselves.

So Chip is where is now needs to be.

Good luck, little duck!

Bowled Over

2011-05-14T16:46:00.004-04:00

I have a weird thing for bowls. I love them.

Dessert bowls. Cereal bowls. Soup bowls. Serving bowls.

It's all good.

Here are some of my lovely bowls.

How many bowls does one girl need?

Top shelf: Pfaltzgraff Soup/Cereal Bowls in Summer Breeze, Ice Cream Bowls from JCPenney, Antique Watermelon Dessert Bowls

Bottom Shelf: Anthropologie Latte Bowls, Pfaltzgraff Summer Breeze Serving Bowl, Ice Cream Bowls from JCPenney

The Flying Cross

2011-05-08T20:41:00.003-04:00

If you were to ask me if I am a superstitious person, I would most likely reply in the negative. However, that would be a bit of a fib for there is one thing I am totally superstitious about. The flying cross.

The flying cross is a simple gold cross on a thin gold chain. It was a gift from my mom years and years ago when I preferred yellow gold over silver...think mid-1980's.

In later years I only wore the cross when I flew on airplanes because I believe you can't pull out too many charms when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube. But that's me.

On September 11, 2001 the flying cross was in my hand during my blessed flight, for I broke the chain prior to my flight. On that trip I bent one of the arms of the cross for I held it so tight, not to lose it.

After that trip I bought a Saint Christopher metal to join the cross. Saint Christopher, as you may know, is the Roman Catholic Patron Saint of travelers. As I mentioned above, you can't pull out too many charms when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube. And I figured the cross may need a helping hand after keeping me safe on September 11.

I cannot fly without these items. I cannot.

I have a business trip coming up and the other day I found the gold chain with only the Saint Christopher metal on my bedroom floor. One of the kitties must have knocked it off of my dresser.

Where was the flying cross?

I have been filled with panic for days trying to find it. How can I possibly get on a plane without my protective adornment?

I am happy to say that today I found my little bent cross. I breathed an amazing sigh of relief as I held the delicate cross in my hand.

So am I superstitious? Well, I guess I am. But only when when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube.

But that's me.

Circles

2011-05-02T20:39:00.004-04:00

As I was driving the 28 miles home from work this evening, I heard a traffic report stating there was a lot of congestion on I-295. I was a mile north of the packed Interstate and quickly decided to make a right of Route 73 and take Kings Highway home.

I drove past the street that led to the house my friend Peggy grew up in. I recalled some of the moments that our circle of friends shared at that house. I remembered Peggy's fluffy white comforter, the American flag that hung from her bedroom ceiling, the little round frozen pizzas that were in one of the extra refrigerators in the garage.

I missed my friends. I missed Peggy, Jennifer, Diane, Sean, Nick and the others that came and went from our circle. I missed getting together almost every night. Drinking coffee after coffee at Denny's. Watching movies in Peggy's family room. The endless pitcher of iced tea at my house. Listening to Sean's band practice in his basement. I missed dressing up to dance the night away at Revival and the Troc.

I missed heavy black eyeliner, crucifixes and Vogueing. Black tights under jean shorts, 14-hole Doc Marten boots and crazy haircuts.

How wonderful those days remain in my memory - our perfect little circle.

I came back to 2011 when it was time to decide which of the dozens of lanes I had to be in to get across Route 70. I still don't quite get the confusing stoplight system that replace the Ellisburg Circle.

Two circles which have dissipated; which changed through time.

I understood those circles, even though those outside the loop never quite got it.

Perennial

2011-04-20T20:11:00.002-04:00

There is a calm in my neighborhood tonight that I have not felt in a long time.

I just stepped out my front door to dispose of plastics and cans, paper and kitty litter clumps. I meandered through the parking lot to the trash, wearing only yoga pants and a short-sleeved top. For the first time in months, I was not cold. The warm air caressed the skin on my arms. Arms that have been encased in woolen sweaters and winter coats for far too long.

Two ducks flew through the evening sky as the street lamps throughout the complex lit in unison. They cast a yellow glow on the parking lot.

I threw away all the trash and walked slowly back to my front door.

I looked at my little garden area and noticed growth.

"You're not supposed to be there," I thought, looking at the plants bursting through the black licorice mulch.

And they're not...I never invest in perennials. I only plant annuals; flowers which last one season.

But there they are...growing, surviving, living once more.

I came inside and shut the door with a smile.

You never know where or when you'll find the inspiration to keep moving forward, but it's always there. Be it the peace of a setting sun, the warm breeze on your skin or plants budding life where there should be none.

Game 3

2011-04-17T20:55:00.005-04:00

On March 29 my dad was told he had 3-6 months to live. I cannot explain in words what I felt burst through my heart when he told me those words over the phone from his hospital bed. I write for living and I know a heck of a lot of words, yet nothing in my vocabulary is powerful enough to describe that moment.

My brother decided to order three Phillies tickets for us, as my dad was a huge fan and it would give him something to look forward to. In fact, my dad had said to me he would spend his last months watching the Phils and hoping to see them win the World Series this year and watch them parade down Broad Street.

My father, as you may be aware, didn't make it to the game. He died the following Sunday, April 3.

Chris and I still went to the game last Friday night. His beautiful wife, my sister-in-law, Jessica, joined us. I am so grateful to her for coming -- sitting there with an empty seat would be unbearable.

But it was still hard.

It was hard to watch the team do well because I know he would be cheering.

It was hard to watch them loose the lead because I know he would call them a "bunch of bums".

It will just continue to be hard until it...isn't.

The day my father died I was at the tail end of recovering from pneumonia. I was tired of looking at my own four walls, so I called my mom and asked if I could come over for an hour...to look at her four walls instead. I just really needed to get out for a tiny little bit.

She opened the door and said, "Come in."

I knew something was wrong from her demeanor. Then she told me my dad passed away and we were going to my brother and sister-in-law's house.

While at their home, the Phillies game played on TV.

A few hours later I came back to my home. I threw my purse, coat and scarf on the floor. I fed my cats. I sat down at my dining table and sobbed.

He was supposed to go to the game on 4/15. Watch the Phillies this summer. Watch them win the division, the Pennant, the Series. Cheer as they paraded down Broad Street.

"You didn't even make it to Game 3," I cried out loud.

I love baseball. I love the Phillies. And I hope and pray that they do win the Series this year because I'd like to go to the parade for my dad. Unless they screw it all up -- the bunch of bums.

The Years Run Too Short and the Days Too Fast

2011-04-04T20:31:00.007-04:00

My father and me on my Christening Day, 1972.

I have wondered during the last two days how I would acknowledge my father's passing in my blog.

I have always strived to be as honest as possible when writing this here. There is no point maintaining a blog about your life for almost five years, if you aren't honest about your emotions, no matter how silly, juvenile, disturbed or dark they may be.

I thought about a proper eulogy, but those words aren't coming to me tonight. Perhaps tomorrow; perhaps in years to come.

Instead my mind is filled with a kaleidoscope of memories, twisting and turning into each other and leaving me with many small snippets of the man I knew as Dad. The one thing that stands out more than anything is one of my father's favorite songs when I was a child, Time Passages by Al Stewart.

My Dad was many things, but he was not a singer. But he would sing Time Passages in his off-key voice over and over again, spinning that album so many times I'm stunned the grooves didn't wear away. A few years ago I bought that CD was transported to a simpler time in my life when I listened. To days when The Dukes of Hazzard ruled the TV airwaves, to days when I was reading Judy Blume and blushing, to days when phones had cords.

Because that song represents my childhood and my father to me, the lyrics seem even more poignant now.

The song follows. Have a listen if you like. This song has brought me comfort, laughs, tears and pain in the last two days.

It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
All round the day was going down slow
Night like a river beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go
Drifting into time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Well I'm not the kind to live in the past
The years run too short and the days too fast
The things you lean on are the things that don't last
Well it's just now and then my line gets cast into these
Time passages
There's something back here that you left behind
Oh time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel
That there's something to learn
It's just a game that you play

Well the picture is changing
Now you're part of a crowd
They're laughing at something
And the music's loud
A girl comes towards you
You once used to know
You reach out your hand
But you're all alone, in these
Time passages
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

The Best Part of my Day - Tuesday

2011-03-29T19:26:00.002-04:00

There's a line in Steel Magnolias that has always stuck with me: "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

How true that holds for me.

I have always believed that no matter how desperate the situation, a smile, even a fleeting millisecond of a smile, can always be found.

Today was a very hard day. One of those days when you count the hours for it to cease and become the past.

I came home this evening and sat on my sofa going up and down the Comcast grid, looking for something to watch. I must have scrolled through a dozen times - as though, if by sheer will, a fantastic program would be added to the mix.

I hit the On Demand button and searched. TV Shows, Movies, Free Movies...

And that's when I saw The Towering Inferno.

Not familiar with that film? It's a doozy. Made in 1974 it's one of those super-large cast disaster movies that defined that decade, like Airport '77. I love those films.

And then I was hit with a memory.

My parents and I were in Carmel, CA. I was about 5 or 6 years old at the most. My father was at a business dinner and my mom and I snuggled in a great big hotel room bed watching TV. My father returned and brought with him chocolate lace cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries. The Towering Inferno came on and we snacked on the goodies and watched Paul Newman and Steve McQueen fight a massive fire in a California high rise.

I had forgotten that night and suddenly I could taste the sweetness of the perfectly ripened strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. I could see the hotel room in my mind's eye - the enormous bed spread out before me. Of coarse it was probably just a King-sized bed, but I was very small.

I tucked that night into my heart thirty-some years ago and there it sat, a little treasure, waiting for the moment I needed to remember something sweet and innocent.

A smile crossed my face for the first time today, brushing the tears away.

And that was the best part of my Tuesday.

Side note: It's a Blogathon week my friends. Each day for the next 7 my cousin Liz and I will be posting with the topic of "best part of my day". Check out her blog HERE.

The Best Part of My Day - Monday

2011-03-28T22:27:00.002-04:00

All day long I have dreaded the moment when I had to sit down and write this post. It hasn't been a good day. I woke up with swollen eyes and a cough - classic allergy issues. I have had a headache on and off throughout the day. My father is suffering from some serious health issues and he consumes a lot of my thoughts.

What would be great about this day? The cup of coffee I drank? Nothing remotely interesting has happened to me.

Around 9:30 my phone rang. It was Diane calling quickly to check on me. Despite the fact that both she and her 6-month-old son are sick and she's not sleeping. She took five minutes to call me and ask me how I am. Then I went on Facebook and had two messages from friends who live far away - Sean who's in Germany and Toni who's in Arizona. They emailed to check in on what's going on concerning my Dad's health.

It was then that I realized that was the best part of my day. My dear friends taking just a moment out of their busy lives to see how everything here is playing out.

It may not be glamorous. It's not all that exciting. But it's real.

And having real friends that care makes the difficult times a bit easier.

Thanks guys.

Side note: It's a Blogathon week my friends. Each day for the next 7 my cousin Liz and I will be posting with the topic of "best part of my day". Check out her blog HERE.

Vanity

2011-03-27T20:54:00.007-04:00

I finally bought a vanity! I have been searching for one for a while now. It was a difficult find for several reasons...A) I needed something small and B) I'm difficult to please.

I got this little sweetie last weekend at one of my favorite local shops, The Painted Cottage in Collingswood.

It's perfect. The little drawer holds most of my cosmetics. I purchased the two black on white containers from Target for overflow. One holds makeup removers/cotton balls and such and the other holds lipsticks/glosses/lip pencils/eye pencils.

I love this little vanity! But I have plans to recover the chair in a black and white fabric that's leftover from my French bulletin boards. The fabric on there right now is really pretty, but my bedroom is a bit more funky than over-the-top shabby chic and the black and white will reflect that.

My face and eye makeup.

My lovely little vanity.

Vanity with chair.

Here's the chair that I plan on recovering.

Making the bed with Cali

2011-03-17T20:47:00.008-04:00

These pillow cases are evil and must be destroyed.

I will bite this red one with all my might!

This one with flowers is kind of nice though...

I'm actually feeling quite cozy.

Maybe I'll just rest my eyes for a minute.

Who made the bed while I was sleeping?

Wising Up

2011-03-16T19:43:00.003-04:00

I never liked my father's mother.

She was not a nice woman. There was nothing maternal in her nature and she was as cold as the dead of winter.

I recall one day when I was very young and driving in the car with my mother. We happened to be in my grandmother's neighborhood. My mother insisted we stop to say hello, as it was the proper thing to do.

After opening the door a crack to her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, she informed us she was busy and closed the door in our faces. We both stood on the porch looking at each other in disbelief.

My grandmother did, however, appreciate wildlife. Owls, especially. Her home was full of pictures and figures of owls created from crystal, porcelain and ceramics.

I was never a big fan of owls.

They reminded me too much of a person who disliked me. They represented someone I could care less about.

Several Decembers ago, I sat in my little cubicle at work typing up a press release. Christmas filled my thoughts and I mentally planned what I had to do still for the Holidays.

My phone rang. I answered and heard my mother on the other end of the line.

"Regina died," she told me gently.

I burst into unexpected tears. My reaction shocked me.

I hung up the phone, grabbed my coat and my cigarettes and sat in the little park across the street from my building thinking about my grandmother and the sudden sorrow that swelled in my heart.

I never liked her. She never liked me. So why was I hurting?

I realized, much later, that I hurt because what should have been a loving bond between and grandmother and a granddaughter never was. And all hopes of what could have been died that day too. There was no chance of a relationship now. It ceased in the moment she drew her last breath.

I felt sorrow for what could have been.

Just a few months ago I stopped to admire the works of a local jewelry artisan. Ironically, the one item that caught my eye was a little silver owl charm on a delicate necklace.

I looked and looked for something else in her vast collection to steer my thoughts from this piece of jewelry. Surely I did not like this owl.

But I did. And I purchased the little owl.

And when I wear it and am reminded to never let myself feel sorrow for what could have been again. To never let an "I love you" go unsaid. To take full advantage of every breath that I have been given.

Owls are known for their wisdom. Perhaps I'm getting there too.

Take my hand; I'll lead you to Salvation

2011-03-13T21:08:00.003-04:00

I just finished watching the 25th Anniversary special of Les Miserables. I am a big fan of that musical. The final song of the play is the death of the main character, Jean Valjean. In his final moments, two characters who have already passed away come to him and "take him" to the other side.

This and the lyrics that accompany this part of the show always make me cry.

Take my hand; I'll lead you to Salvation
Take my love; for love is everlasting
And remember the truth that once was spoken:
To love another person is to see the face of God

I recall one of the saddest moments of my life. I sat next to my cousin Christie underneath a window in Room 6 of the ICU of Underwood Hospital. My mother sat in a chair on the right hand side of the hospital bed and my Aunt Louise sat in a chair on the left hand side. In the bed, my beloved Nanny lay dying.

I can still hear my mother telling her mother that it was alright to go now. That she had done her job here and she could go to her sisters, mother and father now.

There was just silence and peace. No more struggles. No more pain.

And as strange as it may sound, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

I am grateful to have been there as she slipped from this world to the next, where I imagine her parents were waiting to welcome her home.

And when I picture my Nanny in Heaven, she is in a South Philadelphia-style row home kitchen. Her sister and her mother are also there. There is a perpetual pot of gravy on the stove and a paper bag filled with fresh rolls from the corner store.

And some day I'll pull up a chair too, pour a cup of coffee and have the privilage of spending time with that amazing woman again.

So yes, that's what that darn song does to me.

Seemingly Insignificant - Part One - Cutting Class

2011-03-01T20:16:00.009-05:00

I set aside time tonight, after working yet another 11 hour day, to update my long-ignored blogs.

It was bad enough when I just had this blog to contend with, but dumb me, I opened up another one and now have limited time to give either the thought they deserve.

Updating Jennifer Recommends was easy - pick a topic and come up with a tip. Updating this blog, the blog that delves into my life, is difficult.

I sometimes wonder how much to share with the massive void that is the Internet. Even if I was assured only so-and-so would be reading, how much do I really want to share with so-and-so? But, why write a blog about your life if you aren't willing to let people into that life -- into the thoughts and feelings that make up you?

A life is made of a handful of huge events and a billion seemingly insignificant ones. Little moments that at the time, you have no idea are small pieces that will form the larger puzzle of you.

I thought it would be fun to pick a handful of those seemingly insignificant moments that ended up playing a great big role in who I am.

I was always a good student who played by the rules. Therefore I believe it was an act of God himself which convinced me to cut a Religion (of all classes!) in October of my Freshman year at Camden Catholic to go hang out in the lunchroom.

I sat at a table with a bunch of other Freshman girls and said hello to Nannette, a girl in a few of my classes. She introduced me to another Freshman girl I'd never seen before. Her name was Diane.

Diane and I began chatting over the lunch table and 25 years later, we still haven't stopped.

In that 25 years we have been through it all together - high school, college, boys, alcohol, concerts, traveling, jobs, births and deaths...you name it.

We have laughed so hard that our tummies have hurt. And we have cried so hard that we thought the world had ended.

We have argued and annoyed the hell out of each other.

And once or twice, we even "broke up" for a bit. But not being in each other's lives left a bitter hole that nothing could fill, so we'd soon make up and go on our merry way.

Who'd have thought that cutting one class in my entire life would lead to my finding my closest friend?

You see, it's the seemingly insignificant moments, my friends. You never know where they'll lead you.

Me and Diane in 1988

Me and Diane in 2008

Errands...

2011-02-12T23:21:00.007-05:00

It's kind of neat how much you can tell about the person by their weekend errands. Whether they have kids or pets, what kind of products they prefer, etc.

My shopping list this weekend included:

Kleenex Travel tissues
Empty spray bottle
Palmolive dish detergent
Johnson Baby Shampoo (to wash makeup brushes)
Johnson & Johnson Gauze Pads and First Aid Tape
Johnson & Johnson Travel-Sized Cotton Swabs
Stride Gum in Spearmint
Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
Friskies Pouches (Two Boxes)
MAC Wipes
MAC Brush Cleaner
MAC 224 Brush
Purina Cat Chow Indoor Cat Formula (not pictured)
Fresh Step Multiple Cat Clumping Litter (not pictured)

What can deduced from my list? Well, I have more than one cat, I like minty-fresh breath, I seem to favor Johnson & Johnson, I have some sort of injury that requires gauze and tape and I desperately need to clean my makeup brushes!

What did you have to pick up this weekend?

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T22:43:00.012-05:00

For some reason, no matter how I edit the size of these photos, the sizes are funky. I am so disappointed. I hope you enjoy this post anyway. I'll try to fix them tomorrow - too tired now.

I love coming up with unique decorating ideas, like the French bulletin boards I made recently.

I don't have a lot of Valentine-themed items. In fact, I only have one small little thing. So, I thought I there has to be some thing quick, easy and cost-efficient I could do that no one else has.

And a few weeks ago it hit me when I came across a Victorian-inspired Valentine that I've had since college -- Valentine garland.

I already had cute miniature "clothes line" clips that I picked up in Wal-Mart last month and I had about four or so feet of red ribbon I saved from a Christmas gift. I went to an antique store and picked up four more "I love you" postcards to complete the project.

The Valentine that inspired the garland.

Two of the loving antique postcards. These only cost $3-$4 each.

I love that this one was used. Postmarked in 1908, it was sent to "Dear little Alice" from her "Aunt Helen". How neat is that?

This entire project only cost me about $12, as I had the clips, ribbon and one of the cards already. I think it's totally cute and well worth the money.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. I hope you have someone to love.

Disappointed

2011-02-09T21:36:00.002-05:00

By now you may realize that I am a certified MAC junkie.

Actually, I have decided to simply state that makeup is my hobby.

Many people have hobbies. They knit, collect art, etc. I purchase makeup.

I always await the cool new, limited-time MAC collections. For example, I fell in love with their holiday collection A Tartan Tale and have been admiring many items from the Peacocky collection.

However, I cannot express, how grossed out I am by their new collection, Wonder Woman.

MAC, for some ungodly reason, paired up with DC Comics, and unleashed this tacky crap on the innocent public.

Why on earth would I shell out my hard-earned money on makeup splattered with a comic book character? The mind reels.

Plus, because of what I assume are licensing fees, products in this collection cost more. For example, a regular eyeshadow quad is usually $36, but in the Wonder Woman collection, they're $40.

I just can't stand it and am so disappointed in a company I usually adore.

The bottom line is the packaging looks tacky, comic book "art" is not attractive and the prices are higher.

No, thanks, MAC. I'll wait for the next collection.

And I hope it shows a bit more taste.

Stalker Steve

2011-02-07T21:50:00.003-05:00

Tonight I came home with one thought on my mind...I need to relax. I've been having a difficult time "shutting down" lately. I cannot sleep through the night, I cannot concentrate on a book or television. I am wound up so tight that I fear I will unravel at any given moment.

As I approached my front door I knew relaxing was not in the cards, for I heard the screeching and metallic sounds of an electric guitar being played in the apartment across the hall from me. It was Stalker Steve.

Steve moved into the building last summer. I said hello to him on the day he moved in and the following afternoon he showed up at my door and told me that if I wanted he could come over that evening with some movies for us to watch. Oh, dear. I lied that I was busy.

He soon told me all about his cover band, his ex-wife, his ex-girlfriends, and a million other personal details that made me cringe.

When his mother was visiting, he asked me if I'd like to meet her.

When I had a chest cold last fall he knocked on my door and handed me a homemade concoction that he swore would cure me. I trashed it in fear.

I added the "Stalker" before his name once I saw him peering in my sliding glass door at night last summer. He popped outside every time I went out to water my plants. Just the other week, during our last one-foot snow storm, I snuck outside to shovel out my car. Seconds passed before Stalker Steve came chasing after me with his snow shovel and he insisted on helping me shovel out my car.

Stalker Steve has told me I'm the perfect age for him. I am 38 and Stalker Steve is 52. Blech! A 52-year-old who plays bad guitar in a cover band and peeks in my window. What more could I ask for?

I am beginning to think that one of the reasons I am unable to relax is Stalker Steve.

Just another day at the office...

2011-01-31T19:26:00.002-05:00

On my recent business trip to Orlando I had the pleasure of meeting Michael J. Fox. He was the Keynote speaker at the trade show that my company hosted.

Michael's Keynote was amazing and filled with humorous stories about his career and battle with Parkinson's disease. Many in the jam-packed room left with tears in their eyes, yet filled with the inspiration to make the most of every day we are given and to never accept defeat.

I've opted out of having my picture taken with the other celebrity speakers we've had over the years, but I jumped at the chance to shake the hand of this very cool and self-deprecating man.

Please note my very cool trade show jacket and extremely large chest.

John and I

2011-01-30T19:24:00.005-05:00

I fell in love once. I was 11 and he was 23. Tall and ever-so-fashionable, he was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid my young green eyes on. His name was John Taylor and he played bass in Duran Duran. Since that fateful moment, 27 long years have passed.

I grew up with John and Duran Duran. I bought their records at Sam Goody at the Echelon Mall, raced home and studied all the lyrics printed on the inner sleeve of the album, as the needle on my turntable followed the groove of every new wave note on the vinyl.

Duran Duran saw me through those crappy middle school years when I was discovering who I was and who I wanted to be. They taught me the art of fashion (yes, cut the fingers off your red leather gloves), the cutting-edge hair trends (dark hair, blond bangs) and how to sing harmony (Please, please tell me now).

As I grew, they grew. The music matured as I entered my teen years and my heart broke when they split into Power Station and Arcadia, for I knew that was the beginning of a deeper and more permanant split.

In my 20's Perfect Day and Lay Lady Lay spun round and round in my Walkman. More melancholy tunes that became the soundtrack to the uncertainty I desperatley tried to hide as I approached the end of my college years and embarked on my real life. The dress rehearsal was coming to a close and it was time for my grand performance. At least I has Duran Duran to accompany me.

This past Wednesday, I took off from work after a business trip to recover. I flipped through the channels and came across a Duran Duran concert. Something shocked me. Remember at concerts how we all used to "flick our Bic" during the slow songs? The audience, instead of burning their fingerprints to oblivion with lighters, opened their cell phones during Save a Prayer. Wembly was illuminated with technology. And it hit me fast and hard -- Duran Duran and I were...old.

This point was further driven home just this evening as I watched VH-1 Classics and they played The Wild Boys. "That can't possibly be a classic," I think. "It's not even their early stuff." Then I remember that I was in 7th grade when that song came out. It is a classic. I am a classic.

But would I rather be young now? Not a chance. Duran Duran's new "record" is only available on iTunes right now. iTunes! No teen today knows the joy of fingering through records at Sam Goody, wondering if the sleeve will be a cheap plain white or a cool design complete with lyrics and liner notes. They do not know the anticipation of standing on line for concert tickets or burning their fingers with Bic lighters. They do not know the happieness of catching a video by their favorite artist, as they can watch them now on a loop on YouTube if they desire.

No, I am happy that I am a classic, for I have known all these things. Simple joys that make up part of who I am.

As for John and I, we have endured a long relationship now. And I don't real see it ending anytime soon.

One-of-kind French Bulletin Boards

2011-01-17T19:36:00.002-05:00

I have wanted to get French bulletin boards for more than a decade, but never found a color/style/size that suited me. I can get picky like that.

So this past weekend, I found myself in an antique store and I fell in love with two shabby frames which I quickly grabbed. I purchased them and wondered what I would end up using them for. Then it hit me -- I would make my own French bulletin boards!

So I got my crafty on and went to AC Moore where I purchased: white foam board, fabric, ribbon, paper flowers and brads.

Here's what I did:

I cut the foam board to size. Covered the foam board with fabric and secured in the back. Wrapped ribbon around fabric-covered foam board and secured in the back. Punctured board with tip of scissors and placed a brad at each cross section. Added paper flowers for a pop of color.

It was simple and quick and I love the results!

This entire project cost less than $50 and now I have one-of-a-kind, antique-framed French bulletin boards!

Let me know what you think!

Happy New Year from The Village Apartments

2011-01-02T18:08:00.000-05:00

21 Christmases

2010-12-12T10:35:00.005-05:00

When I was little every Christmas my mother would dress me in my swanky Holiday attire and lug me to Echelon Mall to take part in the age old ritual of waiting on line to see Santa.

And every Christmas, as the line got shorter and I got closer to the scary big guy with the massive white beard, I would chicken out and refuse to sit on his lap and take the photo.

Not having one photo of her daughter with Santa, my mother and I evidently struck a deal when I was small that I would finally go and sit on Santa's lap when I was 21.

Growing up, every Christmas she would remind me that I'd have to take the plunge at 21. And it didn't seem like a big deal when I was 10. I could do that in 11 years.

But, as we all know, the years have a way of slipping by. Suddenly it was the Christmas of 1993. Oh my goodness...I was 21.

Mom hadn't mentioned it was the Golden Year. I wondered if it dawned on her, or if she assumed there was no point in mentioning it because I would never go take the photo anyway.

But I had to do it. You can't break a promise you make to your mother, after all. Not even one you make when you're four years old and about to pee your knickers from fear at the Echelon Mall.

So one day, in December of 1993, I went to my morning classes at Rowan, hopped in the car and drove to the mall. Echelon Mall. The mall where I tried and tried to see Santa, but failed.

I found Santa's Village outside of Strawbride & Clothier, where it had always been, and I stood at the end of the line.

The line consisted of me and about 10 children. I felt like a moron.

"Hi, Santa." I said, finally, after 21 years mustering the courage to get to the front of the line. I had never been this close.

"Who's the picture for?" he asked me as we posed for the Polaroid.

"My mother," I answered. "She's been waiting 21 years for this shot."

And yes, I may look like an over-grown baffoon. And yes, I may have an unrational fear of Santa. But I did it. And like all proud moms, my mother happily displays the one-and-only shot of me and the big guy.

Merry Christmas.

Twas Two Saturdays Before Christmas

2010-12-11T11:40:00.003-05:00

My cousins Julia, Cynthia, Alysha, Michael and Robbie.

I love how the story has apparently sent Cynthia into a state of shock!

Tonight is the first "Cousins Cookies Exchange". The ladies are all getting together to have snacks, exchange cookies, toast our Nanny and have some fun. Sadly, my SIL Jessica won't be able to make it, so the evening will not be complete.

My cookies (Italian Anise Cookies) are ready, my snack item will be made soon and the bottle of Anisette is waiting on the counter.

Salute, Nanny!

Something lovely

2010-12-06T21:32:00.002-05:00

My dear friend Jennifer and I were just IMing each other a little while ago. I don't feel as though a day is complete without her popping up in my chat window for even just a few minutes.

Somehow we got on the topic of plastic surgery and we began to type out all the things we'd have done if we could. Our combined list included: Breast augmentation and lift, liposuction, nose job, lip collagen, eye lift, hair thickened (is that plastic surgery?), and more and more and more.

Suddenly I stopped typing and sat in thought for a moment. Then I wrote the following:

You know what's really sad?
We're lovely.

Seriously, what wrong with us? With women as a whole, I mean. Why do we pick ourselves apart until we're just puzzle pieces that make up a greater whole?

I can stare into my magnifying mirror for what seems like an eternity. Why? It's not vanity. I look at every line, every mark, every spot of redness. I stare. I pick at it. I lotion with day cream, night cream, SPF cream, eye cream, body oil, body cream. I'm so greased up, it's a miracle I don't just slide out of my bed.

I have spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to find the best concealer, foundation, powders, mascara, liners, shadows, and more. And for what? To still resent the reflection in the mirror.

The hardest part is, how do you change? I have been this way since I was a little girl. I can still remember one of my aunts telling me when I was about 10 years old that I shouldn't worry about the the bump in my nose because I could have it fixed when I was older. Do you know how much I hate my nose? Everyday I place my finger over the bump in it to see how much better my profile would look without it.

How do we begin to see ourselves as other see us? How do look in the mirror and see something lovely?

Thankful for...The Art of Being Silly

2010-11-24T16:50:00.002-05:00

No matter how crazy, hectic or tough life can be, I am grateful that I can see silliness in the smallest of things and always find a reason to laugh.

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Thankful...Italian Weddings (well, at least the soup...)

2010-11-23T20:53:00.003-05:00

I didn't know what to make for dinner tonight, so I tried something off-the-cuff and it turned out pretty darn good. I made Italian Wedding soup sans recipe. It was pretty easy, if you want to give it a shot. Here's what I did. (I never measure, so these are just an estimate.)

For the meatballs:

I took one pound of 80% lean ground beef and mixed it with one egg, a shot of half and half, a dash of salt and pepper, and about half a cup of Italian breadcrumbs. I placed these on a greased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

For the soup:

I poured 12 cups of water into my French oven, added 12 chicken bullion cubes and the core of one red onion. I took a frozen package of spinach, cooked in the the microwave and drained out all the water. Then I removed the onion from the stock, added a dash of kosher salt and turned it up to a boil. Once boiling, I added one package of rotini style pasta. When the pasta was cooked, I added the spinach and meatballs.

That's all it took!

Thankful for...All Things Girlie

2010-11-22T21:53:00.003-05:00

I am so darm glad I'm not a boy. First of all, I just don't know how they walk around with all that junk just flopping about in their trousers. But, most of all, boys just don't get to play with all the cool girlie stuff that I do.

Makeup, perfume, nail polish, hair accessories, jewelry...I could just go on and on and on.

I am just a kid in a candy store at shops like Ulta. I examined every single one of these nail polishes before I picked two new colors to add to my collection -- So Hot It Berns and Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous, both from OPI's Fall 2010 Swiss Collection.

Thankful for...Second Chances

2010-11-21T21:06:00.003-05:00

As you know, because you read my blog, my dog passed away in March. Wednesday, March 3, to be exact. At 1 in the afternoon, to be more exact.

For a long time I counted in days how long she was gone. Then in weeks. Every Wednesday was one Wednesday I was further away from her. Now it's in months. Eight months since I held her little paw in one hand and caressed her face with the other as she drew her last breath.

It still hurts, but the pain isn't as sharp as is was in the beginning. Usually.

This morning I was in Wegmans. Half listening to the oldies playing on the sound system I purchased fruit, read the nutritional contents on a packet of rice, stocked up on soups. I thought of Thanksgiving and Christmas and my lovely niece.

I reached for a carton of eggs when it happened. When I went from thinking normal thoughts to wanting to scream at the top of my lungs to turn off the damn music playing in the store.

Hound Dog, by Elvis Presley was playing.

I can't listen to Hound Dog. I can't. I used to sing it to her. One of the workers who put on my mom's new roof sang it to her every day. Lots of people sang it to her.

I wanted to throw the eggs on the floor and stomp my feet like a petulant child. How could all these people just do their food shopping like nothing was wrong? My dog died, for God's sake!

Okay, so I over-reacted emotionally. So sue me. In reality I just put the eggs in my cart and my eyes welled with tears, which I quickly brushed away. I went on...I finished shopping and came home.

And there they were. My cats. My new loves. My second chances. And I am their second chance as well, for they were given away. Those perfect little ones were just given up. But I think they were given up because they belong with me.

That's one of the great things about these silly lives we've been given. Just when you think all hope has been lost and the road has ended, there's a detour you didn't see coming. And it can lead you to a wonderful new place you didn't expect.

It's Blogger Challenge week and the theme is...Thankful. Please check out Cousin Liz's blog and Toni's blog too!

My Lost Voice

2010-10-31T21:49:00.006-04:00

I caught a cold sometime around my 20-year high school reunion on October 16.

Like most of my colds, it settled in my chest and I had a horrific cough with led to the inevitable loss of voice.

Losing my voice is a nightmare. Instead of just keeping quiet, like a normal person, I continue to try and talk and sing and blah, blah, blah. So I end up sounding like Kathleen Turner for weeks.

On Thursday night I came home from work and proceeded to get ready to go to Philly to meet my dear friend, Sean. In town from Germany for a little while, we decided to meet up for a late dinner.

As I showered, got dressed and put on makeup, I put on a late 80's/early 90's playlist. Sean and Jennifer era-type songs. "Candy" by Iggy Pop played and darn it, didn't I try to sing the female part.

I got the first two words out and then my stinking voice cracked and disappeared. Foiled!

Sean and I went to a restaurant with his friend Chris whom he stays with while in town. It was a very cool place with yummy food and I felt pure bliss spending time with my friend. I never realize how much I miss Sean until I see him. Then I remember how awesome he is and then I hate Germany for taking him so far away.

At one point in the evening, "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure played in the restaurant. Sean and I, sitting across from each other, both looked at each other and smiled for a a second. Sean said to Chris, "This is a very Jenn and Sean song."

We proceeded to discuss The Cure. Then The Smiths. We agreed The Smiths were better than solo Morrissey and that Johnny Marr was the talent behind the operation.

As I spoke, I listened, with a full heart, to "Just Like Heaven".

A very Jenn and Sean song.

At the end of the night Sean walked me to my car.

"You have to come home," I told him.

"Didn't I tell you? I am."

I wanted to jump up and down, but let's face it, I'm old and could have broken a hip.

My dear friend is moving home next year. I am overjoyed.

A smooch and a hug later and I was driving home.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't sing "Just Like Heaven".

My voice was gone.

But my friend was coming back. One of those few dear friends we make in life who can understand everything you're feeling even if you can't speak the words.

How lucky am I?

Let's Kiss and Makeup

2010-10-26T20:33:00.002-04:00

It's no secret that I just adore makeup. (Toni saw my makeup case and backup makeup case when she was here!) The little containers full of saturated colors call to me from their department store shelves. I just can't say no sometimes!

I recently found two awesome chickadees who discuss the wonders of makeup online.

If you are a makeup girl, you may enjoy watching them as much as I do.

First off is Aubrey London. She does amazing tutorials on YouTube on how to achieve retro (a la Bettie Page) and rockabilly hair styles and makeup looks. She also has a great website.

Second is Pinkiecharm who does great YouTube reviews on products. She seriously just saved me from spending $20 on Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara!

Anywho, check them out if you wish.

So many somethings

2010-10-21T19:39:00.003-04:00

My friend Toni just blogged about a statement she made last Saturday while we toured Camden Catholic High School. One of the other alumni asked her what activities she took part in at school and Toni replied, "I did nothing."

Toni, you may never been on a roster, donned a cheerleader's uniform or been President of the Student Government. You may not have gone to the cool parties, sat at the popular table in the lunchroom or drove a hot car. And perhaps you were a scared kid and felt like a nothing.

But you were so many somethings to me.

You were my breath of fresh air in a place and time that didn't appreciate going against the grain. You thought differently, you saw a bigger world, you appreciated the differences in the few people that dared to be themselves, rather than taking comfort in the conformity of the majority.

You had a laugh like no other...it was infectious and made me laugh no matter how horrible my day.

You were (and are) beautiful, yet never saw it in yourself. I still remember how you talked with your hand in front of your mouth because you hated your braces. If you only realized how lovely you were.

You celebrated my crazy haircuts, dramatic dress and Doc Martin fetish.

And when you moved, part of me was lost. You were gone. Your voracious laugh ceased echoing through the halls. You weren't sitting next to me in Chorale, getting in trouble for putting on makeup. You weren't there when my best friend walked away from me and my broke my heart. You didn't sleep over the night of graduation and stay up all night with me and Diane watching John Hughes movies. Your absence was greatly felt because you were never nothing.

You did so much. You were all the little somethings that make two people friends.

Mourning Roast

2010-10-20T19:30:00.003-04:00

It's been a sad two days. Well, sort of.

Yesterday I switched on my beloved, they-haven't-made-that-coffee-pot-for-years coffee pot and nada. No familiar gurgle and drip, drip, drip as the water heated and poured into the glass carafe. Nothing. After seven faithful years and thousands of good-to-the-last-drop moments, the Braun machine bid me farewell.

And now I have no coffee pot.

But, on or about October 27, I will have this baby. She is a coffee-lovers dream come true and she's mine...all mine!

And snaps for my blog title!

Velcro

2010-10-19T19:35:00.004-04:00

I've often thought that my soul is invisibly velcroed to the souls of others. No matter what time passes, no matter the spacial distance between us, the velcroed souls are still connected.

I have experience this with several people from high school: Jennifer, Will and Toni being three.

I had awaited Toni's arrival for weeks on end. I couldn't wait to see my dear friend in person again. I hadn't spent any real time with her since the summer of 1989 when I went to see her in Arizona just after she moved. I saw her for 5 minutes at my high school graduation and that was it.

Due to the miraculous gift of the Internet, she and I made contact just a few short years ago. I know all about her family, her life in Arizona, her puppies, etc. But, did I still really know her? I must admit that Friday morning when she texted me that she landed, a slight nervous feeling took me over for a moment. What if one or both of us had changed so fundamentally that we didn't have anything to chat about? What if we didn't know how to act?

Oh my, after 20 years of not even being in the same time zone we were about to spend 48 solid hours with each other.

I stepped outside to have a cigarette and saw the Rapid Rover van approach my building. The few seconds of jitters dissipated. The driver opened Toni's door and we ran toward each other, arms outstretched. An enormous hug ensued.

Velcro. It was sheer velcro.

Carrying On

2010-10-18T20:12:00.005-04:00

In 1939 the British Government designed a poster reading "Keep Calm and Carry On" to keep up morale during World War Two. I have loved the saying for years for it is such a too-the-point and almost sterilised way of addressing unpleasantness.

I am coming off the high of a whirlwind, four-day weekend.

I took off on Thursday to have some minor repairs done in my apartment in the morning, then have the floors professionally cleaned in the afternoon. Friday, my darling friend Toni arrived in the early morning and she and I ran around town until 6 am Sunday morning when I dropped her off at the airport.

In the interim of our wonderful madness, she gave me a necklace she MADE just for me! A Keep Calm and Carry On necklace. And I just adore it! I seriously think Toni should open a shop on Etsy and begin selling her creations. What do you think?

I have worn my lovely necklace for the past three days and it makes me happy every time I get a glance of it.

Life, as beautiful as it is, can be hectic and difficult. We get wrapped up in worry, drama and silliness. It's nice to have a reminder to focus. To Keep Calm and Carry On.

I have many more reunion weekend tales. Please stay tuned.

It Takes Two...

2010-10-06T22:06:00.002-04:00

What a wonderful world...

2010-10-02T21:30:00.006-04:00

So many wonderful things have happened and are on the horizon, I just wanted to take a moment to count my many blessings.

Andrew

My best friend of 24 years, Diane, gave birth to her first child on September 17, 2010. Please welcome my newest love, Andrew (Drew for short) into this world. Everyone is happy and healthy.

Family

Tomorrow is my cousin, Kaeleigh's 16th birthday party. I am so excited to spend time with the whole family. Mom, Chris, Jessie, Zoe, Liz, Kaeleigh, hopefully Drew, uncles, aunts, cousins galore! Cannot wait!

High School Reunion

My 20 year high school reunion in on October 16. My friend (and fellow blogger), Toni, is flying in from Phoenix for the weekend and staying at my place. I haven't seen her in 20 years and am so excited. Also looking forward to seeing William, who was one of my closest friends at Camden Catholic. It promises to be a fun night/weekend!

Sean

My friend Sean, who lives in Germany, just informed me he is most likely visiting Philly this month and I hope to see him. I saw him in January and in July, but it is not enough. I miss him so much and wish he'd move back home.

So there it is...all the happiness that surrounds me in a nutshell.

What's making you happy right now?

Leaming's Run Gardens

2010-09-19T13:24:00.019-04:00

Yesterday I went to Leaming's Run Gardens in Cape May Courthouse, NJ. For a mere $8, you can wander through a lovely one-mile stretch of gardens that feature bamboo, ponds, ferns, hummingbirds, butterfly and flowers galore. I highly recommend to the trip. And, according to their web site, there's a "Spooky Tour" in October!

Cioppino, according to Jo-Ann

2010-09-14T20:41:00.012-04:00

My mom has the yummiest and healthiest cioppino recipe out there so pay attention! If you look at a lot of recipes for this dish you'll notice it calls for a lot of butter and other yummy, artery-clogging ingredients, but not this recipe. And let me tell you, you won't miss a thing, for this cioppino is bursting with flavor. I used all frozen seafood because I don't happen to keep fresh seafood on hand, but go on ahead if you dare. And, add other things as you wish...these are guidelines people!

Ingredients for four servings

One large can of diced tomatoes
One can of chopped clams in the juice
1/2 pound of frozen shrimp
1/2 pound of frozen scallops
1 frozen tilapia fillet
1/4 of a red onion
1/3 cup white cooking wine
Three fresh garlic cloves
One bay leaf
Dash of basil

Start of by combining the diced tomatoes, onions, and clam juice (hold back on the clams for now) in your soup pot or french oven and stir it all up.

Add bay leaf, dash of basil and crush three cloves in fresh garlic into the mix.

Add white cooking wine. (A little for the cioppino, a little for Jenny.)

Let all these flavors mesh for about 30 minutes.

Okay, enough meshing. Now, add all your frozen seafood and the clams and let cook until the scallops are white and the shrimp are pink.

Dish it on out and gulp it on up.

And I Haven't Touched the Water Since...Part Two

2010-09-12T21:34:00.004-04:00

August 23, 1992 (12:55 a.m.)

I'm tired, but I can't sleep. I'm sitting in my black and ivory room listening to the Tori Amos CD I bought today. Peggy and I went CD shopping earlier. I also got the John Lennon Collection. Two lovely works of art and a well spent $32.

The Fall semester starts in nine days. I can't believe how fast the summer's flown by. It seems like yesterday it was my birthday and it's already 3 1/2 months ago. On my birthday night Eric, Darius, Sean, Nick and I sat around the big table in Denny's, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and laughing. And laughing. I miss it. It's changing. Why do you appreciate things more once they're gone?

Diane's baby shower was lovely. I emailed Sean afterward explaining how odd it felt for the for girls (me, Di, Jen and Peggy) to all be together again in Di's parents house and that even though I am so happy that we’re all friends again, it’s bittersweet because we all wasted so many years. He told me not to feel regret about it. And he’s right. There’s still a lot of future and the people who played such a major role in shaping who I am as a person have all found their way back into my life.

On September 4, 2010 I found myself, once again, in Ocean City. The summer was coming to a close and it was time to say goodbye and embrace a new season.

I thought about this blog as I stood on the boards looking out at the water, as I have been toying with the topic for a while. I wanted to walk out to the water, as I did that July 4th weekend years ago, and recreate the serenity of taking off my shoes and feeling the salt water crashing against my skin.

Instead, I watched the sun set and left, recalling a story I heard last month of a man who lost a wallet 19 years ago in Corsons Inlet in Ocean City. Another man and his daughter fished the wallet from the water this past summer. Despite the ebbs and tides of the last 19 years, the wallet was still in the same location as it was when lost. It did not drift to sea; it did not disintegrate. It was always there.

It was always there.

They will always be there.

And I Haven't Touched the Water Since...Part One

2010-09-08T21:37:00.004-04:00

1992
It’s about 3 a.m. At this very moment I’m in a diner that’s done up in a 1950’s style in Wildwood. Jennifer, Brian, Diane and I came down to see Nick [Salvo]. We met lots of cool people including some boy named Martin from Northfield who gave me his address and his friend, who I called Natalie all night, but now that I think about it, I’m not sure that was her name.

On Saturday, August 7, 2010, I stood alone on the Ocean City boardwalk. Huddled like a criminal with the other smokers, enjoying our two square feet of allotted space, I looked out at the ocean water.

I love the shore, but I’ve never been big on ocean water. It’s the seaweed and the jelly fish and all the other yucky things that grab at you. Blech! However, I wanted to walk along the water. I wanted to close my eyes, feel the breeze blow on my skin and the salt water lap at my ankles.

The next day was Diane’s baby shower and I looked forward to it so much. I couldn’t wait to celebrate this new infant boy with Diane. However, when Diane, Peggy, Jennifer and I get together I sometimes feel this dull pain deep in my heart. It’s a pain due to the fact that I regret the years we wasted when the four of us, and more, drifted apart.

1992 (continued)
Diane and I are sitting on the beach now. I just took a long walk along the edge of the water; it was so relaxing and peaceful. It was as if the water washed everything away for me and drowned every worry and fear. I never imagined something so simple could be so powerful as well. I really don’t know where my place is. I’m searching so hard for answers to questions I don’t even know how to ask.

I remember that walk like it was yesterday. Diane, Jennifer Travis, her boyfriend at the time, Brian, and I went to Ocean City/Wildwood. Not long before, I traded my friend, Abeni, my Doc Marten boots for her combat boots. I remember walking with blisters because although her shoes were the right size, they weren’t mine and didn’t quite fit. The ocean water soothed my sore feet that morning. The calmness enveloped me both physically and emotionally.

Things got rocky that summer. I was 20 years old and my whole life lay in front of me. The unknown of it all frightened me. I was never a girl who flew by the seat of my pants; I was a planner. And I had no plan of action for what was going on.

Diane and I didn't care for Jennifer’s boyfriend and that meant seeing less and less of her until she became a mere acquaintance. If memory serves, Peggy was with Mike Miles and doing her own thing more and more. Sean and I were…were…were near explosive most of the time. And without Sean, there was very little Nicholas around. Stacey was a memory. It was the beginning of the end.

To be continued...

Goodbye Summer

2010-09-05T21:55:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry, but I can't say I'll miss you too much. You've been much too hot for my liking. However, I will miss my beloved Ocean City, New Jersey.

Mon Amour

2010-08-22T20:53:00.003-04:00

A few years ago my friend Amy came over my apartment with boxes of items that were left over from a gift shop that went out of business. She told me to take what I wanted. I selected a cute blue tray that I gave to my SIL's mother, a cool vase for my brother and SIL and a beautiful, shabby chic picture frame for myself.

It's wooden and painted pink. Detailed with minute flowers, above the opening for the photo it reads, Mon Amour. That's "my love" to you and I.

I tucked it in a drawer in my bedroom thinking that one day I would put a picture of me and the great guy I would meet in it. Sadly, Mr. Great never came. Jeez, even Mr. Mediocre didn't show up. Translated, no man deserved to be in that frame in the past four years.

And so it sat.

Until today.

I printed a beautiful closeup of Zoe wearing a darling pink hat the other day. I wanted to be able to see her perfect face every time I walked in my front door.

And who better to grace the Mon Amour frame? Who will always be my love more than my niece?

2010-08-14T23:11:00.006-04:00

My mom and I drove up to an antique store in Hopewell, NJ today. On the way home we stopped in a Dunkin Donuts for a coffee pick me up. And, we succummed to ordering chocolate donuts with jimmies. Can I get a "yum"?

We got in the car and I passed my mom her treat. Then I took out mine. Hmmm...chocolate donut with jimmies? Is there a jimmie shortage?

Being a "mom" to the core, my mom offered to give me hers which was full of jimmies. It was, however, missing a huge bite. I sulked and ate my own. Who needs jimmies anyway?

The Breakfast Club Syndrome

2010-08-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

That there is good old Camden Catholic High School. A building on a few acres of ground in Cherry Hill, NJ. A school whose halls I roamed from 1986-1990. Home to the Fighting Irish. Where the words "Honor", "Faith" and "Loyalty" graced the walls. Where I met people that changed my life: Diane, Will, Toni, Jennifer ('91) and Peggy ('91). (Teresa, do not be offended...I already knew you!)

I've been thinking about those days a lot recently, as our 20 year reunion is being held this fall. (20 years...where did it go?)

I don't feel old enough to have graduated high school 20 years ago -- I feel the same as I did then. I look the same as I did then (thank you, Clinique.) I think a little differently though. It's impossible not once you've experienced more life. For example, I have a lot more confidence in who I am.

I was different kind of kid. Hell, I'm a different kind of adult. I was the kid who dyed her hair black and styled it in a cutting-edge fashion. I listened to different music. I wore flowing black dresses and combat boots. Like I said, a different kind of kid. And the worst thing you can do in high school is stand out because you're different. It wasn't always easy to be true to myself, but I did it because I knew who I was. Some people are born to be the different kid. Someone has to have purple hair.

Adult Jennifer does what she wants too, but doesn't worry about what people are saying. Adult Jennifer is happy with herself. That's how I've changed.

I think most people cheat themselves out of knowing a lot of great people in high school. There were a lot of people I didn't talk to because of the social cliques that we all fell into. As an adult, I have made contact with quite a few of these people on the Internet and I find it a shame that we never took the time to really know each other then.

It's the Breakfast Club Syndrome -- the jock will never be friends with the weird chick and the Homecoming Queen will never date the metal head. It doesn't work that way. We don't see the people underneath at that age; we see the costume, the image. And we fear reaching outside of our comfortable circle.

That's how I've changed too -- I reach now. I still wear combat boots and a nose ring, but I reach.

To my dear friends from the Camden Catholic Class of 1990...I cannot wait to see you all in October. Especially Toni, who is flying in from Arizona for the occasion. Love to you all.

Dark Shadows

2010-07-30T19:29:00.002-04:00

Name: Shadow

Date of Birth: May 1, 2009

Nicknames: Shad, Shady T

Sibling: Cali

Favorite toy: Anything that captures my attention at that moment. I'm a "go with the flow" kind of guy.

Favorite food: Friskies pouches

Favorite "people" foods I have helped myself to": Cereal milk

Favorite thing I like to do, but I'm not allowed to do: Splash the water in the toilet with my foot; put my foot in the cereal milk

Favorite place I'm allowed to be: In my lair, under the sofa

Life motto: As long as someone's there to feed my tummy and rub my cheeks and ears, life will always be good

Going Back to Cali

2010-07-28T21:42:00.004-04:00

Name: Cali

Date of Birth: May 1, 2009

Nicknames: Cals, Super Cali Fragilisticexpialidocious

Sibling: Shadow (brother)

Favorite toy: Fish that suction cups to the sliding glass door

Favorite food: Friskies Pouches

Favorite "people" foods I have helped myself to: Cereal milk, corn cob, turkey bacon and spaghetti sauce

Favorite places I'm not allowed to be, but go anyway 'cause I'm a cat: The dining table, the kitchen counter

Favorite place I'm allowed to be: The bedroom window sill, laying in front of the sliding glass door

Life motto: Why spend time snuggling when you can run at top speed and slide into things?

Bedroom Transformation: Complete

2010-07-25T14:28:00.009-04:00

For the past few years I had wanted to change things up in my bedroom decor-wise, but I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to take until I wondered around a somewhat high-end antique store in Salem County, NJ and discovered this amazing red, vintage medicine cabinet. And there was my inspiration: red.

Please enjoy my very red and super-cozy new bedroom look.

The antique medicine cabinet that inspired my journey.

These linens are so happy I can't stand it! Both the decorative pillow and the duvet are from IKEA.

New lamp bases and shades from IKEA complement the linens. Red curtains from Target pull the look together.

These colorful prints from Target add to the whimsical nature of the room.

Don't you just want to crawl in and take a nap?

Finally, the light weight Ofelia throw from IKEA is perfect for a warm night.

Fahrenheit 100

2010-07-24T21:30:00.006-04:00

As I write this I am fresh from my second shower of the day, covered in baby powder and wearing an Ocean City, NJ t-shirt. I bought the shirt because for some inexplicable reason, under the words Ocean City, it reads "72", which is the year I was born. I put it on tonight because there's a Jersey Shore marathon on and I thought I'd "represent". Yeah, right.

"Hey, Jenn," you're wondering, "Why two showers in one day?"

Because it's one m-i-l-l-i-o-n degrees outside. The weather this summer has been absolutely oppressive in the Northeast. You know it's bad when you look at a 90 degree day as a reprieve.

Today I invited myself to drive down to Somer's Point with my mom. She went down to McNaughton's Nursery to pick up a bird bath she's had her eye on. I went for the ride because I had a free day. It was so darn hot as we wandered around the nursery that despite being an adult of 38 years of age, I succumbed to running through the overhead sprinklers when they activated in a portion of the nursery. I only stayed wet for about 10 minutes until the heat dried my to the bone.

The overhead sprinkler system. Yes, I ran up and down that aisle. :)

Here's the very cute and helpful, JR, who carted the bird bath to my mom's car.

Well, all I can say is stay cool, my friends. Sooner than you think there'll be two feet of snow outside and we'll be bitching about that.

A Great Weekend

2010-07-05T15:50:00.004-04:00

We're nearing the end of Independence Day weekend. And what a great weekend it's been.

Work closed at 1 p.m. on Friday and after coming home for a few hours I drove to Philadelphia to visit with one of my most favorite people in the world, my friend Sean. I met Sean when I was 18 and he was 16...wow, 20 years now! He lives in Berlin, Germany now (squish, squish) and when he visits home I try to always see him. We spent a few hours sitting in his friend Chris' yard, drinking beers, smoking cigarettes and talking. It was a good night.

Saturday I cleaned like a mad woman (love it!) and then I popped in on my mom who had her best fried, Sue, visiting for the long weekend. After that I did some errands and enjoyed the evening.

Sunday my mom had a BBQ and I got to see my darling sister-in-law, brother and favorite little pickle, Zoe. Oh, how I adore her. I wish I could see her every single day, but her parents would kill me! :) She is just a perfect little girl...so smart and funny...just amazing.

And today is a day of rest. Well, rest and doing some organizing. I can't sit still for too long. There's always something to do. Like clean the ceiling fan and organize under the bathroom sink. But that's fun stuff (when you're insane like me!)

Field Day

2010-06-30T19:00:00.002-04:00

My company held "Field Day" today. Three hours of departments broken down into teams and competing at silly games like the three-legged race, musical chairs, and more. We ate a ton of Rita's Water Ice and Hot Dogs. It was a lovely day to be outside and having fun with co-workers for a few hours.

But about half-way through the event, several fire trucks pulled up in our parking lot and yelled at us all to get off the lawn where the competitions were being held. The main road in front of our building was filled with police cars that stopped all the traffic.

Then someone got on a megaphone to explain what was happening. Evidently the sprawling lawn in front of our building can be used in an emergency as a "landing pad" for helicopters and a Medi-Vac was on it's way to transport someone who had fallen off a roof and gotten electrocuted.

Not something you see everyday.

Quesadillas for all!

2010-06-22T18:43:00.005-04:00

For as much as I love to cook, there are some days when I come home after a draining 8 hours hours followed by a one-and-a-half hour drive and just feel too tired to create a meal. This is why I have recently become such a great fan of the quesadilla.

And, these delightful dinners can be quite healthy. I only use Lo-Carb Wrap Itz and Wegmans 2% Cheddar Cheese in mine. Both taste fantastic and are guilt-free choices.

And the best part is you can fill them up with yummy things you have on hand: mushrooms, onions, peppers, black beans, spinach, etc.

So, it's not exactly cooking, but it's fast, filling and decidedly healthy.

The verdict? Delicious.

Dreaming of Saffron Yellow

2010-06-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

Friday night I nestled into my bed with an Agatha Christie book, with the TV turned low on QVC. Sometimes I leave the TV on just to have a bit of low-volume noise in the abode...it can get very quiet here.

I fall asleep at one point, wake a bit later and turn off the light, but I leave the TV on.

For the rest of the night, I dream of my dear Basset Hound, Saffron Darling. I wake up to use the bathroom, I fall back asleep and there is Saffy. She is with me all night long. It's the most I have ever dreamt of her.

Yesterday morning I was on the phone with my mother, as she was watching QVC, and I told her how I couldn't get the little bear out of my sleepy thoughts.

Do you watch QVC? If you don't this is the part of the tale where I have to inform you about the "Today's Special Value" feature. Every day one product is specially priced for a 24-hour period. It's talked about all day long.

It's during this phone call that the Today's Special Value, a handbag by designer B. Makowsky, is highlighted again for the umpteenth time since the prior midnight. The bag, which by the way was hot as hell, came in a variety of colors, including Saffron Yellow.

So it ended up since midnight, as I slept, QVC hosts spoke of this bag over and over and over again...running through the color options. And that is how the little bear crawled into my dreams.

And by the way, I sooooo bought one. In Saffron Yellow, of coarse.

You Can't Help But Stare

2010-06-17T20:46:00.002-04:00

This morning I got on I-95 North and at once knew something crazy was going on. Red brake lights glowed as far as I could see. An accident? No. Stranger.

It was a geyser of water shooting 10 storeys into the air right off the Interstate.

At work we looked up the strange incident on the net to see what had happened.

And we found something even stranger...and quite laughable.

Enjoy the slide show of creepies that invaded our fair city last week at the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2010. Needless-to-say, great laughter ensued as we scrolled through the pics of these so-called adults dressed in costumes for a convention. Going to a convention? Okay, whatever you're interested in. Dressing up like you're 10 and it's Halloween? That's just bizarre. And not in a cool "if you want me, you can find me left of center" way, but in an "I'm 40 years old and spent the mortgage money on chachkas at a convention and this laughable costume."

Freaky...

Just One More Reason to Love Sunday Mornings...

2010-06-13T09:50:00.003-04:00

Yummy, Easy and Healthy Breakfast!

Lowfat Aunt Jemina Waffles
Wegmans Frozen Strawberry, Blueberry and Raspberry Mix
Arrowhead Mills Organic Golden Flax Seeds
Wegmans Sugar-Free Syrup

Taking Notes

2010-06-10T20:44:00.004-04:00

As a so-called writer, I often will scribble down a cool phrase or well-crafted sentence on a scrap of paper, envelope or a sticky note. My intention is to copy it down in my notebook for future reference when crafting a tale.

Every once in a blue moon, I come across one of these scribbled phrases. Sometimes I toss them, thinking them less than I originally had. Sometimes I copy them into my notebook. And sometimes, I read them, tuck them back in the place where I had just found them, so one day in the future they will surprise me with the same wave of emotion.

That happened to me last night when I opened a book I had tried to read a few months ago, then set aside. Inside it was a makeshift bookmark - a blue sticky note with words scribbled across it. One evening I had been feeling quite down and had begun IM-ing with my old and true pal, Nick, who I have adored for about 20 years now. When we finished with our chat I typed "good night". To which he replied, "Sleep well and know that I love you."

What a beautiful sentence. How could I not write that one down and save it for a future tale? Or, perhaps just save it for myself on a night when I need a smile.

Inspiration

2010-06-09T21:21:00.006-04:00

What inspires you to wake up every morning, face the world and live each day to the best of your ability? Since this is my blog and I can do what I want, I thought I would begin sharing with you what inspires me.

For those of you not familiar with Stephanie and Christian Nielson, here's a bit of a back story for you. In August 2008 I was searching Blogger for interesting blog design ideas. During this search I came across Stephanie Nielson's blog. A beautiful young woman in her late 20's, Stephanie was a stay-at-home mom to four children, a Mormon and a devoted wife with amazing style and creativity. I began reading her blog with great interest. A few weeks later, she and her husband were in a near-fatal private plane crash. They were both in comas and suffered tremendous third and fourth degree burns.

It has been with tremendous dignity and grace that Stephanie continues to recover and live her life to the absolute fullest. I do not know if I would ever have a fraction of her strength.

I highly recommend reading Stephanie's blog, the NieNie Dialogues to all. I hope you find the inspiration in it that I do.

Come have a seat...

2010-06-06T15:42:00.005-04:00

I've had IKEA's Bollo outdoor table and chairs for years and they have served me well. And, they've taken a beating. Not only have the endured sun bleaching, but they have twice had paint spilled on them from the patio above mine. (For some reason it never dawns on people that what spills off the second floor balcony lands on the first floor patio.)

I had intended on staining the set again this summer in the dark brown they have always been until I happened to be in Home Depot and spotted this paint.

Look how sun damaged the poor little set is!

It's amazing what some paint can do, isn't it?

Add some cute cushions and we're all set!

Book 'em, Danno

2010-06-03T22:08:00.005-04:00

The Crime

Last week PSE&G began digging new electrical lines in Voorhees. At one point during the digging my cable and Internet service went out. I called Comcast and was informed there was a high outage in my area (I assumed the digging hit a cable) and that Comcast would call me when service was restored.

I got the call a few days later, but my Internet was still down. The next day? Still no Internet. When I asked Crazy Julie if hers was fine, she affirmed she had no issues.

"Great," I say to myself, "how freaking hard is this going to be for me to figure out how to fix?"

It's at this point I notice that none of the lights on my wireless router are on. I squeeze behind my bookcases and find my router has been unplugged.

The Suspects

Who Knew I Could Steal?

2010-05-25T21:04:00.002-04:00

The other day I filled my watering can with fresh, cool H2O, put on my flip-flops and walked out the door to water my plants.

I watered the Gerber daisies in their large container, I watered the mini-mums, I watered the...

Are you kidding me? Someone took my hanging planter filled with petunias. It was there and now it's gone.

I was stunned. Completely stunned. First of all, what kind of a low-life would steal someone's flowers? Second, who would take the chance of stealing a hanging plant off a shepard's hook right out of someone's front door? What if I walked outside?

What a world.

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I are blogging to the musical, Annie! Tonight is our final installment.

My title is from We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover from the stage production.

It Makes You Smile When Fate Takes a Hand

2010-05-24T19:33:00.004-04:00

I am still emotionally devistated by the final scene of LOST from last night.

If you're not a fan and didn't watch, here's a simple summary. Our hero, Jack Shepard came to the island as a man of science. Over time he was broken and lost his way. In the last season he embraced faith for seemingly the first time, understood his destiny and sacrificed his life for the greater good. As Jack lays dying, he meets up with his friends, some who died before him and some after him, in a church, or the afterlife. All these souls reconnect as they are most important to each other.

And I wonder who will be in my church? What souls will I meet up with and spend my eternity with? There are some I've known forever and some I've yet to meet, I'm sure.

It's comforting to believe even in the most personal and lonesome journey of crossing from life into death, that the ones we've loved will be waiting for us with a loving embrace. That time cannot diminish the eternal glory of love and faith. And that even our most desperate moments will pass and light will once again shine.

Enjoy the final scene of LOST.

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I will be blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from Maybe (Resprise), from the stage production.

Their Fan Mail Comes Addressed to NYC

2010-05-23T15:55:00.003-04:00

(If you take off your glasses, poke your eye and squint, that pic looks like me with Matthew Fox.)

Well, folks, tonight is it. It's the end of LOST. Did you know I was a big fan?

No more smoke monster. No more "others". No more Dharma Initiative, imaginary peanut butter, Korean conversations, yellow labs called "Vincent", caves, stations, lighthouses, cocky nicknames, and more.

And no more Matthew Fox.

Crazy Julie and my old upstairs neighbor, Marlene, are coming over tonight to watch the retrospective and the finale.

I already made my bruschetta with tomatoes on the vine, yellow onion, minced garlic and a pinch of Kosher salt. It's in the fridge -- flavors all blending together and chilling as I write. Later I will fry fresh Italian bread in olive oil for the bruschetta and prepare two pizzas...one cheese and one roasted veggie.

Good food, good friends and one more night with a really good TV show.

PS -- I found out yesterday that my friend Sean, who is a musician, had the honor of having one of his songs used in Episode 6 of Season 6. Watch it online and listen to all the music and you'll hear him!

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I will be blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from NYC. This song is only in the stage production and the 1999 version of the film, not the 1982 version.

Empty Bellies, 'stead of Full -- It's the Hard-Knock Life

2010-05-22T20:55:00.005-04:00

Okay, that whole empty bellies thing is the biggest fib ever. Tonight me, Mom, Chris, Jessie and Zoe went to the amazingly delicious and massive-portion-serving Tarantella Ristorante in Medford, NJ for my better-late-than-never birthday dinner. It was a lovely time filled with my favorite people at one dining table and delectable cuisine. If you find yourself in the Medford area one day and in need of a bite and enough leftovers for two more meals, I suggest Tarantella's.

We threw Jessie's baby shower there last November and when we all walked in the door tonight I noted that it was technically Zoe's second trip to the restaurant. Sadly, the poor kid hasn't gotten to munch on a carb yet! Just you wait Zoe, someday soon we'll take you for spaghetti and meatballs!

On another note, I stopped at Anthropologie this evening and picked up Russian Nesting Doll measuring cups and latte bowls.

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I are blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from It's a Hard-Knock Life.

It ain't fair how we scrounge for three or four bucks...

2010-05-21T21:25:00.003-04:00

Today I realized I had zero cash on me and I should go to a MAC. But wait! I have a few checks rattling around my handbag -- I'll go to the bank across the street and cash them.

Three checks equalling just under $80.

I endorse them and write my account number on them and pull up to the drive-through.

TD Bank lady: What do you want to do with these?

Me: What?

TD Bank lady: There's no deposit slip.

Me: I don't want to deposit them. I want to cash them.

TD Bank lady: All of them?

Me: Yes, all three of them.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if cashing three checks at once is too taxing for a teller. Do people not cash checks anymore?

TD Bank Teller: Can you please verify your date of birth?

Me: Blah, blah, 1972.

Seriously? All this for three checks that total $80? You would have thought I was not a TD Bank customer attempting to cash a check from a foreign bank for $10,000.

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I are blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from Easy Street.

I'm Poor as a Mouse

2010-05-20T23:00:00.001-04:00

Recently I have heard of many people that despite how much money they earn, they are spending money like there's no tomorrow. And I don't mean the occasional treat at Old Navy or a new bottle of nail polish. I mean taking expensive vacations, purchasing high-end electronics and such.

And I wonder how they can sleep at night. Not because of any guilt, but because of the inevitable heart palpitations that must follow when you spend the mortgage money on a new Apple laptop.

For example, I know someone who knows someone that was laid off a few months ago. This person will not look for a job outside of the town in which she lives because she doesn't want to commute and was also just laying down a bunch of cash on flowers for her deck and backyard. Flowers get very expensive and this person is worried she'll lose her house. Why buy the flowers? Why not look for a job in Philly and embrace a 1/2 hour commute? I'd kill for a commute that short! I am lucky if I get home in one hour!

Anyway, I just don't get it. Eventually the bill will come and have to be paid. How can that not weigh heavily on someone?

What are your thoughts, dear readers?

Hi folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I are blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from Anything But You.

I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here

2010-05-20T19:23:00.007-04:00

I can report that my little girl kittie, Cali, is very happy and has embraced her new home for the most part. She runs, romps and rains feline happiness throughout my abode.

Her brother, Shadow, however continues to hid under my sofa, only to come out under the cover of darkness.

Hey folks! It's Blogger Challenge week again! This time Cousin Elizabeth and I are blogging to the musical, Annie!

My title is from I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here.

OMG! Look for my double-blog tonight!

2010-05-20T08:28:00.001-04:00

Last night was the first night of the Annie Blogger Challenge and I sort of fell asleep and forgot to blog. I guess I have lost the Challenge! Look for TWO blogs from me tonight, my friends!

How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?

2010-05-16T16:45:00.002-04:00

I've heard a rumor that I have two new pets.

However, I've really yet to see them at all today.

I brought home Cali and Shadow yesterday and let them free in the bathroom, so they knew right away where their litter box was. They investigated the bathroom and Cali ran into my bedroom and under m bed. Shadow followed. For most of the day they stayed under the bed. Cousin Liz stopped by last night and Cali, who is the brave little scout, came out four or five times to quickly investigate, then ran back to the safe bed.

Then when I went to bed, the party ensued. I heard running, romping and little kittie noises all night. After a night of partying, they have been asleep under my sofa all day. Every so often I lift the skirt of the sofa to say hello and tell them I love them.

I'm looking forward to when they feel completely safe and at home.

I think today is the last day of The Sound of Music Blogger Challenge. Not quite certain if we're doing another Challenge right away or not.

The Sun has Gone to Bed and So Must I

2010-05-14T20:42:00.003-04:00

Wow, am I pooped!

This has been a tiring and exciting week. Tiring inasmuch as I have been popping allergy pills like mad because of the pollen count and they always make me sleepy. And, I have been freaking out trying to get ready for the cats.

I know I'm a little nuts, but I stayed up late last night scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen as clean as they can be. I didn't want any dirt or yucky smells near their food/water and litter box. I want everything to be as perfect as possible for when they come home. Also, I always do chores on the weekend and thought it best not to run the vacuumn, dishwasher or washing machine their first few days here.

I'm giggling right now because as I write that I scrubbed the floors for the cats, I am watching Hoarders. They should have a show for people like me called, Really Clean.

All that's left to do is fold clothes and clean the bathroom mirror and countertop. And then, perhaps, some sleep.

And by the way, is Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser the best thing ever, or what?

Raindrops on roses

2010-05-13T21:11:00.002-04:00

I follow the Mother's Day rule of planting flowers. It was so hard this year too because a) we had the most craptastic winter in recent memory and b) there were some lovely, unusually warm days in April.

But I waited. And waited. Then I even waited some more.

Finally, the day before Mother's Day I went to Home Depot. My color scheme, purples and pinks, in my head, I roamed through the bountiful aisles, inhaling the delightful smells of the annuals. I chose with care. This one, that one.

I came home and planted. I gently lay licorice mulch on top of my garden. I hid a newly purchased gnome among the buds. I watered and admired the simple beauty.

And then the temperature dropped to 35 degrees.

Mother's Day; Smuther's Day.

Luckily, my plants have made it through the last few cold nights. So much for rules!

Whiskers on Kittens...

2010-05-12T22:04:00.003-04:00

I got the ball rolling on a big life change this evening. Let's just say after I rolled the ball, I went to PetSmart and bought Meow Mix and a litter box.

That's right, kids! I went to the Animal Orphanage of Voorhees tonight and adopted two darling little cats. It was fate too. I wanted two cats so they have each other for company, but I was weary about putting two cats together who didn't know one another already. I told this to the woman at the shelter and she said they had two cats surrendered just yesterday. The owners gave them up because one of the cats is afraid of their children.

I went back to meet them and fell in love. They are both shorthairs. One is pitch black and named Shadow. The other is calico and named Cali. So they're not the most clever names, but I feel bad changing them. (I was thinking George and Gracie after George Burns and Gracie Allen.) They are both a year old and each have all four paws declawed.

I put in my application and left, hoping I would hear tomorrow if I was approved or not. To my surprise, my phone rang within 10 minutes! They had gotten through to my apartment complex and my vet for a background check and all was well! Shadow and Cali (George and Gracie) are mine!

I don't think I will pick them up until Friday evening though because I feel bad bringing them to a new home and leaving early the next morning for work. It would be nice to be here with them Saturday while they assimilate.

It's been 10 weeks to the day since I lost Saffron. I honored her in two ways tonight. First, I opened my wounded, yet healing heart to two animals in need. Second, I donated $100 in her name to the specific care of one of the dogs at the Animal Orphanage who has heart worm. And just when I thought I was coping, the girl writing out the donation form asked, "In memory of?" "Saffron," I replied, then burst into tears.

The pain is lessoning, but not gone. I am, however, looking very much forward to loving and caring for these new little creatures. I can't wait to bring you home Shadow and Cali (George and Gracie)!

[Vac and] So, a needle pulling thread

2010-05-11T19:08:00.002-04:00

I have a habit of killing toasters. Don't ask me how. I can have a toaster for one month and it will die on me.

Well, it seems I have the same sad effect on steam cleaners. A few years ago my mom bought a Bissell steam cleaner. I borrowed it. Chris borrowed it. I borrowed it again and when I plugged it in, it no longer worked. Good grief.

After Saffron passed away I bought a newer version of the same machine. My plan was to clean my rugs, then give the machine to my mom.

I cleaned my living room and dining room. Ahhh...how clean my rugs looked. I put the cleaner away. Then I threw out the receipt when I came across it because life was lovely.

The other week I brought the machine to my moms. She plugged it in and it didn't work.

WHAT????

Saturday: I drive to the store where I purchased it and get a duplicate receipt.

Monday: I drive to my "authorized Bissell repair center", Vac & Sew, but it is closed.

Tuesday: I leave work on time and drive to my "authorized Bissell repair center", Vac & Sew. It's open!

Wednesday: I am to call "my authorized Bissell repair center", Vac & Sew, for an update on machine.

Did I mention that I get one free professional rug cleaning per year as part of my rental agreement? Yeah, I never knew that.

And seriously, how clever is my title?

Somewhere in my Youth or Childhood...

2010-05-10T21:51:00.002-04:00

Well, gang, it's official. I am an old woman.

I turned 38 last Friday. 38!!!! How did that happen? When did the cool kid in town, the trend-setting high-schooler who went to all the hottest shows, danced on stage at Revival (punk nightclub) and wore black lipstick become an almost-40?

Oh, dear.

I fell asleep at 9 o'clock on my birthday night. At one point I awoke because my cell phone chimed a text message was recived. It was my darling friend, Sean. "Happy birthday," he wrote. I replied that I was old and asleep at 9 on a Friday night. He responded, "Goodbye Revival, hello menopause."

I smiled and fell back asleep.

It's blogger challenge week. Check out me and Cousin Elizabeth as we tell tales to the lyrics and quotes from The Sound of Music.

A Table for Five

2010-04-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday evening the family met up to celebrate Christopher and Jessica's birthdays. We decided to meet at Cheesecake Factory and it turned out to be perfect for the baby -- it's very family-friendly.

I got there first and, per Jess's text, put in for a table for four adults and a baby in a carrier. Once our turn to be seated came, the staff called our shared last name, followed by the phrase "table for five."

Jess and Chris said it was the first time Zoe was included in a restaurant table head count.

I love that our little sector of the family has grown from four to five. How did we get by for so long with only four?

Projects

2010-04-25T18:45:00.005-04:00

So I have a ton of awesome projects that will end up with me whining, "Why did I start this?"

The first one is to revamp my bistro set. After staining and restaining it a deep brown, I have decided to switch it up and paint it Colonial Red. First I have to wait for a nice weekend to wash it, let it dry, sand it down and then paint. So excited to see the finished product and sit outside on a warm evening, sipping my iced tea.

And, I purchased this cool outdoor initial pillow to place on one of the chairs as a nifty accent.

Much love,
Me

PS -- Watch out for pics of my other projects, including a bedroom that's almost redone and the tale of the cool clock.

PPS -- I was in Anthropologie today and wanted this and this.

You got your hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby

2010-04-12T19:40:00.003-04:00

What comes around, goes around. At least as far as fashion is concerned.

Case in point, my sunglasses.

In 1984 I saved $45, trekked to The King of Prussia Mall and purchased a lovely pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers.You don't understand how I needed these sunglasses. John Taylor from Duran Duran wore them for goodness sake! And even at the precious age of 12 I didn't do knock-off merchandise. I appreciated the real thing and saved and waited to get it. How I loved those glasses.

However, sometime in my first year post-college I decided to invest in the Jackie O look. (See, another look that came around again!)I placed the trusty Wayfarers in a drawer and have paraded behind my First Lady look ever since. But now, some 14 years later, those glasses have a scratch on the lens.

Dread!

This weekend I found myself in a mall and I browsed at the sunglasses trends. And what to my wandering eyes did appear?

The Ray-Ban Wayfarer! There are knock-offs of these classics everywhere. I am still in style and loving it.

Next step? Dust off those 26-year-old beauties, strut my cool self down the sunny street and quietly thank John Taylor for having hot shades way back when. If he didn't have such good taste, who knows what I may have ended up wearing!