I've been used hard today...

My pilates trainer moved to NYC and while I was ecstatic for her personally, I thought this might be the worst of all possibilities for my physique.  You see, one of the things no one tells you about marriage is it can make you fat.  So can your corporate job, eating out a big 2 hour lunch  day after day, fine dining on the per diems and the expense accounts and the vendors tabs... who can go to Morton's and order a salad?  I just don't have the willpower.  After awhile it starts to catch up with you. sneakily - little by little.  One day I finally put my foot down and said "Self - less talk, more action" and I did something I'd been thinking of doing for a long time - I called the studio to ask about a group class.  I was convinced to try a one on one session, as much as I abhorred the idea of PAYING SOMEONE to spend time with me I can honestly say that it is the third best thing I ever spent my money on.(The first would be rent on my first apartment, the second being paying off my mortgage - that is very freeing.)

Well my trainer was SO GOOD you walk is, get a look over, and a plan is custom tailored for your bod based on what it needs that particular day.  And if you keep at it you will not lose any weight (hey, muscle weighs more than fat right?) but you will see your clothes start to fit differently.  And your parts that looked real good before look even better!  If anyone in the city needs a trainer let me know and I will be happy to pass the digits.

So I had to find something else and I had taken some Yoga, but the place closed, moved, relocated and I could not find it UNTIL!  So now I am looking forward to Mondays (how many people can say that?) when I go to Yoga Village and take Lisa Abernathy's Anusara class.  She is totally awesome.  Today she gave me some extra stretches and I am totally spent.  If you want to give it a try, they have a great variety of affordable classes available all times and days.

Technorati Tags: yoga,yogavillage,lisa abernathy,anusara,pilates

It's that time of the month...

Annoying and inconvenient, I have to come up with yet another new alpha numeric password using a CAPITAL LETTER, and I think 2 numbers, one that is not a new rendition of the old or it will not be accepted and ACCESS DENIED to my top secret clearance levels will occur.  Don't you wish we could all live in a world where you could be safe AND leave the door unlocked?

Technorati Tags: password,security,alpha-numeric

WINOS-SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY 11-8 5PM

I went to this for the first time last year to meet up with some friends who had volunteered to work the beer tent (not bad people to know, huh?) and when the second shift relief volunteers did not show up they asked if I would mind pulling the tap (who, me?  Obviously you have mistaken me for someone else....  let's see 1 for you, 2 for me...).  If you were there you might remember me - I was the one wearing the Navy T-shirt that said 'NAUGHTY" in silver glitter  (boy does the VIP hate that shirt!), taking tickets with my teeth and pouring the Blonde Ale asking why no one wanted a redhead that night...someone call me a cab home please...

I am CONVINCED it cannot be as much fun this year but it won't stop me from trying!  Who's IN?

7th Annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival Presented by Dimmitt Cadillac
Saturday November 8, 2008 from 5-11pm

Description:
Enjoy a night of live entertainment throughout Downtown along with delectable foods, arts and crafts and of course, wines from all over the world. Proceeds benefit 5 local charitable organizations. Sponsorships and vendors booths available.  Admission to the festival is free. There is a nominal charge for wine samples, beer, other beverages and food from area restaurants. Proceeds from the event will benefit local civic and charitable organizations including the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center, Safety Harbor Lion’s Club, Safety Harbor Fire Fighters, Safety Harbor Scholarship Fund and The Safety Harbor Kiwanis Club.

Downtown Safety Harbor
Main Street
Safety Harbor, FL 34695

The City of Safety Harbor and the Wine Festival Committee announced plans for the 7th Annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival Presented by Dimmitt Cadillac. The Festival will take place on Main Street between Bayshore Boulevard and 8th Avenue on Saturday November 8, 2007. Festival hours will be from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The evening’s events will include wine sampling from wineries all over the world, food vending from area restaurants, live entertainment on three stages and arts & crafts vendors. Admission and parking are free. Wines will range from $3 to $5 per glass.

The 2006 event raised over $36,000 for 5 local organizations. Over the past 5 years the Annual Wine Festival event has donated over $115,000 to local charitable organizations.

Included in the past festivities have been three stages of local Jazz, Rock, Blues and R&B bands at the main stage at the Gazebo in John Wilson Park on 4th Avenue and Main Street, a  2nd stage of entertainment located in the Brie Garden near 7th Avenue and Main Street and a 3rd stage of entertainment stage will be located in the courtyard of the new Harbour Pointe building on the Corner of Main Street and Bayshore Boulevard. Fine Arts & Crafts vendors  display their wares along Main Street during the event as well as other sponsors booths.

Technorati Tags: Safety harbor,florida,wine,festival,main street,november 8th 2008,beer,music,charitable event

Shake N Shimmy....

Tonight I went with 2 girlfriends to Rungo Dance Academy for an open house.  I was expecting to see the dance instructors give an exhibition, but we ended up involved in a group Merengue lesson and then we had to rotate partners several times and then they added the music.  We actually had a lot of fun.  The instructors are all very good at keeping you involved and moving and enjoying yourselves.  So we are all going back for a lesson on Tuesday.  If you go, you might ask for Troy.  A/K/A the de-virginator.  He breaks in all the new dancers, that is his specialty.  He's been dancing there 8-9 years and will be very gentle with you if it's your first time or if you are just out of practice...

Technorati Tags: Rungo,dance,merengue,girlfriends

Sue is cheeky!

My friend Sue W. is an avid cardmaker and the last time she was at the house she brought this little giftie along for me - it is the right combo of humor and appeal and so it deserves a place on this blog.  If you are a papercrafter who is looking for a cardswap check out Splitcoast Stampers.  Now, I am off to the beach!

Technorati Tags: Splitcoast Stampers,papercrafting,cardmaking,swaps,bikinis

Meet Richie...

 

Yes, he would be the uber-adorable superstar in the white suit, and he's about 40 years old now.  Always knew how to stand out in a crowd, though that is not how he remembers it AT ALL.

We have been reunited after too many years apart thru the glory of Facebook (come join the fun).  I've been trying to convince him to write his own blog, because it would be unfair and selfish of him to keep his stream of consciousness all to himself.  He was a dear enough friend to allow me, (perhaps even encourage me?  And you you know it takes very little...) to publish some of the excerpts of our recent exchange here in my blog. 

If you enjoy what you read please do comment, for Ritchie's sake - you ladies know how frail that male ego can be.  Now, without further introduction:

Thought about one of our last conversations... Don’t think I can be at all amusing in a blog. The pressure would make me crumble quicker  than that house of cards on The Brady Bunch. But by all means feel free to post our conversations in your own blog. You can title it “reflections with a slow adult.”

I was just trolling on classmates (also added a pic to my profile, but don’t get your knickers in a bunch it’s just a squash) & I am constantly amazed at how big our class was & all the people I never knew existed... O.K. That sounded retarded (maybe you should go with the first title after all), but you know what I mean. Case in point: Annette Balzarano. Who is this? I wish I could find my yearbook. I’m not saying that I should know everyone from our graduating class, but this person is in no way familiar in the least bit, and in an odd way that makes me kind of sad.

Then there are what I like to call the “multiple morons”, with more than one of the same profile.

Or how about all the ladies that claim to be fans of sci-fi in their old age? Where were these bitches when I was entering the fast lane (or at least trying to merge gingerly) on the sexual highway of life? I was a trend setter I tell ya!

On a side note, I was looking over the pics you sent over with the Mrs. & even she didn’t recognize me, though she did mock my striped shirt mercilessly. she also admitted (later on) that she would’ve put out, so I guess it wasn’t all that bad.

Now for the scattered random thoughts part of my email (like the preceding was in the least bit cohesive):

There’s more, but I have to go to lunch.

Editor's note:  While he did leave you hanging there, waiting for the next installment, I did have to redact a portion of our non-G-rated conversation in order to protect the identity of other certain third parties who shall remain forever nameless, unless you tickle it out of me.

So if you ever played the part of Capt. James T.. Kirk (even if you were a girl) and made your cousin always be Spock (she's half Japanese, it suited her best, "LOGICAL"... 'nuff said?) let Richie hear from you now!  Thanks for reading.

 

Technorati Tags: woman on the edge blog by wealthynelson,richie,Capt. James T. Kirk,Spock,High School,yearbooks,Sci-fi

My Fetish...

I have a real thing for ORGAN-ization...my closet is pretty off the chain now with the latest additions:

             This is a men's tie rack,

             'cept there ain't no mens

             and few ties....

I used it to hang my long    costume necklaces.  Ain't it Purdy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But here is the piece d' resistance!  Mmmmmm, Yummy Black Velvet, dontcha wanna stroke it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: jewelery,organizers

Just for giggles....

 

Technorati Tags: hurricane,florida

Ban Thai

What better way to end a perfect holiday weekend then a delicious meal with a special somebody at a favorite local spot...

I tend to enjoy the ambiance of the privately run places over the chains.  The place is wonderfully decorated with imported objects, the staff is dressed in traditional attire, and the background music will have you feeling like you have left the country.  This family owns 2 places:  The Chiang Mei in St. Pete and Ban Thai in north county:

1100 Central Ave
St Petersburg, FL 33705

2519 N McMullen Booth Rd # 505 at the N/E intersection with Enterprise,
Clearwater, FL 33761, (727) 724-2992‎ - Ban Thai does take away and sushi

I wish I were a vegan, but the Amazing Beef if just too good - I must succumb to it's powers over my tatebuds!

When there I was lucky enough to witness the monks, praying/chanting and performing a blessing.  For a fun outdoor adventure, visit the Thai Temple on the other side of Tampa (near Brandon).

Really should have a photo for you - you will have to go see it for yourselves.

Technorati Tags: thai food,safety harbor,st. petersburg Florida,Ban Thai,Chiang Mei

Delphinium

Technorati Tags: Delphinium,Blue,Flower,John Malcovitch,Union Square,Farmer's Market,New York,Manhattan

 

My favorite color is a shade of blue and I have loved these flowers in all shades since the first time I laid eyes on them working in the Union Square Farmers Market. 

One day John Malcovitch bought at least a dozen from me.

When I saw them today at the Fresh Market, I just had to bring them home.

Things I like...

One of the things I very much like to do is experience high tea.  I make a lot of tea at home, although as much coffee is also consumed.  The VIP has been to tea in Rotterdam and very much enjoyed himself but felt that was an exception rather than a rule.  These men, they just do not catch on....HINT:  you can enjoy the company of a bevy of ladies here!

So, that leaves to me alone enjoy myself in the company of those ladies,  and today that enjoyable company was none other than *A* and the owner of Sophia's Tea Room (that being none other than Ms. Sophia herself, who had the most strikingly beautiful alabaster skin - completely devoid of melanin she explained).

Sophia loves to entertain, so this business is a natural for her.  She makes everything herself but the bread.  Let me tell you that her recipes are a delicious twist on traditions.  If you cannot make it to Sophia's but have been inspired - check Here for a location close to you wherever you go.

We sat at a table for 2 close to the window as seen here: 

The incorrigible Ms. A M-W:

She looks like a genie coming out of the pot!  Make your three wishes!

Sadly we realized only too late that we hunger had overtaken us and neither one took a photo of the tiered server of food before it was devoured.  I'll spare you the crumbs.

Now, more people to do and places to see  (you know what I mean!), my holiday weekend has officially begun.

Technorati Tags: Labor Day,weekend plans,tea,Anna molina-wilkinson,Sophia's Tea House,Tampa,Florida

Eclipse

Once again I remain under the unbroken spell of Stephanie Meyers. I could almost take away one star for not sharing more of Edward Cullen in this book, and for the foreshadowing she is so talented at building that almost certainly hint at disaster, that will leave me broken and crying out "WHY, BELLA, WHY?".
It's taken the reading of 3 novels to figure the allure these books hold over me - they conqur my heart, not my head. Usually I like to be more involved in thinking when I am reading a book or watching a movie, but Mrs. Meyers writing enables me to surrender completely and read (like a vampire,) voraciously and always feeling hungry for more.
I do not understand the Edward haters. Yes sometimes he is over protective, that seems to be his worst flaw. And the Jacob lovers, falling for the perennial 'nice guy'? I'll be starting the next book Friday - can't wait!

Edward Cullen

Technorati Tags: edward cullen,jacob,eclipse,twilight,new moon,breaking dawn,stephanie meyers,bella,vampires,werewolves,high school

A sad day...

Today I learned that 2 small, privately owned business in the community have or will be going out of business. 

The Main Street Tea House Safety Harbor (727)  451-0226- call and leave a message if you are interested in any of the stores' contents.  I called to make a reservation and found the doors actually closed last month.  Now I will have to drive to Tampa for a nice High Tea.

Scrapbooking With Love - Oldsmar (813) 814-5892.  I have never actually been to this shop, with Ruban Rouge so close and with everything a girl could want.

Just a reminder of the power a dollar can make to a small business owner and the staff they employ.  If there is a merchant out there with a business you frequent and  enjoy and would miss once they are gone, they really need your business now so do what you can to support them.

Technorati Tags: scrapbooking with love,tea house,safety harbor,oldsmar,small businesses failing,catherine blackman,catherine nelson

New Moon

  My friend Anna lent me this series.  I started reading this last evening and just finished this evening.  "New Moon" is the second in a series by Stephanie Meyer,  and I have to use much restraint and distraction to deprive myself from starting the third installment titled 'Eclipse' this very evening.

It's with utter amazement that I find myself, a grown ass woman, swooning over this fairy tale of seductive  teen vampire love complicated by werewolf wantings. The plot is great and keeps you from putting the book down once you start. Captivating and quick reading. Gives me that butterflies in the stomach feeling - true "chick lit"!  Men, take notes from Edward Cullen!

Technorati Tags: goodreads,new moon,edward cullen,stepanie meyer,anna molina-wilkinson,vampires,werewolves,movie

Part of an ERA...

It is a sure sign that you are getting OLD when the glory of the Internet reunites you with various and sundry people who were part of your past lives DECADES AGO and they share with you (and perhaps others depending on the forum) their impressions of your behavioral traits and recollections of your character - perceptions that DECADES LATER you may still be wandering the earth, clueless about.

I tend to consider myself as pretty well grounded,  centered, and think I know myself better than your average bear  (although there are still some mysteries unfolding) and most of the time I have an intuitive insight into others (which I almost always keep to myself, and please don't ask me to comment further - I dislike my character trait of being judgmental and even more so when  accurate,  plus it scares a lot of people when they find I understand them more deeply than they understand themselves.).  Once in a great while my cynicism fails me and I have a moment of naiveté that thankfully not many have been able to identify at the moment it happens.

So you can appreciate the pure entertainment value of being the recipient of all these comments that may or may not reconcile with the image I hold of myself.  I don't discard them, rather layer them to get a fuller, more dimensional picture of myself.

Lately I've been the recipient of comments indicative of the effect the passing of time has had on the exterior.  While I still feel the same youthfulness in my soul, I have noticed the checkout cashiers and baggers have taken to calling me "ma'am".  Don't they know that is a 4 letter word?  I find myself sounding like an old fart, recalling tales of 'back in my day' (Yeah old bag, the world keeps moving forward - don't get stalled), and now this:  A HS teacher asks who in my group I might still be in touch with, explaining he has not "seen anyone from my era".

I have to give credit to Wi

kipedia for illustrating the following point:

An era is a commonly used word for long period of time. When used in science, for example geology, eras denote clearly defined periods of time of arbitrary but well defined length, such as for example the Mesozoic era from 252 Ma–66 Ma, delimited by a start event and an end event. When used in social history, eras may for example denote a period of some monarch's reign. In colloquial language, eras denote longer spans of time, before and after which the practices or fashions change to a significant degree.

The word era is also popularly used to denote the passing of — often shorter — periods that are only defined in terms of a specific discipline of sphere of life, such as the prominence of an artistic style, or more specifically in music, see musical eras, described in History of music, such as the Big Band era, Disco era. An event such as the death of Frank Sinatra is poetically called the end of an era.

So, you see he really picked a fantastically accurate descriptive word to say "YOU ARE ANCIENT HISTORY, BABE". 

   Well, since his daughter is my age  and I am a dinosaur from the Pleistocene age, that makes him a primordial fossil, right?

Technorati Tags: knowing oneself,wikipedia,Era defined,dinosaur,pleistocene,primordial fossil

Retail Therapy

Yesterday I met up with a friend to pick out a birthday present at Total Wine.  Despite it's name, the store does also sell liquor, beer and snacks and had a swarm of male associates willing to help two lovelies decide on the best choice of getting tuned up.  Men, did you ever in your wildest dreams think you could get paid for this?

But I digress.  We made our selection with the assistance of no less than 3 helpers and decided to trek across the street to THE MALL.  Now, I do not frequent the mall as A) I am no longer age 16, and B) As a grown ass woman I have pretty much everything I NEED times 3.

However we were literally steps away, and our transaction was over so prematurely thanks to our helpful helpers, and we needed more girl time, so we headed over and proceeded to do our thing, which is to walk and talk at the same time. Next thing I know there is a rather cute, tall and thin young man (qualities I must admit are pretty irresistible) who has sidled up to my right and is looking over (may I say obviously so) to my left where my friend is, not once one, but twice.  He makes eye contact and I offer him an opener: "Hi" (yes, guys - that line really does work as a conversation starter!) to which he replies with his own Hi and I ask "Are you getting in on the conversation here?" to which he replies "maybe" and matches our stride. 

Pretty bold dude, and I like that in a dude.  Not to cocky, just enough certainty to make you go "Hmmm".  But I feel I have been generous enough with my started and opening the door a little wider and his maybe was a little too "WIIFM?' and I'm all like 'Dude - you sidled up to me - your move' so I proceed to pick up the conversation right where I left off and the dude hangs for the length about 3 store fronts before wishing us a good day and peels off on a 90 degree turn.  Must have seen a better conversation over in that direction.  The whole thing was a little odd and felt like time had slowed, he warped my space time continuum.

And while neither of us gals  had a need for anything, we both were able to come away with a steal at THIS STORE, which is giving away clothing FOR FREE.

Here's how it works:  you spend $50.00 and they give you TWO $25 gift certificates - I'll do the math for ya... you are getting $50.00 back for every $50.00 spent.  Amazing.  They must have a huge inventory coming in for fall and not enough room to put it all in.  Well, with a deal like that I have to help them out you understand.  I came away with this outfit, in my FAVORITE color of Bazzil's paper - Blue Calypso. The skirt had a front pleat that you cannot see here and the jacket is a heavyweight knit, and has a vintage flair to it.  I love princess seams and notched lapels!  Yea for ME! 

Technorati Tags: total wine,bee,liquor,westfield shoppingtown,countryside,mall,pick-up artist,ann taylor loft,ruban rouge,bazzil

Hoarding

I have heard that this compulsion is shared by those who are of above average intelligence, and I take some solace in that.  They (and by 'they' I mean 'me') cannot let go of items, things that others may regard as trash, because they see too much possibility in the thing - they have a desire for the thing to be reincarnated and maintain it's usefulness and beauty.

I (Oops, I mean 'they') could blame genetics or learned behavior in those ever important early years, but whatever the root cause, perhaps it's not such a bad thing? 

Okay, Okay, so every once in awhile the VIP has to become the human beat box  and play a few bars ("Ba-Ba-BaDa") from the theme to Sanford & Son to give me a reality check and a proper illustration into how insane my logic for keeping some item might be at any given moment.

With that being said, I unveil one of my latest creations - a coffee can - ready to hold a plant or a bunch of goodies....ready to rise for whatever the occasion calls for.  Is this disease contagious?  (Maybe I need to consult Dr. Wang.)

Technorati Tags: papercrafting,scrapbooking,hoarding,obsessive behavior,coffee can,fall,gratitude,thanksgiving,sunflower,yellow

Meet Dr. Wang

Ask and you will be answered!  24 hour wisdom, advice & inspiration from Dr. Sidney Wang is available here:  Ask Dr. Wang

No burning question is too complex or too insignificant, and when is the last time you met a Dr. who made house calls?

You don't want to miss this opportunity.  (check the sidebar on the page for the comment area to enter your question.  Now, GO DO IT!  If I tell you any more I might just spoil all your fun!)

Technorati Tags: Dr. Wang,Beta,Psychic,advice,wisdom,house calls,inspiration,rick rockhill,palm springs,california

Hurricane Preparation

Technorati Tags: hurricane,tropical storm,fay,hurricane prepareness,florida,noaa

By the time you will read this, TS Fay will have long since passed my area by and left us thankfully unscathed.  At the time I am writing this I am listening to a neighbor installing their hurricane shutters. 

Just to double check (my sanity) that I had not missed any newsflash warning that Fay had not zigged when she should have zagged or had she been upgraded from 50 mph winds (or less as was predicted), I did pull up NOAA's most recent forecast which affirmed that at this very moment the storm is already along side of us and we are currently receiving what is likely to be for our area 'the brunt of the storm'. 

Now, 'Be prepared" is a great motto I admire - maybe that's why my favorite crushes have usually been on men who were Eagle Scouts in a past life - that being said,  my neighbor's behavior seems to be going a little above and beyond what is called for under these circumstances.  And NO, that is not a SHRUB obscuring the neighbor's entryway, that IS the debris pile up for discussion.  And YES, it is supposed to be in 3 foot bundles.

Normally such ridiculous behavior on the part of another wouldn't bear mention, but last evening I witnessed yet another neighbor out trimming his tree limbs.  He worked diligently, until he had amassed a pile of dense brush higher than the roof of his SUV.  I had to scratch my head and wonder, exactly what does he think is going to happen to that neat little pile of flotsam jetsam?  This was AFTER the local news had announced there would be NO TRASH PICKUP.  Indeed, I had received a blast call from my waste disposal company directly, confirming there would be a deviation.

Is it just me, or does the 'storm prep' behavior strike you as fear based?

A cup

No, that's not a reference to bra size, this posting  is a wee too early in the a.m. for me to start being clever (check back later).

I start my day today with a cup or more precisely, a pot of adagio's chestnut tea.

And you readers and lurkers know I love to share a good thing when I find it, so today, in celebration of the fact I have been spared the fate of Stormy Fay I am sending a random RAK!

To be selected you MUST COMMENT (and include your email address or check back to see if you have won and contact me with your mailing info) and you may be the lucky winner of a teapot/cup for one and your own adagio tea.  I will announce the winner at next posting, have to find a box for shipping around here somewhere!  Good luck!

While we are on the topic of tea, if you are in the area you might want to pay a visit to Safety Harbor's Main Street Tea House.  I don't go often enough and simply adore their Blue Lady tea.  Strawberry, Kiwi and Coconut flavors that do not overfruit the tea are blended into a smooth, subtle, tropical tea.  The loose tea contains bits of blue delphinium, so lovely to look at.  What's your favorite cup?

Technorati Tags: RAK,tea,adagio,chestnut,safety harbor,main street tea house,blue lady

My love for inanimate objects...

Some of you local lurkers know that a few months ago we had a home renovation at Chez Nelson , and this included replacing the existing closet systems. 

After interviewing several companies we decided to go with Joann Sadoyan at ClosetsByDesign.  "Why" you ask?  Because her company had the best warranty, allowed her to match the competitor's price, and believe it or not, SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO FOLLOWED UP TO CLOSE THE DEAL!

Now, I can tell you you that closet systems are not inexpensive and while I did not need the tricked out crown moldings (I like my money in the bank, thank you) one would still think that it would be good business for a salesperson to follow up.  Thank you Joann for your professionalism!

Joann was uber-patient with me, tolerant of me sending in at least 3 sketch and price revisions.  I am not normally a 'Zilla of a client, and this was the result of me just not putting enough advance thought into how much hang space I needed for what type of garments.  Joann could have done this for me, except we were tearing out the floor when she came by and we had already removed the old closet system and all our clothing was at our second home in 4 closets over there!  Not like me to make it easy!

Long story short, I HIGHLY recommend a closet like this to all of you.  It's so easy to find everything and I have freed up my guest room closet so now my guests have someplace to put their things... imagine that!  They may want to stay longer now that they are not living out of a suitcase.

I have plans for the guest and the office closets but have lost my mojo for having any more contractors in the house for the time being.  This year is flying by and next you know the holidays will be upon us and we will be ringing in 2009.  The pressure has been added, as Holiday Tags are the next swap at QKC...Click here to learn more about Closets By Design!

Technorati Tags: home renovations,closetsbydesign.com,closet organization

QuicKutzClub

Well today I decided to switch it up a bit and move from Wednesday meetings back to Sunday meetings at Ruban Rouge, where I get to hang with the likes of  The Ever Talented Theresa Marie Jasper, My Girl *A* and the owner, Lisa, who is a total panic - a refreshing voice in the 'PC" world. 

I used to go on Sundays, until it got so crowded  that there were NO seats one day and I had to bail out (being that there were no cute boys laps to sit on, Uncle Mike wasn't working at the store yet...).  But I was lured back with the promise of good company for a Sunday all day free crop after the group meeting , and I was glad I took the bait. 

At the meeting we had a tag exchange and folks made really cute thing that they put a lot of work into.  I brought some pocket folders with pull out tags like this .....

 

 

 

 

 

And I came home with some tags that looked like this:

   made by Bev in my Garden Club^

 

 

 

 

 

<by *A*

this is a cool pocket envelope with screenprint

and we made this with the Accucut, designed by Lisa, I LOVE IT!  Have to confess because I did give her a terrible teasing about not taking the class sight unseen:

And here is a page from my 12x12 album for my recent party pics:

Technorati Tags: Ruban Rouge,Quickutz,scrapbooking,cardmaking,tags,theresamarie.typepad.com,http://www.annalmolina.blogspot.com/

Facebook Stalkers

I had my first stalker today.

I got a request to add a friend from this cheeky young bloke from the UK who I do not know and does not know me and we share no mutual friends that would have pointed him in my direction.  Thinking I'd try anything once,well at least when it comes to this:), I sent him a message.

When you do so in these circumstances Facebook warns you that you are giving a 30 days all access pass to your profile to the other person.  Whatever, my personal information is personal and not on my profile for good reason.  Unless he is CIA he's not coming to find me. 

At first glance I thought he might be a 'collector', as he has 459+ friends and growing.  But these are mostly all local people, plus he look like a young party boy.  Safe enough it seems.  So I send a reply:

I don't think I know you, would you like to stalk me?

"Yer"

How did you stumble upon me?

"dont no love proberbly through some1 we both no"

We have no mutual friends - DO TELL

"were u from"

Well , as adorable as it is that he even texts in his Brit accent (and who doesn't love an accent?) something is up with Mr. Norton...I was hoping he would tell how he came across my profile with some sincerity.  But since not, I have checked the IGNORE box on his Add a Friend request.  That has not deterred him from sending another.  So dear readers, I will take a poll and receive your comments on the topic; to be stalked or* not to be stalked?

Facebook gives the option of BLOCKING him, or if I continue to IGNORE him, in 30 days he will be left with only a thumbnail and my pinging blog feeds if he follows them.  Now my feed tells me there are many visitors stopping in, but only a couple who dare to comment - perhaps you will all want to have some input here...

Technorati Tags: facebook,stalker,Leicester,UK,Gary Norton

Facebook

Technorati Tags: facebook,addition,raveS

Facebook, Facebook, Facebook...Where have you been all my life and why didn't I meet you sooner?

You have ruined me for all others, seduced me away from my blog (we had a good thing going - why tempt me to ruin?), caused me sleepless nights, compelled me to tell you all my secrets, share my past lives, go places I never thought I'd go again. You are consuming my life, leaving little time for the other hobbies. They are feeling jealous, neglected and I am feeling guilty. You have fed my compulsions, stripped me of my inhibitions, and left me begging for my next fix.

Yes, Facebook, you are my Heroin. But my addiction is not the worst of it. You have degraded me to the point that I am actively luring others for you to have your way with them.

You are my pimp and I am your 'Ho. You are so irresistible that I don't mind sharing you with the others. You always make me feel like I am your one and only when we are together. Facebook, I love you....
http://new.facebook.com

Bite Me...

If you loved Anne Rice's first couple of novels, enjoy teen angst/coming of age, romance novels, or ever wished you could be a good looking, well dressed, elegant, poised, intellectual (vampire) who drives pimped cars, wears designer labels that cling to your perfect physique, has straight white teeth and sweet breath, alabaster skin, flat chiseled abs, and a voice and eyes that leave everyone helplessly hypnotized and under your spell then gate the first bite and get started on this series, quick before THE MOVIE comes out.

Check out goodreads for more reviews!

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Two Bitchin Bitches kiss and tell over lunch...

 

All the sushi places were closed for lunch so we went HERE instead where  *A* was quickly recognized by her former server, a 19 year old brunette with rad spectacles, who came running an hugging and begging Mistress A for more mistreatment because (Cue music DJ) he 'just can't get enough'.    Today's server was also adorable but set off our gadar detectors.  Being equal opportunity offenders, we did not relent on throwing things on the floor to have him bend over at our table for further inspection. Sangria was flowing and he was going with our flow and protected us from hurting ourselves on the sharp edges of strewn tortilla chips. 

The it was back to The Rouge to crash the "24" class and drop some "F" bombs.  I am the wife of a filthy merchant marine, and I do have a reputation to uphold.

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Sushi

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I still remember my first sushi experience.  Bleeker Street in The Village with a certain someone who introduced me to some other firsts. Tomorrow my girl   *A* and i were planning on heading to Shiki for some.  I love this place.  The service can be slow but I'm not the type that likes to hurry.  The family closes and goes to Japan for a time.  Authentic.  The price is right - some of the places are serving up a single roll that is coming undone for what I can buy a meal for elsewhere.

And a REAL funny story about the VIP that I will have to keep to myself, not matter how may of you try to pry it out of me.  You will have to catch me, pin me down and try to tickle it out of me. If you know my tickle spot!

Shit Anna, what if we find out you are allergic to sushi?

Find me on Facebook!

Anna has gotten me ADDICTED to facebook. I may have NO TIME TO BLOG;(
Having a time trying to post my FLAIR and trying to make some of my own! What fun!

Making Jewelry

Awhile back for my birthday, my friend Michele brought back this hand beaded neclace from her trip to Ga:
I really was surprised and I do love it so, and get a ton of compliments on it. The large pillow shaped beads are unachite and they are spearated by some bali beads and crystals.



My mother has been visiting for approximatly 2 weeks vacation and she decided that she wanted to learn more about beading to repurpose some of her things she already owns and would wear again if they were redesigned so, we took a class at Dunedin Beads.



It is a TINY shop with a HUGE assortment and a FRIENDLY and TALENTED STAFF. They have things they have made available for sale if you are helpless when it comes to stringing a bead. They have different styles. The class was $20.00 and the owner reviewed everything with us, which was a real money saver as she focused on what you really need and what you can do without. You get to pick your project.




My mother made this bone and stone (looks like turc. but is not) bracelet... This shows the cool toggle, one of many choices at the shop.







This is the 'front' of the bracelet - really cool carved bone!
















I bought these beads and crystals to add to the hoops I had at home, they match the neclace, which matches the bracelet I also made that matches the neclace perfectly! This was a very neat way to spend the day. If you know someone who likes jewels you could give them a certificate for the class or take em out for the day. You make an appointment for individual instruction.

I also made a second set of earrings to go with a fish necklace I had just picked up. Very simple to do.

Kick it 'Old Skool'?

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I am so into all the things that are out right now that remind me of the old school tattoos.  That's why I had to have these earrings:

They are GInormous, like a jinlgly ghetto girl would wear.  So let's hear from you about your tats.  Me?  Always wanted one but could never commit to what/where and after watching seasons of mastery of Chris Garner on INKD thought I would stop stalling and make the commitment this year before any more time passed. Lots of friends advised me against it, saying did I want to be 90 and have some old illegible tat? (Well YES, but they are thinking of REAL OLD tats that navy sailors got when they were 18 when on a weekend pass bender that were done too deep and left to bake in the sun too long). As I looked around, I was seeing more and more 'old people' getting fresh and colored and sizable tats.  It suddenly seemed 'trendy' to have a tattoo, and not taboo, so I guess that helped me  to get over it.  Besides, the VIP prefers counting my freckles.  So let's hear from you - any tats?