Christmas Music

     Now that Thanksgiving has past I can put back on WALK radio. I thought it ridiculous to start playing Christmas music even before Thanksgiving. The stores, I understand their thinking, that starting music and decorating earlier will get you to spend more as you start shopping sooner and then just don't stop. Of course, they are out to take as much of your money as your willing to part with, so why not. The radio station it just gets annoying after awhile. Sure it's nice at first but come on, we all know they play the same songs over and over even though there are a million other versions of all Christmas songs out there.

     That being said I do love my Christmas music. Sure, I'll switch it off the radio now and again throughout the month of December, but usually I'm turning it off in favor of my own Christmas music. And I have lots that I love to play. My Christmas cookies cannot be baked unless my favorites are playing on the stereo. It isn't really Christmas anyway until I've belted out all my favorites along with them a few dozen times. I've wanted to make myself the ultimate Christmas CD for some time now but I just keep finding more and more songs that would need to be on it. I'd probably need 3 CD's. At least.

     The cookie baking albums that must be played are many. There are a few favorites that I repeat many, many, many times. These are the ones I know the words to every single song and I don't skip any of them. First would be "John Denver and the Muppets A Christmas Together." How can you beat the Muppets? Growing up with this and then being able to actually purchase the CD with the classic cover of them all, lets just say I was super excited the day I found it in the grocery store bin of holiday music they put out this time of year. The next is Rosie O'Donnell's Christmas. I have a copy so I cannot be sure but it may be a combo of the two I believe she had out. Sure her voice sucks but you barely hear her on some of them and there's a lot of great fun stuff in there. It's definitely a peppy, move your booty while your baking, xmas cd for me. The last I play straight through without skipping is the "Oak Ridge Boys Christmas." Do you know who they are?
     Ok sure laugh it up now now but it reminds me of my family. My sister I know plays it every year also. My brother is the one who burned the copies of it for us. My mom is the one who played it every year. My husband and kids think I'm nuts but I don't miss a single word when it plays through. Yeah ok it's quite hokey, but what isn't from your childhood? And when I sing along it's me and my sister singing along and dancing around all excited for Christmas when we were little. Plus that first line from the first song before the music even begins on the whole cd, of course reminds you why we have Christmas in the first place, "Jesus was born today."
     I have lots of others but those three are my favorite albums. A Very Special Christmas 1 and 2 are played lots also but I do skip a few songs on each one. Same with the two Rock 'n Roll Christmas CD's I had the library purchase, and then made copies of, a few years back in search of a certain song. Glad I did it when I did now. There's "The Chipmunk Christmas Album" too. A true classic but when I grew up with this bright green album of "The Bunnyhoppers", a total chipmunk knock-off I still wish I could find it on CD.
     I think I have double the amount of favorite songs as I do albums. Of course they're easier. And as my taste varies so completely, if you couldn't tell from above, there are bound to be many. First ultimate favorite, which I do not even think I own, or if I do I never remember what cd it's on as I have so many copies and collections, is Bryan Adams' "Something about Christmastime." I know I can count on WALK radio or WBAB or WRCN even to play it so I do make sure I hear it a few times. It is my most favorite Christmas song. Don't ask me why though, maybe cause it's so sweet and I'm a big mush.

     The top two fun Christmas songs are the Dixie Chicks and Rosie, "Merry Christmas from the Family." How can you go wrong when a song starts out, "Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk, at our Christmas party." What is it with those country people and great lines. I'm so not a country music fan but I have to give that to them. Then we jump over to rock and the song the library bought 2 cd's for, Billy Squiers', "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You." Just a good fun upbeat song.

     The next two are both on "A Very Special Christmas 2." "Christmas Time Again" by Extreme. And "O Holy Night" by Tevin Campbell. Probably the best version of it I have ever heard. The last favorite I have to hear before it feels like Christmas is, "Same Auld Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. I've got a feeling now that it'll remind me more of a good friend I don't see or talk to much anymore as I no longer work with her. She always took the cd of it out way before Christmas and kept it until after. I know I don't own that one and have probably heard it ten times already so it's never a problem getting to listen to it this time of year. 

     So there's my fun filled collection of favorites for you. Give a listen to some if you get a chance, if your not familiar with them or if only to see how crazy I am. It's really good stuff I promise. I would love to be a DJ at WALK radio this time of year if only I could find and play every version of the same song and see all the differences. Some certainly suck but some gems are there to be found I'm sure. You know one hour every single song could be "Jingle Bells." The next "Jingle Bell Rock." The next "Silent Night." The next all the different versions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" And so on and so forth. It would be so much fun. My favorite on the last would most likely be the drunk one that goes, "and a beer, in a tree." Not sure who sings it or what it's called exactly but I may have it. If not the search is on for another favorite. Yeah it's been awhile since I've heard that one. I don't think I have it. Let the fun begin. Thank God the internet makes it so much easier for me now. And you too if you want to listen to my favorites! 

Turkey Day 2010

     Last Thanksgiving Rob and I had everyone, both sides of the family, at our house and cooked dinner. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed it. We'd probably have done it again this year but my older boys get the holiday with their dad every other year. So, this year they wouldn't be home and I feel bad doing it when they're not around. Rob has to watch his football games and when he does he's in another world. It's like he's not even here he's so glued. Well both his teams were playing this year on Thanksgiving. I figured if he just wants to veg and watch his games then we can stay home and I'll make us a small Thanksgiving dinner for just me, him, em, and jake. This was our plan.
     We were invited to my mothers and his mothers and turned both down. That is until he changed his mind. Worried his parents won't be here for many more turkey dinners he told me he wanted to go there. I said fine. I hadn't bought much to make at home at the time anyway so it was fine. I'd just buy the things I needed to make for what we were supposed to bring to his moms for dinner. It was all good. I also figured I'd bring a book cause if he was going to zone out on TV then I could do the same with my book.
     Tuesday night before Thanksgiving I was on Facebook and saw a posting from a friend. It seems she had tickets to the parade and wasn't going to be able to use them. Four tickets she was giving away for free. When I first saw it I though, "wow that would be neat." But of course we'd have to get there and figure out how it all worked and would it really be worth it? I scrolled around Facebook for awhile but kept coming back to the posting about the tickets. Finally I asked my husband if he knew what the weather was supposed to be like for the parade. He joked, "Why you want to go?" Now we had talked about going some time but figure it's just insane. Take the kids out really, really early to push and fight for a good spot to see and then stand there for hours waiting so we wouldn't lose that spot. No way was that going to happen. Sure it'd be neat to go but not like that. Here was our chance and in a much better way with guarenteed spot!
     "Maybe," I answered. "Someone's got tickets to go and they're giving them away." We really didn't even know they had tickets for the parade but as we learned you needed to know someone or work at Macys yourself to get these suckers. They were also selling for thousands of dollars! Rob got on his laptop to look at trains and parking while I posted back about the tickets and how they worked. We thought about it and figured why the heck not try? Can't hurt. We'd see if/when my friend with the tickets got back to me. It was about 10pm when I saw the posting so we had to wait until morning.
     Bright and early I was on the computer again and there was a post back, "Do you want them?" I emailed her said, "yeah I think so." and sent along my phone number. She called a little later and brought me the tickets that evening after she got out of work. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited.
     So my quiet Thanksgiving at home this year became something quite different. It was wonderful and  I wouldn't change a thing about it. We were on a 5:30am train with Emily and Jacob. Had this wonderful adventure to get there. Got prime seats, even if they were on the curb, we were still up front and sitting at least. And only sat waiting about 45 minutes for the parade to start. Because we were so close Jacob was playing more with all the confetti thrown on us than watching at times. It was amazing. Something we'll all never forget. We were back home by 1pm. The kids got in little naps on the train. Off to dinner at a little after 2.
     Dinner was not what I expected either. With the crazy morning we hadn't eaten well and I was looking forward to the turkey even if I had to pick at it while we had the italian noodles first. At least it wouldn't be cold. Nothing was done when we got there and Rob and I took over in the kitchen. My mother-in-law had bought a turkey fryer and was using it for the first time. It wasn't on all the way and Mr. Turkey was barely cooking when we got there. Same for the noodles we have to have first. Rob and I got everything thing going and threw the pasta, sauce and cheese together and heated it up in the oven. Something my mother-in-law said may not be a good idea as the turkey fryer was not supposed to be near hear yet she had it sitting on top of the oven. There was no other way to get everything done in time so we hoped for no fryer explosions.

Within about an hour we were sitting having our first round, the pasta.

     Rob's sister and I got everything together and heated for the turkey round. It was the first time I saw his mom sitting and letting us take over, ever. I could understand his concern about her health all the more. I also was fine doing it. As she said later I seemed happier when I had something to do. Yeah I guess I like to be in control. Rob said the same thing of my mother when she came to our house the year before. She needed something to do to help. She was lost when it was all taken care of. I wouldn't go that far in reference to myself but I like feeling useful. I also think my comfort level at his parents house has built up enough to where I had no problem taking over even though it wasn't my house.

     A very different Turkey Day than I ever expected to have indeed. I saw the parade up close and personal with my little ones. The big boys had gone with their father previously and were skiing with him over this long weekend so I felt bad some, but not too much. I helped a lot to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table. And it was all very, very tasty. I'm just missing the leftovers. And I didn't even think about bringing the book as I was tired going in but doing all the work in the kitchen is part of what Thanksgiving is all about and I loved every minute of it!
   

Black Friday

     I've worked this day for the past ten years, though thankfully not in retail. This year sat on my butt and did nothing. The hubby went out to Toys R Us after the football game ended because they had awesome deals on a few things on the kids lists. Of course neither of the stores he tried had any of the things we wanted. Oh Well. Better him than me running around at 1am. I was nice and comfy and warm sleeping in our bed. I have never felt any need or desire to try to go to any of these crazy sales.My sister goes every year and if I see something I want I may suggest it to her to pick up in her travels. Or if she is going to a store there may be one thing I wanted I'll ask her to get it. Or it'll be what she gets for my kids for xmas. Rob has gone for specific things once in awhile. I think this was the first time he failed to get what we were searching for.
     I wonder if it was because Toys R Us was one of the few places open at 10pm Thanksgiving night. A lot of people are still up and could and would go then as their dinner is over and it didn't interrupt with their day or their sleep. I also think that the economy is not getting any better, especially not around our house, no matter what the media tries to tell us. Despite that, parents will always shop for their kids for the holidays so Toys R Us was complete madness from what I heard. And it's not surprising at all. Skip December credit card payments so the kids can have Christmas. Sure, why not?
     Of course everyone is out for the best deal. Why pay double for something when all you have to do it go out early on a certain day to get it cheaper. Well that is if you get lucky. What I learned too late is that all the deals were also available online and we could have probably gotten all we wanted online at 10pm. Oops. Now we know for next year. Rob tried again today as of course black friday sales were held over until today to keep people out and shopping and searching. He got two things, so thats better I guess, than nothing.
     I know we'll still get them plenty. They'll still wind up with plenty thanks to Grandmas anyway. I do like to be able to shop early but when you can't you can't. I've learned from my husband, the typical man last minute shopper, that we can always find plenty for the kids even a few days before Christmas. Sure sometimes it's hard to find things on the list but not getting everything on the list is something kids need to learn anyway. So if we get screwed at the stores my kids are learning a lesson. Works out well that way doesn't it?
     I do love shopping for them. I also like picking out what I want to get them, not always keeping to the list. I feel the same way about gift registries, but I may have said that before. It's all about the giving right? So if I don't want to give Emily a toy she wants that I think may be wasteful, or broken in a week, or never used, well of course I'm going to pick something better, something I want her to have. But of course that could also have the same fate as what she wanted. You never know. If it's something she really, really had to have she's also old enough to know to save her money to buy it for herself later if she didn't get something she wanted. So far that hasn't happened.
     The sales will go on all through December. With Hanukkah very early this year, I believe next week, that may be another reason why Toys R Us was so bad so early. Less time to shop for those parents. Maybe that'll be good for me. More availability since the Hannukah shoppers will be done early? Who knows. It'll be what it'll be. Stores will have more sales. I'll find presents. We'll have Christmas. The kids will have toys. And the parents will have to figure out how they're paying for them. Hopefully I'll luckily find the coveted items from the wish lists.

Julie and Julia

     I believe I posted way back when about liking the movie and how it was a big part of getting me back on here and actually doing some kind of writing. Sure she had a gimmick that got her a book and movie deal and I wasn't exactly looking do go that route, but getting a book and movie deal, well hey wouldn't that be nice if it came from this. Yeah, so a few months later and reality setting in I now have a little cookie baking business going. Not bad so far. Having fun with it and enjoying baking and trying new things. Making a little money at it too, isn't too bad. Though it has kept me away from here for awhile. Sure it wasn't the only reason for my recent sabbatical but the other stuff I'm just not ready to get into on here.
     Like I said I loved the movie and the fact that it's somewhat true to life and this woman Julie Powell really exsists, really started blogging and got her book and movie deal. I believe she is still writing. Checked out her page and original blog some time back. But I had never gotten the chance to look at the book. Sure if I had still been working at the library I'd have been all over it and found it. Not the case. Last night at my in-laws for Turkey Day I saw a copy of it and flipped through and read some of it. No, I didn't even get through a whole chapter. Thought if i stayed in the potty reading that long it would be quite rude. Also, I really didn't want to.
     I was surprised by the beginning of it and have to say did not enjoy it at all. Sure I didn't get to the juice and meat of the book being the whole Julia project but something about the tone of the beginning really turned me off. Maybe she became more real, too real, and I like the picture of the movie better and don't want to lose it. Maybe I'd just become too jealous she got so lucky while I'm still here toiling away trying to figure out my life. Whatever it is I don't know that I'll ever pick the book up and read it again. Of course I could watch the movie over and over a hundred times though.
     I also recently learned an acquaintance is writing a book. I'm very excited for her and annoyed with myself as she's doing it for real and halfway done and I'm too afraid to get more than a few chapters down before I give up or find some reason to not continue. I have in my head lots of things to keep me from writing. A big one being this guy I dated told me how his mother had written a book. I thought that was great of course, but then he went on to tell me it was never published and so she never really wrote anymore when she used to all the time. So there's another big scary thought. What the hell would be the point in writing and finishing if no one ever saw it?
     Like I said I'm real good at talking myself out of actually doing any real writing. So I suck, and have not been happy with myself in that respect. And I have kept myself busy doing something I can do that I know people enjoy, my baking. Of course kept myself off of here too. Feeling like I wasn't even sure what the heck to write about here anymore. Hopefully I've knocked it out and I'll be back for you every day. I know I need to play back the good stuff over and over in my head and not the bad crap I do so well holding on to and reminding myself of constantly. So what if there are a whole bunch of new friends becoming bloggers too? I haven't posted in over a week and I've still had someone, or two or three or more, come looking at my page to see what I have to say every day. Though I've not been here in awhile. Now how many times should I repeat that to myself to keep in stuck in my head and myself going in a positive direction? 

     

Fall Leaves

     Went to pick the kids up from my mothers the other day and as we pulled up I spotted Andrew standing there with this big leaf blower in his hand. I'm sure he had fun helping Grandma clean up the leaves in her yard. And I bet the other kids all just played and jumped in the piles that were made. That's what leaves are for right? I was sort of surprised she even had a leaf blower as I always remember her out raking every fall, like I now do. I guess where she is living now has way more trees than we ever had when I was a kid. And of course she is geting older and has to do it herself. A leaf blower definitley makes sense and makes it easier. All I think of when it comes to leaf blowers is the damn annoying high pitched noise they make. That and how most people who have them, and even landscaping companies that use them, just blow the leaves into the street for them to blow onto everyone elses property. Needless to say I'm not a big fan of them.
     We have three trees on our property and a few others that come over from neighbors so we get a decent amount of leaves. I don't mind them at all. I love watching them change colors and fall. I love hearing the crunch they make under my feet as I walk around the yard. I like how they look on the lawn. I am in no big rush to get them cleaned up right away. They are to be played in first anyway. Today I raked up a pile in the easiest spot, closet to where the bulk of our leaves fall in the back yard. Emily wanted to jump into the pile from the swings. They are on the other side of the yard. She started making up her own pile. When I finished with the large pile Em, Jake and I raked the large pile onto a tarp and moved it across the yard to in front of the swings. They were very happy. When we lived at my dads I used to rake the leaves into a pile at the end of the large slide that still stands in the backyard. If I get over to help my dad before he does it himself I still do that for Jake.
     My pile will sit out there for awhile. This year in front of the swings. If it doesn't rain we can use it and play in it again. If it does we make a new one with the new leaves that have fallen and are not a gross wet mess. As it gets later in the year and the weather gets colder and closer to snow I start bagging the pile and putting it at the curb. I do like to leave it as long as I can but with a dog who is not perfect and loves the leaves also, I now have to make sure he's going potty in his spot and not on any of the leaves the kids want to play in.
     As I drove around the past few weeks I couldn't help think about people talking about going upstate to see the fall foliage. I always wonder if their trees are better than ours to see as they change color? I guess maybe because there are a lot more of them to see, people go. I feel we have enough trees here, at least around where I drive. I still see plenty of woodsy areas where the color change is gorgeous as you drive by. What I think is really interesting is how certain types of trees drop their leaves much earlier than others.             
     Driving Jake to school every day I would pass this house with a beautiful tree. I wish I could tell you what type it is but I have no idea. I never really noticed it until it started changing colors. The leaves became such a bright red, it was gorgeous. With each day there would be more and more leaves on the ground. It took only maybe a week before this tree had lost all it's leaves. It seemed so quick. It made me look at my large tree in the backyard. I believe it is a Maple. The leaves on my tree were just beginning to change and here this other one was completely empty already. Amazing. Yeah, I'm a sucker for nature. But I also realize why it seems as I kid I always had a pile of leaves to jump in on Halloween and my kids do not. We have different types of trees here than where I grew up. Plain and simple.
     Of course that doesn't stop my kids from having fun in the leaves. The leaves can stay in the backyard for as long as it takes for me to get to them as the kids get to play in them. The front is a different story. Yes I like the way they look but I hope they all fall before Thanksgiving. I also hope I get a nice day or two to rake up the front yard shortly after. We like to decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving. The leaves need to be out of the way before that happens. At least I really like them to. It makes it a whole lot easier than having to rake around all the decorations. My husband would just put eveything on top of the leaves not giving a thought to them. But that's his job doing the outside x-mas decorating. Mine is the leaves. I love it and the only way it seems like work is making sure I've gotten them up before he is ready to decorate

In the Kitchen

     I am now baking something just about every day. Some days a lot of somethings, depending on any orders I have received. I was worried cookies would go bad and I'd have to toss them. So far I've been going through them pretty quickly. The only ones getting tossed are the screw ups or broken ones. That is unless the kids are home and want to eat them. Jake is getting very accustomed to licking bowls and spoons before they hit the sink, and loving every minute of it. What's funny is he'll love every dough from the spoon but when the cookie is done he won't often taste it. At least the ones without any chocolate in them.

     I am really enjoying making the goodies and having other people enjoy them too. I am not enjoying the lack of down time. Any days I'm not baking I'm doing laundry. Most days having the washer and dryer in the kitchen is great as they make for extra counter space. The days I actually have to put them to use I find myself moving all my stock of goodies back and forth around the kitchen and dining room depending on where I need space. At least laundry days as the washer and dryer are doing their jobs I can catch up on my dvr'd shows and give my couch some loving.

     The other morning everyone was off from school. I ran to Target for some ingredients and had some fun on the kitchen aisles all by myself. It was like porn for me as I coveted the whisks and spoons, mixers, bowls and pans. I have never been a window shopper. If I'm not there to buy it, don't need it, or have any use for it I won't even bother looking or heading down the aisle. It's a big waste of time for me. And usually depressing as I don't have the cash for it either. That day I could picture using some of those pretty new shiny kitchen toys. I figure if I do well enough I may be able to have them to play with in my kitchen someday. 

     Years ago my sister-in-law bought me two new cookie sheets for Christmas. They are the best ones I've ever had. I've saved them and only use them once a year at Christmas time to make my cookies. Now that I'm making cookies all the time I was hoping to get some more. I emailed her about them and she wrote back saying what kind they were and they were on amazon.com. But only 4 were left at the moment. I panicked and thought how, "if things take off and I really do need them what if I can't get them?" Well I talked to my Daddy and got myself an early Christmas present ten minutes later. Once they came I didn't use them right away. I waited until I felt I really needed them and then it was like playing with a new toy. The cookies baked perfectly on my pretty new toy too.

     A few days later I noticed one of my wooden spoons had a crack in it. Being I hand mix all my stuff I've been known to break a spoon or two each season. I figured it best to check my other spoons and sure enough one of the other ones also had a chip in it. I was annoyed I had to toss two of my favorite mixing spoons. Again my Daddy came to the rescue. He works in the housewares dept. part time in a local store and is always bringing home crazy stuff for the house for me and my sisters. I texted him about my broken spoon knowing he was at work. I asked if he had the chance and saw any if he could grab me one. The next time I got over to his house I found he had gotten me 7. Two packages of three spoons each in different sizes. One package was plastic the other wooden. And one huge Paula Deen wooden spoon that probably cost twice as much as the two packages of spoons together. Again new toys to play with thanks to my Daddy. I had never even used a plastic spoon before, but now they are my new favorite. At least as long as they hold up and I don't break them. Time will tell on that one. Over the past few days I keep fantasizing about letting him get me some new whisks next. Like a kid in a candy store.

     I soon may have to start using a mixer. I really don't want to as I've never liked them and don't even own one. My back is definitely not happy about me standing stirring and baking a lot of hours, a lot of days now. A friend had given me one at my bridal shower. As I have been a baker for a long time it was a logical gift. Unfortunately I never used it. I don't even think I took it out of the box except maybe to store it, in hopes I might use it. Years later after moving into our then little house I needed space and I gave it to a girlfriend I worked with who I knew would use it. I'm pretty sure she still has it. The biggest problem I have with a mixer is their bowls are usually made from aluminum. You can't microwave aluminum. I microwave my butter and chips and cream cheese all in the same bowl I mix by hand. Why would I want to make more dishes for myself having to melt everything seperately? 

     I am having a great time in my kitchen cooking up all kinds of great things. I am still addicted to the chocolate mocha cappuccino cookie. I swear I eat a few every day. Thankfully I'm moving so much in the kitchen baking they haven't translated into an extra 5lbs yet. I do have to cut myself off though before they do. I miss thinking. Just time to myslef to let my brain wander. Thats usually when I come up with fun things to blog about. Haven't had too many lately. When cooking I have the radio going and usually I'm singing along or thinking of packaging and pricing and all other things related to this new business. I guess maybe once I get it all figured out my brain will be able to wander more. Time will tell. In the meantime I have to make a concerted effort to get on and blog. And if an idea strikes me no matter where or when I have to write it down or I know I'll lose it. There's just too many other things going on up there right now.  

    

Level 26

     Finished off reading one of the weirder books I've ever read the other night. I call it weird in that it dubs itself as the first DIGI-NOVEL. The title: Level 26 Dark Orgins. The author: Anthony E. Zuiker with Duane Swierczynski. Mr Zuiker is the creator of my favorite CSI shows. If you're not into them then you certainly won't be into this book, as it goes deeper and darker than most things I usually read. I Love CSI! The original, though the replacement of Gil with Dr. Ray leaves much to be desired for me. And NY. I watched Miami for a little while at the beginning but just couldn't take it anymore and gave up on it.
     I found this book from and episode of CSI. If you're a watcher- the one with Sqweegel. I noticed right away the storyline for that episode had come from a book. With my love of books and of course the character still at large at the end of the episode, I had to get the book to see what happened. It is a bit sick and twisted but very entertaining. If you're not into dark things don't bother picking this up to read.
     The premise is of course about the character Sqweegel. It's stated that law enforcement recognizes 25 levels of evil. From naive, innocent, happenstance criminals to the sick, twisted, digusting, torture ones. Well with Sqweegel they have made a new class. He's so bad he's on a new level all by himself, level 26. It took me awhile to get into it. As I've said it's quite twisted but once I got into the characters I was hooked and flew through it in a few days' time. I also like my horror movies so some of this stuff in the book wasn't so bad for me.
     Now onto the whole digi-novel premise. Of course it being the first, I had never heard of it and wasn't sure exactly what it meant or what to expect. Well the book is tied into a website. As you read the book after about every 20 pages you unlock a code. On the website this code unlocks a cyber-bridge. A video that ties into the story and lasts anywhere from thirty seconds to about 4 minutes or so. The book states you don't have to watch but of course in the beginning I was too curious and had to watch before moving on to the next chapter. This became too annoying as I love to sit and read and relax not being plugged in anywhere. As I skipped my first code and kept reading I learned I wasn't missing anything to the story as it was talked about in the next chapter. I was however missing the visual aspects I had gotten used to. So I'd read all I wanted and when I had a chance would go back and catch up on the cyber-bridges. My curiosity being too much for me to not watch them. 
     Overall I think it's a great concept, hooking the book in with the website and getting to watch the characters come to life. They are not changing anything of the story as movies often do to ruin books. These enhance and make it more interesting. Sure, Steve Dark, the main investigator hunting Sqweegel, didn't look anything like I had originally pictured him in my head but I got used to it, and he became the character for me. The story was very interesting and kept me riveted. And the thought of a psycho like this possibly ever exsisting has certainly kept me on my toes and aware of my surroundings as I'm out and about lately.
     I was a little disappointed that the last cyber-bridge led into the next book, as in sequel, which I'm not always fond of. But I am happy to be able to continue reading about Mr. Dark and learning more about his character. I just hope it's the next chapter in his story I will be reading and not Sqweegel part 2! Waiting for it from the library and will keep you posted on if it's worth it.

Kentucky

     The second day of our big trip this past summer was spent in Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after we booked all our hotels we learned that Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, our planned stop there, would not be open. There was some kind of dipute between Six Flags and Kentucky about the land lease so Six Flags did not renew the lease and closed the park. We had also planned to visit the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, at least that was still on. We found out early enough about the park closing so we were able to find some other things to do instead. Although the drive-in movie theatre I had found and thought we'd visit wound up being closed too. We also stayed only a day instead of the day and a half we had originally planned.

     First up was the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. We figured we'd do the tour and be done in about and hour or so. Boy were we wrong. This place was amazing. There was so much to do and see there. Wonderful stop for baseball fans like us. Rob had to go out and feed the meter again because we were there for so long. Over three hours. The tour was interesting and everyone got their free mini bats. We all got to hold a Mickey Mantle game used bat at the museum, which was full of so many great things. We took a tour upstairs through the offices and saw old contracts from past players. There were batting cages Rob and the kids played in. A small one for Jake too.And a huge glove playground. We saw a short baseball history movie. And we had a live internet chat with Cooperstown (Baseball's Hall of Fame). It actually worked out well Kentucky Kingdom was closed or we would have felt rushed and missed some of the great stuff we wound up doing and seeing at the Slugger Museum.

     Next we took the kids roller skating. They had loved it the one time we took them up in Lake George years ago and were looking forward to it again. Jacob was just a baby so it'd be fun to see how he did too. We don't have any skating places too close to home so we really don't get to go. I believe the nearest to us is about an hour away. It was quite cheap, I think something like $4 per person for the session. We all had fun skating around and around. It wasn't very crowded so that was nice. Jake had a tough time out on the floor and stuck mostly to the carpeted area for his skating. Rob and I relived our childhoods somewhat when roller skating was a big thing. Emily got tired easily as she was not used to having those heavy skates on her feet. Who was?
     We went back to our hotel to change for some relaxing in the pool. Rob went up to the room with the kids while I cleaned up some of the car. Soon he was yelling down to me from the balcony railing saying how the cards weren't working for the door. I was immediately pissed not to mention really hot and dying to get into the pool. Told him to throw the cards down to me and I'd get it fixed. He did and I was on my way to the office with all my pissed off NY attitude. There was a man and woman working behind the desk and she immediately asked if she could help me. I slapped the cards onto the desk and said, "Yeah! My family and I just got back! We want to get into the pool! It's hot and our cards are not working so we can't get changed!" The man in his lovely southern drawl, speaking much more slowly than I had just done said, "Well I did that just so you'd come in here to say hi to me." It was the last thing I ever expected him to say and was so taken back by it didn't know what to say next. And I couldn't help but smile. I think I may have said, "Well Hi." He then engaged me in some conversation about where we were from and what we had done that day and the day before while the woman fixed up the cards. He told me he was wondering who had come from Cleveland when he saw the postcard I had dropped off for mailing before we took off that day. He was so nice, sweet and laid back I calmed down immediately. Guess he was an old pro with customer service. In no time the cards were fixed, we were in the pool and I had had my first fun filled encounter with a local on our trip. Wish I had gone back to take a picture with him.

     Later we went out to dinner at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. It was this off the wall place I had seen on some TV show that when I saw the ad for it in the lobby I knew we had to go try it out. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere plain crazy. There were trees with lamps and all kinds of other things hanging off them in the middle of the dining room. Not to mention all the other crazy stuff hanging off the walls and outside around the building. We loved it. After dinner we went down to waterfront park. A huge area with lots of open space, playgrounds and water features the kids got a kick out of on the Ohio River. We walked around and let the kids run and play awhile before heading back to the hotel and ending our day in Kentucky.

     We did have to take a ride to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom for our own Griswold Moment of the park being closed when we got there. At least we expected it but it had to be done. And pictures needed to be taken. All in all we had quite a good time in Kentucky. The next day we'd be off to St. Louis, Missouri!

  

      

Pumpkins

    Every year it's the same thing. We HAVE TO have pumpkins for Halloween. Just part of the decorations and fun right? It's not Halloween if I'm not stuck chopping up a pumpkin for the kids sometime in the days leading up to it. Frankly, I'm quite sick of it. But as Jacob is only four, know I'll still be doing it for some years to come. At least this year I was comfortable enough with the big boys and knives to let them chop up their own. So that was only 2 not 4 I had to pull the guts out of and do my best to make a face like they had drawn on it.

     I am not a great pumpkin carver. I'm ok after doing it for so many years. I've been trying to hand this job over to my husband with no luck as of yet. I don't eat any kind of pumpkin anything. Don't know how to make any pies or what not. Wouldn't really want to anyway. The only one in the house who'd eat t anyway would be Robert. The one thing I've done is rinse some seeds and bake them for the kids to eat. Only Robert really liked them so we did it maybe once or twice.

     Pumpkin picking seems to be such a big family outing type of thing now. I don't remember ever going out to a farm and picking my own off the vine. Maybe once when I was a kid. We went to a stand where they were already picked and got to pick our own there. At least that's what I remember. Last year, or maybe the year before we took the kids pumpkin picking. Holy cow, what a waste. At least for me anyway. Sure it was fun and cute to let them run around the field and pick their own. But then they changed their minds too many times or when they saw what someone else had picked. Fun, fun for mom and dad.

     Then there was the cost. I don't remember it exactly but four pumpkins for four kids that they got to pick out themselves in the field was somewhere between $50-$60! Way too much for this family budget. Especially now. It's just too much for me to even think about spending on something that's going to get chopped up and thrown in the trash in a few weeks time. We did it once. We won't ever do it again. From now on we go pumpkin picking at Walmart. Under $4 a pumpkin no matter the size. So we hang there awhile and I let them dig out the biggest or whatever and change their minds a few times. For 4 pumpkins they got to pick themselves out of a box it's under $20! Can't beat that for me.

     Now before anyone goes off about supporting the local farmers and what not let me finish. We do, just not with pumpkins. More and more farms seem to have these harvest festivals now every weekend in October. All the kids are old enough to enjoy some parts of it as long as their is enough choice in what to do. I love the corn mazes. Rob and I went to one ourselves a few years ago it was so much fun we took the kids to a different one. Now we find a farm with a corn maze and then look to see what else they might have to do. We all do the corn maze together and then the big boys can do it again on their own while the little ones enjoy the animals or other things catered more to them. There can be a small playground, tractor or hayrides or both, pig races, music, food and of course a pumpkin field we generally stay away from. This years farm had a bounce house, corn shooter and pumpkin fling. It's a good day for everyone and we support the farm paying our admission, which times 6 adds up for them anyway. Without the extra cost of pumpkins we are able to do this. And we eat before we go and bring snacks in the car. It's what works for us to make it affordable and enjoyable. It would be nice to go do a maze without them again too though. Maybe next year.

    

Click Clack

     My husband is not a big fan of me wearing high heeled shoes. I guess it goes along with the alpha male thing in that he feels better being taller than I am. I like that too. But I also like not having to stretch to reach up to kiss him. Even with my high heels on I'm never taller than he his anyway. I don't think I would want to be. There's just something about how you feel putting on those high heeled shoes.
     Not working out of the house for about three months now I've rarely had occasion to dress up and put on some nice spiffy shoes. I miss it. The days I went to other libraries to put in applications I made sure I looked nice. From my experience if you came in to drop off an application all of us at my desk were checking you out. I wanted to make sure I passed any once over I may have gotten. So, I put on a nice sweater and jeans and my high heeled black boots.
     Just walking down the hallway in my house in those shoes I felt better about myself. Hearing that "click clack, click clack" as I walked around felt good. I felt like I looked good. I had to stand up straighter thanks to the shoes and felt like I projected a better image. All because of a pair of shoes? Yup. I think the ladies reading can understand. The men probably haven't a clue. When you feel you look good, you feel good and you project that to other people. Am I right ladies? And for me lately my high heels do it.
     A few weeks ago my former co-workers had a dinner for me. I didn't want to get there first and as a result wound up leaving even later than I planned and got there last. All eyes were going to be on me anyway and I don't usually like that sort of thing, but made the most of it. I went in confident with the click clack of my high heels keeping me going. Having people tell me I looked great when I felt like crap inside was also a big boost.

     I don't have to leave the house for much anymore. I have to drop Jake off and pick him up and get groceries and things for the house. I always thought it weird or funny seeing women who were all dressed up doing these daily chores. Maybe they are for a reason, headed to or from work. Maybe it's a little more than that. Maybe it's a chance they get to get out and look good so they make the most of it. After running into Target the other day in my comfy Garfield fleece pajama pants for two things to finsh my baking that day, I think maybe I should take time to dress up better even if it's just for a run to the store. Although when I was out for five minutes and baking the rest of the day it doesn't seem worth it. Other days when I'm out for longer and not baking the day away I just may have to. Because hearing that click clack throughout the store is a little self esteem booster for me, and who couldn 't use one of those every now and again?

Cookies 'N Moore

The Treat Tray of all my goodies

     I know it's only been a day or two here and there I've missed but there have been a lot more missed days lately. Sorry for that. I guess I can say I am officially a baker, in that I've had 6 orders for my goodies since the launch of Cookies 'N Moore yesterday! We'll see how it goes from here but I'm having a lot of fun.

Sure I love my writing too but the need for cash flow prompted the start of Cookies 'N Moore. And of course I need to give that a lot more love and attention than my blog here to be profitable. So sorry again in advance for my crazy cooking days that I just can't get to the computer.

    We are only a Facebook page right now but my husband assures me a website is best and in the works. The computer genius he is that's all his job. I'm loving mixing together new things to try out. It sucks when they're not perfect right away. Once they are it really is so good, and I become quite proud of myself. Of course then I can't wait for everyone to try them too! Rob has yelled at me about it being he's been so good with losing weight and going to the gym for a year now. I told him he just has to try one of each thing. If he goes back for more it's not my fault. That is also a key for me to know his favorites, when he can't stop himself from eating them!

    When we first started talking about it with the kids Emily was not too thrilled because she wanted the money from selling cookies. Like when they had sold them to the cars stuck being diverted up our street that time I guess. We explained how she will be getting the money in that we can go and do more things with it, like parks and dinners and clothes and shoes and toys she may not need but would want. I think she's all good with it now. The boys are good taste testers as they have completely different likes when it comes to taste. Jacob has been having the most fun with me in the kitchen. The choc. chip brownie bar we have came from me just trying to give him something to do to keep busy. This morning he wanted to make his own cookie with choc. chips and marshmellows. They tasted awesome but didn't look so good. So he's onto something there and that could be our new cookies soon if and when I get the chance to perfect it. 

     I am exhausted but who isn't on a regular day. I wanted nothing more than to come home after dropping Jake and take a little nap today. I don't know what it is but the drive to take him I'm yawning the whole way feeling like I could so easily fall asleep. But when he's gone is a good time for getting things done. Especially when there are no extras here today. I also had a dough I made up ready for baking after drop off. So I'm baking and writing at the moment what a fun mix for me. I long for a day I can stay in my pj's and watch all the shows my DVR has been piling up for me. Maybe this weekend?

     I can hope for that. I can also hope Cookies 'N Moore does well and I don't get that chance because I'm busy baking and feeling like I'm doing something to contribute for us. Either way it's all good. Besides I'll sleep when I'm dead right?

The Chocolate Mocha Cappuccino Cookie my own creation and my new favorite cookie ever!

 

Capacity Crowd?

     We took the kids for one last trip to Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday. Emily and Jake were excited to dress up early yet again for Halloween. We got there shortly after they opened and were able to get on plenty of rides. The bigs boys hit all their favorite roller coasters while the little ones saw some shows and did the free trick or treat trail. It was really cute in that they had the Looney Tunes characters all dressed up giving out the candy. Very, very nice.
     Shortly before 4pm we headed to the car for our late lunch/dinner of sandwichs and snacks we had brought along with us. Much cheaper than eating in the park, of course. Not much later we grabbed our coats and headed back into the park. As we walked up the path for the entrance I couldn't help but notice huge orange signs stating that "due to the popularity of fright fest the park is extremely busy today wait times may be much longer than normal." Once back inside the park there was no doubt how much busier the park had gotten.
     We brought the kids to another ride as we waited for the "changeover" show to begin. This was where the park went from daytime to fright time. I was on a small roller coaster with Jake as the crowd began to form in front of the stage not far from us. I could not believe the amount of people I saw. A quick estimate maybe 100 x 100 people in a small area in front of this little stage by the big wheel. It was plain crazy. After our ride ended we headed over to find the rest of the family. Somehow we did but it was ridiculous to stay. The show wasn't much of anything. We could hardly see it anyway. And we were getting pushed and jostled around constantly by people trying to get closer or to see better themselves.
     Rob wanted to try for one more roller coaster himself and I figured if all the people were where we were(and it seemed to be) maybe the line wouldn't be too bad. I took the little ones and Robert to the kiddie area we had yet to get to that day. Rob headed off with Andrew. Robert decided he wanted to try a different coaster himself so I sent him off too. In no time I was getting texts that the lines were waaaaaay too long and not worth standing in and they were headed back to me. The little ones went on a few more rides and we were all done. We headed out to go home only 2 hours after our dinner in the car. Much sooner than I thought as the park would still be open another 4 hours.
     As we made our way to the exit the amount of people we saw on line for everything was staggering. The roller coasters, the haunted trails, even some of the food lines were incredible. I had never ever seen it like that before. I was very glad we had gotten there early and were able to enjoy some time there before taking off one last time with our season passes now useless. I would certainly never stand on lines like that and was amazed how many people were. They were also a younger crowd, mostly teenagers and twenty somethings. Still I don't think I ever did when I was their age either.
     It got me wondering if there is a maximum capacity. You see those signs posted in all buildings. You know the ones, "Not to exceed x amount of people" blah, blah, blah. I wonder if theme parks have those rules too. Saturday night I definitely didn't think so. As we pulled through the parking lot we saw cars parked on the dirt, and in between trees at the edge of the property. Never saw that before either. Guess I can't say  again. But I will have to look into the capacity crowd laws/rules for future reference since I've no doubt this was our last theme park adventure.