Random Thoughts

My Wallet
well I was looking at my favorite wallet so far and I was horrified to see that it was already tearing! I mean for goodness sakes, its only about a month old! But I guess they don't make things like they used to. Who knew that the zipper would break and now the lining where the credit cards go has also torn. Drats! Maybe next time I'll get a better wallet. I know you don't know me, but I'm always on the look out/hunt for the perfect wallet. Of course, unlike our lovable co creator its not a passion that would get me to drive 2 hours upstate, but I've been known to peruse the wallet section in almost every store I've been to. Always searching for the perfect wallet of the moment at least. Lol So what did I learn boys and girls? what bit of wisdom could I pass on to you? Next time I'll pay more than $5 for the 'perfect wallet'.

Men and directions
You know sometimes I really hate stereo types. Sometimes they are so far off the map that I wonder who could have said such a thing. Then there are those that hit the bulls eye every time. A friend once told me a long time ago that stereo types exist because there is some truth to them. How right they were. My husband (God bless his heart) needs a hearing aid. No joke. This morning on the bus we were discussing how he cant hear the tv. I said you are going to be one of those old men that has the tv on 100 and still cant hear it! I said I'm going to ask you to lower it, and you are going to put it on 99 and say to me "see, now I cant hear it at all!". lol Well today he had an errand to run in NY. I told him to take the train TWO stops and it would leave him closer to his destination. He then proceeds to tell me that the C & E train take only 1 stop. So as he gets off the train I tell him again what to do. So what happens? Yup, you guessed it. He took the train ONE stop instead of the TWO that I told him. So He calls me TWICE to ball me out, when it was his mistake. I tell him that how am I going to give him wrong directions if I took that route for 10 years! He did not take kindly to that and promptly hung up on me. lolol Oh well, I was right and he misunderstood. And it amazes me cause um hello if you need to go to 3rd street, then why would you get off at 13th?? that doesn't make sense. ASK directions, READ the signs. lol I'm his personal GPS system. lol

UPDATE: Hubby called and apologized. Said it was his mistake. awww That's it baby...MAN UP! Take responsibility for your mistakes! woo hoo!!

Bluetooth
By the way, why do they call it a bluetooth? It doesnt look anything like a tooth. It is blue, but still, who came up with this name??
I got one. It sucks! It worked for MAYBE 2 weeks and then it went kaput! I can no longer pick up or hang up calls from the thing. Um what's the point of having a bluetooth then? Amazing!! So I called and they said they will send me instructions on how to return it. AND IF its bad they will send me a replacement. ugh! Nice call. Spend $35 and I get a refurbished one! sheesh!! What a colossal waste of time. Thanks alot for taking my money. I cant wait to review this one!

Update: Called Amazon. Their normal return policy is 30 days. Um I bought this in April. However, I put it to the side, then I moved and well you know how it goes. I explain my situation to the guy and he put me on hold and said he'd see what he could do for me. HE DID NOTHING. BUT it was MY mistake, so I'm taking responsibility for it. However, I'm still sending it back to the company itself and seeing if they could replace it. lolol Keep your fingers crossed.

Hulk Hogan & Britney Spears
I feel so bad for the Hulk. He's getting divorced! And the worst part is that he had to hear about it from a REPORTER. Linda...his soon to be ex-wife is nuts and stupid. Page Six says that she likes to Party all the time. hmm?? wonder what that means? In any case, she loves to spend money like its going out of style. Um hello Im sure that Hogan has a few bucks, but he's no Oprah! What a doofus. Let's see how she's going to handle being on her own. Get a job girl! I hear they are hiring at your local McD's!

Britney, when will you learn. Money cannot buy you love. I know you thought to yourself, hey I'll buy me a backup dancer, but girl trust me, they never work out. Just ask JLo. She tried it and failed. And if you don't believe her, then ask Madonna. Girl wake up. Drugs aren't the answer either. And for goodness sakes woman use some panties! I don't need to see EVERYTHING.

GIFT BAGS
Ok, everyone knows that you could buy gift bags at the dollar store. Hell they are everywhere now. So what I did last year was throw as much stuff in gift bags as humanly possible! lol After I gave the recipient their gifts, I took BACK the gift bags! lol This year I had a truck load of gift bags to use! Yay! I had 14. Notice I'm using the PAST tense. That's cause I used up all the ones that I had. I'm still in need of 15 more. lol So I'm going to make a few more trips to the dollar store. sigh..more money down the toilet. lol Let's see how many more gift bags I could recycle again! lol It's good for everyone all around. The environment because the less gift bags sold, the less bags ordered, the less trees are needed to be cut down. The recipient because they have a truck load of them already and they just going to stuff them in a closet. The landlord because there are so many gift bags it just attracts roaches and rats, making the landlord spend a truckload of money on an exterminator. Me, because I don't have to spend as much money next year and it will free up some extra cash so I could buy you a better gift! lol Can you see the logic behind my madness? lol

Our co creator
Ok, see I don't want to post this because she's going to read it, but I think its time that everyone know a few things about our co creator. Now you may not know her, but she's a great person. Seriously. She's kind, beautiful inside and out, vivacious, extremely intelligent (tho at times I wonder where did she put her brain and her common sense), sensitive, caring and beyond compassionate. Oh and I forgot generous. She's a counselor by trade and by heart & soul. She spares no bones if she sees you messing up your life. But at the same time when dealing with extremely sensitive individuals (moi) she will apologize AFTER ripping me a new one. lolol

Anyway, we have been friends for a few years now. We so did not want to meet each other. And when we met....bam! instant friendship!!! We are even closer than the gruesome twosome in our lives! No matter what is going on in our lives we turn to one another and spill all the beans. There is no subject that is taboo between us. lol A couple of heckle and jeckles are we. Sooo, last nite in one of our usual gab fests we decided to meet up this Saturday.

Now why am I blogging about this? Because its been AGES since we last hang out. We do drive by's every few weeks, but this is the first time in ages that we have set a date! We are going to go to Clifton to Big Lots! and the Dollar Tree. I love these 2 stores. Anyway we are going up there to score some cheap gifts cause girl the pockets are light this year for both of us. lol

Well I finished reading The Liars Diary. it was really good. I'll post a review later on. I have to dash off now. Enjoy the read!

Catching up on my blogging

***Thanksgiving***
It started off great!! I went to Big Lots! and I found so many bargains. I mean I got the Hooked on Phonics Pre-reading pkg for $5. I got TWO Curve perfume sets for $5 each. I got some nice desk frames for $3. I couldn't believe the bargains. I also got a $10 card which I hope to go and claim this week! lol I LOVED this place!!

The turkey was good. I got a chance to reconnect with some of my hubs family. I was mad at one of his cousins for a long time and we got a chance to reconnect. I am not longer mad at her.

***Black Friday***
Normally I don't allow ANYONE to malign this fabulous day. But to be honest I wasn't up and at it this year. I went to Target around 745ish. The place was picked clean!! lol Everything that I wanted wasn't there. lol I couldn't believe it. I did get some bargain towels for $1.99. It was pretty cool. I also got a Spiderman Memory game for $3.99 for my grandson. And some $3.33 sweats. lol It was ok, but for once I concur with my co-creater. Next year I'm sleeping in late! lol

However, there's one difference that I must point out. I would NEVER travel to upstate NY for a purse. I'm not a purse enthusiast! I like them and I definitely have about 9 of them, but I would NEVER travel such a distance. Esp since I think its NUTS to spend more than $35 bucks for a bag. But then again since its not my addiction I cant see doing such a crazy thing. lol

***Christmas & My Husband***
2 of my favorite things in the world. However, yesterday I wanted to kill my husband because he threw out all of my Christmas lights and expensive decorations. I'm not saying he did it on purpose, but the point is that I'm assed out! I turned to freecycle.org to see if I could get someone to donate some lights to me because frankly I'm dead ass broke!!

So my beautiful tree is in the corner all poofed up with no decorations or lights. sigh....how I miss my beautiful colored lights. And what's worse is that I had bought like 6 NEW boxes of lights and now I have NONE. wah!

***Cleaning***
I spent 4 hours cleaning my living room closet and getting prepared for my tree. I was able to find some clothes with tags and then I found the receipts!! So I got back $102 bucks. $90 of which are for my favorite clothing store!! So now I have the money for some new clothes!

***GOD PROVIDES***
Ok, the holiday has me in the poor house. I was and am still in a financial bind. I wont get paid until Friday and I needed some cash for transportation for my hubby and myself. So what do I find? I found a 3 zone bus card for November by my house! So that takes care of SOME of my transport money woes. How good is God???

***Momma's Coming***
omG in a few more days my wonderful mother will be in the US of A. I'm so excited. My mother is so beautiful! I love her so very very much! I cant wait to see her!!

***The Library***
So I went to the library on Saturday. I walked out of there with 10 books. omG. I had so missed the library!! I do have to say that the librarian was a bit snippy! She felt like a complete idiot when the book that she insisted was on the shelves, wasn't there, even when SHE went looking for it. That was a smile vindication for treating me as if I couldn't spell! lol 1 for me and 0 for the snooty librarian! lol

***The Laundromat***
I had to go to the laundromat to do my clothes. And it always amazes me how much I hate it. Both the laundromat and the chore of doing laundry! lol Who knew that I would miss having a machine in my house so much. lol

***Neighbor***
About 2 weeks ago my neighbor locked herself out. She came in and crawled thru our window into her place. She was so grateful. She even gave me a card with a gift card in it. Child I was so happy! My husband said that perhaps she is looking for a friend but doesn't know how to ask for one. That maybe she is trying to buy friendship. I thought about this and showed up at her 2 with 2 cupcakes! However, she was on the phone at the time and could only spare me a few mins. So then I thought to myself, if she really wanted a friend she could have told whomever was on the phone to call back. So I decided that she wasn't looking for a friend. She's merely a really nice and generous person. So that relieves me from trying to befriend her. And now I could go back to disliking her two barking dogs. lol

***Mac N Cheese***
I tried making this from scratch. I think I put too much mozzarella. It wasn't a success. I made too much. Moral of the story: Never make this again. lol

***A Christmas Story - the movie***
I LOVE this movie. And I see that it has begun airing. If you get a chance please take a moment and watch it. This movie has even inspired a museum. Google it. From time to time you'll see one of the main plots....a fish net leg that's made into a lamp. It's a really cute story about this kid who wants a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas. And everyone is in cahoots against him saying "you'll shoot your eye out". He's very imaginative and the characters are so likeable that you'll find yourself wishing you lived in that era gone by.

***Birthday Gift***
My sister -- the blond one --- gave me Season 9 of Friends for my birthday. I was pretty happy about it. I now have Seasons 1, 9 and 10. lol

I did miss getting a slice of birthday cake. My husband was broke and couldn't afford one and so was I. I didn't realize how much I missed someone buying me a birthday cake. I wish my family would get together and buy me one.

***2 Upcoming Birthdays***
My brothers birthday is on Friday. My sisters is in January. I already got my sister her bday gift. King size sheets. lol When I called and told her that I had already got her gift, she said how? I didn't tell you what I wanted. I said cause I know that you need. And if I know my sister correctly, she only has 1 set of sheets. OK maybe 2, but that's it. So I took it upon myself to give her a nice set of flannel sheets. I wish I could give her more, but that's what I could afford.

Now my brother is a challenge. But I'm thinking more along the lines of underwear, socks and t-shirts. Hey what can I say?? I'm a practical chick at heart!

Well this is all for now. I just wanted to update the old blog here. and I wanted to satisfy our co-creators demand for an update. What a tyrant! lol

FRIGGIN' BLACK FRIDAY

What a Thanksgiving Day!! I went to a friend's house early in the day. I had not decided to go until last minute. My friend Jessica talked me into it. She wouldn't go unless I did and it's her family!!
Well I relented as long as she was my designated driver! She agreed. Yay!
I had wine (red-yuck because it makes my head hurt later) and I had some Coquito (OMG yum)! For those who don't know what it is, it is a traditional alcoholic drink in Puerto Rico made from mostly coconut milk and Bacardi! What could go wrong with that? LOL
OK so I had a good time (probably cuz I was drunk and smiled all thru it). We got there at 2 pm and left about 6:30 pm. Then we went to to my house. Jessica drove. We had Thanksgiving dinner there. We left my house at 8:30 pm (I drove this time) and went to the heights to pick up Margarita then off to Montclair to pick up Erica, who was going to drive all of us to Woodbury Commons in Harriman NY. We had planned this a few weeks ago. We wanted to see what kind of deal we could get at Coach.
I have never been Black Friday shopping at all!! I just couldn't seem to get out of bed for a DVD player or a TV. But I do have a thing with handbags (ok it's an addiction!-sheesh!) and this was at night so I didn't have to get up. I just couldn't go to sleep.
So we get to the mall at about 9:55 and get in line at the Coach store. I had no idea it was going to be like that. It was chilly and I had not changed clothes from earlier in the evening when it was warmer out. The line went quickly. The people from Coach handed out candy--Tootsie rolls mostly. I was thinking a nice cup of hot chocolate would be much better but beggars can't be choosers right? We get inside the store about 10:53 pm!!
I have to tell the truth. I love Coach bags but those darn holiday patchwork bags are FUGLEY! And at first they were all I saw. Then I started to see other things. Truthfully, the specials were not much different from any other day except they did hand you an extra 10% off coupon at the door. Most bags were 20% off. Some were 40% off. There was this one bag that would've amounted to $92. And if your sole concern was just to own a Coach bag you could've walked away with that--a signature Jacquard print hobo style bag in lime green. It makes a statement.
Well I was a bit sad because I had not intended to spend much but there was this bag that I totally adore and it's a perfect size so I decided why not? I spent about $150 which is actually about 50% off retail price. It's pebbled leather tote style in dark brown. The inside lining is vibrant purple. At the register, I almost forgot to give her my 10% off coupon and if I had forgotten, she would not have given it to me!! Which made me wonder what is the point of that? A total waste of paper. I hope it was recycled paper! I mean if you can only get through the front door and that's when you get a coupon; then doesn't it make better sense to just put a big sign that says10% off total order, not hand out any coupons, and just give everyone that comes up to the register the damn extra 10% off? Well I thought so.
Anyhow took the four of us like 1/2 hr -45 mins to shop. Then we all left store out a side entrance. At this point it was pure friggin chaos!! Lines like you wouldn't believe in every single store--Gap, Timberland, Polo, Nautica. Security was probably tighter than the President's. It was a crazy mess but we'd done our shopping so we were ready to go.
We start walking to parking lot and not one of the FOUR of us knew where the hell the car was!!!!! Froze my ass off looking. Serious. I couldn't feel my butt cheeks for hours!! But finally we found the car about an hour and half later.
Let me just say that I'm glad we went early because coming back down, we saw the line going up. Bumper to bumper dead stand still for like 20 miles!!! I would've died! And there was no way to turn around if you changed your mind. I felt really bad for those people. I got home about 3:30 am after dropping off Jessica and Margarita.
I had to work today black Friday for the first time in 10 years of working wit the state of NJ! I'm not complaining. I'm stating a mere fact. So I set my alarm for 8 am!! I get a phone call at 7:50 am from a well-meaning aunt, to ask if I was going to work. I got jipped my last 10 minutes of sleep!! Don't you hate when that happens?
So I got up, attempted some hygiene and headed to work. Food shops were closed by work so I stopped at McDonald's on the way. They ran out of coffee!!! How the hell does that happen? So then I had to wait in the drive thru line though I wasn't buying anything because once you are in, there's no way out.
I finally went to a Burger King who did have coffee but no cini-minis!! So I got that and made it to work on time.
So what did I learn about Black Friday--well, it's just not for me. I mean unless they are giving away a free handbag or some books, I'd rather wait until after Thanksgiving. Much of the time you'll find that they've replenished what sold out on black Friday and it's still at the same discounted price and if it gets closer to Christmas, it may even have a better discount! You could even do Black Friday online!! So nope never again.

Recap of my Birthday and Other Events

Birthdays suck! At least mine did. Let me start off by saying that the absolute highlight of my day was when my mom called me at 9 am! Then my brother Juan called. Then I called my sister (the blond one) cause we were suppose to meet up and get my bday gift. And being the blond that she is, she totally forgot it and left it at home. Sucker! So I still got up and trekked it to my lil sister's house cause I promised to take her on an errand. Remind me never to do this on my bday. It took 45 mins to get her out the house and that was with my help in getting Wiggles ready. OMG. She's such a slow poke. However is she going to handle it with 2 girls! lol A house full of hormones and 'tudes! lol Good thing we don't live close to one another. lolol Anyway, the day was cloudy and rainy, the sun decided to stay in and sleep yesterday. Such a dreary day. And to make matters worse I had a stinking cold! ugh! I had to drop my hubs off at his friends house. Which btw, I wish his "friends" would just drop off the face of the planet. I cant stand his "friends". I officially like only 3 of his friends. The rest are a bunch of boneheads, but that's the topic for another blog entry. lol

Anyway, I'm with my sister and Wiggles. She's so cute...Wiggles that is. My sister is beautiful when she isn't mad. lol So off we go to Target, the mall and Rite Aid. Ugh it was 2:30pm and I'm in "whore-boken" trying to get gas, but the BP had none. Luckily the Hess station next door had some as I was running on Empty. But they were 2.97 a gallon. Um hello, how expensive is gas! One month ago it was 2.49 and now its 2.97. My sister was amazed. I was like yeah, u and J don't know how much gas it costs me to get this car up and around. I don't mind doing things to help you both out, but this car runs on gas and not on good intentions. They always need help and never do they say here's $5 for gas. All they do is get into one fix or the other. And then either me or my hubs has to come to the rescue. I got to tell you that I'm up to my eyeballs already. Totally fed up. But we keep helping cause of Wiggles and Gordo. If it wasn't for those 2 innocent babies, we'd be OK with letting them sink in the river of their own man made problems. Sometimes our co creator is totally right. I need to learn to live in a selfish way. But alas, I don't have that heart right now. But I'm going to pray to have God help me harden my heart! Cause honestly I'm sick of being superwoman! I'm not God. It's that everyone else thinks I am.

Anyway, the other highlight of the day was when my hubs decided to cook dinner. He shooed me...OK he KICKED me out the kitchen a few times, but then kept calling me back in to check on things. Like: Is that enough water? (put enough water to make rice for 10 people), Why do you need to put oil on the chops? (cause we want the seasoning to stick to it. Only put a little not 1/2 cup or any of the likes), The rice is dry, should I build the beehive? (a tip my mom taught me years ago.) I must have gotten up a few more times than this, but whatever...the point is that he tried. For the first time making white rice it came out OK. A teensy bit hard, but really it was OK. And the pork chops were a little over cooked. But then again it might have just been me. I prefer to eat my food piping hot and plucked fresh from the burning hot oil! lol Otherwise the food was good. Three stars for my boo for trying! :)

My brother Migs never called me. humph! what nerves. If I did that to him he would totally freak out. I'm debating whether to call him or not.

Over the weekend my sister in law came over. I love when she visits. We trekked out to the flea market. Oh such wonderful finds! I love going over there. I got a restaurant quality 6 1/2 quart sauce pan. I also got this thingy for the middle of the table that's very cute and old fashion. My boo loved it. I was talking to my brother about it and he said that next time I go to the flea market that he'll make the trip out with me. So that's good. He also invited me to a bingo when momma comes down. I need to buy me a digital camera and soon cause I don't want to miss all the important events coming up. I'm so mad that those losers stole my camera. A pox on them all! lol

So tonite I'm heading over to Target. They have a huge sale. I'm taking 2 of the gift cards that I got and buying some toys for the kids instead. I'll be saving quite a bit. Also I'm trying to figure out what to give my father in law. He doesn't like cheap clothes and I'm not about to spend a bundle on nice ones. lol So let's see. I say a cologne sounds about right. lol I don't want to spend more than $20 on anyone's gift except my momma's and bugr's. lol Yeah I spoil those 2 but what can I say. I love them. Ima do what I got to do for them. lol

Oh and did you say the snow this morning? I wish I could have seen it from the comfort of my bed. lol I'm so sleepy. I woke up late cause I didn't want to get out of bed. But lately I haven't been able to sleep the nite thru. I've been getting up 2, 3 or 4 times a nite. Very disturbing cause I could sleep the nite away normally. I must be getting old.

Work is crazy. We're getting ready for next week's conference. I'll be ready to pull out my hair next week. They driving me nutso! Thank God for printing services. I'd be crying right about now if it weren't for them. lol Big jobs, tight time frame.

Nip/Tuck. OMG. I love this season. It's so exciting. A little too oversexed for me, but hey that's what sells right? For me I love seeing the lives of these characters unravel or ravel right before my very eyes. I was dead on with Matt last nite. The only curve ball was that he was still with Kimber. I couldn't believe the transformation. Wow! I look forward to seeing the rest of the season.

Speaking of seasons. How much do I love Christmas. alot! However, I'm sick of giving gifts out. I give out so many gifts and I might get 2 or 3 gifts. I know it's all about giving, but honestly I'm tired. I give everyone's kids and I don't get anything back for my step-kids or my grandson. Well to be fair my blond sister has always given my daughter and grandson. But everyone else ignores them. Then I'm the Grinch and the bad titi if I don't give. I'm sick sick sick of it I tell you! I want to get some gifts this year! lol OK the selfish tantrum is over.

Well I had so much to say but I'm feeling kinda lazy so I'll end it here cause I'm tired and not in a real chatty mood. But since I haven't posted in a hot minute.

Musings

I was driving past Lincoln Park last Sunday. It is illegal to park along the park drives. They have several parking lots. So as I was driving by, I was very surprised to see about 50 or maybe more illegally parked cars. I was thinking they must have a carnival at the park but I didn't see any banners or music or vendor stands. So I sarcastically thought--"they must be giving something away for free!"
Then I see the mass exodus coming from the church at the entrance to the park. There were a lot of people there--old, young, teens, babies. Some were walking home and others getting into their cars. I was really impressed for a couple of reasons. One, it's not even Christmas! And two, none of the cars had tickets. I guess what they were giving away was love.

The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell

My friend & co-writer introduced me to Lillian Jackson Braun, who is the writer of "The Cat Who...." series, a while back. She has always been saying how great this particular series in which two cats, KoKo and Yum-Yum play pivotal parts. I am a cat-owner and animal lover so I finally relented and chose a book. I chose "The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell."
I have to say it really was lite reading--so lite it was fluffy! LOL
Seriously, it wasn't bad. The plot was OK. It was a, well I guess you can call it a murder mystery. And the smartest clue seekers are the cats. And everyone in town has a cat. Oh and the cutest is the cat in the library--he's the bibliocat!! Isn't that cute?? It was a cute easy reading for a lazy Sunday afternoon, however it's just not for me. I prefer more action--the man who cheats and gets his due, karma at work, the psych killer or the nice racy love scene ;) -
Just can't see any of that happening in a book where two of the main characters are KoKo and Yum-Yum.

El Cantante--A Great Addition--Get it!!

OK I'm not picking on my friend so I want to say this right off the bat. My opinion is just slightly different than hers on the recent "El Cantante" movie which depicts the infamous Puerto Rican music legend--Hector Lavoe.
First Jennifer. She was OK. I'd give her 3 out of 5 stars. But it may be the way the story was written. They set up the movie as though they were interviewing Hector's wife and giving us his story through her eyes. I don't think it's so much that I didn't like Jennifer as that I didn't like his wife. Many people believe that she was the reason he got started on his drugs. But that would be blaming somebody instead of making him responsible for his addiction. I am not sure who started drugs first but both Hector and his wife were drug addicts. Her brother was a dealer and it is believed he provided Hector with what he needed. It's just that Hector's addiction led to a shortened life of a very talented singer so the focus is on him.
Marc Anthony was totally excellent in his portrayal of this legend. Of course Marc also has a great singing voice and is a legend in his own right.
While this movie does portray a very tragic life brought to a close by drug addiction and the irresponsible behaviors that go hand in hand with it that led Hector to be one of "the ones" with HIV in the 80's, before medicine and technology were able to prolong a life as well as they do now.
I think it is a movie totally worthy of having in your collection because it's not just about shooting up. It's about life lessons. It's about a good man who made a mistake and paid with his life. But before he dies, he learned his lesson. some may think it was too late at that point but hey, they aren't making movies about you are they?

Time to Love Ourselves--Be Selfish

So I was glad to see that my co-writer is back on at work and can blog her little heart away. Yes this blog is mostly about books...well being as we don't have many readers yet (if any), it's actually more about day to day life and the books that get us through!
As we see she just never stops. She makes me dizzy just to read about what she does.
Now this particular blog was a little different but I've edited. No need to really go into detail except to say that I hurt someones' feelings which is not what I meant to do.

So I don't even remember what got me to ramble on about this particular topic but I was thinking about growing up and the things our parents/caretakers do for us--out of love of course--but that end up doing more harm than good. Maybe it's the fact that my beautiful goddaughter has gotten into a little itty bit of legal trouble. It's really not that bad but it's a lesson she needs to learn. And I hope we let her learn it.
Growing up, I was the good sheep. I was the honor roll student, the volunteer, the worker. My cousins were the bad apples. They were the drop-outs, the druggies, the no good lazy bums. I realized once that the bad apples seem to have it easier than me and I though this was very unfair. Family and friends always asked if they were OK or needed anything. They always got a few extra bucks thrown at them so they wouldn't go hungry at school because the school cafeteria was apparently not good to their delicate stomachs. They always got calls just to make sure they were fine and not a call asking for a favor. Oh and they always got the best Christmas presents!!
Supposedly, it was some sort of reward in hopes that they would change their behavior. It never worked. I don't blame them. I mean why change if you seem to be getting everything you want and more by misbehaving and continuing your irresponsible behavior. I wouldn't change if I was getting the royal treatment!
One day I realized that it was much better to be the bad apple and the lazy bum. Nobody expected anything from you. I wanted the royal treatment too so I got myself into some legal trouble as a teen. And I expected that my family would want to gather around me and ask if there was anything they could do to make me happy. Maybe they'd take me out for ice cream and a new outfit. Or even a book (what can I say I was a bookworm back then!) I expected something nice!! I mean I got handcuffed!! (and not for any good reason as later discovered in my young adulthood--LOL)
Well wouldn't you know that even the bad apples were disappointed in me?? That is one lesson I will never forget. It seems you ave to be a bad apple all along to always have someone there ready to take you to the ends of the world; To always get taken care of and if one day you manage to actually wash the dishes or remember to get your own milk before all the nearby stores close or just do something for yourself without asking anyone to do it for you--there will be applause, a party, a cause for celebration.
But funny how nobody goes out of their way to help the person who does it all. I think they must think we don't need any help. We must have them really fooled into thinking that grown up responsible behavior is easy but since it comes so naturally to us, we don't even see it.
So now we are all adults. And nothing has changed. I personally am getting really sick of it. I'm tired of people portraying uselessness just to get the better of other people. I'm tired of healthy able bodied people constantly sitting back. People need to get their act together.
It's time we all learned the difference between CAN'T & WON'T and NEED & WANT.
Eventually the good apple goes rotten. After a while, we start resenting people for running us ragged. We get really crazy and respond in a very mean manner and the bad apple will look at you with that "deer caught in the headlight" look because you've accustomed them to taking care of things for them. They have no idea that they are doing anything wrong. And also, you just never know, but the day may come when you are not here. Who will do for them then? Sometimes we do more harm than good.
Why do some people feel they need to take care of everybody they love, even those who can fend for themselves? What do we show these people, especially teenagers and young adults, if we always pick up their pieces? God knows there are situations in which the pieces will be so broken, you'd do better throwing them out. Sometimes it's a better way to love if you let someone learn the lesson they were meant to and face consequences of their actions. But sometimes we are just bred that way I think--we are reared to be the servicer, the fixer, the one who will always take you out of a jam. And without getting spiritual, the one who will save you. The only problem is that when it comes time to save ourselves, we have no darn life left.

Confusion Reigns Supreme

Ok one day the website is blocked and the next day it's not. Weird. Totally weird. But I'm grateful that I'm able to update it myself now. I don't have to pester our co-creator to post up my bloggings.

Anyway there is no rest for the weary. I'm pooped. I worked all weekend. And I got me some great clothes. However since I only had 30 mins to eat lunch, shop and try on my clothes I couldn't get everything I wanted. So I'm stuck for another week there. I do have to say that the store managers work TIRELESSLY from the time they walk in there till they go home. I mean its non-stop. I have NO time to browse the store at all. This past weekend I spent HOURS taking the entrance package for new hires. And the sad part is that I never fully finished it!! Yikes!! I can only imagine how much longer it's going to take me. The funny part is that they made me role play with the manager. Yesterday they worked me to the bone. The other girl that was working there got caught lying and I'm sure she lost her job. A pity. She's a young girl who is preggers and tells me she's not. Um hello..you are wearing maternity clothing and I could see your baby bump. lol Anyway I have to say it again those women work really really hard at making that store successful. And so do I. It's not a bad job. It's just that I like having my weekends free AND I HATE standing for long periods of time. I don't get a break. I'm running back and forth and every time a customer comes in I'm expected to drop what I'm doing and go sell them a credit card. The percentage is attractive 1.9% per month for any carryover balance. However, I personally hate it cause eventually you'll get sucked into buying stuff you don't need. lol

Anyway, I saw the movie El Cantante. I thought Jennifer Lopez was very believable. Mark Anthony portrayed a very believable Hector Lavoe. I would add it to my collection, but I don't want a movie about a man who shoots up in my collection. But I did enjoy the music. It did inspire me to buy some cd's for my hubby for Christmas.

I saw the watch that I wanted to buy my hubby. It's really nice. I'm going to put it on layaway. I hope that he likes it. I'd like to buy him a ring, but money's a little tight this year. lol

I'm almost done reading Mary Mary by James Patterson. I'll post a review soon. Because after all this blog is about Tattered Pages...you know books. lolol I was just busy all weekend. I didn't even have a chance/energy to go to church.

Oh and I was just informed that my associates wellness center is really a whore house! omG. I didn't realize that they still had these things in America. How naive am I? lol

I'm currently reading the November issue of Reader's Digest. I really enjoy that magazine. I wish I could afford the large print version for my mom. Perhaps I will get it for her around income tax time. She loves to read but her eye sight isn't the greatest. Bendito. And she has the most beautiful brown eyes. I love my mom so much. I'm so psyched. She's coming over on December 4. I plan to take a week off just to hang around the house with her!! :)

Well this is all for now. Let's start a petition!! Let's get our co-creator or rather our creator to start writing. We miss her updates. She's just too busy for us!! We miss you. Come back and start blogging. Give us recaps of the books you are currently reading. We love you! Come back to us soon!!

Hectic

I'm so tired. I cant tell u. I'm on the go 7 days a week. My body is tired. Yesterday check this out--- I went picked up the neighbor to go accompany me to the dollar store, then I took her to the ATM cause she needed money, then I took her to the store to buy milk for herself and for Wiggles! So that didn't bug me. Then I drop her off to RACE HOME to take the hubby to his 7:30 church mtg. I was doing like 90 on the turnpike! So I take him to his mtg only to RACE back...I had to go to Kmart to return something so that he could have money. Then I went to Lisy's house to get something I had ordered (CANDY - I needed the energy rush), then I jumped back and RACED to pick him up at 9 pm! When I get there he asks me to take our church friend to Journal Square. And I take her to the square off Bergen Ave. Then I go back into the heights to bring the bags that I forgot to leave when I dropped off the neighbor. Then hubby calls his daughter and of course she's in her friend's house with my grandson and I had to go pick her up. Then she tells us that the baby has no milk and hasn't eaten (grrrr) so we stop at a nearby store and buy him milk and raviolis. Then we take her home and hubby wants to go inside and visit. So after 20 mins we leave, fill up the tank (gas is expensive!!) and then go back home. (side note: on the way home I was whining about how tired I was and my husband says I never asked you to bring her home, I said to take her to the bus stop!! Mental slap!! But then I said God how good you are that you allowed me to hear wrong just so that we could come over and buy our grandson some milk and ravioli's so he wouldn't go to bed hungry. He's getting to be a picky eater cause there was food in the house, but I guess being 2 means that you make your own menu. lol) Now mind you...It's 10:30 pm and I have been in my car since 6:15pm and haven't eaten since 12 pm. So needless to say, I was hungry. 11 o'clock finds me in the chino's getting food! lol Then we went home. And finally ate and passed out around 11:35pm or so. Child I cringed when I heard the alarm clock at 6:15 this morning. lol

I just wanted to put this out here so that you could see what our co-creator is talking about when she says I'm a busy bee. I really am. I'm on the go 7 days a week. I got 2 church mtg/studies. I go to regular church service. And now I go and get myself a part time job. Am I crazy? It seems so. What can I do to get out of it? I want to quit, but I don't want to burn my bridges, because you never know. But I have to hang on a few more weeks because I want to buy some clothes at a very good discount! lol Yeah I know, but what would YOU do.

Anyway, tonite is another nite of activity. I don't know what it is to go home and just sit there and veg and maybe cook some dinner. No...I have to be all over the map like a deranged humming bird! lol Tonight's agenda:

• Pick up daughter and take her food shopping. (play with grandson)
• Drop off daughter and visit with sister who is going through major drama (play with wiggles, maybe take her to eat)
• Go home and clean up a week's worth of messes!
• Make a little dinner
• PASS OUT COLD ... lol

Tomorrow I wanted to go to the flea market, but honestly I don't think I got it in me because I also have to work. I shudder to think about this. I wish I had money right now so that I could buy all the clothes that I wanted and then quit!!!! But that's another story that's been told. lol

Finally on Sunday I can sleep late!! The church service isn't until the evening. Yippee!! I'm SO looking forward to just sleeping in late! But I'm sure that I'll find something to do. And you know what I was thinking? (of course you don't) Yeah my life is pretty hectic lately but sometimes that's a good thing. It means that I'm getting things accomplished right?????

I been at work for over and hour and a half and I got 3 work related items accomplished. lol OK let me go work so that I could afford to come to work and update my blog. :)

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers -- A book

This blog is about books right? And yet somehow I sneak in snippets of my life. lol So anywhoooooo, here's my take on "The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers"

It's a very lite read. I think its like 190 pages. And that's because it was double spaced. lol No seriously it was a lite book. A little too monotonous for my taste. Nothing very exciting, except for the flying cat. No I wont spoil it for you, you will just have to read the book for yourself. lol

I remember reading one of these books years ago and found it so exciting. Maybe I built it up in my mind. Cause you know that happens alot. But I thought it was pretty hum drum and lacking some exciting and melodramatic scenes. Then again that might be because I've been reading alot of action detective books lately. So compared to those, this book is a fluff piece. All frills and no substance. I'd say if you were going to the laundromat or to sit under a tree and people watch then this is the book for you. So that you could pay attention to your surroundings and yet feel entertained because you have a book.

Currently I am reading Mary Mary by James Patterson. Has a bit more promise than the cat with the 60 whiskers. But then again James doesn't have a cat who can tell you AHEAD of time before the phone rings or you have company coming. So James needs to get one of these cats/dogs/birds/iguana pronto!!

And so my fellow book worms, this book will only get 2 1/2 tattered pages. It would probably be best to rent it at the book store than to buy it.

It should be duly noted that I am not a real critic, nor do I have any experience/training in the field. The items expressed here are solely my own and should not be taken out of context. :)

Halloween Antics & Blockage

Just so everyone knows my company has blocked my viewing of this blog. In the future Lisy will post my blogs. Sigh...However, I found a way to get in and post my blog items TEMPORARILY...however, you know that technology will find me out soon enough. lol

Anyway, yesterday I went with my husband to his side job. OmG. How annoying it was to sit in my car for 9 hours! OK I sat on the way there, on the way to pick up a friend, on the way to pick up supplies (3 times) and on the way home. Yonkers has some really nice places, but I wouldn't make the move over there. It's still NY and as many of you know, I really am not a big fan of NY. Anyway, it wasn't all that terrible. I did alot of people watching. And there were a few stores to look at. (2 pizzeria's across the st from each other, a very small supermarket, 2 small bodega's, liquor store, a busted 99 cent store, a cheesy pharmacy, nail salon and a bar. A few arguments broke out. I saw alot of trick-o-treeters. The cutest costume goes to the little boy dressed as a NYC cop. How adorable, whistle and handcuffs and everything. Very cute. The second one goes to the teenager dressed as a french maid with the thigh highs and everything. Who valiantly tried to pull her skirt down. And I'm thinking why bother? your costume is designed to show your tushy! lol

Pork Rinds - this was my meal yesterday. They fill you up. I had 1 bag that lasted me like 3 or 4 hours. It wasn't very big at all. a little bigger than a bag of chips. But the sucker was filling! lol I'd grab 3 or 4 pieces and then feel full. All the while I kept watching my husband work away. lol

So last nite, I really didn't want to go to my Al-anon mtg. I really just wanted to go home and stay there. But I decided to go and I'm glad that I did. I was able to express the fact that I am overwhelmed. (and somewhere Lisy is sighing and saying finally she admits it! lol) Yeah its taken its toll on me. I need to learn to say NO, leave me alone and its no my problem. But being a people pleaser all my life makes those last few words so difficult. So pray for me will ya?

The trick-o-treeters were out in full force. Kids were everywhere. A few eggs were thrown but for the most part it was OK. Oh the only other damage was that someone wrote on the garage door in red spray paint. Idiots. Don't they realize how expensive it is to buy stuff? ugh. Why don't people teach their children manners?

So I work this weekend and I am so not feeling it. I'm trying to come up with an excuse to quit. I hate that job. What should I say? Help me out here. lol

Well I really don't have anything else to say. Except what's cooking for Thanksgiving?