Football

So in the 1970's by default and the men in my family. I will admit I was a Dallas Cowboys fan. I mean come on who could not be with Tom Landry as coach and Roger Staubuck as the QB. It truly was Americas team. But since I have grown up and gotten some taste LOL. Actually just since the 1980's I have adopted and become a hard core fan of the NY Giants. Which to the male adults in my family is sacrilege as they are all Philadelphia Eagles fans (growing up and/or currently living in Philly). But what I did not know is slowly I have actually converted my Father and Grandfather to the dark side and they are both now routing for my NY Giants in the superbowl. Oh and of course my sister is also. My passion I cannot say when it started I can say the first true team I remember is the one with Phil Sims and Lawrence Taylor(the only LT ever in the NFL, for those who are San Diego fans your LT small potatoes). I remember watching the last few seconds of the superbowl wind down holding my breath as the kicker from the Buffalo Bills kicked the possible winning field goal and MISSED. Having my team win, I remember loosing to the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs... and the ravens in the superbowl. But what I will truly remember no matter how old I am. Is the day I truly became an ELI MANNING fan. This would be Superbowl 42 in Phoenix, Arizona (my home town) where Eli and Michael Strahan with the rest of the team led the NY Giants (underdogs) to a win over the undefeated New England Patriots. For two weeks I listened to the sports casters dog my giants. I sat in a room with Boomer Eaisain (sp) while he predicted his score for the superbowl with the Giants of course loosing. But in the end and much to my surprise I might add the Giants came out on top. I could not BELIEVE IT... i was up blogging, listening the sports shows till late at night letting it sink in. My friend had to hug me and move me from staring at the trunk of the car because I could not believe what I had just seen. And then to top it off I loved listening to all the sports casters and sports experts back track trying to reverse EVERYTHING stated the weeks before. Then to come back this year listening to how the experts did not think we could do it again. UM HELLO 1st seed, home field advantage possible playoff in the MEADOWLANDS... I would say we did it we showed that not only could we beat the team who was undefeated but come back and excell in a season where the casters did not even talk about us in the beginning. So no matter what happens from this point on (of course they will win) I am proud to be a GIANT fan and to be behind a team who comes out every week to play the game. :)

The Grinch and Charlie Brown

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. The air is crisp and we as believers are reminded what we believe. The true meaning of Christmas the baby lying in the manager. Not all the noise noise noise (to quote my favorite christmas character). During the Christmas season there are two cartoons I wait for and watch. It is not Christmas without Charlie Brown and the Grinch. To me both these shows teach the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown reminds us of the baby lying in the manager, the shepards who watch over their flocks that special night. This story also reminds us to remember the little things, even an ugly tree can be made beautiful when it feels loved. And the Grinch reminds us that Christmas is not about the presents, boxes, bows or even the roast beast. It is about our hearts, how we are to put people and family first, no matter whether toys, boxes, whether individuals recieve what they desired in the way of things. What is important is the fact we celebrate the joy and love Christ brought to us and show us during HIS life. This is why I love these two shows. It also is because Santa is not the focal point of the story but the meaning behind Christmas. So even though Christmas is gone , remember "as long as we have hands to clasp Christmas is always in our grasp. "

Christmas Day

For those who know me. I love my family. However, my family has a sick and twisted sense of humor. Some might say a little sarcastic but definetely twisted. This came out on Christmas Morning with my conversation with my father. We were chatting about what we were going to eat for Christmas dinner. I was having fish with friends. Dad and Judy were having free range chicken with friends. Now with most families the conversation would just end there. However, being my father and having his sense of humor. He continued with the statement he was going out to the field to pick a chicken. Now having grown up with stories from my Great Grandmother, grandparents and grandmother on what occurs with chickens when you cut the heads off. I could not let this statement go. So i responded with make sure you stay away from the blood while it runs around. The conversation continued for a few minutes. As we ended I made sure to point out my to my father he would need to make sure he got a chicken for four people (as they were having friends) . He stated how did he know this would feed four. Not to be out done I told him ask for help of course, like a Christmas tree lot I am sure they range will have people to assist him on picking a chicken which would feed all four individuals. Dad then called back for another reason and not to be out done I of course asked if he was back from the range already. This is just one example of how crazy my family can be.

World Series

As most know I am a dihard Yankees fan. I have been to the stadium grew up in the shadow of the trade centers (okay you had to climb up to the top of the hill of my street to see the city) but still you could see it. What most do not realize is I was born in Philli and my family is all from Philly. So tonight as the Philadelphia Phillies entered the 9th inning of the world series I did what every good sport loving granddaughter does. I picked up the phone and watched the game with my 90 year diehard philly Fan Grandfather. As the team began the inning I chatted away. Checking to see if my Dad-Dad was on the other end (my phone tends to drop calls in my house) at one time he said Yeah just listening to you :) He would call the game. Oh there is a strike two outs. And at the end of the game as his beloved Phillies won the game. He said okay now that over going to bed :) But I will always remember watching the game with my Dad-dad as the Phillies became the world series champs for 2008. BTW I continued to call my sister, mom and Dad because we are all adopted Philly fans. (I think mom and dad have been closet ones for years since they still have the accent from growing up in Philly)

So The Philli Phanatic what is it? Who knows but what I do know is I have the phanatic fever. All growing up everyone was a Yankees or Mets fan. I however, although a Yankees fan. Love the Philly Phanatic, this happens to be my most favorite mascot. There is just something about this image and this individual that makes me smile. Maybe it is because we really do not know what he or she is. But this mascot is out there every Phillies game being crazy, riding the little car and getting the crowd crazy. Anyone who has every watched a Phillies game has seen this mascot and needs to smile. This mascot brings back memories of my family watching games, having thanksgiving dinner. To most a mascot comes with a team for me this mascot comes with family and memories. This mascot makes me smile.

Social Networks

Many years ago I signed up for myspace. This social network online to get in touch with friends. This is supposed to be a user friendly system, the main reason I signed up for this service was for the sole purpose of seeing what the kids were doing. At the time I was working with the youth group at the church and wanted to keep in touch with the kids. But I rarely used it because I found it quite hard. Then facebook came along, this wonderful new system easy to use and games to play. The next thing I knew I was re-meeting old friends from high school and many individuals from the church. Here on this site it was easier to play games have fun and keep in touch with my friends. With many different alerts and other items available. But the real fun began when my younger sister FINALLY got onto facebook. Like all siblings when I mentioned the system she poo pooed it and said I DON'T think so but within the next year her best friend signed up convinced her to sign up and the next thing I knew I was re-meeting individuals I had not spoken to in 18-20 years. Friends from my old college and youth group. Individuals I had not heard from but had prayed for and thought of a million times over the year. Now I canot wait to sign on and see who has found me next. The boy I first kissed, my first crush or the closest friends from college. My college roommate ... who knows but what I do know is for a social network it has become some thing I truly enjoy.

Autumn

You know I used to love fall the changing of the colors of the leaves. Not the raking of the leaves but the awesome colors. And the smell. No matter what anyone says there is a special smell to fall. The changing of the closets from the summer light to the winter warm. The expectation of the late warm Indian Summer before the cold. ..... That magical time where everything is beautiful and colorful. I know what am I talking about. But this is how I remember fall in the East.
Well someone forgot to tell my Valley of the Sun it was fall. Because this week we averaged around 105 degrees. I mean fall here is supposed to be in the two digits not the three. So if anyone out there has gotten the message please tell my valley as I am ready for the fall breeze and cooler temps. .... And yes it does hit freezing in the desert.

birthday weekend

I love my family... their quirky sides and not so quirky sides. But was it most fun is planning to surprise or scare them. Which in some ways I did to my mother this weekend. Forgetting my mother has an instant panic button whenever it comes to my sister or I. I decided to call her as I walked into the rehab clinic where she is currently residing. She surprisingly answered the phone (it was after all 7:30 am) and immediately said it's 4:30 what's wrong. Which if I was home in Arizona it would have been but as I was currently walking into her room it was 7:30. So I conveniently kept my voice calm while trying to communicate with my sister which room I was to enter. Time perfectly to say it is not 4:30 but 6:30 (okay my timeline was off) and peeked around the corner of the curtain in my mother's room. Who immediately put down the phone, started yelling my name and hugging me. Not believing I was standing in the room.... So I would say my sister and I successfully surprised my mother this past weekend. Not to mention the party my sister pulled off in surprising my mother. Which could have been ruined by friends spilling the beans, shopping with the boss, all the cars outside the home or best friends entering as we were pulling up but for all the problems my ever successful and planning sister had an answer for everything that could go wrong and was ready to rationalize everything. But she did not have to and the surprises went off without a hitch. It was wonderful to see my mother with her friends and see how much people truly adore and love her. Who are willing to accept her issues and personality. Because in the end we are all just works in progress.

Surprises

Ever since I have moved to the southwest I have always wanted to surprise a family member. Well now I get to do it.

For those that do not know. Since July 2007 I have lost a grandmother and almost lost my mother. On April 4, 2008 Kiersten woke me up to tell me she could not wake our mother up. She tried everything and nothing was working. Now for those of you who do not know. My mother has been disabled recently and is on much pain killers to ease the pain from a degenerative spinal disease. So the not being able to wake her up did not concern me as much as the disorientation of my mother. (she thought she still lived in philly). 911 was called and in 7 hours my mother went from dehydration from the flu to septic renal failure and me getting on a plane as fast as I could soaring back to the east coast. After a month of many tests, two hospitals and rehab my mother finally got the correct diagnosis of c-diff bacteria. She is on the mend and doing much better.

So in August I was trying to figure out what I could get my mother for her birthday. When I checked the prices for flights and saw how cheap the plane flight was. YES! Cheap. I bought a plane ticket and on September 3rd I am on the red eye to surprise my mother for her birthday......


Of all the people that know we were most afraid of me ruining the surprise. Since, I am the worst when I have the perfect gift for someone keeping it to myself. So three more days and I will have made it and not spoiled the surprise YEAH !!!!!!

My new phone

Now you have to understand in all the years of cell phones and plans I have always bought the cheapest feeling like what do I need all the bells and whistles for. But then on June 5, 2008 I entered the verizon store and was introduced to the envy2. This phone had all the bells and whitles was beautiful, included chatting, texting and camera, internet oh and gps. However, sadly I could not buy it that day. The reason for this my german polish stubborn frugal mind and ethics would not allow me. Because if I waited a measly two months August 10, 2008 I would be saving 20.00 and the phone would be 100.00 rather then over 100.00. So I patiently waited for the day when my phone and I would be reunited and I could possess this new technology. So on August 10 I proudly walked back into the verizon store and bought my phone. Not a day has gone by I have not enjoyed being able to take pictures, talk online to my friends and text. Because lets face it when you spend 8 hours on the phone at work the last thing you want to do is talk on it when home. LOL.

Oh do not get me wrong special people (family) and I talk but for the most part yahoo messenger and texting is how my friends contact me. :)

Not only was I able to purchase this modern miracle but my best friend and sister both have the same phone. This made it fun when my sister was looking a furniture to send me a picture, looking for her apartment and of course visiting my nana. So being so far away having these new phones brings us closer together. Ain't technology grand.

Ya know you are from phily

Okay as most of you know I was bred in Jersey. From when I was a young child till my early 20 I lived in Jersey. However, what people do not know is I was born outside of Philadelphia in Bryn Mawr PA. So I consider myself a philadelphian. Especially since the rest of my family still lives in Philly and my parents grew up there. So you can imagine being this far away from Jersey and Philly there are two major items I miss. PIZZA really really good NEW YORK pizza and PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS... well a few years ago I found a New York pizza Gus's in Tempe AZ. Where the owner is from Brooklyn. SO when I need a fix. I really good pizza I go to Gus's. But that philly cheesesteak still alluded me. Until today when a manager at work came in to tell me about Carleone's in Tempe (surprise) I think it is that University influence. I am telling you the original stuff with cheese whiz and everything if they have wooder (water) ice I am so excited. Anyway she went again today and brought me back on. Goodness was I in heaven. On the cup and the website reads "Ya know you are from Philly when".....
1. Only tourist go to Pat's and Geno's
2. Your favorite dessert is Wooder Ice.
3. "Yo" and "Youse Guys" are terms of endearment
4. You can't eat fries without Cheez Whiz.
5. You don't think Wawa sounds funny.
6. You love scapple for dinner
7. You buy soft pretzels at a traffic light
8. You took a vacation downdashore
9. you know how to spell Schuylkill (the river)
10. You hate the Dallas Cowboys.

9. Was also "you know where the rocky statue is"

So if anyone can relate to these then I guess you have roots, currently live in or are from philly.

Cars

So I was on my way to see "The Dark Knight" on Saturday sitting in my car putting on jewerly. I heard a wanky sound. It sounded like something stop working in the motor area. However, everything felt fine driving. The AC was not a cool as usual and some times when accelerating the car would make as sound as if something was starting again and the car would get cooler. I thought nothing of it. I actually thought that the ac was dying and soon I would have to drive with the windows down. Although, uncomfortable in the summer desert douable. However, coming home from work on Wednesday I noticed the car overheating and in a panic called my good friends. Who of course said get it home park it let it cool off. I did and took it there for him to look at while the girls went grocery shopping. The diagnosis all fluids good. GGGRRRR... no more money into this car. So over the next few days I tried a variety of items and scenarios out while driving the car. Especially after talking to some friend. The diagnosis the car only overheats when the AC is on. When the AC is off no overheating occurs. While I am still going to the mechanic in the morning I think the diagnosis will be I wil have an uncomfortable rest of the summer without AC in my car. However, this will give me time to shop for a new car and get a good deal.

Mr. Potatoe Head

Yes it is true you read it correctly, Mr. Potatoe head. You see I was reading my sister's post the other day and found one listed Mr. Potatoe head. Having enjoyed hours upon hours of fun with this toy as a child. Changing the various points of his body, an ear where the eye should be, mouth to ear etc. However, the more I read I realized the makers of Mr. Potatoe head had actually combined to of my favorite childhood memories into one. They had made an Indiana Jones Mr. Potatoe head, apparently with the whip and with a recording. At least according to Dale (dad) and Judy Krum who are also the proud owners of this Mr. potatoe head. So you know with three of my family members in proud possession of this treasure I will be trekking out to my local target every where in the valley to locate this treasure and also be a proud owner of the Indiana Jones Mr. Potatoe head. Who cares that it is part of the new movie it is Indiana Jones. Oh btw they also made a darth vader Mr. Potatoe head I know because my manager at work owns one and I look at it every day. And no I have absolutely no idea where he got it

Star Wars

Oh my God- I was watching the news this morning. The new commentator was talking about Star Wars and toys, how there are new ones that are coming out as of midnight tonight. This took me back almost 20 years when a young girl fell in love with Star wars and had the whole collections including the mellium falcon (please forgive my spelling). I swear my sister had the whole set and would play with it for hours. I know today the toys are probably bigger, better and louder. But we had fun with those toys pretending to go on adventures and escaping the world. Okay maybe her more then me. Since I was never into the whole space things. But still it was fun to see her playing and enjoying her toys. I wonder now who will go and buy the new toys will children begin to create their own adventures. I have no idea what the toys were but I am sure somewhere somehow they will find their way into my sister's home.

Bears Teddy and all the others

As the picture will indicate I love bears not just teddy bears but real ones also. Growing up everyone knew this. So I would recieve bears in other shape, size or color for whatever special occasion. This a love because now I look at my collections (which friends tease me about) and everyone comes with a story. At one time everyone came with a name too but that has gone by the wayside as I have so many honestly I forget all their names. But the special ones, like rooseabell (19 year old bear) who has gone everywhere with me since I was 16, or ipswich and peabody my mother bought for me in Massachuettes named for two towns on the North shore of Boston. Or Wenceslas my sister had made for me in England and came with a passport and two outfits one summer and one winter. which get changed religiously when needed. Or my little oatmeal bear my mother I bought in a speciality store in Maplewood, NJ. The shop owner was so concerned the bear would be finding a good home. My mom said "do not worry she could not find a better home then with my daughter" To this day my oatmeal bear and her blanket are together in a place of honor. Everytime I look at it I remember that day when we brought her home. These little memories help me to feel closer to my family when the longing for my family becomes overwhelming. As this makes me feel closer to them and remember times when I was younger.

The Dark Knight ( do not read if want to see movie)

I saw the new Batman movie last night. Now you have to understand Batman is the bomb as far as I am concerned. I mean really a man who has all the money in the world, the brains to make more if he looses his current billions and a do gooder. Who actually fights crime and seems to be indestructable. While still being human and struggling with his alter ego. I mean what more could a girl want. However, if an individual goes into the Dark Knight movie expecting this movie to be like any of the others. Or the Joker or Harvey Dent to be like the others. Then in good east coast language forgetabout it (i know sp) ... I was talking to my sister today and educated in understanding Heath Ledger's Joker is more like those in the comic strips the one the original writer wanted him to be. Not the laughing funny guy from the early tv shows or even Jack Nicholason's version. But a very disturbed man who is hell bent on taking another down. On destroying another man. When put into this perspective then I understood. And realized I would have to go and see the movie again to get all the inuendos and parts which are important. Do not get me wrong I still think the movie was a tad long, and thought there could have been a few places it could have ended before it did. Not to mention some of the normal predicatibility one finds in any "superhero" movie. But I love the new ideas and implications of is "Batman" really a superhero or just a man trying to make a difference

Dating

What is a single girl to do. Not in school, does not take from the work pool, friends are all married with no other single friends to hook up, and the leftovers at church appear to be emotionally unstable. So what is a woman who is ready to start dating to do. The internet, right, I mean internet dating has changed over the past few years. The stigma has been lifted there are published success stories as well as the scary ones. But if you are careful and know what you are looking for you can remove the yahoos and keep those worth it. Let's face it there are a lot more people out there looking for hook ups then looking for relationships. The relationship ones are a diamond in the ruff and sometime the hook ups turn out to be relationships. People will surprise you. So with the encouragment and wisdom of my friends who have dated online and are now married I entered the chat rooms, dating services and attempted to find a Mr. Right or Mr. Right now. I mean you never know unless you try right. Well what I found were those looking for the hook ups (which truly is to be expected) and some generally nice people who might not be right for me but have been fun to talk to and become "friends" with. I did of course, find some scam artists. However, the scam that I found surprised me. I expected to find individuals online not being who he said he was. I expected to have to weed out the scams from the truth and with feet on the ground that became easier and easier to do. Not to mention after the first one or two you begin to see the signs. These are individuals claiming to be americans but really they are foreigners trying to imitate americans. They tend to be needy and very overwhelming. They attempt to "wine and dine" you online then claim they are stranded in a foreign country (usually) africa and then want money from you. Some will go as far as to ask for personal information. In my opinion these individual peg certain profiles where he has been taught the individuals are desperate enough and will believe anything. The individuals create enough of a profile and story where an individual who is desperate and trying to believe anything will believe them and will be sucked in. Thank God I have had previous knowledge, strong in my self-worth and have friends who point out the problems and holes in the story so I am not sucked into the story. Not that I would send money to a total stranger. These individuals know the right questions to ask and how to ask them. Therefore, when dating make sure you have friends who will help to see the holes and research. LOL

Singleness

Okay here is the pros and cons of the new dating life. IT sucks. I always grew up believing I would meet prince charming or "the one" for me. Well now I think that is a crock. My new belief is to just get out there and have fun. Do not worry if this is "the one" a "soulmate" or whatever stuff is being put out there. Do I believe there are individuals who match and choose to get married because the "stars a line" they have a feeling or just everything is correct. They believe the same things and have a general respect for each other YES. However, I also believe we are not meant to sit around waiting for our "true love" to come knocking on our door and announcing he or she is there. In my many years on this earth I have heard many stories on how individuals have met, high school, church , friends and internet are the main ways I have heard of people meeting. Within all these stories these individuals have stated the individaul he or she chose to marry just fit. The individuals knew he or she was the "right one" the one he or she knew this person would be the one he or she would want for the rest of his or her life. For some it was love others lust at first site but all at one point made the decision and commitment to the individual. I believe in my old age I have become pragmatic where dating and relationships are. I see marriage not as the grass is greener but different. I see where being single has benefits as I can choose to make plans whenever I want and go wherever. Without checking to see where plans are and what is going on. However, there is the nice thing of having someone else to do the dishes, pay the bills or call the plummer. But in the end what it truly comes down to is knowing you are loved and respected. This can happen whether you are married, dating or single. Start by loving yourself and the rest will all fall into place