Project Hospitality

Without the kids around, it's much easier to donate their stuff. It's clothes they've outgrown & the lesser used toys. I generally stash stuff away in case they repeatedly ask for it, though. I *am* a weenie. I even cleared out a lot of stuff in my closet. What do they (whoever they are) say? If you haven't worn it in a year, it's safe to remove it? Whatever. I tossed clothes I haven't worn in over 5 years - they just don't fit & they AREN'T GOING TO. So, with 3 bags of clothes, 2 boxes of toys & 2 bags of stuffed animals it's off I go to Project Hospitality. Not the best neighborhood, not a lot of English spoken & people look at me but, eh, so what. I walk in & ask would you like some clothes & toys? Sure. Next thing I know is a little girl about 7 or 8 with the THE BIGGEST SMILE on her face that I nearly cried right there. But I waited until I drove off. And this is why I donate all my stuff. Sniff.

Light a candle & say a prayer...

I found this as part of a scavenger hunt at Recipezaar. I love it & wanted to share.

The speech we long to hear...

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed.Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now to begin the reckoning.Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there.The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the Vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New YorkA special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil.Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTAtreaty - starting now.We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska - which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care.It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism.. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin."Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we won't forget.To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic.God bless America. Thank you and good night.If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

Just playing

I've been having a hormonal morning. I just learned a friend is going back to Afghanistan. It seems like he just got home. His sister, my oldest good friend (? - she's been my close friend longer than anyone else on the planet), sent my this interesting email which I'll cut, paste & blog separately. I'm trying desperately to choose R's 1st Communion portraits - a daunting task. I just received my FACES (Finding A Cure for Epilepsy & Seizures) update & the front story is about a guy whose seizures sound like mine. I found a drug that actually works, he had 2 surgeries. What is the difference between us? Did he try the drug that *finally* worked for me? I've been crying at the drop of a hat all morning & I don't even know why - well, maybe the news that George is headed overseas again tipped me off. My baby boop only has 2 more days of preschool. I really can''t believe this year is over. BOOM. Once again, my brain thinks it should still be September. I don't believe how much STUFF happens in the course of a school year. Anyway, I felt like changing the look of this blog; the pink was hurting my eyes. Lemme know whatcha think.

For all my friends... I can't live without you...

This was sent to me by my friend, Sandra. When I was in 6th grade & moved to a new town, I was seated next to her - sort of buddied up with her. We've been friends ever since. She sent me this the other day. It made me cry. Here...have some tissues.... Love, Bethie

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end.Around the corner, a vanished friend.
Remember to always say what you mean.
If you love someone, tell them.Don't be afraid to express yourself.
Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.
Because when you decide that it is the right timeit might be too late.
Seize the day. Never have regrets.
And most importantly, stay close to your friends
and family, for they have helpedmake you the person that you are today.

Apparently, I am totally & completely unable to SCREW.

It has been 90 & humid all week. Fry, baby, fry. The a/c in my bedroom was crap so it went to the curb last fall. I've been sleeping with a fan in my room. It's insufficient to say the least. So yesterday, I bebop to Sears & pick out a small, cute & cheap a/c. How difficult can it possibly be to 'install'? Just shove the thing into the window & plug it in, right? WRONG. You need to attach the wingy things on the sides. BUT the screws do NOT fit the holes. OMG, you should have heard me cursing. I am not a moron. I am fairly handy around the house. I know the difference between a flat head screwdriver & a Philips head screwdriver. There's also an alcholic screwdriver - what was in that?? Vodka & OJ? Anyways, I guess I need to get out a drill & carefully make the holes an eensy bit bigger w/out damaging the wires & whatnot inside. I am soooo not looking forward to this project. All I want is a good nights sleep (whine)!!!

Apples and Wine....

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because it is too much trouble for the prize. Instead, they just take the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy.......

The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree. Share this with other women who are good apples, even those who have already been picked!

Now, Men...

Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

Courtesy of my friend, Mikki. Heh heh heh.

I killed them all.

Except one. Coli is a bug person. So, for her birthday, I went to Insectlore and bought an anthill habitat, a butterfly garden, and a ladybug land. There was a nice sale if you bought all three.


All 5 caterpillars (I think there were 6 when we started...) grew & made their chrysalluses or whatever. All 5 hatched into lovely Painted Lady butterflies. All 5 were doing fabulously when we left last Friday. 3 were dead when we got home. Oh my heart SUNK. We decided to let the other 2 fly away asap. We were busy as cukkies the next day & didn't get it done. The next day was cold & rainy. Today, another was dead!!! Ayiyiyyyyyyyyy. We took the mesh garden thing outside, opened it up & left it. Fortunately, the lone survivor flew away. OMG, I am a horrible mommy. Nicole cried & cried & cried hysterically when she saw the empty garden.

The ladybugs have been set outside with the cap off & slowly have been leaving. They grew to maturity no prob. The ants...lol. They dug & dug & seem to be burying each other. I don't know what the trick is. There's only about 2 of the original 20 or so left. *sigh*

But she had a good time watching them grow & I told her we can do it again next year. Soon she'll be catching fireflies....................

Aunt Beth MUCKED it all up!

My nephew, Ben is graduating high school this year. Back when my 1st niece graduated, we decided that we'd spring for a 'Weekend in NY' graduation gift - 1 restaurant & 1 show of their choice. Karin saw 'Rent' & Josh saw the Knicks. Ben will see Phantom of the Opera. The restaurants have all been excellent - we usually choose because it's a pretty daunting task to choose a restaurant in NYC. Karin chose French(Cafe Des Artistes), Josh chose Italian(Da Silvano), Ben wants Parisian French. We were supposed to go to Daniel. BUT, I learned today, I needed to make the reservations TWO (2!) months ago!!!! Woopsie. I frantically searched for another place. Alain Ducasse is a bit over the top, even for me. I checked out the menus of a few places then decided to try Le Perigord. Ding, ding, ding!! Reservations made. Phew. I hope he's not too disappointed.