THREE WORD CHALLENGE

Sometimes, all it takes is Three Words to get the message across. Melissa's Blog had a great one word challenge that I thought I would post but I decided to tweak it and make it 3 Words.

If you want to do one, simply copy and paste and credit where you saw it from in your own blog!

Have fun!

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Use one - three words to describe or name the answer:

1. Where is your cell phone? Hidden in Handbag
2. Your significant other? Taurus Moody Charming
3. Your hair? Curly needs Cutting
4. Your mother? Caregiver for Grandmom
5. Your father? Supportive and Kind
6. Your favorite thing? Laughter. Creativity. Animals
7. Your dream last night? Co-workers on Boat
8. Your favorite drink? Water. Juice. Milk
9. Your dream/goal? No more Anxiety
10. What room you are in? Messy unorganized Office
11. Your hobby? Blogging, Crafting, Reading
12. Your fear? Almost Everything Anymore
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Financially comfortable. Peaceful
14. Where were you last night? home watching Olympics
15. Something that you aren't? Aggressive, Bully, Patient
16. Muffins? Warm. Homemade. Buttery
17. Wish list item? Backyard Privacy Screen
18. Where you grew up? Northeast Philadelphia, Rowhome
19. Last thing you did? Washed face. Breakfast
20. What are you wearing? Shorts and Tank
21. Your secret wish? Lottery. Donate Charity
22. Your pets? Finnegan and Husband
23. Your life? Getting organized. Learning
24. Your current mood? Grouchy, Sad, Anxious
25. Missing? Cape May. Grandpop
26. Your car? Buick, Needs Cleaning
27. Something you don't like wearing? bras, pantyhose, trends
28. Your favorite activities? cleaning, organizing, crafting
29. Your favorite colors? Blue, Green, Yellow
30. When is the last time you laughed? Last week sometime
31. Last time you cried? yesterday watching movie

JANNY is GENIUS!

Thank you Jannypie for putting together a great, convenient blog of Martha Stewart's daily organizing and craft tips!

The blog, MarthaDaily, makes it much more convenient for me to find simple solutions to organizing and crafts.

Janny, you're my Hero, girl!
xoxo

Merciful Heavens! NUTTER BUTTER TRUFFLES!

Many thanks to Nestie, Mrs.HVK for bringing to my attention this adorable blog of a site, Bakerella.

I am anticipating with delight the Nutter Butter Truffles I will be making for an upcoming party this weekend.

Photos and licked fingers to follow!
Here's the Recipe:
Nutter Butter Balls

1 pkg. Nutter Butter cookies (broken… use cookie with the cream center)
1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)
chocolate bark

1. Finely crush all but 5 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency.
2. Combine with cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.
4. Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.
5. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping bye!
xoxo

At Last I can Shop without GUILT!

It took one commercial to make me socially conscious of Animal Rights and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Thanks to Sarah McLaughlin's "In the Arms of an Angel" commercial (see bottom of blog), I was determined to be more mindful of what products I purchase and how that money will not go into corporations that perpetuate and support testing on innocent animals.

Yeah, I've become one of "those people".

I used to think they were radical and didn't make sense. I am now happy and proud to say that I am more aware of the products I bring into my home and the responsibility as a consumer that I have to choose fair items free from any kind of animal testing.

Recently, I came across this site, LEAPING BUNNY, which educates people on the types of cruelty-free products that are available on the market.

How many times I go shopping and I wish I knew what items are "guilt-free". Now I have the power to make that informed decision thanks to this site! Click here for a downloadable shopping guide as to what beauty products are free of animal testing!

Please educate and understand that there are many things we buy for our vanity/beauty that do not have to be tested on these creatures. Buy pure, buy simply.

Thanks for stopping bye!

Better Late Than Never - Lawn Furniture Redo

Last year while perusing the many chippy happy Country Living and Romantic Cottage magazines for Spring, I was determined to find a sweet old vintage lawn chair set.

You know, the kind that has a bowl of summer berries on it, little gingham tablecloth and a few pitchers of pink lemonade.

My favorite local shop, Vintage Funk, just had such a set dropped off. 4 chairs and a collapsible table for $19.00.

It was cheap because it was in poor condition. Rusty nails and hinges, peeling paint and a wobbly table made it a steal. So I snatched it up and brought it home. Never to work on it.

Fast forward to this summer. It has been sitting outside for an entire year and has gotten worse.

I told my husband we should just throw it out but he claims it can still be salvaged for even decoration. (The thought of throwing anything out makes my husband CRINGE).

So today....on one of the last waning days of summer....I got the motivation to work on it. Just in time to put it away for Fall!

A light sanding, a coat of spray paint primer, a few coats of white spray paint. It's not in any better condition except for cosmetic. I just don't have the patience to redo it all. But for 19 bucks, hey!

Better late than never.

Before

After

Stay tuned for next summer when hopefully, it will have a vase of flowers on it and perhaps that pitcher of lemonade afterall!

Thanks for stopping bye! xoxo

Sunday Drive out in the COUNTRY!

OUT FOR A SUNDAY DRIVE!

Summer Sunday Morning. Warm, Not Humid, Sunny, Slight Breeze, Blue Sky and a few puffy clouds.

"Let's go for a drive" says my husband.
"Let's". I agree.

some scenery of our drive here

Living in Bucks County certainly has it's advantages. Since we are both big history buffs, we love being within an hour drive to any of the many historical landmarks that created our country.
Me acting like Pocahontas during our hike at Ringing Rocks
Oh yes, I am atop an 8 foot lofty rock about 30 feet from the bottom of the bank. Me thinks I see Civilization out yonder!

Mark says "how did you get up there?" Then says "how the heck are you going to get down from there?"

Bucks County has plenty of them. So after mass, we hopped into the car and went for a drive that lasted about 7 hours (with pit stops at anything that looked pristine and photogenic).
Noxamixon State Park where Hubby goes Kayaking

here's me!
Point Pleasant State Park...Lots of tubing down the river here! We stopped at this old red barn and played on the swings. Yeah, we never grow up.

Cutie Husband meandering through the park looking for gophers.

VIDEO of what happens when you go for a walk along the lake during Olympic Season

Thanks for stopping bye! xoxo

APPLAUSE for my MOMMA!!!

This past weekend, I was asked to provide a Sweet Table for a 50th Anniversary party. Not knowing if I could put out a spread for 125 people, I turned to the only person that I know who could make it happen with grace and enjoyment: Mom.

Mom worked as a cook/baker and pastry associate in several local tea rooms. Having had her own catering business for over 30 years, she never advertised and did it all through recommendations and word of mouth.

Everything in her kitchen is homemade and from scratch - the way it was taught to her by my Great-Grandmother, Sebastiana, from Sicily. 450 delectable sweets later, I picked up the order and assembled it at the local yacht club where the party was to be held.

Thanks, Mom....for always lending a hand!

"TWISTER" finds a home!

Here are some photos of our Foster Pup, "Twister". We found a FOREVER HOME for him in about 4 days after we posted on CL! They are a nice family with a 2 acre fenced yard and pond in the suburbs. Perfect for this mixed breed who just loves to run!




I wrote them a letter in his doggy voice:

Dear New Forever Family~

I’ve been saying my puppy prayers for such a long time and now I know I have a guardian angel pooch looking after me.

You see, I always wanted to be someone’s pet instead of being caged in the shelter. When the nice people at the shelter found me, I was lost and stray and had no place to go.

There were so many other sad dogs with no homes and I hoped that when they brought me to PetSmart someone would like me enough to take me home. I was so happy my foster mommy and daddy brought me to an actual loving home, that I took a wee wee in excitement! I really liked their dog, Finnegan, but he seems sad and tired from his trauma.

I’m a puppy and I have a lot of energy and excitement and being able to play with my human brothers will give me great exercise!

I am always hungry but maybe once I get neutered I will be more regulated. I also drink a lot of water because I’m so full of energy.

I love to play fetch and run after balls.

When I get tired, I want to be with my foster mom and I curl up on her feet to take a nap! I love Finnegan’s doggie bed and have been sleeping in it since I am quicker to plop down on it than he is.

I am currently teething and love to chew on my puppy teething ring. I love to learn manner and ask for you to be patient with me as I learn where my boundaries are.

I love to run and run and go for long walks. Sometimes when I walk I tend to lead but if you take me for walks enough I will learn to walk with and beside you instead of ahead of you. Just very gently nudge me back and reward me with a treat every time. I’ll get the hang of it. I can go jogging and running with you too. I’m very versatile with my neat stealth puppy skills.

When I am left alone, I get nervous because I think I am going to be abandoned again. Make sure you exercise me and get a lot of my energy out before you leave me so I can spend more time sleeping zzzzzzz and less time crying and worrying. Again, if you wouldn’t mind being patient with me as I learn to be a good boy.

My foster mommy and daddy got quite attached to me and they said if I don’t work out with you, you can bring me back to them. It’s nice to be loved by so many people!

They also asked if you could send them pictures and keep them updated on me on occasion because they love me so much. Thank you!

Finnegan and I like to watch “our stories” on tv like DOG WHISPERER and IT’s ME OR THE DOG. We think the whole idea of exercise, gentle discipline and affection works for us. We are easy-going like that.

I know I am new right now and will get a lot of attention at first especially from my happy human brothers but as time goes by if you could please still remember that I need lots of love, affection and exercise to be a well adjusted and balanced dog, I will love and lick you for life!

I can’t thank you enough for opening up your home and your life to me. I will do my doggie best to be loved by you and if you ever want to snuggle with me, please feel free! I love snuggles!

I am so glad we are going to be together now. . . . so let’s go play and have fun!

All my Love, Licks and Paw Prints,

Your grateful new pet

Twister

Thanks for stopping bye!

A little bit about me...

Chapter 1.
Little Girl Lost.
Living with Anxiety - the early years.

To share this is difficult. I have to go deep. Yet writing down the bones of my life has become a cathartic source of therapy for me. If nothing makes sense, I apologize. It's the way I live and the thoughts become emotions which in turn become words.

To start, I've worn my heart on my sleeve to a fault for many years. Most folks may find this disconcerting but if I can reach out to anyone, I know it wasn't in vain.

I've always been the most honest about my faults, flaws and insecurities. I don't know why but it's been good for me to be open ....it provides a source of seek and help. I mean what the hell? I have nothing to lose that I haven't lost already - which is my mind.

I remember my first anxiety attack. I was only a little girl, maybe about 5 years old.

My Godmother/Aunt and Uncle along with my Grandparents took me every weekend to church, breakfast at the diner and then grocery shopping. One particular weekend, we went to visit friends of my grandparents. I remember sitting there while they talked and getting a sudden homesickness pang for my mom.

We lived in the same city and were only 20 minutes away but the separation anxiety was intense. And the fact that I didn't understand why I was feeling that way manifested the anxiety even more.

The next thing I know, I was crying to go home.

It began then, twisted and reinvented itself in many forms and hasn't stopped since.

I had separation anxiety throughout my school years. Usually my morning ritual consisted of waking up, getting sick in the bathroom, packing my books and getting sick in the hallway at the school.

I'd spend the day in class staring at the clock thinking the time would go fast. It didn't. Numerous phone calls from the nurse's office for my mom or grandfather to pick me up from school became a habit during my school years.

When it was back to school after summer or Christmas holiday, I would cry myself to sleep, vomit and have irritable bowel. The onset of panic became familiar and horrible from the earliest age.

Once puberty hit, a different set of anxieties occurred and now depression started to follow. Why was I different? Why couldn't I spend a weekend with my friends at the shore without feeling an overwhelming sense of doom and panic...? Why did I always feel sick and sad all the time?

My home life was happy for the most part. My dad worked and went to night school, mom was a homemaker except for Thursdays when she worked at the local city newspaper taking classifieds. My two older sisters kept busy with their school and social activities. I had a set of good friends and excelled in school.

Still from an early age, a pang of worry, grief and despair trailed me.

More to come...

A TWISTER hit our Home

Twister. He sat calmly on a leash outside of PETSMART. It was their adopt a shelter dog day. Skinny little guy. 8-10 months old. Found him wandering aimlessly along the streets of Trenton, NJ.

"Can we?" said the puppy dog face of my husband. "No." I replied. We have no room. We have no money. I meant what I said. We are pinching pennies these days and our 1000 sq foot home is considered a closet by modern day standards.

"Well, if we wait around till we have money or room, we never get what we want in life." replied the spousal unit. I hate when he's right. The dog handler chimed in on the plot "You can be Foster parents!"

Hmmmm.....Our beloved pooch, Finnegan, is still convalescing after his back trauma 6 weeks ago. He's made progress but is having a puppy the right thing for him? Will they get along? Will they bond like Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari in Bosum Buddies?

Those eyes looked up at me. And he was so relaxed and docile. "I'm going to go in and sign the Foster parent forms"....my husband already decided. My heart was tugging like a weight.

I worry. I worry a lot but I couldn't bring myself to put this little guy back into a shelter. Next thing I know, he's in the back seat of our car.

We weren't even supposed to go to PetSmart. We went to Barnes and Noble next door...but damn you...if you leave a homeless pet outside looking all vulerable and cute, you know we will be drawn like a magnet.

How did he get his name? His tail. He likes to chase his tail. Round and round...he'll bark at it.

He exits our car and goes into the yard...Jump, yipe, sniff our dog, jump yipe bark...sniff our dog a little more...mark the territory with the obligatory pee and he's off and running.

Part Greyhound, part who knows.....we section our small living room off. Him and Finnegan sniff each other, play tug, snark for dominance and run around.

Now, I know nothing about puppies. I'm just starting to watch DOG WHISPERER, read CESAR MILAN's books and learn how to be the PACK LEADER with our 5 year old pooch. Enter into the house a puppy and I feel overwhelmed and lost.

Any suggestions are most welcome. Please feel free to email me..I could use all the help I can get.

Oh, and his tail chasing is a fixation. Not very cute. He needs to break out of that habit...I am praying to St. Francis of Assisi (the animal Saint) for guidance.

Twister please be gentle.
Thanks for reading!