On this day, I see clearly...everything has come to light

Today, I had my first WWE experience.

Seriously - it was so much fun!!

I never really watched wrestling until my son liked it - and now of course, I enjoy it as well. My son has gone to quite a few matches -but today was the first time that Princess Petunia and I went as well. It was really fun - and it's wild to see everyone up close and in person. If you think they look big on television - you really get the perspective of how large they truly are when you see them. (Of course, sitting in the second row makes it that much easier, but still....)

We all have our "favorites" - and mine has been Edge. It was so fun because he had a match, but then came out again in the end. It wasn't a televised match, just what they call a "house show" - but I don't think that makes much difference outside of less fireworks, drama and maybe shorter matches. It still was with all top performers and just a good time.

It might sound silly - but I have to tell you, if you've never watched, give it a shot.
It's really very fun .

The falling leaves, drift by the window...the autumn leaves of red & gold....

I don't think it gets much better than foliage in New England.

I wish I took photos of my backyard this season because this has been one of the nicest autumn leaf peeping we've had in years. My backyard is about 1/4 acre of uncleared land - and then all conservation woods, and so when I tell you it looks spectacular - I'm not kidding. Every where you look is just gorgeous fiery reds and oranges and golds.

There are often times that I wish I lived in other areas for fleeting moments -- but trust me when I tell you, I wouldn't trade living here for anything in the world.

Tease-y does it!

I ran out quick today and got my nails done.
Typically, I either do French Manicure, or a dark color such as Vampire State Building, Linkin' Park After Dark, Suzi Says Da - really very dark colors. I wish that I could wear bright colors but they just don't look right on me. And typically, I prefer a flat color - I'm not big into glitter.

Well.
Until today....

Though I did pick the most subtle of the Burlesque collection - it's a little glittery. And I love it!

You have to check out the line that OPI put out in honor of my girl Christina's new movie "Burlesque". I almost wish I was a glitter kind of girl because the polishes are so fun! The salon has them painted on nails so you can see what they look like - because how many of us have picked out a color and been like "oh, it looked different in the bottle...."

Crazy, fun glitter polish.
Love it! And you will too. Check it out!

Today's thought brought to us by the letter: "I"

IRRITATED

Main entry: irritate
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: upset, anger

Synonyms: abrade, affront, aggravate, annoy, bother, bug*, burn*, chafe, confuse, distemper, disturb, drive up the wall, enrage, exasperate, fret, gall, get, get on nerves, get under skin, grate, harass, incense, inflame, infuriate, irk, madden, needle, nettle, offend, pain, peeve, pester, pique, provoke, put out, rankle, rasp, rattle, rile, roil, rub the wrong way, ruffle, sour, try, vex
Notes: aggravate means 'to add to' an already troublesome or vexing matter or condition while irritate means 'to vex, annoy, or chafe'

irritate means 'inflame' (originally 'excite, rouse'); aggravate means 'worsen'

She comes from Boston....

You know you're from Boston when.....

You think of Philadelphia as the Midwest.

You think it's your God-given right to cut someone off in traffic.

You think there are only 25 letters in the alphabet (no R's).

You think three straight days of 90+ temperatures is a heatwave.

All your pets are named after Red Sox, Celtics or Bruins.

You refer to 6 inches of snow as a "dusting."

Just hearing the words "New York" puts you in an angry mood.

You don't think you have an attitude.

You always 'bang a left' as soon as the light turns green, and oncoming traffic always expects it.

Everything in town is "a five minute walk."

When out of town, you think the natives of the area are all whacked.

You still can't bear to watch highlights from game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

You have no idea what the word compromise means.

You believe using your turn signal is a sign of weakness.

You don't realize that you walk and talk twice as fast as everyone else.

You're anal, neurotic, pessimistic and stubborn.

You think if someone is nice to you, they must want something or are from out of town.

Your favorite adjective is "wicked."

You think 63 degree ocean water is warm.

You think the Kennedy's are misunderstood.

Weekend Roundup....

Seriously, this weekend went by far too quickly. It's Sunday already and I have yet to have a decent cup of coffee all weekend. Can you imagine? I don't have any Keurig in the house that isn't Mocha Latte - and for instant, I only have Taster's Choice Robust which is not nearly as good as the original. But if that's the worst problem of my weekend, I'm doing okay.

So, nothing new on the house front - we still have yet to find anything. Time is a ticking on the offer we have, otherwise it's rental time. And G flip flops on his thoughts on that - sometimes he figures no biggie - then other days he says "no way." Although....I did get an email from an aquaintance of mine who has a beautiful home on one of my favorite streets in our town - and she's thinking about selling. So we may take a look at the house this week, she's going to get back to me on Monday. She's a realtor herself, so I tend to think that if she didn't already have a place in mind, she wouldn't have raised my hopes and sent the email - right? Her house is actually right next door to a house we looked at three years ago that we really loved - but someone beat us to the offer. So, I'm cautiously - cautiously - optomistic. I'm really hoping to get in and see the inside, though truthfully - even if it needed work, I wouldn't care just to be in that neighborhood.

Today, the kiddies and I are heading to visit cousins who are also our best friends. They have a crazy amount of cats - like 9 or something? So the kids are besides themselves with excitement to see them and play with the little furry felines -- I think that 4 of them are kittens actually. I swear, they aren't crazy - they have a huge house, you'd never know there are that many animals there. Though this girl would not love the cat box situation that must be going on. Ugh, that would be impossible I think. I have two cats and their cat box is enough to keep up with.

I had my 1 year "thank you party" at the store last week - and we had a fantastic turnout. I was beyond touched at the response because there were many different fundraisers going on that night, so to have such a strong turnout at my little store - was great! We got some really nice publicity out of it and everyone had a great time. It was a nice little glow to end the week on - though I was crazy tired on Friday, I'm not going to lie.

And on that note, this girl is off to go enjoy the rest of the day! Because it's back to the grind tomorrow....

Hats of to my girl Christina....

For writing lyrics that I wish I had written - but not only did she write them well, she sings them perfectly.

Sorry you can't define me...
Sorry I break the mold.
Sorry that I speak my mind ...
Sorry - don't do what I'm told.
Sorry if I don't fake it...
Sorry I come too real
I will never hide what I really feel.

How's about a little blog fun?

Your Taste in Music Says You're Philosophical

Your musical tastes are reflective and complex. You are intellectual to the point of being cerebral. You are very open to new experiences, and even more open to new ideas and theories. Wisdom and personal accomplishment are important to you. You are naturally sophisticated. You are drawn to art, especially art by independent artists. You are likely to be financially well off... and not because you were born that way.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

You Are Italian

Ah, you are a true romantic. You enjoy all of the sensual pleasures in love - delicious food, soul stirring music, a beautiful sunset... And you always seem to be able to find the words to describe each experience perfectly. You are a charming and seductive person. You just have that certain something that draws people to you. You are passionate about words. Words can easily inspire, delight, or anger you. It's sometimes all about how something was said.

What Language Are You?

Just another manic Monday....

....and so, the aforementioned offer has been placed.
We're counter offering - and then we have to find something, relatively quickly it would seem.
Otherwise - we give them their deposit back.
Stay tuned.....

I am crazy tired these days. I think it's the whole change of seasons and it getting darker earlier - it makes me feel just wiped by 8pm. Of course, it's now 10 and though I'm exhausted - I can't shut my mind down just yet to be able to go to sleep. So, I write...

Tomorrow is the actual one year anniversary of the second store and my official career change. Amazing how on one hand it feels like it was yesterday - and yet, I feel like I've done this forever. It's funny how that works....

Also tomorrow, an appraiser is coming to give me an estimate on fixing the door that was literally gouged last week. I don't know of any good body shops - so if any of you who know me, have any recommendations for a good one - please feel free to share! I would hate to just Google one, when I could go on a tried and true referral. Word of mouth is what keeps the economy going and helps the small businesses.... pass it on!

So what's a girl to do...

If an offer is placed upon her house....
but yet, there's nothing on the market for her to move into in turn?

Its difficult because I'm adamant about staying in the town we live in; though I could potentially move across town, I'd prefer not to - who wants to deal with school redistricting? Ugh, I don't want to put the kids through that. Although.... my son would traipse to the Intermediate school for only one more year; he goes to Middle School in the next 1.5 yrs which is a centrally located school. My daughter though, would have to change because I can't see traipsing over to the other side of town for the next 4 years.

Truthfully, our side of town is more convenient and readily accessible; moving to the West side would be the least of all options.

But what if there aren't any other options to choose from?
*sigh*

Thursday's Random Thoughts....

1. Zahra Clare Baker, who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer, was reported missing over the weekend by her father and stepmother. Except, the authorities are looking for her remains because they believe she is dead. At the hands of her stepmother, and possibly even her father. Can you imagine?!?! Kill, kill, kill....! That's my opinon. Does the death penalty avert crimes like this? Those opposed to capital punishment may suggest that it doesn't - but I'm telling you, make the taking of a life with malice and forethought punishable by death - and people just might think twice before harming others -- especially the young and innocent.

2. It's still rather surreal for me when I think about my Mom. I know that I was rather fortunate in having the ability to say goodbye - but you know, I'm still really haunted by that last day. Really, I am. My daughter talks about her alot - she mentioned her again today, and how that last day was the last time we saw her; about how the last time we took her out, it was out for ice cream, only 10 days or so prior to her passing. It's just a weird, strange feeling when I think about that period of time. I wonder if when she stayed with me, she knew how much of a gift she gave the kids for them to be able to spend time with her. I know I'm certainly not the only person to lose a parent, but trust me when I tell you - it's an unsettling feeling to not have your Mother, at least at this stage in life. Many have lost sooner, I know; but it never is really the right time I suppose.

3. I think I need to make a little time for me soon. The holidays are coming and I'm going to be crazy busy at work -- I've yet to make a Wrentham run (can you imagine?!), I never got that massage I wanted over a year ago now -- and Mommy needs a little R&R. I think the week after next I'm making a Monday Wrentham Run (insert angels choiring HERE), and maybe the week after will be a spa day. My problem is - I really love my job, and I hate not being at the store. It's an extension of who I am, in the best way - so I really don't mind being there during the day, as opposed to being at an office. Now, if only I can stick to the plan of taking a day off....

What I'm loving these days....

A really big Zinfandel. Autumn scented Yankee Candles. Episodes of Dexter on Sunday nights. Lavendar and Rosemary scented lotion on my hands at bed time. Cocoa dusted steaks. The crisp, cold smell in the air at night and first thing in the morning. Crisp apples. Namaste incense. Any song by Ray Lamontagne. Peppermint Soap. Big, bright, vivid red sunflowers.

Lyrically speaking, of course....

(This is my opinion in part of why teenagers shouldn't be involved in social media. We all knew the "couple" who beat each other up in school - but at least back then, they could go home and cool off - break up with each other, avoid one another. There is no escape today...constant texting, IM'ng, Facebook....it's never ending. Children are too young to be immersed in constant connectivity.)

I can't tell you what it really is
I can only tell you what it feels like
And right now there's a steel knife
In my windpipe
I can't breathe
But I still fight
While I can fight
As long as the wrong feels right
It's like I'm in flight
High of a love
Drunk from the hate
It's like I'm huffing paint
And I love it the more that I suffer
I sufficate
And right before im about to drown
She resuscitates me
She fucking hates me
And I love it
Wait
Where you going
I'm leaving you
No you ain't
Come back
We're running right back
Here we go again
It's so insane
Cause when it's going good
It's going great
I'm Superman
With the wind in his bag
She's Lois Lane
But when it's bad
It's awful
I feel so ashamed
I snap
Who's that dude
I don't even know his name
I laid hands on her
I'll never stoop so low again
I guess I don't know my own strength....

You ever love somebody so much
You can barely breathe
When you're with them
You meet
And neither one of you
Even know what hit 'em
Got that warm fuzzy feeling
Yeah them chills
Used to get 'em
Now you're getting fucking sick
Of looking at 'em
You swore you've never hit 'em
Never do nothing to hurt 'em
Now you're in each other's face
Spewing venom
And these words
When you spit 'em
You push
Pull each other's hair
Scratch, claw, bit 'em
Throw 'em down
Pin 'em
So lost in the moments
When you're in 'em
It's the rage that took over
It controls you both
So they say it's best
To go your separate ways
Guess that they don't know ya
Cause today
That was yesterday
Yesterday is over
It's a different day
Sound like broken records
Playin' over
But you promised her
Next time you'll show restraint
You don't get another chance
Life is no Nintendo game
But you lied again
Now you get to watch her leave
Out the window
Guess that's why they call it window pane

Now I know we said things
Did things
That we didn't mean
And we fall back
Into the same patterns
Same routine
But your temper's just as bad
As mine is
You're the same as me
But when it comes to love
You're just as blinded
Baby please come back
It wasn't you
Baby it was me
Maybe our relationship
Isn't as crazy as it seems
Maybe that's what happens
When a tornado meets a volcano
All I know is
I love you too much
To walk away though
Come inside
Pick up your bags off the sidewalk
Don't you hear sincerity
In my voice when I talk
Told you this is my fault
Look me in the eyeball
Next time I'm pissed
I'll aim my fist
At the dry wall
Next time
There will be no next time
I apologize
Even though I know it's lies
I'm tired of the games
I just want her back
I know I'm a liar
If she ever tries to fucking leave again
I'mma tie her to the bed
And set the house on fire...

And they're off....

We saw Secretariat tonight.
First off - I loved the cast. Diane Lane, she was good - but I love, love, love John Malkovich - as well as Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette from True Blood) - and of course, the star himself: Secretariat. Or at least the horses who portrayed him.

It's a Disney Movie, so it was a feel good movie which is great - I just wish Steven Spielberg had done it, because it could definitely have been a complete tear jerker, but in the happiest of ways as only he can do.

Of course, watching a based on fact movie waxes nostalgic on this girl - so I figured I'd share with everyone the most amazing footage of the actual Triple Crown victory, which is absolutely amazing to see.

Check it for yourself!

Saturday Survey....

It's been a while since I've posted a Saturday survey....and since I'm sitting here with a glass of wine and relaxing I figure, what the heck! Now is as good of a time as any, right?

So without further adieu - here is tonight's random trivia about, you guessed it - moi.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? How badly I'm in need of a good haircut.

2. How much cash do you have on you? Nada. I'm sitting on the sofa w/ a glass of wine. My wallet is no where near me.

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? Roar. As in "I am woman, hear me..."

4. Favorite planet? "Venus, Goddess of Love that you are...." Mmmkay, that might be the wine talking. I don't have a "favorite" planet per se, though I suppose one should suggest Earth.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? My sister in law.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? I don't have one. The rings on the Crackberry are less than fun.

7. What shirt are you wearing? A big ol' beige Champion sweatshirt. Cozy, but not at all cute.

8. Do you label yourself? No. I don't agree with labels on people. Aren't we always evolving? I aspire to, anyway. I certainly hope to never be stagnant and always learn and grow.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? How's about socks? These bad boys would be Hanes, I believe...

10. Bright or Dark Room? Bright...lots of lovely light.

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon's 70th yesterday? It was his birthday yesterday? Damn, I missed it. Kidding... No, of course not.

12. What does your watch look like? They look lonely in my jewelery box. I don't wear watches.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? 4pm. The time of the showing of my house today.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? Beats me. There aren't any in my town. There's one right across the street from my Boston store though!

16. What’s a word that you say a lot? Clearly.

17. Who told you he/she loved you last? Princess Petunia.

18. Last furry thing you touched? This question is always on these things. My cat Twinkle, about a second ago.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? I've been popping a ton of Advil for this headache I've had for the last three days. That's about the strongest thing I take my friends.

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? I don't have any rolls to be developed but I do have many albums on Snapfish to print.

21. Favorite age you have been so far? I've loved them all, truly. Each day is a gift, and I mean that sincerely.
.
22. Your worst enemy? Myself.

23. What is your current desktop picture? A favorite picture of the kids.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? Good night.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? A million dollars. I can always rent a jet -- but I could make a million into ten million and always be able to spread the wealth.

I'm a little freaked out right now...

So, I'm driving up 93 tonight - and the oddest thing happened.

I swear, someone threw a something at my SUV!
It has a complete gouge in the drivers side door - I have to have the freaking thing replaced now! It's a brand new flipping Lexus, are you kidding me!?

My niece is spending the night with us tonight, and so I was going to take the kids to Fuddruckers for dinner but....the dog hadn't been out, so we decided to go out for Chinese instead since that was closer to home and we needed to go there first. As I'm driving home, I'm flying up the highway until I see lights and a wall of traffic ahead, so I decide to take an earlier exit and take the back roads home.

So, as I'm merging to my right, and I'm just about to enter the exit lane - there's a loud BANG on my drivers side and my SUV shakes a bit. We all say "what was that?!?!" and the first thing I think of is that someone threw something at me.

In retrospect, could it be a rock that bounced up from the road? Sure... but it would have to be one heck of a large rock -and there were no trucks near me, so that would mean that a rather large sized rock skipped lanes over to me somehow. Check this bad boy out:




I am so freaking irritated. Really. Not the best way to end the week.

Though, we're still getting Chinese. Just taking it in, instead.....

Eat it , eat it - get yourself an egg and beat it...

Ugh.
You ever have a week where you just eat horribly?
This is one of those weeks for me.

I've eaten more in the past week that's not good for me - than I typically eat in a year.
It's like I'm in a food rut! Which is so funny because I rarely get like this - but once I start, it's hard to stop. Well, relatively speaking. I'll let it run it's course for like, a week.
(No, it's not hormonal... I hear what you're thinking!)

I was literally sore to the touch today because of all the sodium I consumed yesterday. But you know, truthfully - the problem is I eat so good all the time, when I stray - wow, do I pay for it.

That's okay. Come next week, my broken and practically shorn toe should be feeling better and I can go back to yoga three times a week.

Everyone deserves a little food vacation, right?

I see my Marianne, walking away.....

Okay, I have to admit - my knee jerk reaction to the trade rumors of Randy Moss was "Are you kidding me?!?! Say it isn't so!". But now that I've had some time to digest it....I'm okay with it now. Do I love the idea? No. Do I think he's worth the money he's asking -- yes. Do I understand that the Patriots don't like controversy and he spoke out of school in week one -- yes. Do I think the Patriots are as strong of a team without him -- no. But do I think that he should be able to control and manipulate the organization to get what he wants -- no.

The biggest dissapointment for me in this - is that we got no immediate gratification in return; we got a third round draft pick.

All good things come to those who wait my friend....look at Tom Brady, whom they didn't sign until the first week of regular season. Maybe, had he quietly expressed his wanting to stay - had he quietly negotiated in within the organization rather than in the court of public opinon (ala Manny Ramirez) he may have been pleasantly happy with a contract.

I get that there is concern regarding a walk out and a lack of paycheck; but I think it becomes a matter of not what you say - but how you say it. And I think unfortunately, Randy Moss handled himself rather unprofessionally in a business situation - and so now, he's in a position to play with a team who's a contender - but with no potential future, which initially was what he was looking for. He wanted a long term contract - and with this trade, he's only got the rest of this contract year....so did he really get what he wanted? Outside of just being out of New England.

It is what it is -- and it's over and done. Time to focus on the here and the now...no receiver over 5'9, and a really very soft defense.

Is that going to be enough to win, one game at a time?

Say it isn't so...!

Was Sunday the last game of seeing Jason in a Sox uniform?
I refuse to believe it. Refuse.

I still believe that we will see him in the uniform for one more season....then, I may regrettably have to realize that the era of the Captain may be over.

But one more season, that's all I'm asking for.
Just one more....

Because you're mine....I walk the line.

So, tomorrow we have a showing for our house. And Sunday is an open house.

I still have so much to do to get it ready, and I of course - got right to it when I got home from work tonight, because during the week there just wasn't time. As I was cleaning out the storage area (or future roughed bathroom) on the third floor (aka "Mantown"), I suffered a little --accident if you will.

As I was rearranging the faux Christmas tree, there's the base that has the pointy end that goes into the fixed base.... I sort of slammed it down rather hard on my toes on my left foot. Accidentally of course, thinking I was propping it up against the corner of the wall not realizing my foot was there; I thought I was hitting the floor. (Can I get an "ouch" aloud? Thanks...) Blood, everywhere...and immediately. I literally thought I severed my toe - it was stingingly insanely painful. Truth be told, not nearly as painful as it would've been had I truly severed my toe I'm sure, but yes it was definitely uncomfortable. So, I yell really loudly (it's soundproofed in Mantown, so no one can hear me anyway. Truthfully, for a split second I thought "oh shit, am I going to have to clean up blood now!?! Fortunately the sock soaked it up before I made a mess. Whew!) and then get really quiet - because when I'm in a lot of pain, I sort of suck it all in.

(Did I mention I get a little squeamish when it comes to fingers, toes and teeth? No? Oh, well...I am. Only time I've ever passed out was when I sliced my finger really deeply on a can - and I hit the floor immediately. Weird, but for some reason that triggers something for my blood pressure to drop. I'm sure it's psychological. But I digress....)

Then I calmly hobble downstairs, and stick my foot under the tub water - all the time saying over and over to myself "please tell me I didn't sever my toe, please tell me my toe is there".... So, I finally get the guts to feel my foot and realize thanfully it's in one piece -- and take my sock off. Yes, my toe is a mess, swollen - disfigured, bruised - and there's no way I can walk on it, flat footed. Well doesn't that suck. Did I mention that I have a job that requires physical labor? Ah, yes - well, this should be fun.

So that's how my week ended. Um, how's about you?

I'm winding down with a few glasses of Layer Cake Shiraz (yum!!) and watching "Walk the Line", one of my all time favorite movies.

And so tomorrow morning should be fun. I still have more to do, and kids to get ready for soccer...and me with my hop along foot.

Good times... good times.