caNOpy road

Me Weird???

2006-01-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

Alisha taged me for this MEME, and since I have never done a MEME I thought I would give it a go!!

I will list 5 weird things about me and then tag five other people to do the same. Here goes!

1. Remember the movie When Harry Met Sally? Sally liked to order things "on the side" me too. I don't think I am as bad as her, but I don't like a lot of things, and I like a certain amounts of things that I do like. So for me, please bring it on the side!

2. I go to bed very early every night. I like to be asleep by 9:30 at the latest, this does include the weekends. I will not leave somewhere just to go home and get in bed, but it is normally very apparent to everyone around that I am up past my bed time!

3. I love to watch the same movies over and over and over and over, but I don't like to reread books. I have no explanation for this.

4. I do NOT like strawberries because they feel GROSS in my mouth. I do not like their texture. This goes for tomatoes, bananas, and several other foods. I do not like yogurt because it stinks!

5. I am afraid of the dark. Mostly I am afraid of a dark bathroom, because my older siblings and cousins tortured me with a little game called "Bloody Mary" when we were younger, and the effects have yet to ware off. I also DO NOT watch scary movies. Just the kind that involve ghosts and spirits and spookiness, I do not mind action scary.

Ok so there you go, 5 weird things about me. Now here are my picks

1. Amy
2. Clare
3. Farmgirl
4. Wendy
5. Michelle

My Life In Music

2006-01-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

Getting the ipod has taken me on a journey through my life in music, what a ride! Everytime I download a new song, I get a flash of my past, me dancing to that song, crying, singing my heart out with somebody I could not imagine living the rest of my life without!! Music has an amazing ability to link you to your past with just a few beats! Here are some of my favorite flashbacks so far!

Tracy Chapmen Give Me One Reason- Takes me back to being 17 at my sisters apartment. She had this great little two room apartment that was in a huge house house downtown. Me and my one and only military boyfriend house sat while she was out of town. It was the summer, she had no AC and a caNOpy over her bed, it was magic!!

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Islands in the Stream- I don't care if you are laughing! This is one of my MOST favorite songs of all times. My favorite memory to this songs takes place at a store called Alvin's island. Those of you who don't know, AI is a huge beach store, they sell all kinds of wonderful treasures like shells made into clocks, and coffee mugs with beautiful seagull paintings!! I used to work at the one on Pensacola Beach, anyway AI had a music system that they had set to the easy listening station. Islands in the Stream was a regularly played song, which was great for me and the gay guy who's name now escapes me. Anytime the song came on gay guy and I would stop what we were doing, locate each other and sing the song together. I was Dolly and he was Kenny, and folks I do mean everytime. We eventually built up a little audience!!

Soft Cell Tainted Love- This song doesn't have one clear memory just a jumble of me with my arms around various people, always a beer in one hand. Screaming, not singing " Don't touch me please I cannot stand the way you tease, I love you though it hurts me so..........." You guys get the idea right!!

Matchbox20 Push- This is attached to me at about 23-24. Sean and I broke up for almost a year before we got back together and got married. During this year Cora and I lived in a cute little house that was only 800 sqft. I played this album a lot, along with several others. I spent hours listening and sorting out my life to this song.

These are songs that I have already downloaded, there are a million more that I still need. Look forward to stories about 311, The Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, and a whole bunch of other shit that I haven't remembered yet!!

p.s. those of you who know what I missing ( you know who you are!!) please remind me!!

Time for a change!

2006-01-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

What do you guys think? I thought maybe if I changed things up, it would make me feel like my blog was new again and I would start posting more! We'll see if it works!!

Does anybody know how to work an ipod?? I got one for free, when I went to New York. The company that paid for the trip left one in our hotel room!! I was excited, but to be honest an ipod was not something that I ever would have bought for myself. So now I have this thing, it's the new video one, but I can't figure out how to use the calendar and a couple of other little features. Maybe I am just slow!!

My trip to NY was fun. We went to China Town and Little Italy. I bought an awesome knock-off Dior purse and then went and had awesome NY pizza. Sounds like a day to me!! We went to this store called Century 21, it was a mad house. There were people and clothes EVERY WHERE!!! It's like a close out store or something, but man it was hard core. I didn't last very long!!

My husband won another trip, that's right folks, another one. This time we are going to Las Vegas in March, to see a NASCAR race!!! I am looking forward to seeing what the little elves will leave in my hotel room this time!!

I Believe.

2006-01-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn, let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.

My little sister showed me this poem yesterday. She heard it in a Yoga class she took in Japan, and she said that it just stuck with her. This poem will be forever burned into my mind as well. So I choose to let myself die and to be reborn, hopefully every morning when I wake up I will be reborn. Life is amazing, the way it takes you to the end, when you can fell that there is nothing under your feet, and just when you think that it's all over, it brings you back. That is what I have experienced in the last week, going to the edge and living to tell the tale, and I dare say I am a better person today than I was last Monday.

I have never been a person with a strong belief in God, but I attended Church with my mom last Sunday and for the first time I felt something. A presence of a spirit greater than me, comforting me, helping me to belive in myself and my journey. It was a great feeling, one that I hope to experience again on a regular basis. It was exhilarating to relinquish control of myself and trust that I would be taken down the right path.

I have hope that my life will work out wonderfully. I have hope that my husband and I will be able to come back together and live the life that we promised each other on the beach that day.

Do People Really Change??

2006-01-07T05:25:00.000-08:00

Does anyone have the answer to this question? My life is currently in limbo, and I can not choose a path until I decide if people really can change. If a person can change, can the person who was harmed ever really forget. I am confident in my ability to forgive, but what if everytime I look at this person I see the past. How can I live my life that way. Waiting for the next time, can I ever forget?

What in the world is this crazy person talking about? I'm sure you all are on the right path, my husband and I have separated. Me and my two girls are staying with my mom. My husband has a lot of good qualities, but he unfortunately has some bad ones as well. He has a problem controlling his emotions, anger being the emotion he most often feels! Last Monday it got out of control and we left, and have not been back. My husband has promised counseling and a complete overhauling of himself if we could just please come back. I think my husband is a good person, who has harbored some issues deep within himself his entire life. Can a counselor really bring light to an area that has been dark for an entire lifetime? I hope so, I myself am in counseling hoping for a ray of light to shine on my deep dark secret, that has caused problems in my marriage.

I am afraid and confused and happy not to be dealing with him, I don't really know what I am to be honest. I have no idea how to sort this thing out, I need a place to begin. For now the kids are safe, but not excatly happy.

...urple Alert...Purple Alert...Purple Alert...Purple Ale

2005-12-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

WANTED

Have you seen this Blogger???

I'm Back!!

2005-12-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody,
I have missed you all, but I am back now, so here's a quick overview of what's been up.

Thanksgiving was just all right. It was at my house and of course the was a bit of family drama!

New York was great!! We had a good time, and I bought a really hot Christian Dior knock off in china town!! The most disappointing thing was that the food at Tavern on the Green and Sardis was not that great, ya win some, ya lose some!! "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" was AWESOME, I loved it. I laughed so hard, go see it if you're in New York!

I have a new family member. His name is Gerogie and he's a 10 week old Jack Russell. I'm not quite sure how I ended up with him since I don't like dogs, but I have him and I acutely really love him!! Margaux has fallen in love with him as well, but she will only call him "puppy", she refuses to call him Georgie!! Cora of course is thrilled, she has been begging for a dog for about a year.

I know not all of you have gotten books yet, but I am going to start writing the round-up. Let me know if you haven't gotten your book yet and you need help getting in touch with you're partner.

Hi!

2005-12-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

Hello, everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate way too much of way too many lovely foods, since that is definetly the #2 best thing about that holiday.

I am living completely vicariously through our dear, sweet Cara this weekend, as she and her delicious husband, Sean, left this morning for a much needed holiday to the Big Apple! As we speak, if my recollection of her plans is correct, they are dining at Tavern on the Green...how beautiful! I am ecstatic for them both, as they are 2 of my most favorite people on the planet, and deserve this trip so much.

So, I am waiting patiently for Monday, so I can get all the juicy details of the trip. Wait with me, won't you?

2005-11-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody,
I just wanted to let everybody know that I have not forgotten about the BS2 round-up. I am just giving everybody a little more time. I have received e-mails from about half of those who participated saying that they have received their books. Don't forget to write a post about it on your site.

I have a question for everybody. I am considering taking classes from an online university, I am not sure which one yet, but has anybody out there attended one, or know someone that has, or just has any general info about them. I have heard good things so far. So please let me know what you know! Thanks

I made it out alive!

2005-11-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to a Family Team Conference, for one of my GAL families. Man, that was scary! This was the first really "hairy" thing I have had to do as a Guardian. GAL, DCF, and the mother in this case all meet in a room with a facilitator to "talk" about moms case plan. Well let's just say mom doesn't like me very much!! This girl is just that, a girl. She is very immature and has constantly missed her visitation, so when that was brought up, she got very defensive. She was crying and telling me that I just don't understand. I wanted to say " you know what, you're right. I don't understand how you can miss what little visitations you have with your child, because of nonsense. And you're right I don't understand how you can still be dating the alleged perp, and think that you have a snowballs chance in hell in getting your kids back. And I don't even understand how you can be sitting across the table yelling like I am the reason you lost your kids. So for once lady, you are right!" Of course all I really said was " you're right I don't understand how it feels to be without my children, so let's work together to help you get them back". I don't think she bought it!!

TPR

2005-11-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

TPR- Termination of Parental Rights

Guess what, I am involved in a TPR!! No, not my own, my kids are staying put. So why you ask would I be excited about such a thing, well, I'll tell you why. The department has failed these children and we now get the chance to make it up to them and I get to help!!! These kids have been with a wonderful Foster family who has been trying to adopt them since 2001. There biological parents have continually ignored their case plan and their children, yet the judge gave them 24 months to get it together. Two months after that hearing each parent had already been arrested, yet the judge stuck to the 24 month time period. 24 months is up and if I have anything to say about it (and I do) these kids will be happily adopted very shortly!!!

Can You Read It?

2005-11-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

One of my friends e-mailed this to me and I thought it was funny and intersting, so I decided to share. I espically loved this because I can NOT spell, so in honor of my inabilty to spall, and what this e-mail says, I am not going to spell check!! Enjoy!

Olny srmat poelpe can.>> cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. >The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at >Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod >are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the >rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit >a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by >istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot >slpeling was ipmorantt!>

How Strange!

2005-10-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

I thought I would be 100% Dixie! I mean, last week I actually asked someone "How's your Momma, sweetie?" in real life!

Your Linguistic Profile:

50% General American English

35% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Hello, my name is Cara......

2005-10-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since my last post, I seem to be at a loss for words. When I first started this blog I had a million ideas for all the whitty post I would create. It seems that the ideas are gone, but the blog is still here, staring at me, "Cara, come on write something". And then I go and visit all my blog friends, and guess what they have all written, something beautiful and meaningful, and I can not even come up with the words to comment, to tell Alisha "WOW" you are a beautiful writer and I am so happy that the little girl in your story has found her way. Or tell Kristi that I hope her IVF is successful, and that I think she is so brave to see the smile on her grandmother's face. Where was I when Wendy wrote a beautiful post about loving your life's work, I'll tell you where, I was typing a comment and then erasing it over and over again. The words would not come, and those that did, did not satisfy me. I want to write beautiful words, and maybe I am, and I just don't trust myself enough to actually push the "post" button. This secret world of blogging is not so secret. Although I have no faces to put with the names, I have developed enough relationships, to make me feel self conscious. When we are all strangers, it is easier for me, I can be free, but now we are friends, so that freedom is slipping away. It's strange really, even backwards. I through a series of events have developed a little issue, if you haven't noticed! But you know what the say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery!!!

100 things about me!!

2005-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

OK, so I am having so much fun reading all the other lists, I just had to start my own!! Have fun!

1. I have 2 daughters
2. I have a GED
3. I am married
4. My husband and I split up for a year, got back together and were married 2 months later.
5. I had a small wedding, and it was the best decision of my life.
6. I have had the same 3 friends for over 10 years.
7. I am very PROUD of this.
8. I was held at gun point once, with one of these friends.
9. I spent one entire summer watching Pretty Woman over and over again.
10. I still know ALL the words to the movie.
11. Dirty Dancing is my favorite movie.
12. I saw it in the theatre at least 10 times, one of those times was on Christmas Eve.
13. I am half Italian
14. One of my daughters is half Filipino
15. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother
16. I have a severe case of middle child syndrome
17. I shared a room with my little sister until high school
18. My parents are divorced
19. I only have a few memories of my father living with us
20. I have a half sister that I have only met once. (so I guess I have 3 sisters)
21. I love Thursday night NBC television.
22. I love All My Children
23. I never get tired of watching the same movie over and over.
24. This drives my husband crazy
25. I broke my collar bone in a bike accident, this is the only bone I have ever broke.
26. I was a cheerleader for 7 years.
27. My last year as a cheerleader my squad competed on a national level(you know those competition you see on TV)
28. We got 11th place
29. I hate to clean my own house
30. I don't mind cleaning other peoples houses.
31. I had all 4 of my grandparents until I was 18
32. I really miss the two that have since passed
33. I have lived in the same town since birth
34. I don't really want to move
35. I moved out of my mom's house when I was 17
36. After that I moved on average every six months for the next few years
37. Before that I lived in the same house for 11 years
38. I have always been afraid of turning 27
39. I am 27
40. Natalie Merchant and Nora Jones are my favorite musicians
41. I have UGLY handwriting
42. I am VERY bothered by my ugly handwriting
43. I wish I had long black wavy hair
44. I can do the wave with my tongue!
45. I talk on the phone too much
46. My mom went to a mountain top soothsayer once. The reading was recorded, he told her that she had 4 children and that the third one "talked on the phone too much"!
47. My mom LOVES this story!
48. My dad worked the flee markets when I was younger.
49. I have spent several summers traveling the southeastern US in a Winnebago working the flee markets with him!
50. I loved it then, was ashamed of it in my teen years, and now I love it again
51. I am a volunteer for the Guardian Ad Litem program
52. I am afraid of the dark
53. I am afraid of scary movies, but only the ones that involve ghost and spirits
54. I like all three Law and Orders (SVU is my favorite)
55. Nobody can make me laugh as much as my husband can
56. Well, maybe I can make myself laugh that much!
57. I don't like greeting cards.
58. My husband does, sometimes this is a problem
59. I hate that big companies are always trying to make things bigger, why do we need four rolls of toilet paper in one??
60. I love to cook
61. Italian food is my favorite food
62. I started smoking when I was thirteen
63. I stopped when I was 19
64. Cigarette smoke makes me want to puke now
65. I was my mom's biggest baby
66. I am her smallest child
67. I do not have a cell phone
68. I do not want a cell phone
70. When I need to think about a problem, I go to Target
71. When I was 19 I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I did was go to Target, after being there for about 2 hours I left with one bottle of shampoo.
72. I always get a cart at the store, even if I only need one thing, I feel funny walking around a store with no cart.
73. Pink is my signature color
74. I go to bed by 9:30 every night, even on weekends. Unless I go out and then I pretty much wish I was in bed after 9:30
75. I am a dime store psychologist
76. I love to assemble things
77. I can fix most household problems
78. I love to read
79. One of the things on my "List of things to do before I die" list was see a Broadway Show. I saw "The Producers" with Matthew Brodrick and Nathan Lane, front row center. It was awesome.
80. When I was a cheerleader we did a chant that went like this a-w-e-s-o-m-e-, the dolphins are awesome, totally totally. Everytime I spell the word awesome, I sing the chant in my head!
81. I have an uncanning ability to remember the words to every single song I have ever heard, and NEVER forget them.
82. I bite my fingernails, I have tried to stop, but I can not.
83. I truly believe that when a dog touches me with his wet nose, that dog buggers are getting on me.
84. I do not have a dog
85. I have only truly loved one dog my whole life, Bucky, he was our childhood dog. He was a German Sheppard who got hit by a car
86. I had two cats named Mouser and Merlin
87. Mouser got her name because she had the most nerve wracking meow we had ever heard.
88. My brother and I have a tradition of giving each other open bags of candy for Christmas! Preferably blow pops!
89. I always wished I had a twin
90. I have seen two babies be born, live in person. It was wonderful each time.
91. I want to be a Social Worker one day.
92. I think our schools are doing our children an injustice by not MAKING them take classes on how to manage their credit.
93. Every year I make the mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
94. I just got a pink kitchenaid mixer
95. I am supporting Breast Cancer research just in case.
96. I wish the U.S. was fighting a war against abusing and neglecting children in our country.
97. I did NOT vote for W.
98. I feel guilty every time I throw away a plastic bag or use to many paper towels.
99. I refuse to buy paper towels with dye in them
100. I used to be a nail technician.

Book Swap 2 is closed

2005-10-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ok everybody keep a close eye on your e-mail, because hopefully by tomorrow you will receive your BJF book swap 2 partner. If you signed up and you do not receive an e-mail it is probably because you didn't e-mail me your mailing address. Remember that used books are fine, and don't forget to include a note about why you chose your book. I hope to be able to do the round-up in three weeks. I think that will give everybody enough time to mail their packages and write a post about it. Don't forget to let me know when you get your book. If you do not receive your book, let me know and I will try and help you find out why! Thanks to everyone for signing up.

Book Swap 2 Updates

2005-10-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ok everybody, the last day for BS2 sign ups will be Tuesday October 18. Please make sure you e-mail me with your info. If I don't get your info I will not be able to assign partners. I also want to remind everybody that we started the book swap with the idea of swapping used books, so don't feel like you need to buy a new book. Also, please included a little story as to why you chose your particular book. Let me know when you receive your books, or if you don't, if you have a blog write a post about your book and it will be included in the round-up. I hope that I can do the round-up in two or three weeks. I am soo excited!!!!

If you got an e-mail from me please reply ASAP, I do not have your mailing address. Smruti, if you read this, please e-mail me because I can not find you. Your profile can not be viewed and I did not receive an e-mail with your address, if I don't have your address you can not participate. I hope to have all partners assigned by Thursday.

Love It!

2005-10-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

So, how do you like the snazzy new look over here on the road to nowhere? I, for one, absolutely love it!

Cara is about as busy as I've ever seen her, and Amy is hard at work writing beautiful words over at BJF, so I'm posting tonight.

I would like to say that I am overwhelmed by the response to this edition of the BJF BookSwap. It was too much fun the first time around, and I can not wait for this one! Thanks to Amy for this fine tradition, and to Cara for all her hard work (LOL) hosting this one. I actually received one of the books I am sending just today, and I literally squealed with joy at the remembrance of it.

I was definetly a bookworm from the word go, and I spent every free moment soaking in the written word. It comforted me, and entertained me, and taught me.

So, I am looking forward to sharing and receiving these little bits of the past for all of us, and I would like to welcome anyone who hasn't joined, to do so ASAP. You'll be glad you did!

Updates

2005-10-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, All.
Things have been crazy hectic for me and for Cara, hence the lack of posting. Here's some updated info for anyone who's interested:

1. Book Swap sign-ups are coming along nicely. They will stay open for a week or so and then Cara will distribute assignments by email. If you would prefer not to ship internationally, please just send Cara an email to that effect and she'll match you up with someone domestic.

2. Cara's sister Angela had a healthy, beautiful baby boy. I haven't seen him yet, but Angela and her husband make beautiful children and I'm sure this one is no different. Cara will still be out for awhile, though, because her grandma is having her second hip replacement this week.

Waiting

2005-10-07T02:46:00.000-07:00

*Have you signed up for the book swap yet?*

It is very early in the morning, and I have been up for at least an hour straight, because my sister is FINALLY in the hospital having baby boy #3. She is 5 days late, so it seems like we have been waiting forever for this baby. I can't wait to see him, I had a dream the other night about him and I am wondering if he looks anything like he did in my dream. This baby business never gets old. I'm glad it's her in there and not me, but I am just as excited for nephew #3 as I was for #1. So stay tuned, my next post will surely be about how beautiful the baby is and how wonderful my sister did during her labor.

Book Swap Time

2005-10-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Guess what everybody it's time for the second ever BJF book swap, hosted by caNOpy road. Amy has bestowed upon me the honor and privilege to host this wonderful blogging event. After much thought I have decide that this swaps theme should be YOUR favorite children's book. For all of you parents out there, this is about you, not your kids. Send the book that your remember from your childhood. I thought it would be fun for all of us to take a trip down memory lane, and then share your journey with your partner. I am very excited, and hope everybody else is.

OK, here are the "rules", sign up in the comment section of THIS post if you want to participate, you do not have to have a blog to play. After you have signed up in the comments section, e-mail me at blogemail@cox.net with your address and e-mail. I will only give this info to your partner. Sign up will last two weeks, then I will e-mail your partners info to you. If you have a blog write a post about the book you received and I will do a round up.

If you want to go ahead and post about the swap on your blog, just link back to this post, the more the merrier!!

**You must be willing to ship to a different country if you sign up!!

My Very First CaNOpy Road Post!

2005-09-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

I wandered onto a site today, via another site, and on this particular site they list the top 100 songs for every year from 1950 to 2001. I find this very interesting, because I am a huge music lover, as well as a fiend for walks down memory lane, so I decided to check out 1997, the year I *graduated from high school.

Obviously, the music industry took a little hiatus in '97. With such classics as "MMMBop" and "Bitch" on the charts, seriously, hold yourself back! My particular favorite is "Da Dip" by FreakNasty. You know you remember it: "I dip, you dip, we dip. He dips, she dips, we dip"

Personally, I'm a '93 girl myself. Go pull out your Z. Cavaricci pants and Sam and Libby's and check it out.

The Hits of 1997

Candle In The Wind 1997, Elton John
Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
I'll Be Missing You, Puff Daddy and Faith Evans
Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
Can't Nobody Hold Me Down, Puff Daddy
I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly
Don't Let Go (Love), En Vogue
Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
MMMBop, Hanson
Bitch, Meredith Brooks
Mo Money Mo Problems, Notorious B.I.G.
The Freshmen, Verve Pipe
Say You'll Be There, Spice Girls
Da' Dip, Freaknasty
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?, Paula Cole
Sunny Came Home, Shawn Colvin .
I Finally Found Someon, Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams
If It Makes You Happy , Sheryl Crow
Everyday Is A Winding Road, Sheryl Crow
Pony, Ginuwine
Building A Mystery, Sarah McLachlan
Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
Secret Garden, Bruce Springsteen
Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio
Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Madonna
Barbie Girl, Aqua
Let Me Clear My Throat, DJ Kool

1st Grade

2005-09-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that my baby is a 1st grader? I can't, but here is the picture to prove it. Isn't she beautiful. This is Cora, she just turned 7 last Saturday and she's a 1st grader (sniffle, sniffle). She looks so sweet and innocent, but she is going to be my wild child. I have to fight to keep her away from those horrible Bratz dolls, which of course someone gave her for her birthday. That thing will be "lost" very soon. Cora has a good heart and an old soul, she and I have been through a lot together, and I do LOVE this child with every fiber of my being. Even when she is driving me completely insane.

Soon I will post of picture of my beautiful little Margaux, oh that child is something else!!

Confession

2005-09-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Bad news, I am drinking a diet coke as I type

Good News, I don't like it!!!

p.s. today is my three year wedding anniversary

Public Service Announcement

2005-09-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I volunteer with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem program. We are a program designed to make sure that the voices of abused and neglected children are heard. This is my passion in life, to help these kids. I have only just begun my crusade, so you guys are lucky that you get to hear about it from the beginning!! My case coordinator e-mailed this to me a couple of days ago, it's a PBS special about how the court system still has a long way to go. The show will air October 20th. I wanted to pass this along to make sure we all know that our children need us to stand up for them and fight when they cannot. They ARE our future and all children, no matter their race or social status deserve a happy and safe childhood. These are some good sites to learn more about child abuse and what you can do to help.

The National Children's Alliance
The National Children's Advocacy Center
ChildHelp USA

Two down...Zero to go!!

2005-09-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

I can get back to my normal life now, all my kids have had their birthday party's!! Both of my kids were born in September, so it's a busy month for us. ( I also got married in September!!) But, I am done throwing party's for another year. Last year my kids got the shaft because Hurricane Ivan came through and ruined both of their b-days, so this year I had to make it up to them, and throw two big party's. I believe that I pulled it off well. I just hope that they don't expect the same treatment next year!!

One Week and Counting!!!

2005-09-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Today marks a huge milestone in my life. I have not had a diet coke for 7 straight days. O.K. Those of you who know me, start breathing again, it's really true. I am a diet coke ADDICT, I admit this, but for some reason I have recently decided to stop with the DC and replace it with sweet tea. You see I NEED the caffeine, and I am not giving caffeine up, that is to much to ask. So cheer me on folks, I need your help. I still have some DC in my fridge and I am thinking about drinking them, just so they will be gone, but then again I have come this far!

Question: Your Freebie List

2005-09-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

During all the discussion over Harry Connick, Jr. at BJF this week, Melissa left the following comment:

And I *heart* Harry Connick Jr. (He’s SO on my freebie list.)

By Freebie List, I'm assuming she means the list of celebrities you're allowed to have one night with, should you ever meet them, without fear of reprisal from your significant other. So here's my question for this morning:

Which 3 people are on YOUR Freebie List?
(And Melissa, I apologize if this is NOT what you meant by Freebie List but hey, it gave me a good topic for today!)

I am SOOO Proud!!

2005-09-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

Today I am sooo proud of two people. The first one is Cora, my daughter. She had her first soccer game last night, and guess what, she scored!!! ( It was for the other team, but hey let's not judge!!) She had a lot of fun running up and down the field chasing the ball. Her team was cute and I have it all one video!! I love kiddy soccer.

The second person is my friend Alisha that you know from the comments. She has come out of the closet. That's right she has admitted to the world that she has a blog!!! She was closet blogging, I don't know why since she is a wonderful writer with a whole bunch of good ideas!!! So go look at her blog and give her some support. There is also a picture of the love of her life, who is a real cowboy!

Book Swap

2005-09-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am finally writing my book swap post. I know that I am a little late, but hopefully you will find it worth the wait! The gracious host of this bookswap was my darling friend Amy of the infamous BeautyJoyFood.com. I was very lucky to be her friend in this book swap because I got two partners. There was an odd number of people so I graciously ( or greedily) volunteered to have two partners. So I mailed two books and received two books. Go me!

The first book I got was from the ohh so talented Wendy at GreenGirlArt.com. She sent me Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. It is a fun book that you can pick up anytime flip to any page and read a great little story. You do not have to read this book front to back. The author offers us her personal definitions and explanations of everyday words and phrases. This is one the most creative books I have ever read. Wendy who is, as I stated above a WONDERFUL painter, photographer, and writer was kind enough to also send me one of her paintings "The Baker" who holds a proud place on my kitchen wall. Everytime I go into my kitchen there she is smiling and offering me some cupcakes. Wendy also included three Fat Witch brownies. They were delicious, I would not even share them with my children. Thank You Wendy!!

The second book I received was from Jennifer of Musings. She sent me The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch by Marsha Moyer. So far I really like this book. Lucy, I think and hope, is really going to empower herself. Her husband, that she doesn't really love dies unexpectedly and that forces her to take a long look at herself and her life. I LOVE a good "I am woman, hear me roar book"!! I am looking forward to a quiet Saturday so I can finish the story. Thank you Jennifer.

I loved this book swap and I hope that we can get another one going soon. Thanks Amy!

Dream Journal

2005-09-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night that Amy was trying to teach me how to make bread. In the dream my dough did not rise the first time, but Amy told me not to worry about it, just get it back into a ball and try again. That is what I did, and by god it worked. I put all kinds of stuff in my bread like garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper,honey,nutmeg,and olive oil??? It was a strange dream.

I'm not surprised that I had the dream since Amy and I were talking about baking bread yesterday. Let me know what was going on in your head last night. There's a fun game in this, it's just to early to figure out what it is right now!!!

Bush According to Google: "Miserable Failure"

2005-09-14T05:26:00.000-07:00

You guys HAVE to read this hilarious BBC article, courtesy of Clare. I'm linking it AND pasting it here, to make sure you read it. Even if you read it below, go check out the article, too, to see the PERFECT photo the BBC chose for the article. Gotta love those Brits!

'MISERABLE FAILURE' LINKS TO BUSH

George W Bush has been Google bombed.

Web users entering the words "miserable failure" into the popular search engine are directed to the biography of the president on the White House website.

The trick is possible because Google searches more than just the contents of web pages - it also counts how often a site is linked to, and with what words.

Thus, members of an online community can affect the results of Google searches - called "Google bombing" - by linking their sites to a chosen one.

Weblogger Adam Mathes is credited with inventing the practice in 2001, when he used it to link the phrase "talentless hack" to a friend's website.

The search engine can be manipulated by a fairly small group of users, one report suggested.

If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly (IRAQ)
Prank website
Newsday newspaper says as few as 32 web pages with the words "miserable failure" link to the Bush biography.

The Bush administration has been on the receiving end of pointed Google bombs before.

In the run-up to the Iraq war, internet users manipulated Google so the phrase "weapons of mass destruction" led to a joke page saying "These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed."

The site suggests "clicking the regime change button", or "If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly (IRAQ)".

Which Naughty Little Pony Are You?

2005-09-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

You Are Opium!
You like to have fun and enjoy life. Reeeeeally enjoy life. If it isn't fast, loud, or extreme forget it. You value friendship and are loyal and will not hesiste to go off if someone crosses you.

What Naughty My Little Pony Are You?

This wasn't terribly accuruate for me. The fast, loud, extreme thing is way off-base but that last thing--yeah, I've been known to do that. Try it--it's fun!

Hey Look! Amy's First CR Post

2005-09-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing we set up this blog because I was getting dangerously close on to talking politics on BJF --a bad thing, since I really want to focus just on fundraising over there. But here at the Road to Nowhere, I can say whatever I want. Lucky you!!

Anyway, to read an article that captures so much better than I could the heartrending nonchalance displayed by our esteemed leader in the first days after Hurricane Katrina, please go to This Is Not Over.

The article expresses exactly what I and so many others here in the U.S. have felt in recent days. Let me know what you think.

Cora and Kyra

2005-09-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hey guess what I just learned how to put a picture up. This is Cora and Kyra (Kyra in the blue, Cora in the stars) Cora belongs to Cara and Kyra belongs to Amy. This picture was taken about a year ago. Aren't they beautiful!!

I am a bad blogger

2005-09-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

I know, I am a bad blogger, but I have a reason. Amy has had me locked in a closet for a week!!! No really, I am having a party for my two year old today, and the party has taken over my life. I have not only neglected my own blog, but I haven't posted all week on anybody else's blog, sorry guys, I have also ignored my kids that I work with through the Guardian ad Litem program, sorry kids. But the party is today, so if I am alive at 5pm CST today, I believe my life will go back to normal, at least for two weeks, then I have my 6 years old party!!!!!!

Parking Lot Gods

2005-09-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

I hate to waste my life driving in a circle looking for a parking spot, so this means that normally I walk about 40 miles a month dragging my two children behind me in parking lots. So, when the Parking Lot Gods do smile upon me and say" Cara you deserve a close spot today", and bam there is an empty spot right by the door, I am truly grateful! You might be wondering why am I telling you this, because more than I hate driving around looking for a spot I HATE the person who sits in her car, with no children and waits for me to load my TWO children plus $150 dollars in grocery into my car. This drives me insane. By the time I get all that in my car, the lazy person behind me could have parked and walked to the store at least twice. I make it my business to load extra slow, and this is one of the few times I actually return my cart to the "cart corral" (sorry, I can't do everything!) so this person has to wait an extra long time. I mean, do these people not have anything else to do with their lives other than just sit and wait just so God forbid, they have to walk a few feet and get some exercise or break a little sweat. Also, they completely interfere with the Parking Lot Gods plans for the day. Maybe that spot was supposed to go to a little old woman who needed to park up close, or maybe it belonged to a mom with two kids who had already put in her 40 miles that month!

New Orleans

2005-09-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

I have sooooo many memories from New Orleans, a variety of drunken memories and then my new memories, sober and with my husband and our two children. These are my favorite. It wasn't until I went to NO and stayed sober that I really began to appreciate the city for what it truly is. New Orleans is a magical place. Sure most of the magic is voodoo and wican magic, but hey magic is magic, right. My family and I have had GREAT times there, at the aquarium, the zoo, the NO children's museum, and just wandering the streets. New Orleans takes people watching to a whole new level, some New Orleans native feel that you should pay to watch them. My favorites are the silver men, these guys paint themselves entirely in silver or copper shiny paint, strike a pose, and stay like that for hours, with a tip jar in front of them. My favorite pose is the dog walker, the guy has a fake dog on a leash and he is in the middle of his stride when bam, he is frozen, just like that, only to be unfrozen, by a full tip jar.

The City of New Orleans is truly a national treasure. There is so much history, you can feel yourself absorbing it as you walk down the streets and look at all the amazing buildings, parks, and historical landmark. My heart and prayers go out to every citizens of New Orleans, and also to those of us who didn't live there but loved the city. I can't wait to see you again New Orleans!!!

Please donate what you can. The people of this city have not only lost homes and belongings, but they have lost what was a very strong sense of community. Friends and Families are spread out all over the country, trying to deal with the loss of their normal everyday lives, without their normal everyday support systems. They all need our help.