Phillies & DWTS

By now everyone knows that the Phillies won the World Series. Well good for them. My neighborhood had a little life last night. We had some fireworks and cherry bombs. Could have done without the cherry bombs though. I went outside to watch the fireworks and you could hear people yelling and screaming.



So now let me poo-poo the happy event. I don't think that game was fair. I don't think that they should have started game 5 from where it left off. This in not a book, where you read a couple chapters and put it down only to pick up later where you left off. The game should have begun at the beginning. Yes it should have started in the 1st inning.



So anyway while I was out and about today listening to the radio, Philadelphia had two fires, a car overturned (how pissed off would you be if that was your car?) and I thought I heard that a store was broken into too and luggage was stolen. Guess they're planning a trip and needed the luggage.

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Yesterday I posted that Cloris Leachman is no longer a contender on Dancing with the Stars. My friend Dianne left a comment that Susan and Tony should have went before Cloris. I agree. Susan is boring as hell to watch. I do like Tony, but he can only do some much. Dianne asked who was my favorite. Again we agree. Warren Sapp is so fun to watch. He has great facial expressions. When he dances you can see how much fun he is having. You can't help but love him. And for such a big guy, he has some moves. I would like to see him win, but I think he has some competition between Brooke Burke and Cody Linley.

Tonight my favorite reality show is on. "Survivor." I have not miss an episode since the show started. That's it for my reality shows. Oh wait a minute. There's one more "The Mole." If only Anderson Cooper would host it again.

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Last night I didn't feel like cooking so I order dinner out. When I went to pick it up, three guys were working. They were joking and kidding around with one another. One guy said to me that you have to have fun at work. Yes you do, but you have to have fun people to work with. This place also sells gasoline. The one guy proceeded to tell me that if his friend was game they were dressing up for Halloween. I asked him what he was going to be. Get this. A french fry. I laughed. I asked him what his friend was dressing as. This is even better. A seagull. Now I'm belly laughing. He said that if his friend would do it, his friend would be chasing him around the parking lot.

With that I leave you. Have a good one.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown & DWTS

I just finished watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." Is it me or does anyone else find this show cruel? Lucy calling her brother "stupid and block head". Being nasty to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown only getting rocks when treat-or-treating.



Bobbie and I were talking about it this afternoon. We both agree that the part with Snoopy playing the "Red Baron" is kind of violent.



This is a cartoon for the children. I just think that children shouldn't watch this. Every year I watch this and every year I feel the same way. I'll never learn.

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I have to say that Halloween is my favorite holiday. I like the decorations, the scary shows, the unexplained. What I enjoy most is the treat-or-treaters. Not that I getting many. If I get ten, it is a good year.

I love the little ones. One year, I heard my gate open. I went to the door to wait. I heard the father said, "Now when the door is opened, say 'treat-or-treat'". I opened my door to the cutest little witch, who promptly said, "I need candy." How can you not enjoy this? I laughed. The dad was embarrassed and apologized. No need.

Halloween has really changed a lot over the years. But haven't all the holiday's. The real meaning of the holiday's are long gone. They have become reasons to party. They have become commercialized. What a shame.

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Now for Dancing with the Stars. Last night was Cloris Leachman last night. Sorry Dianne, but I am glad. Don't get me wrong, she is a great entertainer and did great for her age and I really enjoyed watching her antics. But when someone like Toni Braxton (last week was her last) is gone, something is wrong. I know Cloris stayed longer because of the public vote. Well this week the public spoke.

Let's just hope that come election day, the public votes based on the candidate they feel will lead this country. Help this country. Not because of race, age, past friendships, middle name or any other lame excuse that doesn't have anything to do with the job ahead of them.

Last night & Spirits

Well we don't have rain today, but as I said yesterday, we still have wind. Reading the paper this morning said that we had some wind gusts over 60 MPH. A roof blow off a hotel in Wildwood, trees down and power outages.

Last night on my way to the library for the "Spirits from beyond the grave" thing was somewhat of a challenge. The strong wind was blowing my car around like a match box car. What was eerie was along with the strong wind, most of Route 47 was without electric. When I got to the intersection to turn, there were cops. With the flashing light, I couldn't tell if the intersection was opened or not. I stopped and asked one of the officers, who said it was. He proceeded to tell me to drive slow because there wasn't electric. Well no shit Sherlock. Luckily the library still had electric.

There was a magic show for the kids when I got there. It must have been great cause you could hear them screaming and laughing. It was cute to watch them after the show. Most were dressed in their Halloween costumes.

The weather didn't keep people from coming out for the magic show or this class. The room was packed. There were picture boards of the different areas that they had been and photos of orbs. They talked about some of the places that they had been and had recordings of spirits. That was kind of eerie. There was also some video of orbs and mist. All in all it was pretty interesting. They have a website which they say has some video and recordings. I haven't checked it out yet, but if your interested, here is the site.

There are some who do not believe there are spirits amongst us, but I do. After my dad died, I came home from work. At the time I was working in a restaurant and after work, well you stunk. I had put the TV on and settled on a movie. I hopped in the shower and when I was getting dressed, I was listening to the TV. What was being said had nothing to do with the movie. They were talking about sharks. Great White sharks. When I went into the living room, the TV was on a different channel. My dad knew my love of sharks, Great White sharks, and I believe he changed the channel.

When my house was being renovated, Danny came over everyday to check on the progress. He died before the renovations were done. After I moved back in, sometimes at night when I was watching TV, I would get this sudden chill (this was in August) and feeling that someone was around. I would walk around the house and outside checking to see if anyone was there. No one was. This happened several times. The last time this happened, I said, "Alright Danny. I know it is you. I hope you like what I have done with this place." I never got the feeling again.

So yes, I do believe in spirits. They do walk amongst us.

Ughhhh! The weather

Wouldn't you know it. I'm on vacation this week and what did I wake up to this morning? A Nor'easter. Anyone that knows anything about nor'easter's know it's at least a three day event. So we have high winds and wind driven rain. We will probably have winds for the next three days, but I hope not rain.

So what does a girl like me do on a day like this? Well one thing I could do is curl up on the couch and read a book with a nice hot cup of tea. But not today. Today I decided to make a pot of (my version of) hearty pasta figioli soup.

Umm. Here's my recipe. Saute onions, garlic, carrots and celery in olive oil. When tender add tomato sauce and water. To this I added a chicken bouillon cube, parsley flakes, Italian seasoning, fresh ground pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, (I like a little kick). Then diced potatoes and lima beans and simmer. When this is almost done, boil pasta (your choice) and add to soup. Enjoy with bread or crackers. (I do not no measurements. I just add to taste.)

I didn't stop there. Next was pumpkin cake. The best thing about this cake. The recipe makes not one,

but two cakes.

This is a great cake for this time of year. This would be nice served with some whipped cream with cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on top. Oh how about a-la-mode. Endless possibilities. Or you can eat it like me. One big slice with a tall glass of ice cold milk.

If you would like the recipe, you can find it here. This cake can also be frozen. I generally freeze the cake in halves and thaw in the refrig. I actually enjoy the cake better this way.

So most of the morning was well spent in the kitchen.

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Tonight our library is offering a, oh I don't know what you call it, but the name is "Spirits from beyond the grave". Sounds spooky doesn't it. When I was at the library for one of the classes I took, I wanted to sign up for this, but they told me it is a show up - first come first serve thing. They told me to get there early because last year, they were turning people away. I don't mean to be mean, but I hope the weather is still bad tonight and people don't feel like going out. This is my type of thing. The only thing that would be better is if it were in a spooky house.

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When I was finding the recipe for the pumpkin cake to share with you, I noticed that I am coming up on my one year blogging anniversary. My very first post was November 4, 2007. It doesn't seem like it has been one year. Still haven't found my niche yet and I probably won't, but that's me.

Well must go now. Time for soup and dessert. :o)

Weigh in day & an award

Last week I reported that my scale must have been broken because I had gained two pounds. Well this week the scale is not broken. I guess with my attack on fleas I burned a lot of calories because I lost three pounds. Total weight loss - 26 pounds.

I would like to say that I have won the flea battle, but I have not. I believe I am gaining some ground, but I still have some of the dirty bastards. I will keep up the attack and hopefully soon will be victorious.

During the night, my baby did come into bed with me to cuddle. This is the first time in a very long time that she has done this. I think she has not come in was because of fleas. She has taken the high road for quite a few weeks now. She has gotten herself as far off the floor as possible. Only getting down long enough to use the litter box, eat and drink. So last night was a victory. I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but I see this as a good sign.

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Bobbie has given me this award. I really feel honored because my blog is nothing special. I am all over the place with my thoughts. I really don't express my feelings unless it pertains to my baby or the kittens. I hold my feelings and thoughts close to me. When I finally do talk about something that is bothering me, I have put much thought into it first.

Anyway, I didn't want to go off on that. So I thank Bobbie very much for this award. I will proudly place it on my sidebar.

As always I rebel with the rules for awards. Every blogger out there deserves this award. So please feel free to take it and display it proudly in your blog.

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There is a girl in work on light duty. She has been floating around from office to office helping out. She is in my building helping those assholes with their new filing system. The copy machine is in the room with their filing system. On Friday I went in to make copies. She informed me that I glide when I walk. What? What does that mean? She said that when I walk I glide. You are very quiet when you walk. I smiled and said, "It is amazing, huh? Someone of my size being so light on my feet. I have always been that way. It does make it hard for people to hear me coming." I told my boss and laughed. I said I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or insult. I'm taking it as a compliment.

Be careful who and what you talk about. You never no who maybe walking upon you.

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Another Friday story. When I came home, my neighbor stopped me and wanted me to tell Bobbie this story. Somehow her one granddaughter seen McCain's picture. She said, "Grandmom, that is John McCain." She said, "You know who that is?" She said, "Yes. He is running for the president of the United States." Impressed she asked her if she knew who he is running against. The answer, "I sure do. He is running against Mike Beck." I laughed. Mike Beck is running for Mayor here in the Township. He is also my neighbor's teacher. BTW her granddaughter is eight years old. Gotta love it.

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Well that's all for now. I hope everyone had a great Saturday and have a wonderful Sunday. :o)

Update on the blood sucking parasites

In my previous post I talked about my baby having fleas (those blood sucking parasites) and the attack by me was on. So before I put the flea medicine on her, I ran a fine tooth comb through her. I was almost in tears. The amount of fleas I was getting off her was heartbreaking. I was talking to her, telling her how sorry I was that I let this get this bad. That I was a bad mama. That I was going to get these blood suckers no matter what. She in return was comforting me. Talking and purring the whole time. The last time my baby was weighed, she was seven pounds. She is old, frail and a light weight. To think these things were on her sucking the life out of her.



I put a couple of drops of the flea medicine on her and waited a little bit. I started combing her again and tried to work the medicine through her fur. Oh, I got more fleas. Again the guilt. Again the comforting. She is such a good baby.



Before bed I combed her again. By now her poor skin must be raw, but I think the combing feels good. She feels good. I got some more fleas, but the numbers were reducing. What did come off of her sluggish. I think the medicine is working.



This morning I found a couple of them where she was laying, but they were half dead. I ran the comb through her and only got one. At lunch, I ran the comb through again and didn't get any. After work again with the comb. I got nothing.



I am hoping that with all the vacuuming, the medicine and combing, we will be blood sucking parasite free in no time.

Weigh in day & etc.

Woke up this morning in a good mood, until I got on the freaking scale. I think the damn thing is broken. Well I know it's not, but it went up. Not by one, but two. I gained two pounds this week. Why is it so easy to put weight on, but hard to take it off? Why couldn't I be one of these people who can eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce? (You know who you are. My friend's daughter is one of them. Skinny little bitch. Just kidding. I love my friend's daughter. She is a sweet lady. But she eats anything and everything and is still about a hundred pounds wet.) Anyway, I guess the battle of weight is in the gene's. Lucky me. No really. I love who I am. I am comfortable with who I am. I would just like to be a bit thinner.



I knew this would happen. With the cooler weather brings starchy food's. I love potatoes, pasta and rice. And not only that, but Halloween is right around the corner and that brings candy. As a matter of fact, I bought candy for treat-or-treat night today. Let's just see how much is left when the big night comes.

So total weight loss 23 pounds.

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So the past couple of days I notices my baby scratching more than normal. Then I noticed fleas. Oh boy. The attack is on. Vacuuming several times at day. Washing all the throw rugs.

I gave my baby a bath today. Good thing she doesn't have front claws. I was able to get some fleas off of her. Then I combed her and got even more off her. I went to one of the pet shops for some flea medicine. I had used this once before many years ago and she got sick from it. I said I would never use it again, but unfortunately I have to. So I got the kitten formula. For cats nine pounds and less. The lady in the store said she uses it on her 20 year old cat. She said I could put a could of drops on her today, wait a few days and continue with more. So I will give this a try.

My baby seems more comfortable right now. Not scratching as much. Hopefully I can nip this in the bud before it gets out of control.

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Yesterday I went Cold Spring Village for the Halloween parade. I was a judge for this parade several times, but have since declined whenever asked again. There are so many excellent costumes that it is hard to choose a winner. This year was no exception. As a matter of fact, this would have been the hardest year. A lot of great costumes. A lot of thought was put in the costumes. A lot were homemade.

I was standing in front of the funnel cake table. One of the workers is my friend and co-worker. She was yelling "fresh hot funnel cakes". At one point she asked me to yell it. Well I yelled it alright. However, it didn't come out quite right. There are a lot of F's in this one little sentence. No, that word didn't come out, but darn close to it. We all started to laugh and I said it may not be a good idea if I tried again. She agreed. It is a family event you know.

I came across another friend and co-worker there with her granddaughter. Her granddaughter was in the parade last year and I took their picture and gave a copy to them. I took their picture again this year. I can't wait to give her the pictures. They turned out really good. I would love to post them here, but I am funny about putting pictures of other people without their permission.

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Well I have gabbed enough for now. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

?????

Okay, so yesterday I am reading the newspaper and on the front page is this title "Shots fired at house in Middle Township". Please take a couple of minutes to read.


So did anyone but me find this story bizarre? Someone you don't know comes to your door looking for your son. You invite this person in, ask them to wait in the living room, but find it odd when said person follows behind you to your son's bedroom. You get said person name to give to son and the person leaves. You must satisfy your caffeine craving and go make coffee, (I'm with you there). You hear what sounds like glass shattering and realize someone is shooting at your house. If you didn't read the article, here is the owner of the house quote. "That's really unnerving. You're trying to get a cup of coffee, and someone shoots up your house." Unnerving. WTF. I would be shitting myself and face down on the floor, screaming my head off. I love this line. Boyd now thinks the name the suspect gave was phony. (YOU THINK.) He was reluctant to explain his suspicions for fear it might get in the way of the police investigation. (OH BOY). Then a police officer says. "It might be a good idea if they stayed with relatives for a little while." (WTF, YOU THINK, OH BOY)

I don't have children, and if I did, I may not know all my kids friend's, but would hope that I was the type of parent that did. If I were home and a suspicious person comes to my door, I would not invite them in. I would ask them to please wait and I would go check. Now if for some reason, I had a brain fart and let the person in, asked them to wait in the living and they follow closely behind me, I would hope that my instincts kick in and do something crazy to get this person out of my home. Now if I was trying to get my caffeine and someone shot up my house, this would be just cause for some whoop ass.

Seriously I don't know what I would do in this situation. I would definitely not invite someone I don't know into my home.

Like I said before, I just find this story bizarre. What to you think?

Weigh in Day & hodge podge

Nothing to report for weigh in day. Same as last week. No loss. No gain. Hanging in there at 25 pounds lost.

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Went to Ocean City's block party yesterday. Well, it really isn't so much a block party as it is a craft show. It is ten blocks with crafters lined up on both sides of the street. Inner mixed with the crafters are food vendor's.

In my last post I talked about J. and the interrogation she put me though about where I park. What street I turn on etc. Well I can tell her now. 34th Street to West Avenue. Left on West Avenue to 14th Street. Find a place to park and walk to the begin of the show. I don't want to sound mean, but I lucked out. She wasn't there. I don't think I could have handle a couple hours of her company.

When I was leaving, I met my contractor's. They are a husband and wife team. Their son also works with them. They did the addition to my house. (I'll talk about that another time.) Anyway, we got talking and he said he would be over one day this week to go over my newest adventure. Not an adventure really. I want to extend my back deck and add windows to my existing back deck to keep the rain off me and the kittens. I can't wait.

After I left Ocean City, I went to West Cape May's Lima Bean Festival. What can I say about the Lima Bean Festival? Well this is more of a big yard sale with a few crafters added to the mix. Most of the food is made, obviously with lima beans. I past one table that had bake good made from limas. Now I love lima beans, but not in desserts. My favorite is lima bean soup. As always, it was delicious. I don't know why, but this is one soup I don't have any luck making. Anyone have a good recipe?

I came home and started housework. I was folding towels when Bobbie called. She told me to go outside and look at the moon and then turn and look the other way. Oooh! How beautiful. She drugged me kicking and screaming (Just kidding. I drug her), down to the bay to take pictures and take in the beautiful sunset. Her pictures turned out better then mine and I am sure she will be posting some.

From all the walking, I woke up with a very sore foot. I guess the cortisone has worn off. I go back to the foot doctor Tuesday and I guess go from there. (There were too many "guesses" in there for my taste.)

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I was going to Rio Grande to food shop this morning. When I past the Wawa here in Villas, regular gas was $2.89. When I got to Rio Grande, it was $2.86. Why is this? They are about four miles apart. It is the same gas. Delivered by the same tanker. I'm sure if I went to Wildwood and North Cape May, they would have been different prices. I just don't get it.

Another thing I don't get. Why is the price of food so high? Before they said it was the price of gas. But what is the excuse now? I use stick margarine for baking. It used to be $0.89 and when on sale $0.69. Now it is $1.19. Canned veggie's used to be $0.89. Now it is $0.94. I needed pasta. Store brand used to be $0.99 and now is $1.19. A name brand was on sale for $0.79. Right up my alley. Just out of curiosity, I looked at the price of wheat pasta. Good Grief. It was more than $3.00. I feel sorry for people who really eat healthy foods. It must cost a fortune to eat. Well enough of that.

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I don't have anything more to say except, I hope everyone had a good weekend. Oh, and Cliff if you are reading this, I have added a picture of a girl to my photo blog for you. :)

Grrrr.. Some body

So I'm in line dance class Monday night and talking with one of the girls, J. She told me that on Saturday she went to Cape May's Oktoberfest on Jackson Street. She said she went at noon time and was only going to stay for a couple of hours. She said she left at 8:00 PM. Good grief. What did she do there for eight hours. I told her that Ocean City is having there block party this Saturday. Big Mistake. She started asking me if I was going? At what part of the Block Party do I enter for the craft show? Where I park? etc. Uh Oh. She is inviting herself. Mind you I don't mind going places with people, but not to these type of events. I hate to shop. When I shop, I know what I want, get it and leave. I don't window shop nor do I browse.



So here is what transpired.



J. - Are you going? I'll met you there?

M. - Yes. I am going, but I do not spend a lot of time there. I get there when it starts and I am gone in a couple of hours. (I didn't want to tell her that when I leave there I go to West Cape May for the Lima Bean Festival.)

J. - What street do you enter Ocean City?

M. - I don't know.

J. - What street do you turn onto?

M. - I don't know. J - I know how to get there. I don't know the names of the streets.

J. - What street do you turn onto?

M. - I do not know. I do not know the names of the streets. I just know how to get there.

J. - Well what is the name?

M. - I do not know. When I go into Ocean City, I keep going until I see a gas station on my left and a garden center on my right and turn left.

J. - Well, what's the name?

M. - I DO NOT KNOW. There is a gas station on the left and a garden center on the right. Whatever the name of the street is where these two businesses are located, that is the street I turn onto. (I am now starting to get pissed.)

J. - What way do you enter Ocean City?

M. - I don't know. I don't know the names of the streets. I just know how to get there. I think it is 34th Street, but I don't know for sure.

J. - Well where do start at the craft show?

M. - At the beginning. (Now I am pissed.)

J. - Do you start at 9th Street?

M. - Is that when you enter Ocean City and there is a Wawa and Acme? (She looked at me puzzled and I had an inner laugh. Now I am getting to her.)



AHHH. The class started and she walked away.



After class, she started again.



J. - What time to you get there?

M. - At the starting time.

J. - What street to you park on?

M. - The same street I turn on?

J. - Where on the street do you park?

M. - Where ever there is a parking space that I can fit into.

J. - Is it a wide street you turn onto?

M. - Yes.

J. - That's New Road.

M. - Okay. If you say so.

J. - Now where do you park?

M. - (Now I am really pissed off. Really. How many times do I have to say the same things.) I DON'T KNOW. WHERE EVER THERE IS A SPACE. IF I AM CLOSE TO THE BEGINNING, I PARK THERE. IF NOT I DRIVE AROUND UNTIL I FIND A SPOT. I DO NOT KNOW THE NAMES OF THE STREETS. I JUST KNOW HOW TO GET THERE. AND I DO NOT SPEND A LOT OF TIME THERE. I GO. I LOOK. I LEAVE BEFORE IT GETS TO CROWDED.



Now she is mad at me. Well good.





I told a couple of friend's this story. They couldn't believe it. They said that they think the name of the street is Wesley Avenue. Now my curiosity has gotten the better of me. So out came the map. Well the name is not New Road. Nor is it Wesley Avenue. It is West Road. Does it really matter? NO.



So this doesn't really mean anything. I was just thinking about it and thought I would share it. Aren't you glad I did?

Weigh in day and new blog

Eek! That day again, but no news to report. I didn't lose. Nor did I gain. Still at 25 pounds lost. Nothing to sneeze at. This is a good thing because I haven't been on a walk for quite a while now.

When I was on my way to the foot doctor last week, I noticed a sign for a wildlife area. I think I am going today and check it out. I hope that they have trails. I'll let you know if it was worth going and spending very expensive gas on.

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I have started a new blog. Photos only. I created it yesterday and only have two entries so far. Please visit and let me know what you think. Be honest. If you like it, let me know. If not, still let me know. Like I wrote on the sidebar, constructive criticism is a good thing.

What did I call my new blog? What else - Villas Girl Photos. Original huh?

Camera Critters

While on a walk, I came across this little one. He was funny to watch. The first picture is like he is saying, "Is the coast clear?" The second, "Yup. Here I go."

To look at other critters, please visit Camera Critters hosted by Misty. Have a good weekend everyone.

Sky Watch

Hello everyone. For sky watch this week I decided to go back to Cape May Point. Obviously this is the Cape May Lighthouse. The lighthouse looks so lonely, but look at the sky. How could one be lonely with a sky like that. Enjoy.


To view other great sky pictures from all over the world, or if you have a picture that you would like to share, please visit here.