It is New Years Eve, my husband is cooking up a storm, we have a couple of friends over, and he is worried we will not have enough food, believe me we do. We have Foundue Appetizer, Deviled egges, escargot, and now cresnuts wrapped in bacon an for dinner, Caesar Salad, Leg of Lamb and Foundue dessert. (3) bottles of red wine, reisling for the Hors D'oeuvres hour an of course, champagne. We are planning on eating, drinking and playing board games to ring in the new year. We are in a new city, new friends in our new house getting ready for the New Year. It is amazing to me that it is 2007, 25 years after I have graduated from High School, which just seems sometimes that it was just yesterday. I know it is a time to reflect on the past, but I am really looking toward what the new year will bring. Will it bring me the new career path, I am so longing for, or will I still be in the same job not working toward anything next year at this time?

What (10) things would you like to accomplish in the next year? Losing weight is always on the list stretch your imagination an think of fun things that you never thought possible. Always fun to dream, my biggest dream for 2007 is to travel to London with my husband, an experience it with him, he was there in 1998 and myself in 1987, so together seeing it through each others eyes would be heaven to me. We love to explore new cities together, but seeing one we both have seen at other times in our lives will be quite interesting.

I hope everyone has a safe an fun New Years Eve. Don't forget to watch the ball drop with Dick Clark because really is there anyone else than can count down from 10 more eloquently.

Well, we got back about 2am on December 26 from our jaunt up North. No snow, I did not have a white christmas except about 4pm in Pennsylvania somewhere it started to snow and did for the next 200 miles then turned to rain, so I did get a little of white christmas. We had a wonderful trip, full with family, friends, guilt, move back and basic family stuff. My oldest sister hosted Christmas Eve this year, for our family on my mom's side, it was packed everyone showed up this year, the first time in many years. We suspect it is because my Aunt is very sick and we are not so sure how much longer she will last.

It was wonderful seeing all of the family, there was about 60 people there, and it is funny to look around an see all the little children, and remember when we were all that small an loved these Christmas Eve gatherings. My cousins in my generation are as follows:

Me No children as of yet
Cousin Tommy - 3 children, 2 boys and a girl
Cousin Paul - No Children
Cousin Debbie- 2 boys
Cousin Dawn - No Children as of yet
Cousin Nancy- 3 Children, 2 boys and a girl ( sister of Tommy)
Cousin Greg- 4 children, 2 boys, and 2 girls
Cousin Susan- No children
Brother Jon- 2 girls
Add in Older sisters with 2 children each, it was quite the full household.

My cousins and I used to hang out in another room, we were way too cool, it was Tommy, Paul and Debbie and I everyone else was younger and not as cool. We would sit in a dark room an tell stories it was so much fun. Paul is a college professor of history now so he always had the best stories to tell. We are now in our 40's, but it seems to me sometimes that is was just a little bit ago when it was actually about 25 years ago. It was a wonderful Christmas, I saw my friends and family.

We did have a bit of an accident in our Sonata car:

" Our Sonata got run over by a Reindeer, going to Thomas's house on Christmas Eve"
" Left the windshield damaged and the front end, we did get some reindeer skin in the hood",
Our poor Sonata got runover by a Reindeer"..

Not busy today, so I thought I would post again. Rosie O'Donnell has been very busy lately bashing everyone and now Donald Trump is coming back at her, for her remarks yesterday on "The View". The fact is nothing Rosie said was untrue was it Donald? I am not saying she has any right, but she has a microphone in her face and people actually listen so what are you upset about? Rosie O'Donnell is a big mouth, who thinks she represents the "Common Folk", well when I speak people don't listen around the world. I was a big fan of Rosie when she did VH1 an her stand up routines, even her show was great, then she lost me when she invited Tom Selleck on the show and she ambushed him, after that I realized she is a huge liberal who thinks people want to hear what she says. Donald Trump is correct in saying, " The View, will go down hill from now because of her, do not forget Joy Behr, she is not great either but at least she is funny about it.

I have never liked the VIEW because of Starr Jones, I think Barbara Walters is not sure who to fill that seat with, who do you think is worse Rosie or Starr? I was planning my wedding at the same time Starr was planning her DIVA wedding, being in the business yes I got a few deals but nothing like hers, why would sponsors do that? She is not a huge star even though she thinks so and she has so much money why be so cheap? My husband and I had to pay for it ourselves on a very limited budget, she on the other hand, has so much money you know being a Lawyer and on TV, what does she make a year 1 million dollars oh my call the poor house, poor Starr can't afford to have a wedding of $3 million dollars, at least Donald Trump on his 3rd marriage paid for his estravagants he did not ask for hand outs, who does Starr Jones think she is?

Neither Rosie or Starr represents the real people in the world who have to work for what we have.

We leave today to go back to Connecticut for the holidays, I was hoping for a "White Christmas", but according to the weather it is going to be in the 50's up there so not this year. My husband thinks it is funny, I want snow when we lived there I hated snow. Yes and no, I love a good Christmas Snow, but not the January/February snow when you are digging out your car every day before work. I want a Christmas movie christmas, I know that will not happen, but one can always dream.

My Christmas Movie, would start with us leaving home, and singing christmas carols an through the ride, as we go farther north, it will start to snow and be just beautiful and we will laugh and think how wonderful this time of year is, the reality Stephen will sleep for the first few hours, we will stop at a truck stop an eat crappy an then he will begin driving and I will sleep then around 3am, we will both be so giddy and stupid from lack of sleep we will either start fighting or have tension in the car until we get into CT. Don't you just love long road trips? One of our long trips we made up a song to the theme of Frosty the Snowman an it was not Christmas time, by the time we got to the hotel at 5am, we were so exhausted everything was funny to us, not to the hotel staff.

Movie: We would arrive take a nap and be up an ready to go visiting. Reality, I will be moody as hell and try to be cheery meeting an seeing everyone. Movies are nice because you can cut and rest, in reality it will be world wind of activities for the next 4 days. To be honest I would not have it any other way.

Merry Christmas, have a safe time wherever you may travel.

This article is from The New London Day, in regards to an emminent domain case that went all the way to the US Supreme Court. This woman wanted to stay in her little pink house for the rest of her life and was told "NO". We as the government can take your house to better the economy. The unfortunate thing is nothing has been done to develop that area as of yet. What do you think?


New London — Fort Trumbull diehard Susette Kelo has sent out a heartfelt holiday greeting card to some 30 or so current and former members of the City Council and New London Development Corp., among others, wishing them, in essence, hell on Earth for the rest of their lives.
The text, accompanying a sparkling, snowy image of Kelo's iconic pink house in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood, reads, in its entirety:
Here is my house that you did takeFrom me to you, this spell I makeYour houses, your homesYour family, your friendsMay they live in miseryThat never ends.I curse you allMay you rot in hellTo each of youI send this spellFor the rest of your livesI wish you illI send this nowBy the power of will
The cards — conceived and produced by Kathleen Mitchell, a friend of Kelo and city gadfly, and bearing Kelo's name — were received Tuesday by NLDC members David Goebel (the agency's former executive director), George Milne and Reid Burdick, and by Alan Mayer and his wife, Gail Schwenker-Mayer, supporters of the Fort Trumbull development project and one-time assistants to Claire Gaudiani, former president of both the NLDC and Connecticut College. State Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, also got one.
Kelo said this week that she mailed two cards to Gaudiani.
Kelo confirmed others on her list for the Christmas curse, including Mayor Peg Curtin and Beth Sabilia, Ernie Hewitt, Ron Nossek, Jane Glover, Kevin Cavanaugh, Rob Pero, Tim West, all current or former city councilors involved with Fort Trumbull. NLDC President Michael Joplin and members John Johnson, Carl Stoner, Steve Percy, Karl Sternlof, John Brooks and Pam Akins also are to receive the cards.
Kelo said she was considering sending the cards to the five U.S. Supreme Court justices who, in 2005, sided, as a majority, with the city and NLDC against the Fort Trumbull homeowners who fought the city's right to take the properties by eminent domain.
Kelo, among six Fort Trumbull property owners who contested the city's and agency's right to seize their homes and businesses, was the lead plaintiff in the case. She ultimately accepted a settlement offer from the city totaling $442,155 for her house at 8 East St., more than $319,000 above the appraised value in 2000.
“It's amazing anyone could be so vindictive when they've made so much money,” said Schwenker-Mayer on Tuesday, after receiving her card.
Milne, a former top executive at Pfizer Inc. here, called the card “immensely childish.”
“It's sort of sad she elected to do this,” said Milne. “We were trying to do things for the city. It was nothing personal.”
Burdick said he put the card on his mantel with all his other Christmas greetings. “I think the poor woman has gone around the bend,” he said. “I haven't gotten any mail from her in years. I still feel bad for Susette. The sorry part of this is that the things she's angry about were not done to be mean-spirited toward her personally.”
To Glover, a former mayor, the card's rendering of the Kelo house was cute. But the curse didn't cut it. “Being a Christian, I don't believe in curses,” she said. “It was really childish. I didn't think Susette Kelo believed in curses and black magic. If she did, she would have tried it on the Supreme Court.”
Goebel, the former NLDC executive director, said, “Children will be children.” But Goebel was the only recipient, thus far, to suggest that the card might not be from Kelo.
“You shouldn't take the signature at the bottom as that of the one who sent it,” Goebel said. “It's not something Susette would have done, in my view. It's unfortunate children have to do this.”
He did not speculate on who else might have been behind the mailing.
Kelo said the card was her idea. “I'm very upset with what these people did to me,” said Kelo, who works for the City of New London as a nurse dealing with lead paint and lead poisoning cases.
“This all could have been solved and ended many years ago,” she said. “They didn't have to do what they did to us, and I will never forget. These people can think what they want of me. I will never, ever forget what they did.”

I was very upset when I read this today in my hometown paper, how could any person go to a funeral and protest their beliefs during such an awful time for a family? I find it disrespectful, and mean spirited. I am all for free speach, but there is something a common courtesy, and understanding when someone is hurting where was that?

The New London Day Article:
The memorial service Saturday in East Lyme for Army Capt. Jason Hamill was remarkable in many ways, not the least of which was the love and respect shown the fallen soldier and his family by drama students from Waterford High School and from a parade of motorcyclists. Both groups were there to shield the Hamill family and friends from the vituperative and sick attitude expressed by a protest group from Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas. Its message was full of hate for human beings. God, they said, is killing American soldiers as a punishment for the tolerance of homosexuals in the United States.
There were at least three remarkable parts to this sad, solemn day. First was the respect demonstrated by many people who did not know Capt. Hamill. Among them were the high school drama students who just a week earlier had performed “The Laramie Project.” This play depicts the murder in 1998 of Matthew Shepard, a gay man. One character in the play is Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Church.
The second remarkable event was the fact that Westboro church members would be so mean-spirited as to travel across the country to a funeral for a soldier and spread their hostile theories about gay people. We ask ourselves: How could people be so unkind as to invade the family's privacy and to speak with no understanding or sympathy?
The difficult part in the face of such outrageous action is to acknowledge vulgarity and rancor are as much protected in our laws as the right to assemble to praise others for their goodness. The defense of liberty is not simple in nature. It requires great patience. It even makes necessary the suffering of indignities that may cut deeply into the human spirit.
The third and most striking part about this extraordinary day was the affirmation of the right to free speech. Americans have a remarkable tolerance for allowing others to speak their beliefs, no matter how distorted, hateful and distasteful their ideas may be. It was this respect for free speech, terrible though the words were, that created this dramatic scene in East Lyme.
Yet on noting this painful occasion, Americans can feel good about the values that protect this form of freedom. It's easy to listen to arguments with which one agrees. Permitting others to speak with most venomous statements requires great character. Such discipline and dedication to constitutional freedom in all its forms has made the United States a respected nation among the countries of the world. In a dramatic way, the character of Americans showed in the funeral on Saturday.
Democracy and freedom get tested every day in this country. The memorial Saturday gave a graphic and even grim display of how this nation endures even the most vile of individuals in order to defend the liberties of all. Capt. Hamill died trying to help give access to freedom for the Iraqis. His memorial service, with protesters and supporters on hand, reminded this region of the many kinds of sacrifices required to keep a nation free.

We leave about 8pm on Thursday night to start back to Connecticut for the Holiday Season. I am so excited to see my family and friends. I know I am building it up more so then it will actually be, the most important to me is to spend time with my family. We are so close so this last 15 months being away from them has been so hard. I have two new nieces one born in Feb 2006, and I didn't actually see her until July and now she has grown so much. When we left Lizzie was just coming up on her 1st birthday in November 2005, she has grown so big. I hate not being able to see them all the time. My neice Sarah who is 10 is now taller than me, and will be taller than her mother soon enough (she also just got her 1st period). They grow up so fast, I know when we have children, it will be a challenge to see where we will live.

I really am leaning toward Maine, because my mom is there and I do love Maine on the coast. It will be at least another 2 years before we move again.

Looking toward seeing my family this holiday season, my heart goes out to the hikers families on MT. HOOD, I know they found (1) body and area hoping the other (2) have survived. I want to wish them the best and will keep praying for the safe return of the other 2 and am so sorry for the loss of Kelly James. It is terrible to lose a family memeber and at the holidays it seems even more profound. I am praying for Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, I hope they are found soon. Everyone please remember life is so quick, tell the people you care about how much everyday because you really never know what will happen.

Do you read your horoscope everyday? I do, for no reason except I always have. This week has been all negative about my family and problems etc... I asked my husband this morning if we were ok, his response was, "don't read your horoscope, if it is negative it could be self prophesy?" What do you think?

Why do we read them? I even fooled myself into believing I would read them at the end of the day and see if it was correct, and if it was a bit off the mark, I would skew it to be what I wanted it to be, so it was right.

This morning I received an email from my 2nd oldest sister, and she was so excited she had called into a radio show and won 4 ski passes. The question was, "On the show Family Affair, what was the little girls' dolls name?" She was so excited because she remembered when we were little and I wanted the doll, her an my mom searched stores for weeks to find it. Back then it was like the Cabbage Patch dolls were in the 80's. It was a "MRS. BEASLEY" doll, I loved that doll, I do remember opening my present that Christmas morning and screaming I was so happy. Mrs. Beasley went everywhere with me, she just was the best. I had a buffy doll too, much smaller and did not really play with that.

Do you remember those old shows? Family affair twins Jody an Buffy and older sister Cissy, Mr. French the butler and Uncle Bill the bachleor? or Courtship of Eddies Father? Or my other personal favorite, " The Brady Bunch or The Partidge Family?" There was no divorce only death, you were either a widow or widower or like Family Affair both parents are killed and now an Uncle they do not really know is their guardian. It made it even more special to watch things unfold with not having to deal with ex's.

My parents were divorced when I was 6 years old, and it felt we were the only ones. Then another family moved across the street when I was "8" and it was a single mom with 3 kids, and her and my mom had gone to High School together. They had a little girl Melissa who was 7 and we became best friends. We learned how to ride bikes together, when it rained in the summer we would be out there jumping in the puddles, in the fall into the leaves, riding our bikes around the neighborhood, dressing up on Halloween, sleepovers and of course our 1st ciggarettes, which we both got grounded for a week, which to a child of 12 seemed forever. We would stand at the edge of our yards and talk because no phone and could not leave the yard. On Friday, nights we would sit down in whoever house was sleepover night and watch the Brady Bunch and pretend we were the sisters (short one) and sing and dance an be silly..

I loved those times, I spent so much time at her house and her at mine. When I got married in 2005, I did invite Melissa even though I had only seen her twice in about 15 years, she did not come but she will always been in my heart. My family moved when I was 14, we went to different schools so we drifted apart, quite sad. I love to think of those times.

As Christmas is approaching and I look at all the commericalism in the world, I like to remember the simpler times. I am only "42" but so much has changed in my life time, can you just image what your parents and grandparents have seen change in their life time?

Let us start with TV, growing up we had (1) and the whole family had to agree what to watch, our only choices were ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS. The remote was worthless because you only had 4 channels and to get 1 in completely you had to use the box to move the antennea around and it took a good 5 minutes to get it right. Sunday evenings I can tell you for my family was 60 minutes and the Wonderful World of Disney, if I stayed at my grandparents it was Lawrence Welk hour and then Disney. Do you remember when Walt Disney would come on and introduce the movie?

Video Games - Atari the tennis game two sticks going up an down and lobbing a ball? Not the games of today, which seem so real it is freaky..

No one had a computer in their home and the ones in the office were huge and you would have 1 for the whole office not one on each person's desk. Today the computer programs went down at work, and email oh my what will we do to survive?

Christmas when I was growing up was all about family, on Christmas Eve my whole family cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents on my mom's side get together and celebrate. We had so much fun an bad pictures in front of the Christmas Tree, each family would take a turn to host the annual event. We still do this but over the last few years, my sisters and one cousin have stepped up to host the event. I now live in North Carolina and when in CT did not have a house, I have always wanted to host this event, someday.. Now though there are in-laws to deal with so not all my cousins come and our grandparents are gone, and a few Uncles and Aunts are no longer. Family was so part of it Christmas for me, and I wish I could get that feeling back that I had as a little girl.

This year, my husband and I are traveling to CT to celebrate with my family, last year we surprised his mom, it was our first Christmas as a married couple and thought she would like that, but it was so hard for me not to be with my family. Including last year, I had only missed 3 christmas's with my family, 1987 when I was in London England, 1991 when I was stupid in my 20's and thought I could do without my family and be selfish.

I do think back on growing up and how much has changed over the years, and I can't wait to see what the next 42 years bring. I am still old enough to remember the summer of Watergate, watching President Nixon leave the white house, President Ford pardoning him soon afterwards. The Hostage Crisis, a few of the Vietman vets coming back in body bags, the news coverage of the whole thing, the first time a war was in our living rooms to better keep us informed. Jim McKay talking about the killed Olympians in 1972 Munich, 1972 Mexico Olympics when Mark Spitz took 7 metals ( making me want to reach that level of swimming). Watching the Olympics was amazing who can forget Nadia getting the first "10" in Olympic history? Or my favorite 1980 USA Hockey team winning, they were the under dogs !! Watch the movie miracle if you want to relive that time.

We will never forget 9/11/2001, ask anyone where were they? It is like for the generation before us asking where were you when Kennedy was shot? Things you will never forget.

This Christmas try to remember what made it so special for youself.

I only have a minute, but for all who read my blog, please go to this webpage and contact anyone who can help these employees

www.madatfoxwoods.com, It is a group of employees who are disgruntled and have every reason to be, especially since Foxwoods rakes in the money. I have had (3) relatives who have been treatly extremely poorly, and one is my mentally challenged cousin who cleaned bathrooms.

This weekend, ever time I left work I felt like skipping down the hill, have you ever felt that way? I had a great week at work productive and I actually am beginning to understand what my job is and what the expectations are, finally after almost 3 months in this new position. My home life is in a good upswing, Stephen and I have finally agreed to start excerising (which to be honest, he never had a problem with, it was me dragging), I have seen way too many pictures of myself fat to not realize I need to lose weight. Especially, after my mom thinking she was helping told me I need gastric bypass surgery, I may be heavy but not ready for that, but if I keep at my rate I am going oh yeah!!

So, when I was thinking of skipping this weekend, I tried to think what people would think when they drove by and saw me, oh look at that fat woman does she think she is exercising? Or that old woman should really act her age.. I did skip and I didn't care, my mood hard to describe was up to skipping. I hope everyone has a day, they feel like skipping, throw caution to the wind and do it. You will feel like you were little all over again, I laughed so hard at myself and enjoyed it throughly.. So, if you feel skip, or yell, or whatever makes you happy, who cares what the world thinks because in my heart and mind I will always be that little girl who loves to skip....

This Christmas Season with so much turmoil in the world, too bad we can't all go back to when we were a child an remember it as such a special time of year, where all we cared about is family, sledding, and the big guy himself Santa Claus, writing our letters an getting our picture taken and trying so hard to be good, so we don't get coal in our stockings. I want everyone to think back to your life at that time, when you were 6 or 7 and thought Christmas was the greatest time of year.

When I was 6 years old my brother was born Dec. 9 of that year, and it snowed for a week, I would not let anyone walk on our front lawn, I wanted my baby brother to see his first Christmas snow perfect. It worked, when he came home from the hospital in our Station Wagon my mom held him up to see the snow. Even to this day my brother is a winter freak the colder the better. I woke up that Christmas at 5am, and picked up my brother (almost dropped him), and he an I sat under the Tree watching the lights waiting for my sisters and mom and dad get up and open presents. About what seemed an hour, most likely 5 minutes I started yelling for everyone to get up "SANTA HAD BEEN HERE!!" It was the last Christmas my parents were married, but I clearly remember everyone getting up and stumbling from their beds, because Jon and I needed to open presents. Granted Jon had no muscle control at that time, but in my memory he was as excited as I was that 1st Christmas.

In my family we open our stockings first and to me then and now it is so important to me, and usually the most special. I held Jon and opened our stockings together, to me it was magically, I got a baby brother and Christmas all at once, for a 6 year old it is amazing how Santa works. My sisters are a year apart and very close, now I had someone for me to be close to and guide. The years have changed us but my brother and I have always had a connection and I believe it was because Santa brought him right before Christmas, he was a month over due, so I believe Santa had a plan. I have found this wonderful editorial , please read it an remember your Christmas when nothing in the world could go wrong.

This is a letter to the editor of the The New York Sun in 1897.


Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

As I turned on the Fox News this morning, I saw that a Tornado has hit North London, how is that possible there are no trailer parks there. Oh, it must be President Bush and Karl Rove's miracle weather machine the same one that brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans.

These are sad natural instances but the Democrats will turn it around somehow and blame President Bush. It must be nice to own a Weather Machine what do you think?


A tornado has hit a North London street, injuring six people and severely damaging houses, cars and street furniture.
One man was taken to hospital with a head injury and five people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock.
Eyewitnesses said the tornado lasted only a few seconds, but it ripped off entire roofs and tore down the walls of houses.
Emergency services were sent to the scene at Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Rise after reports came in at 11am.
Resident James Miles told Sky News the experience had been "very, very frightening".
"I was talking outside with a friend when all of a sudden there was a flash of lightning and a huge big bang, then two minutes later this horrendous tornado shot right across," he said.
Tornado struck in seconds
"Slates were flying everywhere onto people's houses and cars.
"It's really nasty. A lot of people are shaken up. It's not the sort of thing that happens in central London."
Sky News weather forecaster Francis Wilson explained that tornadoes were caused by storm clouds, and could generate winds in excess of 100mph.
"Warm air at the bottom and cold at the top is a recipe for unstable weather, which is what's happened here," he said.
Hail and thunderstorms were reported elsewhere across London.
If you've been caught up in an extreme weather event and have taken pictures on your mobile you can send them to us by dialling 07738 501501. Alternatively, if you've used a camera, email the pictures to us at newsonline@bskyb.com.

My new job is so boring, and sometimes I wonder what is next for me career wise? I have done so much in hospitality and wonder what is my next step and when should I start thinking about it? Yesterday, I took a seminar on Time Management, and while sitting there listening I realized now is the time to think what I want to do in the next 5 years, 10 years.

Do you remember when you first start interviewing for a position that question usually comes up? I myself usually answer with what I think the interviewer is looking for that I am going to stay with this company and just keep moving up. When usually in my head I am going, I have no idea I just need a job.

Well, I realized this week that I am 42 years old not 20 and if I am going to make a change I need to do it NOW. Otherwise, I will be sitting at a desk detailing events for the next 20 years of my life and do I really want to do that? I realized about a year ago that after 15 years of helping brides do their weddings, I did not want to do that anymore but felt I needed to stay in a hotel enviroment, so I moved to the corporate end of things. A little better than brides in the detail portion but day of, brides are usually so happy and bursting with love. On the corporate end which I refer to as "MZ (meetingzillas) the people who plan the event and if (1) little thing is wrong that you can not control the meeting is ruined and you are stuck with them for the next 2 days kissing butt.

I really just want to shake them and say, is it that important that Mr. so and so forgot his laptop and we do not have one on sight to rent to him? Is it our fault Mrs. so and so forgot her presentation and all her print outs, can we just use your computer for the next 4 hours to fix that it is only 11pm? I realize it is important but if it is nothing I can control do not blame me. I will fix what I can. I can fix room set up, tempature, food choices, Audio Visual and evening parking if need be. I am not a miracle worker if a participant forgets his presentation in Milwaukee unless you want to buy me a plane ticket pretty much I can't fix that. We are there to service your group, even we have our limatations.

I am sorry for my venting but I am amazed that at 42 years old, I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up, when do you think that will be?

I saw this today in the New London Day. I think Mr. Russell should keep his mouth shut... This is a little town, who takes pride in its traditions and it is not just Christmas music other things bother him too, does a church in the town bother him too, or just the fact they are promoting themselves? You may be an Atheists but the rest of us love the music and the home town feel of the town.

State your opinion.


by Sean Elliot
• The Jewett City Baptist Church on Main Street is the target of a complaint by American Atheists Inc. that contends the music broadcast from the church's belfry is a violation of the separation of church and state. Borough Warden Cynthia Kata, however, says the music will not be stopped, setting the stage for a possible legal confrontation
Griswold — About this time each year, a town employee unlocks the closet in the front hall of the Jewett City Baptist Church.
With the push of a button, the music that's heard from a large speaker hidden inside the church's steeple changes each hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., from selections that range from “America the Beautiful” to “Away in a Manger.”
It's been a tradition in the borough for more than a decade.
The Connecticut chapter of American Atheists Inc. thinks it's time that the tradition either ends or is altered.
The organization has filed a complaint with the town and the borough governments claiming the music is too loud. After contacting the resident state trooper, the organization was “shocked” to learn that the borough owns the system that is housed at the church.
“This is clearly a violation of the separation of church and state,” said Dennis Paul Himes, director of the state chapter.
Borough Warden Cynthia Kata doesn't see it that way.
“If there is one of the songs that they find offensive, I'll take it off,” Kata said. “But I'm not going to get rid of 'Jingle Bells' or 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' because some nut doesn't like it.”
•••••Unsure what to do with some grant money a decade ago, the warden and burgesses at the time decided it would be nice to have church bells ringing along Main Street. They bought a sound system to play recordings of church bells.
They asked the Jewett City Baptist Church if they could install a large speaker in the church's belfry and a CD player in a downstairs closet. The church is centrally located and the steeple is the highest point in the borough.
The congregation agreed, with conditions. The church would not be responsible for the equipment, any complaints or the music selection. Secular music could be played, but “no Elvis.”
Bells are supposed to chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour, although the timing is about 10 minutes off. On the hour, a selected song plays.
More than 400 tunes, most of which are not religious, are available for selection. During the spring and summer, the repertoire includes “Danny Boy,” “Over the Rainbow” and “God Bless America.” In the fall and winter, in honor of Christmas, it includes “Ave Maria,” “Joy to the World” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
At 9 each morning during the non-holiday season, “Onward, Christian Soldiers” plays. It's a special request of borough Treasurer and former Selectwoman Virginia Hoddy. That's when she makes the quarter-mile walk from her Ashland Street house to her office at Town Hall.
Norwich resident William Russell, an atheist who alerted the state organization to the chimes, visits the borough a couple times a month to see a relative and help her with her banking. The first notes of “Onward, Christian Soldiers” make him cringe.
“It's against the Constitution,” he said. “It needs to be silenced.”
•••••On Friday, Russell said he can hear the bells when he drives by in his car despite having the windows rolled up and rock music blaring. But to Himes, the director of the state chapter of the atheists organization, the sound level is not the biggest problem.
“The town operating the equipment in the church is a more serious issue than the volume,” he said. “It's offensive. The town is allowing the church to benefit from the music — free advertising.”
American Atheists Inc. has formally asked the borough to divest itself of the chimes by selling the equipment to the church for a fair-market price. Then, Himes said, the borough must monitor the volume.
Pastor David Honeychurch said he was not surprised that someone would complain, but was surprised to hear that the complainant was from out of town.
Honeychurch said he sympathizes if the people who live around the church are disturbed by the chimes, but added that no one has come to the church to complain.
He said the church is not interested in purchasing the equipment or assuming the responsibilities associated with it. “We're satisfied with remaining in the middle,” he said.
Himes has notified the national atheists organization of the situation and will report once the borough responds to his letter.
Kata, the borough warden, said she and the burgesses will consider the letter at their next meeting, possibly this month.
“It's not a church thing. We don't pay them and they don't ask for money,” she said.
Kata said she understood that the volume of the music and chimes could be annoying to neighbors but that she's never before received a formal complaint. She also said she would remove any songs that people find offensive.
While Russell said that would help, he wants the borough to give up its equipment. He also wants the system turned down to the point that, if he drives by the church with his car windows rolled up, he cannot hear the chimes.
“If I played rap, rock and heavy metal, the music I listen to, from a speaker on top of a roof, I'd be told to turn it down or off,” he said. “Why should the church be able to do it?”
If the issue is not resolved, Russell said, it will most likely end up in court.
m.bard@theday.com

Today, I was reading my home paper the New London Day, and was amazed that there was no mention of the fact PFIZER's has decided not to continue with one of their drugs? It was all over the Fox News and CNN channel why then is the hometown paper of where the Pfizer plant is not mentioning this fact? Just a thought... Oh, as I look back on the paper at 430pm, it did pop up about Pfizer but not the morning paper..WHY??

On the other hand there was this:

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A sailor accused of stealing a Navy laptop and peddling its classified contents to an undisclosed foreign government pleaded guilty today to espionage, desertion and other charges.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, 22, of Salem, Ore., faces a sentence of life in prison without parole, a dishonorable discharge from the Navy and forfeiture of all pay.
Under a plea agreement, Weinmann pleaded guilty to one count each of espionage, desertion, failing to properly safeguard and store classified information, copying classified information, communicating classified information to a person not entitled to receive it, and stealing and destroying a government computer.
The fire control technician was stationed aboard the Groton-based submarine USS Albuquerque.

Can you believe after 9/11 someone from our own country is so greedy they would sell our secrets? Can you explain to me why he joined the navy in the first place? Was this his plan all along? I am so appalled by this, I can't think straight or keep writing at this time.

Well, today is my husbands birthday, I gave him a card this morning and will be picking up his gift during work. Do you ever notice that when you are dating or engaged your gifts during a birthday/Christmas are very extravangant? Then when you are settled and married they are not as lavish, and more practical. Why? It is not as if they are not still very important dates it just seems that life has gotten in the way..

To me birthdays are a bigger celebration than Christmas because it is so personnel. I have taken different people places for their birthday. My friend Thomas on his 30th I took him to Savannah Georgia, for an ex, who's birthday is in February, I took him to Florida and New Yorkand gave him a surprise 25th birthday blow out ! For myself, on my 38th I took myself to Chicago, I love to travel and I love to celebrate, so it is a great combination. If I can't go away, then I make that day as special as possible, sending gifts throughout the day, doing a scavenger hunt, everyone should be made to feel very special on the day God introduced you to the world.

This year, we are celebrating his birthday with friends at a Sushi restaurant tomorrow night, but tonight is just us, and I have something special up my sleeve for my husband. I will post about it later, I do not want him to know just yet. So if anyone else has a birthday today HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

It is the Christmas Season!! Technically, I can not really decorate or start thinking of Christmas until after December 1, my husband's birthday. As far back as he remembers his mother has celebrated his birthday on Thanksgiving and he feels it has never been very special. We have known each other for 3 years and every year I try to make it as special as I can for him. So, on Saturday December 2, I will be putting up my decorations.

I have written out my christmas cards, to me they are very personnel. I just do not like email Christmas Cards, I do like any other holiday but that one. When I was a little girl growing up, I remember we used to get so many Christmas Cards, we would hang them up around the house and it just looked more festive in the house. My mother always had extra cards and extra gifts just in case someone sent her a card and she had forgotten them, or someone stopped by unexpectly. I always thought that is so thoughtful of her, and wish I could be that way. I seem to have enough money for just the amount of gifts I need, and never any extra cards. This year I do have extra cards, because my husband bought me a box yesterday.

My mom is the most giving person in the world. When I was in high school, she bought my friend her prom dress because she couldn't afford one, she took in a troubled teen friend of mine for 2 months, until the girl hurt me deeply then my mom protected me as she always had. She has just gotten married for the third time, and even though she is retired she asked me, do you want me to get you a washer/dryer set? I am like mom, NO you can not afford it, we will get it when we can buy it ourselves think of yourself for a change. When my mom married my stepfather (2nd husband), the first christmas while my sisters and I were at my Dad's, His children all 5 and their spouces and children came to our house, they brought gifts for everyone but my mom. How rude, she made a great brunch for them, made sure she had the perfect gift for each of them, and then they bought her nothing, and sat there and smiled while they opened presents and so did my stepfather. I have never forgiven them for that slight, I know it has been about 25 years since that Christmas and they are not married anymore, but it is a time for sharing and loving why intentionally hurt someone?

My biggest wish is that my mother is happy, healthy and settled. She deserves the best in life and I miss not living close to her, especially this time of year. My mom is my best friend in the world, she makes me laugh an think about what I want out of life. I admit I don't take her advise that often, my mom's beliefs are alittle off, but she always means well. My sister and brother depend on her more than I do, and I think that is why she offers me things. My mother is the queen of cleaning out her closets and sending or dropping off boxes of stuff to us, never a letter or an explanation. My husband and I got a box on Monday of Curtains, (1) Chair Cover and tablcloths, what makes this extremely funny is my mom has never seen our house or how we have decorated. What is funny, this is new to my husband and I explained when I lived close to her, I used to get furniture or boxes left at my house or apartment and my roommates would be like where did that come from? Oh, my mom!! Her giving nature makes me laugh and I love her for it...

Everyone, have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Respect is the word today!! Do you say thank you and please to every person that helps you in your life?

The check out girl/guy at the grocery store? The bank teller? The front desk agent who checks you into a hotel?

My husband has instilled in me over the 3 years that I never said, thank you or please to people and he was appalled especially since I was a waitress, banquet server and restaurant manager for many years, and hated when people were not respectful of me. I now make a point of saying, thank you, please and not have an attitude with sloppy service. Bad attitude breeds bad attitude back.

Please realize people in the service industry do it because we love to work with people, and sometimes it gets really hard when the guests/client is snapping at you or yelling at you for this or that because they are having a bad day.

Smile, before you speak an realize every person deserves respect...

I am very angry today. I have just gotten to work, yes I am working on Black Friday. I work in Convention Services at a Hotel basically, I detail events coming into the hotel. My anger today is directed at selfish uninformed customers who come into the hotel when it comes to banquets. Here are some steps to live by if booking a banquet event in a hotel:
1. There are policies in affect for a reason when it comes to guarantee of how many people you can accommodate at a function. We have to staff, and ensure enough food most hotels is 3 days prior to the event and my hotel is no different.
I had a group of 30 people coming in for a Thanksgiving Dinner, then at 430pm on Wednesday before she left a Voice Message on my machine to add 21 more people, I did not get this message until Friday morning and even if I had received this message I could not do that, we can not get food on such short notice and especially not on a holiday. DO NOT ASSUME I RECEIVED A MESSAGE UNLESS I CALL YOU BACK!!
2. Banquets are not restaurants you can not pay as you go through the buffet line, you have to give back up for payment.
3. When we tell you we need your menu and counts as soon as possible, don't say we can't do that, we are busy or we will not be getting together for a week, then do not expect to have a successful event.

We want to service you and make your event a success but if you sabotage it the only one you can blame is yourself. Realize we are a business, what our contract states is true not just "until you realize you are not meeting your numbers". Please treat us with respect, we only want a successful event it does not do us any good to have an unsuccessful event, word of mouth is huge!! We are professionals, gone to school for this..

Its the day before Thanksgiving, this year is just the two of us. I am looking forward to it, I will be watching the Macy's Day Parade and then the original Miracle on 34th Street. Because, seriously the original is my favorite, even though Dermot McDermott is dreamy but he I watch in Home for the Holidays my other Thanksgiving must have!!

We are having a huge dinner and will have left overs for at least two weeks, but it is so worth it. I wish everyone out there a very Happy Thanksgiving.

UCONN WOMENS FIELD HOCKEY are in Winston-Salem, NC for the NCAA Tournament, today they are going against UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND last years winners. I am so excited they are staying here at the hotel I work for, due to we are in the south it is great to see and meet people from my home state.

GO UCONN!! KICK BUTT

Ok, today I was reading my home paper and was horrified to see a 'Shooting in Putnam", so of course, looked on it and was even more appalled about the reason. It seems today the Playstation 3 comes out and two teenagers thought, "Hey it is $500-$600 for one of those, lets go rob the people who are standing in line." Well, a "21" year old who most likely has worked hard for this item, was not about to give up his money and was shot. WHY?? To him you wonder was it more important then your life? To the shooters, are you that motivated by greed that you would shoot someone for $500 or $600?

Why were two teenage boys out at 3am, did their parents even realize they were gone? What has the world come to that, these boys don't want to work for something but what it given to them? I think our society tells young children you need all these items, get them anyway you an instead of when I was growing up in the 70's, work for what you want an you will enjoy the item more.

When I got my first paycheck when I was 15, I went out and bought a turn table and 10 45's, I was never more excited then the fact I bought them with my own money, then asking my parents and I had that turntable well into by 20's. It was my first earnings and I admit it meant more to me then anything in the world. I felt I had accomplished something and a sense of freedom for being able to pay for it myself.

Why do the young people today have no sense of accomplishment or pride in doing a good job? Is it society, parents or just plain inbred laziness?

Just a thought.

Last night, was another new episode of Gilmore Girls, it was good except for the fact that Lorelai married Christopher in Paris, why??? I am so upset by this turn of events, where is Luke? I am still questioning where Scott Patterson is, what is with the new writers??

I also watched Law & Order CI, I think my favorite character Bobby Goran is losing it, please do not get rid of one of my favorite characters on TV. Reality television has taken over the airwaves so when you actually get into a show and the character you hate to lose them. It is like losing a friend. I was excited when the brought back Mike Logan, of course being a HUGE Sex and the City fan, I still think of him as Mr. Big..

Television is my escape and I like it better if it is not real people. Believe me I watch Reality TV too, but enjoy the real shows, real writers than the self indulgsion of real people trying to get on reality tv to become famous.

Well, this weekend, I did something I never do, I actually worked around our house. I stained boards to make our book shelves. Must husband and I have almost 1,000 books between us and since the move 7 weeks ago most of our books are still in boxes. Our bookshelf now repaired stands empty, and the boards needed something, due to the 82' weather I took it upon myself to stain them.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am not coordinated or artsy in anyway. Basically, I make a mess of almost everything I try, either on myself or on the piece of material I am working on. So, I was quite surprised with myself when the boards came out half way decent. I think my husband was in shock.. I admit I never thought I would be one to want to make my home better, but due to circumstances lately, we have been spending most of our time at home, I need it to be cozier, nicer, basically as comfortable as possible.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

It is Election day did you vote? My husband set the alarm early so we could vote before work, I think he was worried I would not vote unless he was with me. (most likely correct).

Anyway, we made friends, with another couple. We met up on Friday night for drinks and ended up eating too. It was so much fun, they were so much like us, it kind of was scary. We were so excited that another couple would want to be friends with us, not that we aren't nice people, its just we are so new to the area and it seems the older you get the harder it is to make friends.

Do you remember when you were in grade school, and it was easy to have a friend? Or your mom made you be friends? It was also easy to make enemies depending on where you stood on the social ranking, which in grammar school I was on the bottom rung, Junior high a little higher not much and by High School, I knew how to play the game and pick an choose which "click" to belong too. I think when you are growing up we are programmed to play the game and learn how to work what we have or don't have to our own advantage. So if you think about it we learn about politics from an early age.

Think about it, did you put yourself out to embrace the "new" kid? the nerd? the shy one? Who were you the bully, leader or follower? Or were you like me, I just wanted to blend into my surroundings I didn't put myself out there, not that it helped. I was still picked on by the more secure girls, for anything and everything. I made the mistake of becoming friends with one girl and when I told her my deepest secrets (11years old), not so big or deep now anyone she told the bully and I was tormented for the next year, until someone new screwed up to be made fun of and take the heat off of me.

Life is tough, but I believe if you can make it through school without psychological problems you are better off then many.

It is less than 24 hours until the mid-term elections in our country, please remember to get out an vote.

Today, I am bringing and issue that is close to my heart. On December 2, 2001 a man named Robert "Woody" Woodward was gunned down in a church in Brattleboro, Vermont by 2 police officers. According to the 18 people in the church have stated over and over again, Woody was not threatening anyone but himself with a knife, then why gun him down with 7 bullets in front of the congregation?

Why has there never been justice? We are coming up to the 5th year anniversary of this tragic death and still there is "NO JUSTICE FOR WOODY". Even the Governor at the time, did nothing and all the inconsistency of this tragic story have never fully come to light. So the people who knew Woody are spreading the word, what would you do if someone you know, care about is gunned down with no provaction?

I went to High School with Woody, a very smart man, funny, all he wanted to do was help people. He lived a very simple life in Vermont, and took care of mentally challenged children for a living. Did he deserve to die this way and no one is punished?

Don't forget Woody.

Good Morning Bloggers:
I realize no one really reads mine, which is fine. I like the feeling of putting my feelings, opinions and thoughts out into the universe. I have been told I never stop talking an most of the time I am on my soap box, today all I want to say is VOTE REPUBLICAN!!

The mid term elections are in 2 days and the DEMOCRATS want to raise our taxes can you afford that? I can't, to be honest I can barely afford my rent these days..

I should let everyone know I have A.D.D. so sometimes I will start something and my mind will waunder and I can not spell if you have not noticed already. For my job, I book and detail events at a hotel I have notes for everything, when a client is talking I am taking notes, I am sure they find that rude at times, but I do not want to miss anything. This way I do not lose track it gives me something to do with my hands so I can't look around and think of something else. I want your event and your experience to be as close to perfect as I can get it.

I have been in the hotel business for well over 20 years, starting as a Hostess in a Marriott restaurant in the 80's. Then little bouquet hotels (less than 100 rooms) and now a Convention Center with 460+ rooms, an 100,000+ square feet of meeting space. The reason I am sharing this is to let some clients know something about the hotel industry, WE ARE A BUSINESS.. When we give you our prices for banquet meals it is because in order to maintain our property at the standards you expect, and the service we must charge this prices. We do our homework and look at our competetion and are usually the same pricing or $1.00 more per item if that much sometimes it is a few cents.

Basically, you get what you pay for, but we have to not only worry about food costs, we have labor, lights, tables, chairs, linens to consider and depending on the property security. Please realize we are here to make money. Basically, when you go to McDonalds or a Steakhouse do you say? Your entrees cost to much this is what I am willing to pay? I have no problem customizing a menu to be within your budget but do not be shocked when it is not Filet Mignon or Shrimp and is Chicken and Pasta or only (1) entree depending on the budget. We want to help you and work with you but please be reasonable and $12.00 inclusive of service and tax is not reasonable for a plated dinner.

Contracts are not something you sign, but feel you can not live up to as if it doesn't really matter, we put those attritution, food and beverage minimums into place for a reason. We forecast on what you say your doing and turn other business away because we are planning on servicing your group, when your numbers drop and you decide to either cxl or downsize a week before the event it affects our bottom line like every other business. We do understands things happen and will work with you, like rebooking within a reasonable time, but if you decide to go somewhere else or cancel all together, our contract is there to protect us and yourselves.

People seem shocked that airline flights have gone up in the last few weeks, realize unless someone is in that seat you can not make that money up with an empty seat. Same with hotels if no one buys that meeting room for the day we can not get that back.

Please be considerate an realize we are a business, just like your business. We are here to work with you, but be realistic and not expect us to always bend because the limited hotel down the street will undercut us again you get what you pay for better or worse.

John Kerry did it again, put his foot in his mouth. Why can't he admit he was wrong? Why won't he apologize will that really make him look weak? I think any person who says something so stupid, should at least have the balls to say, I messed up, I was not saying all military people are stupid. Why????

How dare he make a derogatory remarks about our men and women in the military, I believe he has said enough times about his military career are you saying, your not smart Senator? Which even according to Don Imus, John Kerry's biggest problem is he thinks he is smarter than most of us, and he isn't. President Bush received better grades than you did Senator is that why he didn't go into the military and you did?

My brother was in the Marines during the Gulf War, and if anyone had made a remark like Senator Kerry did I would be up in arms. Our men and women in the military deserve our support not indifference, we do not want another Vietman, where we shun the military for doing their jobs.

They are protecting us, being away from their families months at a time, why would you not stand up and say "Thank you", do you Senator Kerry want another September 11, 2001 or have you forgotten that day?

Give it up Senator, shut up and admit you made a mistake. I think the Democrats are smart to cancel his appearances, he is more harm then good.

Did anyone catch the 7am showing of the "Today Show", the announcer only introduced Meredith not Matt Lauer. Is the announcer saying that Meredith counts and Matt doesn't to the higher ups? I would love to have been a fly on the wall after the show to see Matt's reaction. It was Halloween and they weren't dressed up either what is going on? I used to love to watch to see what Al, Matt, Ann and Katie would be dressed as, or do they do that at the 8am hour?

Well, Gilmore Girls night, I can't wait to see what is happening since I missed last week, I did read the spoilers alert and am so hoping they are wrong about what is happening to Lorelai and Luke. I will let you know tomorrow. More Gossip, Hello Reese and Ryan are breaking up, how disappointing, I really loved this couple. They were out there like the whole TomCat, Bennifer shows, no one ever blended their names, I always thought they could work thru anything, I hope they are both doing well along with those two beautiful children.

Elections are right around the corner, I am not like my husband who loves to talk/preach about his beliefs, it is quite interesting to see what will happen in the Senate and Congress don't you think? Cutie Sean Hannity had a great show on Sunday night where he asked people if they recognized Nancy Peligrissi (spelling most likely wrong), I know the name but had no idea what she looked like until his show. It was funny to watch people try to figure out who she is, because after Tuesday she may be a very important person making decisions on their lives. Politics are fun to watch and keep up with it is like our own little soap opera with no commercial breaks.

Have a Happy Halloween!!

Its Saturday night, and no where to go, I talked to a friend and she is going to a Halloween Party, and the theme is to come as any character from a Will Ferrell movie how much fun. It must be nice to be in your 20's and single. I have always wanted to go as the Spartans especially since my husband is 6'2 and I am 5'4 I thought that would be fun.

What are you going as this year? Any good parties or just family gatherings? Do you miss being in your 20's. It is very rare when I miss those times, especially since I was a big dork in my 20's not like the women of today. I had no confidence, which is sad since I had the hair, and body to pull it off back then. I realize it is all about growing up, but if I knew then what I know now, my 20's would of definately been alot more exciting and adventureous...

Well, it is almost here Halloween, my husband and I are finally in a neighborhood and not an apartment so we are buying candy, excited for the prospect of little children knocking at our door and saying, "Trick or Treat". Do you remember being so young and loving Halloween sometimes even better than Christmas?

My favorite costume was a Gypsy. It was early 70's and my mom would put make up on me,scarves in bright color around my head, gold earrings and flowing skirt. I loved this outfit, I was a Gypsy from 1972-1976 when I thought I was too old an mature at the ripe ole age of 12. Little did I realize decades later I would crave to dress up and go out. Last year, I did not dress up because we had just moved to Charlotte and knew no one or anywhere to go. The year before I went out with a Blonde Wig and a tight dress, I think it was a cross between a Harlot and Hooker, I think the Hooker won, not my best. The year before that was one of the funniest, I went as a Dead Prom Queen (of course to wear a Tiara), my friend Tom went dressed as a woman, we went to Stash's in New London to see our favorite band, "SugarDaddy" and had a great time.

Even today, I get that feeling of excitement building as Halloween approaches, I will be dressing as a Gypsy this year to hand out candy and can not wait, it is wonderful to watch children have so much fun and remember my own childhood and for a little while relive it all over again. Everyone have a Great Halloween, don't forget the Charlie Brown, "GREAT PUMPKIN" on tonight at 8pm to start the season...

This morning when I woke up an it was still dark out, and knowing that on Saturday morning we will be turning the clocks back which is signalling winter, I felt and kind of hoped I was back in Connecticut. As the weather has turned colder, days shorter and Halloween coming up fast, I admit I miss being in New England and home.

To me New England will always be my home, mostly because it is what I know, where I grew up and where the family is who I miss desperately. My dad is coming to see me but not long enough really only a few hours, and then they will be gone again. I was hoping they would come on Saturday and we would have all day Sunday but nope, they are coming on Sunday late afternoon and leaving early on Monday. Never thought I would want to spend more time with family but I do desperately.

My husband will not like hearing that New England is home, he has my heart and our reasons for leaving were an are still valid, but it is such a magical place. The Fall fooliage is not as pretty here as it is in New Hampshire,the festivals with the hot chocolate, apple pies, apple fritters, pumpkin muffins etc. People are up there getting ready to hibernate for the long winter. Buying firewood, stocking up on sweaters, snow shovels ( you need a few) due to you will break at least (2) a winter and of course WD-40, so when your car door is frozen, can't get your key in to drive to work you need WD-40. I always had windex in my car because your window will get so dirty you can't see to drive. It may sound awful but to me it is something I miss.

Down here is just not the same, yes it is getting cold and we might get (1) snow storm but nothing is as magical as a New England snow storm and the parties we all have in the winter just to get out of the house an see other people. If you have never been to New England go Mystic CT is one of the most magically places in New England, not too much snow due to on the water but the residents are great. Go to the Harp and Hound for a pint of Guiness, or Daniel Packer Inn for their hot bread and garlic, Seaman's Inne to sit in front of the fireplace in the Pub with your hot chocalate and Peppermint Schnapps. Enjoy..

Last night, I was "invited" to a managers outing to the Theatre. So, of course, I went and we went and saw, " Three Redneck Tenors", it was so funny!! These guys had mullets, accents and even a trailer. I laughed so hard, I believe my boss could not believe how obnoxious and loud my laugh is, I could not help it. I reccommend this show to anyone if they come to your town go, well worth the price of a ticket.

Their voices were wonderful,and their own spin on some classic songs like YMCA, Hound Dog and my personally favorite from the performance, Staying Alive, if you were brought up in the late 70's early 80's you will smile at that, white suits an all.

The first of my family is coming up this weekend, my dad and his wife are coming to visit on their way back to Connecticut after spending a month at their house in Hilton Head, SC. That should be fun, due to we have not seen anyone from my family in quite awhile. My mom is getting married again!! Her third on Saturday October 28, 2006 to her long time boyfriend of 15 years (about time), in Maine. I will not be able to attend due to she gave us a weeks notice. I think she wants to strike now before he changes his mind. I hope it doesn't snow on them. It is Maine after all, close to Portland Maine, which is such a great city. If they had work we would move back to New England.

Well it is 3am and for some reason I can not sleep. Today, was the first time in a month my husband and I had a Saturday together, so we went to the Lexington BBQ, which is huge here. Besides the BBQ being amazing my favorite pastime is people watching.

First we walked through the whole festival and saw all the different stages and bands, there was the Cajun Band, Original Band, Folk Band, Jimmy Buffet cover band and the one near the only Beer tent Rock band guess which one we saw? Yes, the Rock band, once we were in the beer tent drinking "festival beer", we noticed this older gentleman dancing it was so funny, he was so into the music and once the crowd was watching him and hooting and hollering for him it was even funnier. He had a scraggly beard, about "60", black hat, black leather coat, 1980 white jeans and so many people around us were taking pictures of him. I did notice that the Mullet is making a comeback or it could be because of where we were. It was a good day, after that we came home and rented the Adam Sandler film "CLICK", and "Mighty Wind".

Click is a great movie, if you have not seen it rent it, such a funny and touching movie, I love Adam Sandler, Spanglish is another great movie with him. The family movies with a meaning are incredible. We love Christopher Guest movies and have seen Mighty Wind before, I will admit I have not seen his Spinal Tap movie, and finally told my husband so I am sure we will be renting that next time.

Tomorrow or today we are going to take a long drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway the colors of the leaves are so vibrant and beautiful and now that we live so much closer why not? I noticed my sweet husband has already bought picnic stuff so I guess we are going to be using our picnic basket we got for our wedding. We only did that a few times up North, but down here quite alot. Our last picnic was at Lake Norman State Park, in August. The tempature has dropped quite alot today, and I do admit I love the Autumn time, it is great to wear big comfy sweaters, and smell the crisp air, I am looking forward to the drive tomorrow or later today really. I am going to sign off now.

Just a little note, if you have not noticed I like to begin my posts as if we are having a conversation, or in the middle of one, which if you have ever seen "You've got Mail" that is a line Meg Ryan's character emails to Tom Hanks. Yes, besides being a TV junky, I am also a snob when it comes to movies.

Last night, my husband and I went to a business afterhours, and we won a few door prizes, I won a dinner for two and he won gift cards to the bar we were in, which of course we felt obligated to use then and there (not a good idea on a Thursday night). After that we went to another bar/restaurant called 6th and Vine in Winston-Salem, NC. We have both been in the restaurant business and are picky on food and wine. This was excellent from the moment we walked in, we felt comfortable. It has couches, shelves of wine, a huge bar and then in the back tables. We choose to sit at the bar, we enjoy talking to people and just mingling. Food was so good, we started with Escargot which we were both fighting over it was in a puff pastry and a cream sauce, and mushrooms melted in our mouths. Then he had Pork Tenderloin and I had Steak Marinated, both so good we could not believe it, and did not talk (rare for me) and just ate and enjoyed it. I did pair my dinner with a Red Zinfandel and Stephen did a nice German lager beer. I would reccommend this to anyone who is in town. When my friends or family come down we are so going there.


About the business after hours, when we lived in Connecticut we were memembers of the Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Norwich Chamber and Eastern Connecticut Chamber, so in (1) week of every month we would have 3 after hours to go to, which when you are cash poor, is great because it is usually open beer/wine and food. Down here in the bible belt no food and cash bar, what is that? People are better at networking with a few drinks and then they can eat if they are nervous and need to do something with their hands. I can tell you the Chambers in CT are very involved in the whole community and it was always packed and we both did very well at getting business out of it. I am trying to figure out the system down here, on how people meet and mingle and bring business to each other.

We have looked into the Winston-Salem Chamber but there after hours are 4pm-6pm,not 6pm-8pm, who can leave work early? I have to think because they want you to be able to get home to your loved ones or my other suspicion is that they are cheap and do not want to have to provide anything. I am not saying all southerns are cheap, but these after hours seem to be, is it because of lack of participation or lack of funds? A think to ponder.

We also used these after hours to build friendships, because face it unless you are in school or work for a huge company, making friends at a certain age is hard. We would love to have couple friends, again not easy. I feel like we have to force people to hang out with us or come right out with we would like to be your friends. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make friends? When we were out visiting in Illnois, our friends we stayed at, had friends come over with their kids and we laughed, played cards and enjoyed each other, it was great.

I love entertaining and for once in our life, we have the room and a great place to do that an no friends. I think my husband has made a friend with someone he tried to sell a car too, and we are supposely meeting up with them next week, so that would be cool.. I have met a few people at work, but alot of them are very stand offish, have a circle of friends or don't live in Winston-Salem, so it is very hard for me. Yes, Southern's are very friendly but in a polite way not a get to know you type of way.

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, today I want to let everyone know I am a reality tv junky.. My favorites from this season have been Rock Star:Supernova - so not happy that Lucas won. Dilanha and Storm were my favorites, and when it got down to it, I really thought Toby would have taken it, he would of given more life to the group then Lucas. I think my girls will do better for not winning, and I will definately be watching for their futures CD's. Project Runway- I loved Michael and Laura's work, but Jeffrey's was so much fun and young, I can see why he won.. How much fun to get so many creative people together and watch the fireworks. Kayne and Robert were great to watch it would of been fun if they had made it the end just to see their work. Alot of Drama this year, Keith was a prick from start to finish and deserved to be kicked off, his showing at the Reunion show was just patethic he still did not admit he was wrong, it was basically, "I was framed", no but you couldn't talk your way out of it, was your problem. Here is a man I think who usually can talk his way out of anything and this time he couldn't, he definately needed to be taken down a peg or two. Sidebar - I love Tim Gunn (don't tell my husband).

I hate to admit my others but I did watch Flavor of Love 1 & 2, New York is a trip, and she should definately be the Flavorette, all that drama in one person amazes me, how do you have that much strength to be that crazy and dramatic all the time? Bridezillas - excuse me, if you are awful and full of yourselves when you are planning your wedding, what is your marriage going to be like? I feel for alot of these Groom's but no one taps John (gayzilla), give up control !! No wonder your wedding was a diaster you didn't even enjoy it. When I was planning weddings, I would tell the bride - relax and enjoy whatever happens, does not diminish the whole reason you are getting married. I admit, during my wedding 18 months ago, I had my bridezilla moment and everyone called me on it. After my little fit, I realized it was a happy time and it doesn't matter, all that matters is I married the man I love. (besides tim gunn) I digress, my other favorite show is Big Brother, I did not like this seasons, I want new blood to watch even though I am glad Mike "boogie" took it from the girls. He got jipped the first time around, it was fun to watch the final "4" play each other...

Why do we watch these shows? I guess to make ourselves feel better and state we would never act like that on TV, but the real reason is I am a little jealous that 1. I am too old to apply and 2. because I would never get picked, which goes back to grade school and during recess being the last one picked for any sports teams. I also, like to think everyone on these shows think that they will act well but then they get caught up in the situation that is not real life and the little devil in all of us takes over. Any comments? What shows do you watch?

Just a side note my favorite show is GILMORE GIRLS, and any Law & Order especially SVU and CI, which makes Tuesday night great, but the rest of the week lacking!!! I am a TV Junky!! My husband hates it, what to do?

Good Morning Bloggers,
Today is a blue day for me. In the last few weeks things have happened for people that I once was very close to. Two weeks ago an old boyfriend of mine passed away he was "36" years old and died of liver failure due to alcoholism. When we were together which was about 2 years, I knew he drank but did not know the extend of it, was I stupid or more a person who just did not want to see it?
He was not my first boyfriend with an addiction, another one was a huge pot head, but he didn’t die. My old boyfriend, who passed away, was a wonderful, fun, sweetheart of a man, who loved people and just wanted everyone to be happy. His passion was flying and fishing, on my birthday September 12, 2001 he had arranged a flight around the world trade center, for obvious reasons that did not happen, he was so worried my birthday was going to be spoiled. My birthday was already spoiled but not because of him but because of what had just happened to our country. We tried to celebrate but to both of us it just seemed so wrong, everyone was just so raw from the day before. That Christmas, he bought a bottle of Tequila in my stocking (should have been a clue), about 4 of use sat around and got pretty bombed all day in our pj’s, we laughed, played games and just liked being lazy. Why didn’t I find something wrong with that as a gift? Did I not want to see it? When we broke up which I did, it was for a lot of reasons, his lateness, his ability to call in sick because he was too hung over, where my motto has always been if you inflict it yourself you can’t call in sick it just is not right. I have so much ambition and he didn’t, looking back on it, the alcohol had a lot to do with it.
I had not spoken to him in over 3 years when he died, and my guilt is overwhelming sometimes, he really was an incredible man, he did not deserve to die this way, or at all at only 36 years old. I know he had a lot of pain in his life, and I hope he is happier up in Heaven because that is where he deserves to be. He was a big teddy bear who would never have intentionally hurt anyone. I also feel guilty because I could not be at his funeral, my mom and sister went and said it was standing room only and a few people got up and said such wonderful things about him, my thought is too bad he wasn’t there to see how many people lives he touched in such a short time.
My next one is a girl I went to high school with; we had been friends since Jr. High. Smart, pretty good family got arrested last week trying to buy crack cocaine. This girls has 2 college degrees, has traveled the world with 4-H club, always active in the community, and just a smart girl all around. How could her life take such a tumble? Her brother is a friend of my sisters and he said, she has always had a low-self esteem problem. If you met her she must have been quite the actress because I never saw that. She definitely had an addictive personality, when were in high school, most of us smoked a bit of pot, but nothing extreme. A lot of us stopped after college was are now in the beginning of our 40’s, and life is still so ahead for us, what could have gone wrong? My heart goes out to her, and my sisters have asked me since the story broke, if I know why? We were close so many years ago but had lost touch. Could I have done anything for her? Would it have made a difference?
I am just putting this out there to see if anyone else worries when you lose touch do you feel guilty or feel you could have prevented these tragedies?

Hello It is the WASP from the North reporting today from a very rainy Winston-Salem, NC. Today, I wanted to talk about some other cultural difference between the North and South. BBQ!! I love BBQ but in the North it is either Chicken or Ribs with bottled BBQ Sauce, down here it is a way of life. A good way of life, with the sauce usually handed down from generation to generation and it is pulled pork or beef and so good it waters in your mouth. My husband (who I will refer for now on as H-man) and I are going to the Lexington BBQ Festival on Saturday afternoon. Maybe we will see you there, I will most likely be wearing it on my chest because I am a slob when it comes to eating. I have to say this is one difference where the South wins hands down, I have not been to Kansas City, which I hear will give the South a run for its money in the BBQ department according to FOOD NETWORK.

I will get to another difference in a minute, I should let you know my line of work. I was up North a Wedding Coordinator/Event Specialist within a Resort, which entails, selling the property to the client, then getting all the details and working the day of to make sure the Bride is calm, happy and has no stress. Now, all I do is detail events that someone else sells to the client, my selling is very limited. When I call clients, up North I always felt I was bugging them and they were rushing me off the phone and did not want to give me details (NOT BRIDES), down here people actually ask me how my weekend went and how my day is going. It is so nice to work with people that are pleasant and give you respect. I am not saying everyone up North was like that but a big majority for me to notice. Brides are in their own category, I will discuss that in another post.

One more difference, driving... I understand down here people are not used to snow the way we are in the North but why when it is raining do people all of a sudden have no clue on how to drive? It is rain not snow, sleet or worse ice storms. While living in Charlotte we had no snow last year, I am waiting to see what this winter brings. Driving in snow is not that hard, but understandable if your not from the North, but rain? I really do not expect an answer, I am just putting it out in the universe for people to ponder.

Another fact about me, I have had many jobs, bartender, waitress, food captain, banquet captain, travel agent, retailer, cashier and sales. As you can see all of my jobs require customer service, my most rewarding was Wedding Coordinator, I did that for over 10 years, and brides are so happy and excited you want to make their day special.

Hello, my name is Paula and I was born and raised in Connecticut. My husband calls me a W.A.S.P., which stands for White Anglo Saxon Protestant. I hope no one is offended, it is what it is. Well, we got married in March 2005 and in August 2005 we moved to Charlotte, NC. Other than going away to college this is the first time I moved away from my family.

We married late in life, I am age 40, my husband is younger by 5 years (wooh - hoo!!). At this time we have no children, we are working on changing that as often as we can.

So, after 40 years with the same last name it was and is strange for me not to say my maiden name. I admit I do use it sometimes, especially for reservations in a restaurant, due to the unpleasant fact that my new last name is "Smith". It does crack me up when we check into hotel rooms.

We decided to leave Connecticut (the land of ice and snow) to move South, and to find our "Starrs Hollow" (if you are a Gilmore Girls fan you would know what I mean, if not, you should watch the show at least once, the dialogue and the relationships are so funny and cool). I have enticed my husband to start watching them with me, he loves the dialogue and the pop culture references that they make. We also wanted to be part of a small-town community, and let's be honest, Connecticut is an expensive place to live. We think we have found our small-town home in Mount Airy, NC. Unfortunately there is not a lot of work for either of us up there, so it will be another year or so before we can buy a house and have a decent commute. For now we just visit and pick up the real estate books and dream.

Mount Airy is the inspiration for a place called Mayberry on the old black-and-white TV show called "The Andy Griffith Show". It is Andy Griffith's hometown and they are very proud of this. We figure there will be plenty of interesting characters there, just like Starrs Hollow. And since we are both a little out in left field it is okay..

Moving to the South was a culture shock for me, everyone is into Football and NASCAR (two sports, I am sorry to say I know nothing about). I am a Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan, yet, my husband does not follow sports at all. When the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the playoffs and then went on to win the WORLD SERIES last year I was so excited. I watched every one of the games, while my husband read a book, so you can tell his interest in the sporting world. {I do like the cheerleaders - ed.}

We (that is, I) are learning about the Panthers, my gosh you have to. If you don't root for the Panthers it is like you are unAmerican if you do not know the Quarterback for the Panthers(which by the way is Jake Delhomme) and Wide Receiver Steve Smith. They beat the Baltimore Ravens yesterday 23- 21, YEAH!!

( I am trying to get into the game..)

After a year in Charlotte we moved to Winston-Salem, NC. We love it, so much smaller than Charlotte, and less crowded, not so hard to find our way around. Even after a year of living in Charlotte I still had to carry a map around and pray not to get lost, which I did all the time. Charlotte has a lot to offer, especially traffic. I would watch the morning news in Charlotte with Beth Troutman and John Wilson and it would crack me up.

It was never ,"Oh there is an accident at such-and-such, drive safe." As it was, the accidents every morning were simply ridiculous. A day did not go by that there were not several accidents on the highway or a downtown-induced traffic jam. I worked 15 miles from our aparment in Charlotte and it would take me (at the least) 45 minutes to get to work (and that was if I was lucky). Now it takes me less than 15 minutes and I am only 7 miles from work, which is a big time fuel savings.

Did you know Winston-Salem is home to Krispy Kreme? A place can't be all that bad if they have the best doughnuts in the world. I will write more about my southern experience when things come up.

Thank you for reading my blog, I am new at this so please bear with me. Also, from time to time you may notice that the atrocious spelling gets fixed. That is my wonderful husband fixing it!