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!