Lovely Canada

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I love Canada. I claim it as my home as well as America. When I was smaller my mother used to ship my brother and I off during the summers to stay with an aunt who lived in Detroit. We traveled alot with her. We spent alot of time in Canada. Absolutely love it! the Canada of my childhood was beautiful, pristine and just incredible with snow capped- mountains in the distance. We traveled in Quebec, Ontario and some other providences.

I remember Goat Island and the Hurricane Deck. The Hurricane Deck was an amazing thing. Goat Island was great too, being out in the falls walking on the rocks. Niagra Falls was breathtaking! What can I say, Canada was a dream. I wanted to go to college there. McGill University for anthropology. It was just way too expensive for an out of state student and we did not think ahead to let me live there with my cousins. Yes, I have lots of relatives there.

We had out reunion in Canada in 1999. The Americans went to Canada that year--about 500- of us-instead of the Canadians coming to America. I had not been in quite a few years, adn not much has changed. I was so glad. I did have one disturbing encounter with a mime. Freaky!
I was at the CN Tower in Toronto. I had taken some visiting family members there and at the base of the tower was a mime. The mime from hell. That mime was so strange I cannot even describe it. He was disturbing to look at in every way. He was dressed in all black and white and attached to a metal pole--like he was hanging from it or he and the pole were "one". I could not stop watching. How he was "miming" was so weird and unlike anything I had seen before. He was the only hellish mime in the area "miming" from a metal pole. After about 10 minutes of watching him we went on our way but after that I was totally turned off by mimes. I could not bring myself to give him any money. I had never had any problem with mimes before that day. I have not been the same after that.

I do not recall ever going to any of the parks, but I do remember going to an amusement park. We had a great time there. The people were all so nice and friendly. I recall when I went in 1999 I was on the hunt for the Canadian bear by Ty. I was one of those crazy beanie baby collectors. I was able to get the bear as well as the giraffe that seemed to be a rarity in the states. The cost was quite a bit more in Canada for them. I almost need to take out loans to get them. Never the less, I bought them and was the envy of all when I got back to work. And of course now I ahve about 300 or more beanie babies stacked up in rubbermaid bins in closets. What am I going to do with them all? They are worthless now. That craze is over.

I can't remember anything else I bought thwn I was last in Canada. Just those beanie babies.
I do recall that Lord of the Dance was at the theater right around the corner from our hotel. I tried desperatly to get tickets and c0uld not. all was not lost. I was finally able to see that show in America.

Canada? I love it. I would go there any day and any time. I actually would consoder moving there. I have lots of relatives and know a little about the payout of the land.

My Disclosure Policy

Third Eye Clarity

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

The ocean has always been a place of renewal.It washes the cares of my world away.Clarity of thought and rebirth begin as soon as my eyes see the ocean. Sad in the jazz becomes glad in the jazz as the water draws stress out of my toes and into the dark, deep depths of the sea. The constant sounds of the rushing surf take my soul to a place where only the third eye can see clearly.

With my third eye I see what I am today.Today I am a wagon wheel.I am in the inner spoke.I am the center hub and radiating out from me are jagged, crooked paths. A woman with her third eye open is a woman who can finally see. Reflection is the order of the day. Reflection on those jagged spokes of the wheel, the pathways to who I am today.I have the time.It is nearly noon and I have all afternoon to sit in front of the big wide ocean and face all there is to face, and lay to rest and put behind, to bury deep in my sea chest and hurl to the bottom of the great abyss, never to surface again.

The Best Pizza Ever!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.



Pizza Hut has the best pizza EVER! There is no comparison. I had pizza hut for lunch. I had the personal pan pizza-supreme. That supreme pizza is just about the only pizza I order from them. I do like the wings as well. I sometimes order them. I did today so that I could have them for dinner. Yum! I have purposely eaten at other pizza places to see if anyone can top Pizza hut and noone has. I doubt that anyone can! They are the best.

Now the one thing that I have notbeen so happy about is that the closest Pizza Hut to me moved. I was very sad. Now I had to drive about 8 minutes to get to the new location. The new location is bad because it is on a very busy corner and has no parking. It is a wreck waiting to happen to get out of that lot. Before I used to be able to run down the street and sip in and out. Now it is an ordeal that takes yourlife in your hands to get a pizza.

I guess I could always order and have them deliver. On a different note chek out Houses No Money Down. I think I will have to look over the information there as I ponder my next pizza!

My Disclosure Policy

Ballet Mom

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

When I was 4 my mother signed me up for ballet lessons with the city ballet in my town. I loved ballet but in the beginning I did not like to practice at home. After awhile I got into my mother's routine. Go to class 2 days a week and then practice for an hour at home in the mirror on the other days. I began to get pretty good. When ever we had recitals, we had to go to class on saturdays also. When I turned 6 and entered the first grade, some of us were old enough to dance in the Nutcracker Suite at Christmas time. We had to audition of course and be selected to dance.

I tried out and was selected to dance in the teapot scene. Was I ever proud and so was my mother. I was in first grade and not only did we perform for the public at night, but we also performed for the schools during the day. Just about all the local schools took field trips to see the Nutcracker.

I felt like a real ballerina "star" because I had to miss school to practice and perform for the local schools. Now behind the scenes there were some real divas who were katty and some were very stuck up. But that did not matter when it came to the dance. All that was put behind when the curtains rose. We had had a very busy week performing each night and during the day. On the friday before the last weekend of the show I was at practice at the auditorium and a few of us were joking around. Playing. We were only 6 yrs. old or so in the teapot scene.

Well some of us were running and I somehow ran my right toe into a wall. The pain was unlike anything I had felt before. The 3 other girls running with me stopped and gathered around. We all looked scared as we were not supposed to be running any way. I tried to walk. I had to limp. How could I dance? Luckily we were at the end of practice and were waiting for parents to pick us up. We heard some of the older girls who were sugar plum faeries coming into the dressing room where we were and I had to recover and quick. Noone could know I was hurt or it would ruin the show. We did not have a replacement or alternate for my part. The alternates were already being used because some of the original girls chosen did not participate.

I steeled myself. My other friends with me knew better than to tell what happened. We would all be in big trouble. We all kept silent. Somehow I walked very slowly and deliberately with my ballet bag out the door to meet my parents without limping.

When I got home I told my mother what happened. I was still in extreme pain and I told her that I thought my toe was broken. To this day I know that it was broken. I told her that I could not walk and that she needed to call the school and tell my teacher that I was out of the final saturday performance. My mother was very upset. She was mad at me and mad that I would not be in the final show. I told her I had danced a show every week day during the day and had danced several night shows but I simply could not dance. She refused to call my teacher. She said I must dance.

Well, with that she began to do all sorts of home remedies to make my toe get better so that I could finish out the week. She had me soak it, apply heat, ice, topical medications like Absorbene Junior and all sorts of creams and other ointments. Nothing really worked. I needed to be seem by a doctor and most likely needed some crutches. I saw no doctor and was told to stay off it and walk just to dance. I was going to dance. There was no way I was not going to according to my mother.

Well Saturday came and I was still in pain. After taking many pain pills and wrapping my toe, I was able to walk without a limp even though each step casued me extreme pain. My face could show no pain either. I was a dancer. My mom said that to be a great dancer I had to dance through the pain. As this was going to be the final show, I felt that I would be able to make it. I had to. I had no other choice.

The curtain rose and the performance began. I waited and listened with my friends for our musical cues. We got into position and danced the teapot scene. All was good until the very end. I was able to make all my steps until the very end. When we were exiting the stage, I was about one step behind all the others due to pain. It was a flawless performance until that exit. At last it was over and I was happy with being one step behind. I had made it through until the exit. It was over.

General Hospital

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

General Hospital Spoilers! who would have thought that fans would do so far as to want spoilers. It is kind of fun watching the story unfold. I mean if you know the story line in advance, then why watch. You would know what was going to happen. I think I would want to keep the secret and find it all out when I watch. Isn't that the joy in watching? If you were to ask the women at work who spend their whole lunch whooping it up over their soaps, I know they would not want to know.

The one big thing I found out was the Luke is coming back. I do not think the show could go on without Luke and Laura. That story line is a staple. I do like the Sonny story line. He is so good looking. If you miss something be sure to check out the daily updates on General Hospital! Need info on the stars? Get the dirt on all the stars. I would like to know where Jax is.

If you are an avid fan of GH, you cannot go wrong with the site. It has lost of things that GH fan will love! Why there is even a message board you can join so that you and other fans can get together and dish the dish!
My Disclosure Policy

Enough Caffeine Already!

Well, I have been hearing the “buzz” about the bagels and donuts with the caffeine built right in. Not! Why ruin a good thing? Coffee and all the different flavors and styles available will never be undone by caffeine filled donut. People live their lattes, frappuccinos and cappuccinos way too much. I know I do. There is nothing in the world like a java chip frappuccinos. Check out the history of coffee. There is no way to undo the great taste and caffeine jolt from a good cup of coffee. There may be temporary “buzz” but trust me; these will not last too long. I hear that the inventor has approached some of the big donut companies like Duncan’s and Krispy Crème donuts but he has been turned down. Yeah! The thought of doing something to a Krispy Crème donut is beyond comprehension!

What a Wife!

A man, returning home a day early from a business trip, got into a taxi at the airport.

It was after midnight.  While en route to his home, he asked the cabby if he would be a witness.

The man suspected his wife was having an affair and he intended to catch her in the act.

For $100, the cabby agreed.  Quietly arriving at the house, the husband and cabby tiptoed into the bedroom.  The husband switched on the lights, yanked the blanket back and there was his wife in bed with another man.  The husband put a gun to the naked man's head.

The wife shouted, "Don't do it!  This man has been very generous!  I lied when I told you I inherited money.  He paid for the Corvette I bought for you.  He paid for our new cabin cruiser.  He paid for your season New York Giant's tickets.  He paid for our house at the lake.  He paid for our country club membership, and he even pays the monthly dues!"

Shaking his head from side-to-side the husband slowly lowered the gun.  He looked over at the cab driver and said, "What would you do?"  The cabby replied; "I'd cover his ass up with that blanket before he catches a cold."

My Life in Storage

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I was on the way to work and was listening to NPR, Nation Public Radio. It is my favorite station. One of the highlights today was Market Place. They did a show called My Life In Storage. It is how commentator James Braly sold his luxury Manhattan apartment and boiled life down to the bare essentials. He now has a bed and a computer down in the basement. He lives in his storage unit. During the show, james Braly said that instead of having a lifestyle, he BECAME the lifestyle. So he had to give that up for his love-writing. It is a neat thing. Be sure to check out the full article.

Sugar Daddy? Sugar Momma?

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


I have heard it all now: Millionaire Dating. Actually I have not heard of it and was really surprised to see a site just devoted to millionaire dating. It seems to be very similiar to other "connection" websites. You sign up, post a profile and try to make a connection. There is even a gallery where you can look at some of the members. Now I looked at some of the pictures and some of the discriptions and these millionairs must be the ghetto fabulous millionaires. Some of the members were not what I was expecting. When I think of the rich and famous, I tend to think of the country club golfer in a polo shirt with Muffie in a tennis skirt carrying a pink and green pretty purse! But, hey, you just never know. It takes all types to run the world.

Once you find someone on the site, add them to your little black book. Every member gets a little black book to which they can add other members. Adding a member to your little black book allows you special access to things from that member's profile, like their 'private' photos. Oh-la-la! Bothered by someone you do not want to communicate with? There is something called "Mail Settings". You can control who can and cannot contact you.

Love can be anywhere. Even on a site for millionaires. Heck, I would not turn one away!

My Disclosure Policy

Bump in the Day

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Now you will recall that I ahve always been a child who saw things. Remember something spooky my way came? Well since my father died in December I have at times felt him near. He seems far away now. Yet spooky things are starting to happen in my parents house. I really got a scare tonight. I was walking from the den into the kitchen and the kitchen cabinet closed by itself. Like there was about 1/2 inch left open and someone closed it. I jumped. I looked at the cabinet just to the left of my head. It was now closed. I opened it and closed it again and it made the same sound. Like the wood is just a little swollen and you have to push to get it to close all the way. That can't happen by itself. I am all freaked out now. That is the second thing that has happened.

The first thing happened on sunday night. I was in my fathers room with my mother and we wer talking about how much we missed him. Mom had picked up a shirt and was smelling it. It still smelled like him. She took two big whiffs and smiled a sad little smiled that filled up her eyed. That made my heart sink inside. He really is gone. All of a sudden I heard a footstep. right next to me. It sounded just like the sound dad's footsteps made. Mom had a piece of plastic runner on the carpet to protect it. It was his step on that plastic. I must have been the only one who heard it. Mom was right next to me and she did not heard anything. Just me. I was startled.

Is is a sign? Is it him? I don't know. I only know that on the way home all the grief that I have had pent up came out. I sobbed like it was the end of the world. I cried so hard and so deep that I even had 2 silent screams. Those screams were screams of my soul. Those tears were the tears of my soul. He really is gone. It is still so hard.

Help in a Pinch

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


For UK residents there is help in a pinch. You are able to get easy, cheap loans that can help in times of need. Did you know that lenders are more apt to loan you money if you purchase insurance with the loan? That is a fact I did not know about. It gives the loan agency the assurance that if you were to get behind and could not keep up the payments they would have a way to recoup some of the money.

If you are in need of a car and you spent till you dropped and so did your credit rating, there still is a way for you to get that car. No more hoofing it! Personal loans are also available. There are several to choose from with different annual percentage rates. What will ultimately decide your annyal percentage rate will be your personal state of financial affiars. Be sure to check out the different types. You can even apply for the one that is best for you right on that page.

Secured loans are also available. More often than not you will need some form of collateral for this loan. It is normally bigger than a personal loan and can be used for such things as home improvement. If you financial situation seems bleak, look to the future. There are lenders and creditors willing to work with you, if you are willing to make a positive change in your financial situation. There really is help in a pinch.

My Disclosure Policy

The Birthday Calendar

It tells you how many hours and seconds you have been alive on this earth and when you were probably conceived, plus lots more. This is totally amazing, it's quick and free!

After you've finished reading the info, click again, and see what the moon looked like the night you were born. Type in the letters of your name and see what it means! Very cool!!
 

Birthday Calculator

 

What Not to Call Your dog!

Everybody who has a dog calls him "Rover" or "Boy", I call mine "Sex".  He's a great pal but he has caused me a great deal of embarrassment.

 

When I went to city hall to renew his dog license, I told the clerk I would like a license for Sex.  He said, "I'd like one too!" then I said, "But this is a dog." He said he didn't care what she looked like.  Then I said, You don't understand, I've had Sex since I was 9 years old. He winked and said, you must have been quite a kid.

 

When I got married and went on my honeymoon, I took the dog with me, I told the motel clerk that I wanted a room for my wife and me and a special room for Sex.  He said, you don't need a special room, as long as you pay your bill we don't care what you do, I said, look, you don't seem to understand, Sex keeps me awake at night, the clerk said, Funny, I have the same problem.

 

One day I entered Sex in a contest, but before the competition began, the dog ran away.  Another contestant asked me why I was just standing there, looking disappointed, I told him I had planned to have Sex in the contest.  He told me I should have sold my own tickets. But you don't understand, I said, I had hoped to have Sex on TV, he said, now that cable is all over the place it s no big deal anymore.

 

When my wife and I separated, we went to court to fight for custody of the dog.  I said, your Honor, I had Sex before I was married. The Judge said, the courtroom isn't a confessional, stick to the case, please. Then I told him that after I was married, Sex left me, he said, me too.

 

Last night Sex ran off again.  I spent hours looking around town for him.  A cop came over to me and asked what are you doing in this alley at 4 o'clock I the morning? I told him that I was looking for Sex, my case comes up Friday!

New Nora Jones

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


I love Nora Jones. I have several of her CD's and she now has a new one out called Not Too Late. The pop singer, songwriter and pianist is releasing her third album, Not Too Late, and it's a pleasant and accessible mix of ballads, jazz and country-tinged pop songs. Now I am not a big fan of countrybut "country tinged" might be okay. She has been out of the limelight for a little while. She took time off after her last album to regroup. She stayed home for a while and hung out with friends.

Nora took control of this new album. For the first time, she wrote or co-wrote all of its songs, and recorded them in her home studio whenever she and Alexander (her boyfriend) and the rest of her band felt like making music. By the way, Alexander is a member of the band. Her site is here: Nora Jones. Thanks Nora for putting out a new album. I can't wait to buy it!

I Heart Podcasts!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


I am a big fan of podcasts. I have gone to lots of my favorite radio shows, tv shows, npr, news shows and signed up for podcasts. Podcasts are radio-style shows delivered over the internet to your computer. I them have them downloaded to my ipod. I have them all on my ipod. When I miss the news, I can always download a podcast and listen to what is happending when I get the time. There is even a podcast for learning spanish. I have even downlaoded that for my daughter. She gets that one and a disney podcast.

I think that I would like to try podcasting myself someday. First I would have to get a camera and a mike. I do not have the equipment on my computer yet. I am glad to know that there is Free Podcast Hosting. That is a great thing. There is unlimted storage and bandwidth and even free templates to help. It seems relatively simple. Record, publish and air. You might get your 15 minutes of fame via podcasting! NOT!
My Disclosure Policy

The Burkini

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

what do muslem women wear when they go to the beach in Australia? Well until now I guess I guess it was the full black getup from head to toe. Now they get to show a little skin with the burkini! Yes, the burkini! When I look at these suits, I think B grade power rangers. Ot something from a bad sci-fi movie. I guess when you look at it, the women must be elated to actually be able to swim in water now.

This is what the burkini looks like and aparently there is an entire line of the burkini swim wear. Check that out here: Ahiida. I guess that this is an advancement. There are women who have actually used the product and have even left testimonials as to how they liked the suit. This is an Australian based company and the suits cost about $170 AUD. The cost only goes up from there. Want one? Me? I don't think so. I think I will stick with my one piece mallot.

Big Brother UK Style

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Now I had heard of this controversy just a few days ago, about her being racist. I had no idea that Jermain Jackson was on the show. Can we say jump the shark? These are obviously B grade or even C grade stars on a last ditch attempt to something to day in the limelight.

Shilpa Shetty, the Indian actress whose bullying by some contestants on the "Celebrity Big Brother'' U.K. television show became an international incident, has been voted the overwhelming winner after a public vote.

The 31-year-old star of 36 so-called Bollywood films gained 63 percent of the vote and was declared the 26-day show's winner during a live television broadcast today.

In second place was former Jackson Five singer Jermaine Jackson, followed by U.S. actor Dirk Benedict, who starred in the TV shows "The A-Team'' and "Battlestar Galactica.''

The show, which involves famous people being filmed 24 hours a day while living together in a house in Elstree, north of London, is named after the all-seeing totalitarian ruler in George Orwell's novel "1984.''

Contestants, who take part in a series of challenges to win food and privileges, nominate each other for eviction from the house and are voted off one at a time in a public phone ballot.

Maintaining Credit

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I think that young people today have no idea of how money really works and how it can impact your future for a very long time. I come from a home were money was never really discussed. It was a secret. Money was a secret, what things cost was a secret, budgets were a secret, so when I first left home I was ill prepared to manage my own finances. I did a bad job at first, just spending on things I wanted and not taking care of the household bills first. Thank god those first years of living on my own are long, long over. I ended up having to call my parents who bailed me out, but never really did anything to teach me about finances. I recall several bailouts in those first years of trying to live on my own. I know that it most likely damaged my credit report.

I have never gotten a free Free Credit Report , but I think that it is something I may do in the future. I recall many years ago when I was first applying for credit cards I got turned down quite often. I know it stemmed from those initial bailouts when my parents had to help me. I finally got control and out myself on a budget. It was hard, but it worked. It made all the difference. Keeping track and really writing down where every penny goes makes you very aware of all the things you do not really need or just waste money on.

I think it is to everyone's advantage to look at your credit report at least once a year. Businesses are run bu humans and sometimes there are errors that need to be correct. Your credit condition is reflected on your credit score. If you have a bad credit score you are most likely not going to get that loan. If you need help with budgeting, like I did , you may need to do what I did. I got credit couseling. It made all the difference in me surviving on my own and not having to call my parents for help anymore.

If you are having a financial crisis, there are lots of resources out there, so don't give up hope. It will take time but you can make a change for the positive when it comes to managing your finances. Check out Credit Loan. There is a wealth of resources and information to help you rangin from information on debt consolidation to credit cards to bankrupcy. Things may look bleak now, but there is a way to turn it around. It will take just a little will power, some consistency and the ability to say NO! when you feel like spending money.
My Disclosure Policy

Responsible Gaming

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

There are all sorts of diversions in the world and with the internet come many web based diversions. One big one is online betting. Apparently anything you could possibly think of can become something to bet on. There are silly wagers to sports wagers. With the sports wagers, just about any sport is game. From cricket, to golf to wintersports, you can find it at Party Bets to make a wager.

It is easy to get started. Simply register on line and you can begin to bet. Most people place single bets where you have to predict the outcome of one event. Some others who are more adventurous can get into the combo bets.

Now with anything like gambling, betting, you run the risk of going overboard and letting it get the best of you. If you feel like you HAVE to bet/gamble, then the game is no longer fun. It is then a train wreck waiting to happen. To prevent that Party Bets does have some things in place to assist with responsible gaming.

• Minors are prohibited from betting. (Where are they getting mondy from? Their parent?)
• Controlling complusive gamling by tracking players(remember the train wreck, people!)
• Customer led deposit limit: Don't use the grocery money for gaming
• Self-exclusion tools....this one might be hard
• Know when to fold: do not let it take over your life

Okay! Have a little fun. Bet a little. Keep responsible gaming in the back of your mind. If it turns out to be something that is driving your very existance, just put the mouse down and walk away slowly. Very slowly.

For the Love of Boston

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Years ago I worked for a company that had headquartes in Boston. I was working in the Atlanta office and frequently had to fly to Boston for meetings. I will never forget my first trip there. It was in the winter and it bitter. I have never felt cold like that on the water. The first nightmare was the traffic. I lived in the outskirts of Atlanta and had some traffic but never had experienced the craziness of traffic circles. It was snowing when I went with about 3 feet of snow on the ground. I did not take any boots because according to the itinerary we would be traveling by limo from our hotel to the office.

Well, that changed. Someone decided that we needed to forgo one of the company power dinners and strike out into the city on our own. Well, I was fine with that. So into a cab we went. I only had high heels with pants. I was not equipped for snow, yet there I was tramping through it. We had a wonderful dinner of little necks and lobnster at a restarant right near the water. I cannot remember the name. I only remember it was one of the more popular seafood restaurants and a "place to go" whenever you came to Boston.

Would I want to live in Boston? Yes and no. I like the whole atmosphere of the city and being right near the water. The city of Boston has been one of the western hemisphere’s most influential cities since it was founded in 1630. Today, the city of Boston boasts the nations seventh largest metropolitan area. The traffic would be the deterent. I do not think I could drive there without fear and cowering. Plus those traffic circles? I would have to take a Boston driver 101 class. I would like to be able to see the water, so I guess one of those Boston Condos would do the trick.

Like anywhere else it is a buyer's market for condos. The real estate market has taken a slump, but it is believed that the condo market will withstand the present clump and be in good shape when the market swings the other way. If you are seriously in the market, then you may need a "Building Specialists". A building specialist is a real estate agent who specializes in a particular condo building. Condo Company is the number one resource for buying and selling condos in the Boston area and is the number one resource on the web for condos in Boston. Why the love of a good condo? Well, the Boston waterfront is being renewed and expanded creating opportunities for new house, shopping and business. People are literally flocking to the area looking for a place to live in the city. If you are thinking that way, be sure to rely on CondoCompany.com, the premier marketplace for luxury condominiums.

Disney Gone Wrong

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I am a Hidden Mickey!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I have been visiting Walt Disney World every summer for the past 9 years. Sometimes, we go twice in a year. I never get tired of goning there. I am a pin traider. I have about 300 Disney pins, in binders and on lanyards. I have some really nice ones. I am a Disney addict. I admit it. No form of intervention will work. It is in my blood. This past summer I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. It was the first time I stayed at that resort. Love it! Plan to go there again this summer and stay again at the Wilderness Lodge. Last summer we stayed at Coronado Springs. That is a beautiful resort. The best thing was the themed pool. The kids never got tired of that. In all these years of going to Walt Disney World, I have always stayed on property. I try to stay at a different WDW property each year. Having Disney transportation
(bus, boat, monorail) is great. No traffic and fighting getting out of the park when it closes. (You know I close evey park down at night.)

I guess if I had to, I would consider an Orlando vacation rentals. I mean, Orlando is so close to Disney, but then you would have all that traffic to deal with. A vacation rental would be better than being in a crowded hotel. Especially if they were equipped with hot tubs and nice big beds. The rental company, VLBO, has a real time availability calender that you can check to see when the rental you are interested in is open. It is January so the time is now to be thinking about summer rentals. Timing is very important.

Check out this villa. It is a roomy four bedroom villa very close to Disney. Right now it can be rented at a special price. Florida now is still nice and warm in January. Expect the cost to be increased during peak vacation season. The community were the villa is located is equipped with playgrounds, tennis court and swimming pools. You know with all those amenities, that might be something to keep me at the villa a day of vacation. A day relaxing at the villa might be a nice change to my normal Disney "up at 5am to see everything there is to see" routine.

Florida! I just love it. Disney? I just love Disney. I am glad to see that there are very nice alternatives for lodging in the event I decide not to stay on the Disney property.
My Disclosure Policy

Movie Night

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Lat night was movie night. I needed a diversion so down to my local TargetI went. I bought three movies that I love or wanted to see. I bought Pulp Fiction, The Godfather-the boxed set of all the movies in the series and Schindler's List. Tonight I plan to cozy on up with The Godfather. I just love that entire series. It is an amazing, intriguing movie.

Pulp Fiction I started this morning and I must say that I will have to watch it again. I think I missed something. I thought I saw John Travolta get shot by Bruce Willis, but in the end of the movie, he is alive. I know I missed something. What? I am not sure, but how can he get shotby Bruce and be alive at the end? This time I will watch even more closely. I must say it is a very odd movie.

Schindler's List is a movie I saw years ago, loved and wanted to see a 2nd time and never did. I thought that it was a very good movie when I did see it. These are all so intense dramas that I think I will get something lighter when I want to buy another video. Well, off to get the popcorn and candy. Time to get my movie on!

Biking Memories

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


When I look back on my childhood I have had some major biking expereinces. I had a huffy that I loved. I would ride that bike faster than anyone on my block. I was flying. I was like the wind when I rode. Kids would challenge me to races all the time. I always took the challenge becasue no one could pedal faster than me. I held on to that title until the 8th grade. When I went to college my beloved huffy was left in my parents garage. I had no car my freshman year and was thinking about using my bike to get around. I went to my parents house to get it and I looked in the garage. No bike. I had a sinking feeling. I asked my mother what happened to my bike. She said she sold it. Without asking me. Now I know that was done on purpose. My mother is a very spiteful, bitter person and if you make her mad for any reason, your personal possessions are likely to be broken, sold, given away or simply thrown out. Well. My bike was gone and I was very hurt.

My bike was blue and the design was very much like a beach bike. I loved that bike. Now if I were in the market for a beach bike I think that I would have to do for this purple beach cruiser. The color is what sold me and it is on SALE! That says it all. Sale! There is a large variety of bikes for women as well as men and kids. So you could actually outfit your whole family with beach cruisers. For us ladies, we can also add a basket. Check out the online catalog of bikes. If you order a bike and it turns out to be what you thought, well there is a 10 day money back guarantee. You can't go wrong with that! Get on board! Get a bike. Biking ona beach cruiser can be fun and even good for you.

My Disclosure Policy

Mysteries of the Sea

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I saw on the news were a weird creature--a species of shark--came into our waters from the deep. The frill shark. WoW. There are some really strange things out there. Makes me fearful about going to the beach. I guess it is a good thing, that I only go into up to my waist. That is as far as I go and even with that, I begin to think abotu sharks and things that go bump in the water. this is what the frill shark looks like. Now that is a face that only a mother can love!

I remember when the tsunami hit overseas and there were all these stories of strange, deep , undersea fish being hurled to the surface and later dying due to the pressure not being what they were used to. Some of the things under the sea are just amazing. When I think back I even recall something on National Geographic about creatures of the abyss. Check out the following link. It has pictures of the strange and unusual fish found after the tsunami. It will blow your mind.

Creatures found after the TSUNAMI

Maybe When I Retire

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.


When I retire I want to be well enough and able to travel. Well, one of my prior posts is about making this year 2007 a year of travel. I want to go, go, go. Travel in an RV? Well, I am not sure. I know they are very expensive and I have always been intrigued by them. A rolling home on wheels. When my parents live, there are lots of retirees and consequently a good number of Rv's and a few RV parks.

Now I understand they are being imported oversees. Who would have thought? RV's began to be imported to the UK in the late 70's. On Travel World there is all you would ever want to know about RV's in the UK. Did you know currently that Travel World holds the largest and most complete stock of new and pre owned American RV's anywhere in the UK ? They also import some models from Germany as well. This site uses a unique way to get the information across to the public. Video. Videos are used to delve into American Motorhomes - Questions & Answers.
It is neat because it makes it more personable, like someone live is talking with you.

For RV news in the UK, be sure to check out the link. An RV is an investment. I know that some of the people who are in my parents regions, actually sell their homes and live in the RV's and just travel. I think I could to that for a while, but I am not sure I could give up the house all together. It is something to think about.

My Disclosure Policy

Show Me The Money!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Have you ever thought about buying gold bullion? I have not. I really thought that was out of my league. I did not realize that I could actually purchase gold, silver and coins for myself. I guess I was not looking that far, financially ahead. Monex is a company that has been around for wuite some time and has been the leader in gold and silver investments for over the past 30 years. so you know this company is tried and true. From the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to more modern times, man has had an affinity for gold bullion. I remember some years ago in the 80's I think, people used to wear the mini gold bullion bars as necklaces. Today the beauty of a gold bar lies in its proven ability to diversify investments, protect wealth and preserve one's purchasing power. The bars are standard in ten ounce units with a hallmark that guarantees it's weight and purity.

How does it work? Well, you need to decide what you want to invest in and contact a representative who will confirm your order. You do need to pay the same day by bank wire or check. After a holding period, your gold will be shipped to you. You can even arrange to have it shipped to a bank or depository. The lastest price for gold bullion is $645.00. Not too bad of an investment. I have 401k's with work, and some stocks with various companies. I just had not thought about investment in gold or silver. It is something to think about.

Life REALLY is All about Drama

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

That last post made me remember a real life drama from the past that I was involved in. Not that I really was, but someone put me in it. They accused me improperly. This was many years ago. I was working at a mall store back in the late 1990's. There was a girl who worked with me in the same department but not in the same counter. She worked the Fashion Fair counter. She was what some would call high yellow with very little hair of her own. She wore a weave. She was very well dressed and had lots of real jewelry. Well, I was new and I went to lunch with her a time or two. I had only been there about a month and really did not know anything. Well, it turned out to be a lunch full of confessions. Hers!

She told me all about herself. What she told me was a surprise. She told me that she was a "kept" woman. Her boyfriend was married and not only that he was a drug dealer. She told me that. I was immediately uneasy and wanted to go. Yet she continued on. All of her real jewels that we had were the result of her boyfriends drug dealings. So was the quarter million dollar home she and her mother lived in. The boyfriend was in jail for his profession. I never told another soul what she told me. I was kind of scared of her now. I was new so who would I tell anyway?

Well about a month passed and all of a sudden she would not speak to me. I asked her why and she accused me of telling all of her secrets. I was hurt and I tried to talk to her, not because I was trying to keep her secret, but because I was an honorable person. If someone ever tells me a secret, it stays with me. She refused to believe me. I even tried to appeal to her sensibilities. I was new in the state? Did she not think that others would know who she was about? People going to jail is public knowledge. Well, I got so mad that she would not believe me I decided to turn that back on her. In a way that would let her know I had not said a word.

Co-workers began to ask what happened between us to I told them everything. That I was being accused unjustly of not keeping a confidence and then I told everyone the secrets that were told to me. I prefaced the secret that I was telling the secret because I was being accused wrongly so I might as well tell everyone. Well I told about 10 people who asked, knowing it would get right back to the girl I went to lunch with. Then to end it, I went to her and told the lunch girl that I was telling everyone the entire story and that I was telling her secrets to everyone because I was being accused wrongly and I wanted them to know what and why. She would be correct after the fact. I again told her that I never told her secret to anyone and that she was wrong.

With that we never were able to mend that relationship. We were always just associates. But people came to realize that the co-worker I went to lunch with was wrong.

Life is All about Drama

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I happened to get off two hours early and I turned on the tv. Well, with working all the time, I never really ever get to se tv during the day. Today I turned to all the channels on regular tv and nothing but soap operas were on. When I was in college I used to watch General Hospital. I think the whole world did as that was during the time of the Luke and Laura drama. Man that was good and the rape. Crazy. Well. I turned on that today and sure enough, Luke and Laura are still apart of the story line.

On All My Children, Erica Kane is still going strong. She looks good. She never seems to age. I wonder what her REAL age is? I have some co-workers who watch Soap Operas during lunch, every day. They are hooked and are so very into them. I know they are a diversion but I have seen some arguments in the breakroom due to disagreements about soap operas. Those ladies are not playing around.

If you are seriously into the soaps, and no tv is near, you can check out what you missed on line. With a click of the mouse, you can be up to date in no time with Soap Opera Updates. Why there is even a page on gossip and news about the soap stars. I you want to join in the frey about your favorite soap you can even join the message board. From the tally of posts and views, there are a hell of a lot of people who are serious about their soaps. Check out the site. It might end up being as addictive as your favorite soap!

Well gotta run. My friend Kelly is sleeping with Marie's husband Ted. I have to tell Marie because if she knows, she might not want to steal the baby of the neighbor down the street who looks like her older sister who knows Monica, the bagel cook, who is thinking about poisoning Ted because she hates men who sleep around. Little does Monica know that her husband Drake is sleeping with Ted too! LOL!

My Disclosure Policy

My Coke Habit

My coke habit began in the 1980’s.  I was working in retail part time and had to do a lot of talking at the cosmetic counter when I worked. Nothing would be better than a cold Coke when I went on break or when I went to lunch. Sometimes I would sneak a Coke in with me to the floor and hide it in the stock room.  I would take a swig when we did not have any customers in the immediate area.   Then I noticed that when I was tired, Coke was better then coffee as far as pickup.  I guess it has more sugar than the 2 teaspoons I was putting my coffee.  Well, it got to a point where I was drinking 6 bottle of Cokes a day.  I would actually crave a Coke if I did not the allotted 6 per day.  Then I realized I had a problem. A Coca-Cola problem.   Eventually I had to wean myself off the Cokes from 6 to 4 to 2.  Then I decided that I only needed to have a Coke on rare occasions.  That was the only soft drink I would drink.  (Well, at times I would have a crème soda or a root beer)  I decided that water was the better option as it had a lot less calories and I did not need all that caffeine. 

I have never gone back to the “6 Cokes a day” addiction.  But sometimes, about 3 times a year, I get that craving when I must have a Coke.  Today is one of those days.  I just went to the break room and spent 85 cents for 20 ounce bottle of dark, syrupy, caffeinated goodness.   Coke.  I must say that still to this day there is nothing better than the taste of Coke.  I will savor its taste.  It will be along time before I have another one.    

Unsigned Bands

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Unsigned Bands is the new voice for independent Artists looking for the chance to be discovered! For bands and solo artists, Unsigned.com provides you with an outlet to be heard by an ever-growing fan and listener base on the internet. You might be discovered via this site. The site once complete will have a player that you can costumize, a playlist editor, a page builder and a cd designer. Check out some of the artists already registered on the site. Quite a variety! If you want to participate, you will have to register as well. You can pre-register now.

This looks like a nice site. While in beta, it seems to have the potential to grow into something big. A show case for future stars and artists! I wonder if a band were to get discovered, would they tell you to have your people call their people at Unsigned Bands!?

My Disclosure Policy

Peas, None For Me Please!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

Long ago when I was still in kindergarden I think, this "thing" happened to me. My brother who was three years younger than me was still small enough to be in a high chair. He was still a baby. Maybe I was in first grade??? It has been so long I do not know.

Well it was a saturday and mom was having her pokeno club meeting that night. She was cleaning up and getting the house ready for company. At the time when this green pea bruhaha began we were all in the kitchen, cleaning. My mom was cleaing out the pantry and my brother and I were with her in the kitchen.

Way in the deep, dark recesses of the panty she found 2 jars of baby food. One was a jar of gerber baby peas and the other a jar of gerber pudding, tapioca, I think. Well she was going to throw then out as they were the last of the baby food. My brother was just about to graduate to solid food.

I told my mother that I wanted the pudding. She said she would give the peas to my brother. All was set. Then suddenly the world shifts to the dark side of the pea and everything changes. It goes to "PEA" in a hell bag! I had to leave the kitchen for some reason that escapes me now. I was gone about 15 minutes. When I got back my mom was serving my pudding to my brother. I was very mad. I really wanted that pudding. I was totally upset that my mother gave my pudding to him. Doesn't calling something first count in a kids world?

Well, I decided to play it off, like it did not matter. Inside I was crushed, my spirit being whipped into something green and pea like! My mother said he began to cry and did not want the peas, but wanted the pudding so she gave it to him. I told her i would eat the peas. I ate that jar and boy was it yummy! (I learned early never to let them see you sweat peas)

Well hours passed and it was time for the party. Mom's guest arrived around 7 pm and I was in my room watching the tele on my bed wrapped up in a pea green blanket. YEA, a PEA GREEN blanket.

I fell alseep watching tv and all was well. About 10 pm I woke up suddenly not feeling well. My stomach was churning and the party was still going on and I was trying to get up out of bed to make it to the bathroom when all of a sudden....projectile vomiting! Up came those peas all over my pea green blanket. You could not tell the blanket from the vomit. The peas and blanket blended perfectly.

All of a sudden my father comes in the room and sees that big, giant, reeking, pea green mess that is all over my bed and blanket. My mom comes in next. She just looks and decides that she is not even going to wash that. It was going in the trash can. My father takes the blanket to the trash can, they get me cleaned up doing a tag team and entertaining guests at the same time. I finally go back to bed.

Well after that night, I had been physically repulsed by the color pea green, I have not eaten peas in about 35 years and no child of mine has ever had peas or gerber green pea baby food. I cannot even wear clothes that are too close to the color pea green.

I'm a Cat Lady!

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I will never forget her. She was my first cat that I got after I moved out on my own. I was living in North America and I had just broken up with a boyfriend. Needless to say that after the initial drama, turmoil, despair, the world is ending drama, I decided I needed a pet. A cat. That was the ticket. A pet would solve everything, be my constant companion and love me forever.
She did many of those things. We had a wonderful relationship!

I went to m y local shelter and looked around at all the cats. After looking at all the kittens a shelter worker suggested an adult cat because if they were not adopted within a certain time they went to "kitty heaven" I was mortified. It was decided. If I could save an adult cat and gain a lifelong companion I would. I looked at the adult cars and there was one that caught my eye right away.

She was a beautiful, long haired cat with a multicolored fur. She looked like she belonged sitting on a pillow in a mansion that was owned by someone wealthy. She was beautiful. She did not look like any of the other strays. A domestic long haired tortoise shell was what she was. I claimed her. She was about 3 years old and was kind of a fat cat. I grew to love her and she grew to love me too. Our bond finally clicked and she grew into the pampered pet that I knew her to be. She walked on a leash with no problems.

We had a lot of time together. From 1987 to the summer of 1999, the July 4th weekend. 12 long years together and she was 3 when I got her. She lived a very good life. She was my child before I had a real child. To any male who was in my life the rule was love me, love my pet. No love for the pet? Get out! Now! It was a good arrangement.

She left me in July of 1999. Our family reunion was being held in Canada that year --the Canadians of the family were hosting it that year. Mi-Ha became ill the day before we were leaving. I got home from work and she was not doing well. She was lethargic and did not seem very active. I called the vet in a panic because she was ill. I left for the reunion with a broken heart. The vet said they would do everything to keep her comfortable and pain free. I told them I would call everyday which I did. They would not give me any news really of her over the phone.

I finally got home and I prepared myself for the worst. I got to the vet and Mi-Ha was gone. She was in a cold storage container. They did let me see her and pet her for one last time. They did not let me pet her for very long and believe me it was not long enough. She was cold and stiff but her coat was still beautiful. She was still beautiful.

Now my cat died of old age. She loved for 14 years with me. All of a sudden her kidneys shut down and very soon she was gone. The vet said she had lived a long time and they were amazed. She had a posh life. I really doted on her. I have had other friends who have had cats die of cancer or feline luekemia. There is new treatment now that can help with that. It is called
ES Clear for Cat Cancer. This product is all natural and it contains ingredients that actually cleanse the blood and reduce tumor growth. The magic ingredient is something called burdock. That is the ingrdient that cleans the blood. Slippery elm is another. It treats and soothes the digestive track. Turkey rhubarb is the third and it helps improve digestive flow. It has a shelf life of about 6 months in the fridge and is only $32.95.

I have to get the feline luekemia shots for my cat. I guess all cat owners do. But still cancer in cats is a deadly thing. Some of the signs include:

• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Stiffness, loss of stamina, difficulty breathing
• Bleeding or discharge from any body opening or sores that do not heal
• Foul odor
• Abnormal swelling that increases in size and does not go away
• Difficulty urinating or defecating

If you have a sick cat, talk to your vet. This product may be another treatment to be considered. I just might save the life of your beloved cat.

My Disclosure Policy

Purple Wings

Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.

I wish I had purple wings.

I would fly far, far away!

Things I Know for Sure

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. 

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.  

You'll fight with your best friend. 

You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. 

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.  

So…take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. 

"Don't be afraid that your life will end, 
be afraid that it will never begin." 

Stay Away From the Equipment!

A friend of mine sent me this email on yesterday.  It was a funny, bright spot in a long dreary day.  Hope it brings a smile to your face.  Enjoy!

A farmer ordered a high-tech milking machine. Since the equipment arrived when his wife was out of town, he decided to test it on himself first.   So, he inserted his "manhood" into the equipment, turned on the switch and everything else was automatic. Soon, he realized that the equipment provided him with much more pleasure than his wife did.   When the fun was over, though, he quickly realized that he couldn't remove the instrument from his 'member'. He read the manual but didn't find any useful information on how to disengage himself. He tried every button on the instrument, but still without success.   Finally, he decided to call the supplier's Customer Service Hot Line with his cell phone (Thank god for cell phones!).

"Hello, I just bought a milking machine from your company. It works fantastic, but how do I remove it from the cow's udder?"

"Don't worry," replied the customer service rep, "The machine will release automatically once it's collected two gallons.   Have a nice day."  

Things Happen For A Reason

We may not know why or even how but odd things happen.  Things that seem really wrong!  Like right now.  We have had some changes in the office and someone who for most of the years she had been here has been sickly.  Sick and out of work for long periods of time.  Me?  I am always here.  Yet this person has gotten a promotion of sorts.  They have been removed from the normal drudgery and now works for the big boss in a temporary position what will last for all of 2007.  It is lateral but better.  Why?  Why do the non-deserving “get” and some of the deserving do not “get “?  That is a hard one for me.  

I know life is not fair but does it have to be unfair most of the time to me?  I have never had an easy way to go.  It has always been a struggle.  They say that things happen for a reason and I even have a worry stone at my desk that says that on it.  I guess I will have to make the best of what I have.  I do, but is sure would be nice to get an easy ride once in a while.  Life seems like it is so much easier and better for some.  I just want to taste that for just a little while. 

They say you are supposed to make lemonade out of lemons.  I do not want any more lemons.  I have had enough.  I want a margarita or a bahama mama.  Just anything else except more lemons.  I have enough lemons to share with just about everyone in my city.  I have them stockpiled and I am ready to clear out all those lemons.  I just want some ease in my life. Is that too much to ask?