decorating - here we go again!

I came home to the nicest surprise.....randy decorated our front bay window! Everything else is still still sitting on my living room floor, but he found just the right items / lights to WOW me as i pulled into the driveway

and this is what greeted me when I walked in my front door!

what ever happened to ant hills?

so when amie says she's going on a hike, where does she REALLY go? How about climbing Mt Kilimanjaro!

at a little pit stop at the crater's rim, also known at Gillman's Point (mighty impressive)
basically at the top of Africa....nice going AMES!

PS: these pics are from Summer 2007...can't you tell by the ice shelf?

crab rangoon update

ok, so thanksgiving dinner tonight was a lot of fun (everyone left about an hour ago & the pics are to be uploaded later on)....but for all those who couldn't sleep on my indecision on frying or baking.......I decided to go the FRY method. I did find out since this was my first attempt to fry anything, that you have to clean out your oil btwn each batch (so batch 2 came out a bit icky...good thing fern & I made like 5-6 batches). I served them with a sweet & sour dipping sauce, and not one was left over - YUUUUUUUUUMMY!

Starbucks Dilemma

so, do i buy the christmas blend for my non-jewish friends & the holiday blend for my jewish friends? I realize the pic is a bit blurry (hey, it was too early in the morning to have a steady hand - i hadn't had my grande skim sugar free vanilla extra foamy caramel machichatto yet, yanno?)....but now back to the issue - should I give the holiday blend to my Muslim friends or hold out & hope that they come out with another version in oranges for Diwali?

now here is another issue - who is having more fun on the packages??? If you are into singing, ok then maybe I'd say the Christmas Blend, but if you are into Ice Skating, then the Holiday Blend, right?

So what if you are a ice skating opera singer?

Oiy Vey!

crab rangoon

decisions /decisions - should I bake or fry?
I want to serve them as an appy on Thanksgiving.
Every recipe says to fry....but I'm not that good at frying - guess I'll have to have a trial run w/Sherri on wednesday.

rockin in da 'boken

last night I was at a DMB concert at the IZOD center (my last for 2007, bummer!)....if I knew my nephew was such a rock & roller, I would have taken the little dude with me!!!

~~ Todd rocks out in Metallakid ~~

Post Anniversary Dinner

Strange Night.

Randy orig made dinner reservations at The Bacchus Steakhouse http://www.thebacchuschophouse.com/ for this past Wed, but I told him to postone it to Saturday JIC i couldn't get out work on time. The place has awesome reviews, and i've been dying to go there - but now that I've been there, idunno if i'd come back

1) we arrived on time for our 7:30pm reservations. The hostess asks us if we want to get a drink at the bar first (?????) Why would i want to stand around drinking at a bar, when I could drink at a table w/o the crowd. If the table wasn't ready, that is one thing - but it was still early, so there were plenty of tables still open.

2) luckily when asked if we wanted to be seated in the first room "with the entertainment" or in the back room, we selected back room (VERY GOOD CHOICE - SEE BELOW)

3) the timing for our first round of drinks & appetizers were fine (except randy's appy, which was Gnocchi w/ Truffles & Mushrooms was AMAZING and mine, which was the special - Sauteed Shrimp Risotto, was EHHHHHH)

Things went kinda downhill from here...basically, we were forgotten.

4) took over 45 min from removing our appy plates to bringing our steaks and asking us if we wanted wine with our dinner. Randy ordered this humungo Porterhouse steak (rare), and i ordered the Filet Mignon (medium). Mine came out Well Done - blech, so I wound up eating some of randy's (which was too rare for me, so I wound up dunking it in ketchup).

5) after dinner we were given dessert menus. It took another 30 minutes to take our order - the pumpkin cheesecake - and then another 40 minutes to bring it with the cordials. The dessert was really yummy, but by that time i was getting bored with the place.

Oh, forgot to mention that during #4, the live entertainment began. I thought it might be a Harry Connick jr type piano player....OH NO...it was a James Brown impersonator (and i mean a damn good one) singing friggen loud. If i was in that first room - I would have picked myself up & left before dinner. All I could think of was The Bistro, circa 1989!!!!

It wasn't a BAD meal, but after reading reviews & viewing their website, I did build it up in my head....and I was a bit disappointed.

halloween "cuz" style

this is a bit freaky...."scary movie" is actually the cutest 9 y/o girl w/long blond hair, and it's pretty obvious that little "tigger" is not one bit afraid!!!!!!

Sarah & Landon

happy anniversary to ME

happy anniversary to me,

happy anniversary to me,

happy anniversary to meeeeeeeee,

happy anniversary to me!

xoxoxo

cuteness goes trick -or- treating

so my little "SUPER" nephew gets ready to change into his halloween costume

VOILA! Now he's "MONKEY BOY" ....and if he just knew how to peal a banana at 10 mths, he'd really be "SUPER-BABY" !

update on my pool

so as I mentioned a few weeks ago - we decided to take the pool down since the liner split (it was a toss up to repair since we just purchased a brand new filter earlier this summer). Unfor, with all the trees where I live - I'd have to spend another 10 grand to cut them all down so that enough sun could comes thru to keep the pool warm enough. Here is pics of Randy at work:

i'm really not ready to put this sign away...look for it next year - maybe next to a slip & slide (or a hot tub)!
chewie's not THAT upset - it just gives him another 25 feet to run around!

Wave to Aunt Mishy

if a picture is worth a thousand words...then this one of cousins is worth millions!!!!!

Emma & Landon / Todd & Sherri

(Sunday, Oct 28th....4pm)

Halloween

I loooooooooooove Halloween...next to Chanukkah - this is my very favourite holiday!

in case you can't figure it out, dude, Randy & I are hippiesBryan & Donna (the hosts)
and the best - the killer bee (who found her peeps on SNL)

Turtleback Zoo

I could have not have asked for a nicer day then last Sunday (it was a perfect 75 degrees in NYC)....so, Randy & I went to the zoo (ok - I went with kids, whatever). I took a gazillion pics of the animal (some were so close - like the bears that come right up to your sneakers) Barb, Maddie & Me (taking a breather after spotting 2 baby bear cubs)
the GATOR swimming up to us to check out the action
hey Maddie - that's SOME PIG, right!
what kinda of zoo would you have w/o a petting area (with a nosy sheep that wants to eat out of your hand)

or pony rides?!?!

(and this is where the "no higher then 36" rule come in)

so tired

last night I went with sherri to Webster Hall to see the New Pornographers. I didnt really know their music that well (I just downloaded it off Napster on Monday), but that's ok. Easy bopping tambourine music. We didnt even get home that late...I'm just tired. I wish today was friday instead of thursday.

Happy B-Day Isabella

I can't believe that patty just had her second baby - she looks AWESOME! Here we are at Isabella's 2nd b-day party this past saturday

Auntie Ivette with the birthday girl!

Mint Mocha Light Frappichino

today was a sad, sad day....i think i might have to cut back on my morning indulgence {{SIGH}} Starbucks just raised their prices again my grande no whip peppermint mocha light frappachino (which looks a lot better in person) now costs $5.05 Dammmmmmmmmmm - why does it have to taste so good!

Halloween Decorating

Spent Saturday night at Sherri's. After a long night - todd past out (ergo=long night) & sherri and I began our evening relaxation....building a gingerbread haunted house
While sherri knocked out the roof.....
....I created windows and a door.........

....VOILA! Damn good house from two tired ladies!
almost good enough to eat (in fact - Sherri & Neil began deconstruction two days later!!!)

annoying commuter

if you've ever commuted on an express bus, then you know that there are certain laws that all follow:
1) No extended talking on the cell phone...the phone rings, you answer, you cover the speaker area with your hand & then quickly hang up. Extended talking (especially in a foreign language is a no-no)
2) No chit chatting among yourselves above a whisper...this can be a problem when someone starts to cackle laugh
3) Keep your legs closed so that you don't squish the person sitting next to you (it's not like they want to sit next to you....it's either that or standing)

OK, so basically: shut up & get out of my space

On my ride home last night i was in the 2nd row. On my bus, the first row is about a foot lower then all other seats. Take a look at how the guy in front of me was sitting...i was sooooooooooo creeped out!

i love my neighborhood

here is my neighbor's front window (and you should see the graveyard scene on their front lawn!) Kind of freaked her out when I pulled over in my SUV & the flash went off on my camera phone

this is the bedroom windows....kinda spooky, huh?
~~decorating RULES~~

SITC - update on pics!!!!

turns out my carrie / miranda / charlotte / mr big sighting at Bryant Park was the WEDDING SCENE!!! Here is a pic of Cynthia's dress from TMZ.com:

At the time, I didnt realize what that whole big hair thing-y was on SJP's head (now that I realize it's part of her vail - what IS she thinking? ewwwwww), and with a coat one - I couldnt tell that she was wearing a wedding dress....but I can totally confirm that Kristin Davis was def wearing that black dress when she walked out

SITC movie is GONNA happen

how am i soooooooo sure????

well, on the way to the PA after work today, at approx 5:20pm in front of Bryant Park, Shannon, Lorena & I were hustled to move out of the way cuz they were about to film a movie scene. Normally I dont bother to stop - but when I glanced over - I saw a black towncar.

DING DING...could it really be Mr. Big's car?

YUP!

Of course, all I have on me is my dinky cell phone that takes "ok" still pics, but when you have NYs Finest hustling you along - this is what you get:

I know it's blurry - but it's Chris Noth in a tux (damn he's hot!)
Then a sec later the ladies walked out of the Bryant Park Hotel - I HAD to snap....here's Cynthia Nixon. The actual order was SJP, then Kristin Davis, then Cynthia...but my Charlotte pic is a complete blur....and take a gander at what happened to my SJP pic (I can tell you that she is the tinniest little thing)

Unfor, Kim Cattrall didn't emerge & I only waited another minute (guess that's my NYC impatience coming out)

Landon takes a vacation

...oh yeah, mom, dad & sis go along for the ride...but it's pretty clear who is in charge

sarah, emma & landon (guess being on the lake on a gorgeous day can make a kid pass out!)

ok, mom & dad - time to drive home...I know the way!

thought i was kidding - HA! - sarah is the backseat navigator

happy b-day to me

yes, i'm someone who likes my b-day acknowledged!

Here's how my day went: sent an announcement to Z100 for skeery to announce. Was on the bus & at 8:05 when he made the announcements - nada (bummer!)

Got into work - randy left a message wishing me a great day at 8:01 (2 secs after I walked out the door). Next message - JMa sung to me (awwwwww - not something you hear everyday, i tell ya!). Card on desk from SW (telling me it's time to buy shoes to match my new bag (not a bad idea!). Signed onto the computer: ecard from Sherri, ecard from Todd (what a talented little boy!), ecard from M&D, even got an ecard from 104.3fm! Day is going good. Really busy at work, so while the girls took me out on Monday to Pershing Square, I picked sushi to order in (such a no brainer!). During the day I got phone call singing after phone call singing. Had to work kinda late, so took a car home. Randy called around 6 to find out when i was leaving & also not to order dinner (yes, i took that as a hint).

WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE I WALKED INTO!!!!

Dining room table was set with china & crystal & the room was surrounded by candles. Aperitif to start. First course: salad & a glass of summerville (white wine picked up at the festival earlier this year). Second course: calamari & another glass of wine. Main course: eggplant rollatini (I'm in HEAVEN!!!)

Then he set up the living room for me to have a foot rub. First - soak in the water massager, then he turned on survivor for me us to watch. Uh-oh, wrong night.....he watched ANTM with me (can ya feel the love!!!!). Show ended & so did the foot rub. Next is chocolates & body massage.

Went to bed with a smile!

PS - skeery sent me an email the next day - his intern forgot to add my b-day to his list...so he announced it a day later - you can check out the sound bite on their website.

i heart halloween!!!!

10/14 - I've updated this post with a few more pics of the front of my house!

here is fred & wilma with their pumpkin patch....so sweet, huh? yeah right....you should see the pumpkins party once the lights go down ;)

here is my front window....
... and here is my buddy, pumpkinhead hanging out on my front steps (yes, he parties with Fred & Wilma)

time to decorate

i'm not gonna let this day get me down....i need to do the one thing that always gets me in a good mood....DECORATE!!!

(check back later for pics)

Pool Covering

so 2 weeks ago randy covered our pool - it was a pain, since NJ law requires all above ground pools to have the railings surround the pool (in fact - he had to jump in at one point to get the pillows to lay flat). after taking close to 6 hrs to finish, we thought we were done until next summer, right?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
we wake up this morning to a flood along the left side of our house (luckily, that side of our house is pretty wide, so no water actually touched the house).....and notice when we go into the backyard, that the pool cover has lowered about 3 feet!!!! Once uncovered, we find out that the lining split where the side lining meets the bottom lining.
oh yippee - just add that on to all the other expenses I have to look into comes the spring..........:(

Derek's Dorm

it's now been a little over a month now that we left Derek up(and I mean UP)state NY. Here is his half of the dormroom:

not a bad view, but something tells me "roof acccess" is not an option!

Bet he can't WAIT to see what Randy & I did to his room

{{{wink, wink}}}

Dining Room Makeover

after waiting over 4 months for my china cabinet, it was delivered this week...I love it - it matches my mom's dining room table (which I finally inherited) exactly! The best part was having randy go into the garage & bring up all my engagement, bridal shower, wedding, & housewarming presents to fill the cabinet.

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH

It was like chanukkah came to september - i just kept opening & opening & opening (and throwing paper on the floor). I forgot how much nice stuff I rec'd as presents

{{{thank you all - mwaaaaahhh}}

Rosh Hashanah @ M&D

as i do every year, I took the day off to cook my heart out...and it was well worth it...everyone came (except derek who is 6.5 hrs away) & had a wonderful time.

Happy New Year - from my family to yours!

LaShana Tova!

Pampered Chef / Jewelry Party

to all those who attended (and you know who you are - i mean how can you forget tap dancing on a cutting board!!!!) - I hope you guys had a lot of fun. The orders are now closed & I should be receiving delivery of the products in the upcoming weeks. Once it's all broken out - I'll pass the stuff onto all. If anyone would like to book future parties for either products - let me know & I'll pass on the info of the demonstrators.

The Evolution of Dance

I almost fell down when CottenEyed Joe came on!

labor day weekend

so far this is turning out to be a fun & relaxing weekend. Tomorrow we are heading down the shore to hang with some friends at their house & yesterday we headed pretty south to attend probably the BEST Wine Festival to date (and I've been to a bunch of them over the years). Instead of being held at the Waterloo Village in Stanhope - it was held at the Allaire State Park, which is about 5 minutes from Belmar. For one thing, I thought it was going to be just an open park - NOPE it was also a historical village, and all the building were open. The turnout was AMAZING & so was the amount of vineyards that participated. We stocked up on a few reds & whites that I'll be serving next week at my pampered chef/jewelry party.
Now it's time to go out & wash my car...I need a clean back window so I can apply the college sticker I picked up when we took derek upstate (yes, I'm THAT person!)

let's go back 5 years

...when did he go from 5'1" to 6'1" ?!?

so M&R take a mini vacation

what do you do if you are 7 hrs away from home - ya might as well enjoy the sites! By noon we left Derek (no guilt, please) and headed to Lake Placid - such a beautiful village. Here is the view from our room:

can't stay at a lodge in Lake Placid w/o riding a bobsled (with a black bear behind me)

the next day we headed over to Vermont to the Champlain Valley Fair. On the way (route 89) we passed the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Magic Hat Brewery and Ben & Jerry's

tell me this sandcastle just doesnt blow you away!!!!!

we left the fair (and yes...I had to have funnel cake) about 8pm & got home before midnight...what a weekend!