Caren's Corner

Tough drive to NJ

2010-11-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

It's Sunday morning & I look puffy & re-eyed. The stress has been tremendous. Starting Thursday morning. I drove DS12 to school, and the hot light came on. It was only 2 miles! I pulled into a service station. The coolant resevour was empty. bought some antifreeze & filled it. Went to my mechanic. Another 2 miles. Resevour was dry again. Yikes! The car was leaking fast & I was driving a thousand miles the next day. And I had to get there, because it was the twin's (my niece & nephew) bar & bat mitzvah. Mechanic got his overnight guy to work on it. It was finieshed 11 pm. Cost $680. Shiz! Friday morning, the day I'm driving, I got up & walked 2 miles in 35 degree weather. I was miserable. Feeling sorry for myself. Only consolation was that this happened at home, instead of on the road. Imagine stranded on the road, in dark & cold with kids & dog. More miserable.

So Friday I got a late start. I got lost twice. Missed my exit. Also stopped too much for food/gas/bathroom/dog/coffee. When I stopped, I jogged around the building without my jacket. 1am I stopped for an hour nap. 3am I was nodding & drifting. Got off the road, got coffee at dunin donuts. got in at 4:30, slept to 8, then off to B'nai Mitzvah driving hour & half.

Dog stress is another. Gotta talk about, take you back to 6pm. I called my friend who was watching Jersey, my yellow lab while we're at services, and the party after. I called & her young son answered, I asked for her & he told me she's in the hospital with emotional trauma. Yikes! My friend had (I thought) a nervous breakdown. What do I do with Jersey? OK turns out, my friend's daughter was sick, the family all left for the hospital. Left the confused little kid home, giving confused info.

Sat morning, drove to services. Got there a little late, but on time for the important part. The twins did a great job, so proud of them. Saw DS18, and DH. Lunch was great. I took a nap after services, like 1 to 4. DH got the 411 on my friend. What a relief! He took Jersey to their house. After nap, Got ready for the party. I followed thru on no alcohol. Good party. I danced, talked, etc.

Another event today. Brunch with all the family. I plan to get what I usually eat for breakfast. I want to pick up the dog.

Chicks, Man!

2010-03-09T14:49:00.001-05:00

Last weekend was finally warm, not just above freezing, but actually warm. So I decided to wash all the windows and vacuum the screens. So I took down the curtains in my room and I'm vacuuming all the nasty cobwebs off the screens, and I don't even notice that the vacuum sucked up the curtain, ruining the curtain, busting the vacuum fan belt, and leaving a burning rubber smell in my bedroom. So today I go to the store to get a new belt, and what are they selling there? Chicks, man! Real, live cute little fluffy baby chickens. I'm such a wussy baby, I could never kill a chicken and eat it. Give me my meat anonamously wrapped in plastic in the grocery store.

Zombie movie & cold feet, or ban the beige

2009-07-31T04:46:00.006-04:00

Just write a screenplay this summer, I thought, a fun zombie movie, just the thing to distract myself from the economy flushing down the crapper. And it worked, I was actually giddy every time I thought about it, talked about it. My friends & family loved the idea, especially my kids. We talked & laughed; we added scenes. Friends started saying, wow, can I be in it? No, it's just a screenplay, I'm not making a movie. But, then the offers to help, to edit. But it wouldn't be that hard, 10 hours shooting for a 20 minute movie. Then I saw the call for entries in the Zombie short film fest. And it started to look doable. I started to ask people to work on the movie. Hey, I know someone in the theatre department who lives 2 doors down. Wow, he does fight scenes, his wife does zombie make-up. Hey, the kids in karate could be in a fight scene. We'll write in July, shoot in Aug, edit in Sept and submit to the filmfest on Oct 1. I can direct it, and star in it, too. There's a famous actor/director among my family; it's in my genes. It was all so: hey kids, let's put on a show in the barn.

Now, the giddiness is fading, cold reality sets in. I have to organize this movie shoot; call the golf course & ask if we can shoot; get props, supplies & tons of make-up; and the dreaded task of setting up a shooting schedule. And the fear grips me: I've directed many photo shoots, never a movie. What if it's totally Ed Woods, or worse Terror of Tiny Town. We have all these kids, it's going to look like a mom & pop zombie movie, like a haunted house at elementary school. I don't want to be beige, bland, and mediocre. I dream of being great.

So, it's 4am, on the last day of July, and I can't sleep. Tomorrow is Aug. I have to decide if I should go forward with the movie, or be satisfied with a screenplay. Everyone would understand if I backed out. My husband even said it was a pipedream, which makes me mad, and I want to go ahead & make my movie, prove something. Do I give up or go all in?

Would you let a teenager choose your career?

2009-07-11T08:47:00.002-04:00

Would you let a teenager choose your career? If you went to college, that's basically what you did. And what I did, too. At 17, I wanted to be a marine biologist. then at 19, I changed my mind & became a graphic designer. I'm so happy being a designer, I can't even imagine how different my life would be, if I stayed with biology major.

Now, I'm a mom. And I see it from a different angle. My first son was a mechanical engineer major. But the rigors of college, combined with late night video gaming with friends, led to a dead end. Switching majors to forensic chemistry, at an easier school, has been a good move for him. he's working in a chem lab over summer, and enjoys the work, which indicates for me that this is the right direction.

Middle son is a senior. He's smart, tests well, works hard, etc. But he's changed his mind about majors a few times: neurology, bioengineering, mathematics, with a computer science minor, or a music minor. I really want him to go into college undecided, and find out what he loves to do, and pursue it.

cheap glasses!

2009-07-10T16:57:00.002-04:00

Check it out! I got these prescription glasses & sunglasses from Zenni Optical for about $15 each. That's frames, tinting, & shipping. So, if you're broke or cheap, you can still take care of your vision. Or if you're loaded, you can have glasses to go with every outfit you own.

You can thank me for it later!

Zombie Golf Lodge

2009-07-02T11:57:00.007-04:00

I was reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a delightful adaptation of Jane Austin's classic costume drama, lifting the text whole cloth, and inserting brain-eating zombies! And it really works. Anyway, I'm reading this & I had a vivid dream about zombies, golf, making commercials for dental floss, and a rock band. Thus Zombie Golf Lodge was born. I talked it over with my family & they thought is was a rocking idea, we talked characters, scenes, dialog, jokes, even the movie poster. And started a super, double secret blog to collaborate on the project. I wasn't sure about the secrecy issue, since I felt anonymity was a greater threat than plagiarism.

Imagine my surprise & delight when I learned this morning that there's a Zombie Short Film Festival call for entries!

From Boingboing:
Talented Toronto writers & filmmakers, Jim Taylor & Cory Laffin, have announced the first and are calling for submissions. The festival will be held in Toronto, at the glorious Revue Cinema (in my friendly neighbourhood Parkdale) on October 30th. The criteria for submissions is pretty straight forward: 1) It must be a short film with a maximum running time of 20 minutes; and 2) It must involve zombies. Further details can be found on their web site."

So anyway, I asked Teressa at work if she could help me on this. She's produced tons of newscasts and even written a screenplay which garnered recognition. Teressa loved the concept, and had great ideas to add. Her husband can be the sleazy bartender that makes a great flaming zombie!

Also talked to Jessica at work, & she knows a local metal band who might want to be in it.

I"m so pumped for this project!!!!!

I want a macaw!

2009-06-30T09:16:00.002-04:00

Sunday, we went the bird show in Peoria. This wasn't like the one in Cahokia Mounds, where trained wild birds of prey displayed their tricks for bits of rat meat, swooping inches over the audience's heads, all sharp beaks & talons. This was like the dog show, but with birds.

A large room was lined with tables displaying cages of birds, or bird accessories. I looked for an African Grey, like Alex, from the book "Alex and Me," a parrot that learned language, not just copying sounds, but the meaning & use of words. Not that I was going to get a bird, but it was something I was interested in.

There were many kinds of birds for sale, but I fell in love a little bit with a scarlet macaw. On three large natural wood perches, almost as tall as me, stood 3 macaws. They were intimidating with their beady eyes and huge beaks! But I put out my hand to the the center one, and he latched his beak on my diamond ring! He pinched my knuckle and the ring, so stong was his grip, stronger than a clothes pin, I struggled with him, and pulled free. Michael came over to see what the racket was, and the bird, put it foot out to him, and touched his arm. It reminded me of when we got our cat Joy from the pound, when she put her paw out through the cage door and petted me. Joy picked me. And this bird picked Michael.

Michael put out his arm to him, and he stepped up. He explored Micheal, biting the hair on his arm, his beard, and hair. Mike pet his back, and let him climb all over. You can see this in the picture. The bird talked, too. When he bit Michael, and Mike said "No" the bird said "Oh brother!" And the bird snuggled up under his chin, and said "I love you." And he chuckled, too.

We all took turns holding the bird. He was so friendly, and looking for affection. He was like a nippy pup. The other birds just stood on their perches. This one had big personality. I wanted him. The seller came over. He could see how we all played with him, and this was fine with him, he likes his birds socialized. I saw him cup his hands around the bird's ear and whisper, "I love you." So that's how he taught him! The bird was 19 months old (they live to 50!) And he was selling him for $1900. OK, I don't want him that much. Although it's a fair price, considering.

This guy at work is getting me mad

2009-03-13T21:38:00.001-04:00

This guy at work threw a punch at my stomach today, he didn't make contact. this is the second time he's done this. I was standing with my supervisor & the secretary, holding a hot cup of coffee. It was totally uncalled for. He just walked up to me & did this. Why? this guy is 60, and OCD, talks to himself, talks killing people. He has a gun.

He had a terrible childhood. One of 11 children, his parents made him work for his own money for clothes, shoes, haircuts, everything! from the time he was 8.

I feel sorry for him. I know there's a neglected little boy inside. and I thought we had a good working relationship. I don't understand the hostility. but maybe crazy doesn't need a reason.

I reported it to the director, who made him appologise.

Florida fun cont.

2008-12-29T17:36:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Sunday, we drove north, while my niece & her family drove south, and we all met up at the Brevard Zoo. It was great to see Becky again, and wish I could have spent a lot more time with her. But kids got restless & we had to go our separate ways.

Today, Monday, we went to the beach again. It was a nice day for swimming. So nice to sit under the sade of a palm tree on a sunny beach in December.

We have a free day tomorrow, then Wednesday is New Years Eve. Thurs, we're going to Sarasota, just for one night, then Friday & Saturday are big travel days back to Illinois.

Florida Cont.

2008-12-28T07:24:00.004-05:00

It's Sunday morning, very early, and no one is up but me. We're sleeping 4 in a room. Hank & I have the bed, Michael has the inflated mattress, and Larry is on the pull out couch. William is sleeping on the pullout couch next door with Frankie & Eli.

So let me catch up the vacation. We arrived last Sunday. On Tuesday we saw my Aunt Claire in Miami. She's 75 now, and lives in the same house she has lived in for 48 years. The neighborhood has turned Cuban around her, and she's never learned Spanish, but can get by with English, LOL! My cousin, Shawn & his daughter, Kelly came, and we all went out for lunch at a Cuban restaurant called Versille (sp). It was wonderful.

Wednesday, we saw my Aunt Karen & Uncle George. Frankie & Eli came with us to meet them.

Thursday, Christmas, we saw Claire, my sil's mother up in Pembrook Pines. Pedro was in Peurto Rico visiting his sick, former bil. We had a great deli lunch with her. Nice bagels and lox, fish salads, humus. .. foods we can't get in Macomb. We went to her pool, but only William, Hank & Eli swam. Pedro's son is coming out of jail Jan 1, and they're going to be putting him up, until he gets back on his feet.

Friday, we went to the beach. Nobody swam, because of the tide. It was warm, maybe 80, and breezy. Will chased seagulls. We all had ice cream.

Saturday, we just relaxed a bit. Hank met a friend for lunch. I did some window shopping...Mike needs a new laptop. Had store-bought sushi for dinner.

Today, Sunday, we're going to drive up to Brevard Zoo, about 2.5 hours to meet with my niece, Becky, her husband Mike, and their kids: Ashly, Jesse, Cory, & Sarah. They're coming down from Ocala, about 3.5 hours, so it's not quite half way.

Florida for winter break

2008-12-23T09:02:00.002-05:00

We left Macomb on Sat morning, Dec, 20. It was icy and cold, but very beautiful, as each tree branch was encased in crystal ice, and pretty icicles hung off the gazebo. We loaded up the minivan and headed out. The street was a sheet of ice, but once off Indian Trail Rd, the roads were rater clear.

Heading south and east, we watched the landscape change. First no ice on the trees, then no snow on the fields, then gradually, more green. the outdoor temp reading on the minivan also changed as we went. Starting out at 27* and rising as we headed south. I relaxed a bit when it was over 33, because I knew we wouldn't have ice on the road.

We stopped for gas every 300 miles because the fuel indicator is broken, so we never know when we're really out of gas. I just reset the trip odometer every fill up. It works. When we stopped for gas, we'd use the bathroom & get soda or candy. But mostly we ate what we brought in the cooler, fixing sandwiches on our laps, or eating hardboiled eggs, apples & pretzels, and carrots & celery. We're frugal travelers that way.

We left Illinois, Into Kentucky, then Tenn. It was a long, boring trip. We listened to the iPod, Hank had collected old time radio shows and books on tape to help pass the time. The kids read or played video games. We heard Alice in wonderland, the Shadow, Perry Mason, Flibber McGee and Molly, the Green Hornet, Sherlock Holmes, and a Perot book. the old radio shows were often laughed at because of the wild crecendos of organ playing.

We stopped at first at the Travel Inn which boasted $25/night rooms, but when we told them how many people were staying, it was $40, but it was so foggy we said ok, that is, until we got to the rooms which were so smelly! The wallpaper was peeling, the sink was rusty, there were suspicious stains on the floor, the bedspread had cigarette burns. We got our money back and left! That was the most disgusting room I have ever been in.

We stayed overnight in Chatanooga. We got one room. Left in the morning, Sunday Dec. 21, going through Georgia, down to Florida, and finally getting to Sunrise at 9:30pm. Our roomkeys were waiting for us at the desk, and the in-law having the room next door, came home at 10, and we lit Hannuka candles and had a great reunion. Will stayed in their room with them, and Michael & Larry stayed with me & Hank.

On Monday, Dec 22, In the morning, we cleared out the car, although it still needed vacuuming, because of egg shells on the floor. We saw Hank's Aunt Sydell & Uncle Hy in the afternoon & did some laundry at their condo. Then after dinner at the diner, my cousin Charlie & his wife Sandrus came to visit, and we went out for ice cream.

Day 12

2008-01-02T20:49:00.003-05:00

At Sea

William & I awoke to rough seas. 12' high waves, with 12' low troths tossed us, up & down sickeningly.

I gave him a chewable children's dramamine & I took the Meclizine (Bonine) from the dispensary. After a few hours, we worked up the nerve to breakfast at the Windjammer. It was about 10:30 when we got there & they closed from 11-11:30 to switch over to lunch. We ate lightly & sat a while.

The bonine made me so sleepy! My eyes felt like lead.

Beth took the kids, presumably to a lecture on the planets, but they dilly-dallied over cartoon network for so long, that it didn't happen.

Hank & I went to a bridge lecture given by Bob, who w met at the service. It was to be held in Cloud Nin on deck 13, but a wedding reception was being held there instead. A lady invited us to her suite on deck 10. This was a balcony suite. Doorbells outside, kitchen, seating are, wall of glass doors to balcony with deck chairs, we could seat 16.

Although I was interested in the lecture on defensive playing, I could barely keep my eyes open. Damn bomine! Wish I took half! Well, at least I wasn't sea sick.

Back to Windjammer for a light lunch (why push my luck?) I lost Hank, but sat with a lovely older lady, a rich widow from the upper East side (ka-ching), obviously had 'work' done, in Victoria's Secret outfit, going to Arizona when she gets back.

Back to the room for another nap.

Day 10

2008-01-01T16:55:00.001-05:00

At Sea

William got me up early to eat breakfast. We went to the pool after. Eventually meeting up with most of the gang.

I took the 3 kids to the lecture "Killer Asteroids: I guess size matters after all!" Which the kids seemed to enjoy, especially when they passed around meteorites to hold & feel. Fun!

I took the kids up to poolside & met up with Beth, the folks & the big kids. Then Eli took the kids to see "Blades: the Ice Challenge" at Studio B.

Beth & I finally enjoyed our pina coladas at poolside, & soaked in the hot tub, too. Then we went to find Eli & the kids at 4, and got into the poolside games, actually competing against each other as team captains. Fun! We tied for second place & chose our swimmers to race each other, my guy was a teen with a stitched lip from an ice skating accident: alphaalpha alpha: the code for medical emergency. My guy was also a water polo player and was trained to swim competitively & do a flip a the opposite side.

We all met up again, & dressed for dinner.

At dinner, the captain announced that the ship had turned around, because a passenger had a stroke & had to be medically evacuated.

I felt so bad for the man with the stroke, which should be treated as soon as possible for optimal chance of recovery, minutes matter, and here we were 5 hours back to meet the coast guard. What a bad way to start the New Year.

Earlier, Beth & Eli had looked at our shop's progress on the TV, and saw the arrow pointing south, and concluded that this mush have been a mistake.

But at dinner the captain announced that, as we might have noticed, we were headed south to meet the coast guard to evacuate a passenger who was ill. The evacuation would take place at 10pm and we can watch on CCTV (closed curcuit).

Our cabin face the heloport, which is also the forward observation deck, so we invited everyone to come there.

Day 9

2007-12-31T14:54:00.006-05:00

Antigua

Antigua welcomed us with rain. It's our last stop before heading home, and it's the excursion I've most been looking forward to: snorkeling with the stingrays.

It became like a routine to meet with Beth, David , Julia & Eli, have a coffee and go off to the gym with Beth, while Eli took charge of the 3 kids.

We did curcuit training class, which was very fun. Our instructor was encouraging , not pushy, with a Brazilian accent. After that Beth & I did some cardio. I took a treadmill by the fore window, and looked out over the beautiful island, for we were at port already. Watching the birds, ships, and all, I tripped & fell on my treadmill. Quickly righting myslf, I was only slightly bruised but adrenolin shook my body for several minutes, so I had to sit & relax.

Later, we got into swim suits. Beth, David, Julia, William & I took a walk into Antigua. Pushy vendors swarmed over us, as we looked for hair ties for Mike & Larry, and underware for David. The kids bickered annoyingly.

After a quick bite, at Windjammer, we headed down to the gangway to catch our boat to the excursion. The guide led us on a meandering path to the dock, where we boarded our flat sor of boat with about 20 seats, and after an 8 minute ride, where it rained the whole ride, the rain stopping along with us. Life vests were optional, as it was shallow enough for adults to stand.

William was at first reluctant, and I wasn't sure he would overcome his fear. David & Julia were OK with the water, but tailed of Steve Irwin made them fear the stingrays. The first ray came by, with a long whip like tail, with alien eyes on top of its head.

Michael enjoyed the stingrays and they enjoyed him! Two jumped into his arms. Larry too played with the stingrays, feeding it squid, it came back & kissed his hand. Wow!

Eli also had a great time with them, but Frankie stayed on the boat with that poor infection on her back. Sigh, without a doubt, that put a damper on her fully enjoying the cruise.

Hank took Julia out for some time. David felt one stingray, then lost his nerve. William said the stingrays felt like yogurt. I thought they looked and felt like "tree's ears", the brown, slippery mushrooms found in hot & sour soup, which I always joked looked like the beach at low tide.

After the swim, I thought Beth looked a bit miffed, which continued on through dinner.

We saw the show "Fast Forward" with the singers & dancers, including Bonnie from the Canadian's table, who did a great Flash Dance. Cool!

Dinner was formal, because it was New Years Eve, I wore my navy blue gown, which fit me like a sensual column. Julia was adorable in gold taffita & velvet.

Mike scowled his way through dinner like an angry storm cloud. Fine, let Mike and Beth stew, I was having fun. And speaking of fun, the French Canadians at the next table, were louder that ever, and that's saying something. Singing, banging the table, playing the spoons, dancing, noise makers, cheers, clapping...they were the life of the party.

David, with the Canadians (especially Evan, with the Maurice Chavalia voice) danced the French version of the hokey pokey, called the Boogy Woogy, which I got on video.

Dinner was delish! We went to trivia afterwards, I got 11 & the others got 10.

I did the "Family Disco" with William, to keep him awake. We walked here & there, finally all 5 of my nuclear family meeting on the main prominade at 11:45. We snagged a few glasses of champagne, yes, Mike & Larry, too. Toasted the new year right, and by 12:10 we were in bed.

Day 8

2007-12-30T09:27:00.004-05:00

St Kitt

Will & I met Beth, Eli & the twins at the Windjammer for breakfast, then Beth & I headed off or an 8am total body conditioning class, although I would have been happy to go to a total turn into a slug class. Beth is such a good influence. Guilt further drove me to do 20 minutes of cardio.

I had some breakfast, played shuffleboard with David & William, bought them & Julia some towel animals. One of the small pleasures of a cruise is to come back to your cabin and find out what towel animal you have: monkey, stingray, bat, rabbit. Fun!

We met up at deck 3 and head down together en-mass to deck 1 to disembark, or ie it embark? Whatever, we get off the ship, and into a strip mall, all new construction and high priced sameness & pass through a few more dollars lighter to our bus, or should I say buses, as they are too full to seat a party of ten, and Michael goes on his own, which suits him well. Outside, skids of bricks waited to pave the way for more tourists' feet as the optimistic expansion proceeds.

Larry & I sat up with the driver, who told us to call him Earl, Duke of Earl, like what was written on the side of the bus, but his ID said something else, so Earl was like a stage name, the name goes with the job.

We learned that the St Kitt government planed the last sugar cane crop last year and will now work on building up tourism, as evidenced by the strip mall.

We drove up and up through streets lined with crowded, but clean housing, the gutters were clean (not like Dominica), the houses were poorly constructed and I doubt they could survive a hurricane.

We stopped at an overlook with a vendor. Then stopped again at a batik studio/store with beautiful, but highly overpriced goods. We swarmed over the frounds & took pictures. Then back on the bus.

Chickens, cows, and goats all roamed freely. We went to a 300 year old ruins of a windmill for sugar cane. We walked into the rain forest from there on a wide, clear path with steps made of logs & packed earth. We ate some almonds, fresh from their pods, opened by our guide with a rock. Larry and David tried their hands at cracking the pods, Larry was especially good. What a lot of work for 1 almond!

We saw plants, birds, and monkeys, well some of us saw monkeys.

Frankie kept up with us well. David and Will squabbled a bit and had to be separated. We went back to the bus for tuna sandwiches, lemonade, Sunny D, and coke. Then back to the ruins and there was a car parked in the way. How rude! The driver was agitated and squeezed by it, but scraped a fender on the rock wall.

Back at port, Mike & I went shopping briefly. We bought nothing, but the free samples of rum were yummy, coffee flavored. Hank, too went shopping, buying Cuban cigars.

Mike & I got on with 2 minutes to spare, we got showered & dressed for dinner . Smart casual dress.

Hank went to the dispensary for an ear infection, poor guy. But he a had to treat it or risk full infection while flying, which is painful. Unfortunately it cost $250 with meds (note: insurance reimbured it).

Day 7

2007-12-29T08:18:00.000-05:00

Barbados

We have a 5.5 hour excursion planned. It was quite pricey, but includes lunch buffet & complimentary drinks.

The bus takes us to the catamaran, where our pleasant crew help us aboard, after we remove our shoes. Beth gave David some Dramamine, but I didn't give William any, as I think he has his sea legs by now.

We sail out to where the turtles are. Me, Mike and Larry snorkel out, Beth and David go, Eli goes, Hank too, but Julia asks for Michael to help, but then took my hand when I came; William needed much more coaxing, then went back on the boat to put on his mask, and was finally ready, when "all aboard" was called. William was so upset that he couldn't swim then. Everyone else got a good look a the sea turtle. Michael almost touched one!

Sailing to another site, we set anchor near the beach. A coral reef was 10 yards away. I swam Julia out to where Beth and David were, but she had to pee, and I say "just pee in the ocean" (I grew up on the beach) and she's like "yuck" So Beth took her back, while I had a nice time snorkeling with David. Side by side we swam, pointing at the fish.
We got back to the catamaran, the last ones on, and enjoyed a buffet. After which, I finally talked William into going in the water, on the beach side. He was happy, making pretend commercials for Barbados tourism.

The ride back to port , I regret that I neglected to put on sunscreen and laid out on the deck and got a bright pink sunburn.

Day 6

2007-12-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Dominica

We got up early for breakfast. Frankie, Eli, Beth, David & Julia went to the Magellan, the fancy sit-down restaurant. Hank, Will & I went to the Windjammer.

We packed rolls, fruit, & boxed cereal for the trip. Enough to make our Grandmas: Goldie & Gerry proud. They were notorious for stealing food from buffets.

Larry & Michael were going on a different excursion than the rest of the gang. They were going to the zip line tour, while the rest of us, 8 were going to the Trafalgar Falls & Sulphur Springs tour.

Down to deck 1 to go ashore, we didn't meet our party. I went ashore with William and Hank stayed on board ton deck 1 to wait for the other 5. We didn't know, but Eli was calling our room, looking for us. Eventually, we met & found our guide, Samuel, who I should take a moment to write about his character, for I could use him in a bit of fiction some day.

Samuel, a thin black man, with close-cropped hair, clear eyes, good teeth & a melodic voice. Like many in Dominica, he was rude, but in an ingratiating sort of way. Like he was clearly annoyed with the children chiming in, and said please let me finish, and said how he 'we all tolerate children' all the while, eh clearly didn't. He sang the Dominica national anthem in the taxi, and officiously bragged about his powers of perception, memory, singing, & other expertise. he told us he regularly calls into radio talk shows to express his opinion.

Likewise, the vendors were pushy. I bought nothing, at first. Not beads, bracelets, sulphur mud (good for the skin Mam), soap, etc. The sulphur spring was so so. Julia complained of the smell. It rained lightly. And I was afraid of the steep mountain terrain.

The Caribbean is a set of volcanic islands. The sulphur springs bubble up from the hot interior. They get about 390 inches of rain on Dominica a year. And the y have rebuilt it from the devastating hurricane David in 1979. Lush & green describes it best. We say coconut, mango, banyan, poinsettia, bird of paradise, Acadia, banana, cashew, palm (12 kinds), & cocoa trees.

Twice a week cruise ships come in, swelling the population of 74,000. There is visible poverty. People live in huts I wouldn't use as a shed. Yet their national anthem is prideful.

Trafalgar Falls is a steep ride up to a steep climb up log & gravel stairs. At the top, twin falls are breathtaking. How can so much water come down like that?

The ride back to the port was quiet. I find that on all excursions, we're loud & boisterous going out, and quiet (or maybe just exhausted) coming back.

After we got to the port, Frankie & Eli took William, David & Julia back on the ship. Hank & I walked around a bit and bought swim suits, Dominican spices and hot sauce. We met with Beth & took out money from the ATM: Eastern Caribbean dollars at the exchange rate of 2.6 to 1 U.S. dollar.

We went on board, and I found Frankie with David & William at the pool, which I was surprised to find was salt water. I swam with the boys, then hot tubbed, until our fingers & toes looked like prunes. We had ice cream from the soft-serve machine near the pool, which vends strawberry, vanilla or strawberry/vanilla swirl on the left; and chocolate, vanilla or chocolate/vanilla swirl on the right. We dried in the sun. Heaven.

We showered & dressed for services, it being Friday night. Hank led at first, then Larry. I was filled with pride. David, Julia & William did the challah blessing.

Dinner at 6, we signed up to the next day's activities. Then played a trivia game.

Day 5

2007-12-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

St. Thomas, U.S. V.I.

We all met for breakfast at the Windjammer, Deck 11 (aft) at 8am, and since the ship was docked at 7:30am, we were treated tot he beautiful view of St. Thomas over breakfast.

The island is lushly green & hilly. Pastel colored homes & hotels, with massive windows to take advantage of the view, dot the hillsides. There's a sky ride, like the sky safari at the Bronx Zoo, that climbs up the largest of those mountains.

But our destination is Sapphire Beach.

OK the original destination is St. John's, another island. Beth's idea is to take a cab, a ferry, then another cab to the beach which is spectacular. But with 10 of us, the taxi being $10/person, plus who knows what for the rest of the trip, not to mention we missed the 9am ferry.

After some deliberation, we take a large taxi that fits us all-very nice-with an equally nice driver Earlin, an older lady with a 'traditional build.'

We ask Earlin to stop, so we can get the kids sunglasses, and she found us a nice pharmacy. Eli also got testing strips, at exorbitant price, and we all got bottled water.

The road snaked up and over a hill slowly to Sapphire Beach, we got out at the hotel, which had this free beach, and found a shady spot.

The sand is soft and very white, but the edge of the water is littered with bits of coral. The waves are soft, the water a gorgeous blue, and the clouds rained lightly on us for 10 minutes, then moved on. I swam out with the kids, the water was warm, but not too warm.

I swam out a little & stood on a ruond rock. David, Julia, William & Beth had snorkles & masks. The raved about the view. Mike, Larry & Hank borrowed masks and raved, too. I didn't think it could be much, but I borrowed a mask to see what there was to see.

Wow! That was a coral reef I was on. Fish swam around my feet & I didn't know it. Tiny white & blue fish swam in schools; big yellow fish rolled in the sand; pink an dgreen striped fish swam around the coral; beautiful dark blue fish, with electric blue fins; some other blue fish was flat & as large as a dinner plate. So close you could almost tough them...I tried, but they swam off, just slightly out of my reach.

I didn't stand on coral after that.

At one point William argued with David; it's a wonder it didn't happen sooner! I took Will for a walk in front of the hotel. Fragrant honey suckle lined the cobble stone path. And little lizards, not-so-little iguanas, and feral cats distracted my youngest from his grudge.

We ate the snacks we brought from the ship, feeding any bits that fell in the sand to the colorfully-billed ducks that lived on the beach as plentifully as seagulls at the Jersey shore.

We rinsed off & some of us changed into dry clothes to catch our 2pm taxi. Was is $10/rt or each way?

Day 4

2007-12-26T16:49:00.000-05:00

San Juan, Puetro Rico
yoga
line dance
shore 3pm
shop 7pm

Day 3

2007-12-25T16:30:00.000-05:00

We got up & took David, Julia & William to see Santa at Studio B on Deck 3, the erstwhile skating rink. A short line was followed by gifts & pictures with Santa. I took my own, rather than rely on the price-gouging professional photos.

The kids got beach towels with the Royal Caribbean logo with matching carry bag.

William's beach towel was stolen. He was in the arcade with Eli, and put it down for a minute, and someone took it. Outrageous! How could someone steal a child's present on Xmas?

I went to the 'Diamond & Gemstones' seminar thinking to get a watch in the raffle. It was a good strategy, as there were only 2 dozen people there, increasing my odds of winning. But they were giving out a pear neckless, which I didn't win anyway. It seems that you can save a great deal by buying watches & jewelry in the Caribbean. And there is no tax. More so, loose diamonds are not subject to duty. So if you're in the market for a diamond over $10k, say a couple or more carats, you can have your jeweler at home set it.

Diamonds were not in my vacation budget, but there were plenty of ladies there who I met, at least 3 were widows living on the upper East side. Wheels turn, numbers in the 8 figures come to mind, yes, double digit millionaires.

We went to a Beatles tribute band. William loved it, as he loves music in general, and the Beatles in particular.

The ice show was after that. All but Mike went, and they were a lot of fun, Dancing the Seasons or some name like that, with a funny "Time Warp" number. Beth, Larry & I were dancing in the seats along with them.

There was a family disco, which we took David, Julia & William to. William & David had fun, but Julia hated the volume. David did a good "Cotton-Eyed Joe" and other line dances, which I like to do, too. William just has a funky crunk dance he does.

Day 2

2007-12-24T14:06:00.000-05:00

William was sea sick!

I wasn't feeling well, either. We tried to go to breakfast, but he collapsed into a fetal position on the hall floor & threw up. Frankie gave him a Dramamine, but even 3 hours later, he was still hurling. We went down to medical, on Deck 1, Mike, William & I. We accidentally went down the wrong elevator, and walked through the crew's quarters, and were chided by security, but then directed where to go.

The nurse at the dispensary told us Dramamine isn't for children & we took a pamphlet on motion sickness which suggested green apples and crackers. We made our way up to Windjammer, on Deck 11, the huge buffet style restaurant, which was to be our regular breakfast & lunch place.

On the way, we ran into Beth with David, who had just hurled a prodigious amount just outside Ocean Adventure. The cruise was starting to feel like a bad idea. Mike took David back to their cabin. What a nice thing to do!

At Windjammer, I asked the chef for some crackers, which she gave to me in a small bowl. I snagged a glass of water & a green apple.

The solicitous waiter, noticing how green around the gills we both looked, gave him a bucket and suggested Will return to his room, but we stayed. After cracker & apple William was singing! Yay!

Will went to kids camp in the afternoon & felt like his old self.

The evening was our first formal night. It was a joy to see everyone so elegantly dressed. David wore a suit, William wore a polo & linen shorts, Michael wore a suit & a scowl (but I won't let him ruin my fun!), Hank & Larry were splendid in their tuxes! I wore a purple, beaded gown, Beth wore a sparkled top & pants, Julia wore a black velvet party dress with rhinestones around the neck and pretty party shoes, Frankie wore a pretty, sparkly gown, and Eli wore a black suit with his tux shirt.

The table next to us was a bunch of French Canadians, the loudest of whom was Evan, and the couple at the end worked on the ship, as a dancer & a photographer. They sang Xmas songs at the top of their lungs & their ignorance of the lyrics didn't dampen their enthusiasm.

Funeral & Day 1

2007-12-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

We woke up early to attend Paul's funeral. Driving to Poughkeepsie in gray drizzle, we took 2 cars, as the folk's neighbor & dear friend, Joan came, too.

Lisa met us with red-rimmed eyes. I chocked a sob in commiseration. A great service, I learned Paul was a Check from a wealthy family, a holocaust survivor, and everything the Nazi's didn't take, they lost went the communist came to power. He moved to Israel, where they gave him a rifle as he came off the plane & just like that he was in the army fighting the war for independence. After such a life of suffering, we knew him in what was maybe the happiest time of his life, when he was a grandfather.

It was very touching when William comforted David. William will also miss Paul, who always gave him chocolate, and a dollar whenever he mispronounced his name, which he did on purpose to William's delight.

After the funeral, we had to leave to catch the boat. We drove down to Frankie & Eli's; Mike & Larry with us; William, David, Julia with the folks and Joan; Beth went alone. We changed , the van arrived & we loaded it all up. Although they got there late, we got to Cape Liberty port in Bayone, NJ in plenty of time to stand on the interminable line.

By the time we got on board, it was time to "muster." That's an emergency drill, where we put on life vests & gather in our muster zone. Kids are given bracelets of the theme-park sort, with the muster location.

We had our first dinner in the formal dining room. Such good food! Such good service! It felt odd to eat in a restaurant & not wait for a bill.

We went to Ocean Adventure orientation, that's the camp for the kids, which turned out successful for 2 out of our 3 kids; David thought there wasn't enough supervision.

We turned in—end of Day 1!

New Jersey

2007-12-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

Hank & I took Beth's room, Larry got Goldi's room, and Mike & William shared Richard's room.

I got up early Saturday to get to WW. My friends were so glad to see me. Dawn, Molly, Aida, Bernadette, Glen & Lisa. I felt so loved!

After WW I went for a manicure & wax. I never had a bikini wax before. Annie, who owns the nail place remembered my sister Annette. I will always appreciate how they made her feel like a queen.

So anyway, I thought she would just clean up the edges of the triangle, but instead she completely de-forested all the edges all the way around. She asked me to put my leg over her neck. It was as unsensual a process as can be imagined. Never since I was a baby, was I cleaned so gently & perfunctorily.

As a result of my beauty treatment, we were late for the Cooper Bar Mitzvah, at Beth Havarim, followed by a party at Powerhouse in Paramus, behind Gold's gym. Larry & William came to the ceremony.

Our kids were not invited to the party. Which I thought little of. But then, Russel doesn't know Larry & William so well. We had a great time with Stacey & Ian. I had 3 drinks, not finishing the last, but rather spilling it on Jeff, the rabbi's husband. The food was good, buffet style. Hank was the designated driver. How sad to leave my friends! Chris said I was her inspiration! And how lovely she looked! Bonnie, Gary, Barry, Ash. Familiar people, but not good, close friends, yet more welcome thatn almost any face in Macomb. It felt good to be with a large group of Jewish people again, too.

We went back to Frankie & Eli's and got changed for our next visit. We went to Tom & Melissa's for bridge at 6pm. We miss them the most. Funny, Hank turned into Dunnery Court, where our old house was, out of habit, instead of going another half block to Tom & Melissa's. They were wonderful! It was like no time had passed. Mandy was ther, so tall, athletic & lovely. I've known her since she was little & feel an aunt's pride in how nice she's turned out.

I was designated driver at their house, We played maybe 3 rubbers, witching partners at each. Poor Hank, had cold hands all night.

Fogged in (cont)

2007-12-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

We made our connection in Detroit, a much larger airport than that podunk Peoria, with lots of shops & restaurants. Hank got a calzone, I got an orange, trying to be healthy, The big boys got pizza & William got milk.

The flight itself was fine & we got into NY, Laguardia around 10pm.

Eli picked us up at the baggage claim. He had the van, but we had so much luggage & so many people, we had to sit 5 in the back seat (anyone remember that song: It's My Car?). William sat on my lap on the right, Hank on the left, Michael in the middle, with Larry laying across on our laps.

We were squished, but so happy to be with Eli, to be off the plane & to be back on the NY area again.

As we got into NJ, route 4, Larry asked us what stores we passed, as he couldn't see from his vantage point. Gleefully we read the passing stores.

We got to Frankie & Eli's at about 11pm. So sad we couldn't get to Stacy & Ian's for dinner! Frankie was so happy to see us!

Fogged In Flights (news article)

2007-12-21T15:58:00.000-05:00

(repost of http://www.week.com/news/local/12755197.html)

By Syreeta Baker

Nearly 9–million people will get to their holiday destinations by plane.
Friday, those trying to fly out of central Illinois got fogged in.

Between the Greater Peoria Regional Airport and the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, more than half of today's flights were canceled or delayed. But that didn't dampen all air passengers' spirits.

Some airline passengers arrived at the Greater Peoria Regional Airport early Friday morning only to be met with flight delays and cancellations because of heavy fog.

"We are trying to accommodate the passengers as best as we can with the airlines," said Ken Spirito, Director of Peoria Airports.

Some passengers lucked out with airlines offering to take them by bus to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
But for those travelers left sitting and waiting, Santa was there to entertain.

"I'm just talking with children the adults visiting with everybody as they come in and out of the airport just trying to make everybody feel a little happier during the holiday time," said Santa.

While the fog left some passengers a bit agitated.

"It's a little frustrating but that's the nature of the beast it's just a fact of life," said Douglas Dougherty, a holiday traveler.

Others like Caren Bordowitz ended up capitalizing on the weather in two ways. Her son got to spend some more time with Santa and she got free tickets vouchers for being bumped.

"Due to the fog they had to put more fuel on the plane and because of the weight limit they had to knock some passengers off and it was us," said Bordowitz.

Santa is used to granting wishes, but guiding planes through the fog is Rudolph's job and there just isn't enough of him to go around.

Fogged in Peoria

2007-12-21T15:37:00.000-05:00

Thursday night we drove in thick fog to Peoria, and checked into a hotel overnight. It was like driving in a bubble, only things inside the bubble were visible, while things outside, say the grass on the side of the road, were blanketed in fog.

In the morning, we went to the airport for our 6am flight; checking our 9 bags in at 5am. We would be laid over in Minneapolis for 3 hours, so we will breakfast there.

The fog was still a thick bubble, with about 50 ft. visibility on all sides.

We passed through security efficiently.

When we got to the gate, the bad news: because of the fog, they had to put on more fuel, so the plane was overweight and...WE WERE BUMPED!

The good news: we each got $300 vouchers; with the 5 of us traveling, it is a nice piece of change. Our spring vacation.

We got put on the 9:40 flight. 3 hours. Layover in Detroit. No problem (we thought).

Channel 25 interviewed me about the "fogged in fllights"

Peoria airport has not restaurants past security, just some vending machines. So out of the secure area we trooped to get a bite of breakfast at the "Hanger" cafe. After breakfast we went back in through security a second time & waited. The 9:40 got delayed because of the fog.

Time passed. And we waited. We played cards, read, sat, ate, made cell phone calls. 11:30, still no flights OK for takeoff. We left the secure area again to lunch.

Third time, we went through security. More waiting.

Alas, we got the call that Paul (my SIL's father who was gravely ill) passed. The funeral would be 10:30 Sunday. Well, at least we could attend that.

Finally at 3pm; 10 hours in the airport, we took off.

Prolog

2007-12-21T15:35:00.000-05:00

If my facts are wrong, say Eli bought 5 bottles of wine, not 7, or you don't like what I say, make your own journal.

The Waitresses - It's My Car lyrics

2007-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

1 2 3 4 5 in the backseat
A ton of cheese & lunchmeat
Driven maybe 50 feet
And we're fighting like dogs & cats
Yeah we're fighting like dogs & cats

School's out, holiday
Party was too far away
Lost since the motorway
And we're fighting like dogs & cats
Yeah we're fighting like dogs & cats

You're running every red light
...just relax
Safer if we'd hitch-hiked
...give me some slack
Missed a turn a mile back
...alright, where's the map
You know, you could be right
You know, you could be right

Bouncin' down the wrong road
Now which way do I go
How the hell should we know?
Now you're getting yourself upset
Now don't get yourself upset

Stop in for some more wine
Ask directions for the 5th time
You jerk you think you got it right?
Now don't get yourself upset
Now don't get yourself upset.

Count down to T-giving

2007-11-19T13:40:00.000-05:00

C & B, and J & J are coming for turkey day. Yay! The menu is set:

fruit cocktail (already at each place)
pumpkin soup (we'll bring it in)
salad
turkey
whole wheat stuffing
cornbread stuffing
orange-cranberry relish
cranberry sauce from a can (kids love the can shape!)
home-made rolls
green beans with almond slivers
mini spinach quiche

I brought out the good china: my mother's Haviland Limoge. Oh, don't be too impressed, it's made in Philadelphia, not France. And the good silverware, again, it's plated. The beautiful Swarovski crystal chandelier is hung; we did it all ourselves. The rug & dining furniture is in.

Home improvements left to do:

Floor needs to be finished in livingroom
Molding meed to be put up (baseboard, chair rail, crown molding)
Hang drapery & paintings
Put together bakers rack
Pick up living room furniture & rug

Home Improvements

2007-11-05T16:18:00.000-05:00

I had a productive weekend. The family was painting for 8 hours Sat, then a few more hours Sun. Living & dining rooms are done. Floor guy is in today installing hardwood floors. New dining room furniture is coming tomorrow (my 47th birthday). I'm still need to assemble & hang the chandelier & update the bathroom (paint, lighting, plumbing).

Weekends

2007-11-02T11:24:00.000-04:00

William's party was a big hit! Yay!

We played spooky music to set the mood. When kids arrived, we admired costumes & took pictures. Then we had lunch: chicken nuggets, corn muffins, and carrots. We had craft time next: the kids decorated mini pumpkins. We played pin the stickers on the jack o'lantern, then mummy wrap. The party moved outside for bobbing for apples, donut biters, then pinata. Finally we had cake & pudding.

Sat & Sun we're painting the living & dining rooms. Monday the hardwood floors get laid, Tues the new dining room furniture arrives. Then DH & I will assemble & hang the new crystal chandelier. Whew, just in time for Thanksgiving!

Dropped my course

2007-10-25T10:52:00.001-04:00

I withdrew from my on-line college course, because with all my other priorities (f/t job, 3 kids, running a household, adjusting to the move) I wasn't able to do all the reading, researching, and writing that doing well in this course requires.

I feel ambiguous: sad and relieved. The kids & DH say they're not disappointed in me. They're being very supportive.

One of my personal philosophies is that you can have it all, but maybe not all at the same time.

Other stuff

2007-10-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

My MIL had her surgery & is doing well, thanks! Biopsy was negative.

Busy night last night. We went to the HS band chili supper. (Still can't get used to how midwesterners say supper for dinner) Loads of fun! The kids marched in Halloween costumes & generally cut loose, and don't they deserve it after winning all those trophies!

Afterwards we saw Elvis Costello in concert at WIU. It was a great concert, but we didn't get to meet him, because we had William with us, and he was all in. My friend, Alison got to meet him. (see her blog: http://forgotonia.blogspot.com/ )

Chandelier

2007-10-16T15:26:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited! I bought this chandelier on Ebay. so now you have to picture the red & buff painted walls, with the dining room set, and this chandelier.

Another Busy Weekend

2007-10-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

Another busy weekend. The kids in Hillel, came over for Sukkot & Shabbot on Friday. Friday night Larry (15) played in the marching band at the HS football game.

Saturday morning was the university's homecoming parade, and Larry marched again. Then we went to the football game, and then a block party, while Larry went with the band to a marching band competition & they tied for 1st place, and he got home 12am.

Sunday I bought new dining room set to be delivered by Thanksgiving, and then we took William (8) to see Weird Al Yankovick in concert, & we got back stage passes. Woo Hoo!

Some bad news: My MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had it 32 years ago. She was scheduled to have her breast removed Oct 9. She's been so preoccupied, she spilled hot coffee & scalded her leg. Then... She got into a car accident & broke her sternum. I'm scared for her. She's a survivor, but at 70 how much can she take?

Fall Wardrobe

2007-09-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to say I've lost 40#s!! When I started it seemed so overwhelming, but now that I've come this far, I know I can do it.

The last 5 pounds took me 16 weeks of going up & down. Life was so hectic, I didn't always eat healthily or exercise. I bought a house, sold a house, moved a 1000 miles, started a new job, DH started a new job, kids started new schools.

I'm going to celebrate my loss with some new fall clothes. But I won't spend too much money, because the clothes won't fit me next year!

Dining Room

2007-09-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

This is what I have planned for the dining room. The dining room was painted a washed out green, with a wallpaper boarder at the ceiling, and off white carpeting. Oh yeah, and a hideous, poor-man's-gold, brass light fixture.

I want to put in chair rails, crown molding, hardwood floors. White molding, red paint below the chair rail & a buff color above it. Red tapestry drapes. Cherry furniture. Red Oriental rug. And a new chandelier.

The living room will have the same color scheme. This will define the formal areas of the house. I really want to paint before we have the floors installed.

Caren, Where have you been?

2007-09-20T14:22:00.000-04:00

Sorry I've been MIA. Too much going on. So I'm going to post a few months worth of posts from Weight Watchers, minus the TMI.

6/18/2007 7:44 AM
I'm going to Macomb, IL to interview for a position as graphic designer at the college. I think I'm going to get the job, as I have over 20 years experience & a great portfolio. And as a thinner me, I look more the part of a stylish New York designer.

I'm working on my portfolio today, printing out pieces, putting them into order. And getting my nails done.

6/18/2007 9:46 PM
I packed a box, packed my bags, worked on my portfolio, got my nails done...I think I'm ready for my trip.

6/21/2007 8:19 AM
Hi gang, I missed you!

I'm back from my whirlwind visit to Macomb to interview. The interview lasted 3 hours, yet we rushed to get everything said & done. I was grilled by the whole department, while they scored me (?!) on my answers. They were really impressed with my passion for design, trendiness, technical knowledge, as well as the recognition my work's received.

No hints were made. I'll have to wait & see. But I'm quite optimistic.

And exhausted. My flight was delayed 2 hours & I got into Newark at 11:30. Travel is a dycotomy of dull & scary; lonely & a great way to meet people; leaves me starving hungry & offers poor food choices.

Airport food is expensive, and not Corific. I got a grilled chicken salad with crumbles of blue cheese, and was thrilled to find skim milk. Delays made me miss lunch both Tues & Wed, and I only made one really bad choice: cheetos.

Tues night I had a martini & watched America's Got Talent with my new friends in Macomb. Wed morning I picked up mail at my new home.

All right, got to get to work. I plan on closing my door & taking a nap.

6/21/2007 11:56 AM
I just got the call...I got the job!!!

6/22/2007 7:26 AM

It's funny, isn't it starting a new job, after losing so much weight, people will think we were always the size we are now.

I went out to dinner to celebrate. Mexican food. Then champagne at home. Busy party weekend. Sat night is the Temple's dinner dance honoring our president, who is also our realtor. Sun 2-6 we're throwing the in-laws a 50th anniv party. Then popping in at another party for my best friends' daughter's graduation.

I'm going to eat light today, drink loads of water, after drinking half a bottle of champagne last night, I'm a little puffy. WI is tomorrow. I haven't been to the gym all week, well, just Sat. If I stay the same I'll be happy.

6/25/2007 6:57 AM
Color me hectic:

Sat morning, went the gym & did elliptical for 25 min. Went to the folk's kiddish at their Temple. Then Sat night was our Temple's dinner dance. I wore a lovely size 10 dress (!) I got a Filene's Basement for $30. Low cut white on top, black chiffon on the bottom & a band of black lace at the waist.

And my sis came up for the party DH & his sibs threw for the in-law's 50th anniv. Sis is mentally challenged, hearing impaired, & asthmatic.

Yesterday, Sunday, I walked/ran for 45 min early in the morning. Then on our way to the party (same dress), sis has an asthma attack. DH takes the kids on to the party, I stay at the ER with sis.

After that drama, I dropped her at my house & went to catch the tail end of the party.

Oh yeah, after that party I changed & went to another party my best friend's daughter's graduation.

I did 4 parties this weekend.

6/27/2007 7:19 AM
Hi gang, I took some time for myself & finished a book. Then folded laundry while watching America's Got Talent. Anyone else hooked on this show?

I'm feeling coldish, with a sore throat. Hoping it's not strep.

Shh, Saturday night is my best friend's surprise 50th b'day party. I'm going to miss her so much.

Sunday, we're throwing ourselves a going away party. Kid's party is 2-5, adults 5-whenever. I rented a tent. We have some party foods in the freezer, and we asked people to bring a dish.

6/28/2007 8:25 AM
I love parties & celebrations. I have 2 parties this weekend.

Some party guidelines that helped me:
1. Appitizers: anything passed around on trays is 2 to 4 points. Don't eat it! If I do give into temptation, don't lose count of how many I eat.

2. No cheese! Don't do it! Step away from the cheese.

3. Veggies are a nice appitizer. Don't dip the veggies into anything. They're fine naked.

4. Fruit is a nice dessert. Don't dip fruit in chocolate. They're fine naked.

5. Dance a lot

6. Concentrate on friends, not food.

Yesterday, I spent some me time at the mall with my big kids & my best friend's daughter. It was so much fun being with 3 teens. They have a great energy. Bought myself a book on the art persuasion.

My cold is miserable. Well, I"m off to work. Tomorrow is my last day.

6/29/2007 8:02 AM
Warning...rough emotional waters ahead!

Well, it's my last day of work & they're taking me out to lunch. I'll be sure to order all Core. I'm going to miss a few people there, but I"m really not close with anyone. Unfortunately the place lacks morale.

Also tonight we're going to Temple and DH & I have some honors for us leaving. That's going to be a tough emotional time.

I WI Sat morning. Then tomorrow is my best friend's 50th birthday surprise party. I'm going to miss her most of all. :'(

Then Sunday is our going away party.

7/2/2007 12:58 PM
Anyone out there? Hi, this is my "packing week" and I was wondering if anyone wants to join the party.

The truck is coming July 9. We're sleeping over the in-laws & leaving July 10 early. Closing on the new house is July 12. Hopefully the truck will be there, but we're told to pack for a week, just in case it doesn't.

7/4/2007 8:21 AM
Summer is a great time for fruit! Watermellon, grapes, cherries, peaches, nectarines...oh! the list goes on.

During this transitional time, I had DS15 take inventory of the freezer, and together we made menus for the week to use up all the frozen foods.

Happy 4th of July gang!

7/13/2007 10:06 AM
Hi gang! Monday we closed on our house in NY. Tuesday & Wednesday I drove to Illinois, stopping for the night in Cleveland (I loved it!), and now we're in our new house. I love my new house, the kids are happy. I got to my new WW meeting yesterday. My weight is up. Must be all the junky food & no exercise on the trip out.

Now we've loaded the fridge with Core friendly foods. And even though I'm doing Core, I"m going to track like Flex.

Our furniture & other worldly possessions arrive tomorrow. We slept on air matresses, provided by our realtor, the first friend I've made here.

Today we're painting bedrooms. It's rather spartan lifestyle w/o furniture.

7/20/2007 11:06 AM
Hi Gang!

I'm all moved in, but not unpacked yet. So much to do! TV was hooked up yesterday: internet today. I'm at the university's library, satisfying my internet withdrawl!

I lost 2.6 of the 5#s I put on before & during the move. Not all my clothes fit yet. The meetings here are only on Thursdays in a church, but it's not at all religious-like. The people here are nice; mid-westerners pride themselves on their niceness.

We've been welcomed to the neighborhood with homemade cookies, bread & flowers. Wow! My youngest has made several friends already. We're going to the Harry Potter book party tonight; hopefully the big kids will meet new friends, too.

I start my new job on Monday.

7/24/2007 10:19 PM
Hi gang,

Macomb, IL has an almost dreamlike state. The days are busy in a slow kind of way. People are nice. But I miss the NY attitude. And I miss my friends fiercely. I try to stay open-minded & optimistic.

8/1/2007 6:17 PM
Hi,

Sorry I've been MIA, but my grandfather died last week & I went to the funeral in Florida, with my husband & kids. Sounds crazy, but we had a great time seeing all the family. The kids never knew they had so many cousins on my side. They're a fun-loving bunch.

Travel has wrecked havoc on my good exercise & eating. But I'm back, and I'll get a routine going.

I'm on line at work. Still don't have internet on my computer at home, as I have to have a wifi card installed. I don't like to use my husband's or son's computers, because they are laptops & I find the track pad hard to work.

Lisa, I'm cheering you on to the finish line! Wooo Hooo!

I miss you all!

8/2/2007 11:51 AM

I ran this morning, I"m redoing the C25K, because I want to build up again gradually. I did 2 8-minute runs with 5-minute walks in between. Thurs is my WI day. As always, wish me luck. TOM & travel may have done me in.

I'm getting a personal trainer via the univ. $50/semester, meeting 2/wk.

8/6/2007 5:34 PM

I did W6D2 today, but it was so muggy, I didn't run all of it. Oh well.

8/10/2007 9:38 AM
It's going to be around 95 in Illinois all this week. Yuck! If I want to run, I get outside very early. I take the stairs at work to keep moving.

Did I tell you DS15 joined the marching band. He loves it, and made loads of new friends. School starts Aug 17.

8/13/2007 2:53 PM

I bought a kayak this weekend, and we went out on a lake with it. Very nice upper body workout. It's hot as hell in IL.

8/13/2007 11:14 AM
Hi,

It's so hot here in IL! I didn't run, but I think I'm going to have to get back to it.

8/14/2007 10:12 AM
Hi!

I ran W6D3 this morning at 6:30 before the heat of the day. I'm going to need those APs for snacks when we have people over to watch America's Got Talent tonight. I'm going to start working out with a PE student in Sept. I need some serious butt kicking.

DH started his new faculty orientation today. He walked to work, but I'll drive him home. Tomorrow night is a BBQ for new faculty & families at the president's house. He's Jewish BTW, and lives nearby.

Everyone is starting school on Friday...including me. Yup, I'm a grad student. I'm just taking one intro course on line, to ease into it.

8/16/2007 11:08 AM
I'm going Dec 23-Jan 4 to Southern Caribbean.

That's 18 weeks.

8/16/2007 10:03 AM
Yup, moved to Illinois. My husband got a job at WIU as a professor. And I was lucky to find a position at the university as a graphic designer, too. DS20 is going to WIU, also. DS15 is going to high school, and DS8 enters middle school.

I ran this morning, before the rain started. It was a slow go, with all the humidity.

8/17/2007 2:38 PM
How many peeps run with the Robert Ulrays podcast? I probably couldn't have done it without having a coach in my ears. I wear a little iPod shuffle, it's so light I don't even feel it.

8/21/2007 10:31 AM
Hi gang!

I did W7D2 and ran through the whole thing...even on the hill!

8/23/2007 10:10 AM
One of the challenges of moving to Illinois is that my new friends are big girls who like buffets & think I'm a healthy size & don't need to lose weight. I really like them, but they don't understand why I run, turn down sweets & fried foods, etc.

I have met a few ladies at WW meetings that also work for the university. One has lost 95 pounds! She wants to lose another 5 to make it an even 100. WOW! The other is a big lady. So we're all at different stages of the journey.

I had a group of on-line buddies, but we lost touch when I moved & didn't keep up the daily thread for a month or 2. *sigh*

I would love a like-minded weight loss buddy.

8/29/2007 9:30 AM

I ran 2 miles this morning. Sort of makes up for the pizza I had for dinner last night. I'm going out to lunch today. And tomorrow is our 26th anniversary, so were going out to dinner Friday.

8/31/2007 11:43 AM

I'm going to Chicago tomorrow. It's a 4 hour drive! We're going to the Museum of Science & Industry for the CSI exhibit. Sun & Mon we're painting the living room & dining room.

9/5/2007 10:59 AM
I get enough support at home. But my new friends in Illinois are big eaters who like going to buffets, and say things about "because it's (insert special exception, ex: broken cookies) there's no calories." And they think running is crazy. I've told them that I can't play that game, and buffets are too challenging for me. And I say I don't like running, but I love what it does for me, tightens everything up.

9/6/2007 9:18 AM
I'm going to see the dr today. My allergies are getting worse, and it may be an infection. Today is my WI, it may be a gain, because I only ran 1 day this week, because of breathing problems.

9/12/2007 8:31 AM
I started my fall shopping last weekend. I got 2 pairs of plaid pants (dark subtle plaid) a brown skirt, & 4 tops. All at Target. I'm down 3 sizes from last year!

I love the new crop jackets, but haven't gotten one yet.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-04T19:37:00.001-05:00

Out with the old & in with the new.
I promise this year I will keep up my blog much, much better!

Some of my best PhotoShop tips I'll write about this year are:

How to color match better
Using bezier curves
Making a channel mask
Creating cast shadows
Improved mezzotints
Color correction
Using the red eye & healing brushes
Snapshots and other history shortcuts

Jazz & Joy

2006-06-22T07:13:00.000-04:00

Jazz n Joy 1,
originally uploaded by carenb.

These are the kitties we adopted for Father's Day. They are NOT mother & daughter!

Joy is a sweet 2 yr old tabby. She was obviously someone's beloved pet. She's a real snuggler, especially with Hank. Hank works in his home office with Joy on his lap.

We named her Joy after my favorite character in My Name is Earl, and because she's a joy to have.

Jazz is a 7 wk old brat! Looks like Joy as taken little Jazzy under her wing (sort to speak). Jazz is light as a feather. She attacks everything that moves. She's got loads of crazy kitten energy, and that's why she's named Jazz.

Lala Caren

2006-06-01T14:51:00.000-04:00

Lala Caren,
originally uploaded by carenb.

That's me with Lala Brooks from the Crystals (they sang "Da Doo Ron Ron") at May Pang's Memorial Day Party. She did 3 songs in the jam session. After every song, she went to sit down, but the crowd asked for just one more. And she did, because, she's got the heart of an artist. In the next room, the teens had DDR set up, and she went head to head with the kids.

She told me she's not a diva bitch, so I jumped in for a picture.

Elvis Costello Concert

2006-05-30T07:47:00.000-04:00

DSCN0278,
originally uploaded by carenb.

We just got back from AC. Hank & I listened to a timeshare sphiel, and got a villa for the weekend for $200. All 3 kids & Tom & Melissa (who paid half) came with us. Their 30-yr-old son, TJ, who was in AC, too crashed there, too. So I guess we got our money's worth. Went to a concert: Elvis Costello, Fiona, Billie Jo Armstrong: Hank got backstage passes, too (he knows a guy). Took Annette & Nathan out for dinner. Visited the graves. Gambled. Swam. Now we're home, Hank's taking Mike to college. Tonight, our friends are being honored by our temple, so we're going to a dinner dance.

May Party

2006-05-28T08:18:00.000-04:00

I was at May Pang's Memorial Day party yesterday, and 4 people asked me why I haven't been blogging lately. lol, I didn't think anyone was reading my journal, except me, of course.

So let's roll!

Folks, help me out if I miss-name or misspell anyone. Apologies in advance if I overlooked you. Write me & I'll edit.

(note to self: upload pix & link here)

May, our hostess, wore jeans, a yellow T-shirt & black vest, her red hair parted center, and signature necklace & rose-colored glasses. JMo & Janine were there: Janine looked very fine in a "Cutting Room" strappy top & white pants. JMo was set up the jam session room, a fabulous job, as usual. We got there about 1pm, bringing Hank's Asian pasta salad, as well as a car-load of music equipment.

Mark Bego & Derrick were there. And their friends Isaiah & Allen. Actually I met Isaiah, who works for Montel, at Mark Bego's birthday party at the Cutting Room. Hank & Mark were ribbing each other, because Hank's last published book was on Billy Joel, and Mark's now working on a Billy Joel book, too. It will be his 50th book! He's a giant.

So I was telling Isaiah that I saw Billie Joe Armstrong last weekend (note to self: blog the Elvis Costello concert!), and he was so young & cute, I just wanted to make him rice crispy treats. And Isaiah says, no one ever made him rice crispy treats. So now I've just got to make him some.

Who else did I know from previous parties? Mary Beth & Blackpool Jimmy; Mary Bethinvited us out to see her perform June 17th in Kings Park, NY. Wow! And Jim made these wonderful B/W, very minimulist paintings: one of JMo & Janine & one of Mark Bego. (link)

But, let's get to what you really want to know: What was I wearing? Well, I just got my highlights done before the party, and I wore my hip-hugging, bead-dazzled jeans, very long so they puddle on the floor, and a black t-shirt with silkscreen front & back saying Anderson's Coffee Camp & embellished. Hank wore his "As Seen on Page Six" shirt & jeans.

Lala Brooks was there, with her band. I hadn't met her band before. But I met Lala at May Pang's birthday party at (where else) the Cutting Room.

OMG there were so many people there yesterday, I don't know how May does it.
The jam session didn't start until maybe 5pm. Hank played through most of it, I was rather solicitous because of his recent surgery, but he really was fine until about 8. The drummer from Spira Gyro, Nick from Blues McGoos,

*Sorry I'm tired. BBL

iPod Videos

2006-03-11T09:38:00.000-05:00

atom films has some movies to go, very easy to use, just click the little iPod icon.

internet archive is a collection of collections. It's vast & growing. When you go there, check out Film Chest Vintage Cartoons for old animation, like popeye, superman, betty boop, and newer ones like Lego star wars & spider-man. Dig deep into other collections for movie reels, fabulous 50's ads, and outdated advice on dating & hygiene. I haven't had any success downloading the very popular "Duck & Cover" from Prelinger Archives but I want it! Are you old enough to remember when cigarette commercials were on TV? Find them on Tobacco Control Archives.

You need iTunes 6. To view on your iPod, download mp4, mov, or mpg format. Then in iTunes go to File>Import then navigate to the file. Attach your iPod to your computer, drag & drop from the videos folder to your iPod.

Thursday

2006-03-09T07:20:00.000-05:00

How did it get to be Thursday so soon. I told myself I would blog daily, and time escaped me.

I'm getting into downloading podcasts. Geeze, I feel so behind the the curve. I have a favorite:
Cory Doctorow reading his science fiction short stories. http://www.craphound.com/podcast.php
it's nice, like books on tape. I can't stand "big screen" on the ipod. ex: I have Casablanca, and it's so small, not to mention out of sync, that it's just exhausting to watch. Michael suggested some Japanese Animae, with subtitles! How the hell can I read subtitles on that little screen? Too demanding.

I have this idea for a podcast, well originally, for a public TV show, called Ramapo Roxors. I was thinking of five 5-minutes segments for each show:
1. restaurants: we have several top restaurants, & I know the chefs love publicity
2. pets for adoption: there's Grateful Grayhouds, the shelter, Paws 'n Claws
3. religion: just in our area are several churches, a mosque, synogogues, a monestery, a convent, & the Salvation Army Officers Training Camp
4. entertainment: art deco movie theater, live theater,
5. celebrities: Les Paul, May Pang, several writers, musicians,

Unselfish Saturday

2006-03-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

Larry, Billy & I went to the Palisades Mall on Saturday. It's the second biggest mall in the US, and we're there almost every weekend.

Billy had a birthday party to go to Saturday. It was laser tag party for his best friend, Jacob, at a place behind the food court. I figured I would drop him off, then go get my nail done, buy a new outfit for myself, and then sip some coffee while surrounded by shopping bags, looking oh so chic & child-free. But, when I got to the party, he was already showing signs of stress, he was afraid that the vibrator in the laser tag vest would hurt. He wouldn't be calmed by my assurances, so I stuck around. Laser tag seems to invoke aggression in normal kids, but this party was made up of special needs kids: so some where afraid of the dark, some didn't like the weight of the vests with their sensors, lights on the shoulders, front & back, that vibrated when the kid took a hit, but mostly it brought out the Rambo in 7-year-olds, as it proved to one kid who decided that shooting my son wasn't enough, and hit him with the gun, too. Billy & I hugged & dried tears, and had a Dr Phil moment. Then it was pizza time, and Billy doesn't like pizza, so Jacob's dad got him some french fries from Nathan's.

The kids did a rock climbing wall, that's actually on a vertical conveyer belt, so it's like an endless climb up. The group was very supportive, cheering each other on to climb higher & faster. Larry joined us & got a turn on the rock wall, too. The party was over a little after 7pm, and I don't know about Billy, but I was tired.

The Stapler Incident

2006-03-01T06:57:00.000-05:00

All names have been changed to protect the innocent. E is crazy, R is a joker, and S is junior G man with a secret decoder ring.

E sends out an email about the stapler by the copier machine is missing, but the string is still attached, has anyone seen it. She's worried that the cleaning crew might have taken it. (?!?) Then E asks the IT guy, S, to look at the security tapes. Now this guy, who makes about $200/hr is looking security tapes to find out what happened to this $1.75 stapler. And he finds a likely suspect: R. As R goes up to the copier, the stapler is there, then he's at the copier his body blocking it, then he puts something in his pocket, and walks away empty handed, but the stapler is gone. When confronted, R points out the stapler on the new guy, F's desk. R makes a statement at the nerve of F taking a stapler, when he doesn't even have a staple remover.

E has S print out a picture of R from the security tape. She takes the picture of R & draws an arrow through his back and writes "wanted" and leaves it on his desk. Somehow, S's boss gets a copy of the pic, and tells S not to do anything for E without consulting him.

Tuesday

2006-02-28T07:08:00.000-05:00

Billy actually isn't better. it's been 15 days of the runs. I left work early yesterday. And just as I got home, Billy had an accident & needed a bath & laundry done. He's watching too much TV, so I played Scrabble Jr with him until bedtime. This morning he announced that he had diarrhea at 2:04am. Breaks my heart.

Sunday

2006-02-26T16:41:00.001-05:00

Billy is feeling somewhat better. He's off the couch, and bouncing around. I'm so glad!

In other news: Hank's gotten on Page Six of the NY Post again. I'll link to it & supply the full text in case you don't want to get an account with the Post (I don't know why).

THE DARK SIDE OF POP MUSIC

WE'RE looking forward to reading "Dirty Little Secrets of the Record Business: The Real Reason Why the Music You Hear Sucks." The book by Hank Bordowitz - a member of the Recording Academy, which votes on the Grammy Awards - is due next year from Chicago Review Press. It will trace the pernicious influence of payola from the time of Gilbert & Sullivan to the uninspired present, a dark age where deejays have no control over playlists, and the latest programming idea, Jack FM, involves no deejay at all. "It's interesting that Eliot Spitzer has targeted record companies as opposed to program directors," Bordowitz, who also wrote "Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man," told Page Six at Libation on Ludlow Street. Will he be naming names? "Hell, yes!" Among the reasons "why the music business has little hope for deliverance," says Bordowitz, is that "corporations have to answer to stockholders quarterly, and that doesn't leave a lot of room [or time] for artist development."

Nothing new

2006-02-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

I took a day off work yesterday. Called in sick. Took Billy, my 7 year old to the doctor, after 11 days of diarrhea. Dr put him on a liquid diet for 24 hours, but the only thing on the diet he likes is ice pops. Doesn't like chicken broth or jello. What kind of kid doesn't like jello? He also won't take the medicine for stomach cramps. I also picked up homework for Billy. I helped him do homework, and clean up his room. I feel so bad for Billy. He's really laid low today.

Today, about 12 noon, Billy can go on the BRAT diet for 2 days. That's Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce, and Toast. It will seem like a feast after the ice pop diet. Poor baby.

Well, I'm off to the gym.

Thing progress

2006-02-23T20:09:00.000-05:00

Well, the thing (secret thing) happened yesterday. We won't know anything for maybe another month. Oh, how nerve-racking, nail-biting, tossing-turning, waiting we have in store for us. Best to not think of it at all. But if it does happen, how it will change our lives.

Been working on the house, in case we have to sell it. Painted the living room & dining room. Nice neutral colors. Flat Navaho white for the wall (more yellow than antique white) with bright white semi-gloss trim. Makes a nice contrast without looking too out-there. Fixed the toilet, dishwasher. And just last summer: put in A/C, new windows, paved the patio & resurfaced the driveway. All things we can enjoy living with, or on the other hand, would help make a quick sale. Curb appeal.

Here's links to free ipod movies

2006-02-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

I'm enjoying my new iPod sooooo much! It's so small & personal. Just wish I could combine my cell phone, Palm & iPod, so I could carry one thing in a little tiny purse. The ultimate, Mac-tastic communication/entertainment/organizer.

Here's links to free ipod movies:
http://www.publicdomaintorrents.com/
http://emol.org/movies/
http://www.archive.org/details/feature_films

Hank just finished his book

2005-12-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

Yeah! Hank finished "Dirty Little Secrets of the Music Business: Why So Much Music You Hear Sucks" his latest book, which doubles as his master's thesis (under cleaner title). Comes out in fall 2005. He's been so busy working on this, nights & weekends, too. Now he can take off, enjoy the holidays. Then it's on to the next book: Green Day.

Hank's Green Day book

2005-12-05T11:09:00.000-05:00

From the "So Cool" files: Hank is doing a book on Green Day. He's done so many books on classic rock, but this is his first book on a current hot band. Contracts are signed, so it's OK for me to talk about it now, but before...I was just bursting to blog it! It's also going to be the first on book Green Day. Maybe the guys will really glom onto Hank, want him to do all their promo (ooh, i can do their design work, & make them rice krispy treats).

Ride Sally Ride

2005-10-25T13:37:00.000-04:00

Ride Sally Ride,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Yes, that's me live on stage at the Cutting Room. J-Mo arranged all the music for May's birthday party, and wonderful job he did. Hank played back up guitar with his classic Fender Jag. J-Mo had Kate Taylor (James' sister & a wonderful artist on her own), LaLa Brooks of the Crystals (she was a star in the 60s and can still shake her thang!), Mary Beth sang, and then J-Mo himself got up & sang Ride Sally Ride. He had called me a few days before the party & asked if I could sing back up. Jeez, I'm such a spotlight hog.

JackoLantern

2005-10-23T16:34:00.000-04:00

JackoLantern,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Boo!

Hank's Latest Book is in the News!

2005-10-11T09:57:00.000-04:00

billy_joel,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Did you know I'm married to a famous author? Hank has written 7 non-fiction books (see www.bordowitz.com {Yes, I designed Hank's site}), the latest of which is Billy Joel: The Life & Times Of An Angry Young Man. He's got a great agent, Jim, who works hard for him, getting him superb book deals (there's another one in the works, this is going to be VERY BIG, but my lips are sealed until the ink is dry on the contract.) Hank also has a super lawyer to read all his contracts & make sure everything agreed on is there. But I really love Hank's new publicist, George. (Don't ask what...or who...his old publicist was doing, but she wasn't promoting Hank's books) George has scored a coup by getting the Billy Joel book into the New York Post Page Six What next George?

Well, I got to tell you the bad part. A month ago, as it was just before sales figures were going to be accounted for, Hank called the editor to ask how books were doing. He checked and saw that there were only 75 copies in the warehouse. Hank asked him if he thought that, maybe, it was time to reprint. He agreed.

Hank called him the morning after the Page Six article ran. There are 37 copies in the warehouse. The reprint STILL hasn't been approved. Talk about a momentum killer. I mean they may have killed the sales on this book for all intents and purposes.

On Amazon.com the book went from #139,000 to #2634 in standing (not sales, just ranking) in one day! Hello! We need those books now, folks!

Disaster may be averted in the nick of time. The publisher is reprinting & George is slowing down the juggernaut.

Stay tuned.

NJIT Day

2005-10-10T11:06:00.000-04:00

NJITday_10,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Michael, my eldest son, is a freshman at New Jersey Institute of Technology, a very prestigious engineering college in Newark, NJ, about 40 minutes from home, but he lives on campus. He's studying mechanical engineering, then plans on law school, followed by a career as a patent attorney.
Michael (far right in blue cloak) with his team, the Hell Raiders, braved the rain & participated in games at the annual NJIT Highlander Games. They did caber toss, tricycle race, dizzy race, first prize in Suduko at the Mind Games, finishing the puzzle in an amazing 5 minutes.

New CSS

2005-10-07T14:55:00.000-04:00

I uploaded the October Specials which is a vast improvement over last month's (although I kept the nice rollover links). i.e. It's not so damn long that you wear out your track ball scrolling down to see the whole thing, the prices have a nifty acid green (CCFF00) highlight, the table (complete with 4 psudo classes: td, p, a and a:hover) has a nice red border (table=8pt red left & top; table cells=8pt red right & bottom; collapse:collapse to avoid nasty gaps).

Jean's Birthday Party

2005-10-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

DSCN0905,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Hank & I went to Jean's Birthday party last night. It was the first time I ever met Jean & her fiance, Sam, even though they've been friends with Hank forever. Jean accused him of making me up.

Now, I won't tell you how old she is, but she is a decade, a month and a day younger than me. (Is that a grey hair popping out?)

It was Arturo's in the village. Very funky cool spot: there's a bathtub in the bathroom, lousy paint-by-numbers paintings on the walls for sale for ridiculously high prices, church pews for benches. But yummy pizza.

Caren_at_work

2005-09-29T19:16:00.000-04:00

Caren_at_work,
originally uploaded by carenb.

6 Things I like about my job:
1. Misty
2. G5
3. 23" monitor
4. Office with window, door, carpet
5. Control over my day
6. Time to learn new programs

6 Things I don't like about my job:
1. Pay is below industry average
2. Putting in hundred+ hours of overtime
3. When working late, parts call me by name
4. Connectors & cable are just not sexy
5. Commute over the bridge
6. Although I feel appreciated, love don't pay the bills

BTX Email Promo

2005-09-26T18:49:00.000-04:00

In case you've been wondering what kind of web work I've been doing lately, you can check out the BTX September Email Promotion. Not much in the way of CSS there, just a bit of padding on the p.

I'm currently working on the October Promo, which will have some nice CSS work, with collapsing margins, psudo classes, and a delightful rollover effect.

how we met May

2005-09-24T10:48:00.000-04:00

Funny story how we got invited to May's Labor Day party, which I'm going to blog because it's my style to post long-winded, slightly funny stories with long-winded, over-punctuated sentences, as well as links that either help illuminate the story, or get people all side-tracked.

JMo & J9 (Jonothan & Janine Morehead, {who I previously posted on my photo page as the nicest people I know}) are friends of ours, and more particularly, friends of Hank's [quote from Hank: "I know J-mo from a Garland Appeal event I publicized when they were still a client. He was working camera, one of the musicians hit a chord to check whether he was in tune. It was the first chord to "The Kids Are Alright" by the Who. I started singing it. J-mo joined in with the harmony part. We've been fast friends ever since (nothing like singing harmony to promote that)"], and they know May, and have been telling us about her for a while. So one day, at May's house, JMo sees Hank's Springsteen book on the mantle & tells May, "hey, I know this guy." and she said to invite him (Hank) to the next party so she could meet him. Hank plays a bit, and was even a recording artist for a hot moment, so JMo said to bring his guitar & amp so he could jam.

Lost in Yonkers

2005-09-24T05:43:00.000-04:00

Hank & I went to see "Lost in Yonkers" a Neil Simon play at the Antrim Playhouse. This is the one that I got the part for & turned it down.

Back story:

Hank & I went to see Caberet at the Antrim, the oldest community theater (100 years) in the country, back in spring. At intermission I get to talking with some lovely folks, who turns out to be Bill & Terri Conroy, the president & producer of the theater company. He's asking me if I'm local (I am) and if I want to be part of community theater. I tell him, he doesn't want me I'm a terrible stage mother. My son, Larry loves to perform, he's been in school plays: Really Rosey (as Pierre), Once on this Island (the father), and How to Succeed in Business (Tackaberry), and he plays piano beautifully. And Bill says, hey were casting June 20th & 21st for 2 parts for teenage boys, how old is Larry? And I say 13. Perfect! They're 13 & 15.

So we see the movie of the play, to get an idea what it's about. So I take Larry to the audition June 20th.He's 1 of 8 boys trying for 2 parts. Bill says if you don't get a part, blame him. While we're there I'm helping the woman who's auditioning for the part of Gert run her lines. She's having trouble with the funny way Gert talks...exhaling the first part of the sentence & inhaling the second. I've got it down pat, because I saw the movie, and thought it was so funny. So I'm teaching her, she's not getting it. Someone says I should try out. Larry did a great job, he's loud, funny, good body language. Bill whispers to us after the audition, he's got a call back.

While we're there, I learn that Antrim is a very prestigious theater to get into. Professional actors get their start there, building a rep.

So I go back the next night. Larry's with me in the car. I'm nervous, I'm going to turn around, I can't do it, I've got stage fright. Larry's like: you got to try Mom. You'll be great. etc. So I only do it so he won't see me chicken out. I did it, and got a call back too.

Ok, night of the call back. Bill calls me into the dressing room. Bill says I don't even have to try out, I've got the part, but he's got questions for me: How would I feel about being in a play with my son, if Bill had to correct him (because Bill's directing this one), would I be defensive? And I said, no, I would yield to his authority, in fact I would probably be on Bill's side. Then I tell him, that as long as we're being honest, I got to tell him that I won't take the part, if Larry isn't in the play, because I'm all about my kids, and besides, it's really Larry's dream to act, I'm just caught up in the moment, and scared to death of being on stage.

Larry tries out with the other 3 boys. He's really good, but he's also not listening to Bill's direction, and he's correcting the other, older, professional actors' lines. No good. He doesn't get the part, even though he's far more talented. Damn.

Ok, I know Larry can be attitudey. Did you see his blog?

Fast forward to last night. The play was great. It was like Broadway, so professional. It was funny seeing the actors that I met at rehearsal up on stage, in costume & all. Blanch, the woman who played the grandma was 87. I remember her at rehearsal; so awsome, it was scarey! The kids were wonderful, although Larry would have been better. And I would have been a better Gert.

Although I did the right thing for Larry, turning down the part, I feel a little bit sad. (I can't feel just one way about anything). Those laughs could have been for me. Those applause. That fame.

Mark_Caren

2005-09-23T07:31:00.000-04:00

Mark_Caren,
originally uploaded by carenb.

That's me with Mark Bego. OMG does he look red! I really should 'Shop that up. And he has a drink in his hand. I do too, but it's behind my back. I make it a point to never get caught on film drinking.

May_Randy_Caren

2005-09-23T07:28:00.000-04:00

May_Randy_Caren,
originally uploaded by carenb.

I wanted a picture with Randy, from the Village People, but the first one didn't come out well. Mary Beth said I should ask May Pang to take it, because she's good with digital cameras. So we went to ask her, but it was so loud at the party, I guess she thought I wanted her in it with Randy, but it was great! I think Randy was happier being shot with a fellow celeb than just lil ol me.

Mark Bego's party

2005-09-23T05:41:00.000-04:00

It was Mark Bego's party for his birthday & book signing. Someone said that if he ever got married, he'd make it a combination wedding/book signing! May was there with some of the friends I met at her Labor Day party: Mary Beth & (Blackpool) Jim, and others who's names I didn't catch. I met loads of people, like Isaiah who Mark dedicated his last book to, and who works for Montel. There was a woman in a grand hat with a 12" feather sticking straight up, named Sharon (the woman was named Sharon, not the feather!) I think she was Mark's mother, but it was too loud to be sure that's what she said. Also met Randy, the cowboy from the Village People.

I looked very fetching (in a plump middle aged sort of way) in the outfit Misty picked out for me. She's such a love. I've got to post pix of her when my flicker account updates (still pending. grr). She used to be 200 lbs, now she's like a size 0.

Hank was at the party for a while, but had to pop over to Baruch to lecture Beth Krakower's class. I swung by after the party to p/u, chat with Beth, etc. She has a cast on, as she's been suffering with tendonitis for over a year.

BTX catalog

2005-09-12T17:17:00.000-04:00

BTX catalog cover,
originally uploaded by carenb.

The catalog, which was created in Quark, is being made into a pdf for distribution both on CD and download on the website.

First I make each chapter in pdfs. I want only the items on the page, not the full bleed. I want RGB because this will be (for the most part) viewed on computer, although full size printing is possible. I'll then make it easy to navigate, putting in book marks and hyperlinks. And I want a small size that is backward compatible down to Acrobat Reader version 4.

In Quark I choose File>Export>Layout at PDF. Then in the dialog box click Options button; Hyperlinks: deselect Hyperlinks; Job Options: deselect Subset all fonts, Downsample color images to 150dpi; select Compress Text and Line Art; Output: select RGB and Page Items Only.

Do this for all 180 pages, then in Adobe Acrobat Professional 6.0.2 (the creator program, not merely the reader). Go to File>Create PDF>From Multiple Files, and browse over to the newly created PDFs of the chapters. Let Acrobat do it's thing, then check that all the chapters are in proper order, adjust if necessary.

Zen Garden

2005-09-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

I've been working on my CSS skills, using a tutorial . Check out this killer site: css zen garden. I love the way the background is fixed, while the text & images scroll over it with some parts either slightly or completely transparent.

The whole idea behind Zen Garden is using the same html, dramatically changing the look of the web page with just CSS.

I tried some CSS in a recent email promo .

Star studded celebrity weekend

2005-09-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

Great party at May Pang's house. Phoebe Snow was there, Ken Dashow of Q104, Michael Cartellone drummer for lynard skynard, Lee Newman, Mark
Bego and loads of other people.

I got to say: May is so genuinely nice. I was just thrilled to be there. Hank's the famous one, so I'm often his +1. But she really made me feel welcome, and I tried to make myself useful; setting up before & cleaning up after the party.

May Pang's party

2005-09-04T07:33:00.000-04:00

May Pang's party,
originally uploaded by carenb.

(left to right) Janine, Jon, May, Hank, & Caren.

PhoebeSnow_Caren

2005-09-04T07:32:00.000-04:00

PhoebeSnow_Caren,
originally uploaded by carenb.

I was thrilled to stand next to Phoebe Snow at May Pang's Labor Day party. Phoebe sang Shaky Ground & Lean on Me. Wow!

Catalog workflow

2005-03-08T07:36:00.000-05:00

I haven't written much about the catalog I'm working on. There's 3 of us on the team: Mark, Misty & I. Mark heads it up, presents me with all the changes that were discussed in meetings, like taking product out, putting product in, arranging product in new ways, and making final decisions. Mark has good people skills, nice to work with, open to new ideas (read: my ideas), and has a general fairness that makes him a good manager. Misty is a delight to work with: she's young, fun, quick, and bright.

The work flows something like this: Mark gives me the changes, or sits down with me to do changes on the spot. If changes require new photography, I give Misty a list of parts. Misty gives the list to the warehouse, logging what parts she gets from them. Then either Misty or I do photography. The digital shots are put into the G5, then I choose the best shots, either alone or with Misty and/or Mark. The picks are then pathed in PhotoShop by me or Misty. If by Misty, then I transfer it to her computer, then she transfers it back, using drop boxes. Then I save jpegs into a general "New Photos '05" folder, as well as saving a tiff into the folder I'm working from. Misty takes the parts back to the warehouse. We've taken over a thousand pictures so far, of course we're only using hundreds of those, as we take several shots of each product & only pick the best shot.

Last night we worked until 9pm. We're trying to work late one night a week to get the catalog done on time.

RockMUG Website (let's get it started!)

2005-03-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for being so patient with me during this process. I've been so busy with work and family, I have little left to give to volunteer work, as much as I love this MUG. I'm just spread too thinly.

Changes made:
1. the word "Meetings" anti-aliased
2. Link on contact page to CSS fixed, as was links to images
3. html changed to shtml, everything relinked
4. date of October meeting corrected

Although I agree with all the other changes, corrections and improvements, in consideration of the time, I did just the urgent corrections, and emailed the site to Robert R. to post on the web.

marley book

2005-02-25T07:48:00.000-05:00

marleybook,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Big News! Hank's book, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright: The Bob Marley Reader is going to be making royalties! This is the first (hopefully of many) book to make royalties. Marley's been in the news a lot lately. The nod in YM didn't hurt, either.
Check out Hank's books on Amazon

billy joel

2005-02-24T07:28:00.000-05:00

billy_joel,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Hank just got the proofs for his latest book, Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man.

I glanced through the proofs, and I got to say I'm very impressed.

Mini Mac Thumbs Up

2005-02-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Things I like about the new Mini:
1. Easy integration of my old files
2. Easy transition to upgraded software
3. Faster internet
4. Faster Apple software: Mail, iTunes, iCal, iMovie
5. Quietest Mac I've ever owned
6. iSync finally syncs with my Palm

Mini Mac Thumbs Down

2005-02-21T11:56:00.000-05:00

Some problems with the new Mini:
1. Monitor has been flickering, I may need a new one (hmm...flat screen?)
2. Doesn't burn DVDs.
3. Not compatible with my new digital video camera...I may have to take it back for a replacement
4. sssssloooooow starting up MS Word, PhotoShop, Excel.

My Mac Mini

2005-02-18T14:10:00.000-05:00

Oh, my Mac Mini is fabulous! So compact, yet so fast. I went to the Apple store for help moving all my files over from the G3. Seems I had the last blue & white that wouldn't let you remote access, so Josh, the genius bar guy, started up my G3 and remote accessed my mini. It worked, but it took forever.

I should have stopped in on my friend S, who works next door to the Apple store at a bridal shop, but I forgot until it was too late.

I loaded up the mini with all my favorite programs, Adobe CS, Office, Palm, etc. It's not as good as my G5 at work when working on big PhotoShop files, but I may pump up the ram.

Now what to do with the old G3? sell? donate?

I've got to finish the RockMug website this weekend. That's my goal. Now that I've commited it to writing, I have to follow through. (I'll keep you posted on my progress.)

Superbowl weekend

2005-02-07T07:15:00.000-05:00

I had a very sociable weekend.

Saturday Morning: Pet StoreSaturday, after doing my housework chores, we went out to lunch to celebrate DS17 & DS12's great report card, then to the pet store & looked at adoptable pets, there was a pit bull bitch named Brandy, that a cop got at a drug bust, but she was such a mushy, kissy girl, he couldn't put her in a shelter so he adopted her, but his wife left, & he works longs days & ultimately couldn't keep her. Anyway, she's just about everything we could want in a dog...under 50 lbs, very submissive, not wild, or a nipper (OK she does have silent but deadly farts), will sit on command, about a year old, so she's done with puppy shots, soon to be spayed. But we don't know how she'll do with the cat. I'm not even sure if I want to upset the balance of the household by adding to the mix.

JewelersBack home, DH had run out for an errand, calls me up "I need your finger." So off we go to see M & E, jeweler friends of ours. It's a little uncomfortable to be with people so rich, rich, rich. The in-laws, who live with them, are double digit millionaires. But DH is cool with it, a mean, he's got friends who are going to introduce us to a prince. Anyway, the backstory is: DH has lost so much weight, his wedding ring fell off, so he want to get a replacement, but then thinks, why not get something fancier, and get one for me, too. So our friend M specializes in custom jewelry, beautiful stuff, real artistry. His wife, E is a real sweetheart. They have 5 kids. So I go over there with DS12 & DS6, they can play with the kids, while we do adult stuff. So, M shows me the catalog he's using just a reference, and it's one I designed when I was working at RLA. Coulda knocked me over with a feather! It looks awesome! I'm so good! M measures my finger, we talk diamonds. Yada yada. This house... everywhere you look, it shouts money. Plasma TVs, pool table, art-real art, in ground pool, etc. I'm so uncomfortable because they're obviously prospering, and we're just, well, on a good track, but not like all that.

Mac Mini en route

2005-02-04T21:15:00.000-05:00

I got an email from Apple saying my Mac Mini shipped. The FedEx tracking number indicated it's left California, arrived in Newark, and will be delivered Monday at 4:30. Woo Hoo! I can't wait!

I also heard from FAFSA, it's been processed & it's ready to be viewed online. But I'm waiting 'til Michael is here with me to view it. This is going to tell us how much the family contribution to his college costs will have to be, with the gap to be filled by various & sundry financial aid, hopefully more grants than loans.

RockMug Meeting

2005-02-04T06:56:00.000-05:00

At the last minute I was called on to do a presentation, as our presenter had a family matter to attend to. I decided to show the website, because it hasn't been viewed, outside the officers.

Richard, our president didn't particularly like the aqua-style logo (see blog entry below) as it was too dated. Bob, our former president suggested a brushed aluminum look. And some people wanted more tabs. I don't have time for these major changes, so with some minor tweeking, we'll get it up and running as is in the next two weeks.

Also discussed were a separate FileMaker Pro group, and finally...the future of RockMug: dues will once more be collected, efforts will be made to reach out to expand our group, socializing (like bowling), and charity work.

Busy weekend, didn't get to RockMug website

2005-01-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

I didn't get to the RockMug website this weekend, as it was very busy. I did get most of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form filled out, although I'm thinking of more colorful metaphors for it.

Which leads me to 1337 (pronounced LEET, short for elite maybe), language that my kids type, where numbers are exchanged for letters. See Urban Dictionary. Oh so FAFSA would be F4F$4

Rockmug—more comments

2005-01-25T18:40:00.000-05:00

One more note: on the homepage sample text, it says "Kirk Griffith" but his name is "Kurt."

-Richard
__________________________________________________
On Jan 25, 2005, at 10:29 AM, John wrote:

Well Done!
Promotions on top should be agreed on by group. I think free IBM computer may be a come on to buy other products.
Good time to view and review would be at next Sig.

John
__________________________________________________
Hi John,

I am just parking the Mug website in my domain, for review, and until all the bugs are worked out. The "promotions on top" are put there by NetFirms, in exchange for me having a free place to put my website. I could pay the yearly $$, but I'm too cheap.

Caren

RockMug Website Fixes

2005-01-24T07:06:00.000-05:00

Reply
Thanks everyone for taking the time to review the site. I made a few changes based on comments, but reserve the weekends to do most of the work.
__________________________________________________
Kurt, I checked out your site, very nice! I'll do the float this weekend, as it does add sophistication.
__________________________________________________
Al, I put a link to the tutorial of how to do the logo. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________
Richard,
1. Check with Bob M., I think the library wasn't available every Thursday we wanted.
2. & 3. I'll get to soon. very good points About the paranoia, I took out the emails altogether. One officer requested to be removed. Can you tell me how to do the form?

Some other fixes I caught & fixed:
Alt type for Links and Meetings tabs fixed
Link to contact.html on meetings.html fixed
__________________________________________________
Some things I would like to add:
On Links a table of Macintosh Resources:
PhotoShop tutorials
Tech Support
Mac Publications
html tutorials

in particular:
Mac In Touch
Mac Fixit
MacWorld
MacAddict
Adobe Studio Exchange
Apple Support

RockMug_logo_lg

2005-01-23T15:12:00.000-05:00

RockMug_logo_lg,
originally uploaded by carenb.

To make this Apple-esque logo, I followed MacMerc's tutorial Ubiquitous Aqua Text Tutorial

r0x0rz_head

2005-01-23T15:01:00.000-05:00

r0x0rz_head,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Here's the Ramapo r0x0rz head I did for DH

RockMug Website r0x0r

2005-01-23T08:01:00.000-05:00

Adobe Creative suite was used to create the RockMug website.

Starting with the PhotoShop files I created for the RockMug website a year ago, which were based on the Apple website style, I dragged vertical guides to align with the navigation tabs on top, and horizontal guides wherever it was logically appropriate.

Using the companion program — ImageReady — I created slices from the guides. I combined some slices. Then I named each slice, and selected either gif or jpg format for images, or no image for text areas. The last thing I did in ImageReady was generate the html and images using File>Export>Optimized>html and images. This makes a table out of the original PhotoShop file, and collects the gifs and jpgs in an "images" folder. (repeated for each web page)

Launching GoLive, I opened the files to add functionality. With the existing website open, I copied the text and pasted it into the new site. I created a RockMug CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) with just a few type styles, which I used to format the text. Then I added links: images & text linking to html pages or to urls (such as directions). I made the borders=0, so there would be no blue line around linked images.

Finally, I uploaded it to my own website for viewing, and emailed this address to the core group. RockMug

Please comment here, so everyone can see. Thanks!

Install

2005-01-22T13:32:00.000-05:00

Installed Adobe Creative Suite, repaired permissions, and verified disk.

DH just came in & asked me to design a masthead for Ramapo Roxors. It's for his writing about music class. He's going to have the class do an e-zine with reviews, features, and blogs. I try to make DH's requests a priority. OK well, I said I would rework his website, www.bordowitz.com, and still haven't.

RockMug

2005-01-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

I've belonged to the Mug (Mac Users Group) since before DS12 was born. I held office of Graphic Design Sig (Special Interest Group) Leader, but the growing responsibility of my growing family, as well as working full time, lead me to all but drop all volunteer work. But I always was included in the core group.

With the sudden death of our president 2 years ago, the Mug has dwindled in size. Sometimes only 8 people show. Maybe it's because we don't get the freebies any more: most freebies are available on the web. And software companies don't send reps out to evangalize to Mugs like they used to. Or maybe it's because the previous president was such a strong personality, that his absence made a vacuum impossible to fill, although the president of the previous 2 years did his best. Elections were held 2 weeks ago, and our new president is a young guy, who I hope brings new blood to the group.

I was named Webmaster Assistant in charge of Design changes. Forgive me if I don't list everyone, I haven't decided how annonamous a want this blog to be.

Our group boasts some very talented designers, but our web site was rather poorly designed, so I under took to redesign the site. I came up with something that everyone at the sig liked, but sadly never followed through with it, and when I found the disk I had burned, was surprised to find it dated 11 months ago!

I did it all in PhotoShop, one of my top three programs, the others being Illustrator and Quark. Now that I've been working for the last 6 months, I've picked up additional web design skills, so I feel ready to tackle this project once more.

Catalog

2005-01-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a 160 page catalog for the company. It's all on Quark 6.5. The previous catalog was a Quark 4.0 doc, originally created as Quark 3.2 (at least). concerned about possible artifacts associated with taking these old docs & constantly updating them over the years, I started with fresh docs in 6.5, with all fresh type style sheets, color style sheets, and master pages.

This is the first COLOR catalog that the company is doing. I really pushed for this, and I was thrilled that they went for it even though it was quite an additional expense over previous 2 color jobs. So now there are 4 different color master pages: red, teal, purple, and blue. All a bit muted tones, rather than brights. There are 18 different chapters, as the sections are called, each will have it's own color, which will rotate through the 4 master page colors. The section color blends down from the top and up from the bottom, forms color bars for subheads, and the chapter number drops out of a square of section color that bleeds off the page edge to act as a thumb tab. The thumb tabs are also coordinated with the table of contents.

The guys here are great, really smart, nice, funny...but don't know a lick about design.

The old catalog was done in the fonts: Times and the dreaded Serpentine, which has that "it's so modern, it's dated" look about it. It's so amature, like wearing bellbottoms and sideburns, and saying, "I'm groovy, cat!" And everything is so boxy, boxy, boxy! Each picture & table are in a box, with are in a box under the subheads, which are all in an overall page box. The darn things can't breath.

My concept is to have each chapter look different enough that you really know which chapter you're in, based on color. And I'm going to use as few boxes or lines as possible. Also I'm going to calm down the fonts. I'm only using Frutiger, in its various weights, no italics. I think italics, like all caps, shouts, and are overused. I'm going to make full use of color, and get all the merchandise in color, even the so-called black & white stuff, items that are nickle and black still have a cast of color to enrich the picture.

After 2 inconcusive meetings weighing the relative merits of Frutiger, Officina, and Helvetica, we finally settled on Frutiger for the catalog. It was a good compromise between Helvetica, which for 20 years, since I went to School of Visual Arts, I've been hearing designers say is ugly, and Officina, which was just a little too fun with its curly lower case l's and t's.

Catalog work flow: take all the info on the old catalog, a page at a time, group it & drag it into position on the new catalog pages, aligning with the prepositioned guides. Edit>Colors>(select the PMS spot color)>Delete>Substitute with the section color.

Welcome to my blog

2005-01-19T19:11:00.000-05:00

Hi folks,

Welcome to my little slice of cyber space. I'm Caren, a graphic designer, Mac addict, who's somewhat obsessed with organizing. I've been called the Queen of Quark, but also the Queen of Clean, and Princess of Power Tools. I also like to play bridge with my friends on Saturday nights.

I work at a small company in NY where I'm the only designer in the marketing dept. I really love it here, and they love the work I do. Yup, it's a real love fest going on. I've had some juicy projects like redesigning their web site, logo, and catalog. My boss is really nice, a little younger than me. The president of the company is really nice, smart, very knowlegable about every facet of the business, and a lot younger than me. And marketing is getting a new assistant, who is almost half my age.

It's not that I mind getting older, but rather that I'm not further along in my career as I had hoped, but then, I did take some time to slow down, and do freelance, while the kids were little, so I have no one but myself to blame. Still I never thought I would feel so, well, middle aged. I look a lot younger than I am, rather pretty in a plump, middle aged sort of way.

I've got a husband of 23 years and 3 sons, ages 17, 12 and 6. I'll call them DH for Dear Husband, and DS17 for Dear Son age 17, etc, just like I do in my posts on Organizedhome.com. Look for me there. My user name is Caren. There I post my cleaning lists, and work with the support of my Sister Sweepers. What can I say, housework is a lonely occupation, and it's nice to know someone else is cleaning the toilet.