MIA... Still?...

It feels so refreshing to be online.. I think I'm obbessed with my computer, lol.. I have figured out the problem with my internet connection. And it goes something like this: the wire running under the ground my my landlords house to mine went bad and now verizon has to come out and assess the problem and then try to reinstall new wiring.. And we all know this isn't going to be a quick and easy fix.. GEEZ.. Don't they kow they have a computer obsessed blogger lives at my house?... And that I am going through withdrawl!!

I am thankful that I can connect at my babysitting job on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays... So i guess that's going to have to do for now! I just feel so out of the loop! I have been visiting everyones blogs because I can connect fromn my newe Blackberry Pearl Phone! It's just a lil too hard to comment!

Thanks for listening.. I wanted to give you all an update!

Please don't forget about me!

Meme Monday

I stole this one from Melanie over at Livin' With Me! cause I loved it and I hope you do too!!

On the outside:

Name: Dana

Birthday: March 24th

Current Status: Single, living with BF!

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: blonde, though I'm thinking about going dark!



On the inside:

My Fear: never getting married, spiders, dying too young!

My Weaknesses: vanilla ice-cream, really bad reality TV!

My Perfect Pizza: pizza from Brooklyn(the kind with the sauce on the top) can you say Yummy!


Yesterday, today, and tomorrow:
My thoughts first waking up: do i really have to go to work?

My bedtime: when i start to get sleepy...

My most missed memory: College years

My pick:

Pepsi or Coke: Coke - usually Diet
Single or group dates: Both... I love to be with Brian alone... or out with friends

Adidas or Nike: NIKE

Tea or Nestea: doesn'tmatter

Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla Bean.... its gotta have the bean...

Cappuccino or Coffee: Both please

Do you:Smoke: No

Curse: sometimes...

Take a shower: YES!!!

Have a crush: Maks from DWTS

Think you’ve been in love: I know I've been in love

Go to school: not at this moment

Want to get married: Yes....

Believe in yourself: That's hard for me...

Think you’re a health freak: I am health conscious... but not a health freak..

In the past:
Smoked: socially...

Gone to the mall: Yes

Been on stage: Yes

Eaten sushi: Love it..

Dyed your hair: highlighted...

Have you ever:

Played a stripping game: Yes, lol....

Changed who you were to fit in: haven't we all...

Done something your kids will never know about (at least till they are adults): Yes - when I have kids...

Age you’re hoping to:

Get married: hoping too.....

Take your dream vacation: Hawaii.... hopefully for a honeymoon..

In a guy:

Best eye color: either... But I like Brian's eyes... Dark brown..

Best hair color: Brown

Short hair or long hair: short

Clean cut or scruffy: scruffy

Best attribute: kindness, sense of humor

What were you doing:

A minute ago: tryping..

An hour ago: driving

A month ago: Oh, probably blogging

A year ago: happy to be on summer break


Finish the sentences:

I love: my family and friends

I feel: tired

I hate: being sad

I hide: from problems

I miss: being in college

I need: to make more money!

Feel free to play along.....

Random Recipe Exchange

You all know I love participating in

Pam's Random Recipe Exchange!

So here it is one of my favorite side dishes:

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Fresh Lime and Cotija Cheese

8 ears corn Garlic butter, recipe follows 1/2 cup grated cotija cheese 4 fresh limes, quartered 2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish
Preheat grill to medium. Peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove the silks and recover the corn with the husk. Soak in large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Remove corn from water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes.

Unwrap corn and brush with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese and squeeze with lime. Sprinkle with chopped chives, to garnish.
Garlic Butter: 2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened 8 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped 1/4 habanero pepper, seeded 1/4 bunch fresh chives Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine butter, garlic, habanero, and chives in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.

The Weekend

Today is the start of a very bust weekend! I'm leaving for work in a few minutes and then when I get home I have to get ready for one of my best friends rehearsal dinner. She is getting married on Sunday!! And though I am very excitied, I feel very overwhelmed!!!!

Saturday morning I have errands to run, packing to do, and organizing to accomplish.. Then, Saturday night Erika & I are spending her last night as a single girl together. I am sure we will cry, watch movies, laugh, cry, eat, cry, enjoy being with each other, and cry some more. She has been engaged for the past year and a half and we have been preparing ourselves for this day! And I am very happy it's finally here. And I am even more happy and honored that I will be right by her side when she gets married. Being a maid of honor is a big honor and I am so happy that she has choosen me!

I am taking a Bloggy break this weekend due to the craziness of my life, LOL.... But I will be back Monday with updates and lots of pictures from

the wedding weekend....

I hope you all have a great weekend.....

If You Love The Beatles....

If you are a beatles fan you are sure to enjoy this! And it will truly bring a smile and laughter to your face!

Hope you enjoy!

My Apologies

I apologize if I have not commented these past 2 days... We are having problems with our interent connection and Comcast isn't sure when they will be out to fix the problem. (ofcourse they have no problem taking and cashing my check) I am only at work for a few hours a day and most of the time I can't get online because of the kids... At home I can get connected, then I lose it... Grr.... It is frustrating!

Hopefully it will get fixed soon...

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

This week I thought to post recipes that you and your children would love try.. Check out New Mommy Rant for another healthy recipe your little ones will love! Here is a great recipe for homemade peanut butter!

HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. unsalted roasted peanuts
1 tbsp. peanut oil
Utensils:
food processor (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)
bowl
mixing spoon
storage container
measuring cups and spoons

Directions:
For smooth peanut butter:
Mix the peanuts with the peanut oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.
Process the mixture until it's very smooth.
Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

For chunky peanut butter:
Take about 1/4 cup out of your 1 1/2 cups of peanuts and set them aside.
Mix the rest of the peanuts with the oil, and pour the mixture into the food processor.
Process the mixture until it's very smooth, then stir in the peanuts that you had set aside.
Process a few seconds more to create the chunks in your chunky peanut butter.

You can store your chunky peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

EAT & ENJOY!

Meme Monday

If I had a dime for every...Time I said "what do you want for dinner"

If I could catch a star I'd... Put it in a jar and keep it.

If you saw me cry you'd... Ask me my face and eyes always got that red!

If you could read my eyes they'd tell you... Something's missing!

If I could go back 5 years I would... I'd do everything the same.

If you saw me walking...I'd probably be with my dog Belle!

If I could fly, I'd fly to... Any quiet and calm island with white sand and clear blue water.

If I had a black cat sitting in front of me, I'd... Think of my old cat Inky.

If I could live in the Big Apple I'd... Be so happy! I have always wanted to live in NYC. I just love the hustle and bustle soo much!

If I had to leave my soulmate I'd... Cry every day all day til the day I die!

If I could be a movie star I'd be... sure to stay the same!

If I did a trick it would be... I have no clue!

If I had half a million I'd...Buy a house and pay off some bills.

If I could pick only 6 things in the house to have for 1 year, it would be... Laptop, TV, DVD player, Clothes, Frig, Stove

If I really could have a dream come true it would be... to be happy & healthy until I turn 100.

If the drinking age was lowered... Car insurrance would be even more expensive.

If aliens really do exist...I'd like to meet one.

If school wasn't required... The world would be chaotic.

If I had a special power…I'd want to be invisible.

If I am what I eat... I am a big salad! Or Black Beans!

If I am rubber and you are glue... Whatever you say bounces off of me, and sticks to you.

If I ruled the world... I'd make sure no one was mean to me, my family, or my friends!

If dogs are a man's best friend... I too would feel bad for the men with no dogs!

If time heals all wounds... Than I shall keep on waiting. . .

If I won the lottery... I would find a job that I loved and would work for fun! I'd buya house, buy my mom a house, and give $ to all of my friends and Family..

If actions speak louder than words... I'm going to stop talking.

If I died today...I wonder who would miss me?

Feel free to play along.. I'd love to hear all of your answers.. Come on play, it was fun!! Pleassssssse.....

Lazy Sunday

Today I am going to have a lazy sunday because I start my Summer Program tomorrow... That week off(eventhough it wasn't really a week off) went by tooo quick.. I can hardly believe that I won't have any more time off until the 2nd week of August. I'm a teacher, shouldn't I be enjoying my summer off? Shouldn't I get to sleep in, take naps, and have fun? Grrr....

Why can't I be rich? LOL...

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!

How Do You Communicate?

The BF and I kinda got into a little tiff the other night because he says I have a hard time communicating! (remember me, the passive aggressive). He says all I do is huff & puff when I'm annoyed at him! Oh well... I guess we all do our own thing, right? So I figured it mat be a good idea to take the following quiz and I did!

This is what I found - surprisingly the following is sooooo me..

You Communicate With Your Body

This isn't as bad as it sounds, it just means that you're a "touchy-feely" person. You need a lot of affection in your life. And for you, this means both giving and receiving little touches. Warm hearted, you bond with people easily. In fact, you often feel a little sad when you're not in the company of others. A little moody, you tend to be controlled by your emotions. But a big hug always comforts you!

How Do You Communicate?

P.S. - Maybe I'm not getting enough hugs!

Funk

I'm in a funk! I think I’m going through something! I just feel sad! I’m tired, I’m achy, I’m emotional, and I feel insecure about every little thing! How can I get out of this funk if I'm not sure of the cause?

Any suggestions?

Jewelry

I've been meaning to post about this for awhile now! One of my old student's(whom I love, she is such a cutie!! I also babysit her and her sister sometimes) aunt is the most amazing jewelry maker. She specializes in personalized & custom Swarovski Jewelry for Women and Children. Her business is called Per Lei Jewelry Creations by Dina .

When Eliza was born I had to get her, her 1st piece of Jewelry. You all know I love to spoil her (sorry Dan)! Here it is:

Eliza's braclet is made of real pink pearls with little pink swarovski crystals inbetween the pearls with her name in sterling silver block beads. I picked to go with the pearls because I thought they would be a little softer on her newborn skin. The other great thing about these bracelets is that you can add to them as the child grows up and they get bigger!

Now this is the next bracelet I want to get Eliza. Only in a different color.. I mean come on, a girl needs lots of jewelry right?

Not only does Dina make awesome children's jewelry, but she makes the most beautiful women's jewelry too!! Over the past 3 years I have gotten some beautiful pieces - earrings, mecklaces, braclets.... I'll have to take some pictures and add them later...

So check out the website if it intrests you. She makes gifts for all occasions: new baby, new mom, new grandmother, Birthdays, Baby's Baptism/Christening, Communion, Sweet 16, Graduation, etc...She also makes really cute "Big Sister" or Little Sister Bracelts.. Choose from many differnt color beads and charms. To place an order contact

Dina Oxley @ 732.787.7775 or email her at Dina@perleijewelry.com

or vist her on the web at www.perleijewlery.com!

A Right To Be Mad?

This is going to sound like it's me because everyone starts off "i have a friend" but I promise it's not! I have this friend from work who always snoops(goes through his phone, email, pockets, etc) on her boyfriend. Not because she doesn't trust him and not because she thinks he's cheating on her just because she is curious, so she says! I keep telling her to be careful because one day - if she keeps it up - he's going to see her snooping and get pissed... They have only been together a year and a half so I guess I can understand the curiousity. At that stage you are still learning about your significant other more and more every day. I've been with Brian for 6 1/2 years and though I know him front and back and could make his next move for him - I still find myself learning new things.

So anyway, my friend was telling me that when she was snooping she found something she didn't like! When I asked what it was she wouldn't tell me! (Maybe she thought I'd Blog about it - LOL!) She said it wasn't anything horrible - just something that mad her a little angry! Now my advice was that you can't really be mad because it wasn't something meant for you to see! Right? I also told her that there is a reason she is snooping - come on going through his pockets to see what you can find! I only go through Brian's pockets before the laundry because if I don't I usually have 30 screws or bolts that get washed and make loud noises - and once the machine gets started it's really really hard to get them out!

So here is my question: If you snoop do you have a right to be mad for what you find? (besides cheating, we all know that cheating gives anyone and everyone a right to be mad) I don't know is she really has the right when she shouldn't have been doing this in the 1st place, ya know!

P.S. - I really wish I knew what he did! I'm so bad.......

I NEED HELP

Does anyone know how I can turn my "link to my blog" banner into a button. Ya know, so my Bloggy friends can just copy and paste my code into their blog. Let me know.. Ive been doing some research but haven't found anything good yet to help me!!

Wordless Wednesday

Disney at night: Doesn't it almost look fake?

Tasty Tuesday

I am in a mexican mood and today I wanted to share my fresh salsa recipe! Check out Danielle from New Mommy Rant for a Firey Mango Salsa recipe.

Here is a delicious salsa recipe made with fresh ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 small cloves garlic, minced
3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeds removed, chopped
2 hot chile peppers, Serrano or Jalapeno, finely chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons lime juice
salt and pepper

PREPARATION:
Put chopped onion and garlic in a strainer; pour 2 cups boiling water over them then let drain throughly. Discard water. Cool.
Combine onions and garlic with chopped tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Serve with tortilla chips.

EAT & ENJOY!!

Bachelorette Party Fun

So I have to say, that the Bachelorette Party was super fun! The girls and I had a great time. With only minimal bumps along the way.Would you beieve that 4 hours before the party someone called me to tell us that we would have to pay $1500 hundred dollars to rent the Cabana? Thank god I am as confrontational as I am or I would be poor right now! Everything worked out once I opened my mouth!

We started out the night at the Italian Restaurant where we had great food and good laughs! Afterwards we went down to the casino bar - had a few drinks and gambled.Then we headed up to the room for a lingerie party..

Around 10 we headed down to the Pool for a wild night of drinking, dancing, and laughing. We had such a great time just being there with one another.

OK- so the big highlight of the night....... 2 of the boys from Entourage were there!! Hello Entourage only one of my FAVORITE shows on HBO!! So you can believe that the girls and I were super excited to see them...Lucky enough we made are way up to their Cabana and got to hang out for awhile!!

Check out some of the phots from the party:

AND NOW for the pics that really count..........

Happy Father's Day

Happy 1st Father's Day

to the # 1 Dad (and Bartender, besides me)

Pete Miller!!

Hey buddy- I hope you have a great 1st father's day!!

Happy Father's Day to all of the other great dad's out there!

Bachelorette Party Here We Come

Today I am off to my friend Erika's bachelorette party. I am the maid of honor and I have planned this whole event.. I am also very excited that Danielle and Heather from New Mommy Rant will also be attending this party - WooHoo!! Party Time!!

We are heading down to Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City for dinner followed by an awesome party!

We are having dinner at Polistina's Italian Restaurant

(which is seen below)

Followed by drinks & dancing at The Pool...

When the lights go down in the city, Harrah's Resort comes alive!Live out your fantasies with us and check your coat and your inhibitions at the door. Xhibition and Eden are their exciting bars located in the heart of the marina.

I reserved a Cabana(they are set up poolside with a flat screen TV, a table, 2 chairs, and a couch. We will also have bottle service in the Cabana so we don't have to wait on the long lines at the bar) for us girls so we can have a nice, relaxing night! What's really fun is that you can bring your bikini and go swimming at night!! There is DJ and dancing... So I'm sure it'll make for a fun night!! I'll be sure to take tons of pictures and post about it after the weekend!!

I hope every one has a fabulous weekend!

Schools Out For Summer

So I am happy to say that "Schools Out For Summer!"

Yes, today is my last day of school for the 2007 - 2008 school year. Yesterday my class had their Kindergarten Graduation and it was oh so cute!! They were so nervous to come out in their caps and gowns and stand infront of all their parents, grandparents,and friends.. Thankfully the

"ice was broken" when 2 of my kids fell of of their chairs as they sat down. Everyone started to laugh and they settled right in.

They sang songs(ABC Rock by Greg & Steve: it was too cute) and received their diploma's as everyone cheered them on! At the end of every year I say how this class was so special and that I will miss them dearly and that next year my class won't be as great! I get very attached to my class - I mean I see them every day, all day, every week, each month as the days go by throughout the year. We laugh, we cry, sometimes I yell(as teachers sometimes do). But all in all I will truly miss my rugrats next year.. I will hold a special place in my heart for this years class.. Here is a poem I put in their end of the year gifts - I thought it was sweet poem and really meaningful!

It's time to say good-bye

Our year has come to an end.

I've made more cherished memories and many more new friends.
I've watched your child learn and grow

and change from day to day.

I hope that all the things we've done

Have helped in some small way.
So it's with happy memories

I send them out the door,

With great hop and expectations

for what next year holds in store.

So like I said before schools out for summer - but that doesn't mean I'm off.. I have next week off and then I begin Summer Camp at my school. I am the Director of the camp! I have created a seven week long program for the students - so that will keep me busy every morning. I also babysit a 7 and 10 year old Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after camp - and I tutor on Tuesdays & Thursdays after camp.. Some summer vacation huh?... May August come quicly so I can really enjoy some of the summer...

Blog Readability

I saw this on Kat's Blog Mama's Losin' It!! Check her out - she's so much fun!!

I am happy to see that my blog's reading level is at a

college(postgrad) level..

Yay for being a smarty!! LOL - Just Kidding!

Movie Reviews

Bloggy Award

A big thanks to Melanie from Livin' With Me! for this very special Sharing the Love award! This award is special because Melanie's friend Crystal created it in honor of the donor who saved her sons life. Her son Noah had to have a heart transplant when he was just over a month old. This award is supposed to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

So, here are the rules Crystal gave:
“The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**
As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that “fit”. I didn’t want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??
So I created this award in Honor Of The Donor That Saved Noah’s Life. I share this award with those of you whose love and friendship have enriched my life and made my world a better place.
I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.”

So I am Sharing the Love and passing this very special award to everyone who visits and comments on my Blog on a daily basis. You all know who you are - and I want you to know that you are all special to me..

Thanks for all that you do -you truly deserve it!

Blog Re-Design

I am sooo happy with my bloggy makeover!!

Jess at Delicious Design Studio is seriously the BEST!!! I recommend her work to anyone and everyone who wants a blog makeover.. She is so creative and has the best ideas - I wish I had that talent!

Thanks again to everyone who voted for me in the contest that DDS had - thanks to all of you I won the Custom Header (and I soooo love it).

Hope everyone is having a great afternoon!!

And I hope you LOVE my new look!

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Brian,

My BF when he was little!!

100 Things About Me! And One for Good Luck!

YAY- I've made it to my 100th Post! Thanks to everyone who visits my blog!

So - here is 100 things about me. I hope you like it and learn more about me.

1. I was born on March 24, 1980 in Plainfield, NJ.

2. I was born 8 weeks early and weighed only 4 pounds 2 ounces.

3. I was only 12 hours old when I went on my 1st helicopter ride.

4. I used to be a lifeguard and swim instructor.

5. I worked at Old Navy & Banana Republic in high school.

6. I went to an all girls catholic high school.

7. Danielle & Heather (from New Mommy Rant) and I plegded the sorority Theta Phi Alpha our freshman year in college.

8. I graduated Monmouth University with a BA in Communication: Radio & TV.

9. I graduated Monmouth University with a Masters in Teaching!

10. My favorite color is pink.

11. I have a mom - Laurie & a brother - Chris.

12. I haven't seen my Dad in 12 years!

13. I love "Breyers" Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

14. and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

15. I love Turkey Tacos

16. anything Italian.

17. and salad.

18. Danielle (from New Mommy Rant) & I lived together for 3 years.

19. I have been to Disney World 10 times.

20. I love watching bad reality TV.

21. Grey's Anatomy is currently my favorite show.

22. Beverly Hills 90210 is my favorite show of all time.

23. I LOVE Jennie Garth.

24. In high school I spent 2 weeks traveling through Spain.

25. I've been to Aruba

26. the Bahamas

27. and Bermuda.

28. My 1st car was a 92 purple Saturn SC2.

29. My 2nd car was a 2000 Black 4 door Explorer XLT

30. Now I drive a 2007 red honda civic EX.

31. I've been in 5 weddings.

32. I shave my legs every time I take a shower - I hate having stubble on my legs.

33. I teach kindergarten.

34. I have lived in New Jersey all of my life.

35. I would love to move out of state - to somewhere warm.

36. Emily Giffin is my favorite author!

37. I don't go anywhere with out my sunglasses(even on rainy days) and Orbitz Bubblemint Gum.

38. I used to intern at VH1 in New York City.

39. I was in NYC at the time of 9-11.

40. I was stuck in NYC during 9-11 for over 10 hours all alone.

41. I bartended for 6 years. That's where I started dating my Boyfriend Brian - he was the owner!

42. Brian and I will be together for 7 years on October 2nd!

43. I hate when people ask me "when are you getting engaged or married?"

44. I LOVE Coach purses!

45. and Fendi purses.

46. and Gucci purses.

47. I REALLY want a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes

48. and a pair of Manolo's.

49. I "HEART" Sex and the City. I used to watch the DVD's over and over every night before I went to bed for 2 years straight!

50. I LOVE my birthday.

51. I LOVE Christmas!

52. I hate getting presents - it makes me feel uncomfortable!

53. I LOVE giving other people presents!

54. I love watching TMZ at 6:30 PM.

55. Jeopardy at 7 PM.

56. and Wheel of Fortune at 7:30 PM.

57. My favorite nail polish is Black Satin by Chanel!

58. Surprisingly I love to go camping with my friends; something about being out in the woods.

59. I hate to be sung to on my Birthday.

60. I love taking overnight trips to Atlantic City.

61. While in AC I like to play a game called Super Jackpot Party.

62. When I stay in hotels I LOVE to get room service.

63. My alcoholic drink of choice is orange vodka with cranberry juice and a splash of club soda with extra fresh lime.

64. I also love to drink champagne!

65. So far (knock on wood) I have only got 2 speeding tickets;1 for going 3 MPH over the speed limit (and the jerk took my PBA card away) and 1 for going 10 mph over the speed limit. I had to pay $450.00 for the 2nd ticket so I didn't get any points on my license... Boy was I pissed!!

66. I cry at sappy TV commericals.

67. I used to want 3 or 4 children. Now that I've been teaching I tell Brian: let's start with 1 and see how it goes!

68. I've always wanted to travel to Hawaii and see all of the islands.

69. Arizona is the closest I've gotten to the West Coast, I really want to go to California.

70. I drink coffee with french vanilla creamer.

71. I like Duncin Donuts SOOO much better than Starbucks.

72. I'm 5 foot (almost) 3 inches tall.

73. I love to sing all of the Johnny Cash songs from

"Walk The Line!"

74. I have Sirius Satellite Radio - I love to listen to Howard Stern. I also love to watch him on HowardTV. He may be crude - but he's brutally honest and I love that!

75. I have been to the Body Worlds Exhibit - seeing the bodies was creepy, but very interesting.

76. I love Oprah & Ellen - when i get home from work early I have a difficult time picking who to watch at 4. Lately Ellen has been winning.. She makes me laugh!

77. I put Cayenne Pepper on everything I eat. I like things soooo spicy & hot that my eyes water. I'm starting to think I'm ruining my tastebuds because I always find that my food is just not spicy enough!

78. Growing up I had 3 cats.

79. Now I love Dogs. I've had 2, Jax and Belle - both Britney Spaniels.

80. I played Field Hockey in High School - I was captain of my team.

81. Cooking is my passion and very theraputic for me. I love to try new recipes and ideas!

82. I love fruit; especially blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

83. I really enjoying going for rides on Brian's motorcycle.

84. When I was 17 and started driving I didn't know I had to get an oil change on my car(no one ever mentioned that to me) so I drove for 5 months without one.

85. One day when I cashed my paycheck i didn't realize until after I got home that the bank had given me too much money in my envelope. Well karma's a bitch cause that night I fell down the stairs and got a flat tire.

86. I love surprises!

87. When I was 15 I got sick from drinking Guiness! I soooo learned my lesson.

88. I'm a really great matchmaker. I set up 2 of my friends with their hubby/hubby to be!

89. I have blue eyes.

90. I have worn contacts since I was in the 6th Grade.

91. I had my tonsils out when I was 21! It really sucked.. I didn't eat anything for 2 1/2 weeks and I lost 20 pounds!

92. I gained all of the weight back as soon as I started eating again.

93. I have 3 tattoos. 1 on my foot, 1 on my back, and 1 on my stomach.. And my belly button pierced! My mom hates them all!

94. I want to get 2 of my tattoos removed.

95. Eventhoug I love my birthday - I hate getting older! Turning 28 was tough for me!

96. Even in the summer I love to sleep with multiple blankets.

97. I am the happiest when all of my friends and I are together.

98. My favorite thing to do is relax on the couch with my boyfriend and watch a movie and have dinner!

99. I wear a size 6 or 6 1/2 shoe.

100. The Rocky movies are probaly my favorite movies of all time! I cried during all of them!

101. I'm happy you've just finished reading 100 things about me!

Tasty Tuesday

Welcome to another edition of Tasty Tuesday. Check out Danielle at New Mommy Rant for another tasty salad recipe! We hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
1 pound extra-lean ground turkey breast

1 packet taco seasoning
1 head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced black olives
3/4 cup taco sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) package low-fat baked tortilla chips

Your favorite salsa

Preparation

Place turkey in a large deep skillet, season with garlic salt and taco seasoning and cook over medium high heat until fully cooked.

Crumble and set aside to cool.
Mix together the turkey, lettuce, green onions, kidney & black beans, cheese,and olives.
Before serving, mix in 2 cups broken tortilla chips. Garnish with whole chips and your favorite salsa and serve.

EAT & ENJOY!!

Lazy Meme Monday!

Another Meme Monday

What time did you get up this morning? 6:20 AM... I hate getting up early for school. % days left and counting!

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Sex and The City: The Movie

What is your favorite TV show? Do I really have to pick just one.... Grey's Anatomy, The Office, The Bachlorette, The Hills, The Shield, Entourage....

What do you usually have for breakfast? Oatmeal or Fruit and Yogurt

What is your middle name? Marie

What food do you dislike? Eggs and mayo
What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Honda Civic EX

What is your favorite sandwich? Turkey with American Cheese with lettuce, tomato, onions, oil, & vinegar.

Favorite item of clothing? Flip-Flops

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Hawaii & California

Favorite brand of clothing? Banana Republic & J. Crew
Where would you retire to? Maybe an island!
What was your most recent memorable birthday? Probably my 27th Birthday I celebrated with friends and Brian bought me a trip to Disney World!

Favorite sport to watch? Yankees Baseball....
Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person.... I could stay up all night long if I didn't have to get up for work in the morning!

What is your shoe size? 6 or 6 1/2 depending on the brand

Pets? 1 Brittany Spaniel - named Belle

What did you want to be when you were little? A lawyer

How are you today? So far so good.... .
What is your favorite candy? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - even though I never eat them..

What is your favorite flower? Hot Pink roses
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? uummmm....I can't say it's a surprise!

What are you listening to right now? The Sopranos

What was the last thing you ate?An ice pop

Do you wish on stars? Yes, all of the time!

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? PINK!

How is the weather right now? Beautiful....

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mommy

Favorite soft drink? A&W Diet Root Beer

Favorite restaurant? Any place that serves Lobster &

Shrimp Coctail

Hair color? Blonde
What was your favorite toy as a child? Dolls... I was a real girlie girl!

Summer or winter? Summer all the way!

Hugs or kisses? BOTH....

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla Bean

Coffee or tea? Iced Coffee

When was the last time you cried? Friday night after I visited my grandpa

What is under your bed? My winter clothes

What did you do last night? Watched a movie

What are you afraid of? Spiders & bees

How many keys on your key ring? Four - my house key, mom's house key, work key, & my car key
Favorite day of the week?Saturday

Do you make friends easily? YES!! I am very easy going!

I'm not going to tag anyone in particular today!! If you'd like to participate that'd be great... And make sure you stop by tomorrow to check out my 1ooth Post!!!!!!!

Grandfather Update

My grandfather is home and resting... Brian & I went to visit him Friday night.. Though he doesn't look great - he says he is feeling much better!

I had a talk with my grandmother and just hope I got through to her. She said she'd call me next time if something happens!

I cried the whole way home - thinking about what it would be like not to have him in my life...

Let's keep our fingers crossed that he feels ok for awhile!

Thanks for all of your kind wishes and words!

Healthy Foods

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day!

Spinach
Why: Sexual enhancement, Muscle growth, Heart healthy, Bone builder, Enhances eyesight

Yogurt

Why: Cancer fighter, Bone builder, Boosts immunity

Tomatoes
Why: Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Carrots
Why: Cancer fighter, Boosts immunity, Enhances eyesight

Blueberries
Why: Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy,

Boosts immunity

Black Beans
Why: Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

Walnuts
Why: Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Oats
Why: Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

I love almost all of the things on this list!! And I actually eat most of them every week...

I LOVE black beans and tomatoes, especially cooked together!! But, YUCK I don't like walnuts... WooHoo for spinach - a sexual enhancement!!

Any of your favorites on this list?

Grandparents Rant

So I go home yesterday and when I arrive my mom tells me that my grandfather(who is 87 years old - has horrible heart conditions - mulitple bypasses- constant chest pain, do you get the point) had a heart attack! She continued to tell me that it happened Tuesday(but hello, yesterday was Thursday - why didn't anyone tell me?). I asked her why she didn't tell me and she proceeds to state that my grandmother didn't want to call anyone because she thought he'd be out of the hospital quickly! She didn't want to bother us. HELLO? Bother us, I mean really.. As I started to get all teary-eyed I said to my mom that it is soooo unfair that my grandmother does this. (because it hasn't been the 1st time that he's been admitted to the hospital and she hasn't called) So i guess I shouldn't be surprised - but it makes me angry. What if something happened? What if he died? What if no one knew? What if my grandma was alone? What if I didn't get to say goodbye.? What I keep running over and over in my head is, "What if I didn't get to say goodbye?" I know people don't live forever. I know he has lived a long, happy life. And I know I will have to prepare myself, I guess in some ways I have. But it doesn't make it any easier.

I am leaving in a few minutes to go visit! And I think I'm going to have a talk with my grandma and let her know that it's not alright for her to not tell the family.

I know my mom already spoke to her - but still... I know she feels like she is "bothering" us but come on; we're family!! And if family can't be there in a time of need who will? Right?

Grrr...... The frustration and anxiety never ends, I swear!

My grandparents & I at my brother's wedding!

How I love him so......

Random Recipes

I love to participate in Pam's Random Recipe exchange. Today we are to post our favorite drink recipe.

I got this drink recipe right from the Food Network. It is so easy and very, very yummy! Gotta love FoodTV!

-Lava Flows-

Pina Coladas with Rivers of Strawberry

These can be made as mocktails for the kids or cocktails for "big kids". The recipe calls for defrosted frozen sliced strawberries. When you bring them home from the market, place them on a dish in the refrigerator so they will be soft and ready to process. The dish will catch any leaks or moisture from defrosting.

Ingredients

2 cups frozen sliced strawberries in juice, defrosted

2 cans coconut milk drink mix (recommended: Coco Lopez)

2 cups pineapple juice

6 shots coconut rum (try malibu or parrot pay for best results)

* For mocktails, omit liquor and use a few extra ice cubes

1 tray of ice

Preparation
Blend strawberries in a blender on high until smooth. Place 1/2 cup strawberry puree in the bottom of 4 hurricane or double rocks cocktail glasses. Rinse blender and return to motor base. Place remaining ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour pina coladas into glasses on top of the strawberry puree. The puree will run up through the pina colada, making a lava flow effect.

Nice Afternoon

I had a very nice afternoon!! Met my Mom, Danielle, and Eliza after work.. Danielle and I had to get our dresses altered for our friends wedding that we are in, in the end of June!! Then we went back to my mom's house for dinner... It's so great getting together with my mom and friend!! Couldn't ask for a happier time! I absolutely adore Eliza - I love showering her with kisses and hugs!

Thanks for a great night!!

P.S. - Happy birthday to my brother Chris!!

Teacher Buttons It Up For The Classroom...... Thank God!

Being a teacher I found this interesting!

A little strange, but interesting!

You probably haven’t met Ms. Lopez -- the art teacher at Public School in Brooklyn. But she looks exactly like you’d imagine an elementary school art teacher to look. You know, chestnut brown curls pinned in a million places. Hand-made dresses sewn to perfection, worn with neon tights. She’s 32-years-old, no wedding ring.

But that’s where the art teacher stereotype ends.I know it’s hard to imagine, but Ms. Lopez, like all other teachers, has a life. She doesn’t live inside the school and sleep under her desk. In fact, she’s actually sleeping with Mr. Velazquez, the assistant principal. She’s got more scandal going on than the former New York governor.

Meet the Ms. Lopez the student’s never see.Ms. Lopez is better known as Jalisa to her friends and family. She lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with her best friend Carrie, a 27-year-old associate producer for a talk show. Carrie and Jalisa’s apartment is a tiny -- but adorable. You may have seen it before. Their modern-romantic house tour was a featured in Apartment Therapy’s “Small is Cool” contest last year. The $2400 a month two-bedroom is all they can afford on their combined $100,000 a year salary. Between the two of them, they pay $720 a month in school loans. They also enjoy a few $14 cocktails once in a while and who can blame them for an occasional fashion splurge at a SoHo boutique.

Jalisa went with her passion when choosing an undergraduate major at Boston University. She didn’t realize until after graduation that a bachelor’s degree in painting would only earn her $22,000 a year at a Newbury Street Art Gallery. Two years after she swore she was finished forever with school, she started classes at Teachers College at Columbia University. She makes $53,000 a year now -- a Master’s degree later and three years into her new career.“I know I shouldn’t admit this. But I wasn’t one of those little girls who dreamed of becoming a teacher,” Lopez said. “I am an artist. Teaching is fine. But it’s what I do to pay the bills.”

Lopez’s lifestyle is certainly more of the carefree artist than the buttoned-up art teacher, not that she’d ever let her students in on the secret.Getting back to that little affair with the assistant principal.It all started during one of her required classroom observations. She needs three satisfactory ratings this school year to earn tenure for next fall. Only Mr. Velazquez preferred to drop in at least three times a week.“I figured he had a crush, but I didn’t mind. It’s a rough neighborhood and some of these kids are bigger than me,” Lopez said. They (the kids) don’t threaten me when there’s a man in the room.”So how did a little extra observation turn into an x-rated tryst?“He called me into his office for a ‘formal meeting.’ And yeah, it’s so cliché … but it was hot,” she said. Lopez says the extra “side drama” helps her get through the difficult days. “I take a lot of abuse. This is the inner-city,” she said. “But I have control of my boss. That could keep anybody going.”

But Mr. Velazquez isn’t the only reason Ms. Lopez makes it through the school day. “I do have those amazing moments when I really get through to a child. I watch them create something for the first time. That’s when it’s worth it,” she said.And there’s also help from Mr. Brown, a third grade teacher whose room is right next-door. Theirs is a bit more relationship-like. They have lunch together every day in his backroom. He orders Chinese and she brings in an organic salad. They go out for drinks after work and commiserate. Sometimes she spends time at his apartment. But she’d never dream of taking him home to the apartment she shares with Carrie.

“These guys aren’t the kind of guy I’d like in my own setting. Does that even make sense?” she said. “I mean, I still have a roommate in her 20s. We still post our drunken weekend pictures on facebook. These guys are way too old for that.”So by now, you’re probably searching for Jalisa’s drunken escapades. Don’t expect to find her. “I’m not trying to lose my job here. I know how to set everything to private and I certainly don’t use my real name,” she said. “I find my friends, they don’t find me.”If you did find Jalisa’s profile, you’d notice she’s “in a relationship.” So is Mr. Brown her boyfriend? No way. Jalisa’s man is Carrie’s age –- a hipster graphic designer who lives on the Lower East Side.

So much for those teacher assumptions, huh?