We May Have Lost the Game....

...But We Won the Party

Army Will Come To Play

From GoBlackKnights.com -

Army heads into the Navy game decidedly an underdog. Seven years of losing to the Mids, facing a Navy team that took Ohio State to the brink at the horseshoe, and knocked off Notre Dame in South Bend.

But this year is different. Army-Navy means something even more. A win puts Army in a bowl game, and although the Mids may be looking as strong as ever, don't count the Black Knights out.

Army will come to play.

Damn Skippy! And The TravelDiva...THE 12th MAN...will cheer, hoop and holler till the very end.

Bringing On the Christmas Magic

With all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, sometimes we forget to take time and do something special, thoughtful or just be in the moment with our families & friends. Phone calls, job stuff, odd stuff around the house...just plain distractions often keep us from being "in the moment" with our family, especially our kids.

While most of my kids are pretty much grown, we have our newest addition to the Kingdom, Princess Cara, who still believes in Santa Clause & will debate you on the subject of whether Reindeer can fly (they can!). Our little princess is still have the magic in her eyes, the joy and wonder of the simpliest things and I don't want to be the one to stamp it out because I have to meet a deadline or the floor just HAS to be mopped right damn now.

My new blogfriend, LadyWonderLust, posted up her list of 12 Days of Christmas Childhood Magic and I was inspired to put together my own list...This is a list of 12 things I will DO (they key here is to not just write it down as a wish list, but to actually execute) to bring back for myself or maintain for my kids the Magic of Christmas. I would love to hear your 12 Days of Christmas List...that you will really do. Post em here in the comments or do your own list on your blog and let me know. Let's keep each other "In The Spirt".

Tales from Italy - Day 7, August 28th, 2005

Good Tastes of Tuscany

With only 2 more days left in the Italy Adventure, Mom and I were off to our Good Tastes of Tuscany Italian Immersion Advanced Cooking Class. All day of cooking, eating, and drinking. We were picked up at the Hotel Hell, and driven out to the 13th-century Villa Pandolfini, which is surrounded, by olive groves, vineyards and gardens.


Native Florentine Chefs Lisa Banchieri and Maurizio Moretti greeted us. After having a cup of espresso and visiting the gardens, we were presented our menu that we would prepare. Fettunta (meaning oil sliced) - an type of Toscana crostini Stracchino & Sausage Crostini Artichoke and Ricotta Ravioli Stuffed Chicken Thighs in Crust Dolce Forte - Caramelized Cipolini (Caramelized Small Onions) Tiramisu (meaning pick me up) 'Nuff said. We learned how to make everything from scratch, including making pasta and pizza crust, making a dough to cover meats, making the best tiramisu in the world and drinking a whole lot of wine. We received an apron and all of the recipes to make at home. Can you say "Dinner Party!”?

We were dropped off at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, called The Duomo. There is a painting of Dante with the Divine Comedy inside. We did some shopping around the plaza looking
for Fontinini statues and found a small store that sold them but not a lot of selection. Found some Murano and Venetian glass. Bought some doo dads, had another gelato and headed back for the hotel.

I thought I was going to get beat up by a street vendor for stepping on her sheet that she had laid out in the middle of the sidewalk. Mom and I ignored here as she ranted and raved about me stepping in her territory. Whatever. We arrived back at Hotel Hell to be greeted by 3 tour buses of people. Retreating to our room, I tried to order room service, but they didn't answer the phone. I ended up walking around the corner to a little booth that sold snacks. We ended our culinary adventure with two beers and a can of Pringles.

Tomorrow is our last day. We are going for the full Florence Immersion. We have a tour of the
Accademia Gallery (the art of Michelangelo) in the morning, a guided visit to the Uffizi Gallery (works of art by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and more), and then end our day with Florence by night with dinner, music and dancing.

Online Shopping - According to Foamy

Thursday Thoughts

You call 20x prior to Thanksgiving asking who is gonna pick you up, when are they coming, can you come over early etc. etc. Turkey Day rolls around and you say you have a ride and will be there by 2pm.

You never showed. Never called. Silence. Empty place setting.

There are good days and bad days with this job. I hate having to wait. I got better things to do. Today was irritating to say the least.

The African American Service Academy Graduate Super Reunion is going to be an absolute blast if the planning meeting last night was any indication.

Sitting at my last appointment for the day....45 minutes after my scheduled appointment time. In walks the next sales rep exuding happiness & light - a male with the enthusiasm of somebody on fire. If he doesn't stop grinning up in my mug piece, I'm going to stab in in they eye with my pen.

The low engine oil light came on as I was backing out of the garage with no man unit in sight. I had to lift the hood, check the oil level, add a quart ALL BY MY SELF. I didn't have time to be a Diva in Distress. Had to do what I had to do and keep it moving.

I didn't say I liked it.

That Nestle Hotline thing was hilarious. Good to see a company that has a sense of humor.

So, she calls Mom 4 days after Thanksgiving saying she's fainting and having heart palpitations. "Take off work tomorrow so you can take me to the hospital. I'll call you when to get me."

Two days have passed...no word. Guess she still lives.

Tiger (Pussycat) Woods...I don't really care about the details. Elin handled her business and now THEY have to handle their marriage, life & prenup all by their damn selves. He didn't kill anyone. He got busted for sheer stupidity (sexting; 3 different ho's - DUMBAZZ) and killed a fire hydrant. Team Elin. I hope he gets his head out his azz. I hope that another dumb, weak, user of the tiny brain man doesn't destroy his kids & family over a piece of cheap azz.

Other than that, I couldn't care less. I have not lost one iota of sleep. Trust.

Mayor Dixon convicted over $1000 worth of gift cards. Really? Wow. How much money do you think was wasted on having this trial. I bet it was more that all those gift cards.

I so want to dislike button in FB. Why? Cause people are dumb AND crazy. Especially those that are really passionate & insane in their hatred of a person or thing. I don't argue with crazy, so a dislike button would satisfy my need to express my disdain for bytchassedness.

Please STOP inviting me to "Blastoff" and shop at you online mall so you can make money of me and/or asking me to join to set up my own website "before all my friends find out about it". It ain't happening. Keep inviting me and you will be gone. Mkay?

I love pulling up to my house at night and seeing the lights. I need more as it really isn't at scale to the house. Shameful...or shameless.

I can't wait for my Army-Navy party. We are going to have a marvelous time. Wanna come? It's as for football.

Go Army!

If we beat Navy, then we will be in a bowl game played at RFK on December 29th.

BEAT NAVY!

Dear (Blog) Secret Santa....

I am so excited about the blogger secret Santa that Pserendipity set up. I've got my fellow blogger that I am to select a gift for and have been reading their blog daily - combing thru the archives trying to figure out the perfect gift. Since the person I selected is relatively new to me, I'm having to learn about and infer stuff just by reading. I can't interact extensively with them right now as it would kill the secret. Sigh.

I'm hoping that they post a hint over the next few days so I can be about my mad hunt (just another excuse to shop) for my interpretation of said hint.

Since I'm soliciting a hint or two, I thought I'd post a little blurb about my preference (or proclivities) to help my Secret Santa out.

• People know me as the TravelDiva (duh). If it is related to traveling...I'm in.
• I have, on numerous occasions, been called out for my sparkly fabulousness and am easily distracted by shiny, sparkly, bedazzled things. (ie. review pictures...I always wear a brooch - the more sparkly the better, the bigger the better).
• I even bejewel my hair. Seriously. Don't judge me.
• I have a shoe fetish that is unrivaled with a closet to hold the in. DSW certificate?
• I collect odd things...snow globs & masks from ever place I've traveled. I like em big. One of either with an interesting story or from where you are from would be equally as loverly.
• You can NEVER go wrong with anything related to red wine or martini's. I'm not an alcoholic...I'm a professional drinker.
• Don't tell anyone, but I love all things Bath & Body Works. SHHHHH. NO JUDGING REMEMBER.

Bottom line...if it screams DIVA, sparkles and/or is girly, I'm going to be ecstatic.

...and in actuality, any gift I receive that is from the heart and giving with as much caring & thought as I know the people involved are putting into this will be a blessing and greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Santa.

Tales from Italy - Day 6 - April 27th, 2005

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Today we took a tour to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

It was much more impressive in person than anything that I have ever seen in pictures. I took a wonderful video of a guard singing in the Baptistery, which has a "perfect" echo due to the architectural design. I signed my mother and I up for a climb to the top of the Tower and she was such a trooper. Mom made it all the way to one level below the top and I of course climbed all the way to the top to touch the flag. What a spectacular view of the Cathedra, Baptistery, surrounding town of Pisa and the Alps in the background. Just plain impressive.

We had some time to kill before we had to get back on the train, so we shopped the booths along the wall - mom bought a really nice leather purse and I've added to the snow globe collection. We then decided we need a few more pounds on our body and went to the gelato stand. OH MY GOODNESS.... this was the best "ice cream" I have ever had. So good I was trying to lick the little bowl, but mom held be back and made me pace myself. That stuff they are selling in the mall IS NOT gelato. Must have more before I get back to starvation, workouts, and my personal trainer from hell.

We arrived back in Florence and did some more shopping for gifts for our friends and family so I can't tell you what I got or it would not be a surprise. After dropping off our bags in the hotel we were back out to go to a restaurant that came HIGHLY recommended call "Il Latini". When we arrived, there was a line outside that went up the block or rather piazza. Well, being the travel snobs were are - WE HAD A RESERVATION - we went right to the front of the line and I almost had to kick off the Murano walking shoes and hand my jewelry to mom in order to commence the Ass Whooping this group of ladies from NY were about to get for getting hostile about us going to the front. They DID NOT have a reservation and wanted to swear that the restaurant does not take reservations. They proceeded to tell us to get in the end of the line. I promptly let her know that I DID have a reservations, that they needed to be made IN ADVANCE (see the damn crowd idiot) and that we were staying put. Mom steps up behind me as if she has my back (she did) and put an ominous look on her face.

Obviously, the NY ladies did not realize that an angry black woman, backed up by an angry white woman is nothing to mess with. She promptly backed down.

We get in the restaurant and to our surprise there really isn't a menu. The waiter tells you what your choices are for each course and that's what you get. He gets mad and down in the mouth if you decided you don't want a course - heck, I was about to burst after the antipasti course. (Would have helped if I slowed down on the Chianti). Nevertheless, for all the hoopla, the food was okay. The restaurant was a huge tourist trap. No locals, almost everyone was American. It was entertaining, the company was good, but for all the talk I thought it was going to be more authentic. Harry's Bar was much more real (expensive) but worth it. iL Latini was cheap (50 euros for two) but average and touristy. Oh well. The Chianti bottle we killed definitely made up for it.

Tomorrow we are off for our Tuscany "Italian Immersion" Advanced Cooking Class. This should be a hoot.

This Is How We Do It - Christmas Decorating

This is how we do it here at True Blessings with the Christmas Decorating. For the last 15 years+ we spend the Friday (weekend) after Thanksgiving putting up our Christmas Decorations. The rule is...if you can't land aircraft by my lights, then you don't have enough. PERIOD. We have to get all the decorations up by the 1st weekend in December. WHY? Because the Army-Navy Football game is usually played the 1st Saturday in December and if the game is not played in Baltimore/DC then we host a HUGE football party. If it is local then we even host an afterparty...it's tradition.

Thus, decorating frenzy.

Here are some pics from our decorating madness this weekend. My mother hasn't even started on the Fontanini Holiday Display; however, this year she has until the 12th to get it all done. We got a little breathing room as the A-N game is not till the 2nd Saturday.

Thanksgiving Table

The table is set and now everybody is hovering around (damn people, it is only 10am) asking is it done yet? While I use the same "formal" china (if you can call it that) that I have collected over the years and added to in the same family. I do change up my centerpieces or do a table scape (ahem...Pattie) different for the occassion but I am especially fond of decorative napkin folding to jazz it up.

I put this little video together for you on how to do the napkin pictured above called The Cats Paw. Enjoy and I pray you are having a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Nintendo WiiFit Plus Party

I don't even know what to say except WOW!!!!!! This was the second Nintendo event that I have been invited to and let me tell ya - I AM A NINTENDO FAN - as well as a fan of the hosts that were gracious enough to invite me.

Last night we went to a gallery in Bethesda and we "worked out" the new training programs on the WiiFit Plus. What a hoot and a dag on good workout to boot. My favs were the Yoga routine (I can't wait to try the new advanced poses they added), Kung Fu Rythm, Obstacle Course & the Hula Hoop. Shelly kicked all of our butts with on the Hula Hoop workout with something like 330 spins - none of us even came close. OneFromPhilly has got that Obstacle Course down pat - perhaps her fondness for WipeOut was the key.

The people from Nintendo were awesome AGAIN as as usual. Most of the time you didn't even know they were there, but they were a lot of fun. Thank you, Sean for gracing us with not one, but two renditions of making "BIG CIRCLES." Sigh.

The food & beverages were fabulous (it was a real stretch not to be greedy, but those rolls were slammin').

The night ended with CreoleInDC (our hostess) being presented with a Wii Game System and the WiiFit Plus...but it wasn't over...cause "EVERYBODY IS GOING HOME WITH A WiiFit PLUS!" We started jumping up and down, screaming like we were on an episode of Oprah's Favorite Things. But that's not all. I commented at the beginning of the event that I would really love to have the Nintendo WiiFit Jacket that the Nintendo people had on...AND GUESS WHAT...(*cue screaming*)...we all got one.

JUST FABULOUS!!!!!

Thank you and much props goes to Nintendo and CreoleInDC for such a wonderful time and awesome opportunity. I'm hooking mine up today and we are gonna get some family fit time on.

Thursday Thoughts

I don't find it difficult to find things to be thankful for. Shoot...just cause I wake up, I am thankful.

Maria at the Columbia Mall Williams & Sonoma was the epitome of customer service & knowledge. She almost sold me the dag on store.

On the other hand, NY & Company just got kicked to the proverbial curb. I don't use your friggin card for 13 months, so when I do, you want to run a credit check. Ummm....HELLZ NO! You don't need to run no damn credit check for a t-shirt. No playa. I don't think you are worth any of my money. Bye.

My neighbors cut down almost every tree around their house. I'm talking old growth trees...all the way back to the creek. Desolate is the word I'd use. Ugly is another.

Am I angry all the time at someone or something on my blog? Nope. After a review of 300 posts, 5 were "angry" at someone or something. Under 2% does not angry make. Is my language direct & to the point. Yep. Angry all the time...no. However, perception is reality.

Speaking of perception...I understand that the perception is that I live a charmed life. Yes, we are blessed. However, we didn't get here all magical like; it wasn't handed to us on a silver platter. Hard work, perseverance, commitment to our goals, taking risks (that have made my knees buckle on occassion) & failing forward are just some of what it took (and takes) to live this life.

I choose not to share all of my/our bag of woes, hardships and moments of despair with the world. Doing so would not change anything (there are enough people that like to share misery to go around) or what we need to do.

I choose to be happy and revel in the wonderful moments...."because in the end, it is not the years in your life, it's the LIFE in your years."- Abraham Lincoln

I agree that to whom much is given, much is expected.

However, that does not make me infallible or perfect. Ohhhh, I'm so far from it. I am a work in progress...trying to become like silver refined.

I make mistakes. I have been known to occasionally say or do something stoopit. I apologize for my imperfections and moments of insanity. Trust me...I do learn and grow from them. (And take drugs for my "nerves")

With that said, I sincerely apologize if I hurt someone by expressing my disappointment and confusion in a public forum. My method & tone was wrong. I'm sorry and wish them all the best.

Princess Cara lost her 1st tooth this past weekend. I played the role of Tooth Fairy (you know that was NOT a stretch) and I will probably have a recurring role in several upcoming dramatic episodes of "As The Tooth Falls Out"

I went back to a gym I used to teach kickboxing at to take their 3 week boot camp. HUMPH. I don't think I will be signing up for another round. The music is WAAAAYYY to fast for safety, improper technique is still used and laying down on the carpet that everybody wears their street shoes on to do exercises is just GROSS. I'll pass.

I am really loving my new "used" florescent beige hooptie. I affectionately call her Loverly.

Loverly is paid for. GMAC (and most other lenders) can bite my azz. You get a bail out of gazillions of dollars and now don't want to lend 2 cents to anybody. o_O

BTW...how you gonna tack on a $2800 "expense advance" (what da hell is that) charge to my bill and then when asked what da hell - you say "you're not sure what it is for."

Guess what...I ain't paying ish until you KNOW and EXPLAIN (and it better make some damn sense). I wonder how many people you've tried to play as boo boo the fool with that one.

Sitting at my District Meeting, I look around and once again I am the ONLY person of any color beyond the tanning bed session in the room. Sigh.

The Sunday BIG BREAKFAST has been elevated to family tradition along with Christmas Decorations put up starting the day after Thanksgiving (we don't shop, we build) ; the Army-Navy Party & Christmas PJ's. I LOVE IT!

Prince Jordan - Master of the Universe, Heir to the Empire - is coming home on Saturday for Thanksgiving. It is nearly KILLING me to not act like the mom in Transformers2. I am making the necessary Costco run (by request). Anything for the future King.

What your your thoughts this rainy, thundering Thursday?

My Two Peas in a Pod

Tales from Italy - Day 5 - April 27th, 2005

Traveling to Florence

It started off as a wonderful day.. We get up leisurely and go for a morning stroll and then for breakfast at an outdoor cafe. While at the cafe, we decided that Wednesday's is the day when crazy people are let out of the asylum to air out. We had several people walk by that talk to themselves, one man that stopped in front of the cafe and cursed, ranted and raved for about 10 minutes in Italian (too bad we couldn't understand a word he yelled) and you assorted unusuals. It was one of the most entertaining mornings we have had.

We loaded up our luggage to the train station, where once we were dropped off, we were completely clueless. Out ticket is in Italian and the train board is in Italian. I got the trusty HP out with the translation software on it and proceed to slowly but surely, decipher our ticket and
what platform we needed to be on. 30 mins later, I figure it out and we hustle to catch our train. We get to the front of the train and now I can't figure out which car to get on. It is not marked Coach or First Class. Looking like a deer in headlights, this seemingly kind woman takes us under her arm and escorts us to the right car, helps load our luggage, gets us to our seats all for the bargain price of 5 euros each. It was worth it. I was on the verge of a melt down.

The train ride was very pleasant and scenic. We arrived in Florence, found a taxi and arrived at the "hotel". Okay, call me snob, diva, WHATEVER. This hotel is not the Westin- not even close. We get up to our room and we can barely get our bodies let alone the luggage inside the room which consists of two twin beds, a mini bar (thank God) a bathroom that you can't sneeze in or
you'll fall into the bidet and a desk. There is about a 2ft corridor separating the desk from the bed and the bed from the wall. OKAY. I'm trying to deal. No heavenly bed. OH MY GOD - what is a diva to do.

SHOP.

I hauled mom out of the hotel and we proceed to do a two mile march toward the Ponte Vecchio which is a bridge lined with jewelry and other shops. I was so distraught I had to buy myself this
beautiful red leather jacket. After a sob story about how we were suffering and giving a couple of kisses on the cheek, we knocked off 60 euro for a nice bargain. Mom says that if I had let him touch the girls, he might of knocked of another 100. He certainly was eyeing them.

We strolled the two miles back. (I really didn't know that I was dragging mom on a four mile trek). The dogs were talking. We had two beers in the lobby, when the tour buses arrived. This place just sucks. Even the cartoon channel is in Italian. The lobby is supposed to be wifi. NOT.
Intermittent at best and they wont let you buy a computer card for the computers sitting in the middle of the lobby for more than an hour at 5 euros each. Can you say not even Holiday Inn. OKAY so we only have to sleep here.

We went next door for dinner (pizza) which was pretty good by the way, but to ruin the moment in comes 2 more 'yucky Americans' who demanded that the Italian waiter explain the entire menu to them in English. I thought I was going to die. Mom held me back from throwing the translator at them and cursing them for not even trying-no wonder they talk about us. We finished and left.

We are now killing time on the computer in the lobby so we don't have to go to our room.
Tomorrow we will be up for an all day tour to Pisa-and yes I'm making mom climb the thing.

Till tomorrow for the continuing saga of the Diva's do Italy

FREE TOYS Puts Everyone in a Good Mood

Tis the season to be thankful and to be of good cheer. Right now, I need a pick me up myself so what better way to lift my spirits and perhaps that of some blessed readers with some FREE TOYS!

Ebeanstalk Announces their Cutest Kid Playing-With-A-Toy Contest.
(You know you really don't have a chance cause Princess Cara is THE CUTEST kid - I know, I'm biased - but I'll let ya'll have a chance anyway).

So, here is the deal...

Take a picture of your little one playing with a toy, and email the picture to emily@ebeanstalk.com. It's just that easy.

You don't have to leave a comment (but one would be nice). You don't have to post on FB or Twitter (but passing it on would be friendly). Just take your sweet bundle of joy (ie. RUG RAT) picture playing with a toy - any toy - sent it emily@ebeanstalk.com and you are done.

Be 1 of 10 lucky winners to win a $50 gift certificate at ebeanstalk this holiday. Entries will be chosen on their cuteness-level.

Privacy ensured! Entrants will not be spammed. Do not send your address for privacy purposes - just email and the FIRST name of your child.

For everyone: All blog readers will receive a 10% discount at ebeanstalk of any purchase. Enter the code ebeanstalk100 at the cart!

Ebeanstalk is a website dedicated to selecting great, safe baby toys and kids toys. They rely on the opinions and feedback of bloggers and moms around the country. Also their team of child experts help to pick out unique toys...but you be the judge!

Winners will be picked at random on 12/1/2009. GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW!

It Is No Wonder...

Last night the FireMarshall and I went to Stat.ion.9 to help celebrate our GodNeice's 21st Birthday and we both sat there with our mouths hanging open - me clutching my virtual pearls & the FM scowling and ready pull off his belt and begin to azz whoppin on the whole club.

What we saw happening in terms of "dancing" (if you could even call it that) and dress was equivalent to watching soft p.o.r.n live and in living color. We watched as young "ladies" in their early 20's, most of them Ho.war.d U students come to this club dressed exactly like garden implements - STRAIGHT UP HO's. Dresses so frigging tight that it left us with no doubt that they had absolutely NO undergarments on. They couldn't possibly. Dresses, skirts & shorts so frigging short that with one gyration of a hip, we were given proof positive that they didn't have panties on and that the hedge needed to be trimmed. We couldn't understand why they just didn't come in a their underwear or nothing at all. I had more material in my own bloomers than at least 2 girls put together.

However, the dress code (if you could even call it that) was not what really sent me into my Prudish Clutching Pearls moment...it was they way these chicks were dancing. We were absolutely MORTIFIED. We watched as several girls actually bent over at the waist, backed it up, backed it down & all around while the guy de jour tapped that azz to the beat of the music. Then it got so intense, that they would get into a kind of chain to execute what I could only describe as a group chex line (or they would hold onto the pillar if they were near one) - girls would bend over & hold the waist of the guy in front & so on - so that they could get a better grip and apply more force/leverage so the guy could simulate tappin it. I watched as girls would squat down down to crotch level or EVEN KNEEL ON THE FRIGGIN FLOOR while the guy would simulate gyrating his hips as if the girl was doing oral sans ropas. GTFOOH!!!!!!

Is dance floor chex a new dance move? We watched as the young college girls that had the whole life ahead of them dress and act like garden tools. We watched in horror as these girls (one was freakin so hard she blew two buttons off her dress - and asked the girl sitting next to me for a safety pin - WTF For?!!!) did their best performance for a chex film entitled College Girls Do Entire Club. I simply could not fix my face for one more minute of these shenanigans. The FireMarshall looked at me over the top of his glasses and that was the cue for us to roll out.

It is no wonder, no surprise AT ALL, that a more than a fair share of men these days treat women like hoo.kers, talk to them any ole kind of way, treat them like dirt, maybe even hit on them. NO WONDER.

When a woman ACTS LIKE A HO, DRESSES LIKE A HO....YOU ARE GONNA BE TREATED LIKE A HO. PERIOD.

Ladies...if the shoe fits, wear it. However, we have GOT to do better. If those are your shoes, get new ones.

You can't expect a man to treat you with respect if you don't treat yourself with respect. You can't expect to find Prince Charming in the man you let hump you in a night club and then passed you to his buddies like a piece of meat. He WILL NOT be taking you home to meet mama. You can't expect to behave like that and then expect him to see the nurturing, beautiful woman you are who will be the mother of his children. Stop acting shocked when the man you were chexing up in the club calls you a Byatch or worse when in the heat of an argument. You already set the standard of behavior.

Men are pretty simple creatures when you boil it down. They are hunters. They learn how to hunt different prey through experience. They learn what they can and can not do/get away with in order to have a successful hunt. The way they hunt for a quick meal is vastly different from the way they hunt for the future Mrs. Gatherer. I know for a fact that a man can look at me and KNOW that I AM NOT THE ONE to come at with some craziness or jedi mind tricks. It is all in the respect I have for myself, my demeanor, my carriage, the way I dress etc. However, the ladies doing the stuff & dressing the way I saw last night are setting themselves up to be quick prey; thrown to the side with your entrails hanging out on the side of the road. STOP IT.

Men won't do right by you till you do right by yourself. STOP IT. DO BETTER. NOW.

I'm just saying. What you think?

Random SideEye Opinions on Internet Opinions

If you are going to put a post up about something you did or are contemplating doing and ask your audience to give their feedback on it....IF YOU ASK FOR AN OPINION...

• expect to get some.
• expect that not everyone is drinking your brand of dumb ish Koolaid.
• expect that not everyone is going to co-sign on bad behavior & bytchassedness
• expect to get a few opinions opposite than your own brand of crazy.

...and if those opinions are given in a respectful manner (no cussing or name calling) then don't get your panties in a damn bunch and call those people "haters" or worse. Seriously.

If you can't handle the fire, then get out the damn kitchen and stop asking for opinions/advice from virtual strangers.

It seems as if more and more people, especially on these here Internets, are just a bunch of passive aggressive wimps that can't have a decent, mature, rational discussion regarding conflict or issues. Get a pair...Please!

I suppose I'm filled with hateration. Yeah, whatever.

Anybody who knows me, knows that I jacked out of the Matrix a long time ago and am just a crazy azz "nice lady". Don't let the cute smile fool ya.

If asked, I speak my mind and am not going to babysit, pick & choose my words, walk on eggs sells around you, etc. etc. so as to not possible hurt your feelings. If you are doing grown folk stuff then I'm going to talk to you as a grown folk. PERIOD. If you can't handle my shot glass of truth, delivered in a respectful manner, then perhaps you should go back up on the porch with the puppies. STOP WHINNING, stop complaining, sniveling about your lot in life and why things do ever change...blah, blah, blah. Assess your situation, review the advice received (from your wisest Top Mafia), do your due diligence and MAKE A COMMAND DECISION. This business of lying on that nail IS childish. Grown folk doing grown folk stuff need to get off the porch & run with the big dawgs if you plan on having a decent, rewarding life.

Don't shoot the messenger cause you are trying to drink the hard stuff when you are still on the baby bottle.

Get yourself some pabulum (intellectual nourishment) and straighten your spine. Mkay?

Jeeze people.

Let's band together and STOP GLOBAL WHINING!

Honoring Our Veterans

It's Veterans Day. I give thanks and am blessed by all those who gave their lives and continue to serve so we can live in the The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

Hug a Veteran. Say a prayer for our fallen & those still serving...and in case you didn't know how Veterans Day came about and why it is always on November 11th....

The Origins of Veterans Day.

Grown Women Gone Wild

This past weekend Swaz and I flew our girlfriend in to celebrate her 50th Birthday. I can best sum up the fun, drama & good times with a few key statements heard (or rather exclaimed) from us at some point during the weekend:

• "Travel Diva...I'm Lost...it's HORRRRIBLE!!!!"
• "WOOOOW. All I can say is WOW!"
• "Bwahaaahaaahaaaaaa....!!!"
• "Ladies, you are at a Level 10...let's try Level 7."
• "Let's see if my face will fit in the glass. HEY! It does."
• "I think I have alcohol poisoning."
• "Jesus, be some water & aspirin."

We had an absolute blast. It was a short weekend; however, I don't think we could have taken much more since it took until today (at least for me) to fully recover.

Friday, Swaz and I picked up Pattey at the airport (after The FireMarshall & I managed to talk Swaz to my house in the dark..."OMG, it was HORRRRIBLE!!!!) and we toasted her arrival with the biggest martini in the world. We found out later in the evening that you COULD, IN FACT, fit your face into the martini glasses. AWESOME!

We went to a restaurant called Bistro Blanc for dinner where we polished of a champagne toast, a bottle of wine, chocolate martini's for dessert & a B&B. The food was so damn good...but that Flat Bread...We had relations with the flatbread.

Our designated driver, a fellow West Pointer (Class of 2007) staying with us while he recovers from surgery, drove us to and from...and his gallantry as our personal driver & gofer was a girls dream. from insisting on opening any & every door, to fetching stuff, to scrubbing a bathroom for me "with chemicals" means he is going to make someone a great catch someday. That boy is going places. Our hero.

After dinner (rather after we shut down the place) we went back to the house and headed up to "The Retreat" where we had more martinis & cut up like fools.

• Why did Swaz challenge my drunk azz to a head stand face off?
• Why did she wear the red bowl on her head & then face as she chanted redrum, redrum?
• Why did I challenger her to do some Bikram Yoga poses. Do you know how hard it is to balance on one leg 5 sheets to the wind? HARD. Shoot, it is hard stone cold sober.
• How come you dancing like you having full body spasms to "Play that funky music?"

We laughed so hard, I think we ruptured our spleens. We collapsed in a heap around 3 am and these heffa's were up talkin ish & fixin coffee at 7am. DA HELL!

We were ou the door on Saturday morning by 10:30am and we proceeded to shop our way from Maryland to Virginia and back. We (or rather Swaz - I was just a navigator - I'm innocent) got pulled over by the PoPo and OHHHHH!!! She sure was mad about it. The PoPo said we were speeding. Wanna know how he knew we were speeding? He said that he was doing 10 mph over the limit and since he was behind us we had to be doing at least 15 over. Seriously? We were trying to get outta his speeding azz way...looked like he had places to go. Then when Swaz asked him weather he used a radar gun, he said no, he used his "calibrated odometer."

PoPo, WHAT! DA HELL YOU SAY!

Well, Swaz was fussin with him and I thought for sure when he said, "Ma'am, I'm not going to argue with you on the side of the highway" that we was going to jail...AND if he had gotten a good look at the Birthday Girl sporting the drunk eye in the back seat...we was definitely going to the pokey. Mr. PoPo gave Swaz a ticket and we went on our way knowing Swaz would be going to court.

Too Funny...(although for most of the day, Swaz didn't find it funny AT ALL)

We shopped for 12 hours straight (mainly for household, decorating, tablescaping items). We did stop for Tea at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons which, since we had starved Pattye to damn near death, was a complete...ummm...let's just say...completely NOT satisfying. We managed to be entertained by a woman who wore Spanx Footless Pantyhose as tights. Just one of numerous glamour don'ts we say that day.

At the 9 hour mark, when we got to Tyson's II, we had to practically carry the Birthday girl into the mall because her feet were swolt and about to 'splode. You know you have shopped till you dropped officially when you stop to buy sneakers so you can keep going. And keep going we did. We shopped till we shut down the Mall and almost got locked into Macy's. We pulled back into my house at 1030pm...promptly collapsing into a heap.

Sunday, I got up and made THE BIG BREAKFAST (Sunday breakfast is becoming a family tradition around here) and regaled the men folk and my kids with stories & re-enactments from the weekend.

That was one of the best girlfriend weekend ever.
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, PATTEY!!!!!!

...SOooo when is our next trip....I'm thinking Grown Women Gone Wild - Vegas. Enjoy the Video

Top Mafia + 1

I am truly blessed to have some great friends and even more so that I have a couple of friends that are in the Top Mafia/BFF category. Well, this weekend is one of my Top Mafia's 50th Birthday (HandyHotNESSKY - Pattey) and we are about to embark on a wonderful weekend celebration.

The thing that is even better about this weekend is I am getting to meet & hang with one of Pattey's BFFs. Now I've never met Soizik, but I've talked on the phone with her, we have FB IM'd and I've talked to her while I was with Pattey. Nevertheless, we always talked with each other as if we always had been friends and partners in crime. Why? Probably because we have a Top Mafia in common.

Does this present a problem? Have I ever felt threatened by Pattey & Soizik's friendship? Have I ever not wanted to share or been jealous?

NEVER. Not once. And for the life of me, I can't imagine why anyone would. I've heard stories about women who can't be friends with each other. Who get jealous or angry if you spend time with the other friend and you're not included. Who gossip and talk about the other friend when they are not around. I've heard about it, but I have not experienced it...perse.

Like I said, I have some wonderful friends. I think that the reason I don't have those issues is because I choose not to deal with them. I'm just not going to have that conversation with you or hang around for some woman's (cause I have NEVER found any of this to be the case with men) petty jealousy or issues. If I discover that one of my friends can't handle me being friends (particularly tighter/closer) with another woman, then I'm going to do a mike check, note it and move on accordingly. I will "check you, boo" at the first sign/mention of jealousy, passive aggressiveness (ya'll know I hate PA byatchedness) or just plain ole girl craziness. You'll either deal or we are going to have to go on our merry way. And when we are in a group, I am of the school that when you have nothing nice/decent to say - Just Be Polite. No need for me to show you my azz (cause it will be in the form of a tazer); the crazy friend will show theirs eventually.

In the past, if I valued our relationship and you were not snapping crazy with bullshyt on a regular, I would simply omit certain things that I know will get you upset. I may omit that I had lunch or hung out with so & so cause you are gonna be jealous or say something that causes me to test my tazer. Unfortunately, that policy stopped working a few years back when I started blogging, FB'ing and Twittering everything. Once my adventures became an open book, well, it became easy to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Soizik and I had mentioned to each other via FB that we wanted to do something special for our BFF. Pattey is true Top Mafia to us both. We decided to share the cost of an airline ticket, picked my house to do the weekend slumber party, and decided on activities with the ease of friends who not only knew our BFF but knew each other pretty well...and I've only seen Soizik in pictures.

I am so looking forward to celebrating Pattey's birthday this weekend....AND getting to know Soizik better (she has already been added to the friend list). We may not be each others BFF - being a Top Mafia BFF take history & time - but we are definitely gonna be fast friends.

I'm so glad...so blessed to have Top Mafia like them.

Do you have problems adding people to your friend circle?

Random Thoughts from the TravelDiva

I ended up only completing 25 days of the 31 day Bikram Challenge. Stuff happened...doesn't it always.

Am I the only person who does yoga and doesn't have a tatoo?

Sometimes I find Fac.e.bo.ok and blogs to be just like a soap opera...tune in for the next episode of "As My Little World Turns". People are a damn hoot. Who has all the time for this drama and intrigue. Seriously.

A lot of times...I just don't give a rats patootie about your drama.

My sister called and asked to borrow my sleeping bag. No, darling...you can keep it.

We have recovered from a bout of the piglet flu. We had a great ole time with the biohazard signs, chasing her with Lysol and laughing at her expense.

She didn't think it was funny at all. As a matter of fact, she thought her life was one big tragedy becuase she couldn't go to a party this weekend. The mind of a teenager. Uggaah.

Please don't ask me if you can do anything for the fruit of your loins since she is sick when you know DAMN WELL you ain't gonna cough up nothin.

More people need to laugh and not get their panties in a bunch over every little thing. Life would be a big ole tradgedy if you couldn't laugh about it.

I didn't give a friggin damn what those parents thought about me throwing lazer beams from my eyes and screaming "Have you lost your everlasting mind!!!" at my child who was about to go into a full blown tantrum in the middle of the street while at a halloween party.

That's why I will NEVER be afraid of my kids (they need to fear me and my ability to snap crazy), they will NEVER talk out of their mouths at me, they will not have tantrums or grow up to be heathen axe murderers. CAUSE IMMA NIP THAT ISH IN THE BUD PDQ.

Trust. Call the PoPo if ya wanna...Guess what?...They remove the heathen devil spawns from the home - I get to stay in the lap of luxury.

I'm mad that I didn't take the two pumpkin muffins that Sissy made. Got halfway home and realized I had left them on the counter. HUMPH!

That request for me to vote for you to be President of some ad.ul.t entertainment company was totally inappropriate.

You don't know me like that - AT ALL.

I think Foamy the Squirrel is The Tell It Like It Is MAN! He nailed that whole FB thing. Nailed it!

Soiz & I bought our girl, HandyHotNess-Kentucky, an airline ticket to come visit and hang with us for the weekend for her 50th Birthday.

Lawd Hab Murcey on the DMV. We are gonna have a blast!

Friday won't get here fast enough.

I love my friends.

Smelly Washer Anyone?

Contest is closed...the winner is MEL. Send me your mailing address to have your bottle of SmellyWasher sent to you directly. Thanks to all that participated.

I was recently asked if I would be willing to give a new product a try and then write a review. When I read what it was, my initial reaction was that I didn't have a "smelly washer" so I didn't think that I would be an appropriate tester.


What would I try it on?


However, Jeff at SmellyWasher.com still asked if I would give it a try; I shrugged and said okay. Little did I know at the time that I would have a washer situation that might just require SmellyWasher help.


I recently started a 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge and let me tell you something...the towels I use during class are DRENCHED with sweat after class and by time I get home & throw the towel in the laundry room...PEEEEEWWWWWAAAAAHHHH! If you let them sit too long - the towels and my workout clothes smell like ammonia. I had to get a separate laundry hamper for my towels and yoga clothes becuase they just STANK something fierce. If I washed them with the "regular use" towels there always seemed to be just a faint ammonia smell still there on all of them.


Enter SmellyWasher!


My jar arrived. First, I followed the instructions for cleaning the washer machine. I didn't really think my washer itself smelled, but I was gonna do like the container said..."Your washer must be cleaned first". The only drawback to this part is that it is a tad time consuming. You ave to stop the washer after about 2 min. and let soak overnight; completing cycle in morning. It doesn't really take up your time if you do it right before bed, but I always throw in a load before bed (well, most times) and that might throw you off a load.


Time to clean my smelly yoga towels.


You put all the towels in (I threw some funky yoga clothes in too), agitate for 2 min, stop & soak for 2 hours (again time consuming unless - like me - you have a soak cycle on your washer), complete cycle. Rewash with detergent. Dry.....


...and WHALA! My towels smelled like...towels. No hint of ammonia. No residual sweaty, funky smell. Fresh towels. Me liked.

Check out the video...





I am happy that SmellyWasher made my yoga towels smell fresh and new again. The only thing that is the downside is the soaking business. I don't have time to do that every time I want to do my yoga towels - 2 hours is a long time for my laundry room to be out of commission. I intend to go to the blog page of the site to see if you have to do that soak step each and every time for super smelly towel washing.


N.E. Way...I would like to share the NO SmellyWasher (Towel) joy with you! I am authorized to giveaway one SmellyWasher Bottle to one of my loyal (if not also jaded) readers. So here is how you can get an entry (multiple possible):


1. Leave me a comment on this post. - one entry

2. Twitter about this contest (if I'm not following you, come back here and leave me a note that you tweeted) - one entry

3. Write a post or link from your blog to this contest on your blog (leave comment with link) - one entry.


Happy Contesting. CONTEST ENDS NOVEMBER 1st.


If you don't feel like entering a contest and want to just give it a try with a direct purchase, go to http://www.smellywasher.com/ to place an order and get 10% off by entering The Promo Code: traveldivastories

Pumpkin Decorating Party

CreoleInDC hosted the most awesome Pumpkin Decorating Party for the kids in her neighborhood yesterday. What a treat! She went all out with the decorations, prizes, food, music, pumpkins and more. A great time was had by all.

Happy Halloween!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Social Network of Idiots

The most awesome squirrel in the world - FOAMY - that takes a rant to a whole new level, yet always manages to sum up pretty much what most people are thinking in 3 min or less - waxes eloquently on Fa.ceBo.ook & Social Netwoking. I LOVE FOAMY!

Tales from Italy - Day 4 - April 26, 2005

Fountains & Ancient Rome

Our last day in Rome and we technically oversleep. We woke up to the maid coming into our room for cleaning. I guess it would have something to do with the room darkening curtains and the force marches around Rome that I've been putting mom through. We jumped out of the bed (well, I did) at 10 am and I announced that we would be doing a "short" walk in our neighborhood to see the fountains. Using our "Jeanne Oelerich's Rome Walking Guide" - Map D (www.walkinguides.com), I marched mom down Via Veneto toward the Piazza Barberini where we found Bernini's Triton Fountain - pictures taken. Next we made a hard left and walked uphill on Via Quettro Fontana to the Corner of the Four Fountains where from this corner you can see the Acqua Felice Fountain (with Moses in the center), St Maria Maggiore - one of Rome's four major basilicas, the Spanish Steps with the boat fountain by Bernini, and Piazza Quirinal - the highest of seven hills of Rome - pictures taken. We made a right turn down a very narrow road ( Via Del Quirianle) past the Presidential Palace to the Piazza Quirianle - there is a beautiful statue there, the entrance to the Presidential Palace where we saw the changing of the guards, and you can see St. Peters Basilica in the background (see enclosed pics). We walked down a very steep staircase to the Trevi Fountain where you are supposed to throw a coin over one of your shoulders to be sure we return to Rome. Since we did not know which shoulder, we did
both.

As I can see that mom is about to pass out - I did not allow for breakfast - we marched back uphill to the hotel where we decided to eat at the Cafe de Paris - also known as "Il Café della Dolce Vita" - the Cafe of the Sweet Life". I'm not sure if I can come back home to a boring ham and cheese sandwich and no alcohol at lunch. It is just standard here to have a little something with a meal - it's cheaper - and it makes for leisurely people watching.

After lunch we went on the Ancient Rome tour which took us to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, the Arch of Constantine, The Arch of Titus, and St. Paul's Basilica Outside the Walls. (see enclosed pics). We now can say we have done Rome. HOWEVER, we had to finish it off with an over indulgence of food and wine and chose probably one of the most expensive restaurants in Rome - Harry's Bar (http://www.harrysbar.it/)

Quote: Fashionable society gravitated around the "in" places along the Via Veneto such as Doney, Harry's Bar, the Cafè Strega, Carpano, the Pipistrello and, the most famous of all, the Café de Paris, exclusive haunt of pleasure-loving dandies and film personalities... Legendary Harry's Bar is the unique place that evokes the "Dolce Vita' as if it were a clip from the film, creating a vivid flashback to the golden era of the Via Veneto, when Frank Sinatra sang at the piano and all the stars made their appearance in this bar/restaurant full of glamour and style. As in the roaring sixties, you can still sip an aperitif, enjoy the live piano bar every evening and dive into the magic of the Via Veneto from the exclusive and fascinating Harry's Bar.

You can not rush dinner here. The first reservation you can get is at 8pm. We were one of the 1st people in the restaurant. You don't go to your table (even if it is ready) right away. You have a cocktail first. Once finished, you are escorted to your table where we were given a menu that has 4 courses. You also don't order wine by the glass. When you ask for wine, it comes by the bottle. Make sure you ask "quanto costo" - how much does it cost - or you could be in for a big surprise. Mom and I had all 4 courses - like the pigs were - and the final tab came to a shocking 250 euro - YOU DO THE CONVERSION. Holy cow. However, the food was to DIE for. Absolutely scrumptious. I think I was able to get a picture of the cappuccino with HB writing in the froth.

Well we are back in the heavenly beds....our train leaves for Florence at 1pm tomorrow. Moving on the second leg of the adventure.

Pumpkin Carving & Decorating

We carved and decorated some pumpkins on Saturday. Let me tell you...carving pumpkins is NOT for young children...no matter how simplistic the face is. It involves a sharp knife (even those pumpkin carving tools are sharp) and just a little bit of muscle. No child of mine was gonna be handling a pumpkin & knife without help...which means I did the actually cutting part.

Princess Cara scooped & scraped (I didn't really want to do that part anyway), helped trace the pattern she picked onto the pumpkin, connected the dots with a pen and then I did the carving. To keep her occupied while I was cutting, we had another pumpkin that she could paint & decorate as she chose.

Worked out well & she had a great time.

Who does the true carving (if you do it at all) at your house?

Comedy Central Jeff Dunham Widget

Tales from Italy - Day 3; April 25th, 2005

Vatican & Sistine Chapel
We picked the second day in over 2 weeks that the Sistine Chapel was open for our tour. In fact, it was also the 1st day after inauguration of the new Pope. So just imagine the number of people that came out today to visit. the crowd and line was UNBELIEVEABLE. The line went around 3 walls of Vatican City and was as thick as the sidewalk was wide. We thought we had a prepaid, private tour - NOT. I wish I could have captured the look of shock and awe on peoples faces as they walked down Via Vaticano, turned the corner and realized they have almost 1/4 mile more
till they get to the end of the line.

We were entertained by street vendors working the line selling "blessed" rosaries 5 for 10 Euros (approx $13). Little wooden rosary beads on a string in a plastic case with the picture of Pope John Paul II on it. After about an hour and a half we finally made it to the entrance.

Vatican City is the smallest state in the world with the Largest church in the World - St. Peters Basilica. The Vatican Museum is the 2nd largest in the world behind the Louvre and has 4 miles of corridors to explore. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is the 1st painting Michelangelo ever painted. He was 38 years old and it took 4 years to finish. The restoration (which was actually
only a cleaning - nothing was changed, altered or repainted) too 20 years and was finished Christmas of 1999. At 60 years old, Michelangelo was called back to paint The Last Judgment on the walls of the Sistine Chapel. It took 6 years for him to finish The Judgment.

We jostled, pushed, and strained our way through the museum, which is absolutely amazing. You are allowed to take pictures without flash in the museum, so mom and I fired off a few rolls. It was so hard to decide what to take pictures of. We finally decided that if it moved us, film it. Took almost 5 rolls between the two of us. When we got to the Sistine Chapel - you are not
supposed to take any pictures whatsoever. Now, with thousands of people shoving their way through the museum and chapel and about 10 guards the entire 4 miles, who do you think won that battle.

It wasn't the guards.
I managed to get a few good pictures in the chapel before I got busted. "No compredo Italiano" seemed to get him to just shake his head at the "ignorant American" and tell me to move on. Never mind that the instructions were given by an English speaking guide. Yeah - Whatever. Ma says I'm going straight to hell with gasoline draws on and will hang out in that middle layer of hell - Purgatory. Well, make sure none of you ask to see my illicit pictures - wouldn't want you to turn to a pillar of salt.

After the tour ended, we nearly collapsed outside the gate.

Mom followed the red rag on a stick (the tour guide), while I got us some water. We regrouped on the tour bus and decided to have the bus drop us off near the Spanish Steps again. This is the shopping district - Ferragamo, Burberry, Fendi, etc. etc. We were saved that the stores were closed today due to some type of holiday. After a perusal and orientation of the map (I am the keeper of the map), we decided to mosey over to the Piazza Augusto Imperatore where "The Best Food Piazza in Rome" is located as described by Food & Wine Magazine, May 2005.
'Gusto', Rome's only food emporium, houses a restaurant, wine bar, pizzeria, osteria ( a neighborhood trattoria), and a cheese shop. We ate at the Wine bar and had the most wonderful ham and cheese sandwich. You don't know hamand cheese till the Italians do cheese. They sure do get it right. After the wine and snack. I marched mom through the shopping district and up the Spanish Steps. At the top we ran into the street artists again and we had our portraits done. They look great and will be a nice addition to the ones we had done in Paris. After the portraits were done, we went back to the hotel for a little rest before our Dinner Cruise down the Tiber River.

Okay, this sucked.

We had to had to walk down a staircase to the river to catch the boat and almost chocked on the stench. The staircase smelled like a urinal in Port Authority Bus Station. I thought I was going to gag. We get to the boat and it is delayed a half and hour due to some "accident". While waiting we were attacked by killer knats and had to keep swatting and running away from them. The staff finally allowed us to wait on the broke boat for the dinner boat. There were a whole whopping total of 4 couples including us on the trip. Little did I know that there was no real scenery and the food would be so.

The best thing was the wine - when you think your asking for a glass you get the whole bottle. Best Part.

Worst Part - walking back up those stairs.

After a super quick ride in a Roman taxi, we made it back to the hotel and our heavenly bed.

Tales From Italy - Day 2 - April 24th, 2005

Today we went on a day long tour to Naples & Pompeii which is a two hour drive from Rome.Our tour guide picks us up and takes us to meet the group. We load up on a bus at 7:30 am and off we go. We are immediately humbled by our ignorant American status when we realize the tour guides all speak a minimum of 3 languages. One of the guides (we had 3 in total during the course of the tour) spoke English, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. It was just downright embarrassing. Most everyone on the bus spoke at least their native language and English - "ugly Americans." We ought to be ashamed that we barely can speak 1 language....Anyway...I digress.

The tour bus takes highway A1, known as the Highway of the Sun that parallels the Appennino Mountains - also known as "The Backbone of Italy." The ride was very scenic and green. Seemed as if every home had its own garden of grapes, oranges and olives. Two hours later we arrived in Naples - City of the Arts and a major port.

We were a tad deceived about the tour. I thought we would be able to walk around Naples a bit before we went on to Pompeii...NOT...a quick drive through as the guide pointed out some major landmarks and we watched the Napoli Marathon. Then we were off to Pompeii.

We stopped on the way in Torre de Grecco and learned how Cameos are really made. They are made from shells from the sea, mostly Conch shell. We watched on of the artists work on a new cameo and then went into the display area. The craftsmanship was superb. Sandy was eyeing the most expensive pieces in the cases, but after doing the conversion, we decided we could not part with 5000euros = $7000+ US Dollars. I did find a beautiful miniature cameo outlined in gold filigree to put on my charm bracelet at a significantly more reasonable price.

We moved on to Pompeii where we stopped for lunch first. The minestrone soup was excellent yet different. Clear broth, not red. The spaghetti was good but the sauce tasted kinda like spaghetti-O's. The veal was fantastic. We were partnered up with a 28 year old Australian girl named Maria Schiavello, traveling alone on "holiday" for 8 months around Europe. Mom and I were impressed with her tenacity.

Next we took a two hour walk through the excavated city of Pompeii. It is huge - 65 acres of which only 45 have been excavated. Excavation officially started in 1748, almost 150 years after Pompeii was rediscovered in 1600. Pompeii was buried under the ash from the eruption of Mount Vezuvio on 24 August 79AD.

I was in awe of how many metric tons of lava and ash had to be removed to uncover this city. The soil was moved to locations all around the mountain to make this the most fertile soil in the region. Hanging in the street market outside of Pompeii were lemons the side of your head. I've never seen a lemon so huge. They cut them in half, sprinkle salt and olive oil on them and serve
them to eat as if you are eating a hunk of watermelon. Wish I could upload these pictures.

Another 2 hour bus ride and mom and I were back in Romearound 8:30 pm. We visited the bar - AGAIN - and had a nightcap and snack.

Tomorrow we have a tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel followed by wandering around and a dinner cruise.

Random Thoughts

I can't stand those bumper stickers that are all over How.ar.d Cou.n.ty...."Choose Civility". Bahh Humbug. It seems to me that the people with one plastered on their car are the FIRST ones to try and snap crazy.

HUMPH. To the lady who I parked crooked next to, apologized, and moved car again so you could get in - YEAH YOU - the one with the sticker who then had a smart azz remark....

I Choose Hostility.

I was not really surprised that the judge felt the way he did. I only have to turn on certain news or talk radio stations to know that that kind of mindset is alive and well. I was a little surprised that he would articulate his thoughts so well to a major news source and then kinda shrug his shoulders like "Whaaaaatttt????"

Doesn't matter...I have piles & piles of black friends and I even let them use my bathroom & kitchen.

I am looking into whether I can sue my mother for all the years of suffering she caused me by marrying a black man.

Doesn't make much sense though...she lives here - what would I get?

Sigh.

Yes, I was fascinated by the giant mylar balloon zooming across the Colorado sky. After a while, even my limited knowledge of the science of lift & flight made it apparent that the boy was not in the balloon. SO WHERE WAS HE?

Hiding in the attic? Really. "But you said we did it for the show" *Cue vomit*

I agree 100% with HandyHotNESS-KY...I don't think they should go to jail at all. Give them a bill for all the services they wasted perpetrating this hoax and then make them have to spend the rest of their lives working to pay that bill off.

Every last dime.

How many times/ways do I have to say NO! No, Nerp, Nada, Never, Not Happenning.

Stop asking.

I'm AM the 12th Man on the Army Football Team! So, every Saturday until after the Army-Navy game on December 12th you will be subjected to my On Brave Ole Army Team rants (win or lose).

Don't interrogate me about my product, tell me what can't be done and then ask me how you can get a job in my industry. Byatch, What?!

I had a wonderful time this weekend at a wedding. The FireMarshall and I still got it and can cut a rug. We were showing the young folk how to really dance.

Then we needed Mo.trin & Be.nG.ay.

I just tested my first commercial product. My review and contest coming shortly. Stay tuned.

My house has been taken over by a 5 year old. There are toys on every level - in every room of my house. Barbies in every state of undress. A tea party going on in my family room. A classroom in the sunroom.

And you wonder why I self medicate.

Heroes is just not doing it for me. I've switched to House. He chooses hostility. Me likey.

Soiz...shouldn't we kidnap HH-KY for her birthday? I think so. *looking at airline tickets*

What's she gonna do. REFUSE? Humph!

I can't wait for my son to come home from college for Thanksgiving. GMa Sandy and I are working on the FAB menu.

Our Army-Navy Football Party is DA BOMB! Dec 12th...be there or be square.