Happy Valentines Day!!!!

I love this day....and oddly, I love it more as a single person. The stress of trying to find the perfect gift, or go into debt trying to impress someone, who by the way, probably isn't worth it anyway if thats the way they measure your love for them, left me with more than just a bad taste in my mouth.

In my opinion, time is the most valuable thing you can get your sweetie for this holiday. We are all overworked, underpaid, perhaps underappreciated and definitely starved of "me" and "we" time. In addition it is still too close to the end of the last winter holiday season to fall victim again to the commercialization and hype of yet another gift giving event.

Time, sensitivity, consideration, a helping hand....all go along way towards expressing to someone that you care for them. Flowers and candy are nice, but if the day after Valentines Day you turn back into a selfish, self serving, crass, inconsiderate cave man (or woman) than you have missed the boat and I feel bad for your partner.

See the nice flower in the personalized holder above? Not only did I get this flower, but also the friendship of a funny, considerate, practical and caring man, who by the way is partnered with someone else, but nevertheless, has all the qualities I desire in a mate. He is considerate, helpful, caring and spends alot of time with his partner and thus explains the successful longevity of their relationship.

Whatever your relationship status....have a Happy Valentines Day....and don't overdo the chocolate :)

Tag!!!!!----You're It!!!!!!

Oh, get over it. I know what you thinking and guess what? It's my blog and I'll tag if i want to, tag if I want, tag if i want to......and if you even mention this in the same breath as chain letters, I'll rip your lips off and put them where the sun doesn't shine. Let the fun begin.....





*Start Copy Here*You do not have to be tagged to play along. This game is simple and so are the rules.1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.3. Tag or don’t tag, your choice, however, the more tags you create the bigger the list will grow.4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list. (If you would like a scroll box code, leave me your email address and I will email it to you.) Scroll Box Example. (I decided not to use the box for the Big Bang for ease of copying.)5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in.



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Come Fly With Me .......and Pack Light !!!!!!

This just In....

Fly Naked on Germany's First Nudist Holiday Flight
Filed at 6:03 a.m. ET

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German nudists will be able to start their holidays early by stripping off on the plane if they take up a new offer from an eastern German travel firm.
Travel agency OssiUrlaub.de said it would start taking bookings from Friday for a trial nudist day trip from the eastern German town of Erfurt to the popular Baltic Sea resort of Usedom, planned for July 5 and costing 499 euros ($735).
"It's expensive, I know," managing director Enrico Hess told Reuters by phone. "It's because the plane's very small. There's no real reason why a flight in which one flies naked should be more expensive than any other."
The 55 passengers will have to remain clothed until they board, and dress before disembarking, said Hess. The crew will remain clothed throughout the flight for safety reasons.
"I wish I could say we thought of it ourselves but the idea came from a customer," Hess told Reuters by phone. "It's an unusual gap in the market."
Naturism, or "free body culture" (FKK) as it is known in Germany, was banned by the Nazis but blossomed again after the Second World War, particularly in eastern Germany.
"There are FKK hotels where you can go into the restaurants and shops naked, for example," Hess said. "For FKK fans -- not that I'm one of them -- it's nothing unusual."
"I don't want people to get the wrong idea. It's not that we're starting a swinger club in mid-air or something like that," he added. "We're a perfectly normal holiday company."

I knew this was coming...there are businesses devoted to nudist travel including resorts, cruises, beaches, campgrounds, etc. The air was the last frontier shall we say. I dont know about you, but in my earlier years, I had explored this naturist culture and I have to tell you its not for me. I don't even like to be in my home-by myself, shades and curtains drawn, dogs outside, lights off-naked. BUT--> the first time I went to a nude beach in Miami I was quite comfortable. Perhaps it was observing an entire family-grandparents, parents, teenagers and babies- (German) playing volleyball, eating sandwiches and generally cavorting in the sand. In this venue with grandma to compare myself to, I looked like a runner up in a beauty contest. "Hey Grandma! , I'll bet my 40 D's against your 40 LONGS that I can beat you at volleyball!"

I am a "live and let live" person, and applaud this airlines ingenuity in widening their customer base. I, however, in the interest of community visual health, will keep my clothes on.

Something's Not Kosha in Boca!!!!

Sad but true........Watch out boys and girls...Cooperating with Officer Friendly may not be in your best interests. I guess the best thing to do is to just tell the story and then let you decide --Kosher? or Trayf?.. All I know is that something stinks.

Sometime last year, there were a group of friends, 2 adult age and about 4 minors, at the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton. As they were walking along, 1 of the adults spotted a credit card on the ground. He picked it up, knew it was not his and invited his younger friends to "put it to good use". Well, they ALL put it to good use. Not just at that mall, but they went to different places. Everyone bought and swiped and signed and used that credit card that did not belong to ANY of them. Even though both adults knew it was wrong and the one that found it actually used it himself, they played a major part in coercing the kids to buy things for them so their involvement as adults would be minimized or in the case of one adult-non existent.

Months later, there comes a call from a Detective at the Boca PD at only the minors homes. No one is arrested or charged, but the nice Detective (AKA Officer Friendly), speaks to them as a kindly man who only wants them to cooperate and give back the items they had in their possession after telling him how it all happened and naming everone involved and their part in it. So they did-all of them-believing the Detectives claim that it would probably amount to nothing and that they were just minor players in the crime. Showing remorse and cooperation would be the best thing for them he advised. Oh, and "don't talk to the friends involved" are the parting words of this civil servants advice.

Soon thereafter, the Detective calls and says that he is no longer handling the investigation and that someone from the palm Beach County Sheriff's Office would be in contact---still no charges, no arrests, no nothing.....

Within a couple of weeks a Sheriff's Deputy calls to say that the PBCSO would be handling the investigation and that the kids would be hearing from them. Then a phone call from the Juvenile Administration center. A juvenile justive investigator needed an interview and question answer session about the incident. This is the first time that they hear the word charges, felony, midemeanor, etc. They are told they will hear from the Juvenile Justice System about court dates...they should make it a point to be home around Dec 21, 2007 to recieve their summons from a process server. What a great thing to get during the holiday break!!! "Oh, and don't talk to your friends that were involved"....more great advice.

Well, talk they did. They talked and speculated and even swallowed their self respect to approach the adults involved, only to find out that they were NOT charged at all. Their names are not even in the reports. Hmmmm....I smell something....stay with me...its going to get stronger....

The adult that found the credit card is the son of a retired Boca Raton Police Department Officer. The detective that first came to talk to these minors and encourage them to cooperate, is friends with the young adults father, having worked together 10 years for the Department. The young adult was advised to call Crimestoppers, report the crime of stolen and fraudulent card use by the minors so as to extricate himself from the incident and --get this---perhaps recieve a reward? This was told to his young ex-friends with a great deal of bravado. "I got off scott free", in his words.

When the original investigating Detective was called and asked about these alleged relationships, his reaction was one of amazement- amazed that HIS INTEGRITY was being questioned. He again reiterated the advice to cooperate fully and not to make trouble. TROUBLE? For who? His retired cop friend and his low life, fucking stereo speaker pushing salesman son?Perhaps BestBuy needs a call about who they have in their employ.I don't want to piss on anyones parade, but..as someone who was married to a police officer, they are no less human and no less vulnerable to doing a favor (read-cover up) for a friend that skirts the law.

The conclusion to this debacle will not come about for awhile, but as for whose life will be most affected by these charges? The minors--2 are in college and work 1 or more jobs. One may be deported and separated from her family and the other has been in trouble before. The 2 adults? The retired cops kid works at BestBuy and also has trouble staying out of trouble. The other one works at the same BestBuy and has mental health issues.

By now the smell of rotting pig meat should have you gagging ....thank God I don't need anything in Boca...and never have.

DeDiamond? or DeTransmission?

You know how the DeBeers (Diamonds)






theme song was identified as THE song that strikes terror into the hearts of men?

Well, I can tell you that someone ought to make one for women and transmission repairs.

On the 3oth of December, I was tooling along in my 86 Mustang, when I heard a CLUNK---from underneath!!! Yes folks, UNDERNEATH!! It was 2pm and I had not had a drink yet, so it couldn't be a person under the car...the animals were inside, so it wasn't them....hmmmm. Oh well, perhaps it was the car settling, after all..it IS old.

I go to Publix for some groceries and when I come out and get ready to leave, my car will not go into reverse!! Okay, time to panic....Then, I thought: I will just drive forward all the time and not park in such a way that I have to reverse--splendid idea. Now back to the New Years Eve festivities preparations.

But wait, that is OLD thinking....NEW thinking is, take care of things as they come up and they will cost less than waiting for it to completely break down. Good thinking. Tomorrow I would take it to a transmission shop first thing.

****Just to interject. My holiday present to myself was going to be a nice piece of jewelry, most likely to include diamonds in some way shape or form. Perhaps a nice right hand ring for myself. It goes without saying that it did not happen (refer to the title of this posting).

I go to the transmission shop, Im assured that it is a minor repair and that it will be relatively inexpensive. So much so, that THEY will arrange the rental car for me and give me a call with the estimate most likely on Jan 2. Okay, I'm feeling better...I'm confident....I trust the nice man behind the counter that makes a commission from selling service to automobile owners..

On the 2d, I get a call. You guessed it, needs to be rebuilt....blah blah blah....cheapest option....blah, blah, blah....AAA discount....blah blah blah......11.1 hours labor according to Chilton blah blah blah and grand total......$1245.00.

I'm not going to go into the gruesome details, but suffice to say that I opened the only unopened bottle of champagne in the fridge at 8:30 AM and started drowning my sorrows and mourning the demise of a possible jewelry purchase. My son comes in and tells me to call a salvage yard, find my own transmission and then have them install it. What a kid---so smart. Transmission $275.00, install $389.00. Such a deal. Rental is $25.00 a day-piece of cake. I'm on my way.... more champagne to celebrate having such a smart kid...... Maybe a used diamond......?

Fast forward.....January 11, 2008....repairs completed transmission $275.00 + Labor $389.00 + Rental (10 days and gas) $545.00 = $1209.00.

Another bottle of champagne in fridge when you need it? PRICELESS

Iron Deficient? Go to Friendly's for Lunch

Its a secret no longer....Friendly's offers iron boosting extra's to your midday meal. No,... no need to thank them...THEY don't even know they are doing it...

I went to lunch with my friend Libby (who is pregnant by the way and should be taking extra iron) and we both ordered salads. As she was getting to the end of her meal, she bit down on something and thought she had a problem with a tooth, but instead-out she pulls what looks like a nail, or part of an earring, or who the hell knows, but its not an ingredient commonly found in a salad--or any other entree.

So we call over the waitress, who was very nice, and asked her for the manager. Well, you would think that during a lunch time, in a restaurant that just opened the day after Christmas, that the discovery of a nail in a PREGNANT woman's salad would be cause for concern and would spur an immediate resolution.....You would think......
The manager wandered over after awhile and seemed amazed that <--this was in the salad. The waitress adds that she had made the salads. i pointed out that she assembled them, but that she did not do the prep work-hinting that they should start with questioning that individual. Well, here's the bottom line..your not gonna believe it..... The manager told Libby she would take the salad off the bill and that she could have a sundae....I was tempted to ask whether it would be a Happy Ending Sundae, but decided to just shut up. Well, the sundae took forever and then even though Libby was gracious enough to order a small kid size one so as not to appear greedy, they ended up making her some gynormous sundae that it took 2 people to eat....... So if you find yourself to be mineral deficient in any respect, I recommend going to Friendly's. If you are low in folic acid, you might find a hair follicle in your food, or say you could boost your zinc intake to ward off colds,a thoughtful kitchen employee might drop a half eaten cough drop in your soup, calcium deficient? who knows what awaits you.....at Friendly's- Home of the Happy Ending

If You Give Irene An Empanada......

There is a kids story called, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"....in short the story is about a mouse that gets a cookie and then he'll need some milk, and then he'll ask for a straw and yada yada yada (if you are that intrigued, go to this elementary schools powerpoint presentation and get your jollies).

This story is called "If You Give Irene An Empanada". Before we get started, let me introduce you to Irene----->

I have known Irene for about 5 years or so now. I work with her, I play with her, she is a great person and truly cares about the kids at our school..but most importantly, Irene likes to have a good time.....sound familiar? Remember the simulated pole dancing I did? I was not alone, folks......Yup, you guessed it, my friend Irene was part of those festivities as well.

Well, this is not about pole dancing, or drinking, -ok maybe a bit about drinking-but no dancing!!! Its about Irene's year long request to come to her house, see her new interior decor and of course---make empanadas. As much as I wanted to do all these things, life got in the way and the great opportunity came up during this 2 week winter break from school. Today was the day--hooray, I say, empanadas are on the way...shit, that sounds like Dr. Seuss...

To make the day extra special, Irene had a good friend of hers over- Gabi- from Israel. She is a lovely woman and I hope to spend more time with her in the future. And last but not least, Marian, my team teacher, friend and Irenes good friend as well, was in the house. All the makings for a day of trouble....... Gabi-->

Now for some background knowledge ( its the teacher in me): What the heck are empanadas and why does Irene love em?

Empanadas are kind of like turnovers filled with whatever you like. In our case, what we like is seasoned meat lovingly folded into a flaky circle of dough and then sealed and baked in an oven til they look
like this--> If the description does not sell you on these babies, then one bite and then another and then another until you wonder, "How many have I eaten?

This is exactly what happens...Irene starts reminiscing about the Empanadas her Argentinean friend Irene's mom used to make and then I get the idea to make some for her and then we get the idea to make them at school and then it becomes, lets have the students make them and sell them to support our program and they are a success, but then Irene says I want some for home and there is never enough for her.......sooooo......Annette, lets make empanadas at MY house!!!! See how it starts?

So I came over, got the grand tour, loved what she had done with her place (it really reflects Irene-but then you GOTTA know her to know what Im talking about) and on to the important stuff---wine and uh, uh...oh yeah empanadas!!!

We cut chopped, stirred,sauced, tasted, threw in the all important "monkey dust" and presto change-o we were ready for the all important assembly part. Veeerrry important.... Necessitates MORE wine and conversation to make it taste good. The more gossip, dirt and girly advice the better....Irene and Marian drank and talked to us and Gabi and I stuffed and pressed the edges of the empanadas...oh...and we drank and talked as well, just probably not as much... :)

Then they go in the oven....vvveeerrryyy important...25 more minutes of talking and drinking...no one wants to watch the oven...the empanadas wont taste as good if you hover over them. Finally, the bell rings...empanadas are done!!!! Dont rush, pull them outta the oven and let them sit and cool---or-you guessed it...they wont taste as good. Hey, have you done this before?!?!?

Time to eat.....everyone takes one or two...at first...the are so easy to eat...warm and flaky....no one is pointing fingers, but now...there is not talking or drinking...cuz if you do----They wont taste as good!!!!!!!!!

Empanada recipe is offered to those that would like to experience this delicious and severely addicting comfort food. The dough can be bought premade, very inexpensively and the wine is not a requirement, but the friends are......Enjoy.....

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!!! Happy New Year

And its about time too...2007 was about to kill me. New Year and New Luck--not that Im superstitious or anything, but I did throw a basin of water out the front door and ate 12 grapes at midnight as dictated in the Cubanaso handbook.

Having 12 grapes one for each month of the year in the New Years Eve night is customary to the Cuban people. This is also said to shower good luck and blessings to the household. Another unique New Year tradition popular among the Cuban people is to dress up and walk around the house on New Years Day carrying an empty suitcase. This believed to usher in frequent travels and tours in the ensuing year.

There is a family tradition to open both the front door and the back door at midnight of New Years Eve. The Back Door is left opened to Let out the Old Year and the Front Door is opened to welcome the New Year bringing good luck and cheer to the whole family.

Hey, pretty strange goings on in a Cuban household, but i wouldn't have it any other way!!!!

I went out last night to meet some friends at a local dive not far from home. I get so paranoid about drunks on New Years Eve that I left the house at 11:30 and returned home at 12:30. Enough time to get a buzz, drink cheap champagne and kiss complete strangers at midnight. (And some people have the nerve to say that I dont know how to have a good time :/ )

Prosper Ano Nuevo, y'all

The End of Another Stellar Year...

Well this about sums it up, doesn't it? I don't think this is what mom meant when she reminded you to wear your hat and scarf as you left. In this case, Im sure it saved him from complete humiliation. How would you like to see THAT when the office party pics come out...yeah, not laughing now are you?

Im sure that my pole dancing exploits at a local Duffys during our office Christmas party has been preserved for posterity if not blackmail on some nice co-workers camera. Too many Dirty Martinis, I guess. That'll teach me :)

Fortunately, I did not have as much Christmas cheer as the Super Sauced Santa above, and good thing, cuz i was notwearing a hat...just a set of candy cane reindeer antlers perched pretty precariously on my melon. I could not disguise a thing in those babies..... Now if I can just get through New Years....have a safe and sane New Years celebration.....and dont end up on the front page of the paper OR in the obits, ok?

If Only Life Could Be Like My Car....

I am the proud owner of a 1986 Mustang convertible. i like it, i like driving it, (i especially like not making car payments), and I suppose that all things being equal, anytime it needs a repair i justify it by calculating how many car payments that would have been....hmmmm..

However, today my car did something i wish I could do. It would only stand still (park) or idle (neutral) or go into drive, overdrive(D, D1 and D2 respectively) but it would not reverse. Not a bad thing philosophically speaking.

So, upon realizing that I would again have to face making car repairs (and perhaps expensive ones), I did go in reverse. I immediately decided that it was time for a drink. Now, you must be thinking that im a complete wuss and that something like a car repair will send me running for the bottle, but this is not so folks; I have faced and endured many a trial in my almost 50 years and to my credit, I still see the good in things as opposed to the bad.

To the folks that don't know me, alcohol was always my first defense to deal with problems, people and later social anxiety, so for me to want a drink today was definitely to go in "reverse". But, its not that bad- i still count my blessings every day.... I think today was just the culmination of a "series of unfortunate events" including my dad having a stroke that made the thought of a stiff drink---THE thing I wanted at that moment. So I did....and I felt better. So much better that when my friend Joe called and suggested we go to Friendly's for dinner, I smiled because I knew that at the end of dinner, my day would have a "Happy Ending".