The Godfather

What I can't believe is that I waited until NOW to watch this spectacular movie. Honestly. As my relatives said "Pay attention, this is your heritage." Of course, they were referring to the wedding, which I believe I shall pull as many details from as I can! (What is this I hear? The beginning of the Godfather playing again? Oh happy days!) The movie begins with the Godfather (played by Marlon Brando) agreeing to take on certain tasks that other men have asked of him while attending his daughters wedding. (This is part of a tradition, and as well she is his only daughter to begin with).
Don Vito Corleone (Or commonly known in the movie as THE DON) is the head of one of the five families in Eastern United States and has all that hold power in his pocket. He has three sons, Micheal (Al Pacino!) Sonny, another one who we really don't see too often and his godson, Johnny. One day he is shot down and it seems that the whole mob empire is going to be at war at each other, until Micheal steps in and handles the situation by taking his fathers advice, "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse." While out of town Micheal misses out on some of the action that happens in the States, which is fantastic. So much "mob love" going on here! Truth be told, it is a manly movie, but there is a enough romance to keep a girl interested! Which includes weddings, romancing (the good kind, like shopping together and dates in Sicily! And, surprise surprise, Diane Keaton plays  role here too! How amazing is that?) Oh, and that poor horse...
I hope you enjoy this movie! The book that I'm tying with the movie is called "Son of the Mob" by Gordon Korman which is a Young Adult novel, but he is a good author!

Good Morning!

The Woodpecker

Might have to go!

May your troubles be less,

may your blessings be more, and

may nothing but happiness come through your door

Don't take life so seriously! DANCE

KISS A LOT!

RELAX IN NATURE

HAVE FUN

AND BE HAPPY!!!!

Make sure you scroll all the way down and read what is written. Today is International Disturbed People's Day

Please send an encouraging message to a disturbed friend... Just as I've done. I don't care if you lick windows,
Take the special bus
Or occasionally pee on yourself..
You hang in there sunshine, you're special. Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back..

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile. 

Words are Turds

Words really are a very funny thing,

Words come out fast, slow and in between,

They can bite, sting, push and sing,  

Sometimes they also can sing, dance, be playful and mean.

When words come out to fast they have odd consequence,

Should have, should not have been spoken, taken back,

When the ones come out too slow they can be on the fence,

Regretting is part of the lesson, so pick up the slack!

Words can be trained to fit into a poem, or into a song,

When paraded can be light, silly, airy or downright scary,

Sometimes words are regretted and corrected because it was wrong,

Because they were mean, a curse or too much information, which is rarely.

Break words down and what do you find,

A syllable, a letter and a sad little nub,

Or look the other way and see into the mind,

Of working gears trying to recover a flub.

But what I most regret about the words that I've said

Whether they were mean, silly, rude or true

Broken, flashy, unspoken, false or dead,

Is that the worst ones I've uttered were aimed at you.

It takes a Village to Raise a Child....

You have probably heard some variation of this quote either when being with a child or discussing a child.
Nuclear Family
There are many people in one child's life, and it's not just limited to the child's parents. The child has his or her parents, of course, but then also siblings, younger or older, half or step, or non-existent, there is that feeling of having a connection in the family that is not the parents. If there is a pet in the family, maybe this is a substitute for a sibling (I'd never know, the closest pet I had was a rodent that constantly tried to bite me and fish that loved to die really fast).
Outside Family
These people include but are not limited to grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-grandparents, great-aunt's uncles, and other people that may be involved in your family. Members of your family that are related through marriage, children, divorce (sometimes), wedlock and other types of relationships count as outside family members. These people help in the child's life because they have a special part. Perhaps the uncle teaches the child how to skate, the great-grandmother teaches the child how to knit and the step-uncle teaches the kid how to make their own bow and arrow.
Teachers
When every child is taught something, the person that did their teaching is called their teacher. This goes beyond the child's in school educator and such. In school children learn something, it may not be street smarts like their Uncle Chuck can teach them, or how to cook like how Mom does, but they do learn. Possibly how to read, tell time, variations in colors, how to do math and other life-lessons that sometimes are taught at home, but are improved in the classroom. These people become a part of the child's life as well.
Religious Figures
Some families have religious figures in their homes, and follow different religious customs. Sometimes the child may agree with them, other times they may not and just follow along in the book, which-ever book it may be. The poeple that guide the child through their religious life become a part of the 'village' that is created to raise the child.
Health Personel
Every child comes into the world somehow, with some medical hand to help. From day one there is care coming from someone who knows how to take care of the child, and is able to help the mother through any medical help she may need. When the child is older, there is someone medically knowledgable to help with sickness, checkups and with major or minor bumps and brusises that the child may go through.

These people and many more make up a child's lifestyle and assist the child in anyway that they can. One person cannot help the child 'grow,' It takes many many different people from many different backgrounds, education and experiences. It is not just you who makes a difference in a child's life, it is the health personal, teachers, outside family and the nuclear family. Be aware of who is in your child's life, sometimes the people that are there are harmful, other times they are there to lend a helping hand.

Homemade Eggnog

Sometimes I'm glad that I'm not an only child. My dear sibling decided to give me an early Christmas gift while they were puttering around in the kitchen, homemade ggnog! What a sweet younger kid. And he gave me a few of his secrets to go along with it... when mixing put everything in a disposable container and mix by shaking. The kid says it works, so why not try it, right? And when serving for TWO because this only SERVES ONE, just double everything!

Recipie:

1       egg
1c     milk
1/2t   vanilla
2T     sugar
dash   salt
dash  nutmeg

1. Beat Egg Througly (No, it hasn't done anything bad, just pretend it's a spider!)
2. Stir in all other ingrediants
3. Enjoy!

P.S. If you found another way to make this yummy egg nog, please let me know!

Chealsea

Remember the movie 'Hunchback of Notre Dame'? Esmeralda the gypsy took refuge in the church. I'm not religious, just like her but I thought I'd give it a shot. What would the harm be after all? The church is a safe haven, at least that's what I believed. I ran to the church and its open doors, surrounded by a dark forest, but when I was running, I realized that I was running in place, I was getting no closer to the church and the doors that swung open in a welcoming way.
I woke up in a cold sweat, I was that scared. I didn't have a safe haven, and I was running in place and the forest was beginning to take over in my dreams. Something needed to be done, but I was afraid. My self-esteem is shot, if there was school I'd be ridiculed beyond belief. I haven't brushed my hair, there is no make up smearing my face and I haven't changed in days. My appetite is gone, being an insomniac is not helping my eating habits. What's worse is that Greg left me, gone on a hunt for Courtney, but I have this sinking dread that the girls are really are dead, and the forest really got them. There is no where for me to run to.
I want to turn to Ricky, but he is no where to be found. His car, his beloved car that I watched him build from scratch was still in his parents garage, you can't get anywhere in town without a car, so why would he leave it behind?
Frank has been calling my house, begging my mother to tell him if they have heard anything about his step-daughter. My mother is as concerned as he is, more concerned for him since his wife just passed away. The poor soul, I really did like Courtney's mom. Of course, she hasn't seen me in her home since grade school, but it was only because Court and I didn't really get along these past few years since I found out the secret about her best friend. I'm afraid.
Rachel, dear dear Rachel. The town will never know that we were sisters. Half sisters, that is. My father, the one person you would think that would be the most truthful and honest person in the world committed the worst sin against my mother, he had another child without her knowing. He didn't even know. Rachael's mother and my mother compared notes one night, about their loving husbands and past lovers when they realized that my father was at Daisy's house seventeen years ago. What a betrayer. I haven't been the same in the past five years since my father left. I hope the forest got him but not his daughter. She was precious to me, as a sister, someone I could trust. But she is gone now, and I'm scared.
Chuck, oh blessed Chuck. I'm trying my best to help, but I'm so worn out from trying. I love you so so much. I"m sorry that I used Greg, I swear that I was only trying to build his image in the school! What is so hard to believe that? I want to help find your sister, but you've got to tell me how. I'm scared for Kaite, she's pregnant and the forest got Justin. What is going to happen to both of them? I know that they're both your very dear friends and you have shared more secrets that you could ever share with me, but please understand that I'm petrified. I don't want anyone else to get hurt.
My baby Chealsea, I'm frightened. She was so young before she was kidnapped by the forest. She was too young! She's just a child! Adults we understand, but babies like Chealsea? Leave the children alone! Please! I'm begging you in my weakened state of body, but I am still strong-minded. Death will have to take my hand before you can take me, Forest!
But Chuck, I'm still so frightened....

PUSH

Push is about a troubled young teenage mother who is abused in her home by her mother and her father.  Precious Jones, as she likes to be named, is kicked out of her high school before having her second child. On this birth certificate however, unlike the first one, she leaves the father of the child as unknown.
This fictional story seems much different than what I typically promote, but this story does become life-altering. Precious is placed into a high school where she can apply her knowledge and skills in a program that is supportive, other than her last school.  I won't say much on the topic but even in the first two chapters of this novel, there is a change in the way that Precious thinks about herself, the world and the education that she able to recieve through the help of numerous individuals.  All of the people that are introduced to her after she was admitted in the Higher Education Alternative/ Each One Teach One improve her life style, her way of thinking and more importantly, her self-worth.
I did like reading this book, and I hope that you will too. When I have the time (which is usually on the weekends) I hope to watch the movie Precious, which is the major motion picture of Push.

Summer Let-down

I refuse to let go of summer, and well, here's my proof. As well as yes, I do occasionally have a messy room. Not much I can do about that, I was doing laundry! As the first layer I have an off white V neck tee and the green tank top that I wore a few times in the summer, yes, by itself just about. Yes, just about, I did need a little bit of help with a tank top! Then I put on my skinny jeans (which I intend to own a few more pairs when I go out again!) and I wore my black flats (not shown) and had a marvelous day!

And the beautiful part was that it was all under $20!

The Amityville Horror

I'm not usually one for Horror movies, but I dared to watch it since I wanted to well... seem less babyish. And yes I screamed just about the whole time. No joke. Worst part was that I still had to go to bed that night. Luckily, I don't live anywhere near where the house was... was? Oh shucks, maybe it's still standing! Somebody tear that house down!!!

Sorry, okay, back to the movie. It begins with this young couple deciding to move into a new home. The hubby tries to make friends with his new beau's kids, but things start to get ugly. As they are moving into the house, strange things start happening. In the beginning, the littliest daughter befriends a ghost and starts to have some 'fun'. I say 'fun' because at one point she ends up on the roof and almost jumps.  The husband starts to have delusions about the new house, and the creepy ghosts that haunt the joint don't really help at all. In fact, they really make it worse. By and by the experts are being called in to get rid of the ghosts, but like the priest in 'Casper', they run out of there pretty darn quick.
As the worse begins to take form, the mother becomes the only sane person in the house and decides to take charge of all the trouble that is brewing... until the unavoidable happens, Hell Breaks Loose. I must admit, after watching the movie and not sleeping for a week it was a good movie to watch. Just enough special effects and I'm quite thrilled to read the book! (Apparantly the whole thing was written as a book first at first-hand experiences, but then I heard after that, that the story was really just a hoax. All I'm saying is if I saw a basement like they had, I would be three states over in a matter of minutes!) Oh, and one other thing, watch this in the daylight, like any other horror movie, please?

 

9 Words Women Use

(1)Fine:This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2)Five Minutes:If she is getting dressed, this means a half  an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3)Nothing:This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4)Go Ahead:This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5)Loud Sigh:This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6)That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7)Thanks:A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'.. That will bring on a 'whatever').

(8)Whatever:Is a woman's way of saying...Go to Hell...

(9)Don't worry about it, I got it:Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
*Mention this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

*Mention this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it's true!!!

Nursery Rhymes

Student be nimble,
Student be quick,
Students used to avoid the hickory stick.

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The High Schooler now races the clock,
The clock strikes too fast,
The student runs late to class,
Hickory Dickory Dock.

Undergrad Undergrad, don't be sad,
How do your studies go?
With essays and overdue projects
And finals all laid out in a row?

Kill With Kindness

We've all heard this phrase before, we absolutely love somebody or something practically to death and well, they really stop loving us or have been so loved that they need to go on up to the 'loved so much' shelf in the room. Kissy Kissy Love Love Love!  

Or have you ever wanted to kill somebody that you really just wanted to put them out of thier misery because they are so happy? Time to pull out the light sabers and the self defense right?

Other people you really just want to hug them so tight and sqeeze them so much that they have no where to go and you love them so much!! Kind of like when a cobra squeezes you so tight you can't breathe....

Okay maybe not that much, I'm sure the other person feels like they're being attacked by pirahnas and really can't go anywhere and wish that you would just go away.... Like that annoying aunt who grabs your cheeks at any age and goes "Oh Look How Cute You Are!!!"

A tactic that can ward off those lovely people that want to kill you with thier kindness is by biting them on anywhere you can find. Those poor suckers... I've been bitten before and it's ... interesting. As for me I'm gonna get rid of the meaness in your body and just squeeze it out of you! *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* OW!

Okay, so maybe that wasn't the best approach. I could tell you though, that if you try to kill you best frenemy with kindess, be warned of the various poisons that could be headed your way....

I keep checking my apples and drinks in case if she decides to make a comeback and poison any of my food. I really only wanted to be her friend, I swear! I just ended up killing her with kindess....

New Years Blessings

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

 

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20.. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life..

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly

people.

25.. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS

AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'

(Romans 8:31)

My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. I decided to send it to more than four, because I didn't want to limit blessings.

MENTION THIS PLEASE.

Warm Day

This may be a little late in the posting, but I decided to post it now in case if the weather decides to warm up again. It's happened before hasn't it? It's been a very strange season!
This is a shawl that I like to wear, in a few different season, and in these pictures it happens to be the summer! I would like to try this outfit with a longer shirt under the red shawl. (I know that you can't see it, and it looks a bit orange, but I swear that it is red!)

Under the red shawl is a black tank top, and I'm wearing black capri's, with black heels that have straps around them. I know, it may look a bit thin to you, but it actually it quite warm. I really liked this outfit could be worn in more than four different ways.
1. When it was warm I wore the outfit mentioned above.
2. When I did get a little chilly, I wore small shoes and longer pants. Not bad eh?
3. I switched the shoes out for flats. When the day began to get a little cold I put on black pants.
4. The fourth way would be wearing the flats, the long black pants and wearing a long sleeved black shirt underneath the red shawl. Perhaps I will wear this tomorrow! As long as it doesn't snow...

 

Messy Sitter

I'm not sure if you have heard of this neat trick, but it is a sure fire way to get the children to like you right off the bat. A colleague of mine passed this trick on to me, after she tested it out on her group of children first. She mentioned this in passing, and a few quick hints as well.

You need:

1. White Shaving Cream
     * If you use the blue shaving cream, the paint will already have a strong smell
2. Elmer's Glue
3*. Add in smelly flavors such as peppermint, mint, or anything that smells nice for the holidays

Directions:

1. Mix the Shaving Cream and the Elmer's Glue 50/50 until it becomes a paint

2*. If you want the paint to be 'puffier' add in more Shaving Cream

3. Mix in the flavors, if you so wish.

4. Use a paint brush and lather the paint onto colored paper and voila!

When I get pictures I'll post them for you, but for now this is what I have. ☺

Halloween

Valentines Day

                                                                          For Summer!

"There's no charge for love."

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.
He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of
his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked
down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a
handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence,the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.

Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

"How much?" asked the little boy... "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

It's National Friendship Week.

Show your friends how much you care. Show this to everyone you consider a FRIEND as well as those who WERE!!! If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.