Candy Does NOT make a Dandy Swami

OK, so I'm new at this.

Remember back this year, on January 3rd, a mere 363 days ago, I made some predictions for the year 2012 here?

Well, boy did I SUCK at it. Out of the five predictions, only one and a half of them were on the money. That's pretty bad and if I were a betting woman, I would not bet on me.

Lets go over them point by point, shall we?

I predicted:

1. Mitt Romney will defeat Barak Obama for the Presidency of the United States. Yup, I just see it, like you know how you visualize winning a race or scoring a goal? I just see Mitt as our next leader of the free world. This is by no means an endorsement of any candidate or political party by Candy's Daily Dandy. This is just a feeling, a hunch and I could totally be wrong.

Boy was I wrong...BUT, I'll take solace in knowing that I'm not the only one who may have thought this to be true at that time. I had a 50-50 shot at it and I was wrong. OK, so I better not quit the day job. I get it.

Next up, I perdicted:

2. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will get married. This one's kind of a no brainer. I'm not the smartest or most incredible swami for making this prediction, I'm just a mother and a woman and right around, kind of, the same, not exactly but sort of the same age as the Hollywood power couple. Since they have 6 kids together and family is their number one priority, the next logical and romantic step is to make it legal. Really, who are they going to move onto? Both are the top of their demographic when it comes to picking a partner of the opposite sex, so it only makes sense. Plus, there is nothing more romantic or fulfilling. Again, just my opinion.

So this is the one that I got HALF right. Brad and Angie didn't get married this year, but they did get engaged. Brad put a ring on it and maybe next year we will see the wedding. Maybe not. Maybe they are already secretly married. Hmmm. Maybe the wedding will make it to next year's Daily Dandy predictions. I'll take the half here.

Then I predicted:

3. Over sized glasses will be all the rage. Take my advice here, and buy a pair of over sized sun glasses, but the real fire will spread with over sized reading and eye glasses. The bigger the better. Geek is chic and big, geeky, nerdy glasses will make a huge fashion statement in 2012. You know how I know? They are hot all over Europe in 2011 and we follow suit.

This is the ONE that I got right, which isn't much of a stretch seeing I consider myself to be somewhat of a fashion guru. Maybe I should stick to that instead of predicting the future., just sayin.

4. Robert DeNiro will make a huge Hollywood comeback as Bernie Madoff. DeNiro's Production company, Tribeca Films, will produce the film as HBO bought the rights to the Madoff Family's Book, "Truth and Consequences: Life Inside The Madoff Family". Written by Ruth Madoff, Andrew Madoff and Andrew's fiancee, Catherine Hooper. I venture to guess that there isn't a person out there who isn't curious about this story, and this predictions about DeNiro. It should be released by year's end, so DeNiro will have at Oscar in 2013.

Where the HELL did this come from? Now I'm not saying that this one may never come to fruition, and If it does, you all will be the first one's to hear about my prediction coming true, but Oscar? Really? I want some more of what I may have been smoking at that time, because that's just not even close. Unless someone knows someone, who knows a guy,  who knows that this deal is going on in Hollywood behind closed doors as we speak, please let me know. Otherwise I'll just sweep this prediction under the carpet and move on with my life. 

And speaking of sweeping predictions under the carpet. I said:

 5. Ok, so I'm going out on a limb here, but it's no fun otherwise. AND you know that I truly believe this: The New England Patriots will defeat The New Orleans Saints to win Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. Yup, they just may be on their way to peaking right now, and just in the nick of time. I may be off about the Super Bowl opponent, so if it's not the Saints, it's going to be the Packers. Even though the Pats have serious, serious issues on defense, and they can't afford to fall behind more than two scores with either of these teams in the beginning of the game, we have Tommy. He's the best in the business and he knows how to get it done. And he will. Also, My Tommy is the MVP of Super Bowl XLVI.

I'm such a homer. I really DON'T want to revisit this heartbreak again.,but:

On the positive side for Candy: I did predict that that Pats would be in the Superbowl, so, I think I get half a point there and the rest is just not worth discussing without HURLING. 

So, I'm gonna take the extra half a point and call my overall prediction score 2 for 5 and be done with it. Even so, I've decided that I'm going to do it again and make my predictions for 2013. It can't get any worse, right? Stay tuned. 

Happy New Year Bloggers. I PREDICT a healthy and happy 2013 for all my blogger buddies. 

Taking Stock

So It's that time of the year. Time to take stock, so to speak.

Seriously, these next couple of days have got to be the most anticlimactic. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over. The purpose of going out to run errands has taken on new meaning and the sight of a credit card receipt makes even the wealthiest person wince.

It's also a time to take inventory.

Inventory of the past year, inventory of your life and time to look ahead into the new year, 2013. I hate taking inventory...

But it's necessary.

I'm going to take stock of my store first.
Then I'm going to take stock of my kids next.
Then I'm taking stock of my finances and my life...

And then, ugh..I'm going to have to take inventory of me.

A Dandy Merry Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Dandy, every creature was stirring, most especially Candy. The stockings were hung and the mantle was complete and the tree was all glistening and the dogs, hustling treats.

The children weren't snuggled all cozy in bed, they were downstairs playing L-R-C with Jenna and Fred.
And Candy in Lanvin, Her Guy dressed in Versace, they had decided that this year they would dance and sing mariachi. So they invited the Trio, some family and friends and a party was held until the sun put it to an end.

When over at the table there arose such a clatter Candy sprang from her Louboutin's to see what was the matter. It was Frick and Frack, and a disagreement had sprung, between Left and Right no one knew who had won.  There was money to be had and they sat in despair, until they agreed that a donation to the Red Cross would only be fair.

The smiles on the faces of family and guest gave way for them both to know that they both had decided for the best. It wasn't about money or things or winning, this year was about love and about sacrifice and giving. Happiness and joy were both important and needed and Candy and her family were rich in both and could afford to concede it.

This year had been challenging, to say the least, what with Frick leaving the nest but staying in the East. Frick was in New York and was Frack learning to drive, and slowly they all learned that they would certainly survive. Then The Candy Bar came, the biggest challenge of all and for Candy she learned that she too, could stand tall. For her family chipped in and everybody had a job and when it was done and they opened, the entire group began to sob. They did it together! and Candy wouldn't have had it any other way, because it was a labor of love at the end of the day.

For Candy, she felt like her dreams had come true, and she whistled and shouted and called out her crew,
"To the top of the stairs, to the top of the hall, now dream and achieve and work hard for it all!"

She was so thankful and she knew that she was fortunate and blessed, but there were others this Christmas who were suffering and distressed. So she prayed to St. Nick, to God and to anyone else, "Please ease their suffering and bring peace to their hearts."

And I heard Candy exclaim as she climbed the stairs and out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a great night."

Have A Kick Ass Holiday Weekend

Hey Bloggers! 

Have a great holiday weekend and while you are out there shopping, try to find your Santa style! But you'd better behave.

Cuz you know he's watching and he's a checkin' that list more than twice.

Peace!

Trouble With The Curve

So I watched good old Clint last night and I gotta tell you it was troubling.

Dirty Harry is dead and gone and Eastwood has left us with a curmudgeonly old character who is a constant reminder that getting old sucks. Even A-lister Amy Adams, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake couldn't make this a sinker a go. I might have been seriously depressed after watching this one had it not been for the Hollywood hook; the happy ending.

The story line is predictable. Eastwood is Gus, an aging and angry baseball scout who is facing the end of a very long career. Amy Adams plays Mickey (named after Mickey Mantle), Gus's estranged daughter. Gus is loosing his sight and quite possibly his mind until long time friend and colleague, Pete (Goodman) asks Mickey to accompany her father on his possible last scouting trip to scout the number one prospect and make sure things go well.

Adams is convincing as Mickey, a career driven lawyer who has no time for anything, except climbing the corporate ladder at her prestigious firm. Enter Justin Timberlake, who I can't take seriously as an actor because I still see BOY BAND when I look at him, as a love interest for Mickey. Timberlake plays Johnny, a former standout who ruined his arm and is trying to reinvent himself in the game as a scout and broadcaster. The romance between them never really grows a set of legs and walks in this script despite the solid performances.

But it's Easwood who is the story here. Dang, he's old. And he keeps reminding us that Cowboys never really die, they just get put out to pasture. He's angry and he's loosing his sight and he's not happy. Its painful at times to watch Eastwood convincingly teach us about the aging process. Of course this is Hollywood and these scripts make sure that there is a brass ring to grab at the end of this ride. Gus proves that he's still got it and that his age and experience make him still a valuable member of the baseball organization he is employed by. Mickey proves that she's got her father's talent and finds a new career path in sports management. Father and daughter reconcile and even bond over a shared love, the game of baseball, and Mickey finally finds her place in her father's world.

Cute, but too freakin late for my liking. I needed to be cheered up by then.

Can't say that I would recommend it, even for the most ardent baseball fans. Unless you love seeing a chick spew forth baseball trivia question answers like an encyclopedia. I'd wait until it's the movie of the week on ABC and that there's nothing better on TV.

Ring-A-Ling-A-Ling-A-Ding-Dong-Ding

Just like the song says, "just hear those sleigh bells jingling ring ting tingling too", once you hear them it's hard not to sing right along. "Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you."

Admit it. Your car radio has been on the local all Christmas music-all the time station for weeks and your heart beats a little merrier when you listen to the songs of the season. There are so many Christmas songs that put us in the mood for merriment, I wondered which ones would be in the Top 5 of all time.

According to Billboard Charts, these are the Top 5 Holiday Songs of all time:

#5. Burl Ives, "Holly Jolly Christmas". Not bad for a song that was recorded for a children's Christmas tale like "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer." Who could forget his snowman voice overs and rendition of this song.

#4. Bobby Helms, "Jingle Bell Rock".  First recorded in 1957, this song has been recorded and re-recorded by thousands of others, but Helms version is the one we want to hear. The distinctive guitar that belts out the melody in the opening seconds of the song are best known.

#3. Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song". What would Christmas be like without this soft and soulful rendition from Nat King Cole. Roasting chestnuts has never sounded so good.

#2. Brenda Lee, "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree". Brenda Lee, a singer who sang rock pop and country hits, was best know for this Christmas song. She was 13 at the time she recorded this Christmas hit in 1958.

And the Number 1 most beloved Christmas song of all time, (according to Billboard)

#1. Mariah Carey, "All I want for Christmas is You". Yup, my very own doppelganger. Written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff and recorded in 1994, this song remains one of the best selling singles OF ALL TIME. The thing about this song is, even though at this time of year, when they play it four thousand times a day, it still makes me smile and gets my feet tapping. And it's one of the most covered too. Michael Buble brought it down tempo with his smooth vocals and lots of other performers have tried to cover it, but in reality, there's only one Mariah, and nobody even comes close when it comes to this song.

So bloggers, did I forget anyone? Any song? Any favorites? 

I Was Just Going To Say...

I intended to talk about happy Christmas music today, but it just doesn't seem right in this forum.

The Pat's played one heck of a second half last night, but this morning it doesn't really matter. My beloved Boston Herald and I, together this morning have set the tone for the day.

As much as I try, and generally succeed in going on with my life, those little faces, the unspeakable horror creeps in and causes me to hold my children close. Frozen almost, in fear of what could happen, a constant reminder of the evil that lives among us.

I heard my daughter say, "I don't want to talk about it," and I was frozen again, unable to move the important conversation forward. I don't think I wanted to talk about it either. But I did talk to my son. I had to explain to him that his high school will be on lock down today. That visitors must make arrangements to gain entry and that he cannot enjoy the privilege of open campus any longer. He understood completely, once he realized how quickly copy cats can strike and how precious life is.

I know it won't always feel like this. I know I'll tell funny and inappropriate jokes and talk about the frivolousness of life again soon on The Daily Dandy. I just knew it couldn't be today. It doesn't feel right.

I also know I'll try to never forget. I can do that for them. It's just about the only thing I can do for them.

Why?

A Holiday Cautionary Tale

I would like to share an experience with you all about drinking and driving this holiday season. 

As you might well know, some of us have been known to have had rare brushes with the authorities on our way home from the odd social session over the years.

A couple of nights ago I was out for a few drinks with some friends and had a few too many beers and some shots.  Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit
I did something I've never done before.  I took a bus home.

Sure enough, I passed a DUI checkpoint, but because it was a bus, they just waved it through.  I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise, as I have never driven a bus before and am not sure where I got it! 

I Was Just Thinking...

• That "Two Broke Girls" is one of the best shows on TV. That, and "The New Normal". I haven't seen "Glee" in weeks and no time to watch "XFactor" any more. I haven't even watched "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" this season. Too busy.

• I started out my Fantasy Football league going 7-1. Total domination. Then I lost the last 6 weeks. IN A ROW. Someone's getting suckered. It's pissing me off. I should have known something would go awry with ELI MANNING as my QB. Ugh. I'm not eve sure I'll make it to the playoffs. 

• Speaking of Sports-(cue the Taps music) Youlk just signed for one year with the Yankees. A travesty. It's unnatural, not normal, awful and bizarre. 

• I haven't started my Xmas shopping yet. I can hardly blog these days on a daily basis, you think I have time to shop? And my tree isn't even up yet. Oh, the horror. I'm not complaining, tho..the store is doing quite well moving into week 4. Thank goodness for the Internet. I'll start shopping today. Any suggestions?

• Get this: My Guy is in Las Vegas celebrating the wedding of one of his closest friends whom he has a strong familial bond with. He left yesterday, they are getting married today and My Guy comes home tomorrow. I am DEVASTATED that I could not join them. I can't, I cant leave Frack and I can't leave my staff yet. I'm really upset that I couldn't somehow pull off a 3 day jaunt to Vegas to celebrate this joyous occasion with them. Is this what they call sacrifice? It doesn't feel very great.

• The cold that is going around these here parts is dangerous. People are hacking and coughing and sneezing to the left and right of me all day long. I've got to keep this sucker at bay, I had a touch of it a week ago, and I'm not interesting in hosting it again.

• Even after I've complained about all these things, I need to tell you that it's beginning to feel like Christmas around here. I love the magic of the season and I can feel the excitement of the next 11 days. I wish you all a bit of that cheer as we head into the season.

"It's About a Connection" To All My Sagittarius Sisters Out There.

I sooo called it.

Yup, on Dec 5, 2012, My Tommy and Gi welcomed a baby girl in Boston, MA. Little Miss Vivian Lake Brady was born to the Brady Bunchden.

I called it here:

It was easy, really. Giselle got FAT, (bwahahahaha) and her face changed. And not for the better. I am not the one who said she was fat, either. She did. She commented to the Inside Track at the Boston Herald that her dress, a Tom Ford sheath, was "the only thing that fit her". Awwww, poor super model. I can almost feel her trying to cover herself up.

Now, My Tommy and I are so connected that his precious little daughter and my precious little daughter Frack share the same middle name. How's that for fate? And Little Miss Vivian and I share the same birth sign and Little Miss Frack and My Tommy share a birth sign. The way I see it, there's just no room for a supermodel in that equation. Sorry Gi.

And also a big to SORRY everyone...I have to post this because "it's about connection"... and it's from the funniest movie I have ever seen, "The 40 Year Old Virgin", and it is COMPLETELY inappropriate, disgusting, filled with profanity, shocking sexual content and completely NSFW.  But it's probably my favorite scene, EVER.

Again, My Tommy and I share, "a connection".

If You've Got Nothing Nice To Say Don't Say Anything At All.

So this chick pissed me off yesterday.

And here I was thinking I had I left high school years ago.

She basically told me she thought I was ugly. But in a nice way. If that's possible. I couldn't believe it.
And I'm all like,"really bitch? You didn't just say that to me, did you?" "Oh, HELL no!":

Truth is, I didn't say anything back. I didn't say anything back that was mean spirited, like I wanted to. I just kind of chuckled. I casually told her I live by my own rules and I don't care too much about other people's rules or what they think from behind my huge, dazzling smile. I took it like it was no skin off my back. But it was skin off my back. It was hairs standing up on the back of my neck.

Didn't your mother ever tell you that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all? Really, Bitch? I have to deal with her regularly too because she's kind of a  new colleague. And I hardly giggled when someone else described her as "quirky and flighty". I said nothing because quietly I already knew she was a bitch.

She's completely screwed herself now, because she's dead to me. I'll be cordial because that's what my mom taught me to do, but if she does it again I'll go all Irish on her and then I won't be pretty. She can count on that. My Irish can get very ugly.

Really bitch?

What are we 7 years old? Is she trying to establish her dominance? Believe me toots, I'm not interested in hanging with you "cool kids". I'm all set.

Now I know I'm not ugly.

And this is not a ploy to get you to tell me I'm beautiful in the comments section.This is about a lot more than the way that I look, but I'm so surprised that a grown woman would resort to that type of "bullying". Because I can't think of any other reason for her to say what she said to the new kid on the block. It's kind of shocking. And I said nothing back. Snark deserted me when I needed it most.

That's SO not like me. Let's hope my mojo's not next.

Really bitch?

This Is Me If I were Santa

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for is annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked, and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider pot, and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door. He opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great Christmas tree.

The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?"

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

http://www.dancentury.com/xmas.html#.UL9vHOTLSf4

My Birthday, Love and a Strawberry Shortcake

Another year older. Another year wiser?
Maybe.

Another day, going about my business, just like any other day. Got work to do, no time for play.

I'm older now so I get sick easier. The head cold that has been rooming with my body for the past week is loudly announcing it's presence in my hankie. In front of everybody too.
The weak of the herd. Snuffed out through the herd mentality. Birthday or not, the weak are vulnerable.

sigh*

It didn't feel special. Was it supposed to? And I really didn't care, which bothered me most.

Then the strawberry shortcake happened.
And the mushy card.
And I felt the love.
And I began to feel....special.

And it really was my birthday.
And I let the love in and it felt good. Better than any wrapped up present. I was wrapped in love and I am lucky. I felt like the Alpha again and my strength was regained.
All because of a simple, very special, strawberry shortcake.


And the love of a good man.

Jewels Of Style

I'm no different than any other girly girl. I'm not going to deny that I get all giddy at the site of some blingy bling bling. And by blingy bling bling, you know what I mean. That special sparkly arm candy, those 5 finger favorites and a neck dripping with a girl's best friend.  Yes, I am attracted to and distracted by sparkly beauty.

Since I opened the new Candy Bar, I have been selling my special kind of blingy favorites exactly like the ones pictured above and I find myself amazed at the response to these gorgeous beauties. Women LOVE them and these moderately priced bracelets are flying out the door. Now, the fact that women love them isn't what surprises me. Of course they love them. (sparkle) What surprises me is that many of my customers, who report to never wearing jewelry that "isn't real" are snapping them up and squealing with delight. These are women who have gorgeous, custom designed jewelry with precious gems who obviously have great taste.

They love them because not only are they "real", they are fun! Made from precious stone beads like moonstone, agate, lapis and polished coral, beaded alongside Swarovski crystals in white, black, rose and champagne gold these little gems make a nice statement stacked up on the arm of a lady. It has become a sport here, matching and pairing these babies together to create one's own personal style.

My clients tell me their new little jewels of style make them happy! Which makes me happy, and you all know that when mama is happy so is everyone else. And fellas? A little bling under the tree this year isn't a bad idea. Very Me bracelets can be found at The Candy Bar, and the smiles they produce can be found for years to come.

Useless Tidbits

• So there were two Powerball winners, one in Arizona and one in Missouri. Some people have all the luck. I'll just keep telling myself that 500 million dollars would have screwed my life up anyway. Right?

• I was watching the XFactor last night and I have decided that Britney Spears is either dumb as rocks or on some serious drugs. The chick is seriously off, like really off. Sad. 

• Seriously disgusted by this story. Quick recap: Young couple from New Hampshire allegedly beat and burned the young girl's 3 year old son so badly that the doctors feared he was blinded. About a week ago they dropped the child off at a local hospital and took off. The child is fighting between surgeries, and expected to make a long recovery. The authorities found them yesterday in, get this: Universal Studios in Orlando. 5 Words: (and they aren't nice words) HUNG. UP. BY. THE. BALLS.

• Frick told me something interesting when she was home this weekend. She, being a freshman in college, just got to see her old high school friends for the first time this school year over the weekend. She told me that quite a few of them started smoking. I found this interesting because my theory is this: these kids live a sheltered life. Even though they do a hell of a lot more than I think they do, they've probably never been exposed to many smokers. What do you think?

Getting Old's A Bi*ch

An old man walks into a bar, sits down, and starts crying.

The bartender asks, “What’s wrong?” The old man looks at the bartender through teary eyes and between sobs says, “I married a beautiful woman two days ago. She’s a natural blonde, twenty-five, intelligent, a marvelous cook, a meticulous housekeeper, extremely sensitive to my wants and needs, very giving, my best friend, and intensely passionate in bed.”

The bartender stares at the old man for a brief moment and says, “But that sounds great! You have what every man wants in a woman, so why are crying?”
The old man looks at the bartender and says, “I can’t remember where I live!”



http://www.ajokeaday.com/Clasificacion.asp?ID=25#ixzz2DQbHmem2

Black Friday Boob

Did you hear the story about this guy?

I thought I'd heard it all, but this one really hit home. Trouble here is, I can't quite figure out who is the bigger boob. Him, for leaving his girlfriend's two year old toddler in his car at 1:30 am while he went into KMart score a 51 inch TV on Black Friday, or us for buying into all of this Black Friday madness.

No doubt, Anthony Perry is a boob to the highest degree. He claims he will live with the guilt for the rest of his life which I find interesting considering he reportedly fled the scene after purchasing the TV and saw the police cruisers and ambulance outside his car. (authorities later found him at home with his TV) But aren't we, society and the consumer public boobs too?

We buy into all this Black Friday madness and create this climate by simply engaging in shopping at midnight on Thanksgiving. Hey, I'm not saying I'm any better. As a retailer myself, I knew I had to make some sort of Black Friday offering to my customers or "live with the guilt for the rest of my life". Business is business and retailers need to stay competitive. I get that. I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't want my own Black Friday offering to create a stampede in my store. But do we/I have to create a dangerous frenzy while engaging our customers in some rewarding retail therapy?

I think not.

Look, there will always be a few bad apples that spoil it for the rest of us. This is a fact. But let's try to keep the sanctity of Thanksgiving by letting Black Friday be Black Friday. On Black Friday. Not Small business Saturday or Cyber Monday. Or whatever the emails I kept getting the week before announcing Black Friday deals the week before Black Friday. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

I guess we are all boobs and like I always say:
Boobs are just like drinks:
One is not enough and three is too many.

Gobble Gobble...

I can't believe it's here already.

How did that happen??  I'm glad, because I love the holidays. I guess I've been too busy to notice that they were creeping up on me. Despite it all I am cooking a turkey just for Frick, Frack and My Guy this year which should be a welcome change. My little nuclear unit.

This year I'm Thanking for all the Giving and I'm going give back and not ask for Thanks.

I wish many blessings to you and yours and I thank you for coming here and joining in the discussion.


Happy Thanksgiving Bloggers, and make sure your belt buckle has a few extra holes in it...

Did You Hear The One About The Blonde That...

Couldn't learn to water ski because she couldn't find a lake with a slope.

Got excited because she finished a jigsaw puzzle in 6 months and the box said "2 to 4 years"

Couldn't call 911 because there was no 11 on any phone button.

When asked what the capital of California was; answered "C".

Baked a turkey for 3 days because the instructions said 1 hour per pound and she weighed 125.

After losing in a breaststroke swimming competition, complained that the other swimmers were using their arms.

D'uh....

The Ten Dollar Difference

She walked away thinking, "Who am I to have been blessed with so much?" Then,"
Why me and not her?" Realistically there was a vast difference between them, but
what was it? Clearly it was more than just ten dollars.

If it is true that people come into your life for a reason, she wanted to know
what the reason was? The woman told her she was her angel. An angel disguised as
a person but she was beginning to think it was the woman who was the angel.

It was a quiet Sunday in November and she found herself with something she
hadn't had in weeks; time. But she wasn't complaining. She was on top of the
world, feeling a high she hadn't felt in years. She was living out her dreams
and watching them come true. And she had the love and support of her family.
She knew they believed in her. That morning was not unusual. She had stopped off
to get some cash at the ATM, then on to the nail salon to pamper herself. The
few extra minutes to the city were worth it because they do the best job. She
almost stopped to do ten other things that morning before the bank, but she
didn't.

She pulled up to the closed bank in her expensive car, a pricey , designer
handbag dangling from her arm. As she took out her ATM card to gain access to
the door a man and his young daughter were exiting. They hurriedly pushed past
her when she immediately heard the bellowing sobs from within.

The woman stood shaking, short of breath, almost hyperventilating, fumbling
with her cell phone, her greasy nails and hands visibly shaking uncontrollably.
"Are you alright?" she asked the woman.
"No," the woman said through heavy sobs. "That machine just ATE my ATM card!"
the woman screeched. "I came here to get ten dollars and that machine ate my
card."

Immediately, she felt a small sense of relief. She put her hand up to the
shaking woman and said,
"Relax honey. It's happened to me before. You can come back tomorrow and get
your card." she said. "Don't worry."
This only made the woman cry harder, as the tears streamed down her slightly
grey complected face and dropped onto her grease stained jacket.
"But that was my last ten dollars." the woman said. "I haven't eaten in three
days and I needed that money to get some food. I can't wait until tomorrow" she
cried.

She knew what was coming next, but she wasn't sure if the overwhelming feeling
of doom was because she knew that the woman was going to ask her for the money
or because she already knew that she was going to give it to her.
"Can you give me ten dollars? I haven't eaten in three days." the woman sobbed.
"I'm having a bad week."
"Why don't you call the bank and see what they can do for you?"she said.
"I already did," the woman replied. "I have to wait until tomorrow. Oh God, I'm
having a bad week. Can you give me ten dollars?"

She stood there, in all of her abundance. The blessings practically dripping
from her body and she quietly wondered why me and not her? She felt like a
little girl doing something she shouldn't. Like when you know your going to get
into trouble with your mother, but she didn't hesitate.
"I'll give you the ten dollars. OK? Now take a deep breath and calm down. It's
going to be alright," she said.
"Oh thank you. You're an angel,"the woman said as she paced back and forth
within the small ATM crucible. "I'm having a really bad week."

She kept repeating, "Take a deep breath." to the woman as she effortlessly took
out ten times the ten dollars so desperately needed . The two then walked across
the street to change the $20.00 bill that the ATM dispensed. "It's going to be
OK," she kept telling the woman, to which the woman kept replying, "I'm just
having a really bad week."

She knew she had to ask, but she felt a bit guilty after she did, "You are going
to buy food with this money, right?" she said. "Not something you shouldn't be
buying."
"Yes. I'm going to Hannaford Farms right now. You are an angel dressed as a
person. Thank you," the woman sobbed.

They then parted ways. She was left to feel the mixed emotions of that exchange.
Why her? Why that morning? And what makes them so different? Aren't we all just
ten dollars away from having a bad week? What was ten dollars to her on that
day? How could she say no, with everything she has been blessed with? It made
her feel sad because she knew that it was a lot more than ten dollars that
separated the two women.

She remained quiet for the next hour or so. Even her regular nail girl
commented, " You're so quiet today. Not your usual self." She had lots to share
about her own life, all the good news that was happening to her right now, but
it wasn't important any more. She just wanted to be quiet.

She didn't tell anyone about it either, because that's not why she did it. She
did it because that woman needed it and she knew she had to help her. She knew
there would be those who would tell her she got fleeced by a con artist, and
taken for a ride. Maybe she did but maybe she didn't. Maybe it was a cautionary
tale for her, but she decided to keep it to herself.

Until right now.

Like Taking Candy...

So you might have noticed lately that I've kinda been a sucky blogger.

I'm sorry. Please accept my sincere apologies.

You see, I've been busy with a project, and today I get to reveal why all those days were spent working and not blogging.

I've been working on my new store.

The Candy Bar located at 20 Church Street, Wellesley, MA is finally finished and today I open the doors for business.  I couldn't be prouder.

















I spent the summer searching for my favorite things.

Things I think you'll like and things I know you'll love, and I brought them all together under one roof.

Of course, my old friend Kevyn will be there.

And I've got a few new friends too.

And don't forget about the BLING...girls love BLING!

And when you need to get styled for that special occasion, The Candy Bar will take care of that too.
Welcome to beauty paradise...

Oh yes, and there's one more thing.

We sell candy too, because there's nothing better than that kid in a candy store feeling!


Today I feel like the luckiest person alive. That little girl who loved to play "pretend store" is all growed up.

The love, confidence and support of my family has brought me through to today, and I thank God and them for all the blessings.


I'm living a dream and yes, they really do come true.

I'm Surprised I Missed It

I like to pride myself on the fact that I am somewhat of a Fashion Diva/Expert/ Guru of sorts.





Safe to say that I live for fashion. It pumps through my veins and I'm always reading the fashion magazines, trolling the internet on the latest trends and staying informed on all things fashion and beauty.





So it was a shock to me when I missed it. I'm ashamed of myself.






I know I have been busy, but am I really that crazy that I missed the latest?





I'm horrified.






How did I not see it?




Now I need to rethink my entire fall wardrobe, which is some serious sh*t, and it's not going to be cheap, I tell ya. Shame on me for being a fashion junkie.





Ladies, why didn't you tell me?

Destination Wedding Day

Hey Bloggers!

I'm off to somewhere I've never been before to witness a family wedding. I'm off to Key West Florida today to enjoy the wedding of My Guy's niece to a wonderful man we have come to call family.

Even though I've been to Florida about 6947 times, I've never traveled to "the southern most part of the US", the Florida Keys. We are looking forward to enjoying a wonderful weekend relaxing and celebrating with close friends and family.

For me it couldn't have come at a worse or better time. Better, because I need a break and an opportunity to unplug. Worse because, well....I'll tell you next week. Exciting things coming my way and I can't wait to share them with you when I get back.

But today is about them. The happy couple and their happy guests in a gorgeous destination, toasting their gorgeous life together. I wish them love, joy and peace as they come together.

Raise a glass this weekend and toast your loved ones, bloggers! And count your blessings.

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

Nothing says lovin like a heapin, hot bowl of chili. I love all kinds of chili, as long as it's got a kick to it, and when the weather gets cold and icy, there's no better time for some hot lovin.

I'm always trying new kinds of chili, too. I just got a new recipe for chili that looks easy, but the recipe makes 16 gallons of chili, and I'm not sure I could feed that many people in my house. I'll keep you posted on how that one turns out.

While I love a good beef chili, the past few years have seen me coming back to my new favorite recipe, and it's not the chili of my dreams. Nope, its a vegetarian chili that is every bit as rib stickin', tummy satisfying as it's older brother, and it comes from Emeril Lagasse.

I stumbled upon the recipe a couple of years ago when I had been served a delightful bowl of veggie chili that had me yearning for more. I think I googled vegetarian chili recipe and his was the first to come up. A Food Network 5 out of 5 stars recipe, it's tattered and stained print out has been my go to chili for the past few years because it never disappoints.

Do your tummy a favor and give it some warm lovin. Cuz Baby it's cold outside...

Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 1 cup chopped red bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced, depending upon taste
• 1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears)
• 1 1/2 pounds portobello mushrooms (about 5 large), stemmed, wiped clean and cubed
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespooon ground cumin
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 3 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup vegetable stock, or water
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• Cooked brown rice, accompaniment
• Sour cream or strained plain yogurt, garnish
• Diced avocado, garnish
• Essence, recipe follows, garnish
• Chopped green onions, garnish

Directions

In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and serrano peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, corn, and mushrooms, and cook, stirring, until soft and the vegetables give off their liquid and start to brown around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and stir well. Add the beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.

To serve, place 1/4 cup of brown rice in the bottom of each bowl. Ladle the chili into the bowls over the rice. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and spoonful of avocado. Sprinkle with Essence and green onions and serve.

Stick The POTUS Fork In it

I am so done with this election.

I am so glad that after today it will be over. If I see one more Elizabeth Warren or Scott Brown political ad on TV I'm going to sucker punch someone.

At this point there's nothing more to say and nothing more to do except to exercise your right as a registered, over the age of 18 American and go and vote. That's it. We will let Democracy do the rest of the talking.

May the best man win.

Candy Coated Dreams

Like a kid in a candy store.......

Does the sight of this make you go all giddy and weak in the knees?

I took this picture in Paris, France in 2009 just outside a movie theatre and I remember the excitement of the prospect of being able to put together a whole bag of wonderful. I still feel the same way about candy and right now I'm putting together all my favorites so that I can bring that kind of joy and excitement to my clients.

For me, it goes back to my childhood and a place called, The Dover Country Store, in Dover Ma. The Dover Country Store was a musty antique shop located on a railroad track that my mom used to take us to. Now, one would think that the store, loaded with old antique furniture and goods that were musty and piled atop one another in an old barn would not be a place that a carload of kids would stampede into with joy. But the Dover Country Store also had one of the greatest penny candy shops for miles around and back then the candy really was a penny.

Nothing was greater than hitting up the gorgeous, colorful display with a pocket full of change needing nothing but my imagination and my taste buds. The small brown bag of candy that was mine was then lovingly carried off to some secluded area of the shop, usually where all the rugs were piled atop each other, for further inventory and careful inspection. It was truly the start of "retail therapy" for me. That little brown bag was torn and tattered by the weeks end, from moving it to different hiding locations and from it's rationed and dwindling contents.

Like a kid in a candy store.....

I know that's how my grown up clients feel when they enter The Candy Bar, and now they will be able to re-live some of those precious candy memories from childhood. Maybe their kids will make their own Candy Bar memories, or they will bring someone a Candy Bar gift of candy to make them smile. The option will be theirs and it will be my joy to offer them a little slice of wonderful.

Help me out bloggers! Share your candy favorites and memories.

You Can Insert "X-Husband" Too, Ya Know.

My ex-wife started taking flying lessons about the time our divorce started and she got her license shortly before our divorce was final, later that same year. Yesterday afternoon, she narrowly escaped injury in the aircraft she was piloting when she was forced to make an emergency landing in Southern Tennessee because of bad weather. Thank God our kids were with me this weekend. The NTSB issued a preliminary report, citing pilot error: Judy was flying a single engine aircraft in IFR (instrument flight rating) conditions while only having obtained a VFR (visual flight rating) rating.  The absence of a post-crash fire was likely due to insufficient fuel on board. No one on the ground was injured. The photograph below was taken at the scene and shows the extent of damage to her aircraft. She was very lucky.

 Happy Belated Halloween!!!

Up And Running.....

No more than 30 minutes ago, I joined the real world again. My power was finally restored and I'm grateful that we survived with barely a scratch. My town was very hard hit with wind, leaving in it's wake power outages and lots of downed trees all over the place, but now that the power is restored I feel anew. I can hardly complain. After three days of no power, I was finally able to put a TV back on and see what happened around me.

Look at New York City and New Jersey. Oh my.

NYU was clobbered and almost all of the dormitories were evacuated due to power outages and flooding. The school will remain closed until Saturday and classes will resume on Monday. Frick is fine, thank God. She and her roommates took the train on Sunday to New Jersey, hours before the rails were closed for the storm (inland not the Shore) to stay at one of the roommate's home. The family has 2 generators, and while they lost power and are still powerless, Frick reports to having generator power and having a ball. They are being treated like Queens and last night she text me, "Porkchops on the grill and macaroni and cheese! Can't get much better than this." I am eternally grateful to that family for watching over my baby girl during the Hurricane.

Frack is pumped...
Day three and no school and I'm thinking that he is liking this. The downside is that Frack's super excellent Golf team was scheduled to play in the State Championships on Monday, but that has been postponed until next Monday, which gives him a few more days to get prepared. GO WILDCATS!

My store never lost power, My Guy's office never lost power and all is well here in the aftermath. Driving to work, I see more and more fences, trees and power lines down, and I'm grateful that my home survived quite well. I'm thinking we are on the road to normal. That new normal I told you about.

Sandy's Not So Dandy

It seems I can remember a time when I thought living on the East Coast was truly a weather blessing. Sure, we get belted with snow in the long and hard winters on the East Coast, but if you live here, that's what you sign up for. We also get glorious, sweltering summers, like the one I am looking at in the rearview mirror right about now. I also remember, years ago listening to National news reports about frequent earthquakes on the West Coast and severe storms, twisters and flooding in the Midwestern parts of the country. I used to think that stuff only happened to other people. The ones out there. Not us here in the East.

But over the past couple of years our luck has run out. It's like payback for all that good weather karma, and we really are making up for lost time, fast. In the past two years alone, our region has been hit with devastating, severe storms, tornadoes (virtually unheard of in these parts) and ice storms more frequently than  previous history will tell. I, myself, have been affected by long lasting power outages at least three times to date. Last week we even had a "4.5  on the Richter Scale" earthquake.

So it should be of no surprise to me that yesterday, it seemed like there were millions of "Chicken Little's" running around the area, cleaning out the Home Depots of batteries and water in preparation for today's Tropical Storm Sandy. I was one of them. Gone is the warm and cozy feeling of hunkering down for a day off with family watching the storm. The fun has been replaced with worry and aggravation over the prospect of long lasting storm effects and the costly damage to homes. And I'd rather not even think about people's safety. It's not so fun anymore.

Preparing for severe weather has become a competitive sport around here and some become the envy of the neighborhood with their storm prowess. Personally, I'd rather be popular in the neighborhood for my grilling prowess, but who's complaining? This has become our "new normal" and I've got to ride it out and say my prayers. Sandy, please spare us all your wrath. These frequent Tropical Storms are messing with our lives and our livelihoods. Last year Halloween was CANCELLED, and if this continues as it's supposed to, this year is not looking promising either. Have you ever? Rescheduling Halloween?

This "new normal" just isn't normal at all. I pray that everyone rides out Sandy's wrath in safety. May the "force" of storm preparedness be with us and not the force of the storm. Please, not the force of the storm.

Crazy Cat Lady

I am SO not a cat person, but these keep going around the Internet and some of them are hilarious!

Happy weekend bloggers and try to stay out of the catnip....