Not much to report..

Not a whole helluvalot going on here. Was sick with a virus for a few days last week. Ran a fever for a day and a half and slept alot. Dry cough, but not too bad. Made it to Church this week..have been very lax about getting there lately. Not real keen on new minister yet but will give him a full year before I make any decisions or judgements. Herman and I moved Jackie into my mom's on Saturday. She's been doing really well there and my mom likes the company (I think!) so it's a good move for all. We had to move her computer and Herman had to re-install it but it's all good. Spoke to Dar last night (at length)..All is going well for her. We shared alot of laughs..it was great to talk to her!! (Always is!) All my children are doing fairly well...Yay!! I'm off from work today and deciding what should really, really get done. Oh, we went to see "Hide and Seek" with Dakota Fanning and DeNiro..ok movie. Wasn't as good as I thought it would be. That Dakota Fanning is such a great actress, tho! (As is DeNiro!!) She was a very creepy little girl in this movie. Alright..I really need to get my day started! (Well...I've already been out because JOhn left his lunch home! LOL) Anyway, Peace!

Winter Wonderland!

Just a few shots of the 18" snowfall we received from noon yesterday (Saturday) until about 10am this morning.

Peace!

Let it snow, let it snow, LET IT SNOW!

Well, we here in NJ are getting SLAMMED with snow! We're expecting between 12"-18" of snow! (Yes..I may sound happy about it tonight but I'm sure that by Monday morning I'll change my tune!) Herman and John have already shoveled about 7" of it at around 7pm this evening. Currently NJ and NY have "states of emergency" declared-meaning that unless you're authorized, you MUST stay off the roads. (Of course, exceptions are made in an emergency.) We picked up Rachel and Boo from their friend's homes earlier this evening..FUN!! We took my 4WD truck and we cut thru the snow like butta'! LOL! Herman and I ran to Stop & Shop last night to stock up on the necessities-toilet paper, milk, bread, chips and dip, cookies and hot chocolate! What's not to love about a snowstorm?! I'll take pictures tomorrow morning and post 'em sometime on Sunday evening..

Peace!

Better day..

I'm on my hour lunch break (and it's a great thing that I live 6 blocks from work, now isn't it?!) so I decided to update. I had an inceredibly busy day yesterday...actually, come to think of it, the whole week has been crazy! I was near tears yesterday and called Herman so that he could calm me down. He later called me and told me that he didn't want me to have a bad day and that he loves me..all in a very calm, comforting way. God, I LOVE that man! Then he took me to Charlie Brown's for $2 pint night AND Asian Nachos!! What's not  to adore about him??!!

Ok..back to work I go...Peace!

Arghhhhh!

ARGHHHHHHH! &%$!!**&%!!

Bad day in progress...

Don't worry, tho...I'll be fine! :)

And I'm so damn tired, to boot.

:::sigh:::

New Jersey...

If you've ever lived in Jersey...you'll appreciate this!!!

>   New Jersey is a peninsula.

>   Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire

    eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

>   New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified

    as metropolitan areas.

>   New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

>   New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.

>   New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the

   US.

>  New Jersey has the highest cost of living.

>   New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.

>   New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

>   New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World."

>   New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club (no, not

    Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

>   Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italian sausage w/peppers and onions.

>   North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major ! shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.

>   New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

>   The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland.

>   New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's most famous:  Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch, Cape May.

>   New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

>   New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the  largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.

>   Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

>   New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production (and here you thought Massachusetts?)

>   Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country!  In 1642, the first

    brewery in America, opened in Hoboken.

>   New Jersey rocks!  The famous Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.

>   New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in the US, located in Elizabeth.  Nearly 80 percent of what our nation imports comes through Elizabeth Seaport first.

>   New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports (in Newark), Liberty International.

>   George Washington slept here.  Several important Revolutionary War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General George Washington.

>   The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion picture

    projector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory.

>   We also boast the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.

>   The first seaplane was built in Keyport, NJ.

>   The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.

>   The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJ.

>   New Jersey is home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City.

>   The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on its playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City.

>   And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world,

>   Not to mention salt water taffy,

>   New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.

>   The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the Watchung  Mountains.

>   New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union, NJ!!!)

>   New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.

>   The Pulaski SkyWay, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skyway highway.

>   NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson (Holland Tunnel).

>   The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.

>   The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton).

>   The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ, (but they're all gone now!).

>   New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams!

>   The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.

>   The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. Thomas Armstrong.

>   All New Jersey natives: Moe Septee, Al Attermann, Howard Attermann, Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Robert Attermann,Bruce  Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander, Steve Rosenbaum,Queen Latifah, Susan Sarandon, Connie Francis, Sam Rosenfarb, Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Ruth Septee, Joan Robertson, Ken Kross, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Lt. Aaron Attermann, Budd Abbott, Lou Costello, Alan Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Lauren Sasha Attermann,Linda McElroy, Eileen Donnelly, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise, Joyce Kilmer, Bruce Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauryn Hill, Ice-T, Nick Adams, Nathan Lane, Sandra Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti, Joe Pesci, Joe Piscopo, Robert Blake, John Forsythe, Meryl Streep, Loretta Swit, Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry Herman, Gorden McCrae, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, Elisa Septee Lunzer, Neal Attermann, James Fennimore Cooper, Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr., Dave Thomas (Wendy's), William Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers, Paul Robeson, Ernie Kovacs, Joseph Macchia and, of course, Francis Albert Sinatra and "Uncle Floyd" Vivino, Kelly Ripa.

>   Bob Meade adds: The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic River, is the second highest waterfall on the East Coast of the US.

>   You know you're from Jersey when . . .

>   You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."

>   You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.

>   A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.

>   You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.

>   You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 A.M.

>   You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.

>   At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and

    you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.

>   You know what a "jug handle" is.

>   You know that WaWa is a convenience store.

>   You know that the state isn't all farmland.

>   You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore."

>   You know how to properly negotiate a circle.

>   You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.

>   You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . . Mexico . . . York .! . . Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?).

>   You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.

>   You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege

>   You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.

>   You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different."

>   Yes they are!

>   You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton--that's for out-of-staters.

>   The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or localbar

>   You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.

>   You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.

>   Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.

>   You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening

    credits.

>   You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.

>   You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and  people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to  Wildwood.  It can be no other way.

>   You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North  Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.

>   You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state.

>   You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel,  Bamberger's and Orbach's.

>   You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.

>   You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.

>   You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.

>   And finally . . .

>   You've NEVER, NEVER pumped your own gas.

>   AMEN!!!

One of the funniest things I've seen in awhile

Herman needed his haircut BADLY so last night we ran over to SuperCuts and he got scalped. Really scalped!! It almost looks as tho he's bald! (Think Marine boot camp haircut!) Anyway, it looks good on him. ANYWAY..we were both hungry as we hadn't eaten since lunch so we went to Applebee's for dinner. I, of course, had (IMHO)the world's best nachos and Herman ate baby back ribs. (I must stop here to tell you about the nachos..I am a nacho freak. The more stuff on 'em, the better! Being the nacho expert that I am, I must tell you that Applebee's does indeed serve the best nachos ever. Seasoned ground beef, excellent salsa, sour cream, gaucamole {99cents extra}, cheese and jalapenos on top of a bed of just-fried tortilla chips...sigh..The only thing missing is lots of black olives. Is your mouth watering yet?!) Ok..back to my story..While we were waiting for our table, I noticed a middle-aged man leaning againts the rail, also waiting to be sat. Not so unusual, right? Right...except for the fact that THIS man was wearing a knee length pink satin dress, white tights, pink frilly socks, black Mary Jane's, bloned Shirley Temple style wig, red boa, Little Red Riding Hood type cape and twirling a great big lollipop in his hands!!  Well, me being me, I just had to say something to him! I strolled over and said, "Gee! That musta been SOME party!" You know what he said to me? "No, actually LIFE is the party! I wear this to make people smile, to give them something to laugh about! Besides, I LIKE wearing this! It's fun!" After I left him, others began to talk to him, laughing and smiling.

Mission accomplished!

(Of course, Herman thinks that the guy is psychotic!)

The best entry by Deborah!!

You just have to read this!!!

That's it...that's all I have tonight..

Life has been rough lately..but very interesting!! (winks at Adrian!)

Peace...

Things..

Well, first off, Rachel is doing better. All her bloodwork came back fine so her doctor feels that it's viral in nature. SHe slept most of last week. Thankfully, she has started eating again so she has some of her strength back. The biggest problem right now is her depression. I hate to see her suffering so much. SHe returned to school today and wasn't happy about it. She pleaded with me to allow her to stay home. I wasn't having it. Then she called from the bathroom at school and said that she wants me to home school her or pay someone to do it. ROFLMAO! Me? Home school my kids?! I HATE even doing homeowrk with them. I usually have the patience of a saint but NOT when it comes to schoolwork! Herman is really good at helping them out with schoolwork...NOT ME. Hmmm..I wonder if he'll quit his job so that he can teach Rachel?! LOL..not happening!

Jackie has spent a few days/nights here. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

I'm feeling lousy. Was running slight fever earlier. Becky came home from school with a temp of 100 degrees and stomach pains. She spent all day in bed.

I made fried chicken tonight! I never made it before so I was surprised how easy it was. Altho, the cooking time killed me. (I made alot of chicken...12 or so pieces!) So far John and Herman have tasted it and said that it was really good.

I screwed up my satellite TV..Has to do with ordering and cancelling the wrong access cards so the family room (BIG HDTV) has no service. Oh well..I fell crappy so I'm watching TV in bed anyway! ::giggling::

Today is Adrian's birthday. If you get a chance, please stop by his journal and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADRIAN! And read some of his entried..he's such an intellectual/spirited/insightful/spiritual person.

Ok..I'm tired. Going to watch some tv and go to bed early...Right after I get my work clothes washed and dried. (Oh, yes..Keith insists that I wear a "uniform"..jeans and a company name sweatshirt or polo shirt. Sheesh!)

Peace!

Beware! Major "pimping" ahead!

Recently I received a comment and then an email from a new reader. I have since checked out his journal and thought that alot of you would probably really enjoy his stuff. Please go over to Song From My Soul and "welcome" Adrian to j-land. He's been here for awhile but just recently started up his journal again. I think that you'll find him to be a "breath of fresh air".

In other news...Rachel is still not feeling well. I took her for blood work yesterday. They are checking for mono, anemia, whatever. She has big bags under her eyes regardless of how much sleep she gets. She's constantly exhausted and has been sleeping an average of 18 hours a day. She looks very pale, almost yellow-ish and has lost about 10 pounds in the past month. Yes, some of it can be attributed to her depression but I'm not convinced that it can ALL be attributed to it. She had a good day today as Jackie came over and fed her pancakes and strawberry shortcake! LOL!! She's trying to fatten up Rachel!

While Rachel was laying down in the family room earlier today, she heard someone strumming John's guitar. She started yelling, "John! Knock it off! I'm trying to rest!!" Well, John was at school..in fact no one was home except for Rachel! So it seems that one of our "ghosts" is back. Actually, John has been complaining that for the past several nights someone shakes his bed and wakes him up. Twice he told them to cut it ouit...the one night he simply just got out of bed and jumped in with Rachel, scaring her half to death! I'm going to sleep up there soon..maybe tonight. I'll bring my digital voice recorder and see what I get. Maybe bring the camera, too.

Keith took me out to lunch today. We headed to Charlie Brown's and had ourselves a great lunch! An hour and a half later we went back and got a lot accomplished. We actually accomplished quite a bit earlier in the day, also. He made me laugh so hard that I almost spit my coffee out!

Ok...done for now. Staring down some prome laundry as I type...Yes, it's all still here even tho I've done hours and hours worth already. :::sigh::: Never ends, never ends..

Ok..g'night and PEACE!

The New Year isn't looking too bright..

Ok, first let me "pimp" a great journal for all you movies renters out there. Jeff Comedy's (who has been on TOO long a hiatus for my liking!) mom, Deb, has her own movie review journal and I think it's great! Stop by and say "hey!" if you get a chance.

My new year has not started out so well. Ray is having health/ mental health issues, among other things that I won't share. Let's just leave it at that, shall we? I'm taking her for blood work in the morning as her pediatrician wants to rule out mono, juvenile diabetes, anemia.

Dar is on the phone and because I don't want to lose my post so far, I'll have to add on later..