Sunday Stealing: The Crafty Fifty Meme, Part Two

26. What do you normally smell like? Probably like Sun Moon and Stars or gum. I love chewing gum.

27. Do you like Carrie Underwood? I like her. I don't want to do her but I like her.

28. Been to “The Vegas”? Never been.

29. How far away do you live from your parents? My dad is in Florida and my mom is buried in Millbrook, NY. I am about 4 hours away by plane and car from Daddy and two hours from mom.

30. Are you happy with your job? I love my job, just wished I was handsomely paid for it.

31. Where do you work and what do you do there? I work from home; take care of kids, referee, writing, photographer, teacher, chauffer, nurse, cook, stylist, groomer, garment cleaner and cleaning lady,

32. What did you get in the mail today? Well considering it is Sunday, I will head to my email. Today, so far I have 512 emails in my in-box.

33. How do you like your steak cooked? Let it moo.

34. Britney Spears…is she back? I, guess!? I don't have the 411 on Brit

35. What do you usually order at Taco Bell? I have honestly never eaten at Taco Bell or White Castle for that matter.

36. Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind? Yes I did! It was before I turned 19 and I enjoyed it.

37. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore? Nope. I've never been anywhere.

38. Is it just me, or was The Marine (w/John Cena) a really horrible movie? I will hold my comment until I see it.

39. Are surveys like the cocaine of myspace? I don't do Myspace

40. Where is your favorite place (that you have actually been to)? Connecticut was great.

41. What is your favorite candle scent. I love Fresh Linen and floral smells

42. Do you believe places can really be haunted? I do!

43. Do you smoke cigarettes? NEVER

44. Have you ever been to NYC or LA? I have been to NYC. I used to work there, many, many years ago. It was my daily hangout.

45. How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport? 1 - Puerto Rico for a layover on my honeymoon.

46. Do you think 50 questions is enough? Yes!

47. Are you currently planning a trip? Not this year.

48. Is Ryan Seacrest gay? Should anyone care? I don't believe him to be gay. I think he is a male slut but with tons of bobble head skinny, blonde, California girls.

49. Do you take anti-depressants? Sleeping pills. If I need pills to get through my life, please shoot me.

50. What do you think about space travel? I think it is amazing and I find it extremely interesting.

"Mike Rowe with A Word to the Ladies"

Yesterday I received a really fun birthday email from Lee Jean's Media Group.

It went something like this:

Dear Maria,

Because you're a fan of Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs," we thought you might be interested in hearing that he has teamed up with Lee Jeans to share his philosophy on jeans, "They should last. They should fit. They should fade. They should never cost more than fifty bucks. And they should be blue."

Seriously, how cool is that?

I love when PR folks find me, just because. They are right! I Love Mike and watch everything he does including Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch. Smooches to Mike and the PR Firm working with Lee Jeans which by the way I have been wearing since I was about 9 years old.

Self Portrait Sunday - August 15, 2010

Oh, my poor little meme has never quite caught on. So sad. Funny, people just don't like taking pictures of themselves but when we are old and gray and have a lot of people pictures of obscure things what then. I much prefer to think I am going to live into my Golden Years and will cherish all photos of me looking younger and full of life's promises.

Well, I am another year older! Wow 44. I hope the twin, even numbers will bring me some luck.

I just took these tonight at 6:00 p.m.

The Magic of Picnik

A Picture of Handsome taken yesterday. I love this picture and decided to play with it on Picnik. Here is one of the reasons everyone should have Picnik on their computer. It took me less than 2 minutes to get these effects.

Perfect Gifts for Business or Pleasure - The Executive Gift Shoppe

Thanks to Family Review Network, I was finally able to grab a beauitful business card holder for my Maria's Space and Street Angel business cards.

I received this box...

Upon opening...I found this lovely pink and white case card holder encased in plastic to protect it.

It is beautiful and I have actually flipped it open 5 times this week in public to give a business card to people who commented on my bracelets or earrings. "Oh, thank you. I made them. Here is my card."

I feel pretty important whipping this pretty little business card holder case out. It is so shiny, pretty, sparkly, and my daughter has gone ape over it. "When I get bigger, can you give it to me. I love all the sparkles. Girls love sparkly things mommy."

Got A Daughter? You Need to Read My Teenage WereWolf by Lauren Kessler

What I Can Tell You: This book is exactly what mom's of children entering the pre-teen stage. It is written about a daughter but I think the concept works just as well with a son, although Lauren completely mentions how much easier the relationship with her sons were. I do agree that the relationship is different but not necessarily easier.  I also believe this is a great book for counselors, teachers, principals of middle schools and anyone who works with children. Very insightful book.

I feel in love with Lizzie, a very smart, head strong girl knows how to "eventually" talk about what is REALLY bothering her. This can only be credited to her very smart mom who obviously raised her to speak her mind and not be afraid to be who she is.

While I can't imagine I would do what Lauren did which is throw herself head first into her daughter's life to figure out what makes preteenage girls work. Reading about Lauren in school with her daughter is exactly what I would want to do. To REALLY see what is going on, to be a fly on the wall and to watch her interactions with classmates, friends and boys. However, I don't know any teenager that would have been OK with this.

You will appreciate the candidness of Lauren's book. Lauren uses humor and common sense to deal with the differences in her and her daughter.  At times she wonders who has the issue, something that only few mother's can do. To be able to "pick your fight" is an art form. Something I have totally mastered in my personal life. Knowing when to say "this is my hang-up, my problem, my issue" not theirs is half the battle.

I want to run out and buy this book for all my girlfriend's with daughters. It is not preachy. Is filled with humor and I loved reading Lizzie's comments to her mom. Through their headbutting you can see a deep, deep love between mother and daughter and that was my favorite part of the book.

As the mom of an already spirited 5 year old, I already know that I have to love her for the spirit in her and that I will undoubtedly have many, many moments where I feel like Lauren. However, the one thing I have that Lauren didn't have is her book to help me tread through the waters of preteen angst. God help me!

This book will be sitting in my library waiting for all the times I will have to re-read it. Thanks Lauren and Lizzie for a fantastic journey.

This post was written for Family Review Network & Viking who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest reviwew"

Saturday 9: Superstition

1. What are you superstitious about? I have a few superstitions. Not very severe and I don't put a lot of thought in them. Probably just a ton of old family talk working its way around my head. Like, if you sneeze and someone says God Bless you but doesn't mean it, you will get the Mal de ojo (sick). Back in the day, I cold use this to get to get out of school easily. If I see a black crow in the drive way. I wonder if someone has passed away but I don't call everyone to find out. If a black cat crosses my path while driving, I wonder if it is bad luck for me. 

2. What’s the story behind one of your scars? My lower belly scar is the porthole to which my babies entered the world. It is my absolute favorite scar.

3. What are three things that you would rather be doing right now? Sleeping, laying in bed, having sex. Anything other than watching Blue's Clues with the kids.

4. What do you do when you're bored? Bored?! Hahahhaaa...funny.

5. What's your favorite thing to do? Why? Hang with my husband and kids. Because I know how fast it is going and eventually they will move out and my husband and I won' live forever.
6. What do you do when you're lonely? I would love 5 minutes of loneliness. It will happen in September and then I will be inviting myself to everyone's house.

7. How do you measure the passing of time in life? I measure it by taking a massive amount of photos and looking back on them.

8. What would constitute "the perfectly lived day" for you? Getting up before the rest of the world, having coffee outside with my husband, do breakfast, heading somewhere with the kids and the man, spending the day outdoors doing something we all love, getting the kids to bed before 9:00. Having a glass of wine, heading to the bedroom and asleep before 12:00 a.m.

9. If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do in your final days? Spend time with my loved ones and write letters and make videos for my kids

Camera Critters - The Snake

We took the kids to a parking lot last weekend to ride their bikes. While there, this little guy was trying to make his way across the parking lot.



My husband picked him up and walked him over to the grass so he wouldn't fry. For a guy who hates snakes, I was impressed.

Date Night Starring Steve Carell & Tina Fey- Amateur Review

Thanks to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment I was allowed to review Date Night Starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey which came out on DVD and Blu-Ray August 10th.

What I Can Tell You: This is a laugh out loud movie. I am not someone with a big funny bone. It takes a lot to make me laugh. I found myself laughing out loud more than 4 times. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are great together, a modern day Lucy and Ricky. They have great chemistry!

The movie is amusing although I don't know that anyone who isn't married or has kids will find the humor in it.
For me it was hysterical because I can totally relate to a couple with two kids who are too tired to get their grove on as much as they want to.

In a case of mistaken-identity Steve (Phil) and Tina (Claire) stumbles innocently into a world of criminal intrigue.

Some of the best parts are their scenes with Mark Wahlberg. "Wow, honey you see a lot of clients, how do you remember this one?" Then Marky Mark opens the door with no shirt on and Steve's character totally understands why his wife remembers him. He begs him to put on a shirt ever two seconds and wonders out loud why a guy needs muscles on his shoulders. Loved it! Tina Fey as the tired wife, in love with her husband and gushing over Mark Wahlberg is too cute.

One of my favorite scenes is this one below.

With cameos of James Franco (God I love him), Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, Ray Liotta, Will I Am and more this is a fun, movie with loads of familiar faces.

Happy Birthday To Me, A DVD Giveaway For You

Today, August 13, 2010 I am 44 years old. That is ten years older than my mother ever was. So crazy.

Last year was my first Happy Birthday To Me, and A Giveaway to You post where I gave away a pair earrings from Street Angel.

The Bug Diner At Your Service, Courtesy Of Goddess

Well by now most of you know that Goddess is a very curious child. The other day she asked me to come out and see her "bug diner". I could only imagine what she had done, so I headed to the deck.

Here it is in all it's glory.





There is the food! On the menu? Oh just some gummy worms.



I wish I could live in Goddess' world for a little while. She has the life! Like I always say, "I want to be just like her when I grow up."

Thursday Thunks: A Face for Radio

1. What radio personality bothers you the most? RUSH! and any that use that fake radio voice. HATE IT.

2. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? I would crawl into a ball and sob eventually be found covered in bug bites with my thumb in my mouth.
3. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew she was married, And neither her S/O or yours would never know, might you to the deed? No! Woman are not my thing. I find them beautiful but don't want to sleep with them. However, if the deed included making scones and drinking tea...I am so there!

4. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? When I was younger I was the pursuer. Between the ages of 18-22 this chick had balls and I had no problem telling anyone they were hot, needed me or were dying to kiss me.

5. Use three words to describe yourself. Tired, Frustrated, Exhausted

6. If Berleen was on a camping trip, do you thing she’d attract grizzlies? Ummmmm...maybe

7. Do you think more about the past, present or future? PRESENT

8. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing, other than family or pets, that you grabbed? Computer

9. Was your mom a cheerleader? No

10. Was your dad a jock? Hahahaa...that is funnier than is your mom a cheerleader!

11. Bud’s been gone a while. Do you think he will return or shut down that Googled Warned blog? Bud's gone?

12. What’s your favorite junk food? BBQ CHIPS

13. Do you believe in reincarnation? No

Memory Rewind - Circa 1971

Here is your chance to use some of those older photos you have on your computer that you may have forgotten about. Post a photo and write a story about it.

Join me and bring back a memory.

This is a really crappy picture. My sister took a picture of a picture with her cell and posted on Facebook which is the only reason I have access to it right now.

This is around 1971-72. I am only guess because my youngest sister looks about 3 here.

We are in Millbrook, NY where we all shared a room in the house my grandparents in their 90's still own. They still go up every summer.

The fashion of the 70's is just so crazy. I am on the left looking like I have come out of Little House on The Prairie.

We are on our way to church, I can tell because of my head covering. Waaay back in the Catholic Church right before I received Communion, you had to have your head covered to go to church. I remember loving this dress because of the lace up the front. I would till love the it for the same reason.

My sister on the right is Gabrielle. We are only 11 months apart which is crazy because right now we are the same age. Her birthday is in July and I am in August. Until Friday, we are both 43!

It's funny to see how little I was but know that I felt like such a big girl that day. I love the way my little sisters legs are, and the hat lopsided on her head. It was probably perfect before my parents stepped out of the picture, then she leaned against the tree creating the askew position we know and love now.

Hope to see your photos. Please link over so I can find you.