Long Lost Friend... FOUND

Isn't it funny how people move in and out of your life? It seems like just the other day I went searching for a close friend from high school, only to end my search empty handed. I had even gone as far as searching all of my friend's friends in Facebook to see if maybe I had missed him having a possible account. Nothing. Suddenly, out of no where, today I get a friend request from none other than HIM. He found me! I shot him a message and heard back from him shortly after. It was so good to hear from him. I remember late night calls in high school where we helped each other through some tough times. We never dated, we were just best friends. He was always there for me, and I think, at least I hope, I was always there for him. Funny how we are both going through our own personal trials, needing a good friend again... and we find each other. I love finding lost treasure. =-) Ahhhh, the power of social networks, thank you technology.

Grateful

Breathing a sigh of relief. The children and I sat together for a small prayer for those who have been hurt, and begged God to spare others in the wake of the Haiti and Chile tragedies. We were comforted in knowing our prayers were heard... among the thousand and thousands that were offered up for Hawaii, Japan, Australia and so on. I am usually not one to wax spiritual on my blog... but I can't help but announce my gratitude for the situation.
And while we are grateful nothing deadly came of the tsunami, we are still mourning over the death toll and damage in Chile. You are in our hearts and prayers too.

UPDATE: Tsunami Travel Times

Most Recent: Waters begin receding from Hawaii shore; possible first sign of tsunami strike. Man seen walking on the the shore via a web cam. The broadcaster stated, "That has to be the most idiotic thing I have ever seen"

FORECASTS: Hilo 11:05 a.m. local,6.9 to 8.2 ft.;Honolulu 11:37a.m., 1.6 to 2.3 ft.;Kahului 11:26 a.m.,3.6 to 10 ft.

Any moment the 1st wave will hit Hilo Bay, Hawaii. Keep everyone in your prayers. I'm so grateful for technology, and the ability we have to get the word out to everyone.

Click on image to make larger

Fear For Those Affected

Tsunami Warning for Hawaii Live Coverage

It seems like every time I turn around there is a natural disaster happening more and more often. Just recently, my family in California had 16 earthquakes, enough to mess things up. My friends on the East coast got hit by a massive snow storm... and now a storm is looming towards the West. We all know about the disaster that struck Haiti recently... and now THIS. A huge earthquake hits Chile, and a tsunami warning ensues. Hawaii already has sounded their warning sirens. And even California could be in the path of destruction. My prayers are going out to all those affected. It's sad, but at times like these... you realize who your loved ones are and embrace them even more. I'm glad in the wake of destruction there are those who care... and they span the nation, willing to do anything to help. Hold your loved ones close, never let a day go by where they don't know how you feel. Foster better relationships... and hold those you love tight... never to let go. And reach out to those in need. I hope everyone stays safe.

Facebook, Buzz, Twitter... "Oh My!"

I remember when MySpace was the hottest social network. Then suddenly Facebook emerged. And while people were slow to embrace it, over time it grew and grew and ended up surpassing MySpace. Friendfeed and Twitter were sprinkled into the mix along the way... and now we have Buzz. So many choices, one might feel like a kid in a candy store. But what should you choose? What works for you? Personally, my motto is: "In Google I Trust". I do everything via Google (Picasa, YouTube, Blogger, Gtalk, Google Calendar, Google Docs etc...) And I have now added to the mix Buzz. I love it! And while people are slow to follow suit, I am confident in Google's product development... that it will surpass all other social media outlets.

I just read a very insightful article by Brian Carter that will shed a little light on all of the big players in Social Media. If you are questioning your current social outlet... read the following. You might just want to get BUZZED =-)

I know I am!

Thanks again Brian for the awesome article:

"Why Buzz Beats Twitter, Facebook, and Friendfeed"

The NEW Phantom

He is no Gerard Butler (whom I love and adore as the Phantom) but he can sure hold his own. From Andrew Lloyd Webber's new Phantom Sequel, "Love Never Dies," a song called "Till I Hear You Sing". The new Phantom (the dude in the vid) is played by Ramin Karimloo, and his new Christine (also in the vid) is Sierra Boggess, most recently seen as Disney's Little Mermaid on Broadway.

Are You A Genius?

Arrange the 2 through 10 of Hearts in the magic square above (one card to each space) so that the sum of the numbers on the cards in each row, column, and diagonal equals the same value.

Two of the cards have already been placed for you. When you have placed all nine cards in the right spots, what is the common two-digit sum.

Huey Lewis Is A Stud!

I loved Huey Lewis growing up, and I still love him! As You know, the single "We are The World" was just remade, and Huey wasn't invited. But he didn't miss a beat making fun of that fact. Watch the video and enjoy the comedy!

When One Door Closes...

They say when one door closes, another one opens... or even a window for that matter. Sometimes you can't see it. Sometimes it seems as though you are locked inside a steel room, with no escape. Then, there are those moments when you catch a glimpse of light coming from a crack in an opening door, and you just have to get up... walk over to it... and push it open. I did this weekend. I am grateful for what I saw. Laughter, happiness and feeling complete. A lot of good things happen, even in the wake of tragedy. I am so grateful today.

Nom Nom Nom!!!

My latest creation. I had to use up the last of my potatoes, so I made (from scratch) Bacon-Cheddar-Chive-Sour Cream Potato Skins. They were a hit with the kids, as long as they had some ranch to dip the skins in. Personally, I loved it with a small dollop of Sour Cream (as seen above). I took this picture with my cell phone. Not too shabby.

Bake Potatoes at 350 degrees until soft. Remove, cut in half and hollow out potatoes.

In a separate bowl mix together:

Potato centers

Sour Cream

Chives

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Garlic Powder

and salt and pepper to taste

Put a small layer of filling back into the potato skins, top with cooked bacon and shredded colby, jack and cheddar.

Place potato skins on a cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees until the cheese bubbles on top. Remove and top with sour cream and chives. Or add a side of ranch.

Also, if you want to know how to hypnotize a man... see below:

My Future Wedding Band

I know, I know... all I have been doing is droning on and on about lost love, heartache and breaking up. But I had an epiphany last night, and am now at peace with the direction my life is pointed in. With that said... THIS IS THE COOLEST WEDDING BAND EVER!!!! I plan to have this as my future wedding band. Unless they come out with another model that sports LED lights as well. You can find them HERE

Insomnia

I opened up my blogger to make a post about insomnia and why I can't sleep, but instead found myself having a Déjà vu about doing just that. I was about to post how I can't sleep because I have noisy brain. Endless thoughts about last words written and a broken heart... and then came my Déjà vu. To me, that means I have seen this scenario played out before... in a dream, in my previous life. Either way, to me, it means it was 'in the cards'... supposed to happen. That was an awakening. The very thing that was bothering me, and keeping me up, is now an event that was 'supposed to occur'. Instead of feeling uneasy about what has recently transpired in my life, I now wonder if it was the best thing... for me... for my children. I feel peaceful right now. Maybe this was supposed to happen, the heartache... so there wouldn't be further broken hearts down the road (like my children's). I have always asked one thing of God, "Please spare my children, let any harm happen to me first before they are EVER hurt in ANY manner". "Let me take the blow". Tonight I just realized that my prayers were answered. I may not like the hurt and the heartache, but maybe, just maybe... by me experiencing that now... absorbing the blow now... it saved them from being hurt further down the road. Tonight... I am grateful! Thank you God.

Perception

People only see what they want to see. You can only show them so much before their own perception distorts the truth. In the end, they only hurt themselves. I choose the glass on the right (half full)... but others have, and always will choose the glass on the left (half empty). A sad, yet constant truth.

Total ECLIPSE Of The Heart

HAPPY POST VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY TWILIGHT FRIENDS:

Eclipse Screen caps

Heart Warmer For Today

This video reminded me of my nephew Tommy. Miracles happen everyday. I love this story.

We Are The World (Both Versions)

I still remember the original version (as seen below)... both of these versions make me get goose-bumps. Stevie Wonder will always be my favorite voice out of both. There is something about people pulling together to help one another that touches my heart... whether it is for large disasters like Haiti, or a neighborhood pulling together for a friend. I love unity!




The Original Version

My Valentine

He said my Valentine's Day gift was going to be delivered on Wednesday. It came in the form of an email... with the saddest news I have ever read.

In essence, this is what the email said:

Happy Valentine's Day To Me

WOW! That's all I have to say...

This is such a good commercial. I have no words. It speaks for itself... if you love your life and your family.... you WILL do this.

Yearly Ritual For The Lonely

7 years ago I went through a very heartbreaking divorce. I did not wan't to get divorced, but it happened nonetheless. I remember the first Valentine's Day without my husband, it was hard. February 14th has been designated by commercialism, people and history to be the day that you focus on those you love. Now, don't get me wrong... I have children... whom I love and adore. I make an extra effort to assure each of them that they are my special Valentine every year. But a parent-child relationship has a completely different dynamic than that of the ONE person you share everything with. Your partner. When you don't have a partner, Valentine's is a morbid day. I can't think of anything worse than a day where you feel the most alone out of 365 days of the year. So, I decided that NO ONE should EVER feel that alone. So the following year, I asked around, and I found out who my neighbors were. Widows, divorcees, the broken hearted, and some people who had never even experienced love... even though they are much older than I. I hand picked all of the people who I considered "lonely hearts"... and I made treats for all of them, decorated the plates and delivered cards that, in essence, said: "You are loved, someone is thinking bout you". It made me giddy. I have NEVER felt better than when I was running around putting a smile on the faces of those who might not have smiled otherwise. And I have done it every year since. This year I found a special Valentine. I found someone who is so hurt, it breaks your heart to hear of their struggle. Someone who you want to just take in your arms, hold them and tell them, "life will get better". So yes, I hand picked this Valentine. I decided to make a sacrifice for this person. I don't have a lot of money, but what money I had left from a very skimpy tax return I used it to buy something that would sooth this person... make them smile. I bought it to put a smile on this lonely heart's face. I haven't given it yet, so it is still a secret.... but I am giddy like a little child at Christmas to know that soon... they will receive something special and unexpected. To me, it is worth the sacrifice. I love Valentine's Day.... because it's not the day where I get to feel loved by someone close to me... but I get make someone else feel loved... when they didn't feel that way before.

I challenge those reading to do the same... whether it is cookies, a note or a bigger gesture. Find the Lonely Hearts, and let them know they are loved.

2010 Super Bowl Commercials

Which one is your favorite?


The Super Bowl, at its very core, is merely another chance for like-minded individuals to sit on couches & yell at the TV & each other, all the while feeling as though they are witnessing something important on their TV sets for once. Fun as it sounds, if I miss the Super Bowl this year, it won't be because I was doing something more important. No, it'll be because I had something BETTER to do, like taking a nap

My Mood Today: Mellow, Chill, Takin' Life In

It's Mix-Tape Day. No words... just music

"In a perfect world..."

We hear that saying a lot, "Well, in a perfect world...". Which usually means 'tough luck', 'too bad' and 'get over it'. I'm tired of hearing it. When life hands ME an imperfect world... I'll make PERFECTION! =-)

I am going to grow my own Perfect World. That way, the next time someone throws that line at me... I will reply, "Well MY perfect world already does that!" (and maybe I'll stick my tongue out right after, for drama's sake... cuz that's how I roll) ha ha

P.S. Thanks for the perfect world Sis

A Secret That No One Told Me

I've been really sick the last 3 days... and am finally on the mend. I think I might have enough energy to tackle some much needed PRE-Spring Cleaning. I have been rearranging my upstairs bedroom and got rid of my full sized bed and replaced it with a KING bed! I have been in heaven. But I had to make some serious room for it. I had to get rid of my old desk, so I began to dismantle it. However, when I was unscrewing it I came across a stripped screw-head (is that what you men call it? I don't know 'tool lingo'). This is nothing new, I see these all the time in children's toys and when you have to take apart a piece of furniture because you've moved as often as I have in the past. Usually I would just force the screwdriver further down into the hollowed out screw-head in hopes of getting enough friction to get it to turn. This would usually end up with me yelling weird phrases and ultimately throwing a toy across the room. =-)
But someone recently revealed a little secret, "Use a rubber band". Seriously? Guess what...? It Works! So, I thought I would pass this little gem of knowledge your way.

(Also) if you ever have a light bulb break off in the socket and need to get the base out... cut a potato in half and twist it into the socket of the broken light bulb and it will catch it and you can un-twist it to pull it out. AMAZING! I love little tricks that make my life easier.