Last one on this subject....

I promise this is the last one on the Philly trip from February...

While Sarah was in school I would drive around to practice becoming a pro at driving a stick shift and because I was bored at the house. One day I decided to find covered bridges in the area... score! This one was built in 1869.

Another day I was out in Kutztown shopping at the Pebbles (where I bought a way cute skirt on sale for $2.39 by the way) and as I was leaving I saw this....


I guess the Mennonites were in the grocery store. I thought it was funny to see the horse and buggy in the parking lot. When my mom was visiting Aunt Cathy a few years ago, she saw a horse and buggy parked at the gas station...I guess they needed a little help to improve their horse power!

New York City?!?!?!

While I was in Philly, Sarah and I took the bus up to New York City one weekend. This was my first time in NYC and had a blast! I wasn't able to fully enjoy every aspect of the city because I was there for such a short time. Also, I had a 12 year old with me that was ready to go home after being there for only 30 minutes...oh yeah... she wasn't happy with me dragging her around for many many many hours...Here are some of the pictures I took while I was there...

When we first got off the bus at the Port Authority, we were a block off Broadway!

We walked around a bit and nature called so we found a place to go to the restroom and warm up (it was in the low 20s when we arrived) ... we found M&M world! It wasn't as good as the one in Vegas but it was fun...Yellow is my favorite just to let you know...

After we left there, we walked down to Times Square... I didn't see the naked cowboy playing his guitar, like my mom did when she was here visiting my sister, I guess it was too cold for him ...

I was enjoying wandering all over the city, my young companion just want to ride the subway so we would stop walking...poor thing, doesn't she know you can see more by just wandering around? We wandered right into Radio City Hall...

which is right by Magnolia Bakery... made famous by Sex and the City...

Speaking of Sex and the City... it just happened to be Fashion Week!

I wanted to see the Empire State Building. I wasn't really sure where I was going but I could see it through the buildings and kept walking in that general direction...

As we were heading towards the Empire State Building, we came upon Macy's (bright lights, choirs singing)...now when I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and the acts perform in front of the store, I have always thought the street was pretty wide... nope I was wrong, it was hardly wide enough for two cars to go down...

First, Macy's is one of my favorite department stores, and I was happy to be in the original one that was 9 floors of shopping heaven, and they were having a sale. Sarah found a Marc Jacobs purse and almost fell on the floor when she saw the price, and it was on sale! We decided to start at the top and work our way down. I thought one of the coolest things was the original escalators....the picture doesn't really show how completely cool they were...

We finally left and kept on heading towards the Empire State Building... we finally made it with one detour to shop in the H&M .... I have been to a few here in the states and don't think they are as good as the ones in Europe, which is where they are from. We didn't go up the Empire State Building because the line was ridiculously long and we were going to the wax museum later .... so we just tilted our heads back, looked up and I said wow that is a tall building and we continued on...

now we headed back up town to Grand Central Station...and I heard nothing but complaints about getting on the subway, blah blah blah...

It was here that we finally go on the subway and headed to Little Italy for lunch...here I am on the subway...
When we got to Little Italy all Sarah wanted was pizza..what?!?! Um no! We are going to eat in a real restaurant, with hot Italian waiters...which is what we did, when this hottie coaxed us in....then we walked around Chinatown and I was trying to find a fake/stolen Burkin bag, which noone had. Sarah asked why the guys would ask if I wanted a purse and they didn't have any. I told her we had to go down an ally into a van or something to see them. She didn't think it was safe and I said for a Burkin it would be worth it. Maybe on my next trip they will have some fake/stolen Burkin...
As we were leaving Sarah realized she had lost her Metro pass ... great. Big dent in my plans... maybe she secretly lost it so we would go to the wax museum and then head home and stop walking everywhere. She was not a big fan of walking and exploring without a plan. We paid for another one way ticket so we could get back to Times Square. We went into a few shops around there and then went to the wax museum.... I won't bore you with pictures. They were much like the ones from Vegas, but I had more fun at the one in LV, Sarah wouldn't do any fun poses with wax figures. We finally got on the bus to head back to Pennsylvania. Good day. I will have to go back to finish seeing everything I wanted to see and didn't. Oh here is the New Years ball...they are leaving it up all year. It changes colors ...kinda cool.

This really took a long time...

Hey Yall... so you know I went to Philly about 2 months ago, and I never posted pictures! OOPS! I am a slacker I know, PLEASE forgive me! Here are some from my trip, I hope you enjoy!

As I was driving into Philly, OH and I was driving a stick shift - now let me tell you that this was the first time in 15 years that I had driven a stick shift. I was a bit rusty at first but after a few days of driving EVERYWHERE for practice it was pretty much smooth sailing. However, I was a bit nervous about driving in the BIG city...not the farm land I had been driving in! So, as I started earlier, as I was driving into Philly, I passed the Eagles stadium...

Once in the city I finally found a parking space and to get into it I had to drive UP a STEEP entrance, I am glad there was only one person behind me and he was able to back up ... I was walking past an old church and came upon the grave of Benjamin Franklin...

This is Independence Hall... I didn't go inside because I stood had been standing in line for 30 or so minutes and it was freezing and starting to rain/snow and we were told it would be 2 more hours before we got in... I decided to go through on my next trip, but I took a picture...

This is Betsy Ross house where she sewed the first flag... YAY Betsy!

Here is the Liberty Bell... I wish the blinds were up so you could really see Independence Hall...

I spent about 7 or 8 hours that day just walking all over the city. I ate a philly cheese steak, not from the place I wanted because the line was too long and it was cold outside, but it was still scrumptious! Just thinking about it my mouth is starting to water. I LOVED the history of the city. I found this street that was practically deserted and I stood there and could just see the people coming out of the houses getting into horse drawn buggies...I love history and old cities!

Fun Foto Friday

HAHAHA...this picture is so old! This is from the first day of our senior trip to Disney World Grad Night. We had been on a bus for about 12 hours...no shower and hardly any sleep. Our first stop was Universal Studios. This is Christine, Paula, Leanne, me, Lisa, Jeanne, Steven, Jason and MJ, as soon as we entered the park. Our senior trip was so much fun! That was 12 years ago...wow I feel old putting that in print.

Fun Foto Friday

I love this photo! After Hurricane Katrina, I went to Concord, CA to spend some time with my friend Laura at her parents house. Laura's parents, Mrs. Bonnie and Mr. Jim, were so gracious to let me stay with them for a few weeks! Thanks again! I had the best time while there! This picture is from the day we all went into San Francisco. In this picture is Mrs. Bonnie, me, Ross, Spencer, and Laura with the city in the background. It was a such a fun day...we rode a street car, walked all over the city, had lunch at this great Italian place, saw the Golden Gate bridge, I got to put my feet in the ocean, which was FREEZING by the way! While staying there, I met so many people and made so great friends. I hope to be able to go back soon a visit...it really is a beautiful place!

Fun Foto Friday

I love Amanda in this photo! It was her birthday and we all met up at Wingers for dinner. Amanda thought a quite dinner with friends, not a big fuss, but oh no! We showed up with balloons and gifts! She was a bit surprised and embarrassed by the balloon bouquet we tied to her chair and the glow stick we bought for her to wear. (There weren't any cool birthday necklaces and glow stick are cool) Dinner was great...sticky finger wraps and we shared an asphalt pie (mint chocolate chip icecream in an oreo crust with whip cream, caramel and crumbled oreos on top). Oh and we sang Happy Birthday too! Good times

In this picture are the birthday partiers....Amanda, Hannah, Wendy, Robyn, Emily, Andra and me! Love and miss yall!

Catching up with old friends

A few weekends ago, my roommate from my freshman year of college at Judson in Alabama, came to town.  Her name is Jennifer.  She and her friend Jennifer drove down from Birmingham (aka the Birmingham Jennifers) to see the New Kids on the Block concert at the IP casino in Biloxi.  I was excited that she was coming to town becasue the last time I saw her was probably 5 or more years ago!  I drove over to the IP and we went for lunch.  I was so good to see her and catch up.  We were talking about how our days at Judson seemed so long ago... 12 years to be exact!  Wow that makes me feel old.  I really doesn't feel that long ago.  Here is a picture of me and Jennifer...

Pinch DosTails an Suck Dem Heads...

...that is the best way to eat a crawfish!

Last weekend I went to visit my mom at work.  She told me Diane was boiling some crawfish and asked if I wanted some.  It sounded good (and since I haven't had crawfish in since before Hurricane Katrina, it sounded really good!) so she went and got me some.  They were still hot and the spices were just right!  Now when I mean right, I mean my lips were still tingling for at least 30 minutes after and my nose was running like a faucet!   When my family boils crawfish, we use this stuff called "Dump", it's all the spices you need and you just dump it in the pot.  It consists of LOTS of cayanne pepper and I don't know what else...probably some garlic powder, onion powder and stuff like that.  You will know if your crawfish is spiced right by how your lips tingle and nose runs!  When you boil crawfish you always throw potatoes, corn, garlic (the whole bulb thing), saugage (or hotdogs), lemons, and I really like artichokes, into the pot to soak up the spices!

So yall may be asking... how exactly do you eat a crawfish...well

First you find the biggest one

Then you pinch the tail off... don't throw it away!

Next you suck all the juices out of the head (sounds gross but it is so good!)

Then you peel the tail and pinch it at the end to get the meat out

Now you may need a sip of a cold beverage or you dive in for another!!!!

Fun Foto Friday

***First I would like to say SORRY for not posting a Fun Foto last Friday!  I was so busy getting ready to leave for New York City on Saturday that it completely slipped my mind...I promise to try not to let it happen again***

Now, some of you are probably saying to yourself "who in the heck are these guys?"  Well, it's Boyz II Men!!!

Blast from the past or at least the early to late 90's.  

I decided on this photo because this weekend I am going into Philadelphia.  Boyz II Men are from or at least they made it seem like they are from the area or at least like to visit there.  My reference for this is lyrics from their song Motown Philly ... Motownphilly back again, something something something,  Long overdue and now Philly is slammin', (Everybody it's) Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD, The eastcoast family, Never skipped a beat, while coolin' on South Street, *couple of more verses*, Now check this out, one day back in Philly, Four guys wanted to sing...and so on.  So from this I will assume they are from Philly.  

Did anyone else know they have 11 (yes I said 11) albums?  I thought maybe 4 at the most, but 11?  Crazy.  Good for them.  I wonder if anyone bought them?

So, back to the reason I decided to post this picture.  Since I am going to Philly this weekend I was thinking wouldn't it be cool it I happened to bump into them while looking at the Liberty Bell or going through the Hall of Independence or reenacting the famous Rocky scene on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (you know you all want to run up those stairs too and throw your hand in the air like a champ) or while I am eating the so claimed best cheesesteak sandwich in the city.  I could even run into them at IKEA... yes I am going there too.  I need to start looking at what I want to buy when I get my apartment.  And besides, I can't be that close to an IKEA and not stop!

With all the hype of possibly running into Boyz II Men on my adventure in Philly, I started thinking about other famous people from Philly: (The following are from a list I found on Wikipendia of people from Philly)

 *the Fresh Prince Will Smith - we could sing the theme song to The Fresh Prince of BelAir together (I know all the words)

 *Kevin Bacon - now THAT would make my weekend

*Dick Clark - I know he lives in NYC but maybe he will come back to his roots for a day

*Bill Cosby - maybe he and I could talk about the return of Jello Pudding Pops (the original ones)

*Richard Gere - I could be his pretty woman for the day

*Joey Lawrence -woah (enough said)

*Bob Saget - just so I can kick him in his knee, I don't think he is funny and he is a perv

* Az Yet - they are an R&B group I saw in Disney World on my senior trip

*Patti Labelle - I would tell her she looked great on the View the other day and way to go on getting the LaBelle's back together

*Teddy Prendergast - he could just sing to me

*Pink - she needs a hug after her divorce

*Kobe Bryant - we would play one on one (and he would let me win!)

So as you can see I will have a pretty busy weekend if all these people happen to be in town.  But if not, I will still enjoy the sights, history and cheesesteak.

Oh did I ever tell you I say Boyz II Men in concert back when I was in the 10th grade.  It's true, I did.  Good times.

So, I am here on the outskirts of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Where is that you may ask? Well, it is not too far from Philadelphia and right about in the middle of nowhere. So really I on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. It sounds bad when you type it (say it out loud), but really it isn't too bad. The views are beautiful. Kutztown is a small town that has cute shops and restaurants all over downtown. It is also home to Kutztown University. The size and atmosphere kinda reminds me of Rexburg, except it doesn't have a Walmart and they actually have real sports teams. Also around here you have to watch out for horse and buggies driven by the Mennonites that live around here. They are kinda cool and even have head lights and tail lights on them for when they drive at night. So you have to be careful driving around corners because there could just be a horse and buggy on the road! 

Now, you may be asking what am I doing on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere? Well, my mom's friend and her husband, Kathy and John, have jetted off to England for a little vacation and I am here baby sitting their daughter, Sarah, for the next two weeks. Oh and Sarah got sick last night with a fever so on the way to the airport to drop of Kathy and John, we dropped by the pediatrician to find out it was strep throat and was causing a bladder infection...joy oh joy. Luckily her fever has dropped and she has gotten back her appetite. 

I arrived a few days early to learn the routine and the area. I have also had to refresh my memory of how to drive a stick shift. It has been about 15 years since I last attempted to drive one. Go ahead and have a chuckle because it was quite comical to watch me try and get going. I am still having issues reversing, but otherwise I am pretty much a pro at it. The first time I drove a stick shift it was in Mississippi where the land is flat. Here EVERYTHING is either going up hill or down hill. There is no such thing as a flat surface here. As I come to a stop sign I pray no one is behind me and when I come upon a stop light I pray it doesn't turn red and if it turns yellow, I floor it! Luckily for me there is also the truck that is not a stick shift but it gets horrid gas mileage, so I am going to keep practicing. 

I totally love the east coast. I love how everything is so close. I am right by Philadelphia, 3 hours from Washington DC, less than 2 hours from New York City and less than an hour from Princeton (which I will visit while I am here and look at their graduate programs)...just to name a few places I am just a hop, skip and jump from. 

So that is all for now folks....later gators!

Do a GROUCH a favor day!

Yes, February 16th is DO A GROUCH A FAVOR DAY.

Now I know we all do not know many grouches, well at least I don't. But if you do, today is the day to do them a favor and maybe they won't be so grouchy! Oh and grouches LOVE hugs!

Fun Foto Friday

This is a picture from the third floor in the London Museum of Natural History. It really is a cool place and from this spot the view of the historic building is FANTASTIC!

The Modern Girls Guide to Life

*While blog surfing I found this blog from seejay and thought yall would love it!

1. Get an iPod.
2. To get that J.Lo glow--use fake tanner.
3. Photograph everything and put it on an online social website.
4. Shop online.
5. Put everything you do on your pda.
5a. Try to not be attached to your pda/phone...especially around the company of others
6. Hope on the yoga/pilates/etc class band wagon.
7. Do brunch on the weekends with friends.
8. Take time to lazily read fashion magazines as well as trashy mags.
9. Learn to play poker with the boys.
10. DON'T answer you cell phone when you are dining EVER, with anyone.
11. If you do have to talk on the cell phone while in a crowded public space, at least keep your voice down.
12. Figure out how to balance your checkbook.
13. Learn how to pack in five minutes.
14. Try to learn how to speak a different language.
15. Volunteer at least once a month.
16. Learn how to entertain, with class.
17. Learn how to properly cut/ care for flowers.
18. Try to do nice things for others at least once a week (other than yourself).
19. Do something nice for yourself today.
20. Learn how to deal with sexual harassment.
21. Don't be afraid of the weight section in the gym.
22. Experiment with hair colors and find one that works for you.
23. Buy a tool kit and use it.
24. Watch Sex & the City.
25. Don't obsess over how you look-it's overrated and unattractive.
26. Watch movies that make you cry.
27. Watch movies that make you laugh.
28. Talk to your mom. And your dad.
29. Actually listen to what your friends have to say; sometimes they are aware of things that can blind you.
30. Take their advice (*sometimes, you do need to fall on your face some time).
31. Learn how to cook.
32. Cook for someone else.
33. Learn how to take care of your body.
34. Ask your doctor the scary questions.
35. Learn how to make one good meal for a dinner party.
36. Learn how to barbecue
37. Understand the electronics you buy.
38. Learn how to drive a stick shift.
39. Change your own tire.
40. Feel sexy in your own skin.

Fun Foto Friday

I picked this photo for today becasue I am going there tomorrow!!! YAY!!! I love the zoo in New Orleans! Tomorrow we are celebrating Jayden's 2nd birthday and he loves the zoo. The weather is supossed to be 71, which will be fantastic for walking around the zoo. If for some reason the weather man is completely wrong, we will be heading downtown to the Aquarium of the Americas in the French Quarter.

So, my Fun Foto Friday picture is to represent one of my favorite places to go. I have to go at least once a year!

At this zoo...
I have seen priceless faces on little kids when they see the animals, a camel almost spit on me, taken field trips to it, gone with family and friends numberless times, gotten sun burned, attacked by gnats and other bugs (pray they won't be out on Saturday), eaten snow cones and taffy, fed a goat, made faces at a monkey and he made faces back, had fantastic talks with my bestie, marveled at the trees and rolled down monkey hill (and not just when I was little!)... just to mention a few things

Fun Foto Friday

Gambino's Bakery King Cake...yes boys and girls it is that time of the year again...it's Mardi Gras season! Now along with the beads, parades, balls, throw me somethin misters, there is the yummy king cakes to eat. Ahhhh. A king cake is a mardi gras tradition that begins on the 12th night aka kings day aka little Christmas. They are typically made and eaten through the Mardi Gras season which last unitl Fat Tuesday or the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

King cakes can be plain (basically a cinnamon roll) or filled with anything you can imagine... I like cream cheese.

Now, I truly enjoy a Gambino's king cake to nibble on, but I have not had a morsel of my favorite king cake in over 3 years. What is my favorite king cake you may ask?? A pralines and cream filled king cake (can you picture caramel, pecans, and cream cheese) from Mrs Ruth's Bakery. Mrs. Ruth has not reopened her bakery since Hurricane Katrina, but I think she should just make king cakes and sell them from her house!

If you have never had one, you MUST try one!!

New Idea

I have seen several people do 'Wordless Wednesday' on thier blogs...cool idea and there have been many cool photos. However, I always wonder 'why did they pick that photo'. So I have decided to do 'Fun Foto Friday' on my blog. I will (try to remember to) post a photo every Friday on my blog for all to see. I will also tell you the story behind the picture (if there is one) or why I chose the picture I did....just in case you want to know! I love pictures and I have so many great ones that I love and want to share.

So I hope yall enjoy my Fun Foto Friday!!!!!!

Happy National Popcorn Day!

What! Today, January 19th is National Popcorn Day! Hooray!

I really LOVE popcorn. It is my favorite snack eat. It is good anytime of the day. It is easy to make...air popped or microwaved. You can add toppings to it like butter or cheese or mini m&m's (it's good trust me)- or whatever you want to add to it! I like butter popcorn but the BEST kettle corn I have ever had, is from this farmers market in (or close to) Concord, CA... seriously, I have been on the hunt for the past 3 years to find kettle corn this good.

Now, I found these really cool facts about popcorn that I would like to share with you and to expand your knowledge of popcorn (in case you didn't know these things)... I found them interesting so I hope you do too!

• Popcorn was first discovered thousands of years ago by the Native Americans, who believed that the popping noise was that of an angry god who escaped the kernel
• During the Great Depression, popcorn was comparatively cheap at 5-10 cents a bag and became popular. Thus, while other businesses failed the popcorn business thrived and became a source of income for some struggling farmers.
• During World War II, sugar rations diminished candy production causing Americans to eat three times more popcorn than they had before
• Popcorn is usually served salted or sweetened. In North America, it is traditionally served salted, although a sweetened version, generally called caramel corn, is also commonly available. In the United Kingdom, ready-made popcorn is available either salted or simply sweetened with sugar, both varieties being equally popular.Toffee (i.e. caramel) popcorn is also available, but tends to be more expensive. Popcorn is a popular snack at sporting events and in cinemas, where it has been served since 1912.
• Popcorn, threaded onto a string, is used as a wall or Christmas tree decoration in some parts of North America, as well as on the Balkan peninsula.
• Some shipping companies have experimented with using popcorn as a biodegradable replacement for expanded polystyrene packing material. However, popcorn has numerous undesirable properties as a packing material, including attractiveness to pests, flammability, and a higher cost and greater density than expanded polystyrene. A more processed form of expanded corn foam has been developed to overcome some of these limitations.
• The world's largest popcorn ball was unveiled in October 2006 in Lake Forest, Illinois. It weighed 3,415 pounds (1550 kilograms), measured 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter, and had a circumference of 24.6 feet

Don't forget how great popcorn balls are! Don't these look YUMMY???

As I was looking up different things about popcorn, I ran across these websites with popcorn recipes... some sound good, others well, not so good.

PoPcOrN

Pop Pop Pop

Popcorn with WHAT!!!

So to celebrate National Popcorn day, I want you to pop your favorite kind of corn and enjoy a good movie!
POP! POP! POP!

I've been TAGGED

Ok, so I am VERY slow at responding to these things, but way back at the beginning of December, Wendy picture tagged me. Now I am supposed to show you the 4th picture in the 4th file on my computer, so here you go....

It's Amanda and Erica during summer semester 2007...wow that was forever ago. Now I don't know exactly what these girls are doing or looking at, but I am sure it was funny, because we always had a good time! This was the second semester Erica and I lived together and at this time we were room roommates. This is also the semester I met Amanda!

Now I am not going to "tag" anyone, but if you feel the need to do this and share the 4th picture in the 4th file (or something like that) than please share and consider yourself "TAGGED"!

Dreaming yet again

So, I have sorta given up on getting a teaching position for this school year. But from time to time I like to look online at houses for sale...just dreaming. Well, yesterday I was looking in the Houston area and found this precious little ditty. It is a foreclosure so it is CHEAP! and with the word cheap does come renovations. Ok no problem. The WOOD FLOORS need to be refinished, walls painted, new windows (not a necessity right now but I think it would look better), possibly new bathroom fixtures, etc... With my mom and the help of some helpful Seabee friends I think it can all be done relativately inexpensive. Now, I haven't personally seen the house so these great dream bubbles that I have may be instantly popped once I lay my eyes on it. And it can be sold before I get a job. Who knows. I think it is darling and would be a great first home. Here is a picture of it!

Holiday excitement

Well yall, I know it has been awhile since I last posted...nearly a month! It is tough not having internet where I am staying. Well, I made it home at the beginning of December and have been here and there and doing this and that since then. Once I got home I was busy doing last minute things for the holidays. The Saturday before Christmas I headed into New Orleans with my cousins, Livi, Anna and Sofia, where we met up with Kelly, Frankee and Jayden to enjoy some beignets at Cafe Du Monde before heading to Christmas in the Oaks at City Park.


Livi and Sofia enjoying some hot chocolateSofia, Livi and Anna in front of Jackson Square


Jayden throwing pennies in the fountainHey Diddle Diddle the cat and the fiddle, Jayden sat on a cow on the moon!
Sofia and Livi hanging out on some mushrooms in Storybook Land at Christmas in the Oaks

Now, I must tell you that Christmas in the Oaks is on of my personal favorite traditions to go and see at this time of the year. Usually its cool or sometimes cold, with that wintery briskness in the air. I usually opt for gloves, a scarf and a hat and some hot chocolate while walking through looking at all the lights. At at that moment a smile comes to my face and I think, it's Christmas time. Ahhh. However not this year. I think it has something to do with the absence of my gloves, scarf, hat and hot chocolate. Why were these things absent from my night you might be asking? Well, it's not because they were packed away in a suitcase...not I knew exactly where they were. No, the reason for this is because it was 75 degrees out and I really wanted an ice cold drink! Christmas and warm weather should not be in the same sentence, unless I am on Christmas Island!

On Christmas Eve, I helped my mom cook our family Christmas morning brunch tradition of strada. It is this scrambled egg dish. The fam loves it. I am becoming not the biggest fan of it, as I used to be. Maybe it is because I had to crack and scramble 16 dozen eggs.


Bryce is on his 3rd serving here... the first two plates were just as full!

Streett's first Christmas strada - and he loved it!

After the 'feeding frenzy' as my mom calls it was over, it was time to open gifts, which is always fun. Then we took some family pictures outside... in the 70 plus degree weather! At least it could be a little cool for Christmas morning, but no. Oh well, maybe next year!
Cousins!