COLLAGE-a collection of diverse opinions

2009-06-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

This product is truly amazing. My husband is blessed with a back with several patches of hair(yes, we are getting old). He also loves to be pampered by me, which does not happen very often. But I have a new toy! I never buy this kind of stuff but was at Walgreens and decided to give it a whirl! It really works and is easy to use. Remember when you were young and you would wet your fingers and roll the hair on your arms? It would get matted and pull off easily...please say you did this. Anyway, that is exactly what it does and it is relatively painless. My husband prefers this method. The last time I waxed his back I made a tough 250 lb man cry like a baby! Try it, you will like it.

For All The Men In Our Lives...

2009-06-20T21:37:00.003-07:00

Enjoy your special day.

It's Been A Long Time, But I Just Wanted To Say

2009-05-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hope you all have a wonderful day. Why don't we all post about one of our favorite experiences as a mother?

The first one to come to mind for me was when about 2 years ago. I was working hard at potty training my oldest daughter. Each time she would correctly use the potty, I would clap my hands and tell her how proud I was...and while she was "doing her business" I would sing that special potty song "Tinkle Tinkle Little Girl".

She was doing pretty well with everything so we decided that she was ready to wear her "big girl" panties when we went out to dinner at a nice restaurant one night. After ordering our drinks, the two of us excused ourselves for a trip to the Ladies Room. We waiting patiently in line and lucked out when the large handicap stall was available when our turn came up.

I "prep-ed" the toilet, helped her get ready, and then softly sang our little song. When she was finished, I asked her to wait while I took my turn. I wasn't expecting her to sing for me...at the top of her lungs, nor was I ready for her to shout how proud she was of me because I went "pee pee" in the big girl potty. She also gave me my toilet paper and reminded me to "wipe the tootie from front to back only".

I had hoped to leave the restroom quietly after that, but she started telling the other ladies in there that I had made her so proud and weren't they proud of me too...

Guess she was listening to my advice.

Let's look to the future....

2009-01-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

Remember all the enthusiasm we had when I started this little project? Man that sure fizzled fast!

Let's get it going again!!!

Let's start with the new year.

2009.

The economy is in the dumps, people are losing jobs right and left, and in less than 2 weeks we will have a new President.

One thing is for sure. It will be an interesting year.

Any thoughts???

Facebook

2008-12-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

I'm on a crusade to get all my bloggy friends on Facebook.

e-mail me at jillyou@verizon.net if you want to get on board!!!

Craigslist Crimes

2008-12-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

This HAS NOT happened to me. BUT it has happened in our city, and was written about in our local paper, and is therefore, blogworthy to me!

Have you ever shopped on Craigslist? I have. I bought a pilates machine on it. I also sold a pilates machine on it. (That is for the after New Year's topic of 'New Year's Resolutions and how quickly we break them'). Anyway, apparently, some scoundrels are posting a listing for Iphones at a good price. When the unsuspecting patsy, er I mean customer, shows up with cash in hand, the seller (criminal) whips out his GUN and demands the cash, and whatever other valuables the naive bargain hunter has on him/her. (note: consumer does not receive Iphone in this transaction)

Well, here is what I think about this. First of all, if you are shopping around on Craigslist, looking for a bargain, keep this in mind: IF IT SEEMS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE (i.e. price is wayyyy fabulous) MAYBE IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. Second, don't go with your cash to the worst section of town, to an unlit parking lot to make your exchange. Honestly, sometimes I think people who have been robbed are almost asking to be robbed. USE SOME COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!!!! and Lastly, if you are going to sell your fake coaches on Craigslist, quit trying to pass them off as authentic. Ms. Chic Chauffeur will totally flag your listing!

BE CAREFUL EVERYONE. As the economy gets worse, I think the criminal element gets more and more desperate!

New Topic!!!

2008-12-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

I just thought of a topic. As you know the economy is a mess, and crime rates are skyrocketing.

I think someone tried to pickpocket me at the mall yesterday.

My sister's cars got robbed in her driveway and her friend just got her cell phone and jacket ripped off at Target.

Do you have any stories?

Purse Envy

2008-12-03T05:28:00.000-08:00

Look at my great find....try not to turn green:) Gotta love Loehman's!

Confessions of a purseaholic, take 2

2008-12-01T19:11:00.001-08:00

I cannot resist posting this beauty, and then I will not hijack your cool site again, Jill, to discuss my weakness. But look at this beauty:

It is coming soon to a Target near you! Hayden Harnett is one of the new Go International designers. Their purses are yummy. And the ones at Target are priced at 49.99 and under! A person who loves purses could satisfy the urge without breaking the bank!

Sorry ladies, but my husband was just not interested, so I thought I would share this monumental news with my bloggy friends!

Anyone looking for a shopper?

2008-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

My name is NJDecorator and I am a shopper. I mean, I love to shop. My perfect job would be someones personal shopper (with unlimited budget) so I could indulge my shopping needs.

However, right now I am between jobs and cannot shop like I would normally. I have to reign it in. But I always tempted. So I now cyber window shop. I fill up my shopping cart with all kinds of wonderful things and them I click away from the site before ordering. It works pretty well, but not fully.

I also run my Synagogue's Judaica Shop. That helps with the buying urges. I can order all kinds of things and know that the money is not coming out my pocket. I like buying things for other people.

I really should be a personal shopper - anyone looking for that?

Stop Me Before I Shop Again

2008-11-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

I am about thisclose to being a true compulsive shopper. If it weren't for the tiny scrap of self-control I manage to retain, I would be that woman on Oprah who has boxes of mail-order crap she hasn't even opened. I LOOOOOOVE me some shopping. Nothing really makes me quite as happy as buying stuff. Which I get is really shallow and pathetic. I just look at it as my little part in "stimulating the economy."

I am that target consumer that marketing groups fantasize about when they do things like set up displays by the cash register. I scan them while I'm waiting my turn to pay for my stuff and think, "Why, yes, I DO need a teeny little flashlight that clips on my car visor! How thoughtful of them to put it up here where I'd see it! And I'd certainly better snag that package of Q-Tips while I'm at it." Pathetic. And yet oddly satisfying.

My real indulgences, when I have some fun money to throw around, are definitely clothes and makeup. I'm pretty much incapable of going into a department store and coming out with some little tidbit: a great pair of trouser jeans, a new brand of mascara, or a darling little sweater for one of my daughters.

Lately, though - lately, not so much. Suddenly, we're feeling the effects of the unstable economy. Business has fallen off at my husband's law firm, and that means unpredictable salaries. Last month we missed a whole week of pay, and it hurt a hell of a lot more than I ever would have guessed. I'm reining in my indulgences and trying to plan (totally unnatural for me) my shopping trips. I'm making lists for Christmas shopping and actually sticking to them. Yeah, it's taking some of the fun out of it, but I'm trying to embrace the satisfaction of making the money go farther. It's a learning curve for me, but I'll get there.

Let's make small talk...

2008-11-25T08:04:00.000-08:00

Get yourself a nice cup of coffee and let's hang out...

Tell me, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

My family is going to make the 4 hour (God willing) trip down the NJ Turnpike to my little sister's house in Highland, MD.

We will be joined by middle sister and her family. All together there will be 6 adults, 8 children and 3 dogs. I'm sure a good time will be had by all and we'll all be absolutely spent on Sunday.

My Mom and Dad are spending a mellow holiday in Florida, sans grandchildren where they will spend their time playing golf and having quiet adult conversation.

I'm psyched to see my sister's but I'm torn over whether I'd rather drive 4-6 hours (depending on traffic) or do all the cooking myself. That's a toughie.

I've said enough. Now it's your turn....

Hello, My name is the Chic Chauffeur, and I am a purse-aholic

2008-11-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

If there were a self help group for women who have too many handbags, I would have to join. Actually, my dear hubs would probably stage an intervention, and force me to join.

Here's how things go... I will be shopping for something reasonable, and just make a pass through the handbag department at Nordstrom. And (please start humming the theme from Love Story here) THERE IT IS. A black handbag I have not seen before! I think to myself, sane still for a moment.. "why would I buy that purse? I have a perfectly fabulous black (insert name here...Kate Spade, Coach, Lamb, Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs....really, I could go on) purse at home." But it beguiles me. Perhaps a cell phone pocket that is different than the one in my stable. Whatever it is, it's got what it takes to knock the current black favorite out of rotation... Home it comes!

I must have been purse-challenged in my youth, and am going overboard now as an adult, to make up for whatever I think I missed out on in my teens.

And parting with one of my beloved bags. Ain't no way! I have tried to sell them on ebay, and actually cancelled an auction because I just couldn't go through with it. It felt as though I were auctioning off one of the kids (well, sort of.....)

So anyway, this post might brand me as shallow. To even things out: yes, we have 4 kids and a dog, and I love all of them (and the purse-anon hubs) way way way more than any material possession. But if and when I get a little pocket change, I always seem to stumble upon the MOST INCREDIBLE BAG in the world. And then, woops, there goes my willpower.

PS: Have you seen the darling Quilted Patent Leather Quincy bag at JCrew. The navy one is ON SALE!!! Sadly, I do NOT have any spare change at this time... But that purse is sweet!

Cha Ching!

2008-11-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

My poor little Collage Project. So neglected!

Hopefully we can get this thing up and running again.

If you read my other blog, Caffeine Court you have probably read that I purchased a Pug puppy for my daughters last week. Puppies are expensive little creatures. First there's the cost of buying one. (Yes, I went to a pet store, just to LOOK and I got weak.) Then there's the shots, food, grooming, boarding. You know the drill. The fact that we already have 2 dogs and a cat means we spend ALOT on our pets.

I started thinking about all the other things I could have bought with the money I spend on my animals. My daughter needs a new bedroom set. I need window treatments all over the house. My car is 5 years old. I would love some cool new clothes.

But I chose the dogs. They make us very, very happy.

How about you? What do you like to spend your extra cash on? Is it a great pair of boots? Are you a gal who loves to spruce up your house? Or do you like to take a couple of fancy vacations a year?

Let's talk "fun money."

Snap, Crackle, Pop...and I'm not talking about cereal

2008-11-12T06:20:00.000-08:00

I am an unapologetic knuckle-cracker. It started innocently back in my piano playing days, but has evolved into a fairly obsessive personal habit. I can't stand the slight stiffness in my fingers when they need to be popped, and frankly, I think the sound is really cool and quite satisfying.

I list it under "personal talent" as well as "things I do that repulse others." I can crack (from the top-down, follow me here): my jaw, neck, elbows, wrists, fingers, back, knees, ankles, and every individual toe. So there's always that Sideshow Freak thing to fall back on if the economy continues tanking... plus it entertains the hell out of seven-year-old boys, as I found out the other day while watching my friend's son.

However, since about everyone I know (husband, BF, mother...the list goes on) is driven batshit crazy by the sound, I do try to keep it under wraps when others are around. Try being the operative word there. I limit myself to fingers and the occasional toe in public. I can see where it would be a little weird to start popping kneecaps and wrists at a cocktail soiree, but what's the odd finger joint crackle between friends?

Widget

2008-11-11T09:10:00.001-08:00

My Nasty Habit

2008-11-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

Oh gosh, I have a few...the most nasty to me is that I bite my nails and my cuticles when I'm stressed or bored. I used to get the nails done, primarily because it kept me from doing that, but when my mom got sick, even that didn't stop me. I got so tired of paying for a new set every couple of weeks, I just stopped. My nails and cuticles are in lousy shape and I've tried to give myself manicures, rub solar oil into my cuticles, but nothing works. I really need to do something, but just haven't gotten around to doint it.

The Bad Personal Habits Of The O'Kara Family.

2008-11-08T20:51:00.001-08:00

(My family will kill me if they ever read this...)

My husband is like most guys...not as discreet about some body functions. He will burp, fart, and scratch at just about any time or place. He has promised to work on changing these behaviors and while he has shown great success, there are still times when I look for the nearest escape route.

My five year old just learned that she can do things to embarrass her parents, most especially me. Besides her love of doing the same three bad habits of her father's, she also love to dig for "nose goblins". Completely grosses me out every time I see it. I have learned that she does it even more when I ask her to stop...so I try to turn a blind eye to this behavior.

My soon-to-be one year old is just learning her bad habits. Right now, the biggest one is for her to throw herself down on the floor, kick her feet, throw her arms around, and scream hysterically if she doesn't get her way...a classic hissy-fit.

And now for me...well, I am a recovering blemish picker...but have been working really hard to over come that addiction. My secret weapon is a trusty tube of triple antibiotic ointment. Other than that nasty habit, I also unknowingly scratch my scalp...almost like I have fleas...isn't that lovely. It must be a family habit because both of my sisters also do the same thing. Wonder if this is a subconscious thing due to our huge fear of spiders and constantly feeling like they are crawling on us?

Pores and Pimples

2008-11-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

I am a recovering pore pusher/zit popper. It's inherited. My dad is worse than I am. I know it's gross. I can't stand to see someone else popping a zit. And I would never pop someone elses. But I can't leave my own blemishes alone!

Ever since I discovered my first pimple, I obsessed over every flaw and blemish. If it looked "ready" to pop, I'd push, squeeze, and press over and over until I made some sort of progress. Many times I'd do it before the blemish was "ready enough", thus making a bad situation much worse. They'd swell and turn ghastly shades of red and purple. I probably would have half the acne I have if I would just have a hands off policy.

I try to just not inspect my pores anymore. If I see a clogged pore I just want to mess with it. Then I end up creating a pimple where none probably ever would've been.

I have learned that when it is a "deep" zit, to just LEAVE IT ALONE!! I once poked and prodded an especially deeply embedded one where my cheek meets my nose and it swelled up so much that my eye was half shut. I looked like Quasimodo for about 4 days. It was horrible.

Maybe one of these days I will be acne free and this habit will be history. Then I can worry about my occasional nail biting.

Let's try another subject!!

2008-11-08T16:40:00.001-08:00

Do you have any nasty personal habits? I am a hair puller. When I'm stressed or bored I sit and twirl and pull the same piece of hair above my left ear over, and over and over. It drives people NUTS and makes that one piece of hair look like a dry frazzled mess.

My husband is a nail biter. CHRONIC. His nails are really painful to look at. I get completely stressed when I watch him do it. I try to get him to go to a psychologist or a hypnotist to no avail.

How about you? Nail biter? Hair puller? Zit picker?

What's YOUR nasty habit!!!?

I've been neglecting my baby!

2008-11-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've been so bad about Collage lately. So sorry.

Those of you who read my other blog know I've been sucked into a PTO fundraising project and I'm in WAY OVER MY HEAD! I've been stooped over the sewing machine sewing belts to sell at a vendor night and I'm kind of freaking out!!

I'm so scared that all my time and effort will be for nothing. I haven't even been able to play tennis, which I need desperately for my body and my sanity.

Have you ever been convinced to participate in, or head up a committee or an event that has really taken over your life?

If so, please share!!

What will we talk about now?

2008-11-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

Although it's not official. It looks like the election is over and Barack Obama will be our 44th President.

Now that this election is over-what the heck are we going to talk about?!

Hmmm. Let's see. What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Ummmm.

Did you see High School Musical 3 yet?

How 'bout those Phillies?

Need some Bloggy help!!!

2008-11-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am going to somehow spin this as a post about how unorganized I am ... and then I'll get to why I need the help!

I am soooo unorganized, that I can't even find my recipe books from when we moved 2 years ago. They are in one of the many unopened boxes sitting in the unfinished side of the basement I was going to organize 1 year ago. Out of sight, out of mind... I have got to get going, or my poor children will be sooo mad when they finally have to put me in the old folks home, and need to spend days sorting thru all my accumulated junk!

Here's my panic! A group of my girlfriends thought it would be great fun to form a dinner-making group. You know, you make the same dinner 8 times, and then everyone trades. Voila, you have 8 different dinners, life becomes less chaotic, and you have time to clean your basement.

Well, I have nothing. NO IDEAS! Nada! HELP! If you happen to have a favorite awesome EASY recipe that serves 5-6, and is somewhat inexpensive to make (no steak casseroles please! I have to make 8 of them...) and would like to share the recipe with cooking-challenged me, would you go to my regular blog and post it? As an example, one girl is making Mexican Beef tips (which can be served in taco shells/tortillas, over rice or in hoagie buns). I will be forever grateful, and will name one of my clean shelves in the basement in your honor!

The Chic Chauffeur

I Interrupt This Topic Of Conversation To Bring You...

2008-11-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

a Voter Freebie in honor of Election Day.

After you perform your civic duty by voting, stop by your local Starbucks Coffee Shop and see if they are participating in the Free Tall Brewed Coffee To All Voters Promotion. (I gave them a call...You can also get a Tall Hot Tea if you are not a coffee drinker...)

So glad that I waited until Election Day to vote instead of standing in line for over 3 1/2 hours (like my husband) to participate in Early Vote. All he got was a sunburn and sore feet while I get a Free Tall Brewed Coffee!!! Guess it does pay to vote, doesn't it!

And just to let you all know out there...it only took me 10 minutes to vote! Ten minutes from the time I walked in the door to the time I stepped back out into the fresh Sunny, FL air.

2008-11-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am a recovering 'Felix Freak"!! I have really backed off the NEED OF PERFECTION... it is unobtainable!! I was stressed, my kids were stressed and Dr walked on egg shells. What really hit me was the time my parent were coming here to stay for a week-to watch Bird. They came the day before to get all the needed information....all seemed to be fine. When we got back everything seemed to be great. Talked to my brother a couple of days later to find out my parents were a wreak!!!! OMG!!! "Did Bird wear them out?" No-My Mom was a nervous wreak trying to keep my house "The Way I Like It"... She drew diagrams on how I arranged the pillows on the sofa & beds. My stainless steel appliances pushed her over the edge, finger prints etc... In my defence I never expected my dear Mother to even worry about one of these things, I SWEAR! But I must of somehow displayed my freakism for perfection. I felt terrible. A couple things have happened since then. A- I had a hysterectomy(hormones were not my friends),and B- Had a "Come to Jesus Meeting" with my husband. Don't get me wrong I still like my house picked up- trying not to Stress the Small Stuff.