little MOMENTS

The Love Of My Life

2014-08-29T01:22:00.001-04:00

I met the love of my life my husband Jason in April 1999. I will never forget what he was wearing the first moment I saw him walking through the Oakland airport terminal with a friend of mine, He was wearing a white Cleveland Indians jersey and hat with khaki shorts, and most importantly a big beautiful smile across his face! A mutual friend worked for the same airline, I worked out of Oakland (Oakland CA) airport and he out of Columbus (Columbus OH) airport. He flew out to meet me for Indians vs A's game and brought one of his buddies (Jason) along with him that day, the day I met the love of my life. I automatically feel in love with Jason's smile and sense of humor, and his love of baseball.
Our friendship deepened over the next five months even though we were separated by a few thousand miles, we communicated through email daily.
Jason flew out to California again in September 1999, and that's when we had our first kiss, his kiss was everything I thought it would be, tender & absolutely wonderful! I was so nervous about kissing him my lips tensed up ( it had to be bad, but he didn't admit it).
Spring 2000 Jason was wading in the ocean and I was lying on a beach towel in Carmel California after our picnic on the beach, when he all of a sudden jogged up, laid on top of me and told me "I love you" for the first time then gave me the deepest, longest, most romantic kiss I have ever had!
February 2001 on a Saturday in Columbus, Jason took me to a forest that is situated in the middle of a metro park. Jason led me to a bench in the middle of the forest and asked me to sit with him "for a minute", he pulled a camera out of his pocket, took a picture of our view, wrapped his arms around me from behind and whispered in my ear "will you marry me?" He was so nervous, his voice cracked ( so sweet),it took me all of a minute to say "yes",
Now after 13 years of marriage we've had a lot of ups & downs, Jason has been my rock through several miscarriages, a spinal fracture I suffered in a car accident, depression, deaths in my family, my head injury I suffered last year and my surgery I had to have as a result, I put him through a lot, at one point I told him he should find someone else that can fulfill his dream of becoming a dad, he wouldn't hear of it, he held me closer and assured me he wasn't going anywhere.
Jason has always been there for me and I want to show him my appreciation, so I am planning a "surprise trip" for him I really want to show him my appreciation and give him the best, most memorable vacation ever! I can't wait!

Amazing Alaska Part 4

2014-01-25T23:46:00.000-05:00

We spent the last night of our Alaskan cruise in Victoria Canada, The weather was perfect, the sun was setting, it was the perfect ending to a vacation with my family that I will never forget! When we got off the ship, we boarded a bus and headed into the beautiful city of Victoria.

There was a great art festival at the water's edge in Victoria where I took this photo of pontoon planes

docked.

I love the sight of decoratively lit buildings, so I couldn't resist getting a shot of this.

After sight seeing and shopping in Victoria, we boarded our ship for dinner an our last night together on the cruise.

Amazing Alaska Part 3

2014-01-24T23:57:00.000-05:00

Thursday morning we woke up in Skagway, as we walked down the main street in Skagway, I saw this really unique looking tour bus driving down the street.I've never seen anything like it.

We ate lunch at the famous Red Onion Saloon (it used to be a bordello). The Red Onion Saloon was built in1897, the staff wear period costume, the atmosphere and food are excellent!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my parents, taken right outside of a shop in Skagway.

After shopping we boarded rode the rails into the beautiful Yukon aboard the White Pass Railroad, what an awesome ride!

Amazing Alaska Part 2

2014-01-24T00:33:00.001-05:00

There's nothing like waking up to a beautiful glacier in Tracy Arm fjord Alaska in the morning! I took this photo from the balcony of our cabin, we even witnessed the glacier calving, truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Our next port was Alaska's capital Juneau. With Juneau being the capital of Alaska, I expected I to be a "big city" but it much more quaint, had more of a small town feel.

While my brother and dad explored a few bars and shops in Juneau, my mom and I boarded a bus for an expedition to the Mendenhall glacier in Mendenhall Valley, besides seeing the glacier, we both really wanted to see bears. We had been told by people in town that we were there at the perfect time to see bears due to the salmon spawning and the bears preparing for hibernation. My mom and I got as close to the glacier as we were permitted and took a few shots.

We did see two bear cubs, but they ran across the road too fast to get a picture. I got a couple of shots of this cute little porcupine though! So sweet!

With our sight seeing in Juneau done we headed back to our ship for a great dinner, wonderful entertainment, a good night sleep and on to Skagway!

Amazing Alaska Part 1!

2014-01-22T00:03:00.002-05:00

Last August my parents took my older brother and I on a "once in a lifetime trip" on a 7 day cruise to Alaska! Yes, my brother and left our significant others behind to spend an awesome week with our parents. There hadn't been a vacation with just the four of us in over 30 years.
I flew from Ohio to Seattle Washington on August 17th, I got very excited when I saw cruise ships from my airline seat window.

View of cruise ships from my window seat.

I spent a relaxing night at a hotel near the airport, the next morning I met my family, and we took an airport shuttle to the cruise ship! Once we got on board our ship none of us could resist taking in the Seattle skyline.

The view on our way out to sea was just as amazing!

Our first full day on the cruise was spent at sea, we passed the time by going to the on board spa, walking around the ship, dining and enjoying the entertainment offered. The first port we visited was Ketchikan, Alaska. I awoke to the sight of pontoon planes landing on the water not far from our balcony, I couldn't stop watching them take off and land. After watching the pontoon planes and eating breakfast, we set out to see Ketchikan. My first order of business was to get a picture of my family with our cruise ship in the background.

I loved the character and feeling of the city of Ketchikan, and the beauty that surrounds it.

And of course we had to get in a little zip lining while in Ketchikan!

My 72 year old dad zip lining!

There goes my mom!

All four of us loved Ketchikan, and we definitely want to return for another visit.

What's Important

2012-06-06T23:55:00.000-04:00

Last year I lost my best friend Kathy. Kathy and I had been best friends since our first day of school in the sixth grade when we were eleven years old. Kathy and I were friends through thick and thin, we were there for each other through boy crushes, first dates, high school band, slumber parties, breakups, heartaches, college, first jobs, for everything, she was my maid of honor in my wedding etc...We confided in each other, she was the sister I never had and vice versa. Then one day, while I was painting our bathroom, I got a call from Kathy's cousin, informing me that my "bestie" was gone, Suddenly, just like that, my world changed. When I heard the news, I literally could not catch my breath to the point that Jason had to catch me, and hold me up, and all I could say was "Kathy no, Kathy no". While I was shocked and distraught over losing someone so close to me that suddenly, it taught me to pay more attention and appreciate what I have, and the people I have in my life.
I decided to use Kathy's death in a positive way, it made me realize that you get out of life what you put into it. Over the years, Jason and I suffered through miscarriages, an injury I suffered in a car accident, my subsequent depression (caused by a combination of the miscarriages and being injured)and I had shut down emotionally, mentally at times, even physically, and pushed Jason away at times too. Things got to where Jason and I would spend most nights watching TV or one of us on the computer and the other watching TV, and hardly talking to each other. It felt like we were two "zombies" just getting through each day. I decided to "tune out" and to "tune in" to my marriage/life, to appreciate the people and things I have, and not take anything for granted, because it can be gone "just like that". I started by doing something as simple as serving dinner on the dining room table instead of in front of the TV, so we could actually have conversation during dinner. I decided to join the "wellness"program that my employer offers it's employees that provides you with your own personal coach who counsels you on nutrition, exercise, and provides you with psychological support when needed as well. For the first time in a long time, I started doing things that I love again like art, baking fun cakes, planning little get away trips to places we've never been etc... Focusing on what's important in my life has definitely made me happier and I feel that it's made my relationships with family, friends and especially my husband much stronger.
My "bestie/sister" is gone, but I feel like she is here in some way, and I know she's "up there" singing out of tune everytime a Billy Joel song plays on my ipod. I just know it.

Searching for Spring!

2011-04-21T23:55:00.000-04:00

As of today I have come to believe that Spring has just totally skipped us. We went from winter 2010 skipped Spring, Summer, Fall 2011 and landed right in Winter 2011 minus the snow.
It's near the end of April and I still can't believe that I am still having to wear my winter coat and gloves evry morning and every night when I take the dogs out. I am searching for Spring and i hope I find it soon.

D@@@ Germs!

2011-04-20T23:33:00.000-04:00

Today I realized for the millionth time, that your body has a way of telling you to "slow down". Mine started out a bit sneaky. I felt fine all day last Friday, I was at work as usual, went to lunch with my friends etc...I had an hour left of my work day when all of a sudden, a slight sore throat developed which should have been my first warning (but I didn't listen because the temptation of going to my first major league baseball game of the season was way too tempting). As soon as I pulled up in our driveway, Jason said "let's go to the game" I could never resist that invite, no matter how I feel.
Sautrday & Sunday came and went and my voice started going also, yet i still refused to listen! Monday and Tuesday also came and went and the non-stop aches and pains, fever arrived with no problem, just "made themselves at home" but stupid me did not listen and kept forging on through conference calls, paperwork etc...
Until today when my body said "enough already". I felt like I got hit and run over by a train today! the message to slow down finallly got through, loud and clear!
Thank God we have a world class healthcare location literally 2 minutes from my work, and it was there on my lunch where I found out that I have "walking Pneumonia" of all things! I think it's time to slow down. Those D@@@ Germs!

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

2011-04-15T00:54:00.000-04:00

Happy birthday to the one who picked out my first teddy bear for me when I was less than a day old (by the way, I still have it!), the one who pushed my stroller around the block on sunny afternoons. Happy birthday to "my protector" when kids were making fun of me on my way home from school one day (tackling one of them and pinning them down to the ground sent a pretty strong message), you always looked out for me even though you're the same one who drew a mustache on my face with permanent black marker while I was asleep (mom scrubbed my upper lip so hard I'm surprised I still have an upper lip!) Even after you grew and got married, I could always count on you to be there for me. Everytime my car broke down you dropped everything to pick me up from where ever I was stranded without hesitation. I will never forget when you asked me to be in the delivery room with you when your first child (my awesome nephew) was born! I will also never forget when you walked into my dressing room right before my wedding, and you saw me standing there in my wedding dress, and this wonderfully big smile came across your face and you said "you're beautiful!"
I know there were times growing up when we fought and I wanted to "put you up for rent, cheap" especailly when you accidentally shot me in the arm with your bb gun! But then I also remember the time when you were shot in a hunting accident and we almost lost you! I couldn't imagine not having you in our lives! Especially my life!
You were and you still are the best big brother anyone could have! I talked to you earlier today and wished you Happy birthday but I didn't get the chance to tell you how much you mean to me. I love you! Happy Birthday!!!!

Quiet Night

2011-04-14T00:42:00.000-04:00

With my husband and pugs sleeping soundly all snuggled in bed together, I am spending some "me time" enjoying sitting here typing while I'm watching the movie "Father of the bride". I am enjoying this time right now, I'm taking advantage of the fact that I'm not surrounded by somone talking on their cell phone, or swearing at the baseball player that struck out at the plate on t.v. Right now I'm not surrounded by phones ringing, people talking , walking back and forth between offices. I am relaxed and clear headed for the first time today.
For the year and a half that I was unemployed, I forgot just how crazy life can be with working full time and taking care of your house and family, it's a delicate balance.
I try to carve out time for myself everyday whether it's staying up late like tonight or walking a few miles on our treadmill. I have realized my "me time" is important to keep the balance, and as my husband has put it, i get down right "cranky" (I'm putting it nicer than he does) if I don't take time for myself.
In a minute, I will be going to bed rested, with a clear head, have a restful sleep and get ready to face the day tomorrow. Good Night!

Grateful

2011-03-22T00:06:00.000-04:00

After about a year and a half of being unemployed, I was lucky enough to find a job. I was even luckier to find one that pays more than my previous job did and to find a company that cares more about their employees than my previous "big name, worldwide corporation" employer does. I am still working in the "corporate world" but it's more of a "corporate world with a heart" in a way. Now I know I've only been there for three months, in fact I started a few days before Christmas (a job is a wonderful christmas gift!), but I felt right at home from the first second I stepped through the door my first day!
When i first got to my desk on my first day, I was welcomed with a neatly wrapped Christmas gift and card sitting on my desk with my name on it, little touches like that stand out to me, it was a great way to make me feel at ease on my first day and set the tone for my new job. I work both independantly and in a team setting. right from the beginning my team made me feel welcome and to me they are my extended family. For the first time in years, I don't dread going into work, I enjoy it and at times it's actually fun.
Two weeks out of every month, we can wear jeans, and almost every week we have contests and drawings for prizes of all kinds and twice a week the company brings in breakfast for everyone and once in a while has lunch catered for everyone. Yes it's great to feel appreciated! I am grateful!

Calm after "chaos"

2011-03-17T23:51:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the first sense of calm we've had in a while in our house. My husband and I are both settled now in our new jobs (I love my job, my husband hates his job). While we have settled into our jobs, chaos has been going on around us. Our work lives have been the "eye" in the "tornado" that is home ownership. Last december, our shower in our upstairs bathroom (the only full bathroom inthe house) decided to leak through our kitchen ceiling and into the kitchen light fixtures, which could have been a recipe for diseaster, but thankfully wasn't. The bathroom had to be completely gutted out and totally rebuilt. After one month of having a bathroom with no shower, no walls, no floor, heat, many checks written to the contractor, and last but not least more than a few arguements with our insurance company (who refused to cover the repairs!). We now have an awesome new bathroom! 2 weeks of calm then set in and then, just when life was getting back to normal, water started streaming into our bedroom right through one of our window panes! Right through the middle of it, and down onto our bedroom carpet. Agh!
Our bedroom window started another storm of chaos, we had to move into our much smaller guest room with a much smaller bed. This second wave of chaos included another round of dealing with insurance (which thankfully covered repairs this time), contractors, and living in a "construction zone" for another month and a half. I mean, half of the wall with the leaking window had to be demolished, repaired/rebuilt, repainted, recarpeted. After 2 months of living in our guest room, tonight is the first night back in our "new" bedroom. As I breathe in the new carpet, new paint smell, I finally feel a sense of calm coming over our house again, like the house is breathing a sigh of relief. Hopefully our house doesn't throw any more surprises our way for a while and a sense of order can start to take place. A sense of calm.

Hello Again

2010-12-10T11:23:00.001-05:00

Hello again blogosphere! I'm sorry I've been away for a while, but as you know, life has a way of getting in the way sometimes. We have been going through some changes here. My husband started his new job a week ago, so far he likes it. The only downsides of his new job are that the pay is much less than what he made at his previous job and he has a lot longer commute now. But the big upside is that the company cares more about their employees than his previous employer.
Not to be outdone, I also got a new job! I will start my new position in little over a week, and I can't wait! I also will have a much longer commute than before. but I will be paid more than I was before!
Other than our new jobs, we finally started the major repair on our bathroom, so for the past week we've contractors going in and out of our house throughout the day every day. Our bathroom had to be completely gutted out, so we get to start from scratch with it which is kind of exciting!
During this time we also discovered that spending 24 hrs a day 7 days a week together is not easy, especially when you have no income, and are both having difficulty finding jobs (thankfully that is over!)
We butted heads at times but we made it! We have jobs, we have each other, and in a couple of weeks we'll have a new bathroom to enjoy!

Temptations

2010-11-05T23:31:00.000-04:00

It's November, the weather is colder, leaves are changing color, we got our first snow today (didn't stay long though). With the fall season and Thanksgiving coming soon, I have had cravings for pumpkin pie, cookies etc...I only eat these things around this time of year so I guess it shouldn't surprise me. What I'm about worried is that since my husband was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, both of us have not been eating any sweets at all. In fact, my husband has lost 45 lbs since July and I've lost 20 lbs, and I definitely don't want to gain any back during the holidays.
I think my best plan of action is to step up my exercise routine and indulge my cravings in moderation. My husband is a lot more strong willed about these things than I am, so I'm not quite as worried about him caving in.
The upcoming holidays are going to be even tougher this year. because my grandmother passed away earlier this year and the holidays are not going to be the same! It's going to be a real temptation to turn to the holiday "comfort foods" when I'm missing my grandmother, and I really have to fight doing that

A Few Random Thoughts

2010-11-04T12:46:00.000-04:00

I wish the fall season lasted all year long! I love the briskness in the air and the leaves changing color!

So happy the political commercials are finally off T.V!

Love the leaves changing color, but definitely do not like raking said leaves.

Wonder why we park in driveways and drive on parkways? Hmm...

I've been using the word "Dork" a lot more lately. Don't know where that's coming from.

Would give anything to have one of my Grandma's awesome Thanksgiving dinners this Thanksgiving! Miss you Grandma, R.I.P!

Hope my fantasy football team stays in first place (I'm the only woman in the league, so it's that much sweeter!).

Craving some chocolate

Never A Good Time

2010-11-03T23:52:00.000-04:00

There is never a good time for things in the house to break down, especially now! Right now we are both unemployed, and of course now is the time our shower floor decided to let water leak down through our kitchen ceiling!
So today we had a contractor that was recommended to us by our friends (who had the same problem with their shower) take a look at it. It turns out that our shower pan needs replacing and we need to have part of our kitchen ceiling replaced due to water damage. We are going to have to have our shower floor gutted out for the repair and have our shower floor retiled.
The shower retiling would not be a big deal, but since the bathroom tile was custom made for the previous owner, it cannot be matched. Most of our bathroom is tiled, including the walls, with the custom made unmatchable tile. Basically just having the shower repaired is going to cause us to have the whole bathroom retiled so it goes all together! Then we found out that our insurance won't cover it! Our insurance compant said it was "preventable" and replacing a shower pan is considered to be "regular shower maintenance". Also, our policy does not cover water damage unless it's "catastrophic". I guess if one of us would have fallen through the shower floor while showering then we would have been covered!
We spent the day dealing with the contractor, insurance adjuster, and picking out the new tile for our bathroom.
We're not looking forward to having our kitchen and bathroom torn up or having to spend the money for it(couldn't have come at a worse time!).
I just keep thinking how nice it will look when it's all done, and it will add value to our house whenever we do decide to sell it, so at least there are some positives to it. But again, never a good time!

Away From Reality

2010-11-03T01:12:00.000-04:00

Even though things have been rough for us lately, and at times my husband and I have wanted to "strangle each other", my husband gave me the best surprise ever!
He surprised me with a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas, plus 3 nights at a fancy hotel in Miami FL, which added up to a wonderful one week vacation/ one week away from reality!
We boarded our two dogs and flew down to Florida and started the most memorable trip ever! It was just what we needed. The two of us experiencing the beautiful Bahamas together, eating breakfast together out on the deck of a beautiful ship sailing in the Carribean sea, before we ventured off the ship each day. Ending each day with a candlit dinner under a starry night sky.
Here are some pics from our "magical" week! Enjoy!

I Finally Finished It!

2010-08-28T17:18:00.000-04:00

YES! I finally finished the latest book I've been reading called "Damaged" by Pamela Callow. "Damaged" is a medical/ legal thriller loosely based on a real life news story that took place in Canada.
"Damaged" is Pamela Callow's debut novel. This book instantly drew me in. The characters were very well fleshed out, which is very important to me, I want to be able to mentally visualize them and care about what happens to them. The heroine is young attorney Kate Lange, and she is definitely a stand out character. Kate Lange is the kind of character that I just rooted and pushed for from the begining to the end!
I just learned that "Damaged' is the first book in a series, the second book titled "Indefensible" also featuring Kate Lange is scheduled to be released around December 28th. I cannot wait!
Now, I loved "Damaged" but I'm not being too descriptive about the book because I don't want to give anything away about what happens. But, if you want to read a great medical/legal thriller I would definitely recommend "Damaged".
I also like to read different genres of books, so I just started reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory, I'm only a few pages in but I am intrigued by both the story and the historical side. I also have some personal interest, because I have an ancestor who was beheaded by Henry the VIII, and of course Henry the VIII is part of this novel.

Forging Ahead

2010-08-27T00:28:00.000-04:00

The past 2 weeks have been absolutely crazy around here, and a big cause of the craziness has been my husband. He's been unemployed for all of 2 weeks, and he is still bouncing off the walls. The pur guy just cannot make up his mind what he wants to do next. One minute he's looking on the computer looking for work, and the next he's on his phone talking to friends about buying into a franchise pizza place, or he's telling me that he wants to just pack everything up in the car and just leave and start all over again. His mind is all over the place sometimes.
I have decided to be the "calm in the storm", I have been the voice of reason in the house and have been calmly forging ahead trying to find my own new career path. Yes I will still continue to work for my brother, but business is down right now, so I'm looking for some supplemental income in the mean time (preferrably outside the home so I can get away from the craziness). There are some things (well not many actually) about working in the corporate world I miss, and the biggest thing is the commeraderie I've had with co-workers, having lunches out etc...Hopefully I can be the bread winner for a little while till my husband figures out what he wants to do.
I told my husband that anything he decides to do I am 100% behind him and that I love him. I really hope he finds his niche in world! I love him so much!

Crazy Days, New Horizons

2010-08-24T12:46:00.000-04:00

I know I've been gone for awhile, but I'm back. The past 2 weeks have just been plain "nuts" around here!
Our wedding anniversary was on Aug 18th (9 years!), my husband had to work that day, which is no big deal. The "big deal" came at about 5 min before he was scheduled to leave work. Five muntes before my husband was scheduled to leave work, he was asked to see his supervisor who then told him he was "terminated"! He was totally blindsided! He had been with this company for 10 1/2 years without any problems, and was a "top performer" consistantly every month (and was recognized within the company every month and was in the top 8% of the company's achievers nationally). Everyone thinks it's because the company is "cost cutting" by terminating employees with tenure. Basically "IT STINKS!" and on our anniversary!! Needless to say, we didn't feel like celebrating!
On the same day, a friend of ours was chopping wood and ended up chopping half of his index finger off! OUCH!! My husband now refers to him as "Mr. 9 and 1/2" luckily he has a sense of humor about it!
One of the things that we've had to adjust to is that we are having to spend a lot more time together at home (which at times is driving me crazy!). I've been helping my husband with posting his resume, filing for unemployment, looking for work etc...
Another thing is that my husband has had ADD his whole life, so if he isn't busy, it's like he's "bouncing off the walls". He'll literally walk around the house saying "I gotta get out, there has to be something for me to do, I gotta do something" over and over, major cabin fever.
We'll get through it. I know he'll land on his feet, he's got a lot going for him.

Wordless Wednesday!/ Pug Love!

2010-08-11T14:06:00.000-04:00

Our pugs Lacy & Lilly wanted me to spread a little "pug love" around today, enjoy!

Almost Done!

2010-07-28T13:52:00.000-04:00

I've been off my blog for a few days to work on a project in my basement (or the "dungeon" as we call it). My husband has been spending a lot of time working on his half of the basement, he calls it his "man cave". Hanging up his sports memorabilia, moving his pinball machine, exercise bike, and trying to figure out if we can fit a couch (we are getting a fairly new couch from a friend of ours, to put in our family room)in his "man cave", along with a top of the line treadmill that's been sitting in our garage for more than 2 months! Trust me, I would rather his sports memorabilia be all displayed in the basement, instead of all through the house like it is now! I can't wait until he's all done. He can host his poker nights down there as well!
My half of the basement is partially taken up by the furnace unit, water heater, and washer & dryer. I am fixing up a big corner of my half and turning it into a little "cozy corner", where I can have peace and quiet to read, relax, do crafts etc... I am almost done, just have to finish painting and figuring out where to put things etc...

Lightning

2010-07-23T23:26:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things about summer is the big thunderstorms that bring an awesome show of lightning!
As far as lightning goes, Mother Nature is putting on one of her best shows for us tonight! The news station here is saying we are having about 20 lightning strikes a minute here!
I love how lightning just lights up a night sky! It's truly amazing! I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee, turn off the lights and enjoy the show!

Shoe Mourning

2010-07-23T14:13:00.001-04:00

Today I am in mourning. I'm mourning the demise of my favorite pair of ankle high black suede boots! (pause to wipe tear here)

The little heel on my left boot broke, well actually it's more like it just broke into pieces, just fell apart! The heel is not salvagable, so into to the trash they went this morning. These boots were my absolute favorite pair of shoes for at least the past 3 years. I loved them! From the beginning, I felt they were just made for me!

I have a $50 Nordstroms gift card that's been burning a hole in my wallet for a while, so off to Nordstroms rack I went. My mission was to find a suitable substitute for my now gone boots.

I was at Notrdstroms rack for about 45 min hopelessly looking for a new pair of boots, and I found very few suitable pairs. First of all, even deeply discounted shoes were still way over my $50 gift card limit, and they had about every color suede boot except black.

I had no luck in finding anything for me but I did have a few laughs at some of the shoes I saw. A couple of shoes I saw are posted here:

The yellow rain boots were discounted to a "bargain" price of $89.00!

These "Hollywood Hooker" shoes were marked down to only $190.00!
What a bargain! They weren't even designer shoes!

Affordable, simple, little black suede boots. Where are you?!

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

2010-07-22T15:32:00.000-04:00

One place where my husband and I vastly differ is food. I will try a much larger variety of food than he will. My husband is the pickiest, most unadventuress eater I have ever known. With a few exceptions, I will try anything once!
If we ever travel to a foreign country we might here a citizen of that country say to us "If you feel hunger, try lizard feet" or "frog legs", alligator (although I did try alligator once, and it did as they say "taste like chicken"), I've even heard of people eating snake! I don't know if I could stomach the thought of eating snake, but I would probably try it if no one told me what it was and I couldn't tell what it was.
I am willing to try a lot of different foods, but I would draw the line at some point I know. I don't know how people like Anthony Bourdain, or the guy on "Man vs. Food" do it! I think they will eat anything!