New Digs

I created a new blog for the new year.

As Mae West said in I'm No Angel,

"Come up and see me sometime."


;-) Jess

à bientôt.

I have decided to take a break from blogging until after the New Year. I want to get away from my inner thoughts and my computer for a while. I also have a lot of things to do to prepare for the holiday. For instance, tomorrow I need to take my dad Christmas shopping. He told me that he thinks that he will screw it up, but last year he did a fantastic job all by himself. It will be his second Christmas without my mom. It is still difficult for him. It is still hard for all of us.

On Thanksgiving Day, I saw a video of my mom from Christmas Day two years ago. (My dad is in the process of converting a gigantic pile of VHS tapes to DVD format) It was just two months before we found out that she was sick with leukemia, and four months from her death at age 57. I had to run out of the room. Just seeing her pretty hands made me cry. I peeked in again, and watched her fasten my new pearl necklace, as I held my long hair out of the way. Her face was gorgeous. I remember that she smelled like cinnamon and syrup from the French toast she made for brunch. There was syrup next to the corner of her pretty mouth. My sister told her to lick if off. My sister was always telling her to do that.

I will help my dad find great gifts for his grandchildren. He will still sign the cards, Love Granddad & Grandma.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Peace be with you.

Another Christmas Meme

1. Does Santa wrap your presents or just sit them under the tree?
Fancy paper makes gifts look more glamorous and mysterious, so I like them wrapped.

2. Do you read The Night Before Christmas on December 24th?
No, but it would be romantic to read it in bed with a lover, while all snuggled up with hot chocolate or champagne.

3. Fake, Real or Cut-It-Yourself Christmas Tree?
A modest-sized real one, so I can plant it in my backyard after New Year's Day.

4. Favorite Christmas Movie

5. Mall, Outlet or Internet?
Internet, mall, toy and video game stores

6. Stockings before or after presents?
Stockings first, so we can eat chocolates and candy, as we find fun little trinkets. My sister and I always found really yummy and girlie things in our stockings, so I try to find cool things for my children.

7. If you can have one GIFT this year what would it be?
(No world peace, no financial anything, no healing of the sick, no lottery ticket, no free car, nothing for anyone else- for YOU, something that someone can actually get you!)
I haven’t given it any thought. My husband and I are not exchanging gifts this year.

*I found this @ The Phat Lady Sings . I modified it, since some of the questions were on the previous one.

Coquettish Creator

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor of women; but they do not all practice it, because the coquetry of some is restrained by fear or by reason. ~François Duc de la Rochefoucauld, Maxims

The coquets of both sexes are self-lovers, and that is a love no other whatever can dispossess. ~John Gay, The Beggar's Opera.

The greatest miracle of love is the cure of coquetry. ~François Duc de la Rochefoucauld, Maxims

Coquetry whets the appetite; flirtation depraves it. Coquetry is the thorn that guards the rose - easily trimmed off when once plucked. Flirtation is like the slime on water-plants, making them hard to handle, and when caught, only to be cherished in slimy waters. ~Ik Marvel

Coquette
1. a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt.

2. a woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures.

Main Entry:
flirtatious
Part of Speech:
adjective
Definition:
teasing
Synonyms:
amorous, arch, come-hither*, come-on*, coquettish, coy, dallying, enticing, flirty, libidinous, nymphomaniac, philandering, spoony*, sportive, wolfish

Main Entry:
kittenish
Part of Speech:
adjective
Definition:
frisky
Synonyms:
childish, coquettish, coy, elvish, flirtatious, frolicsome, fun-loving, impish, jaunty, mischievous, playful, roguish, sportive
Antonyms:
serious

Main Entry:
playful
Part of Speech:
adjective
Definition:
fun-loving
Synonyms:
antic, blithe, cheerful, coltish*, comical, elvish*, flirtatious, frisky, frolicsome, funny, gamesome, gay, go-go, good-natured, happy, hilarious, humorous, impish, jaunty, jesting, jocund, joking, joyous, kittenish, lighthearted, lively, merry, mirthful, mischievous, peppy, pixie, prankish, puckish, roguish, rollicking, snappy, spirited, sportive, sprightly, teasing, tongue-in-cheek*, vivacious, waggish, whimsical, zippy*

Main Entry:
seductive
Part of Speech:
adjective
Definition:
sexy
Synonyms:
alluring, attracting, attractive, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, come-hither*, desirable, drawing, enchanting, enticing, fascinating, flirtatious, inviting, irresistible, magnetic, provocative, ravishing, siren, specious, tempting

Main Entry:
sexy
Part of Speech:
adjective
Definition:
attractive
Synonyms:
adult, arousing, bedroom, blue, come-hither*, cuddly, erotic, flirtatious, hot stuff, inviting, kissable, libidinous, mature, naughty, provocative, provoking, purple, racy, risqué, salty, seductive, sensual, sensuous, shady, slinky*, spicy*, steamy*, suggestive, titillating, voluptuous

*I often use a thesaurus while I am writing, so I can find fun and sexy words that will spice up my story.

Passionate Reservation

I am intensely perceptive and sensitive, even more so a few days before my period, which usually comes soon after the full moon. I usually have a little trouble sleeping a day or two prior to its arrival, as my hormones are taking a dive. It makes me have “fast brain” nights with vivid dreams.

I also spend more time making my house spotless, shiny and tidy, and become fixated on exercising, food and sex.

I have cramps. Sometimes I hate being a female.

Outwardly, I don’t appear to be an intense person. It all happens silently and secretly inside of my head. I am polite and somewhat soft spoken. Strangers wouldn’t guess that I have a fantastic imagination and wild side.

I guess that most adults have learned to play the role of propriety and decency, all the while having hot, dirty and devious thoughts.

Are most of us honest enough to share our ideas? Or are most people too shy to be themselves?

I am usually willing to tell someone exactly what I am thinking, as long as it isn’t something hurtful. I believe that we are all susceptible to strong emotions and warm sensations. I choose to feel them. Otherwise, I think that life would be boring.

Vote for Me!

I found this cute thing at Aisby's blog.

Christmas Friday Random Ten

1) A Marshmallow World – Frank Sinatra
2) Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald
3) Baby, It's Cold Outside feat Natalie Cole – James Taylor
4) Christmas Time Is Here – Diana Krall
5) All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
6) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Luther Vandross
7) I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas – Barry White
8) Have A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
9) The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
10) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen

Adorably Sweet Song

Marshmallow World - Frank Sinatra

It's a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground
It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year round.

Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly
In the arms of the evergreen trees
And the sun is red like a pumpkin head
It's shining so your nose wont freeze.

The world is your snowball, see how it grows
Thats how it goes whenever it snows
The world is your snowball just for a song
Get out and roll it along

It's a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts
Take a walk with your favorite girl
It's a sugar date, what if spring is late
In winter it's a marshmallow world

Christmas Past Photographs

These are the most precious presents that God gave to me, my son and daughter, Cory and Alixandra. I stopped taking Christmas photos of them a few years ago, as they are no longer interested in starring roles on my holiday cards. Prior to these photos from three/four years ago, I didn't have a digital camera, so I don't have older photos on my laptop. They looked like little dolls as small children. I am so proud of them in every way. Our dog, Tabi passed away.

Walks of a Lifetime

I have mentioned that I love watching travel shows more than once. I devour them with my eyes, since I have seen and tasted so little of the world.

I have recently discovered a way to listen to them, too. Rudy Maxa’s interesting and educational podcasts are a click away at National Geographic.com. He closes every lesson with a short quiz. He pauses briefly between each question and then offers the answer.

Last night, Rudy Maxa read me a bedtime story about Philadelphia and Paris, while I was snuggled under my fluffy and soft blankets with my furry puppy.

Rudy’s voice took me on a walk through Barcelona early this morning, as I did a few chores. I imagined tasting tapas and churros, while I made my bed.

It is fun to break up the monotony of my day, as I dream of beautiful and exotic places--and adventurous and fortunate guys like Rudy actually visit them.

Go US Military!

Real Life Philadelphia Hero is the most interesting post that I have read this morning.

My dad has been hanging out with his military buddies all week. They come together from all over the country each December to see the Army/Navy game. The game is being held in Philadelphia again this year. They will spend the day tailgating, reminiscing and reconnecting before and after the game. There is a brotherly bond between them, as most of them went to war together and have kept in touch for 37 years. My dad and his friends served in the Army during the Vietnam War. A few of the guys were in other branches of the service. All of them were lucky enough to make it home alive--not necessarily in one piece, but alive.

I hope the Navy Officer from Philadelphia, Anthony McCloskey, who wrote Don't Judge Me will make it home safely. I'm sure that his family and friends are waiting with open arms.

I believe that most Americans are proudly anticipating our troops return, as we cheer them on from home.

Classical Friday Random Ten

1. Eroica - Beethoven
2. Claire de Lune - Debussy
3. impromptus for piano - Schubert
4. Romantic - Hanson
5. Spartacus - Khachaturian
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 Adagio sostenuto - Rachmaninov
7. Suite In D Major: Air - Bach
8. Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 In E Minor - Chopin
9. Symphony No. 5: Adagietto - Mahler
10. The Firebird: Berceuse - Stravinsky