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

Predatory Female

My results...




(I wish)*I found this quiz @ Urban Jams.

Burnt Out

My best friend Kate left a haunting message on my answering machine this morning, as I was rushing to get my daughter ready for her dentist appointment. Her mom’s house, the house she grew up in, burnt down last night. Thankfully, she told me that everyone was okay.

Kate’s mentally and physically disabled older brother, Dan, set the house on fire shortly after his home health care nurse left for the day. He threw something into his bedroom trash can and started a blaze that would have probably killed him if his older brother, Fran, didn’t hear the smoke detector alarm from his downstairs apartment.

Fran had to physically pull Dan’s shirt and insist that they leave, as Dan resisted in the other direction.

I walked through what was left of their home this afternoon. It smelled charred and candles were melted to the wall. Everything was covered in soot. All of the windows had been broken by firemen, the floor was soaked, the ceiling was busted and the furniture was destroyed. The whole scene made me nauseous.

They had lots of Christmas presents stashed in closets and a brand new computer.
Now, they have nothing.

I feel like a lost a piece of my childhood, so I cannot imagine how they must feel about losing their home.

Kate’s mom stayed with her family last night. Fran stayed with his cousin’s family. Dan spent the night in the hospital for smoke inhalation. He will probably need to be placed in round the clock care, as he is a danger to himself and his family. He is no longer functional.

His illness has gradually progressed, making him socially inappropriate, and a stranger to the toilet and remembering to chew his own food. He has been diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia, which was brought on by MS. All I know is that the mind of my best friend’s handsome, blonde-haired, golden-eyed older brother, who used to bully me as a kid, and flirt with me as adult, has evaporated.

One afternoon after elementary school, I was twirling a baton in the front yard with Kate, when Dan came home from high school. Dan decided to pick me up and carry me to the empty trash can at the curb. He put me into the empty can and then proceeded to sit on the lid until I screamed and begged for him to let me out.

Dan told on us when he caught us smoking for the first time as teenagers.

I danced with Dan, who was seemingly still normal and healthy, at Kate’s wedding five years ago, while he kept an eye on my cleavage. He even asked me to go out to the parking lot with him, as our spouses watched him give me a twirl. I pretended that I didn’t hear him.

His current state makes me sad. He is only 39-years-old and he is almost completely lost.

His family is distressed. They have assisted him as much as possible, while his abilities have wasted away. He was a carpenter. He was very skilled with his hands.

He became addicted to cocaine after using various recreational drugs for several years. His family staged interventions and tried getting him into treatment. I believe that drug abuse stole most of his faculties, as well as his dignity.

I hope to be able to provide emotional support for my best friend and her family.

Exposure

Sharon Stone uncrossed her beautiful long legs in Basic Instinct revealing the feminine shape in between. Lately, I have read that Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears have been tempting the paparazzi to take crotch shots, none of which have turned out to be flattering. I have also heard that Pink likes to go pantiless. I have seen footage of Tara Reid pretending that her new implants fell out of her top by accident. I have heard about multiple celebrities who created their own porn. I found it amusing when they feigned shock and sadness after their home movies were released to the public, which made them all more famous and intriguing.

Sexy body parts and videos grab attention. Most people are exhibitionists and voyeurs. I don’t believe that anything that I mentioned above was exposed by accident.

Going out sans panties under a short and sexy evening dress makes me feel seductive. It turns me on to know that I’m naked, without anyone else knowing. I think it is a really hot way to make a date more exciting. I also like sneaking touches and subtle caresses under the table, while sharing a meal. Seeing a wet spot kiss the fabric of my man’s crotch adds intensity to my desire. I love glancing at the tent in his pants, knowing that he is aching for me to satisfy his want. I want him to need me.

I think that most people crave attention and want to be craved. I understand the desire to be noticed, as I have shared naked photos and showed off on my webcam in the past. The novelty of that wore off quickly. I stopped stripping myself after I realized that I didn’t care if men at large found me alluring. I realized that I was really looking for love. I wanted someone to love me, really love me, even when I was feeling neurotic and sad. I wanted someone smart, sweet and special to think that I was really adorable. I also wanted lust--lots of brilliant lust.

Sometimes people are attention whores, but I believe that people just want to be loved, which is undeniably human.

Bitch in Heat

I just fought off the temptation to get fake nails, as I was getting a manicure. I don’t think that acrylic nails are healthy or even pretty, but for some reason when I saw the white tips in the box; I considered having a French manicure glued onto my tapered digits. I kept repeating to myself, "Short and chic, short and chic. I have long pretty fingers. I don’t need that tacky plastic stuff."(In my head, not out loud.) I cut my fingernails and toenails really short last night, too short. I know that they are too short because my Swedish clogs hurt the tips of my tender toes as I walk. I went to get a pedicure and manicure this afternoon, mostly because I wanted to have the soles of my feet buffed, while I sat reading in the massage chair. (I exercise a lot and I don’t want calluses.)

I also needed some comforting after what I did to my silky mid-length hair earlier this morning. I went to the salon and got another haircut. I just got a bob two weeks ago, which really didn't compliment my squarish jaw line, so I had another inch taken off and added some choppy long layers, which looks much better on me. It is shorter than I have ever had it in my life. (Jaw length) It makes my neck seem longer.

I need to start Christmas shopping now that I feel clipped and polished. I am as well groomed my toy poodle, Josie-Eve. I gave her a French name--and now I feel as chic as une femme française, which tempted me to go buy long and skinny cigarettes that will go stale, since I don’t smoke.

I had a glass of Beaujolais with a petite wedge of Camembert and a handful of cashews for lunch.

Lokshen Pudding (Kugel)

Noodle pudding is just as comforting as rice pudding. Who doesn't like feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, especially now that it is getting cold outside? I am sharing Nigella Lawson's recipe, since I think she is gorgeous and yummy. It only uses a few simple ingredients. I like to add cinnamon and a little bit of freshly grated nutmeg to mine, otherwise it is a bit bland. I love cinnamon and even add a sprinkle or two to my coffee grounds before I brew a pot.



I like to serve Kugel the same way that I serve Julgrot.
*I made sure that my sister got the almond in her pudding cup two years ago. Her wedding was on October 14, 2006. ;-)

In the Spirit of Christmas

Here is a Christmas meme...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate w/marshmallows made with warm milk.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Beautifully wrapped

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White snowflakes and icicles, wreaths and red or burgundy bows

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yes, I love having an extra excuse to kiss everyone!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
The weekend after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Pot Roast

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
I have so many, but I guess I was about eight-years-old when got an enormous Barbie estate that took up my entire pink playroom. It took my parents a long time to build that dollhouse--and I adored it! I was also really excited about my first 10-speed bike at age 10, bubblegum pink.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
In second grade, a blonde boy, Brian the big mouth, blurted, “Santa is fake”, while I was swinging. He followed that statement by telling the first dirty joke that I had ever heard. (Punchline was, Can I put my finger in your belly button?--Ah, that’s not my finger.)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Only if we get together with family members or friends that we won’t see on Christmas day

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
White lights, silver balls, white garland, red or burgundy bows and a pretty star on top.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love it! Snow is romantic, beautiful and fun.

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My favorite gifts were the watercolor portraits and pictures that my Swedish grandmother placed on top of each wrapped toy. She was a talented artist and the paintings were personal and pretty. I still have some of them.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Seeing my children’s eyes light up when they discover the heap of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
My grandmother’s snickerdoodle cookies and Julgrot

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Sharing the day with family, while we listen to Christmas music all day and open gifts and play, eat, drink and be merry

17. What tops your tree?
A sparkly crystal and silver star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Both, but watching my kids open gifts is definitely the highlight of my day.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
I usually eat one peppermint candy cane on Christmas morning. I love the smell of peppermint scented body scrub. It makes me smell like yummy candy.

*Give your answers on your blog or Santa will leave coal in your stocking. ;-)

The Escape Clause

I made this statement last year and I will repeat it today, I don't start my Christmas shopping Friday after Thanksgiving. I spend it with my kids. I think that I will take them to see The Santa Clause 3 this afternoon. I'll start my shopping on Monday. Do you like going out on this busy shopping day?

Crush - Friday Random Ten

1. Crush – Dave Matthews Band
2. Love at First Sight – Kylie Minogue
3. I Love You – Sarah McLachlan
4. I Wanna Be Loved By You – Marilyn Monroe
5. Love At First Sight – Blue
6. Crush – Lila McCan
7. Love At First Sight – Styx
8. Crush – Useless I.D
9. Love At First Sight – Michael Bublé
10. Break Me – Jewel