This is daunting....if you're a mackerel

Whoa! this is cool.....I wish I could be a chameleon some days and just blend into my surroundings...

A celebration of finding yourself....

In Hawaii, at least on the Big Island it seems a tradition for island-goers to consecrate their own personal messages in the lava rock with contrasting white corals. Thus being an island goer recently I too decided it was time to consecrate my message. Ahhh....but what to write? That was the question. I got up early that morning and wandered out to the Buddha point located at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. I was wearing my baby blue Ipod Nano, and listening to Beyonce as she serenaded me personally with "Remember those walls I built, well baby they're tumblin' down and they didn't even put up a fight...." I looked out over the gorgeous blue ocean, felt the wind on my face, heard the waves gentle hum as they washed over the shore, felt the pleasant tropical sun and breathed life in deeply. I felt good, nothing existed for a moment and I was part of the earth (yeah sure call me a hippie, that's fine) I felt a smile come over my face and suddenly I had an idea. I would build an homage to women who learn to love themselves, a reminder to realize the strength in being a woman, a mother, or anything they want to be. I walked over to where i saw some loose white corals and I started gathering them. The whole project took me a little over an hour but I felt good, it's like that feeling of satisfaction they show in The Shawshank Redemption when they tar the roof and afterwords sit and have a beer in the afternoon sun. i found the perfect spot, moved a couple of rocks around so my canvas was more ideal and began to build out my word. It took a couple of re-writes, ha ha until I was satisfied that passerby's would actually recognize what the heck I was trying to say but there it was and hopefully still is. My word you are wondering? How can one word be a celebration of finding yourself? Well if you've ever seen Fried Green Tomatoes you know exactly what word I am referring to. But...see for yourself, and think of Kathy Bates as she drives madly 16 times into a small volkswagen beetle in the grocery store parking lot.....Yep it can be none other than.....

And then there's this one by Baz Luhrmann...tee hee

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97Wear sunscreenIf I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would beit. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved byscientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliablethan my own meanderingexperience…I will dispense this advice now.Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will notunderstand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself andrecall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay beforeyou and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as youimagine.Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is aseffective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewingbubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things thatnever crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pmon some idle Tuesday.Do one thing everyday that scares youSingDon’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up withpeople who are reckless with yours.FlossDon’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimesyou’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only withyourself.Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if yousucceed in doing this, tell me how.Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.StretchDon’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with yourlife…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what theywanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 yearolds I know still don’t.Get plenty of calcium.Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybeyou won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funkychicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’tcongratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – yourchoices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other peoplethink of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll everown..Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.(Brother and sister together we'll make it throughSomeday your spirit will take you and guide you thereI know you've been hurting, and I know I've been waiting to be therefor you. And I'll be there, just tell me now, whenever I can.Everybody's free.)Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone forgood.Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and thepeople most likely to stick with you in the future.Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few youshould hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography
andlifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people youknew when you were young.Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; livein Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.Travel.Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians willphilander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasizethat when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians werenoble and children respected their elders.Respect your elders.Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either onemight run out.Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it willlook 85.Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those whosupply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way offishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over theugly parts and recycling it for more thanit’s worth.But trust me on the sunscreen…

Desiderata - Quite simple truth....

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.-Desiderata

Whoa...What the heck am I lookin' at?

It's entitled Strange Rocks on the Twitter post I got it from but I can't tell if it's real or not. Looks to be some kind of Wildabeast in a swamp. Cool pic tho...just thought I'd share

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe - Fall Deliciousness

This is a recipe from my sweet dear mother.

This will make 2 pies.

**This is not a photo of my pies

Pie Crusts: (enough for 2 pies - no tops)

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

2/3 c. shortening

1/3 c. ice water

1 tsp. salt

cut the shortening into the flour with a shortening cutter, don't know what it's really called but looks like this thing....or a fork. You can also use a mixer with a pastry hook if you don't want to put the work in. Then add your ice water and salt, removing the ice cubes of course but you need really cold water. Once the pie dough is smooth (not lumpy) remove it from the bowl and divide it in half. flour a flat surface and use a rolling pin or something similar to roll the dough out to about a 1/2" to 1/4" thick (big enough to fit in your pie dish and cover it sufficiently. Now take your left hand and pinch your thumb and forefinger together in a tiny "v" formation. Place that hand on the inside rim of the pie near the edge. Now take your right index finger and place that hand on the outside rim of the pie. press your right finger into the "v" on your left hand and crimp the dough edges all the way around your pie. *it makes it more decorative" take a fork and poke holes, not gaping ones, just tiny little fork holes into the bottom of the dough in pan. set aside.

Now let's make your pie.....

Pie Contents: (enough for 2 pies)

4 large sweet potatoes(2 cups mashed per pie)

1/2 tsp. Ginger

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 C. Milk

1 egg

1/2 stick butter melted

1/2 c. sugar to taste

First boil the potatoes (sweet potatoes are easier to peel once they are fully cooked, skins just come right off).

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Now, while the oven is heating make your pie filling.

Once cooled, mash the potatoes in a large pan or bowl and stir in your Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Sugar, Egg, Milk, and melted butter. Stir til smooth mixture. Pour into fresh pie shells that you just made from scratch.... aren't you proud of yourself?

Place the pie pans on the lower rack in the center and bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce your heat to 350 degrees and continue baking the pies til they're solid in the center(you can measure this by sticking a toothpick in the center and when it comes out clean your pies are baked thouroughly. *now if your pie catches fire, that's probably a good sign that you need to reduce the heat or you have baked them too long. just kidding. your pie won't catch fire at this temperature.

Now take out of the oven, place on a cooling rack and let it cool off for about 1 hour. Your pie will be delicious and your friends will love that you made something yourself. Repeat after me, "baking is fun". Quick hire someone to clean the kitchen.

Have fun!!

P.s. this is not a low fat pie, for a lowfat alternative which is not my pie try a google recipe like this one: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=255188

Halloween

Halloween is fun, halloween is scary but whatever it is to you make sure to have fun with it. Exercise caution as is usually the case in any adventure but make the most of it and enjoy the season of holidays.

Need Money Scam: Google Profit Library" by "Need Money" blogger

"Need Money Scam: Google Profit Library"
However, before you buy Google Profit Library, read the fine print!"Charlie Thompson" claims he was having a hard time making ends meet after losing his job so he tried the new Google Profit Library and now he makes over $5000.00 a month "with" Google. Google Profit Library is the latest new Google Kit being found on the internet on all sorts of ads. You have probably seen them, "Unemployed Mom makes $ every month" and so forth. What was funny, was this was the sort of ad I found for "Charlie Thompson". Charlie and his wife Mary needed money and fell for a few pyramid and get rich quick schemes. Then they found Google Profit Library. According to Charlie.."I get paid about $25 for every link I post on Google and I get paid every week... I make around $5500 a month right now"They happened upon a system called "Google Profit Library" that taught them how to make money posting links online.However, before you buy Google Profit Library, read the fine print! By submitting an order, you automatically receive a 5-day trial to the Start up Internet subscription. Your 5-day trial begins immediately upon placing your order. You will be billed $1.97 at the time of order submission. Once Your trial is active you have 5-days to decide whether to accept Your Subscription. Prior to the expiration of the 5-day trial period, You may cancel Your subscription by calling toll-free at 1-800-440-4397. Should you fail to cancel Your Subscription within the 5-day trial you will be billed $79.97 at the completion of the 5-day trial and $79.97 every month thereafter for continued services and hosting of your internet web tools software
unless canceled by you.But look at what else buyers get signed up for!We have partnered with DreamPro Webhosting which gives you the ability to host your own online websites, instant domain name registration, online storage space, plus many more additional benefits. You also agree to the 14 day bonus trial to DreamPro Webhosting for $1.95. Should you fail to cancel your subscription within the 14-day trial, You will be billed $7.50 at the completion of the 14-day trial and each month thereafter. For questions or to cancel, please call our Customer Support team at 1-888-228-8815 M-F 9 AM-8 PM EST. Also by submitting an order, you may automatically receive a 14-day trial to the GrantLine Professional Membership Subscription. Your 10 day trial begins immediately upon completion of the order as everything is made available immediately digitally. Once the customer's trial is active you have 10 days to decide whether to accept Your Subscription. Prior to the expiration of the 10-day trial period, You may cancel Your subscription by calling toll-free at 877-317-0193. Should You fail to cancel Your Subscription within the 10 day trial, You will be billed $39.95. Additionally, You will be billed $39.95 again 30 days from the beginning of your trial to renew Your monthly membership subscription and $39.95 every 30 days thereafter for Your monthly Subscription unless canceled by You.Google Profit Library is a high price to pay for an unknown product with several included products each with their own high monthly price tag. Be careful if you choose to purchase Google Profit Library.

Today I read an article b/c the link in the site said: "Unemployed Dad makes $65 from home" Well how the heck does that not sound good? That's what I said. so it turns out you can get money from posting links on a website, when you click on this link it takes you to something called "Google Profit Library" I am already a computer hound so i thought why not make money while learning something new on my favorite location...the internet. beware though b/c the link is also a way to get you to sign up for a free trial that if you don't cancel within 14 days, you will be billed $34.95 monthly until you cancel but as long as you make sure to cancel it should be fine.

A little about myself....

I came to this city 11 years ago and when my roommate said to me, "oh i've been here for 11 years now" I laughed at her thinking HA! that'll never happen to me...cut to today. I've always said that the Los Angeles area is one of the only places I know that has at least 1 example of every surface (excluding the moon of course) within a 2 hour drive. You can go snow skiing in the morning, surfing in the afternoon, and hiking in the mountains by night...beware of mountain lions by the way and bring a flashlight if you're crazy enuf to hike at night :-). Anyhow, you get the point. It's a wonderful place full of many wonders and amazing things but it's also a city that can throw you against the rocks and dash all your hopes and dreams too. Now...that didn't happen to me but I've seen it too many times and it always makes me wonder how a city can have the same effect on so many different people from all walks of life. I'm gonna stop for a second cuz my right wrist is hurting but I will write again tomorrow and continue these thoughts. I leave you with this homework assignment, look up the desiderata, one of my favorite...poems, if you will and let it sink in for a second....

signing off....