Posts filed under ‘Uncategorized’
What Crosses My ADD Mind
Having a touch of self-diagnosed ADD a lot of things cross my mind often. I jump from thought to thought, project to project. It’s just the way I roll.
Today’s list asks for seven of those things that cross my mind a lot. It’s going to be hard to narrow it down, and hard to focus with the ADD and all. But, I’ll give it a whirl …
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
- ADD. I think I have it. Ya know those Bing commercials about information overload? That is totally the way my mind works. Should I be seeking professional help?
- Money. How can I make more of it?
- London. London crosses my mind a lot. I love it there. As a matter of fact th
e Camden Lock Market popped up in my dreams last night. Hmmmm, what does that mean? I did a summer internship in London while I was in college, and it was a fabulous experience. Some of my favorite movies, Sliding Doors and Notting Hill, are based in London. Did I mention, I love London. - Food. I think about lunch when I’m eating breakfast and dinner when I’m eating lunch. All kinds of foods dance around the thoughts in my head.
- My Mama and my Daddy. If you’ve been reading my blog, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I mention my parents a lot. They were special people. Even though they’re gone they’ll always be a part of me.
- Children. Will I ever have them?
- Massage. Having a massage crosses my mind A LOT. I just don’t get to have them as much as I’d like to. If I could figure out #2 then I’d have a massage twice a month.
Cupcakes & Jokes: The Way to the Heart
Today marks day three of the 10-Days Meme I’ve committed to. Though each day’s list topic may seem easy at first sight, once I type “1.” I seem to go blank. What’s with that? Sometimes the simple things are the hardest and also tell us the most about ourselves and others.
I’m so happy to see that Violet Pumpernickel is doing the same Meme on her blog. Loved reading her first day’s post! And be on the lookout for wigsbabe to start doing hers as well. Have you started yours?
And away we go with day three …
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
- Feed me cupcakes.
- Snuggle with me, a lot.
- Give me spontaneous hugs and kisses.
- Make me laugh AND laugh at my jokes.
- Write me a love letter.
- Share new adventures with me.
- Never stop trying.
- Believe in me.
Related Articles
- 10 Day Challenge… (reachingforpink.wordpress.com)
- My Heart (cupcakesandcatfood.com)
- What does it mean when a guys states you will have a special place in his heart (wiki.answers.com)
Nine Things About Me
Continuing with the 10-Days meme I started yesterday, today’s challenge is to list nine things about myself. Hmmmmm …. what to write what to write?
Well, here we go …
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
- I’m a homebody. Sure, I enjoy going out with friends and having a good time, but I can spend hours happy at home scrapbooking, crocheting, blogging, cooking, doing house projects or curled up on THE coziest couch ever watching movies or television show marathons.
I’m going to be 35 in less than two weeks. I don’t want to be 35. I didn’t have a problem turning 30. 31 I found difficult, and now, here I am coming up on the BIG 3-5. I’m gonna need a BIG cupcake.- I always thought I wanted three children, but I’m at a totally different place in my life than I thought I would be at this point. I’d be happy and grateful to be blessed with one child of my own.
- I fold my pizza when I eat it. I thought everybody did this, but apparently not.
- When I go out to eat I feel guilty ordering the same thing as any of the people I’m dining with. Getting the same thing means less yummy things to share and try.
- I get the best cries out in the shower or sitting curled up in a ball.
- My fingertips, toes and sometimes even my lips turn blue when I’m cold.
- I am a naturally born disorganized person. I crave organization, I really do. I’m just not good at it. Thankfully I have a naturally born, OCD, neat freak of a man in my life.
- I love being a homeowner but I also love to travel. It’s hard to afford the travel hobby when you own the home. I miss traveling and think about my next adventure all the time.
On the Wings of Hope
Today’s Daily Post topic is HOPE. I haven’t written on any of the topics recommended by the Daily Post as of yet, but there’s something about hope that inspires me, that, well … gives me hope. Hope that I’ll find the words to do it justice. Hope that I’ll be able to write something interesting. Hope that it will help me discover something new about myself and the world.
So, what is this magical thing called HOPE? I Googled hope and the first link among the 468,000,000 results was to Wikipedia. According to the free encyclopedia (via The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language):
Hope is the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life.[1]
Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism. The term false hope refers to a hope based entirely around a fantasy or an extremely unlikely outcome.
1. ^hope. (n.d.). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Dictionary.com.
That seems like a boring way to describe something so mysterious and magical. I envision hope having wings, like a beautiful butterfly. When you believe in something, your belief, your thought is launched into flight out into the universe upon the wings of hope.
I think hope is contagious, and that one person’s hope can help another when they need it most. It can pop up anywhere, anytime and it is delivered to you at precisely the right moment. The universe can serve up hope in the smile of a stranger, the perseverance of a friend, the bravery of an ordinary hero, the beautiful scent of a freshly bloomed flower, even the simple flickering flame of a candle.
Without hope the world would be incomplete. We all need to have hope, not only for ourselves but for each other. On the wings of hope we can fly higher and reach further, far beyond anything we could have possibly imagined. With hope, anything is possible.
Livin’ on the Cheap
The economy is crap. Jobs are hard to find. If you have a job, chances are your salary is not being increased by much if at all. Gas
is getting closer to $4.00 a gallon every day. If you live in the Northeast, heck – even if you live in the southeast, you’re freezing your tuckus off and likely paying a handsome ransom every month to a lovely energy company. So what do you do to save a few buckaroonies during these trying times? Below are some of my tricks for livin’ on the cheap (some more creative than others) so you can actually LIVE your life.
Enroll in Leisure Rewards Programs – Who carries cash around anymore? Most of us use our debit cards for everything. If your bank offers a Rewards Program connected to your debit card SIGN UP! Even if there’s a minimum annual fee it’s worth it. When you make a purchase using your debit card and put it through as credit you earn points and can redeem them for a whole slew of good stuff. I use my card to pay bills as well to really rack up the points. I’ve used points to get gift cards to give as Christmas presents and to get things for myself too of course like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards (to help fund the caffeine addiction), grocery gift cards, gas gift cards, Target gift cards, and movie tickets! It’s fabulous! And since you are going to have to spend the money anyway, why not get rewarded for it!
Cheap Chicken Friday – I have to give credit to a fabulous summer intern at the office for turning me onto this. He also works at Stop & Shop and clued me in on this deal of the week. Every Friday is Cheap Chicken Friday and you can pick up a prepared roasted chicken for just $5. If you’re creative and only have to cook for one or two, you can make it last a few meals. Carve it and serve it with sides, shred it up and throw it in as a protein for your salad … and then when there’s no meat left, boil up the carcass and make your own chicken stock for soup. Not bad for just five smackers!
Make-Believe Member – Even if you’re not a member of a wholesale or discount club like BJ’s, Sam’s or Costco you can be a make-believe member. It might not be worth it for you to pay for a membership, but I’m sure one of your friends or someone in your family has found it worth their while to sign up. You can simply borrow their card to stock up on the bulk items you use most. It’s worth it! And make sure to use your debit card to rack up th points. The savings and the reward points are worth a trip to the mayhem of the wholesale store.
Coupon Creativity - It does take time and a bit of strategy, but with a lot of stores offering double coupons the savings can be big. This can be done both the traditional way as well as online with sites like Coupons.com and RedPlum.com. It’s also worth it to actually sign up for those annoying emails from your favorite stores. Sometimes you get really great exclusive deals and coupons making the annoying emails totally worth the annoyance.
Socially Savvy: The world of Social Media has opened the door to a plethora of new avenues for saving. Heard of Groupon? Have a Facebook and/or Twitter account? Are you on Foursquare? All of these and more will help you find great deals. Sign up for Groupon to see local deals and if you take the time to answer a few questions Groupon will serve up deals especially for you. Become a fan of your favorite stores, restaurants, etc. on Facebook and look out for special fan savings. Follow your faves on Twitter to keep on top of the sales and special deals. Also try following things like @CheapTweet or @GoFrugal. They pull all kinds of deals from the tweet-o-sphere and there a lot more like them to follow to keep on the latest and greatest bargains and discounts. Use Foursquare to check-in to shops and restaurants. You’ll be notified of special deals not only at the store you check into, but if there are deals nearby you’ll get a notification for those too. And if you visit a place frequently enough to become the “mayor” there are sometimes added incentives. Yes, Big Brother is watching, and it can be kinda creepy, but ya never know what kind of deals you’ll come across!
FreeSharing – What’s better than FREE?!? Check out FreeSharing.org, the next generation of recycling. FreeSharing, also known as Free Recycling or Freecycling, is when you have an item you no longer need that is just too nice to put in the trash and you give the item away through your local FreeSharing group. You can also put a WANTED message out to your group for items you’re specifically looking for. As the saying goes, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Check it out!
Back to Bartering – Go back to the old way of doing things and get back to bartering! Instead of exchanging those pieces of green paper we call money, use your skills and talents to get things you need. People are more willing to barter these days as everyone is trying to cut back on spending, so use your resources. Who do you know? You probably have a wealth of opportunities in your immediate circle of friends and family.
And last, but certainly not least …
Potty Training – Yep, that’s right kids. Potty training. I’m sure if you’re reading this you’ve been potty trained for years (I hope), but now you can train yourself to use the bathroom at work or any other public places as much as possible. Why, you ask. Because it saves money on toilet paper! Oh, and the water bill as well and technically cleaning products because if you’re not using your toilet as often you won’t have to clean it as much. Are you with me here? My Mama used to joke and say we were only allowed three sheets of toilet paper per use because we went through it so quickly. She also used to say she was going to put a pay meter on the bathroom door. That woman was wise beyond her years! Now that I’m paying for my own toilet paper and water, etc. I totally get it!
So, those are just some of my ideas for livin’ on the cheap. What are yours?
I Was Afraid of The Garbage Men …
… and 24 other things you might not know about me. This post was inspired by my friend wigsbabe who wrote a post today called 25 Things You Wouldn’t Know About Me. I learned a lot about her, and I thought I’d give the list a shot myself. So, here we go:
Numero Uno: I was afraid of the garbage men when I was little. Terrified of them! I would be outside laughing and playing without a care in the world, but as soon as I heard the groan of the monstrous truck making its way up our small street, I’d scream for my mother and run. I mean c’mon, the truck had TEETH!!! I actually wrote a short story about this horrifying childhood experience in college and got an A on it. I should go down into the basement and see if I can dig it up. Although my basement is scary and the experience of digging for that story in the dark, dank, smelly hallows of my house may drum up a new fear all of its own.
Numbah Two: My sister pushed me out of her car when I was five-years-old. Okay, okay … she didn’t push me, but I always get a kick out of telling people that. She had been in a car accident a few weeks before and the passenger door on her little Horizon was not fixed properly (at least, that’s the story she tells). We had just been visiting my Aunt down the street and were on our way home. We were singing songs together when she turned the corner up a hill, and the door flung open. I apparently did a cartwheel out the door and rolled down the hill. Back then, there wasn’t a seat belt law. It was winter, and while there wasn’t any snow on the ground, there was salt and sand which tore apart my skin underneath my nose. I ended up bringing my face in to school for show-n-tell.
Three: I carry my Mother and Father around with me. My parents are both deceased. I keep my father’s St. Jude medal, that he wore until the day he died, and my mother’s small rosary “worry” beads in my make-up bag. On particularly stressful or just plain ‘ol bad days, I keep them in my pocket to have them closer to me.
Quattro: I took Italian lessons in pre-school. I went to the International Pre-School where all the kids took either Italian or Spanish. Being Italian, I suppose was her reason, my Mama selected Italian for me. I used to speak to my grandfather and show him what I learned. I don’t remember much of it. I took Spanish in middle school and high school so I get the numbers confused. I do still know some things that I learned around the house growing up, but that’s a whole ‘nother post!
FIVE: I played the clarinet when I was younger and used to compete. I was in the Westchester All-County Band for four years in a row. The first year I competed I ranked 6th. I have a beautiful Buffet clarinet that my parents bought for me, and I couldn’t tell you the last time I played it.
Seis: I always put my left sock and/or shoe on first. I’m a righty, so what does that mean?
Luck Number 7!: I am the youngest of seven children, born on the 7th day at 7:17 a.m. I am the seventh grandchild on one side of the family, the seventeenth grandchild on the other side of the family, and there are seven letters in my first name. Creepy or coincidence?
Ocho: Am I really only on number eight? Feels like at least 20 already! I believe I have some form of ADD. I NEED to be doing more than one thing at a time.
Nine: I don’t like beer. Try and try as I may to get a taste for it, I just can’t. Put a pint of cider in front of me and I’ll suck it down. Wine with dinner and a good cocktail – I’m in. Just no beer here.
10: I love spinach and brussel sprouts! Really, I love most vegetables, but these two seem to be common dislikes of most. I can eat a whole bag of each on my own. I will fight you for the last sprout or scoop of spinach on the plate!
Eleven: I don’t mind cleaning the bathroom. I have to be in the mood to do it, but there is something gratifying about winning a battle against soap scum and hard water stains.
Dodici: I HATE the font Comic Sans. Yes, I realize hate is a strong word, but it is fitting for the disgust I have for the cutesy, overused font. There – I said it.
Thirteen: If there is a celebrity I think is gorgeous that I don’t know much about, I will look him up to see if he’s dating, married, etc. As if I have a chance or will ever meet him (other than in my dreams)!
Catorce: I’m a borderline introvert. It’s true. As much of a “people person” I seem to be most of the time, I have introvert tendencies.
15: Ten to go! I was obsessed with spitting when I was a little girl. I used to see my Dad do it and was in awe of his talent. He could even spit out the car window without it flying back at him! I went through a phase of constantly spitting, which drove my mother nuts.
Dieciseis: I was voted “Best Personality” for my senior yearbook epitaphs.
Seventeen: Should my home be invaded by burglars, aliens, terrorists, etc. I have a hiding place. I’ve had it planned out since I was a little girl, although I’m pretty sure that back then my concern was hiding from monsters. Luckily I live in my childhood home so I didn’t have to come up with a new hiding spot. Whew!
18: I want to own my own business and work from home someday. Should that someday come sooner rather than later, it would be fabulous!
Diecinueve: I am an extremely slow reader and it frustrates the heck out of me!
Twenty: Everyone called my Dad Jack and my Mama Nina, but their names were really John and Anna. John Joseph and Anna Amelia, to be exact.
21: I was in a bad car accident when I was 16. Fractured my pelvis and broke my collar-bone, all on the left side.
Double Deuces: I never knew my grandmothers, and it makes me sad that my children (hopefully I’ll have at least one someday) will not know my mother or my father.
Ventitre: I have to turn the radio off in the car when I parallel park. I just can’t concentrate otherwise.
24: I have Reynaud’s Syndrome and my fingertips, toes, and sometimes my lips turn blue when I get really cold.
TWENTY FIVE: I love taking photos to capture memories and moments that will last a life time.
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple Stupid! That’s what I finally thought to myself as I racked my brain trying to figure out what to write for today’s post. What could possibly top the subject of Halitosis?!? I got nothin’. Nothin’! I’m blank. Doesn’t my creative soul know that I have committed to writing a post every day this year?!? Sheesh!
As I looked for inspiration, I started browsing through my photo library. I especially love reliving my European trips and adventures. So today, I am going to keep it simple and share another creative love of mine – photography.
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Supercalifragilisticexpihalitosis!
As I awoke this morning to the girl-your-breath-is-kickin’ scent coming from my own mouth I thought to myself 
SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIHALITOSIS! Oofta (as my good friend Sheri would say)! What’s up with the oral stench? I can’t subject other people to this horrid smell.
Morning breath is a common thing, I realize that. Everyone worries about it; well, maybe not everyone. There are times I’ve come across folks that don’t seem to be aware of how badly their breath smells. I feel awful for them and for the people who have to have in-person conversations with them.
Being the borderline hypochondriac that my sister has rightfully identified me as, I did some research on this sneaky Halitosis monster. According to Dr. Harold Katz, a leading expert on the topic of bad breath and author of “The Bad Breath Bible” (yes, apparently someone took the time to write this, AND, hold on to your seats kids – it’s a FREE download!), just about everyone has morning breath to some degree. Perhaps hotels/motels should start keeping this Bible in the bedside table along with the holy book? Just sayin’.
The stats on bad breath, according to Dr. Katz:
Approximately 35% of the world’s population has a chronic, noticeable breath condition which usually leads them to seek help from a professional
Another 35% are considered “borderline” meaning that their breath seems fresh throughout the day, but they can easily reach “chronic” levels
The remaining 30% rarely worry about bad breath. The only exceptions are when they eat garlic and onions, or upon wakening (morning breath)
Are you sitting there now blowing into your hand closed over your mouth to smell your own breath? Go on, admit it! I’ve done it a few times today, specifically while writing this. As far as this statistical pool goes, I’d put myself somewhere in the middle of it all. I don’t think I have chronic bad breath, but I probably worry more (or at least I will now, after this morning’s experience and after all this research!) than the bottom 30%.
What causes the foul odors? According the American Dental Association, common causes of halitosis include:
Eating potent foods, such as onions or garlic (ummm, aren’t these part of everyone’s daily food groups? along with olive oil, of course.)
Not eating frequently enough (no problem there!)
Not brushing and flossing your teeth each day (brushing – check! flossing consistently, yea, I gotta get better at that!)
Having a dry mouth from lack of saliva (I live in an old house with old-fashioned radiators I wake up with dry mouth all the time.)
Using tobacco products (no way Jose!)
Having a medical disorder such as sinusitis, postnasal drip, respiratory infection, or liver or kidney problem (oh no! how do I go about getting my liver and kidneys tested?!?)
So, tonight maybe I’ll cut back on the onions and garlic at dinner, and I will definitely floss before I go to bed! I’d put the humidifier on, but the one I own just leaks all over the place. Maybe I’ll go the old-school route, like my Mama used to do, and put a pot of water on the radiator before I hit the sack, and we’ll see what tomorrow morning brings.
Really kids, no need to thank me for all of this helpful research and intimate info sharing about my bad breath issues. Here, on Cupcakes & Cat Food, I always try to tackle those earth-shattering issues that I know you are all dying to get to the bottom of. Right now, I bet you’re thinking you’re glad you read this on my blog rather than having an an in-person conversation with me about it.
So there you have it, another profound post from a day in the life of ally.
Until next time, remember to brush and floss, and be mindful about how your bad breath might be affecting others.
Peace & Good Breath,
ally
It’s True, I’m Committing …
… to posting to my beloved (yet so very neglected) Cupcakes & Cat Food blog once a day for all of 2011. It’s a daunting task, but perhaps the challenge is exactly the kick in the ass I need to get me writing regularly. No, not for the thousands of readers (who are not visiting my blog), but for me. I need an inspirational battery jump-start, so … away we go! It’s a New Year’s gift to my creative soul.
Come on … join in the fun! everybody’s doing it: Post A Day 2011
Whew! One down … 364 to go! Suggestions on topics? Outlandish crazy requests? Leave a comment.
