The Candy Enthusiast

I have been fallowing Sera the Candy Enthusiast for a few weeks now and I can honestly say she has changed how I consume these small morsels of goodness. Check out her site , www.thecandyenthusiast.com. I just love how she articulates for her taste buds. You can feel the passion she has for candy. That is what brings me back to her blog weekly.

And to make things even more interesting, she photographs the candy inside & out AND she has these cute little cartoons that she draws herself to illustrate her review.

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(Photos are property of the thecandyethusiast.com)

Now I am anticipating getting a Topic Bar :)

Give Me Cookies... Or Leave Me The Hell Alone

So over the weekend I had a craving for chili (cole)saw dogs & chocolate chip & walnut cookies. I am very happy to say that I made both. I am thoroughly satisfied!My cookies weren't near as good as Liz's but I hey this was my first try at chocolate cookies from scratch. I think I did a darn good job. Munch think I did just fine. I saw her swipe a cookie that was cooling on the rack. (laughs)

I found the cookie recipe on www.bakerella.com. They have cute & edible ideas such as Pumpkin Pie Bites.


Photo property of www.bakerella.com

Linda & I have both decided that we'll go all out for this holiday. We'll be bouncing ideas off of each other. I am kind of excited. I am getting my usual holiday angst though. I never know what I want to make, decorate, bake, buy... The list goes on. I hope this year will be easier.

Test Run

For the life of me I cannot find a printer in Bay County, Florida that does not require me to place a minimum order of 100 postcards per design. I only need about 25 postcards per design, which I anticipate having 5 to 6 designs. That is 125 cards. I would think they would try to work with me. I may not be approaching it correctly (shrugs) Anyhoo!

My sister Elizabeth requested 20 postcards for her "October Pink" collection and I reluctantly accepted. I only say reluctantly because I did not have a place to print them. I guess I just needed a little encouragement. Now I am kind of excited. Strike that. I AM excited. I'm thinking of a ... Well I don't want to say because I want her to be surprised. All I can say is that I have found an online company that prints postcards at a fairly reasonable price. I have sent in one of my older postcards to be printed as a test run. (crosses fingers) We'll see how it turns out. I will be sending her some and then giving the rest to Krys to sell.

Now I'm thinking beach theme, cafe theme (ode to Liz)... Halloween... Oh the possibilities! But let me slow my role because I may get too enthusiastic too soon then I will turn out to hate it and ditch it like everything else in my life.

All So Soon...

Usu and  KrysThe time has come. My grammy is being transferred to hospice. My heart, body & soul are heavy. I cannot cry because I think I am actually cried out. I have been mourning my grammy since April 11th. I am prepared. What I wasn't prepared for is how soon this day has come. (sighs) How can one EVER be prepared for this?!

Is it wrong that I am kind of upset? That I'm angry because they told us 6 months but it hasn't even been a month. We were planning a party to celebrate her 60th birthday. We were going to celebrate one more Thanksgiving... Maybe another Christmas or in her Hannukah... And GOD willing her 42nd wedding anniversary. I feel like we were cheated. Death is so inconvenient & I am so bitter.

FYI. That is not Grammy in the pic. That's Krys & her beloved doggy (RIP) Usu. This picture always makes me happy...

Messed Up Sunday!

Dedicated to Liz

We had plumbing issues today. Water flooded my parents bedroom, Mom's closet & the hallway. We didn't even need Hurricane / Tropical Storm Claudette to send rain our way.

I wish I could push rewind to yesterday. I made dark chocolate fudge cupcakes. Used the FAB hula cupcake toppers Liz bought me. Nibbled on the cupcakes while I read the "Stampin' Up!" catalog Sunshine sent me! While running my fingers through my newly cut hair.

Grammy is out of the hospital and back at home. She is adjusting to her environment but I think she is glad that she is where her heart is. We plan on going down to Ocala during the next federal holiday. I believe that is in the next two weeks.



1st Stampin' Up! Catalog Thanks Sunshine!

Yeah, yesterday was significantly a better day!

Not Her Year

On Monday, we found out that Grammy's cancer came back. They anticipate that she has only six (6) to eight (8) months to live. (sighs)

Sunshine said it is our anniversary. ♥ 21 years. Wow! We're old.

I'm having a great hair day.

Its raining but the sun is shining. Pretty much how I feel inside.

Crap Is Not My Favorite Dish

My dad had, rather still has, a poster in his work shed that read:

I am a mushroom:
They keep me in the dark
And feed me bullshit!

That has become my motto for the last few months. Whatever happened to being truthful? Having a conscience? Being true to one's self? I really do try not to lie. Even a white lie is hard for me. If I have something that I do not want to say, I usually just say "I do not feel comfortable divulging that information" or something to that effect. I may refuse to lie but I refuse to be vindictive or malicious, contrary to popular belief. My main goal in life is to live w/ no regrets. So far I am successful... Yet I find myself suffering because of other peoples' lies. How the hell is that possible!?

WTF is up w/ this "summer cold" that is going around? My dad has been sick for the past 4 days... Along with EVERYBODY that has come into the office today. I was instructed by my boss to OD on some OJ & H2O. I just want him better not only for his sake but for my own. He is GROUCHY!

ON WITH THE POSITIVITY: The Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD was released today & Krys is buying it for me on Thursday. YAY TO DVDS ON SALE AT WAL-MART!

ONE MORE THING: Linda & I are brainstorming about a family gathering to celebrate my grammy's recovery. We anticipate sometime in September. EVERYONE will be invited and when I mean everyone that includes Krys's favorite uncle LOL *whispers* in all honesty, i hope it is closer to new year so that I can save up. I anticipate spoiling Lily when Sunshine & Robert visit in October.

Anaylze This

For the past 2 months I have been analyzing my thoughts, feelings and reactions. I have come to the conclusion that I have come a long way and I have a bit more to improve on. Sometimes I run on pure emotions. I try to keep my mind pure with thoughts that are positive and encouraging. I think I have come a long way from being the bitter child that I was. All I want... NEED... is for the people around me to be on the same page.

I have tried to dissect the poison from my life then I realized... Some of that poison is blood. Since I can't change my lineage, I learn to either accept, ignore or disown. So far so good. But some "appendages" cannot be severed. I can honestly say I have not been jealous of anyone for a good part of 5 year. Usually when I feel the jealousy strings pulling at my heart I analyze it and most often than not it is because they have something I never thought I wanted. LOL I accept the feelings and figure out a way to obtain it.

But there is one person in particular that I half mixed feelings for. This person is the funniest person you could ever meet. Has the ability to put you at ease, feel like you are the center of attention and encourages spontaneity. Deep down inside I wish I possessed those abilities BUT not at the cost of others. I know I am speaking in mystery but this is as deep as I can get at the moment without having prying eyes go run back and gossip. Why blog about it? Because I can. Maybe in the hopes of that person confronting me. Hoping it will purge my soul. It has taken a lot of tension from my shoulders but my heart is still heavy. It is so easy to hate somebody for who they are and what they stand for. But it is torture to feel that way about blood. I feel like a bad person when I know I have worked so hard not to be.

On a very positive note, Dad is his own boss now. Yay!

To Beat or Not to Beat

After working for Mister Man, a family law attorney, I have come to the conclusion that people in general are extremely selfish. I will not elaborate other than saying this:

If you are a parent and you are in a physically abusive relationship, don't use the age old excuse of "I stay for the children". That in my opinion is pure bullsh*t! Just admit that you are either too insecure, ignorant and/or do not want to leave. But please do NOT use the children. From personal experience I know that it will NOT benefit the children. I can safely say that a child will rather be fatherless than live in an unhealthy enviroment. Millions of children are raised in a one-parent home and strive. There is help out there for you, you just need to want it.

Give Me Liver or Peanuts!

My sister Liz, of Lazy Bone Creations, informed me back in April that she was contributing to Out of the Box Sampler. Being the curious person that I am, I checked out the site and I ordered the May box. A couple of weeks back, I got my box. It was like freakin' Christmas in May. I will be getting another box. I just have to wait until June auuuugh!

Anyhoo! In the box, I received some doggie fortune cookies from Buckaroo Bones on etsy.com. If you know anything about me, I love my furbebes and am thrilled when somebody gets me hip to something good for 'em. Well anyways, when I opened the bag I instantly wanted to eat one. They smelled so good. My bebes LOVE them. They pretty much went ape sh*t over them. If y'all are obsessed w/ your dogs & want to give them something healthy then you should check out Buckaroo Bones on etsy.com

Damn! How many people did I plug in this post? You'd think they were paying me. LOL

FYI: I did NOT eat any.

Tim Burton Went Down The Rabbit Hole

When I saw Natalya Sots's tea cups & pots I thought of Tim Burton meets Alice in Wonderland... It just so happens that this set is called "Mad Hatter"




This one is pretty cool too:




I must have expensive taste because MOST of the stuff I want is usually anywhere from $50 to $200.

Hang Me Up!

I saw these and I instantly wanted to be "Unmasked". I would mind having these hung up around me. Even at the office. But I doubt CLMIII would find this "artistic".


This one reminded me of my sister Krys



"Alter Ego"



"Under the Apple Tree"




This one reminded me of "Where the Wild Things Are"

Strawberry Tequila Kisses

Even though Mother's Day is NEXT Sunday,
I made my beautiful Nohno some yellow cupcakes w/ strawberry frosting. I am going to make her some red ones next time.

Nohno Loves Cupcakes, Too
(Nohno posing for me - LOL)


Krys & I have treated our Nohno w/ the cupcakes, a pedicure and her first eyebrow waxing as an early Mother's Day presents considering we will be in Gainesville visiting w/ our Nohno Mado for Mother's Day. Ever since Nohno Mado has been in the hospital we have been trying to go visit her every other weekend.

Hopefully we can take her out to Crackel Barrel (Nohno loves their buttermilk pancakes) for Mother's Day breakfast. We'll see what SHE wants to do. It is her day after all. LOL

A special Happy Mother's Day to my auntie Linda and my sister Sunshine. Two ladies I have NEVER said "Happy Mother's Day" to. :o) Hope to meet their bundles of joy soon!

Oh yeah! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!! AllRecipes.Com put together some fun looking recipes on their website... Just to think I was just looking for some summer type recipes.
Some Tequila

My Love is $100 A Pop

Okay, I am sort of like a Etsy stalker. I've been buying these resin & poly clay jewelry. Well I was snooping around in Krista's etsy favorites and I ran across Loopy Boopy's etsy store. I like her stuff. Kind of different from what I am used to but if I had an extra $100 laying around I'd buy a doll.

Right now I am infatuated w/ this Lola doll. She is looking into my soul & telling me she wants me to take her home.





Severe Cravings

Sushi - My Anti Drug I am having severe cravings for raw tuna & salmon.

My former physician informed me that cravings are our body's way of tellings us that we are lacking something in our diet. You'd think that I'd be cravings vegetables (LOL) Well I have decided to go to our local fish "market" and buy an insane amount of seafood. My cravings have gotten so bad that I cannot sleep at night. Granted I have a hard time going to sleep at night but these cravings are making me ravenous!


Favorite breakfast I have to also take a trip to Sam's Club because apparently they are the ONLY place in Panama City that sells lox... at a moderate price that is. I miss having a toasted poppy bagel w/ extra cream cheese & lox and w/ a bottle of ginger ale. (sighs) I miss my great grandmother Pauline. I guess I'm very nostalgic. I guess that is where my cravings are coming from. I associate a lot of my best times w/ food.

I was asked if I were pregnant. No, I am not. If I were, you'd have to call me semi-Mary because I have been on a personal sabatical for quite some time. LOL

My Parnter in Crime



Her name is Makai. She was made for me by sarahjohnsoncarter. When I first saw her I had to have her. She reminds me of a mini me... Even though I am compact already {LOL}. We are both pacific islanders (she came from Kaiwa, Hawaii) short, round, laughing, have beautiful hair, and always on the internet/computer.

Granted I could have made one myself like my dad indicated but I doubt I would have made her this cute. It is taking ALL my self control NOT to get her all glitter-fied. I will refrane because she is perfect just the way she is... Like me :)

Her name Makai (ma-ky) is Hawaiian meaning for Seaward or toward the sea. Most common use: Toward the sea.

Test Page & Office Scavenger Hunt

Testing... 1...2... 3... Testing

Testing out my Crafty Chica glitter, paint writers and acrylic paints






Workplace Raider

Judy aka Jukie aka Workplace Raider

Happy Friday the 13th & Valentine's Day

From Marci my "Be My Valentine" swap partner. We were supposed to put together a package w/ the Valentine theme. Mine was FULL of goodies. From pedicure/manicure things to edible snacks. I even got two rubber stamps. Love them! What I REALLY like is the anklet that has a CUTE little hibiscus on it. Marci was so in tune w/ what I liked that I damn near cried... Hey I said DAMN NEAR... I DIDN'T! Well maybe I teared up... {laughs}

I only enter "parcel" swaps during holidays or a special event to spread the cheer. Besides whole point of swap-bot is to swap CRAFTS not receive presents. So far my experience has been quite interesting and entertaining although I have had the misfortune of being "flaked" on a couple of times. I swear... One bad apple...{shrugs}

What I really find amazing is to see others interpretations of these swaps. Speaking of which... I have to finish these ATCs for this "7 Deadly Sins" swap. Very curious as to what my partner is coming up with.


My baby sister Krys and I decided we wanted to make Valentine's Day cupcakes for the family, work and Ms. Ebony & her family. I did the frosting and Krys did the rest. I think she did an AWESOME job even though she was falling asleep. We're just trying to spread the love.

*** Note to self, start around 6pm NOT around 9pm.

What Do You Know About This?

I finally got my "Wreck This Journal" on Friday.
I've completed one page thus far.
I feel kind of liberated right now.
If you don't know what "duku" is, let me explain
Duku is how you say clitoris in my mother's native language.
Yes, that is one of many favorite words.

This page instructed me to "Write one word over and over"

Jude - Week 6


I can't wait to complete another page.
I can feel my creative juices flowing through my veins

Dating Experience: 001 in 2009

How am I supposed to enjoy your company when it is clear that you don't even enjoy it yourself? I tried to lighten the mood by being casual and somewhat entertaining as not to have you cowar deeper into your own personal cave. I instantly noticed that that didin't work. I switch my game plan and asked you some of the prerequisit questions such as "Have you ever been to this restuarant?" or I even through out there "What do you like about your job?" I had the feeling that my generic questions were a bit personal for you so I decided to take the lead and tell you a bit about myself...

Then I must have hit a nerve because after I told you I was married before your nose wrinkled and your eyes turned to slits. I tried really hard not to get offended. I even took 3 deep breaths and allowed you to ask me all the questions that usually follow that statement. What I didn't anticipate was "What did you do to him?". Again I found myself getting defensive. Friends and family alike would tell you that I am not a very patient woman and that I am EASILY provoked. I did not take the bait. Instead, I said w/ great restraint that "We weren't right for each other. I needed a husband & he needed a part time wife." Then I hear what I can only explain as a snort errupt from your face and you continue to glare at me. I all of a sudden felt a calm overcome me then it felt like everyhthing I did was automatic. Ordering my food. Eating my food. Wiping my mouth and replacing my napkin on my lap. I did not even comment when there was a pregnant pause between my answers and your intrusive questions.

When we made it back to our cars, you looked at me in a very suspicious way. You even lightly touched my hand and arm that sent chills of dread up and down my arms. You leaned in and I could smell the garlic on your breathe. It must have been the facial expression I had on that made you stop. As I said before, everything seem to be on automatic because I could have sworn I heard myself say in a very calm and hushed voice, "After ALL that, you want a KISS? FROM ME? You've got to be kidding." It must have taken you a moment to register what I said because your mouth dropped open and I heard you inhale from what felt like a whole minute. That is when my ears started ringing.


Needless to say, you called me some chose words which I took pride in especially since it caused people passing by to either snicker or gauke at you. Like my friend said "The only people that make scenes are the trashy ones."

Just to think, I kind of liked you and was anticipating a very pleasant evening w/ you. Thank you for showing your true colors instead of having me weed out the bullshit from the genuine you 3 months later.

The Island Broad's 50 Fave Tv Shows

This fantastically lengthy list is for my six (6) fabulous partners for the "50 Fave Tv Shows" swap from swap-bot.com Please be advised that I watch these television shows either religiously or whenever I see them on. We aren't even going to mention the ones that I USED TO watch. {laughs} Shall I begin!?!?

1. Supernatural
2. House
3. CSI
4. Charmed
5. Myth Busters
6. Big Love
7. True Blood
8. Sex and the City
9. Gilmore Girls
10. The Game
11. Jeopardy!
12. Jon and Kate plus 8
13. 17 Kids and Counting
14. 30 Minute Meals
15. Iron Chef America
16. $40 a Day
17. Everyday Italian
18. Feasting on Asphalt/Waves
19. Barefoot Contessa
20. One Tree Hill
21. What Not to Wear
22. Dirty Jobs
23. Nip/Tuck
24. Law & Order
25. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
26. Law & Order: Criminal Intent
27. NCIS
28. Friends
29. That 70's Show
30. Avatar {Yes, I still watch cartoons. And?}
31. Jimmy Neutron; Boy Genius
32. Danny Phantom
33. King of the Hill
34. Without a Trace
35. Cold Case
36. Ace of Cakes
37. Fringe
38. The Mentalist
39. The Real World {not so much now but I used to watch it religiously}
40. America's Next Top Model
41. Burn Notice
42. Psyche
43. Monk
44. Ugly Betty
45. Entourage
46. The Simpsons
47. Are You Being Served?
48. Keeping Up Apperances
49. Masterpiece Classic {Whatever is playing is awesome. This month it is Sense & Sensibility}
50. Bones


In all honesty, I did not think that I would be able to finish the list considering it had to consist of 50 of my favorite television shows. I have come to the conclusion that I watch TOO MUCH television and will be taking the steps to cut back on a lot unproductive time. I calculated how much time I am devoting to television and I realized I wasn't breathing {LOL} Its funny now but later on in life I will start analyzing my life, per my usual, and I will realize I could have been doing something productive.

I am on my way to a more productive {lesser television} lifestyle.

The Island Broad's 50 Best Movies

This is for my six (6) awesome partners for the "50 Best Movies" swap from swap-bot.com . I am putting a bit of a twist to it. Since I am a movie buff, my favorites vary w/ my mood, time of day/year and/or the lastest cause I am involved in. So I'm going to list the 50 best movies I like currently.

1. The Namesake

Staring: Kal Penn




2. Reservation Road


Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly, Mark Ruffalo, Ella Fanning





3. 12 Angry Men


Cast: Henry Fonda





4. Arsenic and Old Lace


Staring: Cary Grant





5. Gone with the Wind


Staring: Clark Gable





6. Waitress


Cast: Kerri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly {RIP}





7. Failure to Launch


Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Bates, Terry Bradshaw, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper





8. Sex and the City: The Movie


Staring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrell, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon





9. Forrest Gump


Staring: Tom Hanks, Sally Fields, and Gary Sinise





10. Love & Basketball


Staring: Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps





11. Much Ado About Nothing


Cast: Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale and Michael Keeton





12. What's Eating Gilbert Grape


Staring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo Dicaprio and Juliet Lewis





13. Schindler's List


Staring: Liam Niesson





14. Disney's Beauty and the Beast







15. From Hell


Staring: Johnny Depp





16. Haven


Staring: Orlando Bloom, Bill Paxton





17. Holes


Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Shia LaBeouf, Henry Winkler, Patricia Arquette






18. Identity


Cast: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Alfred Molina





19. Jane Eyre (1996)


Cast: Anna Paquin, Charlotte Gainsbourg, William Hurt





20. Misses Pettigrew Lives for a Day


Cast: Amy Adams, Frances McDormand, Lee Pace





21. My Big Fat Greek Wedding


Cast: Nia Vardalos, Joey Fatone, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Ian Gomez







22. P.S., I Love You


Cast: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Cathy Bates, Lisa Kudrow





23. Practical Magic


Cast: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest





24. High Fidelity


Cast: John Cusack, Jack Black, Lisa Bonnet






25. The Breakfast Club


Cast: Molly Ringwall, C. Patrick Harris, Amilo Estevaz, Alley Sheady






26. The Devil Wears Prada


Cast: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Adrian Grenier, Simon Baker







27. The Jane Austen Book Club


Cast: Hugh Dancy, Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, Jimmy Smits






28. The Slums of Beverly Hill


Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei, David Krumholtz






29. The Sound of Music


Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer





30. The Wizard of Oz


Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton





31. Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)


Cast: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum






32. Transformers


Staring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, John Turturro







33. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


Cast: Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson





34. 300


Staring: Gerard Butler





35. Goodfellas


Staring: Ray Liotta, Robert Deniro, Joe Pesci,






36.Memento







37. American History X


Staring: Edward Norton, Edward Ferlong





38. Find Me Guilty


Staring: Vin Diesel





39. Casino


Staring: Robert Deniro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci





40. Crash








41. The Birdcage


Cast: Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest





42. August Rush


Cast: Freddie Highmore, Kerri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams, Terrance Howard






43. Good Will Hunting


Cast: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck







44. The Holiday


Cast: Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law , Rufus Sewell and Shannyn Sossamon






45. 10 Things I Hate About You


Cast: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Krumholtz, and Gabrielle Union






46. How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer


Cast: America Ferrera and Elizabeth Peña






47. Slumdog Millionaire


Cast: Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan






48. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back








49. Little Miss Sunshine


Cast: Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, Toni Collette,Steve Carell







50. Rob Roy


Cast: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, John Hurt