The Candy Enthusiast
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
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
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...
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!
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.
Yeah, yesterday was significantly a better day!
Not Her Year
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
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
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
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!
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
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!
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
I made my beautiful Nohno some yellow cupcakes w/ strawberry frosting. I am going to make her some red ones next time.
(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
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
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!
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
Happy Friday the 13th & Valentine's Day
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'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"
I can't wait to complete another page.
I can feel my creative juices flowing through my veins
Dating Experience: 001 in 2009
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
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
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