The Truth About Moving

I hope I personally never have to move again.  My son, expecting wife, and their tot were transferred to South Carolina to his new military base.  I forgot what a juggling act it is to buy a house and move.

The Truth About Moving:

1.  Professional movers are expensive. 

Move.com can offer estimates costing thousands of dollars.  Rental trucks starting at $19.95 a day are an option but you need some heavy lifters to move a household of freight.  My spouse, his bro, and I were recruited to lend their muscles for my son's family move.  The biggest, baddest Budget truck was rented to drive 100 miles to the new destination.

2.  House settlement dates can change. 

Just when we drove 8 hours to psych ourselves up for a few days of sweating to move our family members, the realtor throws a wrench in the whole project.  Some bologna tallying up to a settlement moved to the following week.  Heck no!

The troops are put to the test and the mountain is finally moved.  After a day of begging, pleading, and understanding the mortgage banking business, my son won the key to the house.  Proceed to the nearest dolly.  Confirm with the lender that the settlement date is etched in stone before you rent that truck.

Master, are we there yet?

3.  Pets think we are nuts. 

The two black lab mix dogs kept looking at us like we were confused human beings.  They were amused at all of the commotion of moving their stuff.  Bottom line:  the new house had a wonderful yard for the guards of the family.  Don't forget to consider your pets perspective when choosing a new home  I hate those "stay away" fortress fences.  Poor dogs look like they are in prison.  This new house with a picket fence offers views of people and nature: an animal paradise.  My son may add an invisible fence for extra fortification.

4.  It is a good time to get rid of junk. 

Moving is the perfect time to remove clutter from your life.  Donate old clothes, toys, and household items to charities that need them.  My grandson picked his favorite toys to move. It appears to be all of them:

4.  Planning and organizing the big day can reduce stress. 

One person should stay in the belly of the truck to organize the approaching loads.  My spouse is a master organizer.  Our truck load was at maximum capacity.  We triumphantly shut the back door and drove 2 hours to the new house.  When we arrived, we realized we forgot to pack the moving dolly.  Thank goodness Budget Truck Rental was only 5 minutes away to rent another one. 

5.  You will need to utilize everyone available. 

Recruit help to watch the kids, the pets, get food and drinks, clean up, and even put beds and furniture together while the movers are doing their job.  One designated errand runner is recommended.  I buzzed down the road to rent the replacement dolly.  On the way back I grabbed coffee, beer and junk food to keep the group  motivated.  

6.  Moving can be exhausting. 

After the moving truck pulls out of the driveway and the house is peaceful; relax.  This is your new house.  Enjoy unpacking your boxes, decorating the rooms, and making it your home because you have plenty of time!   

10 Top Family Spots in Southern California

Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, CA

I had the pleasure to live in Southern California for a year in the late 1980's.  I remember feeling so excited to finally see the Golden State.  I have returned about four times since the 80's and every time I visit I discover more treasures about the 31st State.  My hubby and I enjoyed this part of the west coast last week. Here are my 10 top family spots in Southern California:

1.  Santa Monica.  The pier is a step back in time with rides, booths and junk food.  The Fairmont Miramar is my favorite hotel practically across the street from the pier and ocean. The Third Street Promenade is the shopping area with great restaurants. 

2.  Beach biking, jogging, and skating trail.   Rent a bike at the Santa Monica pier and  hop on the trail that is paved along the coast.  At one point you have to navigate out into the streets but follow the path and you will return to the beach.

3.  Venice Beach.  Muscle Beach is still located in this area of craziness.  The skateboard park is awesome and reminds me of a sculpture.  Beach trinkets and hippies or hipsters and homeless people are scattered in this area.  Worth a trip to at least pick up a t-shirt for home.

4.  Marina Del Rey.  The Ritz Carlton is located along the marina lined with celebrity yachts. The shops are nothing to brag about but Shanghai Reds Restaurant on the water is unique with waterfalls cascading from the rooftop.

5.  Redondo Beach Pier.  Another pier with shops, snacks and fresh seafood restaurants.  Sunbath on the beach or surf the ocean.  The beaches are never crowded.

Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes

6.  Palos Verdes.  The bike bath ends before you reach this mini mountain of wealth.  Celebrities have homes up in the hills of winding roads, cliffs and a classic Mexican restaurant, The Red Onion.

Catalina Island

7.  Catalina Island.  Take a ferry from Long Beach for a day trip to this island where actress Natalie Wood drown near her yacht.  Rent a jeep and view the gorgeous scenery of the harbor, gardens and fishing village.

8.  Hollywood.  Back to the mainland you can follow Sunset Blvd. from the coast and pass through Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive to Hollywood.   It appears less grand than in the TV and movies.  Catch a tour at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and   homes of the stars.  Keep an eye out for celebrities because they are everywhere.  Don't be surprised if you stumble upon a TV or movie set filming in the streets of Los Angeles. 

9.  Coronda.  The Hotel Del Coronado is the place to stay near San Diego.  Rich in history and situated on the ocean with great food makes this resort a perfect California retreat.

1000 Palms Oasis

10.  Palm Springs.  Super hot in the summer.  Winter offers temperatures in the 70's with plenty of golf and tennis.  Visit the 1000 Palms Oasis to see picturesque palm tree groves clustered in the middle of the desert.

The weather seems perfect if you come from the east coast. The rain season is in January.  Humidity along the southern west coast is almost nonexistent.  When I was moving to this region back in the 80's, I was shocked that most of the homes had no air conditioning.  It was not necessary.  I must admit that I did miss the change in seasons after a year of continuous sunshine. 

If you have visited Southern California, what was your favorite family spot?



         

Job Hunting? Get a QR Code

Those interesting looking barcode boxes called a QR Code may be necessary for job hunting.  It is tough competition out there in the job market.  Add this to your resume and stand out in the crowd!  A mobile app on a job recruiter's phone can scan the image and find out all about you.  Time to clean up your online image!     

Try Vizibility.com to set up your own QR Code.  The one to the left was made by my blog site to provide instant access to the contents.  Cool!

10 Reasons NOT To Smoke

I never smoked a day in my life because I know the 10 reasons not to smoke.  My lungs look like those gorgeous lungs on the left.  If there is any evidence of smoking damage on my lovely lungs, it is from other people who have lungs like the one on the right.  Air pollution may contribute to some damage as well.  There is a lot of car exhaust out on the roads.

I have had a few close relatives that would be here today if they did not smoke.  Unfortunately, they had started a long, long time ago when smoking was cool.  The harm it causes was unknown at the time.
 
My mom, who smoked for over 50 years, quit last year.  I showed her an image of her lung and she never smoked again. 

Here are my 10 Reasons NOT to Smoke:

1.  I don't want to hack up that black stuff when I cough. 
     I rarely cough or get sick, thank goodness.

2.  I don't want to have yellow teeth, or nails.
     Who wants to look like a witch?

3.  I don't want any additional wrinkles.
    The picture below shows twins, side by side.  One smoked and the other did not.  I prefer to look    
     like the one on the left.  The right twin obviously has some sun damage as well.   Did I mention
     to stay out of the sun or wear a good sunblock?

  
4.  Smokers smell gross. They try to spray smelly stuff on themselves to cover it up, but guess what -     it makes them smell like an ashtray with cologne mixed in it.  Sorry, it doesn't work - you stink!

5.  I don't want to add an oxygen tank as an extra tote to carry around.  Those portable oxygen  
     tanks only last about 1 hour.  If you want to go fishing, or shopping, or running (forget that one -
     you will never do that again), you have to lug that heavy tank with you.

6. Your hair soaks in the stench.  I like it when my hubby thinks my hair smells good.  It wouldn't 
    be too nice to choke him with the odor of smoke.

7.  I like my voice.  Smokers always sounds like they are gasping for air just to say their name.
     As time goes on, throat cancer may take over and then you have a hole in your throat.

8.  I avoid putting poison in my body.  I try my best to stay healthy.  Why would I intentionally put
     crap in my body to kill myself?

9.  Mouth sores are unattractive.  Who want to kiss you or even look at you with those unsightly
     lesions oozing on your face?  I never understood why smokers think they look cool, I think they
     look stupid.  There are warning labels all over those packs of cigarettes.  Can't they read?

10.  My family needs me and I love them. I will die years earlier if I smoke. I want to see my
      grandchildren play ball or even get married and have children of their own. I love my life.
      I hope my family loves me enough to stop smoking or never start this fatal habit.

Smoking causes cancer, lung disease and so many other horrible ailments.  Click on the WebMD below for an interesting slide show providing a few more reasons not to smoke:

WebMD 

Sorry to be so blunt, but smoking just doesn't make any sense to me.             

How to Cure the Winter Blues

Winters on the East Coast can get you down.  Early dark skies, bitter cold and icy roads make you dream of spring.  The frigid air seems to make wrinkles look worse and the lack of sunshine makes your complexion so pale that you look sick. My hubby and I seem to slip into hibernation mode during this time of year.  Last night I went to bed at 9:00pm and woke up at 9:00am.  I am a 6 hour a night sleeper so when I woke up 12 hours later, I felt like I missed out on life. 

To get out of this rut I decided to drag my hubby up to George Mason University (GMU) for a date.  This is my college campus during my stint as a student for the next two years.  I survived the fall term with flying colors.  New classes started on Monday and I needed books for five classes.  The roads were a mess today with ice but his SUV is a tank on the road.  

I gave him a tour of the campus.  We stopped to see George Mason, the statue, who is always decorated in some weird get-up.  A "Welcome to Spring Term" sign was hanging on him with no indication of spring anywhere in sight. 

We hit the campus coffee bar and prepared to fight the crowds to buy the overpriced textbooks. 

My dilemma: I was enrolled in 13 credits (5 classes) and had a full time job and kids to raise.  My youngest declared me insane.  Should I drop a class?  Hubby just shrugged.  He is smart.

We roamed the book isles looking for the books.  Surprisingly, the campus was dead.  Where were all of the returning students?  After reviewing the "Writing for the Media" course textbook, I noticed it had a lab.  Classic hint that it was a, (gasp), IT class...computers, ugh.  My IT class last semester was more than a challenge.  I kissed up to that Professor big time.  It worked...I ended up with an "A".    Decision made:  drop that course.  Four is enough for one semester load.

Classes:  Marketing, Advanced Practice Management, Entrepreneurship, and Creative Writing.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it? 

Hubby's arms were sore from lugging all the books around the store.  We took them back to the car and found out that GMU Basketball had a game.  We hiked over to the Patriot Center where the student, me, and the guest, the hubby, grabbed tickets for the student section.  Students are free and guests are $8.  Their record in their Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference is 6-1, tied for first place with Old Dominion University.

I had never been to a college basketball game.  The players were 5'11" to 6'9".  Only one Virginia boy on the roster.  The arena was well attended, explaining where all of the students had gone.  The audience was bursting with school spirit.  I almost felt sorry for the cheerleaders who were in the shadow of the dance team, who placed third place in nationals this year.  

The mascot, the Patriot, with a green and yellow face, was kinda creepy looking.  I guess it is a challenge to make a Patriot look spirited without looking freakish.

                                                      

The highlight of the event was the GMU Band.  The Director was rocking in a yellow suit and baton leading a spirited group of students.   The team was playing the Towson Tigers with a pitiful 0 wins on their record.  GMU has a new head coach this year named Paul Hewitt.  The proud "Final Four 2006" banner hangs in the middle of the arena as a reminder of the big event that put GMU on the map.  I am sure Hewitt's goal is to take his team all the way this season. 

 

                                                             

Ryan Pearson #24, the bearded giant, stood out as the player with a personality.  Sherrod Wright was the high team scorer with 22 points.  GMU ended with a winning score of  72-60.  Go Patriots!   

Winter is the time of year to try new activities and expand your horizons.  In a few days, we fly to California for a conference.  Sunshine, here we come.   How do you beat the winter blues?  Try my poll on the panel to the right.  

The Big Coffee Date Challenge

Photo Credit: celebritysentry.com

For me, coffee is the big motivator.  A lousy cup of joe can ruin my day.  I know, sounds like an addiction.  I have a lot on my plate and that $2.49 cup of caffeine helps me get through my list of things to do.

Dunkin Donuts, or DD as I fondly call the place, has a quick drive thru on the way to work. They know me so well that, in the past, I have forgotten my purse and Maria (yes, I know their names) let me pay the next day.  Is that service or what?  Oh! and I did tell you about those new Cinnamon Swirl muffins!

Starbucks is a block away with no drive thru so I never went near the place.  Just the sound of the wacky concoctions (Gingerbread Latte and Peppermint Mocha) made me leery of the coffee.

When I was single several years ago, I started to date.  If I was ever asked for the preferred place to meet on a date, I always opted for a nice meal.  I usually got what I wanted... Hey, I was on a tight budget raising 3 girls!

On January 10, 2009 I met my challenge, someone who would make me break many rules.  Let me back up for a few weeks prior to this important date. On December 18, 2008 I opened my laptop and saw a dreamy profile photo on my online dating match list with eHarmony.  Darn!  he was from my hometown.  One rule was to avoid all local cronies.  I waited a few days and see if the guy tried to get my attention online.

Isn't he dreamy?

Hmmm.  If anyone has ever done online dating, they will understand the constant itch to check your matches.
Today they even have phone apps for eHarmony.  Thank goodness that feature did not exist in 2008 because that would have been my new addiction.  A few days later, I checked my matches and still no contact from the local yocel.

Let it be known that I am an old fashioned girl!  However, it was time to take matters into my own hands.
I know, I know, he was against the rule.  But he was so stinking cute!  I would have to break another rule.  I was nervous, but I took the plunge and  i-n-i-t-i-a-t-e-d communication, which is comparable to:

1. Making the first move.
2. Picking him up. 
3. Making the first phone call.

I never did this bold, aggressive tactic on any previous potential dates.  Yikes!  What if he didn't respond?
But...three whole, long, excruciating, painful days later, he did!  Sigh.

Now for the real challenge:  trying to pin him down for a date.  We went through the whole guided communication with eHarmony.  Sending fun questions back and forth and reviewing the "likes" and  "dislikes" and "can stands" and "can't stands" that teach you about the core of the person.

He wasn't just cute, smart, and funny; he had a nice car.  I drove a mini van, so it was easy to top my wheels. Now back to the mission to get that first date.

His only flaw was that he loved Starbucks.  He said he relaxed in their overstuffed chairs on Saturday mornings while his three daughters slept in for the day. I am like an energizer bunny. I couldn't imagine just hanging out in a coffee shop on a Saturday.

One day, I dropped the not so subtle hint that my kids were all out of town for the upcoming January weekend.  He told me to enjoy the nice, quiet weekend.  What kind of game was he playing?  That was my sign to ask me on a date!

Here it goes...another rule to break.  I sucked it up and asked him to meet me, gasp, for coffee.  I wasn't bold enough to suggest a prime rib and lobster fest.  Here's the kicker.  He wouldn't commit.  He mentioned something about a schedule issue and that maybe we would bump in to each other over the weekend.

Give me a break!  Now it was time to get down right mean and aggressive.  No!  I insisted that we would meet at noon on Saturday.  I even caved in and settled for Starbucks, if I got a comfy chair.  Jackpot!  He agreed.   And the rest is history.

Our 1st Date!

My husband, George and I met at Starbucks on January 10, 2009 on one cold, slushy Saturday for our first date.  I didn't get a comfy chair.  It was a hard wooden one.  But I didn't care because I had a comfy date to talk to for 3 hours straight with no potty break.  As for the Starbucks coffee:  Yuk!  However, the hot chocolate is to die for.  Happy First Date Anniversary to my Yummy Honey Frappuccino!

Photo Credit: charliebroadway.blogspot.com

Take my poll on the right side bar to pick your choice for best place for a coffee date.  If you have a different coffee place to share, leave it in the comments below.  Thanks. 

TACKLE Christmas Cookies

I am not known for my cooking or baking, but on the annual Christmas Cookie Day, our kitchen is a popular place to visit. It doesn't matter who you are,  if you have a hand, you will decorate the baked goods at our house. 

Throughout the years, this traditional day of mess has allowed toddlers to be artists and teens to become relaxed and fun - again. 

The kids enjoy decorating, eating and giving the cookies as gifts.  Christmas was only one week away and the teens were getting worried the event would not happen.

After a long day of decorating the house, the thought of starting another day long project was not appealing to me.  I decided to lolly gag in the morning and gradually work my way to the grocery store for supplies.  I was shocked when three teens contacted me before 11:00 am on a Sunday to scold me for not having the ovens humming.  I snapped out of my holiday funk and jumped into the spirit of Christmas.

Come mixer, and decorator, and sorter and packer.  And taster, and stealer, and secret dog feeder.  We all had a job and worked as a team.

Anyone that participated, received a promised plate of packed cookies.  It was a holiday tradition for over 30 years.  Only one year was skipped and the youngest child still has not forgiven me for that cop out.

Think about all those silly things we do every year for this big day called Christmas.  You never realize how special these annual events are until you do not do them.

His Santa cookie is perfect!

Three hundred cookies later with flour on the ceiling and egg dried on the dog's fur, we have one more memory.  Laughter from decorating disasters, dancing to the old Christmas songs, and good old conversation between parents and teens.

The only one suffering is the poor dog with a small tummy ache (too many cookies),  thanks to the secret dog feeder of the group.  

TACKLE Online Dating

I was reviewing dating and relationships for a research paper and look what I found!  The eHarmony ad with my hubby and me plastered on an Eileen Graham article in the Manassas Patch, a local news source.  So funny!          

Click here for the full Manassas Patch story:  http://manassas.patch.com/articles/online-dating-a-modern-step-in-parent-child-bonding

TACKLE the Begining of Christmas Shopping

Ok.  Why do husbands always talk "family budget" right before Christmas?  We all know we are supposed to be spending responsibly all year, but the big sit down talk always surfaces early to mid December.

My solution for the spouse panic attack:  He sets the budget and must assist in all shopping.  His face grew pale and he gritted his teeth at the thought.

Day 1 (and the first of many):  To the mall with the shopaholic daughter to get ideas for gifts for the other five daughters - with husband in tow.  We found him the Dunkin Donuts (no Starbucks in this mall) and gave him caffeine.  It was going to be a long day!  We were greeted by the "Happy Hoofer Dance Team."  Probably the cutest act to hit the mall.  Six senior babes movin' and groovin' to top Christmas tunes.   Scrooge, I mean my husband, even showed a sign of a Christmas twinkle in his eye.

The stores every man in America loathes were on the agenda.  Charlotte Russe with their annoying music and teenagers bouncing through the bargain racks.  The husband decided he had to stand in the store's doorway so he wouldn't miss the Happy Hoofer's rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock."         

Next up... Bath and Body Works.  The big buy 3 get 3 free sale!  Husband walked ten steps into the store dodging all of the testers being sprayed and squirted by fanatical women excited about the new holiday scents.  I wanted him to smell the citrus spray that is on my gift list.  He smelled it, took a picture of the bottle with his cell phone and ran.

There was a rumor that American Eagle had awesome bargains.  The husband followed us into the store and then disappeared.  We were glancing at the interesting books and trinkets when we heard a slight snore sound.  Giggling, we spotted the missing budget guru sleeping on the comfy chairs of American Eagle.  He looked content, so we continued our quest for gifts.  Many 40% off gifts were scooped up in that store. 

Since he was in charge of the plastic, we had to wake him up to pay and collect the receipt.

Our final stop was, in my husband's mind, the little shop of overpriced underwear, Victoria Secret.  I had to make his shopping experience extra horrible by asking him to come into the depth of "Pink."  There were a few poor men scurrying through the nighties and bras.  There was even your token scum ball getting his jollies around the frilly stuff.  I wanted my husband's advice on a robe that I wanted for Christmas.  The price tag made him choke.  He was dismissed from the store.

My daughter and I found our bargains and went to the husband at the doorway for approval.  The credit card was already waving at me as if my husband had surrendered.   He was done.  It was 5:00 pm and the man announced that the day was over.  Something told me that his yearly Christmas shopping experience was over as well. 

TACKLE the Eyes

Over the years my daughter has shot random photos of family and friends.  These are my favorites:



Ma



Athlete






Birthday Girl

 

                                                 

Marathon Runner

 

Airman



Artist

 

              

Houdini




Animal Lover



Kat buddy




Neighbor

Penny Lover


 

The Fig







In Charge!  Stay away.

 Family, friends and animals:  You know who you are.  The eyes have it!

TACKLE College Papers, Volunteering and Hippies

I really didn't want to use that office with the humongous window and fantastic view of George Mason University's (GMU) campus.  I felt so guilty.  I am only a volunteer.

I had just returned from navigating through the English Department's rat maze to find my English Professor.   She has top notch credentials, is sweet as pie, and works in a sardine can.   

I am a student and also volunteer at GMU for Job Recruiting located in the Career Center.  My Professor insisted I take this amazing office to do research on a career workshop for graduating students. 

If my English Professor would walk by and see me, she may get frustrated and fail me or something.  This office is 100 times better than her office.  That just isn't right!  I guess I can lower the blinds.  But the view!

The semester is winding down for Fall 2011 at GMU.  I have been jamming in working, kids and enjoying my hubby while hustling the schoolwork and volunteering.  College has so many group projects which I hate. 

My one group consists of a hippie, a jock, a quiet Indian girl, a big guy who is always late, and me, the mom of the group.  I received a nasty text from the hippie today.  Well, it was directed at the whole group. The whole group chimed in with replies.  We had all fell behind on our deadlines for our last group project.

Funny, I thought in the beginning of the semester that he would be the slacker.  First day of class he strutted in to class with long blond hair and pants hanging too low while appearing a bit "spacey".  Turns out he is a Finance major and smart as a whip. 



His text was a lecture on responsibilities and demanding we finish our portion of a paper by Sunday at noon.  He scared me so much that I gave up my Friday date with my hubby to get my homework done.  Mean hippies scare me.

At midnight I proudly texted him that I finished my part of the paper.  With in two seconds he sent me a text saying he felt bad for being so pushy.  Pushy?  I replied by commended him for his leadership.  He actually motivated me to give up my Friday date and finish my part of the group paper.

This generation needs bossy, pushy, leaders to give the slackers a kick in the pants.  Cut his hair, give him a belt and he could run the country.   Awesome!  Totally awesome!        

   

Tackle the Turkey

I swear I will not eat for a week.  Thanksgiving was a three day eating fest.  I feel like this guy.  Going to Pennsylvania, the land of the Amish smorgasbord destroys any balanced diet plan.

The feast was a scrumptious carb nightmare.  Our family reunion of average 50 people is a potluck.  Whatever comes in the door is what we eat. 




There was not one green thing on the buffet line.  We did spot a few edges of zucchini sprinkled in one casserole.  My poor vegetarian daughter said she was the only hungry person on Thanksgiving Day. She would have killed for a few green beans. 

Don't get me wrong; the food was heaven during consumption.  Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked corn, rolls - an assortment of yellows and oranges. 

                                                           

The rainbows of colors were on the desert table.  Cheese cake with brilliant red sauce and berries, deep dark chocolate cake and brownies, cupcakes smothered with sprinkles, the famous whoopie pie and shoe fly pie and of course, the orange (again) pumpkin pie.

                                                                 

Yummy Whoopie Pie and Shoe fly Pie

It was a great day.  Family and friends from all over the east coast arrived to swap stories and catch up on news.  It is a tradition to come to this reunion in an inexpensive church hall with folding chairs, plastic centerpieces, silly games and one heartfelt prayer of thanks. 

Anyone looking for a place to eat is welcome.  Some relatives are only seen once a year on this great day.
My meeting place is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  We stayed at Willow Valley Resort, a great family spot with pools, games and friendly staff.  The food is plentiful and a lounge is available for having some drinks with the rowdy family members.  This area gets you in the mood for Christmas. 

                                               
Countryside dressed up in lights with Amish buggies trotting along the roads is a sight to see.  The Strasburg Railroad was a perfect day trip for our family on Black Friday.  My toddler grandson to my teen daughters enjoyed the atmosphere with Santa, shopping, history and, once again, food.  Chicken corn soup and the creamery ice cream are the foods of choice in Strasburg.

                                                   
We also learned that the area has wineries, art museums and shows like the Sight and Sound Theater and the historical Fulton Opera House.

Back to reality.  Time to unpack the suitcase and hit the treadmill.  The race is on...  Christmas is coming.  And so is the ham, the sand tart cookies, the eggnog, the candy canes and yikes, another birthday.