CRAZY ABOUT WINTER

Call me crazy, but, I LOVE WINTER!!

I love snow flying around me as if I were in a Snow Globe. I love the feel of cold crisp air kissing my cheeks turning them a rosy hue. I love the snow covered trees and the beauty of Black Crows against the white landscape. I love the way wind whips around me tossing my hair about my face

Children making Snow Angels and Snow People always brings a smile to my face, remembering that I too was once a child and enjoyed such things. I still enjoy them, just not with the same innocent joy of a child.

I love Winter clothing. Sweaters, coats, hats and scarves, all in a variety of colors and styles. My hair always looks best in Winter. It is so much easier to straighten my curly hair and keep it that way.

Cuddling on the couch, wrapped in warm blankets with my family and watching holiday movies with them gives me feelings of warmth and love. There seems to be more laughter at this time of year in my house. The girls trying to figure out what is under the tree and hoping Santa visits them soon.

I love the feelings that Winter brings to me. Love, joy, laughter, warmth of heart and all around good cheer!!

What do you love (or hate) about Winter?

Those Were The Days

It's amazing how time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was posing in this promo shot with my big SIS, Beth. We were hot weren't we?! Vinyl and big hair. We were hip too, weren't we? I don't think my eyes see that much eye shadow in a full year these days! And how did I ever get my hair to stand up that high? I know it wasn't Aqua Net...I never liked the smell of that stuff.

I don't remember the year exactly, but I'd say it was somewhere between '89 and '91. We were called B.B. and the Intruders. The B.B. was for Beth and Brenda of course. If I told you what the Intruders were about I'd have to kill you. Actually, Beth's comical husband gave us that part of the name. I wonder if the guys in our band knew what it was all about.

We were a great band, playing mostly top 40 with a little jazz mixed in. I always had a great time performing with Beth. She is an amazing performer. She was born to perform. It came a little harder for me, but I did my best to keep up.

This was a great time in my life. I look at this picture and it takes me right back to where I was and what was going on. Good Times...We had a lot of fun. We laughed a lot. I still hear songs today that we performed with that band and it brings a smile to my face.

Ahh...memory lane. I love to take a stroll now and then. It's nice to remember the past...good and bad. The bad memories remind you not to make the same mistakes and the good memories keep you sane and warm your heart!

What special memories do you have of the past? Maybe a certain time in your life or just a single occasion...

SIS Bren

Just One of the Guys

For a long time, I have worked with a huge majority of men. My line of work sort of lacks in women personnel. I have always been ok with it, though. I've always said that it just means less drama. Somehow I am looked at as "just one of the guys."

The men I work with will do and say anything in front of me. Everyday I get to hear comments on how hot certain women are. I get to listen to details on the girl that one of them took out (or took home) last night. And heaven forbid someone trying to talk properly around me. They get an "Oh please - it's just Brandy!"

Most men can be really nasty!! I can't even count the amount of time I have had to evacuate an office. This would be to escape the foul smelling "present" that one of them has left behind. Hey I don't do that to them!! Why they gotta drag me into their little games!! ... Which brings me to slug bug. I get slugged like a guy! I know I am a big girl, but come on. Have a little mercy!

I have to make sure I don't truly turn into "just one of the guys." Heck, I even won the football pool the last two weeks. Scary, huh?

When I am off work, I try to do things to help me feel more girlie. I try to wash the guy shenanigans off me. Doing stuff with my girls really helps! Who doesn't feel like a total girl when you're shopping,painting nails, and doing hair? Nice long bubble baths, watching a "chick flick," and reading also do the trick.

Are you "just one of the guys?" What girlie things do you like to do?

SIS Brandy

It's All About The Experience

I was at a shoe store the other day, just browsing and watching the crowds. I had a cup of chai tea latte from Starbucks. A very sweet sales woman came up to me and told me how wonderful my coffee smelled and that on her first break she was headed out to get some for herself. We actually chatted about coffee for the next 3-4 minutes.

"It's all about the experience, isn't it?" I asked.

She said, "Ya know, you're right. The coffee itself doesn't taste that great but the smell. That's the best part."

"And don't forget how it warms your hands as your holding it."

"Oh," she said, "And the fact that it's a good reason to ask your friends over."

We agreed...Coffee is all about the experience.

I actually ended up buying a pair of winter boots from her that day and the sweet woman gave me a coupon for 20% off. I was thrilled. She saved me about $14. I thanked her over and over again and she said, " Now you have a little extra for some more of that wonderful coffee experience."

We had our first snow of the season overnight and while we don't have much accumulation, it's still very pretty. The grass is dusted with snow, the trees are not quite as naked since losing their leaves. The air? It smells clean and crisp. Almost as good as laundry drying on a clothesline in the summer. Almost. But it's all about the experience of the first snow.

Seeing a movie at the movie theatre? It's loud. You can hear people talking and chomping on their popcorn and answering their cell phones. You have to keep moving around to see past the person with the enormous head seated in front of you. So why do we go? It's all about the experience.

How about you? Can you think of one or two?

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

Pop Culture--SIS Style

Welcome to Café Chaos. Grab a cup of coffee or tea (we prefer coffee) and join us for a chat. Every Saturday we celebrate Pop Culture. Movies, TV, books, music, games, trends in style... you get picture. Feel free to comment on our picks or to throw in a few of your own. We’re listening!

SIS Beth says...

I grew up watching the original Star Trek TV series. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty… I followed their adventures even as they jumped to the big screen. Then came Star Trek–The Next Generation. The TV series and the big screen movies. Loved them, too. I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a Trekkie—I mean they’re pretty extreme, right?—but I’m close.

Imagine my glee when I heard a new Star Trek movie was in the making. A movie based on the original characters. The characters as before the TV series. In other words, a prequel. Bonus: A movie directed by J.J. Abrams, a personal fave. I didn’t get to see it in theaters, it rocked just as heartily on my big screen TV.

My Pick of the Week: Star Trek (2009)

Actor Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. So sexy. So conflicted. Nailed it! Zachary Quinto as Spock. Sensitive and… sexy? Who knew?

I’m pretty confident that you’ll enjoy this film even if you never watched the original series. But honestly? This is a perk, a gift for those of us who were fans of the initial series. Abrams and the writers nailed it. They stayed true to the original characters. It was a hoot to see why they were who they were… maybe. Let’s just say, this movie made it to my permanent collection.

SIS Barb says:

I mentioned yesterday that I made a trip to B & N. I was actually there to do a little Christmas shopping but in the end, I got too wrapped up in books for myself to really make much of a dent in finding gifts for others. You see, books are my thing and when I get to a book store or even the book section at my local grocery store, I truly believe I get hypnotized by all the delicious covers and enticing titles. This is exactly what happened yesterday. While perusing the romance section I spotted these marvelous covers. The bright colors and the art work screamed sexy fun. I flipped them over to read the blurbs and I was hooked!

My Pick of the Week: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover

As you can tell by the title there is a witch element and that's what sealed the deal for me. My current WIP's heroine is a witch. Now I can read these books and call it research. (works for me)

From the back cover: Jasmine Tremaine is a witch who can't stay out of trouble. Nikolai Gregorovich is a vampire cop on the trail of a serial killer. The sizzling love affair between Jazz and Nick has been on- again off-again for about 300 years--mostly off, lately. Butt now Nick needs Jazz's help, and while Jazz and Nick try to figure out their own hearts and resist their increasing attraction, they must steer clear of a maniacal killer with super-supernatural powers. They are surrounded by a hilarious cast of oddball characters including Irma, the chain-smoking ghost who haunts Jazz's sports car. Dweezil, her ghoul of a boss; and fluff and puff, a pair of bunny slippers with sharp teeth and short tempers (watch your ankles)!

I haven't quite finished this first book of the series but I had to share it with you. Linda Wisdom has a way of writing that draws you into this story with a cast of fantastic characters, descriptive flowing scenery and a fabulous mix of steam and fun. This is a must read!

Author: Linda Wisdom

A Friday Ramble

I have deadline brain. Time is ticking. Time is short. I’m trying to be creative. Meanwhile a voice keeps shouting in my ear. Faster! Write faster! Still I linger over passages. It’s impossible to move forward until what I wrote before clicks. Someday I’ll break that habit. But not today.

Nia, our fairly new adopted puppy, is on a diet. When we got her she weighed 22 pounds. She now weighs 38. Yes, she’s a little older but she didn’t grow much taller. Today, Steve called her a little moose. I have to admit, she is a bit ‘round’. She’s a black lab mix and labs are notorious for being overweight. Not good for their health. So… Nia is on a diet.

Cheyenne-the-sensitive-dog and Sadie-the crazy cat had their yearly check ups yesterday. PERFECT HEALTH! Yay!! By the way, they are not overweight.

I’ve decided to hold off on an e-reader. I researched pretty extensively. Between the Kindle, Nook, and Sony ereader, I had decided on the Kindle. It was going to be my one and only material Christmas wish. Today I read an interesting article about ereaders. Looks like other companies will be releasing models with more functions in 2010. So…. I’ve decided to wait.

Meanwhile I uploaded a free version of Kindle to my PC. Very cool! The Mac version is coming soon.

After ten years of handling my own website, I’m finally investing in a professionally designed and maintained site. I’m uber impressed by this designer’s process and products. Visit Rae Monet Designs to view some of her magic.

We’re well into December and I haven’t even thought about decorating the house. This is probably a sign.

I owe a few people emails. If you’re one of them, apologies and I hope to catch up after the weekend.

When I finish and turn in this book, I plan to spend an entire day watching holiday movies, and another whole day reading, plus a whole day of just laying around probably sleeping.

What’s up with Tiger Woods?

It was 69 degrees here yesterday (I’m in NJ). Today it’s 42. Weird. Not to mention it should be closer to 30 degrees. It’s December!

Can’t wait to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie!

Did you know termites are a better source of nutrition than vegetables and sort of taste like nutmeg? Also, grubs are a great source of protein. Things to eat if stranded in the jungle.

Oh, the things you learn while researching and hope to never have to do for real.

I could ramble on but the deadline book calls. Care to add on? Got a random thought or two? Ramble on!

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY TO BE FOUND

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY TO BE FOUND

In the childs infectious laughter
In the twinkle in their eyes
In the sound of a bubbling brook
In the clouds up in the sky

In the squirrels scampering in trees
In the way they ask for corn
In the beauty of Natures gifts
In the hopes of spotting a Unicorn

In the wonder of sparkling crystals
In the way snow covers trees
In the fun of sledding down hills
In the way we shout with glee

In the times we spend with family
In the way we laugh and sing
In the hugs and love we give them
In the joy of gift giving.....

~~ALEENA RAVENWOOD


Where do you find joy?
Feel free to add to this Never Ending Poem!

SIS BJ