Merry Christmas!

I know its been a verrry long time since I've posted anything, but better late than never - right?

As I sit here on Christmas Eve, after putting my new baby girl to sleep...I am thinking about how much I have to be grateful for this year. I received the BEST early Christmas gift this year. A 6 lb, 14 oz - 20.25 inch - little bugger! She arrived to us on November 17th at 2:55 a.m., her name is Lucy Patricia and she is the light of our lives. We are SO unbelievably blessed with such a beautiful tiny little girl.

Here's how it went down.....I had been having contractions, although far apart, for about a week. We ended up making the long trek to the hospital from our house in Laveen on Friday, the 14th of November. I was in SO much pain that I thought this was FOR SURE the time. I didn't care how far apart my contractions are, my back and legs and head and....(you get the picture) were KILLING ME. We loaded the car with all 5 of our bags (yes, I thought we were going to Hawaii) and off we went. 7 long hours later, we were discharged from the triage. Sigh. They gave me tylenol and sent me home. I was SO mad.

So, I attempted to get some sleep that earrrrly morning when we arrived home at 7 a.m. - but slept here and there for 5 minutes at a time. Poor Wade would wake up with me at every contraction to help me through it. What a guy!

As we awoke that afternoon, I tried SO hard to get the house in order for when we actually went to the hospital and had this baby - as I had visitors (mom and ellie, my sister) coming that next week and the house was a MESS! So as I waddled around the house doing laundry, mopping, etc... I tried to get the pain out of my head.

I made it through the rest of Saturday and into Sunday (barely walking) and decided enough was enough - "Wade. get your sh*t, we are having this baby...TODAY." He said to me "Ok hon, but this better be it, I'm not making this drive again!" (hehe!) ....around 6 p.m. November 16th, we arrived at the hospital (yet again) they checked us in, did the exam and POW! I was 4 cms and moving fast! They wheeled me from the triage to a labor room and started the IV. My first thoughts were "Whoa......wait.....is this really happening???" Yep! It was happening and FAST.

An hour later, after the injection of the pain meds...I had dilated to 7 cms! As soon as the nurse said "get some rest, you're in for a long night" (pssh!) My blood pressure dropped to a dangerous level and baby's heart rate was dropping even faster....the dr's and nurse's rushed in as fast as Wade drives his far down the I10. In a flash, they got everything back to normal as Wade and I were TERRIFIED. I was in complete shock....shaking like a leaf.

30 mins later, I was at 10 cm's +. (the + sign means I need to push, this baby is coming) - 30 minutes and 4 sets of pushes, Lucy Patricia was here!

I'll spare all the juicy details and tell you that we were both so anxious to hold our baby girl that it was almost scary! They had to rush her over to the nurses station because of some issues they had once she came out, but she was as healthy as can be! About 5 minutes later, they brought her over to us and I just melted! She was the most perfect, beautiful little angel I had ever seen. I could not believe that had just happened. As I sit and remember Wade's look on his face when he held her for the first time - I've never seen anyone so overwhelmed with joy, that alone melted my heart. We were blessed!

As I sit here a month + from that day, it all seems like a blurrr...however, still brings a tear to my eye. She is still as beautiful and healthy as the day she was handed to me.

Wade and I are learning this mommy and daddy thing day by day. Its scary, fun, nerve-racking, exhausting but most of all, the most rewarding thing I have ever done. My mom was right, it IS the best job I will ever have. She gave me the tools growing up to become the mom she was to me and for that, I am ever so grateful.

I hope each and everyone of you gets to experience this feeling. Everyone was right when they told me this would change my life forever. I get to wake up to a smiling, blue eyed beauty everyday! And she's mine!

To you and yours, Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers!

The Dash

Our family has a website on myfamily.com where you can post news, photos, recipes, etc.

My Uncle Jim posted a news post the other day that really brought me to tears. Its a movie clip called "The Dash". Many of you may have seen this - but I couldn't help but to post it. My Uncle said it reminded him of my Grandpa's funeral and all the nice things that were said about him. I dont remember much of what was said at his funeral, being only 12 years old - but I'm sure it was something like what is said in this little clip. He was an amazing man, and I can't wait to see him again. I know he's looking down on me everyday and protecting me and my family. He was and still is an amazing man.

Please enjoy and remember, its not too late to change. What you do in life is very important to the people around you.

God Bless you all!

http://www.dashpoemmovie.com

My Baby Sister Jenna

Alright Alright, so my baby sister Jenna had a birthday while I was back home - and thankfully and by the power of God - I was able to fly home to be there for it.



Here's 10 reasons why I LOVE LOVE LOVE my baby sister:

10. She's LOUD!

9. She is never ever upset. ever.

8. She had a baby at the age of 21 and survived! She has done such an amazing job bringing up my little neice, Sophie. She's AN AMAZING MOM.

7. She's the strongest one in my family.

6. She LOVES her beer!

5. She loves me unconditionally and would do ANYTHING for me.

4. She'll take a shot of tequila w/ her sister - like a CHAMP!

3. She loves country

2. Although being 5 yrs apart (7 yrs from Ellie), she is both of our best friends. We all have so much in common in one another.

1. She may act young, but this girl is the most muture human being I know and you'll ever meet.

CHEERS JENNA BOO!! 3 MORE MONTHS & I'll do a shot with you!!

Love ya!

My Favorite Perfume, My Secret

Hi friends!

I usually don't do this, but I can't keep this secret to myself. As I sit here having run out of my favorite perfume and thinking I must make a trip to the mall for some more - I figured I'd better share my FAV smell with all of you.

About a year ago, my friend Janelle introduced me and another friend to her amazing scent she was wearing called Fracas. Fracas is the most original scent I've ever smelled. Its woodsy, flowery, bitterly sweet smell always gets compliments!

Fracas can only be found at a couple stores; Sephora & Nordstroms are the closest most popular store that cares it.

Here's Sephora's gift sets & pricings:

Click Here For Fracas @ Sephora

Enjoy!

We Have Alittle Girl!

Hey everyone! Well, there's going to be another Harmsen-Coplen GIRL! We are so excited to annouce that we now know what this little creature is inside of me!

The Ultrasound was an interesting experience. This little baby was stuck in my pelvis which made it very hard for the tech to get all her measurements - after 3 liters of water (I just kept on drinking b/c I had to go pee like 4 times before our appointment came around) the tech started to jiggle my belly - and then Wade started to jiggle from the other side... HOLY JEEBERS!!!! I thought I was going to let it all go on the table.

After 30-40 mins, lots of silence (and worrying on my part), a trip to the bathroom, I think she got all her measurements and TADA "You have a girl!" or as the tech said "a little stubborn girl!"

It was the most amazing thought that went racing through my mind, because all along I thought I was having a boy. Even had a boys name picked out!

Knowing this little baby inside me is a girl, makes me so happy because there is so many girls in my family and in Wade's family that are ALL SO AMAZING, that I know this little diva will be just a doll.

My mom says she looks like Sophie, my niece, already...and also said she looks like a "Patsy, Lily or Mary" HA!

Thanks for everyone's prayers, support and great wishes! We truly appreciate it!

We love this little baby so much already!

-Julie & Wade





Kindest Regards,
The Coplen Family

Leave Strawberry Shortcake ALONE!!!!

This is just too much of a disgrace to not post.

American Greetings has unvieled the "new and improved" Strawberry Shortcake and I am upset! I can't believe this!

Take a look:



They are set to revamp the Care Bears this fall, what are they going to do? Make one gay? One Metro? Come on America! Some things you just DON'T mess with.

Wordless Wednesday

A Lesson Well Taught

Everyone hates having to talk in front of people, I don't care who you are. I have a boss who gives us a topic (as a learning tool) every month, we have to research it and present it...in front of our department. (The department that I'm in, of Underwriters, consists of 5 people - so don't think it's like 20-30 or even 40). Regardless of the amount of people or how comfortable you are in front of them, EVERYONE has a fear of messing up. Am I right? (Minus the President of course)

Today was our day to present and my topic was "Broad Form Products", for those of you who don't know what I do for a living, I work in the Underwriting department for an Insurance company - going on my 8th month. Learning is a must for me if I want to move up or even become an Underwriter. I dread doing research, it reminds me of school and I just suck at homework. I believe that all my teammates are in the same boat. But I got a really good compliment from a co-worker of mine today saying " I really hate doing this research things" and I replied, "Ya, me too - but lets get it done and over with and move on with our day" and he says "But you always do so well on your topics and I just studder over what I'm trying to say and look ridiculous!" ....I was amazed, b/c I thought I did that too!

The meeting went really well (as they always do) and was over within an hour. I don't know why I stress of stuff like this so much, because apparently I come prepared, speak well and sound like I know what I'm talking about.

Thats a good feeling.

The Next Best Thing Out of The U.K.

I came across a new artist (well, new to me) that is the next best (clean) thing to come out of the U.K. (next to the whack-job Amy Winehouse)

Her name is Duffy (Amie Ann Duffy), and it currently the top-selling artist in the U.K. and I think her sound is .....60's / 50's inspired, with a bit of a raspy yet calming, clean sound voice. My mother would love this music as well as 16-17 year olds. Its THAT good.

Here's a sample of her hit that has come here to the U.S. just recently, that has me dancin' on the ceiling! ;)

Hurry and download her music onto your IPOD, MP3's - She's a definite "get the day started" type of artist that everyone should listen to in the morning..

Enjoy!

Cake Balls Recipe

This is probably the most delicious dessert you will EVER taste (that or I am just suffering from my pregnancy condition known as cravings)

Ingredients:
yellow - or - white cake mix

philly cheesecake filling

two bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips

crushed nuts of choice (optional)

Directions:
Bake a cake, cool completely

crumble cake into super fine peices

Mix in 1/3 to 1/4 of a tub of pre-made cheesecake filling (will be consistancy of dough)

Roll into balls and chill until hardened

Dip into melted semi-sweet chocolate & roll into crushed nuts

If you're serving them for a party, you can put toothpicks in the top or plastic drink stir thingys.

ENJOY!

Side note:

You may want to keep these in the fridge or freezer until you eat them, the chocolate tends to "sweat" and its a mess.

Phoenix Has Landed - Wordless Wednesday

Memorial Weekend

There's nothing more interesting than: Entertaining 35+ people while being pregnant. This weekend we had the Logue-Coplen's over (Wade's immediate family) over for a Memorial Pool Bash. It was a great time, but MAN is it hard to entertain people, or at least be a host. My Mom/Dad - Aunts/Uncles always made it look SO easy growing up!! I don't know if it was because I was pregnant or what, but by 4 p.m. I was EXHAUSTED! But the tiredness was all worth it because fun was had by all! (Or at least I hope!)

I am always so bad at taking pictures of food, but there was some AMAZING food including; Ribs, Steaks, Salads, Rices and the most amazing dessert that Wade's Dad and Sister had made. The Party wouldn't of been possibly without those two! Granted I didn't really get to eat b/c I was busy making sure everything was put out, picked up and everybody had enough - I'm looking forward to some left overs today!

We had SO many babies in our presence yesterday including Wade's friend Ryan's baby Hailey - Wade's friend Larry's baby (and forgive me b/c at the moment I can't remember this little cutie's name - I will blame it on the pregnancy b/c I seem to be forgetting EVERYTHING these days), Wade's nephews Tillman & Caleb. MAN! They were precious and it's so fun to see Wade with all the babies b/c he is the definition of baby crazy. He's going to be a GREAT father. All the babies were just under 1 yr and one, Tillman, just over a year old. SO CUTE!

My biggest baby of all, Wade - is pretty beat up today - from head to toe. Thinking it was a fantastic idea to jump into the pool from our roof - he biffed it before he even reached the roof and tore up his leg. I think there may be a finger that is broken too, but I'm not quite sure what the story was there.

Thanks to everyone who helped made this day a GREAT day - I had so much fun!

Til next year!

A Whole Slew of Information

I'll admit, I've been a bad blogger lately - so here's what I've been up to in the past weeks..

First off I want to start off my saying Happy Mothers Day to all the mom's, Step Mom's, Mom's to be out there!!

Last weekend was a dear friend, Janelle's 30th Birthday and boy did we celebrate! She got a room at the Hilton Scottsdale at we had a blast! Me being pregnant, I wasn't able to enjoy the delicious drinks that were being made (ie, sex on the beach, Vodka and soda's and Margarita's) But I did endulge in a fantastic virgin Strawberry Daquiri! YUM!! I downed that sucker in 2.2 seconds! ;) Nothing beats, the Sun, good friends, lots of laughs and celebrating a day of birth! Happy 30th Janelle! And I need to add that this pregnant lady lasted from 9 am to almost midnight that night - dancing the night away! We were all impressed, however I was extremely worn out the next day and the following week! Phew!







Next, I'm not sure if I mentioned that we had our 2nd doctors appointment on the 30th - which I was expecting an Ultra Sound, but since we knew how far along I was and every test came back "absolutely perfect" - the Ultrasound wasn't needed - I was alittle bummed out, but then we got to hear the heartbeat and that made it all the better! We have a healthy heartbeat of 150 beats per minute, which the N.A. said was a "strong heartbeat"! My heart melted at the sound of that little heart beat!

We get to find out the sex AND FINALLY get to see the little pooper in June! The suspense is already killing me and I'm still thinking its a boy ;)

Lastly - I celebrated my first unofficial Mother's Day yesterday, which was amazing, yet alittle sad. First off, I was amazed b/c of all the calls, texts, emails that I received wishing me a Happy Mothers Day, when really I'm not a mother yet - and then also receiving an unexpected gift from our really good friend Darrell. I was truly thankful for everyone's support and love. Secondly, I was alittle sad b/c I couldn't be with my Mom, my best friend, to celebrate her. Its always so hard to be away from family on Holidays like this. But I know she knows that I was there in spirit and maybe, just maybe I'll get to be with her next year on Mothers Day to celebrate us both being mothers.




For all you Mothers out there, I appreciate every single one of you and admire what you do. For all the Mothers I know, I can only hope one day I'll be as good as a Mother you all are to your children, to mine.

God Bless you all.

Julie

Yep, The Rumors Are True...

I'm pregnant!

I've told just about everyone I know, so now I can blog about my new gift that God gave Wade and I.

We found out the week of my birthday, March 12ish, that I had conceived a child (That sounds really cheesy and out of character for me). I'm currently 10 weeks along and feeling great (minus being extremely hungry and tired ALL THE TIME) But NO, yep - I said NO, morning sickess what-so-ever. THANK GOD. I have been getting a little nauseated at night but other than that - I feel great!

Wade and I are going to a great doctor that my primary care physican recommended and we had our first appoinment at the beginning of April. Everything looks a.o.k. said the doc and our next appointment (April 30th) we'll get an Ultrasound/Get to hear the heartbeat AND POSSIBLY find out the sex. (Doesn't it seem to early to find out the sex? I thought so too)

We're getting over the "OH MY GOD!" stage and now getting into the excited stage, which is really a joy.

I ask all of you for your prayers and thoughts through this journey we're taking and want all of you to be a part of it.

Til next time!

Pregnant lady signing out!

Wordless Wednesday

I know this is wordless, but MAN - this brought tears to my eyes. AMAZING.

Sometimes....

Sometimes you don't know the challenges that God hands you,

Sometimes you don't know who is on your "good" list and who is on your "bad" list,

Sometimes you think you can't trust the people closest to you,

Sometimes you don't know how you'll feel tomorrow,

Sometimes you don't know just how far the people closest to you really are,

Sometimes you don't know if you are really truly in love,

Sometimes it hurts,

Sometimes you can't control your emotions,

Sometimes you want to give in,

Sometimes its all in Gods hands.


I hope to God I'm doing the right thing.

Wordless Wednesday

Superstition Springs Hike.

LipStick/LipGloss Crack.

I have a couple girlfriends (not naming any names - Morgan and Janelle) that are absolutely ADDICTED to lip gloss, as am I. I can't go a day without my lipgloss, chapstick, etc.

I found a lipgloss that is unbelievably amazing. It makes any of your favorite lip gloss feel like smackers from 2nd grade that you used to eat.

What's even more amazing, is the lipgloss is made by Aquafina. The Aquafina Hydrating Lip Oil has mosturizing Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil and Almond oil to hydrate your lips for HOURS.

I love love love love love this stuff. You HAVE to try it, and for $3 - why not.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Correction...

Sorry! I'm not sure what happened to my slide show, but check back and I'll be sure to have pictures uploaded in the next couple hours.

Our Cottonwood, AZ VW Trip

This past weekend, we decided to take a trip w/ about 10 other Volkswagon vehicles up north to Cottonwood, AZ (About 2 hours Northwest of Phoenix). No, sadly - my car was not taken - we ended up taking Wade's GTI, because lets be honest, his car is WAY faster and WAY sexier than my beetle.

We started our morning at about 7 a.m. on Saturday, after a couple drinks at Starbucks, we hit the road around 8 a.m. to meet up with everyone. By 9:40, we were on the road to Cottonwood, AZ. After SEVERAL stops on the way for photo - ops (which we were really annoyed about) we FINALLY hit Prescott. - - Annoyed and tired, Wade, his little brother - Will, Will's girlfriend, Krista and I decided to take our own route to lunch and beyond. And boy was that a good idea...

Question for everyone - Do you know that there are Vineyards in Arizona?? Yep. A whole slew of them! After lunch at Denny's, we headed to Cornville, AZ to try and find our favorite bands (TOOL) winery. Mission Accomplished! IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Words can't even express the beauty of this place, its like the best kept secret in Arizona. Winery's in the Desert?? Wha??

I've posted some picture in a slide show from our little vacay up north and we are SO excited to venture back up there this summer to do alittle wine tasting and enjoy the greenery.

A perfect place for a wedding, hint hint. :)

Take care!

Wordless Wednesday (Because I probably won't be around tomorrow)

Happy Valentines Day.

Wordless Wednesday

Everything Happens For A Reason

Good evening, I usually don't get too personal on here - but I really have something on my mind that I need to vent (preferrably before the boyfriend gets home - b/c I'll take it out on him and honestly, its not his fault).

Why must people dwell on the past? I remember when I was dating back when I was young (yes I know I'm still young, but young as in dating young - you know, the first few relationships that I had when I was an actual adult).....well, I remember when this one guy that I had dated for about 8 months broke up with me - I was heart broken. I look back now and laugh b/c I never really even loved him - not like I love my boyfriend - future husband now... (thats what I mean when I was young) But man, I was heart broken! Ouch! I believe he broke up with me b/c I wasn't very unstable financially at the time and I think he really knew I didn't know what I was doing with my life and such. But after he broke up with me - I tried to find ways to accidently run into him - accidently be in his neighborhood - etc.. after about a month, that faded...

My point is this - why, after 5 years, 6 years, 10 years ...do people still hang onto their exes? Whats the point? They are exes for a reason, aren't they?

I'm not saying, for instance, my mom - of course, after 25 years, she won't ever forget my father. But that's a given. No one should ever tell someone like my mother to move on - b/c its just not going to happen and no one should expect that to happen.

After a 2, 3, 4 yr relationship - why would someone still be thinking or trying to "out do" their exes?

Jealously? Envy? Hate? Love???

I'm a firm believer in "Everything happens for a reason" and I suggest that if you are one of these people who is lulling in the past...Move up, Move on...and for God's sake - don't make yourself look like a fool.

Phew - I feel better!

Wordless Wednesday

Anxiety.



Taken from: http://www.survivorart.com/lobby.html

My Uncle

My Uncle Jay hit a HUGE milestone yesterday, he won his 500th win in 25 yrs of coaching college basketball.



From this week’s Southwest/Downtown Journal:

Coach Of The Year
By Jim Walsh

By the time you read this, Jay Pivec will, God-willing, have notched his 500th win as a college basketball coach. His squad, the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Marauders, play two games this week. At press time, Pivec was set to notch win number 500 on Wednesday (Jan. 23; 8 p.m.) against Anoka Ramsey in the MCTC gym on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.

Alas, junior college basketball doesn’t make for the sexiest sound bite, so forgive ESPN if they don’t acknowledge the achievement. Likewise, even though MCTC is by far the most ethnically diverse community college in the state, the local sports media will likely devote more coverage to Kentucky expat Tubby Smith’s 400th victory than to the story of a city kid who stayed in the city and in the game he loves in order to help other city kids -- and chalk up 500 victories in the process.

“Whatever stories out there that are bad about things, you could find in every one of our guys a good story,” says, Pivec, a 52-year-old father of four, looking out the window of his home on Penn Avenue at the hockey rinks of Armatage Park. “We don’t have failures. We have guys who might go south for a little while, but we tell them if they work hard in our program and do what we tell them to do, after they leave here we’re in their corner for the rest of their lives. And when you make that kind of contract with people, and you deliver on that, it’s all good, man.”

The fact is, Pivec would rather talk about all the kids (or “knuckleheads,” his favorite term of endearment) he’s coached over the years than himself, which is part of the reason his story remains somewhat underground. MCTC has no sports information director, no publicist, and Pivec was raised not to blow his own horn. Still, he’s got a lot to say – about basketball and life, as so many great coaches do.

“A lot of our guys have never been told the truth,” he says. “And, as most of our players can attest, I can get in their faces. Painful honesty. No problem at all. And when you vest in someone’s life like I do, they become more than a point guard. They become more than a power forward.

“These are city kids with city problems. Now, what does that mean? Health care. Transportation. Finances. Economics. Shelter. Food. Family. We tell these kids, two (o’clock)-to-four, that’s your utopia. That’s practice time. It’s gotta be the best time of your day.”

Over the years, several of Pivec’s knuckleheads have gone on to play Division I, II, and III ball. And while the temptation here is to weave a feel-good story about hard-luck kids who find a Father Flanagan figure in Pivec, the fact is that he’s a hell of a coach who has a connection to every Minnesota (and beyond) basketball coach on every level. Many of whom are on his cell phone speed-dial.

“The other night when the Timberwolves lost (blowing a game at Denver), I left a voice message for (Wolves head coach) Randy Wittman. I said, `I was all set to congratulate you on a great win, and then… That wasn’t your fault. You’ve got some knuckleheads.’ He texted me back, `I appreciate it.’”

Pivec attended St. Thomas The Apostle grade school and Southwest High School, and got his start in basketball at the KCYO. After a stint coaching at Northern Montana University, he has been at MCTC for the past 18 years. He and his wife of 26 years, Mary Louise, raised their kids in the city, because they believe in it and because they wanted their kids to know people from all walks of life. Which is why to this day, Pivec doesn’t pine for the bright lights of a more high-profile coaching job.

“It’s odd,” he says. “My family all lives in the Twin Cities. My mother’s (been in) Catholic Elder Care for the last nine years with Alzheimer’s. Father Michael O’Connell at the Basilica is a good friend of mine, and a spiritual leader. I get paid very well. I work for a wonderful administration at the college that understands what we do and has been very accommodating and doesn’t get in the way. I work in one of the greatest cities in America, maybe the world, even on a three-below day.

“So when I get the scale out and weigh it all out, and when jobs come along – and they have come along – none of ‘em are better than the job I’ve got.”

Now comes the pay-off; a milestone rare for any coach at any level. But to hear Pivec downplay it is to hear a guy who obviously knows the secret to the universe: not individual success, but people and connections.

“This is my 500th win, it’s my 25th year as a head coach, and you just sort of go back over your life and… it’s been every winter in a gym. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sometimes you get tired of the road, or the weather, but you never get tired of the kids. What’s more important to my team is winning the next game. These kids are aware of it (the 500th win), but I make it clear to them: they’re not playing for me. Nor should they be. That’s not how our program operates.”

And how many fans will be in the stands for the coach’s milestone?

“It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve got brothers and sisters in the city, and they come to as many games as they can get to. I have no idea. Some ex-players, maybe. Then there’s the hardcore (basketball) junkies who are looking for a good game. And that’s what they’ll get. They’ll see good basketball.”

Not to mention –shhh—a slice of Minnesota basketball history.

My Presidential Candidate - So Far.

Found an excellent website to compare and contrast our democratic and republican candidates for the 2008 elections. Go to: http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008/comparethem.html

I decided this would be a good weekend to read up on my candidates and to share this link to my family and friends to (hopefully) get them into the elections rather than wasting your time on your American Idol candidates (laugh laugh) ;) .

Since this is my blog and as my mother said to me the other day "I love that you're so passionate about your beliefs - but watch what you say", I'll tell you where I stand with this years candidates and why:

Mitt Romney (Ex-Gov.) ; Not only was he born on March 12, which happens to be my birthday...but he stands almost dead on on a lot of issues that I believe are important.

• Stem Cell Research - Against. He believes existing cell lines and adult stem cells have just the same scientific promises.
• Abortion - Pro-Life.
• Health Care - Health Insurance available to all Americans, not through our government - but through market reform.
• Immigration Reform.

I have some more reading to do for both parties and I'll update you all with my views.

P.S. Don't watch too much American Idol, it may rot your brain ;) I kid I kid.

A Day Late Wordless Wednesday

I Received An Applause Today

Yep, in Starbucks. It has been a LONG three weeks since I've had a Iced Venti light-ice, no whip White Mocha and today - I broke through. My local Starbucks staff was in aw that I hadn't been there in over three weeks, that they gave me a round of applause. How pathetic.

I quit caffeine all together on a Doctors recommendation of "I need you to quit drinking caffeine, its ok every once in a while, but NOT everyday, this will worsen your condition".

Blah. I love my coffee. No --- I'm infatuated with my coffee.

Do you think Starbucks enhances their coffee with some sort of drug, that all we can do if we don't drink it, is think about it? I do. Some sort of coffee crack or something. I can taste it right now. There's nothing quite like the creamy, bitterly-sweet combination streaming down your throat in the early morning hours. YUM! GOOSEBUMPS!!

Now hurry, rush to your nearest Starbucks, that I know is a block away and pick up a cup of joy.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday






Beauty.

Bank of Amercia to Rule The World???

I'd have to start this blog off by saying, HOW HAPPY I AM to see Countrywide Home "Loans" go up into flames. Many of you who know me know actually why I say that, you others that don't know the whole story behind me and my days at Countrywide, well - tough. But lets just say it was unpleasant and how much of a joy this is for me to see.

Friday was a huge annoucement that Countrywide had imploded and Bank of America would be buying them out. (Buying them out = BANKRUPT!). This wasn't quite the surprise for me, or for anyone in the mortgage business, the BIG surprise was that it was being sold for a mere $4 Billion!!!!

In 2006, we funded $4 billion in ONE month!!! HA! I'm so happy to see them suffer!!

Here's a good news article to read in regards to the "buyout / bankruptcy".

Two words for my old employer: GOOD RIDDENCE! Now, go eff yourself. :) CONGRATS Bank of America!!


http://ml-implode.com/imploded/lender_CountrywideFinancialCorp._2008-01-11.html

New Sunday Night Show

I'm usually not one for new shows - I like to stick to the basics, my usual, no changes.

Never have been good at changes...

Cashmere Mafia is on right after Deperate Housewives (Anyone know what happened to Brothers & Sisters?). Its a Sex in the City Clone.....Or pretty much darn near close. Four older women, different hair colors, significant others - who manage to meet for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just for drinks once a week..... Sounds pretty familiar doesn't it? Featuring Lucy Lui as Mia , plays a career driven (love it), sextrist vamp who just got engaged to her close co-worker (thats all I've gotten so far in the pilot - still have about a half hour left).

Full of scandels, affairs, EXCELLENT fashion - this is the filling of the void we've had since SITC left us. HOORAY!!

On ABC Sunday nights at 9 p.m. - Check your local listings!

Enjoy!

A Very Cool Website

One of my Christmas presents that I received this year, is from an AWESOME website called: http://www.woot.com/. What Woot consists of is - a website that sells ONE item a day-after that day- Poof! Its gone! How cool of a concept is that? It isn't just expensive items that not just anyone can afford, but decent priced, bizarre items that no one thinks of.

Check it out! I'm always logging on in the morning to see what they've posted. (or sometimes at night, b/c they update it at 10 p.m. mountain standard time - - for all you Arizonians)

Enjoy!!!

Happy New Year!

3-2-1........HaPpY nEw YeAr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hope everything had a GREAT & SAFE New Year.



I have an optimistic feeling that this year we are upon is going to be one of the best!

Remember not to take yourself too seriously, enjoy what you have at the moment, don't let love get the worst of you, celebrate life, celebrate what you believe in and don't hold back.

I'll leave you with a little recipe for the year to come:

Recipe for a Happy New Year - Anonymous


Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.
Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.


Cheers to 2008!