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Would you just look at this face? This is my Manhattan, and he is the cutest little doggie EVER!
The elevator in my building has been hit or miss lately. So I have to take the dogs out separately, and carry them down and up the stairs. Manny was so excited to get to out WITH Harry Potter today! :-)
It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart. ~Author Unknown
Wow... it's the 30th of January. Where did the month go? I can't believe it's over already! But... February means Betty Buckley at Feinsteins! YAY!!!
I picked up my new glasses today at LensCrafters. No Scott Clifton this week! LOL I LOVE my new glasses! They ROCK! I also picked up the rest of my contacts. Since I spent nearly $300 on a years supply of contacts, I'll most likely be wearing them WAY more than my cool new glasses!
I did a pretty good self portrait huh? I don't think my hair has been this long in quite some time. My friend Jeff (and hairdresser for over 10 years) is flying in from IL in April. I can't wait to see him and show him around the city. AND he's going to do my hair when he's here! I'm not sure who is more excited... him or me! LOL
This quote is from my Daily Good email along with a link to an amazing story of a wonderful bond:
We people of the world need to find ways to get to know one another--for then we will recognize that our likenesses are much greater than our differences, however great our differences may seem. --Peace Pilgrim
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/world/middleeast/31children.html
Turkey & swiss from my fav. deli dude... sippin' from my Mary Poppins cup... watchin' Every Little Step... life is good! :-)
Smiles!
SNOW! This morning I felt like I was inside a giant snow globe called New York! Huge flakes, so pretty! And lots of dogs in doggie coats! Cute! :-)
We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. --Immanuel Kant
It was still light out when I got home from work! Spring is just around the corner... it's staying light longer... yay! Groundhog Day is next week! It's also my first PTO day from work. I'm going to see The View with Peter! Peter knows EVERYTHING about EVERY soap opera EVER!!! He amazes me with his soapy knowledge! I can barely keep track of one show! LOL
I think ConEd has the problem fixed. Last night they had a big hole in the sidewalk and there was a pipe in there that was broken and had lots of cables coming out of it. Today, there is a new pipe in the hole and no cables in sight! Heat is def. back on... :-)
Today I set the ground work for my future at QBE. I met with some people from UMR, our health care provider, and the HR Manager at QBE. It was an informational session, and I was the only employee who showed up. Figures, everyone complains, but no one actually shows up when they schedule these things. It's like this everywhere. Anyway, I think they were all impressed with my benefits knowledge. AND with the fact that I think that our benefits are really good! They said they are going to plant me at all of the open enrollment sessions in the fall! LOL In any case, Vince def. took notice. I think most of the benefit dept. is based in WI... I def. don't want to live in WI!!!! So we'll see. But, it's always good when other departments take notice of your skills! :-)
Most smiles are started by another smile. ~Author Unknown
Wow... someone in my building is really trying to keep the vampires away tonight! It seems to always start out smelling pretty good and Italian-y... and then the garlic takes over. I'm not sure how they can eat this stuff, because the garlic is so strong that it's making my nose hairs burn!!!
But... I still have hot water! :-)
Not sure how long it'll last, so I took a bath again tonight! LOL The ConEd guys have a huge hole in the sidewalk out in front of the building. The heat doesn't seem to be working, but that's really OK for now! It's comfy in here... I'm not sweating for a change!
I think it's American Idol audition night again... that always makes me smile... & laugh! LOL
No matter how grouchy you're feeling,
You'll find the smile more or less healing.
It grows in a wreath
All around the front teeth -
Thus preserving the face from congealing.
~Anthony Euwer
Well... another cold shower this morning! But I had hot water when I got home, so I took a nice hot bath while I could. It doesn't seem like the heat is on though. But, if I had to choose... I'd choose hot water over heat right now!
I got a great new umbrella photo today! The wind was ridiculous today... lots of abandoned umbrellas!
Smiling is my favorite exercise. ~Author Unknown
I love when people ask me for directions. It makes me feel like I must look like I know where I'm going! LOL Truth is, sometimes I don't... but I'm great with maps. And, I love exploring parts of New York that I've yet to discover.
The Colts beat the Jets today. Sorry Jets... but ya played a really good game! So excited that my Peyton Manning will be playing in the Super Bowl this year! Yay! :-)
It's been raining most of the day. And, my building is once again without heat or hot water. But, my little Manny can always make me smile! He is just so cute I want to eat him up! LOL
Can you believe this is the last week in January? Where did this month go? Have a happy Monday y'all!
"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world." -- William Shakespeare
I live in New York. Sometimes I don't believe it. I'll be walking down the street and all of a sudden I'm thinking... "wow, I live here!"
I went to LensCrafters today for an eye exam because I finally have insurance. When I walked in I saw Scott Clifton waiting to see the Dr. Only in NY! :-)
I also got to spend some time in Central Park today. I arrived for my eye appt. a little early so I walked thru the park for a while.
It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart. ~Author Unknown
It's FRIDAY!!! :-) Yes... Friday seems to be a little more special when ya know ya don't have to work the weekend! This is my first weekend bear-free.... I can't wait! :-)
Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible. --St. Augustine
I got stuck behind a slow person on the steps down to the subway tonight. I could hear the train down there, and just as I got to the bottom of the stairs sure enough the doors closed and the train pulled out of the station.... it was the A, and it wasn't even packed like a sardine can... sigh! By the time I got to the other end of the platform I could hear another train coming. I was prepared to take the C and spend longer getting home... but it was another A! Hooray! :-) THAT rarely happens! And then when I got off at 125th to transfer to the local... the C came rolling into the station not 1 min. after I got off the A. Pure bliss!
This morning I awoke to find Manhattan's hedgehog toy on my pillow. Manny was sleeping on the floor in front of the fan. Manny LOVES that toy. He won't let Harry Potter play with it and he won't let me touch it! Manny must love me a lot to give me his favorite toy in the middle of the night! :-)
A smile is something you can't give away; it always comes back to you. ~Author Unknown
Really... there is no need for words with this one!
Pretty certain I've used this quote before, but it fits so well:
A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip
Today in the mail I got a coupon from Starbucks for FREE oatmeal! I stop there every morning to get.... OATMEAL! Yay!
FREE perfect oatmeal tomorrow. Yay!
That's gonna be worth a smile today AND tomorrow! :-)
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls. ~ Joseph Campbell
Manhattan got his hair cut today. He is beautiful again! And thinner! Ha ha! I thought he was getting fat, but it was all hair!
I spent pretty much the entire day out and about. Dropped off Manny at the groomer, then looked for a hat because it was seriously freakin' windy today. I wanted a cool Jets hat... couldn't find one... wonder if that's an omen?
Then I met a friend for lunch, which turned into breakfast because Juniors wasn't serving lunch yet. But they gave the table seated next to us a lunch menu. Funny thing was, they wanted breakfast and we wanted lunch! Oh well! It was a great brunch!
Then I met another friend at the One Life to Live studios for a bit. I have to say that I just love that cast (well... most of them!) LOL They are really a most gracious group. Check out my website for fundraisers featuring the cast of OLTL:
http://www.onelife2give.org
Don't wait for the perfect moment... take the moment and make it perfect.
Wow... total rain today in NYC. But in the midst of the rain I found myself across the street from Feinsteins and took this picture! :-)
Smiling is my favorite exercise. ~Author Unknown
Today would have been a great day to spend in Central Park. It was up near 50 again! But, I was working... my last day at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Nobody really seemed to care that I was leaving.. oh well! Their loss! (I do want to add that there were approx. 2 people who indicated that they would miss me! LOL)
So I stuffed animals nearly the whole time I was there today. Had the most RUDE man EVER in all of my retail experience. All of the other customers were getting pissed off b/c of him. I felt bad for his small child who he was acting like a total ASS in front of! He refused to get in line, then got mad every time someone in line went to stuff their animal. I thought he was going to get into a fight with one of my guests. My guest had been kind enough to let this little girl go ahead of him and then out of no where this ASS appears and says he's been waiting longer than the other guy. The ASS was yelling at all of the other customers and the other bear builders... oy!
The group that were next after the ASS couldn't stop talking about his ASSiNESS! LOL... they were super nice. And the mom told me that my laugh was just like Cameron Diaz's laugh. So then of course I told them about my 4 seconds on Mercy! They ended up getting their picture taken with me & their owl. SMILE!
Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can. --Lowell Thomas
Today it was 50 degrees in NYC... if that don't make ya smile I don't know what will! Come on... it's JANUARY!!
If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day. --Alex Noble
Things that made me smile today:
1. Getting a seat on the A train, all the way home!
2. The FedEx dude who gave up his seat on the train so that a mom & her young daughter could sit down.
3. Pizza from the corner deli!
4. Alyssa Milano (she donated $50,000 to UNICEF & challenged corporations to match her donation)
5. Even though Days of Our Lives is sad now because Mickey died, it made me smile that they used the picture of the original Mickey! :-)
6. The elevator is still working!
7. I still have heat AND hot water!
8. Stupid drivers... well, that actually made me LOL more than smile!
9. It's a Dorian day on One Life to Live (even tho everyone is treating her like poop, & rightly so!)
10. My neighborhood
So... now I challenge you to name 10 things that made you smile today.
Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. --Albert Camus
This is my horoscope today... Love: It's not just in the air. It's calling your cell and whispering in your ear.
This not only made me smile, it made me laugh out loud! Love has definitely not called my cell, and is most certainly not whispering in my ear! LOL
Manhattan and Baxter "play" fight every morning. I'm going to have to try to record it because it's really quite funny! No injuries so far. But, Manny body slams Baxter to the floor and then Baxter gets his claws stuck in Manny's fur and usually gets drug all over the living room!
Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. ~ George Eliot
This picture was on my desk calendar today when I ripped off yesterday. How cute is this? I want these puppies! :-)
Smiling is my favorite exercise. ~Author Unknown
Heard while waiting for the subway... "Ladies & gentlemen, panhandling in the subway is illegal. Don't give money to law breakers. Instead give money to charities." It was probably the monotone delivery by the female MTA worker that made me laugh out loud at this announcement.
One of my dearest friends, Jeff, is planning a visit to The Big Apple! I miss Jeff so much... and not just because he is a close friend. Jeff is also my hairdresser for close to 15 years! And, HE'S GOING TO DO MY HAIR WHEN HE'S HERE!
This quote below is not from my smile quotes. But, I saw it last night and it spoke to me!
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have...
Baxter chasing his tail = smiles! It never gets old. And it seems that every morning he rediscovers that he's got a tail! LOL
On the subway this morning a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and offered me his seat. It was the express D and we were still several stations from the next stop. I smiled, thanked him and sat down.
This doesn't happen too often. In my many observations of subway behavior, I have noticed that men like their seats & they don't give them up too often. Most of the time when I see someone offer a seat to a pregnant woman or elderly person, it's a female. Why are men such seat hogs?
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." -- Albert Pike
I had the day off of work from my part-time job. It gave me a taste of what it'll be like in a week when I'm no longer working that job. I liked it! First thing I did was go to the laundromat. I haven't had any time to do laundry with both jobs. 8am on a Saturday morning and I was the only one in there. BIG SMILE! This is a small laundromat and sometimes a person has to fight for a washer or dryer. There is a bigger one, that I used to go to when I lived closer to 145th. But today was just too cold to walk that far.
I had a $10 gift card from Old Navy that was burning a hole in my pocket. So, after I stopped at the apt. to drop off the laundry, I hopped on the subway to 125th. I really wanted to get a denim mini skirt. They only had two styles and they were ugly. So, instead I found a cool long sweater hoodie for $13.99 and some mittens that match my new coat for $1.99. Winter clearance rocks!
Next stop... the Regal E-Walk on 42nd St to see It's Complicated. Cute movie... and I earned points towards free popcorn! My Regal Rewards card came in the mail today... just in time! Happy to report that I'm not allergic to popcorn. The day I had my first allergic reaction, Christmas, I had movie popcorn... cheesecake w/pecans & rice. I've had rice a lot w/no problem. And today I had movie popcorn again w/no problem. It's gotta be the pecans! Guess I need to get that checked out!
It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart. ~Author Unknown
It's FRIDAY & the elevator is still working! That is a reason to smile if I've ever heard one!
A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. ~Author Unknown
Sometimes a familiar voice can make you smile. There is this subway conductor on the A line. He has a very interesting voice. Kinda sounds like a munchkin. Whenever I get on the subway and hear his voice I smile. I have no idea what he looks like, because I never seem to be towards the section of the train that he's in.
Tonight the A train uptown was SO crowded. I finally decided to get off at 34th St and wait for the next train. When the train stopped and the doors opened I heard that familiar voice. I smiled and listened to his interesting voice until 125th.
Thanks Mr. Conductor! :-)
You're never fully dressed without a smile. ~Martin Charnin
I believe Annie might have had a song about this too! :-)
The elevator is back in working condition in my building. That made Harry Potter VERY happy! It's still very shaky, so I'm not sure how long it'll be working! But, gotta enjoy it while it's there right? :-)
A dude got on the subway tonight at 42nd St. He was wearing a Wicked hat from the show. But it said, Have a Wicked Wednesday! I thought of my friend Kim! She's seen Wicked like 158 times! He was very cute... but he had on a wedding band. Damn... married or gay, that's the story of every man I meet!
Let me pose this question to women my age... do you find that the men our age look like they are pushing 60? I keep finding younger men attractive. And by younger, I mean too young for me! I'm 44. What's too young? hmmmmmm
I get this daily email from Charity Focus. It always has a quote of the day. I've included today's quote below. A lot of people were very supportive of my move to NYC. But just as many people told me that this move was impossible. Thanks to those who supported me. And to those who told me it couldn't be done... well, looks like it's working out pretty good so far. Moving to NYC has been a dream of mine for a long time. If I hadn't taken the chance and made the move, I'd live the rest of my life wondering if it would have been possible. I still believe that there is a reason that everything just fell into place and made it possible for me to move to NYC. I believe that I am destined to do something great here. I can't wait to find out what it is! :-)
Most of the things worth doing in the world have been declared impossible before they were done. --Justice Louis Braindeis
My elevator is broken again. That makes it inoperable 4 days this month. Considering we are only on day 5 of January them's not such great odds, is they? LOL Oh well... I definitely was not tempted to do the laundry tonight! :-)
Harry Potter was very sad that the elevator wasn't working. I don't know why he gets so upset... I'm the one who has to carry him up & down 5 flights of stairs!!! He wasn't the only sad dog in the building tonight. I met a cute bulldog as I was coming in from work.... and got smelt up! LOL I was getting my mail and all of a sudden felt this nose lifting my right pant leg! Luckily he only had one flight to go up... lucky for his owner that he walked up those stairs, since he was 55 lbs!
I picked up my new winter coat today. It's very cozy and warm! Ahhhhh... winter, I'm ready for you now! Bring it on!
I realized today why I love my new job so much. There's no stress! You do what you can, and come back tomorrow and do it again! I don't think I've ever really had a job like this... and I think it's about time! Everyone deserves to have a stress-free job that they love at some point in their life!
I just got a very special offer from Mary Poppins... the show, not the nanny! LOL Buy one ticket, get one free! That is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! :-)
One last thing today... I saw this video a few days ago. I love the Statler Brothers. I got to see them perform, just once, but it was awesome. I have a very good friend who is 1/2 of the award winning duo Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius. Jim Ed's a friend too, but Helen is one of those special friends that if she's in your life, you are one blessed person! I do Helen's website, and before I moved to NYC I used to travel to her shows and sell her product for her. Through these travels I met Jimmy Fortune. Jimmy was part of the Statler Brothers. His voice is heavenly... really! I love love love to listen to Jimmy sing! When I saw this video I immediately thought of Jimmy and searched Facebook to see if he was on there. He was, and today he accepted my friend request. I just posted this video on his page. This duo, Grandstaff, is made up of cousins Wil & Langdon Reid. They are the sons of Harold and Don Reid of the Statler Brothers. This song makes me smile! Click here for a memory and a smile!
I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. ~Author Unknown
When Manhattan takes something he's not supposed to have, I can usually find his furry little butt sticking out of his carrier. He hangs out in his carrier a lot. It's his little house. But when he's hanging out, he turns around and I can see his face. When he takes something he knows he's not supposed to have, he goes in the carrier to hide. If he turned around I'd see what was in his mouth... hence the furry butt!
When Harry Potter takes something he's not supposed to have, he parades around proudly so I can see what he's got! Oh Harry Potter... you are a funny little dog!
A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip
Soap Operas make me smile! Especially when it's One Life to Live, and it's early in 2004! I found an old videotape today, and have been spending the afternoon watching it. I'm fairly certain I kept it because it has some classic David/Dorian & Dorian/Viki scenes. This was just before Viki had her heart surgery. And Dorian was trying to convince everyone that Ahhdriaana (LOL) was her daughter while trying to convince David that she wasn't, in reality she really was... oh brother! Kristen & Eddie Alderson are SO little, I can't believe it's only 6 years ago! Starr is just about to embark on her adventure in NYC. Memories!
Not having to work today also made me smile! I was able to go to PathMark & get groceries. I really wanted to get some laundry done too. But it was SO cold here in NYC, I just didn't want to go back outside!
We still have heat in the building... and hot water. It seems one good thing has come of not having heat for two days. The heat is not so unbearable now. It's comfy in here... not so hot. It's not 85 anymore, more like 75. Sweet!
Tonight I find out if my "boyfriend" lives or dies on Wisteria Lane... all in all a pretty good Sunday in NYC!
"If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path." -- Buddhist Saying
Today = MUCH better! Although the hot water and heat went off again last night, they were both working when I came home from work today.
On the way home, I stopped for a quick 15-min. walk thru Central Park. Basically, I walked to Bethesda Fountain... it's my happy place. This is where I wanted to go yesterday. So, I was a day late and about 20 degrees colder! Central Park was just barely scattered with people. Even in the freezing cold it's very refreshing to walk in Central Park. It's a calming place for me... a place where I can take a deep breath of that freezing air and know that everything is OK with the world.
Before I moved here I used to walk thru Central Park and wonder if the average New Yorker realizes the treasure they have, right in the middle of the city. Well... this New Yorker knows! Smiles!
All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile. ~ Chris Hart
Have you ever heard of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? That has been my New Year's Day! It was a beautiful day here in New York City... sunny, 40 degrees. My plan was to welcome in the New Year with a trip to my favorite spot in the city, Central Park. Instead, I sat at home waiting for a delivery from PetCo. A delivery that the fine folks at PetCo neglected to tell me wouldn't be happening today. Nope, no smile there!
The elevator in my building hasn't worked since yesterday afternoon. There was some sort of electrical issue and so the elevator is dead. Oh yippee... that means I get to carry Harry Potter up and down 5 flights of stairs every time he has to potty! Manny uses the potty pads, thank goodness, Harry Potter refuses. He'll hold it. He actually held it for an entire day just a few weeks ago when we had our first snow. I took him out three times. He hates snow... and he refuses to pee until the sidewalks are totally cleared off! Oh, did I mention that the electrical issue that knocked the elevator out of commission also took out the boiler? That's right, no heat or hot water since last night! Cold showers suck... but there are some parts of me that I simply must wash every day! My hair feels icky though, not sure I got all of the shampoo out! Definitely no smile there!
So, I've been sitting here all day wondering what am I going to blog about? It's Day 1 of 365 Days of Smiles and absolutely nothing has happened to make me smile. I didn't even get to Central Park... and that made me terribly sad!
Smile alert!!! Big shout out to my friend Pauline who just posted this bit of wisdom on my Facebook page: "I'm sorry you are having a crappy New Year's Day. I guess you have to remind yourself that it's all up from here." And then she added, "But maybe not in your elevator!" Thank you Pauline, for my first smile of the New Year!
A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it. ~Author Unknown
Would you just look at this face? This is my Manhattan, and he is the cutest little doggie EVER!
Wow... it's the 30th of January. Where did the month go? I can't believe it's over already! But... February means Betty Buckley at Feinsteins! YAY!!! 
Really... there is no need for words with this one!
Wow... total rain today in NYC. But in the midst of the rain I found myself across the street from Feinsteins and took this picture! :-)
This picture was on my desk calendar today when I ripped off yesterday. How cute is this? I want these puppies! :-)
Soap Operas make me smile! Especially when it's One Life to Live, and it's early in 2004! I found an old videotape today, and have been spending the afternoon watching it. I'm fairly certain I kept it because it has some classic David/Dorian & Dorian/Viki scenes. This was just before Viki had her heart surgery. And Dorian was trying to convince everyone that Ahhdriaana (LOL) was her daughter while trying to convince David that she wasn't, in reality she really was... oh brother! Kristen & Eddie Alderson are SO little, I can't believe it's only 6 years ago! Starr is just about to embark on her adventure in NYC. Memories!
Today = MUCH better! Although the hot water and heat went off again last night, they were both working when I came home from work today. 
