DECEMBER COVER DESIGN

AQUARIUS

From my favorite local astrologer;

Your main job is to live on a focused edge and take care of details. You have great creative ideas and individual tastes. But you are also a wonderful team player and see beyond egos and personal quirks. Your leadership ability is a great asset when it comes to starting new projects and creating positive action and results. The new year ahead will give many new opportunities to turn challenges into victories at home and in the workplace. There couldn't be anyone better for the job.

Cool.

KAYAKING

Today Mom christened her boat! Charles, Jerome and I went along. There is a place down near the inlet called Honest Johns Fish Camp. It is set back in the glades. As you are driving up, you cant help but remember the guy sitting on the porch with a banjo in the backwoods movie Deliverance. This picture looks like where we were paddling but it was just the 3 of us alone in nature!

Honest Johns rents kayaks and also allows you to put your boats in there. It is only $6 an hour to rent a kayak. Jerome and Charles got a 2 person "sit in" one, I had my own "sit in", and Mom brought her "sit upon". They charged her $5 to put hers in.

The weather couldn't have been prettier. The wind was calm, it was warm but not hot and the sun was dodging behind the clouds now and then. We set out alone and explored. We mainly saw various birds at first but eventually the dolphins came out and were the highlight of our day.

It was really easy to paddle and the boat didn't feel wobbly or anything. It was such a treat to be in the middle of a lagoon with NO NOISE POLLUTION. Just the sound of the wildlife and an occasional "blow" from a nearby dolphin. SOO Peaceful. Jerome and Charles enjoyed themselves but I think Mom and I got the most out of it. I am absolutely HOOKED and will be doing it much more often hopefully with company. It would be so very easy to take a bigger cooler with lunch. Even if you drift with the boats together and eat on the water. So far, we felt it in our wrists (Mom & I) and your butt gets tired after about 2 hours so a break would be nice. We weren't quite sure what to expect today but we packed light and went with open minds. Weather could certainly be a factor if you didnt pay attention.

Jerome and I WILL eventually buy a kayak but we really need to test the different types. I have yet to try a "sit upon". Heck, with the rentals only being $6/hr. it saves a lot of hassle loading and unloading the kayak. . . Just ask Mom.

PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE!

A NEW WAY TO SAVE MANATEES

Click on it to Enlarge it.

HALLOWEEN 2006

Neighbors Debbie and Tim (pictured) hosted yet another successfull Halloween party. About 30 people attended and each family brought a dish. I have apparently been nominated "develed egg" queen, not by my choice of course. I also took over 12 cupcakes that were given to me by my Mother. She bought them for HER Halloween party but forgot to take them. They were decorated in light pink and light tan frosting and topped with one red marashino cherry. Apparently to resemble "breasts" to match her costume. I added a bunch of sprinkles to hopefully disquise and took them over with about 24 develedd eggs, some with olive eyes.

The foods you will always find at our "neighborhood" parties are eggs of course, sweet & sour meatballs and 7 layer dip & chips. We usually have a party on Halloween and New Years. Our gracious hosts happily offer to have it at their house or in their front yard. We don't always know everyone but what a great way to get to know them. Our thanks to Tim & Debbie!


I dug out some of my stuff and made myself up as a "pirate, spanish lady, gypsy, fortune teller wench" and I did my best to make Charles look like the Undertaker. But together, I think we looked like a pirate and pirate wench. Oh well, they were good "thrown together" costumes. The hair I was wearing was the dreadlocks Jerome wore to a Dolphin game to resemble Ricky Williams.

Around 6pm Charles, Jerome and I went over. Mr. Bailey (Charles' teacher last year) and his wife were there so Jerome was excited to talk "Gator" talk with him. We hung out, mingled and ate.


We started out Trick or treating around 7pm. Jerome stayed home to give out candy and we went out, with wagons and all in search of the best goodies in the area! You gotta love the parents. They had their wagons containing coolers with beer for them and drinks for the kids. Good idea.

I guess it's good that some traditions still live on. I Trick or treated as a kid and had great, harmless fun and now my son can enjoy the same thing but better because of the "neighborhood brotherhood" we are so lucky to have here.



However, Charles has said that Halloween isn't his favorite holiday and now that I am older I think that without family or friends to hang out with, it could be a pretty morbid holiday. It's funny that we teach our kids NOT to take candy from strangers and on one night of the year we encourage them to knock on the door of a stranger and ASK for candy... hmmm.

Some parents had beers (including Mr. Bailey-lol) and others didnt. We just kind of walked, chated & joked. Some of them are really cool. On our way we had to yell at a few cars that wanted to speed by but with about 15 protective adults they got slowed down and hollered at. Next year we will bring eggs for the people who insist on speeding when they know damn well there are kids out and about.

The "Ex" mayors house is usually the highlight of the trip. He has a big backyard and decorates it with flashing lights, skeletons, cobwebs and tons of other ookie stuff and for the past two years I havent been able to get Charles in. Not one coax or promise would work. He was NOT going in. He is a typical taurus you know. Oh well, No biggie.

We got home about 8:30, hot and with tired feet. It is sure hard work Trick or Treating and it would be nice if next year we could just get a bus or flatbed truck. All the kids would stay together, it would be quicker and the parents could chill. It's darn tiring on my feet.

p.s. Much love to everyone in the family! I am praying for all of our safety, health and mental well-being. Stay strong, stay in touch but most of all Stay out of trouble!!

HAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN!!

Here is Simon's costume that lasted all of about 2 minutes. I will take pictures tonight of Charles' costume. Here is the character that he is dressing up as. (WWE wrestler, "The Undertaker"

STRENGTH

Let me be your comfort
Let me be your friend
Let your worries flow through me
Let your troubles end;

Let me give you sympathy
Let me take your hand
Let me give you all I have
Let me help you stand;

Let my spirit touch you
Let my strength be yours
Let me guide you through the maze
Let me fight your wars;

Let me give you time to dream
Let me give you peace
Let me kiss away your tears
Let your worries cease;

If you let me love you
If you let me care
If you let me be your strength
You know that I'll be there.


Linda Ori

Recent Random Pics

A GREAT REPORT CARD

First 3rd Grade Report Card is as follows.

Reading A
Communication B
Social Studies A
Science A
Math A

Of course we are still getting the usual O,S and N. Only 1 N this time in "Communicates effectively through writing". No suprise. The teacher comment read:

"I am so enjoying having Charles in third grade this year! Charles is such a polite child and a model citizen. Charles is performing well in all academic areas. He does ned support in the area of written communication, which he is receiving both in the classroom and during Occupational Therapy. Keep up the good work Charles."


(We are very proud of him! Arent you?)

CAN ANYONE TELL ME?

Why she has not been voted off the show! Ok, so she has a big fan base and she's a great singer, but even THEY can see that she can't dance. My three favorite female professional dancers are Edyta Sliwinska, Cheryl Burke and Louis Van Amstel.

I am truly rooting for Emmit. He is so damn loveable.

Do you think Mario and Karina are doin it?? Or just maybe he's doin it with. . . (she IS single now and supports a "vote for Mario" shirt)


(scroll down for another new blog)

BLEACH BOTTLE ANIMALS

This project was a great idea and a good lesson in recycling. They had to be a character in a book. Charles' is the clown fish.

BASKETBALL by Charles

Author's words:
Swish! This week we read a story about a girl named Allie. Basketball was Allie's favorite sport. Although she was a beginner, she had hopes of one day becoming a famous basketball player. It was her dream.

Charles words:
Basketball is my favorite sport. I engoy basketball at resess and after school. ONce a I did a backward razzmatazz shot. It is very hard. And my dad made a halfway the court. Hardly nobody can do that. Just like Allie she is not very good at basketball but she does her best. I hope to keep playing basketball. Basketball makes me unlimited. The end.

(we have already proofread, thank you teachers, but the original is so much cuter!)

The picture depicts Charles as the person on top with the ball and a favorite girl named Rachael and others cheering him on on the right. The snake is a viper mascot on the 'pexiglass' floor. . .

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS

Crayon on newsprint by Charles

BE THE FIRST TO SEE

Our October issue cover designed by yours truly...

A MILLION DOLLARS

Well Friday started out like any other day. I woke up at 6:30, had Charles to school by 8. I went in to finalize the Fall Festival Directory which I was lucky enough to design most all of the ads and the cover of.

Heike took me out for a celebretory sushi lunch. (Her favorite). She has eaten raw fish since she was a kid growing up in Germany. I can eat a very small amout of raw tuna mixed with lots of wasabi, rice and lower sodium soy sauce. My bento box mainly consisted of california rolls, some fried salmon roll and tuna rolls. We chatted about how sucessful the deadline went and how sometimes dealing with customers is reminescent of babysitting.

I went home, took a shower and went to my other job. I sometimes like to call it "playing the market". But you actualy have to rely on a lotta charm and a little luck. The stocks werent paying so well and after losing out on a VERY large stock due to timing and possibly my own insecurities I decided to cut my losses and take what I was lucky enough to receive even though I was kicking myself.

I stopped by Publix for some subs and stuff. Well the little geek making my sub had the personality of a toad and the speed of a slug. So I patiently waited. The usual nice guy who actually TALKS wasnt there that night. I got my subs and a few other things and headed over to the express line which, by this time, was about 10 people deep. So, I did the next best thing and went to the customer service counter to check out. Well there was a guy in front of me getting 2 money orders, 2 people in a line to the right of me and one girl behind the counter. After she dealt with the money order guy about 5 minutes I thought to myself, "If she finishes with him and goes over to the other line, I will scream"..... Well I didnt scream, instead I walked off in a huff BACK to the express line which was now only 1 person long.

THAT person turned out to be a 70 or so year old man in no absolute hurry. So I waited, read mags, looked at candy and after I saw the young cashier starting to count out his mangled dollar bills I started to stress again. Thats when I happened to look over and right at eye level was a lovely bouquet of miniature roses. Do you see where this is going??

So I did it.....

I actually stopped to smell the roses!!


I inhaled a deep rose scented breath and remembered that there were actually still wonderful things all around me and I waited my turn.

When I got up to the cashier who had to be no more than 20 or so, she said "I really LOVE your hair". What a nice compliment from such a pretty girl. (I WAS having a great hair day).

I left feeling like a million dollars!

The moral of the story is clear. . .


PUBLIX IS SLOW!!!

Jobs before Stars were famous

When you see someone on the cover of US Weekly, it's almost always a celebrity who has found some semblance of success in the glamorous world of entertainment. If you dream of reaching celebrity status, only to be brought back to reality by your humdrum job, don't lose hope. Whether getting their foot in the door or just working for a living, those at the top often had to start at the bottom.

Johnny Depp
Before he was an Oscar-nominated actor, Johnny Depp sold pens. "You're calling people who don't want you to call them," he recalled. "You put on your best fake voice and try and sell them a gross or two of ballpoint pens with their name printed on them." Depp was still selling pens when Nicolas Cage suggested that he try acting, and he soon landed his role in the film A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Nicole Kidman
Young Nicole Kidman's first love was ballet, but she also practiced mime and drama. In her adolescent years, she worked regularly at a local theater, and eventually dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time. She broke into movies at age 16, landing a role in the Australian holiday favorite Bush Christmas.

Chris Rock
Comedian Chris Rock worked at Red Lobster. "The thing about Red Lobster is that if you work there, you can't afford to eat there," he once told Jay Leno. "You're making minimum wage. A shrimp costs minimum wage... I cleaned up after the kids. Kids don't eat. I used to zero in on a kid. 'Don't touch that scallop. Please don't touch that scallop...'"

Halle Berry
This future Oscar winner got her first taste of the spotlight at the Miss Teen All-American Pageant, representing the state of Ohio in 1985. The following year, she was the first runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant which was a catalyst for a stint in modeling. It was this that eventually led to her first weekly TV series, 1989's "Living Dolls."

Salma Hayek
Before she was on Hollywood's radar, Salma Hayek was a superstar in her native Mexico thanks to a role on the soap opera Teresa. Anxious to make films and to explore her talent and passion, Hayek left the soap and Mexico in 1991, and left her heartbroken fans spreading rumors about an affair between Hayek and Mexico's president.

Russell Crowe
Way before he was in Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe worked, very briefly, as a waiter. Luckily, the aspiring actor and musician didn't like the service industry and turned toward more creative endeavors.


Snoop Dogg
On The Tonight Show, rapper and actor Snoop Dogg told Jay Leno he was fired from his first job as a grocery bagger. "I was better at stealing the groceries," he later explained, "than I was at bagging the groceries!"

Quentin Tarantino
When Quentin Tarantino dropped out of ninth grade, his mother insisted he get a job. He did, and promptly began working at the Pussycat Lounge -- a local adult entertainment theater. Years later, he landed a job as a "production assistant" on a workout video. His job duties: Cleaning up dog mess from the front lawn of the house in which the video was being shot.

:o(

INFO YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW

- Carroll got a temporary job at a place that turns poop into $$$. Something about the gas the poop emits is turned into energy. Any company that is FOR the environment is a good company to work for. She should be able to hook a full time one once she shows her stuff.
- The trailor she has that is stored at our house looks like we are gonna have some really great camping trips. It would even be great to take to the Keys.
- Last weekend Mom, Corrie, Charles, Jerome and I watched the Space Shuttle take off, played at the beach and came home for a Mexican Fiesta. YUMMO
- Charles is having fun learning Backgammon and his favorite thing right now is basketball.
- The Martin Short broadway play "Fame Becomes Her" looks cute and I'd love to see it.
- I havent watched Dancing with the Stars yet so I can't read Annette's or Bobby blog until I do. By the time you read this, I have probably watched it. I know Jerome will be rooting for Emmit
- Is Orlando really dating Uma? He is soooo hot!!
- Tom Cruise bought part of the redskins. hmmm.
- My favorite songs right now are Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm", Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" and Christina Aguilera's "Ain't no Other Man".
- Madonna needed a huge army of Cops and the Bomb Squad during her 1st concert in Russia. Wow.
- Needless Deaths = Steve Irwin and Daniel (Anna Nicole's son)
- Blogging is kind of boring.....

A JOYFUL 75TH

We had a nice time in Orlando for Granny's Birthday. We (Charles, Jerom and I) went to Red Lobster with Annette, Mac Butch, Sharon, Crystal & boyfriend Jason. Granny got her lobster and ate it too! Well not that particular one. That one was to personally give her a card from Red Lobster. (Notice she also had a pina colada-one of her favorites)

CUPS OF COFFEE

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - procelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress."

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.

Consider this: Life is the coffee and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and do not change the quality of Life. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided.

So, don't let the cups drive you. . . enjoy the coffee instead.

p.s. and don't forget to add some sweetness with Hazelnut coffee mate!!