Max Update

Went to the Vet yesterday, his kidney levels are high normal (2.00) so I'll just have to keep him on the special KD food for 2 months and get him rechecked then. Good progress. Hope his kidneys are completely back to normal then.

Fun With My New iTouch...

Someone has my ipod (classic) right now, so I've been without an ipod for two months now. To top it all off, the cd player in my car is busted, so I've had the pleasure (sarcasm) of listening to the radio everytime I want to listen to music. Now I've spoken about the radio down here before...'nuff said. Anthony got me the iTouch with his Amex points to replace the ipod that I am currently without. At first I thought having a touch screen would be annoying. Boy was I dead wrong. It basically can do everything an iPhone can without an actual phone. You can go on the web, google maps, watch YouTube videos, check e-mail as long as you are connected to a wi-fi hotspot. There are also games (most free) and other apps that can be useful, like finding restaurants, or listening to Pandora - awesome! I love the weather feature, which gives me weather for certain select cities. Right now it's 66 in WPB, 34 in London and 40 in NY. Brrr. You can even rent movies on iTunes for $2.99 which works out awesome if I booked a flight on an airline other than JetBlue. The simple "Home" button will bring you to the home screen wherever you are. No annoying complicated menu to get lost in. And it's super thin and sexy. It even has tiny speakers that can play sound - handy when YouTubing among friends. Scrolling through songs and artists with your finger is so easy and fun. I'm beyond happy with it, and can't believe I even doubted it. Eventually I think I may cross over to the iPhone, but that's after they at least get 32GB or 80GB models...

Marie's "Steal Deal Of The Month"

These shoes are hot: Steve Madden Lilacc Gladiator Wedge Sandal

$23.99 Black or Bronze.

They're light as a feather...and did I mention, HOT?
Ladies, you can thank me later.... :)

Time For Change?

Election coming up, positions at work are shifting - creating some waves, a new period of uncertainty is floating around in my life...let's throw in some more changes! Well, fun changes are always welcome. :)

I'm feeling antsy...I cut my hair a few months back with some bangs and now it's starting to grow out...I feel like I wanna keep the length...because I feel more feminine with it...I dunno...but I'm thinking of putting in some subtle highlights, maybe a shade or two lighter. A few years back, I had my hair dual processed, it was dyed a few shades lighter and had some light highlights. It was rather pricey to maintain, and after the summer ended, I went back to a brown shade. Anyway, my hair's in this growing out, in between stage...I'm thinking of doing a major change. A woman knows when she's due for one! LOL. I always wanted to have some friends I can go to to get things done for cheaper. I have a friend down here who gave me a trim the other day. I may employ her to lighten me up! I actually found a pic of Jessica Alba when she had black/dark hair and noticed that when she went lighter, her eyebrows got lighter also. I'm also liking the cut...see for yourself:

The 2nd pic is more golden toned and the 3rd one looks more blond...I like the length of the 3rd pic. I dunno, going lighter makes your face look softer. I wanted to not dye my hair until I started sprouting some greys but I'm getting pretty bored.

New Layout

I found this blog that has free Blogger templates and decided to give it a try. Her designs can be found here. I was bored of what I had, and didn't like the other templates so I found this site. I uploaded this one and was going to change it, but Blogger had a scheduled outtage last night so I didn't get to do it. The other one I wanted to try was the "My Notes" one. I may try that out for a few days to see if I like it better, because I prefer blue hues...(I'm not that into pink for some reason). Anyway, that's the latest...I'm picking up a friend from the airport tonight, she'll be staying with me for a little while. It will be nice to have some company I guess, I'm so used to my space so a slight adjustment will be necessary. :)

Oh, Maxie update, he's doing much better...I took him to the vet a couple of days ago because he was throwing up a lot...the infection he has is affecting his kidneys. So they gave him some fluids and a shot, I got some perscription dry food and took him home. I bought Pill Pockets to disguise the pill inside a treat because I had a really hard time getting him to open his mouth! So far so good, he's been eating his dry food which I add water to, making it like cereal. He'd much rather have it dry, but at least he's getting some water which he really needs since he doesn't seeem to drink much. When he's done with his meds, I'm going to take him in for a follow up blood test to check his levels...hopefully he'll be fine. I'll keep him on the special dry food to help avoid any future problems. That's about all the exciting news I have...hope things are going well in everyone's world!

Problem With Skype & My USB Headphones

I recently got Microsoft Lifechat LX-3000 headphones w/microphone so I can make calls from my laptop with Skype. (Phonecalls within the USA are unlimited for $2.95/month). I make a lot of calls for work, so I figured I can increase my productivity (and save gas by skipping the drive to the office) without having to add a long distance service to my home phone. It sounded like a lovely plan until I ran into a road block.

For some strange reason, every time my call connects, the volume (wave) automatically mutes, and the master volume will gradually go down to zero. I can manually undo it, but it's a major pain. Thank goodness for the internet, It took me a couple of hours (and a ton of searches and troubleshooting) to figure out it was all linked to this one process: Communications_Helper.exe

Here's how to stop it from messing with your Skype calls:

In Skype, go to:
Tools > Options > Advanced
Under "Other things you can do", click Manage other programs' access to Skype
Click REMOVE Communications_Helper.exe

For those of you who have no clue as to what I'm talking about...just go on about your merry day. I posted this to save some the trouble I went through in having to research and troubleshoot. Happy Skype-ing!

Our Pet's Heads Are Falling Off! (D&D Reference)

Max. He's been peeing outside the box sporadically for a few months now. I thought it was just bad behavior...until it started to be a daily event. The urine also looked dark. I looked online and found that it could be that he has a urinary tract infection, and associate the box with pain, so they go elsewhere in less desirable places, like on the tile near my front door. I also found that if you mix white vinegar with your cleaning agent, it will neutralize and kill the smell of cat urine. The best tip I got online so far.

I took him to the vet, and they loved him...he was on his best behavior, sniffing around and rubbing love on them. He did indeed have a UTI. They put him on antibiotics, gave him a shot, and gave me special food to give him to balance his PH. He is not touching the wet food, and it is now Day 2...but eventually he should get the point and eat it. I had a scare this afternoon when I thought he may have been blocked because he wasn't urinating, but I locked him in with his litterbox and eventually heard him go. I'm glad he's able to go, because the whole taking him to the vet and getting him flushed would be incredibly expensive. I'm going away for a few days and a friend will stay at my place and "pill him". The only way I get the pill down, is by first giving him a treat, then he's more inclined to open his mouth the second time...ugh, these cats are like children. I never had problems with any cats in my life so this is foreign to me. But also males are more prone to having UTI and FLUTD because of their tiny urethra's. I usually have female cats. Oh well!

Music Makes The People Come Together...Yeah...

I got an iTunes gift card as a present and downloaded Coldplay's new album and One Republic. Usually it takes me a couple of times hearing an album before I decide if I really like it or not. But I really do like the One Republic album. The Coldplay one is still in question. I mean, I really like a lot of their music...but this one particular album seems like they are just riding on that one single to get albums sold. That's not really nice to say, they do have quality music...it's just that their album only has 9 songs (ew) and they just haven't struck me yet. Give me a couple more listen's and maybe I'll be singing a different tune! (No pun intended).

The way we get music is so different nowadays. I did own a record, yes, Alvin and the Chipmunks. (Honestly, you can take any record, play it at the wrong speed and have a ton of Alvin & the Chipmunks records...ha ha). Then I had tapes, then CD's and now MP3's. (I think my last CD purchased was a No Doubt album). Then MP3's took over the scene and that was it. I found this awesome site which allowed you to download full albums at $4 bucks...but it got shut down. Hmm...wonder why. Wish I took full advantage of that site while it was up. Sometimes I borrow cd's that friends have, and just import it to my iTunes, but I haven't done that in a while. Now I guess I have no choice but to buy MP3's or illegally download them. But we won't get into that. We have so much music from different people's libraries that it's hard to keep track. I haven't had time to upload it all to my iTunes, and the stuff I have on iTunes, I haven't got the time to go through and delete crap. One day...

Usually people like music for it's beat, but I constantly listen to the lyrics first...they really decide whether I like the song or not. So if I discover I don't like the lyrics, even if it's a catchy tune, I don't really like the song. But if the lyrics are deep & meaningful, they just enrich the song so much that the melody carries much more meaning. I like substance...don't get me wrong I have a bunch of silly songs that don't mean anything, but I am really moved by music that pulls weight.

9 Steps to End Chronic Worrying

Useful Article (Click here)

I particularly like #3 about "Embracing Uncertainty"...identify what you need to accept in order to get over it, also #6 "Stop the Clock" - What do I need to do to in the present moment to make life more pleasant instead of focusing on problem and increasingly growing sense of urgency. And #7 "Remember that it's not as bad as you think it will be" - that is ME totally, I always think the absolute worst. Some of the other steps, I have yet to try and see their effectivenes. I wish I was the type of person who didn't worry about something until it happened...in the meantime, with practice, maybe I can become that person.

Green Cleaning

Clorox came out with a natural plant based cleaning line...not sure weather it's effective or not...but amongst all the harsh chemicals in cleaning products, I'm looking to give it a try. Although, in my experience, the best things to have on hand to clean are Ajax, Windex, and an antibacterial all purpose cleaner to wipe down surfaces. For floors, I use Pine Sol. I do not think a Swiffer (not swifter as some people pronounce it) totally replaces a mop. I think it's good for maintenance though. Clorox has a bathroom cleaner...but the description does not include removal of mildew. I have yet to find a mildew cleaner which fumes don't kill me. Method has a nice line of non-toxic products also...they just tend to be a bit pricey unless you find it on sale. You can totally tell I've been cleaning.

Misc. Post

I have a bunch of floating random thoughts that I never bothered to blog about, but now that I have a little time on my hands, I figured I'd get 'em all out now that I have the chance.

First thing, if you ever buy Listerine's Whitening Rinse, I must strongly warn you to be careful about how long you swish that stuff in your mouth. I had it before, but always rinsed for maybe 20-30 seconds and had no problems. Well, recently I had bought another one and read on the back that it instructed to swish for 60 seconds. So I did it. BAD IDEA. I lost my sense of taste for 2 days...it was dreadful, the tip of my tongue tasted nothing. It was bad.

Moving on

A few years back, there were coupons from Bath & Body Works (that we totally abused) that were circulating. It gave us a free aromatherapy product with ANY purchase. Dangerous words. We used it for all it's worth. We would buy a $1 glycerin soap and walk away with "Sleep" "Energy" "Sensual" "Stress Relief" lotions, massage oil, bubble bath, shower gel, you-name-it products. I mean, we went nuts - but it was so much fun. Well recently, a friend of mine was wearing the "Sensual" lotion, and it just gave me memories...but the scent was really really soothing. So I went back to Bath & Body Works looking for a sale or special but found none. Not long after I got my hands on some coupons, so I got the "Sleep" shower gel and lotion...Mmmm. I do believe in aromatherapy...I think it calms us down. Now before bed, I sometimes would spray a calming mist and I'm out like a light. It doesn't work with every single scent though...some scents will wake you up. But there is nothing like a warm bath with lavender and vanilla tones. I prefer a moisturizing bubble bath as opposed to bath salts...

I recently was in a wedding, so that moved me to buy MAC foundation. I really liked the coverage it gave me. I also bought some other MAC things...it's hard not to go over budget in that store! I think I'm at the beginning stages of a MAC junkie...the worst part of shopping at MAC is that it's such a guilty pleasure, you walk away with the guilt of how spending more than you wanted to. I still use my Bare Escentuals makeup. It feels really light and you don't feel like you're clogging your pores with liquid paint. I like makeup...but really really like quality makeup.

I have a lot of stuff to do at home...it's annoying when you feel like you're cleaning some area for the hundredth time! Maintenance...it never ends. If there's people over, and I spot a dust bunny in the corner, I'm embarrassed. So I constantly go NUTS cleaning before I have visitors. I'm so weird because as much as I love a clean house, I lack motivation sometimes...but when I start doing it, I get on a roll and somehow find the energy. I don't mind vacuuming, but hate mopping. UGH. I have to go to Costco today to get some stock items, like toilet tissue and paper towels and pick up the dreaded 40lb kitty litter. Those darn cats better appreciate me. Plus I scoop their poop. All they do is make a mess in my house. When they fight, they leave hair chunks. On my counters I see their paw prints...it's like they rule my house!! Can't stand it anymore.

With all that said, I'm off to get some things done...I probably should pick up some "Stress Relief" products, ha.

7 Years Ago

I really don't have much to write about except for the fact that time flies and I can't believe it is 7 years ago since the 9/11 attacks. I was in NY just long enough to see the lights they put up in the ground zero site.

I remember being so fearful right after it happened...I was more cautious and suspicious. In my recent visit to NY, I traveled in the subways and around Mahattan almost with no fear. It's funny how fear, once so paralyzing and strong can weaken and disappear. We forget...it's in our nature. Although this morning I was reminded. I kept trying to call Anthony this morning, it would ring once or twice, then go busy. I thought to myself, what if there was another attack?

Our memories & past experiences can re-awaken fear...but we must not let fear take over our lives. Easier said than done. Just remember the power of positive thinking!

Back From NY...Again

I have stuff to blog...I have my trip to NY to blog about, as well as pictures to post. I have a busy work week ahead of me, but will find the time soon enough...

He Delivered Me...Literally

I needed to lookup my birth certificate for something, and I realized that I could google the MD who delivered me. I found him easilly - it seems he is still practicing in Forest Hills, NY! I'm pretty sure it's him, because he's practicing Obstetrics near the hospital I was delivered in.

I wanna meet him, is that strange?? Lol...maybe he'll welcome the visit over 20 years later of an infant he helped bring into the world. Or maybe he'll meet me with indifference. I think part of why I want to meet him, is because I actually never met my father - so being that this is someone I have a link to, it somehow seems cool...although don't get me wrong, I'm not likening this to meeting my father.

It probably won't even happen...it's just a funny thought. :)

Sunday Night Blues

My Sunday night blues has evolved into Monday morning anxiety. It fades away as I start to get ready and do things. Sometimes I just wake up feeling anxious - don't know if it's because I'm dealing with a lot...I think it's nature's way of letting you know that you just have to take a moment to breathe. I wish I had the type of anxiety that makes a person a super productive workaholic machine!

On the way home from work today I saw a car that said "Just Divorced". I had my camera on me so I got to take a picture before it drove away. Sweet. I just submitted it to Failblog.org - you can see it if you scroll down a post or two on this page. I'm going to be on the lookout for stuff to submit - now there's inspiration!

Tonight I was invited to go play basketball at the park, only two other people showed, so after an hour, we decided to go to the local spot where a huge group plays soccer. Turned out, I ended up socializing instead of doing what I was supossed to do, which was run around. I'll make up for it tomorrow, because a friend who is learning how to be a Pilates instructor is going to use me and another friend for a training session - she needs to rehearse and practice her training routine, and we're going to benefit by having free Pilates sessions. Hopefully she doesn't kick my butt!

Ooh, milestone! Today I bought for the first time, an anti-wrinkle night cream and anti-wrinkle eye cream. I figured it's time to start using those products...couldn't hurt. Anyway, I have an early day tomorrow...later!

Ridin' A Harley!

(I messed w/ the saturation of this pic in Picasa)

It was a FUN ride! :)

August Anniversary Pics

Anniversary 2008 CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE

My Failblog.org Submission

This is why it's good to carry a camera on you at all times. You never know what you may catch!

Looking Back

Looking back at old posts, I see a major difference from today. First thing is the amount of blogging I did in the past. I had a lot more posts...and it seemed as if I had a lot to talk about. Well I did have a desk job where I had a bit of time to post here and there. Now my schedule is busier since I'm always in different places. I work at home or at the office and sometimes I'm out on presentations and enrollments. By the time I get home, I barely have time to think of things to blog about. Another thing is, I used to just talk about anything. Now I mostly post pictures and I think it's gotten a bit dry. Well, I plan to change it up. I think I just lack inspiration at times. Things have changed...sometimes we are so bogged down by everything, and if it's not our own things, it's people around us. Seems like a lot of friends are having hard times.

On a better note, I'm going to be in a wedding September 6Th...Vicky's. I'm excited because I've never been a bridesmaid before and I think it will be a lot of fun. I picked up my dress today. I need to have it altered...I think I'm going to take it with me to NY this weekend and have it done there.

I've developed a really bad habit lately...falling asleep on the couch with the TV and light on and waking up in the middle of the night and having to move to my bed. I think it's making me a bit more tired...the other night I fell asleep watching Frasier - remember that show? It still cracks me up. Anyway...can't think of anything else right now. Laters...

Travel Woes

I've flown 21 flights on JetBlue since 2006. I've always been a loyal fan and with good reason. You can't beat their $69 buck specials. They also have Direct TV on their flights so you can spend your flying time flipping through channels...and since most of my flights have been weekend flights, it was a great way to have some downtime after a hectic work week. Their crew members are friendly and more than happy to give you more than one snack should you ask for one. But lately...there has been some changes in the flying industry, and they've affected my favorite airline! The prices aren't as low as they used to be, and for the first time ever, I'm researching other airlines to find better deals. First of all, they started charging for things. It started with the headsets, they used to be free, now they're $1.00. Okay, no big deal. But then they started charging for checking in a 2nd bag. I haven't needed to check in 2 bags, so I haven't been inconvenienced by that one yet, and I use my own headphones so it doesn't affect me. They've also started to charge for certain seats that have more leg room...grr. The way that affects me, is when I choose my seats, I have less choices. I usually like being closer to the front, and the majority of those seats cost $20 more, so it's back of the bus for me!

Anthony found a site that searches 33 travel sites simultaneously, (Trabber.com) and happily for me, I've been able to find the best deal for my future travels. Unfortunately, it's not with JetBlue. So no leather seats and personal televisions. Sigh. So, I'll have to bring a book for this one...but at least I'm saving some money!