Joe's Page

I just thought I would tell everyone that I updated my entertainment page. Go Look!

Time For A Cool Change

If there's one thing in my life that's missing
It's the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's hard for a cool
Cool, cool change


As my 29th birthday steadily approaches, I'm searching for all that I want to change by the time that my 30th birthday rolls around next year. I sit here & think about what my mom had accomplished by my age, I'm amazed to think she did it alone. There are times I feel like I haven't made it half as far as I should have by now. But, when I sit & think about it, I'm married to an amazing guy, as well as have a career I enjoy. We're not rolling in the money, but we've still got the roof over our heads & food on the table (& in the pet food bowls). Compared to a lot of people older or younger than us, we're doing just fine.

So, to begin my change I headed out to the salon after work to bravely chop off a foot of hair. I did it. Nervous or not, I did it. It looked amazing & I couldn't get over how different I look. I tossed in some all over highlights for some more umph.

Damnit, I look good! It's not often I say that about myself. I probably should say it more because as I look over pictures of me when I was 17, I was a lot prettier than I thought I was at the time. One thing I resolve to do is not put myself down as much as I do. I'm going to try to fine 1 positive thing to say about myself each day.

I want to start eating better. I'm a vegetarian, but lets face it, crunchberries are not a fruit. This will be a hard task, I lost 40 pounds a few years back, but gained a lot of it back after surgery last January. Time to take it off for good. To do this, Joe is going to be forced to eat a bit better (at least around me). This means I can't deep fry his dinner each night, but maybe I can 3 or 4 nights a week. I should also give up my 48 ounces of soda a day. Really, really bad habit I have when I'm at work. I need to find another coping method when I'm there.

I don't want to look back over my first 29 years and wonder what the Hell I did with all the time. Do I want to spend all my time chasing a buck, but loose out on wonderful memories of my family. Hell no. Memories last forever, money doesn't. As long as you have the basics, have fun with the rest of your free time. Enjoy your friends, enjoy your family no matter how crazy either one may be.

This Memorial Day, Remember...

It is the Soldier, not the President,
who gives us Democracy.
It is the Soldier, not the Congress,
who take care of us.
It is the Soldier, not the Reporter,
who has given us Freedom of Press.
It is the Soldier, not the Poet,
who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It is the Soldier, not the Campus Organizer,
who has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate.
It is the Soldier,
who salutes the flag;
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
that allows the protester to burn the flag.

Father Dennis O'Brien
US Marine Corp Chaplain

Thanks to all those who have served and continue to serve.

Good Things

Saturday morning found Joe & I standing beside our friends at the Altar in a small New Jersey church. Rob & Lauren were finally saying their vows. It was great to see them start this new chapter of their lives, especially after all the time time it took for this to come to fruition. With that said, here's a poem we found for the two of you...

May All Good Things Be Yours

Your happiness begins
With your wonderful wedding day.
You’ll share everything together;
Through it all, your love will stay. Congratulations to you,
As you begin your happy life.
May all good things be yours,
As new husband and new wife.

Party Kitties

There has been so much going on as of late. I know I say that in each post, but it's true. The weekends have been so packed full of stuff. It's more than we're used to. I guess I should back track a bit.

Lauren's bridal shower was a little tea party. It was cute. Most of the work was done by her mother & Nikki, a bridesmaid. They had more time & desire to have the shower. Originally, I never planned one because Lauren said she didn't want one. After being together for so long, the pair has just about everything you would need. But now she has some better stuff.

That same day Mom & Sean rescued some kittens from the walls of the barn. It's a long sad story, so I won't get into it, but she was "paging Dr. Rizzo" most of the afternoon/evening. I went up the next day to have breakfast with the family & see my tiny patient. Ring-Ding (formerly Solo) bonded with the tiny kitten & was nurturing him. I dubbed my tiny patient, Oscar. The first time he popped his little head up to look at me, I was reminded of Oscar the Grouch popping out of his trash can. Little Oscar is well, mom took him to a rescue society. He'll find a loving home very quickly.

Speaking of rescue cats, our 'fugees, Orion & Clover are well. Recently neutered, they're out with the general population of our house. Except at bedtime, then they go back to their room until Sensei & Eclipse get a bit more adjusted to them.

The following weekend had us Partying over at Nicks bar for Rob & Laurens bachelor/bachelorette party. We all walked in & half the bar left. If you as Rob it's because we scared them off. The DJ was playing, but no one was dancing (yet). He played the Zach Brown Band & I made Joe take me out on the floor. I love dancing with him! After that there was a steady stream of dancers for the rest of the night. All I can say when it comes to up tempo music is, they're right, white people ain't got no rhythm! Alcohol just makes us think we do. Look for those pictures to be up on flickr soon.

In the midst of all this we were painting the living room, working on the trim, cleaning up the construction debris. Of course we're still doing that, along with going to the wedding rehearsal tonight, wedding tomorrow, bbq sunday, & working on the house monday. I'm sure Monday we'll have our own 2 person bbq.

Well, I'm going to wrap this up & go to work. Is it 5 o'clock yet?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Profound

Ya know what, every time I think of something important or special to write about, I start to do it & then spaz out with my train of thought. It's very annoying & has left me a bunch of unfinished blog posts that will eventually get back dated. In the mean time, this silly blurb is all I can leave you with. Sorry!

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So Close

The house is going on the market this weekend, so we're in the midst of some craziness getting some of the little things touched up for "picture time". We weren't going to list the house until all the work was done, but the realtor wanted to get the house on the market before Memorial Day to ensure we're in the beginning of the summer rush & more people will be looking at our house.

The nice thing about Bushkill is the proximity to Route 80 allows for all sorts of vacationing morons will be looking for a cute little house in the "country". Unlike other housing markets in the area, ours is doing well because it is nestled in a vacation area. Plus, most commuters won't look at anything past Stroudsburg because they deem that just too far to drive into NYC or NJ. Don't believe me, just talk to some local realtors.

The living room & dining room have been dry walled & painted. Our house is actually resembling a home! I'm being picky about some things, which I think is making Joe a little nuts. I was talking to Lauren about it & she thinks that I'm looking too much into things with the house. I suppose she is right. You watch all those house shows on TLC or HGTV & they make you think that you're house has to be as perfect as a new construction... but what I need to remember is that Joe & I bought this house when it was ugly inside, now that it's pretty, someone will fall in love with it. There is a buyer out there for any home, especially in our price range.

Well, wish us luck!

Brides, Mothers, Showers & Flowers

It's shaping up to be another busy weekend.

Today is "Love Day", which is the day Joe & I officially began dating. This makes year number 5! Since it's a super special year, I bought Joe a very nice Citizen Eco-Drive watch & he got me a good size diamond ring. Look for pictures of that honkin' rock online this weekend. We'll be having a nice romantic dinner of Dominos by candlelight tonight. :o)

I've got Laurens bridal shower on Saturday. I can't give details about, because I know you're reading this. Everyone will just have to wait until later Saturday evening to see how it went.

Sunday, is Mothers Day. Of course we're going to see our mommies. Breakfast will be with my mom in Pine Bush & then we'll swing by to see Joe's mom.

Well, I'm off to work. I just wanted to update this really quick.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry