Dreams & Realizations

A few friends came over for lunch today. I had been watching the DIY Network and one of my favorite television shows, “House Crashers.”  It’s a home fix-it show where Josh Temple, a  contractor walks up to an individual at Lowes and offers to go to their house and do a three day makeover on one of the rooms.

One my friends asked, “Would you want to go on Home Crashers?”   I responded enthusiastically, “Sure I would – it’s my dream to be on that show! I would love for someone to stop me and offer a makeover for one of our rooms.”

My friend responded, “Which room would you choose?”  I scrunched my face as I tried to think about which room I would have the Home Crashers crew makeover. When I didn’t respond right away, my friends all laughed. Then one friend stated, “See there isn’t a room in this house that needs a makeover. It’s beautiful.” {Best compliment ever} 

I still would love for them to come here because I love Home Crashers and Josh Temple – we could do Spring Sprucing instead of a full blown makeover. 

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When did Calling Others People ‘Gay’ Become an Obsession?

When did calling someone gay become such an obsession?

I don’t get it.  

When I was a young kid, I don’t remember calling anyone gay or queer as one of the rank out that kids did to one another. We called kids ugly and told them their clothes were out of style, but people being gay wasn’t part of our discussions.  I went to an all girls high school and I only remember one student being labeled “a lesbian” because it was rumored that she looked over the bathroom stall at another girl.  Years later, the student who spread the rumor actually came out publically and said she was gay.

When AIDs was first discussed in the ’80’s, I remember my mother stating that it was a punishment for gay people.  I think a lot of religious people still hold this view.  When I hear Christians discussing how God will punish people who are gay, I shake my head and laugh because if God made them gay, why would he punish them for it. My mother always believed that people chose to be gay. When I was a kid, I believed her and thought people who said they were gay (mostly movie stars) did it so they could get more movie roles. As an adult, I know no one would chose to be gay.  No one would choose a life where other people hated them based on who they wanted to love.

Now I hear kids saying “you’re gay” to other kids on a daily basis. It’s as if being gay is the worst rank out and form of humiliation you can put on someone. Or maybe it is just a way for kid today to question their own sexuality?

Movie stars are being labeled and discussed the same way. Even people who are obviously not gay, are being rumored to be gay, such as former American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson. And Clarkson says she wasn’t insulted by it. But was Clarkson labeled gay because she spoke out in favor of gay rights?  Most people are in favor of people’s rights – women, different races, gay – whoever. Everyone should be able to love whoever they want to love. And why do people care so much? I mean if you care so much about who someone else is kissing, you have wayyyyyyyyyyy too much time on your hands and you should come and clean my house. Dust builds up as I write this blog post to you so you will think about being a nice person.

I don’t see understand why people become so wrapped up in questioning someone else’s sexuality, unless maybe they are questioning their own. Most people aren’t gay, so why would this be so popular now?  Lee thinks that people who call others gay have been raised in homes where that and other types of hate are accepted r even encouraged by example, so that’s pretty sad. I mean most parents are my age and they should know better than to allow their children to spread hate.

I’m a teacher of adolescents and I cringe when I hear students call each other “gay.”  Although they are probably just joking around, they don’t realize they may be hurting a classmate.  someone who’s hanging around them must have a gay relative and it must be hard to hear the term gay being used to degrade or humiliate people.  And if you are straight, don’t worry about everyone else, worry about yourself and your own relationships (or come clean my house)!

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DEP Sent Us a Nasty Letter

I came home from a great day at school to a nasty letter from the DEP. I’ll scan the letter soon and share it here.

The letter states that our water meter is broken and we haven’t called to arrange an appointment to have it fixed so we are going to be charged a lot of money for failure to comply. WHAT?? We hadn’t been contacted by the DEP by phone or letter and this was the first we were hearing of it.

I call the DEP’s office and asked what number they had on file for us. The DEP employee says there is no number in the file.  So I ask her why I would receive a letter like this because clearly no one has contacted us. She tells us that we never had our meter connected and it isn’t displaying the water usage. (Yeah okay – here’s a picture of their car at my house on April 19, 2011) She asks if we are getting water bills in our name. YES We are getting ripped off four times a year IN OUR NAME and the bill has been significantly higher since the water meter was installed. That part has to be the most interesting because our bill increased when the meter was installed, but the meter doesn’t even work!

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New Year – New Hope

New Year’s Eve was so much fun around here.  Today when I woke up my cheeks hurt from laughing so much. 

New Years Day was so productive – I got so much done. 

If today is any indicator for the New Year – it’s going to be a great year. 

I am so thankful to God for my life and all the people I share it with. My heart is filled with gratitude for all the blessings we have!

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Winter Vacation is the Best!

During Winter Break, we headed out to Montauk for a few days of rest and relaxation (plus shopping and eating out). It was a much needed vacation and the weather in Long Island was amazing this weekend. 

We went to the Big Duck which was closed, but someone who works there happen to be passing and stopped because he saw the kids and asked if we wanted to go inside! The duck has a small gift shop inside and it’s just cool to visit. Each of the kids got a Big Duck ornament.  I love when cool stuff like that happens – it just reminds me that there are so many good people in the world. 

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Holidays After Someone Dies

For the past couple of years, I have felt deep sadness during the holidays. And if you know me and you are thinking, “No you haven’t – you are always happy.”  You are right too. 

I love all holidays and I don’t want to make anyone sad so I keep very busy and try not to let negative thoughts fill my mind. When I wasn’t busy, my mind would start reminiscing about past holidays.

On Christmas we had everyone over to our house and there was so much excitement and a lot of laughter. In the evening after everyone had left or went to sleep, Lee gave me this:

And that is why Leon is the best gift I have ever received. He always knows the right things to say or do. 

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Merry Christmas

Amazing day at our home. I am so grateful for you all. 

Source

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Merry Christmas

Remembering the reason for the season. Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Tagg Romney is a Sore Loser

Tagg Romney is the son of Mitt Romney, the presidential candidate who lost to Barack Obama. Tagg came out to the media and said that his father didn’t really want to be the president.

Of course Romney wanted to be the president. And Paul Ryan wanted to be the vice president. They also severely underestimated their opponent’s popularity in states with more electoral votes. Both men wouldn’t have campaigned so much if they didn’t want the position.

Tagg is part of my generation and some people in my generation have trouble losing. My generation is also composed of all the crazy parents in reality tv shows now. Many don’t know how to be good sports. 

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How I Caught Someone Pooping Outside My House

Great title, right? But it’s true, someone has been pooping outside our house regularly and of course I am the victim of their poo.

I purchased an additional camera to add to our home security system. Then I complained and whined to Leon to put up the camera in the tree…..this took me a few short days because I have this trick mastered.  And the following day. we caught him on the night vision camera. I couldn’t see the owner so well, but I could see this little cutie:

Of course that’s not the actual dog who is doing the pooping, but he looks like this dog. He looks like the Petey from the show, Little Rascals. A natural home remedy to stop dogs from pooing on your property is to put pepper (yes shakeable black pepper) around your property. But I love dogs and I wouldn’t want to pepper a dog (plus I love pepper and why should I waste my pepper?)

So the next day, I am on the lookout for the Petey-look-alike. And I see him and I did a very Brooklyn-like thing. I opened up my window and holla’d from the top floor. “Heyyyy Duuuuuude your dog keeps pooing in front of my house.” The dudes response: “Oh my dog doesn’t go to the bathroom outside.”

YEAH OKAY.

I say, “Duuuude I have to show you something. Wait right there.”

At this point, if the guy had a half of brain, he should  have taken off with his pooping dog.  I get downstairs, grab a coat and bring my ipad outside. I introduce myself and he tells me his name. Now that we are friends, I can show him some videos.

Oh and Mr. Smarty Pants gave me a Brooklyn response……”it’s illegal to tape someone without their permission.”   BAHAHAHAHA that’s funny. I love discussing what it legal and illegal to video. No duuuuuude it’s illegal for your pooch to poop all over and you not to clean it. So  start cleaning.” The dude was not happy, but I went and got my dog and he chilled out a bit because he liked my dog. And we made nice Brooklyn chit-chat while he cleaned my sidewalk. 

Although he didn’t say it, I know I won’t be seeing any more poo down this way.

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Something for the Person Who Has Everything

At our house we do secret Santa with the family. Everyone writes their name on paper and three things that they want. I wrote ‘Anything technology or photo related, but I don’t really need anything.”   I didn’t write that to make it difficult for the person who picked my name, but I really don’t need anything.  So Jack got my name and he felt challenged by  the task, until he realized what he needed at our house.

On the weekend, Jack loves to come here for brunch, but it always takes too long for our toaster to toast the amount of bread needed.

So if you join us for brunch, toast will be plentiful and hot. I had Jack set it up, try it out and donate our old toaster. And as Jack said, this is the gift for someone who has everything!   Oh and Jack, Mike says that you are getting me next year too!  

Merry Christmas everyone….go relax and enjoy the holidays! 

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RIP Frank Macchiarola

I had the pleasure of  meeting Dr. Frank Macchiarola 15 to 18 years ago while I was a student at St. Francis College. He had not become the president at St. Francis while I was there, but he loved the school and he loved talking with the students there. When he visited, he always had a huge smile and positive words to say to students.  When I met Dr. Macchiarola he was the dean or head of Cardoza Law School (’91 -’96). My friends all wanted to talk to him because they wanted to attend Cardoza after graduating SFC. I remember the comradeship he shared with my professor, Dr. Arthur Hughes. The two of them laughed such hearty laughs and I sat and admired them because I knew that I was sitting in a room with some men who were changing the world and the way people think.  Besides he and Dr. Hughes were so radiant – they were beautiful. See what I mean:

Frank Macchiarola is most known for his work as NYC Chancellor. He held the position for five years under Mayor Ed Kotch and people remember him being effective.  Back in the day, I dreamed of being NYC’s chancellor.  I asked Mr. Macchiarola if being the chancellor was a difficult job. He asked me what I was studying at SFC. When I told him teaching, he said the world will be a better place if you are a teacher because there was a lot of red tape at the top. He must have seen my look of disappointment,  so he added:  go teach first and then you can become chancellor.  I remember thinking being the chancellor must not be that great because he urged me away from it in a kind way.

Frank Macchiarola was the President and later Chancellor of St. Francis College from 1996 – 2008.  Dr. Macchiarola is being waked at St. Francis College. How amazing is that? SFC is his alma mater.  His legacy will long live on in all the men and women he inspired. RIP Frank Macchiarola – you were someone who changed NYC and I don’t think there are many people who can say they have done that.

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