The day started off nicely. Hubs woke me with fresh coffee, like he does every morning. Sweetest guy. Got to work. Had a lunch meeting at 12. Team meeting at 2. Phone conference at 3. Busy day. Went to hot yoga. Came home. Hubs had dinner waiting. Matzoh ball soup (...with a surprise kreplach!) Some of the yummy roasted veggies I made on Sunday and leftover pasta. Delicious melange of culinary delights. Thanks Hon. Played on a website tonight. Put my picture on existing shots. Whaddya think? Here I am on a bus bench.

Me on a boat.

Me in a pretty pink gown.

...and me looking a lot like Audrey Hepburn.

Ugh! Couldn't sleep for the life of me last night. It was 4:30am, 5:30am, 6:30am and I was still tossing and turning. Finally fell asleep about 7:00am but had trouble getting up for work. (Shocking right?) I was draggin' my butt all day. Bossman was awesome. He was patient and understanding. More worried about how I felt today than any work. I love him. Went to Weight Watchers. Down 1/2. 28.5 total. I'm gonna get to 30 soon! I know it!!! I was a little disappointed tonight. I really worked hard this week, and thought I would have lost more. I almost didn't stay for the meeting ...but I did, and I'm glad I did! I felt so much better afterwards. Motivated and ready to go! 30 down, here I come! After WW, I met the boys and the Sager's for dinner at the PA Grille. Monday night is $10 full rack of baby back ribs night! Yee Haw! Sissy and Big neph arrive tomorrow night. Yay! Can't wait to see them. Hope everyone else had a nice day too. Love to all. Sleep tight. xoxo

Donna.

I still pray for your speedy recovery every day.

I love you!

Another rainy Sunday. Slept in 'til about 11. Love that!!! Hubs woke me with coffee in bed before he left for work. Love that too!!! Puttered around the house a little, then ran out to the stores. Went to Marshall's, (Got shoes, and pasta) Home Goods (Got some gifts) and Fox's. (Dress and a top) I've been loving Fox's lately. I always seem to find stuff there. Got a new LBD (Little Black Dress) for some Bat Mitzvahs that are coming up. Played with my clothes and already picked out what I'm wearing for the whole Bat Mitzvah weekend in October. I wonder how many times those choices will change. I'll do a fashion show for my sister when she comes down. She usually has me change a few things before giving the final ok.

Then I did my usual Sunday afternoon stuff. I cooked. First I roasted some tomatoes, some zucchini and some sweet potatoes. Wasn't too sure what I was gonna do with them, but if I don't cook the perishables up on Sunday, I don't usually do it during the week after work, so by the weekend everything is starting to go bad. So I roasted.

Here's what I ended up with: Front left is just some yummy 6 color pasta rings I got at Marshall's. Front middle is two fresh bags of spinach sautéed in EVOO with sliced garlic. Delish! Front right is a scrumptious creation of sautéed grape tomatoes, vidalia onion, fresh garlic and chicken. Came out great. I'll scoop it over the spinach or else I'll mix it up in the pasta. Not sure yet. Back row are my roasted zucchini planks with the roasted tomatoes and some shaved romano cheese. Back middle are some roasted brussels sprouts and the back right are the sweet potatoes I roasted, with some rosemary. Aromatic and yummy. Now it's time for bed. Tomorrow starts the work week, meetings, Lunches, Weight Watchers, Hot yoga, and dinners... I'll keep ya posted.

Special shout out to the Price family.

Congratulations to Michelle and Steve on the safe arrival of their new baby girl, and 3rd addition to their baby clan...

Miss No Name Price. Can't wait to meet you beautiful. xoxo

Got a pedicure today.

Went to Winn Dixie.

The store is closing and everything was 40% -70% off.

BIL texted to tell us. He's so good!

Went to dinner with my man.

El Bayu.

Federal Hwy between Palmetto and Camino.

Cuban food.

Live music.

Dancing.

Drinking.

Lots of fun.

Did I mention drinking?

TGIF

Worked today.

Remember a few days ago I wrote that I did some annuity applications? Well, they were all rejected back to me today. Yup. ALL OF THEM!!! LBM said the Insurance wholesaler gave us bad information. Wherever the blame lies, all my hard work has to be done over. ...NOT HAPPY! ...I guess on the positive side it does give me a little extra job security. At least for the week. :)

Hey Bossman...What do you think about me having to do all the applications over again????

Oh well. Maybe he didn't hear the question...

For lunch I went to "Miller's Ale House" with my friend Ilsa from the office. I had a grilled mahi sanny and broccoli. She had the most amazing lobster bisque. She added sherry too. Not sure how it tasted, but it looked awesome! Ilsa took me to lunch because I took her to Hot Yoga with me, and she loved it! It was a sort of "Thank you" lunch. How sweet is she?

After work, I came home and waited for Hubs. Little neph and I texted and low and behold, Hubs & I had dinner with Little neph & BIL. Three of my favorite guys! We went to "Sushi Thai". Little neph had chicken teriyaki. The three grown ups shared. We each had a spicy yellowtail handroll, with brown rice, avocado, cucumber and spicy mayo... Then we had shrimp and crab wrapped in cucumber and we had the special roll of the day. A tarantula roll. Salmon, tuna, yellowtail, & soft shell crab! Smothered with tempura flakes, spicy sauce and eel sauce. It was so good....so we got another!

Message to my Sissy:

I know I've said it before, but I want you to know that I am so happy your three boys were here this year, and I can't wait for us ALL to be together. I love you guys so much and missed a lot being so far away all these years. I can't wait for you and Big neph to finally get down here. I know it's gonna be a big change for you, but don't worry! No matter what happens, we will always have each other! I'm here Sissy, waiting with open arms, and can't wait to grow old with you, together. xoxo I love you. Your big sistah.

☮ ♥ and ΔΦΕ

I don't even know where to start today's blog! So much good news to share! First the usual 411. Work was good, and as you can probably tell by the picture, Katie and I had sushi for lunch today!

Now, guess what?!? I got fan mail. Yup. Kabrel from California, (Los Angeles) Cousin Lee's friend, (...and my friend too!) wrote me an e-mail to let me know she's been reading the blog! Yayayayay!!! I was so happy!!! Sometimes I think I'm just writing for myself, which is ok too, but I was so happy to know someone else out there, (a non-relative) was actually reading this! Yay. Thanks Kabrel. Love you. Kisses to you and Richie and those gorgeous littles. (I swiped (stole) this picture from Kabrel's Facebook page)

Also, got a shout out from a sorority sister of mine. Dana, also from California, (San Diego) She read the blog too, and liked it! Yayayayay!!! Dana is adorable. She looks exactly the same as she did when we were 18. Funny story. When Hubs and I went on our honeymoon, Dana was at the same hotel with her (HUGE) family. Her Hubs side was having a family reunion. Soooooooooo funny. There she was. On my honeymoon! LOL Love her.

...I obtained (stole) this photo from Dana's Facebook page.

Speaking of sorority sisters, I am proud to say that my sorority sister, Republican State Representative, Ellyn Bogdanoff has won the GOP Palm Beach-Broward Senatorial Primary Election. In November she faces the Democratic candidate, Kelly Skidmore and no-party candidate, Miranda Rosenberg for the Senators seat held by outgoing Senate President, Jeff Attwater, who is running for Chief Financial Officer. (Borrowed (stole) her picture off her web page)

Also, congratulations go to another Sorority sister, the Honorable Judge Sandra Perlman. Sandy was elected Circuit Court Judge in Broward last night. (Yup. Acquired (stole) her photo too.)

Way to go ladies!!!!

Today was another busy day at work. Ran around a lot. Did more paperwork.

Lunch was Chinese food with Tracy. #28 steamed.

Brown rice, egg drop soup and some hot oil on the side. Yummy.

It wasn't perfect today though. There was a little situation.

...My fortune cookie had no fortune in it.

The above photo was taken by Bossman!

Tada

Whadda guy!

On a completely different note...

Last week my friend Jane, from 4th grade, sent me a video.

I thought it was so funny so I wanted to share it here.

Now before you watch it, you should know a few things:

• The 'hood I grew up in in NY was primarily upper middle class
• A large percent of the population were Jewish
• Every Saturday we would go to Central Avenue to shop
• A few years before we moved, Central Avenue became a very religious area
• The religious folks don't drive or shop on Saturday (Shabbat)
• The best pizza place in town was, and still is, Mother Kelly's
• If we didn't move to Florida during my High School years, I would have gone to Hewlett High School.
• Some bad words...Don't watch the video with kiddies in the room.

OK. That being said, I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.

Prayers for Donna ♥

Work was so busy!!! I had 5 annuity applications to complete and 4 Omega accounts to open. I know most of you don't know what I just said, but just know...I did a lot of paperwork today!!! Had a delicious salad at my desk for lunch. Spring mix, cukes, chick peas, beets, cranberries, broccoli, grilled chicken, and feta. With a little Greek vinaigrette on the side. That's it over there to the left. :) After was HOT YOGA!!!! I did pretty well tonight. I think I pushed myself more than usual because I was standing next to Diana, the bestest yogini ever! Whatever the reason, I loved it!

Came home to the most delicious dinner ever. Hubs made my favorite, cauliflower ...no seriously, he makes the best roasted cauliflower. I love it. The trendy restaurants call it "burnt cauliflower" (Or broccoli or string beans, whatever) I just call it yummo. We had a big salad too, and then I made us a fabulous 3 point dessert. I took a chocolate muffin top, (1 point) and popped it in the microwave for 25 seconds. Put it in a bowl. The I took a WW Giant Latte Bar (1 point) and cut it off the stick and put it on top of the warm muffin top. Then I cut up 1/2 of a banana and added that to the bowl. Total of 3 points, and DELISH!!!!

Now on the chairs with Hubs watching "Valentine's Day". Cute so far. Lots of famous peeps. That's it for tonight. Love and hugs. Until tomorrow. xoxo

Prayers for Donna's speedy recovery.

Love you Donny.

Worked. Had sushi with Tracy. Went to Weight Watchers. Lost 1/2 a pound. Down 28. Been holding there for a while, (never quite got to 30 pounds) but maintaining is always better than gaining. ANYTHING is better than gaining! Then met BIL, Middle neph and Little neph for our Monday night dinner. Hubs was able to take a break from work and come join us too. We went to the "Hurricane Grill" for wings. BIL and I had fish, Hubs and Little neph had chicken. Middle neph had a burger. LOL..It was a wing place, and none of us got wings. But then our friends Steve and Rebecca came in. Rebecca got quesadilla, but Steve got wings!!! yay Steve!!! He is the wing connoisseur anyway. He said they were good but that "Bru's Room" wings are better! After dinner we went to this new Italian ices place called "Mootz". Sooooooooooooo delish, and they had the Weight Watchers points on their nutritional info! No more than 2 points for any flavor! Yay! My new home away from home!!! Can't wait to tell the girls at WW about it next week. Home now, watching TV. Waiting for Hubs to come back home. Hope everyone had an amazing day! More tomorrow. xoxo

Today was a nice, slightly productive, lazy, very nice day.

Got up late. Did some dishes. Wrote Saturday's blog. Got dressed.

Went to Publix. Shopped around. Got some goodies. Came home.

Unpacked the groceries, then began to create.

First I made a radish & cucumber salad with rice vinegar, EVOO, chopped walnuts, Gorgonzola cheese and some salt and pepper. Very healthy, and not your every day boring lettuce salad. I'll make it again. It was very good!

Then I started on the main course.I boiled some salted water, added my whole wheat angel hair pasta and cooked 'til al dente. Drained my pasta and set it aside.

Then in a large skillet, I heated some of my homemade red pepper EVOO, added some grape tomatoes that I had sliced in half, and a little bit of a Vidalia onion, and sautéed. When the tomatoes were soft and the onions were translucent, I added ground turkey and sautéed. When all the ingredients were melded together perfectly, I added a jar of Mario Batali's Tomato Basil sauce. I know. I know. But I work 5 days a week. No way am I doing everything from scratch. Besides, this sauce is delish!

After a few more minutes of combining flavors, I put it a handful of Fat Free Mozzarella and a little shaved parmigiana romano blend. Stirred it around a bit. Tasted it. WOW!!! What a great sauce.

Then I put the meat sauce in a big bowl, and mixed the sauce with my whole wheat pasta and put it all in a big corning ware dish. I placed a sheet of pastry dough on top and baked my pasta pie in the oven for about 40 minutes, just until golden brown.

Can you say totally delish?

OMG. Soooooooo good!

Then I got a call from Middle neph. He said his Dad was cooking and they wanted me to join them for dinner. So, spaghetti pie would have to wait. I went over for dinner. They made such a nice spread! The table was set beautifully. We had salad, peppers, buffalo mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle. We also had roasted broccoli, asparagus and yummy chicken. I brought over some spaghetti pie and some mini Cinnabons. So much for the healthy fare BIL was planning.

As much as we love food, it is so important to never forget that it's not what you eat, or where you eat it, it's who you have the pleasure of eating with. Family and friends are the most important things in the world. I am so appreciative of my relationships, both with family and with my friends, who are my "chosen family".

So, thank you. To all of you.

Tomorrow starts school for Middle and Little neph. Good luck tomorrow guys!

Middle neph is a senior this year! Way to go Class of 2011 !!!

Last night the cable was down.

No computer. No TV. No blog.

But, I did promise a picture a day,

so here is Saturday's blog.

Woke up about 9:30. Rita came, and brought Lucy. We had the double duty team of cleanliness. Air conditioning guy came. Just a yearly checkup. Then Hubs and I went out into our 'hood. We were part of the "Camera Crusaders". Took some photos of the neighborhood for the next upcoming newsletter. After that, Hubs and I went to the Boca Diner. He finally got that breakfast he's been dreaming of. Hope his eggs didn't have salmonella! Then off to the AT&T store. I had questions about the new Blackberry Torch we got last week. After, went to Chicos to return some tops. Couldn't find anything I wanted, so we took the gift card for now. Anthropologie, didn't get anything. Bloomies. Tried on shoes and some dresses. Left with nothing. Nada. Then went to Yokohama for half price sushi rolls. No parking, and it was raining. Came home. Ordered in. They had no delivery guy tonight. Hubs ran out in the rain to get soosh for us. Good man. Ate. Watched Angelina Jolie in "Taking Lives". It was good...only it took place in Canada and they all had fake French accents. Besides the accents, I did like it. That's all for now. I will write Sunday's blog a little later. xoxo

TGIF! Worked 'til 6. Got lots done! Everyone had lunch plans so I ordered Jimmy Johns. I had a veggie unwich. No bread. Just veggies, guacamole and cheese wrapped in a big lettuce leaf. Actually, I had two. :) After work Hubs and I met his parents in Mizner Park for dinner. Went to Villaggio. 2nd time there. Still very good. We likey. After dinner MIL invited us back to their house. Spent an hour and a half playing with Mia. That's her to the left. Isn't she cute? They adopted her from the Tri-County Animal Shelter about a year ago. She's actually a purebred Brussels Griffon. They just got her 'cause they thought she was cute. And cute she is! Hope everyone had a good night. Enjoy the weekend and be safe. Good Shabbos!

Whoa. Still so busy at work. ...but always have time for lunch! Katie and I had turkey wraps for lunch. Then Tracey and I had salads. LOL...Hey! I was hungry! Went to Hot Yoga. Third night in a row. My girls weren't there, just Steve, and my teacher Diana. I mean the class was crowded, but of my friends. only Steve and Diana were there tonight. I loved it!!! Then came home to some nice hot matzoh ball soup that Hubs brought home from the deli. Sat on the chairs (still no couch) and watched some TV with my men. Some Color Splash with David Bromstad, and a little Law and Order with Elliot. Love those boys. That's all I have to report for tonight.

Today's photo is our Jacky Jackson, lounging in the last bit of summer sun. Now that fall is almost here, I hope all you guys are having an easy time getting ready for school. Hope you get all your supplies, new clothes, and that you all get the best schedules and only the "good teachers". Here's to the class of 2011!!! Study hard and knock 'em dead!

Love you Branny

Work was great. I was soooooooo busy today! Loved it though! Had an omelette for brunch. Went to hot yoga again. I love my yogatime. Our studio was featured on the front page of the local section of the Sun Sentinel today! I am so proud of them!! (Hope it doesn't get too busy there now)

Class had all my girls tonight, except Denise. She was at the Hard Rock at the Donna Summer concert! I love Donna Summer! I found this video online tonight of Donna Summer singing one of my favorite songs. It's really a classic.

Click the arrow to hear the link. It's great. I promise.

Is that laughing I hear?

I sure hope so!

Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of your heart. ~

Mort Walker

You don't stop laughing because you grow old.

You grow old because you stop laughing.

Michael Pritchard