Lunch with Sissy, Middle, Little and Lynne. Had yummy salad at the club. Then Lynne went to Festival, Sissy to the mall, and I hit Marshall's and the Rack. Sissy and Big met me at the Rack. Then they left, and I headed home. Been doing fashion show all night. Going away soon and need pretty outfits. Had soup for dinner. House is a mess. Company coming this week. Gotta get everything together. Hope you all had a nice weekend. Love and hugs. xoxo

Got up at 8:30am

Got dressed

Ran to Starbucks

Got a soy pumpkin spice latte with whip,

...and a soy chai tea for Suzanne.

Then ran across to get my hair done.

Suzanne has been doing my hair for about 8 years now.

Last year she took time off to have a baby.

I went somewhere else for a cut and color once and I hated it.

I started coloring my hair myself after that.

It started off ok, but then something went wrong.

Each time I would color it, my hair would get darker every time.

I was starting to hate it.

Well, now the baby is almost one and Suzanne is back at work.

Yayayayay!!! So today was beauty makeover day.

After my gorgeous locks were done, I met Hubby at the house.

Rita was here! (yay!)

Hubs and I went to do some errands.

Then we went to a 4:45 movie.

Saw "The Tourist". The new film with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

It was real good! We enjoyed it!

After, we had sushi and then came home.

That's it. Nice day.

Here's my new hair.

Isn't Suz a magician? ...a true artiste of locks. Love her!!!

Friday

Worked. Got lots done. Ran home at 6:00pm, changed, and went to the In Laws for a Hanukkah party. G'ma was there too. We had chicken, veggies, salad and potato pancakes. We saw photos from their trip to Israel. We exchanged gifts. They brought Hubs and I home beautiful sterling silver shabbos candles and a Hamsa with a blessing for the home printed on it. Very nice and thoughtful gifts. Thank you!

(A hamsa is a charm, symbol or talisman used by both people of Islamic and Jewish faiths. It is thought to ward off the evil eye and offer protection from the hand of God. The hamsa, also called the hamesh hand, looks like a hand with three fingers pointing upward and the thumb and pinky pointing outward.)

After our Hanukkah dinner, Hubs and I drove around the neighborhood to see all the pretty Christmas lights. We love the beautiful holiday decorations. We just actually heard about this Pastor who was mad at our town because City Hall was decorated with a Christmas Tree and a Hanukkah Menorah. Sounds harmless enough right? A menorah to represent the Jews and a tree to represent the Christians. A little bit of this. A little bit of that...Keep everyone happy. Not the Pastor though. Nope. He wanted something to represent the birth of Jesus. So he lead a crusade asking for everyone in the community to come rally at City Hall and bring a Nativity scene. Yup. This Pastor was urging people to bring their Baby Jesus to City Hall. He felt it was wrong to have a religious item, such as a menorah, and nothing to represent the birth of Jesus accept a tree and a wreath. Some people are never happy. Why can't we all just coexist? ...like this neighborhood Hubs and I found. How cool? We are totally decorating our house next year!

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/controversy-over-holiday-decorations-in-boca-raton

Worked 'til 7:30pm. Got a lot done today. Bossman was travelling. LBM was busy. Everyone left me alone. Ordered Chinese with Tracy. Hubs came to visit. My phone had been broken, and the new one was delivered to the house today. He brought it to me. I know why they call the Blackberry a "Crackberry". I'm way too addicted to that thing for my own good. Got home, had soup and baked another cake. Chocolate with cinnamon, pecans and white chocolate chips. Smells yum. Tomorrow night we are going over to Hubs' parents for a late Hanukkah party. They have been away since Thanksgiving, travelling. They were in Israel and just got home. We're gonna continue the celebrating with them tomorrow. G'ma too! Then it's the weekend! YAY! I love weekends!

Last night of Hanukkah

Worked, then ran home to wrap gifts and write out cards. We were invited to Sissy and BIL's house at 6:00pm for hors d'oeuvres and then dinner at 6:30pm. I worked 'til almost then so we didn't show up 'til 6:45pm. I hate being late, especially when people are waiting for me. Sorry!!! I missed the hors d'oeuvres. Spinach dip, chopped liver and hummous. But I was there in time to light the menorah. We had salad, roasted chicken, potato latkes, a kugel, (made by yours truly) squash and asparagus. So good. I feel like I've been rushing and running so much, it was so nice to sit at the dinner table, surrounded by family, and just relax. After we feasted, we moved to the living room and exchanged gifts. Hubs and I got the neph's gift cards, Outback for Big, Muvico for Middle and I-tunes for Little. We also brought BIL a monogrammed decanter and Sissy got a shoe shaped cake server. (She collects shoes)

...and they got us amazing gifts!!! Hubs got new sneakers! He got a pair of VANS. Little wears them and wanted Uncy to have some too. Then BIL picked out a shirt to go with his new sneaks. What a crew. My Sissy got me the best gifts ever!!! I got an OM necklace. I do yoga. Yoga teaches us peace. Yoga helps bring a sense of calm within. We strive to lead a stress free life. In Hinduism there is a symbol called an "OM". There are many explanations of what the symbol stands for. I like the one I read by Dr. Malia. She says, "The OM is a symbol of a thoughtless state of mind-a present that is free from all tensions of life-the way to touch the depths of our real self in the purest form." To me, the OM means inner peace.

Sissy also bought us the most wonderful piece of art for the house. It's actually a sculpture that goes outside in the garden. It has crystals that the sun needs to bounce off of...but I hung it in the house. It's too awesome to stay outside. Here are some pictures...

Here's the art. A peace sign. my favorite.

Here's Hubs sneaks and shirt.

...and my beautiful om.

Here's BIL, modelling his new underwear, and me giving them a thumbs up. (Weird family, I know)

Big, Hubs, Sis and Middle.

BIL's parents, Gramma Shelly & Pop Pop with Little. After gifts, we had dessert and coffee. I brought the star cake I made last night. It looked gross, but it really was quite moist and tasty. There was also Apple strudel and rainbow cookies. It was such a nice night. Great way to end a beautiful Hanukkah ...2010! Thank you!

Today I got a lot done. Worked, lunched, and left about 6:45pm. Came home. Baked a cake for tomorrow nights Hanukkah party. It was raw in the middle. Oozed out and fell apart. Baked another cake. Stayed together. Not sure how it tastes. Frosted it. Decorated it. Looks like a kindergartener made it. Then I tried to make latkes. Fell apart. Kitchen is a mess. Not sure what happened. I'm usually a great cook! Then I went to wrap gifts. Couldn't find the tape. My oh my. I need a vacation!

I'm going to bed. Gonna try again tomorrow.

MONDAY

So tired at work today. Travelling always sets me back a few days. I need to catch up on my sleep. Bossman took me to Palm Beach Bagel for lunch today. Had a chicken sanny and fries. I've been wanting to get back on track with my eating...especially since the cruise is coming...but I haven't been able to pull myself together. Sad really. Food is winning. After work, no yoga. Had to go holiday shopping. We are having a Hanukkah celebration with the family on Wednesday, and I needed to get my gifts for the office too. Bossman is having a birthday next week too. ...so is Katie's daughter. Lots to do. Actually got lots of shopping done tonight. I feel better. I like checking items off my "TO DO" list. Usually I just take care of the work "TO DO" list...I need to take better care of my own "TO DO" list. I think that will be my New Years resolution this year. Take care of me. Diet. Cleaning. Doctors. Exercise. There's lots to do for me.

Sunday

Had brunch with everyone at the hotel in Atlanta, then said our farewells ...for now. The wonderful weekend of celebrating was over, but the memories will live on in our hearts forever!!! Mom got a ride to the airport with Donna and Dennis. They were on her flight back to Jersey. Jodi picked me up at the hotel and we went for coffee, then to her house for a tour. OMG. Her home is amazing. Her husband is dreamy. Her children are fabulous. ...and those dogs! LOVE LOVE LOVE those doggies!!!!

After the home tour we went to to Doc Chey's Noodle House for lunch. So good. Then Jodes took me to the airport for my flight home. It was a whirlwind weekend of all wonderful things. So glad I was able to go. My fight landed around 6:30pm. Hubs picked me up and we went to eat at Too Jays. Then home, unpacked and got to bed early. Tomorrow is a new week, still year end stuff going on. Lots to do. Need to be in peak shape. Missing yoga. So much going on right now. I can hardly keep up. Looking forward to some quiet time...may not be 'til 2011 though. Oh well. It's all good. Love to all. Peace.

SOPHIE & ELANA

Saturday. Temple at 9. Not over 'til 1. Long morning but the girls read their haftorahs beautifully...and they looked gorgeous...and they were perfect little angels. Robin and Mark should be very proud of them. They are terrific young ladies. It was such a nice morning. After temple was over, we were treated to a wonderful brunch. Bagels and spreads and fruit and desserts and everything was delish! Then back to the hotel for a rest period. At 7:00pm there was a cocktail reception in the hotel and at 8:00pm there was the most wonderful Hanukkah themed Bat Mitzvah party ever! There was and awesome band! There was fabulous food. A carving station with roast beef and turkey. An Asian station with yummy stir fry and there was an Italian station with raviolis, pasta and more! Such a warm, loving party. We all had a ball. Mazel Tov to the family! Here are some pictures...

Robin's friends decorated and stocked the "Hospitality Suite". This room was opened all weekend with drinks and snacks. Cutest

Here's Aunt Rena, Uncle Stu and my Ma...Friday night.

This is Donna and her boyfriend Dennis. Donna is Robins friend from elementary school. She's great, I always loved her. ...and I haven't seen her since we were 16. I enjoyed spending time with her, and Dennis is terrific.

These are two of my sorority sisters, with their husbands. Lanie, with Rick and Karen with Keith. Karen is my little little sister. Gotta love the family tree!

These beauties are girls I went to high School with. That's me in the back, the tall gorgeous brunette next to me is Gail, the hotty next to her is Sharon. In the front are beautiful sisters, Pam and Vickie. It's always so nice to see old friends.

Speaking of old friends. Here's Momma and Rena. Friends for over 50 years. Love that!

This is Rena's Daughter in law, Jody and me.

This is cousin Faith and her hubby Mark. I know Faith since I'm born. She looked beautiful at the Bat Mitzvah.

Here's my best old friend...this is Jodi and her adorable hubs Patrick. Robin met Jodi just before college started, then introduced her to me and we have stayed close friends ever since that day back in 1978. She's a sorority sister. She's amazing.

These little cuties are Debbie and Craig. Debbie is also a sorority sister of ours. They met in college and have been together ever since. They both look fabulous! Debbie looks exactly like I remember her in college.

And here are Rena and Stuey getting down. We all had the best time!

This is my first friend ever, Robin Beth Ann. I love you. Mazel Tov! Congratulations! ...and thank you! It was a fabulous weekend. You guys really know how to throw a party!

just make believe IT'S FRIDAY

Off to Atlanta today. Elana and Sophie are becoming Bat Mitzvahs. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Let me explain. When my parents were a young married couple in NY, they joined the local temple. They met a couple there, Rena and Stuart. Those four crazy kids are all still friends, over 50 years later. Growing up, we were always over at their house. Rena and Stu had two little kids, Steven and Robin. Robin and I are 2 months apart. Although we attended different schools, we were always at each others birthday parties. So I not only know Robin's relatives, I know her Elementary School and Junior High School friends. In the summer of 1975 my parents moved Sissy and me to Florida. By April '76, Robin and her family moved here too. It was 10th grade. Robin and I were finally in the same school. So, needless to say, I know her friends from High school too! :) After graduation, Robin and I attended the same college and joined the same sorority. We are not only old, old friends, we are sisters. The Bat Mitzvah was the Bat Mitzvah of Robin's two beautiful girls. Elana and Sophie. It was a great weekend. I will post pictures tomorrow. For tonight, Friday, the third night of Hanukkah, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beautiful menorah Sissy and BIL bought us for our first year in the new house. (2 years ago) I forgot to mention it when I was showing off our menorahs the other night because I have this out all year long. It's our beautiful "Tree of Life" candelabra. I forgot it was really a menorah! We love this one! Isn't it a beauty? :) Happy Hanukkah to all.

The doggies just hate when I travel.

Palm Beach Bagel for lunch with Katie, Bossman and LBM. Finished up lots of work today. Left at 6:00pm. Ran and got a quickie manicure. Came home. Did fashion show. Packed. Hope I took the right things. It's supposed to be cold in Atlanta this weekend. Oh well. Printed my boarding pass. All ready to go. I think. Looking forward to seeing old friends, sorority sisters and family this weekend. Expect lots of pictures! I'll catch you up when I get home, until then, love and hugs.

Happy Hanukkah!!!

Worked. Lunch at Houston's with Bossman and Katie. Went to Weight Watchers. (Lost 2 lbs) Dinner at La Spada's with Hubs. Then home to light the menorahs. Hubs got me a juice extractor and some fruits and veggies to make juice! I got him a Tommy Bahama outfit for the cruise. Sissy and BIL are in NJ...neph's are with their Gma and Pop Pop. My parents are in Jersey with Mr. Gorgeous and the in laws are in Israel...so Hanukkah parties with them will have to wait 'til we can all be together...for now, on the couch watching the Grammy nomination show. Katy Perry is adorable. Love Rhianna, B.O.B, Cee Lo Green and Bruno Mars ...love love love Bruno Mars! He reminds me so much of Justin Guarini...and I love him too. Not sure why he didn't become a big star after Idol. He really has a beautiful voice. Oh well. Love Music. Love Hanukkah.

Here are our menorahs.

Shopping ladies.

Jenn and Stu got this for us last year. How cute?

Then we found the same artist made a surfing dude menorah with little baldy guys. We bought this for Hubs. Represent! Baldy in the house! Peace.

This is our oldest menorah. my Nana Bessie bought me this in 1982. Love you Nana. Still think of you every day. Hope you're having a nice Hanukkah in heaven. I miss you. xoxo

Here's our cheapy little plastic menorah that shines through the front window of the house. Gotta have one of these!

Here's another electric plug in menorah that we had. Flanked on either side by our snow babies. One has a sign that says BELIEVE the other JOY

This beautiful menorah was a gift from my Ma and Pa one year for our anniversary. Love this one.

Love you all.

Hope everyone is smiling & in a happy place.

Happy Hanukkah.

Peace. Love. Joy.