This is NG !

As Edith would say.. AKA.. No Good.

So I turned on my computer last night and I was greeted with a whirling, and a cranking, and a bang bang bag, and a thump, and then a whirling, and then a screeching and then a grinding and then a blank screen. Ummm...No good folks. No good.

I guess I should have seen it coming. I bought the computer in 2003. My little HP is almost 6 years old. The poor little guy lasted this long. It didn't have much fight left in him. Drat.

Needless to say I purchased a 500GB external hard drive today with the hope of being able to turn it on again and recover some of the data. Keeping my fingers crossed but I have a feeling that this little peace frog has..for lack of a better term...kicked it.

Ahhh you served me well little peace frog. On to greener pastures.

The Dawn of a New Era

Today marks the inauguration of our first African American President. That, in and of itself, is an amazing accomplishment for our Nation. But just as important, is the that the inauguration marks the beginning of a new time for our nation. A chance to rebuild foreign relations that have been so casually tossed aside; a chance to regain lost faith in our government and its ability to lead without prejudice, a chance to recover from the financial and economical havoc that is controlling the entire world, and a chance to start accepting that some of the problems are a direct result of our own actions; myself included.

I know I probably sound silly and preachy, that isn't my intention. I am deeply excited for today because it represents the fact that Americans, collectively and as a society can recognize when leadership has failed us, and try and do what we can to make a change. But today's inauguration also shows us that we, as a people, can acknowledge when we are partly to blame for the way our leadership as acted, but are willing and able to take responsibility and work toward change.

Here are two quotes that I have always liked. One is a quote from one of my favorite movies and has been ringing in my ears for the past few years....the other, from a former president.

"People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand. President Andrew Shepherd: Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."

" The new rage is to say that the government is the cause of all our problems, and if only we had no government, we'd have no problems. I can tell you, that contradicts evidence, history, and common sense" ~ Bill Clinton.

I think we all know that our government can be great, we just have to be willing to work at it. And I also think that Americans do now realize the difference in leadership and are ready for it.

Resolution Revisted

So we all remember that last year at this time I vowed to never make another silly resolution list..right? Well, I am keeping to that promise, but in the spirit of the new year I thought I would give you a quick update on how I did with that silly..not so little..list.

In the last 365 day period I resolved to:

1. Not have ‘Life’ To Do Lists --- Hey, I have 364 days to get it together

So I have improved drastically on this one. The lists have been cut down considerably (minus the day after Christmas extravaganza) This was a tough one but I am very proud

2. Learn how to speak Italian (and fix my French and Spanish)

As you may have noticed from previous blog entries, the Italian is coming along swimmingly! Although I can't really hold a full conversation, Italians speak WAY to fast, I have learned a great deal in the past year and will be continuing my studies in 2009.

3. Compete in a mini- Triathlon

Not so much on this one...but it takes time people. I was a sloth.

4. Hmmm that means I have to add…get in shape and exercise regularly thus leading to…

So this I can say there has been improvement, I lost 11 pounds in 2008, and began to exercise more. Once I get a little more fit, I will begin training for the triathlon. More to come on that one in later posts.

5. Shake my butt and tell myself I look hot, oh baby (making sure you were still with me)

A considerable amount of shaking has taken place....you'd be surprised!

6. Set up my Dark room and go out at least 1 time a week for a photo shoot

So the photo shoot yes...Dark Room..not quite yet, but now that the boiler and oil tank have been removed, I now have access to the dark room door, so I would say that is solid progress.

7. Write real letters to friends instead of only e-mails

Okay..some of you know I have been better at this than EVER before, but this one has been hard. Still chugging..But I am giving myself a check mark for this anyway!

8. Bring my sample book of invitations and cards to EG bridals and Cachet Fiore

Sample Book Created! Yay. More posts to come on this in the future, but I am VERY proud to announce that "Little Birdie" (my company name) is officially underway.

9. Make 5 new friends that are completely opposite of me to bring a new element into the mix.

So, Check Plus on this one...but mostly thanks to Leanne since she is constantly introducing me to a new group of people.

10. NOT be concerned with money and finances. I have my whole life to worry about that.

Failed a little bit on this one..but only because my boiler died on me and we fell into a recession. I know I did alot of work in the yard, but planting of money tree was not in the design. I figure there is some wiggle room on this one.

11. Visit my friends in different states at least once this year.

Hmmm..I was better. Finances were VERY tight this year, but I was able to squeeze in two trips.

2009 will have two more..and so on and so on...

12. Be less judgmental. We all do it. Come on

Proud of myself here...much better. Much much better. (Unless I am out people watching and then all bets are off :)

13. Don’t sweat the small stuff and get angry. My weakest link.

Oh....hello..............Aced it! Even though some still don't believe it! Understandably. Hey, what are you gonna do..you can't win over everyone :)

14. Relax! Stress is an evil, evil thing that must be destroyed!

Having my own home, no school, and no construction actually really helps on this one. Stress level...way down.

15. Achieve Nirvana (Okay, this may be pushing it)

Yeah..well...like...not yet.

Not too shabby Powell...Not to Shabby AT ALL!

Aquarius

January 08, 2009

There is no such thing as a normal person -- and even if there were, would you want to be them? No way -- talk about boring! Right now you need to take pleasure in your unique qualities and even be proud of them in front of others. Hiding them is like hiding who you are. So pick one thing that you think is a fault today and play it up! Not only will it help you get over your insecurities, it will help you connect with other people more quickly, and in a much more profound way.

Fastidioso Pezzo di Merda has left the building

My boiler is finally gone. Thank You...Oh Thank You....Oh Thank You!

When they removed the boiler it had a brand on it that said "1928" NICE! (Just an interesting tidbit about my wonderful old house that I love very very much. New surprises everyday)

I've Decided on a Name

...... for my old boiler that is!

I am going to call it "fastidioso pezzo di merda"

That would be Italian for annoying piece of crap!

This freakin' thing is still in my basement for no other reason than the company that is required to do the removal is a group of incompetent poopy heads. Sorry for the lame description by that pretty much sums it up. Yet another day of me waiting by the door at 6:00 am for..you guessed it....NO ONE TO SHOW UP!

Seriously, Seriously?

This thing has been sitting here waiting since the beginning of December. How hard is this people? Really? Well...apparently VERY hard. I could give birth before this thing is removed (do not take that as any type of announcement that there is to be birth in the future...DEBBIE!) I am just sooooooooooooooooooooooo ready for this whole boiler thing to be over. I know I know, patience is a virtue. Well perhaps I am not virtuous! So there.

A Truly Wiidiculous Christmas!

Christmas in New Jersey this year, at my sister and her husbands house. They just finally closed on their little slice of heaven about two weeks prior. Our holiday extravaganza was to be the first real event in there new home.

Although Santa brought me many a wonderful gift this year, no other gift was so loved by my ENTIRE family as the Nintendo Wii that I received from Alyson and Dan. Mom and Dad also bought games and extras (Wii fit) that added to the insanity that would soon be the Wii! This post has been a long time coming because I was hoping to have some video for your viewing pleasure, but alas, I have not received the video feed from my sister yet. Trust me, it will be worth the wait when you see it. Let's just say that it revolves around Dance Party Revolution 2........

All joking aside, my family spent, wait for it........ 12 hours playing Wii on Christmas day. It would have been 13. but we turned it off for an hour in order to enjoy Christmas dinner. But don't you worry, that Wii was back in action as soon as the last dish was cleared, well actually I think it may have even been before the dish was cleared. But...Hilarious. Only word to describe my family playing Wii. Not to mention the Mii development that took place. This was serious business here, but by the end we had exact matches for everyone that was playing. I would have to say that my moms Mii was the best. Alyson and I really nailed it on that one.

No one got out of their pajamas for the entire day! No one. Now, if you have ever spent any time with the Powells you would understand why this is such a crazy thought. The rule in the Powell house was always..."unless you are sick, no pajamas should be worn past 10 am. EVER" (This could explain alot about why my sister and I love to veg in our Pjs on a Sunday afternoon...) Anywhooooo...my mom dubbed the day, "Absolutely Wiidiculous. " And boy was she right!
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Day two of Christmas was just as crazy, although we all actually got dressed and ventured out of the house. See, Progress. Alyson and Dan were treating everyone to a day in New York. This was complete with Department Store window viewings, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, the tree, Skating, carriage ride through Central Park, and dinner at Rosa Mexicana (oh how I dooo love Guacamole!) The night was topped off with a viewing of the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this show was. Truly spectacular. Of course, I personally think that the best show of the evening was Alyson and I prancing down the streets of New York, arm in arm, singing "Let's go to the Movies" from Annie. Hey, we are a singing family, it happens.

The only bad part of our New York trip was my dad being side swiped by a car (don't worry he was okay and rallied) and the moms getting trampled outside of Radio City. (Again, they rallied).. I guess that comes with being in the City.....And then they wonder why I moved to the burbs!!!!! The rest of our time in New Jersey was spent....well....Wii-ing....shopping, eating, and doing a little home improvement. (Come on people, you really think my sister and Dan could buy a house two weeks before my father was coming for the holiday and not expect him to arrive wearing a tool belt. Reality Check here folks.)

In a nutshell, great Christmas holiday in Jersey. Wait, did I just actually write great and Jersey in the same sentence? The world as we know it is coming to an end..:)

What's with the Bah Humbug!

People, what more can you ask for here? It snowed, there is a chill in the air, Christmas is only days away....you should all be happy...smiling...cheerful and joyous!

What's with all the crankiness. Cranky people in the store, cranky people on the street, cranky people at the bank, cranky people everywhere. Why so cranky? really?

Enough with the Bah Humbugedness. I want merriment and cheer darn it! Do you hear me!