tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21846374877939251952011-11-27T18:56:46.364-05:00Finding the humor, fun and mindless scribbles in life. Be it through art, work, play or simply observation...which ever way, we can surely laugh at ourselves. Tag along and join the fun.J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.comBlogger781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-62588197261850769642011-10-25T20:25:00.002-04:002011-10-25T21:21:46.294-04:00

Back on track. I went out to dinner the other night and think I did alright! Keeping within the parameters of the Weight Watchers Points Plus program, I dutifully looked up the restaurant we were going to ahead of time and scanned their menu. I picked out a Steak Salad. Huge plate of mixed greens...four grilled asparagus spears a few blue cheese crumbles and about 3 oz of steak. I could manage

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-85406547354090484472011-01-31T16:27:00.001-05:002011-01-31T16:32:14.117-05:00

"I can't frigging believe it" I say to myself, as I yank on my combination lock and nothing happens. Every week I come in, take a locker near the corner, toss on my lock and go to my workout. I have never had any problem with the combination. Today somethings wrong. As I try the lock again, without success, I look at an identical  lock two doors down. Could it be I am at the wrong locker? I try

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-36059604609884958732011-01-27T14:13:00.002-05:002011-01-27T17:34:17.774-05:00

"Look look, I yelled to no one in particular, I think I see something!" I was staring at the side of my abdomen and under 10 years of accumulated belly fat was, I think....a muscle! I wasn't sure exactly, but it looked different...in a better kind of way.  See, it's been four weeks since I started eating right and three weeks since I fumbled through Zumba, powered through Pilates, stretched

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-89917543865321162072011-01-10T20:34:00.006-05:002011-01-19T13:37:26.644-05:00

I started watching the Biggest Loser some time last year. I don't catch every episode, usually only one here or there when my husband isn't home. He's not interested. Doesn't need to be, he doesn't gain a pound. I like the show because I think it's cool that they have those nice trainers pushing them and helping them out. If I had a trainer, it would be easy to lose weight. WELL.... when I went

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-72765427752958085062011-01-08T17:27:00.011-05:002011-03-01T21:21:15.985-05:00

Photo By Susush/stockxchng There are a few things that no matter how I tried, I just couldn't do.When I was 9, the Polka.In the 80's it was aerobics.Early 90's... country line dancing and that damn Electric Slide.2001 an eight week modern dance class. Yet..yet...even though all my instincts told me differently...after numerous failures at any synchronized dance movement of any kind...even after

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-51362959605346904942011-01-06T19:49:00.002-05:002011-01-15T22:12:26.975-05:00

Photo by giesk-stockxchng Well it finally happened. I participated in a group class at the gym. I put on my invisibility bubble and walked into a Pilates class and survived. In fact at the end of the class I felt joy, I felt elated, I felt absolutely great... See for weeks I have gone to the gym and tried the standard workout on the treadmills, machines and ellipticals. I like the treadmill.

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-91164517099119894572011-01-05T11:26:00.002-05:002011-01-15T22:13:44.721-05:00

I joined Weight Watchers.Again.Since I have made this commitment to better choices, I realize I just can't sit on the couch and watch TV and do nothing during these long winter evenings....I must "move" somehow. I already hit the gym this morning for a what I call a "whoosy" workout. (I showed up, I walked, I ellipticaled, I left)What was needed tonight was something low key but productive that

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-10166187201460108492010-12-12T12:27:00.004-05:002010-12-12T12:54:38.898-05:00

I cleaned out my kitchen cupboards yesterday. Not because I thought they needed it, though they did. But because I felt like it. That's all. That happens sometimes. I may be walking through the kitchen with load of laundry and decide right then and there that the baseboards need scrubbing with a toothbrush. It does happen! It's happened before. I remember. About a year and a half ago my

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-79153751996325235142010-10-30T19:10:00.001-04:002010-10-31T09:18:17.265-04:00

I have been cleaning out my office this week and have come across a few of my random journal entries sprawled in various notebooks. I'd thought I'd share a couple with you.... This one is about my decision to let my hair go natural, written about four and a half years ago. The directions were really quite simple...cut your hair short! I looked up from my computer screen and rested my chin on my

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-36704754831434016992010-08-25T22:04:00.001-04:002010-08-25T22:11:44.971-04:00

My dad always had a catch phrase that he used when people asked him impossible questions or pointed out idiotic things.  One of them was "it's all part of the system" Most of the time it worked... What I mean by worked is, it stopped the conversation from going any farther so he didn't have to say what he really thought. I have one I use myself for the same reason. It's not as subtle. But I

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-63882144876268130592010-08-15T16:45:00.000-04:002010-08-15T16:45:07.759-04:00

My friend Annie stopped over today with her family.We talk on the phone every morning but she has not been over to a house that I have lived in since 2003.It's a special occasion.While giving instructions over the phone this morning she ends the conversation with "don't clean up for me"!She means it."I know I won't" I reply, only half meaning it.As we hang up I look around at the mess and start

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-51607825484361602802010-05-05T20:22:00.002-04:002010-05-07T22:25:22.715-04:00

HE'S THE ONE ON THE CAMEL...COOL HUH?

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-18226624434243401362010-05-05T20:02:00.001-04:002010-05-05T20:03:47.101-04:00

OK...My dad died in November in the emergency room.My mom gets a bill from the hospital for $500 for a semi private room...I guess the insurance didn't cover it all???I call them and say my dad wasn't admitted into the hospital...he died in the emergency room.They say...we'll send it to the claims department for review...you should get a letter in a month with an answer.Month goes by...letter

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-40845349243543578732010-04-27T20:02:00.005-04:002010-07-23T14:55:44.057-04:00

OK so I am way behind in keeping this blog up....everyday I get home and have two or three ideas and you know what happens? NOthing! I can't put two words together. OK I can but they usually don't go well together like...say...for instance... alphabetized files I know your saying ...those two sound like they go together...but believe me....in my world they don't. So I was looking at what I wrote

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-40621696129646251412010-04-07T19:22:00.005-04:002010-04-07T21:17:24.821-04:00

I hate answering machines.Always have.When they first came out I bought one thinking that it was necessary.But then I had to call everybody back...on my dime.See, that was back when local long distance was more expensive then calling the moon.I lived an hour from the city...out of the local metropolitan calling area.My brother-in-law once told my sister that it would be cheaper for her to get in

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-90101001124685345132010-04-04T12:03:00.001-04:002010-04-07T21:46:15.830-04:00

I was in the car with my mom yesterday.We were coming back from blessing Easter Baskets at church and she wanted to go to the store.I hesitated thinking about the fragile state of the butter lamb in my basket.It was already leaning slightly to the left, using the Polish sausage as a crutch...it's peppercorn eye drooping just a bit.Today in particular, was uncommonly warm for the 3rd of April in

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-23023354593987823792010-03-28T22:30:00.001-04:002010-03-28T22:33:05.547-04:00

Ok, it was Sunday No Plans...we were free to do whatever... Sound easy? It's not. My husband and I had to keep telling each other that it was OK to putz around without actually getting anything done. He could pratice the guitar without writing or recording something. I could do research without actually having an immediate use for it.. We could talk about going for a ride without actually going.

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-81953202943218218202010-03-24T11:34:00.003-04:002010-03-24T11:41:00.913-04:00

Mrs. Vacanti...If you dropped a pen on the floor and a gentleman picked it up and handed it back to you wouldn't you agree that his intent was to pick up the pen?Well Sir...I think his intent was to be nice....NEXT!

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-52191144706182088432010-03-24T07:48:00.005-04:002010-03-24T21:31:23.091-04:00

Had jury duty the last couple of days.First time for me.Most people were complaining in the waiting area....I think that's what your supposed to do.Complain about being bored...made to wait and so on and so forth.I was excited and thought it was cool...but complained like the rest so as to fit in.I also did the occasional big sigh, eye roll and shoulder shrug with disappointed smile to make sure

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-65477811009857248982010-03-21T20:29:00.002-04:002010-03-21T20:33:35.036-04:00

I have not died just gone blank...I think finally I have taken on to much mental work. Please bare with me as I clear out some negative thoughts. Don't want to bring into my ramblings the cynicism that sometimes creeps into your life when you least expect it. Caught of guard but I'm picking myself back off the ground... So instead I will leave you with a photo story instead...enjoy! Original

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-47259511612831561452010-03-17T07:31:00.002-04:002010-03-17T07:48:43.512-04:00

OK...Like I said...don't get me started.I happen to be one of those people who if given or if I bring home anything new I have to rearrange the the whole room that I put it in.It (the room) usually ends up looking exactly the same except for the fact I have just spent five hours moving furniture, pictures, shelves, plants and what-not only to put everything back where it came from.The chachki

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-49878824668707353192010-03-14T10:26:00.004-04:002010-03-14T11:33:37.804-04:00

It's getting a little harder to write lately.Not because I have nothing to say...It's just my keyboard has been acting up lately.Mouse too.When I hit certain keys there is a crunching sound..This causes the keys to either not work or delay just enough to create a whole new vocabulary.I'm hoping it's leftovers from the crackers I ate the other day while surfing.Sounds like crackers....It just has

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-12619756900500649172010-03-11T10:38:00.000-05:002010-03-11T10:38:29.240-05:00

From The Archives:Essay From 15 Years Ago It happens to all of us at one time or another.You know...When all the bills come due at one time. This week I had exactly eight dollars left in my checking account once everything was paid. Yikes! That meant two weeks of scrimping till next payday.This was gonna take some creativity on my part. I sat down and took inventory of the plus side...First... I

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-14373524986741561042010-03-10T08:07:00.008-05:002010-03-24T08:39:37.614-04:00

I have been going through a pile of old essays I wrote years back seeing what I could update for the blog. I came across a particular one that relates to simpler times....before blogging...before the Internet...before cell phones!I lived by myself with my two dogs in an old farmhouse...way out in the country at the time...with no other house in sight....just trees, hay fields and sky! The phone

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-47756342257118871052010-03-07T12:15:00.008-05:002010-03-07T13:02:20.812-05:00

From The Archives: Short Essays I Wrote 10 Years Ago: Slightly Updated For TodayDo you need to be educated, successful, affluent or a world traveler to experience a spiritual awakening?It seems that all the messengers today are one or all of the above.Is it because they are more in tune with the universal energy, or do they just have a knack for marketing their revelations?I have just opened a

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-91342312012488887252010-03-05T12:45:00.007-05:002010-03-05T13:30:35.041-05:00

Remember everything you own and possess causes you to give energy to it.Feeling tired lately…look around.About 15 years ago I woke up to find the collectibles that I had acquired, either by my own impulse or through token gifts seem to control my home.Dusting, storing, moving and simply just looking at them no longer gave me any pleasure.Yet, the thought of getting rid of them caused me to have

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-78629867902311812132010-02-27T20:27:00.000-05:002010-02-27T20:29:46.243-05:00

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-72624073145311781182010-02-27T18:46:00.002-05:002010-02-27T18:48:07.060-05:00

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-69371581885890063322010-02-27T18:22:00.005-05:002010-02-27T18:30:56.373-05:00

I call this one..."Dog Posing On Leopard Throw - Crap!"(see previous post)Whirrr,Flash, Click...Crap!,

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-67991138123527260872010-02-27T17:48:00.008-05:002010-02-27T18:32:51.694-05:00

I call this one.."Dog Doing A Headstand - Crap!" (see previous post)Whirrr,Flash, Click...Crap!

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-80146776654075959262010-02-27T16:33:00.008-05:002010-02-27T17:46:48.934-05:00

Is it me or what?Am I the only one who hates automatic focus cameras?It seemed in the old days I could grab my old camera manually focus in on a moving object and nine times out of ten get a great picture.Today...if I grab my new digital camera and try to quickly snap a picture of my dog doing a headstand on her peanut butter bony wony it usually goes like this.Grab camera and turn the damn thing

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-3603620198604121332010-02-23T07:48:00.011-05:002010-02-24T12:33:24.991-05:00

OK, this isn't funny anymore... This getting older thing.I don't mean I'm upset about being wiser , better looking and more desirable...It's the damn aches and pains.I've had a pain in my right shoulder for six months now.Brought on, no doubt, by throwing toys in that endless game of fetch with all my dogs over the last thirty years.Usually when my right shoulder starts to hurt during a game I

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-88321970639218631132010-02-21T10:50:00.011-05:002010-02-21T19:33:17.954-05:00

I kicked my coffee cup over again.The telltale dark stain on my light carpet and the horizontal position of the cup is becoming a regular occurrence.My dotted and spotted carpet is starting to look like all my shirts.Why anyone would put light carpet in a family room is beyond me...but that what's here.See, I have in the final stages of winter moved my laptop to the room with the most windows to

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-87002091086370031172010-02-20T07:00:00.001-05:002010-02-20T07:15:36.309-05:00

Sam and I were commenting the other day about the drug commercials on TV.Now they are saying that a high percent of people with depression that are on meds still have symptoms so may need to add another!!!Are you joking?If they still have symptoms maybe it's because the drug they are on is crap! It doesn't work!Possible wrong diagnosis!Hello...doesn't this ring an alarm with anyone?Must not or

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-77922496646158663192010-02-19T18:27:00.008-05:002010-02-19T21:23:38.426-05:00

Sometimes I get so mad at things that are going on in today's world that I want to start a revolution!I want to scream at the top of my lungs so loud that it will make other people want to scream too.I want people to wake up and get mad and take action.I want to see protests in the street and I want politicians to fear us and ignore big oil and banks and do whats right.But I'm afraid that in

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-4683703247991287852010-02-18T00:13:00.004-05:002010-02-18T00:52:49.555-05:00

Came home to a water main break in front of my house tonight. Guess we are not going to sleep much tonight...There must be at least a crew of 10 out front with lights flashing and backhoes beeping...Not that they are making that much noise...if I fall asleep I sleep like a rock...it's the dog...see she doesn't understand why there is a gang of people walking around the front of the house at

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-63458792329171048772010-02-16T09:30:00.003-05:002010-02-16T09:59:05.434-05:00

It's here...Paczki Day! (pronounced "poonch kee")The day before Ash Wednesday where you overdose on extra fat laden jelly filled (usually raspberry) donuts.How heavenly.Traditionally Polish households tried to use up all their lard, sugar, fruit etc because of the fasting practices of lent.So they made these glorious donuts.Very Smart.Waste not want not.Depending on where you live you either

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-41104150683910867762010-02-15T08:11:00.004-05:002010-02-15T09:51:32.684-05:00

It's Monday...well sort of..President's day actually.That means half the nation has off and half the nation keeps working.Unfortunately for the half that keeps working it usually needs the half that's not.Can't tell you how many times I will walk to the mail box today.Then there will be that festering question come garbage day this week....Because Monday was a holiday does that push garbage day

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-5988672334903249292010-02-11T08:13:00.005-05:002010-02-11T09:28:00.797-05:00

I cleaned my office briefly yesterday so I could get into it.See I have multiple projects started and they are all out covering every square inch of space.There is a projects for each day of the week, for each mood that I am in, for each business idea I have.I managed to get the floor cleared and ran the vacuum. Victory!Then I carried three half-filled coffee cups, two empty (go figure) wine

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-37890685662763697902010-02-08T07:07:00.004-05:002010-02-08T14:06:25.185-05:00

I was sitting thinking about my dad yesterday....fighting off tears.Sam and his friends have been practicing a new song this week that reminds me of him.The song is the Wreck Of The Edmund FitzgeraldIt was freighter that sailed the Great Lakes I think in the 1950's-70's.My dad sailed the Great Lakes when he was a young man back in the 1930s.No connection between the two except that one was a boat

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-53513717946757769752010-02-07T12:59:00.006-05:002010-02-07T13:42:46.296-05:00

I was planning on cancelling the Sunday paper last month.I called up the business office and asked how far I was paid in advance.They said, till Valentines Day.Oh, in that case I'll wait I thought, and cancel it in February.See we only read a small part of it.I should say my husband only reads a small part of it...the sports and the editorials.I use it as stuffing for sending out eBay

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-1548541627087564692010-02-06T14:00:00.027-05:002010-02-06T16:30:56.189-05:00

These birds are lucky birds...they sure do have it good - my husband says while settling into his chair near the cage.Yup they do - I reply. I finish clothes pinning a huge stalk of celery onto their cage.Thunder & Blizzard fly from the spider plant I have hanging in the window back to their cage to inspect what I've left them.Anything would be better then where they were...I mumble.He laughs -

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-14953442398845047442010-02-06T07:00:00.004-05:002010-02-06T07:27:25.311-05:00

Lottie wanted to say hi!

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-18829356247429844862010-02-05T23:09:00.000-05:002010-02-05T23:09:53.639-05:00

I just read that when you blog or social network etc...your not supposed to hide behind a dog or a flower for your picture. Damm, I've been both of them. I can't help it. I'm not good at airbrushing my photos. I tried with Photoshop and I gave my self a digital skin peel. Not good. I spent a few minutes the other day trying to take a good picture of myself. Hard to do without a tripod. I mean

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-37077298788133686752010-02-05T08:45:00.013-05:002010-02-06T07:33:26.136-05:00

Today's the day that I water all my house plants whether they need it or not.I have a lot of plants.It's the only way I can remember to water them all.I say "plants...it's Friday...here I come ready or not".Because of this ritual the needy ones have learned to be strong, patient and good conservers of water.... the hardy ones more independent and confindent.What? You say.You talk like they're

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-48300489187359611772010-02-04T08:34:00.008-05:002010-02-04T09:28:41.590-05:00

Well it's one of those days....I don't mean a "sunny" one, although it is.I mean it's a "I am completely blank" and have nothing to say" day.It's actually very upsetting.Me, not having anything to say.I'm sure my husband would beg to differ on both counts...It seems I have not been sufficiently inspired enough by any irony, circumstance or social fauxpas to write.It's like hitting a brick wall.It

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-68801321524300914092010-02-02T08:57:00.008-05:002010-02-02T10:30:31.203-05:00

I read today that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. The harbinger of six more weeks of winter.I'm a little skeptical.See...they drag the poor animal out at dawn for this ritual...Weather man reported overcast skies...As I recall from my younger days there is not much light yet at dawn...With overcast skies there has to be even less...hmmmmI went out purposely with Lottie my Great Dane this

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-5107058967832227042010-01-31T11:36:00.002-05:002010-01-31T11:42:45.787-05:00

OK the sun went away so I leave you with a photograph of sun reflecting off my metal bowl on my dining room table. It was awesome while it lasted!

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-38699088143721800842010-01-31T10:10:00.008-05:002010-01-31T11:34:14.423-05:00

Sundays are the only day I get to sleep in.I'm not complaining.It gives me something to look forward too.My husband still gets up early to read the paper. When that happens, I immediately stretch out...taking up twice my normally allotted space.That's heaven. That is until my Great Dane stretches out too and takes up three times her normally allotted space. Like two sheet hogs we languish in the

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-90909845894206547302010-01-30T16:57:00.001-05:002010-01-30T17:00:16.414-05:00

Off to have the taxes done....I guess that's better then being done in by taxes.

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-82209680482961141592010-01-29T09:21:00.007-05:002010-01-29T12:09:19.034-05:00

I have this digital bathroom scale that turns itself off automatically to save battery life.That's great.Good Idea.To turn it back on you have to tap it with your toe and wait for it to reset to "0".OK, cool with that.Lately, it's been turning itself on all by itself when I walk in the bathroom!How rude.Do you think it's trying to tell me something?Did I miss something in the fine print on the

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-82831557199284158532010-01-27T22:06:00.009-05:002010-01-29T10:28:47.381-05:00

Working at home when you own a Great Dane can be challenging.They figure the the only reason your home is to tend to their every need.It's hard to convince them otherwise.I was trying to do some research on the computer today in between everything else.Every time I sat down at the desk, Lottie, my Dane was right behind me.She would let out a little whine.I tried to ignore her.But even with my

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-58040578152138464372010-01-25T18:43:00.003-05:002010-01-25T19:08:37.477-05:00

What is it with a flat surface.Every single one in my house has stuff on it.I think that all the flat surfaces should be slanted so nothing will stay on them.If you try to lay something down it will simply roll off onto the floor.Sure would make cleaning easier...All you would need is one big push broom and volia....house is clean!

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-45375962906673559902010-01-22T23:34:00.003-05:002010-01-25T18:36:14.532-05:00

Friday night date night means going to the bookstore to read books & magazines.Yes we sometimes go on a Friday, but not every Friday.Just some Friday's...sometimes Sunday and not only at night.Sometimes during the day.No, we don't buy anything.We just read. (and take notes...shhhh)Ok, maybe coffee...but we usually buy one and split it.It's our cheap date ritual.We never spend more then $10$8 for

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-79175942097296375112010-01-18T19:33:00.003-05:002010-01-18T20:53:17.671-05:00

A friend called me today and asked me about a recipe for vegetable lasagna that I had made about 15 years ago!I was both amused and flattered.See I never use recipes and I never make lasagna.But she insisted I made a vegetable lasagna, describing the weather that day along with what we had for dessert.She's like that. Can remember every detail of ANYTHING and everything.She went on to say it had

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-78828237799634070012010-01-16T20:49:00.012-05:002010-01-19T23:19:50.945-05:00

Well we're going through our January thaw at the moment.That's how it happens here.Get three feet of beautiful white fluffy snow and then it melts down to a nasty brown tinged ice pack with the grass sticking through.I wish it would make up it's mind!But now that it's melting I have to do my mid-winter clean up of the yard!I have a Great Dane.You can see a pattern.As the snow got deeper she

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-78194735596768575992010-01-13T08:37:00.003-05:002010-01-13T09:09:17.262-05:00

OK, I got the kitchen cleaned and sink polished like it said on this cleaning guru's blog, and it's working! (see two previous posts)It has been two days and I refuse to get my polished sink dirty. It is forcing me to immediately put my dirty dishes into the dishwasher instead of stacking them in the sink. This in turn makes me run the dishwasher each night and empty it each morning so that it

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-74033878869287561532010-01-10T17:14:00.003-05:002010-01-28T00:16:16.517-05:00

OK I made an attempt to do this organizational thing that I talked about in my last post. I thought I'd at least try some of the so called "baby steps".Since I couldn't polish the kitchen sink because of the dirty dishes I decided to try some of the other suggestions.This women recommends that you get up in the morning and clean the bathroom as soon as your done showering and brushing your teeth

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-67352597477589923922010-01-10T10:52:00.003-05:002010-01-10T11:36:22.721-05:00

OK my friend Annie did it to me again. It's not like I don't have enough to do already but now she has hooked me up with this new website/blog that''s supposed to help us get our homes organized.She says if we're more organized we'll be more successful at other things.I truly believe it's against our nature to have our houses organized. That's not how we work...we are too fragmented, to many

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-39680604993028528352010-01-07T18:45:00.005-05:002010-01-07T20:19:49.027-05:00

Sam said to me the other day.We have the nicest bunch of friends.Yes we do, I replied. I knew just what he was implying.See, when we moved to Lockport we were told it was hard to make friends here.But they were wrong.What I've found is, as you go through life you acquire many good friends, acquaintances and casual friendships. They come and go.When you're young, you think you must cultivate all

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-17822207762123004652010-01-03T18:34:00.004-05:002010-01-03T19:15:55.978-05:00

This is it. Tomorrow the world goes back to normal. Everyone back to work, school and chores.Schedules, order...ahhh beautiful syncopation.I'm not saying I'm not spontaneous... I am (we are)... that's not the problem.I am a daydreamer, a serious procrastinator, a notorious note taker and planner.I could plan my whole day away and actually not get a thing done...especially if the rest of the world

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-49713468493333993572009-12-31T13:29:00.006-05:002009-12-31T14:14:48.687-05:00

OK, I said I wouldn't do it.Clean by tote, that is, in the new year.But I'm having a dinner party tomorrow and I haven't even begun to clean or plan the menu.Makes it more exciting that way.I work better under pressure.The menu will be decided by the first thing I see that looks good in the meat department tomorrow. Yes that's right I said tomorrow.I'll grocery shop in the morning planning the

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-53610614987110263212009-12-27T20:09:00.006-05:002009-12-31T09:57:55.649-05:00

As though I don't already have enough to do I have created one more online venue to maintain.Inspired by my dear friend Annie who is so insanely busy but keeps heaping it on.She called me today and said check out my new craft blog.So I did.It's really cool.She already has one humor blog but Anne's into primitive doll making too.We are total opposites when it comes to arts & crafts.It doesn't

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-26303127105248480902009-12-26T10:47:00.005-05:002009-12-26T12:14:41.795-05:00

The best part about today is that we're about as far away from next Christmas that we can get.Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Scrooge.It's just that the hype versus the actual day is so disproportionate.Advertising would have you believe that if you don't participate by spending every last dime that you have your trying to single-handedly destroy family values, tradition and Christmas as we know

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-9445612288102327932009-12-22T22:10:00.003-05:002009-12-22T23:58:08.849-05:00

I was counter surfing through the meat department this week looking for deals.You know, the ones that say "REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE" Freeze or Cook Today!I usually look for the smallest packages.I never buy in bulk.Don't have the freezer space.But this week a roast caught my eye.I picked it up and looked at it.It was magnificent. Big and round and tied with string. I was drawn to it. I wanted it.It

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-86311301852021766692009-12-22T10:23:00.002-05:002009-12-22T10:32:21.118-05:00

I spend more time picking out my holiday wrapping paper then I do the actual presents. You see...and I think I've mentioned this before...I'm a visual person. The wrapping, the presentation of the gift is very important to me. So when I pick out this season's colors and graphics, you got to realize, I've put a lot of thought into it. I rush home with visions of carefully coiffed gifts glistening

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-29345496920800130242009-12-18T19:00:00.002-05:002009-12-18T20:04:01.791-05:00

Went to the mall today. Had too.See each year my husband gets a gift card to the Galleria for a Christmas bonus and we have to figure out how to spend it.We actually have to plan ahead of time because we're not shoppers and definitely NOT mall shoppers. Most of the stores are alien to us. So are the prices!If they had a thrift shop or a music or art supply store we be set, but they don't.My

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-51194617940793215862009-12-17T12:17:00.009-05:002009-12-22T10:44:46.516-05:00

I'm doing some baking today. I'm not ususally a baker. I think that's because I'm a visual person and I hate to follow recipes. I'd rather just throw a bunch of pretty colored ingredients together and let'em rip. That's why I rather cook then bake. You can get away with letting things rip when you cook, but not when you bake. Baking is a science project with precise measurements...

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-76738814945559599862009-12-15T18:17:00.003-05:002009-12-15T19:11:31.979-05:00

I think the person who thought up the idea of the plastic tote should be made to come to my house and sort every one of them out.What started as a great way to store things has now become my weekly way of cleaning the house.Got a dining room table piled with bills, mail, and magazines to be sorted?Oops, someones coming over, quick wing it all into a tote and slide it under the table.Oops, someone

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-83566444365245018482009-12-12T22:06:00.006-05:002009-12-12T23:19:18.884-05:00

Remember that age old question....What do you want to be when you grow up?Well, I never knew!And actually, I'm still evolving into my answer. I remember being horrified to think that we had to choose! How could I know what I want to be in the future while in the present?Maybe the question should have been What do you want to be right this moment? I could have answered that! I could have said "I

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-33188588978011435142009-12-11T08:21:00.016-05:002009-12-11T16:33:42.536-05:00

I FINDTHAT WHAT I DESIREwish –verb (used with object)1. to want; desire; long for AND HOW I FEEL ABOUT ITpas⋅sion –noun1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling,2. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anythingan⋅tic⋅i⋅pa⋅tion –noun1. the act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated.2. realization in advance; foretaste.3. expectation or hope.4. previous

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-79202187043603503342009-12-11T08:03:00.004-05:002009-12-11T09:18:17.337-05:00

“Do you know we have seven computers in this house?” my husband asks, not really wanting an answer. I look up from my laptop to see him doing a recount on his fingers. “It’s amazing isn’t it?” I reply as my glance shifts through a collection of college age children sprawled around the house. Each one is plugged into a mobile computing device. If I count myself and the old household desktop in

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-70339552923592293232009-12-09T09:26:00.005-05:002009-12-09T11:53:15.623-05:00

Journals have always been a way to capture one's thoughts privately. This holiday season why not start a new tradition and begin a family journal. Purchase a journal and keep it in a central place in your home. Encourage your family members to write positive thoughts about each other. You can start off the process by maybe asking a question like "what's your favorite memory?" As the days go on

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-80926517096430723252009-12-08T22:59:00.008-05:002009-12-09T09:22:22.395-05:00

For the last 5 hours I have been sitting on the couch with my laptop resting on my out stretched legs. I've been trying to figure out some horrible Html formatting on a new website and I still need to write an article for one of my info sights but I can't sit anymore.My leg muscles are starting to twitch...I think they are trying to tell me to get off my a-- and move around. It's almost midnight

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-51671038692666986982009-12-07T15:01:00.004-05:002009-12-07T16:10:59.580-05:00

It's starting to snow out and it comforts me. It's funny how over the years my reaction to snow has changed. I live in the "lake effect" snow prone area of Western New York State where the word Buffalo is synonymous with blizzards, whiteouts and feet not inches of snow.In my youth snow was joyous! Blankets of white stuff meant snowman and snow forts and the most awesome sledding around. Shoveling

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-69389869975378826212009-12-04T11:18:00.011-05:002009-12-04T14:33:30.801-05:00

My friend Anne an I are two of a kind. I haven't seen her (in person) in a long while but we talk on the phone at least twice a day. A call goes like this... RRRIINNGGGG! My husband yells from his office "It's Anne" It may or may not be but he says that every time the phone rings. For the next 15 minutes through the magic of speaker phone Anne and I will fast forward our conversation speaking

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-14403495039498321882009-12-03T19:57:00.017-05:002009-12-03T23:12:25.394-05:00

If You call my mother today or for that matter any day and ask her what she's doing, she will always say "I've got to finish cleaning my office!"Shes been cleaning it for 45 years.Hasn't finished it yet.I have her DNAYou should see my Office. My studio. My garage. They are filled with the most glorious items of inspiration that you could ever imagine. Vintage collectibles, ephemera, broken

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184637487793925195.post-71399593011535755092009-12-03T17:49:00.005-05:002009-12-07T18:12:33.975-05:00

This blog is dedicated to my parents.... though there were times we didn't see eye to eye I thank you for trying to teach me the ways of your world. I will not let your wisdom or experiences fade away into time.

J Vacantihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00441376001556223371noreply@blogger.com0