Saturday, April 30, 2011

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran



Decide what you want. 
Believe that it is possible for you to create and have it. 
Believe it's attainable and you deserve it. 
Close your eyes... Focus on it. Feel it. See it. 
Create the picture of yourself that you want to be. 
When you open your eyes, know you have the power to be and do all you imagine... And even more!





Keep the promises that you make to yourself!



Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC
All Rights Reserved

PUB EATERY - IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME

tzatziki chicken quiznos

Yogurt Sauce - Tzatziki

1lb plain yogurt
1 cucumber, peeled, cored and finely diced
2 tbsp. olive oil
salt
3 or 4 cloves of garlic crushed

Mix crushed garlic with salt, add olive oil. Fold into yogurt and blend. Stir in diced cucumber. Keep chilled.

* Tzatziki is used with everything at my house. My children love to dip chicken cutlets in it. They also love to dip vegetables in Tzatiki - ENJOY!

TODAY'S CELEBRITY BIRTHDAY - APRIL 30



Actress Cloris Leachman is 85.
Singer Willie Nelson is 78.
Talk show host Gary Collins is 73.
Actor Burt Young is 71.
Singer Bobby Vee is 68.
Actor Perry King ("Riptide") is 63.
Singer Merril Osmond of The Osmonds is 58.
Director Jane Campion is 57.
Bassist Robert Reynolds of The Mavericks is 49.
Actor Adrian Pasdar ("Heroes") is 46.
Rapper Turbo B of Snap is 44.
Guitarist Clark Vogeler of The Toadies is 42.
Singer Chris "Choc" Dalyrimple of Soul for Real is 40.
Guitarist Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down is 40.
Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 40.
Singer Akon is 38.
Singer Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees is 38.
Actor Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory," 'Roseanne") is 36.
Rapper Lloyd Banks is 29.
Actress Kirsten Dunst is 29.
Country singer Tyler Wilkinson of The Wilkinsons is 27.
 Actress Dianna Agron ("Glee") is 25.

BABY I'M BACK!



Dawn Boyle

I am happy to announce that the kids went back to school earlier this week. It was a long Spring Break. The weather was crappy and I did more running around then I care to rehash.

Today I start a renewal of myself. I spent the last two days cleaning my house and I am 100% ready for the season to officially begin. I am ready for beach chairs with sand in my toes and weekends out on the boat! I am ready for "Lady Lunches" to being and Thirsty Thursdays. I want to be hanging out at Bracco's or EB Elliot's drinking over priced drinks and partying at the Freeport Festival. I look forward to heading out east to Liars Salon in Montauk and crashing the next day at Nick's Beach with some Mud Slides or Killer Coladas with 151 floaters. How I have waited for you so long lover and can not wait to get back to my fun loving ways and easy breezy attitude!!

 BRING ON THE WEEKEND! BRING ON THE SPRING! BRING ON SUMMER 2011!!!

TOP GEAR


Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I’m not into NASCAR or any of the car shows that are on TV these days, so why do I love to watch TOP GEAR on BBC? Perhaps it’s the beautiful views of the English countryside and other parts of Europe as they race, rally and ride all over. It could be the camaraderie of the three English hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, and their adorable British accents! I’m sure that’s part of it, but I think I just envy the crazy, fun things these three grown men do on a daily basis and call it a job!

My favorite adventure was when they played soccer…..using giant inflated soccer balls and mini coopers! They laughed until they cried and I laughed with them. They had so much fun doing the ridiculous, as they always do. Another great show was when they raced against the British Postal System, who guarantees delivery in a day. They raced across the English countryside to beat a letter and lost! I love the mishaps and obstacles they overcome with humor and determination. Whether they compete against each other, a plane, a ship, or even giant soccer balls, it’s always funny and entertaining.

A regular part of the show is having a celebrity guest race on their special track. The celebrity is given short training by the secret race driver called “The Stig” (we never see his face) and then does his best to beat the scores of all the other guest celebrities. The funniest part is the camcorder in the car as they race. It’s amazing what they say and in some cases sing as they rip around the turns and straight aways.

The final thing I love about TOP GEAR is that it’s a show I can enjoy with my husband. We have such opposite tastes in TV that it’s a rare thing that we can enjoy the same show. We usually have to take turns, I get Bones and he gets The Smoking Gun! I get the old Cary Grant movie and he gets Clint Eastwood. It works!

We were excited when they decided to make an American  TOP GEAR, but unfortunately, it just didn’t measure up. Maybe I just need those adorable British accents after all!
   

UNIVERSAL LAWS

1. Law of Mechanical Repair 

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee. 



2. Law of Gravity
Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. 



3. Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act 



Friday, April 29, 2011

BUSINESS TRIP - Part VI - Hart's Desire


Flooded With Flashbacks
Have you ever wished for a night that would never end?
Jillian B. Hart





His eyes locked on her, taking in the droplets hanging in the hair that caught the light and reflected like diamonds dancing around her. She could feel herself shaking inside.  His touch, his kiss, leaving her feeling weak and slightly faint. It was incomprehensible.  Them being so in sync. Feelings so in unison. After scads of time had escaped them.  After their lives had ceased to be merged in any way, shape, or form for years.  Studying him, she dared to fathom and acknowledge that he was still the one. Still the one that she dreamed of - the one, a part of her heart had always continued to love.  She knew a part of her heart would forever belong to him.  
In the gentle drizzle, the moonlight fell on the cityscape of buildings beyond the bridge where it slipped through the shroud of clouds.  Darting in and out across the distance like the impassioned feelings chasing across the immediate atmosphere between them. Words eluded them as their eyes flitted across each other’s silhouettes as if to memorize the face before them.  Every meeting glance leaving them more entranced between the recollection of abundant memories and the reality that stood before them.  A reality theirs for the taking at this moment if they melted into this instant and lost control.  All she had always waited for stared back at her.  She saw before her every dream that she had longed to come true.  Her eyes fell closed under the overwhelming intensity of it all, as the voice in her head wished for this night to never end.  




SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran



Somedays I feel like darkness is looming. 

All my efforts leaving me in twilight -- chasing the last glimses of light. What's the reason darkness falls? In the universe it's a cycle that brings the dawn. 

Today I'm questioning  what am I cycling through? 
What do I need to learn? 

But, in the process I'm holding on - knowing I have a light inside. The power within me!

Endure the darkness for it shows us the stars - raise your sights, see the possibilities - they are always there!


It is only when we wander through the darkness can we appreciate the beauty of the stars!


Keep the promises that you make to yourself!



Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC
All Rights Reserved

LUNCH TIME POLL

In the world of rewards credit
PAIN AT THE PUMP


Why is it that you can go to a restaurant, food store, just about anywhere and you can use a credit card without any additional fee added on, but you go to buy gas and you pull up to the pump it says $4.19 CASH $4.26 CREDIT....

WHY??????????????? It's the same credit card I am using all over the land!!!


Help me out on this one - PLEASE!! Thoughts??? Comments....

A MOTHER'S ANGUISH: The Conclusion

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Governor Scott has just become Saint Rick to me! Because of his intervention, my son has his Social Security back, but that’s only part of the story!

When I wrote to the Governor, I immediately received an “I got your message and I care about your concerns” letter.  I figured I was politically “brushed off”.  I was wrong.
Last week I received a letter from the Director of the Department of Health’s Office of Disability Discernment. She told me the Governor has marked my son’s case “Governor’s Inquiry” and that he asked her to look into it and assist us in any way possible. She assigned her assistant to the case and gave me her number for my son to call. I called first to speak to Miss Jones, and explain the situation. Because my son is 25, he was the one who was supposed to speak with her but after I filled her in, she assured me that even if my son wouldn’t call her, she would act on his behalf. Amazingly, I got him to call and speaking to him left no doubt in her mind that he was permanently disabled. She assured him that she would speak with the person making the decision about his Social Security personally, but neither she nor the Governor could guarantee the outcome. All they could do was try.

Two days ago I received a call from Miss Jones. She knew that I was frantic about my son’s situation and that I wasn’t sleeping just thinking about him being on the street. She informed me that she had found an agency in Brevard County that located a couple that took my son in and gave him room, board and food for free. Their home was located down the block from his college. This couple had 6 children they were also caring for. What amazing people! She also told me she had spoken to the person making the decision and given him all the facts about my son. She couldn’t tell me the outcome, but she said we could expect to hear within the week. She also talked to the local Social Security Office to be sure the process was expedited and that they knew the Governor was interested in the outcome of this case. 

Miraculously, instead of the usual 6 months and probable discontinuation of benefits, my son got a call that he was absolutely disabled and his benefits would not be touched. The entire process took less than 2 weeks! Without the help of Governor Scott and Miss Jones, my son would have been homeless and had to wait months to know for sure, and even then he would probably have been cut off. I am SO grateful to our Governor and the Office of Disability Discernment and especially the very kind and caring Miss Jones! I’m also grateful to so many readers who have prayed for us and offered help and suggestions. Your kindness and support meant more than you could ever know.

Finally I’d like to thank my DRL family for their support and for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings, and spooky stories with all of you!

From this day forward, this is my own personal prayer:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was give poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all, most richly blessed.
                                                           -Unknown Confederate Soldier’s Prayer


Click Below to Follow the Story from the beginning...




THE GREAT DEBATE

Deanna; The Unnatural Mother

The debate of Working Mom Vs. Stay at Home Mom has been going on for Centuries. Starting from the Cavewoman; I am sure as shit that Betty resented Wilma, who got to stay home while Betty was out foraging for food and supplies, all because Barney was too busy trying to invent the wheel, or making fire or goofing off at that Buffalo Lodge, Fred meanwhile was climbing up the Rock Quarry ladder, getting ready for the next promotion. Poor Betty, always in Wilma’s shadow.

This is an age old debate that I personally don’t have a clear stance on, as I am a Mom that has done both - at several different stages of my children short lives. I flip-flop on this topic constantly. However, to rip off Oprah, this is what
I KNOW FOR SURE, not my neighbor, nor my best friend but WHAT I BELIEVE the realities to be, did I make that clear enough? I’m not going to get attacked by some right wing conservative mom militia now am I? 

Stay at Home Mom
Aprons: The Garment of the•I had a ton of guilt if I wasn’t turning out the laundry as fast as stealth bomber, whipping up gourmet meals a la Mario Batali and if the house wasn’t sparkling like the Chrysler Building, I’d go into hysterics. Okay, so let’s be honest here, this is what I thought I was doing, however, not sure if I lived up to these expectations but I certainly had guilt about it!
•That my entire existence was to be a Mom and Wife, I 100 and 50% felt exactly like a 50’s housewife sans the crazy-up do. I’d cater to my kids, wipe asses, and make sure there was a cold martini waiting at the door for my weary hubby after a hard day of work. Is this the absolute truth? See last sentence above.
•I felt extremely guilty buying anything other than cleaning supplies or food. Gosh forbid I bought a $7.99 t-shirt at Target, the guilt would consume me; I’d start turning tricks to make-up for the loss of income thus spending more time away from my sons…which in turn created a serious vicious cycle of guilt, STD testing… you know the drill.
•The guilt was even more overwhelming when I went to the gym. I felt that I was dragging them around, and if didn’t spend the time engaging, playing and making sure they were entertained at all times I deemed myself a terrible mommy.
•Totally used the “I can’t take these kids for another minute” tirade way too often.
•Became extremely selfish about “me” time, and in some instances, took the opportunity to roam around Target by myself so I could escape everyone, I didn’t care if I just had to buy tampons – it was a welcome opportunity, and I took it and ran!
•Fashion Don’t For Sure! I had the same get-ups for each day of the week, the only variation was the color. Nothing new came into the rotation and if it did it’d throw the entire universe out of wack; yes the ENTIRE Universe, I am sure you felt the tilt!! I did make sure that I was ironed, showered, and had a dab of make-up on. JEESH...give me some credit.
•Never felt RUSHED… ‘cause I never had to be anywhere, and if I had plans, or had to cart the buggers around to activities, or doctor’s appointments, I had all the time in the world to get there. It doesn’t matter that I was late 90% of the time; the fact of the matter is that I had the time to get there in time.


Thursday, April 28, 2011

BLOGGER ISSUE WITH COMMENTS

Dear DRL Readers

We have dearly missed our interactions with you today!  Due to issues with blogger comments have been practically impossible to post.  Even from "within" the blog the comments are going up as generic "Delayed Reaction Lounge said" rather then Dawn Said or Barbara Said.  (Bizarre!)

It just recently came to our attention via an email that the comments have not been working today.
(On the upside, good to know there was a reason for the "crickets"!!!)

We have contacted Blogger and hope the issue will be fixed asap.
Kindly be patient and keep trying - we LOVE to interact with you!

Thanks!
Barbara, Dawn & The DRL Crew

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran







The turning point in the process is when you have healed your spirit enough to discover that the core of strength and courage that you need comes from an internal source, one that is fed and fostered by our Lord.  It's a journey down a path of self discovery and self acceptance that at times may seem practically impossible. Find the faith to believe in yourself and the rest will follow. There are no short cuts to any place worth going!






Keep the promises that you make to yourself!







Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC
All Rights Reserved