"The course of true love never did run smooth."
William Shakespeare
"So long as I can breathe or I can see
so long lives your love which gives life to me."
William Shakespeare
"When you depart from me sorrow abides, and happiness takes his
leave."
William Shakespeare
"Love from one side hurts, but love from two sides heals."
William Shakespeare
"Love goes to love like schoolboys from their books. But love from
love, towards school with heavy looks."
William Shakespeare
"Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind."
William Shakespeare
"My only love sprung from my only hate."
William Shakespeare
"A friend is one who knows who you are, understands where you have
been, accepts what you have become, and still gently
allows you to grow."
William Shakespeare
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM DRL!
May you have love in your heart
and happiness that wraps around you
today & always!
PARANORMAL PUB: Valentine From the Grave
Marilyn was missing her husband, Jonas, having lost him only four months earlier. He was a romantic and had always made Valentine’s Day special for her. Each year he made her a special card with a loving verse he wrote himself. Since Valentine’s Day was only a week away, she was feeling very melancholy.
The next morning, the phone rang rather early. It was her favorite niece, Katherine, who was away at art school.
“Aunt Mari”, she said, “ You’re going to be getting a package from me.”
Her voice was shaky and high pitched.
“Honey, are you OK?” Marilyn asked.
“Yes, Aunt Mari, but there’s something I have to tell you. The package isn’t exactly from me.”
“What do you mean” Marilyn asked.
“Last night, something suddenly woke me up. When I sat up, Uncle Jonas was there. He took 4 Valentines out of his pocket and lay them out on my bed. He opened each one and showed me what they said. After he was sure I had read each one and saw the design, he picked them up and put them back in his pocket. He pointed at me and smiled. Then he disappeared. I knew what he wanted. I sketched each one out and wrote down the words. I put each one in a separate envelope and sent them in a package to you. I think he wants you to open one each year.
And that’s exactly what Marilyn did for the next four Valentine’s Days.
On the fifth one, she died in her sleep.
Monday, February 13, 2012
A MESSAGE FROM TONY....
Happy Birthday Delayed Reaction Lounge!!!
The Lounge has educated me, made me laugh, made me sad, it has sexually excited me, made me realize a writing ability I never would've tapped into otherwise, & gave and introduced me to some people who I truly value as friends.
Here's to many more!!!
LET'S CELEBRATE!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DELAYED REACTION LOUNGE!
Barbara Ward- Finneran
WHOA BABY!!!!!
It's been a year... a wonderful, wicked and wild year!
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Amidst the chaos of the Christmas holidays and into January we brainstormed and planned a bit. Flung emails through cyberspace, jotted notes all over the place, and had quite a few marathon phone calls to plan for the birth. By late January we wondered if our target date could be a reality. I was lost in the design of it all. Desperately trying to find balance between the designer and writer within me. In fact, on Thursday, February the 10th, I called Dawn and pretty much told her, "No way. I can't get this designed in time". I hung up with her reeling and disappointed. Madder the HELL that I "couldn't" do it. Madder then HELL, that I couldn't "Keep the promises that you make to yourself"(I made to myself). Design experience I had plenty of... Website design, not so much. I had drown myself in delusions of grandeur --- figuring out how to design it all. HA! That was funny and not in the ha ha kind of way.
What's a designer to do??? Call your best friend from art school, that's what you do! Late as it was I rang Laura. She talked me off the ledge. And, let me tell you, I was looking and equipped to jump. Like so many times before, Laura helped me find a way to "design it". There's nothing better then a savvy BFF, who knows your strengths and weaknesses to boot you in the butt and get you to pick yourself up by your stiletto straps--- in design, blogging, and, or life! Shortly into the conversation she made it so apparent that I was working to reinvent the wheel. DUH! How did I not see it? That despite my skills, abilities, and desires... I couldn't do it all. Laura and I talked long into the night discussed tools and templates that would allow some design control and yet not become another ball and chain. I was sold and determined to make that launch date a reality.
Friday morning was just the first of many moments of making Dawn's head spin. (It's fun sometimes! HA! LOVE YOU DAWN!) The conversation went something like this:
"Remember that I told you it was off?"
"Yes."
"Well, forget everything I said last night! It's on!!! Come hell or high water, we will launch on Monday. It'll be a 'work in progress', but we will launch! WE WILL KEEP THE PROMISES THAT WE MAKE TO OURSELVES!"
"@#%& YEAH!"
"Agreed! @#%& YEAH!"
Not much sleep ensued among the next few days of "blood, sweat, and tears" that followed. Our baby would be born via a surrogate and her name was "blogger".
Now really, in order to be true to life (especially our crazy lives) --- what would DRL's birth have been without a delayed reaction of some sort! ;)
The weekend was wild and wicked. I poured myself into Blogger & Adobe Illustrator. Fielded phone calls and texts that enwrapped me with encouragement (Thank you all - you know who you are!) and plowed through the unknown to make it familiar. Pulling Dawn right along in all the "fun" as she also tended to all the other details. Picture two hamsters (adorable & feisty, lol) stuck in a wheel and going for broke, carrot dangling! Sunday the 13th was a whirlwind of trying to be ready to launch at midnight. Last minute finesses and preparing the posts, contacting the other writers, getting every little thing in order. We were exhausted and bringing it right down to the wire. Yet, knowing it would happen. Happen on time, like we planned, like we promised!
By 10:30 that night we were really ready. Still not sure how the heck that happened but we were as ready as we'd ever be, read to rock!
Tick Tock went the clock........
Later still on the phone and not being able to get the timer to work on posts, we decided we'd post it just after midnight. (Yes, the phrase "Blogger Flog-ker" was born that night too! I should have a dime for every time we've said it since - HA!)
Tick Tock went the clock........
Still on the phone. Still exhausted. Practically dozing while talking. We gave up! Obviously not on the blog. We gave up and gave in. We put the first post up before midnight and went to bed! Fatigued, frazzled and flying high!
That is how DRL was born and how "our baby" came a day early.
WHOA BABY!!!!!
It's been a year... a wonderful, wicked and wild year!
Wow! All very amusing to think back on in retrospect. Like many things, not so funny at the time. All memories that I am very thankful for having and hold in my heart. We've done a lot since that sleep deprived weekend. We have had over 1, 500 posts read in over 105 countries! We broke our initial goal of 100,000 posts long, long ago. We have had stories and posts that make you laugh, cry, feel creepy, get excited, think and comment. (We'd welcome more comments BTW!) Not bad for the little blog that could. DRL would not have been born with out the love, support and encouragement and of our family and friends (you know who you are!) Let me not fail to mention the endless writing inspiration and material that you have all helped to provide. We thank you & hope you forgive us too - LOL. DRL would not have grown into a family without the dedication of our regular writers. Marion, and our funny man, Tony, of Drop Dead Comedy, have gone above and beyond and always have entertaining posts to share every week since day one. A fact I can't even boast! Way to go "guys'! Jillian B. Hart and Patty B have been regulars along our journey who have also been well read and embraced. Jill's Heart's Desire has been know to spark a fire! Patty's Sticky Sweets are enough to make you crave more. (We miss your posts! I know how life gets in the way --- but get to writing, and I will too!) Jenn, Gary O, Robert, Michael, Natalie, Bridgette, Michele, Jessica Lemoine McGinnis Yee, and "The Good Girl" (You all come back now - real soon! Again, we miss your posts!) have contributed and been enjoyed. (Geez, I hope I got everybody!) The stories and beautiful inspiration from the women of Michael D Colareno's Breast Cancer Awareness Body Painting Project (BCABPP) and his beautiful artwork, who were featured in "Pink Reaction" inspired us to tears. Many thanks to Doris, Ellen & Pamela --- May the courage and strength that you shared come back to you tenfold! We have successfully cross promoted and have had so much fun with Deanna and The Unnatural Mother. "Behind the scenes" support and reassurance from our favorite IT friends, Laura, Gary & Jay. The endless questions and laughs with us and at us have been priceless. Hey... we aim to entertain! :) We wouldn't be still doing this a year later without all of YOU!!! Dawn & I thank you all from the bottom of hearts and from those places that dreams are made of... and we love you!
None of it would still be going on 365 days later without all of YOU!!!
Without our readers! Dawn & I thank you all from the bottom of hearts and from those places that dreams are born!!! Because of all of you DRL was born and better yet - has had a birthday.
We love our readers and hope you'll keep coming back for more!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU EVERYONE!
It's still a work in progress. Oh the places we can go! I know I am looking forward to years ahead! (Looking forward to finding more time to write again - but, again... that's another blog!)
Stay tuned this week for more memories & re-runs of the best of the best of our first year.
Love, Peace & Prayers... Always,
Barbara
PS... All the non-red text (hyperlinks) will bring you to related posts or websites - Kindly support everyone and click around. If you are new to DRL you are certain to find some great stuff that you missed! ENJOY!
VALENTINES DAY ON A BUDGET
Bringing Gourmet Home
Enjoying a gourmet dinner at home can save you money but also is more intimate at the same time. Set the mood and create an inviting environment by dimming the lights, using red table linens, and lighting candles. The cost will much cheaper than going out to eat plus you can customize the menu and make your sweetheart’s favorite dish.
Put Some Elbow Into It
Rather than give your sweetheart a gift certificate to go to the spa and get a massage you can offer the massage yourself. And ladies, guys like massages too.Find It Free
For all those parents who plan to get out for the evening on Valentine’s Day enlist the help of “free” babysitting by calling Grandma and Grandpa. If you’re spending money on going out, try to save on babysitting. Plus Valentine’s Day will be fun for your kids too if they get to see their grandparents.Sometimes The Early Bird Isn't The Winner
You can always try celebrating Valentine’s Day after February 14. That’s not all that uncommon of a practice. When Valentine’s Day falls during the workweek it is sometimes impractical to celebrate the holiday on the exact day it occurs. This year Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week on a Wednesday, so you can look for ways to celebrate the holiday on the following weekend. Candy and other Valentine’s Day merchandise is usually discounted the day after.Look for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day at a discount so you can have just as much fun but at a fraction of the price.
TWO NEW PRINCESSES FOR 2012
Marion Pellicano Ambrose
Some trivia about Princess Merida from “
- She is expected to join the Disney Princess franchise, making her the first Disney Princess to come from Pixar and the 11th Disney Princess in the franchise.
- Mérida is the third Pixar Princess after Atta and Dot in 1998.
- Mérida was originally to be voiced by Reese Witherspoon, but due to scheduling conflicts she was replaced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald.
- If Mérida joins the Disney Princess franchise, she'd be the second Disney Princess with red hair (the first being Ariel from The Little Mermaid) and the third blue-eyed Disney Princess (the other 2 being Cinderella and Ariel).
- If Mérida joined the Disney princess franchise, she would have been the 2nd computer animated princess the first being Rapunzel.
- If Mérida joined the Disney princess franchise, she would have been the first never to sing... unless "Brave" becomes the first Pixar film to be musical.
- Mérida is the first female lead in Pixar history.
- Mérida is the first to have a talent in a sport. Pocahontas could as the first, since she is able to canoe with Mulan being the second with martial arts.
- The setting location for Mérida's story is the sixth specified after Snow White(
- Mérida would be the first Disney Princess to have siblings of the opposite gender (three triplet brothers to be exact), since the other Disney Princesses have sisters or are an only child.
I can’t wait to meet the new Disney princesses! You can say whatever you want, but I still believe most girls dream of being a princess in a fairy tale life, even 40 something (or even 50 something) girls!
PARANORMALPUB: A PARANORMAL VALENTINE
Marion Pellicano Ambrose
Think Valentine's Day is just for candies, flowers, and champagne? Think again. Paranormal author Dani Harper shares five Valentine's ghost stories of love gone tragically wrong!http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/2012/02/paranormal-valentine-5-ghost-stories.html
Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn't anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural -- unless it's writing sizzling and suspenseful romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld.
A Canadian who spent many years in northern Alberta, Dani now lives on an island in southeast Alaska! She and her husband operate a commercial fishing boat, and her stories are written on land or at sea, with the help of her executive secretary, Fiona the Pug.
Dani currently has a hot new shapeshifter series published by Kensington Brava. Look for Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream and Changeling Dawn wherever books are sold.
To find out more, please visit Dani's website at www.daniharper.com
VALENTINE'S GIFTS FOR THE MAN IN YOUR LIFE
Marion Pellicano Ambrose
Need help finding the perfect expression of love for your Valentine? Check these unique items for the man in your life!
Learn from the wisdom of geekdom. Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teaching of Nerd Culture is filled with some 200 of the most nerdlicious quotes from movies, books, the internet, and more. It not only gives you the quotes but gives profound and meaningful interpretations of them. Fun, easy-to-read, and entertaining. Must-have in any geek’s/nerd’s library.
For the Beer Lover: Beer of the Month Club
http://www.beermonthclub.com/Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club members receive twelve, 12-oz. bottles of beer each month. Our beer club makes a great gift for anyone with an appreciation for lightly distributed, hard to find microbrewed beer. Focused on quality and variety, you may choose from four different membership types! And you'll be able to reorder your favorites at a discounted price.
Experience today's best, hand-crafted microbrewed beer without traveling nationwide to find it. We select premium microbrews from over 1,000 US and International microbreweries and brewpubs and ship them directly to your home each month. For detailed information, visit The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club More Information page, and see why we're the #1 provider of hand-crafted microbrews!
Club gift memberships may be paid for either monthly or in one installment and range from 2-12 months. We'll also include a personalized gift card with each gift membership. And when you join our beer club for a low monthly cost, starting at just $22.95, plus shipping and handling, you'll also get our newsletter, Brew Harvest Review. It informs members about our featured beer selections, which breweries made them and what to look for in each. You'll also find extensive festival listings, brewpubs and microbrewery reviews, trivia, and special interest articles contributed by noted industry writers. Give a Gift Membership or Join our Beer Club
For the devoted Dad: Handy Dad ; 25 Awesome Projects for Dads and Kids
http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Dad-Awesome-Projects-Dads/dp/081186958X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327882663&sr=1-1Pass along practical fatherly advice your kids can use today: like how to build sling shots or launch water balloons on the fly! In this illustrative, easy-to-follow how-to guide, HGTV's Over Your Head host, Todd Davis, turns DIY projects into playtime with his collection of 25 kid-approved props. Busy Dads can choose from projects within three levels of time commitments: Easy Projects (e.g. lava lamp), Afternoon Projects (e.g. tire swing) or Weekend Projects (e.g. tree house).
Meant to be hammered out with your little ones using household items or everyday hardware store materials, Davis China
Still stumped? Check out the following sites that will give you some good advice!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MUSIC HISTORY FEBRUARY 12
1760 - Composer Jan Ladislav Dussek was born.
1924 - Bandleader Paul Whiteman presented his unique symphonic jazz at the Aeolian Hall in New York City. The concert featured the first public performance of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue."
1942 - Mildred Bailey recorded "More Than You Know" on Decca Records.
1956 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins recorded "I Put a Spell On You."
1961 - The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single.
1967 - Police raided Keith Richards home in West Wittering, Sussex, England. The police found "various substances of a suspicious nature." Richards and Mick Jagger were arrested on May 10 on drug charges.
1968 - Jimi Hendrix returned home to Seattle where he received a key to the city and an honorary high school diploma. He also played for the students of Garfield High School from which he had dropped out.
1972 - "Roundabout" was released by Yes.
1977 - The Police record "Fall Out," their first single.
1981 - Deborah Harry of Blondie announced that she would be making a solo album.
1989 - Tiny Tim declared himself a New York City mayoral candidate. He did not win in the election.
1997 - David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2001 - The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Napster to stop its users from trading copyrighted material without charge.
2010 More than 80 artists gathered to record the remake of "We Are The World". The next day Janet Jackson laid down her version of Michael Jackson's part. The song was premiered at the opening of the Winter Olympics on February 12.
1924 - Bandleader Paul Whiteman presented his unique symphonic jazz at the Aeolian Hall in New York City. The concert featured the first public performance of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue."
1942 - Mildred Bailey recorded "More Than You Know" on Decca Records.
1956 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins recorded "I Put a Spell On You."
1961 - The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single.
1967 - Police raided Keith Richards home in West Wittering, Sussex, England. The police found "various substances of a suspicious nature." Richards and Mick Jagger were arrested on May 10 on drug charges.
1968 - Jimi Hendrix returned home to Seattle where he received a key to the city and an honorary high school diploma. He also played for the students of Garfield High School from which he had dropped out.
1972 - "Roundabout" was released by Yes.
1977 - The Police record "Fall Out," their first single.
1981 - Deborah Harry of Blondie announced that she would be making a solo album.
1989 - Tiny Tim declared himself a New York City mayoral candidate. He did not win in the election.
1997 - David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2001 - The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Napster to stop its users from trading copyrighted material without charge.
2010 More than 80 artists gathered to record the remake of "We Are The World". The next day Janet Jackson laid down her version of Michael Jackson's part. The song was premiered at the opening of the Winter Olympics on February 12.
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