Attention to my NJ readers! I don't know about you, but I am always shopping locally and see these "voted best _____ in South Jersey!" signs in the window. While I agree, the places usually are the best - I always wanted to be a part of the vote. This year I did!
Here is the form you just have to fill it out and you'll be all set. I didn't fill all entry's in, as certain things I have no clue about - hair dresser, nails, manicure, massage, I don't do that stuff haha, well, I do, but I do it myself!

My main votes were for Creative Genius, the best (and newly expanded) art gallery - I put them in for "Best Gift Shop" as well as "Best Main Street Experience" You know I'm all about buying handmade stuff, and promoting it, so getting Creative Genius in there under Best Gift Shop would be awesome!

my other one I feel strongly about is Tarantella's Restaurant in Medford, NJ - I voted them Best BYOB, and Best Pizza. They rock in all area's, their chicken parm and stuffed filet is awesome as well.

Best Health club, I did NOT vote for Active Fitness, mainly because they suck at life, and should be called "My skin is orange from over tanning and I'm so built my head looks like it goes directly into my shoulders" but, that was probably too big to fit on the sign. I voted for Cuts, because hubby loves it and they're good to the local firemen here in Medford.

So, if you're in South Jersey go vote! Now I want some pizza. Tarantella's makes a fantastic stromboli as well.

Abbie

There's not much on youtube that can capture my attention for over 3 minutes, better yet 8 minutes, normally I'll quit halfway through something - but this - this is just amazing! What an amazing animal. I want one of those prints!



Abbie

Wow. Demon child has made an appearance. I knew it was just a matter of time. Well, now I can say for my birthday, Neil threw me a giant temper tantrum!

It's pretty nice out today, sunny but brisk, and I took Neil to the park about 4 blocks from our house. It didn't start out as a walk to the park, it was just going to be around the block but Neil was being a trooper (first long walk without the stroller) he really seemed to be liking the walk so we took a detour to the park.


Park was fantastic, there was nobody else there which I love, because I hate having to play nice and make small talk with the self proclaimed Super Mommies that habitually hang out at the park. Neil had a great time and he does love having the place to himself, as much as other kids crack him up - he gets she and just prefers to watch other kids play as opposed to actually getting in there and having a blast.

We spent a good 45 minutes there, and then I realized it was 3:00 and time for a nap, the nap is extremely crucial today because we're going to my fav restaurant Tarantella's for my birthday dinner tonight, and it's note exactly a place you can take a child who's Iron Manning it and over due on sleep.
Then comes the "I don't want to leave the park" syndrome. I think my parents' probably cursed this on me, because this was apparently my specialty as a child. I walked him about 20 feet away and he stops, turns and runs back for the slides. I didn't entirely push the issue, trying to avoid a freak out, so (after snapping a photo)

I calmly walked over, said to him that it was nap time, time to go, and that I'd take him back to the park in a few days. Ahhh this is where the fun began.
He reluctantly walked, me holding his hand for about 30 feet saying "no no no, ohhhhhhhh noooooooooo!!!!!!" , just to the exit of the park, then the real guns came out. He went limp, I picked him up and carried him, he twisted, kicked, writhing, screaming. Oh, it was joy. This went on all the way home. Once we were out of sight distance of the park, I let go of him to see if he would walk with me, he turned around and started right back for the park.
I just love causing a public scene like that lol. So I carried him/drug him/pulled him the rest of the way home, it was just lovely. Hey though, I wanted to get out and get some exercise, and I certainly achieved that. A simple walk is probably what - like 250 calories burned? I wonder how many calories you burn from carrying a screaming, writhing, kicking, hair pulling, pinching, noodle of a 30lb toddler along the way?

Well, I was going to work on some Graphic stuff I have to do, but I think I'm going to watch an episode of Big Love instead. I rented season 1 from Netflix cause I liked season 2 so much. BTW, all the pics in this entry are taken w/ my new iPhone! Sean got it for me for my Birthday, it's more awesome than I even though. I am smitten. It takes pretty decent pics too! I added an application that allows me to send the pics I take straight to my Flickr account! I'm in love The best part was, Sean knows how to "jail break" them, so they work with T Mobile. I didn't have to switch to At&t which I was totally against. So if anybody needs their iPhone jail broken, talk to Sean, he did a couple guys' phone's at work for $50 a pop....less than the fee you'd get charged to break your cell contract & switch to AT&T!

Ahh I've been having major issues with my site. It would act as if nothing was wrong, publish my updates -but lo and behold nothing was showing up on my actual website since November! I gave up on it for a bit, got busy with Christmas, & Neil's 2nd Birthday, but I finally figured it out!

I'm not exactly sure how or what happened, but I think I fixed it! You can expect regular updates from me again starting..........now!


I've missed updating!
Abbie

1. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random - The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. Click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 - The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. Visit http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ - The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4.Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result.

Mine:
Lee Otter
Safe to Be Unpopular



post yours in your lj or in the comments..

Abbie

I should really make a resolution to update this blog more often, I was doing really good for a while there, then Christmas hit like a ton of bricks, but alas, it is the new year and I will pledge to make more blog posts, on both this site and my shop

Anywho, here's my New Year's resolutions, gone are the days of "loose weight" and "eat healthy" what kind of half assed resolutions are these? I'm making some resolutions that I can, and *WILL* actually stick to.


Forgo all exercise (including walking),
Learn to smoke (something thin like Capri's),
Take my loved one's for granted,
Stop washing my hands after twosies,
Laugh at babies who are late walkers,
Pull leaves off trees that appear to be flourishing,
Name the yet to be named voices in my head (something tough like Carl or Kyle)
Be less kind to bunnies,
Floss everything but my teeth,
Travel (but only around my yard and with a light carry-on)
Stop and smell the Rosens. (They're a wonderful family and absolutely compulsive about showering.)

I know, this sounds familiar right? It's cause I post it every year, I forget where I first got it from, but it makes me laugh every year!

Anybody have one of those stories that would be absolutely horrifying to live - but since it's not you, or since it's over - it's freaking hysterical? Particularly holiday stories? I got one!

So when my grandmother was a little girl, she had lots of cousins and for the holidays they would all get together in one house to celebrate. Christmas eve, all the children would sleep in the attic room, all together.

Well, as you can imagine - a ton of children in one room on Christmas eve - excitement is running on full blast. Santa is coming - and they just cannot contain themselves! They're up, running around the room, laughing, making noise, etc.

The parents are downstairs, no doubt drinking and having a grand old time.....waiting for the kids to go to sleep so they can get to work on the presents, and, keep partying.

Well the kids are being rowdy, so the parents take their turns going up and telling them to quiet down and go to sleep....to no avail.

Well - finally they've had enough, my great grandfather goes up there and tells the kids that if they don't quiet down, lay in their beds and go to sleep that he's going to wait outside for Santa - and when he gets here - he's going to SHOOT Santa so they get no presents ever again!

I guess some of the kids were still being unruly after that and making noise.....well....sure enough they hear "jingle jingle jingle" of bells, and some "ho ho ho's" and then.......to the children's horror - they hear "BANG BANG BANG" of a gun! The parents staged the whole thing - stomping on the roof, jingling bells, ho ho ho's....and then shooting a few rounds!

And the kids were devistated.....but quiet, and sat in silence til they fell asleep!

That story is absolutely horrifying, but it makes me laugh every year hahaha.

You got any?

Abbie
*key aspects of the story have been changed to protect the guilty!

I am really, really upset right now. I just found out that my dear old neighbor, Margie Ellis, has passed away. She lived in Medford for all but one month of her life. I posted a blog back in May about how her house was up for sale, her daughter listed it. Well, October 26th was the closing and they moved out. I've been missing her ever since. She used stop by all the time to see Neil and chat, she cleaned houses for a living and she did a good job right up until the end.
She was born on Cherry Street in Medford, right here in the village, then she moved around the village and finally moved to Cedar St, right next door to where I live where she spent a majority of her final years. You would know her if you saw her, a petite grey haired woman wearing stretchy pants, lots of jewelry, white grey hair up in a bee hive, and sparkling blue eyes. She waved, smiled, and would talk to anyone she saw. She spent many days walking the streets of Medford, visiting her lost loved ones in the Oddfelow's Cemetary. Playing Bingo, going to Church, having coffee in whatever cafe inhabited the corner of Main & Union Streets I know she was in every day back when I had it, and generally just being pleasant and kind.
We would talk to her as we went to our car, she would be sitting on her porch watching the cars go by Cedar street and she would tell us "don't do anything I wouldn't do!....but if you do...name it after me!" and of course always "God Bless You, I love you" She just loved our son, Neil, she couldn't get enough of him.
She was a wonderful person, and I know she hated to leave Medford for Tricia Meadows, Marlton in her final month, but I didn't realize it would lead to her end. She was already sorely missed, I hate seeing her house empty next door to us, the new owners haven't completely moved in yet, though I'm sure they're lovely there is no way they can fill her shoes.....even if they were itty bitty in size! She had a big heart and was always willing to lend a hand, and I will really miss her.
I kick myself for not visiting her in her new house, I kept making excuses - some viable, some not so much - the baby was sick, I was sick, I didn't want to make her ill....but I really wish I'd stopped by to see her and let her know how much she was missed.
I haven't been able to find an obituary yet, I found out through a friend who was asked to keep it on the downlow, but I loved Margie, and I know others did so I'm letting everyone know, I think it's only right. When I do find out more info about her services I will post them here.

Here's some pics of Margie that I have, Dancing at the Cultural Arts Fest, Hanging out in the Cafe, and playing with my son - Neil...

Well, over the weekend I was browsing Stars OnDemand and found a movie called "Wal*Mart - The high cost of low prices" and watched it - I couldn't believe it. I've read lots of threads on Etsy about artists boycotting WalMart for one reason or another, but I never heard the nitty gritty details of it - better yet - I'd never seen the proof that this movie provided of all their immoral actions.
Cliff Notes version:

Fair Wages: Walmart pays the minimum amount available to their employees. Full time employees are counted as such at 28 hours. If both parents in a family worked at walmart with 2 kids full time - they would be below the poverty line. The health insurance? $75 out of every paycheck and high copays make it impossible to even use it. This is the part that really gets me - when the employees ask for better benefits - the management suggests going on Government assistance - welfare, wic, medicare/cade......there was a poll in the movie about walmart workers that are on government assistance of some kind......it was ridiculous. I want to say somewhere near $1.5 billion worth of government assistance to these people. So - you may be paying $4.96 to put that shirt on your back, and think you're getting a great deal - but you'll make up the difference and then some in your taxes to support the rest of their employees that they refuse to back. The employees are made to work overtime without pay - by threat of loosing their job if they don't do it. It's just totally unfair. I hate to say it, but this is where a Union would come in handy - but when Wal Mart employees gather and ask for one, they're penalized and threatened to be fired - and flat out told no.

Made in China: Their products are made anywhere but here. Why - because that's where they get the cheapest labor. Something to the tune of $3 a day for sweatshop workers in China. These workers live in what is basically indentured servitude. Large dormitories of people, sharing rooms - they are charged for rent, and utilities - which seems fair -until you learn that they have to pay rent there whether they live there or not.When rep's come from USA to inspect the workplace, moral, etc - they turn a blind eye. The workers are given scripts to memorize so they know what to say when they are asked if they are happy with their job and conditions. If they lie - they loose their job. They are physically punished, as well as reprimanded in their jobs. They also work 7 days a week. None of this is a choice - if they don't want to work in these conditions - they are fired. Toys, etc - cost about .18cents to make, Walmart sells them for $14.97

Closing of Small Towns: Once a Wal Mart comes to town, the mom and pop stores that have been in business since WW2 and longer, close down. They simply can not compete with Wal Mart's prices! Granted - that's not Wal Mart's fault, that's just business - take your beautiful small town - like the one I live in - and bring a Wal Mart to it - what happens? Small businesses close - no new businesses return in their place because they know they can not compete with Wal Mart - so what does that leave? Empty storefronts and buildings - what does that lead to? No jobs - (or poverty stricken Wal Mart Jobs - and plenty of people chomping at the bit to take them) which leads to poverty......which leads to your once beautiful small town being vacant, a great place for crime in all those empty buildings - no jobs - and boom - small town life is gone. Once that small town life is gone - no amount of cash will bring it back....it's not really worth all those cheap prices after all, is it?

What also gets me mad, is the Wal Mart corporation is masquerading as Christians. This is not the way Christians act, and they are giving us all a bad name. The walton family is worth somewhere near $175 Billion dollars - among 6 people.....they have the ability to fix all this, and they don't!

So please, this holiday season and forever - do not buy from Walmart! It's costing you, and everyone - way more than the price on the tag!

I know this isn't my usual type of blog - it's probably coming across very liberal - and for some of you that may surprise you considering I'm a staunch Republican Christian - but these people are doing wrong - and wrong is wrong - no matter their religion, or their political standpoint. It is way beyond either of those things at this point.

Oh - and not in the movie - but in other research I've done, I've found that Wal Mart is actually suing the Laboratories that are investigating the presence of Lead in toys? Wal Mart really cares about nothing but themselves, and making money! I could really go on and on - just watch the movie! It's free on Starz OnDemand if you have it - look for it! You'll be shocked!

Thanks!
Abbie

Halloween night: as told by:
Neil the blogger!


This is the back of my costume, I was a three eyed monster - I'm showing off the back because the front...

well, the front...I didn't like my costume so much, I was pretty bratty and Momma thought we were going to cancel trick or treating

But then I learned that trick or treating yields me some candy!

sweet sweeeeeeeet CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's me and Daddy -
Daddy was "Dr. Acula" from Scrubs. We were at Grandma's house in this picture.

Here's a neat totem pole made out of real pumpkins! I loved it!


Yeay! This whole costume thing isn't so bad!

Look at all my candy I got!

Mine! All My Candy! It's all for meeeeee!

Ohhh sugar ohhh honey honey!

I'll give the computer back to Mommy now!


Trick or Treating was a hit! He had a good time, despite his hatred of his costume initially. We had 2 days of trick or treating - the 30th in Toms River, they t&t the day before Halloween to try to discourage the whole mischief night thing - it doesn't work, but it lets us spend the holiday w/ my family, and at home with my mil too.

I had the house all decked out for Halloween, I'm attaching some pics here too, since I'm already going hog wild with the photo post hehe.

Enter our scary house of Galie!

Beware the Headless Horseman! (made by me!)

Here's some of my fall/halloween inspired artwork, and some more Halloween decor

My fav Halloween pumpkin

The candy for the kiddos, we got lots of trick or treaters, and honest ones at that - while we were out trick or treating ourselves I left candy on the porch for the kids - there was still some left when we got back!

And, the piece-de-resistance - our Halloween Village. Haunted Witches House & Dracula's Castle


Happy Halloween!

Abbie

Over the last year, now more than ever, I've seen a lot of websites, videos, books, - even the History Channel - about the "9/11 Conspiracy". This angers me. Particularly a video called "Loose Change" but there are many others, myspaces, etc. For some reason, they think the government is behind 9/11, that somehow, they government has pulled off this big hoax, and blamed the terrorists. A hoax so elaborate, that not one, but two planes would go into the Twin Towers, and that a third plane didn't really crash into the Pentagon - it was blown up from the inside - now, the actual location of the plane that crashed, well, that I'm not sure how they're playing that off. The government (or, Vast, right wing conspiracy) even went far enough to create hero's like Todd Beamer the "Let's Roll!" guy, of course, according to them, he was a paid agent ready to die for his country.
This infuriates me. How is it that these people believe this? And if they think our government is so almighty and powerful, to orchestrate this great big conspiracy, and even go to war over it - well - tell me why, in the vast conspiracy, that they can't kill a couple of teenagers coming out with websites saying it's a hoax and uncovering it all? How hard would it be for them to cover their tracks a bit, and off the few but loud guys that are screaming that this is a hoax? Why would they be alive, if this were true? If our government would go to the lengths to kill two towers full of people, 4 planes full of people, 343 firefighters, and more - what's it to them to kill a couple of kids who are outing them? It would be a drop in the bucket compared to the deaths on 9/11!

So, on the eve of the sixth anniversary of 9/11, I am going out, I am living my life, I'm not afraid. I remember, I've mourned, I will never forget - but I'm not living a life of fear. I feel proud of our country, and our soldiers. It's amazing to me the sacrifices they can make for their country. I can barely stand the fact that my husband is a firefighter, putting himself willingly into dangerous situations, and that usually only lasts a day, or even just a few hours, and he's back in my arms. I can just imagine the heartache felt by families that our soldiers have to leave behind.

Ahh, anyway, after that rant, I'm kind of at a loss for words. I'm happy to be here, I'm patriotic, I'm proud of our country too. Do something nice for your neighbors, remember to smile, and remember that the world you're living in does not come cheap, so appreciate it.

Abbie

I'm home from my vacation. We were out in the middle of nowhere, really, the middle of nowhere in PA at ETAR - Eastern Traditional Archery Rendevous

I'd never really done much archery, just a bit here and there at my inlaw's house, but, I was actually pretty good! I was hitting the targets, and I was doing better than Hubby! (Which I rubbed in, profusely)

We were @ Denton Ski mountain, and you hike through the woods, they had various animal targets set up in various levels of difficulty - up on a hill, down on a ditch, between many many trees. I did good! I didn't break any arrows (unlike hubby)

Anyway, did you all miss me? Did you even notice I was gone?! hehe, What did I miss?

Abbie

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers. Go out & celebrate America by blowing up a small chunk of it. Fireworks galore last night, Neil loved them!



Happy 4th of July!

Abbie

It's a beautiful day out today, the sun is shining but it's actually pretty cool out on the eve-eve of our countries independence anniversary Last week this time it was about 104* with 90% humidity. I can't handle that kind of heat. It's nice now though, I might take the baby to the park later on, enjoy the weather.
Other than that, not much to update. I'm going through my first attempt at getting a refund through Paypal, I bought an item on Etsy and never received it. Seller claimed it was stolen from her box - and that she reshipped immediately. Not so - that was on June 6th. So, I left her a negative feedback (Which prompted others to leave her negative feedbacks as well) and filed reports w/ Etsy admin's and paypal. I still love Etsy, one bad egg isn't going to spoil the whole lot. I'll let ya know how it all turns out.
I'm still miffed about being muted in the Etsy forums earlier in June (I'm unmuted now, it was only a 3 day mute). I emailed w/ admin about it, they responded, but gave me no real answers. Looking back - I don't think I did anything wrong per say. When the person I was fighting with started getting nasty in her thread - I stopped posting any replies and notified admin via email. Then she sent me dozens of nasty convo's when she didn't get a rise out of me in the forums. I replied to the convo's, nothing mean, I just told her to leave me alone and seek professional help - then I reported the convo's to admin. Then - and I'm assuming this is why I was muted - I posted this thread, Ohhh I got my first hatemail but - I never called out the person, I didn't say who it was or even intricate details of what she said - I just said it was hatemail, and made myself feel better by surrounding myself with friends in the forum and laughing off the hate mail. When she started posting to MY thread - I stopped replying, as to not fight in the forums. Then a day or so later, I get an email from admin that I'm muted for 3 days for "fighting in the forums and breaking the rules" hmmm...where exactly did I break the rules? How was my thread any different than threads that ask what to do when you receive hateful convos? I never called out, and I avoided fighting! I've emailed w/ admin and asked, one - why did I not receive a letter or warning -- which - according to their own admin - will be sent out prior to muting. So - I emailed asking why exactly I was muted - and why I received no letter or warning. Their answer was shady and cloudy. They said in "extreme cases" people are muted outright with no warning. So - I'm supposed to believe that my case was EXTREME and needed immediate action. Yeah, ok. I'd love to see what they consider mild rule breaking, if what I did was extreme. Their answer? They recommended I email with the newly formed "community" @etsy.com for more answers, as they are the forum specialists now. You know what they had to say? Nothing. They didn't answer. My bet? Somebody is having a power trip w/ the mute button.
What happened to the girl that harrassed me? The same thing. Now - she repeatedly called me out in the forums, talked trash about my artwork - and tried to egg me into a fight, then when I didn't get nasty in public, she sent me over a dozen convo's about how my work is crappy and I don't belong here and I'm this and that. She got the same punishment I did. 3 days muted in the forums. Gee, that seems really fair, doesn't it? Not that I'm looking for Etsy to take further action now, it's over, it's passed, she stopped sending me convos, whatever - but they screwed up, and, it ticks me off. I've been a bit more quiet in the forums since that whole fiasco.
Well, I didn't start out to write an etsy rant, but, gee, it sure turned into one.

Abbie

This is a bit long, but totally worth the read - you'll never look at school bus's the same again:

William Robert Buzz Boos


BOOS William Robert Buzz Boos Industrial realtor and WWII Navy vet, 86 William Robert Buzz Boos, 86, died on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, in Manor Care Facility in New Providence. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 11, 2007, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, followed by a 1 p.m. funeral service at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge. To send condolences, please go to higginsfuneralhome.com. Mr. Boos was born in Newark, grew up in South Jersey and lived in Scotch Plains before moving to Warren in 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was an industrial realtor for Garibaldi Realty in Chatham for over 25 years before retiring in 1987. He was a Free Mason and Shriner of Crescent Temple and a member of its Yacht Club, serving as commodore in 1964. He had his own plane and was a member of the Flying Club at Somerset Airport. Mr. Boos was predeceased by his wife, Elsie Betty Boos, in 2006. Surviving are his daughters, Betty Orthouse of Wall and Karen Ciambriello of Stirling; his brother, Donald Boos of Garwood; his grandchildren, Jennifer Mylod, Amy and Alexis Ciambriello; his great-grandchildren, Abigail, Emiline and Philip, and one greatgreat-grandchild, Cornelius.
Published in the Star-Ledger on 6/7/2007.

Well, things are pretty crappy right now, to be completely honest. My PopPop had a stroke about 2 weeks ago and he's been deteriorating since then. At first we had some hope that he would recover, but I think, no, I know that he's given up. He'll be with my Nanny soon, who passed away just over a year ago. He is still *in* his body, looking, squeezing our hands, trying to talk,half smiling at us. We went up yesterday and I told him that I love him and I told him a few of the memories that I have with him that mean a lot to me. It was seriously a difficult thing for me to put into words, but I'm glad I did it. I felt bad crying in front of him, I know he must hate that, but it's unavoidable. It's awful to watch a loved one like that, it's just terrible. I'm trying to think of the bright side, that when he passes, he'll be reunited with my Nanny, his wife of 65 years, and his parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, all the family and friends that have already passed. It's helping, but, it's not overwhelming the fact that he's going to be so dearly missed by everyone he's leaving behind. We've been compiling photo's, scanning them in and restoring them. I'm going to put together a slideshow of photo's, with some video clips for every one in the family, we'll play it at the funeral too, it should be really nice. It's sad to make it, but I'm enjoying memorializing him like this. My "real" grandfather wasn't much of a....well, lets just say Pop Pop was more my grandfather, even though he was technically a Great Grandfather. He was a great man. I told him I loved him, and I told him how much fun I had with him growing up, and the things that I used to really look forward to when I was little, and the memories that I'll cherish well into my own old years. It was hard to say, because goodbye's are always hard. I knew it was a goodbye, he knows it's goodbye, but I never actually said "goodbye" I just said "see ya later" when we left. It's heartbreaking though.
Here's Pop Pop with my son, Neil his only Great Great Grandchild- this was right after Christmas of 2007.

In the meantime, I'm having issues with Etsy. Someone took offense to something I wrote and proceeded to hate-convo me as well as post negative things about me personally and professionally in the forums. I reported it to Admin, and - they banned BOTH of us from the forums for 3 days. Fine, ya know, I guess I broke the rules but she broke WAY more rules, so, why do we have the same punishment? Seems really unfair. I think I'll be avoiding the forums from here on out, or, at least for a while. I feel really betrayed. I was already down, because of all this PopPop stuff, and in the mist of it all this crap happens, well, ya know I just don't like it, and I don't need the extra stress. Etsy forums, up until now, has been a place for me to chat, offer advice, promote, help other users with various issues - goof off and have fun discussions. Well, I feel really betrayed now. She said outright mean and hurtful things - in public forum as well as in non stop convo's, and yet - we have the same punishment. I'm very emotional, and I know that I'm taking this personally, but ya know, it feels pretty personal. The things this girl said - didn't bother me, that's one person's opinion, but - Etsy admin's ruling on it is what's making me upset. I can't help but take it personally. So, whatever, I guess this girl wins. All it's doing is motivating me to get my zencart working, and leave Etsy. I never thought I'd think of leaving Etsy because I've liked it so much for the last year plus that I've been with them - but, it's kinda like the trust is gone now, so, the magic is lost.

In other news, I joined a gym with my best bud Crissy. We went together a few times, with PopPop being sick my schedule's been whacky so I've been going at odd hours, but the important thing is I'm going. I'm starting to really like it. I went today, after a really hard couple of days personally, and I just blasted my iPod and zoned out. I worked, and sweat, but I didn't want to leave. An hour and a half later I left, feeling a bit better. Tomorrow I meet with the trainer and hopefully she'll set up a work out routine, so I'm not just winging it anymore. One thing I've confirmed, I have really strong legs. Like, really strong - think Sayid in the season finale of Lost, snapping that guy's neck with just his legs - kind of strong. Funny. Don't mess with me, I might snap your neck with my legs of STEEL heh.

Ok, well, I'll go now. This is a really personal post, I've kinda steered away from personal post's in this blog for a while, cause, well, it's just soooo out there, but ya know, I wear my heart on my sleeve. Anyone who knows me, knows that. Anyone who knows me has heard me scream, cry, laugh, accost strangers - so - you all might as well too. Why not, right? I got nothing to hide.

Abbie

New Jersey is on fire, as we speak. It started off smaller, around 5:30-6:00 it was 2500 acres, which, is huge. Now, at nearly 9:00 at night - my husband, who is a firefighter here in Medford, and down on the scene said it's up to an estimated 5000 acres. The towns of WarrenGrove, and Pine Grove are in imminent danger of being taken by the fire. Manahawkin is being evacuated along with other areas, all of Rt 72 is closed - including Coyle Field, which is where emergency medical helicopters fly out of and are stored. This is huge.
Here's some quick snap shots my hubby was able to snag on the way in, they're pretty far from the actual scene, and they're blurry, cause he was still moving on the truck when he took them, if I get more, I'll add them.
Please pray for everyone in these areas! Fire is a viscous thing, and it multiplies something like 17 times it's size every minute, if it's not contained, there are many men and women out there fighting it back, so please pray for them that they all stay safe and are able to contain this fire. I know first hand the devastation fire leaves behind, so, pray there won't be any more effected by it.


*images not to be used without written permission from me*
Abbie
http://abbieroad.etsy.com

I'm doing a photo blog today, why? Because people like pictures. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, because, well, I got camera happy.

In other news though, we've been looking for some fun backyard toys for my son Neil, who is 15 months now. I've been scouring Craigslist for Little Tikes stuff - boy, does it move fast or what! Well, people up the street from us had a whole bunch of cool stuff. It was "bulk trash week" and they had a TON of backyard toys. So, reluctantly, Sean took me down with the van to load it up. He thought it was too dirty, but alas, he did not know the real magic in Mr.Clean Magic Erasers (or, Target's brand at least) I spent Sunday scrubbing them silly until they were as good as new, sun faded a bit, but as good as new! Sean mowed the lawn, it looks really nice back there. Here's a pic of our awesome trash picking adventures lol:

Neil loves them, he just sits on them and squeals in delight, it's so cute. We're probably going to BBQ soon and really enjoy the back yard.

Also, one of my bestest buds Crissy is graduating from College, she's all official now Congrats Crissy! You know I love ya, and I'm proud of you!

For those of you who read my blog, and/or the Etsy Forums you may recall a freak out I had a while back. Well, I've been holding back on the story until I thought the time is right, and now it's right.
The former Etsy Seller Wonky Tonk Tiki Lounge sent me a conversation through Etsy asking if I'd like to trade, because she wanted a new banner. I agreed. When I do trades, my policy was to "buy" each others items at full price through Etsy. This way - Etsy gets it's fee's, and both myself and the other person had a little insurance - of being able to leave feedback. Well, things were going well at first. She didn't give me any real boundaries or firm ideas of what she wanted, she said something "retro" but not "cutsie" and in the tiki / beachy type theme. So, I made her 8 banners to choose from. She loved them all, but said she "really liked" a certain one. I did this all before she "bought" my item, or I "bought" hers. This way - if she didn't like my designs, we could part ways without anything getting ugly! So, she really liked it, I reserved a listing for her and asked her to "buy it" (though no money actually changes hands in a trade) at full price. At this point, things start getting slow, I didn't hear for her a couple of days. Then I hear from her, she asks if we can do another trade, because her sister was opening an Etsy shop. She wanted to trade something from her own shop, so she could give her sis a banner to get her going. I agreed. We both agreed I should wait to "buy" anything from her until the second banner was finished - for the same as the first, didn't want to get ugly, and now the trade amount was different. So, I made 5 banners for her sister. She said she really liked a certain one, and said to go pick out "$50- $100" worth of stuff from her store, and that would be fine for the trade. I was a bit wary of that, because my banners are only $16 each, making it $32 I would be credited. I asked a her a question about a certain item, it took her a week to respond, and then she didn't answer my question. She said she wanted to hurry and finish this transaction - I replied I did too, could she answer the question for me? She finally did. Conversations were moving a lot slower at this point, she made the excuse that her power had been shut off, so, fine, I understood that. Then she convo's me and says never mind, she doesn't want the second banner, she just wants the first. Ok - I was a little miffed, because I'd pretty much wasted my time on the other banner, but whatever, you change your mind - that's why I don't ask anyone to "buy" things until they are finished. (although I do ask for 50% up front on custom orders now, thanks to her)
Well, I pick out my earrings that I want - I convo her, make sure she's ok trading with them, a few days go by, I get the ok from her and I purchase them.

A few more days go by, with no word from her - I though, maybe she was waiting for me to send the banner, so I figure, I will - since the work is already done. I send the banner and avatar. Still no word. Weeks are passing now, I convo her about once a week - "what's the status on things? did you ship the earrings?" very polite, thinking maybe she lost power again.
When 2 months pass, I decide it's time to play hardball. I send her a convo, explaining things, that I'm tired of waiting for my earrings (which never showed up) and I'm tired of not getting any response or explanation. I told her if I didn't hear from her in 24 hours, I would leave negative feedback, and report both transactions to Etsy. I didn't hear from her - so, I did.

A few days later, maybe 3 or 4 days, I get a really nasty name calling convo from her, and she's threatening to leave me neg. feedback, etc.
I replied, as nicely as possible, but that's the last I hear from her. Both transactions were reversed and fee's reimbursed by Etsy Admins.

About a month later I checked out her shop to see if she'd updated or anything, since I had never heard any kind of reply. I see my feedback that I left for her was deleted! I was livid. I made a post in the forums about it which ended up getting locked. WonkyTonk replied to the forums - which I found funny, since she's been so hard to get ahold of otherwise. Her reply was bonkers, not a big surprise. Since then I've been working with Etsy admin. Luckily I had ALL the convo's saved. I saved them as pdf's and sent them to admin. It was really black and white. I believe that they were attempting to contact her, and reinstate the feedback, but, since she failed to reply to Admin - she was banned from the site. I feel quite vindicated now. I am not a viscous person, if she had done "kiss and makeup" or at least explained herself, I'm pretty easy going, I would have worked with her. Even in the negative feedbacks I left, I said "i really hate leaving you negatives - but I feel like I have no other options" but, she didn't want it that way, so. Done and Done. I'm really happy with Etsy Admins right now. I've always thought they took a soft hand in matters that needed a strong one, and vise versa, but they really owned up and took care of the situation here, and that makes me happy as a clam.

As far as the hall of shame goes - I'm a bit wary of the legal consequences it might have. I'm thinking of starting a forum on here though.

In other news, my *REAL* shop will be open soon! Can't wait for that, I've been working on it hard!

Abbie
http://abbieroad.etsy.com

My favorite local stalker strikes again. I'm not sure if this falls in the "Hate Mail" category, or if it's just plain old Mail Fraud/Tampering. Here's how it goes. A piece of mail shows up for me at the wrong address. This person obviously hates me because of previous business doings. So, this person gets my mail, and instead of just writing on the envelope something like "wrong address - it goes to #_ _____ Street" which, she obviously knows my address (because she drives by and stalks me on the daily.) She opens my mail, which includes tax information. She crosses out my old address and puts in my home address, and crosses out "Dear" where it says "Dear Abigail" Wow - that's REALLY a good jab haha. I wonder if she picked that one up off the 8 year old she verbally assaulted?
It's downright comical. I just gotta laugh. I guess that's why I get to her so much, because I have no ill will towards her, I feel nothing. Why? Because I have everything I need in life and she has nothing. I have a loving and healthy child with my husband of almost 8 years. I have a great support system in my family, I have good friends, I'm happy. I'm not rich, by any means, that's about the one thing she might have on me, is downright wealth. But ya know what, he who dies with the most toys still dies. I am happy because I have a life full of love, and at the risk of sounding cliche, that's all I really need. I'm not living in a big huge house, I'm not driving expensive sports cars, I'm not getting my hair done, my nails done, or wearing $800 Versace Jackets, but you know what, I don't need any of that stuff. It may make you happy in the short run, but in the long run it doesn't mean anything. To have people around you that love you, are loyal to you, and that you can confide and trust in, and you can give all that in return - that's what matters.
I don't wish ill will, I don't hate her, I actually feel bad for her, her life must be just miserable to be focusing on me for so long. I hope one day she gets the help she needs and realizes what is important in life before it's too late, and she's driven everyone who's cared away. I used to care, about her and her family, I really did. You treat me kindly and with respect, and I will do the same to you - but, that didn't happen. I don't hold any grudges anymore, things happen for a reason and God doesn't give you anything you can't handle. I brought my beautiful son home from the hospital 2 years from the day that our business resolution had it's big *bang*. Tell me that's not God telling me I was meant to do something else!
Even though I don't hold grudges, it doesn't mean I don't laugh at this stuff. This "valuable" tax information shows up April 21st, when taxes are due April 15th, and the letter inside (that she tampered with) was dated the 9th. I'm not worried about it though our accountant will figure it out, he almost plans on it. I just find it comical that she crosses "dear" out and her return address off the envelope. Like I don't know who it's coming from, and even if I *was* that dense, I'd still be able to see through the knockoff sharpie marker she used to cross her name and address off. Though, she actually rips the "NJ" off the return part. Clever Clever Clever.

I blurred my address, to protect the innocent, but, so you can share in the hilarity - here's some pic's


Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't opening someone else's mail and tampering with it a Federal Crime? Can't you go to Federal Prison for that? Good thing I'm a nice person : )

-Abbie

Much Ado About Medford
Quaint and quiet, a town with appeal
by Sally Friedman

Turn off of Route 70 onto Medford’s Main Street and suddenly, instead of cars whizzing by, there is the serenity of a quiet street in a town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

The suburban sprawl known as Medford yields to handsome Victorian houses on either side of Main Street, then to shops, galleries and restaurants interspersed with small office and commercial buildings.

Not a mid-rise, let alone a high-rise, in sight.Clean sidewalks.People who smile as you pass.

Have you landed on another planet, or just in this historic town with Quaker roots that is home to 25,500 citizens with the privilege of living in a place that seems to be at peace with itself.

You can park on Main Street without much difficulty and visit Medford Village. But if you’re wise, you’ll stop to explore the acres of diamonds in this town that seems at once thoroughly in the present, but buffered by the past.

It’s a lovely blend.
The first landowners received their grants from the King of England in the 17th century and in 1670, William Penn and others sold off their land in what is now Medford Township.

Fast forward to 1767, when Medford became a somewhat established community with a village, a schoolhouse and a logging industry. By 1847, the area was set apart from Upper Evesham, its former identity and name, to officially become Medford. The name was chosen because prominent citizen Mark Reeve had visited Medford, Massachusetts, and liked what he saw.

The town developed a flourishing cranberry industry in the 1800s and in 1889, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad arrived, connecting Camden and Medford. While most of the early mills didn’t survive, Kirby’s Mill, now on the National Register of Historic Places, did until 1961.

The town’s most famous citizen was Dr. James Still, known as the Black Doctor of the Pines, who was an established and respected physician by 1847.

The years have been kind to Medford, which has prospered and grown to become one of Burlington County’s most desired towns, especially after the 1920s when families sought its proximity to Philadelphia and its rural charms.

Walk down Main Street today, and unless you’re made of strong stuff, you’ll be tempted by its inviting shops. You might start with the Guiding Light, where lighting is raised to a fine art.

This popular store has the kind of unique and detailed lighting fixtures that are seen outside and inside some of the area’s loveliest homes, many of them historical and traditional.

Just down the street, Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio seems a metaphor for the town’s new mercantile spirit. An import from Manhattan, co-owner Julie Basello-Holt and her husband, Chris, an artist and teacher, have created a wonderland of crafts, art, hand-crafted furniture and paintings, all attractively displayed in a charming space that invites lingering.

"We really felt that Medford was ready for a place like this. It’s been very gratifying to present the wares of American artists, some of them well-established, some emerging," says Basello-Holt.

Creative Genius offers a full roster of classes, including jewelry-making, stained glass and pottery. There’s absolutely no pressure to buy, and browsing is clearly encouraged. The inventory has a definite sophistication, and seems geared to the increasingly refined tastes of Medford shoppers.

Adjoining the gallery is an antique shop, Mom and Seven Stars, which has equally tempting wares. Down the street a hop and skip is Virtua’s B Thrifty II, a thrift shop with treasures in every corner - and terrific bargains at that.

Medford also boasts a men’s hair styling salon called Executive’s Den, and a complex of shops that includes a knitting store and boutique. Scherzer Antiques is just down the street.

You won’t go hungry here as you shop ’til you drop, if that’s your style. The landmark restaurant in town is Braddock’s Tavern, which continually wins awards for its all-American cuisine and charming rustic/colonial décor. Braddock’s, too, has become a more sophisticated eatery over the years, with wine dinners and a tilt towards the gourmet as its new executive chef, Charles Galvano, brings a distinguished pedigree.

Trained at the New York Restaurant School in the 1990’s, he graduated first in his class, spent two years at Manhattan’s La Caravelle, and several more years at prestigious restaurants in North and Central New Jersey. So Braddock’s is definitely worth re-exploring these days.

Also check out Bain’s of Medford on your wanderings, and you’ll be rewarded with great deli sandwiches in a cozy setting complete with a wall of pickle and pepper jars. If you’re hankering for corned beef and cole slaw or a brisket sandwich or just a bagel, this is your spot in Medford Village. (We can personally recommend the pastrami on rye.)

A new face on Medford’s restaurant scene is that of a native son, Ted Iwachiw.

This alumnus of the Academy of Culinary Arts in Atlantic County who went on to several extremely prestigious restaurants, including Philadelphia’s Striped Bass, the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC and Loew’s Hotel in Philadelphia, decided to come back home. He found a vacant spot on Medford’s Main Street and soon Ted’s On Main was born - coincidentally, at the same time as his first child, a daughter.

Refurbished and decorated with warm gold walls, tables clothed in crisp white, and handsome, traditional light fixtures (thanks to his mom’s Medford store, The Guiding Light), Ted’s is elegant without being pretentious. That mood meets its owner’s requirement for a welcoming, not snobbish, place.

It’s no wonder that the housing market in Medford is booming. "We’ve seen a real jump in interest and sales," says Marie Kulschinsky, Office Manager at Century 21 Alliance in Medford.

"There’s not a lot of new construction in Medford because of acreage requirements and a lack of land," says Kulschinsky. But there are exceptions.

As Main Street becomes Stokes Road, there’s Village Pointe, a small Bob Meyer community of single homes with front porches and detached garages, which are clearly designed to maintain the village look and feel. The Meyer name is well-known in Medford, where the builder has established a reputation for fine homes in various parts of the township.

Existing upscale communities dot the township, including The Bluff, Headwater Village and Heddingham Estates. Demand is high, says Kulschinsky, for the move-up home, typically with four bedrooms, two-and-half baths and a price range of $500,000 to $600,000. Hot buttons include updated kitchens, stone countertops and two-story foyers.

Most historic homes in Medford are in the downtown village area, and some date from the 18th century. "It takes a special buyer to tackle these, but those who do tend to love them," adds Kulschinsky. "Younger people tend to seek three-bedroom starter homes in the $350,000 range."

So what is it like to live in Medford?

We asked Susan Miller, a longtime resident who also serves as managing editor of Medford’s historic newspaper, The Central Record, a weekly that dates back to 1896.

"Quite simply, I love Medford because it’s a beautiful place to live," says Miller, who raised two children there: Matthew, now 21, and Kaitlin, now 19. Both Miller children have chosen to go to college in a place quite different from Medford: New York City. They are studying music there, a choice their mom attributes to the music program at Shawnee High School.

But while they were at home, the Miller children had an idyllic life, living in one of Medford’s lake communities. "Until they got to be teens, we would spend every summer afternoon on the beach at our lake. We’d have community cookouts on summer evenings and, in winter, would ice skate on the lake then gather for hot chocolate."

Then there are the annual traditions which families like the Millers celebrate with gusto. The Arts and Music Festival, held in the summer, draws thousands of people. (This year the festival will be held on June 3.) The Dickens Festival, held in the winter, celebrates Charles Dickens’ legacy. Both events are held in the village.

"Medford is a town that’s sophisticated enough to offer a top-notch school system, a great shopping district and fantastic community services," says Miller. "It’s also rural enough that there are still horse farms, pristine woods and lakes, and even wonderful home-grown fruits and vegetables in the summer."

SJ Magazine Articles your South Jersey source Read More...

Well today is Black Friday, and that means it is officially the Christmas (yes, CHRISTmas) Season! Hubby & I went out and took advantage of some good deals, the best of which - we got Trivial Pursuit 80's Edition AND a Rubix Cube for uber cheap (think, under $8), don't ask how, just stand in awe of us. Crowds weren't as bad as I thought - though, I didn't go out in the "camp all night for the 3-10am hour sales" crowd, I went out around 12:30, and it wasn't bad at all. It was actually kinda fun.
New things - I've been listing tons of new stuff on my Etsy store, so check it out if you haven't already. I'm trying to list something new every day, in an effort to up the sales. All this weekend, and hell, Monday too - 10% off - just let me know you came from the blog and I'll knock off the price! I take custom orders too!

I'll leave you with a bit of cute-ness I took some pics of Neil tonight, and he looks absolutely adorable!

Eat, Drink & Be Merry -

Abbie

Only in New Jersey will you find a stripper with skulls and formaldehyde hands in her bedroom. Now - the article doesn't mention the fact that body parts were traded for services - but does it even need to be said? I think it's pretty obvious though. That's one quirky stripper. I'd assume most strippers would prefer money,jewelry,designer clothes - but nope, not this one - she only shakes her booty for pieces of cadavers. She'll love you long time for the right kind of "stiffy" lol. The puns are just too easy, I better quit while I'm ahead.
For anyone who wants to read the real story:

Medical school graduate accused of taking hand from cadaverThe Associated PressNEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - A doctor who graduated from a New Jersey medical school has pleaded not guilty to stealing a hand from a school cadaver and giving it to an exotic dancer, authorities said.Ahmed Rashed, a 2005 graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, was charged Monday after voluntarily returning from Los Angeles, where he is in a residency program, said his lawyer, Hassen Abdellah.Rashed, 26, is free on $1,000 bail.The dancer, Linda Kay, kept the hand in a jar of formaldehyde in her bedroom in South Plainfield. Friends have said she called the hand "Freddy."Police discovered the hand, along with six human skulls, at Kay's home in July. Kay, 31, has pleaded not guilty to unlawful disposal of human remains.Click Here!The left hand was taken in May or June 2002, according to an investigation by UMDNJ and South Plainfield police, said Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Judson Hamlin.In a statement from spokeswoman Anna Farneski, UMDNJ said, "The investigation is ongoing and we will continue working with the prosecutor's office to determine how this crime was perpetrated."The charge against Rashed carries up to 10 years in prison.

Medical school graduate accused of taking hand from cadaver (phillyBurbs.com) | New Jersey News

New Jersey - if the water doesn't kill you, your neighbors will (and incidentally, both of those links are about Toms River, my home town!) - and then you might end up in a hooker, er, strippers bedroom, nicknamed Freddie.

ah ya gotta love Jersey. I know I do - and hey, at least it's not South Carolina!

Abbie

Tomorrow will be 5 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center -September 11, 2001 - a date to never forget. It's hard to believe that it's been that long since all that devastation because it is all so fresh in my mind, and the minds around me. I live in NJ, about one and a half hours from NYC. Every time that I'm on the road, I see a bumper sticker on a car that reads something along the lines of "9/11 We Will Never Forget" Every time I'm out in the public, I'll see at least one person wearing some sort of remembrance T shirt, hat, or even with a tattoo. And each time I look out my front door, or drive down Main Street I see the American flag proudly displayed on numerous homes and businesses. It's a good feeling, a feeling of pride, a feeling of togetherness, a feeling of safety - I know, that despite the differences that I have with these people - political, religious,moral,race - whatever the difference, I know one thing - we have a common likeness created through the mourning of September 11th.

Read more..... Read More...

I can't stand it when people loose something, then find it and say

"of course it was in the last place I looked"

well of course it was, because after you find it, your not going to keep looking are you?

Bah - it just bugs me!

Abbie