BRRRRRRR!!!! It's Cold Out There!!!

This cartoon explains it all....short and sweet.  
I HATE THE COLD!!!!!!!!!!!  
THE END  

OMG!!!

Guys, I a m so sorry if I left you hanging on the OPI polish!!!!  Shame on me!!!  Well, so that you know, the polish DID last as long as they promised.  Now be prepared to sit in the nail salon soaking your fingers in a cold chemical in order for them to properly remove this polish.  VERY BORING process! Just took too long.  The condition of my nails after the use of the OPI gel was not the same.  I usually have very strong, nice nails.  Always have.  This polish is almost like a lighter version of having wraps on your nails.  Not cool (for me).  It made my nails weaker and now I am trying to salvage them left and right until I get so annoyed that I chop them all off (which I do once in a while anyway).  So BEWARE.  I would use this polish if I was going on a vacation...definitely.  But not on a regular basis.

OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Mani

So I gave in.  I did away with the traditional manicure of base coat, color, and top coat.  Today I opted for the OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Mani.  Well....it takes a little longer, but the en result is wonderful!!!  Guess what the best part is??? NO DRYING TIME!!! Who cares if the actual manicure takes longer.  I can rummage in my bag (for keys) without ruining my freshly painted nails!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!! For that reason alone I am sure to get this done again.

This manicure promises to last at least 2 weeks (or more) without chipping.  I am going to have to test this myself. Now when I do dishes, I do not wear rubber gloves.  I know I should, but I don't (stop scolding me).  Most of the time the dishwasher does that job anyway.  At work I am constantly on the computer, if not having to fix someones issue with a computer, I work with books and I have kids. I guess this is all normal wear and tear on a manicure.  My "normal" manicure usually lasts about a week and a half before seeing the tip of my nail or some chips.  So 2 weeks without a chip sounds wonderful.

The picture below shows my fresh  OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Mani.  I will post another pic next week to see what it looks like and I will continue from there.  I hope this was worth the money.

STRESS, STRESS, did I mention STRESS?

Can you tell what I will be writing about today??  Yes....you got it!!! STRESS!!  These past two weeks have been the most stressful weeks that I have ever experienced.  I don't remember feeling like this EVER! (Giving birth was easier!!)
     What I am guessing is that there is just too much that I am doing between home and work; work being the issue.  They have really piled a lot of crap on my plate.  Although it can be taken as a compliment...that people at work rely on me to be able and capable of doing things the right way (and not complain) it sometimes can be a little too much.
      Today I was able to voice my issue.  I am doing a whole bunch of other crap but the stuff that I need to get done is being pushed to the side.  MY work is not getting done.  I feel unorganized because my things that should be done, are not, and are not complete....which I can't stand!!  Hopefully all will get corrected after a sit down next week.
     I have a three day weekend and I am hoping to do many fun things with the family and enjoy them and keep the stress away, because I really do not want to hurt anyone.  I really am not a violent person.  I am the complete opposite...I always spread LOVE, JOY, and HAPPY FACES!!!  Now that's more like it!

Hard Stuff

One thing I have learned is, that PARENTHOOD is the HARDEST job in the world.  It is also the greatest gift given to any parent!


If you are not a parent you have noooo idea!  The most difficult part is the discipline.  Ugh!  I am NOT one of those parents that let my children do as they please....it just doesn't work that way.  I lay the law and they need to follow the rules.  But....THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ALWAYS DO!!  That's when things just get ugly.  


I have learned that consistency is crucial, as is follow-through. Make good on any promises of discipline or else you risk undermining your authority. Kids have to believe that you mean what you say. This is not to say you can't give second chances or allow a certain margin of error, but for the most part, you should act on what you say.  When do you give the second chance? When do you follow through.... oh....those are the toughest questions!  But as the parent you usually know what to do by what the child has done wrong.


I had to share because I had to discipline my son and it is the worst thing in the world that happens to him.  He generally is a good kid, but being a "normal" little boy...he got himself into trouble.  Not listening to me when I speak to you 3 times is a no, no.  So it had to be done.  Inside the house!! while the rest of the kids were in the yard playing....sorry pal, you should have listened when the adults told you to stop.  Then to continue with the banging and crying???? He gets to go to bed early. Well that did it.  ~He had to go to bed early one day last week.  People FOLLOW THROUGH at least once!!!! When you say that you will do it again, it registers!!! The light bulb turns on (She sent me to bed early last week....she's not kidding).  It worked for me...thank goodness because I can't stand the crying and the drama!  Bottom line is that if you don't discipline your kids it will only make your life harder.  EVERYONE needs guidance.


Just thought I might help someone today by posting this....trust me we are not alone!!!

Summer Coming to an End....Boo Hoo!

Summer is ending...and at a fast pace.  This summer we had a blast!  Did many things with the kiddies. Birthday parties, weddings, BBQ's all that fun stuff. We went on our vacation.  Good thing I planned it towards the end of summer; gave everyone something to look forward to.  We had fun, fun, fun!  


Now I have to get myself ready for work.  Oh, joy! Back to work! Can you see me I'm jumping!!!!! I want to go back, but then, I don't want to go back.  I love spending time with my family.  I also love my job. The thing I can't stand is, the few people that always seem to make it harder for the rest of us.  You ALL have "those" people at your job.... come on, admit it.  They always seem to put a damper on things.  I go in every year with a new and improved attitude and slowly but surely I get sucked in... into the feeling that I can't stand being there surrounded by negativity.  I am generally a happy person and I don't like feeling differently.  I don't like giving/getting those negative vibes.  Don't get me wrong...YES...I have my bad days too, we all do, but I keep it to myself. Negative people. They're like human black holes which suddenly come out of nowhere and just suck the life out of you. I try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity is just completely draining, makes one feel exhausted, I am just dreading that part.


On that note...

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.  ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

I'm Back!!

Here I am again and I don't know where to begin.  Let me start off by saying that summer got in the way of my blogging.  I LOOOOOVE summer!!! If I could I would make it summer year round!  I thought I would have more time  for my blog but....as you can see that did NOT happen.  I think because of the summer I have less time to really think.  I'm constantly doing something!

The summer began with a friends wedding with both my kids in it.  So that was the buzz in the house for weeks!  They even got themselves in a European paper and European PEOPLE magazine.  So I have two celebrities running around in my home (all thanks go to the bride-- the European sensation) and this went to their heads...just a little.  They will understand more as they get older.

Then we find out they are going to be in another wedding in November (hopefully the last one!!) LOL! Too much work for me.

Anyhow...now I have to get back into the groove of things and will get myself back to writing my random thoughts. 

Oh! BTW, if you follow me on twitter I thank you again....that's my new "toy"...and that could possibly be the reason I haven't blogged!

Getting Fit Again

For those of you who know me well, know that I was once very fit and active on a day to day basis. Well....unfortunately that all got tossed out the window several years ago. I don't know why, when, or how it happened....but, it did.

I have a sister that is very into fitness, I also have a very close friend who lives at the gym, we will call her the Fitness Guru. My sister was always pushing me to get back to the gym, but at this point I felt like I needed more than the "you have to go to the gym and work out" speech. I know she meant well...and I always heard her voice in the back of my mind....go back, go back to the gym, you dumb dumb!! She was like the little green martian on the Flinstones (remember him?) The Great Gazoo!!!! That was his name!!!

So we have the Great Gazoo and the Guru, great! I had gotten to the point mentally to get myself back into the swing of things and then it happened...

The Guru calls me one day and says a friend of hers had told her about this guy that does boot camp, and she was thinking about doing it. Mind you Guru is getting married in about a month. So I was like, OK great, she's off on another freakish fitness fit so just I just listened. Well, the words came out of her mouth in her cheery little voice, "Do you want to go with me?" In my mind, I was like, is she bleeping kidding me?? So I just said I wasn't sure, asked about prices and we left it at that.

To make a long story short, a few days went by and we spoke about it again in passing, and a week later, I was signed up and actually attending BOOT CAMP!!!! From NOTHING to BLEEPING BOOT CAMP!!!

I needed to throw myself in full force and I did!! Many people thought I was nuts. Ummm...I thought I was going crazy too, when I actually said I would do it, but just for a second. Other people were like a cheering squad saying things like "Oh my God! I work out all the time and I would never think to do it, but that is so great, keep it up!" So I have been going to boot camp from the first week of April and have now, very proudly, completed the 16 sessions.

I just wanted thank everyone who supported me, Gazoo, Guru, and especially my husband; without his help and support I would not have even been able to get to the classes. He would be home extra early from work on Monday evenings, so that I could get to my class.

I have become stronger mentally and physically, and I am now on the path to getting back to where I once was.

Valentine's Day...I'll take it!

I thought that because my Blog is called Geo_Love, I should take a little time to talk about the biggest LOVE holiday as we know it today...Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day was originally named for a Christian martyr in the 400s, but there was no romantic connection before 1100. At that time it was courtly love, which didn’t mean it was related to marriage.

Romantic love factored into the equation at the time of writer Geoffrey Chaucer in the 1300s with The Canterbury Tales. http://www.librarius.com/

Buying flowers, candy and cards doesn’t really have much to do with Valentines.
Though it is commercialized, it does not mean that it is not authentic. Many traditions have become commercialized.

Holidays are like anything else that become important social rituals. Their origin becomes less important than what they actually mean.  Although our most popular holidays find their roots in religion, or the virtues of modesty, humility, family, and an appreciation of one another, we live in an age where these holidays have lost their once-special meaning and have become largely commercialized. While many holidays have simply been corrupted by big business, the impact hasn’t stopped there, and commercial interests have even gone on to manufacture holidays that are now simply referred to as “Hallmark Holidays”.

Personally I feel like I celebrate Valentine's day (todays meaning of the term) every day!  I am very lucky to be able to say that.  I feel the love from my husband, my kids, and all the important people in my life. On the other hand....I also like the fact that he feels he should go shopping and buy me something.  Yes I am a little selfish too! So what!?!  So I will accept all that he gives.  I also feel it is another way to show ALL of our loved ones how much we appreciate them!  We often do not let everyone know how much they mean to us on a day to day basis.  So you know what?  V-day is a good day to do just that!

Bottom line.....Valentine's Day.....I'll take it!!
***Let all the important people in your life know how much you love them!!!***

Haven't been blogging...

So I haven't been on here for over a month to blog. Not that I didn't have anything to write about...I have so much to say, just don't know where to start!

Well, first of all, my holidays were great! Then I started off the New Year with a GREAT trip to Las Vegas with my love and two other couples. I LOVE Vegas and everything about it. The excitement, the casinos, the clubs, the food, the drinks, the lack of sleep! You name it!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!  This trip was purely a long weekend of FUN! 

One always needs a vaca after going to Vegas. That's how you know you had a great time. It is soooo worth it though! I have been there plenty of times and I always want to go back. Have stayed in different hotels; and let me tell you...this time we stayed at the Encore/Wynn hotel. This place was beyond awesome!! It had the greatest restaurants, not to mention two of the best night clubs(XS and Tryst), which, by the way, I LOVED!!!! I posted some pics below!  Everyone on staff was wonderful and the rooms were to die for! Very simple and modern. So elegant... Ahhh! I want to go back SOON! 

We did leave our hotel and ventured to other great places like Rao's... best Italian food.  Bubbles was awesome it felt like we never left New York, smooches to him! LOL!  Stay tuned....our picture will  be on the wall at Rao's with all the movie greats!! This will be the next "reason" we have to go back (to see the picture). 

We also got to see City Center and the Aria.  That was just fun to see the completed product...we were there when it was a blank slate, then when it was halfway up, and this time it was done.

Leaving is always bittersweet.  That my friends is why I go back!  ALWAYS a new adventure ALWAYS great fun!!

Club XS....which has been named "New Club of the Year" and "Mega-Club of the Year" in the 2010 Nightclub & Bar Awards competition, held in conjunction with the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show coming in March in Las Vegas.

XS was also named No. 1 in the rankings of the Top 100 Nightclubs by Nightclub & Bar Magazine.  We had such a great time there, and yes it deserves all of these rankings!!!  It was the absolute best!!

                             
           Butterflies everywhere in Encore!!

                            
  Awesome!  Can't wait to go back!

Busy, busy, busy.....

So I have been one busy little bee for the past couple of weeks.  "The master of  all trades" is what you can call me....at least that is how I feel.  Between work and home and other happenings in my life, I have been like the energizer bunny.

Now that the holidays season is here I feel that I need a lifetime supply of batteries.  Not only for myself but for all the toys that will soon accumulate in my house!! LOL!

So I am excited to say that the side business is doing well.  We have a home gathering scheduled for this weekend and I just got a call to schedule one for next weekend.  We just recieved new inventory as well, and some of the pieces are hot!!

We will be updating photos on the website soon! Actually might do that when I am done with this!  http://cgjewelry.webs.com/

I enjoy the hustle and bustle but sometimes I just feel like I need a break.  Well last night it hit me.  Hit me hard.  I passed out sooo early and woke up like a refreshed, brand new battery!!  So I will just keep going, and going, ang going.......

Till next time people!!

C & G Jewelry--click here to access

It's been a long time!!  I have been soooo busy, with work, my kids, and getting things in order for the holidays.  Well, that is what leads me to this blog....


This is the time of the year that my little side business gets busy.  I don't know how many of you are aware that I sell jewelry.  Ahhh, Accessories!!! Gotta love them!! They can easily change a boring white T-shirt, into the most glamourous thing!!


This year I thought I would expand into the world of Facebook and create a fan page.  Then.....I took it a step forward and created a website.  Nothing fancy but it is out there...for everyone to see.


Now I am also spreading the word through my blog.  


If anyone is interested, or knows anyone who is always hosting some kind of party in their home, please let them know about me and direct them either to the website I have listed (C&G Jewelry) or the Fan Page (look to the right) on FB.  It would be greatly appreciated.  


Hostesses recieve a gift along with 10% from sales made at the party to use towards their purchases. Trust me it adds up!!!


With that said I am off to a photo shoot with some very sparkly accessories to add to my pages! 

Again this is the link to the website.....Thanks!! xoxoxo  http://cgjewelry.webs.com/

Change......

I can't wait to get up in the AM and get ready for work.  I have a meeting in the city.  Mind you,  I work 5 minutes away.....I am right by the bridge (Queensborough Bridge).  Yet....I find that I am getting all crazed!!!  I might need to get  my city "fix". I don't get in as often as I would like to (during the daylight hours).  Evening visits to the city are more common.  Was just there last weekend.

I think I am feeling this way because there is just that sense of the hustle and bustle it's a breath of freah air.  NO....not literally!!! But I just love the feeling of being in one the biggest cities and being my own unique person.

I LOVE NY!!!!

Not Myself

I have not been feeling well for the past few days. I have been stressed and tired and I believe it has taken a toll on my well-being. Well, last night I had a fever. I woke up this morning, took a shower, and was planning to go to work. As I was about to blow dry my hair....I felt the weakness in my legs and that was it. I called in sick. I hate doing that. I had no choice there was no way I could function, now tomorrow is another story. I have to be well enough to go to work! I hate missing days at work, it throws everything out of wack. I hate feeling the way that I do even more. I want to be full of energy and not have aches and pains. :(
Anyway, I just needed to vent a little. Talk to you all when I am my cheery self again. Xoxo

For All the Teacher Haters!!!

OMG!!!! I can't express the anger.......

We TEACHERS are according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Main Entry: teach·er

Pronunciation: \ˈtē-chər\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
one that teaches; especially : one whose occupation is to instruct

Yes....we are instructors. The dictionary does not state all the details.

My definition for TEACHERS:

1. One who instructs

2. A person with much compassion

3. One who will go above and beyond to help their students

4. One who not only works from 8-3, but lugs books and plans at home till the weeeee hours. So that means the teachers work day doesn't end at 3.

5. One that has to be able to control 30 kids in a class and make sure that they are all on task. I'd like to see the average person try to do that. Oh! Actually I have, and MOST can't!!

6. Oh!! this one is great!! One who must have an extremely great BLADDER, we cannot get up and go to the restroom when needed!! The worst is when your stomach acts up......let's not even go there!

7. Their job to teach the students everything they'll need to know in life (both academic and life lessons) a.k.a second parent.

8. Goodness, I can go on and on, but really think about it people, think of the things that teachers do day in and day out.

The reason that I write this is that many forget that where they are today is because of a teacher. They teach us how to read write etc... So instead of being teacher HATERS, love us because you would not be reading this without having had a teacher.

We all wish it!!!

A Dollar and a Dream. To most of us it's more a dream than reality. But a dream is a dream. We all have dreams, wishes, and aspirations in our lives. This week I found myself texting my husband that "We really need to hit Lotto!!" If you know me well, I do not say extreme random things like that unless I am truly upset or disgusted.

I have come to the conclusion that I really hate getting up in the morning to go to work. Please don't take this the wrong way.....I LOVE what I do but it's all the excess BS that is tagged onto it. I have no trust in anyone, and I can count on one hand those who are genuine. Scary huh?? Well that's how it is.

I stayed home on my daughters first day of Pre-K, not by choice, mind you--I was told I could not come in late because I was needed in the AM. Well that's when I proceeded to say I will not be coming in at all. You know what?????????? MY DAUGHTER NEEDS ME MORE!!!!!!! And you know what????? I had the best day off EVER!!!!!! I was a real "MOMMY"!!!!!!!!!!! I dropped my kids off at school, got tears in my eyes seeing how brave my daughter was. And then I picked up my kids like the other LUCKY mothers do. Both of my kids appreciated that soooooo much and it was the best feeling in the world!!

Back to hitting the lottery.....I was just thinking, dreaming what my life would be like, if I hit lotto. Ahhh! A Dollar and a Dream! My reality would be a lot different!!

FRAPPE

I cannot live without my coffee. I need coffee EVERYDAY!! I love all things coffee, candy, ice-cream anything coffee flavored....I like it!! My all time favorite thing is Greek Iced Coffee called a φραπέ, pronounced frah-PEH (frappé) .

It is a great summer drink, although I drink it year round, frappé is a cool refresher on a hot day for coffee lovers. It's easy to make using instant coffee (decaf or full octane-the one I prefer), and while it can be whipped, which is easier, the traditional version is shaken ... NEVER stirred. The old lady dressed in black will come after you with her pantofla (slipper)!!! You have to be Greek!! Sorry I had to throw that in there!

I have had many people ask me how to make this. So I figured I might as well publish it, even though you can google it and get the recipe everywhere.

It is soooooo simple BUT there are variations and you may choose to add ingredients and make it your own. I have done that, but I am only giving you the basic "old school" recipe.

Here you go!!

1. In a shaker or jar (with a tight-fitting lid), add 2-3 tablespoons of cold water, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, and sugar to taste (1 teaspoon of sugar for medium-sweet). {If you have a soda fountain-type drink mixer or a small electric drink mixer you can use this as well}

2. Close tightly and shake for 10 seconds, until the mixture appears to be all foam.

3.Pour the foam into a water glass, add 7-8 ounces of water, 3-4 ice cubes, milk to taste, and stir.

4.Serve with a straw

5. ENJOY!!!

The purpose of shaking or mixing is to create a large amount of thick foam, the more the better!

Also I would definitely get the Nescafe coffee.

I hope some of you will use this and enjoy a frappé today!!! If you are not sure you can always find a Greek cafe and have them make one for you!

Miss Me?

Not too many followers yet so if you read this please, I am asking you to let people know about this blog. It might not be for everyone, but I am starting to get anxious about this. I want to create a following and hopefully one that will interact with what I write. I might need ideas, I might just enjoy reading the feedback that I receive from people. This is being done for enjoyment.....I like to write. Keeps me out of trouble ;)~~.

Love you guys!

Back to Normal

Okay, we are now back from a whole week away which by the way, flew by waaay to quickly. We are now back to the day to day routines and the trip is always mentioned at sometime during each day. Fun stuff!

Now, I have not forgotten about my decorating and re-do of the kiddie room. I am excited! The bedding arrived at the door today and I couldn't wait to open it. Even the kids were excited!! (That is always a good thing!)

Got some color cards and we both (hubby and I) agreed very easily on the wall color!!! Wooo Hoooo!!! I thought I would have a tougher time with that. All we really need to do now is decide WHEN the painting is going to actually take place.

When that decision is made......all the rest will fall into place!

Vacation

Well, we made it back from our Aruba vacation in one piece. Now we are back home and routines have to get back in order. Especially the discipline routines!!! Those ALL got thrown out the window!! I have NO idea what got into my kids while we were away. The problem is that they think now they could continue acting the way that they did. I will not have it! I don't care what anyone says.....too much freedom is NOT a good thing! We were on vacation so we let them go, but now, this is the end. Other than the few tantrums that were inevitable, we had a great time.

We decided to take this vacation to celebrate the birthdays of our children (they are both summer babies). I think this was much better than throwing any type of birthday party! These are memories that will never be forgotten. They had a blast and they want to go back!! That is the most important thing to me--as long as they enjoyed it and had fun, my mission was accomplished.

Now we have to start getting them ready for school......that is another story for another day!