FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Here we are in the final countdown to the first month. Even though it is really cold here on the North Coast, the heat is on! We have just hours tomorrow and we are like 99% of the way to our goal!!!!!It would be so AWESOME if I didn't even have to buy anything to make it happen! The object is for me to make money, not spend it. We did well today, so if the trend continues tomorrow, it is in the bag. Keep sending the prayers our way. Everyone, cross those ring studded fingers! After all my trash talkin' with the Manager in Michigan, I so have to pull it out!
I will update you all on the final outcome tomorrow as soon as I have the final results. Gget ready to PAHHHTY!
Joanne, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, cousin. I hope your day is glorious.
Until next time...goodnight!

2 MORE DAYS

Well, we didn't inch today, we centimetered! 2 more days to go. We are still # 1 and there is a major rivalry heating up between us and a store in Michigan! I have to save face and WIN! The boss promised a big time blow-out for the store WHEN we make it, so keep those prayers coming our way! If we get within 300 bucks, I already selected the amythest necklace and earrings I am buying, which will match the dress I am wearing for the Bar Mitzvah next month!
Until next time...goodnight!

CLOSING IN...

We are closing in.
Three days to go for the month, and so far we are still #1 in the region!!!!! I keep hoping we make it. We are inching closer and closer. The boss is here again, so I have been making him help on the floor to close some deals, too! I want the staff to feel that sense of accomplishment. It will mean so much to them, they haven't had it in a very long time. They are constantly checking the computer and calculating. It is really fun to watch.
I made a "WOO HOO" wall and post the notices and congratulations as they do good things and they are loving coming in and looking for a "woo hoo"! Two of the gals worked really hard on a deal and I made them each a thank you card, describing how I appreciated the teamwork that went into it and the customer service they provided. Neither could believe that I did that for them. It is the little things that go a very long way.
So, please keep your fingers crossed that we end this month as the #1 store I know we can be!
I'll update y'all tomorrow night after my 12 hour day!
Until next time...goodnight!

HMMM, WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT?

I have a little time before Project Runway, so I thought I would update my blog. Now the hard part - -what to write about. I think I will just write blurbs about what is going through the blob of grey matter referred to as my mind!
- This is so cool, this blog thing. I have a blogger pal from Australia! How cool is that!
- Cher, where have you been? You haven't been here in a while, no emails, no calls, no visits and no updates on your blog either. I MISS YOU, DUDE!
- Sara, I am glad you started working with me again. Not like the old days, but better! Tomorrow is "truck day"! I hope you can handle it!!!
- Hey Sharon, I know you are reading these - leave us some words of wit and wisdom. Or at least some chopped liver. Notice I did mention Shprutin in a previous comment!
-Yaakova, I always look forward to your comments and your blog updates. It is obvious, because when you don't BB and I get on your case! Like your picture!
- If anyone is reading this, keep your fingers crossed for me. It is approaching the end of the first month at my new job and we are just shy of making our sales figures - the first time in a long time! I would like to think it is because of me (it is all about me!!!!)and it would totally suck to be soooo close and miss it. I would love to be a "hero" my first month. You know, a few brownie points go a long way!!
- In one month from tomorrow - 10/28 - my bestest friend Eleanor's youngest son will be a Bar Mitvah boy. I can't wait. It is in L.A and I so need a trip out there! Got my dress and all the accessories and the outfits for temple lined up and ready to go. It will be a whirlwind trip, but so worth it. I can't wait!!
- My brother is coming into town this weekend. I may only get to spend Monday with him, but it will be great to see him again. It has been too long. He is 8 years older, so I guess that would make him 36!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (NOT)
Well, there are more thoughts spinning around, mostly how tired I am, but that is pretty much normal!
Until next time...goodnight!

I'M A COPYCAT!

I copied this from my friend Cher's blog. I thought it was hysterical!! Enjoy!

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her birthday."I'd like to be six again", she replied, still looking in the mirror.
On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was. Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake. Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!
Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well Dear, what was it like being six again??"
Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "I meant my dress size, you dumb ass!"
The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna get it wrong.

MUST SEE TV?

This week was the season premiers of a few of the shows I like to watch on network tv and I must say I was less then impressed. I looked forward to Grey's Anatomy, ER and Desperate Housewives. The only one that kept me riveted was ER. There were good parts to the others, but nothing great. ER was consistant and I can't wait for next week. I hope my lack of enthusiasm for Grey's was an anomoly because I want to like that show again this year. D.H, I can live without. I realized that I missed the opener of Boston Legal. That is a pretty great show.The characters have kept their quirkiness over the seasons and even when they are bad you love to hate them! In fact, you look forward to them being bad. Love that Denny Crane, Denny Crane! Maybe my dissappointment was a good thing and I will cut down my tube time this year!

Today was a party for my friend Blake. We celebrated his 50th birthday and his graduation from graduate school. It was a really nice party. I had a chance to catch up with his family, which I had not seen in about 18 months, since his mom's memorial service. I also ggot to see Joni's cousin, my friend Lisa, who came from Detroit. Lisa is such a sweetie and it has been a year, almost to the day, since I last saw her when we went up to Detroit to visit her. Last year Leese had surgery to remove a brain tumor and she is doing FANTASTIC. I was the first one to see her arrive at the party, so I got to have the first hugs! YEAH! It was such a great day. The weather forecast was for rain and the sun shined all day. It was awesome.

I noticed the gas prices on my way to the party today and they were really "cheap" - $203.9,
isn't it sick that I am calling that cheap? I remember when it was 69.9!!! Just gave away my real age!

Until next time...goodnight!

I SO LIED!

I so lied last night! I said that I would try and stop at the chopped liver and soup tonight. Well my friends, I did not. In addition, my awesome cousin Elaine (the hostess with the mostest) also sent me home with a piggy bag. I have a big container of chicken soup and matzoh balls, brisket, mashed taters and farfel. And the ever incredible kreplach! A whole tray of them. (waiting to be fried!!)

Elaine is my cousin and like a mom or older sister to me. When I lived in California, she always took good care of my mom for me and she takes care of everyone now. She knows I love her kreplach, so there is always an extra batch waiting for me to take home. My family is the typical Jewish family. Anyone that comes into our homes are expected to leave with a container (or two) of something. If we invite 10 people, we prepare enough for 20! Forget about ever being on a diet! One time Elaine made some jello that was a flavor called Barbie! It was a fruity mix and it was really good! I commented on how good it was and bless her heart, she went and bought like every box in the store and made me Barbie jello everytime she saw me!( Please don't tell her, it was good but not that good!!) That is Elaine. She is just like her mom, Aunt Sarah, and always giving and doing for others.

Sharon and Joanne are also my cousins and Elaine's sisters. Joanne is now the matriarch of the family! We have so much fun together. We don't get to spend as much time together as we used to, but we usually talk on the phone everyday and email a lot! I set up Sharon with Instant Messaging, so I intrude on her computer time when I see her on line! When we are together, people often think we are all sisters, I guess in a sense we are.

I moved back to Cleveland in 1994 and when I returned, I realized how much I missed having my family around and I have no intention of leaving the area again. They are all stuck with me!

By the way, I was instant messaging with my friend Ofer, in Israel earlier and he claims his mother-in-law makes the BEST chopped liver. I argued that claim incessantly with him. Since I will probably never get to Israel to find out, Yaakova, when you get there, maybe I can hook you guys up and you can get Kay to make you some and you can report back to me! Although, I think you may have to come to Cleveland and taste Sharon's first. Hmmm.

Until next time...goodnight!

ALKA SELTZER, ANYONE?

OY, am I stuffed! For lack of better terminology, (and despite the reason of the feast!), I ate like the proverbial pig! It is almost 12:45 am, and I wouldn't dare try and lay down to sleep while still this full. I had way too much chopped liver. Should I ever use the phrase "what am I, chopped liver?" the answer may indeed be YES. My cousin Sharon makes THE BEST C.L in the universe, not that I have tasted all the C.L in the universe, but hers is awesome. She couldn't find shmaltz anywhere this year, so my other cousin (her sister) made her own. I think the secret was in the shmaltz. Of course I had gefilte fish and the red horseradish, since I talk tough but am really a wimp! Then there was the matzo ball soup with kreplach. I like to drink all my soup first and eat then eat the matzoh ball and kreplach last. (Did you ever fry the left overs? Try it sometime - yummo) If you say I am weird, it would not be anything I haven't heard before! And there was brisket, chicken, stuffed cabbage, mashed taters and farfel. I was happier then a pig in slop! (why all the pig references? Certainly not kosher and probably inappropriate when discussing Jewish holiday topics!)There was the essential jello! In my family it is the 11th commandment - Thou shall not have a family dinner without jello. We also had homemade dill pickles and pickled tomatoes, olives, veggie ecrudites, challah and honey. Dessert was birthday cake in honor of my cousin Joanne's 75th birthday! Last year, I offered to bring a cake. I work in an area that has a very small Jewish population. I stopped at the grocery store and asked if they could decorate a cake while I waited. "Of course", they replied. So I asked them to write Happy New Year on the cake and they thought I needed to be carted off by the men in white coats!
So that is my recap of night one. If I can fit into anything tomorrow, I shall attempt night 2! Maybe I will stop at the C.L and soup and beg for a doggie bag (or in my case a piggy bag!!).
Until next time...goodnight!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I want to wish all of my friends that are Jewish, soon to be Jewish and those others who celebrate Judiasm, a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

In case you do not fall into any of the above categories, Friday at sundown begins the Jewish New Year. I am looking forward to spending a wonderful evening (actually 2 evenings) with my family and friends that gather to feast! Sad to say, at this point, we are pretty much devoid of any of the religious aspects except for the traditional foods, but, the time we spend together is a religious experience unto itself!

Quite a bit of the family has married out of the religion, so maybe 2/3 of those at seders are non-Jewish. One year at Passover, my cousin's wife brought her contribution to dinner. Now, let me preface this with the fact that she is an AWESOME baker and an Italian Catholic (she has a saint in her ancestry). Not being familiar with the laws of kashrut or many of our customs, she brought homemade pepperoni bread!! What made this even more crazy was that we all ate it, raved about it because it was incredible, and THEN realized it was Passover! OOPS!

As I write this, I am salivating over the thoughts going through my head of chopped liver, gefilte fish, matzoh balls and the evil shmaltz. Now I am thinking about the equally evil scale! Oh well, it is a holiday!

Until next time...goodnight!

WHAT I LIKE

One of the girls that works for me asked me what I like to do outside of work today. So, since this is my blog, and you may not know me, I thought I would indulge myself and write about ME! It's all about ME! There is no "me" in team, but there is if you rearrange the letters!!
So, what do I like and like to do? Good question.
-I like purple. I have a purple bedroom, purple dishes and accessories, used to have one bathroom in purple, but changed it to palm trees. (The other is Mickey Mouse!)Lots of purple jewelry, even before working for the jewlery store! I buy lots of purple clothes, too!
-I like to blog! DUH!!
-I like to spend time with my extended family. I have a rather huge family and we all get along! We obviously love each other, but even better then that, we LIKE each other, too. When we had more flexible schedules, we met at least once a month for a cousins lunch (get the blog name!!!)My first cousins range in age from 46 - 75. My second cousins range from 7 - 50ish. I have third cousins from 1 - 22ish. When we gather for Rosh Hashona, there will be about 35 this year! Our 4th of July picnic is usually around 100.
-I like to spend time with my friends. We don't even have to do anything, just being together is awesome. However, mostly we shop! We do a lot of eating, too. My bestest friend, Eleanor, has been my bestest friend for 36 years. Sadly, she lives 3000 miles away, so we don't see each other as often as we would like. Joni and Mary, are my other best friends here. Joni and I have known each other 33 years (even though we are only 28!!) and Mary and I have been friends for over 25 years.
- I like to shop! I am an admitted shop-a-holic. I so need a 12-step program for that!
- I like to travel. My very best trip has been to Italy 4 years ago. I LOVED everything about it. I travelled there with my friend Mary. Mary is fluent in Italian, so that made things easier. I enjoyed Hawaii, NYC, Bahamas, Spring Training in Winterhaven and my many trips to California (before and after I lived there!)Been other places, but these stand out as the best.
-I like to design and make greeting cards. I stamp, embellish, emboss, paint and try all kinds of strange techniques to create unique cards for people. I have not bought a card in like 3 years. I have a ton of money invested in my stamping room!
-I like entertainment - tv and music. Still into 70 & 80's rock! Love Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet, American Idol, Project Runway, Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, Food Network and HGTV. Not too much into movies. Most suck and not worth the price of admission. Besides, after my back issues, can't sit in a theatre seat that long.
-I like to play freecell, tripeaks and taipai on the PC. Not excessively!
-I like to eat! Italian food is my favorite, followed by Jewish style food. I guess most anything. I LOVE grilled or roasted veggies. Love a good cup of coffee, too! junk food works, too!
-I LOVE to laugh out loud! Nothing beats a good laugh straight from the gut.
-I sometimes like to cry, too. Need to let it out on occassion.
-I like to be needed. I have a very strong sense of taking care of people and things. Must be the trained social worker in me.
Well, there you go. A snapshot of what I like. Another time I will get into what I don't like. Be forwarned, the list is probably a LOT LONGER!!!
Until next time...goodnight!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it! Today, I closed my first sale at work. Up until now, I had been the store concierge, basically greeting people, finding out what they wanted and then setting them up with a "real" associate. I went for it today and I did it! It wasn't a big sale, but it was a sale. I also sold the extended warranty and opened a charge card, then set up a repair ticket and sent the ring out for sizing! YAY! Even though it was a small sale, it was the umph I needed mentally to help my confidence in a new setting and with new product. I wish it happened while my boss was there, but I voice mailed him!!!! Yay me!!!
Cher, for you, I am posting in PURPLE!
Until next time...goodnight!

BIG FAT NOTHING!

What a day!
I did NOTHING!
I sat on my fat arse, then slept, then sat some more!
I will pay the piper starting tomorrow, but what the heck. I begin a 7 day stretch at work tomorrow and I am getting tired all over again just thinking about it. Oh well. As we like to say in my circle of friends -sux 2 b me! Beats unemployment.
Until next time...goodnight.

HE LOVES ME!!!!!

My new boss was in today. I really was not in the mood for him. I have not only been having second thoughts, but third, fourth and fifth thoughts! But he is sooo thrilled I am there. He loves the changes I have made already and the direction the store is taking in just this short time I have been there. I guess I feel better knowing at least I am making an impact already. I also referred someone to him and he liked her, so I think I may actually have another employee coming on board! YAHOO! Hopfully, this is the turnaround I and the store need to be on our preverbial feet.
I actually have a day off tomorrow. Another YAHOO!!!
Until next time...goodnight!

UNREAL REALITY!

Tonight was my chill out and watch reality television night! I became hooked on it during my recent episode (get it!!) of retirement. While on my hiatus I became obsessed with Rockstar:Supernova. I had already been a fan of Project Runway, and I recently got into Million Dollar Listings, since I used to live in LA. So my Wednesday nights are full!
Tonight was the season finale of Rockstar. I was very disappointed in the results. My very favorite contestant had been eliminated a few weeks ago - Ryan, Then I became a huge Toby fan. Toby was from Australia. He had, or so I thought, a great rapport with the audience, a great energy, strong vocals and great to look at. But, alas, he was sent home. Magni, was an Icelander with a strong voice, shaved head, awesome musician and super sense of humor. But, buh-bye Magni. Then there was Dilana. Dilana had a Janis Joplin-esque voice, very strong, scary look, multiple piercings and tattoos, wild hair and a fighter. I was scared of her! And Lukas. Lukas was just wierd. A Canadian with bad make-up, bad hair and in my opinion no personality and I didn't care for his voice. And the winner - - Lukas! Go figure. In a strange twist, Dave Navaro asked her to accompany her in his band and Gilby Clark offered to help her write her album and Dave Navaro also offered to play on it. I still think they should have picked Toby and I now have no intention of buying the Supernova CD when it comes out. In fact, I didn't even watch the last few minutes of the show.
Since I skipped the end of Rockstar, I got to watch the end of Dancing with the Stars!To my astonishment, Jerry Springer wasn't in the bottom 3. Tucker Carlson was danced out of the competition. I can begin watching this one next week, or some week if I don't have to work.
Project Runway is closing in on its finale and they are designing new challenges to keep everyone on pins and needles (get it!!). Tonight they brought back Vincent and Angela, past contestants that were auf'd to compete in this weeks challenge. Unfortunately, they were auf'd again along with Kayne. Poor Kayne. He is such a sweetie pie and quite the seamstress. It is down to Jeffrey, Laura, Uli and Michael. They really needed to cut Jeffrey. He is a %$^*$&@ and not very nice. His designs are edgy and rock and roll, but ugly! I guess he makes for good tv, so he stays on. Laura made a beautiful dress, as did Michael, who always does. Uli is predictable and she could have gone home as well! We shall see who can "make it work" next time.
Finally, I got to watch Million Dollar Listing. It is a show about realtors in LA and Malibu. The homes are gorgeous as are the views. It is amazing to see the commission these people make on one house - more then twice my annual salary! It is also amazing the price of some of these homes. OY.
So that is my tv watching for tonight! I am going to get under the blanky and go to sleep. Actually, I will probably watch some more tv in bed! The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is waiting for me!
Until next time...goodnight!

1 WEEK BUT WHOSE COUNTING?

Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be my 1 week anniversary at my new job. I worked two 12 hour days already this week and I am totally exhausted! I am trying to learn so much - from procedures to product and it is becoming a big bowl of mish-mash soup already. As we were closing tonight, I couldn't even begin to deal with the computer crap, so I let my employee do it. I know that was wrong, but I was mentally drained AND my feet hurt! I still have the rest of the week to go, with Friday being my only day off. OY. I need to get some staff in there soon, or I will really think I made a mistake taking this job. My boss is coming in tomorrow, for the remainder of the week, so maybe I will get some training and assistance. Don't get me wrong, I am capable of learning on my own and quickly (I am smarter then the average bear) but I am feeling sorry for myself!!!
I am also having withdrawls from reality TV. While unemployed, I became the queen of reality television. I became hooked on Rockstar:Supernova! Tonight was the final episode and I had to miss that -darn. Tomorrow night is the night when they declare the winner, so I hope to be home in time for that. I also missed the premier of Dancing with the Stars. Double darn!! I was so curious to see Jerry Springer trip the light fantastic!
Well, it is getting late and I must polish my nails and hem some pants!
Until next time...goodnight.

cousinscorner

cousinscorner

REMEMBERING 9/11

I can't believe it is 5 years since that fateful day. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember I didn't have to be to work until 1 pm, and I was still in bed. Of course I had fallen asleep with the tv on. I woke up and saw the image of the plane crashing into the WTC. I was thinking what kind of crazy movie is on in the morning. Then I noticed the Today show logo on the bottom right hand corner of the screen and the time posting. I couldn't believe it was real. My heart was beating at an irregular pace. My best friend, Joni, worked out of her home, so I called her and asked her if it was real. I imagine the correct answer was that it was surreal. I was affixed to the tv set for hours. I worked managing a retail store and my staff called to say that the mall closed and not to come to work. I spent the entire day watching the tv - CNN, FOX News, ABC, NBC, CBS and every other report I could. I was on the phone with friends and family all day and evening as well. How could this happen we asked each other. What did it all mean. What was the future going to hold for all of us? Was there going to be a future? Joni's cousin worked in the Pentagon. My cousin saw the plane as it turned over Cleveland before it crashed in PA. This isn't supposed to happen on our soil. This isn't supposed to happen at all.
As I said earlier, I will never forget that day. I will always mourn for those that lost thier lives and for the families that lost loved ones. I will remember how are lives were effected for the long run. Our views of certain people have changed, our economy has changed, our level of safety and security has changed. Then I will also remember how we have gotten complacent as well. In the days and months following 9/11 flags flew everywhere. Not so much anymore. We learn of threats and react and then go back to our old ways. I suppose we just don't want to believe that it can ever happen again. That lightening can't strike twice. I am just as guilty as the next guy. I swore I would never fly again. 1 year later, on 9/9, I flew to Italy. I wouldn't fly via United or American. We also decided that in conversation, we would tell people we were Canadian, unless we were talking to other Americans! And I certainly wouldn't announce that I was Jewish! I still don't make that announcement to people I don't know.
I am not sure where I am going with this post! The bottom line is we must never forget what happened on 9/11, a modern day holocaust on our soil and in our air. Keep the victims in our thoughts and prayers, keep our servicemen and women in our prayers and pray it never happens again.
Until next time...goodnight

I AM CONFUSED!! WHAT ELSE IS NEW!!

Hello. I am so confused over this blogging business. Last night, I found new comments on here and I even added a new top post. Tonight, it was all gone. I am trying this again. Maybe it is my computer. Maybe it is me. Maybe it is fate. Maybe it is just meant for me to be a reader not a writer. Who knows. Anyhow, I will make this one short and see what happens. If this stays up and any of you have any advice on correct blogging procedures, let me know.
Until next time...goodnight!

I'm BAAAAAAACK!!

Well, it has been a long, long time since I have posted on my own blog! It took a while for me to remember how to do this, but, ta-daa, here it is. So, what has been happening here on the North Coast since January 2005? There has been a lot going on, but I won't bore you with the mundane details. I will skip to the exciting stuff. Ok, that's done! Seriously, I started my new job yesterday and I am conflicted about that. I am glad to be working again, but I feel like a fish out of water. In case you don't know, I am now managing a jewelry store. Jewelry is not in my background other then as a consumer, so as a professional I am totally a "Diamond in the rough." (Pun intended) I am used to being a leader and very successful at my endeavors and as of now I know virtually nothing, so I am feeling somewhat useless. I hate that feeling. I know it has only been 2 days (2 twelve hour days) but I want to know more then I do and I want to be able to assist customers in the manner that I feel they deserve to be taken care of. I know it will happen. I also completed 2 chapters in my training to become a Certified Diamontologist, so that was cool. Many more to go!! Then I get to become a certified Gemologist! Woo-Hoo! I also made my first purchase today too - a new watch! Yahoo! Well my friends, by my new watch, I can see it is getting late and I have another early day tomorrow. I am not used to working! I had a 5 week retirement this summer and I have been Un-retired in a big way this week! Not to mention I totally need my beauty sleep. You would know that if you knew me personally!!
Good night and I will update again soon (if I can still remember how I did this)