Go NEW YORK! Go Yankees!

Wishing my favorite team a win tonight!

GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!

Virtual Online Learning and Me

If you are an online seller or thinking of dabbling in it, I recommend looking into Virtual Online Learning.com aka VOL.  VOL was started by Danna Crawford who is also known as PowerSellingMom in the eBay world.  Danna started like many of us do, dabbling and trying to earn some extra money and has turned eBay into her career.  She not only sells on eBay, but is a certified eBay instructor and has developed Virtual Online Learning as a place for all online sellers to go to chat, gather and share information.  As an eBay seller, I have learned so much as a member of VOL and also made many internet friends who share the same goal, to make it as our own boss.

Broken China DIY

Have you ever wondered what to do with that pretty broken plate or cup?  Here's a great DIY, seems simple to follow --  all you need is some broken china or pottery and your creativity!

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

This story has touched my heart for many reasons.  I am an animal lover and traveled by air with my pets many years ago as I have previously written.  I would never consider doing it again unless absolutely necessary as was the case here.  Jack the Cat somehow got out of is carrier as he was waiting to be boarded on an American Airlines flight at Kennedy Airport heading to his new home across the country with his owner.  I have been following the story since it first broke and have been re-posting updates hoping to keep the story alive. 

Update on Jack the Cat as of this morning, 9/30/11:

"‎35 days. 15,000 people. 1 lost cat. Thousands of hours, millions of footsteps used to search. Immeasurable gratitude to all who have taken the time to care. Maybe today is the day..."

Autumn Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Nothing beats a cup of hot apple cider on a chilly fall day.  With the weather changing, thought I'd share a recipe for one of my favorite drinks.  This recipe serves 8.

Ingredients:

• 1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle apple cider
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/3 cup brown sugar

Directions:

In a slow cooker, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Wrap allspice and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth, and add to pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and keep warm.

 

 

PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE

With Halloween just around the corner and lots of left over pumpkins, here is a recipe for pumkin pie. 
Ingredients:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.
For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.
Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

I am reposting my original blog post to keep the word out about Jack.  Jack is sadly still missing.  Please, if you are traveling with your pet, be very sure you know that they are securely locked in his/her carrier.  This is a terrible story and my heart goes out to Jack and his owner.

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT

I read this story in today's newspaper and felt it needed to be shared.  Let's hope with the wide exposure available through the internet Jack will be reunited with his owner! 

" After several years in New York City, Jack The Cat was bound for a new life in California with his brother Barry.  That is, until his adventure took a wild turn which has sparked a social network lashing against American Airlines.  On Thursday, Jack and Barry were kenneled and passed over to baggage handlers on Flight 177 from Kennedy Airport.  After clearing security,  their owner, who was moving out west after 22 years in the Big Apple to start a new job, received a call from an airline employee who told her Jack was lost in the inbound baggage claim area.  Eventually their owner boarded a later flight with Barry after an hour-long search came up empty.  She was assured that she’d get a phone call as soon as Jack was found."

 

Happy Birthday GOOGLE

Happy 13th Birthday GOOGLE -- what did we ever do without you?!

World's Biggest Afro

Here's one for the record books!  A New Orleans woman has set the world's record according to Guinness as having the world's biggest Afro hairstyle.

GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING

Some happy classic music to start the day courtesy of my all time favorites, The Beatles!

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

Repost from the FaceBook page of Jack the Cat:

"September 21 marked 4 weeks of Jack being separated from Karen and Barry. PLEASE SHARE Jack's story with all your contacts on fb, and on any and all pet-friendly pages. Thanks to all for their support and concern!!"

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

I am reposting a post from Jack The Cat's FaceBook page that needs to be seen by all.  Sadly the search effort to find Jack on Saturday did not have the ending that was hoped for but this interesting twist.  Animal cruelty needs to be stopped and stopped now!  Please, if you live in New York or traveling through, anywhere near Kennedy Airport, keep your eyes open -- maybe you will be the one who spots Jack.

From Jack's Page:  "And another interesting bit from Saturday - an abandoned cat was rescued! Two of our volunteers ran across a box that was taped shut in a field... when they poked it, they realized there was something alive... and when they opened it, it was a kitty!! Probably about 9 months old!! One of the volunteers took it home to be vetted and will adopt him or her. Jack saved a life!!"

My Guilty Pleasure

Well, it is that time of year again -- Dancing With The Stars starts its 13th season tonight!  And no, I am not embarrassed to admit that the show is one of my "guilty pleasures".  Have you picked your favorite before the season begins?

Click here to get your own mirror disco ball.

Today in Beatles History.............

On September 19, 1934, Brian Epstein was born.  Mr. Epstein later became the manager of The Beatles.

Down In the Boondocks

I don't know what made me think of this song this morning -- but glad I did.  I love the innocence of the 60's and fun black and white footage -- hope you enjoy the video.

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

How EVERYONE Can Help

Jack DESPERATELY NEEDs people to fan out through the unrestricted areas of the JFK airport property and surrounding areas/neighborhoods to notify EVERYONE they see that he is lost. This can be done by anyone that is available at anytime, day or night since there are different shifts that come in and out of the airport all day and all night, 7 days a week.   Jack’s post cards are available at the Bobbi & The Strays Vetport facility – Bldg. 189 Cargo area C at JFK.

 

 

Virtual Online Learning Meets Caramia's Collection

One of the luckiest "accidents" I have had as a seller on eBay was meeting Danna Crawford, the founder of Virtual Online Learning.com.  Danna and her VOL (for short) group have been an invaluable resource for me as an online business person.  She has a positive attitude that is contagious and is a true inspiration.  If you're a seller on eBay, online at another site or thinking of selling, make sure to contact Ms. Crawford at Virtual Online Learning -- you will be pleasantly surprised!

CARAMIA'S COLLECTION Launches FREE Shipping

Caramia's Collection is jumping on the ever popular bandwagon of internet FREE SHIPPING.  We are revising some our listings and adding new items daily to include Free Shipping within the U.S.  Hope you stop by and find something special for yourself or perhaps a gift -- we look forward to seeing you!

Click here to visit CaramiasCollection.com

JACQUELINE KENNEDY Quote on Women

Jackqueline Kennedy is most often remembered as a beautiful and elegant First Lady with great taste in fashion.

"What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren't supposed to work if they had families. What were they going to do when the children are grown - watch the raindrops coming down the window pane? "
----Jacqueline Kennedy

GOING TO THE CHAPEL

In celebration of the announcement of Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell's wedding this weekend,  "Going To The Chapel" by the Dixie Cups.

HAIR On Broadway

One of the great features of living in NYC is Broadway and live theatre.  On Saturday, I got to share an experience with my daughter that I shared with my mother in the 1960's -- seeing the revival of the show "HAIR".  Part of me thought it might be dated and my daughter would be disappointed,  Seeing it again made me realize that the message of the show, peace, is never dated and she loved it.  The timing, the day before the tenth anniversary of 9-11, couldn't have been better.

New York, New York Ten Years Later

In honor of the victims and the families of 9-11, "New York, New York" by the very talented singer, songwriter, author, Ed Rambeau.

My Memories of 9/11

Ten years ago today, my kids had been dropped off at school.  It was a beautiful, sunny late summer day.  I sat with a cup of coffee and turned on the TV.  My phone rang, it was my girlfriend on her way into NYC for her weekly "day in the market", always a Tuesday -- the day she would go to the garment district to purchase new items for her family's store.  I muted the TV so I could keep her company as she drove and then it happened, the first news interruption showing that something was terribly wrong at the World Trade Center.  The images on the TV were horrific.  Never imagining terrorism, I told her to take a different route into the city as she was driving towards the tunnel that lets out right near the WTC.  I thought she would hit a backlog of traffic and wanted to help her avoid it.  Then, after turning up the sound and seeing more images, I told her to turn around and go home!

I live in a borough of New York, on a peninsula where generations of firefighters also live.  The view leaving my neighborhood every day was of the NYC skyline and the majestic Twin Towers.  Who knew as I watched these horrifying news clips that the view would be forever altered, that life in NYC would forever be changed.  The smoke and ash rose and the winds brought it over the area where I live, an eerie silence with it.  Our little neighborhood lost 59 people on 9-11. 

My children were released from school early on that Tuesday and we sat glued to the TV.  It has been ten years, my kids are adults and the memories are as vivid today as when I first saw the Twin Towers hit and ultimately fall.  I hope no one ever forgets that day or the victims.  My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones.  I cannot offer enough thanks to the men and women who every day defend the US against terrorism so that this will never happen again.  We as a country must NEVER FORGET.

Please feel free to comment and share your memories......................

 

Below, views from my neighborhood of lower Manhattan before and after 9-11-01.

 

 

                                              
                                                

 

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

Great news for those following the story of Jack the Cat.  Word on Jack's FaceBook page is that Jack was spotted by a Kennedy Airport employee and volunteers are busy searching.  If you live in the vicinity of Kennedy Airport or planning a trip, please keep your eyes open.  Jack somehow got out of his carrier while waiting in the baggage area to board an American Airlines flight.  We can only hope that he is reunited with his owner and in these crazy times, we have a happy ending.

Famous FASHION QUOTE

"A bikini is not a bikini unless it can be pulled through a wedding ring."
- Louis Reard, inventor of the string bikini

FASHION NIGHT OUT

The 2011 edition of the best fashion party in history takes place in New York City tonight!  This evening, NYC will transform into a giant after-hours shopping extravaganza.  Determined shoppers have the opportunity to rub elbows with celebrities and great deals are waiting for all who participate.  Wishing all great buys and lots of fun!!

TALKING DOG Says I LOVE YOU

Saw this and had to share -- if you need a smile this morning, here it is!

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

As of Tuesday, September 6th, I am sad to report that Jack is still missing.  I read the updates and apparently there is a search going on at Kennedy airport tonight.  Losing a pet is a horrible pain to endure and I hope that someone finds Jack and reunites him with his owner.  This is a sad story, and again, I have to say shame on the airlines for not having a secure system for people who travel with pets and cannot take them into the cabin with them.  It is not pleasant for the owner or the pet.  I traveled with my pets many years ago and would never do it again.  When I did this, it was way before 9/11 and the security measures that are taken now.  I was able to stay with my pets until they were boarded and it was still a stressful experience.  I can only imagine what the boarding process is like now since security is so much tighter all over the US.  Please, anyone living or working in and around the Kennedy Airport area, take a moment and look around -- maybe someone will get lucky and spot Jack.

SEPTEMBER MORN by Ed Rambeau

In NYC, September is already very much in the air.  Today we are having cool weather with light rain.  So, what better way to welcome in the change in the season than with a fabulous song.  Here is SEPTEMBER MORN by the multi-talented singer/songwriter/author  -- Ed Rambeau.  Hope you enjoy it!

BLINGMYBRA.COM

While listening to an online radio show geared to learning more about eBay sales, I was introduced to a charity that I found to be so unique and interesting and want to share it with everyone.  BlingMyBra was started by an eBay seller in 2009 as an eBay Giving Works auction campaign with all proceeds going to this important cause.  The founder realized the power of a group of ordinary people after reading about women getting together to raise money for breast cancer research.  The best part of this charity is that you can participate in so many ways.  BlingMyBra.com collects bras decorated by anyone willing to take part and posts them as low start auctions on eBay as art bras!  What a fun and creative way to help a worthy cause.  And, if you are not interested in or too busy to create an art bra, BlingMyBra accepts donations.  Here are a few examples of "blinged" bras and a link to BlingMyBra.com for more information -- please pass the word!!

Click here to visit BLINGMYBRA.com

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Caramia's Collection wishes everyone a Happy Labor Day!  What are your plans for celebrating?

JACK The CAT MISSING AT JFK AIRPORT UPDATE

Sadly, as of today September 3rd, Jack The Cat is still missing -- last seen in his crate at the American Airlines baggage area at JFK Airport.  American Airlines remains under fire from animal lovers as animal activists and concerned animal lovers continue to search for Jack, who was lost shortly before he was to board a flight from New York City to San Francisco on August 25 with his owner. 

 

Orangutans Use iPads

Technology has become popular at the Milwaukee County Zoo where donated iPads have become a new way to stimulate the minds of the zoo's orangutans -- truly amazing!!

So Proud Of My Daughter!

Carine Roitfield, the former editor-in-chief of French Vogue and stylist who has collaborated with Barneys NY on the design of their fall windows was recently interviewed by the New York Times.  Ms. Roitfeld is also promoting her memoir, soon the be released called "Irreverent".  So proud of my daughter who works for the public relations firm representing Ms. Roitfeld -- she was on hand during the interview and photo shoot!

Click her to read the Carine Roitfeld interview.....

WELCOME SEPTEMBER

Survived the tremors of an east coast earthquake, flooding from Hurricane Irene -- glad to welcome September!  The first song I thought of to welcome the new month is "September" by the fabulous Earth, Wind & Fire -- hope you enjoy it, a great blast from the past!