25 Christmas Facts 2011

1. The percentage of pet owners who have their dog or cat pose and photographed with Santa Claus stands at 27%
2. 364 is the amount of  presents would you receive if you were to get every present in “The 12 Days of Christmas”
3. Father Christmas has 2 addresses: Edinburgh, and the North Pole. Letters addressed as 'Toyland' or 'Snowland' go to Edinburgh, but those addressed to The North Pole have been sent there because there really is such a place.
4. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
5. Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of vitamin C. Pine nuts, or pine cones, are also a good source of nutrition.
6. "Wassail" comes from the Old Norse "ves heill"--to be of good health. This evolved into the tradition of visiting neighbors on Christmas Eve and drinking to their health.
7. Greeks do not use Christmas trees or give presents at Christmas. A priest may throw a little cross into the village water to drive the kallikantzari (gremlin-like spirits) away. To keep them from hiding in dark, dusty corners, he goes from house to house sprinkling holy water.
8. In Syria, Christmas gifts are distributed by one of the Wise Men's camels. The gift-giving camel is said to have been the smallest one in the Wise Men's caravan.
9. Long before it was used as a "kiss encourager" during the Christmas season, mistletoe had long been considered to have magic powers by Celtic and Teutonic peoples. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility. Celts hung mistletoe in their homes in order to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil spirits.
10. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was originally written to help Catholic children, in England, remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs. The "true love" represented God, and the gifts all different ideas:
    The "Partridge in a pear tree" was Christ.
    2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
    3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity-- the Theological Virtues
    4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
    5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which relays the history of man's fall from grace.
    6 Geese A-laying = the six days of Creation
    7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
    8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
    9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
    10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
    11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
    12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
11. Theodore Roosevelt, a staunch conservationist, banned Christmas trees in his home, even when he lived in the White House. His children, however, smuggled them into their bedrooms.
12. Gift giving, Christmas drinks, Christmas Cards and many other Christmas traditions are not modern gifts of capitalism (though capitalism sure does love it) – they actually come to us via the Ancient Romans who exchanged all of those things on New Year’s Day (Strenae, named after Strenia the goddess of New Year’s gifts). This was initially shunned by the Church (“(Do not) make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom].” -St Eligius, 7th century) but old habits die hard and it eventually transferred to Christmas.
13. That one small word causes anger amongst many people; many Christians consider it to be disrespectful to replace Christ’s name with an ‘x’ – even going so far as to that that it is a ploy by anti-Christians to de-Christianify Christmas. However, Xmas is almost as old as the feast it refers to – the ‘x’ is actually the Greek letter chi which is the first letter of Christ’s name in Greek (Χριστός). Xmas is every bit as religious as Christmas.
14. Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.
15. More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year.
16. "It's a Wonderful Life" appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.
17. The first church the Dutch built in New York City was named in St Nicholas' honour -St Nicholas Church.
18. America's official national Christmas tree is located in King's Canyon National Park in California. The tree, a giant sequoia called the "General Grant Tree," is over 300 feet (90 meters) high. It was made the official Christmas tree in 1925.
19. Before settling on the name of Tiny Tim for his character in "A Christmas Carol," three other alliterative names were considered by Charles Dickens. They were Little Larry, Puny Pete, and Small Sam.
20. Contrary to common belief, poinsettia plants are non-toxic.
21. The American Puritans wanted to make the festival of Thanksgiving Day the prime festival instead of Christmas.
22. Listen to the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" and count the number of gifts in the song. You will realize that gifts were exchanged 364 times. Thus the gifts are exchanged everyday of the year.
23. Warning: Christmas shopping may be hazardous to your health. If you are an avid Christmas shopper statistics have concluded that you will be elbowed at least three times while shopping. Ouch!
24. The annual Christmas pudding was more than just a tasty treat. Small items were placed in them which had the power to predict what the New Year would bring. Coins were associated with a gain in wealth, a ring was a sign of an imminent marriage and a button signified extended bachelorhood. This idea actually goes back to the middle ages where the cake being served on the Twelfth Night would come complete with a hidden bean. Whoever found this bean was declared “king” for that one night.
25. Jingle Bells" was first written for Thanksgiving and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
     

Dear Santa...I want shoes for Christmas

 Dear Santa.....
There isn't much that I want or need out of life these days. My health is pretty good, and I have a roof over my head. Thankfully I work, and have steady income. I live with my mom and aunt whom I adore, and take care of. My pets are happy too. Honestly, this is all I could ask for out of life. Good friends, good health, and a family who I am blessed to have. I strive to be a good person, helping people in need, and taking care of my family. I don't require much...other than sleep...and a date with Colin Farrell. But is that so much to ask for???
     However, there is one vice which I have. And one weakness that I can't resist, and that is SHOES. So please Santa....please if you're going to bring me anything this year...let it be luxurious, frivolous shoes which I really can't afford to buy for myself. Shoes that will look killer on my tootsies, and that will make men wish I was on their arm as I strut around in them.

or or or
and then there's always..................................................................................................................................
 and and   and  but lets not forget about  or

Santa...if you gift me with these shoes, I will love and cherish them for the rest of my days. They may not be practical for my lifestyle...but I will put htem to good use. Thank you Santa.....I know you won't let me down.

Oh, and a date with Colin Farrell would be a nice gift too.....because I would wear a pair of the shoes you give me for Christmas on my date!

My love,

Rosie

I am a self-professed beauty product-a-holic!!!

HI. MY NAME IS ROSE. AND I'M A BEAUTY PRODUCT-A-HOLIC. *Sighs* There....I've said it. Out loud, via text message to my bestie Michelle, and to the internet universe. How many of us are there out there who buy in to the marketing of these beauty products and think that everything they try and sell us is new and improved? I'm not the girl who will spend hundreds of dollars on botox (ewww...can we say botulism?), or skin peels, or anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin firming product. Nope...I'm the girl with a draw full of nail polish....and alot of nail polish in the same shade yet different catchy names. YEAH...I'm 'that girl.' Thanks OPI *cough cough*.
   A friend of mine and I recently had a girl's night, which consisted of visiting a beauty store and dinner because she needed to look at the new OPI nail polish color line for the MUPPET'S. Until she mentioned it, I was oblivious to there being such a color line. (Yeah, I thought my polish buying was under control.) And then I saw it...a bevvy of nail polishes with names like: 'Warm & Fozzie', 'Rainbow Connection', and 'Gettin Miss Piggy With It!' And I knew. I knew what was coming....I wanted them. I 'needed' them. I had to have them! So I indulged, and added to my nail polish collection. But it didn't stop there....oh no. I had to buy other items as well...stuff for gifts, stuff for myself.....stuff just because I'm a girl. So take a gander at some of the items this self-professed beauty product-a-holic purchased.

'Fresh Frog of Bel Air'.....in fact I think I'm going to do this color for Christmas!

'Gone Gonzo' may be the color to go see the new Muppet movie when it comes out later this month.

'Animal-istic' because you know.....Tommy Lee & I share a love for Animal.

Big Bang Lip Gloss by Lipstick Queen in the color 'Creation'. This I just had to have because of my love for the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory. (But I have to say...I do love how it makes my lips look and feel!)
 Halloween anti-bac packs for the little carrier you tie on to your purse. Never mind it's November...and Christmas will be here before we know it. But because of the witty names like 'Batty' and 'Vampire Blood'....this brown-eyed girl just needed to own them...because that's how I roll.

 And of course...because I am a complete nerd, and a total makeup junky when I found out that Tarte had a whole color line and look book dedicated to one of my favorite shows, and TVs sexiest vampires, TRUEBLOOD...this makeup pallet just happened to end up in my makeup collection.

And everyone needs their skin to be supple and soft, especially in the winter time. So per my friend Lisa's high recommendation, I turned to Philosophy and have the green tea body scrub to keep rough skin at bay.

There you have it...my beauty splurges and spoils of a wild beauty shopping spree. Because this beauty product shop-a-holic can never have too many products to play with.

Book Review & Blog Tour: A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene M. Woodbury

This darkly funny novel describes Wendy Sinclair’s spin-crazy life in Las Vegas after she impulsively decides to not return to Houston following a bizarre girls’ weekend in 2005.  The confused, unhappy 45-year-old newlywed soon rents a ramshackle apartment in a building filled with misfits; wallows in a blur of spas, malls and buffets, and, ultimately, becomes a designer of cocktail waitress uniforms and an Ann-Margret impersonator in a casino show with Elvis.
         She also hangs with some pretty colorful characters.  Paula’s her bold, brassy glamazon BFF who’s looser than a Casino Royale slot.  Maxine’s her saucy former-Tropicana-showgirl boss.  Paige and Serena are two twenty-something blackjack dealers she shops, gambles, and clubs up a storm with.  Major crushes on a hunky pilot and sexy former rock star are also part of the mix. The phone fights with Roger, Wendy’s workaholic husband waiting impatiently in Houston, are louder and more raucous than a hot craps table at Caesar’s!   Does she go back to him, or does her midlife crisis become a midlife makeover?
     A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene M. Woodbury is a novel which is 222 pages of Las Vegas drama, razzmatazz, girlie delights, and the roller coaster of self discovery and wild times that thousands of people travel to the actual city for. Having had the opportunity of doing the 'girl's weekend' with my bestest friend Michelle and our friend Tracy, and my Aunt Ida on two occasions over ten years ago I totally related to the allure that Las vegas wielded over the main character Wendy Sinclair. To this day my girls and I reminisce over who hugged a palm tree, and dancing our butts off in Studio 54, located at MGM hotel. (And yes readers...of my personal Sin City adventures, that's all I'm willing to share with you, because as we know what happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas.) Reading this novel which revolved about main character Wendy Sinclair and her reluctance to return to her mundane, traditional life beng micro managed by her husband's bosses wives made me long to return to this adult play land and get swept away in gambling and pampering.

     But Ms. Woodbury does not only focus on all the fun and debauchery which can take place in Las Vegas. Instead she tackles the tender and sensitive subject of discovering who you are, what you want, and how not to lose yourself when you are in a marriage (or relationship.) The characters Wendy and Richard appear to have been happily in a relationship for (7) seven years and decide to take the plunge and get married. Two successful careers, an extravagant honeymoon in England, they seem to be the golden couple that all us real-life people want to be with their partners. However, the book quickly uncovers for the reader that every one's idea of what a marriage is differs, even when you have been in a long-term relationship and believe that you 'really know' your partner.  Reading about Wendy living as 'single's' life in Vegas, but being married and true to her spouse made me want to both cheer for her resolve not to hurt her husband, but when you read what he puts her through it sets your teeth on edge. This is a character that if she was a real person I'd grab her by the shoulders and scream 'wake-up and stand up for yourself!'

     To be fair, although I truly enjoyed reading this book, A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis, was a tad difficult for me to get through at times. A self-proclaimed single girl, I often wonder if I am cut out for a long term relationship, and the institution of marriage. I worry about being tied down, and losing myself to someone who puts 'demands' and expects certain things from me...and this book truly made me relate to our protagonist Wendy Sinclair. I enjoyed reading about her escapades in Vegas, at the posh spas, and night clubs. But several times through the novel, Ms. Woodbury seems to get tied up in giving the reader so much detail and description of what our character is doing....that you lose sight and can't focus on the story itself. What Ms. Woodbury does succeed in is making the reader able to see the novel's story from different angles, and truly question each characters motives, scruples, and attitude.

     An enjoyable read, for any woman of any age, I strongly recommend reading A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis, by Irene M. Woodbury which is available in e-book format both from http://www.amazon.com/, and also www. A great gift to give your favorite reader for the upcoming holiday season! This is book review #8 for the Chick Lit Plus 2011 Challenge. Remember it's never to late to start to read. Authorsden.com

    

Hello Blog-o-sphere....it's been too, too long

     I have a life outside the Internet world.....doesn't everyone? But please forgive me for being away so long. It isn't that I didn't think about you, blog(gers)...and miss you. It's just well I have been....preoccupied....distracted.....busy.....okay just down-right LAZY about blogging. There I said it! AHHH, now I feel so much better. During the summer I started dating again...and have a blog dedicated to the nightmares/adventures of that whole aspect of trying to find 'the one'. And believe you me, it's difficult! And even more than difficult....EXHAUSTING! Thanks to a co-worker and friend, I have now gotten reacquainted with my country music roots. Between Scotty McCreery, Lady Antebellum, and Alan Jackson to name a few I can now get down with the country-crooning again.
    But now it's October, and we're in the full-swing of a beautiful east coast autumn. The leaves are finally changing, and the fire pit nights are in full-swing as we sit and watch the dark night sky, think of our upcoming Thanksgiving feast....and for me the excitement of dressing up for my favorite holiday, Halloween. This year it was a nightmare deciding what I wanted to be, and finding the perfect costume. Surprisingly 2 options came to me in the ninth hour, and I passed them by my mom who actually liked the one I didn't think she'd go for. So now we just have to fit in some pumpkin picking, and snag some fresh produce from the local farms to cook up....like fresh roasted corn, fried cauliflower, and pumpkin pie. Autumn always gets me in the mood to cook up tons of food, and freeze some so dinner isn't that difficult to deal with. My go-to fall foods are stews and chili, and even soup. So get cooking people! And don't let the weather make you blue. Take the dog for an evening stroll...and if your dog is as tubby as ours is, take the dog out several times a day. Actually I am enjoying my walks with Lola...she loves them, they finally got her housebroken, and they get her and I moving.
     With all the ugliness and natural disasters happening in the world these days life can get a bit scary. Remember to treat people with kindness and they'll do the same to you. Cherish your friends and family above material objects. When a friend and you no longer have things in common, and start to drift in different directions, don't get angry at them. Instead try and realize that the relationship has run its course, and whatever lesson you or the other party was to teach one another has happened and it is time to move on. No angry words need to be exchanged, no hard feelings need to be made. Try and remember you can not change someone to how you want them to be to fit in to your life. Nor do you need to subject yourself to a person/relationship/situation that is toxic, drama-filled, or negative. Simply wish the other person well, and travel on, down the path of life.

I just a summertime girl in a summertime world...feeling the slow shift to autumn

Welcome to August! Yes, the last month of summer, but for Long Island, NY not necessarily the end of sweltering weather. And what a summer we went through, as well as what a summer I had! There was tons that were done, and dreams not-yet fulfilled. And although I am not a school kid, and I am looking forward to crisp autumn nights...I can't help but ask 'where did the summer go?' So being that I have kind of been M.I.A. with the posting, other than my book reviews...I'll give a quick glimpse in to what's been going down on my side of town.

June 3rd brought about my 35th birthday...and on June 11th I had thrown the kick-ass 35th birthday party of the century. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150208947082709.314887.507682708 What sucked was that the weather was HORRID, raining the entire day and putting a damper on my party. But what was AWESOME was that my 'pirate' Steven made a hit, and I not only had a 'Jack Sparrow' encounter, but made a new (cute & sweet) friend. For any of you looking for a Jack Sparrow impersonator...give Steven a whirl at http://www.thepirateempire.com/          

Later in the month of June...my dear friend Mikey who is a brother-from-another-mother turned the big 5-0 and there was a surprise birthday party thrown for him. And YES he was indeed surprised. However mom wound up taking a trip tot he E.R. that night, and long story short now has a tear in her left meniscus. Mikey's party was great...and we danced our butts off. But I have to say...my party was better. Sssshhhhhhhhh!
         

Earlier this year, I had rejoined my original paranormal investigating group...which had been revamped several times. I was unsure if it was going to be as 'drama free' as they said it was, and low-and-behold it is! What is even more awesome is...not only am I doing something I love in my spare time...but all of the TAPS Family Members took part of a TAPS Family Reunion, and I got to meet and become friends with our founders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. It was an amazing 3-day weekend filled with beautiful scenery, relaxation, and loads of laughter and new friends.
         


July was pretty quiet, you know just the usual: b-b-q, 4th of July stuff, and sweating in places I never knew could sweat. Oh...but I did see three awesome movies in the month of July: 'Bad teacher', 'The Hangover 2' which I thought was just as funny as the first, and 'Harry Potter & The Deathly Hollows pt. 2' Oh Harry Potter...how I miss you. Thank God for the 'Game of Thrones' book series to take your place for me. I did get sucked in to dating again, which has prompted me to create yet another new blog. If you want to check it out, can do so...I'm not embellishing anything which happens,and I'm not pulling any punches. Let me tell ya folks....dating is a battle ground...and love is getting it's butt kicked!  I also took on a 2nd p/t job...working in of-all-places a podiatrist's office! Me! The girl who LOVES shoes but HATES feet! So my time has been somewhat limited between working split shifts, and having mom home retired and hanging out with her.

Which brings us back to August. The end of the summer...and yet another jam packed month of festivities, fun, and events.

On August 9th, my sister-from-another-mister Michelle celebrates her birthday. And no way can you make me squeal how old she is. She'll beat me yo! All I can say is that this Michelle Bell (and evidently there are a lot of them, because I just Googled her name, trying to find the link to *my* Michelle's blog) is the best person you could ever want and have in your corner. Michelle and I have been friends for more years than I can remember, and yet it feels like yesterday that we became friends. She has seen my good side and bad, been through my ups and downs, and has never turned her back nor judged me. She has prompted me to be silly, and has given me sage advice, even when it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to face or hear. She is truly my gift from God...because with Michelle I can be me without worrying about being me. Everyone should have a Michelle in their life...and if you do...make sure they know how special they are.


August 18th will bring me under the needle once again as I get inked. Or RE-inked, should I say. I'm having the tattoo on my left foot repaired as it looks like ca-ca...and the tattoo around my right ankle embellished and colored to make me & mom happy. Once these are done, you know photos will be up.

August 19th brings me to seeing my future-baby-daddy/future-husband COLIN FARRELL's latest film Fright Night. I am so stoked.       Colin playing a vampire makes me really makes me want to scream one of my snarky comments 'BITE ME' but with a whole other agenda behind it. I have been in my glory watching Colin making the TV circuit to promote the film...and am counting down the days. Of course there's also the movie 'Horrible Bosses' which he is in, and mom and I have a movie date for this Sunday to see it.

And that's my summer in a nut shell. I'm exhausted just reading back all the stuff that's taken place...and reliving the good times. And OH! My favorite band Blue October also re tweeted one of my posts without my prompting them too. So yeah, that made my night/and summer too. Hope you're all enjoying your summer. Enjoy every minute of it, and try not to wish it by.

Book Review & Blog Tour: Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom by Elsie Love

Elaine Jackerson has found herself in quite a predicament. Her husband, Bob, is sleeping with his secretary, her daughter is experimenting in the backseat with random boys, and her eight year old wants nothing to do with her.
In an attempt to get herself out of her midlife rut, Elaine joins the Herschel Grammar School PTA. Little does she know, Suni Calverson, the current president has handpicked her to be the newest member of the group. As soon as the ink is dry on the signup sheet, Elaine is thrust into a world that she never knew existed. A world where the PTA gets things done with blackmail, bribes, threats and quite possibly guns.
After stumbling across her husband and his secretary humping in his office, Elaine turns to the only friends she has: Suni and her henchmen. They convince her to let them “take care” of Bob. Elaine agrees to the plan, as long as no one dies. Unfortunately for Elaine, Suni has other plans. Before Elaine can sleep off her Mojitos, her children have been kidnapped and Bob has disappeared. Afraid that Elaine will go back on her word, Suni forces her onto a plane to hide out in a posh suite in Las Vegas that belongs to the famous French landscape photographer Gerard Ilg.

I. Love. This. Book. I love Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom by Elsie Love. And what killed me that as I lay in bed every night with my Kobo, reading, I would drift off to sleep, when all I really wanted to do was scroll to the next page and see what would happen to our protagonist Elaine 'Lanie' Jackerson. When I first started reading this short novel, which is just perfect for summer reading at 208 pages, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to connect with the main character because of where she was in her life, and where I am in mine. However Elsie Love writes so smoothly and without effort that you can't help but get sucked in to the novel, and wrapped up in the characters lives.

Lanie Jackerson is nothing but a hot mess, under appreciated by her daughter, manipulated by her husband, and bullied by her new 'friends' in the PTA. You can't help but root for her, hoping that she'll morph from a Caterpillar to butterfly, and give her husband a swift kick in the balls, and the wallet, should she file for divorce. What makes this novel so delicious is that what appears to be your typical 'woa-is-me' story about a neglected housewife who has lost herself is that it is actually a cleverly disguised 'who-do-you-trust.' A smug husband and obnoxious teenage daughter makes you realize how difficult it can be to be a woman and mother, and not lose yourself in the role of wife and mother. The only bright spot in Lanie's life seems to be her young son whom is equally supportive of his mum as well as embarrassed of her appearance and the nickname she has graced him with.

What is friendship, and what is false friendship? How do you know someone likes you for you or is being a phony? When Lanie gets involved with the PTA ladies she quickly has to figure out who is friend and who is foe while staying true to herself. This is something we all have to deal with in our lives. With more than one love interest for Lanie once she's hiding out in Sin City...you can't help but wish for a happy ending for her...as you hope she never goes back to her loser and abusive husband.

Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom by Elsie Love is so fun I have informed my own mother she must read this novel now. And I urge you all to do the same. I very much look forward to Elsie Love's next books. You can purchase Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom in either e-reader format of soft cover book at Amazon, Smashwords or on Elsie's own web site.This is book review # 7 for the Chick Lit Plus 2011 Challenge. Remember it's never to late to start to read.

Dating can make a girl's hair curl!

http://dating-on-a-dare.blogspot.com/

Yep....I'm back in the dating world. Hopefully I won't have to kiss too many frogs. Thus far no such luck though. The worst thing that could happen? My dating experiences turn me in to the next Candice Bushnell.

Follow me and my dating experiences on http://dating-on-a-dare.blogspot.com/

Book review & Blog Tour: Little Miss Teacher by Cassandra O'Sullivan Sacher

Book review: Little Miss Teacher by Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar

 Told through the eyes of Candace Turner, a high school English teacher straight out of college, Little Miss Teacher details one woman’s struggles through the important initial stages of her career and her life as a grown-up. While teaching her students about writing and literature, Candace learns her own lessons about life.

            I am very excited having the opportunity of participating in the blog tour for author Ms. Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar. I have also become acquainted with the on-line book store SmashWords, which not only is another site to purchase e-books, but if you are a writer and do not have an agent or publisher, this is a site which is affordable to self publish.

            Little Miss Teacher is a short read, at only 199 pages, and as the story is told in the first person point-of-view it makes the novel a perfect length. Each chapter is titled with a quirky title which one can relate to in their own daily life. And what made reading this so enjoyable was that Ms. Sachar had us go through an entire school year, and covered a multitude of hot topics which have touched so many lives, both in the lives of young adults, and those of us who may be parents or have younger siblings. As you read, you are propelled back to your own school days, and what it felt like to be ‘trapped’ in a classroom and suffering through assignments. However it doesn’t just focus on the lives of students. It gives you food for thought as to what it’s like being a teacher, especially a first-year teacher…fresh out of college, and trying to make her mark on the world.

            Take a journey through a school year, with the protagonist Candace Turner who is a freshman English teacher who is passionate about the subject she teaches and passionate about her ‘secret-crush’ who may…or may not be equally interested in her. Candace is roommates with her best friend Megan, and although they are thick-as-thieves, their outlook on dating and random hook-ups is as different as night and day. And as you look at their friendship and their personal values, it makes you reflect on your own relationships with people and how you either are a realist, and don’t try to sugarcoat the facts, or if you tend to look through rose-tinted glasses. Candace faces everything from trying to make her lesson plans equally fun and educational, to the death of a student, to being both sexually harassed and accused of being a bigot by two different students, to dealing with the fact that even her personal life isn’t as perfect as she thought it was when she has to face the fact that her roommate has a very serious health issue.

            Little Miss teacher is one of those ‘it’ books. What I mean is that it’s one of those books, that as you’re reading what the main character, Candace Turner is dealing with, you say to yourself: ‘I’ve done that’, or ‘I knew someone who had to deal with…’, or “Oh my, when I was that age I had…happen to me.’ Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is a rare author who presents to us real-life issues in this novel, without sounding too preachy or condescending. It makes us realize that in a world where more often than not, teachers who are abusing their students in one form or another are getting recognition, instead of the teachers who genuinely care about their students. Without giving too much of this novel away, I want to say that each of the topics handled in this book are covered with compassion, and makes the reader open their eyes to what we can face in our lives, regardless of age or profession. I highly recommend Little Miss teacher by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar, which is available in e-book format at Smashwords.

It's never to late to start to read. This is book review # 6 for the ChickLit Plus 2011 Challenge.

Holy crap....and I'm in shock!

You know, I get annoyed with Twitter and often think about deleting my Twitter account. Although great for communicating in real-time with friends and colleagues....it does suck you in to the Internet and celebrity zone. Who do you follow, do you trend or retweet....ask a celebrity a question and pray for a reply. And some of my friends have been acknowledged by celebrities and that is so cool. But I have not and it gets me irked at times. But I digress.

Tonight on FaceBook one of my favorite TV actors....from one of my favorite TV shows, SuperNatural did something uuber awesome. He acknowledged my birthday!!! Yep it's true! Jensen Ackles of SuperNatural, 1/2 of the hottie brothers wished yours truly a happy birthday! Am I a nerd and sound like a teenie-bopper? You betcha...and I am! But it's cool none-the-less and I'm a braggin' about it!

Friends, Family, Fun By Jensen-Ross Ackles · 85 of 85 Tag This PhotoDone TaggingShareDownloadReport This Photo

In this photo: I figured I'd share! haha Me, Mish, and one of my favorite little 10 month olds! West Anaximander Collins, or Nax as I call him, is probably one of the cutest little ones I've had the chance to get to know. He's that little man I can count on seeing around whenever Vicky brings him and I love him dearly as one of my own! Below is my *proof* that he did, and mine and Jensen's posts are the last two. Yay me....and THANK YOU JENSEN!!!! Added about an hour ago · · 18 people like this. Jasmine Carothers SOOO CUTE! ♥ about an hour ago · Paula English-Martin Aww, is that his baby? So cute even though I am pissed at him right now... (just got to watch the finale) lol about an hour ago · Lucy Hale Omg, omg, omg, OMG !!!!! Soooooo cute! 59 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Yeah, that's little Nax! haha Well, he's getting big by now! And yeah, he's quite a little charmer, ain't he? hahaha 58 minutes ago · · 1 personLoading... Lucia Pena Omg que lindo is that your baby j 57 minutes ago · Eric Shane Munton you have a kid? 56 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Sadly, I just kidnap him occasionally! haha He's Mish's little one, West. Or Nax, if you so choose to call him! 55 minutes ago · Lucy Hale He is very cute. A perfect match for his weak Jensen :) 54 minutes ago · Jessica Claudel verry beautifull the baby,you to 54 minutes ago · Carlos Zuniga hopefully the green eyed man doesnt know about this haha 54 minutes ago · Lucia Pena J u look so natural holding that cute baby tell misha congrats los 2 guapos con el baby that means 2 hot guys wit the baby 51 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Hahaha Hey, I can't help the fact that these kids have me wrapped around their fingers! Thanks Jessica! haha Vicky doesn't like when I show Nax off so much and claim him as my own! I think she thinks I wanna take credit for him! hahaha Thanks, Lucia! I've had experience with my own nephews, as well! And I'll be sure to pass that along. He's almost one, now. It's scary how fast they all grow! 50 minutes ago · · 1 personLoading... Elana Holloway Jensen youlook so natural when are you and Daneel going to have one? 47 minutes ago · Lucia Pena I know my baby angelina b day was 6/5/11 shes 3 she so big shes my cute puppie 47 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Haha why thank you! And we've discussed it. We both want to be stable and ready to support a child and also see what we want to do with our careers. There's nothing good about bringing a baby into an unstable environment! 46 minutes ago · · 1 personLoading... La Ro Jonker He is so cute tel misha congrats they become so big to fast just yesterday mine was born and nou he is 4 months enjoy him 45 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Tell little Angelina I wish her a late birthday! haha And I will definitely pass on the love! haha 44 minutes ago · · 1 personLoading... Elana Holloway That is true and I know you all will have a beautiful baby because you both are beautiful!!!!!!! 42 minutes ago · Jessica Claudel i'm sorry if i make faults but i'm french and i speak very badly americain 42 minutes ago · La Ro Jonker Don't worry I'm south african I speak mostly afrikaans 41 minutes ago · Lucia Pena Yeah so true j babys r expensive but u guys will do fine u come from a awesome background your baby will b like wow I got awesome parents that want the best 4 me and bring so much luv just keep the faith up and u will c everything will go groovy j fb buddy 39 minutes ago · Rose Lucivero My b-day was Friday, June 3rd....turned the big 3-5. This little buck-a-roo is a cutie! 38 minutes ago · Jensen-Ross Ackles Well a happy late birthday to you as well, Rose! And he really is! He's getting so big now and he's just such a cute kid, it's rediculous! 37 minutes ago · · 1 personLoading...