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I know I haven't posted ina long long time. Life has me so busy these days, I can barely finish a thought, let alone a post! :o)

This past week has been the single hardest week in my whole entire family's life. Everyone is just trying their best to get through this bleak time.

I contacted Cranky Pants the one day last week and asked her if she could let people know that YGRS wouldn't be on for a while and why. Thank you Cranky Pants for getting in touch with people. And I know my Mom put a short post up (as much as she could bear to write). I knew that you guys all meant so much to her. It's funny how people you may never actually sit and have a cup of coffee with can be such good friends. I wanted to make sure that even though I had 3 kids to take care of and I am an hour away, that she felt loved from the people in her life that meant a lot to her.

I was so surprised then to see the reaction I got. People that loved my Mom, not ever having met her face to face (and some who have) wanting to help out in any way they could. People who felt her pain and hated not being able to do anything about it. You all chipped in whatever money you could and sent it her way...in hopes that she could use it for something. The funny part is, I never told Cranky Pants that they didn't know how they were going to pay for the funeral. They had no idea how they were going to come up with this money they didn't even have. That I believe was a miracle. That you all had no idea about what was financialy going on, and you did this. I believe that God was speaking to you all that day. And God told me to write to you, Cranky Pants, because he was going to make this miracle happen for my Mom.

You guys raised almost $1,000 for my Mom! That was 1/3 of the cost right there! It was a miracle! And between you guys and out family members putting money in, we did it. We raised enough to have the service for Sam. This has been a tragedy. This is so heartbreaking for all of us. We loved him so dearly...I don't think he ever knew how much. It's been years of pain for our family, watching him go through all he has been going through and trying to help him.

I want you all to know too that My Mom is so grateful. She was so touched that you thought of her and wanted to help her. Sh was amazed to see how many people cared about her and loved her. But the one thing she said to me (which is so YGRS) is "I can't figure out why they did this? I mean, I have nothing to give them? I don't know why people always say they like me so much. I don't have money, or great things to share....I just don'tget it" I told her "it's the good in you that people see. That's all you need. You are a good, beautiful person with a great heart.....that's why people love you."

So, thanks again to everyone for our little miracle amongst this tragedy. We needed it!

Lotus Girl

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We went down to OC New Jersey yesterday , the last time for the year. We love it there, so family friendly and clean and great for the kids! So here's a list of our favorites, and not so favorites....

Mack n' Mancos Pizza -  you HAVE to eat Mack N' Mancos pizza when you go to OC! They seriously have the BEST pizza! Mack N' Mancos is located on the boardwalk, and there are about 3 or 4 locations along the boardwalk. There are some other pizza joints down there, but to be honets, we are so loyal to Macks, that we just won't try another pizza! The crsut is good and soft (with a little crunch). They put the sauce ON TOP of the cheese....and it's not like any other sauce I've tasted. Very good!

Spadaforas seafood - they have a market AND a restaurant. This is off the boardwalk, down on 9th and atlantic I believe it is. It's a very small place, you have to go early to get a seat....come 5 or 6 there's no getting in! The seafood is wonderful, the staff is nice. It's pricey...but we've found most seafood at the shore is pricey anyways. You have to try Spadaforas just once!

Del's - is another good seafood place right on the boardwalk. It's not as extensive with their menu as Spadaforas, but what they do have is tastey! I usually get fried seafood here.....it's just always so good! Again, it's pricey, bit not AS pricey as Spadaforas.

Monkey Bread - this is great for breakfast! The monkey bread is VERY sugary and cinnamon-y, and it's topped with icing! It's very rich! When you first buy it, it's warm. I ususally take it home and reheat it the next day....just as tastey. It's so rich, it gets hard to finish! Now that's a good treat in my book!!

Shriver's candies - they have the best salt water taffy on the boardwalk. You can even watch them make it in the store, and they give the kids a free giant taffy balloon. They fudge is great too, and I believe it's their own made fudge. Again, there are other places along the boardwalk as well, but we just think Shriver's is the best. And beware, it's ALWAYS crowded in the evenings....you'll be waiting to check out for some time!!

George's candies - we've only gotten ONE thing from them, and it's their famous macaroons!! These macaroons are like NOTHING you've tasted before! They are crunchy on the outside, but mushy and gooey on the inside. I gave them to a neighbor who loves sweets (as I do) and she actually HID THEM from her family, because she didn't want to share! They're that good!

Now for the bad -

Ikes Famous Seafood (crabcakes) is not so great at all. They serve these crab cake sandwiches with a spicy sauce. The sauce was SO spicy that we couldn't even taste the crab cakes. It ruins the whole sandwich. And the only side there , was potato chip style fries (yeah, just home made chips basically) and coleslaw (which I love, but not like this) - which was sitting at a table in a BIG ol bucket and they were just slopping it into cups...BUT they left them all sit out on the table in the heat of summer!!?? Gross....

The Hamburger Construction Company - I had read a review somewhere that this place was something special. It was not. We got fries - typical thicker fries. Nothing special. We got burgers and really we could have just made them at home. They were small and fresh, but nothing special in the least. We got 3 burgers, 1 hotdog, 1 large frie (to split) and 4 medium and small drinks and it came to $33!!!  That was a little shocking for how NOT special this food was.

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I know...I've been a BAD neighbor. I haven't commented on anything, I haven't written anything....o.k. to be honest, I havem't even BEEN on Vox since maybe August!! As you all know, I have 3 kids - 10, 3 and 10 months. Well, now that school started I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Between schools, and dance classes and girl scouts....NOT TO MENTION chasing my 10 month old all day (who has decided to start walking, and testing his boundaries over and over daily). Ugh....I seriously have NO me time anymore.

HOWEVER, I decided the other day that I, being a huge foodie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodie) , I decided I'd start writing reviews on food joints. So, here's my very first entry.

THE LOADED STEAKHOUSE BURGER FROM BURGER KING

This burger was the BIGGEST waste of my money AND wasted my calories for the day! This is what it looks like http://www.bk.com/#menu=2,79,-1  LOOKS tastey, right. O.k....they claim to use Angus beef for the burger. The burger was flat, burnt and basically tasted like a salsbury steak (without the gravy). Next there's WHAT APPEEARS TO BE onion rings....WRONG. It's little bits of fried potatoes. Fried potatoes you say....why that's a french fry! NOPE...not even as good as a french fry. It was like mashed potatoes that were fried in little bits....very mushy. The bacon was the best part...no complaints there. Next it says it has a "thick hearty steak sauce" on it.....hhmmmm, it was white. Do you know of any white steak sauces? I don't know? Anyways, it was dry and the potatoe things were mushy....all in all it was just gross.

If you want a GOOD burger, try the Baconator at Wendy's. THAT'S a good burger! Check it out - http://www.wendys.com/food/Product.jsp?family=1&product=4  Now, when you first get it you think "this is small compared to the picture"....but beware, this burger sits BIG in your stomache! And it's actually pretty greasy....so if you have a sensative stomache to greasy stuff, maybe not the best burger for you. It was SO crazy good though! Almost addicting really.  And way more worth your money! (Now if they could only add McDonald's fries to that, it would be the PERFECT fast food meal!!)

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Oh my Lord, it has been soooooo long since I've done ANYTHING on this blog!!! I've been so busy (with another project, AND with my little 9 month old boy who is now PULLING UP on everything and crawling like the wind!!!). So, I have collected a bunch of funny pictures over time, and thought I'd post them all today.....enjoy the sillyness (and stupidity)

these bunnies know how to party!

this is really cute

God this is funny/horrible

this is just weird/sick.....maybe a little funny too?

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I woke up at 5:30 this morning to make lunch for my husband and have a cup of coffee with him before he left for work. Gizmo was alseep on the sleeping bag Amber took to camp with her (it's in the kitchen right now). I had to take a picture of him because he looked SO exhausted! He only laid there wagging his tail...he couldn't even get up to greet me!! LOL

August 5 2008 184

August 5 2008 183

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I couldn't believe what I saw on Friday eveving. We were driving on the highway at 5:30 pm to go get my daughter at girl scout camp. It's rush hour. On our way we pass people waiting to merge with traffic. Amongst the people in their cars are two people on motorcycles. One is a woman, the other is a man.....with a TODDLER strapped to his back. This little boy was ONLY tied on by a little nylon belt (the same material as a stroller strap - if you can picture what I am talking about)!! I started to cry a little , out of shock, when I saw this. What parent would endanger their child like that?? So, they pull out and the Mother ends up in front of us, and the father about 3 cars back. So the father goes into the left lane and speeds up to catch up with her. By this point then, they are in front of us and I'm freaking out! So, I called 911 on them. I thought this HAD to be illegal. My husband was floored....couldn't even speak. I mean, what if this Dad got into an accident with his little toddler on the back? Or what if the belt slipped and the boy started to fall off?? And HOW ON EARTH did the mother think this was all o.k.??? So, I gave them their license plate # and where they were headed. I realzed after the fact that there were 3 OTHER cars crowding around the bikes, I'm assuming only to get their license plate # too.

I hope the cops stopped those parents. Total idiots. Where's the nurturing instincts that tell you "I would never endanger my child like that. My husband said it was probably that they wanted to ride together and, boo hoo hoo, had their toddler with them and decided to be selfish and just strap the boy to them so they could ride together.

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    Are you Hungry for a new America?

Then Vote for RobbieDobbie.

Together we can take a BITE out of Inflation!

And my VEEP nomination goes to Cutie. P. Tootie. With a VEEP like that, who WOULDN'T vote for you!!

What do you think RD??

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What part of your childhood do you miss the most?
Submitted by Maretta.

You know.....I decided that when I thought of my childhood, I thought of the 80's. Yes, I am an 80's child. I wish I had pictures to show (YGRS  has them), but I do not. I loved the 80's. The movies, the music, THE CLOTHES! Which funny enough are BACK!! The 80's fashions are SO back in style! Makes me giggle. I feel like I am too old to be dressing in these fads, because once they are gone, I'll be left with crazy looking 80's clothes (I don't outgrow my clothes anymore). My daughter, however, CAN.....and does.

I remember I used to have those black lace gloves with no fingers (just like Madonna did). I WORSHIPED Madonna in the 80's....wasn't she just the coolest?? Oh and let's not forget Micheal Jackson in the day! My sister had the glove and I had a jacket like his. I adored Prince and has his pictures (from Purple Rain of course) on my walls. I would wear "clashing" patterns (polka dot shirt with striped pants), mix matched socks and converse sneakers.

Man...those were the days! I am sort of jealous my daughter gets to relive these fashions....and yet at the same time, I am over it. But I STILL to this day prefer 80's music over other music!

So, I salute you 80's decade, with these great pictures! Enjoy!!

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O.k...I THOUGHT saw a hummingbird on my butterfly bush this morning, so I went out to take pictures of it. To my suprise it was NOT a hummingbird....but some sort of insect? The sad thing IS, this is what I had been seeing on my plants last year, and thought it was a hummingbird....it was always so fast that I couldn't see it well. The pictures are a little blurry...the little bugger is fast! But it hovers and flaps it's wings LIKE a butterfly. Can anyone tell me what this is????

o.k...scratch that, ym computer (or vox) isn't cooperating....can't upload MY picture....BUT I looked up Hummingbird moth on google, and I found the pictures! Here's a picture

does anyone know anything about these guys?? THIS is what I thought was a hummingbird from afar.....

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