Thinking Schminking

Guys, guys guys....I'm sorry that some of you are confused about yesterday's post...That wasn't me. That was Jenn...It was part of a blog exchange for the month of June.

Do you think for one second, I'd be that poised and in control if I, (anxiety Mom) was going back to work in a few short days...Plus, I live in NY...Not Canada.

I'd be dying if I had to go back to work this week...Jenn is a wonderful and lucky Mamma and I was honored to have her post here yesterday...Good Luck Jenn! I send you many wonderful wishes for your husband and your Magpie. And I send you strength for your return to work!

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Now,

Devilsh Southern Belle tagged me for this Thinking Blogger Award...


But I am so confused. I was tagged for this a while back by someone who I unfortunately can't remember...

And before that I was tagged again for it...

That makes three times since April.

And I can't for the life of me remember who that second nominator was.

I am so honored. Corny? Nah! I make people think, laugh, cry...feel for me. Is it sympathy? Is it happiness? Is is just plain friendship? It's coolness what ever it is.

And whatever it is, I'm happy to do it.

I'm blogging for a year and I love it with a passion. And my blogroll is the reason why...

I thank you, Belle! But, I just don't even know if I should tag five people, ten people or fifteen people for that matter...So I'll just leave it here with my humbled gracias!

Five blogs I read and never linked to

Cherann, that confessed bookworm tagged me for a meme...I love them. They make me happy. This one in particular lets me show a little love to some people I have never linked to before or just started reading or both....

I can't even remember where I found all these blogs because my blogroll is getting kinda wiley. I always promised to keep it at 100 blogs, but that is just unrealistic since I'm addicted to so many different lives out there. I'm sure I've 'met' these bloggers through other blogs I read regularly or comments they have left.

1. Worker Mommy at Because I Must Blog is so cool and fun. I love reading about her family and her adventures. Her comments always make me smile too...

2. MetalMark at Heavy Metal Time Machine is a wealth of information on music. I enjoy reading his reviews, checking out his album covers and hearing his informed opinions on the music I love most.

3. Seattle Mamacita at Mama Mia No Sabia is amazing. She is witty and philosophical but she always remains real. Her down to earth attitude and love for her family is addictive... I wait patiently for her next posts...

4. Tiffani at Never Too Late. I just met her recently through Devilish Southern Belle. We all have the same love for men with eyeliner and long hair and they both even turned me on to new bands. I adore Tiffani's beautiful daughter and the way she writes is hysterical.

5. J. Lee from Single Mom in the City has such a wonderful outlook on life and enjoys every second with her son. I love reading about her fun times and her son's achievements.

I can't believe how many people out there bring joy to my life every day. You all make me laugh, cry and feel like I belong to something bigger. You help me see the brighter side of things and you commiserate with me when I am ready to shoot the dog. I am so in love with blogging because of the people I have 'met' here. Somehow, the world doesn't seem so small anymore.

Eat meme

Lest you think the dog is dead. Nope. Still breathing. Never fear. I'm not that mean. Miraculously, no dogs were actually harmed in the making of that last post. He has been in solitary confinement when we go out though, he eats my walls in anger/spite. Fun times I tell ya.

Hubs, you see doesn't want a crate. It's ugly. But I guess a half eaten couch and holy walls is more attractive...to some. To others, a crate would probably be a happier alternative. But for now, I'll douse the area in Bitter Apple (which Art licks like a treat) and pray for the best.

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Moving on before my blood begins to boil all over again...


DSB, you are so sassy, I love it.

She tagged me for "5 eating places in my area."

The rules:
1. Link to the name of the person who tagged you.

2. Include the state and country you're in.

3. List your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location (locally).

4. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they've been tagged. (Unless you are like me and too lazy to actually tag anyone...)
_____________________

Here goes. Being from NYC and all...there are gobs and gobs of places to eat and drink. But the five that immediately come to mind when I think..."Hmmm, where could we go for a delicious meal, some drinks and an all around fun night out on the town?"...'Cause you know, I think that quite often...

1. Buddakan: We went there for the first time this year...Amazing food, drinks, atmosphere. Good luck getting a reservation though!

2. Monster Sushi: Sushi. Big. Mouthwatering. Yum.

3. Blue Water Grill in Union Square...You want to just eat everything on the menu.

4. Union Square Cafe: Still an all time favorite.

5. Gotham Bar & Grill:...ooh and the chocolate desserts...

(I tag you. I honestly have no patience to tag and tell)...

It's in the bag

So, I can't remember where I saw this...But there were a few blogs out there purging the contents of their purses/bags and I felt like I needed a good purge myself.

So here goes.

That's my bag baby.



It's what I use for a diaper bag/purse. I have 3-4 different bags that I switch through on a daily basis but they all stem from the contents of this one in particular!

These are Girl's supplies.

Pull ups (Don't remind me)/wipes/water bottle/snacks...we never leave home without these particular items for the Girl.

These are the Mom-supplies.

Sunglasses/eye drops/wallet/keys/phone/pens (notice nothing to write on)

Next in line of importance is the toys.
We have Littlest Pet Shop Pets on hand at all times/a stuffed, quacking duck/slinky/playing cards/coloring pad and crayons. You never know when you need distractions while you are in traffic or out to eat.

Then, you have Mom's toys.
The stuff that keeps HER sane.
The iPod, always updated and charged. Socks for gym class and meditation stones that help keep the positive vibes flowing. I need all the help I can get.

The wallet.
Which carries NO cash.
But lots of plastic.
And gift/shopping cards.
(I don't even go to Stop and Shop...since the aphid incident, and when was the last time I stepped foot in a Blockbuster???)

Must. Stay. Hydrated.
Gasp.

How do I find anything in this thing?


OH! Yeah...and....

There's a body-bag waitin' for this.

This photo was shot right after I discovered he ate the ENTIRE insides of a couch cushion...He always looks guilty when he's done something wrong. At least he has the decency to UNZIP the cusion before he chows down...oh, and the poop...not fun. Must be hard to squeeze out gigantic chunks of couch from your quarter sized butthole.

Why do I blog?

MammaLee, that's like asking why do I breathe? Why do I crap? Why do I scratch an itch?
But I'll play along because you know, I can't say no to a meme...

Sorry it's taking so long...I thought this would be easy.

But as you know, I can't just follow a meme...So I'm gonna switch it up a bit. I'm in a listing type of mood today. I'm making lists for a bunch of different things that need to be done this week...blogging isn't on there..but it should be.

"What would happen if I don't blog"...(of course)

1. I'd probably have to go back to therapy and spend way too much money on medication.
2. I'd just be some weirdo playing Dungeons and Dragons or Mah Jong online.
3. I'd spend more time with my daughter and she wouldn't ask me if I was done with my computer already.
4. I'd get a rash.
5. I'd have to spend more money on doctor visits and medicine for said rash.
6. I would be writing long-hand in my journal instead, that takes too long.
7. I wouldn't have these cool memories all typed up and ready to read.
8. I'd have nothing to do during those rare nap times. Wait! Change that to my house would be cleaner.
9. My DVR can't accommodate me as well as blogging can.
   
10. I would have never met these really cool blogger friends that I can't seem to live without these days.

There ya have it. Go forth and tag yourself.

'Seven Songs' for our Prom

I've been tagged...I was waiting patiently to be tagged for this one...Thank you MammaLee!

Guidelines: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what they are. They must be songs you are presently enjoying. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

So. Where do I begin? With Prom here and all...Girl and I have been listening to songs we really like to shake our groove thang to.

1. Blackbird by the Beatles. We listen to this every night at bedtime and Girl likes to play and say, "What's the name of this song? Red Pidgeon?" And we come up with all the combinations we can think of for birds and their colors. (Green Parrot, Orange Flamingo...it's a hoot)

2. Hair from the Soundtrack to the Broadway Production. Girl lurves when I sing..."Let it fly in the breeze and get caught in the trees, a home for the fleas in my hair...A home for my fleas, a hive for the buzzin' bees...Here baby, there mamma, everywhere daddy daddy...HAIR!"

3. Catch the Moon by Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb. Girl's favorite song of all time and we have been dancing to it for 'Prom'! I love the lyrics and I love the way Girl's face lights up when she hears the opening strum of the guitar.

4. Read My Mind the Killers. I love this song and can't get enough. I love the line; "Cause I don't shine if you don't shine." It just fills me up.

5. Heaven Can Wait by Meatloaf...Seems I always get this song in my recurring play list this time of year. I spent many a day and night listening to this album in 1989.

6. Shake Your Bon Bon by Ricky Martin. Who can't get up to dance for this song....? And what a Bon Bon Girl can shake!

7. As Far As the Eye Can See by TNT. I can't get this one off my iPod either. There's just a feeling of serene I get when I hear this song. It has touched me that way from the first time I ever heard it.

So there you have it. Our Prom play list this weekend. We're dancing and singin...But I'm still trying to get some pictures done...

Tag, you're it. Prom goers: Danger Doll, Karaoke Diva, WhyMommy, Plain Jane Mom, Don't take the Repeats, The Dead Letters, The Rantings of Deb....Nice to meet you all...

Regrets, I've had a few...

But missing my prom was certainly not one of them.

I'm still not sure what makes this gorgeous woman think I'd have fun this time around???

But hey, she is the first person ever to actually ask me to go to the prom. I hope she'll be my pseudo date. And I just know SF will jump at the chance to dress up and go dancin'!

When I was 18, prom time, I had been getting ready for the 1 year anniversary of my Mother's death to breast cancer. I had my head in the clouds and my feet as far from reality as I could dig them. I had been out of high school for a year already and just earned my GED. I was brainlessly working in Kennedy Airport to fill some time. I was miserable. Depressed. And to top it all off, my boyfriend just broke up with me. Anus.

Prom was the last thing on my mind.

I didn't miss getting ready for the prom. I couldn't focus anyway. I didn't miss getting my hair done. I didn't have the money to do it. I didn't miss buying a frilly dress. I never wore those anyway. I didn't miss dancing to Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There For You" with my so-called boyfriend because I couldn't be there for myself let alone another human being. And I certainly didn't miss the people in High School. They could all rot in hell for all I care. Even today. What douchebags.

I did miss my Mom.

I spent a lot of that time partying at bars and going to the beach and hanging out and sometimes, occasionally dabbling in the wacky tobaccy. Prom was so out of my range of consciousness. It never once crossed my thoughtless mind to go to prom. Who would I even go with? I hated the 'boy', I hated the other kids there...the ones I did hang out with were too stoned to actually prepare for the prom so they didn't go either. I hated life. What would prom do for me?

That actual night, I vaguely remember going to see some friends play in their band at the local bar and hanging out with Bud(wiser). That's what I think I did on prom night. I'm still not too sure. If you asked me what my life was like back then, the only answer I could give you was: lost. The memories don't return to me until about age 23. That time I think I could safely say, I remember well. Before then, a total blur.

I still get sad when I think about all that time wasted and unused. I could have been something special if I just put my mind to it. But I was filled with fear, sadness and worst of all, grief for the loss of the only woman who could ever love me that deeply. Never again did I think I'd return to this world sane. I still have my doubts.

So Mamma, thank you for inviting me to your prom, because it is the only one I've ever been to, emotionally, spiritually or physically. I will try not to be a downer. And I don't have any pictures, but maybe SF and I will scrounge some up for the occasion. We do like to dance around in the living room.

Party on Wayne, Party on Garth.

Real moms...are still real women

Emma, Emma, Emma....You tagged me and I'm it...But how can I describe real moms when I hardly feel like one most of the time?..

What is a real mom? The truth?

They were once living and breathing women with ideas, thoughts and bodies of their own. They sometimes chose this path into motherhood and they sometimes were placed into it unknowingly. Either way, they love their children and families with every fiber of their being but sometimes wish they could be 'back in the good 'ole days'...where they were carefree and blithe...for just a split second.

Real moms don't always want to go to the playground for the quintillionth time. Real moms don't always want to read 'Goodnight Moon' again and again. Real moms can't possibly take another chorus of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star without gagging just a little. Real moms sometimes have had enough. Real moms want to be seen as real women sometimes.

Now, don't get yer bloomers in a bunch! If you're a real mom you'll admit that this mommyhood thing isn't easy and sometimes you wish for some peace and quiet and a good martini. If you can't admit that, then you are not a real mom, my friend.

Just because we are moms doesn't mean we aren't beautiful and want to feel sexy and be allowed to have a good time without the kids. And by good time, I don't mean book talk. I mean a night out drinking and being flirty and dancing 'till 3am. It's nice to know you've still 'got it' when you go out. Instead of being told..."Oh! I knew you were a mom, I could tell by your jeans."

No one wants that. Admit it real moms.

Real moms sometimes want to sing..."Donchya wish your Mamma was.hot.like.me?" ...and sometimes we want to be able to turn someone on other than our husbands, and sometimes we just want to be left alone to...I don't know, to sit on the toilet without an audience.

But all in all, even though real moms do wish they could just once kiss a handsome stranger in the summer rain...

Real moms wouldn't trade their life for one second. Real moms will always go to the playground for the quintillionth time with a skip and a smile. Real moms will always read 'Goodnight Moon' again and again because their children are growing an appreciation for good literature. Real moms will take another chorus of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star without gagging just a little because their children are happy and healthy and singing. Real moms sometimes have had enough. But real moms have unconditional love for their children and they would die to keep them happy and safe. Even if it means they have to wear mom jeans to be comfortable.

You wanna tell me what you think a real mom is?..then, tag you're it.
But I also tag: Terri, Shanilie, MammaLoves, Marmite Breath and Queen of the Mayhem

Five Christmas Songs that Don't Make Me Puke

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I'm done gushing over my daughter's newly three year old status for a while...Okay? She's three...she's a pleasure to know, I am honored to be her Mom and I'm sure you're all sick of hearing it. Thank you friends for all the birthday wishes!!!

Got this meme thing from Ali. That I honestly hated at first, but now I love. You see, I hate despise Christmas music. All kinds...it makes me want to blow chunks. I used to love it, but age and memories got me to hating it with a passion...So I've been avoiding it like the plague. But then, I got tagged! This tag has forced me to confront my past and face my fears and accept holiday music as something to admire deal with and chuckle at.

Ali, you gorgeous woman, you 'nippletoe' loving lady...I'll try anything once. And I'm a sucker for memes...I know, I'm supposed to pick five faves...this is very difficult. So after much deliberation and serious contemplation I picked 5 songs that I actually get a kick out of. Here goes:

5 Christmas songs that don't suck.

1. Holy Shit it's Christmas by Red Peters
My all time favorite Christmas song. I love how funny it is and Red's play on words just totally cracks me up.

2. 12 Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers. Another goofy favorite. Just love it 'cause it's not so serious. And this particular video makes me giggle.

3. Mistress for Christmas by AC/DC. Love that band. Love all their songs. Love that they have a Christmas song out there. Even if it reeks of adultery.

4. Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC.
I always loved this song. I guess because I'm from Queens and so are they.

5. Wizards in Winter by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. C'mon, how could you not?

And for your Holiday Pleasure...my favorite Christmas Movie...

Now, tag! You're it.

A-Z of me + A New Tradition

Today's December 1st! I am starting a new tradition with my daughter. (yay me) I bought her an Advent calendar from Starbucks, (of course) to count down the days 'til Christmas and give us both something to look forward to. (I realize I am not teaching her the exact idea behind 'Advent' but I am doing what feels right for me...I am introducing the concept which we can research, or not, when she gets older and decides for herself)...I am very excited for her to see this calendar. I remember when I was a kid, my mom did the same thing with me. My Aunt would buy the calendar every year, and Mom and I would open it every night, piece by piece, day by day...I looked so forward to that little piece of chocolate! I begged to open it days sooner and she always told me, "Go ahead, but when you are done and there's no more chocolate to open...that's your problem." Ha! Whatta woman. Lay it all out there. So I am starting my first tradition with my girl. I am very proud of myself.

Also,
...I've been doing a lot of these lately...I'll just do them, they make me smile...if you read it and comment I love you for it, if you don't, that's okay too...

Thanks Mel...See, I told you I'd get to it...

A-Z of Me !!!

A - Available/Single? Married for 5 years!
B - Best Friend? SF, BD, K, G
C- Cake or Pie? Cake, chocolate, rich, creamy...yum.
D - Drink Of Choice? Coffee...injected into an IV if at all possible.
E- Essential item you use every day. The telephone. 
F - Favorite Color? Purple, or as we say 'round these parts...'poi-ple'.
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Yuck, neither.
H - Hometown? (born in ) Queens, NY
I - Indulgence? French Fries, Pizza, Chocolate, Sushi
J - January Or February? February...It's my Birthday!
K - Kids Their Names? 1, Farfallina
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Hugs
M - Marriage Date? August Third
N- Number Of Siblings? 1 kinda, sorta brother...Hummm...I smell a post coming on...
O - Oranges Or Apples? Apples, with peanut butter
P - Phobias/Fears? Jesus...I'd be here all friggin' day. I'll just say yes.
Q - Favorite Quote? "Sometimes you have to jump, and build your wings on the way down"
R - Reason to Smile -My daughter
S - Season? Spring
T - Tag Four People? Now, I just won't do it...If you want to try this, go ahead.
U - Unknown Fact About Me? With this blog, there is none...Um, I love to sleep.
V - Vegetable you dont like? None...
W - Worst Habit? Complaining too much.
X - X-rays You've Had Recently.. My teeth...no cavities thank you very much.
Y - Your Favorite Food? Mexican, Japanese
Z - Zodiac Sign? Pisces...I don't smell like fish.

10 Weird things...

I was Memmed! By this crazy, thumb-bending woman!~

I have way more than 10 weird things about me, but I'll try to condense my oddities to 10...

Here goes:

1. I'm afraid of the dark. Deathly afraid. I see things in my mind that are not normal when I am in the dark!

2. I love Noggin. It inspires me to be a better mother. Truly. It gives me fun ideas and makes me laugh. A happy Mom is a great Mom.

3. I love the smell of my daughter's feet. Especially after a long, hard day of playing in her sneakers.

4. I once broke all 10 of my toes doing a back handspring.

5. I am obsessed with feet. I always notice a person's feet. Not in a good way...It's not a fetish. They skeeve me out. Especially dirty feet or men's feet. I once broke up with a boy in High School because he took his sneakers off and he had no socks on. I was so grossed out, I broke up with his skanky feet that night. Flip Flops are a disgusting shoe and they should be banished from this earth. I hate my feet too. (I can imagine the Google searches from this one!)

6. I'm not the greatest "Domestic Engineer" out there. I'm a stay-at-home mom but I don't cook, I hate to clean and I don't do much else domestically. I just hang with my daughter and try to give her the best experiences I can...The house isn't my first priority. (BD is a great cook though!!!)

7. I sweat like a man. It's no secret in this house. I hafta use men's deodorant to stop the smell and wetness. Cute right?

8. I think I'm fat. People tell me it's not true, but I have always had a sort of "body image" issue. After Fa was born it came back, it effects me every day.

9. I hate playgroups. It makes me feel like I'm in High School all over again. I hated High School.

10. I never graduated High School. I got my G.E.D. after my mom passed away. (I was a grieving mess at 17.) However, I went back to school and got my Master's Degree in Education so I could teach children how important school actually is. I am very proud of that accomplishment and I plan to go for my PhD. in reading one of these days.

545 (Five for Five) and a few rants

Ok, Melanie...Here is my "Five For Five". This was fun but hard to come up with.

Five Minutes to yourself. How would you spend them ideally?
1. read more than one chapter in a book
2. sleep
3. lie on the beach
4. drink a Margarita
5. sleep
Five Dollars to spend right now. How or where would you spend it?
1. Littlest Pet Shop toys for Fa
2. Starbucks
3. CVS
4. Target
5. Children's Place
Five items in your house you could part with right now?
1. the dog
2. the dog
3. the dogs poop
4. all the remote controls
5. the dog
Five items in your house you absolutely, positively could never part with? (Family excluded)
1. the bed
2. my laptop
3. Fa's burpies
4. my Uggs
5. my camera
Words you love?
1. Fa
2. la la
3. carchookie chicken
4. bean dip
5. doodie bomber

5 people I will tag...
the first 5 people that read this...ha ha...you're it.

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Then yesterday, we had gym class. Fa was in a little bit of a self-proclaimed 'grouchy mood' so things weren't going as smoothly as usual. She was whiny and uncooperative the entire class. (She never participates with the group but this time was b-a-d!) Finally, Ms. Laura brings out Fa's highlight: balls and bubbles. She played with the balls happily and ran to catch herself some cool bubbles. All of a sudden I see her sitting on the floor crying. I thought it was just a fit again, but the teacher told me that she was knocked down. By a little animal. The teacher didn't use that description, I did.

This kid. Whatta brat. She is always cutting the other kids in line, pushing them out of the way, yelling at them when they ignore her, hitting others and running around like a lunatic. Her nanny is usually talking on the phone and always ignoring her. Now, I understand dear reader, the kid is starving for attention...negative attention is better than no attention at all. But why is she allowed to run ragged when the others have to behave? I was so pissed that she clocked Fa that I kept telling Fa the next time she does that to her she should push her right back. I know, I know, bad example but shit man, should't Fa be able to stick up for herself in extreme situations?

I'm not gonna be the one to teach this thing to behave in a 45 minute class, the teacher can't, so the next best thing is to teach Fa some self-defense. Before you get mad at me, I also told Fa to just stay away from the little animal and tell me if she bothers her again. Damn it. Fa has a red mark on her cheek now to top it off. What the?

So that was our day at the gym. Why do the little brats get away with murder and the good ones get beat up?

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Fa's new song:
(Sung to the tune of Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel)

RT RT RT... you're such a little twerp.
RT RT RT...I'll put you in the dirt.

Gee, where did she get that song from?

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Guess who I saw in two consecutive days out and around the town? Flash Card Bitch. That's right! And her "angel" was with her and they both had pusses on their faces. Pissy pants. I can't wait to get into it with her. That'll make for great bloggin'!

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Had lunch here yesterday too. It was Yummy. I ate vegan split pea soup and the tricolore salad pizza. It was wonderful. The crust is thin and has cheese melted into it like a second skin...I luurrved every tasty morsel.

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Blogger sucks. It took me 3 hours to get this post up here.

Friday...and.

Happy Friday!
( Even though every day is like Friday for me.)

I am going to a Mom's Night Out tonight. Woohooo. Can you smell what the Margarita is cookin'?

I know. Detox. Well it's over, pretty much and I've been doing well...so I'm treating myself. I feel great and energized! So I deserve a treat. My treat: Margarita, straight up with salt.

I'm still sore from the gym, but I'm going again tomorrow. Hopefully in time, it'll get better. Figures that these past few days, 'Miss Independent' wants me to carry her every friggin' where. She has been climbing into her car seat for months...This week: "Mommy put me in the car seat please!" What the?

Anyway, Chelle tagged me (eek) and I'm not sure what to do so I'm tryin' here...

1. Morning : suck
   
2. Pets : stink
   
3. Snow : bites
   
4. Bounce : boobs
   
5. Crazy : working out
   

In other words 'TAG' now you're it...Get working on these five 'fun' words:

1. Coffee:
2. dance:
3. ass:
4. toe:
   
5. kiss:

Have a good weekend.

Monitor Chain!!!

I Love, love this game....I snapped Chelle's site on my laptop...on my lap. I just found her from a previous comment here at my site...Through another blogger... Jenny, at Dot Moms I love this game! Let's see how many of us get connected!
Are you interested in playing along?: (Photograph this blog post (including your monitor and its immediate surroundings), and post the resulting pic on your blog. Then the next person photographs your blog post and posts it, and so on. Leave your post URL in the comments so people will be able to follow the chain, and link your image to the post you photographed… this way people will be able to zoom into the monitors by clicking.)

I honestly have no idea what I'm doing. But I'm having a hella time doing it. Get snappin'. Thanks Chelle...Whee...