tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343999152024-03-05T08:16:55.691-08:00Postcards by the SeaSeaside City Life...a little bit of this, a little bit of that.Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-69984441235452282015-05-21T18:01:00.002-07:002015-05-21T18:01:39.424-07:00Gulp, Yelp.I absolutely LOVE reading reviews people leave on YELP. Not always for finding new eats, mind you, but for the sheer entertainment factor.<br />
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"With nothing for my 3 year old to do (no crayons, no paper to draw on and the noise level was too loud for him to pay attention to his ipad) and still waiting for our salads, my husband ended up taking my son outside for a walk. Salads came, still no food for my son. Salads cleared, still no food for my son. Our dinner finally came but at this point my son was fit to be tied....and so was I because there was still no food for him. Guess whose dinner came last?!?"<br />
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Love the way taking the overwhelmed iPad using 3 year old outside for a walk seems unheard of to this mother. No one's EVER had to do that before while waiting for their food to be prepared and served to them. Oh, the horror. Also, um, bring your own fucking crayons to a restaurant. Unless it's Chucky Freaking Cheese, restaurants are (shocker) not responsible for entertaining your child. And ear phones. He needs earphones. For the iPad you've given him. And FOOD. For the love of Christ, pack that kid some food so he won't have to sit for more than 7 seconds in a restaurant with NO FOOOOOOD!!! Is this an American attitude-instant gratification thing? Or just a dopey parenting thing? Hint for next time: Hire a sitter.<br />
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<br />Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-72376366875457563172014-01-04T18:20:00.000-08:002014-02-01T08:45:58.800-08:00Oh Depression, You Auld Acquaintance You...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Oh how I love this photo. Taken on a trip to Copenhagen, in the cemetery where my grandmother's two cousins (whom I'd never gotten to meet) lie. </span><br />
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2013 was a pretty good year for me...it was the first year, in quite a few, I was kind of sad to say goodbye to. It definitely had its ups (our marriage is the strongest it's been in years, our children are doing well, I was given a promotion/raise, the Mister has made GREAT strides in conquering his depression) and, as all years do, its downs (my father in law died very unexpectedly, leaving his wife of nearly 58 years, 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren reeling from the shock of having him die while undergoing "routine procedure"). And that, as we all know it, is life. The ups and downs are absolutely out of our control, we can only control our response to them. When life hands you lemons...chuck 'em through your enemy's window. Or make a meringue and share it with your friends. See there? The choice is yours!<br />
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The Mister's been doing amazingly well with the challenges of fighting a long term, serious clinical depression. It seems, after being prescribed every pharmaceutical in the book, undergoing ECT treatments which have permanently damaged his memory, seeing a very suspect therapist and to add insult to injury having his wife flake out on him, he's taking back some of the happiness he so deserves. He's seeing two excellent therapists, a very astute and competent psychiatrist and has seemingly, at long last, found the magic bullet which has mightily diminished the depression and given him some feeling, some happiness, some laughter, some connection to the world back. I hope, oh how I hope, that his recovery continues...it's definitely not just the person dealing with mental health issues who suffers, their partners and families suffer mightily as well. Depression, particularly treatment resistant depression, is a monster. A monster with a seemingly bottomless reserve of focus and energy all targeted at the person it is inhabiting! It is a joy killing, marriage wrecking, family harming nightmare. Yet we're finally seeing some light at the end of what's been a long, long tunnel. *(If this post reaches anyone struggling with depression, feel free to contact me. We are an open book with the struggle this has been and will willingly offer any support we can to anyone who may need it.)<br />
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Oh, 2014, please be as kind or kinder than 2013 was to us! My wish, upon the beautiful supermoon smiling in the sky tonight, for everyone is to live a 2014 overflowing with health, happiness, kindness, friendship, family and love. xoxoTara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-22636619967535797142013-09-18T08:21:00.001-07:002013-09-18T08:21:14.233-07:00Just Do It...Living by the beach provides the ultimate outdoor space for getting fit...mentally and physically. Eldest daughter and I have been running/walking together lately. Our town, Long Branch, has a two mile long boardwalk which was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. It's still a beautiful route, but just not the same as the old boards...there's a chain link fence now (to keep people off the now-exposed sea wall) and just an asphalt road to run upon. We drove out to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandy-hook-hours.htm" target="_blank">Sandy Hook</a> last Sunday and enjoyed the change of scenery. The first photo below is of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (the oldest working lighthouse in the country), the second is looking over from Sandy Hook to Manhattan, the third is North End Beach in Long Branch, the fourth me stretching in Pier Village and the rest are vintage shots of Sandy Hook/Fort Hancock. I was pretty lazy all last winter and gained the weight to prove it. By cutting waaaaay down on carbs (my drug of choice) and getting back out to exercise, 12 pounds dropped off pretty effortlessly. Now to get back to fighting weight I'll have to work a little harder. Remembering how good it feels after running should help a bit. Remembering how good it feels to fit in my clothes should help a lot. <br />
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As a goal, Daughter and I may do the <a href="http://www.jsrc.org/raceapps/deal2013.jpg" target="_blank">Deal 5k</a> in October. I'll never be fast but at least I can be consistent...<br />
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<img alt="Fort Hancock Hook, Highlands, N.J." height="255" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8470442441_44068e83d8_m.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-75829224006614400532013-07-21T11:04:00.001-07:002013-07-21T11:07:24.818-07:00Summer in the City...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33d4I0O9w2ZdGPHYj3GVHl0nMmsKSxjfQr5E2qrpPN9O7CZSuK56zPPUDlvxwu8WzmAzLjgna7ASJ0xfUA64c6bukIhYAIHSzxaGnxsLvvjeG_GCs31yOpRWdYk_nansC38YK/s1600/nyc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33d4I0O9w2ZdGPHYj3GVHl0nMmsKSxjfQr5E2qrpPN9O7CZSuK56zPPUDlvxwu8WzmAzLjgna7ASJ0xfUA64c6bukIhYAIHSzxaGnxsLvvjeG_GCs31yOpRWdYk_nansC38YK/s320/nyc1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdD3utWoqbFT3dU1vMeSUxy27BzZnkF_b42JVg5K4gL6EqNvMbQ0YiZd6o51L9I_nhq-r_w5vqTq9iaqRwhvtRi9vggzHWm9TY8fvjnIMybXeAnTit_E69mGrGZnBonXFpc5a/s1600/nyc2.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdD3utWoqbFT3dU1vMeSUxy27BzZnkF_b42JVg5K4gL6EqNvMbQ0YiZd6o51L9I_nhq-r_w5vqTq9iaqRwhvtRi9vggzHWm9TY8fvjnIMybXeAnTit_E69mGrGZnBonXFpc5a/s320/nyc2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORklhyZdoBFCcRS_tlraGah4ho5u6_iahlaXtNjsXuQpCqS5Yf53QVPSolob2L4_LW5KhODwcHJ-F7pJTlmoDpxmzVFrkH4pwYJOtmOxnnMfh0iuTOs-qwk89EHP9jyPNev2u/s1600/nyc3.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORklhyZdoBFCcRS_tlraGah4ho5u6_iahlaXtNjsXuQpCqS5Yf53QVPSolob2L4_LW5KhODwcHJ-F7pJTlmoDpxmzVFrkH4pwYJOtmOxnnMfh0iuTOs-qwk89EHP9jyPNev2u/s320/nyc3.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilW7Z9xiDZV19xfOnIzjHn7atPjQQAexViA6cRagUlDh41Xs6zQxDTbjSOm-Pt7rwt6ETNd8QF0l8-2TrMkrbWBUX-rCmVaIOLxr4UUldUrc12x2hkMNiH9Ni4nlf4yyjRVPA/s1600/nyc4.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilW7Z9xiDZV19xfOnIzjHn7atPjQQAexViA6cRagUlDh41Xs6zQxDTbjSOm-Pt7rwt6ETNd8QF0l8-2TrMkrbWBUX-rCmVaIOLxr4UUldUrc12x2hkMNiH9Ni4nlf4yyjRVPA/s320/nyc4.JPG" /></a>
The Mister and I headed in to Manhattan Friday...according to weather reports, it "felt" like 106, but that didn't stop us from taking a 12 mile walk and enjoying the day. Three weeks ago I cut grains and sugar from my diet as an attempt to a.) lose the weight I started packing on when SuperStormSandy held me hostage for a week with a full-though not functioning-fridge and b.)to try to get my stomach issues under control. After reading a great amount about wheat and it's supposed multitude of evils, I figured it couldn't hurt, so here I am...3 weeks in on a low carb eating plan. Twelve pounds down and my former gut problems have miraculously ceased and desisted. So, seems to be working. And, no, I don't only eat bacon and eggs! Veggies are my mainstay. Went to dinner at <a href="http://www.thecoppercanyon.com/">Copper Canyon</a> in Atlantic Highlands last night with the Mister, my brother and his beautiful wife. Ordered Shrimp Fajitas, simply omitted the tortillas. Had a tequila (Copper Canyon is renowned for their tequilas)and enjoyed every bite and sip. I'm fairly sure I breached every possible point of good etiquette when I ate guacamole with a fork-but it was entirely worth it. The whole sugar thing is a beast of another color, but so far so good. My birthday is mid-August, so I am looking forward to the piece of amazing coconut cake I'll allow myself to have from either <a href="http://www.theflakytartnj.com/">the Flaky Tart</a>, also in Atlantic Highlands OR <ahref="http://www.smithandwollenskynyc.com/">Smith & Wollensky</a> if we have my birthday dinner in Manhattan. Either way, I am innately grateful for what I have and where I'm at. Life IS good...Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-8358283122227070542013-07-17T10:16:00.000-07:002013-07-17T10:16:08.708-07:00Duke Farms on a Hot July DayTook the week off from work and am enjoying every second of it! The temp is kind of high-mid 90s-but that didn't deter me and the Mister from driving out to <a href="http://dukefarms.org/">Duke Farms</a> in Hillsborough, NJ. What a great place to spend a day. We used their bike-share to get around, which was a fantastic way to see as much of the grounds as we chose to...there is also a tram and walking trails, we biked about 6 miles (he with very little effort, me with a LOT of effort) and just kind of reveled in a day which had no structure, no schedule, no stress!!!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdkgCoPXk3szDDThK6Rua2FlvJTyMEM84eOQqNLQumlE_UnfDDCBUG8RhP4sYboJbSwbdlj7AMusYiw0wtPnMwHt4CuCSEiay8JNaOPr7DMAzII-AOiPzHUklqKveZNRTKkCP/s1600/dukefarms10.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdkgCoPXk3szDDThK6Rua2FlvJTyMEM84eOQqNLQumlE_UnfDDCBUG8RhP4sYboJbSwbdlj7AMusYiw0wtPnMwHt4CuCSEiay8JNaOPr7DMAzII-AOiPzHUklqKveZNRTKkCP/s320/dukefarms10.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8klb7IPt70U8t3qtVLn3itmp5KqzU0JwbpLpQus_i1ufuEls000BCRtgLyRBVeHJhA3UQ8V6aeWP-pTdpkfH_6863AQKUpXsr2iGLszFmxMK8fMUiMU8jxH6ODVRR1wy8Eugi/s1600/dukefarms1.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8klb7IPt70U8t3qtVLn3itmp5KqzU0JwbpLpQus_i1ufuEls000BCRtgLyRBVeHJhA3UQ8V6aeWP-pTdpkfH_6863AQKUpXsr2iGLszFmxMK8fMUiMU8jxH6ODVRR1wy8Eugi/s320/dukefarms1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-Cx6Q6BVWwjau5JqiE-brkeZgEpudEKlXShNgi1uz5un1BgTwS0Y3WWV9aaHvyMh_JMD3oXtzc72llrkRgrX-YCm09mLXy0lc4zH4vCTER-4hbvdz9GsDosKm9UFx1I6m3L_/s1600/dukefarms2.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-Cx6Q6BVWwjau5JqiE-brkeZgEpudEKlXShNgi1uz5un1BgTwS0Y3WWV9aaHvyMh_JMD3oXtzc72llrkRgrX-YCm09mLXy0lc4zH4vCTER-4hbvdz9GsDosKm9UFx1I6m3L_/s320/dukefarms2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZun0wVlQb4b9qxrREbmWIiak2OCPvBaRff8J-yKNQhmKZlEFq015Rm8CZ3UHrd8BTThxb4E71aHRiZINP-mgiSZHjdSVqA47nl6jpkCGwUu40jzOxb7xY28LlJ1oM_xUymAcH/s1600/dukefarms3.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZun0wVlQb4b9qxrREbmWIiak2OCPvBaRff8J-yKNQhmKZlEFq015Rm8CZ3UHrd8BTThxb4E71aHRiZINP-mgiSZHjdSVqA47nl6jpkCGwUu40jzOxb7xY28LlJ1oM_xUymAcH/s320/dukefarms3.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsFRaqFoW3QqSFCMpcVzHzAnOoOd5elaK6pFJEvL5R-20YaAWX6U-9hCpJ7A0p1DMZyJv5hdX8xn7EN4uTKIdGclZVVq-kaF_nhei0nZGDF_bnBbuePLzUsI3M2spIYfxPEZr/s1600/dukefarms4.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsFRaqFoW3QqSFCMpcVzHzAnOoOd5elaK6pFJEvL5R-20YaAWX6U-9hCpJ7A0p1DMZyJv5hdX8xn7EN4uTKIdGclZVVq-kaF_nhei0nZGDF_bnBbuePLzUsI3M2spIYfxPEZr/s320/dukefarms4.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS6IuzxJMbbNHvHauidZt6f7OgIBkk50iZLNK_xZtW5m8uPYdCAyBNWy9FxjHb61UfN__4KA_2RsOlawnxhrVT9r4TM4iC4lQEMRQLZuyTh9XUSvFduxzTpUnBkUzKGwtLkEz/s1600/dukefarms5.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS6IuzxJMbbNHvHauidZt6f7OgIBkk50iZLNK_xZtW5m8uPYdCAyBNWy9FxjHb61UfN__4KA_2RsOlawnxhrVT9r4TM4iC4lQEMRQLZuyTh9XUSvFduxzTpUnBkUzKGwtLkEz/s320/dukefarms5.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYRwm8ae4PV0wSAMUnDJhGt7XzR-d0NJUqu3v2Ere_sjTSTKUgmsKc_iN4NLemMuipHE-J73Q5Wz69YCDI0UvlY6r9tzcKK-GG39lV1uNmldYTq8LIHrFyNT-rvR_Ne0JHl0g/s1600/dukefarms6.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYRwm8ae4PV0wSAMUnDJhGt7XzR-d0NJUqu3v2Ere_sjTSTKUgmsKc_iN4NLemMuipHE-J73Q5Wz69YCDI0UvlY6r9tzcKK-GG39lV1uNmldYTq8LIHrFyNT-rvR_Ne0JHl0g/s320/dukefarms6.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWHr2vyMnqSlcv6_Ufbe9m_-PTqLBNBrzAp1uT2gkV2nzj16Gvww49d9pZu-01-9LouJ9Vf0WZMsOgpdNEHvpH3ODq59S35GXHeyqilXm39F3bsdUq8jg69p_6ynL_q1gjNOA/s1600/dukefarms8.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWHr2vyMnqSlcv6_Ufbe9m_-PTqLBNBrzAp1uT2gkV2nzj16Gvww49d9pZu-01-9LouJ9Vf0WZMsOgpdNEHvpH3ODq59S35GXHeyqilXm39F3bsdUq8jg69p_6ynL_q1gjNOA/s320/dukefarms8.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyEX199mPzX7WxV3ifBmjl9J0Dlfw_zaYkQwJNGbin3b475Phr02Vu-AEkE28vPkL7pGLuErp3h-nPaCGI9qN3_HbdKkDIUEcaYoJWnQPdVnhSTD3UKp4L_shdDzObPM6dWsZ/s1600/dukefarms9.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyEX199mPzX7WxV3ifBmjl9J0Dlfw_zaYkQwJNGbin3b475Phr02Vu-AEkE28vPkL7pGLuErp3h-nPaCGI9qN3_HbdKkDIUEcaYoJWnQPdVnhSTD3UKp4L_shdDzObPM6dWsZ/s320/dukefarms9.JPG" /></a>
You can't help but marvel at the sheer size of the estate...as the Mister noted, it would be like owning your own Central Park. Doris Duke lived a most extraordinary life, and her passion for the land is our gift to treasure. Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-30449584927905918332013-04-21T13:32:00.000-07:002013-04-21T13:32:00.900-07:00Recent Reads
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2Z8HKfV9IqdmEtyWHl7sYLarfQ1zK3kcAr1QyRzmPWbTxMQw1_amXTMNNbrKahrYBzk9T_F2ZC0NBO7ufTPyZUHvMv1wObLYeUS12ePv_J2swjwzNa7E_vDt1FRNOcVPaPVf/s1600/kellyoxfordlead.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2Z8HKfV9IqdmEtyWHl7sYLarfQ1zK3kcAr1QyRzmPWbTxMQw1_amXTMNNbrKahrYBzk9T_F2ZC0NBO7ufTPyZUHvMv1wObLYeUS12ePv_J2swjwzNa7E_vDt1FRNOcVPaPVf/s320/kellyoxfordlead.jpg" /></a>
Our library has an e-book borrowing system, and though I never thought I'd enjoy reading this way, I've become a SmartPhone reading fiend! It's just SO damned convenient...log on, download what you'd like, read away...added bonus is I can read at night without turning on a bedside lamp, thus sparing the Mister the annoyance of trying to sleep with the light on.
In any case, I've been ripping through memoirs the past couple of weeks. Here's a brief list of what's been read:
"The Girl's Guide to Homelessness" by Brianna Karp Not only has Miss Karp faced a ridiculous amount of turmoil in her short life, she was also thrown for a loop in love. Though it's a memoir, parts of it read as a mystery/thriller.
"Found" by Jennifer Lauck. Beautifully written tale of her search for her birth mother, after some daunting and brutal life experiences.
"Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar" by Kelly Oxford. She's gorgeous, funny and unrepentant. Everything I like in a girl.
"All I Can Handle:I'm no Mother Teresa" by Kim Stagliano. Kim is the mother of three daughters. All of whom have autism. Her take on life will buoy you no matter who you are, where you're at or what you've gone through. She's funny, smart and grounded and unflinchingly shares her experiences as a Mom and wife who has had a lot to contend with.
She's also taken on the role (after some harrowing experiences of her own) of being an amazing advocate for people with autism and their families.
"What I Thought I Knew" by Alice Eve Cohen She was 44, in a great romantic relationship after a tough divorce, and raising her beloved daughter in Manhattan. What could go awry? Throw an unexpected, almost medically impossible pregnancy into the mix. Ms. Cohen's bravely written story stuck with me long past the last page.
Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-74726244102621584092013-04-09T08:08:00.001-07:002013-04-09T08:16:26.433-07:00"Me Want Money"...Well, it was bound to happen. You can't help but get a little cheesed by the characters hanging around in Times Square. Not the characters of our youth (see: "Taxi Driver" for reference), but the knock-off Muppets and Mickeys which have taken over and attempt to shake down all the unsuspecting tourists they can by taking photos then asking for tips.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzT5Quz6km5UymMUH-aM2uAr62nUHBlaSx8hc5xLw6v0N03qFyq460CXLS0aWg6oe3TmFAgkEiF7gfV0-W87SLO5P2FqsC25PFZSsg6x0nCTWHGRQmOVeaCGrU-L4UdlTW1xY/s1600/cookiemonster.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzT5Quz6km5UymMUH-aM2uAr62nUHBlaSx8hc5xLw6v0N03qFyq460CXLS0aWg6oe3TmFAgkEiF7gfV0-W87SLO5P2FqsC25PFZSsg6x0nCTWHGRQmOVeaCGrU-L4UdlTW1xY/s320/cookiemonster.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/times_sq_monster_who_blue_his_stack_UAtdzh42l0xbKqIIht5kJJ">Cookie Monster Assaults Child</a>
Disturbing, to say the least. And of course NY is claiming there is little to be done about them. Ah well...much as the "Windshield Cleaners" of the 70s, and smokers of the 90s, the Skeevy Costume Pandhandlers are sure to fade away eventually.
Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-50029378701948496502013-02-25T17:18:00.001-08:002013-02-25T17:18:57.349-08:00City Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjgVUZw44oGlqeZh06TpMw4Ag9Cu9iOTzIN8vVs63wU5ZLjwmHCQHuZ5lgEzn5szK5_pWivUdqUDve5rTBCAcYMUsbt7yA62ACFVA8R7Ys-tnH4BQOx5RFCdmw1LhRvKzxUg9/s1600/Bergdorf+Goodman+Celebrates+111th+Anniversary+p1vJ1Zr-q9Wl.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjgVUZw44oGlqeZh06TpMw4Ag9Cu9iOTzIN8vVs63wU5ZLjwmHCQHuZ5lgEzn5szK5_pWivUdqUDve5rTBCAcYMUsbt7yA62ACFVA8R7Ys-tnH4BQOx5RFCdmw1LhRvKzxUg9/s320/Bergdorf+Goodman+Celebrates+111th+Anniversary+p1vJ1Zr-q9Wl.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T9pIwN8dmLXGyn2aD_icYfvLFr5UiRA8tHR3YvSKx2ipMj5rT0d6KfY-b2XOEa5rRvddbkJar7OTtO-YcybOFSVd_7b8hbdT7ipA3mQo2BbykWHFjOpz13LyUcOJ0hiZDfO8/s1600/skylinedress4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T9pIwN8dmLXGyn2aD_icYfvLFr5UiRA8tHR3YvSKx2ipMj5rT0d6KfY-b2XOEa5rRvddbkJar7OTtO-YcybOFSVd_7b8hbdT7ipA3mQo2BbykWHFjOpz13LyUcOJ0hiZDfO8/s320/skylinedress4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQnJNtkGbp6ObYEj-iSsx_mBDOhCd3VIasJ1l26KqLnq3aEkVGhXKS8Qx2iB6XswTH3QKcDXUtJ5DUF4CDngqsN6NiRmkAeS742hmNDBhBNOGMi4BJaZYf5gWJhwKdbHVoL8d/s1600/skylinedress5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQnJNtkGbp6ObYEj-iSsx_mBDOhCd3VIasJ1l26KqLnq3aEkVGhXKS8Qx2iB6XswTH3QKcDXUtJ5DUF4CDngqsN6NiRmkAeS742hmNDBhBNOGMi4BJaZYf5gWJhwKdbHVoL8d/s320/skylinedress5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheao6LjahmOVeBpBO8xaR7meqt7d76fn4FzP-KkBedjJ8C34Fmqn-IYzcJNYWvzmC-39OVLcIjS82T2mvjUTRPGgUYMQEa3Z2Px2m2mtard8xt90D0szZj3BM9Xa-W87ugZylk/s1600/skylinedress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheao6LjahmOVeBpBO8xaR7meqt7d76fn4FzP-KkBedjJ8C34Fmqn-IYzcJNYWvzmC-39OVLcIjS82T2mvjUTRPGgUYMQEa3Z2Px2m2mtard8xt90D0szZj3BM9Xa-W87ugZylk/s320/skylinedress1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcqa_2WHflmqFKGezA_NUwToCfjJtJ2w9HrfTg1yqUpQJD9nQSFIQj8kvCv7XwwyBaoPSuqi0o9IbjJCkJz09PeOSBheYFfs2NmnVvkTDqaJYeg7ehPDcte1npjGbG3udORgu/s1600/skylinedress6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcqa_2WHflmqFKGezA_NUwToCfjJtJ2w9HrfTg1yqUpQJD9nQSFIQj8kvCv7XwwyBaoPSuqi0o9IbjJCkJz09PeOSBheYFfs2NmnVvkTDqaJYeg7ehPDcte1npjGbG3udORgu/s320/skylinedress6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENvjI8yS0XFJYaxH4hgMC4pvnp7ivxJO_f5q1ZS4y0p6Xe_EMUqJzou9oMp_huf2XHGkofun4FgRfJ-Md9wSnw9amf_nSVzPAqZXjv7XwnNtFTzorgGspF9QBNf8_6h5Gyyzx/s1600/skylinedress7.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENvjI8yS0XFJYaxH4hgMC4pvnp7ivxJO_f5q1ZS4y0p6Xe_EMUqJzou9oMp_huf2XHGkofun4FgRfJ-Md9wSnw9amf_nSVzPAqZXjv7XwnNtFTzorgGspF9QBNf8_6h5Gyyzx/s320/skylinedress7.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNbGnxBH1muFJvlo_6JZCWSa7pu_yjn3Emfuy3VT68F-6Acv91YYLfQ-15JEGI78rnEWYx7CNeCxnayXXRRhC_eUuXc4m6JYy6J28O8ClB1ilJMSQwb8hUay9k2VMfNCPzMuQ/s1600/skylinedress8.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNbGnxBH1muFJvlo_6JZCWSa7pu_yjn3Emfuy3VT68F-6Acv91YYLfQ-15JEGI78rnEWYx7CNeCxnayXXRRhC_eUuXc4m6JYy6J28O8ClB1ilJMSQwb8hUay9k2VMfNCPzMuQ/s320/skylinedress8.jpg" /></a>
Keep Calm poster can be purchased at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeepCalmShop
Awesome NYC and many other decals are available at: http://www.etsy.com/people/FactoryFarmhouse?ref=owner_profile_leftnav
Necklace is available at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/plastique
Fashion items aren't available for purchase. Boo.
Already planning our next weekend in Manhattan. I LOVE that we live so close and can pop in for a day or-much better-grab a hotel for a few nights and spend more time there. But, in lieu of going, I found the above goodies to gaze at while I try to figure out an affordable way to stay at the Bryant Park Hotel-in that gorgeous "radiator" building!
Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-88466338844499559142013-02-24T11:19:00.001-08:002013-02-24T11:45:18.796-08:00Grow old along with me......the best is yet to be...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tiRD-e5ULITNcyg5SaVh0OQelhXkTnJvh29OMXT1mbR2nPJOU0cC2J88LiufIID5IlglBywzoKV8N_CYIGlDr7WMh63AznZsu0_z7H4dWenw4vy7gjvn4vs0y3V_miDVX_ua/s1600/809364-1_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tiRD-e5ULITNcyg5SaVh0OQelhXkTnJvh29OMXT1mbR2nPJOU0cC2J88LiufIID5IlglBywzoKV8N_CYIGlDr7WMh63AznZsu0_z7H4dWenw4vy7gjvn4vs0y3V_miDVX_ua/s320/809364-1_l.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvBfNSkkdH47a8FoYVQtTMCldUqdGZwUNcc_dEKlhvM9n5VKVrDCzjcaqbmqj5K6daklvfdusmlHCMh5ZY3lyA6ZJfwBYvQ2DiR5Zy3T2RGNJQxXNZC72Ws3aKxCbxVEmXGvr/s1600/IMG_8181.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvBfNSkkdH47a8FoYVQtTMCldUqdGZwUNcc_dEKlhvM9n5VKVrDCzjcaqbmqj5K6daklvfdusmlHCMh5ZY3lyA6ZJfwBYvQ2DiR5Zy3T2RGNJQxXNZC72Ws3aKxCbxVEmXGvr/s320/IMG_8181.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S7bCRGlP2hdVMf7J2hkHamyO3q5EKymyPLFzmvIpIXSvTnOR-Xq3ia5zsi4iOV9T40q9-RumzGprOng2J0DHFlLjK9vRyrsIrNzax-yA_AphKYLKw3D9Fd1S4aD5oTJlDmLT/s1600/IrisApfelCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S7bCRGlP2hdVMf7J2hkHamyO3q5EKymyPLFzmvIpIXSvTnOR-Xq3ia5zsi4iOV9T40q9-RumzGprOng2J0DHFlLjK9vRyrsIrNzax-yA_AphKYLKw3D9Fd1S4aD5oTJlDmLT/s320/IrisApfelCollage.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmOetPxFNuncEQVLgJ2odbSZOly_liw5qm-UC3y46BUdGMbWsE3TKZKzQCXnPiTBGYB32n3eY5pC5octOOw7TwAJpCTGuNf0If4JEusZe30HN6k2wEWmrqN5GPzTcsydzwMF/s1600/iris+apfel+and+linda+fargo.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmOetPxFNuncEQVLgJ2odbSZOly_liw5qm-UC3y46BUdGMbWsE3TKZKzQCXnPiTBGYB32n3eY5pC5octOOw7TwAJpCTGuNf0If4JEusZe30HN6k2wEWmrqN5GPzTcsydzwMF/s320/iris+apfel+and+linda+fargo.gif" /></a>
Visit Advanced Style~ www.advancedstyle@blogspot.com ~such beauty, such energy, such inspiration!!! Ari Seth Cohen=Genius.
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Came across a story in a magazine this morning about a woman who wasn't feeling so good about her aging self. She would look in the mirror, not recognize the woman looking back and felt mournful about the changes her face, skin and hair have undergone. Is this very common? It seems to be, from what I read and see on tv. So...is it weird I don't feel that way? Granted, I'm 45, not 95 but still! It took me a very, very long time to be ok with myself physically, perhaps it's better to struggle with one's younger self- then relax and be at ease with what we look like as we age. No one ever said this journey would be easy, but we certainly don't need to look for ways to make it harder! So...here's to sunscreen, happiness and self acceptance!! xoxoTara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-77696486575443660482013-02-23T12:05:00.002-08:002013-02-23T12:05:56.516-08:00I'll Have What She's Having...My wonderful friend Sandra took me to see Grace Potter and The Nocturnals last night at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. What a great show. Audience was interestingly wide-age-ranged. From fluttery fingered grooving hipsters to us forty somethings on up to....I dunno, 80ish? GP is one amazing woman. She rocked it hard. And looks amazing doing it. After watching and hearing her give it her all, I'm inspired to...do something. People with that much energy AMAZE me. Shows like that are such a positive experience...how 5 people on a stage can instantaneously uplift an audience of thousands is pretty powerful. Live music is one of life's true, spontaneous pleasures.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOXHANr8wqnPZgf-G7aBnw25mjFhnFlMIFhBtBsNm5kSieGAZbOZaN4THBVLlWqYvG7z_YaeJHbJsvyWE5F3Ot8fRIhstZxWkW6h5uL128OPDAzMWQM8vn-veQeoAFlQOO1ex/s1600/grace-potter-multi-shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOXHANr8wqnPZgf-G7aBnw25mjFhnFlMIFhBtBsNm5kSieGAZbOZaN4THBVLlWqYvG7z_YaeJHbJsvyWE5F3Ot8fRIhstZxWkW6h5uL128OPDAzMWQM8vn-veQeoAFlQOO1ex/s320/grace-potter-multi-shot.jpg" /></a>Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-24626939754594487052013-02-22T12:46:00.000-08:002013-02-22T12:46:18.748-08:00Keep Calm and Blog On...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXl0zqqpP9yIyvbMJRA2mqHvpCz8pDZEUu2uYdt2tIRE-b0_4a9oxSHQK2TXvFOAP5NrznDRYEAXXdkzWcLYaisJpfg12MHfuDhX__8mxamY65_pq6IjxKIXE9hMZ2yEffbT5/s1600/KEEPCALMANDBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXl0zqqpP9yIyvbMJRA2mqHvpCz8pDZEUu2uYdt2tIRE-b0_4a9oxSHQK2TXvFOAP5NrznDRYEAXXdkzWcLYaisJpfg12MHfuDhX__8mxamY65_pq6IjxKIXE9hMZ2yEffbT5/s320/KEEPCALMANDBLOG.jpg" /></a>
Sometimes I can get lost in BlogLand, other times it can annoy me to distraction. I'm not a very invested blogger. Meaning, I post sporadically and am definitely more free-form/unstructured than many bloggers. Those who manage to post every day amaze me. Spread the discipline, people! How do you do it? Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-54568192289862678542013-01-16T11:19:00.003-08:002013-01-16T11:19:59.823-08:00We'll Take Manhattan...
The holiday crowds were gone, the weather was agreeable (though it rained Friday night at least the temps were in the high 40s/low 50s and there was a miraculous lack of wind)the teenagers were agreeable, the hotel was given high marks by everyone...I'd say our weekend was a success. Eldest daughter chose to stay home and enjoy the company of her friends/the peace of a quiet house, so our party consisted of me, the Mister, our 18 year old and our 15 year old. We stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel on Madison and 45th. I'd scored 2 rooms at $90. per night per room. The rooms were immaculate, well sized and very comfortable. Both rooms had King sized beds generously piled with pillows and topped with some sort of magical, sleep inducing, fairydust filled featherbed. Bath products are Bath and Body Works (which made the offspring happy and the Mister's hair smell like Rain Fresh Leaves or some such scent.) Staff was lovely, friendly and efficient. Location is perfect-it's located right near Grand Central Terminal. (Side note: if you're planning a trip to NY and reading a lot of patron reviews, you'll notice a lot of people are super harsh on hotels. If you've not stayed in NY before, I suppose the smaller sized rooms can be a surprise? Along with other negative comments, I've found you have to temper them with the fact that NYC is unlike any other place in the country...and hoping to get a mid-west size and priced hotel room is just not gonna happen.)
Second to getting such well priced rooms in Manhattan, I am most proud of my packing prowess. For our Friday-Sunday stay, I basically packed everything I needed in a tote bag. Not a jumbo one, either. I stuck to what I'm comfortable in...tights or leggings, boots, skirts and black 3/4 length cotton shirts. Wore a denim jacket under my winter coat and brought gloves, a giant scarf and knit headband/ear warmer. Felt polished yet comfy. Actually brought a dress which I wound up not wearing at all. I just didn't feel like dealing with a suitcase, no matter how small. My girls were on the same wave length and also packed totes.
So, quick overview of what we did: Got there in the afternoon. As we're walking through Penn Station, we run into a lovely woman I know who comes into the library. We chatted for a minute, she told me she works at 2 Penn Plaza and they have a second house at the shore, which is why they use the library down there. One of my girls commented as we were walking away, "Leave it to Mommy to know someone every place we go."
Checked into the Roosevelt. It's quite beautiful, and has a rich history...from Guy Lombardo to Mad Men to Man on a Ledge, it's worth taking a peek: http://www.theroosevelthotel.com/ I loved it immediately, not in small part because it was vaguely reminiscent of the "Overlook Hotel" from "The Shining". At least in my mind it was. Kind of eerily formal.
First evening: Walked over to the majestic Grand Central Terminal and had dinner in the Dining Concourse. It's such a beautiful building, so many people say it feels as though you're in a movie when you're there. There are sit-down restaurants and of course the famous Oyster Bar, but the lower level is casual and inexpensive. It's pretty much the ideal place if you're visiting NY with children of any age...it's busy, fairly loud and there's a good variety of foods to choose from. We got a few slices (mine with mushrooms, roasted pepper sauce and onions, daughter chose Sicilian and we split a piece of white pie which had nice big slices of garlic on it) from "Two Boots". The Mister and other daughter had delicious sliced steak sandwiches from "Tri Tip"...tender, flavorful beef on perfect rolls accompanied by thin, crisp fries and a side of au jus. Enjoyed a bit of dinner theater presented by a group of adult ragamuffins threatening to fuck each other up over some perceived and, evidently, long standing slight.
Strolled around for a while after dinner, 18 year old daughter is a hard core Sephora junkie, so we hit 3 of them. Yes, three of them. Younger daughter is not so enamored of the art of cosmetology but she was happy to be out of the rain. Side note: while Times Square is now tame as a kitten, if Bloomberg could do a little sumthin' about the Comedy Club pimps and the roaming characters decked out in dingy, second rate costumes well...that would be ideal. I'm starting to think the bedbug epidemic which seized Manhattan probably began in one of those hideous, matted Elmos (replete with fanny pack in case you actually wanted to have your photo taken with said character. Then you are evidently expected to tip them, thus filling the fanny pack with cash. I got a tip for you...drop that shitty costume off at the nearest dry cleaner. Or landfill.) Headed back to the hotel and enjoyed the Magnolia Bakery cupcakes we'd gotten at Grand Central.
Next day, Saturday: The Mister walked over to Ess-A-Bagel and brought us back breakfast. We finished eating, walked over to Central Park and headed uptown. Hit "Shakespeare And Co." book shop http://shop.shakeandco.com/ which greatly appealed to our 15 year old. She loved the selection, was very appreciative that the YA section did NOT consist of a zillion "Twilight" series books (she's not a fan) and wound up buying 3 books which left her in a happy mood. The Mister wanted to see "740 Park Avenue" as he is currently reading the book by Michael Gross http://www.amazon.com/740-Park-Richest-Apartment-Building/dp/0767917448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358359931&sr=8-1&keywords=740+park+avenue and, hey, we were in the neighborhood. 18 year old fulfilled her wish of hitting "Laduree" for macaroons. What a gorgeous shop...what incredible macaroons. We ordered: coconut, coffee, hazelnut and vanilla. They're heavenly. http://www.laduree.fr/en/maisons/monde-details Walked back down Madison Avenue and window shopped the fancy stores till we got back to the hotel. At this point I lay down on the magic bed "for just a minute". Just a minute turned into a deep, dreamy nap. The Mister and Casey walked over to Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. Maeve stayed in the girls' room and read. We headed over to Smith and Wollensky for dinner. We eat on the "Wollensky Grill" side. The Mister and I have developed a huge fondness for this place. It was the girls first time eating there and it didn't disappoint. Filet mignon sandwiches with hand cut fries for the Mister and Maeve, the "Horseshoe" sandwich (filet, cheddar, onion, horseradish on a buttered u-shaped roll) for me, lobster tail and filet for Casey (who later said, "I think that was the most expensive meal I've ever eaten" Yes, my love, it probably was. But worth every penny.) Side of crazy-good, creamy, perfectly broiled top macaroni and cheese and dessert for all. I will spare you the details of my obsession with the Coconut Cake. I dream of it. Anyway, the dinner seemed to be the highlight of the trip for everyone...it felt relaxed and comfortable, and just a really nice family outing. Service is polished and charming, the food is exceptionally good, what more can I add? http://www.smithandwollenskynyc.com/
After dinner we walked over to Bryant Park. The holiday kiosks were gone, but the skating rink was full and the night was a little foggy, beautifully so.
The next morning we again had Ess-A-Bagel for breakfast then headed out. Time flew far too quickly. Walked through Macy's (God, those wooden escalators!!! LOVE them.) and headed to Penn Station to catch the train home. It's a weird feeling leaving Manhattan after a weekend...I'd love to have the means for a place there someday. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The only things we didn't do, which were more my wants than anyone else's, were to see a show and to visit the Matisse exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But the Mister and I can head in and do that stuff another time. This trip was more about spending time with the girls.
Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-38567928848796382162012-12-25T18:13:00.001-08:002012-12-25T18:13:46.676-08:00Happy Christmas to All...
and to all a good night...
This Christmas felt very calm, low-key and grounded. We just hung out all day, ate a lovely meal together (the Mister and all three girls and myself) and relaxed. Is it a sign of the times that people are turning back to simpler, less harried, less materialistic celebrations? Too much craziness is going on in the world...maybe the only way to collectively correct things is to stop playing into the madness of shopping and competing and throwing money at kids instead of just spending time with them and valuing them. Who knows? I suppose if there was an easy answer we would have come upon it by now.
In any case, let's hope 2013 is a year of peace, of kindness, of generosity of spirit and understanding. And may those things come to those who need it most.
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-74220110520724689732012-12-03T11:26:00.001-08:002012-12-03T11:26:25.025-08:00Hartshorne Woods Navesink NJ
It's unseasonably (abnormally) warm today and I so wish I had the day off...I'd go for a walk with the Mister up in Hartshorne Woods if the choice was mine. But, alas, it isn't. Hartshorne Woods are just beautiful...you can walk the trails and, on the Rocky Point side, have an amazing view of Sandy Hook, the Atlantic Ocean, New York...it's just lovely. And challengingly hilly enough.
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http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2524
Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-46375115313427006392012-11-27T17:10:00.000-08:002012-11-27T17:10:08.876-08:00Kill 'em With KindnessA part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
Joseph Joubert
And in this I have failed.
A very sad, very angry person has just left my life and, while I feel great relief, I also feel very sorry that I could not be a bigger, better person and continue to show kindness to someone who clearly lacks it in her own life. I gave up on her, which means I also gave up on a little part of myself...the part which believes that most people are pretty good and don't mean to cause anguish to others.
This person has a long list of people she considers foes and it seemed I was amongst them. At the top of the list, actually. And, yes, I saw an actual list.
This has been a very trying time for many of us (I'm just one of tens) who had to deal with her and now, finally, we are enjoying the freedom of breathing...walking on mere ground instead of eggshells...laughing...having healthy, appropriate conversation without wondering how our words will be twisted and made ugly...
And the vow to never subject ourselves to the bullying of one unhappy person again...we acted like sheep and it came to no good end.
Yet, along with my relief, I feel guilt. I followed HER lead and built defenses against her instead of just being well, who I am-a sociable, fairly happy, not so bad person.
It's also made me realize how lucky and grateful I am to have such fantastic friends. I see that not everyone has those bonds, those supports and perhaps that lack of friendships is a contributing factor for someone's inability to deal with people in a positive, healthy way.
I wish this person well. I wish her health and happiness and many, many years of true contentment. And that, it seems, is all I can do...let go with kindness. It may be too late for our relationship but it's the right thing to do.
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-67741952821593647902012-11-12T10:19:00.003-08:002012-11-12T10:26:07.153-08:00Sea Glass, Sand Dollars and Scaling SeaWallsGetting down to the beach (no small feat in itself) this morning was a great way to start off a Monday. We parked, then had to climb down an embankment to a sea wall which is where the boardwalk USED to be. From there, it's about 20 feet to the sand, and in order to get there one must maneuver/descend/butt-crawl down the boulders which function as a barrier to keep the sand on the beach. We made it to the seawall then saw a police car coming toward us. Fully expecting to be reprimanded (yet again)we felt defeated before we even hit the beach. Cop must have been busy because he went right on by (though, with a 10 foot drop from the roadway to the seawall he may not have even seen us). "That's right, Copper, you'll never take us alive...we got a haul of seaglass to pick up and no uniform's gonna stand in our way...see..."
It's so amazing to me how, even with the crazy churning violent sea so many little jewels wash up perfectlly intact. Sand dollars, for instance. It's such a marvel that they can be tossed about, battered and smashed in the surf yet make it to the shoreline whole. That Sandy was a flat out bitch, but she did leave a bounty of beauty in her wake...
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Beauty after the storm...it's a small comfort, but I'll take it.
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-11215954742581772892012-11-10T14:06:00.001-08:002012-11-10T14:09:04.860-08:00Dog DaysGood thing she's pretty...
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OK, I have a problem...and her name is Maisy. When I was going through a rough time, a bit over a year and a half ago, I got the brilliant idea to get a dog. So...off to the SPCA we went and came home with...Maisy. 8 weeks old, utterly adorable, a rescue from Puerto Rico.
She was high energy right from the get go. And that has only increased exponentially with her age and growth.
Problem: She's an escape artist. Not often, but when she does, it causes HAVOC. We live on a street in a fairly rough part of town. The speed limit is 25 but most cars zoom past at 40 and above. My kids could never ride their bikes around or even walk around the block...when we moved in, the house two down from us was, um, a very entrepreneurial independent pharmacy. AKA Crackhouse. They were great neighbors, very friendly, prone to barbecuing on their front yard and were they ever popular. Day and night there would be a steady stream of customers. They've since moved out but the neighborhood in general is still a bit rough. So when Maisy goes on a crime spree and runs around like a maniac, it's only a matter of time before she gets creamed by a car. She responds to NOTHING when she gets out...no treat, cajole, sweet voiced calling, nothing can get her to come to me except other dogs. Today it was a really nice guy and his son who actually brought their dog out to lure her into captivity. But there isn't always a bait dog to be had.
SO...my question is: WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?!!!??? I seriously could have killed her today, out of frustration and rage. To cap off this charming behavior, she also refuses to walk home from wherever we capture her, so picture this: Me, stooped over grabbing her collar with one hand and her scruff with the other, force march/dragging her through the neighborhood back to the home she finds so confining. Oh, also, during this perp walk, I am muttering, cursing and threatening like a MAD WOMAN. How no one has called the police on me yet is a miracle. They'd surely come with two nets...one for Maisy and one for me.
Is there hope for us? I am ready to put out the word that we need to find her a home where she doesn't think escaping and playing chicken with produce trucks is just so damn fun.
I just don't know what to do. Since getting her was my idea I am the one who will decide her fate...and after today, I'm thinking she should go live with a family who a. has high energy kids b. doesn't live on a busy street c. has a more secure fence than we do. She's very sweet, loves people and does well with other dogs. But maybe we're just not the people for her.
She gets a LOT of outdoor time, so it's not like she's cooped up in the house all day. I am just at the end of my...leash.Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-73202041470732401112012-11-04T06:34:00.000-08:002012-11-04T06:34:08.425-08:00Hurricane Sandy at the Jersey ShoreHi BlogLand...
We made it through the Superstorm with minimal property damage but have been a week withiut power. Trust me I am NOT complaining...our neighboring towns on the shore have been decimated and it's truly heartbreaking to see. Such a lesson in perspective...we are so tiny, so helpless against such a raging force. Hard to believe humans have wrought so much damage on earth when we are so easily reduced to helpless babes by her latest whim! I wish you all good things, kindly send a positive thought out to the people who
Have lost so much in this massive storm.xoxo
Please forgive awkward typing...my phone is a bit difficult to type on!Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-65705274492944736912012-10-28T14:53:00.002-07:002012-10-28T14:53:43.369-07:00Hurricane Sandy, Sea Glass and Governor Blowhard<br />
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It feels kind of like a quick 14 months since Irene threatened to blow us all away, but here we are again and this time it looks as if the threat is even greater. Our home is almost one mile from the beach, so we're too close for comfort yet at least not right on the front line. We're planning to stay through the storm, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Cross your fingers for everyone on the coast! It's an absolutely enormous storm, even if it's milder than predicted it will still affect so many people.<br />
Our gentlemanly, eloquent Governor has been saying helpful things to us NJ residents such as, "don't be stupid". Last time 'round it was "get the hell off the beaches". Me thinks the Blowhard (Christie, not the hurricane) has been watching too much Jersey Shore. We prefer to speak to each other in more refined ways here. He turns my stomach.<br />
In any case, I'll be down on the beach as soon as it's safe-sea glass hunting away. The one thing I look forward to with these storms is they churn up so many sea treasures. Should be sea glass bonanza later this week! Be safe!!! <br />
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-56339304655879776272012-10-25T16:52:00.000-07:002012-10-25T16:52:02.086-07:00Library Card Magic...<br />
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<br />Isn't this great? And so true! I've just begun "The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green, based upon my 15 year old daughter's urging and rave review. She said it's an emotional read, which she always loves...if a book doesn't have her emotionally drained by the ending, I swear she winds up disappointed. What are you reading this week???<br />
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<img height="293" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a9/The_Fault_in_Our_Stars.jpg/200px-The_Fault_in_Our_Stars.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /> <br />
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Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-10608257673529119202012-10-23T07:59:00.000-07:002012-10-23T07:59:22.567-07:00Staying In the Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Love this pic of SJP. It just radiates "Hopefulness". Yes, I was a Sex and the City junkie for years...spent quite the hours getting lost in the "lives" of 4 pretty, incredibly dressed, witty First-World Problem sufferers. It was the ultimate escapism show and a cheap way to visit Manhattan constantly. Looking at that photo makes me want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge draped in tulle. The Mister and I walked it a few months ago...strangely enough it was the first time for both of us. It is impossible to describe the hugeness of it, how looking at every nut, bolt and wire gives a newfound respect for the hands that built it. It is truly magnificent. For a fantastic history of the Bridge and the players behind it (the Roeblings, Boss Tweed, etc.) pick up David McCullough's "The Great Bridge". It's like discovering the politics behind a fairy tale or enchanted castle... <br />
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<a href="http://www.esquire.com/media/cm/esquire/images/bridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.esquire.com/media/cm/esquire/images/bridge2.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDWp_aVFVhfzkudVTiiA-jWIojKhZIg01Hb0dyHULQoO8V4Kbyq_3m0rZp5SE0iFRF_0BV-zcKlMZ57182X1Ld3war5D1E1Uf_7r6CK4BFUCogHt9Y9-W400CWuxTXoA_WfsQ/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDWp_aVFVhfzkudVTiiA-jWIojKhZIg01Hb0dyHULQoO8V4Kbyq_3m0rZp5SE0iFRF_0BV-zcKlMZ57182X1Ld3war5D1E1Uf_7r6CK4BFUCogHt9Y9-W400CWuxTXoA_WfsQ/s200/IMG_0426.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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After a tumultuous, tough year in many ways, I've been feeling pretty good lately. Things seem to be heading in a positive, healthy direction and I am very, very grateful. The Mister and I have been working on some writing projects together and I'm excited about them. Need to up my "outdoor" time...haven't been hitting the boards nearly often enough or seaglass hunting lately, but one improvement I have made is to my diet. Not solely for weight loss but to attempt to create more energy and more stable moods. It hit me one day as I was at the store reaching for a frozen "diet" meal...here I am paying a premium for food which has been pre-cooked, de-flavored, added who knows what to and it was "Santa Fe Rice and Beans". Ummm...I can make rice. And beans. And make it healthier, cheaper and better. That inspired me to put together a whole regimen of nutritionally dense, organic, more healthful meals and snacks. So I've been consistently eating the following foods: walnuts, Greek yogurt, black rice, quinoa, berries, squash, sweet potatoes, veggies, beans and tea. There's been a slight uptick in energy...hoping it gives me even more as time goes on. Until then, I am trying to be mindful to "Stay in the Happy". And wish you the same.<br />
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<img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://dontgiveupworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Motivational-Wallpaper-on-Stay-Happy.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="292" />Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-52711858691631906052012-10-20T06:41:00.002-07:002012-10-20T06:43:45.951-07:00What's Your Story?<img alt="" class="the-photo" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzl809KGuV1qzdaxlo1_250.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="The Writers Retreat ~ A National Trust Summerhouse inspired by George Bernard Shaw's writing hut." border="0" src="http://www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk/nationaltrust/images/intro_writersretreat_pic.jpg" style="height: 206px; width: 265px;" /><br />
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We all have a story to tell...what's yours? Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-33567254272074233792012-10-16T15:27:00.001-07:002012-10-16T15:27:37.967-07:00Halloween Postcards and Printables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Halloween...such an escapist "holiday". Here are some postcards, prints and even a last-minute Owl and Pussycat costume for your Halloween pleasure. <br />
<img alt="Vintage Halloween Postcards, via Flickr." class="PinImageImg" height="640" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/56154326574273301_r0HI8eHD_c.jpg" width="403" /><br />
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<img alt="Vintage Halloween Postcards, via Flickr." class="PinImageImg" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/56154326574273276_ReZq6EIN_c.jpg" title="" width="412" /><img alt="Vintage Halloween Postcards by Suzee Que, via Flickr" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/56154326574273304_IksxN9Gq_c.jpg" /><img alt="It's not hard to see why Halloween postcards are so popular with collectors. This one is sort of ominous! It's at Postcard Ranch." class="PinImageImg" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/74731675037387494_C8hKaEY7_c.jpg" width="401" /><br />
<img alt="Never too early to start shopping for vintage Halloween postcards like this one in our Delcampe store!" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/548665167072740177_mScTXqro_c.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Free Halloween Printable" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/63191200991079453_9dmVUMlL_c.jpg" style="height: 640px; width: 512px;" /><br />
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<img alt="Halloween Printable Labels" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/241364861250371267_jRczvatn_c.jpg" style="height: 774px; width: 600px;" /><br />
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Last minute "couple" costume...the Owl and the Pussycat-<br />
<img alt="Printable Owl Mask to color (other halloween animals available here, too)" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/272045633710348561_eu8ugPZ9_c.jpg" style="height: 776px; width: 600px;" /><br />
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<br />Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-81687340329785816542012-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:002012-10-11T17:01:06.394-07:00October Happiness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6e5aUeqmaxY/UGH5uYGZ4XI/AAAAAAAAEmY/FtJUDJ4xVjk/fall-mantel-041_thumb9.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="253" /><img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.brightboldbeautiful.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/autumn-decorating-ideas1.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="278" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copenhagen's Tivoli in October...must be so much fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Dressy Casual" class="img_size_s3" height="320" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/57040909/id/K2ykAuWtTfeiUM-TKb80Gg/size/y.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dressy Casual" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggly shawl...cozy yet polished.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="attachment-background wp-post-image" height="320" src="http://blog.catwalkready.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Autumn-299x342.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Outfit Of The Week - Autumn" width="279" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A near-perfect fall uniform.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this color combo. And the lines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="slide-0 " height="320" src="http://www.brightboldbeautiful.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/autumn2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="211" /><img height="288" id="il_fi" src="http://www.whatsonningbo.com/infobank_images/b907a6b265499302_4.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Moon Cakes"...for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. I love the way they look, and who wouldn't love the name? It has so many good connotations..."love you to the moon and back", "I'm over the moon"...and the simple, beautiful, classic "Good Night, Moon". May your Autumn be filled with the comfort and warmth of a million moon cakes. <br />
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Now on to something lighter: shopping.</td></tr>
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<img alt="Women's Merona® Kamischel Suede Lug Boot - Grey " class="photo" height="200" id="heroImage" itemprop="image" src="http://Img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/42/13428703.jpg" width="200" /><img alt="Jimmy Choo Suede Biker Style Boots" class="img_size_l2" height="200" id="" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/l/tid/67326463.jpg" title="Jimmy Choo Suede Biker Style Boots" width="200" /><img alt="Vince "Jocelyn Purple" Grey Suede Pull-On Boot" class="img_size_l2" height="200" id="" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/l/tid/65485823.jpg" title="Vince "Jocelyn Purple" Grey Suede Pull-On Boot" width="200" /><br />
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I realize how quickly the phrase becomes annoyingly overused, but damn I love fall!!! The change in temp feels so good...humidity goes back to the depths of hell, the foliage is spectacular, the crowds here at the Shore disappear. What's NOT to love??? To kick things off properly, I used a gift card from my parents (thank you!) and treated myself to two new pairs of boots. I'm a pretty good (cheapskate) shopper, if I say so myself. How good? The lug sole boots are from Target. $44. While the double buckle pair are Jimmy Choos...$900. (!!!!!) and the others are Vince which can be yours for a mere $398. I ordered the Target pair during their BOGO event, which as of today is still going on. Free shipping too. They're cute, comfortable and sturdy ( I mean, I work in a library after all, not as a sherpa guide)...and I wear them with everything...leggings, dresses, skirts...<br />
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<img border="0" id="mapImageSjElement4_img" name="mapImageSjElement4_img" src="http://target.scene7.com/s7viewers/dhtml/images/spacer.gif" style="left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px;" usemap="#s7map_SjElement4" /><br />
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<img alt="Women's Merona® Magaska Riding Boot - Brown " height="265" id="heroImage" src="http://Img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/51/13518488_265x265_pad.jpg" title="Hero Image" width="265" /><img alt="Rupert Sanderson Flat Riding Boots" class="img_size_l2" height="200" id="" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/l/tid/65699714.jpg" title="Rupert Sanderson Flat Riding Boots" width="200" /> <img alt="TORY BURCH Riding boot" class="img_size_l2" height="200" id="" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/l/tid/62331740.jpg" title="TORY BURCH Riding boot" width="200" /><br />
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Brown riding style boots... Target-$39.99. upert Sanderson $1,155. Tory Burch $640. Can you figure which are which?<br />
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<br />Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34399915.post-78919387457129713752012-10-09T17:58:00.003-07:002012-10-10T12:56:19.235-07:00Library Lady Tara's Funniest Books List...Humor is, of course, completely subjective. But the following books caused me to laugh aloud and/or spew a beverage while reading. They're not all new, but they are all available on Amazon. <br />
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<img alt="In Me Own Words: The Autobiography of Bigfoot" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Kv2xPTuiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="300" />"In Me Own Words-The Autobiography of Bigfoot" Words and Pictures by Graham Roumieu. We may not be able to be friends if you don't find this one funny. Seriously. No, I mean it.<br />
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<img alt="Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir)" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MTlXZSAvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" />This one made me laugh a lot and cry a little. Went a little loooong on the "growing up with kooky parents" thing, but more than made up for it. Someone will have to explain what kind of saint her husband is...<br />
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<img alt="Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pbLqaTq1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" />This one won't be for everyone, but I laughed so much while reading the first few chapters that I had to leave the room, as I was reading in the living room and the Mister was reading in the living room and I got scared that if I didn't take my cackling elsewhere he would get annoyed enough to maybe by mistake put a pillow on my face while I slept that night and kneel on it till the kickin' stopped. p.s. my mother bought this for me so if she tells you "she doesn't read smut", she's lying. She thought it was as funny as I did, Andy Dick fake rape schtick and all.<br />
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<img alt="Nakedcoverc11418.jpg" height="309" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6e/Nakedcoverc11418.jpg/200px-Nakedcoverc11418.jpg" width="200" /> Most anything Mr. Sedaris writes is funny...but when he turns the tables on you and gets down and dirty and emotionally deep, watch out. If you ever have the chance to see him live, jump on it. He's beyond delightful. Also, if you write to him, you will most likely receive a beautiful handwritten response. Crazy bastard doesn't have a computer.<br />
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<img height="302" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/10/Stuffwhitepeoplelike.jpg/200px-Stuffwhitepeoplelike.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" />No. 1 is "Coffee". "Architecture", "Public Radio", "Knowing What's Best For Poor People", "Sarah Silverman" and "Natural Childbirth" are some of the other nuggets in this awesomely uncomfortable read. Try not to laugh. I dare you. Bring it to church if you think that would help. It won't. Especially if you're Presbyterian.<br />
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Speaking of the lovely Miss Silverman,<br />
<img alt="The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sEbRNt0LL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /><br />
Here she is. Her book is everything you thought it would be. <br />
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<img alt="The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SYUBUazdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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Yes, it's a children's book. I worked in the Children's Department at the library for more than five years. I read a LOT of children's books. Every 9 year old boy I know thinks it's funny too, so that's gotta count for something.<br />
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<img alt="50ShadesofGreyCoverArt.jpg" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5e/50ShadesofGreyCoverArt.jpg/220px-50ShadesofGreyCoverArt.jpg" width="212" /> Hilarious. That's the only reason I can think of as to why it's sold so well. It not only didn't turn me on, I think it caused temporary frigidity. It's a complete piece of shit, but if you can get your co-workers to read aloud from it, TOTALLY FUNNY!!! Bonus points if you can get someone in upper management to read the line, "He’s my very own Christian Grey flavor Popsicle." Excuse me while I retch into my very own Christian Grey barf bag.<br />
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<br />Tara Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350107460141578121noreply@blogger.com1