Maybe this will interest you...

Okay, obviously no one but Connie (Mrs. K.) cares about my field trip to the Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club. I have some good stories about the place that aren't so positive, but I'm not going to tell them. I'll bet you're disappointed. Sorry.

Anyway, Connie tagged me on a little meme, so here goes:

Seven things you don't already know about me.

1. I love Woody Allen movies, and still watch them even though he is officially a perv. I also love Pee Wee Herman, another perv. I guess you could say I'm a huge fan of perverts.

2. Sometimes I think I'd like to be a hippie and live in a cabin, with lots of dogs (no duh!). I could knit and garden and commune with nature. Too bad my kids would never go along with that. (Although my husband would!) (It would have to be a nice cabin though, with heat and a washer/dryer.)

3. I've never officially felt like a "grown up" even though I'm 44 years old.

4. I'm trying really hard not to label people when I see them. I know we all do it, but it's a really bad thing to do.

5. One of my old friends recently posted some really shocking pictures on Facebook. He removed them pretty quickly, but I was floored when I saw them.

6. I never dreamed of having a big wedding or wearing a wedding gown, but I am so glad Brad and I had one. I loved my dress and everything about that day. It was incredible to have all the people we love gathered together for a really fun party!

7. I am really close with all my nieces and nephews and love them like they were my own children. I used to be the "fun aunt" before I had kids and they would jump up and down when I would come to visit. I would take them to Chuck E. Cheese (back in the day when I looked forward to going there.) and buy them fun toys. We still have so much fun together and they come visit all the time.

If you need some material, you are tagged! Make sure you let me know if you do it.

Smooches.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by "A Day in the Life..." Thanks for thinking of me! Here goes nothing.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

1) moving into a new house
2) preparing for my wedding (July 18th, 1998)
3) Working for the American Red Cross
4) Planting perennials and rose bushes in our yard
5) sitting in a lounge chair on the patio, reading books and magazines cover to cover
6) going to the beach with just a towel and a bottle of suntan lotion

What are 6 things on my to-do list for today:

1) take Meg to swim team practice
2) take Catherine to a birthday party at "Paint Your Own Pottery"
3) buy groceries so my family doesn't starve this weekend
4) clean out the filthy minivan so my husband doesn't freak out when he gets in it
5) return some long overdo phone calls
6) my usual housewifely duties including laundry, cleaning, cooking and all that other boring shit.

Snacks I enjoy?

1) Swedish fish
2) chips and guacamole
3) apple cinnamon rice cakes
4) graham crackers
5) apples with peanut butter
6) Edemame

Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

1) Allow my husband to retire at the ripe old age of 41
2) pay off all my extended family's debt
3) donate to charities including research to find a cure for breast cancer and ALS.
4) travel the world
5) work extensively on becoming the best over 40 tennis player in the universe!
6) Buy homes in St. John, Maine, Manhattan and Italy.
7) Pay a professional to cut and color my hair.

Places I have lived?

Hoboken, New Jersey
Rumson, New Jersey
Syracuse, New York
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Miami, Florida

How did you name your blog?

Last summer my sister in law mentioned that she might start a blog. I told her about some blogs I read on a regular basis and the wheels in my brain started to spin. I didn't give it too much thought. I just combined my love of all things caffeinated with my love of tennis. Sometimes I wish I had come up with something a little more clever. Oh well, what's done is done.

Who am I tagging and do I want to know more about ?

If you are reading this and haven't done the meme...go for it! Let me know if you do!

Tagged by the Tarnished Tiara!!!

5 Random Things About Me:

1. I love drinking milk. I could drink a gallon a day...but I don't want to weigh 200 lbs.

2. My hair, nails and cuticles grow REALLY fast. I should get my hair cut/colored once a month (or more) and I SHOULD shave my legs every day.

3. I love talk radio and news radio...Dr. Joy Browne, Bill O'Reilly, NPR, 1010 WINS in NY...everything except call in sports shows.

4. I cannot believe I'm over 40 and really need to embrace my age. Every time a young adult calls me ma'am I cringe...even though I know they are being polite. (TOTALLY a topic for a post.)

5. I completely try to convince myself when I play tennis that it's all about having fun...but I love to WIN!!! (I do hide how glad I am when I win...I hate when people jump up and down like they won the Miss America pageant when they win a USTA match...I find that really embarrassing!)

If you haven't already done this...go for it! (Make sure you tell me when you do...)

Show me your stuff!

My buddy Avery over at Avery Gray tagged her entire blogroll with this meme.

The premise...photograph five things in your house that say something about "who you are."

Avery changed the rules and I'm following her lead. I did five things or five types of things that say "who I am."

I didn't photograph my sex toys, because my husband is shy about those kind of things! KIDDING (Really I am!!!) :)

Okay, here we go...

#1 A sketch of me as a baby.

This is proof that at one time I was, in fact, a natural blond. I have been attempting to achieve that particular shade for 20 years with no success.

#2 Southern Living at HOME products
I sell the stuff...so my home is filled with it!

#3 Flowers.

I love having flowers in my house. If I had more moola I'd have bouquets of hydrangea, gerbera daisies, and tons of orchids all over the place. I am a huge orchid fan. (This one is a cheapy from Costco, it's on it's last legs!)

#4 My daughters' artwork.


My favorite way to decorate is with art created by my children. They feel so proud to have their masterpieces on display!

#5 My little collections...

Sea glass, shells, rocks from the beaches of Maine, we live near the beach so my house is full of these little found treasures!

I added four BONUS categories

#6 Evidence of hobbies past...

Needlepoint (picture and belt), belts I made from ribbon and jewelry from my jewelry making phase.

#7 My computers...

This is where the Caffeine Court magic happens...my daughter is busy working on her blog!

Take note...there are always Webkinz near my computer. (And all over my house.)

#8 The bane of my husband's existence...my laundry room.

It's always a mess. If I could give up blogging, tennis and TV maybe I'd get it all put away! (Who am I kidding...it'll NEVER get put away..it never stops coming!)

#9 Watercolor prints of my beach club...

I only photographed one, because quite frankly, I was getting tired! These memes are exhausting!

I'm almost positive one is me with M & C. It's where we always sit and many people have commented that they thinks it's us! (Didn't Carly Simon write a song about people like me? C'mon you know it..."You're so vain...I'll bet you think this song is about you..." Anyway...

If you are reading this, I tag you. Tell me if you do this because I want to get a peek into your houses-I'm nosy that way!

I saw it..I liked it...I'M COPYING IT!

I saw this "visual meme" on someone else's blog. (I can't remember who) I thought it was cool, so here goes!

So not me...

So me...

So me...

So not me...

So me...

So not me...

So not me...

So me...

In keeping with my blog's theme of "It's all about the fluff" I kept my "visual meme" pretty generic. You can do anything, music, movies, decorating style, whatever you choose!

If you want to take a chance, you can get really personal, or political! (C'mon Maria...go out on a limb for us!)

I'll throw you all a bone here....

So not me...

So me...

I tag...YOU! (Let me know if you do it!)

Tagged by Avery!

Here's a literary meme! Sent to me by the fabulous Avery Gray.
This one is fun and easy...

The rules :
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people & post a comment here once you post it to your blog, so I can come see.

Here goes:

"She was sure before long someone would pass out and fall into the pool and was relieved that the house was full of doctors, just in case. Following the steak sandwiches someone declared that the girls should go topless. Myra was the first to discard her top, flinging it into the pool with a great whoop, then dancing a bouncing frug with Gordon's friend, Dave Immerman."

This is from Judy's Blume's "Adult Novel" "Wifey." Described on the cover as "The National Bestseller of a Very Nice Housewife with a Very Dirty Mind."

Judy Blume wrote this in 1978 and my mom had a copy. I used to sneak and read it when she wasn't home. (Probably around the same time I was sneaking to watch "One Day at a Time!"

I found it in a box of books in my room a few weeks ago and I started reading it again. What a funny book!

Anyway, I tag the Jersey Girls, Feener, LunaNik, Jen at Dirty Little Secret and Stacey. Have fun ladies!

Weirdo Patrol...

I've been tagged by Johnina at Barbie's Bottles and Boys.

I have to list six weird things about myself. I'm so normal now (ha!) that most of these are from the past.

1. In my teenage years , pre caller ID, my friends and I were masters of the prank phone call. We even purchased a phone recorder and compiled a tape of our best calls. We were pretty good. Our tapes would definitely rival "The Jerky Boys."

2. I used to be addicted to dyeing my hair. I have been a blond, brunette and a red head, as well as a purple head, an orange head and many combinations in between. It was like a science experiment which most of the time failed. I've finally learned that this task is best left to professionals.

3. When I was pregnant I would have occasional bouts of road rage. One time someone cut me off in traffic so I pulled up next to him and threw pennies at his car. (It was the only weapon I had handy.) I'm lucky he didn't kill me and my unborn child! Man, those raging hormones can be dangerous.

4. I have the sense of humor of a 16 year old boy. I love movies like "Something About Mary", "The 40 Year Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad." I was a huge Howard Stern fan until he went to satellite radio. Now I can't listen anymore!!

5. I was born a boy, but when I was 19 I had a sex change operation to become a woman.

GOTTCHA!!

6. I like to say shocking an inappropriate things to get the wrong kind of attention.

If you're reading this and feel like revealing some of your weirdo tendencies-go for it!

Tag-I'm It!!

Here's a new meme: I've been tagged by the lovely Stephenie:

The Rules:

First here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Done above!

2. Seven Things:

1. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
2. I like my left profile better than my right.
3. Sometimes my husband, myself, my two daughters, two dogs and cat all sleep together in the same king-sized bed. We look like the Beverly Hillbillies.
4. I HATE being cold and wish I could have an electric blanket. (If it wasn't so bad for me!)
5. In eighth grade I broke my nose by getting hit in the face with a clog.
6. I want to go to tennis camp.
7. I love having fresh flowers in the house at all times.

3. Tagging these lovely ladies:

Tickled Pink and Green
Clemson Girl and the Coach
Happy Homemaker
Biscuits Are NEVER Boring
A Bun's Life
Avery Gray
Mossback Meadow

The Timeline Of My Life (I'm thankful for every minute of it!)

Milestones:
Born: May 1965
First Kiss (Real) Approx: April 1977
HS Graduation: June 1983
College Graduation: June 1988
Met husband: March 1995
Married: July 1998
First Child: September 1999
Second Child: July 2003

Major themes: by decade:

Ages 1-10-Being born, potty training, (still working on it), births of my two sisters, learning alphabet, elementary school, general kid stuff.

Ages 11-20-Adolescence and teen years. Hoping to grow boobs (still waiting), spending time passing notes with friends, talking on the phone, staying out past my curfew and generally breaking the rules. (with activities such as tennis team, cheerleading, student council and job at the mall mixed in-I wasn't all bad!)

Ended decade with going to college (gaining the freshmen 15), losing virginity (at 20 years old-LATE BLOOMER!) On the losing virginity subject-my first words to my boyfriend at the time after "losin' it" were..."so THAT'S what everyone makes such a big deal out of?!" (I think he was insulted.) But I digress...

Living at the beach with friends in the summer-CAN YOU SAY DRINK, SLEEP, LAY ON BEACH, DRINK, SLEEP, LAY ON BEACH-repeat 85 times!)

Ages 20-30: College, first jobs (low paying horrible hours type of entertainment/media jobs: QVC, Radio City Music Hall) my stint at acting and voice overs in NYC and trying to "find myself" and sowing wild oats. I served many a drink and waited many a table during this decade. I met my husband during this phase of my life. (I was carrying a tray or tarter sauce and he got all turned on!)

Ages 30-40: Moving to the 'burbs. Marriage (at age 33-OLD MAID!!!) Buying first house. Two babies. Joined the PTA and started playing tennis again! MAJOR HOUSE RENOVATION! Actually started to care about paint colors, furniture, lighting fixtures and stainless steel appliances. SOMEONE HELP ME-I'M SO BORING!

Ages: 40-50: Both girls will still be in school. I'm planning on getting my real estate license when Catherine starts kindergarten. Hopefully I'll be a huge success (and phony) and bring in massive amounts of cash for when my daughters attend Harvard!!! ( I can dream can't I ?) When I hit 50 Meg will be 16 and Catherine 12. I might need to switch to healthy eating (and Valium) to handle two adolescent girls at the ripe old age of fifty!

THE FUTURE...

50-60: When I'm sixty Meg will be 26 and Catherine will graduate from college. (God willing!) Hopefully at this point they will be independent ladies and Brad and I can travel the world and I can have my first face lift. (kidding!) This dream will only become a reality if I stick to "THE BUDGET!"

I'm getting tired of this so I'll sum it up with 60 plus...

Let's hope I'll still be alive and kicking at this juncture. Maybe my girls will start having babies sooner than I did and I'll have some cute little grandchildren to spoil!

As I look back, were there some things I would have changed? Yeah-sure, I won't lie. But we all make mistakes, and in the long run, I think I've made lots of good choices and I'm happy where I am now!

How about you-what are the highlights (or lowlights) of your timeline?

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?

~Satchel Paige

10 Questions

Candace from Not that I don't love my kids tagged me. I love this one!

Benard Pivot's questionnaire made famous by Inside the Actor's Studio's James Lipton...

What is your favorite word? transcendence
What is your least favorite word? should
What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally] honesty, humor, flexibility
What turns you off? complaining
What is your favorite curse word? fuck, followed by asshole and douchebag
What sound or noise do you love? Catherine laughing
What sound or noise do you hate? whining
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Talk radio host
What profession would you not like to do? Port-O-Potty Cleaner
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Let me show you our tennis courts."

I tag...who else?

Tickled Pink & Green
Counting to 3
Peyton Place

I can't wait to see what you have to say!

A funny little meme:

A friend of mine sent me this one: If you're reading this I tag YOU!

1. Your rock star name: (first pet, current car) Poppy Sienna. I think I'm going to make that official.

2. Your gangster name: (favorite ice cream, favorite cookie) Rocky Road Pizzelle. "Don't f-with the Rock!"

3. Your fly guy/girl name: (first initial first name, first 3 letters last name) - JJill You. (JJill is in da house!)

4. Your detective name: (favorite color, favorite animal) Blue Dog.
(Kind of a cool name for a bakery or restaurant)

5. Your soap opera name: (middle name, birth city) Patricia Jersey City. (Is that the janitor on General Hospital?)

6. Your Star Wars name (first three letter last name, first 2 letter of first name): You Ji. The famous intergalactic karate instructor.

7. Superhero Name: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink and add "the") The Pink Mojito.
I can picture it now, clad from head to toe in tight pink leather, fighting crime and mixing drinks.


If you'd like to try a Pink Mojito, here is the recipe:

1 ½ oz. light rum
1 tsp. white sugar
1 lime
1 sprig mint
lemon-lime soda

Put the sprig of mint in a tumbler, add sugar, and juice lime. Throw in lime rind. Then, muddle everything. If a wooden muddler is available, use that. Otherwise, use the back of a bar spoon. Then, fill with ice. Pour rum over ice and fill glass with Sprite. Give it one stir with a short straw. Garnish with lime.

For a pink mojito, add a splash of cranberry juice after adding the rum but before pouring the Sprite. The ladies (well just one lady) love this. The taste of the cranberry juice will be practically nonexistent. It's just for color.

8. Nascar name (first names of your grandfathers): Eddy George. (Sponsored by who else? Target and Diet Coke!)

9. Stripper Name: (favorite perfume, favorite candy): Calyx Skor. (Who works at Scores!)

10. Witness Protection Name: (mother's and father's middle name): Jane Francis (HO HUM)

I've been tagged-(for the first time!)

I've been tagged by the Tickled Pink & Green, so here goes:

4 Things That Make Me Happy:
1. My daughters-they crack me up.
2. My 2 doggies and kitty cat. They're a pain-but I totally adore them.
3. Playing tennis with Hubby.
4. Where I live. I drive around and feel so glad that I live here.

4 Movies I Could See Over And Over:
1. Annie Hall-love it every time-a classic. (Also love Manhattan-Hannah and Her Sisters-anything Woody Allen.) Woody might be weird...but he's a genius.

2. Napoleon Dynamite-Hilarious-either you love it or hate it-I get such a kick out of it and I love to imitate him. (But only for my kids and husband.) Just looking at him kills me.

3. Mean Girls-Starring Rachel McAdams and Lindsey Lohan. Tina Fey wrote this movie. What a crack up. So many funny lines-and you've gotta love "The Plastics"-including Gretchen Weiners-who's father invented the Toaster Strudel.

4. Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. - Ben Stiller has the best face and dry delivery. Robert DeNiro is the BEST as Jack Byrnes. Owen Wilson has a small role in Meet the Parents-a complete standout. It makes me laugh every time I watch it!

4 Favorite Drinks:
1. Propel-(Berry Flavored) switched to it from Gatorade-and lost 15 lbs. in a month!
2. Diet Coke (fountain drink - although I like it any way I can get it-I very much prefer it from 7-11 or any fast food restaurant.)
3. Chocolate milk-only as a treat since it's sooo fattening.
4. Hot tea-Sleepy time at night. So cozy.


4 Places I Have Lived:
1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Syracuse NY
3. Rumson, NJ
4. Hoboken, NJ

Yes-I'm a Jersey girl!

4 TV Shows I Watch:
1. Curb Your Enthusiasm
2. Weeds
3. The Office
4. Big Love

4 Favorite Colors:
1. Pink
2. Green
3. Navy
4. Chocolate Brown

4 Places I've Been On Vacation:
1. St.John
2. Aspen
3. Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
4. Martha's Vineyard

4 Things On My Floor Right Now:
1. Toys
2. Clothes
3. Magic Markers
4. Empty juice boxes

(socks, my daughter's dress up costumes, a 95 lb. chocolate lab..I could go on and on!) I better pick up-Brad will be home soon!

4 Blogs I Read Regularly:
(see blogroll)

4 Of My Favorite Foods:
1. Sushi (especially Tuna)
2. Steamed clams
3. Rocky Road ice cream
4. Chef's salad with ranch dressing from Brennan's my favorite deli.

4 Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
1. The Colony Tennis Resort
2. Caneel Bay
3. Annapolis, MD
4. San Francisco

I Tag: Rhonda-from Counting to 3!