I've made more than 1500 pizzelles in both names for the cookie table!  I'll get some pics posted.  I don't remember what I posted before, but my parents received this iron as a wedding present.  Our name is on one side, the year on the other.  I was able to find the same iron on EBay without any engraving.  I had her new name and 2009 engraved on it and we gave it to her for a shower present. 

 

 

Congratulations!  Hopefully he is a good guy.  I have a ways to go...hopefully...before one of my girls gets married.  However, last night, I was sitting on the ground with my 2, soon to be 3 year old daughter sharing a cheese stick, and she said, "I am going to get married".  I said what.  And she said, "...to Chris Lightbulb".  I said, so you are going to be Mrs. Lightbulb.  And she said, "yes, and I am going to have a baby in my belly".  All joking aside, I literally one hundred percent wanted to cry, puke, cry some more, and then shoot myself.  Why does your 2 year old daughter tell you these things.  It was quite cute, but at the same time, reminded me someday that this conversation will be for real...well, hopefully not the part about being Mrs. Lightbulb. 

 

Yes, he is a good guy.  No kidding aside, when she tells you for real, you will think you just wrote this post!  Time flies, enjoy every silly thing she says, and then remind her of them as she grows up!

 

I'm suprised you aren't invited. 

 

No, don't be surprised, there won't be any of his kind at the wedding!  (Tall People!!)

Here are the results! The black specks are anise seeds!

 

The 1950 version

 

The 2009 version

 

Dan - Very Nice. 

 

 

Why do kids have to grow up?  :-(

 

I know you raise kids to be independent and strive to do better than you, but honestly, I want my cute little needy nephew and niece back. 

 

Their new found independence makes me feel obsolete.  I hate it. :cry: :cry: :cry: 

 

don't feel too bad about that. Although I have two nephews, they're only 12 and 14 years younger than me (I think they're about your age), so I never really enjoyed them as an adult. Now they're old and bitter (I think even more so than me if that's possible :laugh:). But I really can't blame them. They had my sister as their mother...oops, let me stop now.

...  But I really can't blame them. They had my sister as their mother...oops, let me stop now.

Funny how sometimes that has an effect, and sometimes they turn out just the opposite. My youngest brother fathered four children before abandoning his family. He kept in touch just enough to try to keep people upset and things stirred up.

 

All four kids now are grown, with families of their own. All four are responsible, thoughtful, considerate, and hard-working, just the opposite of their dad, who is without exception the most malevolent, mean-spirited, selfish, scheming, thieving, lying, disreputable scum I have ever known.

^Wow, accounts like that make me really nervous for the future.  I'm currently 20 and have two sisters (one 15 and one 23), and I always have these visions of out growing any of the fighting we do now to be a nice family when we're older.  Sometimes I do think, however, about what if one of them turns out badly (or what if I turn out badly)...I suppose time will tell. 

Why do kids have to grow up?  :-(

 

I know you raise kids to be independent and strive to do better than you, but honestly, I want my cute little needy nephew and niece back. 

 

Their new found independence makes me feel obsolete.  I hate it. :cry: :cry: :cry: 

 

don't feel too bad about that. Although I have two nephews, they're only 12 and 14 years younger than me (I think they're about your age), so I never really enjoyed them as an adult. Now they're old and bitter (I think even more so than me if that's possible :laugh:). But I really can't blame them. They had my sister as their mother...oops, let me stop now.

 

Sister.  Whoa.  Well there is a rotten apple or two in every family.  I'll gladly trade you my skank-in-law and psychotic cousin for your sister.

 

All four kids now are grown, with families of their own. All four are responsible, thoughtful, considerate, and hard-working, just the opposite of their dad, who is without exception the most malevolent, mean-spirited, selfish, scheming, thieving, lying, disreputable scum I have ever known.

 

 

I've been trying to unload my skank-in-law for 20 years.  She never breaks, but bends just to the point of breaking.  One time she stormed out of my brothers house for two days, I thought I won....but "thing" came back :x  Whats your brothers phone number??

 

 

^Wow, accounts like that make me really nervous for the future.  I'm currently 20 and have two sisters (one 15 and one 23), and I always have these visions of out growing any of the fighting we do now to be a nice family when we're older.  Sometimes I do think, however, about what if one of them turns out badly (or what if I turn out badly)...I suppose time will tell. 

edale, you'll be fine.  I would plot to terrorize my own brother...just shy of killing him.  If we can become super close, after years of the fighting, you can as well.

 

I wish I had done more to break them up, but I wouldn't have the wonderful nieces and nephews I have now.  They are the only good things to come out of their marriage in my opinion.

Dan B,

 

What an excellent present. Those pizzelles look awesome too. Have fun at the wedding.

 

As for kids, my boys are 7,5 and 3 and they are growing up very fast too. I just pray they turn out OK. My middle one is the type that you would say is either going to be a very successful lawyer or politician or he will end up a con-man or criminal. He is 5 and starts every sentence with "Let me tell you SOMETHING"

 

(sigh)

 

He has been 110% since the day he was born. Diligence I guess to keep his ship pointed in the right direction.

 

 

 

Dan B,

 

What an excellent present. Those pizzelles look awesome too. Have fun at the wedding.

 

As for kids, my boys are 7,5 and 3 and they are growing up very fast too. I just pray they turn out OK. My middle one is the type that you would say is either going to be a very successful lawyer or politician or he will end up a con-man or criminal. He is 5 and starts every sentence with "Let me tell you SOMETHING"

 

(sigh)

 

He has been 110% since the day he was born. Diligence I guess to keep his ship pointed in the right direction.

 

Sounds like a smart and confident kid to me!  What is his contact information, I want to tutor him privately!  :evil:

MTS, only if you promise to skip the brother torturing lesson!  :-D

 

:shoot: I don't need WWIII in my house, it is bad enough already.  :shoot:

love the pizelle pics!

 

 

***

 

 

:laugh: :wtf:

 

Rookie Cop Robbed Banks To Fund Dream Of Becoming Cop

 

 

Former rookie NYC transit officer Christian Torres has pleaded guilty to twice robbing a Sovereign branch on the Lower East Side in 2007. The robberies netted $116,000 and were almost completely successful, thanks in part to his 20-year-old girlfriend Christina Dasrath, who worked as a teller at the bank. (She still claims Torres tricked her into helping him, and describes him as her first love.) Torres, 23, only got busted for those jobs when cops pulled him over after robbing $113,000 from a Sovereign branch in Pennsylvania last April. Dasrath is currently serving a two and a half year sentence, and Torres is doing a ten year bid in the Keystone State. While pleading guilty yesterday, Torres blamed the crime spree on the low salaries allotted rookie cops.

 

Full story:

 

http://gothamist.com/2009/09/02/rookie_cop_robbed_banks_to_fund_dre.php

MTS, only if you promise to skip the brother torturing lesson!  ;D

 

:shoot: I don't need WWIII in my house, it is bad enough already.  :shoot:

 

That is the highlight of the MTS Acadamy of Fashion, Revenge and Manipulation!

Why do kids have to grow up?  :-(

 

I know you raise kids to be independent and strive to do better than you, but honestly, I want my cute little needy nephew and niece back. 

 

Their new found independence makes me feel obsolete.  I hate it. :cry: :cry: :cry: 

 

don't feel too bad about that. Although I have two nephews, they're only 12 and 14 years younger than me (I think they're about your age), so I never really enjoyed them as an adult. Now they're old and bitter (I think even more so than me if that's possible :laugh:). But I really can't blame them. They had my sister as their mother...oops, let me stop now.

 

Sister.  Whoa.  Well there is a rotten apple or two in every family.  I'll gladly trade you my skank-in-law and psychotic cousin for your sister.

 

All four kids now are grown, with families of their own. All four are responsible, thoughtful, considerate, and hard-working, just the opposite of their dad, who is without exception the most malevolent, mean-spirited, selfish, scheming, thieving, lying, disreputable scum I have ever known.

 

 

I've been trying to unload my skank-in-law for 20 years.  She never breaks, but bends just to the point of breaking.  One time she stormed out of my brothers house for two days, I thought I won....but "thing" came back :x  Whats your brothers phone number??

 

 

^Wow, accounts like that make me really nervous for the future.  I'm currently 20 and have two sisters (one 15 and one 23), and I always have these visions of out growing any of the fighting we do now to be a nice family when we're older.  Sometimes I do think, however, about what if one of them turns out badly (or what if I turn out badly)...I suppose time will tell. 

edale, you'll be fine.  I would plot to terrorize my own brother...just shy of killing him.  If we can become super close, after years of the fighting, you can as well.

 

I wish I had done more to break them up, but I wouldn't have the wonderful nieces and nephews I have now.  They are the only good things to come out of their marriage in my opinion.

 

Maybe I'm being too harsh with my sister, she's just not the most...uhh...nurturing person in the world. That being said, I'm sure your sister-in-law can't be that bad! She's probably a lovely young woman.

Maybe I'm being too harsh with my sister, she's just not the most...uhh...nurturing person in the world. That being said, I'm sure your sister-in-law can't be that bad! She's probably a lovely young woman.

 

Don't get me started on that heifer!

   

It would be one thing if only I had an issue with her, but when:

• We were in college, she confused me and my cousin.  She was actually trying to date my cousin.  Saw me and thought I was him.  I was like...I don't know you.  So I ignored her.  She saw me later, then tried to out me, however, I was already out.  So my cousins were like, "you're a loca...get away".

  
  

• When she and my brother got serious then got engaged I told them both, "I'm not happy with this.  She is a social climbing gold digger."  I protested, during the planning of the wedding, the rehearsal dinner.  It was so bad, my brother begged us not so stand up and make a scene at the wedding.  So my cousins said they wouldn't come.  Luckily I was able to convince them to come for my moral support.  I told her, right at the end of my toast, that if she hurt my brother, I will make her life a living hell.  She will not find solitude anywhere on earth from my wrath. 

  
  

• 31 of my 32 cousins, (not including my 10 year old cousin), have an issue with her, that says something.  She is not allowed in or welcomed at any one of my cousins homes.  She cant even call my house.  The kids are here with me in NYC, and they do ichat, I told her I don't even want to see face on a screen in my house.

  
  

• The maid cannot stand her.  Ms. Izela is family to us and my brother have always been super respectful to her.  When she said jump..we did.  She snapped her finger at Ms. Izela and told her to do something, despite Ms. Izela having specific instructions from my mother.  When Ms. Izela told her she only take instruction from my mother, my skank-in-law told her, "she was the help and she was to do what she was told."  I couldn't get to my parents house fast enough for the fireworks.  My brother straightened her out, but my mother ripped her and my brother a new one.  She avoided my mother for two months.  If the kids were in the TV room with my parents she wouldn't even go in there.  She wouldn't eat meals with them.  Nothing.

  
  

• My grandmother, "Mrs. nuturing and talk about and work out your issues", who gets along with everyone, cannot stand her.  She witnessed my the SIL, ordering my aunt and uncles maid to go out in the rain and get something from the car because she didn't want to get wet, she was coming from the car!  Keep in mind my aunt and uncles maid (Ms. Inez) is our maids sister.  She was batting 1000%.  My Aunt, who is Queen Bitch, wasn't having it.  When the SIL came in we were all in living room and she was giving her coat to the other maid and my Aunt said, "no need to give your coat to lydia....you wont be staying.  Get out!  Ahora.  My nephew (my brother) and your kids are staying."

  
  

• One day, my brother and father were making arrangements and we trying to arrange some dates on the family calendar.  My brother was on a three way call with the skank and the skank-in-laws bitter mother.  My brother didn't hang up the phone but accidentally hit the speaker button when hanging up and we hear her mother calling my mother an "uppity b*tch who brain washes the kids against her family."  I thought that surely would lead to divorce.  Keep in mind, when my brother and SIL had no where to live, after they left my house, my parents took them in.  Her parents didn't offer them any help.  My parent live three blocks from my brother, it's a must the kids go past my parents home to get to/from school.  Also, my mother is the one who makes sure the kids get to doctors appointments and things during the day when my brother & SIL are at work.  My parents are at every school function and extra curricular activity.  Her family doesn't even show up even after confirming.
  
• I go to their house I only speak Spanish.  She told my brother to make me speak English, because, get this - it's disrespectful to her.  I cussed her out - in English.  I'm like your kids are PR.  You need to learn Spanish, other non Spanish speaking people who married into the family learned.
  
• She is jealous of my mother relationship with my nieces.  My mother treats my nieces like daughters since we didnt have a sister. My niece talks to my mom about everything.
  
• She told me and my brother that she can't stand that my oldest and youngest nephews look like me.  She hates me so much that it physically makes her sick when people mistake the boys for my kids.
  

The only person in our family who tries to listen to SIL is my father.  Every year I host a Cousins' Christmas Cocktail Soiree and the kids usually stay at my house after.  My nephew and niece asked me why their mother never comes.  The kids are now starting to ask questions as to why their mother never comes to a family functions.  And to top it off, I had to beat her brother up - twice.  We've gotten into two physical fights.

 

She is super super duper smart, educated, and has a very good career, but has no social skills.  I hold two golden trump cards on the skank-in-law and she knows about one and knows how devastating it is.  If she ever hurt anyone in my family, there wont be jail cell strong enough to hold me.  She would need to enter witness protection and I would still have the resources to find and destroy her - even if it ruins me at the same time.

 

Now you my pressure is all up!

OMG, I guess it is pretty bad (do you keep an enormous file on her or did you just write that^ whole thing? ha ha...). I don't know what racial/ethnic background she is, but whatever her group's equivalent of a JAP is, she sounds like that, X10!! LOL

 

actually, this would be reason enough to not be particularly fond of her: When Ms. Izela told her she only take instruction from my mother, my skank-in-law told her, "she was the help and she was to do what she was told."

OMG, I guess it is pretty bad (do you keep an enormous file on her or did you just write that^ whole thing? ha ha...). I don't know what racial/ethnic background she is, but whatever her group's equivalent of a JAP is, she sounds like that, X10!! LOL

 

actually, this would be reason enough to not be particularly fond of her: When Ms. Izela told her she only take instruction from my mother, my skank-in-law told her, "she was the help and she was to do what she was told."

 

My SIL is black.  All that stuff is from memory bank.  She and I haven't like each other since 1987, we are not going to get along now. 

 

Now you all kind of know why I refer to her as the "skank-in-law."

 

The maid thing was huge, I don't think I've ever seen my mother so upset.  Upset in a way that she would not act lady like and my mother is always a Lady!  I told my brother he need to 'fess up before Ms. Izela told my mother.  So everyone was in the TV room and Ms. Izela told my mom what happened.  I just added some Addison DeWitt commentary.

 

Everytime my SIL opened her mouth, my mother told her not to speak.  My dad tried his best to keep my moms temper in check, but he knew that if he crossed the line, he would end up in the cross fire.  Once my mom goes "all spanish" on you, you're toast.  When my mother finished and she and ms. izela went into the library, my father told my SIL, she had a lot of work to do to make amends and it's not going to be quick or easy.  Of course, to this day, I continue to throw gasoline and lighter fluid onto that fire.

Who is bored and wants to help me figure out if I should dispute a charge on eBay?  It's too long/not worth posting but I can PM you with the relevant details if you want to weigh in.  Would love some opinions.

Who is bored and wants to help me figure out if I should dispute a charge on eBay?  It's too long/not worth posting but I can PM you with the relevant details if you want to weigh in.  Would love some opinions.

 

How did you pay.  If by CC, dispute it with your CC.

Yeah, but it's a long story.  I'll send it to you.

 

Yeah, but it's a long story.  I'll send it to you.

 

 

Oh my.  lol

 

Take the person to a TV court!  Judge Judy.  ;D

This is just terrible!  These people, especially the buyer, should be sent to rot in jail.  If you want luxury brands so bad, pay for the real thing!

 

---

 

Fake Gucci Shoes Seized by Customs - Over $3.8 Million Dollars Worth

 

Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!

 

Gucci can breathe a bit easier now that over $3.8 million of fake Gucci shoes have been seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

 

Disguised as home decor, the shipment originated in China and contained over 15,000 pairs of the knockoff luxury shoes.

 

The shipment was going through Norfolk, VA when it was seized by CBP officials in a routine inspection. Officials estimate that the counterfeit footwear is worth $1,963,520 with a manufacturer's suggested retail value of $3,851,520.

 

Mark J. Laria, Norfolk's area port director, adds, "CBP is charged with enforcing trade laws and we continue to devote substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of goods that violate these laws."

 

http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/09/02/fake-gucci-shoes-seized-by-customs-over-3-8-million-dollars-w/?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl7|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F02%2Ffake-gucci-shoes-seized-by-customs-over-3-8-million-dollars-w%2F

This is just terrible! These people, especially the buyer, should be sent to rot in jail. If you want luxury brands so bad, pay for the real thing!

 

---

 

Fake Gucci Shoes Seized by Customs - Over $3.8 Million Dollars Worth

 

Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!

 

Gucci can breathe a bit easier now that over $3.8 million of fake Gucci shoes have been seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

 

Disguised as home decor, the shipment originated in China and contained over 15,000 pairs of the knockoff luxury shoes.

 

The shipment was going through Norfolk, VA when it was seized by CBP officials in a routine inspection. Officials estimate that the counterfeit footwear is worth $1,963,520 with a manufacturer's suggested retail value of $3,851,520.

 

Mark J. Laria, Norfolk's area port director, adds, "CBP is charged with enforcing trade laws and we continue to devote substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of goods that violate these laws."

 

http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/09/02/fake-gucci-shoes-seized-by-customs-over-3-8-million-dollars-w/?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl7|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F02%2Ffake-gucci-shoes-seized-by-customs-over-3-8-million-dollars-w%2F

 

Oh man ... I want one!

 

 

From Engadget:

You know the opening sequence of The Jetsons where George's flying car folds right up into a briefcase, then he goes inside and kicks his feet up at the desk of the future? Well, we may not have flying cars -- or moving walkways that sweep us to our office chairs for that matter -- but soon we will have the YikeBike, an electric bicycle that tucks neatly into a bag little bigger than a briefcase. Its styling queues are decidedly futuristic penny-farthing, with the large front wheel, tiny rear, and little mustache handlebar, but that front wheel is driven by an electric motor giving a range of 9km and a top speed of 20km/h. No word on how long a full charge takes, but 80 percent requires only 20 minutes. It looks like fun (see for yourself after the break), and is due to start shipping by the middle of next year, but at a cost of €3,900 (over $5,500) it's going to be something of a tall sale for a short ride.

 

well hells bells -- a 100+yr old piece of ci history retrived!

 

CONEY DIVE A RINGING SUCCESS

 

By RICH CALDER

 

LIKE OLD CHIMES: Gene Ritter yesterday with the historic bell he salvaged.

 

September 4, 2009

 

A piece of Coney Island history that's been lost for nearly a century was recovered from the Atlantic yesterday.

 

Full Story: http://www.nypost.com/seven/09042009/news/regionalnews/coney_dive_a_ringing_success_188053.htm

 

:-o  :laugh:

 

 

 

 

*end of summer bonus:  big gay ice cream truck

 

 

http://eater.com

^That doesn't top my Mom's recent grocery receipt.  She buys Land O'Lakes spreadable butter.  On the register receipt, it says LOL SPREADABLE BUTT

^That doesn't top my Mom's recent grocery receipt.  She buys Land O'Lakes spreadable butter.  On the register receipt, it says LOL SPREADABLE BUTT

 

You mom must shop in the Gayborhood.

zoicks -- here's another one from eater blog...thee hottest table in the nyc restaurant scene!  :-o

 

 

 

^That doesn't top my Mom's recent grocery receipt. She buys Land O'Lakes spreadable butter. On the register receipt, it says LOL SPREADABLE BUTT

 

You mom must shop in the Gayborhood.

 

Gayborhood!  I love it.  I'll have to tell her.

I always love going out for lunch the day before the air show and hearing car alarms set off by the noise from the planes overhead. It's become my own little tradition the last few years.

So today my dad and I went for a bike ride on the unfinished river walk in Williamsport. I definitely have to do it again. I'm going to post a photo thread about it next time I go, so stay tuned. We basically rode from Montoursville to Downtown Williamsport (about a 7 mile trip one way) and only crossed the street three times. The route was 14 miles round trip. I can't wait to do it again.

Here are the results! The black specks are anise seeds!

 

The 1950 version

 

The 2009 version

 

 

Dan, How did the wedding go?

It was a great success.  I was waiting to get some photos to post.  The weather was great, the bride was beautiful, and the father didn't cry too much walking her down the aisle or dancing with her to "Daddy's Little Girl".  The reception was at "The Club" at the Marriott at Key Tower, which overlooked the Mall.  We also got a nice air show preview from our hotel rooms overlooking the stadium and the lake.

 

Thanks for asking, I'll post some pics when I get organized!

Here are some pics.  My daughter designed everything herself, including the cake.  She modeled the couple on top of the cake after the couple on the pizzelle iron.

 

 

 

 

before sunset

 

after sunset

 

Looks like it was a very classy event Dan.  I love the view of the E. 9th buildings you had out the window of the banquet hall.

 

That's absolutely stunning.

Thanks, I have the name somewhere.  She tasted cake all over the city.  Those lines were very prominent throughout all her designs, from the invitations to the name cards.

Thanks, I have the name somewhere. She tasted cake all over the city. Those lines were very prominent throughout all her designs, from the invitations to the name cards.

 

Isn't that particular cake supposed to give the impression of wrapped gifts stacked one on top the other?

That's what we all thought it was!

That's a really awesome cake.  For whatever reason the girls in my family that got married this year all got celebrity designed cakes (Martha Stewart etc) and they've all been bland in design, taste, and texture.

Looks like it was a very classy event Dan. I love the view of the E. 9th buildings you had out the window of the banquet hall.

 

Thanks, it really was.  The view of the mall area was really something, then after dark it was even better.  I am proud to say they did it all on their own.  I guess I did something right, getting her to be in this position!  Of course, I worry that everything following this wedding may be a letdown for them!

^congratulations. That setting looks amazing. As a matter of fact, for a second I thought the building in the background in the last (6th) picture was the Plaza Hotel in New York! Seriously.

I love the cake and the Club looks fantastic!

The cake tasted even better than it looked!  A combination of vanilla and pastachio!  Is that building the library?  As soon as I get the picks of the cookie table I will post them!  It was awesome, and the city of Cleveland was introduced to a new tradition.  The employees of the club really got a kick out of it.  All of the cookies had to be delivered without serving plates, they wanted to use their own.  It was very nicely done.

Very nice. Everything was very impressive.

 

It took me a second to realize ot was actually at "the Club" and not the ballroom. I was thinking ballroom and couldn't figure out where those pictures were taken. Duh.

 

 

Pigeon beats Internet firm in data transfer race

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32772500/ns/world_news-weird_news/

Here's a photo of the cookie table at my daughters wedding.  Note the person in the background at the other end of the table, the entire thing was filled with cookies! 

 

 

 

The ceremony was at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Detroit-Shoreway:

 

 

 

 

 

Is that building the library? 

 

Board of Education building

Looks like a great wedding, Dan.  I'm going to my cousins wedding in Pittsburgh in a few weeks and I'm so looking forward to the cookie table!

What's the area like where this is?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Family-Home-663-665-E-94th-st-Cleveland-OH_W0QQitemZ150370848261QQcmdZViewItemQQptZResidential?hash=item2302cd0e05&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_1643wt_1167