Premonitions

My friend Nicole recently told me that after her grandmother passed away, her grandmother "appeared" to her cousin in law to let the family know that she was very happy and with her family in Heaven.

My sister in law is pregnant with her third child. She told me a few weeks ago that our mother in law "appeared" to her when she was sleeping to tell her that everything with the baby would be alright.

I thought to myself that I don't have people appearing to me. However, I did remember that I have the gift/curse of premonition.

It started with a couple of plane crashes about 10 years ago, maybe more. I'd dream about a plane crash, then news of a plane crash would appear on the front page of the paper or on tv. I hadn't had any incidents recently, until 2 months ago.

Two months ago, I had a dream about our childhood babysitter "Mrs. I" who babysat us when our parents went out of town for a few nights. Over the years, I hadn't really thought about her, but one night, I had a dream about her. The next day, I called my mother and asked how Mrs. I was and she said, "Believe it or not, she juse passed away and we're going to the calling hours tonight." I then explained why I had asked.

This morning, I woke up and remembered that I had dreamed that my father's best friend "J" had received some bad news. I went to call my mom on the way to work this morning, but thought better of it since it was 7:15 am. When I got home from work, I called her and asked if they had heard from J today and she said so. I told her what I had dreamed about him this morning and she said that I must have mixed up people in my dreams because another woman we know did get bad news today. She kind of said that we could explain any dream by coincidence. So, I told her to remember my premonition just in case.

20 minutes passed and the phone rang. I picked up the phone, it was my mom saying that I'd never guess who was on the phone with Dad at that very minute. And I said, "J"? Yes, he called to tell my father that his close cousin died last night.

My mom told me that my grandmother used to do this as well and she only had dreams about bad things. It would be nice if I could have a nice dream more often than a bad one.

We shall see.

First Subway

Today, I went to the mall on my lunch hour. I had a $10 Victoria's Secret gift card and since they carry nothing in my size, I bought make up 2 for $10 and I didn't spend a dime. Since I was at the mall, which I rarely visit, I stopped into Kay Jewelers to have my wedding ring cleaned and inspected. From there, I headed to Subway where I got my usual 6 inch turkey sub.

As I was standing in line, I recalled the first time I ever went to Subway. Yes, I remember when it was. My sister Jeanne and brother, John, introduced me to Subway on Hilton Head Island more than 15 years ago. It was a rainy day and Dad let me take the car to Subway where we all had "Spicy Italian" subs......good times, good times.

Name This Former Star

After Wham! with money and time to kill, Andrew Ridgeley moved in the late eighties to the millionaires' playground of Monaco, taking up Formula 3 racing and indulging in his twin passions of women and fast cars.

He was, it must be said, rather better at the former than the latter. Two years later, he had given up hope of being a racing driver and returned to Britain, dejected.

His story could, one imagines, so easily have turned into another depressingly familiar tale of the washed-up pop star who turns to drink and drugs.

Instead, salvation came in the form of Keren Woodward, now 44, the former Bananarama singer with whom he now shares his life. The couple first met through George Michael in the mid-eighties. Keren had been set up on a blind date with Michael, one which unsurprisingly - given what we now know about his sexual orientation - did not amount to much, although they remained friends.

Later, a friendship with Ridgeley blossomed into romance and, in November 1994, together with Keren's then six-year- old son Thomas from a previous relationship, the couple made the decision to sell up and relocate to Cornwall, where they had holidayed together on several occasions.

As is the average middle-aged man's wont, golf takes up a lot of Ridgeley's time these days, but it was surfing that first brought him to Cornwall, and when the surf is up, he can still be found with his board chasing the waves around Constantine Bay.

They remain close friends who talk regularly on the phone. Occasionally locals will hear the whirring blades of George's private helicopter as it lands on the fields of the farm to see his old pal. The last time, the Mail understands, was shortly before Christmas, when he came to discuss the possibility of a Wham! reunion.

Weekend Wrap Up

The first really warm weekend of Spring was wonderful. Nicole came over to have a glass of wine on Friday night, then, my parents stopped over on their way home from a drive out to Perry and the Madison Wal Mart.

Saturday, Timmy and I were up at the crack of dawn to get to the nearly new children's sale in Willoughby Hills. I found a mobile for my sister in law, a bag of Gerber spoons, 3 pairs of shorts, swim trunks and a toy drum for Timmy.

From Willoughby Hills, I headed out to Vrooman Rd. to meet my cousin to sweep a street sale. She got a toaster oven and a Louis Vuitton purse that needed a little mending (not sure how to spell that). I bought a new comforter set with 2 purple lamps to help bring the purple theme together in our bedroom.

From Painesville, I drove in to Penn Station and picked up a sandwich for Larry and headed over to North High School to see the track meet and visit for about an hour. It was warm in the sun so we then headed into my sister in law's to give her the mobile and visit.

Larry left the track meet and we headed to Rock City for crab legs. The crab legs were good, the service was lousy.

Long day Saturday....Sunday, went to Geauga Maple Festival in Chardon which we won't do again. Too hot during the day, too crowded and too many people with no teeth and braided gray hair wearing clothes that they shouldn't.

From festival, went to visit Larry's old track colleague and his wife, then visited with Allan and Denise for a quick dinner.

Finally home by 8:30 - long weekend.

TGIF

First, I bought a flat iron to straighten my hair and I love it. I wish I had jumped on the bandwagon earlier, but I didn't know about them.

Second, this week flew by. Larry has the "Ranger Relays" at North High School Friday night and most of the day on Saturday so I have so time to relax a bit. I'm going to hit the garage sale trail on Saturday with Carol. Anyone want to come over for a glass of wine tonight, please do!

Third, I'm glad that Sanjaya is gone from AI and rooting for Melinda.

Fourth, I had some weird dream segments last night. I dreamt I was in a vacation house with other people and we were trying to pack everything to fly home and there was just too much stuff. In the house, the toilets were weird, like port o johns--not sure why the toilets were in my dream. Also, I was afraid to fly home and I was crying and begged my friend Laurie to sit next to me on the flight home and she did. Then, Paul Lazar was a little man with glasses in a store. Weird. I know Paulie came up because I saw his mother yesterday at dinner at Panini's. She showed me pictures of the grandchildren and his son looks just like him. All in all, weird dreams.

Maybe it was that glass of wine before bed?

My TV Opinion Today

Thanks to Amy for this idea.....

I have never watched Dancing with the Stars.
I have never watched The Amazing Race.
I have not watched Survivor since Richard Hatch won.
I have never seen Lost, Desperate Housewives or Grey's Anatomy.
I have seen a 24 or two, but have no idea who the good guys are vs. the bad guys.
I hate watching Deal or No Deal - my husband loves it.
I hate watching Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeovers - Larry loves it.

I love House, though it makes me think all those horrible things will happen to me.
I watch Brothers and Sisters and hope it doesn't get cancelled.
Larry and I watch Vegas, though I think we are two of the few in America.
I watch American Idol every year. I think they should axe Paula and Randy.
I don't watch much reality tv anymore.

I miss Alice.
I miss the Facts of Life - what was that line we used to say Val?
I miss Family Ties
I miss John Ritter and Three's Company
I miss the original Real Worlds -- and it wasn't not funny!

Migun Mentor

Has anyone heard of these? My friend Carol's sister in law owns one of these shops on the West side of town and says that the relaxation is awesome. They want you to eventually buy a bed, but there are packages you can buy similar to tanning. There is a location on Mentor Avenue. Anyone know anything? Please advise!

http://www.migunmentor.com/

Friday

Finally this week is over and guess what? The Nosse's have no plans this weekend. Well, we did have plans but people cancelled. Friday night we were to have a storm door installed and go to dinner with our friends, but they cancelled. So, we made plan #b and called Larry's friend from college and his wife and daughter to go to Smokey Bones for dinner tonight. We have a $25 gift card which should buy us both our healthy salads with chicken.

Saturday, Larry has to go to Gilmore for a track meet which will take him all day. So, Timmy and I will put away the Easter decorations, vacuum and do laundry. I will make sure to have time to lay on the couch and watch a week's worth of "The View", "Oprah", "Brothers and Sisters" and "Notes from the Underbelly." Total vegetation, cannot wait.

Doctor, Doctor

I received a call from the daycare Tuesday telling me that they think Timmy has an ear infection because every time they tried to lay him down, he'd fight them and cry. They also said he was acting fussy all day. Since Larry is off for spring break, he picked up TK and took him to the pediatrician's office in Madison. I was happy because Timmy has had the same cough for about 4 months and people asked me about it at Easter. Anyway, doctor said that his ears and lungs were clear and that the winter weather and environment were causing his caugh. Hopefully, the warm weather will dry him out.

Yesterday was my newphew Declan's 2nd birthday. I was the only person to give him something other than a toy. I have him a Spiderman tee shirt and a Snoopy shorts and top outfit with a police car. He's only 2 so hopefully he won't remember me as the person who gave him clothes every birthday. I just hate to buy toys for kids. I'd rather give them money or clothes that they can use. I had better get used to it, my boy will be getting a ton of toys soon enough.

What a Weekend!

Another busy weekend for the Nosse Family. Friday was Larry's birthday and since he had tickets for the snowball game at Jacob's Field that day, TK and I made him a scallop pasta dinner when he finally gave up and came home.

Saturday, we ran our family errands (Walmart) and got ready for Lee's Communion and Confirmation at Saint Monica's in Beford. The weather was treacherous but Larry felt that as Lee's sponsor, we had to make it. We're glad we did. We had a nice family dinner at Hoggy's and headed for the church where they had us in the dark with candles for the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. TK was very well behaved during the 2.5 hour ceremony. We braved 271 back to Painesville in an hour and half.

Easter Sunday, we went to breakfast buffet with brother Lenny and mom and dad Cesa. It was Alexander's in Euclid and the price was right. Back home to make my Easter bunny cake and out to Lyndhurst for the family Easter dinner.

Timmy received nice little gifts from both sides of the family, they are all very generous. We didn't do too bad on the eating, and I must say that I restrained myself from eating the big Malley's bunny at my aunt's house on Sunday. Next year, I hope my mom gets me a malley's bunny (hint,hint).

So, back to work today for me and Spring Break for Larry (although, he has track practice every day and a meet on Wednesday).

Sure hope summer weather is around the corner.

What TK is Doing

It's no joke, TK turned 7 months on April 1st -- time is flying by!

Here's what he's doing:

• Smiling a lot


• Saying "da, da, da, da,da"
  
• Saying, or rather, spraying raspberry sounds


• Turning on his side to sleep


• Kicking his left leg when he is upset


• Sitting up by himself


• Reaching for items nearby
  
• Pulls off his socks and at his shoelaces


• Goes through the day without a pacifier


• Sleeps very well, wakes up occasionally for pacifier

Rosie

I have a love/hate relationship with Rosie O'Donnell. I was on maternity leave on Rosie's first day at the View and I started watching it almost every day. Now, I tivo The View and watch it at night. I basically just watch the 2-3 hot topics segments because the guests are barely interviewed as the segments are too short.

One one hand. I love how funny she is. She is very clever, smart and her facial expressions are hilarious. She loves Broadway musicals, old television and pop culture. I like that fact that she knows she is overweight and she doesn't let it hold her back, she admits to shopping at Lane Bryant. I like that she is an "every" woman, scrapbooking and shopping at JoAnn Fabrics.

On the other hand, she is just too much. I hate that she steals all of the attention on The View. I hate that she is obsessed with Barbra Streisand and Tom Cruise. Whether I agree with her political views or not, she is so opinionated that she literally bashes other people (especially Elisabeth) down. I hate that she talks so openly about her relationship with her mate. Actually, I don't mind the relationship but the intimate details of how they handle their sex life is hard for me to swallow.

Love her, hate her, but I am still going to watch her, she entertains me.

Medifast 2 - MJ & Larry 20

Our radical fasting diet has come to an end. After 2 weeks of 5 medifast meals and one lean and green meal a day, Larry and I both lost 10 lbs each. We decided today that because there were so many of the meals that were unpalatable, we'd call a truce. We're happy with the jumpstart that the diet gave us, but we are no longer able to live off the same 5 foods every day.

Now, we're on to phase 2 which is us swearing off refined sugars and white flour. There is a whole world of wheat and whey germ and other weird stuff we can eat. Basically, we'll be shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, vegs/fruit, meat, dairy and skipping the bakery.

Wish us luck!