Music Monday: When the Saints Go Marching In

It's Music Monday across the world in Malaysia, but here in New Jersey, it's still Super Bowl Sunday. Rex, London, Maddie and I are not big football fans, but London was born on Super Bowl Monday 2001 (Giants lost badly), so we always like to celebrate. We've got our hoagies and chili from a Hilltop Church Souper Bowl fundraiser for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morristown, and we're ready for a good game. This week's Music Monday pick from Bruce Springsteen (the Seeger Sessions) will tell you who we'll be rooting for tonight.



We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)

Oh when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed

When the revelation (revolution) comes
When the revelation (revolution) comes
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

iPad Softly to the Fridge In Search Of Beer

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Citi. All opinions are 100% mine.

So... Apple launched the iPad today, and the best headline I found came from fellow blogger Ken Armstrong's incessant Twittering: "iPad Softly to the Fridge In Search Of Beer." Runner up was "iBored." Although my husband, Rex, remains hopeful that the iPad could be a cross between his beloved Blackberry and the notebook computer he refuses to carry with him to and from the office, I'm skeptical... of course, I'm the one Rex turns to when technology goes wrong. He dumped his iPhone after a week because he couldn't stand the touch screen, and has been disappointed about being able to open and read client files (in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) on his Blackberry. So we'll see.

There is some good news for the iPhone and iPad: millions of Citi® credit card customers in the United States can now manage their card accounts via the downloadable Citi Mobile(SM) application for the iPhone® device, and I'm guessing Rex would be able to use his shiny new iPad to access our Citi credit card accounts, since the iPad runs on the same operating system. According to Citi's Head of North America Consumer Internet & Mobile, Liza Landsman, "This application now provides our customers with anywhere, anytime access to their credit card account information, which is important for people on the go. It will help more customers to stay connected in real-time to their finances and to make informed spending decisions." If you're like Rex and me, Existing Citibank members click here to download Citi's Mobile App for the iPhone; if you don't have a Citi credit card, you can also Click here to apply for Citibank and then get started with all the benefits of mobile access to your account information: manage spending more wisely, quickly check account balances and available credit at any time with just a tap of the screen, and get details on recent transactions and the date on which your next payment is due, which can help prevent the accrual of fees from inadvertently late or missed payments.

I'll let you know if Rex gets the iPad... and speaking of Citi, I'd better make my monthly payment right now!

Music Monday: Clouds (Both Sides Now) by Judy Collins

This week's Music Monday on Roxy's Bay Head Blog is dedicated to Rex and my husband's love affair with Salesforce.com and cloud computing...I'm sure that's not what Judy Collins had in mind, but here goes:




Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Buy A Beach House!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine.

Even though it is a balmy 40 degrees during the "January thaw" here in the Roxiticus Valley, New Jersey, it's not even close to warm enough to think about opening our beach house. It is, however, warm enough to dream about sunny summer afternoons playing in the waves and relaxing on the beach in Bay Head with Rex, London, and Maddie... heading back to the house for my six o'clock beer, while Rex grills a steak or steams 100 clams for dinner, and London and Maddie paint seashells that they gathered during the day.

There's not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for all that I have... good health, a loving family, and a house at the beach in Bay Head, New Jersey. Last summer, as we all struggled through the miserable economy, it was discouraging to see so many classic beach houses for sale (and not selling, and not selling, and not selling) all around town. I hope that when we open our beach house in April, we'll see signs that other families are taking advantage of the 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits to find a home at the beach in Bay Head.

The best deal is for first-time homebuyers, or those who have not owned a home in the last three years, who can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit. Rex's son, PostBoy, and his new bride, MathGirl, took advantage of the 2009 credit to buy their dream home in Connecticut last Fall.

The first-time homebuyer tax credit was working towards economic recovery, but what the housing market and our national economy needed was an incentive for the "move-up" buyer. According to the 2009 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the number of first-time home buyers rose from 41% to 47% of all home sales last year, and was the highest on record dating back to 1981. So this year, existing homeowners can benefit when they buy a new home, too: homeowners who have lived in their current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a home. There may be no future extensions, so all qualified homebuyers are encouraged to act now (even though it's too cold for the beach) and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 (close by June 30, 2010). The income limits are $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples, with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

Visit Coldwell Banker to do your own research... you can even start a new Home Search on the site for your own house in Bay Head, NJ... hope to see you on the beach this summer!

MLK Music Monday: Dion's Abraham Martin and John

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Today's Music Monday post honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.



Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill,
With Abraham, Martin and John.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of iCoke.ca. All opinions are 100% mine.

Way back when, the wild single Roxy traveled to Vancouver... for skiing and well, the type of thing wild single women usually travel to do. It involved a long running bet with a Vancouver lawyer over the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Now that I'm married with children, however, the closest I'll get to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics will probably be on TV and a FREE Coca-Cola Collectible Medallion, available exclusively at Mac's Stores. Roxy (and each of you loyal Bay Head Blog readers out there) can receive one of three different (but all free, free, free) Coca-Cola Collectible Medallions with the purchase of two (2) Coca-Cola 591mL products at Mac's stores.

While I've told London and Maddie that they aren't allowed to drink soda (and ruin their teeth) until they're seventeen years old, I love all of the Coca-Cola products. Back in my college days when I didn't have to worry about my girlish figure, I drank Coke Classic. More recently, I'm a Coke Zero fan, and for a little variety Rex and I both drink Diet Coke with Lime or Diet Cherry Coke. So we won't have any trouble going back to Mac's Stores again and again to score each of the unique Olympic Medallions. This giveaway is subject to availability, so drink Coke and get yours right away.

Music Monday: Good for Me by Amy Grant

Happy New Year! To get 2010 started with an upbeat tempo, I thought I would share this bubbly 80s fave from Amy Grant. Live from New York, it's "Good for Me"!



You like to dance and listen to the music
I like to sing with the band
You like your hands splashing in the ocean
Well I like my feet on the sand

Does anybody have it any better?
Isn't it easy to see just how well we fit together?

When I start to sing the blues
You pull out my dancing shoes
I think you could be so good for me
You get brave when I get shy
Just another reason why
I think you could be so good for me, so good

You like to drive like Mario Andretti
I like it taking my time
But let me say wherever you are going
You know it suits me just fine

Does anybody have it any better?
Isn't it easy to see just how well we fit together?

When I start to sing the blues
You pull out my dancing shoes
I think you could be so good for me, good for me, yeah
You get brave when I get shy
Just another reason why
I think you could be so good for me

Could be so good for me
You could be so good
Could be so good
Could be so good for me

You get brave when I get shy
Another reason why
You could be so good for, good for me baby
Good for me baby

When I want to sing the blues, good for me baby
Oh, when I want to sing the blues
Good for me baby
You could be so good
Good for me baby, when I want to sing the blues
Good for me baby

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Music Monday for New Year's Eve: Barry Manilow

There are only so many New Year's Eve songs available for this week's Music Monday post... last year I had Guy Lombardo here on the Bay Head Blog and Dan Fogelberg on Roxiticus Desperate Housewives. The following video from Barry Manilow combines a Christmas Classic in honor of our troops ("I'll Be Home for Christmas") and "Another New Year's Eve." Add your own party hats, noisemakers and New Year's resolutions and we'll be all set!



Don't look so sad, it's not so bad you know.
It's just another night, that's all it is,
It's not the first, it's not the worst you know,
We've come through all the rest, we'll get through this.

We've made mistakes, but we've made good friends too.
Remember all the nights we spent with them?
And all our plans, who says they can't come true?
Tonight's another chance to start again.

REFRAIN
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year
You'll see, we'll be just fine.

We're not alone, we've got the world you know.
And it won't let us down, just wait and see.
And we'll grow old, but think how wise we'll grow.
There's more you know, it's only New Year's Eve.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Music Monday: Blue Christmas by Elvis

We're more likely to have a White Christmas up north (and west) in the Roxiticus Valley, but every time Elvis' rendition of Blue Christmas comes up on our iPod's holiday play list, I'm reminded of just how good it is. Enjoy!



I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when the blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue Christmas

You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Crafts for Christmas!!

Crazy Christmas craft coincidence (say that three times fast): London came home from the Mendham Township Elementary School library the other day with a book called "Crafts for Christmas" by Katherine N. Cutler and Kate Cutler Bogle. We didn't have a chance to open it before the girls headed out to school in the morning, but I was just getting ready to put it away in the library book basket in London's room when I read "About the Authors" on the book jacket...turns out to be our Bay Head artist neighbor and her mom...maybe 40 years ago! The girls will be delighted to learn that our very own Katie Cutler is the famous author... and I'll be sure to have them email her their questions when we get stuck on any of the crafts... as my loyal readers know, Roxy is not so crafty.

How Wheat Works!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Wheat Food Council. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey, have you heard about How Wheat Works? Click the link to see...it's an interactive, online multimedia program that delivers a farm-to-fork education on how a whole or enriched grain food comes to be, enabling a better understanding of wheat's nutritional value and resulting in informed food choices. Rex, London, Maddie and I, and participants of all ages can visit the site to virtually grow, harvest and mill our own kernels to create our desired wheat food. It takes just a few minutes to complete each of the program’s four phases – growth, harvest, milling/baking and the grocer’s aisle - while the program spans the course of four days.

Interactive opportunities include choosing the type of wheat to be grown and wheat flour to be milled. At the end of each phase, activity suggestions encourage participants to extend the wheat learning experience by preparing wheat-based recipes, exploring wheat grown in your own local area through state wheat commission member sites, and viewing harvest videos from “America’s Heartland.” You can also virtually experience the Urban Wheat Field, an event that brought wheat’s journey from field to table to life in New York City during October via a live wheat field, full-size combine, a functioning mill, a baking station and nutrition lab -- all in the name of wheat education.

For each participant in the online experience, the Wheat Foods Council will donate two pounds of flour, up to 90,000 pounds, to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to needy United States troops and their families. This donation is made possible by Wheat Foods Council members at ADM and ConAgra, two of the world’s largest millers.

Bracing for Another Winter Storm

Oh the weather outside is frightful... or at least Maddie our very own weathergirl says it's going to get that way by tomorrow morning.

We're up north in the Roxiticus Valley, trying to stay warm by the fire, while our poor little beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey is bracing for another winter storm. Anywhere between one and twelve inches of snow. Our neighbors who live at the beach year round have told us the last storm hit hard... stay warm and safe, friends!

Roxy's Holiday Photos Go Wireless!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Eye-Fi. All opinions are 100% mine.

I just made Rex some flight reservations for an upcoming Washington, DC trip, and the most amazing thing happened... he clicked the "check in now" button on his Blackberry and it asked him if he wanted to receive a wireless boarding pass! So when he gets to the airport, all he needs to do is flash his Blackberry instead of printing out a paper ticket and boarding pass.

There are lots of things in life that would work better if they were mobile or wireless.... like my camera. I'm sure I'm not the only person who can never seem to find the card reader to transfer my photos from my camera to my computer. Last month, I finally printed out 2,000 photos of London and Maddie... many of which had been waiting patiently on my camera for almost a year.

I take lots and lots of photos of the girls and their friends at school events (like the MTES Holiday Singalong), friends' birthday parties, and their various dance recitals and sports activities. Our friends are always asking me, “What happened to those photos you took at [fill in the blank]?"

It's pretty clear to me that Eye-Fi can help...it's a wireless SD memory card with up to 4GB of memory plus built-in Wi-Fi. Just turn on the camera to effortlessly transfer photos and videos from camera to computer and favorite online photo sharing site (like Flickr & Facebook). With Eye-Fi, I can also share photos and videos on any of my favorite sharing sites without even turning my computer on (which is a good thing, since my laptop is still in the hands of the EasyTech at Staples). All I'll need is an SDHC capable camera and a wireless router.

Check out the video below to see how it works and how an Eye-Fi card for my camera could change my life... or at least the way Rex and I upload and store our photos.



It sure looks like the easiest way to get what's in my camera out of my camera, and will save a lot of time and hassles. With automatic backup of my most precious memories and automatic organization (by date) on my computer, I will feel a lot safer... since sometimes it feels like I have my own personal evil magnetic force field crashing computers and making electronic memories disappear. I'll soon have effortless sharing while the memories are fresh.

Music Monday: Go Tell It On the Mountain

Here's Garth Brooks singing the gospel classic, "Go Tell It On the Mountain." I'll warn you in advance that the video is lame, but the music rocks.




Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and far away
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds all were watching
Over their sheep at night
When a guiding star shone from heaven
And the followed that holy light

Got tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
They found a lovely manger
Where the humble Christ was born
And God sent out salvation
On that blessed Christmas morn

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

He brought with Him forgiveness
He live to show us the way
He came to redeem all creation
And to wash all our sins away

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Music Monday: Undercover Angel by Alan O'Day

When I'm feeling nostalgic, I usually take my loyal Bay Head Blog readers back to the 80s, but this week's post -- "Undercover Angel" by Alan O'Day -- goes all the way back to 1977... and the video uses clips from Charlie's Angels, a popular TV show I wasn't allowed to watch when I was growing up.



Cryin' on my pillow, lonely in my bed
then a heard a voice beside me, and she softly said
wonder is your night light, magic is your dream
and as i held her, she said, see what i mean

i said what? She said oo-oo-oo-wee
i said alright! She said, love me love me love me

undercover angel, midnight fantasy
i've never had a dream that made sweet love to me
undercover angel, answer to my prayer
you made me know that there's a love for me
out there, somewhere

heavenly surrender, sweet afterglow
given up my heart to you, now angel don't go
she said, go find the right one, love her and then
when you look into her eyes, you'll see me again

i said what? She said oo-oo-oo-wee
i said alright! She said, love me love me love me

(repeat chorus)

now you know my story, and girl if it's right
i'm gonna take you in my arms and love you tonight
underneath the covers, the answer lies
i'm lookin' for my angel in your sweet lovin' eyes

she said what? I said oo-oo-oo-wee
she said alright! I said, love me love me love me

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Gotta Love the Name: PhatBand!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

PhatBand!! Sounds like a lead in to one of my weekly Music Monday posts or a new name for London and Maddie's all girl basement band, doesn't it? But Charter is rolling out its PhatBand Ultra60 Mbps Internet service, one of the fastest in the United States. Currently available for a lucky group of Charter subscribers in St. Louis and Southern California, Ultra60 is rolling out to the Northeast (that's meeeee!) right now and planning to cover the majority of the Charter footprint by year-end 2010. Charter ultra fast 60 service is part of Charter's strategy to provide customers with the fastest Internet speed available at a time when it is critical for all of us to have a high-speed connection to multimedia sites.

I sure hope it gets here soon -- both to Roxy's beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey and to our year-round residence up north in the Roxiticus Valley. PhatBand would make telecommuting with mega-files a breeze with super high speeds, which means I can spend more time working from home (and at the beach) with London and Maddie and less time on the train to New York City. Not to mention watching those other Desperate Housewives and our favorite movies, the girls' playing online games, and Roxy blogging and tweeting up a storm! At 60 Mbps, the Internet is a completely different experience – I'll be able to do it all, multitasking in ways I've only imagined.



Hurry, PhatBand, hurry, please....maybe Charter can hitch a ride with Santa this Christmas!

Music Monday: White Flag by Dido

There are a few songs, both current and oldies but goodies, that whenever they come on the radio in the car, we turn it up and the whole family sings along. "White Flag" by Dido is one of them.



I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over"
then I'm sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Too Tired to Be a Second Grader...

I had spent the day hard at work on a Confidential Information Memorandum for one of our investment banking clients (Project "Rocket Science"), and had just about run out of brain cells. Not to mention feeling a bit under the weather with the first cold of the season. Then Maddie asked me for help on her second grade math and logic puzzle homework tonight. She had finished most of the assignment, leaving only the toughest problems for mom to help on. There were words in circles and other words not in circles, and somehow you were supposed to guess what the non-circle words had in common with each other and did not have in common with the circle words. Here's a sample problem that Maddie said was easy...the circle words are teddy bear, doll, and blanket; outside the circle words are pants, scissors, and pliers. Well, not only am I NOT smart enough to be a fourth grader, I am too tired to be a second grader! Turns out the answer is the words outside the circle come in pairs. I think I'll put on a pair of pajamas, grab my teddy bear, and get into bed early so I can wake up smart enough to be a second grader, third grader, and an investment banker.

Now's the Time to Travel

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of British Airways. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's mid-November and a chill is in the air... we closed our beach house in Bay Head after the annual Halloween Parade, and we've been spending our weekends up north (and west) in the Roxiticus Valley. We miss the beach from November through mid-April, but it always seems too dark and desolate during the cold winter months without Daylight Savings Time. Since British Airways is running a November Seat "world sale" on their truly upgraded experience (including over 200 On Demand entertainment options), it seems like an ideal time to get away from the United States and Canada and visit someplace we've never been before.

I think several of my current dream destinations are available:

• A whirlwind European tour starting in London and including France (Paris and the French Riviera), Spain (Marbella, Madrid), and the Italian Riviera;
• An African safari -- lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

British Airways sure is a great way to get away -- with World Class service not only to traditional favorites like London and Europe, but also more exotic locales including the Middle East, India and Africa. There's no skimping on the basics, with complimentary food and cocktails on all flights... an incredibly comfortable in-flight experience featuring ergonomically designed seats, complete with lumbar support, adjustable headrest and recline... plenty of blankies, cushions, eyeshades and flight socks to maximize comfort for the entire journey.


Let's get going... book by November 19, 2009!



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Music Monday: Jethro Tull Live with Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll

Last weekend, on the way home from the Miley Cyrus concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, with our little girls falling asleep in the back seat of my Acadia, my friend Susan and I were discussing our mis-spent youth and our first concerts. Mine was Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Somerset County College; hers was Jethro Tull. We were both feeling a bit older, more like parents than the rockers we once were, but this song came to mind and put me back in the "never too old" frame of mind:



The old Rocker wore his hair too long,
wore his trouser cuffs too tight.
Unfashionable to the end --- drank his ale too light.
Death's head belt buckle --- yesterday's dreams ---
the transport caf' prophet of doom.
Ringing no change in his double-sewn seams
in his post-war-babe gloom.

Now he's too old to Rock'n'Roll but he's too young to die.

He once owned a Harley Davidson and a Triumph Bonneville.
Counted his friends in burned-out spark plugs
and prays that he always will.
But he's the last of the blue blood greaser boys
all of his mates are doing time:
married with three kids up by the ring road
sold their souls straight down the line.
And some of them own little sports cars
and meet at the tennis club do's.
For drinks on a Sunday --- work on Monday.
They've thrown away their blue suede shoes.

Now they're too old to Rock'n'Roll and they're too young to die.

So the old Rocker gets out his bike
to make a ton before he takes his leave.
Up on the A1 by Scotch Corner
just like it used to be.
And as he flies --- tears in his eyes ---
his wind-whipped words echo the final take
and he hits the trunk road doing around 120
with no room left to brake.

And he was too old to Rock'n'Roll but he was too young to die.
No, you're never too old to Rock'n'Roll if you're too young to die.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





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Music Monday: Shake It by Metro Station (Miley's Big Brother)

We're up in the Roxiticus Valley recovering from Saturday night's Miley Cyrus concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. I've posted a sort of review of the Miley Cyrus concert and Music Monday video over at Roxiticus Desperate Housewives, and wanted to keep the theme going here with Miley's Big Brother, Trace, and his band, Metro Station, who opened the show. Here's the official video for his song, "Shake It," but it seems like they updated the video for Miley's Wonder World tour, with baby sister herself shakin' it on the jumbotron behind the Metro Station live performance.



Let's drop!
Yeah, come on

I'll take you home
If you don't leave me at the front door
(Leave me at the front door)
Your body's cold
But girl, we're gettin' so warm
And I was thinking of ways
That I could get inside
(Get inside)

Tonight you're falling in love
Let me go now
This feeling's tearing me up
Here we go now

Now if she does it like this
Will you do it like that?
Now if she touches like this
Will you touch her like that?
Now if she moves like this
Will you move her like that?
Come on, shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it

Shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it (x4)

Your lips tremble
But your eyes are in the straight stare
(In the straight stare)
We're on the bed
But your clothes are laying right there
And I was thinking of places
That I could hide
(I could hide)

Tonight you're falling in love
Let me go now
This feeling's tearing me up
Here we go now

Now if she does it like this
Will you do it like that?
Now if she touches like this
Will you touch her like that?
Now if she moves like this
Will you move her like that?
Come on, shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it

Shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it (x4)

I saw you dancing
And I couldn't get you off my mind
I could tell that you could tell
That I was taking my time
But I was thinking of ways
To get you to stay tonight
Body's shaking
Tell me off so I can turn off the lights

Now if she does it like this
Will you do it like that?
Now if she touches like this
Will you touch her like that?
Now if she moves like this
Will you move her like that?
Come on, shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it

Shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake it (x4)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Music Monday: Closing Time by Semisonic

After the annual Bay Head Halloween parade, we always close down our beach house and stay warm and cozy in the Roxiticus Valley until the snow melts in April. And, here in the United States, this weekend we ended Daylight Savings time by turning our clocks back an hour. So I wanted to find a fitting Music Monday, and came up with "Closing Time" by Semisonic. Rex and I saw them live at the Garden State Arts Center about fifteen years ago when they opened for Matchbox 20.



Closing time - time for you to go out, go out into the world.
Closing time - turn the lights up over every boy and every girl.
Closing time - one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer.
Closing time - you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from.
Closing time - this room won't be open 'til your brothers or you sisters come.
So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits - I hope you have found a
friend.
Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Yeah, I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from...

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

We'll see you all in April 2010!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.


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Music Monday Tribute to the Bay Head Halloween Parade... We Did the Mash, We Did the Monster Mash!

I'll be posting some photos from the Bay Head Halloween Parade soon, but first it's time for Roxy's Music Monday theme: Halloween! In honor of all the scary monsters, sweet bumblebees and flamingos, and creative costumes that turned out at for the annual Bay Head Halloween Parade, here's Bobby "Boris" Pickett with a spooky video of the Monster Mash:



I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash

From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash

The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"

They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"

It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.



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Today's the Day: Annual Halloween Parade in Bay Head, NJ

For the past few years, it feels like the annual Bay Head Halloween Parade has involved a grim weather forecast of hell and high water. Yesterday we drove down to our beach house in the pouring rain, which flooded Lake Avenue and didn't let up as we made our way to the Crab Shack to pick up 100 clams for dinner.

All week long, our little Weather Girl, Maddie, has been watching Weather.com, where just like last year, they forecast rain, rain, rain on Saturday, but sunny and 60 degrees on Sunday for the Bay Head Halloween Parade. Witches, goblins, ghosts and Disney princesses will start gathering on Mount Street in Bay Head, New Jersey, shortly after 11am for the 11:45am parade start.

Continue reading

Bay Head Halloween Parade This Weekend... Wait Until You See London and Maddie!

Roxy's loyal Bay Head Blog readers know that our family takes Halloween very seriously, particularly our participation in the annual Bay Head Halloween Parade. Last year, London, Maddie, Rex and I won the "Good Sport" award for grown-ups who dress up in the best costumes and march in the parade with their kids. The photo on the right shows us in costume, from left to right: Maddie (as Sharpay "Golf" from High School Musical) Rex (as Ken), Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis, Roxy (as Barbie), and London (as Sharpay "End of Year" from High School Musical).

This year, I don't want to give too much away to the competition in advance of the event, but London and Maddie are dressing up and performing along the parade route as their girl band, the Butter Bites, and we've prepared a special "float" to march in the parade. And Rex and I will be in costume as you've never seen us before... pictures on Monday!