In November 2007, my oldest son was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, when we found out it had gone in to remission, it was cause for celebration. It was an unbelievable feeling, one that I never wanted to end, ever. I decided I wanted to get a small tattoo to remind me daily of his courage, his strength and his determination. To remind me how blessed I am, to remind me never to take life for granted.
Now, I already have 2 tattoos, neither of which my kids were thrilled about. I had gotten the talk after each one, “Do you know they’re permanent? What if you change your mind in a year, or 2 years or 10 years?” (I know!?) So although this sounded like a great idea to me, I just wasn’t sure it was the best idea. I wasn’t in a great big hurry to bring it up, I really hadn’t even figured out what I wanted to get yet.

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Obviously, great minds think alike! A month or so later, I receive this picture in a text message…from my son.
Obviously, he got the talk, “Do you know it’s permanent? What if you change your mind in a year, or 2 years or 10 years?”

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I laughed and I cried, I loved it! Truth be told, he could have tattooed BARTHOLOMEW in neon letters across his face and I would love it.
He’s here. He’s healthy. He’s happy.
Again, I am reminded how blessed I am.
Score! This tattoo conversation just got a whole lot easier!

A few days later I talked to him about what I wanted to do, explaining I still had no idea what I wanted to get. He suggested an Orchid. While doing research and trying to make his own decision, he learned that Orchids represent the type of cancer he had. I loved the idea and my decision was made. When I told my mom, she not only thought it was a great idea…she wanted one too! (Huh? But you’re my mom…you can’t get a tattoo….do you know it’s permanent…what if…)

A few days ago we went and got our Orchids, to remind us daily of his courage, his strength and his determination. To remind us how blessed we are, to remind us never to take life for granted.

No worries, I’m totally a pro at this now!

Maybe not so much…

…do you know how tender the top of you foot is?

(F.Y.I.) Pretty darn tender…

…but I’m not complaining, I’m celebrating!

My mom chose to put hers on her ankle. (I better get permission before I post pics. of her funny faces!)

Apparently I missed another season of Dancing With The Stars. Season 10′s celebrities were just announced and I’m still waiting for Jewel’s (Season 8 ) injury to heal. I’m a fan, obviously just not a very dedicated one.
Without further ado, meet this season’s stars:

All My Children’s Aiden Turner
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco
ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews
Olympic skating champion Evan Lysacek
The Bachelor’s Jake Pavelka
Jon & Kate plus 8 TLC star Kate Gosselin
Lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger
Reno 911 comedian and Clean House host Niecy Nash
Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson
Actress Shannen Doherty

Good luck to everyone!
I was really surprised to see Kate Gosselin’s name…I am almost sure
I remember someone told me she had mentioned on Jon a Kate plus 8, that she despised dancing so much she wouldn’t even dance at her own wedding. Maybe this is part of the new and improved her…go Kate!

This season premiere’s on Monday, March 22nd, are you going to watch?

Five Seconds Abs

Brilliant.
Life. Is. Good.

I started working on a post a few weeks ago. Note I use the word post lightly. Thirty-seven pages, handwritten, and counting, I’m headed more in the direction of a short story, a novel or carpal tunnel syndrome. I shudder at the thought of typing it out!!!

Totally been craving salads lately, lotsa, lotsa salad. This by far…is a favorite! Yeah, ignore the name because just between me and you, it’s berry special! I can almost assure you that if you were to order a “Nuttin’ Berry Special Salad” at your local eatery people may start whispering…about you. I haven’t a clue what the politically correct name is, this is just easier than addressing it as a salad with nuts and berries in it.
I think.

I know, those aren’t even blueberries in the picture, I had to improvise with cranberries. No, that’s not blush wine vinaigrette dressing either, I had to improvise with red wine vinaigrette. Improvising is good sometimes, and in this case it was just as tasty! (Berry tasty )
A. Must. Try.

Feeling a little lost without BravoFan?
Missing the lovely Maria Diaz?

“Welcome to BravoGossip, an independently owned site dedicated to the Bravo network, its dubious celebrities and programming. Previously known to the world as b5media’s BravoFan, until we got kicked out.”  ~Maria Diaz

Can I get an Amen?

On February 9th, a happy Gretchen shares with her Facebook fans that THEY were “celebrating today” with a date night together. They have so much to celebrate right now, one can’t help but wonder what the joyous occasion might be…or who’s going to pick up the tab!

On Feb 14th, Tao Group Blog reports Gretchen and Slade were celebrating more than just Valentine’s Day in Sin City for the weekend, they were also celebrating “their anniversary.”

Gretchen writes on her Nov. 19th blog entry entitled “Survivor” that her and Slade did not even begin “hanging out” until 6 months after Jeff had passed away. Sept. ’08 + 6 months = March ’09. She also states they have been together for 8 months. Nov ’09 – 8 months = March ’09. Doesn’t exactly make sense to celebrate “their anniversary” in Feb. Maybe they had court dates couldn’t make it to Vegas next month so they celebrated early?

And March is about the time the staged photo’s began surfacing. Remember?
(could they have been celebrating the anniversary of Slade’s arrest at Gretchen’s house last February? Mmm…probably not, that was the 20th, not the 9th)

To add to all the confusion, Gretchen recently snarked responded to a comment on her website stating the shomance romance began 9 months after Jeff passed away. Sept. ’08 + 9 months = June ’09. Now how would that explain all the staged photo’s that surfaced in March? Had they been altered? Were they taken when Gretchen was in college, before she had even met Jeff? Were they from New Years Eve?

So exactly when did the young empire builder and the out spoken business consultant find lust love? February? March? June? (when did Photoglou’s and Rossi’s relationship end?) But really, at this point does it even matter? What’s important is they’re together and they’re happy… it’s all about the puppy dogs and rainbows.   They say tomato we say tomahto…

However, I did come across something worthy of a second look.
As noted in the court document below, Jay’s relationship with Gretchen lasted from January 2008 through February 2oo9.

The following statement was made by Jay Photoglou after his break up with Gretchen.

“As of Yesterday I am no longer with Gretchen. We had made an agreement that she would have nothing to do with Slade after last time she dealt with him and he demanded a personal relationship go along with what he was calling a business relationship. She broke our agreement and had dinner with Slade and one of his “business partners”. Gretchen walked away from me when I reminded her of her agreement to me and as she put it “gave her an ultimatum….”

Ironically, it’s dated 2/10/08, one day after she had dinner with Slade and they broke up. Is it a coincidence that one year to the day after, Gretchen and Jay broke up, Gretchen and Slade are “celebrating” closely followed by a “anniversary” celebration in Las Vegas? Birds of a feather…

Opportunist – One who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences.

Yes I know, we’ve traveled down that road more than any of us care to admit. This is a slightly different route and definitely an interesting ride.

On Season Four’s Reunion Show, filmed on 1/31/09 Andy wraps up the Jay Photoglou conversation.
Andy: “You are single right now?”
Gretchen: “Yes.”
Andy: “This man who has been calling Tamra is not your boyfriend?”
Gretchen said no.
Vicki: “Do you sleep with him?”
Gretchen: “No.”

So did I mention there was a fork in the road?? You can either go with  I got your back Jay, or veer to the left towards I’m always the victim..because it appears taking the high road isn’t an option. Careful with your decision, all it takes is one wrong turn and you could end up lost within your own little world too.

And isn’t it so typical to send a smart a** message to someone you claim had threatened your life less than 24 hours earlier?  Just saying…

*I just came across something else rather interesting, check back later… (no traveling involved )

It has been brought to my attention on more than one occasion that  ______________.com has implied, referred to and/or stated that this website belongs to Jay Photoglou.

To avoid any further confusion, no, this is not his site. Not now. Not ever. The information is not only misleading and incorrect, it also raises question about their overall credibility.

Filling in the blanks with inaccurate and misleading statements may make for a better read, but it doesn’t change the truth. Ever.
O.K. done ranting!

On another note, check back later tonight or tomorrow….
WOW!!