Things I'm loving right now!

Hi All,
I've read a few of my favorite bloggers recently and many have done 'things I love' posts so, basically, I thought I would too!
So here goes:
-Smartbargains.com. I found this site and have bought holiday and birthday gifts here, as well as some things for myself! Their prices are GREAT (better than many sites I've seen) and they ship fast and returns are easy.
-Joico keratin deep penetrating treatment (for hair). For those who do NOT want to have their hair chemically straightened, this home treatment ROCKS. I add it to my 'hair' routine every other week in the summer and it keeps frizzies at bay. You can purchase it online (just google it) or at the Hair Cosmo place in the Pheasant Lane mall in NH. It's almost $20 but WELL worth it!
-J. Crew french terry skirts. I wear these quite a bit in the summer (when I'm not wearing khaki capris or walking shorts) and they wear easy, go with everything and kind of dress up your summer look for relatively cheap. Get thee online and try and get them on sale! (or try the outlet in Wrentham)
-Whole Foods. As you all know, I've shopped at WF foreva (that's the NE way to say it) and if you've not checked it out...go...now. NO, it is NOT more expensive (unless you go nuts in the gourmet food area) and for local veg, fruit and meat it rocks. (PS For the summer, I go to local Farmer's Markets too/instead depending upon what they have for sale.) Favorite products? 360 Organic (their store brand) cupcake mix and the Dr. Oteker's frosting mix. L O V E. And, are you ready? Organic, baked cheese puffs! Seriously! All natural and I can actually have cheese puffs now and again! AWESOME!
-BJ's wholesale club (and not for the reason you think). No, we're not buying 30lbs. of cheese at Villa P&P...we're buying (in addition to the paper products for the Center) a flat screen TV. Ah you might say...just buying a flat screen to have one? Uh, no. The TV we watch most is in our front room (our 'hang out with Lilly' room) and the TV in there was teeny weeny...13" traditional set. So, when the TV at the Center started going on the blink, we decided to buy ourselves (for our bdays, which are 12 days apart) a new TV. (Oh and for anyone trying to find out my address to try and steal it? We have an alarm system AND neighbors who are home ALL day so don't even think about it. Oh and my Uncle is a cop. So there.)
Anyway, BJ's has AWESOME prices on TVs so if you're in the market to replace your set, check them out. And, if you're not a member you can get a day pass!
So, there you have it. Have a favorite yourself? Click on 'comments' below and leave a comment to share with us all!
Oh and don't forget to come to class TONIGHT...the ice cream truck will be here right after class!
See you then!

So many thanks and...cankles?

HI Everyone!
First, I'd like to thank all of you for the birthday wishes, wonderful gifts, and thoughtfulness. I am truly a lucky person and I thank you ALL for your kindness! Mr. P&P and I have birthdays weeks apart so it was a treat to get a beautiful flower arrangement (pics to follow) from him at work and cards and treats from Lilly. (Oh and we finally purchased an HD flat screen and we love it...and BJ's wholesale club for their GREAT prices!)
My favorite kids (Little K and Little Mista) bought me a beautiful gift and I got a visit too!
I'm gathering up all my Nordie's gift cards for a little shopping spree soon!

Second...
Cankles?!
I was just watching the Today show (which I have loved since I was a kid and still watch every morning) and G*ld's Gym has declared July 'cankle month'. WTF?
Listen...they had a DOCTOR ON who said you can get the fat sucked out of your 'cankles' for $12k! WHAT? The 'fitness expert' (and I use the term loosely) says if you jump rope, you'll reduce your 'cankles'. WHAT again? And, the fashion expert says you should trash your capris and short summer dresses for long pants and maxi dresses...to COVER your 'cankles'. Once again I say WHAT???????????????
People...there are SO many other things in this life more important than the shape of your ankles. If your calf is a part of your ankle (with no thinning around the ankle) making it a 'cankle' WHO CARES?????????????????????????????
Why oh why does the media have to 'make up' things for us to stress about? Lord. Seriously.
So, men and ladies who feel you have 'cankles'...show them proudly? I swear I've NEVER even noticed this and supposedly it's a serious 'issue'...
You know what a serious issue is?
-Elderly drivers killing people
-Healthcare
-The economy
-The fact that is 90% humidity out there (and, no, not because of my HAIR, because folks with breathing problems should not be out in this stuff)
-Fighting Cancer, heart disease and all other major diseases (unfortunately too numerous to name here) and raising money for research
I could go on and on...
We, at the big J, will NOT be focusing on 'cankles' this month. We'll be focusing on dancing (cardio), strength training and stretching and feeling GOOD in our bodies...all the while still enjoying our ice cream, capri pants and maxi dresses!
So, here's to REAL PEOPLE who have more important things to worry about than CANKLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 years...

ago today I was wondering what would happen now that I was a certified J instructor. I had made it through my 11am practical exam, written exam, and the excuriating wait (from 11am to about 6pm) to find out results.
Basically they let us walk into the room where we did our audition and pick up the paper with our name on it. It either said "pass" or "fail" on it. Mine said "pass". I still have that piece of paper...it was one of my proudest days.
This 14 years has gone by in a flash...
-Teaching my very first class in Windham, subbing for someone out sick and wondering what I was doing on the stage. Am I really the instructor? Calling K after (she was teaching in Amherst that night) and crying...so happy I did it, they seemed to have fun in my class and thanking God that first class was over.
-For the next 10 years I taught practically every single day, sometimes more than once and had so much fun.
-First classes in the Church, then in the dance studio...Kayla's arrival, our move to the Center, Kyle's arrival, certifying people at least 2x a year to help us (and others in the District), toilet troubles, broken ankles, sick kids, new customers, old customers coming back...records, cassettes, cd's...ipod! Leotards, thong leotards, bike shorts, jazz pants! Head band mics to cordless mics. K married with no kids then 2 kids, me being single then getting married again...instructors getting certified, getting married, having their own kids.
-I think back to 1981, the year I started taking class in High School. I think of how much I loved it and couldn't wait to go to class each day.
-Now, I hope that, 28 years later, I teach classes that people look forward to attending.
14 years ago it was my dream to be a J instructor and open a Center that K and I could run together.
We did it. Sometimes I still can't believe it.
And, even on those days when the toilets aren't working, an instructor's out sick and I want to tear my hair out...I always take a moment to remember that 3o year old girl who dreamt of being an instructor and how thankful SHE would be to be me....oh yeah, she is me!
So to everyone who has contributed to my incredible journey...thank you. Thank you for attending class, thank you for referring your friends, agreeing to work at our desk, thank you for teaching with us and being so awesome, thanks for sending us those rare but oh so appreciated positive emails....thanks for....
Just letting us live our dreams.
A dream is a wish your heart makes....right?
I made many wishes in my heart throughout my life, but this is one I achieved that surpassed even what I wished for.
Here's to at least another 14!

Sunshine day

HI All,
Remember that song? Was it the Partridge Family? I can't remember but I'll look it up later!
Anyway...
3 days of sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are you doing to enjoy?
At the P&P household we went to a wonderful party Friday evening, great friends and lots of laughs...Saturday we went out to the Border Cafe in Burlington for Mr. P&P's continuing 50th day celebration (it was YUMMY). If you've not tried the Border Cafe (and you like mexican food) please do! They even have outdoor seating now with NO SMOKING (woohoo) allowed.
Sunday we had my MIL over for a bbq and enjoyed the weather...just like Santa Barbara! AHHH, home.
So, chime in on how you're enjoying this weather even if you're working, ok?
See you in class!

Today

Hi All,
It's Tuesday and, well, it's raining again. Nuff said.
As all of the world knows, today is Michael Jackson's memorial service. It is to be televised on all networks live and I know streamed live on the web as well. Whatever you think of MJ, there was certainly a huge, God given talent there and some demons as well. We are not the ones to judge the latter and on his funeral day I say, "Rest in peace".
But, it also brings up a point that applies to us all. What can that be, you ask?
Watch the tributes from all over the world of people dancing and singing to his music, signing the three huge condolence cards out front of the Staples Center in LA, and all the downloads from itunes of his collection. One of his close friends stated, "He would have loved this and finally really known how much his fans loved him."
Think about that. Do *you* really know how much you mean to your friends and family (aka your 'fans')? Do you tell your friends and family how much they mean to YOU??! Isn't it sad that only in death does Michael Jackson finally realize how loved he was by his fans? I think it's deeply sad.
One of my favorite Michael Jackson songs in "Man in the Mirror"-it's about something I believe in-personal responsibility. "I'm looking at the Man in the Mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways and no message could've been any clearer-if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change."
We all want to be loved and cared for by those in our lives but we have to make that effort too. How many times have we gotten upset with a friend or family member and thought, "Well, they can call ME, I'm not calling them!" Silly. I've done it and it's STUPID. It wastes the precious time we have in life. LIFE IS SHORT. Really short.
So I ask you today to tell those people in your life (or show them in a little way) how much they mean to you. Your husband forgets to take out the trash? So what. Take it out yourself or leave it for later that day. Your kids are trashing the family room? So what. You get to hear their laughter, see them play and know they are healthy and happy. Is anything really broken or ruined? Probably not...so let it go. Hug them, laugh, join in and then you can ALL clean it up!
When was the last time you said, "Please or thank you" to your husband/wife/s.o.? Have you just been yelling at the kids and not telling them how special they are?
Do you ever take a moment to bask in the warmth of the family and friends that love YOU? I know I don't. People thinks it means you're selfish or self centered but, really, you SHOULD bask in that glow. You should take time to realize how many people truly love and care about you. Do it when you're HERE for God's sake.
You will NOT get to the last moments of your life and say, "Thank God I yelled at Johnny for leaving his clothes on the floor, that'll teach him." No. You'll say, "OMG how could the last thing I said to my child be in anger? Why didn't I just take a breathe and calm down? Why didn't I tell him more how, though he is disorganized, I love his creativity and his spark for life?"
Michael Jackson had all the money and fame in the world. He lived in lavish homes, drove fancy cars and had legions of people taking care of him (though that CARE is debatable at this point). He died...at 50 years old. He will not see his children grow up, he won't take care of his Mother in her elder years. He won't play music with his brothers ever again. His life, though blessed in many ways, was VERY short.
So, start today. Appreciate those around you and REALIZE they appreciate you. Don't wait, time is of the essence.
Go walk in the rain and splash in a puddle with your kids. Give your husband/wife a hug and tell them you love them.
Then when you look at the 'Man in the Mirror' you can smile at yourself and say, "Everyone's right, I DO ROCK!"