I'm on the freakin' radio man!

Hi there! I am going to be on a weekly internet radio show with my friends Raven and Leah. We're hoping that this takes off and that we will gain some sponsorship and maybe eventually move to an FM station.

This exciting new show airs on blogtalk radio and will broadcast from 5:00pm to 7:00pm est. every Tuesday night beginning December 23rd!
You can listen live at Connections Radio on the Blog Talk Radio network!The Call-in Number: is (347) 215-6454. This is a free call

Stimulating, titilating, interactive talk is the key that we hope will make our show different from the rest. Twice a month we will also feature a full hour of call in readings from Raven so make sure to call in at that time!Each show will cover indepth discussions regarding the paranormal, ghosts, psychic phenomena, alternative health and a myriad of other topics all centered around things that don't fall into normal categories.

We look for our listeners to interact with us, debate with us and give us their two cents!! Phone lines will be open during the show for you to talk to us and our guests. We will also be covering weird news. This will consist of the strange and unusual. Leah is scouring as we speak to bring you the most interesting, funny and thought provoking strange news she can find! Go Leah!! So we hope you tune in and join us as delve into the unkown and beyond!

Happy Festivus!

The story of that first Festivus is a simple one. Many December 23rd's ago, a great man named Frank Costanza went to buy a doll for his son. He reached for the last one, but so did another man. As Frank rained blows upon him, he thought there had to be another way. The doll was destroyed, but out of that, a new holiday was born. It was called Festivus. No, not feminist, Festivus. A Festivus for the rest of us. Festivus, as Frank explained it, is a celebration like no other, composed of do-it-yourself ceremonies based on the principle that "father knows best".
On December 23rd, families and friends get together and gather around the traditional Festivus pole. No, it isn't a tree. It's a pole, no decorations. Tinsel, you see, is very distracting. Oh, and it must have a very high strength-to-weight ratio. The celebration then moves to the dinner table for the Airing of Grievances. This is when you share with families and friends all the ways they have disappointed us over the last year. That often lasts far into the night. Finally, there is the Feats of Strength, where the head of the household tests his or her strength with another family member or friend. Festivus is not over until the head of the family is pinned. You are allowed to decline only if you have something to do instead.

Happy Yule/Solstice!

The Winter Solstice, sometimes referred to as Yule, celebrates the rebirth of the sun to the earth, and the solstice itself is the longest (hence, darkest) night of the year. Throughout the world, from Scotland to Iran to the Americas, ancient and modern peoples have called forth the sun on the longest night of the year.You may have noticed that the solstice falls near the Christian holiday of Christmas, and that the word Yule is usually associated with that same holiday. Upon closer inspection, you will find many remnants of the pagan holiday within the current Christian celebrations. For example, the Christmas tree that is erected in many homes is a nod to the original pagan celebration of creating a Yule tree. The sturdy, evergreen tree represents life surviving in the darkest time of the year. The Yule tree was decorated with natural ornaments such as berries, rosebuds, and cinnamon sticks. Candles adorned the tree, representing the light of the sun, soon to be reborn. In many traditions, a Yule log is burned throughout the solstice night to provide a light in the darkest night, symbolizing hope and a belief that the sun will return. Yule is a time of celebration and rebirth, as the light of the God once again is reborn and shines within our lives. The winter solstice is also the time when the Goddess, in her aspect as Crone, is reborn as the Maiden. Rites to celebrate the return of the sun and the respective rebirths of the God and Goddess are appropriate, as are rituals to guide your spiritual path and honor the lessons learned within the dark time.

Happy Channukah!

Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their G-d, their religion, their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee.Judah and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word "Maccabee", which means hammer. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and to remove the hated Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple was rededicated.
When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the N'er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never be extinguished.
Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for eight days.
Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The word Chanukah means "rededication".
In America, families celebrate Chanukah at home. They give and receive gifts, decorate the house, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday menorah.

December Autumn Apple Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing

DRESSING
1/4 cup Hungry Jack® Microwave Ready Regular Syrup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

SALAD
1 (5 oz.) bag mixed baby greens
2 Gala or Red Delicious apples, cored and chopped
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted*

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:
1. WHISK together syrup, mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar in medium bowl. Whisk oil in gradually until mixture thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. TOSS together greens, apples, cherries and half the walnuts in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat.
3. DIVIDE salad equally among plates. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Serve.

TIP
*To toast walnuts: place nuts in dry nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool before adding to salad.

Ice Storm 2008

We have now been without power in our aparment for 4 days. Our cats have made it through thus far, but it was in the low 30's this weekend in the apartment. Jake and I were living like nomads this weekend.

Thursday night Jake was out all night sanding streets and moving trees while I was snug in my bed. He worked all night.

I woke up Friday morning to discover we had no power. Not thinking it a big deal, I headed out to work. Leah called me as I was one exit away saying the power was out but our boss was at work. So, I figured I'd make an appearance. We were sent home, of course.

Jake and I decided to try to tough it out Friday night. Well, at 2:00 am I woke up vomiting and such. I picked up the phone book and called every hotel in the area, finally finding one with openings. I was not about to be throwing up sick in a 45 degree house.

We booked the room for two days, but saturday night I headed to Heather and Evan's so Jake could have the hotel bed to himself. At that point he hadn't slept since Wednesday night. I had a good time with them and Rhea, but living like a nomad ain't easy.

Last night we slept at Jake's parent's place. This is getting ridiculous. I want my bed and I want my cats to not be freezing. I hope we get power soon or I'm going to break something.

Gingerbread Contest

Back Row Left to Right: Cat, Pirate, Buff Ninja, Hippy, Vampire Punk, Ballerina, Sparkel Shoes
Front Row Left to Right: Scarf, Naughty Lady, Pants Man, Corn Dress, Ricardo!, Roller Girl, Sparkle Pants

We're having a contest, tell me who your favorite is!!

RIP Sven 2004-2008

I am sad to report that my beloved Sven the Swedish Fish (actually a beta) passed away peacefully in his loving home last night. RIP little buddy. You lived a long, full fishy life. We will always remember you and all you've been through.

New and Improved

So...... as of Friday, November 28 2008 I am Sandra Marie Picard Stevens!

It took a month or so, but I had to wait until I could make it to the SS office and do it in person! Now I just have to change everything to follow suite!

Roller Derby Queen!

Yay! I am going to be an announcer for the 2009 home series of Skate Free of Die roller derby! I'm wicked excited! I miss the thrill of being involved with kick ass roller girls! Weeeeeee! Come check me out! I'm thinking of going by Kitty Stevens and dressing all 50's rockabilly. What do you think?

Save the dates for NHRD's 2009 home bouts at JFK Coliseum in Manchester:
Saturday, April 25
Saturday June 13
Saturday August 1
Saturday, August 29

To check out more about the league, go to http://nhrollerderby.com/index.html.