I want a dog. A teeny, cutesy dog-a teacup. One that I can carry and cuddle and enjoy. One that I can put pink bows on and name Pinky, even if it's a boy dog. But the Husband (who is the boss of me) says no. He won't even discuss it. It's a closed topic. He says I won't take care of it and he will end up having to do it. Fine, except HE has a dog.

A huge dog. One that goes through 50lb bags of dog food like they are nothing. How come he gets to have a dog and I don't? How does he know I won't take care of it--he hasn't even given me a chance?? And so what if he ends up taking care of it? Heck, how much more work could there be in feeding a second dog, when you already are feeding one? Besides, I have a son. He would help me with the dog, right? Right? Right?

Your comments--priceless!!

Last year, when Slumdog Millionaire arrived in theatres, I simply wasn't drawn to it. But I decided to take another look at it after all of the Oscar buzz, and it's subsequent wins in nearly every category that it was entered. Months ago, when the DVD became available, I bought it. But I still never watched. Again, it just didn't grab my attention.

Well, yesterday I finally watched the DVD. I thought it was fair, but kept waiting for the part that would justify the hype. Next thing I know, the film was over. It was just "blah" for me--not something I would ever need to see again.

I found the story to be mediocre and somewhat unbelievable, and the acting average. I thought the flashback way of telling the story was overused. I did find the locations and the backdrop of India to be amazing. Outside of that, it was just okay for me (sounding like Randy Jackson on American Idol).

Did I miss something? Did you find it to be excellent? Is it one of your favorites? Have you even seen it? Tell me what you thought...

Your comments--priceless!!

It's nearly June. That means ONLY one thing to me. NOT Hurricane Season. NOT school closing. NOT vacation. One thing ONLY-CUBAN TREE FROGS.

These are the most annoying creatures that ever walked the earth. They wait until the wee hours of morning, and then start loudly barking, like small dogs. They carry on like this for hours. One frog can keep an entire neighborhood awake.

They are the largest tree frogs in North America. They range from 3-6 inches in length and feed on insects, lizards, other species of frogs, and even each other. Wikipedia says that their diet includes "anything they can overpower." Cannibalism--YUCK!

Their skin secretes a toxic mucus as part of their natural defense system. This mucus can burn your eyes and nose, and can cause an allergic reaction. YUCK again!

There is something about our backyard that attracts these pests. They will spend all summer taunting me and my family. My husband has been known to go out with a flashlight in the middle of the night, in search of them and to secure a few hours of sleep. You can hear them from any room in the house. I fear that it will be a long summer...

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Chess is not one of those mindless games that you can play with your eyes closed. Chess requires strategy. You have to think 2 moves ahead. You have to anticipate your opponent's next move.

I'm in the middle of a chess game. I have my next few moves planned out. My opponent has underestimated me. He didn't know that this is a timed game. He also didn't know that I learned to play chess as a child. He thinks he's a Knight, he's really a Pawn. But in the end, it's all about the Queen!

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Yesterday, at a shopping center in Miami, yet another baby was forgotten in an automobile, and died tragically. The mother worked there and simply drove to work, got out, and never thought of the baby again for 6 hours. The temperature in the car is thought to have gotten up to about 130 degrees. How very tragic...

I'm sure she will never be the same. While the news didn't show her on camera, you could hear her wails of anguish, someplace just off camera. It was heartwrenching.

While some might question this mother's ability to parent, I immediately thought of something else. Suppose the woman was simply sleep deprived, working around the clock to pay her bills. Suppose she's short on rent this month, and consumed with thoughts of homelessness. While I have no idea if this was indeed the case, it is certainly a possibility.

I'm just not sure if I'm in a position to judge her, especially as she plans a funeral for her toddler. I'll reserve judgement until all the facts have come to light.

Your comments--priceless!

So, a couple weeks ago, I told you about my affiliation with EventChasers.

I went to the Marlins game last Friday night. Read my review here. If you are a blogger, I HIGHLY recommend EventChaser. You get to enjoy sporting events, concerts, plays, etc. in return for you taking pictures and writing a review. That's my kind of deal!

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So, after months and months of drought like conditions, the rainy season has arrived. Supposedly the rain will make everything grow.

So far, the only thing that has grown is me. I've grown moody. I don't like to get up when it's dreary. YUCK!

I also don't like when the baseball game has a rain delay--ESPECIALLY on the RARE occasion when the Marlins are winning! YUCK!

Wait, something else is growing. My usually brown lawn has sprouted tall weeds. YUCK!!!!!

Your comments--priceless!!

Michelle O's commencement address over the weekend starting me thinking--What would I say to graduates if I were giving the keynote address? I think my message would be on the same vein as Michelle's--enjoy life, give back, and don't lose sight of what's important.

Enjoyment is key. Life is much too short and tomorrow is never promised, so live in the moment and see blessings in every circumstance. Don't forget those without whom you've couldn't have made it. Become that person to someone else. Know that being successful does not necessarily mean that you are wealthy. Don't get caught up in the pursuit of money and material things. Realize early that money has nothing to do with happiness. If it did, then Liz Taylor wouldn't have been married 32 times and Michael Jackson wouldnt have a rubber nose. Find things in life that make you happy--family, basketball, toy poodles, whatever! Find those things and enjoy. That's what it's all about!

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I believe in women. I believe that a woman, or for that matter, ANY person, can do anything that they set their minds to, given training and hard work towards the goal. Don't forget to encourage someone today, especially a young girl/woman. One of my favorite quotes goes like this--"Here's to good women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them." I don't know who wrote it, but me likey!!!


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For more than a week, I have been in turmoil. Someone in my life has betrayed me. Someone did the unthinkable and not only did I not see it coming, I didn't even think he was capable of committing such an offense.

I trusted him. I took him at his word. I knew that he would do right by me. He didn't. Now I find myself going back over the past, trying to figure out if he starting being untrue only recently, or if everything was a lie. I can't figure it out.

I boasted about him. I told others what a good person he was/is, a mensch(a person of integrity and honor). He shattered all of that, in one fell swoop. Now he doesn't talk to me. He thinks I'm angry with him. I'm not. I pity him as I do anyone who, like him, succumbs to the God of Greed.

Things will never be the same. We can't go back. I know this. But how long before I feel better?

Your comments--priceless!

So, as if I'm not sometimes overwhelmed with TheTinyJEWELBox, I've launched a new website--THINGS in PINK! This is a product oriented blog that will feature all things pink. It came about because there are so few sites on the web that feature products in my favorite color. I decided to become that place!

I invite you to check it out, sign up for the email, and follow along. With so much on my plate right now, I hope to post a couple times a week. Besides this introductory post, there will be very little interaction between TheTinyJEWELBox and THINGS in PINK. You will, however, be able to link between both on the blog roll on the right. Let me know what you think!

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We have an analytical thinker in the house. My teenage daughter analyzes everything. She just sits and ponders the mysteries of the world. Last night, she had a revelation. It came to her that Dr Seuss' "Green Eggs & Ham" was not appropriate for small children. She announced her findings to me.

I am used to such proclamations. Before I let her explain, I reminded her that this book is critically acclaimed and one of the best selling children's titles ever. She was not swayed She insisted that this book encourages small children to give in to peer pressure.

According to her, the man in the story did not like green eggs and ham. Sam told him all the ways that he could have it--with a mouse in a house, in a box with a fox, etc. The man was firm in his decision. He did not want to try it. But Sam was relentless. He followed him around until finally the man agreed to try the meal.

My daughter says the man gave in to peer pressure. The green eggs and ham were street drugs--why else would the eggs have been green??? And after tasting the eggs, the man declared that he did, indeed, like green eggs and ham. When he made the announcement, he had a huge grin on his face. She says that this proves that he was high!

Where does she come up with this stuff?? Should I get help for her?

Your comments--priceless!!

One of my favorite quotes is, "You haven't lived until you've done something for someone that can never repay you." There's a sense of fulfillment in volunteering that you can't get through anything else. And, it's also humbling. How often have you looked at someone and realized that their circumstance could have easily been yours? Or, if you're feeling particularly boastful, nothing like a volunteer experience to humble you and drop you back down to earth.

Some of the greatest rewards in my life have come through volunteerism. I realized this morning that it's been a good while since I've had that feeling of accomplishment. I'm going to make some calls this morning and see if I can find a project to get involved with. I wonder what's available.

Some don't volunteer because they say that they don't have time. But many organizations need the most basic of tasks filled. And they can use even the most basic of skill sets. You could stuff envelopes while you watch your favorite show at night. Can you make phone calls? Can you walk? Can you hand out water to others that are walking? Can you run to the store to buy the cups for others to hand out to those that are walking? You see what i mean???

Let's do something this month. I challenge you give a few hours to someone else. Grab a couple of scones and invite your elderly neighbor to chat and eat scones. Call the local United Way and see what they have going on. Tell a struggling, single Mom that you will watch her kids while she goes on an interview.

I'll let you know tomorrow what I'm doing. Let me know what you are planning!

Your comments--priceless!!

Last night, the finale of Celebrity Apprentice aired. I had watched most of the episodes during the season. It came down to the final 2, comedienne Joan Rivers and poker pro Annie Duke. I thought Annie would ultimately win, though I was rooting for Joan, purely because of her age and spunk.

While they are both smart, they couldn't be more different, as far as business style. Annie rules with an iron fist, and is somewhat of a micro manager. Joan takes more of a team approach.

In the end, Joan was announced as the winner-- beating out Annie, as well as Dennis Rodman, Brian McKnight, T-Boz, Khloe Khardasian, Clint Black, and others. Again, I was impressed with the sheer stamina of Joan. She looked as if she had more energy than I do, and I'm nearly half her age. And she was dressed impeccably. I've never paid much attention to Joan. I knew who she was, but never took her seriously. She's gained a fan! I think I like her swagger!

Did you watch? What did you think? Did The Donald make the right choice?

Your comments--priceless!!

Today is the 58th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. It's held on the first Thursday of May. It's set aside as a day for people of all faiths to pray for our country and it's leadership.

I am a strong believer in the power of prayer. It is the bridge between Heaven and Earth. Most major religions incorporate prayer into their rituals. Prayer can be done privately or with a group. It can be spontaneous or planned. It doesn't even need to be said aloud. It is a time that you share with God, whatever the reason.

Many cities will have Prayer programs today. Florida will have a reading at the state capitol building. Many churches will also have programs. We have a new President and we are also going through a trying time as a Nation. What better time to pray?

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Today is International Firefighters Day. It's the day set aside to recognize those firefighters who have lost their lives in the the line of duty and also to support those who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe from fire and related disaster.

One of my brothers is a firefighter. He's been paid for the last 23 years, and was a volunteer for years before that. It was what he always wanted to do. God bless him; I just don't have that kind of nerve--to run into burning buildings to save strangers.

Firefighters are first responders. While they are most often thought of for fires, they also respond to medical emergencies, car accidents, cats in trees, collapsed buildings, folks stuck in elevators, etc. They tend to work fewer shifts than the rest of us, but longer hours. They are a valued part of our society. Say "Thanks!" to a firefighter today!!

Your comments--priceless!!

Yesterday, in the 11th hour, the favorite pulled out of the famed Kentucky Derby. This resulted in new favorites being thrust into the spotlight. But, wouldn't you know, the winner ended up being a longshot, one that, supposedly, didn't have a chance of winning. This was a "cheap" horse, being jockeyed by a man who raced to victory on a different horse, just the day before.

The beginning of the race was unremarkable, with the favorites leading. Just before the final turn, Calvin Borel, made his move atop Mine That Bird. He found a hole, slid in there, and rode the rail to victory. After the race, he displayed pure, raw emotion. One couldn't help but to be happy with him.

The lesson to be learned here is this--Nevermind the odds. It doesn't matter who thinks you are going to fail. They are not in control of your life. Do what you've trained to do. Don't focus on your competition. Run your own race and don't give up.

Your comments--priceless!!

There are few things more exciting to me than networking with successful women. Something about being a woman while also doing it big, is inspiring to me. Believe it or not, I have connected with many through Twitter. I have made friends that I wouldn't have any other way. They are available for guidance, mentorship, bouncing new ideas off of, and just idle chat.

So, in honor of Follow Friday, where you recommend folks that you've found helpful on twitter, I'd like to recommend these wonderful chicks--

@frugalista, @erinpatrick, @stacijshelton, @superhussy, @paula_deen, @adrigonzo, @msteenamarie, @smball804, @calinative, @nicoleprexec, @bherrera, @thejstandard, @pamperry, @resoucefulmom, @teaandthee@gina2011, @nicolelewis

Please share with me some of the great folks that you've found on Twitter. I'm always glad to expand the circle!!

Your comments, priceless!!