in memory

So, it's Memorial Day Weekend. Did you know that the holiday was actually started in the south, by newly emancipated slaves, who felt that the fallen Union Soldiers, who had been buried in mass graves at a temporary Confederate prison camp, deserved a proper burial.

"In 1865, immediately after the cessation of hostilities, formerly enslaved people exhumed the bodies from the mass grave and reentered them properly with individual graves. They built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch and declared it a Union graveyard. The work was completed in only ten days. On May 1, 1865, the Charleston newspaper reported that a crowd of up to ten thousand, mainly black residents, including 2800 children, proceeded to the location for included sermons, singing, and a picnic on the grounds, thereby creating the first Decoration Day."
Later Watreloo N.Y was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson, in 1966."

I either completely forgot this interesting piece of history, or was never taught it, I'd bet cash it's the later.....




2 years ago this week end we officially opened our doors, Which has nothing to do with Memorial Day.......
Happy Berfday to us!!

Boy was I totally unprepared for my news maker moment. All day I kept regretting that I had forgotten to put on my vibrating mascara,
But my curmudgeon inner voice kept saying "oh whatever Chelsea, no will notice..."
Uh bull shit! Besides the fact that my eyes looked like dark small vortexes sinking into my skull.
Is that really what I sound like?
And why was I flapping my arms up and down like a frantic duck?
W. makes fun of me all the time for talking with my hands, I laugh, I cant help it I'm Italian...... but jeez, a few more minutes and I would have taken off.

Let this be a lesson, don't go out in to he world unprepared. I can hear my Mother's voice telling me to always look my best, wear clean underwear, and always have 2 dollars in my pocket so I won't get picked up for vagrancy.
(and she was serious about the vagrancy part)

I have a whole new appreciation for charity organizers,
Seriously it's like herding cats.
It does feel good to help others who need it, don't get me wrong..... the harder my own life gets, the more I value the generosity of others.
Our event was a success, we have not tallied the donation totals, but the fact businesses got together and did something that might help others is really amazing and I am proud of myself and my neighbors for following through.
Sometimes I think we are completely oblivious to how our actions can affect others and how even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference.

As far as the vibrating mascara goes, well it's kind of amazing. I don't wear much makeup, although one of my alter egos does, and she is to blame for most of the unused makeup sitting in my drawer.....I bought mine at the drug store $9.99
HELLO.... instant sexy eye.

if you so feel compelled to watch my news clip......
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7417102