http://tracy.multiply.com/ Welcome to my home page! Thanks for stopping by. Please check out all my pages, and drop me a line to say hi. I look forward to keeping in touch with all of my friends and family and sharing photos and news amongst us all. As Lyla and Adrian grow and grow and grow you'll see their latest photos.<BR><BR>Quotes: <BR><BR>"There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich."<BR>- Marlene Dietrich<BR><BR>"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." - Albert Einstein<BR><BR>"Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind."<BR>-Henry James, to his nephew, Williams James, as quoted in Leon Edel's Hanry James: A Life Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:46:58 -0000 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:03:44 -0000 http://images.tracy.multiply.com/logo http://tracy.multiply.com 100 100 Adrian turns 1 on Tuesday but since we had Grandma Sandy and Papa Bob in town, we decided to have his birthday party early. It was just a small family birthday party in our backyard and it was a lot of fun. I wasn't sure what Adrian would think of the cupcake because I don't remember Lyla being too fond of her first cupcake (things have since changed), but BOY did he love it...as you can see in the http://tracy.multiply.com/video/item/36/Adrians_1st_Birthday_Cupcake Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:03:44 -0000 http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/123/Asparagus Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:01:07 -0000 http://tracy.multiply.com/video/item/31/Passover Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:00:45 -0000 Does someone owe you money? Go to www.missingmoney.com and find out in 30 seconds if you’ve got unclaimed money or property. The IRS has more than $110 million in uncashed tax-refund checks alone! Typically, money is unclaimed when someone moves, dies, or changes names. Your odds of hitting pay dirt? About 1 in 44. I checked and I don't have any money waiting for me. :-( Maybe my husband http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/119/Missing_Money_Free_Search_for_Unclaimed_Property_-_Officially_endorsed_By_The_States Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:41:49 -0000 This cracks me up! I think it sums up the social life of parents (at least my life)! Thankfully, I've met some really great friends with the help of my kids. Thanks for the laugh http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/111/Weekend_Plans_from_Riegel_Blatt_Dating_Parent_Style_Funny_video_for_parents Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:49:39 -0000 We recently had our family photos (mostly the kids) taken at our home using a wonderful children's photographer in San Francisco named Heather Forbes. She also works in New York City. I was familiar with her work because I have friends in NYC that have used her as well and I've always thought the photos were beautiful. I was really happy with the photo shoot. She made us all very comfortable and we were able to relax. She's very flexible which is important when working with a baby and a 4 1/2 year old. She's willing to work really hard at getting and keeping the kids in a good mood. She's also flexible on the location of the photo shoot. We decided to use our home since we have good lighting and thought it would be nice to include our home as part of the memory at this point in the lives of our children. I found her prices to be very reasonable by San Francisco and NYC standards. The turnover was quick. She sent me a link to the site to view and order the prints within 48 hours. ... http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/143 Thu, 3 Jan 2008 20:00:37 -0000 Now there is really no excuse to use your cell phone without a headset while driving. It's dangerous to you and me. It's also illegal in some states (although nobody seems to obey the law). This site was featured on the Rachel Ray show. http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/109/FreeHeadset.org_-_Get_a_FREE_headset_for_your_cell_phone Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:27:42 -0000 I hadn't read a novel in almost six months after the birth of my son. This book was the perfect book to get me started reading again. I was hooked from page one! It has everything you need for an easy and fun read...glamour, decadence and scandal! It was the most fun I've had reading in a long time. I couldn't put it down. It's historical fiction narrated by Mary Boleyn who was pushed by her family to become the mistress of King Henry VIII in order to secure the family's success. This family will stop at nothing to secure their fortune. Most of the major events are based on facts. If you know your history, you won't be surprised by a lot of the story. The wars, births, deaths, trials actually took place but obviously nobody can know for sure the motives and conversations that were had behind closed doors. This is where Phillipa Gregory gives her version and it's certainly a fun and naughty version. Now I am anxiously awaiting the release of the movie which comes out in February... http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/142 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:47:24 -0000 <P>Hi Everyone,</P> <P>Just thought I'd pass along some information about my friend's new, online bakery.&nbsp; All of the cookies at<A href="http://www.betsyandclaude.com"> <STRONG>Betsy &amp; Claude Baking Co.</STRONG></A> are gluten, dairy, nut, soy and egg-free and make a great gift for anyone in your family, but especially those that have allergies or special dietary restrictions.&nbsp; </P> <P>The cookies are also vegan, and I know that they are good, since I was the taste tester when my friend was developing the recipes.&nbsp; Right now, there are four flavors: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, mint chocolate chunk and gingersnap. <BR><BR>As an aside, a portion of the profits go to benefit Autism charities.<BR><FONT size=2><BR>Betsy and Claude Baking Co. was featured in <A href="http://www.dailycandy.com/new_york/article/33971/The+Weekend+Guide"><STRONG>Daily Candy</STRONG></A>&nbsp;in their weekend pics section today&nbsp;and will be on the Rachel Ray show later this month as the snack of the day.</P></FONT> http://tracy.multiply.com/journal/item/106/Betsy_and_Claude_Baking_Co._gluten_dairy_nut_soy_and_egg-free_cookies Thu, 6 Dec 2007 15:26:00 -0000 From "Real Simple Magazine" This is my favorite butternut squash soup recipe. You can make it vegetarian by substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Roasting the squash before you add it to the soup results in a rich, caramelized flavor. But if you don't have the time, you can skip this step. I personally love it roasted and will sometimes just roast the squash and eat it with couscous. Hands-on time: 25 minutes Total time: 2 http://tracy.multiply.com/recipes/item/38/Butternut_Squash_Soup Tue, 6 Nov 2007 03:20:57 -0000 This is from Oprah's website. It's worth watching. Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University—and he is dying. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which he says has returned after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors say he has only a few months to live. In September 2007, Randy gave a final lecture to his students at Carnegie Mellon that has since been downloaded more than a million times on the Internet. "There's an academic tradition called the 'Last Lecture.' Hypothetically, if you knew you were going to die and you had one last lecture, what would you say to your students?" Randy says. "Well, for me, there's an elephant in the room. And the elephant in the room, for me, it wasn't hypothetical." Watch Randy's famous "Last Lecture." Despite the lecture's wide popularity, Randy says he really only intended his words for his three small children. "I think it's great that so many people have benefited fr... http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/106/Randy_Pauschs_Final_Lecture Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:36:38 -0000 <P>This is the latest question from my four year old. It came this morning as we were rushing off to preschool without a minute to spare. Anyone have an answer for her? I told her I'd get back to her on it as I couldn't think of an easy way to explain how we grew the first person since I'm not certain what I believe myself. I wish she just wanted the birds and bees talk because that would be much easier to explain! So I'm up for suggestions!!</P> <P>Previous questions have been:</P> <P>Lyla: "What do firemen do?"</P> <P>Me: "If there is a fire they come to your house and put out the fire."</P> <P>Lyla: "What else do they do?"</P> <P>Me: "Well, they can get a cat out of a tree" ....<EM>Yes, I know that was a lame response but I couldn't think of anything else.</EM></P> <P>Lyla: "What if there was a fire at a fireman's house?"</P> <P>Me: "Well, I guess they would have to call the fire department"</P> <P>Lyla: "Why can't they put the fire out themselves?"</P> <P>Me: "Because they need special equipment to put out the fire and they don't have the special equipmen... http://tracy.multiply.com/journal/item/105/How_did_we_grow_people_before_there_were_people Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:21:00 -0000 Risk of Salmonella Contamination http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/101/FDA_Warns_Consumers_Not_to_Eat_Veggie_Booty_Snack_Food Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:33:39 -0000 I don't know why, but I loved this tiny article. It made me laugh. I also happen to love this magazine. If you've never read it, I recommend reading it. It's a great way to get a lot of news in a small amount of http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/100/Bloomberg_for_President_Not_a_Good_Idea. Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:12:35 -0000 The band Five for Fighting is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed the funding goes toward finding a cure for autism. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/96/Five_for_Fighting_-_Listen_to_video_and_theyll_donate_0.49_to_Autism_Speaks Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:40:50 -0000 I finally bought a reusable tote bag from Whole Foods to carry my groceries and it really made me feel good. I always feel guilty about accepting the double bagged plastic grocery bags but I really had no other way to safely carry my groceries home. Finally, I purchased the large canvas tote that Whole Foods carries. It cost $7.50 and it's great. It's really big and probably carried as many groceries as they normally would have put in three bags. It also has handles to carry by hand as well as a shoulder strap which is very helpful when carrying a bag around in the city. It's very strong and durable. I highly recommend getting one. If I move to the suburbs I will buy more to keep in my car, but until then I usually know when I'm going to the grocery store and can bring my bag with me. I don't know if everyone else has noticed, but ever since San Francisco said they were going to quit using plastic bags our stores have started asking if you want your groceries double bagged or not (... http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/141 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:37:43 -0000 I found this movie very interesting but very disturbing. I didn't read the book so I'm not sure how it compares but I think this is worth watching. I get the impression that the book is more of a "tell all" regarding the fast food industry. The movie gets some points across regarding the industry but I think the actual story is all fiction. It didn't tell me anything that I didn't know regarding the meat and/or fast food industry but seeing it on film was truly disgusting and very sad. Synopsis by Netflix: Richard Linklater's fictional tale (inspired by Eric Schlosser's 2001 book of the same name) critiques the junk-food juggernaut that's arguably responsible for America's alarming obesity rates. Don Henderson (Greg Kinnear), a corporate exec of a national fast-food chain, follows beef's journey from the corrals to the slaughterhouses and ultimately to your stomach. The power cast includes Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and Bruce Willis. http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/140 Sun, 8 Apr 2007 02:18:11 -0000 Recipe By: Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home http://tracy.multiply.com/recipes/item/37/Broccoli-Tofu_Stir-Fry Sun, 25 Mar 2007 22:06:07 -0000 <P>We're trying to plan a trip to Disney at some point during the time frame of March 29 through April 7 of this year. Can anyone recommend some place nice to stay near Disney? We&nbsp;need a suite (preferably with some type of kitchen and a nice pool) so that Lyla will have her own room. I really want it to be pleasant since I'm pregnant and&nbsp;I think we'll be spending a decent amount of time lounging around the hotel. We're looking on the internet and having a really hard time finding any place that stands out as looking particularly nice but it's hard to tell. I looked at the Disney site and it seems that most of the Disney resorts&nbsp;don't&nbsp;have availability.&nbsp;I guess this is our punishment for being indecisive and procrastinating. Any suggestions are&nbsp;greatly appreciated!!!</P> <P>Also, does anyone know, if you aren't able to get reservations for any of the special princess activities are there still opportunities to meet the princesses. Lyla will be SO disappointed if she... http://tracy.multiply.com/journal/item/100/Were_looking_for_recommendations_for_hotelsresorts_to_stay_near_Disney_that_have_suites Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:56:00 -0000 FYI, I just did this and it took less than 5 minutes of cutting and pasting to contact my appropriate representatives. Please take the time to do this ASAP. Tracy From Oprah's website: You can start protecting your children today by simply writing a letter urging your congressman and governor to fully fund something called the Adam Walsh Act, named for the slain son of America's Most Wanted host John Walsh. "There is nothing that's a higher priority for America's moms and dads," Ernie says. "This is homeland security." The legislation, just passed in Congress, makes it a federal felony when a convicted sex offender fails to register. It also creates a national website and database of these offenders, and charges marshals with tracking offenders. The Adam Walsh Act also makes it mandatory for each state to have consistent and uniform laws. Download a copy of the letter or write your own, but don't delay! "This is the year to take a stand for your children. For your sister's ... http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/94/Inside_an_Abducted_Childs_Mind_Take_Action_Today Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:34:04 -0000 From "Dad's Own Cookbook" by Bob Sloan A Mexican feast is never complete without tacos. http://tracy.multiply.com/recipes/item/36/Vegetarian_Tacos Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:51:42 -0000 This is a heart wrenching documentary that explores eating disorders. It is beyond sad. I literally cried my eyes out. They follow the treatment of four women at the Renfrew Treatment Center in Coconut Creek, FL. Per HBO’s website, five million people in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders, and more than 10% of those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa will die from the disease. A lot of the women and girls are kicked out of treatment centers before they’re ready because their insurance runs out and they’re no longer covered. So many things about this documentary saddened me, but the main thing that stood out is just how difficult it is for them to ever truly recover. It broke my heart to hear some of the women describe how this disease has consumed most of their lives as some of them have had it since they were young girls. Because of this, most of their memories revolve around starving themselves or binging and purging rather than enjoying times with friends and family. I thin... http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/138 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:23:20 -0000 As if I need more of an http://tracy.multiply.com/links/item/91 Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:53:47 -0000 <P>Hi Everyone, </P> <P>I'm looking for some easy ideas on items I can bring to a bake sale. I love to bake, but I don't really make the type of things that you'd bring to a bake sale (eg, they're not that pretty and/or not that easy to package). Anyway, I'd love to hear some ideas from some experienced bakers. </P> These are my instructions from the school. &nbsp; In terms of instructions, for those of you who are new to this - 1. Remember no nuts or nut oils 2.&nbsp;We are looking for "quality not quantity". Some bakers last year brought in copious quantities of burnt cookies/brownies - we can't sell these. Another issue was people brought in items baked that morning. By the time they&nbsp;were packed up and transported to school they were stuck together and unmanageable - everything needs to be properly cooled before it is delivered to us. 3.We are looking for treats to be sliced but not packaged. We will be packaging items in a&nbsp;uniform way. 4. If you feel adventurous enough we ... http://tracy.multiply.com/journal/item/90/Bake_Sale_Ideas_Anyone Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:41:00 -0000 http://tracy.multiply.com/recipes/item/34/Steel_Cut_Oatmeal_ Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:57:59 -0000 In case you're wondering where all of the young stylish women of Manhattan were yesterday afternoon, they were all seeing <a href="http://www.devilwearspradamovie.com/">The Devil Wears Prada</a> at Union Square. We went to see this movie at 2:40 on a Friday afternoon and it was sold out (luckily I had bought my tickets ahead of time). I've never seen so many decked out women at the movies. I thought it was a really fun, high energy movie that did a great job of bringing the book to life. There were a lot of things left out, but hey, it's just a fun movie that doesn't really need a lot of explanation. Meryl Streep was great playing the evil boss. And the fashion was the best part of it. Just to see all of the great outfits everyone was wearing was worth it for me. And, as an added bonus, I was pleasantly surprised to see Adrian Grenier who plays <a href=http://www.starpulse.com/Actors/Grenier,_Adrian/gallery/SGG-001252/72>Vince</a> on Entourage as Andrea's boyfriend. Synopsis by Netflix: After taking a job in the Big Apple as assistant to powerful fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), small... http://tracy.multiply.com/reviews/item/137 Sat, 1 Jul 2006 14:34:21 -0000