UPDATE!!! Getting ready for St. Joseph's Day BIG TIME

[JohnnyM]

Well, I officially have caved in under extreme LSL and SS webcam pressure. I have survived a suicide watch, and I'm now about to suffer the most ultimate embarrassment of all, the planting of St. Joseph in the front yard, upside down facing the street. Yes I know his name looks backwards on the box but it is the infamous St. Joseph in all his splendor. Will he work? And so the saga begins! :dontknow:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg233/johnnyme2008/StJoseph.jpg

[Taltarzac]

Just remember where you buried him JohnnyM. Had a neighbor who kept on having to go back to discover where she had put him. :joke: Good luck.

[JohnnyM]

Thanks Tal, I know where he is at all times.

[Taltarzac]

Thanks Tal, I know where he is at all times.


That's good. She does have a very funny story to tell though.

[redwitch]

Good luck! Don't forget the prayer and is it blessed? Don't know if that makes a difference but it sure can't hurt, right?

And St. Joseph, do your stuff. Remember your feast day is coming up and it sure would be nice if you were above ground to enjoy it.

[Just Susan]

Honestly, Johnny, I think you might have better luck with the bottle of asprin that Fumar recommends. I guess I am not desparate enough yet to be superstitious...if it works though I am buying one immediately.
http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/mermaid3.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[Muncle]

Be very careful, Johnny. I planted a St. Jude statue by mistake. The house sold okay, but I used half the money to buy Enron stock and bet the other half on the Patriots.

[JohnnyM]

Muncle, St Jude was a saint for desperate causes, I believe. Maybe I should have planted him too!

[The Great Fumar]

MUNCLE
Now thats funny !!!!!!

broken up fumar ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Sidney Lanier]

I agree: It can't hurt. But is this for real? I always consider anything possible, generally speaking, but I myself tend to be a bit skeptical....

[JohnnyM]

SidneyL the lady in the Church office where they sell these by the gross says "oh yes, this works". She sold my wife on the idea and for $9.00 what is the harm. I will however keep track of the date: Officially buried March 1, at 11:00am.
The funny thing at about 3pm yesterday (Sat) our realtor called and said she was bringing a couple over this morning tween' 10 & 11am to show the house. Hmmmm I will keep you posted! Johnny ;)

[KathieI]

Johnny and Barbara,

Oh, I will hope and pray that it works. As a matter of fact, I'm gonna plant one too even though I don't need to sell it in order to move to TV but it sure will help with the financial obligations.

Don't forget you need to dig the statue up and place it in a prominent location in the new home (I'd clean it off first).

Don't forget the prayers, here's the website I found (and I'm sure I'm not alone)
http://www.prayerbook.com/Devotions/Joseph/sjhomesl.htm

Good Luck!! God Bless!! Kathie

[JohnnyM]

Boy thank God, and St. Joseph for you. I just said a few simple words over his upside down body. Too cold for a longer service. Thanks so much for the website, we just said the official prayer three times to make up for our blunder yesterday. As for the blessing by a priest, the lady at the church said they were all blessed when the shipment arrived there. Thanks for your good wishes, and we did purchase a CYV. We close March 31. This puts St. Joseph on real notice now. Johnny

[Peggy D]

Good luck Johnny. Our St. Joseph is ready to go in the ground the minute the
"For Sale" sign goes on.

Can't sell anything at the beach when it's cold outside.

[Donna]

Johnny & Barbara,
I am soooo happy for you guys..http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/congratulationss.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[JohnnyM]

Thank you Peggy and Donna... ;)

[DickY]

Good luck and congratulations Johnny and Barbara. Are you going to close in person or by mail?

[JohnnyM]

Thanks DickY, we will be there March 31st to close in person. Then we plan to stay a few days.

[redwitch]

Congrats on your purchase. Here's hoping St. Joseph comes through for you.

So, what happened with the realtor and his/her people that were to come by? Wouldn't it be wonderful if they made a good offer? Crossing fingers and lighting a candle!

[JohnnyM]

Thanks RW, they just left. They seemed interested; but don't they all. My realtor usually gets back to us and gives a report the same day, so we wait. I can feel St. Joseph working arlready!

[villages07]

Johnny,

Congrats on buying a CYV!!! Good for you....new or resale? what neighborhood? Did you do this, as Barefoot calls it, "sight unseen"?

V07

[renielarson]

Thanks RW, they just left. They seemed interested; but don't they all. My realtor usually gets back to us and gives a report the same day, so we wait. I can feel St. Joseph working arlready!


Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh (sorry but that song always pops in my head when I type your name)... ;D

Keeping everything crossed for you...hope your house sells. Will say a prayer too.

Congrats on buying in TV...such an exciting time for you and Barbara...hasn't been that long for us and I remember the feeling...

Not that I believe everything I see on CNN, however, this weekend they did have a report about selling homes with the aid of planting St. Joseph. Everyone they interviewed had success stories and it convinced me.

When it's time for us to sell, you can bet your bippy I'm getting a St. Joseph statue!

Good luck!

[JohnnyM]

Thanks Brightspot and 07, we were there in January and toured Hadley Village. We wanted a 3 bedroom so we looked at the Foxglove and felt that was the home for us. We also liked the location of Hadley. We were going to wait until our house in NJ sold but then the closeout was offered. Our sales rep knew what we wanted and gave us a call. We will be there to close in person on March 31st. We received pictures of the actual site and our rep went inside and explained everything inside to us via telephone. Barbara wanted oak cabinets and earthtones and that's what our site had. We are one street up from the golf course. Before we close we will do a walk through. So far, so good, Johnny

[JohnnyM]

Thank you Barb. We are sure we will not regret a moment of it!

[Just Susan]

Tom and I are so happy for you and Barbara, Johnny. I hope we join you there soon. We will keep you in our prayers for the sale of your house ..and ours.
http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/mermaid3.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[The Great Fumar]

Good Luck Johnny
when your done with your st. joesph can I buy it from you for a discount???

allway looking for deal fumar ps congratulations

[Pebbles]

Hi Johnny,

This is my first post, but I had to let you know that back in January my husband and I buried St. Joseph under our For Sale sign. Our home had been on the market for three months, but three days after burying St. Joseph we had an offer for our full asking price and closed on our home in ten days! I forgot to mention, my mother came over the day after we buried the statute with holy water and sprinkled that on the ground. So I am not exactly sure if it was St. Joseph or the holy water. ;D

My DH and I purchased a patio villa and St Joseph is now displayed in our living room. We cleaned him first!

Hope you have good news on your home real soon and congratulations on your new place in TV.

[JohnnyM]

Susan & Tom thanks so much for sharing in our happiness, and yes I hope both our homes sell and we all can be in TV soon. Fumar you are one of the nicest guys on TOTV and one of my all time great TOTV Stars and you always find a way to make me (us) laugh. Thanks you for that. Pebbles, I am honored that your first posting was to Barbara and I. Thank you so much for your kind words. St. Joseph, I am sorry Fumar, will definitely find a place at our home in TV. If the house doesn't sell soon, I may have to go the holy water route. Thank you all again and Pebbles please keep posting, TOTV would love to have a person like you in their forum. Johnny

[scottke]

Congrats Johnny and Barb,
St. Joe has been buried for us but he must still be frozen in the ground as we've had no bites. All positive comments but no offers. Just dropped the price again so we hope the spring market helps. Would love to be retired by end of June and living in our new home in Amelia. Please St. Joe help us out. Maybe we'll need to get some holy water too. Never thought of that.

[JohnnyM]

Scottke the holy water worked for Pebbles. There are so many of us in the same boat. I'm sure the good lord is working overtime for all of us. We have to be patient and wait our turn. I think you are right about spring time bringing prospective buyers out looking. Best of luck, hope to see you in TV soon. Johnny

[JohnnyM]

I hope I am not reading too much into this but....
This past Tuesday 3/11 a couple came to do a walk through with the Realtor. They were very enthused and gave positive signals. They left and I felt they were very interested, however no further contact. Yesterday the realtor called and said the couple want to return this morning around 11am to do another walk through. Can St. Joseph and all your prayers be working this quickly?


I will however keep track of the date: Officially buried March 1, at 11:00am.


I couldn't sleep all night thinking about todays visit. I will keep you all posted this afternoon as to the outcome.

[redwitch]

Lighting a candle that they make a super offer and you get to close real soon!

[Rokinronda]

Worked for us 3+ years ago!! God works in mysterious ways! I do feel we were steered here after a tough long haul and many trials and tribulations in our life. Now the rewards have arrived! Sure is heavenly here!

[JohnnyM]

Okay, not such good news. It seems the couple were not in a good mood when they arrived here. From what I gathered from the realtor is that the wife WANTS this house but the husband wants to go further south to North Carolina. They have children and grandchildren in north Jersey and he wants to get further away from them. The wife has made up her mind but he has also made up his. Will the wife will win out, I don't know. :dontknow:
My realtor lady is supposed to call later and give us the scoop. We heard the lady say to the realtor while her husband was out on the deck. I've lived in that house for 37 years, now it is his turn to give a little. We are disappointed but as Rokinronda says God works in mysterious ways. St. Joseph is still kicking........
Update 6pm: Realtor just called and confirmed our suspicions. The couple are fighting about what state to live in. Why me! Guess I will have to put this thread on hold for awhile. At least we get to close on the 31st and spend a few days in paradise.

[scottke]

Johnny, no luck for us yet. I have to pray harder to St. Joe. He's upside down in the front yard but I heard he's too close to the house. I don't know. Please please spring time bring us a sale. Good luck Johnny. Keep us posted on your success. Will be at our home in TV right after Easter or two weeks. Maybe with us out of town, things will pop. From my lips to God's ear.

[Muncle]

Update 6pm: Realtor just called and confirmed our suspicions. The couple are fighting about what state to live in. Why me! Guess I will have to put this thread on hold for awhile. At least we get to close on the 31st and spend a few days in paradise.


Maybe the wife will get enough in the divorce (or in life insurance) to buy it on her own. You can only hope.

[JohnnyM]

Scottke good luck, if either of us gets lucky let's bring back this thread to post and celebrate. We also will have Susan&Tom on the hunt soon. I'm not sure but there must be 20 to 30 folks waiting for their house to sell.
Muncle, the wife seemed a little timid to me. She did not seem to be the one in
charge. But you may be right, I can only hope!

[Peggy D]

Jonny,

Don't ya just wonder what goes through peoples' minds?

Why is this guy looking at homes and doing walk-throughs in New Jersey when he wants to move to NC?

Go figure!

Keep us informed. Good luck

[Donna]

March 19th is St.Joseph's Feast Day..http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/angelic.gif (http://www.millan.net)

I hope all the peeps that have Him buried remember to say a prayer..http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/prayer_4.gif (http://www.millan.net)...http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/prayer_3.gif (http://www.millan.net)...http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/prayer_7.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[JohnnyM]

Peggy, according to my realtor, Nancy, the story goes his wife is very hard to please. I'm sure he felt she would never be happy with a house in NJ so he just played along with her. When they went to do walk-throughs they would take two cars. When they pulled up to the house where they had an appointment and they didn't like the looks of the house, he would beep twice and pull away. That was a sign to Nancy that they will not even go in to look. Well what happened is when they came here she fell in love with the house. She was besides herself and he was confused. On the way out he said you will be hearing from me again. He told Nancy after leaving the house on the way to the cars "why did you have to show her this house, now she'll never move to NC". That's when I thought it was sold, until this happened. When Nancy called and said they want to come back for a second look we chilled the champagne. Little did I know the fiasco that was to take place. Life is definitely an adventure. I will keep you updated. Johnny

[JohnnyM]

Thank you Donna, maybe my St. Joseph is waiting for "his" day!

[KathieI]

Johnny, Donna and I will make some Zeppolas (spelling?) on "his" day so maybe that will make him happier!!

Good Luck, I know it will drive you crazy, but when the right couple walks in, you will know and feel so elated.

Love ya, Kathie

[JohnnyM]

Haven't had a decent zeppole since my days in the Bronx. Thanks Kathie, I bet you guys can make a great batch.


http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg233/johnnyme2008/zeppole1.jpg

[Rokinronda]

Zeppola's recipe PLEASE!! With the cooked custard filling!!! mmmmm A favorite St. Joseph's day treat I miss!! :'(

[KathieI]

Ronda,

Give me a couple of hours to locate my recipe and will post it.

Yeah, really good!!!

[JohnnyM]

Kathie, I hear St. Joseph stirring in the front yard, come on Zeppole!!!!!

[Rokinronda]

TY Kath mmmmmmmm

[KathieI]

See, I knew Donna would have the recipe. She's-a Real-a Italiana!! Unlike me,,, I buy them!!

Hope St. Joe likes the them and he works his magic!!

Ronda, I love your new avatar!

Kathie

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi Donna,

Are you going to post the recipe? I would rather you come down and we will all help you make some.

Congratulations !!!!!!!

HB

[scottke]

Donna, thanks for the info on St. Joseph's Day. Asked my husband to go out and pay homage at the spot where I buried St. Joe. I'll say a quick prayer on my way to work - unlike the hubby who is retired. Zeppole's - funnel cakes in our area but I don't want to have to make them. Too much trouble. Maybe I could get my husband to do that too for St. Joe if he likes them.

[JohnnyM]

Scottke anything for St. Joe. Also, Funnel cakes is the new name for Zeppole only because there is only Donna left who can make them right. Back in the day, if Tal is reading this because he never knew the history, when there was left over dough from making macaroni or bread gramma would fry up a batch of Zeppole for the kids. We would love to put the powered sugar on them. They were hot right off the stove. I never really knew how to make them, I just ate them like any other good little Italian boy!

[JohnnyM]

I took the liberty of posting Donna's history of Zeppole from another thread she had posted it on. A really good explanation and history....Thanks Donna :bigthumbsup:

A zeppola (plural zeppole, in southern dialects zeppoli) or St. Joseph's Day cake, also called sfinge and in Rome Bignè di S. Giuseppe is a pastry typical of Roman, Neapolitan and generally peninsular Italian cuisine.

Commonly light, deep-fried dough balls about 2 inches in diameter, these doughnuts or fritters are usually topped with powdered sugar and may be filled with custard, jelly, cannoli-style pastry cream or a butter-and-honey mixture. Their consistency ranges from light and puffy, to bread or pasta-like.

Zeppoli can also be savory, and consist of fried bread dough often filled with anchovy.

The terms zeppoli and sfingi also are sometimes used refer to baked cream puffs made from choux pastry.

Zeppoli are traditionally consumed on La Festa di San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph's Day), (March 19). In Rome, Naples and Sicily, these little pastries are sold on many streets and are sometimes gifts on this day.

In parts of Calabria, the anchovy or a sultana variety are consumed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Some Zeppole are filled with ricotta mixed with small pieces of chocolate, candied fruits and hone. Thank you Donna!

[jerseygirl008]

OMG Johnny, what a story. I will join the ranks and get myself a St. Joe's statue and bury it ASAP. Please TOTVer's keep me in your prayers too. The more the merrier and maybe one of us will get lucky, blessed, or have a miracle. Will also be on the hunt for holy water.