Life On the Goo Goo Ga Ga

Steven Tyler

2011-05-05T09:09:00.001-07:00

I’m reading his book right now. “Does The Noise In My Head Bother You? A Rock N’ Roll Memoir” .

The guy has an unbelievable sense of self and humor and an insane like quality of writing.

Gotta love this guy. He’s Italian. Who doesn’t love an Italian?

More later.

Will I be pretty.....che sara sara

2010-10-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

jason mraz - what mama say 2.27.2010

2010-02-28T17:21:00.001-08:00

Public Service Announcement!

2010-02-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

My Father

2009-10-20T17:10:00.001-07:00

My father died 25 years ago today. 25 years. He's been gone longer than the time I knew him. I was 14 years old. It was the worst day of my life. I've never felt so afraid and I've never felt so confused at the tilt the world took that day.

He was an amazing man with large brown eyes that when they smiled were brilliant and exciting, when at rest, gave you the most tender feeling of vulnerability and when angry were the scariest large eyes you can imagine. He was a loving man who put family before everything else.

I wonder, often, what it would be like to have him in my life now and how it would have changed so many things for me and my immediate family. I know everything happens for a reason, but 25 years of pondering hasn't given me a tremendous amount of insight. At 14, I was very clear that we are born to die and at the time I thought he was pretty old (he was 54 years old) and it seemed clear it was just the way things happen. As I'm quickly approaching 40 ...I realize daily how very young he was and what a loss this was for my mother.

Here's the tremendous part. This man who was my father, who loved me so well and taught me to value myself in a way only a good father can for his daughter...twenty five years later, I still think of him daily. He's still...alive...in so many ways...in my thoughts, in our stories and in my children. What a gift.

Score One for the Team!

2009-10-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

I'm basking in a victory.

Remember when I was freaking out about which Kindergarten to choose for my first child to be handed over to and ...molded. If not....go here.

Well....after much consideration, deliberation and angst we went with a private Catholic school. He started at the end of August with excitement and joy and more than a month in...he still likes it! Every encounter I have with the school underscores the feeling that we made the best decision for our family.

DO YOU KNOW HOW RARE IT IS FOR ME TO FEEL ABSOLUTELY AT PEACE WITH A DECISION OF THIS MAGNITUDE?

Well...pretty rare.

Remind me of this posts when they piss me off for the first time.

Anywho...we are taking Little Mr. Wonderful out of school to take him to San Antonio, TX along with little Miss and the Him. I have a business trip there that we are making into a Alamo and Riverwalk long weekend! Anybody have suggestions for must do activities in San Antonio? No pressure...but we leave tomorrow!

Lucky- Jason Mraz (10 Oct Hollywood Bowl Concert )

2009-10-11T08:28:00.001-07:00

An afternoon at Pretend City with the kids was fantastic! An evening at the Hollywood Bowl with The Him and Jason Mraz was magical!

Pretend City - Pretend Blogger

2009-10-10T09:55:00.001-07:00

OK. Here's the deal. My Guy has taken my Little Man and Little Girl to Little Man's Golf lesson. So since my "Captors" have left me to my own devices for an hour or so, instead of cleaning my bathroom, I will drop a note. I'm fine. My Captors are treating me well.

Life is good in captivity. However, captivity has not been good to blogging. So I've now realized I'm a PRETEND BLOGGER - I fantasize about what I'm going to write about...and even start posts.....but it's all a fantasy....

That being said.

I'm taking the little ones to Pretend City a brand spanking new Children's Museum in Irvine, CA. I'll let you know how it goes. Well...I'll start a post about it at least.

Hope you are all well!

Sometimes you just have to slow down

2009-06-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

We on the goo goo ga ga have been on the road quite a bit in the last 6 months. First was 3 weeks in Italy...then it was 2 weeks in Philadelphia. Then we took alittle trip recently to the land of horses, bowling, basketball and baseball bats...Louisville, Kentucky. I must admit that my first response to my wifes suggestion that we all follow her on this business trip was alittle tepid. After all...this concrete jungle, fast city life boy would be traveling to a part of the country that is second probably only to New Jersey in it's ridicule from around the country. Is it Looville...Loville...Loonieville?? We'll, can you believe, that this city boy was charmed by Louisville, Kentucky. I have a whole new respect for this part of the country. The people were great...except for the exchange on the street of a man singing his lungs out and a lady getting into her car across the street explaining in a most deffening shrill that she did not appreciate his tone ALL THE DAY LONG!! Me walking hand in hand with the little ones was alittle concerned as we walked by :)

I must say though that the slow down of the south did not start in the airport. Coming into Houston for our connecting flight we only had 50 minutes from the time we landed to the time we took off to Louisville. Unfortunately we had to, with little ones in tow, run it seemed like 2 miles inbetween terminals. Let me say...when they say everything is bigger in Texas...they mean....EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS!! AND LONGER!

Fortunately for my wife and I this (below) is what happened to both of the kids on our puddle jumper flight to Louisville.

The same pose could be said for our son on this flight. To say that I was exhausted after just manageing to make this flight would be an understatement. We both needed a rest after that sprint through the Houston airport.

On this trip we did managed to do some of the touristy things in Louisville...Louisville Slugger facility...horsefarms in Lexington and yes...we did go bowling.

Churchill Downs had to be the favorite thing that we did though! Site of the most famous horserace in the world. We took a behind the scenes tour of the facilities and who do we stumble upon in the jockey lockeroom?? Calvin Borel....two time winner of that "most famous horserace in the world". Our tour guide told us that that just doesn't happen because these tours don't run when it's this close to race time. Just that day because it was the second time in history that they had night racing at the track. He was super nice. He picked up my daughter and we all posed for a family shot. The also gave the kids a pair of their riding goggles! Had to be the highlight of our trip. Even though horseracing is not something that my wife and I are a big fan of. We loooved it.

We ended our trip to the track by attending the first few night races. And yes...we did put a dollar or two on our new friend...ya know..the jockey who won "the most famous horserace in the world" Unfortunately he did not Win Place or Show in any of the races :(. In fact in one I think his horse is still running :)

I would just like to sum quickly because I'm posting more about the feel of our trip rather than what we did on it. Ya see this city boy got a taste of Louisville. As you can see in the title of this blog I mentioned slowing down. You might have thought that we traveled somewhere where it is slower than our fast paced life. And you would be right. But I came away thinking that maybe this is the speed life should be and not the speed that I'm use to. I came away from Louisville with a whole new respect for the region. They take their basketball and horseracing very serious but they do not let you know it....much :) You see it in how clean they keep their city and their farmlands. I have to say that I will probably never return to Louisville but I am so glad to have visited. It was a pure pleasure. One that I will never forget.

P.S. - The mint julips...if you ever make it to the south and have one...it is BOURBON!!! Don't let em tell you it has sugar and mint in it....IT IS BOURBON!!....lol...holy smokes...a few drinks of one and you can say bye bye. I managed to have just a couple of sips before I declined the rest...knowing that if I were to drink it all I would not be able to drive back to the hotel :) lol.

Another little P.S for all that follow our blog. We are here...we are healthy...we are raising our kids and having a blast doing it. We are though, unfortunately, spending probably way too much time on Facebook. :) Hope this finds you all well.

Where in the World Is the Goo Goo Ga Ga?

2009-06-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

The Life on The Goo Goo Ga Ga Management Team has decided to go whole hog and totally bankrupt oursevles by going on vacation again for two weeks....we left on Friday....can you guess where we are?

Need more?

Know where we are?

My Wife has tagged me!

2009-05-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

This is my first go around on the tag wagon ...so here ya go...

1.What’s your current obsession?

Banking my sleep….I know..I know you can’t bank sleep but I sure try. One of the reason I had such a wonderful holiday weekend this past is because I woke up at 8 every morning and not 5. Then came the day to go back to work….I’m banking on my backup sleep to take me through the week….hmmm…not a bad day back at work….not too tired. Let see if it carry’s through to today….ummmm….NOPE…..DRAT! Needless to say I’m tired again…can’t wait for our vacation on Friday!

2. What’s your weirdest obsession?

Getting worked up about our jackass politicians that are sending our great state of California down the toilet….OH….that really isn’t weird isn’t it?

3. What are you wearing today?

Jeans, hooded high school sweatshirt over a teeshirt, tennis shoes …. It’ casual everyday here at work :)

4. Why is today special?

Every day is special…I’m in love. This is my wife’s but I am plagiarizing it for me :) I’m am madly in love with my wife and my 2 beautiful children.

5. What would you like to learn to do?

Play the piano…. I have a secret passion to do this but fear it too late …I know I know…It’s never too late….but I for now will just have to play air piano on the center arm rest of the car :).

6. What’s the last thing you bought?

A number 10 breakfast at Mickey D’s …. You asked :)

7. What are you listening to right now?

The buzzing of the lights above me

8. What’s your favorite season?

Summer …. I love the long summer days.

9. What’s your most challenging goal right now?

Most immediate challenged is trying to not spill this Mickey D’s coffee on me :) But seriously folks….It has to be…and my wife might concur….Getting our son to LISTEN!! He lost his Wii priveledge last night because ….He didn’t listen once…twice….three times. We felt so bad when the tears came…but our challenge is to stick with the parameters we set….we are not so fearful of the everyday 4 year old not listening…it’s the IF WE SEE A PERIL in front of him and try to warn him that he will just continue to walk….arghhh.

10. What do you think about the person who tagged you?

Ummmm….I love the person who tagged me:) That tagger would have to be the girl of my dreams….the girl that changed my life…the one person that opened up a 40 year old’s eyes. I see a whole new world since I met my wife.

11. What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

Paying a babysitter so my wife and I can go to a movie … It even becomes more guity when our kids the next morning wake and instead of saying “Good Morning Mommy or Daddy” it’s….”Ummm….where is (insert babysitter’s name).

12. Favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere with my wife …This last Italy trip was by far the best vacation I have ever been on…and I would do it over and over again. I will carry with me forever the feeling I had walking at night from the Colossium…by the Roman Forum…all the way to the Trevi Fountain…with my sleepy daughter on my shoulder the whole way…I wanted to call someone I felt so good that night.

13. What would you like to have in your hands right now?

The Deed to a certain Cape Cod home overlooking a certain peninsula

14. What would you like to get rid of?

My Allergys … what I would give to be able to garden our home without fear of the insueing headache that always rears it’s head.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

I’d go to lunch at a little restaurant in a little town called Roggiano Gravina in Calabria, Italy with all of my cousins. (I’m copying this one of my wife’s…that lunch was spectacular…I will always remember that day in Rogginao Gravina)

16. What bad habit do you have that you would like to terminate?

PROCASTINATION! Don’t we all suffer from that? :)

17.What super power would you like to possess?

Would have to be….”leaps tall buildings with a single bound”

18. What is the one thing that you have done in your life that you are the most proud of and if you had the chance to do it again you wouldn't change a thing?

Asking my wife to marry me on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey…on a cold moonlit night…my wife shivering with her hooded sweatshirt covering her head….ferris wheel spinning in the background…and me on one knee :)

19. What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?

Ok ok…I’m a guy…but I am wearing my favorite piece of clothing…my high school golf tournament sweatshirt.

20. What’s your dream job?

Doesn’t seem as dreamy anymore, with the advent of Expedia, but I always wanted to be a travel agent…traveling the world…telling people where to go.

21. If you had $150 now what would you spend it on?

Dinner and a movie with my wife!

22. Do you admire anyone’s style?

Yes, I admire quite a few people for different reasons, fashions sense, composure, kindness etc.

23. Describe your personal style:

I am a quiet and unassuming guy….that is my style

24. Who’s fashion show would you want tickets to?

My wifes :)

25. If you could slap one person with no repercussions, who would it be and why?

The Terminator up in Sacramento....(see weird obsessions above)

26. What are you most proud of?

The life I’ve helped to create with my wife.

27. If you could choose one person who has passed to have lunch with who would it be and why?

John Adams…would love to know what he thought of the country today that he helped to create 240 years ago..

It's all about....The Me

2009-05-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Cheryl over at A peek into my life: I've been TAGGED!! has tagged me for a MEME.

So. Here. We. Go.

1.What’s your current obsession?

Peeing. Chalk this one up as too much information, but People….I hold it in….all day long…all night long. My excuse during the day is that I can’t seem to actually make it to the bathroom. I try….I make the effort…but since my attention span seems to have diminished with motherhood…as soon as I head down the hall…I notice something that I should have done 20 minutes ago and I go do it…you know…put laundry away…fold laundry…remind one of the kids that they shouldn’t be playing with the toilet water…manage a current dispute among the offspring…eat a cup of pistachios that happen to be along the way…take a phone call…do my work….field a question from the offspring…and give in to their request to play for just a few minutes on building a marble maze. You know…important stuff. My excuse at night is simple…if I’ve been blessed enough to be in bed and not to have been disturbed by anyone else’s needs…my errr..needs can WAIT! However, my fear is that I will get my youngest out of diapers only to put myself in them.

2. What’s your weirdest obsession?

The peeing thing wasn’t weird?

3. What are you wearing today?

Jeans, flip flops, and a breast feeding blouse in a lovely shade of lilac. You know which ones I mean…easy in and easy out? OK….I know…I haven’t breast fed in almost 2 years….I know I know…however, I’ve convinced myself that this particular blouse hides a multitude of flaws and I. Will. Not. Give. It. Up. ...not until I’m a size errr…single digit.

4. Why is today special?

Every day is special…I’m in love.

5. What would you like to learn to do?

I’d like to learn to base all of my decisions on faith rather than fear.

6. What’s the last thing you bought?

Ridiculously expensive hair care products…but don’t tell HIM!

7. What are you listening to right now?

The sounds of my children avoiding sleep. The dishwasher running. The grumblings of aftershock earthquakes.

8. What’s your favorite season?

Spring and Fall – the Awakening and the Slumber.

9. What’s your most challenging goal right now?

To stay in the moment and not think about the next thing I need to do.

10. What do you think about the person who tagged you?

I like Cheryl and her blog – I like peeking into her life and finding a real person with real joys and real problems. Thank you Cheryl!

11. What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

Going into the bedroom to fix the bed/get the laundry/find something/some great act of sainthood, but instead, grabbing a book and laying down for a few minutes of literary pleasure. Oh yeah…I’m a bad girl.

12. Favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere with my guy is pretty spectacular. And Italy is always my number one spot…however…a vacation in Santorini, Greece that I took a few years back stays in my memory as one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been. I’d like to go back and spend a few weeks with him there…and the children…enjoying the life.

13. What would you like to have in your hands right now?

4 tickets to Santorini, Greece along with three months paid vacation. Is that too much to ask?

14. What would you like to get rid of?

I’d like to get rid of all the anxiety that I’ve quietly and insidiously taken on in the last five years.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

I’d go to lunch at a little restaurant in a little town called Roggiano Gravina in Calabria, Italy with all of my cousins.

16. What bad habit do you have that you would like to terminate?

I have so many that it seems disingenuous to pick just one…and counter-productive.

17.What super power would you like to possess?

I am a woman – I already have super powers – I just need to cultivate them.

18. What is the one thing that you have done in your life that you are the most proud of and if you had the chance to do it again you wouldn't change a thing?

Hmmm…this is going to sound ridiculous to most of you…but breast-feeding my children for over a year each was one of the most challenging things and one of the things of which I’m most proud.

19. What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?

A summery, crocheted black blouse – it’s crocheted on the top and on the bottom is a silk piece of colorful material that looks like a party. I wear this top with a pair of black pants and it looks like I’m ready for anything…especially a mixed drink!

20. What’s your dream job?

To be a writer. Ummm…a paid writer. OK. A very WELL PAID writer.

21. If you had $150 now what would you spend it on?

Books.

22. Do you admire anyone’s style?

Yes, I admire quite a few people for different reasons, fashions sense, composure, kindness etc.

23. Describe your personal style:

I like to wear versatile solid pieces and flavor them with good shoes and accessories.

24. Who’s fashion show would you want tickets to?

Anne Klein, Versace

25. If you could slap one person with no repercussions, who would it be and why?

Myself. I need a wake-up call most days.

26. What are you most proud of?

The life I’ve helped to create with my husband.

27. If you could choose one person who has passed to have lunch with who would it be and why?

My Dad. He died when I was 14 and I miss him. I want to have lunch with my Dad, my husband and my kids and I’d love to hear their conversation and enjoy the joy.

Now the rules of this tag:

1. Respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention
2. Tag 7 other people you would love to learn more about. Here’s mine:

EVERYONE WHO READS THIS - PLEASE leave a comment and answer these questions on your own site - link back here so that I can go read them! Thank you again Cheryl!

****I invite The HIM to do the same!****

Mama, You Scream Too Much

2009-05-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

While driving my 2 1/2 year old Little Girl to our Parent Participation Preschool Program (Hurrah for alliterations!), and searching songs that were being requested from her memory bank of fabulous songs, she dropped the following bomb, casually....

"Mama, you scream too much."

My heart stopped for just a fraction of a second and all the breath got sucked out of my body.

"What did you say, Sweetheart?" I asked gently....hoping she'd say "Mama, you mean so much" or "Mama, you clean too much" (yes..I know...reaching)

"Mama, you SCREAM too much", she said clearly.

"I do?" I asked. "Yes, you do!", she responded. "You scream all the time." she explained further. Matter of factly. Bluntly. Openly.

Tears filled my eyes.

"Daddy scream too much, too." she complained. "Nonna scream too much, too." she continued to rat us all out...with a shout out to her brother to end the outing. "Tonio scream too much too".

I asked gently, "Do you scream too much?" to which she replied...."Yes Mama, I scream too much."

I wanted to be thrilled that everyone else in the house had been implicated in the screaming, but the reality is that I am aware of my Dragon Mom status and that the bellowing starts at the top and screeches it's way down the totem pole.

I'm Italian - loud voices are normal.

I scream so that I can be heard over the kids screaming.

I scream out of frustration.

I scream out of habit.
My speaking voice kinda sounds like a scream?

I always feel bad about it. (Does that make me human or a rationalizing bastid?)

I wanted so badly to pull over, shine a light over my angelic little curly tops head and ask my little one to DEFINE screaming, you know, in her opinion. But I didn't want to alarm her and I was kinda hoping she'd forget about it before we arrived at the Child Development Parent Participation class and told all the other mothers my dirty little secret.

I honestly want to be the Mom who calmly intervenes when she spots the children pulling the dogs ears in seperate directions and hanging on to the tail as the poor animal is running for safety, but I tend to be the mom who inhales as if she's witnessed a drive by shooting and I start to yell.

I long to be the Mom who calmly goes to my 4 year old and gently hugs him after he's slapped the crap out of another kid and asks what he was feeling and what made him do that. But my honest to goodness first reaction is to quickly assess and bellow from where ever I am, "Knock it off!"

I honestly feel bad about my nut job reactions to the 6th time I've told one of the kids to stop whacking the other, through clenched teeth. I mostly regret my incredulous, bombastic intake of breath as one of my kids overflows the toilet. And I almost *GET IT* that screaming doesn't really do anything to change the behaviour but only serves to hurt and alienate my children.

And I guess it really isn't the big deal moments that cause me angst...it's the repetative small things like the constant nagging (me, not them) about washing hands, or the mind bending requests to pick up toys ...it's in those moments that my voice reaches it's highest decibals.

In my defense, I come from a family of screamers. In fact, I must be a push over because I would have never had the nerve to tell my Mom or Dad that they were screaming too loud....the fear errr..respect level was too high.

Anyway, I promised her that I would try very hard to control my temper and not scream. And I even meant it.

Any other screamers out there?

Looking for the Grotto Esmerelda!

2009-04-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

I would like to start out by saying that The Me and I both apologize for not giving our loyal readers much to read of late. We've been..as you all have, I'm sure...been busy. The days seem to just roll into each other sometimes. Our son is playing teeball now. We are still....hosting "those dinners" :) My wife has taken on a new business....Needless to say...our life is full. Let me also say that we are having the time of our lives even in the midst of the insanity. We are having a blast raising our kids...they are so much fun. We actually have to pinch ourselves sometimes just thinking about how lucky we are to have them in our lives. It is an awesome responsibility taking care of these little people.

With that being said...our family has been back from Italy for sometime now. We have not blogged much about it much mainly because we've been so busy with family life. Never the less....we have stories...one in particular will go down in the annals of our family travel history :)

It starts out as a drive on the beautiful Amalfi coastline (I being from California describe the Amalfi coast as Big Sir on steroids). The Amalfi coastline is beautiful!! Enough said. This story also involves 7 of us in a minivan (one cousin, one nonna, one friend, 2 little ones, my wife and me). It involved tight roads...shear cliffs...white knuckle driving by me...did I mention....it's stinkin BEAUTIFUL??!! (see above) It unfortunately involved the gas station below and an attendant named Nino (see below).

Let me set the day......

Breakfast was great. The little ones enjoyed their Italian latte's and toast. We our espressos and sweets. Lot's of laughs and an anticipation of the day.....

My wife's dear cousin from the area wanted to show us the Amalfi coastline in all it's splendor....Amalfi, Positano, Ravello. Our first stop was to be The Grotto Esmerelda. Problem was that we could not find said Grotto. Our cousin raved about it. We drove back and forth. We asked for directions...we still could not find information on it. After some time we settled on just heading toward Positano. It was after this decision that our day took a turn of great proportion....no one died...no one got hurt....let us just say that our plan of filling the memory chip of our camera did not occur.

Ten minutes down the road we came across the aforementioned gas station and Nino....who we now just refer to as Jackass...and that is probably being kind. I'm sure our Italian cousin was calling him much worse in the following six hours. As you can see from the picture above...this gas station was fairly isolated...out there! It had a great view...but it was isolated...meaning help was not close at hand.

Anywho...We pull into the gas station. Most gas stations do not let you pump your own gas in Italy so we let Nino pump it for us. "Diesel Per vore" I exclaim! He pumps the gas...I pay the bill...we are on our way right? Well...we got about 100 feet out of the drive before the car began to sputter and died. Fortunately we were on an incline and were able to coast backwards back into the drive....with alittle help from the attendants we were able to push it back into the gas station..you can only imagine our confusion!

Needless to say this event kind of sparked some interest in the other attendants at the gas station, namely the gas station manager. He asked Nino what gas he put in the tank....after the verbal dressing down he gave Nino we learned that he had put the "wrong gas" in our car!! What could they do?? We are on a picture taking adventure here!! We need to get going!! How does this happen??!!! Well...I've mentioned we were in these bozo's company for six hours! Here's alittle run down...

Hour 1

They decide that they need to syphon the gas out of the tank...this process takes close to 45 minutes to accomplish. In the meantime...crackers are handed out to the kids...we try our best to keep them entertained...ya see, we made the decision that they were not to leave the car because leaving the car would have subjected them to the danger of the speeding cars that wizzed by us every so often...all you had to do was to step 15 feet from our car and you would have become part of their windshields!

After they finished taking the "wrong gas" out of the car, we pushed the car into the lane for the "correct gas"! They filler up and test it out. Well...the test didn't go very well. It managed to sound worse than when we coasted back in to the station :). On to hour 2!!

Hour 2

Did I mention that is was stinking beautiful here?? It is in the second hour that we become concerned not so much with getting the car fixed, but with keeping the kids entertained and happy. My wife and I, being the communication junkies that we are, had our Iphones at the ready...loaded with Mickey Mouse cartoons and a couple of movies. Let just say by the end of our ordeal our kids became experts in manipulating our phones :) We did not have an infinite amount of power in them though and no way of charging them since the car was dead. We at this time did not think of that because we still thought we might be out of here soon.....HA!

As far as the pit crew at the gas station was concerned...they popped the hood and began to "work" on to the problem....well..they worked on the problem for all of hour two!....On to hour three!!

Hour 3

It is here where the owner tells us that he needs to call a mechanic in to look at the problem...it is about here that we know that we are not going anywhere soon and our day in Positano is probably not going to happen. He mentioned that he could be here in 20 minutes...we at this time had a real feeling that it was going to be more than 20 minutes....we just kept our fingers crossed.

It still is beautiful here!!....the crackers and snacks are startinig to be depleted though. How much longer will the Iphones hold out? How much longer can we keep the kids happy?? The clock is ticking on their patience!!

We did occasionally take some pictures. But how many pictures can you take of a gas station, a road and a fence ..... a beautiful flowery fence (see above), but a fence non the less that blocked our view of the ocean to a certain degree. It was near the end of this hour that my wife's cousin very boldly got us an invite to a home on the other side of that fence...she just asked and the owners were very nice and accomodating...maybe they knew Nino too and felt sorry for us :) Anywho ..this home had a beautiful view of the ocean (see below)... It had 100 steps down to the water down below...we loved it!! We also learned that they did rent it out occcasionally! It is here where we started to devised a plan for our return :).....did I mention that the mechanic still hadn't arrived?? On to hour four!

Hour 4

It is in this hour that the mechanic did arrive....not the 20 minutes that the owner said (to our shock!)...but more like an hour and half later!! He now begins his surgery on the car......

While waiting, I found one the ironies of the afternoon. While mindlessly looking through our telephoto lens I came across a sign about 50 yards up the road!

Can you even believe it??!! Four mindlessly spent hours later we find the first direction towards our intended first stop...the Grotto Esmerelda!! On a bus sign!! We'll we know it's on our way back if we ever get underway again.

Alittle later, and just into hour 5, we came across the...as voted by the stranded 7... the funniest moment of our adventure to Amalfi...as in the previous....on to hour 5!

Hour 5

Hour 5 begins with the mechanic looking alittle frustrated...alittle shorthanded...he looked like a guy that really craved getting this car back to his shop...me working for a machine shop know the advantages of having something at your shop instead of in the field. Me being the guy that didn't understand much Italian kept prompting my wife to asking him questions...he just kept shaking his head...still trying to figure it out....it was after one of these promptings that he came back with..."there is water in the gas"....you notice I didn't use exclamation points on his response...it was rather reserved. Me on the other hand was thinking "THERE'S WATER IN THE GAS??!!!" I was dumbfounded...how in the world could this happen...the mechanic...not trying to point any fingers just looked at the pump in the gas station...it was then that we knew that we needed to point the finger no further than at......you know who...Jackass!!!

Now it comes to the funny part...it was moments after this discovery that an eldery couple came driving into the gas station...the older man got out and proceeding in our direction....nosiely sticks his head under the hood and asks of the mechanic..."umm...what's the problem?" Our mechanic in his unassuming voice just mumbled..."they have water in their gas"....lol...well...this older man whips around...yells at the top of his voice "FERMATE FERMATE!!!" (For those of you that are Italian challlenged...that means as you can only imagine "STOP STOP!!!") He then strides over to his car .... yanks the gas nozzle out of his car and Jackass's hands....proclaims to all in the station that "THIS GAS HAS WATER IN IT!!". The local Cabinerri that just happened to be handie came over and tried to calm the situation....we witnessing this ... even in the midst of our dispair.... had to laugh! :)

It is after this that the mechanic has to recommend that we call our rental company. He said he could tow it back to his shop and fix it but it would take overnight. We took his advise and called Hertz! We think Hertz...they will take care of us!! Ya know...OJ running through the airports!! They have the Neverlost system !! They will help us! Well...they did...sort of. They told us to stay put.. that they would send a tow truck. When we asked when our replacement car would arrive, they said, that we would have to go to Naples to pick it up. NAPLES!!! You mean two hours away Naples?? You see where this is going. This not only was a 6 hour stay at Jackass's R US...it turned into another 6 hours till my wife and I were back at the hotel with our party. Ya see we had to...after the taxi took us back to our hotel 20 minutes away... take said taxi over the hill to Naples that was almost 2 hours away.

The picture above was one of those shots we will remember. We have to give props to our taxi driver Dominic....a nice older man that knew the area quite well. In fact on our drive he specifically stopped at the above pictured location...not the greatest of pics but you can only imagine how great a view is was....Salerno below and Mt. Vesuvius in the background.

It is here were I will wrap up quickly. It was indeed as you have read...quite a day for us. A beautiful day on the Amafi coastline. Too bad we had the same view for a good part of it :) Dominic got us to Naples and the Hertz dealer. We managed to find our way back out to Amalfi and our hotel. We got to bed around midnight and had to pack up the next morning and head out.

I don't want you to feel though that we did not get our fair share of pictures of the coastline though. The next morning we did pack up all our luggage and passengers and headed out for a day of picture taking in the city of Amalfi and Ravello....and yes....we did fill our memory chip :) Maybe someday, when we get around to it, we will just post those pictures...no words would be needed :)

Musical Monday: Non Ti Scordar di Me - Pavarotti

2009-03-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

I am a first generation Italian American, which is to say, that both of my parents were born and raised in Italy. I've had the privilege and opportunity to visit and travel throughout Italy quite a few times: as a child, as a young adult, as an single adult and now as an adult with my own family. I have been truly blessed to visit and partake in the vistas that my parents enjoyed as they grew and helped to form them. There is a sense of familiarity with the land itself, with the hospitality of the people, with the beauty of the arts and oh, lets not forget the food.

Growing up, I listened to all sorts of music with my parents with equal measures of Italian and American fare, but this one song always filled me with magic as a child and now fills me with the joy of my Italian heritage.

Just like the country and her people, my choice for Musical Monday pulls at me and moves me in a very profound and emotional way. I hope you will turn up your volume, close your eyes and let the music take you on a journey.

Non ti Scordar di Me: Luciano Pavarotti

Here are the words for you - first in Italian and then a translation:

Partirono le rondini

nel mio paese freddo e senza sole

cercando primavere di viole

nidi d’amore e di felicità.

La mia piccola rondine partì

senza lasciarmi un bacio

senza un addio partì.

Non ti scordar di me

la vita mia è legata a te

io t’amo sempre più

nel sogno mio rimani tu.

Non ti scordar di me

la vita mia è legata a te

c’è sempre un nido nel mio cuor per te

non ti scordar di me.

Non ti scordar di me

la vita mia è legata a te

c’è sempre un nido nel mio cuor per te

non ti scordar di me.

Do Not Forget Me

The swallows have left

my cold and sunless land,

to seek the spring among the violets,

love nests of happiness.

My little swallow has flown,

without leaving me a kiss,

without saying goodbye.

Do not forget me,

my life is joined to yours.

My love for you will always grow,

you will always be in my dreams.

Do not forget me:

my life is joined with yours.

There’ll always be a nest in my heart for you,

Do not forget me!

Do not forget me:

my life is joined with yours.

There’ll always be a nest in my heart for you,

Do not forget me!

What's moving you today!? Please go check out Jori & Diane's Musical Monday and share your own!

Martha Stewart, meet Cruella De Ville

2009-03-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but I say it’s paved with at-home dinner parties… specifically MY HOME dinner parties.

I do it almost weekly. I speak with a friend(s) or a family member(s) and I enjoy the conversation so much that I follow it up with a heartfelt and slightly delusional, “Why don’t you all come to dinner this weekend? What date works best for you?” If he’s around, I always glance at my husband and see the glazed over deer-in-the-headlights look that always overtakes his face. I’m always surprised by it. He always enjoys these effortless social experiences. If he’s not around, I always call immediately and make sure he hadn’t planned a jet-set getaway to Paris for us….err..no. I always sincerely ask him, “Does that work for you, Sweetheart?” and he always fumbles and mumbles his reply. “Sure, Honey….if…um…it works for you.”. I always feel really good about the whole thing as I’m inviting. Ahhh, I say to myself…this is going to be fun! Tra la la! Then the real joy of the planning begins. Hmmm…where should we eat…inside…outside….should we add twinkly lights outside….hmmmm..what should I make….cheese fondue and filet mignon….pasta and a roast…ohhh…that dessert I saw in that magazine…yes….it must be that dessert…..what music should I play….ahhh…the MAGIC is in the details! I always picture my home, not as small and cramped, but as warm and cozy. I never picture our backyard as ravaged by the war between beast (my Labrador) and man (my 4 year old and 2 year old) but as a charming oasis of peace in a hectic world.

OK, just so you have the timeline correct….let’s say…Monday, the invitation is made…the die is cast, as they say, and Saturday night is our quiet little event. Let’s be clear….the amount of time in between the invitation and the hosting is really not what’s important here…whether I have a week, a month or 6 months to prepare...it always ends the same. Here’s what happens in between:

Monday: Casually invite friend, family member to our home. Happiness and anticipation abounds.

Tuesday: I start thinking of what we should make for dinner and where we will actually sit down to eat. Somehow, doctor appointments, school and other social engagements start filling in every afternoon and evening leading up to our dinner. I start to worry. I push the worry aside and continue on.

Wednesday: I get a real clear look at my house and it needs a thorough cleaning and/or demolition.

Thursday: I plan when I’m going to go to the store on Friday and start mentally making a list. I don’t need to actually write anything down. My mind is a steal trap. Beyond that, I start saying that I need to clean the house. I say this to everyone who is within hearing distance and I even call a few people.

Friday: I start feeling pressure. I haven’t cleaned the house. I haven’t gone grocery shopping. I am working a full day and have a play date scheduled for the kids as well as a social engagement I can’t get out of that night. I start wondering how I’m going to get everything done. I mention this to my husband and he soothingly tells me not to worry, that we should go out , eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow will take care of itself. He gives me a pep talk on how we are a team and that he will help me clean whatever I want later on that night. Around 9:30 I’m still complaining that things aren’t cleaned. My husband tells me to relax and that tomorrow morning will bring fresh energy and a clearer picture of what needs to be done. I’m consoled and I sit down to watch a movie with my husband. Isn’t he great?

Saturday Morning: “This is a mistake!” I scream. “Why do I do this?”, I wail. “What business do I have hosting 10 people in a house the size of a mouse trap?!” This is all said as I’m clearing the kitchen counters of all of the clutter that has accumulated from my previous dinner party. I start throwing out orders and doing what I do best. DELIGATE. Husband – grocery store run. “Please bring the kids with you!”, I beg. I have already forgotten the simple elegant meal I had planned and suddenly 13 course elaborate meals seem more appropriate. It takes a bit of time for my husband to talk me off the ledge and to talk me into making one of his favorite dishes. Done. My mother, God love her, quietly melts into the background dusting everything in sight and cleaning the guest bathroom.

Saturday Afternoon: “Why did we buy such a small house?”, “Who leaves all this stuff around?!?!” I’ve now managed to clear everything from the dining area, living room and kitchen area and pile it precariously in my office. Quickly, I close the door and pray that no one walks into the room accidentally. I next cordon off almost half of the rest of the house to walk through traffic. If people feel they need to use the other bathroom, they will have to exercise their control muscles, because there is no way I’m going to allow it. Husband returns with the kids and groceries and I begin to put together this incredible meal while juggling tasks and setting the table, putting fresh flowers through the house and idling threatening my 4 year old and 2 year old against putting any toys on the floor. We wouldn’t want anyone to think that kids actually play here. Throughout this whole experience I make my kids cry at least once through my hysteria, my mom tremble with annoyance at least twice and I break down crying at the very least three times. Usually about 10 minutes before people arrive I have a Sophie’s choice experience deciding whether I’m going to put finishing touches on the meal or whether I’m going to shower.

Saturday Evening: The guests arrive, my hair is partially damp and my blood pressure is causing a little vein on the side of my head to start throbbing. I start passing out beverages, my great husband perfectly hosts and we begin the evening…..and halfway through the meal…. I relax. And a beautiful thing happens. I remember why I do this so often. It’s fun! Setting the stage for a wonderful meal and conversation with friends and family IS fun…and NEXT TIME, I promise myself, I will get myself together sooner and not leave things for the last minute!

Sunday Morning: I get a call from friends that I haven’t seen in a few weeks. We talk about how great things are when we get together and I casually mention that we should get together for a meal. “What are you guys doing next weekend?”

Musical Monday - Alain Clark: Father & Friend

2009-03-01T15:56:00.001-08:00

I was recently watching an Italian Musical Festival Extravaganza!!!!, Festivale di San Remo and caught this father son act from the Netherlands. I LOVED IT immediately and wanted to share it with all of you!

This song is what's currently moving me on many different levels....I love the obvious love and respect between father and son and I enjoy the idea of that love and respect being passed on to future generations. It makes me think of the special relationship between my husband and son.

What's moving you? Go check out Jori and Diane's Musical Monday and share yours!

Partisanship Begins At Home

2009-02-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

We just walked in from having dinner at a local restaurant, you know, doing our part for the local economy and getting me out of having to cook dinner tonight. A win win. We walked in and I was reminded that our President is addressing the Congress tonight. So I quickly went to the TV, tuned into ABC and was gratified to hear my 4 year old son say, "That's Barack Obama, my President! I voted for him, Mama. Why is he on here?"

I explained that he was talking about all the good things that are coming for our country and all the things we need to do to help our country move forward.

He looked at me and said, "I think you voted for John McCain, didn't you, Mama."

I said, "No...didn't you go into the booth with Daddy and vote for John McCain?"

He said, "No Mama, not me, I voted for my President, Barack Obama"......in a whisper..."the winner."

Cracked me up.

Crikey - She's Barking Mad!

2009-02-17T08:10:00.001-08:00

Auds at Barking Mad is... truly barking mad! She is giving away a $250.00 Target gift card in honor of, well... she's barking mad!

Jori-O, of Musical Monday fame, turned me on to this insanity and when I win the $250.00 gift card, I'm going to pick up a thank you card and express my appreciation!

Here's Aud's deal....you need to highlight 5 or 10 of your own favorite posts! And to that I say" Only 10???"..(cough, cough)...but then I remembered and decided it'll probably only be 6.

Ok...so here it goes!

Current Status: Bathing Optional
Why Do 30 Minute Meals Take Me 1 Hour and 1/2?
Sometimes I'm Just Tired...
Chicken Mystery: Solved!
Skin Tags... What The...?
Lessons in Life by The Him/The Husband/ The Dad

OK! Now let your fingers walk you over to the Barking Mad lady who is giving away all this crazy money and show us your favorite posts!

Musical Monday: Tell It Like It Is

2009-02-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hot on the heels of a Valentine's Day full of great old movies and equally great snuggling romance I MUST choose Aaron Neville's Tell It Like It Is for Musical Monday!

OK. Let me coach you on how to get the most out of this song. Please follow these directions EXACTLY. Turn the lights down in the room you are in. Turn up the volume on your PC. Push play. Close your eyes and let the beginning strains of the music and Aaron Neville's super sexy voice reduce you to puddles.

(sigh)

This song is equally effective when you are feeling put out by your lover and are driving to ...say...the grocery store. Even in a mini van - this song played at the top decibel and sung at the top of your lungs will help heal whatever ails you. Aaron Neville is killer good stuff!

OK. Now it's your turn! Go over to Jori or Diane's and join in Musical Monday. Link up and tell us what's moving you!

Current Status: Bathing Optional

2009-02-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

There was a time in my life when I showered daily. I would wake up from a full 8 hours of sleep feeling refreshed and excited about the day to come. I'd get in the shower enjoying the warm water and fresh smell of soap! I'd then take time to dry my curly head of big hair. I'd apply makeup and look like...well...a girl...a freshly scrubbed, twinkle in my freshly mascara lashed eyed, bright cheeked woman! A fresh smell and a bright smile my signature. (yes..I brushed my teeth a few times a day too!)

Oh, those were the days. I remember it like I was yesterday...but it wasn't yesterday...it wasn't the day before, either. That's my point. I'M NOT BATHING DAILY!

Don't judge me.

When, exactly, do we as women and mothers abdicate our rights, yeah...I said it...RIGHTS to shower daily..and when do we start believing that being clean is a luxury rather than a necessity?

I know women talk about bringing a new baby home and not finding time to shower...it didn't happen quite that way for me. Sure, it was hard to find time when I brought my little guy home, but I took the time to take care of myself and showering afforded me not only cleanliness but a few minutes to myself. No, for me it didn't start right away, the transition was quiet, insidious...a choice. It was when the little lady made her appearance and two kids, full time work (from my home office), playdates, parent participation preschool, doctor appointments, breakfast (every morning), lunch (every afternoon) and dinner (every freakin night) kinda became more important than...umm..well...bathing. It became a feeling of...well...I can either get to the doctors, feed the family, sleep...or I can shower and coif.

It's like a perpetual stinkin camping trip...and I'm really roughing it!!!! (I'm really a concierge level, 5 star hotel kinda gal)

I've made many attempts to reverse this madness. I've made promises. I've taken small steps. I've promised my spouse. This week...I am going to shower. every. single. day. It's bad enough to disappoint myself, but to see the sorrow in his eyes (I need to take a moment)

(deep breath)

I've made promises...and I've broken them. Every vacation I swear that I will jump back on the daily showering wagon only to fall short of my goal and go back to the smelly depths of my despair.

Well, tomorrow, as they say, is another day.

Authors Note: As of the posting of our story, our damsel in smelly distress has managed a shower, she's powdered and coiffed. She's entered a 12 step program and is promising to stay on the bathing wagon. We will check back with her occasionally to check her progress.

Chicken Mystery: Solved!

2009-02-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

My four year old son explained the magical mystery behind getting chicken on our table.

Here's some back story to our own family nightly ritual....our own little version of Groundhog Day!

I make dinner....always something I know the kids will enjoy. My son has a lapse in memory and starts convulsing before he gets to the table demanding that he be heard:"I WILL NOT EAT THAT! EVER!" I explain in my calmest Italian American fashion that in fact, he has eaten this particular meal before and he loved it. I insist that he sits down, he insists that he will not be seated at a table that is hosting such a disgusting meal. His manners go from bad to worse and he is asked to vacate the premises and go warm the stool in his room. He cries. We wait. He calms down. He's invited back in the room. He tries the food. And he smiles and says, "Mmmm...this is good. My favorite. Mama, did you make this just for me because you know I like it so much?"

This is the point where I realize that God make children to be so beautiful and charming because if he didn't....they wouldn't make it past the age of 4.

I'm exhausted by the whole exchange and he's ready to open a bottle of Chianti and settle in for the night with a good meal.

So tonight, I decided to cut out the middle man when he approached the table. In an effort at a premptive strike I told him that he's eaten the meal, I know he thinks its vile, but in an effort to move things along...could we please bypass the bad manners and trip to his bedroom and just try the freakin chicken!?!?! He smiled and complied. And he said, "Mmmm...this is good. My favorite. Mama, did you make this just for me because you know I like it so much?"

Not having wasted all that time...we had time for some good conversation along with the Chianti. Here's how it went:

Little Man: Mama do you know how Chicken gets to our
table?
The Me: How, Babe?
Little Man:
Well, the Chicken Rooster spits out chicken.
Then the farmer mixes the chicken and puts it on a train.
Then it goes on a boat.
Then it goes on a truck.
Then it goes on another truck.
Then it goes into a store.
Then we go buy it.
You cook it.
Then we eat it.
Just like that.
The Me: Chicken Rooster, Babe?
Little Man: Yep, a Chicken Rooster spits it out. Mmmm..this is good.

Musical Monday: At Long Last Love

2009-02-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

OK, Kids! Here's an early Valentine for you on this Musical Monday!

I was born in 1969...I'll wait while you do the math...and grew up loving all kinds of music from classical to WHAM! to U2, but my parents are the ones who tutored me with the classics...Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima and all the other greats. (do you see a nationality trend with these guys?) What feelings the strains of these songs evoke...usually happiness...sometimes longing for days spent with family as a child and always, always, joy.

My song to share today is Frank Sinatra's "At Long Last Love"! This is a song that my children ask us to turn up in the car and causes them to jump with joy at the bursts of the horn section during this classic. For me and My Guy...this is a song we dance to whenever possible, sing to each other and remember how lucky we are to have found each other...with JOY! Thank God it was AT LONG LAST LOVE!

Now...turn up the volume on your PC....sit back...and enjoy....listen to the whole song...it gets better and better!

Ahhhh..that's what moves me! Now go check out Jori-o's and Diane's pick on this beautiful Musical Monday! What moves you?

The Best Kind of 30 Minute Meals

2009-02-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

This post it for all the people that struggle with Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals (that includes The Wife).

I was thinking of this the other day while I was playing with play dough with my daughter. You see play dough is one of her favorite pastimes of late. I being the ever available sous chef to my daughter's expert cooking prowess managed to put together what I have determined is the ultimate 30 minute meal. THE PEPPERONI PIZZA!

You start with blue play dough...my daughters favorite after pink. You roll it out thinly and then proceed to carve out a large circle (10 minutes). Then you need toppings for your pizza, namely pepperoni colored. You then smooth out a thin layer of red play dough and then shape out the appropriate sized pepperoni (10 minutes). Your final process involves naming off family members as you apply each pepperoni....ie..."this one is for nonna...this one is for momma.." etc (10 minutes). Nonna will be glad to find out that she received the most pieces of pepperoni in this process.

Being my daughters sous chef was the thrill of the day for me. How could Rachel Ray beat this experience and our record breaking time? :) I'll bet she would have never thought of the Mickey Mouse pepperoni!

Kindergarten: High road or low road

2009-02-02T23:07:00.000-08:00

We are in the process of choosing a kindergarten for Little Man, my 4 year old. Without putting undue pressure on us...this is the single most important decision we will every make for him barring any other. We could, by choosing incorrectly alter the course of his life and put him on the path to mediocrity - or by choosing correctly encourage and nurture the man who will cure cancer, or become a train conductor. (he's already promised to let us sit in the front car with him...at least once.)

Is that undue pressure?

(insert scream here)

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE? Private? Public? Catholic? Homeschooling?

My husband was a "public" as they were dubbed by us "privates" (being called a private doesn't sound very inviting now that I see it in print). He claims to have had an "OK" experience in school and doesn't feel it hurt him in any way. He's not quite sure it helped him, but it certainly didn't hurt him. I, on the other hand, was given the "greatest gift a parent can give " (this is a direct quote from my mother) by receiving 12 years of Catholic schooling. I can honestly say, all joking aside, that I do appreciate that my parents made the supreme financial sacrifice of putting me and my siblings through private school. To this day, my handwriting is better than any "public" I know. Beyond that, at the time I was in Catholic schools, Catholic schools in my area were head and shoulders above a public school education. But not only that, it was important for my parents that we were getting religious education every day of the school week.

Flash forward 20 years after I left the halls of my last Catholic school and new we have all sorts of options as far as schooling our children.

We can homeschool, if we are so inclined. There are so many resources out there for the homeschooling Mama that it doesn't even really seem like homeschooling...but a kinder, gentler, organic and exciting way to learn. Pros/Cons - Sounds wonderful, but the reality is that he would basically continue to have me as a teacher and quite frankly...he deserve more.
We can choose a non catholic private school, which with a hefty price tag will tailor the learning experience to your children's likes and dislikes and encourage their passions. That sounds really good. Isn't that what I've been doing thus far at home? Pros/Cons - we get to spend what we were planning on spending for their entire college education on his first year of Kindergarten.
We can go totally public and send our child down the street to the corner school, which has it's benefits and which has a GATE program which promotes and supposedly teaches to your child's level. (Isn't it obvious that any child of mine would be in a Gifted program???? :) ) Pros/Cons - Most people we know are going this route...but I have no faith in the public school system.
Or we can go Catholic, which is where my comfort and safety level lead me. (12 years of Catholic school also lead me here) But will he get good academic training along with religious training? I don't necessarily want a man who has FAITH that his future is secure but can't read past grade level 3. For my parents, it was important that prayer be a part of our day and that faith be taught. The schools I attended did their job, as did my parents, because a foundation of faith is important to me, too. Pros/Cons - If we send him to Catholic school, my mom will stop giving me dirty looks every time we discuss sending him to public school but I will have to start a daily novena that we have made the right decision.

I'm so confused. We want to give our son the best academic experience available. We want his opportunities to be abundant. WE DON'T WANT TO SCREW IT UP.

We've already signed the little man up at our parish Kindergarten. I've also put his name on lists at public schools in the area. September is looming. (OK, yes, I know that it's only February...but it feels like it's LOOMING!)

***UPDATE****CLICK HERE****

Writing Exercises - 28 Day Program

2009-02-02T23:00:00.000-08:00

Once again I am taking the NABLOPOMO challenge. 28 days - 28 posts.

It's all about discipline.
(I can't even type that without smiling and laughing at myself.)

Let's see how it goes. OK. Good luck, everyone.

Musical Monday: What If I Loved You?

2009-02-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

Not exactly the question you want to be asking on your wedding day...but you know...the song was swinging so we went with it!

When I married My Guy, it was a bit of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets every heart wrenching farewell scene in every cheesy movie you have ever seen. We married on one coast with my big fat Italian family and I moved to another coast. ALONE. Err. With My Guy. But ALONE! In my family, if there aren't 10 random cousins in your house. YOU ARE ALONE. Anywho, as far as wedding songs went, the last thing I needed were a series of wedding songs that would tear my heart out. Soo.....we went with an upbeat song that was sweet enough to melt our hearts everytime we watched "Return to Me" ONE OF MY TOP 10 FABU ITALIAN AMERICAN MOVIES OF ALL TIME! But the melting was not a cry...it was a smile. So we moved around the dance floor with the three steps we learned at our one dance lesson and WOWED the crowd...err..or at least ourselves.

The following is the only clip I could find....

So, ladies and gents, I give you our wedding song "What if I Loved You" by Joey Gian from the movies "Return to Me".

I still get teary eyed every time I hear it and remember that sweet day!

Now go check out Jori-o's picks at Jeff & Me + Three and show us what moves you!

You Prolific Bastids! I love you!

2009-01-29T13:15:00.000-08:00

OK. I'm not telling you anything you haven't already figured out....we are not daily bloggers. The best I can do is feed and water my children and family daily. In fact, if you could see the way my scale keeps inching up...you'd be sooooo proud - I'm excelling in this department...but that's another story.

Anywho, we went away. We had good intentions about posting daily from La Bella Italia, but you know how that went. Then we came home. We HAVE SO MUCH MATERIAL. But do you see it? No. We have TONS of great pictures. Do you see them? No. We have two children who give us more daily material than you could possibly believe. Do you hear about it? Ummm..no. We should be posting every other minute...but we don't even post every other day. I'm on my knees confessing over here!

(deep breath)

OK...so we are basically blogging deadbeats. However, you prolific fabulous bloggers, aka Prolific Bastids, who give me so much daily pleasure in reading about your lives and viewpoints have gifted us with two awards. I should be thanking you and you guys gift us with awards!?!? Talk about rewarding bad behaviour! I LOVE IT!

Noah's Mommy, who does not have one, but TWO, fabulicious blogs gifted us with The Fabulous Blog Award!

If you haven't been over to Noah's Mommy's blog...make a bee line over there right now! She is one of the people that you wish lived next door so you could drop in regularly for a cup of tea and her funny take on life. Via blog...we can...so do! Thank you Noah's Mommy...you are a sweetie!

With this award comes responsibilities...I must pass it along to 5 other FABULOUS blogs, but I must list 5 addictions....and to that I say...ONLY 5????

Ok...here we go:

The Him/ The Husband/ The Dad's Kisses! Killer good!
The Him/The Husband/ The Dad's Hugs! He's tall. He has long arms. Do I have to say anything else. Talk about enveloping hugs! LOVE IT! Addicted!!!
My daughters penchant for calling her big brother " My big Sister" Let me use it in a sentence for you: "Mama, don't talk to My big sister like that!" picture the hands on hips!
Jane Austen MOVIES whenever possible add in a comfy chair, blanket and QUIET...ahhh...I need a 12 step program.
A great romance novel or 5000! Ala Julie Garwood, Ala Julia Quinn.

Ok...did I make you sick!? LOL...good!

I now pass on The Fabulous Blog Award to the following FABU blogs and Prolific Bastids!

Adlibby on the Loose! - smart and hilarious, deep and fabulous
Jeff & Me + Three - sweet and funny, bubbly and heartfelt
Pearls of Wisdom - Pearl's endearing humor will keep you coming back for more.
Cucinario di Nonna Ivana - OK...it's in Italian. The pictures alone will keep you coming back for more but the recipes, are. to. die. for. She is an absolutely lovely lady and understands and writes English as well. Go over. It's killer.
Decisionally Challenged - Georgie is DA BOMB (can you even believe I used that phrase) Her confessional alone is worth the price of admission...err..it's free!

Now go forth and frequent these blogs!

Ok...the second award comes from Rhaingel at Penpusher, a blogger who I suspect will become a great writer, screen writer and director. We will be seeing her life on film some day. She is poetic, lyrical, deep and very wise for one so young. I believe she is a wonderful find and a great read. Somehow, this young prolific bastid returns the lovely compliment of frequenting this fuddy duddy (can you believe I used that term on myself?) blog and gave us the Lemonade Award! How sweet is that?

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

But I say do whatever you want :)

Here are 6 blogs that make Lemonade Beautifully!

Thank you, thank you, thank you....and I hope these awards bring you the smile that they brought the whole crew on The Goo Goo Ga Ga!

Musical Monday: Sleeping Beauty - Once Upon A Dream

2009-01-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

Jori over at Jeff & Me +Three has been having Music Memory Monday for quite a while....but now, with a bloggy friend, has made it official! Musical Monday!

Wow...what a production! Congratulations to Jori and Diane!

So...musically speaking...here is what is currently moving me on many levels! ;)

This is a song that was not on my radar as a child. I don't remember it at all. It is a song that has become a beautiful part of my children's lives. Until LG (little girl) came along LM (little man) ruled the roost along with the movie and music selections. We all enjoyed the CARS soundtrack, I promise. Little girl cheered him on with every song played. We went through the MULAN soundtrack, most recently the WALL-E soundtrack and with that...HELLO DOLLY. As soon as Little Girl saw Sleeping Beauty she became mesmerized by "Once Upon A Dream" and was immediately transformed into a Princess! She sings the song from the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed and in recent days has even suggested that I sing the Prince part of the song because she's the Princess part. She IS the Princess part. I love it!

The lyrics of the song are very simple and seem to, every day, become more fitting for what I feel for my two little little ones. Carrying them each around in my belly, knowing them so well...loving them so well....before we met.

I know you
I walked with you once upon a dream.
I know you
The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
Yes, I know it's true
that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
the way you did once upon a dream

Go check out Jori and Diane and experience your own Musical Monday!

Why do 30 Minute Meals take me 1 hour and a 1/2?

2009-01-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Rachael Ray,

I really like you. In all honestly, I kinda liked you better before you had your own talk show and I didn't have to listen to you.... ummm...well....talk so much...but all in all...I really enjoy your goofy little stories about your family and walking with your dog Boo. I enjoy your quirky, sentimental good-naturedness...and I adore the way you are making cooking for your family seems like a joyous adventure and symbol of familial adoration rather than a tedious, looming everyday annoyance. In addition, the meals that I have made from your book, TV show or Food Network program (all the 30 minute meal brand) are usually very delicious. However, they do NOT and I repeat, DO NOT take 30 minutes to make.

This whole 30 minutes meal fabrication has got to stop! The myth that you are perpetuating is making me feel...well...inadequate. I know that your show is filmed in 30 minutes, but either you are bringing in a team of helpers during the commercials or you are lying. Now I'm not saying that ALL of your recipes aren't standing up to YOUR test of time, but most of the recipes I've tried are at least double the time.

So, just to prove the point, I challenge you to come to my home and prepare one of your recipes...I'll choose. Then I will blend into the background and watch you preform. Here's the catch...you must prepare this meal with the same joy and challenges the rest of face when preparing one of your so called 30 minute meals from home. You have to juggle at least one child around the age of 5 and hmmm..let's say, another child around the age of 2. You'll need to be fielding phone calls from your land line as well as your cell phone. A nice added touch would be having your 2 year old have a breakdown of some kind (maybe low blood sugar) and have your 5 year old keep asking when the meal will be ready. They should probably be playing a game in the room and of course, occasionally squabbling.

Keep in mind you will need to continually reference the recipe to keep the experiment and challenge authentic.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

So, c'mon...just between us...you know these recipes require a bit more than 30 minutes. Truth in advertising would dictate that you title your show and books "30 minute Test Kitchen Meals /90 Minute Real Home Meals", but I'd settle for you coming over once a month and cooking the meal. :)

Your Friend and Fan,
The Me

Pompeii...the circus clowns would be proud :)

2009-01-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

I titled it this way because it felt like a circus when we left Pompeii. You see we had a non US sized minivan that we were about to fit 7 people, 3 large suitcases, 3 small suitcases and 8 pieces of various sized carryon items (ie...audio visual bag...diaper backpack...etc...). Circus clowns could not do a better job of packing than my new found Italian cousin. I'm including pics along the way with this story so pay attention ;)

It was after we met my wife's cousins that the fear started to set in. My wife, I could tell, was wondering how in the world we could fit one more body and luggage into our car. We didn't have the heart to tell the cousin with the small travel bag that we didn't have room. After all, she was hosting us at a hotel on the Amalfi coast for 2 days. We couldn't....You just don't do that to family!! What were we to do?

Well...this feeling persisted the rest of the afternoon. It was after lunch (check out that antipasto dish!) that we had the bright idea of trying to find an auto parts store that sold luggage racks for the tops of cars. We did find such a place but to no avail....they didn't have one. One of my wifes cousins..the one helping us with directions around on our walking tour of the ruins....told my wife not to worry.... that she was an expert in packing cars....it would get done!! On the rest of our tour of Pompeii , we had to be safe in the words of my wifes cousin. Ya see she is very happy that Obama is the new US president and she took every opportunity to recite the Obama slogan of...."YES WE CAN!!"

Well it was getting alittle late in the afternoon. The sun was down. It was my job to tend to the job of packing that 7th person's luggage into the car while still making room for her :) My partner in crime on this mission was non other than my new YES WE CAN cousin. Let's just state beforehand that I know very little Italian and she knows not much more than "YES WE CAN" I say this all with loving terms because by the end of this trip I learned to love these new cousins of mine as my wife has for many years. They are beautiful people! That being said....we proceeded to after taking all the luggage out....piece it all back together. Hand signals were a must...pointing was imparitive....smiles and gestures included. I had my doubts. We barely got 6 people and all our luggage in the minivan...how were we to stuff a 7th. Here we are in a dimly lit parking lot next to the ruins...all the luggage out...and amazingly we were able...with a very strong shoulder press on the hatch....to close the car up. It was at this moment the high fives of "YES WE CAN" rang out and we had mission accomplished.

The workers on the side of the parking lot were probably getting a big chuckle out of our circus. But in the end, this tall blond American man and that short gray haired, bigger than life, Italian woman were able to do the unthinkable. Next would come the piecing all the bodies into the car..it was like a car version of Twister but in the end...all were belted in and all were secure. It was now on to the Amalfi coastline for us all!! Ciao Pompeii!!

Our First Day In Rome

2009-01-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day to be in Rome...of course anyday is a beautiful day to be in Rome. We ventured via train to the center of town. (Our son loved the train ride!) We then made our way towards the Colosseum via The Trevi Fountain and lunch. Lunch was great! We found a little place right next to the Trevi Fountain that served great pasta dishes and more importantly they made up some "chicken cutlet" for the kids which they loved along with their many bread sticks :). Didn't have the heart to tell the kids that their cutlet was veal and not chicken :) Shhhhh!

After lunch it was off to the Colossium. The Colossium is just one of those places that just makes you pinch yourself. Here is something that the residents probably don't even pay attention to on a regular basis...but if you just stop and look at it ... the history behind it...it just makes your jaw drop.

We met my wife's cousin for espresso and sweets at a cafe... need I say... Right across the street from the Colossium! It was right behind my daughter who was enjoying a delightful Italian sweet. This was a fun first day to be sure. I will have a post on this same structure when it comes to the last night of our trip in Rome... One of my favorite nights of the trip.

After our reunion we were off by bus to try and find the Hertz car agency. It was quite an adventure! One that took us by the Spanish Steps even ... Funny how you can be looking around a town for a car rental place and right around the corner is the Spanish Steps...well ..that is Rome!

As you can see it is getting a little late for the little ones. The wife and I are busy with paperwork and car seats at this time. It is not too much longer till we are packed up and ready to hit the streets of Rome with our self named navigator Penelope ... Miss Neverlost from Hertz!

Well... We weren't more than 500 feet up the tunnel from Hertz when I discovered that Penelope was looking at the stars in sky instead of finding us a route. She could not find us!! It was then that I pulled over and the slightest amount of fear crept in. It was dark by this time. I knew if I ventured onto the upcoming roundabout that we might be in roundabout hell for the foreseeable future. I also knew there was no way to drive back into the tunnel that was Hertz. Well...after what seemed like an eternity...Penelope did finally acquire us and we were off onto the streets of Rome....WOW! I can safely say that we and Penelope did make it to the hotel. We turned a half hour ride into close to an hour one...but we did make it. Penelope only had to "recalculate route" a few times :)

Day one is ended! It is off to Pompeii domani!!

How I Lost My Mother in London's Heathrow - Part of a Series

2009-01-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

We are back from our holiday in Italy!!!! It was a fabulous trip! We laughed! We cried! We hugged! We walked! We were in awe! We took photos! We climbed! We drove (and drove and drove) We spent all of our time with the family of our hearts! We figured out that we all have the same smile! We realized that we all have the same heart! We basked in the glory of Italy...AND....We ATE!!!! (and ate and ate and ate).

I wanted to post from the road. (insert maniacal laughter here) Since I couldn't find a way to tear myself from the joys of the moment...some posts will be from my road diary...some will be from my memory and some will be just totally made up from photo reminders.

A great big Thank you! to all of you who sent along Christmas and Vacation good wishes! We missed all of you and your blogs and are looking forward to reading everything you've been up to in our absence!

OK....here's what I remember (Day 1)!

December 17, 2008
LAX - Heathrow, London
London - Rome

We are here! 22 hours door to door and everyone is present, accounted for and happy! The kids are smiling and still carrying their individual backpacks! We are all still talking to each other!

Success!!!

The kids were phenomenal on the plane. They took to their seats and proceeded to become familiar with their environment. All buttons were checked and cross checked. Press button 1 - light comes on. Press button number 2 - light goes off. On/off. On/off. On/off. Everything seems to be in working order. Press button number 3 - smiling air person runs to my attention....they ask me if I would like something. Then they ask me to push button 4. They run away. Button 3 - people react. Button 4 - they go away! Hmmm... Little Man immediately made note that we should have these buttons installed in his bedroom. Little Man and Little Girl both made it a point of checking and cross checking the control panel throughout the flight.

We flew British Air. I've flown British Air without kids and enjoyed the experience greatly. With kids....OMG....I LOVE THEM! The personal TV with a variety of movies and shows was wonderful....add in the plethora of items the flight attendants brought the kids for drawing, coloring and reading...I could have packed at least a third lighter!

Upon arriving in London, the flight attendants approached us about wheel chair assistance for my Mom. The wheelchair was waiting for her, but since we were being disembarked on the tarmac, they would be escorting the people who needed assistance first. Since there were so many who needed wheelchair assistance, they asked if we, her family, could please meet her at the gate where the little bus would be dropping us off. OK....no problem.....UNLESS you have a history of losing your mother! So, off she goes...my little Mom...before I lost sight of her....I questioned the flight attendant again about our reunion point. She assured me that Mom would be waiting for us at the gate where the bus will drop us off.

I believed her. We exchanged smiles. Things were going great!

Mom wasn't there.

There we were at the gate...with 8 carry on bags, 2 kids, one who needed a bathroom and one who needed a diaper change. My bladder was crying for help...and... No Sicilian Mama. We asked, we looked around, we made our way down the endless corridor...no little Sicilian Mama. The kids started asking. "Where's my Nonna?" I started asking. "Where's my Mom?"

OK...we weren't in a hurry to catch our flight. We had a 4 hour layover. HOWEVER, Heathrow Airport is HUGE and even though they speak English there, it seemed that there was a language barrier every time we asked someone where they might have taken someone who was escorted off of the plane via wheelchair assistance. To add to the drama (and at the time it felt like drama) I was holding Mom's plane ticket and passport. So....here we are....in an endless hallway, holding more bags than we should have been allowed to carry on the plane, with a 4 year old and a 2 year old not knowing were to go....but walking QUICKLY. I guess it seemed if we walked fast enough...we'd find her quicker. We reached a set of chairs and the kids made a decision for us. They climbed up on the chairs and sad down...both proclaiming that they needed a rest. My good Guy decided to go back and find her. It was like a scene from Last of the Mohican's. "I will find her!" he proclaimed before running down the hall. Ten minutes later, My Guy came running back. He'd found her! But they wouldn't release her to him without her passport and airplane ticket. All tolled...she was gone for 45 minutes. We had a beautiful reunion and all had a victory pee at the nearest bathroom. We also had 3 hours to review and laugh about the experience!

It was a great 1st day!

We are back!!

2009-01-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

Yes we are back on the Goo Goo Ga Ga from our Italian Holiday Adventure!!

As of now we are struggling a bit with jet lag and are in desperate need of naps :) Without them we are dead by 4:00 and struggle just to get the kids in bed and ourselves shortly after.

We did get all of your well wishes along the way. We just were moving at such a quick pace that it was hard to sit down and say "hey" Heck we were moving so quick that we didn't really have an opportunity to pick up any gifts for the peeps back home...sorry to all.

We did have a wonderful time traversing the Italian countryside! Our stops included our start off point of Rome, then to Pompeii, Amalfi, Lecce, Paola, Santa Ninfa (in Sicily), Paola, Bologna and then finishing off back in Rome. We drove 2500 miles in our quest to see all of my wife's family that we had set off to see on this trip. They were all enchanted by our kids! We have left the family with the Donald Duck saying of "what's the big idea!!" We have because our 2 year old daughter said it every 2 minutes we were with them :)

The wife will post later with more details. We took 8gig of pictures so we have a lot to do to weed it down so as not to bore the folks back home when we start our viewings :) In the meantime we are still exhausted. We have lots to tell later.

Buon Natale and Buon Anno to you all!!

We had a great time but it's good to be home.

Ciao for now!

Life on the Goo Goo Ga Ga Goes Italian!

2008-12-15T22:42:00.000-08:00

I have been absent. There is a good reason. We,….being the whole Goo Goo Ga Ga Staff, are hitting the road for the holidays. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and apparently he is visiting The Goo Goo Ga Ga Griswolds in Italy for Christmas and New year!

Tomorrow evening we are jet setting to Rome and many destinations South of Rome!

How exciting!

How fabulous!

How wonderful!

Yet I am slightly terrified that I will never make it on the plane. Even more terrified that I will not make it OFF the plane!

A 4 year old, a 2 year old, a 78 year old, The Me and The Him – we are all hitting the road for a 12 hour flight to London and then 4 hours to Rome. If we survive the flight….3 weeks of Road Trip await! We will be tripping our way south of Rome to spend Christmas and New Years with my Aunts, Uncles and multitudes of cousins.

We are going to try and be totally awesome and post from the road.

However, knowing myself too well….we will most likely be posting next year!

On that note…I wish all of you….a Buon Natale! And a most Felice Anno Nuovo!!!

Thank you for listening …err…reading! I look forward to happy blogging new year!

Barbra Streisand, Spanish?

2008-12-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Our Little Man loves music....all kinds....especially soundtracks from his favorite movies. Well...WALL-E is the current favorite that led us down the primrose path to one of our favorite musicals, Hello Dolly. So for the last few weeks all we hear are the pleas of Barbra Streisand telling us to "Just leave everything to me", and "Put on your Sunday Clothes". I want to publicly thank Barbra in helping us out in the *getting dressed department* on Sunday mornings!

Anywho, this morning, Little Man is enjoying the music while relaxing and my Mother (The Nonna) approaches Little man. Here's how the exchange went:

The Nonna: Little Man, do you know who this is, singing? (can you hear the Sicilian accent)
Little Man: Dolly
The Nonna: No, Bello, this is Barbra Streisand. Can you say Barbra Streisand?
Little Man: (clearly ignoring Nonna)
The Nonna: Barbra Streisand. Say Barbra Streisand.
Little Man: No, Nonna, I can't say it...I don't speak Spanish.

So there you go. Little known fact: Barbra Streisand is Spanish. At least to my 4 year old Little Man.

Cracked me up.

p.s. This post is a long time coming. And I'm sure during this holiday season, no one noticed (Except my Super Bestest Bloggy Friend Adlibby!), BUT there is a reason! I will blog about it before long!

The Fourth Installment of the Husband

2008-11-30T23:31:00.001-08:00

This is my final post of the evening! Yeah! I have committed to post 4 times this eve and I will prevail. After a day putting bucks and doe's on the lawn....putting together IKEA type drawers and shelves for the kids room...I can finally say Goodnight to you all.

This husband is going to sleep...on to Monday!!

OUT!!

Christmas Survey! I LOVE THIS STUFF!

2008-11-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

OK. I went over to Georgie's blog at Decisionally Challenged and found two things. She has a CONFESSIONAL which you can comment on anonymously. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?! And found that she had a Christmas Survey posted (which she calls a MEME, but I don't know what that means so I'm just going to say - Survey). Well....it seems she found it on The Life of Binks, which is also a cool blog. A day in the life of binks: Christmas Meme

Long story not so short...here is my survey!

Christmas Survey!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
BOTH - Although I typically buy a huge roll of fabulous wrapping paper from Costco that wraps my gifts for Christmas for the next 3 years. I then use it as a central theme and buy bags accordingly. Sounds like I give this too much thought, huh?

2. Real tree or Artificial?
REAL, REAL, REAL - I'm not going to judge you Artificial tree buyers....but OLD people usually use artificial trees. OLD people and people who don't have fun. OK. I am judging you. But I'm kidding. Does that help?

3. When do you put up the tree? take the tree down?
Hmmm...since we are a real tree family and having FUN constantly....we don't generally put the tree up until a week or so before Christmas. We don't' take the tree down until after Jan. 6th - the Epiphany.

4. Do you like eggnog?
Yes. The creamier the better....thick...but not eggy....I don't like thin eggnog.

5. Favorite gift received as a child?
Easybake oven.

6. Hardest person to buy for?
Everyone, except myself as I'm wandering aimlessly looking for everyone else's gift.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. It's a ceramic nativity scene I painted for my father as a gift. Sadly, he died before I could give it to him. Setting out the nativity scene under the tree was his favorite part of the whole Christmas preparation. Now it's mine.

8. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail - always stressful getting them out...but out they go.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Can't think of one.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Oh, man....so many! OK...I have a top 10 - no particular order:

Christmas in Connecticut (Barbra Stanwyck version)
White Christmas
Love Actually
It's A Wonderful Life
Scrooged
Holiday Affair (Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchem version)
Miracle on 34th Street (original & latest)
Meet Me in St. Louis
A Christmas Carol
Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I normally start in earnest a few weeks before Christmas....I was always the girl shopping on Christmas Eve.

12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No. I've wanted to. But, no.

13. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My Mom's holiday soup. Homemade pasta lasagna (again credited to Mom), cousins Maria and Gisela's homemade cookies.

14. Lights on the tree?
White lights.
(during my formative years...there was a silver tinsel tree that had a rotating colored lights wheel shining on it....now it's pure white)

15. Favorite Christmas song?
Again...to many to name.

O Holy Night
Father Christmas - the Kinks
I'll Be Home for Christmas
O Bambino
Waiting For the Man With the Bag
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLaughlin
Joy to the World
Please Come Home for Christmas (Aaron Neville)

16. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Since marrying The Him....it's been a lot of travel...sometimes at Christmas...this year...the farthest yet.

17. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Yes :)

18. Angel on the tree top or a star?
I've always loved an angel - but our 4 year old (who is addicted to The Polar Express) feels really strongly about a star on top of the tree...and since I feel really strongly about what HE feels really strongly about....I feel really strongly about a STAR.

19. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas day?
Christmas Morning - after a long winters nap!

20. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
taking the decorations down and the house looking sooooo.....naked.

21. Favorite ornament theme or color?
A little walnut from Hallmark that you open and there is a family scene inside.

22. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Holiday soup, followed by lasagna, meatballs, sausage, bracciole followed by veal cutlet and all of the sides!

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
A memento of our trip. (Think GOLD, my love!)

Alright now, you do it....give us the Christmas lowdown....let me know if you do it so I can go read!

Favorite Songs of the Husband

2008-11-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

I can not really narrow my list down to one song as my wife has. I love her favorite song though. I have many times played the air trumpet to many of their songs. I love the I AM album. It reminds me of driving to summer camps. I would let it blast and run my stick shift into the floor.

Another favorite group of mine would have to be The Eagles. Driving down the coast to Take it Easy and Hotel California is this Republican golfer's speed. The last time they were out I talked the wife into going to two of their concerts. They are still as good as they were back in the 70's...maybe better!

All in all I have a fairly eclectic album of favorite tunes. I can go from musicals to rock and roll. In fact the wife and I just went to see Wicked for the third time. It has been on the car's Ipod for a few days now. It is quite possibly the best musical since Phantom. In our book they are neck and neck.

I will try and update the blog with my favorites in the coming days.

Boogiewonderland Husband Out!!

Am I sarcastic??

2008-11-30T21:10:00.000-08:00

My wife referred to me as sarcastic. It made me wonder..am I?. When you have a comeback, as I do, for people doing things that are stupid or moronic, I just say "stupid people don't know they are stupid" ...simple huh?? Gives meaning to the universe of the unexplained behavior in this world. If you get a grasp of this statement it puts life into it's place. You don't have to stress over someones behavior...you don't have to try to fix them...you have to just let them be. For to try and explain it will only send you over a cliff of despair.

So I ask...can you concur...look at my posts...am I sarcastic??

Husband Out!!

The Other Chin

2008-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

OK...this is the truth. It's not pretty. I was totally blindsided this week when I realized, while perusing pictures of my nieces visit....that I have developed a second chin.

O. M. G.

It is only visible when smiling...but it's there.

send. help. please.

(do you see how far I will go to make my 30 in 30 quota...and still...I missed it!)

Twilight: The Him Perspective

2008-11-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

It was a wonderful day. My wife's niece came into town for a short visit. We loaded up the kids and saw Bolt. As we were working our way into the theater we saw the long lines of 20 somethings standing in line to see this new movie I have never heard of - Twilight.

Well...It peeked my wife's and niece's interest enough to get tickets for it at a later time, after the little munchkins were in slumber land.

Little did I know that I would be headed that way 10 minutes into this movie.

To say it was bad, in my estimation, is an understatement. The last movie that I lost time on was the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. If I were to know that I had an option that evening, I would have opted to see those girls romp all over Greece again.

This movie should have been on TNT or some other cable channel opposite Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'm not sure which one would have won the time slot.

In closing...Bolt saved the day!! Twilight put me to sleep. I did discover there is hope for the 20 somethings out there after my 21 year old niece had the same impression of the movie that I had. There is still hope for our youth.

MUSIC: September - Earth, Wind & Fire

2008-11-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

Taking a page...err..or post out of Jori's blog at Jeff & Me+3 here is my first installment of music that has shaped my life!

When I was 9 years old I was asked an amazing, life altering question by my older cousins who were driving a car through Philadelphia.

What is your favorite song?!?

Well...even as a 9 year old I was terrifically astute and brilliant. I chose wisely and still agree with my choice....30 years later.

EARTH

WIND

FIRE

SEPTEMBER

Ahhh....this song takes me to every car ride, every dance floor, most parties and good time of my life. It still makes me move and sing along! Every! Single! Time! I hear it!

I think one of the main reasons that it is STILL my favorite song of ALL TIME...is that I still can't quite figure out what they are saying. I can never conquer this song! It is fabulous!

So I ask you, dear reader, what is your ALL TIME FAVORITE SONG?!

Twilight....huh?

2008-11-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

OK. Twilight. There are no spoilers, but if you are a Twilight lover and are easily offended - STOP HERE.

I haven't read the books. I *have* read all of the blogs gushing about this series of books called Twilight. I trust you guys implicitly...well...kinda.... Anyway, my 21 year old niece was visiting from out of town last week and I thought that Twilight might be a great young adult flick to go check out - together. She had never heard of it. However, with me talking it up the week before her visit...we were so convinced that we would LOVE this movie and series that we bought the books the day the movie came out and went to see it the first night. We took my husband, too. Do you see where this is going?

There was A WHOLE LOT OF BUILD UP!

We got in line for the movie. WE GOT IN LINE! We managed to get my favorite seats in the stadium seating movie theater...the first row as it goes up that has a railing in front, perfect to perch my dainty feet. The crowd was excited, to say the least. There was quite a bit of squealing and giggling before the movie started. I was so excited.

Once the movie started....the excitement fizzled and the confusion began.

The crowd seemed pretty engaged and ummm...I wasn't. The crowd was laughing, giggling and screaming at places that I didn't understand. I felt like I was watching a foreign movie without subtitles. I WAS A LOST. We all were. My husband was TRYING to fall asleep.

It WASN'T a BAD movie, but it WASN'T a GOOD movie either. It WASN'T a BAD story..., um....but it WASN'T a GOOD story either. I thought the girl who played Bella was very good. I can imagine that the book might be better....but I had heard some references to this series being the next Harry Potter.....umm...no...I don't think so.

OK. That's it. I'm done.

Multi-tasking - It's overrated

2008-11-28T23:36:00.000-08:00

When asked how I *manage* to work full time from home in an "office" setting with two little ones in the house, my standard sing-song answer is: It's the best of both worlds.

I'm lying.

It's not the best of both worlds.

I'm so lucky!, I generally say.

I'm lying.

I *am* lucky in so many ways, but most days, I don't feel that juggling my position in the company I work for and juggling the emotional, educational, recreational and fundamental needs of my 4 year old and 2 year old qualifies me as being lucky.

When I'm told that I'm SO lucky that I begin my work day at 5am to finish at 1pm so that gives me an opportunity to be an "active" mother with my children, I want to dummy slap the mentally deficient person who failed to realize that by 1:00pm I've been SO active that there are cuts on my fingers from spinning plates and shards of china on my floor from all of the plates I've dropped and broken.

By the middle of the day I feel like screaming: I'M DANCING AS FAST AS I CAN!

I'm tired of spinning plates. I'm tired of juggling. I'm tired of multi-tasking.

I WANT TO DO ONE THING AT A TIME.

When I'm having a Pollyanna moment, *which are frequent and not liquor induced*, I do realize that I am fortunate to be able to see my children grow, be available for their daily trauma and drama as well as the laughter and milestones. But the reality is that I spend most of my day stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

Work, kids, aging fabulous mother with a multitude of doctor appointments and friends to visit, a house to clean, play dates to keep, parent participation afternoon preschool, 3 meals a day to figure out, ...and that's just the obvious stuff. Add in business meetings, dinner parties, gardening, blogging!, all the stuff I couldn't say "NO" to and all of the stuff I didn't want to say "no" to and you've got yourself a multi tasking maniac.

Here is the worst part. I'm a generally nice, fun, funny person to be around....however, when the multitasking maniac is in full throttle I am a hectic, annoyed, easily provoked power keg of angst. I yell at the drop of a hat.

How many of you guys can relate to this? Raise your hands. Ok, put them down...too many to count.

I have always been good at multi-tasking, but now see that multi-tasking has not been good to me. I'm tired of splitting my view of my job, my kids, my mother, my husband, my *everything*......with everything else!

Get this....I took my mother to a doctors appointment today. My husband took the kids out and about and there I was....in a doctors waiting room... with my mother... for 3 hours....with nothing else to do...and nowhere else to be. No kids, no work, no nothing....just uninterrupted time in a doctors office with my mother. We actually talked...and we laughed...so much...it was fabulous. We didn't yell at each other. There was no rushing or angst of what I needed to do next....just a relaxed afternoon with my full attention on one person.

I was giving my attention to one act, one person, one situation.

I want that.

I want that frequently.

I want that with my children.

I want to raise them and enjoy them. That's it.

I want to cook dinner...with infrequent interruptions....that's it.

I want to take a shower. Every day!. That's it.

I want to perform my duties at work without feeling that I'm compromising my children's emotional needs. That's it.

I want to spend time with my husband...awake. That's all.

Ok. I'm done now.

The NABLOPOMO Walls are CLOSING in...

2008-11-28T22:33:00.000-08:00

November 28th, 10:37pm - The whole 30 posts in 30 days err...thing....not going so well.....AND THERE ARE TWO OF US!

Here's the thing....I've got ideas....bazillions of them.....well at least 12! I can do this. I CAN PULL THIS OFF!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...well...tomorrow is another day.

Sign this one,
The Little Engine That Could? aka: Scarlett O'Hara

December 1st, 12:19am - UPDATE - I fell short....but barely...my sweetheart and I did a great job and posted 27 times this month! That's phenomenal! I'm so proud I can't stand it! What does NaBLOPMO have up it's sleeve for December? I'm TERRIFIED!

Thoughts from a Republican Golfer

2008-11-25T21:38:00.000-08:00

The election is over thankfully. Palin is back in Alaska. McCain to the Senate. Bush thankfully back to Texas soon. I must admit I felt as though I didn't have a dog in this race this year. I would have preferred a Romney or Huckabee. I consider myself pretty much a fiscal conservative and a socially so so toward the middle. That being said I could not rap myself around Obama mania this time around. He is basically...politically.... on the other side of us supply siders.

In this time though I can't help myself to root for this man with my whole heart. This country needs someone to rally around and I hope this man brings this country back soon. I do like the way he has positioned himself to hit the floor running once January 20th comes around. He has already come to the middle a bit. He is showing that he can't play politics with this country's future right now. So far so good. I can now say at this time Gobama!

Superstar!

2008-11-19T20:57:00.001-08:00

I feel like a Superstar today!

Noah's Mommy from Project Mommyhood has given me and my guy a blog award! Can you even believe that? And since we may never pass this way again...I feel that I must celebrate this event with a song :) Soooo...In the words of Mary Katherine Gallagher...."I think my feelings would best be expressed by a song/monologue from "Night and Day" starring Cary Grant! "

Thank you Noah's Mommy! You have a lovely warm blog and I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you consider ours worth your time and consideration! Many thanks!

Now!...everyone go to Noah's Mommy's Blog!

Now ....to make this Award official I must say these incredibly special words...cause...you know...it's special. :)

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Now it's my turn to gift this fabulous, prestigious, popular and oh so important award on the other good little girls and boys of Blogland...(can you hear Glinda the Good Witch now?)

These are all fabulous blogs and you should let your clever little fingers walk you right over to their blogs now....bring a beverage and comfy chair...there is a whole lot of good reading waiting for you!

I now dub you Awarded:

Adlibby on the Loose

Pearls of Wisdom

Jeff & Me + Three

Food, Glorious Food....and Life in General

Deconstructing Jen

The Thoughts and Sarcastic Observations of a Starbucks Addict

Penpusher

Go, now, and use your power for good!

Old Crone??

2008-11-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

I have read the posts of late on "skin tags".

I would only like to let you all know that my soon to be birthday bride is no where near the crone in Princess Bride. I, being her Wesley, would have to put her in the Princess catagory myself. Knowing what you princesses go through on a daily basis and dare I say "monthly" basis gives me a sense of humbleness at times. We as "the hims" can only imagine the pain and uncomfortableness it can be at times for you all. It is these moments that this Wesley can only say to my princess...."as you wish".

Ashes

2008-11-17T23:05:00.000-08:00

Since last Saturday, the Southland here has been awash in soot and ashes...the likes we have never seen in our area...it just usually doesn't reach us. The wife and I have noticed recently as we walk in and out of the house that we are actually walking on the charred remains of someone's home. 30 miles away, someone's home was disintegrated and floated to our home. It is sobering when you know that hundreds of residents in the LA area are homeless right now because of this fire. It is not just the rich and famous of Montecito...but in one instance 480 mobile homes went up in smoke in Orange County. So - we look at the ground full of ash and say a prayer for all those that have lost everything in this fire. Please pray for them and send them clothes for their backs...they need them.

Skin Tags....what the....?

2008-11-16T23:43:00.000-08:00

I am turning 39 on Sunday. Apparently I'm also turning into the old crone in the movie "Princess Bride". In the last few weeks I have noticed something very ODD. The tiniest pieces of skin are popping out in the oddest places....and apparently they are called Skin Tags.

They are harmless.

They are a mystery.

They are annoying.

They are odd and ugly.

The medical world has no idea where they come from.

The medical world is not concerned about them.

Seemingly, NO ONE IS RESEARCHING HOW TO STOP THEM!

And I don't like it.

Apparently you *just* burn them off. JUST BURN THEM OFF!!!! NOT YOURSELF....it's a procedure in a doctors office...hopefully after a few drinks.

Today my Little Girl found them while sitting on my lap during mass. She was running her hands on the side of my neck and said...Mamma, what's this? I replied that it was skin. She gave me the scrunched up nose and snobby voiced answer that only an over confident 2 year old can pull off and said..."No it's not....it's a boo boo...I kiss it now. Go to the doctor."

Now I know I'm not the only woman in the world with these things. It's only since noticing them, and of course, being vocal about them, that people are coming out of their shrouded skin tag silence and admitting that they too have had them.

WHY DO WOMEN DO THIS TO EACH OTHER!??!?! Why don't we talk about this stuff? Why didn't I know about them before???? This reeks of the time I found out women get mustaches (I'm Italian...I learned this early...but still)....why don't women discuss this sort of thing. Apparently....alot of women get skin tags and even though they are annoying....they are usually a benign cosmetic problem. A benign cosmetic problem I'll take instead of other more dramatic issues...but one that is annoying the crap out of me.

OK....so just to recap:

We get hair on our legs and underarm that we must shave in order to maintain our feminine appeal.
We have to tweeze, wax or thread our eyebrows, upper lips and apparently as you approach 40...our chins!!!! <---I'm so freakin annoyed with that one.
We get our monthly friend's arrival with her annoying counterparts of bloat and cramps.
We get enormous (batting eyelashes) pectoral action that we need to upkeep with horrifically expensive and terribly uncomfortable wire curved straight jackets designed to make us more desirable to once again...maintain our feminine appeal.
Personal heatwaves await.
We get to carry our progeny for 10 months (9 months???who are we kidding?) and then we get to try to evacuate them from our bodies from *THE* most sensitive area on our bodies.
We get to be full time mom's, full time housekeepers and full time workers.
The list goes on.....
And now....now....now we introduce Skin Tags.

I'm channeling Rose from "Moonstruck"...."You've got a love bite (skin tag) on your neck...your life is going down the toilet."

Would I trade being a woman?

Never.

OK. I'm done. I feel better now.

My Romantic

2008-11-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

I being the husband, the him, you might find it amusing that, yes I, before I was even married to my wife, had seen Sense and Sensibility. I also on the other hand love a good shoot up movie like True Lies. I have a wide variety of interest in movies. Bottom line...I love being entertained. I love a good story. I do draw the line at The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. My brother in law and I came to the same conclusion on that movie that we will never get those wasted 2 hours back. If fact my bro in law made mention that he felt like a jackass for wasting his time with it.

That being said...I love a good movie...shoot em up or romantic. I have realized that my son is on the same path....let me set the evening....

As dinner came to a close, the subject of Family Movie Night came up. Different names came up...but we came down on the side of Alladin with the influence of my son :)

As we are cleaning up I start looking for the movie....and looking ...and looking. You who have Disney movies know which ones you have and usually where they are. My wife and I looked high and low. We had to break the news to my son and daughter that Alas we could not find it....It was here where the choice came down to an old classic....Cinderella. My son is usually hesistant on new movies...but once he sees one, it's his new favorite :)

I had my doubts about his interest level it in this one...how long would he watch it before he started in with his cars or trains. Afterall it wasn't Cars, Monsters Inc, Polar Express...action action movies. Well....as the evening proceeded, we see that our daughter is GLUED to the screen...motionless. That is to be expected...my little princess that twirls on the floor to Once Upon a Dream. We were beaming!

It was my son's reaction that actually brought a tear to my eyes. He too was engaged in the movie the whole time. Actually there were times that he didn't like because they scared him abit. It was about the time that Cindrella's fairy god mother came out and tranformed her that he sat in the corner of the couch...knees up alittle...very engaged. He watch intently as the pumkin is transformed into a carriage and such. It is when she gets to the ball....the prince is perusing his potential brides, he spys Cindrella dancing on the balcony by herself...the prince stares, smiles, walks right by the evil step sisters......It is here where my son out of no where starts clapping his hands with this grin on his face....He was so happy that the prince saw past the step sisters and saw Cinderella. My wife and I just looked at each other and grinned. My cars and trains guy is a romantic at heart. This is not to say that we didn't already know he is a very sweet boy but now we know that he is a romantic too. That makes this daddy very happy.

Our Tiny Dancers

2008-11-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

Here it is Tuesday...the wife, the mom and I are watching our fall season ritual that is Dancing with the Stars...House... Eli Stone...Brothers and Sisters...and Boston Legal.

As we are falling asleep on the couch after our long day..we see the Dancing with the Stars segment of the brother and sister pro members Derek and Julianne dancing on the floor at the same time. We both have the same idea...could that be our dancing duo someday?

As you can see from an earlier video post...our little girl has a style all her own. Our son is a very energetic dancer when the music plays. To see them prance around the floor in front of us gives us such joy. Our little girl has just learned the beginnings of her latest favorite melody....The song from Sleeping Beauty..Once Upon a Dream. She often just peels off..."I know you...I know you...I know you"...of late she has extended it to "I know you...I know you once a pon a ream" As she hears the song she lifts her arms up and just twirls. Our little guy builds his own little stage and steps it out to "Step in Time" looking just like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.

As you can see ..we are having fun....not only with the head shots that our youngest gives our oldest but also with our after dinner dancing that fills the house on a regular basis.

It is now that time to go to bed and put the Goo Goo Ga Ga to sleep.

P.S - Now after all that you are probably wondering..."How do these two watch all those shows??" It's called TIIIIIVOOOOOO. Good night all!

My Little Ninja :)

2008-11-10T23:02:00.000-08:00

I smile in the title of this only because I know that I shouldn't have but after it happened at lunch today I had to step into the mom's office and bust a gut.

The scene...lunch time...the kids were playing with their chicken and french fries. Eating but not really in an especially speedy pace. I the dad...having finished my lunch am just watching them. I throw out the "she's going to finish her lunch first it looks like" They both get that look in their eyes and start stuffing the chicken fries into their mouth. I, being the dad that doesn't care to see my kids choking, knocked that off quickly. It did come down though, at that point, that the younger one, in her booster, had a half a piece left. The oldest seeing this proceeded to stuff a whole one in his mouth just as she ate her last piece. He mumbled that he finished first and I corrected him with ..."um mm...nope ..she wins"

Here's where the belated belly laugh came. He with his mouth still full gets down and starts wagging his finger in his sister's face to let her know of his disapproval that she finished first.....here's where my ninja quietly and non passionately just...with lighting speedy just popped my son on the forehead...all we needed was that open handed retraction and yell of Jackie Chan. Well he had to respond in kind and by then I intervened any further fisticuffs.

I found myself having a hard time chastising them too much other than saying that "you shouldn't do that" in that fatherly sternness.

The wife, and mom had a huge giggle moment when I recounted it to her.

Are we bad? :) I look at these times we enjoy and remember. Especially when they are older and truly best friends to each other.

Anybody else find humor in parenting???

POSTED BY THE HIM/THE HUSBAND/THE DAD

Powerful Woman's Motto

2008-11-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

I just received this via e-mail and had to share:

Live your life in such a way that
when your feet hit the floor in the morning,
Satan shudders and says...
'Oh, shit! She's awake!!!'

Picture angst!

2008-11-09T22:31:00.001-08:00

I'm absolutely torn on whether it's appropriate to post pictures of my children on my blog. Some of you might say....well Me....you already have....but I had done that prior to making it a public site....and well...I don't want to take them off.

What do you guys think?

Is this cheating?

2008-11-08T23:51:00.001-08:00

Hey....psst... I started this post at 11:50 or so last night but was so tired...and had so much work to do...err..work I get paid to do....that I just could not do it.....so I hit SAVE NOW.....Now I do believe that if I hit publish now....it will mark it as last nights post.....is that cheating?

Is there blog police?

Do I need legal representation?

Will a Nablopomo rep rip their little thingy off of my site.

Do I really need this to worry about?

Short and SO Sweet!

2008-11-07T21:04:00.001-08:00

My two year old Little Girl (LG) had a little cough that came out of nowhere. So while putting her into her PJ's she started coughing and I asked "Little Girl, where is that cough coming from?".

She looked me in the eye and said "My mouth, Mama!".

Nearly killed me.

When Good Dogs Go Bad: The Gracie Story

2008-11-06T22:11:00.000-08:00

Gracie is a Labrador Retriever and our first daughter. She will be 5 years old in January. We love her. This is her story.

I've always loved dogs. I grew up with some fabulous mutts, so has my husband. We both wanted a puppy.

We'd been married a year, just bought a house and were expecting our first baby. I was in the throws of the nausea, exhaustion and pure terror that only the first trimester of your first pregnancy can bring. So, good idea, lets introduce a puppy into the mix. We had visited the pound, checked the penny saver and finally found a breeder near our home who had some Lab puppies. We walked into this den of frolicking pups set on finding a *golden* lab when Gracie approached us, leaned on Eric's leg, and gazed at us. WE FELL IN LOVE, but were undecided. As we walked to the car, my sweetie and I looked at each other and voiced what we were both feeling. A puppy was adding a little too much to an already full plate. Phewww! We were on the same page: We just couldn't get the dog now. We were both a little quiet and disappointed on our drive home but by the time I woke up the next morning, I was convinced we'd made the right decision.

Apparently, my sweetie didn't get the sleeping memo.

He came home from work the next day with a leash in his back pocket and a little black lab puppy with enormous paws in his back seat.

I was thrilled.

I was annoyed.

I was pregnant!

Here she was, Gracie..., 6 weeks old and peeing on our new hard word floors. And she started growing at an alarming pace. She started gnawing on her stuffed toys that were roughly the size of a newborn infant. (insert scream here) I started having nightmares about a dingo eating my baby. I was beside myself. I was also home all day working full time telecommuting with a little puppy at my side. I had plenty of time to mentally stress. So I did what any other resourceful pregnant woman would do who grew up watching PBS reality self help TV shows. I called Uncle Matty, the dog trainer. I called Uncle Matty and cried. Here's how the call went:

(brrrring) <---ringing phone
Other Line: Hello, thank you for calling Uncle Matty's Training Center, this is Matty Margolis, how can I help you?

Me: (mid sob) Unnncccle Matty?
Uncle Matty: Yes. How can I help you?
Me: (sniffling) The real Uncle Matty?

Uncle Matty: Yes. It's me. What is your name Dear?

(at this point I'm having an out of body experience! My PBS hero is on the phone with me!)

Me: (actively crying now) Uncle Matty, My name is (Me), and my husband
brought home a big dog, and I'm pregnant and she won't listen (blowing nose),
and, and (stuttering on tears) and the dog is going to eat my newborn baby. What
am I going to do?

Uncle Matty: Ohhh, Me. It's OK. Do you know my wife's name is Me? Are you Italian?

Me: (trying to collect myself) Yes.

Uncle Matty: How nice. Me, your little puppy is not going to eat your baby
because we are going to teach your puppy how to behave and listen. OK. Take a deep breath. You are going to be fine, Me. How wonderful that you have given your child a friend.

Me: But you don't understand, Uncle Matty. My, (sob), husband agreed we shouldn't and brought home a dog anyway and now I'm home all the time and I'm so tired and , and I'm exhausted and, she won't listen and he won't listen and the baby is going to be here and, and...

Uncle Matty: Me, Me...it's OK. We are going to take that wonderful little puppy and teach her how to be your baby's best friend. We are going to teach you the tools to do that..... AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO COST YOU A BAZILLION DOLLARS! (he didn't really say that)

Me: OK. That sounds fine. I'm sure my husband will be happy to pay anything (to get me to stop crying!)
(I KNOW...I KNOW....I'm a whiner...but I was pregnant...and a dog was about to eat my newborn!!!)

So, Uncle Matty sent my new best friend to our house. Let's call her, Deb, because that's her name. Deb walked in and an hour later had Gracie sitting on command, peeing on the grass on command and had given us tips on keeping our baby safe and our dog safe from baby.

Can you hear the angel chorus now? Listen....there it is. Ahhhh.

Through those following months, Gracie became the most beloved, well behaved, exuberant, loving piece of work dog you can imagine. Through the following few years, she has become a best friend to both of my children and an absolute treasure of a dog. We feel so blessed to have her.

About two months ago, the angels chorus came to an abrupt halt. Grrrr.

We started noticing that food left on the table was missing. A piece of bread here... a plate full of breakfast left on the table in a vacant kitchen....now clean.

We've started noticing morning bathroom wastebasket raid remnants on the master bedroom floor.

How did this happen?!??!

How did a beautifully trained Lady turn into a Tramp!?!?!

Do you think Uncle Matty will remember me when I call for my refund?

You know what's funny? Five years ago my brain was hemorrhaging dealing with the peccadilloes of this little puppy. Now, a missing meal here....some ripped up trash there....annoying yes...a deal breaker??? A resounding NO.

Gracie is the first thing my daughter thinks of in the morning and last one she kisses good night. Gracie is the pillow on the floor for our kids during movies and a loving warm footstool for any of us who scratch her ears. She's my constant companion as I work at my computer and my fellow gardener when we are out in the yard. She is teaching my children joy, loyalty and that boundless enthusiasm is contagious.

Who knew good dogs going bad were my style?

It's a new day.

2008-11-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

Is it me or does everyone seem a little lighter today?

I've got an idea! GO VOTE!

2008-11-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Want to feel POWERFUL, SMART, PURPOSEFUL, PATRIOTIC, PROUD?

GO VOTE!

You'll feel like a Super Genius!

Go vote and put this National Election Nightmare behind us!

And if you are undecided - Think Obama!

Dear Santa Claus,

2008-11-03T21:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. C.,

I love you. I really do. I've enjoyed your yearly visits and yes, in the early years I profited greatly from your drive-bys. As years went by, I have enjoyed being your helper and bringing your joy to the blessed season of Christmas.

I'm writing to ask you to please either disregard all requests from my children for additional toys or, if that seems too harsh, please magically double the square footage of my home so that we can have at least one room that doesn't look like it was shaken by an irritated giant gorilla and left in trauma and disarray.

In fact, if you can't pull off the whole square footage thing, I'd appreciate it if you'd back that bad boy sleigh right up to my front door and clear out any and all toys that are strewn around the room in a haphazard way.

Warmest regards,
The Mom

Does Anyone Else Do this? Or am I the ONLY Nut in the Class?

2008-11-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

As my husband is leaving the house for work, to go to the store, etc., I absolutely, positively have to say "Be careful!" or "Drive safe" or some other life saving remark. If I don't utter the words and make them heard, I go absolutely spastic fearing he is going to be harmed in some way. I also have to add "I LOVE YOU!" or I call on his cell to make sure those are the last words he hears.

It gets worse.

When me and my Sweetheart leave the house *ALONE*, which is rare, the first conversation we have, every time, as we leave the drive way, is why we haven't arranged our WILLS in a more detailed fashion to take care of the kids in the event of our tragic death on the way for margaritas and a movie! This is on our way out for a fun night of light hearted banter.

That's not all.

Every time I have to travel without my family, I practically hold my breath until I get back for fear that my children will have to grow up without their neurotic mother.

Now, before you guys start to try and figure out my square footage to send the padding for my walls....all of this hysteria happens in the background of a somewhat normal and upbeat personality.

Does anyone go through this stuff since having kids?

Lawn Signs

2008-11-01T13:44:00.001-07:00

While walking with my children through my neighborhood I've noticed something. 5 Bush/Palin lawn signs. 1 Obama/Biden lawn sign. The Obama/Biden sign is directly across from my home. I really like the people who have the Obama/Biden sign...they don't seem to have a Messiah complex. I also like the neighbors I know with the Bush/Palin signs...they don't seem deranged.

So I ask you dear reader, can you judge a house by it's lawn sign?

Ok. I just noted that I called the McCain/Palin signs Bush/Palin signs. hmmmm.

Halloweening

2008-10-30T18:20:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the big night. Halloween has arrived and with it - all of the excitement of dressing in your best disguise, collecting candy from friends and neighbors and the joy of walking outside at *night*!

I've got two words for you - WONDER WOMAN! I can't remember exactly how many years I did my best impression of Lynda Carter with the help of aluminum foil, but it would be safe to say my Halloween appearances ran as long as the show! Various characters followed those buxom bosomless years - baby, flappers, pirates, Tigger, *THE* Virgin Mary...WHAT FUN!

Now my kids are feeling the magic and excitement of this holiday where we all get the chance to dress up and anticipate the night! Tomorrow morning my children will wake up and enjoy the day as a 4 year old train loving boy and a 2 year old dog loving girl....but by night....they will walk the neighborhood as Curious George and The Man With the Yellow Hat.

The build up to Halloween has been phenomenal and the fun of making the Man with the Yellow Hat costume has been so rewarding! Watching those little eyes light up every day when they see one new piece of the costume puzzle has spurred me on. We've all had a part - The Mom (that's me!) worked on the hat and the tie - The Dad worked on the footwear and shirt - and the Nonna (that's the Grand mom) made the brightest pair of pants I've ever seen. It was a group effort! Maybe that's the real magic...working on a project *together*!

Indulge in candy! Suspend your disbelief! Bask in the magic! Enjoy your little ones!

Happy Halloween!

BOO!

Phillies WIN the 2008 World Series!

2008-10-29T21:46:00.001-07:00

Say it with music! Woo Hoo!

The Machiavellian in me has been defeated!

2008-10-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

I started off this presidential campaign with glee....I had a huge amount of fun handicapping the Democratic race. Hillary vs. Obama!! I being the Republican golfer in the family was looking on with glee at these two beating themselves up. I even...yes I was one of those Republicans..that sent money to Hillary's campaign to keep her afloat. I wanted to see a convention fight. How much fun?!! Let them expend all their energy and have McCain sweep in. The wife will deny that I felt this way but I was impressed by the grandiose of Barack's speech at the convention. I found it utterly brilliant what McCain did, the next day in announcing Palin the day after Barack's speech. Barack was off the radar map at that point. It was a brilliant move. Would have been an even more brilliant move if they would have briefed her for...oh...maybe 2 months. As time wore on I became very disenchanted with the McCain camp...not for so much their message but how they were running their campaign. Obviously plucking someone that has no national experience or even interest until now and plopping her in front of a nation to pick over was not the smartest move from that camp and really was his down fall. When he started to loose his base, he starting losing this election. He has in this process lost me.

I can not support the other side of the ticket because I just believe ,and I hope that I am wrong, that he has a desire for economic wealth distribution in mind for this country. I have found it troubling that he has...as witnessed in his own voice...said that the constitution and those that framed it left a fundamental flaw in it and it still pervades today. He mentions that the constitution tells us what the government can't do to it's people. If does not though state what it can do for them...ie...wealth distribution. It's not a good platform to stand on in a capitalistic society.

I really can't support my party this time. I am so disappointed in Bush I can't see straight. He has spent this country's money like a drunken sailor. He has cozied up to the leader across the border too openly too. Immigration control was a big reason I supported him. He turned out to be Mexico's best friend and proceeded to do nothing for the problem that is undocumented visitors being a drain on the border states of this country. It's one thing if you want to let them stay...It should be the responsibility of the US government though to compensate the states for them....AND THEY DON'T!!

McCain, with his mismanagement of his campaign, has just depressed me to no end. I just can't support him anymore. I am voting this next week. I still want to be able to complain :) I am predicting an Obama presidency though....there is no more to be Machiavellian about :( On to 2012.

Sneaking off the Goo Goo Ga Ga

2008-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

It had been 4 years and 2 or so months since my wife and I have spent more than 4 or so hours alone...by ourselves....during the day :) I mention this because for our anniversary we decided somewhat independently of each other, that we had a desire to visit a local amusement park for our anniversary. It really was a "ya know this is kinda weird but do you want to go to Disneyland for our anniversary" I was happily surprised to hear her say that "I had the same idea".....OK! That is settled....how do we accomplish this feat? We managed to put together 2 baby sitters for a close to 12 hour visit. You have to realize that it really took the planets aligning for this to happen. We are ever grateful to our sitters and we intend to hit them up again in the future :) Not too soon though :)

I want to thank the wife, the mom, for a wonderful day of amusement, talking, and holding hands. I truly treasure the time I spend with her. We have so little time to just sit across from each other and gaze...being thankful for all that 6 years has given us. It was difficult to be selfish on our trip though... to the park that our kids looooove....but hey...it was our day. Not that the kids didn't come up often. On a few occasions we mentioned that the kids would love this or that. We had to actually catch ourselves and be selfish with Mickey, Minnie and Friends for a day.

In closing, I would like to let everyone know that we had a wonderful day at the Magic Kingdom...few rides...good conversation...good food...and closed it off with fireworks!! We are now back to the fireworks that are our children and gleefully we are back on the Goo Goo Ga Ga train. ALL ABOARD!!!

I'm a bit....UNUSUAL...nice...

2008-10-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

Debbie from This is the Life had her blogging style posted....so I decided to find mine. Considering how infrequently I post...it seems premature to put myself in a box...but "unusual" seems right on the money! What's yours?

Your Blogging Type is Unique and Avant-Garde

You're a bit ... unusual. And so is your blog.
You're impulsive, and you'll often post the first thing that pops in your head.
Completely uncensored, you blog tends to shock... even though that's not your intent.
You tend to change your blog often, experimenting with new designs and content.

What's" Your Blogging Personality?

I've been WHAT?!

2008-10-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

Tagged? Wow. What'll I wear?

Adlibby on the Loose is letting me sit at the cool kids blog table! Thank you Adlibby! I love your posts! Love your blog! I heart You! :)

Here's a couple of issues I'm having with the whole 'tagged' thing....I haven't been blogging enough nor am I...err..."popular" enough to tag another 6 people. Nobody knows me. (silently sobbing)

Anywho...I'll do it anyway, Adlibby! I really like you...and you're from Kansas!

So here are the tag/tagged/tagging/tagger rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6. Let your tagger know when your entry is UP.

Six Totally Random Things About Me:

1. I'm practically perfect in every way & I say SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS on occasion.

2. I watch the Backyardigans after my kids go to bed because I really like the music. (huh?)

3. I was really happy when the lovers finally died in the movie "The English Patient".

4. I quote from the movies "The Godfather 1 & 2" at the very least, once daily.

5. I'd rather pull my bottom lip over my head and stand on it with the heels of my feet than figure out what to make for breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks every day of the blessed week.

6. I've written a novel and several short stories but have never submitted them for potential publication - I fear literary rejection.

Ok...here are a few blogs that I skulk around...errr...read ...faithfully....at least in the last couple of weeks!

1. http://thisisthelife-dmn.blogspot.com/ - This is the Life! - Upbeat, fun and generally fabulous! Check out Debbie's take on life!

2. http://www.lifewithmy3boybarians.com/ - Life with my 3 Boybarians - LOVE the title - love the posts! Darcy and Debbie are friends....good humor abounds!

3. http://pearlsofwisdom2008.blogspot.com/ - Pearl has wisdom and HUMOR in spades...check out her fabu blog!

4. http://www.clevergirlgoesblog.com/ - Clever Girl Goes Blog is a MUST READ - grab a drink and relax....the fun never stops.

5. http://rubbahslippahsinitaly.blogspot.com/ Rubber Slippers in Italy - Excellent account an American living in Italy - the food, the stories...take a look and live vicariously!

6. http://kiwibyrds.blogspot.com/ - Food, Glorious Food...and life in General - AWESOME blog filled with humor and heart. Cup of tea and a sweet required for comfy cozy reading!

Decency Returns to the Elections....if only for a moment?

2008-10-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

I will not question his motives: Senator John McCain has earned my respect with his attempt to stem the tide of hatred.

John and Barack, put your efforts towards health care, growing the economy and getting our immigration system in order. Let's get a plan together so that we can send our kids to college without having to sell a body part, Gentlemen! We are all aging daily...how are we going to retire when our retirement fund is disappearing each passing day!? I didn't save my refrigerator box, so lets figure it out!

The Answer is in the Movie!

2008-10-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm feeling more than ambivalent about our choices for United States President/Vice President. There isn't a clear cut choice for me. November looms. I'm grasping at straws. But wait. A sign, a light....it's a movie....my future president loves my favorite movie! The Godfather! 1 & 2! Regarding The Godfather Part 3...err... "not so much"! I LOVE IT!

Check out the video!
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4472927n

Obama and the Godfather....what a combo. My favorite film! Could this be my guy?!?!?!

I guess I need to give McCain's movie, Viva Zapata, a viewing before November 4th.

In recent months, I've spent some time discussing the possibility of my husband and brother in law running on a write in ticket. Their platform would be the "Untouchables". When asked questions about their stances on the main issues they would look to key lines from the Sean Connery film. Here's how it might go:

Reporter: Presidential Candidate"The Him" what is your stance on terrorism?

The Him: (said in a decidedly Irish accent) They put one of ours in the hospital, we put one of theirs in the morgue!

So I'm that much closer to a decision. I know...I'm reaching....but there have been much lamer reasons to vote for a politician...and at least mine is steeped in Italian American fictional family tradition!

My view (last night)

2008-09-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Reader!

2008-09-27T22:42:00.000-07:00

There is life!!!!!! Thank you, Adlibby, for being our first reader...or if not our first....the first one who stopped and said HI! I have perused your blog and love your humor. People...check out the astute lady's blog! Adlibby on the Loose!

We are live! But who are we?!?!?!?

2008-09-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday afteroon I made the blog *LIVE* err...public.

I'm not sure why. The Dad and I have been having fun just having a place to share. Most of the time I've put up polls asking what he wants for dinner. :) How lame is that?!?!?!?

We are trying to find our voice, our president, our socks and the shoes to Little Girl's new Belle doll. I am also trying to figure out just what this blog should be. Is it a diary? Is it a review of current events? There are kind of enough of those, me thinks.

Maybe, like my life...I shouldn't define it....just live it.

LIVE THE BLOG! (chanting, as I push publish post!)

An exciting time in Politics?

2008-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Historically speaking, this is the most invigorating, exciting and groundbreaking time in US politics - A black man has been nominated for President of the United States by a major party. A woman has been nominated for Vice President by a major party. Why doesn't it feel like it's a major party?

When I look at these candidates, I feel like I've walked into a Coach handbag store, I've looked at all these shiney new bags and instead of wanting to buy, all I see are boring sacks that I've owned before and that didn't really go with any of my outfits. I want something new! I want style and organization like I've never seen and I want it to WORK FOR ME!

I *want* to *LOVE* Barack Obama! Heck, Oprah loves him! Why wouldn't I love him!!! He seems like a good man. He seems like he has all the answers.

I *want* to *LOVE* John McCain! What's not to love? A fatherly figure who has experience life in a way I hope to never experience and who has dedicated himself to the people of the US. He thinks he has all the answers.

I *want* to love Sarah Palin! How do you not love a mother of 5 who calls herself a hocky mom pitbull who wears lipstick! How do you not love a woman who has accomplished so much while raising a family? But yet....I don't love her.

I don't love any of them.

An exciting time in politics? Seems more like "Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody!"

Sometimes, you just need to dance...

2008-08-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

Dreams from the husband

2008-08-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

In an effort to name and claim.....which I picked up from the wife.....

Play the guitar
Learn to speak a foreign language (Italian)
Learn to dance one ballroom dance
Take a photography class and have one of my pictures published anywhere!
Be a travel agent...an actual childhood dream...not so much with the advent of Expedia.. but would still love it.
Have an "honest" conversation with a world leader
Show my wife London
To see my children grown and experiencing their own dreams.
To play Pebble Beach one more time (even though I've said I don't need to...it's a great golf course)
Learn how to cook a great tomato basil soup.
Ride on the Orient Express
A certain Cape Cod home
Visit all of the Disney parks.
Climb on the Great Wall of China (inspired by my sons interest in it)
Go on a cruise anywhere ...well ...maybe Greece

Now on to the claiming.......and also naming some more.

Lessons in Life

2008-08-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

My wife (the wife, the mother, the me) turned me on to a story in the past year. A story of Randy Pausch. She told me of this lecture series called “The Last Lecture”. The lecture that you would give if you knew you were going to die. Unfortunately he was indeed giving his last lecture. Dying of cancer, he had only months to live. I have just recently devoted the time to watch his lecture after seeing a particular interview on TV.

While watching the Diane Sawyer interview of him, I found my eyes welling up with tears. Being the “the him” I tried to hide them from my wife…not really knowing why. But definitely knowing why the tears came. I found his attitude in the face of death absolutely amazing. He had totally come to terms with his death and went on to face it with a smile on his face. One particular segment found me silently shaking though. I saw a man holding and playing with his children. Loving his wife. Knowing his time was limited. Knowing he was not going to experience the fullfullment of his childrens dreams that he talks about himself in his Last Lecture. I thought of myself. Not really a Randy Pausch thing to do. But I had to believe that even he in his quiet moments fought the tears of not being able to cherish the future of his family. I had to put myself in that position. All I could think about was not being able to see my children grow into their dreams. I felt so bad for him, even if he would tell you not to. I felt for his children that would not continue to be effected by this man. I thought of a man that would not live long enough to continue the joys of marriage to a woman that he obviously loved. I thought of all those things that I would be missing. It made me very sad.

Finally, in the quiet of this morning I watched his lecture for the first time. I was riveted so, that I took notes on particular points he made.

*Mothers are someone who love you even when they are pulling your hair (this incident happen last night as our oldest pulling the wifes hair at dinner) How did he know?

*Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted

*Critics are the ones that love you when you are doing something bad. when nobody says anything….That is a sad place to be (please continue to help me stay on the path sweetheart)

*Enabling the dreams of others later in life can be fun (lets have fun)

*Brick walls are there for a reason….It shows you how much you want something (life long process of breaking down those walls)

*Wait long enough and people will surprise you (keep waiting)

*Good and bad ways of saying “I don’t know” (I need to find better ways)

*If you lead your life right…the karma will take care of itself (bingo!)

Girls…when picking “that guy” ignore everthing they say and concentrate on what they do (this is the same advice I have for my little girl)

*Be good at something….It makes you valuable.

*Find the best in everybody: No matter how long you have to wait for them to show it.

*Be prepared. “Luck” is where preparation meets opportunity.

Thank you sweetheart for bringing me Randy Pausch. Now I must get back to work.

Dreams - name it to claim it.

2008-07-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

I want to grow up and be a professional photographer.
I want to be a professional writer.
I want to get one of many stories published.
I want several or all of my stories to be turned into feature films.
I want to be asked to direct.
I want to live in Rome for 2 years.
I want to live in NYC for 2 years.
I'd like to live in London for 2 years.
(Not necessarily in that order)
I want to study drawing and painting.
I want to take a cooking class.
I want to teach a cooking class.
I want to learn to place several musical instruments well.
I'd be willing to start with one.
I want to travel and take pictures.
I'd like to take horticulture classes.
I want to be a docent at the Huntington Library.

I've got to get back to work.

Glad to be still growing....

2008-07-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

I had an exchange with our very ambitious son the other day. Laying in the bouncer outside with him, he, out of the blue says....."When I'm five I'm going to be as tall as you daddy" To that I said "Great!!". He followed with "When I'm ten I will be taller than you". To that I said "outstanding!!" Then...the topper...he says with an animated voice "...AND WHEN I'M FIFTY!!...I'm going to be REALLY BIG!!" I was very proud that my son has aspirations of being taller than his daddy. It is something that would please me to no end. Of course my son in any package would please me to no end...short or tall. His last proclamation did give me hope for myself though. Ya see I am 46 years old. He has basically confirmed that you can still grow at age 50. I have 4 more years of growing to do :). I hope it also means that I have, atleast, 4 more years of growing mentally as well as physically. If there is one thing that I can say is that, since my wife and I got married, is that I have grown. Not only as a husband but as a father. I hope that I continue to grow for the rest of my life. I hope I continuely learn how to grow into being a better husband and daddy. Both of which I think I'm doing pretty well cause I get alot of smiles. But I want more :)))

Sometimes I'm just tired...

2008-07-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I’m just tired.

Do you have any idea how much time I spend defending the actions of my children? And one of them isn’t even out of diapers! The two little angels who came into this world with unblemished character are suddenly on the post offices most wanted list…and they haven’t quite reached the ages of 4 and 2.

Did I put them there?

When they don’t say hi correctly or at all….when they won’t acknowledge someone…when they won’t listen……when they throw sand….when they take the only ball to play with and run with it….when they talk back….when they have a pout…when they have a tantrum…when they won’t get on the phone and say hello…when they won’t get off the phone and stop talking…when they are generally rude…heck…even when they are teasing and laughing….I’m defending them. Or am I condemning them? “They are little!” “ It’s developmental!” “They are learning!” “They didn’t get enough sleep!” “They got too much sleep!” “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” (insert scream here)

What the heck am I apologizing for?

Maybe it’s me and not the children who is the issue. Maybe it’s my expectations of who they should be or what I believe my social group expects them to be.

Here’s the truth: I don’t judge other peoples kids with the same rules I condemn my children. When someone else’s kid is acting out….my reaction is relief that it’s not my child and my conclusion is that it’s one of the issues I noted above. Not a big deal. But when my child throws down….well…suddenly the world is coming to an end and I don’t let the situation drop without a thorough verbal lesson to which my almost 4 year old replies in one of the next several ways:

a.) “Mama, are you done talking yet?”
b.) Putting himself in time out.
c.) Yelling back at me to explain his side of the situation or….
d.) and kids, this is the most terrifying….a smile …the smile that tells me that he’s already picking out the corrupt nursing home he is going to put me in someday.

Next…the battle to get the child to do THE RIGHT THING….followed by a profuse apology to the possibly injured/annoyed/put-out/upset/uninterested party and the all time stupidest question: Is he/she that bad? Am I raising a serial killer? (insert louder scream here…much more shrill and demonic)

All of this is closely followed by a summit meeting by mom and dad to re-evaluate the discipline/raising plan of the kids and regroup in order to raise good Christian human beings who will give joy and take joy in life.

It’s exhausting and I’m tired of being tired.

In my lucid moments I know this: I’m helping to raise two of the most intelligent, enlightened, intriguingly unique individuals I’ve ever met and I’m overjoyed. I’m thankful. These two children are funny, bright and happy at least 70 percent of the time. I know that these times are some of the best we will have enjoying the development of our pair of human beings. And in my most lucid moments I thank God for entrusting these little people to us and hope that we can meet His expectations for raising them.

I’m going to stop apologizing. (at least try)

A night off from the Goo Goo Ga Ga

2008-07-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday morning and I'm basking in the fact that I actually went out on a date with my wife. The train that is the goo goo ga ga is nice to step down from once in awhile. But as with most parents that "sneak" away for some alone time, the conversation is always dotted with thoughts of our kids...as it should. They are such treasures in our life. We go through what all parents, we are finding, go through to some degree. The listening issues. The power issues. The struggles to get them to eat. The struggle to just get them in harmony about taking a wagon ride together. But if you itemize the time spent with this struggle. It really is a short percentage of our time. The goo goo ga ga train usually flows well. It just happens unfortunately when we are the most tired and have the most trouble focusing on the underlying reasoning behind the behavior and addressing it. The wife and mom sent me a video today of a lady that said that the first thing you think you want to say to your child should be shelved...particularly if it is going to be a negative response to a behavior. Rather you should look to the underlying reason for it. It is so true. I'm ashamed to say that I don't practice this as much as I should. I am usually slow to anger, but I am finding myself with a short fuse when it comes to my children. I have to remind myself that they are young children and do not have the capacity for moral clarity at this time. And to expect that is foolish. Not sure that I developed that trait till I was in my 20's. Things like please and thank you were not really in my vocabulary. It wasn't till I was in maybe my 20's that I had an epiphany on the subject. It was right to think of other people’s feelings. It was right to open doors for ladies, and anyone else for that matter. It was right to be thankful for everything thing that was given to me. To expect our little ones to grasp this totally at their age is setting too high a bar. The best we can do is to shape them. Our children do say please, they do say thank you, they do listen to us....some of the time :) It is our job to continually discipline. And disciplining not in the common usage. The Webster's usage tells us that disciplining is "teaching" "molding" not yelling and screaming. I do ramble but I am striving to be a better dad that does what we continually request from our children....LISTEN to them.

As you can see, even on a fabulous evening with my wife, our thoughts continue to be on our beautiful, thoughtful children.

BTW...Indian Jones last night was a fun movie. Lost both of us a little when the aliens appeared ...lol. Daddy's back on the Goo Goo Ga Ga.

Reminder to self:

2008-07-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these - George Washington Carver.

In Search of World Domination

2008-07-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day in the world. Sun was shining. Nonna had just gotten her travel plans ironed out at the local post office, with the assistance of our son and daughter of course. With the remainder of the morning at my disposal I suggested a quick trip to the "airplane park". It is called that because of the vintage Vietnam era jet that is propped up in the entrance to the park. The visit to the park started off innocent enough...big jungle gym...sand...slides...swings. Nonna took our daughter on a little walk. Our son....venturing on the the jungle gym, encounters a boy half his age...it is then that the beginnings of world domination begin. He proceeds to block the little boy with a stern look and a unwillingness to let him pass. I, as the witnessing dad, proceed to tell him to let the boy pass...he proceeds to, begrudingly, let him pass and then proclaims to the rest of the world that "WHEN I GET BIG I'M NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE PASS!!" Made me hope that he would not be tending to a bridge and asking for peoples favorite color. I had to silently chuckle and take him aside and remind him of the ol parenting line of "if you aren't nice to them they are not going to want to play with you" to that my world leader sulked over to a tunnel planning my demise I'm sure. He emerged later and asked to go to another part of the park to which I told him it was almost time to go home. Well...our beautiful sunny morning ended with water works and sadness to my dismay. At this point I was pretty sure I was going to get the silent treatment home and I was correct. I am glad to report though, that as with any good diplomatic world leader, within the hour, he is happy again to let me help him with his train set. I am also glad to report that I received I love you's, smiles, hugs and kisses from my WHOLE family as I left to go back to work. I am truely blessed....Ahhhh....Life is again grand on the goo goo ga ga :) I can't wait to get back home!

4 Things....maybe 3

2008-07-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

4 Things that I learned, figured out, confirmed or was pleasantly (OK, outrageously) surprised about today.

· My recently potty trained little boy can wipe!!!!!! (outrageously, happily, phenomenally surprised!)
· I confirmed that Elizabeth Hasselbeck on “The View” bothers me in a profound way.
· I learned that watching the reality show “Hopkins” documenting an almost 3 year old's heart transplant and woes can almost put me in cardiac arrest and deep fear. I'm forever thankful that my little ones are sleeping peacefully and healthy. God bless them. God bless Peyton and his family. To read about Peyton's story or see the episode click to: http://hopkins.abcnews.com/patient_updates/patient/peyton-penrod
· I figured out…well…I was hoping that I'd figured out something today, but upon further review….I’ll have to hope for the best tomorrow.

Four year old's musical tastes.

2008-07-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

I'm frequently amazed by my son, T. O. He is almost 4 years old. His taste in music is an evolving fabulous thing to behold. His recent favorites are the soundtrack to the movie Mulan. Tracks 1 2 4 and 5. The soundtrack to Curious George, tracks 1 and 5, and of course, the ever popular and absolute fabulous favorites of Mary Poppins Soundtrack and The Polar Express. What impresses me is his attention to detail of the music and his love for ballads as well as instrumentals. The music suites of these soundtracks are some of his favorite pieces. I remember suffering slowly as a child as my sister made me listen to a slow ballad...and here is my 4 year old getting it. I love it!

Great T. O. moment tonight at an outdoor concert near the beach: I sang a funny little ditty that I remember from a fabulous old movie called "Cheaper by the Dozen".

"We're sorry to see you go, we're sorry to see you go. We hope to heck you never come back, we're sorry to see you go!".

He heard it once while I jokingly told The Husband and proceeded to sing it with the correct tune over and over again. The husband was a laughing and was shocked not only that he could sing it perfectly after hearing it once, but a little nervous that he was going to sing it in front of the people we'd been teasing.

My almost 2 year old is just as fabulous....she knows what she likes and sticks with it. Dalmation Plantation! Again, Mama! Again! Well...that's life on the goo goo ga ga.