Archive for May, 2008

My Italian heritage…

May 29, 2008 at 12:02 am · Filed under family

It’s catching up to me! I have been struggling with some deep issues and, well, today they came to a head. I couldn’t sleep last night and felt awful, emotionally speaking. I called my counselor for a solo appointment, because as of late, Phil and I both go together and we work on stuff together. Well this couldn’t wait and I needed the privacy to discuss things. Well come to find out that the source of some of these issues is the fact that I am Italian and missing my culture, family and heritage out here in little old “*******” Ohio! I miss the community of a neighborhood as well. This little township just doesn’t know what it means to be neighbors in the way I need. We don’t have sidewalks and we don’t gather to chat except on rare occasions to gossip about other neighbors.

So I am missing my people. It’s no wonder I am all about online communities. In the course of searching for the perfect vacation spot, I found online forums to discuss the DR and Punta Cana. You know what? I am enjoying just reading the conversations especiialy the “getting all in your face” ones. I miss those! I miss my family, as dysfunctional as it is, it’s still my loud, talking Italian family. They know me and I know them. We eat together and laugh together. My life is similar to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the movie, so much it’s not funny. Ric, my counselor, asked if I had ever seen the movie! lol…I said yearly! Then I also noted how I had just quoted a line from the movie while on the phone to Phil while on my way to the appointment. How funny is that?

I need people. I need socializing. I need community and marketplace. I need to cook and eat with people who enjoy a good meal of pasta, meatballs, salad, and hot milk sponge cake. I need Italians. My next vacation will be to Italy. Mark my words, I will go there one day.

I am currently uploading my Italian family’s genealogy CD that my cousin Mike made for all of my family and cousins. I need to email him and thank him again for the hard work. I think he needs his people just like I do. Too bad he lives in Oregon or Washington. See, it’s that bad that I don’t know where he lives. Sad…

 

People, where are you and how can we get together? I need it and I need it now! I think in the meantime, I am going to cook a big pot of sauce and meatballs and invite someone to share in the experience with me like Ric said. I hope Kathie is available cause I think she will appreciate it.

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My turn to break the rules and work stuff

May 27, 2008 at 8:14 pm · Filed under jobs, menu plan monday

Ok I accidentily went into an express lane with my 20 items today! Argh, I hope Carrie doesn’t get mad at me.  I brought my reusable bags and everything but clearly the cashier was not amused when I realized my goof and apologized. Gee whiz!

And I am not an employee for any store! How I wish I could wear a sign! Please don’t get mad at me when I tell you I don’t work for stuffmart. I just don’t, and no, I can not check prices with my scanner. And just because you once worked in retail doesn’t mean you can tell me how to do my job. And I am not allowed to say who I work for, just that I do market research, so don’t get mad at me. And don’t mumble under your breath while walking away, I can still hear how mad you are that I am not helping you even after I explained why, over the store’s “muzak”. Whew….and when I do try to help you, at least say thank you. I am busy counting and remembering my job when you ask…”where do you keep your….”…well at home, it’s in my junk drawer but the store carries it in aisle 139X! lol….

Ok, I feel better now.

I still don’t have a menu plan. How about we just overdose on carbs? No? Really? I need to fit into the new capris I bought yesterday. I did give myself a treat of 3 small pieces of special dark chocolate after that day at the stores.

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A vent and a rant…ignore if you wish…

May 27, 2008 at 1:02 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

I am getting awful tired of being invisible to a certain online community I frequent. I often post and very few participants seem to respond. It’s getting old. It’s like high school. One participant’s trips and life’s happenings gets all the attention while some of us just get ignored by the larger community. It’s just getting old. People are hurt by this kind of behavior. Unless you have some special situation that appeals to the board folks, they basically ignore you. I guess I fall into the boring life category for the most part. I am thankful for those who support and encourage me but come on! If I were so-and-so who was going to the Caribbean for vacation, there would be people all over her posts within minutes with all sorts of questions and help and suggestions for clothing, etc…but not mine. What gives?

I think I might just take a break from there and move on to other things in my life.

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Glimpses of my life

May 26, 2008 at 8:26 pm · Filed under family, jobs

Right now I am dealing with Mt. Laundry as I have forgotten about it all week long. Working and appointments and activities will make a person forget everything! There are exciting things happening in my world. Phil is almost done with his current occupation and looking forward to getting back into his first love, aircraft mechanics. Anyone need one? Jake is doing terrific at school so we didn’t make any real changed to his IEP but he did excede this year’s current goals which is fantastic for him. We have another form of his meds to help on evenings when we have an activity such as scouts or family stuff that he needs to be on the ball for. He took it today and so far he is manageable. Caleb is doing great as well and will finish up 4th grade with a smile.

I am still liking my job. The paycheck is good. It will help with things as we get our finances in order before Phil’s next job.  Some things about the job that are great are finding out the sales in some stores and meeting people. The cons? People assume I work for the stores I am in and ask me where things are. If I am feeling nice and not deep in concentration and I know where the item is, I direct them. Otherwise I smile and say “Sorry I don’t work for the store, ask someone in a blue shirt and they will be happy to help you”. One woman, this past week, didn’t like my sweet smiley answer and huffed off! Oh well, not my problem.

Today we saw God’s hand of protection in two small ways. First, as Phil was cleaning his Harley, he saw a problem and upon taking apart some parts, he found it would have caused serious issues if we would have taken a ride with it like it was. There is a cable that has exposed wires and it arced when he started the bike. If we were out riding it could have started a fire. Then the other thing is that the top step of our front porch fell in on one side while Phil and Caleb were going down. Neither were hurt but Phil was glad it wasn’t me or someone else who would have been much more seriously injured. He was able to repair it for now but they will all need replacing. Good thing he is taking off the month of June and now maybe part of July as well. He has too many projects now.

Speaking of June, guess where we are headed? Phil and I are going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for an early anniversary trip and to celebrate the end of his time at the big corporation and moving into his chosen field. We are staying at a lovely all-inclusive resort for 7 nights and will just sit on the beach and enjoy the waves and crystal clear blue water and white sandy beaches. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…today I went shopping and bought my beach hat and sandals as well as some tops and another swimsuit. I also bought more sunscreen and bug repellant. Phil needs some shorts and I need more capris for the summer so we have to find time for that shopping trip. Then we begin packing. I got my passport and we have our tickets! I am so excited!!!

Ok, Mt. Laundry is calling so I better go and attend to the clothes. Have a great week and I will post a menu plan later.

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Menu plan Monday

May 19, 2008 at 12:46 pm · Filed under menu plan monday, recipes

I am back with my menu plan. This week it’s South Beach diet Phase 1 friendly. I added a few carbs for the kids but basically the main dish is SB Phase 1. Check out Kalyn’s cooking blog for lots more ideas!

Monday: Thai Barbeque Chicken, Cucumbers Caeser , deviled eggs

Tuesday: Chicken salad lettuce roll-ups, mini-bell peppers

Wednesday: Chicken Sausage & Zucchini kabobs, black beans, rice (for boys)

Thursday: Tacos, made into salads for hubby and I

Friday: Grilled Salmon, salad, pasta salad (for boys)

Saturday: Mediterranean salads w/chicken and hummus dressing, hotdogs and chips for boys

Sunday: Still undedcided but maybe an egg casserole.

 

Thanks to Laura at Organizing Junkie for hosting. Visit her site for more menus and ideas!

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Mother’s or Mothers Day?

May 12, 2008 at 2:20 am · Filed under family

Which is correct, grammatically speaking? Either way it was a great day. I got served breakfast in bed with a bunch of fresh cut lilacs from our bush that grew back this year. Two years ago it was attacked by an ant hill and didn’t bloom that year. Last year was so-so and this year it’s gorgeous! Smells beautiful. My wonderful hubby and boys had flowers, roses, and chocolates delivered on Thursday for me. They are beautiful as well. And I got a Ped Egg for my feet. My dd is giving me the gift of a professional pedicure and I will get it done with her before I leave for my vacation in June. I want pink or red toenails for vacation.  Speaking of which, we finally chose a resort and made our reservations today. All that is needed is my passport and spending money. And some new clothes. I have a bunch of stuff that will work even though it’s old but I will trade new clothes for spending money and to save on what I really need to buy.

I spent the day relaxing after we made the reservations. My honey has been chasing me all day for some fun! lol….he is a keeper, that’s for sure! And then Caleb wanted to play his Transformers Risk game for the last week so I agreed to play it tonight. Mostly because Jake was giving him such a rough time this morning about nothing and I felt as if I had to make it up to Caleb. Jake, without meds, is not easy to live with.  He annoys, invades personal space, is bossy, etc…ADHD is no fun!  Anyway, can I say here that I hate Risk, in any form? As a teen, my boyfriend, and first husband, now ex-husband, used to think a good time was me watching him and his 6 buddies play Risk for hours on end. It only got exciting if one of the buddies brought a girlfriend with him. Or if we had beer! Ah, the days before Jesus and growing up….

So I played and had fun. We got through one round! It’s set up on our table so I guess we eat dinner in the living room or kitchen or stand! lol….we will probably get through another round tomorrow night but then we are busy the next two nights. I bet that game stays till next weekend! Ah, the things we do for our kids.

Ok, I better end here, my honey is sending me suggestive IM’s from the living room! I hope all you moms get to end your Mother’s (Mothers) Day the same way I will end mine!

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Vacations and new job…

May 6, 2008 at 8:58 pm · Filed under jobs, menu plan monday, recipes

Well Phil is leaving his big corporation at the end of May. He will take about 1 month off or more. We plan to take an early 15 anniversary trip by going to the Carribbean!!! Woohoo…I am excited. I have spent oodles of time researching deals and have found some great ones through www.applevacations.com . I had to go and apply for my passport yesterday and hopefully it gets here soon so we can make reservations.

Caleb is dealing with a case of strep throat. He missed school yesterday and that put my work schedule back a day. I forgot that I was helping at another store today but that was changed to Thursday, which was good because I needed today to do some of my own! Tomorrow is going to be a killer if I try to do too much so I might leave a store for Thursday after I help at the other one. I should be done helping early enough that I will have time to go finish my stores. Ugh. I almost thought Jake was staying home today but he got up and Phil drove him in to school. I guess he was on time. Caleb managed to finish all his “make-up” work and his “gifted homework” in school today. Whew, that’s good because tonight is scouts and that means busy.

I did plan a menu out for the week and did some orderly food shopping. I haven’t done that in weeks and it has been hurting us. So tonight is sloppy joes, beans and salad. Wed is breakfast for dinner. Thursday Jake turns 13 and he requested burgers, fries and root beer floats! lol…Friday is undecided but Saturday is pizza and chips and snacks for Jake’s laser tag party. At least I have most of the week done.

I got to chat via the webcam last night with Brit and the babies. Elizabeth is still doing the “I coulda had a V-s” head slap my brother taught her at Easter. Asher can lift his head up when on his tummy. They are just so adorable!

Yesterday, while getting my photos done for my passport, I shopped at Walgreen’s. I bought a Ped-Egg for Phil to give me for Mother’s Day! I requested one and figured I would pick it up for him while I was out. He later told me he had plans to  get one for me. LOL…figures, just when I help him, he has it all under control. I think he and the boys are getting me a bunch of flowers to plant for MD.

Ok that’s it for this week. Busy busy busy. Better get cracking on those homemade sloppy joes.

2 lbs. ground beef or turkey

1/2  vidalia sweet onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic

1 bottle chili sauce

1/2 bottle water

Brown meat, onions and garlic. Drain fat and add chili sauce and water. Simmer for 30 min. or more. You can add in salt and pepper if you like. Or more garlic! Serve on buns w/cheese if you like it like that. Seems like my crew does.

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