About Me

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Full Time Mom, Wife, Work, Life - Mom to three children (adults), two are college graduates and now own their own homes, and the youngest is in college in NC; wife to Thomas; Work - one full time and multiple part time jobs; Life - whatever you can throw at me....

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year

I wish everyone a very Happy and Blessed New Year with health and prosperity and lots of love in 2010.

I will be spending some time at my parents tonight early for dinner and then around 8:30, I'll be heading to a friends house for a glass of wine and some games and some laughs.

I hope to be home by 12:05 - warm and toasty in my bed (with the heated mattress pad- best invention since sliced bread). And I think I'll sleep in tomorrow. At least until 7:00 when the chickens need to be fed :)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

It's cold out there.

It is cold out there. It is about 15 degrees right now. I just brought in the hens to keep in the garage for the night. I'll bring them back out about 6:30 tomorrow as it starts to get light.

Went to my niece Mary's game. They lost this one and Mary wasn't feeling to0 great. But at least I got to see her play a little bit.

Studied a little bit for the CPR exam tonight and I'll study tomorrow on my lunch hour again. If I pass, I'm going to Zumba tomorrow night. This weekend, I'll start getting my Zumba music and dances ready......

Hubby is watching John Wayne and I think I am ready to hit the hay.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Mondays

Very, very busy today at work....Then to work at the church, then to a wake. RIP Mr. Gaboriault.

Tonight, I am studying for my CPR exam which I will take on Wednesday. Then, I can teach Zumba! Thanks, Sue, for letting me borrow your book!

Waiting patiently for hubby to get home from work.


Sunday, December 27, 2009

NYC

Last Scene of the Spectacular
Dinner at the Irish Pub.
The Rockettes
The Tree at Rockefeller Center with my mom and daughter in front!

For Christmas, I gave my daughter and my mom tickets to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The three of us took the train in very early this morning and got to walk around a little before the show started at 9:00 am. I had not been to the show since Hope was about three or four years old. She is now 15, so it had been a while. It was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed every second of it - those Rockettes are just amazing. The weather in NYC was about 50 degrees, beautiful blue skies, sunny and just perfect! The tree at Rockafeller Center was beautiful (someday, I'm going to skate there). We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sak's Fifth Avenue, Times Square and just did some walking. We had lunch at a little Irish Pub called Langan's and I was so glad we found it. Three generations spending some quality time together - what could be more perfect!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas Day & Christmas Eve

Amelia and Cassidy with the new bike.
Nonno and Gianna
Elizabeth with her new Bed set.
Elizabeth in her Christmas Eve outfit.
Our Christmas Eve Turkey!
We had Christmas Eve at our house this year....I love having the holiday at home. We had a great time!

I had 16 people and we ate too much as usual. We do the seafood and the meat, so everyone gets to enjoy what they like.

Then Christmas Day we went to my brother's house. What a wonderful time!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Pasta Party

My last Christmas Party before the real Christmas Party was tonight. It was a wonderful Polish and Italian, Pasta and Pierogi Party. Thank you, Maryanne, Catie and Andrew!

We made the pasta, ate the pasta, drank the wine, sang the carols (and a bunch of other songs), got to visit with a ton of other people and just had a beautiful time.

Cookies are all made, snow is all shoveled (we got about 1 foot).....Just waiting for the holiday to begin!!!!!!!!

Oh, and the Steelers won, who knew?

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Woke up early this morning in preparation for the big storm. Took care of the hens, started cleaning, went to visit my parents quickly, ran to get two presents. I was home by 10:30. Finished cleaning, made truffles, made my pretzel things, made chocolate chip bars, did three loads of laundry, put the tarp on the chickens, made dinner and still no snow!!!!

Brought the chickens in, put the car in the garage for the first time, made my dough for the next bunch of cookies, and still no snow.....

Okay, it is 7:40 and the snow has begun!!!!!!!

Cold and snow??

Well, we are supposed to get some snow tomorrow, not sure how much yet. I made a few decisions, though.

I can't go shopping, because I just don't have enough time this week, so the nieces and nephews and God children are getting money. Tomorrow, I will finish my last two hand made gifts. Start wrapping and start my cookies. If there is snow on Sunday, I'll stay home and bake more and clean (something that is long overdue!).

I'll know more in the morning........

Friday, December 18, 2009

Lunch hour

I went out for my lunch hour - i took an hour and 1/2... (: BUT....I got a ton of things done. 1. grocery store for all the necessities for tomorrow's cookie bake. 2. Bank..for cash to give as presents. 3. Grocery store for gift cards for Nonni. 4. Gas for the car (1/4 tank and snow is coming tomorrow). 5. Another bank for work. 6. Walmart to return two items (I know...already?)

I feel much better about things now.

Tonight, after dinner, I'll give the kitchen a good cleaning in preparation for tomorrow's cookie bake and Sunday's present wrapping......

Cold.... and miscellaneous....

It is still very cold out there. The chickens are back in the garage again. It is way too cold to leave them out there overnight. I just brought them back out for the day. Thomas brought them in for me last night (good guy!), and he brought in the water pail, so that it wouldn't be frozen solid.

We had our Christmas party last night, and we had a great time. There were only 10 of us this year, but it worked out fine. We had our Yankee swap....Sh...don't tell my son...but I got him a whole Armour All kit for his new car. Hopefully, he will like the gift.

After the party, I went to Joann's Fabric. Can I make two more Aprons before Christmas???? I'll give it the old college try. I still have to finish one more pair of pj's too!

I just balanced two months of my checking account on line, even though I balance it every morning. The online is for the taxes, so I only have one month to go and I'll be ready by Feb. 1 to hand everything off to the accountant.

Hubby had to work a very strange shift last night, so he got in at 2:00 am this morning.

By 10:30 last night, I was shot, exhausted, and couldn't keep my eyes open. I'm overdoing it, I know....but it is only for another two weeks....then I can rest somewhat.

Oh and a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother, DAMIAN!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

This morning...

I took in the chickens last night, it was just too cold out there for them. I keep them in the cellar or garage when it gets under 20 degrees with a wind chill factor. I hope they appreciate the warmth. Although, I didn't think they appreciated being woken up at 6:00 am, they weren't too happy with me! :)

It was cold out there, their water was frozen and they were almost out of layer mash. Thank Goodness for my husband, buying me a new bag last night. I un-froze their water, fed them good and I think they like me again!

It was brutal walking my daughter to the bus stop at 6:45. I think we have a few more days of this, coming up and maybe some snow on Sunday? Maybe? We will see.

Christmas Parties

It is that time of year! Last night, I had my Library Board Christmas Party. I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that I am on our City's Public Library Board. I am a firm believer and staunch supporter of local libraries. I love them!

Tonight is my work (full time job) Christmas Party. Looking forward to a great meal and a fun Yankee Swap (that is what we call it).

Sunday is a Pasta and Pierogi Party at my friend Maryanne's house. Great food again (because we actually make our dinner), great friends and a glass of great wine!

Christmas shopping is not complete - I am really behind the eight ball. I'll get there!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Basketball

Basketball has begun. My daughter is cheering two or three times a week. I like basketball although I don't understand it as much as football.

My niece, Mary, (an absolutely great player), just got player of the week in our local paper! She had 30 points in an over time win of 36-35 over a neighboring high school team!

GO MARY!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Zumba Certification

I am now officially certified. Lauren and I took the train in to NYC on Saturday morning (5:57 - that was early!). We spent the whole day at a Zumba seminar and workshop with a wonderful teacher (Tanya) and not only got great workouts all day, but learned so much information and got certified to teach.

Lauren and I plan to start our first class mid-March. We need to get through the holidays, before we can come up with our routine and songs.

We are both very tired after yesterday, but very happy, it is complete!!!!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

TMMO

So, I have been reading a lot of Dave Ramsey lately. He is a financial person who advocates people get out of debt, stop using credit cards, pay with cash and get to financial freedom. I have been trying very hard to do all he says. I am now officially debt free (except for the house). It is a wonderful feeling. Now I'm saving cash for a new car (well a used new car :)) Life is good with not a lot of financial stress. No, life is GREAT without a lot of financial stress........

For those of you who know what I'm talking about, I am on BS4, 5 and 6

Friday, December 11, 2009

This Week

I hate when it is already Friday and I haven't been able to post all week. This time of year is so busy....

Monday night - Zumba and then work at the church until almost ten.
Tuesday night - Started my Christmas Cards, got the boys tree done in the cellar (They have a special room with a special tree).
Wednesday night - We took the train to NYC to watch Uconn play at the Garden. Great game! Uconn lost though. The game started really late and we were hard pressed to get home because we all had school and work the next day....needless to say, I didn't get to bed until 1:30 in the morning or so.
Thursday night - Worked for one lawyer, then I did my work for the condo association and the woman that I do checks for, then finished my cards and then grocery shopped and then......I made my first batch of homemade laundry detergent. I had to let it set overnight, so I'll let you all know how it came out....Very exciting.

Needless to say, I was exhausted and headed to bed about 10:45.

My husband stayed up to watch the Steelers....lose, again....

Big weekend coming up.....I'll post more on my Zumba certification once I get it..

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Happy 98th Birthday


Nonni will be 98 on Tuesday. She came over today as usual and we had a cake for her. I think she enjoyed the attention.

God Bless Nonni as she gets closer to the century milestone..........

Giants Stadium






I went to Giants Stadium today. It was freezing cold. It snowed and sleeted and rained and was miserable, but...The Ramapo Raiders won the NJ state football championships (my nephew Jesse's team). And the team my daughter cheers for, Notre Dame of West Haven, came in first in the CT state football Championship. What a wonderful day for everyone!

Jesse got hurt, though, so we are praying that all goes well with his knee.

Here are some pictures of the game in NJ.




Friday, December 4, 2009

Busy...

I haven't been able to post too much this week....Last weekend just tuckered me out.

Worked all week, ran two days, did Zumba two days, worked only one side job (Praise the Lord). Waiting for another two side jobs to e-mail me with their work.

Tomorrow, I'll be picking up my next CSA in the morning and then heading to the Meadowlands in NJ for my nephew's state high school championship. On an even more ironic note, my daughter's team is playing tomorrow for the CT state high school football championship. But she has opted to go to NJ instead. We have a coach bus taking a very large group, so I'll be sure to post pictures over the weekend.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Trips 2nd Birthday






Today was fun, fun, fun.....

Church with Nonni and the then the triplets second birthday party. Lots of food, lots of gifts, lots of kids, lots of fun. I know there aren't a lot of pictures of the triplets.....

Happy 70th Birthday




My mother-in-law just turned 70. We had a nice birthday bash for her!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Wedding

I attended my girlfriend Julia's wedding. We had a wonderful time. The food was great, the band was great, the table was great - All my C & T friends.....

Thank you, Julia and have a wonderful honeymoon in Florida.....

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thanksgiving

It was a wonderful day, plenty of food, drink and family and friends.

I was exhausted....Race first thing in the morning - 5K and I did 28:21 - not my best, but not bad...
Elizabeth's game - Notre Dame won! And then dinner with 30 people and then cards for the night. Great, great time.....

I am thankful for all the wonderful family that I have.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Making Ravioli's








Here are some wonderful pictures of our Pre-Thanksgiving party - Making the Ravioli's. Because we are Italian, our first course on Thanksgiving day has to be some sort of pasta.....

We do this every year and now that the kids are older, they do most of the work and let us "older ones" supervise.
It was a great night....
Thanks for the pictures, Linda!!!!!!



















Monday, November 23, 2009

Flocking




I was "flocked" last night!

A flock of flamingos came to my front yard (all dressed up, too!) It was a fund raiser for the local high school. Someone flocked me, so I have to flock someone else. So, I'm flocking four other people......How much fun and a great way to make some money for the post prom committee - Great idea, Cindy!!


Weekend

Saturday was my errand day, cleaning day, cooking day and spend some time with the kids day!

Sunday was church with Nonni, back to my house for an early Turkey dinner as we won't be with Nonni for Thanksgiving this year. We spend Thanksgiving with my family not my husbands. Then my mother-in-law came over for something to eat and to have some apple pie. My first time for Apple Pie in a long time. I used some fresh apples and one jar of my canned apple pie filling. It was THE best pie I ever made.....And it went fast!!!!

Then out the door to sell some gold jewelry for my mom and sister. I have already sold all my old gold last year so I had none left. They both got nice checks.

What happened to the Steelers? I can't even watch them anymore - just horrible.

Then home to the hot tub with my husband. We haven't used it as much in the past few months. We have both been very busy. But winter is our favorite time to use it. We spent 45 minutes just enjoying the beautiful evening!

Then back in to the house, made my third loaf of bread of the weekend and folded three more loads of laundry (Nonni had done two for me this afternoon). Yep, my boys are home - and I still have a load in the washer and the dryer....

Watched one of my favorite shows - The Amazing Race - no one left the show this week- no elimination this week..... And now I am ready for bed....

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tidbits...

Just had a great Zumba workout with Sue! Congrats to her as she just got certified for Zumba and passed her CPR exam!!! And has two new jobs lined up.

Rick is home from college for a week - Yeah! Dominic comes home tomorrow for a week!

All is right with the world, when my kids are home!

Tomorrow is work all day and go shopping for new shoes in the evening...Wedding next Friday and I need a pair of shoes to match the new dress! The boys need new winter coats, so heading to Burlington Coat Factory too! Saturday, I get my next CSA and Sunday is church with Nonni, a nice Sunday dinner with my whole family and then off to a gold selling party....should be fun!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pittsburgh






We went to Pittsburgh for our annual trip to see the Steelers. We had a wonderful, fantastic time! We went to new restaurants, found some awesome shopping, enjoyed spectacular weather (66 degrees) (for PITTSBURGH in November). I love that city!
Our team lost (they played horrible, they deserved to lose)! We had some flight issues, BUT (big but) it was one of the best vacations I have had. Thank you Debbie and Tony for your friendship and all the laughs!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Are you ready.......?

Big weekend coming up! I can't wait to blog and post pictures....see you Monday!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Confirmation Pictures






My daughter just uploaded the pictures of Confirmation, so I wanted to share.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Yard Work

Well, the boys came home this past weekend, so we asked them to rake all the leaves - there were a lot. We had someone else come with one of those big trucks and suck up the leaves. The yard looked wonderful on Saturday afternoon. It's Tuesday.....and the back yard is almost completely covered again. This should be the last of it, but Rick, would you mind, this weekend when you come home again, to mow the lawn and mulch the rest of the leaves??? Please??

Thank you!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

MNF



Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

B-I-N-G-O

Had a great day at bingo today - Foxwoods Casino! We took Nonni and my mother-in-law. No, we didn't win but it was a great day and Nonni had a blast. (Maybe we will win next time?)


Group

I had my friends over last night - not my card friends, my "group" friends.....Cindy, Donna, Theresa, Eva, Joanie and Christine....I had a wonderful evening my friends....I always do. So much fun to laugh and talk and laugh some more. Thank you for sharing your pictures, your videos and your time.

Love you, guys!!!! (missed you Andrea!)


Friday Night Lights

My daughter had another game on Friday night and my husband got to come and watch her cheer as he didn't have a game until today (Saturday). We won (it was a beating!) but my daughter had a little fever, so she didn't feel too great. She seems fine today, but who knows...there is so much going around.

I got my fifth CSA today....fun, fun, fun. I par-cooked and froze so much stuff already. I love this!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Confirmation

I didn't write a lot this week. It was a busy time. My daughter received Confirmation on Wednesday....very exciting for all of us. My sister is her sponsor and I took 1/2 of vacation to get myself organized. We actually had cake and coffee for her on Tuesday because I knew it was going to be a busy week. and we were all together for Tuesday night dinner.

Congratulations Elizabeth and God Bless always.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Busy Sunday

Slept in (a little). I love when we get the extra hour of sleep!!

Taught CCD, went to pick up Nonni and took her to church, then the cemetary. Came home and cooked the eggplant that I made last night for dinner today (Nonni folded my laundry - love her for that!) Relaxed for a little while, took my daughter to her Confirmation practice, went to a wake, came home and blogged and now I'm off to work on a sewing project.. Oh and I made two loaves of bread......

And no eggs, yet again......

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Busy Saturday


Made two aprons so far, cut the fabric cut for one pair of pj pants for my niece. Babysat Bruno who loves to play outside, made pizza for Halloween dinner, gave out a LOT of candy (even in the rain), fried up two eggplant for eggplant parm and watched the Yankees win. Very good Day!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sewing


Okay, I'll admit it....I haven't sewn in 31 years! It's time to start again. I've taken the handmade challenge for Christmas and this morning, I am heading to Joanne's for fabric. I have the patterns and the thread, I have borrowed my sister's sewing machine, I know for whom and what I have to make. I just need time and fabric. And a lot of luck!


Guess what I'll be doing on the weekends???


HAPPY HALLOWEEN