Humble

Last week, I ranted on about people with these enormous and very elaborate kitchens. People who use them for a display of their wealth and nothing more. I don't think it really bothers Honey that these beautiful facilities aren't used, he just doesn't get it....Neither do I.

Our home is far from any of the ones he works in. It's average in size and tucked in a wooded area on a back road. However, it's ours, it's comfortable and it's welcoming.....And truly, ANYONE is welcome in our home. We (well, Honey) as remodeled more than half the house already and has done ALL of the work himself.....Yes, including the kitchen. It's a modest little room but I love it and spend most of my time there. There has been a ridiculous amount of food cooked in it, including canning and freezing. Many conversations at the kitchen table, ones that would make you laugh and cry. The kids homework and projects are done there, clothes are folded and many happy meals take place in this little room.

Some of you have asked to see my kitchen. So here is what my Honey did for our family..... (click on the imagines to see them larger)












































“It does not matter how expensive your kitchen is if you are a bad cook."

-Marleen Loesje

Is this an honest face?

Several weeks ago, a friend asked me to stand in line with her to become part of a project. I said, "Sure" but that was before I saw the weather forecast. The day we were to go it was cold, rainy, and did I say COLD? Nonetheless, equipped with our umbrella's, we head down town to stand in line among HUNDREDS of people. Standing there, we laughed, talked and cut up with other lunatics that were there getting soaked, inspite of their umbrella's. After two hours of minimal progress, my friend decided that all though her intentions were good our attempt was futile. She made the grand announcement "I'm ready to go!" As we stepped out of line, with our feet wet to our knees and shaking like a couple of last leaves of Fall, I hear a girl say, "Would you do me a favor?" Again, I say, "Sure." "I saw that we were parked right next to eachother in the parking garage.....would you take my keys, and bring me a fleece blanket I have in the back?" I tell, her, "yeah, I'd be happy to but how do you know I'm not going to steal your car?" She proceeds to tell me, "Aw, you look honest!" I could have a BRAND new Ford Explorer, lol!

Then...

Friday evening, Honey and I actually had an adult night out with another couple. (woo-hoo) We went down town and had a very nice dinner, then is was off to a pub to listen to some Jazz. What fun! As I sat at our table listening to deafeningly loud music and sipping on my glass of wine, I notice a couple at another table, right next ot us. They were a cute couple, acting all "first datish" and were going to dance. Before they left their table, she looks at me and motioned, "would your watch my purse and drink?" I'm thinking, "What the FREAK?" I smiled at her and nodded yes. Now, WHO leaves their bag and drink with a perfect stranger? The bag, not so much......I'm sure there was nothing in it to begin with. I mean, I didn't even BRING mine with me. But the DRINK! Who leaves their drink completely unattended in a crowded bar? Well, unattended with the exception of me.....BUT she didn't know me.

There are SO many crazy things that happen to people while having a night out on the town.....JUST for that reason. Something is put in a drink (just for fun) and it turns tragic.


"A person is not given integrity. It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times."

-Unknown

Sunday Funnies

Summer time, Summer time....Sum, Sum Summer time!

At this point, I'd be more than willing to risk becoming that slice of bacon!

"Hey good lookin', what ya got cookin'?"

The answer, absolutely NOTHING! I just bends my brain thinking about these people that must have the state of the art everything. In this particular case, kitchens, just because that's what Honey does. He designs, builds and installs these amazing and beautiful cabinet. He has been in several magazines and made the cover of one, been in the Parade of Homes on more then one occasion and has been featured in many articles elsewhere.



He does this and for whom? For the people that don't step foot in their kitchen to do anything, other than look in their huge Subzero refrigerator which is, I'm sure empty. To "maybe" boil water for something, (who knows what) on their 8 burner Viking stove or just to turn the light on in one of their three ovens they have hanging out of the wall. All of which will be found cold and empty with the exception of maybe the instruction booklet on the rack. Honey actually returned to a home on the customers request to adjust something they had installed, after a 10 month period. On his arrival, he opens a cabinet door to find what, canned goods, dishes, glasses, video tapes, crayons, phone books, anything? NO!!!! He found saw dust that was there as a result of the installation along with a gum wrapper. SAW DUST!!!! These people after a 10 month period didn't even use the kitchen enough to find it necessary to ever clean the cabinet. Shame on them!!!

I was looking in a magazine called "Greater Northeast Houses & Homes" and came across this article entitled "High Performance Cabinets." Here is just a part of what it said:


For people to surround themselves with the elegant beauty of these type cabinets and appliances for the purpose of exhibiting their wealth, is ridiculously stupid and very shallow.

Now, for those people that have these very same kitchens and USE them with their families on a daily basis, entertain friends, have social events and parties I say more power to them. They have what they need to maintain their lifestyle at home. I mean I for one would be saying "I'm going to their house!"

“Wealth is a tool of freedom, but the pursuit of wealth is the way to slavery."

-Frank Herbert

HNT #16

Refreshed

Nothing like a cool drink in the Summer heat.

Happy Half Nekkid Thursday, all!

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."

~John Lubbock

Two Peas in a Pod

Formal family dinners. Table set with the finest china, sterling flatware and Grandmothers Bohemia Crystal. Sitting erect, poised in your chair and napkin gracefully placed in your lap. Years of etiquette training at work. Knowing the small fork is for salad, the water glass is just off to the right at the top of your plate and elbows, never on the table.

Being refined in this manner is regal, set aside for those of royalty status. Ones who sit great distances when at the table, speak formally and with curt tones. Unable to enjoy the wonderful experience of dining with laughter, easy conversation even the occasional spill.

Take pleasure in knowing that it's not that way in this house. Dinners are fun, easy, loud and enormously entertaining. Not much is beyond this family when gathered at the table. Michael and Mina have insatiable appetites for fun and laughter. True, the table is not the ideal place for those type appetites to be satisfied, but it does happen. I believe, when things get to the level of hysteria, fall back on the old "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" proverb. So instead of scolding, reprimanding even threatening their young little lives, I run get my camera....lol!

After all, exactly how many times do you think they will have the opportunity to put a pea in the gaping hole left behind by a tooth? Or have their Mother put a pea up their nose for the photo -op? Sure, it's unreasonable to think that every dinner will or should be this way, but when the time lends itself.....ENJOY!



Continually stifling the moment at the first signs of "outta control" isn't healthy for anyone. I personally spend enough time in the ring of discipline and welcome the occasional pea up the nose trick.

Look at his face and explain to me how you could have wanted to quiet the laughter.

"Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves."

- Marcelene Cox

A simple thing

I have seen this little boy many times so far through out the school year. This young man, has a left arm that was never fully developed. It stops just at the elbow with some very small finger like stubs at the end. I never really gave him a lot of thought and I've always treated him like everyone else. Mostly, because he is. I'd be telling a fib if I said he didn't pull at my heart just a little.

While in the library Friday, Mina for what ever reason noticed him for the first time. After he left the room, she had a million questions, all of which I didn't have the answers to....

Mina: "Mommy, why is his arm like that?"

Me: "Honey, I don't know." "That is how he was born, but that doesn't make him any less special."

Mina: "I know, but will his arm ever grow like mine is?"

Me: "No, that is the way it will always be."

Mina: "Really, even when he's big like you, he won't have all of his arm?"

Me: "No. He will grow up but his arm will never finish growing."

Mina: "Oh Mommy, then he will NEVER be able to give a hug."

Me: "Baby, yes he will, they will just feel a little different than your hugs, but they will be just as great."

I suddenly felt sad and proud all at the same time. I thought, "Man, of all the thing that he won't be able to do "so called" normally, like wear a ball mitt, do a hand stand, hold the handle bars on his bike, hand walk across the monkey bars or even raise that hand in class........Mina thought of him being unable to give a hug. A simple thing, yet so VERY important, even in the eyes of a child.

Once she realized what she had said, she looked up at me, threw her arms around my hips and gave me the tightest squeeze. I immediately, scooped her up and just held her without saying another word.


"Sometimes it's better to put love into hugs than to put it into words."

~Author Unknown

How well do you know me?

I know, I know, it may be strange considering known of us have actually met. Well, almost none of us. Still, I thought it would be interesting to ask these questions just the same. So here goes....

1. What is my middle name?

2. Do I smoke?

3. What color are my eyes?

4. Do I believe in God?

5. Do I have any siblings?

6. Am I shy or outgoing?

7. What is one of my favorite things to do?

8. What is my favorite type of music?

9. Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules?

10. If there was one good nickname for me what is it?

Good luck! Sorry, there is no grand prize for getting these correct, just the ability to say, "I know MomyblogR better than I thought. :)

I will post the answers in your comments.

“The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.”

~Unknown

Sunday Funnies

He said, she said!

He said, "Since I first laid eyes on you, I have wanted to make love to you really badly."

She said, "Well, you succeeded."


Then I said, "Hate to be her!" lol

Teaching my children well

The kids were off from school, a free day, YAY! Honey calls and asked us all to come have lunch with him, second YAY! We were vetoed on a semi adult lunch, because Daddy is such a push over, McDonalds won. We pick up Dad and head to the golden arches. Everyone was enjoying their meal and as usual there was plenty of laughter. Apparently, I didn't think there was enough going on at our table. I bit off a piece of my straw paper, chewed it up and tucked it into my straw. (you see where this is going?) While no one was paying attention I dart Honey, right on the CHEEK. (man was it funny) He looks at me with huge eyes and inquires as to what my problem was. lol! My reply, "Nothing, why?" The kids are hysterical and grab for their straw papers. The battle is on. Honey, clearly a bit aggravated with my juvenile behavior but not at all shocked, just shook his head. I peg Michael in the side of the neck. NOW, Daddy thinks it may be a little bit funny. "DUDE, Mommy just nailed you!" I let the kids get a couple launched before I had to put a halt to the war games. I didn't want to completely destroy the local eatery, and YES, I did pick up every spitball we shot. (I'm not completely irresponsible)

I'm thinking next, launching peas and carrot off a spoon in the cafeteria, lol!! This parenting thing is a blast.


Did you know? The first drinking straw was constructed by winding strips of paper around a pencil and gluing it together. The first patent for a wax coated paper drinking straw (made by this spiral winding process) was issued to Marvin C. Stone of Washington, D.C. in 1888. Initially the straws were all hand wound, but in 1906 his Stone Straw Company invented a machine to wind the straws.

HNT #15

In the rearview....

For the most part, it's ALL behind me.

Happy Half Nekkid Thursday!!

*Have you any idea the task, of taking a picture of your own ass?
“The test of an enjoyment is the remembrance which it leaves behind"

-Jean Paul Richter

Nothing is free

Very little is without cost. Everything costs something. If it's free, you can bet it won't even make it home before it's broken. Every person I know has worked very hard for the things they have. Nothing has been handed to them and it's certainly didn't come without sacrifice.

Working for what you want is something that we are teaching our kids. If there is something that they just can't live without, than they will just have to work for it.

You want that doughnut?

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Then get busy!!

Smile of sweet success!

You just can't live without that cookie?

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Then you better get on it!



Please. Who am I kidding? My guys get more handed to them than they should. But in my defense, they do have some things that they are responsible for.


"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Valentine preparation

Time to get all the little sweetie cards ready for classmates. The selections have been made, Princess cards for Mina and of course Hot Wheels for my little gear head. Michael decided to for go his mail box for school. Mina on the other hand took great pains in getting hers just right. This was an hour plus creation. Here is Mina, busy with her preparation....

Race car boy, did take all of ten minutes to scratch out his classmates names on some cards. That however, is as far as he was going. I didn't even have a chance to get my camera before he finished. Here is Michael, busy with his preparation.....

Just how is it that we come together? Men and Women. Or, maybe this is exactly why we do.

Have a fabulous day! Remember to be extra sweet to your sweetheart today. I know I will be to this guy.....

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-Robert A. Heinlein

One step forward and two steps back

Pushing the grocery cart is always a treat for both my kids. Why this is, I have no idea. This trip it was Michaels turn and he was happy to do it, even though we only had to pick up a few things.

The items are being checked out and I ask my driver to please return the cart to where it belonged. He was happy to oblige. When he finished, he bounded back to where I was, all smiles. He was happy to report the while returning the cart he had asked a woman twice, "please excuse me." Apparently, he couldn't get around her. I was digging through my wallet, so I didn't say anything to him. I did however, shoot him a quick smile and a wink. Just as we were getting ready to leave I told him I was so proud of him for using good manners. He said "Thank you Mommy." Just at that moment he pointed and said "That OLD lady over there said that I had good manners too."

OMGosh! I quickly turned to look were he was pointing. Thank goodness this woman was not aware the she was the subject of our conversation. I grabbed Michael's finger and tell him not to point, and that he should NEVER call a lady old because it wasn't good manners. Well, one out of three ain't bad.

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

-Emily Post

Sunday Funnies

Here's an update for you....

Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire Pig....

Just to get a little sausage!

Trapped!

We attended a party for a friend of a friend. It was a family gathering so naturally we had the kids with us and not knowing the hosting couple, made Honey feel a little uncomfortable. Not me...what do I care? A party means lots of good food and usually lots of fun. Besides, we knew the people we went with, that's good enough for me.

Never having been in this home, I take a quick visual tour to locate all the important areas, the bathroom being one of them. Inevitability, one of the kids will wait to long, as to not miss any fun and there is always a mad dash. (endlessly hoping it isn't occupied)

The kids were off playing while Honey and I sat among 40 or so complete strangers shooting the breeze. I decided, I better relieve myself of some of the Fresca I had been downing before I have to make a mad dash. Luck would have it, occupied. Honey informed me that a man the size of a TANK just went in. Now, we are both sitting there watching and waiting. Finally he emerges, followed by an enormous dark, VERY smelly cloud. Crap! Literally. I now have to go in there. I remembered seeing a candle, so I took Honey's lighter with me to help ease the painful smell.

While in there, my mind wondered and I thought, "Man, imagine if the bowl suddenly stopped up?" I laughed to myself thinking, "Certainly FRESCA isn't going to cause a problem." I finish, pull myself together, flush and wash. I turned around and OMGosh, the bowl is PLUGGED!!! Now, I'm trapped in this stinky ass bathroom, in a home where I know no one, with a stopped up toilet. What am I going to do? Think, think, THINK! I wanted to close the light and run out but I couldn't. The bathroom was in the center of where we were gathered and a blue streak screaming out would have drawn way to much attention. So, I cracked the door and saw the friend we came with. I wave him over and told him what happen and to DO something and do it FAST. Apparently, he told the home owner, because she came and handed me a plunger. WHAT is THAT? I didn't do it...it was TANK!! He should be in here, not me. I only deposited a little Fresca. Being the prefect party guest I am, I did it. But I'm telling you one thing, the next party I'm bringing this....

"Well, I don't use the toilet much to pee in. I almost always pee in the yard or the garden, because I like to pee on my estate."

-Iggy Pop

HNT #14

The age of discovery....

...then they NEVER let go!

Happy Half Nekkid Thursday

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes."

- Marcel Proust

Tagged For Four

I've been tagged by my friend Aisha for my list of fours. The last MeMe I did was regarding my weirdness. I believe that has been established. I'm not sure this will be very entertaining, never mind interesting but I'll give it a try. Here are me fours...

-Four jobs I've had. Wow, I've had so many, I should have become a professional applicant.
1. Bank Teller
2. Waited tables for Resort Hotels (hot, HOT guys)
3. Accounting Department for Interconnect Company ( WAY to much stress. I could have easily become chemically dependent, lol)
4. Chiropractic Assistant

-Four movies that I could watch again and again.
1. Dirty Dancing. (Being from the Catskill region of NY, it's an easy movie to relate to. The dancing is not too bad either, lol)
2. Pretty Woman (Just a feel good, happy ending, chic flick...love it)
3. Good Fellas (Something about the bad boys)
4. The ultasounds of both my kids. (I just remember how incredible it was to see them for the first time)

-Four places that I've lived.
1. South Florida (High School, sun and FUN!)
2. New York (Wonderful childhood, went back and met Honey)
3. Alabama
4. North Carolina

-Four TV shows I love to watch.
1. Friends (Still, even if they are all reruns)
2. Will and Grace (Jack and Karen are hysterical)
3. ER (I know, they are reruns too but they are great)
4. King of Queens (I have to agree with Aisha, great show)

-Four places I've been on vacation.
1. Mystic, CT (Mine and Honey's very first time away together, amazing)
2. Japan (My Dad was there for 3 years with IBM. What a place and talk about crowded)
3. Canada
4. Spain (Went with friends when I was in High School. My MAN, I think they have just now replenished their Sangria supply. One of the best trips of my life)

-Four book I love.
1. My Bible
2. Pillar of the Earth (Anything from Ken Follett)
3. The Left Behind Series
4. Anything either of my kids bring home from the library.

-Four websites I visit daily.
1. My blogging buddies
2. Email
3. AOL News
4. ThinkExist (That is where most of my quotes are found)

-Four favorite foods.
1. Italian Desserts (Cannoli's, Napoleons, Biscotti, Tiramisu OMM!)
2. Seafood (Love most of what comes out of the ocean)
3. Chinese (Take-out is the best)
4.Pasta anything

-Four places I'd rather be right now.
1. Tropical
2. Tropical
3. Tropical
4. Tropical
Again, I must agree with my tagger on the ocean part. I would LOVE to be anywhere the sands are white, the water is every shade of blue and green, where the sun will brown your skin and bleach your hair, and they serve every beverage in a coconut shell with a little umbrella.

So there are my fours. Hope you've enjoyed them. I won't tag anyone, but if you haven't done it please help yourself.


“There are four questions of value in life... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love."

-Unknown

Olives

It's lunch time and Mina places her order. A half of a ham and cheese sandwich with a glass of Sunny-D, some pickles and several green olives. Happily, I fill her order and before I finish she sneaks an olive from the plate. Popping it in her mouth she asks "Mommy, are these the olives with the bones in them?" I giggled and told her no, that those were the black olives that had the PITS!


"Except the vine, there is no plant which bears a fruit of as great importance as the olive."

-Pliny (AD 23-79)

Branded by "Hot Steel-ers"

Ah, catch me if you can.....

PUNKS!

Love, love love the Steelers and I love this man....

I mean, look at that face. Now, there is someone who enjoys his work, lol.

Come here, gimme some love. There's nothing better than a victory squeeze from a team mate.

"Team guts always beat individual greatness."

- Bob Zuppke

Sunday Funnies

This just made me laugh......

Remind me NEVER to ask Honey for my hairdryer, lol!

Goodbye Handsome Sal

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, my oldest and dearest friend of 18 years The Daily Rant, lost her Dad. It was sudden and completely unexpected and certainly NOT what I thought she was going to tell me that morning.

Sal will be missed greatly by all who knew him. He was charming, charismatic, funny, smart, a successful business man and most of all he enjoyed life. He was a fabulous cook, love to entertain and had an answer for everything....a wise ass. There are so many things that could define him but I think the picture captures the essence of who he was.

I, will remember him as a ridiculously handsome man, who wise cracked, love to chat, play cards and would call me by every other name except mine. Also the man, who as a young girl of 22 I had an insane crush on. He was just captivating.

I am saddened beyond words for Rant and her family. They will feel a void left by his absence and miss all that he was. However, the wonderful qualities that Sal possessed will live on through his daughter, for she is just like her Dad.



“Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life."

- Jean Paul Richter

HNT #13

All buttoned up....

...well, maybe not ALL!

Happy HNT everyone.

“You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present."

-Jan Glidewell

Oh thank God, it's not just my two

There they were, Mutt and Jeff. Two little kindergartener's standing in the doorway of the office, lost. I asked them where they should be and like any well informed student of that age they said, "we don't know." I laughed at myself for even asking such a question and decided to help them find the rest of their class. How they became separated from the rest of the group is beyond me. There is only about 5-6 thousand of these little guys in the kindergarten team.

We head down the hall, just us three on our great search. Talking, giggling and just plain having fun in the moment. (oh, to be FIVE again) As we pass each "specials" room ( music, gym etc.) My new friend Mutt, would peek in the door window to see what he could see. We arrive at the end of the hall were the Art room is located with Mrs. Routolo. Mutt glances in the window and I asked him "is your class in there?" He smiles big and says "No. This is Mrs. Retardos class, where we have Art." Hoo-LEE COW! Well, I come unglued with laughter and didn't know what else to do but kneel down and give him the biggest squeeze. This came immediately following my taking off his shirt and turning it around the right way. Mutt, what a sweet boy. You just gotta love these guys.

We locate the rest of the 5 thousand assembled in an empty classroom for a program. The boys hugged me and got lost in the crowd.


“I learned that you should feel when writing, not like Lord Byron on a mountain top, but like child stringing beads in kindergarten, - happy, absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another."

-Brenda Ueland