Insomniac TV choices

Damn orange soda..

I never usually drink Orange soda, way too much sugar for my unhappy with weight mind. But for some reason it seemed irresistable today. Staring out from the fridge at me like a neon bar sign, when i grabbed ingredients for dinner. Dinner- grands biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese make your own sandwiches dinner.
To make my predicament worse, during my running around after school shopping; kmart got blinds and two cans of soup for a recipe, Target a box of Kcups, candy bars and the most delicious discovery ever! Maxwell house in tin small jar pumpkin spice latte mix! Couldnt resist it! Made it at 5:15 while cooking the bacon, taking trash out , discussing school with my son, wiping counters, checking through mail, answering phone and sweepin the kitchen floor. But even amidst all that The maxwell house pumpkin spice latte mix was heavenly!! Drank it blocking all the noise out, ate . Drove my nephew home and came home to hurry dishes loaded to dishwasher , read A US weekly magazine about Njreal housewives . Watched Xfactor, thought some were great, some not so much. Thought marc anthony on it tonight was a rude snot. Listen to my niece gush over the young teen boy band on it. Shes so dramatic , its actually funny. Thats when i made the bad decision to drink the bright, bubbly orange soda. A tall ice cold over carbonated sweetness.
So here is the result. 12:43 am . Laying here , switching channels, thinking of a million things. First. John Gotti documentary on OWN channel. That i really enjoyed and was interested in. Thought how didnt his family know of his position as they say? How nice his clothes were i thought. I wondered how the power felt? How knowing you made order to get rid of someone felt? I thought i agreed with the disappearance of the neighborhood man who hit his son young frankie and killed him in the street with a car. I know most wont agree, but i did. Grief does things.
Next, A mystery of a woman named kittys death, which was unsolved for 26 years. Through pictures, diaries and trickery they convicted the exhusband. I thought sad, you never know what someones capable of. I know its wrong, but i’ve always sympathized with the criminal side of acts, wondering what made them do whatever they did. Maybe its since family members have served time. Being young knowing an uncle is “away” or” just got out.”seeing food cooked and wrapped up with inmate numbers in sharpie marker written on top. Having a chritmas dinner with family at a state prison. Polaroids for memories. Yeah . Maybe.
I thought about snow pants. I should buy them now before thebig expected snow in 2 months. I thought that my car needed to be washed, that i need cornstalks. I made a mental list of christmas gifts i could get. About would I hear someone break in? All this while tryin to block out snoring. I was going to write a note for my husband to wake me eArly when he gets up at 5am. Why?to make pork roll . Not sure. So instead I did dishes. Well, 2 cups. Checked the doors. And as much as I hate cats, i have a habit of looking for them when i check the doors. They are out there. Sneaky cats lurking. When it snows you find out how many with the tiny pawprints in trails in my yard. Yuck.
Back to my room and jersey shore is on. It entertains for a lil bit. Back at the house! Deena is thinner . Vinny got a tattoo, situation is sober? No fun. Ronnie sammi same shit. Pauly d funny, jwoww seems lonely and Snooki I feel bad for. Who wants to be the pregnant party pooper at a shore house? Go home prego.
Oh fabulous Rocky 3 just came on. Now you know thats a must watch. Christ, I am from originally south philly hes like our damn city mascot. The symbol of fight. Makes you want to get grey hanes sweat outfit and run through the italian market. And friggen pauly whodidnt have one of them related,? What a classic. A great find on an insomnia night. Now I may want a pretzel . I may still be up at 5 when my husband wakes. Ahhh orange soda who needs those gross 5 hour energy?
Get Sunkist orange bubbly . Wish i could vacuum.

weekly photo challenge / solitary

 I took at the philadelphia zoo. it defines solitary to me. so sad this lone gorilla came to the glass in search of something. entertainment, attention, affection. not sure but he was so sad.

Gravy cause thats what my family says / Memories of a unused dishwasher

Sometimes I can’t think of what I would be thinking.Granted I was 19 when I moved in and became a housewife, but so many people would love to have a dishwasher. I actually remember storing Tupperware in it. Odd . We never had a dishwasher growing up; and I guess to me it was just different to use it. I had always seen everyone hand wash everything at families homes, even if they had it. Did it mark you as lazy if you did? was it worth waiting to fill it to run a cycle? Thats what I would think and respond when asked why we didn’t use it. Really I believe it was due to my meals consisting of a baking sheet and two plates and 2 forks. My first meal here at my house Was Fishsticks and tater tots. Still a joke to my mom today, she at least says it once a year. All those years of me and my boyfriend dreaming of our alone, independant life. And he got Fishsticks. I bet he was scared. And well at least missed his mom. Another Favorite I made up and cook alot was browned hamburger meat, a jar of salsa and kraft mac and cheese baked together in a casserole. I actually asked my husband the other night if he remembered it. He said no. Don’t blame him. It has been 15 years since we moved in on that January day. Alot of tater tots, stuffed chicken with broccoli and cheese , fries, fish sticks ,frozen pot pies, and The worst in my mind ; Dinty moore beef stew over rice(yes I know) later. I can Say proudly that I never cook any of the above at all.and Have become a good cook!
And love to bake! who would have thought! I’m sure my husband was quite relieved! for at least 13 years. I mean when my son was young I baked chicken nuggets and tots for him. But no more for dinner. I plan my meals every Sunday or Monday for the week. And I use my dishwasher. proudly, and laugh at myself for all the years I ignored that shiny black lovely machine! No more tupperware storage! a blessing when you cook actual real dinners. since instead of one baking sheet you have several pots, pans, casserole dishes, pie plates , spoons, forks , knives, measuring cups. yeahhh jeez all that.

Which Brings me to Tonights planned meal. My Favorite, and the cause of many discussions and arguments. As long As I have known, My family always said Gravy. So I do. period. thats what I say when asked, and mean it. We say gravy, and brown gravy for the beef or chicken gravy. I can’t seemed to figure out what all the fuss is about. Call it what you call it. As long as its yours and you love it who cares!

I watched my grandmother, great grandmother and my dad and mom, make gravy. While all the other kids were out playing I sat eavesdropping and taking it all in. knowing one day I would be the one making it. Granted, it takes courage to make that first pot. Whch explains the above mentioned first housewife years meals. but like today, you wake and get straight to it, so it can simmer all day and be gently stirred and added to. This is MY families way. Not to be challenging anyone elses Gravy, or (sauce) .

First empty two cans crushed tomatoes (I use tutterosso) in large pot. I add one can water, I think my dad adds two. Season with salt, minced garlic, fresh oregano,cheese ( pecorino,and parmesan)

meatballs, my favorite . get your breadcrumbs, sorry I dont measure, prob. one and a half cups ,and pour in pie plate. just cover lightly with milk( my gram used real bread chunks) .let absorb while you get the meat. add pork,veal ground mix usually 1 1/2 lbs. to 2 lbs hamb. meat. add egg, today I used two since seemed like alot of meat. add the milk absorbed crumbs. add teaspon minced garlic, salt, organo, garlic powder and generous cheese. mash together. while pan heating.

fry the meatballs without touching , keep turnnig with spoon just til nice brown crust all around . gently add to gravy pot. continue til all fried. and added

fry sausage sweet, and hot cut into inch long pieces in pan. add to gravy pot. fry two cans paste (tutterrosso) to frying pan( after you rubber spatula out all grease , leaving little grease and bits in bottom from meat. ) fry paste on medium heat flattening out, and turning over with spatula. til bubbles up . add to gravy pot. now I add about half cup red wine. usually whatever I have today pinot noir. and about a tablespon sugar. if u have a carrot, throw a chunk in. remove it later.

remember to gently stir the gravy. I use large rubber spatula. the meatballs are soft and wil break up if not. I season as i go to taste. and add cheese sprinke on top every hour . just a little. put pot on just above simmer, and put cracked lid on to let some steam out.

always have nice fresh italian bread. and a salad. yumm. after about 6/7 hours gravy will be done. boil pasta and toss gravy with immediately. fantastic.

So thats what I call gravy. Because mostly thats what I always knew it as. sometimes braciole, or other meat can be added but I don’t . but any sauce cooked with meat can rightfully be called gravy my mom says. but this is how I do it. So day one of the meal planned week down. And every dish went straight to the dishwasher.

Container Gardening, Its in the planning

-container gardening is an increasingly growing trend that is a common sense way to enjoy flowers, veggies and herbs with even the smallest of space.

-for renters this is particularly appealing since long term planting and lanscape can be not the frugal decision

-city homes,balcony and even loved ones in assisted living can enjoy plant life with containers.

-the basic choices for container garden usually as follows.

-enviorment. where will this container go, and what will the sunlight be like?

- space, decide on the look you want , and if it will be a deck or patio standing pot, window box, or hanging feature, which are becoming popular lately!

-what you want to plant flowers, veggies , herbs or something larger for privacy for a deck.andif a larger tree or shrub check to see if it will overwinter in the pot or have to be transplanted to the ground.and the requirements for what you’ll be growing.

-pots.. so many varieties to chose from to accent any style, but remember to look for more than decoration. plastic holds more water longer than a clay or terra cotta pot, as does a glazed terra cotta or natural. but if you are set on a ceramic or clay style, you can always plant a plastic pot inside!

- color, remember that darker pots will draw more heat to your plants and its roots and may also make it dry out faster.while some thrive from the added root heat, some cant take it.

-dont limit yourself to a pot! so many items can become charming planters, and you may have them out in your yard ,or garage already! recycling worn broken watering cans and old gutter pieces can be fantastic! and old frying pan drilled with holes makes an adorable herb pot!the bird bath that has been in the garage can be a great succulent planter!

-DRAINAGE! always remeber you do not want your plants in standing water, unless they call for such conditions! pond perimeter plants, and bog plants will usually list this on the tag. and always. when in doubt google the plant or ask your garden center.and good 6 inches of gravel is great for allowig water to drain away from the soil.

-soil. majority of people always go to the fertilizer added potting soil. this is a good choice since perlite and fertilizer are added and add added blooms, and the lightness and drainage containers need.check the length of time the fertilizer will feed. if you want to make your own mix, perlite, vermiculite and sand can help your soil drain if added. soil moist is a product that you can add to retain moisture for those hot summer months!

common mistake many container gardener makes is make sure you are at the location for the pot will be if it is a large plant since the weigh will be some great once completed. some plants we custom plant have to be moved with a forklift!

-plant choices! most of us grew up with a pot of geraniums on our grandmothers red wooden picnic table or by the sliding glass door. but so many options are out there! dont think just annuals for pots! vegetables do great in pots and so do herbs and perrenials do it one year and your good! grasses and shrubs can be a great privacy barrier between you and your neighbor , or formal boxwoods are beautiful on your doorstep! just remember to go for dwarf varities of trees and slow growing shurbs like boxwood and alberta spruce!

-placement will this pot be having only one side facing out? or will the complete pot be seen from all sides? this will determine placement of plants and if planted on slight tilt in the soil.

-ok, so we went over the basics! now pick your plants based on what you love! but remember to check the light and water requirements and that all being planted together have the same. you cannot have a shade loving plant basking in the sun with hot dry succulents!

-if you are going with a vegetable, one per pot is best especially with tomatos, give them room to grow and thrive!and support is key with plants that will be top haevy once fruiting time comes! and make sure they have at least a good amount of time in full sun!

- herbs can be mixed and are great ot have by your patio for fragrance, and by your outdoor kitchen or grill area for ease to clip and cook with!

-with trees and shrubs, make sure with your garden center they can survive overwinter, and make sure the pot size is adequate for its growth. trailing plants around a weeping tree looks amazing in an container. small palms give a great island feel!and you can bring them inside at seasons end!

-with perrenials most do great in pots! and will just require regular pruning and fertilizing as you normally would!

- with annuals their are so many beautiful flowers to choose from! you can go monochromatic using all one tone , or contrast colors in bright hues for that tropical yard!

-a great rhyme to remember for a no fail contaners is, thriller, filler and spiller, a plant for height! thriller, and gorgeous plant o drape over the side , spiller, and filler and beautiful bushing type flower to fill it in and look lush!

just remember to keep your schedule in mind! succulents will last and be beautiful after vacation! but a good amount of plants are going to need that daily water! and even more frequent in those high degree days of summer! so take the time to find some watering globes or a neighbor with time on their hands!

Weekly photo Challenge “solitary”

I took this dreary picture at Eastern State Penitentiary. I could feel  the lonely , sad , solitary mood of the cell.

Quarter for the grocery cart

I woke up way too early today, straight from The worst nightmare I have ever had. so, at 4:15 I wound up in the kitchen ironing my husbands shirt. realizing I was out of those damn coffee pods again, I opted to feel bad for myself instead of make tea. I said goodbye to my husband shortly after and watched some news.

after falling back asleep a bit, I woke up to repeat myself four times , or I will call it waking my son for school. made him A toaster strudel and was reminded I bought the wrong kind. Dropped him off, and he introduced me to a teacher, whom I had myself. while I was in my pajamas with no bra, and the worst hair ever.

Just when I thought it was going to be just one of those days, I tried the bank and it was already open. No line. Stopped and had a delicious cup of pumpkin coffee at a friends house, with great conversation and a few laughs. Came home to only one load of laundry , checked out facebook, got dressed and decided to Make the dreaded trip to Shoprite.

Stopped at a new carwash that I heard about and got a fabulous wash inside and out for 6 dollars less than my usual place. Even included free car fresheners. I choose leather. pulled into mass chaos of Shoprite. but surprisingly found a great spot . then my usual mistake crossed my mind. Being in a world of debit, ezpass and handing all your cash over to your kids, I never , never remember to keep quarters for the cart.

just when I was letting jan brady moodiness come again, there it was a shiny quarter right in my middle console. to many it may not seem like much, but today it just was more wind in my sails. had I actually grown up ? was I a prepared . car washed, quarter ready adult! no. probably not but that random thought crossed my mind.

Even thought the parade walk of carts I was invloved in was ridiculously slow, I didn’t have the usual urge to hit someone with my cart. I remebered to grab my husband his favorite poppy seed rolls. another star for me. The line of impatient looking people in front of the deli counter can be discouraging. who wants to spend 30 minutes there? well, I pulled my number and sent some texts and before I knew it it was my turn. What is going on today? I stood there and thought to myself. maybe its not the day. Maybe it’s me. Maybe for once in a long time I didnt see the worst of every situation. I wasn’t rushed. I waited for the 3 ladies to claw at hamburger packs without getting annoyed. After all, I didn’t have anywhere to be. I thought that I should really just be grateful to be able to be home during the day. thankful to afford food shopping.

I planned out meals for the week. lunchmeat for snacks. homemade gravy and meatballs and sausage with spaghetti Sunday. meatball subs monday, parmesan hellmans recipe chicken tuesday. chicken fried steak with egg noodles wednesday. pork cutlets with corn and sweet potatoes thursday. friday left overs. yes I know its just a list of meals. but to a wife, and mom its peace of mind .It’s knowing you are prepared and not going to waste money ordering out last minute. another star for me.

So now its almost two o’clock . my son will be home soon and I will have to remind myself to be thankful when he starts some sort of nagging. or his 3 friends are here eating all the groceries I just went overbudget on. at least my son is healthy. we have a home for him to have friends to. its Friday and tonight Is date night for dinner with friends. I can have a glass of wine with my husband and look at him and be thankful all night.

Even the rainiest of mornings can wind up being the most gorgeous of days.

and I had a Quarter for the cart.

Weekly Writing Challenge : mail it in/ The About you section, answered in your emails?

How do you start an ‘About Me’ section? I thought about it recently, and it’s funny how much more you learn about yourself, and even how odd you may be. When mentally rough drafting a ‘About Me’ page. What is important to you? what do you like to do? what do you look like? are you married? have kids? does religion matter ? Are you disturbed by breastfeeding in public?do you have little stickers on your car representing your family ? are those the topics people are looking for when reading The ‘About you’?

Well in wondering all these things I realized it easily how to sum up ALOT about a person, simply check out their email. In my daily checking of my email, which Is at any moment of the day now thanks to smart phones, I realized most of me was there. In the form of subject lines, senders and coupn deals?

Today for example:

1.Pillsbury newsletter-new delicious muffin tin dinner ideas.(I cook)

2.Black house white market-20% off all tops! (this one I kept, frequent shopper there)

3.my new jersey gas bill is now available for viewing ( I live in a home,in Nj, with gas heat .)

4.monster.com- jobs you may like! (unhappy and wonderous about what I should do/be.)

5.toys r us – 8 hours only! 35% off barbie! ( I have children, or nieces and nephews, or am an adult child)

6.auto finder.com- (I was or am seeking a new vehicle, or am unhappy with my piece of crap.)

7.Itunes- new on itunes pink, tv apps. ( i love music! all types, and listen to christmas music year round.)

8.pampered chef host- of course lure to host, or buy( I have friends who like me to come to their party and buy so they get free stuff.)

9.Cadillac- new promotions for owners! ( I am Italian or 65 years old )

10.my MOTHER- funny ecard for you! (my mom doesnt have the dr. or too much laundry today, shes surfing the web)

11.garden design magazine- new fall plants – ( I love to garden , and buy too many plants)

12.Cabelas- New bow Hunting sale goin on! ( I am married, or live in Alaska)

13.facebook- you have been tagged in a status ( oddly, u check this first, who the hell is tagging me? / also know as girls night out, didnt know I was tagged til today)

14.bravo tv! – real housewives new blogs are up! ( this you immediatly click on, cause you love reality t.v since it makes you feel normal)

15.spirit halloween stores- free shiping all day! ( I love holidays ,and prepare early on, and decorate too much.)

16.phillies baseball- check out the phils this week! ( I like beer, hotdogs, and rowdiness)

17. BJs – new grocery coupons! ( I eat and cook often, and food shop daily, )

18. tgi fridays- earn your strips card! ( I love margaritas, and nights out drinking them)

I won’t bore you with all 222 that I still need to delete. but you get my drift. just copy and paste your email to the ABOUT ME section! your computer memory of what you do is alot better than your own I guess.

besides that I wonder sometimes what would my mom’s about me section look like? there was no email then, would she put me to domestic shame? would it be bleach , and tide coupons? where mine is girls night reminders, and coupons for overpriced shirts ? will all of our facebook tags, and check ins be reminders forever of what our about me was like at one point? or this blog? when I ‘m old and playing checkers with milk caps will I say let me read my old blog to remember the good ol days? who knows but I am enjoying havin the random things happen. I watch birds, I love coffee, I caught a 13 inch bass fishing last week. I am afraid of sharks. I love love love Christmas, I drive a cadillac and listen to frank sinatra . when I fry chicken cutlets, the smell stays in my hair. I believe in love at first sight. I hated being pregnant, but love my child more than anything else. my family refers to golfing pants as crack ups. I love to paint. and watched my reality T.v and cooking shows. I’m afraid to get old.

how was that for my About me?

The I hate School disease

You would never know it now by being near me, that I had suffered so long with extreme shyness. but in fact I did. At home I was loud, goofy, boisterous and crazy like my siblings. but outside of my, and families homes forget it. I walked with my hand in my Mom’s back pocket. literally. I am not sure why, but I remember the weeks coming up to Kindergarten starting at my Catholic School. I was excited, got my snorkels book bag, pencil case, supplies and my first uniform. two shades of blue plaid dress, with blue button shirt underneath, blue socks, buckle shoes and a blue sweater. wow! I was going to school!

When the couple days before arrived it became sheer panic. I cried every night that it got closer. what was I going to do? would I have friends? would my teacher be nice? was there mean nuns? well on the first day , I got ready with my 3 siblings, and my mom brushed and braided my long brown hair in our rowhome kitchen. I ate cereal and flintstone vitamin and was zombie like with fear. I was excited to carry the snorkels bag, but the picture from that day of us 4 lined up in front of the house shows my tears well. we walked the 4 blocks to our school. I had done it many times walking the others with my mom. the building was familiar, the nice crossing guard was too. but going through the gate instead of stopping was not.I was walked to my new classroom by my sister and was introduced to Mrs. Marsala. she was young and it was her first year at the School. she seemed sweet but even with her sweetness and the wooden playset in the corner, it was all too overwhelming. I went to my table where I did know one other girl, whos father was a friend of my own dad. Dawn. red hair with freckles and funny. shes actually my facebook friend today. and one other girl across the room I recognized named lisa, another family friend.

that day was very Long, and I couldnt wait until recess. not to play, but to spot my 2 sisters or one brother. they found me and stayed with me while I cried I was ready to go home. the only thing I do remember liking that day was the Alphabet letter people blow up doll, and the glue with the big rubber top. Mrs. Marsala was sweet, but I missed watching Price is right with my mom ,and eating peanut butter and jelly and milk from the yogi the bear glass jar from the jelly. It didnt help that my mom also watched the two boys next door nad they got to stay home in their pancake syrup scented feetie pajamas!

At the end of the day I couldn’t wait to reach the house, to be safe at home , and pee since I was too shy to ask to go at school. Relief set in and we ate dinner then I realized I in fact had to do it all over again the next day! dread! I cried that night and everynight for that whole first year of kindergarten. I invented every ailment known to my 5 year old mind to convince my Mom to let me stay home. I prayed for snow days, and weekends came as a delight to me to be in the comfort of my home. that year in school, I did play with lisa and Dawn. I ate lunch with them, and in the wooden corner playhouse. but I recall not speaking to many other people , and often lying to Mrs. Marsala that I had forgotten my nap blanket. that way I could sit at my spot with my head down instead of laying with the others. my mom wound up volunteering two days a week reading to students in the library to make me feel better. that did help. but all in all the fear of school, or maybe being near so many unknown people didnt go away. I still missed my mom every day and thought how cruel that I had to go!

summer came and I was elated! fire hydrant water play, neighborhood pool, boardwalk with family down the shore, but always the thought was back in my mind that it was coming. dreaded September. and as it would come I would start my crying at night begging my parents to not make me go. first grade was pretty much the same, as was second. In third grade I was a little bettter but , also moved to a new place and school. so that brought on new issues! Fourth grade was the turning point with school , and my life. I remember crying the night before because I had gotten an Man Teacher, in fact a over 6 ft. and very large man teacher.

I started fourth grade the next day, and was intimidated by him at first. but after the first week I couldn’t wait to get up for school! my family could not believe it! I only missed one day that whole year! my teacher was the funnest, craziest, most unconventional teacher ever! we used no boooks, we used dittos, and had to talk at the podium. every friday we did the jumble rom the local paper, the first to solve getting a huge hershey bar. he gave me a nickname, skippy, and taught me to laugh at myself. not to be afraid, to do what we loved.
The end of that year brought tears, but about leaving school to go off for summer. I didnt want to leave my dear Mr.D.. and after that year my shyness went away, I laughed and made friends, and I owe it to that teacher. I still think of him, and still do the jumble today.

so really i think my school disease came down to a personal problem with anxiety, not knowing others, and not being home. home was safe to me and I could be myself. after fourth grade I went to school, but never loved it, and still liked to be home instead. but had come out of my shell, and became my self . I think often that all these kids starting pre-k at 3 is scary. scary for them , I know. I was 5 and was petrified. maybe a full day is ridiculous, I know it makes it easy for the parents but some of these kids can just not be ready yet. even if they like their snorkels bookbag.

I struggled to go to school on a daily basis always. and think in a way I should of been treated for anxiety , or whatever it was. but Then I remember the fun and love of that fourth grade year where I missed only one day. the year the school disease dissappeared.

Dusty blinds, birthday blues and bolognese

Where to start, havent written in a while and it reminds me of my old ramona quimbly diary from 3rd grade, and how I’d feel guilt when I didn’t write.
Slump may categorize it. Just feel off the last week or maybe week and a half. Like a repeat of that morning you wake late, have no time for coffee can’t find socks and your child wont wake up.
Its my birthday week and usually a great week. Weather starts to break from the heat, fall plants are about for purchasing; and pumpkin coffee teases you daily in your mind like the little devil in old cartoons. I have been blaming my age. Blaming my thyroid, blaming becoming what I wanted and now what??
When most people after high school were off too college, I was floating amongst cloud nine… Directly into role as a housewife , and then expectant mother just as I had dreamed to be. My baby is now 13 and would just die if I thought of giving him a kiss or hug! Let alone speak to his friends. My husband is busy with work, meetings and calls.
And I’m still here.
I do work 2 days doing decorating which I like. but I am now thinking long term. And finding myself lost in possibilities , or truthfully the lack of.
When you dedicate yourself to family life, when it can be so rewarding it doesnt exactly read well on a resume.
I recently felt i had become a lady who lunches. Don’t get me wrong it’s nice and relaxing but not many friends are home during the day either. and doesn’t help the never ending hate relationship with the scale.
Yesterday I pulled every curtain down to wash, washed every window and it all started with those damn blinds..
Summer pulled me a bit to far this year having fun .well I guess cause I was embarrassed when I seen the dust all over my blinds. It was horrible! And again – when you stay majority of your time home theres a feeling your home should always be “kept” As my Nannie used to say. ( she once cleaned a sink faucet so deep it broke ) and everything was homemade from scratch.
So through two friend phone conversations I pulled down, cleAned ,wash and put back together. Sounds fast now but really took most of the day. Then with attention deficit like mine, you start projects in each room u walk in and get sidetracked!
And by the time my husbands home it looks like i have watched soaps all day , since he doesnt notice clean curtAins and windows.
oddly enough I do enjoy Ironing and my food shopping time. On weekdays that is. When you can take your time, not bump into a million people and plan your meals. I have a thing for thawing meat. I would Rather not, and forget too often. So I buy all my dinners for the week in the beginning . Usually Monday . Cooking and making everyone happy with delicious baked goods and meals is one thing that can cheer me up easily. This week the one dish that did it was pasta bolognese . Easy and Delicious , saute onions in butter and olive oil with small chopped bacon or panchetta, then add pork and ground hamburger( I also did veal) breaking up and stirring til brown, add oregano, salt , pepper, red pepper flakes. Add beef consomme, or broth and one cup white wine. Heat on high until almost all liquid completely gone. Add whole large can crushed tomatoes . Simmer for couple hours. Serve big scoopfuls over bowls of pasta,, delightful! And fullfilling even to a down housewife.
So after this week of thinking of whAt I could do with myself. I realize maybe I either watch too much T.V!( fabulous Window merchandiser/ designer = sex and the city , hgtv .)
(Pastry chef, food reviewer , food truck owner= food network. ) or just dont know where to start! How does a housewife, or stay at home mom start something new ?
So thats my slump. Or maybe its my soon to be Age .I really can’t pinpoint why. But guess we are all entiltled to our pouty time. I dont know but I just watched julia and julia and now want to make bavarian cream.
I lay here writing this , feeling a little better . But still slightly slumped. Perhaps tackling all those weeds , and overbloomed plants out front tommorrow will fix that. Thanks for listening.

Sweet thunder Summer

When I was young there was a time all
I wanted was to be an only child. I remember sitting on my basement steps wishing It. That seems horrible to me now, but I did.Part of it was over my sister getting a new bike and not me! Yeah I was a brat like that. I remember the day like yesterday, My dad left in his tony from who’s the boss blue van, and said he was running for gas. Me and my sister sat with barbies on our front step while my mom swept and sprayed down the sidewalk, and the one of only two trees on our city block. I actually always felt special that it was in front of our house , like it made our house better . Yeah odd. Even odder the fact that I associated upscale families with ones who had white carpet,a pool and a bowl of hershey miniatures in their house. I always said to myself I would have a pool and hershey miniatures when I was an adult.
The van pulled up and my dad open the back door like a price is right prize stage. It was beautiful ! Pink and chrome with an odd shaped seat and a big plate in front! Huffy sweet thunder it said. with a pink number 2 I think? My sister beamed over this new gift! I sulked , exactly resembling a illustration from a Ramona Quimbly book.
Up and down the block she flaunted the sweet thunder, and knowing I was jealous yelling naa naa! And smiling devilishly ! I don’t know if I caused it with thoughts, but her next pass by taunting, A Bee stung her in the tongue! True story!! It was horrible, she sat with a swollen tongue, and for laughing I was yelled at , and this is when the basement step wishing to be an only child moment happened.
I actually felt bad for my jealousy. Especially being that the bike made our summer! The seat was so big we both fit on it! We used to even both sit and have a friend stand and pedal! Haha makes me laugh and smile! She always shared sweet thunder, maybe the bee sting taught her!
She became infamous on that bike , like our blocks very own dennis the menace. she was almost hit three times that summer by a white chevette and still didnt look when crossing. She ran over a young boy and knocked his two front teeth out, and rode over the back of a wedding dress ! Like a story out of a judy blume or beverly clearly book. It sounds too funny to believe! But its all true, and that whole summer was unforgettable. Swimming in public pools, ice cream, happy meals, barbies, and the fire hydrant!( which is something everyone should do at least once! )
Summer ended and with that my birthday came, in Kiddie City , I picked out the coolest at the time, purple and white bike with unicorns called the Fantasia. It was my turn and it felt great! But nothing compared to the summer of the sweet thunder with my sister! Still to this day!