Mootilda

    MudWorks Pottery has been working hard on lots of stuff...shows, new items, and catalogs.  There are lots of cool new things coming out and they decided that it would be fun to have people make suggestions for their names.  I offered up "Mootilda" for the sweet cow mug.  A few others have been named since... but today there was a decision that it would become a "Name the Mug" contest.  Winner gets a mug!  Today, I brought home my little bovine beverage bestie.  I have allowed the family to share with the stipulation that it holds only milk!  I figure this is a great way to get some calcium into the kids. 
     There is another contest running until tomorrow afternoon...I'm hoping that the perfect name comes to me in a dream. 

Institute "Mama Mondays"

     You have heard me mention the balance.  The sandwich.  The many roles of a weary woman.  Well, last week I started to feel yet another shift.  I did a mild test for something I thought might be a good way to spend some time.  See I'm a fixer.  Give me a mess and I'll try to organize it.  I don't mean just the regular kind of tidying either...give me a real challenge and see how I start to buzz.  The new year brings an energy to life that I absolutely love.  Forecasts for 50° days in January in the Poconos don't hurt either.  Put these things together and a new idea will sprout the same way a seed will pop through the dirt when the conditions are just right. 
     Days are busy for us.  Tuesdays and Thursdays have turned into karate night.  It means running around to get things done, zooming to an hour class, eating dinner, doing homework, etc.  Wednesdays are piano.  Fridays are reserved for a night off with Dad.   Add work, laundry, budgets and bills, home cooked meals, housework and a zoo of pets.  Never mind that next week there is a goal to start attending the gym on a regular basis.  That leaves a woman void of quiet time...but that's ok.  I signed up  happily and heartily for these roles.  But where I do NOT want a loss is with my children.  I don't want a blur of activity and events to replace the special time that a mother needs with her child.    Last week I had a heart to heart with each child.  They are growing up and every so often I put life on hold and have a sit down.  I ask how they are and how they would like to be.  I live for my children and they are well aware of this but it never hurts to remind them of just how much they mean to me.   Did they want more toys?  More tv?  A pony?  Nope...they wanted time with Mom.  How was I to do this? 
     "Mama Monday" is the title for how we are kicking off the week in this household.  Months ago I decided that homework was to be done with them separately.  When Emily decided  not one, but two instruments needed to be played...I adjusted yet again.  I adjust.  I move.  I squish.  I make it work.  But now it is not just function...it is fun as well.  All because I gave it a title.  First, while Emily practices her baritone with the aid of her Pop Pop...Ethan and I can do homework.  Then we move onto a cooking project.  Last week it was an Indian lentil crock pot recipe.  This week I went back to the basics.  We made egg salad.  I take that back.  HE made egg salad.  He chopped and mixed and seasoned.  He took his time and I did not rush him.  In between learning some great new little things we chatted.  He is excited that he has made tomorrow's lunch for all of us. 
     Then the switch off.  Pop Pop gets time with him while Emily and I go over homework and projects.  We then made dinner.  She learns the basics of cooking, the timing that goes with it and the fun little details that make things even better.  It also gives us a chance to catch up if needed.   Dinner is a little bit later.  Things are a little less rushed.  Moods are peaceful. 
     Just a few years ago I called them "Maid Mondays".  It was a day that I worked from one end of the house to the other.  The kids were in school and I started my week off with a cleanse.  I still clean but it is all shifted.  I do things in little spurts now.  I find time to be with the ones I love.  Children.  Family.  Friends.    Now as long as the new hamster doesn't need special alone time I think I should be able to make the adjustments necessary.  As for now...I'm feeling pretty good. 

Start Harry Potter with the Kids

     It is hard saying goodbye to various stages of growth.  But for each bittersweet loss there is a brand new adventure awaiting.  I've thought about certain movies and books and trips for years but I like to wait until just the right time for them...so they are appreciated to the fullest extent.   For a bit now I have felt it is time for the boy with the bolt.  Tonight we read the first chapter of Harry.  Let the magic begin...

Smokey the Hamster

     Most people go to a party and get to enjoy a little take out bag of leftovers.  Today we brought home some sausage and peppers and a HAMSTER!  Ethan has been asking for one for years.  Years.  I kept saying no.  Then came the dog.  Thought that would do the trick but it did not.  Plus, if you follow my posts at all then you know we just got a fish tank full of finned friends mere days ago.  So how did we acquire said hamster?  Well, we headed to a gathering to celebrate two birthdays.  Kids played.  Adults chatted.  There was much laughter, many stories and even a word or two in Italian.  Oh and there was food. Can I send a quick shout out to Christine who dished up a whole day of yummy?!? Back to the hamster.  The Milano house has two busy adults, five active children, a new baby python and a turtle.  The hamster needed to move on to a new home to get some extra attention.  Seemed like fate.  Little Ethan spotted little Smokey and the deal was sealed.  They are both tucked in now...his little head mere inches from her tank.  Ethan finally has his furry little pal...thanks guys for the day, the company and the take-out hamster! 

"The Artist"

:)

A Virtual Meandering

     It's late.  Yesterday I did many new things.  In fact, I remember thinking...shoot, shoulda saved one.   It's in moments like these....near midnight...the sound of soft rain outside...that the moments tell me what I should be doing.  I love those moments.  It's like taking a walk in the woods and finding the best view ever.  It's going to the shoe store when you aren't really looking...those are the times you find the coolest shoes.  So tonight I wandered with a computer near a snoring dog at my feet. 
     I headed to check out my blogs.  Found a link to another one.  Saw a post that hit me.  Blogs are typically about the happy families out there.  They share craft ideas and post pics of how perfect and happy they all are.  This blog was different.  She is a bit older, has kids and is reinventing herself in the next stage of her life.  So much of what she was dishing was stuff that I have been eating lately.  It felt nice.  She then went on to name a song that she is loving these days.  So I checked it out as well.  Stay Ali by Loner sounds like just the right song for a walk on a treadmill.  Guess I'll have to load it on the Ipod...oh...and then maybe get ON the treadmill. 
     A new perspective.  A new inspiration.  A new song.  Not bad for ten minutes on the internet...

Receive a Bacon Ornament in the Mail

     I have a bacon fairy.  Every so often she sends me goodies.  Wallets.  Bandages.  Ornaments.  They are all bacon themed because she knows of my love for the piggy product.  I get other fake food items as well because that is another fetish in itself.  Today I got a treat in the mail.  I love treats and I love any mail that isn't a scary reminder of the everyday...so I was very excited.  "One new thing!" was even written on the envelope!  I squealed!  So for those of you who argue that I didn't DO a new thing today...I only received one...to YOU I say:  "I squealed over receiving a bacon ornament in the mail from Cinde!!!".  I am also going to hang it up and use it as an all year ornament that honors the one and only BACON!!!  How many of you can say you've done that???
      Cinde, thank you for being so awesome! Thank you for thinking of me! Thank you for my bacon!  Thacon!!!!

New Fishies

     Tank was set.  Plants were placed.  Water was treated and heated.  All we needed was the fish.  Tonight we got our first batch.  We were schooled as to what we should get....get it, get?!?
      Zebra Danios are "quick like Ninja" so in honor of the kids' other new love they are being named after the crew at karate.  Say hello to: Master, Sung, Bak, Nam, Steve and Gabe.   Next there are the Neons.  They hang out together at all times in a cool little group in the back.  Jenne inspired the theme for their names.  Please welcome: Corey, Madonna, Prince, Cyndi, Duran and Falco (we don't expect him to last very long).   Then there are the two Tuxedo Platies...Glenn and Miller.  You can figure that one out if you haven't already.  All fish are doing swimmingly so far...wish us luck!!!

Dal Soup from New WW Cookbook

Chuck and Theresa are always awesome at supporting my "do the new" and I've been saving up this one for the perfect day.  As a gift they got me a wonderful new cookbook that is designed for WW and makes calculating points as simple as can be.  Today was a big day.  I spent almost four hours going through paperwork from the past year.  I needed a little recharge.  I needed a little inspiration.  Plus, it's absolutely gross out.  Add one to the other and combine it with a little need some one-on-one-time with the kids and you have yourself an evening of cooking.  After homework, Ethan and I made Dal soup for the slow cooker.  He helped me prep and was very excited to clean his first carrots.  He measured and sniffed the spices and threw everything into the pot.  He seems to have a spark for cooking that I will be sure to encourage...wouldn't be a bad idea since hopefully he'll take care of me someday...lol.  We switched off and Emily and I made the rest of the meal.  Can't wait to taste my first soup from the book and share it with my pals at work!

Fish Tank

     I had one as a kid.  It was twenty gallons of wonder right outside my bedroom door in the kitchen.  We tried all sorts of fish.  They had all sorts of fun names.  The Sword tails were Lancelot and Guinevere.  The Angels were Curtis and Sliwa.   Yes, my Mom was a funny and creative one.  You name the fish we probably tried it...until slowly but surely they all disappeared and Mr. Curtis got quite large.  You can do the math.  We did worms, snails, brine shrimp, ph testing...dorkfest as a kid.  I even had a book about aquariums that I would read for fun.  I also know the amount of work they take soooooo as the children have asked for years I have stalled.  There was a bowl with a goldfish.  There was another with a beta.  We even did the tiny plastic tank on the dresser by Em's bed for a bit.  It's just not the same. 
     John wanted one as well...and since it was his big day...now we have one.  It is a beauty.  Petsmart was kind enough to have a special sale on all things fish and we spent some time listening to the expertise of the fish man.  We filled it and threw in some pretty stuff and some fresh plants and tomorrow we finally get to add our little friends.  Oh and btw...I'm not doing a darn thing to maintain it! ;)

New Boots in the Snow

Gramary was kind enough to get the kids and I new winter boots for our Christmas gifts.  I have joked that it has been the most dry winter thus far in my many years in the Poconos and we are the reason.  New boots and the awesome red sled that Justin sent for a gift as well.  But it finally happened!  We got our snow.  Of course it ruined a day full of events and didn't even give us a snow day but we'll take it!  Gloves, hats, coats, scarves and NEW BOOTS were donned as we played in the snow with our pooch.  It's the toastiest my toesies have been since I can't  remember...thanks Gramary!!!

Words with Friends with Jihan

     This is a new addiction.  I limit myself though...try to play a little in the am and a tad in the pm.  I stink for the most part and get my butt kicked.  I am excited  to start new games with anyone so send me a challenge.  The practice seems to be helping my tired brain.  Tonight, Jihan and I started a game.  I did ok the first round...but now she is showing no mercy.  Must be that special NYU English flair...I didn't stand a chance!!!

Chicken Marsala for a 40 Year Old

     That frightening time is upon us when my fellow classmates turn the big scary 40.  John is kicking it off in January.  I busted out a bottle of Marsala wine that has been hiding in the pantry and made his request...my first time making this dish.  Easy enough.  Amazingly delicious!!!  One of many little special events to honor four decades of life.  Happiest of birthdays!!!

Idol 2012

   Yes I have been a proud viewer of American Idol since its inception....but tonight I started the new season.  Here's to another year!!!

Wing Night @ the Sycamore Grill

    I hear about it on a weekly basis...and tonight we joined the crew.  John, Leigh Ann, Jaime and Nate...thanks for having us!  Apricot coconut curry is probably one of the most original wing flavors I've had!

Personality Test

     I have mentioned that I'm doing a communication project with my buddy, Leigh Ann.  I guess in order to see where you are going and the best measures to get there...you need to really know yourself.  I seem to be spending more time on knowing myself in the last year than I have ever spent in my entire life.  I tend to concentrate on others.  Guess what?  The personality test proved this so it's ok to say.  So now I have confirmed that I put others first, worry over perfection in projects and tend to organize things.  Shocker.  I also had to look at the words that hurt though and see the other personality types that seem much more enjoyable.  Everyday I "deprogram" as I call it.  I do believe there is a different girl inside that was just pushed to BE certain ways because she had to navigate through some tricky pathways.  So I now have seen it all in black and white and can go forward regaining my colors....

     So I returned to the website to read all of the information that I had just merely skimmed over.  WOW!!!! First of all I didn't fully realize that within each "type" there are levels that range from 1-9, from healthiest to unhealthiest.  There I was having issue with the type that I was and then felt better knowing there were goals within the type.  This is now hysterical to me since the one type that I am is "the achiever".  We are all about goals.  Now I have a number to shoot for as well!!!! 

Piano Recital with Ousmani

     Emily started playing the piano a few years ago.  She has two recitals a year. 

     I started teaching Ousmani a few years back while she attended preschool.  I had two wonderful years to teach her, hear her little voice sing songs and chase the unicorns that seemed to appear each time we were together. 

     Sandi is her mother.  We started talking years ago...about crafts, recipes and how important it is for a child to have a well rounded education. 

     The entire family came to watch Emily last year at one of her recitals...to check her out and to ponder the idea of using the same piano teacher.   Just recently little Mani started taking lessons. 

     This year at the 2012 Winter Recital not only did I get to see my daughter play the pieces she has been working on for months...but I also got to see a budding little pianist during her very first recital. 

Congrats Emily for pushing even harder and getting even better.

Congrats Mani for a beautiful beginning...don't forget the little people when you are famous! ;)

Log Cabin sans Sally

     Back in the 80's my family and I started to travel to the Poconos on vacation.  But long before that my parents had been there.  My father was working a carpentry job at a resort that needed an overhaul.  It was used by the garment district union as a place for the workers to rest...a benefit of a hard job.  I believe it was back then that my parents first stopped into a little dive bar called The Log Cabin.  So it was sentimental for my parents to pop back in almost two decades later.  I was a teenager and didn't notice the rustic nature of the place because in the corner by the door was my obsession...a Tetris game.  There was also a pool table for my Dad and I to enjoy.  Mom would sit at the bar with a tall cold beer and chat with the owner for hours.  As long as I had quarters and a record to beat I was happy.  Then we moved to the area.  Sometimes when people are around something...if it is right there...they tend to not see it the same.  They might not visit that tourist place even if people come from around the world to see it.  They don't think about going there on a trip because the car ride is simply too short.  Now, I'm NOT comparing a nasty hunter's pub to the Statue of Liberty or anything but I am saying that we need to see the local treat with the same eyes as a newbie.  A place that was once sweet and nostalgic can lose its magic if it is only a few minutes away.  It can also be closed off in ones heart because the person you used to be there with...is gone. 
     My Mom taught me to enjoy the local as well as the places we would travel to visit.  So, when we moved to the area we didn't come with the thought process that we would no longer have to go to those places...instead...we were excited that we could do them more often.  If I had a day free of classes or one of my four jobs...she would get that look in her eye.  Maybe a raised eyebrow would follow.  I would know we were having a mini road trip.  We'd  hop in the car and put on some good music and travel all the way to a dive for the best grilled ham and cheese.  With a little comfort food in our belly...we would catch up.  We would rest.  We would giggle...and even though we only had to travel a mere thirty minutes or so each way...it would feel as though we hid from the world for a long enough chunk of time to recharge.
     I went back for a grilled ham and cheese.  The bar is nastier than ever.  There were only four men at the bar wearing bright orange and playing the new hunting video game in the corner.  No Tetris.  I did find a pinball machine (my first real love) but it ate more quarters than it gave me joy.  This time I did not sit at the bar...that will always be reserved for a date with a woman named, Sally.  I sure as hell did have a melted gooey sandwich of grease though....and thought of her the entire time.  Do I need to go back to the filthy place complete with condom machines in the bathroom...nope...but I did realize a place doesn't bring the person to the memory...instead...the memory keeps that person in your heart...always. 

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

     It's just another one of those things that I was closed off to....it's a shame that we do that....but we do.  I would hear talk of Frodo and know nothing about what people were talking about.  In a way though...I am glad I missed some stuff because it is giving me a big array of new things now...and now is when they were needed.  Sometimes you gotta love the universe and its timing!

Yellow Nails for the Yellow Belt

     It's been mere weeks since we entered the world of karate.  It was instant love for all of those involved.  We even watched Karate Kid this past weekend...nothing like a little Miyagi magic to inspire.  So tonight my two little beginners counted to ten in Korean and demonstrated their 20 Steps.  Emily was flawless.  She also did the Second Form because she picked it up in a single lesson so Master Nam threw in a little green stripe on her belt for good measure.  Another proud moment in parentland.   We celebrated with a yummy dinner and then ...to balance out the serious nature of all that my little girl had just accomplished ...I did her nails.  Yellow.  With one single green stripe on each ring finger.  It's all about the balance...in karate...in parenting...in life.  Oh and bee-tee-dub...I can count to ten in Korean as well. 

Albacore by Ani

    There are songs that change everything.  I have found a new one.  There is something so special about the very first time you hear one of those songs.  Each lyric...each note unfolds and is a little bit of magic. 

Gwen Bell via Leigh Ann

     This knowing better and getting better and being better is hard work.  It means effort and work at every turn.  It also means doing most of the work on your own.  The path to enlightenment is often a lonely one.  But sometimes if you are really lucky...you find someone else who seems to be traveling on your path at the same time.  Years ago I read A New Earth and was simply bursting to discuss it with someone....anyone.  It wasn't easy to find a soul who had shared the passion for it.  I bumped into a buddy of mine and she had read it as well.  For almost four years our paths would cross here and there in our deep, dark woods and each time it would be a great conversation, an encouraging word or the best hug ever.  Then a year ago I was lucky enough to start spending hours with her at work.  A year to the day.  We have spent a year sharing things, comparing notes and advice and listening.  She has been a source of power when my light bulb gets dim...ironically...enlightenment can be quite dark at times.  Today she passed me yet another little treat.  Gwen Bell has a new life lesson on non-violent communication and it begins with ourselves.  Empathy is important especially when we tend to be so hard on ourselves.  I will now be receiving emails of inspiration as well as tweets to do the same.  I am excited about the next level and layer of growth.  I am ready to read some new books.  I am thrilled to have a dear friend to discuss it with!  Thanks again, Leigh for yet another new thing...and even more so for finding me in the woods when it's needed. 

Video Games with Ethan...Rockin' It Old School

     This house has:

Wii
Xbox 360
Kinect
Leapster
Nintendo DSi

...and yet tonight we played the old Nintendo system from years ago.  I introduced Ethan to the simple beauty of Tetris.  He also loves Duck Hunt.  All these new and amazing graphics and there we were shooting ducks. 

Portlandia

     Hysterical! 

Read a Thesis

     I didn't get my Masters.  I hope to someday.  I remember television shows and peers talking about them.  I romanticize the process of the writing.  I do.  Sometimes more so than seeing the Grand Canyon or the sweet ending of a Disney princess film.  Maybe there is some deep and psychological reason.  Maybe it is my own feeling of sadness and disappointment that I never had the opportunity to create one myself.  This second year of pushing myself means I will have to go deeper in the layers and be more vulnerable than ever.  Today I picked up a thesis paper of 52 pages and read it from cover to cover.  It has been sitting there scaring me for months.  I don't know why.  But fear is like that isn't it?  Irrational, ridiculous and limiting.  This process is supposed to break that apart and make the opposite come out shining...courage, honesty and strength.  I enjoyed reading it.  It was so much more than the words on the page.  I appreciate the work that it must've taken.  I marvel at the creation that it is.  I love that it gave me something new to think about.  I find that this process was quite the gift in that aspect.  So thank you, first thesis for guiding me gently into a new world... whoever it's "creator" might be...

Beacon, NY

     I can't stress enough how confusing it is to drive through such an adorable town...and think about the fact that I was never there before.  My folks and I did a decent amount of traveling...nowhere crazy...but we saw things and we celebrated local as mush as distant.  In moments that I see the beauty of the Hudson Valley I wonder why it was neglected.
     The streets are lined with my always favorite style...the Victorian House.  The views are breathtaking. The people smile and are friendly.  The shops on the little main strip are adorable and quaint but also clever and quality.  It is so many of the things that I enjoy about a place...all squished into a beautiful little town.  Time didn't allow a walk through the museum nor did my camera find its way out of the car but something tells me there will be another trip!

Project Runway All Stars

     I've missed the past few seasons of Runway.  I have missed it so.  I was excited to see some of the All Stars...but I have to say that it is just not the same without Tim, Heidi and the crew of judges.  I guess I'll just have to make it work...

Words With Friends Extravaganza

     Here and there I throw out a word and if I'm lucky someone plays one back.  Tonight I was kind of pooped.  So I put on some pjs and some horrible tv and played Words.  I have seven games going and people were actually playing back so it ended up being a great little brain exercise.  I broke some records and even won a game or two!  Now if you'll excuse me...I need to cool my brain and allow the smoke from my ears to clear. 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

     See that...a little green in the eye does indeed mean superior intelligence....;)

"Jimmy Fallon Style" Thank You Notes

     We love Jimmy at our house.  So today to break up a tricky little thing to reinforce with children...I made it a little extra goofy.  It is time to be grateful for all of the money, time and effort spent on them this holiday season.  It is time to say thanks.  So we busted out our thank you cards and added a little something special.  Emily took a seat at the new keyboard and Ethan put on his best Jimmy Fallon impression complete with pen wind up and funny tone.  I wrote the actual cards as he pretended to...just like the big guy himself.  SO if you should get a thank you card in the near future and it seems a big odd now you know why! Thanks Jimmy for the millions of laughs and for making a "chore" seem downright fun!

Ethan's 50's Themed 6th Birthday Party

     I try to match up the Halloween costumes to the birthday party that follows just a short few months later.  It has made for some cool themes.  This one might not have been the typical kiddie party...but that was just fine with us. 

   We had stations like:
--At the Hop Dog
--Slurp's Up (drinks included Shirley Temples)
--Cake, Rattle and Roll (record shaped banana and nutella cake)
--Burger Bar (3 types of burger, 3 types of cheese and toppings)
--Whole Lotta Shakin' (shakes and root beer floats)

There were cupcakes that looked like tv dinners, decorations complete with dangling 45's and jukeboxes and menus for our diner for the day, "Ethan's Eats". 

We even had a hostess with a poodle skirt, little plastic baskets to hold our food and music right from the era.  So maybe none of the attending party goers were around for the 50's (except Pop of course) but for a few hours we sure all got to feel what it must've been like!!!

Toast the New Year with Apple Cider and my Kids

     No crazy party.  No crowded streets of drunkenness.  No expensive champagne.  Just a bottle of sparkling apple cider and a little ball drop on television.  Oh, there were a few poppers and there might have even been a little naked boy running in circles and declaring that he made it to midnight...

     And I wouldn't have had it any other way. 

Karma Support

     Almost to the day a year ago...I heard the same news but for someone else.  Three days to live.  Lung cancer.  When the universe needs you to learn lessons as completely as you need to it makes sure it works overtime.  So there we were driving to rush to the side of a cherished man as he lived his last few moments on our great big spinning planet.  This time instead of making the hard decisions...I held the hands of the others that had to.  Instead of gathering a collection of friends and family that needed to say goodbye...I hugged the people that needed some strength.  Instead of holding up my courage to get through moments of hell...I laughed out loud at stories of hilarity that brought peace to the distraught.  I hugged.  I encouraged.  I prayed. 
     Almost to the day a year ago...I was the one being held together by the loved ones that surrounded us.  Those that brought us food, coffee, solace, and love.  Today, I had the tools, wisdom and love to return the favor to the world.