Buon Anniversario!

Whoa. I'm here. I've hit a wall in my 'moving forward', in my enthusiasm about everything and my busyness. And all because I've fully come to the realization that everything is about to change. It's zapped my energy and stuck a giant stone in the pit of my stomach. I feel it so heavy on me.

I am one who enjoys change and I usually do not dread it one bit, but this time is different. Also because I usually never come to the understanding ahead of time that things are about to change. This time, now that I know it, I'm not feeling so okay about it. But alas, things will go on. They always do!

Today is my third wedding anniversary.

I can not believe it has been three years! I would say that it seems just like yesterday.... but it doesn't (and not in a bad way!). To think that three years ago I was at my wit's end, having entertained and translated for Italian family for two weeks prior to the wedding on top of all the stress of putting on a wedding. I was so wound up by the time I was about to walk down the aisle, I was frantically searching for some Xanax.

But the most amazing accomplishment, in my opinion, is that I met my husband when I was 16 and for 5 years we maintained a VERY long-distance relationship. I have now known him for 8 years and that blows my mind. The day of your wedding is not the most important day of your life. It's not going to put another gold star on your record, nor does it mean that the whole world will stop just for you. No, the most important stuff is what comes after. The 'making it work' (not in a negative way) of the day-to-day. All people are individuals. Some are more dependent and some more independent. But most importantly we are all different. Combining two individuals in marriage is a feat - absolutely something to be celebrated. Marriage is a miracle. Each and every day it is, I believe. It's certainly not easy. Men are stinky and make a mess, that's just part of being a wife - learn to deal with it. But I couldn't imagine my life without my stinky, messy man in it.

I love you baby and can't wait to see how will learn and grow in the next years to come. The sky's the limit.

Too Good to Pass Up.

I was watching Good Morning America again this morning (watching too long and then having to rush around like a crazy person to get ready and out the door) and I saw this 'story' go by on the bottom of the screen and every single time it caught my eye, I knew that I had to share it with you.

---WOMAN CALLS 911 FOR WRONG CHINESE FOOD DELIVERY---

Yes, ladies and gentlemen this woman called 911 EMERGENCY services to report that the Hong Kong restaurant brought her the wrong food. Really? That's what you 're going to call 911 for? Unbelievable. To me, that ranks right up there with the people who just keep on driving, minding their business when ambulance/fire/police sirens are coming through and need for them to MOVE! And, of course, these people are the same who, if on the other end of the situation (waiting for emergency services to arrive) would complain that they didn't get there fast enough. It's just like the pople who drive gigantic SUVs then complain about gas prices. Hmmmm... either don't drive a gas-guzzling vehicle or stop complaining. Just a thought.

Judgement Day

Why is it that you can be going along in your day, happy as a clam (a saying, which I'm not sure I have ever understood. I mean, what supposedly makes clams so freaking happy? Not much, they all get eaten and don't fetch a high price. Digression...) and BAM - one thing hits you and changes completely how you feel? I generally am a happy person. I'm one of those that's in a good mood unless something makes me not be in one. There are also those people who are pretty much constantly in a bad mood unless something makes them be in a good mood. I'm so glad that I'm the former. Why, oh why did I click on that link and read what I read this morning? It's got me all worked up.

It's not a pleasant feeling when you feel that judgement has been passed on you. Only God can judge. Only God has any right to judge. I think we all need to remember that a little more. We are humans. We're the ones who are responsible for screwing everything up. And believe me, it certainly didn't stop with Adam, Eve, the apple and the snake. Can it not be enough for all of us to just admit that we don't know everything, no one has it all figured out and that we can all just try to do the best we can with what we've been equipped with? Done. The End. Breathe...

Dog Food

This is something that I've found puzzling for quite some time, but sitting here watching a commercial about it made me remember that I need to share it with you. While shopping for precious Lyla's dog food yesterday, I came across a couple of brands of dog food that I found a little disturbing.

No, I can never resist sharing a photo of my precious bebe. She could totally be a dog model.

Rachel Ray sells dog food - food for dogs. Food for dogs from a 'celebrity' chef. And I use the term celebrity loosely - quite frankly Rachel Ray just annoys the crap out of me. Anyway, I pointed this out to Benny and said, "Perche?" WHY? Of course (and he's right), he responded that it has to be for the money. But just think of the tradeoff! You trade in your credibility for the few poor saps who buy your dog food. Really? I mean it's like a bottled spring water company selling toilet cleaner.  I just don't know. Doesn't seem quite right to me.

The Voice

So, I may or may  not be auditioning for The Voice in August. That's two months away and I'm already nervous. What should I sing? What should I wear? Do I really want to go stand in line for-freaking-ever only to either not get to audition or to be told no? Hmmmm... Yeah, I'm pretty sure I do. It'll be fun!

Becoming a singer was a dream of mine, what feels like, many years ago (I'm only 24, I know, 'many years ago' isn't quite right). It is all I wanted but I never had any drive to make things happen and I was terrified of singing in front of people. Well, neither one of those things has really changed, but they kind of have. While I  may not dream of 'making it' as a singer now, I have come to realize that when I sing, I don't think about anything else. It is absolutely my release and relieves a tremendous amount of stress that I feel right now due to work and other things.. ahem, mainly work. Shhh - don't tell. With this new realization of relaxation, the latter problem has also been eased. That, coupled with recent 'performances' in a local karaoke bar using the stage name of Francesca (sad, but true) has helped me to not be so petrified when getting up to sing in front of people.

Basically, I'm not really hoping for anything to come of it, but I just think it might be fun. Also, I feel like I should do it now because even just a couple of years down the road, it might be harder to do. We'll see what happens and I'll be sure to share my experience with you!

Domestic Goddess

Well, what did I tell you? It's not quite a week since my last blog post where we discussed Mr. Weiner and just today he came out to say that he did lie and that the photos were of him. Without fail... it seems to happen this way every single time. The only thing I can think of is that it's a power thing. You get into office and start to get a big head and I guess you just think no one will find out, no one can touch you. Well, guess what? They can... Simple as that.

So, yours truly has been cooking up a storm the past week and a half. Along with my handy dandy meal planner, I've been a veritable domestic goddess. Look how beautiful!

Keep in mind, too that this is last season's. The current season's is white, pink, red and grey with a flower motif. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know... but as I always say - sometimes the fancy is more important than the functional. And my favorite part about this particular item is that it has both!

So anyway, I'm getting in the new practice of planning a menu with recipes (found online) at the beginning of ever week. I then do all the necessary grocery shopping and fill each day with one of the recipes. It's working because we know we're going to have all the ingredients we need and if you're not feeling particularly creative, you don't have to think about anything! The hubs loves the fact that he can already know what's for dinner. And since most recipes are for 4 portions, we put half aside and take the rest for the next day for lunch! Perfection.

So far I've made fish tacos, beef and mushroom sloppy joes, fajita-ranch chicken wraps, twice-baked salmon potatoes and grown-up grilled cheese. All good recipes and all very well-liked by my husband and me. All recipes were found on www.myrecipes.com. There's a great tool where you can create different weekly menus and shopping lists. All recipes have been tested, too. They're easy, fresh and delicious. I'm hooked!

Weinergate

What is it with politicians and their indiscretions? Without fail, it seems, every week there is a new scandal revealed between some current or former politician. I just don't get it. I understand that politicians, just like celebrities, are people (well, most of them are, anyway, I think) and being people, can make mistakes and make some really bad judgement calls. It just seems to me that there just might be something a little different about this "elite" and select group of the population.

Look at how many marriages have been ripped apart because of these situations - Schwarzeneger, Edwards. And it was so public. Imagine what kind of headache and heartache that must have caused for their poor families, especially the kids.

All of this to bring me to today's topic: Representative Anthony Weiner of New York (D). At first glance, my initial reaction is to feel a little sorry for the guy - strictly because of his last name (and yes he does pronounce it how you're hoping he really doesn't). Can you imagine growing up with all the endless, ready-made jokes? Yikes. Anyway, apparently Mr. Weiner allegedly sent a picture of his weiner (in his 'underpants' as reported in the news') to a college student via Twitter.

Several strange goings-on regarding the matter: No report was made to the authorities by Mr. Weiner (yes, I can't stop writing his name that way and yes, I giggle a little to myself inside everytime). Not only was no report made, but when asked why, Mr. Weiner (tehehe) can't give a straight or good answer about it. He just makes some of his supposedly trademark sarcastic remarks and tries to move on. Also, this morning on GMA he was asked if he was able to recognize that the picture was, in fact, of him. He did say that that was being investigated. Really? That's how you're going to answer that question. It's a yes or no question. Your answer (if you're innocent, which I'm more and more suspicious is not the case) should be NO. The picture is not of me.

Either way, here's a couple of wrapping-up points that everyone should remember:

1. You should decide very early on in life if you're going to try to be a politician. That way you can remember to stay out of any mischief or away from any behavior that could possibly be misconstrued as any of the following terms: 'lewd', 'inappropriate' or 'scandalous'.

2. NEVER, and I cannot stress this enough, never take naked, semi-naked or inappropriate pictures of yourself. Even if you never send them. It really doesn't matter. We should all have learned by now (from all of the idiots who have had their mishaps smeared all over the media) that they're going to come out eventually somehow.

3. If you really just can't help yourself with the whole naked picture thing (which I really don't understand), DO NOT ever under any circumstances send them, post them, etc. through any type of internet-related means. Just don't do it. It's not hard!

So, for right now, I'm just going to sit back and wait to see how long it takes for Mr. Weiner to recant and admit that he did send the photo. I give it to middle-late next week. We shall see.