My 9/11 Story.

Today, as we all know, marks the 10th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack that I ever hope to witness during my lifetime. It's hard to believe that ten years have passed. It's sad to know that there is so much hatred in our world and worse, that people seem to be more and more willing to act upon that hatred.

But as we always hear around this anniversary, so many stories of the good that have come from this tragic event emerge. I like to think that how my husband and I met is also indirectly one of those stories.

As many of you know, I studied abroad during my junior year of high school (2003-2004), just two years after the September 11th attacks. The town where I attended an American school was very close to a large military base. The mayor of Viterbo offered some added measures of protection after the attacks in the form of posting some military personnel outside of the school 24/7 to check packages, comings and goings, etc. It was on an October day 8 years ago (I know, 8 years. It's mind-boggling), that I first laid eyes on my husband-to-be, keeping watch outside of the school as an Italian soldier. Of course I could go on to tell you that he wasn't even supposed to be stationed at the school, but closer to Rome and that he was about to be discharged as his one year mandatory service was coming to a close, but because of several people being sick, someone had to fill in, but the simple truth is this: Had September 11th never happened, I don't know with any certainty that I would have met Benny. Really, what are the odds that a girl, born and raised in a very small town in Tennessee would meet, fall in love and marry a man from Bagheria, Italy (be honest, have you ever heard of that Italian city?)? God uses very mysterious ways to bring people together.

It's raining.

It's raining today and thank God! It has been so dry here that the last time hubs mowed the lawn out back it looked like a freaking dust storm. He was covered in dirt when he came in! There are a couple of draw backs to this rain today, though. 1. It's Labor Day - a day of cookouts and being outdoors. It ain't happening. 2. It's rained 5 inches just this morning and after about a two month drought, it's causing some problems. Roads are flooded and so are cars. Word to the wise, actually pay attention and follow through with the advice they always give to not drive through standing water. Your car will flood, possibly be swept away and almost certainly be totaled.

So, since our cooking out plans were foiled, we've decided to go see Bridesmaids (again!) with my brother and sister-in-law (who is about to pop and looks so precious!) who have not seen the movie, at the cheap movie theater. I'm pumped. I want to see a good comedy and laugh a lot today. I'm one of those losers who likes to see movies I've already seen. When I find a movie I like, I will watch it a billion and a half times until I have picked up on every single nuance possible. I'll always ask someone if they've seen a particular movie and if they remember this part or that part and they look at me like I'm crazy because they haven't seen it hundreds of time like myself. To let you know how fabulous my taste in movies is (and how random), I'll share with you a few of such movies:
1. Sex and the City: The Movie
2. Bridget Jones's Diary
3. Bridget Jones's Diary: The Edge of Reason
4. Love Actually
5. Shawshank Redemption
6. Legally Blonde
7. Miss Congeniality
8. (although not a movie) Sex and the City (the entire series. I know, it's sad and pathetic but hubs got me the entire set for Valentine's day year before last and I've watched it through in its entirety four times, not to mention all the random episodes I've also seen multiple times on TV)

Okay, so not so random, except for maybe the 'Redemption'.  Most of these are completely mindless movies, but they make me happy, so whatever.

With this post, I have 98 blog posts and I am planning an exciting giveaway for my 100th post. Stay tuned for details and tell your friends!

New Job.

So, I have a new job! I start on Monday, the 12th and I can't wait! I'm working out my two weeks' notice right now. Yeah, that's fun. I am going to be a Legal Secretary for a huge local law firm! Yay! And this will be my view...

Well, not exactly my view, but let's just say that I will most definitely have access to this view of our amazing city every day! While I still have to go to my old job every day until next Thursday and that can be nauseating to say the least, I can already feel a difference in how I feel. I know that there is no perfect job, but I do know that there is a better job out there for me and I feel that that is exactly where I'm moving.

On another note, the hubs and I went on our first vacay since our honeymoon last week! Destin was beautiful and it was definitely the most relaxed I've felt in what feels like forever! I've had too much stress in my life lately, or it least it feels that way. I'm ready for some smoother sailing and good nights' sleep. I've discovered that a vacation is essential to mental health and therefore, plan on taking one every year, even if it's small.

My next big savings' project is on its way. I would love for me and the hubs to take a really awesome trip for our fifth anniversary which is in two years. Call me boring, call me conventional, but I really, really just want to go to an all-inclusive resort in a tropical destination. I can see me here...

So, I discovered Pinterest like a month ago and of course I'm just as addicted as everyone else. If you haven't joined, do it. It will change your life. I am so packed full of ideas, I can't sleep sometimes! Cute ideas, useful ideas, recipes, DIY projects, simply beautiful and joyous etc. You name it, they've got it. Definitely check it out.

'Til next time lovies...

I have a theory...

So I have this new theory. It involves food and all started with a weeklong fruit and vegetable juice fast. For one week we whipped up nothing but raw fruits and veggies in our Ninja. And I'll have to say that I've never felt better. My husband and I both did it and had tons of energy. I took some pretty gross looking (and tasting) sludge to work with me and my revelation came when I went to rinse the plastic containers out. They were so clean because there was nothing but good stuff in them that I had no need to even wash them. Made me think about how they did much the same inside my body. Think about the heavy, oily residue that our leftover dinner for lunch often leaves on the inside of our plastic containers. That's what it's going to leave on the inside of you too. Believe me I'm not saying this from a preachy place. We all have to splurge sometimes and indulge a little. But I just thought it was an interesting way to gauge the 'damage' the things we put in our body could be doing.

Below is a picture of the container I took some homemade chicken tortilla soup in. Minimal oil. Check out the recipe at saucyitalian.blogspot.com

For Shame...

So, shame on me. Once again. Yes, I've let it go far too long without writing on my beloved blog. I do miss it, but believe me when I tell you - we have been busy! And I just hate when people always say, "oh, we're just so busy. Busy, busy, busy all the time!" But, in this case, I promise it's true.

Basically my biggest motive for writing tonight is a heart full of gratitude. I've arrived at a moment in time when God's blessings are so abundant in our lives that I can't help but feel grateful. We have had so many incredible opportunities placed in front of us. And these are all opportunities that are allowing us to do things we love. We had the privilege of catering our very first wedding reception this past Saturday. This was something that had been hanging over my head for a month. I was nervous, but I think the nervousness pushed me to think, rethink and even over-think (in a good way) things so much that we feel the reception was a great success. And we had a blast. It was hot - an outdoor event, but even despite feeling a big ill at the beginning, we just had so much fun! Then there are our cooking classes. We have at least one a week and through those, we have met some awesome people who want us to cater events for them too. The possibilities are endless and I know this is all taking us to our ultimate desire, which is to open our very own restaurant. Right now, we're just taking things as they come and when the time is right, it will all fall into place!

Another thing I have coming up is auditioning for The Voice this week on Friday. Now that catering madness is behind us, I can move on to this and allow myself to get excited! I'm leaving Thursday after work and spending the night. I'm sure it'll be a very early morning, but I'm ready. Bring it on! I'm excited, nervous, you name it... While there's always the selfish hope deep down inside that something does come of it, I also would be fine if I don't go past Friday. I just want to at least be able to say I tried.

Roller Coaster

So.....
Please don't hate me. It's been so long. I've missed you! I've really missed writing. OK, moving on.

So, this is my 94th post, which means I have a 100th post coming up very soon and I'm thinking giveaway - a great giveaway! What do you think? My last one, while I had one participation, was pretty small! Will you help me spread the word this time? I'll come up with something really great and let you know so you can get super excited!

This week has been a rough one at work. I know, I know... Again?!? But it's making me think twice about the why. Why do I always seem to be in a high-low pattern with my job? Why do certain people rattle me so? My natural reaction to these factors is, I need a new job. But after applying to countless places for countless different positions over the last year that I've held my current job (always as a knee-jerk reaction to a bad day/week), it's pretty clear that this whole economy thing is no joke. Of probably close to 100 applications, I've received ZERO response. Pretty discouraging, but it's also brought home the point that I DO have a job and I should be grateful for it. And I am. So, my next question is this - if I've learned that much, what else are my feelings about the whole work situation trying to teach me? My mother has told me many a time that a lot of things in life get to me so much because of my age and inexperience. I know this to be true but it doesn't change the fact that I still feel how I feel. I guess I have to just come to grips with the fact that I just have to chill out sometimes and not let things get to me like I do. Whatever. Easier said than done. I try and I'm going to keep trying. Trust me, the stress of it all is not good for my health. I've felt sick most of today and yesterday! So, I'm going to make a concerted effort to take a step back sometimes and just breathe. We'll see how it goes. And as always, I'll keep you posted!

Speaking of keeping you posted - I'm still going to be auditioning for The Voice three weeks from this Saturday. I'm getting really excited, too. I still need a hotel, but they haven't posted exactly where the auditions are going to be held! The line starts at 7:00 AM. Auditions are on a first come, first served basis and not everybody will get to audition. While I want to be able to audition, I am not the type to wait in long lines overnight. So I'd like to get a better picture of what part of Atlanta it's in so I can get a hotel close by! Problem solved. Oh well, maybe they'll post it soon. In the meantime, any ideas of songs to sing for the audition?

Celebration Weekend

We got to spend the weekend celebrating the marriage a dear friend. This is the first wedding of a really close friend that I've attended - so emotional! I absolutely love weddings. I also think that anyone who says otherwise is completely lying or delusional. To me, there's nothing happier. I also love the rehearsal dinner. It gives you a deeper insight into the couple - how much people love them, crazy things they've done over the years (which they would probably never want anyone to know!) and how much they love each other. In short, Abbie and Gray, your wedding was stunningly beautiful, you are both so incredibly loved and blessed and with all that love surrounding you as you begin your lives together, I know that nothing but a long life of happiness and love can await you. I love you guys!

Tomorrow is the 4th of July - one of my personal favorite holidays. America the great. America the beautiful. I'm pretty sure that most of my readers already know how I feel about America and how most people who don't appreciate where we live can really grate on my nerves. We take so many luxuries for granted. Most of us can't even come close to understanding just how good we have it.

I recently purchased a really beautiful book called 6 Billion Others: Portraits of Humanity from Around the World.

It profiles people from all over the world and asks questions about hopes, dreams, background, career, family, etc. Some people have several pages, but the section of the book I like the best is in between those sections. Several people from far and wide are asked to respond to the same question. The answers are short and sweet, but this is the part of the book that quickly allows you to see how different life is in different parts of the world. While reading responses to the question: What was your worst day?, it hit me. (I'll generalize by saying 'we', but believe me when I say that I'm speaking from my personal experience) We get so caught up in ourselves and our 'problems' that we completely lose sight of people who have real problems all over the world - every day. Civil wars, rape, disease, famine, discrimination, marginalization. Please never mistake me when I speak about America. I know that we are not perfect - we have our problems just like every other nation in the world. And yes, some of those things do still take place in our country, but I am still truly of the belief that in America, the general population is empowered and at liberty to fight for things that they believe in. We are all still encouraged to make our positive mark on the world - to make things better. This is something that does not happen often in other parts of the world. The general theme seems to be - don't make waves, don't question - things have been done this way up until now, why change them? Americans don't settle for this mentality. We are bred to question, to think for ourselves. That is why we are innovators. I hope we never stop.

Being of an age group where it's trendy to begin to question authority/government, where rocking the boat is often done simply to rock the boat and where people tend to be anti-everything, I say one thing. Happy birthday, America!!! We've got a long way to go, but we've also come so far.