The karma continues

Those who know me well are fully aware that I'm a closet-Italophile. Yes, I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that in a previous life I was Italian. Go ahead, make fun of me, but I don't care. I have never resonated with another culture like I do (did) in Italy - the pace, the food, the scenery, the art, the history - I love it.

So the karma continues ... I had to take one of the cars in for servicing yesterday. Thankfully, we have one of the oldest Volvo dealerships in the nation right here in our backyard (they're all about historic stuff here). They were kind enough to offer me a loaner, so I didn't have to a) take the shuttle or b) mooch off of my NAFs. The guy is walking me through the loaner lot and I'm wondering what kind of car I get ... yes, a wagon and a Cross Country at that! Call me crazy, but that's the car I really want. So he says, I know it looks old, but it's been very well taken care of. I'll say, 2001 (really '01) greeny-blue, leather interior - yessssss. But the best part, there's an Italian Flag on the back, along with a Sons Of Italy sticker. Karma baby! Gotta love it!

xoxo,

P

A Mom's Perogative

Yesterday was what my mom calls 'A Singing Day'. I swear I'm the luckiest mom in the world. You may have seen my FB post of last night, "I am so proud of my teenager" - here's why:

1.) He's just totally cool and has the biggest heart, more so than most people I know.
2.) He landed a job at the elite Sickles Market on his own, no strings pulled or calls made. He did it all. Way to go!
3.) Last night, not only did he earn his Varsity Letter for Crew, but he also received the 2009 Leadership Award. (side note, Ali Shroeder is a Rumson-Fair Haven alum who rows for SDSU on a full scholarship).

I have goose bumps again and I'm still beaming. I feel so lucky to watch Andrew show the world who he is and to watch the world acknowledge him. I just want to cry for happy. He was tenaciously persistent and got that job. He worked so hard, led by example, and never complained when he had to erg, run, rig or row. He showed up, worked hard, and his coaches counted on him. Earning this award is one of those life defining moments.

Last night, after I got the Littles settled, Andrew and I sat down to chat about the day. In a nutshell, "Not bad for my first year here, huh mom?" God, he is so amazing, and yes, I am the luckiest mom in the world. And by the way, he turns 18 in exactly 12 days - how did that happen?

Pinch me - what a day!
xoxo, P

Yesterday, karma, and stuff like that

I just gotta share ... Yesterday I woke up on a mission. You know that kind of day where you're just on fire and nothing can sway you, you're all smiles, super positive and freakin' productive. I love those days, and I haven't had enough of them lately. So, I started by cleaning the oven - yep, wiped it out and set the self-clean timer, stunk up the house (totally), but there is nothing more gorgeous than a clean oven. Well, actually that's not true, but yesterday it felt true. Then the house, top to bottom (except the basement, that's for today) - toilets, counters, mirrors, vaccumed every stinking baseboard, mopped the floors while simultaneously doing laundry! I know, I'm the bomb, right? I can see the tops of my counters and they're a really pretty green granite. Then, I did the unthinkable and rearranged the furniture. Nothing like a little feng shui shuffle to shift the energy in a room. I know, it sounds silly, but when the room flows, everyone feels it. And now, I can actually fit a 'real' couch in our tiny living room. I feel like a grown up again!

So, in between the housework, I managed to squeeze in a call with my BFF in Half Moon Beam! We always manage to solve a few problems and have a piff' (epiphany) or two. I heard my email while we were on the phone, and no, I don't normally try to do both, but for whatever reason, I had to look. Without going into tedious detail, it was jolt from my past searching for absolution. A part of my past that my BFF shared with me (she's an old BFF), so no surprise that we were on the phone when I got the email. I laughed (in a shocking 'wow, that takes a lot of balls' way) and promptly hit 'delete'. I am all about forgiveness, but I never forget.

Karma, huh?

Enjoy your day!

xoxo
P

Wow, it's Wednesday!

I love Wednesdays - that midpoint inching you closer to the weekend. Check this out, I know, totally geeky, but I wikipedia'd Hump Day - ooohh the God Woden (Woden's Day) - get it! I like 'Oden the Wanderer' better, but oh well.

Anyhow, we're getting closer to the end of school - anyone else feeling like they're on 'function overload'?!? Concerts, parties, paperwork, last minute projects, search for the missing library book. I love it and hate it at the same time. I'm ready for my kids to be out of school, yet I know I'll be begging for a schedule two weeks afterwards. I can't wait for that first morning when we eat breakfast at 9 (ok maybe 10), watch some tube and play Wii. My kids 'hang' really well - must be genetic. I know we'll all be bored by 11:45, so good thing the parks are close by, the beach too, and Sports Camp starts in another week (phew!).

So, FYI - After much due diligence, budget crunching and brain twisting, we're going to buy the house we've been renting. Think: prudent choice, financially smart, great investment. No, it doesn't mean we'll be here forever, just means we got really tired of paying rent when we could be deducting mortgage interest. Can I just tell you, there is something so not stressful about buying a house and not having to move - anything! It's mind boggling!

And now that we'll be NJ homeowners, I finally bought deck furniture so we can enjoy our balmy nights. I have plans to uproot a few 'industrial' shrubs to make room for vegetables and flowers. I am compelled to keep the house a little cleaner and more organized, and everyone is just a little more calm - it's good, very, very good.

Oh and by the way, for those of you who did not see my roses on FB - check this out! This hedge flanks one side of my property (note: white picket fence and recall my December blog post). People actually stop to 'smell my roses' - they're amazing!

Enjoy today!

xoxo,

P