2012 A Recap

This is a time of the year where we try to make resolutions for the new year....and most of them are broken within the first month. Before I make my New Years resolution I wanted to take a look back at 2012 month by month. Some of these news items we may have forgotten about and some we may have wanted to forget about.

January 2012

On 13 January 2012 at about 9:45 pm, in calm seas and overcast weather, under command of Captain Francesco Schettion the Costa Concordia struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Western coast of Italy. This tore a (160 ft) gash on the port side of her hull, which almost immediately flooded parts of the engine room and caused loss of power to her propulsion and electrical systems.  Of the 3,229 passengers and 1,023 crew known to have been aboard, 30 bodies were located, and two more passengers are missing and presumed dead.

February 2012

On February 5, 2012 The NY Giants Beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI : In a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21–17. An estimated 111.3 million people tune in to see quarterback Eli Manning lead the Giants to their second Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots in five years. 

March 2012

March 11, 2012 Staff Sgt. Bales, an 11-year Army veteran, was said to have walked more than a mile from his base in rural southern Afghanistan before going from house to house, firing at or stabbing unarmed civilians. Afterward, he returned to his base for an unspecified amount of time before leaving again and walking to another village, where he allegedly killed more civilians, a total of 16.

April 2012

April 18, 2012 broadcast icon Dick Clark, the longtime host of the influential "American Bandstand" died. He suffered a heart attack while at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 82.

May 2012

May 20, 2012 a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in northern Italy, 22 miles north of the city of Bologna killed at least 7 people and caused serious damage to buildings.

June 2012

June 17, 2012 Rodney King 47, found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool. King was the black motorist whose brutal on-camera clubbing by white cops led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots when the officers were acquitted.

July 2012

July 20, 2012 A lone 24-year-old masked gunman entered a Colorado movie theater playing the new Batman movie and opened fire early Friday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 50. I refuse to mention his name, his name needs to be forgotten and the names of who he killed need to be remembered.

Jonathon Blunk age 26
Alexander "AJ" Boik age 18
Jessie Childress age 29
Gordon Cowden age 51
Jessica Ghawi age 24
John Larimer age 27
Matt McQuinn age 27
Micayla Medek age 23
Veronica Moser-Sullivan age 6
Alex Sullivan age 27
Alexander Teves age 24
Rebecca Wingo age 32

Remember the victims not who killed them

August 2012

August 29, 2012 Hurricane Isaac Hits the Gulf Coast.  Exactly seven years after Katrina battered the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Isaac hits the same area. Declared a Category 1, Isaac's winds roar at 80 miles per hour and the hurricane moves slowly across the region, but it lacks the strength of Katrina. In Louisiana, more than 600,000 residents lose power, but the city of New Orleans avoids any major damage.

September 2012

September 11, 2012 Gunmen Storm U.S. Embassy in Libya. Armed gunmen storm the American consulate in Benghazi and shoot and kill U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other embassy officials.

October 2012

October 9, 2012 Taliban gun down 14-year-old girl who defied them. In Pakistan, Taliban members shoot 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai in the head and neck. The shooting occurs while Yousafzai is on her way home on a school bus filled with children. Two other girls are wounded. All three girls survive. Ehsanullah Ehsan, a Taliban spokesman, confirms that Yousafzai was the target due to her outspokenness against the Taliban and her determination to get an education.

November 2012

November 6, 2012 Barack Obama Wins Re-Election. President Obama  is re-elected, narrowly defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Obama prevails in both the electoral college (303 to 206) and the popular vote (50% to 48%), buoyed largely by taking several crucial battle states, including Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

December 2012

December 14, 2012 Gunman Kills 26 at Elementary School. The Gunman, forces his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newton, Connecticut and kills 26 people. The victims include 20 children between the ages of six and seven. Then the gunman takes his own life while still inside the school. Before going to the school, the gunman  shoots and kills his mother, Nancy, in the home they shared.

Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female

Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male

Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female.

Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female

Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female

Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female

Dylan Hockley, 3/8/06, male
Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female
Madeleine F. Hsu, 7/10/06, female
Catherine V. Hubbard, 6/08/06, female
Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male

Jesse Lewis, 6/30/06, male

James Mattioli , 3/22/06, male

Grace McDonnell, 12/04/05, female

Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female

 Emilie Parker, 5/12/06, female

Jack Pinto, 5/06/06, male

Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male

Caroline Previdi, 9/07/06, female

Jessica Rekos, 5/10/06, female

Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female

Lauren Rousseau, 6/1982, female (full date of birth not specified)

 Mary Sherlach, 2/11/56, female

Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female

Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male

Allison N. Wyatt, 7/03/06, female

Remember the victims not who killed them

This year was filled with many ups and downs both personally and publically. I know that as I think of my New Years Resolutions for 2013, one that I plan on sticking to is to hug my boys every day.

I know this...In My Life I will not rush through every day without looking back. I will take time to enjoy what I have, not regret what I don't, and reflect a little more on what has happened or is happening in this world we live in.

HAPPY 2013!!!

Italian...and Loving It

Venice

A bus stops and two Italian men get on. They seat themselves, and engage in animated conversation. The lady sitting behind them ignores their conversation at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of the men say the following:

''Emma come first. I come. Dennis come and Dennis come again. I come again. Two asses, they come together again. I come again and pee twice. Then I come once-a-more.''

''You foul-mouthed swine,'' retorted the lady indignantly. ''In this country we don't talk about our sex lives in public.''

''Hey, coola down lady,'' said the man. ''Imma just tella my friend howa to spella Mississippi.''

I have mentioned a couple of times that I am Italian. I am a first generation Italian American. Both my parents are from Italy and moved here in 1959. I am very proud of my parents for moving to a country not knowing how to speak the language, but learning and becoming citizens of the United States. I do not remember much about my dad (he passed away when I was six), but I do remember how proud my mom was to be an American.

Mom & Dad's wedding day

I am very proud to be an American, but I am also very proud of my heritage.

I want to become fluent in Italian, I know quite a bit since my mother always spoke it in the house (especially when any of us were in trouble), but as far as reading and writing...I stink at it. So where to begin......hand gestures, table manners, and a little bit of humor...


Hand Gestures

Connecting your index finger to your thumb on both hands and moving from the inside out means "perfetto" = perfect

Bring your hands together and place them under your cheek.

 means "Andiamo a dormire" = let's go to sleep 

Bring your hand palm side down to the side of your stomach.

 This gesture means "Ho fame" = I'm hungry

 OK now I have some basics, but I need to remember about customs especially around the table. Here are some things I picked up, and some I read about...

Table Manners

1. Food is a big part of Italian hospitality. In fact it might be the biggest part of Italian hospitality. How you react to what is placed before you at the table can make or break relationships. This is no time to be a fussy eater, so, unless you have medically verifiable food allergy you should really eat everything put before you. It will probably be amazing anyways so you can only really win with this one.

2. Bread is put on the table next to your plate.  There is no bread side plate. There is no butter or spread for the bread. The bread is used for soaking up the sauce after the pasta and/or salad. Bread is therefore not served with pizza.

3. There is more to Italian cooking than pasta and pizza. A lot more.

4. If there is no salt on the table, don’t ask for it. If there is no salt it’s because the cook has deemed the meal tasty enough. Sometimes salt is put on the table, then, add as much as you like.

5. DO NOT ASK FOR KETCHUP or TOMATO SAUCE. ever.

6. An Italian meal is often a multi course affair. This means that you have to be wise and eat appropriate sized portions for what you think you can handle. You will leave the table feeling like you need elasticized trousers regardless, the real question is HOW stretchy do those trousers need to be.  If you eat all that you can in the first course you are (literally) stuffed for the next five.

7. Generally wine and water are served with food. Sometimes carbonated drinks and fruit juices are also served, but not regularly. Hot drinks like tea and coffee are served after the meal.


8. People in Italy have been eating like this for thousands of years. The Roman Empire was built on this stuff. The international beauty Sophia Loren famously said “Everything you see, I owe to pasta.” Italians enjoy the food but also just the moment of being together. This means that even a sandwich meal can easily take 45 minutes. So, just relax, enjoy your meal and this special moment you have been invited into.

Maybe have some of this on hand

9. My Aunt said to me "that when you are gathered around the table you do not age." good reason why meals last so long, and if its true I will be moving my laundry room next to the kitchen table.

So I am on my way to being a better Italian, I have a long way to go, but I cannot wait to learn more and more, next maybe some little known facts about Italy. The more I learn, the more I like learning.

Michael & I in Cento

I know this...In My Life I will face many challenges and some will be tougher than others, but I will enjoy the ride.

Things That Might Make You Go hmmmmm

I though about being serious today and realized sometimes I hate being an adult and wish that I could go back to more care free times. Being an adult is not all fun and games but today it is as I reflect on getting old and what being an adult means.

Here is my list of things that might make you go hmmmmm
I am sure most of you can relate to 1 if not all the items on my list. 



The average ten-year-old doesn't have a clue who Bo and Luke Duke are.

You have once said, "Whatcha-ya talkin' 'bout Willis?"

Two words: parachute pants

I had gray ones

Naps are good.

The only thing in your cereal box is ... cereal.

You leave concerts and ballgames early to beat the crowd.

You WANT clothes for Christmas.

You remember when Saturday Night Live was funny.

You've bought an album on vinyl.

You remember seeing Star Wars when it first came out.

Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them. 

Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question. 

You keep more food than beer in the fridge. 

6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed. 

You hear your favorite song in an elevator. 

You watch the Weather Channel. 

Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up." 

You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14. 

You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore. 

Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up. 

You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers. 

Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt. 

You take naps from noon to 6 PM 

Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one. 

Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach. 

A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff." 

You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time. 

"I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again." 

90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work. 

You drink at home to save money before going to a bar. 

When you find out your friends are pregnant you congratulate them, instead of asking "Oh, Shit, What Happened?"

You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old butt. 



I know this...In My Life having a little fun not being serious is what will get you through the day sometimes.

Johnny Appleseed, and Some Apples

It is that time of year when most of us like going to a local orchard to pick apples. I enjoy this family tradition of ours, but I also don't. For us it means the end of summer and the beginning of fall, and that always leads to winter, my least favorite season. My boys are getting older and I know they enjoy going apple picking, although they probably will not admit it, but they also knows it leads to apple pie, apple crisp, apple sauce, and anything else I can throw apples into. 

Our Local Orchard

I thought today would be a good day to learn about Johnny Appleseed, so here is the history lesson of the month...

Johnny Appleseed lived in the days of early America. He became a legend, and many stories were told about him. Some people do not know he was a real person. His name was John Chapman, and he was born in Leominster Massachusetts in 1774. His father, Nathaniel, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His mother, Elizabeth, died when he was still a very young child. 

Chapman remained in Massachusetts until 1797 when, at the age of 27, he set out for the Ohio frontier. He never again lived in a settled place. He made it his life's work to plant fruit trees in the developing parts of the country. He carried sacks of apple seeds with him and planted orchards throughout the Northwest Territory.

Once his orchards were established, he would hire a local boy to look after the saplings; he would move on, returning to tend his trees and sell saplings to the newcomers. In time, he covered thousands of miles, stretching from western Pennsylvania, through central Ohio, into Indiana.

Although John Chapman was a successful businessman, he rarely spent money on himself. He was said to use a coffee sack for clothing; one winter he made his home in the trunk of hollowed out tree. But when he encountered someone in need, he was a generous benefactor. He was also reputed to be a peacemaker between Native Americans, who appreciated his rapport with the natural world, and white settlers. He shared his saplings with Indians; in turn they taught him the healing power of herbs and other plants. As he traveled, his reputation as a healer, and a sort of folk saint, grew.

During his travels, some families asked Johnny to join them for a meal.  He would never sit down until he was sure that their children had enough to eat.  His diet was as simple as his clothing.  He believed that it was wrong to kill and eat any creature for food.  He believed that the soil produced everything necessary for humans. 

There are a number of other stories about Johnny Appleseed. Once a rattlesnake attempted to bite him while he slept.  Johnny struck the creature, killing it.  This was an action he said he always regretted.

Another time, he was trapped in the wilderness during a severe snowstorm.  He found shelter in an old tree that had fallen to the ground.  In the tree, he discovered a mother bear and her cubs. He did not interfere with the animals, and left before they knew he was there.

Johnny Appleseed has sometimes been called the American Saint Francis of Assisi.  Saint Francis established a Roman Catholic group that cares for the poor and the sick. Saint Francis also is remembered for his love of animals and for honoring nature.

In 1845, John Chapman became sick and developed pneumonia during a visit to Fort Wayne.  He died in the home of a friend, William Worth.  Chapman was seventy years old.  He was buried near Fort Wayne.  The marker over his burial place reads, "He lived for others." He had spent 46 years planting trees across the country. The death of this extraordinary man was mourned by many. In the years since his death numerous honors have been given him. A postage stamp was made in his honor. A school was named for him, and an annual festival is held in Fort Wayne, Indiana as well as other cities.

I hope the boys will continue to look forward to apple picking for many more years, and when they grow older will bring their children as well. 

I don't think he needs the ladder

I know this...In My Life I will have many things that bring a smile to my face, and most involve my children, and I hope those smiles never go away.

Tattoos

Not too long ago, most Americans associated tattoos with sailors, bikers and sideshow artists. But tattoos have become more popular in recent years, and the people who get them are as diverse as the styles and designs they choose.

Tattoos are made by injecting ink into a person's skin. To do this, they use an electrically powered tattoo machine. The machine moves a solid needle up and down to puncture the skin between 50 and 3,000 times per minute. The needle penetrates the skin by about a millimeter and deposits a drop of insoluble ink into the skin with each puncture.

I have  been fascinated with tattoos ever since my brother came home with his first when he was 17, even though my mother was ready to kill him for getting it. I was 8 back then and I don't they were as popular then (or I didn't realize it) as they are now.

I didn't every think I would get one, or want one for that matter. Wrong! I got my first tattoo in 1990, and it wasn't planned. (sounds like a pregnancy not a tattoo..lol) My roommate at the time wanted company when he drove to New Hampshire to get his tattoo. I went for the ride, little did I know I would get a tiny heart where my heart is on my chest.

My first tattoo

I thought I was done after that, my curiosity had gotten the better of me, but it was tiny and I was all set. My roommate said to me, "you'll get another one, they're addictive" He was right, but it wasn't until the summer of 1998 that I got my second. 

I had decided that long before that summer what I wanted and where it would be placed. This time it was an ankle tattoo of roses. I still love it! Now that I look at it has meaning that I  wouldn't realize the depth of it until after all my children were born. If you look closely there are 5 roses, 2 large roses representing Michael and I, a medium rose representing Brian, and 2 small roses representing Nicholas and Matthew. It was even more perfect now.

I have seen many tattoos and some, maybe most are done on a whim, and I believe if you truly want something you should get it, but something like a tattoo which is permanent should be meaningful and well though out, not just done because.

OK on to the next tattoo, yes another one. I met Michael on a blind date in 1990, he is my soul mate, I have said this many times and I really do believe I would not be whole without him. That being said this next one has to do with us.
I have always told my children, when they ask if they can get a tattoo, that yes when they are 18 they can, but everything should be thought out and don't get someones name. Words that  I will choke on.

A good friend of mine turned me onto ambigram tattoos. For those who don't know an ambigram is a word, or two words that can be read right side up or up side down. In 2009 I got an ambigram of my name and Michael's name on my leg. My children give me a hard time about having dad's name tattooed on me after I told them never tattoo someones name. I tell them that dad is a part of me, and forever will be, no matter what happens, and besides if we ever drift apart there are plenty of other Michael's out there...just joking!

Michael

Maryann

If you have read my first blog then you know the story of my parents and how my dad died when I was only 6 and my mom when I was 15. Despite this, my parents were my strength, my driving force to become who I am today. I miss them every day and I hope they are looking down on me and are proud of what they see. I decided I wanted a portrait tattoo of them on my shoulder, now don't get me wrong I researched this for a long time and even thought of submitting an application to L.A. Ink with hopes that Kat Von D would personally do my tattoo. I had seen how awful some portrait tattoos had come out and didn't want this permanently done unless I could trust the artist.
My ambigram was done at Visions Tattoo in Medway Ma and since I liked how this studio ran their business, (no walk-ins, consultations, and honest about placement and size) not just out for the all mighty dollar, I decided I would give them a try. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you. 
I sat in the chair for almost 3 1/2 hours (start to finish) and couldn't wait to see the results, and they brought a tear to my eye what a fantastic job. Again thank you Canman you are awesome!!

Here is the picture I brought to the tattoo studio. From my parents wedding.

Here is what made me cry! Amazing!

I thought that my mom would have been disappointed in me for having so many tattoos, but on my last visit to Italy I learned more about my mom, and realize she is where I get my spunk and attitude from. Thanks mom, I know you are not rolling over in your grave, but winking at me instead.

So that is the story of the tattoos I have, will there be more, who knows, I always have ideas going through my mind, and will follow my heart.

I know this...In My Life a tattoo is a lifetime commitment, and I am committed to my life.

I would love to see some of your tattoos, and if you are in the neighborhood for a tattoo or even a piercing (got my nose pierced here as well) and live in Mass, go to Visions Tattoo in Medway Ma.

http://www.visionstattoogallery.com/

Back To School

                                                   


                                                   Top 10 Back to School Quotes

#1 For the moms
“If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.” ~Edgar W. Howe

#2 For those of faith
“As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.” ~Author Unknown

#3 For Politicians
“But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret.” ~Ronald Reagan

#4 For kids
“Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years.” ~Gracie Allen

#5 For teachers
“There are three good reasons to be a teacher – June, July, and August.” ~Author Unknown

#6 For the student
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” ~Winston Churchill

#7 For the Class Clown
We all learn by experience but some of us have to go to summer school.” ~Peter De Vries

#8 For the question asker
“What’s another word for thesaurus?” ~Steven Wright.

#9 For unruly children
“When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.” ~ Mark Twain

#10 For anyone who lives or works with kids
“Schoolteachers are not fully appreciated by parents until it rains all day Saturday.” ~ E. C. McKenzie

For those of us with children, our children are back in school, that either makes us happy or a bit sad. For me it's a little of both, I am sad to see summer go, but I am happy that my children are not spending every moment together, they were starting to get on each others nerves...and mine! Now that they are back maybe I can get my house back in somewhat of organized mess...until the weekend.

For those of us without children this is the time of year where you need to pay attention to school buses, and children waiting for those buses....be cautious of your surroundings. 

I was thinking about back to school shopping, and why so many parents do it. I am not one of those parents, the only things I buy my boys before school starts is new sneakers and the dreaded school supplies. I don't run out and get them new clothes because, my oldest (15) only wears shorts to school (year round), and the younger two (9 & 8) will wear shorts until it gets real cold in the morning. So I will probably not be school shopping until mid October.

With that in mind I need my own list of back to school supplies... 

1. An alarm clock that will effectively rouse my children from sleep in the pitch-black darkness. Generally I use the dogs, but they are starting to just climb in bed with the boys.

Matt's head peaking out of the blankets, a job well done by Molly & Lucy

Nick still sleeping, while Molly is getting comfy and Lucy poses for the picture

2. A portable public address system (perhaps a bullhorn?) for making morning announcements like, “The bus will be here in five minutes, so you better have clothes on, and teeth brushed!" without having to strain my tender vocal chords.

3. An “Elementary Math for Adults Who Remember Nothing” book, so I can continue to delude my children that I do, indeed, know everything.

4. An ample supply of over-the-counter medications to stave off midnight drives to the drugstore to counteract illnesses such as swine flu, the Ebola virus, scurvy, etc. Something will hit epidemic status within the first three weeks of school starting, and a giant bottle of ibuprofen for myself.

5. A new book of checks, as I will be writing hundreds for things like school spirit wear, lunch money, supplies for the class hamster, fundraisers etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love supporting the school — but I wish I could write 1 check and be done with it....I have enough wrapping paper, frozen cookie dough, and blank greeting cards.

6. A self-sorting garbage can for collecting the mass of graded schoolwork, artwork, and other assorted papers that find their way into backpacks. 

7. A large bottle of wine. No explanation necessary.

8. An ample supply of snacks deemed appropriate for my elementary school aged children, since the school seems to know how to raise my children better than I do by telling me what they cannot eat.....just a hint of sarcasm there.

9. Something to actually keep a lunch warm without spilling, so my children aren't forced to eat a warm school lunch that, as they say is disgusting.

10. And while I am on the subject of lunch...how about giving the children that do not like milk an option of juice instead of making them buy milk only to throw it away.....or even better don't make them buy it, and I will pack them a drink.

OK, well I guess it's going to be a long year for me... I do love to watch the boys grow and learn, and I have to thank all the wonderful teachers that take the kids off our hands and mold them into the young men and women that they are becoming. 
THANK YOU!!





I know this...In My Life I will treasure June, July, and August, look forward to September, and cry when they are sending their own children off to school.