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.

Loving Life

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.”
 ~Daisaku Ikeda



Reflecting on my life and what it has given to me and what I have taken from it hasn't all been great, but I have no regrets. I believe that everything we go through happens for a reason, weather it is good or bad, it changes us and we should embrace everything. I have been thinking about what I love about life, and these are a few of my thoughts...


I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. 
~Mother Theresa

LOVE

1. My husbands kiss.

2. A hug from one of my children.

3. The friendship that lies within my marriage.

4. The pure innocent love of a pet.

5. The trust that comes with true friendship.

6. Snuggles. 

7. Those moments when you look at someone and your heart and mind instantly fill with love.

8. The little things that people do that say "I love you" far louder than any diamond ever will.

9. Giving gifts to those you love, far more gratifying than receiving any day.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?” 
~AA Milne

FEELINGS

10.  A warm bed on a cool day, especially when you know you don't have to leave it!

11. The heat of a summer sun on bare skin.

12. A swimming pool on a hot day.

13.  Crawling into a freshly made bed.

14. My husband's gentle touch

15.  Feeling my husband snuggled up on one side and my dogs snuggled up on the other when I wake up in the middle of the night.


Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.

~Margaret Thatcher


SATISFACTION

16  Setting a goal and reaching it, no matter how unimportant it may be to the rest of the world.

17. Knowing I have helped someone else find a small amount of peace in their life.

18. Watching my children choose to do the right thing... And knowing I have done my job.

19. Putting a smile on someone elses face.

20. Being there for someone in need, at the very moment they need it most.

21.  Facing fear head-on 

22. Doing the right thing always feels better than doing the easy thing.

23.  Taking just a few moments to speak to a stranger, and finding in them a new friend.

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
~Walt Disney

SIMPLE THINGS

24.  There is nothing like good food.

25. Starting a new book is like setting out on an adventure.

26. When my husband looks into my eyes, life is wonderful.

27.  My children give me these simple gifts, a painted rock, a carefully chosen flower, and those mean more to me than the world.

28. A few moments of silence after a long and hectic day.

29. Just saying "I love you."

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
~DR. Seuss

SMILE

30.  Newborn babies, they are so small and innocent and they smell so good! 

31.  Watching kittens and puppies play.

32. Watching my kids play. 

33.Singing Broadway tunes and watching my kids laugh at me.

34. Watching my dogs play with each other.

35. Writing something and knowing that people actually read it!

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
~Lou Holtz

NATURE
36.  Listening to the wind move through the trees.

37. Sunrises and sunsets.

38.  The way the air smells just before it rains.

39. Waking up to a fresh blanket of snow laid across the landscape, and not having to get out of bed.

40. Seeing the first flower of spring peeking it's head out of the ground.

41. Sleeping under the stars.

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

HOME

42.Quiet nights at home with my family.

43.Cooking on the grill, there is just something about cooking outside...

44.  The scent of fresh baked foods filling the air.

45. Watching my family accomplish something through teamwork.

46. Watching my kids all get along.

47. Spontaneous hugs!

48. Seeing my kids smile.

A place for everything, everything in its place.
~Benjamin Franklin

Phrases

49. "I love you mommy."

50. "Thank You."

51. "I really needed that."

52. "You are a good friend."

53.  "Thank you for listening."

54. "Thank you for being here."

I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.
~Florence Nightingale

Feelings

55. Being the first one in the shower after a week of camping.

56.Finally pulling the car into your driveway after a long road trip.

57.The first bite of a dinner that took all day to make.

58. Coming home to a dog that has missed you.

59. Waking up on a holiday morning with a house full of children.

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.~Gilbert K Chesterton

Things

60.  The companionship of friends and family.

61. Knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

62. Becoming part of the solution.

63. Finally finding your passion in life.

64.The ability to dream.



I know this...In My Life I will have times of joy and times of pain, but I will embrace it all because I am loving life!

The Martini

I like to have a martini,

Two at the very most.

After three I'm under the table,

after four I'm under my host.

Dorothy Parker (1893-1967)

Alright here it is...the long awaited post about The Martini.

A friend of mine made a comment about how she couldn't wait until I blogged about it. So here it is...
I needed to do a little research about the history of the martini, so here goes nothing...

There are a number of differing theories on who invented the martini and when. It has, however, been agreed that the martini was most likely invented in America and is one of the country's many invented cocktails.

There are a number of people who claim to be the inventors of this favored drink. But none of their recipes are like the Martini we know today. There is record of a drink called the Martinez from all the way back in 1962. The recipe for this drink included 4 parts red, sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin, and was garnished with a cherry. This might be the first version of Martini.

There are also a number of legends attached to the birth of the Martini. Some of them include the following:

Among the number of people who claim inventing the Martini, there is also a place that claims to be the birthplace of this drink. There is in fact, a plaque on the north-east corner of the intersection of Alhambra Avenue and Masonic Street, in Martinez, California which commemorates the birth of the Martini. Legend has it that in Julio Richelieu's saloon in Martinez, California, around the year 1870, Julio was requested to make a cocktail for a visiting gold miner. Julio made a concoction and dropped an olive into the drink before serving it to the customer. When the drink was well received, he named in after his town.

A similar story is also attributed to Jerry Thomas who worked as a bartender in the Occidental Hotel in California. Apparently, the Occidental Hotel was a favored watering hole for visitors who took the ferry from Montgomery Street to Martinez. Supposedly, Thomas created this drink for a visitor and named it after his destination. The recipe can be found in The Bon Vivant's Companion: Or How to Mix Drinks (1887 edition) which was authored by Jerry Thomas himself. The recipe included one dash of Bitters, two dashes of Maraschino, one wine glass of Vermouth, two jigs of ice and a pony of Old Tom Gin, served with a slice of lemon.

Current tastes prefer vodka instead of gin, but some say this is not a true martini but a vodkatini or a kangaroo.

I enjoyed doing some research about the martini, it is pretty interesting...but what about the classic martini glass? Here's what I found...

In a martini glass the long stem is a design element that will keep the martini cold without the addition of ice which would water down the drink. It also allows for holding the cocktail without allowing the heat of the hand to warm the drink, the wide brim was a design element that allows for surface tension which enhances the natural bouquet of the juniper berries in the gin.

OK enough about history of the martini...the glass it's put in...how about some favorite flavors.....I have to admit I had a "classic" martini once and didn't really like it, I will have to try it again soon.

But for now here are 2 of my favorite flavors......

Snowball Martini (my winter favorite) there are several variations of the recipe


2oz White Chocolate Godiva liquor
1oz Amaretto
1oz Malibu
Splash of cream


Directions
Pour all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake and strain into a martini glass.

Italian Wedding Cake Martini

2oz vanilla vodka
1oz cranberry juice
1oz pineapple juice
1/2oz amaretto
1/2oz creme de cacao

Directions
Pour the vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, amaretto, and creme de cacao into a cocktail shaker over ice. Cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into a chilled martini glass to serve.






I know this...In My Life having a cocktail is great, but sharing is better.