Pizza so good....you forgive the idiots around you

For some months or maybe even longer - It has seemed like the right thing for me to do is to write more about food.  I am obviously a huge fan of food, and I think I know a good thing when I taste it.
Therefore, here is my first official post about food I ate in a restaurant.  Prepare to be amazed.

Who:  Il Cane Rosso
What:  pizza
Where:  Dallas, TX
When:  last Thursday night

The Neopolitan Pizza oven - wood fueled and awesome!

We arrived late on a Thursday night - and the place was packed.  The wait was 35 to 40 minutes - but we opted to squeeze in a spot at the bar.  No easy task to battle Dallas folk - but after scoring one lone barstool - a kind busboy wrangled us another stool from the back.  The seats at the end of the bar gave an upfront view of the pizza oven and the pizzas being made!  Each pie was being hand formed and tossed right in front of us.
While I can't lie - the clientele was a bit on the rude and obnoxious side, the waitstaff was fantastic.  Our waitress Rachel gave us great service - something not often found when sitting at the bar.

We ordered up 2 glasses of wine - One Sangiovese and one Barolo.  Also the Salumi Misti as an appetizer

.

The Salumi Misti was a great starter! Warm fired bread served with marinated olives, pickled vegetables - like a giardinera - but more delicious - gorgeous fresh mozzarella and shavings of parmigiano reggiano - there were also 3 cured meats.

The Luana - almost gone!

For our pizza we chose the Luana - a fresh and fabulous San Marzano tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella, basil, sausage, mushrooms and a spicy soppresata.  I was right back in Italy the instant I bit into it.  If Il Cane Rosso has made it their mission to bring Italian pizza to Dallas - they have succeeded!

For dessert - they really outdid themselves.  The Bella Mela - is the same fabulous crust - but topped first with a vanilla bean mascarpone cheese - they pipe it on....then they add caramelized apples and in it goes to the oven - when it comes out they sprinkle it with sea salt - drizzle caramel and powdered sugar.  SHUT UP!  I know!  It was out of this world.

I left stuffed to the gills - but oh so happy!
I would make a return trip again.
Prices were super reasonable and food was outstanding!
Boni Boni Boni!

A word about Dad....long overdue

The BBQ chef - This was a Father's Day gift one year - hat and apron.  We called each other 'chef' before it was cool

Check out our outfits.....Travolta clearly took wardrobe clues from Alan!

I still lay like that on the floor - minus the pigtails.  Dad looks like Michael Landon in this photo

Visiting at Nan & Pop's

Dad taught me how to fish.  I could even put worms on!

I feel sorry for my Dad.  He is often the forgotten one in our family.

It was just him in a household of women.  Hormonal, moody, hysterical, picky women.

It is only ok for me to say that about myself, my mom and sister.  

Dad bore the brunt of our pent up emotions. 

One look across the table from my Dad - and ~*boom*~ I would crumple into tears.

The poor guy wore a look close to mystified......WTH just happened?!
As a young girl, Dad was not the first one I ran to.  It was not his fault - it was just the nature of being a girl and wanting Mom.

Even when I left home - It was always Mom that I called wanting to talk to.  Poor Dad, never getting to talk to me, always the last one to know what was going on.  It was as if since the girls discussed it, everyone must know.

Sorry Dad.
I even mistakenly thought I had once upon a time written about my Dad here - but after going back through the archives - I found I was wrong.  Just like me to assume.  Poor Dad.  Not one single post dedicated to him.
I am confident that my Dad knows that I love him.  We all love him.  Giving him a bad time is to be expected.  As my Dad would say,  

"This is what we do in this family" 
and he is right.
As a family, we tease, we mock, we joke, we laugh, we give each other a hard time.  So basically, for the past 40 years, my Dad has come to expect that he is the last to know and the one that his 3 girls will gang up on.

I love my Dad.
He is a great story teller - and I love that mischievous look he gets in his eye seconds before he delivers the punchline.
Dad has a laugh that fills a room and is totally recognizable as his own.  I think my own big mouth, loud laugh comes directly from him.
Dad taught me to love and admire stupid humor.  My Mom and Sister have no love of really bad, stupid movies like me and my Dad.

Even though I may not always have run to Dad first with problems or heartache - he always comes to the rescue.  I am still guaranteed a big bear hug when I need one.  Thank you Dad for always listening and being my biggest supporter.  I know he is proud of me.  And that means the world to me.

Dad has taught me many valuable lessons along the way.
My favorite one is "if it's free take it"
Don't think you can't carry it, or you don't have room for anymore - take it!

And still, no matter how often I say I hate something - I still can hear him saying,
"Hate is a very strong word.  Do you really hate it?"

When you hear your Dad saying this to you in your head when you are gossiping with girlfriends and saying you hate so and so or such and such - it really does make you think.....and yes, you do get the parental guilt trip!

I am calling this one, "Dad yelling at me"  Even though I say "yelling" when I am just being spoken to in a rational manner.

Thank you Dad for teaching me to love my family no matter what, thank you for going to the store early in the morning to get me 'supplies', thank you for morning Starbucks runs, and rides back and forth to the airport.....from the wee small hours of the morning and the night!  Thank you for teaching me to be a foodie before it was cool, thanks for dancing when "Shout" comes on, thanks for teaching me how to fish, and how to ride a bike for 40 miles all at once.  Thanks for still making me feel like you are there to take care of me even though it turns out I have been a grown-up for a long time now.  Thanks for liking me on Facebook and learning how to text.  Thanks for always understanding that we love you even when you think we leave you out.

Love You Dad!  Happy Father's Day!

Hysterectomy......the hype, the hysteria, the aftermath so far

Aggh.
It turns out that turning 40 has been monumental in the life changes my body has physically gone through in the past 5 months.  Anyone that knows me - knows when it comes to medical anything - I tend to freak out first and then read everything online about the problem - convince myself I have the worst case scenario and freak out even more.
When I went looking for information on hysterectomy - my searches came back with many sites - but I didn't find anything with a real life account of what happened and what to expect.  I hope this post can help at least one person feel a bit better about the operation and not be frustrated by the enormous amount of information that is out there along with all of the emotional feedback you find.  I am not trying to make any political statement here.  If you want to read about why doctors do so many hysterectomies and why they don't give women more choices yada yada yada - this is not for you.
The bottom line was, I was sick, I was bleeding enormous amounts of blood, I had tumors and a cyst and early signs of pre-cancerous cells - I wanted it out.  Pretty easy decision.

So, how did I get here?
After battling the back and the back surgery - my long time anemia was discovered.
My hemoglobin was 4.6 - apparently so low that standing would have been impossible.  But I was standing and doing many other things.
My doctor began the search to find the cause of the anemia.
I had blood work, MRI's, abdominal ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds - and viola!  Fibroids.  And a very large tumor or cyst on my left ovary.
Blood loss was so substantial that they doubted my body could keep up with blood production even with my iron supplements.

Two minutes into my pelvic exam - the doctor said without doubt the uterus needed to go.  Hysterectomy.
For sure they would remove the uterus and the left ovary.
A few weeks later - it was also determined after an abnormal pap smear - that my cervix would have to go too.

There was also no choice for the type of hysterectomy I would have to have.
Abdominal - with a vertical incision.  The uterus was just too big to come out any other way.

This was probably the hardest thing to hear - the cosmetic was a bigger worry for me than the procedure!  I was surprised at my vanity - I am not a bikini wearing midriff revealing person - but this was hard to swallow.  I also realized this would not be out patient surgery.  I would have to spend a few days in the hospital too.

4 weeks prior to my surgery - I received a shot to stop my bleeding.
The shot didn't hurt at all - they do give it to you near your hip.

My pre-op visit was very easy.  You meet with your doctor.  She explains the check in steps.  Explains the surgery and about how long she thinks it will take and what the following days will look like.
You then go and do blood work, give a history to the nurse and all of your vitals are taken.  This includes weight, temperature and blood pressure - and the famous pee in the cup!

Surgery day you arrive at the hospital, standard rules apply of no food or drink after midnight.  I did shower that morning and dry my hair.  No makeup, lotions or perfumes and no dark nail polish!  Because I have had some problems in the past with the blood oxygen readers - I actually took my nail polish off completely.
When the nurse takes you to the back - you take off everything and get a gorgeous purple paper gown to put on - and comfy socks to keep your tootsies warm.
I did bring a bag with a nightgown, robe, panties, more socks and toiletries.  It was really unnecessary.  I only used my toothbrush, deodorant and hair brush.  Don't stress the night before by packing.  I did and now I know it was wasted time.
The nurse starts your IV and you are visited by your doctor and the anesthesiologist.  They usually give you and antibiotic, anti-nausea medicine and your first hit of happy juice.  You are also fitted with the electrodes that will monitor your heart.
I was given a cap to cover my hair - kissed my loved ones and was wheeled down the the operating room.
This is where I lost track of everything.
Waking up in recovery - I was aware of pain - and remember calling out "ooouuch" a few times.
I was in bed, the head of the bed was raised.  I had multiple blankets on me and my legs were in two sleeves that inflated every few seconds.  The heart monitors were gone - but of course the IV remained in place.  My purple paper gown was replaced with a cloth one.  I also had a catheter placed during the time I was out and in my right hand the wonderful pain pump.
They also placed a folded warm blanket on my abdomen over the incision site.  The heat and pressure were very welcome.
After swallowing a few spoons of ice -  I was wheeled into my room.

The day of surgery - I was in and out of consciousness all day long.  The combination of the wear off of the anesthesia and my pain medicine kept me pretty loopy.
I did experience nausea that was pretty severe.  I was terrified to vomit - and did alert the nurse.  She gave me additional anti-nausea in the IV and it went away fairly quickly.
It was explained to me that I would be kept on clear liquids until I started to pass gas.  (lovely I know)
I was also very aware of my sore throat - the breathing tube they inserted during the surgery caused me discomfort - it lasted for just a bout a day and a half.  But I was so drugged up - I didn't do much talking anyway.  The talking I did do was related to how did the surgery go?  What did the doctor say?  And I gushed love for everyone that was around me.
The surgery did go well - as expected - my giant uterus was cantaloupe sized with tumors - my right ovary looked good and stayed in place to give me the pleasure of future menopause and hormones.
The worst parts of day one:

• they check your vitals all the time.  sleep is often, but also often interrupted
• gas pain is terrible
• you don't want to eat anything - I did keep eating the ice to help the dryness - but the nausea made me afraid to put anything in my stomach
• seeing your pee emptied is gross and embarrassing with a crowd
• I was terrified to move my body
• I itched like crazy from the stuff they swab on your body during surgery

I was given chicken soup later that afternoon.  It actually felt good on my sore throat.

That night - the night nurse told me she would be in at 4am to take out my IV, catheter and get me up and walking.

4am!?

Luckily, with no sense of time - it turned out to not be a problem.

Day 2

The nurse arrived promptly.  My vitals were checked and she told me to give the pain pump another hit before she took out the catheter.  It didn't hurt - but it did feel very weird.  I was relieved to have it out - no more pee pee emptying in public.  (But the terror of knowing I would have to get up myself!)

I was fitted with a bizarre pair of mesh panties and the longest pad I have ever seen.

She told me to wait about 2 hours before actually trying to get up and go to the bathroom - I was told I would feel like I needed to go - but that was just because of the catheter coming out.

Next, she uncovered me and examined the incision - In all honesty - I could not bring myself to look at it.  But she said it looked really good.  The large outer bandage was removed and she cleaned the wound.  The incision on the exterior is held together with steri-strips.  All stitches are actually below the surface.

Because I had some nausea - she left the IV in my hand - but unhooked my pain drip - I did get to have another pump before she unhooked it - and was given oral pain meds.

She told me the Doctor would be in to take a look and talk to me.

I must have fallen asleep again - but like clockwork - about 2 hours later woke up ready to hit the bathroom.  I buzzed for nurse to help me.

This was terrifying - but she was patient with me and told me what to do.

The most bizarre thing - is that even though 24 hours earlier you are walking into the hospital - when you stand up - your brain doesn't seem to remember how to walk.  I took uneasy shuffle steps with the nurse and made it!  A good tip for anyone - be sure to stand up straight when you do get up the first time - if you stay hunched over - it will make it that much harder to unhunch later.

The hardest part is walking because you forget how - but I think more of the fear came from being afraid to open up the incision.

As hard as getting out of bed is - getting in is no easier.  But I managed.  The doctor arrived - examined me and gave me my marching orders for the day.  Walk around as much as possible.  It would help to get the gas moving.  (which by the way had not moved and was super painful).  She didn't want me on solids until that happened.

The nurse came in and gave me yogurt, a laxative and more gas medicine.  ick

I did spend the day walking the halls, walking around the room, and avoiding bed.  I did get to eat chicken fingers for lunch.

The worst parts of Day 2

• blisters on the back of my left leg from the vena sleeves.  in my terror to move, the inflation of the sleeves rubbed my leg against the catheter tube and the plastic part of the pillow that had my knees propped up.  
• Gas pain - it hurts more than the incision
• I itched like crazy from the stuff they swab on you during surgery.
• Gas pain - it doesn't go away no matter what you do
• wanting to go home - but knowing you have another night of interrupted sleep
• Gas pain - owwww it hurts

Dinner was hard to eat that night - the gas pain is so bad - you don't want anything to do with food.

Day 3

I was restless all night because I was so anxious to get to ok to go home.  I did manage a toot or two - so I was feeling that nothing would keep me there.  I had no fever and no complications.

Sure enough - when the doctor came in the next morning - she told me after breakfast I could go home.

She did examine my incision again.  I was told to not get it soaking wet - and that after one week, I could take the strips off.  For the next 6 weeks - no bending, stretching, lifting etc...

I was given my discharge instructions, a prescription for pain meds and a stool softener.

The nurse gave me great advice for the first 2 weeks - which are very restrictive for what you can do.

She said, "2 hands, too heavy, 2 weeks"

If I had to use two hands to lift it, it was too heavy - I needed to follow that for the next 2 weeks.

No driving until the doctor sees me in 3 weeks.  Normally, I think I would be cleared for driving earlier - but with Memorial Day - the Doctor is out of town - so I have to wait longer for my next all clear.

Coming home was a relief.

You get to take a shower - just be sure to dry the incision well!  (use a hairdryer on low setting held at arm's length away)

You get to sleep in your own bed - restful and uninterrupted

What to expect next:

• Expect the gas pain to continue - ugh - the sounds your stomach will make are truly otherworldly.
• The first bowel movement is also not pleasant - but keep on the stool softeners and you will be good to go.
• Keep moving - walking does get everything moving well!
• Rest when your body tells you too.  I have been napping when my body tells me to.  And yes, I am still able to sleep at night!
• Get a body pillow - having the long length is comfortable to sleep with - and the soft pressure on the incision feels good.
• Use your legs and arms to stand and sit.  Don't use your stomach muscles!
• Let people help you - it is good to be spoiled post op!

One week post op and so far so good.

Updates to follow!

C'mon.....be a pal

I am reaching out to the blogosphere and beyond to request help for a great organization.

I ate chili for them on Sunday.

So this is how you can virtually take part in supporting something I support.

Don't you feel at one with the universe now?

Click HERE....and donate!

Thanks for being a pal and a buddy.

To read more about Best Buddies.....click here.

A New Recipe - Cilantro Lime Shrimp Risotto

I tried my own creation tonight -

A Cilantro Lime Shrimp Risotto

I used a basic risotto recipe with a few twists.

It truly had the flavor I was looking for.

1 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. olive oil

chopped shallot

1 1/2 cup risotto

4 c. chicken stock

juice of 3 limes

1/2 c. chopped cilantro

instead of wine - i used the lime juice - then began with the ladels of chicken stock.

I finished it with another tbsp of butter, sea salt, black pepper and the cilantro.

i also roasted the shrimp with olive oil, salt and pepper and added it at the end - i wanted the shrimp to have that yummy roasted flavor.

A true dinner success - and a nice Lenten non-meat kick off!

On a side note - I have given up Bravo TV and sweets for Lent.

Oh the humanity.

I am already looking forward to a Marshmallow Peep Binge on Easter Sunday along with some sort of Bravo Marathon!

40 days of no Housewives!!!!!!

Chili Cook Off! Culinary Excellence for the Judging...

I love Top Chef.

Usually each season - I don't feel like committing to a season - but I watch; and after one episode and I am hooked.

I have basically decided that I am a foodie - and that I can judge good food with authority.

After all - I was able to distinguish the distinct flavor of Chinese 5 spice in chocolate pudding.

(and that was after many, many glasses of wine)

So anyway - this past Sunday I attended a chili cook off to benefit Best Buddies. It was my first chili cook off - or as it was really touted as - a "one pot" cook off. The event was held at The Ginger Man pub. It was a fun little event and offered me my first opportunity to pretend I was Padma.

I did enjoy a tasty Hard Cider - Ace Pear. It was really yummy as I am not a beer drinker as a general rule and it gave me an appropriate buzz.

There were 10 pots to taste from - and I wish I had taken note.....but at the end of the day here is what is still sticking with me. The second to last one I tasted was VERY disappointing. Drain the fat off your meat!!!! Ugh...the greasy factor ruined your effort.

My two favorites were not even really chili - there was an Irish Stew and a Middle Eastern harissa thingy that were really yummy. I did get to taste 2 exceptional chilies - the first one was smoky with the perfect amount of heat - and the second one was on the sweeter side with just the right amount of heat. And as we have learned on Top Chef Texas this season - contained NO BEANS! Real Texas chili doesn't have beans!

I have decided that given the opportunity to taste multiple foods at once and stand in judgement is really a fun way to spend a Sunday. Throw in some tasty beverages and some music - what could be more perfect?

Snap out of it!

Ok, enough is enough. I am removing myself from the funk of 2012 that I began. It's time to listen to Cher and snap out of it.

So its been a tough year so far, big deal. Other people have it much worse than me.

But let's sum up the year so far. I like to summarize for the new people that stumble across the blog.

• Back problems that now require surgery - apparently I am strangling a nerve and may have permanent nerve damage. But really, who needs to feel all parts of their left leg?
• Low hemoglobin - it is so low, apparently I should be almost dead, unable to speak or stand upright. On the upside, I am clearly a science miracle.
• I turned 40. Which means I should change the name of this blog now - but I don't know what to change it to. I feel I deserve to look perpetually in my 30's. Feel it - believe it - become it.
• My beloved grandfather died.
• I was fired. Technically they say my job was "eliminated" - and they did offer me another job - but that would require me to move - AGAIN - and I am not going to do it. So I am 40 and fired.
• Ending my marriage. I am choosing not to comment broadly on this - because some things are best kept personal.

Ironically - I think I have ac

hieved most of the life events that qualify as traumatic and life changing in a short amount of time.

As you can see from the below chart - I have had a great deal to work through.

And that is why it is

time to snap out of it and count my blessings.

• Personally - I am happy and content.
• I look really good for 40 - those ladies at the Hairport where my Nana gets her hair done thought I was in my 20's - granted, they are not exactly style or beauty editors for Vogue - but a compliment is a compliment.
• I am not a Philistine
• I am a medical miracle - who else do you know with 4.6 hemoglobin not permanently hooked up to a blood transfusion?
• I can sleep almost through the whole night again - if you have chronic pain - you know what a blessing this is.
• All of my health problems can be fixed. The doctor said so.
• I am only 10lbs away from my ideal body weight - never in my life have I only needed to lose 10lbs! I am super excited about this.
• Even though I am losing my great job, working for a company I love and with the best people - the ones that have reached out to me have made me feel better than I ever did before. I know I made an impact on lives. That is pretty cool and profound.

So that is that. I am snapping out of it as we speak.

2012 so far? not so much

Ugh.

I am trying to be really hopeful for 2012.

I wanted 2012 to be a "jazz hands kind of year"

It has turned out that 2012 is hard so far.

I turned 40 - my grandfather died - I do need to have back surgery to rescue my strangled nerve that is possibly permanently damaged - I have low blood hemoglobin.

Because of the low hemoglobin - my surgery is on hold until they can determine why I have low hemoglobin.

I have tendencies toward hysteria.

And of course, have spent far too much time looking up what low hemoglobin means.

Vitamin deficiancy

Anemia

CANCER

Heavy menstural flow

CANCER

I am freaking out. The worst part is, I am dying for relief from the back pain - and now I have to wait until we figure out the other catostrophic health issue.

I need some optimism and happy vibes - and a few prayers wouldn't hurt either.

The Greatest Generation - The Greatest Pop

My wonderful grandfather passed away last week. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him dearly.

I had wanted to say a few words about him during his wake - but ended up delivering the Eulogy at his funeral service.

As I look over the words, I am still flooded with even more memories that I wished I had shared, but didn't......he knows how much we loved him....so I share with you those same words - my final tribute to Pop.


My Pop was a proud member of the Greatest Generation. He epitomized the age.
He was born in 1922, he grew up during the Great Depression. He served his country in WW2 - a proud 4.2 mortar man in the Pacific.
Although he was wounded in Okinawa, he never bragged about his service....he humbly returned home, married his sweetheart and lived the American Dream.

Pop was the proudest American I ever met.
His favorite song was God Bless America.

He was also the proudest Irishman I ever met - he kissed the Blarney Stone and never neglected in sending me a card every St. Patrick's Day......usually with a $10 bill inside cleverly folded to look like a $100 bill!

Pop loved his church, his family, and took pride in the work he did with his hands. Building landmarks or even in building and improving the home he loved and lived in for over 62 years.

And we can't forget his love of the golf course...happiness is, Pop on the greens!

In all honesty, Pop was a quiet man. He had a strong work ethic, strong values and principles and was a man of few words - but when he did speak - I always listened with rapt attention.

I used to always say, "My Pop is truly the NICEST man you will ever meet"

Always a smile on his face and I can't recall ever seeing him in a bad mood. EVER.

My memories of him are snippets of sights and sounds that will stay with me forever.

Pop coming home from work - slipping off his work shoes and into his trusty slippers.
Into the kitchen he would come - crisp white t-shirt, his St. Christopher medal around his neck, his well worn, soft beige work pants....smelling of sawdust, he would pour himself a big glass full of orange juice.
EXTRA PULP was Pop's favorite. I found this to be absolutely disgusting - but he loved it!

Pop had the bluest eyes - which I think shone even brighter with his smile!

And what a sly sense of humor - always the guy in the room with the perfect comeback at the perfect moment.

Scorching Hot Liquids!!!! Pop was superhuman in the consumption of soups and hot coffee or tea. If it wasn't scalding hot - it wasn't hot enough. He may have been the nicest guy - but he never hesitated in sending soup back to the kitchen that wasn't hot enough!

The man always had a tan - hair sticking straight up - and a smile on his face......

On birthdays - you could expect a call that involved picking up the phone and hearing the most beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday ever sung to you - for any encore performance of his singing talents - all you had to do was go to church....Pop sang every hymn with gusto!

In times of celebration or relaxation - the perfect Manhatten was Pop's signature drink. I credit him for teaching me the joy of the perfect cocktail. And if you have not tried a Manhattan - I highly recommend you do so at your earliest convenience.

Parties with Pop and Nan - If I am a foodie now, it is because of Pop and Nan - their legacy of dining out, dressing up or dining in and dressing down - good food and drink defined our times together.

He loved lasagna, he hated chicken.

My Pop lived a humble and meaningful life....full of the quirks and tidbits that bring individuality to all of us and our family experience.

He influenced me with his constant love and happiness. For a man of few words, you never doubted where you stood....every single time, every single visit, every single phone call would end with Pop saying the best thing....."Love You!"

And Pop......."I Love You."

Canada = USA lite....The Same But Different

A few months ago I visited Montreal and Ottawa.
It was a bit rough on me - I felt a bit out of sorts - which surprised me - because I assumed always that Canada was USA lite. It may have been the French speaking that threw my equilibrium off - I'm still not sure.

This week I am in Toronto - it turns out that Toronto is USA lite.
I like it here.
And yet, at the same time, you know you are someplace different.

In the US - we love to use our credit cards and debit cards, we never have cash.
Canadians only like to use cash and debit cards - but you better have a debit MasterCard - because they don't take Visa.
It turns out that Visa is not "everywhere you want to be"

In the US - we pride ourselves on pretending to be green and concerned about the environment.
Canadians don't pretend to be green, they really are. Even the hotel rooms have recycle bins!

In the US - you don't find WalMart's at the mall.
Canadians love when a WalMart is the anchor store. And they pile those deals high! If you want to buy hockey paraphernalia - WalMart is the place to be.

In the US - if you want to buy bulk food - you go to that aisle in the grocery store.
Canadians have a place called Bulk Barn. A whole store of bulk bins! Seriously - this place is off the hook!

In the US - Sears is a place where you buy lawnmowers and car batteries.
Canadians go there and the store is full of 70" flat screen TV's with Paris runway shows and designer duds to buy!

In the US - we love Starbucks.
Canadians love Tim Horton's, Timothy's and Second Cup - Starbucks....not so much. Don't get me wrong - Starbucks are still here - but the Tim Horton's appears to have the same appeal here that Dunkin Donuts does in New England - frenzied caffeine fiends!

In the US - when you order iced tea it is typically not sweet - unless you are in the South.
Canadians put a ton of sugar in their tea and only 2 ice cubes.

In the US - you avoid making eye contact and small talk with strangers.
Canadians talk to you all the time - and make eye contact - and are really nice! Even in elevators!

Oh, my aching back...

I go hot and cold on the blogging.

But this last cold spell has really been because I have been plagued with a terrible back problem.

It has really been a game changer for me.

Back in the early spring - I was experiencing twinges of pains here and there in my left hip - but they came quickly and soon went away..

Sadly - they started to come more often and really be a problem.

As I entered May - the pain was now constant and shooting down my leg.

I knew the pain was bad and I had a serious problem the moment I knew I needed a doctor.

I hate doctors. I hate needles. I hate, hate, hate.

First, I self diagnosed myself with sciatica. I'm a huge fan of self diagnosis and hypochondria

Second, I went to see a chiropractor - huge mistake - this actually deserves a post on it's own.

Third, when the pain was so bad I couldn't see straight, was dizzy and about to pass out - I went to the ER. they took a bizarro xray of my pelvis twice and gave me a shot in the ass....clearly not taking interest in my sciatica diagnosis - the crackpot doc on duty thought I must have fused pelvic joints?! wtf?!

The ER ended up referring me to an orthopedic doctor - who ultimately sent me for an MRI and then to a physical therapist and a pain management doctor.

It turns out - I have a herniation of the disk in the L4 L5 - apparently its not bulging too much and it is not all the way out or burst - that is supposedly good news.

The bad news is - days away from October - I am still fairly miserable.

Physical therapy is and was great - I do my exercises diligently and it gives me relief. Apparently I am also strenghtening my core so that when my disk decides to slip back into place - I won't have future problems.

The pain management doctors gave me 3 epidural steroid injections. I had to be knocked out for these. I didn't like them. I wanted a miracle and they did not provide it.

The pain doctor wants me to get another one - but I am convinced the steroids made me feel weird, and I didn't get total relief - so why should I let you bill my insurance company another $8000 for another shot?

Just give me pills.

But, I kind of hate popping pills too. I don't think they really work - and the ones that do, make me pass out so if the pain is gone, I don't even get to enjoy being pain free and awake.

I am passed out and drooling.

Not attractive.

I now have deep sympathy and empathy for those that suffer chronic pain. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I don't remember my back and leg feeling good anymore. I just feel pain, aches and tingles all the time. I can't sit for more than 30 minutes. I can't do the things I used to do. It sucks.

I have been told over and over that the healing process is long and bumpy - but somehow it doesn't make it any better.

But I will soldier on - one small pitiful shuffle at a time.

I love you Mom!

I give full credit to my parents for making me who I am.
They are awesome people.

But as this is Mother's Day - I have to give special props to Mom on her special weekend. Last year was the first time I paid tribute to Mom - but really, how can you stop at just one?

My Mom knows how much I love her. I think she would even tell you - she never has to worry that we don't have a great, loving relationship.

We are very demonstrative of our love for each other and always mangage to laugh and have tons of fun together.

I certainly consider her to be one of my favorite people, even though we couldn't be more different.

I am a fan of sunblock. As I am pale and pasty - (a complexion I get from my Mother!!!) I like to protect my skin. Mom however, likes to douse herself in Baby Oil or some toxic tanning solution called Maui Gold. You can see from the photo - the woman didn't even put a hat on her infant child at the beach! I'm squinting and looking like a special needs child. Mom - what kind of skin damage happened to me that day?

I don't think we ever mutually agree on what looks or is good. Be it clothing choices, hairstyles, music, movies or decorating choices. When I think something is fabulous - My Mom says, "oh, that's different" (key phrase for I hate everything about it)

I pretty much made fun of every outfit Mom put me in as a child. She did terrible things to my hair in the 70's. Bad perms, terrible barrette placement and she used to hit me on the head with the brush.

Even though I say we have different taste in music, she is the reason I love bad music. All I have to do is hear a few bars of Burt Bacharach or the 5th Dimension and I am singing along and thinking of my Mom.

Mom hates Edward. She doesn't get Twilight. When I determined that all mature women were on Team Edward, and all teenage girls were on Team Jacob - she bucked the system and went for Team Jacob. She doesn't even know Edward is a vampire.... she thinks it's a book about witches. She doesn't always pay attention to the details....but that's ok, I still love her.

Each time I come home, I inevitably have to make some sort of change to the house. Mom loves to inject tacky occasionally - If I had any sense of style as a young child - this furniture would not have lasted long.

And despite all of our differences - Mom is still my best friend.

Mom is always tolerant of me. Even though I give her a terrible time and make fun of her. She has always been right by my side and the best support. As mothers should, she loves me no matter what and let's me be me. We share as much now as we did when it was just the two of us - with Dad far away at sea.

As an adult now, I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a Mom that still remains proud of me and gives the best advice and support.

Mom continues to remind me all the time how important it is to love deeply and laugh often.

Thanks for teaching me how to be joyful, have fun and reminding me to laugh at myself.

Basta....no pasta!

Let's take a moment to count down the moments until the Lenten fast of no pasta is over. Easter is April 24th. Today is April 10th. Technically speaking we have 14 more days of no pasta. This has not been easy. But it was stop swearing, or stop eating pasta for lent. And there is no way I could ever stop swearing. (I swear out loud, I swear in my head - so really there is no way to control thoughts - which would not have made it a very valid effort) I gave up pasta once for lent - that was 5 years ago - the only reason I did it then was because I was arriving in Italy on Easter Sunday - I was able to break the fast with loads of pasta. It was like a reward. I'm not going to be in Italy. So it's kind of an anti-climatic end to the fast. Poo. I don't think this fast will be habit changing either. The year I gave up Starbucks for Lent - I was seriously dropping way too much cash on lattes and mochas. And even though I woke at sunrise that Easter and was the first person in line at Starbucks that Sunday - I actually noticed I stopped going as much after the fact. But let's be real - I don't see myself cutting back on my pasta. I also convinced myself that not eating pasta would help reduce the size of my ass - which it has. The pomegranate seed dress that I bought with the intent of wearing to the February wedding brunch - will now at least fit for the April wedding shower. (you can't really see it good - but the little red dots look like pomegranate seeds to me - the dress is really cute on - the hanger appeal is not so much. Trust me, super cute and very spring appropriate. I would like to thank those of you that ate pasta in front of me. Each of you savored every morsel - and I think all but one of you actually felt kind of bad and guilty for eating it in front of me. How cool that my Lenten fast would not only make me look better - but result in residual Catholic guilt for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. But let's stop the madness already. Let's be able to partake in pasta together, with no guilt. Let's order plates and plates of papparadelle and say to hell with pomegranate seed dresses. (ok, not really - let's still order plates and plates of pasta - I will just keep moving on PAR and than I can eat the plates of pasta and still look good in pomegranate seed dresses)

I'm a fragrance whore....

I literally can't get enough of fragrance lately. Just a few short weeks ago I was all over Jo Malone and then Flowerbomb.

Now its Miss Dior Cherie.

Miss Dior Cherie makes me want to hug myself.

It has notes of green tangerine, violette, pink jasmine, patchouli, musk, sweet strawberry leaves, caramel popcorn and stawberry sorbet.

I smell delightful and am full of happiness.

I also can't believe how much money I am dropping on fragrance now. But, I am keenly aware that all sophisticated women need a fragrance wardrobe.

My closet is expanding to accomodate.

Love Love Love Love Love Love......

Love is in the air folks.
And in honor of the week, I am going to spread the love.
And really, having the love glow about you makes you look better....so let's go with it.

We have a big wedding this week! eeeee! I am jumping with excitement for the love birds!

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow - which guarantees me a bouquet of my favorite flowers - tulips!

I am surrounded by love really. I need to be thankful for that.
My family and friends, even Tony and Bebe smother me in it. For that I am grateful. I hope I smother you each of you back.

Let's take a bit of time to spread some love and be glad it's in our lives everyday in whatever form available.

music, poems, art, books, movies, Mr. Darcy, Edward, Mike Green, red wine, snuggling under a blanket, laughter with friends, fabulous food that makes your toes curl, a great hug, an even more fantastic kiss, a shared private joke, best girl friends, best boy friends, best moms and dads, memories of past loves, mojitos with strangers, secrets with sisters, getting tucked into bed.

You all know who you are - thank you for the love you give me and the love you let me give you.
xo

Nightmare in seats 6C and 6F

I may be a bit ornery right now - I admit it ok.
It's times like these that I find it necessary to give a gentle reminder to airline passengers.
Make it easier on all of us by following the below guidelines.

• Take your shoes off, and your belt, and empty your pockets. No really, take everything out. This is not a new procedure.


• The liquids need to come out too - in a ziploc, in a separate bin. also not a new initiative.


• Follow the rules for the body scanner - see the image in front of you that tells you how to spread your legs and raise your arms - follow the stick figure and move on.


• When you are in zone 6 for boarding, sit your ass down until at least zone 5 is done boarding. Don't block the way. Move. The plane won't leave until we are all on board. I promise.


• When they tell you to not put small bags and coats in the overhead - listen to them. To the jerk who shoved his enormous overcoat in the bin as I had my bag lifted over my head to place it there - I hate you. Next time I will pull your coat out, throw it on the ground and step on it. You were lucky I was in a good mood today.


• When the man is sleeping in seat 6D - don't reach over him to keep tapping on your pal in 6F. Shut up, keep your hands to yourself and let the man sleep.


• When you have to stand up and go to the bathroom - don't use the seat in front of you like a fixed rope helping you up to the summit of Everest. Stand up like a normal person - do you grab onto things at home to hoist yourself up? I think not. If you were old or handicapped - ok, but when you are young and fit - cut it out.


• Do you really need to ask what drinks are available? Its in the airline magazine in front of you.


• When we land - send a text. We don't need to hear you announce to the world that you just landed. No shit. We just landed too. Shut up.


• Businessmen of the world - remember courtesy? How about not stampeding over us to bum rush the door? I'm just saying.

Roman Radio on my ipod

I am first to admit to having what most people would classify as bad taste in music.

I'm not a musical person, I don't appreciate music properly - though most of you know I do long to be a lounge singer...which actually supports my bad taste in music as a general rule.

(total digression too - how cute is the Italian man in my photo by the Spanish Steps? He's so metrosexual)

My ipod is of course full of an eclectic mix of songs and artists. From Johnny Cash, 50cent, Flo Rida, Bollywood hits, movie soundtracks, Linkin Park and The Carpenters - just to name a few. Just the other day, I ran across a song I had forgotten about. I now realize I need to cycle through the full scope of my music library and not just my typical "go to" playlists.

It was an Italian song - pop music Italian - the kind you hear in the car in Italy as your driver is chain smoking and whipping through traffic with reckless yet confident abandon.

So I went onto itunes and looked the artist up. I had not found her on there before, but since itunes has been updating itself more often - low and behold there she was. I ended up finding all sorts of Italian Contemporary Pop music - now I am hooked. I was jamming last night, dancing in my underwear like I love to do. Then today - rocking out on the airplane. I don't normally dance in my seat on aircraft - but this is the most fabulous music! It's my own little secret that I am sharing with all of you. Run, don't walk and download a few songs!

Giorgia - I guess she is quite famous. She had a greatest hits album - and I must admit I liked every song on the album - she can really sing.

Madreblu - Certamente was the song I have had for years. I actually sing along to this song quite beautifully. I think she is complaining about some guy she can't get out of her head, and now she can't sleep. We've all been there. The album is Necessita.

Tiziano Ferro - this guy is a trip. He kind of scares me but I like it.

Old Lady on 5th Avenue

If you want to feel like an old lady.....stop on by Saks Fifth Avenue and have Eduardo put some $200 eye cream on you.

He will then hold up a mirror so you can see your wrinkle eye vs. your more youthful eye.

All day I walked around looking like I was firm on one side and a stroke victim on the other.

No, I did NOT buy the $200 eye cream.

But now I kind of wish I did.

By tomorrow my wrinkles will return and I won't be so humiliated.

Seriously - I can feel how firm the skin is there now - I may just invest and slather that all over.

Suckered by the Universe

The world is changed. I feel it in the water.........

I can't seem to get Lord of the Rings out of my head lately. They are playing it over and over again on cable...so that could be part of the problem....but when I am having a life moment...I like to recall familiar lines that seem relevant.

And saying "the world is changed. I feel it in the water" seems appropriate right now.

I'm also still loving to say....."I have no memory of this place" also from LOTR. It is a line that applies to a multitude of situations...and can relieve tense moments when said out loud.

Anyway...back to the original intent........the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

I'm not going to deny that it is entirely possible I am experiencing some sort of mid life crisis. With the birthday just passed.....and a new year just begun....it makes a person reflect.

I have been reflecting. I have also been a bit torn. Just struggling with some life decisions and choices.

On my birthday, I received a free tarot reading.

That was some scary shit.

My good friend Andi can tell you, that in a moment of life crisis, I love a good tarot reading.

I can analyze that crap for hours. Much to my own harm probably.

I held onto the reading for a day or two, read it about 50 times, then finally threw it away.

A few days later, another crisis hit when someone on Facebook posted a link that said our zodiac signs were all jacked up. Suddenly I was no longer a Capricorn but a Sagittarius. That freaked me out. But all is well. It turns out I am still a Capricorn. Phew.

So then, yesterday comes.....I receive an email of all things with some sort of 2011 reading. I don't know where this stuff comes from.....but I get suckered in and read it.

It turns out that cosmically speaking, this is going to be a very eventful year for me!

(shuh....I totally knew that! the world is changed. I feel it in the water!!!)

Apparently something truly exceptional is going to happen to me this year. And I am going to witness 4 separate events that will have a profound impact on me.

The first one on January 4th.....ummmm, January 4th is over. I don't recall an event occurring.

The second one - (this is my favorite one) will occur between January 22nd and the 4th of June. kind of a long window for an event.

The third one will occur on March 11th. I am considering taking this day off so I can witness the event.

and the 4th one will occur in early summer - which is to say the first part of July.

As I read...as was totally sucked in.

In each of these 4 periods a very unusual and special event will occur that will have repercussions that impact 2011 and the rest of my life. Apparently the event between January 22nd and June 4th is major. It is described as the most intense event.

I'm kind of scared.

In addition to life events....I am scheduled to have some pretty impactful encounters with people.

There is one person who is bad, bad, bad and I have to avoid.

But there is another person that is going to come into my life that is good, good, good. I hope I don't avoid the wrong person!!!!

The thing went on and on about all of my major life changes.

And being the mid-life-sucker-idiot-indecisive person that I am.....I totally paid for another analysis. I have NEVER done that.

I was totally sucked in.

They give me a free tarot reading.

A free mini astro chart....

and suddenly I am spending my own money for a deeper look inside.

I can only hope that after spending my hard earned money so stupidly, I can get my own brain around some of my real life dilemmas.

Perhaps as I peruse my astrological chart......I can then take my next few dollars and plunk it down for a therapist.

Because......the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

Something is coming.

Let Them Eat Cake! Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!

Marie Antoinette actually never said that.

It is just a nasty rumor spread by radical French Revolutionist propagandist punks.

And really, brioche isn't cake.

Yes, it is rich, decadent and delicious - but most definitely NOT cake.

And if you think about it - saying "let them eat cake" is actually quite nice. If I was a poor French peasant and the queen was offering up cake - I'd be 1st in line.

If I have not already mentioned in this blog before - I have read at least 5 biographies on Marie Antoinette. I highly recommend you pick one up.

And the Sophia Coppola movie with Kirsten Dunst? I am a fan. Lots are not - but I am.

Anyway, Cake has been a big subject the past few days.

I love cake.

I am never one to run from cake.

But a dilemma arose over whether or not to "Let them eat cake" at an upcoming bridal shower I am hosting.

It is a bridal brunch. BRUNCH.

I didn't even think cake would be an appropriate option.

Brioche maybe....but not Cake!

Certain parties began to insist that cake was a must.

I have struggled and struggled on this.

Those of you attending the shower must wait until the actual event to see if it is cake or no cake.

I'm still undecided....which is ironic.

Because I love cake.

The wedding cake is my favorite part of weddings.

The birthday cake is my favorite part of birthdays.

The question of cake is even more ironic because tomorrow is my birthday.

And I am hoping cake is involved.

Will Tim come thru with a cake? Or will I have to be irritated that he didn't and buy one on my own?

Like the cake at the shower question - the answer lies in the future.

As I reflected on cake. I pulled out some old birthday photos.

This one is me on my 1st birthday.

Clearly disappointed that no cake has yet appeared.

However, the cases of liquor on the right has my cousin Matthew on the full on waddle in his green jumpsuit.

By the next photo - I am now looking more excited. They put me in the high chair. That must equal cake. The presents I'm sure were a thrill - but you can almost see the look on my face that says, "What? No Cake?"

(and side note - why give a card to a one year old? really?!)

I do like how many photos there are of me and family gathered around cake.

It is a highlight.

I even sport a 'cake' themed hat in one photo.

What a striking fashion moment that was!

And no party hats appear on the 1, 5, 6 year old Annette, but on 17 paper cone hats are rocking the house.

Check out how I am about to nose dive into that delicious cake! Everyone else...eyes on the camera, Annette....eyes on the CAKE!

(actually, Nan wants some of that cake action too.)

My Mom even once sent me a package on my birthday when I was alone in Austin.

It had a box cake mix, a bottle of vegetable oil and a can of frosting and candles.

All I had to do was add water.

Wasn't that sweet?

Mom knew my love for cake knew no bounds...even if I had to make one on my own out of a box.

Oh for the love of Cake!