-Distraction-

Honestly, I have had SO much going on in my life these days, I don't think I know which way is up ...... or down! =( 


I think each moment of my life is a blur, from the moment I awake at 06,15 until the moment I go to bed, at 23,30 or midnight! Or whenever. 


I don't feel tired, but I think maybe I am too busy to even FEEL tired! Hence the blur....


Our society is so much busier than it used to be when I was a kid. I mean, most kids don't even get a true summer break any longer, with both parents working, it's camp, camp, camp. We were fortunate to be able to play outside and veg out in front of the t.v.


It's a new year - and nearly two months are over- time to revise some things in my life and slow it down. Time to enjoy what really matters. I am striving to make some changes in that regard, praying for some changes. 


My son is 6 - these past six years have gone by in a blur! It breaks my heart whenever he says he wishes I could be home with him when he's off. He's my heart =) ........but I have to work, we're one of the average two income families, blessed to be able to prosper in this economy. And "prosper" is all in your perception as well. 


It's about prioritizing what's important to you? It's about not being busy, just to be busy. We sometimes can do that. We make ourselves busier than need be. This has to come to a stop for me. I made what could have far too busy schedule. I will NOT pack my days with so much STUFF that I can't focus and concentrate and dedicate the time to the things most important to me.


Priorities and most important things come first and all others will just have to wait.

-Working With.....Three Year Olds

This week, I began my field work (aka internship/student teacher) at a local school. I chose to begin in the preschool 3 classroom, as it appears to be the busiest in the afternoons, as well as the early mornings.


In the past four days, I have learned more than I ever thought I could from a three year old, well a bunch of three year olds, anyhow! On average, there are 12-15 children in the classroom at any given time. I've learned the importance of tennis shoes, and how the children notice when I don't have them on! How can you play tag without tennis shoes, Ms. Joy! 


I have learned to improvise, yes, from a three year old! Whatever you have at hand can be used for anything, if only you use your IMAGINATION! Simple blocks have become hairbrushes, as well as nail files (and yes, I was pampered today by a few three year olds-got my hair done, my nails done, my make up done, and even a massage! - Just close your eyes and imagine it! I never felt more relaxed!)


Books can be enjoyed whether you know the words or not, make up your own story! 


I've also learned more about the game ANGRY BIRDS than I ever could have imagined, all from one three year old little boy! How is it that a three year old knows more about a computer game than a 36 year old? His excitement is contagious-and although I have no interest (STILL) in checking the game out, I did go and print off a few Angry Bird coloring sheets. Something so simple made his day!


So yes, although I have experienced having a three year old (mine is now 6 -and a half, if you ask him!), you can learn so much more in a group of them! 


They have captured my heart, each in their own unique way! They've spoiled me with their creative pictures, in which I will need a room just to display them all; their endless hugs, their laughter and joy! 

~Exercising, in Groups.~

I have finally realized why "skinny" girls don't exercise with "not so skinny" girls. (And this is not meant to be offensive, merely an observation.)


-Being a "skinny" girl myself, people often mistake me for being "in-shape!", which I am far from being "in shape." Dare I mention the fact that I need to exercise to another woman, who may not be as skinny as I am! The immediate response is "Why do you need to exercise?" Don't presume just because I am 5' tall and weigh 94 lbs that I am IN SHAPE and don't need exercise because, oh my gosh! "You are so skinny!" "Eat something!" "You don't need to lose weight!" 


I need exercise just as much as the "not so skinny" women do! Just not to lose weight; I admit, I am in no need of that! Some would say I could stand to gain a pound or two, but I am happy just as I am, I just want to be more fit! I need cardio, everyone needs exercise. Size doesn't count and doesn't matter.


Stop making us "skinny girls" feel like we don't need to exercise, encourage yourself, don't discourage us! Yeah, I might burn calories faster than you, but you don't know what I do to maintain my size and weight. 


We should be supporting each other as women, not knocking each other down. So the next time you hear a "skinny girl" mention exercise, don't assume..........just support! 

Um, Yoga Anyone?

In my already crazy, hectic life, I've decided it's time to try something new....something I've been saying for years I've wanted to do. And since I have a goal not only to focus on my family and friends this year but also ME (which is honestly a challenge in itself, because I love to give to others,but have always tended to neglect myself) - I've decided to finally take up YOGA. 


Yes, I said it, Yoga. She who doesn't know how to sit still for a moment is going to take up some yoga....to learn to relax, and meditate, and get some exercise in my life. My life is hectic, as I mentioned.....always running from here to there.....mind constantly going, I need to learn to focus and relax. I'm excited as I will be doing this with a friend and her daughters and my six year old son (who did yoga when he was three, yes, three!!) are joining us as well.


I want to improve my life all around. I've never been much into fitness, though my son thinks I should take up running. (Yeah, like that will ever happen! I didn't like running in P.E. in school; there is NO WAY I will take up running now! And the ripe young age of 36!) 


So I am going to squeeze 15-30 minutes of yoga into my schedule (fingers crossed) daily! And maybe I will finally learn to meditate along the way as well (something else I have been saying for years I would love to do!) I have an active mind-like most women do! And a busy life! What with being a wife, and a mom, and working and going to school! 


I have gone out to gather most of the tools I will need to begin this Yoga venture! I'm not joining any class - way too embarrassing! I just simply want to do this on my own, with close friends. And what better way is there to bond with your child, than to exercise! 


It's NEVER too late to learn something new! And I can't wait to get this started! Yoga-expert here I come. (Ok, the "expert" part is really pushing it!)


More to come!








P.S. - So this morning, while on my way into work, I stopped by the Thrift Store (which I do on the rare occassion.) I had hopes of maybe finding an inexpensive yoga DVD, just in case my wonderful plans of sticking with this fall through, I won't have spent too much money! Well, I didn't find a DVD (yet!) but I did find a nice book educating one about yoga! All for the low price (wait, take a guess!) Ok....now I'll tell, $.49 - yes, 49 cents! And it was BRAND NEW! Nice!! I can't wait to get that DVD and get to Yoga-ing! 

~The Skinny Jeans Dilemma~

Some of you may know how fashionably challenged I am. However (finally) at the young age of 36, I have somehow grown the liking of the idea of becoming more fashionable, with my clothes, and my hair, and my make up.

My latest dilemma is with skinny jeans. I, personally, think I look perfectly cute in them.  I mean I do realize that skinny jeans are not just for skinny girls like me.

In my quest to become more fashionable, I picked up a pair of perfect-fitting (and perfectly comfortable, much to my surprise!) skinny jeans. My dear husband however has said I am far too skinny for my cute looking skinny jeans, so I thought to myself, why not take a poll!? I think I look perfectly "cute" - maybe not with my Converse, but with some boots? Like the ones I have on? Or some others?

Isn't fashion also about feeling comfortable and confident with what you're in?

-La Cucina di Gioia!-

So every now and then, I like to think I am a professional chef! I love to try my hand at a new recipe every now and then! (But never will you catch  me baking anything from scratch!) I love food which means I love to eat! 


Tonight I decided to cook up a pan of Chicken Piccata, the bonus to this recipe is that the ingredients called for wine! (Which means, while preparing, I could indulge in a nice glass of white wine! Hey! Who wouldn't sneak a glass out of an open bottle of wine!) 


I made mine without the capers- as I really don't like them at all!! I know they add some flavor, but the look and consistency of then, well, I just can't be bothered with them! And while I read the ingredient list several times, I missed the fact that I needed a whole lemon to slice up, so I could make the dish look even prettier!


For all my Mom's out there, who have so little time to prepare a nice, healthy meal, this one took less than thirty minutes to make! And my six year old absolutely loved it! Plus, it's fairly cheap to make and you will probably have the majority of the ingredients already in you cupboard! If you've never cooked anything with capers, I would recommend trying it out, you just might like it! 


Buon Appetito, as we say in Italy! 

~Celebrating Epiphany, Italian Style

January 5th-the eve of Epiphany and nearly the end of the Christmas season in Italy, as well as much of Europe.


January 6th is Epiphany, the celebration of the 12th day of Christmas, when the three wise men arrived to see Baby Jesus, bearing gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. 


The legend of La Befana originates in central Italy. La Befana is a witch, who flies around on her broomstick, delivering small goodies to children who were good and lumps of coal - literally made out of (black) sugar - to those who were not so good on the eve of Ephiphany. (In my days of living in Italy as a teenager, I saw many a friend get coal in their shoes or stocking.) 


Legend has it that while the wise men were in search of Baby Jesus in the manger, they stopped to ask an old lady for directions. They also asked her to go with them to greet the newborn King. She declined, but later decided to follow them. Along the way, she got lost and never found the manger.


Now on the eve of every Epiphany, La Befana can be seen flying around on her broomstick, still in search of the manger and Baby Jesus, as she delivers small gifts to the children of Italy. Leave your shoes out on the eve of Epiphany for the arrival of La Befana, on her broom. But as with Santa, be sure you go to bed.....as La Befana passes over any homes where children may still be awake. 


(P.S.) La Befana prefers wine to Santa's milk!!! So be sure to leave some out on the 5th of January before you head to bed! ~White wine preferable!