Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Mom and poetry

Mom is wonderful singer. She is no Barbra but she does carry a tune very good. I have fond memories of us singing in the car on Sunday drives, when the Red Sox games weren't on the radio. I have this one spring song she taught me...

Though April showers,
Have come your way,
They bring the flowers,
That bloom in May.
So if it's raining have no regrets..
because it isn't raining rain you know,
It's raining violets (here is where she would harmonize with me)
When you see clouds upon the hill,
You soon will see crowds of dafodils
So keep on looking for the bluebird, and listening for his song
whenever April Showers come along.

( I found a link to the song with just piano chords, but that is exactly how I picture Mom right now playing at the piano and singing this song  http://www.v-r-a.org/ppp/AprilShs/AprilShs.htm  )
The other poem she use to recite with a thick disguised Brooklyn accent ...
Spring has sprung
de grass has rizz
I wonder where de flowers iz
boids on wing ain't that absoid
I tawt de wings were on de boid
I just called her because I got stuck on the last part and in normal Claudette fashion...she starts telling me how to spell things. God love her.
Here are a few pictures of my tulips...HAPPY SPRING!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Twenty things you might not know about me....

1.) I am a minority yet not one application I fill out can I claim I am a minority. Only 2% of the world's population are Redheads. Yes there should be some kind of reward for having this copper head but as long as it stays on my head...I am happy.

2) I did dye my hair once...and only once. It was during Fall and my friend talked me going into dying it a more deeper auburn color. It came out looking like a deep brown. My pale pukey white skin and deep dark hair and it being Fall, I looked like Elvira. I defiantly looked Goth (before Goth was even considered a clique). My mother yelled at me for doing it and screamed "God gave you that hair color for a reason". I never colored it again.

3) My two front teeth are fake. I was in 5th grade and went to NBHS for summer swim team. The girls had used shampoo to soap up the floors and slide between the dressing rooms. I was using the squeegee to clean up the mess when I slipped and fell (on my teeth). I could feel it and then looked up and saw the broken teeth on the floor in front of me. (Same day my Dad got rushed to Boston for open heart surgery)

4)I got to see (secret) underground at Disney World. During High School we were invited to march down Main Street USA. We were given "ALL DAY PASSES" so we could go on any ride we wanted. (back when they had E tickets)

5.)My mother walked me down the aisle for my first wedding. Just as the music began, her lace dressed got caught in one of my pearl appliqués. The photographer took out his Swiss army knife and cut us free. She turned to me and says, “that was the tie that binded us together that is now broken”. WAAHHHHHH (and then the tears began)

6.)My first French kiss was in the pool closet at the YMCA. I guess turning 13 and claiming to never been kissed made everyone push me into the closet with Peter Cabral. He turned out the light and I had no idea what was going on. I was screaming to get out but he just grabbed me and started to French kiss me. I had no idea what French kissing was so I bite his tongue and he then turned on the light. I am traumatized to this day….

7.)I was also in love with Butch Hobson, ex-Red Sox 3rd basemen. I use to watch every single Red Sox game and wish he was my husband.

8.)My worst sunburn was on the back of my knees. I couldn’t walk or sit down. Every bend of my leg hurt.

9.)I got sun poisoning on my honeymoon in Aruba. Yes was smart enough to put SPF100 on, but I applied it from my arm up and forgot to do my hands. The tops of my hands swelled so bad, I had to go to Aruba Hospital for cortisone shot. You have to get buzzed by security into hospital. I thought you could just walk right in but I was standing outside pleading my case to security before they let us in.

10.)I love clams, oysters, cherrystones or any other bivalve. I would give anything for a plate of Ipswich Fried Clams. I would even work out extra to burn them off.

11.)Although I am a walking tourist ad for Ireland with all these freckles on my face, I am half French. I don’t admit to it though!

12.)Speaking of being half French-Canadian, I also am a post-debutante. It is old custom for single woman to be presented before society as a “coming out” ball. My how that phrase has changed (coming out)! So here I was, dressed in my pretty white gown, doing a long, slow bow before the French dignitaries and the announcer is trying to pronounce my Irish surname with French accent.

13.)My husband’s number on his hockey jersey is 13. We both love Ice hockey but since we have moved to South Carolina, it is not a popular sport down here.

14.)My first car was a 1972 Toyota Corolla that I bought for $400 dollars from my babysitting money. I use to drive my best friend to school everyday. The car would still be running today if I had put oil in it.

15.)We owned a barroom (one word or two?) growing up and I use to pack the glass bottles into the cooler for my Dad. I also use to clean out the ashtrays which were scallop shells. To this day, I claim that is the reason I don’t drink or smoke.

16.)My Catholic confirmation name is Theresa. I took that name for St. Theresa, the little flower. When she answers your pray, you are suppose to smell or see roses. I went to the chapel and prayed to her for a job I wanted. I walked out of chapel and was getting ready to cross the street so I stepped between two parked cars. On the ground in front of my foot was a rose. I then got offered the job with Reebok. My mother cried when I told her this story.

17.)Mom made us kneel down every night after dinner and say the rosary. It was a special treat if you were the one who got to light the candle next to Virgin Mary statue.

18.)I had braces when I was growing up. No big deal but the youngest three in the family all had braces. I still wonder how my Mom could afford that.

19.)I had a miscarriage back in 1998. It was with an ex-boyfriend who was verbally abusive to me. Although my husband and I are childless, I still think that was God showing me the way my life was suppose to go.

20.) My goal is to walk a 5k next month (BFA FCA 5K at Willow Creek) so I need all the motivation I can get.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Motorcycle License

I've been thinking of getting my motocycle license.  It was high 78 degrees on this gorgeous March day.  Rick took his bike out riding and I have been getting jealous.  I use to love to ride my moped when I was 16-17yrs old.  I know it is not the same thing but just feeling the wind blowing through my hair like Fabio commerical would be wonderful.  I am not talking about a big HOG (sorry MPOM) but I really like that reverse trike I saw on commercial.  (CAN AM BRP but it is $20,000)
I also like the guys that are in Rick's motorcycle club.  Since they are all police, fire, ems and ex-military...they always are safe and looking out for one another.  I checked online about EOD motorcyle club but that is only for EOD members. 
Speaking of which, for Tyler's 1 year anniversary, they are having a EOD ball down in Florida.  I guess they are invited for memorial but seeing how Florida is now closer than Massachusetts...I might ask about going. Espeically since it is also in Ft. Walton Beach where my best friend Bridget lives.
I am aching to go camping too.  This beautiful weather plus looking at the camper in the backyard has got me wishing I was sitting next to a nice stream, brook or CRICK, listening to the water and watching my husband fly-fish for brownies.
Oh would that be nice.  *even better would be a nice trout on the grill with a little lemon, dill and onion....yum.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Week 9

I began my new healthy lifestyle change on Jan 11th and it is now week 9. You would think I would feel better but there are only a few things that I notice that has changed.

  1. I am eating healthy but still give in every now and then to Girl Scout cookies.
  2. I am exercising which I haven't done in about 10 years.
  3. I am sleeping a little better but not consistantly.
  4. My clothes still feel the same but then again, I am bloated today.
  5. I noticed that I am getting my heart rate up to "optimal" workout range.
  6. My skin is feeling nice I think due to water.
  7. I haven't had a coca-cola in over two months! (but I did drink a Pepsi yesterday to be polite to my host)
  8. I passed up two opportunties to eat birthday cake and don't regret it.

My goal weight in June was suppose to be down by 44 lbs but it is going slow. I know I have to kick it in high gear at gym. My wallet is slim which makes my fridge slim which hopefully will make my waist slim.
THANK YOU CLAUDIA for your gift! She just bought me "Training for Life" by Debbie Rocker. I want to Rock this book and get healthy but I want it now.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

House Party NABISCO 100 Calorie Delicious Living House Party

House Party NABISCO 100 Calorie Delicious Living House Party

March Madness

Not basketball March Madness but the time of the year when you are sick of winter and Spring is just around the corner. For South Carolina, the last frost date is March 14. I am getting ready to prepare my first garden in our new home. Although shamrock/Clover is considered a weed to some, I would love my yard covered in it. Great deer plot too!
But my March madness also has to do with March was the month my Dad died when I was eleven. I remember the priest at his funeral talking about how there is so much grey and lifeless things around us in March, but how God always renews the earth with Spring and we just have to believe and trust that Spring will make the earth come alive again. I do believe that my Dad is my special angel watching over me. I sometimes wish I got to know him more as an adult, but I know I will always be his little girl.
March madness has begun and can't wait for April and new life to begin again.

Count each day, each memory, each moment
And make them always count.
(on letter Maureen sent to me, I am not that profound)