Family Reunion . . . Italian-American Style

Together at last

U.S.A. and Italy...

all one family!

Relatives from Italy...big Italian-American picnic today...Myrtle Beach tomorrow...one week in a beach house with five families...ciao, ciao!

(Thanks, Laura, for Haiku Friday.)

What's a Garden Gate to do?

Dear Joey,

You know that rusted garden gate that I purchased for $5? The what-in-the-heck-are-you-going-to-do-with-that-rusty-thing gate? The one that has been sitting in the garage all summer waiting to be used for some project?

Also, you know that bare wall over the television cabinet in the rec/entertaining room?

Your loving wife has been busy...look what a little imagination, a little spray paint, an old picture frame, and a lifetime of collecting postcards can do.

And don't worry. I didn't create any more nail holes...the gate is just propped.

Bacioni, Bia

P.S. This December the postcards can be switched to Christmas cards!

The Kindness of Blogging Friends

In the middle of a busy day I checked my email to discover that my blogging friend, Ellen, sent me this photo with the following words: I snapped this, and it made me think of your boys.

Three trees...a big one, a medium size one, and a small one...how perfect is that?

And how nice is that? Grazie mille, Ellen!

Love Is In the Air

"I never, ever want to have a girlfriend," announced Timothy, age 5, as we were driving home.

"Oh. Why not?" I asked, curious.

"Because I just want you . . . you're my mom," he replied.

Be still, my beating heart.

The Way It Is

dusting
cleaning
washing baseboards
wiping ceiling fans
rearranging furniture
hanging pictures
yardwork

Why? Because my aunt, uncle, and cousin will be arriving from Italy next week. The fact that they are staying at my parents house and that, after two days, we are all going to a rented beach house together (thus leaving our own house empty for a week) has not stopped the cleaning frenzy. This is how I was brought up.

Family Visiting from Italy = Massive House Cleaning

I know (and I do really, really know) that no one will be looking for dust bunnies under the refrigerator...but still.

You see, it's all about La Bella Figura. My Nonna taught me well.

What not to do when Mom and Dad are out of town

Stick your finger in a wiffle ball.

Watch your finger double in size as you try and try to pull it out.

Wait half an hour before seeking help.

Thanks, Nonno, for the rescue!

Summer Survival 101

-tell boys to put on swim trunks
-provide them with buckets, sponges, soap
-park family van in driveway
-place every trash can from house in driveway
-give instructions to wash family van and all house trash cans
-lock back door
-have delicious, frothy cappuccino...ignore any and all knocking on back door.

I Want Rocker Hair

Well, I'm back...and I can still hear.

Seriously, the Aerosmith concert last night was a lot of fun. It was held at an outdoor arena and, while we sweated gallons, at least my eardrums weren't blown to smithereens.

Here are some of my observations:

• I like ZZ Top's fuzzy guitars...coordinates with their beards.
• $5 for a can of soda is ridiculous. Really. We brought our own, thank you very much.
• People with layers of belly fat shouldn't wear bikini tops.
• I didn't embarrass my son too much with my dancing.
• Those Aerosmith guys are in good shape (Steven Tyler, age 61; Joe Perry, age 58). Really good shape.
• And they have great hair.
• I want rocker hair.
• I want Joe Perry's hair...white streak and all.
• My husband thinks Joe Perry's hair makes him look like a skunk.
• Okay. I want Joe Perry's hair minus the white streak.

I don't know...I think it would make me gain weight in my sleep

It's Hip to be Square

This Wednesday my husband and I are taking Nicholas, our eldest son, on an overnight trip to Atlanta to see Aerosmith in concert.

It's a long story, but the only way we were going to let our son go to that concert was if Mom and Dad went with him.

Now, despite what my sons may think, I am hip. Really. I have seen Elton John, Paul McCartney, and even U2 in concert. And just to cover all musical genres, I have also seen Ronnie Milsap, the Osmond Brothers, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Beach Boys.

But, honestly, the last concert I attended was Barry Manilow.

So I am feeling a little out of the loop . . . I mean, can I wear my Dansko clogs, blue jeans and a tank top to the concert? What about a sweater tied around my shoulder? Too preppy?

Sigh. Being hip is hard work. Or do you say cool? Or is it totally rad?

Whatever.

The Truth Comes Out

"Nonnno says he can sleep with his eyes wide open," announces Nicholas.

"I think Nonno is pulling your leg," I reply.

"Actually, I can do that," says Jonathan. "Sometimes, when I am altar serving, it's like I regain consciousness and the homily is halfway over."

After enlightenment -- the laundry

one wooden window found in an antique store...leftover checked fabric as backing...rusted tin leaves and hearts attached to fabric with glue gun...shelf made from leftover corian from kitchen counter...

the laundry room: sorting through life one load at a time.