Pizza Wart . . .

what my son calls the bubble that forms on a homemade pizza crust while in the oven.

Compliments of Ua-the-Blonde (see previous post)

This, from my sister:

During a recent password audit, it was found that a blonde was using the following password:

"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"

When asked why she had such a long password, she said she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters long and include at least one capital.

The Joke's on Us

Every year about this time my sister and I plan a weekend getaway . . . just the two of us.

This time we are going to Hilton Head Island. Our hotel is reserved, and we are full of plans that include dining, shopping, biking, sun-bathing, and talking into the night.

Here's what we didn't plan on: the entire Italian American Club of Augusta (which includes our parents) also on Hilton Head Island this weekend for a Bocce Tournament. I mean, what are the odds?

But that's okay, we'll be forewarned because they are, after all, a very large group of Italians. The noise level alone will let us know exactly where they are at any given moment.

Which gives my sister and me plenty of time to duck out of the way in completely the opposite direction!

Sisters

(ua the blonde, bia the brunette)

Before You Know It

This morning my son, Nicholas, and I were up early, and with the rest of the family still sleeping we decided to go out for a driving lesson.

And get some donuts for breakfast.

Every Sunday afternoon for the past three months my husband has taken Nicholas out driving, but this was my first time to be in the car with him. He was a little nervous; I was curious.

He drove out of our neighborhood.

Speed up, I said helpfully.

We came to a red light, and chatted while we waited for the light to change. He turned left on a green arrow.

Speed up, I said.

The irony of my words struck me. I thought how life, especially when it comes to our children, seems to speed along much too quickly: from toddler, to teen, to young adult...seemingly overnight.

I did some Math: next year he'll be driving by himself, in two years we start visiting campuses, in three years he'll be going to college.

Three years goes by in a hearbeat.

I glanced over at him and felt reassured. Yes, he was becoming a young man, but he was still there...my awkward teen. He had major bedhead (after all, it was 7a.m. on a Sunday morning), he was sitting on a pillow (my husband's car sits very low), and he still has braces. I also remembered how he fumbled and dropped the car keys getting into the car.

My heart did a flip-flop.

We purchased the donuts, and he turned out of the parking lot to head back home.

Speed up, I said.

Slow down, was what I meant.

Sometimes, Too Much is Too Much

I like sports, truly I do,
but sometimes I'd like
to bid them adieu.

A season? Ha! Doesn't exist;
It's year-round, I say.
Summer, spring, winter or fall
Really, they won't go away.

There's football then basketball,
both college and pro.
Then there's golf and there's baseball...
Toooo much to follow!

I like sports, truly I do
but sometimes I'd like
to bid them adieu.

Happy Easter! (every day)

Easter is not just one day. It doesn't end once Mass is over, or the last jelly bean is eaten, or the new outfits are put away.

No, Easter is a season. After going though forty days of preparation during Lent, we now have FIFTY days -- from Easter Sunday until Pentecost -- to celebrate and rejoice.

Recently, an article in The Word Among Us listed fifty ways we, as families, can celebrate the Easter Season. They have some wonderful ideas. I went through the list and borrowed some, modified others, and added a few of my own.

Celebrating Easter as a Family

-At mealtime, say an "alleluia" after grace.

-Light a special candle every evening as a reminder of the light of Christ.

-Fly a kite to celebrate the wind of the Holy Spirit.

-Have everyone select a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galations 5:22-23) to cultivate.

-Take a short trip to a shrine, monastery, or church.

-Plant some seeds.

-Make a point to smile more often . . . spread the joy.

-Read Acts 2 (the descent of the Holy Spirit) in English, Italian and Spanish.

-Talk about the road to Emmaus. Go for a family walk along the canal.

-Plan a meal for Pentecost Sunday. Visit Catholic Cuisine for some ideas (Twelve Fruit Salad for the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit; Red Velvet Cake representing the fire of the Holy Spirit; Pasta Alfredo for a "white" meal since Pentecost is also known as "Whitsunday").

-Discuss Christ's call to be "fishers of men" . . . plan a fishing day with Nonno.

Happy Easter!

~photo taken at Arlington National Cemetery

Does it make me a bad person when...

I am happy Phil Mickelson won the Masters, but EVEN MORE ECSTATIC that Tiger didn't?