where has time gone by?

I have no idea where time has gone.

I feel like the months have just pushed into one big, long day.

This week I will re-group, re-charge and get back on track.  I hope.

Lots has been going on in my neck of the woods.

I went back to school to be a School Building Leader i.e. Principal or Director or Supervisor.  I am doing an excelerated program that started on October and will end in July.  I got to school every Saturday.  Basically it's 30 Saturdays out of my life (this week I have off), last week was the last class of our 3rd course and I have 15 left to go.  We are halfway there.  I do it in a Cohort so I am with the same people for the long haul.  I have made some really good friends that I know I will have with me for a long time and some really good professional relationships as well.  This last class in particular was VERY HARD.  The professor was new to teaching and just killed us.  But it is done and we move forward from here.

One of the friendships I made from my cohort is a wonderful friend.  We actually met during our interview and have been friends ever since.  She has bestowed upon me and my family the greatest gift

Yes, that will be the newest member of our family in  about 5-6 weeks.  His name is Ozzy (my kids named him after Ozzy Osbourne) and he is a Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso mix.  My friend has both the mom and dad and he is one of their puppies.  We are so excited.  We will be going to see him this week.

We are excited for our new adventure with a dog.  I wonder how Lola is going to adjust, she is our mean cat.  We also got a hamster named Touchdown.  Our house is becoming a regular pet store!

So, all of this has been keeping me busy and I hope to get back on track.  Have a great day.

Zizette

family

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.

We spent ours at the lake with hubby's family.

I just love the way the colors look in this picture

My new favorite picture of her

Happy

A picture with the grandparents

It was a nice time spent with family.  The kids got to spend time with their cousins and the weather was nice enough to be outside.

We had many things to be thankful for.

Zizette

We {want}, we {need}

Okay, I grew up with a dog.  I love dogs.  My daughter LOVES dogs and so does my son.  My parents have a dog.  We all WANT, no Need a dog.  Notice someone is missing?  Hubby.  No Dog.  No way.  He does not want a dog.  How do we fix that?

We have a cat.  A BIG cat.  A BIG, NASTY cat.  She is mine.  I love her but she doesn't love anyone, well, maybe me from time to time.  Usually only for her long enough to like me then bite me but she sleeps with me.  The kids try to love her but she wants no part of it and Hubby - he does not like her.

Blogging Kitty

We sort of made an agreement years ago.  My hubby always says he needs to have some time without a pet (I had Lola before I met him so she has always been with us).  So, I said to the kids, when Lola dies we will wait 6 months and then we will get a dog.  He doesn't agree but last week when a friend's mom was fostering a puppy and I jokingly said, "meet our new dog."  He said, "we have an agreement."  So I made sure people recognized his commitment to our agreement.

BUT

We can't wait until the cat is gone. We want a dog now.  We need a dog now. Who doesn't want a dog?

from here

I go back and forth between wanting a medium/big dog and a small dog.  I would love to have a small dog to bring with us where we go and truly be a little lap dog.  But I also love the thought of rough housing with a big ole playful dog.

How do we get dad/hubby on board?  I brought the kids to our local pet shop and they played with the puppies Maya loves all dogs and Sam decided he wants a small dog, a Yorkie.  Just like his mom.

Now to work on dad/hubby.

Zizette

Summertime {fun}

Been real busy around here lately.

The kids are doing different things this summer, I am working at my school and we have been enjoying the sun.

Good Friends

Her first fish of the year

Enjoying the life

Cousins 

Enjoying a Mojito like mom (non-alcohol, of course)

Just a little taste of the goings on around here.  We hope you are doing the same.

Zizette

Fourth of July

The fourth of July is a big deal in our house, not only is it America's birthday it is my father in law's birthday too! We always go to the lake and have a fun filled weekend with family. This year my husband will not be here as he is working - obviously he is not happy.

My favorites are seeing the kids on the lake, swimming at the pool, lighting sparklers, hanging out with friends and family, sitting around the fire pit and of course, s'mores.

As you can see the kids have a great time. Hopefully I get some good pictures this year of the family fun.

Have a great weekend!

Schools Out for Summer

Yay!

The kids had their last day of school yesterday.  I can't believe it, 2nd and 4th grade FLEW by!  The kids have had some parties, some long play dates  (uh-hem excuse my now 5th grader tells me it's hanging out, NOT play date) and some really short days of school.  Can you believe the kids had a full day on Monday but T-W-TH they went to school for 2 1/2 hours and on Friday a mere hour and a half?  Crazy I tell ya!

They are done and Sam did well on his report card.  So proud and Maya, well she left hers at her friend's house - it fell out of the bag.  No worries I am sure she did well too.

It has been Crazy raining here which caused many a graduation parties to be canceled - bummer.  My County was called into a stat of emergency and I got a major leak.  Now to look for that problem and where it is coming from and where it's going.

But that's for another time.

The kids and I are doing something different this year.  Usually we go to camp.  Sam wasn't too interested and did not want to go and I had an opportunity to work at my school and make some very nice money.  The kids will be doing Gymnastics and I am trying to get her into Brownie camp with all her girlies.  Sam will be doing Lego/Space camp and possibly Boy Scout camp with his buds.  This is something new and we will see how it goes.  Lots of their friends are around so it will be interesting.  Most go to camp but some are around.  I only have to work six weeks so after that we are going to gave fun.  AND big bonus for me, the kids will go to CT for a week.

I love summer.  I LOVE the beach.  We will be going often as much as we can.  We the pool (thank goodness my parent's have one and they live around the corner).  I love the BBQs and we will be setting up our fire pit this weekend.  I am excited, now just stop raining.

Have a great weekend.
Zizette

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
I know most of you are mothers out there and make sure you get all the love you deserve today.
Last night we came up to the lake to spend Mother's day morning with my mother in law as we usually do (I can't believe hubby has the day off) and later in the day after lunch we will head down towards home and have dinner with my grandma and step-mom.
How are you spending Mother's Day?

My plan is to head on over to the White Elephant Flea Market in New Milford with my little girl. Hopefully I will have a good post about that one later on.

Xoxo Zizette

I (heart) the Sunshine State

Agh it's been two years since we were last here but yesterday we came back to the Sunshine State, Florida. We are fortunate enough to have both grandparents down here, so it is a double visit. My mom and grandma flew down with me and the kids (my parents live three block away from us - lucky me right?). The flight was good except for my intense uneasiness during take off. It just freaks. Me. Out. My cousin, the shrink, says it is normal and lots of women are like that after having kids. I have been flying since I was three days old, why now am I crazy?

Anyway I am so happy to be away with the kids and be able to see my best friend, she lives about 5 minutes from my dad's place.

Maya is so excited she has already tried on all her clothes to pick the right outfit. I swear today I am running, getting back on track. The weather had been so icky last week I couldn't run but today is a good day for a new start and afterwards my mother in law set me up with a nice massage. Whoopee!

Blessed We Are

Credit

Three years ago our family received news that no one wants to hear, a loved one had cancer. It was Leukemia. It was my Mother in law. She had been sick with something for over a year. One thing after the other but no one knew what and now finally there was an answer.

She was a survivor. She beat breast cancer more than 20 years before. She started treatments immediately. Six months later she received a Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transfer, from a complete stranger thousands of miles away. She was born again that day. Now two and a half years later (3 since diagnosis) she is well. Of course it's been a bumpy road but she is here and she is well. We are lucky.

This week, Dana Farber Cancer Institute gave her another gift. They gave her the name and email address of her donor. Of course she Googled him and found an article about him written in German but it also contained his picture. Not only did she have a name, now she had a face. My sister in law used Google translator and the article was actually about Stem Cell donation. They email him and he responded. He was happy to help her. He was only 25 at the time. As I read the email from my father in law with their email exchange included (I was in my carpool on the way home), I was crying as I read their words to each other (I am a huge sap, this situation even more so).

I knew I had to write about this. I knew I had to share. This young man saved my mother in law, saved our family all out of the goodness of his heart. He even sent a picture of him and his girlfriend (I am showing you the picture from the news article.

The 2nd guy on the right side with the black sweater is her donor, Patrick

This year in Religious school Sam had to do a values project.  His value word was Humility.  He did part of his project about this wonderful person (without his name since we did not have it) and the other part on his sister and her donating her hair to Locks of Love.  Oddly enough the presentation of the values project did not happen on the date scheduled and was rescheduled to a later date (next month).  When I showed Sam the picture of Patrick he said he can do a little update in his project and show the picture of him.  I am really proud of my children for being good people and thinking of helping others they do not know and may never know.  We  have always taught them to help people who are less fortunate than themselves (human or not) and think of others in need.  Maybe they will do something so selfless like Patrick did for my mother in law, in any case I know their hearts are starting in the right place.

Zizette

Bond, James Bond that is

We went to my brother in law's 50th birthday party over the weekend.

It was a James Bond Themed party.  Here are some of the highlights

It was truly a good time.  Everyone was good sports, even my hubby who does not like to dress up.

Hubby and his siblings

Great time had by all and enjoyed ourselves.  Nice to get out once in a while.

Zizette

A Year in Perspective

2010 was a year of many trials, tribulations and yes, even happiness.

It was the year I was not working, which was heartbreaking for me but in the end a good rest of sorts.

A year that I got the most amazing job that has the potential for me to have my dream job and get me where I would like to be in life.

The year that I let go and really let my children be who they want to be and not care what everyone thinks - they are children and let them have their style.  It's only clothes, bracelets and hair for pete's sake.

The year I really explored my creativity and was not afraid to use it.

The year I made some life decisions and hopefully I can follow through with them.

Taught and gave examples to my children on how to help others less fortunate than we are.

Went through a week's vacation without fighting with my mom!  (That's a biggie)

Made some really awesome friends, ones I really would like to keep and build great friendships with.

Connected more with my temple and the community surrounding it.

The year hubby got a really great job and is finally happy with himself and looking forward to being with this new company.

Watched my daughter, completely on her own, donate her hair for "sick children" who don't have hair (her words).

Got a new camera

Hosted a joint family event that went really well (I do love having everyone around)

There are others I am sure but I do know that these here did come to mind first.  I feel like I did different sorts of growing this year and for that I am grateful.

I see from some of my blogging friends that it is okay to get away for a while with your girlfriends and I intend on doing that.  So, in the new year I plan to get away with my friends a little bit.  Starting next month.  This year is my big 4-0 and my philosophy is birthday week, month, etc.  Lots of friends are turning 40 so it should be a great year!  I am very excited.

I also made a bucket list.  It only has one thing on it but it is a start.  I want to live abroad for some time in my life.  I need to figure that one out.

I want everyone to have a wonderful, happy, safe and festive New Year!

Blizz of 2010

Hey, haven't been feeling to great lately and actually coming out of my fog (been sick).

We have been hit with the Blizzard of 2010!

Quite crazy actually.

Snowed all day and night.

Looks like a winter wonderland now.

Took the kids sledding today.  They lasted quite a lot longer than I expected.  Now we are inside, nice and warm.

 Get them kids to do a little work

 Then some snow angel from the original angel

 Ready, set, go!

Momma it's cold out there

Now I am off get warm in front of the fireplace.

Zizette

Long Time

I keep telling myself how to get on the stick and I don't follow through.  So, the week I am off from school I will set myself straight.

It's been crazy busy times here as of late.

Last week I had the massive party here and it went great.  We made the St. Peter's Fish and Israeli Cous Cous, actually my hubby and my dad made it and EVERYONE loved it.  They truly are wonderful cooks.

One thing about entertaining, I over prepare stuff.  Not over cook but over buy, over feed and ultimately have tons of left overs.

We didn't cook the 5 flatbreads I purchased, the spinach/artichoke dip and lord knows what else.  Hey it made for easy meal planning this week.

The kids had a blast and that is what counts.  I won a Fire Pit for our backyard in the gift exchange, yay me!

The recipes for the food were as follows (dad gave me a cheater method to speed things along).

St Peter's Fish
1 lb of fish (I use Salmon - you can use swordfish, halibut any hearty fish)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
small jar of capers
onion
garlic
cilantro
olive oil

In a 5 1/2 quart pot,  saute the onions and garlic until translucent (season with salt and pepper).  Add sauce to onions and garlic, simmer on low for 10 minutes then add about half a jar of capers. Add the fish to pot.  (if you do lots of fish you can transfer to a roasting pan and cook in the oven - it can bee cooked stovetop or in the oven).  My dad cooks it for 10-15 minutes but he likes his fish not fully cooked so I would say it took about 30 minutes to fully cook.  Plate up and serve with chopped cilantro on top. Serves 4 people.

Israeli Cous Cous with Mushrooms

1 cup Israeli Cous Cous (also called pearled cous cous)
I use the box variety, it is plain so I follow the directions on preparation on the box)
1 pint (small container) shitake mushrooms (you can use any type)
1/2 shallot
olive oil

Chop the mushrooms and saute in pot with chopped shallots, season with salt and pepper.  Add in Cous Cous to flavor it up.  Add the water and cook as per box instructions.  Serve with fish or any dish you desire.

I am sorry some of my recipes are not super technical and "perfect"  they are recipes we do at home and sometimes off the cuff so to speak.  They are tasty.

Enjoy!

Rainy Days and Sundays...

I know it's not the song but close enough, however I am not down just busy.

Today we will have both of our families over today for the holidays.  We couldn't do it last week since Maya was in the Nutcracker all weekend.  With Hubby's family we are 15 and I asked my parents and brother to come and then my other brother in law asked if his brother could come since he lives not too far from us.  Sure, the more the merrier!

I was out all day shopping with Maya.  It was nice to have a little time with just one, not schlepping two kids and no fighting in the car.  We also had a nice dinner out as a family.

Today I will be making St Peters Fish.  It is a Moroccan dish that my dad's family has made forever and my aunt actually makes it the best!  I have to convince my dad to make israeli cous cous with mushrooms.

We have some fabulous appetizers and desserts!  So it's a busy day.

Also in my shopping yesterday I got a new chandelier for my dining room, which today is actually our sitting room.  I am so happy to finally get that in (my brother in law is coming early to put that in).

I can't wait for everyone to come over but I have to get busy.

Have a great Sunday!

8 Festive Nights

I am so happy this year with Hanukkah.

With my son going to Hebrew school and learning the traditions of our religion his motto or saying for this year's holiday was, "it's not about the presents."  I am so happy that he was able to realize this this year.

We even used a whole box of the candles, actually 2 boxes!  We did our candles every night, said our prayers and yes, gave gifts.

It was very nice for all of us to gather around our menorahs, say the prayers, light the candles and even sing songs.

This is what religion is all about to me.  The Traditions.  Like Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof, "Tradition!"

When we were getting married the cantor, the one who sings along with the rabbi during services asked my beloved and I if we were religious the two of us basically scoffed at the idea.  She had asked us seriously what we felt about religion.  The two of us being on the same page said we didn't like how religion, all of them basically told you what you needed to believe in and practice in such a such way.  We wanted to (and still do) want to teach our children about the traditions, the history behind our religion and let them decide how much or how little they choose to practice.

We by no means are very strict with our religion but our beliefs are in the right place.  We want our children to know where we come from and how to be good people.  I think that is what we all strive for, to be good people.

So, this holiday, this year my child showed a true interest in the holiday and what it truly meant and that is the greatest gift of all.

I wish each and ever y one of you a very happy holiday season - Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Missing you

Right about now 9 years ago I got a phone call no on would ever want to get, my brother had died.
I was a new mom with a baby only 9 days old. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion this day, my son was to have his Bris, instead it was a very sad day. In our religion the Bris still goes on and then you change gears preparing to bury my brother.

My brother Michael.
The most wonderful human being out there, really. I don't just say iy because he is my brother but because he had a heart like no other. He loved and cared about everyone. He loved spending an afternoon with the old, retired people in old aged homes to hear about their lives, he stood up for the people who no one would stand up for, he loved history, his religion and his new nephew.

He was a typical teenager. You know at some point teenagers arevery self centered, it's just part of human nature, life is about them and their world. I had just had a baby and he called me out of the blue in the hospital on a Saturday night to chat. I was blown away. It meant so much to me. You see, my brother and I had a 13 year difference so there is little place for having something in common when you are younger. He was the annoying little brother and I am sure I was the bossy big sister but something changed the summer before he died. He was growing up.
It makes me so sad that my kids do not know him. He would have been a great uncle and they have a great uncle in my other brother but it would be nice if he was here too.

So, today, I am thankful that I have my baby brother watching over me and my children. I love him and miss him and I always will.

I love you little brother and miss you everyday.

Tired

Plain and simple, I am beat.

Stick a fork in me.

Get the picture?

Last night I did the awesome mother sacrifice and I allowed Sam to have a birthday sleepover. Not just his bestest friend, but his 4 bestest friends. (I know there is no such word but the kids, I borrowed it from them)

They were not bad, really.

I invitd them over at a time that I thought I would be off the hook for dinner. Um, no they are 9 year old boys who are ALWAYS hungry.

They played video games the whole time, in the playroom with the door shut. Not bad. At 11:30 I said off with the Wii and they set up camp in the living room. I even got them all to brush their teeth.

I went back down at 12:30, they were playing Itouch, netbook and the DS. At 1:30 I said, enough was enough and it was bedtime. They went to bed and I sort of did.

I woke up at 5-ish. That stinks. My body gets up everyday at 5:15 am so I am sort of in my routine, UGH.

I made them pumpkin spice chocolate chip muffins, recipe to follow. They ate cereal and were all gone by 9:15 am.

I am ready to crash and it is not even Noon!

In the end, my Sam had a fabulous night and he is very happy.

9 years ago

** I just realized this never posted**

Everything seemed so different.

We were a couple, with a cat.

Then one fine Friday morning I woke up to go to the hospital to have a baby.

Just me and my man, driving on the highway. NERVOUS. I was set to have a c-section. I had resolved myself to having it so I was not upset but had no idea what it would be like.

We get to the hospital, check in, prepare.

We were convinced by EVERYONE that we were having a girl. We would have named her Isabella. We were so excited and freaked out at the same time. But I was ready. I wanted to be a mom so bad.

I get the spinal, hubby comes in, we're all set.

The doctor is taking out my baby and he says. "It's a BOY!" I look at hubby and say, "we have a son?!?" We asked the doctor what he thought was a good name between Sam and Ben (remember we were thinking Isabella) and he said Sam. Hubby liked it and said, "that's it Sam." (he wasn't really partial to Ben and we threw that name out there in several of our talks)

So, Sam it was/is. Our parents were waiting downstairs and then came up. So happy. I had this beautiful baby boy.

I am so grateful for the wonderful son I have who is imaginative, creative, loving and his own person. People like him and he is funny. I hope he grows up to be a good man and that he is happy.

I love him so and wish him the best of birthdays today. Happy 9th birthday my Sam. Mommy loves you and thinks you are the greatest.

Proudest Day

Today my baby did something so selfless and giving I am brimming with utter happiness and joy.

She donated her hair, 11 1/2 inches of it, to Locks of Love.

It was her decision. She has heard of other girls doing it, her aunt and cousins participate in a HUGE Relay 4 Life at their school ad a salon comes and does the cuts for people and my sister in law told me of another salon that does cuts for free and takes care of everything for you.

So when Maya came to me and I said I want to do it, we set up an appointment. She looks so amazing!

Here is her before:

Here is her after the braiding:

No turning back now

The full treatment was given by Everson from the Adam Broderick Salon and Spa

I am so proud of her and when my sister in law asked her for a video why she was doing this she said so she could help people, kids who are sick and don't have hair.

This was prompted from 3 years ago my sister in law getting Medulary Thyroid cancer and then after having all her lymph nodes removed and getting the all clear my mother in law being diagnosed with Leukemia.

So that was our day. I am truly so proud of my little girl.