LOTS OF NOTHING!

A LAZY SUNDAY?

2010-04-18T18:31:00.006-04:00

Today the Cotton Pennies went to Rye Playland to participate in the MS walk. Participate may be a strong word, let's just say we were there. Our team raised almost $3,000 this year and I thank everyone who donated to help us reach our goal.
Afterwards we went back to MJ and David's for Andrew's 6th birthday party. This year he wanted a Mario Bros. theme and of course his grandparents did not disappoint.

Spring is in the air and Babaland is open. First the kids were playing on the trampoline and then Baba plugged in the bouncy house. Next was a dip in the hot tub and even though it wasn't over 60 degrees today the kids were jumping into the pool then running back into the hot tub which, of course, was full of bubbles.

After a wonderful pasta dinner we had the Super Mario Bros cake. Thank you Uncle Steven for finding the perfect figures to use as cake toppers.
Zhu Zhu is the latest addition to the family. She is a 5 month old Airedale and she is very cute. Dough Boy is not one to play much with other dogs especially puppies but then again she is a bitch in her natural state if you know what I mean so lets just say there is a lot of doggie porn going on during these innocent family gatherings.

All and all another great day with the family. Happy Birthday Drew!

Snow

2010-03-03T15:13:00.003-05:00

I forgot to post a couple more snow pictures from Cooperstown....I love snow, especially at night.

Cooperstown, NY

2010-03-03T09:35:00.010-05:00

So last Thursday in the middle of a huge snowstorm we drove up to Cooperstown to the Baseball Hall of Fame. For those of you that have been you know there is no one way to get there. It is off the beaten path where there is no major highway and only Country Roads to get you into town. They ended up getting about 2 feet of snow which despite what you might think is more than usual for them especially this late in winter.
Now why would we brave this storm just to get away for the weekend you ask? Well I got this trip for Steven for Christmas and it was a special package deal so we were going no matter what! We stayed at the Inn at Cooperstown just down the street from town and the hall.

The first part of the weekend started Thursday night at 5pm for an after hours tour. Some how we just made it in time after about 6 hours of driving which should have taken just under 4. With the snow storm and it being the end of February I think anytime of the day would have been an after hours tour because there was no one there anyway. We had three private tours included in the package. The first one when we got there was with Eric who spoke about the Negro league and the players of it's time. Then the next day we had a tour of the library which was given by the head of department and then later that afternoon an artifacts tour. Who that was by I don't know because we got there late but he did a great job as well. It was a really great time and a lot of fun if you are a baseball fan.

Now the whole reason behind this trip was that the Inn was offering something a little special with this weekend package and that was an evening with Babe Ruth's granddaughter Linda Ruth Tosetti. She is friends with the Inn keepers so she was staying there all weekend too. So Friday night after all the Hall of Fame tours we all got to hang out with her and her husband at the local VFW. There were a lot of great stories of the Babe and baseball told. They were both very friendly and personable people despite that her husband was a Red Sox fan. It was a great evening to the end of a great trip.

the drive up

Yup, that's my car the next morning and we got there at 5pm

World Series winners 2009

Alex's spikes from game 6

Don Larson's perfect game

Godzilla, don't hit my boy, only I can do that!

1996

Donnie Baseball, isn't he the greatest...

Hey, that's not Hank Aaron?

My my, what big shoes you have Derek...

This was how the stats of each player were recorded. This is the page from
Jackie's first year in 1947 with the Dodgers.

Steven pointing out where he was born.

The Iron Horse

Babe in the great hall

Babe's crown

Holy Cow I miss Scooter!

Baby Jake

2010-01-30T09:51:00.002-05:00

Steven and I went down to Georgia to visit his brother and family for the New Year. Michael is married to Sara and they have Lil Big Jake who is 7 months old. They also have two huge boxers that love to drool on you. Doughy came with us so there was some doggie tension. Poor Duke and Duchess just wanted to play with Doughy but he was having none of it. For a little dog he held his own and showed them who was boss, kind of.

Christmas Pics

2010-01-29T11:16:00.006-05:00

Doughy Chillin'

Baba and Drew

Mommy K and Steven

Beautiful Bobo and her freaky American doll.

Once again we had a wonderful Christmas with the family.
We had our traditional fish dinner on Christmas Eve at Jen and Kevin's in CT and then Christmas day at the Kerr's.

CANDY

2009-12-21T16:01:00.004-05:00

It's also that time of year again for my Christmas candies so yesterday I spent most of the day finishing some and making more. I just have a few more to finish tonight and I will be done. Thank god that Candyland Crafts is down the block because I keep sending Steven there to pick stuff up for me because I am never prepared.
So far I made the usual...walnut caramels, ginger caramels, peanut butter nougat and candy cane truffles. I started making the bon bons yesterday and if memory serves me (I was very tired) I made milk chocolate, hazelnut praline, caramel, peanut butter milk chocolate and cherry white chocolates. I don't think Steven's kitchen has ever seen so much action! There are chocolate paw prints on everything!

Holly Crap Cartman...

2009-12-18T11:55:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas time and I still have sooo much to do with so little time and even less money! I did start the candy making process and only have two completely done, two half done and many more not even started. I made another Gingerbread house last night cause the first one was messed up and now we are going to get snow so the girls might not even come over to decorate it with me. Boooo!
6 work days left until vacation and Steven and I are off on a road trip to Georgia to see his brother and family and then back up threw Myrtle Beach to see Mom and Lee. I love road trips but this will be our first one together as well as first vacation together so I might be moving out when we get back...tee hee!
I would post some pictures of our tree and stuff but who am I kidding...no one is reading this. I'm just writing this cause I am bored at work.

WALKING IN NYC 101

2009-12-07T13:31:00.003-05:00

For those of you that are not from this area let me give you a few tips for walking in New York City or anywhere. Walking in the city should be approached just like driving. Would you just stop in the middle of the highway during rush hour? I think not. I walk from 7th ave to Park cross town from the train to work and back again at 5. Once I enter the sidewalk I might as well be in a car. I scan ahead to plan out my route and adjust my speed accordingly. I really wish they had a slow lane on the sidewalk. I bob and weave like I am a Nascar driver heading for the finish line. A little bump here I pull out speed up and pass the tourist before the delivery guy coming the other way with his trolley runs me over. Even if I have time I walk this way. I can't walk slow, it's impossible. Also remember to check your blind spot before you cut across the sidewalk and for gods sake please do not do the lolly gag and weave. I will run you down!

MUCHO FRIO!

2009-11-23T15:24:00.003-05:00

So yesterday I went on what was probably my last ride for the season. It's finally getting cold here and my insurance is about to run out as well. I went out for a nice two hour ride all the way down to the western part of New Jersey where Washington crossed the Delaware. I had no idea where I was until I got home and took a look on the map. I was seeing parts of New Jersey I never new existed. All this Bergen county girl knows is Route 4 and Route 17 and where all the malls are. Now I know why it is called the garden state. It sure was a nice ride. I think I ended up turning around in Pennsylvania when I started to make my way back home. When I did finally make it home I was freezing. I could barely move my fingers! I think I am still warming up. Now the sad part of the story is putting Betty to sleep for the winter. I will miss her and I hope that not too many spiders make her their new home in that awful excuse for a garage.

Bored, bored, bored!

2009-11-17T11:28:00.002-05:00

I am so bored! Yesterday I got an extra hours sleep due to a bomb scare so that was nice. Drew had his tonsils taken out today. He has already pulled out his IV but is resting with Baba in recovery now. He also lost his first tooth and Aida's front teeth are finally coming in. I need to buy some new sneakers. I also have to clean the fish tank and possibly buy some new ones since Tina, my black Mollie, died last week, RIP Tina. I still think Ike did her in but I have no proof. None of the other fish will talk. He must have gotten to them first. Yes, this is what I am writing today mostly to see if anyone is listening...

Halloweenie 09

2009-11-04T11:59:00.002-05:00

As usual Halloween was spent in Brooklyn on Fuller Place at Jeannine and Gavin's. They get hundreds of trick or treaters so we all go there and hang out for the day with the kids.

this gives you an idea of how busy their street gets!

Batman and Robin came to the rescue...or did they?

Argh, pirates!

Two mermaids and Karen

Dan Zane even came!

The hostesses with the mostesses....

Rubee!

Aida Jean with no teeth

Ariel was the official candy hander outer!

WORLD SERIES

2009-10-28T11:31:00.001-04:00

I think this sums it up...

Game 1

2009-10-16T15:52:00.002-04:00

I can not wait for tonight's game. I haven't been feeling the best and all I want to do is crawl up into a ball on the couch and cuddle with Doughy and watch the game. Oh yeah, with Steven too!

There is still so much to do around the house. I have been slacking there too. There is so much more to paint and organize it's never ending. I did buy a big fancy Hoover carpet cleaner cause certain pets like to pee on the carpet. That took up one Saturday of my life. The best way to describe the dirty water that came up from the rug would be Guinness...one big Guinness. Really gross but what a sense of accomplishment. Now I just have to do the upstairs and then the down stairs again and then up...the circle of the life of a clean carpet.

So, it's off to my long commute home and then it's PJ's, juice and the Yankees. I am predicting that the Yankees will not only win the Pennant but they will win the World Series in 6. Why six? Because I just got 2 tickets for game 6 today, yippee!

ALDS, HERE THEY COME!

2009-10-13T11:50:00.004-04:00

I love this time of year, especially when the Yanks are in the play-offs. Now we just have to hope they make it all the way. I need some new World Series championship t-shirts. Mine sure are old but I guess not as old as some other teams! Hee Hee!
Hopefully in between play-off games I will go pumpkin and apple picking this weekend which I have never done. Apple pies and roasted pumpkin seeds, yum!

GAME 2, IT'S ON!

2009-10-09T14:05:00.002-04:00

LET'S GO YANKEES!

THIS IS WHY WE ALL LOVE KAKA

2009-10-08T11:19:00.002-04:00

LET'S GO YANKEES!

2009-10-07T15:17:00.000-04:00

KISS MY PINKY RING!

2009-09-16T16:02:00.002-04:00

Millie Jean and her friend Kate

So it looks like I am finally going to be a god mother. Not that I believe in the religious aspect of any of it but I always wanted the title. I along with Baby Raymond we will be Millie Jean's godparents. I also have no idea what responsibilities go with such a title but if money is involved she definitely is getting the short end of the stick on this one. Maybe I'll just take her to get her first tattoo or something instead.

Kids again

2009-09-10T14:15:00.003-04:00

They are just too damn cute not to share these pictures with everyone! I love them so!

MOVING UP!

2009-09-09T13:57:00.002-04:00

So I spent this beautiful holiday weekend not outside riding my motorcycle or playing with the dog or lounging by the pool but in the house. What was I doing you may ask and why? I was tearing down wallpaper, scraping off glue, sanding, painting and moving yet again. We finally have a real bedroom one which you can get out of the bed from both sides, one with dressers and night stands (well, eventually).
Steven's friend John was renting the upstairs of the house until last week so I have been very busy redecorating. The bathroom was the biggest task and it is still not finished but getting the bedroom 99% finished was huge. I would never have gotten any of this done so quickly if it wasn't for the three musketeers, MJ, Davey and Karen. They really know how to get things done.
Anyway, once I get settled again and everything gets painted I will post some pics of the new living quarters.

THE GANG

2009-09-02T21:40:00.003-04:00

Violet, Jeannine, Aida, Gavin, Drew, Kevin, Duncan Jen and Millie.

Everyone (but me) up at the Vineyard...don't you just love Millie?

HAIR

2009-09-02T11:47:00.003-04:00

So Auntie Em bought me a super nice blow dryer for my birthday. For those of you who've known me for a long time you know that this is the longest my hair has even been in my life. I have come a long way since the spiked hair and mohawk days. I have been using this new fancy blow dryer for the past couple of days now and it rocks. The company claims it cuts drying time in half and I have to say they are right! I love this blow dryer and if anyone messes with it they get the horns. I have to go run my fingers through my long brown locks now. See Ya

JOSE AND CATELIN

2009-08-24T11:15:00.003-04:00

So last weekend I was in Tacoma for my brother Joseph's wedding. I know what most of you are thinking...is he even old enough to get married. Well remember they do it a little different out there then we do here. Married at the age of 23 and no one is pregnant? Hey what ever makes you happy right.
I had a great time despite I tore my calf muscle a few days before. I am in such good shape right now that I tore my muscle while going down the front stairs to lock the door. I am so agile and athletic, I know.
I would post some pictures from the wedding but for the first time ever I forgot my camera. Holy crap! I felt really bad but it's amazing how an injury can mess up your normal routine. I was hopping around trying to pack and I kept saying get your camera, get your camera and I didn't.
When I do get some pictures from the west coast I will post them.

Also, Happy Birthday Dough Boy. He turns 8 today the little pisser!

You can have your birthday party here...

2009-08-12T15:16:00.008-04:00

No, they are not brothers.

Are you trying to burn the place down or what?

Me with my lesbian parents and Davey!

I had such a wonderful birthday that it has taken me a week to write about it! It started out business as usual except for the two cards and a gift that were in the kitchen when I woke up. I opened the cards but not the gift because as usual I was running late and didn't want to rush it so off I went to work wondering all day "what's in the box? what's in the box?". hint: it's around my neck in the pictures

I rushed home after work to meet the fam at the house at 7 since we were all going out to dinner. MJ, David and Karen came down of course and Steven's dad, Barbara and Christopher. We started with a couple bottles of rose champagne at the house with Gina and Jeff before heading off to Splash of Thai where Chris and Tara were waiting. We had a great time and it was a fabulous birthday! Steven even got me a brownie cheesecake for dessert! Boy, does he know me or what?

Then on friday we all went to Karen's for another birthday celebration with Jeannine and Jennifer and the kids. We made sock puppets, ate pizza and ice cream and watched Millie do a lot of ballet.

My peanuts!

DEPECHE MODE

2009-08-04T15:46:00.008-04:00

Last night the gals and I went to MSG to see Depeche Mode. I met up with Bean after work and we went over to Jack Dempsey's on 33rd to meet up with Joe K a former co-worker of Eileen's. We were walking down 33rd heading for the big neon sign that says "JACK DEMPSEY'S" and we went inside and bellied up to the bar. After about 10 minutes or so we went out side for a smoke. While we were out there shortening our life spans who walks up but Joe K. Apparently we were in the wrong bar and he was a few doors down at the right one, the one with the big red neon sign. We were so busy chatting that we just went into the first bar we came across not even realizing it wasn't the right one.
Next, Ifer, Krack and Kim joined up with us and soon there after Gina as well. Who is this Gina you ask? Letting someone new into the circle of drunks? She is a very good friend of Steven's and she's just like us. Not too girlie, gives it to ya straight and has our sense of humor.
The show was pretty good considering I haven't played a Depeche CD in 20 years. The music would start and we would all kind of wait to see if we knew it or not...ahhh yeah, I know this one. Dance around, dance around...or ahhh, nope no idea. I'm sitting down.
Gina and Jeff, Gina's hubby, graciously offered me a ride home to Somerville which is only about a half an hour out of their way. I bet they wish they had never offered. Half way through the ride I ask "how much further"? Jeff replies "about 20 minutes". "Ah, no. I'm not gonna make that. Pull over!!". Puke puke puke...back in the car. All I remember was sitting in the front seat one hand clenched to my can of diet coke and the other to a plastic bag shaking my head in disbelief. Not again! I remember Jeff saying "maybe we should call Steve and warn him that we're coming in hot". That was too fucking funny! I guess I will never learn when it comes to drinking too much huh or maybe it was Jeff's driving?
I stumbled into the house where boy was standing in his boxers already to pick on the drunk girl. God love him.
Until next time...U2 is right around the corner in September.

MOVED

2009-08-03T11:18:00.003-04:00

This was the last weekend of my move. I had to take Friday off to get everything done cause my apartment was still in shambles with all that last minute crap that accumulates as you pack. You know the stuff I mean, not that important to pack, doesn't fit in the box, do I really want it still and oh, I've been looking for that!
MJ came over to help me out and then Davey too. Pete stopped by earlier in the day and was a little nervous that I wasn't gonna get all my crap out in time. I just kept yelling "I have until midnight"! Thank god it didn't take me that long, only 5pm or so. Dana and Pete came over to sign the lease and I was out of there with a mini van full of crap.
You should have seen Steven's face when he saw the van. A little panic came over him..."Where are you going to put all this?" Don't worry sweetie, take deep breathes! That's why I got storage remember? He is such a good sport.
All in all everything went well and we'll have to somewhat do it all again in a couple months. John Z, Steven's good friend and upstairs tenant will be moving out so we will have the whole house to ourselves and then I can get all my stuff out of storage and unpack for real. It will be very weird not having Z around but we sure could use the closet space. I'll miss you Johnny Z!
Until next time...

Lunch with the Guys?

2009-07-30T13:12:00.003-04:00

So, I was on my way back to the house in Somerville and I decided to stop for some lunch. I had spent the night before drinking with the girls for one last night of debauchery at my apartment. I had also spent the morning packing and my car was full of boxes so needless to say I wasn't looking my best. I pulled into the parking lot and I told Dough Boy to be good while I ran in for a sandwich.

As I head inside I notice three women entering through the front door as I go in the side one and we meet in the middle at the counter. In a drunken packing haze I was gazing at the menu motionless just trying to string letters together to figure out what I was going to order when I hear someone next to me say " Are you ready?". I turn to see a very tall woman next to me and "say no, you go ahead". As I stood there reading the menu over and over I started to notice that there was something off about the three women next to me on line.

Those two sure are tall and they have no hips...those are some big feet and hands too. The shorter one sure has some broad shoulders and big arms...hey, wait a minute...those aren't women!

I start to realize that not only are these three post op transgender men/women but that I am standing right in the middle of them looking like I in fact have had the operation too! Pony tail, Yankee t-shirt, sneakers, deep voice! I slowly start to slide over to distance myself from the pack when I notice the one thing that separates me from them. A manicure! Thank god I'm not that girlie after all!

Moving, again!

2009-07-20T09:51:00.005-04:00

As of August 1st I will be vacating my apartment and Pete and Dana will be moving in. Where will I be going you ask? Homeless Aimee...again. I'm off to Somerville where Steven has graciously agreed to take me in. Graciously agreed or forceful entry...they are one of the same right? Poor guy doesn't know what hit him. He came home yesterday to a new living room and new mattress for the bed and half of his stuff out in the yard. This after almost crushing him with my motorcycle when I drove that over last weekend. I hope my key still works when I get home later.

MY GOALIE!

2009-07-15T13:23:00.004-04:00

Isn't he just the cutest little goalie you've ever seen?
I love him like a fat kid loves cake.

Steven R.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNCAN!

2009-07-10T12:01:00.003-04:00

Duncan turned 7 on July 3rd or should I say Bumblebee turned 7 ? I thought he was going to be 8 so I was very relieved to find out he was only turning 7 instead. 7 or 8 time is flying by at light speed with these kids. He will be going into 2nd grade already, Drew Pooh will be going into kindergarten and Aida is going into 1st. I don't know what they call the pre pre grade Violet is in and Millie will be going to ballet school.

20 FREAKIN' YEARS?

2009-06-30T21:56:00.007-04:00

The girls and I went to our 20 year high school reunion a couple weeks ago. Over all it was a very good time and we were all glad we went. There were the usual characters, Dan and Tom, Danielle and Mike and there were the old friends who you haven't seen since high school or soon after like Larry, Adam, Mark and Lori.
It's funny though even after 20 years when you see these old friends again and reconnect how you slip right in to where you left off. It's like it was just yesterday that we were all hanging out in my basement partying and having a good time. Thanks for all the good times and great friendships...oh and the drinks, especially the drinks.

Why does everyone have three names but me?

Still kicking ass after 20 years

Open your eyes Ifer!

Qoy Orbison and Dan

Lori, Larry and me...grade school buddies

Larry and Mark

Smiles!

Bimbo and the Squid

Bean and Billy,I forgot they were friends...where are you Petey?

Don't ask...

Drink much girls? We were so done by then...pushing 4am here

Naturally friends and natural blondes?

Lori and Krack

God damn that's a big mouth..no wonder she drinks so much!

Love you all and keep in touch!

Finally some pictures

2009-06-22T21:42:00.000-04:00

The first of many beers...

road trippin'

2009-06-22T21:32:00.001-04:00

a sign that needs no explanation

chilling on lake Tahoe

The railway inn

Our train car room

2009-06-22T21:17:00.001-04:00

Go Monkey boy Go

Little guy next to a big tree...

Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast

My mountain

2009-06-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

He who steps in the bison pooh buys dinner!

2009-06-22T20:42:00.004-04:00

The mini grand canyon of Yellowstone

Our lovely little cabin in Yellowstone
Yellowstone Lake

The Grand Tetons

BACK IN NJ

2009-06-10T13:48:00.007-04:00

Hey Y'all, Here is a quick summary of my trip. Please excuse any repetition as if I were to skip around I would never get it right.

I'm back in NJ after 2 weeks, 9 states and over 3,000 miles. Mikey and I had a great time on our road trip. It all started in Denver where Mike picked me up. We then headed to Lake Tahoe, NV so we went through Wyoming and Utah stopping in Park City, UT for some dinner and in Wendover, UT (?) for a nights rest.

Poor Mikey was on a mission to find me Diet Raspberry Snapple. He looked all over Colorado while he was driving out to the airport and every place we stopped along the way. In Wendover we did find some diet lemon Snapple which was so old and undrinkable I had to toss it. The mission continues...

We stayed in a condo/timeshare in Tahoe in Zephyr Cove. We had 3 bedrooms and a Murphy bed all to out selves for two nights. We went Horseback riding, took a ride on a catamaran, had breakfast at Heidi's, twice and won a couple hundred bucks in the casino. Yeehaa!

Then it was off to Yountville, CA for some wine tasting. That is after we bought some good Snapple at Albertsons in Tahoe. Happy girl!

We stayed at the Railway Inn and it is what it sounds like. Converted railway cars into very nice hotel rooms. We immediately wanted to go for some wine when we rolled into town. Somehow we ended up at Opus One drinking a $30 glass of not worth $30 wine but the setting and weather were perfect. We then hit up Turnbull winery before checking in to our train car.
Dinner that night was excellent! We ate at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville across from our train.
Mike had roasted bone marrow and was in hog heaven! I had a beet salad and then the pork chop which also was very good and I finally had a taste of Coq au Vin that Mike had for an entree after the marrow. This was the first of many good meals on out trip. We also went to Ravenswood, B.R. Cohn, Saintsbury and grigch Hills wineries and dinner at Jole in Calistoga.

Next stop was the redwood forest where a very funny thing happened which I'll go into on a later date. It just won't be funny without pictures.

We stayed for a night at Mike's sister's house in Eugene before heading up to Seattle and Molly and Garrett's wedding. The whole reason behind this trip.

After declaring friday night party night at my father's house since they were on a cruise my brothers. Mike and I drank lots of beer and laughed the night away.

Saturday we went up to Seattle to meet up with some friends one of which I haven't seen since High School. Takami and I were pretty tight back in grade school and remained friendly through out high school but of course didn't stay in touch. So you can imagine how surprised I was to find out that she has been living across the street from one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle for 7 years. Small world isn't!

The wedding was really great. They were married in a park by no other than Tom Douglas himself. How funny is that? They had dim sum, a pho bar and a roast pig. Of course the food was fantastic as well were the bride and groom.

After another day bumming around Seattle we started the long drive to Bozeman, MT where we stayed at the luxurious C'mon Inn. Then it was off to Yellowstone where there is definitely not a shortage on bison pooh. Mike and I were playing "who ever steps in it first has to buy dinner".
After a very over priced night of mediocre food and wine we headed back to our cabin. There next to more pooh was our little shack where there was no phone, no Internet, no TV and no cell service. We didn't know what to do with ourselves so I wrote drunken postcards and Mike passed out.

After a quick look at the grand canyon of Yellowstone we headed out to the Grand Tetons. Mike had worked on a ranch for two summers out there so he knew where to go for some much needed lunch. We did not sleep well at all the night before either so we were spent. Thank god we were staying at the Snake River resort and spa that night. It was a well needed change from Yellowstone's finest. After I napped we headed into Jackson for some excellent sushi we pigged out on and drank some Saki. By the next morning we were too broke to spring for a massage at the spa so we headed on out for Fort Collins, Co and the New Belgium brewery! Needless to say I was very happy there.

Our last night of the road trip was spent at a pretty shady Best Western on College Ave and unfortunately we were back at the hotel by 9 that night. After a big Mexican meal and some cervesas we were too damn tired to do anything else. Getting old and fat really sucks, well the fat part for me not Mike. I think he may have tipped the scale at a buck and a quarter by the time he got done keeping up with me. He even took away my clean plate championship, but only for one night. I quickly redeemed myself the next morning at breakfast.

All in all an excellent trip that I spent way too much money on but would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks Mikey!

Napa and on...

2009-05-28T23:20:00.002-04:00

So after Tahoe we moved on to Yountville, CA right in the heart of Thomas Kellerville... Needless to say I stuffed myself with chocolate almond croissants from Bouchon Bakery. WE stayed at the Railway Inn where the rooms are old rail cars. It was very nice except the walk to the bathroom was pretty long from one end of the car to the other.

We started off at Opus One drinking a $30 glass of wine with my winnings from Harvey's Casino. Then we moved on to Turnbull winery before checking in at the hotel. We had an amazing french meal at Bistro Jeanty before taking a small walk around town to try and work off our food coma.

Then next morning we went over to the Sonoma side of town to Ravenswood, B.R. Cohn and Saintsbury where I joined the Pinot wine club. You're welcome Karen. We ended our wine touring at Grgich before heading back to the train for a nap and dinner.

After a little down time we drove up to Calistoga and stumbled across Jolie restaurant that was amazing. It was small plate style so we started off with some foie gras and little neck clams. Then we moved on to sea scallops, duck breast and pork belly before finishing it off with an apricot crisp.

The next morning as I was lying in bed trying to sleep it off I kept hearing this noise that sounded like a gas fire starting. I thought "Is that a hot air balloon"? and low and behold it was. Taking off right from our parking lot. What the? I'm trying to sleep here people.

After Napa we drove up the coast to the Redwood forest where I have such a funny story I can't even do it justice over this blog.

Now we are in Eugene, OR visiting Mike's family before we head up to Seattle. More later!

Lake Tahoe

2009-05-25T21:11:00.003-04:00

So we finally landed in Lake Tahoe on Saturday. Mike's parents got us a beautiful 3 bedroom condo at a time share in Zephyr Cove on the Nevada side of the lake. We went for a horseback ride up in the mountains. My horse's name was blaze and Mikey's was Ruby. Then we went for a two hour catamaran ride on the lake. It was absolutely gorgeous out there. We just laid around on beanbag chairs soaking up the sun and sipping on some Fat Tire beers. The weather has been great just about every where so far. After a Little nap and some freshening up we went out for some excellent Mexican food at La Cantina on the CA side where I won the clean plate award again. What can I say? I love a good mole sauce! After that we went and checked out some of the casinos where I magically turned $20 into $200 at the roulette table.

Now we are in Yountville in Napa. Our first stop was Opus One where we had a $30 glass of 2005 with my winnings. Now we are just relaxing again, because we're a little tipsy, before we head out for dinner across the street. We are staying at the Railway Inn where the rooms are old railway cars and they are great. We are right in the heart of town with everything just outside our door. Bouchon Bakery is across the street, Napa Style is next door...what else could you ask for?

That's about it for now.

Aim

75 means 75

2009-05-23T10:26:00.002-04:00

It's kind of a unspoken rule in the east coast. What ever the speed limit is you go 10 over and you are usually safe. Well no one has filled the troopers in Wyoming in about this. Apparently the speed limit there is the speed limit. I was going 86 in a 75 so guess who got pulled over. I did however get $10 off for wearing my seat belt.
Until next time...

ROAD TRIP '09

2009-05-21T10:52:00.005-04:00

It's that time of year again, Mikey and I are going on a road trip for two weeks. I am flying into Denver where he will pick me up for the first leg of our trip.

Mike and I were roommates in Seattle a long time ago and he is my designated road trip companion. Our last trip was to Tennessee where we went to Nashville, the Jack Daniels distillery, Dollywood and the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. I only wish there was a picture of our faces when we rolled into Pigeon Forge, TN. Words cannot explain this small piece of America, I can only suggest you experience it on your own.

So this trip will start in Denver then we will roll on through Utah to Tahoe, then to Napa, up the coast to Seattle and then back down to Denver and where ever else the road takes us in between. I know it sounds like a lot of driving and it is but I love a road trip. I have Yes and No books, Mad Libs, Sudoku, XM radio and a couple Ipods. Mike already took my order of Diet Raspberry Snapple, Diet Coke, pretzels and Sunchips so we are set. We've got a half a tank of gas and a full pack of smokes, we're on a mission from god.

I know what most of you are thinking...two weeks away from her honey, what will she do? And I am referring to Steven, not Dough Boy although I will miss that little smelly dog too. Thank god my auntie MJ got me a really great new phone so I will be able to keep in touch with the boy through out the trip. Poor Mikey will have to put up with me being all ga ga. I love you. No, I love you more...you hang up. no you hang up first blah blah blah...just kidding. I think the conversations home will be more like this. Did the Yankees win and what did Swisher do? Has the dog peed in the house? Hey, he hung up on me, that bastard!

So I am off for now and will try and post along our journey. If you call my house and a guy answers it's Petey C. He is minding the fish for me while I'm gone.

See ya- Aim

LET'S GO METS?

2009-05-19T11:26:00.003-04:00

When it comes to baseball in our family we are pretty divided between the Yankees and Mets. David and the Fraser family are Mets fans. Karen, me, Thomas and Lynn and the Cavanaugh's are Yankee fans.

MJ got David and Gavin a brick with their names on it that is proudly displayed at the new Citi Field. Not only a great gift but it really gives Citi Field a great look unlike the new Yankee stadium.

Karen and I finally went to a game last Sunday to check out the new home of the Yanks. Although it is an amazing field, the seats are great and the old time facade really looks great the interior of the stadium doesn't, lets say, do it for me. They could of taken some pointers from the Mets and made it a little warmer place to be.

When they were building the new stadium the only thought that came to my mind was mausoleum. I wasn't around really to remember the original stadium before the renovations and I know that was what they were going for but how much gray cement can you look at?

I haven't been out to Citi Field yet either so this post is a little hasty...we'll see Mets, we'll see!

Security Blog, really?

2009-05-07T13:35:00.003-04:00

As some of you have noticed I put a restriction on who can view my blog. I have thought of doing this in the past but of course never did until now. I don't know if it is really necessary especially since from what I can tell you have to have a Gmail account or your "guest" privileges will expire. Huh? If this is in fact what really happens then I will change it back to the old way. Keep me posted people will ya!

Oh I also got a new cell phone number...why I couldn't keep the old one I'm not too sure. So if anyone has been trying to reach me and I haven't gotten back to you sorry.
Someday I'll update all of my contacts and text everyone the new number.

XO Aim

CUPCAKES

2009-05-06T22:13:00.003-04:00

Matt Man
The birthday boy, Jack

Jack's big sister Emma

Saturday was Lil' big Jack's 2nd birthday and I brought cupcakes for the kids to decorate. I would say they enjoyed them...

FLASH BACK TO THE 50'S

2009-04-30T15:06:00.003-04:00

Now I am all for the 1950's. I love the music, the styles and the innocence of that decade but this is going just a little too far. I definitely think that not only was this "article" written by a man but a group of them that were locked up in some conference room over on Madison Ave while drinking scotch and smoking cigarettes. Think Mad Men for those of you who watch.
Now ladies read the following carefully because there maybe a quiz later.

THE GOOD WIFE’S GUIDE

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
Here is your cereal dear, now go away!

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people.
He is lucky if you even had time to shower that day let alone put a bow in your hair.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
Invite the next door neighbor's wife over for a make out session; I think that's gay enough.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
Hide your bon bons and sex toys from your hard day of housekeeping.

Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc, then run a dust cloth over the tables.
What's a dust cloth?

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Catering to his comfort will satisfy me exactly how again?

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.Maybe you could try putting the children in the washer thus killing two birds with one stone because following these guide lines is clearly grounds for acquittal by temporary insanity...

Be happy to see him.
Yeah, see him leave the next morning maybe.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
Open wide ladies...daddy's home!

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first; remember his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
As long as I have control over the check book, yes dear I totally agree.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very need to be at home and relax.
What "other" forms of entertainment do you think they are referring to exactly? hmmmm...

Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
I think when they say spirit they mean Jack Daniels, Dewers, Chivas...

Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.
Oh dear, my jello mold didn't set up again...smack! Shut up bitch and make me a martini!

Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
Complain if he stays out all night? Yippee, I've got the whole bed to myself!

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
Again...open wide

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
Yes, arrange his pillows over his face while he is sleeping as you are pressing down with all of your might.

Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
This one I don't get, why would I question the dog?

Remember, A good wife always knows her place.
and what place to hide the body so no one finds it...

House Keeping Monthly – May 13, 1955

BOO DEVILS!

2009-04-29T10:45:00.003-04:00

AT LEAST WE HAD ZEPPOLES AND BEER SO THE NIGHT WASN'T A TOTAL BUST. I ALSO INVENTED A GREAT NEW SPORTS SNACK...YOU TAKE YOUR HOT PRETZEL AND RIP IT IN HALF AND THEN STUFF IT WITH COTTON CANDY. SALTY AND SWEET, YUM!

GAME 7

2009-04-28T11:38:00.002-04:00

Let's go Devils? I know what you are thinking...since when does Aimee follow hockey? Answer, since the man she is dating does. Yes, Boy is a Devils fan as well as a Giants and Yankee fan so we are off to the Prudential center tonight for game 7 against the Hurricanes. So you know what that means, more time in Newark. Let's just hope Charlie the towel stealing spitter isn't at the bar this time while I wait for the crew.

Let's go Devils!

MORE DREW POOH!

2009-04-27T12:00:00.003-04:00

So I realized that even though it was Drew's birthday I didn't have any pictures of him...oops! Sorry Drew! So here are some very cute ones of him getting his birthday gift from his favorite person Ba Ba. A Batman ATV!
Drew also saw me pull up on my bike the other day and he told me that his whole life he has wanted a red motorcycle like mine. A boy after my own heart.

The Cotton Pennies

2009-04-21T23:18:00.007-04:00

Aida Jean, always ready for a picture

Drew Pooh on Baba

Sticky Duncan

Bo Bo Violet

Lil' MJ Millie Jean

I wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the $4,400.00 we raised for the MS foundation on our walk last sunday. I can't tell you enough how much it means to me and my family.

MJ and Jeannine had t-shirts made up this year for our team, the Cotton Pennies. I thought that if I held Millie for the picture she might make me look smaller but it didn't work. I don't think orange is a very slimming color for me.

After the walk we went back to Jen and Kevin's to celebrate Drew's 5th birthday with the family. Happy Birthday Drew pooh! I made him a very vanilla Batman cake which he loved even though he only ate the icing off of it. Crazy redhead!

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-15T15:25:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Easter. We all went to Nancy's house in Greenwich for Easter or as Drew likes to call her Grandpa Yancy, silly Drew Pooh! Nancy is Aida and Violet's grandmother and she lives in a beautiful house right on the sound. I believe this was the first time that the girls had all of their cousins in one place so many pictures were taken. Unfortunately Drew is not in this one but you know what he looks like. I will post more pics when I can.

Belle, Milo, Sadie, Duncan, Shelby, Violet, Curtis, Millie and Aida

oh, and Happy 5th Birthday Drew!

The Iron Who?

2009-03-31T23:06:00.008-04:00

The Ironmen is New Jersey's indoor soccer team that play in Newark. Why do I know this? Because Steven's dad knows the owner and gets free tickets to the games which him and his friends go to. Last friday night I went to my first game with the gang. This is by far the most time I have ever spent in Newark outside of the airport and I have to say I had a great time.
I took the train in from the city and met Steven, Gina and Jeff at his friend's restaurant just down the street from the station. I got there first so I let Charlie buy me a beer while I waited. Charlie is the guy who just happen to sit next to me at the bar and personally I think he was just hedging his bets by buying me a drink. I believe it went something like this. "Buy those two beautiful girls at the end of the bar a drink on me" he looks at me, gives me the once over and then says "buy this lady one too" with a what the hell look on his face. Hey if you're buying I'm drinking.
So I eagerly awaited my boys arrival while listening to Charlie tell me about how he steals everything from the hotel he works at while he passes out big white hotel towels to the bartenders. Hey, where's my towel Charlie? I could use one to wipe the spit off of my arm from listening to you talk, gee thanks.
Anyway, after some dinner off we went to the game. The Ironmen lost and I paid $10 for a bad beer but all in all another fun night.

The Ironmen mascot and who is that on the left?
Well I think it's Cruella Deville!
Run dog run!

Gina, Jeff and me?

Manolo Blahnik...I think not!

2009-03-30T22:26:00.003-04:00

So I was walking to the train today after work and this sweet young foreigner stopped me for directions which normally I have no problem helping out with but this time I was asked a question I honestly didn't know the answer too...Do you know where Manolo Blahnik is? Are you kidding me? You couldn't of asked a more fashion deficient person on all of the streets of New York. Not only was I dressed like a bum being it was a monday but I was wearing the most manly lesbian shoes I have in my closet. " Ah, No I don't no where Manolo Blahnik is..." I can barely find JC penny's.

Bo Bo goes bananas!

2009-03-26T09:47:00.005-04:00

So the Fraser's took off to the Bahamas for the week with the girls because they have their spring break. They rented some little shack with Gavin's brother John, his wife Stacey and their two girls.

So day one they land at the airport and while they are getting off the plane Violet takes a header
on the tarmac and totally scrapes up her face and was bleeding every where. Welcome to paradise Bo Bo!

Then later that day they were cruising around in a golf cart. I don't know who was driving or what really happened but when the golf cart turned Violet and cousin Bell flew out and took a tumble. All in all everyone seems to be healing nicely and on the mend. So much for a relaxing vacation but at least she was well enough to get her hair done.

Don't all jump at once...

2009-03-25T10:24:00.004-04:00

but who out there wants to buy me this?

I don't know why I torture my self by keeping this picture as my
wall paper on my work computer. I just sit here all day staring at it
wishing that some day I could drive it home.

MS WALK APRIL 19TH

2009-03-18T13:59:00.007-04:00

SPRING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER SO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, MS WALK! DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR DONATIONS IN NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THEY MAY BE ! ANYTHING WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

BITCH...literally!

2009-03-17T11:16:00.006-04:00

As many of you know I am a dog person. I have had dogs my whole life up until I lost my Sysco 3 years ago. Since then I have been living my dog life vicariously through my friends and their dogs. There is Shirley of course, Jen and Kevin's dog. Misty, Gabriele's dog who I also used for my training to graduate from Animal Behavioral College (not a real college). There is Boston an old friend from elementary school who besides for his name is the sweetest pup around. Then there is Dough Boy of course who besides for his jealous behavior at times is still my little sweetie boy and my new number one dog.
Wait? Did she say her new number one dog? But what about Ruby, Roo Roo, the one and only Rubster? As of last night Ruby is now at the bottom of my list. Why? because she bit me! For the first time in all my life I was bitten by a dog to the point where blood was drawn and a band aid was needed.
Sorry Ruby but you are one hell of a bitch!

My Favorite Dogs

1) Dough Boy
2) Shirley
3) Misty
4) Boston
5) the dog I passed on the way to work today
6) Ruby

L' ITALIA STINKY!

2009-03-11T15:42:00.005-04:00

I got an e-mail from MLB.com about the World Classic baseball games so I browsed the shop and found this...

How cool it that? Italian baseball team? I didn't even know such a thing existed. What do they shag flies with when they practice, meatballs? The pitcher must be able to concentrate very well because you know the other 7 guys on the field are talking through his wind up. They also must wire the catchers jaw shut because if he talked during the pitch the target would keep moving because as you know all good Italians talk with their hands. So I had to buy the sweat shirt to support my fellow country men and show my respect for the team.

When the box showed up I was so excited to show it off. I ripped it open and pulled out the beautiful royal blue shirt with the Italian flag on it and wait a minute...what's that smell?
Holy crap did that sweat shirt stink like it had been in my great grandma's basement in Fort Lee for the past 20 years. Maybe if I wash it it will be good. So I washed it and washed it and hung it out to dry for a week and it still stunk!

I wasn't sure if they would take it back or not? I mean I washed the thing so technically it's used. I called up the returns department and low and behold they sent me a call tag and a placed an order for a new one. I'm pretty sure you know how this story ends... it ends with me not wearing an Italia Baseball sweat shirt...boooooo! Stink, stank, they all stunk!

Go Yankees!

Happy Baby Gaby and Dave!

2009-03-04T23:49:00.003-05:00

Last weekend I went to my friend Gaby and Dave's baby shower. I was more than willing to make my friend her baby shower cake after all I made their wedding cake as well. I am so excited for them both. She is due April 7th and they don't know if they are having a boy or a girl which I love. I don't want to know. I know it makes it easier and all and it's hard not to find out these days but it's always such a great surprise to find out when the big day comes. What ever the little tyke turns out to be it will be super cute and loved by us all.

GAMES I PLAY

2009-02-24T11:06:00.005-05:00

For those of you that have never been to New York or haven't commuted in a big city I would like to fill you in on some of the games I play to pass the time during my travels.

First there is the Guess the Gender game. There are many different ways to play this one. You have the "Pat" version which is the total non gender person which can go either way. These totally blow my mind...is it a man or a woman? Then there is the Tran-gender Game which I have to say I'm pretty good at. When you pick a contestant for this one there are certain things you check first, feet and hands. It's pretty hard to hide the man hands. Then you go for hip width...ah none check and then the neck for the good old Adam's apple or a scar from where it was shaved down. But let's not forget the reverse...men with hips and sad looking facial hair...you're not fooling anyone.

Then there is the Don't Step In Puke game which is usually only played on Monday mornings or on March 18th. It's kind of like hop scotch. You get to be very agile on your feet after walking around NYC.Some mornings it almost looks like your practising your dance moves all the way cross town.

The last game which I really try to avoid playing but sometimes it's just too hard not to is Poop, Animal or Human. I think this one is pretty self explanatory.

Now don't get me wrong, New York City is not all bad in fact it is the best city in the world and I've been to many. These are just a few things that get me through the day on that boring commute from Jersey.

AIDA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

2009-02-12T10:37:00.002-05:00

As some of you know Aida had a great birthday party on Sunday. She got kissed by a Skink lizard played with some gerbils and made glow in the dark slime!

Bo Bo and Me

2009-02-11T13:54:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures of me and Violet when we were out for Jen's birthday with the family. Don't you just love her and is my nose getting bigger with old age? Albert!

Ha!

2009-02-10T11:30:00.003-05:00

A-Rod and his dream girl?

I couldn't pass this one up. It made me laugh!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDA JEAN!

2009-02-09T13:14:00.003-05:00

Well, almost. Aida will be turning 6 this Sunday but she had her birthday party yesterday with her friends. When Jeannine asked what kind of cake she wanted she said a chocolate forest cake...okay, what ever 6 years old. I think MJ and I delivered on her request.

They had her party at the greatest place in Brooklyn Cosmic Cove. Carmellow, the guy who runs the party was great. He was very funny and great with all of the kids. They got to play with a couple of lizard and gerbils and then they got to make their own glow in the dark slime! I think I will be having my next birthday party there!

MEET THE FAMILY

2009-02-03T10:24:00.005-05:00

As many of you already know out of desperation I got a fish tank so I could have a pet. Well it's been up and running for over a month now and I am happy to report that I now have 16 pets. I have 5 each of the following:

Black Neon

Serpae Tetras

Fancy Tailed Zebra Danios

and lets not forget Pablo the pleco "sucka" fish.

Let's hope they last and I don't kill them all! I just won't ask Karen to fish sit for me.

4 THINGS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW...

2009-01-29T11:24:00.007-05:00

But I'll do it for my dear cousin Alicia!

The rules to play the Fantastic Four Meme are simple:
Copy/paste the questions into your blog
Type in your answers
Tag four people on your list
Don’t forget to change the answers to your own!

FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER AND OVER:
MJ's, home, NYC and Chatham

FOUR PEOPLE WHO EMAIL/IM/TEXT ME REGULARLY:
MJ, Bean,Karen, Mikey

FOUR PLACES I LIKE TO EAT:
MJ's, Chakra, Chipotle and the Pub

FOUR PLACES I’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
home in bed, anywhere in Italy, on the Queen Vic or a job I enjoyed.

FOUR TV SHOWS I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
Dirty Jobs, New Adventures Of Old Christine, Two & a half Men,
BIG LOVE!

FOUR PEOPLE THAT I THINK WILL RESPOND:
No one, Mr No one, Mrs No one and No one Jr.

love ya cuz xoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BO BO!

2009-01-18T19:59:00.006-05:00

Violet turned 4 yesterday! Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that Karen called me at 3 a.m. to drive her over to Jeannine and Gavin's so she could watch Aida while they went to the hospital.

Violet asked for a blue mermaid cake for her birthday party. I hope she's happy with it.

yes, those are swedish fish
I know, you're thinking why are there violets on a mermaid cake...

Kaka

2009-01-18T12:17:00.004-05:00

You gotta love Karen! She'll do anything for a laugh and anything for me. Love you Kaka

Meyer Lemons

2009-01-13T20:57:00.004-05:00

So last Christmas I got a Meyer Lemon tree from Santa (Thomas & Lynn) and now I have these beautiful lemons. I love Meyer lemons! If you have never had one I highly recommend getting some, that is when they are in season. I usually find them at Trader Joe's. They look more like a cross between a orange and a lemon. They have a deep golden yellow color and are rounder than a normal lemon. If you are going to get some make sure you use the zest as well. They have a great floral aroma and taste. My favorite thing to make with them are Lemon Pudding cakes...yum! I'd give you the recipe but of course I only have it in grams.

Broom Broom

2009-01-09T15:42:00.000-05:00

Be there or be a nose hair!

Fish!

2009-01-01T21:16:00.003-05:00

So after all of Karen's fish died I took her fish tank because let's face it I need some pets! I've had it set up for a long time but now I finally got some fish. They were on sale five for $5, can't beat that. Let's hope they last! Aren't they cute? I named them Burt, Ernie, Lenny, Squigy and Bart.

Recall?

2008-12-31T11:00:00.002-05:00

Not really a recall but I just bit into some left over ginger caramels and for some reasons they crystallized. Huh? Don't know what happened there but that is not how they are suppose to be. They were caramels before I dipped them. Sorry Jeannine! I know they are your favorite.

Bird? I think not

2008-12-29T21:47:00.003-05:00

So Karen bought Drew this cool little remote helicopter. Of course it was a big hit especially with the adults. As some of you know Ruby is a Springer Spaniel who loves to chase birds. I brought her to the pet store once and as we were waiting on line one of the parrots starting chirping or barking or what ever they do and she went crazy. She was wagging her little chicken nugget of a tail and crying like crazy until I finally dragged her out of the store.
So there we were playing with the helicopter when Ruby takes an interest in it. Gavin, who blew a .17 on the breathalyzer I bought David, started yelling " Ruby, Bird"! She kept going after it every time it fell to the ground. If we knew that the helicopter was only made of painted Styrofoam and it cost like $60 we would have made sure she never got it but she did. Poor Drew was very sad! Uncle Gavin ruined Christmas.
We were able to glue it back together and despite the teeth marks it seems to be working just fine. Here is a little video of the beginning of the 2008 Christmas massacre. I'm not sure what's funnier though, Karen or Ruby.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-28T02:52:00.005-05:00

Wow, did Karen spoil me this Christmas or what! I got an Ipod touch and it is so cool! I love it! She also got me everything else on my list and then some. I mean she really went over board this year as did MJ & Davey. They got me XM radio so I am totally covered on all ends when it comes to music. I didn't take many pics due to having too much fun but here are a couple from the holidays.

We went to Jen and Kevin's for Christmas Eve. They did a fabulous job like always. For someone who doesn't eat she really has become a great cook. We had the usual fish dinner consisting this year of pasta, pasta and pasta...white clam sauce ala Karen, shrimps and scallops in a bechamel sauce ala me and Lobster Fra diavlo made by MJ. Jen also made grilled calamari with white beans and bacala fritters. It is my favorite meal of the year!

On Christamas day we went to MJ & Davey's like always where we had appetizers for 18 hours and then we sat down for dinner. We had turkey and roast beef, butternut squash risotto, string beans and roasted fennel, Waldorf salad and cream of broccoli soup. Yum Yum Yum...

After opening presents for another 4 hours we had dessert, homemade cookies, candy and cake. Then we drank some more and played with the kids toys!

Thomas and Drew

Twin Doras' for Violet and Millie

The Russo's

Roo Roo

Millie Jean looking for M&M's

Nana reading with Aida

Aida and her new puppy dogs from Santa

Jen, Noey and Duncan checking on Santa on Christmas Eve

Grandpa Marty and Millie in her velvet dress with

her princess costume over it...how else does a 2 year old dress?

CHRITSTMAS TREATS

2008-12-21T23:33:00.007-05:00

Every Christmas I bust my ass to make candy for everyone. I never have enough time and always get frustrated tempering chocolate. This year was no different and I wonder why I do this to myself. My kitchen was a complete mess and there was chocolate every where, well there still is chocolate every where since I haven't really cleaned up yet.

I think I used every bowl I have!

I am finally done and once I see all of the finished product I can't help but smile. I love making such yummy treats for people to enjoy so here is what I made this year.

Peanut Butter Nougat

Chocolate covered apricot

Candy Cane truffles

Milk Chocolate Vanilla Bon Bons

Ginger Caramels

Meyer Lemon Bon Bons (from my meyer lemon tree)

Walnut Caramels

Peanut Butter Crunch Bon Bons

TURKEY DAY...A LITTLE LATE

2008-12-20T22:54:00.005-05:00

The Blue Ribbon Winner
Mustaches for everyone

And let's not forget Baba's birthday!

Part Due!

2008-12-14T11:11:00.005-05:00

I left off right before the best part of the trip, Ephesus. Now I have been very fortunate in my travels so far and I have seen a lot of ruins but this was the most amazing of them all. I can't even begin to tell you the history of it because I would do it no justice.

The terrace houses

Mosaics everywhere

They still have concerts here.

The library

Yes, these are toilets

HOLY CRAP....Is anybody out there?

2008-12-11T16:12:00.002-05:00

So I've been kicking around the idea of ending my blog for good right in the middle of my trip...as you can see I haven't written anything in a long time and I never finished my pictures from our cruise. Let's see how long it takes for anyone to respond to this post and I'll decide from there.

Istanbul...not Constantinople

2008-11-09T10:58:00.012-05:00

Istanbul is an amazing city but you have to like to bargain if you are going to go shopping there. If you look at something too long in a window of a store be prepared to haggle or move on quickly. Don't even think of asking how much something is unless you are seriously interested in purchasing it. After our tour of the mosques we went to the Grand Bazaar to a rug store where they literally threw every rug they had at us. By the time the "demo" was over we had to duck just to exit the door due to all the rugs they rolled out. Of course Karen asked how much one of them was and the next thing she new she was in it. Thank god David was there to save her from purchasing a rug she didn't need let a lone want. Every step you take away from them the price drops until either you say yes or run. It's not as bad as it sounds and it can be pretty funny but then again Karen makes anything funny.

So, back to Istanbul. First we went to the Blue Mosque that was built in the early 1600 by Sultan Ahmed. It is still used for prayer so we had to take our shoes off when we went in. Then we went to Hagia Sophia which was a basilica then a mosque and now it is a museum. Not only were they both enormous buildings but the amazing details and tile work was unbelievable. I have seen a lot of ruins and cathedrals and I still have to ask myself how did they build this?

Sophia

PAINTING

2008-11-06T11:40:00.003-05:00

This is a watercolor painting I bought in Barcelona. It is of Gaudi's Sagrada Famila which I will have a lot more pictures of later on.

Greece

2008-11-04T15:12:00.006-05:00

We had two quick stops in Greece, first in Katakalon and then Mykonos. We went to see some ruins in Katakalon but I forget what they were all about but here are some pics anyway. There wasn't much to do in Mykonos in the short time we were there but we did meet up with the local pelican. MJ bet Karen a drink if she went into the tourist information office where the pelican was standing so she did. He was snapping at some people that went by but he didn't get Karen.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

2008-10-29T21:45:00.003-04:00

Dubrovnik

The next stop after Venice was in Croatia. Dubrovnik is an amazing little city on the ocean. There is a wall that goes around the old town that you can walk on all the way. The first ever pharmacy was opened there in 1317. Of course it was closed when we were there but we saw it anyway. I bought a beautiful amber necklace and earrings and Karen bought a new ring to replace the one she lost the last time she was there. All in all I would love to see more of Croatia and it's coast someday.

Big Room!

2008-10-28T21:19:00.004-04:00

Some how Karen and I got a handicap room on the ship! Boy, was everyone jealous of us! We even had enough room to host cocktail parties before dinner.

Ah Venice...

2008-10-28T21:12:00.002-04:00

I'm Back!

2008-10-27T16:07:00.002-04:00

After 2 weeks and 12 cities I'm back. We had a fantastic time! For those of you that don't know what the hell I'm talking about Karen, MJ, Davey, Ed, Dominic, Suzi and I just got back from a 12 day cruise on the Queen Victoria in the Mediterranean. We stopped in Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, France and Spain. There will be a lot of good stories and pictures to follow but it will take some time so here is part one.

Karen, MJ, Davey and I flew from Newark to Roma and then on to Venice but 2 of our bags only made it as far as Rome so Karen and I had to stay behind and waste a day at the airport. We walked pretty much every area of the Rome airport and two hours later we found our luggage and another 2 hours later we got on another flight to Venice. That really sucked big meatballs! The problem started in Newark when we checked in. The women helping us checked two bags to Venice and two to Rome but we didn't catch it until Rome. Moral of the story...when making a connecting flight double check your luggage destination tags!

Saturday in Philadelphia!

2008-10-05T22:06:00.005-04:00

Monday is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania so some of us went down to Philly to canvas some neighborhoods and help register voters. Jeannine and three of her friends went down from Brooklyn and Gabrielle and I drove down together from Jersey.
I wasn't sure what to expect since I've never done anything like this before nor have I ever been to Philadelphia before. At least I can say I helped at least a little to try and change the way things are going in this country and as a bonus we got to see Bruce Springsteen.

Barack Obama

From NBC's Cat Corrigan and Abby LivingstonPHILADELPHIA -- Bruce Springsteen hit the streets of Philadelphia with a mission yesterday: to elect Barack Obama. The Obama team estimated that 50,000 people showed up to see the Boss's free concert in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. A native son of neighboring New Jersey, Springsteen's songs and message were targeted to Pennsylvania's working men and women.
Just hours before the concert, Obama staffers hastily broke down a platform of risers set up for network cameras because they obscured the view of the people in the streets. When Springsteen climbed onstage, he came sans E-Street Band, and was clad in jeans and a plain plaid shirt.
His set kicked off with "Promised Land," a song he performed during John Kerry's 2004 presidential run. He later followed up with the Kerry theme song, "No Surrender." In a nod to his 2004 performances, he said, "I tried this four years ago. This time we're winning."
Mid-concert, Springsteen pulled out written remarks he had prepared for the event. His speech was as much an homage to Obama as it was a scathing critique of the Bush administration, which he called "a disaster."
He continued, "I've spent 35 years writing about America and its people and the meaning of the American promise. A promise handed down right here in this city. Our everyday citizens have justifiably lost faith in its meaning."
With that flourish, he launched into his de facto theme song for Obama, "The Rising." The tune, originally written for the firefighters who died in the World Trade Center, has taken on an evangelical pro-Obama interpretation in the campaign. Springsteen sang and preached the Obama gospel, performing a solemn and rare acoustic version of the song.
To finish the uncharacteristically short set, Springsteen strummed his guitar to the crowd chants of "Yes we can!" which then morphed into Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land."
As Springsteen walked off the stage, he said, "It's up to you now."
With Election Day a month away and voting registration in Pennsylvania ending on Monday, the gathering was as much about political tactics and registering voters as it was about musical inspiration. The number of volunteers with clipboards prowling the event for unregistered voters sometimes seemed to rival the number of unregistered voters themselves. Leading up to the Springsteen appearance, appeals were made to text message the campaign, the same tactic used at Obama's acceptance nomination speech at Invesco Field to give the Obama team a built-in database of phone numbers to use in the final days of the Colorado campaign.

Millie's Crown

2008-09-27T14:57:00.002-04:00

She is so funny I had to share this video with you all.

Happy 2nd Birthday Millie!

2008-09-11T22:06:00.003-04:00

Millie Jean turned 2 on September 6th and what a little lady she has turned into!

I love you Millie!

Cooperstown, NY

2008-09-08T20:24:00.011-04:00

Karen and I went to Cooperstown over the Labor day weekend. We stayed in a great B&B, The Meadowlark Inn, just north of Otsego Lake. We had to pass a couple Amish in horse drawn buggies on the way up and I think I ran over a rabbit but it was nice to stay off the beaten path and relax in the countryside.
This was my first trip to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall Of Fame. We had a great time and it was well worth the wait.
The drive to Cooperstown is an experience in its self. It really is in the middle of no where. We followed MJ & Davey up while they lead the way with their GPS which took us on every little back road between here and there. I guess when you choose shortest route on the GPS it doesn't mess around. It was very funny, we were even on a gravel road at one point that I'm sure was some one's drive way.

MJ & Davey only stayed one night so after we ditched them we went for a few drinks and dinner at the Otsego Hotel on the lake. Now I know where all the rich white people hang out upstate. It was a beautiful day though to have a drink and relax by the lake.

On monday Karen and I went to Howe's Cavern on the way home where every Japanese tourist just also happen to be. At least we're short and we blended right in. We spent an hour an a half 162 feet below the surface wandering the caverns and freezing are butts off. The caverns are a cool 52 degrees at all times. There is even a place where people actually get married down there.

Thanks for another great holiday Karen!

The end

Stop the Presses!

2008-08-28T11:57:00.004-04:00

Pigs are flying, hell has frozen over, cats and dogs are living together and I'm working in a kitchen again, well sort of. My mom's cousin and her husband own a restaurant in Chatham, NJ where I will be lending a hand for awhile. I have to say it isn't that bad I also have only worked one night for 2 hours. I've seen movies longer than that! It's different when you aren't the head honcho and you aren't there for 72 hours a week. I get to teach and play and make cakes when needed. Yippie!

Restaurant Serenade

POOR KAREN

2008-08-07T13:21:00.004-04:00

My wonderful mother surprised me with three tickets to go see Boeing Boeing on my birthday. Tuesday night shows all start at 7pm so they told me to meet them at a restaurant in the theatre district at 5:30. Now I knew we either were going to see a play or they were taking there "senior" years way to seriously with an early bird dinner.
Surprise, Jennifer and Jeannine were there to join us for dinner too! But wait, she only got three tickets? Now for those of you that know Karen or MJ even just the littlest bit you know that they are very giving and selfless people. They insisted that the three girls go see the show together. So off we went to the theatre where our seats were literally front row and center. I thought the actors were going to fall off the stage on top of us at any moment.
During the intermission we got up to stretch and take a look around and who do we see sitting six rows behind us? Al Pacino! Karen's favorite! Oh boy, is she gonna kill us. I felt so bad that poor Karen planned such a great birthday for me and when her big moment came to finally meet Pacino she was sitting in a theatre watching Mama Mia with MJ.
Sorry Mommy!

Love you and thanks for another great birthday!

Happy Freakin' Birthday to me!

2008-08-05T15:05:00.002-04:00

Sunday was the best day I have had in a long time. I went to see the Police with my three bestest buds from high school, Bean, Krack and Ifer. They played at the PNC arts center so we packed up a cooler full of beer and headed for the parking lot.
We all met at my place since there are no kids or husbands there for our pre-tailgate preparations. We mostly talked and caught up while waiting for the code blue on the Coors bottles to kick in. Now when I say "talked" I really mean talked about other people. As soon as we were done making fun of numerous people in our old high school year books, 2 of which are married to said fun makers, we headed out for the show.
As soon as we rolled out the drive way we started laughing our butts off and it pretty much didn't end until we rolled back in at 12:30am.
It's been almost 20 years since we graduated high school. We might have not kept in touch all of those years but it doesn't seem to matter much now. We've found each other again like true friends do. No matter what has happened or what will I have my friends and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Well maybe a good looking wealthy guy with dogs, a horse farm and a house on the lake...naahh!
love you guys
Kid Little

Rain, Rain go away?

2008-08-03T11:38:00.006-04:00

As most of you know I have lived in the tri-state area for about 33 of my 37 years but I am still in awe when we get a summer storm. I know what you're thinking "Didn't she live in Seattle"? Yes, I did and it did rain there a lot but nothing like here. In the 4 years I was there I saw lightning twice and heard thunder once and our power never went out. Now I do nothing but walk around my house resetting my clocks that are blinking 12:00. Nothing beats an east coast storm. The lightning show with the thunder soundtrack are awesome. Cracks and pops, long low rumbles that shake you with in. It comes on fast darkening the skies, dumping buckets of water and then it's gone just as fast as it came.
From what I could quickly find on line we have had 29.7 inches so far this year and with in the last year we have had a total of 49.5 inches. Holy crap, that's a lot of water. For those of you that miss it or don't know what I'm talking about here is just a clip from a day of summers in NJ.

Just your average 4th...

2008-07-10T12:09:00.009-04:00

On July 4Th I thought I would revisit my childhood and attend the River Edge parade. I went over to my friend Jen's house and we walked up to Bogert Road to join in the fun. It wasn't quite as fun as I remembered but then again is anything?

Gone were the days of the fez wearing old guys driving little cars, now it was not so old guys riding Harley's. There were the old cars and army jeeps filled with people of importance that no one knew. The fire trucks were blaring most likely excited just to be out of the fire house. I don't think they get out much in these little towns.

One thing that was new that I don't recall them doing when we were young was giving out candy to everyone. Now that is something I would remember, free food. The only thing about that was they weren't just handing it out but they were throwing it and it was hitting people. I jumped in front of Lil Big Jack more than once to protect him from the potential on coming sugar shrapnel. That's right, I put myself in the line of fire of tootsie rolls and blow pops to protect children.

After the parade I was off to MJ & Davey's for some BBQ'in fun with the fam. It was MJ and Davey, Thomas and Lynn, Karen and Paul and our good friend of the family Gabriele.

We were sitting on the deck drinking mojitos and snacking on chips when all of a sudden this music starts playing. Now granted it was the 4Th of July and it was in the middle of the day but this was loud! So loud we could hardly hear each other from across the table. This wasn't your average 4Th of July celebration music like say John Philip Sousa or Kate Smith they were playing either. How would I describe it? For democrats I would say it was melodic top 10 dance hits from the middle east for the republicans I would classify it as jihad music from hell. I think the lead singer flew in on his magic carpet just for the party and he brought his Casio keyboard guitar player with him.

Now for those of you that have visited Oradell, NJ you know that this is not your normal run of the mill white people party. With that said one of the other neighbors from behind us started to play music to counter act or should I say counter attack their music. Toby Keith, Garth Brooks and of course Bruce Springsteen. What better way to get your point across then blasting Born in the USA. So there we are, stuck in the middle with them.

So why we were sitting there making jokes like

"What do you think they're celebrating?" response: "oil is $135.00 a barrel"
we couldn't help but notice that we couldn't stop dancing in our seats. No matter how hard we tried our arms kept going up and our shoulders would sway back and forth, our chairs would rock and our hips would shake. Someone had to go see what was going on over there...

So off they went Karen, MJ and Uncle Paulie in his Barbie jeep?

So off go the three stooges to nonchalantly see what's going on. Yeah, right!

The hostess of the party, Rose, spotted them dancing like fools in the driveway and came running over to introduce herself and invite them to join the party. My mother introduced herself and then Paul who was still in the jeep. With out batting an eye Rose bent down and shook Paul's hand. Obviously seniors must drive around in small electric cars where she comes from because this did not phase her at all. They respectfully declined her invite not because they wouldn't have liked to eat some lamb kebobs and dance but because Paul couldn't find reverse and would never be able to get home. They returned to our party where we all wet our pants with laughter.

THE END

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNCAN!

2008-07-03T13:04:00.002-04:00

The Big 06!

Dance Dance Dance

2008-06-21T23:06:00.005-04:00

Today we went to Violet's first dance recital in Brooklyn. It was very funny! In the video Violet is the second to last on the end. Sorry for the shaky footage but I was laughing a lot. They were all so cute. Their teacher was off to the side of the stage so that is why they are all looking that way trying to figure out what to do next. Brava Violetta!

A Wedding...

2008-06-12T20:10:00.007-04:00

Boy, you really start to feel old when your little brother gets married. Last weekend I flew out to Seattle for my brother Kris's wedding. It didn't really hit me until the ceremony started and I had time to reminisce... wait a minute, wasn't he just like 2 years old? What the hell happened? Where has the time gone? I have three brothers on the west coast and the youngest just graduated from High School and now the oldest of the three is married. I couldn't be happier for Kris and Susan and wish them a very happy life together.

I also spent a lot of time with my brother Joseph and his girlfriend Caitlyn. They have three dogs, Pete has two and Kris & Susan have two new puppies so I was in doggie heaven.

I also got to hang out with uncle Buzz and family. Apparently uncle "Buck" is famous for his pancakes which I was fortunate enough to experience. Buzz and Cindy have three girls, Jessica, Christy and Alicia and two grand kids Hailey and Case.
I actually got to spend so much time with them that by day three at the airport Hailey said my name and reached out for me to hold her ;) Thanks Hailey!!

SUPER HAILEY!

And lets not forget my friends from Seattle who I was lucky enough to have a few fun hours with eating oysters and drinking beer! I miss you guys!!

So yet another Seattle trip comes to an end. When I first moved out there almost 10years ago I kept having to fly home for weddings, Krack's, Jen's, Gia's... now that I'm back here I've flown out there for three weddings as well. That's a lot of frequent flier miles but I love it.

I miss all you west coasters dearly and look forward to one of you, any of you coming out east for a visit!

Aimee

Time Flies When Your Doing Nothing

2008-05-31T15:27:00.006-04:00

Wow, it's been awhile sine I posted anything. I guess I have just been feeling uninspired lately or I've been busy doing other things. What have I been doing the past 3 weeks or so you ask?

Well, I went to 2 Yankee games which they lost both of.

I saw The 39 Steps on Broadway. I highly recommend it for anyone who would like a fun night out. It's a very funny and creative version of Alfred Hitchcock's movie from 1935.

I also had to finish the blanket I started back in January for MJ for mother's day. I also had to get Karen her Kaka soccer jersey which happens to be #7 which is also Mantle's number.

I also raised over $1200.00 for Multiple Sclerosis at the Bear Mountain walk.
My friend Gia from UNH walks every year with her husband's family and friends. I on the other hand was not only the team captain of the Cotton Pennies but I was also the only member. Needless to say I didn't get my team photo taken as the McCarron's did.

And Davey has officially opened up the pool so get your suits on.

Oh, and I also got a new pimp...

WANNA BUY A HOUSE?

2008-05-12T16:17:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine is selling her house if anyone is looking

http://www.40dewey.com/

A MISSION FROM GOD...

2008-04-23T21:17:00.004-04:00

With a full tank of gas and a half a pack of smokes I sent my friend Eileen on a mission from God. Eileen has the pleasure of living a stones throw from Wild West City and twice a year they host a giant flea market to benefit local animal shelters. So what was the mission? Find me the weirdest thing you can for a dollar or less. I think she not only fulfilled her mission but now she has a get in free pass to heaven.

Yes, it's a golf ball doggie and it's all mine!

Happy 4th Birthday Drew!!

2008-04-20T20:48:00.005-04:00

Today we celebrated Drew's birthday but upon reviewing my pictures from today I realized I didn't get one picture of the birthday boy! Oh well, sorry red! We did discover that Duncan is a Wii bowling prodigy. This was his 10th frame. Check out his technique , he scored a 164 with it. Go Duncan !
Retraction: Okay, it was brought to my attention from a very proud father that Duncan's score was actually a 189. I will try to check my facts more carefully in the future.