Goofy, random things about Moi!

1. I was a cheerleader in a Catholic High school. We were limited to what we could do, like pyramids. We made sure we perfected our splits though, and I was so flexible back then. I hope one day to get back down there!

2. I have a sock monkey named Lumpy that was my Mom's. I think it is over 70 years old now!

3. I have been coloring my hair since 7th grade. I was called Madonna forever. Come on, after all it was the 80's!

4. I am terrified of heights. Don't even think about taking me on a Ferris Wheel or a roller coaster!

5. Seriously, I'm not a huge animal lover, but somehow we still have a ton of animals. 2 dogs, 1 bearded dragon, 1 gecko, 1 newt, 1 hedgehog and 7 fish!

6. I went to my Senior prom by myself! I knew I would be my best date! I have to say, I looked hot!

7. My nickname growing up was "Megan-Magoo". I'm not sure why my Aunt would call me that. I wonder if I should have been offended by that, remember the little guy I'm talking about that couldn't see?

8. I come from an Italian, Irish family and we always have red wine at the table, but I can't drink it because I get migraines, bummer isn't it?

9. When I was younger, most people didn't even know I was another member of the family. There are 3 girls and a boy and I told my mom that for sure, I had to be adopted, because I had nothing in common with my siblings and never hung out with them or their friends! Jump ahead 20 years and never in a million would people think we weren't all related.

10. I did not get my driver's license until I was 19 years old.

11. I've been known as the Jane of all trades! I have had so many jobs in my lifetime and I wouldn't trade the experience of any of them for anything!
Here are some of the things I did: I babysat, cleaned an office building, cleaned homes, worked in a Greek restaurant, an antique store, a popcorn and candy store, a pizza restaurant as a take out girl, hostess and salad prep, a warehouse putting together floral arrangements, an insurance company, clothing store, gift ware store, hospital in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy as a tech, sports medicine as a tech, patient care technician (really just a glorified housekeeper) Dermatology office as a receptionist, and in their billing, temp jobs in various offices, Administrative Assistant in an Architectural Firm and then on to start my own cleaning business. After that I started my own decorating business for staging of homes to sell and just residential homes! Whew are you exhausted yet?

12. When I was a kid I was so shy, I wouldn't even go and ask for ketchup at McDonald's! Hard to believe isn't it?

13. At the age of 3 when we lived in Michigan my parents forgot me at a park! We were having a family reunion and my parents thought I was in the back seat. When my mother turned around and I wasn't there, she screamed. My father was sure I went with some relatives but Mom knew I wouldn't go with anyone else but my parents. They immediately drove back to the park and found me still swinging on the swings. I had no idea they had left and they didn't tell me about this until I was in high school!

14. I get car sick whenever I'm a passenger!

15. I have the goofiest loudest laugh! Sometimes I am the only one laughing in the movie theatre. I have had people wait after the movies because they knew I was there!

16. I drink my coffee out of a straw! I think I have asbestos mouth because its not hot to me. I can even drink it all day and even right before bed and I still sleep like a baby!

17. Feet seriously gross me out!

18. I was on the swim team as a kid and spent every single day at the pool. Now a days, I won't even get in a bathing suit or wear a pair of shorts, ever!

19. I love to do all the cutting in when we have a painting job. I would rather do that then the rolling! Anyone want to hire me?

20. Last but certainly not the least, I believe that everyone has a voice and an opinion and it is our duty to let it out! I am not one who is quiet about much. I am not an offensive person, but if I think something should be said I say it! You either love me or hate me, that's just how I roll!

As I have grown older I realize I am the only one that can truly accept me for me and I have to be the one who is ultimately happy, and happy I am !

I sure hope everyone is having a super duper day, no matter the weather! We are having severe thunder storms and from where I am sitting I can see the light post shaking rather violently. I'm just glad its not by my house!

Dishing it with Amanda!

It's time to Dish It again with Amanda over at Serenity Now. This time we are talking about Dads and I've got plenty to say about mine!



~ Name your favorite TV or Movie Dad?

My favorite movie dad is Steve Martin from "Father of the Bride". That is probably my all time favorite movie! I just loved his relationship with his daughter!



And this house, ahhhh! I want to move in! Come on who doesn't love it?



Hilarious quote:

George: Drive carefully. And don't forget to fasten your condom.
Annie: Dad!
George: [shrieks in embarrassment] Seat belt! I meant, I meant seat belt.


~ What's the best thing about your dad?

I just love my Dad! He just brings a smile to my face every time I see him. After my mother passed away he decided to switch gears and do something entirely different career wise. He has worked in Urban Planning for more than 40 years and thought he would try his hand as a farmer. He specializes in Italian Heirloom vegetables and runs a booth at the farmer's market every Sunday morning and does special orders for the University of Nebraska Lincoln catering! He is just so wonderfully funny, giving, intelligent and energetic! He is the kind of guy that everybody loves!

I remember one night in the hospital when my mom was sick, I was sitting in the waiting room paying my bills of all things. My Dad walked in and sat down and started to cry and he said, "How am I going to live without her?" That was the first and only time I have seen my father cry! I was so lucky to be there and witness that vulnerable side and I think it has made us closer! It has been very tough on all of us since my mother passed but we have all gotten closer as a family. We realize how precious life is and not to take anything or anyone for granted!

This is my Father at the Farmer's Market. His booth is called ~ Caruso Rozzano Farms!



Isn't he a cutie?



~What's something you enjoyed doing with your dad when you were a child?

When I was in 9th grade I cleaned a Real Estate office building. I cleaned it every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. My Dad helped do the Sunday morning shift. He and I would go get donuts, coffee or hot chocolate and drive to the office. He would sit and read the newspaper or do work while I cleaned. He would always help take the garbage out to the dumpster with me. I have 2 sisters and a brother so it was nice just talking the two of us, we had a lot of fun!

My kids love their Papa!



~ If your husband is a father, what does he do that makes him a great dad?

My husband adores his kids! They bombard him right when he gets into the house and he stops whatever he is doing to listen to one of their many stories. He's a very hard worker and when he can he spends all his free time with them!

A day at the Omaha Zoo!



After a trip to Colorado just the boys, they brought back these silly mustaches! Our Family joke is that we like to look like Papa (my Dad)! He no longer has a mustache, but that is how the kids always remember him, and so do I!



Our family trip to South Dakota was a blast!



Jim is very creative and whenever the kids have a school project, he gets really involved. This was James' Valentine Box for third grade!



This was Jim's idea of the perfect Valentine Box for James. Jim had to outdo the frog from the year before and he got 1st place for most creative!



Despite little hiccups here and there, I am blessed to have the family I have and all the wonderful people in my life! Hope you liked your visit to my blog!

Fun with Chalk!

I have always loved chalk. As a child and even now as an adult I still get giddy every time we get out that big bucket and the kids start creating! I haven't quite figured out what they are! I guess they might be aliens or Claire's interpretation of people! Now, I wouldn't say she's going to be the next Botticelli, but maybe she could be a female version of another Picasso!

Oh I almost forgot! My in-laws came last night and this morning took the kids back with them to Nebraska! They will be gone for a week, visiting cousins and aunts and uncles. With Jim's schedule and me in my condition it was just a good idea! I know they will have a great time I just wish that I could enjoy my house for a full week with them being gone and actually be productive!



There is never chalk art without a sun and cloud, am I right?





I just love the hands and feet!





Who wouldn't love a doggie with blue ears? Not sure why he is a sad puppy though!



I 'm thinking this might be a gal and she's a little top heavy with a teeny waist!
After all it is purple!



I would like to make sure I don't end up on the 6th floor Psyche unit before my kids come back, so please come over and visit me, send gifts, my address is, I'm just kidding! Leave me some comments, the good, the bad and even the ugly, I can take it!

I just need my people! :)

Ahhh, Dreaming of the perfect craft room!

I've been thinking, dreaming and planning, because that's what I do lately and I've been coming up with ideas for my craft area! I don't have my own room dedicated to my crafts but a wonderful area in the basement that I made my own. I bought a table at the Lobster and it sits in our t.v./family room. I have some book shelves and a bulletin board filled with inspiration. It's so nice because I can be doing whatever at my table while the kids play or watch a movie! That's where I get my craft on! I don't have pictures yet, because its a little difficult to get down the steps but I will be posting them sometime.

I found some amazing pictures with wonderful storage and tons of creativity that have inspired me to really focus on my area when my ankle is healed!

Enjoy!


Image from Country Living
I love the armoire and high table!


Fabric Studio Room by Heather Bailey
Some of you may already know Heather. I love her and her blog is amazing! Look at her fun stool and all her storage! I love her counter area too!


Craft Room photo by shabbyscraps
Seriously, I don't think I have words for this amazing space!


Photo: Better Homes and Gardens
I love how clean this one is!


sarahyoude.com
Love the green wall and all her cubbies!


Check out Keisha's blog! I love her green dresser!
Making Memories
Look at what she did with that closet! She now has double the storage and it looks so cool!

Hope this has inspired you to get YOUR craft on!

Fun, Fabulous Finds!

As you all know I am pretty much isolated to the chair, the couch or the bed so I've been Internet shopping! Ok, not really but I have been Internet dreaming, wishing and drooling! Here are some fab things I have found ~

Dylan"s Candy Bar is a candy shop that the daughter of legendary fashion designer Ralph Lauren started. Check out this
bangle I love it!

I love the Keep Calm and Carry On saying but when I saw this I laughed and I now need to have one: Etsy Find: Keep Calm and Carry On Spoof calendar!

These are darling Leather message bracelets with phrases!

This website Three Potato Four is so fun! They have fun flea market type goodies!

I've always been a barbie fan, yes it's true! How cute is this pendant necklace?

I know it's summer, but I saw this and thought how fun this would be for my next winter accessory, plus some of you are just going into your winter season ~
The Fuzz Scarf!

This Starburst necklace just makes me happy!

I love HGTV Rate My Space. It's such a great place to get great ideas for any decor issue you might have! This I found when looking at garden ideas and it just blew me away ~ The Cranium Family!

Well I think I will save all my other fun finds for another post!

Never in a Million!

I don't mean to complain, honest I don't, but how many of you have ever lived with a cast before? Can I just say how awful, unpleasant, annoying, unbearable, bothersome, and irritating this is. Now don't get me wrong, as I said before I am over the moon with joy about my results but I didn't know it would be this hard!

How about playing a little game with me, won't you? Get in the shower with a very tight cut off any blood flow to your leg plastic bag, (I'm serious it's awful). Remember, you can't put your right foot down and you need to balance on your other foot and try to come up with a way to wash that foot you are standing on, all the while trying to make sure you don't fall over! Wow, I didn't think I would make it! In fact, I'm not sure I will ever shower again until this cast is off, lol!
I'm so glad my Pilates has paid off! You really need to be flexible while donning this hot pink thing. Despite all the hardships my sister and I have experienced this week we have had plenty of laughs. I can't tell you how many times she has walked in on me while both my legs were in the air, trying my damnedest to get my undies on! Oh, and then trying to get pants over the cast, that's been fun! There are more times than I care to count, on how many times my sister has wrenched my leg in doing so! These are some memories we will definitely be talking about for years to come!

Well, I needed to hop up and go to the bathroom and was faced with a toilet a kid forgot to flush. I was a little perturbed to say the least. Naturally I flushed it, right? Well it decided it didn't want to go down and it all started coming up on me. I screamed for my sister to come but she draws the line when it comes to OPP(other people's poop)! I threw my crutches down and bent over to turn off the water and almost went head first into the toilet! Oh, why me! Thank God I can find humor in most things and had quite an ab workout with our giggling!

I have to say that I don't use the "F" word, but this week my evil twin has been trying to get the best of me and tried so hard for me to say it. Now did you really think I meant that "F" word? Of course not, what kind of an Aunt would I be with Vivienne always around? I am referring to these "F" words.... Oh Fragglerock, Frito's, Fooseywhatsit, flapjacks, Farkle, Fig Newtons, firecracker and Floozy! Yep, just call me a sailor!

Yesterday we had to get out of the house before we lost it! And I'm pretty sure it was a toss up as to which one of us was worse. Yes, even Vivienne was included in that. We decided to drop off some bags at the goodwill and then run to the grocery store. My sister was just going to pop in and grab a few things but could tell by my expression that I needed to just get out and be around people. I said I'd just hobble slowly in there but to our surprise look what we found?



Never in a million years did I ever think I would be driving one of those! Here I am in all my glory! Amy and I have never laughed so hard! You know, you can't drive that thing and be inconspicuous! Every time you back up it makes this horrible beep beep sound. I had to put my leg up over the handle bars because of all the throbbing I was having. I noticed there were quite a few stares and several smirks and then it donned on me that I had forgotten that my husband wrote, "Tell Me I'm Hot" on the bottom of my cast. I had been driving all over that dam store with my foot in everyone's face. When we realized that I about died and almost fell off the scooter and Amy crashed into a little display shelf! No, don't worry we didn't attract any more attention to us with that, lol!

Wow, what an experience this all has been. Next week the kids get out of school on Tuesday and my in-laws are coming to pick them up and take them back to Nebraska. They will alternate between my family and Jim's family! Yippee for everyone!
They have been good helpers during all this but since Amy is leaving today, I think it will be much easier for me not to have to figure out places for them to go and ways to entertain them!

Well, my rear is beginning to get numb, so I better stand a bit!

TTFN!

My Results Are In!

I'm jumping for joy!



At peace!



So thankful to everyone who prayed for good results and for God who has bigger plans for me!



Yippee! My pathology came back and they are confident it was not a tumor but just immense trauma done to my tendons. My doctor was very surprised because going back to the MRI she still says it looks like a tumor. Somehow I just did a number on my ankle. We are over the moon with happiness and so relieved. It has been a very long week waiting for the results and trying to ignore the what ifs of where my mind was drifting too!

After I got the results of pathology I was sent to ultrasound to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. All was clear on that end, so on to Orthopedics for my cast. I had to position my foot into a 90 degree angle and let me tell you how awful that was. My incision is HUGE! I will spare you details and pictures. Let me say that this non weight bearing thing is not easy. Each time I get up my foot turns purple. They say it is normal because of all the swelling and the tingling in my toes will eventually pass. You all know how it feels when you foot falls asleep, right? Well try having your foot in a constant state of asleep, it's not fun!

My sister Amy has been amazing! She has gone above and beyond what I could have ever expected anyone to do. I am so lucky to have her! She has had a very tough and emotional week herself though. She miscarried while being here. She was just newly pregnant and on Sunday night around 9:15 she started bleeding. Jim had just come home from working about 65 hours and immediately he called the ER to get a colleagues opinion and was told it would be a good idea to go to the ER. Amy was a little nervous to say the least about leaving the baby but I assured her since our Dad was in town (he had left to go back to the hotel) I'd keep trying to get a hold of him. In the meantime I said that if the baby woke up James would help out and bring her to me. It all worked out in the end. My dad came back and stayed until they got back around 1:30. Vivienne did happen to wake up once but my dad's friend Ginny was a lifesaver and gave her a bottle and she fell back asleep. James was so concerned about Vivienne waking up again, that he slept on the floor right next to the baby just in case!

I can't tell you enough how truly thankful and appreciative I am for all your kind words and prayers, during this trying time. We still have a long road to recovery but having you all be behind me has really helped keep me going.

I did get a bright pink cast, so I just need to download some pictures so you can all take a peak at how beautiful I am. Oh, and my husband was the first to sign my cast. He didn't write his name though, oh no he couldn't be that normal. He wrote on the bottom of my foot. It says, "Tell me I'm Hot!" So, every time I put my foot up, people can feel sorry for how bad I really look and tell me the opposite!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week!