It's official...

... my first 'official' date is this sunday.
It's nothing fancy, per request of me because honestly, fancy isn't what makes a mark in my book, it's quality, not quantity.
We're going to a quiet little place locally to eat & then maybe back here for some swimming depending on weather.
It should be fun, at least I hope it'll be fun, who knows.
I've been wrong before about things, this could clearly be no exception to my string of shitty luck as of late... never know.

What I do know is that I'm gonna just be myself, as I am always.
I probably won't even put makeup on since I have a pretty nice tan going already & don't need much makeup, really. Maybe just make sure my hair is down & pretty rather than bunched up in it's traditional 'mess-0'lastic' as per usual.
Pretty hair can't hurt, right?

It's just weird... this dating stuff.
I had set myself to think that I'd never have to do the 'first date' shit ever again.
No worries about a first anything for that matter, first date, first hand holding, first hug, first kiss, etc...

I really thought they were all behind me but how little I knew & how wrong I was.
Just breaks my heart.

I will live, I can do this dating thing again even if it's not something I remotely thought of doing.
Everything is strange at first, right?
I mean nobody goes into something like this gung-ho correct?

Sunday's date is Nick, and NO Karen his last name isn't Lachey *weasel*
hehehe
But you know, if you plan your visit accordingly, and you BEHAVE yourself,
maybe we COULD try to go HERE while you're up visiting. *grin* hehehe LOL

As for my Nick, he is easy on the eyes & has been my friend now for well over a year, so I know I can count on him to STILL BE MY FRIEND regardless where this date leads us.
It's just funny how things happen, things that completely alter your life in ways you never saw coming & were powerless to stop them.

Sometimes people say things they don't mean, and then they mean things that they absolutely say...
it's hard to know the difference, but easy to feel it in your heart.
Hurt is hurt no matter how you slice it.

Sunday, although weird, will hopefully be good.

And yes Karen, I'll send you a pic.
*smile*

Moving on...

Yes, that's right, I'm moving on as far as dating goes. It's healthy right? I mean, when one love has ended it's normal & expected that one should move on with their lives. I mean, after all... I can't sit at home every night & cry over this can I?
Well, I mean I did for nearly two weeks and crying is really, well...
...overrated.
(plus my eyes were always puffy & sore.)


It's funny... of all the really shitty things I've been through in my life, heartache seems to always be the worst of them. Never impossible to get over but hard nonetheless.

I've decided that of the 3 guys who asked me out
(yes, I know it's insane & it never ever happens to someone like me...)
that the first guy will most likely end up just being a friend as we've been friends for a while now & seem to be comfortable there, which is totally ok in my book.
Especially since good, sincere, respectful, honest & genuine friends are hard to come by.

The second one will probably never happen as he lives so far away & works a graveyard shift so his time is therefore very limited... and truth be told, as a single mother with a toddler, my time is limited too, so there's that.
(plus he's a vegetarian...
I just never understood those people, no offense to any of you who are.)

And the third one is from right here on the north shore.
He's nice from what I can tell so far- after only one phone conversation.
(but hey, I've been wrong on my judgement before)

Let's just say I'm guarded. He's italian like me, lives below his parents and I above, he's got one younger sibling as do I and he's easy to talk to and enjoys the little things in life... or so he says.

I'm just not ever going to jump in head first ever again, period.

So, he'll have to be patient with me, very patient.
I've told him that it's gonna be a slow journey, and he said
"it's one I'm happy & willing to be patient for,
if it means I get an opportunity to know you better."

Nuff said.
That's all I can ask right?

It's funny, if anyone had asked me a month ago where I thought I'd be tonight, it would not have been here, blogging about this.
But, it is, and I'll be just fine,
even if my heart feels it won't.

Where in the world are...

... FLAT Bear and FLAT Ruby Cate??

The real Ruby Cate and Bear would like to know where their
'FLAT' counterparts are currently residing.

Could whoever has Flat Ruby Cate and Flat Bear please email us at: mom4ruby@yahoo.com
with their whereabouts & a few photos so that we may update their respective blogs?
Thanks a bunch!

-Ruby Cate & Bear
(& Momma too)

Slow & steady wins the race...

... at least that's what they say. I'm beginning to think that slow is just the way of it & perhaps you never win the race but just occasionally come 'close' to winning but never actually cross that finish line. Who knows.

As far as Ruby is concerned... she's doing well.

For now, we're still happy together and enjoying our summer as best we can.
Ruby still loves her Nanna and Nonno to pieces, and in fact this morning she spent the better part of an hour putting BOWS IN NONNO'S HAIR! No lie, check it out...

Ruby thought that was the FUNNIEST THING she's ever seen !

Thanks to my readers for your patience & concern with me during my blog-free week...
it was appreciated more than you know.

I may be a little broken, but I'm back.

-Amy

Taking a break...

Lots going on in my life right now... things are a little more than I can handle & I need to take a personal break from blogging, not because I couldn't come up with fun things to entertain the masses, but more because I really need to be focusing on myself right now, my state of mind, body & soul. Lots to mull over & none of it easy to do, but certainly not impossible. I'm strong, I love big, live big, and sometimes have to 'rest big' as well. Not sure when I'll be back but I know it won't be long, just need to take a 'momentary lapse of reason' from my blog world to stop & smell the roses... if there are any.

Keep me in your prayers.

-Amy

ps. Ruby is doing well, so no worries, this 'break' isn't about my baby girl, she's healthy & happy & doing fine. It's her Momma that needs this time, personal reasons. Thank you all in advance for understanding.

*hugs*

Nonno Kisses...

Things to cheer me up...

... my best friend Jen came down tonight to make me laugh & smile &
decided to have her way with the only two potato heads in the house.

Allow me to introduce to you:

Militant Lesbian Potato Head & Her Life Partner

Aren't they charming?

HAHAHAHAHA

Never leave a bored librarian alone with pieces,
parts & two bare taters!

hee hee

My Girl is GROWING!

Today Ruby had another visit with our family doctor
& man is my girl GROWING LIKE A WEED!

Her current stats are:

Weight: 26 lbs
Height: 34"
Head Circumference: 18"

Now, according to the American Growth Charts, she falls into the following percentages:

Weight: 50%
Height: 75%
Head Cir: 12%

Man, we make some big babies here in the good ole' USA if that's where my little girl falls into!

Now, according to the CHINESE GROWTH CHARTS, her percentages are:

Weight: 90%
Height: 75%
Head Cir: 25%

I must say that I do find it odd that on BOTH charts, her height is in the same range of 75%.

She did so well today & was such a good girl that Momma treated her to a special treat at The Learning Express store. Check out her new little Microwave complete with 'beeping' buttons, rotating turntable and WORKING LIGHT!



hee hee My girl LOVES TO PUSH BUTTONS OF ANY KIND
(even her Momma's emotional ones from time to time)
so she was just THRILLED to PIECES to get this little number!



Momma loves you baby, even if you didn't nap at ALL TODAY & fell asleep for the night at 6pm. LOL

Let's hope she doesn't wake up at 3am raring to go... *fingers crossed*

Night Night Ruby, blow Momma kiss-kiss...

Awww thanks sweetie, Momma LOVES YOU SO MUCH!

World's BEST BIB EVER!

In all my years of being a Nanny (16 & counting...) there is ONE BIB that has always been my absolute FAVORITE!

BUMKINS SUPER BIBS


They're lightweight, easy to spot clean spills & they DRY SUPER FAST for 'SAME DAY USE' !!!

Cloth bibs get dirty & wet & then need to be machine washed, NOT THESE BAD BOYS!

And they're so super light, Ruby never even knows she's got one on... no tugging at it to yank it off etc.

Ruby & I give them 4 thumbs up!
hee hee

Practice makes perfect...

... BUT, practicing my JUMPING WITH NONNO
makes for some serious SILLIES!

hee hee

LET'S DO IT AGAIN NONNO!

ITALY 2006 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

AND THIS ITALIAN FAMILY COULD NOT BE PROUDER!!!

Left to right: Ruby's Nonno (my Dad), Ruby's Zio Adam (my younger brother) and Ruby's Zio Vito (My Uncle & father's younger brother...)
ps. Zio = Uncle in Italian.

Members of the Italy team pose with the World Cup Trophy after their World Cup 2006 final soccer match against France in Berlin July 9, 2006. Italy broke their penalty jinx, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes. (Xinhua photo)

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro lifts the World Cup Trophy after the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006. Italy broke their penalty jinx, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes. (Xinhua photo)


BERLIN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Italy broke their penalty jinx here on Sunday, winning 5-3 on shootout over France for their fourth World Cup triumph after tying 1-1 in 120 minutes.

It's the first world title for Azzurri in 24 years after they last lifted the trophy in 1982, though the Italian side entered Sunday's match with a formidable resume featuring three World Cup titles and five appearances in the final.

"I have to say thanks to the players. This is the most satisfying moment of my life," said Italian coach Marcello Lippi.

"I dedicate the victory to my family. The players have unlimited heart, character and personality. Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel."

"I've had the fortune to win the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles, but I've never felt anything like this," he added.

Being one of soccer's traditional powers since the tournament began in 1930, Italy only other stamped their superiority in the event's Stone Age of 1934 and 1938.

Sunday's game has been regarded as the best chance of the Italians to again put hands on the top glory of the soccer world after decades.

Azzurri made the semifinals on home soil in 1990, only being stopped by Argentina on penalties. Four years later they reached the final in the United States and lost to Brazil again on penalties.

At the 1998 World Cup finals, the penalty shootout duck continued to harass them as they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to hosts and eventual winners France on penalties, again.

In 2002, Ahn Jung-hwan's golden goal sent Italy home after only the second round, although the defeat to South Korea was blamed on Ecuadorean referee Byron Moreno.

But in Sunday's final, the first all-European World Cup since 1982, the Italians faced down the penalty jinx with courage and skills, and they eventually made it.

Andrea Pirlo, Marco Materazzi, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero and gennaro Gattuso all converted their penalty past French keeper Fabien Barthez, while David Trezeguet turned out to be the one to blame for France's loss.

The veteran striker, 29, came as the second French player to the spot, driving the ball to hit the bar before it bouncing out of the goal line.

Les Bleus, overcoming a slow start and criticism of aging, has reached its second tournament final in three World Cups by playing soccer reminiscent of its 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships triumphs, carrying a more impressive list of victims Spain, Brazil and Portugal, comparing to Italy beating Australia, Ukraine and Germany.

Zinedine Zidane, who had lifted his team more than anybody, ruined his career at the final match before retiring from international football, committed a ugly sending-off in 20 minutes of the extra time on Sunday.

The Real Madrid midfielder clearly head-butted Italian left-back Marco Materazzi in the chest in 109 minutes.

Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo was finally notified why the Italians were furious and decided to flash Zidane a red card to reduce France to ten men, while Malouda was also booked for complaining.

Materazzi headed in an equalizer on 19 minutes to atone for giving away the 7th minute penalty, which gave France an earlier chance to open the scoring.

The Inter Milan left back jumped high to meet Andrea Pirlo's corner and powered a header beyond French goalie Fabein Barthez for the equalizer.

Earlier, Materazzi had clipped down Florent Malouda on the 6th minute and French skipper Zinedine Zidane was on the spot to convert it in the next minute to put France ahead.

I'm IT! *damn you Lee-Anne*

Ok, so I'm officially 'IT' having just been tagged nearly this very moment, LOL!
So, here goes nuttin:

7 things I would like to do before I die:

1. Watch Ruby grow up to be a happy, well adjusted & successful adult with a family of her own.
2. Be a size 10, just once.
3. Marry my soul mate.
4. Learn how to Sail Scott's boat.
5. Visit Ireland
6. See a cure found for MS
7. Become a published children's book author

7 things I CANNOT do:

1. Anything with heights, thanks but I'll pass
2. Wear a bikini
3. Bring back Ebenezer... *sigh* Sorry buddy, I SO WISH I COULD! =*(
4. Remember anything
5. Knit anything other than scarves & blankets
6. Eat funky stuff with eyes still on or heads attached ( that's ALL my father!)
7. Play Piano (maybe someday...)

7 things I CAN do:

1. Sculpt
2. Knit
3. Draw
4. Write
5. Drive a stick shift (automatics are for wussies!)
6. Make people laugh
7. Curl my tongue & roll my belly (like belly dancers do) and NO I won't show you!

7 things that attracted me to my boyfriend Scott:

1. His eyes
2. His smile
3. His laugh (we're always laughing together!)
4. His honesty
5. The way my hand fits perfectly in his
6. The way he makes me feel loved
7. The genuine way he cares for me unconditionally without reservation. (I'm extreemly lucky!)

7 things I say most often:

1. I love you Ruby
2. I miss you Ebenezer
3. I love you Scott
4. Helllllloooooooo!?!
5. Wicked Kewl
6. Ya know what I'm sayin'?
7. Not so much!

7 books I love:

1. Anything by Elizabeth Berg (check her out if you haven't, trust me you'll be HOOKED!)
2. Anything by Anita Shrieve
3. All the Harry Potter books
4. Room On The Broom (Ruby book)
5. Maisy books (Ruby books)
6. Every Eric Carle board book
7. I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

7 movies I love:

1. Failure to Launch
2. Animal House
3. Tommy boy
4. Stripes
5. So I Married an Axe Murderer
6. What About Bob
7. Dumb & Dumber

Ok, now I have to 'tag' 7 people... but I'd rather just tag EVERYONE, pick whichever list of these 7 things you like best & comment on them here & share with us ALL won't you? =)

One guess where I was tonight...?

THAT'S RIGHT PEOPLE, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
THIS SINGLE MOMMA SAW THE IDOL CONCERT
WHICH MEANS I SAW ONE VERY SEXY,
VERY TALENTED,
VERY DELICIOUS,
CHRIS DAUGHTRY
IN ALL HIS BALD GLORY!!!!
*drool*

Excuze me while I go curl up & have some very sweet dreams!
hee hee

A Great Big THANK YOU to Ruby's Uncle Steve for getting the tickets for us, I LOVE YOU COUSIN!

And to Karen, I hope you were able to hear some Chris Daughtry's beautiful singing
via my cell call.
I'm not sure what, if anything, you heard but hope it was enough to weet your whistle!
*grin*
(Don't hate me because HE'S BEAUTIFUL!)
HEE HEE

BJ's NEWEST MEMBERS!

That's right, you're not seeing double... there's two heads in that photo.
I figure it's not every day that one gets their VERY FIRST BJ'S MEMBERSHIP CARD!
I mean, really- I've mooched off my mother's membership for YEARS
and Ruby & I thought it was high time we took matters into our own hands.

Now of course we could NOT be official members unless we were BOTH in the photo...

...AREN'T WE SO CUTE!?!?!!

(Check out Ruby's shades that she REFUSED to take off the ENTIRE time in the store!)
LOL

New Shoes!

Are these the CUTEST little shoes or WHAT???

Ruby has the exact same pair that her Nanna got her
during a recent trip to The Children's PLACE.

Ok, so you're probably wondering why a new pair of shoes that Ruby already owns?

I'll tell you why, because they're not for her, they're for her sweet friend GWEN!
That's right, these little numbers, along with a HUGE BOX full of "hand-me-up's"
will be on it's way to her shortly.

Surprises are fun, aren't they?

ENJOY THOSE SHOES GWEN!
(& Mommy, be sure to take a pic or two of her wearing them
and send em' our way, k?)

My newest indulgence...

OMG THESE Riesen ARE SO GODDAMNED GOOD, YOU MAY POSSIBLY DIE ON THE SPOT ONCE YOU POP ONE IN YOUR MOUTH!
*DROOL*

Captured moments from Nanna & Nonno's camera...

Scott got me this niffty new wagon and Nonno pulls me in it around the driveway!
IT'S SO MUCH FUN!!!


THANK YOU SCOTT FOR MY WONDERFUL WAGON!
I LOVE IT!!!

AND THANK YOU NONNO FOR ALWAYS PULLING ME AROUND SO FAST
& MAKING ME GIGGLE!


Nonno got a special sprinkler just my size... isn't it neat?

Thank you Nonno for always making sure our back yard is full of
FUN THINGS for me to play with!

TI AMO NONNO!

Tea for 3...

Exciting things are happening as we speak:



It seems as though an impromptu' visit from Mr.& Mrs. Spud
to see their good friend Bear is cause for celebration!


Bear suggested a fancy 'Tea' at this local joint he frequents, called: "Ruby's"
The decor is extreemly simple & sweet but the tea is to DIE FOR!


Blanket for 3 please...
Oooh, and if we're lucky, Miss Ruby HERSELF will serve us!

WHAT FUN!

Fourth of July a'float...

This is me enjoying myself on Scott's sailboat...

This is me snuggled up next to Scott, aren't we so CUTE TOGETHER??
hehehe...
(I make HIM look GOOD!)



... and now, the FIREWORKS:

Pretty funky, huh?

Hope you all had as much fun last night as I had... it was a magical night!

*grin*

Storytime...

... with a few close friends.