This morning, I woke up to:

Ruby in her crib shaking her maracas with a fierceness & giggling, gotta love that monitor, who needs an alarm clock-
A toothache that hurts like hell-
Both my arms nearly completely numb but as I got up & walked around,
they started coming back slowly pins & needles style-
Birds chirping outside my window-
The sun shining-
A horrendous cough I STILL can't shake-
Feelings of indifference & frusteration on a personal matter-
The realization that some books were meant to be closed permanantly,
even if you original intention was to read it out in it's entirety & find the happy ending-
A chapped bottom lip, don't ask, I don't know why-
My cell phone beeping that I had two voicemails-
Four emails, two from friends, one from family & one other-
Leftover italian risotto in my fridge, mmm yummy-
And just now, thoughts of a good friend of mine that made me smile, so very very happy for her... it's her turn-

Now, time to go make breakfast...
Oh, and what are some of the things you all woke up to this morning?
Thankfully for me, it wasn't that pesky alarm beeping in my ear pushing me to the point of grabbing it & CHUCKING IT HALF WAY ACROSS THE ROOM! lol
(hate that damn thing...)

I don't care how I get into this jumpy guy thingie...

... BUT I'M GONNA GET IN IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!
(A big fat thanks to Momma for *not* helping me accomplish this but just watching & waiting to see if I'd end up cracking my head wide open...
Truth be told it was AUNTIE KAREN who came to my rescue but NOT before managing to snap a shot of my REAR END!
Lovely, I can see this coming back to haunt me sometime near senior prom... ugh!)

hehehe

More reasons to smile today...

... so Ruby had her weekly visit with Lisa from E.I.
and it went SO GOOD!
Today they worked on, what else? WORDS!
My kid is truly becoming the Italian I know she can be!
hee hee

Here's a list of the words she said today, LOUD & PROUD I might add, during her visit with Lisa:

Knock Knock
Moo
Turtle
Fish
Orange
Hat
Horse
Birds
Eyes
Dow --> Down
Mouse
Choo Choo
Dup --> Up
Moon
Cat
Car
Apple
Lemon
Grapes
Duck

WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO
GO RUBY GO! KEEP TALKIN' BABY!
PRETTY SOON YOU'LL GIVE MOMMA A RUN FOR HER MONEY!
*big cheesy ass PROUD MOMMA grin*

A funny thing happened...

... on the way to the blog.

Well, not funny so much as it was 'unexpected'.
I had composed a long overdue post on something tht I felt very passionate about & I was literally seconds away from hitting the 'publish' key, when *bam*- my phone rang.
I was taken aback by who was on the other end, and didn't know what to think, but was happy to hear that familiar voice again.
I waited for that phone call and I knew in my heart it would eventually come
but just didn't know when.
I find it all too funny how just when I was about to post about this person &
my thoughts on the situation, they choose that exact moment to make my phone ring.
Is that fate? Is it conincidence?
Or is it a higher power at work just coaxing us 'little people' along until we do what's right?
Making us say things our heart knew all along
but our mouths wouldn't always cooperate?
I don't know what it is, but I know I was happy to hear that voice again.
I was happy at the words that were spoken to me.
I was just happy.
I don't know what it means & honestly I don't really worry all too much about it, because in the end, even if it means nothing, yesterday- it meant everything.
And life is good...
Thank you for reaching out & saying what you did,
you'll probably never know what that meant to me, period.
Thank you for not only doing what you knew was right, but doing it even though it was clearly difficult & akward to do.
Thank you for keeping myself & Ruby in your thoughts, even if they are here & there.
Just, thank you.
You can be a fly on the wall of my life anytime you want, we're welcome to have you-
and for the record, anytime you wanna come down from that wall & come inside, you'll always be welcome here.
Always.

-Amy & Ruby Cate
(& Bear too...)

Memories...

... like the corners of my mind.
Misty water colored memories, of the way we were!

(psst, Karen- my risotto MISSES YOU!)

Ok, since you know you WANT to try this...

Italian Sausage Pepper & Onion Risotto

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked risotto
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large clove garlic (minced)
1 large spanish onion (diced)
1 large red pepper (diced)
1 package (4 sausages) Italian Style Chicken Sausages
(made by Al Fresco, they're fully cooked sausages, ready to cut & eat)
Freshly ground black pepper & salt to taste
Italian seasoning (one generous handfull- Italian measurement system, deal with it)

Directions: On medium heat in large sauce pan, cover the bottom nearly completely with olive oil. Add minced garlic, onion, pepper, sausage & let simmer until onion's become slightly transparent.
Then add italian seasoning, salt, pepper & uncooked risotto & stir well. Continue cooking until risotto becomes slightly transparent.
(won't be as noticable as the onion... maybe five minutes or so)
Then add chicken stock, 1 to 2 cups at a time. Stir well & let slowly absorb into risotto.
You'll want the risotto to slightly stick at bottom of pan. Once sticking occurs, it's time to stir once more and add the next two cups of stock.
Continue cooking until all stock is absorbed & risotto is thick & the house smells so good you want to lick the walls.
(Don't laugh, just trust me on this one, or better yet- ask Karen!)
Turn off the heat & let sit for five minutes to cool.
Serve warm with freshly grated Imported Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese on top.
(please trust me, that kraft shit in the 'ready to go shaker' WILL NOT CUT IT, my Nonna will roll over in her GRAVE at the very thought!)

Serve with your beverage of choice & enjoy!

To cut or NOT to cut...

... this is my question?

So? What does everyone think?

(It's long enough to twist around several times
&
slap up in that clip with all the excess hanging over!)

Peek-A-Boo...

... I SEE YOU!

hee hee, silly girl!

Out of the mouths of babes...

Here is a list of words that miss Ruby Cate can ACTUALLY SAY ALL BY HERSELF in no particular order, well that's not true, it's the order in which my mind was able to remember them all. LOL Bear with me:

1. Momma
2. Nanna
3. Nonno
4. Bear
5. Moon
6. Ball
7. Red
8. Blue
9. Bath
10. Go
11. Book
12. Tea
13. Cheese
14. More
15. Please
16. Cup
17. Gentle
18. Dog *& actually howls too*
19. Moo
20. Meow
21. Gen (Gwen)
22. Kiss
23. Car
24. Pool
25. Corn
26. Milk
27. Sippy
28. Ahoooo (love you)
29. Phone
30. Pate (plate)
31. Pay (play)
32. Cone (because the child eats plain ice cream cones like they're going out of style)
33. Tank Ooo (Thank You)
34. Baby
35. Bruce (my uncle who was just recently here for a visit)
36. Momo (Memmo, my cousin in Italy)
37. Socks
38. Shoes
39. Pants
40. Shirt
41. Hat
42. Sun
43. Stars
44. Plane
45. Puffs (gerber veggie puffs, she LOVES THEM)
46. Turtle
47. Shish (Fish)
48. Birdie
49. Charlie (our neighbor)
50. Peep (a show she loves, peep in the big wide world on TLC)
51. Maisy (another show she loves from Noggin)
52. Top! (Stop)
53. NiNi (Night Night)
54. Water
55. Banket (blanket)
56. Hi
57. Bye
58. Ceeral (Cereal)
59. Shickss (her musical sticks she bangs together)
60. No
61. Bow
62. Brace (bracelet)
63. Frog
64. Gape (grape)
65. Uhoh
66. Whasssat? (what is it?)
67. Isssis aboon? (is it the moon?)
68. Bap (help)



Now I know there's probably more but for now that'll have to do.
Yes my child can talk & yes, she's ITALIAN!
*grin*

Top 10 reasons I love my Auntie Jen...

1. She's cute!
2. She married Elvis, LITERALLY!
3. She can find ANYTHING that Momma wonders 'out loud' about.
4. She's going to be my 'Godmother' once Momma gets off her lazy butt and has me baptized.
5. She always surprises me with neat things, LIKE REALLY KEWL BOOKS!
6. She let's me splash in the pool & doesn't mind getting wet.
7. She is always there for Momma whenever she's feeling sad about something.
8. She LOVES THE RED SOX TOO!
9. She brings her adorable doggie Ellie down for visits and it's nice to have a dog around now that Ebby had to go to doggie heaven. I miss Ebby.

And the top 10th reason why I LOVE MY AUNTIE JEN?


Well, cuz she buys the CUTEST OUTFITS FOR ME!


CHECK OUT THIS GORGEOUS PINK TURTLE OUTFIT I'M SPORTIN'!



AND, not only is it cute, IT'S EDUCATIONAL!
Momma says you all get ONE GUESS as to the new word I learned to say today...

hehehehe

I'd like to share with all of you...

... some wonderful moments of Ruby's 1st night HOME!


It was overwhelming to say the least, thank GOODNESS for BEAR!


Once she calmed down, she took a look around at her new digs...


... met her new dog Ebenezer, who left us all too soon unfortunately.
(Rest in peace old friend, we love & miss you SO MUCH!)


She ate some calzone with Auntie Tracy...

... stacked blocks with Auntie Krista...

And as long as Bear was right by her side, she was ok.

I'd like to thank her Uncle Steve for emailing me these precious photos that I didn't know existed until tonight. Thanks Steve for bringing back some of the most incredible moments of my life thus far. I just can't believe how LITTLE she looks with that sweet 'baby' face!
And how amazing to get that picture of Ebenezer... tonight, cousin - you touched my heart. Thank you.

You know...

... despite being a shut in in my own home, feeling like crapola, looking even worse... I realized something:
This birthday is better than any birthday ever so far.
Why?

(It may have something to do with this fantastic HAT that Karen bought for me while she was visiting, I JUST LOVE IT & I'm gonna wear it EVERY YEAR on my birthday, and so will Ruby! She just doesn't know it yet... hehehe)

But on a more serious note...
This year my birthday is the best ever because:

Last year, I thought for SURE I'd have had my referral in time for my birthday, it just had to arrive as my gift.
It didn't.

Last year, I sat in my house sad & weepy for days leading up to, during, and after my birthday because all I wanted was my daughter.

Last year, I dreamed & hoped & prayed that I could close my eyes & wake up & it would be August 12th, 2006 & Ruby would be here with me.

And you know what?
It's August 12th, 2006, and Ruby is here with me, runny nose, nasty cough, beautiful smile & amazing sounding giggles & all...


... and I could NOT BE HAPPIER!

Ruby is the best thing that ever happened to me, period.


And to be able to be here, in my own little 'sick house' with my own beautiful 'sick child' who loves her very own 'sick mother', despite all the ickky things about today, the only thing that matters is that we're together.
It's kinda like a marriage... for better or for worse
(and trust me, there have been some WORSE times for sure)
and in sickness & health.

Today is our sickness, so big deal, we'll make it through, it's just bronchitis.
I've had it before, I'll have it again... only now every time I have to deal with something like this, I get to enjoy life with my daughter, my best friend- right by my side.

And isn't that just the best?!

*smile*

Ruby, Thanks for making this birthday the BEST ONE EVER BABY GIRL!
Momma loves you SO MUCH!

XoXoXoXo

Happy Birthday to me...

... happy birthday to me,
Not only am I older,
but I'm sick & so is Ruby.

No lie, check this out: Bronchitis

We BOTH have it!
I hope that it goes away soon...
I have lobster to eat later.
*sigh*

Sputtering out sentence fragments...

... NYQUIL is a beautiful thing, isn't it?
*cough* I recently caught a *cough* nasty cough *cough* that is currently *cough* kicking my ass *cough* in the WORST *cough* WAY!

And as I'm *cough* sitting here trying to *cough* breath normally, *cough* I started to let my mind wander about a few things... *cough* & in no particular order, here they are: *cough*

- I wish this *cough* damn cough would just *cough* GO AWAY!
- I'm sad that my sweet Ruby caught it *little Ruby cough* from her Momma
- I'm over the moon in love with this little beautiful coughing creature all snug in her crib with her best friend Bear.
- As of late, my arms have been going numb when I knit- ah, the joys of MS.
- I can't believe my daughter is less than a month away from becoming TWO YEARS OLD!
- I love being a Momma.
- I miss the days of sleeping as late as I wanted.
(No lie, 2pm or later! If sleeping had been an event in the olympics, I'd have placed GOLD!)
- I need to lose more weight, eat more salads & less carbs.
- I really would love to learn to play the beautiful steinway piano that sits in my mother's parlor & never gets played unless my uncle Bruce is visiting.
- I HATE 'fwd's in my email... H.A.T.E. them!
(You wanna send me a mail? That's fine but send me a mail FROM YOU, not a generic forward that everyone & their grandmother has seen a dozen times over already... UGH. Trust me, I have seen ALL the jokes & don't particularly find ANY of them funny in the least. Let's face it, I'm far funnier than any email, period.)
- I miss Karen & Gwen being here. It was nice. It was relaxed & felt like they'd been here all their lives.
- I am sad that today when Ruby was playing with her new toy, she paused, looked up at me & said "Gen" ?
(roughly translated, means Gwen)
- I love that my hair is getting longer but am not particularly fond of the snarls & knots that I have to brush out every night seeing as how by 8pm or later, my hair resembles that of 'ooom foo foo the bush bitch'. God does have a sense of humor doesn't she?
- I'm completely excited about saturday, not because it means I'm that much older, but because there will be LOBSTER TO BE EATEN! *drooling & grinning*
*cough*
- Have I mentioned that I hate this cough?
*UGH*
-I miss being in love with someone, it was comfortable & familiar & I would like to find it again soon... here's hoping.
- I plan on making it a point to do two specific things this weekend, 1. mailing Sparky's gift to her since we missed her this past tuesday at Rebecca's... and 2. taking that black & white photo that Karen took of me & Ruby to be BLOWN UP & FRAMED for my living room wall.
-I miss Ebenezer. I feel him sometimes & know he's still here in spirit, but it's tough to hug a memory.
- I wish that Johnny lived closer or vice versa, cuz I think he'd be really kewl to just hang with.
- I love seeing butterflies.
- Every morning when I make my tea & toast, I make 4 pieces.
1 for Ruby, depending on how hungry I am, 1 or 2 for me, & the rest gets broken up to feed the birds. They know that it's Amy's buffett, it's sweet to watch. Who needs a bird feeder, you just need a generous heart, a handfull of warm toast & an open window.
- I don't forget about the squirrells, don't worry. I throw them cinnamon cookies broken in half. They share.
-It's 11:29 pm & I should be in bed right now but I *cough* can't stop coughing. *cough,hack*
- Attractive isn't it? NOT!
- Today Ruby said 'Bruce' for my uncle, his visit was the first time she's ever met him & hearing her say his name, made him smile.
- My aunt (Ruby's Nanna T.) celebrated her birthday today, Happy birthday Leggy!
- I am sad that I missed 14 months of my daughter's life.
- I am thankful that God saw fit to unite us as Mother & Daughter, we make a good little team.
- I LOVE target, HATE wallyworld... always have.
- Nothing better than a steaming cup of tea, anytime, ESPECIALLY when *cough* my throat is THIS SORE!
- I'm glad I'm nearly 34 & still am blessed to have my parents.
- I'm blessed that Ruby is getting to know her Nanna & Nonno.
- I love that my father only speaks to Ruby in Italian. Never once in English, ever. It's good stuff... she's literally the small asian human SPONGE! My smart little girl!
- I'm psyched to be going to see Josh Blue with cousin Steve in Sept! GO BLUE! Funny ass bastard he is, I LOVE HIM!
- My mother got beautiful flowers delivered to the house today from Karen & Gwen... they made her smile & she proudly displayed them center stage of our table tonight at dinner.
- They came from Ward's, like I suspected they would.
- I have the makings of 'S'mores' in the house but don't want to a. get off my butt to go make one, and b. eat this late cuz it'll just be more efficient to staple it to my ass, it's where it'll end up anyways.
- My favorite color is red.
- My favorite number is 13.
- My favorite season is fall.
-My favorite holiday is Halloween.
- I can always smell the first snow before it happens.
*yes, snow has a smell*
- I wonder when I'll hear from whoever has Flat Bear & Flat Ruby Cate next? I'd like to post their pics & update their blogs.
- I wonder how many of you are still reading this & how many gave up after the third *cough*.
- I'm shivvering right now & am fully dressed.
- As I type this, my left arm is slowly going completely numb.
- I hope my right arm doesn't follow suit...
- I think it's time to drug up & haul my ass into bed.
(I hope this wasn't boring for everyone... what are some of your late night sputtered out sentence fragments? I'd love to hear some of you share... ESPECIALLY YOU LURKERS! )
*cough* grin.
G'night.

WE MISS YOU KAREN & GWEN!!!

Well, a wonderful time was had by ALL! These past few days were fantastic with Karen & Gwen visiting our little corner of the world. Not only was it great to spend days & night with them both but it was a blast to show them a few of my most favorite 'special' spots around the north shore.
She tried the popcorn from Salem Willows and ATE MORE POPCORN THAN I'VE SEEN ANY HUMAN CONSUME IN A SINGLE SITTING, NO LIE!
She had several of 'Bert's Horrible Cookies' from Gourmet Fare located in Salem's Historic Pickering Warf.
We went to Salem Beer Works, but uh... don't ask about that night, aside from delicious sour cream & chive fries and us knowing that we were happy to be there together, our two short counterparts were LESS than excited & SHOWED IT.
*not so much fun if ya know what I mean*

My Family ABSOLUTELY ADORES THEM BOTH & can't wait till they visit again soon! Especially Nonno who is happy knowing that little miss Gwen not only warmed up to him finally, but was just plain SILLY & GIDDY with him & they rolled around together on the floor & laughed & laughed & laughed!
It was really sweet to see.

I know that my mother must have a ton of pictures from their visit but I need to first A. see them for myself since I haven't seen a one yet, and B. send them to Karen and THEN & ONLY THEN can I share on the blog. Only with Karen's prior permission of course.

To say that my house is too quiet right now is an understatement.
It just feels a little empty tonight. It's wonderful to have friends visit but it's tough to see them go, that's for sure.
Karen & Gwen, thank you BOTH SO MUCH for coming to spend some quality time up here in Bean Town with me & Ruby Rubes... we loved EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

*hugs*

-Amy & Ruby Cate

ps: Bear sends his love to Bunny... XoXoXo ;)

One month & counting...

... that's right, today my Ruby turned 23 months old. In exactly one more month we'll be celebrating not only her 2ND birthday, but the one year anniversary of my referral!
Seems really hard to imagine but it's so true that so much can change in a year it's unbelievable!

I hope you all enjoyed the photos from our day at Salem Willows,
we all ate way TOO MUCH POPCORN! *drool*

Now I'm wiped out & gonna head to bed, Karen's zonked out in my toasty chair in the living room...
and YES I snapped a pic of that but NO I won't be posting it to the blog.
LOL
(even though the evil little voice in my head is telling me DO IT, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO... DO IT!)
I love my friend Karen too much to do that to her.
*evilgrin*
But don't think that I won't hold onto it for blackmail purposes.
hee hee
JUST KIDDING KAREN!

We've really been having a blast together & my family simply adores both her & Gwen.
Ruby & Gwen together is just like nothing I've ever seen, those two play & dance & act silly... it's just so neat to see!

Ok, shot night tonight for moi, I gotta go shoot up & then hit the sack.
Tomorrow Karen & I are headed to our friend Rebecca's house to meet up with Sparky & relax & enjoy each other's company.
(& I'm told there will be much swimming as there's an in ground pool, BRING IT ON!)

I absolutely LOVE TO SWIM! *grin* hehehe
Oh, and NO no bathingsuit pics of me on the blog, PERIOD!
So don't ask.

Well, g'night for now & I'll post more tomorrow once we're home.
Oh, and to those of you who know & have access to Karen's blog, check it out for more pics of our day & adorable shots of little miss Gwennie Gwen,
my new favorite short person next to Ruby!

hehehe

Snackin' at the Willows...

... first we'll start with a little applesauce appetizer,

& wash that down with some good ole' H2O!
Mmmm Life is GOOD!

(Thanks to Nance (aka: 'SpaceMom') for taking these shots today
of my darlin' daughter stuffin' her face!)
hehehehe

Drivin at the Willows...

... without a licence!

(look Momma, NO HANDS!)

Ruby & Bear Snoozin'...

... in the car.

Ruby & Momma Smooches...

... are THE BEST KIND!

Sharing with Bear...

... doesn't everyone eat popcorn with their noses?
*giggle*