Presenting our eight year old son Carmelo in his first violin recital. He's been playing about a year now, and has come a long way. The violin is an extremely difficult instrument to play. We are so very proud of him, that we just had to share!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RrMJ-yqHSU

A Week Before Christmas!

The hustle and bustle is here folks! Are you all ready?

I'm here to report that I'm doing okay health wise. My eating may be a tad off...but I'm working-out, doing yoga and still weight training. I had gained a bit of weight, but I'm back down now to 205 lbs. So I'll be starting the New Year focused on the 199 lbs! I'm feeling amazing! I noticed some changes that have me PUMPED. For one, my weights are to light, and it's time to move up! I also noticed that my waist is thinning out. My skin is also much clearer and "glowy" (no, I'm not pregnant!). So I'm surely on the right track. Kudos for still working-out despite the holiday season.

I have left to buy a few more gifts and wrap up the Holidays. I've planned a "Gingerbread Making Holiday Party" for my boys. Hopefully, I'll be able to control myself and not eat any candy.

We also ended up 'accidentally' buying a 'monstrous' Christmas tree...I've added the photo. At first, it seemed like a funny joke, and something we would most likely laugh at in years to come. But, now it has grown on me and I love my Christmas tree!

It took Tony and two other men three hours to set-up. Took me two days to decorate. Not bad, however the Obama's called and wanted their tree back! LOL

Carmelo was home for two days with a sprained ankle. That school must of had enough of us, with the Monday morning rant and then this. However, I'm a little peeved at the fact that his 'accident' happened in the morning, and the poor kid went all day without us having a phone call home to go pick him up. He walked or rather hobbled on one foot all day at school...and by the time he got home, and I removed his boot, his ankle was swollen up to twice it's size. He's a tad better today, and he wanted to go to school to be with his classmates for the final day before Christmas break. He was also excited about giving his teachers their Christmas gifts. So I let him go...with a note to the Teacher if Carmy complains of any pain; call me immediately, I'm more than happy to come pick him up. I also warned Carmelo...any rude comments or remarks from the peanut gallery; as kindly as you can...don't be afraid to defend yourself (like I need to tell him that!)!

So I was busy with that, and then with Diodato and his new found social popularity. Speaking of the President...I've been busier than the CIA trying to approve, and investigate all his latest social gatherings. Phew! I don't know about you...but back in my time, we never had birthday parties at "Bar's and Grills" in a mall. Not at the age of fourteen, anyhow.

I've also started writing a novel. I know sounds 'quirky'. But, I've had this story floating around in my brain for almost five years now. I decided to start putting it all down on paper, or rather computer, just so I can stop thinking about the plot...and what happens next etc...

Who knows...when you love to write and write as much as I do...who knows. I may get brave enough and post the prologue or something on here in the new year.

That's about all for today. Be well everyone...lot's of love and blessings. Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.

Kimmy

Monday Rant!

Bah Humbug to crusty school secretaries!!!!!!

My son was 5 minutes late for school today, so obviously I had to run in and sign him in.

"Carmelo, you are lucky Mrs. ! is not here right now, otherwise she'd give you a detention for being late."

(I was stunned. The nerve to say this in front of me.) She was very rude about it, also...

I almost said: "...if you want to give a detention, give it to me because I'm the reason he's late!!!!"
Instead, because I'm a nice person, I said: "...things happen, it's life..."

To which she replied: "...but you have to be on time, and if it becomes a pattern come the New Year...detentions will be handed out".
I almost want to be passive aggressive and make him late on purpose; try and give him a 'detention' for being late...he's only in GRADE THREE!!!!! What is this world coming to?

I walked out, and wished my son a great day with a wink!

ARGH!!!! A detention for being late! I really should of said: "SCREW You lady! Not that it's any of your damn business...but you are just lucky that he is here only FIVE minutes late with a lunch, his homework done and dressed!!!!!!"

No Christmas gift for her!!!!!

Have a great Tuesday everyone,
Kimmy

Bigger Issues on the Horizon

In regards to my post below, seems I have bigger, lingering issues on the horizon. The following is my conversation with Carmelo (my 8 year old son).

Carmelo: " Mom, Gabriella has a cute car. Eh?"

Me: "Sure, she does Carmy!
(taking the opportunity to instill what I had just finished posting)
Gabriella works hard, and she gets good grades. You work hard too, and when you're sixteen you can have a cute car like her!"

Carmelo: (not missing a beat, and with a tone of insult in his voice)

- "Oh, ya, I'm going to work hard alright...but not for a freakin' Toyota! It's a Lamborghini or nothing for me! Remember I'm going to be rich and when I'm sixteen...I'll be driving that Lambo!"

Who am I to be a dream killer?! I just can't win....LOL

We Did IT!!!

If any of you have never signed up or done the CIBC Run for the Cure, I urge you to sign-up today! I have never experienced anything like it. I am so proud of my boys, my niece Gabriella and my nephews Luca and Nico. We did it!

I will be very honest, I am not a morning person. Realizing that we had to be at the run site for 7 ish on a Sunday morning was not my cup of tea. Moreover, trying to convince my boys that they too would have to be up by 6 am, was not going to be easy. However, they were great about the entire thing when I told them, 'they'd be getting up for their Nanna's".

My hubby lost both his Moms' to Breast Cancer. His biological Mom, Caterina, passed away when he was 8 years old. He lost his step-mom, Esterina, a few years ago. So he had to re-live this horrible disease twice in his lifetime, losing two wonderful women.

So we woke-up Sunday morning to fog and rain. However, all the rain in the world would not prevent us from doing what we had to do that day. Looking back, I'm so glad we did. We decided to take the bus to the run site (great idea by the way!)...so here we were standing at the station waiting for the bus, when suddenly out of nowhere people starting to join us, all in the CIBC Run for the Cure hope tees. Seems we weren't the only one's with this great idea. Anyhow, our true moment of the cause came when a young father showed up with his two children. Written on the back of the man's tee was: "I'm running for my wife", on the boy's: "I'm running for my Mom" and the little girl's said: "I'm running for my Mommy". Everyone sorta looked at each other, running for our own loved one's and causes, however we all felt the emotion of the moment. With tears strolling down my face, I looked proudly at my fourteen year old who also had read the shirts...and we all glanced at each other knowing that this was the reason we were all doing the run. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone had tears streaming down their face. The clouds broke and the sun began to shine down upon us.

The poignant moments would continue as we boarded the bus. Here we were on a public transportation bus loaded with everyone running for the cure that day. It was just a sea of white tees with the breast cancer ribbon etched with the words "hope, espoir". Unbelievable! Every stop, after stop the people were lined up going to the run for the cure. It was stirring, moving and emotional. To be a part of it all...was such an amazing feeling!

Once we arrived at the run site, the energy of the moment was contagious. The adrenaline was rushing through us all as we made our way to the start line.

Through the line we could see the names, the causes and the reasons why people had chosen to walk/run. It was incredibily powerful, words cannot describe it. One guy did a portage and carried his canoe the entire 5 K with his loved one's names etched on the canoe. We also seen many survivors, and many woman currently battling the disease. It was poignant moment after poignant moment. It was an honour to walk 5 km with my boys amoung these heroes.

Together, Ottawa raised 1.5 million dollars. It was a day I will never forget. When I arrived home, my hubby kissed me and thanked me for doing this for his moms', it was my honour. Next year he vouched to walk with us all. Together, as a family...we will support the cure for this disease that has touched so many lives.


To leave you all on a happy note, I will post a few conversations I had with Carmelo along our 5 k walk. Diodato, Gabriella ran ahead of us! Luca and Nico joined in, but they ran too. So it was Carmy and I the whole way. He held my hand (rather squeezed) tightly for dear life...afraid to lose me in the thousands of walkers.

Of course, it took about fifteen minutes for us to go through the start line, as there was so many people.

Carmy- "...wow...are we done yet?"

Me- " Look up..." as I'm pointing to the start sign..."we are at the starting line now."

Carmy- "YOU've got to be KIIIIIIIIIDING meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! How long is this walk anyhow?"

-------

Carmy- "OKAY! We've been walking for longer than 1 k...you said! It was to my school and back...I've now walked from my school back again ten times at LEAST!!!!!"

( We walked the 5 k...)

Oh...and upon seeing the men pulling the buggies...I guess in case someone is unable to finish.

Carmy- "hey...MOM>.>>>tell them I want a ride!"

Me- (trying to whisper) "Carmelooooo, those are for the people who are sick and cannot finish the walk"

Carmy- "EXAAAAAAAAACTLY!!! I AM SICK>>>I am finished...and I can't walk anymore...if he doesn't believe you...pull out five bucks and pay HIM!"

----------

Me- "Carmelo! I see the finish line"

Carmy- "Thank the LORD! I did it...I actually did it...okay...I'm doing this...I did it...yahoo for me...I did it."

Carmy- "hey MOM...can we do this every year?"

:>

Carmy!

top third 'blog' in the Ottawa area!

"Mom...if you'd blog more about me, you'd be in...

first place!"

- Carmy ( I love that kid!)