Wow.

You are the World

Completion, Good Reward.

The World is the final card of the Major Arcana, and as such represents saturnian energies, time, and completion.

The World card pictures a dancer in a Yoni (sometimes made of laurel leaves). The Yoni symbolizes the great Mother, the cervix through which everything is born, and also the doorway to the next life after death. It is indicative of a complete circle. Everything is finally coming together, successfully and at last. You will get that Ph.D. you've been working for years to complete, graduate at long last, marry after a long engagement, or finish that huge project. This card is not for little ends, but for big ones, important ones, ones that come with well earned cheers and acknowledgements. Your hard work, knowledge, wisdom, patience, etc, will absolutely pay-off; you've done everything right.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Ok then. Carry on.

Tuesday Randomness

I know my posts have been few and far between lately. I have been really busy and this blog always seems to get the last tiny bit of my time. But, since I am procrastinating this morning, I am here with you lovelies instead of working out or working on my homework - both of which should already be done by now. Since my mind is mush - here are a few random things on my mind....

1. Do they make work-out underwear? Ya know, the kind that stay put instead of wedging up your ass while on the treadmill or elliptical? If not, they should. Seriously.

2. And sports bras...what the fuck. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good one?

3. I am happy that my sister is moving to a nice new town - hopefully into a big house with a huge backyard.

4. Am I the only one who uses Google for a spell check? When I can't figure out how to spell something I type it into Google and it says "Do you mean______" and then I know how to spell it.

5. Grad school sucks. Does anyone have any pointers on writing a thesis statement for the board to approve my topic? I've never done one before and it is scary.

6. You have to do A LOT of work to renew an expired passport with your maiden name (bout time I fix that as we'll be married 12 years, right?) and the kids passports. Did you know that both parents need to be present to do it? I didn't. But, it makes sense as one parent could potentially take a kid out of the country if the other parent was unaware.

7. My kids are automatic dual citizens of this country and Italy. Very cool.

8. We are going to Belgium in June - hopefully, keep your fingers crossed to visit family.

9. How did I get so busy?

10. I wish work was a tad bit busier - but this is a typical slow time. Still when you are self-employed, it worries you.

What's new with all of you?

Weigh In - Week 7 - First Big Goal

Here's the official weigh-in Weight Loss for Week 7....

2 pounds

Official weight loss total is 20 lbs in 7 weeks.

Only 40 more to go.

I have officially made it 1/3 of the way to my goal and I am over the fucking moon. Yeah, I said it. The fucking moon, I tell ya!

Additional Motivation: A Letter To Me

Hello Self,

I am writing this letter to you today because I know that this point is where you usually start to fall off the wagon, so to speak. What with the 2 salads a day for the last 6 weeks - I get why you might start to crave candy and chips and well...just about anything. But let me remind you of a few things to help keep that motivation fresh.

1. "You look fantastic." People are starting to notice and tell you this all the time.

2. Those fattest fat jeans...are way too big for you. Fold them up and put them away.

3. The size 14s are starting to get too big. How do I know this? Your husband tells you he can see your butt crack every time you bend down now.

4. Speaking of Hubby, he can't get over how "small" (his words) you are getting. He is just amazed and in awe and simply over the moon with pride.

5. You are exercising 5 - 6 times a week with a steady 300 - 350 calorie burn on the cardio alone. you are RUNNING on the treadmill for 6 minutes each time - pushing for more.

6. Your double chin is gone.

7. Your neck is skinnier and you necklace that you bought that just fir at Tiffany's hangs WAY lower.

8. You feel great.

9. You are happier, really, really happier for the first time in a LONG time.

10. You can do this. You can. Keep going.

I just thought I would remind you, in case you forget.

Best Recipe EVER.

I made this last night and OMG, I may blow my entire weight loss just to lick the pie shell clean. If you are a lover of broccoli rabe and sausage, have I got a recipe for you. I used pie crust that you make yourself and roll out, since my grocery does not sell frozen shells. Hubby, Lil Man and I ate it for dinner. It is truly amazing. Thank God it doesn't show the nutrition calories for this - I'm sure it is high!

I give you Broccoli Rabe Pie. Enjoy.

Weigh In - Week 6

Here's the official weigh-in Weight Loss for Week 6....

1 pound

Official weight loss total is 18 lbs in 6 weeks.

Only 42 more to go.

I can hardly believe that I am this close to a 20 pound weight loss. My clothes are fitting better and better. And I bought a new torture rack to help my problem areas...



I can barely move - I guess it is working.

Uno, Dos, Tres, Quattro!!

I have been tagged by my sister for The Four Things Meme, so here goes...

Four Jobs I've Had:

1. Worked in the office of a Chemical Company (which stunk so bad I gagged every morning)
2. Antique Shop refinishing furniture
3. Waitress/Bartender
4. Art Director/Creative Director/Graphic Designer

4 places I've been:

1. Jamaica
2. St. Lucia
3. Florida
4. Cayman Islands

4 movies I've watched over and over:

1. Breakfast Club
2. Something About Mary
3. Pet Detective 1 and 2
4. Swimming with Sharks (best movie ever)

4 shows I watch:

1. Biggest Loser
2. Vegas
3. Survivor
4. All VH1 Reality Shows (Rock of Love 2, My Fair Brady, Celebrity Rehab, Scott Baio is 46 - all of them are train wrecks and I have decided this season I actually DISLIKE all of them. Really dislike.)

4 places I'd rather be right now:

1. In my bed
2. On vacation
3. At my Graduate School graduation
4. Italy

4 favorite things I eat:

In this case it will have to be USED to eat since I have been dieting for the last 6 weeks, but here goes...

1. sushi
2. chips and dip
3. seafood of any kind
4. cheesecake

4 places I've lived:

1. Naugatuck, CT
2. Hamden, CT (4 different residences there)
3. Prospect, CT

that's it - only 3

4 things I look forward to this new year:

1. Getting skinny
2. Watching my kids blossom in every way.
3. Continuing to pick away at my graduate degree.
4. Getting skinny and fitting into that hot bathing suit.

I am sure everyone has already done this - but it you haven't tag you're it!

Weigh In - Week 5

Here's the official weigh-in Weight Loss for Week 5....

3 pounds

Official weight loss total is 17 lbs in 5 weeks.

Only 43 more to go.

But, I may have blow a pound or two this weekend - we partied like it was Miss Thing's Birthday and I was weak...
Back to the treadmill, even if I AM sick.

One Decade Ago, I Became A Mom

At 1:55 AM on February 8th, 1998, I had an 8 lb. 3 oz. beautiful baby girl. I should have known by her 43 hour labor that she was going to have her own mind and do things her way, always.

To be truthful, I love that about her.

She is always the captain of her ship. No one can make her do, think or say what she does not feel in her heart and soul. She is confident. She is secure. She is compassionate. She is smart, witty and funny. She is unique and a true one-of-a-kind. She has an amazing sense of style. She is beautiful inside and out. She is thoughtful of others at all times. She apologizes when she is wrong. She kisses and hugs you unabashedly. She loves with her whole heart. She is a straight A student and a strong competitor in all the sport she plays. She writes funny stories, draws amazing pictures and tells her Mom she looks skinny.

A Mother could not want for a more perfect daughter.

I love you, Miss Thing.



And Happy 10th Birthday!

Love, Mommy

P.S. Here is a picture of her present, her very own Pandora bracelet. She woke up at 5:00 AM to open her presents with her Daddy before he went to work. She loves it.

Spending Time With Lil Man

Spending any amount of time solo with my son is precious time spent. It rarely happens that Mom and son head out, as it it usually the Girls going one place while the Boys go another. However, the time spent alone with him usually makes me love that little boy even more than I thought possible. I also usually walk away laughing from something he says. His mind works so differently than most kids his age.

He is sick today with a sore throat and ear ache and we headed to the doctor. Friday is Miss Thing's Birthday (10, Holy Fuck 10 - double digits) and I wanted him healthy for then. While in the car, I am playing my iPod (kinda loud) which he doesn't mind, as he is my metal-head kid.

Little Man: "Is this AC/DC?"

Me: (smiling) "Nope, it's Motley Crue."

LM: "Mom, who is your favorite band?"

Me: "Hmmmm. That's a tough one, I like a lot of bands. But, this band playing right now was my favorite when I was younger."

LM: If I had a band, even if it "stunk out loud", would we be your favorite band?"

Me: "Of course."

(Listening for a bit to "Shout at the Devil" by Motley Crue...)

LM: "Is he saying shout AT the devil?"

Me: (chuckling) "Yes."

LM: "I think Jesus would like this song then, since he is shouting AT the devil."

Me: "TOTALLY. I totally think Jesus would be a Motley Crue fan."



(HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!)

Try NOT to think of THAT when you're getting your ashes today!

Weigh In - Week 4

Here's the official weigh-in Weight Loss for Week 4....

1 measly pound

Official weight loss total is 14 lbs for the month.

Only 46 more to go.

Still working out. Still eating the right foods. Still looking at that bathing suit and hoping to fit into it soon. Why does it feel so hard some days? Like today...SuperBowl Sunday - when everyone else in my house is eating wings and fried mozzarella and chips!