Ten on Tuesday

1. EIGHT YEARS! The only man I can say I truly trust with my heart (other than my grandpa because I know he would do anything for me)! I don't have a lot of faith in men, but this one is a keeper! Happy Anniversary, Patrick!

2. I would love to write a book. I don't know what I would write about (LIE: Why I Don't Leave the House would be the title, and I would write about all the crazy things I have encountered since becoming the wife of an attorney.)

3. Pat worked until 10 last night, BOO! I slept through him coming home, heating up dinner, etc. That scares me, and that's why I don't really like to be asleep when the kids are here. I could sleep through it, or I could wake up every five minutes, it is TERRIBLE!

4. I am having lunch with a friend tomorrow, and I cannot WAIT!!! It has been a really long time since I had lunch with a friend.

5. I am trying not to eat as much cheese because I don't think my stomach can tolerate it. I do really well, and then I totally fail!

6. Pat and Paul went and fixed my grandparent's roof on Saturday morning. Pat nor Paul know anything about fixing a roof, but they got it done. AND THEN, while they were doing it, the neighbor asked if they would come over and look at her roof. I think they could start up a side business.

7. My little Calli Rose Parise graduated from high school this weekend. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!? She was six months old when I started watching her, and she would cry her little eyes out the entire time her mom was gone. I don't know why I went back. It was torture, but I credit her with allowing me the luxury of having my kids cry it out! It doesn't phase me because she would cry no matter what!

8. Both my kids went to their first "drop off" birthday party this weekend, and it was luxuriouis and stressful at the same time. I hoped and prayed that they were given the tools needed to be polite and wonderful in that situation, and I loved the peace and quiet I was able to have while enjoying Calli's grad party (though Pat and I both scarfed our food down like the kids were still there!)!

9. I hate James Frey on Oprah. I don't like him. Having him on for TWO hours is ridiculous. Unless of course, he wants to publish my novel, then I will love him!

10. At what point would it be beneficial to have Tyler start watching 16 and Pregnant. It never ends well, and it is a horrible situation for EVERYONE, and I want her to realize just how CRAPPY it would be!!!! FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I have started a million and one posts, and they are all me complaining about how we have to move AGAIN! I don't feel anyone wants to listen to that, so I tweet about it and get my frustrations out that way!

2. I would really like to just move into a resort for the summer while Pat and I find a house to buy, but I am afraid my bill at the pool with the pool boys would be excessive.

3. When my dad found out we had to move and didn't have anywhere to go, he said that we could live in his RV on his driveway, as long as we emptied the sewer container. There are so many things wrong with this but mainly, he has like a 3000 square foot house, why can't we sleep in the house and use the bathroom.

4. My mom's friends from Brophy keep delivering boxes to my doorstep. It is so kind and heartwarming.

5. I am so excited for The Good Wife tonight.

6. Jackson's Celebration of Learning is tonight. I have to miss it because Tyler isn't feeling well. Such is life as the parent of two munchkins.

7. We went to Tucson two weekends ago, and I didn't take a single picture. We ate at Eegee's twice. We also ate at El Charro Cafe which was AMAZING! I highly recommend it.

8. I am making Eggs Benedict for my grandma's birthday this weekend, I cannot stop thinking about them. I love that Tyler loves them as much as I do.

9. I made mini meat loaves for dinner this morning when kids were at school. Now, I don't really feel like meat loaf, and I have to lie to the kids and say they are meat balls because otherwise they won't eat them, it is just a whole ordeal, and I am not in the mood for it now!

10. In the end, it doesn't matter where we end up, as long as we are together, memories can be made and magic will happen. We've made the right decisions so far when it comes to the whole entire housing situation, and I hope that we make another good one.

Family Friday

Focusing on what's important!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Field Day with Jackson today was hard for me. I LOVED Field Day. It was my most favorite day at school. There were three of us that would alternate as fastest every year. Niccole Villa, Kim Gwaltney, and I. The fact that Kim isn't here anymore, and that maybe one of the kids racing today wouldn't be here in the future tore at my heart strings.

2. Jackson's class came in 2nd on the relay race. He was one of six boys chosen from his class to race based on speed. I am so proud. He did a great job!

3. Tyler's teacher told me today that she was more animated and confident than she has ever been, almost like she was on drugs. UM, OK!? What does one say to that? Other than. . .I totally know what you mean!

4. I don't ever want to live in Troon North. Pat has been trying to get home from there for over and hour, and I can't imagine what it would be like trying to get there from downtown! SERENITY NOW!

5. My MIL found me a bottle of SkinnyGirl Margaritas. I can't wait to get my hands on it and taste the goodness that is Bethenny! I love her, love the show, love her husband, love her baby, love it all!

6. I have mentioned Joe's Diner before, but we have since gone back, and I love it even more, so I want to give it a shout out again.

7. If you played Fantasy Football with us ever, you may remember Boedie's Boys. Her son is in desperate need of your prayers, so if you are the praying type and could send them, it would be greatly appreciated.

8. I am addicted to Target!

9. Rylee calls Jackson, "Jack-Jean", it is so cute, I don't want to forget it.

10. We were in the Dillard's shoe department getting Jackson some new shoes, and Pat decided to let Tyler try on the display shoes, (something that drives my grandma crazy because I still do it until this day, I pick up the size 5 and shove my size 8.5 foot in there seeing if I "like" it!) well Rylee was watching it all, and we asked her what Tyler was doing, to which she replies, "Dress Up!" Even the two year old knows that the shoes they are trying to pass off as children's shoes look more like dress up shoes!

Drunken Spaghetti

Some of you may or may not know that we do Meatless Monday in our house now, and it is really hard to find REALLY good meatless recipes. I am also not a fan of spaghetti sauce UNLESS your name is Karen Parise, I just don't think it has a lot of flavor, but this recipe was SURPRISINGLY good. SHOCKINGLY GOOD actually. Just thought I would share in case you were looking for a few good ways to incorporate Meatless Monday into your life.

It is a three part sauce from Skinny Italian. . .

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE

1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 28 oz can imported Italian plum tomatoes, broken up, with their juices
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 T chopped fresh basil

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and their juices and the tomato paste. Bring just to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the basil. Simmer to blend the flavors, about 10 minutes.

MILANIA'S MARINARA SAUCE

1 T extra virgin olive oil
12 cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/2 cups BASIC TOMATO SAUCE (see above-recipe makes 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup hearty red wine
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or crushed hot red pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Move the mushrooms to one side of the saucepan. Add the onion to the empty side of the saucepan and cook, stirring the onion occasionally, until it softens, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, stir everything together and cook until the onion is tender about 2 minutes more.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce, wine, oregano, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and well-flavored, at least 30 minutes and up to four hours, but the longer the better! If the sauce gets too thick, add a little water.

DRUNKEN SPAGHETTI

MILANIA'S MARINARA SAUCE
One 750 ml bottle Chardonnay
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving

1. Bring the marinara and 1 cup of wine to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, pour the remaining wine into a large pot, and 3 1/2 quarts lightly salted water, and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
3. Drain the spaghetti and return to the pot. Add the sauce and mix well. Serve hot, with the cheese passed on the side.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I want to go back to being blonde. I miss it. Blondes definitely have more fun.

2. I like wine.

3. The kids have not stopped talking about ice blocking. It is funny what they hold on to in their minds. The first thing out of Ty's mouth to her teachers this morning was, "We went ice blocking!" I kind of feel the same as her. So much fun. I want to have everyone I know over to do it with us because it is seriously SO MUCH FUN!

4. Those of you who know me, know I like doing things in the morning during the summer, not as much in the afternoon. So Jackson gets to go to a "special" summer school since he is gifted and all, and it is in the morning. I am already worrying about whether or not Tyler will be gifted because I want her to go to summer school in the morning too. The "other kids" (OMG, how terrible does that sound, but I don't know how else to phrase it) can participate in summer school in the afternoon. I like my afternoons to be free. Mainly so I can have friends over and drink wine (See #2)!

5. Summer school had such a stigma in the past, now summer school is all about fun and games, not so much about remediation and catching up.

6. There are a few houses in my neighborhood I love. I think I am going to start taking pictures as I walk by them so that when I have a house I am interested in remodeling I will know what I want it to look like.

7. I would FREAK OUT if some crazy lady was standing outside of my house taking pictures of my house.

8. I don't carry my credit card in my wallet, it sits on my desk, right next to my computer so that I can buy things online, usually things found on Groupon, Doozy of a Deal, Enamor, Living Social, etc.

9. I NEED A SMALL BLACK PURSE! Ever since Katie took the one back she was letting me borrow, I am at a loss every time I go out. I am seriously considering splurging on a really nice one because I would use it ALL THE TIME!

10. All of us went to a Suns game last week except Tyler. She is going to grow up and have serious issues when she is older unless we take her to a game soon. We try and keep her away from the game because she would probably run on to the court and try to join the Suns Dance Team. They also don't wear very many clothes, and we like to encourage her to wear clothes seeing as how I already call her Striperella behind her back!

Ice Blocking

Some of my best ideas come from reality television. In one episode of Sister Wives this season, they went ice blocking, and I was convinced this family needed to do it. Over an hour of fun was had participating in this fun event. Surprisingly I was quite skilled at this task, and we all had a great time. I will let the pictures tell the complete story! Please excuse our clothing. Everyone was dressed in clothes that could be completely ruined so that I could join in the fun without worrying about what was getting stained!