It occurred to me last evening that I hadn't seen my son in a while.
His coat was still hung up so I assumed he didn't leave the house (I should be a detective, I know).
I called his name and he answered with his typical, "WHAT?" from the bathroom.
I asked the all too familiar, "What are you doing?" He was in the bathroom so I knew what he was doing.
I pushed the door open slightly when he didn't respond to find him comfortably seated on the throne, pants at his ankles, with his DS in hand playing his new I Spy game.
I asked him to please put the game down and finish up his business and get out.
He closed his DS, jumped off the seat, pointed to his accomplishment and exclaimed, "I AM done with my business. I was just looking for some peace and quiet so I could hear what the lady on the game is telling me to do!"
Right. Because I'm the loud one in the family that never lets YOU have peace and quiet....
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
What I learned attending a grown up dinner party
1. Deviled eggs is not the appetizer of choice for grown ups. They prefer things with goat cheese, scallops and pesto served on crostinis. And served in a dozen, not in Costco quantities.
2. Candlesticks look pretty when you light them - with fire.
3. Wine glasses are not always 12 ounces. And when you try to pour the wine once with the cork still in it, you really shouldn't try to pour it twice with the cork still in it. You look foolish (or drunk).
4. Plates do come in something other than paper or plastic. And served warm make for a toasty surprise.
5. Silverware is silver - and includes more than a fork and knife.
6. Soup served before a meal is awesome - especially served in cute teacups and not made from a can.
7. You don't have to cram everyone in your kitchen. Suggesting you "move to the living room and sit by the fire" works - and if you bring your crostinis and wine bottles in there, people will follow.
8. No matter how fancy the party, if you put two Moms together at a table the topic of childbirth always surfaces.
9. When chocolate souffle arrives at the table for dessert, and you know it's chocolate souffle, don't try to be witty and ask what it's called like someone might randomly rename it. You look foolish (or drunk).
10. Adults use their dining room tables to dine, not collect mail, old newspapers and junk.
2. Candlesticks look pretty when you light them - with fire.
3. Wine glasses are not always 12 ounces. And when you try to pour the wine once with the cork still in it, you really shouldn't try to pour it twice with the cork still in it. You look foolish (or drunk).
4. Plates do come in something other than paper or plastic. And served warm make for a toasty surprise.
5. Silverware is silver - and includes more than a fork and knife.
6. Soup served before a meal is awesome - especially served in cute teacups and not made from a can.
7. You don't have to cram everyone in your kitchen. Suggesting you "move to the living room and sit by the fire" works - and if you bring your crostinis and wine bottles in there, people will follow.
8. No matter how fancy the party, if you put two Moms together at a table the topic of childbirth always surfaces.
9. When chocolate souffle arrives at the table for dessert, and you know it's chocolate souffle, don't try to be witty and ask what it's called like someone might randomly rename it. You look foolish (or drunk).
10. Adults use their dining room tables to dine, not collect mail, old newspapers and junk.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Christina - the Puerto Rican me
Most of my husband's family calls me by the name Christina. I often get emails from new contacts who will refer to me as Christina. I have a great friend whose name IS Christina...wonder how often she's called Christine?
The point of my story is not so much the mistaken identity as it is about how I feel like a little bit of the Latin blood from my in-laws is seeping into my body after almost two decades of knowing my husband.
I keep Goya products in my home like they have been there since I grew up - which is so not true. Items like Goya Sazon packets, Goya Sofrito (only the frozen version, never the jar), Goya beans of all colors, Goya rice Spanish olives, and Goya tomato sauce.
I've discovered that adding any of those items to an ordinary dinner makes for a wonderful Puerto Rican feast. Take tonight, for example. In the crock pot I threw in 2 boneless chicken breast, a small can of Goya tomato sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, a heaping spoonful of Sofrito, a sazon packet, chopped up potato and carrots. Simmer all day and serve with rice. Um, delicious!
It's little things like that that make me feel like it's possible to go from Christine to Christina. It coincides with the fact that after all these years of trying I have finally mastered arroz con gandules...rice with pigeon peas for anyone named Christine.
Comer en casa!
The point of my story is not so much the mistaken identity as it is about how I feel like a little bit of the Latin blood from my in-laws is seeping into my body after almost two decades of knowing my husband.
I keep Goya products in my home like they have been there since I grew up - which is so not true. Items like Goya Sazon packets, Goya Sofrito (only the frozen version, never the jar), Goya beans of all colors, Goya rice Spanish olives, and Goya tomato sauce.
I've discovered that adding any of those items to an ordinary dinner makes for a wonderful Puerto Rican feast. Take tonight, for example. In the crock pot I threw in 2 boneless chicken breast, a small can of Goya tomato sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, a heaping spoonful of Sofrito, a sazon packet, chopped up potato and carrots. Simmer all day and serve with rice. Um, delicious!
It's little things like that that make me feel like it's possible to go from Christine to Christina. It coincides with the fact that after all these years of trying I have finally mastered arroz con gandules...rice with pigeon peas for anyone named Christine.
Comer en casa!
Monday, January 17, 2011
So what are you doing next Sunday?
Ugh. I'm glad I didn't drink heavily yesterday or I would have woken up with both a hangover and a bout of football depression.
Mind you, I'm not your numero uno Boston sports fan, but I do enjoy riding the wave when our teams are winning. And I road the Patriots wave all the way to a stomach ache yesterday watching them crumble on their home turf, to of all team, the JETS!
Usually a loss is a disappointment - but after days of Neanderthal comments from the head coach of the Jets I really wanted to stick it to 'em...beat them just to shut them up.
Alas, we lost. My son, who has yet to grasp the concept of hometown loyalty or the fact that you really should have a "favorite" team, was perfectly fine with the loss because his "other favorite team" is the Jets. But was this really necessary:
Well, at least that frees up next Sunday to do other things. Want to meet me to NOT watch the game next Sunday??
Mind you, I'm not your numero uno Boston sports fan, but I do enjoy riding the wave when our teams are winning. And I road the Patriots wave all the way to a stomach ache yesterday watching them crumble on their home turf, to of all team, the JETS!
Usually a loss is a disappointment - but after days of Neanderthal comments from the head coach of the Jets I really wanted to stick it to 'em...beat them just to shut them up.
Alas, we lost. My son, who has yet to grasp the concept of hometown loyalty or the fact that you really should have a "favorite" team, was perfectly fine with the loss because his "other favorite team" is the Jets. But was this really necessary:
Well, at least that frees up next Sunday to do other things. Want to meet me to NOT watch the game next Sunday??
Monday, January 10, 2011
Well, Helloooo Twenty-eleven!!
It's here. The New Year is here. I can leave behind all the blah and phooey of twenty-ten and start anew.
Because that's what new years are for, right? New. That's why they call them New Years. They'd call them Same Ole Same Ole Year if they weren't New...glad we cleared that up.
So, what is happening in the New Year...well, not much. I'm settling into my new "job" at Carlton PR & Marketing as...well....uhm....as....good question. I don't really have a title. You can call me "Business Partner", or "Unpaid Employee Number Two" or "Intern"...I respond to all of them.
But with some seriousness, I've joined a smart, connected, ambitious, level-headed and creative woman (former Ithaca College graduate, as well) at her consulting firm, which is appropriately named after her, and we are offering services to small to medium sized businesses that need social media, PR or other marketing resources.
We have some very cool ideas bopping around and will be engaged in Boston Region Entrepreneurship Week Part Deux in the Fall, and right now I'm coordinating the Sentiment Analysis Symposium in NYC on April 12 (sounds fancy, right? SYMPOSIUM....http://sentimentsymposium.com) and we are working on a few "contracts" out in the field.
I'm really excited because, while the mortgage isn't getting paid yet and I still have sleepless nights, I know that with the right focus and ambition this is what works best for me. Communicating, networking and assisting people is what I love - blame it on my job start 26 years ago serving OJ and eggs as a waitress and making sure I had happy customers or blame it on a gene in my DNA - if I can help you or someone you know, give me a shout.
Welcome 2011 - it's nice to see you!
Because that's what new years are for, right? New. That's why they call them New Years. They'd call them Same Ole Same Ole Year if they weren't New...glad we cleared that up.
So, what is happening in the New Year...well, not much. I'm settling into my new "job" at Carlton PR & Marketing as...well....uhm....as....good question. I don't really have a title. You can call me "Business Partner", or "Unpaid Employee Number Two" or "Intern"...I respond to all of them.
But with some seriousness, I've joined a smart, connected, ambitious, level-headed and creative woman (former Ithaca College graduate, as well) at her consulting firm, which is appropriately named after her, and we are offering services to small to medium sized businesses that need social media, PR or other marketing resources.
We have some very cool ideas bopping around and will be engaged in Boston Region Entrepreneurship Week Part Deux in the Fall, and right now I'm coordinating the Sentiment Analysis Symposium in NYC on April 12 (sounds fancy, right? SYMPOSIUM....http://sentimentsymposium.com) and we are working on a few "contracts" out in the field.
I'm really excited because, while the mortgage isn't getting paid yet and I still have sleepless nights, I know that with the right focus and ambition this is what works best for me. Communicating, networking and assisting people is what I love - blame it on my job start 26 years ago serving OJ and eggs as a waitress and making sure I had happy customers or blame it on a gene in my DNA - if I can help you or someone you know, give me a shout.
Welcome 2011 - it's nice to see you!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas
I shall return in 2011. I have made a promise to myself to relax, recharge and reorganize between Christmas and New Years. In the meantime, if we don't speak, have a wonderful, safe, delicious, fun, outstanding Christmas. Much love from the house the Sierra's built.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Happy Birthday to my sunshine and laughter
Happy Birthday Abby and Alex!
You make me laugh every day, give me a reason to smile when I'm down and have made my life complete. Hugs and kisses to last you a lifetime,
Mommy
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
You can't take my holiday spirit
It's been a rough day. Actually, sort of a rough week. Actually, it has been rough for a while.
But not because any of us are sick or hurt or injured. And not because our family has suffered unimaginable loss. And certainly not because we don't feel loved.
We are all healthy. We have come through another year with minor setbacks and a few tears. We know we are loved, and it shows by the actions of our friends, neighbors and family.
So while I am feeling down and out at times - panicking about the future - uncertain when life will feel "normal" again - I am going to be thankful and grateful this holiday season. I'm going to remember this year as a lesson in life and move on in the coming months.
You can take away some of the conveniences, luxuries and indulgences in my life, but without a doubt you can't take away my holiday spirit. My kids find it magical and so do I - I hope I've given them that gift of wonder and joy this time of year.
Happy Thanksgiving! Surround yourself with love and laughter. I am.
But not because any of us are sick or hurt or injured. And not because our family has suffered unimaginable loss. And certainly not because we don't feel loved.
We are all healthy. We have come through another year with minor setbacks and a few tears. We know we are loved, and it shows by the actions of our friends, neighbors and family.
So while I am feeling down and out at times - panicking about the future - uncertain when life will feel "normal" again - I am going to be thankful and grateful this holiday season. I'm going to remember this year as a lesson in life and move on in the coming months.
You can take away some of the conveniences, luxuries and indulgences in my life, but without a doubt you can't take away my holiday spirit. My kids find it magical and so do I - I hope I've given them that gift of wonder and joy this time of year.
Happy Thanksgiving! Surround yourself with love and laughter. I am.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Words and whinnies
In one corner, weighing in at 49lbs, at 42 inches tall is the little man armed with pencil, notebook and anything with a word on it, including the remote control.
In the other corner, weighing in at 65lbs, at 50 inches tall is the little lady armed with....ahhh....well....not really armed with anything, just on all fours prancing around the living room.
Little man spent the night copying words from everywhere and anywhere - he wants to learn how to spell and wants to read and asks 1,000 questions an hour. He can retain knowledge like no ones business.
Little lady spent the night pretending she was a horse on a farm, complete with neighing, whinnies, rearing and other imaginary horses. She can conduct a mean session of make believe.
As we approach their birthdays in a few weeks, I find myself pausing and wondering what they'll be when the grow up...right now, I have a sponge and a horse. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out.
In the other corner, weighing in at 65lbs, at 50 inches tall is the little lady armed with....ahhh....well....not really armed with anything, just on all fours prancing around the living room.
Little man spent the night copying words from everywhere and anywhere - he wants to learn how to spell and wants to read and asks 1,000 questions an hour. He can retain knowledge like no ones business.
Little lady spent the night pretending she was a horse on a farm, complete with neighing, whinnies, rearing and other imaginary horses. She can conduct a mean session of make believe.
As we approach their birthdays in a few weeks, I find myself pausing and wondering what they'll be when the grow up...right now, I have a sponge and a horse. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Allow me this bitch session
9 days.
That's how long it took me to get someone from the Massachusetts Dept of Unemployment Assistance on the phone. No joke. 9 days.
See, their service works like this. You call a number. You pick a language. You enter your social security number. You get a message "Due to an unusually high volume of calls all our reps are busy so please call back later or on another business day."
Disconnect.
If you are lucky, you get to the step after the social security number and get to enter in the year you were born. Then you are told they are transferring your call. THEN you get the "We are experiencing a high volume of calls please try your call again later."
Disconnect.
So I'm good at following directoins and I call back later. I call an hour later. A day later. Various times for the next 9 days later. Nothing.
Then, I get through to an automated system that tells me I am in a queue but will have to wait - 41 minutes. So, I do. Actually, 43 minutes.
My complaint? I went through this similar process back in Sept after I received a check for vacation pay that was due to me in August after I was laid off but wasn't paid to me until September - and the women on the phone in Sept said "No problem. You didn't work this week so you can still collect. It wasn't for wages earned this week." Awesome! She was so nice and helpful. I only waited 5 days and 28 mins on hold (oh, I remember!)
Then suddenly 2 weeks ago I call in to the system to claim my unemployment and the money stops coming in. Money I use for gas to find a job. Money I use for food for the house. Money to pay bills, car payments, Diet Coke. I've even stopped buying bottles of wine. Now that's cutting back!!
The woman this time tells me the reason I'm not seeing money is because my previous employer paid me vacation pay. I explained how DUA knew that from my call in Sept. and I explain it again. Then she tells me, sorry, they need an adjuster to call me. But she doesn't know when this will happen because the adjusters are helping to answer the phones. Really? Really? Then they are doing an awful job because it took me 9 days to get a live person.
She said it could be a week, maybe two. Then she admitted she has no idea when they'll call.
Fan-fxcking-tastic. So in the meantime does anyone at DUA want to share their paychecks for all the overtime they must be making since it's so busy and help me pay for food for Thanskgiving, Christmas gifts, mortgage, gas and electric.
While I bitch, I am rather fortunate that our savings isn't down to zero (yet!) but I can not imagine families that rely on that check to LIVE day to day who are getting the same horrible customer service that I am - 9 days. NINE DAYS to talk to someone.
Who do I call about this? Oh, never mind.
That's how long it took me to get someone from the Massachusetts Dept of Unemployment Assistance on the phone. No joke. 9 days.
See, their service works like this. You call a number. You pick a language. You enter your social security number. You get a message "Due to an unusually high volume of calls all our reps are busy so please call back later or on another business day."
Disconnect.
If you are lucky, you get to the step after the social security number and get to enter in the year you were born. Then you are told they are transferring your call. THEN you get the "We are experiencing a high volume of calls please try your call again later."
Disconnect.
So I'm good at following directoins and I call back later. I call an hour later. A day later. Various times for the next 9 days later. Nothing.
Then, I get through to an automated system that tells me I am in a queue but will have to wait - 41 minutes. So, I do. Actually, 43 minutes.
My complaint? I went through this similar process back in Sept after I received a check for vacation pay that was due to me in August after I was laid off but wasn't paid to me until September - and the women on the phone in Sept said "No problem. You didn't work this week so you can still collect. It wasn't for wages earned this week." Awesome! She was so nice and helpful. I only waited 5 days and 28 mins on hold (oh, I remember!)
Then suddenly 2 weeks ago I call in to the system to claim my unemployment and the money stops coming in. Money I use for gas to find a job. Money I use for food for the house. Money to pay bills, car payments, Diet Coke. I've even stopped buying bottles of wine. Now that's cutting back!!
The woman this time tells me the reason I'm not seeing money is because my previous employer paid me vacation pay. I explained how DUA knew that from my call in Sept. and I explain it again. Then she tells me, sorry, they need an adjuster to call me. But she doesn't know when this will happen because the adjusters are helping to answer the phones. Really? Really? Then they are doing an awful job because it took me 9 days to get a live person.
She said it could be a week, maybe two. Then she admitted she has no idea when they'll call.
Fan-fxcking-tastic. So in the meantime does anyone at DUA want to share their paychecks for all the overtime they must be making since it's so busy and help me pay for food for Thanskgiving, Christmas gifts, mortgage, gas and electric.
While I bitch, I am rather fortunate that our savings isn't down to zero (yet!) but I can not imagine families that rely on that check to LIVE day to day who are getting the same horrible customer service that I am - 9 days. NINE DAYS to talk to someone.
Who do I call about this? Oh, never mind.
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