4 years.

Wow. It has been almost 4 years since my past post. 4 years. Enough time to get a college degree. Or have an almost 4 year old. Or a new house which is now not so new.  4 years since I have worked outside the home. 4 years to realize that I missed putting my thoughts down somewhere even if no one should see them. I feel like 4 years is a good time to start up again. Flush out some of the Facebook statuses that are just blips on a radar. Add just one more thought to the endless realm of cyber space. I like that I can look back and see where I was 4 years ago. I am hoping 4 years from now I will be able look back and see how far I have come. So here we go. Wish me luck.

Ristorante Gran Sasso - San Gabriele

One thing I am going to miss this summer is my trip to Abruzzo to visit my Nonna Linda.  Being 6 months pregnant with a 3 yr old do not really lend themselves to overseas travel, at least not when my feet swell instantly to Frakenfoot size upon waking each morning.

One of the highlights of my summer visits to my Nonna have always been our trip to the Shrine of St. Gabriel (San Gabriele dell' Addolorata).  This beautiful sanctuary, nestled underneath the majestic Gran Sasso, has been a favorite place of mine since I was a small child.  San Gabriele is the patron saint of young people and quite a super star for us Abruzzesi. 

Depending on when we go we eat at one of two places.  The prorchetta truck which is always faithfully present in the parking lot is a sure bet.  But if we feel like being a bit more relaxed we have lunch at the Ristorante Gran Sasso.  This family owned restaurant is really one of the best places I have ever eaten in my life.  Paola family have gone out of their way, year after year to make us feel welcome.  And the food is just plain heavenly.  Here you will absolutely taste la cucina abruzzese in its true form.  The best part, depending on the season, you can rent a room there if you feel like exploring the surrounding area more closely.  The town of Castelli, known for it's ceramics is close by and not to be missed.

Here we are after a meal at the Ristorante Gran Sasso in 2005...I think our smiling faces say it all!

So if you happen to be near San Gabriele or Castelli stop in and say hello.  You will not be disappointed.

And then it was summer.

So today was the second day of our summer vacation.  By our I mean me and Spy.  And by vacation I mean "endless torture" because it rained and I had forgotten what it was like to have a  hyperactive 3.5 yr old at home ALL RAINY DAY and be 6 months pregnant.

We did venture out for lunch - I thought a special date at our favorite pizza place might entice him to fall asleep on the way home but I think the food actually made him more active.  When we got home I tried to get some things ready for my weekend in DC with the African Well Fund (holla) but that was almost impossible since Spy called out for me aprox. 3,215,786 times in 1 hour asking me the same question - will the blue car beat the red car in a race? None of my answers seemed to please him so he kept asking the question over and over until I caved and put in Peter Pan, and then Scooby Doo and then Thomas.  Well played, Spy, well played.

So I guess the moral of this post is that I really need to step up my project-field trip-play date planning or else it is going to be a very long, very hot, very torturtastic summer.  There may not be any survivors.  You have been warned.

A Decade of H2OPE

I am completely mortified that my last post was in November.  So many things have happened since then.  We had an impromtu Yeager Thanksgiving at our house.  Spy turned 3.  Christmas came and went. 2012 started off with a downer as D got laid off from his job.  But then we were blessed with the news of a new little bundle of joy to arrive in Sept.  Recently D got a FANTASTIC new job.  All of this proves that life moves on regardless of what the world throws our way.

So I am caught of guard when I realize that today, World Water Day, is the launching of the African Well Fund's 10th Build a Well for Bono's Birthday Fundraiser.  10 years?  Really?  Where did the time go?  I am so pleased that 10 years later...this 100% volunteer non-profit, this "Little Engine That Could" is still going strong with it's work of bringing clean water and better sanitation to people all over Africa. 

So today when you go to fill up your water bottle at the water cooler stop for one second to think about how lucky you are to have access to this water.  I beg you to take a moment today, on World Water Day, to click on the link above.  This year proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit a water, sanitation and hygiene project in Burkina Faso that will be implemented by African Well Fund partner Africare which aims to create a healthy environment for 257 schoolchildren.  Even the smallest donation will help to make a difference in these children's lives. I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart.

Got Water?

Hello my friends!  It's that time of year again.  The African Well Fund 7th Annual Got Water? Auction is underway.  We have over 40 items that have been collected and donated to us this year.  A lot of U2 stuff but some other good stuff also such as:

• an autographed copy of the Playbill for How to Succeed in Business - yes HP fans Dan Rad did touch and sign this with his magical hands.  As did John Larroquette - for all you Night Court/The Practice/Boston Legal fans (insert my picture here).
• An autographed copy of the Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook - I dare you not to love this book. You become more fabulous just looking at it.  And if you have not read The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer- Purcell (one of the Beekman Boys) I suggest you run out and get it now.  It is such a great read.  Laugh out loud funny and inspirational.  Trust me.
• An autographed copy of Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch and Lisa Dickey.  Sue Silvester will come to your house and beat you if you do not bid on this book.  I swear she told me herself during recess.
• An autographed copy of Bossypants by Tina Fey.  Perfect for the 30 Rock fan on your Christmas list.

For a list of all the other items we have up for auction click here.

Remember 100% of the proceeds from these auctions go to fund clean water and sanitation projects in Africa.  Some of these items will make the perfect stocking stuffers AND they help out people who are less fortunate than us.  It is a win win in my book.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us in the past...and a THANK YOU in advance to those who will support us in the future.  We are literally nothing without  our supporters.  Happy Bidding!

School Daze

It is back to school season and I have to say that I LOVE this time of year!!!  We have an in-service tomorrow and next week we are back in our classrooms making them ready for a fresh new group of little ones.

I am excited about so many things this year. Two fantastic new grade partners. A new principal. Maybe some lunch bunch shifts. And of course the best part - a new group of students - cuddly and adorable and ready to have fun!

I have always been that student who looks forward to the start of school.  Being a teacher is no different.  I am excited to see the wonderful women I work with again on a regular basis.  I cannot wait to re-arrange and decorate my classroom based on what worked and did not work last year.  Did I mention school supplies?  Possibly the best things ever invented!!!  Construction paper!  Glue!  Crayons! Pencils! Yay!!!



I have always felt that September was a time for new beginnings, more so than January.  And so I go into this September with high spirits and the joy of knowing what good things I have to look forward too.  May all of you feel this joy also as the school starts and the seasons change.

I'm leaving on a jet plane

Off to the AWF Board Meeting in Los Angeles.  I CANNOT wait to fly there.  By MYSELF. In FIRST CLASS.  My Kindle is giddy with anticipation of the intimate time we will spend together WITHOUT interruptions.  Or having to be read in the bathroom with the door locked.
I am also hoping to make it out the the fantastically decked out Restoration Hardware in Beverly Hills.  I know, I know...I go all the way to LA and all I want to see is the same store I work in...but the people who have been there say it is magical.  And they serve tea.  How can anyone resist?

Have a great weekend everyone!!