TAGGED BY LETTI!

The Goods on the Hubby

His Name - Bill Shaver

How long have we been married - 15 years Oct. 17, 2007

How long did we Date? From the day we met to the day we got married it was 1 and 1/2 years. He proposed after 2 months, but I told him we need to weather each season dating first before making that leap, plus it took my Mom a year to pull the wedding of HER dreams together.

How old is he? 44 almost

How old am I? 40 in June YAHOOOO!

Who eats more sweets? Definitely him... I think he has a monthly cycle. He craves candy bars once per month. hee hee. I am definitely a salty food junkie.

Who said I love you First - Him. I couldn't say it for months and months. I'm not a really romantic type girl. Even after we were married, I wouldn't let him call me his wife. It freaked me out. So here we are on our Honeymoon in Jamaica, and he kept wanting to introduce me and I would just jut out my hand and say... I'm Saundra.

Who is taller? Him, he is 6'2, I am 5'6".

Who can sing better? me... and I can't carry a tune, so imagine how awful he is!!! haahahaha

Who is smarter? He would say me, but I say him. We are both pretty smart cookies.

Who does laundry? me

Who does the dishes? The kids, I haven't emptied a dishwasher in years!

Who pays the bills? I used to for the first 8 years and our pastor said something about letting the man be the man and the true head of the household, and to give up things we "think" he can't handle, so I gave them all to him, and I haven't been happier. He's good at it, he has owned his own house since he was 19, he's very astute. We both make decisions concerning money together, he's a spender, I'm more of a tightwad.

His guilty pleasure? He would say he doesn't have one because he is a working slave all the time... but I would say his guilty pleasure is really violent video games. He knows I HATE them and I have found a few in his computer bag when he asks me to get something out of it for him.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

Who mows the lawn? Our gardener, of course!

Besides me, who is his best friend... Danny and Carlos

Who cooks dinner?- me, but him on occasion

Who drives? Mostly him, but his commute is 2 hours, sometimes more, one way... so sometimes he is just too tired to drive and he wants me too.

Who asked who out first- We were set up by my Mama, but after we met, he asked me out again.

What was our first date - We saw "Silence of the Lambs" and had dinner at my mom's.

Who proposed- I don't know if he did or not. We were at dinner one night and he asked me what kind of wedding I would want to have when I got married... so i got a napkin and planned it all out... after dinner, I asked him if we just planned our wedding and he said"Yeah, I think we did" I didn't care about a ring. I knew I would get one eventually. We started planning that next week, my mom went into hyper speed, and about 4 months before the wedding he gets on one knee with my ring in a box and asks me to marry him. I, of course, say "Dude, My wedding gown is being picked up next week, do you really think the answer is gonna be "no"?. Yeah, I know... romantic.

Who has more siblings - He has one sister, I have one brother, same, same.

Who wears the pants- I will just say "him' to keep the peace. How's that for an answer.

My favorite thing about him? Ask me another day... I am very upset with him this week.

The Divine Ms. M

I LOVE BETTE MIDLER!

I know, she's brash, loud, comical, boisterous, rude, and baudy... AND I LLLOOVVVEEE HER!

I want to be just like her... except be me, like her, like me... oh heck, you know what I mean.

Caught her on Oprah today, while cooking dinner, and I have to say... at 62 she doesn't look a day over 40!!!

She kicks it old school. Musicals, singing, dancing, jokes... she can do it ALL! I would love to see her show in Vegas. She opens soon. Between her and Manilow, I don't know. They are both pretty fantastic in my book.

Yeah, yeah, Yeah, I know... I'm not supposed to like that stuff. But I do, I do, I do, I do, I do!!!

I think it comes from my 20+ years as a dancer (a real dancer, not a pole dancer... can you imagine!)

Freddie Finn had us dancing to every show tune imaginable, and I LLLOOOVVVEEEDDD IT!

Every single nerd making second of it.

By the time I was 12, I knew every word to every musical from "Singing in the Rain"to"West Side Story", and could name every one of the songs, who danced in it, what steps they were doing and what came next in the dance. It was awesome and very, very, very much something I NEVER admitted in Jr. High. I forced myself to listen to Top 40 music so I could "fit in", but my love of the oldies never waned.

My ultimate favorite is SING, SING, SING written by Louis Prima,(an Italian, ha ha ha!) and performed by Benny Goodman. UNBELIEVABLE music.

I even loved all the music that came out of World War II, the Andrews Sisters. "Bugle Boy of Company B". Our children are sorely missing some really wonderful music.

I try really hard to have my boys listen to at least some of it. They want to go bury their heads, but I think they actually do like it, but it isn't cool to like it, so they say they don't. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

I just recently purchased all of the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis DVD's, and a couple of Danny Kaye's movies. THEY LOVE THOSE! Every night the week of Christmas while we were camping at the beach, they BEGGED to watch another one. Mama was so happy. It was just good clean fun, and I never get tired of that.

Hey wait, I was talking about Bette Midler. Huh! I go off on tangents when I write just like I do when I talk!!! Anyway...

I love Bette!

Too cool for words!

Bette, sweetheart, if you are reading this... score me some tickets to your show!!! I love ya!

wink. wink!

Like she's reading this... hmmmmm.

Who else do I love....George Clooney!! Dude!

Ciao!

WHY I DON'T SHOP ON WEEKENDS!!!

PEOPLE~!! LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE!!! JEEZ!

So William broke his glasses... again!!! Since he kinda needs them to see... almost everything, we had to go to the mall to get new ones, to Lenscrafters, so we could have them "in about an hour". Readers, I have been an at home Mama forever it seems. I made it a rule almost 14 years ago that I was not going to contribute to the congestion all the hard working, working moms have to face on the weekends to get their errands done. My rule is "Don't shop on weekends for ANYTHING, since I can do it during the week." Well... William's glasses broke Friday night at 9 p.m., and if I wanted him to have a good start to his new semester and new classes on Monday, I needed to get him a new pair of glasses pronto.

Holy Cow!!! Where did all the people come from!!! I shop when everyone is at work... THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE!!! I have to say though... most of the people in the mall were under the age of 17.

I have one question... WHERE WERE THEIR PARENTS!!! Not one of them said excuse me when they cut in front of me in the Vans store... the boys and I tried to get into Hollister and a throng of them were at the door, and when I smiled and said excuse me, they didn't budge. I said excuse me again, and they looked me up and down, and one said, "What could you possibly want in here."

Not one to hold my tongue... I said, "Sweetheart, they want me in there... I can actually pay for the items I touch, now excuse me so I can buy my wonderful, polite, mannered children anything their little hearts desire." We went in to shop while waiting for our overpriced, hopefully well made eyeglasses.

I was truly dismayed to see the rude girl from the door helping people in the store. I asked if she worked there, and she replied with a haughty "Yeah" while chewing her gum. I ever so sweetly asked to speak with her Manager. I called the rude girl over so she could hear what I said to her boss.

Here's what I said... "Hello, I am a Mom with money to spend on my children. I am well aware that I cannot fit into anything in this store, but your associate saw fit to let me know anyway. She seems to be under the assumption that overweight people don't have debit cards or checking accounts. Now, can you tell me if it is your policy to only accept monies from people that fit your description of who can/cannot purchase in here?" The Manager was completely staring down the rude girl. FUMING!

The Manager wasn't more than a few years older than the rude one, but I could tell she was brought up better. She replied "Absolutely NOT! Everyone can shop in here! I am so sorry this happened." I looked around the store and saw about 6 or 7 things I would have bought for the boys, and did a mental tally in my head. I then told the rude one that if she is on commission, she should really put aside her prejudices and look at every customer as potential increase in her paycheck, and her attitude would be better served in a job where she does not deal with the public until she can learn some manners and decorum. Then I thanked the Manager for her time, told her how much I was not going to be spending in the store, and that in my past experience in retail sales, a happy customer tells up to 10 people about their experience, and an unhappy customer tells over 100. I then asked her to stay close to the rude girl on the floor if she wants to shine when the secret shopper comes in the store, and how did she know I wasn't the secret shopper? I thanked her again, and walked out of the store with my three little men behind me.

Remember that movie "Fried Green Tomatoes"? When Kathy Bates hits that young chicks car after being taunted by the youngin's? When she says "I'm older and I've got more insurance!"

That's what I felt like!

I know people think stuff like that happens all the time to people that don't look like everyone else... but it really doesn't!!! Most people are really awesome!!! I shop EVERYWHERE, and have never had a rude experience like the one I had today. So weird.

I felt so bad for the Manager. She is going to have her hands full. The rude girls face went from a face of "I don't care what you have to say... to... Oh crap... this lady means business, I wonder if I am gonna get fired"

So... I like my rule of NEVER shopping on the weekends, unless I absolutely have too. There'll be more room on the freeway for all you hard working ladies with 9-5's and no time get anything done after work. You ROCK!

We had a great experience at LensCrafters. They were awesome and the glasses were done really well. The Vans Store employees were great too.

I'm gonna go watch the Miss America Pageant now.

Happy Saturday Night!

Ciao! Ciao!

I just had to tell you!

I was so ridiculously flattered today... I just had to say a GREAT BIG

THANK YOU!!!

Andi Titera and Michele Rossi for what you said today!

Thank you sooooooooooo very much. I haven't shed tears of joy in a long time!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT READS THIS BLOG!

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FLATTERED I AM THAT YOU READ ME!!! I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU!

EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT SOMEONE READING MY BLOG I GET A HUGE SMILE ON MY FACE!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

PLEASE SHARE MY BLOG ADDRESS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!!

LOVE,

SAUNDRA

IIIIIIIIIT'S FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!!

WOO HOO!!

It's FRIDAY NIGHT!

The night of endless possibilities!!!

The night before the day I get to sleep in past 6 a.m.!!!

It's Friday... It's Friday... It's Friday!!

Finals are OVER for William!!!

They're Over... They're Over... They're Over!!!

WOO HOO!

Alex's Science Fair Paper is Turned In!!!

It's In... It's In... It's In!!!

WOO HOO!

What a week!!! Rain. Bad Hair. Term Papers for 2 kids... Whew! I'm exhausted!

It is exhausting trying to teach a child how to write. Not cursive or penmanship... but to put thoughts down on paper, and have them make relevant sense! Those poor little brains were working overtime this week. I am not the patient Mama either... so that didn't help the situation. Those 2 boys wanted their reports to sound so grown up and text booky. I spent an entire evening trying to help them understand that writing has to come from a place of just simply talking. They need to write a little bit like they would speak to someone, although not too much in a Science Fair Report. We also had the long talk about plagiarism and how to avoid it. We have the discussion every year, and their school is very good about checking sources, and I hate the idea of taking credit for someone else's work.

I heard there are a lot of Mama's that do the homework for their kids. I don't and never will understand that mentality. How do they expect their children to learn anything, to learn autonomy, or the feeling of accomplishment when the grade comes back? I used to have a friend that literally did every single paper for her 3 kids and probably still does. I remember calling her one day and asking her what she was doing. She was at the library researching a President, and writing the bibliography, WHILE HER KIDS WERE AT THE SKATING RINK!!! I was floored.

Having Immigrant parents was a blessing for me. My Dad (who is the SMARTEST man I know), has a 2nd grade education and my Mom, (she got her GED in this country after she had me) had no clue what I was doing in school, so I had to fend for myself. They wanted to help me so badly, but you know how that New Math changes every year, and they mostly read Italian, not English. I remember every new semester, my Dad would hold his hands out for the History books and would sit and read them for hours. (I secretly think he was looking for all the things the Italians actually invented before the Americans... hee hee) You know, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, Allesandro Volta (volts are named after him) and a host of other people Italians will let you know about during any discussion about the Ole Country! :) What they lacked in American-ish knowledge, they made up for in good old common sense. They were both very successful entrepreneurs and owned a Beauty Salon for 20 years, and my Dad loved to buy Real Estate. He worked at a Steel Mill for 25 years too. They are true Immigrant Success Stories.

So today was the end of the First Semester and we are all so happy, and of course, they did all their own work. I only typed the papers up when they wrote their long hand papers that must be turned in with the typed ones. I love that rule.

So... IT'S FRIDAY!!!

Unlimited possibilities await!!!

I have a date with my washing machine, and bottle of Ms. Clairol #83 Neutral dark brown, a Philosophy Micro Peel, and a can of EZ Off oven cleaner!

Who's jealous of me??? I know YOU are!!! I'm one wild and crazy gal!

Have a lovely evening...

Buona Sera, Amore mia, Buona Sera!

Good Evening, my loves, Good Evening!

HAIR... THE SEQUEL

It's raining here in Cali. Why? I don't know. I suppose we need it... with the drought and all. I would hate to get a ticket for watering my lawn. It happened in the 80's. My dad was watering our lawn out front one hot day... we had just come back from a 2 week long vacation, and apparently they were rationing water, AND ISSUING TICKETS for watering on a non specified day. Too funny! and sad at the same time!

My boys, (affectionately called my Monkeys) use a LOT of product in their hair. With my Mama being a Hairdresser and all, I am forever having her experiment on their hair... bleaching it, frosting it (oh! excuse me NOT frosting it, that's too girly, HIGHLIGHTING it) (Like that's any better! ha!) and cutting it on certain angles. It's fun, for me anyway! They hate it, I offer money, they oblige, everyone's happy. It's getting a little harder nowadays, they are getting older and a few bucks isn't doin it anymore, they are into $20 and $50 zones now... so now their hair is just their normal color. Until Summer anyway. he he he!

ANYWAY... they use a lot of product. Gels, hairsprays, mousse etc... Imagine how awful it would be if they were girls!!! My house would be full of even more junk for hair than I already have!

It usually doesn't rain much here. Have you ever tried to wash, comb, or brush hair with tons of product on it after rain has hit it? It needs a chisel!!! So gross!

Today, they got into the car after school and their hair looked like it hadn't been washed in months!!! Goopy and sloppy. UGH! My boys like their hair just so, mostly spiked. I asked them if they got caught in a wind tunnel full of olive oil and they took one look at their hair, and started busting up. THEY LOVED IT!!!

Is grunge still in? I hope not. They had worse than bed head. I told them the rain was acid rain and they stopped laughing. Then I started laughing!!!!!

Needless to say, they took showers immediately after we got home. Don't worry, I told them it wasn't acid rain for real...(but ya gotta know we do have acid rain... right?)

I have curly hair, and rain is havoc on it. Nothin but frizz and knots from my hairspray.

I can just hear my mom in my mind saying "See, if you let me cut your hair short, you won't have to worry about all that wear and tear on your tresses."

My bangs are super curly, thank you very much!!! Bangs... jeez.

The grass is always greener... huh? Straight haired people want some curl, and vice versa.

I like the rain... but mostly only when I have a hair dryer near by. Once I decided to put a flat iron to my hair... longing for straight hair... it was easy and fun... then it rained... I looked like a strung out poodle.

I love/hate the rain. Just thought I would vent!

Have a great evening.

Ciao Bellas

P.S. How about all the lurkers post a comment? Wouldn't that be fun???

I was tagged, so here are my Top 25 on my Ipod

Okay. Here are my top 25 most played. Don't be shocked. I love to rock out when I clean my kitchen. I swing my head like the Hair Spray bands of the 80's, (yeah, picture that! HA!)

1. Smooth (Santana/Rob Thomas)

2. What Hurts the Most (Rascal Flatts)

3. In the Morning (Junior Boy)

4.Let's get Married (Jagged Edge, remix version)

5. How you remind me (Nickelback)

6. Jesse's Girl (Rick Springfield)

7. California Dreamin (Mamas & Papas)

8. Cuz I can (Pink)

9. Edge of Seventeen (Stevie Nicks)

10. Evil Woman (ELO) boy am I telling my age!

11. Makes me Wonder (Maroon 5)

12. Movin Out (Billy Joel)

13. Sway (Michael Buble)

14. Feelin Good (Michael Buble)

15. Sway (Dean Martin)

16. I only wanna be with you (Dusty Springfield)

17. Wake up call (Maroon 5)

18. We Live (Super Chick)

19.Let's Go (Trick Daddy) I know, I know, Why! but i love this stupid song!

20. It's Raining Men (The Weather Girls)

21. Put your Head on my Shoulder (Paul Anka)

22. 65 Love Affair (Paul Davis)

23. Auld Lang Syne (Dan Fogelberg) (RIP)

24.Stupid Girls (Pink) (great video for girls to see too)

25. Love is a Battlefield (Pat Benatar)

I LOVE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY MORE SONGS! BUT THOSE COMPRISE MY RECENT PLAYLIST. Can you tell I love my 80's teenage years music? Don't ever get me started on my Journey infatuation!!! But I love my Rat Pack guys too! I own every Sammy Davis Jr. song he did!!!

More blog later!! Ciao!

Name Dropping

Being the Mama of boys, I need my sisters of the Estrogen persuasion from time to time.

I don't have any sisters, so my friends become my sisters. I don't get to hang out with them as often as I'd like. Maybe one day life will slow down just a little bit for all of us and we will be able to have smart dinner parties and Girls' Nights and such. In the meantime, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite people and why they are. This is in NO particular order.

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Mary Moses - I have known her since Kindergarten. She is a gorgeous strawberry blonde that is just the perfect of mix of sweet and spicy. She is a social chameleon, and a great listener. Everyone that meets her is instantly smitten with her. I am so happy to have her in my life.

Mary will forever be my sister.

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Letti Byrd - she, to me, is the epitome of a good Mama. I have many, many more steps to go to be like her. Where I am manic and loud, she is calm and quiet. She was made to be a Mama. She lives 2 doors down from me, and I am so grateful to have her as a Mama model.

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Andrea (Andi) Titera - We just recently reaquainted, losing touch because I was a mean person in my teens, and I have to say, it was like starting where we left off some 20 years ago. We can go for months sometimes in between calls, but when we reconnect, it's a 3 hour chat fest! We have lots in common, and the one thing I HATE about her, is that she looks EXACTLY like she did in high school. Still lovely, and she still has the same mannerisms. Oh! She's Italian too!!!

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Cheri Freund - She always remembers me on holidays and such. We are text buddies and always has a hug waiting for me. I love hugs. Her hubby saved me from going crazy and doing something stupid to my backyard neighbors after 2 years of torture from them. He's a cop, they are now quiet, I will forever be indebted to her and her hubby Bill!

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Holly Morris - She is one of those people that you just want to talk to all the time. Low key, but with an edge, I can be exactly who I am at that moment with Holly, with no judgement. I met her at a show, and I think she is just the bees knees.

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Terri Rudder - Another great Mama. She is 11 years younger than me and I have so much to learn from her. She has 4 children all close in age, and all doing commercials. She is quite possibly the sweetest person on earth, but the most interesting about her is that she tells me she has had a "past" when she was a teen. I just can't see it. She is married to a very cute, funny man that tricks me every time I call their house. I haven't seen 2 people more in love in a long time.

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Angela Wagnon - I have the most gorgeous friends! This one could be a model in a minute. A great mama, with energy to spare. I love talking with her because she is very animated and has a way of making you feel like you are just the person she has been dying to talk to. She is a refreshing part of any day I get to talk with her.

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Dee Dee Taylor - our hubbies went to Jr. High together. I don't get to see her much, but when we do, I love that it is a cerebral conversation. She and her hubby are 2 of the smartest people I know, and my favorite thing about Dee Dee is her Mama Bear ness about her kids, and her concern for her children's education. This is a lady you want on your side, and you just can't help but be on her's.

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Annie Waddell - She's Greek, and she is a kick in the head! Our Dad's are exactly alike, and we can both do their accents perfectly. She is a sister to me because we get each others mentality of how to cook for 80, and just don't know how to stop. She is a giver beyond compare and is always going in 2o different directions. She always make me feel like I am worth a million bucks.

There you have it... just a sampling of my favorite people. More to come in the future. I wish we could all get together a lot more often... but I will take what I can get. I love you all, my sister's in life, motherhood and joy!

Have a great day!

Buona Sera!

Dinner Discussion

Hello again!

I hope your three day weekend... if you had one, was well spent.

Now that we are actually back to some sort of routine in my household, I thought I would implement a dinner discussion with the kids and hubby while we are all around the table stuffing our faces. So lately our discussion have been revolving around things like...

Name one favorite family memory in your whole life

or

Say one thing you love about each member of the family... stuff like that.

So today... someone posed the question, (I was actually ear hussling a conversation at the bank)

and asked her friend... "So do you like the girl your son is going to marry?" I waited for the answer but it was my turn at the ATM so I couldn't listen, Dang it!

But it got me thinking. What would it take... me, an Italian Mama, to like my future Daughters in Law? Hmmmmm. Let me ponder for a moment.

I have my top 5 list... Here goes, and before I type this, please know what an absolute control freak I am, and I rule with lots of good ole fashioned Italian Guilt!

1. I pray my boys marry ORPHANS! Please God, let me be the only Grandma (Nana). I will hate it if she has parents and siblings and all that stuff! I am the Son's Mama, I will never get to see them for Holidays and such if she has a family! What's that stupid saying? "A sons a son 'till he takes a wife, but a daughters a daughter the rest of her life" blah, blah, blah!

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2. Please God, let the girl they fall in love with have a history of being a real girl her whole entire life! I'm sure I don't have to elaborate!

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3. I sure hope she wants a man who loves his Mama. Because if you love my Son, I will love you forever.

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4. Please let her only have her ears pierced! All that other stuff is so distracting, and makes me have pain for them!

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5. Please let me be the only Grandma! Oh, did I already say that! Oh well, it's worth another say!

I tease. I don't like thinking about it at all. They are only 13, 11 and 8. I would love it if they waited until they are out of college and have a great job. I think I have to start the brainwashing soon. I wonder if Barnes N Noble has a book on how to get your sons to marry well and with Mama's approval. Nah, if they did, my mother in law would have bought the rights and imbedded it into my hubbys head! Then where would I be!!! Not married to her son... that's for sure!! And she isn't even Italian! ha!

So around the table, they mentioned things like good cook, wants to be a stay at home mom, wants babies, Alex wants an Italian girl, Johnny says she needs to like watching cartoons with him... yeah, he's in trouble ;). Those were pretty good things.

I guess it isn't just Italian Mama's that worry about these things. You know me... I'm not happy unless I have something to lament over! Uncle Vito's rule!

I would love for you to give me some ideas on topics to talk about. Lately I find myself asking myself if every little thing will make a good blog topic. I would love some ideas!

Hit the comment button and let me know!!!

Also, please feel free to forward my blog address to as many people you like! The more the merrier!

http://www.anitalianmama.blogspot.com/

Love to all

Amore Tutti!

27 Dresses

I went to see the new movie "27 Dresses today. SSSOOOO cute!!! My favorite part of the movie was seeing all the great clothes the 2 leading ladies wore. Oh My Gosh, they were awesome. I came right home and drank water and ate a saltine for dinner. We'll see how long that lasts!! HA!

Anyway, while the movie was very good, and by my standards, that's not saying much... I like almost all movies I see, what happened in the movie theater was completely ridiculous, and could only happen to me. It is just my luck. :)

First of all, let me say that I took my monkeys with me. They went to see Alvin & the Chipmunks (I can't listen to those voices, Johnny talks like them all the time), and I wanted to see 27 dresses. A "movie for Mom" day.

When I walked into the theater, it was bliss. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THERE!!! So I carefully chose my seat. Not too far up, not too far back, my head could stay straight, no having to look up, you know the drill. I took my time and found THE perfect seat.

Aah! Movie for One!!! Yahhooo! I settled in. I took out my water bottle I smuggled in...(I am not going to pay $5 for a water... yes, I took my own in, so there!) Popped in a mint to help clear my nose, turned my cell phone to vibrate, (but really, who would care, I WAS ALONE!), put my feet up and giggled at the dancing food on the screen.

Then... out of the corner of my eye... I see movement! NOOOOO! 2 people came into MY movie theater. No worries, there were lots of seats. I won't be bothered. But no! Remember Uncle Vito's Law!!! If something can go wrong, ita mosta certainlya willa! (Murphy's Law, yeah, yeah, I know... but Italians take credit for everything, so it's Uncle Vito's Law in my family) Well, these two party crashers walked RIGHT INTO MY ROW!!! I stared at them incredulously and just smiled and looked straight ahead again. Then my eye spots 4 more people, and what do they do?? Yep... right in my row!!! Not only did they come in MY row... but they didn't even bother to go around, they cut in front of me and my other 2 row mates!!!

I was dismayed until... yep, 3 more and they sat in my row too. So here are the standings so far... 200 seat theater, 10 people, all in the same row. By this time I am starting to think I am being Punked, or X'd or am on Candid Camera, because this CANNOT be happening!!!

A few more people come in, and then I started to laugh out loud!! The people sat in my row again!!! So I stood up, turned around, got their attention and said, (laughing of course) "ARE YOU ALL KIDDING ME?" "IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REST OF THE THEATER?" "DID YOU FEEL SORRY FOR ME BEING ALONE?? I'M NOT!! MY KIDS ARE AT ANOTHER MOVIE!" We all started busting up! One couple spoke up and said they thought it was strange too, but sat in this row because they thought we knew something they didn't!

So before all the trailers started... I started saying really loud to all my row mates. "You just wait, I'm gonna go to the bathroom 5 times during the movie, I'm gonna turn my phone to loud and call my kids in the other theater, and I'm gonna go get popcorn and soda twice, so there!" We all giggled.

It was a very enjoyable way to watch a movie. 12 or so strangers... bound by one row of seats, laughing together, wondering what lurks in all the other seats.

Three sweet ladies told me I never have to go to a movie alone again if I don't want to. One gave me her card and told me to give her a jingle if I ever wanted to meet here for a movie again.

HOW SWEET IS THAT!!!

Yep... 2008,

Cell phones, DVR's, overscheduled lives, always rushing around, and still

a little bit of love and giving.

I didn't have the heart to tell her I LOVE doing something ALL BY MYSELF sometimes...

I just told her I just might take her up on that!!! Thanks Louise! You're a doll!

BUONE NOTTE!

Ciao!