Too Long

Talk about draggin' ass.  It's been that long since I've posted?  Well I've been getting the itch to write again so here I am.  So much has changed yet so much is the same.  Change: we are all 4 years older but with growing boys, the change is drastic.  I now have 2 in high school and one in middle school.  Jamie and Kieran are now towering over me and Gavin is quick on their heels.  Vince is working away and doing great.  Jim and I are just rolling into our 17th year of marriage and while there's been some ups and downs, we have mangaed to plow through and still going strong.  Hey, as long as neither of us has ended up in jail or in the hospital, I'd say we're doing pretty damn good.

This was taken on our Summer trip to SoCal to visit my brother.  Jamie opted to stay home but the other 3 went with me and it was a great trip.  My brother lives on a lake so we went swimming and kayaking and watched the fireworks for 4th of July.  Great trip and always a blast when we get to see my brother.

So long story short, I'm back.  Along with my witty banter and sarcastic sense of humor.  Any comments, questions or just observations, drop me a line.  I know I'll have millions of followers!  Haha!!  Peace out!

Lucky

I am lucky.  Because this morning I got to get up and see these little faces.  I got to hug them, hear their voices, see their smiles.  Hear them complain about being tired, being cold outside.  They are HERE.  Across the country in Connecticut, 27 families are waking up to the cold reality that they will never see their loved ones again.  Never hold them, hear their voices, feel their warm breath on their cheeks.  Yes, I am lucky.

My children are my life.  The reason I wake up every morning.  Why I plow through my days, bake, clean, cook, teach, sew.  Everything.  When we became pregnant with Jamie, our oldest, we decided I would become a stay at home mom.  I am so lucky (again) that my husband's occupation affords me that opportunity.  While it hasn't always been easy, it has allowed me to see their first steps, hear their first words, be there for every nick, scrape and cut.  Every single amazing moment of their lives.

In 1993 I lost my twin son, Giancarlo, to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) so I know the pain of losing a child.  But not to  a senseless act of violence.  I can only imagine the pain these parents are enduring by having their innocent child snatched from them for no good reason other than a madman decided today was the day.

So today as I dropped my boys off at school today, I had to fight not to look scared, not to tell them, if you hear any commotion on campus, hide.  Not to scare them and take away their innocence which seems to be whittled away by society.  I am taking a closer look at what they see on TV, what games they play and toys they have.  The little gun Gavin received just a week ago is gone.  Why do they make children's guns look so realistic?  Are we that desensitized as a society to not realize that our children think war is a game?  That seeing a death on a video game is just another point?  We need to taker a closer look at what our children are exposed to not just in our home but outside also.

Today, I am lucky, I am grateful and I am blessed.  Please, take a moment to say a prayer for the 27 souls that were lost.  Be kind to one another.  It only takes a second to give a smile, say hello or simply hold the door for someone.  Set an example.  And remember in some way, we are all lucky.

Meditation

So I have been trying to meditate lately.  You know, clear my head, become more relaxed and centered.  So I sit still.  Which is hard in itself because I am a fidgeter.  Not a word but you know what I mean.  I guess that's where Kieran got it.  But I digress.  So I sit still.  Or at least try.  Deep breath.  Try to clear my head.  But now I'm thinking, 'Don't think about anything'.  But I'm thinking about not thinking so really, my head isn't clear.  Now one of the dogs just has to come up to make sure I'm not dead because I am not moving (I think) and now I'm saying, Go away__________ (Sam, Pip or Cooper).  Anyway, needless to say, the meditation thing is really hard.  Whoda thunk?  Hmmmm.

Summer is over for all of the boys.  School is back in and I have a few hours of quiet during the day now.  We spent a small fortune in school supplies.  As Jim and I stood at the register in Target, we reminisced about the days when all you had to do was show up and everything was there.  Not anymore.  I received a lengthy list from each boys' teachers detailing everything they would need for school.  It was A LOT.  Then, of course, there were school clothes to buy and they are now at the age where I can't just buy them any shirt off the rack.  One doesn't want to wear anything but long sleeves, the other one wants plain t-shirts and the little one wants to dress like a Banana Republic ad.  I guess I should be grateful I have boys and not girls otherwise I'd have hair and make-up to contend with also.  Counting my blessings right now.  Amen.

Now for the comedy portion of my post.  People get on my damn nerves.  I mean, really get on my nerves.  Not everyone, mind you.  Just a lot of them.  I've been teaching my oldest to drive and seriously, does ANYONE in this town stop at the stop signs?  Here I am trying to teach my kid to come to a complete stop and everyone else is rolling through them like it's a Sunday drive.  People, the stop signs are there for a reason.  Sooooo irritating.  Oh and that 25MPH in a School Zone?  Yeah, that means 25 not 35+.  That also means, if you see kids crossing the street, you don't roll right up on them in the middle of the intersection waiting for them to cross.  The last couple of months of school last year, the boys and I rode our bikes and I was blown away at the blatant disregard for traffic laws in this area.  Anyway, I know no one reads this but just in case, follow the rules.  Especially when kids are around.

Ok.  I'm going to go try to meditate.  Or scare the dogs.  Have a wonderful week!!

A Week of Losses

No, nobody died.  But I lost crap all week.  Started with the good old bra.  Seriously, I lost my bra.  Now I didn't lost it in the throes of passion.  Oh no.  I was cleaning my craft room, got warm and slipped it off 'Flashdance' style and chucked it.  Next day, it was no where to be found.  It took me TWO DAYS to find the damn thing.  So I walked around wearing this crappy sports bra that I loathe because it is soooo uncomfortable.  TMI?  Yeah.  Next thing: my toothbrush.  Now this wasn't my fault.  I know those damn boys were doing something in my bathroom.  They always are.  What is a child's fascination with their parents' bedroom and their belongings?  I go in to brush my teeth the other morning and it's GONE.  Like, really?  My freakin' toothbrush?  Why the hell would they mess with my toothbrush?  Never mind.  I don't even want to know.  Considering they're boys, I assume it was something disgusting.  I'm probably lucky I didn't find it.  Thus is my life with all these men here.  There is entirely too much testosterone in this house.

So all the boys are on Summer break.  Ah, the joys of Summer vacation.  Late mornings, long days of fun and relaxing in the sun.  NOT!  My damn kids are the only kids in the world who DON'T sleep in during the Summer.  They actually woke up at 5:30AM the other day.  It was still DARK.  Hello?  What in the hell is wrong with them?  And I'm sorry, I need a good 6 hours of sleep or I am a raving lunatic.  I need my sleep.  Jim and I can't wait til they grow up and move out on their own so we can call them at the crack of dawn and wake them up.  Think I'm kidding?  Yeah, no.  I'm soooo doing it.  Check back in with me in about 10 years.

My mom was on vacation a few weeks ago and she was finally able to teach me how to crochet.  Not for lack of trying.  She has tried to show me several times but I guess I hadn't hit that 'crocheting' age yet.  But apparently 44 is the age to start doing this retiree type stuff.  And I am hooked (no pun intended).  There I sit on my couch every night with a basket of yarn and my thick ass reading glasses looking like Granny in Looney Tunes.  Lovely visual huh?  Here is my very first blanket.

I'm kinda proud of it.  We'll see how much more I create but it is a relaxing and kinda mindless thing for me to do while I unwind.

My other Summer thing is Pinterest.  Haven't heard of it?  OMG.  Go now.  Pinterest.com.  Now I know only like 6 people read this blog (I think I may be over guessing here).  And you probably know what Pinterest is.  Well I am a total Pinterest crack head.  I am on there every night scanning through pictures of crafty stuff, recipes, houses, you name it, it's on there.  And I have actually done some of the stuff on there.  Cooked quite a few recipes with amazing results, all good.  Made some homemade cleaning products, used some various tips on cleaning and organization.  I LOVE it.  And I have to admit, my boards on Pinterest are pretty damn good.  So go to Pinterest.Com and check out my boards.  I'm listed under Tabitha McIntyre.  Good stuff.

Went to the Bug Bash in Antioch a couple of weekends ago.  Pretty cool show where all these Volkswagens are.  Old ones mostly and sooooo cool.  I am definitely looking to buy one before the Summer is over.  This one is my favorite.  My favorite color and so darn cute!!!!  Jim, Jamie and I had fun looking at all of them.

So Corn Fest is next weekend.  Yes, Brentwood is throwing it's annual Corn celebration where everyone eats corn, gets loaded and enjoys carnival rides.  Lots of fun in our neck of the woods.  We don't usually attend but I think this year I might venture over to see what the deal is.  They do have a fantastic fireworks show on Friday night to kick it off and we are lucky enough to live a couple of blocks from where they shoot them off so they fly right over our house.

I'd like to say I'll be better about updating this darn blog but you know it would be a lie.  I really REALLY need to quit being a slacker about this.  But after dealing with the boys all day and then life, by the end of the day I am basically up for surfing the net and that's about it.  OH, we did see then new Amazing Spiderman.  And simply put, it was amazing.  Seriously, good stuff.  I wasn't too sure about Andrew Garfield when I first heard about him but man, he was good.  Made me forget all about that Toby boy.  And I love Emma Stone. She's so stinkin' cute.  Definitely a movie you should see in a theater.  Next up is the new Batman.  DYING to see that.  Plus I love me some Christian Bale.  And Anne Hathaway as Catwoman?  Can't beat that.

And lastly, this little pixie is going to be 11 years old this week.  I am so excited for him but sad because he is growing so fast.  He is so incredibly smart and charming and I adore this boy.  He tells me the best stories and has an amazing memory.  I think this one will be the writer in the family like his Mom.  11 years ago I received one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me.  And I am so grateful that I get to be his mother.  I love you my Kie Pie.  Happy Birthday my darling boy!!!

Now get out there and enjoy this weather!!!!!!!

Summer Lovin'

 

Just 3 days left of school and we can't wait to hit the beach.  Looking forward to spending some time out in Santa Cruz with Mom at some point.  We made a couple of trips out there in the off season and I can't wait for the boys to experience the true Boardwalk experience when it comes alive with rides and people.  I love being near the water and we had fun walking on the beach when we were there.

It's just so much more relaxed and the air is so fresh and clean out there.  I am dying to just pack an ice chest, some towels and relax with the boys out there.

Plus I take a ton of pictures when I'm away from home.  So I am getting some really beautiful stuff and realizing I enjoy doing landscape type stuff.  Jim, Jamie and I also took a ride out to St. Helena to pick up our shipment of wine from Berringer Winery.  It isn't as fancy as it sounds.  We joined a wine club and every quarter we pick up a case of different white wines.  It's cool because not only do we get a case of wine but we also get to spend the day in wine country.

Here's Jim and Jamie with our box of wine.  No, Jamie is not getting any.  Haha!

Vincent is finishing up his 4th quarter of college.  WOW!  I can't believe it's already been a year!  It went by so fast.  I am so proud of how hard he has worked because I know it hasn't been easy with the obstacles we faced this past year.  2 more year buddy!  My smart boy!

I've been crafting and sewing a lot more.  It is so relaxing and I love to create these little treasures with my hands.  I made the above book using My Mind's Eye 6x6 mini papers.  It is a 4"x2" book and it came out adorable.  Might be an Etsy item but not sure yet.  Also bought a bunch of apron patterns and other goodies to keep my sewing machine busy while the boys are off.  I can't wait!!

I made this one with a bunch of mini pictures from our Santa Cruz trip.  Love it!!

Last note, I know it's past Memorial Day but lets not forget our troops are still fighting wars in this world.  Pray for their safe return and that they receive the support they need both abroad and at home.  Having a brother who has been in the service for over 20 years, I understand the sacrifice he makes daily.  He has missed a lot of holidays and major events and it isn't easy not having him close by.  But he has attained his dream of becoming a pilot and has traveled the world while serving our country.  So when you see one of our service members, don't be shy.  Take a moment to stop and say 'Thank you.  We appreciate your sacrifice.'  It means more than you know.

My brother!!  We love you Beto!!!

Have a wonderful week!!!

Leap Year!

29 days in February this year.  Who invented Leap Year and why?  Makes no sense to me.  But nonetheless, we get an extra day this month.

I have been more crafty this month and I am loving it!!  I started a Smash Book.  'What's a Smash Book?' you ask.  Well it's this lovely little book that you literally smash all your miscellaneous goodies in.  Anything you want.  It can have a theme or not.  I just put in a bunch of stuff that I don't want to put on a scrapbook page but do want to keep like business cards from my favorite stores, notes from friends, pictures I love.  Now most people make their own Smash Books but since this is my first one, I purchased a cute pre-made one at Michael's by K & Company.  Here are a few pages:

So far I am happy with the result. I'm kind of  a neat scrapper so my stuff isn't really 'smashed' but it's in there.  Top pages are just random pics I took, a list of songs from a contest Nancie and I did at a scrapbooking retreat 7 years ago (yes I hang onto that crap).  Bottom is more pics I took and a tag.  Just random hoo-hah.  Fun though.

I have also been embroidering a lot.  I LOVE to embroider because it's a kind of mindless thing I can do while I watch TV or something.  Plus that's my go to project to take with me for a short craft day with the girls.  I don't have to haul as much stuff with me as I do when we go crop.  So, to celebrate Jim's and my (?) 13th anniversary, I made this:

OMG it's my FAVORITE!!!  13 years ago on Valentine's Day we had our first date.  Actually, we both kinda got dumped by our prospective Valentine's so I invited him over to watch movies.  "Slums of Beverly Hills" was an embarassing choice but we've been together since.  So 13 years, 3 kids and 4 dogs later, here we are.  Still going strong and I love him more now than I ever did.  Lucky me!

And the second one I created I stole from a Starbuck's cup.  Yes, we crafty people can find inspiration just about anywhere.  If you went to Starbuck's during February, they had this really cute Valentine's themed cup.  So I cut it out, scanned it, enlarged it and then traced it to sew.  This is the end result:

I love the way it turned out and the colors make me smile!!!

And I actually made a canvas the other day.  I am really trying to break out of my shell and do more artsy type stuff but my brain isn't having it.

The dress from is a chipboard page from a Maya Road album, used a rub-on from My Mind's Eye and the quote is from Teresa Collin's new line.  So pretty.

On the home front, we're all trucking along.  My brother is in Afghanistan for the next year and we are praying for his safety and that of his unit.  I can't wait for all of this conflict to be over!!!

And of course, let's talk about FOOD!!!  Now anyone who knows me has heard me brag about my mother's homemade tortillas.  This lady woke up everyday at 4AM to make homemade tortillas for my dad before he went to work.  Then made them again in the afternoon for dinner.  And they were literally mouthwatering.  They melted in your mouth and Lord help me, we would eat them as fast as they came off of the 'placa' (Griddle to you gringos).  Well once they divorced my mom didn't have as much time to make tortillas and well, mine came out like frisbees.  Really.  So last week I go to Safeway and find these in the refrigerator aisle:

I have tried many a 'like homemade' tortillas in my time and I have been disappointed time and again.  But no more!  These tortillas were JUST LIKE MOM'S!!!!!!  Now it was $3.49 for a dozen but that's just about what you pay for the premade ones.  And these are BETTER.  I will never buy any other tortillas again.  So go get some.  NOW.  They are in the refrigerated section of the store and they are amazing.

Last but not least, we made a couple of trips out to Hazel's in Antioch.  I was raised in Antioch and had never been there.  I know, bad me.  But about a month ago my mom, Vincent and I were driving through and my mom said, let's go have a Willy Burger.  So we pull in to this old drive-in diner.  Check it out:

Mom said back in the day you would pull up, flash your headlights and a car hop would come out and take your order.  So we go in and there's a large party having dinner there.  And it turns out to be one of the ladies who used to be a car hopper there having a birthday dinner with her family.  The nostalgia in this place was amazing.  Just tons of stuff from the 50's.  So much I actually had to go back with my camera to take pictures.

It was so cool!  The service there was great, very friendly and the food came out in a timely manner.  And check out the infamous Willy Burger:

It was HUGE.  And soooo good!  My mom and I split one but Jim and Vincent were able to polish off a whole one by themselves!!!!!  And not bad for $11.

OK that's it for now.  Long one huh?  Well I've been storing this up for awhile.  Now I can go take a nap.  Have a wonderful day!  And post a comment!!!!!

xo

Tab

Hey, I'm Back!

No, I didn't go anywhere.  I've just been AWOL for a really really long time.  Honestly, about a month ago I spent about an hour on a new post and guess what?  The damn thing wouldn't upload.  Don't you just love technology?

So it's a new year and I decided to actually make a resolution this year.  I mean really, who keeps those things anyway?  Well this one is one I intend to follow through on.  OK (deep breath) I joined Weight Watchers.  Yep, I bit the bullet and decided it was time.  I mean there's a point when you have to admit that it is no longer post-baby fat.  It's just freakin' fat.  That point came about 6 months ago but I had to come to grips with letting go of my beloved cupcake/pastry/frappacino obsession.  The family is being supportive and encouraging.  Except when Jim came home last weekend with a box of danishes 'for the kids' and I about lunged at him for one.  Seriously, keep the danish away.  You will get hurt.  So far I've lost 2 lbs.  I know, whoop-dee-frickin-doo but it's a start.  Plus I started working out and started eating fruits and vegetables.  *Gasp!*  Yes even the green ones Mom.  I really do like the WW plan but I swear, if I see Jennifer Hudson's skinny ass singing about how much weight she's lost one more time, I'm going to kick the TV in.  OK we get it Jenn, you're skinny now.  I'm still fat.  Can you just give me some time?

This Christmas was by far the best Christmas we've had in YEARS.  My brother was actually home for the first time in ages and we all spent the holiday together including my dad, step-mom AND my mother.  It was amazing and nice to have everyone together.  As always, his visit is never long enough but we are grateful he was home.

Vince is in his 3rd quarter at school now and doing fabulous.  It is amazing to see you little boy turning into a man.  I'm like, when did you start growing a moustache?  It is so weird to see hair on his face!  As for the wee ones, they run me ragged as always but they seem be growing out of their terror stages.  Thank God for that!  Seriously, you have 4 rambunctious boys and tell me the thought of selling one doesn't cross your mind.  Can't do it huh?  But honestly, they bring me so much joy.

When my brother was home we took a ride out to Napa to visit some wineries.  What a bunch a fun!!  We went to Robert Mondavi which was really pretty.  Tasted some reds there and then drove down the road to the Berringer Winery which is my favorite.  Joined their 'free' wine club.  Not so free but totally worth it.  So once a quarter I get 6 bottles of wines I like (the sweet white wines) for $36!!!!  What a deal!  Plus we get access to the 'exclusive' area of the main house and their special tasting room.  Plus all of our tastings are FREE.  Now who can say no to free booze?  NOT ME!!!

  This last weekend Jim and I drove out the get our first order. It was a beautiful day in Napa and we took the time to stroll downtown.

We stopped at this beautiful kitchen store I think it was called Olives.  They had the most amazing stuff in there.  These huge vats of different olive oils that you could sample, different dips.  And really nice kitchen supplies and dishes.

Then we stopped in a shoe store called Footcandy.  Now I've seen Laboutin's and Manolo's on TV but never in person.  And lo and behold, right there on this table were a stunning pair of each.  OMG.  Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a super girly girl.  But what girl doesn't appreciate a beautiful pair of shoes?  They literally beckoned to me from the sidewalk.  'Come on Tab.  Look at how I'm sparkly and pretty.  You can just come in and touch me.  A touch is free."  I couldn't resist.  I dragged my poor husband in there, grabbed the shoe excitedly and shoved it in his face.  "Look," I said enthusiastically.  "Do you KNOW what these are?  DO YOU?"  And being the man he is, shakes his head not sure if he should be afraid or not.  "These are freakin' LABOUTIN'S!  Here, in the open for anyone to touch."  He's like, "oooookay."  I grab the next shoe.  "And this," I say shoving it in his face.  "This is a Manolo.  They wear these on 'Sex and the City'."  His eyes light at the one thing he does know.  "Now, look at the bottom."

He takes the shoe from my hand and his eyes about pop out of his skull.

"What?"  he exclaims.  "What freakin' idiot would spend A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON SHOES????"  I sheepishly look at the lady at the table across from us.  The lady looking at another paid of Laboutins.  Yes, that idiot over there.  She's spending a thousand dollars on a pair of shoes.  Needless to say, we left VERY soon after.
The moral of this story: NEVER bring a man who does not understand the concept of fancy shoes into a fancy shoe store.  He WILL embarass you.

All in all, it was a fabulous day.  I got a box of wine.  And not the 'box' with the spout on the side.  I spent a lovely day with my lobster AND I got to hold not only a pair of Laboutin's but also a pair of Manolo's.

And that's about it.  I am looking forward to a wonderful, prosperous year.  And a year where I will finally get a handle on being a healthier person, get back to creating more and spending some quality time with my family.  Where does the time go?  So what do you have planned for 2012?  I hope this year is a blessed one for you and yours and as usual, I will try to post more.  But don't hold your breath.  Lord knows you could die if you do.