At least I didnt THINK I had allergies.

The thing about May.............everything is blooming, floating, and flying around. Things are pollenating each other....

....and Im sneezing 50 times a day.......my eyes are watering.....Im snotty....and stuffy......a real joy to be around

AaaaaaCHOO

Today for the first time since Dad got sick (12-17-07) he was up - in the kitchen and making coffee.

I know this probably sounds insignificant to some of you - but to me it was amazing. It left me feeling happy - hopeful - encouraged - and relieved.

I miss my Dad. I know we are lucky to still have him with us and Im so grateful - but he has changed. He feels it too. He has many limits right now and it depresses him. I keep telling him that he is doing SO much better now than he was before and little by little things will get back to normal - just be patient.

Its hard for him. Here was a man that did everything. He didnt rely on us - but now he is basically at our mercy for EVERYTHING - and I know it drives him nuts. It would drive me nuts too.

So to see him up and about this morning really made my heart swell! He even said he wanted to go back to work crossing the kids! (which scared the crap out of me because HE CANT SEE *GULP*)

So to you Dad, keep up the good work - stay positive - we love you and we are all here for you.

She cant stand the wait, she cant stand the suspense, she cant stand NOT KNOWING.....because she feels she HAS to know EVERYTHING at all times.

She once told me that when she was younger, she and her sister unwrapped ALL their Christmas presents to see what they were before the big day - then re-wrapped them so their parents wouldnt find out! She also admitted that it ruined her Chrismas that year! little brat

So, here was the conversation last night in bed right before I fell asleep:

Her: Lets play
Me: *perks up* ok! sex games?
Her: NOOOOO
Me: Figures....*sigh*
Her: Lets play the questions game
Me: Oh, I HATE the questions game I want to play sex games!
Her: To bad
Me: *sigh*
Her: I will ask you questions about my Birthday and you will answer
Me: No
Her: Oh, c'mon - just a few questions
Me; No
Her: I will sing to you ALL night if you dont play
Me: NO NO NO - and NO SINGING
Her: *I am Henry the 8th I am....Herny the 8th I am I am*
ME: STOP IT STOP IT
Her: *I got married to the widow next door*
ME: OK OK....what do you want to know
Her: Everything
Me: Ok, if you REALLY want to know - I will tell you...but you are going to be SOOOO sorry
Her: Ok, then, youre right.....dont tell me
Me: What? Im RIGHT? Did you say Im RIGHT?
Her: Shut up and go to sleep
Me: NOW can we play sex games?
Her: NO

She is killing me...........

I may have to tell her just to preserve whats left of my sanity.....and so we can play sex games!

We always have some activity in the surrounding area, but when something happens here in town....its usually pretty shocking.

The people that live around us are very nice except for the people directly to our left. Im pretty sure that they are vampires....they only come out at night.... they never speak to anyone...and they are really creepy looking.

But for the most part, we all know each other, the families, and are pretty helpful if anyone needs anything.

That peace and quiet took a turn for the LOUDER last year.

A house went up for a sale on our block. It sold pretty quickly.

Since that sale, we have all noticed a lot of noise coming from their yard. At first no one said anything. But as it got louder and intesified, all eyes seemed to be focused on that particular yard.

There are ALWAYS 8 children in the yard. At first I thought the people that moved in were running a day care center. But then I realized that those 8 children NEVER LEFT. They all live there - and none of them speak English. Rumor has it that the parents own a Dunk*n Don*ts in NYC.

I am assuming that they left the city to live in a nice quiet neighborhood (said in my best sarcastic voice).

Now, let me just start by saying if any of you know me, you KNOW I love kids. I ADORE kids playing, laughing and having a good time....as long as they are supervised, safe and more or less well behaved. I am the first one to roll up my sleeves and get down and dirty mainly because I LOVE to play and am just a big child myself.

THESE "kids" SCREAM ALL DAY LONG. EVERY DAY - CONSTANT BLOOD CURDLING, EAR PIERCING SCREAMS come from that yard. Some of the kids cry (while they are screaming), some of the bigger kids beat up the little kids (while they are screaming), some of the kids run around (while they are screaming) some of them just sit still (and SCREAM). Its not what I consider "playing" its just ridiculous screaming !

And in my opinion, there is just NO need for that.

Its gotten to the point where Spring has finally gotten here and we all enjoy having our windows open, but cant stand the noise, so we keep the windows closed.

Ive been in my bedroom at times watching TV and I have had to increase the volume just to hear. Mind you, they are 5 backyards away from mine.

Where are the parents? Dont they hear it? Doesnt it bother them? Is this ok with them?

Well, the other day on my way home from work, I drove by the house and happened to see what I THINK was the Mother. And she is pregnant..........................again. I wanted to run her the f*ck over but I figured thats not really a very friendly gesture.

I know that our neighbors have called the police a few times and I know for a fact that noise complaints have been "issued".

WTF is with people?

This entire neighborhood is talking about them, the noise and what we are going to do.

Any suggestions?

Anyone have a voodoo doll? Magic potion? Own a moving van? Know anyone in I.N.S.?

These are 6 random facts about me:

1. I was almost kidnapped when I was 5 years old.

2. I do NOT like the food on my dish touching the other foods on my dish - they all need to be in seperate spots.

3. My Dad used to call me "pee wee" when I was little - sometimes he still does (even though there is nothing "pee wee" about me anymore).

4. I was car-jacked when I was 26 years old.

5. My Mother found out about my "lifestyle" when she over heard me having an argument on the phone with my g/f at the time.....she was shocked.

6. In High school, I set up a date between my home economics teacher and my gym teacher......they got married 2 years later.

Im supposed to tag 6 people.....but people kinda frown upon being tagged.

If you want to play along....please do!

-Remember how I said my Sister seemed to be doing better? Yeah, cancel that. Im not going into detail because I would be here for a while.....but just take my word for it ok?

-Went for drinks and dinner with T on Friday night. Love you T.

-I have an elderly man, (a patient actually) at work that has been hitting on me since I started my job at this office - 9 years ago. Ive tried to explain nicely how inappropriate his behavior is on many occasions - not to mention he completely grosses me out - but he doesnt give up. What do I do?

-Ummmm, Deb go some mail the other day from AARP.......................ROFL im SO dead for that one Not that there's anything WRONG with that!

-My Mom is back to smoking. She stopped for a while right after Dad got sick. Now since she is back to it and is trying to hide it from Dad, she is spending MAJOR time outside the house. Ive never seen her so interested in the garden or the landscaping before!

So how was your weekend?

Our lawn mower died last year and I had to buy a new one. So off to Sears I went - ALONE - spoke to a bunch of people (who didnt speak English very well) and on their say so I bought a new mower. Now usually Dad would take care of this but under the circumstances he isnt able to - that leaves Moi.

Ok, so I bought the mower - a nice one if I do say so myself - one that does EVERYTHING with ease.

So I bring it home - and Dad is obsessed with it.

He really doesnt understand the limitations he has now. He thinks he can do everything just the same as before his stroke. I try to encourage him as much as possible but I do limit things for his own safety.....and the safety of those around him

When I got home from work today at noon I got to work immediately in the yard. Dad wanted to help.

This presented a problem:

Dad: I want to mow
Me: *gulp*
Me: Ummmm, how about I mow and you rake.
Dad: Nah, I'll use the "ride on mower and do the backyard".
Me: *EYES WIDEN and gulp*
Me: Yeah, Dad, I dont really think thats a good idea - do you?
Dad: Sure I do - I'll be fine - I'll go slow.
Me: MMMOMMMMMMM!

So, since I handled this in the mature way my Mother comes out and sits him down and occupies him while I start mowing in the front of the house.

As soon as I started the front of the house I hear a sound - like the ride on mower starting up - in the BACK of the house. I take off running and see him on the ride on mower - just going to town.

Now I start to chase him YELLING and WAVING the whole time for him to stop. He cant SEE me because Im on the left side of him - and he cant see left! But I manage to get to the right of him just before he ran me over....and got him to stop. Trying to explain to him the whole time that he REALLY SHOULDNT BE DOING THIS!

He agrees, gets off the mower and goes and sits down. I walk away with my heart in my throat and resume mowing in the front of the house only to hear the same sound again. He got back on the mower and started again. I run back to where Dad is with my heart pounding. He seemed pretty insistant on finishing so I told him to stay in the BACKYARD only (thinking to myself *are you NUTS?*). He agreed.

I headed up front *saying prayers in my head*. Next thing I heard was a bang.....he slammed into the shed.....twice. *I cringed* But he backed up and kept mowing. So I kept mowing too. Next he slammed into the fence ....twice........*sigh* That required some repair on my part but the man is trying, what can I say. At that point my sister came out and rescued me. She got him off the mower and busy doing something else.

When I finished up the front yard and two side yards I headed into the backyard - and stopped dead in my tracks. Dad pretty much made crop circles thru the entire yard. He just kept mowing in circles. I guess he figured he can only see to the right so it was safe to STAY to the right! He missed half the lawn.

If you look real close in the picture below you can see the circular patterns!

I had to go over everything and redo the entire yard - but I didnt mind. Im trying to laugh about the situation with Dad, but some of it is sad to me. He wants to help. He wants to do all the normal things he used to do - but he cant. I dont want to discourage him from trying - but sometimes its dangerous! And I dont want him to get hurt.

When he COULD see, all the small children and animals in the neighborhood would run for cover when he was on the ride on! Now its a whole new ball game. I want to run myself!

Anyway, the job is done. The new mower is fantastic and Dad is napping now! *phew*

I find it odd....ESPECIALLY for me who is OCD and grossed out by everything......

I mean, you KNOW that THOUSANDS of people that have stayed in the hotel room before you have had sex there......thats enough to make my skin crawl for obvious reasons unless Im watching of course yet it doesnt stop that "hotel sex" feeling.

So what is it?

Is it extra naughty?
Is it that no one knows you? (or if its a hotel that you frequent often, that may not be the case)
Is it the noise factor?

T knew we were going away for the weekend and she kept texting me with "are you having hotel sex?" lol

There is no question hotel sex is different.....you KNOW it is.

But WHAT is it?

We were invited to a wedding in Maryland which is about a 4 hour ride by car for us.

Maryellen's son Kurt got married to the ADORABLE Jennifer in the most perfect setting! It was in and old stone manor house in the middle of farm country.

The ride to get there was absolutely stunning. We were driving thru all farmland on twisting and winding roads that were obviously heading up a mountain. When we got to the top of the mountain it was as if we were on top of the world! Just BEAUTIFUL!

We ate, drank, danced and laughed all night. It was a great time!

Congratulations Jen & Kurt! Wishing you both love and happiness for your entire life together!

And Yes, those ARE bars framing the picture - I have been kidding with my boss, suggesting that he put them up purposely prior to me starting there to prevent me from tossing myself out the window on stressful days - he just laughs - but the past few weeks have been brutal and the thought has crossed my mind! But seriously, as you can see, I overlook a baseball field and the bars prevent broken windows. My office building was an old school house converted into a medical building....

Anyway, I love these trees, they are starting to bloom and Spring is here in full force.

We have a busy weekend planned and its supposed to be GORGEOUS weather.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Its not because I dont think of him - because I do.... EVERY SINGLE DAY. I worry....EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Since he left for the Marines I wonder what he is doing. If he is safe, warm, well fed (I know, Im SO Italian), in pain, tired, happy, making any friends or if he has any regrets.

We have received letters from him and I have to say that in the beginning when he first told us he wanted to join I thought to myself * this kid will never make it - he hasnt got the discipline*.

I am SO glad to report that I was wrong....so VERY wrong.

He is thriving there.

Every time he writes to us he seems more and more mature. Well adjusted - excelling in marital arts - and looking forward to each and every challange.

My little baby boy, my nephew, my Godson, my Marine.

Im so proud of you - I love you and I cant wait to see you!

As I explained, Deb and I are taking alternate weekends - planning something that we think the other person would like to do.

I have plans for her tomorrow. Nothing huge - but something I know she will like.

I cant TELL you....because its a secret. And you all know you cant keep a secret. So you'll have to wait.

In other news:

-her back seems to be feeling better
-Ive had a hellish past two weeks at work
-we have been sprucing up the yard getting ready for summer
-Dad seems to be feeling better although he has had some set backs
-My Sister - well - I hope you are all sitting down - because she seems like she is becoming human again. I cant explain it - but I like it. She seems to really be trying to help and do the right things. Ive missed her. Im keeping my fingers crossed that it stays this way.

If any of you have ever had it - you know the pain it can cause.

I have it too - its what actually ended my martial arts training years ago - and it still comes and goes.

She is in terrible pain. It hurts to sit, sleep, drive and walk. Standing STILL seems to give her a little relief. Laying in certain positions helps too.

Last night I gave her a few stretching exercises to do while she was laying in bed.

One being to take her right knee while lying flat, and bring it up to her ear *snicker*

The other one being to get on all fours (see a pattern here?) bringing her right knee under her then gently lowering herself onto the bent leg to take some of the pressure off the nerve.

There was a lot of moaning and groaning going on.

As I watched her doing this - in all these arousing positions, I wondered if she would catch on that I just made these stretches up so I could watch her - but then she told me that it actually HELPED!!!!!

I AM A GENIUS! and a pig

OK, OK, I did get up and get her Motr*n too.....so Im not all that bad.....

I could hear Deb walking around the house - doing her thing.

Then she came in the bedroom - and gave me some attitude.

I thought to myself - this should be fun - I havent even gotten out of bed and already Im in trouble for SOMETHING.

Oh, well, I guess thats not different than any other day....

But, then as she was storming around the room she started mumbling something about me being able to "sleep thru ANYTHING"....

So, thinking I missed something earth shattering I inquired by asking "what happened" in my best concerned voice (even though I wasnt concerned at all - lol).

She then proceeded to tell me that Bear, who was sleeping on me (right before the alarm went off) started to gag and attempt to hack up a hairball on the bed - well on ME actually.

She sprang out of bed and chased him out of the bedroom (always his favorite target). He went into the dining room where we have hardwood floors......thank G*D!

*although, now that I think about it - I may have heard him - it has an undeniable sound - but I THOUGHT I was dreaming! Usually Im the first one up when I hear something in the house!

MY HERO!

Are you guys sound sleepers? Or can you sleep through anything?

Well, let me start at the beginning.

I have been complaining a lot.....about life, about work, about being responsible, about time - or actually the lack thereof.

We get up in the morning & start the saaaame routine:
- getting out of bed
- making the bed
- showering/grooming
-ironing the outfit du'jour
- feeding the cats
-cleaning the litter box
-empty the dishwasher
-preparing lunches if lunches are being brought to work
-taking out appropriate dinner selection
- straightening up the house before leaving for work
- driving to work and spending the next 9 or 10 hours there.
-getting home
-start dinner
-feed cats
-clean litter box
-set table
-eat
-clean table
-run dishwasher
-maybe some online time or tv
-and off to bed at a reasonable hour
-(leaving sex out because its none of your business)

See any fun in there?

Yeah, me either.....and THATS my point. (except for the sex)

So, now to the ingenius idea.

Life just gets in the way - so we have come up with a plan. A plan for each of us to take alternating weekends and make surprise plans for the other one.

Example: I take a weekend and plan something that I think Deb would LOVE to do - not telling her - just getting her there. Its about her.
Then she does the same for me.

This was the first weekend. Deb went first.....as we got in the car I was oozing with excitement because she told me to drive and headed me in the direction of Satin Dolls (the strip club Bada Bing - where the Sopranos film - SCORE!).

I immediately started to drool and grin.....until we went past it. Then my heart sank. I had my head out the window like a dog - panting - ears flapping in the breeze - maybe even a tear in my eye.

But all hope was not lost because we were STILL headed towards HOOTERS!

But no, thats not what she had planned either. Woe is me.

However, she DID come up with something FUN! We went to play miniature golf. DONT LAUGH! I LOVE IT! But Deb hates it! This is one of the things I love to do at least once when we go to Florida. She hates it in Florida too....but she did it for me! Oh, and I kicked her a$$!

We also went to a homemade pasta factory!!! YUM!

Isnt she the greatest? Well thought out on her part!

Next weekend is my turn. I already have my "move" planned.....and no Im not telling any of you.