A Cup Of Kindness Yet

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and prosperous new year.

Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Sometimes It's Just Easier To Stay Home, Vol. 3

Andante had a minor reaction to something either from Xmas Eve or Xmas Day... not sure which, or what set him off.  I chalked it up to the holidays... I was pleased it wasn't a reaction on a grander scale to be honest.

But then, thanks to my Mother-in-law's need to have homemade goat cheese out, believing that this will not cause Dante to react, he of course, was touched by someone, and INSTANTLY his face began to swell; raccoon eyes, blotches, redness,...

So down went the 1st dose of Benadryl... followed by the second 30 minutes later, and then at 4am, I was paying the price to the piper as my son was UP... and NOT returning to his slumber.  Not even a cup of warmed, homemade vanilla rice milk would do the trick.

So, cranked up the heater and out to the living room we went to watch Santa Claus 3 for the umpteenmillionth time until he finally fell back asleep.  I REALLY need to replace that DVD player in my bedroom.  At least then I would have been warm and half asleep under my covers waiting on the D-Dawg!

I really cherish the days without reactions!  Though they are not few and far between anymore, thank God... they are PLATINUM!!!


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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When Food Kills - a documentary

Andante in ER, 4 hrs after 1st anaphylactic reaction - 2o June 2oo8

Tonight I watched a documentary on food allergies on The Discovery Channel titled When Food Kills (I tried searching for the next listing but I could not find it). 

It is by far the best description of the daily life and what can happen to a severly allergic child that I have seen yet.  As I watched the documentary, holding my severely allergic child in my arms, the tears rolled down my face uncontrollably.  Everything that I have gone through in less than a year was documented in this film.  My nightmare was playing out in front of my eyes.  From watching the reactions take place on film of other children being tested for their allergies, to the mothers that shared stories of their struggles, from the ignorance they faced from others around them, to the deaths of several children who only ingested traces of their allergens... for me, it was my life played out on screen.  I wish everyone in the world could see this documentary... maybe then they would understand, or at least begin to.  I know I cannot reach the whole world yet... but here, I can being the journey.

I have put a ten minute segment of the 44 min. documentary in the right column under Serious Must Sees.  As of right now, the whole documentary is only avalible for purchase.  Once I find the full length version, I will be posting it... it is worth it's wait in platinum.  I have also added a documentary on food allergies explained from the mouths of babes.  Warning:  have your tissues at the ready.

I ask that you please watch at least the segement that is to the right as a starting point.  Please, if you have any questions, feel free to email me. 

Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Modulation

For my girlfriends over at TKWFA's, I have added a few new songs to the virtual jukebox.  I removed a few, too...the melody moves on. 

I hope you enjoy them as you continue to listen (and not comment).

*giggle*


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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A Christmas Wish

One voice, one melody,

          can change the harmony of the universe.  ~TM

Wishing you and yours the joy of one voice,

the melody of peace,
and the harmony of prosperity this Christmas.

Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Always On Your Side...Time To Say Goodbye

Goodbye, my sweet hero.  Always have I loved you madly...

...always, I will.  Always on your side.

Always On Your Side

 

My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away

But every now and then you come to mind

'Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game

But when your name was called, you found a place to hide

When you knew that I was always on your side. 

Well everything was easy then, so sweet and innocent

My demons and my angels reappeared

Leavin' only traces of the man you thought I'd be

Too afraid to hear the words I'd always feared

Leavin' you with only questions all these years. 

Is there some place far away, some place where all is clear

Easy to start over with the ones you hold so dear

Or are you left to wander, all alone, eternally

This isn't how it's really meant to be

No, it isn't how it's really meant to be. 

Well they say that love is in the air, but never is it clear,

How to pull it close and make it stay

Butterflies are free to fly, and so they fly away

And I'm left to carry on and wonder why

Even through it all, I'm always on your side. 

Is there some place far away, some place where all is clear
Easy to start over with the ones you hold so dear

Or are we left to wander, all alone, eternally ?

But this isn't how it's really meant to be

No, it isn't how it's really meant to be.

Well they say that love is in the air, never is it clear
How to pull it close and make it stay

Butterflies are free to fly, why do they fly away ?

Leavin' me to carry on and wonder why

Was it you that kept me wandering through this life ?

When you know that I was always on your side.

~Sheryl Crow c 2oo5

Seriously!

TinaMarie

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From The Peanut Gallery

I know.  People mean well.  I know.  It's the thought that counts.  It really is.

But C'MON people,... you know my son is severely allergic to peanuts, you know we avoid tree nuts, and yet you give us a tower of nuts as a family Xmas present.  Really?  Did you THINK about this one???

I know... I know.  They meant well.   I know.  I feel terribly ungrateful, but damn...

Sigh...


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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And So, the Fairytale Continues...

Watercolor - Allegra and Aria at the Ballet San Josè´s The Nutcracker

When I was younger, my mother would take me to see Ballet San Josè perfom Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at the Center for the Performing Arts downtown.  My mother would dress me in the perfect little Christmas dress, long formal coat, hat and muff, with the prettiest shoes to match, and a ribbon in my hair, and off we would go to loose ourselves into the magic of the fairytale.  At the end of each performance, I would get to choose my own ornament for our Christmas tree to remember our fairytale together.

Yesterday, my mother and I began a new Christmas tradition with my daughters.  Dressed in their finest, we took Allegra and Aria to see their very first Nutcracker performance; their very first ballet.  The usual 2 hour performance was shortened to an hour long matinée for children.  For Aria, it was the perfect length of time for this aspiring ballerina.  Through out the ballet, the girls remained on the edge of their seats, entranced, leaping forward into the chair in front of them when the pyrotechnics flashed, discussing the reasons for the twists in the story lines with the little girls behind them, all the while paying close attention to the wordless story that was unfolding before them, completely mesmerized.  At the final curtain call, Allegra, who had seen the story of The Nutcracker in class, wanted more.  She wanted to know where the rest of the story was.  For only a moment, she was not satisfied with my answer.  The moment passed as quickly as the story had.

Nonna, Aria & Allegra after the Ballet San Josè's The Nutcracker

Myself and the girls after the Ballet San Josè's The Nutcracker

Once we left the theater, and entered the lobby, scenes from my fairytale of old began to flash before me.  There was my mother, hand in had with my little girls, leading them up to the over decorated tree, brimming with Nutcracker ornaments for the choosing.  Each girl picked out their own - Allegra picked out a pink and purple Nutcracker for herself, Aria picked out Tsarina Tatianna donned in a pink tutu and tiara.  For Andante, the girls chose the Mouse King, and I... I picked out Maria, holding her own Nutcracker to mark this new fairytale.

As we walked through Discovery Park back to where we parked, the girls twirled and lept, singing the simple melody of the Sugar Plum Fairies, lost in a world of snowflakes and tulle.  My mother and I walked behind them, reminiscing over our fairytale of years past, enjoying the new chapter that has just begun to bloom. 

And so, the fairytale continues...


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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In the Early Hours of the Morning

Mary.  Our Lady.  Dawn of the Day. 

Nothing is more beautiful, more sacred than awaking before the sun to join with other voices in thanksgiving to The Mother of all mothers.  Since the beginning of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration (December 12th) in our Church, which I began 8 yrs ago, I have always participated in Las Mañanitas (video below of the Celebration in Mexico City from 2007) , even after I gave up directing the Spanish Choir.  For me, it brings the true meaning of Christmas in a way I find hard to explain to someone who is not yet, or never will be a mother.  Because of Mary's unbriddled faith, a child was born who would change the world. 

Change the world... I wonder how my children will change our world.

Regardless of how you believe, the mother is a very sacred figure.  Even when a mother fails at her role, she is still sacred for the life that she gave to her child.  What an immense blessing she is when she lovingly takes her role beyond what is asked of her. 

I was asked to come back as a guest director, in celebration of the founding of the Flor Y Canto choir, and I was asked to sing the Ave Maria 3 times during the week and a half long celebration; twice in back to back Masses after Las Mañanitas.  This time when asked, I was not a bit reluctant.  I was honored to sing for Our Lady, in thanksgiving for the humble, silent, loving path she lived for all mothers so many years ago. 

As I sang, an overwhelming peace showered over me.  What I have to do for my children on a daily basis, let alone for my special needs child is challenging, heartbreaking, overwhelming.  Yet, in the quietness of the Church, as I sang to Our Lady, I knew that I was given my children for a greater purpose than my own.  They have been entrusted to me for a little while.  When they are ready, they will go out and change the world. 

What an amazing Gift I have been given.

Mañanitas a la Virgen 2007 - MEXICO

Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Can You Just Imagine The Allergens That Are On Santa's Lap?

Dante and I

Ugh…Christmas parties. Why?

Well, last weekend we attended my parent’s Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) Annual Christmas Party. The night before, at rehearsal, I fell while holding Andante, and in an effort to save him from hitting the floor with me, I ended up rolling my ankle. Boy, that was fun…NOT! I spent most of the rehearsal sitting down with my foot in an ice conclave alla Dr. Mikey. I admit… I snagged one of his Vicodins…ok, one and a half, and until that kicked in, I was in excruciating pain. Finally, the Vics kicked in, my ankle went numb… and I think my hearing did too, because there was not a single note out of place from my soloists or my guitarists. I’ll chalk it up to great musical guidance on my part! *coughs*
I digress… anyhow…

Rory must have asked for something REALLY outlandish...look at the face of satisfaction!

We went to this shindig, reluctantly…or at least I did. Maybe it was because of the pain of my ankle, or because I would have to fend off all of the old, cheek-pinching Italian Nonnies, or maybe because I just really didn’t want to be there.

You KNOW Ari is asking for that darn pony!!!  C'mon Avô, anty up!  You've got the farm!

Regardless, I went. Allegra and Aria really enjoyed Santa. I don't know what Rory told Santa, but Ari asked for a pony... yeah, right!!!  LOL!  I got to spend time with my nephews Lance and Dominic, which is a rarity nowadays. I had to grab a few wayward hands from touching Dante… which, of course, ticked off some of the old women I mentioned in the last paragraph. My mother was busy doing damage control; my dad was busy working at keeping my nephews in line. I played with my Godson Lance’s Nintendo DS… oh, I SO want one. Those things are bomb!!! Dinner was not too bad… a little lack luster for my palate, but good none the less. The cannolis for dessert were off the hook. I even brought some back for Mikey to have (and yes, he thoroughly enjoyed them!).

Poor Lance; recovering from a broken collar bone...

but that didn't stop him from asking Santa for some loot!

The only disappointment of the night was when I took Dante up to see Santa. Color me paranoid, but I did not know what was on his rented Santa suit or his gloves, nor did I know what was on the 50 + kids clothes and hands that sat in Santa’s lap before my son. So instead, I held him close and allowed him to reach out and get his gift from Santa. As I squatted down next to Santa, I explained that I could not let Andante sit with him because of his food allergies. Thankfully, Santa didn’t let my paranoia faze him. In fact, he spent more time talking to Dante than he did the other children. It broke my heart to keep him from sitting on Santa’s lap. It hurt me even more not to let him out of his stroller to play with the other kids and their new toys. Who knows what was on their hands and faces after eating a plethora of allergens on an Italian dinner plate.

Hopefully, he will not resent me when he is older. Hopefully he will know that I am only trying to keep him safe. Hopefully, he will outgrow his FAs….

One can only hope.

Dominic never did make it to Santa's lap.  Hit 'n' Run is Dom's M.O.!

All in all, it was a wonderful night for the children, which was the reason for going in the first place. As we drove the hour and 20 minutes back home, the children nestled under the stadium blanket I keep in the SUV for them, resting in sweet slumber. In that peaceful moment, I knew all was well.


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Sometimes, It's Just Easier To Stay Home, Vol. 2

I was waiting for pics from the event to post this story, but the paper hasn’t got off it’s sorry hind quarters to post up the pics on their website yet, so I opted for the one that came out in the paper. Hey, that’s what ya get when you have a WEEKLY town paper.


Sometimes it is just easier to stay home. Sad, I know. In fact, I missed out on part of The Olde Fashioned Christmas Celebration, which happens the 1st Saturday after Thanksgiving in our town every year because of FAs. Part of the day’s festivities for this annual celebration included a community breakfast where pancakes, sausages, and scrambled eggs are served. Scrambled = cooking eggs = airborne reaction. UGH! Sometimes, this life sucks!

Nando took the girls to the breakfast, came home, cleaned them up, and then took all the kids downtown for the craft faire, fire truck rides, petting zoo, and pony rides. When they got back, all three crashed on their perspective couches from exhaustion.

Later that evening, our youth choir Glorious, along with the band, performed at the Tree Lighting and Lighted Tractor Parade. Yes folks, that is how small of a town I live in. We decorate and light up our tractors for a Christmas parade! *giggle*

My choir did amazingly well for being their 1st outdoor gig since conception last year. We did about 10 songs last night, at various points through out the event, with many of my girls taking solos. God has blessed me with some amazing young talent.

Brag Moment: Even Allegra got up to the mic and soloed the 1st Chorus to Go Tell It on the Mountain. She hit every note perfectly in key and sang her little heart out. But then again, she was Little Miss Gustine last year, and has soloed the National Anthem several times all by herself at the tender age of 5. Would you expect anything less from one of my children??? Naaaahhhh…. *a wink and a smile*

After our performance, Mikey came over for holiday leftovers. While I heated everything up, Nando and Mikey worked on the opening fanfare for our upcoming Christmas Eve Mass. I tell you what… with the former choir members from my original youth choir (oh, originating about 10 yrs back) that will be joining us Christmas Eve, the fanfare, and the manger play… it is gonna be one rockin’ celebration.

When the day was all said and done, we tucked the children into their beds and breathed a sigh of relief. Andante went another even reaction FREE! My choir rocked the house! All is good in the world.


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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Loved!

Ok, gotta brag a little.  I just got my 1st BLOG AWARD!!!  Schweet!!!   Check out my award on the right.

Thank you to Dandelion Wishes for the bragging rights!  Make sure to check out this Mommy Blog site and tell 'em I sent ya!


*does the Cabbage Patch, singing... GO TM!  It's yer berfday!  Woo hoooo!*


Seriously!

TinaMarie

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