When I was young there were three generations over me. I remember visiting my Great Grandmother Raboni a few times, then of course there were my Grandparents and then my Parents. It was comforting to have so many layers above me in the family tree. On my Mom's side there are still 4 of her sisters and 2 brothers but on my Dad's side......there is no one. My siblings and cousins are now the senior members of the family. It's a little scary.....how did this happen. My brother is the oldest of the Raboni side and I am right behind him. The 9 grandchildren of Rita and Orendi Raboni range in age from 46-58. The next generation down goes from 34-16 and now the newest additions (of which there will be more I am sure) are almost 2 years old, 4 months old and a new member due in May.
Oh where oh where have they all gone......Tommy, Gert, Rita, Johnnie, George and their spouses and all the other relatives that used to gather for holidays, weddings and family events.
There is no one to make Aunt Jo's beans or Aunt Gert's Swedish Meatballs......no more sending the kids to the basement to plan a show for the adults......no more black and white cookies that Nana would buy at Zaro's Bakery.
It is also hard to grasp the fact that I now have the term Great Aunt in front of my name....someday the kids will talk about when Aunt Donna did this or Aunt Cheryl did that......now it is our time to be the oldest living part of the family tree......when Mom passed that was the end of that generation on the Raboni family tree......now it is us.....how did that happen?????
Saturday, February 11, 2012
A Super Bowl Sunday.....
There is nothing better than a Super Bowl Sunday with my family and the Giants are one of the teams playing in the game of the year. Their record this year was not stellar but they kicked it into gear at the right time and ended up going up against the dreaded and hated (at least by my family) Patriots.
Anyway, we arrived at my sisters house at 10:00AM and it was great to see the surprised look on their faces that my brother and his wife were with us. We were together from breakfast through post game interviews. The game was great, the food outstanding and well the company......priceless!!!!!
Our family takes football very seriously and we live and die with each play. We watched hours of pregame shows and by the time the game started we were beside ourselves with anticipation. There had been beer runs and different foods for each hour of the day (or at least it seemed that way). I was no saint in the food dept but hell it was Super Bowl Sunday, I was with my family and my favorite team WON!!!!
Before I knew it it was almost midnight and it was time for me to head home. I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my brother because I knew I would see him again in a few months. We got home at almost 2:00AM.....I was so wound up I ended up watching Sports Center for an hour or two. I went to sleep with visions of victory and the salsa (if you don't know what I mean by this look up Victor Cruz).....what a day.....what a week-end......what a victory......the Giants Motto had been a phrase used by gamblers and I have heard is used in Vegas........All In Baby......and that was what I felt like all week-end......All In Baby.....All In........
Anyway, we arrived at my sisters house at 10:00AM and it was great to see the surprised look on their faces that my brother and his wife were with us. We were together from breakfast through post game interviews. The game was great, the food outstanding and well the company......priceless!!!!!
Our family takes football very seriously and we live and die with each play. We watched hours of pregame shows and by the time the game started we were beside ourselves with anticipation. There had been beer runs and different foods for each hour of the day (or at least it seemed that way). I was no saint in the food dept but hell it was Super Bowl Sunday, I was with my family and my favorite team WON!!!!
Before I knew it it was almost midnight and it was time for me to head home. I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my brother because I knew I would see him again in a few months. We got home at almost 2:00AM.....I was so wound up I ended up watching Sports Center for an hour or two. I went to sleep with visions of victory and the salsa (if you don't know what I mean by this look up Victor Cruz).....what a day.....what a week-end......what a victory......the Giants Motto had been a phrase used by gamblers and I have heard is used in Vegas........All In Baby......and that was what I felt like all week-end......All In Baby.....All In........
A Family Visit....Just What The Doctor Ordered
A family visit was just what I needed. I have missed being around family especially the last few weeks. When my brother and his wife showed up I was so excited. I hadn't seen them in almost 4 years. How did I let that much time go without a visit? That is something I need to work on....making time for my family. Anyway, when they got to the house, I couldn't shut up......like a man dying of thirst in the desert and he finds an oasis filled with water.....that was how I felt. I asked a million questions about Mom. I needed to get the details of her passing. All of sudden I looked at my watch and it was 2:20 AM.....I commented on the time and then continued to talk for another 40 minutes. Being able to talk about Mom and Dad with someone who shares that history was comforting. We laughed about the Saturday nights when I was 16 and Greg was 6 and I would take him to BK for burgers, Huff's for ice cream and home to watch emergency.....I called him Bud then.....short for my little buddy.
They brought the items on my shopping list: Reinzi clam sauce, Thomas's toaster cakes, corn muffins, Drakes coffee cakes, Yankee Doodles, Devil Dogs and Funny Bones.....don't worry.....they all made it to the freezer so they will be eaten sparingly.....not all in one sitting......although one person in my household has managed to eat two boxes of coffee cakes in less than a week.....guess who???? Not Jenn or me....
Saturday included a tour of Columbia including a visit to the Mast General Store and Loose Lucy's in 5 points. Then it was home to cook for Super Bowl Sunday......our time together went way too fast.
I am so grateful they made the trip.......it is good to know I will see them again in April.......and I promise not to let years go by without seeing my family again.....and I mean it!!!!!
They brought the items on my shopping list: Reinzi clam sauce, Thomas's toaster cakes, corn muffins, Drakes coffee cakes, Yankee Doodles, Devil Dogs and Funny Bones.....don't worry.....they all made it to the freezer so they will be eaten sparingly.....not all in one sitting......although one person in my household has managed to eat two boxes of coffee cakes in less than a week.....guess who???? Not Jenn or me....
Saturday included a tour of Columbia including a visit to the Mast General Store and Loose Lucy's in 5 points. Then it was home to cook for Super Bowl Sunday......our time together went way too fast.
I am so grateful they made the trip.......it is good to know I will see them again in April.......and I promise not to let years go by without seeing my family again.....and I mean it!!!!!
I Can't Believe I Threw Out The Food....
Friday before the Super Bowl....office fun event......wear jeans.....wear favorite team jersey (I didn't because the two jerseys I have are for players who no longer play for my team).....but I did bring in my 3ft by 5 ft NY Giants flag to hang up.
Oh and the infamous office tailgate event. I brought in veggies, fruit, cheese and dip. Fortunately, the food tables were set up far from my workspace. Around noon the festivities begin.....which means the eating begins. I stay by my desk. Coworkers come by and say "Donna, do you want me to get you a plate?"....."Donna. aren't you going to have something?"......"Donna, come on and have something."....
I don't want to stand out for not participating.....so I go to the food table and grab a paper plate.....I try to make good choices but at least 3 types of dips end up on my plate with crackers and taco chips. I go back to my desk and taste a little of each thing.......then I do the unthinkable.....I throw out the rest of the food......yes I pitched it right in my trash can!!!!! Score one for me!!!!!! I did get stuck late at work that day and started to get hungry.....for a split second I thought about the food I had thrown away......and then I started to laugh and thought "Donna you are an ass.....what would possess you to even think about the food in the trash!!!!" I realized that even though I was hungry chewing a piece of gum was a wiser choice.......OK I am really am a mess.......LOL......
Oh and the infamous office tailgate event. I brought in veggies, fruit, cheese and dip. Fortunately, the food tables were set up far from my workspace. Around noon the festivities begin.....which means the eating begins. I stay by my desk. Coworkers come by and say "Donna, do you want me to get you a plate?"....."Donna. aren't you going to have something?"......"Donna, come on and have something."....
I don't want to stand out for not participating.....so I go to the food table and grab a paper plate.....I try to make good choices but at least 3 types of dips end up on my plate with crackers and taco chips. I go back to my desk and taste a little of each thing.......then I do the unthinkable.....I throw out the rest of the food......yes I pitched it right in my trash can!!!!! Score one for me!!!!!! I did get stuck late at work that day and started to get hungry.....for a split second I thought about the food I had thrown away......and then I started to laugh and thought "Donna you are an ass.....what would possess you to even think about the food in the trash!!!!" I realized that even though I was hungry chewing a piece of gum was a wiser choice.......OK I am really am a mess.......LOL......
Look How Flexible I Can Be.....
Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. On Tuesday afternoon I start to stress out....I need to get out of the office by 5:00 to make it to the gym by 6:00.
As the clock moves toward 5:00 I start to rush and get mad at the last minute issues that pop up. Then it's 5:15 and I am still at my desk. Then the stress really sets in. Next, I am racing to my car and trying to get through traffic. This routine goes on most weeks and happens again on Thursday nights too. Then all of a sudden it hits me.....so what if I miss the water aerobics class?? Does the pool close....no. Does the gym close.....no. Can I still work out in the pool.....yes!!!! The light bulb goes off over my head!!!!! Even if I am late I can still go to the gym and get in the pool. I can catch part of the water aerobics class and then just stay in the pool while everyone else heads home and jog in the water for awhile.....
I feel like someone has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.....why the hell didn't I think of this before??? I am so conditioned to my routine I didn't bother to think about other options......duh......
So now on Tuesday and Thursday I know my goal is to be out of the office by 5:00 but if I don't make it by 5:00 I can still hit the gym and get my workout in.......so is this what it means to be flexible??? Well if it is then color me flexible......
As the clock moves toward 5:00 I start to rush and get mad at the last minute issues that pop up. Then it's 5:15 and I am still at my desk. Then the stress really sets in. Next, I am racing to my car and trying to get through traffic. This routine goes on most weeks and happens again on Thursday nights too. Then all of a sudden it hits me.....so what if I miss the water aerobics class?? Does the pool close....no. Does the gym close.....no. Can I still work out in the pool.....yes!!!! The light bulb goes off over my head!!!!! Even if I am late I can still go to the gym and get in the pool. I can catch part of the water aerobics class and then just stay in the pool while everyone else heads home and jog in the water for awhile.....
I feel like someone has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.....why the hell didn't I think of this before??? I am so conditioned to my routine I didn't bother to think about other options......duh......
So now on Tuesday and Thursday I know my goal is to be out of the office by 5:00 but if I don't make it by 5:00 I can still hit the gym and get my workout in.......so is this what it means to be flexible??? Well if it is then color me flexible......
What a crazy week something every night!!!
I hate when I head into Sunday night knowing I will be busy every night of the upcoming week. That's what I had to face two weeks ago....
Monday Night- off to the Township Auditorium for the Mid-Carolina's TD Annual Awards. This was quite an event. Green was the suggested color for the evening. I couldn't find my co-workers so I sat at an end of a row next to some strangers. It was like a pep rally....cheers of We Are TD filled the air. I have never been to anything like this before.
Tuesday Night- Water aerobics
Wednesday Night- Hair appointment with Wayne- cut and highlights- I wish Wayne could be at my house every morning to do my hair. I love the way it looks when he blows it out. I feel like I have a full head of hair!!!! And I look like I do too!!!!
Thursday Night- my date with my trainer
Friday Night- Family arrives for a week-end visit
Phew...no wonder I was so tired......I don't mind going out a night or two but I do love to come right home from work and get comfy.....maybe I am getting old?? I used to love going out after work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights......Sunday nights?????....yes even Sunday nights!!!!.....but then again that was just last week wasn't it......or last month.....or last year.....oh hell it was most than 35 years ago......I would never go out before 10:00 PM.....now I would be happy to be in my jammies by 4:00PM....next .......the Senior Citizen Dinner Specials....
Monday Night- off to the Township Auditorium for the Mid-Carolina's TD Annual Awards. This was quite an event. Green was the suggested color for the evening. I couldn't find my co-workers so I sat at an end of a row next to some strangers. It was like a pep rally....cheers of We Are TD filled the air. I have never been to anything like this before.
Tuesday Night- Water aerobics
Wednesday Night- Hair appointment with Wayne- cut and highlights- I wish Wayne could be at my house every morning to do my hair. I love the way it looks when he blows it out. I feel like I have a full head of hair!!!! And I look like I do too!!!!
Thursday Night- my date with my trainer
Friday Night- Family arrives for a week-end visit
Phew...no wonder I was so tired......I don't mind going out a night or two but I do love to come right home from work and get comfy.....maybe I am getting old?? I used to love going out after work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights......Sunday nights?????....yes even Sunday nights!!!!.....but then again that was just last week wasn't it......or last month.....or last year.....oh hell it was most than 35 years ago......I would never go out before 10:00 PM.....now I would be happy to be in my jammies by 4:00PM....next .......the Senior Citizen Dinner Specials....
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Running in Water
I did my jogging in the pool today. I wish there was a way to measure my distance. I know I run for 40-45 minutes but am not sure how far I am going. I wish I could have something to look at while I jog......something scenic......or listen to music to pass the time. I try to run not looking at the clock like a game trying to guess how long I have been running. When I feel like I need a break I run backwards back and forth across the pool.....I like the way that feels. The hard part is getting out of the pool and getting back to where gravity kicks in and my knee aches. I love running in the pool and feel like I could run forever. This is no pain in the pool and my endurance in the water is great.
I don't know if my knee will ever be pain free on dry land. My asthma doesn't seem to bother me in the pool. I am still getting in the cardio that I know I need which means it is a win, win, win for me. Yeah!!!!
If they ever have a in the pool marathon them I'm your girl.....where do I sign up??
I don't know if my knee will ever be pain free on dry land. My asthma doesn't seem to bother me in the pool. I am still getting in the cardio that I know I need which means it is a win, win, win for me. Yeah!!!!
If they ever have a in the pool marathon them I'm your girl.....where do I sign up??
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