Christina Bambina

Aaaand, We're back!

2012-01-09T07:07:00.008+01:00

We're back from our 3-week vacation in sunny San Diego (80°f), Arizona desert, mountains & Grand Canyon and the wonderful coastline of So-Cal!

Time, is never enough when you are visiting family & dear friends from far away, but I was sure grateful to have been able to spend the X-mas holidays with them.

Baby Preston Blake Jones is just so precious. Just wished I could have seen him a little more...

I got to spend time with my forever friend Cecily. I love it that we can not see each other for 2 years, but pickup like time has never passed!

We had a wonderful time up at Nancy's sister's AMAZING cabin in the Arizona mountains!

And we got a lot of surf & sun in!

I just that my Hubby surfs!

@ Swami's

@ Wind & Sea La Jolla

More to come .........

Happy Birth-Giving to ME!

2011-11-26T11:59:00.005+01:00

So this year my Birthday fell on Thanksgiving! And BOY! do I have a lot to be thankful for! My mom cooked a wonderful 3 course meal (Red Italian chicory risotto, stuffed Capon since a Turkey would have been too much for only 5 people, and cheese cake!) I got to skype phone with my family in San Diego, saw my Papà, Nancy, Grandma, Brother Nick and Finaceè Kathryn! So fun to talk to them! Tonight (Saturday) I'm having a buffet dinner party at our house and, oh yeah, and I got these AMAZING gifts! ;-)

Yes, that is a PRADA zip around wallet! Two good friends, Marco & Stefania, spoiled me with it!

New Netbook, from which I am posting from! Thank you Mamma!

And my sweet husband got me this STUNNING black pearl and platinum diamanteé necklace!

COULD I BE ANY MORE THANKFUL???

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

One thing to another..

2011-11-16T13:42:00.002+01:00

I guess it's just in my personality to never "keep still". As a child I was continuously scolded by teachers and sometimes my parents about how (hyper) active I was. In fact, at one point in my childhood I was given medication to calm down (ADVICE- Please never do that to your children).

I now realize that my "problem" really wasn't a problem, because I've really never changed.

I'm always doing something new in my life and can't keep still. Today for example, I had the neatest experience interviewing a friend of mine (Chris Lawrence a well renowned photographer). It was so fun to be on a mini-set and feel like I was an actual news reporter! Kinda reminds me of when I would go to the Children's Museum and play pretend at the small news studio they had set up there! I'll post the link to the interview as soon as it's ready!

I love doing random things and trying new stuff! As I said, it's just in my personality, I guess!

‎"Berlusconi's resignation was greeted with cheers and dancing in the streets, as people waved the Italian flag and sang the nation's anthem."

2011-11-13T14:01:00.002+01:00

‎

Take the time to watch the video! It really sums it up....

I am so happy! I feel free again.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/13/world/europe/italy-government/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Baby Boy Jones Update

2011-11-03T17:46:00.005+01:00

My Papà sent me this update and photos, He's already taking this Grandpa thing seriously! ;-))) GO GRANDPA!

Baby Boy Jones is off the ventilator and is eating mother's milk through a feeding tube. They are going to try to bottle feed him tomorrow. The photo is a little dark because there is no flash allowed in the NICK-U and they had the lights turned down. He is so precious and soft. We love him so much. They are saying that he may have to stay 3 maybe 4 weeks in the hospital. Please pray that he doesn't have to stay that long.

Sweet Grandma Nancy and BBJ

♥ CUTE! ♥

L♥VE!!!!

A baby is born!

2011-11-02T12:27:00.006+01:00

Soooo, my little nephew decided it was a good idea to come into this world about 7 weeks early! Poor thing has to be in ICU and in the incubator for a few weeks, but I am happy to report that so far he is doing fine! We haven't got a name yet, since of course Nick and Katie thought they still had 7 weeks to decide! I was told that there are two names in the running which are Preston and Decker, but I by far, prefer Preston!

Baby Jones

Enrico and I had planned our Christmas vacation around this little bugger's due date which originally was December 18th. We had bought our tickets for Dec. 17th hoping to be in San Diego for the birth! Oh well! Some things just can't wait! So we are looking forward to holding this precious little gift when we get there in December!

Proud Grandpa!

(Grand) Papà & Nancy

Look at all that blonde hair! He reminds me of Nick when he was born!

Screaming out to the world!

2011-10-05T10:00:00.003+02:00

Italy is sinking fast and deep. Now they want to take away our rights of free speech.

Please take the time to read and understand what is going on her in Italy.

I feel as we are going back to the Soviet Union....

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Comunicato_4_ottobre_2011/en

At this time, the Italian language Wikipedia may be no longer able to continue providing the service that over the years was useful to you, and that you expected to have right now. As things stand, the page you want still exists and is only hidden, but the risk is that soon we will be forced to actually delete it.

The Bill - Rules on Wiretapping etc., p. 24, paragraph 29, letter a) states that:

«For the Internet sites, including newspapers and periodicals delivered by telematic way, the statements or corrections are published, with the same graphic characteristics, the same access methodology to the site and the same visibility of the news which they refer.»

Over the past ten years, Wikipedia has become part of the daily habits of millions of web users looking for a neutral, free-content, and - above all - independent source of Knowledge. A new, huge multi-lingual encyclopedia, freely available to all, at any time, and free of charge.
Today, unfortunately, the very pillars on which Wikipedia has been built - neutrality, freedom, and verifiability of its contents - are likely to be heavily compromised by paragraph 29 of a law proposal, also known as "DDL intercettazioni" (Wiretapping Act).
This proposal, which the Italian Parliament is currently debating, provides, among other things, a requirement to all websites to publish, within 48 hours of the request and without any comment, a correction of any content that the applicant deems detrimental to his/her image.
Unfortunately, the law does not require an evaluation of the claim by an impartial third judge - the opinion of the person allegedly injured is all that is required, in order to impose such correction to any website.
Hence, anyone who feels offended by any content published on a blog, an online newspaper and, most likely, even on Wikipedia can directly request to publish a "corrected" version, aimed to contradict and disprove the allegedly harmful contents, regardless of the truthfulness of the information deemed as offensive, and its sources.

During all these years, the users of Wikipedia (and we want, once more, to point out that Wikipedia does not have an editorial staff) have always been available to review - and modify, if needed - any content deemed to be detrimental to anyone, without harm to the Project's neutrality and independence. In the very rare instances it was not possible to reach a mutually satisfactory solution, the entire page has been removed.
The obligation to publish on our site the correction as is, provided by the named paragraph 29, without even the right to discuss and verify the claim, is an unacceptable restriction of the freedom and independence of Wikipedia, to the point of distorting the principles on which the Free Encyclopedia is based and this would bring to a paralysis of the "horizontal" method of access and editing, putting - in fact - an end to its existence as we have known until today.
It should be made more than clear that none of us wants to question safeguarding and protection of the reputation, honor and image of any party - but we also note that every Italian citizen is already protected in this respect by Article 595 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the crime of defamation.
With this announcement, we want to warn our readers against the risks arising from leaving to the arbitrary will of any party to enforce the alleged protection of its image and its reputation. Under such provisions, web users would be most probably led to cease dealing with certain topics or people, just to "avoid troubles".
We want to be able to keep a free and open-to-all encyclopaedia, because our articles are also your articles - Wikipedia is already neutral, why neutralize it?
The users of Wikipedia

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

http://blog.wikimedia.org/

Today the volunteers of the Italian Wikipedia community made the decision to replace all of Italian Wikipedia with a message to readers about a law (PDF in Italian) being discussed before the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian parliament. The message outlines the viewpoints of the Italian Wikipedia community, and provides details about the proposed bill, and how it threatens the ability to openly collaborate in the sharing of knowledge. This is certainly a decision the Italian Wikipedia community did not take lightly.The Wikimedia Foundation stands with our volunteers in Italy who are challenging the recently drafted “DDL intercettazioni” (or Wiretapping Bill) bill in Italy. This bill would hinder the work of projects like Wikipedia: open, volunteer-driven, and collaborative spaces dedicated to sharing high-quality knowledge, not to mention the ability for all users of the internet to engage in democratic, free speech opportunities.Wikipedians the world over pride themselves on their ability to rapidly remove false information from their project. Wikipedia has established methods to receive complaints or concerns from individuals or organizations and a strong system exists to remove incorrect or false information, and if necessary to remove complete articles in an effort to prevent vandalism. For Wikipedians, there is no value nor need for this proposed legislation.The Wikimedia Foundation supports the rights of all people to access our free knowledge content everywhere in the world, and we equally support the work of our editors to collaborate in the production of this free knowledge without the spectre of sanctioned punishment or attacks towards their work.Jay Walsh, Communications

Why do I continue to go to the Hairdresser's?

2011-09-29T15:37:00.005+02:00

Why oh why do I loose my mind and go to the hairdresser's when I KNOW they're just gonna do what they want and not listen to me? WHY OH WHY do they see me as "Legally Blonde"???

UHG. I'm soo good at doing my own hair, why did I do it?

Another Wedding!

2011-09-27T13:23:00.004+02:00

I ♥ Weddings!! And I ♥ preparing for them!

These are some wedding favors I had fun making for my friend Barbie's wedding and daughter Carolina's Christening that will be on October 8th! Can't wait as I am also the Maid (matron) of honor and get to wear my Lavender Bridesmaid's dress hand made by my sweet Grandma Ivy for my BFF's (Cecily) wedding 12 YEARS AGO AND IT STILL FITS!!!!

I ♥ Weddings

2011-07-25T16:59:00.008+02:00

I love going to weddings! Don't you!???

(my pictures aren't so good,I used the crappy camera!)

Natascia (the bride) & the Girls!

I do!

Good friends, good times!

Enrico & Francesco

The Cake

The chocolate covered almonds stand.

Lights! Camera! ACTION!

2011-06-10T18:16:00.006+02:00

My day was sooo much fun! Words really can't explain the feeling of movie magic!

For obvious reasons, I didn't get any pictures of myself on set! I hope someone else did! But I did take a few around set! My job on set was to pretend during the shoot to be the main actress's hair & make-up gal! So the camera zooms in on me good this time too!

Me & Thyago (main actor)

Adriadna (main actress) & Silvia

On set

The Director Pieraccioni

The crew & director making decisions

.....moments

ON THE ROAD TO STARDOM....(or maybe not!!!)

2011-06-06T20:34:00.006+02:00

Soooo I went to the shoot on Saturday morning!
IT WAS THE MOST EXCITING EXPERIENCE EVER!

Just to be on set, get my make-up and hair done by a professional from Cinecittà (Italy's version of Hollywood MGM studios). I couldn't get any other pictures as the day started at 7 a.m. and was just pure chaos and bliss from there on.... I always knew that I was supposed to be in the movies ahahahah ;-)

This is me early in the morning with my VIP pass

The other girls in the cast....

Me & my friend Stefano who got chosen as well - we were waiting for hair & make-up. Well, I was! (hence Stefano's shaved head)

Oh and yeah.... I was chosen to say a few lines, acting next to this guy (the main actor Thyago Alves from Brazil)..... not bad hu? I had nooooo idea who he was, all the other girls were astonished that I didn't know who Thyago (ti-ah-go) was... he's some kind of reality celeb, and famous Armani model. I don't really watch any Italian TV so that's why, I guess, I was on another planet!

The scene I got to do was sitting next to him in a club at a party, so the camera gets me good! I get to say 2 lines: "hurray! drinks for everyone" and "another bottle please" to the waiter! I'll be on the screen for Christmas! The movie will never make it to the States so I'll have to find a way when it's time, to post a scene!

On Thursday I get to go back..... but that's another post!

Tàh tàh!

What's new?

2011-06-01T14:18:00.004+02:00

So we still haven't got our computer back from the shop, Almost 1 month now..... they say they can't figure out what's wrong with it! So we've been "computer-napping" my mother-in-law's computer for the last few weeks.

Here are the best pictures I could get of our room addition! We're still waiting for the doors to be ready, they said June 11th so let's keep our fingers crossed!

We're looking for a couch to put in the room. I would prefer a nice beige or vanilla color so that I can have fun with colorful pillows!

Sill a bit empty....

Detail of the "wood-rug" against the ceramic tile we chose to frame the room.

And Enrico found this nice antique dresser for me to put in our walk-in closet (I think he's hoping I'll keep things neater... pure madness! hahaha)

Take one!

2011-05-27T10:04:00.007+02:00

Soooooo A few weeks ago I went out to a casting call for movie that's gonna be filmed by Leonardo Pieraccioni in Pula near Cagliari (near where we had our wedding reception). They needed extras, so I said what the heck! Let's try out!

Guess what??? I got called back yesterday!

I'll be on set 2 days:

all day June 4th, where they might need me to do a small speaking part! The scene will be set at a party, so I think I'll be saying very little like "may I have a drink please?" or just "thank you"; They told me to bring 3 different elegant/formal dresses so that the costumist could choose. If they don't like any of my choices, they'll have something available.

all day June 9th where I'll be in a scene where I'm part of a TV crew that's running after the main actor/actress in the film (No one knows who he/she is yet). No speaking part here, but I'm sure I'm going to have a lot of FUN and the best part is I get paid for it too!!!

Who knows! this might be the beginning of my long dremt stage career! ahahahahah :-)))

Coming soon!

2011-05-19T18:06:00.000+02:00

New Pix of the New Room AdditioN!

Easter

2011-04-26T12:14:00.005+02:00

We didn't do much this Easter. The weather was reaaaallly bad! :-( boo hoo.

My Mom had us over for lunch at her house, along with Enrico's Mom & Sister Simona. It was nice to be together!

Nonna Maria

Enrico found this funny swim cap in his Winnie-the-Pooh chocolate easter egg!

Simona & Marinella

Enrico & The Dog

Charlie-Bruno

RIO BABY!

2011-04-22T19:44:00.004+02:00

In 3D that is!

And and afternoon of girly-girl things with Carlotta!

Adding on....

2011-04-18T12:38:00.007+02:00

So we've started work on the small addition we've bought next to our apartment. We're adding an extra guest room/study/eventual kids room. (hahaha)

But first, I thought I'd share some pix of Stinky. He loves hiding in bags and boxes! I thought these were cute!

I wonder if he thinks that I can't see him????

Back to the construction..... Soooo, the big hole in the ceiling is for a BIG VELUX roof window which should allow us to see out onto the gulf, so that should be a spectacular view!

The tiny door on the right is an entry to a storage space (it'll be great as a secret hide-out for kids) and to the right of that is a tiny window for air and light.

I don't know if you can see the marks on the wall, but there's a door drawn on it! That's where they'll be connecting our apartment to this room!

This door will be removed and walled in, so that we'll have a nice clean wall to put the desk, or a couch with pull out bed at.

(door open)

(door closed so you can get a feel of the length of the wall)

The open door is the front door to our house, while the door on the left is the door to the space we are adding. Again, that door will be removed and a wall will result.

This is what is on the other side of that wall where the door is going to be, corresponding to about where the chair and bottle holder is, so it will connect right into our dining room!

As soon as work makes any more progress I'll add more pictures!

Fun uh?

(NOT.)

Mille viae ducunt homines per saecula Romam (A thousand roads lead men forever to Rome)

2011-04-10T19:20:00.010+02:00

Wake-up 5:00 am to take first flight @ 7:00 to Rome and see this SPECTACULAR sight from the plane.....

After my trip to the Embassy to renew my passport which, by the way, only took 15 minutes, I met up with Stefy for lunch.

Stefy & I in a store trying on funny stuff!

Then, off to dinner with the other girls, Claudia & Laura to eat spaghetti!

Claudia

Next Day Trevi Fountain!

Claudia, Stefy & Laura

Caludia, Stefy & Me

The Pantheon, a building in Rome, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD.

Since the Renaissance the Pantheon has been used as a tomb. Among those buried there are the painters Raphael and Annibale Carracci, the composer Arcangelo Corelli, and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi.

Also buried there are two kings of Italy: Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto's Queen, Margherita.

Although Italy has been a republic since 1946, volunteer members of Italian monarchist organisations maintain a vigil over the royal tombs in the Pantheon. This has aroused protests from time to time from republicans, but the Catholic authorities allow the practice to continue, although the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage is in charge of the security and maintenance.

The Pantheon today is used as a church. Masses are celebrated there, in particular on important Catholic days of obligation and weddings.

Corinthian Capitals

The Pantheon Dome's coffered ceiling also known as a lacunar ceiling:

Piazza Navona

Built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans came there to watch the agones ("games"), and hence it was known as 'Circus Agonalis' (competition arena). It is believed that over time the name changed to 'in agone' to 'navone' and eventually to 'navona'.

One of the statues in Neptune's Fountain in Piazza Navona.

Claudia

A cute little shop!

And cute Restaurants! I wish I could have tried them all!

Tired Girls!
Stefy In Piazza di Spagna
Spanish Steps from Piazza di Spagna
Taking a rest with cocktails & champagne

an old barber shop!

Cool painting

Last Night in Rome, our yummy vegetarian dinner, and it was REALLY GOOD!

...... The rest of the time was spent shopping.... no time to take pictures there! :-))))

Aaahhh "La Dolce Vita"

2011-04-04T20:40:00.003+02:00

.....AND A GIRLS WEEKEND IN ROME! Can you say FUN FUN FUN!! I needed to get to the Embassy to take care of my expired US passport so why not turn it into a long weekend???

I'll be going with some girl-friends, one of which is getting married in July, so we'll be doing some SERIOUS shoe-shopping! Stay tuned for LOADS of pictures!

COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU!

To ski or not ski!?

2011-03-23T14:14:00.008+01:00

That is the question!

We went back up to the mountains last weekend again... wake up call, 6:30 am....

Two and a half hours later..... to ski it was!!! You could see the Sea from up top while you were skiing!

And it even stared to snow again!

Enrico & Tonino being funny!

Meeeee!

Beautiful sunset while we left

La "Douche" Vita

2011-03-16T22:48:00.001+01:00

The Daily Show - La Douche Vita
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

The Daily Show - La Douche Vita - Italian Stereotypes
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Snow & Skiing in Sardina!

2011-03-07T11:26:00.011+01:00

So it's Mardi-Gras time here, and lots of festivities are going on around our Island! We decided to take advantage of the festive spirit and spend the weekend at the nearby mountains where there was said to be TONS of snow! And it was true! We couldn't believe our eyes when we got up there! A truly different sight from what we're used to (beaches and all). The town we stayed in is called Fonni and is about 15-20 minuets from the Ski slopes we were going to!

From the sea to snow!

We really couldn't believe there was so much snow, it was like 4 feet!

Don't I look goofy!

Enrico unloading the car

Of course I had to make a snowman/woman.

We're still debating on the gender since I gave it a lip enhancement! ;-)

It even started to snow heavily in the afternoon!

Enrico doing his thing!

Friends Giulia, Giacomo & Diego

Our snow gear was really retro! I mean c'mon! we NEVER get this much snow here, so all of our stuff was like from the 70's and 80's. It was really funny to see everyone pull out their "best" outfit!

Jackie, Mea & Giulia

But I think Antonio wins with his fuchsia boots!

The slopes

Beautiful views from the slopes

Me, myself & I... proving I was really there!

And a video of me coming down the slope!

OLD Ski lift

On our way back we stopped in a town called Mamoiada (mam-o-ee-ada). Their festivities are famous around the Island for good food and fun! And it was!

Their typical costume for Mardi-Gras is called Mamuthones (Mamu-tone-es), pre-Christian traditional masquerades dating back more than 2,000 years. The mystery around their origins makes them even more respected and loved.

Click HERE for an interesting article about them & the festivities.

And they called it puppy love...

2011-02-28T00:43:00.005+01:00

Today these pup's turned 1 month! They're just too cute! I wish we could keep all SEVEN, but that's just impossible!

We're thinking of keeping this guy! For now names are: Charlie, Peep-O & Bruno (in memory of my first dog, who's name I got from a book I really loved, and the dog in that book just happened to be a Beagle!)

Since they started getting their teeth and nails, it's been pretty hard for Penny to nurse all of them. At one point she was really sore, so we decided it was best to integrate with formula and bottles!

Random

2011-02-23T20:47:00.001+01:00

Seriously, I'm hooked on it.... anyone who loves fashion as much as I do, knows what its about.

THE SARTORIALIST

Love it!

xoxo Me.

Thousands of protesters marched in more than 60 towns and cities nationwide.

2011-02-14T00:21:00.003+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12442833

Women braved the rain in Milan for the anti-Berlusconi rally

Thousands of protesters marched in more than 60 towns and cities nationwide.

Some women carried banners reading "Italy is not a brothel", and said Mr Berlusconi had demeaned women with his recent sex scandals.

The premier denies attending sex parties and consorting with prostitutes, labelling the claims "disgusting" and politically motivated.

Smaller protests were also held on Sunday in Brussels, Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Lyon and Toulouse in France, and as far afield as Tokyo.

Solidarity

Last week prosecutors in Milan applied to have Mr Berlusconi put on trial for allegedly paying for sex with an underage girl.

He denies paying for sex with a Moroccan nightclub dancer when she was 17, and abusing his power to get her released by police after she was detained in another case.

Protests have also been held in other countries, including one outside the Sacre Coeur in Paris

A magistrate will now decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

If convicted, Mr Berlusconi could face up to 15 years in prison.

Although frequenting prostitutes is not a crime in Italy, having sex with one under the age of 18 is an offence that carries a prison sentence.

Sunday's protests had a title - Se non ora, quando? (If not now, when?) - designed to express the frustration of those Italian women who are asking what it will take for Mr Berlusconi to resign, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.

Protests took place across Italy, including Rome, Naples, Palermo, Bari, Trieste and Venice.

'Italy says enough'

Rome's Piazza del Popolo - or People's Square - was crammed with tens of thousands of women and some men in an act of solidarity.

"We are asking all women to defend the value of our dignity, and we are asking men, if not now, when?" organisers said on the protest website.

Marching through Naples, the mayor of the southern Italian city, Rosa Russo Iervolino, said: "The importance of this rally is in the common participation of men and women, young and old, intellectuals and workers."

One woman at a protest in Milan said Italian women had "become a joke to the rest of the world" because of the allegations surrounding Mr Berlusconi.

Some 400 men and women gathered outside the Sacre Coeur cathedral in Paris, banging pans and calling for Mr Berlusconi to resign, while in Madrid, protesters carried banners reading: "Italy says enough" and "My dignity is not for sale".

Despite all the recent negative publicity, Mr Berlusconi's opinion poll ratings are still at around 35%.

The billionaire prime minister also retains the support of his ruling coalition allies the Northern League, who do not want to see him quit, adds our correspondent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12444131

Silvio Berlusconi the focus of day of protests by Italian women

Thousands join marches for respect and values in country with gender gap worse than Kazakhstan's

Crowds in Rome's Piazza del Popolo protest against Silvio Berlusconi and sleaze in Italian society. Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi /Reuters

Massage Cupping

2011-02-09T16:26:00.006+01:00

I am SO IN LOVE with this type of massage! In just 2 sessions, I've already seen results! Combined with a healthy diet and running 2 days a week for 30min, it really kicks butt!

Massage Cupping is known for its ability to break up localized stagnation. Cupping is reputed to:

• Drain excess fluids and toxins
• Loosen adhesions

• Lift connective tissue
• Enhance circulation in stagnant musculature and fascia
• Stimulate he peripheral nervous system

The suction created by cupping draws stagnant toxins, heat, energy or fluid out of where it has accumulated deep within the tissues, and brings it to the body’s surface. Once close to the skin off accumulated toxins can more easily be eliminated via the body’s lymph system.

The skin will redden with strong massage cupping, indicating that circulation has been brought to the surface. Application of liniments, analgesics, plant hydrosols or essential oils immediately following a cupping treatment will aid absorption deep into the tissue. The increased local blood supply will nourish the muscles and skin and allow toxins to be carried away.

AND GET THIS LADIES!!!

Massage cupping is also effective in treating cellulite. A light suction provides drainage, while heavier application can be used to stimulate circulation and loosen adhesions or "dimpling."

I swear, it works! FIND YOUR LOCAL CUPPING THERAPIST TODAY!

A Contest! Oh Boy Oh Boy!

2011-02-06T14:47:00.004+01:00

I was checking up in the blogging world and saw this COOL contest on Heather's Blog!

She ordered these darling little labels from Erincondren.com and they couldn't be any cuter!

Guess what? Heather emailed Erin and freaked out over the labels and she is graciously letting one of us win our own set! All you have to do is visit erincondren.com and than tell Heather which gift label is your favorite!

If you post this giveaway on your blog or Facebook telling peeps to come on over than that will be an extra vote! {Just let Heather know when you do!} She will than draw a name and the winner will receive their own set of gift labels for free {a $25 credit}

She will pick a winner by next Tuesday, so go now and get started!

My Favorite is the Peacock theme!

But look how cute this one is too!!! Lots more on the web site!

CLICK HERE!

We've got puppies!

2011-01-31T15:08:00.006+01:00

Early Sunday moring (at about 5:00am), after about 36 hours, 2 trips to the vet, 1 ultrasound and 1EKG to make sure everything was all right, Penny FINALLY decided to get these pups out into the world!! In one of the first ultrasounds, only 3 puppies could be seen, so it was a great surprise when she gave us SEVEN!!!!

Poor tired Penelope

They're just too cute!!!

This picture says it all! (what did I get myself into!!?)

Just look at how tiny the paws are!

On Saturday night my sister in law called us for some emergency babysitting! So we had our niece and nephew over for dinner along with some friends! They stayed up untill 11pm!!! WOW!

Gabe was so funny, we would tell him to smile and this is what he would do!

Enrico & sweer Carlotta (missing some teeth)

On Sunday, Cristiana invited us to lunch at her house

Gabe really loves Enrico and worships the ground he walks on! ahahah

This time we got him to smile !

Mommy Mormon Bloggers

2011-01-26T21:09:00.002+01:00

As usual, I was making my rounds in the blogging world and found this interesting article linked from Marci's blog:

Why I can't stop reading Mormon housewife blogs:

I'm a young, feminist atheist who can't bake a cupcake. Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women?

Thought I would re-post it for anyone else who like to read it. It is very interesting!

We call upon Silvio Berlusconi to resign immediately from his post

2011-01-24T14:53:00.003+01:00

1. Resignation.

We call upon Silvio Berlusconi to resign immediately from his post as Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri. In no other democratic country would a Prime Minister, faced with such serious legal accusations, remain in office longer than a few hours. All Italian citizens, of whatever political persuasion, must realise that the image of their country is profoundly tainted if Berlusconi remains in office.

2. Attendance in court.

We call upon Silvio Berlusconi not to defend himself on television, using his substantial mediatic power to discredit the magistrates, but to present himself in court and seek to defend himself there, as would any normal citizen. Once in court, he can in any case hope to benefit from the services of the highest paid lawyers in the country. We sincerely hope, for his sake and that of the country, that he is able to demonstrate his innocence. If he and his supporters reply that the judges are irremediably biased against him, we would like to point out that on more than one occasion in the past he has been given the benefit of the doubt by the courts. In the Mondadori case, for example, the court judged in 2001 his position as Head of Government to be part of the ‘extenuating circumstances’ which in his case alone allowed the crime to be prescribed.

3. The role of the President of the Republic

In a situation in which two of the principal powers of the state – the magistracy and the executive – are on a head-on collision course of considerable danger for the future of the Republic, we call upon its President to observe closely the situation and to be prepared to intervene actively, naturally within the limits of the powers ascribed to his office by the Constitution.

4. The opposition parties

We call upon all the parties of the opposition to put aside their differences and to abandon any jockeying for position, uniting instead their voices in a single request of a single word: RESIGNATION.

5. Civil Society

We invite the many associations and the hundreds of thousands of members of civil society to do the same, pooling their resources and joining hands on a single line of action. We would particularly appeal to Catholic civil society to deplore the hesitations and silences of the Vatican on so important an issue of public ethics.

6. The friends of Italy in the world

We have written this appeal in English as well as Italian in order to reach all those abroad who are friends of Italian democracy. Do not despair of Italy! The country needs your solidarity and help.

Gustavo Zagrebelsky, Paul Ginsborg e Sandra Bonsanti per tutta Libertà e Giustizia

http://www.libertaegiustizia.it/2011/01/20/resignation-firma-lappello-di-leg/?ref=HREA-1

Surreal: A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi

Wiretaps of Berlusconi’s Teenage Friend Emerge

December Re-Cap

2011-01-02T21:27:00.011+01:00

We spent Christmas Eve with Enrico's family at his Mother's house and this year I didn't get many pictures; for some reason Xmas came and went very quietly this year.....

Fortunately, these chipmunks were with us to make Christmas Eve a little more magical!

(Chiara, Carlotta, Gabe & Camilla)

Enrico got me this beautiful painting of the city of Cagliari. It's symbolic because when I was little and would come and spend the summers in Italy, I had one of those colorful cabanas you can see on the beach (called "casotti" p. cas-oh-tee) , a true symbol of the city until they were taken down in 1986. It was very sad for me to come back the summer of '87 and not find them there anymore... lots of good memories running around the beach with my friends, hiding and playing amongst the cabanas.

For New Year's my friend Stefy & I organized a a buffet dinner party at a local cafè called Dulcis

Stefy & I

Enrico & Friends

Friends

I also lost my Mother's 50th B-day party pictures..... I dunno where I put them in my computer... I am so mad at myself.

Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T11:52:00.002+01:00

Better late than never!

2010-12-13T12:14:00.005+01:00

Got started a little late this year on X-mas decorations.... but I think I made up for it!

The finished product

This year my tree top is a butterfly to symbolize freedom, the greatest gift of all.

My growing Christmas Village tradition. This year I added the nutcracker & the sugar plum fairy under the tree.

Fireplace set-up

Cousins & Nieces, aren't they cute??

Sunday Lunch

2010-12-06T13:01:00.005+01:00

Wednesday Dec. 2nd was my mother-in-law's birthday, but since it was in the middle of the week, not all of the family was available to celebrate on the actual day. For her birthday (on wed.) Enrico & I invited her over for dinner to our house, where I for a change, cooked for her! We had a nice evening together.

On Sunday, we all went to restaurant on a farm and ate lunch there. The food was sooo good! Everything was genuine and the pasta was hand-made. I didn't get pictures of the food because I was too busy eating! We had a great afternoon that soon turned into evening at my sister-in-law's house where Carlotta insisted in decorating the Christmas tree all together... so x-mas tree it was!

Marinella & the cake

Carlotta REALLY wanted to use my Canon Rebel... so of course I let her and these are the pictures she took! Not bad uh??

Carlotta & her Mom Cristiana

Simona, Carlotta & Cristiana

This little munchkin (who will be two on the 16th) put on quite a show for us! He was HILARIOUS!

This (freaky) Santa Statue was at the entrance of the restaurant and Carlotta wanted a picture with it... and I would of though she'd have found it creepy. Kids! Go figure!

Sweet, sweet Carlotta.

Can't Wait!

2010-11-30T12:19:00.004+01:00

In Italy it's tradition to start decorating on the 8th of December.... I might not be able to wait!

Yup! Once you pass 30, it's true!!!

2010-11-24T00:57:00.001+01:00

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yup, It's time to give thanks!

2010-11-23T11:25:00.001+01:00

Anyone going to New York Soon?

2010-11-18T11:16:00.005+01:00

Well if you are, (I'm not) I'd like to suggest going to the Museum of the City Of New York to see an AWESOME exhibition:

Notorious and Notable

At MCNY Through January 2, 2011

A newsworthy exhibition of clothes and jewelry worn by New York's most tantalizing and trailblazing women.

Sunday Stroll

2010-11-08T16:16:00.007+01:00

This last beautiful Sunday, we went for a stroll to Masua, and old mining town, to see some friends and have a BBQ lunch!

This is what they see from their home...

Good friends & good times! (Julia with P-Chan the cat)

BBQ Masters! Diego & Matt.

Some of the grub!

Just thought it was beautiful!

Only 12 people live in this tiny old and abandoned mining town and there are few buildings to go with it!

What was once the local snack bar.

One of the lived homes.

Gee-gee-the-dog (it's his full name) is missing a front tooth!

Just gotta love this dog! How can you not!

Time has stopped, or actually, we've gone back in time to the 70's again. Just sitting on the curb watching the guys go down-hill on their long-skate boards....

I was able to put some of my (very little) photography skills to work...

I thought this sign on the snack bar was cute!

Some ruins remaining ...

...

...washed-up stuff on the shore... kinda looks like cupcake sprinkles...

interesting uh?

and my night time shot!

Our Pumpkin!

2010-10-30T15:24:00.005+02:00

My husband is so talented!

He looked for a pumpkin face design on the Internet, and copied it EXACTLY!

Halloween!

2010-10-27T14:20:00.002+02:00

Do I spook you???

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!

2010-10-25T11:19:00.004+02:00

So I've been battling for the last two years with "insecure" jobs or as I like to call it "job hopping". It would be nice to have my own real job, and a real check at the end of the month, but here in Italy things are getting worse every day, even as I speak. We have a Prime Minister that is a crook, passing laws so that he doesn't need to have fair trails for things he's done, a Misses Minister for Public Education that is firing half the public school teachers and combining 20 student classes into 1 class of about 35-36 people, Naples is invaded by trash again, they don't know where to put it, in my city farmers have occupied the regional building, and train workers have occupied the train station because they haven't been paid for months, I could go on and on but I think you can get the picture.....

My job interview responses still are "Oh, you're over 30" or " we're looking for someone between the ages of 24 and 26" or "out of the candidates with the same requisites, we're sorry to inform you that we've chosen the younger candidate". . . makes me feel old even if I really am not. 30 is old because if you're younger they can give you a contract with government facilitations, such as free taxes and benefits that the company doesn't have to pay.

Another problem is being 30 and married: nobody wants to hire a woman who is 30 and married because they're afraid that they'll just get pregnant and go on maternity leave which amounts to almost a year here in Italy, and then you have the right to demand part time work hours when you actually do go back to work. So no one wants to hire women over the age of 30 (and married). Another reason is, is that if you are younger they can make you work more with the excuse "oh everyone has to do over time at the beginning" and they don't pay you for it.

As I was saying, I would like a good job, but at the moment I have to scavenge for what is available. I have organized my working day with private ESL English lessons, where I go to peoples homes or offices for the lesson, making it easier for them not having to take the time to move from one place to another for the lesson itself. Tiring, but it pays. I have also managed to pick up 2 contracts to teach at a school in 2 different projects, one is Sardinia Speaks English, an 80 hour Regional course offered to the citizens to perfection their English and the 2nd is 50 hours as a mother-tongue lecturer to support English teachers and students at High School with correct pronunciation and any extra perks I can give them.

So the saying is true: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!

A Surprise Party!

2010-10-11T13:17:00.008+02:00

I had fun organizing a surprise birthday party this weekend for my friend Maria-Elena. It was hard to keep it a secret from her, but in the end it turned out well! here are a few pix of the evening!

The Location

The buffet....

Maria Elena strongly dislikes Hello-Kitty,

so I thought it would be funny to buy party favors and spike 'em up a little bit!

Getting out of the car.... they brought her with a bag over her head so she couldn't see where they were taking her!!

Waiting for the right moment to walk in...

Surprise look on the birthday girl's face!

Raffaella, Me & Marta the other girl who helped organize.

Birthday Girl and Eleonora

Some of the gals with the DJ!
Serious
Goofy!

Anna, Me and Daniel

At midnight we lit sparklers and sang happy birthday

Yummy cake..

And champagne for all!

....and then we danced the night away!

Indian Summer!

2010-10-08T15:40:00.002+02:00

An Indian summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in autumn, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by a period of sunny, warm weather, after the leaves have turned!

We sure are having one here right now! 82°F and rising!

Do-it-yourself Sushi Night

2010-09-30T12:53:00.008+02:00

For those of you that don't know it, I' am a Japanese food fanatic, especially SUSHI & SASHIMI. Here in my City not may places know how to make it (plus it's expensive), and there are no Japanese restaurants, soooooo I taught myself how to cook Japanese food and make Sushi (courtesy of amazon.com).

Enrico & I thought that it would be fun to have some of his work buddies of to have a do-it-yourself night and bond with them. We all took part in buying ingredients and making it.

Table all ready to start!

Mikki thinks she's Japanese! Shushi 101

Sushi 101!

And this is how we roll!

Yummy Yakitory marinating in teryaki sauce

(Chicken Skewers)

Yakitory 焼き鳥/やきとり/ヤキトリ

Enrico filleting tuna

Table ready!

Say Sushi!
Sashimi and Nigiri creations

Nigirizushi 握り寿司 & Sashimi 刺身

Sushi Rolls

Makizushi 巻寿司

Sashimi 刺身

Nigirizushi 握り寿司

Nigiri

Nigirizushi 握り寿司

We had a fun night!

"Scarpetta"

2010-09-21T14:10:00.006+02:00

A "scarpetta" is when you take your bread and clean your plate from the yummy juice or sauce that's left on it! Etiquette says that it's bad manners to do it at a restaurant buuuuuut, you may do it at home! And when you have guests over, and they ask you if they can do "scarpetta" well, to the cook (me), it's a great honor meaning that what you cooked was sooo good, that they need to get the last bit in! And so scarpetta it was at our house!

They literally put pieces of bread into the pot to soak up the yummy juice from the mussel sauce!

After dinner we played UNO and had a "self inflatable camping mat" contest. The guys were showing off their gear and were all: "oh oh! mine's the best".

(yes they had their gear in the car, "be prepared" right"?)

The judges Mary, Luana, Me and Giulia

The Guys: Bebe, Diego and Enrico.

We were laughing soo hard!

Bebe & Luana brought their new born Carlo along,

so I took advantage to get a few pix!

He is just the calmest and happiest new born!!

Carlotta's FIRST day of School!

2010-09-15T09:59:00.004+02:00

Today my niece Carlotta started 1st grade! I couldn't miss taking her to school and getting some pictures of her!

Here in Italy we start school late, and each Region can choose which day to start between the dates of September 13th and 20th. In the south we start later because of the heat, while in the north they start earlier so that they can have "snow days"

The school sign

Cristiana, Raffaele & Carlotta

Carlotta & I

Throughout elementary school, children are asked to wear these blue uniforms over their clothes or "bibs"as they call them here and depending on what grade they are in, they will receive a different color bow to wear around the collar.

The "bibs" have 2 functions:

1. so that they don't mess up their clothes

2. so that the kids are all the same and no jealousy about clothing can come up.

Gabri tagged along with us too!

Happy 1st day of school Carlotta!

Busy Busy Busy!

2010-09-13T21:12:00.004+02:00

Just been really busy babysitting in the morning, teaching in the afternoons, trying to get the last days of summer soaked in and keeping our social life a float ;-) !!

So blogging has just been put on my "to do" list! ;-)

35 Baby!!!

2010-08-30T17:45:00.006+02:00

So it was Enrico's 35th birthday on Aug. 26th,

and we decided to have a birthday bash at my Mom's house!

She helped us organize everything and decorated the yard oh so well!!!

Penny the dog, Enrico & Francesco

My good friend Alice, Virginié and me!

Diverland!

2010-08-25T21:02:00.005+02:00

The other day in the car while driving back from the beach with the girl I babysit for, (her name's Mapi) she asked me a series of questions in a very "questiony" tone:

Mapi: Christina, have you ever been to the water slides?

Me: Uhm, yes, in California I have.

Mapi: ......... (a few seconds of pause) And have you ever been to the ones HERE??

Me: No hun, why? Have you?

Mapi: (with disappointment in her voice) Nooo, me neither.

Me: But would you like to go!?

Mapi: ......... (a few seconds of pause and shy voice) Uhm, em, yes!

Me: Well then! Ask your mom for permission and we'll go tomorrow!

Mapi: REALLY!!!!??? (in an astonished voice with disbelief)

Me: Yes Really!

Mapi: You would actually take me?? Aaand go on the slides with me??!! (still incredulous)

ME: Sure why not!???

Mapi: Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!

Later on that evening I received a text message from her telling me that she had gotten permission to go.... So Diverland it was!!!

Mapi at the entrance styling with her Ray-bans!

It was reported to me that last night she hardly slept and was up at 7a.m. even if our appointment was at 9:15!!! What a sweet girl she is!

At about 1p.m they shut down the slides for a pause so I went back to the locker and got the camera to snap a few Kodak moments!

She had to get a picture of me!

Showing me her excellent floating skills and hand stand!

We had a great time! and when we returned home, she was treated to go and see Shrek 4! I really think you can't beat her day!!!!

Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

2010-08-23T18:49:00.000+02:00

Love this song by Randy Travis and just thought I'd share.....

My Grandpa farmed for a livin',
Content to live the simpler kind of life.
My Grandma worked in the kitchen,
Awfully proud to be that farmer's wife.
They used to say that they'd got everything that they need,
Each mornin' they wake up:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

Here I am, ring on my finger:
Grandpa's little grandson, all grown up.
I found my rock and I plan to keep her.
I wish they were here to see the two of us.
They'd proud to know we've got everything that we need,
Each mornin' we wake up:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

With the highway twice as wide,
And the farmland sub-divided.
It's good to know that some things never change.
I'm still lovin' an I'm still livin',
By those simple words of wisdom:
Life an' love come down to just four things.

My Grandpa, Lord knows, I miss him,
An' the way that he and Grandma looked at life.
And each day, I count my blessings,
To have that kind of love here by my side.
No matter what, we know we've got everything that we need,
Each mornin' we wake up:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

Yeah, we've got everything that we need,
Between the two of us:
Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

"Feriae Augusti"

2010-08-18T18:32:00.015+02:00

Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15. Originally, it may have related to a celebration of the middle of the summer and the end of the hard labour in the fields. The Catholic Church celebrates this date as a Holy Day of Obligation to commemorate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Before the Roman Catholic Church came into existence, however, this holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the Gods —in particular Diana— and the cycle of fertility and ripening. In fact, the present Italian name of the holiday derives from its original Latin name, Feriae Augusti ("Festivals of the Emperor Augustus"). Almost the entire month of August was taken as a holiday and leisure time in Italy in honor of this feast day.In present days, Ferragosto is mainly a short holiday when Italians take brief vacations. The holiday often coincides with peak activity of the Perseid meteor shower, leaving Italians at a particular advantage to view the astronomical event seen best at pre-dawn hours.

After that explained.....................

Here is what we did to celebrate!

Our good friend Sandra invited us and two other friends up to Cala Gonone in the Gulf of Orosei to spend the weekend with her while her husband is off to Vancouver to visit his Family.

Sandra & Stefano

Map of Cala Gonone and its coast

Sandra & I

Why is it when there's a hat stand you just HAVE to try them on!

Sandra's hat suited her just fine!

Enrico was smmmokin'! ;-)

Then we hopped on a plane and went to Hawaii...oops what??

I meant, we took the car and went to a near by beach!!!

Then we hopped on a boat and explored the coast!

Enrico was our Skipper for the day!!!

Magical caves and coast line....

Summer Job

2010-08-10T18:00:00.005+02:00

Well... I still haven't found a Job "JOB"... so I do what I can to make do.

I feel like I've gone back in time 15 years but hey! If it pays right? Sooooooooooo, I've been asked to baby-sit 2 girls for the rest of August and 1st week of September. The best part of the job is that I go and pick them up every morning at about 9:30 and then we go straight to the beach! One girl's family has a beach cabana at one of our city's oldest and most renound beach clubs "Il Lido".

So I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much now should I??! ;-))

Entrance to "Il Lido" in 1900

Entrance to "Il Lido" today.

Inside the beach club

An aerial veiw of the beach club and salt marshes behind.

Bewitched by the Ashen Light of Venus

2010-08-02T14:39:00.007+02:00

We spent the weekend camping on the beach in San Nicolò on the west coast of Sardinia.

Our Quechua pop-up tents... what an invention they are!

They make camping sooo much easier!

The sunset was AMAZING. It stayed like this until about 9.30 pm, and then we saw Venus. I had never seen Venus shine like it did that night, and was in awe staring at the beautiful light. It kept on getting brighter and brighter as well as lower into the horizon; it started to veer from a diamond sparkle, to deep gold then red to eventually disappear as it had sunken into the water. There was no moon that night, so it truly was shining bright!

Next day beach day!

Poor Enrico came camping nevertheless he cut him self open

surfing on the reef the other day...

Just Relax.....

2010-07-28T14:27:00.003+02:00

Spent a girls weekend just relaxing at this beach...

Dinghy Time!

2010-07-19T16:39:00.012+02:00

Another weekend of sun and fun at the beach, but on a Rubber Dinghy this time!

We navigated along the coast near Villasimius and Cala Sinzias

Our good buddies Ben & Seb came with us, and let me tell you, I laughed from Friday night straight into Saturday with these two!

You really can't relax more than that, can you?

View Larger Map

Our Anniversary Island Get-away

2010-07-12T13:19:00.022+02:00

Archipelago of La Maddalena: Spargi, Santo Stefano, Caprera,

Santa Maria, Razzoli and Budelli

On our way to the archipelago of La Maddalena, we stopped on the road to visit Saccargia Abby, built in 1116.

beautiful passion flower

Then we boarded the ferry to the Island of La Maddalena...

And across we went from one Island to another!

Arrival at our Hotel - La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club

Beautiful furniture in the lobby

Cool design chairs 1

Cool design chairs 2

Our nest for the weekend.

Crystal shower

SPA area

Lounge area with more cool design chairs (I love these! they were velvet!)

A view of the Hotel & Restaurant

The next day we went to visit the last home of Giuseppe Garibald (July 4, 1807 – June 2, 1882) He was an Italian military and political figure. In his twenties, he joined the Carbonari Italian patriot revolutionaries, and fled Italy after a failed insurrection. Garibaldi took part in the War of the Farrapos and the Uruguayan Civil War leading the Italian Legion, and afterward returned to Italy as a commander in the conflicts of the Risorgimento.

He has been dubbed the "Hero of the Two Worlds" in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe.

He is considered an Italian national hero.

photos inside the home were not permitted :-(

only outside on the land.

Christina the guard

To Garibaldi: We give you Italy

Huge tree on Garibaldi's land!

Secret cove!

Enrico and his book Gomorrah

The book describes the clandestine particulars of the business of Camorra, a powerful Neapolitan mafia-like organization. Since 2006, following the publication of the book, the Author has been threatened by several Neapolitan “godfathers”. The Italian Minister of the Interior has granted him a permanent police escort.

The book is worth reading.

We took a boat tour around the archipelago, and look at our captain! :-))

The day was just perfect!

And we had a trusted friend on board, Roccia (Rock) and he was! 100lbs of D-O-G!!!!

The wild sea onion blooming was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L"

The next pictures speak for themselves

yes, this is the true color of the sea

Bear rock

1-Year Anniversary

2010-07-11T09:00:00.003+02:00

And we've made it!

ONE YEAR!!!

Enrico is treating me to a weekend get-away to the Island of "La Maddalena" in Northern Sardinia!

Guess Who Turned SIX!!!!!??

2010-07-09T09:59:00.005+02:00

Our Sweet Niece Carlotta!!

I asked what she wanted, and she said that she wanted those "American Cakes with smarties on them" (of course she ment cup cakes!!) So my mother and I had fun making these beauties! Not bad for my FIRST (yes 1st) time making cup cakes and home-made frosting!!!

Gabry gettin big!!!

I really was proud of myself!!

She even had a wip-cream covered, custard cream filled birthday cake!

♫♪ ♪♫ ♪ Happy Birthday To You ♫♪ ♪♫ ♪

And of course her little brother was terrified of all the singing!
Hilarious how they always cry!!

Me, Camilla (Carlotta's cousin), Carlotta and her ballet teacher's daughter.
We had tons of fun playing Twister and pin the tail on the donkey! I wasn't able to get any pictures of those games since I was having fun playing with all the kids!!

We Love you Carlotta! Happy 6th Birthday!

I ♥ SUMMER!

2010-07-05T15:37:00.004+02:00

Another weekend of sun & fun!

Me & Alice! One of my best Buds!

Mary Ellen!

Our feet in fun summer colors!

Jumping for joy on such a beautiful day!

Luca showing us his stuff!

The beach Club Maklas

Summer colors....

Another weekend of perfection!

Recall Of Three Varieties of "SpaghettiOs" With Meatballs That May Be Underprocessed

2010-06-24T09:23:00.003+02:00

WARNING!!!!

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2010 - Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC, a Paris, Texas, establishment is recalling approximately 15,000,000 pounds of "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs" canned products due to possible under-processing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

For the full article click HERE

Class of 2010

2010-06-22T14:36:00.010+02:00

My younger stud-ly brother Nicholas Rian Jones graduated from High School on June 8th! I can't imagine it! Here is the announcement I just got through the mail today and some of the pictures our Dad took at the ceremony:

SDSU Arena

One Good-looking family if you ask me!

Grandma Ivy, Nick & Nancy

This is such a cute picture of Nancy & Nick!

Nick & Friend Brett

Nick & Kathryn (his cute prom 2010 date)

CONGRATULATIONS BROTHER!

As it says in the invite: "The Best Is About To Begin!"

Wedding Weekend!

2010-06-21T13:16:00.009+02:00

I love weddings! Who doesn't?? Enrico & I went to his friend/colleague's wedding last Saturday. We had so much fun that I even forgot to take pictures!

The reception was at the same resort we had ours at, so it was fun to reminisce right before our 1-year anniversary!

Anna the bride

Anna & Marco (bride and groom) with Claudia

Brice & Claudia, engaged to be married July 2011!!! Whoppieee!!!

Appetizer buffet...

The seating arrangement couldn't have been more on the ball! All the tables had names of beaches, and our table just happened to be Padang Padang, a beach we just came from in Bali!

Us!

I had to get a picture of the back of this AMAZING evening gown my Mom bought me in Indonesia!

And we danced until 4 am! Just gotta love Big Italian Weddings! ;-)

HELP ME!

2010-06-20T18:21:00.001+02:00

What is happening to my blog??? I can't get the lay out the way I want it! In my dashboard it shows the two columns, but then if I look at it on line it's all in one vertical row!

HELP ME!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T17:44:00.003+02:00

The way things are!