Madelines Memory

A Little Bit About.....

My photo
Madeline was my grandmother on my mother's side. She was an amazing little Irish woman. How blessed we were to have her. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her. I am the wife of my bestfriend, the mother of four amazing kids ages 25, 22, 17 and 4. I am a grandma to 2 beautiful little boys and the mom-in-law to a terrific man. I come from a big wonderful family. My parents are my idols. My dad was always the silent one and my mom was the "tough" one. I have so much admiration for them and love being their daughter. I have 4 sisters and one brother, but I only have 3 surviving sisters now. My sister Michele passed away suddenly in 1989. I married into an amazing Italian family. I believe in God and Angels, and Ghosts. Not bad ones, but ones that just can't decide if they should stay or go. I believe that if you want something bad enough, you just need to believe and it will be yours. I believe that everyone means something to someone and this life without you would be miserable.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Springtime....






I do love the Spring....driving to work this morning (without my camera available of course) I spotted the sheep that farmers hire to mow down the fields. Amongst the adult sheep were some oh so sweet babies-content following their mamas, running and playing...just enjoying the sunshine.
I love to sit outside and hear the birds sing...we actually have a nest in our attic that I have threatened my husband with his life if he tries to board up the opening before the babies have taken flight.
I love to watch my son play outside in the warm sunshine and see all of the things that he is seeing for the "first time" (since he was too young last year to understand). He picks flowers and watches butterflies and hummingbirds with such sweet eyes and his little voice mumbling curiousities.."Aahh!" "Huh?" "Mama! uuhh"
I took my son and grandson on a walk last weekend around the neighborhood-they were amazed at the flowers and grasses growing in the fields..The smiles they had were enough to melt your heart.
Spring is such a beautiful new beginning...it is a beautiful time to give ourselves a new beginning too.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

A little "PINK" on my own....






Try as I might, I can never seem to get it right registering for Pink Saturday....
I hope you all don't mind, but I posted some of my PINKS anyway.
Enjoy

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

He's HOME!!!




Welcome Home Frankie....We all love you so much.
This is a very special day for our family. Our Hero is home on leave for 2 weeks (from Iraq) It is a time to relax and enjoy family and friends. Also a time to count our many blessings and thank those who have made those blessings possible.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I went Treasure Hunting and here's what I found....


























I found the dishes at a Thrift store this morning $2.00 for the larger plates and $.50 for the small ones. Kinda pricey for the larger ones, but I really love the pattern.
The other things I got at Ross. I have been searching for a crown for months and waalaa, there was ONE at Ross. I got it for $4.99. The "WISH" was also $4.99. The lantern was a little more....$18.99, but compared to Pottery Barn...it was a steal!!
I also got my daughter a little dress form to hold her jewelry and a ceramic fish birdhouse. Each less than $5. I consider that a pretty good treasure hunt for this weekend!! (I also bought 2 dresses, but I decided not to post them).
Enjoy, Dana

Friday, March 19, 2010

I have been awarded the Kreative Blogger Award by Marcia at Vintage Frenchhen




Thank you Marcia, sorry it took so long for me to post this.....

7 things you may not know about me...I love to watch police chases on the news, I have tried for 22 years to speak Italian and CAN'T, I stalked my husband after we met--until he finally asked me out, I am terrified of heights, I once hid my shopping bag in the dryer until my husband left so he wouldn't see it, I dance around the house to Gio's music (even when he isn't around) and I LOVE Starbuck's Passion tea lemonade!!!!

I now have to choose 7 blogs?? Hmmm, only 7 huh? OK

1. Liz @ ...but then I had kids- I love, love, love her honesty about parenting and just living life

2. Jamie @ Him, Me and Our Three- I enjoy reading about what is going on in her life and what she may be shopping for or decorating with today

3. Tarnished and Tattered- Love all of the vintage items

4. Frenchy @ Le Chateau Des Fleurs- Her home is so completely amazing, her family is beautiful and I love peeking into her life

5. Karyn @ French Charming- Has the most adorable photos on her blog...I just adore them

6. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage- Lisa has great craft ideas and I appreciate that she shares the instructions on how to do them....

7. Tales from an OC Cottage- She always has such beautiful things to see on her posts.

My two sweet boys eating "Gogurts"


My grandson, Aidin William









My sweet little man, Giovani Napoli

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy 65th Mom and Dad



Today we celebrate our parent's 65th wedding anniversary!! I can only dream of having the kind of marriage they have and to parent they way the did.
I know I always say how I come from such a loving family....well, I truely do. My parents are the most amazing people in the world and taught us FAMILY!! I hope my children carry on the understanding of the word as we have.
We love you Mom and Dad. Have a fabulous Anniversary

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Feelin' Lucky??

I hope everyone has a chance to check out all of the Green being celebrated this week...I feel very special this time of year because my great grandfather came here from Ireland long, long ago. Although I am somewhat of a "Mutt" I am most proud of my Irish heritage. (I so wish I had the accent).
While many of us are always looking for that ever elusive Four leaf clover, or little Leprecaun I am feeling very lucky to be living in a Free country, have a big loving family, great friends, an awesome husband, amazing children and grandson, a job that I can escape to 3 days a week, a beautiful home, food on the table....on and on and on.
We ALL must remember to count our blessings and consider ourselves VERY LUCKY to be living the lives we live and enjoy!!
Luck O the Irish to you all, Dana

Some of my favorite "Greens"

My beautiful family....
Our Hero...my nephew Frankie



Sunday, March 14, 2010

March 16, 2010


Jamie at Him, Me and Our Three is having A Celebration Of Green on Tuesday March 16. Come join in with me and have some fun celebrating a Wee bit of Luck O the Irish. She is giving away a prize and just in case I am not the winner, You may very well be.
Let's have some fun Celebrating....

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Future Pro Skateboarder?























These are my two sweet boys...Giovani ADORES his big brother, Vinnie.
My children are my world. My boys and girls (pictures of them will be next) are amazing, talented, smart, etc, etc. I cannot imagine life without them.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Here Comes Spring...

Here are some cute little things from Pottery Barn.

I do love these little bunnies

Friday, March 5, 2010

From my sweet husband.....


My sweet husband had these waiting for me when I got home from work this week.....

Doctor today

Happy Friday my friends. This morning I am off to the doctor to have a physical.....just want to make sure that I am a healthy mama for my family. Hopefully I don't have to give up too much of my blood for bloodwork. I will let you know how it turns out.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Good Morning

Good Morning dear friends...
Another rainy day in Sounthern California! I know we need it, but i do miss the sunshine and warmth.
Today is my Friday and I am soooo glad. Yesterday was quite stressful (for me anyway). I thought I killed my cellphone on the way to work. I think I kind of got it wet and it stopped working. Now you see, I do not get the insurance on my phones because I hate paying the extra for it. I have only had my new phone since July on a two year contract....so you see my dismay. Luckily though, when I got home last night I decided to try charging the battery and TAADAA it worked.....AAhhh, I love my phone. I will NEVER be mean to it again!!
Then my computer at work was sick...everytime I tried to do something on it, it would freeze and I would have to reboot it. After 3 calls to our computer tech company, someone came over the modem and fixed it (I hope) at 4:30PM!! When I told him how many times I rebooted it, He said "that is not good to do" WEllll, what else was I to do when they weren't calling me to help me fix it!!! Oh well.
Today, even through the rain, will be much better I know.
Life is good and my life is especially great!
Love you all, Enjoy