Carlo's Bakery

Today I went to Hoboken, NJ (an hour away) to get a cake at Carlo's Bakery. Carlo's Bakery is on TLC's show "Cake Boss". I wasn't expecting to see the Statue of Liberty on the drive!

This is Carlo's Bakery. It took a while to find a parking spot!

This is Mary, I was expecting her to be mean!

I asked her if people taking her picture annoyed her. 

She said, "No, what annoys me are my sisters!" 

Then, she smiled for a picture.

I told her if I worked there I would cry.
She informed me that it is VERY hard working there.
This is what her bio on TLC says:
Mary Sciarrone is the middle child of all the Valastro siblings and works at the bakery on the retail side dealing with customers. This at times seems like an odd job for her because she is by far the most confrontational, outspoken and blunt member of the family.

This is another sister, Maddalena.

 Maddalena 'Madeline' Castano is the second oldest Valastro sister and she's incredibly loyal and hard working. She's married to Buddy's right-hand ma, Mauro and works at the front counter with the rest of the girls.

This is Mauro. He smiled for the picture... I just took it too soon! I said, "I know it's cold but smile!"

This is the most expensive cake I've ever bought, and will ever buy, in my life! I doubt my wedding cake will be this much per person! How much was it? $44.95! It's an 8" cake! It better be amazingly delicious!

This is the picture from TLC. Mary said where Buddy was but I couldn't hear/understand her.

I was really surprised how nice everyone was! I talked to all of the main people that I saw... I was actually outgoing today! ;)

Steelers game in Ohio

I decided to make a trip to Ohio to go to the Steelers vs. Browns game in Cleveland on December 10th. My mother is also in Ohio so I thought it was a great opportunity to visit her and go to a Thursday game!

On the way there, it was really windy and started snowing in Ashtabula County. 

Thursday, I went and got a gym membership and went shopping with my cousins and mother. Then, Daniel and I headed to Cleveland. We went tailgating before the game. It was FREEZING! Not even kidding, -14˚ with the windshield! Yes, -14˚ and I was outside for 8 hours! I really thought my toes might just fall off. I was bundled up but there's nothing you can do when it's THAT cold! I really enjoyed spending time with Derrick and Daniel! It was also a great time at the game, even though the Steelers lost. I can't say I was expecting them to win... I have no clue what their issue is!

It might have been really cold in Cleveland but it wasn't snowing! Of course, on the way home, it was snowing in Ashtabula! Oh how I love the snow belt! It was snowing so bad that we were following each other in one line going about 40 mph. Then, when we got off the highway, it was even worse! I could not see where the road was, wasn't sure if I would get up the hills and overall it was terrible! 

Yeah, we got about a foot over night. School was cancelled and life doesn't stop because of snow. My aunts and cousins are teachers, so we had the day to shop! We went to Mentor. This semi wrecked because he just got into Ashtabula County

and it changes from NO snow to quite a bit of snow! This is Mentor... about 15 minutes away from where the semi was... It's not snowing, that's just from the window.

Anyways, I tried on a bridesmaid dress and this is the winner...

I got to meet my new cousins!! Shaelyn and Cayden! This is Liyah and Shaelyn (cousins).  

This is Liyah and Cayden (siblings).

Then, the drive home was terrible! It was an extra hour and a half (8.5 hours). An ice storm made the hills slippery, to say the least! I was glad to be home!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

I'm really excited to do this! I made a list of 101 goals that I want to accomplish within 1001 days! I was debating on starting it Jan 1, 2010 or now. I'm going to start it now because why wait? This will take me out of my comfort zone and be a challenge. 
Start - December 9, 2009
End- September 5, 2012
It seems like a long time but we'll see if I accomplish them all!
Click HERE to check it out!

100 Things That Make Me Happy

So, I stole this idea from my friend. Here we go...

1. Taking a great photo

2. Having a good hair day

3. Church

4. Back Scratches

5. Swimming

6. Winning

7. Friends/family

8. New Shoes

9. Softball

10. Tennis

11. Steelers

12. Laying on cool sheets in the morning and not having to get up

13. Singing my lungs on with the windows down and sunroof open

14. Finding a good deal

15. Getting mail from friends/family

16. Looking at old photos

17. Good news

18. Good morals/values in teenagers/children

19. Laughter

20. Being sucked into a book

21. Head rubs/scratches

22. Finding unique jewelry

23. Learning

24. Exercising

25. Surprises

26. Children saying the darnedest things

27. Conversations that flow

28. Watching the sun rise/set

29. Lightening bugs

30. White water rafting/canoeing

31. Ice cold water

32. Pedicures

33. Cleanliness

34. Missionaries

35. Amusement parks

36. Seeing a new area

37. Cuddling

38. Putt Putt

39. Communicating without talking

40. Shaved ice

41. Animals

42. Memories

43. Good ideas

44. Getting to a bathroom after having to hold it

45. Funny people

46. Kids dancing

47. Being at sporting events

48. The joy in others

49. Good movies

50. Boat rides/tubbing

51. Getting a raise

52. The sun

53. Finding money in a pants pocket

54. Losing weight
55. Reaching my goals
56. Improving on running
57. Perfect weather
58. Having a random conversation with a stranger
59. Sitting on the porch while it rains
60. Inside jokes
61. Hearing a good song
62. Reminiscing
63. Christmas/Holidays
64. Visiting family
65. Randomly seeing missionaries
66. Amusement parks
67. Doing something spontaneous
68. Seeing a couple in love
69. Helping someone
70. Sweatshirts
71. Funny pictures
72. Hearing from someone I haven't talked to in a while
73. The temple
74. Finishing a book
75. Christmas lights
76. Amazing mothers/woman
77. Surprises
78. New shoes
79. Giving the perfect gift
80. Seeing a performance
81. Swimming
82. Dressing up for Halloween
83. Playing Nintendo
84. Thinking of/Finding a great idea/recipe/craft
85. Baking
86. Themed parties
87. Random text messages
88. Ice cream cones
89. Funny quotes
90. Great ideas I come up with... even if I never do them!
91. Puppies
92. When I laugh at myself
93. When I'm finished cleaning
94. Skiing
95. Hot chocolate on a winter day
96. Drinking out of a thermos
97. Movies/Shows from my childhood
98. Slippers
99. Crawling into bed
100. Vacation

Thanksgiving 2009

I went to visit my sister and brother-in-law for Thanksgiving. They live in Burbank, CA. On the plane to LA, I enjoyed the lady I sat next to! Her husband and daughter (just turned 3) were in front of us and her son (1) was beside her. They were perfect!

When I got to LA, Kris and Mikiel picked me up. We drove through Hollywood to get home. I saw the HOLLYWOOD sign and some other landmarks. We stopped by the grocery store so I could stick to my diet. I was VERY scared about gaining weight this week! I actually ended up losing weight!

That night, we went to The Avalon for a concert. It was a benefit concert, check out the Pablove Foundation. I was so tired! I got up at 1:30 am (their time) and the concert ended around 10:30 pm!
The next day, I went to the singles ward in Glendale. I miss the singles ward! They have 260 YSA in the ward... I have about 15! On my way home, I got a flat tire. I was thankful it didn't happen on the highway. I was sitting at a light on the overpass and when I went to turn, I realized the tire was flat. I pulled into McDonalds and called my sister and then AAA. I will always be a member of AAA! Kris and Mike were there in a couple of minutes, their place is only a mile away. I told AAA, I think the donut is flat... Mikiel and Kris thought otherwise. Mike changed the tire but I was right. We waited, not even 30 minutes, for AAA to put air in the tire.

Monday, we had another concert. This one was at, I think, El Rey Theatre. Mike owns LA Music Blog and my sister writes/edits for it. You should check out the website! Anyways, the band was electronica and not something any of us would usually listen to. The first band, which we did not go to see, was terrible! 
Wednesday, we went to The Jay Leno Show. On Monday, I sent a email trying to get tickets. Just a couple hours later, I got a confirmation! I really wasn't expecting to get tickets! We sat in the second row and got to go up to high five Jay. I actually got a high five! My hand was sandwiched between his and the tall guy behind me. Jay handed out the leftover In and Out burgers. He passed the tray along to my section and when I got it, there were about 5 burgers left. In the matter of seconds, I had hands flying at me in all directions! I ducked and raised the tray! I'm pretty sure, because of that I got a soft baseball that says TheJayLenoShow.
Thursday was Thanksgiving!! :) Thanksgiving is my sisters favorite holiday and I think she convinced me, so it's mine too! Her co-workers decided to have Thanksgiving at the studio. We made a ton of food! Wednesday night, we made banana bread and started 2 broccoli casseroles (I will add this recipe to my other blog). Thursday morning, we made a ham, 4 lbs of mashed potatoes, 3 things of stuffing, 2 things of scalloped potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, apple cobbler and 2 types of gravy. We also cooked the mini wrapped beef and chicken appetizers that the men wanted.... We only had 1 oven and everything was still pretty toasty when we got to the studio! Kristin didn't realize how much stuff the other people would also bring! There was a TON of food! Did I mention 3 turkeys?!

I really enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with my sisters co-workers.
Friday, I had to fly back to NJ... hopefully the next time I go to CA I will be moving there!
On the way home, I looked out my window and the pilot was talking to a mechanic. Never good, right?! They had to change a tire! I'm glad they noticed before we took off!

I did have the row to myself!

Flat Stanley

At the book fair, Joshua got the book "Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures". You can check out the Flat Stanley Project at: www.flatstanleyproject.com. In the original book by Jeff Brown, Stanley Lambchop is squashed flat by a falling bulletin board. One of the advantages to being flat is that his parents can put him in a large envelope and mail him for a visit to his friends in California.

I think this is so fun! In 4th grade, Mr. Susich had us mail letters to two 4th grade classes in other states. I sent mine to Little Rock, Arkansas and Ashtabula, Ohio. (In High School, I went to school with kids who sent me letters!) I really liked that project and Flat Stanley is even better! 

So, Joshua wanted to send Stanley to visit my mother in, as Josh would say, the "Neverlands". Before leaving, Stanley wanted to play with Chance! He has made it to the Netherlands and you can follow his adventures at Stanley's blog.

When Josh and his siblings came home from school, they read the blog post. They were all excited and Ethan asked if he could send one to my sister. I told him I would ask her. So, I sent a text to my sister, Kristin, and her husband, Mikiel. I figured, Mikiel would spend a lot more time with Stanley and I had a better chance of getting a yes from him! They agreed to let Stanley visit!

This morning, Ethan and I prepared Stanley for his trip to California.

Unfortunately, Ethan left him laying on the couch and Chance wanted to play!

So, we prepared a new Stanley to visit Kristin and Mikiel. He's a lot more adventurous!

You can also follow Ethan's Stanley at his blog.

If you, or your kids, would enjoy Stanley, let me know! :) It may be a while until he makes it to your house... but he LOVES adventures and wants to visit!

Contacts

Today, I went to get contacts. Once upon a time, I owned contacts but did not have luck with getting them in and out. It's kind of necessary to be able to get them out! I would just rub my eyes until they eventually fell out! Yeah, not good!

So, I decided that it's been long enough and I will try again! Practice makes perfect, right?! When I got there, the Dr wasn't even there yet! Then, 6 minutes into it he asked how often I wear my glasses. Ok, I wear there 95% more in NJ than I ever have! I hit a log while driving... it was dark out! I thought it might be a good idea to start wearing them while driving! I had no idea he would be able to tell that I don't wear them! He said something about not making my eyes make an effort to see far... I don't know. Then, he told me I need to just chill! WHAT?!? Yes, I may have a small issue of always wanting to be right. Thats not good when you can't tell what the right letter/number is! Then, he asked me to make "OK" signs with my hands and put the circles together and look through it at the wall. One hole, two eyes, the equation just doesn't come out for me! So, I asked, "Where should I put the circle?" Now, I'm thinking too much. He asked if I was an engineer of some sort. Nope, just a nanny! At one point, he compared me to his 16 year old son! I'm not sure how it related to anything but his son doesn't study all year and come finals he freaks out.... Ok.  Now its time for the hard part, putting them in! He put them in for me. It was a little rough. We tested them and had to lower the left eye's prescription. Now, it's my turn to take them out! Not so easy but not as hard as putting them in! After a few minutes of trying to put the left one in, he said, "You're supposed to do this twice." He was done after the first time!

I got them out with no problem tonight... We'll see how putting them in tomorrow goes! Fingers crossed for me!
Update- Putting them in was still hard! The left eye took 5-10 minutes! Yes, closer to 10 minutes..... The right eye took 3!

JUNK, JUNK and more JUNK!

I should be at the gym....

Because I am on a healthy habit challenge, I often tell people, we have any junk food you could possibly want! I don't think they believe me. Today, I was cleaning out the candy cupboard to make room for the Halloween candy and decided to let everyone SEE how much junk there actually is in this house! I should've taken a picture of the freezers! (I cleaned out the kitchen freezer today.) There are 9 different types of ice cream! Yes, 9! 10 boxes of popsicles. I also threw out several boxes of old popsicles. There are 2 types of Italian Ice. 2 tubs of Cool Whip. I would include their dinner items in the junk category also! Boxes of pancakes, mini pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, cinnamon french toast sticks, muffin tops, egos... I could keep going but you get the point! Don't forget about the baking cupboard, mini candy bars on the shelf in the garage and the huge candy bowl that I didn't take pictures of!

As you can see, there are a lot of sweets! There are bags and boxes of candy on the shelves that you can't tell what they are. Then, the counter is filled with any candy you could really want...

This is the "bread" basket that consists of 3 large bags of chips, brownies, banana bread, maple syrup bagel holes, bagels, donut holes, mallomars, stuff that I can't see or think of but is JUNK! I also made M&M cookies this morning that are now added to this basket and the freezer. (I made them to use the kid's Halloween candy and knew that I could freeze them for later.)

This is the pantry closet that has all of the crackers, syrups, pudding, jello, popcorn, nuts, a HUGE bag of Dum Dums, marshmallows...

Here is the other "pantry" that has so much stuff you can't even see it all! Pick a cereal... I'm sure it's there! Some things you can see and can not see are peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, big bags of chips, little bags of chips, pretzels, muffins, brownies, cupcakes, coffee cakes, zebra cakes, mini oreos, regular oreos, oreo sticks, dunkaroos, cheese its, gold fish, donuts, nutter butters (I love these!), a couple types of granola bars, rice krispie treats, pop tarts, pudding, different types of cookies. Again, I could continue but you get the point!

You may ask yourself, is there anything nutritious? Yes, but definitely more junk!

Did I mention that I was doing a healthy habit challenge and can't eat any of this?! I'm glad I haven't had any major cravings! :) I guess it's all will power!

P.S. The kids do not eat this all the time! They get 2 snacks for school and a snack after Shabbat (Friday night).

Week 5

Week 5, WEek 5, WeeK 5, WeEk 5!
Day 29- This week is starting off rough! I did not want to do cardio... I only did 30 minutes after weights. What's up with that?!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 30- Ummmm, why do I not want to do cardio?! I skipped it all together today... weights were enough. I did make myself laugh as I stretched watching t.v. tonight. 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 31- It would be better if I actually filled these out the same day... what did I do today? Good question.

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 32- I made banana bread today and it smells delicious! Am I trying to make myself miserable? No... Gabrielle asked for some and I've been in a baking mood! I guess it was good since Ellen ate a loaf (the tiny ones) by herself. I came home from guitar with the kids and she said, "You only make 3 right?!" 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 33- At 7:00 this morning, I made banana bread. I bought really ripe bananas and was going to make 2 batches yesterday but wanted only tiny loaves... so I had to make it 2 times since there are only 5 small pans. I gave a loaf to the cleaning lady... I really like the one here today... she's Polish, old and cute! She told me she likes my shoesies! (I really like my slippers too!) Ethan wants pumpkin bread... it will have to wait until next week. I really should've been a baker. 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 34- I went to Boston and got in around 12 but the girl I was staying with told us she was at a party. We didn't get to her house until after 1 and I had to get up at 5:30 to get ready for the YSA Conference about member missionaries with Elder Ballard. I wouldn't be as sad if it was in my control... and if I did it to myself, like sticking a brownie in my mouth! Even thinking about it really upsets me! I guess I can look at it positively, I got to hear Elder Ballard speak,  meet YSA and come up with an idea to help member missionary work! But I still lost a point and can't get it back. :(

X - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 35- Still sad about the lost point. 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Week Total- 27 :(

Total- 139

Week 4

Day 22- Starting off the week great! I went to the library to get Dracula and ended up bringing home 2 Sweatin' to the Oldies videos! Josh and I did one of the videos tonight. (This was on top of my normal workout.) He was nervous at first but by the 4th song he was in front of me going to town! 

✓- 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 23- I bought a new seat for my bike! It was a beautiful day, I went to the gym, took a walk and went on a bike ride! I was hungry today but did not stray! 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 24- I didn't want to continue this Weekly blog post the first week in! I am only doing it because I started and should probably finish... Maybe one day, I'll look back and think it was a good idea.

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 25- I made brownies with peanut butter icing on top... they smelled so good! Maybe I'll make them again in a few months! :)

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 26- Busy day but a good one!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 27- This was a rough day! I had to watch the kids all day and over night! I didn't want to eat bad I was just really hungry!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 28- Stake Conference was today! We had a YSA pot luck afterwards and I waited to go home and eat. 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Week Total- 28
Total - 112

You Name It!

I started another blog The Perfect Reminder. It's to remind me, or give a good idea, of all the crafts, desserts, photos, decoration ideas and whatever else ends up there! I just have to remember to go back and review what I found at one point and time worthy of being posted! :)

Inspiration

My friend posted a link to Stephanie Nielson's blog a long time ago... she is an amazing woman! I do not know her, I'm not even sure if my friends knows her. She is such a positive person, definitely something I need to work on! 

Gospel Sharing Blog

Today, I was reading the Ensign while I was on the elliptical. I make use of my time! There was an article about sharing the gospel through blogs.... I'm pretty sure, the only non-member that reads my blog is my mother. I should explain things since she has no idea what certain things are... like the Ensign! :) Mom, it's a church magazine. :) Anyways, I really enjoyed the article. It gave a few tips on how to make it interesting and informative... KEEP IT SHORT! We all know I have a problem with that! It also said, put links to other blogs if you like what they shared. I really liked this because I should've been doing it all along! If you didn't know, I love reading blogs! I find myself reading blogs of people I don't even know! I really enjoy learning about people and what better way than through their blog?! Anyways, I'm keeping it short! I enjoyed the article and you should READ IT!

Week 3

Day 15- I should've had a count down instead of writing each day. I'm really bad updating this daily. I am happy that I haven't faltered! 

✓- 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 16- Good day, good day! 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 17- I had a dream that I lost points because I ate Munchies! I really dislike these nightmares!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 18- I was not in the mood to exercise today. I did my core and some legs... over the 35 minutes but not my usual... I did no cardio! It was a long stressful day!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 19- My week was busy! I was able to workout and then when I got home I had to take Carol home. As long as I get my workout in early I am happy!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 20- This was a nice Saturday! I love running on Wed. and Sat. I would like to doing it more days but I'm scared I'll hurt myself again... I just have to wait... until then, elliptical! 

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Day 21- I left an activity early so I could get home in time to get 7 hours of sleep! Hit the bed at 11:08 and set the alarm for 6:08! If I start showing up places looking like I just got out of bed... I probably did!

✓ - 7 Hours of Sleep

✓ - 35 Minutes of Exercising

✓ - No Junk Food!

✓ - Personal Goal

Week Total- 28
Total- 84