Martini Musings

Milestones during Shutdown! As most of you know, I’ve been in Pittsburgh for a long time!   I went home for 3 days to re-group…and by re-group I mean, pack up additional leggings and pajamas for what Katie and Anthony were calling the “long haul.”   I had no contact with anyone during these 3 days and I packed up for the “long haul.”   I returned to Pittsburgh and have been here since.   I started my stay here on March 17.   All in all, it’s been good.   We have found ways to make it work (without disrupting everyting!)…giving each other space as often as we can and more when someone needs it.   These two kids are so good to me.   I couldn’t be more grateful…I just didn’t want to shelter in my apartment all alone.   I also had no idea I would still be here as we approached May! During this time, I have been able to watch Gabriel thrive!   I was here when he celebrated his 7 months in our family!    We’ve been wa...

Totally Random… With this pandemic, stay-at-home requirements, as you know, I’ve been staying at home…in Pittsburgh! I work every day on my Mt Notre Dame work, but I have been working on projects too.   One of them has been digitalizing photos.   Katie is helping me to get these random pictures on the computer so I can get rid of the hard copy photos.   This is tough! I have many pictures in photo albums at home, and I always like that because there is some order,and I like being able to pull out an album and reminisce.  Many years ago, when phones became cameras, the printing out process was cut way back.   I was not a fan, so I almost always printed out bunches of pictures.   To this day, I still have a pet peeve of asking someone to see pictures of a new baby or a wedding, and the person having to scroll through tons of pictures to find that one picture.   Although I love to show off my baby Gabriel, I hate having to scroll…I’m...

As The World Turns… And so, we continue with our pandemic orders…staying at home to the best of our ability, wearing masks when we go out, working from our various “offices” at the dining room table, at our desks, or on the couch, and trying to stay positive and hopeful. How’s that working for you???   In Pittsburgh, I’m “working from home,” normally on the couch or at the desk in my bedroom. Today, I referred to it as "my desk."    My work day is not solid, as it has breaks for Gabriel time, which might involve a bouncy seat or a new baby food.   My work day is also an equal part of distractions like weather updates and Zoom calls. But perhaps one of the most amusing things each day is our plan for our next meal!   All of these things make for an okay day.   I must say that staying motivated is tough.   That’s why the distractions are good. Easter this year was different.   I’ve spent many Easters with Katie & Anthony, but thi...

Hair Coloring 101 I don’t consider myself a vain person at all.  Most of you who know me would not call me a fashion icon or a style trendsetter.  However, I do like to keep my hair cut and managed and Lord knows I am not ready to go “all gray” yet.  *SPOILER ALERT:  I color my hair!!!* A few years ago, I had said, “After Katie gets married, I may let my hair grow out…stop the coloring.”   Well, Katie & Anthony have been married almost eight years and I am still coloring my hair, every four weeks. When I say, “I am still coloring my hair” I am referring to my longtime hair stylist, Nancie.   This girl was my first stylist in Cincinnati…over 30 years ago.   I’ll never forget going to her the first time when she asked, “Do you color your own hair?”   I didn’t exactly lie, but clearly, it was not a professional job.   In fact, it was hair color by Greg Houser.   We would setup newspapers on the living room floor, turn on D...

Quarantine Quips I ’m now into my Pittsburgh visit – two weeks yesterday!   We’re all alive and surviving!   Thankfully!   I’m not sure what comes next, but there have definitely been some bright spots, some laughs and some entertainment while I’ve been here.   I'm trying to keep it positive this week...had teletherapy this morning and that got my day started off right!! 1.       Waking up with Gabriel every morning …his smile, his recognizing me, and Katie singing his wake-up song, "Good Morning, Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain.   I’ve tried hard to adhere to their parenting style…but every now and then, I do get him while he is fussing…when normally they would let him go a bit!   So…maybe Gabriel is looking at me like someone who can easily spoil him!   I sure hope so! 2.       Dinners by Anthony!   Each night, Anthony has been our chef!   He loves to cook and he’s damn...