Martini Musings

  Emotions…Mine Are All Over The Place…   *Warning:   This post will go topsy turvy. If you can’t handle it, I understand. Maybe you’re feeling the same!   This week started off with a holiday! Nothing like a long weekend to bring joy to a working girl! After that, it seemed that everything just tanked! My grandson, Adrian, had his first fever! No big deal for experienced parents, but for a five-month-old baby, it was not pleasant. It was an ear infection, (easily treated) but of course, he and Gabriel had to have Covid tests. Gabriel was cleared to go to daycare for his three days. Adrian was Covid free, but because of his fever, he’s home with Momma. Naturally, this CeCe was worried, but feeling much better after some medication (for Adrian!) worked its magic! Over the weekend, I received word that one of our classmates had died. He was sick for a very short time, and now, he’s gone. Then, just 3 days later, another classmate died very unexpectedly. I a...

  My Playlist, My Life… A few years ago, like shortly after my separation, I finally started using my smart phone to get music. I downloaded a couple of songs that I liked, although they weren’t the best for me mentally. I then decided to download more songs and soon I had 20 songs on my first “fun songs” (my title) playlist. I would always have it cued up in my car so whenever I got in, my “fun songs” would come on. I found myself singing happily most days, as I drove to and from work or ran my various errands. For once, I could really sing along. I knew the words. I was never good at memorizing lyrics, mainly because I didn’t really know what some of them were. These songs, I listened to regularly, over and over and I sang them all the time! Recently, I’ve found myself listening to NPR or a podcast in the mornings, or sometimes, making a quick phone call, so my playlist has been inactive. Then last Monday, I got into the car and “She’s a Bad Mamma Jamma” came on and I jus...

  WHO DEY BABY!!!   It’s just four days until the Super Bowl and normally, it would be just a fun get together to look forward to. This Super Bowl is different and I’m ready to ROAR!!! In case you have been living under a rock, you surely know that the Cincinnati Bengals are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in more than three decades!! Cincinnati, my former hometown, is on fire! There are buildings aglow in orange. There are fun videos and commercials with the team. There was a huge pep rally on Monday that was sold out (although tickets were free!) in 20 minutes. I had a weekend visit during the snowmegeddon with my daughter and her family. They live in Pittsburgh and although Katie isn’t a big football person, (but she was excited when the Steelers went to the Super Bowl!) even she is excited for the Bengals. “I never thought I’d see the Bengals going to the Super Bowl in my lifetime,” she said! She’s 34 years old, so she is excited to see this happening...

  I’m outta here…   Some of you know that I had a trip to Pittsburgh planned for this weekend. I had friends headed that way who were going to let me ride along. Well, I’m headed there as soon as I post this note! I’m leaving a day early, on my own, as the weather has a nasty plan for the next couple of days and it seems that today is the best day to get out of town. I'm sorry to leave my friends behind because they had been so kind as to include me. I need a fix…CeCe is missing her boys and Momma is missing her daughter! Of course, I’m missing Anthony too. He has plenty of lemons for my lemondrops so I need to get up there! So, in order to beat the storm from Hell, I’m getting on the road early today. It will be rainy but above freezing so I will take it easy. My family is not thrilled with my departure, but they respect that I am 64 years old and smart enough to know when I need to stop.  I am prepared with a blanket, hat and gloves. I'll keep my phone charged u...

  Just Pretending…   With two young grandsons, I’m getting into the “let’s pretend” stage with Gabriel (almost two and a half). It’s fun! Putting a box on my head, sticking my arms out and saying, “I AM A ROBOT” as I walk stiffly around the room. He giggles and then he does the same thing…It’s fun and so innocent! Halloween was fun as Gabriel “pretended” to be a pilot! He wasn’t into the Hamilton costume just yet, but I’m sure he’ll warm up to it!! Gabriel wasn’t quite as involved in the Santa is coming thing, but I feel certain that next year, he’ll be all in.   It is so fun to pretend to be asleep, then surprise him with “I’m awake!!” It’s fun to pretend to be the various zoo animals, fun to have tea parties, and fun to sleep in the tent made with cushions. Pretending is fun! However, the past two years, pretending hasn’t been as much fun. I’ve always been able to “pull it off” trying to be the “ray of sunshine” some have come to expect from me. FULL DISCLOSU...

  Shout out to the Cincinnati Bengals!!! Okay, for the 100 th time, you all know that I am not a huge sports nut, but I do enjoy certain teams and I really enjoy the games that are towards the end of the season when they are headed to playoff games or tournaments. That being said, I have spent the past weekend and Monday night, watching football games! WHAT IN THE WORLD???? Who am I? You can’t help but be excited about the Cincinnati Bengals…31 years since they have won a playoff game so it is about time. The young coach and the new quarterback have brought some great energy to the team and as a result, to the city that I used to call home. My friends on Facebook were enjoying every minute of being a crazy fan of a team who is on a winning path! Now, I know the Super Bowl would be amazing, but getting this far feels like the Super Bowl is within reach. I love when a city is “lit up” with excitement like I know Cincinnati is right now. It’s been a long time coming but it’s ...

  Maintenance for the #grownasswoman New year, new plans for self-care and making sure I get better about daily care routines. * FULL DISCLOSURE! Beauty secrets are about to be revealed! Men beware…you may not enjoy this one!! When I was 12, I received an electric razor specifically for shaving my legs! Imagine my delight when seeing this under the Christmas tree. This was a long-time coming for me because as a dark-headed Italian girl, my legs were hairy…really hairy! I looked like I had just arrived from the old country! Most of the girls I knew had started shaving their legs much sooner than me, which made my legs look even more hairy, especially during the summer time. I jumped for joy when I received this teal and white, double edged Lady Schick electric razor. My Mom told me, “Remember, once you start shaving your legs, you will have to keep it up!” I kind of knew that, but didn’t realize that shaving would become a daily thing for me…lasting a lifetime. Dating and...