Hunger Games

Go buy this set and be sure to get all three books.  They are excellent. 
I just bought my tickets for the girls and me to see the movie Thursday night. 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0545265355/ref=as_li_qf_br_asin_til?tag=httpmountai09-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0545265355&adid=0P6YD0TMVASJTTEQ7G72

I Love my Wine

Being a wine lover I certainly have a new appreciation for the drink.   I have my job, and our sommelier, to thank for that.  I have been consuming wine for EVER.  It goes way back to my teen days and drinking TJ Swan.  Not that TJ Swan is wine but I could get it in a jug for cheap.  My palette has grown exponentially since then. 
At work we have a huge wine list and we need to know those wines.  We are schooled once a month for about 3-4 hours in our wine tasting/class.  Not to mention the studying I need to do on a daily basis just to survive at work selling it.   I have broadened my horizons and opened my mind to new grapes and I have learned to pair wine with food.  It's amazing what you think you may not like or just do not like drinking alone but the minute you pair it with food what an amazing thing. 
I love the wine lovers, too.  It's a personal thing but also, I have realized, that people who are wine drinkers are funny people, especially when you are waiting on them. 
You get the "I hate Merlot" people probably because they watched the movie 'Sideways' which sealed the deal and made them make an opinion based on something silly like that movie. Merlot is a perfect pairing for many foods.  You get the "I won't EVER drink a Riesling" people because, like me, I thought at one time Riesling was only a sweet wine and I really don't drink sweet wines.  Except dessert wines and that is a whole new ballgame.  I was one of those anti Riesling wine drinkers until I tried some dry Rieslings and now I understand.  Riesling goes with just about everything. 
I will make an exception and White Zinfandel is one of those "Mom" wines.  I say that because it was the only wine my Mom ever drank, with ice, and it goes well on the patio on a hot summer day, if you're my Mom but not much good for anything else.  And that is just an opinion. 
I have learned and packed away an incredible amount of information about wine and I will continue to study it. 
I'm going to pour myself a glass and really taste it.  Old world, new world, acidic, tannic, fruity or earthy, soft, smooth, creamy, dry, not so dry, white, red, rose. 
Bottom line, do I like it?  Chances are, yes, I will. 
Unless it's corked. 

March 5, 2008. A Sad Day

Today is the anniversary of my Mother's death.  Part of me died that day too.  It was the saddest day of my life. 
I can vividly remember everyone in the room when she was gone.  We were all crying and talking in disbelief.  I couldn't believe that she was gone.  I didn't know how I was going to raise my kids without her in my life. 
I am still so ashamed for being such a shitty teenager to her and if I could I would take it all back.  I did get to tell her that though and we became the best of friends once I moved out of the house.  I think that is pretty common.  I have always needed my Mom and she was always there for me, no matter what. 
She was the best Mother anyone could have ever asked for.  After all, she was raised by my Grandma who was a saint and one of my most favorite people in the world. 
I love and miss you Mom. 

Always on the floor even though it hurt her knees so much.  She loved her grandkids more than anything. 

 Mom and Dad in Keystone on a sleigh ride.  She couldn't deal with the altitude well and still took her oxygen tank and went on the tour.  She was a trouper. 

Mom, with our Best Man and good friend who we lost, John Flanagan. 

Mom, pregnant with my brothers.