SCUZZA ME THAT ‘S AMORE: MOONSTRUCK IN LEWES, DE

WOW! Where does the time go? I can’t believe it’s May 7th and in two days my baby boy is going to be 18….yikes…pictures to follow!! Today, though i’m finally getting back on the bloggin trail having been quite remiss due to an incredibly busy/whirlwindy kind of month…So let’s see, where doth this accidental one’s month retrospective start….

In Lewes, Deleware where on a unusually warm April Day my loving matey and I set sail on the Cape May/Lewes ferry with bubbly in hand to help calm the somewhat choppy Delaware Bay seas Arrrrrr  We were on our way there for a few reasons:  1) we love Lewes.  2) we love Lewes 3) we love Lewes  It’s a quaint town that unless you take the ferry from Cape May might never stumble upon as it seems to be the forgotten sister to better known ReHoboth Beach, DE.  Lewe’s main street, Second Street,  is about 1/2 mile long but on it you’ll find just about everything one needs/wants…A great Mexican restaurant -Agave, a continental one- The Buttery; a fab jewelry store: Chatelaine’s and Doug and my fave place TOUCH OF ITALY http://www.touchofitaly.com/ which is owned by Joe and Bob the Builder (not to be confused with Bob of Nickolodeon fame!).  It’s a spot where we have spent much wine (and no that is NOT a typo!) and time.

We discovered it a couple of months ago as we were walking along Second Street and spotted what looked like those good ole fashion Italian delis you saw in The Sopranos, Moonstruck (one of my top ten movie faves)

or imagine in Italy.

So we went inside and if our eyes could eat we would have devoured everything in sight …Italian cheeses hanging from the ceiling, fresh mozz in the case, an array of heart don’t fail me after eating those fatty, yummy italian meats and sausages, marinated artichoke hearts on stems, seafood salad complete with squid that had their tentacles in tact (love them!), authentic Italian desserts and on and on..

Mama Mia…That’s Amore! Yum!!!

But our delight and surprise didn’t stop there when out of the corner of my eye I saw folks sitting at tables eating these incredible italian sandwiches and brick oven pizzas that i would soon forget watching my girlish figure for! And, it got even better:  set in the far back corner of this cozy epicurean oasis I saw a bar… now that’s amore!

Doug and I immediately planted ourselves on two stools and per Henry’s suggestion (Henry runs the place and I am thinking of kidnapping him to take care of us) we ordered what he considered to be the best white wine in the world; a true antipast,  meatballs, then a bottle of red wine and 3 hours, 3 pounds, one major buzz and one pair of early anniversary diamond and sapphire earrings later  from my amore D we exito-d.  Now you know why we love, love, love Lewes. Spread the glove!

STEAMIN’, PREENIN’ AND ALL THINGS SPRING CLEANIN’

Happy 152 Pony Express Birthday!  Who’d have thunk horses would some day by left in the postal dust n dirt for email and tweeting!  Speaking of dust and dirt here I am rehearsing for a TV tour tomorrow with some terrific companies I’m working with to help us get rid of dust and dirt like:

• Stanley Steemer whom I’ve now got on speed dial since I’ve also discovered they not only deep clean and sanitize carpets but also hardwood floors, upholstery, tile and grout,
• My buds at TIDE and their oh so cool new single unit dose Tide Pods which are idiot and mess proof and can be used in a HE or non HE washing machine
• LG and their new LG TurboWash Washing Machine which will save us 20 minutes per load EVEN on large loads …and with us averaging nearly 400 loads a laundry per year think about all the free time we’ll gain…LOVE THAT!

And, Chase’s Freedom card is gonna help us earn 5% back on up to $1500 through June when I shop for my spring cleaning supplies or anything else I buy at the grocery store.

Oh, yeah I’m also gonna get a makeover…Mobile Makeover that is courtesy of Radio Shack…where you can trade in your old working phone for anywhere from $30-300 instantly for store credit…Think it’s time to pony up and express myself with a new iPhone 4S!  … Hope you’ll tune in!

Spread the glove!

GETTING INTO THE GROOVE WITH SPRING ALIVE AND ABBOTT ‘N COSTELLO

Last eve my best bud Marla, Franky, Doug and  I ventured into NYC to see an Off Off Off B’way musical called Spring Alive starring Spring Groove (I know quite a name!) which I learned about and saw thanks to Mamma Drama NY’s co-owners Erin Leigh Peck and Holly Fink.  

The show is a one act, one person terrific musical  of one Jewish woman’s journey/evolution from a typical NY gal to a rasta haired Yogi ….Or as the booklet described, its the ‘sing, pray, love’ version of  the wonderful book, “Eat, Pray, Love“.  Marla loved it and could relate totally as she’s a certified Yoga instructor.  I on the other hand am not a Yoga person and though I have dabbled in it my idea of doing The Sun Breath or Crouching Dog Position(forgive me if I’ve got the name of that pose wrong) is to crouch on my couch breathing in the bouquet of a fine wine..But i love theatre and particularly entertainment that elevates and inspires which is exactly what Spring did…along with an ensemble of dancers who brought another level of calm, grace and energy to the production.

o

Spring de joie...love those pants want a pair

But part of the fun of the eve was simply trying to find the theatre after eating at a hip enough restaurant called “Inoteca” located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Not only was the food and wine terrific but Marla and I agreed that the lighting was perfect too:  as in low enough to make one look good no matter how tired or over 30 you are!

Anyway,  pleasantly stuffed and with a slight buzz on ’twas time to find the theatre…As you may be aware NYC is filled with theaters all over the place and peeps trying to make it here cause as  Liza Minnelli has sung time ‘n time again if “You make it here, you’ll make it anywhere.  It’s up to you .New York. New York”. And, while most of us are familiar with Broadway shows and some off broadway hits like “The Fantastics“, there are lots of hopeful gems like Spring Alive which are Off Off Off Broadway.  And, for we New Jerseyians who were off, off, off our beaten path, we couldn’t find  the theatre since it had a dual address: Dawson Place and 179 A Christie Street. So as time tick ticked and we walked up and down the street again and again, each of us taking turns asking ‘where’s dawson”, “who said it was on Christie” , I felt like we were somehow living a version of Abbott & Costello‘s famous baseball routine “who’s on first?”

Now, past 8:00 and curtain time, we decided  to call for help. Marla buzzed her son  Zach whom lives nearby and is, I might add, the coolest twenty something year ole, successful hard-working hipster living the NYC dream that I know and have known since he was five. Well, within seconds,  Zach quickly pointed us in the right direction which was  right across the street from where we were standing!!!

But we weren’t home free yet since being late we were directed to the back stage entrance.  As we went down the stairs, I began to get that ‘something’s not right here’ feeling, and did my own version of crouching dog laughing when I saw that the next door said “Stage Members Only”.   At this point, my wine buzz now a distant memory, we decided to throw caution to the wind and hope the door didn’t lead us to Spring on stage and our Off Off Off Broadway debut.  Well, the good news is it didn’t.  Nope it led us onto the balcony and we took our seats without disturbing anyone.  Within seconds we settled into the calm and got into the Groove with Spring. And, the rest as they say is Namasta…Spread the glove!

“THE ARTIST” AND :-), # AND OMG!!!!

My son came home from his date last night after seeing “The Artist’ .  

At first I was a bit shocked but impressed that my17 year old son would take a date to this kinda movie though my son is an incredibly talented albeit reluctant artist (though he poo poos it when complimented) and very sensitive young man well beyond his years at times.  But like most of his peers, rap, texting and FB rule his world not silent, artsy movies.  So when I said ”wow…that’s cool’, he looked at me as anyone who has a teenager knows all too well, as if  I were an alien and shared: “You gotta be kidding me! It was the only movie playing and THE MOST boring thing i’ve ever seen “…” And went on without further hesitation “I don’t get it…it was black and white and nothing happened…what’s wrong with these people (he actually went on-line to see what all the fuss, acclamation was about i.e.Academy Awards/movie critics etc). Really, mom I don’t get why they thought it was so great!” I tried to probe further but he had finished his rant and movie critique having spent far too much time trying to explain this to his lame mom, grabbed some donuts and dismissed me with his loving “Stop bothering me’!

I laughed …sorta…Luke and his peers have grown up where silence in a way has become extinct since they can communicate in any  number of ways …sorta…though in my mind they speak silently more then verbally.   Think about it they write texts, FB, email, rarely speak on the phone so instead of seeing reactions and facial expressions that help give us so much more meaning they see , !!!!!, xo’s, # etc.  

Believe me I’m not saying we need pictures to give meaning nor that writing doesnt ignite our imagination…from “Gone with the Wind”  to “Good Night Moon” to “Love Story” to Harry Potter, the Twilight Series‘ to ‘Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood“,  ”The Color Purple“, and “Eat, Pray, Love” to the newest bestselling phenomenon “50 Shades of Grey”…writing at any age opens our minds and imagination in amazing ways where we can direct and create our own movies silently  …But most of our kids are not writing pros that ignite imagination, they’re writing acronyms like TTS, OMG, LOL etc ….And, a silent movie, no matter what language we speak enables all of us to connect in some way with our own feelings, opinions and others.  

I suspect (and hope!) one day when for a brief moment I’m the mother he loves vs. the you’re so lame mom, Luke will share some scene, facial expression or OMG moment from “The Artist” that had an impact on him other then “nothing happened” cause as ye ole expression goes ”one picture is worth a 1000 words”.  Or in “The Artist’”, a million give or take a 100,000.  Time for me to go silent now…Spread the Glove:)

OH THE PLACES WE’LL GO W/DR. SEUSS, JIM CAREY, ZAC EFRON ‘N DANNY DEVITO

Yesterday was Dr. Seuss‘s birthday and for most of us, both as parent and child, Seuss was someone to be celebrated for bringing so much joy, imagination, insights and special moments whether it was bonding with our children, our parents or simply ourselves. Personal faves for me were The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Skeetches, Horton the Elephant (loyal 100%), Green Eggs ‘n Ham; The Lorax (now a new animated must see film starring Danny Devito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift which shows how Seuss was an environmentalist way before it was trendy) and Yertle the Turtle.  

Whatever your fave, Dr. Seuss took us through our childhood with life lessons and an imagination that just won’t quit and stands the test of time.  For me, as a young new reader I could read and look at his illustrations over and over, but Yertle the Turtle was one that holds a special place in my heart.  It was about Yertle the Turtle who went from King of the bees and trees to King of the Mud due to a turtle named Mack whom brought him down to earth with a burp.  

Written in 1958 it was about power and freedom.  But when I was little I had a special kinship with Yertle since the only pets my mother allowed me to have were those that didn’t run nor have any chance of doing their business on her pristine beige living room rug . And, god forbid we did cross that line…my mother’s wrath we would incite.  But one fateful night when my parents went out my big brother Rick and I decided to throw caution to the wind and enter the DNC zone.  For that moment in time it was exhilarating and the carpeting beneath our feet was sooo soft since no one that we could remember had ever stepped foot on it…We made designs, played tic tac toe and then my bro decided to get really wild.  He jumped on the beige satin couch which like the carpeting we were sure had never had any human interaction.   Ahhhh what fun, what freedom and the cushions didn’t even show a dent since they had indeed never been sat on!   Time ticking before mamma would return, we needed to erase our tracks.  So i raced to get the trusty Hoover out to replicate my mother’s up and down perfect nap design…Then off to bed we went sure we’d restored all to their pristine state….

Next morning as Rick and i munched on a bowl of cereal smiling betwixt ourselves that we had gotten away with our ‘escapade’  my mother asked how our evening was.  Rather then ragging about how he had to sit for his little sis vs being with his friends, my brother said “great”!  The cat so to speak was out of the bag as my mother confronted us on our trespass.  See though we thought we had done a great job emulating her perfect vac design we had missed a spot.   And the rest how we say was misery. You see my mom at times was a cross betwixt Joanne Crawford in the classic  movie “Mommy Dearest” and Bride of Frankenstein so we were doomed.  

Dare I say never  again did Rick nor I venture into the Living Room until she finally replaced that beige carpeting with area rugs that didn’t show nuttin…And the couch still looks the same as it did 30 years ago and is in the Guinness Book of Jerry Seinfeld Records since no one other then my bro has sat on it still. Now back to why I loved Seuss’ tale of Yertle…

Since i couldnt have pets that pooped nor peeed anywhere then in their own space, I had ‘Goldy’ the goldfish who lived a record four years, and the closest thing to a pet i could walk, Mack…my pet turtle.  I named him after the turtle that ‘burped’ and brought Yertle the Turtle back to earth.  And though i didn’t put him on a leash for fear of ”accidentally’ strangling him I did take him out of his tank for walks on my green and white shag rug (which didn’t show footprints nor dirt LOL).  I would also read to him this Dr. Seuss tale and share why I named him Mack…Hey as an 7 year old I believed Mack understood what I said whether his head was in or out of his shell.  My kingdom was Mack and all he could see.  And, when Mack and I were together we were free that and much later in life free thanks to 3 years of intense therapy  

“And today the great Yertle, that Marvelous he, 
Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see. 
And the turtles, of course . . . all the turtles are free 
As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss and thank you for making my early years and those with my son special!  Spread the Glove!

JOHNNY CARSON, GARY KASPAROV AND WELLS MOVIN’ ON

Did you know it was 16 years ago today that world champion Chess Player Gary Kasparov lost  the first game of six to Deep Blue—I didn’t either or if I did things from 16 years ago have long been forgotten unless they’re now my 6 ft. 1 inch 17 year ole son.  But the big news about the loss was that Deep Blue was an IBM computer which could figure out over 200 million moves per second.  Nowadays that probably wouldn’t surprise many peeps with all the video games and advances in technology but way back in 1996 it was big news.  In the end Kasparov showed man over machine still ruled and went home with the $400,000 grand prize. 

"Where's the Great Carnac when I need him!"

A brief aside: For those who have never seen any Johnny Carson reruns, The Great Carnac the Magnificient was a character Carson created during his late night reign.  He was an all-knowing mind-or rather closed-envelope-reader offering incredibly funny (and silly) answers without knowing the questions.  Thus why I referenced him since Kasparov could have used his ‘clairvoyance’!

Kasparov and Deep Blue met again in 1997 but this time Deep Blue won in the sixth and final match,  taking home the grand prize of $700,000.  That made me wonder how he spent it…new platinum hard drive, custom fitted, signature corporate IBM garb of white button down shirt and stripe tie?…diamond studded compressed air blower for his chip-mate?  Guess we’ll never know…

 But, I guess you’re wondering why the heck this Accidental Housewife is reminiscing about a chess match with a computer.  Well, today I had my own ‘match’ with a computer. See this morning I went to visit my trusty Wells Fargo ATM.  I put in my card which Wells (he and I are very tight) always readily inhales, then punched in my security code, amount of moula I wanted and par usual, promptly received my card and receipt back.  So off I went…Then as I was driving home I had one of those feelings where you know you’re missing something, but dismissing it as another sneak peak at the memory loss i’ll be experiencing as the years tick on…That was until I went to pay for my bagel and coffee and realized my bud Wells hadn’t given me any money!  Of course I doubted myself over Wells since I often forget things or where I put them,  and after all he is the latest and greatest in technology.  No way he’d make a mistake and not give me my money.   Right?  Wrong!!! I quickly returned to the scene and had the bank stuff abuzz –they even opened Wells up and sure enough my bank mate tried to pull a fast move on me!  Who’d have thunk!  Guess part of the moral here is even what we think is Mr. Smarter then I computer, is fallible so my advice to all of us is: always check…mate! –Wow that is a really really bad pun forgive me, it’s been a really, really long week.

And, hey I do realize this is a truly riveting read- NOT, and how the heck did I make the connection—dunno!   Perhaps like Deep Blue my brain’s capable of going off and connecting more moves then I thought which I know a certain special Scruffy D would more then agree!! Happy almost weekend…Spread the glove! 

DISHWASHIN’ ‘N TANG-O-IN WITH THE BUNDY’S !

I just finished cleaning my dishwasher with my son’s fave drink: Tang!

1. YES, i was cleaning my dishwasher NOT my dishes which is something we all should do to get rid of streaks, rust and other gunk that accumlates in this mani-friendly appliance, AND

2. NO, i’ve not been enjoying an early happy hour!  I actually discovered a while back that TANG and other lemon or orange flavored, powdered drink mixes like COUNTRY TIME LEMONADE are inexpensive, non-toxic home cleaners. Why does it work you may ask??? Well, it’s because of the citric acid in the mix.  So next time you notice any rust or streakin just bring out the TANG (or Country TIme), fill up your dispenser with it and let ‘er run…full cycle please.

Ok, so there’s that, but it also reminded me of something I learned while researching my second book “The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean Enough House” (and yes you can still find this must have houshold tome on Amazon.com So here’s an excerpt of sorts:

Remember the Bundy’s from Fox TV’s hit sitcom, Married With Children?  They were that happy go lucky dysfunctional family that lived in Chicago and attracted millions of viewers for 10 years way back in 1987-1997. For those not familiar:

• Peggy was an uneducated housewife who looked like a ‘60’s throwback sporting a red bouffant and wore heels that were too high and clothes that were too tight
• Al was her dim witted husband who sold women’s shoes unsuccessfully (hmmm were shoes Peggy’s attraction?); and they had two kiddies:
• Bud-who was unpopular, girl crazy and the only Bundy who ever went to college; and
• Kelly, their sex-crazed, equally dim-witted daughter.

A ‘taste’ of the Bundy’s general dysfunction can be seen in this clip:  

But the one that got my attention when I was researching  my book revolved around Peggy’s culinary skills or lack thereof.   In one episode we learned that the Bundy’s were big Tang fans and hated to let one little granule go to waste. In fact they loved the stuff so much that they would make Tang Sandwiches.  Well one day there wasn’t enough for a whole sandwich so they just took a slice of bread and swiped the sides to create what they lovingly called a ‘Tang Wipe’.  If only the Bundy’s had been around back in 1965, NASA and Gemini’s crew could have enjoyed their spaciness and this yummy recipe too!  Spread the glove…and the TANG

DISHWASHIN’ ‘N TANG-O-IN WITH THE BUNDY’S !

I just finished cleaning my dishwasher with my son’s fave drink: Tang!

1. YES, i was cleaning my dishwasher NOT my dishes which is something we all should do to get rid of streaks, rust and other gunk that accumlates in this mani-friendly appliance, AND

2. NO, i’ve not been enjoying an early happy hour!  I actually discovered a while back that TANG and other lemon or orange flavored, powdered drink mixes like COUNTRY TIME LEMONADE are inexpensive, non-toxic home cleaners. Why does it work you may ask??? Well, it’s because of the citric acid in the mix.  So next time you notice any rust or streakin just bring out the TANG (or Country TIme), fill up your dispenser with it and let ‘er run…full cycle please.

Ok, so there’s that, but it also reminded me of something I learned while researching my second book “The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean Enough House” (and yes you can still find this must have houshold tome on Amazon.com So here’s an excerpt of sorts:

Remember the Bundy’s from Fox TV’s hit sitcom, Married With Children?  They were that happy go lucky dysfunctional family that lived in Chicago and attracted millions of viewers for 10 years way back in 1987-1997. For those not familiar:

• Peggy was an uneducated housewife who looked like a ‘60’s throwback sporting a red bouffant and wore heels that were too high and clothes that were too tight
• Al was her dim witted husband who sold women’s shoes unsuccessfully (hmmm were shoes Peggy’s attraction?); and they had two kiddies:
• Bud-who was unpopular, girl crazy and the only Bundy who ever went to college; and
• Kelly, their sex-crazed, equally dim-witted daughter.

A ‘taste’ of the Bundy’s general dysfunction can be seen in this clip:  

But the one that got my attention when I was researching  my book revolved around Peggy’s culinary skills or lack thereof.   In one episode we learned that the Bundy’s were big Tang fans and hated to let one little granule go to waste. In fact they loved the stuff so much that they would make Tang Sandwiches.  Well one day there wasn’t enough for a whole sandwich so they just took a slice of bread and swiped the sides to create what they lovingly called a ‘Tang Wipe’.  If only the Bundy’s had been around back in 1965, NASA and Gemini’s crew could have enjoyed their spaciness and this yummy recipe too!  Spread the glove…and the TANG

WOOF KATHIE LEE N HODA ‘N BEING ON TODAY SHOW!

Kathie Lee n Hoda always bring me to my knees

Every time I do a segment on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda it’s a hoot…and today’s about PET PEEVES was no different.  We laugh, they make fun of me (particularly Kathie Lee) and we almost always find a reason to end with a libation unless of course we’re talking about kid-related stuff…Then it’s simply understood that you might like or need to have a glass of vino at day’s end to help us through our hectic mommy schedules!

 Today, I shared how the oohs, aahs and cuteness of that new puppy or kitty you lost your mind over and brought home over the holidays has now evolved into a blend of not so cute poop, pee, hair and odors…oh my!  And, I shared some of my simple money saving tips to clean and deodorize using everyday household items like white vinegar, baking soda, toothpaste (non-gel), Hydrogen peroxide, and Listerine;  Bounce fabric dryer sheets and cat litter to absorb smells (and btw cat litter is a terrif moisture absorber beyond the litter box since it can suck up to 15x it’s weight-sorry it doesn’t work on our bodies J); how to get rid of fur on furniture and floors using mani-friendly rubber gloves (dampened) or double-stick tape on a paint roller; and ended by sharing a great way to save our sanity post clean-up while also helping pets in need:  drinking Les Compagnons wines which give a percentage back to four pet charities… Fun, informative stuff which you can enjoy in its entirety should you wish (glass of vino optional!) by clicking here:

I also thought you might be interested to see some of this accidental housewife’s behind the scenes,  shot courtesy of my very own Speilberg and manager Kevin. BTW, have some video too but still figuring out how to get it to play so that’ll be for another day!

And BIG, BIG woofs go out to HENRY, our lovable pooch n the real star of the segment and Susan,  my amazing producer and Henry’s mom xo

 As always if you have any pet peeves you wanna ask about, share a tip, trick or tale about please do so here on my blog, facebook or tweet moi! Spread the glove!

Today's Star "Henry" woof him!

Henry's fab mom n my producer, Susan!

  

Restin' assure all's good to go...forgive pun!

RARE MOODS AND HORMONE’S RAGING

Happy Friday eve!  I’m now sipping a glass of vino toasting the week gone by which like all of them seems to fly.  Actually, I thought I’d be out to dinner with my son and we ‘d catch up versus him devouring my homemade morsels in 10 minutes so he can go up and watch Family Guy, GOLF CHANNEL (I think I’ve told you he’s an aspiring college bound in fall 2012 professional golfter) or Two and Half Men repeats (and by the way I love how they integrated Ashton Kutchner into the new season—it’s brilliant…and yes, I also think he’s incredibly cute though a few more muscles and chest hair would make him …..oops wine must be hitting me…topic for another day!)

Anyway, I’m thrilled that Luke and I are close, and that he actually enjoys going out to dinner and having a ‘real conversation’.  I’m sure if you’re a parent you get how challenging that is particularly as kids get older, grunt more then speak (unless they need money), and think you’re sooo weird.  Going out to dinner is ‘our time’ and we usually go to a local Italian place called Cenzino’s where we’ve dined at since Luke’s 8.  It’s sorta become my Cheers since the owner Vinnie always greets u with a smiling face and ‘rare mood’ which means he needs another drink…But kidding aside he keeps an eye on all his regulars, aware when they’re going through something.  As was my case when I went through the different stages of my divorce-He was a true friend. 

But tonight my good ole bud Vinnie and I were not to be.  Instead I’m ordering Chinese food for Luke and I… and did I mention his girlfriend…enough said…clearly not gonna be much ‘real conversation’ betwixt us.  But with hormones raging and now both feeling better, I choose to stay close vs enjoying one of Vinnie’s rare moods or picking food up to go.  This way both her parents and I can have a ‘real conversation’ about how I fed their daughter well and how I think she’s terrific -which she is when they pick her up …. Doorbell’s ringing …food’s here and time for another glass of vino!

And you? How’s your Friday eve? Teenage kids? Chilling with a glass of vino? Share please here, tweet me @accidentlhousewfe.com or tweet! Spread the glove!