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The Mom Blog ~ OC Register staff and guest writers share their parenting stories.

Archive for the 'Gray Hairs and Teddy Bears - Jenny Angelici' Category

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This is my husband working

November 6th, 2009, 12:06 pm by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

gino-at-work

I always knew my husband liked his job. But I figured it was because he works for a wonderful company. Now, I know the truth.

Here he is working this week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas — a tradeshow for the specialty auto parts and accessories industry. It’s a huge gathering for those who like to take ordinary vehicles and make them extraordinary with aftermarket enhancements.

And speaking of enhancements, I’m guessing that the model my husband is working with has had some custom work done herself.

No, I’m not jealous. Really… I’m not.

Posted in: Gray Hairs and Teddy Bears - Jenny Angelici • • • | 10 Comments »

Why poker is good for kids

November 2nd, 2009, 6:07 am by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

the-angelici-boys-playing-poker

As long as they aren’t smoking stogies and drinking whiskey, I’m all for my boys playing poker. In fact, my husband has brought to my attention all the benefits our five and six-year-old are gaining by learning the game. Here’s a little list he compiled:

• They’re learning new words like squadoosh and muck
• Counting and stacking chips is a great way to practice math
• Our boys can read a face even better than a book
• Clubs and spades – they don’t teach those shapes in school
• Bluffing – oh, maybe that’s not such a good thing for parents

Okay, deal me in. Sure beats ’Go Fish!’

Posted in: Gray Hairs and Teddy Bears - Jenny Angelici • | 14 Comments »

How I snagged the man, the money, and the washer and dryer

October 29th, 2009, 6:06 am by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

desperate-housewives-laundromat

After years of apartment living, I was moving into a house. Not exactly my house - my boyfriend’s house. I was head-over-heels in love with this guy. However, there was something I couldn’t understand about him. How could someone who owned a house and made a decent living not have a washer and dryer?

Why would anyone choose a laundromat over the luxury of being able to wash and dry your clothes at home?  It just didn’t seem to matter to my guy. But, it mattered to me.  I was done with visiting places called Spin City and Suds and Duds. I was going to buy us a washer and dryer.

Off to Sears we went, where I purchased a lovely matching set. They were fresh and beautiful with a bright future ahead of them – the ideal couple  —  kind of like us.

Everything was perfect. Our clothes were clean and we were enjoying our domestic bliss. Unfortunately, like a washer stuck on a cycle, our relationship began to stall. I was ready to  take that final spin (a.k.a. marriage) and my boyfriend was stuck on soak … let’s just say he was wishy-washy.  After all those loads of laundry together, I was done playing house and made plans to move out. I was taking my washer and dryer with me.

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Posted in: Gray Hairs and Teddy Bears - Jenny Angelici • • • | 22 Comments »

Strega Nona is a magical production

October 24th, 2009, 12:01 pm by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

Strega Nona

That Strega Nona must have cast a spell over us when we were watching her musical last night at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. My boys and I left the theater with an incredible amount of energy. “It was magical fun,” exclaimed my six-year-old, Gino.

This lively musical is based on the Tomie dePaola’s popular children’s classic “Strega Nona.” The story takes place in the little Italian town of Calabria, where Strega Nona , a good hearted witch, is known for helping her town’s people overcome problems.

Strega NonaNeeding a little help herself, Strega Nona hires Big Anthony, who can’t resist sneaking a peek at her magical book. While she is gone, he ends up with a pasta pot that threatens to engulf the entire town with spaghetti, or maybe that’s linguine.

The fun even started before the performance, when the kids were treated to all kinds of activities that included making crazy things out of pasta, playing games, and drawing pictures on easels. It was a great warm-up to a perfect family evening.

I must admit, the opening number of the play startled me. The entire cast came out like thunder — singing and dancing away. The kids loved it. I loved how Italian, one of my favorite languages, was incorporated into the production.

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Would you let your son drive a Hearse?

October 22nd, 2009, 3:18 pm by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

hearse-at-the-beach

When you think about it, it really does makes sense. It’s big and long — perfect for tossing your surfboard in and taking naps between sets.

Yes, an old Volkswagen bus or a classic Woodie is usually the ride of choice amongst the local surfers in Huntington. But, when I saw this beauty down at the beach, I was captivated.

Why shouldn’t a Hearse have an afterlife?

Albeit a bit macabre, a mother might even find comfort in knowing her young surfer is driving in a vehicle with enough steel around him to build a skyscraper. And no need to worry about street racing — this baby was meant to cruise nice and slow.

This isn’t the first time that I have seen a Hearse used for something other than it was originally intended.  Just a couple months ago, I spotted a flame-embellished retired casket carrier in the parking lot at my local grocery store. Yep, I had to blog about that, too.

Would you believe that I’m not alone in my Hearse fascination? I just found out that there will be a Hearse Show this Sunday during the Trick or Treat Festival at the OC Fairgrounds. They are even going to have a Hearse procession. This I’ve got to see. For all the good details click here.

I think I may be a bit of a morbid mom. Check out these posts from the past:

Posted in: Gray Hairs and Teddy Bears - Jenny Angelici • • • | 7 Comments »

What does it mean when you find a long-lost flip flop?

October 20th, 2009, 6:22 am by Jenny Angelici, Contributing Writer

It couldn’t be, I thought to myself, as I looked down and saw it.  Was it really my son’s missing flip flop — the one that we had given up finding months ago?  Had it truly been hiding in the bushes in front of a Thai restaurant all this time.

As I eyed it suspiciously, I wondered why it didn’t look weathered or dirty and how in the world did it really get there?   Since it was near the sidewalk that I pace back and forth on twice a week, while waiting for my sons to finish Kumon, I surely would have noticed it earlier. It seemed so strange.

found-flip-flopI hesitated to pick up the little sandal.  But, like Cinderella’s Prince Charming, I had to see if it the shoe fit.

And what was even stranger is the fact that I kept the lone mate. Me, the self proclaimed minimalist, who is quick to toss anything that seems useless. For some reason, I held onto that single flip flop.

As soon as we got home, we confirmed that it was indeed a match. The pair was back together!

Now, I’m wondering, what does it mean when you find a long-lost flip flop?  Is it like pennies from heaven? Or did we just get lucky?

For more on shoes checkout these posts on The Mom Blog:

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