Hotmess- week 1 February 5, 2010

Yes, I’m a Hotmess!

Wednesday was week 1 without a cigarette! Woo hoo… I did it! It was absolutely the hardest week of my life. I had no idea exactly how much addiction controls your life. It’s a part of everything you do. I missed smoking so bad, it was as if I lost my best friend. I felt alone, like nobody could ever understand. I wanted to just hold a cigarette, put it to my lips, take a big deep breath, and blow the smoke in happy little rings as I exhale. I said I wanted to, but I didn’t!


Habits are HARD to break. I try to change my daily routine so I don’t think about missing my ol buddy. Taking the Chantix has definitely taken off the edge, how people do this cold turkey, is beyond me. I would have been a Big Fail! I’m hoping the Chantix will keep working and live up to what it says.


Physically I’m starting to feel worse- go figure- I felt better when I smoked. I have a constant headache, and I’m always coughing now. A frog has moved in my throat and I’m usually spending time trying to clear him out. It grosses me out and reminds me of a really old person. From what everyone says , this is normal and it’ll go away.

Internally,  my body my body is going through its own transformation, but all good.
In 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease, and the body temperature of your hands and feet increase.
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. At 8 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases to normal. With the decrease in carbon monoxide, your blood oxygen level increases to normal.
At 24 hours, your risk of having a heart attack decreases.
At 48 hours, nerve endings start to regrow and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
After the first week my body will be rid of the nicotine.

My new friend- Gum- any kind- I’m trying it all. I did buy gum cigarette, it was popular when I was a kid- I remembered I loved this gum. I used this while I was driving, grabbed a “gum cig” held it, even blew in it to have that cloud of smoke. I slowly nibbled little pieces off and can I just say….this is Horrible gum, guess my taste buds have to matured too. The flavor was gone within 3 minutes and after 4-5 mins my jaw was killing me from trying to chew this piece of leather. Time to find The longest lasting flavored gum. This will be a part of my weekly series- If you think you know the best gum, please let me know. I’ll be the modern Violet Beauregarde.


Some celebs according to The Insider to give props to- who have done this successfully.

Vince Vaughn

Charlize Theron

Sharon Stone

If you have tips or you’d like to hope on the Mamrucci non smoker ride- join us!
and Thanks so much to all my friends who are really supporting me, even if I am a Hotmess!

Blissdom and Me- Happy Anniversary February 2, 2010

Blogging conferences, do you think they’re really worth your time and money? Do you really learn a lot from them? Can you really meet someone once and connect? Let me tell you about the anniversary I’ll be celebrating. Almost one year ago the first thought of MamaRucci came to be. It’s not so much that one year of blogging means so much on this anniversary, but rather How I became a blogger.


I was on twitter for a few months and I met awesome peeps…duhh! They talked me into going to Blissdom (they meaning Carissa Rogers, Jyl Pattee, Beth Davis, and Kim Janocko) Carissa and Jyl made sure I was staying in their room with them and with this chick Sugar Jones. Well, whatever, I thought, just hope she’s cool. Sugar and I started talking on Twitter and guess what- this chick Rocks! phewww. I kinda knew I was most definitely going to get along with her and guess what she became one of my best friends IRL!! So the four of us at Blissdom, sharing a room (this is another story..lol) oh and adjoining rooms with the lovely Jessica Smith (again, this is another story).


Of course I was mad excited to meet IRL Beth (@Plussizemommy) and Kim (@craftymamaof4)! Among the 100’s of people I met, there were a few peeps that I connected with immediately MommaDJane and Twincident two them.


So me being me and them getting to know me so well- I recieved a nickname. First by Beth… MAMARUCCI- then Kim picked it up..it now started to spread through Blissdom by Janine, Dwan, Jyl, Carissa, and Sugar.


Beth and Kim decided mamarucci should be my blog and talked around me, as if i wasn’t there, to the other girls. Sugar then brought it up to the room and Sugar, Jyl, Carissa and even Jessica decided yes I should do that. Ummmm I still haven’t said I even wanted to do a blog….helloooooo…ummm girls… i don’t blog, I write how I talk…which ain’t all that great and besides, I have a business remember…Touch’d. Oh yes… they remembered that too because everyone they saw needed to be Touch’d. Just ask Jerri, Vdog, and Mrs Flinger. The Room 704 girls who mixed Touch’d with the lovely vibrators…it was a great night!!! (yet another story..lol)


By the time Sugar, Janine, Linda_sellers and I were done drinking, laying on the bar for pictures, and playing with giant bras at Coyotes, I was kinda on board for starting my own blog. Even though I had no idea what a blog was… I don’t even think I knew how to comment. I was the only one at the conference without my techie instruments to tweet, share, facebook, twitpic, and email. WOW how did I ever get by???


My blog became major conversation with these girls. You may have been talking with one of them when I walked in and you’d remember them saying,” Tell Rachel aka mamarucci she NEEDS to start a blog.” Wow they’re pushy little people..lol. So I promised them I’d think about it and before we knew it the time came to say our goodbyes.


I get into the shuttle for the airport, call Janine and Dwan so we can meet for a last cup of coffee at the airport. We meet up and the minute I get up to them…Janine says, ” We’ve been talking and you have to start the MamaRucci blog and you NEED to start a MamaRucci line in Touch’d!!!!” She was VERY adamant. She talked about it all the way to our spot to have coffee, which now we were meeting up with Amy (@resourcefulmom). Yes, of course Amy jumped on the mamaRucci bandwagon. I finally say Yes it’s definite- I’m doing it, I’ll call you in a couple days after we settle in.


From that moment MamaRucci was born. So do I think these conferences are worth it? You’re damn right I do. I have met some of my best friends at Blissdom. I learned tons at the conference- I took notes and then called all my new friends and asked them what everything meant, so yeah it was educational. I got to meet some of the bestbloggers ever. One of them Liz Strauss, which I had no idea who she was- we started talking, not about blogging, and I thought she was real cool to hang with. It wasn’t until someone said,” Do you know who that was!” I was like yeah, Liz- she’s cool I like her. To my surprise the person was extremely excited to tell me Liz was the “godmother” of blogging. OK again, I don’t know the whole blogging thing so whatever, like I said she was cool.


Take a Note here if you’re a new blogger- I have come to know Liz and I totally respect her and I’ve come to learn she IS one of the best bloggers ever, however, if you see her, don’t get all freaked out- go say Hi, she’s really cool and in case you didn’t know, she’s human too.


As far as Alli and Barb- Besides being amazing, I give these two women a boat load of kudos for putting together such a great event where all are welcomed. I was a total amateur and didn’t feel out of place one bit. I’m so sad I won’t be going this year because who knows who I won’t be meeting. I will say this- Blissdom will Always be in my heart because this is where MamaRucci was born!! So Alli and Barb- Happy Anniversary!!!!

REMEMBER to take lots of pics- I didn’t have my camera so I don’t have pics with all the amazing people I met

The Joy of Smoking January 27, 2010

I know, you’re thinking who would think that way? The joy of smoking? I’ll tell you  who… a smoker! If smoking wasn’t bad for your health, everyone would be doing it! It  relaxes you, substitutes snacks, takes away boredom, and not to mention the people  you meet when you’re kicked outside to your little “smoking area”. We’ve become like  leprosy colonies- looked down on by society- minorities- diseased.  I too have become  like society and hate the fact that I smoke. NOT because people tell me not to, but  because I find myself running out of breath, coughing when I’m not sick, and  inconveniencing family and friends. I’ve decided to become a non-smoker. Thanks to FaceBook I’ve found I have many people who support me, so I decided to go a step farther and document this life changing event. I’m hoping I will hear from those who quit before me and from those who want to try to quit along with me. Together we can do this!!

I am not doing this cold turkey. I started taking Chantix about a month ago. I’m not very good with meds so of course I  kept forgetting to take my pills at the correct time, but I didn’t give up. I was determined to take the pills for 2 weeks and also start cutting back on the smokes. once I got down to 5 cigs a day, I was totally amazed, then 3 a day. This past Sunday I had one cigarette and it wasn’t so bad because I told myself what time I would be able to have it and I looked forward to it. Then I thought, how bad would it be if I only had one cigarette a day- that couldn’t hurt. It could be like that glass of wine or beer you have after work. OK, I get it- QUIT! Then there’s the I’m not a quitter- ok all seriousness This is the hardest thing I ever had to do.


I’m even nervous, I’m feeling a little like I lost my best friend. I don’t know what to do with myself. At this point I can’t talk anymore about it I’m finding it hard at times to even say the word….smoking.


Here’s hoping tomorrow will be better! Please join me on this venture

Rachel

Frigidaire Spin and Win January 26, 2010

Spin and Win

The holiday season is over, but that’s no reason to stop looking for ways to give back. Here’s an easy idea to keep the giving going in the new year.

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner are teaming up to support Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping children living in poverty in the United States.


Frigidaire is committed to helping moms spend less time in the kitchen and laundry room, and more time with the ones they love.

Their new Spin & Win game gives you the opportunity to win gift cards for spending quality time with your tykes – whether it’s curling up with some new books, starting a craft project or taking in a family flick. They’re giving away a prize every day. Plus, you could also win a brand new Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer, with time-saving features that give you more time for the important things in life.

Best of all, each day you play, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part of their $250,000 commitment to support Save the Children’s CHANGE program, dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and promoting healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty in the United States.

Earn a bonus entry when you follow the directions to Tweet or Email a Friend. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to make time for CHANGE. Go ahead – take a spin.  

Daily Prizes include:

$200 gift card to play dress up

$100 gift card to go camping, build a birdhouse or take in some family flicks

$100 gift card to build a birdhouse, go camping or take in some family flicks

$75 gift card to curl up with new books

$75 gift card to get out and play

$50 gift card to start a craft project

Drawing for prizes will be held every day between now and April 25, 2010. That’s nearly 100 chances to win when you ’spin’ each day! Limit (1) entry per person and per email address per day.


Grand Prize drawings for the Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer will be held at the end of each month during the promotion – 4 Grand Prize winners. Participants are automatically entered into the month’s Grand Prize drawing when they play Spin & Win.

Share this link (http://bit.ly/FrgMTFC) with your friends and family and share not only the chance to win but the opportunity to give back too.

**disclosure** No persons at MamaRucci were paid with any monies or gifts by Frigidaire or any persons representing them. We love to share great campaigns that companies are involved in. The information for this giveaway was taken from one of the original posts found on http://blissfullydomestic.com . All information was verified with Frigidaire, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact us.

Once In A Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge January 14, 2010

Did you know Dec 31st was a blue moon? With having a blue moon, I thought it was the perfect time to tell you about a book I read, “Once In A Blue Moon, by Eileen Goudge”. Eileen sent me the book a few months back and I decided I would write a post about it and her. I got to email Eileen back and forth and learned how fascinating she wasr that I asked her if I could do an interview and share it with you.

The Book-

I’m NOT a big reader (or writer) and I really have to like a book in order to finish it. In 2009 there were 3 books I read cover to cover, Once In A Blue Moon being one of them. I started the book and couldn’t put it down,  I didn’t even skim…which I normally do. I needed to know what happened next. It brought out all my emotions- in one chapter I wanted to slap someone, another chapter I was crying, and others I was laughing…out loud! The struggle to reconnect two sisters and clean up messes along the way from past mistakes keeps you cheering for them to succeed. It also shows, you create your own destiny! I only wish there was a sequel or more chapters, however, it was a quick read. This is a great weekend book when you want to curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and shut out the world for 48 hours after a nice warm salt soak!

Meet Eileen-

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

A writer, natch!  I wrote my first book when I was 8—a ghost story.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I first realized I wanted to become a professional writer when I was standing in line for free surplus food, as a young welfare mom.  I figured I couldn’t do any worse financially, so I had nowhere to go but up.  Plus, I’d always been good at writing & loved to tell stories.
What inspired you to write your first book?

My first adult novel, Garden of Lies, came from a dream I’d had years before.  I had to write a lot of teen novels (I wrote for SWEET VALLEY HIGH) before I could afford the time I needed to spend writing it, but when it was finally published it became a NYT bestseller.  So, you see, some dreams really do come true!
How long does it take you to write a book?

Typically, about a year, but that is with multiples drafts.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I get up at 4:00 a.m.  I love working in the dark, when it’s quiet and the phone doesn’t ring.  My creative juices are really flowing.  Then I’m off after lunch, using the rest of the day for busy work.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Inspiration is everywhere.  You just have to look around you.  Any given issue of “People” magazine has at least one article in it that would make a great novel.  I’m lucky/cursed, though, to have had a lot of ups and downs in my life—I have enough stories from my own past to keep me in royalties the rest of my life.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

My hobby is baking.  I  find it very relaxing; also, rewarding.   To keep my figure I give most of it away.  Also, my husband has a sweet tooth.  I published a cookbook a few years ago titled SOMETHING WARM FROM THE OVEN: BAKING MEMORIES AND MAKING MEMORIES.
Which of your books is your favorite?

I love them all.  Choosing a favorite is like having a favorite child.  They’re  all a part of me.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I love Michael Chabon’s novels.  Also, T.C. Boyle is a writer who never fails to capture my imagination.   I’m reading a new novel now titled “Shelter Me,” by Juliette Fay, that I’m really enjoying.
Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write something every day, even if it’s only a journal or blog entry.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I want to thank all of you who have supported me through the years.  Those who’ve contacted me always say such lovely things; it’s what gets me through the day.  When you get up at 4 a.m. you need all the boosting you can get!  I think of you all as my extended e-family.

I’d like to Thank Eileen for taking the time out in her busy schedule for us and I hope you all get to read her book. Please come back and let me know what you thought of it.

Feel sexy, feel beautiful, get Touch’d!

Lost Wedding Ring December 18, 2009

My prong broke on my wedding ring about six months ago. I had it fixed but it broke again. I figured that I was hitting it at work so I decided not to wear it while at work. At first it felt so funny not wearing it but after a while I got used to it and I kept forgetting to put it back on after work.


In September my husband and I went to NYC and again I forgot to put on the ring. I was so mad but I figured I’d remind myself when we got home. My mom was staying at my house and saw it sitting on my dresser along with my diamond earrings my daughters bought me for my 30th birthday. My two prize possessions in my jewelry. My mom said she would get them off my dresser and placed them in a baggie and hid them for me.


Now three months later, I decide I need to clean my ring and get it ready for the holidays. When I went to get it this morning, they weren’t there. I called mom to double check on the spot…I was in the right spot but no ring or earrings. Now I start to panic… I remembered my husband doing a thorough cleaning on my side of the room…what if they got sucked up in the vacuum??? The sweats start and I frantically lay on the floor, make sure I get every single thing out from under my dresser, bed, night stand……nothing but hair from the animals and a few lost pennies. Then I think maybe it was stuck in one of my drawers. I empty every single draw onto my bed and through each piece of clothing…..nothing… What the Frig!!!! I never realized just how much shit I have everywhere in my room. Why am I such a pack rat, that’s it… I grab a garbage bag and start tossing. Maybe it was stuck in one of my many trinket boxes, which are all filled with all sorts of goodies. Yes, I have a stand up, ten drawer jewlery box, but who the hell has time to organize their jewelry? Once again went through and organized everything, finding again lots of crap but no ring. I have been in my room for seven hours and it’s nowhere to be found. Now the crying sets in, then the anger for being so unorganized, then the crying, then sick to my stomach, then crying. I’m now coming to the conclusion that my wedding ring is gone.


I’m wondering why I’m so upset that it’s gone….my kids are healthy and we’re pretty happy in the Ferrucci Compound. The problem is I’m too sentimental about everything. My husband and I didn’t have any money when we got engaged. We already had two children and all the bills that came along with raising a family. He proposed with a cigar band and the night before my bridal shower, he surprised me with my beautiful ring. I know how hard he worked at getting it and making sure I had it to show off at my shower. He did say to me, “It doesn’t mean we’re married any less”!


I’m sure after the initial shock wears off, I’ll be fine but I thank you for letting me be a baby and boo hoo to you over my ring!


Rachel

Turkey Placecards November 17, 2009

One of the things I miss about my kids being little is all the crafts we used to do. So now I borrow children and I get to share it all with you. In the video below, we’ll show you a simple but memorable craft to do with your children for Thanksgiving. If you’re going somewhere as a guest, ask who’ll be there and bring them with you. These turkey placecards are sure to be a hit!

Please leave us a comment and be sure to link pictures of your turkey placecards when finished!

Happy Crafting!!

 

Yankee Fan vs Red Sox Fan November 6, 2009

The rivalry between the Yankees and Red Soxs in New England goes beyond the team. The fans have been battling forever, it divides the workplace, friends, and even family. As a Yankee fan I battle everyday with Red Sox fans…one of the cons living in CT. During the year we keep very close track of what each team is doing, waiting to pounce on the opponent whenever we have the chance. We proudly wear our Jerseys, hang our flags, and decorate our lawns.

This year we got #27…WOO HOO…eat our dust Red Sox!!!! We don’t want to leave out our rivals in this grand celebration…..so how do we include them?? Well, we decorate their lawn………

Congratulations to the 2009 World Champions!

Leaves Covered My Dining Room Floor November 6, 2009

I’ve been known to do some crazy things. Well, at least my family thinks they were crazy. My modo is “Have Fun”! You know the old saying,”You only live once”? I try to show my children you can have fun and be a little crazy, harmlessly. One Thanksgiving morning, I grabbed the kids, brought them outside, filled my arms with as many leaves as I could and carried them into the house and dropped them right on my dining room floor. My girls looked at me as if I had lost my mind. I told them …. Let’s go! Go get those leaves!! When they realized I was serious…the running and the giggling commenced. We ran in and out dropping the leaves on the dining room floor until it was covered. Talk about laughter……I still laugh just thinking about it.

I did tell them, we couldn’t keep walking over them, crunching them down until the guests came. So if they needed to walk through the room, they would need to shuffle…of course I had to show them how. I never had them offer so much to carry the dishes, glasses, silverware, and anything else that needed to go into that room. They shuffled in and out all morning…laughing all the while. I was getting a kick of how happy some leaves on the floor made them.

When the family arrived, they too thought I lost my mind but just laughed it off as another Rachelism. It was a huge hit for conversation. The girls also got to proudly tell all how they helped with everything that morning.

The clean up was fairly easy, I swept everything into a pile and everyone helped to put the leaves in bags, then I vacuumed the rest.

It was a Thanksgiving we will never forget! Well besides our Beetlejuice Thanksgiving.

Panic call- it’s lice November 3, 2009

Last night was an extremely late night in NYC (that’s another post) and today I planned on staying in my PJ’s, being as productive as I could and working all day. I receive a panic call from my daughter’s best friend, (she’s also like a daughter), Her daughter (who’s like a granddaughter) was scratching her head like crazy and she was concerned she had lice. This is something I used to deal with at work quite often (I was a cosmetologist) and I know how freaked out people can get. I tell her to calm down, just because she’s itchy doesn’t mean she has lice. I explain to her how to check for it and to call me back. She calls back and guess what? She has it…..now I talk to her very matter of factly, It’s not the end of the world and very common among children. It’s going to be a pain in the ass but it’s curable! I explain the whole process of what to do for her daughter, herself, the house, the car, and who she needs to call.

I then remember my husband telling me how the baby(she’s not really a baby, she’s 5) came over yesterday and she slept at my daughter’s house. SHIT- now I have to check everyone’s head and totally sanitize the house. Of course my daughter calls me and is freaking out, so I tell her I’ll be over to help.

After sanitizing both houses, and checking everyone’s head- I give the clean bill of health. Just in case though, my daughter wants to run to Target to grab Rid….just in case. I finally get back at 9 pm and put on my pj’s…better late than never.

Lice…..when most think of this disgusting little pest of a bug, they get totally freaked out. If you think you or your child have lice, stay calm and follow these steps.

What are lice?
Lice are tiny bugs that live on the scalp and neck. They are not able to jump or fly but they are highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person. They spread mainly through head-to-head contact, sharing clothing, bed linens, combs, brushes, and hats can also help pass them along. They are not dangerous and don’t cause disease. They do feed off the blood by biting a couple times a day, causing red bumps that itch. They lay eggs are the hair which are called nits.

Checking for lice

You will need to part small (very small) sections of the hair and look for the actual bug (louse) and look for the nit. The nit looks like a piece of dandruff stuck to the hair (usually close to the scalp) and doesn’t come off easily.

What to do if you find it

You will need to purchase a treatment shampoo (Rid is good) and a fine-tooth comb. There are kits that include the nit combs.

Treating hair

Follow the directions on the medication. While the hair is wet, you’ll need to part the hair in tiny sections and comb-out the nits. Sometimes olive oil is used to help get the nits off. You can use conditioner after you use the shampoo o make it easier to comb through. This process is tedious and takes some time.

If your child is under 2 years, call the physician.

Treating the house

1. Wash all bed linens and clothing that’s been recently worn by anyone in your home who’s infested in very hot water (130° Fahrenheit, 54.4° Celsius), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes. Dry clean any clothing that isn’t machine washable or store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry cleaned into a plastic bag and seal it for two weeks.
2. Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car).
3. Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water (130 degrees F; 55 degrees C) or just throw them away.

Calls

Call your child’s school, daycare, and anyone they may have come in contact with.

You can find complete information at www.cdc.gov/lice/head/factsheet.html