have you tried this?

I am now addicted. It is hard - 5 minutes is not a lot of time. There is also one about naming countries. oh yeah - I'm not even posting that one. hehe

112

Let me know how you do!

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What the...?

Can anyone please tell me why Congress is probing into steroid use in baseball?

Maybe it's steroid use in all professional sports, I don't know but I DO know I don't understand. And now, the FBI has opened an investigation into Roger Clemen's testimony to Congress??!??

REALLY??? Is that what our government should be focusing on right now? Is the United States in such a grand position in the world they have NOTHING ELSE to do?? war -bah! economy - Bah! healthcare - Baha! Trillions of dollars in deficit - who cares right? that's nothing.... but steroids, well it's good to see my hard earned tax dollars at work. and on a topic that affects so many of our citizens. they sure have their finger on the pulse of the Nation.

now, I'm not saying all these steroid/doping cases are not newsworthy. I understand the use of steroids has risen in young men/women, which is alarming. I do think professional athletes have a responsibility to those that look up to them and to ticket holders/buyers/fans (I know it's not fair, but hey you're getting big bucks, and it's the price you pay for fame) - but I DON'T think the Congress of the United States of America should use its valuable time looking into this issue. Aren't there sport authorities/commissioners who can do this crap? Owners making obscene amounts of money on the games?

Does Congress even work 5 days a week now? I can't remember - but you'd think what little time they are working, should be spent on issues that affect us all.

The NERVE of them. I feel like it is really a slap in the face to us constituents. If you can't tell - it really pisses me off.

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I need some help

I have a friend from work, a male friend to be exact, who is super in love with his girlfriend and will soon be proposing to her. They are dating long distance and he & I talked alot about dealing with that, since I did it with my Italian husband. So anyway, when the two of them were discussing the possibility of marriage, he asked her where she wanted to go on her honeymoon. Guess what she said? Yep - Italy.

Of course, I always told him if he wanted to plan a trip to let me know - I would be happy to supply him with info. They will be spending a whole month (!!) there and I was trying to think of suggestions as to where to go. I have been blessed with traveling frequently to Italy, but unfortunately, I've never had a whole month at a time and there are alot of places I haven't seen. He sent me an email the other day requesting info so now I need some help! I know many of you live and travel in Italy extensively, so I thought you might give me a few suggestions or links to pass along to him. (and those of you who have travel-related businesses, don't think for one second I will forget about you!)

They have never been abroad so of course they should do some main tourist cities. But since they will be there for a month, they also have time to hit the countryside and see charming villages or other, less popular regions. What do you think?

First on my list is Venice. I heard some quote the other day that most people only spend 1 day in Venice. CRAZY! It is such a romantic city and deserves so much more time than just a day. Yes, it can be ridiculously touristy, but once you hit St. Marc's square and ride the gondola, run the opposite way from all the crowds. There is such an interesting vibe that can be found if you really look. Where locals are happy to share their city's history with you. where prices are not so outrageous and you can see the local inhabitants making their traditional crafts and foods. I was telling my husband the other day, that we really need to explore the islands (there are SO MANY) - even he, an almost local, hasn't visited many of those.

Also, in the Veneto - I really like Verona. It is a lovely city with an awesome Roman arena and Juliet's balcony (which isn't really real.. come on you knew that, and that's not it, I just like that window). The castle is cool to visit and I found the atmosphere low-key with really pretty buildings. The Euganean Hills around my husband's hometown are also beautiful with so many little towns and a ton of Venetian villas. Or you can venture up north and hit the Alps - I mean come on - romance in the mountains!

Then you certainly can't miss out on Tuscany. Florence, Sienna, San Gimignano, Volterra (I loved Volterra), the Chianti region, etc. Romance is always in the air in Toscana. Rome. Bologna. Ferrara (a town which the Italian says is very sexy. don't know if that is true or not). the Cinque Terre. Positano. areas of Sicily, Calabria, and Le Marche - ugh, I have to stop. There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Italy. How do you condense it down to one month of romantic traveling? I have asked him some basic questions about what they'd like to do but I don't think they know much about Italy and what it has to offer.

So, I need your help. Can you share any general Italian links you refer to from time to time? What about places you have visited that might be a bit off the beaten track but are so beautiful and romantic no one should miss them? I would love to help him surprise his bride with the trip of a lifetime. Wouldn't you?

Aww... young love. bridging the miles and language barriers and making it work. so sweet.


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On new loves and misc things...

It is true... I have a new love in my life. He is cute, athletic and a little bit slobbery (but so sweet you don't even notice). Here he is in action:


Isn't he the cutest thing you have ever seen? Check out his website here (I love the music) and his myspace here. I really can't get enough of that Tyson =)

Would you like to see another cool video? LOVE IT! How do those people do that! Do you think you would freak out if you witnessed that in person? I totally would!

In other news, I usually forget about the various statistic tools I have downloaded for my blog. So the other day, I came across one of them and decided to check out what words and phrases bring people to my lil ole blog. Here are a few of my favorites:

• "slutty names/slutty stacey painter" (are they looking for this post?)
• "glory hole locations in dallas" (ACCKK! uhm yeah. I don't even want to know. for clarification on why I might pop up on that search - click here. TOTALLY different subject)
• "chia seed houston texas" (have I ever even typed the word "chia?')
• "are french mothers mean?" (I don't really know as mine is Italian. but check comments here and here to see if others' are!)
• "mother-in-law buy underwear" (embarrassing and funny all at the same time. and hey, at least I am not the only one!)
• "green-eyed monster activities" (random, right? are there really activities for that? hmm.. I'm thinking I don't want to know. this is my green-eyed moment)

I think I should keep an eye on those keyword activities. I didn't realize what a wide variety of subjects I have covered. hehe

Hope you're having a great weekend.

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World Nutella Day 2008

It's here! These lovely ladies have been hard at work baking and promoting another World Nutella Day. Thanks ya'll - it is always a day I look forward to. hehe

This year, I decided to try a new recipe and made these little puppies. It is a very easy 3-ingredient recipe that you can find here.

I have to be honest - I was a little disappointed in these cookies. I think the fact that I didn't have self-rising cake flour put me at a disadvantage. I tried following some substitution recipes to make my own cake flour - I don't think it worked. They were a bit heavy but I think with the right flour they would be GREAT!. I spread more nutella on half and made a peanut butter buttercream to go in the others.

All in all, I will add the recipe to my repertoire, but next time will use the right flour for a lighter cookie! I also think rolling them in powdered sugar or sprinkling them with it will add to the flavor.

Now go and enjoy that NUTELLA!

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Another Conversation with S

I don't know if I've shared this with ya'll before, but my Italian is not a very typical Italian man. In many ways actually, but today I am going to concentrate on romance. As you probably know, one of the stereotypes of Italian men is very "Latin Lover-like". You know, passionate, romantic, over-the-top dramatics to get his woman. Macho, womanizing, Fabio-ish men.

Yeah. uhm...not so much. Which of course is VERY good in the "macho, womanizer" category, but not quite so good in the romantic one. Honestly, most of the Italian men I know, are not this womanizing type - I mean, hello they seem to date 1 person for like 15+ years! 1 PERSON. (kind of makes me feel like a slut.lol) I have been accused of dashing many an "Italian lover" dream when I talk about my Italian. lol

Anyway, I am mostly fine with the non-romantic gene of my Italian. I am not a very romantic woman either, so no big deal. I don't really trust men who are very mushy or romancey. Nor is he a big compliment giver. Which can annoy me at times when I need a bit of "oh honey you look great" even though I know I look like crap.lol However, since those really sweet, melty moments are not an everyday occurrence, when they surface unexpectedly, well I go all gooey inside. Case in point...

Skype conversation this afternoon. Not much conversation going on, usually just me talking, as S is looking up work stuff on the computer. I am "studying" and getting sleepy...

S - "Stacy are you getting asleep"
(I love that, "getting asleep" instead of falling, I just can't correct it)

Me - *eyes popping back open* "Uhm no. I was just resting my eyes for a sec."
(I come from a long line of non sleepers, just resting my eye-ers)

S - *laughing* "Stacy....."

Me - "No, no. I'm awake. *pause* Yeah, I am kinda sleepy. hehe, How did you know that?"

S - "Because you are always chatting and saying your little things, so when you get quiet, I know."

Me - *about to get very insulted and gearing up for a good pout* (I'm thinking - so is he saying I am annoyingly chatty and can't shut up??)

I am about to let him have it when he says...

S - "that's one of the things I love about you. Its so endearing. I love to hear you talk and tell your stories."

All poutiness and indignation quickly drain from my body...

S - "it relaxes me. makes me happy."

...to be replaced by those warm, gooey, lovey-dovey feelings.

Awwwwww... he may not be a romantic Italian, but he sure can be a sweet one.


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