I should really change my name to Adriana.

You know you married the right man (not that I ever questioned it!) when he asks to have a plate of Antipasto ready for him when he gets home. He asked for Antipasto, not Meze'. Antipasto. My job is done here ladies. LOL



Meze'= is not defined as the Greek word for appetizer from what I've read, but in Steve's family it is basically the equivalent meal-wise of "our" Antipasto.

I still love you Greeks..... but a point for the Florio's!

If you know what SAHM means, I will give you $5 bucks.

OK... so I promised myself I would keep it real on here and truly document my move, transition and goings on. As time has gone on and I have become embedded in Army wife life, moving into a "sub-division" and trying to meet other moms for play dates (shut up all of you bitches, and you know who you are), I find myself holding back. I noticed it today when I went to post on here and thought, well... what if I come across too harsh and then I meet new friends out here and they read it?...... WHAT?! WHO!? Exactly Kat. I know.

So... here is the dish. Love the house, love having my husband doing what he loves and not ducking live bullets in 130 degree heat and love watching Sofie grow. I don't miss the rude hustle and bustle or stoop peeing illegal aliens at all. Moving on. Don't love the MONSTER bugs. There are black widows and brown recluse spiders where we live. FUCKING BLACK WIDOWS. I THOUGHT THESE THINGS ONLY EXISTED IN BOOKS OR AS A CHEESY TATTOO ON THE WRIST OF A B RATED GOTH CHICK! Now I have to make sure they don't eat my kid! I also have to accept the fact that I am not an Army Wife. The few girls I have met have been nice, but Steve's an Officer, and it's some real serious stuff. I know, again... shut up. So the vibe I get is that every one is really really busy with trivial shit that you and I consider recreational. Get togethers, food shopping, birthday party invitations... yeah... this is their job and the race is to see who can do it better. Sorry, I am a mess of a mom and housewife. I am EXTREMELY proud of that. My kid is awesome, my house is clean and my cooking would make you want to wish you burnt down your kitchen along time ago... nothing is calculated and it is fly by the seat of your pants every day. I do not plan on wearing a blouse to Army events nor am I going to lie about the fact that YES, my stroller looks like it is from Europe because IT IS. Oh and guess what, people have been to Europe that haven't been sent by the Army.... could you believe it?

OK... I am going to stop because the few contacts I have made officially hate me or love me now.... in time we shall see....but basically you get what I am saying. This is the vibe and it's time for a reality check.

I am a sarcastic no BS Italian girl from NY who doesn't expect national recognition for changing diapers or organizing a bake sale. Being a mom to me is nature and not a god damn competitive job. I had a job, it paid me good money and had really evil aspects as well as fancy perks that took me around the world.... Raising my daughter is a gift and I don't feel like I have to wear a "hello my name is" sticker to get through it.

What I am getting at is... the people here are nice.. super nice...a nice I needed... but as for the army lifestyle- they can smell me from a mile away and are NOT having it. Here's where I have decided to become myself and to say... guess what... my husband is a handsome brilliant man, father, soldier and partner. He happens to be in the Army and I support him as well as live life by his side. I am not an acronym nor am I going to tone myself down to make everyone else feel comfortable, and this is what I was having the urge to do!!!

I was fortunate to be born in a place that is always light years ahead, I can't help that and I won't be crucified for it. I kicked ass in the city that runs sh** in this world,. I sure as hell can survive Fort Sill. Besides, who needs to meet people for 6 months when you have your girls STILL running it in NYC and keeping my seat warm. Go Yankees.

ACRONYM OF THE DAY: SAHM= STAY AT HOME MOM.

ooey gooey in St. Louis...

So I am DYING to make this recipe since having it in St. Louis last week. However, my current residence at the Holiday Inn Express doesn't allow for me to baking my little heart out....... so for now, I must be content with sharing the recipe in hopes that one of you will try it.

Now I am not big on cake mix and instantly thought "I will use my own yellow cake recipe" but unless I dehydrate my batter which I will not be doing, it will not work. So please follow the recipe as I found it and enjoy an amazing American treat.

St. Louis Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

1 Yellow Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter
8 ounces cream cheese
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Mix Cake mix, one egg, and 1/2 cup butter till crumbly
Press inot a 10x13 cake pan
Beat two eggs, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla
Mix well and pour over crust layer
Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
Don't overbake, it will be gooey and will set up some as it cools.

recipe care of grouprecipes.com

xoxo,
d

BROOKLYN TO ST. LOUIS

We are well on our way and on the last day of our trip through the mid west. It has gone something like this, Brooklyn, Jersey, Pa (Pennsyltuckey), Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Let me tell you that there really is not much to see through PA and OH. The Westin in Columbus is where we stayed the first night and it was a beautiful hotel in a historic building. Danelle somehow unpacked the packed diapers before we left so at 11pm on a Monday night, Steve is combing Downtown Columbus for Huggies. He ended up in a "beautiful" neighbor where they carried a brand called "huggybunnys" or something of the sort which were basically a plastic bag with scotch tape on the sides. They worked, so I am not complaining.

Yesterday we drove through Indianapolis and on to St. Louis, MO. Now I knew I was going to like St. Louis because it is a city notorious for having a vibe of it's own and great culture. Well, I will go as far as saying I am going to plan a trip back here so I can actually see the city. Our hotel is in the landmark Union Station and right next to the Cardinals baseball stadium. Our meal last night was slammin'. So much for not eating meat.... can you say smoked bacon wrapped meatloaf dipped in the most unbelievable BBQ sauce you have EVER had. And as much as I wanted to forfeit dessert, I couldn't resist what the folks down here call "ewwy gooey cake"... it is basically a pound cake that has a hard crust with a smooth middle that tastes almost like cheese. I really almost died and went to heaven. I promised myself I will learn to make and perfect this cake so that people everywhere can melt into their chair as I did last night. I am attaching the Marriot's photo of this hotel because it is in the Station... ugh it is just gorgeous.

The photos above are backwards, St. Louis to Brooklyn.... I have no idea how to label and edit these bloggies yet so please bear with me.

We miss everyone and are really enjoying the trip!

As of tonight, I will officially be a real Army Wife. Hilarious.... they have no idea what they are in for over there in Oklahoma.


xoxo
Danelle