Nice Rack!

So the husband and I have been experimenting with a few different layouts in our kitchen and I think we are finally honing in on the perfect setup. First of all, I am loving the extra counter space and designated area for my espresso machine and Keurig. The problem is, with the two machines, the coffee, sugar, cups, etc. I'm not left with much elbow room to maneuver around and show off my mad coffee making skillz. This became incredibly apparent when I attempted to use both machines at the same time and almost dropped an entire bag of espresso on the floor. (Note: almost.)

There is way too much going on here.

The original plan was to purchase a nice pot rack with a shelf. Theoretically, the rack part would hold all of the shiny new pots my in-laws gave us for Christmas (but are still chilling unopened next to my bed because I had nowhere to store them [yes, this is all a true story]) and the shelf part would hold extra coffee, sugar, cups, etc. Boom. Problem solved.

Finding Nemo

Let me set a little scene for you.

It's just another Thursday morning, you finally finished up a major presentation that took up most of your time at work that week and the weekend is finally in sight. You're more excited than usual because your long-awaited trip to Disney World is just two days away. And because you were a travel agent in a past life, everything has been perfectly planned. You made flight arrangements, booked a hotel, bought park tickets, rented a car in Orlando so you can bop around town while you're there... Heck, you even set up a day-by-day itinerary because you're the best goddamn travel agent control freak ever. You're looking forward to warm weather, some fun rides and a couple of days away from the office with friends.

So close, yet so far.

You've been hearing whispers all week about some snow coming your way, but you're not concerned. You'll be on a plane and in 80 degree weather before any of this becomes an issue... Right?

Mission: Accomplished!

Well, it took sheer determination and just a pinch of insanity to pull it off, but it's time to cross another item off of my 30 before 30 list. I just returned from five glorious days in Walt Disney World and even though I am exhausted beyond belief, I am filled with the wonder, joy and fun-filled memories that come with any trip to Disney.

I'm currently in the process of uploading eleventy billion photos so I can provide you with one of the most ridiculous recaps in the history of Romano traveling adventures, but in the meantime here's some shitty cell phone pic proof for ya:

Ah, I miss it already!

Salute.

You know what sucks?

What sucks is getting a call at work on a Wednesday morning that your grandfather is dying so you rush home to your husband and then you both rush to Connecticut, but it's already too late. So you spend some time with your family and then rush back home and work for two days -- if you can even call it that because you just lost a loved one and you are so numb and tired and confused that you're pretty much on autopilot. Then you go back to Connecticut for a wake and a funeral and three days of immense sadness and pain. Then the day after the funeral you are ready to get back to your routine, but your husband, who has decided that your life is not chaotic enough, comes down with the flu and you spend the next five days taking care of him all while working nine hour days with a two hour commute. Meanwhile, friends are calling to check in on you which you know is really sweet and amazing, but all you really want is just one quiet fucking second to yourself to process everything that has just happened to you.

And that, my friends, is what my life has been like for the past two weeks.

My grandfather was sick for quite some time and although it is never easy to lose a loved one, it gives me peace to know that he lived a long, happy, beautiful life and is no longer suffering. Today would have been his 90th birthday and I can only hope to live a life as fulfilling as his.

So here's to you Nonno. Here's to a man who sacrificed everything for his family. A man who came to this country with a wife, two children and one on the way. A man who started with next to nothing, but worked harder than anyone I know and built himself an amazing life in this country. A man who loved to dance, laugh, drink wine, play cards, walk along the beach and spend time with family. A man who will be loved, missed, cherished, remembered and celebrated for many, many years to come.

Buon Compleanno, Nonno.