One year!

Almost 1 year passed by....1 year ago I was still organizing my "surprise" trip to Hamilton with Norma & Nancy. 1 year ago Sandra still had to say "I do" to Jerry! 1 year ago "amiche e sorelle" did not exist yet. In few days many we will celebrate one important event! On July 22nd Sandra & Jerry will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary!! Later, on August 16th this blog will also salute his first year of life! Sandra and my little "sisters" Nancy and Norma were the first reason to start this blog. My way to share fragments of my life with them, my way to fool distance...but as I said once "kilometers don't count if hearts lie close". In this hectic life of mine there isn't a day where I don't spent a thought for you girls! So let's celebrate Sandra & Jerry, let's celebrate friendship, let's celebrate the beauty of life!

Finding Norma a man!

I'm getting too old to party with Norma.....I had to take a minute and explain how CRAZY Friday night was for us. We ended up meeting Patty at a Bar/Resturant called MUSTANGS in Stoney Creek....the food was great. Patty had the Nacho's and I had this incredible Honey Oak Chicken Sandwich....and Norma had the same in a wrap. We were there for a few hours, laughing and catching up on some gossip. After we dropped off Patty I had a knew we weren't going straight home. Yup, I was right, we instead picked up Angelica at 10pm and headed to the Portuguese Club. I didn't want to hang out there all night, and Thank God Norma just had to drop a CD off for a friend. But we didn't leave without having a few drinks.....I had a bottle of water, you know we I'm not much of a beer drinker. So we leave the club and head to John St. thinking to myself..."OK where can we cause some trouble tonight and at the same time pick up guys for Norma???" After circling John St. afew times.....I have to mention WHY we circled John St a few times......we ended up passing a Firestation that had a few GORGEOUS Firefighters standing outside and so Angelica and I thought ....sure why not Norma could date a fireman....lets go check them out. That was fun for about 5 minutes...so off we left and we ended going up the street to TAILGATE CHARLIES. It was probably around 11:30pm and that's when our night began. We go in and see nothing but young kids....19-23yr olds....the music was good but come on , we were on a mission, we needed to find a guy for Norma...after walking around a few times we headed down stairs to the "LIQUID KITTY", it's classified as a Martini Bar in Hamilton, the crowd is much older and live bands play there. So, there we were... Angelica and I didn't have any shame....we are married, we didn't care....we made fools of ourselves, but it was all for Norma. We stopped guys as they walk past us and saw if they are suitable for NORMA. Angelica has a list of questions that she asked them ...#1 How old are you?#2 Are you married?#3 How much $$ do you make ?and the most important question was ......#4 Do you have any kids????? This lasted all night, John showed up around 1:30am just in time to preapprove any choices Angelica and I were making for Norma. Neadless to say we were the last 4 people to leave the bar at 2:30am. Actually Norma was the last to leave the building, she was throw out literally by her BOUNCER friends. Thank god when Norma meets someone, she leaves a lasting impression.....the bouncers all knew her and had a howl throwing her out. I have photos to prove it!!!! Anyways by the time she said her goodbyes and had a last smoke...it was 3am. I was in pretty good shape, John and I decided to pick the kids up from my moms house.....I know it seamed terrible waking them up at 3:15am but it was better for us in the morning. My kids are use to it, they are use to getting disturbed while they sleep, that 's what happens when you need to get to work by 7am. I have to mention John and I woke up the next day around 10am and I don't know about him, but I felt like a bag of Shi---!!! My head was killing me, my voice was rough and it seamed as if I drank all night. I had the worst hang over........to my surprise the only thing I drank all night was a 1/2 bottle of wine cooler.....I'm getting too old to party with Norma. Anyways, our mission wasn't accomplished, Norma didn't meet the man of her dreams that night, but there is always NEXT TIME!!!

Written by Nancy, May 5th 2007

pronto chi parla??

It's 2h30pm. Meggie is taking a little nap. She has a little cold. I sit on the couch wondering wheter to go and take a nap too. The phone rings. "Pronto chi parla?" I recognized Sandra's voice. "Thought to call you ...for a change". With Sandra it's always the same. We pick up the conversation where we left it. There is no gap. No incertitude. Or silence. It's like we spoke the previous day. We have been talking lately but always briefly because of too many things to do. I know wounds stupid but it's like this. So this time we decide to catch up with some conversations. in 1h35 minutes we talk about everything and everybody. We laugh. We get sad. We make projects. We gossip. We send greetings and we promise to keep in touch. We have been doing this for 22 years! And I just love it...! We have a big project for next year. 2008. When Sandra and I will be 40! So what better occasion to get together and celebrate? Maybe in a vignard close to Niagara on the Lake? And finally have my parents visit Sandra in Canada?? Yes, I would love to be with all my "big" family for once!
And I'm working on it...

Yet you are sooo far away!!!

I'm taking it easy today......this morning at 8:30am Gabriel and I walked Madeline to school, It's Gabriels Friday off. It's such a nice day here today......I was up at 6:30am along with the sunshine. At 1030am Gabriel and I walked back to the school because they had a Mary Crowing Ceremony with the whole school and Madeline asked if I would attend. That took an hour then on our way home Gabriel wanted to stop at the park near our house.......OK sooo we stopped there for a while. Now I'm starving for some lunch, but Gabriel wantes to go outside and play Hockey. So I compremized with him, he's allowing me to spend some time on the computer and then I will have to go outside with him and hockey....of course I'm the goalie and I have to put the protectiver pads on. This evening John and Enzo have a stag to go to. Patty's brother is getting married ......Norma and I will be going to meet up with Patty in Stoney Creek for some NACHO'S.........It's a cheat night tonight...I have been doing so good and have lost alittle bit of weight. But you need to fall off the wagon sometimes. I have a feeling the nights not going to stop there.....Patty will want to go home because I'm not sure if I mentioned it....they are expecting TWINS....she's about 32 weeks.....she won't want to stay out late after working all day. But Norma on the other hand ...I think she's going to drag me along and go bar hopping near Hess Village. On Augusta St. closer to James St. and the Bus Terminal are a bunch of new little pubs.....The weather today is sooo nice...I think that's where we are heading later on tonight. John will probably meet up with us after the STAG.....he's bartending for them tonight. It's sooo funny that I can explain our plans with you and you know exactly where we are heading......yet you are sooo far away!!!

Written by Nancy, May 4th, 2007

Welcome back to work!

Hi Olg, thanks alot for the phone call, sorry, as usual we were out. My first day was great!!! It's like I never left. I totally just started doing my work like normal, of course I got stopped a hundred times everyone welcomed me back and Managers of my department brought me a "welcome back to work" cake. It was really nice and unexpected. I'm a little tired because I didn't sleep very good last night, I guess subconsciously I was worrying about getting up on time and going back to work. I tossed and turned all night, I saw every hour go by....1:30 am, 2:30 am 3:30 am.....finally at 5:00am I got up. Then talking with everyone and explaining to some workers and doctors why I was off was a little hard.....Just having to remember it all over again, you know, it was a little hard. But the day all in all was really good. So, How's Meggie, everything in order in the new place?? Where are you off to next???

Posted by Nancy, April 30th 2007

My feet hurt!

Here & Now

Hi Olg,
As usual I am having trouble getting onto the BLOG. But its OK, since I am now hooked on FACEBOOK. I just wanted to tell you that this will be my last weekend as a sane person.YUP, BACK TO WORK MONDAY morning, GOD HELP ME!!!!! Oh I forgot he already did.....I'm going to have to learn to relax and just go with the flow. I think I'm just afraid of going back to the way we use to be, always rushing around. I know think positive. The good weather is on its way, the kids are older now and they are soooo much fun. I knew this weekend would come sooner or later. It would have been the weekend that I wanted to just relax with John and the kid before I started work again, but of course........It's the busiest weekend we have. Saturday we have Sandra and Jerry's aunts 90th birthday party and on Sunday I have a bridal shower in Grimsby. I have a feeling I'm not going to be sleeping much either. No, not because of John (get your mind out of the gutter) simply because of all the things that will be going thru this head of mine before Monday morning. Oh well back to reality. Hope you have a good weekend. Kiss Meggie for me.....

Posted by Nancy, Friday 27th April, 2007

Family stuff...!!

Both Nancy and I we have been so busy lately that we did not find a little moment to write in our blog! So we would like to apoligize to our few but loyal readers for this absence! Nancy had to organize Maddeleine's First Communion : quite a big event in the Tarquini's tradition, lot of work, especially lots of food in few words a great day! Talking about me, during Meg's 2 weeks vacation in Italy I went to Frankfurt, fixed the house, did a lot of administartion "bullshit" and then spent this week end with my parents here in Paris. The weather has been so exceptional that we enjoyed long walk in unknown areas of Paris! Family, family for both of us! And a lot of organization before and a lot of cleaning after! And when it's over you are so tired but already looking forward to the next family "reunion"!

Happy Easter......

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.

I hope everyone will enjoy themselves, as we spend time with our family and friends.

BUONA PASQUA !!!!

posted by Nancy April 5th, 2007

Busy April!

Hi Olg,I guess you read how Sunday Afternoon went in Toronto from the Blog.You have to change the times on the clocks on the Blogs. Everytime I go and sign on, the clocks show and hour behind.I bet Meggie is excited about Easter. Will you be in Italy for Pasqua?? April is going to be a very busy month for us. April 8th - EasterApril 11th - My good friend Patty's BirthdayApril 22nd - Madeline's CommunionApril 28th - Open house in the morning at Madeline's School - 40 yrs AnniversaryApril 28th - Jerry's Aunts 90th Birthday Party at Sandra's April 29th - Melissa's (a friend) Bridal Shower : I don't have time to go back to work. I don't know how I'm ever going to get my ass in gear and go back to those 7 in a row shifts. Hope you are all well, Ciao Nancy

That's what family is for......

Norma was great, Sunday afternoon was the longest day of my life. Sandra, Jerry, Steven, John and I all went along to Toronto to support Norma, we knew she was going to place somewhere in this competition. Her singing is incredible. We arrived at 1:30pm, had a really good meal and then it all started. First it was the Veterans age group to go up (45 and up) Lina our good friend was great she is Italian and sang a Portuguese song, she placed Bronze in her category and won $200. Then it was the kids age group to go up (15 and under). Some were really cute and sang well, while others obviously didn't have any family support to tell them they stunk. Our friend Christopher(15 yrs of age) sang really good, he placed diamond and won $500. 5 hours go by, then an intermission, you'll never guess, they had a Portuguese Elvis impersonator. He was good, but come on already.....when was Norma going to go up?? We were all pretty tired of waiting and Norma was so good, she held off on drinking as long as she could. Finally around 6:30pm it was the adult age group to go up. Norma was #5 out of 12 to sing. She was great, she sang her famous Patsy Cline song "If you've got leaving on your mind". We think the competition was fixed. The organizer of the competition called her and told her she HAD to sing that song, but everyone else had their choice of song to sing. Norma was the only non-portugese person to sing in her category and after the contestants sang their song, they each spoke with the host and judges, but not our Norma, all she got was "obligado" a thank you. Liberto and Jimmy were from Hamilton and were in Norma's category. They sang great,they had the place up, dancing and cheering, but they didn't place. Paul the Hamilton organizer was also in Norma's category, he sang OK, not better than Liberto, Jimmy or Norma, and of course he won diamond along with $500. HOW COINCIDENTAL.
All in all, we were really upset that Norma, Liberto, and Jimmy didn't place in this competition, we all know Norma has a great voice. I don't know if we were upset because she didn't place or that fact that it was 9:30pm when we finally left the hall. Did I mention Jerry Sandra and Steven left right after Norma sang, I don't even think they waited for her to get off the stage, they were out of the hall soooo fast. John and I hung around for yet another 3hrs. It was killing us, but we had to, we where there to support Norma, and we sat through it all until the bitter end. That's what family is for.
WAY TO GO NORMA, YOUR OUR DIAMOND WINNER!!!

posted by Nancy March 28, 2007

You are a winner!

No one was missing, well "me" apart!

Nancy+John, Sandra +Jerry & Steve and some other friends were in Toronto supporting Norma! It was a very long evening!

They all had a great time!

Norma was fabolous but she did not make it!

No worries!

Because:

She is a WINNER to US!

OLGA!!!

Hey Olga...how are you??? I got your message the other day regarding my little contest..Yeah I made it to the finals and that's going to happen this Sunday the 25th. I am a little nervous but now that I know what song they chose for me, it won't be as bad..(I hope)...I was hoping they would pick a fast song for me but instead I'm stuck with a Patsy Cline tune. I already sang it 2 weeks ago but this time the judges pick the song that has the higher score. With this song though I don't see myself making it through to gold, silver or bronze...but it was fun while it lasted. Unless I go shopping and find the shortest skirt to wear..I might have a chance...lol.. But anyways, thank-you Olga for thinking about me in Paris. Even from over seas I'm getting support. YOUR THE BEST!!! Nancy or myself will keep you informed of what is to come... Love ya!!!

Off to the "FINALS"

She made it!!! Norma made it to the final round of the Karaoke Contest in Toronto this past weekend. Her very long day Sunday was all worth it. Norma and her two friends (Lina and Lisa) managed to get to Toronto for noon that day, they sat through a Portuguese luncheon and then it all started, 30 contestants singing there little hearts out and our Norma was #27. The day earlier John, the kids and I, along with our good friends Patty and Enzo drove to the States, we shopped until we dropped and were simply to tired to go to Toronto with Norma the next day, but she knew that we were supporting her from Hamilton. Every few hours I called her on her cell phone to get an update on the contest. Nervous and excited, she waited until it was her turn to sing. She sang "If you've got leaving on your mind" by Patsy Cline. Then around 8:30pm we got the call, John answered the phone and with a smile told me "she made it to the finals". Excited as ever, she hung up and went to celebrate, I knew I would get the whole scoop of how her day went early Monday morning. Yup, I was right, Monday morning Norma called and still very excited explained how nerve racking it was to have to sit and wait all day for her turn to sing. She went on to explain there she was standing on the stage waiting to start and as she adjusted the microphone, "OH NO!!!" it broke apart. She broke the microphone, leave it up to Norma to cause disruption. Everyone laughed, the sound guy had to come up and help her reattach the microphone. Once everything settle down and as the music began again, "HOLD ON, she said "THERE'S NOW WORDS ON THE SCREEN!!! And yet again, Norma stopped the contest. Everyone howled as she made a big deal, and of course drew even more attention to herself. She didn't need the words, come on, I knew that and she knew that. She knows this song off by heart, she sings it every Saturday night at the Portuguese club, but she wanted the words on the screen so off went the sound guy again and helped Norma set up. Way to go Norma, good way to get the attention of the judges. At the end, she said, "IT WAS ALL OVER, " she said she doesn't even remember singing, it was over so fast. Finally it was time for the judges to call the names of the contestants who have made it to the finals. The first name they called was...............
"NORMA TARQUINI", in disbelief the place cheered, she couldn't believe she made it. Yup, here we go again, in 2 weeks Norma will be singing in Toronto at the FINALS. She has 2 weeks to pick and practice a song. CONGRATULATIONS NORMA!!!!
We're are off to the "Finals", Toronto here we come.

Posted by Nancy March 12, 2007.

The Voice...

Our little Norma won a karaoke contest in Hamilton and made it through to the semi-final in Toronto. She sang, beautifully, "Don't cry for me Argentina". Nancy told me: " Not because she is my sister but she was absolutely great!" Very serious before the performance Norma "got wild" after the victory. She drank all the alcohol available in this Portuguese pub! Semi-final are in Toronto, this Sunday, and if she will make to the final, and will be the winner our "voice" could get a recording contrat! Even from Paris I will be cheering for you, Norma! Ah our sorellina becoming famous...!!

Wind Chime

Every morning, when I open my window the tinkling sound of the wind chime welcomes me! And every morning it tells a different story. The music of this object embodies the old legends of the American Indians and I am totally fascinated by it. This wind chime was given to me by Nancy many years ago, travelled around the world with me, and now will find a new place where to brighten my days.

Creation Story & The Importance Of Dreaming
An Abenaki Legend
The Great Spirit, in a time not known to us looked about and saw nothing. No colors, no beauty. Time was silent in darkness. There was no sound. Nothing could be seen or felt. The Great Spirit decided to fill this space with light and life.
From his great power he commanded the sparks of creation. He ordered Tôlba, the Great Turtle to come from the waters and become the land. The Great Spirit molded the mountains and the valleys on turtle's back. He put white clouds into the blue skies. He was very happy.He said, "Everything is ready now. I will fill this place with the happy movement of life."He thought and thought about what kind of creatures he would make.
Where would they live? What would they do? What would their purpose be? He wanted a perfect plan. He thought so hard that he became very tired and fell asleep.
His sleep was filled with dreams of his creation. He saw strange things in his dream. He saw animals crawling on four legs, some on two. Some creatures flew with wings, some swam with fins. There were plants of all colors, covering the ground everywhere. Insects buzzed around, dogs barked, birds sang, and human beings called to each other. Everything seemed out of place. The Great Spirit thought he was having a bad dream. He thought, nothing could be this imperfect.
When the Great Spirit awakened, he saw a beaver nibbling on a branch. He realized the world of his dream became his creation. Everything he dreamed about came true. When he saw the beaver make his home, and a dam to provide a pond for his family to swim in, he then knew every thing has it's place, and purpose in the time to come.
It has been told among our people from generation to generation. We must not question our dreams. They are our creation.

Old letters...

I kept all the letter Sandra sent me. The first postacard is dated July 1985 the last July 2006! 21 years of letters, cards and photographs. 21years of written life. Because these letters are not only the testimony of time that passed by but also the demonstration of a enduring friendship. In all these years birthdays were never forgotten, and Christmas were always celebrated with cheerful cards! Many stories were written and shared and the black characters on the white paper just lost a little of their colour. Many times a letter with my name on it crossed the ocean and ended, peacefully, in my mail-box! And everytime it was a special moment for me! I long for the day that I can read these letters, again, with Sandra. Look back at our lives. And see that we always been there for each other. And we always will...

News from Nancy!

Hi everyone,
I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since this has all started. I actually can't believe this really happened at all, but it did and I would have never been able to get through this without my family and friends. I wanted to thank everyone for the phone calls, flowers, cards, thoughts and most of all PRAYERS. Everyone knows I have a very large family, and I know alot of people, but never in my wildest thoughts did I expect the concern everyone had for me during my illness. To say thank you to everyone will never be enough.
I hope everyone is well, I miss alot of you guys.
Talk to you soon!
Love Nancy

Old days in Hamilton

It's canada calling....

Ciao Olga,
I hope this gets to you. I’ve been having a bit of difficulty with my email. I think the problem has been solved now. So, how are you? I hope you’re feeling better after your operation. And Meggie? Is she better? It’s so hard when our kids are sick……thank goodness Joe, Steph, Angie and Stephen are well. Joe had bronchitis over the holidays but he’s back to normal now. He even won his hockey game today! 5 to 4! It was very exciting!
Stephanie has an hour of piano today because we had a “snow day” last Monday. School was closed and piano was cancelled. She loves ice skating too and goes every Thursday. Jerry is fine….always happy and so great with the kids. Have you seen the new Ben Stiller movie….A Night at the Museum? It’s wonderful, the kids really enjoyed it.
My parents are well. Thank goodness this mess with Nancy is over. She’s at home now and is resting comfortably. She’ll be off work for about 2 months I think. She still has the intervenes attached to her arm and a nurse comes once a day to change it. What a nightmare! Thank God she’s better.
Work is work. My class has a lot of challenges but I can see progress which is great. We’re looking forward to going away this summer. I think to South Carolina for a couple of weeks. It’ll be nice to get away. So, what’s new with you? Wouter is well I hope. Please give your family my love. I’ll write again soon. Take care.
Love ya,
Sandra

P.S. You won’t believe what I found! The very FIRST picture of us together in 1985! We looked so young! My God! How time flies!
A presto……..

This is not the picture Sandra is talking about but...one of many pictures we made together in the "old, good days"!!