Be thankful

So, my revelation today was something I wanted to share.  I have always found it hard to "be satisfied".  I am always striving for more.  Yes, you may first think that this is a good thing; however, it may not always be.  I have an awesome family, great job, good friends, nice house.  The Lord has blessed me beyond my dreams.  I still find myself saying...Maybe I should apply to this job, what is I just moved that door and opened up that wall, what if...

I know that we should usually strive to achieve more and go beyond our comfort zone. But for me, today, I am going to thank God for my blessings.

•  I am thankful that I have an AWESOME husband.  I've had a horrible one.  I know the difference.  I am thankful.
• I am thankful that I have a home.  There was a time, many years ago, that I came very close to losing it.  I am thankful.
• I am thankful for my job.  I have had many great opportunities in life and have never took the time to appreciate it while it was here.  I have been downsized and right sized, fired, and hired.  Ugh..  I am thankful.
• I am thankful for my family.  I have lost two amazing parents, and one wonderful mother-in-law and still have a lot of family around to spend fun times with.  I am thankful.
• I am thankful for my children.  As they have grown many changes, and challenges have happened, but they are all on a great path with bright futures.  I am thankful.

So, today is a day that I sit back and say THANK YOU to everyone for all my experiences that make me the person that I am.  What are you thankful for?  Please leave a reply or tweet @saramommamia to share and be thankful for what blessings we have.


Sara

Been a long time

Life has brought a lot of changes since my last post.  I've had; job gains & losses, friends gains & losses, financial up's and downs, and the loss of 2 parents. (mine and my in-law) Once thing that hasn't changed is my never ending optimistic attitude.  In that spirit, I wanted to change up things and change my site to focus more on what has always been most important part of me.  Positive attitude and all the things we surround ourselves with that helps us grow and become more.  Watch for changes and hopefully you'll be happy with what you see.  I am "employed elsewhere" so this as with most things in life that's worth doing is worth the wait! 
Have a Great Day!
Sara

remembering treats from my childhood

When I was a child, my family was one of the few ethnic ones in the neighborhood.  I remember that all the kids would come to my house and be amazed at the food available.  No matter what time of day you could find something warm to eat on the stove.  Ok...maybe not in the middle of the night. Well, one of my favorite treats were the Pizelle's.  Most of the time, my Mom would drag out the Pizelle maker when she was throwing a party or at a holiday event, but it was truly a special afternoon when she would just get it out for the heck of it.  These are simple "waffle" like cookies that can be eaten warm or at room temperature.  The best way I like it is warm with a nice layering of Nutella on it.  If you haven't tried these lovely treats, you should.  I have found that Amazon.com often has great bargains on the machines.  You can pick up a high quality machine like this Cuisinart for around $37.72.  Feel free to use the link to research them yourself and let me know how you like to eat your Pizelle.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006F2ME?tag=saramommamia-20&camp=15309&creative=331441&linkCode=st1&creativeASIN=B00006F2ME&adid=1NHH2YDRSV3SDW

Ciao!

Sara

Not so crazy hard after all...

Well, since I focused so much last time on how to make money and have fun doing it, I thought I would give you an update.  I had some really great people step in and help me. I have placed the links of these 3  fellow bloggers on my site. Please refer to them too, and thank you!  Most money making opportunities seem to be by using affiliates and monetizing.  I have started using Amazon as my 1st affiliate.  It truly is a simple process.  I have worked with them (as many of you have) for years.  I find that this is THE go to spot to find a deal on the items that give you what you want at a great deal.  They have a program that focuses items to place on my blog that fit the parameters that I make.  Of course, for all of you that know me, I am first focused on a good deal.  For it to be a good deal to me I need to fill the following fields:

• I must need it. 
• It must be an item that is an excellent quality
• It must be at least 75% off, but I truly prefer it to be around 60%

So, I put these parameters as well as others in the fields presented and they came up with the deals you see on this site.  I would encourage you to click on the link and buy it if they fit your needs as well.  I plan on posting the deal of the day to Twitter and FB so that you don't need to wonder what's going on.  Please post on FB or re-tweet so that the word spreads. This can only succeed with your help.  Thanks so much and it's off to the races now.  See???? It's not so crazy hard.  

Ciao!

Sara

How are people doing this???

Ok, so I know how to talk relentlessly.  Just ask my friends and family.  I think if we sit down and start talking everybody will eventually have something in common.  As for putting this skill to use on this blog, the writing part will be something that I'm sure I can do. But, I've already had other challenges like:

1. How do you grab other peoples buttons and place them on this site?
2. With all the different applications out there. What one is best?
3. What is the best way to get followers?

But my most important questions are:

1. How do you make money on this?  How do you go about getting enough followers or posts or whatever to attract the advertisers?
2. How do you get those wonderful review opportunities and giveaways.  I personally love to enter them so I know it's out there, but where?

So...I know that these questions will eventually get solved but the question is...How long will it take for me to get the answers? I would love any help that you all have in helping me out.  I plan on doing the work necessary to get the answers and it is not my style to take my time doing it.  Of course, you will be updated.  So until then, do something Italian today  rather than say "hello, how ya doing" say Ciao...come stai (pronounced Chow..comb es sta)

Sara
http://twitter.com/#!/saramommamia

Day One!

Well, now that I've officially started this new blog.  I thought the best way to celebrate is to give my new friends a little tip on how to succeed at a good Italian meal. (Americanized of course)

Tip #1 When making pasta, ignore the whole aldenta thing.  The best pasta that my Momma served was always cooked completely through.  Not aldenta.  I think most of my friends believe that they are cooking it with a little bite, but it ends up being too much of a bite.  Just cook it till it till you taste it and you like the texture.

Tip#2 Always take some spoonfuls of the water that the pasta is cooking in and add it to your sauce.  It's amazing what the highly starchy water will do to the consistency of your sauce.  Yummm

Tip #3 Never serve  your pasta separate.  Add the sauce!  People who serve the sauce and pasta seperate are nuts.  My Momma would give me an individual plate of buttered pasta to get me going, but never placed a separate bowl on the table.  The sauce usually has the rest of your balanced meal in it.  Do not do this. Please!

I will keep all my friends posted to my new feeds on twitter and hope to have contests and sweeps for all to enter.  :)