my family
~ Home Sweet Home ~
I have been having some pain on and off in my mouth/tooth. So it was off to the Dentist yesterday with all three of my kids. While they waited for Mr. Bunny to come and pick them up I went in for some dental x-rays. I HATE going to the Dr’s, I actually can have panic attacks, my heart races and I have to choke back tears while I am in the office. I know it has a lot to do with my past medical history. I know first hand that even when the Doctor tells you there is over a 90% chance the little lumps in your neck are absolutely nothing, that he is dead wrong. So I have come to always fear the worst, to never trust any doctors and to hope and pray that I can stay out of the Doctors or Dentists office as much as possible. It is getting better over the years but I don’t think my fear will ever go away entirely. I live a very healthy lifestyle and that helps but it is important to stay on top of your health.
That is probably why the pain kept building in my mouth, I was too afraid and too busy to go to the Dentist and although he isn’t sure yet, I may need a root canal???? Mr. Sweet Bunny knows how terrified I am and offered to stay in the waiting room until I was finished. I assured him I was fine and to take the boys home so they could work on their homework it was dark out and getting late. Of course I was lying I really didn’t want to be alone.
As I waited alone in the office while the x-ray’s were being read I started to cry. ( no one saw this) I missed my ‘Entourage’. You see even when I was a very young girl I always had my mother, father, Grandmother Margaret and Grandfather Sabatine with me. My Grandparent’s came to all our Dr. apt.’s and I always felt so safe and loved. Luckily those were all benign routine Doctor visits when I was a little girl. A few years ago when I had Oliver I had excruciating painful kidney stones, which probably had to do with all the prenatal vitamins and calcium supplements I took during my pregnancy. Mr. Bunny called my parents in upstate NY and they were down in Jersey at the crack of dawn the next morning to bring me to the Doctors.
We had a late afternoon appointment on the Friday before the start of Memorial Day Weekend, so lets just say the nurses wanted me in and out of there asap. First I walk in the door carrying my 6 week old baby, followed by my son Sam pushing Oliver’s stroller, then behind him is my middle son, Teddy followed by my mother JoJo pushing my father in his wheelchair and behind him was my husband….my entourage was with me. ( I also have a wonderful Mother- In-Law, who will drop anything to come up and help me with the kids). They all know how worried I am and terrified I am to go to the Doctors so they came with me without my having to ask them. My sons still laugh over the look of utter horror on the faces of the nurses and receptionists when they saw so many people coming in to their office so late in the day on a very popular holiday weekend. They all glanced at us in shock and then picked up their calendars to check if there was a mistake. I assured them they were all with me. My oldest son said that his Great Grandparents would have been there too if they were still alive. He is right they would have come too, they always did, I was the love of their lives. A couple weeks ago I took the boys to their annual eye exam and we passed by the urologists office, my sons still crack up and remember the day We all went in there for my kidney stone.
So the other day as I sat alone waiting for the doctor to come in the room I was thinking about my grandparents and how blessed I am to be loved by so many kind people. I missed them and felt like someone was squeezing my heart, it actually hurt. Its funny, when you are pissed off about something, mad, angry, stressed, it hurts in your stomach, right? Just like an ulcer. When you are sad it hurts your heart.
Next week I have to go back to the Dentist and hopefully I can behave like a brave big girl. I am not like this in any other aspect of my life, I am actually one tough confident woman, I’m only like this when it comes to health, especially my children’s health. Hey no one is perfect!
A few years ago at my Son’s school two VERY famous people walked in with their daughter who attends there. They had their ‘Entourage’ of people around them and were drawing a lot of attention to themselves. They didn’t seem very happy and are now divorced and have been dragged through the mud in the press over the years. I’ll take my Entourage any day of the week over the superficial friendships and things I have seen over the years. I’m so blessed to be loved by so many kind loving people and I pray all of your are too!!
My blog is a place for you to stop by and hopefully leave happy and inspired, but as we all know Life isn’t always a bowl of cherries and I like to keep it real. I will leave you with some eye candy, a yummy recipe and hopefully happy and grateful for all the love in your lives.
Eye Candy:
I love to do kind things for my Mr. Bunny. He was my ‘Baby’ for seven wonderful years before we had any children. He is always there for me and I love to take the time to make him feel special, but having three active boys doesn’t always allow a lot of free time. I like to plan something easy that only takes a few minutes, set a beautiful table for us to eat at. The boys knew I was planning something special for ‘Daddy’ so they had a fun child friendly dinner of their choice and started off eating with us but then left and let my husband and I spend a few minutes alone.
We were away on vacation and I didn’t have a lot of food in the house so I went through the pantry , fridge and freezer and came up with these four ingredients:
1. Linguine
2. Cognac
3. Frozen Lobster meat
4. Truffle Butter
RECIPE:
Pot of salted boiling water, add linguine and cook
saute lobster meat in the truffle butter
add a splash of cognac
toss in the pasta and serve.
season with salt and pepper.
It took about 10 minutes, was delicious and seemed so decadent
I had no dessert so we shared a gourmet bar of chocolate and champagne.
It was wonderful. I think the secret to my successful happy marriage is that I act more like my husband’s girlfriend than his wife. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that we dated so long before we were married!! Hey it works for us and he feels loved.
What are your plans for the weekend?? I’m not making it out to ‘Dart Night’ this evening, I’m still in some pain and just want to stay in and relax with my family. I’m thinking a silly movie and popcorn and lots of chocolate is just what the Doctor ordered. I am cooking for family and friends on Sunday, a new recipe I am trying out, if it is good I’ll post it)
{ I hope to post on our ski trip next week , for those who follow me on Facebook I uploaded my snapfish pictures to facebook, I am also trying to get a fabulous recipe from the Inn we stayed at that I can include next week in my ski post}
Have a lovely weekend
*KISSES*
PS, I want to thank Sher over at Fashion after forty for the blog award she gave me. She has a fantastic blog.
As always I pass my awards on to all of my wonderful readers. I am also giving an award to my sons who all have their own blogs. My oldest son Sam is an accomplished photographer and has won awards for his photography, you can find his art here. My little guy, Oliver has his own blog ‘Sippy Cups For One and All’, he handles it all on his own. My middle son Teddy has a blog but lets just say, I’m not ready to give him an award just yet 
We are asked to list~Seven things to share about ourselves:
~pink is my favorite color
~White Casablanca Lilly is my favorite flower, I think it is soooo Sexy
~I am obsessed with shoes and handbags
~A Modern and Antiques mix is my favorite way to Design Rooms
~I have a degree in Business and a degree in Interior Design and I studied on a full scholarship in Paris, I think smart women are sexy so study hard all you young ladies out there!!
~One word to describe myself ~ ‘NICE’
~TTFN~
The paris house blog is good mom i love you i love your post mom im gonna e-mail you today im in love with you mom.
xoxo
Oliver
Bonjour Bunny,
This is such a lovely post, what a lucky lady you are to have an entourage who loves you! As you said, this is the most important thing of all. Your wedding photo with your entourage is beautiful! It’s marvelous that you make sure you have special time with Mr. Bunny, a great example for the boys.
We have alot in common – neither of us care for doctors or dentists at all and been struggling with tooth pain for the past two months. My four impacted wisdom teeth are needing some wiggle room and then I broke a tooth on a peanut and now they tell me I need a crown – egad! Since my honey and I are the only ones here in Paris, he is my entire entourage, and yes he is a saint!
Sorry to run on but I thought this was funny, you have to laugh, right?
Bonne chance with your tooth/root canal and have a fabulous weekend!
Hello Bunny, I hope all goes well for you at the dentist next week… I know how you feel about wanting someone with you… I usually go to dr and dentist appts alone, but sometimes I too get anxiety… I have had kidney stones as well and they are definitely not fun! I do love your philosophy about life and living every minute of it to the fullest! I love your list of things as well, you know I am addicted to purses too! Love to you… xoxo Julie Marie
Hi Bunny,
I love your wedding photo! Don’t Italians love to have great big parties and go all out?!
Sorry you were scared and I know what you’ve already been through and having the comfort of family makes all the difference. Really, family is everything and the core of everything that makes us happy and life worthwhile. I’m glad that you have such a wonderful, caring family.
I know how much you value family and it is evident in you, your kids and how you treat your husband. You make me feel like a slacker! lol I adore you sweet friend and even if I’m not there for you in person, please know that I am there for you in spirit!
Big hugs and love to you!
Karyn
I’m so sorry about the problems with your teeth daaaahling. I know going to the doctor to be horrid, but keep it in your head that dr’s and dentists are there to help you, not to give you bad news. Keep reminding yourself, maybe it will sink in
. Maybe u can plan a little treat for yourself after your next visit so u can focus on that instead of the appointment–bit of positive reinforcement no? Let us know how your next appointment goes!
Congrats on your award, and as always, its lovely learning more about you.
Wishing you a lovely weekend with mr bunny and the little bunnies.
*kisses* HH
p.s. 2 degrees? I’m impressed. Great shoes, great bags and a great brain to match. Fabulous!
Your blog reflects your life in the most beautiful of ways because you are honest. You live and write with your heart. And you readers feel that.
This life here on earth is far from perfect. Yet it is ours to live. I admire the way you have chosen to live yours. With style, care and grace.
I had a very feisty stomach flu yesterday, so I’ll have to keep it low-key this weekend. But if this is the way it was meant for me as for now, I’ll accept it. DVDs and pamper foods are calling me as well.
Take care dear Bunny!
Hello Ms Bunny,
I can’t wait to get to know you better.
) of all your energy. When do you have time to do all these amazing things?? I feel like I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time some days!!!!!!!!! It’s so cool that you believe in helping others the way you do. I think that if you are given something great, then you must do something great with it, and you are. I also love that you tell young ladies that it’s sexy to be smart. I agree with that too. You will be so much more respected and admired. When did so many younger ones lose track of that? I tell my daughter this all the time. I swear I’m gonna pound it into her every chance I get to be a strong, smart and independent woman. Yes, you can still have a man who will love you, maybe even more for that matter! I think it’s great you find the time to be your husband’s girlfriend. Good advice I will take. I like that.
It was so nice of you to come and visit me! I am soooo happy to meet new blog friends
Your blog is lovely, but more importantly, your home, your family and your lifestyle. You go girl, you are blessed! I’m so jealous (in a good way
Bunny, it is so nice to meet you. We have Mimi over at Bonjour Romance to thank for that. She finds the loveliest people and she rocks! I see that the lovely Karyn over at French Charming is another of your friends, and she rocks too! I’m so happy to meet all these great wonderful women I would never get the chance to know if it weren’t for blogging. I can’t wait to come visit you again!
Thanks for putting me on your blog roll, I am honored.
XoXo
Gail
A Jersey Girl Designer, but not the one you referred to in your post to me
When you have sisters and you are the youngest you are usually a part of THEIR entourage Michele…LOL! I think I may have more family “fans” and I believe my dear Auntie Em (who is now 83) is the President of that Club. It is mutual of course! Thanks for the thought provoking post…I got to FINALLY read one all the way through without interruption while eating my quinoa granola and yogurt…Yum! Enjoy your weekend with the ones you love…xo
Thanks Ladies for all your wonderful comments, I am so thrilled to blog with such a vital, intelligent and compassionate group of women who I am proud to call my friends!!
Oh Bunny I can so relate..I would rather do anything than go to the dentist. My one big fear in life! Hope your pain does not bug you all weekend and you can get back on track soon. It is so nice to have an entourage…it does make you feel loved. Sending you some extra love on top of the love your family and friends give you…xoxoxo
Hi Sweetie Pie!! Oh I can totally relate to your fears of the doctor and dentist!! I try to avoid at all costs. I even panic taking my kids to the doctor. I have a emetephobia, which is a deathly fear of vomiting. My poor family has to go through so much because of me, It is terrible. I am so afraid of germs. That is the reason I dont like going to the doctor. It scares me so much! I am so glad you have such a beautiful family to be there with you and support you! What would we ever do without our families?
That recipe looks delicious! You always share such good food, thank you! I love that all your boys have blogs!! Oliver is such a DOLL!!!!! I love his comments on your blog, what a sweetie pie!
I loved learning more about you! How wonderful to have studied in Paris! What a dream!!!! My favorite color is pink too
But I am sure you already know that, lol!!
You are so sweet Bunny, you dont have to send me anything for my birthday!! I adore you and love your blog so much, you are a bright spot in my life!!
Big Hugs,
Amy
Hi Michele, I completely understand your anxiety with regards to doctors and dentists! I always reward myself with a trip to the Short Hills Mall or Spirit Spa in Oldwick after a visit to the dentist or gynocologist – I know you don’t like shopping in malls but it always gets my mind off of any visit to the doctor! Take care and feel better!
You are so lucky! As an only child of a divorced family…. my entourage has historically been VERY small. I avoid the doctor and dentist at all cost. I too, have had some bad experiences. I hope your mouth feels better soon. Teeth can be very painful!! I’m glad you felt like cooking… This looks yummy!! All your recipes have been so good!!
You know, I think that may be why our marriage has been so good as well. We have been married almost 21 years, and we dated for 5 years before that. My hubby travels so much with his job and we have limited time together. i think I do tend to treat him more as a boyfriend…. I always get dressed up when he returns, make something special, etc…. It is important to treat your man as though he is a treat you look forward to, not a responsibility. Thanks for the reminder!
I definately want the swivels and most likely the stripper cups!!!!! What fun!!
Thanks again,
xxxxx kim
…… I just ordered the “Stip Tease” glasses. They are so cute. Do you have them yourself??? Let me know about the swivels!!
xxx kim Send me a great cocktail recipe to serve in them!!!!
Oh it’s always so happy over at your place. I love looking through your previous posts…great picture of you little doggie, soooo cute. You always have yummy food too.
I thought that was so funny how all your family come to the doctors, it’s so sweet.
My gosh does your handy man really look like that guy in the sidebar, if so you must have stuff that breaks ALLLLL the time
xoxo
I hate the dentist too. I always need a topical anesthetic just for cleanings because I get so nervous. But my new dentist told me sometimes people need novacaine so that made me feel like I was braver than I gave myself credit for!
Beautiful wedding photo.
Ouch! I hope they can fix that tooth soon. I much prefer Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) That is so much easier. Your post is so sweet about your loving family!
Have a wonderful day!
Sher
You should have called, Bunny. I would have come!
I’m not overly fond of doctors or dentists either. I take nitrous at the dentist AND a valium. I am a CASE.
Doctors are somewhat forced on you as you get older. I broke down several years ago and got myself an internist. (We all use our OB/GYN’s as GP’s as long as we can get away with it.) So far, so good.
I needed to have a hip replacement and put it off for a long time until I limped in pain. I finally had it done last summer. My kids were shocked- I never told them how bad it was. Two of them were able to come down. So I know what you mean about an entourage. Mine isn’t big, but it’s strong.
Hi mom wen are you goona post this is the won that you did on the 22 i love this post but a new post is good i love you. A Chrismas thing.
xoxo
Oliver
Bunny, so sorry to hear about the toothache…doctors visit is never easy!
I’m taking your tips on treating hubby like a bf, that’s a good one, but first one needs to get bf first right?!
haha…mail me one pleasssse, Valentine’s day would be nice!
xo
Dear Bunny,
I just love absolutely everything about you and The Paris House. I always marvel at all the beautiful pictures of your home and gardens. Not only are these pictures beautiful to look at, but I feel that behind each picture is a great deal of love. It is also wonderful that you let your personality shine through on your site with lovely pictures of yourself and family. (There are many, many websites out there that although they are also beautiful, there really is no human touch to them and they make me wonder if they are just commercial sites). This wonderful piece about the “Entourage” was especially endearing. You have a wonderful family and I am certain they are a big part of who you are. Hugs, Lia
OH Bunny, your entourage sounds wonderful. What a sweet and loving family!! I hope your tooth pain is gone…are you feeling better?? I’ve been thinking of you. I have been out of the blog loop…things are so hectic. I really enjoyed my visit to your state!! I’ll be emailing you soon
xxoo,
Mimi
My darling I popped in to wish you a love filled February full of blessings.
Love & Hugs
Duchess