Time-less

I am finally admitting that I no longer have time...for ANYTHING. Seriously. Even washing my hair requires planning. I have to make sure the hubs is home so not to leave the little one alone for too long (I don't trust the babysitting skills of Dora the Explorer); I have to make sure I have enough time afterwards for drying. I don't dry my hair right away, but rather wait so is damp and then blow dry it. See? a process.

I used to read. LOTS. I have a few books that I'm in the middle of reading and I can't do it; I can't take the time to read them right now. Sorry James Patterson.

I used to scrapbook. I used to spent an evening just scrapping or going to a crop night with a friend and even order dinner there and didn't get home till pass 11pm. sigh. The little guy's album currently has 2 pages done...and he is already a year old.

Granted, the trade off is to see this little person become who he is, watching him jump up and down with Yo Gabba Gabba, no matter how much I hate them. Is having him laugh out loud when we do the JAWS introductory sound. Or having him tackle poor old Pearl and having him laugh about it and her cuddle with him. Is seeing how he is understanding two languages and how he shakes his head when I ask him if he is done eating. I know I'm lucky, I've always said that.

I just feel like us Mom's loose who we are so we can help build these other little persons own self. A magical experience, but a long and hard one.

I'm lucky that my partner in crime watches him so I can go do my nails, or have a shopping afternoon with the Sis. That, my friends, is a luxury.

Then there is the blogs. There are so many and so much talent out there, but I see it all the time...people taking breaks to tend to their families. In the last few years I've become addicted to watching porn...hahahaha...just kidding...making sure you are paying attention... Like I was saying, I became addicted to watching Youtube makeup videos. I love them. Again, so much talent out there.

Last month, one of my favorite Guru's decided to take a long break...from everything: facebook, youtube, twitter, blogs, etc. He said that no matter how much he loved his web friends, he needed to cultivate his real live friendships and family. He needed to dedicate as much effort to those relationships as he did to keeping the "others".

I wonder if sometimes we get connected to the computers and disconnect from the world...I love being able to chat with friends and see pictures and ideas and things of the sorts, and maybe is because this little blog is mostly an outlet for me to vent, that I don't have the stress of having to be off for a while.

But I think he's got a good point, a phone call to your sister, an afternoon coffee with an old friend, going out on lunch break and shopping at Michael's, going to the movies with the girls, having a family nap time or movie night, these things have to take priority over anything else. And I see so many people competing over who has more readers, followers, more videos watched, etc. I hate when they say "enter to win this...if you are a follower" is like they are buying attention.

No, not all of them do it. Some of them really just love what they do, some of the them don't care about the silliness. Some of them love it and sometimes, they just need a break. And me? well...I am sad that I don't get to scrapbook as much as I use to, or read all the time, but now I am experiencing seeing him grow, going to get strawberries together or seeing him go crazy for Hawaiian rolls beats doing anything else any day.

I"ll blog when I can, I will scrapbook when the timing is right, but for now my heart and time is where it should be, with the one's that I love.

Over & out

Get down from there!

***This post was supposed to come up last week, but since I'm slowly dying from being sick and exhaustion from no sleep, it goes up today...and I think I don't even make too much sense***


Baby proofing the next generation.


I have a confession to make. Our dear little man is one and we have not baby proof our place; and what seems to be a shocker to most, we are not going to!

Nope, we are not.


We were watching the other day the stand up comedy of George Lopez (I think this one was "why you cryin'"...yeah, spell just like that. He was saying how we are making the next generation so much weaker by baby proofing and over protecting our kids. we so whole heartily agree. Now here me out before you call Social Services on my A$S.


I grow up basically like any other kid of my generation: running around, climbing trees, fences, jumping on and off thins, sitting on a second floor lavatory too look down with out any protection, picking up scabs, putting sugar to stop bleeding, using Vicks Vapor rub to cure bug bites and also as a night mask, yeah...things of that nature. (what?! You didn't? huh...)


And guess what? we survived!


I remember the house across the street from us had a plum "ciruela" tree and we would climb a cinder block fence, going thru the edge of the roof and jump down to the patio to steal *cough* borrow fruit. This was converted as a daycare so there was no one there in the late afternoon.

Or going to my Grandfather's farm and climbing thru barbwire fences only to see that my leg was not crossing cause one of the barbs was encrusted on my leg.

Or my dear brother doing a Karate move on me and sending me flying across the room only to land, head first, with a corner of a bed side table.
yeah, those where the good old days.

My oldest kid, he was a jumper. He would jump out of his stroller only to hit our CERAMIC floor head first. Several times. He also decided to pick up a glass bottle that was left on the side entrance of the house, proceeded to let it break and then cut his hand trying to pick the pieces...he was about 3.


Now, there, there, settle down. He was under supervision but as any one knows a 3 year old would get into any sorts of troubles. Plus that house was meant for those kinds of things...like when a Doberman entered our house and took residence in the main bathroom...but that's for another story.


I, of course, do not want any of my kids (including the furry one) to get hurt in any way. I rather cut my right hand..ok maybe the left since I'm right handed. I understand and applaud if you want to child proof your home and by all means, if you have stairs get some kiddy fences (we didn't and still don't have stairs).


My outlets are mostly out of the way- believe me, the contortions I have to do to connect/disconnect things somethings is proof enough. I also have 10 nieces/nephews and I have yet to see one putting a paper clip in a socket. Just saying.


I also don't remove things from our coffee table, I do make sure there is nothing that can hurt the little guy, but I'm always with him when he is there and I am teaching him not to touch when I say NO. Believe me, he knows...he does not touch the things in there, he is most interested in going under the table, just like our cat.


These days I see so many products out there to protect our children. Neosporin and things to prevent scars, bug repellent, BPA free bottles, etc. I get it. We are trying to prevent things...but I wonder how we all got the regular old bottles, get scratched, bumped, dropped on a foot board head first (me), ate all sorts of junk, fried food...and we are still here.

We are trying to be good parents, we really are. But I wonder if sometimes industries take advantage of the parents selling products we don't really need. (Not you Boppy, I freaking love you!) but for example: I went to get the little guy his first toothbrush, and the toothpaste would cost more than ours...so guess what? I didn't get it. He is going to learn the old fashion way not to swallow tooth paste.

And what's up with not giving honey to kids before 1? I mean, back home we gave him tea's, gave him honey with lemon, and any old recipe the grandma had stashed. and AGAIN, we survived.

Besides, didn't you even hear your parents telling you to "walk it off" after getting hurt, falling of a bike, etc.? Yeah, we are going old fashion here people.

Baby boy, get ready to walk it off!

Over & out

Clara Harris...I got you.

If you are not familiar of who that is, that is the Woman in FL that ran over her cheating husband with her Mercedes...twice. "Clara Harris- Driven to Kill"

Now hear me out. I am not a scene maker of any sorts. I don't like drama and if you choose to leave, then don't let the door hit you in the back. That said I do believe in violence...sort of. I believe that is someone is annoying me enough or trying to hurt my family, they deserve a smack down. I believe a spanking on time would prevent a lot of issues later on.


But my post tittle comes from specifically cheating husbands. Now I am a very lenient person, I believe everyone deserves a second chance...I do. I believe that you have to work hard for your marriage. Fortunately, I haven't gone thru this so I may have a different view if it happened to me. Of course I have my share of cheating Boyfriends (see Adventures in Dating) but I dont think is the same when you are married.


Unfortunately, I known a few people currently in this situation. I know both sides (the ignorant Wife and the cheating Husband) and I'm sorry, but I have to say I understand why someone would be so irate/mad/crazy to actually ran over her cheating husband. And then back up...you know, just in case.

Take my friend "Barbie"* for example. I'm going to try to give the short versions here.

Barbie had been married for 10 years, had two kids, had a nice home. When she started dating her Husband she was attending college and he was doing nothing -well, not nothing, he was a delivery guy for a water cooler Co. After they got married she continued her education and encourage him to do the same. She graduated with a BS and so did he. They made lots of sacrifices but things where finally paying off.


He found a Managing position in a Bank and they both were doing very well. The she started noticing things about him and found a text from the other woman/girl...they are in their mid 30's the "woman" is 22. She decided to talk it out, to work at it and he said he was going to end it, that he loved her and that he didnt want to loose his family. They work at it for a year, even went on a cruise to try to get away. But she said she felt something was off still and told him maybe they needed more time to work it out. He agreed.

So here is my friend thinking they are trying to work things out, and one day he was ordering pizza online (they each had their own bank accounts) when he went out to get the pizza she was able to log in and saw all the charges from motels...he was still with this woman.

My friend is trying to divorce him (trying because he doesn't want to) she kicked him out and he still begs to come home, but guess what he did? he rented an apartment and moved the girl in and her 2 kids with him...and still tells my friend he loves her and he cant wait to be together again. HA!

The funny part is that he's spending a lot of money on this woman and then is refusing to give my friend the agreed money for his own kids. All he has, he has because of my friend. A friend that is not struggling to keep a mortgage and her family afloat. She was always there for him and his family and now he wont let her move on and is making her struggle.

Now all that they work for its going to this...BIMBO...UGH, so not fair.

Then I have a male friend "Thomas"*. He came to this country with no nothing and met and married his wife that basically helped him out. He is a business man and did very, very well... we are talking Millions-well. He unfortunately learn that women are attaracted to wealth and he has become a womanizer, he had been cheating on his Wife forever.

Even though they had issues, she stayed with him. They had a family...or so she though. Of course one day he decided he would traded her in for another model. He left her with their kids and now he has made her sign a contract that he is only paying for the house for 5 years and the kids daycare. In 2 years she would have to figure out how to pay for this house (she does work but doesn't make enough to pay all the house bills, food and then the mortgage) or she will loose the house.

When they where married, I know he gave her a lavish confortable life...trips to Europe, new cars, big house, etc.

He is my friend, not her. And when she asks him for money he complains all the time. I told him give her the darn money, she is the one taking care of the childre, waking up to take care of them when they get sick, comforts them. His answer was "she should just give them to me". I wanted to smack the crap out of him right there and then. Seriously the nerve. I told him they are not puppies or kittens; and just because you make more money it does not mean they would be better with you.

He doesn't see the point in helping maintain his own kids in the house they grew up, near friends and family. But has the new woman (he has not marry her) enjoying all the benefits, having a maid for her, going on expensive vacations, driving nice cars, etc. All the things that his ex helped him achieve.

He doesn't see that he should be grateful that his ex-wife helped him build what he has now. She was there when he had nothing and was a nobody. He says she should have been tending to him on hand and foot and making sure the food and a warm bath would be ready when he got home. That if he didn't want what she cook that day, she should have made another meal from scratch. He though he had a slave not a wife.

It irritates me to no end that these men married good women that help them achieve their goals and then went and got with some gold diggers that are ripping the benefits of these women hard work.

I try my hardest to be an attentive wife, I cook dinner and set the table and even serve my husband. That's how I was raised. I do it because I want to and because he does not expects this.
I do it because my husband spend almost 10 months cleaning my vomit from the floor and cleaning after me while I was pregnant. Because when I don't feel well, he would get dressed after laying in bed and go get me whatever it is I need, let it be medicine or ice cream. Because he rubs my feet without me asking him, because he is a great Father. But I'll be dammed to hell if a man is going to treat me as a door mat because he has money.

I think men forget how they got where they are, they are blinded in thinking that these women find them attractive and don't see them just as a walking wallet (hellluuuuuuuu Donald Trump- did you get this memo?. Stupid naive men.

I can just imagine the though going thru Clara Harris mind...I worked so hard and he is going to leave me? I can imagine the rage. Do I think what she did was right? No, but I can see why it happened. (Lorena, I'm with you too!)

I see beautiful, succesful women out there like Sandra Bullock and think, what Would I Do?
Should I just work at it and pretend it didnt happen? Would it drive me crazy every time he goes out cause I'll think he is cheating again? Would I be like Miranda in "Sex & the City" and just realize maybe I also was at fault?

Would I do Like Clara or Lorena? absolutely not. But you better believe I will be taking a chunk of his money, and maybe, just maybe...make his life a little hell.


Maybe.

Now let me call the hubs and tell him I love him.

Over & Out
* names have been change to protect the innocent

Cooking with flavor or OMG she actually cooks

Yeah, that's what my mother said the first time she tasted my Spaghetti's. Apparently they are the best she ever had...and if you know the Mom-ster that is a huge compliment.

I must be crazy, but I'm doing it. I'm posting about cooking. :)

OK, ok so sued me. I have not done ONE post about cooking.
Now, I’ve mentioned here that the smell of Clorox and AJAX is like Channel #5 to me. I enjoy cleaning and coming to a well organized home. So cleaning wasn’t that bad, but making me cook was like a punishment to me.

My younger Sis was the one that love to get there and learn stuff. Me? give me the goods when they are done. In my teenage years I got a slight appreciation of baking, which translated to me making brownies…and then sitting down to eat them.

For years, even though I lived alone in the US I refuse to cook. Even when I live with roommates I rather clean the place than to cook. Same when Sister came to live with me. Then, all that changed when I met my husband. He is the most easy going uncomplicated fellow and would be just as happy with a Tuna Melt as with Lasagna. So I felt inspired, motivated, happy, (that, and
the fact he does not cook.at.all).

So the first things first. We do what is called “Sofrito” which is the season base for all dishes. Now you can do it from scratch every single time you make a meal; or do it the easy way (read-my mothers way) and have it in the fridge all ready to go. I choose #2.

So take a Medium red onion (yes, red-it makes a difference),

garlic (I buy this minced...so about 3 tsp)

Cubanela peppers, you can use other non spicy kind if you don't find them, like bell peppers

and chopped everything up, put it a blender or food processor. My Mom also uses celery in it but I don’t like it so I don’t use it.

Then I put about ¼ cup of vinegar and blended all together. If is not blending well, I just add vinegar as necessary. It will smell divine and all you have to do is place it in you fridge in a plastic container. Honestly it will last a long time in there. I never ever had this gone bad.

It would look something like this, although mine looks usually more pinkish due to the red onions.

I season all my meats with this but also use it for soups and beans. For the soups/beans just put a tiny bit of oil, let it get hot and drop 2 tsp in it for 25 seconds and proceed with your regular soup/bean making.

Another way to give your food flavor with things you can buy all ready to go. I have a lot of helpers to make my life easier when in a rush. I don’t like using salt so I rely on using spices to give flavor…so far so good. These are the actual products that I use:

OK, so there is Garlic (already chopped cause I'm lazy *cough* practical) Cilantro, Mojo-which is made out of oranges and limes and is absolutely fantastic for meats, refried beans (that's for my tacos that I will show you in a later post) and Adobo-the almighty seasoning. And yes, they are all GOYA. Nope, I'm not getting paid. I discovered that even the garlic from another brand cost a few bucks more so I'm sticking with Goya. All of the items above cost between $0.99 and $3.99.

If I don't have the "sofrito" which I usually accompany it with Adobo; I just use all of the above items to season my meats...about a Tsp of each. I place some hot oil in a pan and when the meat is in the stop top cooking I add about ¼ of a chicken Bouillon (I use Maggi)...be careful as this and the adobo are salty, therefore I do not use salt at all.
and depending what I'm cooking I also add Tomato Paste when the meat is being browned. (this is what we called "Carne Guisada")

I usually take 30-45 min for dinner since I'm always in a rush. Next stop will be my home made Tacos (although I think everyone knows how to make those) and the easiest chicken quesadillas EVER...seriously, ridiculously easy.

Over & out

Circus First Birthday

Finally I was able to peel the little one from my leg yesterday long enough to get some pictures. Not only does he has an ear infection but now he has croup or the equivalent of a baby seal with a cough. Needles to say, no one is sleeping in our household.

WARNING- this may be a little long...not like "War & Peace" long but just letting you know. I figure I'll give you of the details. We had a Pop Corn bar which was a big hit. My Sister has a coworker that sells these at fairs as a part time job. He provided these boxes:

Below you can see on the wall the labels with the prices for the items, they where print out from the computer and glued over Scrapbook paper.

The items to the left are actually the goody bags.

We had 5 flavors: Regular, Kennel, Caramel, White Cheddar and Caramel Nut. We also had Cotton candy (from Target) and lemonade & Pizza. Another look of the buckets

The hubs and I with the little guy

As the centerpieces for the table we used these buckets from the Dollar spot, they where filled with good old fashion peanuts in a shell.

Above is part of the setting up. We use tickets (purchased at Target for $3.99) we gave these to people to use to get their food. Each item was labeled with the price. i.e: Pop Corn 3tks, Lemonade 2tks, etc. People seemed to really enjoy this too.

Just us...no comments (aren't we sexy?)

I was going nuts for aT-shirt I saw on Etsy...it had the number one attached with fabric and then they can customized with his name for $18+ shipping. Since we are on a budget I was trying to see what choices I had out there. I found something very similar (except for the customized lettering) from Target for $8.99. Score!

Another great buy was this over the door sign that we used to take pictures. It was $9.99 from Oriental Trading...soooo much fun. Here is the little guy and my Goddaughter.

Here is the cake, we had a major issue because some of the decoration flew away when we went to pick it up, but we manage to make it look decent. This is a pineapple and Guava cake!

I did a memory banner with pictures of the little guy from birth to 11 months (please ignore the garbage cans on the background).

Also had a Hot dog machine (rented for $0.00!) The Pizza went on this side too.

Clown Noses from Oriental trading, another big item. Isn't she adorable?

On to the Goody bags. We got this from (yeap) TARGET again for $1 each. We put candy in it, mini plush animals from IKEA ($0.49) and a funky straw (dollar store) that had a tag saying "Thank you for coming to my 1st Birthday.

Another look at the tables

Banner inspired by Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista

The party took place on a rental hall attached to a Fire House- think how cool would that be for an older kid to have a Red truck theme!. Their rental fee is $200 for 4 hours, tables, chairs, industrial Ice machine and kitchen access is included. The Hot dog machine rents for $25, but because it was a Birthday party the Hall was $150 and the Hot dog machine for free. So go ahead and ask around your neighbor Fire House, Elks, American Legion. They are very accommodating and have great prices.

Over & Out

Dale a tu cuerpo Alegria Macarena!

AHHHHHHHHHH
Dancing the Macarena...sign of good times...or being drunk...
I'm alive and we survive the Birthday bash.

It was a hit but we are extremely tired. One because we slept on an air mattress WiTH the baby and two because now he has an ear infection. Lovely! My poor Little man wants to be babied and thats what we are doing. So today Daddy's home with him while I'm at work. I will be home tomorrow with him so I can upload some of the pictures from the bash.

I'm.so.tired.

And to top it all we are doing really bad with my healthy eating (bwahahahahahahaha...hahahaha..breathe...ok I'm done)
I still have left over cake, caramel pop corn and candy...and tons of soda.
Yeah.
Not good.

I need to do something, so hopefully mama Oprah has some great news 'cause I saw a comercial about never having to diet again. I guess someone is going to staple my mouth...darn sweets.

Ok, going again...

Over & Out

She's Alive, Aliiiiiiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I'm alive.

Just been busy with the whole week preparation for the Little guy's Birthday.

I seriously cannot wait. Yesterday was his official birthday, and when he woke up in the middle of the night I try to sing Happy Birthday to him and got smacked in the face (by accident of course) guess he was not in his party mood yet.

I decided not to let the day pass blank so we got cupcakes and celebrate it with his pals at the Daycare. I'm telling you this kid was switch in the Hospital because he did not want his cupcake.

How could a child of mine would not have a cupcake!? Madness!

Sunday I got together with the Sis to make the Birthday banner and some labels that are going to be display for the food. I got the Idea of having tickets all over the place for the kids to get the hot dogs, lemonade, pop corn, etc...I think is going to be so much fun. I also got the box from Oriental Trading with all the goodies. I'm headed to Target tomorrow to get the bags of cotton candy...uff...so much work. Our car looks like a mess :)

I always like having theme parties that are original and not character related. One of my older Sister's was really good at this, creating a Sailboat party, Train party (with moving train on top of the cake!) and so we have try to the same. Oldest kid even got a M&M party! Exhibit A: My Goddaughter's CandyLand party! (yours truly and sis decorated the cake)

Now I am well aware that when he's old enough he is going to request "The Backyardigan's", maybe "Cars" or whatever new cartoon is out (hopefully not Diego...sorry, he irritates me and to know some translations are incorrect drives me bananas) The hubs hates "Wonderpets"....so of course I constantly sing the song while we are driving. I know one of these days he is just going to push me out :)

So I'll leave you with a few shoots of his gathering yesterday... and a little story about his birth day {you didn't really think I was going to let you go so easy, now did ya'?}

It was a cool Monday Morning in May, and behind all the anticipation and the anxiety all I could think of was...I want a sandwich! The fact that you know you are not supposed to eat makes you even hungrier. This is a proven fact. For the entire pregnancy I was sick and eating was something I did because I had to; especially in the morning. But that day, I was dying for a ham and cheese sub.

We choose to be induced because I was already 3 cm a few days before and since Daddy works a little far, we wanted to make sure he was able to be there when it happened...I think my exact words where "the hell I'm doing this alone! YOU HAVE TO BE WITH ME"

Granted, he was not the first child but I was already all alone for the first one and it happened, oh....17 years ago!, so I've already been a little confused about the whole process (that and the fact that it happened in another country).

I was told the Food Service would be closed by 4pm (WTF) and I was convince I was going to be able to make it before by pure will power. I will spare you the few hours in between...it went from I'm ok and being able to stand the contractions to the nurse telling me you have only a few minutes to get the epidural, to me telling my husband "go get me that Doctor with the drugs"

All while Mom and Sis watched/slept not too far from me.

Picture above he was not scare, actually VERY excited of his candle.

The little Asian girly is his accomplice, apparently they get together and go to the door in the back and knock so they can let them out in the yard.

Back to the story:

Of course being that you are my child and will inherit my strong will (hardheaded some may say-semantics, really) you where born at exactly 4:15pm...goodbye sandwich!

You where blueish, and squishy and warn and beautiful. The moment you where placed on top of me, the water works began. I was always so worry about how could I love someone so much again after your big brother. You see after a while it was just him and I and that was ok.

Then I held you and I melted, and realized your heart expands with each child, it does not separate in pieces but rather enlarges itself to make more space to love you...cheesy I know, but even this sarcastic woman cannot deny the love one feels by holding a newborn baby.

So here is to you my little man, I'll love you forever and I will gladly give up a lifetime supply of sandwishes for you any day!

Over & Out

Saturday's, how I hate you

Now, don't take it personal Saturday; is not your fault. I use to like you, actually love you-not too long ago.

But unfortunately getting up at 5am to be at work at 6am and watching my husband and my baby snuggle in bed, with comfy pillows, dreaming away... and the fact that the sun has not come up yet...well, it makes me hate you. I want to be home. I want to be in bed, having my snoring husband cuddle with me. I want to wake up and make breakfast for my family while listening to my Tassimo brewing a cup of java...and then I want to go out to the park, or the mall or anywhere our hearts desire. Anywhere but work!!!

UGH

I.HATE.WORKING.ON.SATURDAY's

Anyways, moving along Mrs. I-complaint-a-lot.

This weekend is going to be busy, busy, bee. Little man turns one on Tuesday! Yaaaayyyy

(funny thing, I'm planning a First Birthday party for one kid and talking to colleges for the other one, huh!)

Time does fly. So we are having cupcakes at the daycare with all his pals (did I mention he calls out to one little girl? cuuuuuute) on the actual day. My Sister and I are doing the banners and decorations for the actual Party, which is next weekend. We are going to have a Circus theme party...I think I mentioned that before...I have printed labels for all the Circus food, games, etc...aaaahhhhh...can't wait to see the family.

Sis found this image and I altered

Here is some of the inspiration for it.

First: the Banner Idea from Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista (you should pay her a visit, she is one talented girl!)

Circus Party from Kara Party Ideas

**We found OUR popcorn containers @ Target dollar spot...months ago!

Also bought some of the decor at Oriental Trading...waiting for it to arrive any day now...

(Image was found on Kara's website but it is the same as the one from Oriental Trading)

The following is the cake topper, don't worry...I promise it will be fabulous!

I am so thrill to have this party, I will be posting pictures of the actual party so stay tuned.

Now, is time for my 3rd cup or coffee...or is it the 4Th?

Over & Out