You don't know what you had until it's gone...

GW Bridge...leaving NYC

...and then you realize how lucky you are that that's out of your life. I don't want to sound ungrateful but my previous job SUCK A$$ big time. I don't mean to say that it was all bad but in retrospective it was not that great.

Only after spending Thanksgiving with my family, not worrying about Monday and the work load that I was going to have for missing 2 days of work (they only close on the actual Holiday) that I was so relieve and happy and joyful. I don't want my kids to remember me for missing out on Holidays just because of work; they mean to me so much more than a paycheck.

We spent our Thanksgiving in NYC with the Hubs family, I don't have many pictures since I allowed myself to just BE in the moment and had someone else worry about the photos. I enjoy the most delicious Turkey EVER. My MIL rocks! and I don't even like turkey, that's how good it was. We did have a chance to stop by Times Square, but again no pictures. This was the first time we took the little guy with us, so I asked the big guy to take pics if he wanted to, he choose to drink his Caramel Machiatto in peace. Good choice.


After our walk looking at the pretty lights, some folks decided to go to the toy store, we choose to head home. While riding the train I remember my parents going on Christmas eve to the toy store to get our gifts. When we where old enough and found the deal with Santa we got to go with them and pick our own gifts. Believe me, it was so much fun for us.

That brought me to think what I want my kids to remember about these times. I want Alain to remember me on the floor trying to remove my boots after our NYC walk, him trying to help pulling them off and instead dragging me thru the floor...while I'm hysterically laughing and screaming I'm gonna pee my pants -and I did.

Aiden and his cousin Gabriel

I want them to remember the smell of baked cookies in the afternoon, on a rainy day like today. I want them to see a mother that takes pride and joy on taking care of her home and her family. Last night I was putting up a Christmas plate on the wall above my sink, my oldest said how pretty and festive the house looked. This is why we do what we do...so they can look back and remember these moments. It feels so good to have a place to decorate this year...so, so good.

Hope you had a terrific time with your families. Remember that THEY are the most important part of the Holidays.

Over & out

Friend Makin' Mondays: Thanksgiving Dinner

I'm linking up (my first link EVER) to the fabulous Kenz @ All The Weigh
so here it goes: What is your favorite Thanksgiving Dish?

Being that I come from a country where Thanksgiving is not celebrated, this tradition is new to me (not the Hubs who was born and raised in NYC). We usually go to a relatives house, this year is my MIL.

Turkey is serve but since I had food poisoning from it once I try to stay away from it.
My favorite dishes that I.CANNOT.WAIT to have are : Traditional Roasted Pork and potato salad. I know, out of the ordinary, huh?



what about you?

Over & out

There goes my life

If you are a little bit country you may recognized those words from Mr. Kenny Chesney. I've been feeling a little bit country. Wanting more family time, wanting to do more baking (even if it's semi-home made), feeling that we all have to go back to beginning.

My beginning was pretty much the Lyrics of song:

All he could think about was I'm too young for this.
Got my whole life ahead.
Hell I'm just a kid myself. How'm I gonna raise one.
All he could see were his dreams goin' up in smoke.
So much for ditchin' this town and hangin' out on the coast.
Oh well, those plans are long gone.
And he said, There goes my life.
There goes my future, my everything.
Might as well kiss it all good-bye. There goes my life.......

A couple years of up all night and a few thousand diapers later.
That mistake he thought he made covers up the refrigerator.
Oh yeah..........he loves that little girl.


Only in my case it was a little boy :)

A little boy that I missed so much when I left the homeland to come here, looking for a different life, a new beginning, and mostly running away from the Mom-ster. He was almost 7 when I came here and he just finally came to be with me...he is 18. He has all the characteristics of an 18 yr old thinking he knows it all, but he also has the maturity of someone who grown up so fast. He and I take alone drives often, I figure he can jump out of the car when I start asking awkward questions. The other day he was the one asking me questions. He look at me and he said "it hurts you that you missed so much of my life doesn't it?" and I reply with teary eyes that it does. He said to me " don't worry ma', it was for the best and I'm here now. I had a good childhood, and a great education, I love Dad (my dad-he also calls him Dad) and I got time with him".

When did he get so smart? I love that boy. Even if he doesn't put the dishes away some times or doesn't like making his bed. I love him even thought he has 23 Frapuccino bottles on top of his dresser (he washes them though) who knows for what.

Now more than ever I don't want to miss Aiden's life either. I want to enjoy both my kids, see them grow, watch as Aiden learns to sing, play hide and seek screaming "got'cha", see how Alain adapts to his college days, maybe meet a girl. I want to be there. I want to take it all in, after all they grow so fast. A few years back Alain was my little boy that needed to hold my hand, now he is off to college soon. Sometimes being home, making a home, baking and cooking, playing and singing, is where I need to be.



And like Kenny sings:
He smiles..... There goes my life. There goes my future, my everything. I love you, daddy good-night. There goes my life.

Over & out

How to Marry the {im}Perfect guy

The tittle got you, uh?
:)
I know, I'm evil. Let me preface by saying that I love my Hubs more than anything, he is my best friend and the imperfect man...made just for me.

Lately I see so many friends, friends or friends, girls in the family, people you read about, etc. all looking for one thing: Love. When most people think that a career, money, materialistic things will bring you happiness when in reality is the other way around. The hubs and I met in our early 20's. Both not ready to commit, both going to college so we drifted apart. He went his way, dating, even getting engaged. I did the same.

I got to blame Disney and every other romantic comedy for the frustration of many women, me included. You are thrown into the world thinking the "perfect guy" is around the corner. He is going to be tall, handsome, have a great job, say the right thing, do the right thing. He is going to be strong but sweet and he is going to sweep you off your feet.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. wrong answer.
You go out there in the dating world looking for perfection when you are not perfect yourself. So many times I see women passing nice guys because they where not the ideal man. I dated a WHOLE bunch of losers thinking they where the right match. The perfect package doesn't exist. If that was true why is Jennifer Aniston single? or Holy Berry? These are beautiful, amazing, successful women that have everything going on for them. Or so you would think.

I dated quite a lot (unfortunately) but that made me ready to receive the love of an honest man that adores me. Here are my list of things to NOT look for:

1.Looks
OK hear me out. I think my hubs is a hunk- not Brad Pitt, but then again I don't like Brad Pitt. What I mean don't let a good guy go because he has a slightly crooked smile, a little over weight, has the most gawd awful collection of shirts. All those things can get improved. A bad personality can't.

2. Money.
We all want stability but in this time an age aim for hardworking. No one likes a lazy bum but also I don't want a guy that prefers to have dinner in the office and comes home when the kids are already asleep. I've dated guys with money and believe me, they can be so cheap (like not paying for my movie ticket and popcorn-cheap). A hardworking man is willing to work for his family and be there for you. If he has an amazing job all the better but don't dismissed a blue collar guy.

3. Perfection.
You are not perfect (I am though-lets get that clear *wink*) so don't expect him to be. There is different levels and only you know what things are important to you and what things you can let go off. For me being an OCD neat freak sometimes is hard to get that my family is not, but I can live with that. Hubs doesn't cook AT ALL, but he will clean the kitchen for me.
See what kinds of things you can live with (his pet rock collection) or which one's you can't (if he is a smoker, drinker, gambler,etc)

Try most of all to find someone you can talk to, beauty will fade with time; look for someone that can make even the worst times better. Someone who is willing to take care of you when you are sick. Once I dated someone who will leave me in my house and go out, not caring at all how I felt because "they didn't want to get sick" with my germs. The hubs cleaned after me for 40 weeks while I was pregnant, and let me tell you there is nothing nastier than cleaning vomit.


When the hubs and I reconnected again we both where different, both physically and emotionally. We grown to be better individuals willing to commit to an honest person. We learn the Shakira look a like may be pretty but may not have anything worthy to say. I learn that no matter how charming a guy can pretend to be, he can have some serious issues.

And here is a hint: people don't change, you can make them change. If he doesn't want commitment or kids don't go out there saying "Oh- you'll see, he will change" because chances are he wont. I am not saying you should settle or lower your standards, but to look pass the surface and realize perfection does not exist.

Who cares if he puts the toilet paper under-even though everyone KNOWS is over. If he leaves his shorts on the floor is ok, that he snores like a big grizzly bear, or that he parks a little crooked, that he makes a mess of water over the sink or that he doesn't know how to cook (or make coffee for that matter).

He is the guy that takes care of me, that brings me Hershey's cookies & cream because he knows I need it, the guy that bathes his baby and changes even the dirtiest diaper. A guy that listens to my girly talks about makeup and nails and pretends to get exited when I do over a nail polish, a guy who knows who my favorite author is and will spent an entire Sunday in bed with me watching Monk.



My guy is imperfect. And he was PERFECTLY made for me!

Over & out

10 things I'm loving

There is so much that you learn and appreciated once you star focusing on you and your life instead of worrying about work and meeting deadlines. On this beautiful day, I do not miss working at all. Actually financial reasons why I will go back to the rat race. UGH.

These are a few things I'm loving lately (in no particular order):

10. Aiden has learn to give me over exaggerated kisses making MUAAAAA noises and wetting lips with tons of saliva...but I still love it.


9. all four of us dancing in the kitchen doing the Yo Gabba Gabba "wiggle, wiggle...hold still" moves


8. I had my very first Heath bar! why no one told me about this piece of heaven before?


7. Making new dishes like Chicken roll and old traditional ones (like this Sweet Plantain dish from the homeland)



6. and while we're at it my Tassimo Coffee maker (above)- fresh coffee all the time? Yes, thank you!


5.giving Aiden Popsicles and laughing at how much he enjoys them (even though he stoled mine-that's why he has 2)


4. soaps from Fortune Cookie Soaps, they are so cute and smell fantastic! ( I'm using Boogeyman)3. China Glaze Holiday Nail polishes for a fraction of the cost (thanks 8ty8.com) loving Naughty and nice (dark purple) and Little drummer Boy (intense blue). I believe there are 12 colors total.




2. Great Customer Service @ Zappos! after getting my Hunter's boots and the welly socks for my Bday I realized the cream wellies made me look like all I needed was a red jacket to be working for Santa...not the look I was going for.




When I called them for an exchange they overnighted my charcoal one's even before I sent the cream one's!!! and you have one year to make returns, THEY ROCK!

AND
1. conversations like this with Alain (oldest):
driving and listening to "Clocks" by Coldplay

me: when I hear this song it makes me day dream that I'm in a huge field, riding a horse,
galloping...
A: whyyyyy?
me: I don't know, I have a wild imagination.
A: you are weird
me: I'll take that as a compliment

:)

Over and Out

Turns out I have morals- geez...thanks Ma'

I always thought of my self as a very open minded individual. I'm pro-choice, I have no problems with gays, I think as long as you don't hurt anyone you should do what you want with your life (except drugs, I am completely against them).

But turns out I have some morals in me from being raised Catholic. Lock the doors, hide the children, hell has frozen over. I am much in agreement with Chris Rock when he said no intelligent person is just one thing. Some things you are liberal, others you are more conservative. You can't be that closed minded not to hear the other side arguments.

So today, while we where driving, the hubs, big kid and I got into a discussion in regards to the news about gay people protesting the Pope in Spain. They decided it would be "cool" to wait for the Pope-mobile to pass by and then they start making out/kissing in front of him.

I sincerely think it was an act of disrespect and does not prove their point at all. So what? you making out in front of the Pope is going to make him say :"those two looked cute, maybe I should reconsider". He is the Pope, he is the head of the Catholic Church and therefore he WILL NEVER agree with Gay marriage. Neither will any other old fashion religion (Jewish, Protestant, Mormon, etc). Deal with it.

They already got the right to get married, the Pope has the right to his opinion and I feel that they tried to imposed their believes with those actions. They have the right to disagree.

I'm ok with Gay marriages, I had more than a few Gay friends but I do not agree with any Public display in front of a religious leader (whether you are are gay or straight). I am raising my kids to have a believe that there is something bigger than them, that God does exist. I am not a religions person but my faith to God is there. And yes I am pro-choice and in favor of the gays, etc. but I will not make out in front of The Pope, a priest, a monk, or the Dalai Lama. There are things that I think SHOULD not be done. There should be some boundaries.

I think we should go back to learn to respect elders and Religious leaders, we need to go back to praying in school (and hecks if you don't agree your kid does not have to participate) We have to learn to respect our Teachers, people of authority and not hide behind the curtain of freedom so we can insult people that don't agree with us. We have the right to disagree and your rights end where mine begin.

OK, I'm stepping down my soap box.

Over and Out

The Discrepancy of life and changes

I think this may be a long post-again.
You know what is wrong with America? I'll tell you. We worship money. We put ourselves, our families and our religions last. We don't give family the value it should have. And you know what happens after? After you work for almost 4 years, transfer to a new location, get a new schedule, neglect family time, go to work even when you are sick because you want to be responsible, do what they ask of you and then more. And you know what happens at the end?
They let you go AND to put the cherry on the top have the cojones (excuse my french) to not want to pay your unemployment.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Now that I got that out of the way I feel much better. But don't you fear, Aquaman is near! I am a fighter and that's exactly what I'll do. Fair is fair.

Anyway, our plans for Halloween drastically change. We where supposed to hang with the hubs family for a reunion-Halloween bash-birthday party. Due to our current situation we opted for staying home. We had fun. We took the little Monster trick or treating, I watched the first two "Omen" movies with the big kiddo.


I've been also cooking a lot. I made Lasagna, a Taco Dip and a Chicken ring. Yumm, Yumm, and Yumm. I feel like Betty Crocker...and tomorrow is Quesadillas! :) who would have thought of me being so keen with the kitchen. I am more relax now days, feeling that maybe...just maybe my place may be right here, at home.


Another new thing going on I decided to have a little bit of a look change. This is me in the before...


Reeeeeally long-Pocahontas-like hair (bad lighting, I know)

Not terrible, but basically long and straight. It has been like that for a few years. About 3 years ago I cut it all up to donated it and then just grew it again. I didn't enjoy the short look since my hair needs help getting volume. This time I opted to cut 2 inches and have side bangs. This is the After:


Much better!
And the best part? it cost me about $20 plus tip :) and that's including the price of my new red hair dye. Ahhhh. I love mini makeovers. Now I try everyday to do some makeup looks so I can still feel human and feminine. Gotta love getting all done up to play in the playground.

Here is to all SAHM. To take a few moments for you, get a mani-pedi and feel pretty.