2 on Tuesdays

I'm joining again for the fabulous My Chihuahua Bites for the 2 on Tuesdays!

What are your Christmas traditions?

Today we are talking about Christmas traditions. What were your family traditions as you grew up? What traditions are you implementing (or do you plan to implement) with your own family?

Back in the homeland there are several traditions that are not celebrated here, it's so hard for me to keep those as we and my Sister's Family are the only one's in MD. Thankfully we do have the Hubs family in NYC which is usually where we go to spent the Holidays.

Back home I remember Christmas being an ongoing party, our Neighborhood collected funds, we decorated the street, place a huge tree in the intersection (yes we did) and closed the street on Friday and Saturday nights so everyone could dance and hang out outside (mind you, that was the Caribean therefore it was not cold).

On Christmas eve is when we had the big dinner followed by all families on my Mom's side (14 sibblings and their kids) would go visit my Grandma. So much fun. We also had fireworks at Christmas time!

Here are some things have done/plan to do as our family traditions:

I also want to do the Elf on the shelf so I must go hurry and buy it from Target.

Christmas tree is set even before Thanksgiving as we don't celebrate this back home...

We are taking pictures with Santa...all of us as a family.

Baking cookies has started.




I downloaded tons of Christmas music from back home, I want my family to remember those as well as the ones here in the States.

Go see the Christmas lights.Make a birthday cake for Jesus.

Years ago I worked part time at Hallmark and got a Beautiful "T'was the Night Before Christmas" which I'm going to start reading to the little guy come December 1st.


The Hubs family buys the kiddos gifts and put under the tree, no names of who is from ever, so it's extra special for all.

Since we go to NYC visiting the Rockefeller tree, Central Park and seeing the Window Displays is mandatory. (hubs and big kid, walking in NYC after hitting a Lush store)

Oh, and did I mentioned our feast consist of Roasted Pork, Potato Salads, tons of empanadas and things of the sort? yeah, I cannot wait!

Over & out

Friend Making Mondays- Cyber Monday

Yay, time for something fun!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Friend Makin’ Mondays: Holiday Shopping

1. Do you like to shop? uh, yes!
   
2. Have you started shopping for Christmas gifts yet? Yeap, I only have 2 more gifts to be done. (Thank you Layaway)
3. Did you shop on Black Friday? If so, what did you buy? nope, the last time I did black Friday was 10 yrs ago. I can't stand having people on top of me.
4. List a few of your favorite stores? MAC Makeup, Sephora, Lush, Target, Nordstrom, Marshalls.
   
5. What is the last thing you purchased for yourself (food and drinks excluded?) The Naked Palette from Urban Decay and Origins Vitazing
   
6. Do you prefer to shop in-store or online? I rather go to the store and get it right then and there.
   
7. If you could purchase one thing that you don’t need at all for yours elf today, what would it be? These Frye Boots and the Nars Danmari blush palette.

8. 

   

9. Does your significant other shop with you? Do they love it/hate it? He does shop with me, and he doesn’t seem to mind at all though he doesn’t usually say “Hey Kenz…let’s go to Hobby Lobby.” Ha…
10. Do you shop at thrift stores? I have shopped in thrift stores before, totally. When I lived in NY, I loved thrift store shopping in Greenwich, CT. I suppose I should give it a chance here too!
11. When you’re holiday shopping, do you make lists? I have a list in my head of people who will get presents from me, but I don’t always get specific with it.
12. 
    
13. Does your significant other shop with you? Do they love it/hate it? He doesn't mind at all, and even takes the kiddos... although he may go to a different store and we meet up later...
    
14. Do you shop at thrift stores? Yes, but I rarely find something
15. When you’re holiday shopping, do you make lists? Yes I do, I even include pricing if I done a prior research online.
    

Happy Thanksgiving? Nope.

My original tittle included an expletive so I decided to leave it out...for now.
It was just an over all bad day for me.

Our plans of going to New York fell thru, which left me cooking again...sigh...fine then.
But the entire day I was cleaning, cooking, making cookies with the little guy, washing and blow drying my hair, getting the meals ready, etc. Not one time did my Hubs or my big kiddo offer to help me. Nope. they just sad on their asses and watched TV all day.




When dinner was ready I got my makeup on, got dressed, I was trying to get the little guy dressed and my oldest asked why are you getting him dressed? to which I responded it's Thanksgiving!!!

Well neither him or the hubs got dressed to take one darn picture. They sat at the table wearing shorts and T'shirts. Got drinks serve and didn't even asked me if I wanted anything. At this point I wanted to cry already but I keep it together. They got off from the table, didn't even say thank you to me. Like, really? this is also MY holiday and I did EVERYTHING alone today and not even a Thank you?

To top it all I had discussed with my son on Sunday that he ate 22 granola bars in 2 days (we get the wholesale size for him) I asked him to please refrain from doing this, that they where for him to enjoy but to please be mindful of what he was eating. Imagine my surprise to find the empty box in the garbage was a slap on my face. He ate 48 bars in 6 days. When I asked him to come to the kitchen I asked him did you just eat the whole box after our conversation? He gave me this nasty "yes" like so what?
UGH, I wanted to smack him but instead I told him off and told him I was so hurt by his attitude. I ended up bathing Aiden and getting him in bed, then ended up alone in our living room watching "The Family Stone" and crying...

I want to be thankful of what I have and that we where together, but I was just so sad. Thankfully I got some smiles from the only guy who told me he loved me...






I hope you guys have a better day and that my next Holiday would be much better...

Over & out

A rainy Wednesday

Today is a beautiful rainy day, it's gray and a little cold...perfect day to snuggle with the kiddo while watching cartoons.

For a while he went thru the terrible twos (not as terrible as some) but mostly saying no to us, or "It's mine", " I don't wanna", and whining when he didn't get his way. He quickly realize this does not work on this household, thus this stage has ended. He has been ver
y loveable, telling us he loves us, giving lots of hugs and kisses, saying sorry's, thank yous, your welcomes when necessary.

I usually take the hubs to the train while he still sleeping and I return and go right back in bed and cuddle with him. He usually wakes me up by throwing himself (or a Dino) at me, followed by kisses too...the first thing he wants is the Christmas tree and our little Village lighted up.

Yes, Christmas Decor is already mostly done since a few days ago. We do Thanksgiving in NYC so why wait. Specially on days like these I can't help but feel blessed and happy seeing the tree light up. Is not fancy, I still need a few things for it, but guess what? he does not care. He sees it with the joy of a kids innocence and that's what matter.

Oh, and Christmas shopping is already 90% done...how? Layaway baby! This is the first year we have done it and honestly I felt a little embarrassed, until I saw how easy it was to get it out of the way already, have small payments and NO BILLS coming our way (which wouldn't happen anyways since we don't have CC).

This is waking up, still in PJ's, already rearranging his toys.

Last night my oldest wanted a candy bar, I was not about to leave the house for this but being the awesome Mom I am *wink* I made him a homemade Spanish dessert... Cortado de Leche!

(First picture is mine, the second is from the web since they didn't gave me a chance to take one)


Yummy!
He jumped out of bed so excited when I told him I made him this...I know these are the things he is going to remember.
How's your holiday going so far? What are some of your traditions? I love browsing thru the blogosphere this time of year!

Over & out

Today is your day

Wake up this morning by feeling 40lbs of pure energy jumping on my stomach and yelling "wake up mommy, wake up" then he proceeded to tickle me.
I smile because no matter how much I hate mornings this makes it worth getting up.

Drink coffee and the smells makes me smile again.

Open the windows and see is sunny out today. A while later the Hubs comes back from the market and shows Aiden he got him grapes. I laugh because his reaction would be that of a teenage boy that has just been gives a PS3, he loves fruit that much.

I hear thump, thump, thump and I see that they are placing new carpet on the hallways and stairs.

I decided to take it easy today so I just take everything out of the kitchen and clean it. The smell of clorox and soap makes me happy. Aiden slides in to help out with the broom.

I have to drive the big kid to college in the PM, then pick him up...I think how lucky I am that he is a dreamer, that has so many plans for the future.

I come home to do my exercise and Aiden, who decided that a nap was contra productive runs out of the room and joins me and encourages me by yelling :"kick mommy, kick" followed by an amazing laugh.

These days he gets into everything, has broken a few Christmas Ornaments (yeah, I'm all ready for the Holidays, whooa, whoooa), gets the gallon of milk from the fridge and tips over chairs. I'm thinking Quarterback right now.

The Hubs is home sick and he is driving me insane because men are such babies.

Today was ordinary and so extraordinary at the same time. They are challenges that I cannot predict and have to roll with the punches...like my money not being in my account and not able to go food shopping like I had plan until I get this resolve...but is ok.

I have a choice to make the best of it, to be in the moment, to be grateful of what we have, a loving needy Hubs, healthy and active boys, a roof still over our heads. My kid can eat grapes and has milk in the fridge for him. How many do not have as much today?

You got to stop worrying for what you don't have and LOVE what you do, you will be happier.
Choose to be there in the moment, choose to enjoy the moment when the kid is still a kid.

No...this is not all my doing..I've been watching some of Oprah's life class (if you can believe I've never been a fan of hers, but the timing of this series has been fantastic for me) and watching Randy Pausch Last lecture...if you can, please go see it on Youtube.

Life is beautiful if we choose it to be.

Happy Monday and Happy thoughts today...

Over & out.

Disapointment? hate? yeah... I have that.

***Rant warning***

I really was struggling on whether to write this but I know I would feel much better if I did.
Have you even notice that when you are doing well or are on top of the world you have so many more friends? people are nicer to you? people call you all the time, ask you to hang out, etc.? Yeah...I'm there right now.

Is so funny it took me this long to realize how people treated me so much more different than when I own a house, when I was having parties and BBQ's and doing stuff for others. When I was traveling to Las Vegas, New Orleans or either Disney park, when I was able to travel when I wanted to, how nice people can be.

Then things get different and you learn the HARD UGLY truth that people just see you for what you have in your pocket, what car you drive and what status you have. I know the world was a cold hard place but I, in my blissful ignorance, have thought that I've created a place surrounded by loving people, people that would be there for me, people who WOULD care about my well being, who would call me to see how I was no matter what...THANK YOU REALITY, I'm awake now.

I just want to express that this week has been filled with gratitude in my heart because for those who gave us their back, there where others calling me, being there for me and my family, because where I am now has taught me that I DO have people that love me and care for me, just not as many as they pretended to be.

I have peace in my heart because I know I was, scratch that, I AM a better person because I am real. If I love you, I'll love you no matter what, I will be there for you. In this whole scenario THEY lost more than I did. You where not who I thought you where but I will always be who I am. Just pray to the GODS that I will never be able to wealthy because I WILL be a bitch to you.



Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed. Oprah Winfrey

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. Oprah Winfrey


The above seemed fitting...
Over & out

Hello Monday: FMM again!

Hello Monday! I was waiting for you. Last night I finally got to do my movie night and watched "Scream 4" I wont spoil it in case you haven't seen it and desire to...but seriously the killer was NOT believable...oh, right...it was Scream 4...but Courtney Cox looks HOT!

For some odd reason of nature I think today is going to be a really good day, maybe because I'm planning on taking down the Halloween decor and putting up the Christmas ones!

Yes, I'm fully aware of the date, however where I come from trees have already been up for weeks, so there. I think talking to my dearest Sister who is back home and her telling me about her own tree made want to jump in the wagon, besides Thanksgiving is in NYC.

So on to this weeks Friend Makin' Monday's


If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Dating

Dating? really? yeah, I guess I can talk about it.

What is your current relationship status? (Be as specific as you’d like to be!) Dating…I'm going to be his eternal girlfriend. LOL. Ok, Married.

List a few qualities that you look for in a significant other…Tall, broad shoulders, kind, and funny. Or kind of funny, whatevers.

If you could choose to date one character in TV or film, who would you choose? And which characteristics are most appealing? My dear Keanu Reeves in "The Lake House" I LOVE him, and he sways his hips...yummy. sorry hon, but you knew this.

How long should you date before becoming exclusive? I have never been able to date more than one person at a time...so not sure about that...

What are your thoughts on public displays of affection? The hubs and I where walking in NYC when we where dating and it started to rain, he stopped me on my tracks and kissed me. That was ok. Holding hands, a little peck, love it...full blown make out session absolutely not.

Do you kiss on the first date? Sometimes I did, it depended on the chemistry.

Biggest turn-off? Dirty Nails. Seriously if you can't clean something that obvious I don't want to know what else you don't.

What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their eyes and smile. THEN shoes. And I always try to be alert on how they treat others around not just me.

How long do you/did you wait before becoming intimate? hehehe, *cough* it depends, however I wanted to be intimate with the Hubs a lot sooner than he did, we knew each other for years so I thought it would be ok. I'm so glad we waited....OK, I'M LYING but I'm supposed to say that, right?

Describe your dream date. My dream has already happened many times over (don't hate me because I married my best friend, if is any consolation he is messy). One special one while dating was just a spur of the moment impromptu picnic on his bedroom floor with take out and a cheesy movie.

I'm going to live precariously thru you guys while reading these!

Over & out.

Adios Halloween

ACK, is gone already. I didn't get to spent my night watching "Scream 4" because my little guy fell asleep in the car from all the fun...then proceeded to wake up at 10pm and he decided to have a party and only his dearest parents where invited. It was like he took a power nap and was full of energy!

Here we are, doesn't he seems so happy to take a picture?







My little Franky, he even got down the walk with the arms up. He gave me a chocolate and told me proudly " I wuv you mommy, yer cute" (meaning he thinks I'm the diggidybomb).

So here are the Status so far this week:

1.) Mood:
Happy! One: I've been doing my exercises and feeling so much better already, and two: I love holidays and cannot wait to decorate for the Holidays (we do Thanksgiving in NYC so no Turkey decor for us)

2.) When was the last time you carved a pumpkin?
Last year, with my oldest. I think it was an owl, or a cat...or owlcat...who knows.

3.) What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Gosh, all of them...except things with mint in it. And BTW, we use Candy Corn as a Christmas candy back in the homeland. I know, weird, huh?

4.) What is your favorite Halloween memory?
Going to the NJ Devil Haunted Hayride, spending time in Los Poconos, PA at a party with the family then hitting a haunted house, where one of the Hubs cousin almost broke my hand from being so scared.

5.) Do you believe in ghosts/spirits?
uhm, yes. And I respect them too.

6.) Were you allowed to dress up at school for Halloween as a kid?
No, we dressed up for Carnival back home, ours is in February...here is proof of the cruelty of my mother. My Sister all so pretty and me...as a clown....thanks ma'.




7.) Did you trick-or-treat as a kid? At what age did you stop?
Nope, we mostly don't celebrate Halloween back home so I started here as an adult by having parties or me giving the candy.

8.) What is your favorite Halloween movie?
All Halloween (as in Michael Myers Halloween movies), Hocus Pocus, and technically a Christmas one "The Nightmare before Christmas"

9.) Did you dress up for Halloween this year? If so, as what?
Nope, I wanted too though but the mall didn't want adults dressed up -because of the weather we didn't go house to house, plus we missed the Family party due to getting hit with a snow storm.

10.) Weekly goals:
Keep up my exercises, take the Halloween down and fix what ever the kiddo destroyed,
make a traditional dish over the weekend.

Hope you all have a great day and week! See you in November!

Over & out