You lost me at carrots, which was the first draft of 'you had me at hello'.

So I've been busy, what else is new, but can I tell you how incredible sore I am from shopping?

"Like, O.M.G Barbara Jean, did you know Nordstrom was having a sale y'all?!" -said in my most faked 15 yr old Britney voice.

I have gone out with the Mom-ster EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

We've gone to 3 Marshalls, malls gallore, Kohls, WM, Michaels, countless Payless, Macys, SEARS, JCP, Lord and Taylor, Old Navy, etc...seriously I think the only store we didn't go was the Sex toy store, and believe me, if she thought she was getting a deal, she would have been there!

My feet are throbbing, my back is aching, and I swear I've lost a few pounds. The Mom-ster i

s a complicated woman, being 75 and all. The shirts she likes are too tight, too low cut, she does' like showing her arms but don't like long sleeves...I'm telling you the blouses she likes do not exist.

The good thing is that we did score major deals: dresses @ $1.98, a pair of boots for $5, Dressy Italian shoes for $3...seriously major scores. The thing is the weather is nice around here right now and people don't know if they should dress for spring or winter...so I guess they opted for summer since all the bating suits are out. Oh, and I also got an email from Crabtree & evelyn from liking their FB page back in Nov. gave me a free hand cream, and then for signing up in their store got an extra one!!! (I choose lemon) I love free stuff.

My house is a mess, there is a mattress on the living room and there is no rhyme of reason how to organize everything (my oldest gave his room and has made the living room a new version of occupy DC). and then I found this one morning...the little one crawl in to cuddle with his big brother....awwwwww...btw one pillow is hello and the other white, just saying.

So the word to the wise is too have some major walking shoes and maybe sweatpants to tackle these trips, anything is better than this:

Please remind me that the above look it's not appropriate gear for shopping with the Mom-ster.

(stripe shirt-old navy, sweater-Gap, Jeans- Levi's, boots- Bass for $9.99 a century ago)

BTW-my eyes are Hazel, not weird zombie like.

So that's what I'm up to. what about you?

Over & out

Friend Makin' Mondays- Beautiful

I am so glad I'm joining on time this week. It has been a busy week, like always when Mom-ster is around. She is the only one who will make me say "uncle" when it comes to shopping. Seriously. Today we have 3 stores to tackle, then 2 malls for the rest of the week and whatever else she has in mind. IT'S SCARY!

Anyways, we have enjoy LOTS of family time, lots of family dinners, and those things cannot be replaced, even by my tired and achy feet.

So on to this weeks FMM post.

Now let’s talk about FMM. 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

Fmm: What makes YOU beautiful?

Leave out all of the negative stuff, and concentrate on the beauty that’s within you – seen and unseen.

• I have long, healthy straight hair. I can leave it to air dry and no big deal.
• I’m super friendly.
• I have nice looking feet (lol) that I like to maintain.
• I have beautiful eyes, seriously I do, ask the Hubs *wink*
  
• I have pretty hands, and is funny cause I never thought about it until some of my Aunts where commenting about it and the rest of the family join in and say how they always loved my hands :)
• I love my hiney. JLo got nothing on me.
• I'm kind and think of others all the time.
• I have the power of creating humans and I'm proud of the body that has help me achieve this.

• I love my boobs, they are the perfect size, not too big or small and well balance.
• I have nice legs that get compliments all summer long!

Now it’s your turn to share what makes you beautiful! I love the positive message that we ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL!

Over & out

Friend Makin' Mondays on a Wednesday night.

I'm a tad late here. We were funny enough, traveling to NYC to visit family and get the Mom-ster who came from the Homeland to visit again. I was so happy to see my little man did not forget about her and was very excited saying "Hip hip Hooray" when she arrived.

I love our NYC family, they always make us feel so welcome, we shared an awesome "Churrasco" dinner with the Hubs Sister and Cousin and the kiddos got to play. Today is the first day of Lent and we so accordingly made a dessert that has many things: raisins, milk, cloves, cinnamon, sugar, sweet potatoes AND....RED BEANS! It is absolutely magnificent (just imagine going to a Japanese restaurant-they usually have red beans ice cream).

Above is an image in the pot we make them- I actually have two one super large and a medium one, below is the end result. Recipe can be found @ La cocina Dominicana

pic from Sazon al punto

Lent is very important to us and we try to the best of our abilities to keep with tradition, we have no meats on Wednesdays and Fridays either. I'm very happy my Mom-ster is here to share this with us, and to teach me a few dishes I want to perfect. Next on the agenda is Stuffed cabbage!

So onto other-late related things: here is this weeks FMM:

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: Travel

1. Where did your most recent trip take you? NYC within the US, abroad it was to the Caribbean.
2. Is there a place that you’d like to visit that you haven’t yet? If so, where? Too many! But we have plans to visit London, Spain and Ireland in the future.
3. Do you travel lightly, or do you cram as much into your luggage as possible? We always go to a little under the 50lbs limit, we have to since we travel with kiddos.
4. Do your eating and exercise habits change when you travel? If so, how? Yes, we do try to eat stuff we don't get home as often, we also get invited to dinner and life is way too short for us not to enjoy all of it. We do, however, walk a LOT more when we are away and use the car less.
5. Tell us about a place you’ve been that you’d like to go back to. Definitely New Orleans. I dream of living there one day, it is just the most beautiful city I've ever seen.
6. Do you prefer to travel at a certain time of year? Nope, we go whenever we can afford it.
7. If you had to choose, would you go to the beach or the mountains? I have to say the beach since is where we do go more often.
8. Have you ever needed a passport to travel? Yes, all of us have Passports.
9. Do you collect anything in your travels? Memories! LOL, not really but we always bring something that reminds us of those places: key chain, bottle opener, a Mardi Grass mask.
10. Where do you plan to go next? New York a few more times, then hopefully the Motherland in the Caribbean.

Now is off to my Motherly duties, the Hubs is working super late today. I'm looking forward to a week making yummy dishes and more shopping with the Mom-ster.

Over & out

Like Sonny & Cher, but with feelings

A few months back I needed time to work on my marriage, it wasn't that we had BIG issues but the daily little things where really getting to us, we where arguing a lot, you know the drill. There is a few things we learned in the process and I think it would be good to share, not only for you guys but as a reminder to myself that we constantly have to work on these things.

I am going to give some pointers, even for those who are dating because not only am I the sibling of 4 girls, but have seen the same mistakes made over and over again.

#1 The Wedding is just ONE day. Make sure you work on the marriage/relationship first. I'm not saying you can't have a beautiful big weeding, is just I have many friends and family that sadly, have work on getting this huge party, spent thousands of dollars and get divorce on the first year. A big party does not guarantee a good marriage. Make sure you get that.

#2 get to know that person, ask the important things. I'm not talking about favorite colors or Zodiac sign but the REAL deep things. Even though I feel so sorry for Kim K. I could not believe they have got married and not discussed where they wanted to live. I have many girls around me that get divorced so easily and then come back with "oh, I like to go out and he is a homebody" or "we have different views about our relationship", or "he wanted me to stay home and I wanted to work". this after dating for 5-7 years. I don't get it.

#2A- do not approach this topic on your first date, but once you know you are serious ask the questions: do you want to live in the city, the suburbs, do you want kids, how many, how do you feel about religion, drinking, smoking, parenting styles. By the time the Hubs and I move in together we both had a clear picture of what we both wanted.

#3 PEOPLE DON'T CHANGE. Do not get in to a marriage thinking you are going to change the other person. That he or she is going to settle down. People can modify their personality and traits but they usually do not change. As stated above, if you know he does not like clubbing, or camping, or like animals, or kids, do not go in thinking "Oh, he will change for me. He just need more time to get in to it". Same for you, if you are , lets say a city gal, do not think "Oh for him I'll move to the country and raise chickens" you will be unhappy and resentful of whatever you had to give up.

P.S: there are exceptions, but rare ones. Again those are the exceptions NOT THE RULE.

#4 “When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it’s really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do.” ― Randy Pausch

This is so true, no matter what they say, is what they do. I know that my Hubs loves me, not just because he tells me but because EVERYTHING he does reflects that. I'm first in his book, even when it comes to simple things like food shopping, he takes in to consideration the things I like, the things I need. Show each other how much you care.

#5 The Only person you can change and control is you. You cannot made people do what they don't want to. One of the big eye openings on this married life was to say to myself: "What can I do to make things better?". On one of our big arguments I told him just that and just the fact that he saw I was willing to do this automatically brought things to perspective for him to. Ask your self what can you do to make the relationship better.

I'm a type A personality, I also very organized and clean. The Hubs does not care about those things, so I have to learn what things I can let go of. i.e. when he cleans the kitchen and forgets to clean the stove instead of being irate because he didn't do it, I say to myself: " Yay, he clean all of it and now all I have to do is clean the stove". It's all about perspective.

#6 Care for each other interest. The Hubs is a big sports guy: he watches it on tv, listen on the radio, he looks on the net, he has the magazines. He loves anything from Baseball, basketball, soccer, football, wrestling and boxing. Me? I cannot care less. But I know who his favorite teams are, favorite players, etc. He tries to make more interesting for me by telling me the stories about the new kid who is a prodigy, how he got into the NBA, etc, he knows telling me his point average would not caught my attention.

He, in return, knows what brand of boots I want, knows how excited I get about nail polish, tells me if there is a new Episode of Poirot. He gets what is important to me and shows interest in learning about it, even if is nail polish.

#7 Take care of each other. Besides the obvious things... being there when you are sick, listening to each other when there is something stressing you out, doing the little things that would bring a smile to that person. It's always nice to see the Hubs saying: "let me stop here to get Ice tea" -he is the only one @ home who drinks this- and I tell him I already got it for you. He knows I am always looking out for him and he for me.

I'm not the lovey dove type but he is. It drives me nuts that he wants to hug/kiss me while I'm cleaning, cooking, etc. but I know this is how he is. I make a conscious effort to say "I'm lucky he loves me this much". I do things that I know will make him happy. If kissing him back is going to make him happy, then heck why not?

#8 Support each other.

There is not one thing I can tell the Hubs that I want to do that he doesn't support. Paint the house? sure, try a new dish/restaurant? Fine with him. He wants to find another job? OK.

Yes, we do discuss the bigger things and make sure it works for all of us, but we always listen to the why and we support what each other wants to do.

#9 Do not discuss your problems with either family. Now I know this is different for everyone but in my opinion, telling lets say a Sister about your problems whit your Hubs is not going to leave a good impression and she may look at him different. Last year I made the error of talking about our issues with my SIL and I regret it. I know not everyone is the same but even I have a different view of my Sister's Hubs after she told me certain things and their arguments. I suggest an honest friend for these kinds of conversations.

#10 Marriage and relationships are hard. So is anything worth working for.

My Friend Jeanette has been married for 20 yrs, together for 25. They met when she was 15. I always admired her and one day commented how happy they always seem and how it must be easy for them. She say to me that yes, they where close, they love each other and mostly got a long great but that in true all marriages need work, some more than others. They are always working together on their marriage, and even though is easier now they don't just sit there and assume the other one is happy.

After last year I learned to not take things for granted to work on things, to talk to each other, take time for each other. I know this is the person that I want to spent my life with, and I want to make sure it is the best life we both could have.

Hope this has help you a bit, and if you want to suggest anything else that works for sure, please share!

Over & out

Two on Tuesday: Love

I'm joining again the fabulous My Chihuahua Bites for another:

Today’s topic is:

What 2 (or more!) things do you love about your significant other?

If you do not have a SO currently, please consider blogging about what you’re looking for in a SO. What attributes must your future spouse have?

#1 – He loves me, all of me, the good and the bad.

I could be moody and OCD, I like things my way, and he loves all of it. He tells me I'm beautiful and means it. He always has a loving gesture towards me, even when I'm not my fantastic self.

#2 – He is smart and Interesting.

He went to Law school and is a man that is always interested in the world, he knows about politics, sports, he loves to read, he loves to learn, he loves telling me stories and I could hear him talk about them all the time.

#3 – He is kind.

He treats everyone with love and respect. He is the cousin everyone calls, the Brother his siblings depend on, He is a great friend, he stops to help people on the streets even if he does not know them.

#4 – He can talk to anyone.

I'm agreeing on this one. He is one of those guys who can make friends in the shopping line, at WM, in a concert , etc. he loves to talk to people.

#5 – He is a provider all the way.

He provides for me and our family, he works extra hard often getting home late at night. He loves taking care of us in any way he can.

#6 – He CAN dance.

I am so lucky because he has the Latin flavor in him, he can dance almost anything and does it really well. There is no better feeling than dancing in his arms.

#7 – He is a great dad.

For being raised in a Latin home he is not your typical male that does not take care of the kids because is a woman thing. He bathes Aiden more than I do, he changes diapers, he does feed him and try to spend as much time with him. but he is also a great role model to my oldest. Alain is not his but he always tells everyone he has two boys and is super proud that Alain is in college and does so well. He takes time for him, they go to movies, concerts and he makes sure he has quality time with him. They also love to joke around.

I swear those are different hats-all red.

#8 – He takes care of me.

Again I'm also adding this one because he so do. I was sick for the entire time of my pregnancy. He would hold my head and my hair up, then clean up afterwards. He would sent me to have a Mani/pedi friends date so he could clean the house and I didn't smell the fumes, he did the Laundry and anything else. To this day this man opens the door for me, I never have to carry anything heavy, he is always there to open a jar and kill bugs.

#9 He cares for the things that I care.

It may seem silly but he cares for the things that he knows I care. He will remember that makeup palette I mention once, he would give an honest opinion about my nail polish and my hair. I could sent him images of the boots I want and he would research it for me. Those little things, like ordering a book he knows I would love or the new CD from my favorite artists make me feel love everyday.

#10 He can agree to disagree and respect my opinion.

There are tons of things we don't agree on and he is ok with that. He can listen to my point of view, provide his but not try to convince me to change my mind. Ex. he thinks Whitney Houston was a tragedy and people should have done more @ the Grammys...I don't. Yes, it was sad but a prayer and a song tribute I think was enough.

#11 He is sarcastic and Funny.

We have a wicked sense of humor, he gets me and I get him. He doesn't mind busting a move in the middle of Target if we hear a fun jam, he would be silly with me, he would chase me down the street to tickle me, he does not care who is watching us.

#12 He is the nicest guy I know.

Seriously he is. Even when people are not so nice to him, when people do unkind things, he is still a nice guy.

Even thought I don't believe this day is that important (he does) I am well aware how lucky I am to have someone who cares and loves me each and everyday. So I'll leave you with the perfect quote for us:

“We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” Dr. Seuss

Over & out

At least she had a Husband to Kill...

Busy week here.

Let's just say that attending a funeral for a 10yr old when her little Brother and Sis (6 & 8) are there is not my cup of tea. By the time I got to sit down I was shaking. Seeing the Mom touching her little girls hair is just heartbreaking...

In other news the Mom-ster is coming to visit next week from the Homeland, so we get to go to NYC again!!! She is coming for a short visit but still was looking forward to it, until she called me today and drove me NUTS about her flight in just 5 minutes.

The little guy had a play date today with my niece and nephew and he seems awfully tired since he didn't nap. I' hoping he would be in bed by 8:30pm because I plan on taking the Hubs on a date night (we won free movie tickets). I've been looking forward to "The Woman in black" so lets see how it goes. I feel so grown up by going to the 10pm viewing!!! I told the Hubs I did not want to go during the day, I wanted a "REAL" date night.

Oh, and I got this beauty with a coupon. Revlon Naughty is a remake on Revlon Perplex, which was a dupe for the coveted Chanel Paradoxal (which I would never pay for) I also saw it @ WM for

$3+ and if you get the coupon is less than that. Isn't it a beauty?

Above- Revlon Naughty (photo by The nail Network)

Above Chanel Paradoxal (photo) All Laquered up.

So that is it for this Saturday evening, I have to go finish dinner and then get ready for our date.

Over & out

Friend Makin' Monday- Habits

I was hoping to post before Monday came around but this weekend was a busy one. Sadly my friend's little Sister passed away Friday while she was at our house. She had been ill since the day she was born and surpassed her expectation of a year to live for 10...she was a fighter.

I don't want to make this a sad post because I believe she is happier now and in a better place so lets get going.

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 a

nswers. 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: Habits

1. Are you proactive, or do you procrastinate? I'm sort of a procrastinator. I tend to leave things for the last minute but I believe is because I work better under pressure.


2. Do you eat breakfast everyday? If so, what’s a typical meal like? Yes. it has been the same for years now: Coffee and toast. Sometimes I'll add a boiled egg. If I had my way I would love french toast or eggs Benedict but I leave those for special occasions.
3. How much time do you spend watching TV on an average day? Tons. I need background noise plus there are shows I love to watch such as Masterpiece Mystery, Grimm, Once upon a time, and of course CARTOONS!
4. 1. Do you talk on the phone, or do you prefer e-mail and/or text messages? I don't own a cell phone so no text here. When I had it I didn't get the whole texting with half words anyways. I do talk on the phone but is because we are so far away from everyone.
5. 1. Do you exercise in the morning, afternoon or evening? Having a kiddo around is whenever I get a chance, usually in the afternoons when he is taking a nap or when my oldest can watch him for me.
6. 1. 1. 1. Do you take time for yourself regularly? I try. I love doing Manicures and Pedis, also I take shopping breaks.
7. 1. 1. 1. How often do you make your bed? Every. single.day. I hate seeing a messy bed.

1. 1. 
Source
2. Do you plan meals? If so, how far in advance? some what. I used to do a 2 week meal plan, then I change it up. I usually know at least a day ahead what I'm making.
3. Do you wake up at the same time everyday? Nope. Weekdays I'm driving everyone to and from Train stations and college, running errands, etc. On the weekends the Hubs lets me sleep in so I can rest since I suffer from insomnia.
4. How often do you brush your teeth? Having 9 Dentist in my family (or is it 10?) really made a number on me. Although since my last pregnancy I HATE brushing my teeth (makes me nauseous) I do it 3 times a day. Morning, after lunch and before bed. And I do floss, do whitening and mouth wash.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! And if you have an idea for FMM, e-mail me. Your ideas could be the subject of a future FMM! Happy Monday friends!

Over & out :)