Monday, April 30, 2012

My Favorite Things This Month - April

1. Vikings Book - John is fascinated with Vikings. I wasn't until I started reading a Viking book he recently checked out from the library and next thing I know I had read some twenty pages. And what happened next? John took it back and didn't check it out again. So, next time, I'll check it out and finish reading what the Vikings were all about and how they converted to Christianity.









2. John's Retreat - I was very touched at all the letters family and freinds wrote for John for his Men's ACTS retreat. I didn't read them all but the one's that I read made me cry and smile. Javier's letter was very heartfelt and so was Chaz's. Z's letter was amazing! and Libby's, (John's mom) made me cry.







3. Starbucks VIA Ready-Brew Coffee - I love coffee but I was spending too much money. Then one day, I came upon this VIA Starbucks product and decided to give it a try. I loved it. I no longer have to spend $4 bucks for my favorite coffee. I now buy this packages and it takes me up to 3 weeks! That's a lot of savings!








4. Pearl Couscous with Crandberries - Andra and I went out to dinner at a Brazilian Steak house and upon serving my salad, I stumbled upon this Pearl Couscous rice I had never seen and lo and behold, I was hooked. So was Andra. The next day, I told John I wanted to make it with crandberries as well. Sofia and Raquel loved it. It is now a part of our menu.

Seaman Happenings

This April was way too busy but even if it takes me until mid night on the very last day of April, I will update. I will not despair on updating people who do not care about our family blog.

Sofia and Raquel got their new pool sandals and Sofia decided to help Raquel put hers on. She's got the tickles instead.

Fast forward days later, Sofia and Raquel wore their Belle's dresses and decided to hang out outside in our yard.

Sofia likes to be called Belle when she's wearing this dress. She corrects me and tells me she's not Sofia, she's Belle.

Smelling the flowers like a good princess should do.

But soon their fairy tale walk becomes another's garden duty to be had that day. 

And for some, Cornmeal on their hair and face...

And soon, to be able to feed the animals in their fairy tale walks, princesses need to learn how garden.

Raquel was doing fine until...

She wasn't supposed to pull the plant from the soil but put it in the planter in front of her. John was crushed since he doesn't like plants to die and suffer. Yes, he talks to them. He's got the 6th gardening sense.

Alright, back to basics for Raquel.

Sofia has become a pro at gardening. She loves it!


A couple of weeks later, John attended the Men's ACTS retreat. This was their return home on Sunday after mass.  

Our Priest! 

The girls had not seen John for three days and they were too excited when they saw him. I was too!

A Samoan brother in that house!

And during the month April, Sofia and Raquel attendend swiming classes at our local recreational pool.




This video was actually shot today right after we had all finished our dinner. I had to do a quick abrupt CPR technique on Raquel.


Sunday, April 29, 2012

Cheating


I have to share this story because not only did it make me laugh but the parent of this child should go back to school himself and get new screws on his head. Really. What is happening with parents allowing this to happen?. It all comes down to what we teach our children. In this case, I would not trust or do business with this parent. He should be ashmed not sue. He's an idiot and deserves an F for parenting.

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Dad sues school district after son is punished for cheating


​A father is suing his son's Northern California school district for throwing the boy out of an honors English class after he was caught cheating. The sophomore at Sequoia High School in Redwood City copied someone else's essay, which aside from being just plain wrong, also goes against the "honesty pledge" students sign at the beginning of the class, making it explicitly clear that any cheating will result in expulsion from honors courses. Clear cut, right? Well, the dad is pointing out a conflicting school policy that says students won't be punished for cheating until the second time they're caught. Um, can the second incidence of cheating be this dad trying to cheat the school system and bend the rules for his kid?

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Movies We Watch

Movie: The Three Musketeers

When I first read reviews on this movie I was disappointed even though the previews for this movie looked amazing but they only show you the good parts of the movie, which in this case, are few. The rest is awful down to Orlando Bloom. Nothing made sense and even the good actors in this movie looked awful in a not so funny, clever movie. They fought with swords Ala Matrix. Why not keep fighting to the period? What a waste! I haven't yet seen a Musketeer movie I liked. Don't waste your time buying/renting it.

1 Star for the custom clothes.



Movie: Shrek the Third

Dull and boring. John even felt asleep. Shrek doesn't want to be King and looks for the next heir to replace him. All Shrek wants to do is go back home to his swamp and be a Ogre. But, Alas! Prince Charming returns for vengeance and this time he takes control of the castle and the crown. There are a few jokes but I was not impressed with this one. There is a fourth Shrek movie...I'll watch it when there isn't anything else to watch.

2 Stars.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods has decided to please all of the Green/Earthy/Vegetarians etc, etc, people and ban  seafood that is red-rated fish. I don't care what they ban because I don't shop for Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Salmon and Flounders at Whole Foods because I thought they were too expensive but looking at the state of our economy today, their decision will have a substantial effect on the New England ports. Whole Foods is a great store but this decision I think is absurb.


Fish banned by Whole Foods: code-red fish:

Caviar, Sturgeon (imported wild)
Chilean Seabass/Toothfish
Conch: Queen
Crawfish/Crayfish (imported farmed)
Flounders, Halibut, Soles (US Atlantic, except Summer Flounder)
Groupers (US Atlantic)
Lobster: Spiny (Brazil)
Mahi Mahi (imported longline)
Marlin: Blue, Striped (Pacific)
Orange Roughy
Salmon (farmed, including Atlantic)
Sharks & Skates
Shrimp (imported)
Snapper: Red, Vermilion
Swordfish (imported)
Tilapia (Asia farmed)
Tilefish (US Southeast)
Tuna: All Canned, Albacore, Skipjack,
Tongol (except troll/pole)
Tuna: Bigeye, Yellowfin (longline, except US Atlantic)
Tuna: Bluefin

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Ms. Carol

This morning as I was in Sofia's classroom, I found out one of Raquel's teacher, Ms. Carol lost her son this past weekend. I was deeply saddened for her loss and know that the grieving process can be painful and long. She's such a wonderful person and teacher. Hug, kiss and tell your kids you love them every day.

We seem to give our loved ones back to you, Lord.
You have them to us.
But just as you did not lose them in giving,
Neither do we lose them in return.

You don’t give in the same way that the world gives.
What you give you don’t take away.
You have taught us that what is yours is ours also,
If we are yours.

Life is eternal, Lord, and your love is undying.
And the death is only a horizon.
And a horizon is nothing
But the limits of our sight.

Lift us, strong, Son of God, that we may see farther.
Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly,
Draw us closer to yourself, that we may find ourselves
Closer to our loved ones who are with you.

And while you prepare a place for them,
Prepare us also for that happy place
Where you are
And where we hope to be…forever.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Chuck Colson

Chuck Colson died at the age of 80 today. Chuck founded a prison ministry and whom I started listening on Christian radio and I became fond of his commentaries about govertment, secular life and family values. He was a champion for evangalizing prisoners and their families.

Chuck, you repented and turn your life to Christ. May God have you in his eternal glory and we pray that the ministry you founded keeps moving forward stronger than ever.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Clothes Dilemma

I have a personal dilemma that I cannot for the life of me figure out how fix. I have a hard time shopping for clothes. I swear it is easier picking up a toothbrush at the store than buying a piece of clothing for myself. I go shopping with a goal in mind and end up almost all the time empty handed. I go to the regular shops and 1. I'm either getting really old and the new styles don't feel right for me or 2. I like expensive clothes.

I think is number 2. I get to the really nice shops and I melt and my wallet quivers and shakes at the prices. I still end up buying nothing because I can't afford nothing. Therefore, do I purchase clothes that don't fit me well and shrink after the first wash or save my pennies and buy nice clothes that last quite awhile...

Or perhaps do what I usually do: Turn to the childrens department and buy my girls clothes. It's easier to pick for them and for my husband than picking clothes for myself. Sucks.

I'm a frustrated clothes shopper.

Five on Friday - National Library Week

1.What were the libraries at your elementary and high school like?

A peaceful place where I could escape and be by myself.


2.What’s interesting about your nearest community library?

Lots of children Spanish books!

3.What is the longest you’ve had an overdue library book?

hmmm...I still have the overdue library book from years years ago.

4.Among people you know who aren’t already librarians, who would make a good librarian?

My husband, John. He loves books.

5.Who is your favorite librarian?

Can't think of one....

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dick Clark

Mr. Clark,

New Year's Eve celebration on TV will not be the same without you anymore. May God have you in his mercy and loving embrace. Ryan Seacrest has nothing on you.

Rest in peace.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

17 Days Gone So Far

Wow. I'm 17 days into the month of April and I've just realised, I haven't updated my blog. I guess there's a first time for everything including been so busy, I don't have the energy/time to work on things that I enjoy.

I'll like to buy time or if evenings could be longer where I could do things that I need and want my life would be set. I don't even know what's up the world; the last thing I heard some Pitt/Jolie celebrated were engaged and that the Secret Service had hired some exotic clientele to keep them entertained.

But for now, I must write something and here it is. something.