5 Things About Me Today

1. I love it when my daughters kiss me. Today, in particular, I was saying goodbye to Raquel before she headed to her classroom when I bend over and asked for a kiss. Instead, I got vomit thrown on the side of my face. I could only laugh. I cleaned myself and gave her a kiss instead.

2. Big week this week! Sofia turns 5 and Ash Wednesday falls on her birthday this year!! And for the first time, they will be coming along with me to Ash Wednesday mass at noon tomorrow!

3. I got to buy me new running shoes plus insoles! My plantar Fasciitis is hurting again. A sign my running shoes have had enough.

4. My sister Yesenia is a big shopper! We have gone to several Estate Sales together and she's showing me not to fear spending. My fear is that I'm not working!

5. I'm taking a liking to the two fishes John has brought to our house. And as it always happens, I end up feeding them too. At least he's cleaning their tank since it gets rather yucky after three days.

5 Things About Me Today

1. To send or not to send Raquel to Little Saints for the upcoming school year this fall. The program is changing and many, many moms are not happy about it. I'm ok with the change but I'm not happy with the amount of money they are charging next fall. If I was working, I would still probably do it, but since, I'm not, I am weighing where to send Raquel. She's definately not going 5 days. Three will do. I have toured St. Paul's Parents Day Out and the Director and I couldn't stop talking. We clicked. Which is a good sign, but then I also have St. Joseph's Mother's Day Out program to consider but I do love Little Saints program so much. I am torn. We must decide soon.

2. My vintage Etzy Shop is doing great! I have to admit there are weeks that nothing happens but when it happens, I'm running to the post office more than once a week to ship my items and tomorrow, I'm shipping to AUSTRALIA! Isn't that amazing! This is my second international shipping! I'm hooked on Etzy! I just wish I had more time to go to more Estate Sales but time and money are tight sometimes but I do feel blessed the Lord is blessing me this way as well!

3. I'm glad I got to see Granpa Williams this past Christmas. I made him Coffee and he brought me cookies. I will not see him at the hospital as he lays there waiting for the Lord to take him. I do not want to remember him this way.

4. I had a phone interview last week which had me excited, it was located in Richardson doing recruiting and sourcing but flexibility and/or telecommuting 16 hours a week was a problem for the employer. I explained my personal dilemma and he said, "I'll give you $5,000 more if you take your daughters out of the mother's day out program and place them in a regular daycare." I said no. My priorities cannot change for any amount of money I am offered. This is the third time I had to decline a job offer.

5. Well, I'm running again and last week, I ran 10 miles, wohooo!!. I'm committing to running every week and not lose sight of taking care of my health.

5 Things About Me Today

1. Taking my Defensive Driving class was not as excruciating as I thought. In fact, I came home updated on new traffic laws such as if you are driving fatigue and you cause an accident, it will be treated as a DUI. Yep, DUI and I also learned that the court fees and jail time is the same as DWI. Scary stuff if you get caught.

2. John and I are back on the South Beach Diet again because we let go and went on a food eating tasting for about two months and we looked at each other and said, "ooh we are fat." So far, I'm starting to feel good again and I'm starting to fit into my clothes. I think we went too far too long on eating nasty!

3. Sofia and Raquel want to go out and do something every single day. "Where are we going today?" All this started after we took our five day vacation in early June and they were enjoying themselves going out to new places every day. John and I are trying to find something new and "cheap" to take them out on the weekends but we are limited on places to go due to their ages.

4. It finally hit 106 Fahrenheit this weekend reminding that we live in Texas. We have had a pretty good mild summer with rain and in the lower 90's. My water bill will definitely take more cash out of my pocket next month if it doesn't start raining soon.

5. I sold another purse on my Etzy shop! It is so thrilling to sell stuff it gives me that "I won" feeling. I love it!

Five Things About Me Today

1. My Hair Dryer died on me yesterday. It all happened so sudden while I was drying my hair. At first, I was looking at myself and thinking, "What do I cook the girls for breakfast," when all of the sudden my hair dryer started flickering sparks and smoke and it freaked me out. I thought, "Oh no! My house is going to burn!" I unplugged the device and I threw my hair dryer in the trash can. So long! I couldn't finish my hair but I saved my house!! So I went to Target and spend $5 more on a new hair dryer. Hopefully, this one will have a more peaceful death in the future.

2. I'm so tired every night the only thing I can think of is vacation! I need to remember to take my vitamins...

3. Buying Sofia's and Raquel's new dresses for my brothers wedding was fun. They loved looking at dresses and Sofia, for the first time, begged and begged me for one pink dress (pink is her favorite color.) I gave in just this one time, because it looked like something I would have bought anyways, but the price was something I wasn't prepared to spend BUT I'm always buying her clothes that are on sale (kids grow so fast it doesn't make sense for me to purchase everything at regular price.) Sofia is very happy.

4. I'm trying to get up at 6am every morning to have more time to do things that I have to do without rushing but for right now 6:15am will have to do.

5. I enrolled Sofia and Raquel at a summer camp at our Parish, St. Joseph's for six weeks! I'm so glad they will be able to go and not spend all summer inside the house.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I love wearing heels. But I hate wearing heels that give me blisters! How to know which shoes not give you blisters is beyond me. For the last three months, I have been suffering from this aftermath.

2. I worked at my first Wine Gala event this past Saturday night, this the reason why I had blisters, I suppose. At any rate, Everyone tells me it was better than last year, even though if you work on event, one doesn't realize how bad or how great the event is going until is over. We received rave reviews. I brought tons of wine bottles home with me. I have decided on not volunteering next year, unless I'm begged.

3. John and I had our Retrouvaille post session this Saturday and we had a full room of couples, which is great. However, it pains me to see when only one spouse is able to make it.

4. I'm trying to cut down on my coffee intake to two days a week. It is hard when John makes coffee on the weekends and I must practice restrain. sucks.

5. I need to research on how Chihuahua's mate because Molley and Billy don't seem to get it right. They seem close but then the window of opportunity closes and we must wait until it happens again.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I start a "Grief" class on Tuesday. I have anxiety about it and I'm even feeling nervous. I'm not playing the victim card but I'm seeking answers. Let's just say I'm in the "Anger" stage after a year and a half. I know grief can last for years but I can't live like this anymore, I need answers and peace; I have grieved my cousin for 15 years now and I believe I have just found peace with it. I'll write about more this next week.

2. I'm really excited about going to my brother's wedding in June! John and I have decided to make it a mini-vacation and visit his brother down in Corpus and take the girls to the beach! I've found this little boat pirate family friendly show, I hope is good. The last boat pirate show John and I were was in Cancun and it was so much fun, I think all the free alcohol they give you makes you think is fun, who knows! but I think overall, I'm just ready to leave Dallas for a little while.

3. This month is busy to say the least. I love to volunteer but I do have to do a better job on balancing my time. We have a Retrouvaille post talk to do, then I have volunteer for the Wine Gala event at my daughter's school, then our parish called us to see if we would be interested in being facilitators for engaged couples and guide through that process. Then, I have to find time to get swimming classes schedule for the girls and gymnastics. Then I have a Tamale party with my Latina group. I need to buy time.

4. South Beach is going well. This week we discover Turnips. Who ever thought this vegetable was so good and full of so many vitamins, low in carbs and so fulfilling! Forget potatoes, we got turnips, how about you!

5. Raquel's recovery was a looong one! She was fuzzy and cranky all week. I think today was her best day and she's finally breathing and blowing her nose to get all that junk out of there. It is so hard to see ones kids in so much pain, one wishes to take it away from them but going through this can make you stronger for what's coming up ahead.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I fear flying therefore, everytime I travel I stress out including vacation travel, I do get excited to travel to a new exciting place besides, Kansas City (work related). I do fall asleep but turbulence can get pretty rough at times.

2. I love rain but I don't like it when it rains when is bitterly cold and windy. I find it depressing actually, mostly in January after attending parties, opening gifts and spending time with family to absolutely nothing to do in January. What a lonely month with no exciting holidays to celebrate. Yuck.

3. I'm running once again after taking a two month hiatus and I do show the hiatus right in my belly. I have promise myself not to overeat during the months of November and December; I will behave and resist eating everything that comes in front of me.

4. I cut my hair pretty sure and I have gotten tons of compliments about it and I have cut down by 15 minutes my prep time every morning; but since my brother is getting married this June, I will let it grow so that I may show really pretty in the wedding pictures!

5. Downton Abbey is back! and John is hooked and I'm happy he also finds it fascinating like I do, we can now talk about it for hours (not really)! I love classical drama full of twists, love triangles and most of all English charm!

5 Things About Me Today

1. It has been years since I have visited an Old Navy store and instead of coming out empty handed and disgusted at the lack of choices for me and John, this time I bought me a nice sweater for work and bought Sofia several tops. They still target the teenage masses and that's fine with me, thank goodness the Gap near me is not been shipped to China. Old Navy has nice stuff for my girls, I can only get so much out of Target who also has a nice clothes for kids, but sooner or later you do want variety.

2. I blame Thanksgiving and all the Christmas parties we are about to attend for my lack of keeping up with my healthy eating habits. Thankfully, we have January to look forward and reaffirm our goals all over again!

3. For the last two weeks, I have been listening to Leonardo Favio, Sandro, Leodan and other artist like these. Years ago, my father used to play their songs every weekend and I felt tortured every time I heard them. I could not understand why anyone would listen to bad songs. Today, I understand why my father liked them; they are not like today's music, dirty. The music of yesterday is amazingly beautiful, I just did not understand its simplicity.

4. I can't wait to go on my vacation to start taking mid-afternoon naps with my girls.

5. I have not shop for any presents. Nor do I want to just thinking how full the parking lot is and the crazy people shopping. Thankfully, there is always Starbucks to help me through my shopping.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I looked up the meaning of the word: Vulnerable: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt. I lived in fear of being vulnerable for many, many years up until four years ago that I realize that being vulnerable to family and close friends is OK; It is a risk nonetheless, but how else are we to reach out when we need a lending hand or emotional support from others if we do not come out and say: I need help, I feel defeated and I don't know what to do? So, without saying much, I urge everyone to please reach out to family members for help without the fear of rejection and/or judgement.

2. Depression: sadness; gloom; dejection. Or the squelch of my appetite. Yep, I have this mental disorder, another definition for this gloomy word that comes and goes like a roller coaster and I'm able to hide it very well from my love ones until a colleague of mine finds me in my cubicle (work place) crying my heart out.

3. Thanksgiving is coming and I will pig out. yey. Then I will run for miles and miles on ending until I burn everything I ate then I will repeat the same steps for Christmas and New Years.

4. We gave our marriage talk this past weekend and one lady came to us and said that she was giving up on coming for more marriage talks but decided to give it one more try and she was happy she did because she felt our talk was "warm" and she was happy that she came. It is never easy to talk about your own failings in your marriage and past struggles but it is very fulfilling that we are helping other marriages find hope.

5. I am not doing Black Friday...I think they are for freaks who wake up at ungodly hours just to shop. I have been a freak in the past myself and I have always found it exhausting and unfulfilled. Just saying.

Five Things About Me Today

1. I finally found a dress for me to wear at my sister's wedding this 29th. Shopping for clothes can be an overwhelming stressful experience, I'm rather simple when it comes to clothes and it is hard to find what I'm looking for and not every store that I shop carries the exact fit for me so I find myself going to the same two stores because they make clothes that fit my body exactly the way I want them to fit me.

2. My weight is coming off, however, the only thing I must push myself to do is abdominal work out; you would think it would be easier than running but not for me! It is a drag! I find it boring but I know that running alone cannot tone my body.

3. I must decide whether I will make Sofia her Halloween outfit or buy it. I must confess I'm never thrill about Halloween as John is. I'm thrilled about any other holiday but Halloween, it just feels like a drag!

4. I have been noticing that when that time of the month comes for me all I want is cookies...lots of cookies...lots of amazing sugar! I don't know what has come over me but it is becoming hard to resist.

5. I made Sofia's flower girl basket for the wedding it took me two straight nights to finish it off but I did and most importantly my sister loved it and now I have to make the ring bearer pillow; I'll post pictures later!

5 Things About Me Today

1. Forgiveness means: disposition or willingness to fogive. Forgiveness frees both parties and allows healing to undo the damage that was done. I'm sure the person who called me last week will read this blog, but because it is my blog, I have the freedom to express whatever I want to say, therefore, I will say that it was nice to hear an apology rather than an e-mail apology. I think that it sets things in the right course. What was done three and a half years ago hurt me and when I think about it still hurts, but I feel that it takes courage to admit to fault as well as humility. Trust is hard to gain but I think that with the right ingredients and honesty strides can be made to redo the puzzle that once was.

2. Since I am in this topic, I will also add that I am no longer friends with someone that I loved very much but I couldn't take it anymore. There is only so much I can take, and I believe I can take a  whole lot but when that person cannot understand your current lifestyle situation and makes demands one has to make a touch choice. So, if this person still reads my blog, I'm not sure, I want to let you know that it hurts me to make this choice but I need friends who are not selfish. You will always be in my heart and prayers.

3. This morning while I was at the Toyota body shop getting my rental car and leaving my damaged Highlander due to vandalism (more on this later) I was taken to the rental car office where a lady was waiting to be helped. She was in a hurry and was upset that the rental car guy wasn't in. When the guy showed up, he asked, "who was here first?" "she was." I replied. The lady turned to me and said, "well, thank you, I really appreciate that!" The car rental guy left to get her car and the lady turned to me, "I really appreciate you helping me on this, I'm in a hurry, and I want to thank you by giving you this $10 Starbucks Gift Card." I was stunned. "Thank you, but it was nothing, really!" "No," she says, "I want to thank you for helping me." I took it and I was so very happy. These things don't happen to me all the time.

4. Last year we insulated our house to save on our electric bill but we didn't see a lot of difference, so we were upset. This year, we had issues with our A/C unit, John's uncle came by and fix it and we are happy to report that our electric bill has been cut in half!!!!!!

5. Sofia's is getting her Adenoids remove by the end of this month and I'm not looking forward to it, more on this later.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I need to stop going to bed at 11:30pm. Way too late. That is way too close for midnight and every day I promise to go to bed early the following night and it doesn’t happen. 70 percent of the time, the TV is not even on and I still end up going to bed late. I have to stop this cycle before my teeth turned way too yellow.

2. Yesterday we had 8 Tornadoes, 19 cities had hail and 7 had wind damage around the metroplex. For the last two weekends, we have heard the tornado sirens go off and the weather guys are saying that this coming Saturday night; we are having another round of storms, with a high possibility of tornados. I still believe is a blessing to live in Texas.

3. The hammock is hanging on our backyard and the girls love it. Getting them off is a problem.

4. I’m seeing a grief consular through Stephen Ministries. Hard-core stuff.

5. My Plantar Fasciitis is at 5%!!!! This means that I can run! And I have! I’m running a mile only at 14.25. I have cut two minutes!!!! I’m on my way. I had to buy these really really really expensive insoles for my running shoes that support my very high arch and it is working! I have no pain!

5 Things About Me Today

1. I CAN RUN!!! I have been running a mile with about 5% Plantar Fasciitis pain! I'm so, so happy! It has taken me exactly two years to feel the joy of running again! I'm not pushing myself because I don't want to re-injured myself all over again, therefore, I am running about twice a week. My first week I ran the mile at 16.20, this week, I'm running the mile at 15.15!! I was at 9.24. It will be a long tough road but I will get close to 9.24, not sure if I can make it there again, but all I want right now is to run a 5K. I'm taking John and the girls with me!

2. I have been sewing even though I have not blog about it. I think this is why I have been posting less and less. My free time is being consumed in sewing bags. Yep, bags. I am currently making two bags, same design, two different fabrics. I will post when I'm done and hopefully, I will able to take great pictures of them to post on my Etzy shop. And I will also make appointments at Boutiques to sell them off. I guess this is a personal quest of mine. God willing, I will be successful at it. I'm in my zone when I'm sewing, creating, bleeding blood sewing. Just like when I run, I feel free, when I sew I feel creative.

John and I were watching Top Chef, All Stars, last night and one of the finalist said, "I hate everything I do! even though people love what I cook, I hate it, it is never good enough" I'm like, I do too, that's how I feel. No matter how great my sewing project has turn out, or how many wows I get, it is never good enough, all that goes through my mind is "I could have done better." Is like, I turn into a perfectionist and I can tell you right now, I'm far from a perfectionist!

3. It hasn't rain in Dallas in over a month. Everyone has allergies and my Asthma has gotten worse. I had to upgrade my medication just to be able to breath. I'm praying for rain. Not Tornadoes, not floods, just rain.

4. Lent is here and I have committed myself to self sacrifice once again. Not saying what I'm sacrificing but this time I'm not giving up anything tangible, just sort of  a spiritual sacrifice.

5. Anyone reading this, please continue on praying for the people of Japan.

God Bless!

Sandra.

5 Things About Me Today

1. BRRRRRRR is cold outside!!! The month of January can be inspiring or can be dull and depressing.

a. Inspiring: The beginning of a new year brings renewed hope and the chance to bring about new changes in your life.

b. Dull/Depressing: It's cold and cloudy, rainy and or snowy. Then you wait for the end of January to get your W-2's to file your income taxes.

2. I have been telling John that I would love to have another baby. He stays quiet. Then he says, "sure, why not. We'll buy the girls a bunk bed." Great! In second thought, did you know that I'm approaching the big 4-0 this year? Should I risk it? Or should I just be contend that after trying to conceive for so many years, I should just feel blessed that God allowed us to be parents?

3. John is starting his Master Electrician License class every Tuesday night for the next 12 weeks. We will miss him.

4. Raquel is saying: Agua, Caca (poop), Gracias (thank you), Amen. Not bad, ha!!!

5. I need to stop drinking coffee!!!! I first started drinking coffee only on weekends; now is almost every day. I got my reasons!

fyi: I tried the upgraded McDonald's coffee they got to compete against Starbucks, and all I have to say about it is: YUCK!!! My office coffee tastes better than theirs!

5 Things About Me Today

1. I got two more shots for my Plantar Fasciitis! I'm having to wear a splint on my left foot when I sleep. Marvelous, isn't!? I want to be pain free, I want to be able to run to loose the weight and be able to run pain free with my daughters. I'm also going to a Chiropractor to heal my sciatic pain. It is getting better but I'm not there yet. All in due time.







2. Sofia potty training is going great! She's had two dry nights so far and she's gotten up in the middle of the night to announce that she needs to go! This is great! We had to unplug number 2 from her today; she had gone 4 days w/out relief and we decided to take matters into our parental hands and with a lot of anxiousness on my part, Sofia got relief. It didn't come down easy; she fought it but couldn't hold it in. Sofia struggled but she was freed. She was able to do it on her own after lunch so we'll see if the trend continues. This phase is stressful but I'm loving not changing diapers!

3. We are taking the Christmas tree down today and lights around the house. Time moves way too fast!

4. I cut my hair yesterday (short bob.) Short hair works for me right now with my busy mornings. No longer do I spend 45 minutes on my hair alone. Those were the days!

5. For New Years, John and I have decided to be home. Cook a special dinner, Say a prayer, open a bottle of wine, later on opened a bottle of champagne and watch the ball drop in Times Square then say a another prayer!

5 Things About Me Right Now

1. I have been on a writers block hiatus. I have a lot to share and express but nothing comes out. I have also been on a creativity block hiatus. But Halloween is coming up and Sofia gets the chance to dress up at school this year and this is my opportunity to redeem myself from that awful cookie costume I made last year and I have decided that I will make her a flower outfit thanks to Martha Stewart. I will not entertain the idea to buy her an outfit that's way too easy.

2. We all miss my mom now that she's flown back home, but she's where God wants her to be. She's been living with us for so long, it feels odd not having her around the house.

3. Birthday's do not matter anymore now that my life is filled with John and my girls. They are all that matter to me.

4. I am soon to be a grand-dog-mother. I think this is how you say it, I don't know, please correct me if I'm wrong. Billy, our chihuahua, is going to be mating with Molly, my niece's fiancee chihuahua. They have not been successful as of today but I hope that changes soon. We love Molly already. I don't want her going away.

5. Today marks the beginning of planning Raquel's b/day party. It is not until November but it is never too early to start. I love planning events! It gives something else to do...as if I don't have a million things to do already. Thankfully, I can multitask.

5 Things About Me Today

1. Chicken Pox. Check.

2. Stomach Flu. Check.

3. Vomit and Diarrhea. Check and Check.

4. Girls can really scream your ear out and leave you tone deaf. Check.

5. Knowing these times will never be relieved in your lifetime ever again. Priceless.

5 Things About Me Today

1. It finally rained down in my neighborhood yesterday. Again today. I like to see my grass green throughout the summer but summers here in Texas can get pretty hot and I hate to see houses with dead dried up grass, it is one of those things that separates homeowners I guess.

2. I can power walk pain free! But I still can't run. I'd call that in improvement from 6 months ago when I could barely walk! I just pray that by March next year, I'm running at least a 5K!

3. I have to stop going to bed at midnight. I blame Jane Austen! She's wicked. How dare she write a book that I can't put down. I swear! Coffee has suddenly become my savior.

4. I have started to wear my high heel shoes again. They make me feel pretty and cute.

5. I have been schedule to travel to KC, MO for three days in September (work related) and I'm already dreading being away from my babies. At the same time, I am calling it a semi-work-vacation away from diapers and baby monitors. I know that once I'm there, I will want to get back on the plane to bring me home. I hate planes. I hate it.

5 Things About Me Today

1. I feel like a child again when I'm sewing and/or creating something with my bare hands. I love it so much, I feel cheated I don't have more time to spend creating. I can't wait to teach Sofia and Raquel. I only hope they'd love it too!

2. It is too hot to do anything outside. Gee, Sunday was 106, yesterday 107...I hate rushing time but Fall, where are you!?

3. I have been noticing my Plantar Fasciitis is feeling much better. In fact, I was running around with Sofia yesterday and I didn't feel any pain. I must not rush, however, I need to keep on doing my stretching exercises. I give it 6 more months and I can start running again!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I need to de-stressed so much!!

4. I was talking to Gayle this past Sunday, she's one of Zara's friends and it is so refreshing to talk to someone about parenthood and how tough it can be to fight against the wave of what the world thinks kids should have nowadays. She's someone I admire for raising her boy without TV (this is very limited), no IPHONE and no Nintendo! AMAZING! They create, do stuff inside and outside the house, they read, they have conversations! Again, this is what I want to do with my girls. Explore with them!

5. Life changing events are coming.

Five on Friday - Fairy Tale

1. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the knight in shining armor? Mr. Darcy!


2. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the evil villain? PMS

3. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the loyal, comedic sidekick? Patricia, my best friend. She makes me laugh all the time!

4. In the fairy tale of your life, what comes right after “Once upon a time…?" UGH! I hate this once upon a time stuff.


5. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the fairy godmother? A Visa Black Card.