Staying Home

Taking care of my daughters has always been my number one priority and now that I'm home (unemployed) I can't stop cleaning or doing something to keep me busy. Of course, I do spend time with my daughters but after working for 25 years non stop, I find it hard to just sit and relax.

I'm still applying for work, Part time work, I'm not sure I can do full time anymore without the flexibility, I need for my daughters. I went to my first face to face job interview today for a very big, international company and it went well, but if I was given the chance to choose, of course, I would stay home but I feel the need to be productive not just at home but help my husband financially and not feel like I'm a burden.

I guess after working so many years, it is kind of hard to let go of that work mentality. I look at my daughters and the days are flying by and I hug them and kiss them more each and every day because they are growing way too fast for me and I'm trying to stop time by just holding on to them.

So, in the meantime, I will try harder to relaxing more, go to the park more, go to the store and just learned to browse around without feeling guilty that I can't afford it.

Your Baby Can Read Company Going Kaput

Is this a surprise? I'm actually surprise the company lasted this long! I'm sure there were some successful stories of babies reading before they could walk, sing or even be potty trained but who in their right mind would want to expose their kids at 3 months to so much? Overachiever Parents, that is whom I never want to encounter in any future sport activities with my girls but that would be impossible just like asking for free coffee at Starbucks.

Your Baby Can LLC announced the decision on its website.

"Regretfully, the cost of fighting recent legal issues has left us with no option but to cease business operations," the notice says. "While we vehemently deny any wrongdoing, and strongly believe in our products, the fight has drained our resources to the point where we can no longer continue operating."

So it didn't work for a lot of parents who probably believed if they sat their baby down in front of a TV, the kid would magically learn how to read. That's what I call "Lazy Parenting." I'm down to Lesson 11 on Sofia's reading book and it takes PATIENCE people!! PATIENCE and TIME.

The website had claimed the best time for children to learn to read is when they are infants and toddlers, before they go to school; it said they could start as young as 3 months old. "Seize this small window of opportunity," it urged parents.

Are you kidding me! At 3 months they sleep, eat and poop and suck their hand and fingers and say googoo cute sounds. I seized the small window of opportunity to play with my girls, take pictures, being puked on, peed on and so on. School last about 16 years including college, we, parents have these many years to sit down and teach our kids.

-Sandra.

TSA Testing My Drink at the Airport

While I and my family waited at the Corpus Christi Airport, we noticed TSA walking towards the gates in front of us with Q-Tips and a sign. We thought someone was in trouble, then we noticed they were testing people's drinks they had purchased from the airport convenient stores. Then thirty minutes later they came to our gate and I had bought bottle water. The TSA agent come to me flashing a stupid sign that said they were going to test my water. "What do you think is in my water?" I asked and she looked at me with a face of how dare you speak or question me? I asked again since she didn't respond. "Well, we are testing for anything." "Like what?" I replied confronting her. "Dangerous Chemicals." She finally responded. "What makes you think the store is selling dangerous chemicals?" I asked. She didn't respond but I thought it was stupid that they will be testing people's drinks inside the gate. John said they were just wasting time since Corpus Christi is such small airport. They will need a whole different crew for Dallas.

Answer my darn my question, TSA, since I'm a legitimate Taxpayer!


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -

Passengers say their problem is not with the rules at the airport. They understand why drinks are not allowed through security, but when they buy one while they wait for their flight, they say the TSA should not ask to test it.

Passengers say traveling is a big enough stress, but now some are worried the drinks they are getting are not safe.

The TSA would not say what they are testing for or why they are doing it, but travelers say they have a right to know.

"I'm always glad that my safety is a priority, I just think testing drinks after they've already been bought might be a little extreme," infrequent flyer Jennifer Smart said.

"The water or or the juices or anything you buy here in the airport, TSA is going to come over and look and check and test it? That's just ridiculous," world traveler Thomas Burgard said.

Flip Phone User

I hear that by 2018 all phones will be smart phones. They frustrate me! Ugh! I can't stand them. I do have to agree that having all kinds of information at the palm of your hands can be useful at a time of great need but for the life of me, I cannot operate the darn thing! Well, besides Angry Birds, I do like that game, I can lose about a couple of hours just like that playing the stupid game but I am not willing to pay my hard earn money on a stupid smart phone that breaks easily and gets viruses!

Heck, I can drop my flip phone and still works! I don't have to pay over a hundred dollars for the service that's ridiculous! On a good note, I hear Verizon will not stop selling flip phones for people like me that prefer a more simple life so if my carrier, T-Mobile, stops selling flip phones, I will end my ten year relationship and fly over to Verizon.

John is so hooked on his smart phone. I don't get it. Thankfully, his company pays for his IPad and IPhone. I can't even turn the darn thing off! And how do you type on that screen keyboard! Are my fingers too fat? Wide? Or am I just too old-school for all this technology stuff? I sincerely just prefer an old typewriter.

Those were the good old days...

Time Magazine & Breastfeeding

What is big hoopla about moms and breastfeeding? Really! If a mother wants to breastfeed her child up to 4/5 years of age. Let her. If a mother wants to breastfeed in public. Let her! It is a natural thing to do. Yes, in public as well.

I grew up watching mothers breastfeed their children in public (El Salvador) and it showed me how much they love and care for their children. If people are offended don't look, don't stare, respect their God given right as a mother to breastfeed their children. For goodness sake, when did breastfeeding become such a abnormal thing to do?

Time describes the pillars of attachment parenting as:

•extended breast-feeding

•co-sleeping

•“baby wearing” - physically attaching children to parents with slings

In my very humble opinion, attachment parenting could mean many things, not just these three, but what is wrong with "attachment parenting when it is done in a healthy way?" I'm still attached to my mother! Because I love her!

I don't see a problem with these reasons. Feminist should really stop critizing and judging mothers who choose to breastfeed their children past the age of 2. I only wish I could have been able to breastfeed my daughters.

America leave the woman alone.

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.

===============================================

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?

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

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.

What Not To Wear: Prom and Proper

Apparently, U.S. High Schools have finally decided not to allow teenage girls to dress inappropriately. I wonder why it took them so long? Perhaps it was getting out of hand. But, really, if the parents allow their daughters to dress like tramps why would anyone else care? It is not the schools issue to tell everyone how to properly dress, God forbid, it should be the parents first line of duty to show their daughters how to dress properly and respectfully. I was not allowed by neither of my parents to disrespected them in the way I dressed or spoke.

Moms who buy these sort of clothes for their own daughters are shameful.

I don't like any of the appropriate dresses either. I have seen very cute, nice and proper prom dresses better than the ones below.  

10 Things to Never Say to a Working Mom

1. It must be hard missing all those special moments every day.

Comments like these certainly never help when us working moms help bring the bread home, but they are a lot of insensitive stay home moms out there who have nothing better to do than to judge and criticize. Comments like this, I'm sure help them forget about their insecurities for a day.


2. I suppose it's smart that you're working. You know, in case your husband leaves you some day.

I was doing the math this week, and I've been working 23 years non-stop with that in mind,I wouldn't want to put all the burden on my husband, much less, make him feel he's got to financially support me. I believe it is my duty to work hard for him and my daughters. I don't work just for myself.


3. I'm surprised you went back to work. Your husband seems so successful.

If John made a gazillion dollars a year, I still wouldn't sit back with my arms cross doing nothing. What a waste of a lifetime.


4. It's cute when they call your nanny "Mama."

There is only one "Mama" in my house and I wear that title. Our Nanny is called by her God-given name. Ms. Patricia and she is loved, respected and a part of our family.


5. I just love my kids too much to leave them during the day.

I love my daughters and they love me, but there is nothing wrong with us being a part for a few hours; they are excited when they see me coming home. Our bond isn't broken one bit by me going away to work. My mom worked hard for us and even though I missed her dearly, I was thrilled at the sight of her when she came home. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten.


6. Did you see Dateline? The one with the hidden camera in the day care?

Well, yes I did! And that's why I was blessed that my Mother cared for my daughters in my own home for the first two years of their lives. Their schedules and naps were never interrupted.


7. I could never let someone else raise my children. But that's just me!

You Silly Rabbit, who ever said I ain't raising my kids? Everything is done to my expectations, you fool!


8. I hated my mom because she was never home after school like everyone else's mom.

Well, you weren't alone. My mom was a single mom and if she didn't work, we would have probably lived out in the street. My mom was straight up and told us if she didn't work, there was no food, no clothes, no brick house over our heads, and no private school. Yes, I hated that she wasn't home but I never reproached her for working.


9. You must feel so guilty.

Sure, I did. And there are times that I do want to stay home and do stuff with my daughters but our reality is different from those that can. Therefore, you go ahead and keep the guilt trip to yourself, no need to spread it.


10. I wish I were as laid-back as you and could just let the housework go.

Now, this one is hilarious! Who says I let go of the housework! I would not allow for my family to live in a filthy house and yes, I must admit that I work harder than stay home moms. Yes, I do work harder than any stay home moms. My house is clean and no I don't hire help, I'm the cook, yes, I cook everyday, real food not the frozen kind; I am the nurse - I have to make sure there are enough band aids to go around, etc, etc. etc. Everything a stay home mom does, I do and more.

Lastly, I'm a working mom, hear me roar! I'm not ashamed and yes, my kids are no less than your kids.

- Liz Gumbinner of Mom-101.com

Valentine's Day

My take on Valentine's day and why I don't celebrate it.

Reasons Why I'm Different

1. I'm not into designer purses. I do not understand the big hoopla about purses and have never come to understand why women go crazy about them. All I need is my lip gloss, drivers license and credit card.

2. I'm not into manicure's. I'd rather bite my nails than spend a fortune every month. Besides with all the cleaning I do around the house it would be a waste of my money.

3. I'm not big about keeping with the Joneses just keeping my yard clean and neat is sufficient enough. I do like to, sometime in the future buy a nice decorative frame or two, or three for my empty walls in my house but with all the medical bills, we must prioritize.

4. I will be very happy wearing jeans and a t-shirt every day of my life.

5. I'm no longer concerned of showing off the type of car I drive. I'm only concerned on paying off my car bill and keep it well maintenance.

6. I'm against feeding children fast food. Yuck. I think it is easier to start when they are very young on greens and not pizza.

7. I'm not a smart phone user, rather, a flip phone user and can you believe I'm still surviving! Shocking! I survived the 80's and that's enough.

8. I'm not afraid of cutting my hair in any sort of style.

9. I'm a proud to be pro-life!

10. I have never like malls. Parking sucks and they are too crowded.

11. I don't believe on the birth control pill.

The Summons

There are some songs that touch your core and this one always does. Everytime, I hear this song during mass all I want to do is get on my knees and cry and feel his embrace and mercy.



Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
ou go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,

will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,

through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.

Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Consequences of Underage Drinking

This information is for those parents who allow their children to drink! Shame on you!

---------------------------------------------

Recent research has shown that underage drinking has a negative effect on the development of the brain. Consumption of alcohol at an early age hampers the physical growth and development of the brain. Underage drinking has an adverse effect on the development of memory. It decreases the abilities of planning and execution, spatial operations and memory. Underage drinking leads to attention disorders and difficulties in concentrating.

Studies have shown that around 40% of those who start drinking before the age of fifteen, are sure to meet the criteria of alcoholism later in life. Underage drinking has grave and long-lasting consequences.

Underage drinking:

Plays a significant role in risky sexual behavior, including unwanted, unintended, and unprotected sexual activity, and sex with multiple partners. Such behavior increases the risk for unplanned pregnancy and for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Increases the risk of physical and sexual assault.

Is associated with academic failure.

Is associated with illicit drug use.

Is associated with tobacco use.
Can cause a range of physical consequences, from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning.

Can cause alterations in the structure and function of the developing brain, which continues to mature into the mid- to late twenties, and may have consequences reaching far beyond adolescence.

Creates secondhand effects that can put others at risk. Loud and unruly behavior, property destruction, unintentional injuries, violence, and even death because of underage alcohol use afflict innocent parties. For example, about 45 percent of people who die in crashes involving a drinking driver under the age of 21 are people other than the driver.9 Such secondhand effects often strike at random, making underage alcohol use truly everybody's problem.

In conjunction with pregnancy, may result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome, which remains a leading cause of mental retardation.

Is a risk factor for heavy drinking later in life,11 and continued heavy use of alcohol leads to increased risk across the lifespan for acute consequences and for medical problems such as cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, and esophagus; liver cirrhosis; pancreatitis; and hemorrhagic stroke.

Where Do Grey Hairs Come From?

I've been noticing that my hair is showing gray hairs everywhere! So, I think is time to panic and start taking extreme measures to cover them, to deny them, to pretend they don't exist! However, it is to be expected. My Father was covered in grey hairs by the time he was 25 so at 40 I don't think I'm doing so bad, I just didn't expect them this early, I mean my Mother is 61 and I can count her grey hairs in ONE HAND! Or is it the daily stress that's causing them to come out early? Perhaps, but I know for a fact that my mom had quadruple the stress so, I'll dissmis that theory.

So the question is, is it genetics or B12 deficiency? For right now, I will toss out the genetic destiny and test out the B12 theory and deny it is my genetics who are turning me gray! I will now buy me B12 and for the time being color my hair with my favorite color. Black.

Pat Robertson and Alzheimers

For bad or for worse. Right? NOT, Until you are disabled and you become a burden to me, I'll divorce you! Pat Robertson's comments about divorcing your spouse with Alzheimer's are not just idiotic but do not follow our Christian beliefs of marriage vows of  til death do us part? hmm?

"Robertson was asked to give advice on a situation where a man started to date other women when his wife got Alzheimer's. The audience member wanted to know what to say to his friend and got this reply.

"I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but to make sure she has custodial care and somebody (is) looking after her,” Robertson said. adding that Alzheimer's "is a kind of death."

I call this spouse abandonment at such a vulnerable state of their lives! add selfishness on top of abandonment and you are a cruel spouse who probably never loved your spouse! So Pat Robertson you are a MORON! You do not advise people to abandon their handicap spouses!

Just my opinion.

Sandra.

Texting

I'm going to say it because, I have been bothered by it and because this is my blog, I have the freedom to say what's on my mind and at times even vent. This time, I'm speaking about my disdain of texting.

While in meetings all last week in Kansas City, there was this person who wouldn't let go of the phone and was texting and chatting back and forth. Because this person sat by me it was very distracting and annoying at times. I wouldn have said something but it wasn't going to come out nice.

I often watch kids/teenagers even adults texting while engaging in conversation and/or even walking without looking up to see where they are going.

I love it when someone calls me instead of texting me a question or have a conversation! I'm not picking on anyone, but I truly do not have the patience and/or time to text. I love hearing your voice! That's pretty much what I feel. Texting doesn't allow me to hear your happiness, sadness, frustrations, anger, etc.

I'm never bother to answer the phone; yes, I'm may be busy with the girls and/or John but if I don't answer my phone, I will call you back!

There is even a page in facebook with people like me who hate texting! I'm so glad, I'm not the only one feeling this way! John feels the same way I do about texting which is great!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Hate-Texting/190998005172

All in all, I still love everyone who loves to text but I just want to let you all know that, if you start having a conversation through text, I will not text back. I will dial your number and have a conversation with you. I love typing but I hate texting. I am really fast at typing but texting, not really and that's where my patience runs low.

love.

-sandra.

Thoughts and Reflections

Reflections I:

It's almost 2am and I'm sitting here alone in a dark living room staring at this very bright laptop screen and I'm wondering why I'm still up. I have so much heart ache it is hard to describe. It feels like everything is coming apart. The weather is changing, days are flying by so fast it is so hard to keep up with what day it is or what day it is not. My job is getting stressful and the more I strive to make it, the more I feel like quitting and starting over but in fact there is so much more sunshine when I can hug my family everyday and give thanks to God for what I have and give even more thanks for the things that I don't have because they don't belong to me.

I strive to be a good wife and mother. There are days that it is difficult to juggle both. I fear failing at both because they are both equally important to maintain. Running a house is not a joke! It's serious work! I have learned that a husband looks to the wife to run the house, just like the wife looks to the husband for leadership and protection. Both jobs are equally as important as the other and each person looks for support from the other. When one fails, the other is handicapped.

At 21 years of age, I never pictured myself saying these words. But then, I didn't believe in marriage, now, I defend it. Trials and tribulations can change a person either for worse or for enlightenment to change one's way.

I could write a book about my trials and tribulations but why throw myself a pity party, right?

Reflections II:

Whatever I'm doing in any given day, my dad is always on my mind, not to far away. I wonder if he can hear me when I'm talking to him or when I'm crying for him or when I'm asking him questions. I will never forget his last breath. As difficult as our relationship was, I truly loved him. I was too afraid to tell him. I only wanted acceptance from him. I wanted to make him proud of my stupid achievements.

He didn't give me what I wanted from him, but instead he taught me discipline and boundaries, through these I have been able to built a solid foundation that has given me numerous opportunities to build upon them successfully.

And for this, I thank you Dad, without these two, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.

-Sandra.

My Situation

I visited my therapist last Friday to talk about my dad's passing. It wasn't easy but I needed to talk to someone who knows my history with my dad and offer me guidance. I guess, I can always go to a priest but it will take too long to explain my situation.

Things to do before I go see her in two weeks:

• Write about my feelings. Not here, but on my journal. I have been internalizing it and it is beginning to affect my marriage.
• Visit his grave. I did not visit him yesterday (Father's day) because I figure everyone else was going to go and I was not going to have enough time to be alone with him.

All my life, I have strive to be different, I have always disliked following the pack and that has put me in a very bad light among people who think of me as rebellious. There is nothing wrong with following what you think its right for you, but I have rubbed off people the wrong way by acting this way.

This was the problem between my father and I. He liked me with long hair, I cut my hair really short. I figured if he loved me, he was going to accept me for who I was, not for who he wanted me to become. I'm still angry, I'm still sad. I have to write about these feelings.

My therapist asked me to talk to him whenever I wanted to express myself to him. I don't feel I have closure yet. I'm seeking closure and peace. I was left with too many unanswered questions. It is not fair but it is what it is. Fear kept me away from him. Fear of rejection. Fear of not being accepted. I fear dreaming about him. I must have closure, peace and forgiveness.

-Sandra.

Work

Going back to work sucks. Leaving my babies behind sucks even more. Being a stay home mom is a privilege. Staying home with my babies for 3 months was a blast! I loved it! I could quit my job and stay home with my babies and I know I will be extremely happy but our debt will not go away as fast as we want it to go. My babies will not be able to attend the schools that I want them to go. We will not take vacations where we want to go, like Hawaii next year! I want to go there again! That place is amazing and I certainly want Sam (John's sister) to meet her nieces.

This past three months, I have cooked, I have nursed, I have bonded even more with Sofia and I have organized my house in places where it hadn't been organized in ages. I picked up new cook books, even though I hate cooking, I make sure the word "easy" is everywhere on that cookbook. Being a stay home rocks, and if God calls me to stay home, I will do it in a heart beat. But, if he wants me working to help support my husband, I'll do it as well. But I sure do miss staying home with my daughters. The women that have that type of blessing to call themselves a full time stay home mom should count their blessings. But right now, I also count my blessings for having a job in this tough economy.

John doesn't make me return to work. It is all the stupid debt we incurred two years ago that's got me here. Once that is done, we plan on working on our girls college fund and stepping up our savings.

I do get terrified just thinking about quitting my job but looking at my precious daughters is well worth it. -Sandra.