New Year’s and Resolutions!

I am thankful for this year and also glad its over. I feel anxious to see what the new calendar year will bring. Of course I hope for many blessings, health and peace within us. Now that everything about this year is over, Im looking forward to Valentines already, Easter dresses for my girls, and mother’s day lunch. In the circle of life that is surrounded by holidays, I want to appreciate family time day in and day out! I have thought of many resolutions for the year, here they go:

-Go to Church- I miss it: Having small children who won’t stay still, is no longer an excuse
-Spend more time with my mom: she’s faboulous – I need her as much as she needs me.
-Go to b/fast or lunch with my oldest daughter more often- she’s growing up so soon, I can’t keep up with the mood swings J
-Let it go- I must not dwell on little scuffles, it takes up too much energy
-Come to terms that it’s ok to think about me, me, me!
-Enjoy our beautiful parks and get a kite
-Use my camera and print out the pics this time!
-Have lunch and visit the majestic Ghetty again
-Make a baby- Yes this is my year to go for it, im already insane J
-If I don’t make a baby- then hurry my butt up and lose this weight already*
---wow my last two sentences made it out so easy, wonder if I’ll chicken out- nooo must stay focused!!

-Must be honest- I am a Shopaholic and I love it!
May this coming year bring me lots of awesome sales and cant-do-without-so-i must buy gifts :)

Christmas!

Christmas dinner was nice, I was waiting for the rain to start pouring in and thank god it didn’t rain as I was shuffling my kids back and forth from my mom’s to in-laws. Dinner was very intimate with my immediate family- and just as I was going to leave, my cousin shows up with her kids, delaying my departure to my inlaws house. I have lots of fun with my cousin, we danced, played pictionary- all the kids get into it- but I don’t like leaving a good party! I was stuck! I had to go to my in-laws, I was getting the “Where R U” texts- and then I get nervous! I had it all planned out, early dinner with my mom and end the night at my inlaws- but I cant pass up a good time with the family that makes me laugh at all the silly things we do when we are together. Next Year, must be clear on the agenda and schedule with everyone- I got places to be at man!

p.s. my dad behaved :)

XMAS is almost here!

Black Friday was great for me! It was all about me me me! I knew what I wanted to get me so I didn’t have to be up early trying to get my kids anything, since I am done with their stuff. I bought lovely work shoes from Nordys, and warm winter boots from Nine West. I’ve been shopping online which has made it so much easier and the anxiness it brings me to wait for that UPS truck to come gives me butterflies! Thank god my hubby isn’t nosy as he received the first package and left it unopened for me- his present was inside. I bought him a pair of sporty shoes, generic when it comes to him going to Footlocker and saying I don’t like any shoes here, but when I get them for him he loves them. I think he just gets overwhelmed with the selection. He’s lucky I am so good at making shopping decisions, I’m all over that! Online sales have been great, free shipping, special codes for additional discounts- yay!

Are u sleeping?

My kids were sick with the stomach flu- but Juan got it worse, he was sooo sick. I didn’t get it, I think it was because I got the flu shot !?? Julianna, my almost 3 year old says I’m sickie mom, I don’t feel good, I want ice cream! Good one kiddo! Those pedialyte popsicles do her good. When its time for bed, she’s huddled by her daddy and I ask – Jules are you sleeping? She answers: “I’m sleeping because my eyes are closed.”

Thanks-a-no-no

I love ham- not turkey, I love love love my mommy’s ham! And the candied yams and the other delightful desserts. I like to laugh around the tables at our silly stories and then put on a movie to crack up to. What I do not like is my dad’s sarcasm…boo.
He was doing so good, til the end of the night. He had been drinking and said something to upset my husband and my brother in law- I cant write it because then it’ll stir up something in me. Well, I shut it down quickly- but the damage was done.
Then my mom wants to talk about it the next day and I say: “Mom what happened last night was uncalled for and I know you will side with your husband like you always do, so expect me to side with MY husband as well- therefore lets just leave it at that and not contest on who started anything because of course you are going to say, it wasn’t my dad’s fault!”
She went on to say that my dad is not a bad guy but that the maldito alcohol brings out the rude in him, blah blah blah.
I agree my father is not a bad guy, he is a great man, the only man other than my husband that I love. But he is not the King of Rome- (my mom did not like that remark! Hehe!)
As I grow older, I tell my mom like it is, she may not appreciate it, but I do it respectfully. You see, she is a very strong woman, but when it comes to defending my dad, I feel as if she’s being submissive. I am a wife and I will always back up my man, but when it comes to my kids, I will stand my ground on fairness. I think it is because she knows we are older and she wants to maintain that respect we should have for our father. But to get respect you must respect too- right? My Juan adores my dad, but words can hurt and men’s egos are easily bruised and not quickly repaired. And… quarrels are not easily fixed. I’m not gonna have the fate of the holidays be spoiled by egotistical crap. It’s up to me to be the bigger person and recognize that there is an issue that will not be swept under the rug, but the show must go on!

My Anniversary Treat

September 8th marked our 7th wedding anniversary!

Juan decided to take the week of labor day off to play, along with back to school preps and deciding what to do for our special day. It was nice having him home and accessible to drive me around. We went to eat lunch and spontaneously decided to go to MELROSE! I haven’t been there in ages. I took Juan to Crooks & Castles, an urban shop owned by down to earth urban philipinos, I had seen an interview with them on Latino TV the day before and thought their stuff looked cool. They take brand names like Gucci and Versace and re-interpret them with urban designs. I also actually saw the guy (Bryan) being interviewed at the shop and he was so nice and humbled by my aweness. But the highlight of my trip was, the shop down the street that Bryan, my new celebrity friend, suggested we go visit.

It is called Johnny Cupcakes!- my hubby's new nickname. I thought oohh yummy cupcakes…to my surprise the shop has been converted into an oven! The store looks like a bakery, with oven racks filled with clothing instead of pastries!

















I had to buy something because they wrapped it in a cute box- Juan got boxers with ants on them- get it- “ants in your pants!”


We were driving back home from ooohing and awww’ing at all the unique things I saw, when Juan let out an OOOOH! He noticed Platinum Motorsports- a fancy car shop that specializes in customizing cars. We park and get off and look at all the cars getting pimped out- they had a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a BMW 7 series getting ready for a “box kit”- the point is that there is mad mad money being spent on cars in that shop. I must admit, the cars were beautiful, amazing how people find ways to keep up with the jones-es.

We were able to watch a movie, The Pineapple Express- should have rented it – but wanted to take advantage that we could actually go to an adult movie without the girls.

Dinner was delish at the Cheesecake Factory- I had the salmon and he had the lemon herb chicken- YUM YUM!

I say, Mr. Morales celebrating with you is always a treat.

Hollywood Bowl, Les Miserables

A group of us went to see Les Miserables at the Bowl on Saturday night. My friend from London is here, and insisted we go see this play. I have the bigger car so I was the driver- Bad idea. I decided to drive because I wanted to make sure we got there on time, as parking can be a big pain. We left Pasadena at 7:25-much later than anticipated. We got there in about 15 minutes- BUT the line to park was bumper to bumper. I asked an attendant where the fastest lot to park was and directed me south on Highland Ave. The local businesses had signs advertising $20-40 parking- but the lots were tiny- I parked at a church parking for $15- where the attendant was extremely nice and polite, unlike the other guys who were going to have me park in “stacked sardine parking”. We walked up the hill almost ½ a mile - by this time it was past 8, there were so many people that I just followed the flow. My friend was anxiously waiting for us at Will Call- after my hike, I didn’t want to hear the “I told you we were running late” mumbo jumbo! Don’t you know American’s are never on time! Thank God, I had come prepared with Trader Joe’s wine and cheese. The place was sold out, our seats were great and the atmosphere was DELIGHTFUL! I gazed at the stars and enjoyed the cool breeze. I watched the play without getting sleepy, it was the perfect evening to be out. Everyone was into it- it was so quiet at times that if I hadn’t been that into it- I would have made noise on purpose! Haha!
Next time- I will park and ride, Hollywood traffic is no fun. I finally got on the fwy back to Pasadena about 1 hr after the show ended.... But the sushi later was DEVINE! No matter how tired I am, it all works out when there is food involved ;)