Because I'm bored....and NEED something to look forward too!
Let the countdown begin!!


82 Days till I'll be doing this...

On the Island of Puerto Rico

A nice end to February 2010!

The hubby and I decided to take the Little Guy on vacay!!! So we packed our bags... loaded up the Tahoe... and drove 6.5 hours to Mammoth, Ca.

It was a nice family/friend vacation-we hadn't done this with this group of close family friends since 1999!

Lets just say...it was cold...and blizzardy...and so relaxing (minus of course 3 children under 5 trapped in a cabin for 3 days)

But who's counting!

The sissy n' law and I spent most of our day doing this...







While I did this...
AND THE KIDS DROVE US CRAZZZZZZYYYYY DOING THIS!

ohhh and some more of this...

We spent a couple of days doing some extra fun stuff with kids, like private skiing lessons (which might I add took place in the middle of a storm AS we were the ONLY PARENTS WATCHING OUR KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

The next fabulous thing we did was meet the daddy's at the main lodge and take the GONE doe LA (pronouced exactly as you see here, emphasis on the GONE and LA) up to the very top of the mountain. Now for those of you who know me, know I HATE HEIGHTS. But I sucked it up and took one for the team (however not without my Depends or my rosary).


SEE the little tiny box looking thingy suspended by dental floss? ya thats what we took. Like 11,000 ft up ( im sure thats not exactly accurate, but you get my drift)
Don't let my cheesy smile fool you. I had the death grip on my son-while I was mentally preparing my escape route.

Overall it was a great vacation...the best part was seeing these little wind chapped faces so excited to be at the VERY VERY TOP of the mountain.

As soon as my sissy in law sends me our pics from our Mammoth Vacation..I'll have something of worth to blog about.

I'm still waiting...

SPOILER ALERT:

Cheeeeezzzzzzy BLOG POST AHEAD.

As I had mentioned in a previous post-

February is home of the Hallmark Holiday...the one time of the year where people like moi ...spend entirely WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much money on overpriced Valentine's Day cards and those yucky yucky raspberry filled chocolates (barf).

Despite all that cheeze (*which I heavily endorse*) February is a month I hold very dear to my heart.

I come from a very strict Puerto Rican/ Catholic/New Yorkan/ Law enforcement/ did i mention strict and loving family. Soooooooo....needless to say my parents would NEVER in a MILLION years let their oldest of two daughters date.

Until. of course.

She was 18.

So at 17 1/2 I found myself working at AppleBee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. And it was there, where I met him....ahhhhhhhhhhh.....my darling husband (*reach for your barf bag*). He was this 20 year old strawberry blonde/blue eyed boy....

Cute
Shy
Brilliant
Sweet
Respectable
GGGRREEEAAATT Story Teller
Endearing
Loving
Mature
Witty
Funny
Sarcastic
loyal
honest
chivalrous
had a cool ass car
and my list could go on and on and on....

In the beginning....I think it's important to note, that we DID. NOT. GET. ALONG. I think it was a combo of my bratty/ spoiled little 17yr 'tude- and his "I'm the shiiizzznit" swagger.

Not a great recipe for two very STUBBORN people.

But one day after work we were all fix'n to get ready to go to a party, when this boy stood up and starting talking about " This crazzzy shit" he saw on Faces of Death!

And it hit me-
like a bad outfit.

OMG- I. think. I. like. him!
(music swelled and the red sea parted!!!)
Like really... I'm not kidding- It was like a very profound moment .
so
on and on
he went about
this grotesque man who had elephantiasis of the nuts...awww...
I know I know.. so romantic, huh?
my heart skips a beat every time <3

From then on it was history...
of course with my father's stamp of approval
(12 gauge shotgun disassembled at the dining room table)
(125lb rottweiler foot side)
(Think I'm kidding)
(I'm not)

So two years later
Valentines Day 1999
he surprised me with at trip to where our first date was
La Jolla
Cove...
And it was on the 14th day in February
the man of my dreams...

In true CBRAVE form...
BROKE UP WITH ME!
Yes.
you.
read.
that.
right.

He sat there all nervous rubbing his palms on his jeans.
I sat there all cute and excited thinking I was gonna get
me some Tiffany.
Nope.

Instead.
This is what I heard...

" I can't really do this anymore"
I was like ummmm....
"huh??"
" What? work late?"
And he was like
" No THIS...you and me"
I said
" Ohhh shit, was this about me not rolling enough silverware last night"
silence.
" I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore."
silence.
Shortness of breathe ensued
clenching of fists
rage
like pure rage
hot pink w/ gold
acrylic nails getting ready to scratch his pretty blues
straight from his fucking head!

Then all of a sudden he kneels down on the sandy sea soaked rocks
( a perfect height for me to jam my heel straight up his fucking nose)

He drops to one knee.

(perfect. No balance.)
(if I kill him now, no one will see)
(ok maybe everyone might see
but I'll feel sooooo much better!)

Takes the small white box out of his Levi's...

(and suddenly I get it.)

Then this was all I heard...

" I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore....because I want you to be my wife"
aaawww<3
see I told you.
I'm ChEASY.
Like EZ Mac n Cheese.
I was 19
and my love surprised me with an
adorable princess cut platinum diamond ring
that he designed himself.
All from a picture I drew on a napkin
I thought I threw away.
So yes.
We got engaged.
In the cheeeziest month
on the cheeziest day of the year.
But for two helpless romantics
so young and so in Love
February
will always be

Us sitting on the rocks...looking forward to lifetime of this....

CONFESSION:

So this is how I feel about....

I'M...

LOST!

Finally after one whole year...


LOST
is
BACK.

The Hubby and I have been HUGMONGO Lost fans from the beginning!
We. have .never.missed a. single .episode.
And even though storylines and plots began to get
a bit convoluted through the years our loyalty to the OG
Oceanic passengers of flight 815 has stayed strong!
There will be a heavy feeling in my heart knowing that
every episode will count down to the last (tear*...chin dribble)
The beginning of the end starts tonight!

Awww...
The Hallmark Holiday month has arrived!

And for those of us cheese balls who LOVE this holiday
(present company included)
This month will be filled with
red
hearts
cheap teddy bears that still smell like acrylic
candy
cake
cupcakes
.99 roses
$99 roses
engagements
break-ups
hook-ups
reminders that you're desperately single
Thankful you're not desperately single
Love
Hate
(for those that believe this was a Holiday created by and for consumers)
Tacky Kay Jewelers and De Beers commercials
Diamond hearts
gold hearts
Silver hearts
reservations
2hr long waits at restaurants
Targets Valentines aisle
Heart boxers
Heart panties
Old school Valentines Day cards, that come 32 in a box
Childrens Valentine's Day projects from school
office decorations that will make you want to BARF and not wake up till March.
which is only 27 days way!
oooohhhh...
Cant forget..
the obligatory romantic comedy
that makes it's debut every year this time.



Which I ACTUALLY CANT WAIT TO SEE!!

So HAPPY FEBRUARY
(which is also a month I pronounce like feb-u-ary)
(which I have been told is wrong)

I. just. don't. know. how. you. do. it...

( *big eyes* *dramatic voice* *shaking head in disbelief*)

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I spend my Wednesday mornings volunteering in my Sista's Kindergarten classroom. Like most mornings I arrive to find a PLETHORA of "tasks" sweetly awaiting.

First.

Let me just say...she uses me.
She uses me...partly because she can...
mostly because we're family...
but definitely because I'm that G - to the double -O- D...GOOD...(of course I toot my horn now...but the first time I went...I failed my first task. Lets just say- apparently there's a systematic method to hanging paper snowman on window with tape...errr...)

Any whoooo....

Task 993 today was to assess her children in counting (thank god spelling was not involved!!).

This was deeeeeefffffiiiiiinnnnnettttllleeeeyyyy (*slow but yet uncontrollable high pitch voice*) an eye opener. Some of these children can barley speak clearly- let alone count past 20!

I sat there dumbfounded...

She tells me that on the first day of school ,many of them don't even know their own age- I was like " SHUT THE FRONT DOOR THEY'RE 5 !!" Both our children can sing their birthdays, recite addresses, phone numbers, alphabets, numbers, text, identify shapes...report on CNN or tell the local weather- and they're only 3 and 5!


I guess I just assumed that by the age of 5 these were all things kids should know.


Boy was I wrong.

And it was on this task that I appreciated her and ALL teachers ( my mommy being one too) much more today.

Some children aren't privileged.

And when I say privileged I don't mean getting dropped off in an Mercedes G-class rockin' Seven Jeans and a Juicy hoodie.

NO - I mean the basic exposure to the fundamental resources in hopes to encourage and support their educational growth.

We take for granted...how little things like reading to a child for 10-20mins a night, counting to ten, or rewarding their small achievements not only makes learning fun but sets a foundation for future learning!!!

It just so so sad.

OOOOOHHHHH and not to mention the current CRISIS the state of California's educational system is in. With the recent nose dive into the Pacific our schools have suffered- layoffs, cutbacks, budget cuts and furloughs. Forcing our existing over worked and unpaid teachers to pick up MUCH MUCH more of the "slack".

Would you believe in most middle to upper middle class districts schools are turning AWAY volunteers!!! But in districts like my sister's a volunteer once in a LLLLLOOOONNNNGGG while is a life saver. Just a few hours a week gives these teachers the peace of mind to focus on actually teaching their students, instead of being pulled in ....ooohhhh I don't know....like a million different directions- in a freaking 8 hour work day.

However, despite the stressful demands of our crumbling educational system, part of what she loves the most about her job.... is the progress that these little tykes make throughout the school year.

From barely being able to hold a pencil-to writing short sentences.

This makes all the frustration -- irritation---hair loss and that craaaaaaaaaaazy 8 pound weight gain (complements of the cafeteria lady) aaaaaaaaall worth it.



So thank you Mrs. B...for letting me be your slave...because if completing 1 million tasks for you, helps you be the BEST teacher you can be and get you home to my niece and nephew... with out comfort food !!!! Then honey child I'M ALL YOURS (provided I get paid in skinny Vanilla Lattes).


If any of you have teachers as friends or family you would be surprised at how devoting any free time you may have will help these kids so much more than you know :)

I took this picture as the Little Guy
was feeding his cousin...
He's already the best lil helper ever!
Step aside ladies
He's only got eyes for one
little teeny tiny gal now...
Miss Emilie Rae

CONFESSION:


My New Wants (sadly amongst many)...

As a child I have always been fascinated by anything that twinkles, sparkles and shines.
My parents are originally from the Big Apple...
home to a magical place on West 47th Street called the

The Diamond District.

My mother's jewelry collection would make any
lady's mouth salivate hidden away under
lock
and
key

all I do is...drool...drool...drool
amongst her collection of vintage goodies
are a few Cartier pieces...

And like her I have an affinity
for all things pretty...
Diamonds
Gems
Gold
Rose Gold
Platnium
White Gold
Silver
Rolled Gold
Vermil
Art Deco inspired
Pieces from the Middle East
Spanish coins
Byzantine
unique antique
ESPECIALLY Estate
Victorian
Edwardian
Art Nouveau
Mid-Century Retro
and Contemporary periods
70's pieces are amongst my fave!

And like my father- Thankfully My Hubby indulges my obsession for jewelry
(of course in moderation...heee...heee...)

which leads me to my post...


My appetite for these little vintage wants

(not NEEDS)

has me HUUUUUNNNGRRRYY!

Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Love Bangle Bracelet

oooohhh and of course...

CARTIER TRI-COLOR 18K GOLD TRINITY ROLLING BAND RING

Yummy Yummy I'm sooooo Hungry!

LOOK WHOS BAAAAACCCCKKKK.....

He's dirty.
He's scheevy.
He was CHEATED out of pure victory but a mousy TWIIIZZZAT.
He is Whiskey Tango at it's finest

and in my opinion...



He IS the ULTIMATE SURVIVOR...

The person we LOVE to HATE and HATE to LOVE....

Villain

Russell Hantz
from Season 19 Survivor Samoa
is back.
And ready for VENGEANCE!

Y-E-S !!!!

I can't wait till FEBRUARY 11th premires the MOST anticipated
Season yet!

The Husband can and I can barley contain ourselves!





AND OF COURSE AMERICA'S FAVORITE CUTIE PIES...


In....

Jordan and Jeff competing in yet another Hubby and my's fav

The Amazing Race airing on Valentines Day!

wwwwoooopppiiieee!

Where my girls at !!!

I have to say.

There is nothing better than AMAZING girl friends.

I know this because I have a bunch of cutie pies that I LOVE and adore in my life. And what makes it even more magical- is that we are all married/engaged to a great group of boys :)

Every so many months the "Players Wives" (funny because they are not playa's-although I'm sure they think they are *wink*) get together for dinner...karaoke...wine...family parties... or a valiant unsuccessful attempt ( we still love you Nesha!) to venture Downtown!

One of the best thing about these girls is that they are
sooooo welcoming
soooo inviting
drama free
and a hysterical riot to be around!

You know you've got it good with your girls when you can get all dressed up and still have fun even if you have nowhere to go!


Note* Two of my favorite girlie's were out of commission this evening. One was nursing a earache ;( and the other (sissy) was fixin' to give birth any day and was CERTAINLY not jivin with the idea of wearing tight clothes and 5inch heels! ;D !!

Here are some pics of our non crazzzzy...crazzzzy night!
Ps. For privacy reasons I will be referencing the girls by their hubby's baseball #

This is my GORGEOUS sissy (bff's who married brothers) in law...
I really just think of her as my sister/partner in crime.

P-I know you're reading this....I'm sorry, but we don't look a day over 25!
( and you can tell #21 I said that*wink*)

This is #19's wifey to be...shes the cutest thing you'll ever see!

These lovely ladies are married to #16 and #20
they are not only straight comedy to be around, but
both their hubby's are my #24's oldest and dearest friends.

These senoritas are LONG time amigas.
BVHS besties...
Lastly but not least...Mr. Pittman's (2nd from the left) lady is the funniest chic ever
always good times when we're all together!!!

CAN'T WAIT FOR MAMMOTH 2010!!

CONFESSION:


This is my favorite part of my house...
No...No...not the sink of course, but my window. The lovely Roman
window cover my mom made for me a while back makes my kitchen so
warm and inviting...
and
with
RARE stormy days like to today
I just lay on my ever so comfy couch
stare out
my puuurrrttttyyy window
with uggs on my feet,
c offee in hand,
and
Snuggle with my
2 Little Guys
(Poley Smoley and X)

Life is good...of course until I have to move to go wipe someones butt!

She's here....

At 10:28am on January 18th, I recieved a phone call.

My sister tells me " We can't do dinner tonight"

And of course I'm like " Ummmmmmmmmm....W-H-Y!?"

and this was all I heard...

"Because, I'm on my way to the hospital, I'm having this baby tonight!"

From that moment it was like a whirlwind!!!

I ran home.
The Husband came immediately from work.
My parents ran to Starbucks to re-charge.
We dropped the Little Guy off at his Gramma's.
Flew to the hopital.
Sat.
Waited.
The lobby was
filled with excited family members
and
amazing friends.

My Beautiful Sissy and her Man
laid...so calm...so relaxed...her birthing experience could not be more amazing!!

At 6:54 pm on a stormy San Diego night

my adorable niece was born

Emilie Rae
7lbs
18inches
perfection.

(It's not the best quality picture...what can I say BB camera's SUCK)

And this BIOTCH...

Gave birth to her FIRST CHILD
in
5 pushes
and
3 mins
from the time the Dr. walked in!

I mean REALLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Que Eva!

More pics of our adorable little burrito to come!

CONFESSION:

Didn't have anything extra special to blog about...but found this anyways!

I llllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee
hhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr!

The...
Ever so humble.
So Gorgeous.
So amazingly talented.
So Adorable.
So Gracious.
Carrie Underwood shown here wearing
black and white Christian Cota strapless gown.

Perfection.

CONFESSION:

I have a thing for Ninja's....

No...no...not the crazy Japanese stealth fighter who's lips move faster then their voice.

The Ninja Master Prep Food Processor
(*cool announcer voice*)

Since visiting Kohls ( my new favorite place!)
I have spent my mornings with this guy!
And let me tell you how splendid it has been!

From smoothies to crab salads...
salsa to omelletes...and sooooo much more!
I can honestly say I haven't been happier

I'm.In.Love.

Watch out Mr. Crock Pot you may have a bit of competition!!

The Teacher's Aid (a.k.a bitch)


So, most of you know that I've graduated from college, and the looming question I get from most is:

"What are you going to do now?"...

And believe me I have thought long and hard about this question. I was just having this conversation yesterday with the BFF, and explained that because I was 30 and FINALLY finished school that I felt obligated to get out into the work force and finally make some mon-nay.

Soooo......

Every single night I would find myself on craigslist or Monster in deseperate search for the "perfect" job. What that was I didn't know. All I knew was that I wanted to:

A. earn a salary of some sort
B. work close to home
C. have flexible hours and flexible vacation.

Then I realized, WTH am I thinking!!!! That's what everyone flipp'n wants!!!!! errrrrr!!!!!!!
And in this tragic ecomny it's not easy to start a career or even find a decent paying job for that matter. Plus my wonderful Husband reminded that as long as I was happy he didn't care what I made...awwwwwwww ;)


Sooooooooooooooooo............ what I have decided to do, is stick to my original plan. Which was get my B.A.- take the CBEST-pass the CBEST-get my 30 day credential-and substitute teach.

Which brings me today's post.

Today I will be volunteering in my sissy's kindergarten classroom every week to get the hang of what she does, and no it's not for socializing!!! I'm sure her Nazi ass will put me to work!!!

This should be v-e-r-y interesting...I graduated from college to become Mrs. B's Bitch!

CONFESSION:

I get anxiety when shopping for little girl clothes!!! OOOOOOhhhhh P, if your reading this you are going to DIE laughing!!!

This Saturday I have an iCarly Birthday party to go to for my niece, and if you don't know who that is apparently shes the "new" Hanna Montana.....


I have seriously spent the last TWO days searching and searching for outfits for my darling niece. I've gone into ooooooohhhhh I DON'T KNOW LIKE....900 stores and have walked out with absolutely nada!!!

Shes at the apparently at the "cool" age of 5, where she thinks she's Punky. Now many of us 30 somethings are from the Punky generation, and loved all her hip and fashion forward outfits that made no sense. Although I loved me some Cherry...Margaux was my fav!

This still takes some getting use to... since I have a boy and I do trains, Bumble Bee ,Opitmus Prime ( and I spelled that just for 24, 19, 21 and mWm) and ants!

Sooooo of course being the Fashionista Auntie that I am...I go into a finding frenzy pulling out the following items like a mad woman, I mean Punky can't be that hard...right?

Wrong!

Leggings with lace....Leggings with no lace....black,pink white,blue jackets.....glitter....no glitter.....lepoard velvet ruffly thingy skirts....and bootie shorts (for 5 yr olds!!) logo tee's that say " Girls just wanna have fun" "Peace" and" I love vampires" (which I almost bought for her mommy)....denim with hideous funky stitching and weird belts...shoes with tacky rhinestones and crazy corked heels!!! I mean jeez Louise!!! If only they had Forever 4+1!!!

I left every place feeling scuuuuurrrrrred! I have NO idea what to get my little Kardashian niece!! Her mother tells me the "tackier the better!"

Well I.DON'T.DO.TACKY.Great.

I still have a couple of places I haven't hit yet. And I 'm determined to find something!

Apparently the good ol' days of going into Gymberee for 2t-5t are LLLLLLLOOOONNNNGGGG gone!

Welcome to the iCarly Generation!

CONFESSION:

I. CANNOT. STAND. UNGRATEFUL. PEOPLE

These people are everywhere...maybe in your private life...workplace...the parking lot at Costco...the line at Starbucks.... the M.A.C. counter at Nordstroms .

In the past few weeks I have encountered some p-r-e-t-t-y miserable people. Most of which I see day to day at my work, not to mention in my personal life as well.


I work in the food hospitality industry- I'm otherwise known as a waitress. This by no means is a glamorous job, but it sure as hell is an enlightening one. People, in general, can be sooooo unpleasant, soooo misereable, and sooooo motherfuckingfuckfuck a displeasure to be around. And yes I realize I can quit at any moment, but even if I do...these people are still out there.

My absolute pet peeve in life are INCONSIDERATE RUDE ASS people....

People who do not look at you wen you speak. Really. I mean REALLY. That is the most human form of communication-engaging with someone by looking them in the eyes, for God sake dogs do it.

People who do not acknowledge your presence when you're standing near. Gotta Love these fucktards.

People who have the cara fuce face- thats the- my upper lip smells like shit look on their face. Hey. People quick update...people are watching and laughing at your visibly contorted face.

People who SWEAR their shit doesn't stink. OOOOOOHHHHH I love me some of these fucktards-------- FYI-Your shit probably smells worst than everyone else.

People who don't teach their children etiquette and manners. OMIGOD my absolute biggest pet peeve ever!! The snotty, little cara fuce faced, rude,ungrateful,self serving,bratty,shitty attitude, wild feral spawn of these miserable people!

People who think you're a fucking idiot because you bring them their food. Hey news flash dumb fucks, most of us are college graduates who make more than your ungrateful ass do hourly-

People who are antisocial in general. Lets not confuse this one with "shy". These people are so socially awkward I almost feel sorry for them-then I slap my self in the face with my Louis Vuitton and remind myself , that being an asshole is a choice.


I MEAN REALLY....
How hard is it to smile? Statistics have shown that smiling will 90% of the time get you what you want in a persuasive situation. I mean really. How hard is to to be a considerate human being?

Some people say that it takes 47 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile! I mean really you lazy assholes (not you) even nature makes it easy for you! UGH!

The key is to not succumb to this incredibly miserable way of existing through life...the power of a smile coupled with basic human communication skills goes a llllllloooooooonnnnngggg way!

Smiling is so easy a monkey can do it!