Planning For Our Thanksgiving Feast

Hey everyone. You know this is the very first year I have not one item for our Thanksgiving feast? Usually I have some of the Thanksgiving essentials weeks before but this year is different. I'm too busy.  I'm too tired. And I'm too "unscheduled" (is that even a word? lol) as of yet.  I haven't found the right balance of working, blogging and motherhood but I'm hopeful. I know I will soon find it. But right now it's time for me to get down and dirty and figure out what our … [Read more...]

We Remember – 10 Years Later – 9/11/11

The first time I wrote about 9/11 was in 2009.  It was my second year of blogging.  The last post happened the following year in 2010.  This year marks the tenth anniversary of the tragedy that made America stronger, unfortunately. Do you remember where you were on that horrible day? Like many people, I remember it so well.  It was my son's first day of school. My husband and I were first-time homeowners for a full four months. It was a new beginning for us.  I never thought in a hundred … [Read more...]

August 18, 1994

August 18, 1994. A day that came too quickly. A day I thought would be nothing special besides my cousin's birthday who lives in Florida. A day I will never forget because it's the day I lost my father.  My dad. My papi. A day that shocked my whole family and all who knew him. A day that will never be forgotten. A day that brings back memories of the day he handed me beneficiary papers just a few months before. A day I often wonder if he knew his "time" was near. A day … [Read more...]

Family Matters…..or does it?

When it comes to family and the bond families have with one another, it's no doubt that you should be able to count on your family when the chips are down, right?  In my heart, family matters. It's the main piece to any puzzle. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. When I was a kid, I grew up in a tight-knit family. I saw fights, arguments, crying and lots of love in between it all.  No matter the issue, there was a bond that I always saw that was very important. Yes, people gave … [Read more...]

The Joys of Mamihood: Cheesy Feet

  Being a mom of three kids, all different ages, the joys of mamihood can become both amusing and stressful.  It's the amusement that all mothers need from time to time to avoid going insane.  It helps get the stress out of the way and lets you live your life.  With amusement comes funny stories too -- only a mother would know. A couple of days ago, I was in my bed with my 6-year-old reading Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story By Ree Drummond (Great book!) while my daughter was … [Read more...]

Friends: How Many Can YOU Count On?

"If you're lucky, you'll have a few great friends in your lifetime", my grandmother once told me. I was young at the time and it didn't really set in until after I married and had a child. Life's natural filters sifted out my real friends and soon I found myself with a pretty tight, supportive, and wonderful circle of friends - they're really my sisters that have become the greatest resource I could ever attain. Thinking back to my junior high school years, my friends and I would gossip … [Read more...]

A Short Story: Happy Birthday To My Little Souvenir

Two birthdays this week has got me crazy busy getting things just right for my little girls. After six years, I still can't believe I have 2 kids with birthdays that are only three days apart.  And to think my doctor wanted my little souvenir to be born on March 7th. Was he insane?  We have a daughter who's birthday falls on March 7th so choosing our baby's birthday was not easy. You may be asking why would we choose our daughter's birthday? Well since I had major complications with my first … [Read more...]

A Short Story: Happy Birthday To My First Daughter.

Twelve year ago, in Yonkers NY, I went into labor with my second child.  It was after dinner when I started feeling cramps and at that moment, I knew right away what that meant. So I called my doctor and he told me to come to the hospital.  When my husband and I got to the hospital (St. Johns Riverside Hospital), they checked me in and gave me a room and a robe.  They connected me with the fetal monitors and all that jazz around my belly and checked to see if I was dilated. Nurses said it … [Read more...]

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Guess what? My husband and I are NOT celebrating Valentine's Day.  It's not a shocker right? Most people believe the "holiday" is commercially exaggerated and I agree, although my husband and I have celebrated in the past (this year is all about our girls).  It's a day of love (according to Cupid) but if you've been married for 15 years like us, showing love to your loved ones everyday of the year means much more than just showing love for one day. Agree? ;) Well even if you don't agree, I … [Read more...]

Bloggers Share Their Best and Worst Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is 4 days away. Are you ready? :) I hope so. A few days ago I sent out an email to some bloggers and friends and I asked them if they wanted to share their best & worst Valentine's Day. I didn't get 14 responders like I had planned but at least I got a good list for you to read.  The first thing I want to say is that this post was inspired by the lovely Jai from Mamistimeout.com (we first met at iVillage.com message boards) where she's doing something a bit different at … [Read more...]