Favorite Things

Some of my favorite things this week:

1) L has begun to open doors, and although it has its down sides, when she peeks out of her bedroom in the morning with a big smile in the morning it is worth a whole lot to momma.
2) A husband that works really hard in school...
3) Salads with home grown tomatoes, candied almonds, and raspberry vinaigrette. I think I have had one everyday for a week.
4) Houston in November, not only do love walking to the park, I still have tons of tomatoes, beans, basil (this one is slightly a pest though), but my sugar snap peas and squash are emerging.
5) A Church within walking distance, hopefully we will be here for that.
6) A phone, my in-laws/husband decided I need a phone. I was a little resistant, but it is pretty cool, and RELIABLE.

L's favorite things:
1) Puppies (her stuffed animals)
2) Tacos- a new discovery
3) Lollipops

Relaxing Day

Today during Lily's nap I wen to the store by myself. I never realized, or maybe I just forgot, that shopping can be really fun. I hit three stores in 3 hours, and took my time the whole time, but I was on a mission. I have started a little coupon binder, and with all of Erika's good deals, like free Celery at Target, and stuff, I had to take advantage.

These are my deals of the day:

1) Free Celery
2) 2 big bag of holiday M&M's=$.50
3) Big bag of Cheetos=.$50
4) Stove Top $.29
5) A nice Sirloin steak for 2.50 (Orig. 4.99/lb, we just have to eat it tomorrow, which I will)
6) 1lb Butter= $1.25
7) Tabasco sauce= $.39
8) Phily Cream Cheese= $.22
9) Brown sugar $.60

I saved $20 in coupons. I was excited. Plus, I was able to try on a few clothes at Target, and get a new shirt and pants. I love the clearance rack, but its been a while (like a 8 months) since shopping was anything pleasant. I came home excited about my purchases and more excited about my savings. Yeah for coupons.

On a different note, we go pick up L's big girl bed (bunk beds) in about an hour. I am excited, even though we probably won't set it up for a while. Thanks to a friend it was wonderful deal I couldn't pass up. Probably will post about this when it looks girly and cute.

So I'm Back

After a month long Hiatus, I a back.

You may ask, why did I take a Hiatus? Well 3 reasons:

1) I was very involved a certain piano recital that took place last Saturday, which included lots of extra lessons (and my kids did great!!!!)
2) I went to see my sister in LA!!!
3) My family has been sick for A WHOLE MONTH!!!!

And this final reason is what really kept me away. Gary thinks we had this, but that sounds a little lethal. It started with Gary, and knocked him out for about a week, that is a week of no school! etc. I was so worried about L, so an over anxious trip to the doctor, showed nothing but a cough, but preventive antibiotics, just in case something hit while we were in LA. Then it hit me, the night before I left for LA, so unfortunately I was pretty sick the whole time I was there, luckily, my sister is the best sister in the world, and did a lot of pamper L and catering to my every food desire. Not to mention we still had a blast. Here are the highlights:

1) Trunk or Treat with L and A
2) Walking through beautiful Rose Bowl neighborhoods
3) Taking the train downtown
4) The zoo...
5) Elvira Street
6) Shabu-Shabu, a definate must in LA
7) WICKED!!!! And now I sing the entire CD by request. Only had one coughing attack during the performance, thank goodness.
8) The wonderful breakfast, lunch, and dinner fed to me everyday, and someone to watch L and paint her toenails while I took up to four naps.

And now back to real life, which isn't bad either, but LA was HEAVEN, even though I was sick.

So the last few weeks we have been recovering. L ended up getting a pretty substantial ear infection the day we got back(despite the fact she was on antibiotics), so she was pretty much out the next week with that (and we were out too because L can't sleep at night when she has ear infections...neither can I). And my energy still isn't back to par, but I can't complain, because I don't feel bad at least, and it gives me an excuse to go to bed early, which I'll take any day. So between L, my piano students, and keeping food on the table, and my house in some kind of order, I have been pooped.

But I'm back now...

Happy Birthday

I have a really special birthday today. As I was contemplating the reason why I love my husband, I have come up with a couple really good ones:

1) Gary teaches me not to take life too seriously. Sometimes I still do, but I laugh a lot too.
2) He is a really good dad. He is the type of dad who lives for playing with L, and she is crazy about him.
3) He is an excellent financeer.
4) He is a very good friend. People are lucky to have him as a friend.
5) He is very compassionate.
6) He loves to cuddle....me too.

I love him more than I know. Happy Birthday, G!

Ode to Erika

Just used my first CVS ECB's today, quite exciting. Bill totalled $11, with $11 ECBs in return. Need to get two cards so I can get double the deals, and I still haven't figured out the coupon thing, but I'm getting the Sunday paper this sat.

Thanks, Erika

Garage Sale

Last Thursday I cleaned out Lily's closet, because her clothes were starting to not fit. I had a box of bigger sizes from several people, but I realized she still was lacking in a few departments, like shirts, Sunday shoes, and few other things.

So 7am after working at the peanut factory all night (that is a side story I might indulge in one day) I went to the Sienna garage sale. It was a success. I had to sort through many things, but here is what I found for $22. That is 13 things!



And this dress too.And yes, she didn't NEED the cowgirl boots, but they were so cute. And she has this shirt that say "Got Boots" with a picture of red cowgirl boots, that won't fit until next year, but she loves 'em. They were my only indulgence.

Vive Mexico!

This weekend deserves several posts, but first I will indulge in this one. We just came back from a Mexican birthday party. It was crazy. My friend Tahira (an Indian who grew up with only her mom), who married into a Hispanic family used to tell me how crazy parties were, but this was my first. The party started at 4 pm. L and the daughter don't know each well, but are nearly the same age, and very nice, so I thought it would be fun to attend so they could get to know each other better.

First of all, despite the Father and his whole family being American, I think I was the only one for the first three hours that spoke only English. I felt a little out of place, but even more out of place when Gary (my translator) left for priesthood session at church.

I knew at 6 when the food was still not served, that it was going to be a long party, and I guess according to Mexican etiquette, you do not arrive on time, (an hour or two late is fine).

L absolutely had a ball. Between the marionettes, dancing, pinata, learning Happy Birthday in a different language, Vive Mexico chants, and wonderful brisket filled tacos, it was quite the day. She cried when we left.

She did have candy, jello, and cake to feed her for a week, and was asleep within five minutes of getting home.

I'm tired too. I bet the birthday girl's mom is too. Mexicans sure know how to party.

This makes me kinda miss not having lots of family around. I don't know how many were family, but I am assuming the majority, besides that the Hispanic culture has an openness about them where everyone feels like family. I love that when my other Hispanic neighbors comes over I always get greeted with kisses, and friendliness.

To recant we got there about 4:15, and left the party about 8:15 (we didn't wait for opening of presents.) The party is still going strong, and I am going to bed.