tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87161732121451745722024-03-13T00:23:51.844-04:00An Extra-Ordinary ViewA blog about my life as a Rock Star's wife, M.O.M and being self-employed.La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-40378465386454151242014-09-07T09:00:00.000-04:002014-09-07T09:00:05.237-04:00Florida Family VacationThis year's family vacation took us to beautiful South Florida - West Palm Beach to be exact! Yes, we're bold enough to go to FL in August and no, we did not stop at any of the Orlando theme parks. That may seem cruel to some, but walking around masses of sweaty, stressed out parents and their sensory overloaded spawn is not my idea of fun. However, after hearing about how beautiful the South Florida beaches are with their crystal clear waters and intense sunshine (seriously, bring LOTS of sunscreen lotion) I couldn't wait to check it out!<br />
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Now I'm not going to lie, the drive is not for the faint of heart. It took us 17 hours (with frequent stops) to get to our destination, but having been numerous times as a kid, I kind of already knew what I was getting in to. As for the Twinks - they did really well! Granted they had received plenty of warnings from Yours Truly to not dare ask "how much longer?" or "are we there yet?" in the weeks leading up to the trip, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with it! (wink, wink)<br />
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Our first night in town was basically spent stretching out from the car ride (ha!) and taking in the fact that we were FINALLY on vacation and could finally unplug from work. The next morning we headed out to what would become our favorite spot, Boynton Beach.<br />
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This place was awesome! We spent hours playing in the water, watching the fish swimming around our legs (I mentioned the crystal clear water, right?!) and collecting sea shells. It was so nice to see the twins enjoying the water for a change - this is something that NEVER happens when we go to Ocean City, MD. There we can't get the kids near the water, here we couldn't get them out of the water; their endless laughter was music to my ears! One of my favorite things about this spot was the fact that there were bathrooms, a showering off area and lots of parking. You do have to pay to get in here, but trust me, it's $5 well spent.<br />
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Our next destination was Delray Beach. This beach was equally beautiful and the area had lots of boutique style shops and restaurants. One word of caution for parents with younger children - this beach does NOT have direct access to bathrooms; public bathrooms are located across the street, so unlike this Rock Star mama, be sure you bring a cover-up! Of course, you can just "let it go" in the ocean...but, yeaaah, let's just not talk about that.<br />
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Our third beach excursion took us north of Palm Beach County to Fort Pierce. Here the water temperature was a little cooler, but still pleasant and the Dynamic Duo once again played to their hearts' content in the warm, crystal blue waters. A huge plus for this area was the ample FREE parking!!! But, really isn't this view worth any price?!?<br />
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OK, ok - so maybe you've had enough beach...time for some food! One of the BEST places we went to was a great taco & tequila bar called Rocco's Tacos. It's in a very hip area known as Clematis, they offer outdoor dining and have some very interesting and unique decor......like monitors in the bathroom stalls showing the movie "Napolean Dynamite" (my kids were SO confused by both the presence of the monitors and the point of the movie.)<br />
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Travel Channel fans may also recognize another Clematis hot spot, Grease. This place is known for it's over-the-top burgers and was recently featured on Travel Channel's "Food Paradise". Unfortunately, my carnivore hubby didn't get to sample any of their specialties, but there's always next time...<br />
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And, what trip to South Florida would be complete without a trip to Miami! Miami in a word was HOT! Yes, I know - it was August, what did we expect? Well, we did expect the heat, but it was just a different kind of heat than what we had experienced up until that point...I believe my exact words to describe it were, "STUPID hot!" I must say, though, it was beautiful. The buildings were colorful, the beach was a bit more crowded but, oh soooo nice, the water was stunningly blue/green and I saw wild parrots!!!<br />
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So, as you can see my beach-loving bunch had a terrific time vacationing in Florida, despite not setting foot in to a single theme park, and I can't wait to go back! If you're thinking of taking your next trip here, let me share a few tips with you.<br />
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1. I know it sounds crazy but, consider going in August. Yes, it's hot but since it's the off season, you can save BIG on your hotel stay and the beaches won't be as crowded!<br />
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2. Take LOTS of sunscreen, apply it heavily and often. Seriously, the sun is intense and you WILL burn if you don't re-apply, re-apply and re-apply.<br />
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3. Thunderstorms happen at least once a day - the lightning is fierce...do not...I repeat, do NOT try and ride out a storm on the beach or you might just get the shock of your life - LITERALLY!<br />
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4. If you like planning ahead, visit the Palm Beach County tourism site <a href="http://www.palmbeachfl.com/" target="_blank">Discover The Palm Beaches</a> they have lots of great information on where to stay, events and attractions. I also requested them to send me information in the mail and received a very useful map that we used to help plan our travel routes.<br />
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Take care, be well and have some fun every once in a while :-)<br />
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First, let me say that this post is <b>not </b>about whether the Redskins should change their name - frankly, I've had enough of that conversation. What is of greater concern to me is the fact that while it's all fine and well to say you feel this way or that about offensive terms (racial or otherwise), our actions behind closed doors are what we really need to focus on changing. <br />
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Racism, hatred and even stereotypes are all learned beliefs and behaviors and more often than not, parents are the unwitting teachers. We take for granted that a child's young age or seemingly inattentive behavior means they aren't listening or don't comprehend what we're saying. Well, guess what? Not only are they listening, but they're learning, repeating and even demonstrating some of our most despicable and hateful behaviors and attitudes. Don't believe me? Well, why else would a child talk about how they "hate" any language other than English or state that a classmate is rich because they're a certain skin color? Sure, out of the mouths of children these things may sound harmless and you may even be inclined to say "Oh, they're so young...they just don't know any better." Trust me, their age has nothing to do with it. They think it's acceptable because that's how they're being raised!<br />
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My point is this - if you want to fix the vast number of injustices and prejudices happening in our great nation, then start by correcting your actions at home and be the true role model our children need. For those who don't have children, don't think you're excused. It takes a village to raise a child and a nation to heal it's own wounds. If you're not part of the solution....<br />
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Take care of yourselves and be nice to each other XO<br />
La NenaLa Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-30729881573786656472013-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:002013-02-19T09:00:08.950-05:00For The Love of the Video Game<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>I have a confession to make - I am a woman and I enjoy video games. Yes, it's true and I am not ashamed! I grew up playing on Atari and Nintendo systems. Now, thanks to the hubs, I have moved on to bigger and better systems like XBox 360, Playstation 3 and the Wii. In fact, just a few weeks ago we were pulverizing each other in the latest version of Mortal Kombat and causing complete chaos in an old 360 game called Burnout - it's the safest format of road rage you'll ever encounter! So, it stands to reason that I wholeheartedly support children playing video games. I know a lot of people think that this leads to kids being obese and lazy, but as long as there is moderation (like with everything else in life) I say, let them play! In my opinion, video games are fun and really can serve a good purpose in your child's life. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Aside from educational value, video games are great for "rainy day" entertainment. The Wii has literally saved my sanity on more than one occasion! Since their toddler stage, the twinks have proven that they will become little tasmanian devils if they don't have some form of physical activity. HALLELUJAH! for the Wii and all their sports and playground themed games!! From golfing to dodgeball, the twinks can be thoroughly entertained for the full 1 - 1 1/2 hours they're allowed to play. As an added bonus, the only drink they request while playing is water! Yes, WATER!!! I don't know too many 6 years old that willing seek this out on their own, so I definitely consider this to be an added bonus! </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>In addition to the active (physical) games, there are some great benefits to games that are simply played for the fun of gaming. For instance, my little Mini Me has been developing her fashion design skills on her Nintendo 3DSXL with a Bratz video game that allows her to create outfits and sell them in her own boutique! This has led to her expressing herself more creatively in paper drawings by using more colors, creating patterns and even illustrating action scenes (ever seen a bunny jumping out of a tree?! I have now!) I know you're probably thinking "Big deal - the kid is drawing more" but when you consider that she used to struggle with even making simple stick figures, this is a big deal! As for my son, if he's not saving the world as one of his favorite super heroes, then he's playing a key position on one of his favorite sports teams (mainly the Washington Redskins or the Capitals!) What I've noticed with both of them is that aside from enhancing their hand-eye coordination and critical thinking skills (yes, even video game football requires critical thinking), the completion of goals and winning trophies in these "just for fun" games has increased my children's confidence. Sure, it's a bit superficial, but to be honest, I don't care - my children enjoy feeling a sense of accomplishment and I enjoy celebrating their virtual victories! </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Which brings me to the last and most important point I'd like to make today - playing video games is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their children. What's that? You don't have time for video games? Oh, they aren't your "thing"? Well, whether we want them to be or not, video games are very much a part of the 21st Century child's life. Why not take the time to explore them <b>with</b> your child, instead of allowing someone else to do it for you? Trust me, it will happen - whether at a play date or a family gathering, your child will discover the art of gaming. Instead of dreading it, think of it as your chance to show your kids that they can have fun with you, too - you're not just a disciplinarian, who makes and enforces rules ALL the time. Furthermore, you can teach your child the very valuable lesson of how not to be a sore loser or an ungracious winner. I think we all can agree that this is a lesson that is better learned in the safety of your home than on the sometimes cruel school playground. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Now, of course, I am speaking strictly from my own experiences. Will you and your child's experience be the same as mine? Maybe...maybe not, but you won't know until you've tried. Also, I'm not saying that there shouldn't be any rules about playing either. The twinks game playing is mostly reserved for weekends and holidays. <b>If </b>they are allowed to play during the week, they must first earn the privilege by doing reading or writing homework that I assign to them and to the level of my expectations (which are higher than their teacher's.) And, please, make sure that your children are only playing the games that are appropriate for their age group. No matter how much they think they can handle it, NO toddler or kindergartner should be given a Resident Evil or Call of Duty type game. So, now that I've shared my point of view, let's hear yours....</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-10526470062433084192013-01-21T20:52:00.001-05:002013-01-21T20:52:35.531-05:00Living It Up in 2013<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Happy New Year!!!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>OK, I know I'm a bit late, but between the holidays and battling a vicious cold epidemic in our area, I've been a little busy. So, here we are more than half way through the first month of 2013, can you believe it?!? </i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>For those of you diligently sticking to your New Year's Resolutions, I applaud you! </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Personally, I've never bought in to the whole resolution thing. By now, I probably would </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>have conceded defeat and resigned myself to trying again next year. Instead, I prefer to reflect on the lessons learned and celebrate the goals I achieved during the previous year. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Now, you might think that being home for the past 9 months would mean that there wouldn't be that much for me to recall, but you'd be wrong! </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I'm not going to go through all of my events in 2012 - we don't have that kind of time and quite frankly, there are some moments that I'd rather not relive even in memory - instead, I'll share with you the 3 most important things I've learned (in no particular order.)</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /><b>1. Live out your passion and you <u>will</u> find happiness</b> - Yes, I sound like a fortune cookie, but truth is truth. I've been working since I was 16 years old and have done everything from retail sales to Veterinary Technician work. I dedicated myself to giving 100% to each and every task that I did, no matter how big or small (and trust me, this is hard to do this when your day includes cleaning out kennels and litter boxes.) My last job was an Administrative Assistant role and I was in it for almost 12 years...yes, 12 long and (for the last 3) miserable years. Did I love it? No. Was I good at it? Yes. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Was I ever happy with it? To be honest, no, I was comfortable and since the majority of the other roles didn't appeal to me, I stayed. Since being freed of my corporate shackles (how's that for dramatic?!) I've been able to focus on pursuing my passions for owning my own business and creating fashion designs. I'm not delusional enough to think that I'm going to be some overnight success and I already know it's tough and takes A LOT of hard work to be a successful entrepreneur. Despite these harsh facts, I'm unbelievably happy about the path that I'm on and it shows in my voice, my attitude and my outlook on each day! You better believe I'm going to be sure to keep this going for 2013!!</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>2. Eliminate negativity </b>- Life is too short to let negative influences or reminders weigh you down. I don't care if it's a person, place or thing - if it is not adding something positive to your life, then it must go! We've all had or maybe still have at least one friend or acquaintance who just never has anything good to say about anything. Or maybe there's an object in your home that serves as a reminder of a dark time in your past; whatever the case may be, it's time to let it all go. I know it's not easy...many things worth doing aren't. While Spring cleaning last year I came across a folder that I created when I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Inside were newspaper articles and poems I wrote in memory of friends who had taken their own lives or were severely troubled and considered a danger to themselves. Since I did not attend their funerals and knew that I would not be allowed to visit anyone in a troubled youth facility, this folder was my way of mourning. This may seem a bit strange to some of you, I know, but at the time it was almost therapeutic for me. At any rate, last Spring I decided it was finally time to toss the folder and the sadness associated with it, out of my life. It wasn't easy, but once I did it I literally felt at ease and sort of relieved to have lifted that spiritual weight off my shoulders. From that moment on, I decided to purge myself of anything or anyone that brings me down. As the saying goes, "Misery loves company" Well, Misery is not welcome here and if you catch her trying to creep in to your world, I suggest you slam the door shut and lock it tight!</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>3. Be the victor, not the victim </b>- </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The first step in achieving your goals is to believe in yourself, if you can't do that, then don't even bother trying. Life is never perfect and some face more trials and tribulations than others, but how you react to it is what determines your victory or defeat. In my 20 years of employment, I've been laid off twice. Both times I've been able to use the opportunities to my benefit and pursue more satisfying endeavors. In fact, the first time it happened, I was fortunate enough to have a friend working at a staffing agency in the same office building, so that afternoon, after packing up my desk, I went straight to her office and helped out for the rest of the day. I mentioned earlier, that last year's lay off afforded me the opportunity to pursue my passions, but more importantly, it allowed me to spend some real quality time with my twins and get them prepared for going to school. These may not sound like tremendous victories to you, but the point is that I turned negative situations in to positive opportunities, instead of wallowing in self pity or claiming to be a victim of circumstance. I had no idea how things were going to work out then, nor do I know how they'll be this go around, but between my self confidence and the support of my family, there will be no "going gentle in to that good night"; I will forever rage on! </i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>As I said, these are just a few of the lessons learned that I'll be practicing this year. What about you all? I would love to hear what you'll be doing differently this year to live a happier, more balanced life? Remember, knowledge is power, so don't be shy - share!</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Until next time, be well & take care!</i></span></span>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-68325074028094899362012-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-04T08:00:08.707-05:00Career vs Family - How Do You Choose?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Recently, I've been having a lot of conversations with women who are struggling with the all too familiar dilemma of choosing between careers and family. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Given my current status, I'm sure they expected me to be biased on this issue, but I'm not. During the past 8 months, I've learned that staying home is not for everyone. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Most people think this is a black & white type of decision - meaning, either you want to work or you don't. Well, surprise, surprise - it's not quite so cut and dry. One thing you may not realize is that there is an incredible amount of pressure and fear involved with making such a life altering decision. Just think - would it be easy for you to place your families' livelihood solely on your partner's shoulders? Are you <b>really</b> ready to make some serious personal sacrifices (goodbye name brand products & clothing, hello clearance racks & bargain bins). Sure, it doesn't sound horrible when you're reading it here, but believe me, it's tough! </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>For some, there is a greater concern of choosing between losing their identity or being viewed as abandoning their family should they decide to continue working. I have to admit, I was really surprised by the number of </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>women who've said they feel as though their career is the last remaining hope to being identified as an individual and not "just Mom" or "So-and-so's spouse" . I know, I know - in these tough economic times, how can anyone judge an individual for continuing to work after becoming a parent? We all know children are NOT cheap, especially, if you plan to allow them to have a good, quality education. The fact of the matter is, no matter how advanced our society becomes there will always be "old school" expectations placed (predominantly) on women when it comes to raising children. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>So, what's my advice for working through all of this? First and foremost, be honest with yourself about where your heart truly lies. Listen, deep down we already know what we want in most situations, but are usually too afraid to accept or voice our choices for fear of judgement. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Your decision in this situation could call for some serious preparation, so time is of the essence - don't waste it fighting with yourself. That being said, i</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>f you are on a career path that you simply cannot walk away from, then by all means, continue working and be happy about it! Trust me, your family will benefit far more from a content, working parent than a miserable, stay home one. Next, have an open and honest discussion with your partner/spouse about your fears or concerns....ALL of them. My husband was actually a bit surprised to hear that he was one of my biggest concerns when deciding whether or not to seek a new corporate role. My fear was that he could resent me for causing him additional stress about our finances, if I chose to remain at home. In fact, my concerns over t</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>hese pressures are exactly why I opened my DeSadas Style shop on Cafepress (which, by the way, you can check out <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/desadasstyle" target="_blank">here</a> or "like" on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/DeSadas-Style/268839776538411" target="_blank">here</a>) and I began seeking freelance opportunities. Lastly, for those whom are concerned about losing their identity...I don't know how to say this delicately, so I won't - if you choose to peak out at this point in your life and become "just (insert title/role here)" well, that's on you. Personally, I don't understand how anyone could allow this to happen, but who am I to judge anyone? What I can tell you is that I was raised with the belief that you should always be striving for growth at every stage of your life. If you feel that you HAVE to choose to place your drive or ambitions aside for the sake of caring for your family, then let me remind you that </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>your family will benefit far more from a content, passionate individual than a miserable one.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Until next time, my friends... </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Be well & take care!</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-15685806416623220532012-11-23T12:37:00.001-05:002012-11-23T12:37:22.635-05:00Thankful For Everything...Even Me!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Thanksgiving holiday has come to an end and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My home was filled with the lively sound of latin music, the rich smells of a wonderful feast, and joyous roars of love and laughter...it was FANTASTIC!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Every day, I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">am grateful to have the unconditional love and support I receive from my husband and the twinks. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am also fortunate to have family and friends that accept and love me as I am. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I am especially thankful this year to have discovered a new level of inner strength and belief in myself. Yes, I know it's a bit narcissistic, but it's true. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my earlier posts, I commented on how the first portion of this year was rough and, to be honest, there were many times I almost gave up on any hope. All of this began to change when I decided to be responsible for my own happiness by pursuing my dreams and having faith in my abilities to make them come true. Because of this simple action, I can tell you that today I am happier and more fulfilled than I have been in a very long time! Furthermore, I believe that this new found "power" is helping me to become a better wife, mother and friend...who doesn't want that?!? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've said it before and I'll say it again - If there is a dream you want to pursue, DO IT! We have but one life to live, my friends, and it's too short to waste our time and energy on things (or people) that do not fulfill us. Now is the time to make a plan, believe in yourself and march on! For those that are already happy where they're at, I applaud you and wish you continued joy and success!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That being said, I will leave you with a few photos of my Thanksgiving and I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend full of good food, great people and making memories that last a lifetime!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Travel safe & be well my friends!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My non-traditional centerpiece</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Thing 1 having some fun!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Thing 2 was so full of love & happiness!</span></td></tr>
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<br />La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-3216492876603218002012-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-15T08:00:22.495-04:00Pride Begins at HomeAs a mom, I try my best to make sure that the twinks are not only proud of who they are as individuals, but also of the special bond they share as twins. As the mother of biracial/multicultural children, I have the added pleasure of ensuring that they are equally proud of their multiethnic backgrounds. From their out of control curls to their Spanish speaking abilities, I encourage my children to embrace EVERYTHING that makes them unique. <br />
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Sounds like it should be pretty easy right? I mean they're only 6 years old, so how hard can it be?! The truth is, it's actually a bit of a daily struggle. Raising a child to be independent <b>and </b>speak a different language or participate in a specific cultural ceremony because you <b>tell </b>them to, doesn't exactly go hand-in-hand. The fact that the twins are in school now hasn't helped matters either. In some ways, it's made some of my goals for them even more difficult. Although, we are fortunate enough to live in a culturally diverse area, in their school there are very few students who show any level of pride in their cultural backgrounds. Some students, actually seem to get embarrassed when they have to speak to their parents in their native tongue and for the life of me, I cannot understand why this is allowed!! Yes, I know they're not my children and it shouldn't concern me, but it does. We all know how cruel kids can be and the pressure of being accepted can cause our little angels to act like demons sometimes. Well, there is a similar effect when children witness other kids being teased or embarrassed by something that makes them different - like speaking a foreign language. We should be teaching our children that the ability to speak more than one language is an exceptional quality and should be appreciated, not used to shame someone or make them feel like an outcast. We are living in an era where being bilingual is not only an advantage, but in some cases (like getting hired for certain jobs) it's a requirement. Sadly, my son is one of the children, who prefers to speak in English and will try to whine his way out of speaking Spanish. Unfortunately, for him, I am far too stubborn to let him win and I've blown his mind a couple of times by informing him that there was a time in his short, little life when all he understood and spoke was Spanish. Lucky for me, my daughter knows better than to fight this losing battle and will even sing in Spanish!</div>
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Now before some of you get your panties in a bunch and start screaming that I'm being unpatriotic, let me assure that I'm not. I'm as proud as one can be to be American and live in this great nation of ours. However, as an American, I believe we should be teaching our children to be proud of their roots and allow them to identify with all parts of their culture. For those who think that that's what things like Hispanic Heritage and Black History month are for, well, sorry but that's hardly adequate. Our nation was built on the backs of immigrants from all parts of the globe - yes, some were forced here, but many came by choice and without their sacrifice and hard work, the country we call home would be a very different place. Ironically, many of us would not be here today, if it weren't for these immigrants. Take me, for example - my roots span the globe from Africa to Scotland (possibly Ireland) and include Native American ties. While I don't know every aspect of these cultures, I'm very proud to be a product of all of them and as I learn more about them, I'll teach the twinks about each and every one!</div>
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The best part of all of this is that my husband fully supports my efforts and reinforces them by telling the twinks he's as proud of his Salvadoran roots, as he is of his ties to America. Without him being such a strong example of latin pride, I don't know that I would have as much success, specifically, with my son. We know that raising our kids to know "El Orgullo de Ser Latinoamericano" while being "Black & Proud" won't be easy, but we'll do our best to make it fun!</div>
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To all parents, PLEASE teach your children everything you can about who they are! If you have certain customs or traditions PRACTICE THEM! Different parts of this country are known for certain things, if you don't know about yours, learn it and teach it to your children! If you are a multicultural or biracial family and have a native tongue, teach your children and make them SPEAK IT! No one should dishonor their roots by allowing them to be forgotten, especially not for the sake of being accepted. </div>
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As always, be well & take care!</div>
La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-43280053495543802032012-10-08T08:15:00.001-04:002012-10-08T08:15:38.150-04:00My Rock Star Life <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">By now, most of you know that I am a "Rock Star's wife" because I'm married to a musician. Some of you may know what this lifestyle is like, but for those that don't allow me to give you an idea of how crazy this life can be.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In the local scene, my husband is known as Dizzy and if you've seen him perform, you know that he enjoys living up to this name! He can get so charged up during a performance that he literally spins around on stage! His genre of choice is metal and the bands he's played in have performed all over the DMV. Many people find it hard to believe that not only am I married to this "crazy" metalhead, but I actually enjoy being at his shows and I'm a bit of a metalhead, too! For some reason it's still shocks a few people that I'm a Black woman who's in to metal...you'd think by 2012 we'd be well beyond such racial boundaries, but apparently not. Oh well, moving on. When I first met Dizzy, he was so heavily involved in music that I knew in order to be in a relationship with him, I had to be willing to accept his "other woman". I affectionately call her, Mistress Music. Mistress Music can be a relentless beast with a never-ending hunger and if she's not happy, then your musician isn't happy. No, really - if the music isn't coming out the way he envisions it, it's often best to steer clear of the hubs for a little while and let his frustration at not being able to heed the Mistress' call pass. Remember, musicians are passionate, emotional beings and though not all get to make it big in the music industry, every song and every performance is often done as if it's going to be their breakout hit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As his girlfriend, and now his wife, I have always understood that the relationship between Dizzy and the Mistress will at times take precedence in our lives. Between recording commitments, band practices, shows and holding down a regular job, making time for the family might seem next to impossible. This is where I come in. Like many wives, I do my best to make sure that my family is happy, healthy, etc. and we all know it's never easy, but when you add in balancing all his band stuff, you can imagine how my life goes from hectic to crazy FAST! Furthermore, as a Rock Star's wife I also have to accept that sometimes the band commitments may have to come first and, to put it bluntly, sacrifices must be made all in the name of pursuing a passion. I think it goes without saying that our biggest sacrifice is our alone time. For example, most Friday nights typically belong to band practice and a couple times a month Date Night is spent hanging out at whatever bar or club the guys are playing at. If they're headlining, it means they're closing the show and my night doesn't end until some unearthly hour the next day! In fact, this just happened to us last month. Silence the Blind (hub's band) just had their last show of 2012 at the end of September and for us it was a 23 hour day. You read that right - a 23 HOUR DAY! The show was on a Friday night, but we still had our regular responsibilities of kids and work fulfill. So, just like any other day, we were up at 5am, went through our regular routines, I added in dropping the kids off at Grandma's for the night, so I could go to the show and we were home by 3am. You might think it's over once you arrive home, but you'd be wrong - we still had to unload some of his equipment and shower (metal musicians are sweaty beasts after a performance - no way do you want all that nastiness in your bed!) So, sleep was not a possibility until 4am Saturday! Sure, it's brutal and by no means glamourous, but in my opinion, this is a small price to pay for my husband's happiness and since it doesn't happen on a regular basis, it's really not that bad. The real bonus for me is that I get the opportunity to see my husband do what he loves most! Is there anything better than that?!?! This, my friends, is why I go to every show that I can. Most of the time, you'll find me right in front of the stage, cheering him on and snapping pictures like I'm the paparazzi! The times that I can't be there are tough, but it usually means the super powers of Dr. Mom are needed at home and you all know how I much I care about my little Twinkies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Some people have praised me for being a good wife, who "allows" her husband to live out his dreams of rock stardom, but that's not how I see things at all. I am merely a woman who fell in love with a man, who was already in love with Mistress Music. I support my husband's passion with the same intensity and devotion that he supports mine...and that is what it takes to be a Rock Star's wife...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Until next time - be well, support local music & ROCK ON!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/silencetheblind?fref=ts" target="_blank">here</a> to check out Silence the Blind on Facebook!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Get Mistress Music gear, like Dizzy's t-shirt, <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/desadasstyle/9321415" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></div>
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La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-39339384774885265682012-09-16T14:43:00.000-04:002012-09-16T14:43:59.422-04:00Keeping It All in Perspective<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the past couple of weeks I've had the glorious pleasure of enjoying friends welcoming new lives to their families and the distinct sorrow of witnessing how hard it is to say goodbye to a life suddenly taken from us. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've grown up hearing that tomorrow is promised to no one and often have taken this life lesson for granted - many of us have. Only when a tragedy hits home and we are left to pick up the pieces, do we remember it and start saying how we wish we had done more of this or that before it was too late. To the contrary, when a baby is born or a new child enters your life, it's so easy to become completely enraptured in the experience and forget that we need to slow down, take a breath and fully appreciate or cherish the moment. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the risk of sounding preachy, I urge you all to take heed of the message I'm posting today - </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cherish each moment, like it's your first time....not your last.</span></i> Thinking of something as your last, may inadvertently conjure feelings of regret or sorrow - who needs that?!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Live your life joyfully, honorably....honestly</span></i> - don't apologize for who you are or how you are, but don't be hateful in your existence either. Unless, of course, you like being bitter and alone.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When you love someone - friend or family - do so without limitations and accept them as they are.</span></i> Saying "I love you, but.." is the same as saying "I wish you were someone else" and if that is the case, then perhaps "love" is not the word you should be using in reference to that person.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Above all else, keep things in perspective.</span></i> We allow far too many insignificant or trivial situations and events to steal our happiness and cloud our minds to what really matters in our lives.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To those whom have been taken from this life all to soon, I bid you farewell and thank you for the happy memories you have given me. To those whom have just joined us, I warmly welcome you and hope I am able to enrich your little lives, as much as you do mine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To you, my faithful readers, I say thank you for allowing me in to your world and sharing in mine!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be well & take care...</span></div>
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La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-32056802398636674222012-09-03T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-03T08:00:14.577-04:00A New Chapter Begins...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Who remembers this song? </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>"Is this the little girl I carried?</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Is this the little boy at play?</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>I don't remember growing older</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>When did they?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>When did she get to be a beauty?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>When did he get to be so tall?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Wasn't it yesterday</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>When they were small?</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Sunrise, sunset</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Sunrise, sunset</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Swiftly flow the days</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Blossoming even as we gaze..."</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>You guessed it! It's "Sunrise, Sunset" from the musical "The Fiddler on the Roof" and it's been at least 20 years since I last sang this song in a school performance. For those not familiar with it, "The Fiddler on the Roof" it's basically a story about a father who has to accept that his daughters are growing up - whether he agrees with how they're doing it or not. Clearly, there's much more to it than this, but we're not here to discuss musicals, right? </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>This song started going through my mind about two weeks ago, while I was purchasing kindergarten supplies for the twinks. I think every kindergarten parent can't help but reflect on how much their babies have grown when faced with preparing them for school for the first time. Sure, for the parents who've had their kids in Pre-K or a daycare it's probably not really a</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i> big deal, but for first-time parents, like myself, whom have had the pleasure of having their kids cared for at home, starting kindergarten is HUGE! It's the first time we're really faced with having to accept that our children must leave the comfort of our nests and get ready to face all the good, bad and ugly that the world has to offer. So, here I was walking the aisles at Target picking up the items on their school supplies list and my heart started racing (and this song playing on auto-repeat in my head) as the realization that soon my precious babies would no longer be under my watchful eye began sinking in. OK, I know that's a bit dramatic, but honestly, when it comes to my kids that's how I am and you know what? I've earned the right to be this way. I had a high risk pregnancy, overcame complications that would have had some women choose to terminate their gestation, ended up having an emergency c-section at 30 weeks, which was so painful that I required a morphine drip AND a prescription for Oxycodone (neither of which had any effect) and have spent every moment of their time on this Earth fighting for or protecting my twinkies - so you bet your ass that when it comes to caring for them, </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I am one hell of a force to reckon with. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>(Whew! Everybody OK? That outburst surprised me, too! Now back to the story at hand...)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I actually started their school year fighting for them. See, where I live it's customary for multiple birth siblings (twin, triplets, etc.) to be separated in school. The belief behind this practice is that it allows each child to develop as an individual and aid in preventing classroom distractions. I understand this thinking, however, I do not agree that the school system should be making this decision, especially not without consulting the parents. Since I was aware of this practice, I asked the twins early on how they felt about it and neither of them wanted to be separated. Seeing how strongly they felt, there was no way I could have them start school without trying to keep them together. So, during the registration process, I asked the school's Staff Development professional about the school's stance on separating multiple siblings and she confirmed that their policy is to separate them. When I told her I prefer them to be in the same classroom, she gave a slight smirk and stated that I could speak to the Assistant Principal about my concerns, but that separation is really a standard practice throughout the county. So, I came home, did my research and discovered that there is a law in place where parents may make a written request for their multiples to be in the same class and the school is required to comply for at least 30 days. Well, that was all I needed to know! I sent my request via email and I'm happy to say that as of today, the twins are in the same classroom! Could this change? Yes, but not without someone giving me a good reason for it. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>This, my friends, is how my family's next chapter of Life is beginning. I find it bittersweet and exciting all at once. I am so proud of my precious little ones for all that they have accomplished, so far. I love the excitement that they have for going to school, experiencing new things and discovering their potential in new ways! From this day forward our definitions of "quality time" and "vacation" have taken on a whole new meaning and purpose. I know that there will be many trials and tribulations before us. I have accepted that there are many things I will not be able to protect them from and although it pains me deeply, I know that there will also be times when all I can do is be there to hug them and wipe away their tears (sniff, sniff.) (Sigh) This may be one of the hardest years of parenthood, I've had yet...is it too soon to start planning our 2013 summer vacation?!?!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Be well & take care all! </i></span></div>
La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-55820984554689558072012-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-20T08:00:10.390-04:00Our Super Summer Vacation - Part 2<i>I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of our family vacation. If you're a little behind, no worries, you can scroll down to the Archives (on the lower right hand side) and catch up. Now let's jump in to the second part of our trip!</i><br />
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<i>As I mentioned before, Ocean City has one of the best boardwalks in America and no trip is ever complete without having at least one leisurely stroll down it and w</i><i>e were lucky enough to have time for two! </i><i>With carnival games, rides, all kinds of t-shirt and boutique shops, not to mention candy stores and even sidewalk performers, you can almost be overwhelmed by the boardwalk experience, but it is so worth it. At night, I find all the lights, smells and sounds to be almost intoxicating. They can make you feel like a kid in a candy store and you literally don't know what you want to do first. That being said, I suggest you plan ahead for how much money you want to spend there, because you'll be surprised how quickly you'll have spent a small fortune.</i><br />
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<i>Our first trip down was on Tuesday night and it was magical! We made a quick stop for ice cream and then headed straight to Trimper's Rides/Amusements. Trimper's area is closer to the main road than the beach and they have great rides for the younger/smaller kids. We've been to Trimper's before and the twins always have a great time on the rides, but I think this visit was their best one yet! Why? Because this time they got to go on their first roller coaster with their Papi! Yes, my metalhead man proudly stepped up (without hesitation, I might add) to the challenge of riding the Wiggly Worm roller coaster with his kids! Watching the three of them whip through the small twists, turns and even a small drop, warmed my heart and will live with me forever. Once we had our fill of the rides, we headed over to the beach side of the boardwalk for a planned beach event. This year, </i><i>Ocean City has fireworks on the beach</i><i> every Tuesday night at 10pm for the entire summer (final show will be Sunday, September 2nd). As Thing 1 & Thing 2 have never seen them before, I thought this would be a great first experience! Personally, I can get lost in those colorful explosions for hours, but this time I could barely focus on them. I was too busy being completely enamored with the look of pure joy on my kids' faces. With each explosion they would giggle and squeal with delight, while shouting for us to look at how much bigger and brighter each new explosion was compared to the last! Their smiles were so infectious that I couldn't help but join in their happiness and by the time the approximately 15 - 20 minute display was done my whole face was sore! I could have lived in that moment forever and I'm so grateful to have been able to give my children such a beautiful memory that will hopefully last a lifetime! If you've never had the chance to see fireworks on the beach, I highly recommend it! I mean, really, everything is just better at the beach, right?!</i><br />
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<i>Our second trip to the boardwalk was all about the rides and yours truly even got in on the action - sort of! This time we went to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park side. Much like Trimper's, Jolly Roger has lots of fun rides for kids of all ages and this time Hubs went on a couple of rides by himself. As for me, there was only one ride I was interested in going on - the Ferris Wheel! The Ferris Wheel is reported to be the largest one in Ocean City and I believe it's probably one of the most popular attractions. During the day, you get a magnificent view of the beach and the inlet. At night, there's nothing but lights as far as the eye can see - car headlights, venue lights, the boardwalk lit up bright enough to almost make it look like it's daytime - all of it is truly breathtaking. Needless to say, my favorite time to ride is the nighttime. So, after some serious convincing (it's not really hubby's favorite thing to do) and impatiently waiting in line, we finally had our turn on the Ferris Wheel! It was awesome! We laughed, talked and for the 15 minutes or so that we were on that ride, it was like the rest of the world disappeared...that, my friends, is why I prefer riding at night </i><i> (peaceful sigh.)</i><br />
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<i>Sadly, our last day came all too quickly and as we travelled down Coastal Highway to head out of town, we decided to make one last stop for family fun at a great indoor/outdoor miniature golf place called Old Pro Golf. Old Pro Golf has 3 locations in Ocean City and they each have a different theme. We chose the one on 68th Street because of it's indoor/outdoor feature. OK, I'll be honest - the dinosaurs on the outdoor course were just too cool for me to pass up! The indoor course was equally impressive with an "Under the Sea Adventure" theme. Both courses appeared to offer nice challenges for my little golfers, but since it was our last morning to soak in the ocean breeze, we decided to play outside. The kids would pretend that the dino and caveman sculptures were real and that they were trying to eat our golf balls! My husband and my son, both, got a hole-in-one, my daughter came very close and I actually came in last place, but none of us really cared - we were just happy that we did it together. Interestingly enough, that is the one thing all of us came home talking about - how great it was to spend so much time together. </i><br />
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<i>If nothing else this vacation reminded me of the importance of not taking my family for granted and to make every moment together count. Sure, it sounds simple, but we all know it's not. Between smartphones, tablets and all other forms of portable technology we've become overly accessible to everyone. I advise you all to remember to unplug every once in a while and give your loved ones your full undivided attention...especially when you're on vacation! On that note, I'll bid you farewell for now and leave with a few pictures of our time at Old Pro Golf. Enjoy!</i><br />
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<i> </i>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-55942315124744057172012-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-13T08:00:07.790-04:00Our Super Summer Vacation - Part 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Can you believe the summer is almost over?! The only thing keeping me from the brink of depression is knowing that football season is right around the corner! But, that's a post for another time. Today I want to tell you about the wonderful family vacation we had in Ocean City, MD. In fact, we had such a great time that I'm giving you two posts about it! </i><i>In my opinion, Ocean City is one of the best vacation destinations in the DMV (metropolitan area comprised of DC, Maryland, Virginia). With 10 miles of free access beaches and a boardwalk that is recognized as one of the best boardwalks in America (see for yourself <a href="http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/america-s-best-boardwalks-20120629.html" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>), it offers something for everyone! </i></span><br />
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<i>As I told you in my last post (<a href="http://anextra-ordinaryview.blogspot.com/2012/07/freedom-is-beautiful.html" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Freedom is Beautiful</a>) things have been a little crazy & very busy for me and my family, so we were more than ready for this vacation. Of course, in true rockstar style, </i><i>my husband had a show the night before we left. I do NOT advise this for anyone! It is pure craziness to be out until almost one o'clock in the morning, knowing very well that the next day you're going to be trapped in the car for a minimum of 3 hours with TWO 5 year olds that <b>must </b>be entertained at all times - even the portable DVD system can't hold their attention very long. Truthfully, we were so anxious to get out of town that the show was a bit of a blur and we didn't really allow fatigue to set in until we got in to our hotel room. Ahhhh - our hotel room....correction - our oceanfront hotel room! This year, we stayed at The Carousel Hotel, which is about a 15 minute drive from the boardwalk. This was our second stay at The Carousel, but our first time in an oceanfront room and let me tell you, waking up to this sight every day was spectacular!!!</i></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As for the hotel, while it's not a luxury resort type of place, it is very family-friendly with a bounce house for the kids, indoor & outdoor pools, an onsite restaurant and even an ice rink which features nightly performances by a female dance team that you can view for free! I know some people may not care about all that since, you know, you're at the beach and all, but it is nice to have these amenities whether you use them or not. Now, if you ever decide to stay at The Carousel, I have two pieces of advice:</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1. Splurge for the oceanfront room (check for specials before booking)</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The 4th floor has the best view and you shouldn't hear too much noise from the outdoor pool/patio bar area, but know that their check-in is a first come, first served style, it's good idea to be patient and keep your options in mind. </span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We stayed for 5 fun-filled days / 4 glorious nights and had the time of our lives!!! Most mornings we admired the sunrise and had breakfast in our room. That's right, I went in to full Domestic Diva mode and made enough breakfast food for the whole week - pancakes for everyone! The first two days we were complete beach bums - out on the sand by no later than 9:30am and we didn't leave until we were hungry enough for dinner! Sadly, our sunscreen didn't have the same staying power and we all got a little burned, but we still had a GLORIOUS time! The twinks were ridiculously happy making sand castles and playing in the surf and we all had a blast watching my rockin' hubby be thrown around, sometimes quite viciously, by 3-4 ft waves. I remember thinking to myself a number of times, "Life doesn't get any better than this!" I mostly waded in the water, so I could keep a close eye on Thing 1 & Thing 2 (you guys are used to all my nicknames for the twins by now, right?) And, I have to tell you, I think I must have been a mermaid in a past life because I am never more at peace than when I'm in ocean. Speaking of peaceful, I can't tell you how nice it was to spend so much time disconnected from all of our electronic devices. I mean, we had our cell phones in case of emergencies but other than that we allowed ourselves to be unplugged from our social networking accounts and to my delight, my mister didn't bring his company cell phone nor his computer. For the first time in a long time, we truly enjoyed each others company, gave each other our full undivided attention and just lived in the moment. I advise all of you to do this as much as possible and see if it doesn't vastly improve not only your relationship, but also the quality of your "Family Time". At nighttime we came alive and ventured out to the boardwalk for some family fun, but we'll talk about that next time. For dinner we ate in the hotel restaurant and checked out a couple of the local restaurants. Before I tell you about that though, I have to say, for me the best meal of the day was lunch. All we ate were simple sandwiches and hot dogs, but the scenery and the atmosphere....well, I think we can all agree that nothing can compare to having a picnic on the beach! Who couldn't look at this all day?!?</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Back to dinnertime! There is one restaurant I have to tell you about, Higgins Crab House - it's an all-you-can-eat place and a "must see" for crab lovers! They have two locations, but my personal favorite is the one on 128th Street. They have outdoor seating and even though some of the seating is right next to Coastal Highway, the main road in Ocean City, it's still relatively peaceful. The one thing you should be aware of is that occasionally some inconsiderate (insert explicative) person may decide to smoke out there, regardless of small children or even pregnant women being around them (grrrrrr - makes me so angry). Moving on - since I'm a vegetarian, I order my and the kids' meals from the a la carte menu, while my hubster gets his grub on with the all-you-can-eat crabs and chicken platter. Yes, you read that correctly - crabs AND fried chicken, plus corn, coleslaw and all-you-can-eat fries!! Obviously, I can't tell you first-hand how it is, but I can tell it must be phenomenal because despite his lips being on fire from the Old Bay, my man put down 3 fully loaded trays of crabs!! I even had to use my ice water to make him a cold compress for his lips so he could keep eating! </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>So, there's your first glimpse in to our vacation. I hope you've enjoyed it! Next post we'll get in to our putt putt golf adventure and our time on the boardwalk! If you want to know more about Ocean City, check out their official website <a href="http://ococean.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a> and find out more about The Carousel <a href="http://www.carouselhotel.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a>. For now, </i><i>I'll leave you with a couple of pics of The Carousel Hotel and Higgins Crab House.</i></span></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-52545748854132667742012-07-30T21:57:00.001-04:002012-07-31T07:28:25.064-04:00Freedom Is Beautiful!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm baaack!!! I have to tell y'all, so far 2012 has been one heck of a roller coaster ride. The first couple of months kicked my butt in every way you might imagine. Stress at work, led to stress at home and you know it all went downhill from there. The only good to come out of it is that I lost 11 lbs. in two weeks and apparently became so stressed out that my typically high blood pressure normalized itself - go figure. Fortunately, this chaos was short-lived and I was back on track just in time to be let go from my job in April.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Now don't start tuning your violins or pulling out Kleenex for me because I have to tell you, I LOVE my new found freedom! To wake up each morning and not have the stress or tension that comes with the morning commute and high school histrionics of office politics is incredibly liberating. To be honest, this change was a long time coming. For years, my husband and even my mother have been practically begging me to leave my job. I wanted to...I really did, but when you've got excellent medical benefits, bills to pay, etc. it's hard to just walk away and if you think being laid off makes it any easier, you're wrong. In some ways, it's a little harder because your exit isn't really on your terms and sometimes you tend to take it a little more personally. This was not the case for me though. I'll admit my first reaction was one of anger. I felt like after 11 years of service the least they could have done was have the decency to let me go the night before, so I wouldn't have had to waste my gas on the morning commute - 45min or so driving a SUV in stop-and-go traffic is not cheap. Fortunately, these feelings quickly gave way to a sense of </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>relief, followed by excitement! I was actually thrilled to be let go! Yes, you read that right - I was thrilled and I left the building that morning feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders! As I said, my family had been asking me to move on for quite some time and truthfully speaking, I can't blame them. I'd been unhappy in my role for years and tried to move out of it, but despite my best efforts I simply couldn't. Like anyone else, I shared my frustrations with my husband & my mother, but I never really realized how much my misery affected them. It became blatantly clear when I called both of them (individually) to inform them of my release and they both responded by saying "Good! I've been telling you to leave for the longest time and now it's finally over!" All I could do in response was laugh and agree with them that yes, it was finally over.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Of course, my departure caused a stir and the rumor mill started churning out stories before I even got to my car. Someone actually believed that I went out in some sort of rage and had to be escorted by Security. Well, I hate to disappoint my "haters" but it was not nearly as exciting as all that. At the end of the day, I was employee #whatever with X amount of dollars attached to me and it was my time to go...nothing more, nothing less. Like many others that have left before me, I value the experiences I had with my former employer - good, bad or ugly I learned something from each and every person I encountered there.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>So, what are my days like now? Well, I'm still up at 5am and end somewhere between 11pm - midnight. I spend a few hours each day preparing the Twinks for kindergarten and having some real quality time with them, organizing and re-structuring things to make my house a complete home, indulging my entrepreneurial spirit via my new t-shirt/product design company, <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/desadasstyle" target="_blank">DeSadas Style</a>, and looking for opportunities to work as an independent contractor. Is it a lot to have going on all at once? Absolutely, but it's so worth it! Seriously, independence is truly meant for me. I know in my heart of hearts, I am now exactly where I am supposed to be because I've never been happier! I have spent my entire life trying to be part of the conventional model we're all taught to conform to from birth and quite frankly, it's never worked for me. Through all my years of schooling and becoming part of the working class, I have asked the same question "Why do I have to do things this way or that way?" The customary reply is "This is the way the world works...so, this is how it has to be." Well, I no longer accept this answer and for those of you whom are ready, I challenge you to do the same. For those whom are happy where you're at - carry on! I am doing what's best for me; you need to do what's best for you. It's taken me a long time to accept that this change in my life was not only necessary, but vital for me as an individual, but also for the sake of my marriage and my family. I am finally free of the herd (aka Corporate America) and I'm never going back!</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Wish me luck & buckle up - this is going to be quite an adventure!!</i></span><br />
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<br />La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-69780807281839581642011-10-03T21:43:00.000-04:002011-10-03T21:43:41.759-04:00Sexy in Every SizeFall has officially arrived and I love it! Football (college & NFL, thank you), foliage and fashion - does it get any better than this?!?! Yes, I said fashion! Gentleman, you are welcome to check out now and carry on with ESPN updates for your Fantasy team....unless, of course fashion is your "thing." Throughout the month of September a multitude of magazines and even Twitter feeds have called attention to the latest designer creations displayed during the numerous Fashion Week shows here in the US and abroad. Some designs were stunning and elegant, while others were a bit more...hmmmm....we'll say, artistic (hats off to you Richie Rich, but next time you might give Coco a little bit more fabric tape!) The patterns were bold and the colors were beautiful earthy hues with splashes of jewel tones mixed in. I also saw fabric combinations, like satin and leather, that looked amazing! While I wasn't able to actually attend any of these glorious shows, just looking at all the pictures made me feel like I was in the front row!<br />
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The one thing I enjoyed the most about seeing all these hot designs, is that no matter what size woman the clothing was being made for, the designers were really focused on bringing sexy back. I <b>love </b>this! A voluptuous woman, like myself, has every right to feel just as attractive, vivacious and sexy as a smaller and/or more fit woman. If you think otherwise, that's fine with me, so long as you understand that when I tell you to "Suck it!" (followed by my devilish grin) it's truly meant with utmost respect. I know, I know - our nation has a serious obesity problem that even effects our children, but trust me, condemning a large population to the hideous realm of the Moo-Moo is not the answer. Those hideously colored circus tents are unattractive and demotivating. They never should have been made! Enough of that - moving on... <br />
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so thick or thin, well-endowed or itty-bitty, every woman's unique features should be celebrated in flattering apparel. Ladies, it's time to proudly display our curves or our petite waists; remind the world how powerful we are, not because someone tells us we look<b> </b>good, but because we feel good in our clothes and our own skin! The fashion industry is finally waking up and realizing that although we are shaped differently, we are all stunningly beautiful creatures in every shape and skin tone imaginable. Take the challenge with me and let's dare to be sexy in <b>every </b>size!<br />
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Be nice, be well & be the best you can be!La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-25698513353738147712011-07-01T22:00:00.004-04:002011-07-05T15:20:15.628-04:00To Love, honor and encourage...On June 20th I happily celebrated 13 years of being married to my best friend. Sure, we've had our share of ups and downs, but we've never given up on each other and for that, I am forever grateful. What's our secret to success? We don't really have one...but, I'll tell what I've learned, so far...<br />
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It's no secret that marriage is a lot of work, but how often do we hear about the necessity for being dedicated to the work it takes for this most sacred commitment? Dedication to not only providing each other with unconditional love and support, but respecting each other, paying full attention to each others needs and personal growth. (Stop the giggling my gutter-minded friends, I'm not talking about THOSE needs!) I'm talking about "the little things" - leaving work a little early, so you can spend some true "quality time" together, and "quality time" does NOT mean sex or watching TV. Or perhaps, it's ignoring a smartphone or Blackberry alert during dinner and giving your spouse your full, undivided attention. To many people these are common sense concepts, but you'd be surprised just how many couples don't even realize how these smalls acts can have a huge impact on their relationship. Tell me, when is the last time you enjoyed coming in 2nd place to an electronic device for your loved one's attention?? What I'm saying is, make sure you take the time to let your partner / spouse know that they will always be as important to you as they were on the day you said "I do."<br />
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Another lesson learned - communicate, communicate, COMMUNICATE! I'm married to a musician - talking isn't really his "thing" (occasionally neither is listening) BUT out of respect for me and our marriage, he's learned to appreciate the art of communication (aka Fighting Fair)....truth be told, I've had to learn to do this, as well. Reflecting on past arguments, I realize that most of them got blown out of proportion because we waited too long to say what was bothering us and when we finally did, we both got so defensive and spent so much time trying to prove who's right or wrong, that the real issue at hand never got resolved. Now, if there's something that doesn't sit right with one of us, we bring it up instead of letting it fester and explode. Don't get me wrong, it's not always a nice little discussion followed by hugging it out; we are far too passionate in our beliefs for that. We'll yell and all that BUT we do it with respect, meaning there's no cussing each other out and definitely no name calling (BIG 'hot buttons' for me.) If tempers get too heated, then do yourselves a favor and shut up for a second. Come back to it when you've cooled off a bit and can listen to each other without pushing to get your point across - remember, it takes two to argue and if you're talking, you're not listening.<br />
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Lastly, a piece of advice my mother told me - Always bring something to the table. Never stop growing as an individual and you will always have something to add to your marriage. Strive to be the same vivacious or adventurous spirit individual that your spouse/partner first fell in love with. Support each other in whatever new interests you develop or old hobbies you return to...whatever the case may be, share in the experience and keep lifting each other up! There are so many places, hobbies and endeavors to experience in Life that you can continue surprising each other with well in to your retirement years!La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-22303170765276861272011-03-21T22:00:00.006-04:002011-04-02T18:00:53.370-04:00The Ugly Truth About Being A ParentWhile everyone's experience is different, the one thing that I can assure you of is that being a parent is the greatest, most beautiful, horrifying, frustrating and joyous experience you will ever have in your life! Sleep, as you know it, will cease to exist and the terms 'exhaustion' and 'fatigue' will be completely re-defined. Will your life change? Absolutely! In some ways it will be better and in other ways...well, it'll just be different...but not bad, just different.<br />
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The best piece of advice I can give to anyone who is pregnant (especially for the first time) is "just don't think about it." Yeah, I know...not what you expect to hear, but believe me, truer words have never be spoken. When you become a parent, you cannot allow yourself to become bogged down with the thoughts of new responsibilities, can you really take care of an infant, are you even ready to be parent, what will your family do, if anything ever happens to you...you get the idea. The truth is, once your baby is born all bets are off and you better be ready to hit the ground running!! Newborns, infants and toddlers can be very demanding in many different ways and they don't understand or have the patience for you to pull yourself together every time you decide to get lost in your thoughts or fears. Some days you will literally be on auto-pilot and that will be a good thing! Other days your mind will easily go to dark places that leave you with a heavy heart, wondering if you can handle it all and simply wanting to run away. You may even find that you're mad at yourself for having such thoughts, but I promise you, it's all completely natural....and for those who may be wondering, "Is she talking about postpartum depression?" Well, yes and no. The phase I'm talking about can happen anytime from the moment you give birth onward. Like I said, everyone is different, but most new moms and dads (yes, they do have feelings and fears, too) will go through this at least once during the first few years of their child's life....just, remember it's normal and it will pass.<br />
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Despite this ugly truth, having children really does add something to your life. Yes, they are a lot of work. Yes, they will frustrate you, at times. However, rediscovering the world through their eyes, feeling the pure love in their hugs or the genuine laughter combined with their smile is simply amazing and well worth any sacrifice you have to make.<br />
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So, with that, I bid you adieu and say "Go forth and prosper!"La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-63736079458800406032011-02-14T07:30:00.003-05:002011-02-15T21:59:10.835-05:00Ahhhh...Valentine's DayValentine's Day - what a gloriously expensive holiday you have become! Having a specific day for an extra special recognition for the "Love of Your Life" or "Love For Right Now" is great, but let's face it - Valentine's Day is far more commercial than celebratory. Even the grocery store is selling $90.00 floral arrangements...ok, so, they come in a nice vase, but still...$90.00?!? <br />
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Remember the true purpose of the day - tell everyone that is special to you how much they mean to you, better yet SHOW them! If you're buying a gift, try to make it as unique as the individual(s) receiving it. For example, roses are VERY popular on this Day for Lovers, but why not go the extra mile and either get them in your loved one's favorite color or add some other flowers that you know they'll enjoy. And, don't forget to think outside of the candy box. As horrifying as it sounds, not everyone enjoys chocolate (I shudder at this thought!) Take the time to put together a nice assortment of their favorite snack foods or even a basket of their favorite drinks - anything that will show them just how much you really do care....sometimes more than they know.<br />
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Most importantly, remember that today is just an extra special day to show how you feel. You should be able to make your loved ones feel special every day. Not just with lavish gifts and praises, but little things like flowers for no particular reason, taking care of a mundane household task without being asked or even just saying 'thank you' for all that they do for you....and we all know what goes around, comes around - so, be sure to return the favor!<br />
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From this day forward, may all your days be filled with more love and laughter than ever before....La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-62229744366066870742011-02-05T21:02:00.000-05:002011-02-15T21:39:00.413-05:00Aspire to InspireA couple of weeks ago, I was at a family gathering celebrating my nephew's graduation. The air was thick with the love and laughter! Everyone in the house was involved in conversations ranging from politics to the trials and tribulations of married life. As I looked around, I couldn't help but feel proud to be a part of such a dynamic family! What makes them so dynamic, you ask? In all my life, I personally, have not met a family that is more proud of who they are, where they come from (VIVA, EL SALVADOR!) and if you don't like it....well, that's too bad and they'll be sure to let you know EXACTLY what you're missing out on!<br />
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As I sat there taking it all in, I found myself hoping that one day, when they're all grown up, the Twinks and their cousins will be able to enjoy such gatherings and share in the same sense of family pride. As we know, actions speak louder than words, so from that moment forward, I decided to make a more conscious effort to be a model of inspiration to my children (and maybe even the rest of my family) by making sure that we do our best to stay connected to all of our loved ones - both near and far. Then I thought, why stop there? Why not try to be a positive influence on everyone in my life? Laughter is contagious, so why can't the same be true for a positive attitude or random acts of kindness? Now don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to become a Saint or anything. I do have a mean temper and a wicked tongue, but I am trying to live a happier, healthier life and part of that includes surrounding myself with more positive influences. So, why shouldn't I try and do the same for others?<br />
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I hope that reading this post has awakened something in you. Aspire to inspire your friends, family even your co-workers, by bringing some positivity into their world. You'd be surprised how something as simple as a kind word, a phone call just to say 'hello' or the sight of a random act of kindness can influence others to want to do the same!La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-64284938146239085552011-01-17T22:13:00.000-05:002011-01-17T22:13:04.417-05:00Why blog??This is the question I asked myself when I was first deciding whether or not to do this. And, really the only answer that came to me was 'Why not??' Blogging is just another form of self expression and it's just as therapeutic as seeing a psychiatrist or counselor, but it's free!! <br />
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Admittedly, when I first started hearing about blogs, my first thought was, "Are you serious - We've given the whiny people of the World, yet another platform to 'cry' from?!?" Well, I was quickly proven wrong. I actually started reading blogs from some of my favorite trash TV shows - I mean, "reality" TV shows - and celebrity sites, then branched out to real life blogs and what can I say? I was pleasantly surprised and dare I say, entertained by what I found! Blogging isn't about whining about how wrong Life is treating you or how a certain form of religion will save you. It's just people talking about Life - getting a moment to explain their side of a story without being interrupted or sharing helpful hints for home improvement projects, recipes and even parenting / marriage. Of course, not all blogs are completely entertaining, some get pretty deep and serious, so you learn to be careful what you enter when searching for new things to read ;-)<br />
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Now I've been inspired to start my own blog! I'm not hoping to change the world or anything. I do hope that some of my posts make you think, laugh or maybe even cry (yeah, I might get a little deep from time to time.) If you choose to share anything you read here amongst your friends, co-workers, etc. or want to share your own thoughts - even better!! And, the next time you hear someone ask, "Why do people blog?" Tell them, "Because it's cheaper than paying for therapy!" <br />
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Happy readings!La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8716173212145174572.post-36269341033799844412011-01-06T22:34:00.000-05:002011-02-15T21:38:39.580-05:002011 - The Year of Taking Back Your LifeOnly 6 days in to 2011 and I can already tell that this will be a Year of Change!<br />
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Many people are often inspired to make resolutions that they rarely stick to, even though they start out with the best intentions. This year instead of making resolutions, take action! Don't sit by waiting for "good things" to come way, instead go out there and "make it happen!" Life is a series of experiences, opportunities and moments happening ALL the time....don't wait for yours to just come to you - be the catalyst and <b>make</b> it happen!<br />
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If you don't take risks, they you'll never know what your full potential can be and you'll spend your life asking "what if" or saying "why can't I..." "why not me..." That's not living...that's barely getting by. Eighteen years ago I took a chance with my (now) husband, four years ago I took a chance on continuing what one doctor deemed a very risky (almost doomed) pregnancy - a story for another time - and I have been married for 12 years and have two of the best 4 year old babies a mother could ask for. My first risk for this year is creating this blog. Sure, it hardly sounds challenging to most people, but for me to express myself in such a public forum is <b>HUGE!</b><br />
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So, as we get this year rolling, my challenge to you is this - Each day challenge vow to experience something new. Write it down and save it or take a picture to commemorate it...at the end of the year, you can take a look back and see how far you've come and how much you've enriched your life!<br />
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Hey, I'm already blogging, so I've got a head start ;-) <br />
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</b>La Nenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02387279203757584187noreply@blogger.com0