Where am I?

It has been crazy! so I am on the count down to heading to Japan for three years! At the same time I am working on my jewelry business, http://cookielee.biz/maddiesantiago and trying to keep sane.

I saw the movie Julie & Julia and it was a great movie to reaffirm how it feels to be a blogger. Yes, I, like many wish our blog would blow up that way, but its not likely. Most of us write because we love to. Even if its not read by anyone. Maybe someday I will print out my blog and have it for my future generations to ponder over...lol As for now, it just helps to keep me sane at 36! So I would love to have comments, but if I don't have followers its okay too. I know my daughter loves to read anything I write on these blogs. I even heard her talking about my grandfather post to one of her friends...AWWWW I was proud. Thanks, baby girl...lol

Any military wives out there.... in internet beyond....lol Its crazy to try to move overseas with kids, pets and all. Eventhough I have done it before, this time the addition of our dogs has made it a nightmare. Plus the selling of our house and oh...did I forget, my daughter decided to have her lavish Sweet 16 NOW, because her friends are here and its better. So she won that argument out of sheer exhaustion...lol

So have you ever planned an overseas move, sold a house and a car and planned a Sweet 16 in 2 months...Yeah insane is a far less healthy word.

The count down has begun. June 19th is the Sweet 16, June 27 we go on vacation to PR and after that we head overseas...Pray for my sanity :)

K...is for Knitting

OKay.. so I embarked into my knitting fiasco about 6 months ago and have gotten a new addiction! I have been knitting away and have done so many scarves and blankets. It has been so much fun! I have learned a lot too. Of the modern day knitters,which are not your Grannie's knitters...lol I also have checked out a lot of fun yarn shops. A great one here in Old Town Alexandria,VA, is Fiber Sphere. Love it!

I will be attempting a sweater next winter because with this spring weather I have outdone myself with the scarves...:)

I like to make the fun dishcloths with designs on them too, plus they are fast and have a funny form of meditation as well. I opened a knitting swap group called Swap A Knitting...its a group on yahoo. Its slow but fun. I have also checked out a lot of new ideas and see knitting everywhere I go.

My eyes have been opened to the yarn! Happy Knitting!

Deeva is a mommy!

So our beautiful Maltese dog is now a mommy! She gave birth on April 9th. It was amazing. I had never seen a live birth before...I was kind of in shock when I was in labor, so that doesn't count.

She began to pace like pregnant women do and was trying to urinate, but couldn't.We knew she was ready and at 10 pm she began to slow down and began to lay down and just pant a bit. She was real strong and at 1 am a beautiful big female puppy came out. a trooper she was named Dot, since she has a dot on her head, a faint beige dot, since Maltese are purely white. She was the biggest one and already has an A personality compared to the other two puppies.

At 2am ~ Demi was born. She was breech, but she was also a trooper. A rebel. She has the non-chalant attitude and does things just like a middle child. At her pace as if no one is watching.

We then thought she was all done since her placenta came and went. But at 2:35 am she began to pant again and then surely a new puppy was on the way. Kenjii was born, slow and tiny. We needed to assist him a bit by cleaning his airway and kind of patting him awake until he began to lactate. We watched him closely. He is our little special puppy.

After almost a week, they are doing fine~ all the puppies and mommy too. She has also taken on the exhausted mom look. She also always has her guard up protecting them from everyone.

The poor daddy, Yoshi has been secluded and has finally been allowed back into the room. Even though Deeva is sure to not let him even think of getting near the puppies.

I will keep the puppy post going as soon as I can.

Happy Birthday to me...

I am sitting in my bed, just having fun with Facebook, Tweeting and blogging. I was awaken with some great gifts left on my nightstand from my honey. He whispered,"Happy Birthday ,Honey," as he headed to work in his military camis. As we wait for our new orders...Our fate again in the hands of the US Marine Corp.

I woke up with a statement! I will not surround myself with negative people. It messes with your Feng Shui! I checked my FB and saw all the warm wished for my birthday. Do you think they sent them because they really wished it or was it peer pressure to not be the one who is inconsiderate online...lol I guess I will never know. I will just enjoy it!

I also got a couple of texts from my closer friends and family. But the ones who called are the ones who took the time out of their busy days to remember. Starting with my parents in PR and my two great friends, Gladys and Alida. Always faithful. Something that pierces my heart to think that I will be moving and leaving them behind...

Okay , so I am not going to think of the sadness today, Its my freakin' birthday! I turn 36 today. I am looking good for my age...lol I am blessed with family and friends.

My son gave me a video game for my birthday...lol Yeah I guess that is merging his world and mine. The video game is one I saw that I wanted to play, Just Dance. My daughter gave me a small travel flat iron. Something I know we will both be sharing :)

My husband went all out this year, guilty maybe for not doing so well last birthday. He bought me the new Cricut Cake machine. something that will make my fancy with cakes a dream. It is scheduled to be shipped on the 26th! I can't wait! He also gave me 2 sets of silver hoop earrings. Nice! Plus he is taking me to dinner. I can't complain. I am blessed! I also received a letter from my friend Joey, who even though he is going through a rough patch in his life. I was blessed to hear from him.

I am happy, My family and friends are healthy and near... life will be better this new year! I can't wait!

J...is for Joshten ...AKA Manga King!

So I began my J, with my journey to my inner Marilyn , but I also have a real special J...My baby boy, Josh. Baby boy is one title he surely only wants to hear in the confines of our home...since he is a 12 yr old teen! Where mom's hugs are no longer a public viewing and I love you's are like secret CIA coding...lol

Jay and I have been blessed with two beautiful and wonderful kids, which are so creative and also so different. My Joshy...one of the many nicknames he has acquired, is very loving ad compassionate. He is one of the most caring young men I have met. He is passionate about Manga and all things Japanese. A passion we both share. I try to keep up with his Manga world, but its crazy, but thank goodness he has a great knack for patience for me, when it comes to understanding the world according to Josh. He is very funny and creative. He is also the first one to be completely honest and say that my purple scarf...the one I am still working on is too wide...lol I love him for that. For his honesty and innocence.

He is also expressing himself more as an individual now and even though a bit shy has plenty of conversations regarding girls with his cousin, Josian. His cousin, who is like his brother and is his best friend.

He loves to torment his sister, who always falls for his schemes. They also are beginning to share a lot of teenage loves such as,the Twilight Mania...one love I have not been left from either...aka I am a Twilight MOM 2...lol

My heart melts every time he comes over and gives me a hug and as he grows and his personality evolves and his voice begins to change, I still see the little mischievous boy who use to love to empty out my drawers in the kitchen and sit inside them...lol I still see the little boy that unlike his sis, walked right into pre-school like he owned the place and said," Bye Mami," before I was even ready to do it. So confident, even at age 4. He carried his big book bag that made him look like a turtle, so cute, I still see that turtle with his huge book bag carrying everything to and from school at age 12...lol

I love how he can interact and spend time with his dad, and talk about everything "boyz" from cars, to camel packs, weapons and defensive martial arts as well as being Video Game Wizards. At the same time he can listen to me ramble on about my knitting or photography( a passion he has also experimented with, even though he changed the settings on the camera to take ghost pictures...lol ), or helping me get through Guitar Hero, the song Sweet Home Alabama for the 100th time! I love you babe!

He guarantees plenty of grandchildren to call me Nani and is so thoughtful. His heart is so caring and I pray that as he embarks in his new path,leaving Middle School soon and entering the High School Jungle, he remains as considerate and creative, because he already has the looks, the brains and the charisma to sweep any girl off her feet. I love you baby boy! Hugs , Mami

The Journey to my inner Marilyn...

OKay, so Now I have entered the second half of my life... In 5 months I will be turning 36, that was the age Marilyn Monroe sadly died... as an avid MM fan I have decided to take the next year or +++, and instead of a "Bucket List," just go ahead and document my life as I reach my own inner Maddie...lol

Most people have collectibles that they cherish through out their lives, I have acquired a beautiful collection of Willow Tree Angels and many beautiful items from our world travels, but my most cherished collections are my Wonder Woman memorabilia, My Marilyn Monroe pictures and my most favorite... is my library!!! I adore books. I dream of owning a beautiful vintage library, like those seen in New York.

As a child with a difficult childhood I found refuge in my books. It all began when I was 5 years old and I walked into Saint Catherine's small tiny school library and the first book that caught my eye was Madeline... My love of books began. I remember being forced by the librarian to take out another book in the library after filling out the whole check out card...I was the only one who really cared about that book anyway...lol

As an adult I have developed a love for pictures that depict reading. I have two beautiful oil paintings that have Don Quixote on them and he is sitting below a palm tree, reading. I thought they were wonderful gifts from my dad, since Don Quixote was a crazy genius...lol Don't we all tend to be a crazy genius at one time or another...lol

During my 1st journey year( Age 35...lol ) , so far I have excelled as a Pastry instructor and mastered a lot of decorating techniques. So many more left to acquire, so I will never be finished, but I am finally getting noticed for my work. Not too many people know how much work and prep goes into executing a beautifully decorated cake.They just think that it can be done like the ones in the TV cake shows, within an hour...lol . I love making cakes and I had a Betty crocker spoon as a baby toy...lol Let's see how many more cake endeavors I encounter though out this journey...lol That should be interesting...lol

Those of us with inner Martha Stewarts tend to bond, and with my position as a decorating instructor I have met so many awesome creative ladies. Mainly my friends Gladys and Alida. My partners in crime. Gladys has helped in my creative journey by signing me up for as many classes as she can get her hands on...lol

So in my creative agenda, aka Glady's classes, I have ventured into one stroke painting, and now knitting. So right now a 5 hour scarf project has turned into a 2+ week project, but I will be happily walking around with my purple scarf soon...lol She has also signed us up for a knitting sock class. Oh My Gawwd, that should be a trip. Hey even my daughter and hubby are asking for a scarf and my son wants wristbands...ooohh lets see how I will gear up my knitting needles for those projects...lol

My creativity also expands to my other passion...Photography. I have been taking pictures since I can remember. I have a nice collection of vintage cameras. I remember using the disk camera, original Polaroids and the 110 film cameras, before our famous 35 mm and now Digital craze!I love to take pictures of landscapes, especially ones that transport you to that place when you see them. New York Gallery here I come...lol I can not go too long without going on my photo escapades, I will be taking some new pictures to add to my portfolio...Besides the gallery maybe someday one of my photos will make an impact and pop up on a famous cover, but its just a dream...lol

So the journey continues...because well behaved women rarely make history!

Wow! Exciting New Year!

Hello all, It has been a little while since I have been able to get on. This year has been crazy and definitely full of lots of changes!

I finished my Wilton courses and was offered a position as an instructor for Jo-Ann's. So starting in March, I will be their new instructor...OMG! It is very exciting and its something I love. Its my artistic medium. More info on it to come!

So for all of you that know me, you know I love to work with my community and share! So I found this awesome charity ...Free Cakes For Kids.

I have opened a chapter here in Prince William County and it has been going great!



I have 5 volunteers so far and we have already signed up with another charity called Homestretch, here in Falls Church,VA.

We are getting orders left & right! Its real exciting, even though I have taken over my kitchen...lol

My chapter serves children and military deployed families. Its so much fun!
I will keep informing on it.

keep blogging soon,
M

Book Review: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

An Exact Replica Of A Figment of My Imagination: A Memoir.

Elizabeth McCracken’s writes a heartbreaking honest memoir of her experience as a mother of a stillborn baby. Her story is compelled by the present day joy of having a second child. She writes of a life where not remembering her first child is impossible. Her life and pregnancies are portrayed in a whirlwind of emotions and events, having given birth to her first child in France and then returning to have her second child in New York.

My Opinion: It has been a while since I read a very touching non-fiction. As a mother, I felt every emotion through her pages. The worry, fear, sadness and joy were very dignified. She did not write a book as a victim, but as a survivor of a tragedy. A loving tribute to anyone who has endured the unthinkable and for all of us who live with the fear or know someone who does, or has. The book is short, but every word is just enough. The title is perfect. It is so moving that it makes you want to reach through the pages and hug her.

As I read this book, I thought of my mother. I was one of her miracle babies. My mother lost 4 children. The pain I could have never endured. Her first baby boy, she named Antonio, was stillborn. I felt her pain, just like Elizabeth’s. I was the miracle second child, only because she said I lodged myself in her rib and refused to budge. When I was 4, I attended the funeral of Chavela, (short for Isabella). She was my mother’s third daughter, who only survived a few days. Her lungs failed her. I remember the returning of baby clothes and wondering why we could not wake the baby. I would find out later that my mother had lost one child before me, Antonio, another son, and another daughter before Chavela.

Then my sister Noraida was born, with help of a sutured cervix and full high risk bed rest. My brother was to be born, also, Antonio, finally a son. Who would encounter an allergic reaction to a polio shot, which resulted in cerebral palsy.

I think of my mother and dream of the hug I will give her as soon as I see her again (Hopefully for Christmas). For as a mother, and as a daughter, I understand her courage and strength. As well as her unfaltering faith. Thank you for the courage to have more children. Thank you for me.

Book Review: The Heretic's Daughter

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Kathleen Kent is a direct descendant of Martha Carrier, and in Kent's first novel, "The Heretic's Daughter," describes the struggle the Carrier family underwent during a very long year through the eyes of Sarah Carrier.

A struggle that ended with the death of her mother, as well as 19 other people suspected of being witches in the year of 1692.

This novel is a powerful coming-of-age tale in which the story is told through the eyes not of Martha, but of her daughter, Sarah. Sarah, is a freckled red haired, 10 year old child in search of her own individuality, but vulnerable in the middle of the Salem witch trials.

Sarah’s uneventful life consisted of chores, distasteful town girls that bullied her and a yearning for a better family. She dreamed of a family where her mother did not alienate the neighbors, as well as her own family with her sharp tongue and sternness.

This story portrays the fear and strength of a mother who refuses to go against her own pride and how her daughter finds the inner strength that comes from the bond of a family. A family hardened by a raw and honest rendering throughout one of the most unforgettable darkest time in history.

My Opinion: I liked this novel, even though it didn’t become a page turner until it was half way through. It is a great historical narrative for young adults.

DEEVA CHARMING...has arrived!

We rushed to Baltimore, MD, yesterday as a surprise for my daughter. We finally got her a puppy. She wanted a Yorkie and we agreed getting another Maltese would be better ( and cost effective). We are so not disappointed! Deeva Charming is the most beautiful puppy I have seen in a while. She looks exactly like Yoshi, our 3 year old Maltese. Yoshi was not as happy as we were, he was not mean to her in any way, he just did the typical male thing...he ignored her. He is still doing it and reaching for our affection every chance he can. A big brother little baby syndrome, I suppose. No matter what, we will always love you, Yoshi!

My daughter and I decided to name her DEEVA Charming because those are my daughter's initials too. My daughter's name also has d-e-e, in it so it suited her, plus we are in Va now. So it sounded cool and she so lives up to her name. She is soo cute and soo tiny. She is a 10 week old teacup Maltese. Her parents were both 3 lbs. fully grown, so imagine how tiny she will be. We always thought Yoshi was tiny at 4 lbs, but she is going to beat him, for sure. We decided to add her middle name, Charming, because while we were in MD, we decided to drive by the Charm City Cake Shop, where Ace of Cakes star, Duff is the chef. We took pics and had fun!

Deeva has been settling in perfectly with her princess pink bed and her cute pink and black fur coat and her hair clips, which are to die for. She is getting really comfortable in her new home with her new family. We are so blessed to have such an awesome family with two of the most beautiful dogs. Deeva is a blessing and she is soo cute!!!! I can't wait to see her running and playing around the house. It will happen soon enough for sure, but first potty training is in order...ahhhhh.