Inner MARILYN...

Where am I?

2010-06-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-04-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-11-30T13:30:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-11-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-03-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

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.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1 ... Triumph!

2008-11-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

Whew!!! My kids and I finally finished the Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1 and honestly the hardest thing for me and the kids were the roses. I love the courses and it makes me curious and happy to continue... I can't wait. Tomorrow my daughter and I will be embarking on to the second course... I am so siked! I am not too happy about learning more flowers but, hey you have to learn that to be better and move on the the best part...tatahhhh....fondant! In my final cake I made yellow roses. I will continue to practice...practice...practice... until I finally get them right. They look easy when you look at them, but you have to have the following;

The right icing consistency

The right decorating tip

The right counter clockwise movement

The right color

The right arrangement

If you have any of these off, your roses will be off. I had a lot of trouble with the right icing consistency and the counterclockwise movement. I am still practicing. The cake decorating journey continues. I will check in later and let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!

I is for....Inspiration

2008-10-15T21:18:00.001-07:00

Hey, Its been a while since I got on, but a lot has been going on. Jay is getting ready for his surgery and more...This is for another post...lol

I wanted to talk today about my new inspiration...Cake designing! Yes, there is a difference between cake decorating and cake designing. Cake decorators only copy traditional designs and other people's work, while cake designers venture out to the bold! They make their own designs, patterns, unique cakes. They are not afraid to make mistakes in the icings and the flavors. Even though in decorating a cake...there is never a mistake...! Compliments fo our instructor.

I am excited, because I had been looking into taking cake decorating courses for years, but never really made the time. While I was in Japan there were plenty of classes but no time to enjoy them. I could kick myself for that! Hey, everything happens for a reason right, maybe my cakes would have tasted nasty if I made them over there...lol

So I finally saw the Wilton Cake Decorating sign at my local Micheal's Craft store and without a blink signed myself up and the kids. They too were very excited.

One thing I learned was that the 2 hours that the classes last are not enough time for a mom and her kids...lol I spent most of my time switching out their icing tips and stuff and ended up practicing my cakes at home in peace. So far so good. Even though its a bit stressful I enjoy sharing this new adventure with them. We are on Course 1 class 3. We have learned so much and my neighbor and Jay's Marines are enjoying all the cakes we send their way. Need taste testers, give your cakes to hungry Marines...They never say its bad...LOL

So we have learned cool things like pattern transfers and we are working on making roses. I need sooo much practice... but I love it. I am learning from my mistakes. It is so different from teaching or photography for sure. I have to make sure I do not taste test the icing too much...lol

My daughter and I are already signed up for Course 2. We can't wait! I like it a lot that we can share this new passion, especially when being a teenager is so hard. Cake bonding...literally! My son opted to go and finish painting model cars and play guitar with Dad. Hey, its all good. I need taste testers too! They gladly volunteered!

Be prepared though for all the expenses that creep up with cake decorating. Besides the classes and the tools and the cakes, icing, ingredients and more... you are hoping to sell a cake soon after you learn how to make it look and taste presentable to break even... I need a couple more classes to get there. I love the fact that Micheal's and A.C. Moore gives a lot of weekly coupons. That has helped a lot. Especially in this course 1, that we have to get all the supplies times 3.

For our first cakes we decorated a dog, Tweety bird and a butterfly. They all found good homes...lol Tweety went to the Marines, the butterfly went to my neighbor and the dog is half way gone, compliments of us. It tastes great! We were shocked...lol

Its funny how people find out you are taking a course and then start asking for you to begin creating, my mom wants the Dominican cake, that is so popular at most NYC uptown/Bronx bakeries. Let's see how that goes. I have an awesome recipe for an espresso icing...ohhh Starbucks cake...dreamy! I tell you the decorating and designing is more addicting than the sugar it takes to make them!

Hopefully soon I will be able to create the beautiful cake ideas I have in my head, and of course make sure they look like I expect. Right now I have the ideas and the dreams, lets see if my skills can catch up! Stay tuned! Here we come!

REVIEW: THE BOOK OF LIES

2008-09-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

In Chapter Four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world's most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history. In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son dreamed of a bulletproof man and created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found. Until now.

Today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cal Harper comes face-to-face with his family's greatest secret: his long-lost father, who's been shot with a gun that traces back to Mitchell Siegel's 1932 murder. But before Cal can ask a single question, he and his father are attacked by a ruthless killer tattooed with the ancient markings of Cain. And so begins the chase for the world's first murder weapon.

What does Cain, history's greatest villain, have to do with Superman, the world's greatest hero? And what do two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common?

This is the mystery at the heart of Brad Meltzer's riveting and utterly intriguing new thriller.

REVIEW:

According to the fourth chapter of Genesis, Cain and Abel ,the first children born of Adam and Eve began the whirlwind treasure hunting roller coaster ride of ,"The Book of Lies."

When Cain chose to kill his brother, Abel he committed the sin of murder and so it was unleashed to the world. An all forgiving God , decided Cain would live out his life roaming the earth, but gave him forgiveness with a mark that protected him from the same fate of his brother. The mystery continued with the search for the weapon that Cain used to kill Abel with?

Was the murder weapon a horn of an animal, a rock or even a jaw bone.The mystery of the murder weapon unfolds...

In 1932, Jerry Mitchell created the most worshipped hero, the immortal, bullet proof man, "Superman", after the brutal murder of his father, Mitchell Siegel. A murder that has still to be solved. Was he shot ? Or did he die of a heart attack? His family is still conflicting the verdict.

This is where these two murders collide... The search for this answer is the root of the suspense of Brad Meltzer's new thriller, " The Book of Lies."

In the middle of the search is Cal Harper. A good samaritan, a hero for the homeless and ex-ICE agent in Florida.

On one fateful night Cal and his partner Roosevelt, a defrocked Methodist pastor, stumble over a homeless man who was shot and bleeding in a park. Cal, surprisingly discovered it was a man he had not seen for nineteen years, his own father, Lloyd Harper.

The last time Cal saw his father was through the eyes of a scared 9 year old who had just witnessed the murder of his mother by the hand's of his father. The moment when Cal became an orphan.

In the rush to the hospital, he searches his father's possessions, where he finds a shipment receipt, one of many he had seen before as a Customs agent. Unbenounced to him, Cal is not the only on after the shipment...With this the whirlwind of search, betrayal and murder unfold in this page turning plot, for the search of the "Book of Lies."

Meltzer brilliantly showcases a story of the relationship and trials between a father and son with the murders of the biblical son, Abel and the homicide of the father of the creator of "Superman," Mitchell Siegel. The shipment Cal discovers is the key to uniting the mysteries of these crimes.."

The thrilling suspense collides with the first truth in the Book of Lies: "In the chosen families, the son was always far more dangerous than the father."

With the search of the most historical truth, other suspects are always pulling the strings and never too far behind waiting to steal the treasure as soon as Cal and his father find it.

Meltzer has done a phenomenal job adding intriguing characters. He sums it all up in his foreword stating that,

"Every writer has a story they've been waiting their whole life to tell. This is mine. The book is fiction, but it is based on fact. Most important, ‘The Book of Lies' isn't just a thriller about hero and villain. It's a story about us — the idea that all of us, in all our ordinariness, can change the world. The best stories are the ones we believe in. This is one I hope will challenge your beliefs."

This book is definitely a thumbs up! It will touch your heart, make your pressure rise and draw you closer to the search of historical mysteries. All in a swift story where heroes like "Superman" are born and ordinary men like, Cal find their inner heroes, the one is all of us...

Maddie

Book of Lies

By Brad Meltzer

Grand Central, $25.99

OMG! Free Starbucks!

2008-09-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

I just received this email. Its worth spreading!

Starbucks Offers Free Coffee for Homeschool Parents

This coming Monday, September 29, homeschool parents will be able to pick up a complimentary tall size (12 fl. oz.) cup of Pike Place Roast from Starbucks.
This promotion is part of Starbucks “Great Start for Great Teachers” promotion, and is now open to all teachers.

HSLDA intervened when we were alerted that homeschool parents were not included in the promotion.
We are pleased that Starbucks is recognizing the contribution of homeschool parents by extending their program to us.

In order to pick up your free cup of Pike Place Roast you will need to present evidence that you are a homeschooler.
Any one item on the following list should be accepted by Starbucks:

Home School Legal Defense Association membership card.
Membership card from a state homeschooling organization.
Notification from a school district or state government recognizing compliance with compulsory attendance.

Paperwork submitted showing intent to establish a homeschool program.

Paperwork showing the establishment of a private school.
If you don’t have one of the items on this list be creative and try to provide other proof of homeschooling.

Please note: the final decision about whether to accept proof of homeschooling resides with Starbucks.

We hope you choose to take advantage of this offer.
To print out additional copies of your membership card, visit the online HSLDA membership services page.

Review: THE MAN WHO MADE VERMEERS

2008-09-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a cool review I just received...

From Publishers Weekly:
(Starred Review) In this engaging study, art historian Lopez examines the fascinating case of Han van Meegeren, a notorious Dutch art forger. Van Meegeren, who sold Hermann Goering a fake Vermeer, was charged with collaboration; he became a folk hero for duping the Nazi leader. But according to Lopez, van Meegeren was a successful forger long before WWII, and contrary to van Meegeren's claim that he was avenging himself on the art critics who had scorned his own work, Lopez says he was motivated by financial gain and Nazi sympathies: What is a forger if not a closeted ‹bermensch, an artist who secretly takes history itself for his canvas?î Lopez asks provocatively. The author gives a vivid portrait of the 1920s Hague, a stylish place of mischief where van Meegeren learned his trade, and brilliantly examines the influence of Nazi Volksgeist imagery on van Meegeren's The Supper at Emmaus, part of his forged biblical Vermeer series. Lopez's writing is witty, crisp and vigorous, his research scrupulous and his pacing dynamic.

Visit the book website to learn more: http://rs1.netatlantic.com/t/108972/10296574/2116/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3RoZW1hbndob21hZGV2ZXJtZWVycy5jb20v&x=248c57e7

Or go directly to Amazon to buy the book.

Happy birthday to my princess

2008-09-21T21:52:00.001-07:00

We had a very nice birthday party for my daughter, WOW! 14... I can't believe it. I still see the little girl that walked around all the time with big purses and mommy's stilettos, saying " Ishi mami, ishi" ( kissy mami kissy). I remember the first time I saw my precious daughter. I was barely 20 years old. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. She had this cute porcupine hair straight up on her head...lol perfect for holding up barrettes. I remember how petrified, Jay and I were when we brought her home. Everything was yellow and teddy bears because even at her sonogram she was stubborn and refuse to show, everything at her pace and at her time.

The day I took her to preschool was the hardest for me, she cried for 2 weeks straight every time I left her. All the other mothers , just smiled and told me that it would all be okay. It broke my heart.

Even though school has always been a bit of a struggle she is the most creative child I have seen. She loves fashion, a passion I had at her age. I dreamed of going to the High school of art and design in NYC when I was a teenager. My parents had another choice, they decided going to an all girl school would be best and there was the end of my fashion career.

I can not wait to see how she blossoms. Even though a sweet sixteen is soo close...lol OMG!

I know the hardest struggles are ahead and we have already not seen eye to eye to a lot , but I life her up to the Lord and pray he guide her way always.

At her birthday I saw the way this one boy she had a crush on - Orlando, a nephew of my uncle's wife. She was so shy and so was he. The innocence you usually do not see anymore in today's youth. Jay and I know that he will not be the only boy coming around...lol Jay will be at the door with his military drill sergeant voice ready for a grillin'...lol God help us all.

I pray everyday for my baby girl, because life is difficult and being a beautiful and innocent teenager makes life harder. The teenage years are the best and the worst. The mistakes linger forever. I am confident she will be just as stubborn as when we had her sonogram, at her pace at her time.

Butterflies, fashion, music , dance, cheer leading... these are her best years and I am just as scared as when she came home, but she is strong and I know she will find her way.

Happy 14th birthday my darling princess! Love always Mami.

H is for... The 9-11 story

2008-09-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

H is for Happiness. I am not talking about the happiness you get from having a beautiful baby of from being at your ideal weight, or even a promotion. I am talking about that surreal feeling you get when you feel you have lost something forever and then it is not so.

This is my story of 9-11, something I will never forget.

My morning routine was the same as many other days, my daughter went off to school and my baby boy went off to the daycare. Then Jay and I would head into NYC where I would head to John Jay College for school and he would head to the World Trade Center Tower 1 on the 31st floor, Merryl Lynch.

We usually would be on our way to NYC before 8:30am, but that morning my son was so upset, he did not want Jay to go to work, the daycare teacher had to pry him off of him, hysterically. Something he had never done before. I found it awkward, but we kept on with our morning routine. We did the park and ride and made small talk that I do not remember now. When we got to the train station Jay headed downtown while I headed uptown. It was the first time I felt this weird surreal feeling. We stood looking at each other on opposite platforms and then suddenly his train came and all I saw was how he was whisked away from the train like in a movie. I had a weird feeling about how it looked, like if it was the last time I would see him, like he was to disappear.

Then by 10:30 I began to hear all this commotion in the halls while I sat with about 30 other students in a psych class. The teacher stepped out to see the commotion and then we were all called to the cafeteria to view the TV. Everyone was going crazy, running, crying, screaming. It was really scary, like walking slowly in a terrifying horror movie.

By the time I reached the cafeteria TV, I saw the Pentagon. I was shocked ,but I was more in a daze than panic. Then I turned away and then I decided to look back at the TV. At that time it was the worst feeling I had endured in my whole life. The towers where gone by then. 10:35 am. My whole world was gone.

I do not know how I walked out of school. All I remember repeating was," OMG! He is dead, I know he is dead". So many things ran through my head. The kids were still in NJ, how do I get to them? I walked from 59th street and 7th avenue to 71 street and 2nd avenue, with 4 inch heel boots and never once felt the pain, something I would not have done sanely. For those of you that have never been to NYC, that was walking across town, it was a real long distance. Some 15-20 miles at least. There were many people walking the same way, all walking like zombies.

I decided to go to my parent's home on 71 street because I knew that was our home port, if anything ever happened Jay would go there. Of course I kept trying my cell phone which didn't work. I walked in shock all the way to my parents' home.

When I reached there my sister was there and my mom, my dad had already been called to the Auxiliary Police Dept, where we all belonged to. My mother was a mess because they all knew Jay was there and they thought I too was there, since sometimes Jay and I got to the city early and had breakfast at the Winter garden at the WTC. Something we did not do that day because of my son, we ran late, a blessing?

I learned no one had heard of Jay and my handicap brother was also missing, his high school was only blocks away from the site. People bombarded my moms house with calls from everywhere including PR, to see if Jay was home and if we were all fine. We were devastated. I secured my kids with the our wonderful landlord in NJ at the time, Ms. Lucy. She safeguarded my kids until I could find a way out of the city and get to them. I could not find my brother or husband and had no idea when I would be able to get to my children. It was the deepest pain inside I could have ever felt. Tears rise as I write. It was horrible.

I stood in front of the building just waiting and hoping Jay would walk up and my brother too. Suddenly in the middle of all the crowd I saw a wheel chair flying down the block, Thank goodness, it was my brother. We asked him how he got home? All the traffic, no trains, buses chaotic... He said a total stranger in a blue car asked him if he needed a ride, my brother said he felt safe and decided to go with the guy. Something you never do...He said they drove in the street like if there were no cars, it was a smooth ride????? Well how could that be?? The streets were piled on by cars and people , something from the end of the world movie...

He said the driver took him all the way to the top of the block where my parents' lived and then when he got out and turned around to thank him, the car was gone. He said all he saw was the bumper to bumper traffic that we all saw. There was no place the car could of gone??? Can we say an angel protected him?? I would say yes. Thank you God!

So by this time, I was glad that my brother was home and I began to figure out what my next plan of action would be... just when I decided I was going to go back to the WTC area to see what I was to do about a missing person, my cell phone rang.

All I remember were his words. "Honey, it's me, are you alright?" I was speechless. "I replied, "No honey, are you alright?" Then suddenly coming down the block I saw this man, covered in debris, bleeding from his head, where there were all kinds of glass and stuff.Covered in white gray powder... We ran to each other, like in the romance novels and just cried for what seemed to be forever. I thanked God for bringing him home. I was not left behind.

After getting him situated we knew the next thing was to find a way to get to the children. We took my father's beat up little station wagon, which was left on the NJ turnpike because people just left the cars and began to walk due to the gridlock. We walked all the way to the Secaucus exit and thanking the Lord again that we had rented a house that was behind the turnpike, making it easy to jump over the fence and into our back yard. We finally got to the children.

My daughter was very upset, even though at her 8 yrs of age, knew her dad worked at the WTC buildings, the ones we could see from our kitchen. My baby boy, just slept. Something I think affected my daughter very much.

That day became a wound that was opened every year as we saw the celebrations on the news and on the papers, year after year, and 7 years later there still debating over politics of what is to be built on the ground zero site, will it finally be a freedom tower or not. Something that makes me angry. It has become a political money game.

It has become easier to listen and deal with that day for all of us. We no longer go to work on that day or school. It has been our own D- day . A day we take and remember how precious our family is to us. The day we almost lost it all.

We lost many friends and the days right after the attack were a blur, funerals, calls, grieving. Jay lost over 500 people that worked in his tower. How did he survive? This is his story...

Well I asked him to mail a bill we had and when the first plane hit, he was asked to leave the premises. He stood outside smoking a cigarette thinking of how stupid a pilot was to make a mistake and fly into the building. He dropped the letter off in the post office that was less than a block away. He then watched how in a blink of an eye and as many of his co- workers were returning back into the building... a second plane hit and all of a sudden the buildings began to collapse. He ran and with him a second co worker ran, but suddenly a piece of steel debris fell near them, his Marine instincts kicked in and he hid under a mail truck, the co -worker was killed brutally by the debris. Something he is scarred for ever with, that vision haunts him till today.

I pray for all the families that lost their loved ones and I grieve all the time because of that day. Yes, you learn to move on, since we have never even found Osama. I pray today for all of us. For this day will never be forgotten. It will always be a reality. They succeeded to instill fear and grief. Something we will never forget. 9-11 will be embedded in our lives forever. God help us and keep us safe, from this day on...

G is for...

2008-09-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

So since I was on a role, I definitely wrote what G- stood for. My G- word for this week is Geisha. Yes, it is naive to think that Geishas are just Asian ladies of the night. I lived in Japan and trust me it is not always so. Many have just taken the traditional kimonos and used them for not so traditional means, but not all. That is a shame. I would say its like the people who take the American flag and make a bikini out of it. There is just so much patriotism you could have before you end up insulting the symbol that should be worn with pride.

Here are some cool facts I have learned throughout the years about Geishas:

Geisha
To see a geisha in your dream, represents beauty, charm, poise and grace.
To dream that you are a geisha, indicates that you are well-balanced in your personal, social, and professional life. You adjust well in various situations

A maiko (apprentice Geisha) wears a tall platform sandal called a(n):
Okobo. The okobo is characteristic of the maiko and is used to keep her elegant kimono from dragging.

The Geisha uses this plant extract to color her lips:
Safflower. The Geisha's lips are painted in carefully and then covered in crystallized sugar to make them shine.

What is a geisha's wig called?
Katsura. A geisha's wig costs upwards of 2,000 US dollars for a new one.

The maiko's sash clasp is called a(n):
Pocchiri. The Maiko wears an elaborate pocchiri

The mother of a geisha house is called a(n):
Okasan. The Okasan will sometime legally adopt one of her Geisha to become the heir to the Okiya (Geisha House)

Each Ochaya (tea house) has a kitchen to prepare their banquets.
f. The Ochaya have delivery-men who bring each banquet from a special to-go restaurant called a Shidashi.

How many days is a Miko allowed of free time every month?
Until the beginning of the 1950's the Maiko weren't allowed any leisure time.

The white paste makeup is called:
Shironuri. The Maiko will have someone else do her makeup for the first time, but she must learn to do it herself afterwards.

When an Onesan takes on an apprentice (maiko) they preform a ceremony together called an omisedashi.

The Geisha and Maiko will preform a ceremony called San-San-Kudo to bind them together as older and younger sister.

A Maiko must get her hair done every morning.
Maiko get their hair done only once a week and must sleep on an elevated pillow to keep their hair intact.

What color will a Maiko stain her teeth for a month before becoming a full Geisha?
Black. A Maiko will stain her teeth black, which dates back to the Heian period, for a month before her Erikae (change to a Geiko).

A Kasa (parasol) is made of:
Bamboo and Silk. The Kasa is fairly heavy, and is rarely seen in modern Japan.

Which of these is not a traditional Geiko instrument:
Bachi. The Geiko that preform music are called Jikata, whereas the dancing Geiko are called Tachikata.

I loved the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha. I saw it while living in Japan and it had so much more meaning. The life of a Geisha is sad, and many of them do not have a choice as to becoming a Geisha or not. So, if you ever have the pleasure of seeing a beautiful geisha up close, just admire her beauty for that is what makes her strong. To endure a life I know many of us would not be able to.They are a perfect example of when not to judge a book by its cover.

F is for....

2008-09-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am a bit behind on my ABC Wednesday blog challenge, but here I am...lol Hey its my blog and I can do whatever I want ...lol

So I decided for the letter F this week I was going to write about my FAMILY! I went to NYC to see my family for Labor Day. We had a nice time. I even got a treat to see my nephews from Boston as a surprise. I was so happy, even though I ended up in a cast because I hurt my ankle real bad... yeah just genetics I know I have weak ankles, so I was not going to let it get me down. I have been frustrated...ooohh another F- word, F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-E-D for this week, because of the cast, but only for another week! YEEHEEEYY!!

My parents are getting ready to move to their new home, their empty nest home and finally retire. God Bless them and give them many more years to enjoy it. I got to see cool videos of the acres the house is on. It was funny teasing my mom about her self video tapping techniques. I think almost 100 times she taped herself waving at the camera...lol I also saw many cousins, I have not seen in years on the video as well.

Wow...how time flies??? It seems not long ago that I was still seeing them when I lived with them during high school. Whew...its been 17 yrs since then. I hope to see my family again on my daughter's birthday this month. I am excited! I have traveled a lot and have only briefly in 17 years lived where my family was.

Even though I have been away, NYC will always be home. I feel like I belong there and I love to spend time with my family, even though... every family has its drama moments..., hey that's the spice of life. Those are the stories I will tell my grandchildren some day.

So, with this I leave you about families...its a poem I found online:

To Me What Family is

Family to me has many meanings...

For all are full of diverse feelings

Love and anger, both within a single one

Children who stay and children who run

Can one family be better than another?

It all depends on how they love each other

A family’s love should last forever

Bonds of love nothing can sever

For the family I have, I am happy and blessed

And nothing more truthful have I ever confessed

Family has many meanings, but one rises above

The greatest meaning of family, is that of love !

Glaedr the poet

...BOLO For the yard sale snatchers!!!

2008-08-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

Morse code message coming in...ttt.tttt..ttt.... Be on the look out! There has been a rash of yard sale sign snatching in the surrounding Woodbridge areas...ttt.tttt.ttt... please be aware. Staple, glue,tape your signs for the perpetrators are at large.....

Okay, so I am just having some fun!! We had our first garage sale in VA for this this year and we went to the dollar general store and bought some real cool garage sale signs and labeled and tagged everything. It took us about 2 days to get everything ready. I loved getting rid of so many things so we could finally not have packed things all over the place. So on Friday, Jay went whistling on his way to put the signs up for a grand yard sale. When he returned I told him that we should go check the signs and make sure that they would still be up by night fall. Hey, what can I say, I am paranoid! I grew up in NYC, where there is no leave your house door or car door open policy, ever...lol

Sure enough, three of our signs were gone!!! 3 out of 6! Okay, how could that be? Maybe it was a "new neighbor" initiation or some teenage kids on a prank, maybe their last for the summer? I was a little annoyed, but no big deal. They are the losers! I was still positive enough! Jay on the other hand was livid, since he was the one who had put all the signs up. So to make everything all well again I headed to my school art area and got some bright neon pink paper, large markers and thick clear tape and made 7 new signs. And I-HO...I-HO..On the way we go...lol

We put as many signs as we could and trust me they were visible! We also posted the sale on Craig's list and left it up to God's hands whatever happened.

Rise and shine we took out the 300+ books and furniture, etc. Things we had either left over from the previous owners or somehow packed from NYC or Japan. We had 5 large buffet tables full of stuff. The sale was scheduled from 8-2pm, but by 7: 30 the early birds were already on the hunt! Jay was so working his salesman magic. We even met 2 new neighbors, that was cool.

It was a long day and we had fun, but hey we made in the 3 figures! All for things we were just hoarding! We packed what we did not want to bring back in and headed to the Purple Heart Military Thrift shop. as we returned from eating at our favorite Chinese restaurant we saw that 2 of our signs were again on the run... Jay again was a bit annoyed, but I just brushed it off.

What did we learn...we learned not to spend money on yard sale signs, make your own and make plenty in case the snatchers ever come back. Wear plenty of sun screen and begin hoarding for next years garage sale. Its easy money. I can't wait and we are already gearing up for the invasion next year of the snatchers for sure!

E is for EIGNE...

2008-08-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Dictionary: Eigne
a. [OF. aisné, ainsné, F. aîné, fr. L. ante natus born before. Cf. Esnecy.]
1. (Law) Eldest; firstborn

I thought this challenge from the ABC Wednesdays blog would be a fun thing to join. So here I go... Every Wednesday you write in something new about a specific letter. This week is the letter E. There are many of bloggers on. Check out the URL on my favorite blogs to read a lot more about the letter E...lol

I chose E is for Eigne. So unless you have read the definition you would probably have no clue what the word means. Its one of those words that you learn and hardly ever use. Until low and behold you have a blog and join a challenge...lol you get it.

I know all about living as an Eigne. I am an oldest daughter. Wow! The drama of being a first born. I put my hat down to all those that share my joy and my burden...lol Of course I was the child who would never think of defying my parents, compared to my rambunctious little sister, I was Mother Theressa. yeah , so why couldn't we have traded places. Maybe because she could not have played the role, who knows. I am glad I was the older sister, even though there are times I wish they would just grow up...lol As an older sister, I had to wake up real early to walk my sister to school who was always late and then run a 400 meter dash to get to my school, praying I would not be late. yeah, maybe someday she will say thanks for me having to stay in detention because of her...Hey, but I did have some killer running legs...lol My little brother has been a handful too but since we are 8 years , I played the older nurturing sister most of the time with him. Even though he is 26 now and has his own little one to tend to.

I look at my daughter now and she is the new Eigne in our family. Even though she gets frustrated sometimes she cares and loves her little brother in her own way. I know too she will have her own stories of being the older sister. I have always loved being a big sister and I am thankful I have some great siblings who let me try that hat on for size!

Here are some fun facts:

Birth Order: First Born

Anything a first-born child does is a big deal, simply because it's a first for his or her family. Until a second child comes along, family and friends usually shower first-borns with attention. As a result, many first-born kids end up with a lot of natural confidence. Hey, I still remember my 5th Christmas. I had soo many gifts and they were all for me...lol Until Nory came along... Then I had to learn to share...even though she never did...lol

Did you know...
That almost all of the U.S. Presidents were either the first-born child or the first-born son in their families?

All but two of the first astronauts sent into space were first-borns, and the other two were "only children"?

Famous First-Borns:

George W. Bush
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Bill Cosby
Oprah Winfrey

Here are some personality traits that are common in first-borns:

Confident: All that attention over everything you do makes you more likely to believe in yourself.

Determined: Because your family might depend on you to get things done, you're probably good about finishing the projects you start.

Born Leader: Whether on the soccer field or in the classroom, you are often in charge. Oldest children are usually given the responsibility of baby-sitting and taking care of the house, so they get early training in being the boss. That is why I am the boss in our house...lol My husband is a second child...lol

Organized: You probably know where to find things, like your books, your Mom's keys, or your homework assignment. Even if your folders are a little messy, it's likely that you have a system. Huge pet peeve!!!

Eager to Please: It's easy for oldest children to fall into this routine because they started out with a very strong need for Mom and Dad's approval, and eventually this spilled over to other adults such as teachers or coaches. When there's a job to be done, it's usually a first-born who jumps up and says "I'll do it!" This one has gotten me in a lot of trouble...I am a volunteer-aholic. I love doing it, but sometimes I bite more than I can chew...lol

Likes to Avoid Trouble: When people expect a great deal from you, it can be hard to speak up or complain about something. You might not want to be seen as causing problems or less than "perfect."

So, being the oldest has its up and downs. There's definitely some pressure that comes with it!

Parents might expect more of you. Plus, they're still trying to set up the rules of the family, so they might be stricter with you. This was a true fact, hey my sister still gets away with murder...lol

If you're a first-born, these feelings may be familiar:
"Everyone depends on me."
"I can't get away with anything."
"I don't get to be a kid."
"Why do I have to do it? Nobody else does anything around here."
"How come I'm responsible for what my little brother or sister did?"

The Empty Nest

2008-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

The kids returned back with my sister to finish out there last two weeks of summer in NYC with my parents. So I of course went though my " MOM STAGES..." I was first happy for them, then I was so worried that they would not be taken care of, then I began to dream about the horrors that happen when kids are away. Right now I am in the stage of content. They have been gone for less than a week, and I am not yet running out to see the doc for anxiety meds... I am holding on strong. They will be okay... so I pray. They are being taken care of by my parents, the people who took care of me as a child...huuummmmm...

Then my sister comes up with the wonderful idea that OH since they did not go to Six Flags while they were here she was taking them, while they were with her. OMG! Didn't she know that there was this tragic accident not to long ago in six flags, Ga. Mockingly, she said they would be fine. So, I prayed and went to sleep. I am waiting to hear of the joy they had at the park. So I am still holding my breath. Jay, my hubby says they will be okay and goes on to mow the lawn. I continue to watch the Olympics taking deep breaths and wanting to head to my Yoga mat.

We are also trying to figure out what the heck we are going to do without the kids...lol First we closed our bedroom door, something done just because we could...lol We have eaten the kids junk food and watched all our shows in peace. We also decided to play some Texas Hold'em. Hey... Let's say he decided to up the anty and he was the one after I beat him at 4 out of 5 games that was feeling a bit chilly...lol Tonight there is a rematch in place, so he says.

I can not imagine in a few years when the kids are off to college and we really become empty nesters, what we will do with our selves...lol We also went to the Farmers market and got a large bag of kettle corn that has lasted 4 days already, more days than if the kids would have been here. We have even planned a garage sale for this weekend. That should be fun! Lets see what the rest of the week has for us. Besides staying in our Pjs all day and acting like crazy teenagers without parents...lol it has been fun. If it lasts only for another week, when we have to go back to the stages of being a mom and dad again. It will be a nice time for us, after 17 years of marriage we can have fun. Something not lost in the whirlwind of parenting.

Happy Birthday Josh

2008-08-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we opted not to go to Six Flags for my baby's 11th birthday, because the weather was so nasty. So I was determined then to find something a video game lover would enjoy. I took out my handy dandy PC and searched for a little bit until I began to dream of what I used to enjoy when I was 11.

So I decided I would have loved a roller skating party! So okay, my hubby asked with a chagrined look on his face," Hunny, who roller skates anymore? The last time we roller skated, we were dating 17 years ago...?" Stunned...Oh no he didn't!!! That was the red cape for the bull... so it then made me more determined to find a skating ring, no matter what! Mom on a mission, look out!

Sure enough there was this cool one in Manassas, and they had BOGO ( buy one get one) free admission, perfect. So my sister-( former roller skating diva), her fiancee, my hubby, and my nephew with my two kids headed all siked up to go to the rink. After a couple of U turns we finally found it. Thanks to our GPS, Lola. It was definitely what you remember of a skating rink. I didn't remember seeing Laser tag in my skating rinks, but hey this is the 21st century...lol

I put on my skates and OMG! They felt as if they were a ton a piece. I was in the corners for a long time. Holding on for dear life. While I watched my son, the Heelys expert look like gumby on the skates...I easily brushed off the guilt that HAH! Yes, there is something mom can beat him at.

I totally ignored my hubby skating by, even backwards, SHOWOFF! My daughter took her falls and got right back up, doing it at her pace at her speed, echoing the way she embraces life. Skating became a metaphor for how we live our lives. My hubby breezing with no worries and helping my little determined gumby, until he skated by me waving, "Hi mom!" My daughter refusing help, but smiled when I skated next to her and me, extra cautious watching them and making sure I did not fall...OMG the embarrassment, I prayed not to fall in front of the kids. They would never let me live it down.

After 4 hours and my feet feeling numb, I called it quits. I tried it, I skated, I conquered and never once fell! Hooray for all moms! A gold medal was won here in Manassas, Va! It was fun and my son said it was the best birthday he had ever had and stated he surely wanted to return. He had an unforgettable party! My mommy duties were done, at least until the next crisis! I will wait with my boxing gloves on. and my PC on my lap...bring it on, after roller skating I can take on the world!

Sex & the City & Friendships

2008-08-10T21:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my sister finally got me to see the Sex and the City movie. Unlike her, I have not been watching the show for the past 10 years. I guess I refused to waste my time watching a movie about uptight single women with too much money and not enough life sense. So, I sit here just wondering why is it that I feel compelled to write about seeing this movie... No, this is not a critique for the movie, it is a search for why I feel the need to write about it. I guess I feel a bit angry, maybe even jealous, hence why I never watched the show. I too grew up in NYC and dreamed of the life they show. The scene where the girl's water breaks, the restaurant was a block away from the apartment I grew up in...The life that has the great friends that last a lifetime no matter what! I mean come on, one of her friends is part of the reason she is left at the alter... Talk about a friendship sinker there!

I guess I have never been that lucky. I have had many friends throughout my life and some have made a great impact on my life, but somehow due to way too many reasons,excuses, god knows whats, they seem to move on. Or vice versa. I would love to have a group of friends that you could be almost 100% truthful with anything about in your life. I have seen the veil over my eyes be ripped way too many times, believing I had found that friend. I think of myself sometimes to wonder why soo many friends have come and gone. Some I have answers for and some I have just let life take its course. One old time friend came back, and it was just more heartache, even though the all time question of " hey I wonder what happened to..." was answered. The movie revolves around LOVE... that is the main theme. All the aspects of it. How it feels when it is wonderful and all the shades it can take when its not. I think I felt many of those emotions over and over plenty of times, and yet I survived. In the last couple of years friends have been scarce, especially because of the so many moving and losing touch... yeah how can losing touch be possible in our era, trust me it happens somehow, sadly. Then I wonder, if that just categorizes that friend that left as a seasonal friend???? Someone who passes through your life after sharing your happiest, saddest moments of that so called... NOW, not of the friends forever kind. Yes, it is very lonely not to have those kind of girlfriends to share the girls night out, the long phone calls, emails etc. about things only the two of you could laugh about. When we were kids making friends was soo simple... Where did it become complicated? Where are those friends that no matter happens they remain? Yes, I look on to family for that companionship, but its not the same. There is something about a stranger understanding your most deepest self that supersedes and hence, a friendship is born.

Lets see, my friends, The ones I wonder about... Friend 1- we were awesome together, except for the fact that I always overlooked her constant retail therapy, we were great, so what happened? Well we moved away and yes we still communicate by those survey or inspirational funny chain emails, that is where we are. Our kids just never really got along and that was a damper. Friend 2. We were inseparable and people thought we were sisters, so what happened. I could no longer bare how her husband degraded her, saying she was dumb etc. Even though she had the talent of a wonderful decorator. I spoke my mind to him soo many times that it was too much for me to bare, even though to her it was okay. It broke my heart, but I had to let her go. I miss her. Friend 3, we used to have so much fun together and it was so cool, then while I was having surgery one day, she got angry because I couldn't call her back...yeah what should I have made of that. I called, left messages,emailed. No reply. Its liked she was looking for a way out? I never saw that one coming. I still miss her terribly, but I know if ever she was to come strolling back it would not be the same, I wondered for too long retracing what it could have been that I did wrong... but it is just life, people come and they go.

I have a good life, my husband and I have our ups and downs, but in a 17 yr military marriage who doesn't. I love my kids and my siblings do not have too much drama. Slowly I wait to see who that new friend will be to stroll in to my life, will they be a seasonal friend or will they stay??? Only time will tell and then you strap on and go for the roller coaster ride again, but this time with your eyes open and your heart pounding. AAAAHHHHH!

Left Behind

2008-08-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the first Left Behind series book, Left Behind by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This book is based on the apocalyptic prophesies of the Book of Revelation. This book begins with the whirl wind story of an airline pilot Captain Rayford Steele, a wayward Christian who is left behind on earth following the end of the world. Rayford and his daughter's gradual climb to self-awareness and repentance as well as the search for answers to the world wide disapearance of loved ones becomes intriguing. The novel is a bit long and it can get a bit drawn out at times. You have to give yourself the push to finish it, but I thought it was worth it. You are engulfed by the novel because of the unique characters. Buck, the NY hot shot reporter, Bruce, the pastor that was left behind and the assumed Anti Christ. Understanding the book became a bit easier for me since I had previously studied a bit of Revelations and Daniel. It was creepy at times, but the ending was a bit shocking.

LEFT BEHIND held a spot on the Publishers Weekly trade paperback best-seller list for 22 weeks.

I began reading the second book of the series, The Tribulation Force., right after. On this book you start off running! Literally the book is whew! I am addicted faster than the first book. You need to endure the first book to enjoy the series I guess. I am waiting to see what happens! I'll let you know. So far I can't put it down...lol A better start from the first book.

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2008-08-07T10:22:00.001-07:00

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2008-08-06T22:05:00.001-07:00

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2008-08-06T21:51:00.001-07:00

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Continuing the search of our past

2008-08-05T06:06:00.001-07:00

I have been searching detail after detail of our history. Some things have been hidden under family secrets and some are just curious. I am excited to go to PR when my parents retire. That is where my parent's history began and where their past can be seen. My father has been more forthcoming with the details of his family, then my mother, hence the family secrets. I pray to have the book of our past somewhat presentable for them before Jesus calls on them. I know my father has been waiting for it with anticipation. Even though life for me has gone through many obstacles and out family history has been put on the back burner many times. Well, maybe it was the dream I had or maybe I just feel the pressure and urgency as my parents finally retire to PR to find out as much as I can, even though rarely is genealogy ever completely finished. At least the history before me is what I wish to discover. My father's parents are now gone and only some of his uncles are still in PR, which I hope to meet when we go to PR. My father has also lost 2 brothers. The past is slipping away. My mother has her mother, which I am glad about. Hopefully I can go to PA and visit with her soon. My mother's father, my favorite grandfather passed a couple of years ago,but I have many stories to tell of him. It is beginning to become the search for the distant cousins. Wherever they may be and finding out what they know of their slice of the pie of the Vazquez or Martinez family name.The picture is of my father with the small house in La Vega in Barranquitas, PR, where he grew up. PR has only been " discovered' for 500 years, so how hard can digging up 500 years be??? Stay tuned.

Looking at the future from the past

2008-08-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

I woke up today after having a semi creepy dream. Semi creepy because it was about me and a cousin of mine, who went to see this old estate. A large property like those of the old south. It was the house where our "family" began. There was also a cousin there, who I have never met but remember that like me she was a photographer and her last name was BLU. She had 5 little boys and her husband. They lived in the main house. This house was humongous. Very old with a lot of passage ways and a beat down courtyard. Somewhat like the one from the movie, The Garden of Good and Evil. Somehow I was not scared to walk past the miles of rows of cemetery plots. all leading to these 2 gigantic copper tomb stones. One said Madeleyne Blu and the other one said the first two names which I can not remember but the last name was Tristani. Mind you, these are not my last names by far. Only that my name is Madelyn. Weird, yeah I guess, bu tin the dream I was intrigued. As we walked the grounds into the house that was really creepy, I was so eager to hear the stories of our ancestors, as they lived and past through the house. I remember the house being of a lot of blue walls and many corridors. My cousin was panicked. In real life I think I would have been too, but in the dream I was so brave. Blu, the cousin that lived in the house walked through corridors that ghosted occupied. I saw them and they were threatening but I was not scared, shockingly. I continued to want to see the whole house and know my roots. The details are a bit foggy as most dreams are, but I was so captivated by the fact that I know there are soo many people that can recite their family genealogy way back to when "America" was discovered. I have been on a passionate search for that for the past 10 years, on and off. I started after my kids were born and I realized that our whole entire existence relies on word of mouth and how stories change and hidden family secrets. I will continue to search for the story of our past before all of our know relatives move on. Time is of the essence when you are in search of the past,while living in the future.

The Dark Knight

2008-08-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished seeing the new Batman movie. I liked it. It was a little long but worth it. Yes, of course there will be another Batman movie to come. If you are debating to go see it , GO! The kids loved it too. You know it is also going in our DVD collection. Heath Ledger was amazing! You know he will most likely get a well deserved Oscar, even though he will never get to enjoy it. How sad... I am still mourning his loss. He was a good actor with a lot of potential. RIP. I have seen almost all his movies. The 4 Feathers, I loved, The Patriot with Mel Gibson...come on, who didn't like this film. I also loved Knight's Tale,Monster's Ball and The Lord's of Dogs Town. I saw Broke Back Mountain and I think his accent as a westerner was awesome! I can not say anything else, Hey, he was also a fellow Aries! Go see the movie and let me know what you think!

Onedrwumn

2008-07-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

What's Onedrwumn? Yes, It means Wonder Woman. Where did it come from? When I was about 5 years old I loved the tv show Wonder Woman ( around 1979) and one day I decided that I could fly like her in an invisible plane. So I began to jump on my parents bed and jumped right out the 2nd story window. yes, I jumped right out. The only reason I am still here writing is that i got tangled in laundry clotheslines below that by only a miracle saved my fall instead of intangled me. I landed on my butt, but there was no other problems. Even though I have never really been able to ride a bike comfortably...lol That is where I began the life long relationship with being Wonder Woman. I spell it different because I am not that character I am my own character. Many more things to come! Welcome to my blog!