Guess what...

Yuuuup!! I'm back !!

I will say it : NEVER !!

My daily routine.



Wow ! when was my last post? I don't have an idea. My brain has been in a sort of a fog. So much has happened in this year coming to an end. Most of it has been good, actually very good. But there is always a "but" isn't? I'm not complaining just venting out, some healthy and much need it venting out.

I was feeling very tired so when the time came to take one of my yearly exams I brought the matter to my doctor. I had a complete blood work done and oh surprise, it came back with news I have diabetes. Actually I wasn't surprised. The symptoms I was experiencing were those of diabetes and yes, I google them that's why I wasn't surprised. Oh and there is a "little detail" my previous doctors fail to tell me about, I had gestational diabetes in my last two pregnancies and NO ONE, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE of those physicians warned me that 80 % YES!! 80 % of women with gestational diabetes WILL, I said WILL develop diabetes type II between 5 to 10 years after the pregnancy. SHAME SHAME SHAME !!


Could I prevented it from happening to me? probably not since I learned it is in the genes, but I most certainly could of avoid getting it so early in life. The latest a person develops diabetes the less health issues will develop. And here I am now, learning how to eat, to think and to live healthy not only for my health sake but for my children's since as I mentioned before it is in our genes they can too develop diabetes, now the question wil be "when" and the answer is "the latest in their life" but if I can make it possible I want that answer to be NEVER!

Laundry Detergent

I was always faithful to Tide and Gain, but lately their prices are more than I am willing to pay as a mom and housemaker. I had seen the Arm and Hammer laundry soap before and always wondered if it was a good brand. On my last trip to the supermarket I couldn't ignore its price: 8 dollars versus Tide : 20 dollars and Gain : 18 dollars. On top of that it comes with the power of Oxy Clean a product I have used before and I know it works. So I didn't think of it much and the arm and hammer were placed on the supermarket cart.

As soon as I got home I started a laundry load. I was surprised by the clean and fresh aroma of the soap, but I was even more surprised by its consistency, more of a dust than granulated as the other brands. This made me doubtful, I thought maybe it wasn't going to work since it wasn't as rough as the others and maybe because of that the clothes wouldn't turn out clean. I started the washer resigned to see no results at all.

I know this can make one laugh but it looked like ages waiting for the cycle to end. I never before waited so anxiously for a load of clean clothes. And Oh surprise surprise !! when I opened the washer the first thing that I noticed was a clean and really fresh aroma. I took the clothes out and at first sight they looked the same but as I looked closer I noticed they were really cleaner and bright, at the moment I was a converted. Definetely I will recommend The Arm and Hammer laundry soap.

1984...

XXIII Olympiad Los Angeles 1984 commemorative cup. Found at my local Salvation Army for 10 cents.

The XXIII Summer Olympic Games took place at Los Angeles California. The TV stations of that time showed daily specials about the great event. Ronald Reagan was the President of The Unites States of America. We could feel the festive mood on those special shows and on the newspapers. In the 80's America was synonym of prosperity and good life, the cool place where everybody wanted to be.

My friend Martha Alicia lived at LA at that time and we used to write to each other. I could only imagined how was the life at The US. I spent most of my days looking at the JcPenney catalogs my mom bought every season. My mom was a Modist and had a large clientele. The ladies that came to our house got inspired from the designs in the catalogs. Designs my mom sew with great precision. I always waited anxiously for the catalogs. I spent hours and hours immerse on those pages that sold the "perfect" life. It has been awhile since then. My mom isn't a Modist anymore, except for small jobs. She no longer buys the catalogs....it's me the one who does. Maybe I pretend to revive the memories every time I go through those pages and even when they are not what they used to be I have to admit that I still get the same feelings from my childhood.

The 80's left a mark on me. I lost my dear Grandmother in May of 1986, a very important figure in my life. I lived my childhood and teen years inspired by the 80's music and fashion. But I will never forget the 1984 Olympic Games. The moment when Ernesto Canto and Raul Gonzalez were first and second place on the 20 Km walk it just.... unforgettable.

Almost ready....

MySpace Generators

Working working.... school is almost over. Hope to have some 'free' time to write again. Change is expect it.

Blank......

.......................................

I have lost it!!! my inspiration, that is. Many things happening, 99 % excellent only 1 % is consuming me, it has to do with My Boricua's health. Prayers are welcome.

Pushy Rednesday.....

It has been a few weeks since my last rednesday. I am lacking motivation. So many things going on, as my dear bloggy sister Julie said on her blog: "I am learning...learning...God is pushing my buttons...teaching me many things through circumstances...".

Don't get me wrong, I am very GRATEFUL for so many blessings, one of them the WONDERFUL weather here in Cali, I am hurting for my friends back East, they have been hit REALLY hard with snow. I don't even want to imagine My Boricua in that weather, He is still in constant pain, but at least here is sunny.

We have learned that my dear brother in law was diagnosed with lung cancer stage IV and it has spread to the pancreas, this has been very difficult on all of Us. If you find it in your heart, can you please say a prayer for him?

Found this basket at a Salvation Army, I paid less then one dollar, now it's home to ...



this gorgeous plant, I fell in love with it so it HAD to be mine lol...I try not to think so much, just pray, I am trying to make our home a cheerful place to be in.
.


I saw this beauty a few times at a everyday yard sale, I inquired the price once, but didn't have the re$ource$ for it. I kept going that road but it was always closed until one day... and know it is mine. ;) Full of this and that of course.


This are candelholders, love them.


And this is one of my favorites, it was very cheap, I have learned to thrift 'in bulk' so I can get better prices. Before I used to buy only the item I like and I paid from to 3 to (+) dollars for it, but now I pay the same amount for several little things.

Well it's only the second month of the year, the month of ♥LOVE♥, hope you all have plenty and more of it in your lives.

It's A Brand New Year.....

Happy 2011... many blessings for all of Us. The 2010 year was full of all sorts of emotions, despair and Great Miracles. Our battle is over, it was won by the Power of Our Lord. We are very very thankful for that, we are still in the 'awe' feeling. I ask my Lord to never, never, never let me go into the darkness again.

My wishes for this year still with the brand new aroma??? Blessings, blessings and more blessings for Me, for My Beautiful Family, For All of You My Dear Friends and for the World. " Yet You don't have because You ask not".... I read this verse last year and from then until now I ask and ask just like a child asks, YES!! there are times when I get tired but I do what my Kids do, ask and ask and ask until they get what They Want.

Whatever are your believes, I wish all of you the best, may all of your heart desires come true. You all are always in my prayers and thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by and read my silly ideas and thoughts. I'll be reading You.

♫ ♪ Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree We are still waiting.... ♪ ♫

That's right, still waiting. And oh it has been so hard. It was a month since the medical exams. My Boricua's File is already at the desk of the officer in charge to make a decision on the retirement claim. There are so many benefits at risk, educational, financial and health to name a few.

There is not much I can do but I can do one thing, PRAY, and oh we have been praying. There are moments when I believe I don't have any strength to keep going but when I see my kids sleeping at night... oh that moves me, they irradiate a peace like no other, an eternal peace and suddenly I feel I can do anything, I feel God's love for Us.

This year God showed us how amazing his power is, how inmense his mercy is. We are here!!! finally here, closer to my Familia than I ever thought. We celebrated our FIRST Thanksgiving together and we are looking forward to celebrate Christmas with them for the first time in 13 YEARS, wow!!!! I get goosebumbs just to write about this.

I am very thankful for all your prayers, good wishes, good vibes. Thank You. And while we wait I try to keep our home cozy in this season, The Most Wonderful Time of The Year. Best wishes for all of you.

My cat "Machete", playing with a gold ornament He knocked down from our tree.

My nieces and nephew with my kids enjoying a delicious family meal at our home. This is PRICELES.

Our Christmas Tree...

Blues on Rednesday...

Well, they came and went, that is My Boricua's appoinments for the retirement. It seems ages ago that I was worried sick about those medical exams. In one or two months we will have the answer, but now I feel 'funny', I don't know how to describe it, blues??? maybe. These past 3 years have been a roller coaster ride plus the Holiday$$$ are here!!!! .

And to keep my mind busy I have been to the flea market several times, I have found so many treasures, here are few of my red ones.

Red tray....

Feeling the Holidays? Got this renuzit air freshener... mmmhhh apples and cinnamon.

Kitchen gadgets on sale and in Red.

Found this great and cute basket with Scotties for only 2 dlls.!!!

Cute 4th. of July sock on sale... .75 cts. ea. pair.


Toy Story Toy Soldiers for my Bambino... well, we all play with them lol and of course Toy Story Comforter with a free Frisbee we got with my new blue Russian kitten.

Some chips from My Beautiful Mexico, years and years without having this brand.

Another gorgeous sunset here at Imperial Valley.

Wanted to see this movie for ages, found it for 1 dollar.

And to celebrate the USMC Birthday today and tomorrow Veterans Day, this gorgeous wreath from the VA Hospital at Syracuse, just love it.


And last an UPDATE on my almost gone finger, lol...


YES!!! the my finger is heal and guess what???? I got my 'fake' nails again!!!!! ooohhh yeaaahhh!!!

Almost Here....

Well, My Boricua is already back in the East for those 3 evaluations. He left with his heart broken. We miss him so much. My heart is broken too. I always go with him to his medical appointments, I know this pension exams are very stressful and My Boricua is very anxious. Tomorrow is almost here and soon it will be 'yesterday'. A few more hours and the waiting will be over.


This mornig while My Girl and I were waiting for my sister to pick her up for a ride to school, we observe this AMAZING sunrise here in sunny California. She has grown so much this weeks, she is more confident. I'm proud of Her. Yesterday, when her Daddy left, I couldn't say a prayer, my eyes were full of tears, so there, in the middle of my girl's bedroom, we hold hands and She said the most beautiful prayer for her Daddy, just what my heart wanted to say but was unable due to the emotion of seen My Boricua leave.

My Boricua will be back Wednesday, I have already planned his favorite meal, Our Girls will bake him a chocolate cake and we will be waiting for him.... yeah, wednesday is Almost Here.... ♥

Des-poo-ca-boo Rednesday.....

Wow...!!! A lot of things happened since my last "rednesday" and/or "ruby tuesday". We are living in the West Coast now, My Bambino started kindergarden, and the VA pulled a fast one on Us, it is despoocaboo!!!!!

My Boricua has to be evaluated again next week. This is, I hope, the last battle with the VA. There are so many benefits in 'the air' until My Boricua receives the full retirement. I have so much in my mind right now, that I am getting a worried that I am not worried at all!!! Do you understand what I mean??? We were waiting for this evaluation until January or March, it just came unexpected.

Still, if You find it in your hearts, can You please say a prayer for Us? I know My Boricua it's anxious about these appoinments and we just want Him to receive all the benefits He earned by his service to Our Great Nation.

Now for my REDS and Rubies, here are a few pictures from our daily, ordinary life that I LOVE.

A walk to a park in Oswego NY.

An amaizing red sunset in Oswego, NY.

Getting ready for Christmas yet??? Not me.... this is a pic from last Christmas. Just LOVE it.

I still remember this night, kind of 'eerie' but peaceful at the same time.

No more snow for me....!!!!

I am still alive...

It's Me.... I am still here. It has been awhile since the last post. We have moved cross Country, from the East to the West. We are closer than I imagined to Family and that is Good.

We have faced new challenges, a few tears from fear, but with the Power of Prayer and the Power of God we are conquering those fears.

I have been getting new old things.... We left all our material possessions ( well 99 % ) back East... There is an amazing flea market open THE SEVEN DAYS of the week!! I found my best find EVER, I have wanted one of this for a looooooong time, a white goose down top featherbed from Macy's still in the bag with a price tag of 280 dollars, YES!!! for 280 DOLLARS.... for... are You ready for this? ONLY 4 DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



A reminder from Above... No matter where I am He will take care of Me. He knows my dreams, fears, and even those silly desires of my heart.


We got GREAT Unexpected News for My Boricua and at the same time we got news of another set of Medical Exams via Department of Veterans Affairs... when are they going to accept the fact that My Beloved Boricua is ill due to his Military Service? specifically for those months in combat defending our Great Nation? Why is so hard to take care of our Veterans, if the Military broke it They Should Pay For It!!!!!!!!!!

For a moment I started to feel a panic attack then I realized this is "A Blessing in Disguised"... The Battle Belongs To The Lord!

Windy Red-nesday

Well, I can smell the winds of change...... and I don't like it. I don't like change, I like things calm and bored. All of a sudden there is an opportunity, an opportunity I have been waiting for a long time, but now that is so close I have second thoughts, what if is not what I expected?, what if the kids don't like it?, what if it's not the right time?, is this the best for our kids? But.... if I let this opportunity go by I will be wondering "What If.... I took the chance, what if I did make the move?... Human Nature, NEVER satisfied.


My Bambino's bedroom, lots of red in here. My kids bedrooms is my favorite corner of our home, they are full with dreams, peace, innocence.


I know that God is in control and I wonder if He allowed this 'sudden' opportunity because I have been asking for it for months, but I never expected it to be this way, You see, I had "planned" every single detail in my mind and of course NOTHING is going as I planned, maybe He wants to see if I trust Him, not the bank account, not the car, not ourselves, maybe He wants to see if I really got this little thing called "faith" right.


Dinosaur BB-Q this delicious red sauce makes the best ribs in The USA yuuuummm!!


I know HE CAN DO EVERYTHING, for Him there is NO IMPOSSIBLE, but there is this part of my carnal body that wants to have the control and there is an internal battle going on, just as Paul said : “I do the things I don’t want to do but the things I want to do those I don’t do”.

Aromatic Rednesday

Well we are still waiting..... waiting for an answer on the claim for health and college benefits, My Boricua is not able to work anymore by doctors orders. It has been hard on Him, He has always been a provider and to keep our mental and marital sanity we go thrifty hunting. I got this Land's End red suede shoes, brand new for $ 4 dlls.



But I hit the jack pot last week at a Salvation Army Store. I almost fainted when I saw this at the table where all the "insignificant" things are placed , ( well it was actually My Boricua who spotted it first) a Channel No. 5 box with the bottom opened. I thought "it is empty" because I couldn't see how much perfume was inside the black bottle.


But it turned out to be a 'refillable' container, My Boricua found that inside was the actual bottle of perfume almost full, oh Blessed is Our Lord!!!! the price? ONLY $ 3.99 dlls. Can you believe it?! What a wonderful gift, You know, I got emotional about this because I wanted this perfume. My Boricua gave me one last year and it is almost gone. Our Lord DOES know our heart desires.


But.... the gifts didn't end there, next to it I found this perfume by Nina Ricci, "L'Air du Temps", almost full, too.



Same price $ 3.99 dlls. I believe they belonged to the same Lady and I think She was a very elegant Lady, and next to it I found this....





A cute box. The bottom says CORT "Quartette" 4-one dram perfumes. Cort cosmetics, Inc. Dist. Stamford, Conn. Same price $ 3.99 dlls.



They have different names, Golden Night, Showers of Flowers, Ce Soir and Romance, all made in The USA!! ;)


I think these gifts were a remainder from Our Lord, since tomorrow My Boricua will have 2 more medical exams for other type of benefits. These gifts were unexpected, beyond my expectations. So I know whatever the results from tomorrow exams and the pending VA Claim, He WILL PROVIDE beyond my expectations.....

Waiting...

This have been a 'funny summer', well we don't get much of a summer here in NY, but we have had several days with high humidity so everyone is going 'crazy' because of the heat wave.

I just noticed something very strange, the trees didn't bloom as other years, their foliage isn't as beautiful and thick as other years and even some trees got fall foliage on them.

While all this is happening we are waiting, too. It was a great gift from Our Lord to win My Boricua's claim. It has been very emotional, for once we are very grateful and at the same time is very sad because we can't ignore the fact that My Boricua is sick and our lives will never be the same or at least 'normal'.

I don't complain, because I have learned to live one day at the time, we no longer make plans for future dates or movie nights, because we don't know how My Boricua will feel that specific day, instead He will tell me if his pain is somewhat manageable and than we'll go from there. I love him so much it just breaks my heart to see him in pain.




Beautiful sunset in Syracuse...



Heavenly sky....

First Ruby Tuesday....

I have been a fan of REDnesday and now I am joining the Ruby Tuesday Club.



Thrifted peppers bowls, too bad they only had two.

Patriotic cake baked by my Stepdaughter to celebrate the 4th. of July. This Independence Day was a very happy and blessed one, My Boricua won his pending claim at the DVA on July 3rd. oh YES!!! that day was a HAPPY DAY. Can You Believe this is the FIRST time She did a fondant covered cake??? Not bad at all.... We are so proud of Her.

A Great Find...

Not one BUT two pairs of Ralph Lauren shoes..... Oh Yeahhhhh!!!! $4.99 each pair. They are absolutely GORGEOUS!! the details are amazing.

Again a 'little' present from Our Lord. He does know how much I looooveee shoes, and these ones were outta my league, with a price tag of $500 dlls. a pair, I could never had peace of mind if I had to pay that amount. But oh what a great find they were, they were waiting for my at the Salvation Army Store.

Oh Happy Day....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Lord, thank You, thank You.... How amazing You are.... You have listened our prayers, You did listen Lord!!!! I just can say Thank You, Thank You....!!!!!








Thanks for ALL YOUR PRAYERS Our Lord is GOOD....

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Another Father's Day Without You....

You left us on december 26th. 1999. You didn't have the chance to experience the internet, cell phones, web cams, and You missed the "New Millenium". But what You missed most was my kids. Everyday I think of You, your smile, your laugh, your 'big words', but what I miss most is your stories about your birthplace, "The Land of God", you called it.

I didn't know about that terrible day when You found your dear father hurt by his own hands until after You were gone, that day I cried so much, I cried several days for You, for the pain you had to endure, I cried for that young boy who experienced one of the most traumatic events in life. You were still in pain for the lost of your beloved Mother when You lost your Father.

You took care of your brothers and sisters, You never saw them like so. For You, they were your kids. I just learned that You made a promise to your dear Mother, You did good Daddy, You took care of all them.


Rest Daddy, rest knowing My Boricua is taking care of me, just the way You asked Him when I left all You to follow Him. He is a great Dad, just like You.

Thank you Daddy.... Te extraño.... I miss You....