Too Cold for Common Sense

I can not take very much more of this "winter" weather. It has frozen overnight and stayed that way during the day for more than a week. This is HIGHLY unusual for us here and I am not prepared emotionally or financially for this kind of extreme temperature.

I am done making heavy comfort food and I am tired of staying inside because it is too cold. So, today I am going to behave as if the weather doesn't existToday will be as normal as possible...as soon as I have my Malt-o-Meal n biscuit with my baby.

Epiphany-Three Kings Day-12th Day of Christmas

Good bye Christmas and Good bye 2009. I can not help but feel a bit sad that 2009 is gone and so is Christmas. Mainly because in the midst of Chaos at Scarborough House, I lost my picture Christmas Cards. I found them, the real tragedy is that they were printed with a golden 2009 in the center of the card and are virtually useless.

So, if anyone has any snappy ideas on how to save my $20 Christmas cards for next year please let me know. Otherwise, I will be forced to recycle (trash) these.

On a more serious note. 2009 was special for many reasons, from riding a bike without training wheels and speaking in complete sentences, down to the last time I will claim being married for single digit years. As my daughter says, "we will never see 09 again in our lifetime." I mourn that a little too. I never thought about the significance of the number. The perspective of a child can be so profound.

2010-Resolved

What are your new year resolutions?  We always have the same get skinnier, spend less, clean out...I thought about these and they are always the same.  What are we really struggling towards with all of these promises?  This year I had an epiphany!  I have narrowed it to one little rule: Increase my Quality of Life. 

For me, this includes all of the rules and all of the resolutions that anyone could possibly throw at me.  The question is always, "Does it increase your quality of life?"  This works when you are dieting, exercising, buying "wants" instead of "needs",  the hour drive to see a friend, skipping church, etc.  I hope you will share in my new resolution and create a better quality for your life this year.

I got this e-mail from my uber-intelligent aunt.  Thought any one of these resolutions would increase my quality of life.  Maybe you will feel the same or maybe not.  Enjoy the read and enjoy 2010!

HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games.
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.     Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come.
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40.    Don't be afraid-God is with you. (I changed this one to one that I like better.)

1st Christmas

Oh so cute to see little babes on their first Christmas.  This is my sweet nephew playing in his walker with a oldie but goodie.  I love his chubbers cheeks and the deep dimples in his hands.  Precious sweet little baby.

Gotta say that my kids love Christmas time too.  The next is of my third and my other nephew giving each other rides in the stroller before the big presents bash!  Yay for little people that can have a good time with just about anything.

 

 

Do you see the family resemblance?  You have to really look hard.  But it is there.  Merry Christmas Lil' Shugs.

Christmas Eve Traditions in my home

On Christmas eve my family has a tradition of preparing (rushing) for Santa Claus to find his way to our house.  We make Christmas cookies and decorate them with more sprinkles than a cookie can hold.  So much that it ends up on the bottoms of my shoes and on their white socks. Oh well...Santa has gotta eat something.  I think I will ask Santa for new socks...hmm.  By the way, I made fancy hazelnut-chocolate dipped cookies too but, there is not really enough left over to take a decent photo. 

Here are some smiles from my kidlets while making Christmas cookies.  The smiles caught me by surprise and I didn't have my camera ready--so snap shots are gonna have to do this time. :o)

We also prepare our reindeer food to sprinkle in the grass to make sure the reindeer can find their way in the dark night.  No shots of this.  My kids were done crafting pretty soon when I told them we would have to clean it all up!

Reindeer Food Recipe and Poem
Sprinkle this reindeer food outside tonight.
The moonlight will make it sparkle bright.
As the reindeer fly and roam.
This will guide them to your home.

Recipe:
Old Fashioned Oats
Red Sugar
Green Sugar 
(or glitters if you wish)
mix all together and save in a ziploc bag.


Merry Christmas All!

Get Well Soon Julian

I have sweet little friend that is working on getting well.  He has had an unexplained illness and is now working through the effects.  I am praying for him to get well and to progress everyday.  There are no words that can bring comfort to a family that is dealing with an unknown illness that has attacked their son. 

To my brother and sister Marty and Hortensia, you are always in my prayers.  Julian's well being is at the top of my list every morning and it will continue to be for as long as he needs me.  I am signing on as a devoted personal prayer warrior. 

Julian, you are a special little being.   I remember holding you for the first time and thanking your mom for bringing you to us.  You take your time and kick this illness to the curb.  I will come to see you as often as I can.  I can't resist the sweet little kisses.

34 Years!

To celebrate my birthday I have decided to share with you -34 things about me.  Some of these things you will be aware of other things maybe not.  But, I thought you would like to know what makes up a woman like me.
34. Some Christmas music is spooky to me.
33. I will compromise my desires to make others happy-I will never tell them though.
32. I have never ever gotten "drunk". 
31. I have fallen into a gutter (sober but, pregnant).
30. I have been run over by a car.
29. I have more stick horses than children.
28. I love dolls and toys.
27. I hate cookbooks without pictures.
26. I believe stores should give away free "reusable bags" instead of making me buy them.
25. I am happy when I see new  babies.
24. I love all of my friends-ALWAYS.
23. I will NOT jump out of an airplane.
22. I find comfort at church and in prayer.
21. I am hispanic or of latin descent--:o)
20. I sometimes wish for more than I have.
19. I cry when I watch Steel Magnolias (every time).
18. I will ride a mechanical bull before I die.
17. I love crafting on anything.
15. I come from a large family.
14. I had my first job at 12years of age (don't tell the authorities).
13. I am proud of graduating with Highest Honors because it was not simple.
12. I love holding my kids' hands when we are out.
11. I like when my pictures come out as planned.
10. I love dark bitter chocolate (on or in anything).
 9. I don't like spicy hot food.
 8. I love laughing so hard that I start choking.
 7. I love gazing into my husbands eyes.
 6. I love a bargain.
 5. I can tell when someone is genuine.
 4. I prefer eating to exercise.
 3. I prefer riding in a car to driving a car.
 2. I am a good dancer.
 1. I love my life--all of it. 

This year my great husband took me to The Cheesecake Factory for my birthday dinner.  Fire Roasted Artichokes and Steak Diane...mmm.  I digress.  He is the best person I have ever met.  He has alwasy made my birthday special, beautiful, and perfect for me.  I feel blessed that I am worth diamonds to him.  My kids made me sweet cards and sang for me and did special things for me all day on my birthday.  They are my world.  My mom and dad kept my kids for me, I couldn't be the parent I want to be without their support.  They have always been there for me since the day I was born.  They have yet to let me down.  Thank you mom and dad for starting my beautiful life.

Yummy on My Mind (Another Favorite)

Today my sweet little second born said, "Mommy lets please make those cookies with the black chocolate chips inside them."  I really felt lazy and didn't want to even attempt the cookies. Then I remembered that we bought the pre-made and pre-cut dough the day before!  Nestle Tollhouse, you saved me today.  You are now in my hall of favorites.  I know--they are not gourmet or from scratch (I can scratch something the next time) but, they are quick, easy, cheap and ultimately satisfying. 

So we whipped up a batch or two (wink) and had warm cookies with cold milk for snack BEFORE dinner.  I can sometimes be the coolest mom EVER!  My big boy then says, "mmm...I had yummy on my mind all day.  Mom, can we have ribs for dinner?"  So, we did.

Get Well Soon Joey

On to something more FUN!  This is a really cute photo of my newest nephew on Thanksgiving Day.  You would never guess that he was an early delivery.

Joey just went through surgery to make him all better.  He is healing up and recovering now. Mommy says that he will go home today.  Yay!   His parents are doing a wonderful job of caring for such a special being.  Get well soon little sweetie. Tia Michelle can't wait to see you and hold you again. XOXO

Sweet Peyton

"On Sunday July 20th 2008, our Peyton was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a very aggressive cancerous tumor in the middle of his brain stem. With much hope, faithful prayers, and a miracle from our Father in Heaven, he will beat this illness that we've been told he won't survive."-Jenna Ricker

 (photo borrowed from J. Ricker's Blog)

Peyton lost his battle with cancer and is now in Heaven.  He is such an inspiration to anyone who has ever met him.  His family is always in our hearts and we can only wish for comfort, healing, and joy in the future. Until we meet again Peyton.  Godspeed.

Sit!

I have a few minutes so that is why I am wasting them writing on the blog. Regardless, we recently adopted a sweet Heinz 57 Beagle. My kids have been praying for this dog for years. I mean YEARS! I finally lost it and got our puppy.

To say the least, I was worried that it will be one of the ill behaved dogs that jump on everyone and bark incessantly. You know, all of the bad habits that we all enjoy so much.

We made it through the crying phase (2 days)--he doesn't do that anymore and he doesn't really bark unless Mack gets over there and barks with him. So now how do I get him to stop climbing on the kids, nibbling, etc.

After intense research--I started the sit command yesterday. And Biscuit got it! He sits on command! I can't believe it. Now reinforcement stage. Could my anxiety be for not? I guess my biggest surprise was how easy it was to get him to do what he was told. Good Boy Buiscuit!  Good Boy!

Momma's Tamales-My Favorite

I promised to mention some of my favorite things.  So here is one of my all time favorite things to eat.  My mom's home made tamales.  They are THE best.  I have tried many many tamales and they just don't measure up.  Maybe it is because I grew up on these. That has to be it; because I have tried all kinds from all regions--they are good no matter where the blend is from.

I am sorry that I can not give the recipe because I don't know it.  I wouldn't take on tamales in my house by myself anyway. And for those of you that know my mother--she just cooks--there is no "recipe".

It is our Christmas Eve tradition to gather at my mother's house and spread tamales and eat them.  But, honestly, I rarely put in as much work as the amount of tamales I eat.  I think they are the sole reason I gain weight at Christmas time.  They are fattening, rich, and plentiful.  Tamales are the only holiday food temptation that I fold before.  Never met a tamale (tamal) that I didn't eat!

Cheers to you Momma's Tamales--you are a true Christmas Tradition and a bonafide Michelle Favorite. Yummy.

Snow Day

We love snow down here in the south.  Kids are awesome!  I wish the older ones hadn't heard my footsteps in the snow.  I wanted a couple of candid shots of them. My two oldest were released early from school.  We were sure to play in the snow!

I am not sure what has happened to the weather but, it doesn't seem to be "global warming" as the news keeps reporting.  Anyhow, my dear hubby and I tell the kids not to hope for snow every year because, "It just doesn't snow in Houston."  They totally dismiss us and they count on it every year. Maybe it does snow in Houston after all!

 

Many have asked which camera I use and whether I have experience, and will I shoot for them.  I use the Nikon D50 with a 18-55 Nikon lens.  (I am saving for a stronger lens-the camera is amazing.) I have a few years of experience taking pictures of my kids.  And I will shoot for you--just let me know when.

Our Guest Jack Frost

Today was a very wonderful "winter" day indeed!  We had a highly anticipated visit from Jack Frost!  Being from the south--and I mean wAAAAy south--it is always are real treasure and a delightful treat to see snow!  My dear hubby and I sat talking about how excited our kids would be to have fun playing in the snow.  Then we realized that we were excited to play in the snow too!  (I just wanted good pictures-don't tell.)

I am extremely tired as I write this.  I spent an hour or so cropping and embellishing my gorgeous photos.  I can not wait to share them with my blogger friends and family.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Snow is one of my many favorite things for this year--I think every one of my readers got a little of this today. Consider the snow you experienced your full size sample of Michelle's 2009 Favorite things. :o)

Happy Feet :o)

Look at these tootsies!  Leave it to my girls (my nieces & my dear daughter) to give me something good and creative to shoot.  Who doesn't want a portrait of the bottom of little girls feet?  I am surprised that the bottoms are so clean!

The idea really impressed me and made me smile.  So here we go with a little funny thing that little girls do together (besides dawdle in the bathroom).  When they grow up and go to the salon for their pedicures we can always remember the first tootsie gathering here.  Happy Feet!