Rosa Dolce Designs

Exchange...BACK??? pt. 1

2011-12-29T20:43:00.000-08:00

I have to say, when I told people in Summer that we would be hosting a German exchange student and they said 'What? Another kid..why?' I thought to myself..."I Dont know...I must be crazy!" I already have 4 girls of my own and then to add one more kid...another girl, sure it sounds crazy. But I went forward with it. Scary thought...sure. I mean here is this kid we dont know. We are letting her live with us. Our customs and cultures are so very different. Luckily I had lived in Germany for 3 years but still, that did not make me an expert of the culture. So I reasoned with the kids and marty "Hey its only a semester...its not a big deal" So with great anticipation for a great semester we welcomed Hanna to our family, our home.....our lives.

She arrived...and arrived during a turbulent time for us that was unexpected and unforeseen. We were asked to leave the house we were renting. It was leave or stay and live as paupers...fat chance that was going to happen. Also when she got here Rebekah was on her way back from a week of cheer camp in college station. A few days later...we hit the road...for vacation, before school started.

We went to Kimah Texas on the boardwalk, and we also went to a nearby beach

and then to Houston Texas...to do what we love and do best.....

ICE SKATE!!!

Then we headed down to San Antonio...where we took her to the Alamo

yeah that's them back there ... and interestingly enough...we got caught up in a movie production too!!!

Here they are with one of the main characters of the movie "Mission Parks" I don't know..supposedly its a major film production...and maybe...JUST MAYBE...you'll see us in the shooting scene, we are "buying" a snow cone!

Then it was back to reality...back to school, back to work (for marty)... and little by little Hanna, the girls and Marty and I got more and more comfortable. Then we moved to our new house. We had thanksgiving and Christmas dinner and soon we will celebrate the coming of the new year. But....its all bitter sweet. We will all be looking forward to what the New Year brings but we also know that it will be, soon without Hanna in our family daily lives. She has become a sister to my girls...and a daughter to Marty and I. Sadly, when she leaves, Erykah will not be here to bid her farewell. She will be in Dallas, competing...when Hanna will be boarding her plane and back to Germany.

We have 10 days from today...7 for Erykah. The girls will be heading back to school in about a week while Hanna packs her bags, and gets her things organized and ready to go. Life, is going to be different. Never the same before Hanna. She is our first...and our last exchange student. And we will miss her.

p.s. pt 2 will be photos during the semester with Hanna...will be posted tomorrow :o)

Gifts: What to get, What to get?

2011-12-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

I find the whole buying gifts for anyone else other than my kids...like pulling teeth, without Novocain! I don't really like it. I don't like the mall, I cant stand being pushed and shoved, I just don't like feeling like I'm going upstream, like Salmon! I will admit..I am an introvert. So crowds and me...nah..not a good idea. Still, I have to get it done. I guess, what sums it all down is the idea that EVERYONE is going for the same thing. I'm also not a big fan of buying the latest craze. I don't like looking like the next person...I don't care if its name brand...I like to be unique.

So, if your like me...don't like to deal with mad shoppers or you just don't want to give the same thing everyone else is giving to your loved ones...buy handmade! There are lots of artisans waiting for you. You can give custom jewelry, clothing, accessories...lots of stuff! I have lots of links over there ~~~~~~~~> or you can stop by my fan page on Facebook check out what others are doing and buying! I'm sure you'll find something awesome!

How many gifts does Santa Bring?

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was listening to my favorite radio show this morning, while dropping of the kiddos to school, and the question was asked; How many gifts does Santa bring to each person/child? I thought about it and I realized, I have never set a limit as to how many gifts Santa brings to each person. I also never set a specific "made" type gift Santa brings. Ok, I think I might have lost you on that one, but hang in there. So, I...or we {Hubby and I} have set ourselves up for failure.

See my 2 little ones still believe in the Jolly fat man. My 5th grader has her doubts, thanks to the Debbie Downers in her class. Still she says she will only believe because she is afraid that if she does NOT believe and he is real, that she wont get what she REALLY WANTS...an iPod. So, she made her list for Santa and its not long but its pricey. Ok so here is where we went wrong. Gift giving in my family {as well as Marty's} is something of a sport. I grew up getting LOTS OF gifts...sometimes there were more gifts that it dwarfed the tree! Same thing with Marty...add to the fact that he also has 10 aunts and uncles as well. So It was engraved in our heads that gifts in Christmas...had to be outdone! So I'm listening to the callers and they are saying "Oh Santa only brings one gift. anymore than that is from the relatives and parents" Some callers made sense when they said that Santa job was to ONLY bring one...that's it. I felt like someone slapped my face and I went "DOH!"

Santa only has to bring one gift!

So now our kids make these HUGE list of gifts they want Santa to bring. With each gift, my soul shudders! That brings me to my next light bulb moment. I tell you this morning was a very productive morning with DUH moments! I realized...that I should have let my kids know that electronics, SANTA DOES NOT BRING! So, another AHA moment, I said to myself "SELF! You will tell your children that this year there will be no electronics because the manufactures are not making money and they are going to sue Santa...because they are greedy and they don't care about holiday cheer, unless its in the form of MONEY!"

Well, I hope that goes well with them. I really do, its either that or their little spirits of hope and dreams will deflate like a balloon dancing its dance around a room. So...do yourself a favor. If you have young ones...and I mean young enough that they still don't know about gifts and Santa and things like that. Start your tradition that Santa only brings one gift & no electronics (although the callers said he will bring the one thing they really want!) so that one is up to you. Maybe Ill wont tell them no electronics...but damn if they all want iPods...I better get cracking at sewing again!!! Forget that my office is still under construction!

Has anyone seen my lungs around here?

2011-12-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Its that darned time of year again...when the kids bring the germs home! What I hate the most is that the schools don't care if the kids are all snot nosed and drippy with boogies...they want their GOVERNMENT MONIES!! So what happens ... WE MOMS have to deal with it (and those stay at home dads too...I'm not leaving yall out!)...we clean up tissue...filled with boogies, pick up jammies...full of boogies, our kids come and hugs us and tell us "I LOVE YOU MOMMY!" but in the middle of that sentence we get blessed with snotty sneeze...AACHOOO...and WE get boogies.

I'm on my second round of contamination. A week before turkey day...I was sick...nothing serious, only about 2-3 days. Turkey day I was happy..tummy wasn't feeling to well, but that was all resolved by Friday. Friday, Marty decided to head on over to the out of town football game Rebekah had to be at with her cheer team...it was the play offs for our high school varsity team...and it was round 2!!! They played so well...we were all proud of our boys {I don't have sons...but my daughters friends are like sons to me so I rooted my heart out for them too!} It was windy...and chilly. Saturday morning..... BAM!!!! It felt like I had been trampled on by a stampede of wild horses then a 18 wheeler finished the job! So here I am now...nearly a week later and I have a cough from hell! I am one of the WONDERFULLY BLESSED PEOPLE...who when they get a cough...THEY GET A COUGH. Mine can last WEEKS!!! But at least I don't feel so bad anymore..or tired. That's the worst part of being sick...the ickies..that feeling like your falling but your not...yuck!

So stack up on tissue. My favorite is Puff with Vicks. I took it to a meeting for the high school cheer leading team and the moms were all "MMMM...THAT SMELLS GOOD!' I love those tissues. Get some Vicks vapor rub or the vapor patch if you don't like feeling all greasy, and have fun :o) {can you detect that little hint of sarcasm there?}

Let 2012 RING ALREADY!!!

2011-12-01T20:17:00.001-08:00

Today I was on FB and one person on my list posted

" at this point I'm hoping that 2012 is better because I'm officially dubbing 2011 to be the worst year of my life!"

and honestly...I can totally share her emotions on it. Now I don't know why her year has been crappy, but for us...well, being kicked out of a house, well, that pretty much sums it all. However that has not been all. Of course all of you know that I have four girls...and if you don't well, I do! And that my 2 older girls are cheerleaders for their schools, high school and middle school. We give it our all, sadly due to our situation of the house deal-e-o I wasn't all there, physically OR mentally. I still tried to give it my all, volunteer, bring in extra things if I could...I mean its all for my girls right?

So, today...the booster club for my daughters middle school team has been...dissolved. It was a sad thing..esp for those of us who have been there for a long time. I started there when my oldest was in 6th grade...she is now in 9th grade...but my 13 yr old is there and its been 4 years...it was such a sad thing to see it go.

So yeah...let 2012 RING...Im so ready so shed this nasty 2011 skin off. We are in a new house, we are happy...my daughter will be in 8th grade next year, she will try out for Cpt...and let see if she makes it...either way, those of us parents that have been there FOREVER...will fight for a booster club next year. I will also wish that my business GROW AND BLOOM! My goals are high...but I hope..that 2012 will be great...and if its not, we can all look to the possibility that well...after Dec 21...we might not be here { I hope we are actually :o/ } lol...

Letting the dust settle...

2011-11-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

...is just to time consuming. So, yeah, we are FINALLY in our new home! I really wish I could show you pictures but ... well.... I still haven't found my camera charger yet :o/ However I can say, I AM SO HAPPY to be in my OWN HOME! No one can kick us out of this one (unless we don't make our payments) this is our very own home! So its been about 2 weeks already and yes we still have boxes out...I have not finished taking stuff out because, well...we lost square footage with this one.

In the other house we had 3 bedrooms (the fourth was not actually a bedroom but and office like room) upstairs...downstairs we had a small living room (den area I called) across from that was my studio/office then the family/kitchen dinning all smooshed into one...and past the french doors was the music room. So we had LOTS OF ROOM for everything we had...my sewing stuff, Marty and the girls instruments and then some.

Well, in this house we have only 3 bedrooms upstairs and an open area we call the den. Downstairs we have the entry way (which i LOVE by the way!!) It has a "Harry Potter" room under the stairs hahaha... a nice kitchen almost as big as the other one if not bigger and a very good size breakfast eat in. The family and formal dinning were all join into one, but separated by pillars and an arch...that didn't work for me. Since we were rushed into finding a house, I was not able to get exactly what I NEEDED...or wanted. So we have closed off the formal dinning off, putting up a wall in between the both. leaving the arch for detail, in the hallway the french doors give it a very nice warm feeling, and Marty says "WE NOW HAVE AN ACTUAL HALL!!" I think he likes halls...Hmmmmm???

We are still a ways from getting our house to the way we want it to but we are taking small baby steps...my blog postings might be few and in between, only because I have so much stuff going on its not even funny. The other day I found myself wanting to take a nap...and just as I was falling asleep the construction crew rang the doorbell and said "We are here EARLY!!" I'm like "YAY!!" and walking away while I'm grumbling under my breath...so I cried instead. I'm still very tired...still haven't been able to take nap or have a decent night of sleep...but I'm Happy...sleepily happy. As soon as I find my camera charger I will take pics...or the cord to my phone..I have phone pics. So that's been our life so far.

Oh and I had another move...my website now has a new hosting provider...still have to figure them out. So If I don't list new items its because well..ONE...my office is still in shambles... and two..I need to learn the new platform. Have a great day and if I don't write before then..HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I...CAN...ALMOST...TOUCH.........IIIITTTT

2011-10-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

We were at the house we are trying to buy yesterday, with the home inspector. It went well...the AC needs to be looked at, it wasn't cooling like its supposed to. I sort of felt like I was in an episode of HOLMES ON HOMES! I loved how she was looking at everything and she pointed out things that she exactly didnt have to point out, you now cosmetic issues. But she also looked at things I would NEVER have thought at looking at. In her report she included " Master Bedroom shower door needs to be re-caulked" OK! She gave me a run down of what she put on her report and I was very happy.

So I had to call the builder of the house and ask for the orange dots you put on things that need to be touched up, stabilized, fixed, replaced, all that stuff. As I waited, I sat on the floor of the living room and I looked toward the front door, and it seemed surreal. I told Marty "I feel like its MINE...but its like a candy I cant have!" and yes...we are still waiting on closing on this house and the date is the 15th...but hopefully sooner. It is soooo CLOSE I can almost touch it!

So I sat there thinking of all the things I wanted to do. We are not "FANCY NANCIES!" so we don't need the formal dining area they are providing. I was looking at that room and I was already picturing closing it off and turning it into my studio/office. That formal dinning room is right next to the living room and that living room is in no way going to be a formal living room. With 4 kids (5 with the exchange student) fat chance a formal would survive! I was already picturing how I was going to set up the living room...there are NO WALLS to put the piano up against!!! So closing that formal dinning makes sense in the end too..there will be a wall for the PIANO! Then I looked at the wall for the flat screen and I thought of a built in bookshelf/entertainment piece. And Im going through all the pictures Ive seen on Pinterest.

Then dh comes in, with FOOD...and we both start "planning out" how we are going to close of the dinning area and make it into the studio/office. We are thinking of how we are going to do the tv area, where is the piano going? Hey wait a minute..we have a band of instruments...where is all that going??? And Marty and I just went off into our own planning of extending the back porch, making a "cabana" style area to cook outside, with a sink and fire pit, a mini fridge...and maybe one day...SWIMMING POOL!!! Then we came back to reality...and we realized that the house was STILL not our...but again, its right there...its so close we can touch it, and...well it was fun...dreaming.

Ugh.... so I can now relate to a child that has a candy or piece of cake in front of them and being told "Its YOURS but you can't have it yet!"

Dum de dum..dee dum....

2011-09-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Yup...we are still here...same house. Buying a house has become so difficult it should be a sport at the Olympic games! Not to mention that psychological help should be covered with an insurance policy when you are buying a house. Its mentally and emotionally draining. Sometimes I feel like our broker just loves to play the cat and mouse game. He tells us one week "Oh things are looking great...you should be in your new house in no time" the next week "Oh I don't know...doesn't look so good" UGGHH...DAMN IT MAN MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!! Seriously though. If you are looking at buying a home (and its going to fall under FHA, VA or HUD) make sure you have these things covered before you go getting attached to a house!

1.) Check your credit report and your FICO score. Make sure your score is over 640, first of all. It will save you lots of headaches. According to our broker its harder to get accepted if you have less that. Also... If you see that something is fishy there FIX it! We found that a company reported that we didn't pay off an account when we had. Well, sort off they said we had settled and we didn't...so we had to fix that. Here's the thing...the agencies mentioned above (HUD, VA and FHA) do not want to see "SETTLED DEBT" on your report. They don't like it and makes their skin crawl...so if you DID settle a debt...sorry to say this...your going to have to go and pay it all off...as much as you might not want to...that's how its going right now.

find your Debt to credit ratio. Because Marty helps run the family business...he had a business card. Well that card was under his SS and guess what...IT HAD OVER 20k on it! There was another business card with over 10k on it...so that's was not good. Of course the business paid it down...but it didn't look good on us with that much on our report but Marty makes just as much as that!??!! LOL...So know how much you owe vs. how much you earn.

Pay down those cards as much as you can. Keep low balances if best...keep ZERO balances. You may use one card for simple things...but make sure you don't have your cards so close to or at the limit. Oh and DO NOT close those accounts. That can hurt your score as well and your credit to debt ration. What the lenders want to see is responsibility. They want to see that you have all that credit available to you but you are not using it (or maxing out your cards) . Its the concept of having something yummy in front of you but having the power to not eat it...same concept!

If you pay rent right now and are in an managed apt complex...well you probably pay with a check. Try not to pay with cash...trust me it will come back and bite you in the behind. Do not pay with MO it might do the same. WE did not pay with check this past year because we would set aside the money in a cash box. And we would pay cash. So when it was time to give them our bank statements...we had to explain why our rent was not paid from our account. At least for 2-4 months pay with a check, directly from your checking account.

I have also found that you may need to write letters to your lenders in regards to certain expenses. If you pay for daycare...you may have to write a letter. If you don't deposit all your paycheck, you may have to explain why, in a letter...we have written so many letters that we should turn to professional writers! We are not alone...we were told by our landlord that she has friends who are also having to write letters. Also watch your spending habits...you will have to give them at least 2 current bank statements and if they see something they don't like guess what...ANOTHER LETTER!!! They will be watching your spending habits like a HAWK!

So there ya go...some advice from someone who is still waiting for a yes or no. For now, I have decided to open my shop only locally. I need to generate income....We had to pay off some debt to satisfy the broker and it did set us behind on other bills. Do this with time...and I wish we did have time. Normally it would be a 3 month ahead of time deal, but we were only given about less than one. FAIR...no...but hey we had to do with what we had. At least...you have my advice and you can prepare for buying a house EVEN IF YOUR NOT THINKING of buying a house...make sure all that is taken care of. We were not thinking of buying a home at all, we were thrown into the fire head first and unknowingly. We would have loved to have rented but homes for our size family are VERY EXTREMELY HARD to come by...and when they do come up...they get snatched up just as fast.

Well, here is to waiting...dumm dee dummm..dee dum! :o)

...yes...yes...

2011-08-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Sadly we got some not so good news recently (not good for us, good for some one else) and with that...we have to move...again :o/ We actually had planned to stay here for several years...but due to certain events created we are now in the hunt for the next Resendez Residence. So for now my shop will be closed...if you are one of my FB fans..you would have seen this:

Already...I will be finishing up what I have pending, a pillowcase and several flip flops...but I wont open shop again until I have set up my studio again. Lets see what the future holds for us...

In the mean time...we are looking forward to the arrival of Hanna, she arrives on Friday the 5th... and then later that day my Bekah comes home from Cheer Camp...so yeah, the wrench has been thrown in our fine tuned motor...but its all right, things happen for a reason.

...really? Already?

2011-07-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Yes...its about that time again. I'm seeing my FB girlies posting it up "FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TODAY!" and I'm like ALREADY!? WOW! I remember looking at the summer ahead of me and thinking "I'm NOT going to make the next near 3 months" and now I look back and say "WHOA! WHERE DID THEY GO?!" Its been a busy summer I guarantee you that. To be honest, we have been so busy that we STILL haven't taken a vacation. Marty has had so much work...I'm not complaining because in the state our beloved country is in..I'm just glad there IS WORK for him to do. He has been blessed with so many contracts for schools and outside of local government as well. And me??? Yeah, busy, busy, busy making flip flops, pillow cases, bows and other things. I thank GOD for cheerleaders, cheer season and the Crazy cheer moms (me included except I don't exactly pay myself to make something for my daughter ) they all want matching this and that...and I'm like "OK, uh-huh...and what else would you like?" LOL Yeah, Ill help you spend your money :o) and its good...I'm happy that I have work.

However, all this work has made me a very bad mom, according to my youngest daughter. You see my girls are not used to mom working so much...well working at all. They are used to me being at their beck and call. Here is a usually scenario "Mom!" me "Yeah!" daughter "I forgot that I needed this can you bring it to me" me " ok...by when do you need it?" daughter "can you bring it now?" me "ugh..yes, Ill be there in a bit"... Ok so now its "MOM!" me "yeah?!" daughter "I forgot that I needed this, can you bring it to me?" me "Nope...I'm busy working " daughter "MOM BUT I NEED IT!!" me "Sorry kiddo...you should have had it ready before you left!" daughter "UGH!!"

this is me working away!

Then today Jesykah says to me "Mom you never tell us ' HEY GIRLS want to go to Sonic!' just out like that...no you don't say that at all cause your busy working.." :o/ GEESH! Talk about making a woman feel bad! Still they cant say I don't drop things for them. Yesterday...I wake up all happy and I'm telling the girls im gonna shower. Bekah comes in and says "NO! I HAVE TO BE THERE BY 10 AM NOT 11!" Yeah..when did she tell me this? I don't remember, she swears she did...what time was it...10 till 10...so forget the shower...I put on my jammies, wash my face and pick up my hair and leave the house in all my glorified funk and junk! Someone told me "Nah...not funk and junk...your super mom!" OK...Ill take it! :o)

....information overload....really!!!

2011-07-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago...I was introduced to the world of PINTEREST! I'M HOOKED! Whats pinterest you ask??? Well, its a site where people post photos that they find while surfing the net. Just pictures that you think are inspiring, that capture your mood or yourself. And you share it with others. It can be of food...I love food :o) or it can be of crafts! OMG all the CRAFTS...I'M IN TROUBLE! Its almost as fun as facebook...but much more COLORFUL! And its so great...I just love it...haven't seen or checked out pinterest??? WHAT??WHY NOT?? well go...go check it out... ask for an invite... send me a note and Ill request an invite for you if you want me too...all I need is your email address...but its really a great way to look at what others find on the net...man you should see my list of blogs that I have favorited now...ITS A LONG LIST!! And I'm still adding to it! So go...check it out http://pinterest.com/

SOMEBODYS GETTING MARRIED!!!!

2011-07-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well they are married now! Yup, my lil brother got himself HITCHED! It has been one long weekend so far. We have all be anticipating this day. Actually it was about time! LOL...seriously though it was a very good wedding. Everyone seemed so happy and looked like they had fun. Of course my brother being the ever comedian...had to put his own twist to it. Poor Milly lol...shes gonna have to deal with him now forever and ever. When asked by the minister if he was there on his own free will...he looked at her, looked at Milly and thought...and then said "UUUHHHHMMMM...Yeah...Im pretty sure"

Yup, thats him thinking! Of course you can see my dad back there laughing it up, and I wish this pick showed Milly there looking at him...she was looking like "STEVE!" lol...it was all too funny, but thats him, thats Steve...the funny guy. Now matter how much my brother was just being a funny guy, I know they both had fun...here they are doing the ROBOT!

mmmhmmm...they are, thats what they are doing...the Robot! I didnt take the pics my daughter bekah did. So I didnt see this until I was downloading the photos from my camera to my computer and I was editing them too. Funny couple! They really are fun. Its good that we all love Milly...she didn't marry into a family from hell! So my weekend has been filled with fun celebrations...food (LOTS OF IT!) and family from out of town (to share the abundance of food!)...Tomorrow, its back to reality, back to work. All I have to say is

MILLY....WELCOME TO THE FAMILY...LIL BABY SISTER (in law) !!!!

...a little bit of Germany

2011-07-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Is coming to our home soon! As if I needed to add more kids to my brood...we decided to go ahead and become foreign exchange HOSTS! So, we have been getting Rebekahs room ready for an extra person for the fall semester. The girls are all excited, of course you can imagine Bekahs excitement...she has been begging me to let a German student come here with us.

So yesterday I decided to go ahead and buy an extra bed to put in Erykahs room, and Erykahs bed came to Bekahs room. Bekah didn't want new beds, she loves the scroll iron headboard she has. So there I am with a new bed frame for Erykah and I'm thinking "OK...how the HECK am I going to take this MASSIVE item up!?" So I called my dad! Thankfully he was available and not only that...he helped assemble the bed too! Still it was to heavy for the both of us to carry, so we just decided to go ahead and open up the box and take it piece by piece. Yeah...I have stairs...my house is a 2 story house. Add to that the heavy parts...lets just say today my body was KILLING ME! Either way we were able to put it together and it looks GREAT! I need to take a pic of it...sort of like a work in progress because even though she now has new beds and I found some awesome curtains at Hobby Lobby, the room still needs a bit more decorative items to it.

So you can imagine me in pain today, felt like I went on a marathon work out trip at the gym. We really want this young lady to feel at home here. School is around the corner and the sooner she gets here the better. It takes time to get adjusted to the time difference, I would say about a good week! I am practicing a bit more on my German that way I am able to understand her when she can not say what she needs to say to me in English. So .... lots of stuff in the air. School feels like its so close, like its JUST around the corner...its really 1 month way. However, I feel like its coming at me like a speeding train, and somehow I need to find away to JUMP on FAST! Still, we cant wait...we are excited...and we hope she will like us! More on that later on...or like the Soaps say "Next time on 'Life behind the Seams' " {insert dramatic music here}

Oh father dear...

2011-07-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

I must admit...I'm one to say right away to people "Oh I cant wait for my girls to grow up and get out so I can see the world!" esp if they are saying that they don't want their babies to grow up. Honestly though...I have to admit...I'm terrified about them growing up. I never thought I would be the mom who would get all nostalgic seeing my baby reaching milestones. Interestingly enough...I have been very these past few months. However I haven't been so bad that I go all crazy on my daughter and try to make sure she stays little forever...I can't stand that type of parent, sorry those parents out there. Even though my heart has been achy for the little child I miss, I look forward to what life brings for her and for us.

However, I think that one of us adults here in this house is having more of a rough time than the other...yes I'm talking about DAD!!! Dad cant not seem to come to terms that his little girl is becoming a young lady. Now this young lady is very beautiful, well I'm her mom so yes I think she's not only beautiful but an absolute sight! Of course do I know that shes beautiful...but young men seem to now be looking at her too. So they all look at her, and of course you get the good and the bad. You have the super shy young man who will glimpse..and you have those that will look and look away, look and look away, then smile... THEN you have those guys who just stare and drool. Yeah, guys if your one of them, don't do that...its not attractive and you are going to be on the NO FLY LIST of that girls DAD!!! Dads do not like that. You see, a girl, as beautiful as she is...is always dads little baby girl. So dad here, at this house, is having trouble with these guys...ALL THREE TYPES. Even though daughter here hasn't had a boyfriend (thankfully) she has had plenty of interested guys. Good thing is that daughter just isn't interested in that stuff right now. Thankfully for the dad and mom. However dad here is not understanding that his little girl is growing up and one day some young man who suits her fancy will end up being her boyfriend.

So, now a new job has been added to the ever long list of other tasks moms have to do...keep DAD calm or else daughter will not make it out of the house EVER! Honestly, its a job I really don't want...its exhausting, but someone has to do it! So this new job duties are to make sure daughter(s) are safe from dads "furry" and that dad gets out of this stage,we have four girls so its gonna be a long ride, at least with a semi full head of hair. After all, I do look forward to the time my girls finally leave the nest...I at least want to travel the world with a man that looks semi decent!!! LOL

...mid summer...

2011-07-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

already! Wowzas! Its been busy here at the homefront. For almost 4 months I had almost NOTHING..NO SALES, NADA..NEIN! Then...BAM!! Orders left and right, almost to the point where I cant keep up. Most of them of, of course, is because its the start of cheer season. Yeah there is a season in cheerleading and summer is when all the girls who made the teams get to know each other, the veterans teach the newbies the chants and cheers, and they all learn how to work with each other by learning new routines together. NCA summer camp is this week..starts Wednesday actually. Erykah's middle school team will be attending..all the while, I have to drop off the 2 little ones at Church Summer camp and then figure out how to take Bekah to her cheer practice...my highschooler..*sigh*. I realized today that there are about 5 more weeks and SCHOOL STARTS! Am I excited...yes and no...yes because sometimes I crave the quietness of my house and my routine. The summer camp has allowed us to SOMEWHAT keep the school hour routine...but thats going to end soon. in 2 weeks Bekah will be going to the UCA cheer camp and 2 more after than...school starts, and guess what, WE HAVE HAD NO TIME TO TAKE A VACATION. Thankfully the good Lord has given us loads of work to keep us very busy. And of course, as if my plate wasnt full, we might end up taking in a new body in our home...someone from Germany...and exchange student! WOOHOO.. we will see how it all turns out, we haven't heard anything yet...but we are hopeful. So so far Summer has been filled with lots of drop in off, picking up, rush here and there. It sure has been busy...for now, Im trying not to think of how fast everything is going...all I have to say is that we must be having fun...cause doesn't the say go "Time flies when one is having fun?" well, I guess so!

Im Bored...

2011-06-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

So, its been about a moth of summer already. How are you doing? So far so good on my end. A little touch and go every now and then. The girls seem to need to be entertained at every second of the day. They get bored easy. One family member said "Make them do chores!" yup, yup...did that. They still were bored afterwards. I realized it was going to be a long summer when had a several parties to go to in one day. The last one finished at about 5. They were red because of the hot sun...and I figured they would just crash out and relax after a long day of party hopping and just sit and watch TV. Im putting things away and no later than 10 minutes of getting in the door, one of my girls says "Mom....I'm bored!" WHAT?! Mommy dearest wanted to come out of me but instead of yelling "NO WIRE HANGERS!!!!!" I wanted to yell "NO BOREDOM ALLLOWWEEDD!!!" hahahahaha. So I just breathed in and out and said..."GO READ SOMETHING!" I was exhausted and I don't know where these girls get all their energy from. Still...sometimes after a day of cheer practice then to the gym for more tumbling...and more tumbling...they are still asking "OK WHATS NEXT...WHERE TO DO WE GO NEXT...WHAT DO WE DO NOW!?" and if I don't have anything for them "AAAhhh.....mom ...I'm bored..." its enough to make a woman go mad! So I made it a point to make sure they understand that sometimes there will be NOTHING to do...and they need to come up with their own entertainment. They have been brought up to always have their schedules filled for them that they don't know how to figure out what to do for themselves. So...no more...I will not fill their days with stuff to do. I have my own work to do as well and they need to learn to come up with something.... only 2 months to go

its official...

2011-06-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Were you ready? I wasn't...I love my alone time during the day when the girls are at school...lets see if I survive all the way through his summer!! hahaha. I also now have a high school freshman, a 7th, 5th and 3rd grader now! Rebekah has been busy practicing with her new high school cheer team...Erykah has been practicing too as at "7th" grade cheer veteran. Its the start of cheer season. Our first kiddie camp for Rebekah is this Friday. With that Ive been busy making bows for the girls teams. At the same time, I have made several styles of flip flops...some custom made and some not. Boy they have been flying out the window...or off the pan like hot cakes! I just wish I had some time to list everything up on my website. Pics are up on my FB fan page...and you can order through FB as well, just drop me a message.

Spirit Flip Flops in orange and blue..custom made but can be made for you too! Hey wait...that rhymed!

These can be yours too...perfect for that little girl who LOVES CHEER!

Another pair of Spirit Flip flops...in Orange and White!

All spirit flip flops can be make just for you. Just send me the colors of your school. I have other stuff I need to show you guys...but tomorrow is a new day!

Have a good day!

Lots of Love

I love all things German...esp from

2011-05-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

...here!

and I especially love these ribbons and that cup! Oh so sweet!

hugs and love

...and the WINNER IS.....

2011-03-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

according to Random.org the winner of the mom and me flip flop and reversable headband giveaway is Linda Senyk!!!

Ok...she has until 9 am central time to get in contact with me. If I dont hear from her then I will pick another number.

Now we are going to get ready for the 300 giveaway!!! You're gonna want to get in on that one for sure!!!

100

2011-03-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

...."LIKES" on my FB page and this is what you will get...

{ Wild For Spring }

Flip Flops

...And along with these flip flops (size child medium) MOM will also get a pair for herself!!!

AND IF THAT WASNT ENOUGH....I am also throwing in matching REVERSABLE HEADBANDS!!! So what are you waiting for??? go...GO...go to my facebook fan page { click here } and click "LIKE" on the page!!! Once I hit the magic number....100...these might belong to you! If we get there before then end of this week...you will have them by SPRING BREAK!

GOOD LUCK!!!

WE got to 30...

2011-02-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

Fans on our Facebook fan page. And I had promised a giveaway and the winner was Shannon McCollum Lane! She won 3 headbands JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING!

Want something too? Well our next giveaway is at 100 fans!!! What will I give away? Well how about a pair of matching FLIP FLOPS! Thats right... I will make one for mom and one for sweet daughter! How cool is that? So go to http://facebook.com/rosadolcedesigns click the "LIKE" button on the top then go and tell your friends to do the same.

Priscilla :o)

2011-02-12T21:52:00.001-08:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Redbox) - http://www.redbox.com/Locations/LocationSearch.aspx

the wind is yelling at me...

2011-02-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

from outside my window!! YIKES! Its that windy here. My welcome sign on my door keeps beating up the door..poor door, its going to be all dented. I think I should remove it until the wind calms down. There is a reason for me posting today, for the first time in a week we actually have had very nice weather, well besides the wind being strong. It will be shorted lived. Sometime tonight or tomorrow the temperature will drop to nearly 20 degrees!!! Not so good for Laredoans...but I'm happy...I can deal with it. Germany would slap me silly and turn my face red with colder weather. So I'm going to share a homemade hot chocolate drink recipe with you. I don't remember where I got it...but I remember saying to myself "SELF! that looks good!" So here it goes and this is for 2 cups of the yummy drink. For this you will need:

2.5 cups of milk (I do full fat milk, you can do whatever you like)
1 Cinnamon stick
1 tsps Vanilla Extract
3oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
3oz chocolate milk chips

heat up the milk with the Cinnamon stick in a pot over medium heat...careful you don't want it to boil, it can scald easy. You can stir it to make sure you don't burn the milk. when it has a very low rolling boil, take out the stick and add the vanilla and the chips...now you stir, and stir and stir...once the chips have melted take off of the heat...make sure all the chips have fully melted and that the chocolate has incorporated into the milk well. You can taste...if you don't think its sweet enough you can add more chocolate milk chips...even a bit of sugar into it. Here is a tip, something I like to add for myself. I like chocolate milk to be thick...so I also add about 1/4 cup of heavy milk, or heavy whipping cream. However, if you are worried about fat and calorie content...you might NOT want to do that! Now all you need is some marshmallows or even a dollop of whipped cream...and ENJOY!

{NEW} Baby Bibs!!!

2011-01-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

These 2 cute and adorable baby bibs will be up on etsy and my website here in a few. They come as a set...its for daddy's little princess. It has Velcro for easy on/off. I have 2 sets ready to ship...HOWEVER, I have enough fabric for 2 more CUSTOM bibs with a name on it! If you want to add your little ones name on the bibs, let me know and It will be 5.00 extra for each bib.

Jan is almost...

2011-01-23T17:19:00.000-08:00

GONE! Man...where does the time go? I know for us here its been pretty busy. I've been thinking to myself that time has sure flown since we came back to Laredo. It almost seems like yesterday when we left a very cool Germany and stepped foot in Dallas Tx and the HEAT slapped us straight! Really, we were thinking we made a mistake coming back to Texas.

Now we have been back for just over 5 years and in less than a year Rebekah will be in high school. It is scary. I want my baby back :'o( but time still marches on. Less than 5 years and Rebekah will be graduating from high school. Oh boy...and so it will go on 2 years after that with Erykah and then Monikah and Jesykah. Its almost like seeing your life in fast forward. I have to remind myself that I need to stop thinking SO much of time flying.

So my goal is to take everyday as it comes. I know I have to plan for tomorrow. Marty and I were talking about scholarship possibilities for Rebekah. Should she stay in cheer leading and hope for a full scholarship to a University...should she do other things. She is considering going into track. Marty used to throw the discus and so did my FIL when he was in college. So that is an idea. As far as we know there has not been a female discus thrower here in our home town....that excelled. So that could help her out. Its not only the planning of Rebekahs college life...but the other 3 girls. Its tough out there now a days. My favorite university is making it harder for people to get into their University ...unless you belong to the class elite! Really sucks...that they do that. Either way...my girls will have a great future...I think about it and I fear time is slipping away from my hands. I see it as sand falling through my fingers. However, if I look at the flip side of it...all those little grains of sand...are memories that my girls and I create. All the fun going to cheer competitions, practice, fundraising...going to church, jamming out here at home, all the laughs. All those grains of sand...falling through my fingers...are falling into a big bowl..in the shape of my heart.

The teenager is....

2011-01-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

" MOVING ON UP !" lol ... really, she's getting her own room. I've been moving things around here at the house to accommodate her. My sewing room was originally upstairs ... the 4th bedroom. However, I think she is right. She needs her own room. So, the office downstairs is becoming my sewing room, it has french doors so I can close it to anyone who enters the house. It is one of the first rooms you see when you come in. It's a bit smaller ... and what I mean by that is that it has 2 windows ... on the east and south walls. plus the french doors make for not a lot of ability to organize the room good. I don't want to cover up the east wall window, so I have to use my noggin here. Rebekah's room does not have a closet...so I also have to address that issue. That room was made to be a "den" or media room. I will have to purchase a stand alone closet for her...either way, she doesn't care..she's just very happy that she is getting her own room. Erykah isn't so happy. Those two have a love hate relationship. They fight constantly yet when we tell her " YOUR SLEEPING ALONE !" she goes nuts yelling " NO MOM NO !!!" lol ...

So anyone have any good ideas for colors in a teen's room? Its gonna be a long weekend...ugh!

The art of growing up....

2011-01-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

can sometimes kick you in the stomach...well sort of. Parents always see their children as babies. Its the blinders of life. No other child is as perfect as our own. So when they start to come into their own...a lot of us have hard time letting them go....slowly. It has been a very crazy week for us here. My older daughter had been asked to be a girlfriend. When she told me this I swear, the scene in "Father of the Bride" popped into my head. You know where she comes home, they are all eating at the table and she is talking about this wonderful man shes met and shes gonna marry him. All the dad sees is his little girl talking not his adult daughter. Well, it didn't exactly go like that for me here. Bek..only said "So and so asked me to be his girlfriend" GUT wrenching yeah...but I really had nothing to worry about. Yes, she said yes, but nothing really ever came about. It didn't last the entire week...he called it off, she said OK...and that's it. I asked her if she was OK she said "yeah not a big deal mom. we didn't even hang out long enough to really get to know each other well." I mean she did say she felt a big disappointed that he didn't give her the chance...but she said she wasn't heartbroken. I think for me it was hard to even think that someone TRIED to hurt her. No parents wants their child to get hurt, physically or emotionally. I don't know if that was his intention or if he just found himself with a girl who took the word "relationship" seriously and he wasn't ready for that "seriousness" who knows. Either way...It was hard to see that.

For those of you who say, "Well, why did you allow her...shes only 13" The way Dh and I see it is, we want our kids to come to us. We want them to trust us. In her knowing she trust us, we also have to face our own fears of "I hope we raised her well". One way of putting it into perspective: If you don't trust your child, then you don't trust yourself, for your child is an extension of the parents. Yes, it was hard to let Bekah make that decision on her own...I had to let her, how else will she have lessons to look back too later in life. She has to form her own mistakes...and I have to hope she learns from them. At the same time, in her making her own mistakes, I hope the little voices in her head...you know the nagging of mom and dad...help guide her too. If I told her she was forbidden...she could have told me one thing and at school would have been another. That's a big no go for me! I will say it took her nearly 3 days to say yes to that kid.

This is just the beginning of the process of letting them go. From birth we have made every choice for them almost. From what to eat, to when to sleep to what to watch. In that time we also tell them why we are making those choices. We teach them, we guide them and help them understand the world...as best we can. After all they didn't come with an instruction manual. Bekah is at a point were a lot of the choices she makes will not be because mom and dad said so. She will be in High school next year and shes going to make decisions with or without me. I have to trust she knows what she is doing. I'm am learning as I go to...it's sort of like "FLY BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS" learning. I did tell her "One day, a guy is gonna ask you and you wont have to think about it for nearly 3 days...your just gonna say 'YES!'"

So my bekah had her first "boyfriend"...for less than a week. She says "Well, we can't call him my first boyfriend can we mom?" I said "what do you mean" "Well," she said "we never really hung out to give it a chance" I said "yeah I guess your right...pretty smart there kiddo" she says "Yeah I know" and we continued watching tv...yeah kiddo...your pretty smart there ;o)

Aromabeads...

2011-01-13T12:55:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon

Fantasy

are so much fun! I have 4 new aromabeads up in my shop ready for you to snatch them up! I have put up several weight options for you. For the larger 4,8 and 12 oz bags...I will send 2,4 and 6 organza bags free. That way you can divide the larger bags into several usable fresheners and you can use them anywhere you want!

Memories

Mulberry

They smell oh soooo good! I will put up Aromaments up in a bit...but it's so cloudy and cold outside that the pictures are not coming out well.

Bis Dann!!!

...soon we will have...

2011-01-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

REWARD POINTS!!! My service provider...whom I love very much, is upgrading our websites to include so many wonderful goodies for us shop keepers. One of them is being able to set up our shops to give reward points for every dollar you spend in our shops. So very soon, every time you shop on my website, you will earn points. More points=$$$ for you to use for free stuff!!! HOW COOL IS THAT?! I hope your keeping up with me. You can follow me here on my blog, on my facebook or twitter! See you soon...BIS DANN!!!

...we are back....

2011-01-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

...and ready to hit the ground running!!! BUT FIRST...my house needs cleaning! ACCK! lol... really my house is in bad shape. The past 2 months have been an emotional roller coaster. Then we had to get ready for NCA. During the 2 weeks of Christmas Holiday, I was busy working on pillowcases. These are pillowcases that are custom made to each cheerleaders likes. Favorite color(s), cartoon character, celebrity you know. Bad thing was, I was so busy working on everyone else's, I never made one for Rebekah and Erykah!!! I know...I'm a shameful mama...I hang my head in shame.

The trip to Dallas went as well as it could go. The girls were able to go shopping at the Irving Mall. Of course, ditsy me...I forgot my camera. So I don't have pictures of the trip..only some lowsy phone pics. After 5 years of not seeing snow, WE GOT SNOW! I was so happy, the girls were excited and Marty was paranoid!

Jesykah said to me "Mom, I got to see snow for the first time!" I said "No sweety, you've seen it before you just don't remember...and you used to play in it too!" She said " Yeah but that doesn't count!" So she was all happy.

We were outside the Dallas convention center. It was cold and wet...not a very good combo. It also had been raining before it started to snow. There was no PARKING near the arena. Then Marty found a parking lot were it was right across the street. So this is us walking over. Kiki and Jesykah stop to take a photo and Marty is back there happy. That didn't last long...hahahaha....the security would not let us go in through that entrance!!!! WE HAD TO WALK ALMOST TWO BLOCKS AROUND the arena to the MAIN entrance. UGH!!! My legs were numb...I didn't have the right jacket. We were upset and Marty was about to pick a fight...not good. But we got in and got a bit warm.

Our city cheerleaders did a good job! 2 High schools in our area got 1st place. Sadly, I have some not so happy news. Our girls did not win 1st place. There were only two teams in their division. So in a sense they got last place. They were some very sad cheerleaders. They did try their best, but I think their nerves got the better of them. Still, I think it was a fun weekend. We got home at 2:30 am and now my house is in desperate need of cleaning after weeks of neglect! So if anyone out there wants to come and lend me a hand...I'm all for it. Ill feed ya for free! hahahaha its the least I can do.

Well, hope y'all had a good weekend as well, enjoy the snow if you have it in your area! HAVE A GOOD ONE! BIS DANN!!

only 6 weeks...

2011-01-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

and its VALENTINES DAY! The day of romance, love, sweet sweet nothings in the air. Hope your following along. I will be having a sale next week...after we come back from NCA. There will be a $2.11 on certain items from decor to hair wear! So follow my blog, become our FB fan, or follow our tweets! Items will be posted Jan 14 and will run for only a week!!! So hang on to your seats...your gonna love this ride!

WELCOME 2011!!!!

2011-01-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I hope all of you had a great start to 2011. It was a bit nerve wrecking for us here. I hate fireworks!!! They send me in to PANIC MODE!!

yeah...I freak out. Before you ask why? Well, when I was around 10 I had some mischievous cousins. They would throw fireworks up in the air. Well one of them caught the wind and landed inside my shirt...on my back! YEAH!!! I had a black spot on my back for a week..thankfully I didn't get burned..it was some kind of residue. On the bad side...I'm even more NEUROTIC cause of that. LOL. All in all it was a good day. My dad had arrived safely home from Oregon. My cousin Jamie and his wife Deyi also came down to visit us for the New Year. It was so much fun. When we have guests...my family and I really pull out all the stops for great meals. My dad made his homemade barbacoa. I didn't get to have it because that same day, I made LUNCH. I cooked 3 birds (chicken) and boy that wasn't enough!!! There were so many people at my home we had to get PIZZA!

Well during all that commotion..the girls started to fight over the computer. The same computer my embroidery machine is attached to. One shoved the other and she bumped into the machine and DOWN IT GOES! OMG I wanted to cry right there. I didn't cause of all the people that were there, once they left...it was TEAR CITY!!! Marty was upset that I was upset so he broke out his tools and he FIXED MY MACHINE!!! OMG I'm so happy to have him. No other guy would have done that. I still worry, but so far so good. I don't want to jinx it.

So here I'm feeling like the new year has started off on the wrong foot, my knight on his white horse come riding in and fixes it all. So maybe, just MAYBE...this year actually started of on the RIGHT foot. I hope all of you had a very happy new year. Next week we head off to Dallas, Tx for NCA competition.

My resolutions for this new year? Well I resolve to be more patient, to get moving and not take my family and friend for granted. Life is too short, as you all know. 3 family members now have passed since November 28, two of them all of a sudden. Also for the first time...I will also resolve to set a number of how many sales I want to accomplish this year. 500...500 sales.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! This year is gonna be one wild ride!!!!

Update: Recap 2010

2010-12-29T06:20:00.000-08:00

Maybe I spoke to soon. When I posted my 2010 recap blog post, little did I know that in 24 hours our family would loose another member. Yes, that is what happened. I never got to meet my little cousin. She lived in Oregon and is the daughter of my dad's brother Raul Garza. Her life was cut short due to a car accident. Here she is:

Beautiful isn't she? Yeah that's the Garza part of the family...we have great looks! Still, in all seriousness. Her life was taken away by 2 major factors that can be prevented. She got in a car that was being driven by someone who had been drinking and she possibly wasn't wearing a seat belt. She was ejected out of her car when the vehicle went out of control. I could never imagine and I hope GOD never puts that kind of test on me to ever go through a loss of a child, what my uncle may be going through. My heartfelt condolences go out to him and Ashley's brothers and sister.

My reason for this post, is not to bring about sadness. I don't want my cousins death to be in vain. She was 20 and her life could have been saved. Please, don't drink and drive. Don't get in a car with a person who has been drinking...call a cab, call a friend, call someone, just don't get into that car. Always, ALWAYS wear your seat belts. It doesn't matter if you are in the back seat. Ashely was in the back seat...and she flew out of the car. There were 3 other people in that car, they all survived. Its a very had lesson for our family, but I want it to be a lesson to all. I am now making sure all my girls buckle up when we get into our truck. I will not move until they are all buckled in.

Be safe my friends...I don't want to hear of anymore losses, the closing of this year couldn't get here any faster. Till 2011!!!

BIS DANN!!!

2010 in a Nutshell

2010-12-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

I've been sitting here these past few days while my embroidery machine sings to me in the back ground. Its been a busy week getting custom orders out the door, and it will be a busy last week as we close 2010. I am able to take a slight peek into peoples lives as they write what 2010 brought them, the good and not so good...so I sit here wanting to do the same...so here it goes.

We came into 2010 with Rebekah and her middle school team having had won the NCA Championship. We were thinking of what dress Rebekah should wear for her presentation and Erykah for her prom. Now Rebekah is on her last run of 8th grade and my little girl will be a Freshman in High school in 2011. Erykah is in 6th grade and will enjoy having the middle school campus to herself...no sisters around, well at least till 2012. This year was also the year my Bekah turned a teenager! When she did that she brought EVERYTHING it means to be a teen...EVERYTHING! Either way, she is a great kid, she loves life, she loves art and photography. Erykah just turned 12 and is doing amazing in school. She took to middle school like a fish in water!

Monikah and Jesykah went from 1st and 3rd to 2nd and 4th with ease...but without some good friends of theirs. Maura and Katie, whom Monikah had known first, went back to NY with their family. Because Monikah knew these sweet kids...I met 2 wonderful ladies whom I wish I had more time to get to know, but well, I didn't. Jane, who I swear is a saint! That woman could have a bus load of kids in her home and still be calm like a saint! I look up to her, I learned something from her and I didn't tell her but still, if she reads this, I learned that we all need to take life one step at a time. I never really saw her get upset or on edge with her kids...something I need to practice. I also met Kyli. That girl is CRAZY, in a good way. She has a wonderful sense of humor and well, they too had to move :o( Either way, I'm glad I met them. They are wonderful women and meeting them, well that was just more frosting on my cake!

I'm sure if you keep up with my posts, that we were in a small house that was about to burst at the seams. Wtih all my "artsiness" everywhere, I had taken over the dinning area and some other parts. Don't get me wrong...that little house was a wonderful start to our lives back in Laredo. However the girls got big, and things also expanded. I always believe that things happen for a reason. My friend could not sell her house, well she tried and it had gone into contract but the buyers backed away at the last possible minute. Well there was an opportunity for us. We were able to rent the house from them...its much bigger,MUCH BIGGER and we were able to take away some of the burden off of them. So the buyers backing out was a blessing for us. So now we are a bit more spread out and the girls are not always on top of each other...and we have out dinning table back for meals!

However all this good news is just a surface to cover worries. We had been praying for my cousins wife who was fighting cancer for almost a year and we had also found out my uncle had lymphoma just a few months after Monikah and Jesykahs bdays. We lost both of them the last week of November. Both of them passed less than a week from each other. However something that my aunt said made it a bit more comforting for me with both of their passings. My cousins wife was only 41. She had 3 kids a 3, 10 and 13 yr old. She was afraid to pass and was fighting it. My uncle passed, not because of his cancer...his heart just stopped. So my aunt said to me, his wife "Maybe she just needed someone to help her cross and she couldn't do it herself?" So I feel my uncle helped her understand it was OK to go.

So this Christmas for our family it is bitter sweet, but its a reminder...and its a lesson Ive learned LONG ago when my best friend passed at 23, almost 12 years ago. Life is fragile. Don't spend your time hating, wishing and wanting. Prepare for the future but always know you might now have tomorrow. That is why today is called the present...because its a gift. Tell the ones you love "I love you" I always say it, you may think "Oh they know" but saying it makes real. Its assuring, its like a warm blanket that envelopes you. I LOVE YOU! Don't wait till its too late.

So this Christmas, be happy for what you have, don't despair for not having what you want. The best surrounds you..the Love of family, whether they are physically here or spiritually around. I thank GOD for the blessings he has given me this past year. The continuing of old friendships and the new friendships that I hope continue on even though they are far away now, a great family, and a wonderful place to share with them. And even though he took 2 family member home with him, I know they are still here...singing with us and sending us all love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Veterans Day

2010-11-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

If your not from the states then you might not know today is a day where we thank our nations military veterans. I come from a long line of veterans. My grandpa, my dad, my grandpas brother, and even my husband, they are all veterans. Going from the Korean conflict to current wars, my relatives all fought in one or more of them. I just want to say to all vets THANK YOU! Thank you so much for everything you have done. You have made sure that our freedoms have not been stripped away. Freedom is not free...and I mourn every drop of blood that has been spilled. I know that it was a hard thing to do, the life, the conditions. Ive seen it all, not because I lived through it but because I saw my husband live through it. All the training he had to endure all good and necessary but still. I had to see him come home dirty, tired, SMELLY, and HUNGRY. He would leave nice and plump and come back as thin as a chicken bone! It was a hard life and yet I can not complain. It was a wonderful life...I loved military life...I love my husband, I love my dad and my grandfathers who were in the military as well. Thank you and I salute you!

Lip action!!!

2010-11-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Well, something to help you with that actually! WE are now going to carry LIP BALMS! I know, or at least I think Ive mentioned it before, but today I made two batches of lip balms. One was pink lemonade the other bubblegum. I added some wonderful skin loving lanolin to the bubblegum flavour because I know lanolin is wonderful for dry cracked, chapped skin. I used it when I was breastfeeding my daughters. It is so natural that I didn't have to wash before feeding time...kid just plopped on and LETS GO! So I know that adding lanolin will help those of you who suffer from constant chapped lips. I am in the process of creating some labels for the tubes and once I have those done...I will take pics and add them to the website.

{Gut etwas, Ihnen mit das tatsächlich zu helfen! WIR werden jetzt LIPPEN BALSAM tragen! Ich weiß, oder wenigstens ich denke, dass ich es vorher erwähnt habe, aber heute ich habe zwei Stapel von Lippenbalsam gemacht. Einer war rosafarbene Limonade der ander bubblegum. Ich habe hinzugefügt, dass eine wunderbare Haut, die Lanolin zum bubblegum Geschmack liebt, weil ich weiß, dass Lanolin wunderbar für trockene gespaltene, raue Haut ist. Ich habe es benutzt, als ich meine Töchter stillte. Es ist so natürlich, dass ich nicht habe waschen gemusst, bevor Zeit... nur an geplumpsten Kind zuführend, und LÄSST GEHT! So kenne ich, dass hinzufügend, dass Lanolin diejenigen helfen wird, die an Konstante raue Lippen leiden. Ich bin im Verfahren, von einige Etikette für die Rohre zu schaffen, und einmal ich habe die gemachtes. ..I wird nehmen pics und wird sie der Website hinzufügen. } I really hope this is a correct or as close as correct translation as possible!

so many to choose from!

2010-11-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

All day today, Ive been doing research for several things. I will be adding some other Bath and Body items to my shop. One of them being my girls favorite...LIP BALMS! I have been looking for the best way to make my recipe. I have searched and searched and searched and I believe I have an idea of a GREAT lip balm product. I have searched for flavour oils...I have battled with the thought of sweetening my balms or not, maybe yes AND no. At the same time, I'm also looking at the scents for candles. A lot of the flavour oils I am finding are not only safe for body use, but I can also use them for my candles. So I'm thinking and I say to myself, "self...you can make a large SPA package for people to buy" and I think THAT'S A GOOD IDEA!

So now, I want to know, What are your favorite scents and flavours for candles and lip balms. Let me know.

{Den ganzen Tag heute habe ich Forschung für mehrere Dinge gemacht. Ich werde ein anderes Bad und Körper Dinge zu meinem Laden hinzufügen. Einer, von der sie mein Mädchenliebling sind,... LIPPEN BALSAM! Ich habe den besten Weg gesucht, mein Rezept zu machen. Ich habe gesucht und habe gesucht und habe gesucht und ich glaube, dass ich eine Idee eines GROSSEN Lippenbalsamesprodukts habe. Ich habe Geschmacköle gesucht. ..Ich hat gekämpft mit dem Gedanken, von meine Balsam oder nicht, vielleicht ja UND Nr. gleichzeitig zu süßen, schaue ich auch die Wohlgerüche für Kerzen an. Viele die Geschmacköle, die ich finde, sind nicht nur sicher für Körpergebrauch, aber ich kann auch sie für meine Kerzen benutzen. So denke ich und ich sage zu mich selbst, „Selbst... Sie können ein großes BAD Paket für Leute machen zu kaufen“ und ich denke, dass DAS EINE GUTE IDEE IST!

So jetzt will ich wissen, Was Ihre Lieblingswohlgerüche und Geschmäcke für Kerzen und Lippenbalsam ist. Lassen Sie mich wissen. }

it is......

2010-10-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

HALLOWEEN! It is time for the ghouls and gals to come knocking on doors yelling out "TRICK OR TREAT!" We went to a party last night at my cousins house...wish I had photos to share, but I was busy talking so my camera was all alone on the dinning table...sad, and lonely! hehehehe. I dressed up as BRUNHILDA...the German bar maide. Can you tell, I have been enchanted with Germany...I love almost anything German...I miss it so much. So tonight, when you take your little ones, make sure to have flashlights, light reflectors, and be very careful. I would love to see pictures of your pumpkins in their costumes...I love seeing what others come up with for this day. Well you guys, HAVE FUN!

{Heute ist Halloween in die U.S.A. Wenn Sie es feiern, haben Sie Spaß und seien Sie sicher!}

finally, I rest!

2010-10-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Can you say OY! WHAT A WEEK!? Hahaha...yes this past week, it has been so hectic I neglected house chores. It all started actually about 2 weeks ago. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE for cheer competition. Saturday we left to San Antonio. Sunday was Cheer Power. Before Cheer Power, not only were the girls practicing for competition, they practiced for their 8th grade dances! So we were up and down. So, where was I? Oh yes! Sunday Cheerpower. Monday PEPRALLY at one campus, come back to the main campus practice from 3-9 for 2 different dances the girls had to do. TUESDAY...I had to make 4 banners...2 large banners and 2 smaller ones, but it was all hand drawn by me, all colorized by me using soft pastels. On top of that, we also had to volunteer to sell at the concession stand. After we cleaned...LIFTING heavy boxes of sodas, waters and other stuff. TODAY I felt like a small car hit me, my body hurt. But I was so happy...we get to rest..at least till Dec. Then it starts all over for NCA!! A life of a cheer mom.

Here are the videos...enjoy!

Lets get it up there!!!

2010-10-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

My fans number on my FB page that is !!! Right now if you go and "LIKE" and add my page to your favorites list, you will be entered to win a 4oz Christmas scent candle ! ANY SCENT YOU LIKE ( so long as I have it in stock ) . So pass it around, let your friends know, make sure they give YOU credit for sending them. The more you send the more times you name will be put into the drawing. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ....GO !

{Meine Anhänger zählen auf meiner FB Seite, die ist,!!! Jetzt, wenn Sie und gehen, "LIKE" und hinzufügt, dass meine Seite zu Ihren Lieblingen aufführt, werden Sie eingetragen werden, eine 4oz Weihnachtswohlgeruch Kerze zu gewinnen! IRGENDEIN WOHLGERUCH SIE MAG (so lang, während ich es in Aktie) habe. Gehen Sie so daran herum, vorbei lassen Sie Ihre Freunde, kennen vergewissern Sie sich, dass sie SIE geben, kreditieren für Schicken sie. Das mehrere, das Sie das mehrere schicken, misst Zeit Sie nennen wird gestellt werden in die Zeichnung. SO WAS SIE IST, der AUF ....GO WARTET! }

XoXo Priscilla XoXo

Aromaments© are here!!!

2010-10-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

What are they, you ask? Simply put VERY PRETTY air fresheners. They are much like their cardboard cousins the car air freshener but Aromaments© last longer and look much prettier! You can hang these just about anywhere...average life of just one is about 2-4 months depending on the climate you live in. If you are in an area that has really hot days your Aromament© will last you 2 months or just a bit more...cooler climates can enjoy it for up to or just about 4-6 months. I will be working on more scents and different shapes too. These are perfect for gift giving or even to deck out your house for the holidays. I wills soon carry a Christmas tree scent so if you want the natural tree scent but not the work of a real tree...this could be your solution.

{Was sind sie, Sie fragen? Stellen Sie einfach SEHR HÜBSCHE Lufterfrischer. Sie sind viel, wie ihre Pappenvettern der Autolufterfrischer aber Aromaments© zuletzt länger und viel hübscher anschaut! Sie können diese nur um irgendwo hängen... durchschnittliches Leben von nur einem ist ungefähr 2-4 Monate, die vom Klima abhängen, das Sie hinein leben. Wenn Sie in einem Gebiet sind, das wirklich heißen Tage Ihr Aromament© hat, wird dauern Sie 2 Monate oder nur ganz wenig mehr... kühlere Klimas können es für bis zu oder so ziemlich 4-6 Monate genießen. Ich werde mehr Wohlgerüche und verschiedene Gestalten auch bearbeiten. Diese sind perfekt zum Geschenk von Geben oder sogar, Ihr Haus für die Feiertage herauszuputzen. Ich werde bald einen Weihnachtsbaumswohlgeruch tragen, so wenn Sie den natürlichen Baumswohlgeruch aber nicht die Arbeit eines wirklichen Baums. wollen.. dies könnte Ihre Lösung sein. }

...business, OOOHHH the joy!

2010-10-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

....with a lot of sarcasm there, but really its nice to have my own business. I went to Marty today and I sat next to him after almost hours on the computer fixing my shop... so I asked him "Why .. WHY did I ever want to have my own business?" He just looked at me with a blank face. I just giggled. It is a lot of work but its work I LOVE doing, well the creative process. There are times I just wish I had a magic wand or spell and just "FLICK AND SWISH" and my website with all my wonderful goodies were up and ready for you. Still I wouldn't have it any other way. I get to meet great new people and I keep in contact with great friends. I'm working hard...more stuff is to come I promise. I have been filled with lots of blessings and I am so grateful for that. Now I just need to plant those blessings, feed them and watch them grown. Right now, SWEAT, BLOOD, TEARS...tomorrow reap the rewards...have a good Sunday!!!

{...Mit vielem Sarkasmus dort, aber wirklich seines nettes, mein eigenes Geschäft zu haben. Ich bin zu Marty heute gegangen und ich habe neben ihm nach fast Stunden auf dem Computer gesessen, den meinen Laden repariert... so ich habe ihn gefragt „Warum.. WARUM habe ich je mein eigenes Geschäft haben wollen“? Er hat nur mich mit einem leeren Gesicht angeschaut. Ich habe nur gekichert. Es ist viele Arbeit aber seine Arbeit die ich LIEBE Machen, gut das schöpferische Verfahren. Es gibt Zeiten ich nur wünsche, dass ich habe gehabt einen Zauberstab oder Rechtschreibung und nur „LEICHTER SCHLAG UND ZISCHEN“ und meine Website mit allen meinem wunderbaren waren prima auf und vorbereitet für Sie. Nicht noch hätte ich es anderer Weg. Ich darf mich große neue Leute treffen und ich behalte in Kontakt mit großen Freunden. Ich arbeite hart. ..more Stoff ist, ich zu kommen, verspreche. Ich bin mit vielen Segnungen gefüllt worden und ich bin so dankbar dafür. Jetzt muss ich nur die Segnungen pflanzen, führt sie zu und schaut ihnen zu, die gewachsen werden. Jetzt SCHWEISS, BLUT, RISSE. .. morgen erntet die Belohnungen. ..haben einen guten Sonntag}

Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide is now OUT!

2010-10-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

2010 Holiday Gift Guide is LIVE! http://bit.ly/37rpjo Share it! Shop it! Save with it!
Daria has put this Gift Guide for about 5 years now...or so. I just love it...its chalk full of wonderful places you can shop for gifts. Why settle for the ordinary...GIVE EXTRAORDINARY!!! Visit Daria at Boutique Cafe and check out the Guide.

{Daria hat diesen Geschenkführer für ungefähr 5 Jahre jetzt gestellt... oder so. Ich liebe nur es... seine Kreide voll von wunderbaren Orten Sie können für Geschenke einkaufen. Warum für das gewöhnliche beseitigt... GEBEN Sie AUSSERORDENTLICH!!! Besuchen Sie Daria an Boutiquencafé und Kontrolle aus dem Führer} german friends let me know if I messed up! lol Im still practicing!

Priscilla xoxo

and the hits keep a coming!

2010-10-05T18:40:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I was shuttling the girls to school, when "Owwie that hurts" I said. However it went as fast as it hit me. Hmmm, I thought. Throughout the day my tummy ached but I was determined not to let the pain get to me so I chugged along. THEN... 4 comes around and my dinner from the night before and breakfast from that morning makes it's way up. I have the STOMACH FLU!!!! It hit me hard and strong. Now the girls have it and yes guess who else??? MARTY, he has the symptoms too. Geesh poor Guy,first appendicitis now tummy troubles! I just have to think positive, I have to. Well later!

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Insult to injury? what a week!

2010-10-03T20:06:00.001-07:00

Well sort of. Marty had his appendix out on Monday. Poor thing he has be suffering from pain for a week. First the appendix pain then post surgery pain and to add insult to injury he caught some bug that makes him cough. THEN his allergies are on high alert too!!! SNEEZING AND COUGHING after SURGERY!!! Yeah that's NOT a walk in the park. Its been a week...he's getting better each day but I need him to be himself soon...STRONG....

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Introducing…..

2010-09-17T17:40:00.001-07:00

Yes, there you have it…my new line for candle and bath products is now called Luminous Scents. I am making hand poured soy candles, soy tarts, aroma beads and more.

If your looking for a big order for, lets say, weddings…send me and email and we can discuss details.

(I am practicing German so I will also write my blogs translated in German. German friends…correct me when you see something wrong please :o)

Ja, da haben Sie es. Meine neue Linie für Kerze und Bad Produkte heißt jetzt Luminous Scents.

you can find Luminous Scents Candles and Bath products on my website http://rosadolcedesigns.com or my etsy shop http://luminousscentscandle.etsy.com

( Sie finden diese auf meiner Website oder Etsy-Shop)

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

(Haben Sie ein gutes Wochenende!)

Priscilla

Summer Memories, School Time…cheer?!

2010-08-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

I dont think I know of any kid who is happy school is here, but I can surely tell you how many moms I know that are happy school started again! LOL…my kids say I mean ;o)

I remember when the girls were out for summer break. I thought “NEARLY 3 MONTHS OF SUMMER!!?? GAH WHAT AM I GONNA DO?” now I think about it and it seems to have flown by. As always the girls had a busy summer with their cheerleading.

Erykah is now in 6th grade and is also a cheerleader for the middle school team along with her big sister Rebekah, who is in 8th grade! Yes..she will be a HIGHSCHOOLER NEXT YEAR! Did you hear that? My heart skipped a beat. Erykah is as happy as a bee on honey! She said to me “LOTS OF CUTE BOYS MOM!” oh boy *rolling eyes here* See our middle school pools together about 3 or 4 other elementary schools, so there are people in there that she has never met! Rebekah is intent on making it one wonderful final middle school year. She got a new hair cut.

She looks so grown up now. She also turned 13. She still acts like a 3 yr old though…of course all teenagers amplify their need for attention x40! hahahaha We also moved during the summer. Still living in hell…ughh..Laredo. We just needed a bigger house. We were busting out the seams at the other house. It started to look like a over stuffed cottage! So a dear friend of mine was trying to sell her house but with this market well you know. So I said “If your willing to rent, let me know” and so here we are now. We gained just about 1K of sqft more. I have my own sewing room AND I also have my scrapbook area. So I got 2 for the price of one. Its so funny cause my landlord…who is used to live in this house, says to me “OH I WISH I THOUGHT OF THAT WHEN I LIVED HERE!” or “Oh I wish I had a X room for myself!” I find it so funny that she says that now when she’s not living here anymore. I hope they don’t kick us out when our lease is up?! hahahaha NO shes a very good landlord…I love her!

Ok so now, Im still working on my sewing room. I want to get into making my stuff but its one disorganized mess! However, I can make my candles and soaps. I will be working on Halloween and Thanksgiving stuff here in a moment. You can call it my fall line…I want you to tell me what you want to see. Would you rather have a candle that can be used all through out fall? Or would you like a “themed” candle? You now like a jack-o-lantern looking candle and soap? I really want your feedback. Well thats pretty much the summation of my summer and what my plans are for my customers. Hope you guys are having a wonderful back to school. I hope your kids have a wonderful teacher and those of you who are YET to head back to school and are still enjoying summer break, well HAVE FUN!
Priscilla!

Moving? Keep this in mind.

2010-07-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

We just moved to a bigger better house. We gained just over 1000 sqft! So moving was a no brainer. We have more room to spread out, the girls are not all on each other...and we are more at harmony. Here's the thing...this was our first "CIVILIAN MOVE". These are things that totally caught me of guard, even Marty. So if you haven't done a move, or your going from military to civilian life after SO MANY YEARS...learn from us.

When you change over your services i.e. water, sewer, garbage, electricity, and so forth...know that you may get charged transfer fees. Also realized...that once you are moved into your new home, you will get a double bill. You will get the final bill for the previous home and the new bill for your new home. For example...I just received our final bill for our old house. 2 days later we got the bill for our new house (it included the transfer fees) Its a bit on the stress level of 8.5 because now I have a nearly $400.00 bill...but still, I don't mind, I like our new home...and I'm glad we moved. I'm just putting this out there for those of you who are moving and are wondering how this whole transfer of services will work. Normally that's how it works. OH AND ONE MORE THING...before you transfer...you may need to clear any balance you have. Example: I had to go an pay my bill at the our city utilities place. I paid over 100 bucks to clear all that out...now I get a over 100 dollar bill as my final bill??? Really? I have to call them, but make sure you have everything in order in case anything like this happens. I think they just made a mistake. OK well, its been over 2 weeks already and I'm still unpacking. Ill update you as often as I can. PEACE LOVE AND CHICKEN GREASE!

I feel the winds of inspiration passing by

2010-05-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I closed my little shop because I just didnt feel it anymore. I wasnt getting into what I was doing at all, it almost seamed like a chore to me. Well, I have been given the breath of new inspiration again. I dont know what it was, dont know what did it, but Ive been feeling the want to get into it again. Ive been watching youtube a lot the soap queen channel, and it has given me more ideas as to what I can do. I am getting my new washer this Wed, and I will wash most of my fabrics and prep them to be sewn into something wonderful. Im gonna scale down my inventory...and just carry some stuff. My new categories? Im still sticking to bows...I love ribbon. but with ribbon I will also be making some shoe laces that can be customized for your little ones...BOYS OR GIRLS.

Im also going to include basic soaps and candles. Im gonna give the whole cold processed soap making a go...but for now only Melt and Pour and French Milled soaps for now.

Ill keep you posted.

2010-05-29T19:02:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (IKEA) - http://i46.tinypic.com/bij6eq.png

2010-05-26T12:03:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Boston Market) - http://i46.tinypic.com/34owkgl.jpg

2010-05-26T12:02:00.003-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Juicy Couture) - http://i48.tinypic.com/qnk8pu.jpg

2010-05-26T12:02:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Banana Republic) - http://bananarepublic.gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/content/0001/866/540/assets/05.26_HP.jpg

2010-05-25T14:20:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Nieman Marcus Last Call) - http://i50.tinypic.com/25u5fkm.png

2010-05-25T14:19:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Linens N Things) - http://www.lnt.com/store_image/promo/18.jpg

Family Dollar Match Ups

2010-05-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Went to Family dollar today just went for 2 items looked for other deals...these are the only 2 I got

LA Looks 20 oz 2.25
-1.00 5/23/10 SS (I think) myabe RP
-.50 in store coupon here
=.75

Charmin Basic 4 Big Squeez 2.25
- 1.00 P&G mailer
=1.25

Paid with tax
2.17

Ok went back after I actually sat down and took a look at some coupons I had...here is the break down for my second trip. I have to get better with what coupons from what insert I used...so Im so sorry. Just know they are all from either SS or RP 5/23/10 inserts unless otherwise noted.

Suave Deoderant 1.00
-.50 5/23/10 SS
=.50

2 Airwick Aerosol 1.00 ea.
- 1-buy 2 get $1 off IP coupon go to The Karzy Coupon Lady and look for Airwick Aerosol
= .50 each aerosol

Lysol Disinfectant Wipes 2.50
- $1.00
=1.50

Sun 2X Luandry Detergent 29loads 2.00
-.50 5/23/10
=1.50

Secret Deodorant 1.50
-1.50
= FREE

2 Suave Body Washes 12 oz $2.00 eac
- 1 B1G1
= $1.00 ea bottle (this coupon did have a stipulation on it. Limit was the free one had to be 2.00 or less so I got 2 bottles that were exactly $2.00 ea)

Total before coupons was 13.00 before tax
after coupons 6.50 before tax... Im liking this couponing thing!!!

Although the guy, who Im guessing worked all day long there cause he was there at 9 am and was still there at nearly 7 pm, looked at me like I was trying to steal. I was a bit offended. I guess hes never see anyone with so many coupons before...geesh man, the stores gonna get its money either from my pocket or the manufacturers pocket...oh well, Im still happy and dancing here!!! hehehe

Crazy over here!

2010-05-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

So your probably wondering what all those un-titled posts are about??? Well, they are savings, coupons, deals things you might be intrested in. From food to clothing to groceries. Im sending them to you with love <3<3<3 LOL. I have an app on my phone called "THE COUPONS APP" on my phone you can find it on the Android Market. I have an HTC Fender LTD edition phone. Im sure you can get it for the other touch phones too. However, there are a lot of deals out there to be found. There was a 20% off coupon for ANY Bath and Body works item. Another one was a dozen free wings at a wings place ONLY if you tried them with one of their new flavors.

So if you see an UN-TITLED post...you might want to check it out...it might be some deal to take the family out to eat. It could be a "free" panty from Victorias Secret...something cool.

So now today I went to Family Dollar to get some savings. I pulled out my coupons binder and tried to see if I could get more deals. I knew what I was going there for. Here is what I got...only 2 things...but still

LA Looks 20oz gel sells for 2.25
manufacturer cpn. -1.00
in store cpn. -.50
Making that gell only .75 cents

Charmin 2.25
manufacturer cpn. -1.00
making paper only 1.25

There is another deal (well here in Laredo, might be a regional thing)
Airwick Spray is on Sale for onnly 1.00
online here http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/offers.shtml you can download an IP coupon
for a buy 2 get $1. off
That makes each spray only .50 cents!!! Not a bad deal huh??? So print as many as you can. and stock up!

2010-05-24T06:11:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Bath & Body Works) - http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/emailSignup/index.jsp

2010-05-24T06:07:00.001-07:00

for my coupon DIVAS! Via TheCouponsApp: (BJs Wholesale Club) - http://www.bjs.com/images/whats_new/images6375.gif

2010-05-23T14:49:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Carters) - http://i41.tinypic.com/6opq2g.jpg

2010-05-23T14:47:00.003-07:00

com/earplugtrial/xtreme http://www.naturalpersimmon.com/servlet/the-template/sample/Page

2010-05-23T14:47:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Sample) - http://www.naturemade.com/specialcoupon/entry.asp?ID=8 http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/sampleafriend/ http://www.hearos.

2010-05-22T21:35:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Buffalo Wild Wings) - http://i48.tinypic.com/e71flu.jpg

2010-05-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Carters) - http://i45.tinypic.com/1sawl4.jpg (OshKosh Bgosh) - http://i49.tinypic.com/10r7iox.jpg

2010-05-22T16:03:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Bath & Body Works) - http://i49.tinypic.com/fxcy0p.jpg

2010-05-22T16:01:00.003-07:00

.com/specialcoupon/entry.asp?ID=15 http://www.lanacane.com/survey.asp http://www.cesar.com/register.aspx?promo=1

2010-05-22T16:01:00.001-07:00

Via TheCouponsApp: (Sample) - http://ellen.warnerbros.com/nivea/sample.php http://www.naturemade.com/specialcoupon/entry.asp?ID=15 http://www.naturemade

It was just a pebble in a large lake

2010-05-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

My couponing made a little itty bitty ripple in the large lake of life and budget. Hmmm...I cant say I am dissapointed so much that I can say it. We hadnt gone grocery shopping in almost 3 weeks...and we are a LARGE FAMILY of 6. There was more that I needed than I had coupons for. Either way, it did something. At Target I bought a lot of stuff and I had a savings of just almost 60.00. HEB had almost all the coupons I had in hand tagged to the items themselves. Problem for me was...they were all "M" coupons not "S" coupons. Either way, they had a better deal for the cereal. I had a coupon for GM cereals "buy 2 get a $1.00 off" coupon. HEB had a $1.00 off each box coupon...so I was able to save more money there than my coupon was going to give me. HEB I saved also just a bit over 30.00.

Still, I need to learn more. I know Im a green horn, wet behind the ears type couponer. So I went to our Public Library and check out Sarah's book Im gonna read it and Im gonna live it at least give it all summer. I know its time consuming but hey I have to believe it will work. Shes a faith based person and I give my life to the Lord...I leave it in his hands. I also believe that I have to be the one to put things in motion cause GOD can only do so much for me. I must want it, he will help me attain it. Im not the guy in the flood who turns away 3 rescue attempts by car, boat and helicopter saying " No thank you GOD will save me" then he drowns in the flood and when he gets to GOD he says "HEY GOD WHY DIDNT YOU SAVE ME I BELIEVED IN YOU!" God said "HEY BUDDY! I sent you a car, a boat, and a helicopter...what else did you want?!!!" No...thats not me...Im not that man. So yes...I will stick with it. I have my budget all set out for the next 2 months...with room to wiggle for the girls cheer stuff.

One more thing... I will be posting more often to bring you deals around, well I guess the U.S. So follow me on twitter, facebook, and here. I will post them up on all the places. You will see more of me here than you probably care to!!! hahahaha...ok well then have a very blessed weekend. I have to go tend to my poor sick Rebekah and my sick hubby. GOD BLESS!

My second source secret...shhhh...Im gonna share with ya!

2010-05-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Ok ...so Ive been hard at work...I think Im going cross eyed! OY! but you know what, I found a ton of coupons that I can pair up with store coupons too...so thats good! Saves me more money. Im gonna share the other place with you.

You already know of moneysavingqueen.com, yeah the link is over -------> there! Under 918moms.com . So now Im gonna bring you...drum roll please: The Krazy Coupon Lady OMG...SHES GOT A SWARM OF COUPONS!!! I found a ton of them there...if not almost 100% of my coupons there! Still gotta find others to match up to my other store coupons..but for now Im good! Still you have to check it. I hope your giving it a try. Ok tomorrow will be my big embargo to Target with all my matched up coupons. I will come back and give you my Total and what I actually paid...I am hoping its worth it cause I only have a budget of 175.00 for groceries this week. GEESH THATS A TIGHT BUDGET! Ok well then its night night for now...see ya tomorrow.

OLD NAVY...Laredo Tx

2010-05-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

This Saturday...Old Navy will be having their $1.00 FLIP FLOP SALE!!! They will open at 7 a.m. and there is a limit of 5 flip flops per person. So there...dont say I didnt tell you! LOL...Ill be seeing ya there...thats for sure.

My Coupon Binder is DONE!!! TADA!!!

2010-05-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

I spent most of this morning putting it together...and organizing it. ITS SO PUURRTTYY!!!! HEHEHEHE granted I dont have many coupons in there, but enough for things I actually need! Here its my binder...

here is the front part of it...I have what someone else suggested, a calculator, scissors, pens and pencils.

here I have the policy of all the stores I frequent a lot...so they dont give me any lip!

here are the tabs that divide all of the coupons from each other...so im not looking around and looking like a fool at the counter while the other customers are giving me the death look, snarling at me and stomping their feet.

So yeah...it was worth it...cause now I see what I can get for nearly next to nothing...like I have a Man. coupon there for Dawn...and a Family Dollar coupon for dawn...hell yeah!!! That sucker is MINE!!!

Have you checked out the site I told you about...??? huh, have ya? you should...honestly. People always complain how the dollar does not go far these days. Well sweetie...your gonna have to find a way to stretch that dollar and its not just gonna fall on your lap like GODS good grace! Your gonna have to work for it and really do your homework. I mean if you dont like to do that and dont mind spending a whole lotta money then hey, who am I to say anything..its your money. ME...I have 4 kids who love their sports...so Im gonna cut corners ANYWAY I can find.

After this...Im gonna post a cool deal...so check it out!

We are hopping along...end of school is near!

2010-05-19T05:47:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the venues I mentioned on my last blog post? If not...WHY NOT? lol...seriously, if you want to save money you do need to think about couponing...for most of your purchases...at least watch her videos. It gives you some good advice and insight on other things...not just groceries.
I have already gone to the point where I have my coupon binder all set up. Its not complete yet, I have to go and find some baseball card protectors...you know they are like sheet protectors but instead hold up to 4 "trading" cards in there across and about another 4 down. Yeah I need a few of those. I need to go to Best Buy and check out that computer Ive been wanting and search for it online. See if there isnt some kind of rebate, sales coupon, something on it. I want to pay as little as possible for it.
Hey so now...if you have girls then you might know the store Justice. I love that store. Rebekah seemed to have outgrown that style or shes just not into the sweet dainty "princess" look my 3 other girls like. Still she loves the jeans and shorts there. Well, Im not sure if they are still doing this, but its worth a shot to go ask. Sign up for membership there. Its like a rewards card. You pay, I believe 25.00 for the year. Then when you go shopping...even if there are NO SALES...no 15,30 or their famous 40% off deals...you will always ALWAYS get 30% off with that membership card...NO MATTER WHEN OR WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR!!!! SWEET HUH!? So everything in the store is regular price...no sales going on...Mama Joe over there is gonna pay full price for all those cloths little missy wants...you however will be saving up a whole 30% off. NOW WHATS GONNA HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS A SALE? No...you dont get an extra 30% on top of that 40% off sale they are getting. You get an extra 5%. THATS ALMOST 50% OFF!!!! Even clearance items!!! Nice huh? They still qualify for the Justice buck they offer now and then. I mean I stock up on nearly 500.00 worth of cloths and I only pay 55% of 500.00 yeah I like that! Then I get my Justice bucks too!!! SWEET!
Then you go and spend your justice bucks too...you load up...if you have your 25.00 bucks you know you spend 50, pay 25. Spend 100, pay 50 (only if you have two of those 25.00 bucks) and so forth. Ive gotten up to 4 of those in the past. Well, you can STILL use your membership card to save even more bucks! Just remember the entire total has to ring up what the card says you have to spend...thats fine with me...but if you think about it you will buy a LOT MORE...for a lot less! Ok done talking savings.
Well enough about coupons for now...although I LOVE LOVE LOVE saving money. END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS ALMOST HERE!!! crazy huh? Rebekah and Erykah tried out for the middle school cheer team. Keep in mind this is a very intense squad. They are 3 time national winners AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL! These girls perform at levels most high school teams can not accomplish. Yeah...they both made it! So they are excited. Two sisters on one team thats gonna be fun...hmm? This coming year will be Rebekahs 8th grade year! YIKES where has the time gone. Yesterday, I came across some photos my mom and dad have of Rebekah when she was 2 years old. I remember that day. We were living in Killeen and there was a petting zoo at the civic center there. We took Bekah and Erykah (they were the only ones then) to the zoo. There was some fire trucks there as well. Rebekah was on a truck with a plastic kids fire helmet on. OMG...I wanted to cry. My baby is growing up so fast. Rebekah started to laugh at me...she said "Mom Ill always be your baby" . I know, but I MISS my baby. *sigh* So yeah...this next year will be Rebekahs 8th grade year and she will turn 13. After that...HIGH SCHOOL! I always said I would be the first to open the door and say BYE BYE to the girls when its time for them to go to college, but as that time gets closer and closer...Im not so sure anymore. I mean Im not gonna be that type of mom that will guilt their child into staying at home for MY benefit. NO WAY...but yes..thinking about the near future...well lets just say makes me really drink up the days I have with them right now.
Well, thats my daily rant for today. I might come back and post some more. Im want to keep this up. 2 days in a row already WOW! LOL...maybe come back during the day and post up some deals I find on the internet and FB. Stuff my buddies are doing. I will start work here soon...no not a "real" job, I mean getting my hand dirty with my fabrics and ribbons. I will be working on 4th of July stuff and summer dresses...so be on the look out for that. HAVE A BLESSED DAY EVERYONE!

COUPONS...and more money???

2010-05-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

So its been a while, huh? Yup...still haven't bought that new computer I want. Money has been tight around here and that got me thinking. I remembered I had seen a woman who was put to the test with her couponing skills on the Today Show. She and the reporter had the same shopping list. They were to do their best at saving money. So OFF THEY GO! When they tallied up the grand total...the reporter paid 80+ bucks on her items, the coupon lady...$1 BUCK!!!! They had the same items, all the other lady did was use coupons and other deals.

I was amazed. I told Marty and he thought it was a gimic...said "DONT WASTE YOUR TIME HUN" Later, though that same woman came out on the news. Again she was put to the test at a supermarket. Same items, same list. Reporter paid just about 150.00...coupon lady, under a buck!!!!! MARTY'S WAS FLOORED!!! Thing was we were so into the segment that I forgot to catch the name of the woman. I wanted to know more. She gives "university" classes on couponing...she shows you how she saves so much money.

I happened to find her AT LAST because of Facebook. One of my friends on my list posted an update on something about this lady and I went there RIGHT AWAY. She has her "classes" online too! I cant wait to see how it all works. Now I know you think "oh its just junk you wont need" well really she said no...not really. So Im gonna give it a go. We need to cut back on our expenses and if I can cut my grocery bill in half...then why not try it...right? There is nothing you have to buy to learn her methods...just maybe a little folder to save up your coupons...and the only thing spent is a little bit of time watching her videos.

Interested?? Well I posted a link on the side bar of my blog over there ------> Its under MONEY SAVING QUEEN. Check it out...save some cash and put it to better use. Let me know how its going for you. Ill try to keep yall posted on how my progress is going. Its gonna be a challenge cause you do need to put away at least 30 min to an hour to start this off. She says after a while of doing it, you can actually cut that time down to half .... when you become a "pro". I dont mind...whats an hour to save some really good cash??? Check it out.

Another thing I want to touch up on now that we are talking about coupons. If you have the HTC My Touch or the Droid...android market...dont know if its available for itouch ipod users...check out the app called The Coupons App. They send you the price of the average cost of gas in your area. They send you coupons available at stores that are probably near you. Right now it says you can get a free $12 signature item with any $10 spend at Bath and Body works. Its pretty cool. To get more coupons you do have to subscribe to it monthly is .99 cents and yearly is 10.00...not bad for some serious savings. Check both out! Let me know what you think?

Houston...we have a problem!!

2010-03-03T10:56:00.001-08:00

Yes, for the past month or so, we have been having computer problems. First my BUSINESS computer dies, then Marty gets me this little bitty notebook but this computer is for light use not daily torture from me. Then the desk top we have is comparable to a 150 yr old person! Its running slow as molasses on a cold winters morning, then again it also runs on Windows 2000, yeah I told you it was old. So we are closing down the store for a while. I found a computer, desk top that is..that has 3 Terabytes of memory 1 whole terabytes dedicated to gaming, graphics and video!! How freaking awesome is that?! The computer alone, not keyboard no monitor, nothing, is just over 1k...that's alright, I just need the computer, I have a pretty good monitor...I just need a good computer where I can edit my photos, where it can handle my daily abuse and ask for MORE!!!

For now, I have to keep you guys updated on this with either my old geezer or my slacker computer...not to mention that I also need to figure out how to do my homework... both computers have a love hate relationship with the Internet! so for now...Rosa Dolce Designs will be closing its doors...just for a moment, until we can gather all of our stuff back up and provide you with great items again.

I am also working on making it a bit different. The name might change so be on the look out for that.

Have a blessed day!

I know Ive said it before, but I have to again

2010-01-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

I need to loose weight! I am going to follow my pregnancy diabetic diet...honestly its just the diabetic diet. Yes, I had gestational diabetes AND im knocking on diabetes 2's door right now. I want to be here for my girls, I want to see them grow up, graduate, get married and become moms. I want to be here. Ive seen my uncles loose limbs due to diabetes. NOT ME!!! I DONT WANT THAT!!! I want my sight, I want my limbs...so I need to loose the weight...60 lbs thats my goal. Wanna join me? GO FOR IT. Here is the diet

Breakfast:

15 grams of carbs

1 serving of protein

veggies (as much as you want except anything has is a carb like potatoes)

no fruits

no juice

water but coffee is ok

snack:

15 grams of carbs

1 serving of protein

as much veggies as you want except anything that has carbs like potatoes (they have to be counted as your carb intake)

fruits 1 serving of any one fruit medium size (not packed in syrup)

no juice

waer is better, but I like crystal light

lunch:

30 grams of carbs

1.5 servings of protein

as much veggies as you want except anything that has carbs like potatoes (they have to be counted as your carb intake)

fruits 1 serving of any one fruit medium size (not packed in syrup)

juice is ok but only about 8oz

water is best, but I like crystal light

snack:

same as above

Dinner:

60 grams of carbs

2.5 servings of protein

as much veggies as you want except anything that has carbs like potatoes (they have to be counted as your carb intake)

fruits 1 serving of any one fruit medium size (not packed in syrup)

juice is ok but only about 8oz

water is best but I like crystal light

Also look at the sugar grams of your foods. It shouldnt be more that 10 grams per serving and then look at the serving. I try not to go over 15 grams of sugar per serving but the smaller the number of grams the better. Also take into account the carbs..how much does the sugar account for the carbs...if its more than half then the products is really not good for you.

Im going to use http://foodnetwork.com/ to help me plan my meals..and Im using the healthy meal link. I will maybe make some soul comforting foods *you know the ones that have high in fat meal* but maybe once a week or a month. We will get a free day...Im choosing Sunday where I can eat whatever i want.

I will be working out...and I will post what Im going to do and I will promise to make sure I post my excersis intake during the day.

So there you go..let me know if your with me!!! I will start Monday...hey I have to plan my menu and go grocery shopping!! NO JUNK FOOD!! Go shopping NOT HUNGRY! ok there you go.

It may be cold outside but LOVE can keep you warm! BOGO SALE

2010-01-07T10:22:00.001-08:00

Well at least I think so. I am a hopeless romantic. I love movies that have to do with hard relationships that work out in the end. My favorite movies so far...Pride and Prejudice and Hes Just Not Than Into You. There are others but then this blog post will turn into a movie review instead. So its no wonder why I love Valentines day. I mean sure all year round, just like Christmas, we should put our loved ones at the top of our list. It makes man and woman really think about their loved one and makes them put REAL thought into giving to them and putting them first.

Well I started pretty early, well not early enough, and I have already listed a few headbands for Valentines day. I am getting my silk screens prepped for valentines day shirts and outfits, bags and more! Now...here is a deal. Right now I have 20 fans on my FB business page. If you can help me expand my fan base..the person who is # 50 and the person who referred my 50th fan will get a FREE VALENTINES DAY SHIRT! Its called Love Around the World...you will see it soon! Also for all the fans...A BOGO SALE!!! What kind of BOGO...no one will know till we get to 50 fans.

So come one...be the 50th customer and the person who refers the 50th customer so EVERYONE can enjoy a BOGO sale and you two will get a FREE shirt!

Im THANKFUL FOR...

2009-11-25T18:03:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of the year technically started today. The shopping for ingredients for the turkey, pies, taters and more...YUM! I cant wait. I love the holiday season. Not for the consumerism the media throws at us. I love it because its is the only small time frame of the year everyone puts their issues aside and embraces the love of family and friends...even sometimes strangers. We all start to see the year that has past us by and in most of us, it gets us thinking "WAS I GOOD? WHAT DID I DO TO CHANGE THE WORLD? DID I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONES LIFE?"

So I think to myself and I think I did OK this past year...but what am I thankful for?

Well here it goes

I am thankful for my husband, he is supportive and believes in me more than i believe in myself. He truly is my biggest fan!

I'm thankful for Rebekah...she is a strong leader. She loves her sisters to the end, always protecting them at all times. Shes tough, very intelligent, beautiful on the inside as well as the out. She is a crafty kid that can come up with some wonderful poems.

I'm thankful for Erykah-Marie. She is sensitive to others needs. She fights for whats right and makes sure everyone is treated fairly. This little girl is a walking brain..I swear she is Einstein reincarnated! She is very musically talented and always tries new things even though it may be scary she faces her fears and goes head first.

I'm thankful for my Monikah. She is very sensitive girl. She loves to sing, she loves to laugh. She loves to draw and craft. She makes sure that her daddy is taken care of.

I'm thankful for my sweet Jesykah. She is so caring...and always makes sure that MOM is taken care of. She loves unconditionally. She always puts others first, makes sure they are taken care of. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She is the light of the family.

I'm thankful that I have fairly good health. I could be worse off. I'm thankful for the work the Lord gives us so that we can provide for our children. We have a roof over our heads, warm beds to sleep in, plenty of food to keep us happy and all the little extras that we enjoy.

I'm thankful for my faith. I'm glad that GOD gives me the heart to keep believing in him no matter what comes my way. I am so thankful for my family. My mom and dad are my world. My brothers, no matter what, they are the best people I know. I'm thankful for all my friends that Ive had for many years, and all the new friends I continue to make. Each one adds a wonderful light to my life. Each one is a special piece in my life's puzzle.

I just so thankful for everyone and everything that GOD has blessed me with. I'm thankful for the talents and the "brain" he has blessed me with. I am just so thankful for all of it...the blue skies, the birds that sing in the morning and at night. I'm thankful for the breezes during hot summer days and the cool winds in winter. I'm thankful for rainy days and the sounds of the rain on my roof and my back porch. I'm thankful for the wonderful paintings my girls make that hang on my dinning room wall. The wonderful love, light and innocence that they portrait of a young child's mind. It reminds me of the great responsibility I have to mold these children to be great citizens and stewards for the human population of the WORLD.

Thank you GOD for everything and everyone in my life. All of you have a BLESSED Thanksgiving. Remember to love your family right now...you may not have tomorrow to tell them how much they mean to you. Make each moment count, each breath you take mean something. GOD BLESS!

So Chic Boutique Wipe Cases

2009-11-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

You know I wish I knew how to do this when I had babies. Now I want a baby just to make me some of these just for me! Since that wont happen unless I have a miracle from GOD, I am making them for you and your little bundles of JOY! Go to my etsy, website or artfire shops and you can find these very pretty wipe cases to suit your taste. I will be adding matching changing pads, bibs and bags to these at a later date.

New Guidelines...Good or Bad?

2009-11-17T20:38:00.001-08:00

Did you hear about the new Breast Cancer Mammography recommended Guidelines?

Suggested start to get your FIRST mammography is now 50...not 40 like before.
Giving yourself self breast exams at home is now a BIG NO NO!

Ok well I have a bone to pick. Honestly...50? I mean I know of women who have had breast cancer at 20!!! One girl I heard she was 16 YEARS OLD!!! I mean seriously. I know they checked out over 60,000 women in all ages, all ways of diagnosis, but still.

I heard, on the Today show, that women under 50 have dense breasts. Dense breasts are hard to read...they are a lot of work. LAZIES!!! Get off your fat asses and do something else. It is also recommended that women with dense breasts get an MRI. Just because you don't want to do the work, does not mean you put a woman's life at risk. So they are supposed to wait till they are 50 IF THEY EVEN GET TO BE 50 because your to lazy to read 'DENSE BREAST MAMOGRAPHIES!?'

As for the self breast exams...there are rules to that. Check yourself AFTER your period...not before. I check myself 2 days after mine. Why? Well because when your ovulating, hormones cause our breast to do funny things. I know my breasts (TMI HERE) feel the same way the felt when I was breastfeeding my girls. The feeling of my milk coming down. That tingle sensations...yeah...thats what I feel. I have found some lumps on my breasts but they are the ducts. Its the Hormones...so now I wait till AFTER my period and yes I did read this, and hear it, that is its best to do this right after you are done with your menstruation.

They said self checking causes a lot of anxiety, a lot of "undue" stress. However, I like to be better safe than sorry. Heck, check your armpits too. They are also part of your breast area...don't you know? I one time found a lump in my armpit...I was freaking out. I went to my OBGYN...I told him about it...it was a blocked sweat gland. YES I did feel a little embarrassed but you know what, not so much. Id rather sound like a neurotic hypochondriac than later on finding out that it was something I needed to take seriously. By the way just so you know...I am a semi-hypochondriac...LOL

either way...there is a lot of controversy over the new guidelines and rightfully so. So many women have saved their own lives by checking themselves. DONT STOP LADIES...CONTINUE YOUR SELF CHECK EXAMS...DEMAN MAMOGRAMS!!! Esp if you have a history of CANCER in your family! Even women with no history of breast cancer in their family have been surprised by this enemy...young vibrant women in their 20's, 30's and 40's. Their lives have been saved because of mammograms and self check exams. So don't buy the hype. Continue to do what your doing. We need to look out for ourselves. No one looks out for a woman, only we can take that step to make sure we are here for our future...our children and our grandchildren. We need to be our own boss and make our docs listen to us. Because even though we nag...we are usually right...hardly ever EVER wrong.

So whadaya think?

2009-11-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

So I was scratching my head as to what to do with my blog. I was bored with the look. Someone I met because of Cafemom does graphics. Her name Chassity Oquendo. Her shop http://polkadotscraps.blogspot.com/. I love the way she created the graphics. It sort of transitions great from my website to my blog! LOVE IT!!! So what do you think? Let me know. Like it, check out Chassity's blog, maybe hire her to do your own blog set too ;o)

Is it that unimaginable?

2009-10-26T16:27:00.000-07:00

I was watching the news today, our local news. In one segment they said a man joined the military and I quote " JUST FOR THE INSURANCE FOR HIS WIFE". Really is it that hard to believe? I know so many people who have done it. Shoot Marty joined the military for the benefits too! Insurance is expensive...Ive known that since I was young. My dad had GREAT insurance coverage for us, but he paid out the ASS for it! Then I turned 20 and I was pregnant. Marty and I got married and despite his parents and my saying not to him going the army, Marty being a headstrong man, went anyways. I wanted him to continue his education, I was still going to school and we had family here. Still we went, his reasoning...INSURANCE!

He said he needed to provide for his family, he needed to take care of his new family. He hates asking for help and so he went this way. I was scared. I had never left home, I had never lived away from my family. Heck my dad was the typical "Hispanic" father that believes a young woman is NOT TO LIVE outside of DADS protection. A man can use her and abuse her. She doesn't know better! Really I was his only daughter and I think he had issues with letting me go, but that's another blog.

A lot of people have a hard time letting their children go. I might, have a hard time. A lot more people have a HARDER time letting their child go to the military...I might NOT. I think its a noble thing to do...but my girls will have their degrees before they go. Over my dead body will they be enlisted, they will go commissioned officers if they join the military! The military was a scary thing for me, again for above reasons. I learned a lot about myself. We had so many good memories, we did have some not so good memories. For example, Marty missed Erykahs 1st bday and the birth of Jesykah. All in all the milestones missed wasn't all that bad. We got to travle the world, live abroad and the girls have a vast knowledge of other cultures, other foods, other languages. We didn't have to worry when Erykah had RSV 3 times then diagnosed with ASTHMA. I didn't worry when she got Kawasaki's Disease. I didn't have to worry when Rebekah was born early and so was Jesykah. Or when Jesykah stopped breathing at 2 months and had to be rushed to the hospital...I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY! Everything was covered, everything was taken care of.

It is a good life, don't bash it. It takes care of families, yes its scary, but it can be a life long lesson for your kids. You have to be open minded, be willing to travel to countries you do not know the language and just IMMERSE yourself in it. I loved it, I hope we do go back to the Army. I still have lots of countries to visit...LONDON, PARIS, CHINA AND MORE!

The military is a great place...a very great place to be. You just have to be strong and open minded.

xoxoxo
Priscilla

We all get shaken but we need faith

2009-10-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

This past week has been a week of sadness. All of a sudden, in my family, a great big grey BLACK cloud has been cast upon us. Tuesday, I found out, that my cousins wife has stage 4 cancer. What cancer, I still have yet to learn. She is young...I think if shes not in her late 30's she is in her early 40's. She has 3 children one just 2 yrs old. I think of my cousin, how he must be feeling. I think of their children, esp the older ones. They are my 2 oldest girls age..so they know what is going on and what the end result could be, or honestly, the doc said, will be.

She is my 2nd daughters God Mother, well they are her God parents. We never really ever got together because well at first Marty was an Army man. We moved a lot, we came home not to many times and when we did it was a "drive by visit". I have, since I was 23, known that I should not take my family for granted. My best friend passed away 2 months after she turned 23. I then realized, that we are all here one minute and the next we are gone. I suffered a lot with her death, to the point that I almost lost it. My faith was very much shaken, I couldn't understand WHY God took her away. She was a healthy young woman, not previous complications due to illness, nothing that I KNOW of. She fell into a coma one day 2 months later she passed away. However my family didn't extend to more than my kids, my husband, my parents and my brothers. I was wrong.

She (my best friend) must have finished what she came here to do, that's all I can think of. However her death gave me lessons that I still use to this day, and sometimes Marty either gets mad at me over or makes fun of me. I always say 'GOD WILLING' cause in the end it is Gods will weather or not we stay or go right now. I always hug my girls and tell them I love them. I don't make things more than what they seem. I don't like making mountains outa molehills. I realize that my life is a gift. Everyday is a gift, every hour, every minute and second...they are all gifts and we either waste them or put them to good use. I try not to worry about things that I cant change, I try not to worry to much about nothing because in the end they are still going to be there.

Those of you who know me know I'm catholic, and those who don't know me personally and just through some social network should now my faith in my religion is strong. Yes there are times that I get upset and I get mad at GOD and I say to him "YOU KNOW WHAT I DON'T TRUST YOU ANYMORE!" then later on he shows me I should and I pray and say I'm sorry. I'm like a child who wants things her way sometimes. See we are children of GOD, no matter how old or how young we are all children of GOD. We act with him how our children act with us. We throw tantrums when we don't get our way, we feel betrayed when people or situations get taken away. We blame HIM for things WE as a human race have ruined. Just like our children throw a tantrum when they don't get that candy, those jeans, that phone. They feel like we don't understand them when we don't let our kids go to that party where all the WHO'S WHO of the school will be. They blame us when something good happens yet they are punished for their actions.

I know my life is a gift, I know my children are loans. I know my husband, be that he is my best friend, can be here one minute and not here tomorrow. I try not to take my days for granted. I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of what will happen after. I'm afraid my youngest daughter will not remember me. I'm afraid, how my husband will react. I'm afraid my children will withdraw from life and loose their faith. I and weaving a net for them. I try to make them understand that because things don't go the way we planned doesn't mean GOD doesn't love you or that it was wrong. Life can hand you LOTS AND LOTS of lemons. I know, I'm one of those people that have tons of LEMONS. I'm constantly sick. Seems to me like when I take 2 steps forwards, I end up being pushed back 5 steps more!

Still, I wonder about my cousins and his wife and his children. The family is on edge. I haven't visited him or his wife, I'm afraid to, since shes started her round of chemo. I don't want to take anything that could harm her. I mean I think I have allergies, but for all I know I have some super cold bug that could cause her more harm. I do hope that she takes time to make memories with her kids. I hope she is leaving them letters. I know that's what I do. Id make letters to each and everyone of my girls. Id leave them videos of myself for them.

Now that I think about it, this is another great lesson for me. I don't know when I will pass on. I SHOULD be making letters to my girls. I may go tomorrow, or even tonight. We all should do that. Today at church, we found out that a WHOLE FAMILY was killed while traveling. Life is so precious. Shakespeare said "Life is like a candle. It can either burn itself down and die naturally or it can be snuffed out with a passing wind." There was a story my mom told me...and its true. She knew this woman who's grandmother had passed on. The grandmother left a very LARGE sum amount of money to her son, the woman's father. The father told my moms friend that he was going to spend all that money traveling and not to expect anything because he was going to spend it all. Well he never got the money...a few short months later, the man passed away. He never got to spend that money he so greedily yearned to do.

I don't write this to preach. I'm really writing this because I need to let my feelings out in a way. I am upset. I do not understand why she is going through this but I do know its not GOD creating this. We did this to ourselves. All the pollutants we breath, drink and eat. Unfortunately it is us that is causing these illnesses in such young people. So how come GOD doesn't come and fix it? Well, why don't you fix every mistake your child does? Same reason why GOD doesn't, what would we learn from it? NOTHING. If you went and fixed everything your child did wrong and your child didn't get punished, he/she wouldn't learn anything from it and would continue doing what is wrong. We can not blame GOD for our misdoings. We can not blame GOD for the things we put in the air, food and water.

I do hope that she knows its not GOD punishing her. I hope she knows its not GOD allowing this to happen to her. I do hope she knows that GOD is there to walk her through the hard times. I hope that she doesn't loose faith no matter WHAT the outcome is. I know its hard to trust someone else you cant see with the fate of your life...but that's why its called faith. We sometimes don't get what WE want, we may not understand why things happen and one day you will, but at this moment we don't. I don't know if she will live or die. I don't know. I hope she lives. I want her to live, not for me, but for her husband and her children. I know id be beside myself worrying about my children's future and the things I will get to miss. I would worry about the things my girls will miss not having a mother. I know my husband will have problems doing certain things, but i do have faith in him. Its more of my fear of not being here for my girls, not seeing them grow. Graduating from college, getting married, HAVING A SLEW OF KIDS!!! cause yes, i want A LOT OF GRAND KIDS!!! and all these things all my fears I see it being played out in my cousins life. It shakes me to my core. I pray for her that GOD leaves her here. I know in the end it is his will not ours. He has a plan. I know what I want for her. Ill I have is my faith that GOD will do what is right and that all I have to do is trust and pray.

end of my vent.

Priscilla

Do we REALLY have to go through this?? SERIOUSLY?

2009-10-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

I don't have sisters. I have 2 younger brothers and we never fought. Yes, as un believable as that sounds my brothers and I never fought and my brothers hardly if ever fought at all. It could be cause well, I didn't have to share anything with my brothers and my brothers are about 6 yrs apart so they never had anything to fight about. MARTY and his brother, according to him, fought on a daily basis. He says it was not just yelling and saying mean things...THEY FOUGHT!! FISTIES as they say it. I'm not used to it, he is.

So where am I going with this? OK so my oldest, Rebekah, is 12. She just turned 12. However shes getting "ready" for the teen years already. I call it "THE PRACTICE RUN!" For me, what gets to me is, the lack of attention she gives us. I tell her to do something and I expect her to do it. However she seems to think that she can take her time with it. The "oh as long as it gets done sometime today its OK " attitude...I don't like that. She drags, she has no concept of time. TIME STANDS STILL FOR THE LITTLE MISS! PHHTTBBB!!! YEAH RIGHT! OK so that's been my mini drama here in our home. Even Marty is getting fed up with her attitude.

New drama unfolds this morning:

Marty: REBEKAH ITS 7:20 WHY ARNT YOU DRESSED!?
Rebekah: I cant find anything to wear
in comes Erykah...
Rebekah: THAT'S WHY I CANT FIND MY PANTS!! ERYKAH IS WEARING THEM...TAKE THEM OFF NOW EJ AND GIVE ME MY PANTS!
Marty: WHOA...you should have gotten your cloths ready last night bekah, you cant just tell EJ to take of her pants (Rebekah starts to argue here ) when we are getting ready to leave!
Rebekah: (while Marty is finishing his sentence ) DAD I LEND THEM TO HER FOR ONE DAY! NOT THE ENTIRE WEEK!!
Marty: Check your tone little girl, you don't yell at me.
Rebekah: (in a much quieter voice and tears streaming down her face) But those are my pants dad. I only have 2 pairs of pants.
Marty: Where are you other pants?
Rebekah: I DON'T KNOW?! (she realized what she did because Marty looked at her sternly and she looked down) I don't know dad?
Marty: Find them and use them?

Rebekah storms out upset and crying....she did find her khaki brown pants, but she was still upset about the other pants. Our deal at our house...GET YOUR CLOTHS READY THE NIGHT BEFORE. My little ones do that all the time. Rebekah used to do it but now she just ignores us and does her own thing. Then when things go wrong, she blames everyone else! She sees her sister wearing her pants all week long and now she wants them back? UUGGHHH!!

I really don't want to deal with "MOM SHES WEARING MY SHIRT!" thing. I buy cloths and I remind them they are to SHARE the cloths. I tell my mom and my MIL that when they buy cloths for them, to make sure they don't get them EACH their own...they need to learn to share. It seems like as the days go, Rebekah seems to act out a bit. Shes not bad, she does not talk back...she knows better. We do allow our girls more freedom to tell us what they feel but it has to be don't with respect and tact. It is something that FOR ME I couldn't do with my parents. As I grew up you did what you were told. If you said anything about it in a negative way, oh you got spanked.

I know Rebekah is trying to find "herself" she is a independent young lady, yet at the same time she comes to me when she needs comfort. She is not afraid to hug me and cuddle with me in front of her friends. When her friends are telling their mothers "Stop mom your embarrassing me!" She tells me "you don't embarrass me". I feel good that she is comfortable. So its not really your typical pushing away of the parents thing, its more of sibling rivalry. I never went through it...so I'm not sure how I'm gonna handle it. Marty dealt with BOY stuff...so hes not much help either. Oh whats a mother to do. Oh well, just take it in day by day.

Men and Women: Finding the Balance in the Home

2009-10-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm an avid "TODAY SHOW" viewer. That's is how I start every morning. I get up, my remote under my pillow and CLICK turn on the TV. I'm the type of person who wants to know whats going on in my country and around the world. To me its important to be well informed. We talk about the current events in our house, we incorporate our morning talk with our girls with whats happening. A lot of people tell me our girls are very intelligent and mature for their age, well that's probably why...cause we, Marty and I, make sure our girls know current events and the impact they have on the world. So they have a new segment, where Maria Shriver is "investigating" how the role shift in the home is affecting us as families in America. It is called "A WOMAN'S NATION".

I grew up with a WOMAN: my mom, who probably didn't HAVE to work, but did. She is that woman that would not accept the title "HOUSE WIFE". She was a career woman ALL of her life. She started working at the age of 14. One because she wanted to help out her family. My grandparents were immigrants. When they came to the U.S. my mother was about 3 yrs old. My aunt and uncle are much older. They were a poor farming family. What prompted my mom to work at the age of 14, I don't know. She and her best friends just wanted to earn money, I suppose. They tried their hand at picking crops at a local ranch. She said that by noon, they wanted out! They hitched a ride back to town and her best friends dad, a prominent man in our city at that time got upset that they were back home and not working. They were scolded like little pups with their tails between their legs, well that's how my mom tells the story. In two shakes of a lambs tail, that man acquired my mother and her best friend a job as secretaries. That's how my mothers career started. She stayed with that job for a very long time, I know at least until she married my dad. I came along then my brothers, but I do not know what my mom did or if she worked during those times. I do remember being young and seeing my mother come home from work. She always smelled good, that was because she worked at retail stores. My mom was a fashionista, so she surrounded herself with cloths all the time. Not a week went by where my mom didn't come home with brand new cloths for my brothers and I. Its one of the perks in working in retail..I should know, I worked in retail when I was a teen too! When I was in Middle school, my mother had a stint working in the Hospital. However my mother wears her heart on her sleeve. Gee, I wonder where I get it from? She said she couldn't go into another room of a dying old person and basically tell them "Before you die we need to make sure your bills are paid here." So she quit! Not long after she landed herself a job with the school district and there she has been for nearly 20 years.

It is my mothers belief that a woman NEEDS TO WORK. That woman shouldn't settle into domestic duties. She is one of those "I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!" type people. If she has an opinion she will tell you her opinion, even if you don't want to hear it. My mother expected me to get some POWER HOUSE degree and have some kind of GREAT career. Well at least become a teacher. To her EVERY DEGREE leads to a teaching job. I don't know I guess its this area...either become a teacher, a nurse or a doctor.

Certainly I didn't expect to be a house wife either. Honestly...I was studying to become an elementary teacher. However I knew I wanted a family soon and I wanted to start young. For that I needed a man!!! hahahaha. I was going to college, I was studying to be a teacher. Someone told me "Before you continue become a substitute and make sure you like this career. Its not for everyone." That person must have seen something in me to tell me that. Certainly I took that advice and I'm glad I did. I DIDN'T LIKE THE TEACHING JOB! I hated it. I had two years under my belt of college and now I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. 2 yrs later, I married my husband, then came Bekah and a military life. So I never did finish my degree.

So the topics just to catch up Do you think that its fair across the board when it comes to duties between men and women at home and at work? Like childcare, chores, cooking and stuff like that. Do you think a WOMAN has to work or do you think that she should have a choice?

Most of the women I know...are housewives like me. I certainly didn't choose to be a stay at home mom. When Rebekah was born, there were a lot of reports of day cares not taking care of babies, babies dying, babies having horrible infections from unchanged diapers and those horrific video tapes of babysitters physically abusing babies and toddlers. If you know Marty then you know he is just a tad over protective of his babies. He doesn't trust easy and when he saw that, he said to me "YOU ARE STAYING HOME AND TAKING CARE OF REBEKAH!" It wasn't something that we talked about, he just decided...he just didn't think ANYONE could take care of our kids better than us. I mean certainly I did work here and there. Mostly I volunteered with the Army Family Readiness Groups. However from the get go, it was set that I am to be a mother who raises the kids. I took care of all the household chores. Marty really didn't have to lift a finger, but he did help. He would cook, did the dishes and other things.

I knew families where the woman DID have a career or a job or whatever you want to call it. Some had to; some wanted to. That was the army..the army provided us a more comfortable life style. We are NOT in the army anymore and yes money has been tight. Marty and I have talked about me going back to work. He will tell me "I think you need to find a job" and Ill say "Yes, I know, Ive already put in some applications." Then something happens. One of the girls get sick. If you didn't know I have an asthmatic and a migraine sufferer. Things get forgotten by the girls and yes, even by Marty. Marty then freaks out and he says "Priscilla, you can find a job if you want to but you don't have to" its his way of saying "STAY AT HOME WE NEED YOU!" LOL. See we don't have the luxury my mom had when she was raising my brothers and I. She had her mom to help. My grandma didn't work, she took care of us when my parents were'nt at home. My grandparents picked us up after school. We were never home alone. If we were sick my mom didn't have to worry, grandma would care for us. My mother in law had the same luxury. My husbands granny (on both sides) took care of him and his brother. Yes I call it a luxury. I don't have that. My mom works, my MIL works too. My kids get sick mom gets called, I pick them up. Rebekahs migraines can last a WEEK! Shoot if I had a job the boss would have called me and said "Mrs. Resendez forget about coming back to work" Then there is the dreaded after school time? I mean my elementary school kids have the option of staying in the after school program, but my near teen daughter! Heck just the other day my BIL was here visiting us and we were talking about this very thing. If no one was here at home, who KNOWS what would be going on. I mean I know my daughter...but her friends my take advantage that there is nobody at home and try to come here with their boyfriends...I don't want that and certainly Marty's eyes popped out wide at the idea of that happening. Again he reaffirmed that it is a good idea that I'm at home!

So in the end...Are you a stay at home mom? Do you want to become one? Is it possible or does your husband not 'LET YOU'. Yes I did say that. I say that cause I know several women where the husband will not LET the woman stay at home with the kids. One of those couples...are divorced now, because of that issue. She wanted to raise the kids, not someone else, he said NO GO TO WORK! Now they are divorced. I understand that there are times or certain situations where you NEED two incomes, but if you can do with one, then I think its ok for the woman to raise the kids instead, I mean if that's what she wants. I think there should be some kind of a compromise there. If you want to stay at home, also understand that the lifestyle you are living right now is no longer going to be there with one income. Also understand that your household chores tend to double. Its not only household stuff, but errands. People start to expect that because you are not working you have a lot of time. Normally its true, but honestly, like take me for example, I have to take care of things for 5 other people. My girls are very active girls..cheering, choir, football, so they need school things and activity stuff all the time. I'm running up and down all day long most days. I take them to the doctor, when they get sick. Cook lunch for my husband when he comes home for lunch, and so much more!

So let me know...I know its a long blog...but its very good to talk about it. How is your family dynamics? Moms...what do you expect for you girls if you have daughters. What do you expect from the girls you son marries? For me..I want my girls to get degrees. I want them to have something just in case they need to bring in an income for their families when they start their families. I mean I will certainly be there to help them. If they have careers, Ill be here to take care of my grandchildren. If they want to be SAHM...I want them to be SAHM. However, I want them to have that degree cause like our times right now...it will help them bring in more income if they need it.

Wow...butterlfies are all over!

2009-10-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today it felt as though FALL finally came to our little boring town. Honestly, it was a trick of nature. It was really nice in the morning, nice and cool we opened up the windows to conserve energy here (eeheem...lower our electric bill). Marty even cut the grass. Well I hadnt gone outside and the girls come in yelling "MOMMY MOMMY!!! DO WE HAVE GLASS JARS" I say "For what for what??!!" they say "CUZ WE ARE CATCHING BUTTEFLIES!!" Hmm..ok, Ill bite. I go outside and WOWZAS!! THERE WAS A SWARM (if you want to use the word swarm to describe a lot them) BUTTERLFLIES. I am not kidding. Everwhere we went there were brown, yellow, green and YES even BLUE butterflies!! Yeah by like 12 noon...IT WAS HOT AGAIN! Now its ok, but..honestly not cool enough for me.

If they are still here tomorrow, I will take pics, yes, I will snap away, i will go to the park and just click away. They are so beautiful. It almost makes living in this boring city ok.

{My hands are tied} A mothers nightmare.

2009-10-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

The moment women find out we are carrying a child, we do what we can to make sure that child grows healthy. We take our vitamins, we eat right, do what the doctor tells us we need to do. We form a bond with that life within us from the start. When they come out to face the world, we continue to make sure they are healthy. Feed them right, take them to all well baby check ups and so forth.

A mother always wants to make sure their child is happy and healthy. We run to the doc at the lightest sniffle. We stay up late nights when they have high temperatures. It is our job, it is our duty, but what happens when you can't just give them a medicine to make it go away.

It is a very helpless feeling, seeing your child being whisked away. I had to go through that with Erykah. It is a very helpless and frightening feeling. Tests were done and well now she has to have medication. We know her asthma triggers we know what can harm her, it was almost easy to figure it out.

But what do you do when you give your child medicine that SHOULD help alleviate the pain but it doesn't? Rebekah started with migraines last year...believe it or not I remember the day she started with them. It was Aug 11th 2008. She started with a very high fever, chills and body aches. She had really bad vomiting to the point she had to go to the ER cause the anti-vomit meds the doc gave here were not working. The doc said she was dehydrated and we just chalked it up to that. Marty and I know if you get badly dehydrated you can end up with headaches, fever and muscle pain. So we made sure she was well hydrated. 2 weeks past and AGAIN, she had the migraines. Except this time there was no fever, no muscle aches and only some nauseousness. Then they went away. One doc said it was stomach headaches? Whatever that is. I came to find out that stomach headaches are only when they throw up so much it causes headaches. The problem with that was that Rebekah wasn't throwing up. So last year was a very stressful year for me. I'm worrying about Rebekah and Marty didn't help. He was saying she was making it up. I for one know my girls. Rebekah HATES missing school. She wasn't her perky self anymore. Her face looked almost ghoulish and depressing. I just didn't know what to do anymore.

Now fast forward to this past Monday the 13th of Oct. She had been doing fine that weekend. We had a baptism on Sat. went to church on Sunday, everything was cool. Monday was a holiday for the kids so they had a long weekend. However that night, her school football team was playing so she had to cheer. Things were going well. She was yelling, cheering, dancing, and tossing her fliers up in the air.

This is her before her migraine:

See she is happy, she was perky. I mean we were having fun. It was a very eventful football game. Her team started out really bad, but they came around and started to win. So this is her just before her head started to hurt.

Then just about 10 minutes after this was taken, she was doing a cheer with all of her team. She looked so pretty and her pompoms in hand. All of a sudden she looks down, her smile comes off and she is frowning. I told Marty "Somethings wrong" He said "What do you mean?" I said "Rebekah isn't looking good, she looks like shes feeling sick" He looked at her and he said "Go check whats wrong" I did, I went down and she looked at me and she said "Mom, I'm gonna get a migraine" So since Monday night she has been in pain. Tuesday was the worst day. Our house looked like a cave, all dark and quiet. Wednesday was a little better, but she still had pain here and there. There was one point where she went to her room and curled up to cry. Those are the times where I feel like I want to jump out of my skin because I cant help her. I cant make her pain go away. She is taking adult strength Advil and STILL the pains comes through.

It is much more hard to deal with a child's migraines than with your child having asthma. I know the triggers for Erykah. They are usually the same for every asthma sufferer across the board. Migraines are another beast of its own kind! Every migraine sufferer has their own triggers and we still don't know what Rebekah's are. It had been SO LONG since her last migraine. She had an entire summer of cheering, camps, tumbling all without incident. She started out the school year wonderful. We let down our guard and when we did, they attacked her again.

So I'm here blogging about it. I am going to encourage her to write about it herself. Maybe get her to blog about her life. She has gone to a peds. neurologist. He said shes an over achiever. She is a straight A student and she loves cheer. She loves playing her guitar and her drums. She loves to sing and is a great artist. She does so much, but now I'm wondering if maybe she is doing to much. I would thing her playing guitar and drawing, painting and crafting would be a stress releaser, but maybe its more of a stressor.

If you have a child of migraines, how do you help your child cope. What are your child's triggers. I don't know what to do anymore. Last night she came to my room and she said she wanted me to cuddle with her like when she was a baby. She was feeling bad. So I did and she fell asleep in my arms like she did when she was a baby, except she is now 12.

So this is our journey right now. Helping Rebekah lead a normal teen life. Trying to help her cope with an enemy that can strike at any moment. That way she can lead a happy & full life as an adult, a wife and a mother later in life.

Priscilla

In our sorrow heaven became a better place: In Memory of 9/11

2009-09-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

Sept 10 2001:

I remember thinking it was going to be a long week. Marty was in his 3rd almost 4th year of military service. The night before, he had left for a field training exercise for the week. There was so much to do for me. I remember feeling sick for a while. I couldn't shake it off. I was feeling dizzy, just really out of sorts. So I had made my appointment to go to the doc the next day. I had to get things organized. Marty had left me a mess of things with all his gear he didn't have to take to the FTX. For me, it was just another day of being a military family. Little did I know that our lives were going to be turned inside out.

Sept 11, 2001:

My appointment was set to be at 9 am. I remember waking up at 7 am. We were in Rocky Mtn time so the twin towers had already been hit. I still didn't know. I got dressed, got the girls up, got them dressed. I then told them to watch tv while I made them a quick breakfast. So I turned on the tv and I heard the anchor man talk about the 93 bombings of the trade towers. I thought to myself "Why are they talking about that again?" I was so busy in my own things I didn't even stay to pay attention. I just put the channel on for the girls so they could watch cartoons.

We left the house. In Ft. Carson, we lived on post. So for me live was pretty simple. I hardly had to venture out of the post. We lived only blocks from the west gate. I remember leaving the house and the neighborhood and looking ot my right. Outside of the gate was the exit to a major highway. There was a line longer than I had ever seen. I had seen long lines and it was about 8 something and I thought "boy these people over slept". It never dawned on me that the post looked like a ghost town. I was running late and I was just glad there was no traffic for me to fight. I still had to take the girls to the day care center.

When I came up to the center, the doors were closed and I mean locked closed. I thought they had closed when all of a sudden a woman on an intercom said "What is your business here?" I said "Ugghh...My daughters have an appointment here so I can go to the doctor." she said "Please put your military ID card up close to the camera" and so i did and with that the doors unlocked and a guard guided me inside really quickly. The ladies at the reception desk were gathered around the tv and one asked me "did you have a hard time getting on post?" I said "I live on post" and I asked why. They told me some story about some guy going from daycare to daycare. Then they told me about the twin towers, but I said "Oh the bombings?" they said yeah. I didn't think anything of it cause I was still under the impression that they were talking about the 93 basement bombings.

So I am driving to the hospital, it housed all the doctors clinics as well. Normally on a regular day the parking lot was full, and you'd have to park what seamed like over a mile away. So Im dreading getting there, because "i know" will not find a good parking space. Our hospital was also the VA clinic as well, so you can imagine it being filled with a whole bunch of vets AND soldiers and families. So yeah, finding good parking spaces was a war on its own. I turn in and lowe and behold, the parking lot is almost EMPTY!! Sure I thought "What is going on?" but I also thought...WHOHOO good parking!

So I park. I walk inside. I notice that hospital is also empty, dugh right, if the parking lot is empty, so would the hospital right? I think I was slow that day, but remember I was sick. The few people at the clinic, including the medics were all crowded around the one lone tv in the lobby. I singed in and I asked "Whats going on?" the girl said "You haven't heard, they bombed the twin towers?" I said "yeah, in 1993" she said "NO...TODAY! 2 planes hit the towers!!" I was like "WHAT?!" So I walked on over to the tv and there it was footage, of the 2nd plane hitting tower one. I swear that was just as bad as someone just coming up to me and slapping me in the face for no apparent reason.

I was done with my appointment quickly and I rushed to get my babies. I knew right away that I probably would be seeing Marty for a while. He called me about noon time, our time. He said "Hun, we have been called back to the rear. I cant come home, we are on lock down. They are talking about deployment. Im just calling to tell you that I love you and If I don't see you before I leave..if I leave...please take care and pray for us." OMG I was crying. I wanted to see him, to hug him. I knew the life I signed up for and I didn't have a problem with him deploying to fight a war, but I at least wanted to SEE HIM one last time, I wanted to HOLD him, KISS him...tell him that I LOVE HIM.

2 days passed and I was watching the news almost 24/7. No word of deployment was spoken. Marty called me when he could. A few days later at night, I see my hubby coming in the back door in full "battle rattle" as they called it. I gave him a hug and it was night the girls were asleep but he went upstairs and we woke them up. The girls were so happy, they were groggy, but very happy to see daddy.

I will never forget that day. How slow I was to realize what was happening in our own country. Something that hasnt happened since the civil war...we were being attacked on our own back yard with our own stuff. I remembered my cousin who was stationed in D.C. he was sent to help clean up ground zero for a few weeks. I knew he was in D.C. and I did worry for his safety. The thought of deployment lingered in the air. Marty was attached to an infantry unit, I knew that at any moment that phone could ring in the middle of the night and he would have to go. I prayed.

I thought about those people who died in those towers, I thought about those who went in to try to find survivors, not knowing that they were walking into their own graves. I prayed for them for their souls. I asked GOD to take them up to heaven without question. I felt bad for the fatherless children. I cried for them. We had hero's here, but when those towers came down, heaven became a great shining light. We now have hero's watching over us. One this is for sure, we felt safe here in the U.S. I don't know why. We had been attacked here before, so why did we ignore the signs. We must never fall back into a sense of Serene peace. If we do, we are doomed to repeat our past. So in our sorrow, even 8 yrs later, or 10 or 50...we have to remember and always keep our guard up, but we must always remember those hero's, because that day heaven became a better place.

Such a Diva!

2009-09-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

The Crochet Diva that is. Recently I bought 2 patterns from the Crochet Diva. I was looking for something that my daughter, Rebekah, could take with her to school. She needed something that was perfect for her to carry her cell, her money and her cosmetics. However she didnt want the big bags her friends were carrying around. I searched Etsy and I found the" Curvey Purse on the Go" for Rebekah and the DIVA Satchel for myself. You can find a deal on her blog. I will not tell you the deal, your gonna have to find it by going to THE CROCHET DIVA'S blog. I love the way the bags came out and you know what, Ive been stopped and asked where I got the bag and when I say, " I made it myself using a pattern" people are surprised. I love the patterns and the way the purses came out. Go check out the Diva on her blog! Tell her Priscilla sent you! ;o)

Did everyone forget?

2009-09-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

Marty and I went to Hobby Lobby to get some fabrics that I needed to try out a new pattern. So we walk in and this is the conversation that ensued:

Marty: What the heck?
Me: What?
Marty: Why are there Christmas Trees already
Me: 'cause they sell Christmas trees
Marty: Yeah but we haven't even celebrated Halloween or Thanksgiving and they already have CHRISTMAS?
Me: All the stores Ive been to are already pushing Christmas. I told you, remember, I needed to start listing Halloween stuff in late July early August.
Marty: Well forget that...start listing Valentines Day and Easter stuff instead! Its seems like people have forgotten to enjoy the season.
Me: Maybe, but I like it.
Marty: THEY ARE CRAZY!!!

You see Marty is a very intelligent man. That man only has to touch a text book and he knows the subject matter in seconds. I have a feeling he learns through osmosis. What he is not good at is retail. My poor hubby, lol. He feels all stressed out now. He feels like the retail super man is pushing him to buy early, to buy big, to just BUY BUY BUY!! So to stick it to the "man" Marty is going to 'fore go' this season of holidays. Instead he will be decorating the house in little heart lights outside the house and start putting cupids on our trees. Might as well, he says...we don't celebrate Thanksgiving anymore! *sigh* OK Marty...but your gonna miss a good juicy turkey and creamy mashed taters. You go ahead and celebrate Valentines, Ill be all warm and cozy eating my pumpkin pie and hot chocolate! Ill be thinking of you my dear...have fun!

Its for a reason

2009-09-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here watching the news and listening on the fires in Cali. What gets me are those people who are not heading the evacuation warnings. Seriously!! Loose your life over a HOUSE...a house is nothing compared to you...your life. I mean I think I understand not wanting to leave something that you worked so hard to build up, not to mention leaving all the memories behind, but you can create more memories. A house can be replaced...a home can not, because if a member of the family is missing how can that home ever be the same? So if youre reading this and you have those fires licking the back of your house, or sides or front door, LEAVE...let it go. Save yourself. You are unique, you are special, you are you and the world will be a lesser place without you.

The huricane in Baja. Wow...it looks strong. Its a cat 5 already. People are leaving as fast as possible.

on a lighter note. I GOT SALES!!! on my artfire. Etsy has been getting a bit costly for me. I pay and pay but I didnt get sales. Artfire, I didnt have to pay to list, and i got 3 sales in one day! Thats a good thing. So Im sticking with Artfire. I will put some BIGGER items on etsy, but they will have to be special and one of a kind items. Other than that...thank you for the sales. GOD Bless!

Balancing act

2009-08-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

Aaahhh the start of the 2nd week of school. Well at least for us here in our part of the U.S. I'm sure a lot of you, today or even this week will be the start of school. Last week was sort of a dress rehearsal for us. The girls didn't have homework, well not much at least. We "practiced" getting ready the night before so the next day we weren't looking for things needed at the last moment. I find myself feeling like I cant get things right. I guess I expect to much of myself and I don't delegate tasks to my husband as much as I need to. I also find myself dealing with the 'slowness' of a pre-teen already.

As much as I feel like things should run smoothly, Bekah seems to take her sweet time. Its almost like having two 6 yr olds at the same time. Time is of no importance to her, or at least that's what it looks like to me. We are running around like crazies in the morning, and she walks around like time will just stand still for her. Drives me insane, I tell you. Then when we are all leaving, she is frantic looking for last minute items. *sigh* Is this the dreaded teen years at work. Is this what I'm looking to for the next 6 yrs, or until she leaves the house bound for college? Shes a good kid...just a little to lax for me LOL..drives her dad insane too! Then again, Marty is very lax as well, I guess they had to get something from him huh, I wasn't the immaculate conception here.

Well, things seem to go smoothly...shes waking up much earlier than she did last year. That's good cause she takes A LONG TIME to get ready in the morning. Some pointers for those of you who are just starting out this week.

1.) if possible have kids shower the night before. 3 of the 4 girls shower the night before. My Jesy has to shower in the morning cause she has crazy curly hair that needs to be tamed when wet!

2.) pull out clothing to be worn the next day, the night before. Making sure the kids have their shirts, pants/shorts/skirts, socks and yes even undies. I don't know how many times last year my girls would yell out in the morning "MOM I DON'T HAVE UNDERWEAR!!!" Later to find cleans ones in my room in my cabinets...how'd that get there?

3.) find ALL LOST SHOES!!! I hate looking for shoes when we should be all packing up in the truck. My girls are notorious for loosing their shoes. One is in the bathroom while the matching shoe is under the kitchen table?! No we don't have dogs...so its got to be the ghost moving the shoes around..right?

4.) make sure all school supplies, notebooks, crayons, books, HOMEWORK...is signed, checked and put away for the next day. I now ask my girls if they have any work that needs to be signed.

5.) make sure kids sleep early. Oh boy, my girls are having a hard time transitioning from summer to school days. They fall asleep late and have a hard time waking up early. So try to do this at least a week or a few days before school starts.

I hope y'all have a great new school year.

And the streak is broken!

2009-08-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

"Lake Casa Blanca has seen a 12 foot drop before summer and during summer it saw another 4 feet. You can now see islands in the middle of the lake where non used to be" thats what the newscaster said about a week ago. We had been in a very bad drought. Im sure we are not out of it but for a long time there we were on over 3 months of 100 plus weather digits most of them about 105. I will admit opening the doors to the house sometimes felt like opening the doors to the oven. The air was either stagnant or warm. The only thing you could do is jail yourself inside your home and turn down the AC so it was cold. Yesterday we got the first sings of relief. Clouds...but we had clouds before. Teasing and tantalizing us. We could smell the rain from far away, but it never reached our dry, hot city. Then the night before last Marty, the girls and I went out to eat dinner at Fud's. As the girls and I got out of the suburban we heard the CRACK of the lighting and this wonderful most frightening tentacle like streak of light danced across the sky. I wish I had a camera but honestly, I ran as fast as I could almost forgetting I had my girls with me! Then rain...GLORIOUS RAIN! It poured so softly but with plentitude. It filled the streets of LAREDO with much needed water, I could hear the grass, the trees the animals cheering for joy.

Im looking outside and I see the drops of water on my window screen. The sky is a wonderful grey. I missed that grey. I love the sun, dont get me wrong, but I think its nature that all creatures, even humans long for rain. It was the most welcoming sight, smell, feeling and sound I have heard in a LONG TIME. I let it soak me up...and my girls, laughing and splashing on the puddles left behind as we left FUD'S. I raised my arms up high, looked up to the sky and said "THANK YOU THANK YOU!"

Cricuts little secret...

2009-08-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

IS OUT! Cricut has come out with a new gadget to help us creative type people create on the go! Like we need more things to do while we are out huh? Most of us who create stuff, are always thinking of new things. It can get dangerous. I mean, imagine driving on the highway and you suddenly get a new idea for a scrap page...or a new idea for a wonderfully thought out sewing creation! Oh no!!

Seriously though this thing looks very promising. Its called the GYPSY! Its a handheld device...looks about the size of a Play Station Portable (PSP). It is touch screen. Now if you have a Cricut Machine, you can attache the cartridges to the Gypsy and it will then download the graphics of that cartridge and thats it! You can put that cartridge aside. It holds up to 7000 images. Thats cool, cause you can load a whole bunch of cartridges into this thing.

So then you can mix and match from different cartridges, manipulate the way the images look so they cut out the way you want them. Lets say you want to cut out I LOVE YOU. You can have I and Love in one font...then you go to another font and write out Love in,hmmm, lets say cursive. You then move the Love in between the I and You. Now lets say you want love to be slanted a bit. You can then touch the screen and make the love turn up or down or side to side.

There is a demo on the site. Here is the link: http://www.provocraft.com/gypsy/ just click on the link. Im not sure how much it is. There is a link that says its just over 200.00. Dont take my word for it, but I do know it will be coming out Oct of this year. Michael's is now taking pre-orders. As soon as I can i will be heading my pretty little creative mind over to Michael's and put my name on the list!

So there ya go!! My little juicy gossip on something fun and creative that can be a blast to use on the go!

Almost THERE!

2009-08-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry I havnt kept up with the blog. Its been a hectic summer here, with my health and I didnt want to be writing depressing blog posts!! No way! Im doing better though, finally figured out whats wrong. Two things, my thyroid and MOLD! Yup, dh was doing a remodel of his building which is OLD and MOLD is there. He had been bringing mold on his cloths. So that not only maede me sick but it caused my youngest to break out in TERRIBLE HIVES!!!

So no more remodel. The family (the building belongs to his dad) hired people to deal with the remodel!

So ITS ALMOST HERE HUH??? School TIME! Im counting the days. 1 more week. Im so excited. I get to go to school too, I get time to work alone here at home. On a sad note, my beloved Luna, my cat, passed away. She was hit by a car about a month ago. It was such a heartbreaking day for Rebekah. It was her cat.

Im trying to get organized to start working on stuff too. I have to close my shop. My computer crashed and burned! I need a new one, the one dh gave me is a mini peice of crap! It will not download the drivers I need for my camera, or the Paint Shop I have to edit my photos so until I can get a new puter, I cant do A THING!!! Im getting butterflies as I think about all the things that I want to do, all the things that are happening.

Marty informed me as soon as he graduates, he will be going back to the Army. Hopefully he can get his commission. I always wanted to see my husband with officer rank! So good things are comming. I hope you guys have not left me.

Ok...gonna go find a video to show my daughter how the ovaries work. Shes courious!

Are you a CRICUT too?

2009-06-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

AAAhhhhh my Cricut Expressions. I love it. How did I ever live without it? I mean its a crafters dream. Scrapbooking, paper crafting, making home decor and even projects for parties. I remember when I first saw the Cricut Expressions. Marty and I had just decided to get Direct TV. I was searching through the guide list of shows on tv and I saw the title "Scrapbooking Made Easy" and I went to the channel.

I was hooked as the ladies who were hosting this infomercial spot spoke. I dont know how many times I watched this commercial for the Cricut. I mean I LOOKED for the spots on TV. It was the most awesome thing I had seen. It cut all sorts of things. Scrapbookers use it, you can cut vinyl, chipboard, make wonderful cards for birthdays, invitations, and yes EVEN CUT FABRIC!!! Oh happy day!!! I can use it to create appliques for my girls cheer pants, for their shirts FOR MY SEWING THINGS! Im so happy. BUT WAIT A MINUTE...I had to wait over 2 weeks. Yup...so Im like a sap stuck to the boob tube watching this infomercial over and OVER again.

I did order it, like I said two weeks later I waited. I still had to wait just over a week for it to arrive. I mean when they knocked on my door with the box in tow I was like a child looking at the best gift anyone has ever received. The girls and I took the thing from the post man thanked him OF COURSE and rushed to the kitchen. We couldnt open that thing fast enough. As soon as we opened it and put it together, we started to cut things out.

This thing is great. I have yet to use it with fabrics. I have, however, created 3 scrapbook pages for my daughters Kinder graduation. I also reused some glass jars, recycled them by etching them with its purpose and dressed them up and I created a bday/fathers day card for my dad. It was the easiest thing to do.

One of the great things this thing has is you can create boxes. You know little gift boxes you can stuff with candies for a childs bday party? Yeah those, it slits all the places for you so you dont mess up at all. I mean its fool proof.

The next thing I want to do, but I have to repaint my living room before i do this, is create the vinyl quotes you see all over the place now. Yeah I want to do that and put it on my front entrance door. Im so having fun with this thing. If you want one, there is a way to get it with payments. Just go to http://getmycricut.com/ It comes with a slew of things not just the machine. It has 2 cartridges to get you started, and the 12x12 sticky pad. Other things too like the etching glass chemical to do what I did there with my glass jars.

So dont wait to long get on the Cricut Expressions bandwagon!!!

Growing Up Adult content!

2009-06-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

*this post is about puberty and the sex talk. Some words will be used that you may not want your children to read. So please make sure that they are out of the room or out of line of sight from the screen.

A really talented woman posted on her blog about a question her daughter asked her, and well it scared the nilly willies out of her. So you know what I'm taking about and you can catch up with what I'm about to write visit Amelia's Blog http://ameliasfb.blogspot.com/ by clicking the link there.

OK if you read her blog, the scary word is puberty. Yup, if you have youngin's (i think for us girls are more scary than boys for some reason) yes that word will come up. A lot of us are like our parents, we hope we don't hear that word or even the S-E-X word!!! OH NO!!

Thing is this, they are going to hear it eventually. T.V. Internet and the ever so knowledgeable FRIENDS will tell them what it is all WRONG.

I decided even before I had kids that I wasn't going to be afraid of the whole puberty and sex talks. My reasoning was because I had to learn by myself. My mom and dad were scared to talk to me about these things because they had the idea that I would want to go and DO these things. Well, lets just say that ideal plan didn't work. First off, when I got my aunt flow, I was FREAKING OUT!!! I mean sure, we went to school, my mom signed the form that let the nurse show us some cartoon movie about puberty and growing up. That didn't do the job though. I still had no clue as to what to expect. See I remember when I was about 12 years old, my back was hurting so bad. So was my lower abdomen. I mean I was crying so hard, I didn't know what to do. My dad was worried, my mom was working and my little brother was biting his nails because his older sister was screaming in pain from and unknown source! Then I remember seeing it...a dark brown spot. I THOUGHT I POOPED MY PANTS!!! I FREAKED OUT. I told my dad that I had pooped my pants and I didn't know I did it. It happened again several times. I mean I was freaking out, I thought I was going crazy!!! So my dad put bengay on my back and sent me to bed. Later on around midnight my mother comes home and wakes me up. She asks me to show her what I told my dad about and she said "OH you started your period" threw me some maxi pads and that was it!!! Nothing more!

I learned other things on my own too. See when I had my oldest daughter (for those of you who don't know, I have 4 girls no boys) I swore that I was going to do things different. I had told myself that when I was about 16. I re-affirmed it again when I got married and when I had Rebekah (my oldest).

As she grew up she saw me pregnant 3 more times. I mean it was cute when she was 1 and she would pop out her belly and say "Bebe, Bebe" and point to her belly too. Then again with Rebekah and Erykah when I was pregnant with Monikah. They would pop out their bellies and say they too had babies inside them as well. I mean it was horror for my husband but I thought it was cute.

It wasn't until I was pregnant with my 4th daughter Jesykah when Rebekah asked "HOW DOES THE BABY LOOK INSIDE OF YOU?" That is when I got the book by Alexander Tsiaras From Conception to Birth . (you can click on the link to take you to Amazon).

So with this book I showed them how a baby is forming inside my belly. I went each month with them and showed them how the baby was growing and how the baby looked inside of mom. Then the question was asked "BUT MOM HOW DID THE BABY GET INSIDE YOU?"

Don't get me wrong, I did panic but then I remembered that I had a duty to do. I promised something long ago that I would never do, and that was hide. SO my daughter being a young age I tailored my answer to her age. At that time Rebekah was 6. Most of you wont have to deal with this until later on but don't wait till THEY ask...your gonna have to find a way to start this up. I recommend to start talking about this by 8 yrs old at least. So, back to the story. I told Rebekah "Well mommies and daddies love each other right?" she said "Yeah like you and daddy love each other". I proceeded to tell her that moms and dads love each other so much that the dads gives the mommy a special gift that makes the baby." That seamed to satisfy her until we moved back home.

So then, later on, while cleaning, my daughter came upon some of my stuff. She asked me what it was and I told her that mom was on her monthly flow. She asked me some questions as to why and how and what was the purpose for it. So I told her that every month a woman has this. What it was is that there was a house for a baby to move in. So the body build a house every month to wait for a baby. If a baby moved it then the flow would not happen. If there was no baby moving in then the body broke down the house and then would make another one again later on. I said the body wanted to make sure that the house was "brand new " for the new baby.

Then it progressed to (as she grew a year older) showing her what a woman looks like inside. I showed her using a book what the fallopian tubes were and what they carried. I explained to her now in better detail in some more real terms about ovulation, eggs, fallopian tubes and menstruation.

When she got to late fifth grade to early sixth grade i started talking to her about sex. She had asked. In my hometown, we have one of the highest pregnancy rates and she had already heard about sex in 4th grade except she never thought of it until she heard it again in 5th grade.

So yes, I sat down and talked to her about sex. I didn't tell her that it was a mommy and daddy loving each other anymore. She had told me what she had heard and I said it was true. I mean to her it was gross. However I told her that's how babies are made. She did freak out a bit but I told her that one day she will find a man she will love and she will not think it is gross anymore. I also did say sex was for a husband and wife ONLY. I told her sex is TO MAKE BABIES. That only moms and dads are ready to share the love for each other by creating something together that they both will share that love with. I then asked her if she thought teenagers were ready to or mature enough to take care of that baby. I said to her that unmarried people run the risk of not raising the child together because they did not plan out what the costs and sacrifice of raising a child was. A lot of the time young parents do not know the actual sacrifice it takes to take care of a child. I hate to say it but I did say that most boys are not willing to stick around so the mom is there to take care of the child herself.

All in all I did this in stages. She knows why her body hurts, she knows why she feels so tired all the time now, she knows all that. She knows her body is getting ready to start ovulating, but she also knows that she is not ready for the responsibilities of certain action. I always tell her just because you can doesn't mean you should. Remember I said that my town has the highest pregnancy rate...well my daughter just finished 6th grade. Now I know this doesn't mean anything but a lot of her friends already have boyfriends?! She tells me they kiss a lot. My daughter tell them they are too young to have boyfriends. Now Rebekah isnt the most tactful young lady ( i mean what pre-teen is?) She makes fun of them and mocks them and says "Dating, what do you mean your dating? You cant even go out without your parents? Oh wow what a date?" She is pretty grounded for her age and I'm very proud of her. She has had boys ask her to be their girlfriend and she has always said "NOPE..I'm to young for that"

So guys, don't be afraid to talk to your kids. Again do it in stages. DON'T WAIT FOR THEM TO ASK. I failed at it once. Rebekah came to me and asked me what sex was because her friends had already told her about it. I know they are our babies and they will FOREVER BE OUR BABIES even when they are 80 yrs old!!! I say that to her. Sure you don't want them to grow up but its inevitable. The best thing to do is prepare them. Make them strong, THAT GOES FOR BOYS TOO! Teach them to respect girls. Make sure your husband OR YOU DADS dont make women to look like objects. Remember one day you may have granddaughters and you want your sons to treat girls like you would want your granddaughters to be treated. My FIL learned that the hard way. He once told my husband to "GO AND SOW HIS WILD OATS" then he ended up with 4 granddaughters by me and one other granddaughter by his youngest sons ex-wife. You think he wants some guy to 'sow his wild oats' with his granddaughters? You bet he doesn't.

Don't forget that while teaching all this, teach that Love Waits too. My oldest daughter Rebekah said she wants to take the Purity vow. How that came about is a whole other post. She really respects that sanctity of marriage and I do wish my mother talked to me about these things the way I talk to Rebekah about it.

Im back!!!

2009-06-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Howdy yall. I am back. Im sorry, I have been away for a while. I have let the cobwebs gather here on the net. However I am back.

Its been very intresting and sort of difficult at the same time here. As you all know there is an economic crisis in the U.S. Yeah I know, when did that happen and how??? hahahaha, I dont see it getting any better any time soon. It does affect us though. Dh is part owner in a business. Things started to slow down here so we are doing so so. Whats bad is that I've been sick. its weird how I found out I was sick cause it wasnt some kind of virus kicking my butt and stuff. Nope actually, I started going to the gym. I mean I had felt some kind of not so well sort of feeling for a while but chalked it up to being 50lbs over weight. So I chaged my diet and got my patootie to the gym. Well at the gym, when I had my first one to one work out with the trainer, it was starting good. I was actually keeping up and I was very surprised at myself. Then out of the blue I feel fait and sick. Just that fast the entire room, my entire world was BRIGHT AS A FOOTBALL STADIUM! Im not kidding. Then the trainers voice was fading into the background and I couldnt hear him...yup I was passing out. I DIDN'T, I hate loosing control, so I fought it off. Eventually I came out of it, it took me nearly 3o minutes for me to shake it off. After that, I just felt bad almost everyday. I went to the doc and talked to him about my ordeal. so he ordered tests...A WHOLE LOT OF TESTS!! It was as if I was donating blood, yeah about 10 viles of blood!

So I go back and Im thinking my dibetes got worse. Well, actually my A1C is a 6.7 not bad. What came out is my thyroid is underactive. My metabolism is out of whack. My heartrate slows down because of my thyroid. I feel like Im on fire because of my thyroid. I get these episods that are horrible. Its all because of my thyroid. sucks really...but the worse part is not having this thing thats afflicting my metabolism. Its not haveing the insurance that can provide me the help to get my other tests done to help me treat my thyroid issue. Nope. I have nothing. The first round of tests cost me over 2800.00. That was already with a 30% discount. The actual price of it was over 4K for all my tests. Now my next round of tests are 2500 w/0 the discount and thats if they give me a discount. Not to mention that they need to give me blood work for a few months when they finaly give me my meds.

I have my good days, but I have more not so good days. With this, I can't really plan ahead. I never know if I will wake up feeling good or not. Sometimes I wake up good and then during the day, I start to feel not so good. I cant really explain it.

However with this, i have decided that Im not going to wait to feel good. Despite my health I will start again with making and selling things. So, thats whats going on with me. right now.

Oh and the girls started a new cheer company. The other one started to get a bit weird for us. They started to have favorites and they were forgetting my girls (and other girls) and stopped teaching them tumbling techniques. The new gym is a lot closer to my house, just about 5 blocks from here and the owner is really nice. She had me make the first set of cheer bows for her girls. I will be making the cheer comp bows too. So, Im glad for that. I have to look at the positive of all of this. Right...best foot forward.

economic crisis!

2009-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so..we are all probably going through some economic hardships. We (I) have cut some 'fat' from our monthly expenses. No cable,which sucks cause its Spring Break..and no internet...so I won't be on line as much. I still have my web capable phone but its limited. It can't run java and most places now run on java. It will give me more time to make stuff...so hopefully later onwhen I get my internet back...ill be posting a lot of stuff for grabs AND inexpensive too. So we just have to keep on praying for some help here...to bad we are not failing banks,huh? The government would have helped us out for sure hahah so see you on the flip side!!!

Lets get learning!

2009-03-09T16:20:00.001-07:00

I have always wanted to learn how to create sewing patterns out of scratch. Well, I live in the boonies. They dont have classes like that here in our Community College or our University. I asked one time if they offered design in fashion and they said and I quote "We only offer classes that have value to them, not hobbies" I WAS LIKE "WHAT!!??" So New York offers only Hobby classes? Shoot, I should go tell Vera Wang her million dollar business is just a Hobby right?

Well I cant just move to New York and go to a fashion school. I have a family and my husbands job is (unfortunately) here, in this bum town. So I give it up. Well sort of. I try my best to make some patterns a bit bigger. It can be frustrated, I mean I have ruined I dont know how many yards of fabric because my measurements are wrong.

So imagine to my surprise when I go to Journal Modiste and I find an ad that has "CHILDRENS FASHION WORKSHOP!" ( just click on the name there and it will take you to the site) hey it peeked my interest. So I go and check it out. Wow I'm blown away. They have classes so you can make patterns bigger or smaller. I mean from tops to pants, to button down shirts...they have dresses and so much more. CLASSES TO HELP YOU CREATE YOUR OWN FROM YOUR OWN HEAD PATTERNS!!! I'm so stoked!

I'm so happy that someone took the time to do this. I am going to sign up for some classes. I hope it meets my expectations and of course I will come back here and let ya'll know if its worth the money. So far...I'm liking the site.

Lessons in Life are not FREE sometimes

2009-03-02T06:42:00.001-08:00

As a mother or even just as a parent, we take certain precautions to protect our children from anything that may cause them harm or even just from pain. Sometimes we cant do anything at all.

We try to teach our children hard work brings good fruits. WORK=POSITIVE. Thing is sometimes we get so caught up with teaching our kids that working hard will yield them plentiful bounty, we forget that sometimes we can work our tails off and sometimes we don't get that good "harvest"

My girls had been out of their cheer teams for over 2 or 3 months. We were moving so I had pulled them out but then the national economic security blanket was pulled away from us and we all started to feel the bitter cold of an economic down fall. So we didn't move. However because of that my girls were not able to rejoin their teams.

Well as "luck", "un-luck" for other, would have it, girls were leaving. Parents couldn't afford the tuition let alone the expense of traveling for the upcoming competition season. My girls were called up in Early January and were asked to be a part of the team again. In less than a month my girls had to learn the entire routine for the end of Jan. They did it and they did good! My oldest team received the highest ranking and the "coveted jacket" everyone strives for. However that was just a "warm up" competition. The big one is called NCA or the National Cheerleading Association Competition. That is the biggest of the biggest the Superbowl of cheerleading. Teams from all over the country came and competed there!

Again our girls did well. The my oldest team placed 3rd over all for the first day and well the youngest had some errors and hers were in 6th. Rebekahs team had a good chance. They practiced some more and "fixed" what the judges said they needed to fix, at practice. Erykahs team also did the same. Rebekah's team goes first. They are doing so well, but they did wake up so early and slept late the night before because of meetings they had to attend. They were so tired. All the moves were there, they were hitting their marks and then "OH NO" you hear me say GASP my husband goes... a team member trips and falls to her knees while they try to get her stunt up on the air. Then as my daughter is about to do her tumble pass ( a series of cartwheels and backhand springs across the floor), SHE STOPS DEAD IN HER TRACKS in the middle of one of her backhand springs! She just freezes...one of her team mates started her pass to late and they would have crashed if Rebekah continued. So she posed and blew a kiss to the judges. There were other mistakes but not as "grave" as those.

Awards near...they were in 3rd the day before..maybe they were able to hold on to that spot. They called the 12th place teams then the 11, 10 and so forth... then you here "IN 6TH PLACE WITH AN AVERAGE POINT OF" well I forgot the points they got "FROM LAREDO TX" I head that and My heart sank "TEXAS GEMS EMERALDS!" They dropped 3 spots. It was a good shot. They worked hard. They were tired all of them. Still they were able to pull it together at the end.

As I walked out I see a bunch of sobbing little girls (and one young man..yes there is a boy in the team) and lots of mothers crying with their kids. It is the hardest thing to see your child be so disappointed. Feeling like it was all their fault. You see Rebekah things that it was her fault because she stopped dead in her routine. I told her no, she prevented an accident. Still she cried and I cried.

Then it was Erykahs turn. I TOUGHT THEY DID THEIR ROUTINE PERFECTLY. I didn't see any errors but I'm no judge. Erykah stuck her moves and she did everything right. Still awards came around and out of 7 teams...they got 7th place. That was the hardest blow of them all. Sure Rebekah's team dropped 3 places but they competed with 12 teams. Erykah's team got last place. My heart broke for my girls. They had worked so hard. In less than a month they learned the routines. They practiced at home, when shopping anywhere they could they practiced.

We always teach our children "HARD WORK BRINGS GOOD REWARDS!" We forget to teach them that sometimes we can work hard and do our best but sometimes someone else beats us out. I know I'm guilty of doing that. Still, this was a time for me that life had given me. That one chance to "teach" values and morals and lessons on life, the HARD KNOCKS OF LIFE. As parents we don't want our kids to learn the HARD WAY. We want them happy. That's why we tell them not to do this not to do that. We tell them that cause WEVE DONE IT and we know the outcomes...PAIN...HEARTFELT PAIN. Yet some things are left for them to learn on their own. Sooner or later they will get their hearts broken, their spirits down, their confidence shaken. It is up to us to rise at that moment and help them stand back up. As much as it hurts us to see them in pain..we need to be there to help them back up. I told the girls there, the team not just my girls "HEY YOU GUYS DID AWESOME!!! AND WHAT DOES NOT BREAK YOU WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER!!! YOU GUYS ARE STRONGER BECAUE OF THIS AND YOU WILL DO BETTER NEXT TIME AND BE SHARPER AND BE ON SPOT "

I tried to focus on the positive aspects of the trip. They made new friends. Erykah met a team from Maryland and she was all excited. Rebekah got to spend time with her friends that go to other schools. She never gets that type of time with them. It was FUN! Sure the loss is hurtful, but I know they will bounce back and next time will be fierce.

Sometimes lessons in life are not always free of pain. We can take the advice we are given or not but we will always learn one way or another. Its harder when we see our kids learn "painfully" but we can cushion it just a bit so they can bounce back and say "I CAN DO THIS"

Rosa Dolce Designs

Exchange...BACK??? pt. 1

Gifts: What to get, What to get?

How many gifts does Santa Bring?

Has anyone seen my lungs around here?

Let 2012 RING ALREADY!!!

Letting the dust settle...

I...CAN...ALMOST...TOUCH.........IIIITTTT

Dum de dum..dee dum....

...yes...yes...

...really? Already?

....information overload....really!!!

SOMEBODYS GETTING MARRIED!!!!

...a little bit of Germany

Oh father dear...

...mid summer...

Im Bored...

its official...

I love all things German...esp from

...and the WINNER IS.....

100

WE got to 30...

the wind is yelling at me...

{NEW} Baby Bibs!!!

Jan is almost...

The teenager is....

The art of growing up....

Aromabeads...

...soon we will have...

...we are back....

only 6 weeks...

WELCOME 2011!!!!

Update: Recap 2010

2010 in a Nutshell

Happy Veterans Day

Lip action!!!

so many to choose from!

it is......

finally, I rest!

Lets get it up there!!!

Aromaments© are here!!!

...business, OOOHHH the joy!

Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide is now OUT!

and the hits keep a coming!

Insult to injury? what a week!

Introducing…..

Summer Memories, School Time…cheer?!

Moving? Keep this in mind.

I feel the winds of inspiration passing by

Family Dollar Match Ups

Crazy over here!

It was just a pebble in a large lake

My second source secret...shhhh...Im gonna share with ya!

OLD NAVY...Laredo Tx

My Coupon Binder is DONE!!! TADA!!!

We are hopping along...end of school is near!

COUPONS...and more money???

Houston...we have a problem!!

I know Ive said it before, but I have to again

It may be cold outside but LOVE can keep you warm! BOGO SALE

Im THANKFUL FOR...

So Chic Boutique Wipe Cases

New Guidelines...Good or Bad?

So whadaya think?

Is it that unimaginable?

We all get shaken but we need faith

Do we REALLY have to go through this?? SERIOUSLY?

Men and Women: Finding the Balance in the Home

Wow...butterlfies are all over!

{My hands are tied} A mothers nightmare.

In our sorrow heaven became a better place: In Memory of 9/11

Such a Diva!

Did everyone forget?

Its for a reason

Balancing act

And the streak is broken!

Cricuts little secret...

Almost THERE!

Are you a CRICUT too?

Growing Up *Adult content!*

Growing Up Adult content!