Sunday, November 2, 2008

It was a Disneyland PERFECT day!

Today was perfect.
I woke up for the first time in weeks and actually WANTED to get up!
No pain, no exhaustion. Energy has been a foreign concept to me lately.

My first words to my husband?
"Can we go to Disneyland today?"

We are fortunate to have passports, and the boys are still free admission, so off we went. Upon entering the parking area, you could feel the excitement in the boys.
They definitely knew WHERE we were.

First we rode the train, and somehow, we had diaper failure. Thanks Teddy. No matter, I was prepared, and we were off! The boys always eat well when we are at Disneyland for some reason (probably because it is soooo affordable!) and we don't discourage it. When you have one child with eating issues, you are always happy to see him eat well.
Today was no exception, and when you get a finicky eater to eat a carrot, well you know life is good then!

The weather was also on our side. Since the day started with rain, it is always a gamble to head down to Anaheim, but we took the chance anyway. We arrived to brilliant blue skies and a light breezy air.

After 3 hours of rides, snacks and lots of laughs we headed home.
No complaints, no crying.
Boys go to bed no problem. Mom & Dad head to church and even though the mass was in Spanish, everything was perfect.

I know this isn't the most exciting post ever, but I feel truly blessed to have such a fun and easy day. Thanks for the break, God!


Tomorrow, when it isn't so easy, I will have to remember to be thankful for today.

Obtaining Contentment

My "situation" to some would be considered enviable, to others, not so desirable.
I left a great paying job in July to pursue a better relationship with my children & husband. With that came many so-called sacrifices. I say so-called, because to some people, not stopping at Starbucks every day hardly seems like a sacrifice. I would agree, but I am also giving up 8 hours a day of adult interaction, financial soundness, full medical benefits for my family, oh, and don't forget that free pound of coffee a week!

What I am gaining, I hope to be tenfold in happiness and contentment.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Selective Vision

"Alex, wipe up your spill!"

As I watch Alex wipe all AROUND the spill, I wonder, where does he get this vision, this ability to completely ignore the mess right in front of his eyes.

Sadly, I cannot blame my husband for this one!


It is me, all me.
He gets this flaw from me. I have the incredible ability to walk pass any mess (outside of work) and not see it, especially ones I have created.

I have 2 explanations for this, well 3, if I just want to blame myself and my laziness.
The first one is my mom. Now I know, I shouldn't be blaming my mom for my shortcomings, and those of you that know me, know I usually don't do this. However, growing up, I was allowed to lead a completely chore free life. Once or twice a year I took out the trash, and occasionally I was threatened for having a messy room, but overall, my life was completely carefree. No responsibility except for homework and play. Even my mom acknowledges today she should have given me more work, but considering the childhood she had, where she was responsible for so many chores, she just wanted me to be a kid for a while. Thankfully, I recognize that I had an incredible childhood not encumbered by work, so in reality, I should be thanking her for all the time off. (thanks mom!)

The second "explanation" I have is Starbucks, and the 14 years I put in there, plus the other 8 years of retail experience I possess. When you work in Retail, knowing any moment a "bigwig" can walk into your store with your career hanging in the balance, you learn quickly how to keep things looking good and spotless. My employees called it "the eye", and they immediately knew when I spotted a speck of dust, a tiny droplet of a spill or the smallest fingerprint on a window. (It was this "eye" that led me to quit my job in July, but I digress... perhaps we will tell that story another day).
The consequence of having such a keen eye at work, with all the pressures involved in supervising 15 people that can get you fired if they don't do their job, is that by the time you get home, the LAST thing you want to do is clean a mess. However, since I no longer work at Starbucks, I guess I can't really use that one as an excuse either.
Dang it, all out of excuses!

I guess my task is to help Alex grow beyond my issues, or find him a wife one day that doesn't mind cleaning up after him. He has other strengths, like humor, charm, & compassion that I never thought I would be able to see in a three year old.
Besides, his two year old brother Teddy doesn't mind helping me clean up.

Monday, October 13, 2008

The Preschool Experiment

So, Alex started preschool. ahhh... the dilemma.

With battling opinions of experts, including the Grandma's, sometimes you just gotta take a leap and do what you think is best.

Alex is a little behind. He doesn't yet speak more then 20 words, and he doesn't speak in any short sentences. The school district is responsible for getting him the extra help he needs & due to his early birth, he is eligible for benefits other residents don't get (i.e. free speech therapy, occupational therapy, and adapted PE)
These are things you don't even think about when having your first child, after all, no one plans to have a bad pregnancy. Only the super rich could have kids if these were things you deeply considered.

So what is the argument? Some people say "preschool" is code for "daycare". (Disclaimer, I have nothing but support and admiration for mom's who work, and therefore utilize daycare, this is not a debate about whether or not you should be a stay at home mom)
Daycare, implying he is just being 'babysat' and not 'educated'.
My biggest fear is that the next two years will just be a waste of time where I have "pawned" my child off on other people, and my friends and family will look at me like I didn't do my job.

My leap of faith begins, and I place my faith in the special education experts.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Day to Never Forget



I was working that morning, at Starbucks.
Probably the most memorable day of my working life.
Watching people come in and out, sharing more bad news with each person who joined the line.
Tears streaming down customers and partners faces.
Joy that we were not alone that morning.

The proudest I had ever felt for my company, was the moment the phone call came. All stores were closing, nationwide, so families could be together.

Thank you Starbucks. Thank you Howard B, and Howard S, for doing the right thing.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Olympics

For the past three nights, only one thing has captured my attention.
No, not Perez Hilton... the Olympics.

I really stepped back from the Olympics, once they started letting the professionals in.
I really don't see how Kobe Bryant belongs in the Olympics, but what do I know.
As a result of that change, there are certain events I just have no interest in,
Basketball & Tennis for starters.

Oh, but the swimming and gymnastics! Wow.
Despite all the controversies, the Chinese in particular have captured my attention and respect.
They are just amazing. While I of course root for my Americans, one just can't help but cheer on the Chinese because they are just so extraordinary!

Then, there is Phelps. I felt like an idiot, but yes, I was up past 10pm screaming at my tv... go, go, go!
I am surprised no one in the neighborhood called the police.
With tears of joy streaming down my face, I was hooked again.

Heaven for Green Beans

If you like Cilantro, you will LOVE these...double it... trust me!

Fasoliyyeh Bi Z-Zayt (Syrian Green Beans with Olive Oil)

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package frozen cut green beans
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
Place the green beans into a large pot, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt to taste, and put the lid on the pot. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beans are cooked to your desired doneness. Syrians like it cooked until the green beans are turning brownish in color. The idea is not to saute them, but to let them steam in the moisture released by the ice crystals.
Add cilantro and garlic to the beans, and continue to cook just until the cilantro has started to wilt. Eat as a main course by scooping up with warm pita bread or serve as a side dish.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

My first concern was this was about MY MOM!

Just kidding mom!


Grandmother arrested for having child sit on car's roof
Posted on Thu, Aug. 07, 2008


The Associated Press
MARATHON, Fla. -- Authorities say a grandmother was arrested for driving around the parking lot of a Marathon grocery store with her 3-year-old child sitting on the roof of the car.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the Publix store Tuesday and arrested 54-year-old Brenda Bouschet after she was driving around with her three-year-old granddaughter on the roof of her car.

Bouschet was released from jail 15 hours later.

Bouschet said Thursday she would never let anything hurt her granddaughter. She says she was driving at "snail-speed" and holding the child's leg.

Authorities say Bouschet told police she was giving the child some air and letting her have fun.

She faces charges of child abuse. The child is back with her mother.

I have become one of those moms...

you know, the ones that go to mcdonalds with their children, make a big mess, have to have a worker come and mop, and then proceed to make another big mess, 5 minutes later?
You know the sad, sad thing? Neither Teddy nor Alex were the ones that spilled. Nope. It was all ME!

For the third spill... well, do I dare say? For the third spill, I was all out of napkins, the wipes don't really absorb that much liquid... and I didn't want to ask for more napkins. So, I opened my diaper bag, grabbed a CLEAN diaper, (hey, it was all I had...I pack light!) and quickly mopped up my mess before on of the beleaguered employees saw what I had done, again! It suffices to say I will not be making an appearance any time soon at that restaurant!

So, alot has happened this past year...

Haven't figured out how to be both a blogger and a company employee. The company won out, for a time. Well, I have now quit Starbucks, which is really a good thing. When the things that go on at work put you in a bad mood for your family, well, that is when you know it is time to go.
So, as of July 7th, I have promoted myself to Starbucks Customer. Don't worry, I won't go into the details. I am still a Starbucks customer and fan, and wish them success. I am a little sad I won't be a part of it. I suppose now I will have to blog more frequently, right? Onward.

Friday, July 11, 2008

I got the promotion!

So, Tuesday I got the promotion I was looking for... promotion to customer.
While I am sad to have left on negative terms, my heart is overjoyed that I never have to put on a green apron again!