Easter with my Mom

This Easter I learned a very important thing.... Easter should always be spent with mom. I was completely spoiled. It started off with a surprise Easter basket that Lexi found when she was looking for hers. I can't even remember the last time I got an Easter basket probably the last time I lived with her. It contained a Sees chocolate egg, a chocolate bunny, and bath products. Simply Heavenly! Besides the basket, we had lots of fun activities for the kids. Then, in the evening, we sat down for a wonderful Easter dinner that I didn't cook.

Hmmm... I could get use to this life. Soon, my mom will realize that spoiling me makes me never want to leave & then she'll wise up. :)

Good Friday

When your working in an office, every Friday is a good Friday. Now, that I work from home I tend to find myself working on the weekends. I guess the good thing about the weekends though is that my in-box for my work e-mails isn't as active with things I need to take care of. I also don't feel as guilty if I don't manage to make time for work.

Speaking of that, working from home really isn't as ideal as it sounds, at least when you have little kids. Ideally, I could get all the work done when they are napping or in the evening after I put them to bed. In reality, my workload is either insane or practically nothing. During the insane times, working while trying to keep them happy and life moving forward becomes extremely stressful. Imagine trying to write a meaningful blog post with your kids screaming in the background. Now, add a pay check to it, with people counting on you, and a deadline. Tough, right? My neighbor has told me to "just pop a no-doze and work through the night." That makes me laugh because I am not a college kid who can do that for a few days and then recover by sleeping for a full day. Life must go on. Kids require some sort of schedule even if it is only eating, sleeping, and playing. I must keep everything going.

I guess I sound like I am complaining, but I would not trade this to go back into the office. I just want to say that it is quite a bit more stressful and that I am looking forward to next fall when both kids are in the mother's day out program for three days a week.

I don't even know why I went off on this tangent that started with Good Friday. Mainly, I wanted to say that I am still in California. I've decided to stay here until the end of April. With my mom & sister's help, I have been able to work, entertain the kids, and actually get some much needed sleep. Perhaps, this will help me deal with real life when I go back to Texas. Anyway, today is good Friday and I just want to say.... HAPPY EASTER!

SeaWorld

I have always thought it would be kind of fun to visit all three SeaWorlds. I have been to SeaWorld Orlando many times throughout my life. I have even been to the one in San Antonio. After today, I can say that I have been to all three.

Dolphins

Flamingo

Shamu


Penguins

Walrus

Completely Different

Yesterday, my sister and I went to get our hair cut. We didn't have an appointment so we put our names on the list and came back. She was entertaining/feeding the kids in the car while I went in. When I was done, we switched places and the same guy cut her hair. The stylist was a bit shocked that we are sisters. He asked her how I got straight blonde hair while she has curly brown hair.

The funny thing is that we have very little in common. I look more like our mom’s side of the family and she looks like our dad’s side, but that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our differences. I think our biggest difference is our personalities. I am very much an oldest child. I am ambitious, driven, a bit bossy, and have high expectations in life. She is a typical baby of the family with her laid back personality and go with the flow attitude.

On top of that, there are 14 and a half years between us. That means a generational gap. She doesn’t remember what it was like before everyone had personal computers and cell phones. Plus, she dresses like a 21 year old, while I try to avoid being too trendy and tend to stick to classic styles.

We’ve been hanging out a lot this week and I often wonder what people think. Our age difference is enough that people wouldn’t suspect that we are friends. She is old enough to be the mother of my kids, but they look like me. Perhaps, they come to the conclusion that she is our nanny. Hmm… I wonder.

*By the way, the picture is 9 years old. I couldn’t find a more recent one with just the two of us.

Updated Photo (yes, I look MUCH older):

Happy St Patty's Day

We are in San Diego and are having a great time! I hope everyone else is enjoying St Patrick's Day as much as we are.

Spring BREAK

2009 is turning out to be one HELL of a year and I wish I meant that in a good way. Last week, I realized that I need a break. While looking at the calendar, I noticed that Lexi’s spring break is coming up. I figured that it was a good time to get out of here and take a breather.

This may sound strange, but I don’t remember ever going on a “spring break” before. I am guessing that when most people/college kids plan their spring breaks, their planning focuses on:

1. FUN
2. Proximity to water/the ocean
3. Price

My list is bit different. I had to choose a destination based on:

1. Taking my desk top computer, because getting out of work is not part of the much need break. Also, I don’t have a lap top. Buying a cheap one isn’t an option because of all the graphics software I need on it.
2. Help with the kids. I would like the kids to have fun during the times I have to get a little work done. It would also be nice not to have to do every little thing for them once in a while.
3. Price. I have cut back on a lot of expenses this year.

All things point to visiting my mom. Fortunately, for me, she lives in San Diego fairly close to the ocean so this trip covers both lists. As for help with the kids, besides my mom, my sister lives there and is only taking a couple of evening classes. She’ll get to help me entertain the kids during the day while my mom is at work. Other than the LONG drive, I am looking forward to Spring BREAK.

Yeehaw!

I love this time of year in Texas. Between Texas Indepenence Day and loads of Rodeos, there are plenty of opportunities to wear our cowboy and cowgirl gear. What could be more fun? I guess I need to buy some boots for me.

Bathroom Conversation

Hubby: What do you use that sandwich making thing for?

Me: Um....You mean my flat iron (pointing to it)?

Hubby: Yeah

Me: It straightens my hair so it isn't wavy.

Hubby: Don't women want curly and wavy hair?

Me: (I suddenly get a flash back to the late 80s & early 90s, when big bangs and perms were the in thing.) Curly hair is fine, but a little wave is annoying.

Happy Valentines Day!

Proximidade Award

Del from My Relish Blog has kindly selected my blog for an award, which kind of makes me feel guilty since I have been neglecting it lately. Maybe this is the motivation I needed.

The Proximidade Award is described as:
‘This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!’

This blog award should be sent to your favorite eight bloggers and they, in turn should forward to eight of their favorites. You should include the text for Proximidade (above) in your announcement blog.

As you know, it is not easy picking eight blogs for an award. All of the blogs I read tend to draw me in because they are charming and/or candid. I guess I'll select some of them that I can imagine being friends with in the real world and I am going to list them in random order:

Tropic of Mom: Her blog contains beautiful pictures of Florida, fun stories, and she is pregnant. What mom doesn't like reading posts about pregnancy?

Brand New Tatoo: There is a lot that has happened to her in life and she writes openly about it all. I love her honesty.

Crazy Bloggin Canuck: She is a popular blogger who writes very creatively and really pulls people in. Who doesn't love her?

Amyeliz: She is witty, funny, candid, and a million other great things.

Aimee-Enchalada: She is kind hearted, yet makes me laugh with her sometimes snarky comments. Plus, she organized a whole Valentines exchange, which is super fun.

Aerin's Cranberry Blog: She always has interesting and well-thought-out topics. We've even exchanged a few wondeful e-mails. She is a very understanding person.

Now, for 2 recently discovered blogs by people I know in real life, but don't know about this blog and will only discover it if people click over there & they track it.

Pixie Chick: She is a free spirit who is extremely creative and kind. I knew her in high school, when people thought she belonged in the 1960s because of the way she dressed, played guitar, and loved the Beatles. I always liked her. She lives in SLC and started having kids at a fairly young age. Now, she is going to the University there and is about to have a book published.

Mortensens: I also knew the writer of this blog in high school. She has one of those cute little family blogs and has become quite the cake decorator.

Here I am at the end of the list with a few more blogs that I had intended on awarding. I don't read a whole lot of blogs anymore. If I read yours and/or your blog is listed on my side bar, please know that you are worthy of the Proximade Award in my eyes.