A year after we were married, we went to a wedding of a friend. We were seated at a table with a couple we had talked to over the years at various occasions. The wife asked us what was the hardest thing to get use to after marriage. Nothing immediately came to mind, but I am sure we came up with a few joke answers. Finally, she told us that the answer is supposed to be "sharing a bathroom." We just laughed and told her that we don't share. Both the husband and wife looked at us like we were crazy. We explained that Steve uses the "guest bathroom" and I use the "master bathroom." They could hardly fathom the idea. I guess sharing the master bathroom is something that married couples just HAVE TO DO.
For the first time in our marriage, we are actually sharing the master bathroom. What's more, is that we have a 1/2 bathroom downstairs for guests and another full bathroom for Lexi and the future baby boy. We could continue this no sharing thing if we wanted to. Perhaps, I should contact friends about this development in our marriage so that they can pass the message on to that couple. I think they would be so proud. I must admit it isn't tough though. Then again, I don't have to get ready for work in the mornings. Maybe that is considered cheating...
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Made it to YeeHaw!
Quick update: we're here and loving every minute of it. Sometimes when you want something too much, it becomes a let down. That is not the case here. It is wonderful (except for the unpacking, which is nearing completion). Now, I'm off to run a million errands.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Last Day in Miami
Today is an exciting day, not only is it my last day of work, but it is my last day in Miami. We are heading out tomorrow morning. At this point, I just feel like I am going on a strange vacation. The reality will probably set in within a week or two. Yipee!!!
I have been so busy lately, but I have wanted to say THANKS to one of my favorite bloggers, Lemon Blossom. Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about craving cinnamon bears and not finding them in Miami. I mentioned that I had ordered some online. After reading my post, she bought some, asked me for my address and shipped them to me all while juggling school, family, and summer fun. I was so touched. Beyond that, I was thrilled because the ones I got from Amazon.com were horrible. Apparently, Jelly Belly makes little cinnamon bears called "unbearably hot." They are tiny, have a sugar coating, and are hard-ish. Nothing like the larger gooey yummy ones that I was craving and that Lemon Blossom so kindly sent. THANK YOU LEMON BLOSSOM! Your kindness has made me whole again.
Anyway, I am wrapping things up in Miami and will probably not be back to the blogging world until we’ve unpacked and set up the internet in our new place. Considering the fact that I am a computer junkie, I’m guessing that will not take long. I already set up the service, but I have to pick up the modem once I get there. So...TA TA for now.
I have been so busy lately, but I have wanted to say THANKS to one of my favorite bloggers, Lemon Blossom. Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about craving cinnamon bears and not finding them in Miami. I mentioned that I had ordered some online. After reading my post, she bought some, asked me for my address and shipped them to me all while juggling school, family, and summer fun. I was so touched. Beyond that, I was thrilled because the ones I got from Amazon.com were horrible. Apparently, Jelly Belly makes little cinnamon bears called "unbearably hot." They are tiny, have a sugar coating, and are hard-ish. Nothing like the larger gooey yummy ones that I was craving and that Lemon Blossom so kindly sent. THANK YOU LEMON BLOSSOM! Your kindness has made me whole again.
Anyway, I am wrapping things up in Miami and will probably not be back to the blogging world until we’ve unpacked and set up the internet in our new place. Considering the fact that I am a computer junkie, I’m guessing that will not take long. I already set up the service, but I have to pick up the modem once I get there. So...TA TA for now.
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Big Ultrasound
Today, we found out we are having a very healthy & big BOY! The tech got several very good shots & kept saying, "it is still a boy." It wasn't really a surprise. As you can imagine, Steve is VERY excited. He told me that he is glad he will not be outnumbered soon. He was also shooting imaginary basketballs when we got out to the parking lot.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Geographical Experiences
I’ll never forget when I stepped off the plane in Doha, Qatar. The heat hit me like a blanket and I thought it must be the exhaust from jet engines. With a few steps, I quickly realized that it was simply in the hottest weather I had ever experienced. Never go to the Middle East in August. My flight arrived after 10pm, so at that moment I could only imagine what it would feel like in the day. It was worse (120 degrees +).
For the next few days, I explored the city and was mortified by the lack of color. Besides being a desert, all of the houses (actually palaces) were painted either white or light tan. There were very few plants, most of which were behind large walls in private gardens owned by Europeans. Even the clothing of locals was lacking in color. Men wore white and women wore black from head to toe. Everyone was extremely friendly and went out of their way to talk to me. They were often ridiculously accommodating. I was amused by small pick up trucks with large camels sitting in the back, falcons riding around on custom perches in luxury vehicles, and numerous other things.
When I came back to the States, I was bored. Everything seemed plain and ordinary. I moved from Houston to Denver and both were just so normal. I missed my experience in the Middle East terribly.
A year later, I moved to Miami and the visual was exactly opposite. As I drove down I-95 into Miami, I looked down on houses painted in millions of different shades of loud colors. The houses were clumped together with all kinds of plants growing up through the nooks and crannies. It was a bright sunny day and I remember thinking it looked hot, but it was January.
As I explored Miami, I discovered cultural flair, interesting little shops, insane drivers, and a lot of people who in general were overly defensive and proud. It is easy to say they are rude, but more accurately I think they just worry too much about defending their rights, when most of the time nobody was stepping on them. I have lived in several areas of Miami (near the zoo, by the Falls, in the Gables, and on the beach). I have become accustomed to the oddities in each location, but I am still fascinated by the strangeness.
As I prepare to go back to Houston, I am looking forward to that normal boring life. However, a part of me wonders if I will miss some of the craziness. Only time will tell.
For the next few days, I explored the city and was mortified by the lack of color. Besides being a desert, all of the houses (actually palaces) were painted either white or light tan. There were very few plants, most of which were behind large walls in private gardens owned by Europeans. Even the clothing of locals was lacking in color. Men wore white and women wore black from head to toe. Everyone was extremely friendly and went out of their way to talk to me. They were often ridiculously accommodating. I was amused by small pick up trucks with large camels sitting in the back, falcons riding around on custom perches in luxury vehicles, and numerous other things.
When I came back to the States, I was bored. Everything seemed plain and ordinary. I moved from Houston to Denver and both were just so normal. I missed my experience in the Middle East terribly.
A year later, I moved to Miami and the visual was exactly opposite. As I drove down I-95 into Miami, I looked down on houses painted in millions of different shades of loud colors. The houses were clumped together with all kinds of plants growing up through the nooks and crannies. It was a bright sunny day and I remember thinking it looked hot, but it was January.
As I explored Miami, I discovered cultural flair, interesting little shops, insane drivers, and a lot of people who in general were overly defensive and proud. It is easy to say they are rude, but more accurately I think they just worry too much about defending their rights, when most of the time nobody was stepping on them. I have lived in several areas of Miami (near the zoo, by the Falls, in the Gables, and on the beach). I have become accustomed to the oddities in each location, but I am still fascinated by the strangeness.
As I prepare to go back to Houston, I am looking forward to that normal boring life. However, a part of me wonders if I will miss some of the craziness. Only time will tell.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Mall Mommies
For the past decade, trips to the mall during the week have been a frantic dash to purchase a few things during the 1 hour allotted lunch time. During those trips, I have seen scores of mall mommies who seem to be out on an insignificant excursion. They casually walk around with oodles of time to kill in an effort to entertain themselves and their little ones. I have often wondered what that is like.
Today, as I was dashing through the mall during lunch, I realized that I only have 8 more days of work. It will not be too long until I too can be a Mall Mommy or I can at least try it.
Today, as I was dashing through the mall during lunch, I realized that I only have 8 more days of work. It will not be too long until I too can be a Mall Mommy or I can at least try it.
Monday, July 16, 2007
In the Scope and Tagged
The only thing on my mind is moving, so luckily I was tagged by Lemon Blossom.
The instructions: "I quickly write 8 random facts/habits about myself, and then tag 8 people. If I tag you, you had better play."
1. I was blind as a bat until January of 2001, when I got Lasik surgery. Since then, my eyes have been better than perfect. I am really glad I did it. (thanks LB for inspiring this tidbit)
2. One of the things I am most looking forward to about quitting is not having to figure out what to wear to work everyday. This is a very silly little issue, but between a growing belly and working at the same place for over 5 years it is hard to come up with business outfits everyday. I stand in my closet every morning bored of it all.
3. Last week, there was a news report about how people with a lot of moles tend to live longer because there is a correlation between them and some age defying genes. My husband looked and me and told me I would live forever. I guess I am admitting that I have a lot of moles blended in with my freckles.
4. My fingers are really long and thin. It is hard for me to buy standard rings because of this. My wedding ring is a size 4.5.
5. The new hair growth that comes after giving birth is still annoying me. The little ringlets in front of my ears and all the little fly-a-ways on my head make me crazy. Perhaps knowing that it will get worse again before it gets better makes me even more frustrated.
6. I have had the same car for almost 10 years. It is too small, but I love not having a car payment. I paid it off in 3.5 years, so this car has more than paid for itself. I’ll probably throw in the towel once I give birth to the next baby.
7. My maiden name is still on my driver’s license and the name I use at work. It is on my driver’s license because I hate the DMVs in South Florida. I refuse to go unless it is absolutely necessary and it hasn’t been. This is my protest. I use it at work because I started working there before I got married and it was easier. This will all change when we move to Texas.
8. My passport has expired. That probably isn’t a big deal for most people, but the idea makes me feel trapped. Getting it renewed will become a priority when I finally get a moment to breathe even though I don’t have plans to travel outside of the US.
Tagging 8 people is not that easy, but I will go with Princess & Johnsy, PageWize, A Comedienne’s Sidekick, Sofi, Anna, Reformatting (if you aren't too busy with the new baby), Aerin, and anyone else who might be interested.
The instructions: "I quickly write 8 random facts/habits about myself, and then tag 8 people. If I tag you, you had better play."
1. I was blind as a bat until January of 2001, when I got Lasik surgery. Since then, my eyes have been better than perfect. I am really glad I did it. (thanks LB for inspiring this tidbit)
2. One of the things I am most looking forward to about quitting is not having to figure out what to wear to work everyday. This is a very silly little issue, but between a growing belly and working at the same place for over 5 years it is hard to come up with business outfits everyday. I stand in my closet every morning bored of it all.
3. Last week, there was a news report about how people with a lot of moles tend to live longer because there is a correlation between them and some age defying genes. My husband looked and me and told me I would live forever. I guess I am admitting that I have a lot of moles blended in with my freckles.
4. My fingers are really long and thin. It is hard for me to buy standard rings because of this. My wedding ring is a size 4.5.
5. The new hair growth that comes after giving birth is still annoying me. The little ringlets in front of my ears and all the little fly-a-ways on my head make me crazy. Perhaps knowing that it will get worse again before it gets better makes me even more frustrated.
6. I have had the same car for almost 10 years. It is too small, but I love not having a car payment. I paid it off in 3.5 years, so this car has more than paid for itself. I’ll probably throw in the towel once I give birth to the next baby.
7. My maiden name is still on my driver’s license and the name I use at work. It is on my driver’s license because I hate the DMVs in South Florida. I refuse to go unless it is absolutely necessary and it hasn’t been. This is my protest. I use it at work because I started working there before I got married and it was easier. This will all change when we move to Texas.
8. My passport has expired. That probably isn’t a big deal for most people, but the idea makes me feel trapped. Getting it renewed will become a priority when I finally get a moment to breathe even though I don’t have plans to travel outside of the US.
Tagging 8 people is not that easy, but I will go with Princess & Johnsy, PageWize, A Comedienne’s Sidekick, Sofi, Anna, Reformatting (if you aren't too busy with the new baby), Aerin, and anyone else who might be interested.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Totally Out There
Today, I ran into someone I haven't seen for about 6 months. The second he saw me, he said, "I didn't know you were pregnant!" He didn't even do a double take or anything.
With that, I guess, I can officially announce that my stomach has completely popped out. It happens so much faster the second time. People expect me to know the sex of the baby when they judge the size of my belly.
Speaking of pregnancy, what has happened to cinnamon bears? I got a craving them for about 2 months and have not found them anywhere. I understand that this might be a Miami thing (people just aren't that into hot things here). The minute I had the craving, I realized that I haven't seen them since I moved here. I didn’t think about it before, but I have been seriously looking for the past two months. I even went to 2 candy stores that specialize in all things gummi & was not lucky. I looked online, but the minimum orders for most places were over $15. I DON'T want or need that many!!! Finally, Amazon.com came through. Hopefully, I get them next week. I can't wait to put them into the freezer... even yummier that way.
With that, I guess, I can officially announce that my stomach has completely popped out. It happens so much faster the second time. People expect me to know the sex of the baby when they judge the size of my belly.
Speaking of pregnancy, what has happened to cinnamon bears? I got a craving them for about 2 months and have not found them anywhere. I understand that this might be a Miami thing (people just aren't that into hot things here). The minute I had the craving, I realized that I haven't seen them since I moved here. I didn’t think about it before, but I have been seriously looking for the past two months. I even went to 2 candy stores that specialize in all things gummi & was not lucky. I looked online, but the minimum orders for most places were over $15. I DON'T want or need that many!!! Finally, Amazon.com came through. Hopefully, I get them next week. I can't wait to put them into the freezer... even yummier that way.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Thinking about the Differences
Will Miss about Miami:
1. The Beach
2. The view from the MacArthur Causeway
3. Abundant amount of interesting/bizarre characters on the Beach
4. The idea of bumping into fellow Miami bloggers whose sites I read
5. The uniqueness and special cultural mix of Miami
Will Not Miss about Miami:
1. Rude/suicidal drivers
2. Going into work everyday
3. The stench of the alleys on Miami Beach (not exactly pleasant for a pregnant woman)
4. Blatantly corrupt politics (they should at least attempt to hide it from the public)
5. The high cost of living
Looking Forward to in Houston:
1. Spending more time with Lexi
2. Being around old friends that have little kids
3. Cooler Winters (hot chocolate appropriate weather)
4. More types of international cuisine
5. Living in a brand new place
6. Lower cost of living
7. Friendly drivers
8. Blue Bell Ice Cream
9. Jogging Trails
10. Life in Suburbia
Things that will not Change:
1. Steamy summers
2. Hot Rain
1. The Beach
2. The view from the MacArthur Causeway
3. Abundant amount of interesting/bizarre characters on the Beach
4. The idea of bumping into fellow Miami bloggers whose sites I read
5. The uniqueness and special cultural mix of Miami
Will Not Miss about Miami:
1. Rude/suicidal drivers
2. Going into work everyday
3. The stench of the alleys on Miami Beach (not exactly pleasant for a pregnant woman)
4. Blatantly corrupt politics (they should at least attempt to hide it from the public)
5. The high cost of living
Looking Forward to in Houston:
1. Spending more time with Lexi
2. Being around old friends that have little kids
3. Cooler Winters (hot chocolate appropriate weather)
4. More types of international cuisine
5. Living in a brand new place
6. Lower cost of living
7. Friendly drivers
8. Blue Bell Ice Cream
9. Jogging Trails
10. Life in Suburbia
Things that will not Change:
1. Steamy summers
2. Hot Rain
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Counting Down
19 days until my sister, a.k.a Nanny McPaige, arrives
23 days until we head out of here
16 days of work/daycare
3 more weekends in Miami
Can you guess what is on my mind?
23 days until we head out of here
16 days of work/daycare
3 more weekends in Miami
Can you guess what is on my mind?
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