Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Giving Thanks ...

Briella came home from school on Monday with one of the assignements to talk to your mom & dad about what you're thankful for. So the two of us compiled a list (you know the scrapbooker in me wants to hold on to those thoughts) of what we're thankful for. Although, her's would be so cute to share, I just wanna share my thoughts on this blog:

1. A chance to be with my grandma before she passed away.
2. A chance to talk to my grandpa just 3 days before he passed away.
3. A chance to spent some time with my family at home (although it would have been better
were it for other circumstances).
4. My ever so beautiful & adorable little girls who as much as they drive me in sane sometimes
know exactly when I need them, their hugs & kisses & kind words the most.
5. For my ever so pain-in-the-bud husband & the good times in our roller-coaster marriage.
6. For my always-being-there-for-me, even over 5000 miles- parents.
7. For our health.
8. For our home; to keep us dry & cozy in weather like today, warm when it's cold, a backyard
with a (small but big enough) pool in the summer to chill, the flowers in our garden, our comfy
beds, a fireplace, space to call our own.
9. For - as little and simple as it may have been too often lately - the food that we can afford to
put on the table to nurish our bodies & minds (& a little treat here and there).
10. For Derrick's parents to help us out in so many -not being able to list all - everyday ways.
11. For our jobs, as lowsyly paid & stressful they are.
12. To be blessed with a talent or should I call it urge or calling to create thru scrapping, sewing,
knitting, etc.
13. For the time (even mostly just a couple of minutes here and there) to read a great book.
14. For a really really good movie. (Watched in the comfort of my home.)
15. For nature, outdoors, walks, fresh air, blue sky, ...
16. For when all the laundry is done, the house is clean & there's actually still some time left to
enjoy the weekend.
17. For finally arriving home after work.
18. For my - even if we sometimes don't hear from each other for some time - really good
friends. You guys know who you are and I am so glad to have you in my life & know you. I
truly hope that each of you has a happy holiday and can be thankful for something despite
these cruel times.
19. The simple things in life: flowers from the garden in a vase, beautiful scented candles, hot
chocolate with -of course- regular vitamin D 2% milk, Nutella, treats from home, calls with
my mom, breakfasts together on sundays, bubble baths, dancing with Derrick & the girls to
Prince in our living room, relaxing to music, ...
20. A very nice anniversary lunch at the Philadelphia Water Works with a really great appetizer
(that I can't name here) before that.
21. For my brothers.
22. For extended family.
23. For Briella reconnecting with her aunt Valerie thru their artistic genes/ vibes/ whatever you
wanna call it.
24. For the chance of tomorrow, another day, next year; another chance to do & be someone
amazing (or sometimes, to just live and have made it thru another day).
25. For fruit tea (strawberry tea from home & many others).
26. Inspirations.
27. A car that's working and paid off (hope I didn't jinks -is that spelled right? - myself here!)
28. My dad's genes & training to be a do-it -yourself kind a girl.
29. My mom's lessons in cooking & baking.
30. Making pancakes sunday morning with my girls.
31. Nadya's progress with her speech (and I'm so so proud of my terrific 2nd grader).

Well, that was 31 (my age exact) and came by pretty easy too. Hope everyone that reads this blog has some things to be thankful for & hopefully better days are to come for all of us. Love ya all!!! Happy Turkey Day!!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

These bags are truly to die for. I went to her etsy store & checked out the collection, trying to narrow my favorites to three but I stopped after just two, since it was impossible to find just on or two or even three. So two of my favorites are the Red Bird Granny Bag & the Laef Dot Orange, ...
Thinking of some great X-Mas presents.
Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Muffin is THREE!!!


Our little muffin is officially out of the terrible two's stage & exploring 3. After denying her upcoming birthday all week, she finally did enjoy it waking up on Friday; even wanted her birthday cake for breakfast. We took her to Toys'r us & Ikea to pick out something for her train set (dates back to Brie but she was never quite interested like Nadya; she's obsessed with "HER" trains), picked up Brie from school and headed over to Chucke Cheese for some fun playtime. Great timing, as barely anyone was there. After two-something hours there, we went back home for some cake and ice-cream. Although, she refused to blow out her candles, as soon as they were of the cake, she didn' waste a second to get her fingers into the frosting. After all, she had to wait all year to destroy her own cake, while everyone had to hide their cakes from her sneeky little frosting-stelling fingers. Can't believe what a big girl she is.
Enjoy the pics (thru the title link)!!!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

from sick to Miley concert ending with muff's birthday

After a more or less rainy Halloween, I woke up Sunday with a sore throat and by the end of the day was clearly sick. Monday was no chance of going to work - but I needed to get better - Yesterday: two hours in traffic to go to the Miley Cyrus a.k.a. Hannah Montana concert with Brie at the Wachovia Center (pics to follow). Late night and someone didn't wanna wake up this morning (besides me)! But at least I'll be off tomorrow for muff's 3rd birthday - "3". How crazy is that, wasn't I just pregnant? Surrounded by all my wonderful coworkers!!! You all know that pics of cake eating will come on Monday. (Unlike every child, she's denying her special day, she doesn't want toys, cake or ballons. How about that?! Especially, since she's been so crazy lately about drawing/ painting, etc for everyone else's birthday.) Well, we'll see!!! Have a good weekend (hopefully rain-less) everyone.

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Aunty Ollie $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

How adorable!!! Not sure what's cuter, the outfits or the models. So much to choose from for my two little muffins.

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another fabulous design - and my favorite color!!! Surely would love to own this one.