frou-frou, stilettos & feathers… June 1, 2008

so we saw S&TC on opening night. actually, we had planned on seeing it for sure on Friday then changed our mind… then at the the last minute decided to go for it. of course, there was a line a mile long even for the showtime after the one that was queued as next showing. it was the strangest thing… girls were dressed up in froufrou dresses & stiletto heels, designer bags & get this…. feathers! of course the girls dominated the lines but there were many a manly face that were mixed up in the crowd. as soon as the ticket taker yelled out our theater number, there was pushing & shoving & manager-demanding. it was quite funny. i wanted to see the movie just as bad but if it was full, my bed was a knowingly nice solace to my temporary disappointment. but nevertheless, walking at normal pace & finding amusement in our people watching, we got in without a scratch & sat in the seat of our choice. i even had a seat next to me for my purse. chill people! it’ll be ok!

the movie played like an additional season of the show. if it were added to my DVD collection as a Finale to the finale it would’ve fit right in. I loved the premise of the movie & how it tied everything together. I loved seeing Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte & Samantha on the big screen… however, as a movie it kinda fell short.. it just didn’t feel like a movie. it just felt like i was watching an extended episode of the show only a gazillion times bigger. judging from the jam-packed theater the show really does have a kinda cult-ish following. people were dressed in their Carrie Bradshaw & Mr. Big best while Mr. Jiggles & i sat there in our **crawl-right-into-bed, yet-still-somewhat-presentable offering** finished off with our signature stinky chucks. what can i say? we’re a pretty low-key couple. there is no hype to our madness.
we just are… 😉

 

introspective, retrospective & grateful… May 11, 2008

thank God for the blessing of another year in my life.
for the blessings that You give me inspite of my shortcomings… for Your grace & Your mercy & Your unconditional love that abounds always. forgive me Lord for the many times when I have not been pleasing in Your eyes. I pray that in all things You go before me, directing my path to lead me in the direction that You have willed for my life. i know that You put me on this earth for a purpose. i know that everything that has passed (both good & bad) was all a part of Your perfect plan. help me to see Your wisdom even in my darkest hours & to find the will to rejoice in those times because You have never forsaken me. help me to take a moment to profess gratitude even in the littlest things… the air we breathe, the friends we keep the love we share & in the blessings of each & every new day. help me Lord to look to You in all things & not to man. i pray that in all things & in every way that You reach out to me, Your voice will resound in my heart so that I can hear You. I thank & praise You Lord. I am nothing without You. I look forward to tomorrow because I know…
Your ways are perfect.
_______________________

it’s Mother’s day once again. It’s a bittersweet feeling to have such a day where Mother’s are honored because , I miss my mom more than words can say… sometimes, I feel a little cheated because my mom is no longer here with me. i feel that there are times that i took her for granted because i always believed that a mother’s love is unconditional. i didn’t have today but i knew that i’d always have tomorrow to make it up to her & she would love me just the same. i’m older now (officially another year older today ) & i am walking in her shoes as I raise a child of my own & at times struggling in a path that was seemingly simple when she walked on it. i know she had struggles even if she never voiced them. to be truthful, at times i thought she was weak… because she allowed herself to get buried in her struggles. i believed i was smarter than her because, i could see behind her smile. but i know now, that a forced smile amidst a heavily-burdened heart is the heroic feat of a strong, caring & unselfish soul. i know she’s not with me now because she only needed a few years on earth to gain her wings in heaven.
i miss you mom & i love you more than words can say.

lastly, i am so very blessed by this wonderful son of mine who makes me oh-so proud to be his mommy. thank you Lord for my ‘lil mister’. he is more than enough – he was crafted perfectly in the eyes of a Father who saw the love in two people who never stood a chance the moment his eyes met ours 7 years ago.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. You are beautiful & you are loved!!

unrequited love… April 17, 2008

he crossed my mind today… that certain someone from my past that never ceased to please me. i remember him as if it were yesterday… he tantalized my taste buds like no other. as long as the sun shined bright, he was there to satisfy my inner cravings. the way he pushed his cart through perilous territories, ringing his bell in that inexplicable candor, seemed to call out my name with each “ting-a-ling”. and without hesitation, he beckons me.

he slathers his big yellow, juicy husks w/ squeezable margarine that glistened on the water-drenched kernels. mayonnaise sitting for hours in the sweltering sun finds it’s way & it is spread just right only to be enveloped by the graceful sprinkling of parmesan cheese – made especially pungent by the warm summer’s day. and as if that weren’t enough he teases me with the fiery dash of hot sauce & red chili that causes me to lick my lips in sheer anticipation.

i bring it close to my mouth & let out a sigh of satisfaction as the flavors dance on my tongue. and once again i am fulfilled.

dear mr. elote vendor? are you held captive by my youth on Chicago’s city streets? because it’s a warm summer’s day & i no longer hear bells, but the memory of what used to be makes me long for you more & more.
i miss my elote. i’ve tried to replace you, tried to duplicate you, tried to forget you… but nothing in Vegas is quite the same. just as many of Chicago’s guilty culinary pleasures… like the hot dog & the pita inn & chinatown’s 554… you are now nothing but a fond memory. but i know, we will meet again… because we were destined to be as one.

😛 ahahahahahahahaha!! 🙂

***UPDATE***
(chicago.. May 2008 )
it was kismet!

first date… April 6, 2008

so this week, I decided to forgo my weekly “date” w/ Lil’ Mister… sort of. he, apparently had other plans in mind so instead of me being his date, i ended up playing chaperone. now in any other circumstance, mommy would most likely take a little offense in the change of plans, but he quickly pulled me aside & reassured me that i was still the number one woman in his life. LOL! he is already becoming quite the smooth talker!

that morning i told him we would go to the Children’s Museum.. we’ve never been there so i figured it would be something new that he would enjoy. we decided that we would take along his “girlfriend” Angela… he’s known her ever since we moved in the neighborhood 3 years ago & within those 3 years, Lil’Mister has referred to her as his girlfriend, his future wife, his ex-girlfriend & as of recent… his girlfriend, yet again. you would think that mommy would be a wee bit leery about this talk of girlfriends & marriage being that he is all but 7 years old… but shamefully enough i’ve been guilty of feeding into it.. because, goodness! it is the cutest little thing!

before we left, we made snacks for the little outing that we had planned. Lil’ Mister took out a marker & wrote his name on one baggie & Angela’s on the other. we drove over to Angela’s house (just a few houses down) and Rian got out of the car & walked to their door where Angela & her mom were already eagerly waiting. Lil’Mister gives her a hug & hands her an Alvin & the Chipmunks CD (he had a duplicate) & told her she could have it. Then they both walk hand-in hand to the car as Wan (her mommy) & i looked on in awe. LOL!

Needless to say, they had a blast @ the museum. ‘couldn’t help but laugh at them together. they were definitely two “little” people on a 1st date.
Click here for some pics from the day’s events. I would post them individually but.. yes, yet again, i’m lazy! LOL!

and more…

yeah! don’t ask!

little builders!

bubble makers

Here are the chaperones w/ Angela – shiny & pooped!

Rian & Angie…
best friends forever!

at the end of the day, my Lil’ Mister tells me what a great time he had. He also asked me if he was “a great boyfriend” today. I told him that he was a perfect gentleman & that I was so proud of him. he smiles & gives me a great big hug & says,

this was the best day ever mom! thanks for coming with me on my date! i love you!

and i love you lil’mister!

 

la dee dah… March 29, 2008

Yum!! Chocolate Strawberries… not only are they delish but they match my family room motif! LOL!! 😛

…so it’s been awhile.
it’s been one hectic day to one hectic week after another & haven’t gotten a chance to update.
unfortunately, this is still one of those days.
but i’m here to say,stay tuned! there just may be a time when my head bobs outta the water long enough for me to say my peace.
so ’til then…
…this is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice & be glad in it!

baboo!

phlog: a day in the life… March 9, 2008

Let’s check your Brain Age Mommy!

Argh!  Math?! Waaah!

3 carry the 1… ugh! i knew i should’ve listened more in math class!

i can do this, i can, i can!

my mommy’s a smarty pants!

lemme take a whirl at it!

daddy’s a nerd too!!

my boys got all dressed up for their date w/ Mommy!
they took me to IHOP for lunch!
oh yes! they are big spenders!
i love them so! 🙂

and after IHOP, they took me to the Swap Meet!
the name say’s it all!

it’s not exactly the high life…
yet,
as long as we’re together…
life is grand!

date w/ lil’mister… March 9, 2008

Rian & i went to Color Me Mine to create a special birthday gift for Lolo who’s birthday is on March 15th. It’s a lot of fun. Rian had a great time creating his masterpiece. He was very proud of his semi-finished product because according to Lil’ Mister, now his Lolo won’t have to use the Jade Dragon Tattoo mug he always uses & he can have a new favorite. LOL!! 😛

i attempted to create a masterpiece of my own but it didn’t look half as wonderful of that of my artist in the making. How can i even compete with that?! 😛 Our pieces have to be put in the kiln to glaze & to be made beverage & diswasher safe. I’ll update with Rian’s finished product when we pick it up on Friday. 🙂

Hope your weekend is full of special memories & your week to come is blessed.

letter to… March 6, 2008

My Angel-Baby,

another year has come & gone yet the fact still remains the same. you’re so far away yet closer than one could ever be, because i carry you in my heart. i can picture you in my mind as you were the day you came into my life… but amazingly, i can picture you as you are today. maybe because it’s His handiwork that paints your portrait in my mind, as you grow into the little boy i have so envisioned you to be.

i am grateful not because i had you, but because i have you in my life. i know that all in this life is temporal yet He has promised all that is eternal… and though I can’t celebrate another year with you, i know you & i will have eternity.

thank you for being my angel baby.
You would be 9 years old today. Not quite a baby anymore, but my angel nonetheless.

Happy Birthday Rhys!
I love you. I miss you… I love you yet again…

Forever & Always,
Mommy

Yesterday
Sung by Leona Lewis

I just cant believe your gone, still waitin for
mornin to come, when i see if the sun will Rise,in
the way that your by my side, oooo where we had so
much in store, tell me what is it All reaching
for, when were through building memories il hold
yesterday in my heart, in my heart

[ Chorus ]
They can take tomorrow and the plans we made, they
can take the music that wel never play, all The
broken dreams, take everything, just take it away,
but they can never have yesterday, they Can take
the future that wel never know they can take the
places that we said we will go, all The broken
dreams take everything, just take it away, but
they can never have yesterday

You always choose to stay, i should be thankful
for everyday, heaven knows what the future Holds,
or least where the story goes, i never believed
untill now, i know il see you again im Sure, no
its not selfish to ask for more, one more night
one more day one more smile on your Face but they
cant take yesterday,

[ Chorus ]
They can take tomorrow and the plans we made, they
take the music that wel never play, all the Broken
dreams take everythin, just take it away, but they
can never have yesterday, they can Take the future
that wel never know, they can take the places that
we said we will go, all the Broken dreams, take
everything, just take it away, but they can never
have yesterday.

I thought our days would last forever, but it
wasnt our destiny, coz in my mind we had so much
Time, but i was so wrong, no i can believe me i
can still find the strengh in the moments we Made
im lookin back on yesterday

let me indulge you… February 28, 2008

for those of you who happen to like to indulge in my often times torturous rants & ramble… today is your lucky day!!

LOL!! 🙂

i’ve added a subscription link to the bottom of my blog.

it’s pretty self-explanatory so do as you wish. 😉

now there’s no escaping me! muahahahaha!!

yet, you still reserve the right to unsubscribe & cut me out of your life forever.

either way, thanks for your patronage. 😉

i am forever grateful!! 😛

weekend revisited… February 23, 2008

i didn’t get to post last week…all on account of the fact that we were getting Wicked & Happy in the bout of one single weekend. then in true torturous fashion, Tuesday came & i got thrown right back into the humdrum yet oh so hectic (yes, they can go hand in hand) arms of the work week. it’s like taking candy away from a baby i tell ya. you shed a few tears, you whine & you grovel & before you know it, the glorious weekend is just a recent memory, soon to be overshadowed by the 9-5 blah. but, nevertheless…
i’m grateful.
Wicked was such an awesome show. i’ve been wanting to see it for ages when we lived in Chicago still. but there has been the wee little setbacks of the oh-so big life changes, that we never really got around to it. when we moved to Vegas i was so overjoyed when i found out it was playing in L.A. just a hop, skip & jump away from our unofficial yet obvious home away from home. 🙂 we tried, we planned but it just never happened. until…. this past weekend. Auntie Lou & Uncle Ralph got us tix for our anniversary. with the $95 a piece tickets in hand, we felt a little foolish accepting such a generous gift but we are oh-so grateful for the blessing we have in them and for a memorable close to our 11th year of marriage.

the actors had us in a trance the whole time. the music was not your typical operatic, melancholic (word?) arias such as those in the equally beautiful, Phantom or Les Mis, but instead was really upbeat & humorous…. even in it’s most poignant moments.
i love, love, loved it!

After the show, we had Tommy Burger for the first time ever. Mr Jiggles loved it. i thought it was good. something i’d enjoy if ever we’re in one’s path..but don’t think it’s something i’d add to my crave list. Then again, i’m a girl who’s ever-so-faithful to her Steak & Shake Frisco Melt for her late night burger fix. and my constant prayer (amongst more pressing petitions – that is 🙂 ) is that one day it’ll come out west so that i can suppress that inner longing i’ve been harboring since last i’ve been indulged by one. after all, i prayed for Dunkin Donuts & it came to be. nothing is impossible w/ prayer.
ask & you shall receive. 😉

Lil’Mister spent the evening with his Ninong Marlon. He took him to see Spiderwick Chronicles. Thank you so much Mar. I’m usually Rian’s movie date so I know I would’ve had to take him to see this flick sooner or later. Although it looks interesting it’s just not my kind of movie. i don’t do well with epics… even moreso with fantasy-like epics. you saved me from the inevitable, 2 hr long struggle that i would’ve otherwise endured to keep my eyes open & my mind from wandering… and most importantly from the little white lie i’d have to tell when Lil’Mister yells, “mommy! are you sleeping?” a fact, so obviously marked by the uncontrollable snore that lets out as i drift into lala land. 🙂
thank you.

and lastly, there’s
the Happiest Place on Earth.


it was so much fun. we got in line for the Matterhorn first & during the dreaded wait in line, the ride broke down 2 times, adding an additional 20 minutes each to our already 45 minute wait. but yet, we waited very patiently. walt disney himself would’ve been proud of the good little boys & girl that we were. finally, we got to the front & just one sitting before we were on, the ride conductor gets on the loudspeaker for the 3rd time & says the ride will be out of commission for another 45 MINUTES!! with the uproar of grunts & groans in our line, Lil’Mister folds his arms in frustration and everything he has held back thus far spills out with great conviction. He proclaims that he has had enough. He will never ride this ride again! and everyone seemed to share his sentiment as they begrudgingly stepped out of the line that held them captive for a great portion of their day.

yet, the day was filled with many more lines (thank God for the Fast Pass). i mapped out our day from the start just to make sure that we hit as many attractions as possible. after all, happiness at the happiest place on Earth comes at a pretty penny, (thanks again Ninong Marlon for Rian’s ticket) and i wanted to make sure that it was well worth it. we had dinner after leaving the park….
these pics speak volumes! 🙂

so… just one little rant before i close.
why oh why is there always a line a mile long weaving out of the women’s restroom? i’ve seen it @ the Pantages, every where in Disneyland and at every rest stop on the way home… namely, Starbucks. why don’t i ever see men lining up outside the men’s restroom with their legs crossed tightly, almost in a knot, grabbing their crotches & doing the pee-pee dance? is it just that women take so freakin’ long doing God knows what? (i’m in & out) or is it just that women all tend to have the urge to go at the same exact moment in time?

on the way home, i found myself in yet another line, somewhat like the numerous lines i’ve been held captive in @ Disneyland. you would think with the length of the line that at the end there’d be a pot of gold; but just as it always has been, the only thing glorious about getting to the front, is the sigh of relief you let out as your arse hits that cold, porcelain throne. this particular restroom was a one stall wonder so, we waited & waited & waited. All the while the men’s room had no line and the one stall was free & clear. I glanced up @ the multitude before me & i had a vision. For one brief moment, I saw Lil’Mister with his arms folded in frustration, proclaiming “i’ve had enough! I will never go on this ride again!” and with that, i got out of line, knocked on the men’s room door & let myself in. after the long glorious sigh of relief that the others were still anticipating, i open the door & sure enough a man is standing there. he glances @ me, glances at the sign on the door then glances at me again. and all i could say was, “all yours” 🙂 as i walked out. i glance back at the line i left behind and just as the man comes out, in true red sea fashion, the line splits down the middle. one to the women’s, one to the men’s. lol!! good for them! after all, when you’ve gotta go, your butt knows no gender & has no pride.

 

have a blessed week!