New Addition To The Family

Recently I have become mommy to a brand new big girl camera. As an early Christmas gift I was given a Nikon D60.

I have wanted a "real" camera for at least 4 years now, and we just never had the chance to splurge until recently. I love taking pictures of just about everything, while I am not in the actual photographer stage I am a pretty good as I call it Picture Takerer.

My goal is to learn this camera inside out before the arrival of our newest family addition. Due on my birthday, June 14th 2009. Here are some shots I took today...

Expecting Baby Number Three

Found out this weekend we are expecting baby number 3 for me!!! I am happily suprised to say the least. Once the shock wore off, I am getting down to business with picking out a Midwife to assist me through the birth.

Sporty wasn't too happy with the news, and accused me of playing a mean joke on him. He even went as far as asking if he can pee on a test to see if they work or not.

Hubby is incredibly happy, he got on the phone withing hours calling friends and family. He keeps asking me who do I think the baby will look like, considering Sporty and Yum-Yum both look like me. I am sure he is praying for a child to look like him.

I will keep yall posted on the progress.

Just A Thought

Loyalty is a wonderful thing!

School Lunch Menu Plan

Going along the lines of yesterdays Monday Menu Plan, I have decided to post a Weekly Lunch Menu Plan. Sporty has anounced that he wants to bring his lunch to school this year, rather than eating in the cafeteria 7th graders get to sit outside (weather permitting) and eat.

So I have decided I will come up with great lunch ideas, that hopefully will utilize some of our nightly dinner leftovers. I have already come up with next weeks Dinner Menu Plan so,

So here goes:

Tues: Tuna Salad (al la ourdinnerideas.blogspot), w/ Lime Tortillas, Juice and a Fruit Cup
Wed: Turkey & Cheese Wrap w/ Carrot Sticks & Ranch Dip w/ Iced Tea & Orange
Thurs: Sporty's Birthday!! Chicken Salad Sandwich w/ Cucumber Salad, Juice & Apple Sauce
Fri: PB&J w. Bananas w/ Chocolate Pudding & Milk

Monday Menu Plan

I have some acorss Orgjunkie.com and decided to join in on her Monday Menu Plan. So here goes..

Monday - Turkey Tacos & Mexican Bean Salad
Tuesday - Eggplant Parmigana w/ Romaine Salad
Wed - Baked Chicken with Rice and Beans
Thursday - Broiled Angus Steaks w/ Garlic Red Smashed New Potatoes
Friday - Make Your Own Pizza Night
Saturday - BBQ Leftovers
Sunday - Grammas 12 hour Meat Sauce w/ Macaroni

Wish me luck and time, Thrusday I have off of work so I am planing on making Sundays Sauce, and my own Pizza Dough some time through out the day.

7 Dollar Jeans Anyone

As a family we decided to brave Old Navy's one day only sale. With school just around the corner Sporty needs some new jeans. With winter coming Yum Yum needs some winter clothing (next size up please).

We ventured out around 8:30am to stand in line before Old Navy opened. Getting there with 15 minutes to spare, we see a crowd of people seriously about 150 deep. Big Jay, Sporty and I huddled together to come up with a plan. Surveying the crowd I saw mostly mothers with their daughters, a few young tween boys sprinkled and a bunch of baby strollers.

I turn to Big Jay and say you head straight for Yum Yum's sizes get 18-24 months. Grab as many as you can no matter what their cut is. Find me in Sportys section, and we will go through them.

To Sporty I said when the doors open head straight for the 3rd Fall Sale sign on the left. You are to grab any cuts in a size 10 or 12. Don't worry about anything else, if they don't fit we can always exchange them later, if you don't like them we can always return them.

The doors open 5 minutes earlier than expected to a cheer from the crowd. Women were tossing their infants in harms way using the strollers are battering rams. Rolling over people's toes, hitting ankles and tripping the others with their stunt like maneuvers.

Sporty and I arrive in the Boys sections with just a few people we were able to snatch and yank about 15 pairs of jeans off the table racks. For some reason people were leaving the jeans that were on standing isles alone. I figured people thought that only the jeans lined up along the wall were on sale. Paying no mind to any of the other jeans. Sporty and I were able to find 9 pairs of jeans that will fit him throughout the winter and into the spring. I told him 4-5 jeans are for now and we will put up the other jeans for after January.

Big Jay spotted us and I was soo proud of him, he as able to snag Yum Yum 6 pairs of jeans in various sizes up to a 2T. He said that his ankles hurt from the women ramming him with their Killer Kid Chariots. He also said he had as much of an adrenaline rush doing this as he has playing football on Thanksgiving Day.

He head to the line which was about a city block long, to confer and go over the clothing. WE did pretty well. Big Jay asked if he can go look at jeans for himself. Seeing how long the line was it was a good idea for me to stay on while he continued to shop. He came back 30 minutes later with 3 pairs of jeans and a few shirts and I had moved about 3 feet up the line. Big Jay and Sporty were urging me to go and get some jeans too, but in all honesty I have about 8 pairs of jeans that fit me amazingly and I know enough not to mess with perfection.

We were told only 3 pairs of jeans to a person. WHAT!!! We have 18 pairs of jeans and only 3 people. I told Big Jay not to worry and not to say anything about the number of jeans we had that he will go up with 6 jeans I will go up with 9 jeans and Sporty will go up with 3 jeans. I realized the distance between the line and the registers was so great that if we were to ask the cashiers to slip a few extra through that they might do it if not be prepared to get back on the line.

Which by then was snaked from the front of the store where the registers are all the way to the back, along the back wall and back up to the entrance right next to the cashiers. And there were more people entering the store.

When we got up to the registers, by great change Big Jay was right behind me at another register. I simply asked both registers if we can do separate transactions each with three pairs of jeans. My cashier was like no problem if you want we can add each transaction up to equal $50 and then you can get a few free Old Navy Totes. It turned out to be a great day, 18 pairs of jeans, 5 shirts and 3 free Old Navy Totes for less than $170.

Book Group Anyone?

I am an avid reader. While I passing through another random blog today, I noticed the blogger had a goal of 52 books in 52 weeks. I thought what a great idea, I am definitely going to put that on the top of my New Year's Resolution this year. Why wait, well what else am I going to ask for for Xmas!

I am known for reading within my core group of friends. I am the one with a book at a Mets/Yankee game, the one sitting next to the grill at family gatherings eyes glazed over "watching a movie" as I call it.

A few days ago I read about a club bouncer in Queens, NY who was assaulted sometime after work. The attacker gouged out his eyes, a passerby found the bouncer with his eyes out of their sockets. Needless to say, the poor bouncer is forever blind!

Aside from my initial though of OMG how horrible not to be able to see family, friends or his children (should he have any or eventually have), but he can no longer read! Sure he can learn Braille, but will it still be the same.

Over the next few weeks I am going to research what books I would like to add to my Christmas list, I have already set up an account paperbackswap.com, and list my books that I have. Although I am not sure how I will do with that, since loaning out, donating, giving away or god forbid tossing out a book is almost as traumatic as loosing my wallet on the train.

Standing In Death

I am not quite sure how creepy this would be, shoot I am not even sure I would attend the wake. If my homie died (especially if it was still a mystery) I don't know if I could stand the sight of walking into his mothers house to mourn, only to see him propped up in the corner.


As a mom, I would think I would want to carry out my child's last wishes, but umm I don't know. To me he looks like a party straggler, you know the one who just doesn't want to leave. Rather than a tragic end to a very young life.


Angel Pantoja Medina was found under a bridge in Puerto Rico, he had always said that he wanted to stand in death. WTF - what kind of life was he living that at 24 y/o he knew he wanted to be gangsta at his own funeral. Shit, what if he face was blown off instead, would he still have wanted to stand in death and scare the bejesus out of his mother.

I Tripped Upstairs And Landed In Bangcock!

So I was minding my own business walking up the stairs on 42nd Street, this woman was pulling half dragging her son up the stairs in a race to get to the 7 train. I was drinking my Lite Ice Venti Extra Vanilla Cafe Latte ( yeah I'm one of those), when the little kid tripped causing me to step up and over (skipping a step) I tripped up 2-3 stairs and headbutted a large mans belt buckle!!!.
I tried to reach for something to break my fall, BUT there was nothing!
My forehead hit him smack dab on a big ass buckle.

My first thought, what is he from Texas. OMG! Do I have the Texas meadow map imprinted on my forehead! And DAMN my neck hurt.

I step back to face my embarrassment head on, only to see that the big man is trying his darnedest to stop from laughing so hard. I stood up a bit to untangle my hair from his buckle as quickly as I could, mumbled a I'm sorry and sped away ASAP.

Dancing Queens

Sitting here, in my office, without my digi camera!!! I work with two manly manly men (both from the South Bronx NY, both with lenghty past criminal records, both with whom I would not want to be on the outs with) - who are actually singing and dancing to Dancing Queen !!!! Oh WHY oh WHY is my camera sitting blissfully charging on my Kitchen Table !!!!

People I wish I wasn't the only person here right now! They are twirling and sashaying! Voices are high enough to make me go deaf, but they don't care for they are dancing queens!!!

A Letter To My Gramma.

Hey Gramma,

I don't know where to start this or where it is going to go. But I already know that I have tears in my eyes just thinking about typing this.

I find myself holding conversations in my head with you. Late at night while everyone is asleep. I find myself telling you about my day and my troubles, I listen real hard to the stillness and light breathing coming from Yum Yum's crib. I feel my pillow slowly filling with the tears that slide from my eyes across and over the bridge of my nose, and drip from my cheekbone.

Not a day has gone by, since you left us that I don't speak your name. I still look for you when I hear the front door open and close softly. I still turn corners, walking into neighborhood stores looking for you. Every time I see someone who resembles you my heart stops beating for a split second and I think could it all have been a dream, are you still here, please let it all have been some cruel joke.

I miss you - no I don't, it's easy to simply miss someone -what I feel isn't easy. I can't breathe properly without you, I can't think at all without you. I can't be without you - but I try. With every step that I take I ask myself will you approve, with every decision I make I think what would you say.

I would give anything except my children to have you back. I have thought about this almost everyday since your passing. What would I give up to have your back. I know what I would give - I would give my eye sight to hear you laugh or crack a joke (even if it is at my expense), I would give my taste buds to see your smile, I would give my sense of touch to smell your scent and I would give my sense of smell to feel you in my arms.

I thought I had more time, I was on a path to show you how well you did in raising me and my son. I was in school and working, I was making moves to take care of you the way you took care of my mother, before she died. You dedicated your life to your children and to your grandchildren. I wanted to show you that although I made many mistakes your words were forever running through my mind.

When you first got sick, I found out I was pregnant. You found me in the room crying, and you told me to get rid of it. I know you just said that because you knew my life was on a steady path upwards, in school full time working full time, saving money living my life with ease. I know you said that to protect me and my son. I know that you always did what ever it took to protect us. You seen in me what I never did.

When you were in the hospital, I had to drag myself to see you. I was so much easier for me to replace the word hospital with Aunt Eileen's house. In my mind I could not grasp the concept of you being sick. You were never sick. You beat breast cancer 40 years ago. You took care of 2 terminally sick children at the same time. You dealt with my mom being diagnosed with Polio and becoming a quadriplegic at the age of 4. You helped her raise me, you were right outside of the delivery room when it took 18 doctors to bring me into this world. You helped my mom raise me for 3 3/4 years before she passed away due to Polio complications. You raised me!

You helped me raise my son when I had him at the tender age of 17. You were my mom and my sons mom when I didn't know how to be.

I always told you - you are not allowed to die you are not allowed to leave me. But you did! You left this void in my world.

When I gave birth to Yum, I was petrified, I was emotionally stunted. I couldn't shake the feeling of not being able to love him as much as you would have. I looked for you during my labor, I looked for you on the street when I took him home. I peeking in all the closets, hoping the game was going to end. Hoping you would just come home!

I know you aren't going to come home, because you are home. How selfish of me to ask you to return to me. You are home, you are home with the two children to lost way back when, you are home with your mom and your dad, you are home with your husband and your long lost brother. You are home where you belong, and now I know that you are waiting for my arrival.

It still pains me that Yum will never truly know you. I know that you are proud of me Gramma. I know that you see how great of a mom I am, I know that you would be talking up the town about my achievements. I also know that you are with me.

This letter has no end because there is no conclusion. I am just going to say I promise you I am going to find away to get rid of the angery boiling in side of me, I prosime you to fight everyday for my boys to be true men. I promise you that I will take care of my little family the way you took care of us. I promise you that I will become everything you ever thought I could be, I promise you I will teach Yum Yum all about you. I also promise you that you will see me when the time comes.

Early Invite At BzzAgent

I received my first early invite over a BzzAgent.com. As in my previous postings I hate cleaning my apartment so much that I must clean something everyday. If not I know I will be sending myself and my family down a very cluttered and grimey existence.

I cant wait to receive my package of Pledge Multi-Surface cleaners. I plan on having a cleaning tips party, I am thinking of creating take home Cd's. I will create housecleaning charts, recipes for great homemade Eco friendly cleaning recipes and lots of organizational tips.

I will keep you guys posted on the put come of the party.

Get to Houseparty NOW!

Houseparty.com has come great parties coming out for the month of September. There are two that I really would like, the first being the Cannon Scrapbooking Party and the other being the Better Homes And Garden Party. Both would be helpful in my life, more so the Better Homes And Garden Party, as much as I love a clean and comfy apartment, I hate cleaning. Which I do on a daily basis.

I clean and I clean and I organize to no avail. It seems that when I lay down to sleep, my possessions find themselves a new place to live, and apparently they like to move around. No item in my house has a definite home. One day I tell ya I'm going to be organized to the gills and have soooooooo much time to mush around that I may go crazy.

Now the Cannon Scrapbooking Party I would love to get, this party would force me to have fun doing something that I truly love. Now I am not an expert scrapbooker, but I am no novice. I love designing photo books online. Mostly from Shutterfly or SnapFish. I love the cute little ditties that come along with scrapbooking.

Enter To Win 1-3 Prizes From Fisher-Price

Enter to WIN !!





All you need to do is signup for their free email newsletter! 25 Winners will be picked randomly to win one of three prizes.





I was the greatful reciepent of a Cradle 'n Swing swing. When Yum Yum was teething (he started really early at 4 1/2 months old) this was one of the only ways I could find a bit of peace during the day.

Yum absolutely loved the lights, music and the mobile. He would sit there staring up and coo. We have since passed the swing on to a family member who loves it just as much as we did.

Max Factor Bzzagent Campaign !

This week I received a new campaign from BzzAgent.com. Now I am not your wear makeup to check the mail kinda girl. I am more the makeup to go to a wedding type. I just don't have the brain space to remember to touch up, reapply or even remember to put it on type.

So when I was offered the Max Factor campaign I jumped at the chance to review and chat about a (from what I hear) great cosmetic company. My campaign box included, mascara, blush, a blush brush,some kind of all day stay on lipstick and let's not forget my favorite thing in the world COUPONS!! I have decided that I will wear one, or all three everyday for the duration of the campaign and be honest about how it feels and how it stands up to my everyday life.

Monday was my first try out and it went well, the mascara when I rubbed my eyes didn't bother me at all and stayed on, it didn't flake off or give me a smokey eye. The blush was no where to be seen around 2pm, and I really did not like the feel of the blush brush. I didn't remember to bring it any of the makeup with me, so that was not so good. The lipstick however not only stayed on all day, but the next morning when I woke up, the lipstick was still look ultra sexy. And yeah I showered, lol.

I decided to reapply only the mascara and blush remembering to stash all the makeup in my book bag. (sorry I am not a purse wearing kinda girl either). I did have to reapply the blush a few times during the day, with only a slight fear of breaking out (as I have fairly sensitive skin). But the mascara was standing tall. No need to touch that up! The lipstick was still in great shape although I love the way the it looks faded and wished not to reapply.

So far I really like their products, and will keep yall updated on how it goes.

Lost Out On Fisher-Price Houseparty!

I had a really busy day on Tues. so busy in fact I wasn't even able to check my emails. Had I been able to, I would have had a shot at snatching up a spot for the coveted Fisher-Price Houseparty.

I have to tell you I almost cried at my desk, my coworkers were peeking out of the corners of their eyes. I really really wanted this houseparty, lol. I had visions of having a end of summer party for all of Yum Yum's friends. I was going to decorate my backyard and buy balloons. I was even going to ask a family friend to dress up like a clown and make balloon animals.

I am still a big fan of both Fisher-Price , I truly believe that this company produces the most amazing products for infants and children alike. Their products have forever been a part of my childhood and will be apart of my children's live as well.

And Houseparty for that matter, I have no one to blame but myself, lol. But I have learned my lesson and will soon be purchasing a cellphone where I can check my emails on the go AND access the Internet in a blink of an eye. Anyone have any suggestions?

Have you heard of Houseparty.com

I was introduced to the Houseparty site a while ago and have had a great time applying to upcoming parties. I love a good party! I am one of those people who looks for any reason to celebrate even if its only for a few hours, Sporty is student of the month - I plan a great family dinner and invite his friends, some neighbors and some extended family. Yum Yum said a new word I'm in the kitchen baking a cake from scratch with the new word written in yummy frosting.

DH is soo good about me throwing impromptu gatherings, even though he wont admit it I believe secretly he loves it. Who wouldn't want to come home to a group of good friends, good food and lively conversation.

This is a legitimate product review site, that brings a great twist to any social gathering. When you apply for a party and actually get in it seems you will receive a ton of party planning items. Most of the promotional items can be used time and time again.

I implore you to check out Houseparty.com

Currently that are looking for applications to the following upcoming parties.

If you are selected to host, your amazing FREE party package will include:
1 Laugh & Learn™ Smart Bounce & Spin Pony™
1 Laugh & Learn™ Fun with Friends™ Musical Table
1 Amazing Animals™ Spinnin’Around Musical Zoo
1 Go Baby Go Crawl & Cruise Musical Jungle™
10 Fisher-Price toys to share with your guests, including Poppity Pop™, Rock-A-Stack®, and Friendly Flip Phone™
10 Infant Product Guides
10 coupons for the Fisher-Price online store

A Party Pack that your brain—and your guests—will love!
15 boxes of Kellogg’s Live Bright™ Double Chocolate brain health bars
15 boxes of Kellogg’s Live Bright™ Dark Chocolate Vanilla brain health bars
1 Big Brain Academy board game
Live Bright™ product coupons to share with your guests
15 branded word scramble games

if you are selected as a host...

You’ll receive a party kit with everything you need to plan a fun and flavorful party for 13 guests. We’ll also include special gifts just for you.
Your guests will leave with a new outlook on low-fat eating, plus a goody bag filled with fabulous and inspirational freebies.

A Party Pack Worthy of TNT for you and your guests:
1 DVD, featuring an episode of the new TNT series Raising the Bar
A Raising the Bar cup for you and your guests
A Special treat for you and your guests
And Raising the Bar paper products necessary to make a fun party

OMAC Cooking Anyone?

I have decided that this months food shopping will be dedicated to saving me not only money but time.

I am in the process of compiling a list of family friendly freezable recipes and I will attempt to take an entire weekend (hopefully the weekend after next) and do nothing but cook. I have already see some troubles I may come across and will work the next two weeks to minimize the impact these bumps may have on my days of cooking.

This week I plan on figuring out how many pounds of this, ounces of that, tbs. of this, and the oh don't forget a dash or two of this also. I am hoping that the in-laws will accept Yum Yum into their humble abode, in exchange for some extra dishes should their be any.

I will also attempt (next week) to get all of my cleaning and organizing of our apartment to a point where a full weekend of not picking up, putting away, tossing or packing away wont throw me into a whirl wind of ooey gooey omg I need to move state of mind. I will wash all my pots and pans, take an inventory of all measuring cups, sort out my Tupperware and reorganize my top freezer and my deep freezer.

I plan on shopping this Saturday (hopefully without Yum Yum and while Sporty and DH are at football practice), and hope to chop, peel and separate my ingredients. That is IF I am able to find all the items I need.

Next week I will clean and organize, and fit is some ready - getting ready for cook days.

Hallmark Wrapping Paper

So, today we have this kiddie party to go to. Of course I am behind on things that I should have done yesterday or the day before. For the last month I have been buying little items here and there, for kids birthdays I love to give a toy gift and a creative gift.

I have been using AFullCup (an amazing coupon/savings forum) to find the best deals for my Creative Box. In it I have crayons, construction paper, glue sticks, tracing paper, felt pieces, buttons, glitter sticks, scissors, a ruler, and some other artsy odds and ends.

And last night I went to Toys R Us, for a toy toy. Andres loves cars and trucks, things he can shove in his pocket and play with whenever. While at TRU I picked up some clearance gift wrap made by Hallmark for $1.90, it was partly crushed (no doubt from an impromptu duel ),but otherwise in perfect condition. The items I bought would only need a few feet and not the entire length.

Well last night was hectic and this morning just as flighty. Yum Yum took his nap, Sporty and DH headed to the barbershop, I decided to wrap everything. A bit nervous because I am a notorious over wrapper, and I can't cut a straight line if I was paid my weight in gold. I waste lots and lots of wrapping paper.

You can't imagine my surprise when I noticed that on the reverse side of the wrapping paper there was a GRID. I was able to cut and fold neatly, not a piece wasted !!!!! Who would have thought that a simple grid pattern could be so darn useful. I swear it added at least a half an hour to my day, and less gray hair on my head. Thanks Hallmark!

Good Housekeeping Magazine - Grrrr

I have to say I have been an advid reader of Good Housekeeping Magazine for as long as I can remember. In my days of commuting to and from work, reading a book is just not an option. I am not on the train long enough to get into a good book the way advid readers like. So my material of choice are magazines. Being a mom of 2 and a semi-full time worker, I love magazines that offer me alternatives.
I love the fact that Good Housekeeping tries out each and every product they advertise or write about. They give honest reviews, reviews that I know I can trust.

But I have to say I am more than a bit miffed, that the magazine I purchased from my neighborhood store simply fell apart on me, while on a packed subway no less. When the first pages started to slip out, I was a bit confused. I so mushed I barely had room to turn a page, plus I had the magazine folded in half than half again long ways. So I would have to read 1/3 of the page, smooth the fold out some, read the middle column, than unfold -re crease and read the last column. But I paid it no mind.

Upon reaching work I looked at the pages more carefully only to find that they were never "glued" in place to begin with. Ok, that's cool mistakes happen. On my way home from work tonight (this mornings experience behind me and not a thought in my head). I am comfy in my seat, space enough for the largest of subway riders. I take out my magazine to finish reading about a SAHM who got an opportunity of a life time, to shop in NYC, at the most elite of stores - on GH's Dime!!!! And slip- slip- slip, several more pages came out. It turns out half the book wasn't properly put together.

I am going to send a friendly email to the company in the morning, while this will not deter me from continuing to buy their magazine (because it is a absolute staple in my life) it will make me wiggle randoms pages from now on.

Do A Little Dance

I got these pictures emailed to me at work this morning, Yum Yum spent the night at his grandparents so that I could head into work extra early.
These shots sure did make my morning. Hope you like!

Beach Time

We finally got a chance to head to the beach this past weekend. I was a bit scared at first, with this being Yum Yum's first time seeing sand. Never mind actually walking on it, poor kid can't stand the feel of grass on his toes, I could only imagine the horrifying look on his face once he was plopped on the beach.

Well all went exactly as I had dreamed the night before. He was so enthralled by the feeling and at times the taste of it that I had more fun watching him dig and fling and spit out, than anything else that happened that day.

Sporty was in his element, even though there were a massive amount of jelly fish floating around, he found a way to have a great time. No much of a beach swimmer , he prefers wading and playing ball in the surf. Once he got over his fear of the jelly fish, he opted to spend the rest of the day catching and chucking the jelly fish he found along the shore line.

We had as good of a time as we had hoped, if only all family outings were as smooth.

Short And Sweet

I am here !! Finally after much thinking and wanting to do - I DID !!
I am a 29 y/o mommy to Sport (11 shockingly turning 12 in a few weeks) and Yum Yum ( who I still cannot believe has been on earth 15 month already).
I have been in a long term relationship with J for 5 years.
I work part time in the City, and love being a homemaker full time. I love the idea of organization and planning ahead, but can't seem to incorporate it into my life. I try, really try ..... but it never seems to work out the way it should.

I have accepted the simple facts of my life with no remorse, I will never be graceful (although I still work on that all the time), I will never become a mathemetician and I will never have a Martha Stewart house. - Although I find it hard to belive that Martha herself has a Martha Stewart house - well not if she had to clean and organize it all by her lonesome.