My time here with Typepad is coming to an end. I wasn't too sure if I wanted to pay again since the year I paid for is nearly up. I didn't know if I even wanted to continue blogging.
The perfect solution came via the brilliant Zoot. I feel like being a part of a "community", so I'm moving over to HerHangout.com. Now I just need to figure out what to do with my archives.
So, come on over. Visit me at http://meemo.herhangout.com/.
Meemo has left the building!
I have a hard time finding balance in my life. How to keep up with dishes, laundry, dusting, laundry, kids, husband, dogs, laundry, work. It's all so much, and sometimes, I'm just too tired and can't keep up. Another thing that bothers me is that I don't post as often as I would like, and I totally ignore reading all my favorite blogs more than a few times a week. When I'm at work, I will do a little blog reading, but they're coming down on us for internet use, so that's a no no. At home, its just so hard with all the chores and running around. I don't sit still too often and blogging and reading blogs requires one to sit still. Before I know it it's 10pm, I can hardly keep my eyes open and all the blogs I had wanted to read, and all the other stuff I had to do just falls by the way side. Until the next day, where I'm greeted every sunny morning with that ever growing to do list. I would really love to read and comment on blogs more often. I keep hearing of this wonderful blogging community, but I feel like I'm not a part of it eventhough I've been blogging for over a year. I'm hanging out on the fringes. I guess I have to participate more if I want to be a part of such a wonderful community. I only wish I could find a way to balance all the family, house and life stuff with the fun. I have become a bit anti-social so internet friends are just what I need. How do you find balance? Do you feel like you're running around like a chicken with with your head cut off? That's how I feel, like all the time. I had so much laundry this week, the only feasable solution was to go to the laundromat to get it all done. I ran out of time, and only managed a couple of loads at home. I'm sure it will still be there waiting for me, growing and growing, like fungus, or a wart, or the grossest juiciest pimple. I hate laundry.
Once upon a time, I worked at a little store called Everything Earthly. We sold hemp everything, organic cotton, shoes made of recycled tires, organic soaps, and the list just goes on and on. Back then my whole wardrobe consisted of organic cotton clothing, Birkenstocks and I was a vegetarian. I was obsessed with recycling, carried my own cup everywhere, god forbid I should have to drink out of Styrofoam. It was a way of life.
When I became pregnant and ate my first cheeseburger, there was no turning back. My peaceful, somewhat green existence was over. Who has time to think of all that when you're trying to keep a tiny human alive?
A lot of that lifestyle did stick with me though, and I think about these things all the time. As a parent I question if I'm feeding my kids the right stuff. Oh how I would love to buy all organic food. Our budget would really have to adjust, since organics cost so much more. I do buy organic eggs, milk, meats, some produce, but it usually depends on the budget. I definitely go with the organic milk and eggs because they're usually free range, and I like to think that my milk and eggs come from happy animals. Plus Costco has great prices on those.
But as for other organic foods, where to begin? I heard a radio show on Sirius Lime, where Kimberly Wilson a yoga instructor and author was being interviewed. She said that if you don't know how to shop organic, start with the foods that expose us to the most pesticides, which are usually soft skinned fruits. No amount of washing will eliminate the chemicals.
The list of the most contaminated fruits include: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. Whenever I buy grapes, they're usually imported from Mexico, and that scares me a little, actually a lot. Could Mexico be using pesticides that were outlawed in the US? I don't know about that, and don't have the energy or time to research. So, I think I'll be heading over to Sprouts with my handy dandy list.
Like Kermit the frog said, it isn't easy being green. But we've got to start somewhere, so why not start with what we put into our bodies.
It's getting hot, the temperature is rising. 100 degrees today. This post isn't going to be a bitch session about the heat, not yet atleast. Shorts season is among us. A little sooner than I would have liked, but this summer, I feel more prepared than ever.
I'm prepared for shorts weather because of all the working out I've been doing. Wearing my first pair of shorts this the season, I realize that I've achieved a major accomplishment. My thighs didn't eat my shorts!! Some of you might know what I'm talking about. The most annoying thing in the world is when you're innocently walking along and your shorts start to ride up in the middle, right where your thighs meet, you try to be nonchalant about kicking your leg out in an attempt to dislodge them, but it never works. It's worse than a wedgie, well almost.
I am truly amazed at myself for actually sticking with the regimine. She who has led a fairly sedentary life. The last time I worked out on a regular basis was in high school, and we won't go into how long ago that was. Needless to say, I'm very proud of myself and feel the need to toot my own horn on occasion. And what better occasion, than when you notice that everything fits so much better.
What I've realized through my little quest for healthier living, is that there's no secret diet. Which is a good thing since I hate to diet. There are no lotions or potions, only motion. I read a quote from Gwen Stefani in US magazine where she said; "There aren't any tricks. It's simple math: you put so much food in, you burn that much off when you work out". Boy have I paid for the In & Out I ate this week, not to mention all the ice cream sandwiches.
So, Yay me for sticking with it. For feeling better and stronger. I actually think I could kick some ass if I needed to, or I could at least fun away really fast. It's empowering to feel strong, to actually have biceps. To actually be able to do more than 1 push up. At this point, it's no longer about weight loss, but more about maitaining what I've already done, and keeping those shorts right where they belong, which is not bunched up between the thighs.
Bathing suit shopping, here I come!
Have you ever seen anything this cute, or small? He's smaller than a Beanie baby. We're just amazed that he's an actual walking, eating, pooping dog.
This is one of Chuy's off spring. My father-in-law doesn't seem to think that the puppies are Chuy's, but we're pretty convinced. My father-in-law thinks that we're crazy to even entertain the idea of owning another dog, and by denying his paternity, we won't have to take one. Guess what? We are crazy. We're out of our freaking minds. But we love dogs and we can't resist. How can we resist that face?
So far, my mom's the only one that hasn't oooh and aahhhed over their cuteness. Her new nickname is Cruella De Villa. I can't believe she doesn't like puppies.
Our neighbor, the puppies owner is Navajo and her daughter dances in Pow Wows most weekends. They were gone the whole weekend and since Lady Bug had some problems and can no longer feed them, they need a little extra care. The boys were in puppy heaven with all the babysitting they got to do. It was a real bonding experience. Travis pointed out that at one point, we had 8 dogs in our house. Like I said, we're out of our freaking minds. But it's worth it.
The boys are in love. After the puppies went home, they talked about them for hours. Their first puppy love... literally.
I had 5 glorious days off, and tonight I'm back at work. I want to cry. I want to be in bed, sleeping, but mostly, I want to cry. It turned out that Travis had 3 days off too, and while we had no plans, it turned out to be the best impromptu mini vacation ever.
We lounged, we napped, we snacked all day long. We took a couple of drives through the desert. We even held hands. Best of all, we managed to keep the bickering to a minimum. On Saturday, we had a 24 hour reprieve from the kids while they stayed with their grandparents. You'd think we would have really lived it up, but we were low key. That how we roll. Nice and low.
It's Wednesday, and I'm just now returning to the world of the fully functional. How I wish I could climb back under my rock and hide. But nooooo. It's back to the grind.
I'm sure everyone has heard some version of a Little Johnny, or Dirty Johnny joke. In the Latino culture, we have our own version of Johnny, but his name is Pepito. Like Little Johnny, Pepito likes to ask embarrassing questions and he's got a wicked and dirty sense of humor. Growing up, I heard many versions of Pepito jokes, mostly dirty.
I hadn't heard a good Pepito joke in years and had a good laugh over this one, so I had to share.
A grade school teacher in Las Milpas asked her students to use the word "fascinate" in a sentence.
Maria put up her hand up and said, "My family went to my abuelito's farm, and we all saw his pet cabrito. It was fascinating." The teacher said, "That was good, but I wanted you to use the word "fascinate, not fascinating".
Enriqueta shyly raised her hand. She said, "My family went to see los pyramids and I was fascinated." The teacher said, "Well, that was good Enriqueta, but I wanted you to use the word "fascinate."
Pepito raised his hand. The teacher hesitated because she had been burned by Pepito before.
She finally decided there was no way he could damage the word "fascinate", so she called on him. Pepito said, "My Tia Ninfa has a sweater with ten buttons, but her chichis are so big she can only fasten eight."
I'm a big fan of thrift and consignment stores. My favorite being the Buffalo Exchange. They're less thrifty, and more of a resale store. You take your old stuff and they either give you cash or trade. I have gone in there many times with a bag full of clothes to sell, and they reject just about everything. It's very humbling. All along I'm thinking my clothes are okay, they're a little stylish, a little name brand, but alas not stylish or name brand enough. At least not by the standards of the Buffalo Exchange. It's not fun walking out of there with your bag still full. They only take recent styles and name brands. I picked up a pair of Diesel jeans for $20.00 once. They're my favorite. Not to mention the J Crew jeans which were all of $10.00. I like name brands, my budget doesn't, so the Buffalo Exchange is my cup of tea.
Imagine my surprise and excitement when they actually took some of my clothes. I've been cleaning out closets, and with my new work out regimen, I'm finding myself having to buy smaller pants. I took so much clothes in, and still walked out with a full bag, but I had a little trade credit. Trade credit that bought me this almost new Coach wallet for 30 bucks. I'm sure it's like so last season, but who cares, it works. I usually don't like buying used purses or wallets, but this one is practically brand new and 30 bucks. Did I mention that it was 30 bucks. And that I paid nothing because I had trade. Woo hooo! My clothes weren't rejected. I was able to get a few more things with my trade and I walked out of there with a big ole smile on my face. Recycling always makes me feel good.
