A New Season, A New Place...

Picks of Canada
Aahhhh... Fall is here again... I can't recall a time since coming here to the U.S. of A., when I didn't like Autumn.

The air gets crisp, the winds get colder, the leaves turn color and school is in full swing. Now, Autumn means colorful projects, cozy reading moments with the kids, baking cookies that perfume the whole house, and a whole new adventure in a more permanent setting. I can't help but feel blessed about greeting my favorite season in a new home, our permanent home. For so long we've prayed to be where we can put down roots and get to know our neighbors, our community. Now we no longer wonder. We can start...

It's amazing the renewing power Fall has over me, I feel energized, motivated and more secure of myself. I am at peace but buzzing with ideas and memories I want to create. The decor that will eventually color and punctuate our new home for Halloween and Thanksgiving will be embedded more in me than a summer full of activities. The colors of Fall will make me smile and feel awe. I will drown in gratitude for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Love will definitely add to the warmth of our hearts and hearth.

In our Family room, we chose colors that can complement FALL when it arrives.

I am excited! Fall... In our new home...I hope you all can find the same satisfaction in your lives, even just for a season...

OT-Schmoty!

Whoever said OVERTIME is great because of $$$, I so don't agree right now! This warehouse job requires mandatory OT on the weekends and a minimum of 2 hours a night!

My quality of life, shot! I am so blessed to have older children that can take care of themselves now. A husband so supportive and sweet, I think I have a toothache! LOL

My ears, bleeding! Between the vulgarity and blatant "cultural shut-out", I'm begging for earplugs!

My body, total Jell-O! I've lost some inches and pounds, but I also lost the ability to get out of bed on my own unless I have a very good reason to- like making sure the kids get to the bus stop! Up from 5:45 AM to 2, sometimes 3AM, not a good mix by Day 5!!!

*sighing loudly to relax*

We'll see how this job fares in the next few months... The upside, I got my first paycheck- all messed up, but still I got one, after 14 long years of managing my hubby's paychecks, it was quite gratifying to see one in my name again... ;-)

Ooooohhhhh! We finally have a new front door lock! Yes, it's a big deal for this "I'd rather save the money" lady! And I found EXACTLY the one I want, for $100 less on clearance! Yeah! Mr. Man installed it last night and it was such a great feeling to see it on our door that he also had to fix properly. Now that it's all planed out to make the lock fit flush, I can't wait to go to the paint section of Lowe's or HD and change out the whole door! Woohoo!!!

Perfume for the Pits?

I've mentioned this before... I don't have body odor, but I didn't discover it until after I got married and my husband pointed it out to me.

(Do I sweat, of course! Do I have my clothes smell not so fresh after cooking, yes! Do I end up smelling like ozone in the summer, you bet! But one difference, it doesn't last and on a normal day, I can comfortably refold my clothes back into the dresser. And most of my clothes, my own husband can't tell and gets a bit miffed when found in the hamper. He thinks it got mixed up or fell in by accident.)

Well before that fateful discovery, since I came here to America, I've used the Secret line of deodorants. We're talking since highschool back in 1987! Just like most people, I used it whenever I thought I needed it. I started with their original Spring Breeze scent then eventually, when I was able to afford it, I tried the newer Platinum line, Glacier Mist scent. Well they don't have that anymore so I now switched to the newest collection, Fresh Effects line, Freshwater Orchid.

Background: I don't buy deodorants often which makes me forget to wear some which then reiterates my husband's discovery. The last time I applied was last week (from the one I opened back in early 2009), prior to that, November, just before Thanksgiving. (no foolin'!) Another proof: my in-laws bought me several (7-10) of the Glacier Mist back in 2006, and I still had three unused ones last year that my teen have since used.

I also prefer that it comes to me by way of gifts as I find this line of deodorant expensive. I've tried others, but I like Secret the best. Though it didn't really make any difference according to Mr. Man.

So now back to my hubby... Saturday, at Target, I again asked him through the kiddos to get me a new scent of Secret, but he wasn't really cooperating though he also claimed he kept forgetting. I asked why naturally and he said, "Maybe because you don't really need it, that it doesn't stick in my head. You use it as perfume and you already have several perfumes."



I never thought of deodorants as a mere perfume for the pits... But I guess that's all I use it for. So should I forgo it altogether? Nah... As cheap as I am, this is one luxury item I can't shed. So I guess my pits has its own perfume... "How fancy!" (as my kids would say. lol)

Being Sick... And Wet!

No, the two are not directly connected but more consequential of each other.

My kids have been sick; first it was J-Pony, then I-Dude a little bit. Then L-Infinity and her friend Kila. Now it's I-Dude again. It's been exhausting in so many levels. Between Mr. Man's new Houston shift and these "way too often" rainy/stormy days here in our area, I am really at the edge of my seat from going nuts! Plus complicate that with the "99.5F fever" minimum by the school district rule of keeping kids home. When all the kids are home during the weekends, it's like dodging a mine field. Coughing, spitting, sniffling and temp checks. Soups, sandwiches, medicines and time tables- aaaaahhhhh!!!

Facebook, unfortunately, no longer enough to kill brain cells to keep me from screaming, but at the same time, I'm glad that my kids know they can feel comfortable staying home when they are sick and that they'll be cared for. Talking to Kila, L-Infinity's friend and now staying with us, she revealed how her mom just hands her stuff when she gets sick. She didn't even know what they were! I had to have her call and verify before we headed out to CVS. It turned out to be just Nyquil and Aspirin but the horror of not knowing what she's been taking really got me.

I'm the kind of mom who pesters doctors with what works with my children, what each medication really does and remembers what medications do/not do for my children. I'm a stickler for medication schedule so not to overdose. I can't imagine my beloved ones just taking whatever out there to get rid of a cough or a cold when they couldn't take it anymore. Or the possibility of being left alone until they felt better.

Going off to a subject close to my heart, I know most in our society are still conflicted on having women stay home and be domestic especially the last century, but for me, there was no contest. I wanted to stay home to be with my children as long as we can afford to. How blessed and grateful I am to have found a husband who feels the same way and works with me now more than ever to continue this decision.

People I knew before I was LDS (Mormon) used to say, "Mr. Man must make a lot to keep you at home." And when I tell them otherwise, it's almost an unbelievable concept to them. Even my own family thought that I'm being naive by not going back to work. I'm not naive; far from it. This was a decision that we made even before we wed and one that is fulfilling to me, despite all the normal hassles and what others deem as hampering to my potential. I will go back to work someday, but not now. Not when my children rely on hearing my voice when they come home and have grown up not needing an extra key when school's in session.

I highly respect working moms; I used to be a working single mom myself and worked part time before I was pregnant with J-Pony, but this is where I belong for now and I couldn't be more satisfied. There's no other opportunity for me where I would have had more time to: read both for myself and to my children, keep up with their progress in all areas, learn to bake, indulge in my love of table top designs, cook, learn to do crafts, learn more about Excel, go back to college and learn how to entertain and be a great hostess. So I guess you can say, I learned more the last 12 years, than I ever did working. I'm speaking for myself and I couldn't more pleased...

Why Is It...

That when school starts... My normally happy, go lucky smart children fall prey to these hair- pulling "grrr" questions? Why do they let...

• Drama happen in all situations?
• Laziness reign over homework?
• Texting or little TV bring about the zombies in them?
• TV privileges become a battleground?
• Mommy doing homework or housework, NOT be seen as a quiet zone?
• Forgetfulness as a viable defense?
• Bedtime a painful chore?
• Their big brains turn to mush over chores?

Don't get me wrong, it all gets sorted out after a few weeks, but until then no matter how organized we are in getting ready for school, they go through so much whacked out personal routine that I literally lock myself in the bathroom and scream!

It's not helping that between the two opposing schedules of Mr. Man's work shift and school, I am back to being a literal insomniac again. I caught maybe an hour the last 5 days, of zzzz's... Yes, people, I am cranky!

If you've never gone through these, congratulations! As for me, it is an annual ritual. *sigh*

Some neighbors, you just wanna...

I don't expect anyone to agree with me on this, but since this is my blog and all...

It's officially less than 36 hours before a whole school year starts up again and everywhere around here kids are being put on some kind of routine again. Well, apparently our "back" neighbor didn't get the memo!

At 9:45PM, said neighbor starts blasting their music with bass loud enough to freak out my two smallish kiddos. People were talking in their patio, no... make that screaming since they were so loud and cars were parked on the obvious, NO PARKING ZONES of the RED LINE and the MANICURED LAWN. HELLO!!!

Didn't these people read their contracts about the 10PM Noise and Loitering curfew, or the NO PARTYING OUTSIDE YOUR UNIT (including the patio after 9PM) or... at least have enough common sense to realize that each and everyone of the units in the building have SMALL CHILDREN THAT HAVE TO GO TO BED EARLY?

My next door neighbors, tired from shopping for last minute BTS supplies, also had to complain about them because of the cars interfering with their ease to get out. My friend's husband waited with me and since his job is on call 24/7, he had to make sure he'll have an easy way to get out and leave PRONTO! So we both call the "Courtesy Officer" who WALKS instead of DRIVE to the area and took him a good 20 minutes to arrive.

The worst thing about this LATE party, they had little kids suffering from the BLASTING BASS! On top of that, I think they were friends with the newly "off duty" PAPA JOHN'S driver because we saw a delivery car do REVERSE at about 40 mph! It was zipping by anywhere backwards! Can you say, NUTS?!

C'mon! Of course, this morning, they had to wake me up from fighting in their MASTER bedroom! Closet doors were slamming, screaming and what sounded like another friend "mediating". Well, bud, it didn't work!!! You just added to the noise!

Aaaaahhhh!!! If these neighbors don't quit it, I have no choice but to complain about them to the management on Monday. I'm surprised that their "next door" neighbor whom I also know (nice lady, btw), doesn't complain and just accepts all the excuses this lady gives her!

Other than that, we had a typical day... I've discovered that I really am not impressed with Facebook, but I am into the Farm games!

The Next 5 Years...

I got this random question from Megan of Infertile Myrtle.

If you knew you couldn't fail and money was no object, what would you like to do in the next five years?

I would definitely set up my children's college funds in different CDs and UPromise. Then I would buy our dream home complete with a big land, a huge library of classic books and a big china room to house all of my dinnerware sets that I'm collecting to start a rental business on... I'd also travel to China and Spain to do my genealogy and visit all the temples. I would convince my mom to live with us and hire the best doctor around to care for her...

Oh, that would be wonderful...

Simply Amazing!

It would seem that I'm cursed with this thing called "guilt".

On different years, we have had our "slim pickin'" times and hoped feverishly that miracles would happen. We have gone through being told to get ready to bury two of our children or face the consequence of a hard life for them. Fun news, fun news...
Even being unjustly evicted because we fought the management from living with a rickety front set of stairs, electricution from bad porch light wirings and rotting bathtub foundation. Not to mention caring for a son that started out with jaundice, double pnuemonia and fibrile seizures.
Or how about silently panicking while fervently praying for our 18-month old little girl old who swallowed a penny which slowly choked her, but she first had to suffer from hunger and dehydration because the nurses couldn't prep her for anesthesia while simulataneously almost overdosing her with anesthesia because of labeling error on her bracelet. Or not having enough money to put on the table, away from all family, in a new state and it's almost Thanksgiving.
We suffered job loss, taking on multiple jobs to put food on the table, fallen-through job interviews and prospects. Even loss of first home purchase opportunity and not knowing when the next bill can be paid.
We went through all that, just like many of you, so why is it that when things are good for us, I feel guilty comfortably celebrating, afraid to acknowledge and shy to shine?
Why is it? It's not like it's a natural response, to me it's almost unnatural-- I can feel impending doom and pain of others and as if getting ready for a storm, I brace myself for it because it becomes physically painful for me. (Of course, when we're the ones suffering, I feel of everyone's joys too, and I feel hopeful for us...)

For example, last year and this year, we have successfully pinned down a budget system that can help us get through some "unforeseeables" (word?), but then I started to feel that unbearable guilt but this time, it all came at once...

Two women, I've heard of, lost their babies.
My baby sister, her van broke down and couldn't pay for it in full so they held it and she had to beg for rides to work and walk to the garage to give them the downpayments.
Two of my neighbors are suffering financially.
A young friend is in danger of becoming homeless.
One of my brothers, will lose his job this September.
Last year, I had to beg Heavenly Father to spare my niece's and SIL's life from a difficult and dangerous pregnancy.
My mom got sick that worried her doctors.
My FIL was operated on for a mass in his system.
My MIL had leg pains that became almost unbearable.
A neighbor and friend came to me for help with reaching out to our church.
Read about so many kidnappings and assault of children, here in Texas alone.

The list goes on and on... And it hurts so much that I find myself crying instead of celebrating my family. I don't know why this happens to me, but it does and I'm so glad that I have a blog that I can celebrate each of my amazing children and wonderful husband. A blog to let people know how wonderful they are, each and everyone of them. And the love and laughter we share everyday. I am so grateful beyond words that I have my three children and a husband who is crazy about his family.

My family is amazing, good or bad times.

Just thought I'd tell you...