t-minus 2

Today is officially t-minus two days until my birthday! I am way excited. More excited because just a few minutes ago, Paco told me he sent me a homemade card via snail mail! I can't wait to see. Also, it's been one day since January 11th, which fifteen years ago on that date, my nana Margarita passed on. I certainly miss her and asked myself, "has it really been 15 years?" Oh yes it has. She would have been 65-66 years old this year if she were physically present, but that is ok, because I know she is doing well and with us in spirit. Never far from my heart {ever}!

I shall also note that three days ago, my youngest brother (bubba) turned 16! OMG! He and our sister are learning to drive too! Wow! No worry there, because I know they will be cautious drivers and obey the laws of the road. Excited too because I will get to see them and the fam on sunday! I am just happy to be spending time with family and friends!

Don't worry, I will fully report on birthday weekend events next week. Shoot, I am gonna be celebrating all the month of January! :D

Talk with ya soon, I am going to go eat dinner. My stomach is growling. To try and curb appetite, i ate a handful of walnuts earlier. <-----attempting to snack healthier.

Hope you are all of good cheer!

Twenty-Twelve

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!! we have made it through the first week of the new year and for me (as i hope for you) has been great! I apologize for not posting anything since november---my OH MY!!! The holiday months were so busy crazy. I don't have an official paying job, but man, i am always doing something. One of these things is co-authoring a new blog, ms-misc.com w/a good friend of mine. This blog will be featuring home decor tips, sewing tutorials, recipes, crafts and ways to save money! So far, there are four of us ladies writing for the blog. Check it out here! I am so excited for the new beginnings of this blog and for the anticpation of its success!

How were your holidays? I got to spend mine with both sides of my family and eat yummy food-ham, green bean casserole, tamales, beans, pumpkin pie (not all at the same time!) I've been doing a Bible study of the Old Testament with Paco (real name not used) since September/oct of 2011, started at Genesis, but for the week BEFORE Christmas, we decided to read the first couple chapters of the four gospels of Jesus's birth story. I found that beneficial and inspiring, for we wouldn't have Christmas without Christ. And let me tell you, every time I heard O come O come Emmanuel ", my heartstrings were tugged. I relished in Pandora's Christmas Radio, but that is over now and now we celebrate the new year in believing in Emmanuel-that God is with us and for us! It is my hope that this year and everyday this year brings us love, happiness and strength, to embrace whatever comes our way and to believe in the goodness of our gracious God.

Goals for this week: work on valentine's cards to sell
write part 2/3 of couponing tips for Ms-Misc.com


***and guess what!? My 29th bday is next saturday!!!

new dress & walgreens trip

[me and my next door neighbor Marsha]

On sunday (3 days ago) i went to my neighborhood block party for a bit. My neighbor named Linda, hosted the party, taking donations benefiting an organization that helps homeless families. I was happy to see that part of her driveway was just filled w/donated items! I met alot of cool ladies and i just meeting new people, so enjoyed being there for a while. I wore my *NEW dress that my friend Rachel E. made me. I happened to purchase the teal-ish colored shirt from kohl's for like $3 and it matched perfectly w/my dress.


yesterday, I went to walgreens w/sofia and this is what I snagged! I spent $17.71 (with 3 transactions). Between RR [register rewards], manufacturer coupons, in-store coupons and items being on sale, i saved $48.06!!!. I was pretty dang happy. It may not seem like I got alot of items, but 2 big rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, 10 gift sacks and named brand items, duracell batteries, i'd say was pretty good! Oh! and one more Eco Tools Blush brush is missing from the pic!

[towel not included]

as promised

i havent blogged in a while, and as promised, im going to show you the projects I was working on for my exchange w/my friend Rachel E. For the last week, i've been sick. I've had a variety of symptoms w/different days being "oh this is the worst day". I never knew what i had/have--a flu, a chest cold, respiratory problems due to being on the vent. I've had fevers, fatigue, thicker congestion, BAD HEADACHES EVERY MORNING between 3-6am!, body aches, difficulty breathing, faster-than-normal-for-me heartrate/anxiety. Today was the first day I felt almost back to myself but my mom did notice that i've had better days. I was so happy to spend the day w/my mom and did a little retail therapy lol (just at one store, American Eagle). Ohh and my mom brought me chocolate chip ice cream for the house (i always share), so i'll be looking forward to that treat once iM better. I dont know about you, but when I don't feel well, one way to know is that i don't usually eat as much as i would, no cravings for sweets and instead of drinking iced coffee, i drink hot coffee/hot tea (preferably celestial seasonings sleepy time caffeine free tea(it's oh so yummy w/a little honey)! OMG what!!?? lol yeh..anyhoo here are the pics, and my dress that Rachel made is so cute! I'll post a pic when i wear it. Fits great and is comfortable!

 up close banner shot

candy corn terracotta pots

HOWL-A-WEEN!!!

haha get it?Howl-a-ween! haha, i crack myself up. cheesy like a full moon!

this week I completed an order for halloween birthday invites for a 8 year old girl named briana. She is the grand-daughter of one of my caregivers. Briana's bday is in late october and her mama asked me if i could make the invitations. I was quite honored and they loved them! Here's a couple of them that I made. All are quite similar, which did make it easier and faster for me to complete them in a timely manner. Oh and if you'd like a halloween card just to say "BoO" to give to a friend or family member, let me know.  I have enough materials to make a few more, plus I have 2 halloween cards already made that are different from the design below.

Currently, I am working on a couple different things. I am making a fall paper banner that will feature the word: thankful, for my friend rachel. We are doing an exchange, where I am making her a few fall decor items and in return, she is making me a dress! (she sews and is amazing!). Another item I am making her is terra cotta pots that i will paint and when they are done will look like candy corn. I also have made three girl owl paper bags(each one symbolizing her daughters). I'll post pictures of these things when I'm done with them, probably by tuesday!! After I complete these decorations, I am going to start on Christmas cards. I already know they will be in demand (i've already gotten a few requests!) and I am really grateful and excited about that. I've got to get busy working on them like an elf!

weekend fun

hi again! well this past weekend was so delightful! Friday, I got to spend the day with M. We hadn't seen each other in two year! We stopped for drinks and a pastry at starbucks and after we came back to my house just talked more and ate dinner together (we had mcdonald's night as my nurse sandy calls it: homemade hamburger and fries).

On saturday, i got to hang out w/my lovely friends Crystal and pammie! We had been trying to get all of us together since march and the time finally came! We went to the mall and shopped! it was SO much fun to spend time with the girls! I've missed them. My best bargain was a 3/4 sleeve, maroon, cowl neck dress from Forever21 for $5.99!! after we came back, the girls stayed for a while and we just talked so much and also visited w/Priscila.
They loved her and she loved them. I was so thankful that God was watching out for us because 1. it didn't pour rain like the news had predicted 2. my vent battery didn't die (as it had while i was out on friday!--which caused a bit of panic)
my day got better as I received an email from a really good friend and they told me they had written me a letter and would receive it this coming week! [i love getting/sending snail mail]. the email just brightened my day. I also watched the morning session of General conference online from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am not Mormon, but I enjoy watching/listening and reading the talks by the sisters/elders, apostles and president monson--i didn't realize but he's quite funny. I may not agree with all of the Church's teachings/beliefs, but there is alot that I do believe and agree with. There are things I've learned and from one of the sessions (on sunday i watched sat afternoon and sunday mornings) there were things that were spoken of that I NEEDED to hear...it was destiny! lol. Usually on sundays i check in with my mom and grandparents, especially if it's a weekend i don't see my mom. So i called both of them. I feel so very blessed and hopeful! It's tuesday night and it's been a great october so far. I love the Fall months!