Sass it Up

Two things Christian has learned in school:

"I'm going to kick your butt."
"Duh."
He makes me so proud.


Two words that Jojo says:
"Ca" -- car
"Baby" -- Gaby? Or for baby?
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This seems to always happen to me. I ask a hairstylist to TRIM my hair, i.e. keep the same hairstyle. I'll explain that I like it EXACTLY how it is, but it needs some shaping. "You want an 'A line bob'," she'll repeat.

I like going to the salon early in the morning on a weekday because there is usually no wait. That means I bring two or three of the children. And so, after the stylist and I agreed what she was going to do to my hair, I took off my glasses and I all I could see was a huge blur in the mirror. She did say she noticed quite a few layers in the back. "Yes," I responded. "My hair is 'stacked' and cut a little higher in the back."

When she was finished I put my glasses back on and saw a different head of hair, hair that would entail some upkeep and major fixing. A style that does not go with my face. She showed me the mirror, and as I faked my usual enthusiasm for the wrong hairstyle, I noticed that my hair was suspiciously the same length all around. "I added lots of layers; I just love this cut on you," she enthused. "It has such sass." And I froze. Anytime I hear the word pizazz or sass I have to ask myself, am I this boring? Is my appearance so plain vanilla? Is it time I start wearing glitter in my hair and purple frame eyeglasses to add some pizazz or sparkle to my dull existence?

There is only one person I trust to cut my hair whichever way she wants and that is my mother-in-law. Usually I can't make it look the same way she styled it, but the shape is still there. Before my bad haircut today, my hair was pleasing to me. I have a round face that does not go with shorter than chin-length hair. Didn't the stylist notice this? Of course not, she was too concerned with adding some flash to my existence. Hint: if a woman walks in with already shampooed hair without any product in it in order to have a quick haircut, it does not mean that her hair looks like that normally. If I do not fix my hair, it lays flat on my head because it's fine. Maybe she judged me by the way my hair looked at that moment. She probably thought, "That poor gal with that terrible, flat hair. She needs a whole new look." I shall have to file that in my brain and remember to communicate that although my hair is not fixed, it has been washed and needs a trim. And remember to wear contact lenses.

Sunday Wrestling

"I wanna see the photos," Christian exclaimed. "Christian, get back over there and wrestle Daddy!"

Today was a relaxing Sunday. Mike got up early for the second day in a row so I could sleep in due to my endless stuffiness, headachy, allergy-induced yuckiness I have. It has been so warm lately that I believe things are blooming. I can't wait till our next freeze.

Before going to Mass the boys wrestled. Boys will be boys. Let the boys be boys, I tell myself. They're with Mike, after all. He's a good daddy and was so good to let me sleep in. I wish tomorrow was not Monday.

Do Skeletons Have Butts?

Spectacular moon coming over the Sandias earlier this month. "Sandia" means watermelon, and that's the color of the mountains at sunset.

Hello! We're still here; I've been lazy about blogging this week. Today we had our friend Benjamin over to play with the boys. The boys were so excited. I looked forward to Christian and Gabriel not fighting with each other during the visit, and they didn't! Anna and her daughter Abby came by later to pick up Benjamin, and the kids ate the cupcakes they brought -- cupcakes with blue icing & sprinkles. The best!

Earlier in the week Tanya and I met to do our weekly walking. She brought baby Tristan and Tyler, and Gaby had fun playing with Tyler at the playground later. We figured we would avoid the mall so we could avoid the chocolate crepes again.

Christian's teacher told me that he has 'come out of his shell' and is a 'chatterbox'. I could have told her that! I had a feeling he was getting comfortable when he told me earlier this week, "Me and my boys like to play around when the teacher is not looking." I like how he refers to his friends as 'my boys'. He also tells me that the girls don't like the boys.

Joseph is either coming down with a cold or has allergies, but his nose began running like a faucet. He slept pretty well between 11:30-4:30 this morning, and then one more bottle and he slept until around 6:30.

Gaby tried to impress Abby again with his, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" line. He lowers his voice as deep as he can when he says his favorite pickup line to his dear Abby. We're still watching 'Walk the Line' musical scenes, and Gaby says he wants to "be in the movie" - playing his guitar in front of all his fans, I'm sure.

Last Monday was a day off for all students for MLK day. We went to see 'Madagascar' at the dollar theatre and it was packed! The kids did real well at the movies, and so did Tanya's. I made sure to leave Joseph in the stroller, and even though he became restless, the snacks and drinks helped.

On Tuesday we went to Mass with Mom and Dad in remembrance of Abuela's 20th anniversary of her death. That day was also the inauguration of Barack Obama and much of the day was spent watching the events unfold throughout the day. I remember 20 years ago the 1st President Bush was sworn into office on the day Abuela died.

The questions Christian asks lately have been numerous -- more so then normal. "Do skeletons have butts?" "Why don't skeletons have ears (or lips) (or hair)?" "What do baby dinosaurs eat?" "Do teachers have kids?" "Do policemen have houses?" "Does drinking milk made you strong?" One day he'll realize I don't have the answers to some of his burning questions.

This week has been historical with the swearing-in of our new president. Many pray that the next four years will bring about good change in our country.

Happy Friday

It's a beautiful day! We took a walk around the block and then we stopped at the playground.

These photos were taken earlier this week.

I attempted to go twice around the block, but pushing 90+ lbs. of boys in a stroller (two older ones were squished in the back and alternated walking) was enough exercise for me.

Our morning was complete when Gaby and Christian watched the garbage collector pick up our trash. Gaby waited with anticipation, chewing his fingers and repeating his mantra: "There's the garbage truck!" The nice man gave those boys a friendly horn toot and a nice wave. He must wonder where those boys are on days we miss him outside. I wonder if he notices them through his rearview mirror watching him as he stops at each house until he turns the corner?

Gaby noticed that the real truck lifts the can the same way as his Tonka toy.

Johnny Cash and Crepes

Mooove over - I'm on my way to the crepes.

Today I met Tanya at the mall and we walked for about an hour. Then we stopped to have coffee. Then we ordered the crepes with Nutella hazelnut chocolate sauce. Resolution #1 is going real well so far.

Gaby was having Johnny Cash withdrawals, so we borrowed 'Walk the Line' from Aunt Patsy again. One of these days we'll buy the DVD. Here is Gaby rocking out for your viewing pleasure. Notice how enthralled Christian is by Gaby's performance.

I think it would be much better to stay away from the mall when I exercise. What would Johnny Cash do? He walked the line but had his cake, too. Yikes, better keep my eyes wide open all the time. Discipline, girl.

Ode to Holey Jeans

Oh, jeans torn at the knee
you lasted two, maybe three
months tops because you could not
withstand your poor knee top
sliding across carpet, gravel, and whatnot.

Patches I purchased to cover
places on dungarees torn asunder,
whose directions did not make clear
why I must place newspaper here
between the leg in order not
to bind the patch with hot
iron - like glue, impossible to pull
apart from the opposite leg once cooled.

So I look to thee, oh Toughskin pants
branded by Sears back in the days of disco
when my brothers wore many a pair
made of material of such stealth and flair--
jeans here, leisure suits there--
in every shade between blue and hair.
I'll go tomorrow and buy a pair.
So there.

Tylenol..Take Me Away!

I have a headache and it is boy-induced. Some days are really good, but lately my head feels like it is going to explode. Little boys -- three of them -- wear me out. The constant bickering, fighting, yelling (me), timeouts, spankings, cleaning up messes, trying to make the boys clean up their messes, throwing baby Jojo off a couch...yes, Jojo has his first black eye today. If I turn my back for a minute it seems that things get out of control. Even when they have my full attention.

Mike looked at me this evening and told me to go to bed. No arm twisting needed. So off to bed I go, loaded up with Tylenol, and ready for a rest.

Tomorrow is another day full of more adventures.

Sometimes nap time is my favorite time of day.

Dear Biggest Loser

Gail and I were dreaming of being contestants on 'The Biggest Loser'. With Resolution #1 being forefront on my mind, I am ready to take drastic steps to lose weight. Gail truly does not have much weight to lose, but she'd like the time away to get whipped into shape as would I. Our letters must be DRAMATIC and EYE CATCHING to get us on the show. Here's what I would write for Gail:


January 10, 2009

Re: 'The Biggest Loser'

Dear Sir or Madam:

One of the most intelligent and wittiest friends I have has a serious crisis with her weight. As a former New Yorker- turned small city girl, a few years ago Gail took the dramatic step of adopting a mustang named Dulce and a donkey sidekick named Fausto, along with her two dogs Gordon and Friday. Little did she know that Dulce was pregnant and Gail ended up with two horses (Dulce and Evita) for the price of one.

She hired a horse whisperer named Orry who keeps trying to whip Gail -- yes, Gail -- into shape. "You don't have a backbone," Orry chided Gail. "Those horses walk all over you!" Dulce once had anger issues because she was an abused and neglected horse. Evita was plain spoiled and had that mustang in her. Oh, but Gail just loves those horses, and in the process of taking care of those animals, training them, walking them, boarding one or the other because the horses fought over food, cleaning up manure constantly, and working crazy hours as a pharmacist, poor Gail neglected herself.

And then the inevitable happened: Gail was walloped in the head by Evita last month; thus, Gail decided to find a new home for her. She didn't want to sell Evita, you see. She wanted to be sure that whomever adopted her horse would not send her to the meatpacking plant. Gail, through the kindness of her heart, made a healthy donation to a horse ranch that rehabilitates horses for adoption. Maybe due to the damage to her head, Gail paid that horse ranch handsomely to take Evita.

Ever since Evita left a few weeks ago, Gail feels guilty for her happy honeymoon phase she is in with Dulce. Gail just dotes on that horse and dresses herself up for Harvest Festivals. However, she can no longer twine flowers and fruit in her tail to win the Harvest Festival rider and animal contest. Notice the twosome in happier times:

Gail cannot continue to ride Dulce while wearing that most beautiful and cumbersome of 'Chiquita Banana' hats as Dulce has a sway back due to Gail's increase in weight.

Please take pity on my friend who pays people to take her beloved horse, who dresses up herself and animal to win contests, who neglects herself because she puts others before her, and who now has a sway back horse that is rendered practically useless due to Gail's weight gain. Let Gail be the next 'The Biggest Loser' contestant. She'll add pizazz to your show with hilarity, wit, and determination to lose that weight.

Sincerely,

Elena

p.s. Everyone should have a friend like Gail.

Grandma's New Ride

Grandma ('Mama G.G.' to the boys) spent the morning with us this week. With the holidays behind us, we are back on our weekly schedule of visits and lunch. It's good for all of us. It's usually a three-ring circus with the boys vying for her attention, along with the fighting among them.

The boys like Grandma's new toy that she got in November:

I can't believe she turns 90 this year!

It's an electric blue (matches Aunt Patsy's Forrester) easy-to-use walker that Grandma has learned to love. It has a seat that allows Grandma to hide things in the basket underneath, but the seat also gives her a rest if there are no benches when she's out somewhere. The walker has given her more independence, but most importantly, it has helped her with her balance. And now we can take Grandma with us to the museum or anyplace else once it's warmer outside.

The Longest Four Minutes and Twenty-Three Seconds

I never expected at the age of 38 to be singing a duet at a karaoke bar. If there is a microphone in front of my face, well, let's just say that it is hard to keep away from it. But if I am expected to sing with the lyrics on a TV screen, then my heart races from the sheer embarrassment that is sure to follow. I found myself in this situation one evening this week, as we sang an old Salt N Peppa song to the disinterested, inanimate crowd of six or seven who politely clapped as we took our place on the stage. Beth and I sang our hearts out, and at the end of our little gig we bowed. And I was grateful that I did something that was a little out of the ordinary in my not so extraordinary existence.

It's your fault, Beth.

Resolution # 1 of ???

To date, I have approximately nine things to accomplish on my list of New Year's resolutions. The first, which I shall now unveil, should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me: I resolve to lose 30-40 pounds this year. Why, oh why do I go through these ups and downs with my weight? Well, I can blame this last gain on my pregnancies with Gaby and Jojo. Gaby was 11 months old when I found out I was pregnant again. Usually it takes me about a year after giving birth to feel like my old self, full of energy and ready to exercise. Those plans came to a screeching halt with little Jojo because I had not shed the last 20 or so pounds of pregnancy weight!

As I think back, I can pinpoint when I began to gain astronomical amounts of weight, and it started when I was 26 years old. Before then, I'd gain maybe between 5-10 pounds and be able to lose it in a reasonable amount of time. So maybe I've always had somewhat of a weight issue. But I remember my 26th year when I was living in Phoenix working insane hours at the newspaper. I did not own a scale or a full length mirror, but I knew I was getting bigger as I had to buy increasingly larger skirts, pantsuits, and jackets. One day there was an old-fashioned scale in one of the offices for some ridiculous health fair, and I got on it and almost fell off when I was startled to see that I'd put on 40 -- yes, FORTY -- pounds in a span of a year and a half! I was at the weight I am now, but for some reason I can accept it now since I have had children. At that time I did not have children and was shocked at how these pounds had crept up without my knowing it. I realized I was in denial.

Today I watched 'Oprah'. For weeks I've seen the commercials for today's show which focuses on her 40-pound weight gain since her fit days a few years ago, and I did not want to miss it. She was somewhat in denial about her gain, but she also had a thyroid problem diagnosed. Her trainer said that Oprah may have even used her thyroid problem as an excuse to give up on exercise and diet. But he also noticed she had been somewhat depressed, and Oprah later realized that she had been drained. She was drained because of her show and other commitments, and the worst part is she forgot to take care of herself.

I can understand becoming depressed when one is drained -- I get the blahs myself. However, later in the show there was discussion about not being fulfilled or happy as a reason for depression, and then my mind drifted after that. Sometimes in our culture I believe that we focus too much on our selves -- our happiness. We may not be happy for whatever number of reasons (jobs, stress at home, etc.), but we don't know how to accept our situation and make it better. I do not think that we need to be 'selfish', but we do need to take time to focus on what is affecting our loss of perspective. In the future if my job does not turn out to be the most fulfilling career, I know that what will continue to make me happy are my family, friends, and hobbies. In our culture, most of us rely on our jobs to give us fulfillment, happiness. We live to work, instead of working to live! It's not like that in places like Spain or other European countries. Note: If you are truly depressed then you have the right to be 'selfish' and take care of yourself; Your loved ones will be better for it.

When I have the blahs or feel so run down, I read or write to feel better. But I have to make the time for it and get to bed a reasonable hour to be a good, patient mom the next day. I make plans with a friend and my mood lifts, and I know that my children benefit from a happier mom. So onward I go on my quest to fulfill Resolution #1 on my list because I have an incentive to lose weight (and the pressure to do so):

My cousin Maria's wedding next summer! My family is very excited to attend. As of today, I've got six months to lose this weight. If I can lose between 25-30 pounds by then, that would be great.

My friend Tanya and I are going to walk at the mall two mornings a week starting on Wednesday. This is the time of year that I also want to buy every exercise video I see on infomercials, so I also look forward to my 'Bender Core' exercise ball which promises to get me in shape. Then I've got the oh-so-reliable Tae Bo videos which helped me get into shape after my 40-pound weight gain all those years ago in time to wear my wedding dress. I shall look for other exercise videos on Ebay as well. Now that I've told you about this resolution, I better do it! Oh, the pressure!

Christian & Gaby's Excellent Adventure

Daddy, Christian, and Gaby went to Utah and visited Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Muley Point, and Gooseneck. I grew up in the southwest and I have yet to visit these sites! The scenery is straight from the animated movie, 'Cars'.

Beautiful view of Monument Valley

Here's the view from their hotel room located in the park

Muley Point overlooks Monument Valley in the distance

Cattle crossing along the way to Muley Point

Gooseneck

Valley of the Gods

They weren't too excited to play out in the bitter cold and wind.

The two boys slept well together both nights

The boys had a great trip, and someday I hope to see these fun sites myself. Christian, Gaby, and Jojo are lucky to have an adventurous dad.

Happy New Year

Jojo and I just returned from Mass this morning, and Mike, Christian and Gaby are on their way to Utah. I look forward to a quiet couple days spent mostly with my parents, who are a lot of fun and company for me. I enjoy late night visits with them, and I will take advantage while I stay at their house over the next two nights. We are still debating whether or not to try and catch a ride on the Railrunner train which has a newly opened line to Santa Fe. The rides are free through this weekend, so we may have to wait until the trains are less full.

In the meantime, Daddy is taking the two older boys to visit many exciting sites in Utah! Gaby did not forget his beloved garbage truck, and Christian is taking along his Bakugans and assorted critters. We'll post pictures soon from their first road trip of 2009.

Jojo still has somewhat of a stomach virus and has been living on G2 Gatorade; minimal dairy; and eating only bananas, lean meats, and dry foods, and yet we are still having trouble returning his intestines to normal. Each time it seems he's better, I insert a little dairy or non fiber food into his diet and his stomach becomes out of whack again. He will be better soon, and I am fortunate to have a good pediatrician and nurse who return calls when there are problems.

As I take stock of this past year, I cannot help but be hopeful about the future. We have our health, Mike has a job, and we are close to my family. It was the year that I finally started writing regularly through blogging. It was also the year of Facebook and some pretty wonderful connections with old friends from over 20 years ago, to more recent friendships. Facebook has been such an exciting, innovative way to keep in touch with everyone from here to Spain (even throughout the day), and also with friends from other places that I used to live. It was also the year of reconnecting with friends here in my hometown who I had not seen either since I had left Albuquerque or for a few years in between. In addition to being able to see my regular close girlfriends, I also made a few new friends with some special neighbors. This time last year we had just moved back, Mike had yet to find a job, and we moved into the home that my parents found for us, for which I am eternally grateful. And the three boys went through some extraordinary growth and development. Jojo is no longer an infant; Gaby is talking, full of energy & soon to be potty trained, hopefully by the time he's three next month (ok, maybe it'll be earlier with Jojo); and Christian is a sweet boy who is into learning, puzzles, and games.

In the upcoming year I have some resolutions that I hope to follow through with, as always. I'll share some of those in the coming days or weeks.

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year filled with peace, joy, and love. I pray that our new incoming President will have a peaceful administration, one which respects life and all that it entails for the sake of Goodness, not Choice. For the sake of peace, not offense. For the sake of humility, not pride. Amen.