TO THE MALL WE WENT

A couple of weeks ago Kaitlyn and I braved Christiana Mall by ourselves. I admit I was pretty nervous since I was my first time ever to with just the two of us. With a toddler in tow you will never know what kind of mood they are in. Before we left the house I had a little talk with Kaitlyn and told her that it was just her and me and that she has to behave really really good and listen to mama. To set the mood I dressed her in clothes she liked and even brought the stroller at her request. MIL had to drive Ralph to his doctor's appointment and we just hitched a ride with them.

This was the moment of truth I said to myself, no going back and calling them right away to pick me up. Kaitlyn wanted to sit in her stroller which was perfect so I could just walk and head on to where I wanted. First stop was JCPENNEY. I browsed around and found a couple of clothes I wanted to try on. So off we went to find a fitting room, most of the clothes didn't fit right but Kaitlyn kept saying I looked beautiful, lol. I finally got a cute summer outfit cheap. Next we went to the kids department and got a few outfits for my friends children back home. The photos above was taken beside Piercing Pagoda Jewelry. I had to return the necklace we bought for her last year and had it replaced. Luckily we had it insured.

I was so impressed with my little girl, she was so behaved and good at the Mall. We did a lot of detour to the bathroom since she had to go potty from drinking that soda and the slushy I got for us. After eating I gave her a reward and took her to a part of the mall where they had those kiddie ride stuff that you have to put quarters in. She had a blast with that motorcycle. All in all it was a great mother and daughter outing for the both of us.

HOT WEEKEND

It has been such a wonderful hot hot weekend! A lot of traffic on our way to pick up Kayla in Baltimore. Again, it was mostly people coming home from the beach. We were beside this big fancy RV that was just huge and looked so spacious. Ralph promptly said " hun, how would you feel about owning one of those?". I really wouldn't object since it will make traveling more convenient and smoother specially since we have kids. We could even take our dog with us and just stay in camping grounds. Traveling to other state and just seeing the wonderful sites as we drive by would be a great experience for the kids. I will be of no help on the wheel though with me not knowing how to drive just yet. The only drawback I see about getting an RV is the maintenance and the gasoline. Those huge recreational vehicle looks like they are gas guzzlers and what about the rv repair, it must cost a lot of money for that alone. Our neighbor has one but we are not friendly with them after they got prissy about our backyard and the loose branches we have yet to get rid of a year and a half ago. After that incident, we avoid talking to him or even saying hello. But anyway, our prissy neighbor has been getting friendly with Ralph again and who knows, hubby might one day ask about his RV.

WHAT I DO

One of the many things I do when I am online is to check out the Entertainment news. I love a little bit of gossip from Hollywood every now and then. I also love reading and checking out photos of what stars do when they are not filming. One interesting article I read was about photo shoot covers on magazines and air brushing. Honestly I find it reassuring to know that women who are on the covers of the magazines that look perfect and sexy and what not are not really that perfect looking. One photo that was released with the before and after airbrushing was done was Britney Spears photo. Air brushing really works wonders and can make you look slimmer,curvier and smoother. Now, every time I look at those women in the magazines I will always think that these women are not perfect as they appear on the covers.

Aside from reading articles I also enjoy surfing online about anything and everything. Lately I have been searching more on women's interest that range from make-up, plastic surgery, beauty products, clothes, shoes and etc. Its an interesting fact that the beauty industry is always striving in spite of economic struggle. Lots of women still buy branded make-ups, and facial products like eye cream, youth creams and acne products. Nowadays its much easier to choose products by reading reviews online like the pronexin review that gives an in depth idea of what the product is all about and how beneficial it is. I admit I was never the kind to read reviews before buying products but I have learned from my husband that reading and finding out what others have to say about a certain product is very useful in helping make the right decision. With that said I have better get back on surfing and looking at some videos on how to put on make up,, lol. See yah around foks!

BIG "A" AND HIS LATE CELEBRATION

Spending time with family is always fun and never dull. The man in the picture is my dear BIL Angelo, he had a belated birthday celebration last Saturday. All his kids were there and he was back to his old lovable self with his grandson making him smile. The candle is the cake is a big "?" because his daughter forgot how old he was, lol. I was happy to see that Angelo was back to his old smiling and jolly self. He has been depressed lately and misses his kids a lot. So It was really refreshing seeing him smile and joke around and not be in a grumpy mood at all. I feel bad though that Ralph was not able to join us in the celebration. He could not take 50 minute ride going to his brothers house, he still can't sit for a long period of time. On the other hand Ralph has been healing quiet well and he says he feels good. After he is done with all his medication and his off his antibiotics I am planning on getting him some hgh supplements to help increase his metabolism and just give him energy when he goes back to work. As for now, I am just making him take things slow and not let him do any heavy lifting or strenuous work and let him rest a lot. I bet in less than a month from now he will be almost 100% back to his normal self.

GET ON TRACK

Getting back on track to exercising and eating smaller portions is not going to be as easy as I thought. I had been eating healthy and exercising but that all went out the window when my husband had his cyst drained, surgery and another surgery to close the wound. I got so swamped with everything that I had no time, nor did I have the energy to try. Even my MIL had no time to go to the gym and I know she missed it a lot specially using and getting on the treadmills at her new gym. She has been our chauffeur since Ralph has to be driven to all his appointments and all the errands we have to do. I told Ralph that next month I am going to get on track again and go on a diet. I really don't have to go on a diet but I just want to loose a little weight before my vacation and have more energy. It is not going to be easy breezy but if I keep my mind focus on my goal I will eventually survive!

LET IT BE OVER

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, True or False? My answer is true, we all see beauty in different ways. The important thing is that we look at our selves in the mirror and like what we see. I admit there are times that I don't even want to look at myself let alone say I am beautiful. One days that I do feel great I say to myself " you are one gorgeous mama!". This days I have been feeling blah due to my Spring allergies that got my nose all raw and red. I had to stop using my facial scrub with the bigger beads as I didn't want to irritate my nose even more. Even though I stopped I haven't seen any more blackhead on the side of my nose and forehead. I think my skin looks better for some reason, lol. I just want my allergies to all go away so I can breathe easy again and go back to my beauty routine..

24/7 NURSE

For the past couple of weeks I have been my husband's personal nurse 24/7. He finally had his wound closed last April 13, 2010 and had to stay in the hospital. For all those not in the loop my husband had a cyst removed from his derriere We thought he was just staying overnight but that all changed when his temperature went sky high up to 102.4. I felt helpless knowing he was in the hospital by himself. My husband is a grown man but I wanted to be there for him but nobody can take care of my kids. I was nervous as a hen when he called me that night and told him he has a high fever. I didn't let him on that I was worried, I could not sleep that night and was just tossing and turning waiting for him to call me again. Thankfully the next day we went to visit him and he was fine. They had to take a lot of blood test, culture and other test to find out why he had that fever. Yes, it is common for patient that just had surgery to have a fever but he should have gotten the fever the night he had surgery and not the following day. They could not find anything wrong with him but just in case had to let him stay in the hospital again. He was there for a total of 5 days.

He was happy as a peach when his doctor told him that he could come home. He got on the phone right away to let me know that he was coming home and that he wants to be picked up right away. My husband was so happy to leave the hospital not because he wasn't treated right but he missed his kids and me so much. He just wanted to see his kids and maybe spend a little time with them. Even though he can't stay on his feet to long nor sit down he was just glad to be home. He said he was so tired of having people see his naked behind all the time, lol.

DECK,DRINKS AND CHILLING OUT

Its already Spring, time to break out all the outdoor cushions that we stored in the basement for the winter. The other week the weather was just perfect with temperature hovering in the 70's. When the weather is nice we usually spend almost all of our time outside watching the kids play. We had a deck built in our backyard a year and a half ago. It was the perfect place to lay out the new inflatable pool I got for the kids. We have a swimming pool but the liner needs to be replaced and I just got the small pool so the kids can play in it. The inflatable pool didn't last that long though coz our dog bit into the side of the swimming pool and just chewed on it. This summer it's going to be so nice just sitting on the deck watching my kids play on the swing set while I sip a cold drink under the shade of the umbrella and just chill out.

CLOSING UP

Today Ralph had his second surgery. This time it is to close the wound that was left open from the removal of the cyst near his tailbone. It has been left open for more than a week to allow the wound to drain. Everyday last week a visiting nurse came to our house to clean his wound and pack it. The first time his wound was cleaned after surgery was pain inducing for me. Ralph felt nothing as all the nerve ending where they cut him were all dead. I was horrified when the nurse pulled out the packing bandage strip from his wound. I could tell that it was really deep, the hair on the back of my nape and on my arms stood up on ends. I was not disgusted but I felt pain for him every time I see his wound. I took pictures and even a video of the male nurse as he was packing his wound. Ralph saw how the wound was packed my shoving the bandage strip into his wound with a sterilized q tip. I have new found respect for people who work in the medical profession. Since I didn't think I could do the packing myself the nurse had to come everyday until last Thursday. Ralph had another appointment with both of his doctors, Dr. Clayton the specialist and Dr. Cheng the plastic surgeon. It was suggested my his plastic surgeon that his wound be cleaned and packed twice a day instead of once. The specialist agreed with the suggestion of the plastic surgeon. Since Ralph's insurance will never cover for two visits from a visiting nurse in one day I had to step up and do it on my own. Dr. Clayton showed me exactly how its to be done and how to pack it. The first time I changed his wound I was a nervous wreck. I did not want to hurt my husband, to cut the long story short I did a pretty good job and even the visiting nurse who came by that day for the last time said that I was doing great.

With his wound closed I hope that changing his bandage will be easier. I just feel bad for my husband with him all alone in the hospital. When I called him he told me his in pain not only from his surgery but his belly hurts as well and he has been throwing up. Hopefully tomorrow if the doctor gives him the all clear he will be out. Thank you Lord for watching over my husband.

SCORE AND HISTORY

It has been over a week now since Ralph had the surgery to remove the cyst on his back. He still has an open wound and is having a second surgery to close the wound, this time it will be done by a plastic surgeon. Even though he has limited activities he still can't move around to much or sit for a long period of time. Still, he has been in a chipper mood ever since he found out that his credit score has gone up. With that said we won't be needing any credit repair services to help with his credit score and history. I am hoping that it will continue to improve and I am crossing my fingers and hope that in 4 years time both of us will have a great credit history. I have already started building my credit history with a recent purchase of our new couch. I got approve for an in house loan in the furniture store we got our couch. With my credit card ready to be paid off in full by the end of this month I should be in the clear in maintaining my good credit standing and is hoping for another increase in my credit limit.

BE DONE WITH IT

Its been more than a week now since my husband had his surgery to remove a cyst on his back. The surgery wasn't as bad as we thought but he still can't sit for too long or do heavy work. Before he had the operation to remove his surgery I have been on his back about doing a follow up on the insurance quote he has been asking online and on the phone. Many insurance agents have been calling our house. We have yet to decide the best insurance to get for me. I admit I want to get an insurance that not only is affordable but also has a lock in rate. My kids are already set on their respective life insurance, both Ralph and I already have life insurance but its still better to have another one just in case. I never thought about insurance until I moved here, got married and had children. Maybe by next week we will make our decision on which insurance company we are going with. I just want to get this over and done with.

ANY PARENTS NIGHTMARE

A parents worst nightmare is seeing their child get hurt. But how would you feel and react when your face in a situation that you are seeing your child body floating in water or be it sinking in the water? Sarah a friend of mine went through that nightmare. She had just put her youngest son Joey for a nap when she could not find her oldest. She found her floating face down in their swimming pool. She jumped in and just got her out and just administered CPR to her little girl. I can't imagine the horror she was in, she said it was her living nightmare. I don't know if I would have reacted the same way if it was me but when a parent is faced with that kind of situation our instinct kicks in. Just like what the dad and the good samaritan did on that miraculous day . According to an eyewitness who was able to take a video of the incident the father jumped in to save his two year old little girl in the freezing water. The picture of him with holding on to a rope with his daughter lifeless on his chest was just heartbreaking. This news did not end in tragedy, the child started crying a few minutes and both father and daughter are fine. I hope to God I will never be have a situation in my hands like that. Accidents happen no matter how much keep we keep and eye on our kids, all we have to do is to be prepared and calm and rise up to the challenge when the situation calls for it.

Here is a clip of the interview of one of the people who witnessed the rescue of the 2 year old little girl :

JOINING A GYM

In the 3 years that I have been living with my MIL I would never thought she would join a gym. She has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and has had it since she was 40 years old. Due to her RA she could not walk extra long and had to use a cane for a long period of time. But that was 2 years ago. Before Kaitlyn was born she already had 2 knee surgery to replace the cartilage in between her knees. Both Ralph and I was so surprise when she told us she join a gym so she can go exercise. Ralph was a little miffed since she never uses her stationary bike in her room and the elliptical exercise equipment in the basement. She knows that she has been steadily gaining weight and didn't want to consider fat loss supplement due to the many pills she is taking for her RA. Her reason for joining was so that she can get out of the house and strengthen her bones with a supervision from a professional who knows what they are doing. MIL is right and I am support her decision and I just hope she sticks to it.

RUNNING RAGGED

Tomorrow is Good Friday a time for all Christians to reflect. Tomorrow is also the day Ralph will have his surgery to remove the cyst on his back. We have been busy as a bee the last couple of weeks running errands, going to doctors appointment, painting the house. Trying to finish what needs to be done before tomorrow. At least the grass has been mowed for the first time this year in preparation for the Easter Egg Hunt we will be hosting on Easter Sunday. We had a hunt last year and watching my kids smile and scream with joy was just priceless. I wanted to cancel the egg hunt with Ralph out with his surgery and he will not be able to move very much, but kids are already expecting it. I can just imagine the smile on my kids face on Sunday. I know I will be running around like a chicken without its head but I think I will be able to manage it. I'll just make a rainbow cake and Easter cupcakes for the kids to eat after the hunt.

DRY SKIN,POLLEN AND SPRING

I don't know about you guys but I have been experiencing dry skin now more than ever. My legs and knees are specially bad. I didn't have dry skin problem last spring so I don't have a clue what changed. At least my face is not as dry and I don't have any breakouts, so far so good. Just in case I do get the occasional breakouts I have an acne cleanser that I use regularly.I have also been using a certain kind of facial scrub and it seems to be doing a great job on my face. My only main worry about spring is the allergies. Last year it was so bad that I could not breathe through my nose, it was so clogged. It gets worse when I go outside where the pollen is so bad with the trees just starting to sprout leaves. Even though I hate taking Benadryl for my allergies I am going to suck it up so that my kids can go outside and play in this gorgeous weather.