Mo' money Mo' problems

Generally, there is 3 things i dont like to discuss with people: Money, Religion & Politics.

But lately all i have been able to think about is money money money money mo-ney... mah-nay! (sing to the tune of the money song) But i've been thinking about it in a good way. Everyday as i read through my status update feed on my facebook, i see people talking about how much money they have, or how much they make, or at least make it a point to insinuate that they have money. I loathe those people. Not because im envious, nor jealous... But because it shows how superficial those people are- always talking about what they have, where they are going or what they just bought.

Its funny because Juj and I were having a conversation about people who have money, or at least try to front like they do. Those people, who brag about how much they made, or how much they shop, really don't have money to live the lifestyle they say to have. Those people tend to live out of their means just to keep up with the Jones's- or simply to keep up with their own charade. That's why mo' money comes with mo' problems.  People who have real money are not running around spending it frivolously- and then talking about how much they spent. People who have real money are humble, hard working, financially responsible and don't have the need to proclaim how much they have.

My good friend is quite loaded. She and her husband own a few businesses and recently built a gorgeous home. She takes simple vacations and is modest in her appearance, never flashy- but always put together. Her children aren't spoiled and her parents are never in need. She never talks about money- but she is quick to help friend in need. That my friends, is people who have real money.

Money has such an affect in our lives. I've never been a conformist, but I'm not money hungry either. Money changes people both in a good and bad way. Not having money really makes you take a step back and realize how truly blessed you are to have what you have- very humbling. Not having money makes you aspire to have it, but for all the right reasons.

One day, i want to have money... by the butt loads if possible. I want to do good things in this world, i want to give back to every person who has ever been there for me, i want to be able to provide for my family, my friends or a homeless man in on a corner.

Even if it kills me

I've always been a fruit eater. Even as a child I loved me some fruit. Any kind at that. I used to consume an entire cantaloupe by myself- when i was 7. The one and only fruit i will not eat is papaya- for smelly reasons- other than that... bring it.

And so the apple brought it. One lovely day, years ago, while enjoying a nice crispy Gala apple, something happened. About 3/4 bites into it... i began getting an itchy, tingly sensation around my lips and gums. Meh. Didn't think much about it. So there i was munch. munch. much. My throat started feeling funny. So i walked over to the mirror to find that the inside of my mouth was bright red and it looked like blood had rushed to the surface in some areas and my throat was red and swelling.

There you have it ladies and gents.... I was allergic to apples.

That was the abrupt end to my relationship with apples. Recently, i have been having immense cravings for apples. I mean, what is the fall season with out apples??? A while back i discovered that i am mainly allergic to the actual apple peel. (Thanks a lot factory farms who have made it nearly impossible for me to enjoy an apple, with all your chemicals and toxins you use to produce your apples)  If i peel the apple the affects are significantly less, but its not the same, you don't get that crunch and satisfaction of biting into that outer peel. I have succumbed into temptations a few times at work, but i make sure i tell a co-worker that I'm having an apple, just in case i loose consciousness due to airflow restriction.

Last week at the grocery store, while picking up a bag of apples for juju (lucky punk), i made a decision.

Apples, your not the boss of me. I am the boss of you, sorta.

So i took to bags, one for juj and one to make applesauce with. Last night i peeled, cored, and chopped up a bag of apples. I added a pinch of cinnamon and a special secret ingredient.... and tah-dah! Homemade applesauce, super easy, super fast and it is au naturale- no added nothing, well except cinnamon and my secret ingredient =-)

I only taste tested it last night since i was exhausted, but i didn't feel any reaction coming on. Although it does not offer the crunch i long for in an apples, it satisfies my cravings for them.

Vegas Baby! (maybe)

Last year, before my fabulous birthday in Chicago with Mon and Christy, I decided that i wanted to do something "big/special" for my 25th birthday. Yeah i know, 25 isn't that big of a milestone, BUT my golden birthday was when i was 4, and im pretty sure my mom had absolutely not idea what a "golden birthday" was so i kinda lucked out. Now Juj, his birthday is June 30th-that means his golden birthday will be when he turns 30 and that's a big milestone, again... sorta.

So I would really like to go to Vegas this year for my birthday. Its a lot harder said than done, specially with Juj working part time we have very little discretionary income. But i really want to go.

The plan is that the gang- Juan, Maria, Christy, Mon, Juj and I- would all try to go but making it budget friendly, because honestly, no one of us is balling out of control.

If there is one thing you should know about me is that I'm a planner. I like to plan things. I like to know what we are doing, when we are doing it, who's going, what time, etc etc. Though i do like spontaneity, i don't like to leave big things to "chance". I want to get all of the possible Vegas entourage together to further discuss the plans, what dates, etc etc.

As a planner, I've been doing some research. I started looking at hotels, reviewing attractions, checking on flights. As of now a round trip non stop from MKE to LAS is at 255 (incl tax). Not bad. BUT it could get better. I want to find the air fair more along the vicinity of 215-235. I know in the scheme of things its only 20 dollars cheaper but that could at least cover any luggage we would need to check. As far as hotels, we have yet to decide if we are going to do a 2 queen for 4 of use or try to get a suite for all 6 of us, either way we'll do even Steven- making it more affordable for everyone.

Wish me luck in my planning endeavours. I'll hopefully be able to say that i celebrated my 25th birthday in Las Vegas (Baby!)

Is it because im a girl?

Just a quick vent. So I'm currently taking a statistics class. I really like math, always have, always will. But stats? well, um... i do like it, but i feel the professor could do a heck of a better job with his teaching techniques and it also doesn't help that the traditional 16 week course is crammed into 6 sessions.  Any how, back to my vent. So we have a team project to complete by the end of the class, which just happens to be next week. My team consists of 2 guys and 2 girls (including myself).

We decided to do some sort of test ( Z/T/Hypothesis) on NFL quarterbacks. Fine. I like football and the more i understand it, the less number of question i pose during each play, and the more enjoyable it is for those around me. So there i go, i find statistics ranking the 32 quarterbacks giving their age, seasons yards ( passing, completed, rushing), completion rates etc etc. So i did my homework on this, not only this but i bounced off ideas off of a few sports enthusiasts at work. So before i met with my team i emailed a nicely formatted spreadsheet with all my statistics. I have to admit i was a bit proud of myself.

Once i arrived at Starbucks for my team meeting:

Me: "Hi Guys! Sorry I'm late!  I emailed all of you a spreadsheet of what i think is a great foundation for our project"

Guy #1: "Oh, I'm not online, I haven't checked my email"

Guy #2: "Oh yeah, I looked at it"

Me: silence....waiting for feedback.....
       "Well?..."

Guy #2: [smugly] "Oh, I deleted it"

Me: "What? Why?"

Guy #2: [confidently] "We can't use it, Its outdated information"

Me: [SLAP]  [OK, j/k i didn't, but i wanted to]

Me: "Really? Outdated data? So do you proposed that we use this years data? The football season literally  just started"   A Durrrrr!

Guy # 2: [with tail between legs] "Oh, i knew that... let me get it out of my recycling bin"

In the words of Stephanie Tanner.... How rude! I was so upset, i couldn't believe both of their attitudes. I mean seriously... what year are we in? Is a woman not capable of have a little knowledge (sorta) in a male dominated sports industry? Sure maybe I'm not a football guru but I'm not stupid, and brought a heck of a lot more to the table than those 2 bird brains!

Things I Hear

This new little segment is brought to you by the random things i hear whether they are to me, around me or from me.

"im not saying your not pretty, all im saying is that you got potential"

Lady Gah-ross

Did anyone happen to catch the VMAs this past weekend?

Eww, eww, eww. I know shes out there and all, but really? I'm not appalled, nor am i upset, nor am i insulted, not even because i don't favor meat. We've all worked with raw meat before right? that coldness, that texture. oh and not the mention the smell of cold raw red meat.

source


She was quoted  "It's certainly no disrespect to anyone that's vegan or vegetarian, As you know, I am the most judgment-free human being on the earth. It has many interpretations, but for me this evening, it's 'If we don't stand up for what we believe in, we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're gonna have as much rights as the meat on our bones."

Uhh...Sure... what about the rights of that animal shes wearing? looks like the its rights were less than the meat on its bones.

Don't get me wrong, I like her music. Just some of the things she does are really not necessary. Sorta like the meat dress.

For a Mule

The last couple of days I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I finally gave in to the caring pressure of others, and went to the doctors. Found out i have a double ear infection really? How old am I? , an upper respiratory infection, swollen glands and just a bunch of other viral stuff. I got the usual, runny nose, sore throat, headache, tingling/achy body viral stuff.  So i went to the doctor and they gave me these bad boys....

I joked that these pills looked like mule tranquilizers, they sure are big enough. I was cautioned to break it half, take it with food and plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of getting it lodged in my throat. Great! Now not only am i sick, but I'm risking my life with every dose of amoxicillin.

I Have a Crush: Booties, Booties, Booties

"I like big butts and i cannot lie, you other bro...." Wha? just kidding, not the kind of booties your thinking.

But for this fall, when i think of a nice transition shoe, i think of booties. I'm really liking the menswear inspired collections in a lot of designers fall lines. Many shoes designers have tapped into this look by introducing oxford style booties! My favorite are the first ones below. They are a part of Ralph Laurens Fall collection.

I'm a little biased to browns, and different shades of brown, such as cognac, maples, etc since earth tones become alive during the fall months.  I did throw in a few color ones in there just to give you some variety, but darker colors, such as gray and dark or navy blue work great in the fall too!

source



source



source



source







source





source

I know a lot of people aren't fans of the bootie, but i think they are so versatile! You can wear just about anything with your booties, from dresses, to skirts to jeans ( even shorts and stockings if your daring enough!). On cold days you can throw a pair of tights on with your skirt or dress and finish of your look with a great pair of booties. I also like that booties tend to be very comfortable since they hug your feet. I have a great pair of gray Vera Wang suede booties, but i have limited wear on those since they are suede. (cant let my babies get nasty in the rain!) My Vera Wang booties are so comfortable that i can seriously take a hike in them.

So run out and get yourself a pair...., go ahead... turn your computer off. Run along now.

Cookies Justice

You might recall that my precious little princess was maliciously attacked by a pitbul back in April. If you are just joining me now, this is what I'm talking about. When ever i talk about what happened to cookie, my mom cringes and asks me to stop. She cant stand hearing about it, and while it still makes me feel that anxious pain in my stomach and that knot in my throat- i actually like to go back and read every thought, every emotion and every feeling that was running through me. It makes me appreciate how far shes come and realize just how lucky we are to still have her in our lives.

Anyone who has ever had a pet before a child knows that they are our babies. She means the world to Juj and I- and we have personified her to be our baby, well maybe me more than him. I refer to us as "mommy" and "daddy". a little weird??? sure! Oh but she knows who "daddy" is when she gets scolded by "mommy". Any how, everyday that i get to wake up to her rank kisses is truly a blessing, stinky breath and all.

And anyone who knows me, knows how much i love her.

That is why i have spent countless hours going to all the hearing and dispositions regarding the kid who owned the pit who attacked. I've been to court a total of 4 times now. This Friday should be the last one. It seems like obstacle after obstacle have been presented in court and has kept it from being resolved, but i have faith that this will soon come to an end.

Matter of fact, on Friday the judge will decide where this kid will spend his year long probation. Obviously his attorney and his mother want him to spend his probation time at home with therapy and social services involved. My family and I (& the state) want him to enter a Rehabilitation Treatment Facility, RTC to serve his year probation. In an interesting twist of events, this kid has been interviewed by an RTC and he "let the record show" that he wanted to go to the RTC that interviewed him. He would rather go to the RTC than go home.

As mad as I am about what happened to Cookie, I am also thankful that he will get the help he needs to give him a fighting chance at having a normal adulthood. I believe in giving people a second chance, and by this kid actually saying himself that he wants to got to the RTC, to some degree, shows me that he is repentful.

I only pray to God that this leads him into the right path and then we can all start to fully forgive him.

Vera Wang for the Cure

I was very excited when Kohl's introduced this "Women's Cause Merchandise". Kohl's is known for their community programs such as Kohl's Cares for Kids, Associates in Action, Green Initiatives etc, etc. Earlier this year Kohl's announced a large donation ans partnership with the American Cancer Society and the Milwaukee Affiliate of Susan G. Komen foundation.

A few days ago they launched an exclusive line of Vera Wang Committed to the Cure merchandise. What is awesome about the line is:

1. All the merchandise is only $5 or $10!
2. Everything is available at your local Kohl's, i say this because the majority of my readers are in WI ( All 7 of you, ;-D) and in the event that you want to share this with people across the nation, it is also available online at Kohls.com.
3. It has Vera Wang's stylish flair.
4. And most importantly 100% of the net profits are donated to support the fight against breast Cancer!

These are just a few of the items in Vera Wang's line, there is tons more at Kohls.com.

Here are a few of the many great items that are available:

Coin Purse- for the girl who has all her change at the bottom of her purse

Coffee Mug- For the coffee lover

Slippers- For the person whose feet are always cold

Pajama set- For the girl who has everything.... except for PJ's

There is tons more on Kohl's.com. These are all great gift giving ideas, or you can also get yourself a little some-some.... all while still contributing to a great cause!!

My Reasons for the Seasons

With Labor day behind us, the weather dropping and the cooler days rolling in, my brain automatically begins to think of the changes up ahead. Its hard for me to pick a season as my favorite season. If i had to number them in order of my liking for them it would have to be- Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.

Summer- I like the warmth, i love the sun, i love wearing sunglasses, i love busting out the chicken legs. And truthfully, the heat doesn't "get to me" as it does to other people, in fact i was asked: "Do you even sweat?!?" I love the smell of the grill. It reminds me of eating hot dogs, in tortillas, after swimming with my sister. I love that the days seem to last forever.

Fall- I like the smell it has. I like the sound of leaves crunching under my feet, not to mention the different shandes of amber the tree leaves turn. I like sweat pants, a lot, i even wear them in the summer =-D i like socks and footies and sock footies and chanclas. I also like the fact that its cold enough to have an excuse to drink hot drinks. I like pumpkin flavored a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. I like pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin breads, muffins, ice cream, cheesecake, pie, etc. etc. hell i have even had pumpkin shampoo. I like the fall because you can have bonfires and drink wine as you listen to the wood(& any other items you might have thrown in there because the stupid thing wouldn't stay lit) crackle.

Winter- that's a no brainer, like any other child  person, i favor my birthday season. I love being ridiculously bundled up ( because im a coldy cat ), I like driving in the snow with my snow tires, I love that i can still wear my sunglasses because it is unbelievably bright with snowfall. I love the fact that i live far enough from work to milk any large snow fall, and of course snow days!! I'm beginning to like Christmas as the time passes. Having lost my brother, and by no means close to the Christmas season, always made my (our) Christmas feel so incomplete, so sad, so cold (no pun intended), so 'dark'. This past Christmas was my little family's first, we did a lot of things to the house to make it seem more Christmasee. We I decked the halls with something jolly and i was happy. I actually don't mind that cold all that much either. I like the feeling of my face defrosting when i step inside a warm house, makes me feel alive!

Spring- I don't like spring. two words. WET & WINDY yuk! I know, April shower bring blah blah blah. But it gets so nasty and gray outside. It makes me not want to do anything. at all. Heck even cookie dislikes spring the most. She loved to sunbathe, she too, likes the sound of crackling leaves under her paws, and although she is a coldy cat like her momma, as long and their is a path she'll walk to do her business. She does not like the rain. at. all. in fact when she walks as close to the house as possible to find refuge under the small dry area the roof provides. Another thing i dislike is that once the snow melts, there is always those few leaves that have been buried all season long and get all wet and mushy and stick to the bottom of your shoe because of all the rain.

With fall right around the corner, I begin to get excited to transition into my fall wardrobe, which i have yet to buy =-D

Just because

I don't think i let him know this enough. Juju is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. He provides such an amazing support in my life i would honestly go nuts with out him. Im not going to sugar coat this, because im sure you all think- yeah, yeah. what a blessing, yada yada yada. hes so amazing, blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, sometimes, I want to beat him with an orange stuffed sock in his sleep- but as i approach him, sock in hand- and i see his face snuggled into his pillow, covered to his neck with his half, and my half, of the blanket and his big (envious) pout- my heart melts.

I go to school, I have a very demanding job, I am involved at my church, I am constantly running around like a chicken with out a head, whether it be for school group meeting, to run errands, to take my ma places, or for work related activities- he is always there, trying to help. Poor guy hasn't had a decent home cooked meal in a while. We try to make time for us- but sometimes our schedules conflict. Does he complain? no.

A few weeks ago i hosted girls night for some of my girlfriends. The entire 2 weeks before hand he dedicated all his spare time to clean our house. Seriously. I mean he dusted, he washed, he scrubbed, he mopped, he swept, he organized, re organized, dis organized. He was a machine! He helped me so much, and then come the day of, he came home, helped with some finishing touches, took a shower and headed out the door ( you know, its girls night.... and all). Did i ask him to help? no, not once. He is just that good.

 Hes got my back. And i got his.

Stereotypes at their best

I for one, hate stereotypes. I do. They are so nasty. They are never "good" stereotypes, they are always negative. As much as i like to give people the benefit of the doubt or even toy with the idea that they ( the subject of the stereotype) are the exception to the rule, something always happens to shake that idea away.

Like this past weekend for example. We went to Mexican Fiesta to enjoy some food, overly priced drinks and to listen to a band or two. I was truly disgusted ( cant even say i was surprised, because, well that is what i expected to see) at what some of the people were wearing. I saw things. Ugly things. I saw butt cracks. I saw saggy boobs. I saw pants so tight they looked like they were painted on. I saw plenty of people wearing inflatable like preservers. I saw people stuffed into a dresses 3 sizes too small. Not to mention grown men with girls on their arms that looked young enough to be their own daughters.

C'MON!! People- we, as a culture, as a race, as a 'minority' are trying to move forward. We want to be an educated well rounded asset to society. Society does not want to see your Assets. It made me so upset to see how much (or little) respect these people seemed to have for themselves. Its hard enough to break through the stereotypes and the barriers against Hispanics... and you go and pull something like this.

I was discussing this with my sister, and i say(s) to her- I wonder what they think they they are picking out their outfits? I understand that fact that some people are really comfortable in their own skin and all the power to you. But you can be a beautiful confident person with the adequate amount of clothes on as well. Then i pondered to myself... I wonder if juju thinks I'm an old hag. I wonder if he wants me to be that girl- that girl that leaves nothing to the imagination. That girl that is so high maintenance, she that wont step out of the house with out  a lick of make up on. Or wears 5 inch heels to the festival grounds, which by the end of the night, looks like shes been walking on cactus pricked feet all day.

Oh and don't even get me started on people who use Zs at the end of words that should end with an S.

Ay, maybe I'm being over critical, maybe I'm the exception to the rule.