When you are very young, your best friend changes from month to month, sometimes even week to week or day to day...lol. By the time you hit your pre-teens, you start to realize what true friendship is and that not everyone claiming to be your friend , actually is! As you start to develop true friendships, there is usually one person that is always there for you and always comes to mind first when you want/need to share something. Some people search a lifetime for a friendship like this...wait isn't that a song?! I have been blessed to have so many wonderful true friends throughout my life and lucky enough to have met my best friend at the early age of 15. I didn't know it then, but that friendship would grow into a fabulous lifelong relationship. It is hard to imagine that my daughter, her god-daughter, will be 15 this year and at the same age that we met. She could be developing a lifetime of friendships as we sit here and read this.
We will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary this year. Through these 19+ years, we have been through the good, the bad and the ugly. We have been through everything from births to deaths and from marriage to divorce and everything in between too. We have cried on each other's shoulders and we have laughed until we cried. I think that the strength of our friendship has even amazed us at times.
I sometimes stop and think of other people and their friendships. I wonder if anyone else is as blessed as I am to have the most wonderful best friend of all time. She is a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, an aunt, a godmother, a cousin, a friend and most importantly to me....a best friend. We have so many differences. She is the practical one, I act on impulse. She chooses her words, I speak without thinking. She knew in high school what she wanted to be, I still don't know what I want to be. She is a dog person, I am a cat person....lol. Still, with all these differences, we also have many similarities. We both value family and friends in the highest way. We both love to read, not always the same kind of books. We are both loud (Portuguese vs Puerto Rican...watch out). She loves to sing, I can't carry a tune to save my life. And we both like American Idol, not always the same contestants though. The lists go on and on. The most important thing though is that when we don't agree on something, we respect each other's opinions and decisions. We are there for each other regardless of the outcome...good or bad.
I just wanted to dedicate this post to my best friend because I couldn't imagine my life without you. Through our tragedies, we become stronger and closer. It is the hardest thing for me to be so far away at this difficult time in your life. Although I am here for your each and every day on the phone and on the computer, I wish that I could be there with you, for you. I know that this has not effected our relationship. Our lengthy talks have only drawn us together more. So let me just end this by saying....I love you Dala !
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Our Snow Day...in NC
Well guys...just wanted to let all of you people still up north know that your prayers have been answered and we too have been cursed with snow. Got woken up at 5am this morning letting me know that they have cancelled school for today. I hung up and ran to the window only to find what us northerner's call "flurries". So here is a pic of my snow day...and yes, that is my crazy mother on the front porch in her bathrobe. See you can all stop being so jealous of the warm weather we have. Oh, I have more pics of our snow on facebook for those of you that are interested.
Monday, January 19, 2009
SNOW !!!
It is supposed to snow here tonight...2-4 inches !!!! Snow in the South?? Who would have thunk? Maybe we brought the cold with us down....lol.
This Weekend
I just wanted to fill you guys in on my weekend. First of all, for those of you that don't know, Jose and I did manage to go on our date night. Hopefully this will be the first of many. We just went out to On the Border but it was nice to be alone and just get all dressed up. We actually have plans for our February date night which we are very excited about...we have been given tickets to go see a Burlesque Show. That should be so much fun. But for our first attempt it was nice. We were back in about two hours and then we just hung out and watched a movie but it was so refreshing and actually allowed us to get in a different frame of mind.
I also took Larissa to the audition at Narroway on Sunday. I think that it went well. She auditioned for dancing and singing. The parents weren't allowed in but she said that after she sang the people were floored at the voice that came out of her. As soon as I know anything, I will let you all know...ttyl.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Mom
Well my mother will be going to Portugal at the end February. I have many mixed emotions about this. It will be nice for our family to spend time together alone. I know how terrible that must sound considering that she is part of our family but I hope that you will all understand what I am really saying. Thing are tough with so many people living under the same house, especially when one of them is my mother. I am blessed to have my mother with me so please don't misunderstand but it doesn't allow me time to miss her or the kids to go to grandma's like in normal families. I know that we are far from normal though. I have diverted enough though...
So she is leaving the end of February for quite some time, she isn't even sure for how long yet. She is going to complete her retirement paperwork and that needs to be done in person and it is a process from what I understand. This, however, will leave us with a little bit more for us to figure out. We will now need a place to send CJ for the days and figure out what Larissa and Nathan will do after school and just so many things that we have been blessed not to have to think about before because she was here. I know that we will get through this. It is just a bump in the road ahead of us. I will keep you all posted on our progress. Larissa's friend Taylor, her mother watches kids in her home and I have been there many times over the summer picking up Taylor and really liked her and the way that she is with children. I think that might be an option but then there is the cost that we have to think about. It appears as though we have just started getting on our feet and now we have an added cost to deal with. That is what parenting is all about though so we will be just fine. Where there is a will, there is a way. If it turns out that CJ gets approved for the preschool because of his speech delay then this won't be for very long anyways.
On a lighter note, it will be nice for my mom to see her other children and grandchildren that she does not get to see often enough. I really can't imagine being in her shoes and so far away from her children. I am happy that she is getting this much deserved time away, and much deserved time with her family. And like I mentioned above...this will give us some much needed space too.
So she is leaving the end of February for quite some time, she isn't even sure for how long yet. She is going to complete her retirement paperwork and that needs to be done in person and it is a process from what I understand. This, however, will leave us with a little bit more for us to figure out. We will now need a place to send CJ for the days and figure out what Larissa and Nathan will do after school and just so many things that we have been blessed not to have to think about before because she was here. I know that we will get through this. It is just a bump in the road ahead of us. I will keep you all posted on our progress. Larissa's friend Taylor, her mother watches kids in her home and I have been there many times over the summer picking up Taylor and really liked her and the way that she is with children. I think that might be an option but then there is the cost that we have to think about. It appears as though we have just started getting on our feet and now we have an added cost to deal with. That is what parenting is all about though so we will be just fine. Where there is a will, there is a way. If it turns out that CJ gets approved for the preschool because of his speech delay then this won't be for very long anyways.
On a lighter note, it will be nice for my mom to see her other children and grandchildren that she does not get to see often enough. I really can't imagine being in her shoes and so far away from her children. I am happy that she is getting this much deserved time away, and much deserved time with her family. And like I mentioned above...this will give us some much needed space too.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Larissa's 15th Birthday
Ok everyone mark your calendars. I have officially booked Larissa's 15th Birthday party for Sunday November 1, 2009 at the Cranston Portuguese Club off of Elmwood Avenue in Cranston. I have not determined a time yet but since it is Sunday, I am sure it will start in the afternoon so that we have plenty of time to party. For those of you that already have taken out your agendas and started marking this, notice that the day before is Halloween. So yes, we will be in RI for Halloween too. We are really excited about this. Halloween is a Saturday and we will be there. Anyone having a Halloween party? Anyways, I don't have much time today. Just wanted to give you guys that info so that you can all save the date.
Mayi...welcome back to the cold weather. You need to plan a visit to come see your godson. We miss you guys so much.
Mayi...welcome back to the cold weather. You need to plan a visit to come see your godson. We miss you guys so much.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Behind Again
Hey Everyone. I am sorry that it has taken me this long to post again. Life is just crazy sometimes and days go by without realizing it.
Work has been insane. Kelly, my co-worker and good friend since being here, was laid-off on Monday at 5pm. It was a shock to everyone to say the least. She is the Credit Manager and the company has decided to give the credit part to our Florida office. I worked with Kelly directly so this has been a change for me. First of all, I miss her so much. She is the one person that I was able to become friends with, real friends not just acquaintance, you know?! Anyways, it was a blow for her and for me, it left me feeling really guilty. I mean she has worked here for three years and she is the one they lay-off. I was wondering why her and not me. I am not saying that I want to be laid-off because I clearly don't but I just feel terrible. To add to that, she is going through a divorce and is a single mom to a 7 year old little boy. Yeah, I know that this will pass and she will move onto better things and I know personally that being a single parent can be done but my emotions have been a little running high. So with her not here, they have taken away many of my job duties and given me a bunch of new duties. I welcome the change and love to learn more. It is more to add to my resume for the future. Of course, with learning new things comes all the newness of things and the craziness of learning how to do it and how to develop a routine to get it all done that works for you. I know that it will all be fine but goodness, I am overworked today and I miss Kelly terribly. The job is definatly not the same without her. And my days are not the same without her either.
Nathan has his first Karate Tournament on Feb 7th. He is super excited and so am I. I was watching his spar yesterday at practice and my boy is really good. He beat all the kids that he went against. I had to talk to him afterwards so that he doesn't get cocky with his attitude about it because all it takes is one person better than you to through you off your high horse...lol. He kind of understood. I will let you all know how it is after I go. It is an all day thing. We leave at 8am only to return at 8pm. Don't these people know that I have more than one child to attend to. Thankfully I have Jose to help me out but what if I didn't.
Larissa is trying out for a theatre production for a local company called Narroway. I hope that she is able to get something there because it could be a great opportunity for her. I am so excited for her and so proud that she is going for this. It isn't that close by but they don't practice every night and they do have two casts for each production so that nobody has to be there all the time. I will keep you guys posted on my little performer.
CJ is having his speech evaluation on January 29th at 9am. I think that I already know the verdict but I would like a professional opinion. His play therapist is coming the 30th to do her first initial visit and then she will be coming every Thursday at 12:30. The program has been incredible and once again, FREE is the best thing of all. Once again, I will let you all know what happens as things happen.
Jose is looking for a new job. Don't panic, he is still at his old job but he is clearly not happy. He needs to get back into the medical industry and besides that is where the most job security is too. Who knows, maybe once this economy gets better maybe I will try getting back into the medical field myself or maybe everything will work out here...you just never know.
Well...I have to head back to work now. I miss you all and I notice that nobody is leaving me comments. Now either nobody is reading this and I have just created an online diary to myself or you guys are just losers and chose not to participate in this wonderful form of communication that I have set up. You all know that I love you but for goodness sake....comment alread.
Work has been insane. Kelly, my co-worker and good friend since being here, was laid-off on Monday at 5pm. It was a shock to everyone to say the least. She is the Credit Manager and the company has decided to give the credit part to our Florida office. I worked with Kelly directly so this has been a change for me. First of all, I miss her so much. She is the one person that I was able to become friends with, real friends not just acquaintance, you know?! Anyways, it was a blow for her and for me, it left me feeling really guilty. I mean she has worked here for three years and she is the one they lay-off. I was wondering why her and not me. I am not saying that I want to be laid-off because I clearly don't but I just feel terrible. To add to that, she is going through a divorce and is a single mom to a 7 year old little boy. Yeah, I know that this will pass and she will move onto better things and I know personally that being a single parent can be done but my emotions have been a little running high. So with her not here, they have taken away many of my job duties and given me a bunch of new duties. I welcome the change and love to learn more. It is more to add to my resume for the future. Of course, with learning new things comes all the newness of things and the craziness of learning how to do it and how to develop a routine to get it all done that works for you. I know that it will all be fine but goodness, I am overworked today and I miss Kelly terribly. The job is definatly not the same without her. And my days are not the same without her either.
Nathan has his first Karate Tournament on Feb 7th. He is super excited and so am I. I was watching his spar yesterday at practice and my boy is really good. He beat all the kids that he went against. I had to talk to him afterwards so that he doesn't get cocky with his attitude about it because all it takes is one person better than you to through you off your high horse...lol. He kind of understood. I will let you all know how it is after I go. It is an all day thing. We leave at 8am only to return at 8pm. Don't these people know that I have more than one child to attend to. Thankfully I have Jose to help me out but what if I didn't.
Larissa is trying out for a theatre production for a local company called Narroway. I hope that she is able to get something there because it could be a great opportunity for her. I am so excited for her and so proud that she is going for this. It isn't that close by but they don't practice every night and they do have two casts for each production so that nobody has to be there all the time. I will keep you guys posted on my little performer.
CJ is having his speech evaluation on January 29th at 9am. I think that I already know the verdict but I would like a professional opinion. His play therapist is coming the 30th to do her first initial visit and then she will be coming every Thursday at 12:30. The program has been incredible and once again, FREE is the best thing of all. Once again, I will let you all know what happens as things happen.
Jose is looking for a new job. Don't panic, he is still at his old job but he is clearly not happy. He needs to get back into the medical industry and besides that is where the most job security is too. Who knows, maybe once this economy gets better maybe I will try getting back into the medical field myself or maybe everything will work out here...you just never know.
Well...I have to head back to work now. I miss you all and I notice that nobody is leaving me comments. Now either nobody is reading this and I have just created an online diary to myself or you guys are just losers and chose not to participate in this wonderful form of communication that I have set up. You all know that I love you but for goodness sake....comment alread.
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