Well Now...

Wellness Wednesdays!!!

Love this concept that I was tagged on by one of my team members that is on the 90Day Challenge with me...Stacy Howze!

What one good thing did I do on this day to continue on my Journey to Wellness?

I stuck to my two shakes, drank plenty of water (need to measure my intake) and I did core exercises at home on my living room floor!
I had very good intentions on waking up early this morning to participate in my first spin class but my body was on some lazy sh*t and I let my mind follow...does having cramps make for a good excuse?  That is mine, so I am sticking to it!
I find that working out is going to be a hard task for me...not the working out part but finding the time as all I did today was rip and run the streets once I was up.
Allegra spent 4 hours at the beauty shop, getting her hair braided and Alexandre' had football practice.  By the time we made it home it was almost 10pm and a glass of something with a '% of alcohol content' was calling my name!
Tomorrow is another day to get it right!
I have to start budgeting my time better, time for family, household chores, working out, running errands, and last but not least....ME!!!
Again...I say, tomorrow is another day to get it right!

Hugs and Kisses
Me

RE-EVERYTHING

Doing it again...RE-EVERYTHING

That is the beauty of life...
You have another chance to make things happen!
So I am going to try again, to revamp my Blog and this time...I plan NOT to fail!
One thing that I am doing, which I am extremely proud of is the 90Day Challenge.
A health and fitness platform that has been such a catalyst in me becoming better for myself and my family in more ways than one.
On July 29th, I pressed the 'RE' button so that I may document more of my 'Journey to Wellness' to be held accountable and also maybe inspire someone.
Below is the first entry I made into The Challenge's Tracker.
I am excited about the endless possibilities that I have on my journey...one day at a time.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Focusing Forward...
Reflecting on today and feeling positive as I decided to press the reset, redo and restart button on my 90 Day Challenge!
I can proudly say that I am 48lbs down total (with much more to go), down 3 full dress sizes, off of one Blood Pressure medication (with one more to go). I have more energy than ever, my confidence has caused me to finally get a gym membership so I can swim, take classes, and I would like to eventually lift weights!
I have taken a lot of time, thinking about what I would like to accomplish within these next 90 Days.
I am dedicating these 90 days to my Angel Mom. I was scheduled to participate in my first 5K June 24th, but did not because she suffered from a stroke the night before...I will participate in my first 5K within these 90 Days!
I plan on dropping at least, a minimum of 15lbs, so I can move away from the "Plus Size" department!
I plan on continuing to get into the best shape of my life, at the age of 44, so I can be able to engage in more activities with my 9 year old boy/girl twins...they motivate me to want more and to do more.
I am worthy of this, and so much more...spreading my wings, so I can soar!
#TeamMe
#90DayChallenge

Needing 2B...

Where do I begin?
From the begining or the end?
This was suppose to be my creative outlet...a place for me to share myself as I Inspire 2B all that I can in all areas of my life. 
I let the evil of someone take that away from me, have me live in fear and that is not a good feeling.
So with this post, I am starting where I need to B...Right.Here!

WOW...

Is all that can be said.

Can not believe that it has been more than a year since I have published a post on my blog...

Various reasons why I neglected this blog...personal mostly, but I realize that I need this blog to relax, relate, and release.

I can not let others dictate my life...I love my life, both the good and the bad and this blog has allowed me to document all that my life entails...It is a great resource for me to recall the moments in our lives, share with family and friends as well as become a creative outlet for me whether it be with my scrapbooking, photography, or writing.

There are some posts that I have written, but have not published and I really plan on doing so.



So of course, so much has transpired since the last time I published a post.

Mostly...good things. The Coleman Crew has their health, Rick is still working along with getting back into his music, Alexandre' and Allegra are in 1st grade at an awesome school (A.N.Pritzker in Wicker Park) and I am "Inspiring 2 Be..."


I really do hope to revamp my blog...not sure of the direction I want to go with it, will it be crafty, will it be all family related, will it be all about me or a combination of all the above plus more.
What ever I decide to do with it...It has 2 Be...Inspiring that is!

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Super Bowl Sunday...

and I had to work which was a bummer. Christina and I was not that busy not only did it make the day go by super slow but we both did not want to do to much of anything around the store.

Of course, like always, towards the end of the day...people decided that they wanted to come in and shop...I really do dislike when that happens...you know a store closes at a certain time and you come in just 5 minutes before they close and want to piddle around and ask questions...like the employees do not want to go home to their families...especially on a day like today.

Once we closed though, Christina let me leave right away, as I still had to rush to the grocery store to get the rest of my dinner items....the request for the night....Mexican, which is so easy, economical and quick to do.

I got home and only missed a few of the commericals. Rick filled me in while I immediately got dinner done. We had nachos and tacos and even topped it off with some ice cream for dessert. Rick and I watched the entire game...which was a great game down to the wire. We were both pulling for the Pittsburg Steelers because of the African American coach, but we also wanted the Cardinals to win because it would be their first and Kurt Warner is cool.

With Pittsburg winning, we kept kidding saying it was the year for the African American male, with us having a African American president and now...an African American coach winning the Super Bowl...watch out now!!!

Not staying up too late as I am working kinda heavy this week

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Oh...since I did not take a photo today, my POTD will be a photo of Rick and the twins from when the Bears went to the Super Bowl and we went to his mother's for her party...needless to say they lost, but we had a great time and we looked good...

Janurary 31st, 2009

Is here and I am so proud and happy to announce that I was able to take a photo a day for 31 days and post on my blog for 31 days...this is so huge for me as I am so guilty of taking on a project and not completing it.

KUDOS TO ME!!!

Today was hectic as we woke up early, took Rick to work, came home to go back to sleep, work up again and went to Alex's basketball (was 15 minutes late) and then...we had to go to Windy City Scrapbooking so I could teach a Basics class. Now normally, I do not work on Saturdays as the twins have activities on this day, but Jen needed Saturday off, last minute and I was kind enough to help her out. The twins are used to being at the store and they can last if I have movies for them to look at or at least something constructive for them to do. They brought crayons and their trouble game and I made sure to tell them that I was teaching, so they got a kick out of that.

I was suppose to have 3 students in class but ended up having 2. I kept apologizing for having my kids with me and they did not seem to mind at all...matter of fact, in the surveys that we have our students fill out, one of them made the comment on how well behaved my children were...that made me very proud.

Once we picked Rick up from work...we grabbed pizza for dinner and came home for a relaxing evening ...as Allegra calls it "Family night"


My POTD...us on a Family night...Christmas 2008 at Grandpa Rufus House...I must admit...in this photo, Allegra looks just like Rick and Alexandre' looks just like me...genes are a trip.


Off to finish up Family Nite as Rick and I will be watching a movie tonight...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Finally Friday...

the kids were out of school today so we had a relaxing day after waking up this morning. I did not have to go to work today, but I still had errands to run. I wish that I didn't have errands so we did not have to wake up this morning to take Rick to work, but such is life. My main errand was going to the grocery store, which I need to decrease my trips and start buying more in bulk and using our deep freezer more. I also need to start clipping coupons and really paying attention to the sales flyers so that I can save us more money when grocery shopping...I can remember from my days in college down at Bradley when I would clip coupons and get geeked about getting my coupons doubled at Kroger's and I was not even a housewife...I have to do better with that.

For the first time...in a long time, I decided to cook on a Friday night as we are trying keep our budget and not dine out too much. I was so into it...I even baked a cake. It was one of those confetti cakes with the sprinkles in the cake and the frosting had sprinkles too. Rick and the twins had fun licking the batter. I even caught Allegra digging in with all ten fingers and the palms of her hands.

After dinner, Rick relaxed while the kids and I played Trouble, which happened to be one of my favorite board games as a child. I am so glad that we got them this game for Christmas. We only played one round as Alex won, even though he cheated a little, Allegra came in second and I...last.

Off to bed early tonight as we have a busy Saturday...

Hugs & Kisses

Me

So today...

was cool as we did our usual...waking up at 5am to get Rick off to work.
The twins seem to be getting use to doing this as they woke up with no problem and came back home and fell asleep with no problem. Me on the other hand, have had a hard time falling back to sleep and once I do...here they come, so of course...I am tired.
I was going to stay at school with the twins today, but by me getting up sluggish, I did not get a chance to shower and such so I had to return home after dropping them off to get myself together for the day. I also wanted to catch up on my soap operas, All My Children and One Life To Live.
My mom kept the kids for us today and they are spending the night so we can give them a break from getting up early and so I can go into work tomorrow.
I did go to work tonight as well because I had a custom meeting in which I will be getting paid to create a scrapbook for someone else...which is so cool...getting paid to do something you love. This is a good one as it is with a big CEO of Allstate Insurance so I feel honored that they picked me to do their scrapbook for them.
After my custom, I went to pick up Rick and dropped him off at home as I went back to the store for a meeting that we had with Christina. She is back from CHA and we have to look at catalogs and brainstorm on ideas for the store in the upcoming months. Now with this recession thing going on...it has affected Windy City, not too bad but bad enough where we are going to have to continue to pull together to get through it all. She did order a lot of new items so I have to try to set aside a budget to get my scrapbooking shopping back on. Rick has warned me not to bring another thing in the house so I also must take that to heart as well. He knows I am a pack rat and he does tolerate it, but I have to make sure that I am more conscious of what he thinks and feels about things that I do.
Our meeting lasted longer than expected as we had a great time coming up with new ideas for the store and also oohing and aahing over all of the new merchandise. Windy City Scrapbooking will be filled to the brim again with new stuff...can not wait for it all to come in and to merchandise it all.
Here is my POTD...

Sesil, me, Melissa, and Chirstina doing a little

scrapbooking catalogue shopping for Windy City Scrapbooking

I am at home now and about to jump into the bed and hope I fall asleep fast.

5Am comes too soon...

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Hump Day...

Rolled out of bed this morning and realizing it was just the middle of the week. Got everyone dressed okay and Allegra even took some time to read to her daddy the book that I read to her and Alexandre' the night before. They both read to him, in their own versions of the book, which was too cute...of course I had to get a photo opportunity of this one (Rick looks like he is asleep but he is really up)

After I dropped Rick and the twins off, I came back home to do what...house work. I will be so glad once the weather breaks as I am staring to feel like a broken record. I do plan on starting one of my many projects really soon...I think I will start spring cleaning early so that I will not feel overwhelmed as I do every time at the beginning of spring.

I had to take the kids to work with me this afternoon once I picked them up from school and again, like last Wednesday, they were excited to go. This time...I packed them bologna and cheese sandwiches for their after school snack and made sure I had movies again along with popcorn, crayons, and coloring books.

They were cool for the first couple of hours as I would go back and check on them to make sure they were not getting into anything...and then it happened...

Hence...another POTD

The Aftermath

Alex's is the small heap & Allegra's is the larger one

A heap is a heap

I went to the back and found Alexandre' with his kiddie scissors in his hand and Allegra's little voice saying "Mommy...Alex cut my hair and his too!!!" I just stood there and looked at him with his kiddie scissors and Allegra was coloring as though nothing had happened. I went to her head to look at the damage and a little heap of hair fell into my fingertips. I looked at Alex and he holds up in his other hand a small heap of his hair. I did not know what to do initially as we were in a public place. I did not feel right spanking him as it was partially my fault since I was not there to supervise them as I have been in the past...they have been around scissors before without me policing them...maybe Alexandre' was testing his boundaries. I just reprimanded him and also Allegra for letting him cut her hair and I placed him in time out for 10 minutes...he cried the whole time as he thought I was going to spank him when we got home....Allegra even asked me to not spank him because she loved him and he was sorry...talk about little spokeswoman...she takes the cake.

Rick got a kick out of our events of the day...he agreed with me about not spanking Alexandre'...we just explained to them both that scissors only cut paper not hair and skin...I tell you, kids do not come with instruction manuals..if they did...this parenting thing would be easier for us, but you live and learn.

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Long Day

for me today.
I had an appointment today downtown so Rick and the twins dropped me off...instead of having him come back and take me to Windy City, I decided to just catch public transportation, which I have not done since the summer when the van was down before. I am just glad that it was not that cold. I think that we are so spoiled in having vehicles and the twins have only been on the CTA once and never on the EL.
Work was okay as it was me and Jen and then Cheryl came in later. Christina is still in CA, hopefully ordering cool stuff for the store.
Rick picked me up tonight as well, which I wish he did not have to do since he had to drag the kids out as I did not get off until 9pm.
I was glad that he already gave them dinner so once we got home, it was bedtime for them. Rick and I did our usual with the news and Jay Leno.
After checking my email...I was happy to see a email from my soror Lisa, whose 40th birthday party we attended just last week....she sent a photo of Rick and I at her party...hence my POTD. Here we are looking like our version of Will & Jada Smith. Whenever we go out somewhere special, we do always try to color coordinate with each other and we even try to do so with the twins as it did all start back when Adonis was little and we were dating.



Staying up a little longer today as I am checking in on some of my favorite blogs and doing some laundry tonight.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Only Monday...

and I think I am ready for it to be Friday again...
Had to get up early so we could finish getting things ready for the carpet cleaners today...I will not mention how long it has been since we have had our carpet clean...let's just say it has been more than a minute.

Rick and the kids dropped me off at work and I ended up being by myself for the majority of the day as Jen had to have an emergency root canal and I hear that those are painful. There were only a few customers in and I was able to hold down the fort. I had to have a few cups of coffee to get me through. I just love Christina's machine that she brought to work...it is a glorified coffee machines as it also makes teas, lattes, hot chocolates, and such. I am not a big coffee drinker...mostly a cream drinker as I put a lot of cream and sugar in my coffee. I am going to have to look into getting more of the refills for her machine...especially if she decides to keep it at the store.



I am not sure what time Jen got to the store but when she did I was ready to sit and relax...I know it was after 4pm since I missed my Judge Mathis. I am just glad that she got her tooth fixed as she was in a alot of pain.
Rick and the twins picked me up and when we got home...I was so happily surprised to see our clean carpet. Now of course, this company that came out tried to sell us a whole unit and Rick was almost tempted to get it...but it was so over our budget...like almost $2k for a vacuum cleaner but it does so much more...Rick says that maybe we can look into getting one later or even going in with his mother and getting one as they claim that the cleaner lasts for 30 years.

So the kids are in the bed and Rick and I are about to have some couple time and watch Tyler Perry's "The Family That Preys" so I am saying good bye...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

It's Sunday...

and I do not get to stay home and lounge today with my family...BUMMER. I was originally off today but I decided to pick up a few hours at the store. Rick and the twins enjoyed a day of television and relaxation...at least they did get dressed for the day.
It was slow at the store for the most part and I predict that it will continue to be slow with the economy being the way that it is. I will just say a prayer that we will be okay.
I can not believe that we are almost at the end of the month already. I really do believe that time flies when you get older.
I did not have to worry about cooking as my mother cooked dinner for us, so I picked it up once I got off.
The twins had homework to do so we worked on it before bedtime Their project was working with "The Knee High Man" where they learned about measurements and such. They were so excited to be doing "homework". My POTD is of them doing their homework. They even reminded me to take their pictures of them doing their homework so that I could scrapbook it later.



Rick just got in from hanging out with a couple of his coworkers...they went to Hooters but he still came home hungry as he told me he only drank a few beers and they shared some wings...again, I am so glad that my mother cooked dinner.

Not staying up too late tonight...gotta hit it this week


TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

So tired...

as this was day 3 of waking up at 5am and taking Rick to work...but we better all suck it up as we will have to do this for a while. I guess I keep mentioning it so that I can just get acclimated to it all. So we did not go roller skating as planned this morning...I will try again in a few weeks as Alex and Allegra were too tired when I tried to get them back up this morning.

At least we made it to basketball and we were happy when a few of our old friends showed up. Klarke and Greg came along with A.J. and Lauryn...their mommies, my girls, Kay and Geri were there too and I was so glad to see them as I haven't in the New Year...we have talked but haven't hung out. It was good to just catch up with them...and nowt that A.J. and Greg are in Alex's basketball class, I will be able to see them more often.

After basketball...we ended up at our favorite Saturday spot...JEWEL...I really need to start doing my grocery shopping on better days than Saturday. I do not mind taking the kids but it is just too congested on Saturday. While we were there...we were stopped 4 different times by 4 different people making comments about my babies eye lashes...especially Alexandre's. We are always getting stopped at some point or another were women, of all ages, will make a comment about the length of his eyelashes and how pretty they are and once they see Allegra, they are blown away...and vice versa. They look at me and then make a comment about mine, but I am use to it as I have always gotten complements about my eyes and eye lashes since I was a little girl. Allegra gets to the point where she will cover her eyes while she is being pushed in the shopping cart while on the other hand, Alex loves the attention. My POTD is my darling son showing his long eyelashes...






After dinner, the twins went to bed early since they were so tired from the day's events. Rick was not to far behind. I keep telling him that he needs to start taking vitamins...especially since he is working out in the elements.
I am up playing on Facebook or Crackbook as many call it, but I do not plan on staying up long.

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Finally Friday

Just the 2nd day of getting up at 5am...I do not know how Rick does it.

I was able to come back home and go back to sleep in an empty house since I dropped the kids off at my mother's after I dropped Rick off. I swear...as soon as I closed my eyes, it was time for me to get up.
I worked with Sesil today and when we work together...we have a blast...but whenever anyone works with me...it is a blast (LOL)
We had decided early to get 5 GUYS and BURGERS & FRIES for lunch/dinner, which I know I do not need but could not resist the suggestion. This place reminds me almost of Top Notch Burger on the south side...they serve a mean burger with all the trimmings to your liking.
I was pleasantly surprised when I returned from picking up our order by my dear friend Dontrey. She has also taken the Project 365 plunge and was at the store to buy supplies to help her along. I just love the fact that alot of my friends are scrapbookers like me and they actually get it....the whole life documentation thing...I do not think of myself as a scrapbooker anymore...more so like a life artist (Thanks Ali for that title)

As I became a part of Dontrey's Project 365 POTD, I decided to make her part of my POTD along with the 5 GUYS photo






After picking up Rick and the twins we went straight home...had dinner (thanks Momma) and are now, all going to bed. Can not believe it...we are all in bed before the news and Mr. Leno.
I plan on taking the kids to the Rink Fitness Factory in the morning after we get back from dropping of Rick and before Alex's basketball practice...let's see how we all are in the morning...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

@ 5AM...

I was up...ready to face the day....NOT!!!
But I have to get ready since we will be waking up at this time at least 3 days/week until the van gets fixed.

Alexandre' and Allegra was tired as all get out and so were we. I was up kinda late and Rick's group, Endangered Species performed the night before.

After we dropped Rick off, I decided to treat the twins to a McDonald's breakfast...Hot cakes and sausage, their favorite. We immediately went back to sleep and they were up a few hours later. I came back home once I dropped them off at school and caught up on emails, soap operas and of course, my favorite...LAUNDRY...which I may never catch up on.


When I ran out to pick up the twins from school...for the first time, in a long time, I noticed the icicles that hung from our roof...I do not remember paying attention to them before and so I had to take a photo of them for my photo of the day. In looking at my photo....I am amazed to how icicles are formed when they hang from the roof tops...the air is so frigid that as some snow melts the cool air freezes it as it is falling...too cool.





What is not too cool is the fact that we can not control the ice build up on our stair way...I am sure the postal carrier will be cursing us out as long as the weather is like this...no matter how much salt we put down...we still get alot of ice buildup..


I was glad to be off from work...I feel as though I am in a scrapbooking slump as I have not created anything outside of class material, in a long time...I hope to get my mojo back soon.

Not staying up late...gotta take Rick to work in the morning, drop the twins off at my moms' and off to work myself...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

The Day After...

and we are still on a high from yesterdays events.
I can not wait to hear the stories and see the photos from my family and friends who had the chance to go to Washington D.C. and experience yesterday.

I ended up having to take Rick to work as his van needs a new fuel pump...these are expensive so we are down one car, yet again. Once I came home from dropping the twins off at preschool, I did a few things around the house....I just wish I had a full day of uninterrupted housework...every time I start a project, I have to leave to go and do something else...I use to be really good at multitasking...is there a class on it as I have been failing in doing what I need to do...but I will not give up. I know I will do better because I know better...maybe this will be a mantra for me.

I had to take the twins to work with me today. I normally do not work on Wednesdays but since Christina went to California for a trade show, I was put on the schedule to help out. They were really geeked to come to work with Mommy







They have been there plenty times before but not for a long period of time...I was armed and ready.
They had McDonald's for dinner, I brought some of their favorite movies...Breakin for my break dancer Alexandre' and Shrek for Allegra...I also brought Over the Hedge just in case. I bought them new coloring books and crayons and even a small stamping set (everything was Disney Princess and Cars themed). In having all of this, they lasted for the 4 hours I was there...matter of fact, they were awesome and the night went great. I even put them to work when it was time to close.

Once we were all home, the twins stayed up for a little watching movies and Rick went to "The Darkroom" which is where is hip hop group Endangered Species performed. I was not able to attend (bummer) since we did not have baby sitting but Rick reassured me that they were going to be doing more shows and to just be ready.

Here is a photo of the group Endangered Species, from our 2nd Annual Labor Day Picnic 2008
From Left to Right: Brian aka B-Vax, Rich aka Nocturne, Eric aka Elevation, my DH Rick aka DJ Ricochet, and then there is Wayne who is a good friend to them all.

These guys still enjoy "Rockin' the MIC!!!"

The twins are now in bed and I am up catching up on my blogging and playing on Facebook...my newest addiction. I love this site and the fact that you can connect, reconnect with family and friends and talk about 6 degrees of separation...someone is always knowing someone you know and vice versa and it is a great networking tool too.
I will try to get to bed early tonight as we all have to get up at 5 am to take Rick to work

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Mr. President....Barack H. Obama

Today...Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of American... the first African American President ever.
Here is my POTD (Thanks Jen)



The day started out with Rick taking Adonis to school...we woke up to it snowing outside, but the weather did not matter to me as I only had one thing on my mind...The inauguration of Barack Obama...
When the twins got up...I started to get them dressed for school early and I did make them wear red and white along with blue jeans (being patriotic for the day) So glad that Rick did bring home a paper this morning as I am sure they would sell out as the day progressed.
I made sure to run downstairs to set the TIVO for the day's events since I had to work ALL DAY today...Rick was kinda upset again about me having to work, yet another day that was important...but I made sure to document it and to have the day recorded and all of that so that we will not forget. Here is another POTD of Rick and the twins holding up the newspaper from today...



I made sure to get to work early so that I would not miss the actually swearing in of President Obama and I was greeted by Christina. When she left for the day...she handed me a box of tissues as she was already teary eyed and told me to enjoy my day (she had only came in to do alittle work and then she was off for the day). I was able to watch the whole swearing in ceremony and I did get emotional and shedded a few tears...which leads to yet another POTD...



Now this may seem a bit much but, I am going to keep the two tissues that I took a photo of and scrapbook it as it is part of my history too.
We were pretty much dead for the rest of the day as I am sure...everyone was glued to their televisions to watch this day in American History unfold. Jen and I kept the television on in the back all day so that we could catch glimpses of the rest of the day's events.
This was a day, that I was so proud...more that normal, to be an African American...my heart was so full of joy and my mind was full of hope and dreams...for myself and my family. The best is yet to come and yes...anything that is worth having is worth fighting for...Barack has us all wanting only the best and making us be more accountable for ourselves and our actions.
Once I got home...Rick and I watched the news and of course...our Jay Leno as he was in rare form as always.
We are about to try to watch a western movie so I am getting off of this computer
TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Happy MLK Day!!!

The kids are out of school, Rick is off (he went to get Adonis for the day) and I have to go to work...bummer. Rick even made a comment about Christina needing to close for the holiday.
I did not sleep very well last night...I normally don't whenever Rick is works overnight, but he has to get OT whenever he can.
When he got off, he went to get Adonis for the day. I fixed them a hearty breakfast and spent the rest of my day at Windy City. We were really busy since schools and a lot of other businesses were closed.
Once I got home...I was a little tired but I still got a boost of energy to make dinner....Nachos...a favorite of Alex's.
We let Adonis stay up just alittle bit...I can not believe, how much he has grown...He was only 18 months when he came into my life and now...he is 14, taller than me (which does not take much) and has a deep voice and all...I am making his photo that I took of him just last month during Christmas, my POTD.

This is him holding up his cash that he received for Christmas and his birthday (New Year's Eve baby)

I am so proud of him as he is a honor roll student, on the football and wrestling teams and just a great kid...I always say...even though he was not born from my womb, he is definitely in my heart and I will always love him as though he was my very own. He and I have a great relationship and I hope that it will only continue to get better.
Rick stayed up for just a little to watch the Lakers play...when actually, they ended up watching him as he nodded off a few times.
I am up...surfing online and filled with anticipation about tomorrow

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

LAZY....

is what I have been all day...but can you blame me as Rick and I went out last night to help my Soror Lisa celebrate her 40th birthday...we only stayed until midnight but we both were so tired from the week's events that our lack of sleep finally caught up with us both. I did have to get up to go pick up the kids from my MIL's house but once we got home this afternoon...everyone took naps. Rick had to take an extra nap as he is planning on going to work tonight as the big CEO from his job is coming in as this Wednesday, is a big day at his job...they are voting for or against having union representation. Both Rick and I believe in the union since we both have had jobs in which we were union members.

With today being a lazy day...I did not spend much time in the kitchen...just in the bed. I did not even bother with laundry...which was kinda nice.
With the championship games today...we did spend time watching those as the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburg Steelers are slated to play in the SuperBowl in a couple of weeks...I am going with Pittsburg.

Our highlight for the day was Alexandre' and Allegra having an interesting treat after their dinner.






I let them pick out these cereal straws...which is new to me. There is so many things on the market for kids to eat that are of course bad for them and we do give them things in moderation...by us not giving them sweets a lot, we are able to use it to our advantage.

I will not be staying up late tonight...long day tomorrow

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Busy Saturday...

Woke up this morning...tired from working late at the crop last night but was ready to face the day.
We ended up not going to Alexandre's basketball class...instead...we went roller skating. The twins were invited to attend my girlfriend's daughter's 5th birthday party at the Lynnwood Roller Rink...the same place that the movie "Roll, Bounce" was made starring Little Bow Wow a few years ago. Let's just say that we all need lessons. Now the twins have been skating before at a roller rink, last year for another birthday party...and we did buy them kiddie skates to skate around in so it was not totally unfamiliar territory. Allegra was the cautious one...staying on the carpet for the most part and Alexandre'...well, after a few falls, bumps, and even a few tears got the hang of it. Here are a few photos from our day of rollerskating...

Alex holding his rental skates...he wants us to buy him some black ones with wheels that light up.

Allegra on the carpet after falling a few times...she wants white skates with pink pom-poms

The twins with the birthday girl Ms. Ashley

So now, I am in the process of finding somewhere for me to take them to go and take a few lessons...stay tuned for that endeavor.
I took them to my MIL afterwards since Rick and I had plans to celebrate my Soror's 40th birthday party. It has been a while since we have been out together...at least out to a club. Lisa's party was slated to play House Music all night long...which is what we all grew up on and we were not disappointed. We got there kinda early as to avoid finding parking and to make sure that we ate (she had a great buffet) and then the libations flowed and the music was pumped. We did not dance as Rick was tired from working a 12 hour shift prior to us going and he has to work a 12 hour shift tomorrow, so we just relaxed and enjoyed the music and each other. So glad to have an evening out to ourselves...and might I add...we looked good...(I wish my arm was a little longer to take this photo or a little taller...cut Rick off just alittle...OOPS)

The Colemans...So Fresh...So Clean

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me