Double Take

I couldn't believe my eyes...on the way to work this morning-I work on a pretty remote location and all you ever really see are trucks, sure there are the occasional nice cars, but for the most part, it's trucks riding along the 15 at 7 in the morning.

Anyway...

So, there I am going through the back roads, also known as Gopher Canyon when I notice that one car up, it's a very nice BMW, looks to be at least a 2007 with a big sticker on the back: "STUDENT DRIVER". Whoa! What? No, that doesn't say "student driver" on a BMW does it? Holy s@%$, it does! Then as we continue around the winding road, you can definitely tell it's a student driver, with their cautious and let's face it horrible control of the car techniques. As soon as we (that would be me and the car directly in front me) think we'll escape this so-called student driver, they too turn onto the freeway. Perfect opportunity to see if it really is a student.

Yes, yes it was! Ok so Lt. Frank Drebin wasn't in the car like the image, but a girl looking frighteningly similar to this actress was definitely in the driver seat-in a BMW!!!!!

I know I'm not all that fresh out of High School, but I'm definitely not all that old either and I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that there was a 2007 BMW with a STUDENT DRIVER in it! I mean, we're on the 15 freeway, not in Beverly Hills. And I don't know about you, but my car was a beat up old Toyota Camry (circa 1981 at least) and my instructor was a buddy of mine, so we really didn't drive around-I mean we did, but to our friends house.

But let me tell you, if I was in a BMW, there would have many more miles on the car and many more hours behind the wheel. I mean, if a kid learns to drive in a BMW, then what do you think they're going to ask for on their birthday?

Apart from the Camry, my parents taught me how to drive on a Jeep Wrangler that I wasn't tall enough to push in the clutch, therefore stalling multiple times and learning to deal with the pressure of people behind you honking and waiting for you. Maybe that's why I'm such a good driver today-I can only imagine how I might end up learning to drive in a BMW!!!!

Happy Trails and Happy Blogging!

Go Get Em Tiger!

This one is going out to my girl Madge. She is embarking on a new adventure...called applying for a promotion-well sort of. It's a new job position, same company, different location :( and I think more money :)

This post is also to encourage her to....ACTUALLY WRITE SOMETHING! I've been working this blog like a one-woman show and lemme tell ya, I'm tired! I mean, I'm the bonafide GHE girl and writing things for GHF can be really tiresome. I know things are going great in my life, but I'm also an overworked, underpaid, too tired, hormonal woman! Let me rest!

Ok getting back on track...so I'm writing because this is a HUGE opportunity for my fellow blogger and I wish her the best of luck, although the thought of her moving away is a sad, sad thought-I can't blame her. I mean I moved all the way to NYC, so I guess it's her turn.

Good luck Madge!

Happy Blogging!

Maybe Not So Bad

As you all know (whomever you all are), I'm pregnant and engaged and loving life-not saying that I need a man or a baby to validate myself, but a family is something I've always wanted and now I have it-so who wouldn't be happy, right?

Sharing in my excitement, I decided that since all of my cousins (except for 2, that's out of like 20), all have their own little family blogs, which is a great thing, because we all live in like 7 different states and with kids and families growing, it's great to stay in touch. Naturally, I took it upon myself to start one for my little family and to let everyone know about it, I sent out a mass email. I normally don't do the mass emails, I try my hardest to stay personally connected to people and mass messages, don't always work.

So last week, I type up this cute little message and send it to everyone in my contact list and hit send. Then I realize (having baby brain) that I forgot to send the link, so then I send another one, with a spelling error, but whatever, I have baby brain, so it's excusable right? Sure.

Well, the one thing that may not be excusable is sending it to someone I used to date. The someone whom I've written countless blogs about (Owl with Iron Clad Panties, Return of the Toolbox, Toolbox-Friday the 13th, The Dater Who Wouldn't Die, etc). WHOOPS! That's all I can say,  for my action. I really didn't know that I sent to said person, until I checked my email the next day and saw his response.

Here's why, this posting is in Glass Half Full and not in GHE-because he was really sweet and supportive. He was happy that I was happy (whether it was fake or not, it's still nice). So, we've been emailing each other, he's actually getting a job in my neck of the woods-no, don't worry, no plans on seeing him anytime soon. Why would I do that to myself, my honey or the baby, right? I'm not sick, just dumb with baby brain :)

I don't regret my feelings I've had for this guy, good and bad-I mean, he really was a toolbox to me-but who am I to be mightier than thou? I'm not here to judge someone, plus, maybe we'll get a baby gift from him :) It's all about the baby, right?

People can change or grow or have a come to Jesus moment-whatever the case is, everyone deserves the right to change and who are others to not allow that to happen. You can't control other people's actions, you can only control your own reaction.

And that's one to grow on!

Happy Blogging!

Eating & Shopping for 2!

So another couple of perks about being pregnant is that you can literally eat & shop for 2 with no excuses!

I have yet to take on the eating for 2-I wasn't sick in my first trimester and I'm not sick, now that I'm almost 5 months-but my appetite isn't what it probably should be. Now, I'm not a small woman, I'm not a BBG (Big Bone Gal) either, more of an athletic build, I guess. But my stomach feels small and fills up more quickly. Plus, my sweet tooth (which wasn't that apparent to begin with) has almost completely vanished! A non-diary, frozen yogurt will do and usually lasts me a couple of days every now and then, but I must tell you-I cannot get enough veggies or fruit. I think it has to do with the water content, because I have never been more thirsty in all my life. Believe you, me-drinking water isn't a problem for me and I can say that I easily drink a few liters of water throughout the day and that's just water!

The shopping for 2 is easier for me to swallow (except for the bank account)-one item for me, one item for the baby, 2 items for me and my growing belly, one item for the baby who has yet to enter the world...etc. Again, no need to come up with an excuse and I'm not the type of lady or mother that would buy something designer, knowing that I or the baby will grow out of it. But much like water, I cannot get enough of finding little dresses or skirts-the most comfortable things ever and luckily for me, I live in San Diego, where I could get away with wearing them throughout my pregnancy!

Speaking of shopping-we have found out the sex of our baby and I don't think it's a surprise to anyone, but we're having a boy! I grew up with 2 older brothers, so having a little girl was making me nervous and all I really want is a strong, healthy baby-but having a little boy has made me giddy and ecstatic! I cannot wait to see him-in the ultrasound, he behaved much like a boy. Playing hide and seek, so we couldn't see his face-and he was stretched out, so there was no doubt that he is a boy! He let his man parts be known :)

Maybe I am growing soft as I continue to grow, but to be pregnant with a child is a real blessing and I thank everyone involved for their continuous support and love.

Pregnancy is the New Thin.

That was a tank-top I recently saw in Motherhood and I couldn't agree more. Yes, readers (if there are any out there), my blogs are now going to consist of the goods, the bads and the super ugly of being prego!

So, let's start with the good shall we? Since, I've only experience a handful of sick days and the rest have been not too shabby.

• First off-my skin has never looked so clean and clear, that whole pregnancy glow is true-so luckily for me, my skin is really liking all these extra hormones and I'm really loving my skin these days-I wear minimal make-up (not like I wore a lot), but a few moments in the sun, gives me that perfect sun kissed glow, so I'm welcoming summer with open pores!
• Secondly, my girls have always been more than average and although I never wanted to draw attention to them before-the shape that they're now taking-no doctor could emulate and if you have one that could, pass the number, cuz you know what kids do to the girls.
• Next, God bless whomever invented, discovered, the Belly Band! This is really, the pregnant women's (and even post-pregnancy) best-friend. Especially in this economy where ever penny counts-I have yet to buy maternity pants and with the Belly Band, I don't plan on it. One of my sister-in-laws swears by it and the other one has already shared her old maternity clothes with me. Extra savings for the baby-maybe we can afford college now :)
• Exercise has never been second-guessed (and neither has a craving)-my beau is working out more (I think it's because he doesn't want to gain the typical father 15), which forces me to walk my 5 miles a day and my legs are getting more shapely than when I was training.
• A softer side of me has come through-hormones definitely win some mood swing battles, but my patience level and compassion has stepped up and I really like this side of me-I think there was so much before that I was bitter about (check out earlier posts to get the scoop), that now that I have practically everything (still wanting an Audi and a house), that there isn't much (or anything at all) to be bitter about. Except for my annoying neighbors, which I'm trying a more patient and understanding approach to.
• I've never had too much in common with my mom (except for attitude, fashion sense and facial expressions), but it's nice to know that the symptoms I'm going through, she also went through. And I'm sure once the Cubican is here, there will be just that much more to relate (and disagree) on.
• Food isn't a problem (and even my brother who is my trainer, told me not to worry about what I eat), but I haven't had those typical (myths) cravings of ice cream with pickles or french fries with chocolate-but being a rather healthy eater-vegetables and fruit with all their water content seems to fill my plate these days. Which might be another reason why I love walking/exercising and my skin looks great.

Well, those were just a few perks of being pregnant-like I mentioned-I'm sure there is bad and ugly to come (especially during delivery, since I'm going au naturale), so stay tuned.

Happy Blogging!

Coming Around

There is nothing like the feeling when you realize that your family absolutely loves the man you love!
Maybe it was her post-surgery talk, but my mother said to me: "The more I hang out with Teo, the more I like him." I told her, "That's good, because he's not going anywhere."

My family had decided to take a mini family vacation this weekend to Palm Springs-nothing fancy, just some time with one another, bonding in the sun and pool with all 5 kids! Teo and I definitely need the practice and boy did we get it-it was so much fun and the kids love Teo!!! They love him so much that last night as my brother was pulling up to my parents house, his son saw Teo's truck and yelled: "Yeah, Teo's here!" They used to say that when seeing my car, but I'm happy to turn them over to Teo for a bit :)

It also says a lot that he isn't afraid to call, talk or hang out with any one of my family members. Not saying that my family is intimidating, but Teo has a sense of self-confidence and he's really comfortable, that he calls up my dad to see what he's doing, same with my brothers. It's a really great thing to find a man who feels comfortable with your family. And in turn who feel comfortable around him, especially the kids-they're very good judges of character :)

So to all of those who have this, welcome us to the club!

Deep Fried Tater Tots

Breezy is back in action and here I am as well -- she has a knack for kicking my booty into gear.

I could not be happier for the mom and dad to be....I have "named" the baby Six as it will be the 6th grandchild on her side. I can't wait to paint Six's nails and dress her up like a little doll :)....or play catch with him....whatever Six turns out to be, I will be thrilled!

So, life is more than half full for both of us these days, thus the infrequent blogging. I had an amazing day off today....workout, Starbucks, mani/pedi, general lolly-gagging, and a trip to the grocery store.

I bought my man some beautiful daffodils -- cheap, cheerful and a ray of sunshine -- and I decided to walk through the store to find something I could make for dinner. I said to myself....what are you craving? The answer, my friends....Tater Tots.

Known as "gems" in the Midwest (a long funny story behind that one, folks) -- they are warm, crunchy pieces of carb heaven. Not quite a balanced meal, but oh well -- life is too short.

I just took them out of the freezer and the starchy golden smell is starting to waft toward me from the kitchen. I did have to laugh a little when I was reading the directions on the bag. Oven ready at 450, I started arranging the frozen nuggets on the cookie sheet as I was scanning the bag for the cooking time.

I almost laughed out loud, my friends, when (under the baking times) I saw the following options -- pan fry or deep fry. Really? They are already Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Tater Tots -- need we add more grease and fat to these suckers?

It made me think -- can something as yummy as Tater Tots be EVEN BETTER than it already is? I don't own a deep fryer nor do I feel like pan frying -- but I digress....can good be even better? Yes - it can.

Our love can grow, our life can improve, our outlook can change -- we can all do better and be better each day.

Even those who once doubted true love can find it (Breezy) -- but not only find it, be blown away by it.

That's life -- it never fails to surprise us. And hey, even Tater Tots have options.

Can you improve on perfection? Maybe you can. What I do know is Tater Tots are good and so is life.

Here's to seeing you on the Half Full side more often. Off to eat my Tots ;)