Category: Photos

I had the best birthday, ever. My 21st birthday comes close, where Mom went all out since I hadn’t had a proper birthday party since I was 2. She got me a Hello Kitty centerpiece, a Hello Kitty piñata, candy bags for the kids, a Hello Kitty cake and Mary made a great dinner. While other 21 year olds get plastered, I had a piñata .

I hadn’t really been “into” my birthday this year. I started going through the whole “I’m getting OLD” thing and then Mario had to switch his Friday off (my birthday) for Tuesday so that we could go finish up the paperwork for the Equinox in Harlingen.

(We got home extra early on Tuesday after school due to our Final, which I got a 104 on . Mario and I went straight over there after we ate lunch. We got there, got in the Equinox with Mike and went to the bank. Our paperwork wasn’t ready. Either one of the guys at the dealership hadn’t confirmed the paperwork or the guy who was in charge of it at the bank hadn’t worked on it at all. It was supposed to be ready since Monday morning. Anyway, took them about 4 hours to get everything ready. Mario and I were becoming delirious with boredom in the waiting room, so it was a relief when Mike came over and asked if we were ready to go to the bank. (Uh, yeah!) It took a total of 5 minutes to go through everything and sign everything. Our payments will be a little more than they’d told us on Saturday. They’d estimated $380 but we’ll be paying $428, which is still really good. So, yay, the truck is officially ours!)

I bought two pairs of capris at Melrose afterschool on Thursday (which John hated every minute of) and I thought shopping would make me feel a little better but it didn’t. In fact, it made me feel just a tad bit worse since I couldn’t find one blouse to match my pants. Either they didn’t have my size in the shirt I liked or the sizes they did have didn’t fit around my boobs. Grr.

I kept praying Mario would pull some strings and get out early but he called about an hour before everyone arrived for my get-together and said he didn’t think he’d be able to leave early because they had a lot of work to do. That bummed me out, and he could tell so he started talking about when I’d want to buy the Doony & Bourke bag I wanted. I told him I changed my mind and we said our good-byes and hung up. He calls about half an hour later, when I was at Mary’s with her, Mom, Noelia, and Andy. He said he called to ask me something but he forgot what and asked if everyone was there yet. I told him no, and we hung up. And then he comes through the door with these in his arms:

The most gorgeous roses he’s ever gotten me, two cards (one made me cry), Fun With Dick and Jane, and Crash. I thought it was so adorable that he actually stood there and picked out the perfect cards . (Don’t mind the mess next to the stuff. They’re candy bags for Jaylen’s birthday party.)

That was the best surprise I could have gotten–Mario being there of course, not just the presents LOL. I was so thrilled he’d get to be there with all of us. Everyone was here (except for my dad-in-law) and we had the best shrimp cocktail. I had two bowls . Mom had already told me about the ice cream cake from Dairy Queen she’d bought me, but I thought it was incredibly cute how Mary and Mario were trying to surprise me. Mom’s so not good at keeping secrets! She tells me what she buys me for holidays and birthdays all the time!

After eating the delicious cake I opened my gifts. Everyone got me such nice things:

Andy gave me that adorable compact mirror he made himself at work. I thought that was the sweetest thing :). How’d he know I needed a new mirror?

A Hello Kitty plush and a beautiful silver bracelet from the boys . Elda told me later that Eenan had called her and asked if she had money he could have to buy me a present–aww!!

A jewelry box (always wanted one like that!) and two of those straight, jeweled clips I love from Elda, Jose, and their boys. She also got me the crown and beads I wore all night–those are her trademark. She gives them to all the girls on their birthday.

An address book, a beautiful gold ring with a pink heart-shaped CZ that matches the necklace and earrings I already have, and crimpers for scrapbooking from Mary, Noelia and Big Mario. I really have to get my zillions of pictures printed out so I can use all the fabulous scrapbooking stuff I have!

A set of black cherry bath stuff from Cat, Annie, and the kids. They smell great and the basket was the cutest thing!

It was such a great night. We all talked and laughed as we usually do when we have get-togethers like that. We spent a lot of the night reminiscing about our pasts, like memories of choking for example. When everyone left, Mario and I watched Crash. That movie was just awesome.

Since I spent most of the day cleaning Friday (yes, on my birthday, but I hadn’t thoroughly cleaned the house so it had to be done), I only did minimal cleaning on Saturday morning and then John, Mom, the boys and I headed to town. We ate at McDonald’s, then I deposited at the bank, put gas in the truck and we left to town. Mario gave me $100 to spend (I couldn’t stand the thought of getting only one item–the Dooney bag–when I could get so much more for a hundred less). I’d seen some cute tops and purse at Ross so I wanted to check the store out. I don’t care what anyone says–that store rocks. The amount of people there was ridiculous (Mexico is having it’s “spring break”, great!) and there’s crap strewn everywhere but I found a whole bunch of stuff I like. And to my surprise, most of it fit!! I got 8 blouses, a pair of sleep shorts and a Full/Queen sized quilt for $99. I’d originally gotten another shirt and some shorts but took those two back and got the quilt. It’s just too pretty.

I had a great birthday :).

Took Eenan to the doctor on Wednesday and his chin’s fine. Jaylen also asked me to take him in since his leg has this dry patch of hairless skin that hasn’t gone away. He very seriously said, “I think I’m turning into a lizard…”

We’d gone to Jorge and Maggie’s on Thursday night (after eating at that taqueria we go to, mmm!) and we had the displeasure of meeting their psycho neighbor. That dude freaked me out. He kept saying, “I’m the coolest motherfucker you’ll ever meet“, while also talking about how he’ll kill somebody. And it all started because Mario and Hiram walked through the center of his and Jorge’s yard.

As for Easter, we had a great time. We had such good food, the kids had a blast opening their baskets and breaking the piñata and then we had dessert. We didn’t do one of the things that makes Easter, Easter: cracking the eggs! It was too hot, but we plan to do that this Saturday.

K. I’ve spent a whole hour updating, thanks to Mario’s interruptions. I’ve had to lunge at him and kick his ass a few times. He thinks it’s hilarious to spin my chair, kick my chair, and fart in my face while I’m on the computer. He’s worse than the kids!

P.S. Thank you for the birthday wishes! On here and on Myspace .

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Let me begin by saying that the DMV in McAllen, TX is the devil. And now, the entry:

Two Sundays ago (3/5) we went to South Padre Island (Mario, the boys, Mary, and I) to see the car/audio show at the convention center and then spent a few hours on the beach. The car show was cool. Some of the cars from Mario’s work were there and some of the cars were crazy. The boys loved posing in front of the “big trucks” for pictures. It wasn’t hot at all out so it was gorgeous. The water was freezing and there was seaweed everywhere, but it was such a nice time.

I had a day off on Friday (3/10) due to the graduation the day before (which I attended with John. It lasted a mere 30 minutes ) and decided, after two solid weeks of preparing John for his driver’s test, that it was time to take him to get his license. He’d been driving when we’d visit Gramma at the nursing home and I had him driving me around in residential areas and down the expressway so I knew he was ready. We woke up early that day, I dropped the kids off at school (their last day before Spring Break), I gave John a practice test around the neighborhood and at 8:30a.m. we left for the DMV. Not before stopping by Aziz to withdraw money from the ATM and picking up a French Vanilla cappuccino for me and a SoBe Adrenaline drink for John. We felt good and I felt positive that he’d pass both tests.

We get there, he fills out the forms and at around 9:30 he takes the computer test. He passes with a 73. I had taken my book with me to read and just had it shut on my lap. Instead, I was praying that he’d pass. When I saw him get up and walk to the counter I glance at him and he nods. Good! He passed. We happily wait to set up an appointment and they tell us they’re filled for the day. GRR! I complain about how I go to school from 8-12, there’s no one else who can bring him and he NEEDS this license because he needs to enroll in school very soon. “First come, first serve” they say. Fine. We’re forced to go back on Monday.

Mario and I get into a fight that day. A fight where I scream, he screams and I slap the face. Yeah, that bad. Hadn’t had a fight like that in…years and I felt horrible after it happened. We sat around sulking for about 15 minutes then he starts telling me about how his friend’s going to sell him this really awesome PDA phone and he wanted me to have it. We made small talk and somehow silently reconciled and left with Jaylen (Eenan was in school but when we picked him up we got him McDonald’s too :)) to town. We stopped for some McDonald’s and then made our way to McAllen. We went CRAZY spending money that day. It felt really good to just spend and not have to worry about it (although I did make it a point to save every receipt to balance the checkbook later). We got a wireless keyboard and mouse, USB splitter thingy, Norton 2006 (finally!), and a PC to TV projector. The PC to TV thing is so awesome. It’s external and we don’t have to bother burning our movies to VCD and then just chucking them and wasting CDs; we can just watch them directly on TV. I can even update from the couch, but I need new glasses so I have trouble seeing the words .

Spent most of Saturday in Reynosa, Mexico with Noelia, Andy, Mary, and Annie pricing and picking out stuff for Andy and Noey’s wedding. They found a few things they liked and then we ate at the Parian, I think it’s called. I know they also call it El Mercado, or Market.

Annie pointed out a beautiful straight clip (don’t know what they’re really called) and I bought it. It even came with two little clips. Total cost: $1.80! Those usually cost anywhere from $5-15. I bought my birth control and once we were done with everything we came back, I made a payment at JC Penny, got Mario some drinks he asked for from Taco Bell, then went to Princess Bridal. I tried on a dress from the Belsoie catalog and everyone said it looked nice. So far, I think it’s pretty, but I’ll probably end up changing my mind, knowing me. Good thing is there’s plenty of time and I already know what the brides maid’s dresses look like so I won’t pick the same one.

I spent most of Sunday here. Mario had all kinds of stuff to do and I basically just chilled out here with the kids. I didn’t mind. I was so tired. Lately I’ve been falling asleep by 7 p.m., but I have so much stuff to do that I end up staying awake till 11:30 most of the time. It sucks! I hate feeling like I have no energy. I’m afraid to know how tired I’ll be once I have a full-time job!

I took John with me to school on Monday so we could drive straight over to the DMV once school was over to set up an appointment. We get there and lo and behold, they’re filled for the day. They tell us we should try and be there early in the morning, possibly before they open, and wait in line. We had lots of time left so we waited for Mario at his work and went with him to eat at Jesse’s. We had a botana and it was delicious. Jesse’s never disappoints.

The next day we rush over to the DMV at 7:10 a.m. I’m 20 minutes late for class, Ricci didn’t make it to the house on time so she didn’t go to school, but we set up an appointment for 2 p.m. that day. Whew.

We get some lunch at Taco Bell after school since we’re starving from leaving home so early and not having breakfast and take some tacos and a drink to Mario. Then we’re off. We’re at the DMV super early, but we feel good about the whole thing and wait. 2 p.m. rolls around and I get out of the car so John could take his test. I stood against the wall and prayed and then I see John driving straight into a parking space. I run over there and ask what happened. He says my goddamn left break light is out. WONDERFUL. I was so damn pissed I almost cried. 3rd damn day we’d been at that DMV. The light was working fine before. I blame my luck and drive to Mario’s where I ask him to check the light and what I need to buy to fix it. He checks it, says he knew it’d been messing up (gee, thanks for telling me, buddy!), and sends me to buy a clear bulb at Pep Boys. I buy it, take it to Mario who had to re-wire everything and did so in less than 3 minutes, and after thanking him immensely we take off back to the DMV. What do they tell us? “You lost your spot. Be here early tomorrow to set up an appointment.” I could have hit somebody, but there were cops everywhere. After running my mouth to deaf ears for about 7 minutes straight I just walked out. I felt a lump in my throat, my ears burning, my chest tightening and was about to cry from the rage. I hate the DMV.

Mary called when we were on our way home and we made a plan: she’d take John with her in the morning on her way to work and she’d drop him off at the DMV to make the appointment. He decided to wait there and when I got out of school I got a snack for him (sour cream and onion chips and a Nestea) and met him over there. We parked and he ate. We did a mini-inspection to make sure everything was working correctly and it was, thank God. At 1 we parked under the carport thing where you start the driving test and waited. John kept making jokes to calm his nerves and after a while I read my book while he played Solitaire on my phone. 2 p.m. rolled around and so did the clouds. My, how those clouds were dark and full of rain. But too bad, he had to do it. He did well on his parallel parking and since it started to pour I went into the building. I sat there with my fingers crossed and at the first sight of his baggy pants I motioned a “how’d it go?” with my head and he smiled and nodded. Woo hoo! I knew he would get his license. Darn DMV. 4 ridiculous days, but he did it!

I needed to stop for turtle food at Wal-Mart and since I promised John I’d make Margaritas if he got his license, I bought some cute margarita glasses. Just two, since we’re the only ones who drink them LOL.

We already set an appointment for him to talk to an admissions person tomorrow at 1:30. We’ll have to take the kiddos with us since Mom has to go too to sign papers and Financial Aid stuff so I’ll be praying for the best. I hope they don’t give him crap at school about not having a picture ID. His license will be here in 3 weeks–I hope they cut him some slack. Ooh, and since I referred him I get a free school shirt. $23 saved!

2006 is going to be a good year for the both of us. I just know it .

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So much has happened since I last updated. I got over my clothes-buying crisis the day after I updated. I went back to Target with Ricci the day before my presentation and found a single white bra in my size, these shoes:

and also bought some really cute sleep shorts. Have you seen all the cute PJ’s they have there? SO CUTE.

Everyone told me I looked really nice in my outfit and that made me feel really good (and really silly for having a breakdown the day before). It took me a while to learn to walk in shoes that weren’t flat, but I conquered them! John referred to me as Linguini Legs as I wiggled side-to-side while I was “practicing” my strut all afternoon before the presentation.

Though I kept saying “Umm” (I’ve NEVER done that before) and got the annoying habit of sliding the ring on my middle finger in and out during my 14-slide presentation, I did pretty good. I got a 98 for my final and a 99 for my overall class grade. Woo!

Our new class is Customer Service and man, I was dreading it. Turns out it’s my favorite class so far! Lectures are always interesting, yesterday we got to act out scenarios (one person would be the rude customer, the other the customer service representative) and all of the skits were hilarious. Ricci and I were partners and I was a Whataburger cashier and she was the customer. Today we had a field trip…TO THE MALL! How freaking awesome is that?? We had to interact with 5 CSRs and grade their performance. 4 of my CSRs were wonderful, the only ones that were in sort of “blah” moods were the girls from Rainbow. I do love that store, though. I bought two really cute pairs of sleep shorts for $3.99 each! Cheaper than the (really cute) ones I bought at WalMart and Target! I’m currently obsessed with sleep shorts; not only because the boxers I currently own are about 5 years old (hadn’t bought any since I worked at Old Navy!), but OMG, have you seen the cute styles lately??

We finished up our little interviews and then the whole class met at the food court to eat lunch. We all ordered from Villa Pizza, or Pizza Villa–one of those. Lucy, Ricci and I got the stuffed pizzas (mmm!) and Mayra got the lasagna. I’m hungry just thinking about it.

Oh! Mrs. C-R announced who the students of the month were and I was the student of the month for January! Fernando got it for February, which is so awesome for him. Since we were students of the month, we got free vouchers to take our Power Point certification exams. How freaking awesome is that?? I’m so nervous and excited! It was such great news. I had a fantastic day and that just added the cherry on top. I love Mrs. C-R .

When I got home I downloaded some music to my Flash Drive (Mario bought this really cool CD player for the car that has a USB port! I just insert my 1 GB Drive into the radio and it plays my music!), then Mario, Jaylen and I went to pick up Mario’s check. He made the biggest check out of all the ones he’s made while working there. I’m so proud of my love. He’s a great worker :).

We picked Eenan up from school, rescheduled his follow-up appointment for an earlier time (he’s had the worst cough–all is well now, though), then we went to watch Doogal which Mario hated. He fell asleep. I thought it was cute, but it really was a kid’s cartoon. I didn’t really get into it much. The characters kinda creeped me out, except for Doogal himself.

After that we went to Wal-Mart to get all the pet food, a mop (since my Vileda I had for 3 years finally broke apart–I refuse to use a regular mop), some DS games we promised the boys, and some trusty Swiffer Dust Wipes. Those are my new favorite cleaning product. A big plus is the extender thing…I don’t even have to get off the couch to dust!

And now I’m here, with a weird sore throat (I feel like I have a popcorn kernel stuck in there) and disappointed at the mushy strawberries I was hoping to eat. I could have some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream but I’m too tired to fight with the brick-hard ice cream. That could possibly be the best ending to a pretty cool day, though.

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