I know you've been anxiously awaiting my reviews.  They are on the right on their own pages. I do feel as though I'm an expert now.

I am back from our wonderfully-long vacation. I have a lot to write about which I will but probably not today.  Although by 7:30 a.m., I was already caught up on my work. How sweet is that?? I didn't even have any voicemail.  So that means people either didn't care I was gone or they missed me so much they wanted to wait until I returned to talk to me.

 More later!

For the next couple of weeks, I'll be in sunny Florida. At least it better be sunny while I am there.  After a hard decision, we gave up our trip to Spain to take the family to Disney/Sea World.  I imagine my daughter passing out or breaking down into tears as she approaches Cincerella's castle and it'll be worth it.  (She doesn't know yet) She is prime age to go and appreciate everything.  After seeing a commercial for Disney that included a baby, she informed me that her baby brother could go and that we wouldn't need to wait until he was older (our argument for the past year).  So yeah, we broke down.  It'll end up costing about the same as Spain, but, the money will be used for more things than just airfare. 

We have a lunch scheduled with the Disney princesses which should be fun. I just hope she's not too shy to actually talk or hug one.  Enjoy your next couple of weeks and don't miss me too much (that includes you Cheese).

Get shivers by watching this!! (LINK) Seriously.

I welcomed my son one year ago. It was a very rough pregnancy and I made sure that during the c-section, the doctors fixed me up so I could never go through that again. My emotions were very mixed throughout but once I held my baby boy in my arms, all that went away. I'm very in love with him. I prepared myself to fall in love after being convinced it would happen by my friend the Cheese. Yesterday we celebrated his birthday and it was a lot of fun. He loved his cake and enjoyed smearing it all over his face and head.  My daughter wouldn't touch her cake but he loved it.  He had a smile throughout his party and seemed to enjoy being held by everyone.  Can't ask for more than that.  Happy Birthday Little Man!!!

Ok – I'm not skinny yet nor do I ever want to be. I would never want to be a size 4 or even a size 6.  Sorry – that's just to boney for me.  I used to be that size in, uh, like 8th grade.  8 is ok by me. But then what's in a size, right? 

Anyway, I broke down and hired a personal trainer.  I see him once a week and have lost about 5 lbs in the last month.  And not only the 5 lbs, but, I'm wearing pants today that I couldn't put on two weeks ago. Fabulous, eh?  I'm working on doing more exercising between my sessions but its tough. I do dance whenever I can but haven't much lately just due to hubby traveling and not having time.  But once I add in a couple of cardio sessions per week…I'll be better than ever.  And I swear if anyone from this point forward asks if I'm pregnant – I'll curse them out.

Mr. T getting his own TV Show. Awesome. Ok. I'll admit it right here and now. I had a Mr. T action doll when I was younger. And honestly, the reason I use the word 'fool' today is because of him. You might be surprised at how many people get offended when you call them a fool. That usually means they feel like a fool already. And then there are those people who laugh when you call them a fool. Those are cool people. I'll be looking forward to Mr. T's show knowing that people around the country are gonna be called out for what they really are.

I wonder what it is like to be David Blaine. To never be satisfied. To always wonder what else is out there to try. To put life on the line just for publicity. I used to be fascinated by David. I had seen clips of his where he did some cool and amazing tricks. I've never been one to want to see how tricks area done. I hated those shows where they revealed how some are done. I refused to watch them. I want to be amazed and wowed. I think slight of hand is very cool. However, the living in an aquarium and the holding of breath – not so amazing. I could really care less. He even has a poster you can buy (which looks really cool but still).I know that there are adrenaline junkies out there who really have a need to feel that rush. So they jump out of airplanes, they hang glide, and whatever other thing they can think up. I'm quite content in my life to not feel that adrenaline pump – at least not like that. I can honestly say that is one thing in my life that motherhood changed. I no longer have the need to scubadive (I know they say its safe – I just would get so claustrophobic). I used to one to sky dive – not anymore. It even took me a couple of years before I could ride a roller coaster again which makes me kinda whimpy, I know, but I couldn't stand the thought of anything happening. I'm back on roller coasters but not back to the other more dangerous activities. I'm content to get my rush on the dance floor or in the bedroom (as much as possible) and thankfully, have no desire to be drowned alive or watch someone else take part in a similar stunt.

What is it with the building of so many banks.  I live in an area where there is constantly new development taking place on a daily basis.  New strip malls (whoohoo – need more of those too, eh?), restaurants, housing developments, etc. The one thing I don't understand is the need for more banks. Who here banks online, raise your hand!  I know we do. I rarely have to go into the bank. Sometimes we need things notarized and so we'll go. Otherwise, I can do everything outside of the bank.  ATMs work great.  More and more people are doing things electronically with banking and so, I just can't figure out why I'm seeing at least 5 banks being built right now in my area.  That is space that could be used for shoe stores or coffee shops. 

And speaking of banks… why all the fees?  Nothing pisses me off more than seeing $6/month go out of my account.  I use a bank that is close to my house and has ATMs available just about anywhere I go in the DC area.  I guess that's what I'm paying for, right?  But $6?  I've tried looking into the no-fee checking accounts but wow do you have to meet a lot of qualifications.

I think I might start using my mattress to hold my money.  Its not like my money is gaining interest in the bank.  I do have an ING Direct account and its great.  4.15% interest right now.  Take that you banks!!!

Our deck is done. Whoohoo!  I grilled my perfect steaks last night and it was nice to just walk from my kicthen, 4 steps to the sunroom, out the door to my grill, and back again.  Previously, I had to carry everything downstairs, through the basement, to the grill, wait around down there for things to be done cooking, and then carry everything upstairs again.  With this process, I often forgot to put the cover back on the grill and my poor grill is hurting because of it.  However, now that its on my deck, it won't be such a pain to walk all the way from my bed to the deck when I forget the cover.  And, btw, my steaks WERE perfect.  I have yet to ruin steaks when I grill them.  So moist…tender… mmmmmm

My daughter played her soccer game on Saturday and LOVED it. I knew she would once she gave it a try w/o crying.  There was still some crying but mostly because the girl needed a nap prior to the game.  She's up by 5:45 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. on the weekends and still needs her naps.  I keep trying to ween her a bit since when she starts school she won't get naps anymore but she loves them. Just like her papi.  She didn't get the ball in the goal but she came close.  And really – I'm past my 'have-to-win' ways.  Although I almost yelled "push him out of the way!!!" to her at one point and had to bite my tongue.  Can you imagine the parents if I had said that?  Yeah – they would love me.  I was very happy that she didn't cry and had so much fun.  Now to get the girl in shape.  She stopped once and said "I'm so tired of running!!!".  I guess for 4 year olds, they don't get to play positions so she was running all over – ineffectively.  Next lesson – how to use the field wisely w/o getting so tired.

I visited the Museum of American History on Sunday. I went specifically to see the Celia Cruiz exhibition. It was really great.  They had some of the 'costumes' or 'outfits' that she wore along with some awesome shoes. If I had downloaded my pics from my camera, I'd post a couple.  I think they did a nice job of capturing her 'essence'.  There was a lot of music playing as well as a couple videos of her life.  If you're unfamiliar with her music, go to Amazon.com and listen to some clips.  No woman has ever accomplished what she did with salsa music.  She was an amazing woman and is very missed in the music world.