NEW YORK CITY

The City that NEVER sleeps. literally! There's so much to cover! That is one cool city. It would've been nice to go out without kids but oh well.
We stayed at my cousin's apartment. You couldn't ask for a BETTER location! She lived right on the corner of 56th and Broadway. Up the street was Times Square, David Letterman's show within window view, and Sean John(P.Diddy)building. You headed east a few blocks and you're in Central Park, right near 5th ave, a few blocks from Columbus, and a hop skip and jump away from Rockafeller Center. We were in the heart of it all. She lives on the 27th floor. The views were AMAZING. I have tonz of pictures but they don't do any justice with what we saw.
The first night, we just hung out at my cousins apartment. I tried to order food but everything was closed, surprisingly. We went to times Square the next morning. We had breakfast at a diner next to David Letterman(the building). Then we hit up the usual big tourist shops there. We walked to the Fashion District, which is around 10th avenue and 39-42nd street. We then walked up to 5th ave and walked back down to 56th. I adored all of the designer stores; Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Versace, Cartier, Harry Winston, just to name a few. We had amazing Thai food that evening.
The next day, we went to Central Park, Park 5th ave (East side) and down Columbus (west side). We saw the Manhatten Temple. It sure is really neat. We visited Carnagie Hall, Metropolitan Opera House(NYC Ballet dances there as well. I ran into a few of the dancers.) We saw so much! I can't name it all.
That night, we ate at Antonio's Pizza, right next to David Letterman's Show. New York Pizza is the best. We then went to Rockafeller Center and watched the ice skaters. We goofed and walked some more! I had the best carrot cake I've ever had in my life that night. It was so much fun.
The only bad thing was, Prince was so so naughty. He misbehaved the whole time. We didn't sleep very well and I had a headache the whole time I was there. I am still recovering. It's been a nonstop migraine for a whole week. My neck is crooked from the air matress I slept on. I have bee so completely miserable. I can't continue having non stop headaches like this. They're really out of control!
We did have a great time though. Even if the children were cranky, it was still nice to get away! I wanted to do so much more but it was really difficult with two small kids. We'll go up there again!

HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!

It's his Golden one! 26 on the 26th! He had a good day! We all did!
We had the yummiest sushi and Hibachi. We LOVE sushi! Too bad our service was horrible!
Made by yours truly. Mondo Chocolate frosting, one layer of dense chocolate cake and the top layer, a white cake with mini chocolate chips in it. Garnished with more chocolate chips!
Look at that perfect cake...yum. He's enjoying it...

Wise was cranky 'cuz he just woke up. Boricua is holding up his present I made or him.
I was up til 4:30 am last night getting that darn scrapbook done! I did 14 pages in one night! He really liked it!
Everything turned out as planned. Now off to NYC to play!

Depression SUCKS

Argh...I'm so down tonight! I just feel...soooo..lethargic and down...
I had another Migraine today. I had my usual concoction of Imitrex, Tylenol and Exedrin. I also have these pain relief wipes for Fibromyalgia. It's alot like Icy Hot or Tiger's Balm. It helped. I olny have four of those left and I don't know what I'm going to do when they're gone! I can't find them anywhere now! I think I'm coming down from all of the medical poisen and it's making feel feel really blue. I've gotta get these things under control WITHOUT pumping myself with medication. I don't like doing that.
I feel so disgusted with my body. It looks so bad. I don't have the will power to eat well. I teach and I am active but I eat like garbage. It's really starting to show. I'm so disappointed in myself. I just look gross. I sometimes ask myself WHY I was given this weakness and WHY I was given large hips!! And why the heck do we have to have cellulite, huh? I don't get it. No matter how thin or in shape I am, I have cellulite. It's not as visible but it's still there! It's VERY visible now! Blah. I don't like the way I look right now!!!!!!!!
I hope I can find the strength to eat better and not feel like I'm depriving myself. On top of teaching, I want to get on a running schedule and Boricua do it with me. I know what I need to do. I use to be a work out and diet guru. That what I was going to get my college degree in...until I changed my mind. I was in excellent shape and offered to compete in fitness competitions. But...I developed an eating disorder and became way to obsessed with it all. After that horrible experience, I decided to just let it go, do everything in moderation and enjoy.
Now, I'm ready to strangle myself(not literally) for my fatty rolls and cottage cheese.
I gotta do SOMETHING. Let's see how well I'll stick to it...

P.S. Our van is a green/grayish color. It's not green but not gray. Somewhere in between.
We are really loving it. Can't wait to go to NYC in it! 3 more days!

My new Whhhiiipppp...

Pretty sweet right? Now I really feel like a Mormon Mom!

FYI

My summary of my day doesn't give it ANY JUSTICE. There was so much more going on. I'm not a WIMP! I promise!
And another, please exsuse my typing errors! I'm very good at typos!

What a CRAZY DAY...

Where do I begin? Today was too much for me. Too much. I don't have a very high stress threshold. I can only handle a few things at a time.
First off, my kids have been holy terrors. Anything they touch, they ruin, or get sticky, crumby, spitty, and so on. This place is clean for a max of 25 minutes. Prince is so defiant lately. He's trying to play head games with us and it's so frustrating! I know it's pretty normal for his age but I am not very tolerant of it. Wise is all over the place and into everything! He's not a brat, YET but just a big mess maker! I feel I can't get anything done. It's so irritating.
I am trying to get this insurance thing settled and was on the phone with our agent and our bank. I had to fax info, while the boys were grabbing the printer, pressing buttons, climbing on the computer desk, tearing dad's PC World Magazines and spreading them all over the floor, screaming and pulling at my leg. I then check the time and noticed I needed to go so solo rehearsal in a half hour! I threw the kids in the shower with me. They were fussing, of course. I was running up and down the stairs to the laundry room, trying to get a few loads done(We had so much dirty laundry, that it was stinking up our place. I know, pretty disgusting). The boys were going crazy and wouldn't let me get them dressed. I packed their diaper bag and arrived at the studio 10 minutes late. Luckily, Wise slept the whole rehearsal.
Now, we had to run to the store and pick up some more detergent. The store wasn't so bad but hauling them around it exerting.
We came home to our complete disaster we call our home. I don't know about you,but I CANNOT relax and feel good in a messy house. I am overwhelmed and frustrated! I HAD to get the boys down for a nap. It was getting late and they had to go to the studio with me. Prince had his usual meltdown after being woken up. We threw a fit when we had to go again. On top of that, he pooped his pants and wise wanted to breastfeed. At this point, I am so overwhelmed, I am on the verge a tears. I just stopped everything and told Prince we needed to say a family prayer. Things calmed down a bit afterwards.
Thank goodness the boys were good at the studio and they had alot of women playing with them. We tried to catch the MARC train that comes by around 7:55 pm off East St. We Barely missed it. Prince is obsessed with trains. OBSESSED. So, we went and got some coldstone instead.
All was well after a CRAZY DAY.
P.S~ still haven't gotten around to taking pics of our new car! We've been very BUSY!

YEP..

We got our car (SIGH OF RELIEF!) A 2004 Chrysler Town & Country. YES, it's my new hoopty mobile. I will post photos of our new ride tomorrow. It's too dark to take pictures!
We got a good rate on our car. And we finally have room!
All in all, it was probably a blessing our Buick was totaled. We needed a van, one with lower miles and one with a lower interest rate. We got all three of those! The kids love the car too. Prince can walk around in it! He's flabbergasted!
Now to deal with those pesky car payments...

Nope...

Still haven't the the van of our dreams. They should pay the bank sometime this week. I hope they do soon cuz we're going to NYC in a week! We could drive the rental up there but our coverage would be over while we're still up there. So, we have to scurry for some wheels these next few days! Gosh, I hate doing this like this! It's such a hassle!
We are in MUCH need of a vacation. I hope we'll be able to relax and enjoy ourselves. It's non-stop in the V household. Let me tell you. Still haven't gotten to that laundry yet...it's obscene!

We didn't make it to church today and I felt bad. Boricua's lame work scheduled him to go in today. I had another one of my HORRIBLE migraines. They're just getting WORSE! I tried Imitrex today and it helped but it made my limbs feel cold and kind of numb. Is it supposed to feel like that? I was a physical mess today. I'm so over these spats of severe head and body pain. I mentioned Boricua for a Priesthood blessing but I'm not sure if he let's it go in one ear and out the other or not. I think it'd be beneficial.
I want my pain to be more manageable but I am not getting on some kind of strict diet. Noway. I enjoy food too much and I've been there, done that! And it resulted with a bad case of Bulimia Nervosa! I'm not gonna go down that road again!
I really need a good massage. A Fibromyalgia treatment massage. A chiropractor would be great too. My neck is so whacked.
I had to (Well, I CHOSE TO) break the Sabbath today. I've got guilt lingering over my head. I don't like doing it but I did. I first had to do my duo rehearsal. Sunday is the only day we can do them. We're probably going to do one more on Sunday and that's it! HOORAY! On my way there, I really wanted a drink. My house was scotch out of Diet Coke and I was having withdrawals. Imitrex made my mouth so flipping dry. I needed something and water wasn't going to do it for me. YES, Diet Coke hit that spot!
Second, I was craving a slice of cake. So I bought one. I just ate it and it was delicious. Third, we had no Diet Coke(STILL) in the house, no juice, no milk and no Pediasure drinks for Wise(THANKS EMILY~he really likes them!) He'll only drink those. He HATES formula. Momma can't give him the boob 24/7. He would too. So I went to the store...shame on me. It's very rare I do this too. I usually never go out on Sunday. Only to church, that is.
Welp, I better go repent now.
Hope all is well! It's as good as it can get here!

VOTE FOR BABY WISE

Wise is entered in a baby picture contest. Whoever wins with the most amount of votes, get's 2,500 dollars! That money could come in handy rightnow. I don't know what arew chances are for winning but we could sure give it a try! He is cute anyway...
VOTE!!!!!!
https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index?referid+Emailfriends&p+311079&x+.jpg
PLEASE!!!!!!!
Click and VOTE!
You can daily!
xoxo
soosie

I wish I had a maid

Who could clean my place right now. It's a disaster. I'm too overwhelmed with it and don't know where to start. It's the worst I've seen it and I like having a clean home. Prince has been so naughty lately and He's eaten nothing but sugar today. Yah, that should contribute to his bad behavior. I'm such a great mom...
We have MOUNTAINS of dirty laundry. It's ridiculous. We have coin laundry, so I can't do it until we get a ton of quarters...Boricua works until late tonight and tomorrow night. I work tomorrow morning. When is it going to get done? (BIG SIGH)
I've got crumb and crap all over the floor. The kids need a bath. I haven't got the enthusiasm to get this going. I have no choice in 5 minutes. My computer time is almost up!
With everything that's going on, I feel so overwhelmed right now. I know Boricua does too but he wont say anything.
It could be allot worse and I'm grateful it isn't. I'm just super peeved about my messy house!!!!!
Boricua told me last night, he'd wake up early and clean the house for me...well he did..but only the dishes and the counter tops. The kitchen floor was still filthy and there was a few garbage bags that needed to be taken out. So, the place pretty much looked the same! A big mess! At least I don't have to worry about the dishes! Hooray!

RECALL!

Well, after research, we've found out our particular make an model of our car had a few recalls! Ones that correlate with the problems we were having and would've contributed to Boricua's wreck!
There was a recall about the steering column or area there of. The nut was missing or the screw wasn't torqued or tight enough. Any visible signs your car has this malfunction, the car was make a clicking noise when you'd turn the wheel. Our did that since we purchased it! The result of this recall: Any sudden steering change could cause the car to loose control and result in a car accident.
The second recall was a malfunction in the Traction control/stability service system. Like I mentioned before, the system would intermittently turn on and off. We thought it had something to do with the sensors! The result with this malfunction: The car will have no traction and easily loose control!
Like I mentioned, where Boricua crashed, there is NO CURVES.
He is going to court to fix this little citation he got about "going too fast around a curve". He only received that citation because the driver behind him said that's what happened! Even though it was dark, there's no street lights and he was tailgating him....oh, he could barely speak any English as well.
And who was this cop?? Couldn't he see the way of the road?
I swear. Some people!
Anyway, we still haven't bought our mini-van yet. We're looking and waiting for our insurance co to pay off the bank. We will get financed through the same bank. We're driving a Chevrolet HHR and it's ridiculous. It's like a PT Cruiser. We hate it. But, we're not paying for it and it's new, so whatever. It's better than NO CAR, right?
So, this where where we stand.

TYPO QUEEN

Please bare with me. I am so awful at typing and have constant typos. I don't type the 'correct way'. Yes! I did take a key boarding class but was really bad at it.
So, excuse my lousy errors!

The RESULTS...

He took some fencing down at the Monocacy Battlefield! If you of you aware of this area, you'd know exactly where that's at. We have to take pictures of the area because there is NO SHARP or SUDDEN curve! It's a pretty straight road! But the witness told the police he didn't slow down at the curve and lost control...um there's no curve!! I was shocked when he showed me where it happened. The first question I asked, " Where's the curve?" I guess Boricua noticed he was in the opposing lane, over corrected himself a little bit and spun out of control! It was dark and there is absolutely no street lights in that area. You usually have to use your high beams in the particular area. He decided not to this morning and this is the result! So, he's going to court to fight that citation. A little ridiculous, eh?
I was sad when I saw our little Buick! It's so weird how you get attached to materialistic items! This car is the first vehicle Boricua and I purchased together. So, there is some sentiment there.
We are looking for a new car. I hate to say this but... a mini-van! NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I swore I'd never see the day! But they're spacious and easier on gas than an SUV. We kind of have no other option than a mini-van. Let's pray we find the right car for our family!

R.I.P

Sweet lil' Buick.

We'll miss you.

It's totaled!

This morning on Boricua's way to work, wrecked our car!
He was driving down Route 355 to Germantown. As he approached a curve, the car lost control, he spun 3 complete circles, knocked a pole down and ended with hitting a fence. The airbags didn't deploy and a wire that was attached to the pole he hit, managed to snap back and pull a rack off of a truck bed behind him. He isn't hurt, luckily and no one else was injured. We are glad he was the only one in the car. I guess it's inevitable. Driving that commute every single day, something is going to happen sooner or later. But we joke that I've passed my omen to him! He thinks I'm cursed with cars. I've never had good luck with them! Every vehicle we've had so far, has been hit by a driver(while our car was parked on the side of the road), our little Toyota's transmission broke while Boricua was in PG County(If you live in MD, then you know how ghetto PG County is.) and now this. It's a curse. I tell you, it's a curse! And with every unfortunate event, our gas tank has been full with newly purchased gas! All of that money, goes to waste.
Our car is totaled. We are officially completely car less. This means we have to go buy a new car. Hey, I guess that's not so bad. Luckily our insurance is covering car rental for the next few days and paying off the car. We have GAP insurance with our loan, so with any difference, the bank is paying the rest of the loan back. The insurance company also is covering the towing costs. At least we don't have that hanging over our head.
Boricua was cited for driving too fast in a curve, so I think he was going to fast in the curve when driving. I could put a dunce cap on his head about that! grrrrrrrr. On top of that, the traction in our car was having some issues. The Stability System wasn't working properly. Our car had a tendency to loose control very easily. You'd think so drive around the curve SLOWLY...duh!!!
Ya know, our car had 118,000 miles on it, the engine light continued coming on and the Stability System wasn't working properly. So, maybe it was time for a new car anyway. The only thing is, it was our only car! We've got to dish out a good chunk of money now for a down payment on another car ASAP! Where are we going to find that money? Maybe it'll grow on our trees in the back!
It's funny the little curveballs life throws at ya sometimes...

FLASHBACK!

These events were almost a YEAR AGO ALREADY!!!! AAAHHHHH. Where does time go? It's frightening!

Top ten clues that you're a boring wife

This is hilarious! Does any of these apply to you?

1. Last treat you bought for your husband was a big roll of garbage bags.
2. You don't have any girlfriends, really, unless you count your visiting teachers!
3. Your bathing suit is at least a decade old and the elastic is shot.
4. You tell your husband you love him once a year on New Year's Eve.
5. Your idea of a good time is to clip coupons.
6. Your idea of a fun date with your hubby is to cruise the aisles at Wal-Mart (HAHA! Guilty as charged. But more Target then Wal-mart.)
7. You quit flirting because, by gum, ya'll got yer man!
8. The last time you went on a date with your hubby was in the last millennium.
9. The last time you went on an overnighter with just you and your husband was to attend a funeral.

-Merrliee Brown Boyack.

If you want recipes

I posted two new ones on the "Hungry" blog. Kamie invited me to contribute to this blog and I am very happy she did! That is where I will post any of my recipes. Check the blog out! There's several contributors and lots of good recipes! Excluding you Kamie, because it's your blog! haha.

Check it out!

Self Assembly SUCKS!

Prince got a Coloring Castle for Christmas from Grandma Ramirez(my mother-in-law). I finally decided to pull it out of the box and set it up for him. I have never been so frustrated...ever... The assembly instructions were just pictures. The pieces weren't numbered with the pictures, so you had to figure what goes where on your own. It took a few trial and errors. On top of that, I had jumping, screaming babies crawling on me. I finally put Wise in his playpen and he screamed the whole time. I was snapping at Prince because I was so frustrated with this stupid castle. But alas, I got it up and Prince is having a ball in his 'house'! He's already started to decorate it with is new crayon and marker at set. Now, with where we're going to store it...
It was a great gift anyway. Thanks Grandma!

GREAT local cakes

One of my student's mother decorates cakes and I just had to post of of the pictures! She does a really good job! I was impressed. She told me she just does it for fun for her family, neighbors and friends! I think she needs to go into business! She sure sold me! Hey! We could swap! I teach her daughter dance and she makes me cakes! She had plenty other photos but I couldn't post all 101 of them! If you're interested, let me know. I'm sure she'd be happy to do it and there's no way I'd let her get away making them "just for fun" (That's exactly what she told me). She lives in Urbana. Applause to you Kathy!

Thank you Thursday

• Thank you Merilee Brown Boyack for your book. It's helped me to realize what I need to do as a wife! And so far..it's WORKING!!!! YAY!
• Thank you to all of my friends who support and help me out in times of need!
• Thank you internet, for meeting me new friends that are so great!
• Thank you Boricua, for being the affectionate man that you are and telling me I'm beautiful every single day...no matter what! Oh, and thanks for doing the dishes.
• Thanks Camille for our late night talk sessions and letting me borrow TWILIGHT. I need to see what the hype is all about with that darn book!
• Thanks for the recipes you lovely ladies have sent me!

THANK YOU!!! Keep the comments alive!

I'm SOBBING!

Well, not really but I'm on the verge of it!

My friend gave me a book last week called, 'Strangling Your Husband Is Not an Option' by Merrilee Browne Boyack. Some of you have already heard of it or even read it! I'm not too familiar with Deseret Book Authors yet. I'm pretty new at it. My dad always downed on those types of books because he thought the writing was poor and trivial. So, I never gave them a chance, until now!
This book is a Practical Guide to improving yourself as a wife and your marriage. I never realized how much I've been doing WRONG! No wonder why marriage has been so challenging lately! I literally feel so bad and AWAKENED!
Out of respect for my husband, I'm not going to get into details but I will say things about myself. I am a bit of a feminist; in a negative way. I think feminism is great, in the positive spectrum of it and not taken overboard. I am always running on my agenda, things done my way, because 'I'm a woman and I should never submit to a MAN!' That's been my attitude lately. To a certain extent, it's fine but when it becomes completely self-absorbed, then there's a problem!
I value marriage. I value families. But do I value MY marriage? Am I married to my kids or am I married to Boriuca? 'Cuz lately, it's felt like I've been married to my kids! lol. Our life revolves around our kids. We never take time for each other. I can't remember the last time we went out on a date! We've never spent an overnight without our kids. EVER. His body rhythm is awake in the morning and a zombie by 9:00 pm. I'm the complete opposite. Finding a balance has been extremely tricky.
Here are some questions for you to ask yourself if you're married:

• Do your kids stay up past 9:00-9:30 pm in the main family area?
• Do you go out with your hubby, without kids, at least 3 times a month?
• Have you been gone overnight without your kids and with your husband within the past year?
• Think about the last time you bought your kids a treat-do you buy your hubby a treat just as often?
• Analyze your conversations with your husband when it's just the two of you- do you spend more than 50% of the time discussing your kids?

So, what are you putting before your relationship/or not?

My answers were: yes, no,no,no,yes.

Sad eh?

2008 is the year for CHANGE!!!!!

My Migraines

I have very severe and chronic Migraines. They last for days and not much alleviates the pain.

I take every kind of pain reliever there is and nothing works.
I now have to take a muscle relaxer. It's awful.
I do have Fibromyalgia. That triggers my migraines.
I'm debilitated by them. They're just horrible.
My goal for this year is to get my health issues under control. I need to visit a Chiropractor on a regular basis and get a massage about every other month.
I need to change my sleeping pattern and watch my caffeine intake.
I guess I'll go for the caffeine free Diet Coke now!

I did go to bed early last night but still woke up with a pounding (literally, pounding) headache.
It's pretty terrible!
But I'll deal...

I'm playing Kamie's BLOG game!

Answer these following questions using the first image on Google search. Easy and fun!

Bad Habit: Yelling

College Degree: Psychology
Grandma's Name: ENID
First Job: Hogi Yogi. Hated it.
Favorite Color: Purple

Birthplace: SLC, Utah
Pet's name: Nemo
Past love: Rick
First Name: Sarah
Age of my next Birhtday: 25

Favorite place to be: LDS Temple
Want to visit: Brazil!
Favorite Food: Asian Food
Favorite pet: Koala Bear


Now it's your TURN!!!!!

Thanks Kamie!

A re-cap

I figured I'd cover every thing's that going on in 'Soosie Land'.

• Wise took his first steps. He's walked about 6 steps forward by himself, so far. And he's not even 10 months old yet.
• My schedule is still crazy. It wears me totally out. I feel sick by the weekend.
• We want to move by October.
• I'm on the verge of separating from Boricua. We're working on not letting that happen.
• I'm still getting chronic migraines. It's debilitating.
• I haven't lost a considerable amount of weight because I love the bad food too much. But I'm toning up. Thanks to my dance classes.
• The family I used to nanny for is giving us they're old car! We just need to get the radiator hose replaced. That's pretty exciting!
• I chopped all of my hair off for the new year.
• We're taking vacation time at the end of this month. Hopefully that'll benefit my marriage! I cannot wait! A break finally!
• I only have one month left of breastfeeding! YAY! Well, let's hope Wise will successfully wean!
• Bring on the SPRING! I'm ready! I love the Spring!

OKAY...

Now I need a frosting recipe! A really good one, that'd compliment a dense chocolate cake.
I'm going all out! Why not? It's his birthday!

Thanks Kamie for the recipe. 6 T of oil is about as much as any other recipe. So, how is it so fattening? LOL.
There's just a few things I don't understand...I'll email you.

A CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

HElp!!!!!
I need a yummy and awesome chocolate cake recipe before January 26th.
Why January 26th? It is Boricua's Birthday! It's his 'golden birthday' too. He'll be 26 on the 26th!
He LOVES chocolate, on chocolate with a bit of a twist...
Does anyone have any good cake recipes?
I'm not a fan of regular chocolate cake, so make sure it's something I'd eat too! lol
It's gotta be CHOCOLATE though! It's his favorite! I'd appreciate it!!!
THANKS!

YES

I got blonde put it in as well...
He loves wearing my shoes!

Don't worry! I wasn't trying to copy anyone on the hairdo. I just wanted a major change!

I'm not quite used to it yet...

NEW YEARS HAIRCUTS!!

Side view...
FRONT...ewwww I look nasty..
His haircut...being fussy
And again...was fighting me!

WE CHOPPED IT OFF!

I was just sick and tired of it!

My hair is fine and it's so blahhhh long.

I needed a change!

Prince's was outta control! I cut a good 2 inches off! And people started telling us that "SHE was so cute." Um...SHE'S a BOY! DUH!