Quality Family Time

I have spent two fabulous weeks with family and friends in Peru. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we ate a lot!

The hardest part was definitely saying goodbye to my grandfather. In the last 3 years, his age has taken a toll on him. From one year to the next his ability to walk has almost been taken away. He is beginning to forget things. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older, that I'm grown, or that he is my last grandparent alive and I just want him to be around forever. 

I love him. I love the stories they tell me of him since he used to be so strict, but somehow, he had a tender spot for his grand kids. I was his first grandchild, and I love hearing stories of when he would rescue me from my parents when I was getting scolded. 

I love his stubbornness, yet I hate that this keeps him from doing things that would probably help him (like using a sturdier cane). I see him now and thank god for the time that we have spent together. Losing my Mama, his wife, was my first big loss. I never forgave myself for not calling her more often. With Nonna (my dad's mom), it was the same. I was lost. But I vow never to do this again. Never to take my family for granted. I have been lucky enough to visit him two years in a row. I hope I can continue to do the same. I don't ever want to feel like I could have done more to see and spend time with him. 

Never take your loved ones for granted. Love them to pieces every single day!

 

Music Monday

Yes, I know, I am late. It is now Tuesday in my timezone as I am late by 45 minutes or so.

But who cares! Music is what makes the world go 'round anyway!

And this little Canadian chick makes all my 80s dancing dreams come true. Kiesza is like that piece of candy you found in your pocket after you thought you had finished all of your Halloween goodies. So sweet!

I am in love! Baby Love!

Meet my beautiful nephew Noah Alexander.

He is the most handsome boy I've ever met.

My little sister and bro-in-law did good! They just don't know that I'll be sneaking in a lot to play with him and hug him!

So happy to be his auntie!

Pregnancy Photo Slideshow

Nope, nope, It's not me...well at least for now ;)

But my sister is gonna make me an auntie! And can you believe it, she asked me to take her pregnancy pictures!

I felt so honored that she asked me to do it!

Here is a little peak at our photo session:

Hope you enjoy it!

Sounds of Silence - Thankful Thursday

One of the schools I work at, signed a few of us teachers to a Mindfulness Based Stress Relief (MBSR) course. What a great idea! Taking care of your teachers!!!

I've been going doing this course now for the past 7 Saturdays. But this, was one of the most resilient meetings for me.

Let me just describe the location first...every week I make the trek towards the teacher's home. After you park your car, you take a 3 minute walk on a quiet neighborhood street. When you finally reach this Key West style home, you take a few seconds to admire it. On the side of the house, there is a narrow walkway leading you to the back of her house and her beautiful pool deck surrounded by a lush, gorgeous, and green garden. If you listen...you could hear the sounds of the birds chirping. Every so often, you'd see a parrot or a blue jay, or a robin. It really was amazing! And after observing nature, you walk into her peaceful and serene classroom. Here we usually talked and described our experiences with feelings, pains, thoughts, and emotions.

But this saturday was different, she asked us to be silent. She invited all of us in the room, to be silent, to practice not speaking, to avoid talking.

It was crazy! This lady thought I'd be silent for 6 hours? How in the world was I going to accomplish this in a group of 20 people? But for the most part, we did it. I did it. We did some yoga, some walking meditation, some feeling exercises...as for me, the best part, was eating in silence.

At lunch, I chose to sit by myself. In a little corner of the deck where the large palm trees gave shade to my area. I began eating what seemed to be the most delicious PB&J sandwich I've ever had. I smelled the air around me and then I put my nose close to my bread, my sandwich. I gave it a good whiff and then I took a bite of it. And I slowly chewed it and I chewed and I chewed. Then I paused and looked at it and back up at the bamboo and palm trees, the bushes, the beautiful roses and bouganvilias. And it sounds so crazy and weird but really...it was surreal.

Aaahhhhh but it was just amazing. Try it...try to be silent. Just smile, nod, and shrug to let others know you will not be talking.

But even more important, try the slow eating...savor your food, your meal. Not just your breakfast, your lunch, or your dinner. Every food or drink that touches your lips and your mouth. Savor everything you do. Everything you take in. From what you see, what you smell, what you do, what you feel, and you will find what you love in life. You will find about those little things that are so good and that you should be thankful for. 


What type of meditation have you tried?

I HAZ A HOUSE-yah!!!!

After many months, I finally have the keys to my new house!

The hardest part of the year is almost over and it will soon be time to unpack and enjoy my pool! 

This summer will be grand!!!!

Random as Always

hello there friend...

It's finally SATURDAY!!!

On the usual it would mean party and drinks and dancing.

However, today I will dedicate it to Pinteresting and catching up with life.

Today I will allow my ADHD to kick in and give you all of the random thoughts that are in my head at the moment...

Did I mention hubby cooked yesterday? He made lasagna for dinner. I was so happy I had a few too many glasses of moscato. That sorta took me to bed too soon. 

I was drunk at home!! I passed out on the couch. I apologize for not having a picture to go with that fabulous moment though.

On the other hand, 

I have so much work to do!!!! I don't even know where to start. Or even IF I want to start. 

I've got about 5 reports to finish before April. Can I do it?

This would require me to bring work home daily. Which I have done this week, but let's not go there because that's just boring...

Anyhow, this Tshirt makes me smile..

I found these at Target! These are definitely the best thing for organization!

Imagine using these lists to go shopping...scheduling meals....and the best one...

PACKING FOR TRIPS! 

Today's breakfast is brought to you by Wonder Woman and Starbucks... 

This is what I'm going to need when I'm close to completing the reports due for work...

::Happy Valentine's Day:: Tiffany & Co. Giveaway!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A day to celebrate love, friends, and our loved ones!

Won't you be mine?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: This offer can be redeemed only within the United States (unfortunately) because of Tiffany and Co. Terms and Conditions.

My Favorite Pins

I spent my last week organizing my Pinterest boards and pinning some cool things!

And just like Julie Andrews would sing... "these are a few of my favorite [pins]!"

Source: holidayfoodpins.com via Andie on Pinterest

Source: sunbutterandjelly.com via Andie on Pinterest

Source: honeyandfitz.blogspot.com via Andie on Pinterest

Source: mariateorien.blogspot.dk via Andie on Pinterest

Source: emilysummers-designer.blogspot.co.uk via Andie on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Andie on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Andie on Pinterest

Wanna share some pinning fun? Find me on Pinterest as Andiepants! 

Hurry!

What I Wore in Green!

Look at that…another outfit post from me!

Truth is, it took me two days…TWO DAYS to get hubby to come out with me to do this “photoshoot”. I have to say I am proud of him though. He has improved a lot, in his camera holding skills and his patience for my amateur modeling…if you can even call it that!

Well, lucky for you all, I was able to dig in my box of fun and come out with something decent for today! Only in Miami can you get away with wearing white pants during the winter. I guess you can call this a spring outfit? At least it’s comfortable enough to wear sleeves today. 

Yes...he asked me to go behind the fence
and do a little roar too.

Shirt: Old Navy | Capris: Gap {similar} | Glasses: c/o Firmoo | Necklace: Kohl's {similar} | Bracelets: Gifted | Shoes: Payless {similar}

I decided to accessorize a bit more than my usual and I am quite happy with the results! Although I usually wear contacts lenses, I decided to add a pair of glasses for a fun twist!

Haven’t you noticed that glasses are the fun, new accessory to wear nowadays?! Whether you are wearing prescription glasses or non prescription ones, you will be sure to update your look. And yes, even look like a sexy librarian…or a sexy accountant as some of my friends have mentioned. Hubby dearest was excited for this sexy and modern look and encouraged me to wear these out to dinner with friends. I got a chance to tell them where I got them too!

These little bad boys came from Firmoo! They have a great array of frame styles for either sunglasses, prescription, and non-prescription glasses. Their website is easy to use and you can even a upload a picture to test out how the pair you chose looks on you! So hurry on to try your new look! Firmoo has launched a First Pair Free Program to people worldwide. You will absolutely fall in love with the excellent quality, affordable prices, fashionable designs, fast delivery and the good service after trying them by paying shipping only! You even can get a refund/exchange if you are not satisfied with them. It's totally Risk free, so why not have a try? Click here (http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html) to get your free glasses now!

What do you think?

Rules in Life

Some rules I'm learning to live by..,

2013 To-Do List

As I was browsing through some new blogs I came across Lauren's goals for 2013 at .stylelixir. I realized I had not had much time to create my own goals for this coming year!

via

Although I am extremely thankful for all of the "learning" that came with 2012, I am so ready to soar even higher in 2013. So for that, I've decided on the following goals for myself:

1. Run my first half-marathon. This has been my goal for the last 3 years. It will finally come true in January! I will be running the Miami ING Half-Marathon! I am not in good shape and have just started training, but I figured it's forcing me to work out more often!

2. Grow along with my blog. I started my blog in 2008 to share my pics, get my feelings and likes across, and have now made some fun bloggy friends! My blog helped me through a really bad rut that went south around Spring of 2012. However, I have been climbing my way to the light ever since! Thank you for keeping me grounded and busy!

3. Be a tourist in my own town. Oh dear, Miami, how I love thee. My hubby and I love traveling and finding out new things! Miami is such a big city and if you pay attention, you will find good places to eat that are not too expensive (I'm a total foodie!) and have fun (I am a total drunky!). So if you are open to trying out new things like I am, ask me! I know of some great places that Miami locals love!

4. Take out my DSLR for more dates. I have fallen in love with my DSLR all over again! I want to take a photography class to learn more about lenses, apertures, and yes, even adobe photoshop!

5. Travel outside the USA. I need to visit my family in Peru, however, I also really want to visit Europe again...decisions!!!!

6. Road Trips. This has been on our list for awhile now. Hopefully, hubby and I can finally decide to do some cross-country driving. If only it didn't take 8+ hours to get out of Florida!!!

So for now...or maybe until tomorrow (when a giveaway will be announced!) I hope you all welcome 2013 with a big BANG! Be good and stay safe lovelies!

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

Ferrero Rocher - Betcha I can't eat just 10!

I finally received my awesome Ferrero Rocher® Golden Gift VoxBox from Influenster today! I was soooooo excited you see....Rocher and I have a serious romantic fixation...ok fine...addiction. Although they sent this little VoxBox to me complimentary so that I can review them, my love/opinions for these fine chocolates are definitely not BIASED! I Swear I L.O.V.E. them!

It's not just the hazelnut pieces rolled on the chocolate covered crispy wafer shell. 

No ma'am. 

It's the delicious surprisingly hazelnut and chocolatey gooey goodness center that makes it fantabulously amazing!

Yes...I am a super lucky girl.

I was one of the few selected to receive this complimentary VoxBox from Influenster and I was so happy I did!!
It took a little longer than usual since I had a little tiny insignificant problem with the address. But alas it arrived and I had to pick it up promptly from the post office! Oh Thank Goodness for belated Christmas Gifts! I kinda sorta LOVE belated presents of any kind!

The official standings:
Ferrero Rocher® is a unique and delicious chocolate experience made by Italian chocolatier Ferrero, since 1982. The chocolates are a tempting combination of smooth chocolaty cream surrounding a whole hazelnut; within a delicate, crisp wafer. . . all enveloped in milk chocolate and finely chopped hazelnuts. The chocolates are individually wrapped in gold foil.


My First Vlog...yes a How to on Devouring Ferrero Rocher!

See!!! Not even Stitch can keep his hands away from my other Ferrero Rocher boxes!

A Very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your loved ones the very best of the holiday season!

May your home be filled with blessings of joy and laughter in the company of your family!

My favorite Christmas movie is Love Actually...

I have recently discovered the most amazing decorations placed on someone's front lawn! The house was decorated all over. They had so many visitors, they even needed parking attendants! 

The owners decided to place a donation box benefiting the Autism Speaks Foundation for research and help for families of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

We just HAD to have our picture taken on the sled. Notice he is wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt. I think that was one of the "coldest" night in Miami in some time! I think we hit mid 50s that night! LoL!

Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas!!!