Christmas Gifts..

I love giving gifts.. I may actually like shopping for other people more than getting gifts. I work really hard at thinking what a person would want and not giving out just random things.. but i maybe guilty of it sometimes. Although, it is hard when you are trying to make sure that you don't forget someone... But that's what christmas cookies are for.. My little sis and I will be baking some cookies to give out as gifts too.. Now I am so not the kind of person that buys premade cookies.. that's cheating - we are actually making our own cookies.. To me that's kind of cheesy too.. but if someone likes doing it that way more power to them.. for instance that is how my mom cooks. but i like to actually shift the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and so on. Plus I feel like I worked more on the gift.

I am pretty much done if not i already have in mind what i want to get.. just too lazy to go to the mall and buy it. the mall is a ZOO!!!

Do I?

So I am currently going through a trying time in my life.. That's too personal to write about but I should be okay with whatever the turn out is. But it has made me think about who I am and what I want to be remembered as.

I have always felt that even if I have just met you, we were friends, friends, ex boyfriends or whatever that I have made a difference in your life. That I somehow helped make you a better person.. I left my 'positive mark' in your life. And lately I am questioning if I have really done that. So from this point on I will try to do as I hope to have done. How you wonder.. I don't know myself but I figure with each person and situation I will hopefully know what to do.

And the other thing that has crossed my mind is that i want to be a better person, wife, friend, sister, daughter, grand-daughter and so on.. And I feel that I have been working on this each and every day. I am learning from my mistakes.. For instance, my short temper I am working on and feel that I am better. I try to understand each person and where they are coming from. I try respecting each person's decision even if I don't neccessarily agree with them.. But it's their live and they need to go through whatever it is that they need to. I can't protect the world or them. I just want them to know that I am there no matter what. But of course I still give my opinion and it's up to them if they want to take it or not.. I don't push my beliefs on other people. I love feedback.. So I try to remember that when someone is telling me something about myself to understand that is how they feel and what they are thinking. It's all about respect, understanding, love, and so on. But I know that I really need to practice this more with my husband, mom and sister.. they tend to annoy me the most and I know they are the ones that i should be otherwise to... I am a work in progress and know that I will always be.. Because if I thought I was perfect then I wouldn't learn anything new.. and that would be BORING...

Just my thoughts for today.

Holidays!!

I love the holidays.. But mostly Christmas... I love how most everyone gets to open presents. It's not like a birthday where only one person does but we all get to open presents. I love that we get to spend time with family..

Unfortunately, nowadays it's hard because my hubby's family has started celebrating the holidays. So how do we do it? I have my mom's, dad's and now theirs. I guess we can do breakfast with his family. Because lunch and dinner is usually with both of my parents. I guess if my parents were still together that would make it a lot easier but they aren't. And i can't see myself not seeing my family for the holidays.. they make the best foods and i don't know how to compromise on this. I guess if they didn't live so close it would be easier. But from what we've been doing lately is lunch with my mom and family.. Then I would go to dad's with my sister and her boyfriend. And he would go to his family dinner.. We'd just represent each other. But now that we have a baby on the way I don't know if I like that idea.. I am wondering if I could convince one of the families to do the eve.. Either way I still LOVE the holidays and wouldn't trade it for anything.

What Oprah had to say about men..

I read this and knew that I had to share this with someone...

HEAR WHAT OPRAH HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to
be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find
what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was
not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A
friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like he is
stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think
"it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying
when things are not better. The only person you can control in a
relationship is you. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch
of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why
would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends
separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If
something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He
will use it against you later. You cannot change a man's behavior.
Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important
than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job. Do not
make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Never
let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. If he
cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way
you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the
one doing all the bending... compromise is two way street. You need time
to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage...
Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship You should
never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists! of
two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not
supplementary. Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr.
Right.
Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where! You are,
and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.
Never move into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man. Don't fully
commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him
in your radar but get to know others. Share this with other women and
men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink
her/his choices, and another woman prepare, and a man aware.

People come and go..

So as I get older I am noticing that I tend to not waste time trying to make friends.. Like I did when I was younger. Not to say that I won't make a new friend here or there. But I won't go out just to meet new people. I am very happy where I am in life. And can say that I appreciate all my friends and family that I have. I am content with being home watching or reading a good book with Belle. Or hanging out with a friend/s. I don't need to go to the latest bar or club anymore to have fun. I have or awhile now know that you don't need to always go out. I am not missing anything. Before going to a club 10 years ago hasn't changed from now a days.. Music so loud that you can't have a conversation... Girls trying to see who can dress the 'sexest' (if you consider teenie-bopper sexy) style. Creppy guys checking you out to being pushed back and forth cuz you are small. I rather go to a coffee shop and have a real conversation and see how someone is doing. Not that I am knocking anyone who still does it - to each his own. I just choose to have a more low key lifestyle... But I won't turn away a party night in VEGAS... ;-P