Selling a place..

I never knew how much it took to get a place ready to sell. I know have a better understanding.. one day and section of the place at a time. You have to clean the place from top to bottom.. and then you can evaluate the place and see what you will need to do to get the home in a 'show' ready atmosphere. We have gone to many open houses. It's different from home to home. For instance, we have gone to a house where they obviously didn't care about how the house looked. Because one of the bedrooms were not only cluttered with crap but the bed was just the mattress on the ground.. with the covers ruffled up and clothes all over. to the kitchen not being nice.. and then to where the owners obviously do not live in the place anymore and either it is empty or 'staged' where they rented the furniture. i appreciate seeing furniture in a place. it gives me a better understanding of how our things will look. plus when i look at homes i open up all the doors and cabinets to see everything. and what's inside. yes i am nosey...

so with that i started to clean the place.. now i have decided to pack items that we won't need or use for the next 3 or so month.. this will get the clutter out. and by cleaning and getting ready it is making me throw stuff out that we don't need anymore. so i started last night by cleaning my closet. my closet now has items that i fit and there is no crap lying around. i already have a list of to dos..

like i said one down and ten million more to go. let the nesting beginning.

Having a baby

I didn't realize that there are so many things to think about when having a baby..

For instance what to bring to the hospital.. To sign up for classes or not. and if so which ones. What the baby's room should be like. What to buy for the baby? now there are so many different options for just a stroller mind you that you don't want me to get started on what kind of car seat to get. but it's true and some of the stuff is more for parents and what they like and style. for instance i like this brand of stroller by bugaboo. but then when i really thought about it i decided against it. was i getting it because i really liked it or because i have seen it pop up in my instyle magazine and other celebraties using it. the other decision factor is that it's way expensive. so that wasn't worth it to me.

But it is fun going to babies r us with the hubby and deciding what we like and don't like. it's just hard because we want to make the right decision and don't want to buy the wrong item. or one that can harm the little guy. thank god we have some friends whom already had a baby and can ask questions to.

but i am not going to let all this take away from enjoying being pregnant or the fact that we are going to get to meet this mini guy in may!

Valentines Day - To Celebrate or Not..

I don't want to give the wrong idea about me not being a romantic. But aren't holidays supposed to make most people happy? I once had a close friend that this holiday seemed to make depressed. All because she was single and didn't have that special person. I try to do a little something for everyone. But it is still hard for me to this day to really celebrate a holiday that not only seems very commerical but that can make someone feel bad about themselves. So the hubby and i usually just exchange cards and I give a little something to the family. But I don't do more than that. Plus shouldn't you always treat your other half like it v-day everyday?

Friends and other halves

i guess you can pick your friends but you can't pick who they will fall in love with. you just have to hope and pray that they know what they are doing. i love L to death and can only wish her the best. and pray that the person she chooses to be with ends up being a good person. it's hard when you don't get the best of feelings/vibe when you meet someone. or that you wonder if they are really right for someone. or what are their 'real' intentions with your friends.

i guess i have always been the one out of the three of us that is harder on the guys that my friends chooses to be with. but with time i usually warm up and end up liking them.. or for some of those ex's still HATE with a passion. but very glad that they wake up and smell the coffee. it's just i feel that it should come natural on feeling comfortable and wanting to be friends. but also i feel that the boys SHOULD be proving themselves to not only our friends that they are with but the other two friends. of course no butt kissing but honestly being somewhat of themselves and showing us that they are good people.

so what do you do when the guys start off on a bad foot? obviously from what i have experienced lately he just avoids you like anything. and your friend doesn't really do anything to try and make it better.

therefore, i am trying a different approach to the situation. which is also a goal of mine for 2006. i am not the one that may or may not marry this 'interesting and different' person. which i have nothing in common with but L is our only common ground. and maybe that we both enjoy the arts. not sure if they are the same but we love the arts and music. so anyways, i am trying to be open minded and nicer to the person.. yes i am the type of girl that wears her emotions on her shelves.. (unfortunately if i do not like or trust you - you will know it. must be the cancer in me) but for L i will do anything to make her happy. cuz i know she would do the same for me. i know that she is the type that even if she doesn't care too much for the person she doesn't show you.. and that's not being fake but i will think of it as giving the person a chance. and try to just be friends but i will only go so far Less than halfway because to me he should be the one trying not me. i am giving this a couple months to see how this goes... but if i don't see a difference then we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Cooking together...

well i haven't really cooked since i have been pregnant. because smells just haven't been my friend..

but last night was nice. D and i were cooking together last night since i can't remember.. and then we ate dinner and watched some tv.. and of course we had some conversation in between. and then the wonderful husband that he is cleaned whatever dishes i didn't wash yet. i am one of those anal people that have to was the dishes that i used to prepare the dinner as we go. so it was just the rice cooker thing, wok, and the dishes we ate dinner with. but still that was very nice of him. then i was ready for bed.

what a nice evening to a long busy day.

2006 Goals..

Okay so I had the weekend to think about this....

I have made a list of items that I would like to have goals for:

1. Try and see my other friends more.. Than just email or call...

2. Take Belle to the dog park more often

3. Work out again.. Need to be in shape to push this baby boy out.

4. Be a better wife (eg. cook more often, be nicer, and so on..) The cooking will have to be after the baby cuz smells still get to me.

5. Save money.. Stop spending on things that I don't need just cuz they are on sale.

6. Try at least 2 new adventures/things...

7.

8.

9.

Leaving a couple blank just in case I think of something else.

Thoughts for the day...

So I am feeling very chipper today.. Not sure why but I am. But I will take it ever since my surgery i have felt BLAH.. And just wanted to lay in bed and do nothing. Maybe it's cuz I am getting out more again... Of course starting out slowly. I started back at work on Monday; S came over to keep me company; hung out with C and L last night; and have felt Mason moving around at least once a day for a period of time since Monday. It's so nice to see the girls again. I really missed them over the two weeks that i was basically recovering. I must remind myself that i need to tell them to just call me and come over. Not wait for me cuz i become L-A-Z-Y!!!

Still no resolutions for 2006. But I haven't thought about it. Do we really need to make resolutions each and every year? Shouldn't we just be a work in progress on all aspects of our life?

I am not sure but I am the type of person that likes to have goals so that I can work towards something. If you were a Friends watcher.. I am such a 'List Person'... I love making lists... I make a list of what i need to buy before going to the grocery store - although i usually end up leaving more than i wrote down. but whose keeping track. when going on vacation i always have my handy dandy list to make sure i don't forget ANYTHING!!

Great Life

So it's 2006 and time to decide on my new years resolution.. i usually have at least one item that i want to work on. but i haven't decided what exactly i want to choose. i am thinking working on being more patient with my husband.. but who knows. i sometimes wonder if it's worth having a new years resolution. i try to stick to it but then sometimes it's hard. should i have one or not?

i am really looking forward to the new year. i am hoping that my sister will become engaged. s and j will get married and have a little one on the way. and i get to meet mason!!

Only me..

So last night I locked myself out of the condo last night... had to wait for mom to come and let me back in.. thank god she doesn't live too far away from me. my emergency person wasn't home. i will now carry my cell phone with me at ALL times.

roller coaster...

Life is strange sometimes.. you are constantly on a roller coaster and you don't know how long you are going to be going up and down.. turned side to side or if it's going to be straight for a little bit. the straight away is always nice but i guess in order to learn and grow you need the ups, downs, left and rights. so right now i am going on a up and down part phase of my life. but it seems like i am always on that part. but honestly it's okay because i know in the end it will be okay. sometimes it is hard to go through and i wonder why i have to go through it. but in the end i always feel stronger and closer to whomever i go through it with.

Choices...

So I am thinking about how my life is and life in general. I am a true believer in fate/destiny.. but when we are faced with two or more paths to take and we choice one over the other/s.. is it really us choosing the path or are we somewhat lead onto the path we are about to go on? or no matter what fate is going to guide us to go through it one way or another.. it may not be today or the next day but we'll somehow go the way that fate wants...

On Boys.... i am a firm believer that when you are in a relationship you learn more and grow. for instance when my ex cheated on me - i learned the signs so that i would know that the next guy is not right for me. but by that person doing that action it helped make me a stronger person. and i learned how to heal from the emotional pain. and that i deserve better and that he just wasn't the right person for me. but he was a better friend than boyfriend. i didn't want to lose him as a friend because we were friends first and he really knew me. then there was the guy that helped me learn that i don't need to go out all the time. it's nice to stay home - cuz i am not missing anything. the party scene will always be there. and that there was someone out there could appreciate me. he loved the lame things that i did. he thought i was funny. but turned out that he and his friends had a lot of growing up to do.. even if he was older than me and that i wasn't the right girl for him. but he helped me grow up and appreciate 'my time alone'. and also that family is important and to appreciate having them. and of course in between there were guys that came and went in my life.. but there was one that also was there for me.. he waited patiently while i grew up and experienced life.. he introduced me to different kinds of food (not to mention SPICY). he taught me that love is unconditional. he loves me for me.. he pretty much knows me inside and out and still is there for me.. with all my bad habbits and roller coaster of a life that i gave him he still proposed and we have been married for a little over two years.. and he bought me the best birthday present ever last year. what you ask? he bought me my very first puppy ever.. my very own and we even picked her out together. he isn't just my husband but my very best friend... fate made it so that i would go through all the ups and downs with the other boys so that i would cherish and appreciate what i have now. and boy do i ever. he is one of the best things that walked into my life. :-D love you hubby.

friends.. i believe that there are different kinds of friends.. the ones that only come and go out of your life is because you both are helping each other through whatever that is going on currently. then there are the friends like L and S the ones that are in it for the long run.. the ones you can call sisters. the ones that know you inside and out as well and still love you. of course we don't share everything but most everything.. they are the ones that when you go through something in life whether it be good or bad they too are feeling what you are. as well as the other way around. they are the ones that you know even if they get on your nerves and you get on there's that it'll be cool the next day.. or if not that you know you can talk about it and smooth everything over. they are apart of you.. the ones that if something good happens to they are the ones to call (or bad). then there are ones like B.. from just being co-workers to having a real friendship.. the one you can ask to go to lunch with or walks.. and have nice conversations with. the one that you know you can share secrets with and know that you can still trust... the one you find that you have some things in common with and can't explain why you just like hanging out together. then there are other friends that you have known for years and can get together with as if no time has passed because you are just catching up and enjoying each other's company... i have a lot of friends like this.. i know it's not either of our faulta that we can't always see, talk, chat on im or email a lot but we are cool like that. they know i love and care for them and i hope it is the same for them to me. then there are friends that you just don't have anything in common with and you both just give up on the friendship.. that's okay too because we are going on different paths and will hopefully meet again later on in life. no hard feelings just a shame that we can't still go through life together.

Family.. need i say more.

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

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween to everyone!! Now I am getting really excited because I have been dying to decorate our place for xmas.. i think i may start this week!! I love christmas...

3's a crowd... so not true!!

I am sure that everyone has heard of Threes a Crowd... well i can honestly say that L, S and I can prove it wrong for the most part. yes sometimes one person may feel left out but majority of the time we all make our effort not to leave anyone out. it is hard to maintain a friendship when there are 3 people involved. But as long as you include everyone and honestly keep communicating it's all good. I am a middle child and grew up that everyone is treated equal. On the other hand L and S are both only child... So they are moreso on the one on one time with each person. I just feel that by doing that you are making the other person feel left out. So I try to keep us together by doing things together. Which seems to be working..

Friends and the opposite sex...

Just a thought but why is it that friends always say they 'value' your opinion.. And when it comes down to it (at least in the other sex department) they don't really listen to you? They ask you what you think and they still are with the person.. Why bother asking me if it comes down to it where you honestly will do whatever you want???? I just rather have you not ask me and let me think that my opinion means something.... but the sad thing is that i feel that my relationship with this friend is not as close now.. then again we aren't usually as close when she does have a boyfriend. but to be honest the last one and current real boyfriend - i don't think too highly of. i mean i am happy for her because she is happy but there is just something i don't like about this guy.. and sometimes the way he treats her and what he says is so uncalled for. but i have to remind myself that it's not my boyfriend. i guess i just feel that she is someone really close to me and someone i respected a lot and that she deserves the best. and when i see her take s$%t from boys it just changes my opinion of her. because she is such a strong minded person.

Blah Monday..

This weekend was nice because I got to see my dad, step-mom and obachan (aka - grandmother). we all went to dinner along with hubby, sister and her boyfriend. we celebrated our birthdays.. july, august and sept. but yesterday i got to go grocery shoping, cook dinner and watch desperate housewives with s and l. gotta love those do nothing relaxing weekends!!

Why is it when we get older and married.. that it's harder to spend time with everyone??? I really haven't seen my in-laws since maybe july!!! and i haven't seen my dad since july 4th. and let's not even talk about friends. it just seems like there aren't enough days in the week.. :-P but even if i don't see or talk to them - i do think about everyone and hope that everyone is healthy and happy.