I am leaving in about an hour to get my 2 biopsy done and all I have to say is that not only I am NOT looking forward to the procedure, I am in fact kind of scared. I've never had any kind of surgery before and probably the most complex medical procedure was my birth, LOL!!!
So, even though the doctor told me is something of a routine exam, I am not really into getting it... Hopefully it's not too bad and I will be sharing my experience with a happy memory very soon.
Besides this little "pebble" on my road today, I am happy that it's Friday and I am looking forward to some nice quiet time on the weekend, maybe a little bit of this...
Of course, none of these activities would be fun and fully enjoyable without somebody special to share them with.... Luckily I am in love with my best friend and he is my husband; a wonderful mad that takes care of me, makes me happy and makes my life complete, I love you baby!!!
How about your plans for the weekend? Any special occasions and events going on for you?
In other news, I am already thinking about my next giveaway but perhaps this new one it's not going to be quite the same, anybody out there has any other ideas about something that it's fun to get and that I could giveaway?
All my life I've suffered from very "delicate" skin.
Since I was little girl I always needed to make sure that the jewelry I wore was the "real deal" and not the "cheapo" kind cause otherwise I will break out and my ears or neck would get infected. Even during the 80's when plastic swatch watches were "cool" (and in some cases wearing more than one was the "in style fashion) I had take it off once in a while and always to sleep because if humidity would stay under the watch I would also develop some kind of rash....
But most of these skin conditions have always come and gone, some affect me during certain periods of my life and others I am sure get affected by season, weather, etc... Although I must say that I've always managed to control them, for example I know that 'till today I cannot sleep with any kind of jewelry on, so the only thing I wear to bed is my wedding band. Also I stop using a watch long time ago (for several reasons but the allergy reaction included).
A couple of year ago I started getting some puffy, swollen eyes in the morning, at the time we were visiting my mother in law in Maryland so we thought it was probably the change of weather and the city air that was different from the island air and was affecting me... Then after a few weeks it got better. After a while on and off it started happening again, until a few weeks ago that it came back with a vengeance, now lately my eyes are super swollen in the morning, itchy and my eyes lids at times seem like they are going to explode.
So I went to see the eye doctor and she send me some eye drops as well as an ointment to put on them, it help but didn't get rid of it, finally the last appointment I had with her, she said that the situation is skin related and not my eyes. So, yesterday I had a dermatologist appointment for my eyes and also about a mole that I've always had in my tummy but lately is being changing shape and kind of growing.
The doctor said that it could be eczema (which in the past doctors have said I have) or psoriasis, and with the mole all she wants to do is rule out melanoma. Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital as the doctor wants to do two biopsy (on my tummy for the mole as well as another little rash I have there that she thinks might be the same as what's affecting my eyes).
I have to say I am not looking forward to these biopsy, I've never had any surgery or anything of the sort, so it makes me kind of scared... Still I do know that if that's what it takes for my skin to get better and specially my eyes to heal, then I guess I must do it.
From my point of view and my symptoms (although I'm no doctor) I really think it's eczema, specially because if I google Psoriasis and look at the pictures (besides having nightmares at night), the stuff that shows there looks nothing like me or my condition, in fact my outbreaks are not even noticeable unless I tell you exactly where I have them, still my eyes are itchy and my tummy too.
Please keep in your prayers and send me some good vibes so hopefully tomorrow the biopsy procedure is not too bad and both results are not critical, thanks in advance for thinking of me tomorrow!
Congratulations Erin!!!! you've been randomly selected and as of today are the new owner of my hand made Amigurumi Rainbow.
Now, this is not just your regular rainbow, but a magnetic one, it'll bring a joy of colors and happiness every time you open your fridge.
Even though this was made with just yarn, the threats are all linked to my heart and I feel as if every one of my "amis" have a little piece of my heart in them...
Erin, please check your email for further details on shipment, congrats on your winning!!!
For those that participated but were not as lucky as Erin this time, please stay tune for another give away coming soon...
Once again, thanks to all for participating and making this my first giveaway a wonderful experience!
We are getting so close to my giveaway, it's very exciting.
So far only my amazing husband has donated to help out those wonderful animals at the Humane Society, we need more action, please help!
I still fully believe in the kindness of people and know that soon those animals will be getting some help from some amazingly kind readers out there... so thanks to those in advance!
Lately I've been a lot into pillows and I would love to get some for Valentine's day, although most of this is the desire to have them more than actually having the space for them... but if I could get some for this Valentine's day this would be most of my options...
Aren't these great? I love them all, specially the dog and cat shaped ones... If you'll like info of where to find any or all of them, please let me know and I'll be happy to give you the link to get them.
“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
Albert Einstein
Last week I visited the Cayman Islands Humane Society thrift shop, I needed to buy some very basic used clothes for a mannequin display we have at work.
Once I was inside the shop on the second floor, I couldn't help but peeking out the window that overlooks at most of the kennels full of dogs ready for adoption. Now, this was a big mistake (and I should have known better).
Seeing all those dogs there, some of them without much of a shade on 80+ degree weather, in a shelter that can hold about 70 dogs but has over 130 (if unable to get adopted most of them have to be put down because of the space issue).
Now, at this point seeing all those dogs there, without somebody to love them, my heart shrinks and my eyes start to water, I just can't help but feeling so sad and impotent about helping them and unfortunately for me, visiting the area is almost out of the questions, as I will come out crying my eyes out.
But that day I put on my courage cap and went in to talk to some of the guys inside, after a long talk about options to help and volunteer, I think I've found a way to make a difference....
One of the guys that runs the shelter talked to me about a few options; donating food (which I do every now and then), volunteer to walk the dogs (my problem part is, I know I would get super attached to one/many of them and then I will be suffering every time I have to say goodbye) and finally there's also the option of sponsoring a kennel.
Now, that's when it really hit, because I feel that this is something I can do. Sponsoring a kennel is a unique way to help those amazing animals, make sure they have proper shelter, water bowls, and good conditions to spend their days... but of course it doesn't come in cheap.
The prices for Kennel Sponsorship (annually) are as follow:
Adult Dogs $750 US dollars
Puppy $375 US dollars
Adult Cats $250 US dollars
Kittens $250 US dollars
Now, there's a very important detail about all this idea and it's the fact that I cannot afford to this by myself. So here I am today, knocking on your heart for some help, any help, little help, big help, your spare change or big chuck of change, whatever!
Do it for the animals, do it for yourself, do it in loving memory of any pet that you've had, do it on behalf of your very own privileged pet at home, with a comfy bed, food, water and shelter from weather...
I know together we have the power to do wonderful things, but it's got to start with the power of one, our very own commitment to help, take charge of the responsibility we have to give and care for animals. But it's even more important to help those animals that we humans have domesticated for our own purposes, and now as a species they can't survive as well without us...
Maybe we won't be able to give each dog or cat their own teddy bear to keep them warm and safe at night, but I am sure we can make a huge difference in their lives.
I promise to donate, to keep track of every donation and use the money wisely towards helping as many animals as possible. I will put on my courage cap more often and visit the kennel we will sponsor, I plan to use the name of my blog as the main sponsor but also I will display each one of the names of every person that donates.
So as of today my blog will have a donation button via Pay Pal where you can donate some love and care for the animals of our local shelter, your help is greatly appreciated and it will be used correctly.
For those of you that can't donate but feel like spreading the word, please make sure to grab my widget and put it on your blog, any help is greatly appreciated and I know that the help you give to this cause, will return to you in full circle!
And remember, "Hands that give, will never be empty". Thanks to all from the bottom of my heart!
Your lyrics are omens to the many conflicts that us humans deal with everyday in society, but are also full of optimism and a positive outlook to free our mind and soul.
You were a master in your time and the legacy you left us with your music, still beats on many people's heart.
Today marks another year of your birthday, so more than ever and in your honor; I will listen to your songs, feel the rhythm with my soul and sing the lyrics with my heart!
Time is sure flying by this year, we are almost done with the first week of February and even though this is the shortest month of the year, I am looking forward to some special occasions.
Tomorrow is my 6th anniversary as a resident of the Cayman Islands and all I have to say is I love Island living! I am happy and very grateful to God for giving the opportunity to be here for the past 6 years since I got the best gift from the islands, meeting my wonderful husband!
I am very exciting and also looking forward to reveal the winner of my hand made giveaway on Feb. 9th, good luck to all participating and for those that are not going to win this time, I am sure you will have a good chance to participate on another giveaway, just keep on participating!
I am sort of looking forward to Valentines Day, but honestly it's not that big deal for me, because I really don't see the point on having to have an specific day to express love, when we can do it every day of our lives, right? I am participating this year on a gift swap through another blog I follow and I am sending a gift to a new blog friend in Missouri, hope she likes what I got for her, I am sending her gift later today!
Also Feb. 14 would have been another birthday for my most favorite Uncle, Ed, he is no longer with us, but during part of his lifetime that I knew him he was an amazing man, with a unique soul and so much love to give, I miss him dearly but he's still a very bright light in my life.
I am looking forward to a little business trip coming up on Feb. 16th, as this will be my second year working the Miami Boat Show and my first year working at the Coconut Grove Art Festival. Hoping to take lots of pictures of the festival to share!
And last but definitely not least I will be looking forward to another birthday on the 23rd I already have an idea of what I one for this years birthday, I will be sharing my dearest wish on Monday's post, so stay tuned!
For those who follow and observe the Chinese Calendar and horoscope today marks the beginning of the year of the Cat or Rabbit, so Happy New Year!
When it comes horoscopes I have to say from my point of view that the Chinese one makes so much more sense to me over the astrological signs one. I am a snake in the Chinese one and Pisces in the other one.
For those than don't really follow any Chinese Calendar or Zodiac, here's a video that might help you enjoy on welcoming the Year of the Cat!
Yesterday evening we watched "Groundhog Day" and I have to say, every time I watch that movie I enjoy it so much, I have to say it's one of my favorites, I think Bill Murray is perfect on that roll.
Other than that, I don't have much to post about today. I've already started my giveaway surprise and I am about 1/2 way done, it's exciting to see so many people wanting to join, makes want to do more giveaways from now on... Thanks to all those participating and best of luck, in a few days I will be notifying the winner!
Well, here to hoping everybody on the Big White North is keeping warm, sending some sunshine your way... Have a great Thursday!!!
For those out there that are covered in white stuff a.k.a. snow, for those in places like NE Australia where Cyclone Yasi is bringing torrential rains and crazy +180 mph winds, I can promise that the Sun still shines!
Mr. Sun it's been hanging out with us here in the Caribbean. In fact here are some pictures I've taken the past couple of days that show Mr. Sun hanging out for the day...
sun is shinning
hanging out in our back deck
sun lovin' it
sunset time
sunny local street
sun is shinning and sea is flat
Now, all I ask for those out there that do not have the blessing of a shinning Sun right now is that you are keeping safe, whether is warm you need to be or cover from rain and wind...
In the meantime for those that don't have much sunshine around, how about jamming to the following wonderful song by my favorite singer Mr. Bob Marley. Now, just crank up the volume, make yourself a cocktail and pretend that "Sun is shinning, the weather is sweet, makes you want to move, your dancing feet"!
Lately I've been thinking a lot about giving as a way of life.
I just about finished reading "eat, pray, love", which by the way it's a great book, full of insight on people's beliefs, emotions and more... very inspirational in many aspects of one's life!
Now I am reading a book by the Dalai Lama, where he talks about giving in order to pursuit a life with meaning.
Regardless of the reasons why it's been on my mind, I decided that as of today - Feb.1st and until Feb. 8th (midnight EST)- my blog is going to have its very first giveaway!!!!
Wanna participate? Hope so! Now, to be part of this unique, one of a kind experience, all you need to do is leave me a comment below with and email where you can be contacted once you win.
Now, I can promise you:
1. that everybody who leaves a comment will have an opportunity to win.
2. The giveaway prize will consist of an original "piece of art" hand made by me.
3. I will get it to you as long as you have a mailing address.
Unfortunately I cannot promise that:
1. You'll win it (although you'll have the same chance as anybody else!).
2. You'll like it, but I am hoping that you will.
3. It will make you very happy, but heck it's free!!!
So, if you'll like to be a part of this, remember to leave me a message and hopefully in 8 day you will have a wonderful surprise knocking at your blog/email that you are the lucky winner!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!
Disclaimer: The actual giveaway prize will be revealed on Feb. 9th when I get a winner!!!
This weekend I said goodbye to a good old friend, my Palm Treo 680, who has been with me for many years.
Treo came to me over 3 years ago, when I first got him as a present from my husband I thought it was more than I needed, but then as time when by I realized how useful it was to have him with me... And although he falls into the category of a "smart phone", to me it was just a phone that always gave me good performance.
But now because of a terrible mistake from my part, it took a dip into the dreaded toilet and found his demise in the water!
The mourning time was brief as it's already been replaced by a Nokia E71 and although this new member has some very big shoes to fill, I am sure with time the memory of my beloved Treo will be only that, a memory, LOL!!!
Rest in peace Treo 680 and welcome to my life Nokia E71!
Don't have much to post today but I am happy that it's Friday and although I have to work tomorrow from 9am to 3pm I am looking forward to a day off on Sunday, hoping for good weather too!
Here are some random pictures I took yesterday while running some errands in town. We had 4 cruise ships in and town was pretty crowded.
view of hog sty bay during a busy cruise ship day
conch shells for sale!
busy corner in George Town
local "drinking" spot, Hammerheads
Looks like we are getting some kind of cold front tonight, so it should be windy during the weekend. Hoping everybody in the "great white" North is staying warm!
This morning I was reading once again another article about the privacy issues and new setting for facebook... All I can say it's no matter how much information facebook as a program shares on the internet, it really cannot share anything that you don't post there yourself, right?
I guess by now most people either have a facebook profile or if they don't they, at least have a vague idea of what facebook is all about, as it is the world's biggest social network (according to the statistics it has over 500 MILLION users!!!). It is a place where you can interact with people from your past, present and even in some cases your future.
I remember when I first joined facebook back in 2005, my brother (that at the time lived in Canada) sent me an invitation to join and be more in touch (other then via regular mail, email, phone, etc)...
At the time when I joined not many people knew about it, a few of my friends then started to join. Then came my high school friends; some I still had an idea of what became about their lives once we drifted apart after graduation, others I lost touch with (for a reason!)... and then they started to reappear on facebook like ghosts from the past.
I found people that I worked with. People that I had as friends in college, friends I met through friends, friends that I met while traveling, and of course then there's the family member that you barely remember from some huge family event (like a wedding or a funeral) and although they recognize you right away, you were probably too little or not at all interested in them during those events, now they are all on facebook!
Now, to me facebook has some very positive points and like everything else, it also has its bad points too! I am a firm believer that everything on a extreme is bad, no matter what you do and how you do it, it's always important to find a balance for it.
To me facebook is definitely a way to stay in the loop about things that happen to those that you care about, specially if those people are not as close to you as you'll like them to. It's a great way to share our life with the people you care for...
But c'mon people, we need to draw the line somewhere, what ever happened to privacy? what ever happened to not sharing abso-f*cking-lutely everything with everybody, everyday???
In the past couple of years I've seen so many baby ultrasounds, (even those 3D ones that deep inside give the creeps!)... So all I can think of is the rights of that baby that maybe he/she doesn't want the entire world to see their face from the very first time that it is visible, right?
So, then it comes to yet another "privacy" issue article that facebook will share even more information of their users online, well... how about us users stop sharing so much in the first place, so then we don't have to worry about the actual program posting everything that we don't want, don't you agree?
Now people, if you don't like facebook, don't use it. But if you like facebook use it, but if you don't want people to find out certain things about yourself then do not posted there, if there's certain photos that none but yourself should see, then keep 'em to yourself and or else don't come complaining that your entire social life is ruined because you are not intelligent enough to be discreet in your personal life and specially through facebook...
This thing about privacy goes waaaay down into the history of the human race it's also know as gossip... but if you are discrete, mind your own business and don't mess up with others, facebook and gossip should not backfire on you!!!
When I see scenes like the ones feature below and then I read remarkable stories of animals that have adopted other animals, it's when once again I realize how us human beings are the only ones mistaken about nature, the following pictures prove that God is pure love and he shows his real face in the way of animals!!!
The above picture shows Isabella, a golden retriever in Kansas who adopted three white Bengal tiger cubs and nursed them as her own. The tiger cubs -- Nasira, Anjika and Sidani -- needed somewhere to turn because their mother stopped nursing them 15 hours after their birth. Zookeepers Tom and Allie Harvey brought the cubs home, and their dog Isabella stepped right up.
The young elk pictured above was rescued from a flooding river by a farmer in South Korea in July 2009. This female dog eagerly adopted the elk and began breastfeeding and guarding him.
Many male animals have strong parental impulses, too. Take, for instance, this wild long-tailed macaque monkey in Bali, Indonesia (picture above). He stunned animal lovers around the world when he adopted an abandoned kitten and cared for it as his own. The monkey was spotted in a forest protectively nuzzling and grooming the ginger kitten, making sure no harm came to it. The extraordinary sight was captured by amateur photographer Anne Young while on a holiday to the Monkey Forest Park in Bali's Ubud region.
Aren't this images inspiring? Pretty amazing how animals see no difference in color, shape or species when it comes to love and nurture an animal in need... So, in many cases " It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us family".
Hello Monday, I see your face again, but today it is disguised as a holiday!!!
Today the little island where I live is celebrating Heroes Day, work is open today but I am off cause of a schedule swap, meaning I will be working next Sat. as my manager's Mom will be here for a visit, so next week it'll be her chance to have a 3 day weekend!
My weekend was pretty nice, I have to report that I've been using my new TENS machine and the improvement with my art is quite amazing, I have a lot more mobility and I'm sleeping much better as well!
During the weekend I finally got around to do a project that is being on my mind for a few weeks.
About 5 years ago some very good friend of mine gave me a bamboo wind chine shaped as a owl, we have it in our back deck and although we bring it in every time it rains, weather's not being very kind to it, it needed some major overhauling... well on Saturday, I finally got around to give it a face lift.
Also on Saturday night we had our weekly date night and we went to the movies to watch TRON Legacy in 3D, it was pretty cool, nice color and nice effects.
My husband got a hold of the original version (from 1982) and we watched it last week (well, maybe I should say he watched and I glanced every now and then cause it was kind of boring and very complex plot)... Still I got the main idea of what was happening and what I like the best of this second new movie is that they were very faithful to the original one, keeping the same cast (from more than 20 years ago) and making it like a sequel with the original main characters son... that was kind of neat.
If you feel like watching the new one, I recommend you try to watch the first one before to get the most out of the new movie!!!
Tomorrow is back to work, it's pretty crazy to think that we are already on the last week of January.
Have a great day...
One of the many things I love about living on an island or near the ocean is the access to fresh caught fish. On Monday my friend Yessie's husband went out fishing and caught some fish so he gave me and my husband some pieces of Wahoo (my favorite fish) and Mahi Mahi.
On Tuesday night I baked the Wahoo and it was delicious and yesterday I decided to make to Mahi Mahi in Ceviche. For those that don't know what Ceviche is all about, it's basically when you marinate the fish in lemon or lime enough time so it actually gets cooked by the citrus juices, then you add a few other things.
In case you are able to get a hold to some fresh caught fish here's a wonderful recipe to try.
You can use pretty much any type of fish and sea food (shrimp, octopus and even conch). The amount of time you leave the fish on the marinate depends of how fresh the fish is (if using octopus and conch because of the harder consistence you might need to use more time), it has to be at least 20 min which is what I left mine marinating for yesterday.
Ingredients:
Fish (any amount that you'll like), yesterday I used about 2lbs.
Limes or Lemon juice to cover the fish once cut in cubes (from 6 to 10)
1 Red Onion
Cilantro
2 to 3 Sweet Potatoes
First you need to clean the fish, take our all of the bones (if it's got any) and cut it into little cubes.
The put it on a non reactive container and use enough limes to cover the entire fish pieces with the juice and cover it. I used about 6 to 8 limes and also in case you don't have limes you can use lemons too.
Leave the fish cover by the juices at least 20min or until you can see that has changed to a whiter skin color.
Cut the red onion in thin feather cuts. Then you need to also "cook" the onion in salt, so put it on a thin strainer and dump enough salt on it to cover it, with your hands stir the onion for about a minute until the salt start dissolving and the onion start releasing all of the acid and gas. Once the onion is pretty wet, then rinse with water to take the excess salt out of it, leave it in the strainer for a while to get all the water out of it.
Chop cilantro very fine.
Put the sweet potatoes to boil until soften, take them out of the pot and peel the skin off, then cut them in thick pieces to eat them with the ceviche.
Once the 20min (or however long you've left the fish marinating for) are over, mix the fish with the onions and cilantro. Add salt and hot sauce to taste, serve in small bowl and use the sweet potatoes are "chips" to eat the fish ceviche on top, enjoy!!!
Here's my end result, yummy!
BTW, yesterday was also "What's Cooking Wednesday" at This Life of Ours, so I am linking this recipe back to Trish, so go ahead, visit her blog if you'll like to find out what others are cooking, bon appetit!
