Friday Letters

Dear March: Welcome to 2013, you are the third month of the year and so far I am looking forward to some exciting things happening during your presence, already January and February have been on board and so far made this a wonderful year.

Dear customers: some of you are definitely a delight to interact and chat with, but others manage to give you guys a bad name to the point that it makes me wanna run for the hills and that is saying a lot being that the highest elevation on this lil island is only about 79ft (according to wikipedia)!

Dear Weekend: you are in my top 10 of favorite things in the world, having you this close makes as happy as an Otter with a fish!

Dear driver this morning: So nice of you stopping right in the middle of the road to buy the newspaper at your own convenience, specially not giving a s#*t about the other drivers on the road that are delayed while you look around for spare change around your car to pay for the paper, good going!

Dear bed and pillow: you guys are a great team but in the morning it seems as if you are winning the battle as it's been hard for me to wake up lately, seems like a have some attachment issues, specially when I have to wake up early to go to the gym (like today!).

Dear Nor'westers (weathers): I don't really mind you coming around during this time of the year, but why oh why do you feel the need to show up during the weekend with 20+ mph winds to ruin our snorkeling/beach time?!?!? Can't you just make the effort to come in between Mon to Friday, or is it that nature is paying you overtime during the weekend?!?!?

Dear Blog of mine: I've given you yet another face lift today, with a photo I took on my recent trip to The Brac and that has the "capabilities" to transport me to a place I love and miss every day, hope my readers like the "new look"!

Dear Blogger Friends: Here's hoping everybody has a great weekend... Live, Love, Laugh and Eat Well!!!

Event Photo Album

Hooray for Thursday, one more day and we are ready to welcome the weekend!!!

Last week we had an event to celebrate our 6th Anniversary so in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce had a Business After Hours, here are some photo by the local newspaper.

All Photo are © Patrick Brendel from the Cayman Compass Newspaper.

Entrance ready

My boss and his art

Everybody mingle and having fun

The Manager Sue & Me

Speech time!

Hope everybody has a wonderful Thursday!

Watch it, I'm gone...

Dear Hubby,

Being that I have a schedule trip in less than two weeks and that I will be away for about 10 days, here's a list of approved [and encouraged] movies to watch during my absence.

① Avatar: I know this is one of your favorite movies but I loathe it, cause to me, there's already enough; dominance and disrespect of other cultures/beliefs plus destruction of nature/habitats in reality, for me to also want to watch it in a movie, thanks but no thanks!

② Die Hard 1, 2, 3, 4 or as many as they are: Not only I grow tired of Bruce Willis playing a McGiver/Superman type dude, you know "action" is not necessary my favorite kind of movie.

③ Alien Vs Predator: Well, the name says it all, right? Otherwise just look at the image below, LOL!

④ ANY war movie: As you well know I am a pacifist and I like nice positive movies and those based on real facts, so suit yourself with any of those that fall under this category.

And finally...

⑤ Pretty much ANY movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it: because, yeah, he's been in so many Oscar nominated movies, he's definitely on top of my "no must watch" list, LOL! (although "True Lies" is a decent one!).

So, yeah, think about this list when I am gone, I am sure those movie will bring you hours of entertainment and enjoyment to bear the burden while I'm gone.

And to my readers, is there any movie your hubby loves that you can't stand so they love to watch while you are away? Please do share...

Happy Wednesday!  

Ten on Tuesday - Brac Edition

❿ I am back after a phenomenal weekend at the Brac; Sea, Sun, Sand and Friends is one of the best combinations.
❾ Flights there are back were great, not too much turbulence and I even meet some nice people.

❽ I was this closed to the beach all weekend.

❼ My birthday on Saturday was one of the BEST ones of my life, had cake both for breakfast and dinner, got some very well deserved time to myself to read and relax by a hammock, spent time with my friends and even got to talk to a lot of people from my family.
❻ I've forgotten how much I love and miss the Brac and being there this weekend made me realize it even more... So I have made my friends and myself a promise to not let more than 6 months go by without visiting. I intend to keep that promise.
❺ Certainly being a big animal and nature lover is part of the reason I had such a great time... the Brac has so much to offer on that department, had the change to take some very nice photos, mainly of nature and birds.

❹ On Sunday night my friend Bonnie had a little party for me at her house, we all sat in front of the ocean, had food, drinks and even some guest played guitar music under the star and the almost full moon, it was awesome!
❸ Sunday I had lunch with two of my favorite friends at the Brac, Elaine and Brian (not pictured below) plus their two absolutely gorgeous kids (Naoise and Callum)... Are those two kids just beautiful? Their eyes are just magical!!!

❷ Also on Sunday I managed to catch a glimpse of the Oscar ceremony, just enough to remind me that I don't really enjoy those shows... So I turned it off almost immediately. Although I am glad that Argo won Best Movie, woo-hoo!
❶ Now I am back home to my hubby, dogs, cats and work... Happy to be back although I know I lest a big part of my heart back there... I should be back soon to pick it up!
Happy Tuesday!!!

Hello 36!

It has been 35 rounds around the sun since I first saw the light of day and so far, so good.

The past 35 years under my belt have been great ones, and now as I add an another year, I am looking forward to at least double what I've lived, learn, people I've met, places to visit and experiences to gain.

So Happy New Year to me!

As I come start another year I have feeling of happiness and love but specially gratitude to God for always looking after me and all the blessings I have and get to keep everyday; my family, pets and friends being the most of important ones on that list.

Thank you Blogger readers and friends for stopping by my blog and making me a space in your lives!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Friday Letters

Dear Friday: Once again I am so happy and grateful that you showed up, my love for you gets bigger every day of the week and when you finally get here my heart races with the idea of you bringing me closer to the weekend, specially since I have so much to look forward on this one!

Dear blog friends: Thanks for your words of encouragement yesterday, life is definitely much better when you have people that support you and offer a kind word when needed.

Dear Aunt Cynthia: I am very excited to go home and see you (among other people) but I specially want to thank you for being such a cool aunt and lending me your car while I'll visiting, that is going to be a great help as I won't have to spend any money in a rental car.

Plus I will be cruisin' in style while driving your Fiat 500 convertible, sweeeeeet!

Dear 35 years of my life: I am just about ready to add one more, tomorrow is the day, so bring it on, I've always like the number 36, so that must be a good sign!

Dear flying weather: Please be super nice tomorrow as I am taking the twin otter plane to the Brac, I know it's a short flying of just 40 minutes, but turbulence is not a form of enjoyment for me!

Dear gym class: I am so happy I got up and joined you this morning, having a Saturday birthday among friend will consist of cake and drinks, so exercising in advance to make up for it is wonderful!

Dear Blog: I will not be around tomorrow although I am planning to have some cake for my readers, so come on by and wish me a happy birthday while "eating" some of my cyber cake... I will be in Cayman Brac celebrating life!!!

Happy Birthday weekend to me and to you all a wonderful one as well!!!

Keep Calm it's Thursday

Wish I had much to post about, but in all seriousness I don't... 

Today started on a weird way; having an argument with my husband who is kind of in a funk because of life, responsibilities and of course money.

It sucks that somebody stole our lawn mower, but really, it's only a lawn mower, and yes it was a good one, not a cheapo one, but it's only something material, worst case scenario our grass grows to the point that we'll feel as if we live in the jungle, but I really doubt it will come to that point!

Now, when it comes to security about our house and the fact that somebody can break in, I really don't worry so much about them stealing our "stuff", but I do worry about the fact that we have two "ferocious" dogs inside and I really worry about somebody trying to harm them just to get their hands on the few "possessions" we have. To me, anything is replaceable but people and animals.

So, yeah, not much to post about, I will be busy tonight with the first event and tomorrow as well.

I really need time off, away from work, the house, the dogs, the cats and even the husband, but nothing personal against anything or anybody, it's just that I am convinced that "if you make friends with yourself you'll never be alone" and that friendship is as important as any other relationship so it's vital to care for it as well...

Happy Thursday!

Ova' da hump

Happy Hump Day everybody!

So, how big is your hump today? Mine is full of events coming up...

With only a little more than a week to closing the second month of 2013, the first event coming up tomorrow Thursday, it's our Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Shoppe and Gallery where I work.

This type of event is in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and it's a way to invite fellow members of the chamber and general public to an "Open House" of your business, there will be refreshments, finger food, raffles and even music! Should be fun.

Then on Friday we are having a private event for YPO Florida, hoping that would be a good one too! That night after work I am going out to celebrate my birthday with my co-workers and then I am off for the weekend to beautiful Cayman Brac.

At this point I am also looking forward to my birthday specially as I am going to Cayman Brac and then in a couple of weeks going to Costa Rica to visit my family!!!

Now, If only I can turn into an octopus for a couple of hours a day from now own... I have all this crochet projects in my mind that I will like to make and take home for gifts, but of course I am kind of leaving everything last minute and I am not sure if I will be able to make it but at least I have to try.

Although yesterday I got another project almost "under my belly", an "Angry Birds" inspired owl (door stopper) for my godson Julia, specially requested by my cousin (his Mom). Here's the photo...

Isn't it cute? I think so... Now, I still have to work on the wings and also on another Owl for my Aunt who invited me to visit her new mountain log cabin so I figure it would be a nice gift to bring her, although hers it's not going to be "Angry Birds" inspired but on a combination of shades of green, lavender and purple... photos coming soon!

On another note, somebody stole our lawn mower from our back yard, cut the lock and took it, sucks! We have some suspicions but unfortunately we cannot proof anything so we feel as if nothing can be done.

So here and now I ask God to bless this person who stole from us, as he/she is very poor in spirit. God knows we work hard to buy our things and we do not steal from anybody but it's unfortunately others do.

Hope everybody has a nice Hump Day and your day is full of smiles!

count to 10

Tuesday is here and so is another link back to 10 on Tuesday from Linny's & Co.

⓵

Yesterday was my 6th anniversary at work, more than 1/2 a decade working for a great company but specially for a man that is not only talented, but a kind human being, a devoted family man and a great boss... A man that has taught me that "A job worth doing, is worth doing it well", thank you Dr. Guy Harvey & GH Inc for this past 6 years of employment, looking forward to more.

⓶

Over the weekend we watched the movie Argo, great movie. It is very intense and of course not a light topic, but I feel it was very well made and definitely has a good chance for an Oscar. BTW, what is "Silver Lining Handbook" doing in that category anyway? Whatever...

⓷

Last night I had the worst of times sleeping, I have to say that I officially cannot sleep with a pillow anymore... a few months ago my husband had the same situation and he asked me to buy him a yoga block, well, he's been using that under his pillow for a while and seems to work fine... So last night I gave it a try and my neck feel much better today... I guess I am going to have to try that for a while and see how it goes.

⓸

Yesterday I had a hard time dealing with FedEx about sending some art to California, hoping today will be the closure of that long process to get those pieces outta door!

⓹

The weekend was great for crocheting, I've made 2 1/2 Rainbows and now I am starting a "Angry-Owl" (my version of Angry Birds) for my godson Julian, photos soon!

⓺

This is on of the neighborhood's dog, I call him "Uncle Dog" because he could be our dog Sheba's long distant relative... He is very cool dog and I think his real name if "Blacko" or something like that.

⓻

We've had this beach chair for a few year but finally the fabric on the sitting area ripped, well, after seeing all those very great projects on Pinterest, something must have rubbed on me but I decided to re-purpose it as cat bed, so I took it downstairs and as soon as I put the there, our cat LT fell in love with it.

But, my hubby still wanted to get rid of it and next day I found it in the trash, so I took it again and set it on the side while I took a photo with my phone, immediately LT was in it again... proving that he loves it, now it's his foreva'

⓼

Took this photo of a Plumeria (aka Frangipani) flower the other day after a nice rain, pretty uh?

⓽

Today's gym class was pretty though, but oh well, no pain no gain, right... so as long as the only thing I don't gain is any weight then the pain is totally worth it, right?!?!?!?

⓾

T-5 days to the BIG 3-6 Birthday... I am going away for the weekend to Cayman Brac to visit friends, flying solo as the hubby has a conference the whole weekend, will miss having him around at the Brac but I am looking forward to visit on my home's away from home.

Happy Tuesday!!!

Any day is Earth Day!

Hello Monday!

My weekend was great, Saturday was a very nice and sunny day but can't say the same about yesterday (or today) as we got a pretty strong cold front, with lots of wind, dark clouds and today even rain.

I did get some crochet done and yesterday after talking to my cousin from back home, I have a few new orders to take home, so I will be busy on that on the next few days!

On another note, for a while now I take our dogs walking around a nearby path on a neighbor property and lately I've notice that the trash situation is getting out of control, but of course it's not my property so why doing anything about, right? 

Nooooo! That is exactly the kind of mentality that is killing this planet. Why picking up anything that I didn't throw out myself? 

Well, the garbage is there and will still be there whether we pick it up or not, but we humans are the responsible of that garbage being produce, so why can't we be responsible to pick it up.

So, I went to the grocery store, got some big trash bags, latex gloves and decided to take matters on my own hands.

This is the area before I got my "hands on" it.

Well, 2 and 1/2 bags later...

Here are some before and after photos...

How does it look? Pretty nice, uh?

So, yes, I did it for myself, for the fact that I don't like me or my animals to walk around trash all the time. Because this is where I live, it's my neighborhood, my country, my island and my planet.

Would people throw trash again? Perhaps they will, but for that God gave me two arms and two legs to walk around and pick it up again, for me, for whomever walks by...

I am happy!

Have a wonderful Monday and weekend again.

Friday Letters

Dear Friday: I am so absolutely over the moon with the fact that you have finally arrived, oh boy, how I missed you, but in all honesty I kinda like your sister Saturday and Brother Sunday better... but you are not so bad yourself, specially after a whole long week like this past one, thanks for showing up again!

Dear Feb 15th: Today is the day the world celebrates International Childhood Cancer Day but just because you come right after Valentine's Day doesn't mean you are less important as this horrible disease is very real and very bad, we need to always be vigilant, specially when it comes to kids.

Dear Meteors: You guys are freaking scary and please do not come our way anymore, can't imagine what those people in Siberia, Russia went through with that scare, my thought are with them all.

Dear Asteroid: I know you are also in the vicinity of Earth, so please pretty please, stay away and do not mess with us, thank you!

Dear Crochet Artist in me: I need to wake you up, I am going home in a few weeks and would like to make some gift to take, so this weekend I am hoping to make lots of progress in that front.

Dear Husband: Thank you for taking us to dinner last night, I had a great time and love spending time with you to be totally myself... I can't promise to love you forever, but I can promise to love you for as long as I live, Happy V Day to you again! XO

Dear Weekend: You are so close that I can almost touch you, can't wait to have you around, get to sleep in tomorrow morning, hang out by the "ool", crochet a bit and just spend time with my lovely dogs and hubby, thanks for showing up again!!!

Dear Readers: Hope life is good wherever you are, wishing you good weather and good times with loved ones or even by yourself.

Happy Weekend!!!

All we need is... L♥VE

Today is the official day to celebrate all things L♥VE... although L♥VE should officially be part of our every day life!

Now, when it comes to L♥VE I am convinced that by itself, it cannot exist.

L♥VE feeds from trust, care, patience, kindness, commitment, friendship and joy among other things.

Also there are many forms of it other than just romantic L♥VE and they are all as important and vital to our lives. There L♥VE from a Mother/Father, there's sibling L♥VE, friendly L♥VE, there's L♥VE for other beings/nature and even L♥VE for oneself and for what we do, plus the life we are so fortunate to enjoy.

In my case and probably yours as well, I'm a very blessed person when it comes to having all kinds of L♥VE in life. I've always been surrounded by L♥VE from God, my family, friends, my pets and specially my life partner and amazing husband Mark... and last but definitely not least, my daily readers and fellow bloggers!

But  L♥VE is not only about how much you say "I L♥VE you" but how much you prove that it's true and act upon it... So today let's make the best out of the day by showing others how much we cherish their presence in our lives and how important they are for us!

May your day(s) be filled with lots of acts of love and that this L♥VE will multiply with each and every breath you take!

♥ Happy Valentines Day ♥

8 and counting...

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. 

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” 

― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

In the words of the wise Dr. Seuss I am proud to announce and celebrate the fact that I'm done with book #8 for the year. 

My latest read? Well, since you asked, "The Great Gatsby". Yes, it is an American literature classic but I've never read it before, now I am glad I did... But in my opinion, it was just alright, nothing really extraordinary, in fact it was kind of slow in the beginning and then it got o.k. but never too exciting.

Now I don't have anything planned for the next book and I could really use some suggestions as I am trying to "think outside the box" by trying to read different kind of books so if you know of anything out there worth the read and that could be added to my 30 books a year list, please do help, thanks!

I do have to admit that I have a book about 1/2 way in, but it's just not doing if for me, the book is "I know this Much is True" by Wally Lamb, who also wrote "She's come undone" and that I absolutely loved... But "I know..." it's just not doing it for me, so I am keeping that one open for in between reads.

In other news, today is hump day and a Holiday here, as I mentioned yesterday, it's Ash Wednesday, but since we don't even have a volcano close by to produce the Ash, I have to work.... so I am making the best of it, specially since I went Salsa dancing last night with some girlfriends so today I much rather be in bed!!!

Wishing everybody a nice day!!!

The Skinny on Tuesday!

Monday has come and gone and now we are on to Tuesday, so let's bring it on with another link up to 10 on Tuesday with Linny and Co.

10.
It's Fat Tuesday for some and then Ash Wednesday for others, in my case I plan to stay the same weight both days, LOL!

9.
Tomorrow as I mentioned just before it's Ash Wednesday Holiday on the island. You know what cracks me up about the holidays here, the fact that most people are not even religious or officially celebrate Ash Wednesday but they still want the day off.

Also the islands are a British Colony and they celebrate the Queen's Birthday in June, when it's not even her official birth date, crazy, uh? I think so..

8.

Last weekend was great, went to a 40th birthday party with a sunset boat included! Had to fly solo because hubby was still recovering from a cold, but I am glad that he is outta the woods now!

with my good friend Emma

got to sit next to Jo at dinner

part of the dinner crew

my friend is a BIG Southampton fan

"Happy Birthday Dear Christian"

40 is the new 30!

7.

Over the weekend I made some healthy-ist "Morning Glory" muffins, replaced most of the sugar with "Stevia in the raw", unfortunately since I put too little regular sugar, the muffins did not raise very much.

Still, I think they came out pretty good and my hubby gave them 2 "yums" up!!!

6.

No, I did not watch the Grammys and not would I watch the Oscars, or even the Video Music Awards, which by the way I don't understand. How could there be a video awards ceremony if videos don't even exist anymore, do they? Perhaps YouTube Videos, right? LOL

5.

Yes, LOVE is in the air as we are on the final countdown to Valentines... But, not that I am counting as I don't really care very much for Valentines, still I am married and if any gift come my way, I will be totally thankful and lovey-dovey!!!!

4.

If you like any [or all] of the following; birds, blue sky, extreme closeup of birds, water and wasps... then you are in for a treat with you visit my husband blog and check out the video he took with his new lil' camera... Just click here and be amazed!!!

3.

Can you believe my little Godson Julia has grown so much?!?!?!? Here's the latest photo I received this past week, he's starting on a preschool for the first time, but he's not even 2 years old! That seems crazy to me to put them in so young, but oh well, times have changed.

2.
Saw this photo yesterday for the first time, it's an ad for Hermes Brand... Isn't it beautiful and happy?
Love her flow-ey outfit, the pose, the bike, the place... well everything!

1.
Last but not least I want to share with you a video taken by a friend of mine up in Crystal Lake, FL where him and his wife Ellen when to see the Manatees.

WARNING:
Images contained in the following video might make you wanna sell everything, take off and live surrounded by Manatees or... at least make you want to see one in real life.

Wasn't that simply awesome?!?!?!? I want a Manatee so bad now...

Happy FAT or SKINNY Tuesday to you'all!!!

Snake is in da' house

Happy Chinese New Year of the Snake 2013 to all my readers!

my new Amigurumi Snake

In case you don't follow the Chinese Horoscope perhaps this is your year to start being that it is the year of my sign, woo-hoo!

I am very happy an expecting for a good year, although I do know Snake is not an easy animals to tame, LOL, if you don't believe me just ask my lovely [rat] husband, LOL!

Unfortunately for you [and me] I am no expert in Chinese Astrology but do follow it and have a few books about it, so if you would like me to send you the predictions of the year for your sign, just send me and email or comment with your month and year of birth and I'll be happy to send them your way.

Hope everybody had a great weekend, wishing everybody a good and productive week ahead!