Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Christmas Wrap LP





I love wrapping presents. I take pride in every present I wrap. Each has ribbon that has been twirled ever so perfectly around the scissors, each has a stamp of love on it. I even place them perfectly under the tree so that every magnificent present can be seen in all it's glory.

I wrap a mean present.

But some of the presents I remember most are the ones that were specially wrapped. The ones that weren't tied with a ribbon or stuffed in a bag. Sometimes the gift giving is just as special, just as memorable as the gift.

The Box We Forgot About
One year my mom came out with a small box that she had "forgotten" about until the rest of the presents were open. Ohhhh. This must be special. It was. The small box contained car keys. The car wasn't just for me, it was a family car that we would all use but imagine our surprise when we saw car keys! We ran outside, pressing the unlock button, waiting to see which car was our new car. And there it was. In plain sight. Parked in front of our house the whole time.


The Unexpected Switch
At the end of my senior year of college, my best friends and I were taking a 40 day tour of Europe. So for Christmas that year, my parents bought me this book: 

I was soooooo excited about the book. It was like a symbol of what I could look forward to for the next 5 months in anticipation of my trip. I forgot about opening other presents. I started to thumb through all of the sights I would see and places I would visit. In the first few pages, I came acrosee a $20 bill. Yay! How cute, I thought. Thanks mom and dad. As I thumbed through a few more pages, I found another $20 bill and then another. Then, I turned the whole damn book upside down and shook the sh*t out of it. $20 bills fell from the pages of Europe and I was squealing like a pig in a Caja China. That my friends, is an unexpected switch.

Last year, I bought our "daughter" a Christmas book called Christmas in New York. In the pages, I wrote little notes that Husband would find. The end note was announcing our two night excursion to Manhattan... sans daughter. Then I wrapped the book and labeled it
To: Papi 
Love: Rafa

The Hunt
Before Husband was Husband and Husband was Boyfriend I got him a kayaking eco tour trip as one of his Christmas presents. How do you wrap that? Funny you should ask...

I cut out little green and red cards and pasted slips of paper to each card. Each green card had a riddle to solve what the present was (he didn't yet know it was a kayaking tour). Each red card had a clue where he could find his next riddle. I gave him his first clue on Christmas morning and he found the first few clues/riddles after that until he arrived at one that announced that he'd have to wait until we reached our next destination. I took advntage of the fact that we were traveling to his brother's house in Texas the day after Christmas and waited until we were on the plane for his next clue. I got up to use the restroom and asked the flight attendant to deliver the next clue. Great touch. The last few clues were then placed once we arrived at his brother's place.

The Game
You'll notice that Husband is the recipient of a lot of my exciting gift giving. This year, he was receiving tickets to a Broadway Show. I printed out the tickets and save them in my pocket. Then when it was time I suggested we play a game of charades. Of course, I went first and acted out Phantom of the Opera. When he guessed it, I pulled out the tickets and said, "Yes. We're going!"



Or just wrap a cute baby in a box and call it a day.
Drinking the Whole Bottle does not promote wrapping babies in boxes. No babies were harmed in the taking of this picture.


Is there a special, fun, or cute way you've presented a gift before? I'd love more ideas!!!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Connecting the Dots of a Bilingual Prayer


Our bedtime routine is the same every evening: baño, leche, libro (bath, bottle, book). And then prayers. My Cuban grandmother always referred to God as Papa Dios. So, Papa Dios it is. 

So I say, "Let's pray to Papa Dios."
Which Rafaella has taken and interpreted like one of those songs that you sing the wrong lyrics to and she says says, "Decir aDios." 
Ok. She gets the gist. She's in the ballpark.
Last night, in the middle of reading, she pushed the book down and said, "Decir aDios." So, we began to pray, to thank God for all of our blessings. It's two fold really. She comes up with the things to thank the big G for and I get to tag along on her thankfulness for most things that I'm grateful for too. I also get to thank Him, something I too often forget to do on my own. And we have a lot to be thankful for. 

But here's where this takes a different turn. While there's something very peaceful about praying with my two year old daughter at bedtime as she wriggles her body from laying next to me to cozying in and laying her head on my stomach and looking me in the eye as she speaks her gratitude list, it is also a time for lots of laughs as I wander down the path of the inner workings of this kid's mind. 

Here was our prayer last night:

Gracias Papa Dios por (Thank you Father God for):

(she begins) 
ona - this is short for chambelona which means lollipop - I smile because she's a kid. Of course she's thankful for lollipops, sepcifically the one I told our nanny, Shelly she could give her today.

She rolls her eyes to the side in thought and hums a quiet hmmmm... in preparation of what to be thankful for next and then smiles, "Shelly" - I see she didn't lose sight of who gave her the lollipop.

With ease she clumps together next, "Yago (her nickname for her brother Santiago), Papi, Mami."
I repeat the names and add, "Who love you very much."

"Papi, Mami." She must be super thankful for us tonight.

From here she is thankful for Mum and Harrison. Mum is our Canadian friend. Her name is Julain. Julain's son calls her Mum so Rafa calls her Mum. Rafa adores Mum. Mum adores Rafa. The adoration is a two way street.

Since she's on the friend kick she's thankful for Saskia and Nouk (pronounced Nook.) But her name is not Nouk, it's Anouk. Did I mention Rafa likes giving people nicknames?

Still on the friend train she thanks "aDios" for Amelia and Amalia - the two little girls that live downstairs and play in the communal courtyard who love on Rafa whenever they see her. Amalia has a sweet grandmother who also adores Rafa. She reminds us that her mother's name was Rafaella and so she has a special place in her heart for Rafa and so whenever she sees Rafa she gives her a lollipop.

"Paleta," which also means lollipop - leave it to our girl to know both words for lollipop.



Lollipops have turned her attention to food. 

"Tica," (prounounced teeka). 
"Tica?" I ask cause I'm not sure what that it. 
"Tica," she says again with a quick nod of her head like I should know this one. 
I say it again with a slight intonation. She knows I don't know what she's saying.

She moves on...
"Fish," her shortened version - aka nickname - for Goldfish - which we don't feed her but that sometimes the kids on the playground eat and share with her. 

Now she comes back - and I think this is brilliant because she comes back to "Tica" knowing she just gave me Fish and I now realize that tica is galletica - the word for cookie. But stay with me here...

In spanish a cracker is called a galleta, a cookie can also be called a galleta (or a galletica). She connected [Gold]fish to come back to tica so that I would know what she was talking about. 

Is this a 3 foot 2 genius I have laying on my stomach? I'm scared that she might be waaaay smarter than I think.

Without blinking an eye, she continues.

Agua. She is grateful for water. 
Mas agua. And she's grateful for more water. More water I think. That's a good one

And then like that she is ready for bed. She asks for NuNu which is apparently French for stuffed animal. 

Genius.



Monday, November 18, 2013

What's On Tap This Month - NOVEMEBER (Christmas Edition)

Note: All opinions stated on monthly What's on Tap posts are my honest opinion. Sponsored reviews can be submitted for review but DTWB only promotes products I genuinely like. 
 
Since this is the season of giving, sharing and helping, I decided to skip my usual Tap this month and instead share this list as a way to help my fellow (wo)/man with the What-do-I-give-my-(fill in blank)-for-Christmas Blues. You'll notice that I'm giving you more than enough time to order, ship, and wrap your gift without having to worry about lines, shopping, and grinchy people that wait til the last minute to Christmas shop. 
I warn you... This is a BIG one. BIG! Ideas, pictures, links, the whoooole hook up. So grab a glass bottle of wine, get your credit card ready, and browse through these fabulous gifts ideas that are as easy as, well, a click away. 

* * *
For Baby Berrrr:
1. His First Book: In my home, we are asking Santa for the new Ricky Martin book called Santiago the Dreamer. I was so excited to hear that this children's book just came out in time for the holidays in English and Spanish. yaysies!

2. Tooo Cute Bodysuits: This onesie is on backorder right now so I am very upset about that but I love it so much that I had to mention it anyway because this sweet, 80's throwback onesie is well worth the wait. 


Here are a few other onesies that you can't go wrong with...


3. Puttin' on the Ritz: What better way to dress up the holiday season for your babes than to literally dress him up. I've found, even having had a boy, that dressing him is still not as much fun as dressing my daughter. In full disclosure, I've never really been able to shop for either of my kids so that's a set back but since it's Christmas I can do all the shopping I want, right Husband?? And buy this adorable, ridiculous bow tie and vest combo by Laddies and Lasses on Etsy. I'm not a fan of spending a lot of money on onesies but this one is an excpetion. I figure he can wear it for the holidays and his birthday party and other special occasions so I've given myself the green light here.

* * * 

For Toddler Berrrrrr:
1. Mae Chevrette Art: I've said what I've wanted to say about Mae Chevrette's art but this one isn't for me. This one would be a reminder of who my daughter is... little but fierce, a force. I just can't resist this.

2. Espresso Cafe Tent: My daughter calls everything I drink - that she is not allowed to drink - café. Actualy she says, "cafeeeeeé" real fancy like. If I'm drinking wine? Cafeeeeé. Soda? Cafeeeeeé. Coffee? Cafeeeeeé. She's going to think I'm a café addict. So to further her ideas of mami's habit I found this cute Espresso Tent at - where else - Target. Now she too can sit in a café and be a writer. I love these tents because they are easy to assemble and lightweight enough that they can travel with us on road trips or day trips to the beach. Double score!
A few other cute tent ideas for the non-café drinking, writer in a café, child:  

DIY Memory Game from Burlap and Blue
3. Memory Game: Our toddler is learning and picking things up exponentially everyday so I figure it's time to get her a memory game but with a twist. I found this DIY idea at Burlap and Blue and pinned for just this occasion. This present takes a little bit of elbow grease but well worth elbow grease. Add to the fact that our toddler LOVES pictures and we've got a slam dunk here.

4. TOMS: You know what the great thing about classic TOMS is? Once my toddler is finished with them, and she will be soon at the rate she grows, I can save them for the infant son. Recap: cute pair of shoes. Double use? That's my kind if deal.


5. Older Sibling Book: Since Santiago gets his very own book with his name in it, I thought getting Rafaella a book that personalizes her name in it would be cute. And I love that I'll be reminding her what a great older sister she is.
Click on picture for more info.


* * * 

For Mommy Berrrr:

1. WHO loves cute jewelry?: i love quirky, fun jewelry. Last year I bought the bicycle bracelet from this Etsy Shop. The shop ships from China and the bracelet was very inexpensive so when it took a long time to get to me I kinda thought I had been scammed. There was some confusion in the order and after a few emails I finally received the bracelet which was exactly what I hoped it would be. This year, I've got my eye on that owl bracelet. Did I mention it's under $3.00? um... yeah. Merry Christmas. Order one for you and one for everyone you know and you still wouldn't break the bank! But order early... like now. 



Groopdealz offered an amazing deal this weekend on layered bracelets just like this in a ton of different assortments and I got a butt-load! There's still time to get yours but don't wait. This deal expires today!!!
Click on picture to check out this great deal!

2. Mae Chevrette Art: I discovered her art in an Oprah magazine and had one of those instant love moments. Her art is a mixed media marriage of beautiful words, vibrant paint, and wanderlust. What in that for me is there not to love? I can't choose which is my favorite -I've been trying to for years - so here are a few.

3. What kind of Drinking the Whole Bottle blog would I be if I didn't include a gift for my wine habit. This bottle opener which I found on Target online for less than $20 will do juuuuust fine:
Rechargeable Wine Bottle Opener
4. Hair Help: I used to work at a hair salon as Lola, the receptionist. I loved that job for tooooo many reasons. One of the great perks was that once a stylist bought a new tool because there tool was getting "old" I might inherit it. So once upon a time,  I inherited a salon quality hair straightener. And life was never the same. Yeeeeeears later, after wear and tear and travel an use, it finally broke (proof that sometimes spending extra money on quality items pays off). Because good straighteners could be expensive I didn't rush on buying another one. Then I had a baby and another baby and well, who has time to do their hair. But after years of sans straight hair, I'm missing the days of my smooth, silky hair. It might be time to give up my Caribbean air wavy locks for some a city glam mane.
The OG of Hair Straighteners

* * *


For Mr. Berrrr:
I asked husband to help me with this. I said, "Hey babe, what would you want for Christmas. I'm making a list/suggestion post and need some manly things. His response: a basketball. Great. Thanks honey. I'll put that exciting item on my Daddy's List. I personally like getting Husband experiences as gifts. He's not much of a "stuff" guy so getting him clothes, hats, mugs, or ties is as exciting to him as sterilizing baby bottles, maybe a little less exciting than sterilizing baby bottles. Here are some ideas for experiences...

1. A Night Out - you think mommy needs some get away time? Daddy needs it too. And probably wants some getaway time with you. Try a new restaurant with a great view or treat him to a ballet or opera or kayak ride if he's the kind of guy that likes to try it all. It's not only a gift he'll remember but one he can then look forward to. Check Travelzoo and similar sites to help you find great local and entertainment deals in your area.

Check out this Madison Ave. Hotel I found on Travelzoo!
(King & Grove Hotel)
2. A Mini Vacay: One of the things I love about NJ is that it is so close to New York City. When Husband and I are in desperate need of a little time away together, we escape to one of the greatest cities in the world. So I take Travelzoo a step further and find hotel deals in a nearby, driveable city. I like to try different hotels and different areas of Mnahattan that allow us to explore and discover the amazing gem that is NYC. SInce it is only a 45 minute drive away, we save on airline tickets and the pressure to take in everything a new place has to offer. Instead, we can do some leisurely sightseeing, take in a show, or just relax at our hotel. Check out Travelzoo for other cities and destinations and great deals near you.

3. Cable Clips: This is kind of for me but since I think most husbands like electronic type things I put it on Husband's list. These little clips have a huge organizational purpose. I love organization. Simply, peel the back and stick them on a wall, table, desk, etc. and insert cable. You will never again, knock your head against the wall because you are bending over an end table trying to reach for the cable that slid off the table to the floor amidst a sea full of other wires. Yes. This has happened. A lot.


4. And of course, a basketball. 
  

* * *
and finally...
Surprise Present:
I always like to have a few tricks up my sleeve. Sure it's great to give people something they want but I love surprising people with gifts they never expected. This year, although I am thinking up some more surprise gifts there is one in particular that I am excited about. It will be a gift for Baby Berrr but also for Daddy Berrrrr since he will get more excitement out of it right now than our 9 month old will. Sorry, I can't disclose the surprise gift in case Baby Berrrr is reading this right now but think about what would be a great surprise gift for your family or someone special...


As an added bonus, don't miss your chance to shop 15% off for selected gifts at Zinc Door through December 15th, using the promo code GIFTING Happy Shopping!


The next few weeks at Drinking the Whole Bottle will be full of Holiday Magic as we talk about: 

  • Christmas Decorating and Undecorating Made Easy
  • Untraditional Ways of Christmas Gift Giving
  • Surprise Gift Ideas 
  • and More...


Friday, November 15, 2013

And the Jukebox Plays: Titanium

(*vamos means let's go in spanish)

I leave my house at 11:10 every day.

I leave my house at 11:10 every day because my kids' nap time is at 11:00 am so I put my daughter down for her nap and the nanny puts my son down for his nap and then I'm out the door to work by 11:10.

But yesterday was different. I had a job I was working on so I had to leave earlier. 

As I was getting ready, my daughter noticed I was getting ready and kept asking me, "Mami? *Vamos?"

I didn't answer the question. I knew it would upset her because the answer involved her not vamos-ing, just mommy *vamos-ing. So she kept looking at picture on the iPad while sitting on the reclner in our room and I kept getting dressed. I opened my earrings box and chose a pair of earrings. 

"Mami? *Vamos?"

No answer. I kept getting ready, she kept sorting through photos. 

Finally when there was no more ready to get, ""Mami? *Vamos?"
I knelt down to rationalize with my two-year-old, "Mami is going. But later when you wake up we're going to go to story time and then play at the park, ok?"
She seemed to take it well, mumbled some word and walked out of my room.

I walked behind her as she walked down the hallway. She turned into her room. And the nanny walked in after her. And then I realized it...

The word she mumbled was, "eta." That's her shortened word for chancleta which is spanish for flip flop. She was going to her room to get her flip flops to *vamos with mommy. 

And then upon entering her room for her eta so she could *vamos with mommy, she discovered the cold, hard truth that she wasn't leaving. She was staying. So she began to cry. And I wanted to cry right on with her.

* * * 

She had already stopped crying by the time I left the apartment. But of course, as only mothers could do, I lingered over that 2 minutes for hours. When I arrived to have lunch with Husband, I told him the story. I told him how I felt so bad. How I didn't want her feelings to be hurt. 

He unveiled this gem of wisdom, " That's kind of your thing, huh?"
"What?"
"Feelings." He said. I waited for more explanation. "You are terrified about the day when a kid will be mean to her. The day she comes home and says so and so was mean to me. You don't want her to get her feelings hurt."

(Let me just intersect here for a moment and inform you reading this that I am NOT one of those hovering moms. I let her wander. I let her be free. I let her do her. I guess this is just my thing. The hurt feelings thing.) 

He continued more, "Which is funny because you are not someone who's feelings easily get hurt."

It's true. I'm not saying I've never had my feelings hurt but all in all I don't remember too many times I went home crying over something. I remember a few mean words throughout my school years but I also remember giving it back as hard (or harder) when I got those words.

"So, maybe you don't have to worry so much about her. You were pretty tough, right?" He reminded.

I was. I remember. I was titanium.

But I also remember the other kids that weren't titanium. And that scares me. What if she isn't titanium?

Thisher feelings, ooph... that's gonna be brutal. I can't even think about her getting teased without wanting to cry. It hurts to think about how cruel the world could be and how innocent our children are. I watch her innocence, her heart that is full of love and open to everyone and I wish I could protect her but I know that I can't. And so the only weapon I have in my Mama Bear arsenal, the only thing I can try and teach her is to be strong. Stone-hard. Titanium. That there is no shame in getting shot down because you build strength by getting back up. 


And if that doesn't work, you meanies out there should all remember that Mama Bears are scary for a reason.
And I am not the Mama Bear you want to cross...


What a coincidence that this actor kid, Ryan Lee is in both these videos. Hmmm...

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

It's a Second Sibling Christmas, Charlie Brown.

In the world of siblings, as a little brother, Santiago is the second child. And if we, as parents, are honest, we will admit that sometimes the second child gets the shaft. Don't feel guilty about it. It happens to the best of us. And don't get me wrong, the second child gets lots perks that come with following in their older siblings path. It's like driving behind a bigger car, they catch the wind for you and put on the mileage and you get to coast the open road of Parent Highway. Similarly, by the time I got to high school my parents had already steered the bumpy road of the teenage years so I was cruising.

My best friend growing up, a first born, used to have to clean her house - her entire house - when we were in grade school. 
I would call her to come over and play and she would say, "I can't. I have to clean the house."
I would clarify, "You mean your room?"
And she would respond clearly, "No. The whooole house." 
This same best friend's younger sister might have had a few chores growing up. Her youngest brother has had to call the house several times because he has forgetten to put gas in the car. Responsibility dwindles with each sibling. So yeah, us second children get away with a lot.

But, we should.
In many circumstances, being the second child can downright suck. Where's our saved baby hair or bronzed shoes or first tooth? I remember a Friends episode where Monica's baby stuff was destroyed by water damage because it was stored in the garage while Ross' stuff was safely and neatly tucked away in his bedroom that the Gellar parents had kept intact for him. Oh the jokes of being a second child...

In Santiago's case, he is going to look back at baby pictures and say "Why was I walking around in a pink walker?" Or "Why am I wearing a bib that says 'Daddy's Princess' or 'Hot Chick' in that picture?" Poor guy. We did our best to buy things in neutral colors but some things slipped through the cracks.

Exhibit A - The Pink Duck Walker
So, due to this Second Child Shaft Phenomenon, I have decided to make a check list of the things I will need in order to equally celebrate Santiago's First Christmas so that I don't overlook the what will be the greatest holiday moment thus creating a child that hates Christmas for the rest of his life because Mami cheated me out of my First Christmas and ruining his life forever. Too far? I agree. That was a bit over the top.


#3 Ridiculous Christmas Outfit  
(matching with his sister's and with bow tie to boot)


As for the pink duck walker, I'll change those pictures to black and white and he'll never know the difference.


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Fighting the Good Fight: Part Two: Beware the Representative and Find your Allies


A couple of weeks back, I posted the first post in my series Fighting the Good Fight. The Good Fight is a war that I think many women secretly wage on themselves with the help of
In Part One, I mentioned that my first step was enrolling in an e-course to help me accept my Gifts of Imperfection, to help me accept that "I'm imperfect, I'm enough." I love self-help books but if I were completely honest, I always start out thinking that they're a little hippie dippie. I mean really? You are telling me that writing "I'm imperfect. I'm enough" on my hand and sharing that with others that that  will open me up to compassion, connection, and courage? Really?

Soon after, I started on this e-course, I came across a book called Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons:
In this vulnerable memoir of transformation, Rebekah Lyons shares her journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to the heart of Manhattan, where she found herself blindsided by crippling depression and anxiety. Overwhelmed by the pressure to be domestically efficient, professionally astute, and physically attractive, Rebekah finally realized that freedom can come only by facing our greatest fears and fully surrendering...  
Hmmm... these two ideas are interestingly similar and wasn't allowing myself to be vulnerable kind of like surrendering for someone like me? So I kept reading:
Women today are fading... So busy trying to do it all and have it all, we've missed the life we were really designed for.
That was a deep hit.

I felt like I was fading. I felt like even though I am surrounded by so much, it wasn't always enough. I wasn't mom enough. Wife enough. Writer enough. Organized enough. Adventurous enough. Qualities that I had always been were fading and this other Jen was taking my place. I felt like ME was fading into the background of a watercolor painting. I was missing something. And so I decided to Freefall.

As I read this book, it scared me a bit.  She talked about struggles that I identified with. She talked about fears that I fight with. She even quoted The Alchemist, my favorite book which consequentially helped name my son. This woman was living in my head. How could someone so far from me, whom I'd never met, be so in sync with what I was feeling?

And then I had an Aha moment! (Oprah loves these.) She wasn't living in my head. She was in my head. She was in every woman's head. "Women are fading," she said. These weren't just the thoughts of my individualistic mind or the thoughts of that only a select few crazy women think about in the quiet hours of the night. These are thoughts that many of us think and feel daily whether we realize it or not as we try to keep everything organized neatly tucked in. As we check our Pinterest lives or Instagram roll. As we stalk our friends on Facebook who "have better lives" but - and this is just food for thought - are usually also posting the best moments or poses or meals of the day:
We are so busy judging ourselves against our own representatives and against the representatives of others, that we forget to be who we are designed to be, who we are destined to be. We forget that we are here in this life with purpose and that when we turn our backs on that purpose we struggle and flail to find our way back. We lose ourselves. We fade.

So in week two of my e-course, when we were asked to find a picture that represents our authentic self and ask ourselves 4 questions, I thought the coincidence of letting go of my representative and remembering who I was was serendipitous:
a.   What do you see when you look at him or her?
b.   What do you love and appreciate about him or her?
c.   What makes his or her light shine?
d.   What can you do to take care of him or her?
And although I slightly doubted week one of being imperfect and enough, there were results. Maybe it was just the acceptance of it all or maybe it was letting down my guard and being vulnerable enough to talk about my Good Fight that I was embarking on but in allowing myself to be vulnerable - to surrender - it made room for something else: allies

People reached out to me about their own insecurities. People reached out to lend themselves as allies. People left their own representatives at home and allowed their authentic self to show up instead. Representatives were banished. 
Allies were born. 
And the good fight continues...




Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Lip Sync Battles and Political Lip Service... One and the Same

Sometimes when I'm in need of a laugh, a really hard laugh, like say when NJ votes - for a second term - the worst governor known to Jersey kind, a governor who is a bully to teachers and education's Darth Vader, I look to a professional. In this case, Jimmy Fallon. My husband who spends hours of free time  YouTubing Fallon's comedic prowess turned me onto him and I think I'm safe in saying that we both kinda wish Jimmy was our friend, like our best friend. 

In his Late Night show, Jimmy Fallon gets to do a lot of fun shit - damn! I wish I had his job - but this - well, let's just say that between my love for lip syncs and my love for our imaginary best friend, Jimmy (aka James), this is rolled up into a sushi roll of perfection for me. This is my kind of fun. Now if I can just get Jimmy Fallon to be my best friend and let me cohost his show... #126 on my Life's To Do List.
So today, I need that kind of laugh. Go figure. And if you're from New Jersey, you might too. So here are two hysterical bits from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and since most of what politicians say is lip service, they'll fit perfectly with today's theme. 
Introducing The Lip Sync Battle
Apparently Lip Sync battle was started when John Krasinski from The Office challenged Fallon to a lip sync off. The whole battle was a riot but, unfortunately, I couldn't find a good clip of this battle so you'll have to check it out here
However, of all the battles I have seen this one from Stephen Merchant was by far my favorite. It's been a while since something has made me laugh so hard that I had trouble breathing. Thank you, Stephen for Single Ladies and for making me forget that New Jersey is on a fast track to an educational shit-storm all the while saying "Thank you, sir, may I have another." 




post signature

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Buena Moments by Guest Bartenders: A STEP AWAY

Off the Menu: Buena Moments by Guest Bartenders is a series of guest submissions serving up their own personal stories of good life moments, in hopes of sharing how much beauty each of Our Buena Vidas holds. I love how we can find these moments in our everyday lives. I know that I am not the only one living this buena vida because I talk to and see people that are constantly in awe of how lucky they are to be living such a good life, even if they only catch a moment of it everyday. Once as we were sitting around a table on the shoreline of a local beach, a friend, paused from our meal of freshly caught fish, looked around and said, "I love you guys." I didn't have to ask. I knew what she was thinking. I had been thinking it too. It was a simple, buena moment



 If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s post is by Guest Bartender, MrsTee. You could connect with her on Love, Life, Laughter.
father
Image from MrsTeeLoveLifeLaughter.com 

My Single Mom Complex

I met and married my Hubby when my oldest son (a/k/a The Teenager) was only 4 1/2 years old.  His father was in his life but on a limited basis.  He saw him perhaps once a week and other than that time I was the full time parent and influence in his life along with my Grandmother.  I was prepared to be the Single Mom but I didn't always feel that I was fully equipped.

I'm sure many of your Single Moms out there or even women raising children on their own due to different situations and circumstances know that raising a boy as a woman can present challenges.  No matter how we long to be everything the need and all the support they require there is still a place designed by God that a man is meant to fill.  A role that a father is meant to play in a son's life.


A Man's Influence

Even that early in my son's life and development I longed to be able to give him that extra guidance he needed.  I could see where it was lacking in different areas.  Ways that simply because I was a woman I didn't have the knowledge to pass on.  Of course I tried, I researched and I had the men (cousins, uncles, etc.) in my family you gave both he and I support but it wasn't the same.

I knew as a child who grew up without her father, that things may be a challenge for him.  As a girl it is somewhat different.  The voided spaces in my life are not the same as they are for a boy yet they are still there.  I didn't want that for him.  I began to pray for God to help me be found by the right man for both my and my son.


A 'Step' From Step-Father

I had some ups and downs.  Mostly downs and mainly because I was listening to myself instead of the leading of God.  Then I met my Hubby.  Some may say that it wasn't the perfect situation.  He wasn't 'in the church' and frankly most of my family didn't approve.  Yet, I felt a confirmation within my heart and my soul that it was him.  He was a comfort, a friend, a provider and a man who wanted nothing more than protect and keep his family.

When we married, we had an instant family with my Hubby's 2 sons and my own.  Yet from the start, there was never a distinction in his treatment of his sons from mine.  If they were given something so was mine, if they were disciplined so was mine.  What was good for one was good for all.  They were always told that they were brothers no matter what and to this day if you ask any of them how many brothers they have they will each answer 2 (always including my son).

There are many times now that I hear my Hubby and the Teenager speaking in hushed tones about different things: responsibility, education, earning money and (ugh) even girls.  He is there when my son needs a man and the influence of a man's perspective.  For this I am grateful.

Brought to you by...
 post signature