Does it ever end?

Housework. It's endless. Once I start, I don't stop. It starts in the kitchen. I stand at the kitchen sink and as I'm standing there washing dishes, I notice that the island can use a cleaning. So, once I'm done with the dishes I open up the cabinet below the sink and take out the cleaning supplies. I'm going to clean the island so I might as well clean the other counters, too. Right? Right! There I go. I start to clean the island, making sure to get every inch of it. I move onto the counters and stop when I get to the stove. Uh oh! Theres a brown, sticky stain that needs to come off, like NOW! After a couple of napkins and spritz of bleach it comes off. While I'm in the kitchen, with no shoes or socks on, I notice that there's something sticking to the bottom of my foot. What's this? Crumbs! The broom! Get me the broom! Aaah, that's much better. The carpets in the kitchen need a good cleaning so in the washer they go. I make the foolish assumption that I'm done when I sit on the couch but then something catches my eye. There! On the TV stand! Dust! Back to the kitchen sink I go to get the wipes in order to clean the TV stand. Except I don't only clean the TV stand. I clean the entire living room and the furniture in my bedroom, too. I pick up a few items of dirty clothes off my bed and take them to the closet. Once in the closet, the vacuum stands there calling my name. I am kind of ashamed to admit that I LOVE TO VACUUM. I'm not sure what it is about vacuuming that I enjoy so much but I genuinely like it. You guessed it. I pull the vacuum out of the closet and plug that baby into the outlet. I run the vacuum over the entire apartment. *sigh* Much better. Now, as I sit here typing away I hear the bathroom calling me. I am needed and here I go! I'm on my way toilet! A good scrubbing you need? A damn good scrubbing you shall receive!

-S.E.

1st Day Of Summer Vacation

Just as the title says, today is the first day of summer vacation for the kids. Yikes! 24 hours of them? What's a mother to do? First of all, it was nice to sleep in. No waking up at 6:40 in the morning. There is also no homework today and no driving around. There is plenty of sibling bickering, lots of twiddeling thumbs and tons of looking at the clock to see much longer I have till it's their bed time. Sounds bad, I know. I have a feeling that the pool just outside our building is going to be my best friend this summer. Pray for me!

- S.E.

Angel Alexander

My first born, my baby boy, my apple of my eye has been promoted to the 7th grade. No more elementary school. I'm sure I'm not the first or last mom to be a little freaked out by that fact. I mean, Junior High is a completely different world. The atmosphere is so "grown up". It's that pivitol time in a kids life where they begin to find themselves and I don't think I'm ready for that to happen yet.

Angel has brought me so much pride and happiness. He blows me away with his intellect. I wish I had a brain like that! I have no doubt that he will continue to do fabulously in school and go on to graduate college. Yes, college. Yikes! When that time comes, I will be a mess. Mark my words. We don't have to deal with that quite yet so I'll stop there.

When Angel was born I was a kid myself. I didn't know how this tiny human being was going to survive in my care. How would I pull this off? I didn't know if I was going to be able to handle it but I did. I guess my survival/motherly instincts kicked in. Thank God! I made it through the 3 a.m. feedings, the sore boobs, the poop smears and the exhaustion. I have milestones filed away in my brain. Potty training, loosing his first tooth, his first harcut and that sweet baby voice that I will never hear again. If only I could remind time.

Angel, you are the one and only boy I need in my life. I love you. Always. Forever.

- S.E.

Alexis Rose

Aaah, Alexis. My little girl. My princess. Sometimes I look at her and I see myself. Other times I think, "where did she come from?" Alexis is a split personality. At times she is meek and shy, quiet around those she doesn't know and so well put together. Other times she is whiney, loud and a good 'ol fashioned brat. She was born a 15 year old teenager and I'm just hoping it doesn't get too much more attitude having than it is now. Wait! Don't get me wrong! I'm in no way putting her down or saying she isn't a good daughter. All I'm saying is that she can tone down the drama queen status for the sake of her mother.

She received an award today. Student of the month! Every award is such as special as the last and she seems to be so full of pride each and every time she gets one. Now, when it comes to school, Alexis doesn't joke around. She is focused. And I mean FOCUSED. She does not need to be told to do her homework. She starts on it as soon as she gets in the car. Literally. If she doesn't understand something, she asks about it. She is definitely a "why" person. Why this and why that? She's so curious about the world around her and she's on a mission to fill that brain up with as much info as possible.

I love her, I love her, I love her! She's a beautiful, smart and sassy little lady that has me wrapped around her pinky.

- S.E.

Opposites Attract

We have all heard the expression "opposites attract" and I am positive that I have the perfect example. Here's the rundown and when I'm done, you can tell me that I'm right.

Me: I'm a city girl to the bone. I grew up in a city that has the current population of 360,000 plus inhabitants. The noise, traffic, excess of people and absense of stars are all second nature to me. I have a family so big that I could give some members away and it wouldn't put a dent in the total count [ no one inparticular, of course ]. A kiss-your-grandparents-aunts-and-uncles-before-you-do-anything-else kind of family. I have never had a long standing, full-time job. Never really needed one, I guess. I'm currently a student. I study law and sociology in the hopes that a Criminal Justice degree will get me my desired job. I feel as though I am a hermit crab at times. Rarely, if ever, venturing outside of my familiar surroundings. My "O.C. Bubble" as I like to call it. I was born, raised and still live in my bubble. And although I dream about traveling the world, I am doubtful that it will ever happen for me. I'm a people pleaser. I have a tough time with the word "no" and if it's possible, I'll do whatever I'm asked to do without giving it a second thought. I like to spend, shop and spend some more. If I have a dollar in my pocket tonight, it won't be there tomorrow! I'm guilty of the spending itch. I'm 100% Mexican. Mind you, I was born in Southern California, so I'm not a circus-sounding-music-spilling-out-of-my-car-windows, leather-wearing-"chanclas", papaya-plant-in-my-front-yard kind of Mexican. I'm a Valley-speaking, popping-my-gum-as-I-twirl-my-hair, got-a-B-in-Spanish-class Mexican but nonetheless, a Mexican. =]

Joy: She grew up in a tiny, almost non-existant town. The current population of her hometown is a little over 1,600 people. Really? It's a joke if you ask me! The surrounding areas of her house are filled with trees and fields of grass not rows upon rows of houses. Now, her family size is something I can't fathom. If I were to give away one of her family members, they would send out the search party. She can't afford to loose any family! She is an accomplished, educated, always had a job, money making machine. While I'm still working on my AA, she has had her Masters Degree for years now. Jealous? Of course I am. Joy has experienced the sights and sounds of the world. She went to school in Scotland, took a volunteer trip to Africa and once took the back roads on a motorcycle trip to Niagra Falls. She didn't stay in her "bubble" as I have. She moved across the country and has never looked back. Joy isn't a pushover. She stands her ground and if she doesn't want to do something, simply says "no". I wish I could! She has the wonderful talent of saving her money. Another aspect of her personality that stirs up envy. Lastly, she's a White girl. A country-music-listening, apple-sauce-with-pork-chops full blown White girl. =]

So, there you have it. What did I tell you? Opposites attract? I'm going to have to agree.

- S.E.