Life as a Musician...

Life as a musician is NOT always glamorous. Don't get me wrong. I have had many days filled with diamonds, designer clothes, people doting on my every move, private planes, and Penthouse Suites. All unnecessary. But for some of our gigs, that just the way we roll.

But this week, it's been crazy. Monday was full of school stuff. Lots of work, at the DOH, and the hospital. And a last minute flight to Sin City. Followed up with a long rehearsal. I needed to know the music, that I would be teaching. Everyone else had had 8 hours of rehearsal. Yup, I was just trying to keep up! My night didn't end there. Nope. It ended with 2 exams online. And 2 hours of sleep.

Tuesday and Wednesday were fun. I can't help but admit that. Lots of teaching. Spending some quality time with el Maestro. Learning from him, when we weren't teaching. And more rehearsals. But a little bit of the glamour did peek through...

When I wasn't teaching, or practicing, I was enjoying a little bit of Sin City. The amazing food, the glorious Penthouse Suite, and all of my amazing friends. Oh ya! Have I said this before? I get the largest room, and I travel by myself. All by myself. I've asked about this, but no one ever answers me. So I usually let the "Itty Bitties" sleep over. Yes, me and about 10 little girls. Watching cartoons early in the AM! Ordering Room Service full of yummy breakfast treats. Because it's all comped!

Thursday included 6 hours of teaching. Realizing I forgot my bridesmaid's dress. And a mad dash to catch our flight. Back home. Because we were scheduled to perform at 6PM. Rain had a different thing in mind for us. And the Tornado Warning, well that just postponed things too. But we celebrated Little M's 3rd birthday. Enjoyed some cake and ice cream, in one of the ballrooms. Because, we weren't allowed to leave the Convention Center. Not to worry! We could entertain ourselves. :)

Then we played. 2 hours. The rain came. We left. The entire group headed to A's house. About 10 minutes away. To relax. And take everything in. OK, it also included eating. And making fun of one of our friends. He's getting married on Sunday. And was in some major trouble with his mujer.

We headed back to downtown, and we played for about 5 hours. When? At 11:30PM. Because we had to play for El Grito. In the wee hours of the morning, I finally headed to the hospital. To do some work. A few hours later, I headed home. More than an hour away. To shower, grab my dress, and check on my house.

Friday morning, I tried to catch up on Facebook. I was ridiculously behind! I managed to pack my Bridesmaid dress. I even watered my flowers and lawn! Then I met A for breakfast, and we headed out to rehearsal. Oh ya, my car, I haven't driven it since Sunday. I have a sorta major oil leak... :(

Breakfast was extra yummy that day. IHOP. Seriously, I rarely eat there. But those Nutella Crepes, are just like heaven! Our rehearsal wasn't too bad. Or too long. La Senora Adriana was hilarious! As always. And I'm pretty sure she was eying A. Especially when we busted out our fancy dance moves. :)

Then I headed back to the hospital. More work. About 4 hours worth. Then, back to the concert. Where, my friends totally surprised me. With tickets to go see Santana! I LOVE me some Santana! So A and I rushed to his house, to change and head out. Yes, our Compadres bought us tickets, and dinner. As a little Gracias, for being good to their ninitos. :) We've got some incredible friends!

After a delish dinner at PF Changs, we headed off to the concert. Where, let me tell you, we had a BLAST! A and I happen to be, the hilarious 2 of the group. We LOVE to dance. And just have fun. And we did just that. For the entire concert. Santana has still got it!

As we were leaving, we got a call. From our friend and boss. Could we possibly head back to that concert, the one we were supposed to play? Senora Adriana wanted to know what happened to us. And you know, we worked so hard on that dance routine. Seriously?!?!?!

Luckily, we got changed, and to the venue. With about 2 minutes to spare. And the last 2 minutes of the show, some how became another 90 minutes! Have I told you? Los Mexicanos like to celebrate their independencia. But we all had such a great time. It was well worth it.

You'd think we were ready to pass out. Honestly, it sure felt like it. But everyone headed back to A's house. We all needed to get changed. And since he lives closest to the airport, that's where we went. Some of the guys grabbed some food on the way. And we all ate and changed. Their wives, girlfriends, and kiddos were all there too. Why? We were all headed to the airport...

At 3AM, we were ready to head out. Straight for Sin City. Pretty much, everyone on the plane slept. Except me. I had my laptop out. Doing homework, writing a paper, and trying to study. You do it when you can. Right? This is when I'm glad, that my professors rarely ever, have us go to class. Usually, I hate them because of this very thing. But this week, it's been nice to just to my work, and get to do my paying job too!

And that's where you find me. Somewhere high above the Earth. Doing homework, and blogging. While everybody sleeps. A is next to me, holding one of our Goddaughters. Both are out for the count! And I'm typing away. About HFCS and I's/O's. I also have to find time for 2 exams today. Wish me luck!

Because when we land, well get a few minutes, to head back to our rooms at the casino. Get cleaned up. And then, we've got some rehearsals and sound checks. It will be the only rehearsal time, with the performers, that we're backing up tonight. We'll quickly go through a few of our numbers. Then off to a fancy lunch. With the "High Rollers" in Sin City.

Later, we'll have a "Fancy Pants" dinner. And of course our show. Which we're all excited about! I just hope, that I don't fall asleep, during any of this. Oh, and our amigos are getting married tomorrow afternoon. The Mariachi is in the wedding, and playing for it! Can you say...BUSY WEEKEND! But I'll finally get to see this guy again! He's back from Spain. Happy Saturday! ♫

Que Viva Mexico!

Today is Mexico's Independence Day. Yes, it is! And all the bad weather last night, well that didn't bother our celebration. No way! We played well into the wee hours of the morning. Yes, it was a good night. Celebrating El Grito!

I'm very proud of my heritage. And the fact that I get to share the gift of music with so many people. To be a part of something fun, uplifting, and enjoyable...well it feels good. Because lately, there has been so many "Debbie Downer Moments" in life. It's nice to forget our problems, even for a few hours, and celebrate an important day.

The celebrating hasn't stopped. And by the looks of our schedules, we'll be playing all weekend. But that is definitely part of the fun. We're Mariachis after all! Now I'm going to go eat something yummy, try to finish up some work stuff, and figure out how to catch a few minutes of sleep...before the celebrations continue. Oh ya, and we'll be doing a heck of a lot of this....



all weekend long! ♫

What's in a Name?

In the spirit of Mi Rosita, and the Baby Shower that we're having today, to celebrate her, I'm going to blog about her. Yes, Mi Rosita has been on every one's mind lately. Her mommy gave us all a big scare, earlier this week. When we thought she was going into labor. Before her Baby Shower! I know. That's our fault. As in, our group of friends. The summer has been a busy one, for all of us! And we just kept postponing this thing.

But today, as I get the last minute details together, I can't help but think about Mi Rosita. And all that she's going to be. The simple task, of coming up with her middle name, is a tough one. One that A and I are struggling with.



For all, but one of my Goddaughters, I've been asked to come up with a middle name. I've been part of the 2 man crew, whose job is to pick the perfect name. A name that goes well with her first name, that her padres picked out. But a name that means something. That symbolizes something we, as Godparents, want to instill in our Goddaughter. A name that will describe our love.

This is not A and I's first time either. We've been a part of this rodeo, a time or two. Something that we're familiar to. But not completely at ease with. Our Compadres A, haven't made it too easy either. They're still debating on a few names. And A and I, we've narrowed down our list. It's tough. This little princess is going to have this name for life. It's got to be perfect!

Yes, her presents are finished. Perfectly wrapped. And all the decorations are sitting neatly in my car. Food is ready. And we have a little bit of preparation left to do, closer to "party time." But we're ready.

Mi Rosita's name, not so much. But the 4 of us are hard at work. I'm pretty sure, the minute we see this sweet little girl, her name will just speak to us. We'll have found the perfect name for her. The name that was meant for her, and her alone.

Yes, we take this whole Godparent, naming, loving thing seriously around here. Because it's the only way to do it! Mi Rosita, we love you so much. And can't wait to meet you. Just a few days left. But today, we're going to have some fun. And later, finish up your nursery! ♫

Celebrating

For a few years now, I've worked on the 4th of July. It's been amazing. I know. It doesn't sound like a good time. But it really is.

First of all, the community is amazing. Always trying to give back. They acknowledge the kids. And their health problems. And their needs. So many businesses offer to help. In any way they can. As in, donating items, giving money, or giving time. Especially for the holidays. This year was no different.

The kiddos enjoyed berry pancakes. Everything had to be red, white, and blue. The kitchen also set up a cookie decorating station. We had crafts. And at noon, DJ J came to broadcast live. Let's just say, he brought the party! Kids were dancing all around. And we had a BBQ.

We convinced the kiddos to chill in the afternoon. Naps, movies, and overall down time. But by the evening, we were back to BBQ-ing. DJ J was still there. He was supposed to go DJ at a club. Instead, he hung out with all of us. Oh, and Ol' Blue Eyes was doing a MAW at our hospital. The kiddos were so excited!

But the best, was after dark. We figured out what kids would stay on the "Play Deck," which would stay inside, and who would get to go on the roof. People were moving around. Getting kids were they needed to be.

Everyone was over the moon! Berry sundaes were delivered. And we waiting on the fireworks. The city really delivered. 5 separate fireworks displays! The kiddos "ooood ad ahhed" until almost midnight! The fireworks were amazing!

And as we wheeled kids back to their rooms, all they could talk about was the day. BBQs, flags, and fireworks. It's nice to give them, a bit of the "normal" life, that they usually miss out on.

Seeing all of this, it makes me grateful. Grateful that I am doing a job, that really makes a difference. God has guided me here. To do good. To make these kids feel better. To make the world a better place.

Some days, I wonder why I'm in this field. It can be so hard. And heartbreaking. Literally, heartbreaking. When we lose a patient, it's like losing a family member. It's tough to see all the suffering. But days like this, make it all worth while. If only, we could give the kiddos, more of their childhood back. ♫

Honky Tonk Wedding

Today 2 of my closest friends are getting hitched. Y'all that means married! Yes, it's been a long wait...you know, while P decided if T was really The One. And then T planning this gorgeous affair!

I'm very honored, not only to be their friend, and to be in the wedding. But I'm also the Maid of Honor! I've got a lot on my plate today. But I'm so excited! And I can't wait to see 2 of my Goddaughters all dressed up. They're in the wedding too!

So I'm off and running! Lots to get done before the sunset wedding. And all the outdoor celebrating. Woo hoo! I'm super excited about my gorgeous dress, cowboy boots, and that yummy Dessert Bar. So, if you don't hear from me for a while...don't worry. I'm probably in a sugar coma, playing with cute little girls, and dancing to some of the best country music! Congrats P and T! ♫

New Graduate

On Tuesday, I feverishly drove to my hometown. Why? My niece had her "Robing and Awards Ceremony." I got to town about 2 hours prior. My parents and I went to have dinner. Then parked at least a block from the school gym. The gym that I spent so many hours in. You know, fine tuning Cheerleading routines...

We sat through about 2 hours of graduation anticipation. We watched my niece get "Robed." We listened to all the awards and scholarships that were given. Watched part of the 2011 Senior Class Video. Listened to speeches, and performances. Looked at the changes in my old high school. And enjoyed the evening.

Because we couldn't find E, we called. As we walked through the sand. Trying to keep my Dad vertical. And trying to make it back to the van, before it got too dark. We met my nieces at a parking lot. Said a quick hi and bye. And we went our separate ways.

This afternoon, I was like a "Chicken without a Head." Trying to get it all done. A quick run to the Dollar Tree, for party supplies. Two trips to the pharmacy. A literal "run" to Walgreen's for some cards. And a quick drive across the street for flowers. Hello? It took 6 stops to find flowers. But it was worth it!



Why? Because we have a new graduate in our family. My niece, E. She graduate 10 years, and 3 days after I did. From the same high school. Wearing the same royal blue color. Earning the same degree. It was incredible being there.

It was no easy task getting there. There was the idea of finishing up the "work day." Remember all the errands? Getting flowers. Changing clothes. Grabbing a quick dinner. Getting to the ceremony. Standing in the line. Thank God for the handicapped line. All those people. Pushing. Shoving. Just trying to get there. And finally, we sat in our seats. Spent forever looking for anyone we knew. Spent at least 10 minutes trying to find our graduate.

But it was worth it. Such a proud moment. For the entire family. Her Mom, made sure she got to this place. To be a graduate. My parents were such a big part of E's life. I remember all those days, of taking her to school. Heck, I remember helping her with her homework. I wonder if she remembers counting beans in the office? :)

E is a graduate. Forever a member of the class of 2011. A Mustang. And guess what? She was the happiest, I've seen her, in a very long time! I'm glad. She deserves it. She has worked so hard to get to this point. Now, it's time to celebrate her accomplishments!

We have just over 2 weeks to plan her party. In the middle of all of this, I'll be in NC. Working. To come back, and go straight to cooking and cleaning. But out of all of my nieces and nephews...there are no 2 more important to me than, E and N. Yes, these 2 girls mean the world to me! And just think, in 2 years, we'll be doing this for N. I can't wait!

It's so funny. How much I had forgotten about my own graduation. Only to be remembered over the last 2 days. It's an honor to know that my niece and I will forever be graduates of WM. To know that we accomplished such a big task. And made our own footprints in the sand.

Also, a big Congrats to my cousin. Who also graduated tonight. I didn't know he was graduating until last night. But we are all so proud of you! And E, you made us all so proud. Remember to keep chasing after your dreams! ♫

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! And to everyone who is like a mom to someone else. You know who you are. You're always amazing.

Our moms, grandmas, and aunts are so important to our character. The help define the people we grow up to be. They teach how to nurture and how to love. They teach us to be better. And how to get through the tough times with grace.

As an adult, I've become so close to my Mom. She's been there when I've needed a shoulder to cry on, a soft place to land, or to just share a laugh. I cherish all those little moments. From the time we spend cooking with each other, to crafting late into the night. I love you Mom! I hope you have a wonderful day! ♫

Feliz Cumpleanos Mi Florecita

Mi Florecita,

It's been a whole ano since you were born! You've brought so much joy, love, and happiness to everyone around you. Your padres, they prayed and prayed for you. And 1 year ago, they're prayers came true.

I was never so blessed as the day we baptized you. Seeing your innocence. Reminding me that there is so much good in the world. That we can all make this a better place, just with a little bit of love.

This past year, I've enjoyed watching you grow. Taking you on adventures to the park. Dancing with you at our gigs. Showing you all the Santos at church. Nothing has made me more excited. Then to help you grow into a blessed ninita.

As much fun as we've all had, I know that the future holds so much more for us. So many more adventures. Many more memories to make. And lots of time to cherish. I can't wait until you really start talking. And we can have tea parties in the grass. Or read all the books in the library.

Today, I just pray that our Dear Lord watches over you. Makes you stronger. And helps us all, to guide you in your life. This is a day for celebrations. And for giving thanks. Because God sent us a very special gift. He sent us you to love!

Feliz Cumpleanos!

Besitos,
Tu Nana ♫

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo! We've been working since yesterday afternoon. And we're scheduled to be going well into tomorrow morning. I'm more than positive that Americans celebrate more than the Mexicanos.

Pero, we're having tons of fun! It's not 48 hours straight, of performing for us. But it's a long schedule. We do get to enjoy the yummy comida. And the other performers. Including many of the Mariachi's ninitos. Most are dancers.

We're enjoying ourselves. Being safe. And working. Not much more you can ask for. It's really an incredible event. I really do love this city! And all the cultura that is packed into our lives. Now I'm off to enjoy some yummy birthday cake. ♫

Fiesta Mexicana!

This picture can pretty much sum up my week. It was a good week. But a very busy week! Lots of teaching and performing. Lots of learning. Lots of singing. Being part of this big weekend, well, it takes a lot of hard work.

I had the pleasure of performing for this Big Mariachi Show. Filled with greats, giants, and lots of Maestros. Men that I respect more, than you'll ever know. That have taught me about my cultura, and the musica. That have taken me under their wings, and have shown me the ropes.

Seeing all of my favorite little girls learning, only added to the experience. Seeing them learn about our cultura. Carrying on the traditions. It was amazing. But sharing the stage, was just magical.

This has been a week filled with music. Lots of it. The best of the very best. Lots of trajes. Many Maestros. Everything oozing with the spice of the Vida Mexicana! I enjoyed every second of the week and weekend. Every single second!

It didn't hurt that so many of my friends were here too. Sharing the stage. Teaching alongside me. Laughing. Sharing their families. Enjoying our cultura. It was magical. It was just magical to see how traditions are past from one generation to another. These shows and conferences never get old. Never! Que Viva la Vida Mexicana! ♫

Making Magic

Making Magic. It's what Maestro G always tells us to do. When we are performing. Making the audience "feel" the music. Do more than play your instruments, sing the words, and dance. Make people feel the music. Make them cry. Remember. And fall in love.

Tonight, I take the stage with some of the most amazing musicians out there. Full of talent and accomplishment. On such a big anniversary. I'm beyond excited! And to know, these musicians are also some of my very best friends, I know that I'm blessed!

Now that my "Music Man," S and I are on good terms again, it makes many, many people happy. Por que? We trained together. I learned how to sing with him. We became the performers we are today, by working together. Many days and nights...blood, sweat, and tears...and even broken hearts, got us to where we are. And let me tell you, we know how to put on a show!

For days now, we've been rehearsing. Long after the participants and students have gone to bed, we are on the stage. Working with all the "Maestros." The lighting is perfect. There's not one mistake in the music. Everything is good to go. And in the middle of those "Canciones de Amor," my heart dancing. A feeling that I never thought would happen again.



Did you watch that? From 1:44-2:50, el Maestro G tells us, we can recreate that magic. On stage. For everyone to see. Ya, S gets that "sparkle" in his eye. And I roll my eyes! But tonight, we are pulling out all the stops. For one "Grand Performance!"

I've got my "Music Man" back. Two performers that are destined to perform together. Possibly forever. That part of our story...well it's still left to be written. But the music part, we can't deny that. We are a good team...together.

I can't help but have butterflies in mi pansa! I really can't. And to get to share the stage with all of my good amigos again. That alone is the reason I couldn't sleep last night. Add in my cute ahijadas who are dancing, and we are set for one grand Fiesta Mexicana! ♫

Princess Perfection

We happened to have a little "Princess Party" in my hotel room this morning. Being that some of my Goddaughters, and many of my favorite little girls are here, we decided to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

A was a great help in that. Of course all the girls were dressed to the nines! They had all of their princess gear on. Because what princess leaves home without all of their princess attire? Not these little ones.

We also made sure, that all these girls took a nap. A LONG nap. Last night. You know, while us grown ups were working. So bright and early this morning, they were up. A was setting up a tea party for them. And we had tons of yummy food. I'm telling you, A is a catch! Any single ladies looking for a good man?

We watched all the coverage. I stayed with the girls. As the rest of the group headed to teach classes. After 5 hours of Royal Wedding coverage, I'm pretty sure A was ready to go work! :) But we had a blast!

"Nana, the princess is pretty. But she doesn't look as beautiful as I thought. How come?" The things that come out of the mouths of babes. :) I think they really thought Kate was going to be like their favorite fairy tale princesses.

My take on the whole affair. I think Kate looked amazing! I loved her dress. The top half, it was just gorgeous. And the veil. So simple and elegant. I love the grandeur of the British Royalty. But the simplicity that Kate and William wanted for their wedding.

What a fun morning we had! Tons of little girls, tutus, tiaras, tea, yummy food, princesses, and flowers. What better way to start a Friday! But now folks, I need to get ready for work. We have rehearsal in just over an hour. Happy Friday! ♫

Happy Easter!

Today is a glorious day! He is risen! I honestly can't think of a better day. Or a better reason to celebrate. Our Lord gave his life for us, and today, he is risen.

My plans are very simple. We're going to church. Sunrise mass. My favorite way to celebrate Easter. Then, my parents and I are going out to breakfast. Most likely, Cracker Barrel. One of my favorite places to go on a holiday.

Our afternoon will be filled with "Family Time." My cousin is hosting a BBQ at her house. And I'm honestly, really excited about it. I miss spending time with my family. And this, well it's going to be a nice day. Lots of family time. And lots of rejoicing! Happy Easter! ♫

28

Woo hoo! We made it. I've been blogging for a year! I can't believe it. Thanks to all the people who actually read my posts. It means so much. And I really do appreciate all the e-mails I get.

So I was trying to figure out what to blog about today. Not only is it this blog's 1st Anniversary, but it's also my 28th birthday. :) Yay! I decided I'd post a list of 28 things, for 28 years, that you probably don't know about me. Here goes nothing...

♥ Key Lime Pie is my favorite pie ever!
♥ I don't know how to swim.
♥ Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Because I go to church, have "Pancake Sundays," and watch NASCAR races. Best day ever! :)
♥ I secretly dream of being a "Housewife" and "Stay-at-Home Mommy."
♥ I can easily turn a watermelon into an "Agua de Sandia." And drink the whole thing. All in the same day!
♥ Anything with polka dots, makes me smile.
♥ When I need to relax and think things through, I go for a run. A long run. At least 5 miles, cross country.
♥ I paint the entire interior of my house. At least once a year. Usually in the same colors. :)
♥ I could live in pj bottoms, knee high socks, and Hanes tank tops. So comfy! Too bad I have to leave the house.
♥ I HATE feet! I just can't stand to look at them. Including my own.
♥ One day I found these candy bars. And I fell in love. So much so, I bought 2 cases from the Dollar Tree. And froze them. Good thing too! They stopped making them. And that makes me sad.
♥ I secretly count down the days, until the next episode of Teen Mom.
♥ I cheer for the bulls, not the bull riders, in the PBR.
♥ I can't sleep, without hugging something. Like a pillow. I'm not joking!
♥ In every room in my house, I have a calendar.
♥ I get excited to buy seeds, bulbs, and plants.
♥ Until I was 18, I had no clue how to do laundry. I had absolutely no clue, how to work a washing machine. I'm not lying!
♥ At Easter time, I buy boxes of Dove Truffle Eggs. They're a little piece of heaven. And I anxiously wait for them to come out, every single year!
♥ I've worn the same toe ring, since I was a sophomore in high school. I've never taken it off. Is that odd?
♥ I secretly LOVE Lonesome Dove!
♥ Sweet Potato Fries are AMAZING!
♥ I've always wanted my own library. In my house. Because I love books, and reading that much!
♥ Little Dorrit is one of my favorite PBS shows. Yes, I LOVE PBS. And so many of their shows.
♥ I LOVE going to the Dentist! I don't know why. But I get so excited when I go. :)
♥ My sister bought me this set of books when I was 7 years old. I've read them so many times. And eventually got hooked on the PBS series too!
♥ I once worked here. For nearly a year. It was interesting...
♥ One of my favorite treats is COSTCO pizza and the berry smoothies.
♥ I like to eat lunch at the graveyard. Yes, I take my lunch, to my families' graves. And just hangout with them. :)

There you go. Did you learn anything new? I know, I'm a little weird. But I'm me. And I'm 100% OK with that. Now I'm off to enjoy mi cumpleanos! ♫

New Baby Boy!

I just want to say a big Congratulations to a dear friend of mine. Her and her husband, welcomed a new baby boy, into their family. SJ was born yesterday. An honest gift from God.



It's been a while since I've seen my friend. We met at a work event. And become super close over time. She now lives in our neighboring state. But what a blessing her and her family have been to me. Amigos that are familia. Congrats again! God has truly blessed you. ♫

Little Red Riding Hood

This is probably what you think of when you hear "Little Red Riding Hood." The cute little storybook, that you read when you were 3 years old. That's the idea I had for Halloween this year. So I asked my Mom if she would make me my Halloween costume...



We went fabric shopping months ago. Yes, months ago. And I had picked a more basic and simple pattern. But my Mom liked this one. So it's the one we bought. As of Tuesday, I didn't have a costume. But never fear. My Mom whipped it up in a few hours. That was after her sewing machine died. And she somehow got my broken sewing machine to work.

Yes, my Mom is wonderful! And my costume is hanging very cutely in my office. We're dressing up all weekend at work. I bought some white lace tights and I already have some black high heeled Mary Janes. So much fun! I can't wait until Halloween! It's my favorite holiday!!! ♫

Do You Boo?

That's the little "Boo" poem. I had never heard of "Booing" until I moved out here. From the very 1st Halloween I spent here, I began to "Boo." I read about it in my local newspaper.

Basically, you put together a small package of goodies. It could be Halloween candy, little toys, whatever you'd like. And you include a copy of this poem. But the whole idea of booing, is based on delivering your gift, without your neighbor seeing you.

I just finished my packages. Just for a couple of neighbors and friends. I just have to wait for the perfect time to deliver them. So, do you "Boo?" It really is a lot of fun! ♫

Happy Birthday Ol' Blue Eyes!

Today is my dear friend's birthday. Yes, Ol' Blue Eyes is celebrating his birthday. I really hope he enjoys it. And because I know he is working right now, I can reveal a little secret. We're all part of a "Birthday Surprise." Yes, he is getting a "Surprise" Birthday party later today. I guess, I should get going. Right? The band is flying to Sin City for the big surprise.



I know that this "soon-to-be Godfather," would like nothing more than having his Goddaughter, born on his birthday. But I can't guarantee that. Although, My Bestie is in labor. Who knows, My Lil' Southern Belle might just make it before midnight. How cool would her birthdate be...10/10/10! The absolute perfect birthday present for Ol' Blue Eyes.

So while I try to figure out what to give my friend, I just hope he has an amazing day! There are very few friends, that are as amazing as he is. Ol' Blue Eyes deserves to have a great day. Filled with lots of blessings. And some fun. Happy Birthday! ♫

Just What I Needed!

Everything about today, is just what I needed. Something to kick my butt back into shape. It was Little M's birthday party. No that isn't her birthday cake. But it should have been! She is really into "algidators" at the moment.

I helped my friends get the party together. And Little M's birthday cake, just might have been even more adorable than this cake. No lie! Everything about her birthday party was fun, light, and enjoyable!

Honestly, it was everything that I needed. I really did need it. It's been a tough few weeks. And I just needed some time to laugh and enjoy myself! Mission accomplished today! Mis amigos know how to throw a good party. Or I should say a good Matanza!

As usual, it was a ton of fun! Lots of delicious food. And great music. That generally happens when the parents are musicians, and all of their friends are musicians. We did some "Mariachi Jammin'." And just had a great time. Mi Princesa and I, we did a lot of dancing. Mostly with her Nono, A.

And I'm not going to lie. It's nearly midnight, on a Sunday, and I'm just getting home. It was that much fun. I'm looking through my "Algidator" bag. Did I mention that there was a HUGE alligator pinata? Yup, lots of candy! And some really fun toys. :)

So in case you are wondering, a 2 year old birthday party can be so much fun! Really it can be. Especially when your friends are like your family. My friends are pretty darn amazing! And their kids, they're simply adorable!

This was just the day I needed. It's helping me to move forward. And the plate of chicharrones, I know they're going to make a very yummy breakfast tomorrow morning! So I'm off to bed. Happy Birthday Little M! ♫

Life Moves On

It's crazy how fast life moves forward. Like if you blink your eyes, you'll miss everything. Just days ago, I cried myself to sleep. Missing one of the most important people in my life. The pain hasn't gone away. It still hurts thinking about Patrick. But today, one of my closest friends is getting married.

Life is definitely moving forward. I'm laying here, looking at this beautiful, pink dress. I'm in the wedding. And I'm supposed to be happy. This is a day of celebration. But I'm not sure that my heart and soul are in it today. My "acting skills" are going to have to be good today.

Life is just tough like that. You know what I mean? I'm so happy for my friends. What a glorious day! This is really one of those couples that is going to make it. You just know it. They're perfect for each other. And I want all the happiness in the world for them.

You know, I've hosted showers and parties for them. It's a big deal that they're getting married. Just a month ago, I was so excited. Today, I'm having trouble talking myself into just going. I want to lay in bed all day.

But I'm going to put my "Big Girl Panties" on. And I'm going to get out of bed. I'm going to take a shower and head over to the hotel. This is going to be an amazing day! I just know it. I might have to say a few extra prayers and talk myself into having some fun, but I'm going to enjoy this "Big Pink Wedding!" ♫