Spring Cleaning

I'm cleaning and it's spring so I guess I'm spring cleaning.  I know I'm not doing the depth of cleaning that phrase typically implies but I'm cleaning my house in preparation for a Mother's Day get together we're housing.  Let me tell you...I am so excited!!!  I've had my mom and MIL over once before for Mother's Day and it was just a great experience.  I love them both so much and I get to cook and entertain and I'm just excited!  Anyway, off to clean. 

Have a good week!

A Real Life Love Story

As you may have been able to tell by some of my posts, I have not been a fan of 2013.  In the past two months my eagerness for this year to be over got only more strong.  In the past two months, I have lost the only grandparents I have ever known.  On March 29th, my grandfather, who I call Papa, passed away.  Papa has always been one of my favorite family members though I can't pin it down to just one reason why.  He was tall and sturdy which was always made me feel safe.  He loved to make jokes ("look at that three legged cow") which was endearing.  And he picked on Mama like a school boy with a crush which was cute.  He was like a teddy bear to me and could rarely do wrong in my eyes.

On that Friday at the end of March as I sat by his hospital bed holding his hand as he took his last breath he gave me a new reason to love him.  It was only forty five days earlier when Mama passed.  And life for Papa just wasn't worth living without her.  He has had heart failure for some time but it was pretty much under control so he could look after mama and make sure she was never put in a nursing home, always taken care of, and always there for.  After she passed in February, he became so sad and spoke about wanting to be with her again.  After he no longer had to physically be there to protect her, his job was done. 

Shortly after I arrived in that hospital room after my long drive after a long day to be there I told him I love him.  He replied to me, "I love you too."  A few hours later, it appeared those would be the last words he would ever speak.  I am honored his words were to me and comforted to know they were true.  I am even more in awe that he was a part of the greatest love story I may ever see.

Tasty Tuesday - 5 days!

Five days until I enjoy a Starbucks espresso beverage again.

I cannot wait - more than is probably normal.

Wordless Wednesday - Water Supply

Lent

I gave up Starbucks for Lent.  It may not seem like a big sacrifice but considering I had been on a two-a-day kick it really is to me.

I find myself wishing I could have one.  A Skinny Peppermint Mocha -- or a Skinny Caramel Macchiato if we're now out of the season of my true favorite coffee drink.

Regular coffee tastes like...coffee. 

I don't like it.

While my wallet and waistline I'm sure appreciate the sacrifice I've made, my taste buds are grumpy.

Wordless Wednesday - March

Tasty Tuesday - Almonds

Emerald - Cinnamon Roast Almonds

I picked this up on Sunday when I did groceries with John.  We both enjoy almonds, my personal preference being the ones covered in chocolate, so we added them to the cart.  They weren't the cheapest but I am delightfully surprised by how yummy they are!  So much, in fact, I think they will be a new staple in the house of Woo.

Random Writings - Proud

I know I've been bad about blogging lately.  I will try to be better.

Today, I'm feeling super proud of myself and optimistic about my goals before I turn 30.  It is not very often that I would say I truly feel proud of myself - I think the last time was when I passed my SPHR exam.  I may feel other positive emotions about myself but proud is not a feeling I can say I is among the top five.  Fact is, it's not a feeling I use lightly.

So for me to say I feel proud today, that deserves a blog post.  Even if it is short. 

To me it is oh so sweet.

That is all. 

Five for Friday - She Get it From Her Mama

Some people call their grandmothers: grandma, granny, nana, gigi, abuela.  I call mine Mama.

Mama, me, John, and Papa

Here are a list of five things I get from Mama:

1. My life.  Without my grandma, my mom would not exist and, therefore, neither would I.  Fact.
2. My clumsiness.  I am so clumsy I once tripped over (and as a result removed, ouch!) my younger cousin's catheter while I was visiting him in the hospital.  (We still talk and are on very good terms but some how the story usually gets brought up during every visit.)  Mama was just as bad though I don't think she had a story that could top mine.
3. My sweet tooth.  Everyone in my family, except for Mama and I, crave salt.  We on the the other hand always have sweets (be it candy, cookies, cake, pie, etc.) around.
4. My love of the kitchen.  I have so many memories of Mama being in the kitchen and me helping or just watching.  She was a fantastic cook.
5. My rice and bean recipe.  A staple for any Puerto Rican cook.  Mine comes from Mama.  I can remember many years ago writing down the directions as I watched her make it for me to learn.

I get these things and so many more from Mama so much so that I have previously been told I could never deny she was my grandma.  That's ok with me though because I would never want to.

I love you, Mama.

Mama

The nice card I came back to from my old co-workers.

Sorry for the radio silence.  Mama passed away a week ago today.  I got back into town two days ago but have also been feeling sick and not completely in the blogging mood.  Please bear with me if it takes me a few days to get back into the swing of things.