Christmas Holiday

I love the Christmas season.  This year we are getting by but I feel blessed that I have my health and that I have a job that I really enjoy.

I took some pictures of some of my favorite decorations.  Here they are..I hope you enjoy them as much as I do everyday.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!

Weight loss progress

Well; I promised to keep this blog updated on my progress...I have been working out but not as much as I should.  I started to get into a routine, I am starting an fitness program through work and I know that a lot of people will be fibbing on their progress but I owe it to myself and the program to not.  I am going to lose the 30 pounds that I want.  I'm going to promise to run some more 5k's this summer. I don't care if I'm last...I'm going to do it.  I eventually want to run a half-marathon and also a marathon but I am willing to take it one step at a time.

I've got a lot of things that I want to do.  I'm thinking I'm going to start my own bucket list.  Even if I don't get to do them all.....I will at least have them on the list to hopefully get done.

I will update you on all my measurements later.  Right now I'm going to relax and finish some Christmas presents.  I enjoyed my workout that I did.  Also; I'm going to leave you with this cucumber recipe.  I found it on pinterest...Yes; I am addicted.

http://pkstaples.blogspot.com/2010/06/crisp-cucumber-salsa.html
she got it from Simple and Delicious magazine

Cucumber Salsa

2c. peeled and seeded cucumbers chopped
1/2 c. chopped and seeded tomatoes
1/4 c. red onion
2 Tbs minced parsley
1 or 2 jalapenos...depending on how spicy you want it you can add more.  seeded and chopped
4 1/s tsp cilantro
1 garlic clove minced
1/4 c. reduced fat sour cream
3 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp cumin
salt to taste

Enjoy with chips

This is a very nutritious salsa. very refreshing and very yummy!!

Enjoy the rest of your day; God bless you all.

Ceci

Things to be thankful for

THANKSGIVING...

I have always enjoyed this holiday.  I enjoy getting the family together and stuffing our face with food until we almost explode and then take on the challange of dessert.  This year was a lot more meaningful and special.

See this year; I am greatful for a lot of things.  First I am greatful for my family, my health and my job.  I am greatful that I have a house to live in and a mortgage to pay.  I say that and you might wonder why.  Well this year Javier got his ACL replaced on November 1st.  Since then he has not been working and I have taken on the task of working and paying for ALL of our bills.  It's been hard but I do have to say; I am greatful for the extra money we have saved up...small amount but none the less it has saved us.  I am greatful to have such great family members and great friends.  I am greatful for my kids who are so understanding about how Christmas will be this year. I am greatful that Javier is now better and will be 100% in February and will be able to go back to work.

I am also greatful to have such a loving husband.  He calls me his hero....I love that.  I think he feels bad that he isn't bringing any money to the home but I always tell him...we married for better or worse...this my dear is part of our not so good moment....we have had worse.  He always has something good to say and can comfort me when I need a moment to cry or just a moment to be silent and cuddle.  I love him for that and I love my kids for understanding.

It's hard to keep it together; I have lost it a few times just thinking about how I can make our money stretch and keep us till my next pay day but God is watching over us and I am confident that he will carry us through this rough patch....after all; sometimes we need these lessons in life to keep us going. 

I'm a tough bitch and I keep moving forward...never looking back. Only thinking about the positive and the good to come.  So today I am thankful for a lot of things.

Keep your family close and keep your hearts open.  You never know who might have it worse than you do.  Like my hubbie said...it's not the end of the world, the sun will come up tomorrow and it will be a new beautiful day.


Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Ceci

Health

It's been a while since I blogged.  I know I have not kept up with this like i WOULD like to but today I will start fresh.

I am talking about Health today; mostly because I need to kick myself in the ass and get to working out.  I am not fond of running...I don't enjoy it, but because it is the one thing I like to do the least I am determined to get started.  My family has a history of health problems.  My mom was diagnosed with diabetes last year and she has been struggling to keep up with her health.

I do not want to have these health issues.  So today I have decided that Ceci will change her life.  I WILL CHANGE MY LIFE.  I want to be around for a long while.  I know that I can do this so I need to change a few things.

I am setting some goals for myself and will use this blog as a diary.

My start weight is 174.8
I am 5' 1" tall
my waist is at a 34"
my bust 42"
my thigh 26"

I hope to change the way I look so that I can feel better about myself....right now I do not!!

Ceci

March!!

Wow, I can't believe it's already March.  I have been working overtime like crazy and I'm so exhausted.  I'm happy that Javier will be starting his new job. That means me ONLY working my regular hours, no more overtime for this mom.  I need to spend more time with my kids.

This weekend I watched Courageous....that movie is a great movie.  Made me think of a lot of things.  I'm glad we got to watch it.  Of course I cried almost through all of it.  It's so inspirational.  If you haven't seen it, I recommend you rent it.

My baby boy will be 16 this month too.  Where has the time gone?  We are wanting to go see the hunger games midnight showing.  I would take my mom but I think she would be too tired.  We'll take her on Sunday instead.  :0)

I hope you all have a great Monday.

Ceci

Career Goal Oriented

Wednesday I took Abraham to visit Bobbi at UVU. She is the Criminal Justice Advisor for UVU.  He will be a Junior in HS next year and he is thinking about doing some concurrent enrollment classes so that he can get some college credit and not have to spend more time than necessary doing all of his general ed classes when he gets to college.  I love that he is already thinking ahead and mapping out his education.  He is very enthusiastic about the criminal justice field and I think he will do great things.  I especially think that he absolutely loves the fact that he can be done with his Bachelor Degree possibly before he is 21 and ready for the police academy.  Listen to that, before he is 21.............excuse me, I'm back now.  I just fainted for a bit. 

My son, wants to stay in Utah.  This is a good thing for me because that means that he will be close to us. I hope he decides to venture out a little and maybe explore a little bit of other states so that he sees the difference that there is. Culture wise, education wise, personality wise....everything wise!!  Don't get me wrong Utah is a great place to live.  I just think that at some point in a person's life, its a good idea to get out and move around a bit.  I don't want my kids to feel like they have missed out. 

I am very proud of my son and his choices. I want to think that I did something right while raising him.  He makes me laugh out loud every day and I am so proud of him.  I just don't know what I would do without his happy face in our home.  I just hope that he stays on track for what he wants to do but he knows that I will support him in whatever adventure he wants to pursue and wants to live.

I love you mijito!!

Here is Abraham being his silly self...mind you he is a serious kids but I love the moments when he can play around and be silly. 

Here he is showing off his Christmas presents.  I just love him to death!!

Ceci

Sunday Mass

If I wasn't working today I would have been to Mass today and heard the readings for today.  Since I didn't go, I still was able to read what would have been read.  Today I will share that with you....

Readings for Sunday Mass February 26, 2012; again this is brought to you by uCatholic.com

Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm 25:4-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15

Genesis 9: 8 – 15
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Psalms 25: 4 – 9

4 Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long.

6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

1 Peter 3: 18 – 22

18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

Mark 1: 12 – 15

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Enjoy your Sunday.

Ceci

Angry Birds

My husband is obsessed with this game....it drives me crazy!! I don't mind the fact that he plays it.  I mind that he plays it when I want to cuddle or talk or watch a movie or eating dinner.  I think its fine that he plays it but seriously, last night we were watching a movie and he pulls out his phone and started playing this game, he plays it with the volume on high and I can hear everything. Now I don't care if he plays it but turn the volume down!  I was a little upset about it. 

I guess it really bothers me because when we are together sitting in bed watching TV, it used to upset him that I text or read a book, or that I crochet while he was watching his program or we were talking; so naturally it bugs me because he was always on my case about what I do.  He said it was distracting and that he felt like I didn't care.  Well we came to an agreement that if we were spending time together we would just spend time together, no electronic gadgets of any sort.  If we watch a movie, we watch a movie; if we talk, we talk; if its a program he's watching on TV then I told him that if I didn't like what he was watching I would crochet or read.  Agreed, problem solved no more problems.

I guess now I just sit back and laugh because its funny how he gets upset when he can't pass a level or how excited he gets when he does.  He says its a game of skill, you have to know how to knock down the pilars to kill the most pigs...I don't get it and didn't like it when I played it but he LOVES it.

This is what one level looks like...

Knock down the pilars and kill those pigs. 

Have a great Saturday everyone!!

Ceci

Ash Wednesday

'So it is written that the Christ woul suffre and on the third day rise from the dead.'

                                                                                                          Luke 24:46

This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 22nd.  I am working but will be off in time to make it to Mass.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Here is an explanation of why we receive the ashes I got from the  http://www.catholic.org/ website.

Why we receive the ashes

Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."


Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.


The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.


The Ashes


The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.


Traditionally in our family we each reflect and decide what we are giving up for Lent.  This year we have decided to do something as a family as well as individually.  I think that this will bring us even closer together.  We decided that as a family we are going to give up junk food for Lent.  Normally this isn't a problem but for some reason this year we have been eating a lot of junk.  I know that it shouldn't take Lent for us to realize that we need to stop eating junk food but I think this will be a good reflection and a great family discussions on Sundays. 

May you all have a blessed day. 

Ceci

Sunday Family Time

Yesterday I was texing my daughter while I was working, she mentioned that she had been watching Lady and the Tramp.  She tells me that she wants spaghetti for lunch tomorrow because she was watching that show.  I told her that was a great idea. 

I got home this morning at 6am, usually I am home early but because we had a snow storm I got home at 6am.  I went to bed for a few hours and woke up to J asking me if I wanted something from McDonalds.  I told him I didn't want anything but I had a few things that I wanted him to pick up from the store.  I made it easy for him; I handed him and my son the actual recipe and put a star next to the things I needed for the dessert I was making and at the bottom of the paper I put " spaghetti noodles and spaghetti sauce."  Easy right????  Well I should have known better.  I got a call about 10 min after they left asking me about the peanut butter chips and the penut butter cups.   I should have known that it wouldn't be that easy but after explaining to them what I needed I rolled over and went back to sleep.

I woke up about 12:30 because I was thinking about dessert and thinking about spaghetti.  I asked my daughter to help me and she was so glad to help.  Sunday's we are usually in church but since I'm on my graveyard shifts I try and make it a point to spend time with my family even if we don't go to church and I don't get a lot of sleep, doesn't matter because my time with my family is priceless.

We started baking the brownies that we needed for the layered dessert, baked it and set it by the window to cool. We opened up the peanut butter cups and cut them in 1/2...mixed the pudding and put that in the fridge. We tasted everything of course.  It was delicious. 

We then started on the spaghetti.  My daughter cooked the noodles and I started on the meat.  When the noodles were cooked I had her start on the sauce.  She loves to cook and is more experienced in the kitchen and loves to be in there. When we were done, our finished product kinda looked like this....

It was delicious and we all liked it.  We will have plenty of leftovers for a  few days but really who can resist spaghetti.  :0) 

As for the dessert.....this is what we made and it did actually turn out like this picture. I hope the people at work like it as much as we did.  My daughter was concerned that some people might be allergic to it if they have a peanut allergy.  I told her that I would let everyone know that there was peanutbutter in the whipped cream so that there were no casualties. I lover her, always concerned with everyones well being.

Happy Sunday evreyone.  Since we didn't get to go to church today; I will leave you with a picture of a church I saw that I totally loved.  This picture was taken by Joost Van Doorn; with Ash Wednesday coming up we reminise about things that we could do without just like Jesus did when he was meditating in the dessert for the duration of Lent.  I'll post more on that later. 

HAPPY SUNDAY!! May you be blessed today and always.

Ceci



Smile

I ran into this saying on Pinterest.  This pinterest sight has become very popular...I know I love it.  Either way; I saw it and loved it.  Mostly because it fits me; I am always smiling and am a very happy person.  I know there are people who don't like me because of how I am but I really don't care.  The saying says it all.

Thank you pinterest. 

Sincerely,
Ceci

Surgery

On Feb. 15th; my hubbie J had what they call non-evasive surgery on his knee.  About 6 years ago he was playing soccer and twisted it up pretty bad.  His knee had been bothering him a lot and we finally decided to get it taken care of.  The picture listed above is what they used.  He had his meniscus torn and had to have that removed.  Although it was a "simple" surgery as the doctor called it.  He was a little worried.  He was worried that he wouldn't wake up from the anesthesia.  I assured him that he would wake up and be ok. 

It was the right meniscus that was torn and was taken out.  It was a long day for him as well as me.  I started my graveyard shift on the 14th.  His surgery was scheduled for the 15th at 8:30, which meant that we had to be at the surgery center at 7:15 to check in.  I got off work at 6, went home, took a power nap and headed to the surgical center. At the surgical center they ask you all the medical questions....allergies, family medical history etc.  They finally called him back and got him ready, after he was preped they called me back and let him sit with him before he finally had to have surgery.  I could tell he was worried so I gave him a quick blessing and said the Lord's Prayer and as we say in Spanish, lo Persine.  He felt much better.  after a little while the anesthesiologist came in and went over some things, then the nurse, then the doctor.  they finally wheeled him off and I went to the waiting room again to wait.  I took a nap there because I knew that I would't be sleeping much that day.  The doctor told me that he would be about an hour so I slept. 

The hour passed and I was called back to sit with him as he came out of the anesthesia. It was funny to see him come out of it.  The first thing he said when he saw me was "I had a good dream."  I asked him what he dreamt and all he said was "I don't know......I love you so much."  I was happy because I thought I must be doing something right.  He was happy to see me and I was happy to see him.  He came out just fine and had 2 cups of applesauce.  He was a happy man.

I'm glad that everything went well and that he is now home resting, healing and getting better.  As for me; I did finally get some sleep and all is well in our house again.  ;0) 

Ceci 

Valentines

I know that Valentine's Day has come and gone, but I just wanted to write a little about it.  Better late than never....J and I are always kidding around with each other.  We love to play jokes and we love to leave each other crazy notes.  This note that you see here is something that he would leave but hasn't yet. 

I love his humor and I love the fact that when he means it, he will get me a little something. J says that it's not about a specific day when you have to give or show your love.  It's more about the little things that count.  The fact that I was thinking about you when I passed a rose bush and decided to pluck out a rose, counts. The fact that I thought about you when I was at the store and remembered that you really wanted a crazy pink pen, counts.  He will on random days bring me things just because and I have come to think the same way he does.  When you need someone the most is when you should be there for that person.  

He is very random and we don't much celebrate "holidays" like these.  We celebrate life every day all day and don't save a specific date for celebrations.  I correct myself...birthdays are a big deal.  :) 

We went out to eat dinner the day before Valentines because I started my graveyards on Valentines.  It was a bit of a surprise because like I said we don't normally celebrate this day.  I of course was not going to say no, we went out to eat had some beer and martini's and enjoyed each other's company like we did when we were dating.  We laughed and remenissed and thought about the "good old days." We had a great time.  I think that "dates" like those are well needed in a relationship.  Sometimes too often we forget the reason we fell in love with our loved one. 

I'm a sucker for love and romance and all that comes with it. 

I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day!!

Ceci

Traffic violations when dropping off kids at school

I'm the worst offender of this.  I find it rather funny how parents when they drop off their kids at school violate all traffic laws.  They park in the oddest places, make U turns like there is no one else coming and veer out in front of other cars.

Every morning it's the same routine.  I take my daughter and her friend to school. We get close to the school and I make a mad dash to park right in front of the door they like to go in.  While I do this another car makes a mad dash out of the parking place and I nearly run into it.  I guess they figure I'm going to park there, but what if I don't???

I still chuckle every time I see this and I laugh out loud because I do the same things.  I can at least say that I do turn on my blinker when I'm coming in and out of my parking to drop off the girls.

If you have never noticed this because you don't drop off kids at school, I would invite you to watch some time.  It's a very funny sight to see.

Ceci  :)

Dealt a dirty hand

Yesterday I had a very long conversation with one of my bestest friends EVER!!  She and I share a bunch of stuff together.  I can talk to her about anything and everything I want to and she is always there to listen and give me advise.  We are like sisters, she like myself has no sisters to share things with.  She is the only girl in her family as am I.  I have to say with certainty that I have 2 friends that I consider like my sister.  They know me in and out.  They know how to keep a secret and know everything about me.  No secrets with them.   I never had a sister growing up and missed that.  I have brothers but of course but I couldn't as a girl growing up tell my brothers everything.  Same goes with being an adult. There is nothing better than having a sister to talk to.  She is one of my "sisters" I call when shit happens, I can call her anytime and she will be there to listen.  I do the same for them.

She came over yesterday to talk about something that had happened to her.  I won't go into any details of who she is or what happened.  I just have to say she was dealt a very dirty hand.  One of her friends is going through some shit with her husband and because her husband couldn't see my friend happy decided to ruin her life.  He did something that I consider snake like.  Una Rata de 2 patas, as Paquita la del Barrio would say. It is the lowest of the low.  I really don't consider this person a man. Yes, he has a penis and testicles but just because you have those doesn't make you a man.

I have only seen shit like this happen in soaps, I've never seen it happen in "real life."  I was really surprised when she told me what he did.

My friend is really better off.  She is strong and will get through this.  She is beautiful and smart and can go forward with her life.  I'm here to help her do that but I just don't think it was fair what happened to her.

Here I am talking about this and I just feel like hunting this bastard down and beating him.  I'm so mad I'm shaking!!  What a jerk and que poco hombre..as we would say in Spanish.

That's all I have to say about that.

I love you sis...I'm here for you always!!

Ceci

Family Pictures; my 1st go

I had the honor of taking some family pictures a while ago.  Since I have been crazy busy with the holidays and all, I am putting them up now.  Enjoy.

The Neilsen Family

Just a few that I took.  I really enjoyed taking these pics.  as I go along and with more practice, I will hopefully get better.  :)

Catch Up....

I realize that I haven't blogged in a while and that is not good.  I need to start blogging so that my brother can see what is going on with our family...as well as my friends.  I promise I will get some posts up soon.  :)