Saying Goodbye to 2020 - The Pandemic Year

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and then it got worse and worse and worse.  That is a total understatement.  2020 started off like no other - trying to keep to those New Year's resolutions of hitting the gym everyday, being a better person, eating healthier, blah blah blah!  Everything seemed to be normal, high hopes of new beginnings, new prospects and so much potential and then it happened - the bloody pandemic.  I found the above ornament on Etsy and just had to get it.  

We started hearing on the news about this new virus that started in China.  It wasn't long before it hit here in the US and then by end of February the word pandemic was the word of the day - all day.  By March we're all now working from home. The country came to a halt.  Schools were closed and kids were now on remote schedule, businesses were closed for indoor dining and the biggest was the shortage of toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer but the biggest was toilet paper.  Shelves were completely bare of toilet paper and there was a wait to get into the grocery stores.  I'm not sure what the correlation was with toilet paper and what was happening and at first I didn't understand it and now we're all scrambling to find toilet paper.   So many people have lost their jobs including me.  I got laid off the beginning of November.  I've been lucky to have worked this long with everything that is happening but it was still a shock.  It's especially scary when you're a single mom - ok, who am I kidding I freakin freaked the hell out the first month.  December kept me distracted with my daughter's birthday and Christmas and Navidad our Elf helped too 😂

Here we are nine months later, the last day of 2020 and we're now hearing of the new virus - a covid hybrid strain that could be worse than the original.  This new one started in the UK and so far they have found people with it, and here we thought with the vaccine out now things would be turning around. Just another way for Covid to say Fuck you to us - I'm still here and you can't get rid of me.  It's been nine months of baking - banana bread, zucchini bread, donuts and anything else. Like so many of you out there I've been honing in on my baking skills. I've learned that I absolutely love working from home - although I've been able to work from home many times, I really really loved it.  I realized I'm much more of an introvert than I thought and I'm so ok with it.  I absolutely dread the idea of having to go back into an office when I find a new job. 

Today is New Year's Eve and there will be no celebrating in Times Square, no celebrating anywhere unless you have a home party but even so just not the same.  Tomorrow is day one of 2021 and nothing will change, Covid will still be here and many will still be suffering but there's hope, there's always hope and I think that's about all we can do now, hope that this will be over soon.  

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!  May 2021 bring lots of new beginnings, health, love and anything else you wish for.  

Stay Safe!

Welcome to 4th Grade - I Now Have A Middle Schooler

4th Grade - Middle School

How are y'all surviving the beginning of school?  We are starting week 3 of middle school.  Guys, can I just tell you, I can't believe my daughter is in 4th grade!!  Yesterday I was admiring all her class pictures I have on our wall and got teary-eyed because my baby girl is growing up so fast.

BUT, I will say that since school started this kid as been testing my patience.  Lord help me, I don't know how many times I've said Lord, tag you're it!  A new grade, new school year and a brand new attitude to go with it.  Since the first week of school, it's been non-stop arguing every time I pick her up from school.  My kid will argue and debate every.single.thing no matter what.   Yesterday she was grounded for the first time ever!  Even as a little one I've only put her in time out once when she was 3 - that's it! 

I can only imagine my mom up in Heaven smirking as if saying now you know what I went through.  What I did realize is that I need to take a step back and breathe because last week it hit me - my aha moment!  This kid is just like her Mami!  She's me. SHIT!  While she's a sweet, lovable, funny, always making me laugh because she's so goofy with a great sense of humor and a love for life, she's also strong-willed, independent, sassy, doesn't take no for an answer and doesn't like to be told what to do kinda kid. Which is the case for many kids this age but again - SHIT! 

With that said, I will say this, my daughter makes me proud every single day.  She's also the most loving, empathetic, smart, funny, full of life beautiful 4th grader ever.  She makes me so proud every day.  She amazes me every day and she inspires me.  Being a single mom isn't easy and every day I work hard to let her know that no matter what, you can accomplish anything you want. 

How are you all doing with the back to school schedules?  Have y'all adjusted yet?  I hope all your kids have a positive, amazing school year!!

Irene

Please Stop Killing Your Babies

There is so much sadness and hurt in this world today.  Yesterday on the news I saw how a mother who just delivered her beautiful baby girl placed her in a plastic bag and dumped her in the woods. 

This is baby India, named by the police.  A beautiful healthy baby girl found in a plastic bag dumped in the woods.  Thank God a family heard her screams (they thought it was a cat and went to investigate) and called the police.  This mother, we can only assume she's very young, could have brought the baby to one of the Safe Haven places in her area.  

As a mother, this hurts me.  There are so many of us that struggled to have children.  I am blessed with my miracle baby girl (not so baby anymore) but I can't have any more children. I didn't want to be part of the one and done club. I have two sisters but grew up with so many cousins.  I've always dreamt of having a big family so that my kid(s) could experience that.  I had to do IVF many times, I suffered an ectopic pregnancy.  I cry every single time I hear a story like this or of parents killing or hurting their kids.  

These beautiful babies didn't deserve this.  I would have taken Baby India with loving, open arms as many of us would have. I would have taken any of those children.  For those of us that cannot have any more children, for those of us that struggle to conceive, for those of us that are always willing to open our homes and welcome another child, we beg you, please stop hurting the children. 

Saying Goodbye To Elementary School

1st day of 3rd grade

My baby girl is growing up way too fast.  This past year seemed to have really flown by.  

We finished 3rd grade about two weeks ago.  I cried!  Honestly, I sort of ugly cried.  Buggs is my one and only. I will never get to experience this again.  I no longer have an elementary school kid.  Come fall we enter 4th grade - middle school.  Whaaaa!!  Those words, I'm still not used to saying them.  No longer will we walk the halls in that part of the building.  Middle schoolers will need to wear uniforms - that I'm happy about- no more shopping for school clothes.  I still can't believe that it's over and now it's officially summer.  The good thing about that is that Mami gets a break from all her sports activities.  This kid just never stops. 

I'm so blessed to have such an amazing daughter.  She's a strong, independent, funny, full of emotions, cheeky little bugger.  Holy shit - she's so much like me and I'm in for it!!  

These past few years have been awesome.  I love being one of the chaperones on her school trips.  I always make sure that I'm available and she will always ask. I hope that continues in mmmmmiddle school.  As the end of the year was approaching quickly we would talk about how my baby is getting older.  I would pretend to cry but the real tears would creep up and she would hug me and tell me that she'll always be my baby.  I would promise to hold her to that and remind her of those words when she's a tween and no longer wants to hang out with Mami and I would get the eye roll.  

To say that I'm beyond proud of my Buggs is an understatement.  She amazes me every.single.day.  I can't wait to see all that she will accomplish in the coming years.  As much as it hurts to see my little girl growing up so fast I also cannot wait to see her grow into the amazing beautiful young lady she is becoming.  

I'm so proud of you baby girl.  You are my WHY!  You inspire me.  Keep reaching for the stars mi amor!!!!   

Last day of 3rd grade

I'm Georgia - Adopt Me!!

Hi everyone!  Hope y'all had a great Memorial weekend. 

Remember me, Georgia?  I just wanted to let you know that I'm still available for adoption, ya know, just in case you're looking for a wicked awesome, pretty, goofy, snugglable puppy.  I'm learning so much and I know how to sit very pretty and learning to stay and so many things from my brother.  Mami also says my potty training is going well - some days.

I love playing with my siblings.  I follow my brother around and I love wrestling with my sister Jada and sometimes I just play by myself and then when I'm tired I just go in my crate.  I love my crate.  I get to go on so many walks and Mami takes me to my human sister's softball games.  Everyone there tells me how awesome and pretty and show soft I am. I love meeting new people.  I'm a little shy at first but then warm up to everyone.  All the new surroundings scare me a little but I'm getting used to it - that's part of learning right? 

I hope my new home has a fenced in yard and siblings.  I love running around the yard like it's the Indy 500 and chasing my siblings.  If you have any questions about me you can ask Mami anything and you can also go to www.satoheartrescue.org and fill out an application.  I promise you, you won't regret it!! 

                     

 

Sato Puppies - From The Streets To Fur-Ever Homes

There is so much puppy love going on here that it'll melt your heart. I've recently teamed up with another rescue - Sato Heart Rescue located in Milford, NH.   

Sato - pronounced Saw-toe is Puerto Rican slang for street or stray dog.  For the most part, these dogs are small to medium size.  My boxer mix is from PR and I've also had a pure boxer from PR as well.  If you've ever traveled to Puerto Rican, you probably saw your share of dogs on the beach or strays running around.  Growing up my sisters and I spent our summers in PR with my family.  I didn't notice it as much but it was probably because my family knew to distract me whenever they would see them because they knew I would want to bring them home with me.  I had a passion for rescue even then.  This is my second rescue from PR.  The previous one I worked with I was the liaison between the locals in PR and the team here.  It was so overwhelming with so many puppies needing help and the hardest part was not being there to help.  Many times I would reach out to my family and try and get them to foster.  

Last night my daughter and I (who's just as passionate as I am about rescue) spent some time at the quarantine facility playing with the puppies and cleaning out the kennels.  My daughter fell in love with little Miss Mia, a lab mix.  We had so much fun.

We have new puppies coming in soon and of course, we are always in need of foster homes.  Many people don't like to foster because they'll get attached to the dog, yes, it's true but remember that you're doing just as great a service by fostering as you are by adopting.  There are so many dogs that are in shelters or waiting to be surrendered but we need foster homes to bring them in.  

I started my rescue work with Boxer Rescue back in 2000 when I was looking to get a big dog, I already had two small dogs.  I wanted every breed out there but decided on boxers.  I decided to become a foster mom to make sure this was the right breed for me.  

My first foster was a five month old.  His family surrendered him because he had Diabetic Insipidus and couldn't afford to treat him.  I had him for about a month and cried like a baby when he was adopted.  After a week I was ready for my next foster.  I realized then how much I loved the breed and I absolutely loved fostering.  I found my passion!!! It's been 19 amazing years and I've been a foster flunky many times!!   The first two rescues are no longer around and I've been with my current one, The Boxer Rescue for about five years now.  Rescue groups need so much help and I can't imagine ever giving it up.

Please consider opening up your home to fosters and if you can't there are many other ways to help.  Are you good at fundraising? Are you a social media expert?  We never turn down a volunteer!

Es Por Ti and Your Baby: Lullaby Renditions of Juanes out May 3rd

I remember those moments trying to get my daughter to sleep. She was never a napper or a big sleeper.  I used to keep cranking the little music on her mobile over and over and over.

For parents that pray for sleep and babies that need a little luz de noche, Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Juanes is out May 3rd on CMH Label Group. Featuring gorgeous, lullaby versions of his best-known and beloved cuts, the album swaps the guitar solos and red-hot heat of Juanes' original tracks for beautiful bells and glockenspiels. The perfect way to introduce babies to one of the most iconic Latin artists of all time, 'Juanes' is as enrapturing as a sea of sweet rain drops.

A thirteen-song collection spanning nearly two decades of hits, Lullaby Renditions of Juanes takes ‘una hora de dormir normal’ to the next level, and is Rockabye Baby's first-ever release in the Latin music world.

Listen to LA CAMISA NEGRA - HERE

Here are a list of the tracks:

1.    A DIOS LE PIDO

2.    ES POR TI

3.    ME ENAMORA

4.    YERBATERO

5.    LA LUZ

6.    ES TARDE

7.    FUEGO

8.    LA CAMISA NEGRA

9.    MALA GENTE

10.  GOTAS DE AGUA DULCE

11.  FÍJATE BIEN

12.  VOLVERTE A VER

13.  FOTOGRAFÍA

About Rockabye Baby

A part of Silver Lake, CA's CMH Label Group, Rockabye Baby has taken the sounds of Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty, Metallica, Taylor Swift, Nirvana, and more, and turned them into gentle, instrumental lullabies. Rockabye Baby has sold over 1.8 million CDs and 2 million digital track downloads, while garnering more than 500 million streams from close to 100 releases. The series has earned praise from Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, HuffPost, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Vice Noisey, and NPR Music, who calls the series “…fully realized and deftly orchestrated.”

SPANISH

Yo recuerdo esos momentos tratando de hacer dormir a mi hija. Ella nunca dormia por mucho tiempo y yo tenia que poner la musica dela cuna cada rato.

Para los padres que a Dios le piden por un poco de sueño y los bebés que necesitan un poco de luz de noche, Rockabye Baby! Juanes rendiciones de cuna de CMH Label Group saldrá a la venta el 3 de mayo. Con hermosas versiones de canción de cuna de sus melodías más conocidas y queridas, el álbum cambia los solos de guitarra y el ritmo al rojo vivo de las canciones originales de Juanes por bellas campanas y xilofones. La manera perfecta de presentarles a los bebés uno de los artistas latinos más emblemáticos de la historia, 'Juanes' es tan cautivante como un océano de gotas de agua dulce.

Juanes rendiciones de cuna es una colección de trece canciones que abarcan casi dos décadas de éxitos y lleva una hora de dormir normal al siguiente nivel, además de ser el primer lanzamiento de Rockabye Baby que incursiona en el mundo de la música latina.

Escucha LA CAMISA NEGRA - AQUI

Listado de canciones:

1.    A DIOS LE PIDO

2.    ES POR TI

3.    ME ENAMORA

4.    YERBATERO

5.    LA LUZ

6.    ES TARDE

7.    FUEGO

8.    LA CAMISA NEGRA

9.    MALA GENTE

10.  GOTAS DE AGUA DULCE

11.  FÍJATE BIEN

12.  VOLVERTE A VER

13.  FOTOGRAFÍA

Sobre Rockabye Baby

Parte de CMH Label Group ubicado en Silver Lake, California, Rockabye Baby ha convertido las melodías de Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty, Metallica, Taylor Swift y Nirvana, entre otros artistas, en suaves rendiciones de cuna instrumentales. Hasta la fecha se han vendido más de 1.8 millones de discos compactos de Rockabye Baby, sus canciones se descargaron 2 millones de veces y tuvieron más de 500 millones de reproducciones de casi 100 lanzamientos. La serie recibió los elogios de Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, HuffPost, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Vice Noisey y NPR Music, que la alabó como una colección “…totalmente realizada y orquestada con gran destreza”.