Q and A time.

So I'm taking the easy way out. I'm tired, I have to pack. The kids are not sharing their toys. I can't come up with decent material today. So I thought I would ask you my readers to chime in.

Have any questions you would like to ask me?? Feel free to knock yourself out. I've always enjoyed reading other people's "get to know you" type questions and seeing their responses. So please ask away.

I am going to go moderate a small fight over building blocks. Thankfully they are soft. One just flew threw the air and hit Eddie in the forehead. I guess play time is over. And mommy's peace and somewhat quiet.

Wednesday, and an award.

It's getting hot over here in Santiago. I just thought I should let you all know that. It's Spring time right now. And I know I don't have a leg to stand on when talking about heat. As anyone who resides in Arizona, Phoenix and Tucson especially, they know this fact. It's pretty darn hot. I'm talking triple digits. But being a former South Florida resident myself, Miami can give any place a run for it's money. Not only is it hot, but it has a little thing called humidity on it's side to win that race. You see, humidity can do a number on ya if you think you are going to do your hair and make up and go out looking all spiffy. By the time you arrive, your face has slid down to your neck, and your hair is either flat or frizzy. Take your pick. So even though I've had the pleasure of experiencing both heat extremes, I am thinking that the dry heat is a little more tolerable. A little.

I'm sure you are all wondering why I am even talking about all of this. Well, like I said, it's hot. And I don't like to be hot. At least not without an air conditioning system to cool me off. The closest I can come to that, is my car, 15 stories beneath me. Yes, it's true. We live in an apartment that does not have an air conditioner. So lately, again, I have been thankful that I am heading out at a time when it's starting to get hot. I don't know why I didn't think to check to see if this place had an A.C. before we moved in, I guess I just assumed it would be there. Nice huh? So I've been leaving the windows open a lot. I am trying to create a breeze. But with that breeze I get the noise of the traffic below. I do live in the city. So you can hear some pretty noisy things.

So, I should tell you guys that I came across a fabulous new blog. And as wonders should have it, her name is Leslie too! Her blog is called Stethoscopes and Stilettos. She is super nice, and we seem to have a lot in common, I can tell this already. She likes shoes, and chocolate! Her blog is fabulous, and I am going to have to stalk her now. She's given me the honor of this lovely gem of an award, that she herself created. I love it! Thank you Leslie for thinking me FAB! (*mwah*).




So, here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.


Instructions:

On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gidget.Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

My 5 addictions that keep me going: (and in no particular order mind you)

1. Coke. Not Coca as they refer to it here in Chile. Just plain Coke. I get it. I do. The bottle itself says Coca-Cola, and they shorten it. To just Coca. But it's COKE. OK? Just COKE.
2. Chocolate. It makes me feel happy.
3. Blogging. I love it. What can I say? I think I'd need therapy if I lost my blog.
4. Shopping for shoes. Or things. Or just plain shopping.
5. Online shopping. Oh wait. That's still shopping. Ok, how about paint shop pro? I just bought the new one (online, yes) and I'm still learning the upgraded things. I have PSP9 now.

And for the lovelies that I will share this award with:

Spoiled Mommy, My Life, My Story.
Alicia from My Two B's and Me.
Chelle from Creative Momma.
Patrice from Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.
Carol at Siswick Construction Zone.

These are not only great blogs, but the women who write them are truly wonderful. It's so much fun for me as a blog stalker to be able to take a glimpse into another's life. It's even more interesting when the people you read are as funny and as kind as these are. I think you will like them too. Hop on over and say hi!

On another yet totally unrelated note, it is difficult to compose a single blog post with children in your lap. Or asking for honey covered bananas. Or who think they need to poop, and want you to watch, or cheer. (And then it's a false alarm.) But then both children drag little chairs to the bathroom to wash their hands. For 10 minutes. Do they do that? Really? Yes. If you let them. So I have had to stop this post, more times than I can count. I've cleaned up their overflow of water in the bathroom, taken a picture of my child who likes to dress herself. And fed one of them honey covered bananas. Messy.

I think it's done. Here are the pictures for your perusal. The first one is Miss Alexa, rather proud that she's dressed herself. Yes, her shirt is not only on backwards, but inside out as well. And she is also sporting a Spider Man tattoo. Because she's cool like that.



Oh and the shirt she picked out was just a plain ole pink tee. She didn't want to wear the pretty one that actually went with her outfit. She threw a fit, and yelled and screamed and pulled at this cute shirt until I removed the monstrosity. Oh the horror. Trying to dress my child and have her look cute. She's me all over again. (I'm sure as soon as my mother reads this, she will be laughing.) So yeah, what goes around, comes around. It's true. Cute shirt, no?

OK, enough blogging for the moment. I'll be back. Later~

A special day.

Here is what I decided to wear. I opted for something lighter, we weren't sure if there was going to be air conditioning in the building, and I did not want to be hot. (It's about spring time here, and approaching summer.) Even though it wasn't one of the choices that I polled my readers on here, dh really likes this dress. So I went for it.

When we arrived, they had yet to set up for the ceremony. I was surprised to hear that once the national anthem of Chile was played, the men in uniform in the room all began singing. And of course when the Star Spangled Banner was played, my heart felt happy. That song just gets me every time. And though nobody sang, my heart did.

My kiddos. This is traditional Eddie right here. And this is the only picture that I got of them actually cooperating. The rest of the time they ran around and played. (Before the ceremony began.)

Then of course, like moths to the flame, my children instinctively ran through the grass. Just at that moment when they reached the hoses you see behind Alexa, the sprinklers came on. And they went running through them. Thankfully, they were more like misters, and not full on soak you sprinklers. But just the same, my children must have known that was going to happen. It had to happen right? They screamed and laughed and almost didn't come when I called them. Almost.

Do you see the roses?? Do you? Wonder who those are for. Hmm...

The Oath of Office.

The ceremony went well, it was short but sweet. My favorite part was when my dh addressed the room. He thanked the officiating Colonel who traveled in from D.C., he thanked the various high ranking officials from the Chilean Air Force, and then thanked those in attendance for sharing this special day. Last and most certainly not least, he turned to me. He thanked me for being by his side and supporting him. He acknowledged the huge role that I play in his life. He said some of the nicest things he has ever said, and publicly, no less. It was incredibly sweet. Thoughtful even. He thanked me graciously, and then presented me with that huge bouquet of roses. I can't even tell you the last time I got flowers. It's been a very long time. And it's so much sweeter when you don't expect it. And when someone is gushing over you, about you in front of people. That was surprising. And very very appreciated.

So for my very special dh, thank you too. I'm proud of you. And I love you.

My video. Let's talk appliances!

Hey guys. I just made a new video. No laughing, and please... no virtual rock throwing either. Once again, I invite you to make a video of yourself sharing your favorite household appliance. Tell me what's so wonderful about it and then post the video on your blog. Take this button I made and post it on your blog, come back and link up to me.

So here is my video! I have to run now, I have a lot to get done before we leave!
(Very sorry about the quality of this video, it came out WAY darker than it really was. I have no idea why.)








Oh! And I had an idea for next Monday. If you can, try to get your child, or one of them who is most willing, to show off his (or her) favorite toy. Let them tell us why it is their favorite! I imagine this one might be harder for moms with younger children, but maybe you could video them playing with their favorite toy, and then you could narrate it for us. OK, thanks for playing along!

Friday. Woot!

I'm really happy today. Because in two weeks, I will be boarding a plane with my children in tow, heading for the United States of America. And I am thrilled at the very thought. I have been going through the drawers, looking at what I want to pack. Thinking about what to pack for the kids. Wondering what the weather will be like. This is exciting.

Oh yeah, and my husband is home now. Actually I started this blog post earlier in the day. And as the kids would have it, they needed me more than this post did. They won. So we went for dinner at Pizza Hut, because that's what I wanted. The kids were well behaved. And they were soooooo happy to see daddy. After not seeing him for 12 days, it was absolutely precious how they fought over who would hold his hand. They both did. And left mommy behind. But I understand.

Also, I get to go shopping this weekend. I had asked you guys ealier for your opiniong regarding what I should wear to my husband's promotion ceremony. (See post here.) And I have decided to just go shopping for something to go with my awesome boots. Because I love them that much. The ceremony is to be held on Monday. And I figure it's special enough to buy something new.

Oh, and I plan to do another video post on Monday. I had a few gals email me with some interest. I guess I should give everyone some time to get their thoughts in order. I know I wasn't thinking that everyone would jump right on the bandwagon. But I still invite you to join me! Make a video of yourself, say hi and tell me what your MOST favorite household appliance is. Show it off in the video. Tell me why you love it, or can't live without it. And you will see mine. So there. I now officially have a topic for my brand spanking new Monday Video meme. Do join in the fun. And take a button and post it on your blog. ;)

OK. That's about it for me. I have to go visit with the husband. I haven't seen him in like 12 days. Chat with you all later~

My first video blog post.

This is me and my first video posting. Watch it, or don't , but you might want to join me in video blogging, this could be fun.

Oh yeah, and this is my first time using Mr. Linky. Cool huh? I was thinking about doing a weekly meme with videos. Want to play along? We could call it something like Video Me Monday. Any better ideas? I don't know.... just thinking out loud. Hope you all have a great day~

(Edited to add: I totally know it's Thursday. I plan on doing the video thing on Mondays in the future.)

<a href="http://eddienalexa.blogspot.com"><img border="0" alt="Video Me Mondays" width="200" src=" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/lesneddie/videome1.png" height=" 118" /></a>
LOOK! I made a button, do you like it????

Yesterday.

I got Eddie dressed and headed out the door to walk him to his preschool class. When we arrived at the door, I was greeted by one of the teachers/administrators, or Tia's as they like to refer to them. (Which by the way, means Aunt.) So yeah, I'm standing there and this woman looks at me as if I had pie on my face. Not like a little bit of whipped cream topping, but a whole lotta goop from some insanely delicious French Silk pie, with the chocolate all smeared this way and that as I was having my way with the helpless sugary mound and I couldn't help myself while I shoved my face head first into it's deliciousness.

I didn't quite understand her look, as I know with absolute certainty, that I had not consumed any such pie in the last 6-8 months. At the very least. So I looked weirdly back at her. And she spoke in mangled English. "Eh, no e'skool two-day." Huh?

I look around and clearly see that I am the only parent with the only child there at the school. D'oh! But seriously, I was mad then. Not only feeling like a huge m.o.r.o.n. but I was mad. I was mad because they had a BIG sign posted at the front door yesterday to remind the parents to bring un caja de galletas, y jugo por sus ninos. (Cookies and juice.) But why? Why? If they were to be closed? I was stumped. And the Tia who stood before me didn't have an explanation in English. Again, feeling like a dork.

The sad part was that I had to turn around and leave with my son. My son, who by the way hung his head down as we walked away. He was sad that he couldn't stay at his school and play with the children that he didn't really understand were not there. I felt sorry for him. And that made me even madder.

I called dh when we got home and gave him a lovely ear full. I know it wasn't his fault, but I didn't have anyone else to express my frustrations to. So he gave them a call to find out what was going on. Apparently, they had both day and afternoon classes come together in the morning. (Eddie attends in the afternoon.) Oh! I see!

Thanks for the memo. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just knowing that I am the only parent with a child attending their school that does not speak Spanish, and I myself, clearly not bilingual and most days stuck in my fuzzy understanding of the language, was left without a friendly "heads up."

Good looking out on that one guys. Bite me.

God Bless America!

It's election day, and I'm thinking about all you guys out there who may be voting. I was feeling a little patriotic, so I checked up on one of my all time favorite songs on you tube. And wouldn't ya know it, Mr. Cutie Pie himself sang this rendition at the Rays game just a little while ago.

I just love this song, and his performance of it as well.

I have a bit of news.

I want to share something with you guys. I have been a bit bummed out about the high cost of ticket prices I have been finding for me and the kids to fly back to the states. I have been wanting to take a trip to see my family. The other day, I was browsing the AA (American Airlines) website, and I came across a message. It was a sale. For AAdvantage club members. If you purchase air miles, you get air miles for free. And in order to make the trip, the kids and I needed a lot of miles. I did the math. I figured, and I thought. And then I called my mom.

She offered to help out and buy some air miles for me and the kids to come home. And believe me, I was beyond thrilled. And even more thankful. Because there is nothing more that I want than to go home right now. I still do consider it my home. Even though my clothes are here. And my shoes. I miss it like I never imagined that I would.

So I'm leaving. It's just that simple. And there isn't a word big enough to describe the joy that I feel. It's insurmountable. And simply saying that I am happy is just an understatement. It truly doesn't do justice to the feelings that I have inside.

Oh yeah, and I get to watch Twilight when it comes out in the theaters. How cool is that? So I thought I should share the news with you guys. I'm so psyched and I can't wait to pack. Oh yeah, and the kids are excited too. Although I'm quite sure Alexa doesn't understand fully why she is. She is just feeding off of Eddie's energy and enthusiasm.

Time to get some rest. My plane leaves on November 21. Anyone as thrilled as I am?? I think not. But you can give me a high five or something. That would be cool!