Men are from Mars, women from Venus Latino Style

I weighed myself on Friday for the first time in months...139 lbs, which a lot less than what I've weighed in a long time but still not quite as little as when  got pregnant w Olivia. I've had a few M&Ms twice and a slice of fruit pie but otherwise I've been good. I do believe "allowances" (aka one treat a week) are important for me to last longer. I still need to work on portions and catching myself from eating the girls leftovers...Obviously, I'm not very concerned about my weight...clothes are the best scale, right??? So, that part is going good.
I watched this Chilean woman's lecture on Thursday and it's changed my vision a lot. Her name is Pilar Sordo, the video (Valdivia) lasts about 2 hours and it's on You Tube...I don't know if it's translated in English so I'll tell you a bit about it...It condences a lot of information from a study she did about women and men in rural, urban and indigenous groups.
She started saying that when a man came for a therapy session, by the end of the first session she would know what that man wanted from life, what he'd accomplished, who that man was. When a woman came for therapy she would learn all about her kids, parents, husband, neighbors, etc, etc but not much about the woman. Women are externalists (we blame things on the outside and put everything in a bag), men are more internalist. Women have a need to feel needed, men have the need to feel admired. Women absorbe, men let go to keep moving on in their road to success, because the faster the solve problems the faster they can keep achieving their goals. Men are very visual, women are more perceptive (hearing, feeling). Men compartmentalize their partner (and themselves) into: mother of my children, woman, lover, etc...and they talk to each one separately (we mix them all together), so when we call a guy to work he's in "work mode". And also when we talk about money (and maybe are tense and arguing), men will try to "make a move" because they were talking to financial parter but now they are looking at you as lover...and we are looking at them like their brain cells are not connected (which they're not)...OK, I feel like I am not doing this woman any justice to which she said...and I'm tangling her words so I'll stop...Learn Spanish just to read it, it's life changing (I've been googling to find it translated but I cant seem to find anything but the Spanish thing...maybe someday I'll translated (or not so learn Spanish!!!).
All this lecture has left me rethinking a lot of the conversations and thoughts I've had and things I've done...Very ineteresting...Lucky next guys!!!
OSCAR NIGHT TONIGHT...I'll be binge eating to suppress the depression from watching these women...or maybe not, because I'm talented and gorgeous too and I won't be starving and holding my breath (tucking their tummies)...
Did you find any of the lecture comments new???

Timely Uncle Sam

I haven't splept very well lately, worrying about money. Today my mortgage was due and I was going to have to borrow some money out of my girls account to make it, not even counting all my late bills...But I came home and the Federal tax return was here...I paid the mortgage, paid my house taxes, paid some bills online (include the State Taxes from 2007), took the girls swimming, wrote checks for the other bills....I feel sooooooooooo good...I'm too excited to fall asleep. I know this is a once a year thing...but I'm back on track, and I didnt spend a dime in silly things. God always provides!!!
So, I will be sleeping better soon...
Just keeping you updated (plus there's not much more battery left on my laptop)
What will you do with your tax returns???

Hello Blog Friends!!!
Yesterday was very depressing and it was hard for me to sleep. This morning I definitely didnt want to get up, so I did my hair (which I only properly do once a week), put make up on (which I do once every few months), dressed very fashionably and went to conquer the world. Do you ever do that??? If not, try it. You'll feel more confident if you look more confident..."Fake it until you make it". I felt better. I feel better. A friends husband came to fix up my pipe issue (sounds dirty), and (surprise surprise with my 107 year old house) it was more complicated than we thought. However, I did not break the pipe, which made me feel a lot better; and we were able to turn the water back on, so I don't have to wake up more than 15 min before work to take a shower there...
I watched Extreme Home Makeover last night, and that show always puts my life in perspective. Michael told me once "you should get cancer so we can get a house like that" (and then he was surprise I divorce his jemlike person), but all I always think about it how healthy me and my girls are. And this time last year I was stuck on a bad marriage and not happy to come home...I need money for a lot of unexpected things that dont fit into my budget, but I have made it every month so far (even with an alcoholic draining my single income), I am in charge of all my money and the only debt that I have is my mortgage...I think that's pretty good.
I hope you like me better now and will keep reading.
What are you thankful for??? Are you a half empty or half full type of person???

Money, money, money

I'm crying.[This is turning into a very depressing blog]. I know better than to cry about money but I am. Every month after only paying my bills I only have $100 left over and that is for gas, phone card, diapers, cleaning products and any extras (as if I could afford any). I dont mind because I usually dont spend on anything else and I think it's worth the little sacrifice for a better future. However lately, I've been buying a few presents for my family in Argentina.
A few weeks ago I called to H&R Block to find out if I could do my taxes for the easy file ($48) and they said I could so I made and appointment. After 30 min of papers, we finished and she told me it was $271...after I complained, the owner lowered it to $241...to which I said "lets go ahead and do it since it's already done". This weekend I got a letter from the Colorado Department of Revenue saying I owe $272 in back taxes from a misfiling from 2007...and that I need to pay within 10 days. Michael says he doesn't understand and I should go ahead and pay it.
After a year of a non fuctioning new sink sitting in my bathroom, I decided to conect it myself, and trying to unscrew the cap I broke the pipe...I don't know how will that fit into my budget. So I'm crying. I'm tired of not gettin paid for as much as I should, for making sacrificies and still not making it, of all those damn extra things that I cant afford.
I which I had some chocolatly confort food to make me feel better...or some Argentinian candy...I wish I had a person to share my burden with...
Can I go on vacation now, please???
Ok, I think I am going to unplug my brain and watch some tv because I am absolutely drained...

My kids are still alive...

It's been quite a weekend...The girls haven't been behaving as well as they had, and I'm going through some stress (Thank you Department of Revenue), so I have no patience...it's a cycle...
I think the fact that the hunger and cravings kicked in today is no help...I have to admit I ate half of the lemon pie kyrsten left (the I can't throw food away excuse)...But I grabbed and put back a slice of straberry cheese cake pound cake (very impressive).
So I thought it'd be a great idea to take the girls walking so they can get distracted and also be tired later but it kindda backfired...Olivia didnt want gloves from the get go and then took her hat off mid walk...Needless to say she was freezing and complaining right away...Kyrsten, on the other hand, did 6/7 blocks in her tricycle without stopping much, I couldn't believe it.
However, during Olivia's nap, I grabbed all the paper I could find around the house and I organized them...I also cleaned the appliances and swept 5 times (I think it was a compulsive thing today)...The best part is that, as tidy as my house is today, tomorrow sis-in-law is coming to watch the kids here so it will be like a hurracaine came through by the end of the day...things to look forward to...I do thank her inmensely for her free help, I cant afford to pay someone. Plus, she is very patient with the girls (as far as I know)...Anyways, that's what I keep telling myself.
My 3 year old daughter let the frase "What the hell" and I dont know where she go  that from (Michael, the worst influence in their vocabulary would say "what the f***"). Another thing she said the other day was "Mommy, I speak Spanish" (in English, it cracked me up), "Do you speak Spanish" to which I answered "Every time I talk it's Spanish"...I wonder who told her that she speaks Spanish. I dont think she can tell the difference yet or she'd be asking how to say things...Olivia repeats and talks like crazy too, today she said "I like Ice cream"...But there's a lot I still dont understand when she talk, good thing I have Kyrsten to translate...
Enough blabbling...Have a great week!!!

Day 1

In exactly a month I am going to Argentina so I started a diet today. I was running pretty low on food so I thought today was the perfect day to get healthy food. Eventhought I wanted to get all kinds of chocolatly stuff, I didnt. Maybe that's why, for the first time ever, I felt like I got a lot of food for the money. I got a lot of ready to go things, that way I'll want to eat them because there's not much I have to do...That's what I love about the United States of America...it has everything for a lazy woman like me to cook decent meals without having to do too much. My cooking involves opening cans and putting things in the microwave...and in this country, there's so much variety of frozen stuff, sliced stuff, ready to eat stuff...It's wonderful!!!!
When I got back I put everything away and I folded all the walmart bags...re organized the fridge (not that there was much in there)...and folded and put away all the laundry and unloaded the dishwasher...
First meal was lean hot pockets (yes, not very good but I was on a rush), and for dessert my light version of strawberry shortcake (the only change is that instead of whipped cream I mix light sour cream w sweetener or even sugar is healthier). I wasnt going to but I took a well deserved nap!!!
We made a berry shake and for dinner chicken patty sadwiches which is not the healthiest but I made them in multigrain very thin breads (I dont know what those are called), tomatoes, fiesta blend cheese and lettuce served w raw snowpeas on the side...yummy!!!
This is my biggest concern about dieting: kids left overs....I am like a vacuum...getting everything that everyone leave so as not to throw away food. Because people are dying of hunger but NOT ME!!! Luckily the girls ate most of their sadwiches today. Although, I dont think they understand the concept of sandwich...the took it all apart and ate it...Oh well, as long as they eat it...I guess we wont be attending the royal wedding then...

Cleaning up other people's clutter

I went to pick up my girls at Michael's mom's house and when I entered the house it smelled like poop...strongly....How discusting...the worst part is that there's a lot of stuff in that house...I asked and she said she had just let one dog (she has 8 dogs nowadays) "go" outside and she didnt know where it was...chances are she wont find it for a while...It's the most discusting thing ever...and I don't know if there's anything I can do to help...In the big picture...It seems like she holds on to stuff because she's never had too much and she's lost a lot of people...but this is not a good way to live of her, my 8 year old niece or nobody. If it was me I'd throw everything away and start new....but i dont know how to help...even if it's just a little...my girls go there but I truly care about her being buried in all these things....
Any ideas???

I want 2 kiss some frogs!!!!

I went to the pool today. Other moms must think I'm nuts because all Olivia does is just run and fall (drown) and I pick her up...for a whole hour...I dont get to relax but I get to see my brave kids jump and become more confortable w the water...But my secret intentions behind taking the girls to the pool is getting them tired...Bedtime is sooooo easy...and they sleep deep and so do I...I got to watch some TV in the computer...watched Off the Map...which made want to kiss somebody....I cant even remember kissing..How terrible is that.???..and that's my favorite sport...Anyways, there were these people kissing under a waterfall, how amazing would that be??? I love under the rain kisses (Future Prince Charming you better be taking notes)...I know I'm young but I'm impatient. When am I going to meet someone that I feel like kissing??...lots of unworthy men around here (did I mention how picky I am?)...ok, enough of that.
I've found that my working "motion" has been postponed thanks to some inconvinients. Very Disappointing!...But Ill keep you encryptically posted...
Boring post, I know!
I'll get better!!! Nite nite!!!

The Simple Life

Today, I got to cuddle w a baby for an hour...a baby that just fit snuglly on my chest...sooo cute...did you know newborns can hold their weight through their fists, open their mouths and stick their tongue out??? I do...That's why I taught Levi (5 days old) to do so...just for future use, he better learn now.
I also miss this thing us, Argentinians, do...Picadas...salami, prosciutto, good cheese, olives...so we had one of those w my friend Maria and IT WAS BETTER THAN SEX!!! (Not that I remember what that is) So yummy. On the 19th I'll be starting a diet because I am going on a cruise in a month and I dont want to keep gaining weight...So I might get a little cranky here...It might be funny though. I havent been on a diet in probably 5 years...I've been to busy either not having enough money to eat, or being pregnant or breastfeeding (and God knows I ate like a cow while breastfeeding)...So now I have to really be in a swimsuit...I dont think I have a bad body but definitely not a bikini body and actually pretty bad for Argentinian standards. Im not very excited about it. It's funny cause in Argentina I'd probably say I'm maybe a 6,5 and here, plain ol' me, is "exotic" (ha-ha-ha) so I'm quite a catch...At least that's what the people that work with me say, so they are always trying to hook me up....I think they are just reliving their frustrations through me...and I'm too picky so they get a bit irritated...Well, I have to be...I settle for way too little last time and I dont have time to waste...I'm not thinking of marriage but I'm kindda going to realize if sth doesnt work for me and move on "NEXT!"...I rather spend my nights off the girls) w my friends.
OK, see you next time!!!

Drama, drama, drama

I must admit it took me a little while to refigure out how to create a new blog. It kindda makes worry sometimes...change. I definitely want to get a better paying job but there's always the worry about learning new things...I'm pretty confident at my job right now and that might go away if I did soemthing else...But I need to make more money...plus, I'd really like a challenge and, lately, the only challenge I've been having is handling drama....I work w 21 other women...estrogen party, I know...drama fits right in. So far I had pretty much stayed out, fixed things with people I needed to fix things...But, when it gets to intricate and people are not listening to each other...it's just plain dumb.
My house is a disaster zone today, stuff everywhere, and I honestly dont really feel like working hard here after working like crazy this last 2 days...so I'm going excersicing today..."Excersice produces endorphines, endorphines make you happy, happy people dont just kill their husbands" (Legally Blonde)...I'm cleaning off the cobwebs in my muscles and I'm gonna do it!!! Last week it was 10 min (after years of not excersicing)...but I better take it slow...I dont want to tone too much to soon, who'd want that??...gravity might feel offended after the long years of closer and closer relationship with my butt...
Ok, stayed tuned!!!

Hi Future Fans!!!

I started this blog because I talk too much...and facebook makes me do notes all the time...It irritates me...
I am not a very technological person so it took me a while to figure it out. But if you're reading this, it's a miracle. I amaze myself even more every day. Like today (let's just jump into it, shall we). When my jerk ex husband (Michael) treated me not very nicely after I let him borrow my car, I turned my other cheek and I said "I believe in you but still don't treat me like crap"...or a coworker who just cant stop complaining and instead of telling her [a lot of things] I said "I'll work on myself to communicate better with you". Very mature, right??? Yep, 24 going on 40...or 60...or sth (I dont want to offend any ages)....Oh, yes! I'm foreign...I use that excuse a lot, so you'll hear it, get ready. I'm from Argentina but, to be honest and not to offend anybody, I speak better English that some people I know...I've lived in the States for four and a half years. My daughters are Kyrsten,3 , and Olivia, 19 months...I had to think about that one...Second children get neglected...My first pregnancy I knew the week and then when they would ask how old kyrsten was I could say 7 months 3 weeks and 2 and a half days...Olivia....mmmm....she's been 18 months for about 4 months and she probably will be for a few more...
OK, time to watch some abc.com tv...
I'll get better at this...I hope...