Dining room set....I found the "one"!

I am a little too excited about something. And when that happens, I know I have made up my mind. What am I referring to? A Dining Room set!

I know, so corny right? But seriously, this has been a process for me. Living near High Point, NC (The furniture capital of the world) I've seen my fair share of dining room furniture for the past 2 years almost. And I have seen a few I've liked, but nothing that yelled "THAT'S IT!" to me. I've been hesitant to purchase any one that I liked because I want it to be something that is timeless and that I can keep forever. Is that too much to ask? Maybe so, especially being on a budget and not wanting to go into debt over the thing.

So, we've been patient. And I want to unveil the one I have fallen head over heels for to you. While on our trip to Alabama, the girls and myself went shopping. My best friend Jackie and I stumbled upon it at the Macy's. It is Bernhardt Furniture piece made for Martha Stewart and Macys. To me it yells perfect. There is something traditional, yet, modern that I find so perfect about it. I am that kind of girl that likes that style combination. I've collected a few pictures of it in different settings, including the pictures I took of it when I fell in love.

Bernhardt Furniture for Martha Stewart: East Hampton Lilly Pond Collection





Anyways, it is on the pricey side. But I've located a store in Hickory, NC that sells wholesale and they have the China in stock for wholesale price! Ronnie will call this week to find out some more about it's condition (it was on display in a Macys). We hope to see it this weekend. So, there is hope, but I just have to be patient to get every piece at the right price. Living in NC might just be the hope I need to purchase the dining room set of my dreams! Yay!!!!

In the meantime, I think I will be placing one of these in our guestroom. Any donations towards our dining room will be greatly appreciated! LOL!



Tell me what you think!

busy, busy, busy

My mami and me.
We've been so busy lately! Sorry, I haven't blogged in over a week.

We were in Miami Mother's Day weekend. We had such a wonderful time, like always. We shared some special moments with the family. A sunny and warm (no, wait, HOT!) Saturday in the pool and a lovely dinner with mom. She showed me how to set a table "Martha Stewart" style....with the China, water+ wine goblets, and chilled perrier water pitcher out. Yeah, all out! And my stepdad's dinner, yum! On Sunday, it was with Dad. I visited my Tita Zoila and then we went to have an early dinner at Joe's Stone Crab! Pictures soon. I promise!

Ronnie had to get on an early morning flight from Miami to travel for business. I hopped on the plane for home in NC on Monday. We haven't seen each-other since we were both in Miami.

I've kept myself busy since Ronnie is away, of course. I do not like being home alone. I am still not used to it and I don't think I ever will be. So, I've kept busy at school (especially since our NC state tests are next week...super stressed, btw!) I want to re-paint our master bedroom, so I've gone to Lowes several times to pick up some paint samples. I've had dinner with friends and I shopped at the Teacher store to pick up a few things for next year using some PTA funds. And prime time TV has worn me out, too. (DWTS, Idol, Ugly Betty, etc)

BTW, I do love the phone calls my mom and dad give me while he's away. Especially my dad's at night right before I go to bed. :) So sweet. Puts me at ease hearing their voices.

Ronnie gets in tomorrow. And I am counting the hours. I complain how he's always attached to my hip. But I am the same exact way! I guess it is called being 'newlyweds'! :)

teacher appreciation week!

I teach 5th grade. It is extremely stressful and, most of all, exhausting!

Teaching is hard work and it is easy to forget about the little things and what its all about with the many responsibilities and demands that are expected from me on a daily basis. Not only from parents, superintendents, principals, the state ,etc.... but most of all, from each one of my students. All are different and have different needs. And I am only ONE person. I must do this not during an appointment every 6 months, or an hour consultation. I must meet their needs EVERY DAY, for 7 hours, for 10 months out of the year. Yeah..talk about pressure!

Teaching is the most rewarding job. No one can argue that. I make a difference. I know this is true. But so easily forget with the demands and responsibilities. (mom, counselor, lawyer, nurse, tutor, mediator, advocate, teacher...you get the picture!)

So, with that said I want to acknowledge that this is National Teacher Appreciation Week. My students have SPOILED me with chocolate, flowers, fruit, notes and hugs every day this week. They are so thoughtful. I love it and I wanted to share this poster one of my students created for me.

This totally moved me because of the student who wrote it. He has struggled this year and has shown so much improvement. I know I made a difference!

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

our family's tiger woods

My brother Danny has been playing Golf since his teen years. He has a big passion for it and is very good at it, too! He loves to compete against my dad, my brother Mike, my Godfather Andresito and anyone in my family who is willing to get out on the course. Danny has worked at the golf course for several years. And guess what he does when he's not working? You guessed it, he's GOLFING! (Is that a right golf term, anyway?)
This is Danny playing golf. This picture was used in a Johnson and Wales University ad. He attended JWU for a little while.

Just recently Danny signed up for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour. So, far he's played in 4 tournaments (including one at Walt Disney World) and has won the top 4 spots in the competition! I know, amazing! But even more amazing is that he won his first tournament this past weekend!!! I know, crazy awesome!!! Click Here for his current stats.

I just wanted to brag. Danny has so much talent. And I am glad he's fulfilling his dream and working at something that is so hard. I love him so much. He's even influenced little golfers in our new generation of brothers, Nick and Fernando! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?
My dad with my little brother, Fernando.

My littlest brother, Nick! Look at him go!!!!! How cute is he?!

FAMILY IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING! And God has blessed us with an awesome one!

WAR WITH THE MACHINES

wash+dry+repeat=HATE!!!!

To add to the hate, today it was war between those machines and I. This has been an issue ever since we bought the house. But I was just not having it today.

This is the problem... unfortunately, I can't wash a heavy load because when I do, THAT MACHINE leaks water. EVERYWHERE! So, it is very frustrating when I do have several loads to wash and not enough time to do it. Today, I thought I didn't put THAT big of a load of clothes in the washer, but apparently I did because the water was not enough for the load to clean it thoroughly. So, I had to wash it again. I wanted to try the heavy load setting once more (I NEVER LEARN MY LESSON), and when I did, it leaked water everywhere! And while I was trying to sink the clothes into the water, I chipped a nail!! GRRRR!!! I WAS SO MAD AT THAT POINT! Total meltdown.....

I had to take out the dry/wet vacuum and pull THOSE MACHINES back to clean up the mess. While I did that, I must have pushed a button or something because the dryer was not drying!!!!! I had had it. Ronnie came to the rescue. And he was able to fix it. UGH!!!

We haven't really had anyone come look at them. Maybe we should. I really want to buy new ones. But we can't right now. I have dealt with them for almost 2 years now. But enough is enough.

I do want to make the laundry room my next project. Maybe it can make doing the laundry a little more joyful. I have been wanting to paint the walls and I finally found the perfect color. Martha Stewart Sea Glass Blue. It is almost like a light blue/green. Its like that signature Martha color. Here are some inspirations:



I purchased this rug to throw in there. I have the brown version in my bathroom and I love it so much.


Here is my laundry room. I want to find some good shelving at the Container Store, as well as a convertible drying rack. I want to also throw in some baskets for neater storage. I am hoping to make this a summer project. :) This is how I've made peace with THOSE MACHINES. I am kinda excited to get started!



Let me also throw in that my wonderful hubby got me these to make my day a little brighter....
He is the BEST. This I know....

45th Mustang Anniversary Show

Ronnie is a die hard Mustang fan. When I mean die hard, I mean DIE HARD! Don't ask me how many he's owned in his short life, because I lost count in his last purchase! The Mustang has been part of our relationship since we first met. And when we met he owned 2! Being so devoted to the car also meant he was part of the local Mustang Club and they have been our second family ever since. We've traveled to many car shows together and we are just the best of friends because not only do we travel across the country for Mustang shows, but we'd meet once a week for the "mustang club meeting". I know, this isn't the average habit. It is very unique. But we've shared many times and have created many wonderful memories with our "mustang family". We love each other! And we do miss our weekly meetings being so far away!

Our latest retreat was the 45th Anniversary Mustang show in Birmingham, AL. This is where I spent the other half of my Spring Break. It was really special this time because we have not seen or spent time with our mustang family since Christmas Break. The drive was about 7 hours. And we spent 4 days in Birmingham. Part of it was spent at the show. But the ladies could only handle so much time with the cars. So, Saturday we went shopping! Enjoy the pictures from our weekend!

happy earth day!

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share some photos of how our garden and front yard are coming along this Spring!

My hubby has devoted so much time on the front yard this year. In the fall he seeded it all by himself. This is a difficult task to begin with, and our yard is seriously almost like a football field! So, he feels very proud of the results and so am I!

Here was our front yard last Fall. It had tons and tons of patchy and dried out spots. Ronnie was determined not to go through another Spring and Summer with them.

So, he seeded it in the Fall and take a look at it today!


Here are the gerber daises we re-planted this year. I love my daisies! We also hung up some baskets with Geraniums (baskets thanks to Martha Stewart). Look at the flowers I potted earlier this month now.....so pretty! And look at how our Azaleas have bloomed. (Azaleas are the ones that are green all year and look like bushes, but bloom in the Spring). It is amazing how they attract the bees! I got a shot of those, too!








Finally, if you have not heard about it yet, Disneynature has come out with a new motion picture simply called 'EARTH'. It looks so breath taking! Go out to watch this week. Disney promises to plant a tree in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, (considered one of the most endangered rain forests in the world) for everyone who sees the motion picture between April 22-28. Narrated by James Earl Jones, the film "tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journeys across the planet we call home." Here is the remarkable movie trailor.


Happy Earth Day! Did you do anything special to honor Mother Earth?

Miami Day 2

Day 2 was also extremely fun! My dad took the day off and I spent the day with him, my step-mom, and my little brothers. (They were on Spring Break, too.) Fernando and Nicholas are the loves of my life! I can't even express how thankful and blessed I am to have them. They truly own every piece of my heart and I miss them terribly being so far away. So, I always soak in the time when I am with them.

We decided to spend the afternoon at Sawgrass Mills Mall. The boys and my step-mom went to Wannado City for a little bit, while my dad and I shopped! Check out some pictures we took together waiting in the car for my step-mom to arrive.






After the mall, we took Nick to Tae Kwon Do class. It was so adorable seeing these little ones kick and defend themselves! (Or run away from eachother...LOL!) Nick had taken a nap driving back down to Miami, so he wasn't really up for class. Poor thing...but he was still as cute as can be!

The day ended with pizza at my dad's house and my Godmother Tati and my Grandmother joined us! Truly another wonderful day with my family!

Miami Day 1 Part 2

My time in Miami was really short, but I got to spend some amazing time with my parents, brothers, and friends! I was sad to leave, but I will be back in May in just about 4 short weeks!

First and foremost, I have to officially announce that I am now Janelle's MATRON OF HONOR! I am so blessed to have her in my life and I am so honored! Janelle surprised me at the airport when I landed and I have never been so happy to see her in my life!

On Monday, my mom and my best friend Janelle took the day off. I felt so loved! We rose bright and early and went to South Beach for a few hours and had some lunch there. It was the most relaxing 4 hours I have had in a long time. I was able to get some color (which I needed badly) and enjoyed the warm weather. After the beach, we went to some bridal boutiques where Janelle was able to try on some she liked and I was able to try on the Matron of Honor dress for her wedding. Its gorgeous and she, my mom and I approved. It fit so nicely and the color is beautiful!


Anyways, I will close day 1 in Miami with some pictures of us on the beach! Enjoy!

miami day 1

(Check 123. Let's see how this goes..)

Hey everyone! I am blogging via my Blackberry and not sure if this post will be successful. Anyways, I made it safely to Miami! I am sipping on my Cafe con Leche in my dad's living room waiting for my mom and Janelle to pick me up to go to the beach! I can't wait to sink my feet in that warm sand and I am hoping we don't get stuck sitting next to strange people! Ahh..gotta love miami!

Well if this blogs goes through be sure that I will keep posting while I am here to keep you updated! Right now I must go...can't wait to see my mami!

Its the Little Things..

Doesn't my toothbrush look lonely? It is not the only thing that is lonely. I am missing my hubby and thank goodness I am working this time to sustain it. He has gone on a business trip to Chicago all this week. During our first year married I was unemployed and being alone all day and all week was NOT great! And its amazing of things I realize while my hubby is away. For instance:

1. I have to make my own coffee. (It was so cute when he showed me how to use the grinder and the coffee maker before he left.)
2. My toothbrush sits so lonely. So depressing.
3. No one to say good night to.
4. No one is there to wake me up or say good morning to.
5. No one to fight with over what to watch on TV. (Yeah I miss that!)
6. No one to cuddle with.
7. No one to talk about my day with.
and I could go on and on...

And it's the little things, really. I am getting by by keeping busy. Going to dinner with the inlaws and a friend, shopping, and watching my shows on TV and its only Tuesday! 2 more days to go....and to top it all off it is getting into the 30s tonight! And my hubby is not here to keep me warm... :(