Sometimes "LADY LUMPS" are a B**CH!

I took this picture about a month ago and thought it was a perfect expression of my current state of mind....unsure but hopeful.  I may be MIA for a little bit.  Got a bit on my plate right now.  And it comes at a time when, for some reason since summertime, I've been thinking more and more about Breast Cancer (should that be capitalized?).  I've come into contact with many friends and family who have dealt with it in some way.

My aunt died recently from breast cancer.  She was a strong, beautiful woman who devoted her life to caring for those she loved.  She was the second mother to her sister who was born with Downs Syndrome and cared for my younger aunt as a mother would...when my Grandmother passed.  I don't know much about her, but what I do know is that she was very loved and she had so much of my Grandmother in her.  It was like a part of Grandma still lived on strongly in her.

So what am I trying to say....hmmmm...I think I just want to say...as flawed as our healthcare system is....it still is better than most.  My aunt lived in the Philippines where there really aren't things like health insurance...you're lucky to have a job.  And if you don't have the money...well then you don't have any healthcare, honey.  They can and will turn you away if you can't pay whether or not you are dying.  This is not what happened to my Aunt, but I know that they could have detected her breast cancer earlier, had she had something like a mammogram at one point in life BEFORE the cancer was diagnosed at stage 4 and took her life not long after.  She would have learned about self breast exams.  She endured chemotherapy and suffering and finally died worried about her baby sister and who would be left to care for her.  Luckily she also raised a good and equally devoted daughter who is now caring for my youngest Aunt.

Wow, this is a long babbling post....a lot of this is introspection....an inner voice.  I'm so very thankful for all I have.  And I've said it before, I live in fear that things may get taken away...and here is the point of my post.  I found a lump in my breast the other day.  I felt some tenderness in one breast but really didn't make the connection until Saturday when I had time alone while the kids visited their grandparents.  So I checked for a lump....and found one.  It wasn't easy but I now something felt different in that one side had more flesh in it than normal...cuz I don't have much left after breastfeedfing for 14 months...heh heh. Since I've made it point since last summer to do a monthly breast exam, I became familiar with the feel and consistency of my breast tissue.  So I looked harder and found something.  I'm 33.  I wasn't banking on worrying about this for another 7 years!

I've learned in the last year that keeping things quiet is not necessarily the best thing to do.  I mean, when you're blessed with friends and family, you should reach out.  So, I'd like for you guys to say a little prayer for me and my family and hope that this all works out okay and to pray for me to continue to stay strong and try not to worry.  If you don't pray, I would also accept some good luck and mojo wafted my way!  If you have words of encouragement...would love to hear those too.  I just need help to stay positive because I can't sleep because of all the darn worrying!  So bright and early Monday morning, I am off to the Walk-In clinic for a visit.  Of course, my Mom says she's coming...and Hubbs will stay home with the kiddies.  This may be a long process, I'm sure.  Sigh.

And to maybe pick up the mood here in the blog....I've loaded a song to laugh at!

I love Black Eyed Peas...and I love Fergie!!!!!  (Note for those of you who aren't familiar with the song, it's got a couple words...like a** and maybe the S word...so don't listen if it may offend....just wanted to be sure to warn you.)

Oh....."my lovely lady lumps"...."in the back and in the FRONT"...."no no drama...no no no no drama"!

And so as not to leave you with too much melancholy (sorry!)....here's some cute family pictures!

We celebrated Gabe's 3rd Birthday at Chuck E Cheese the weekend before Thanksgiving.  He HAD A BLAST!  I mean, the kid was loving being in control.  He had a cup full of tokens and walked to whatever ride he wanted to go on and popped his coin in and on it went!  The look on his face was absolutely priceless!

I love the tongue sticking out!

And this is my absolute fave photo of the day!  Hubby took it actually!

And here's my little girl...so sweet and helpful!  She had a wonderful time as well!

Gabe REFUSED to wear the crown...so I did...for a little bit!  There's my little Cousin "Dimples" in the orange!  He's so cute!

And here's our attempt at a family photo with Mr. Cheese....ha ha!

Well, thanks everyone for visiting me today!  If anything, I've been able to vent which helps take my mind off of things!  Sorry if I'll be MIA...not yet sure if I will be...maybe blogging will keep me occupied, I don't know.  So either you won't hear from me or you WILL....like really babbling kinda me all over this blog!  I am apologizing in advance!

Big Hugs!
MO

Mamma Mia!

Spotlight on Handmade!

The internet is AMAZING!  I've been known to waste hours on end on the computer (at least last summer) and as the busy season of Fall arrived, I had to make some tough choices...well, not really tough but some hard choices!  I've had to severely cut my online time...I was spending way too much time on the computer and less time with my kids.  Jessi really got me thinking (thanks girl) and I really had to ration my internet time.  Anyway, here I go babbling about less internet and what do I go telling you about????

My internet surfing finds!!  Ha ha!  I stumbled across this Etsy seller on Twitter (very cool).  Zafirenia is an Etsy seller from Greece (sooo cool) and as I peeked through her store all I could do was gaaaaassssp!  I think her jewelry is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and the PRICES are amazing!  So, I promptly added several items to my wish list and emailed them to my family...he he!  But I wanted to share this goodness with you!!!

I LOVE that blue flower above and this pink one below!  GORGEOUSNESS!  This jewelry is really my kinda style!  I wish I could design some stuff like this...one day!

And this bracelet is beeeeaaaauuutiful (Julie, you're rubbing off on me!)!  I've been itching to take a trip to the cool antique mall near my home (thanks to Beth P)!  Gee ladies, you guys really seem to infiltrate my everyday life!!!

Gorgeous!

I love all the colors here!~!  Love it!

Here's part of Zafirenia's bio on her profile:

"I make jewelry for the last 10 years and it started as a hobby! I'm also a psychologist-psychodramatist and I love creating. I try to make fashionable but also time lasting and vintage style designs.   Almost everything inspires me in the material and non-material world. I don't prefer one style from another, but I certainly like a piece of jewelry when it is well-made, feminine and it reveals the mood of it's creator."

And I've had a chance to email back and forth with her...she's really super sweet!  I just can't believe I haven't stumbled across her store yet!  I'm so happy I did!

So, as we all are making up our wish lists..he he...shameful, I know.....(the family DID request I make one up) I thought I would share some cool finds with you all!!!

And some other news.  We celebrated Krystal's birthday last week!  We met up at Red Lobster (yummmmm...I love seafood)!  Emmy, we missed you!!!  We missed you too Hubbs!

Krys and Bel...so cute!  Bel jumped right up when the ice cream and cake was delivered!  She dug right into the yummy goodness!  So did Gabe!

And a sweet kiss from Auntie....so cute!

And we hitched a ride from Mom and Dad and I find out some really cute things....apparently the kids frequently ask my parents to play the Mamma Mia soundrack...they LOVE it!

I'm sitting next to Gabe and he says "Lola (grandma), I want Mamma Mia!"  So my mom plays the soundtrack....FUN!  Gabe's humming on my right and Isabel is in FULL CONCERT mode on my left....and I think how lucky I am to be so happy!

Of course, I JOIN IN!  Because I LOVE Abba...their songs remind me of my childhood (Dad was a fan too...still is)!  The whole family is singing in the car....the car ride home was sooo fun!

This picture was way too cool.  My thumb sort of directed that red light a certain way and the photo turned out like this....cool!

And here's Gabe in the middle of singing.

I LOVE Bel's face here!  My Mom cracked up when she saw this photo!  Bel is gonna kill me when she grows up!

Well, that's my sharing for today!  I thought you'd get a kick outta the funny family photos!

Chubbs!

Here's my Sketchy Thursday layout!! I had about 30 minutes to do this one!! That's why I LOVE ST, because I can crank out a layout QUICK! I love love love it! It's a little different from what I usually do....lot of good inking!!!

I used a buncha Prima flowers.....Prima ROCKS!

I also busted out some of my cool Walnut Ink antiquing solution...it's pretty much black...so very cool!

I used the last of these cool border stickers I had....  And I used some the negative part of a cutout to make that swoopy thing on the side....I dunno what you call that shape!  I used some yellow pigment ink on dark olivey paper and then ripped it out!  FUN!

Samual is soooo cute!  Look at those super cute cheeks!!!  He gets pinched ALL THE TIME!  Poor guy...poor cheeks!

Okay, I know I've been super dee duper busy...but I've been creating bunches of stuff for Christmas!  I'll have to take pictures to show you guys the projects I've been working on!

I'm soo tired of charging all the holiday presents on our credit card!!!  I'm still paying off bills from 2 years (or more) ago!  It's GOT to stop!  So....I've decided to make most of the presents this year!  I've also picked up an extra day at work...I'll be giving H1N1 shots this weekend!  Easy peasy!!!!  Plus I get weekend pay!  That should pay for a BUNCH of presents!

And I've been busy planning the birthday parties for my rug rats!  I'll be spending part of the weekend at Chuck E Cheese!  Ugh...buy also YAY....cuz I won't have to worry bout the cleanup!!!  Wahoooo!!!!

Are you ready for NEW MOON???????  For all of you going....have fun!  What are your weekend plans?

Hugs,

Mo

It's Time To Celebrate!!!!

Okay!  The day is here!  Manny Pacquiao Fights are REALLY just excuses to get together!  You will find Filipinos congregating in teeny tiny houses...jam packed with roaring laughter, cheering beering Uncles, cackling Aunties, and kids running about screaming and yelling.  Oh how I love evenings like this!  So.....our excuse in addition to watching the fight is celebrating my Uncle "E"'s THIRTY-afidjjfdjdk Birthday!

I've got a couple fun things for you to look at!

I made a cool card for Uncle with some of my old Adorn It owl-themed paper!  I loved how the card turned out!  LOOOOOVE!!! 

I used one of my FAVE stamp sets called "Celebrate Everything" by Stampin' Up!

CLICK HERE for a supply list!

Another fun link...he he...you may know by now I like browsing YouTube here and there.  After one of the last Pacquiao fights, I stumbled across a funny video...this woman (Christine) is TOO CUTE!

Go MANNY Pac-Man PACQUIAO!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

I'll be sure to take photos!!!!!  What are your plans this weekend?????

Hugs,

MO

Highway ROBBERY!

I ALMOST forgot to submit my entry for the last Sketchy Thursdays!  He he!  I'm excited because now I can have a chance at winning the prizes!

This card was fun.  It's been awhile since I've made one.  I need to make more!

Last weekend I took my sis Krystal and Isabel to Disney On Ice and it was a BLAST!  My favorite part was the part when the characters from Cars came out.  Way too cool.  At first I thought it would be mostly boring...but EVERYTIME I go to Disney On Ice I end up having fun!  I guess it's a reminder to me that I'm still a little kid at heart...you know?

There was a pre-show where you could see all the pretty princess dresses and Cinderella. 

This is the closest we got to Cinderella....but I didn't try too hard cuz I don't like crowds of people.  Luckily, Bel didn't care!

Here she is enjoying her cotton candy with a smile!

Here's my girl having a great time!  Hubby stayed home with Gabe so that we could enjoy ourselves!

Krystal also loves Disney On Ice!  Bel's got on one of those hats that came with the cotton candy which cost about $7 for a bag!  She also got a water bottle full of lemonade and that was $10!  Yikes!  I also got her a "magic wand" with Princesses on it.  It lights up....and it cost $18!  But it was all worth the smile and giggles that came from my girl.  She's such a sweetheart and such a helper around the house.  She deserved her special evening with Mommy!

Later in the evening she saw some popcorn....um.....$6!!!!  I said NO WAAAAAAAYYYY!  Sheesh!  Anyway, I love this picture!  Krystal got a good shot with the stage! 

The show was amazing, the costumes were fantastic and it really was worth all the money!  Maybe Gabe can come next year!

Are you ready for the weekend?  Got any cool plans?  Of course...I will be watching the Pacquiao fight!  Go Manny!!!!  There's nothing like a gang of Filipinos watching an Pacquiao fight....it's almost as entertaining as the actual fight!  He he!

Go Pac Man!!!!

Hugs,

Mo

Hello.......are you there? I'm back!

Oh my friends! So sorry I've been MIA! But we've been having lots of family fun and taking LOTS of photos! So...I've got a bunch to share! I was working on the MOTW post...but decided to save it....I've got a special feature next Monday that will MAKE YOU DROOL! Ha ha! So, I'd like to put off the current MOTW post I'm working on and will start the one for Monday NOW so I can come up with some fantastic clips and photos for your veiwing pleasure...AND MINE! Have I teased you enough? I'm not going to give anymore hints...but will say that I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED!

So, with the Fall...comes lots of busy things for our family. I've got two RugRat birthdays to plan and Fall activities to do and enjoy and so that's taken away from my blogging! I've missed your blogs...but will visit in bits and pieces as I have a chance! So a big sorry to all my friends for neglecting you!!!! But Mo is VERY GOOD at comebacks!

I've been editing TONS of Halloween photos and have a few to share! The kids had lots of fun. Isabel wished she got a few more houses in...but poor girl got stuck with trick-or-treating with the babies/toddlers this year. My cousins ended up somewhere else and we chose to go to a party at my BIL's house.

Gabe trudged around in his FIDO-FIDO boots (firefighter). Oh my! My son is a Diva just like my Dad (Yes, really!). He's so high-maintenance! Let me give you some background info first. We started out about a month and a half ago with an awesome costume from The Disney Store...a racecar driver suit with matching sneakers in the theme of Cars. Cool huh? Great quality costume. Anyway...brought that home all excited to see Gabe's face light up...and all I got was a frown! "Hmph....I dohlike Cows (Cars)...I like Pidohmeeahn (Spiderman)." So, after some begging from my Mom, I said okay, we'll take back the Cars and get Spiderman. So I did! He gets excited until we put it on...and he decides he doesn't like the mask! Ugh! And in the meantime, he watched a Caillou (cartoon) episode where a firefighter saves a cat from a tree...so NOW he want's to be a FIDO-FIDO. Ssssssiiiiiigh..... Again, my Mom begs me if she can buy him the costume he wants...after much thinking, I agree and Mom finds a costume after looking at a couple stores (since costumes are scarce 2 days before Halloween). She pays $40 for a costume. She shows it to him and puts it on him and he FROWNS again! "I no like brown, I like PINK FIDO-FIDO!" Which we realize...is really red. Anyway, in the end he reluctantly wore the costume...and so had a grumpy face the whole night long! WELCOME TERRIBLE THREES! Yikes! He's a handful!

I'm always worried he's gonna run into the street...so I remembered to bring along my baby leash!  Luckily, he didn't fight it!  But by the 3rd house he was dragging and asking that I carry him.  My mistake...I forgot to put him down for a nap earlier in the day!  Soooooo......I tell one of our family friends to please watch over my Kitty Kat and the Vampire and the Fido-Fido head back.

And my sweet girl chose this cute Black Cat costume...she LOVED it!  She wanted a mask (um...it was a $5 hunk of plastic) so I told her I would paint some whiskers on her and put some eyeshadow and lipgloss too...SOLD!  She chose purple eyeshadow and I also sprayed some purple hair coloring on her (leftover from last year).  She looked awesome!

Yes...THATS THE ROBOT...he he!  I love watching her dance!  We all do!

And here's cutey Diva P!  I love those cheeks!

Soooooo cute!

Big D, my SIL, was a housewife...with rollers in her hair, funny makeup and a bathrobe...ha ha!

Even Diego looked too cute!  He was FREAKED OUT by this costume and wouldn't walk around on his own.  We had to tote him around!

My sis Emmy flew in from Cali...she was some dead bride or something....creepy!

Krystal was smart enough not to have a costume on so I couldn't embarrass her with photos on the blog!

I played arond with some old clip-on hair extensions I had.  I love this picture of Bel and I!

Here she is posing on the stairs.

And here's another photo I love!

Bel took some pics with the camera so that Mommy had some of herself!

This one's kind cool!  He he!

Here's my little Kitty Kat!

She's so cute!

Hope you are all doing well!  I've got more pictures from other things going on in the last couple weeks!  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  What are you planning to do that day?

Hugs,

Mo