Seriously?! Thursday

It's Thursday... so I'm linking up for another Seriously?! Thursday.  You're gonna have to bear with me.  I've had a glass of wine, I'm a light weight, and I'm trying to remember all of my Seriously?! moments.  Mmkay?

Seriously?!  I've been lacking in the blogging department this week.  Sorry!  I could use some topic suggestions.  If you've got any, shoot!

Seriously?!  An old guy hit on me at Publix the other day.  And I'm not talking "could be my dad" old... I'm talking "could be my GRANDfather" old.  First of all, SERIOUSLY?!  Secondly, yuck yuck YUCK!  He's all, "you've got great eyes... what's your name... oh my you are beautiful".  And guys, I seriously ran away... gagging.

Seriously?!  Jonas has a major ear infection.  And has probably had it for weeks.  But HOW should I know.  Fever? no.  Yellow/green mucus? no.  Loss of appetite? no.  Crankiness? no.  Fatigue? no.  So, tell me Mama's... with no symptoms, how's a woman supposed to know?!  I feel so bad for him.  He's probably been miserable!

Seriously?!  Did I mention that Jonas is also getting 4 teeth at the same time right now?  All on top!  So, on top of the ear infection, he's got FOUR teeth piercing through.  Miserable indeed.

Seriously?!  When we took Marco to the doctor today, they did his growth chart.  And he's off the chart for height.  As in, there is no number that high.  Like, he's a good half ince above the the highest line (97%).  He is seriously going to be TALL!  Mauricio is already having dreams of Marco playing for the Miami Heat.  "And now, your center MARCOOOOOOO AVESAAAAAAANIIIIII!"  Can you hear it?  He can.

Seriously?!  Speaking of the doctor.  It was a new one since we just moved to town.  The doctor was great.  The nurse, not so much.  She was short with me and then spoke to me in Spanish the whole time.  Yes, I know Spanish, but it ticks me off when people ASSUME that I know it and EXPECT me to speak it!  And, to top it off, she wants me to speak medical terminology in Spanish.  That means I have to translate it into what I think is closest to the actual thing.  That's not fair to me or my kids.  I told her I couldn't explain these things in Spanish and asked her if she spoke English... no... so I ended up filling out the questionnaire for her.  Very professional.  And people always tell me, "Well, this is Miami, you should know Spanish".  Ummmm... This is AMERICA... you should know ENGLISH!  Seriously?!  Am I crazy or right?

Seriously?!  I am becoming a woman.  No, I didn't just get my period (look at the next line for more on that).  For a long time I had been carrying around a kiddie sized monkey book bag as my purse.  I have a few nice Coach bags, but I don't want to screw them up with leaky sippy cups and cookie crumbs... so I've been super klassy with my monkey book bag.  But not anymore!  I bought a purse!  It's perfect.  It's got 2 side pockets that are big enough to hold the sippy cups.  It's trendy, small and purple.  But that's not the best part.  It cost... wait for it... $8.99!  BOOYA!  Thank you Ross!

Seriously?!  Now that my tubes are tied, I really get ticked off every month when Flo comes to visit.  Now that I can't get pregnant, ever again, it really seems pointless.  Yes, I know I still need it for hormonal reasons and blah blah blah, but it's more annoying now than ever.  And I just keep reminding myself that I'll have to endure it every month for the next 30 years.  Do you know how many periods that is?!  360!  Seriously?!

Seriously?!  I am planning another giveaway.  I don't know from where yet... but there WILL be a giveaway.  But not until I have 50 followers.  I've got 9 to go.  Make it happen people!

Back in Business, Baby!

Woohoo!  I'm baaack!  Today I taught my first voice lesson in over 2 months.

By the time I left Greenville, I had 13 consistant weekly voice students.  For an afternoon gig, 4 days a week, that's pretty sweet.  But I didn't start off that way... it took me over 2 years to get there.  I started off with just one, and little by little with a lot of patience, more started coming.  "If you build it, they will come".  (sorry, I had to).  In Greenville, I got all of my students either by THIS site or by word of mouth. Took me 2 years, but my studio was finally large enough to have a recital!  Remember my professional accomplishment?

But, alas, I had to give all that up and move to Miami... you know, because I kinda love my husband and HAVE to follow him.  So, upon moving here, I updated my listing on Vocalist.org and my website:  www.SingWithNicole.com and put out a few posts on FB about my availability.  But I didn't hear anything.  I didn't get a single bite.

Now, my sister-in-law, Alaina is also a musician and knows a lot of people in the music world in Miami.  I asked her if she knew of anyone wanting voice lessons to please pass them my way... and thankfully she did!  This girl's mom knew Alaina from mission trips and was looking for a teacher for her daughter's entrance exam into the FIU vocal program  Alaina sent her my info and just like that, I got a new student! My first private Miami student!  And I'm sooooo excited!

She started with me today and it went really well.  Her audition is at the end of November, so we've got a lot of work to do.  She's got to learn 2 art songs... one in English, one in Italian... learn basic theory and basic sight singing for her entrance audition.  Since it's so close to the audition date, she's planning on taking 2-3 lessons per week!  SCORE!!!

My gracious mother-in-law has offered to come home early on those days to take the kids.  We have it all worked out!

And, if you're wondering... I have BIG plans for the money I earn.  This money is NOT to pay for bills, or go towards the down payment of a house, or go towards the down payment of a car, or go towards anything except... a 5 year anniversary vacation.  Next summer is our 5 year and I want to do something fabulous.  I'm saving my pennies to make it happen.  It WILL happen.  Every little bit helps, right?

So my Miami readers... here's a deal for you.  (Because, I'm not gonna be visiting any white beaches with only 1 student, ya know?).  If you or anyone you know want to take voice lessons, I'll offer the first lesson FREE if you mention this blog post.  That's right... a FREE lesson!  Come on, word of mouth is my best advertisement.  Hook a sistah up, would ya?  For the love, I haven't been on a vacation since my HONEY MOON (and that sucked!).  I'm sitting by the phone, eagerly awaiting your calls.  This is just shameless plugging on my part... am I right?

Reunion Recap

Remember when I wrote the post outlining the 10 reasons I'm not attending my 10 year reunion?  (If you didn't read it, click the link... you know you want to!)  Well, right after I posted that, I got into a "heap of trouble".  I was officially BANNED from the FB page and received a message telling me that what I had done was worse than all the comments and issues.  I made quite a splash!

I was once told that I am a pot stirrer... and it's true.  So here I go... stirring the pot once again.

Today is the big day.  The 10 year reunion.  Everyone (minus me) has been anticipating this date.  Dresses have been purchased.  Flights have been booked.  Babysitters have been called.  People have made big plans for tonight.  The one thing people didn't plan on?  Rain.

Ok, seriously?!  How can you NOT plan on rain in FLORIDA!  There is ALWAYS a back up plan... always.  But not for the reunion.  If you remember, they planned on having the party in the porch of rented home.  They had to rent chairs, tables, linens, dance floor.  Hire caterers, bartenders, dj, valet and security.  This whole "house party" was costing $80 per person.  Remember?

So now you're thinking, "if it's at a house, why not move the party inside?" and that would be the logical option.  Only, the interior of the house is under construction and unavailable!  It's like the icing on the cake.  I wonder what they planned on doing about bathrooms?  haha.

A few hours ago, there was a post on FB saying that the reunion has been postponed to a later date due to the weather.  The date is to be determined.  And when someone expressed that this was all highly unprofessional, they were attacked.  I wonder if he too will be banned for coming after the committee... it's like Big Brother, people!

The people who have not grown up in the last 10 years still have some things to say... such as:
- Let's make it a slip n' slide party
-  Wet t-shirt contest!
mmhmmm... riiiight.

What about all those people who booked babysitting for tonight?  What about all those people who saved their money to hop on a plane and see their high school friends?  What about the $80 per person?  I can't believe they would be so UNPROFESSIONAL as to assume that making these accommodations would be simple and free.  To cancel the event on the DAY of the event is unheard of.  Those people that travelled from far away will not be able to book another flight and come back in town on the new day of the committee's choosing.  They should not have to be at their beck and call.  And, the real kicker... they're not going to return anyone's money.  Even if they can't make it to the new date.  Why? Because everyone's been paid already.  No refunds.  That is CRAP.

I think the whole thing has been a spectacle and debacle from the very beginning... but this just tops it all!  This could all have been avoided if they had been NORMAL and booked the event in a reception hall or hotel.  But nooooo, that would be too simple and logical... and "hello, we are like super st. brendan and it has to be absolutely super."  (use your Miami-girl voice for that.)


In all honesty, I feel bad for those people who spent a lot of their hard earned money to attend this event and now they wont be able to.  It's a shame that the committee did not have the foresight to see that Mother Nature always has the last say.

Seriously?! Thursday

Linking up again with From Mrs to Mama for Seriously?!  As you will soon read, I've had a rough week.  Please excuse the mood.  And go over and link up... check out some other blogs... sit back and enjoy the read!

Seriously?!  It's nearly a week since I had my accident, and my face is still all bruised up.  What's worse is that Jonas keeps on grabbing my mouth and opening up the cut on my lip.  I'm seriously never going to heal!

Seriously?!  I need a break.  I know I'm a mom, and it's my "job", but I'm dealing with my kids from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep and sometimes even while I'm sleeping.  All you new moms are saying, "yeah, duh" but you shall see... when you have a 2 and a 1 year old, it's not supposed to be like that.  When we lived in Greenville, we had a rather strict schedule and routine.  The kids were in bed by 8:30 and then Mau and I could watch our shows or just hang out.  Well, here the schedule has been tossed in the trash.  And it seriously ticks me off.  I need a MOMENT that I can feel like ME... me the human, not me the mom.  Last night Marco and Jonas didn't "fall asleep" till 10:30 (I was already in bed) and they were both wide awake by 6:30 (again, I was in bed).  I feel like I have no time for myself and no time for my marriage.  And it seriously sucks.

Seriously?!  What's with the pinching?  It's something Jonas has always done, but as he gets bigger, he pinches grow stronger.  It's like his "comfort thing".  He does it while he's sleeping!  He pinches my chest, face or under my arm.  And it seriously HURTS!  He uses his nails!  But if I hold his arm down, he squeals.  I just want it to stop already.

Seriously?!  Miami is seriously ridiculous.  The driving... ridiculous.  The people... ridiculous.  Look out for my post coming later this week about how friendly Miamians are.  ::eye roll::

Seriously?!  Don't you hate it when you smell poop but you can't locate it?  You know you're not crazy... there IS a poop smell... but after digging your face into all the available diapers, you still can't find it.  UGH.

Seriously?!  I underestimated just how much bodily fluids is involved in child rearing.  The amount of boogers, snot, pee, poop, spit up and vomit that I deal with on a daily basis is unbelievable.  Seriously unbelievable.

Seriously?!  I think I write too many posts about poop.

Seriously?!  How amazing is God?!  He's got everything all planned out and it's always for the good of those who love Him.  I have comfort in the fact that even though things seem difficult, or impossible, right now... it'll all work out for the best.  Why?  Because I love Him.  And He promises it!  That's seriously amazing.

"Don't Touch the D*ck"

Toddler speech is hilarious.  Sometimes I feel like a translator.  I am nearly fluent in Marconese.  We'll have to say that I am the best translator for him... better than dad even! (woohoo, I win again!)


In our house, we have some strict rules.
Don't push your brother
Don't do caca in your pants
Don't open the door
Don't touch the disk

Marco knows how to turn on the xbox, open the tray, put in a DVD, turn the tv to "component1" and press play on the remote.  What a man!  Problem is, he does not yet know how to handle a DVD disk.  He doesn't know that the disk is not bendable (goodbye Monsters Inc.) or that the disk can scratch on the shiny side (see ya, Cars).  The real problem boils down to this:  He thinks he's big.  


So today we caught him, yet again, handling a DVD disk improperly.  To make matters worse, it was a Netflix one.  So Mauricio scolded him and said, "When you see a disk, don't get it, just say 'Papai, the disk!'"... "What do we say?"  to which Marco proudly responded, "Papai, the Dick!".  Then things went like this:
Mau: Say Disk
Marco: Dick
Mau:  Disk
Marco:  DicKKK
Mau: Don't touch the disk
Marco:  Don't touch the Dick... Papai, don't touch the Dick!

What about me?  Oh, I was just dying... no straight faces over here.

But really, I hope Marco learned a valuable lesson here tonight.  Not to touch the disk... or the dick for that matter!