This is what is all boils down to...

Last night, I was clearly upset watching The Amazing Race. I was extremely disapointed to see my favorite guys, Oswald and Danny, be eliminated from the race. All that's left are tree teams that, in my opinion, stink on ice.

I wish I was in Hawaii, sleeping on a hammock on the beach.

That's all folks.

Heather's Wedding

Back from South Florida and already missing the sunshine and warm weather. We returned late this morning to more snow, slush, and ice. Somehow the humidity we experienced this weekend wasn't *that* bad.

More on the weekend in a future post. For now, I leave you with pictures from Heather's wedding...

Leaving... on a jet plane

My long-awaited trip to Miami is finally here! And while I really don't like Miami, I am looking forward to getting out of the freezing temperatures and gusty winds.

As far as I'm concerned, the stress of traveling began last night. It was nearly midnight when we finished packing, something I blame on myself due to a long week at work. But anyhow, as I was saying, the stress began last night.

Me: Have you taken out all the things you need for the weekend?

Mike: Like what? I have jeans and t-shirts out already.

Me: How about your suit, a shirt, and a tie that doesn't make you look like the biggest Republican in the place? And your square-toed shoes and dress socks?

Mike: Oh yeah, a suit.

Me: I can't wait to see Little Owen. I'm so excited.

Mike: We're going to see Owen and family? I didn't know that.

Me: Duh? Didn't I mention that we were going to a wedding? The wedding of a former college roommate? A roommate that I had when I was a student at the University of Florida and was a bleeding orange and blue gator? A roommate that was also roommates with my bff?

Mike: Oh, I must have not been listening.

Ugh.

The stress continued when I mentioned that we would be bringing my parents presents. Two carry on suitcases! That I got for free! Because if I actually went to Miami and bought my parents two suitcases, they wouldn't like them. But, since I told them I got them for nothing (FREE! GRATIS!), they are excited to receive them. Actually, I told them I had one, but with my excellent packing and organizational skills I was able to pack one into our regular suitcase and use the other one as a carry on for us.

Let me explain this: the thrill of getting a good quality anything is a success to Cubans, namely my parents. It helps even more if the good quality anything was free (FREE! GRATIS! NO TAX!). The other thing is that both my mother and I feel that the gifts we bring eachother are the greatest, most ingenius gifts ever known to man. We never stop to think that the pajamas my mom brought me could easily have been bought in my neighborhood mall or that the shampoo gift basket that I brought her could have been bought in Miami. We've been doing this for years, including the time I regifted my father a Waterford crystal eagle that I received at some charity dinner (I carried that baby on the plane with me, folks!).

But I digress... what was I talking about? Yes, stress. I am sure it will continue through the weekend. I have already heard word of my father cooking for us and packing his home cooking up in containers for us to bring back to Jersey (we can't get food up here, apparently). And there's no arguing with him, so we'll be eating his specialty dish for a few days after we get back.

I suppose I should just enjoy the attention from the family. Afterall, I'm their baby. And Mike, well, he's the greatest gringo they've ever met. I can't wait for my aunt to hug him and kiss him all over.

More on our adventures next week. And photos of us sweating in the hot south Florida sun and doing the white man's overbite to the Electric Slide!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

This Friday, I Got a Fever... and the only prescription is more cowbell

This week has been busy and full of stress. And that's only because of the weather. I shouldn't complain, as I know that other areas had far worse weather than we had in Jersey, but still, this was my reality for a week, and it seems like it will continue into the weekend.

Currently, my car is parked over a sheet of ice. It's not that we were lazy and didn't shovel it, it's that it was shoveled, then it rained ice over it and it's so compacted and frozen that it won't budge. Luckily, the car is a 4x4, so there is no sliding when I park it. The roads are relatively clean, but the rements of this snow/ice storm have started to look drappy. Very dirty and grey. And even though NJ isn't the most beautiful state, it now looks dreary and deathly.

Valentine's Day was good. I'm not really a Valentine's Day kind of gal - I prefer something simple to a huge bouquet of red roses delivered to my office. I think it stems from years of terrible Valentine's Day that were full of expectations and letdowns (I could go into the many stories, but I'm trying to be upbeat here - although... one year I made shrimp parmesan for a 'friend' - I slaved over it, cooked it perfectly, and then the 'friend' asked if we could go to the all you can eat buffet. ALL. YOU. CAN. EAT. BUFFET. I've never made shrimp parmesan since...).

Anyway, back to the upbeatness... VDay was good. No complaints. Just love. Cheesey love. That's me - a cheese whiz.

The weekend doesn't hold any exciting plans for me. Maybe a visit to the in-laws, some housecleaning, some shopping. Nothing strenuous or taxing.

Maybe I'll sleep in tomorrow. And Sunday too. *That* would be the life for me (See? The little things make me happy. The little things, people!).

And next week, I'll be looking forward to going to sunny Miami for a long weekend. Ahhh, sunshine....

For now, I leave you with this piece of funniness that never fails to crack me up...

Tired

I'm tired. Tired of the same ole boring stuff.

I'm tired of waking up in the morning and going to work. Tired of cleaning up the messes of two adults. Tired of grocery shopping, cooking, and doing dishes. Everyday resembles the previous one: shower, shave, pay bills, go to work, get gas, get stuff in traffic, eat, don't eat, shop for things you don't need.

I need some excitement in my life. The winter can be long and dreary with nothing to look forward to.

Luckily, we have a trip planned for next month. Miami - here we come! It's just a long weekend - a visit with my parents, an old college friend's wedding, some warm weather (hopefully!) - but it might be exactly what I need to get me back to my cheery old self.

The Cold Creeps In

Last night's weather report said that it's finally going to feel like winter in my neck of the woods.

It's about freakin' time. We're talking about lows in the teens and some flurries.

This morning, as I was dressing for work, Mike reminded to wear something warm.

"Of course. Although next year at this time, we might be sitting in weather that is much more tropical. Or, better yet, you might get to experience your very first Noche Buena," I replied.

As the cold arrives in the Northeast, hellish conditions make their way toward a hospital in Havana.

The Trip

Yes, I survived the 2006 trip to Buffalo.

No, it wasn't horrible. It was actually nice and I had a lot of fun.

Unbeknownst to me, the first stop of the trip was not Buffalo. It was Niagara Falls. I loved being there, having not seen the falls since I was a little kid. Mike had never seen them, so it was great to share that with him.

Luckily, the weather in Ontario, Canada, was ideal. It wasn't cold, so we spent Saturday afternoon walking around the falls and taking in the 'tourist' attractions of the area.

Sunday, we drove into Buffalo, to tailgate and enjoy the game. About an hour before kick-off, however, it began to rain. Large, cold drops of rain fell on us for the entire game.

So, no snow, but plenty of rain.

I can't believe I am even writing this now: I would do it again next year if asked.

Ugh. Mike has turned me into a monster. An awful sports watching, couch warming sports fan.

As an aside, I must wish Mike a happy 38th birthday. Yes, I married an older man. He got lucky when he married a baby like me. Ha!

Leaving... on a bus trip?

I have embraced the fact that I am spending the weekend before Christmas in Buffalo. I have even embraced the fact that the reason I am going to Buffalo is to see a football game.

However, as of last night, I had not embraced the fact that Mike wants to leave tonight for Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to meet up with friends before meeting the bus that will take us to Buffalo tomorrow morning.

Mike assured me that he would do whatever needed to be done so that I felt alright in leaving the house tonight.

And thus, this morning I created the 'Honey Do It Now List'.

This is what I left for him on the kitchen counter this morning:

1. Laundry - finish the last load, pseudo fold it, and put it all away
2. Sweep entire house (start at the top and make your way down the stairs)
3. Go to post office and mail Christmas presents to Florida and Massachusetts
4. Dishes!
5. Buy your wife diamonds

I felt better knowing that he was taking care of these things. And not one bit guilty and demanding all of it be done by the time I got home from work.

I didn't even feel guilty about number 5 on my list.

Against my wishes, I am going to Buffalo

It appears I will be going to Buffalo this weekend, no ifs ands or buts.

I shouldn't complain because it's a great opportunity to spend a weekend with Mike, just hanging out without a care in the world.

But all I can think about is the laundry that needs to get done, the Christmas presents that need to be wrapped, the floor that needs to be mopped, and the bathroom that needs to be cleaned.

I don't know why I worry about all of this, it's not like I am having guests over or anything like that. I'm not even hosting Christmas at my house. So why do I worry?

Your guess is as good as mine, but I am going to bet my anxiousness about my house is somehow related to being Cuban.

If I can't figure it out, blame it on the Cuban-ness.