Moon Angel's Blog

Birthday Girl Turns 7+1

March 4, 2010 · 2 Comments

Kida was expecting cupcakes and Hi-C’s but had no idea that a pinata would also make its way to her class for her birthday celebration.  The teacher got the rowdy and curious 2nd graders lined up to go outside and while she kept them seated and quiet, I hung the pinata.  Kida got the first 10 seconds to smack the pinata.  It rarely damaged.  After she finished, a boy classmate who was about my height (I’m short and not proud of it) hit it about three times before it went down.  There was a small break in the pinata but it fell because the plastic thingy where the rope loops through broke.  The teacher ended up having Kida and three classmates she picked help pass out the candy so that everyone gets an even amount.

I learned today that 2nd graders are nothing like cute 1st graders (gosh, I miss those times).  Second graders can take me and their teacher down if they really wanted to.  They scare me but I like them.  They are very, VERY curious.  The instant I stepped into their classroom, they started to pay attention to me and started asking me questions about the food and pinata.  I told them nicely and quietly to pay attention to their teacher who was trying her best to get their attention without going nuts.  Of course, they didn’t listen and continued asking me questions right and left.  It was almost comical how a few of them came up to me and said, “I’ll help you hold that”, then grabbing the Hi-C’s, the cupcakes, the pinata and the pinata stick from my grip even before I was able to say anything.  I was standing there with my jaw open, with not words, but the sound, “Uhhh…” coming out of my mouth and a dumbfounded, “Sure” seconds after. I don’t know how the teacher does it:  spending 5 hours a day, Monday through Friday with these kids.  I would go nuts!  They really should pay teachers what they are worth: gold.

I was watching a Vimeo video today from Fifty People, One Question with the title: “Where Do You Want to Wake Up Tomorrow?” where 50 people were asked where they would want wake up the next day.  If I was asked that question, my answer would be, the day I gave birth to Kida.  It was such a beautiful and spiritual moment that I would definitely want to experience it again.  It is an amazing and miraculous thing to be able to give life to a living person who will one day grow up to live her own wonderful life.  It is beyond anything imaginable.

Anyway, I am very happy that Kida had a wonderful time.  I can’t believe she is now 8.

♥

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Home Furnishings In Small Doses And The Beauty of Green

March 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Stair Bookcase Waits So Patiently

I had mixed feelings about stair bookcases when I first heard of them.  I didn’t quite get what they would be used for and what items they would be able to hold because books or knick-knacks just seemed way too heaving to sit on a stair.  And, the thought of leaning a stair against a wall might look too warehouse like, not to mention someone might be tempted to climb it!  Well, things changed when I saw one at a model home during the time husband and I were looking to buy a house back in Summer ‘09.  I didn’t fall in love instantly.  I kind of just checked it out.  It was cute and held some small size vases and photo frames.  There may have been a few books on it as well.  As time passed, I started to slowly have a liking for it and its use.  It was actually appealing and gave a clean look.  The more I thought about it, the more I began to really want one.  BAD.  Husband on the other hand took some persuading but in the end, he liked it too.

It’s mostly empty right now leaning gleefully against the east side of the great room wall awaiting patiently for goodies.  The time will come.

Dearest Sweet Plants

My plants are like peace keepers.  They keep me peaceful and relaxed.  All I do is water them weekly, trim them when necessary, repot when necessary, and smile at them from time to time and they grow so nicely, lively, and green.  I’ve had my share of plants dying on me like the African Violet that I got as a gift.  It bloomed a few times and once even, it bloomed flowers that were white and bluish.  Then, there was the plant I bought from the groceries store that was pretty tiny with flat round leaves.  I rarely paid attention to this plant and never repotted.  It died on me quickly.  I tried to save it but it was too late.  I wasn’t prepared to buy this plant and shouldn’t have but I know better now to only buy plants when I am ready to care for them.  Just like a pet or a baby (okay, not quite).  Those were only two examples but there were quite a few more incidents.  I also enjoy giving clippings or pots of my plants to friends and family.  I’m hoping to prune the money tree soon and give some away (because I don’t have a lot of real money to give away, this should suffice. J/K.  I’ve had family members ask for a pruning).

The photos above are just some of my plants.  The last photo is the money tree soon to be split apart and gifted.  I think it’s ready though.  It’s kind of whispering, “When will you prune me? I’m growing too tall and might fall over.  Please do it soon.  I don’t want to fall over. Plus, you promised you’d share me with your family.”

NOTE:  All photos were taken by me with a Nikon D90 using the 55-200 mm lens, all in manual mode.  No photoshop was done except to crop.

♥

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Furniture

February 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Yesterday, our dining set and part of our greatroom furniture was delivered.  We ordered 2 large couches instead of one large and one love seat but instead of delivering both the couches as the sales person had told us, they only delivered one.  At the time we purchased the couches, there was another family who was eyeing the same set.  I think in order for the furniture company (it was American Furniture Warehouse, btw) to make sales, they decided to send the other family the second large couch and make us wait.  So, at the end of April, we should be getting the second couch.  Also, the coffee table was out of stock so we should be getting that at the end of March.  Hey, as long as they deliver without charging us two or three more times AND that they actually will have those items at those times as they stated then I am fine.  I love the couches and the coffee table and will wait for them.

Here is what our dining looked like before.  After being in the house without an eating area, we decided to bring out the old dining set.  Our greatroom was empty, except for the mess near the T.V. but no one needs to see that…keke.

…and here is what it looks like after for both dining and greatroom.

It’s starting to look like a cozy home.  We still have a ways to go…paint, curtains, rugs, wall decor, etc.  Husband and I have been clashing with our ideas on decorating.  Man, why won’t he just let me do it all!!  LOL!  I chose the couches and the dining set btw and he loves them as much as I do (and maybe more)…so yeah, he definitely should let me do it.

P.S – I am very happy to say that my friend Sendie and her family were the first to see our new setup.  We all had dinner for the first time on that table and it will forever be memorable.

♥

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Dutch-ess

February 20, 2010 · Leave a Comment

I call her my Dutch-ess.

♥

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Up for Rent

February 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The condo is officially up for rent.  It was exciting to see the sign in the window when we drove by yesterday.  We are using a management company to do the advertising, etc. so hopefully, this place will go soon (crosses fingers).

Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday:

The photos below were taken when we originally purchased the place.  It pretty much looks the same still.  The only thing different is the carpet.  It’s not brand new anymore and we chose not to replace it because it is still in good condition except for minor spots in the living room and in the smaller bedroom.   We did a thorough carpet cleaning ourselves by renting a carpet cleaner machine through Home Depot.

View of the kitchen, dining, and entry hallway from the living room.

View of the kitchen.

♥

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SYTYCD: Billy Bell…so..so..so awesome!

February 16, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Sometime late last year (I think), I stumbled upon the show “So You Think You Can Dance” (SYTYCD) and I believe it was meant to be because I never watch this show, and saw this great piece by one of the competitors named Billy Bell.  One of the guest judge was crying during Billy’s dance and I myself was in awe and just couldn’t believe how beautiful his dance was.  I was finally able to find the clip on youtube.  Here it is:

I’ve been watching this clip like crazy.  I love the song he’s dancing to as well.  It’s called “To Build A Home” by The Cinematic Orchestra.  I also found a couple more clips with Billy in it.  The one following is the full version of the one above.  His moves look just a bit different but it is still fluid and beautiful.

This one is of Billy with Janine Mason.  Dancing to a version of “With Or Without You”.

♥

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Potty Training and Tax Time

February 15, 2010 · Leave a Comment

This morning, Kylie went number 2 on her own!  I have been putting her in Hello Kitty underwear for the last couple of days and she has loved it!  She even took a two hour nap yesterday without peeing in her underwear.  It’ll be wonderful when she can go through out the day and night without going in her undies AND, wipe herself. :)

Late last night (like 1 am) husband did our taxes (after he stressed over trying to find the misplaced Turbo Tax software and my tax papers!!!).  I was so tired, I fell in and out of sleep while he worked on it.  We are in dire need of a refund so I am happy to say, we will be getting one.  Wish we qualified for the $8K first time home owner’s tax break but we already own another house.  We also don’t qualify for the $6K (or $6.5K) for a 5 year home ownership because we’ve only owned our condo for 4.9 years (as of the April deadline)…just 3 months shy!!!!  But, I’m happy.  We have had to pay the IRS over $5K when husband was doing contract work as a tile setter and I was pregnant with our first child (Kida) and working part-time.  Of course, that was 9 years ago but the memories still haunts me sometimes.  So, that’s why I am happy.  Happy to be where I am now even though we still don’t have a lot.

♥

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Saying Good-bye * Blinds and Garage

February 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, husband and I did the final clean up at the condo.  The place looked so clean and new again that it reminded me of the first day we stepped foot inside the place.  I was drawn to the crown molding throughout the entrance and living room, the laminate floors, the flat top stove, and the huge bathtub.  Oh…and of course I can’t forget the large size washer and dryer that took my breath away!  As I sat in my car looking at the condo for one last time as my home, the craziest thing happened.  I cried.  It was a bittersweet moment.  I will miss that little place.  Husband and I purchased it in 2004 and created memories for 5 years there.  We would have loved to sell it but every other home in that neighborhood is a foreclosure so we will be renting it out.  I hope the next person or family who lives there will love it as much as we did.

The new house is now our home.  We still don’t have couches or a dining set but hope to soon.  We did get the blinds and automatic garage door opener installed this week.  We also got our Internet and cable!!!  For about a week, there was no access to the WWW and it was really odd.  It was quiet and peaceful and I actually enjoyed it.  This new neighborhood is completely different from the last.  This community is huge.  There are shops and roads everywhere and houses can bee seen miles on end.  At the condo, we were so out in the boonies that we hardly saw cars or people (even though it was near ghetto neighborhoods).  There were flat unused farm land for miles pretty much in all direction.  That’s one thing I will definitely miss that I didn’t really think much about.  I just took it for granted.

These photos were taken with PhotoBooth.

Blinds

Empty dining taken over by my plants

♥

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New House

January 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment

We closed on the house this past Wednesday and moved our bed over and slept at the new house.  We don’t have Internet access yet so that’s why I am barely online.  Today, I am back at the condo packing a few things and running some laundry through.  Tomorrow will be the big move day.

It feels great to have so much space!  The girls can actually run around and use up their energy before bedtime. :-)

♥

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Home: Final Walk Thru & Sharing My Very Favorite Song, “Up to the Mountain”

January 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The walk through was two hours long!  Husband and I were so hungry afterward that we headed to Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill for lunch.  It’s our favorite healthy place to eat.  Anyway, I am amazed at how knowledgeable and skilled the construction manager is (he managed the building of all the houses in our neighborhood and continues to!).  He is also very professional and nice.  During the time our house was going up, there were also about 20 other houses going up that he managed.  Every time we dropped by the neighborhood, he was there doing something with the other houses and sometimes with ours.  There were always people working on each of the houses.  You would think there’d be lots of chaos but it was actually very organized…and still is.

During the walk through, the construction manager took us throughout the house (both interior and exterior) going over everything in details. We put blue tape where paint chipped, wood chipped, where window’s cracked, hardwood cracked, etc.  We also were shown where the water pipes, gas pipes, vents, and electrical wires were.  And, so much more!  I never knew how much there was to know about a house.  I was also very shocked at how many outlets we have.  I don’t know if I can really handle being a home owner.  I never knew we had to change the vent filters once every month!  All my life, I’ve only known to change them about once a year or so.  And, all the water, gas, and electrical shut offs were just crazy.  I don’t think I’ll remember which one’s which and which direction to turn the knobs.  Oh…and cleaning solutions and sealing products…I didn’t know there were so many different kinds for different things such as the silicon window sealants, cocking for walls and sinks, metal cleaners, window cleaners (Windex is not recommended), fireplace cleaners, and others.  I wrote down about 10 different cleaning products!  We close on the house next week and the areas we marked should be all patched up and fixed before then.  The construction manager wants us to do one more walk through the day of closing just to make sure we see the patched/fixed areas.  We forgot to take the camera so I don’t have any photos to share.

My Very Favorite Song: “Up to the Mountain”

I keep returning to Kelly Clarkson’s version of “Up to the Mountain”.  It is such a powerful song.  It makes me think of my parents and how they made it to Thailand just after the Vietnam War to the refugee camp before their sponsorship to the United States (U.S.).  Then, once in the U.S., they worked hard making barely anything to feed and roof their kids.  They didn’t know English but they did their best.  It also makes me think about my life growing up, and then, life with my husband and kids during our hardest times.

Lyrics (written by Patty Griffin):

I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I’ve never been nothing but tired
And I’ll be walking
Till the day I expire
See sometimes I lay down
Lord, no more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you asked me to

Some days I look down
Afraid, afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
But I hear your sweet voice
Come and then go
Come and then go
Lord, telling me softly
You love me so

Here’s Kelly Clarkson singing this song.  It is so worth listening to.  She makes it so passionate and powerful.  It makes me teary every time I listen to it.

♥

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