Merydith's Place

Ryan and I have always wondered what the boys will be in their teens. Ryan already decided which car to give Frankie when he is able to drive. The thought of my boys being independent already give me the chills even if we still have many years to wait. I just don’t see my kids going out with their friends and driving on their own. I am sure I am going to be worried sick. I will probably drive them all over the place, but I am sure I can’t do that forever. One thing for sure, Ryan and I will probably put in a gps vehicle tracking on our cars to know where the boys are. It will also give us the peace of mind and. It also find it  very helpful in case they need help then we know exactly where they are.

I can’t wait for June. One of my friends has a log cabin in Michigan, and the entire family is going there for a weekend. We haven’t been there, but I have seen the pictures and I love it. My friend and her husband did a good job with the cabin decor and in putting everything in place. The place looks so inviting. The cabin is surrounded by trees, and a little walk from the cabin is a little lake where people can fish and ride in their boats. My friend told me that there is no signal there so there will be no internet over the weekend. I am really looking forward to this trip. I already took a day off, so by June, we are all going to go.

I was going through some old pictures when I saw these photos of Ryan and our nephew Ben-ben. I can’t even remember what was the occasion, but they looked so cute together. I can’t believe our Ben-ben will be celebrating his birthday soon. He was our first baby.

I find it very interesting whenever I read people’s statuses about going on vacation. My first initial thought was good for them. I love going on vacation, who doesn’t anyway? Although I think it is too much information when they announce it over Facebook and including details such as when they are going to be away and for how long. I don’t know if they are aware of the consequences that might happen because of their post. It is very dangerous because bad people out there might know that they are not home and could do something to their house while they are away. This is one of the reasons why some home owners hire house sitters while gone.

It is sad every time I read in the paper or see or hear from the radio or TV about burglary. I just can’t imagine what we would do if something like that would happen to us. We’ve worked so hard to have what we have in our home and for someone to just come in and take it is not right. That is the reason why I kept telling my friend who just moved to New York to make sure to get their new home a new ADT New York to protect their home and their property from potential burglary. It is always nice to leave the house feeling secure that your belongings will still be there when you get home.

We were all invited to Micah’s confirmation party this past weekend. Her confirmation was actually the week before, but since it was Aiden and Gloria’s birthday party, they made it a week later, so we can all be there. Frankie and I were not able to come with us because I don’t think there are kids around his age that are invited. Some of the friends that we know that has kids around Frankie’s age, they were not able to make it because they had to work. This was the first time that I have been to their lovely home. We were invited to Micah’s birthday party last year, but we were not able to make it because it was around that time that Ryan’s grandfather was in the hospice and later died.

While we were on Gloria’s birthday, I promised to bring some puto Micah’s party. Unfortunately, I was so busy with work and I had to take Frankie to his banquet, so I was not able to make some. I emailed Micah’s mom and told her that I couldn’t make some. She was very understanding and she told me as long as I bring her baby with me. Micah treats and calls Branden her baby brother. Yena felt the same way too. It is so refreshing to see people who are so all over Branden and threats him like their very own. When we got to their house, they even forgot about the puto. They were passing Branden to one person to another and had so many pictures with him. All in all the food was great and the company of course. I feel so at home when I am with them. Mama also met some new friends too.

Most people who smoke are aware of the effects it does to the body. Smoking cigarettes is an addiction, and to some, a lifelong addiction. There are a lot of reasons why people smoke. Some people smoke as a way to socialize, to cope with anger, and to some teens, they smoke to be a part of a group to mention a few. It is not easy to stop smoking. I have seen people that are close to me struggled to get rid of the habit almost all their life. The mind was willing but not willing enough to actually do something about it. This is where I find the Blu Electronic Cigarette very helpful.

One of the major reasons why people have a hard time quitting is because they have this craving to smoke that is hard to resist. With the electronic cigarette, they can still smoke minus the nicotine, the tar, and tobacco. It is not only good for the electronic cigarette smoker, but also to the people around them because there will no longer be second hand smoke. Most of all, the electronic cigarette is rechargeable and comes with different flavored cartridge. It is easy to use and taste like cigarette. I know it is difficult to stop smoking but using an electronic cigarette is a good start.

I don’t know how many times I have been to the Museum of Science and Industry. I used to get mad every time Ryan would take me there. I usually tell him that there is nothing new from the last time we’ve been in. In fact, we are now members of the museum again,  and he is already looking forward on the fun things that the museum has to offer. Ryan knows that if he is into science, I am into history, so he also got us a membership to the Field museum. I have only been there once and that is for another entry. Anyways, it seems like the more we go there, I am learning to appreciate it more. One of my favorite is going to the Omnimax. As you walk in the theater, you will be overwhelmed with how huge the screen is. It is so huge that you will feel that you are apart of the movie. It is right there in front of your face. I have not taken mama over there. We planned to take her to the museum last summer, but Ryan and I got really busy with school and work that we let our membership expire. I was so mad because we get to use it even once.  Here are different pictures that Ryan sent me while I was in the Philippines. Since then, he had been a big fan of the museum.

A couple of weeks after giving birth to Branden, I was so desperate to get some new clothes. I donated most of my clothes because I thought I will never be able to fit on them again. I was skinny before I got pregnant. I was having a hard time deciding what to wear especially with very limited options. I went shopping with my mom and got some pants which I think should be good probably until Branden turns one. When I started working, all of that changed. I still need clothes to wear and I desperately need a nice belt because my waist is not holding my parents anymore. I wanted it something unique yet nice such as one of those western belts to match with the outfit I already have. Walking for miles everyday and watching what I eat helped me shed five lbs. I just hope I will be able to keep this up.

It has been a year since I took my Spanish class. It was an online class, but we were still expected to submit a weekly “Spanish chat” depending on what we discussed that week. We were supposed to formulate our conversation based from sample conversations that was provided in the workbook. At the end of the semester, we were also supposed to be interviewed by our teacher in Spanish.

I was already taking three classes and Spanish was my fourth class on top of my full time job. I felt so overwhelmed that if my Spanish partner did not help me out, I don’t think I will ever survive it. I was so ready to give it up, but she kept telling me that she will help me all the way and she did. Before we parted and as a thank you, I gave her an iphone alarm clock. I knew she had an iPhone because I have seen her play with it while we were trying to connect to the internet one time in the library. She was so surprised, happy, and thankful when I gave it to her. The gift was actually nothing compared to the help she showed me.

I first learned about Monee Reservoir when Ryan and I used to live in Monee with my father-in-law. I just got my license then, and I was so eager to explore different places to check out that was close to where we live. Since then, I’ve always visited Monee Reservoir usually during summer and fall. In fact, Frankie had his photo shoot with Papa that fall there too before papa left for the Philippines. I like going to Monee Reservoir. During my day-off and Ryan had to work, I usually just drive there and bring a book. I used to do my assignments in one of the trees too.

Monee Reservoir features a 46-acre lake which once supplied water to steam engines on a railroad, but now provides fishing and boating opportunities to the public. There are a few fun stuff to do at Monee Reservoir. Everyone is invited for a cook-out with the family. They have benches scattered along the shoreline with barbecue stands that one can use. Adults that are over 16 can fish with an appropriate annual fishing license fees. It is going to be worth the fee though because they have a variety to fish to catch. The fees are as follow:

$13.00 / Illinois resident
$24.50 / Out-of-state resident
$6.75 / Illinois seniors

24 Hour fishing license fee
$5.50 / Illinois and out-of-state resident

Fishing materials can also be purchased at the concessions building within the vicinity. I really would like to try boating or kayaking there too. I am also looking forward to do the 2.5-mile hiking trail that loops through a wetland. It is the home of  many forms of wildlife. Maybe when my Saturday mornings are free, I will definitely be there. It is a little drive from where we live, but it is definitely worth it. I have to plan a picnic with my friends over there for the kids. I am sure they will love it.

My friend recently signed up for a marathon in downtown Chicago. I am so excited for her, and I promised her that once I resolve my schedule at work, and will have every other weekend off again, we will definitely be running to practice. We are looking into going to Flossmoor with the kids. We run while the kids can ride their bikes. I applaud my friend for signing up in the marathon and watching out on her diet. I don’t think I will be able to handle that myself. I am too overweight to begin with. Maybe if I use diet pills which of course I still need to find out if diet pills safe then it should help me at least lose some weight. I can’t wait to get started with her practice. It will be fun not only for us but also for our sons.