Screaming on top of my lungs in my head

There are some things that I do for others that I don't expect a thank you for. I get satisfaction from doing the gesture on its own.

Then there are the other things, the simple things that mean a great deal to me that I do and they are turned unnoticed.

I'm frustrated and left feeling under appreciated.

Thank god for working out.

=^..^= meow - welcome my kitties

During the storm Tuesday, my coworker Steven rescued them from the rain. They were shivering and soaked. My other coworker Patty and myself nursed them back to health. I am quite allergic to cats but with a little Claritin, I decided to adopt the critters and take them home.

Here are my newest babies: Muse & Kaya (both girls)

I'm learning so much from the kitties being so young. Just yesterday I received my first real purr from the both of them. Then again today when I came home for lunch, my welcome home greeting was a gigantic purr in unison. My heart melts and I immediately demand to the Misters that when he comes home tonight he cannot look, speak, or acknowledge the cats until I am home. I want them to myself. Ha ha.

From a cat hater to a lover in one day. Unbelievable.

Waiting

Ever want something so bad and it's so far away out of reach?

Years are farther away from the distance between here and there.

What makes me torn is not being able to talk about it as openly as I'd like.

I'm emotional.

There are days that I am chugging along. Then there are those where my insecurities put me in a dead halt. Then I don't feel like trying anymore.

Here is that day.

I am reminded that "love" should be enough to get to where I want to be.

But it isn't.
I'm needy and I'm greedy. I don't want to wait. I want it now.

Then, I remind myself that I'm not that person. I don't force things to happen on demand.
I'm not greedy. I'm not needy.

Usually when I want something so bad, I am patient. I wait forever as long as it takes no matter how long I wait. I live my life day by day with an ache and longing in my heart.

Today is that day that I just hurt from wanting badly. I've wanted and waited for this but there are always obstacles that I have to battle.

The battles that I've fought in my life have dried my tears. I no longer show emotion by crying. Crying shows weakness. I'm not weak.

However this makes me weak enough to shed a few tears.

I'm holding my breath for as long as I could before I suffocate.

I'll have to let go someday.

But only until there is no more hope left.

Another fresh beginning

I've been busy. Real busy.

I'm in love for the first time and it's refreshing.

If this is what I've only dreamt of for the last 28 years, it was well worth the wait.

Falling in love is amazing.

Don't look for it. Dream of it.

You'll know you are falling when you think you are dreaming.

If the shoe fits, wear it - review on Zappos.com

Most brides turn into bridezillas when it comes to wedding planning. I have been engaged for 3 and a half years and it wasn't until a month ago, I, ahem, I mean "we", decided to finally tie the knot. Two weeks later, the plans are finalized, we picked out our wedding bands, sent the evites, and found myself a dress. Two more weeks until the wedding day, I'm still looking for the shoe.

Let's say I spent endless hours on the Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom's, Macy's, DSW, Zappos, Piperlime, BlueFly, Overstock, David's Bridal, Amazon, Ebay, Payless, and other misc. websites looking for the right style to match the dress. Not to mention department store shopping also.

So, I am the online shopper who researches for weeks before I bite the bullet and make a purchase. I won't buy anything that I have to return because I hate inconveniencing the other party and it makes me feel bad. I finally indulged in purchasing two pairs with the help of my friend. I asked her for help and she sends me to a website that sells stripper shoes. Not my thing. A day later, the shoes arrive and one is a shade darker than I wanted and the other is THE shoe but half a size too large.
I cringed when I didn't see a 6.5 available on the website. When I realized that, I began another endless search for the same shoe in my size. In case I found one, I would return both pairs. Or as my coworker suggested, I could put in foot inserts. I held onto the thought over the weekend as I searched, and searched, and searched, and googled for the same shoe. By Tuesday I gave up and called Zappos. MichelleR picked up my call.

MichelleR: It's a great day at Zappos how can I help you?
Me: I want this shoe and I've searched and searched the entire internet and can't find it. I need your help, PLEASE!
MichelleR (calm, cool, & helpful): Don't worry, I can help you with that.
Me: Are you sure? It's the RSVP's Maribella. I'm getting married in two weeks and need a 6.5 I've looked on the website and signed up for a notification when the shoe becomes available but nothing yet. Can you check the status please?
MichelleR: You're getting married? Congratulations! Let me see what I can do for you...
Minutes later, she convinced me it was entirely okay to return the previous order, find another shoe or two and return those as well if they aren't what I want.
Me: Are you sure? (asking for the fourth time)
MichelleR: Absolutely, you can return the shoe in the same condition up to 365 days.
Me: No way! That's awesome! You promise me it's not a problem? (okay, the fifth time asking)
MichelleR: I promise. -still being most understanding and helpful.
With a deep sigh, I said, "Okay." And continued with the ordering of the shoe.
MichelleR: You know what, those shoes just came in but are being inspected in the warehouse. I'll add you to the waiting list and an email will be sent out when they are available.

Angels singing. Ahh, hope.

With that excitement and complete satisfaction, I asked her if her supervisor was around.

MichelleR: I'm sorry, are you not happy?
Me: Beyond that, I'm thrilled. I want you to be recognized and send some kudos.

And that isn't the end of the amazing, unreal customer service these guys are rockin' over at Zappos.

I gloated and gushed over their hardworking, awesome customer service skills via the zappos blog site and twitter. In return? More awesomest my way via their blog site and twitter. What tops the cake? I get a beautiful flower delivery from my Zappos family.

Thank you, thank you Zappos.com

This is why your employees love working for you. Zappos.com is more than a company, it's a family. I can't thank you enough.

Crystalina

And I shall live happily ever after. I received THE shoe in a 6.5 on Monday.

Earth Day - April 22, 2009

Earth Day a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. This date is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Monday morning as we were driving to drop of the kids Aleyzia commented as we pass the Bayer Healthcare building, "Look Mommy, cows." Without glancing up from what I was doing, I responded back, "No baby, those aren't cows, that's grass."

The morning after with the same routine of us driving by the Bayer building to drop off the girls, I did a double take. Indeed there were animals, not cows, but sheep. In awe, an apology was said, and I corrected the kids that they were sheep not cows.

We enjoyed them en route to work and home for two weeks and after a short call confirmed that we'll continue to see this happy tradition every year. Happy Earth Day.

Chef C-R-Y

I've been on a cooking spree. Here is something that I made for the weekend of the Kings birthday.

My first attempt at chicken pot pie was a success. It was fairly easy. I took the recipe from allrecipes.com and followed a few suggestions made from the comment section.

Chicken Pot Pie:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup potato
• cube of chicken bouillon
• sprinkle or two of garlic powder
  
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts *I used the large croissants made by Pillsbury
• egg white
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
2. In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, potato, celery, bouillon, and garlic powder. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
3. In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and a tiny shake of garlic powder. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Place the chicken mixture in an oven safe bowl. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with two croissant crusts, seal edges, and brush the crust with the egg white. Make sure there is a tiny opening between the two crusts to allow steam to escape.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

THE CHICKEN STUFFING














THE CHICKEN BROTH

THE PIES BRUSHED WITH EGG WHITE














THE END RESULT