what makes me happy

On February 25, it was the international day of the cochlear implants. My friend told me that the first cochlear implant was implanted 54 years ago...that is half century of development into a wonderful technology that today is still unbelievable how well it works. I was in basketball practice today, feeling sick, so instead of following Luca round the sides of the court I was just sitting on my chair looking and once in a while wishing his FM system was set up already. Anyways, I think it is good sometimes to let him go and not micromanage him so much, after all, that is real life. At one point, he was staying in his position instead of running towards the offensive position (he still doesn't quite get that) so in that loud court, where I can't hardly hear myself I yelled Luca!!!! and he looked at me right away. Wow, that was impressive, not only he heard me but reacted and looked at the right direction of the sound.

El 25 de febrero es el dia internacional del implante coclear. Mi amiga me conto que el primer implante coclear fue implantado hace 54 anhos...eso es medio siglo de desarrollo hacia una tecnologia alucinante que es increible lo bien que funciona. Hoy estabamos en una practica de baloncesto, yo me sentia mal, asi que en lugar de seguir a Luca por los lados de la pista me quede sentada en mi silla mirandole y de vez en cuando echando de menos no tener un sistema de FM listo. Bueno, creo que a veces esta bien no agobiarle y dejar de ayudarle en cada minuto, despues de todo, asi es la vida real. En un momento, se quedo en una posicion en lugar de correr hacia la posicion de ofensiva (aun no lo pilla) asi que en esa pista tan ruidosa, donde ni yo me oigo le grite Luca!!!!!! y me miro rapidamente al instante. Wow, que increible, no solo me oyo sino que ademas reacciono y miro en la direccion correcta de donde provenia mi voz.

When kids have cochlear implants since they are so young, they are so used to background noise, that they learn to manage the noise much better than late implanted adults. So if I want to block out the background noise with another setting so that he can focus on hearing only the people around him (like at a restaurant) he doesn't like it, it doesn't feel natural and he prefers the noisy environment.

Cuando los ninhos han sido implantados con implante coclear muy temprano, estan tan acostumbrados al ruido de fondo que aprenden a manejarse con el ruido mucho mejor que adultos implantados mas tarde. Tanto es asi que si quiero bloquearle el ruido de fonod con un programa para que se pueda centrar en escuchar solo a la gente a su alrededor (como en un restaurante) no le gusta, no se siente natural y prefiere el ambiente ruidoso.

But even though this makes me happy, this is not why I wrote that title, I get sidetracked writing and often lose my focus. I am still thinking about all this business of being happy. Most people live in a state of I want to be somewhere other than where I am right now with my life. I do that too. I am looking forward to the moment when Luca can speak just like his hearing peers, I am looking forward to the day when we can have a place that we can call our own and that makes us happy to live there, I am always looking forward till the day I can go to Spain to visit my relatives and friends. Then those moments come and go, and then what? then we have to look for some new things to look forward. Instead of just enjoying what we have right now. Not that we don't, but instead of longing for a place of my own, enjoy this place for all its positives and for where it takes me at this time in our lives. Instead of thinking about the things that you are missing, think about the things you would be missing if you weren't in the position where you are right now.

Pero a pesar de que esto me hace feliz, esto no es por eso que escribi este título, me desvio facilmente, y suelo perder mi enfoque. Todavía estoy pensando en todo este asunto de ser feliz. La mayoría de la gente vive en un estado de "quiero estar en un lugar distinto de donde estoy ahora con mi vida". Yo también. Estoy deseando que llegue el momento en que Luca pueda hablar al igual que sus amiguitos oyentes, estoy deseando que llegue el día en que podamos tener un lugar al que llamar nuestro hogar y que nos haga felices vivir en el, siempre estoy deseando que llegue el día en que pueda ir a España para visitar a mi familia y amigos. Pero esos momentos vienen y van, y luego qué? buscamos cosas nuevas que desear. En lugar de simplemente disfrutar de lo que tenemos ahora mismo. No es que no lo hagamos, pero en vez de desear un lugar propio, debemos disfrutar de este lugar donde vivimos por todos sus aspectos positivos y por el lugar donde estamos en este momento de nuestras vidas. En lugar de pensar en las cosas que nos faltan, pienso en las cosas que nos perderíamos si no estuvieramos donde estamos ahora mismo.

Buying clothes doesn't bring me happiness. I bought a couple of shirts to Luca out of maybe "guilt" because I never think about buying him clothes, he always has a lot of them, mostly hand me downs of presents from family members, and I sometimes feel bad that I am not like other parents who enjoy buying clothes for their kids. The thing is he doesn't care, he is happy with whatever I give him (of course I always tell him how cool he looks and he indeed believes me). Isn't that what is all about? Thinking that you are happy with what you have? instead of sadly longing for something else you can't afford? Anyway, this is just what's going around in my head these days.

Comprar ropa no hace feliz. He comprado un par de camisetas a Luca con un poco de sentimiento de "culpa" porque yo nunca se me ocurre comparle ropas, siempre tiene un montón de cosas, muchas heredadas, y a veces me siento mal de no ser como los otros padres que disfrutan comprando ropa para sus hijos. Lo que pasa es que a el no le importa, él es feliz con lo que yo le dé, (por supuesto, yo siempre le digo lo guapo que se ve y de hecho me cree). ¿No es eso lo que se trata? Pensar que eres feliz con lo que tienes? en lugar sentir tristeza por anhelo de algo más que no puedes pagar? Bueno, esto es sólo lo que está pasando en mi cabeza en estos días.

My creative juice is dry...I tell myself today I will make something, but then, I find something else to read or watch or do...maybe soon...

Mi jugo creativo se ha secado...me digo a mi misma que hoy hare algo, pero entonces, encuentro algo interesante que leer, o que ver, o que hacer...quizas pronto...

happiness

Some time ago, a friend of mine told me something about happiness and about me. Being aware of all the ups and downs that I have been through in the past years she told me that everyone has a baseline of happiness. Like a genetically defined baseline. Then there are other factors and circumstances that may drive you up or down from that line, and the higher you are, the easier it is to recover from those bumps in the road. She also said that she thought I had a very high level of happiness to start with, and knowing the way I am and the way I see things, I had to agree. I tend to see the positive side of things, even of the most painful and dark situations. Sometimes, it feels like a defense mechanism, others is just my automatic pilot, driving me towards my normal happy side of things.

Hace un tiempo, una amiga mia me dijo algo sobre la felicidad y sobre mi. Sabiendo de todos los altibajos que he pasado en los ultimos anhos me dijo que todo el mundo tenemos una felicidad base. Como si fuera algo que esta escrito en tu codigo genetico. A parte de eso, hay muchos otros factores y circunstancias que pueden llevarte por arriba o por abajo de esa base, y cuanto mas alta sea esa base, es mas facil recuperarse de las caidas del camino. Tambien me dijo que pensaba que yo tenia una base de felicidad muy alta, y conociendo mi manera de ver las cosas, la verdad es que estoy de acuerdo. Suelo ver las cosas por el lado positivo, incluso las mas dolorosas y dificiles. A veces, es como un mecanismo de defensa, otras es el piloto automatico, que me lleva hacia el lado alegre de las cosas.

I have been reading this book about this girl who starts a happiness project to try to be happier, to make sure she can appreciate her life more. It is interesting because many of the things that so far she mentions, I have done them in the past years to reach that stable happiness. One thing that she said was that people who are in situations that are not familiar, that are not easy and are out of your comfort zone, tend to be better at adapting to adverse situations when these suddenly occur. I can see that. I have been in so many difficult situations in my life, mostly they were my own choice (because I tend not to think too much what I'm getting into as long as I figure that the ultimate experience will be a positive one), and that, I feel, has made me a much more tolerant and patient person to situations that are out of my control.

He estado leyendo este libro sobre una chica que empieza un proyecto sobre la felicidad para intentar ser mas feliz, para poder apreciar su vida aun mas. Es interesante porque muchas de las cosas que menciona, ya las he hecho en estos ultimos anhos para llegar a una felicidad estable. Una de las cosas que cuenta es que la gente que estan en situaciones en las que no se sienten tan familiarizados ni comodos, suelen ser mas capaces de adaptarse a situaciones adversas cuando ocurren de repente. Lo veo clarisimo. He estado en tantas situaciones dificiles en mi vida, la mayoria de veces fue decision mia (porque suelo no pensar mucho en lo que me estoy metiendo siempre que sepa que la experiencia final va a ser positiva), y que creo que me han hecho mucho mas tolerante y paciente ante situaciones que estan fuera de mi control.

Taking care of some of those things in your to-do-list that you constantly procrastinate about because you just don't know how to tackle them, is one was to make you feel better. For me, it had to do with finding new insurance that could accommodate both of us without costing us a fortune (just close to it) and also getting them implants and FM system. I feel a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And I feel happier.

Ocuparse de algunas de esas cosas en la lista de cosas que uno siempre deja para despues porque no sabes ni como atacarlas, es una de esas cosas que te hacen sentir mejor. Para mi, una de esas cosas era encontrar un seguro de salud que nos acomodase a los dos sin costarnos una fortuna (aunque casi) y tambien otra era conseguir los implantes nuevos y el equipo de FM. Siento que me he qitado un gran peso de mis espaldas. Y me siento mas feliz.

Making my orchids bloom also gives me a boost of happiness!

Hacer que florezcan mis orquideas tambien me da mucha alegria!!

New implants are IN!

Luca has his new implants!!!! I can't believe it! Not that the problem with the insurance is settled completely, but crossing our fingers that it will be soon. I just thought it looks like it will be and so I wanted him to have his new implants...he was soo excited...he showed everyone, he showed his new covers, he put them in and out a million times and he is just so happy...and so am I. And the best part is that he didn't seem like it sounded too different. It must sound pretty much the same because he has be wearing them without any issues. I am so happy:)

Luca ya tiene sus implantes nuevos!!! No me lo creo! No es que el problema con el seguro se haya resuelto del todo, pero crucemos los dedos para que asi sea pronto. Creo que se arreglara pronto asi que queria que ya los tuviera...y esta tan emocionado...se los ha ensenhado a todo el mundo, esta venga a ensenhar las cubiertas azules, que se las pone y saca un millon de veces al dia y esque esta tan feliz...y yo tambien. Y lo mejor es que no le suenan muy diferentes a los anteriores. Deben ser muy similares porque los ha estado usando como si nada y sin problemas. Estoy feliz :)

V

On Monday it was the V day. Valentines..big deal around this land....not my favorite holiday but, at least fun for the kids. I decided to make some cupcakes to give the teachers in appreciation of all they do with our children, all the happiness they bring into Luca's and my life. I guess this is the last time I am doing it ha ha! It wasn't too bad, but this is really not my thing. I got tired and I over think things and so I spend lots of time and energy and I end up with headaches. Oh well, just the fact that Luca felt so good by giving these boxes away, it made it all worth it. He is a gentleman and loves to behave like one and think about it later. Where did he get that from??? not sure, but it sure is cute.

El lunes era el dia de San Valentin...se celebra mucho por estos lares...no es mi fiesta favorita, pero por lo menos los ninhos lo pasan bien. Decidi hacer unos pastelitos para darselos a las senhos como muestra de aprecio por todo lo que hacen con nuestros ninhos, y toda la felicidad que le proporcionan a Luca y a mi. Creo que es la ultima vez que lo voy a hacer ja! No fue tan malo, pero esque esto no es lo mio. Me canse y pienso las cosas demasiado y paso mucho tiempo y energia y acabo con dolores de cabeza. Bueno, solo saber que Luca se sentia tan bien dando las cajitas, hizo que mereciera la pena. Es un caballero y le encanta comportarse como uno y luego pensar en ello. De donde lo saco??? no lo se, pero es muy mono.

Other than that, days like this one, I am reminded of all the special people that I have around and not so close but still "around me". It is nice to see that so many people care about us and have interest about what happens with our lives.

A parte de eso, en dias como este, me acuerdo de toda la gente tan especial que tenemos alrededor y no tan cerca pero "alreadedor". Da gusto ver que hay tanta gente que se preocupa por nosotros y que tiene interes en lo que pase con nuestras vidas.

Talking machine

Hi!

It's been a while since I talk about Luca's progress. He has been doing so great that we are sailing though the days. I remember when I had to make such a great effort to understand him, and even to make him talk, but now...I still have to correct him, but it almost comes all from him. He starts saying really complicated sentences and also expressions that make me laugh, like "what in the world!!!" and he is more mature to be willing to follow my games. Being just the two of us, sometimes it is hard to get him motivated to work with me. I need to be very creative to engage him in games he is not familiar with, and make him feel like he wants to continue playing, I pretty much need to make him feel good so that he doesn't quit playing. I bought him a game for his birthday, it was about guessing things by asking questions. He still wasn't mastering the thing about asking questions well, and back in November he pretty much refused to play. I let it be, and now that he is more into playing games, I decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised that he wasn't cheating, which is hard for him, when it is sooo much easier when you cheat! and that he was asking questions and guessing! of course I was giving him many leads and tips to figure it out, and the fact that he was winning, made him want to continue playing. It was awesome. I know, if you have a hearing child with no challenges this sounds a bit crazy, but it is a major step forward for me.

Desde hace ya tiempo que no hablo sobre el progreso de Luca. Esta progresando tanto que se nos pasan os dias volando. Recuerdo cuando tenia que hacer un gran esfuerzo para entenderle, e incluso hacerle hablar, pero ahora ... todavía tengo que corregirle, pero casi le sale todo a el solito. Ya esta diciendo frases muy complicadas y también expresiones que me hacen reír, como algo que se traduce como "pero que pasa!" y él es más maduro y esta dispuesto a a seguir mis juegos. Al ser sólo nosotros dos, a veces es difícil conseguir motivarle a trabajar conmigo. Tengo que ser muy creativa para que participe en los juegos con los que no está familiarizado, y para que quiera seguir jugando, osea tengo que hacer que se sienta bien para que no deje de jugar. Le compré un juego para su cumpleaños, que se trataba de adivinar unas cosas haciendo preguntas. Todavía no sabe hacer preguntas para averiguar la descripcion de algo, y en noviembre prácticamente se negó a jugar. Lo dejé estar, y ahora que está más en los juegos, decidí darle una oportunidad. Me sorprendio gratamente pues no hizo trampas, lo cual es difícil para él, cuando es taaanto más fácil cuando haces trampas! y tambien me sorprendio que él estuviera haciendo preguntas y adivinase! por supuesto que le daba muchas pistas y explicaciones para saber hacer las preguntas, tanto asi que fue el ganador, y por eso queria seguir jugando. Fue impresionante. Lo sé, si tienes un niño oyente, sin problemas de ningun tipo, se que esto suena un poco exagerado, pero es un gran paso adelante para mí.

We have also been following the advice of one of his teachers, the one who does parent ed with me weekly, and since we had 2 snow days with no school this past week, she advised us to make snow vanilla ice cream. We were very entertained during those 2 days and didn't have a chance to do it, but it snowed again 2 days ago, and yesterday, we decided to do it. It was a great language activity.

Tambien hemos estado siguiendo el consejo de una de sus profesoras, la que me da clases a mi semanalmente, y como tuvimos dos dias de nieve, sin cole, esta semana pasada, nos aconsejo que hicieramos helado de vainilla. Estuvimos muy entretenidos durante esos dias y no nos dio tiempo a hacerlo, pero nevo de nuevo hace dos dias, y ayer, decidimos hacerlo. Fue una experiencia de lenguage muy buena.

Other than that, I made a coconut roll from my dear Portuguese friend that I had in Florida. Mmm it was so good! Coconut, sugar, eggs and bit of butter. So good! This is just the leftover, that I am having every day for breakfast :)

A parte de eso, hice un rollo de coco de mi amiga Portugesa que conoci en Florida. Mmmm que rico estaba! Coco, azucar, huevos y una pizca de mantequilla. Que rico! Es solo lo que quedo, que me lo voy a comer estos dias e desayuno :)

Ice

This is what we are dealing with...

Esto es con lo que estamos lidiando por aqui...

Second hand

One of the good things about living in a bigger city is that you can find occasionally interesting things in the second hand store. I sometimes see things that buried in a lot of other garbage, it looks like nothing special, but if you picture it in your home, it might be something nice. I don't like to spend money in things that I don't need, and I always ask myself if, other than not needing it, it could be something special and worthwhile for the price. This way, I have bought little things here and there. A few weeks ago I found some cookie cans. I really don't know what to put in them, they have some buttons and flowers for head pieces that I once was working on, but really they are mostly empty. Still, they look so cute and colorful...that I couldn't resist, and now that I see them around my colorful home, I think it was worth it.

Una de las cosas que tiene el vivir en una ciudad mas grande es de vez en cuando encuentras cosas interestantes en las tiendas de segunda mano. A veces veo cosas enterradas entre mucha basura, y parece que algo nada especial, pero si te lo imaginas en tu casa, puede que si sea algo bonito. No me gusta gastarme el dinero en cosas que no necesito, y siempre me pregunto si, a parte de no necesitarlo, podria ser algo especial y que merezca la pena por el precio. Asi, he comprado algunas cositas aqui y alla. Hace unas semanas encontre unas latas de galletas. No se que poner en ellas, tienen algunos botones y flores que uso para hacer diademas y adornos del pelo, pero la verdad es que estan medio vacias. Aun asi, son tan bonitas y coloridas....que no me pude resistirm y ahora que las veo en mi hogar colorido, me parece que merecio la pena.

Another thing that I do buy in second hand stores are clothes. Usually for Luca. As you may know by now, he has this thing for costumes, and what a better place than a second hand store...he wanted to look like Batman's friend Robin, I got him some green pants and a red sweatshirt....then he wanted to look like a man...I had a tie and today I got him a blazer. It's not easy to find one his size, but if you look everyday, eventually, you find it :)

Otra cosa que compro de segunda mano son ropas. Normalmente para Luca. Como ya debeis saber, tiene esta ilusion por disfrazarse, y que mejor lugar que la tienda de segunda mano...queria parecerse a Robin, el amigo de Batman...le compre unos pantalones verdes y una sudadera roja...luego queria parece un hombre...le puse una corbata y hoy le consegui una chaqueta. No es facil encontrar una de su tamanho, pero si miras todos los dias, al final, la encuentras:)))

Drunk with superheroes

First of all, I keep on forgetting to talk about the kindle cover. I made it really nice, right mom? But I forgot to take a picture. It was a simple sleeve that fit the kindle not too snug and that had a small flap to close it with a Velcro. I made it up myself, I put a black and white fabric outside and a red one inside. It had some fleece inside to make it soft and protect the device. I would like to make another one following a tutorial that I saw (in Japanese) using the hard covers of a real book. I don't have a kindle in my hands to test it anymore, but I did cut one out of cardboard so I can experiment with it. Maybe one of these days if I am inspired...

Lo primero, que se me olvida hablar de la funda del kindle. La hice muy chula, verdad mama? Pero se me olvido hacerle una foto. Era una funda muy sencilla que no estaba muy ajustada y que tenia una solapita para cerrarla con Velcro. Me la invente yo, use una tela en blanco y negro y por dentro una roja, Tenia forro polar por dentro para hacerla mas suave y para proteger el aparato. Me hubiera gustado hacer una siguiendo una explicaion que vi (en japones) usando unas tapas duras de un libro de verdad. Ya no tengo ningun kindle conmigo, pero recorte un pedazo de carton con su forma para experimentar con el. Quizas un dia de estos si me inspiro...

Luca's two favorite ways to play: to dress up, particularly like a superhero...but his thing is this, he goes inside a cardboard box that came with a trashcan I bought, with his costume on, and on top he is wearing his nice shirt, that lately he wants to wear at all times (he thinks superman and spiderman are always very dressed up like that). He goes in that mini box (mini for his size anyways) and I don't know how, but he comes out with just the spiderman costume...amazing spiderman....the second one, tying things up, now with a shoelace thing, he is learning how to tie a shoe, but is more fun if batman to ties a skeleton, go figure.

Las dos formas favoritas de Luca para divertirse: disfrazarse, en particular como un superheroe...pero asi lo hace, se mete en una caja de carton que venia con un cubo de basura que compre, con su disfraz y encima una camisa arregladita, que ultimamente se la quiere poner a toda hora (piensa que superman y spiderman siempre van muy arreglaos, asi). Se mete en la mini caja (para su tamanho es mini) y no se como lo hace, pero sale solo con el disfraz de hombre aranha...increible este hombre aranha....la segunda cosa que le gusta es atar cosas, ahora con un cordon de zapatos que se usa para aprender a atarlos, pero es mas diver si batman ata a un esqueleto, vete a saber.

I am getting Luca some new implants. Well the processor, which is just the external part. There is nothing wrong with his current implants, but hopefully he will even hear better, especially in noisy environments with the new ones, plus they seem thinner and lighter. I am still crossing my fingers because although the insurance is mostly paying for them, I had some trouble, just to make it more interesting I guess, and even though we have the implants, I don't dare to open the boxes until I am 100% sure everything has been resolved. Hopefully soon I will be able to share his new N5s.

For now, a few shots, so we can always remember his first implants, spidy Freedoms.

He conseguido para Luca unos implantes nuevos. Bueno, el procesador, que es la parte externa. No le pasa nada malo a los que tiene, pero esperemos que con los nuevos, sea capaz de escuchar mejor, sobretodo en situaciones de ruido ], y ademas parecen mas finitos y mas ligeros. Aun tengo que cruzar los dedos porque parece que el seguro los esta pagando, he tenido algun problemilla, para hacer el asunto mas interesante supongo, y aunque ya tenemos los implantes, no me atrevo a abrirlos hasta que este segura por completo de que todo esta resuelto. Espero que pronto os podamos ensenhar sus nuevos procesadores N5.

Por ahora, unas fotos, para que siempre nos acordemos de sus primeros implantes, los Freedoms de hombre aranha,

Snow

I love when it has stopped snowing and the sun comes out. Everything has so much light because the snow reflects everywhere and the texture of the snow is so special, not annoying like rain water can be. After playing with the sleigh and with Luca, I decided it was time to go home and get my camera out without destroying it. Here are a couple of shots I like. Now if I really knew how to use this wonderful camera and how to take pictures it would be so much better. I have heard about this place in a blog where they teach online courses of photography but it is so popular that recently it is all booked up. I will keep my eyes peeled to see if I can get it and discover all the possibilities I have with this camera ...

Me encanta cuando para de nevar y de repente sale el sol. Todo tiene tanta luz porque se refleja en laa nieve y la textura de la nieve es tan especial, no desagradable como cuando te mojas por completo por el agua de lluvia. Despues de jugar un rato con el trineo y con Luca, decidi entrar a por mi camara y usarla sin cargarmela. Aqui pongo un par de fotos que me gustan. Ahora, si supiera usar esta camara maravillosa y si supiera hacer fotos seria tanto mejor...He oido sobre un curso de fotografia online en un blog pero es tan popular que siempre esta el cupo lleno. Me mantendre atenta a ver si me puedo apuntar y descubrir las maravillosas posibilidades de esta camara que tengo...

And as a side note, I wanted to thank you all who read my blog and those who also leave comments, because it totally re-energizes me to enjoy doing it and to look forward to many more blogging stories...thank you...

Y nota a parte, queria daros las gracias a todos los que leeis mi blog y a aquellos que ademas dejan comentarios, porque me anima mucho y me hacer que disfrute de escribir en el blog un monton y estoy deseando continuar con mis historias en este blog...gracias...

yuhu!

It has been so long since I last wrote that I had trouble remembering how to do it!
I have taken a break from everything, how wonderful! I have sewn some, to the request of family members but other than that, I have enjoyed my holidays with my family, done a lot of sightseeing, enjoyed watching lots of movies and not much more. What a great feeling not having anything bugging my head, although, that is not 100% true. There is always something.

Hace tanto desde la ultima vez que escribi que ya ni me acuerdo de como hacerlo! He tomado un descanso de todo, que maravilla! He cosido algo, porque me lo ha pedido mi familia pero mas alla, he disfrutado de las vacaciones en familia, hecho mucho turismo, disfrutado de ver muchas pelis y mucho mas. Que bien no tener nada dandome vueltas en la cabeza, aunque eso no es cierto del todo. Siempre hay algo.

I made a cover for my mom's new kindle. We had a kindle fever around here and it was a total hit. The cover thing was useful and a nice idea, I just wish I had taken a picture of it...

Hice una funda para el lector de mi mami. Hubo una fiebre del kindle por aqui y fue todo un exito. La funda es muy util y fue una gran idea, solo me hubiera gustado haberle hecho una foto...

Well, just to start again, a few snapshots of these days...oh happy days :)

Bueno, y solo para empezar, unas fotos de estos dias...que felices :)

And this is what Luca asked Santa for, a skeleton...

Y esto es lo que Luca le pidio a Papa Noel: un esqueleto...

ornaments

I have been entertained making new Christmas ornaments. I decided to get inspired by Japanese cartoons. This is what I came up with:

He estado entretenida haciendo nuevas decoraciones del arbol de Navidad. Decidi inspirarme en dibujitos Japoneses. Esto es lo que me salio:

Another new thing I have been making lately are headbands. I love wearing these kinds of hair bands and they are not too hard to make.

Otra cosa que he estado haciendo ultimamente son cintas para la cabeza. Me encanta ponermelas y no son muy dificiles de hacer.

Obviouly these pictures were not taken with my new camera, I had a problem with the charger and I haven't resolved it yet and I am annoyed!! but I hope that soon I will be able to use it again, it is a pleasure!!

Obviamente estas fotos no se tomaron con mi camara nueva, tuve un problema con el cargador que aun no se ha resuleto y me tiene un poco harta!! pero espero que pronto pueda volver a usarla, es un placer!

owlmania

And I have been enjoying a very relaxing thanksgiving holiday with my family. It was great and Luca concluded that I sleep a lot. Meaning I had a chance to do so! The only craft I managed to bring and make was these owls, Christmas tree decorations along with some of my good old fabric stars. They will make for cute little Christmas presents.

Y he estado disfrutando de unas vacaciones por accion de gracias con mi familia muy relajadas. Estuvo muy bien y Luca concluyo que yo duermo mucho. Lo que quiere decir que tuve la oportunidad de hacerlo! La unica manualidad que pude llevarme fueron estos buhos, que son decoraciones del arbol de navidad y algunas estrellitas de tela. Seran unos regalitos muy bonitos de Navidad.

Hoot

What is up with owls and Christmas?? what is the relationship and what makes them so christmasy looking? Don't know, not sure, it's a cultural thing??? maybe? Anyway, following the wave I made a Christmas tree ornament following this tutorial. It is a cute ornament, I have to say. I love that I can mix different bright colors and get a very different looking owl. This won't be the last one.

Que pasa con los buhos y la Navidad? cual es la relacion entre ellos y que les hace tan navidenhos? No lo se, no estoy segura, es algu cultural?? quizas? Bueno, de todos modos he querido seguir esa misma tendencia y he hecho una decoracion del arbol con forma de buho siguiendo este turorial. La verdad es que es mono. Me gusta que se pueden combinar diferentes colres brillantes y te salen buhos con pintas distintas. No sera el ultimo que haga.

New camera!!

I am so happy!! I finally bought myself a wonderful camera!! I have been suffering the results of my previous camera for years now, every picture was a pain! the only ones that were worth something were outdoors when the weather was a bit cloudy but with lots of light. Other than that, 99% of my pictures were taken indoors and most of them were just...pitiful. But that era has ended and I feel so happy!!! And I will share with you two things, one, the green eyes (and dirty mouth) of my favorite little boy, and second, a new bag I just finished. Nice quality isn't it?

Estoy tan feliz!! Por fin me compre una camara increible!! He estado sufriendo las consecuancias de tener la camara que tenia antes durante anhos, cada foto era un sufrimiento! las unicas que merecian la pena eran las de fuera cundo estaba algo nublado pero habia bastante luz. Por lo demas, el 99% de mis fotos eran dentro de casa y la mayoria eran...penosas. Pero esa era acabo y estoy feliz!!! Y compartire con vosotros dos cosas, una, los ojos verdes (y cara sucia) de mi ninho favorito, y la segunda, la ultima bolsa que acabo de terminar. Que buena calidad no??

Bags / new designs

I have been working on two new bags. The first one took me forever to make it. I followed Denyse Schmidt new book on purses and I have to say, it was HARD!!! and it used lots and lots of fabric and interfacing. I think I won't make any more of those for now. The second one is similar to another one I made a long time ago and that I use every single day. I love the design and I think this one came out pretty nice. I improved it compared to mine making it more sturdy and finishing it better. I can tell that experience makes a difference! I hope you like them!!!

He estado trabajando en dos bolsas nuevas. La primera me llevo muchisimo tiempo. He seguido el patron del ultimo libro de bolsos de Denyse Schmidt y la verdad es que fue DIFICILISIMO!!!! y use un monton de tela y de entretela. Creo que no voy a hacer mas de esos por ahora. El segundo es similar a uno que hice hace tiempo y que lo uso todos los dias. Me encanta el disenho y me salio bastante bien. Lo he mejorado comparandolo con el mio, lo hice mas duro y lo acabe mejor. La verdad es que la expriencia hace mucho! Espero que os gusten!!!

Pirate cake

And here is his second cake, I love it!!

Y aqui esta su segunda tarta, me encanta!!

Birthday parties

Luca has just turned 5! I don't know how to manage to make more than one party every year. This time, we had one with his friends from school and siblings, the second one at school with all of his classmates and teachers and today is the last one with all our Spanish speaking friends. So he has been celebrating all week long, he has also gotten 2 cakes and cupcakes. I have made the cakes for him, with fondant and I also made him a pinhata than is being recycled today for the second party out of school. You can imagine how much I have been working making sure the boy has fun all the way and reminding him how important it is that he is a big 5 year old boy!!! He sure is a happy one and he also makes me proud. During his first party, he greeting all his guests, even though he sees them every day, he escorted them to the basement and he let them have a piece of cake before him. I was impressed, he is a real gentleman, I guess those southern genes are there!!

Luca ya tiene 5 anhos! No se como me las apanho pero cada anho lo celebramos varias veces. Esta vez, tuvimos una fiesta con sus companheros del cole con sus hermanos, otra en el cole con todos sus companheros de clase y con las profesoras y la ultima con los amigos de habla hispana. Asi que ha estado celebrandolo toda la semana, ha tenido dos tartas y magdalenas. Le he hecho las tartas yo con fondant y tambien una pinhata que la voy a reciclar hoy en la segunda fiesta fuera del cole. Os podeis imaginar cuanto he estado trabajando asegurandome que el ninho se lo pase super y recordandole lo importante que es el ser un ninho grande de 5 anhos!!! Esta feliz y tambien hace que me sienta muy orgullosa de el. Durante la primera fiesta, saludo a cada uno de sus invitados segun llegaban, aunque los ve a dirario, los acompanho hasta el sotano y les ofrecio tarta a elllos antes que el. Me impresiono, es un caballero!, supongo que esos genes del sur estan ahi!!

I am proud of my latest cake, it is a pirate cake, I will post pictures of it after this last party today. I am getting better at this fondant business!!

Thank you to all of those who have greeted Luca (and myself) for this special day. We are sooo happy to be sooo lucky!! Happy weekend!!!

Estoy orgullosa de mi ultima tarta, es de pirata, pondre las fotos cuando acabe la fiesta de hoy. Me salen mejor estas tartas de fondant!!!

Gracias a todos lo que os habeis acordado y felicitado a Luca (y a mi) por este dia tan especial. Estamos muy contentos y nos sentimos muy afortunados!!! Feliz fin de semana!!

Personalized towels

My friend from Florida had a baby and I wanted to send them something that was quick but everlasting. A good friend of mine had made towels for when Luca was born, personalized with his name cross stitched. Obviously I can't do that, but I can appliqué some towels for this new baby boy. I am glad his mommy liked them.

Mi amiga de Florida acaba de tener un bebe y le queria regalar algo que pudiera hacer rapido pero que le durara. Una buena amiga mia le hizo toallas personalizadas a Luca cuando nacio, pero hechas a punto de cruz. Obviamente yono soy capaz de hacer eso pero si que les puedo anhadir un aplique a estas toallas para este bebito. Me alegro de que a su mama le hayan gustado.

The fall

I love the fall, as all the leaves change so quickly in the trees and one is looking for different colors around, especially as I drove from here to there. Amazing the shades of reds, oranges , greens and yellows. It is a pity that they disappear so quickly but that has its charm as well. We look forward to seeing them and then plop, they are gone!

Me encanta el otonho, mientras las hojas cambian rapidamente de color y yo me pongo a buscar los colores que me rodean, sobretodo cuando conduzco. Son increibles los tonos de rojos, naranjas, amarillos y verdes. Es una pena que desaparezcan tan pronto pero eso tambien le da su encanto. Estamos deseando verlso y de repente plop, desaparecieron!

Luca also dropped something, his hair. He thinks he looks cool :)

A Luca tambien se le cayo algo, su pelo. Se ve muy guay :)

Cat

I am a biologist that never quite had a connection with animals...only with plants. I had birds when I was a kid, canaries, but the truth is that my poor mom had to take care of them, I didn't even think of a name to give them....and we always had a pond with fish. Animals you don't need to touch. I wonder why I am like this. Luca is the same way, he rather stay away from them, and I can't blame him, it's in his genes. I do love to draw and look at birds, I have a calendar of birds right in front of me to inspire me, and one of these days, I will paint one in that piece of furniture that I started painting some time ago. As for now, I am happy with my new acquisition, a colorful ceramic cat from Mexico. I got it around here so I am not even sure if it's from Mexico but it looks like it. I like when I find little things like this that bring some happiness to my home.

Soy biologa y nunca he tenido una conexion con los animales...solo con las plantas. Tuve pajaritos cuando era pequenha, pero la verdad es que mi pobre madre se ocupaba de ellos, ni siquiera les puse nombres...y siempre tuvimos peces en un estanque. Animales que no hace falta tocarlos. Me pregunto porqeu sere asi. Luca es igual, prefiere estar alejado de ellos, y no me estranha, lo tiene en los genes. Me encanta dibujar pajaritos, tengo un calendario de pajaros en frente mio que me inspira, y uno de estos dias, pintare uno en este mueble que comence a pintar hace mucho tiempo. Por ahora, me alegro de tener mi nueva adquisicion, un gatito muy coloridode ceramica de Mexico. Lo compre por aqui asi que no se si ni siquiera es de Mexico, pero lo parece. Me gusta cuando encuentro cositas asi que alegran mi hogar.