Adventures in Babysitting - Part I

Mmmm Phia so hungry

Alright gotta make this quick...Ms. 'Phia fell asleep during our daily walk so she's out for the count for who knows how long so I thought I'd take this opportunity to kick up my feet for a few minutes and update this blog o mine!

Trip to the fish section doesn't go over well

So, its been a week and a half since I started my new position as interim Super Nanny for the Youngzalez' clan...and whoa...in my humble opinion, the corporate world has NOTHING on stay at home moms!  It is hard physically and mentally.  I mean you're trying to keep them engaged while instilling rules and regulations all while still trying to have fun!  Never mind that these children need to eat like 3 times a day...and you have to respect their eating pace (you know not everyone inhales their food like I do), so you could literally be sitting in the kitchen for over an hour just eating a waffle...or three if you're Ms. 'Phia!  

So here's the deal: Phia wakes up around 8 or 8:30am and I'm alone with her usually all day (while the other two are in school) until about 3:30p.  During that time she is fed, then we go for a nice walk, then she is put down for a nap, then fed again, then if we have time, another walk and by that time her big bro is home.  So, Mr. I'm-7-and-Loving-It comes home and he's looking for a snack.  Then, its homework time.  Luckily, I get a solid hour usually before little Ms. Know-It-All aka Bag Full of Faces aka Renee comes home...then its time to start dinner.  Dinner comprises of keeping food together and separated (as some of them are food mixing machines, like their aunt, and others are separate but equal with Monk like qualities about their dining preference), keeping it just the right temperature...you know, not too hot ("Titi I can't eat this its too hoooooooooooooooot!") and not too cold ("Uh, Titi can you put this in the oven again please?") oh and let's not forget to serve the correct beverages ( Read in a squeaky half whiney know-it-all kinda style: "Titi! 'Phia doesn't like milk.  Titi, Papi says we can't have orange juice with dinner.")!  By dinner time, one parent is usually home and trying to keep Ms. 'Phia happy as she just loves to act like I am that weirdo stranger with a weirdo van who's trying to talk to her as soon as one of her folks walks in.  So, they handle her and I handle the other two for dessert.  Dessert is done and the second parent has usually shown up or I just have to run to an extra curricular engagement so I am finally off duty.  If you're tired after reading this, imagine living it LOL.  At the end of week one, I kid you not, I was dead to the world at 8pm on a FRIDAY!

A good game of Scrabble goes a long way

At the end of the day, though,  I am feeling closer and more in tune with this Youngzalez clan than ever before.  Its an awesome crash course on the demands and rewards of parenting and I honestly am so happy that I have been given this opportunity.  I have a whole new respect for my Mr. & Mrs. Youngzalez as they are still functioning young professionals and great parents who really do not get a break!  Hats off to you two for real!  Oh no...I hear fussing...I think it's lunch time...till next tim

Preview

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Resignation Day

Now I'm a few days late with my latest but please forgive me...between the physical Yard Sale on Saturday and my entry into Craig's List land...well things have just been a bit hectic.

So, the BIG news?!  I DID it!  Friday, September 17th at 1pm, I, Michelle Ann Gonzalez RESIGNED!!  This is the second time in my life that I resigned.  The first time was out of anger.  An emotional reaction to the feeling of being an overworked and underpaid employee.  I wanted fair compensation and I wanted to feel like I was necessary to that operation.  I was also very young and full of pride.  Once my mind was made up, there was no turning back.  I never want to resign like that ever again...and I didn't.

This time, I had a light heart and a secure spirit.  I am already there although physically I am here.  No, its not a fantasy island nor a dream land.  In fact, I know this road will be tough.  I often try to imagine my departure.  Will I cry?  Will my family cry?  Will my heart beat a million times a minute?  What am I doing?!  and then I stop.  I stop trying to see the future and stay right where I am, taking it one day at a time.

Now, back to the resignation.  I walked in and I closed the door.  My boss said "Uh oh, whenever my door closes either someone is pregnant or leaving."  I said "Well, you're right I'm preg---" her eyes got really wide so I decided to quit being a clown and said "I'm leaving."  I went on to explain why and it went well, very well.  Everyone knows its time for me to move forward and while some are sad to see me go, they are also happy to hear what I am leaving for.  I will miss quite a few of those folks but it was definitely time to take the next step.  If I stayed any longer, I would have gotten so comfortable that I would have eventually ended up stuck or just plain miserable or both.  So, as of October 1st (the day before my birthday...very fitting I think!) I am a free woman!

What's the plan till my departure you say?!  Well remember those cute lil' children I've been referring to?  Better known as my brother's children or my 2 nieces and a nephew?  Yeah, those cutie patooties.  Well, seems that I will be spending quite a bit of time with them.  I am Super Nanny until December.  This is a triple win as I get to spend time serious quality time with the kids, I get to help my brother out and I get to do this in exchange for room and board (sweet!).  I'll also be busy, packing up, volunteering my time with a local high school, as well as volunteering as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher to immigrant adults.  So, these next few months are proving to be pretty busy.

I am now smack in the middle of week one as a "free woman".  Stay tuned for a full report on this week's events!

Shoes!

All are Size 9 or 9.5 and will be featured at the Yard Sale this Saturday wooO!

Brown Wedges (Worn ONCE)

SOLD

Brown/Silver/Bronze Wedges





SOLD

Red Peep Toe Flats

SOLD

Brown Suede Wedges

Beige Durango Boots

Silver Nike Zooms

Mauve Leather Sling Backs





Black Snake Style Ballet Flats

Grey Suede Pump/ Boot Fusion

SOLD

M size 7.5 Brown Suede/Leather Sneakers

Yard Sale Items Continued...

SOLD!

Items!  Items! and Mo' Items!!  Check them out...these will all be featured at my next Yard Sale (Saturday, Sept. 18th @ 10am)...unless they're PRE-SOLD so get 'em while they're hot!! (inquiries: mishgonzalez@gmail.com)

Sherlock Holmes style brown tweed jacket

Label: Last Kiss

Boys Leather Motorcycle Coat

Label: Guess

Black leather peacoat
Excellent condition
Label: American Base

Orange Wool Peacoat
Label: St. John's Bay

 Bust length faux fur jacket
Label: Banana Republic

SOLD

Dark brown 4-button leather jacket w/belt
Label: Oakwood

Yard Sale Part II

Yes, it is true folks we have gotten clearance to roll out with yet another Yard Sale!!  Mark your calendars, this one is happening on Saturday, September 18th from 10am - 5pm!  Its happening at my house, in Pelham Parkway, if you don't know where that is just inbox me (mishgonzalez@gmail.com) and I'll give you the full addy :)

As promised below are pics of just a few of the many items that will be on sale (pre-ordering is totally allowed):

Ikea Living Room Table (w/6 baskets)

Ikea Side Tables (1 of 2)

Inside view

SOLD

6 Drawer Dresser (Solid Wood)

SOLD



Wooden Bookshelf (all items on bookshelf on sale)



13 inch TV/VCR

SOLD

SOLD

Lil' Man Lovin'

Titi Misha n Jaden

This is my lil' man...my numero uno nephew.  Recently, he took his first trip to Puerto Rico with my parents.  When I picked them up from the airport he hugged me super tight then planted a huge kiss on my cheek and said "I missed you Titi!!"  Soon after, we were driving home and I asked him how he enjoyed Puerto Rico. Apparently, he had a ball!  So much of a ball that he said "I wish I could live there."  I saw that as my opportunity to start breaking the news to him that I'm leaving. So, while in the car I said "Oh yeah?  Well you know Titi is going to live there for awhile."  He said "Really?! Cool!"  and he looked out the window and drifted away with his thoughts.  That was about a month ago...

...This morning was part two of that conversation.  For as long as he can remember his Titi Misha has lived downstairs.  Unless its bed time or dinner time, whenever I come up to visit, the kids (Jaden and Renee...Sophia is still too small) usually end up in my apartment.  They play, they sing, they dance, they color, they read.  This morning was no exception.  Now, to bring you up to speed, Jaden has been quite the traveler this summer.  A week after returning from Puerto Rico, he left for Florida to visit his mom's family.  As a result, he missed my first Packin' Up For Puerto Rico yard sale.  So, his trip to my apartment this morning was his first since he returned from Florida. As soon as he walked in he noticed a difference.  His face looked confused and then he saw my 13 inch TV/VCR on my living room floor and this is how conversation number two went down:

Jaden: "Oh wow Titi, you have two TV's now?"
Me: "No, that's the one from my bedroom.  It's out here because I'm selling it."
Jaden: "Oh, your selling everything because you want to get money?"
Me: "Yes, for Puerto Rico."
Jaden: "I thought you went already."
Me: "I did go, but that was just for a visit.  I'm going to visit again this month and then I'm going to move there in December."
Jaden: "You're moving there?!" Jaden's face falls in confusion. "You mean your leaving?
Me: "Yes."
Jaden: "You're not going to live here anymore?"
Me: "No."
Jaden: "And you're never going to come back...you're never going to live here?" He points to the ground referring to my apartment under his house.  His voice rises, his perfectly tanned cheeks look flushed and his eyes grow wide.
Me: Whispering "No" With a lump in my throat the size of an apple, I search for a comforting answer not only for him but for myself.  This is hard.
Me: "I'm not going to live there forever, I am coming back but no, I won't be living here when I get back."
Jaden:  Silence.  Confused look still there.
Me: "But maybe you can come visit me over there!"
Jaden: "Yayy!"

Jaden in Renee playing in my room

I let out a silent sigh of relief and walk away with a heavy heart feverishly looking for my computer.  I need to blog.  I can't cry, not in front of him and his sister.  The sounds of them pretending to be horses while dancing and singing have just taken on a whole new meaning...I'm going to miss them so much I'm not really ready to address it.  I've got to go run for the bathroom before they realize Titi's crying.

Yard Sale Success!

Mish setting up for the Yard Sale

Good day folks!  This past Saturday and Sunday I held my very first Packin Up For Puerto Rico Yard Sale!!  I am happy to report that it was quite a success.  While I only sold maybe a quarter of what I own, I still made a few hundred bucks and I am getting ever closer to my goal!  See, I'm holding these yard sales to help me purchase a Mac fully loaded with Final Cut Pro (a sweet video editing system) and Microsoft Office for Mac.  I know my journey is going to be one worth documenting both through this blog and through video.  This Mac and editing system will allow me to edit my own videos and improve on my skill so that I may perhaps use it as a source of income through freelance work.  But, in order to do that I have to come up with just over $2,000---outside of my other expenses I am budgeting for in preparation for my move.  All that being said, I am a wee bit closer to making that purchase and that's awesome!

Renee trying to stay cool

Saturday was a preview sale...held during my neices 3rd birthday party...family and friends were able to come on down, take a look and make a purchase if they so desired.  That plan worked out way better than I thought so THANK YOU to everyone who showed love!! 

Items for sale

Sunday was HOT.  Like sweat-dripping-everywhere-cover-the-electronics-to-help-shield-them-from-the-heat-let's-make-frozen-margaritas-where-is-the-water-what-are-we-doing-out-here-HOT!  Still, folks like Ellie and Connie (who brought her sisters for round 2) came and purchased items.  Strangers drove by, stopped, chatted and bought really random items as well.  All in all it was a lot of fun.  Sonia (my sis-in-law), inspired by her newly purchased  martini glasses and shaker (thank you yard sale), decided to make some awesomely refreshing and delish pomegranate margaritas...mmm mmm mmm.  My lovely neice Renee kept me company pretty much all day...offering an extra set of hands as she carefully brought out my shot glasses one by one (don't judge me) and  wonderful moral support supported by lots of questions like "Titi who is that?" when a stranger would come to browse or "Titi where are you?!" when I'd run to the corner for a bit of shade and an attempt to cool off.  Shout out to Scott who also roughed it out with me...moving furniture, grabbing bags for purchases, and trecking it to the store for cold cuts, bread and ice.  Oh and let's not forget big bro Danny who got in on the Yard Sale action by offering up his Play Station 2, tons of games and movies (which are still available for purchase by the way).

Mmm Margarita!

Speaking of things still up for grabs:

- Wine fridge complete with a (brand new) leather wine carrying case and wine tool kit (yep, I like wine)

- Queen size sofabed (Levitz/ Raymour & Flannigan)

- Wooden bookshelf

- 32 inch color tv/vcr (Panasonic)

- 13 inch color tv/vcr

- Wooden living room table with 6 baskets for storage (Ikea)

- Ikea oak colored computer desk

- 6 drawer wooden dresser

- 2 wooden side tables with storage (Ikea)

- Popcorn churner (Crate & Barrel)

These are just a few of the many items that are left...pics on the way.  I must consult with my landlord before I announce my next Yard Sale but I am aiming for mid September...stay tuned!!