So, I just bought a new little SUV! Yeahhh…this takes a lot of pressure off of me. My poor little Acura was on it’s last leg…a mechanic bought it, which is good for him because he can fix it without paying giant labor bills! Here is something I did take into consideration when trying to figure out which vehicle I wanted to buy…Toyota is having a time right now with the gas pedal issue. It’s a bit scary. Here is the recall and suspension of sales:

2009-10 RAV4

2009-10 Corolla

2009-10 Matrix

2005-10 Avalon

Certain 2007-10 Camrys

2010 Highlander

2007-10 Tundra

2008-10 Sequoia

I’m sure in time they will work these issues out and hopefully nobody else gets hurt, so until then be careful and if you own one of these makes and models, take it in! As always, make it a good one! Carmen

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Hello! Big changes in my family are happening. Little man has officially started school…little people school that is! I have been prepping him as much as possible, going to a lot of different parties…being around other kids…making play dates and such. There is always that separation anxiety, and that was my biggest fear. Ahhhhhh… I want him to be on top of the world, playing with other children…doing all kinds of neat arts of crafts…music classes…reading…it breaks my heart if he cannot enjoy these activities if he gets upset because mommy is not there… but, so far, so good. I just called and checked on him and he was on mission sponge paints! They told me he was a bit upset at first, then he found the ‘monster trucks’ to play with and he was a happy camper. What a big step! Ok mommy…now I just have to embrace the whole experience and know that this is the best move to make. He is right around a year and a half, so it is time to socialize and be around other kids. I will officially have my first piece of artwork to hang on the frig today! Yeahhhhh…As always, make it a good one. Mommy Carmen

There is a part of me that is broken today…you have seen the headlines…you have read the news about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. It is so big…so catastrophic, it is hard to even begin to understand. In times like this we feel helpless, but there are ways to help if you have the resources to do so.  If you have an extra dollar, an extra 10…please reach out and donate whatever you can. I heard the President hold a Press Conference that gave their website you can go to and donate as much as you can give. The website is: www.whitehouse.gov    On the front page it says ‘Help for Haiti’ and you can learn more about it. We are dealing with a country that was already living in poverty conditions that are hard for most of us to even realize or imagine…and now with the earthquake that just hit…children are without families…people are walking the streets with nowhere to go…people are desperate for medical attention. I just spoke with a director at The American Red Cross who is donating 1 Million dollars and have volunteers already on the ground and more coming in. Pray for the friends and family of loved ones over there and Americans who have been affected by this tragedy. If you cannot give money with our own hard economic times, we can still unite and pray. We are all in this together, as brothers and sisters, nation to nation, we all remember Katrina…we all remember. It is the first thought that comes to mind…watching the footage the pictures…people living on a prayer that someone will come help…where they might find their next meal…where to go…where to turn…my heart is broken. Thank you for taking time to read this and spread the word. Remember, every bit counts…there is not such thing as a small donation…every dime counts to get water and food…medical supplies…whatever it may be…there is no small donation. YOU matter…YOU can make a difference… and so do our brothers and sisters around the globe. Let’s show our support and love in any way we can. My prayers go out…Carmen

There is a part of me that is broken today…you have seen the headlines…you have read the news about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. It is so big…so catastrophic, it is hard to even begin to understand. In times like this we feel helpless, but there are ways to help if you have the resources to do so.  If you have an extra dollar, an extra 10…please reach out and donate whatever you can. I heard the President hold a Press Conference that gave their website you can go to and donate as much as you can give. The website is:

Big topic of conversation latley with my single girlfriends. We have hit our 30 somethings…and the ‘dating’ world seems to be so different than it was, even from 10 years ago. Technolgy has something to do with it…well…has a lot to do with it. Texting has taken over real conversation…lame if you ask me and I AM from the tech generation. Don’t get me wrong…texting is a great way to communicate, but if it takes more than 3 text to describe or tell a story…please…pick up the phone. It saves time and says more. If you are single past 30…you are dealing with a couple of different situations. You have your married friends that have other married friend groups…there are the men that are divorced with kids or without (which is great if you love kids)…you have the men that have never found that ‘right’ girl yet…and you have the straight up players that are hard to spot sometimes because they seem so charming…well until they try to make that move…way soon…very unattractive. Then you have those really ‘nice’ guys that are true to what they say…do what they say…and say what they mean. The challenge I have found in talking to many of my ’single’ girlfriends is how can you tell the difference…and on that note, what about online dating…some of my friends say it is an excellent way to meet men, but in the back of my head I’m thinking…this person may be crazy…and you do not want to know where my thoughts go from there. I am not knocking it by no means…it just takes a very trusting person to take a chance. Make sure you drive your own car ladies on that first date…I’m just saying. What about the 3 day rules..and I can’t call him…he has to call me. I don’t know about you, but I don’t play by these rules. I cannot suffocate in a box. If I am going to be with somebody, they have to let me be me…and I will do the same… Common sense does the trick…and if somebody can not handle what you have to say, imagine 20 years from now sitting in front of the TV with nothing to say! Or imagine being afraid to speak up because you are scared of the other person’s reaction…these are just all thoughts on..well not paper…the computer…which brings me to facebook or as I like to call it sometimes…facecrack…it is very addictive! It is great to reconnect with old friends…new ones…family…etc…but for real…do not use that as a dating tool when you are in a relationship…maybe a cute line here or there…but keep your business to yourself and call that someone special and let them know how you feel…or surprise them with a hand writeen letter. Maybe I have an old soul…but I’m ok with that. So to all my single ladies, get out there…be yourself…don’t let any chicken heads get in your way (ha-ha) It seems like the same conversation over and over again. I don’t want to have these same conversations…I want more positive stories…more effort…if you feel something in your heart…shout it from the mountain top because we have this one chance to live this amazing life. (now don’t go crazy on someone…do have standards and grace So, even though it has been hard for me to take my own advice, ladies do your thing. On that same note, trust your gut. If it does not feel right…move on…do not force a situation…what’s the rush unless you know…I mean you really feel it…then say it outloud. Don’t go by all those stupid rules that I have no idea who wrote. Their box is too small for me…and most of all HAVE FUN! Make sure you can have inspiring conversations…have hobbies…learn a new one with somebody…and if you don’t feel like dating…I will tell you first hand…that’s alright too. Just be you…write it in the wall…stick it on your frig…Be in love with YOU! Ladies, you are beautiful…keep it up As always, make it a good one! Carmen