Sistahs with Blistahs

My sister Tati always says I am the woman that I am thanks to her.....

We are only 1 year and 9 months apart...so we were very close growing up (still are, judging by the 5 times a day we call each other on the phone). She is the older one and growing up she came up with all the "ideas"-- I was the follower. Sometimes I wasn't involved in the idea or in the execution...but thanks to her, more often than not, I was part of the result (by result I mean punishment!!).

Once, our family had just moved in to a new apartment. My mom had gotten donuts for the workers doing some things in the house and all the walls were freshly painted. Tati thought it would be a great idea to decorate the plain white walls....she also thought those donuts looked darn delicious.

When my mom came home and saw: 1) The lovely art work on the white walls and 2) The lack of donuts in the box; she called us both to ask who did it. We both denied it. I couldn't believe it...was there someone else in the house that did all this?....Were the worker responsible for the beautiful red stick people on the white walls? Could they all possibly eat so many donuts so fast?. Mom said we either came clean, or we were both going to be punished!.

Tati called me and carefully explained:

"Neither one of us did this, correct?". Correct, I thought. I didn't do it...and she didn't either. She then said the punishment would be bad if nobody stepped up and owned to it...so she said: "Why don't we just share the blame?...I'll say I did one thing...you'll say you did the other one?".

I thought it was genius. If she didn't do it and I didn't do it...then it made total sense to just share the blame and hope for a fair punishment.

Yep, that's me, the super smart child!.

....

Another time she asked me if I wanted to play Cops and Robbers. Hello? My older sister wants to play with me!!!???. I'm in! Sounds like a fun way to spend the afternoon!

She explained that she will be the cop first and then we would switch it up and she would be the robber. Sounds fair, let's do this!.

She proceeded to tie me up to the bed (arms and legs) and of course it made total sense she would also put something around my mouth so I couldn't scream!. After all, we lived in an apartment and if I did scream, people could come to help me (the robber). What a great cop she was!!!!

Then it was my turn to be a Cop...YAYY!!. Well, not so fast....

She turned around...laughed her evil butt off, said game was over and left the room!!! GENIUS.

....

So...am I who I am thanks to her? Abso-freaking-lutely!!!!

I also have another sister, Isabella...and I also know I am the woman I am thanks to her. I know FOR SURE I am the mom that I am thanks to her. She is 7 years younger and was my doll. I just want to throw a mention out there so she doesn't think I forgot about her (love you Bebela!!!)

But anyway...back to what I wanted to tell you.

My sister Tati has always made me become stronger (or at least wiser!!!). Now I know if anybody wants to play cops and robbers, I will always want to be Cop first! Ha! look at me, I'm a wise old lady now!

Well, she's doing it again...she's training for a marathon. Inspiring me to get back to running and eventually to train for my own marathon....and when I do, I will know (and so will she -- I am sure because she will remind me) that I will become a marathoner thanks to her.

If you speak Spanish (or find humor in reading something you don't understand)...you need to follow Tati in her quest to train for the Chicago marathon in October!

http://www.runtatsrun.blogspot.com/

R.B.R!!!!

Tagged

Nani tagged all her friends in this Tagging game. I never really follow through all the "tags" but this one seemed simple and fun...so here you go!

Ok, the rules:

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer.
2. Go to the seventh folder of photos.
3. Go to the seventh picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog along with a description of it.
5. Invite seven friends to join the challenge.

I think it is funny that this picture was the one that came up...for many reasons (some of which I won't go into detail). This was taken in May of 2008, exactly a year ago.

We were in Colorado for my sister's graduation and an old friend of mine invited us on a boat trip. It was freezing that day, but we had a great time...drinking wine (lots of wine), eating, laughing and remember the good ol' times.

It is crazy how so many things change in so little time!. Next week, I go back to Colorado to visit my sister...this time I go along with our other sister, for what we're calling "Denver Fratella's Palooza 2009!".

There won't be wine (for me at least!...oh wine, how I miss you!) or boat trips for that matter :/
....but I'm going to be with my best two friends in the world :)

*** So I tag whomever is reading this...and if you don't "blog", then still play along and send me the 7th picture in your 7th folder! ***

Happy Birthday to ErPapin (aka, Dad)

Felicidades mi ninooooooooooooo!!!!!

Espero que el fin de semana lo termines de pasar muy bien y que hoy hayas podido dedicarte a tus hobbies...las esculturas y tu musica!. Te quiero mucho y te deseo mucha paz, salud, felicidad y amor.

Just wanted to wish my dad, erpapin, a very Happy Birthday! :D

Him and Isa (aka, stepmom) took a trip this week with some friends in San Gerardo de Dota (Costa Rica). They sent the most beautiful pictures and were able to snap a few pictures of a special bird called "Quetzal". The Indians considered these birds "sacred". My dad said he understands why...they have beautiful colors and a very long tail. Don't let the pictures fool you, in real life they are about 3 feet long!.

Enjoy...

The birthday handsome guy with his beautiful bride :)

May I introduce, Quetzal!

And two pictures that I thought were very artistic and great! (good job guys!!)

Happy December!

(Note: you can click on the pictures so see them bigger)

I can't believe December is here already!!!. By this time last year I was busy busy with wedding planning, fittings, etc...wow, time flies!

Thanksgiving was a big hit. Alejandro thought the Turkey was the best one we've made so far and the gravy was top notch. I owe it all to Mr. Scanonne!! :) My sister's apple crisp pie was delishhhh and my pumpkin pie didn't disappoint!.
Thursday running update: Nah, I was sore from my 3 days straight of running (M-W)....in all of which I ran in the 9s min/mile pace!!!






Friday, as promised, we had a lazy but fun day. We started with brunch (pumpkin pancakes -with the help of a little one!-, chilaquiles -my sis' made- and fruit salad). Then while the sis' and I cleaned, the rest went to get the Christmas tree!....a beautiful and perfect Christmas tree!. We decorated, did some crafts and relaxed.
Friday running update: Didn't I say it was a lazy day?...no running!



Saturday we headed down to Miami for a wedding. It was a good time and the hotel was beautiful!!!.
Saturday running update: Went out for a 3.32 mile run, it was awesome...great weather, good pace!. After the run I joined Alejandro at the gym for some toning and then it was time to get ready for the wedding!



Sunday we drove back..and let's just say I wasn't feeling my best...so no running :(

That brings me to December. I started the week at the Doctor!...but in a good way because I was headed for the third Alcohol Shot for the Neuroma!. I was excited because I can already (with only two shots) feel the results!!! My foot doesn't go numb when I go pass the 3 miles anymore!....woohoo!. The Dr. still recommends I get all seven shots, but I'm not sure I need to get all of those...so off to Google later today to find out what other people have done.

So no running yesterday due to the shot (my foot actually got pretty swollen this time around!), I will try going to the Pump class today and tomorrow it is....BOOT CAMP!!!. I am so excited!! I don' think I'll enjoy the morning workout thing, but if the class is good it will be all worth it!.

Since I couldn't run yesterday, I took time to use leftovers from Thursday!! Made Turkey Veggie Soup and Pumpkin Honey Wheat muffins.

Ready, Set...Run, bake, host, smile, be grateful and enjoy!

Yayyy!! Thanksgiving is *almost* here!....and in this house, we are ready to roll!

The "bird" is marinating....of course a special recipe from Armano Scanonne (the writer of the little red book almost all Venezuelans have in their collection!).

The sugar pumpkin has been roasted and pureed...ready to get mixed in tomorrow to make a delicious home made pumpkin pie!

The table is set with beautiful fall flowers and all!. I even made cute little leaf shaped place cards for everyone :)

Tatiana (the sis') is making a surprise appetizer and comes ready with all the Christmas crafts we plan to do with my nephews on Friday!. We'll go get the tree, decorate and relax!...skipping the madness at the mall.

This morning I could not get out of bed to go running because I didn't sleep well....right now I'm still debating what I should do for exercise before dinner...a little run? some toning? decisions, decisions...

Just for fun (maybe not THAT much fun, but what the heck) here are five things I'm thankful for this year:

• First and foremost that we are all healthy in the family!!
• Marrying my awesome, loving and handsome husband :)
• My job...I got promoted and have a great boss!
• My sister moving to FL!!!. if only, the other sister liked FL, but who knows, maybe one day we'll all end up in one place!!
• And well, of course, the discovery of running!

I hope every one has a great Thanksgiving!!!

Cheers ;)