Garcia's came out for a second visit 2011!!!

LuLu, My Parents, and the Kids

This past weekend my family came out to visit and to squeeze in one of Jerome's football games. It was a great, much needed, weekend. They came just in time to take off to the game, Jerome's team, The Raptors won 32-12. Then later that day we all went bowling. Yes we actually got the Parents to Bowl!! Super fun! I wonder if my family were the good luck charms that helped the Raptors stop their losing streak?? J/K! Usually they only come out once a year! They were here last time for Easter when Lu baptized/confirmed Jerome.

Halloween Decor 2011!

Scaredy Cat Front Window

I was having issues decorating my front window as usual. I had a really cool window decoration last year. I usually have my decorations up for a month and  I think the elements helped it stick to the window, therefore, unremovable. The window clings they sell favor 2 sided windows rather than my 3. I decided to paint a picture. I am not an artist by any means, but Lord knows I have tons and tons of art supplies. I found a cat online and voila! I have received lots of compliments so far. Yay!

Dead branch-Eerie Tree Decor

I had a countertop Halloween tree that I hung little ornaments (pumpkins, goblins, ghosts, etc). I found it about 6 years ago at a very unique thrift store for $2. Last year was its last stand and the coating on the branches unraveled and it was done. I told myself that I would find another before the season began, and of course forgot all about it. I needed something cute quick. I looked online and found really cool ideas with copper wiring and Plaster of Paris. I was on a tight budget and an even smaller time frame. Then I had an idea, why not go outside and get some leafless branches. I went to the neighborhood park with my shears and found a half dead tree by the creek. I placed them in a black vase I had and used my little decorations. I added some Halloween rings and a couple skeletons and ended up with something better than I had before. Not forgetting to mention the tree at the park looks great now, that the dead ends were chopped off. LOL!

A new approach towards Obedience.

Award Tickets

The kids are starting to act up again. It seems as though it comes in seasons, or a new school year + friends. The kids are getting to the point where our normal punishments were not working at all. Taking away toys didn't matter, because they would just go to another one. Spanking was a joke. We are too busy with football, so there were no special events or outings to cancel. We go to any store whether it is grocery or convenience and it's, "I want this and I want that!!!" We would finally get to sit down and watch TV and they would demand to watch a kids show. (we have another TV connected to the satellite upstairs). Talking back, saying NO when asked to do something. Total Chaos, Disrespect, and Disobedience. For me. . . . . . . added Stress! I had to come up with something new, fun, inexpensive, and rewarding QUICK! 

I figured maybe I could do a chart where if they did certain things they would get points. Then it was hard to figure what to do with the points and what certain things were worth. 

I figured out 11 rewards.

Treat - Kiara loves ice cream, and Jerome loves treats - This is for any kind of treat, special drinks or desserts.

Buddy Pass - kids love hanging out with friends or having them over - This is for either of those

Bike Ride - kids love going to the neighborhood park - This is for a bike ride or a trip to a further park.

Game Night - This is for family game night

Movie - This one is for a movie of their choice - 5 of them = a movie at the theatre.

Game System - This is for 30 minutes of video game time.

Playroom - Kiara always trashes her playroom and cries when it is time to clean up the room - This is a 1 hour pass.

Computer - This is for 1 hour of computer time.

Stay Up Late - we're always fighting bedtime, we stay up late on weekends, the kids want to stay up all night long. This is to give extra time.

Tea Party - This is for a tea party with mom (with berry tea and a treat whether it is baked or bought) 5= a tea party with a friend.

Gold Card- This is for awesome doings, tackles in Football, Big Chores, or volunteering to help the other sibling with something. Actually endless.

The kids get NO money and if they misbehave, tickets get taken away from their collection.

We started this a week ago. So far the Program is Phenomenal. The kids actually want to do chores and extra's. I added the twist a few days ago. * If you are going to disrespect the other and treat them bad, they can pick any ticket (but the Gold) out of your bucket. That was a scary one. They are very nice to eachother being that they are very close to 5 movie tickets.

A Poncho for Kiara

Ballerina Poncho

It's Fall again and time to accessorize. On the hunt for a cute sweater,  I realized the cute "un-ordinary" sweaters are way too expensive! I looked up poncho's and found a few cute ideas. We bought the fabric at Joann's at 50% off. I even bought some in black for myself, lets see if I follow through. The hardest part was sewing on a hood. The result was very cute and Kiara loved it!!

A new discovery. . .

     I discovered something new. . . Pinterest. It is a collection of pictures with links. Love it. I am always on the quest for new ideas; hairdo's, household things, arts and crafts, etc. I was searching through different subjects, and before I knew it an hour had passed. There is even a free iPhone app. I am always in search of cool new apps. 

Raptor Moms

September 10th game in Lakewood

     Here are the majority of the mom's in the team. Susan's store Bell-A-Boutique had these shirts from one of their vendors and we are selling them for our team. Susan and I are in the middle at the bottom.

A New Task. . . .

MacGourmet Deluxe

     So in my constant quest to split myself up between everything, I have also been trying to find ways to save time and be a little more space saving. I have a whole shelf filled with cookbooks that I only use for a few recipes each, binders of favorite family recipes, a recipe box for the sweet stuff and a recipe box for the non-sweet, ultimate favorites, and printed cards. All which take up considerable space and get dirty from cooking ingredients and are virtually un-wipeable. I have been researching recipe programs for some time now. MAC recipe programs that is. I Love My Computer! For my birthday the Vigils gave me an iTunes card and Voila!! I was able to get my program. The program was $49.99 + tax. A little steep but Well worth it. This program allows you to of course type in all your recipes and import from favorite web sites like Food Network and All Recipes.com, etc. I have yet to see if I can copy over stuff from one of my favorite blogs, Closet Cooking. Now of course, I have to type all those favorite recipes which were written on cards. I have a dozen years of accumulation from breads to entrees to desserts to meats to pastas and soups and I could go on and on. It's amazing how many places and events brought me to all my recipes. Of course my ultimate favorites are from New Mexico!! Now to find the time and place to enter all the goodies. Wish me luck and God Speed!!! Aghhh!

Summer Semester is. . . .OVER!!!

RRCC - Spanish II

NMHU - Field Experience - 180 Hours @ The Haven Community Correctional Facility

So . . Summer Semester is Finally over. I passed. Now to wait for 

Red Rocks to send my transcript to NMHU so I can get my 

Fancy Paper!!!

The Vigils

My kids taking the Coors VIP tour. One of the many things that  they did on the Vigil Vacation. (Pardon the 2 blurred faces. I am not supposed to post unauthorized pics) LOL!

One of many things the kiddos did with their grandparents last week.

The Garcia Grandbabies

J and K with Arianna. She will be 1 soon!

This picture was taken on the Garcia Vacation. None of the kids have red hair! LOL!

My Babies. .

Jerome and Kiara on the Garcia Vacation!
July 2011

These are my children. They were in Las Vegas visiting my parents in July.

The Beginning

    My full name is Crystal Tina Louise Sarai Abeyta-Garcia. 

Crazy long, I know. I am from a little town called Las Vegas, NM. A small town full of Catholic Hispanics. That town gave me a great foundation and lots of great values and a slew of silly/crazy memories. Not as popular as the Vegas we all know in Nevada, but quite a charm all on its own. There we eat at the Spic, drink at Dick's, used to celebrate at Sider's, and party at La Casita.

I have a common-law husband, Jeremy of almost a dozen years. He was born and raised in Colorado, to parents from Mora, NM. Small world huh?

We have 2 wonderful children Jerome (10) and Kiara (4), 

and an angel baby named Angel (12-6-09).  

I am a redheaded hispanic living in an anglo community.

I love cooking New Mexican foods.

I love belting out Rancheras while I do my housework.

"You can take the girl out of New Mexico, but you can't take the New Mexico out of the girl."

This past summer I finished what was lacking for my Sociology/Criminology Bachelor Degree.

Next week I turn 32 and life goes on. . . 

After I get that fancy paper I will proceed to Nursing School. A program for Bachelors to Bachelors.

I decided to start a blog to document my adventure 

The Chronicles of a Thirty-something Redhead. . . .