Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma

the back of this picture of my grandparents says "June 1962"

If she were still with us this is how old my grandma, Margarita Zapata, would have been.
My grandma only spoke Spanish. She never drove a car her entire life. She was a devoted wife and mother and my mommy and I are the only ones in our family that have her pale complexion.
My favorite memories of my grandma include me trying to make her laugh the only way I could: by saying the word "fart" in Spanish. I know that sounds silly, but I couldn't make complete sentences in Spanish and I loved hearing her laugh.  I only knew 'Spanglish' (combo of English & Spanish) and of course, I only knew the naughty/silly words. I could also tell her that my brother or sister peed their pants (it wasn't true) just to get her laughing. She was easily amused - I know where I get it from. :)

1984 - when my grandpa had us all do a spontaneous road trip to several states
me, Mommy, Grandma

My grandma passed away when I was 15 so I remember her very well. I'll never forget how she waited on the front porch, just about everyday, for me and my siblings to get home from school when we were youngsters. I miss seeing her there when we visit the old house in Poteet. (That's where my uncle and his family + my grandpa still live).

Mikey and I try and remember to visit my grandma's resting place each time we're in Texas. We saw her again this last trip and I had a wonderful, long conversation with her. I asked Mikey to take a few pictures, and then I asked him if he thought that was morbid. I could see how some might think so, but Mikey confirmed what I already felt. 

When I go home to see my family, I take lots of pictures, because I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. And I want to remember the moments. For me, this is the same with visiting my grandma. I know she's not physically here anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't feel her presence. I'm keeping her alive in my life still. So when I see the pictures that Mikey took of this visit with her, I remember what I had to say to her, as far as updating my life, and the happy tears I always shed when telling her of how happy she'd be for our growing family. 

This particular picture I really love, because of the way the sun is shining almost through me, if that makes sense. I know that it wouldn't really mean anything any other time, but because of where I was and the moment I was having, I feel like it does mean something very special. 

I hope everything I said makes sense. We are taking our friend Purdie out to eat right now, but I really wanted to do a little post for my beloved grandma. I love you, grandma.

Love,

Roni

pearly whites

Not the cold and definitely not Mr. Duck 'Em & Dodge 'Em Diaz (as my hilarious friend, Khalilah, calls him) will keep me from feeling my best! 
Here's what I'm currently wearing on this chilly day that started out with insurance phone calls, which my sweet hubby gladly handled while I tried to sleep in. He sounds so cute and hardcore when he has my back. 

Closeup of the gold sequins & pearly peter pan collar (don't mind my dumb face here)

Coat: Tulle via ModCloth (2009)

Dress: Forever 21

Cardigan: Darling via ModCloth

Tights (wearing two pairs, lol): Target

Shoes: Seychelles Clue via Endless

Bag: Kathy Van Zeeland via TJMaxx

Yellow daisy gloves: Daffy's

Sunnies: Armani Exchange via Nordstrom

Welp, gotta run more errands; plus our friend, Mr. Jamel Purdie, gets into town in 30 minutes to pay us a visit! It feels wonderful starting the new year off with one friend [from our Vegas days] coming in right after the next! :)) It makes me very happy. 

Thank you all for the prayers and happy vibes. I really think it's because of you all that I haven't lost my shiz. 

Love,

Roni

P.s. I really love this little orange dress that I picked up at F21 last summer. I've worn it three times now and I simply love how twirly and girly it is. Here's how I've worn it twice before, if you care to take a gander: One, Two. 

And everything was going so well...

Okay, so I'm not going to get super negative and detailed in this blog post because I've been so filled with excitement and joy and all that good awesome feeling stuff since December and the new year in general, but I'm asking for prayers (from those of you that pray) and good luck vibes sent my way. Please.
For those that have been following my little blog from the beginning, you might remember me updating you in November with a hit and run that I was involved in. Some d-bag hit me and then sped off, but luckily I got his license plate and the cops were able to find out all his info, so that was great. However, over the last month and a half (seems longer!) I've had to tell my story of that inconvenient day about a hundred times and to THREE different insurance companies. Why? Because no one seems to know who this jerk's insurance provider was at the time of the accident. Will the real insurance company of Mr. Diaz please stand up? To make matters worse, when I was provided with the name of the latest insurance company today the adjuster told me that when he spoke to Mr. Diaz on the phone this afternoon, Mr. Diaz is now denying having been in the accident at all! Because he's a Florida resident he seems to be choosing to deny the fact that he was in New Jersey when he hit me on 22 November. >:(  I don't know why he was here, maybe for Thanksgiving, but he was! Why the heck would I know all his info?!
We're currently waiting to hear back from the 3rd insurance company on whether or not he is in fact a policy holder, and then obviously we're going to get a lawyer since he's playing Pinocchio on me. I was seriously ready to pull my hair out; I don't want to start 2012 out this way. So I breathed easy, walked around in my room and prayed. I can't let this affect me too bad. I don't want it to. And it really has the potential to make my life hell right now, because normally I'd let it. And I'd be a crazy bia for it. So I'm just going to breathe.
I'm just praying that this is all settled as smoothly (and quickly) as possible. I don't want to have to repeat his name anymore, and I don't want to keep going outside to see my poor car dented in the back.
Please keep me and my sucky situation in your prayers, or thoughts, or whatever it may be. I truly appreciate it.

Love,
Roni

return to innocence ♥

When I thought of a title for this post this song title was the first thing that immediately popped into my head. Oh, the 90's.

While in Texas I finally did something that I'd been wanting to do but never find the time for during visits - I paid a visit to my first elementary school. A place that I think about often in relation to my life and how fast it's gone by and also how much fun I had when I was so young, living in that small town of Poteet, Texas. My school was in Somerset, an equally small nearby town. 

It was so surreal to be back there again. I only wish the gates were open so we could have gotten some pictures on my old playground in the very back of the school. 

The building I'm looking at was where I had physical education on cold days, watched Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and won a spelling bee in first grade. My prize was a neon yellow walkman cassette player. 

If you click on this picture you can see a little bit of the inside of my old cafeteria. It looked exactly the same as when I last saw it about 18 years ago. 

I remember having to line up right here so many times after eating lunch.

This part of the building was new. I miss the old brown bricks.

Might I add that it was a whopping 64 degrees on this day in good ol' Tex?! Northerners, be jealous.

Somerset Middle & High School are directly across the street. 

 Sitting outside the old building (former high school auditorium) from picture 1 ^up there^. 

You might remember these Swedish Hasbeens from this post. 

I got these shoes, a dress, and Prada Candy perfume (or parfum) from my father-in-law for Christmas!

I loved getting way nostalgic on this day. It was also super sweet to experience my old childhood stomping grounds with Mikey. 

Dress: Shop My Closet on Yesterday's Sweetheart

Cardigan: Mommy gave it to me

Clutch/makeup bag: ModCloth

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens loafers via Endless

**Random little story: I searched for this dress on ASOS and Rare over and over for over a month. They weren't restocking my size. Then one afternoon I somehow find my way onto Emily's blog and see that she's never worn it and is selling it for less than what the sites were if they'd had my size. My mouth dropped. I squealed and purchased immediately. It was like...dress-fate.**

I was so in love with my new pink clogs that I wore them with so many random outfits over the next few days, but I only got a picture with these two dresses. I was on a mission to see how pink clogs could work their way into matching (or not- don't really care) with a variety of pieces. I know I say it a lot, but these are my new favorite shoes! And worth every penny. 

Dress: Christmas gift from my sissy via ModCloth

Tights (blush): H&M

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens loafers via Endless

As always, thank y'all for checking out my little inter-nook. I really REALLY really appreciate every sweet comment and glance. I've only been blogging for 2 months, but I'm so in love with it and all the blogs I can't live without, and of course, all the friends I've made. E-friends or not, I still think y'all are some of the sweetest, encouraging and most supportive people I never thought I'd meet. In other words, y'all rule. 

Love,

Roni

San Antonio Highlights: an epic picture post

My friend Marla and her boyfriend are in New York City alone tonight for dinner and a show. While I love my friend, I am stoked about having an evening of relaxation (and blogging) on my couch! We've been walking around the city all day for the last two days and I am e x h a u s t e d!
By the way, New Years Eve traffic was pretty darn trafficLESS despite the masses of people in one of the world's largest cities! Thanks for those that sent the no-traffic-vibes our way. It was a fun and memorable night...I'll do a post on that night, soon! I promise. Things have just been non-stop busy the last couple weeks.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from Christmas 2011 in San Antonio with my beloved family. Keep in mind I took exactly 763 photos during those 7 or 8 days. So much to capture. I'll try to keep it short.

Our 2nd day in San Antonio, I woke Mikey up by sitting Nathaniel on his tummy.

Mommy, Mona, me & Nathaniel on Christmas Eve

Nathaniel's loving mommy & daddy

My brother Danny & his girlfriend Bobbie (+ Makayla in the belly)

L to R: Mikey w/Logan, Ram, Danny w/Aaron, Gilbert w/Nathaniel

Cousins (except for Bobbie) L to R starting at the bottom: Krystle, Raylynn, Amaris, Mona, Bobbie, Mercedes, Niki, me

Grandma was there in spirit

shooting my cousin Ram's bb gun - hilarious!

Christmas day: Mikey & I got my mom a ring with the birthstones of me, my brother and sister...just like my grandma (her mom) had for her 5 kids. My mom loved it. 

Nathan loves his grandpa! (my stepdad, Dan)

...and he loves his uncle Mikey :)

getting a kissy from his second cousin, Logan. sooo cute!

These photo booth pics were taken the night mommy & I stayed up chatting till 7 am! We were a little nuts-O by this time. haha

I love me some nakey baby Nathaniel!!! Well, he's got his jeans diaper on. 

chicken strip baskets with country gravy @ DQ...nothing better

 me and brother

The night I wore a turtle neck sweater out to a club. hahaha

with my cousins, Krystle & Mercedes

 I'm bonkers for my grandpa!

 loving on my mommy the night before we left

Look at that face! LOL. Waking up uncle Mikey & I

 The day we left San Antonio. This picture chokes me up, because I feel like it describes mine and Nathaniel's relationship at this time. What it has to be: hugs, "I love you's", and "I'll see you soon's". 

 I wish my brother could have been in this picture, but he was 'workin' hard for the money'.

I know the next time we visit San Antonio, Nathaniel might be talking and walking + I'll have a brand new niece!! I can't wait to see these faces again.

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. 2011 was a blessing for many reasons. Nathaniel being one of them. The times that I've visited my family over the last 9 years has always been something that fulfills my heart as I live far away from them, but this year's 3 visits were even more special for my family with all the love and positivity that Nathaniel has brought just with his little smile. He has brought indescribable levels of happiness for us all, and my mom and I feel that it's brought us even closer together as a family. I never knew we could get any closer than we've always been...but babies, ahh, babies really make everything better. 

Love,

Roni