HOLA & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And yes, I am still alive!  

Alive and kicking. 

But, as you know, the blog has suffered (to say the least).  I VOW though to change that this year!  

Believe it or not, I have had about 10 posts "ALMOST finished" for months. MONTHS I say!

Even when I did have some time, it felt like I would never catch up. And, well, that is just plain discouraging.   So, no we are not caught up yet, but I am going to start fresh this year and backpost the shit out of the last 6 months-ha!! ARE YOU READY??

First off, let's wrap up this thing they call work. WE ARE DONE!  This lighting season took me over the edge.  I literally could not handle things.  ZERO work-life balance for a couple months would do anyone in, right?  (or is it just me?)

We had a record year with Christmas Light Pros (but every year is better than the next so I guess we have that every year-ha!) and I guess I am always surprised by HOW MUCH BUSINESS there is in Atlanta.  New lighting companies are popping up every year, but it doesn't seem to matter to our bottom line.  Even with so much "competition," we are still getting ALL the customers we want.  Referrals are KEY and with our superb customer service (patting my own back-thank you very much) we get a boatload every year. 

Towards the end of the season, Ernesto bought a micro-van to expand the CLP fleet. Ugh, Im not sure how it is that we now have TWO mini vans.

But, here we are.

Back in November when I was up to my eyeballs in lighting, Smita asked about getting us a cabin for New Years and we were ALL FOR IT!
We've rented cabins in GA mountains several times over the years, and it really is a perfect way to unwind after a busy season.
She sent several options, but I was waaaaay too busy to even look at them "Whatever you get is fine with us."

I trust her....and you can see why...

Haha.  It was PLENTY big for our two families. (and probably two more!)
It had an open kitchen to the two-story family room, two master suites with a loft, a bunk room, and a den, another bedroom/bath and an air hockey table on the bottom floor. Plus right outside the door an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub.  (or "warm pool" as the kids dubbed it)

 

The "warm pool" was a hit, but I think our favorite feature was this two story stone fireplace. A perfect place for a glass of champagne and romance.

These two made sure the fire was burning THE WHOLE TIME! So awesome!

It was three days of delicious food, games, friends, and dancing.

Although it was freezing, we did get out and explore a little.  These guys loved it!

 Mateo on the other hand, drug his feet about even stepping outside and then refused to put his coat on. Whaaaaaat?

He WHINED the whole time to go back to the cabin.  The frustration on both ends was significant. When he angrily ran to catch up with the others and tripped Marcelo, I may have had a bad parenting moment.  Daniel Tigers mom always knows what to say. "When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four."
Keep your cool Cindy.
That's my New Years Motto, same as last year.

We couldn't help but think what a wonderful Summer escape this cabin would be with a big group.  The inter-tubes were right outside the front door.  Plop them in the river out front and head on down stream.  Who is in????

Christmas & New Years 2012

Christmas was a blast with my family (as usual), but we forgot the group photo! ugh!
Fortunately we captured plenty of pics of all the kids, which is now what Christmas is all about.  (I can't believe I just said that) Don't get me wrong, I was still excited about my gifts, but my new VS underwear just wasn't as exciting as watching the little ones.  (sorry mi amor)

Mateo needed some coaxing to open his presents this year, and once they were open he wasn't to excited about playing with them.  He was more concerned with Grandma and Grandpa's phone.

His big gift this year was a KidKraft play kitchen from Santa. (Left at our house in Atlanta)  He has been playing with his cousins kitchen and I think it is obvious that he has talent in this department.  I want to make sure we develop this so, like his papi, he can be a master chef one day!

My nieces, Kelli and Eleanor are just beautiful and Lukester and Mateo are future heart breakers.
For. Sure.

These two guys have changed a lot since last Christmas, wouldn't you say? 

It is so great watching them grow.   I know they will be the best of friends.  

New Years Eve was a relaxed night with family.  Laughing and playing games (Dominoes was our obsession this year!) until 12:01am. Ha! We are crazy like that!

My mom was "too tired" to join us and Ernesto and my dad could not be there with us due to a disaster at Casa Espinoza in Atlanta. (hint: water leak. ugh!)  Pictures and details coming! It could work out really well, or it could be very, very bad. 

Anyway Happy New Year amigos!  I don't know if it's even possible to top the amazing year that I had in 2011, but it has a lot of promise!

A Cozy Cabin New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Can you believe it is 2011?   We are back from a long weekend at mountain cabin we rented in Ellijay, GA.  What an AWESOME little trip!  All I kept thinking was " I have got to get my whole family here this summer!" Our friends Sean and Lucy  found the place and booked it online.

When I looked at the pictures on the website I thought it looked nice.  But we were so surprised when we arrived.  It was so much better than we expected.  This did not seem like a rental property.  It was furnished as if you were staying at your friends house.

For a mere $150/night, we enjoyed a very cozy decor complete with fireplace, nice linens, a fully equipt kitchen, outdoor hot tub, balconies, grill, pool table, satellite TV and a location right on the Coosawatee river.  

What to eat:

• Grilled flank steak, chicken and ribs
• Popcorn (Espinoza style)
• Pumpkin pancakes
• Vegetable lasagna
• Pigs in the Blanket (ie: pork and cabbage. A family tradition for New Years Day)
• Cheese, cheese and more cheese
• Grapefruit
• Chorizo and eggs
• Mexican tinga [with eggs]

Pets were invited on this trip too.   Whether they were cuddling with the humans, or running around outside, they had a great time.

Aphi played fetch in and out of the water.  Titi didn't go too far and he definitely was not interested in the water. He  did like poking around in the tall weeds.  Do you see him hiding near the middle tree? 

What to do:

• Eat, drink and be merry!
• Watch movies/football/Sex in the City
• Relax in the hot tub
• Keep the fire going all day in fireplace
• Stay in lounge clothes all day:)
• Play with our pets outside in the sun
• Make 5 pairs of earrings and 2 necklaces 
• Siestas
• Play Bananagrams
• Listen to rain pour over tin roof
• Watch river rise from 24 hours of rain
• Slept with windows open to hear the raging river
• Wake up before sunrise to enjoy silence and the great view 
• Wear a sequin shirt with pajama bottoms to ring in the new year. (half party/half cabin wear) 
• Do handstands and bike tricks

I highly recommend this for a getaway weekend or a week's vacation.  My parents have already said they are in for a nice Arnold Family week this summer.  Who's coming with us??

NYE in NYC 2010

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do. Now you're in New York. These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you. Let's here it for New york, New York, New York" -sung by Alicia Keys

Talk about being inspired! There has never been a time when I have visited NY when I didn't think...Oh God, I would love to live here.

A couple weeks ago, Smita and I were siting on the couch and we wondered what we could do for New Year's. One of us said, NY? Just the mention of that city inspired us to get online and book a hotel using our Starwood Hotel points right then and there. Would you believe that there was actually a hotel room available within sight of Time Square too? Yes! We got pretty excited. I told Ernesto we were going to NY and he was all for it!

After coming from Ohio and the cold, I have to be honest, I was not excited to go to NY. That quickly changed. Just flying in and seeing the skyline did it for me. Plus, earlier this year I got in touch with a college room mate that has lived there for the last 14 years. I last saw Michelle about 10 years ago when I was passing through NY on my way to Scotland. We lost touch soon after that. Thanks to Facebook we were reconnected earlier this year. And what a sweet reunion it was! It was so nice to see her and talk about fun times! She looks the same!

We hung out all day Wednesday when we arrived. We walked around the east village neighborhood. Stopped for lunch at 7A, (109 Avenue A at 7th) a cozy little eatery that was quite packed and had a really tasty [traditional] menu. After walking all over the east village, lower east side and soho, we stopped for drinks at Pianos (158 Ludlow St). I loved the feel of this place. Soft lighting, interesting crowd and great beers on tap. Michelle had to work at 6p, so we walked her to Stanton Public (17 Stanton St) where she was bartending that night. Another cozy cool bar. We wanted to return later that night, but it never happened. Unfortunately we did not get to meet up again New Years Eve either, but I know we will stay in touch and we'll see each other again soon.

Ernesto also has a college friend living there and we met up with him that night. Roman is such a cool guy and I have known him almost as long as Ernesto. We went to 3 more cool places with him that night. Never a shortage of places to go in NY, right? This picture was taken at our first stop, a Spanish restaurant, which I can't remember the name of, but they served delicious sangria!

Smita and Allen headed back to the hotel, and I decided to hang with the boys. After a stop at a brewery for one beer, we finished the night off at a place in China Town called, funny enough, Happy Ending. (302 Broome St) They were playing some electronic music, which is not really my thing, but despite my face, I had a good time, it was a "happy ending" to the night.
Ernesto whipped out some dance moves which always makes me smile. The next day was a late start. By the time we got moving we were starving. We headed straight to China Town. I have been to China once, and I would say this area could definitely transport you there.
All of the duck hanging in the windows were calling Ernesto's name.We ended up in Yee Li (1 Elizabeth St at Bayard) a typical looking restaurant with a lot of Chinese people inside. That is always a good sign. And the duck was delicious. We also ordered clams in a ginger scallion black bean sauce, pork and peppers, and lo mein. Verdict= A+

On our way back to the hotel, Time Square was already lit up and the blue glow from all the lights stretched to our hotel 4 blocks down 7th Ave.Police had blocked of several blocks surrounding the area and there was a growing security checkpoint to get anywhere near. We had to show our hotel key to get around the barriers.

We didn't want to be out in Time Square for all the craziness. Call me crazy, but 1 million people and no bathrooms? Lining up 6 hours before the ball drops, with nothing to do but stand there, packed like sardines? Take a look:

No thank you. I wanted to dance. We bought tickets that morning online for a club called Amalia (204 West 55th St) at Dream Hotel. Smita an I stayed there on a girls trip back in 2007 and loved it. The NYE party was $95 per ticket, but included all drinks and had a great DJ. We literally danced the whole night. (minus the 2 times I went to the restroom and had to wait 30 minutes in line! I did not like it, too much like college) It was really fun, but I could've just taken the good music to a house and left the crowd. You can't always count on guys to capture a great photo, but besides our heads being cut off, I like this one of Smita and me.

Walking through Time Square New Years day was quite a difference. Still a ton of people as you can see.

Confetti was everywhere.

Ernesto and I walked to the subway to get out to the airport for a 2pm flight. There was football to watch (eyes rolling). I let him go on the flight because there was only one seat left. He didn't want to miss the OSU game and I .....didn't want him to miss the game!

Happy New Year to all of you!!!

Loungin' in sunny San Diego

Every morning it is sunny here! This is something I could get used to. I think I am a California girl! There has never been more talk of me becoming one than this week.

Ernesto's parents were waiting for us at the airport last Sunday and the whole family came over that afternoon for a FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA. Ceviche, buche, bacalao, carnitas, y salsa and beans of course! It has been all about food the whole week.

New years was pretty low key for us. We played games at Ernestos parents house until 1030p and then went to his sisters house for a few hours. They had cousins in from Mexico, so we just sat around talking, champagne hugs and kisses at midnight. Pictures too.

We were roasting on the open fire...........

Our second carne asada of the week was on New Year's Day. I didn't get to eat/make my mom's traditional Pigs in the Blanket (pork, cabbage and sauerkraut) as I usually do, but being outside for a Mexican cookout on January 1st was a good substitute. (Ill make the pork and cabbage when I get back to Costa Rica) Here is the grill master (Neto's dad) hard at work.

There were a lot of cute kids running around. Here are Ernesto's brother and sister's kids Jorge, Maia and Andrea.

..and here I am with the newest addition...Tavo's son Cruz. Do you think I look good with a baby?

Ernesto went to Home Depot so he could whip up TOSTICLE, a set up he learned from my dad, it was quite a hit. Here, Neto's friend Freddy tosses the balls to another post of the opponents.

It was nice not having an agenda all week. We took one afternoon to go ring shopping with Ernesto's mom. Its been three years since I lost my wedding ring. After going to 2 different showrooms, I have determined that it is so much easier when the guy just picks the ring for you. (which is what Ernesto did over 8 years ago, and did such a great job by the way) There were just too many beautiful rings, no way to choose just one. Even though we received insurance $$ for my ring, prices of gold/platinum have tripled since mine was purchased. Luckily Im not wanting a huge ring. After wearing my modest silver Mexico band for 3 years, putting on a big diamond seemed like too much BLING! Then again, maybe I could get used to it! Looking in a jewelry store gave me ideas some ideas.

I am even thinking of just a band, this one was beautiful and very elegant on my finger.Of all the ones I saw, I liked this Art Deco Platinum ring the best.In the end, I decided I am going to have a ring custom made. Its much cheaper (since retailers mark up 3x) and then I can design something unique. Im really wanting an original. Just like me! This Art Deco ring has given me my inspiration......I mean, I am a jewelry designer, right? I have been browsing online too, and have several designs in my head. I will be sure to share it with you when it comes to life.

Ernesto grew up in San Diego, but wanted to do/see something new. He looked online for "things to see" and found the oldest church of California. Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769.

It is one of 21 Mission churches in California. Here Ernesto checks out the different styles in the little museum.My favorite part was the gardenJade plants are like BUSHES, growing everywhere.

For the last 8 years, whenever we came out here I would bring home pieces of jade plants to grow in my pots. By the time we sold our house I had 25 pots with Jade plants. Yes, I guess you could say its my favorite. You could also say I really miss having a garden......and a house.....and furniture....the list goes on. I threw a dime, along with my wish over my left shoulder into the fountain with St. Anthony. Please make it come true!

We were planning to leave Saturday, but surprise surprise the flights were full. At Christmas time you ask? My dad kept saying " well usually the flights are so open around the holidays, I wonder what is going on?!" I know I know....but what are we going to do? We MUST travel. We are used to it anyway. Im fine sitting in airports. One benefit of staying another day is that we spent the afternoon in Coronado. Here I am on the beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado. The hotel is a San Diego landmark, it was built in 1888.We have been receiving so many questions about our future plans. "What are you doing after Costa Rica, where are you going to live?" Your guess is as good as mine. 6 months from now? hmmmm...the future is wide open. I love that!