Decisions, Decisions.

SUV's I've been eyeing:

Ford Escape

Ford Explorer

Nissan Murano

GMC Terrain

GMC Acadia

Questions:

Which one should I get?

What color? {My fave color is green.}

What year? {At least within the last 4-5 years}

Should I get a hybrid?

What I want:

No leather seats.
Affordable ... hahaha!
Not too big.
Definitely four door! Cannot stand 2 door cars!!!
4WD/AWD
A good SUV!

I don't know. So unsure about which one I should get. I want to go test driving soon... probably won't be til july knowing this winter season! once this weather clears up!

Please if you have some insight to these or any other crossovers/SUV's let me know!

I so appreciate it!

Keep warm everyone in the Northeast right now {and anywhere else where it is cold as it is here!}.

Read on...

Hello!
What is going on?
Here?
Oh you know.
More and more snow as the days go by!
So over it!

Anywho, I have some updates along with my new vlog for the third week of February (look above!).

The newest things was when Kev and I went to Lancaster, PA with fam and we went to Shady Maples.
Holy smokes!

That place is huge!
They even have a gift shop in their basement that's pretty much a supermarket!

{and that is only half of the buffet line!}

{insane dessert buffett}

{Kev and his nephew being weird.... haha}

I loved it there. So much food! Plus it was fun spending time with the Kev's fam and Kev of course.

We barely see each other because we're both working full time now and with this weather we don't like to drive too much outside. Too slippery, too dangerous, too many stupid idiotic drivers out there. Ya know what I mean?

Also, we are in the look out for a treadmill. A pro form treadmill kinda like this:

{ain't it pretty?}

But I still don't think I can validate the purchase especially since it is $600+!

What do you think?

Should we get it?

I'm still not sure if we should... we would eventually but I don't know if it is a good idea right now since we don't live together... as of now.

So that is what's been going on.

How are you? What is new?

Hope to see you around.

Comments are always welcome!

What-eva!

Funny "Whatever" Baby @ Yahoo! Video

They are soo gonna regret teaching her this word! haha
But so cute!


p.s. Will be back with posts... just busy with other stuff... like havin' an awesome weekend with family! Will be back soon! Thx for coming back & reading!

Ash Wednesday

Reposted from Womans World Magazine blog that I am a part of!

You should check it out!

So do you observe Lent?
Do you even know what Lent means?

....

Yeah.
Me neither... sorta.

I know it is the time to repent. (right?)

Plus Ash Wed. - what's it all about?

It is the time where you go to church and get ashes in the shape of a cross on the top of your forehead.

It is a little saddening that I have NO IDEA what the specific reason is for Ash Wednesday and I have been raised in a Catholic family for the past 23 1/2 years. --- Yeah my whole life.

So one day I had asked my dad something about religion and it was about four months from my graduation (around Sept. 2009). He just looked at me gave me a pat on the head and said: "Just focus on nursing right now then we'll talk about religion." as he walked away chuckling. Apparently I had made a really weird (and funny?) comment that made no sense. humph.

It is a little sad - I believe - that my own dad even thinks I'm horrible at religion. But I have not been to church in so long that I am more likely to make bad assumptions about religion talk. haha

So the couple of things I do know about Lent are that it is the time of repenting, you have to give up something you love for 40 days, and on Fridays you cannot should not cannot eat any meat - only FISH.

Yum. haha

So I will be doing just that.

I am giving up: white bread. no croissants. no baguettes. no white rolls. (yep. i love it that much that I am giving it up for Lent.)

And I hope to make some more yummy fish dishes for those Fridays.

So. Are you observing Lent?

Can you educate me more on this?

Let me know.

Thanks!

Too freakin' cute!

Feel the love.

My goodness! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... ok. It can stop now.

It has been a winter wonderland day today!

Wanna see what I mean?

Well here you go!

Very crazy!

They are reporting about 18" in my area.

This is too much!!!

Looks so pretty right now outside... but soon it will look all yuck with the slush.

But I am enjoying it for now... the wonderful, gorgeous white winter wonderland.

My lights flickered and power went out but so far so good for now.

I have candles, flashlights, and batteries all nearby just in case the power does go out.

So... what do you do when you are snowed in?

Other than building a snowman, snow angels, sledding etc...

{I might have a little cabin fever... *gulp*}

Overnight oats

Can I say that this was yummy???
I need to make this again!

Might not look appetizing to you but believe you me it was delicious!!!

So yummy!

Try it out!

Let me know if you like it.

SoFiA

Bored and Reading...

What I am reading right now as I see snow coming down outside...

Some good reads you should check out:

Because I like to hear the truth and especially when it comes from a male blogger!
Super Sexist Bowl? STFU
The NFL marketing demographic is aimed at males ages 18-34. That is their target audience, who is tuning into the games. So it's only smart business for advertisers to create commercials that appeal to the vast majority of NFL fans, males ages 18-34. Needless to say, young adult males are into beer, tits, technology, cars, and potty humor. This is why when you watch football, and especially the Super Bowl, you see ads for Bud, big breasted GoDaddy.com girls and muscle cars. Sexist? No. Smart!

Because snow is pretty much the most used word of the week by the weatherman/women.
The Ten Commandments of Winter in Michigan
1. Thou shalt not trust thy weatherman. Nine times out of ten he doesn't know what the heck he's talking about.

Because I just love her blog and she has the most inspiring photos/stories!
A proposal story

For Christmas, I gave my friend Katherine a five-year diary, but I never would have guessed what would happen next. This weekend, her boyfriend Chad asked if she'd written anything in the journal for the day, and she said she hadn't. ....

Because the snow is beautiful sometimes... and a cute little King makes it so much better.
kingsley brings me my lost mitten. and other snow things.
this first winter in DC has us all confused.
being snowed in the past 2 weekends in a row has proven a few things at our house:
.....4. it's time for us to buy a shovel.

Because I think we should all get to know each other.
Just a quick hello...

I have decided I want to know more about my readers (aka my new friends). If you want to participate answer the following questions in the comment section...
1. Where are you from? Where do you live now?
2. What do you love most about yourself?
3. What are your dreams?
4. What is your favorite thing to do outside of work and blogging?
5. What's your favorite book? (I love reading, and need some good ones)
6. What is your favorite thing about the blog world?
7. If you could explain yourself in one sentence, what would it be?
Seven questions. Should be easy enough and fun, don't you think?
I hope you all participate. I can't wait to read all about you!
My answers are still not posted. I forgot to copy them before I submitted them so go ahead. Answer them and check my answers out. =)

Because I like to read some good posts about a show I watch... sums it up almost just like I would.
The Bachelor: Hometown Glory
Ali, Ali, Ali. Ali who I loved in the beginning, but single-handedly made last night's episode the most annoying ever. EVER.

Because I love a great giveaway.... especially because it includes the whole world!
The little things I love - GIVEAWAY
Les Regles / The Rules:
1. Open to everyone!!! This is a worldwide giveaway!!
2. Be a follower of It's All Make Believe, Isn't it? and leave a comment.
I adore you lovely things and your support is so wonderful! So please let me know in the comments if you follow via blogger or bloglovin'!
3. For extra entries either re-blog this in a post/on your side bar or tweet about this giveaway and let me know - I am @Petit_Cheri (you can also leave the link if you want!)
{One extra point for tweeting, one extra point if you blog about it and two extra points if you put it up in your side bar!)
4. Please leave a separate comment for each entry!!

Because I cannot WAIT until spring comes!
i have spent all day in bed. dreaming of spring.

Any favorite blogs of yours you think I should check out?

Let me know!

Craziness!

{Say hello to my beautifully blue covered state [that I live in] of Pennsylvania}

Yes. That is the storm that is on it's way already here!

It got white out very quickly.

It was gorgeous this Tuesday morning but... it slowly turned VERY cloudy and colder outside!
And I am not liking it!

But I believe I will be catching up on much of my studies {for state boards}, blogging, reading blogs, and commenting on blogs.

I just hope I do not have to go out tomorrow whatsoever because it is not gonna look good out there anytime soon!

But in other news, I had a great weekend believe it or not!

I had a great two days of parties.

Saturday - Baby Shower

Very cute and nice but it would have helped if I had gotten an extra hour or two of sleep before going.

I kept yawning like CRAZY and did not drink or eat much because I just did not feel so good.

On the plus side, I got to see cute little baby things, practice my spanish and be a little social... haha.

Sunday - Joined Birthday Party

This party went a heck of a lot better!

I had a full night's sleep, I had eaten breakfast, I looked a lot better than on Saturday {I washed my hair for Sunday} and I like Birthday's!

Kevin picked me up (my car was still not doing so good from two days before... that is for another post...), we went to get wrapping paper/gift bags and then went to the party.

Have I mentioned that I absolutely adore Kevin's family?

They are so welcoming and fun and I never have a bad time when I am with them.

So it was a joined birthday party for Kevin's niece, Jess who turned 13, and nephew, Justin who turned 10.

Can't believe they are growing up to be such awesome people!

They each have many great things about them and let me tell you.

Justin is a little min-me of Kevin. Justin recently got glasses and he looks so much like Kevin it is scary.

Kevin sent me a picture of Justin on Saturday while I was at the baby shower and I was so surprised how much Justin looked like Kevin.

It is so weird!

haha

Justin looks up to Kevin a lot and it is just so funny that he looks a lot like him!

My target haul vlog... Enjoy and please comment!

The pictures within the vlog for your viewing pleasure... haha!

;P

Not pictured are the Fiber One bars and I forgot to mention the two sweet potatoes I bought that you are able to just put in the microwave and cook them like that. Yum-O! Will have to dedicate a vlog just for them then... =)

Eat to Beat Stress

Great ideas on foods to eat when you are stressed out!
Instead of reaching for that Snickers bar or Gertrude Hawk chocolate go for these instead:

Almonds, Pistachios & Walnuts
When all hell breaks loose, reach for a handful of almonds. They're bursting with vitamin E, an antioxidant that bolsters the immune system. Almonds also contain B vitamins, which may help your body hold up during seriously unpleasant events (like getting a year's membership to Match.com as a present). About a quarter cup every day is all you need. Another easy way to get a fix is to switch from traditional PB to almond butter on high-tension days. (We like All Natural Barney Butter Almond Butter, $7, barneybutter.com.)

Sick of almonds? Shell pistachios or crack walnuts. Both will help keep your heart from racing when things heat up. "We experience immediate cardiovascular responses to stress because of the 'fight or flight' response," says Sheila G. West, M.D., associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State. When stress strikes, the hormone adrenaline raises blood pressure to boost energy -- so you're prepared to run like hell if you need to. But because we seldom need to fight or flee (dodging your annoying aunt doesn't count), it's better to blunt the strain on your heart. A 2007 Penn State study led by Dr. West found that eating one and a half ounces (about a handful) of pistachios a day lowers blood pressure so your heart doesn't have to work overtime. Walnuts have also been found to lower blood pressure, both at rest and under stress, West says. Add about an ounce to salads, cereal, or oatmeal.

Avocados
The next time stress has you hankering for a high-fat, creamy treat, skip the ice cream and try some homemade guacamole -- the thick, rich texture can satisfy your craving and reduce those frantic feelings. Plus, the green wonders' double whammy of monounsaturated fat and potassium can lower blood pressure. (For a healthy recipe favorites in under 20 minutes, check out the WH Recipes homepage.) One of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is to get enough potassium -- and just half an avocado offers 487 milligrams, more than you'll get from a medium-size banana. To whip up your own avocado salad dressing, puree a medium avocado with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a dash of cayenne.

Skim Milk
Science backs up the old warm-milk remedy for insomnia and restlessness. Turns out calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension, says Mary Dallman, Ph.D., professor of physiology at the University of California, San Francisco. A glass of moo juice (preferably skim or 1 percent) may also reduce stressful PMS symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, and irritability. According to a 2005 study from the Archives of Internal Medicine, women who drank four or more servings of low-fat or skim milk per day had a 46 percent lower risk of pre-period misery than women who had no more than one serving per week.

Oatmeal
Carbohydrates make the brain produce more serotonin, the same relaxing brain chemical released when you eat dark chocolate. The more slowly your body absorbs carbs, the more steadily serotonin flows, according to Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., a former MIT research scientist and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet. The result: a less-likely-to-snap you. Because thick, hearty oatmeal is high in fiber, few things take longer for your stomach to digest, says Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of Food & Mood. Wurtman also recommends topping it with a swirl of jam for a quicker release of serotonin. When you know it's going to be a doozy of a day, avoid heavily processed varieties (e.g., the sugary kind that come in packets meant for the microwave), which are digested more quickly, and take the time to make thick-cut old-fashioned oats, like McCann's Original Steel-Cut Irish Oatmeal ($6 for 28 oz, amazon.com). But if two minutes for breakfast is all you have, you can still do your mood a favor by opting for instant oatmeal over Cocoa Puffs.

Oranges
Fretting over a job interview or presentation at work? Pour yourself a glass of Florida's famous juice or peel yourself an orange. The magic nutrient here is vitamin C. In a study in Psychopharmacology, German researchers subjected 120 people to a public-speaking task plus a series of math problems. Those who took 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C reported that they felt less stressed, and their blood pressure and levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) returned to normal faster. "Vitamin C is also a well-known immune system booster," says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. So don't be bummed that you got a fruit-of-the-month-club gift instead of the video Nano -- you're going to need all those oranges and grapefruits.

Salmon
Stress hormones have an archenemy: omega-3 fatty acids. A 2003 study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids kept cortisol and adrenaline from geysering. Omega-3 fatty acids also protect against heart disease, according to a 2002 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. "Eat a three-ounce serving of fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and light tuna, at least twice a week," Jamieson-Petonic says. Not a fish eater? For another omega-3 punch, buy foods fortified with DHA (you'll find this particular fatty acid in eggs, yogurt, milk, and soy products); but don't go out of your way for products that boast booming levels of ALA, another fatty acid, which may not work as well.

Spinach
Magnesium was made to calm holiday insanity. First, the mineral can help lower your stress levels, keeping your body in a state of relative ease as you kick off yet another round of small talk at the company party. Not getting enough magnesium may trigger migraine headaches and make you feel fatigued. (And almost seven out of 10 of us don't get enough of the stuff. No wonder we're cranky.) Just one cup of spinach provides 40 percent of your daily value -- so try subbing it for lettuce on sandwiches and salads. (And now you have an excuse to indulge in the spinach dip!)


All of those sound good don't they???

Do you use/eat any of these on a daily basis?

I know I at least have one cup of orange juice every day. But I need to get some more grub from this list to relieve more stress.

Let me know if you try any of these!

Until next time,

February 2, 2010 = Groundhog Day

So it is Groundhog Day.
And what is the verdict???

SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!

Not cool at all.

As much as the snow is pretty and all you snowboarders/skiiers/snow tubers love this snow... me?

Not so much.

{see. not pretty after it is driven over it... yuck. slush.}

I hate driving in the snow.

I hate walking in the snow.

I hate snow in my boots.

Shall I go on?

I wish I lived somewhere that did not have as much COLD and FRIGID weather.

Today is not pretty outside. It's all gloomy. It's windy. It's cold.

Sorry.

I just don't like the cold.

I'm a hispanic that needs her heat. ;)

{hmmm... summer... sun... I miss you.}

What kind of person are you?

Winter or summer?

Hot or cold?

I am a spring girl too but spring does not bring enough heat around here anymore!

Our spring last year  was so short and kind of went into summer that I barely felt any heat.

I mean I hate sweating until you can see through your shirt with sweat.

BUT I hate having to wear layers upon layers to keep staying warm.

Anywho... I'm done complaining. Just needed to vent a little about this cruddy weather.

I gotta go now.

I really need to do a vlog. I am sooo behind on my vlogs. I'm gonna have to do two this week!

So much to say too.

Ok. See ya all later!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!