To be awarded to those who are on a budget, on the go, attempting to juggle it all with their cup of Joe.

There has been a lot going on for me personally this week. Work is very high pressure and demanding a lot of extra time and emotional energy at the moment. This is with my “old” job which I will soon be transitioning out of but first need to get my team through some very important deliverables.

Yes it is cliché, but this guilt is a very real thing. If you are not careful, it can eat you alive. I try and listen to all of these guilty signals in my head and course correct if any of them get too out of whack. I have found that the key is to not be too hard on yourself and to let the less important things go. The house does not have to be spotless EVERY day. My work hours can be flexible when needed so I can put in more hours after Belén is in bed. If I get a workout in during the morning hours before Belén is awake, the entire day works out better. On days when I really feel like I need more time with B, I do the daycare drop off so I can get an extra 30 minutes with her. I communicate with Andy about roles and responsibilities I am expecting him to do. I ask for help (usually.)

Being that it’s a Monday morning after a jam-packed weekend that left us exhausted and wanting more, I thought it might be appropriate to visit the topic of what motivates us. This is very applicable to a work-environment but applies to everything in our lives. Here’s a hint, it’s probably not what you think it is.

Let’s be honest, besides the baby herself, it doesn’t get much for cute and fun than baby clothes and SHOES! Belén is already growing out of much of her 1-year sized clothing so I took advantage of Children’s Place and Gap sales two weeks ago and bought a box full of cute-to-the-point-you-squeal clothes for our budding fashionisita (small fashionista). Check it out.

By this point, if I would have allowed myself to vocalize what I was really thinking, TSAEs #8 and #12 would have heard a few f-bombs dropped. Luckily they were very cool guys, especially TSAE #12 AND I make it a point not to take out my frustrations with polices on the mere implementers. TSAE #12 and I joked the whole time he and #8 were searching literally every nook and cranny of my two remaining bags. I will chalk up the need for the search to the dirty looks being captured by airport security.

I will tell you what I decided to do by Wednesday of this week, plus if I am still worked up about it, explain how ridiculous it is to go through the U.S. Checkpoint in a foreign country now. R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S! It is truly amazing anyone bothers to be a tourist in America nowadays.

The market was a classy meat, cheese, fish, gourmet market…think Pikes Place meets Whole Foods. I looked for the stall with the most customers which was a tiny cooked fish market along the back wall closest to the waterfront. In typical fashion, I ordered the crab cakes and I have to say I believe they are the best I have ever tasted…TO DIE FOR!

I think it is nearly time for me to make some changes and at a minimum figure out how to enjoy my meals rather than shoveling them in my mouth while doing something else. Life is too short…

A similar pattern exists on the other leg and on her arms and even a slight bit on her ear. The doctor immediately took a look and also pointed out that B’s feet and hands were swollen. THE URGE TO SOAR WITH THE EAGLE IS SO OVERPOWERING.