Let’s start with breakups.  It doesn’t matter where you are in life.  If you haven’t moved on from past relationships, such as you’re bitter about an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend that’s going to damage your current relationship.  If you haven’t understood who you are in that relationship and what you did or she/he did then forget your current relationship it won’t last.  I’m not saying relive or go back and talk to that person, I mean really try to understand the differences each person had.  Understand the characteristics of that other person.  Come to grips with it all.  I recommend this book for all couples, even if you’re not hung up on past relationships, it’s a great educational tool to understand how to have a healthy break up.

Now for understanding people’s needs, this is key because everyone shows love in one way or another.  For example, I enjoy affection, and I need that.  I show love by giving you things or providing a service like (washing your car, cleaning something for you, picking something up), actually doing something for you that you don’t have to do.  Understanding people’s needs is important.  Understanding men like to conquer problems, and woman just need to talk about them are key aspects.  Understanding these physiological needs are important. I stumbled across a Tony Robbins program called Love & Passion: The Ultimate Relationship, and it blew my mind! If you watch/listen/read to anything it’s this!!!!

Now having a healthy relationship is the tough part, understanding is fine and dandy but actually acting on your knowledge is the key!  It sounds stupid, but do something about it!  Find your motivation in anyway you can.   Be a man and conquer, be a woman and talk!  I’ve read 3 relationship books, Love & Respect, The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriages, and Tony Robbins program called Love & Passion: The Ultimate Relationship that have changed my life.  I don’t care what you read, but find something that speaks to you, find something that motivates you, find something that gets you and your partner on the same page.  It might not be the same book, but it gets your goals aligned.

I touch on all these aspect briefly cause these are the things that come to mind that help me understand, people and relationships.  It may have been too late for me but I hope this changes someone’s life as it has changed my future.

I have paid off $15,000 in credit card debt in 11 months!

Crazy to think about it.  I have sold so much shit, people think I’ve gone off the depend but that’s another part of my life I’m working towards (minimalism, another post on that soon too).  I have sacrificed and not done many things I wanted to or normally would have.  This year I finally started a budget that has turned me around, because it was a spreadsheet easy to follow and fill in and stick to!!!  I have gotten a roommate for extra income, I have not gone on trips to see Dave Matthews Band.  I have not given people gifts like I usually would have.

For many years my mom would find out my yearly salary and would say where did all that money go?!  Now I can say, “Listen B**ch (Puta), it went to credit card debt!!”  But I’d really say, “Mira, pague todas las tarjeta de credito!”  It feels good to know where your money goes, to feel like you got a raise, to not pay late fees or interest, to know that you can leave below your means!!!

In addition, this year I was able to enjoy my money as well.  I flew to Vegas for a bachelor party and gambled my ass off in cash!  I gave generously to my best friend’s wedding which I had to fly to in DC.  I donated money to a number of charities.  I gave a few gifts.  I threw my friends a party and had DB II at Vintage Lounge downtown buying 5 bottles in the VIP area!!!  Paid for a $1,500 surgery for Hannah torn ACL.  Traveled to the Bahamas.

For many years I have listened to the Dave Ramsey Show Podcast, and have enjoyed his straight forward, simple, down to earth, southern style of finances.

I’m still not done,  I have a home equity line I plan to pay off by January 2013.  It’s gonna be another tough year but the sacrifice is going to be worth it in the end.

Thanks to all that have supported me and to Dave Ramsey’s plan.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!  Salute!

Living like no one else, so later I can GIVE like no one else!

It’s exciting to be selling on etsy.com and even more exciting to have an idea that I’m really passionate about.  I have big dreams and aspirations cause that’s how I am but I’m starting simple and small.  Either way go check out these beautiful modern handmade dog beds at MuttMattress.com.  You can follow us on Twitter/MuttMattress

Eventually we’ll make dog beds that cover pillows (so those old pillows can be reused) and make dog beds out of fabrics you have found that better match your home decor.

So please help me in promoting this exciting venture with this tweet or facebook post:  ”Finally, custom and modern dog beds that fit your home decor!!! www.muttmattress.com”

Last November, I had a negative balance in my bank account and wasn’t getting paid for 10 days.  I was like how the fuck am I going to pay for gas!?!?  I couldn’t use a credit card and I was not asking my parents for money.  Luckily when you’re desperate you become resourceful and that’s what I did and have done the past 8 months.  For the first time in a long time I’m finally on a budget, living below my means, paying off my debt and saving some money!  It feels good to ‘get a raise’ (cause you’re on a budget), pay off 4k in 5 months, take my friends out on a big night on the town, and blow lots of money in Vegas.

I tell you this not because of my finances but because it’s hard to change.  It’s hard to want to change!  I see so many people with so much potential but I can’t help them, they need to want to change, they need to be sick and tired, or hit rock bottom.  I know a girl that is a functional alcoholic, she has such potential, such power, such life, and it’s sad to see someone just live such an average life.  To see someone not be an a responsible adult.  It’s sad to see people overweight, but there’s nothing you can do unless they want to change.  They have to hit a wall or something; ie., not fit into their pants so they lose weight, get a DUI so they stop drinking, get arrested so they stop hanging with bad people, get into some sort of serious trouble to really change.  I hate wishing people to hit rock bottom, but I sometimes feel that way.

I’m with the movement that the more things you do that scare you (not illegal things), but things that….may hurt someone by cutting them out of your life, or starting a company, or sky diving, or anything that someone else has tried that you thought you could never or would never do is…life changing.  Life changing enough for you to need to change.

I was terrified to do bikram yoga (hot yoga) but I did it and owned it!  Next on my list is to go play paintball and expect for it to hurt like a bitch.  I’ve also been going through the house getting rid of stuff that I don’t need to keep even if it’s useful and it’s scary to get rid of good things but liberating.  I haven’t come up with a full list of scary things to do but I’m working on it, suggestions always welcome…

Carlos Mencia
Chris Tucker
Kevin Brennan
George Carlin
Dave Chappelle
George Lopez
Dane Cook
Cedric the Entertainer
Christopher Titus
Sinbad
Martin Lawerence
Small time comics (5)

Definitely one of my favorite hobbies and passions to watch no-name and talented comedians around the country.

Since my personal life has changed so much I’m finally taking control of my life and doing things I should have long ago!  It feels great and I’m finally making siginficant positive changes.  I’m reading more, simplifying my house, purging things I don’t need, being proactive, working on the house, being outside more, overall it’s improving my life.  I could care less if I have a significant relationship, I have a great core set of friends that are amazing.  I’m down to the basics of enjoying life.

I painted the whole outside of the house alone.  I remodeled my master bedroom with some incredible colors and bad ass base boards.   I have a new living room curtain that makes the living room feel even bigger!  I finally framed some awesome pictures I took of Hannah and Marle and bought some really fun/spiritual art work.  It’s also awesome to call friends and go do shit!  Go see movies, go to dinner, happy hour, whatever!   My creativity is flowing and I continue doing and trying new things.  I did Bikram Yoga and pwned that shit!  I have taken some great trips one to Chicago, one to the Keys, I have a Vegas trip and Washington D.C trip coming up.  I’m learning French!  I’ve read a few books already, and finally read a book in a week!  I plan to get a Kindle to continue this good habit.  I’m playing soccer twice a week and feel great about it.  I’m back to playing racquetball and playing well.  I run about once a week and still try to eat as healthy as possible (forcing lots of vegetables down my throat).  I cut out checking Google Reader and websites (now I do it manually, although I need to set time limits for the computer).  I’m working on a new venture that I hope to announce in a couple months.  It’s incredible that I’ve done so much and I’ve done it all in small chunks, one bite at a time.

I’m really getting back on track and it feels great.  My give oh shit meter is pegged and I’m enjoying life to the fullest again (well almost, as soon as this credit card is paid off).

It fuckin’ feels good to kick ass and tell you about it!  Life is too short to not kick ass!

• Read more (Roll over: Too many good books, motivational wise to not do this enough)
• Less Computer (Roll over: Just good practice, I feel like I’m always online looking at something)
• Learn to use my new digital camera (My Christmas present to myself)
• Hang out with friends (Roll over: I have amazing fucking friends!)
• Meditate more (This is just good to do)
• Continue to eat lots more fruit and vegetables (Again good habits)
• Build core strength (Will try Yoga / Pilates, and The 4 Hour Body by Tim Ferris)
• Become even more minimalistic with stuff. (I’m trying hard to purge of things I don’t need or want).
• Walk and spend more time with Hannah Banana (She’s very fun to hang out with)
• Take a random trip somewhere exotic (Preferably somewhere with a beach)
• Do something from my bucket list
• Pay off Debt (It’s time to get back on track)
• Buy a Boat (I think it’s time)
• Go hiking, back packing, camping..with the dogs. (Did this over July 4th weekend finally! Will try to do it again this year)
  
• Go horseback riding (Did this in Australia two years ago, would love to do this again on a beach somewhere)
  
• Go indoor rock climbing (Roll over: This is just good exercise, but it’s so damn far from my house!)
• Go watch and bet on Jai Alai (I won $20 bucks!)
  
• Go to the circus (I went at the beginning of last year, good to see the animals, now I want to ride an elephant in South Africa)
  
• Go to the fair (Roll over: Hopefully this year that will happen)
• Go indoor or regular sky diving. (Roll over: Just stupid expensive, I should have bought the groupon that had this)
• Go on an Airboat ride. (Roll over: This summer, hope to go in as a group)
• Get Salsa Lessons (Completed this in Australia and will try to continue doing this again)
  
• Have a Garage Sale (Did this when I returned from Australia)
  
• Learn CPR (I am certified till sometime next year when I will renew it)
  
• Date Night, Helicopter ride over Orlando (Roll over: Just a neat idea)
• Date Night, Actually fly a small plane over Orlando (Roll over: Another neat idea)
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity (Did this with some disappointment, will try another volunteering service)
• Blog more

You know me I’ll review these in a few months to check in……Here’s to a new year friends….Cheers!

Seriously, I love me some GUAC and I had no idea until I came to Mexico and the stuff is everywhere! As I sit in the hotel room, in my Mexican Cowgirl Hat, my Dos Equis and having just finished a plate full of chips, pico de gallo y guac, I decided I needed to tell everyone how much I love guac and Mexico. The guac here is ALWAYS FRESH, not like the browning stuff you sometimes see at Chipotle,; this is seriously, always FRESH and so yummy!

Yesterday we met the nicest family from Vancouver, which we are totally friends with and plan to summer in Vancouver with and perhaps even attend the 2010 Olympics (yes, we’ve gotten invited). Anyway, we were poolside yesterday and today and loved every minute of it. The sun is high, the water is blue, the drinks are cold and the company is awesome. Zeus and I are having a great time and to be honest- neither of us wants to return. While we only had one excursion, we’re just enjoying chillin pool-side with a cool cocktail. While our new friends are from Canada (which there are A LOT of BTW) we’ve met folks from Vegas as well. They booze and smoke way more than we ever would (especially the smoking since we aren’t smokers), but we got an invite to contact them the next time we’re in Vegas.

So now we’re watching “Taladega Nights” with “Little Baby Jesus” and enjoying a cold one before dinner. We’re got a couple more nights left in Cabo and hope to eat at “The Office” tomorrow evening with out new Canadian friends.

Until then… we miss everyone at home…

Love, Mandy y Zeus

You see, our confirmation for the Cabo Outdoor Adventure said to be there at 6:30 am; thus we had to get up insanely early (despite it being considerably late EST), and we had to find our own mode of transportation. And we did, a taxi pulled up, and we took it. We were dropped off at the downtown Cabo Marina, in front of the Dolphin Center, which was empty with no one inside. So we meandered up and down the Cabo Marina saying “no” to every fisherman who asked if we wanted to fish, trying to find someone who could help us. After a good 30 minutes of wondering, a back employee entrance was open and someone was there that was slightly educated and he said we were very early! “Thank you Captain Obvious” for the enlightenment. Anyway, I digressed, so we had to wait another 30 minutes before the check in opened up…and what do you know, when it does open and we’re trying to check in they can’t find our reservation. WHAT?! WHY?! What kind of people run this place? But wait, upon further investigation of the paperwork, our reservation was actually for YESTERDAY! Yea! So, we were up at the butt crack of dawn, freezing our tail feathers off, fending off the “Barracuda Mexican Fisherman” for nothing! I had to step away from the check-in counter needless to say however, Cabo Adventure came through and we were booked on the 9 am tour.

So, we went to have what turned out to be a wonderful breakfast at Café Canola, which overlooked the marina, and watched the sunrise. It was quite lovely actually.

Finally, we made it back to the Dolphin Center and were properly checked in and ready to go! Never the shy types, we made friends immediately- Oz & Jessica (the newlyweds from Dallas), Marette & George (step siblings from Seattle), and eventually Rachel & Matthew (engaged and get this, from ORLANDO!)

So… you’re asking yourself… what did you do?! Get on with it already… OK….hold onto your running shoes and tutus people…. We went zip lining, rope climbing, hiking, rock wall climbing, free ladder climbing, Tarzan swinging, bridge crossing, rock wall rappelling, river crossing, finally finishing with the mother of all zip lines- soaring above a rock quarry at 45 miles an hour! IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!

I’m signing off here to go wash the funk off . XO to every Gringo y Cubano back home…

Mandy & Zeus

P.S.
Anyone thinking I’m not the “out-doorsey” type, can kiss it! Enjoy the photos! Lots of Love from Cabo!

Photos Here