Author: areliscintron

Categories
greeting cards Money Mondays paperlesspost.com

Does anyone still buy Greeting Cards?

Sample Card from Paperless Post Under Thoughtful Gestures.

I’ve always been one to stand for hours in Hallmark, looking for just the right card to pick out for that special someone’s special occasion.  It had to be the right card for that person from me.  It had to share and represent our special bond.  Over the years the price of cards have gone up; well everything has gone up in price.  I find myself now looking for the 99 cents cards and picking the one the fits the occasion.  I even go as far as writing on the wrapping paper….”Happy Birthday…Love, arelis.”  I rarely purchase a greeting card anymore.  Does anyone still buy Greeting Cards?

A few years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to this website called Paperless Post.  Its a wonderful site of greeting cards.  They are beautiful cards and fully customizable.  The site is SUPER easy to use and the prices are reasonable.  So far I haven’t paid anything for a card, but if I wanted to its an option.  I say give it a try.  If you can save money, why not? 

Do you still buy Greeting Cards?  Do you use any special websites that serve the same purpose?  Or do you get creative?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Until then,
Categories
#movies arts festival dating estranged friends love relationships shanna melton Soulful Sundays taco loco ted

Spend time with the one you’re with….Feed your soul.

…There’s that song….’Love the one you’re with’, well spend time with them to.  Yesterday was a lovely Saturday.  The sun was bright and shining.  The temperature was in the high 90’s.  I had talked myself into staying in the comforts of my air conditioned bedroom.  I threw the list of things I wanted to do out the window.  Some days you just want to do absolutely nothing.  Especially when there is a laundry list of things to do.  This didn’t happen though.  Instead I enjoyed a lovely day with my boyfriend.  He reminded me of the plans I had made the day before and I was going to do them whether I wanted to or not.  I dragged my heels for a good hour, when I should have been getting ready but I wanted to have a little “do nothing” time. Once I was dressed and ready to go, my spirits picked up.

We started off our Saturday afternoon with a delicious lunch at Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s.   This restaurant is located in downtown Bridgeport.  I have been here a handful of times, and I have never been disappointed.  It is a lovely place to have large groups of people.  Once Daniel’s hunger was tamed we ventured off to the Art’s Festival on the Green in Bridgeport.



 It was great to see all the people come out for this event, despite the heat. It is important to support artists, after all they help us to see the beauty in all things.  I picked up some beautiful prints from my friend Shanna Melton; to see her works you can visit www.poeticsoularts.net.  It has been a pleasure to see her painting evolve.  She is also now doing photography.  Aside from paintings, there were a number of jewelry vendors and other items of an artistic nature.  We cooled off with generous cups of ice cream.  A band was playing melodies and we even got to watch a fashion show; who knew how pretty a dress could be, made up of different ties.  I didn’t snap a picture of that because the model moved to fast for my bloggie, but take my word, it was very pretty.

Photo from Fandango

We rushed off from the art’s festival to catch the 1:45 showing of Ted starting  Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.  Its a story about a grown man and his teddy bear.  I won’t ruin it for you if you plan on seeing it.  The one liners will keep you amused throughout the movie, but I suggest you watch it during matinee hours.  It is not worth a full price ticket. If you have kids, this is Rated R, I DO NOT recommend this movie for children under 17.

No movie is complete without dinner, right?  We shared a delicious meal at Taco Loco in Bridgeport.  On my quest of trying new things, I fell in love with Yucca Fries, Dos XX beer and Lime Cilantro dressing.  I meant to take a picture of my Avocado with Mahi salad, but I forgot and I ate it all. :/   I assure you from the trace of absolutely nothing on my plate that it was delicious.  Desert was purchased at the local Stop and Shop, Breyer’s Natural Vanilla Ice Cream and FRESH Strawberries.  


A few episodes of one of my favorite t.v. series on Netflix is how we ended the evening.


Daniel and I did a lot yesterday, but none of it was really important.  It was a rare treat to have that chunk of time.  We could have done absolutely nothing.  What was important was the time we spent together.  It is important to spend time with loved ones.  Its one of those things that feeds our souls, like I spoke of last Sunday.  Sometimes life gets so busy that we put off saying Hi to a friend or a family member.  It is not done on purpose but it just gets pushed back on the list of things to do.  If you’re reading this and someone has popped into your head, then take a few seconds and send them a text.  Type Hi and add a smiley face 🙂 This translates to… Its ME and I was thinking of YOU.   This Sunday feed your soul by giving that estranged friend a call or the aunt you haven’t seen in many moons.  Feed your soul.

Until then,

Categories
love poetry Story Time Saturdays What I Know

What I Know

If I grab you by your hand as you turn to walk away,
you would stay a little longer and then you’d go.

If I look into your eyes, I don’t have to say whats on my mind
because somehow you already know.

If I told you that i was cold, you would come to keep me warm
never would you leave me shivering and alone.

If I said that I was hungry, you would cook me up a storm
never ever throwing me just a bone.

If we were caught in a blizzard, you wouldn’t stay in the house
you’d come out and play with me in the snow.

And if you did something crazy, I’d be there right beside you
because that is the only way we roll.

Categories
festivals IVE Youth Festival Soulful Sundays St George Catholic Church volunteering youth

What feeds your soul?

IVE Youth Festival 2012

The last couple of months have been a little hectic.  I’ve had the honor of chaperoning a few of the youth retreats at my church.  I find it to be a blessing in disguise.  In my youth, I never participated in such events.  So it was almost like getting a second chance for having missed it the first time around.  It’s a wonderful thing to see so many young people, from all different walks of life, come together and have such strong faith.

My niece and I, IYE Youth Festival 2012

Each morning started off in prayer and every day ended the same.  Those days were the most tranquil!  To start off the day with God and listen to the word.  The mass flowed as if it were rehearsed for months.  Each voice harmonized to sound as one.  Of all the masses I have been to in my life, it had never sounded more lovely. 

I got to know the group at a more personal level.  I listened to their opinions, watched them take in the days, saw them bond with each other and get to know new people.  With all that goes on in the world, its comforting to know that we can come together in Christ.

Girls Summer Camp 2012

The girls at the Summer Camp taught me that I can rise to a challenge of being an adult, commanding respect and earning trust.  I hope my fear never showed.  Teenage girls can be scary.  This experience reminded me how impressionable our young girls really are.  Saying the right thing can carry them on a natural high towards victory against an opposing team and saying the wrong thing can crush them in an instant.  Our youth needs role models, to push them to reach their potential, to tap into their creativity, to stand up for their individuality, and to encourage them to travel the road less traveled.  We must feed them hope.  We must plant seeds of success.  We need them to understand that they can do anything they set their minds to do. 

Pit Stop driving back from Girls Summer Camp 2012

I was fortunate growing up to have teachers and role models that did just that for me.  I hated it at the time, because I was young and that’s what you’re supposed to do at that age.  However its the one thing that has always stuck with me, NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CANT DO SOMETHING.  I hope that I am able to send that message out to the youth I work with.  Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.  Anything is possible with Christ.

They all started the weekend reluctant and by the retreat’s end no one wanted to leave.  It touched my heart and blessed my soul to see such a sight.  Its amazing what opportunities arise when you open your heart and mind and allow yourself to take it all in.

Today’s mass centered around one basic idea, “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.”  It’s in reference to riches.  “…For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.  Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality…. (2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15)

While I do not currently posses the riches that would allow me to give to others as I would like to, I have been blessed at the moment with free time.  That for me is currently in abundance, so it only makes sense that I might give that free time towards volunteering to persuade young minds into doing grand things with their lives.   Whatever you have an abundance of, please share it.  I have discovered this past year that volunteering feeds my soul and that to me is priceless.

So tonight I leave you with this, What feeds your soul?

Until then
Categories
poetry Story Time Saturdays

The Return of Story Time Saturdays

The other day I ran across some poems I had written many moons ago.  They made me smile, some made me sad and some made me mad.  Reading them and reflecting on them now, I realize that life has many ups and downs.  However, we are not defined by the ups and downs, but how we react to them.  Writing has always been a way for me to get through whatever it was that was getting to me.  If it was something that made me happy, I felt that maybe I could capture the moment with words that painted a picture, so that I could remember it later.

I’ve never shared the poems but today I thought maybe if I did, they might help someone else.  They might help you.  They might inspire you to remember to keep the moments, whether good or bad, embrace them and release them, whichever way you choose to do it.  So for the next few Saturdays, I announce the return of Story Time Saturdays.  Stay Tuned.  May this Saturday contain memories that last with you for a lifetime.

Until then,

PS.  Should you feel compelled to perhaps share a story, poem or how you embrace life, click on the email icon above.
Categories
Barnum Publick House birthdays Bridgeport CT

How long is YOUR birthday celebration?

Happy Tuesday!  Today is my boyfriend’s birthday.  We started celebrating Sunday, with a delicious brunch at Barnum Publick House in Bridgeport.  Today we will have a yummy meal at Epernay Bistro.  Aside from that though, a tight budget leaves me short of thinking of anything else to do to celebrate this man’s cumpleaños.  We want our loved ones to feel special and appreciated.

To save money we can find great deals on sites like groupon, living social, eversave, and fairfieldcoupon.com; that range from restaurants, to concerts, comedy shows, vacations and helicopter rides.  When you’re looking for the perfect gift or activity can you pick just one? 

What do you do to celebrate your loved one’s birthday?  Give me some ideas 🙂  Share them in the comments below or on the My Pocketful of Thoughts FB Page.

Until then,

Categories
Epernay Bistro Fun Fridays super moms

Giving up a piece of you….

And SHE is awesome, the woman to take care of her family! The journey she takes makes her super-hero like minus the cape!  She gives of herself completely, her needs are always put on the back burner.  She is a magical healer.  She is passionate.  She is thoughtful.  She is a budgeter.  She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.  She racks her brain to make life better for those around her.  She sacrifices much.  She might be YOU!

This is a reminder to the moms, and mom-like ladies/men that take on this role, to take a day for themselves, to do whatever!  If you can’t spare a day, then at least a few hours!  
Last week my friend’s husband and I surprised my friend with a dinner date, a girl’s night out.  We had a delicious meal at Epernay Bistro in Bridgeport, CT and a yummy drink!  It’s Friday!  So make some plans to go out and have some fun, doing whatever you want to do.
Until then,
ps. drink responsibly!

*Epernay Bistro is now closed. 🙁 1/10/13