Between U.S.A. and Spain.

WEEKS GONE BY + WEEK 57 AND 58. PART 2.

 

 TSK, TSK, TSK!! Don't read this post without reading Part 1:

WEEKS GONE BY + WEEK 57 AND 58. Part 1.

By the way this post is not in order either. I really wish I could get it together. My brain is

out of  order. My face...oh, my face!! I was hoping I would age more...ummm...gracefully?

But NO! Each day that passes by my facial deterioration accelerates at the speed of lightning.

Can someone explain to me those hairs on my chin? In my ears? 

I cringe when I go to sleep, the thought of having to see my sagging face in the morinig is

enough to have nightmares! And each new day starts the same.  I wake up. I go to the

bathroom. I look in the mirror. I scream. My reflection is...is...is...becoming unbearable.

I mean...gosh...I hardly recognize myself!! 

 

 

 

                           Any of you have good night cream you can recommend?

 

*************************************

Belongs to: WEEK 58  Mar 1 - Apr 6

 Ohio Road trip....

I thought I had more photos of the road trip.  But then again I was driving. Hilda had my

camera. And if  I learned anything in this trip is that my sister...who is so very talented

at EVERYTHING ...has an "Achilles tendon"!

Take a look at what happens when I say, "Hey, Hilda, since I am driving you are in charge of

the photos. Take photos...lots of them!!". 

Result:

                                       She's so....artistic!  I love what's outside the window.

 
                                              
                    Oh, look it says..."There is an antenna in the middle of the sign". 

                             Oh, my! The rear of the truck is to die for!!

Kentucky: Famous for race horses and fried chicken...but  I will remember it for

that SPEED LIMIT 25  sign! 

 

                                         Great sign! And the STATE is?

  
                                     WOW! The city view is.....umm.....WHERE?

After so many hours on the road, and so many great photos to remember the road trip, 

                                   I just had to shoot a photo, "Hilda style". 

                                             I did it!! I did a  "Hilda style" !!

                                                      It's grand, isn't it?

******************************************

 

When I rewied my archives from Spain, I found these photos of my grandosn, Gabriel,

and I couldn't resist doing something with them...

 ____________________________________

 

- "Mayra?" I called out from the kitchen."

- "Yes, Mom?", she responded sweetly from her bedroom.

-  "What's Gabriel's favorite movie?", I said with a nonchalant tone.

- She came out of the bedroom and waved the DVD

at me. Then  she rested her body against the frame of her bedroom door and smiled as

she said,  "Oh, it's Ratatouille! The one about the little gourmet mouse! He loves it, Mom!"

-"Hmmm...Mayra, can you come to the kitchen for a moment?"

-"Sure Mom, I'll be right there!".

When she got to my side, next to the kitchen door, I took her hand and pulled her gently

into the kitchen. Then said...

"And EXACTLY how many times has Gabriel watched RATATOUILLE?"

           Mayra said laughing, " Well, I guess he's seen it way too many times!!"

           No wonder  little Gabriel  found BRIE to be so delicious!

 

WEEKS GONE BY + WEEK 57 AND 58. Part 1.

 

WEEK 53   Feb. 24 - Mar. 2.

WEEK 54   Mar 3 - 9

WEEK 55    Mar 10 - 16

WEEK 56   Mar 17 - 23

                   +

WEEK  57  Mar 24 -  30

WEEK 58  Mar 1 - Apr 6

 

I thought I was at the point of no return. However, I am sure that by now, you have figured out I am

relentless on "letting go" of things. That is why I had to go back. I had to go back and post some of the

photos and events that filled WEEKS 53,54,55,56...Because when I am done with this blog I will print it

just for me. Time will pass and the day will come when I will find myself flipping through the pages of

my memories. I will review my WEEKS gone by as I impatiently waited, ehem...I correct myself...I so 

patiently  waited to reunite with Pepe. Oops! My nose just got bigger!! I can't go out like this!!

            Oh! Alright!! Alright!! I was IMPATIENT!! 

               GEE!! I can't get away with anything...

 

What was I  saying? Ah,yes! I remembered...Someday,when Pepe and I are old, I will snuggle in bed

next to him in a cold winter's night. I will open my copy of Between U.S. A. and Spain, and pointing with

my wrinkled index finger at a photo, will say, "Oh, look honey!! I had forgotten about this!". I am sure we

will smile, grateful to God that those days are over. 

 

So there. I will add more memories to those weeks. But I warn you. The events are not in order...

just like my brain. 

 

              ***************************************

 

                        Photos & story  belong to: WEEK 55    Mar 10 - 16

I have gone through the stages of depression, anger, and then acceptance once more, since

that rainy day when my husband returned to Spain.

That day at the airport I tried not to think. I was in denial anyways. My camera of course was

at hand, and I saw this couple sleeping in the most uncomfortable way possible. I don't know

what possessed me to take this photo. I guess it reminded me of when I did something similar

at Madrid's airport, Barajas, when I was too early for my flight and  not having slept much

during my stay...a row of seats looked very, very inviting. Thus I bundled up my coat and

purse and used it as a pillow. For the first time in my life I couldn't care less if I there were

people around that might hear me snore, or drool. I drifted off to sleep for a couple of hours

before taking my flight. 

 

But look at this lady! These seats are not even in a row! They are at an angle. Her husband

(I assume), was on the other side sleeping the same way. Note the covers? A newspaper.

The whole picture was odd to me. But it was time to say good by to Pepe, so I quickly forgot

about the sleeping  Asian couple...

 

And after I said goodbye to my husband, 

I was too busy looking out the glass

wall by his gate. Stuck to it I stared at

at his airplane...imagining Pepe as

he went in, as he was greeted by

the smiling flight attendants, as he

walked down the narrow isle looking

for his seat... 

 

That night, at home, I reviewed the shots I had taken during Pepe's stay. I clicked a button and

those photos would display as a slide show. A 21 day slide show. Sigh. I watched it over 

and over.

                        After all, I missed my husband. I felt such a loss. 

Then curious me had to check out the newspaper/sheet the Asian lady sleeping on two

chairs had over her. Ha! Let's see today's headlines! ZOOM.  The photograph was of Japan's

catastrophic aftermath of the 9.o magnitued earthquake and tsunami. It left me stone cold.

                                            If I missed my husband.

                                                      If I felt a loss. 

I can't fathom the emotional devastation the people of Japan were experiencing... 

                          *****************************************************

 

I want to take a moment to thank my family and friend for their support throughout these 58 weeks.

I also want  to acknowledge my blog-friends for their encouraging comments in my blog and in

facebook.   When I entered my empty house and sat in front of my computer I had you to make me

smile. 

Thank you for lifting me up.  I will always remember your kindness.

Bella Casa said:

Dance...get up and dance...you know you can....I've seen your video. Cry...give yourself permission...

 if you must let it all out and get it over with.Whistle...a happy tune while you cook.Create...write, write, write...give yourself back what you enjoy most and do so very well.Choose...where you want to go and take the steps to get yourself there as fast as you possibly can. Jan @ BellaCasa

Ladyfi.wordpress.com said:

Just been reading your last few posts. I'm so very sorry this moment has come and it's tough for you... I hope you will be together again in the very near future. Hugs!

 | Mar 15, 2011 on AND NOW THE LONG ON…

Jillsy Girl said:

I can not believe it's been 3 weeks! If only the next phase goes as quickly for you! ;-)

Mar 15, 2011 on PEPE RETURNS TO SPA…

Barbara Shallue said:

It's been 21 days already? Wow, it went by fast for me - I can only imagine how it zoomed by for you. Hang in there - try to take it just one day at a time. Hugs!

Mar 15, 2011 on PEPE RETURNS TO SPA…

JenZnewlife said:

I feel for you. Looking forward to the tamale recipe!

Mar 19, 2011 on A FINE TRIO.

Mayra said:

Mommy, I don't know what to tell you. I Know how you are feeling. Rest what you can. i will call you later. Love you lots mama.

| Mar 15, 2011 on PEPE RETURNS TO SPA…

And... to my Little Swiss Flag,  Merce Hernandez, who I believe has read my entire blog! Merce...Thank you for always being there. You are too sweet! Someday we will meet in

Spain... :)

                     *******************************************

        

               Story and photos belong to:  WEEK  57  Mar 24 -  30

Rather than slump around the house, when I had Alonso I did what my blog friends suggested.

I certainly did not want to disappoint hem. So I got up and did something. It was good for him.

It was good for me. I went to a near by park with Alonso. 

 

        

                    Here's my sweetheart! See Alonso's Mickey Mouse cap? It's his favorite!

We strolled around the park. Then I took him to the lake. He would have fun watching the ducks

and geese...

                                    Alonso spotted a goose and got very excited!

 

                           So excited in fact...that he shared his favorite cap with the bird! 

                 Yes, Alonso, it's bye bye time for Mickey Mouse!

       I tried rescuing it, but it went too far from my reach. Some fish is wearing it now...

                          We kept walking around the lake following this cute couple. 

 

I was so glad I decided not to stay in the house. It really was a day to be enjoyed!

               Then off to the trail...the children's area for Alonso to have some fun...

 

 

 

             and after admiring a beautiful sunset, Alonso and I headed back home...

                     *********************************************                     

As I said before this is not in order...

 

While Pepe was here I started collecting flags. I figured I could "capture" them as people from

other countries visited my blog. I will not ever be able to travel the world, but at least my blog

is seen in places I would have liked to visit! 

                                       So far this is what I have:

When I see the flag from Sweden, I know it's my friend Lady Fi and I smile. Check out

her blog, it's breathtaking! Ladyfi.wordpress.com

 Stockholm, Stockholms Lan arrived on "WEEK 53...54...and... (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

                                    Looky here! How interesting!

  Amman arrived from google.jo on "To my big sister, Hilda, with love: Happy Birthday!! (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)" by searching for happy birthday my big sister.

 

Now this is my GREEK mystery. I would love for this person to let me know

who they are, because they visit regularly. Person from Greece, who are you? :)

Grecia, Alajuela arrived from typepad.com on "WEEK 53...54...and... (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

This one from England must have been searching for a good "FISH & CHIPS" recipe! Nah...not really, she was looking for Barbara Desperado!

 London, London, City of arrived from google.co.uk on "DEDICATED TO MY FRIEND BARBARA...once again, "FISH DESPERADO" (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)" by searching for barbara desperado.

I am clueless. WHO in Extremadura searches me by my sister's name? 

Almendralejo, Extremadura arrived from google.es on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.: 5 posts from December 12, 2010 - December 18, 2010" by searching for cary aragon bernal.

               Unknown Canadian...who visits from time to time. Hello!!

 Mississauga, Ontario arrived from blogger.com on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.".

 

Unbelievable!! Ivanna Trump is searched for every where....this is my most international post! 

Ankara arrived on "The woman I argued with was Ivanna Trump?!! (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

                                          OH, LA LA!! VIVA LA FRANCE! 

Paris, Ile-de-France arrived from google.ch on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.: 5 posts from December 12, 2010 - December 18, 2010" by searching for spain problem 12 december 2010

 

 I have to visit Ireland someday! It's one of my dream destinations!

Ireland arrived on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.".

 

 Mamma Mia! When will I ever go to the Vatican. I must goah  before I dieah! 

  Italy arrived from google.it on "Happy Birthday Mami! (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

 From the land of Pope John Paul II...someone is looking for taquitos?

 Poland. Siedlce, Mazowieckie arrived from google.pl on "MARICELA'S TAQUITOS FOR PEPE. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

Shanghai arrived from cn.bing.com on "Between U.S.A. and Spain." by searching for beautiful bottles.

 

 AHA!!  She once was my Peruvian mystery! Hola Marieli!! HUGS!!

Lima arrived from facebook.com on "MACHU PICCHU ROYALTY... (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

Whenever I see the flag of Puerto Rico,  I know it's either Carmen, my cousin

Adolfo's  wife, or one of their daughters, Maricela or  Gisela. Un besoooooooo!!

Naguabo arrived from facebook.com on "A MOST PRECIOUS GIFT. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

                          

                         Here are some more exciting countries:

Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi arrived from google.com.au on "PEPE RETURNS TO SPAIN. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)" by searching for safe flight honey.

 

Lahore, Punjab arrived from google.com.pk on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.: 27 posts from September 2010".

 

Kowloon City arrived from google.com.hk on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.: 3 posts from March 15, 2011" by searching for hope you a smooth and safe flight.

 

                 Outback country! Cocodrile Dundee let's grill on the barbie!!

Prahran, Victoria arrived from google.com.au on "Between U.S.A. and Spain.".

How about this? Why doesn't it surprise me for someone in Japan looking for a most precious gift?

Matsudo, Chiba arrived from search.yahoo.com on "A MOST PRECIOUS GIFT. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

Hmmm...Taiwan! I thought people over there were too busy making stuff for the rest of the world to do anything else! Just kidding...

Taiwan, Taipei, T'ai-pei arrived on "A POEM FROM THE PAST. (Between U.S.A. andSpain.)".

 

                                                  Everyone likes cake! See?

 Thailand. Bangkok, Krung Thep arrived from google.com on "I WANT TO HAVE MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)" by searching for I like to have my cake and eat it too .

 

 Singapore. Singapore arrived from sg.search.yahoo.com on "HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ALBERTO! (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)".

 

 

This is what I call interesting...someone in Kenya looking for Spanish poetry. It's a small world.

 

Kenya arrived from google.com on "Between U.S.A. and Spain." by searching for federico garcia lorca "Mr.LIzard Is Crying".

 

   Which one of these would YOU like to visit? 

 *********************************************

Unfinished post from: WEEK 56   Mar 17 - 23 

 

Missing Pepe, I turned to my photo archives. Nothing like browsing trhough albums when

you miss a loved one. It makes you live those moments again. 

 

So as I was enjoying the photos of  Toledo, from my trip in September 2010, I realized

I had not finished a post I had started a few weeks back titled: 

                 A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHT.

I don't know these people, but I sure wish I could read their minds...

 

 

 

 This next one is Pepe. I am sure he was thinking, "Dear Lord! When is Juani going to say let's sit down!". 

 

Well...with this cat I will pass on wanting to know what he found so tasty!!

*************************************************

 WEEK 56   Mar 17 - 23

Sometime around here I became intererested in shooting. Flowers that is. Not with a gun

though, with my camera.

 

I'LL HAVE A SPLASH OF COLOR. THANK YOU.

I'll HAVE ANOTHER SPLASH OF COLOR. THANK YOU.

***************************************************

 

WEEK  58  Mar 31 - Apr 6

 

              ROAD TRIP TO OHIO! LET'S GO!! WE ARE RUNNING LATE, HILDA! 

 

                    

                       COFFEE!! I NEED COFFEE!! IT'S A 12 HOUR DRIVE!! 

BUT WHAT IF WE GET LOST? WILL WE MAKE IT ON TIME FOR SAVANNAH'S WEDDING?


to be continued.....

*******************

But of course we made it, and there will be a road trip post. But now, a 

special peek at the wedding...

Wedding decorations and bouquets by Hilda, grandmother of the bride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   Cake topper by Cheryl.

 

 

 

Keepsake by Mayra and her blogging mom...ehem! 

This gorgeous wedding cake creation was by Cheryl, Savannah's mom....

Oh, I know you want to see the bride! However...that's a very special post, and I

am working on it!

 

To be continued very soon.

 

 

Jillsy's April rainbow.

 

My talented blog-friend, Jillsy,  is building a RAINBOW of colors with photographs from

anyone, who wants to participate during the month of April. 

                                Well, I just have to enter. 

Now the question is which on of these three photos I should enter for the color purple.

                          Hmmm....Eenie Meenie Miny Moe...

Want to see which one I chose? Then visit her blog, Jillsy Girl at http://jillsygirl.blogspot.com.

and see.

Don't forget to check out her fantastic photography! She is AWESOME!!

 

 

KIRSTIE ALLEY DESERVES A MEDAL.

 

Well, Kirstie, you showed everyone what a courageous woman is all about. You have been

immensely criticized for your weight gain, and ridiculed. Yet...you came out and danced

your heart out! Light as a feather...ans sexy! 

I keep coming back to this video. It lifts my spirits. Against all odds, at 60, you

danced like a 20 year old.

I

                 Simply amazing...

         You are my hero!

      Every Monday I will be watching you...

 

 

 

I raise my glass and say: CHEERS, Kirstie.

I hope you win!!

I'll HAVE ANOTHER SPLASH OF COLOR. THANK YOU.

 

                       If you didn't see my first SPLASH OF COLOR...check it out:

                                I'LL HAVE A SPLASH OF COLOR. THANK YOU.

I don't know... it's a mystery to me. I wish I knew how my new camera works. Actually, I wish I knew

photography. Period. I would love to take better photos. Actually, I am sure I would...IF I got around

to reading the instruction book. But, NO! I have to just guess at everything. Ugh! That's my way. The

hard way.

And of course I only know how to shoot. What I shoot...is what you see. Photo-shop? How do you

do that? Don't tell me. I need to read this camera's instruction book first.

But look at the next photos. No one can go wrong taking photos of flowers! You know, once more

they called my name, as I passed the floral department at work. Such beauties!! I'm so glad I had

my camera at hand, well...in my pocket. Because I really needed a SPLASH OF COLOR... today.

                    Click, click, click, click! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         Hope you got splashed with color. Isn't it refreshing? 

                       Now I am going to read my camera's instruction booklet.

                                                       Nah! It's late.

                                             I might just do it tomorrow...

WEEK 53, 54, 55, AND 56. PART 3.

 

                            WEEKS 53,54,55 AND 56. PART 1.

 

                           WEEKS 53,54,55 AND 56. PART 2

 

There was supposed to be a part 3. Week 56 was an important one. However, I am

skipping part 3. I don't think I can catch up with the rest of the WEEKS if I try to go back.  

 

Hmmm...I don't like what I am doing to my blog lately. Nope. I sure don't.  Please have a

little patience with me until I am back to being myself again.

 

 
I don't know...I am too tired. I just can't seem to get enough sleep since Savannah's

wedding. And if I don't sleep I can't think. If I can't think, then I can't remember. If I can't

remember, then I can't write about....about...about...Oh about WHATEVER I am supposed

to write about!

But at least...I am not the only one. Hilda doesn't seem to be doing too good either!

                 ZZZ ...     zzzz ... zzzz...

CAN YOU IMAGINE...

 

Can you imagine what my sister, Hilda, who diligently worked for months on her

granddaughter's wedding bouquets and arrangements, felt as she finally finished the

last one?

Can you imagine her as she steps back, takes a look at her work and smiles?

 She is happy. She is proud. All the love that she feels for Savannah, the young bride,

has poured into her work, and it shows. 

 

Can you imagine what a relief? The pressure is off  now. It's done. She can take care

of her own needs. And it's about time...because the wedding in Ohio is only 2 days away!

Can you imagine her as she grabs her purse and keys. As she closes her apartment

door and locks it. As she walks to her little, red Honda parked close by, thinking about 

going to get her hair done...her last minute shopping, and why not...thinking about

enjoying a little freedom too...

                     But when she gets to her car she finds this:

 

 

                    Can you imagine? 

All four tires, that she had changed recently, were gone. The  police found no fingerprints....

We made it to Ohio, and back. The wedding was fabulous! But today, April 5th, Hilda is

back dealing with this mess...

Sis, I have been thinking about you all day. I love you.

A FAIRY TALE LOVE STORY...

                                                                                                                                                   April 2, 2011.

                                                                                                                  Gahanna, Ohio.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Savannah and Zachary.

                        A Fairy Tale Love Story...

Once upon a time... Deep in a forrest of Ohio, in the midst of an early morning... a very young and 

beautiful fairy, Savannah Tinkergoria, was sighing for true love. She stood by her bedroom's

window, and smiled as the  sun's first rays dyed the sky in bright oranges, violets, and pinks, 

and wondered ...when her fairy-soul-mate would come into her life and fill it with beautiful 

 colours and warmth. She let  out one more sigh, turned around, fluttered her pretty wings and 

zipped off to her kitchen where she prepared a bowl of Twinkle-starr oats. 

Savannah Tinkergoria, with bowl in one hand, darted to  her nearby computer, sat on a daisy and

logged on to see what was new around the inter-fariy-kingdom-net, while she had breakfast. In a matter

of minutes she was chatting with a young and handsome, but a little goofy, fairy-man from another kingdom, 

Zachary Wardbell.

As it turned out, that one chat, was the beggining...sigh...of a timless...sigh... love. For as each day passed,

Savannah Tinkergoria and Zachary Wardbell, having so much in common chatted away for weeks...

until one day they knew...they had fallen in love. 

                                                                                                                                          by Mayra Alvarez

After two months of just hearing their voices, Savannah and Zachary, set a date to meet in fairy-person, at a

quiet meadow atop the big, yellow flower on a moonlit night. And on  that night...She chose her prettiest flower-

dress. He chose his coolest outfit. Legend says that when, Savannah Tinkergoria and Zachary Wardbell, 

 saw each other for the very first time, the air filled with loving warmth,  their hearts throbbed in unison, and their

 wings...their wings showed the signs of true fairy-love:  they shined in vibrant colours!

Yes, they shined...just like the sun's first rays in the early morning... when they dye the sky in bright

oranges, violets, and pinks. 

                                      Oh, I almost forgot!!

                    Savannah and Zachary married on April 2, 2011.

                        And they lived happily ever after...

By:

Juana Aragon

 

 

WEEKS 53,54,55 AND 56. PART 2.

 

 

                 ATTENTION:  This is PART 2. For PART 1, click here: 

                                       WEEKS 53,54,55 AND 56. PART 1.

 

Silly me...on my last post I didn't mention what time period the WEEKS belonged to.

So I correct my error.

WEEK 53   Feb. 24 - Mar. 2.

WEEK 54   Mar 3 - 9

WEEK 55    Mar 10 - 16

WEEK 56   Mar 17 - 23

All right now...I will pick up where I left. Finally the cold goes away and we have one truly

beautiful day. What did Pepe and I do? We spent it outside doing yard work. Just like

the good old times!

But one peek outside and Pepe knew...it was going to be a lot of work! We discussed

what had to be done. He went off to do some tough jobs, while I...kind of got distracted

when I went off to see what was springing up around the house...

                                                                                                                        

 

 

Well,  this was a surprise. Some

perennials were looking nice already...

 

 

 

                     And the bulbs were calling my name... so I took  photos of them..

 

              Oh, and I can't wait for my yellow, purple and white lilies to bloom!

 

 

I thought this was unbelievable, this is the

cabbage that didn't want to die. A long

winter with freezing temperatures,

snow, and even hail...and it still alive!

        What a survivor! 

 

 

 

 

 

YAY! In a few weeks I will be able to

come down and pick some fresh herbs

for cooking! Nothing like it...

 

 

 

 

 

I am sure  that while in Spain, Pepe,

had missed trimming bushes.  So I

handed the electric trimmer to him.

He was thrilled....Yes, just like the

good old times, he had a blast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meantime...I kept exploring my territory...OH! LOOK!! A lady bug. How cute!

You know...Alonso saw us, his Yaya and Yayo, work so hard it made him thirsty!!

 

It was a truly wonderful day...too bad the cold weather would hit us again.

      ****************************************************

During these weeks I enjoyed everyday family life. Precious  little moments like when

Pepe shared chips and dip with Alonso...

 

 

 

 

And...Alonso shared the chips and dip

 

with his pants...but it was OKAY,

Yayo took care of it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All is well that ends well!

 

                                              ************************************************************

One day I made a paella.

                              Yes, it was me who did it...

                                              Pepe, was just helping me out  in the kitchen...

                                       Everyone to the table PLEASE!!



I really wasn't too pleased with it...I have done better before, but I couldn't find

some of the ingredients. However everyone seemed to find it delicious. 

                  AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!

WEEKS 53,54,55 AND 56. PART 1.

                  

                                     WEEKS 53, 54, 55 AND 56.

I had a dream. Aha, I had a dream last night. And in that dream I was being dragged, at a

fast pace, by two masked bloggers to ....

                        BLOG COURT! 

Yes, I was being  taken in front of a Judge. But why? What had I done? I asked the bloggers

nervously, "What am I being charged with?". In unison they responded with quirky voices,  "Juana Aragon, you have been accused of...  

                     BLOG BETRAYAL!!                                     

Gasp! Mamasita, I was doomed! It's true...I have...I have betrayed my very own blog.

You see,  I have let go of the essence of Between U.S.A and Spain. I have let go of   

my " WEEKS", which in fact are the backbone of this blog. Somebody help me! I was

about to be found guilty as charged...

Next thing I knew I was in the court room. It was filled with bloggers who held signs that

said in big, red letters:

                  BAD BLOGGER. SHAME ON YOU!

Then I heard a voice say, "All rise for the Honorable Judge Bloggity Blog". We did. And

when he sat down we all did too. Then he called me over to the stand and looking down

at me said, "Do you, Juana Aragon, promise to say the blogging truth, the whole blogging

truth and nothing but the blogging truth?". I lifted my right leg, (Yes, you read right. It's

a dream...and dreams are just plain weird) and solemnly said, "Yes, I do, your blogging honor."

Then I tried to defend myself...

 

Looking straight into  his eyes, I said, "Your majesty, I confess I am a blogging mess.

There isn't much I can say in my defense. If you hadn't asked me to swear the whole

blogging truth, I could have said I was temporarily insane...but that would be lying.

Because I am not ever temporarily insane. I am permanently insane. I am also going

through a rough time, and to top  it off, I have lost my memory...therefore, I can't find

part of those weeks 53, 54, 55, and 56!. If only I could  remember  where I put

my camera's memory card...Please have pitty of me your blogness! I know I am

a blogging disgrace in your eyes, but not everyone can write perfect post after perfect

post...I am a tender, fragile, baby blogger. Between U.S.A. and Spain, just turned one year

old on the 25th of February! I will someday blossom into a better blogger..." Sniff.

 

Anyway, it went well. The judge was sobbing by the end of my confession. Then he

asked me to extend my arm toward him, he hit me in the hand with a ruler, and

told me not to do it again. He also told me to pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary

for each  WEEK  I had lost.

                      I WOKE UP.

And so, I thought I should quickly review WEEKS 53, 54, 55 AND 56... I don't want 

to have another dream like that!

                      Here it goes...

As you know my Pepe came back home on February 23rd. He brought several

gifts for us from Spain. I told about the special book my cousin, Pili, sent me..but,

I didn't tell you about the movie Pajaros de Papel or Paper Birds. My cousin, Emilio,

(her brother) directed this film. I am so proud of him...not only did he direct it, he

also composed the music. OUTSTANDING! Click on the link below and you can see

the trailer. (Chose "English" so you can read subtitles.)

 

                                http://www.pajarosdepapel.com/

                                                          ***

In order to spend more time with Pepe, and less in the kitchen, somedays we ordered

pizza . YUMMY!!

                                      

 

                                                                                                                                                      Look at Alonso's face! He sure loves his pizza! 

                                                          

 

                                                                 ***

There was a visit to Chris and Beth's apartment... It was awesome to see that big, long,

father-son hug... and as always had a great time with them. 

I also gave Chris something he always wanted. A portrait of my father. It was done by a Cuban

artist, when my family lived there. How I got this portrait is a story in itself. (NO, I didn't

steal it from another family member)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      *********************************************************** 

 Then of course there was work to be done in the garage...organizing for hours for another

garage sale...which didn't happen because....IT RAINED. 


 

But the day that we were working hard in the garage, Sandra surprised us with her signature

dish, Spaghetti a la Sandra, for lunch. Thank you Sandra, it was delicious!

                                                                     ***

                          There was also lots of Yayo and grandson time...

 And when they played...I worked on my Wilton flowers for cake decorating!

   

                                            I love, LOVE, LOVE, making these carnations!!

 

 

 

  and calla lilies too!!

        

 

 

 

                                                                                                  ***

                           My friend, Maricela, invited us to Carne Asada.

Pepe enjoyed meeting Maricela's family...and he had a blast with the twins,

Maritza and Alexa.

                        I think these girls are getting cuter by the minute...don't you?

                   And the food was delicious as always! Thank you Maricela!


                                                                                                                                                                             ***

The day Sandra moved out, I took Alonso outside and did a very special photo

shoot...

                                   What can I say...I adore this kid!

                                                          ***

And every time Sandra visited us, she brought sweets, because her dad love

them...

                                                                                                                                              and guess who else does too?

 

                                                            ****

Oh, and I had a special steak dinner for Pepe one night. They were supposed to grilled,

but the weather turned shockingly cold, that in a pan they went...

                                              I cooked some potatoes....

                                                                                                                                                                                       fresh asparragus....



                                 and portabello mushrooms to go with the steaks...

And if you are wondering how cold could it have been  for us not to grill outside...

WELL...let me show you...

   Yeah, it was that cold....ask SUPERSTAR ALONSO if you don't believe me!

Have I told you that since Sandra moved, Alonso, has been quietly sneaking things out

of my house? I guess Mommy needs some kitchen utensils....

                                                               ***

                    And one day, out of the blue....we went from freezing to...

            BOOM!!

                                 full Spring.

 



To be continued...

I WANT TO HAVE MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

                 I DID IT!

 

Since Pepe left I haven't been in the mood for much. On top of that... the last few days

I have been sick, and have had migraines also.

                             However...

I have duties. I needed to bake a cake. I needed to bake it for my last class on gum paste

and fondant, so I would get my certificate. All I knew is that I wanted it simple, but pretty.

So I chose one of my favorite flowers...daisies!

They were so much fun to make. This is the only flower with a hole in it...but I like it.

It reminds me of life. It's not perfect...but it is still beautiful. Don't you think? 

 

                       I am done. I have completed all 3 Wilton courses.

                     TA-DAAA!!

So now...I WANT TO HAVE MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ALBERTO!

 

 My Dearest Grandson Alberto: 

How I wish I was there to give you a big, big, big hug and an even bigger kiss on this very special day...your 6th birthday!

              You see I would sing you Happy Birthday and "Feliz en tu dia". 

                                 I would play with you and be silly,

and although it's not very nice....I would stick my finger up your nose because

                                  that makes you laugh...

 

 I would tell you your favorite bedtime story: Little Red Riding Hood Goes

To Ingles. Which I promise to write for you so Mom can read it to you.

                                      We would also have a jam session...

                      

                                  and show you more tricks on the guitar...

 

 

            and have a fun photo  session with lots of crazy shots...

        Yes, how I wish I was there to spend some time with you...

                            and have a great time...like we always do!

 

But since I am not there, Yaya, wishes you a very  Happy Birthday all the way

from  across the Atlantic. May God bless you today and always my beloved

grandson Alberto!

Love you

Yaya Juni

P.S. Don't forget to send me some photos of you blowing the candles

on your cake!

                                                   **********

Note: If you would like to read about his last birthday click this link.

« 03/19/10 HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY ALBERTO !

I'LL HAVE A SPLASH OF COLOR. THANK YOU.

 

Someone left a Shamrock  plant in my video department. I had brought my camera to work.

                             Temptation took over and I snapped a photo.

                        Cool! Finally I figured out how to make a wide shot! 

Then...I said to myself...how about if I go get a coffee at the Deli? And as I walked to 

the Deli...I passed my friend Mary's Floral Department. She had just received a shipment

of beautiful flowers and I couldn't resist them...the colors...those beautiful colors!

                      Oh yes. Yes!! I'll have a splash of color. Thank you.

 

 

 

                                  Hope you enjoyed the colors too!

A FINE TRIO.

 

A fine trio we make. Maricela, Sandra, and I...hanging out Wednesday afternoon.

Maricela's husband is away all week working in another state. Sandra's is by herself

in the evenings. And I have Pepe away... in another country. So we got together.

           After all who likes being alone? 

 

First we ordered pizza. Not a piece was left. Lonely women eat a lot...hadn't you heard? 

                                             Then, after dinner the children played...

                         (But wait let me show you a better photo of the twins.)

                Sandra studied...and Maricela and I prepared delicious tamales. 

                 Ummm...Roasted Poblano peppers, Monterrey and Cheddar cheese.

                        After folding...they are ready to be steamed!

It was really nice while I had company. Then I drove Maricela home, Sandra

left a little later, and the house was too quite again. I went to my room got my

pillow, my blanket... and put a movie in the DVD player.

Before I drifted to sleep once more on my green sofa, I thought about Maricela with the

kids waiting for her husband to return home.  I thought  about Sandra waiting around my

house until Gabriel gets home, and I thought about me...waiting and waiting...

              Yes...a fine trio we make. 

P.S.

 I will share the recipe for Lonely Hearts Club Tamales in Food Stories as soon as

my  brain starts working correctly.  And by the way there is a sauce my friend

Barbara, from Long Hollow,  was waiting on that is real easy. Roast 6 green tomatillos,

then put in a blender with 4 fresh, seeded jalapenos and some salt. Can't get any

simpler than that...

THE MORNING AFTER.

 

=

 

 

 

I opened my eyes at 8:00 A.M. without 

the need of the alarm clock. I was grateful to

see sunlight. Daytime would be easier to

handle.

 

I got up from the sofa and went straight

to my bedroom. Surely Pepe had left me a

message in facebook, or written an email.

 

                  He did:

 

                     

 

                                                                               March 16

                                                          Cariño ya llegue y ya te extraño

                                                                luego te llamo. Te quiero.

 (Honey I just go here, and I miss you already. I will call you later. I love you.)

I smiled, then I went to the kitchen thinking about this new beginning.  My house is so quiet.

I just realized this is the very first time in my life that I am by myself. 

 Talk about an empty nest. 

 

I made some fresh coffee and sighed as I remembered Pepe brewing coffee each

morning and bringing me a cup so I could enjoy it in bed. I miss him. I miss him. I miss him...

It should have been easier this time. 

 

THE FIRST NIGHT.

 

This first night without Pepe was worse than I

had imagined. I asked myself, why was I feeling

this way again? Why, if I had lived a year without

my husband at home, did I feel like I was starting

from zero?

 

I fear a three month  depression...just like the first

time. And I don't want to go through that once

more. I want to be well. I want to feel at home in

this house again. 

 

Last night I didn't even know what to do with

myself. I could have done laundry, watched 

television, taken care of  my Ebay sales. Instead I

sat on my green sofa.

Once in a while I would tell myself, go pick up your room, or get those dishes out of the

dishwasher. Eventually I got around to picking up the kitchen. I didn't want to see our

coffee cups on the counter the next morning. And changed the sheets of our bed. As I took

them downstairs to the laundry I caught the scent of his cologne. I immediately put them in the

washer.

 

Finally at nine I found myself going out in the darkness, getting in my car and driving to

Ingles. Sandra was working at the video department, that gave me an excuse to

see how she was doing. I also rented a few movies, bought some soup and... sleeping pills.

 

So after saying goodbye to Sandra I drove back home. I heated some Campbell's vegetable

soup, grabbed a blanket, put on a "feel-good movie" that turned out to be a tear jerker,

and cried some more. When Sandra called me to let me know she was at her apartment...

It was time to take a  sleeping pill. I fell asleep right there on my green sofa.

 

   And while I was dreaming, my husband arrived in Spain.

Carrier Flight #	Depart		Arrive		Equipment Type	Stops	Flight Time
	Time/Date	Airport	Time/Date	Airport
Delta 0126	7:55pm 15 Mar 2011	JFK	8:35am 16 Mar 2011	MAD	Boeing 767 Passenger	0	07:40

 

 

AND NOW THE LONG ONE.

Flight Details
	City	Scheduled	Estimated	City	Scheduled	Estimated
Boarding	New York (JFK)    Gate B20	7:55pm  15 Mar	On Time	Madrid (MAD)    Gate 70	8:35am  16 Mar	8:32am  16 Mar

 

Pepe  has been at JFK Airport in New York waiting for his connecting flight for 5 long hours. 

At this moment my hubby is finally boarding his Delta flight with destination Madrid, Spain. 

 

New York-Madrid is a long one. I hope he gets some rest...I know he needs it. 

                    

                                                                                           ATL airport.
                     I MISS YOU!


                                    CHRIS AND SANDRA DO TOO! 

CAN'T DO THIS.

 

                     CAN'T DO THIS!!

It's only 6 P.M. and I am walking around my house like an idiot...I should have gone

to my Wilton classes, but I can't get going...I don't feel like getting dressed and driving 

all the way over there. Anyway, it's raining...Anyway, I can't stop crying.

                     WHAT A FOOL!!

 What a way to fool myself!! I really thought I could handle this separation again, but I can't. 

        

        Maybe tomorrow I will see it differently.

                        Or  maybe....

I can pretend he didn't leave this morning.

 

 

PEPE RETURNS TO SPAIN.

 

                             Flight 0072 on Tue, 15 Mar 2011

 

Status	Departure			Arrival
	City	Scheduled	Actual	City	Scheduled	Estimated
In flight	Atlanta (ATL)    South Terminal    Gate A21	12:30pm  15 Mar	12:30pm  15 Mar	New York (JFK)    Gate 5	2:59pm  15 Mar	2:47pm  15 Mar

 

Our 21 days are up. It was time for Pepe to return to Spain. We got up early today to a

dark, rainy day. After coffee we headed to Sandra's apartment to pick her up since she

wanted to come to the airport with us. From her apartment to Christopher's where he took

us to a nearby restaurant for breakfast and we had wonderful time. After father and son

hugged and said their "see you soon", the three of us headed to Hartsfield-Jackson

Airport. 

Through all of this...I was fine. I really was.  At least I thought so. Even when I said goodbye to

Pepe at Gate 21, I surprised myself by not getting teary eyed. I did good. I didn't cry because I

kept thinking, "I will see him soon...we are a step closer". But as I drove down the road to

my house things started changing. And when I saw my house even more. And when I opened

the door to my house... it all hit me. 

Pepe is flying to New York. From there to Madrid.  I don't know when I will see him again...

All I know is that I am getting in bed, and I am going to sleep for a while. 

Honey, I wish you a smooth and safe flight. I love you.

MACHU PICCHU ROYALTY...

 

Machu Picchu, Peru. 

 

Extraordinary new discoveries have been found by a group of prestigious archeologists two

thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, in one of the world's  most beautiful and

enigmatic ancient sites of the world, Machu Picchu. 

 

The discovery was made by the famous, Dr. Juanucha Pichumota, head of the department

of archeology of La Macha University, as she accidentally slipped on Alpaca poop and went

down a crack on the site. Dr. Pichumota landed  deep below the ancient Inca city

in a secret chamber filled with paintings of Inca royalty life. 

 

Out of all the paintings, one stands out due to it's tenderness. It is believed to be the

Inca ruler, Macho-Macho, feeding Alpaca milk to his grandson Machotito-Man. 

A jewel of a find. See for yourself...

 

 

 

 

 

SUNSHINE FROM SPAIN.

 

The temperature has dropped. The sky is grey. The wind blows.

And yet...in a  corner of my bedroom rays of sunshine are coming through...

warming my spirit...making me smile. 

Sunshine from Spain. It filters through my computer screen every once in a while

when my daughter, Mayra, sends me photographs of her and the kids...

 

                    My Mayra is like the sun. See how she shines? 

 

                       Oh, look at how the camera has captured the rays!

            A walk in Aranjuez makes you feel warm any time of the year...

 

              Parks...peacocks.... ponds. Perfect for children to run and explore.

                        A little ray of sun, called Gabriel, has escaped ...

                                         with a water bottle.

 


                    Big ray Alberto with dad. What a beautiful photo. 

                                   And this one...made me laugh!

                               Can you tell me what is wrong here? 

                                                                 Loving warmth...

                                                     Shine on baby! 

                                                  Playful rays...having fun...

                                                  And Mayra looking to the heavens..

           asking if she will ever be able to get her rays under control ...

Thank you Mayra for all the sunshine you bring into my life....

                                                  I love you!

STUCK AND CONFUSED.

                                                                                                                               Wednesday. March 8, 2011.

I should be getting dressed to go to work. But do I feel like it? Do I ever? Yes, believe

it or not. Sometimes I do. I am not one to sit and do nothing. 

Unless I am sick.

However...nothing is what I feel I am doing. All the plans Pepe and I had of acomplishing

certain goals before he left are going down the drain. 

 

But at least we are together.

 

One week. Just one week before my husband  returns to Spain...and we feel stuck and

confused. I mean really stuck... and really confused. Like in "What have we done?"

and "How do we get out of this?" 

And you are probably wondering why....WHY...don't I just pick up and leave? Well, for

those of you that have been reading for over 52 WEEKS and for those of you who

haven't, and are new to my blog...there are several reasons that are tying me to Auburn,

Georgia, U.S.A.

 

1) I/we want to be debt free. It is very necessary. I can't. I won't. I refuse to start a

new life, while paying debts from my old life.  AND since we would be starting practically

from scratch in Spain...it will take $$$.

 

In our original plan...this would have been acomplished while Sandra graduated from

college. She hasn't yet. She is running "behind". So are we. As Forrest Gump said,

"Shit happens".

 

More reasons:

 

2) This year's taxes were not what we expected and  have derailed us from our course...

slightly.

 

3) Although we have made some progress getting rid of some of our things. There still

is a garage full of "stuff". Mostly not mine. Long story. I will have one more garage sale

and if they don't go... there is always donation. Hopefully, this Sunday...just about

all will go to Goodwill. 

 

Now... two  big fat reasons:

4) In order to rent my house, my mortgage payment needs to be covered, or at least most

of it. So far everyone interested in the house can't afford it....

 

5) Selling is out of the question. Foreclosures in this area have knocked out all

equity off our home. Asking price would be below what we owe on it! If you were

in our shoes...would you sell?

 

And the most recent addition to our reasons:

6) Because I need to wait and see if the two peas that left the pod, will adjust to their new

life. You see Mama-Pea here knows her Daughter-Pea better than she thinks...and I

didn't see her happy. So I don't want to be too far just in case she changes her mind. 

Most likely she will. It's  only been one day...and she has changed her mind twice already.

 

For my peace of mind. I NEED to see Sandra settled and content. Because once I leave

I will be very far away.

 

And of course there is more, but I can't get any deeper than this.

                                 ************

 

NOTE: Today is Ash Wednesday. I must add that tonight, after Mass, I felt much more

at ease. A sense of relief came over me...I know all will settle into place. I just need

to be patient and wait. I am happy that Lent has started. Less of me and my problems ...

and more of Him. 

                                           Yes...that will be good.

 

WEEK 53...54...and...

 

I can't...right now.. I can't catch up with my "WEEKS". These days are going fast,

and I find no time to write. I wish I could say we are having a blast. However, this

time it's not like when I went to Spain last September. That time we traveled. We

had so much fun! 

This time....it's very different. It's more work and less play. So I am putting of my

"WEEKS" until Pepe returns to Spain. Then I will catch up. I will go over the 

moments we have shared. Otherwise, I would stress...and I have enough on my

plate right now. You see my daughter, Sandra, left yesterday to start a new life.

So now, there are two less peas in our pod.

 

It's five A.M. and I am up. This hadn't happened since before Pepe arrived. I had

been sleeping like a log until this morning.

I can just see what will happen next week...when I face this empty house. When I 

become the last pea in the pod. 

 

A MOST PRECIOUS GIFT.

 

                              For my cousin Pili with lots of  L.O.V.E.!

 

During my visit to Spain last September my cousin, Pili, invited Pepe and I to lunch at her

place in Madrid. We weren't the only ones that would be sharing delicious food, pleasant

conversation, and lots of laughter with her that day. 

 

We were going to be a large group of Aragons...

But that is how it is in my family. No way

around it. Even when all invited can't make it,

we are a large group.

 

 

 

Or should I say, a very... umm..  large group

 of...umm..crazy people? But, regardless

of our  mental status...there is lots

of L.O.V.E. when we gather. Even if

we haven't seen each  other in a very long time

due to even longer distances.

 

Amongst the family members I hadn't seen since my last trip to Spain, would be Pili's

parents; my dearest uncles, Miliki and Rita.  Now, from here on out I will refer to them as 

Tio Miliki and Tia Rita. That is how I have always called them. You see in Spain you always...

always...(well, at least in my family anyways), add "tio" or "tia" before your uncle's or

aunt's names. 

 

Having said all that- before lunch... before the rest of the family arrived... as I was conversing

with Pili in her living room, my eyes set upon a large black book on her coffee table. On the 

cover of that book was my Tio Miliki. My cousin immediately  said to feel free to browse

through it. And so I did. By doing so, I fell  in love with the book... and asked Pili if there

could be any possibility of  a copy for myself. She said she would try to get me one, and 

the subject drifted to other directions as more family arrived, and we engaged on catching

up with each others lives...

 

Five months have gone by since that memorable lunch at Pili's. Five months I had been

yearning  for that book about my Tio Miliki. And then... just a couple of week's before

Pepe's trip, my cousin informed my husband that unfortunately there were no more

copies available.  

 

But...guess what my husband just brought me from Spain?

 

He brought me a most precious gift...a wonderful surprise

my cousin, Pili, had just for me...

            And not only did I get the book I desired about my Tio Miliki....

                                        He sweetly dedicate it to me...

Which makes it even more special.  This will be a family heirloom to pass

down through generations.

This book honors my uncle's career and achievements ...and is filled with family history.

 

Just take a good look at my  great-grandmother, Virginia Foureaux, daughter of the owner

of El Grand Cirque Foureaux.  What a magnificent photograph! And what a magnificent

woman- As the circus's ÉCUYÈRE, she had an intrepid acrobatic act while bare horseback 

riding! More amazingly she had 15 children... one of them was my grandfather Emilio.

If my father was born in 1920... I am wondering... what year is this photo from? 

 

 

And here I am looking at a photo of 

Tio Miliki when he was 11 years old. That

was around the time my mother met him...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are photos of my dad and my uncles

(Gaby, Fofo, and Miliki) from the time they

were working in U.S.A. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Pili, my dear cousin for this wonderful surprise, for taking the time and showing

what family love is all about...even when we don't see each other very often, even

when distance is between us. 

Muchos besos

Tu prima Juani

 

 

MARICELA'S TAQUITOS FOR PEPE.

 

 

When I mentioned to my Mexican friend, Maricela, a couple of days before Pepe arrived,

that he was craving Mexican food she asked with a twinkle in her eyes, "Le gustan los

taquitos de pollo?", which means, "Does he like chicken taquitos?". I replied,  of course 

he does, with a big smile and shaking my head from side to side, because I knew...

I really knew the intentions behind her question. Excited, Maricela, responded that she

would prepare some for him. Although very grateful, I insisted she didn't cook because

she was so busy with the twins..like that was going to stop her...

 

The morning  of Pepe's  arrival she asked me to come over. Maricela had all the fixings

for chicken taquitos ready for me to take home!! All I had to do was fry them

the next day for lunch.

 

And so I did...

Now, look at Maricela's tacos after adding the shredded lettuce, Mexican sour

cream or "crema", queso fresco (a Mexican salty cheese that crumbles) and 

homemade tomatillo-jalapeno sauce...

We were loving them, but Alonso is not crazy about trying new foods...

           So... Yayo Pepe tried to set example, and Alonso tried a bite!

                      

                               He wasn't too convinced...

 

But I am sure he will end up liking Maricela's taquitos de pollo someday...





                     If not ...that's alright with us.

                 Believe me, they won't go to waste!! 

 

ALONSO IS HAVING A BALL...

 

Moments I treasure...

       Alonso  having a ball with his Yayo...

FOUR PEAS IN A POD.

 

                  Have you ever seen four peas in a pod?

                                      NO? 

 

           Well this is what they look like!!

SOMEBODY...PINCH ME!

 

                          My husband is finally in Atlanta...

                                  Is this a dream?

                           Somebody...Pinch me!!!

AWAITING TAKE OFF.

Flight 0123 on Wed, 23 Feb 2011

 

Pepe, I am keeping track...

I know you are in that airplane awaiting take off. It's been a long day. I know...

I have done that flight plenty of times myself. It's a long distance 4804.94  miles,

 but soon you will be able to rest at home next to me. 

                       I am here wishing you a smooth take off.

                                      I am here waiting for you.

               

               

Status	Departure			Arrival
	City	Scheduled	Actual	City	Scheduled	Estimated
Awaiting Takeoff	New York (JFK)    Gate 28	3:55pm  23 Feb	3:54pm  23 Feb	Atlanta (ATL)    South Terminal    Gate A27	6:44pm  23 Feb	6:33pm  23 Feb

 

 

Pepe is leaving New York!

 

I just came back from waxing my eyebrows and cleaning the car. Or was it cleaning my

eyebrows and waxing the car? 

                               Oh, who cares!!

I just checked the Pepe's flight and he is boarding right NOW at gate 28 in JFK!!

                      WOO HOO!!

Status	Departure			Arrival
	City	Scheduled	Estimated	City	Scheduled	Estimated
Boarding	New York (JFK)    Gate 28	3:55pm  23 Feb	On Time	Atlanta (ATL)    South Terminal    Gate A27	6:44pm  23 Feb	6:57pm  23 Feb

D Day. Pepe is arriving in New York!

 

Flight Status

Flight 0127 on Wed, 23 Feb 2011

Change planes

 Notify Me     New Search

Status	Departure			Arrival
	City	Scheduled	Actual	City	Scheduled	Estimated
In flight	Madrid (MAD)    Gate A8	11:00am  23 Feb	10:56am  23 Feb	New York (JFK)    Gate 14	1:35pm  23 Feb	12:59pm  23 Feb
Flight Details

It's 12:50 P.M. 

Only 9 minutes to land!!

WEEK 52 minus D Day.

 

                                                                                                 Thursday 17 - Wednesday 23

 

WEEK 52. Finally, the week I have been waiting for! I am writing this at midnight.

Officially it's the 23rd. Pepe must be at the airport  already. This time his itinerary is

Madrid - New York - Atlanta. That means as I dream tonight, he will be on his way back

to me. 

I have been all emotions this week. I believe that is what has caused two of the worst

migraines I have ever had. I really have no way of expressing all that I have felt as the 

days of this past week have slowly gone by. Happiness yes,  but sorrow also...for I know

this will end in 20 days, and I fear how Iwill deal with another separation, although it

should be the last, it does not make it any easier...

 

This should have been a great post, but this week I will pass on all that has happened. 

  

All I want... is to be at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport .

All I want is to be with my husband. 

All I want is to see him home. 

My heart is pounding with anticipation.

52 WEEKS...is a very long time...

 

Carrier Flight #	Depart		Arrive		Equipment Type	Stops	Flight Time
	Time/Date	Airport	Time/Date	Airport
Delta 0127	11:00am 23 Feb 2011	MAD	1:35pm 23 Feb 2011	JFK	Boeing 767 Passenger	0	08:35	Past Schedule

WEEK 51. PART 2.

 

                                                                                                                       Thursday 10 - Wednesday 16

This is Part 2 of  WEEK 51.

If  you haven't read Part 1 click here: WEEK 51. PART 1.

 

Monday. Valentine's Day and it was my day off. Veronica, my niece, feeling better went

back to work that morning. That would give Hilda and I  the opportunity to spend some

time together. 

 

I had to run some errands before meeting my sister. When she called she was close to

my house and I was still at the grocery store. I told her to go around the back of the

house and sit on the deck, that I would be there in about 15 minutes. She replied, " Why?

I got your keys!". I said, "Oh, the keys! That's right you DO  have keys to my house!

O.K. see you in a little bit...Uh...the house is a mess, Hilda, I didn't get to anything this

morning!". She replied, "Please, Juani, don't worry!Who cares?"  I said to myself...

I do...I do! 

When I opened the door, I put my phony Cuban accent on and as I went up the stairs

I said, "Ay, chica! What you doing? I hear you washing my dishes?". Hilda stepped  

out of the kitchen with a blue kitchen towel in her hand and big smile. We hugged.. 

It was great to see her in my house again.

 

There were really no plans for the day, except taking her to my mechanic in Winder,

I really wanted him to take a look at my sister's car. I needed to know it was safe

to drive back. The rest of the day would be whatever came up.

 

After a cup of coffee and some chit chat, we headed to the mechanic. Who by the 

way tried not to laugh when he saw the little red Honda's  duct taped hood. I must

say it was a priceless moment as the three of us took off that tape! He inspected

the motor carefully and afterwards we got a nice surprise whe he said with his Korean

accent, "You no plomen goin back Flolida. You can change belts thel." He smiled and

added. "No chalge. You go back well." We thanked him and went off our way.

 

As we were getting in our cars I got a call from Maricela, my friend, and I asked Hilda 

if she would like to go by her apartment since it was right down the road. She 

agreed and we got to spend some time with her, Violeta and the twins. I sat there

looking at them talk. Never would I have thought Hilda would end up meeting Maricela

and her daughters...

From Maricela's I asked Hilda if she would like to go to a little antique shop close to 

Ingles...I knew she would love that. We both do. It would be relaxing.

Over four years going everyday by that shop and always wanting to stop...but I never

took the time. I am glad I waited for this particular day. Browsing, touching, admiring

antiques...and above all creating a wonderful memory of the time spent at the

Wicker Hut.  We left without buying a thing, but I am planning on going back with 

Pepe...and I am sure I will leave with a little  something for me and for Hilda. 

Later that night I took her to dinner. Guess where? On the Border...never go there

and I end up twice in a week! Ah, who cares food is food, the conversation was fantastic,

actually so good that it will be included in the book about my mother. After dinner

we went back to Veronica's to watch a movie, You Again,  and spend some time

with her grandkids.

At 11:30 P.M. another long, silent embrace...you don't need words to say how much

you will miss a loved one.

 

Tuesday I didn't hear from my sister. Somehow I knew she didn't charge her cell phone.

It's very Hilda. And I was right...I didn't hear from her until late that night. She had

a horrible drive back due to flu like symptoms. That morning I had them too...hmmm..

it must have been those hugs!

 

                     *********************

All in all an interesting week, and even with how hectic it was I did get to send 

Pepe a valentine. A VALENTINE FOR PEPE. and we did get to talk on the phone

as we always do. Sometimes I wonder how many phone calls we have made in the

time we have been apart...

Sandra was sweet and brought home these roses. She said one was from her, and the

other from her father. Awwwww... I had to capture the moment even with my

messed up camera. See? It's Andy Warhol-ish...This shot is with the light on.

 

This shot is with the light completely turned off...any idea what'g going on? 

 

 Oh, and then of course Tuesday the cold really hit me...but that didn't keep me

from working, nor my Wilton clases! Look at what I can do now!

 

I will show you some better ones soon! But now I am not even gettin into Wednesday...

where I was worse from my cold. I am ending this post right now...because

actually I am on WEEK  52!

THE WEEK...where I will see my husband again!! 

 

 

WEEK 51. PART 1.

                                                                                                                                 Thursday 10 - Wednesday 16

 

WEEK 51.  Frantic. That is what this week has been. Aha, one of those. The kind of week

that when it's over you ask yourself, did all of this really happen?

This week started with a little of pressure knowing I had to write a post for Sandra's birthday.

I knew it better be good too. Three days. I had three days.

Writing is not the issue. It's searching  around to find the perfect photo, or the perfect song.

TIME. That is the issue.  

I needed to organize myself. I needed a plan.  But really...Moi? A plan? Help is what I needed!

But actually I came up with a plan....My same old plan; After, Alonso, my grandson, goes nite-nite

I would write. I didn't know what ...but I would write something. TA DA!!! 

So in order to save time I decided on less photos and more writing. But then my C.Y.L.A.M.S.

(Complicate Your Life A  Little More Syndrome) kicks in, and I end up with three stories! 

Not good. Maybe I should have stuck to more photos and less writing. 

I killed one story and kept two. Sandra would like that anyway, because two is better than one.

Now all I had to do was work on them Thursday and Friday night. That was my I.Y. D. S.

(In Your Dreams Syndrome) kicking in. 

Not so. At least not the way I planned it. 

Thursday was a nightmare. I am going to describe this a quickly as possible:

*Hilda calls and informs me, my niece Veronica is very ill. Diabetes complications.

*At work I am back and forth with texts and phone calls while Veronica is being seen by

Doctors. Hilda wants to come to Georgia, but her car is not in good shape. Flying is impossible

she can't afford it. 

*Being in the medical field ny niece does not want to be hospitalized and decides she will

follow Doctor's orders at home to a tee. (She's had diabetes since she was eight years old).

*I needed to call Spain and let my family know what was going on but I had to rely on facebook

because I had no home phone (I got Vonage) thanks to pulling some cables out when I moved

my desk...Oh, I also killed the router...Thank God, I got internet going, with the help of a very,

very patient customer care representative from Comcast. The rest will wait until Pepe

gets here. I am not messing with any of that! 

*That evening as I am preparing Alonso's dinner, I get a call from Hilda. She was crying.

David, Veronica's 17 year old  son, had just called her and he had been in a car accident.

The call fails and she doesn't know if Veronica is with him or not.She couldn't get through to David...

you can imagine her distress.

*Don't worry sis I will find out. You stay put. Everything will be O.K.

*I get through to David who was in shock but otherwise well. No his mom was

not with him.

*I try to reach Veronica. Nothing. Finally she answers and is on her way to pick up

David. 

*I call Hilda back and inform her they are "safe". 

*I am a bundle of nerves putting myself in Hilda's shoes, and offer Hilda to pay for a rental

car. She insists on changing  the tires in the morning and make it here...God willing.

*That night I really tried to finish Sandra's birthday post. I didn't. I couldn't concentrate.

Before going to bed I find myself staring at this old photo that should have been put away

a week ago...but was still on my desk. This will be part of the book about my mother. See

the sadness? I just wanted to be back with her...in New York where I was supposed to be

and not in Chicago...

At five in the morning, Friday, I find myself at my desk holding this photo again, asking myself

when will I be able to write this story. But above all wondering...wondering...if Veronica

had been able to wake up at 3 A.M. to check her sugars. No news is good news, I reassured

myself, and since I was wide awake I would write...even so, finishing touches would have

to wait until that night. It would be one post only. S.E.N.S.E. kicked in.

*The rest of that Friday was horrible. Hilda left Titusville around 11 A.M..Worried that my sister

was exhausted and driving a car that might not make it, I was a mess, but kept my calm...

if that makes any sense.

*My sister Cary who reads  my S.O.S in facebook, immediately gets in touch with Pepe, and 

tells him to tell me to tell Hilda that she would help her out with the expenses of the trip and

the loss of days of work...That's my sister Cary!

*At work I was trying to keep up with Hilda's progress and cheer her up. At one point she tell me

the hood of her car is rattling because it doesn't close properly and the noise is driving her insane.

I told her to stop, buy duct tape and tape that sucker down firmly. She actually did it....

Larry the Cable Guy would have been proud!

*Hilda gets lost.

*Hilda makes it to downtown Atlanta's FRIDAY evening rush hour...

*Hilda arrives at Veronica's, who is feeling much better, at 9 P.M. 

*I told her to go to bed, rest  and we would see each other the next day.

 

Saturday morning. It's Sandra's 24th birthday. I am up early to finish her post while she and

Alonso sleep....then wake up...then have breakfast...then shower...

But alas, TO SANDRA: I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE...BUT.  is finished and she loves

it. A POEM FROM THE PAST. would have to wait another day. I was free to jump in the

shower and go out to lunch. At 1:45 P.M. we would meet Chris and Beth at On the Border

by the Mall of Georgia. 

After a very enjoyable lunch, where we talked as much as we ate, Sandra and I headed to

see Hilda and Veronica. Unfortuantely, Chris and Beth  had to go back home. But I will see them

when Pepe comes next week. I am sure.

When I saw my sister outside Veronica's apartment I couldn't believe a year had passed

since my last trip to see her. We embraced for the longest time in silence. No words are necessary

to  let a person know how much they are loved. I wished our visit that day could have been

longer but Veronica needed to rest, and I needed to work that evening when all I wanted

was to crawl into bed. The lack of sleep was doing it's job. 

 

Sunday I had to work. Don't ask me what happened that day it's a blurr.  It's a good thing...

because this seems too long and I am probably boring you. 

Are you still there?

A VALENTINE FOR PEPE.

 

A special Valentine for you Pepe:

 

          My mother always wondered what I saw in you...

                                       I guess she couldn't see  

                             that we were meant for each other.

                            Just like bagels and cream cheese, 

                         we are a perfect match!!

 
           Happy Valentine's Day my love!

          We will celebrate it on the 23rd!

Note:  These photos are from the day after Mayra and Raul's wedding in Florida. 

A POEM FROM THE PAST.

 

A couple of days ago as I was searching through photo albums, for cute photos of

Sandra, I found one that made me stop and sit down. It always brings fond

memories. It always makes me travel in time...

I could see her clearly, as she tried to memorize a poem for her school's play.

She would recite it during breakfast. She would recite it going to and coming from

school. She would recite it during her bath. She would recite it it the kitchen while

I was cooking. She would recite it during dinner. She would recite it to her 

 brothers that didn't want to hear it anymore...before going to bed. 

 

We heard it so many times that we all ended up crying more than the lizards of

the poem!!

But look at her! Was she not the custest dressed up for her part? Back then she

wanted to be an actress, and this  was going to be her first time in front of an

audience. 

 

Sandra was brilliant reciting, EL LAGARTO ESTÁ LLORANDO, a children's poem by:

Federico García Lorca. ( The poem is in it's original language, Spanish, then in 

English for your enjoyment).

                                                               EL LAGARTO ESTÁ LLORANDO  

                                                                   El lagarto y la lagarta   
                                                                   con delantalitos blancos.

                                                                   Han perdido sin querer
                                                                   su anillo de desposados.

                                                                   ¡Ay, su anillito de plomo,
                                                                   ay, su anillito plomado!

                                                                   Un cielo grande y sin gente
                                                                   monta en su globo a los pájaros.

                                                                   El sol, capitán redondo,
                                                                   lleva un chaleco de raso.

                                                                   ¡Miradlos qué viejos son!
                                                                   ¡Qué viejos son los lagartos!

                                                                   ¡Ay cómo lloran y lloran,
                                                                   ¡ay!, ¡ ay!, cómo están llorando!

                     ***** 

                                                      Mr. Lizard is crying.

                                                                     Mr. and Mrs. Lizard
                                                                     in little white aprons.

                                                                     Have gone and lost
                                                                     their wedding ring.

                                                                     Ah, their little leaden wedding ring,
                                                                     ah, their little ring of lead!

                                                                     A large sky without people
                                                                     carries the birds in its balloon.

                                                                     The sun, rotund captain,
                                                                     wears a satin waistcoat.

                                                                     Look how old they are!
                                                                     How old the lizards are!

                                                                     Oh, how they cry and cry,
                                                                     Oh! Oh! How they go on crying!  

Note: Federico Garcia Lorca, was born in  Fuente Vaqueros, Granada, Spain, June 5,1898. He died near Granada, August 19,1936. He  is Spain's  most beloved  and highly revered poet and dramatist

 

TO SANDRA: I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE...BUT

 

                                    For Sandra with love.

How time flies. You are 24 years old today!! I just wanted to let you know that I really

wanted do something very special for you today. But for some reason...I just couldn't

think of anything.

 

I began to think...hmmm...what should I do for her? Hmmm...hmmm...think, Juani,

think! But no. I couldn't think of anything! What? I was out of ideas for your birthday?

I said to myself. Oh, boy...

 

Suddenly I thought of something! I jumped up from my chair and said, "Oh, I know!!

I could tell the story of the day she was born!!". However the excitement faded away

quickly because you must know the story by heart. After all you have heard it 23

times. Right? And you would not want to hear it for the  24th time...

 

But it's a shame...because yours is such a good story. But believe me, I won't go

there and start blah, blah, blah. I won't tell you again how your due date was the

11th of February, and how I took a bus that day all the way downtown Madrid to

see Dr. Pelaez.  

 

And I won't tell you about the bus again. Ah, yes.. that crowded bus! I thought I was

going to have you right there every time the driver slammed on the brakes to let

more people in...and more...and more...What a nightmare. And then I walked several

blocks to the office. Then several blocks back to take again the bus. No money for taxis...

anyway...it was good to walk. So they say.

And did I ever tell you, that on the bus ride back home, not a single person got up so that

a lady with a baby could sit down? Nope...I stood up in the back of the bus trying to hold

on to dear life and not lose balance as the bus stopped and started off as passengers 

got on. 

After 30 minutes of swaying back and forth, and feeling every pot hole on the road,

I jumped off the bus and hurried home a couple of blocks away. I sure was in shape.

Did I ever tell you I put on only 15 lbs with you? Anyway, as I was saying...I hurried

home since your grandmother was taking care of your brothers, Mayra and Christopher,

while your father worked. 

 

Oh, no! I did it again...I am telling you the story. But don't worry because I am stopping

right here. 

 

Although...come to think of it...I might not have told you that I was busier than

a bee that day, and by night time  your grandmother insisted I take a break from

getting things ready "just in case" so that I would  stop and eat something, even if

I wasn't hungry. She made me an omelet and handed me a glass of milk. 

 

You know why I was like that, right? Because earlier, Dr.Pelaez, had said smiling, "I will

see you tonight". 

 

Well, I know you know this part...but might as well tell you again. It's the best part.

I went to bed at 1 A.M. Then woke up at 3 in extreme pain. I sat up, saw that my

water broke and shook your father as I said "Pepe!! Pepe!! Wake up!".

"Huh?' he said with his eyes closed. I said again "Pepe!! I am having the baby!!"

And then the words that I will never forget came out of his mouth...

"How do you know that". 

If I wouldn't have been shaking I would have smacked him. Instead I said, "BECAUSE

I HAVE HAD TWO BEFORE!! Hurry, wake up my mother...I mean it, hurry I am

in the last phase!"

-"HUH? What phase?"

                                        No comment. 

One long drive to Madrid, with a pale driver and one stop to pick up your aunt,

Maribel, just in case I didn't make it to the hospital. I certainly did not want to be

attended by your father...Mr. Huh.

And of course by the time we  got to the hospital, Nuestra Sra. de Rosario,

there was only time to check in, be seen by the nurse, and be rushed to the

delivery room where after 15 minutes of praying, Our Father's and Hail Mary's,

I saw Dr. Pelaez smiling through the little round window on the other side of the

delivery room's door.

Dr. Pelaez asked the attending nun to go get your father "NOW!!". She did, she

flew off to get him. Your father came in even paler...and sweating like he was

delivering you.

And one, two, three, four pushes and a beautiful baby girl was born at 5:05 A.M.



Well, I guess you heard the story 24 times after all!! But...I promise I won't tell

the one about when I said, "A GIRL?...I don't have a

name for a girl!!", because I still have to think about a post for

you and I am running  out of time!!

                      HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

WEEK 50

                                                                                                                                         Thursday 3 - Wednesday 9

 

WEEK 50. Holy Moly! Can you believe it? Two more weeks and it will be a year

since Pepe left. That also means I will have  been writing for 52 WEEKS! Which

also means, Between U.S.A and Spain, will be a year old. But most  amazingly

is the fact that Pepe will return on that same week. Yes, my hubby will be coming

back home right at WEEK 52! 

It might just seem like it was a very, very long dream...

 

In just 2 weeks we will be  choosing and packing what we will be taking to Spain.

I could have started on my own...however, we want to do it together. What we

have done together, we will undo together.

I also want him to walk into the house  after a year, and

feel it's HOME...even if it's for a day or two. 

 

Now, to be honest with you, I have put away most of my dvds and my framed 

photos. Can you imagine how I felt? Every major event in our lives, over the 

last 10 years, I looked at with detail and remembered the moment. Then I

carefully wrapped it with pink bubble wrap and put away in a large blue tote. I

would have shared some with you but it would have been  a major ordeal to

un-frame, scan and download, and put back in the frame!  But there is one that

I want Pepe to see. This one was between some of his papers.

Remember baby? This is the official photo of the grand opening of Red Lobster

at Mall of Georgia 10 years ago. (See the bottom row? He is the taller one

standing behind in the center, with his hands held in front of him).

And this was the menu of your last day of work. (Pepe's name is right under

the date, at work he was know by his real name, Jose). It was Sandra's birthday!!

I have a feeling we will be eating there when you come. I am sure. At Macaroni

Grill also, (His part time for 9 years). You had so many friends there.

Yummy, can't wait. 

 

Besides putting away framed photos in a tote. I also want to put away something

that happened this week.  Out of respect for the person that I love, I will not give

out names. This is the time I wish I was anonymous, so I could tell the story. But I

am not. Yet, I must mention it because it rocked  their mother's world and mine

in an ugly way, even though we had nothing to do with it, and it did happen on

WEEK 50,and...a great part of it was public.

Sadly, two grown Christian men, brothers, and their wives got into a long

distance fight on facebook. It later became a text fight, and later...in a more

"old fashioned" way; a phone fight, that turned out in a huge mess. Even 

though the person that did wrong admitted to it and apologized, things did not

change between them. Things even turned worse.

With examples as these, how can we teach our children

to turn the other cheek as Jesus did?

To top it off.. two people that were out of the picture end up hurt and accused

of talking behind their backs.

                      ?

A classic example of  "she said-he said" when those people were not there to

say what they really said...or didn't say. End result: A very hurt mother that sees

her sons are not speaking to each other. 

 

I will tuck this incident in a box. I will put it away. I will forget about it. I just want

to say I love the four of them just the same, and I pray they find a way to

reconciliate. 

                          *****************************

This week also I have realized that since I am not taking Ibuprofen 800, three

times a day...the varicose arteries  in my  legs are back to hurting and my body

is achy. Jeez, I don't  know...I am just plain tired.

It was great feeling 25 while it lasted!!

 

You know, I could have done without WEEK 50...but a couple of good things did

happen:

My son, Chris, was hired to impart oil painting classes. One more thing that he

is adding to his busy schedule of school, work, and endless drawings...So

if you live near Atlanta, and you would like to learn to paint with oils, you know

where to go. Chris announced it on facebook the following way:

 

Christopher Alvarez Aragon 

The website for my new job is finally up! I'm teaching classes this month on

Thursdays, the tenth and twenty-fourth. Now stop reading this and go sign

up! http://www.artalacarteatl.com/

 Now, the second great thing that happened... is that my niece, Carolina,

 

has opened her very own

party store,

"Zelebra", in Majadahonda,

Madrid! It's not any old 

party store...It's a very

beautiful one...

 

 

 

 

 

 

She has some really nice things...see?

(I need to ask her for some better photos. This one is from her cell phone!)

My daughter, Mayra is working there. I am really excited because this is her first

job since she moved to Spain, and she is loving it. But then again those two get 

along so well...and Mayra is so creative too. It's the perfect job for her!!

I hope Zelebra is a huge success, Carol, you have worked so

hard for this...and you deserve it!! I love you!!

 

Now let's see what WEEK 51 will bring me....so far, I know bad weather is

coming!

SAN AGUSTIN. STOP ON THE WAY BACK.

 Saint Augustine.

I know...I know..here I go with more photos. But how could I leave out San

Agustin (St. Augustine) from our trip to Florida?

On the way back home to Georgia, I asked Pepe if we could stop and have

lunch at San Agustin. I just couldn't bear the thought of passing that highway sign

again and not visiting this historic site! After all who knew when we would ever

get a chance again...and I love history.

Did you know: The vicinity of St. Augustine was first explored in 1513 by Spanish

explorer and governor of Puerto Rico, Ponce de Leon, who claimed the region for

the Spanish crown. Prior to the founding of St. Augustine in 1565, several

earlier attempts at European colonization in what is now Florida were made by

both Spain and France.(Wikipedia)

So once more Pepe said yes to me...I guess he always does. But before we took

off he did what he always does:

 

That's right! Better safe than sorry....I don't know about you but I am real bad

at these things. I even dislike putting gas in my car!!

And now..of course music for the trip. Juan Luis Guerra again but this time a 

softer melody I am sure you will enjoy.

 

Remember to dance this later with your other half...sigh...so romantic!

Hope you enjoy the tour...

LOOK AT THIS VIEW. I was so glad we stopped...so peaceful.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful chapel. For some odd reason I really like the photo with the blue purse...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someday I would like to come back and  be able to have more time to walk

around this historic site. I can't imagine how beautiful it must have looked

before man set foot in this coast...

                           Absolutely beautiful! A perfect place for meditation.

                                      With our Lady of Guadalupe.

Look at what a good boy Alonso was when I said I would take a photo!!

This photo cracks me up...he looks so well behaved. Look at his little hands...

oh please!!

 *From here home. Pepe would be leaving in less than a month.There

would no more traveling until 7 months later, when I went to Spain to see

him...

 

REMEMBERING OUR LAST TRIP to FLORIDA.

It's only February and this winter weather has me down. Only one beautiful day last week.

A sunny spring- like Sunday, and I had to work!  The next day I was off and it poured all

day! I am so tired of grey skies...I am so tired of rain...I am so tired of this cold. 

My need for sunshine brought to mind my last trip to Florida. Pepe, Sandra, Alonso, and I

traveled to see my sister in Titusville. It was a much needed trip before our separation.

A few days of sunshine before the gloominess we would have to face the next months.

It was also his "goodbye" to Hilda and my nephew Oscar.

 

 

But let' enjoy some music. With today's post I chose Juan Luis Guerra. To me

he is the King of salsa, merengue and bachatas. No one like him...NO ONE!

His music plays for a good part of our trips,it keeps me awake and in a

good mood while driving...So  click on the video and take a look at the photos,

or start dancing if you feel like it...

 

 

Or stop and enjoy his video. This talented Doninican singer/song writer  is part

of our family, but just because we have been listening to him for years!

Ahhh...brings back memories from his last concert at the Gwinnett Civic Center.

I had a blast with my daughters that day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 
                  This is one of my favorite photos of Alonso. Isn't it sweet?

 

Forget the food on the table. I wanted to eat Alonso up!! He was just too cute.

It's amazing how much he has grown in the past year. Here he was 17 months

old. They grow up so fast...sigh!

You can't imagine the amount of fun these two have when they get together.

All my kids love their aunt Hilda.

                        What a moment! It was time for a nap...not a photo shoot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pepe's only aunt and cousin came up from Miami to meet us at a restaurant. Not

even a train would stop his family from saying goodbye! They drove for hours just

to spend a few with us. Now that's love! 

Tia Maria is the most loving woman I have ever met. She is sweet, funny and

above all wise beyond belief... a gem of a woman. 

 

 

Sandra looking at the menu...

hmmm...dilema...what to order!!

Alonso though is sure to order 

French fries.

 

This is Maria Elena,Pepe's cousin, with

her husband Jairo. They are so much

fun to be with!

 

 

 

 

What a great day that was! To see Pepe with his aunt talking and remembering

his youth in Cuba. Aha! Cuba comes up again in my blog.  Some day I will tell

you how my Spanish husband was born in Cuba...and went back to Spain when

he was 8 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Why do I have a feeling I was not the only one that took a photo of him?

Only three days in Florida...but they were wonderful.  Oh, how I wish I could

go visit...I am so tired of this weather. Cold. Rain. Gloominess. I can just see

myself with Pepe enjoying this marvelous sunset...

Pepe, I know you enjoyed seeing these again!

Love you!!

P.S. DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE VIDEO...IT'S A HOOT!

WEEK 49.

                                                                                                                                        Thursday 27 - Wednesday 2

 

WEEK 49. This week starts just four days after I have had my molar pulled. 

It's unbelievable but...I feel like a new woman. I am not taking pain pills. Well, 

really I am, Ibuprofen 800. However, I could have chosen Loratab.  After all that

is what the dentist  was ready to prescribe. But I said, "Oh, no thank you!

It makes me soooo sick". Yes,  that's what I said with my jaw numb, lips that

didn't move, and a wad of gauze stuffed in my mouth.Or at least that was what

I TRIED  to say. I guess he understands numb language...

                                                    *****

At home, I believe Alonso, has finally realized he is two years old...and is letting

us know in many ways. Especially by saying "no" to everything. He's not a baby

anymore...no he is not! He is a big boy...

                                                        *****

My camera died. It really did. Stupid camera. You were supposed to last until I was

done with FOOD STORIES. But then again...I could do better photos with a new

one. But then again...I really don't want the extra expense. Definitely not this

month. My car's  "check engine" has lit up.

Oh, boy...not again. Pepe's trip...camera...car repair...and more. If I keep going

like this...I will never leave...my blog will keep going for everrrrrrr...I can just

see it:

WEEK 510. I feel trapped. My nerves are wrecked. My hair has

fallen out...and only two teeth remain in my gums. My wrinkled face...

and baggy, dark circles under my eyes scare the hell out of me when I look

in the mirror... Will I ever get on Delta flight 109 and head home to my

hubby?

                                       *******

I never got to do a post on Alejandro's birthday.  But, I did wish him a Happy One

on facebook. Once again I had to choose on who I would spend the little time I

had. I chose a post for my sister Cary's birthday. And oh, did she love the post

I dedicated to her, Happy birthday to my crazy sister Cary!!.  That is what

keeps me going. Making my family smile. 

So many birthdays on January! My mom's, Hilda's, Alejandro's, and Cary's! And in

February, Sandra's and Pepe's. I am SURE I am forgetting some...and I know they

all want their little post too!!

                                                                             ***********

  CAN I QUIT MY JOB?

Because I also started another blog in Spanish. So many of my family had asked

to read stories...that I did. But I will be sticking to stories of my childhood.

Especially the two years we spent in Spain after leaving Puerto Rico in January,

of 1971. 

My first entry for HISTORIAS DE MI MEMORIA:

ENTRE MONJAS Y COLIFLORES.

                                                            *****

Hopefully, this week I will get around to writing a story that  I have been dying

to tell. She is a very special young woman, and I want to do a good job on

her post, because she deserves it. Her name is Kat Roberts. She is my daughter

in law's sister. Kat has been in my mind everyday since we talked a few weeks

back, before her trip to Africa. 

This 26 year old is an example to follow...and you are going to love her story!

God bless you Kat!

                                        ************

                     FEBRUARY IS FINALLY HERE!!! WOO HOO!!!

Pepe will be here by the 23rd. I am so ready to see him. Phone calls are just

not filling the emptiness anymore. You read my blog and you probably think

I am dealing with my emotions so well...but in all honesty...some days...I don't

do well. Not at all....

And then there is Sandra and Alonso. Being in limbo about her plans kills me.

Let's change subjects....

                                    ***************

O.K. Now I am going to share with you some of my sister Cary's photos of 

La Alpujarra, Spain. Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 48

                                                                                                 Thursday 20- Wednesday 26

                                                                                                                                               

 WEEK 48. Tough week. Thinking about my mother. Wanting to honor her and

only 2 days  to work on a post. Now there was a challenge. Like a mad woman, 

I searched the drawer were I keep some of her memories, I flipped through

albums, scanned her photos, downloaded them, uploaded them, wrote notes,

regretted time and again having lost all those photo albums that were inside

the darn suitcase that someone stole from us at JFK airport. Yes, someone 

took our suitcase,(Agh, I don't want to think about that anymore!), and I didn't

do a thing around the house. I mean it. I had to prioritize.

 

So now, I am not Juana "Behind" Aragon. This week my name is Juana "Piggy"

Aragon. Next week I will probably be just plain Ms. Piggy Behind...But it was

worth it. I published on time. Exhausted, with a toothache that was driving me

crazy and a very dirty house...yet happy. If you didn't get a chance to read it

here it is:

Happy Birthday Mami!

Never had I had so many comments, on a post as with this one. The interest

it drew was unbelievable. I want to thank all who read...all who took the time

to let me know how much they loved her story! It was overwhelming for me, to

see my mom for the first time being admired by people, instead of my father.

I even got e-mails asking for me to write a book! A book on her life....the

thought went around and around in my mind. Could I? I wasn't sure...

 

The following Monday I sat at the dentist's office and while the local anesthetic

worked on my gums...my mind went on thinking about writing  my  mother's

story. Somehow after that molar was out, the first paragraphs were written in 

my head...later that day on paper.

 

Oh, excuse me? You are wondering how I did during the extraction? How  very

sweet of you to ask...Actually quite well you know...and I am back to my 

normal self! Thank you!

So what else went on this week?

 Well, on Tuesday...I went to my Wilton classes and watched my classmates

 do pretty cake flowers. Feeling the way I had the week before, I didn't get a

chance to buy my material. However, I got it before class...paid attention and

will practice at home. Which is probably less stressful. You see we don't have a 

kitchen...and that sugary, CRISCO-ey, colored icing we work with really makes

me want to wash my hands...and I can't. 

I  also made an effort to read some of my favorite blogs. You might want to

check out these posts and enjoy them too!

 On Secrets 

Found in Snow

Current happenings in my craft room......

PROMPT ME! Wednesday

And of course, I always find something interesting in facebook. This time I wanted

a photo of my nephew, Alejandro, and went to his wall to silently sneak into his

"photos" and snatch one, since he was turning 30 years old on the 27 th, and I

wanted to congratulate him on my blog. But not only did I find a good photo of 

him...I also saw this  old video posted on his wall!! El ZORRO'S GRANDSON. This

was a great Youtube find!! Thanks Alex!!

Alright, so now let me show you the great photo I found of him!

Meet my nephew Alex, from Spain..

 

Oh, this is not him!! This guy escaped from my OTHER photo....he was

supposed to be on my shoulder, but flew away. Silly bird!!

 

Let me try again....

 

 

                              ooops!!

I don't know what's wrong with typepad

today. This is not Alejandro!!

This is my great grandfather on my father's

side!

Hmmmm...let me try again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright!! Finally, here's my little

nephew, Alejandro! It's one of my

favorite photos with him. This is

at the Roman Aqueduct in

Segovia, Spain. Cold, rainy, and

very windy...but that doesn't 

stop anyone in this family!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's time to say bye for now. It's almost midnight and strange

things happen to me during this time of the night....yes, I stop

writing. You guessed it. However, before I go I will share the last

4 recipes from FOOD STORIES.

• PITTY PARTY CABBAGE.
• THE TWO PIZZA PIES VISIT.
• ONCE UPON A TIME IN CUBA...
• AT LEAST I CAN PRETEND TO BE IN HAWAII PUDDING
• 
  
• YAAAAAAAWWWN!! 

                      ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

                                   ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ 

                                                                       ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

 

Happy birthday to my crazy sister Cary!!

 

Para mi querida hermana:

                             La Fresca de la Farola

                                                    Cary, no cambies nunca!!      

To:  My crazy Aquarius sister,Cary. With love....

                      Thank you for being just the way you are! 

 

Click on the video first, then scroll down to see

the photos! Enjoy...my sister is a trip!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Que suerte tengo de tenerte como hermana

                                     porque....
  Como tu no hay ninguna!!!

                             te quiere tu hermana 

                  Juani

***************************

           I am so lucky to have you as my sister...

                                because

                   no one can compare to you!

                                  Love 

                 Juani

WHICH OF THESE TWO DESERVES A SHOW?

My sister,Hilda, posted the following comment after reading one of my

recipes in FOOD STORIES, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CUBA...

 

Comment:
--------
Hi there You chicken lover...I think I like this post so much that I am going to send it

to Oprah. What are you doing just writing? You need your own T.V. show....I think

you can do it...I do want you to be happy, but I don't want you to go to Spain! And if

I can get you a contract here, well I think your whole family can move back and live

happily ever after! Ropa Vieja! Oh my goodness you make it the best! I can taste it

now! I love you baby sister! Keep up the good work!

 

My response: 

Hi there big sis! I love that you think my dancing is great. Ah, all those years of

practice and sacrifice for the art, has finally paid off!

I don't know about Oprah, Hilda...I believe I am more Ellen DeGenere's type.

After all she loves to dance...and I am sure she will want me  to show her some

of my moves...

  

 

However....there is someone more deserving than I. With greater

talent than I. A lady that  would add a touch of class to any show!! And that

my dear is you!! You are such a spectacular fortune teller, and  no one says

 the HOROSCOPES better!!  You my sister, can light up any stage with your

personality, grace, and above all your winning smile!! 

( In Spanish)

 

 

WEEK 47

 

                                                                                                                                  Thursday 13 - Wednesday 19

 

WEEK 47.

PONDERING.

THANK YOUS.

 

 

My middle name should be "Behind". Not because I have a big one, no. At least

not yet. Although I am working real hard at it...But because I am forever

falling behind on my weekly updates.  This time, however, it's not too bad.

I am just four days  behind. Good excuses though...since I have a cold,

an aching molar... that needs to be  pulled, a stomach bug...with dizziness

and nausea included...and ... an ongoing headache. Not to mention a little 

depression that wants to flourish into something more... or maybe it's just

a side effect of overdosing on ibuprofen, and Orajel....who knows.

Even so...I have made some progress. Four more recipes for FOOD

STORIES  revised and "published" on the blog:

• I WILL NEVER GO TO HAWAII CHICKEN...
• FOR CRYING OUT LOUD SALAD.
• FISH "DESPERADO".
• ASSAULT AND BATTERY PORK. MAFIA STYLE....

 

These  24 stories +  8 more to be revised = the grand total of 32 recipes.

Plus...I have 3 more written already in my head. Here is a sneak peak of one

that will be called: "Cabin Fever Poblanos". This one I have to thank my

friend, Ana Sofia, in Puerto Rico, for when I made a comment on being snowed-

in last week, on facebook, she replied... "I am sure you will find something to

cook for your blog". Ana, you sure did inspired me...straight to the kitchen I went,

and searched for something to cook.. and this one will be dedicated to you.

Thank you!

If you read WEEK 46, then you know about our snow week here in Georgia.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...we were trapped! One good thing was

not needing any fridge space to keep drinks cold.

Being trapped  gave us an oportunity to be take some sweet photos...

And guess who dropped by for a visit? Mr. Potato...you remember him, right?

Anyway...Thursday, my first day going back to work, and I step out onto a

mound of snow...Not an ounce had melted away. Down the hill I went, only

falling once, to get to my car...Friday and Saturday the same thing. I could

have cleared my drive way. But honestly... it's sooooooo long, and it was

sooooooo cold and windy...and being sick, I decided to wait until it melted away.

The drive to work was beautiful...although dangerous. Still after several days

there was plenty of ice on the asphalt.

 
As the days passed this week, the snow melted slowly. And just as slowly, eery

feelings of worthlessness crept in. I had been reading new blogs...beautiful blogs...

blogs whose authors really did know how to write...how to beautifully express 

their insight on life. I admire people with talent. I always look up to them. Ah,

and here I was. Feeling awkward . Ashamed of my blog. Nothing really I could do. 

Except... change banners...add some color to it. Like that would make people

read more...I did a lot of pondering this week. 

You see...it's taken a year to open up about my family...even though, they are 

not known here in the States, the internet if filled with information about my

great grandfather...my grandfather...my father... his brothers...my cousins...even 

my sister Cary, a television producer, can be looked up! Yes in Spain...in Spain,

even when I made a Doctor's appointment and gave my name, the person would

ask, "You wouldn't happen to belong to THE Aragon family...right?". Sigh...

I did...I do...

And this brings me back to my humble, little blog about my simple life, while I

wait around for my hubby. It brings me to take a moment to say thank you...

to some really special ladies. They are very dear to me. All talented, wonderful,

and busy women, yet they take time to visit me and leave me sweet, 

uplifting comments...Please, if you are reading this, give them a visit...you will

love their blogs! 

                     Thank you Barbara from Long Hollow ,

                      Jan from  http://bellacasa.typepad.com/ 

                               and  Fi from LADY FI

 

And lastly... toward the end of the week. I worked on a little tribute to my

mother. A race against time. It had me all tied up in a knot...searching through

albums...scanning...putting in order...remembering her stories...and writing, or

at least trying to  write something that could capture her strength, her spirit. 

I will write about the surprising  result on her post on week 48. Today is actually

the 23 rd. which means I go to the dentist tomorrow for the extraction. It also

means...Pepe will be here in a month. OH, how I long for that day...to have

him back home...Back home, just as it was before he left a year ago. 

 

              A year ago,or 52 WEEKS...on the 25 th!

 

 

 

 

El ZORRO'S GRANDSON.

 

Yesterday, after posting my  mother's tribute, I checked around facebook.

Oh, there I was, scrolling down as I checked for something to catch my

eye... and ....BOOM! I see my nephew, Alex, in Spain, posted this

hilarious, 1948 movie clip. The movie is "EL NIETO DEL ZORRO", or

EL ZORRO'S GRANDSON. It was a comedy filmed in Mexico, starring

some of that time's best comedians, including the trio Gaby, Fofo, and

Miliki. If you read my mother's story...then you know, Gaby, was my

father's professional name.

In this scene, you won't see my father, However...you will hear him

playing the saxophone. "Resortes", a great Mexican comedian, is

pretending, just pretending to play it to impress someone in the

audience...the duo next to him, one with the guitar in hand, and the

tall man next to him,with the accordeon, are my uncles, Emilio

and Alfonso,

(Miliki and Fofo).

If you have ever seen Vaudeville and appreciated that type of

entertainment I am sure you will enjoy this even if you can't

understand Spanish...To me the last scene is priceless....

 

Hope you enjoy it!!

 

Now that's entertainment!!!

Happy Birthday Mami!

                                            

                                                    To my Mom with love...

 

Click on video....

January 22, 1920.  A baby girl was born in a small town in Spain, in the region of Murcia.

The small town's name? Cieza.  Her parents, Alonso Bernal  and Pascuala Marin, named

her Carmen.  I called her Mami.

 

It's simply  impossible for me to tell her life story without  writing a book. Her life was not

a simple one. If I had the talent I would write a movie script and send it to Clint Eastwood,

for him to direct. But I don't. So I will try my best in this little tribute.

Although she was very loved by her parents, hard times were brewing in 

Spain... and during a visit from her older sisters, Josefa and Antonia,  who lived

in Valencia, little Carmen asked her mother if she could go live with them.  She was

only 9 years old. Her mother  consented to  what later on in life my mother never

understood... A mother letting go of her child...

Both sisters, Antonia and Josefa, worked in a circus. I believe it was called Circo Romero.

The owner and his wife, were  very good and kind people. They had no children of their

own and when they met my mother, they decided to be her Godparents, helping to raise

her, providing her with lots of love...and even tutors!

Years passed.

This magnificent photos of my mother and  her Pekingese dog, Neron, was  taken 

by a well known photographer in  July 27, 1933, in Jativa, Valencia. 

                   On the back it's dedicated to her parents and brothers, with love.

 
Her "new family" absolutely adored her...and her sisters were very close to her.  In this

next photo she is with her "uncle", whom she talked about with love. This was 1935. What a

beautiful teenager she was...

 She lived through one of the most grueling wars. The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. 

During this period, Spain imported canned meat from Russia. My mother was

intoxicated by this meat when she was about 17 years old....and suffered from amnesia

for 6 months. She said to me jokingly once, that it probably caused some brain

damaged  other wise she wouldn't have married my dad....

 

 Years passed, and she got more beautiful. In this photo with sister Josefa (kneeling

behind the young boy) and cousins, she was around 19. 

About a year or so after this photo, three popular clowns were hired by her uncle...

You see the one in the middle? She fell for him...Yes, that is my dad, Gabriel Aragon.

The other two are my uncles, Emilio and Alfonso.

They were the sons of Emilio Aragon...who belonged to the even more famous trio

of Pompoff, Theddy and Emig. The one to the right, with the face painted black is 

my grandfather. 

My mother's uncle was not happy when he found out she fell in love with this young man,

but she was smitten  and did not listen to his advice.  When their contract ended ...she

eloped with Gabriel. Her life would not be a bed of roses from then on...my dad, (first

to the left) was a wonderful, very talented man, but also  a very jealous one, and there was

constant traveling...train after train...city after city....my mother cooked, cleaned,

hand washed, and ironed all their clothes. She became a great seamstress out of

necessity ...she even did my father's, beautiful, complicated and pain staking,

sequence outfits for him to shine on stage. Hours and hours of sewing by hand

at night. It was the only way she could do it without interruptions. Her quiet time...

beautiful materials, sequence, needle and thimble. But above all peace. 

 In 1942 they had their first child, and only son, Gabriel. My mother almost died

 during labor. A breeched baby being delivered in a circus in a dusty, little town of

Caceres, where there wasn't even  a Doctor available. Although, my father rushed to

a nearby town to look for help. By the time they returned the Doctor gave no hope

of  survival.

However, she was a strong woman, with an iron will and pulled through...a couple

of  days later she was traveling in a train...on a wooden seat.

                                           

 In 1944 they were living in Madrid, with my dad's father, Emilio, and his second

wife Mercedes. In that house in Vallecas...my mother was near death again from

rheumatoidal fever. Weeks in bed. Her hands and feet deformed...once again the

Doctors gave no hope, and if she lived she would be crippled. She overcame the illness.

Her hands and feet went back to normal, allowing her a "normal" life. However, 

her heart became enlarged. She would not know this until her 50's when her heart

started giving her problems...

My parents relationship was a turbulent one...and although she still loved him, his

temper and jealousy at times were unbearable. She almost left him. Almost. Her brother,

Antonio, was willing to help her and wanted to take care of her.  But...when mom, was

ready to pack her bags...she found out she was pregnant, and with a second child on the

 way...they got married. A few months later she and  her sister in law, Juanita would

spend the next months by themselves in Alicante, while the brothers went to Cuba for a

six month contract...

My mom gave birth  to my sister, Hilda,  in 1947, at the boarding house they were staying,

assisted by my Aunt Juanita. Months went by, and mom and Aunt Juanita, received a telegram

from their husbands letting them  know their contract was renewed. Stop. You will be

traveling to New York. Stop. Then go on to Cuba. Stop. 

 

 

And so it was....small town girls...traveled in a ship with 3 small children to New York. Take a 

look at the postcards mom sent her sisters....

This one says:                                                                                   New York 11-15-47

My dearest sisters. I hope that you are well. We have arrived well from our trip,

thanks be to God. As you can see by this post card this city is beautiful and the buildings

are very tall. The day after tomorrow we will continue traveling by airplane to Cuba,

where Gabriel and Alfonso await for us. I will write to you when I get there. In this 

hotel were we are staying, there is a bathroom in our own room and radio. It is a formidable

life. Sending many  kisses, your sister. Carmen.

This other one is dedicated to her sister Josefina:                                                                  11-15-47

Josefina, this is the hotel where we are living. Where I have marked the X is our room, 

more or less. 

Kisses, Carmen

 They all loved Cuba...and Gaby, Fofo and Miliki, changed their image and were a huge hit!!

Working circus...a television show, and night clubs!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Mom loved her new home....her life in Cuba....

During the 13 years they lived in Cuba, they kept traveling...working in other countries for

short periods of time. Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Colombia were a few..

 

 July 13, 1950. Document from the Spanish

Embassy in Guatemala. 

 

In 1952, mom is expecting her third child. On July 9 th, after a most difficult pregnancy,

my sister, Maribel, a beautiful little girl with hazel eyes was  born. A very special 

delivery it was...for the first time my mother gave birth at a hospital. 

Destiny assigned Maribel the care of mom during her last and hardest years fighting 

Parkinson's. 

Five years later in 1957, mom delivered, her fourth child.  My sister Maria del Carmen, or

Cary as we call her today. This blonde, blue eyed, little girl of marked strong character

would become the apple of my father's eyes. 

In 1960 their life in Cuba would end. Castro took over the Island. Mom was expecting

again. However, they had to leave in a hurry. This next photo belongs to the passport that

was used to leave Cuba. 

From Cuba they "jumped" to  to Puerto Rico, where they would take a ship to Spain. 

She was 40 years old now, and  on June 24, 1960, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on San Juan's day,

she gave birth  to Juana Maria,  her 5 th and last child.  There were complications due to a

large hemorrage, and  needed several pints of blood...

The next photo is a treasure of  mine. Her tenderness as she looks at me, after being so ill,

never ceases to amaze me..

Ten days later, mom and all the family, were on a ship returning to their home land. Spain.

This was the ship. El Satrustegui. I was baptized on this ship...in the middle of the Atlantic

Ocean.

As it is mentioned on the lower left hand corner of this document dating July 8, 1960. 

On it, my father altered their wedding date to May 2, 1941...carefully planned by them,

so we, their children would not find out that my brother, Gabriel, was born out of wedlock

in 1942. My mother would be heartbroken if we did...it would take many years for her

to open up about it.  I accidentally found out at 17, looking through her documents.

(I must say...that one of the things I have admired the most about my father was his

penmanship. Truly magnificent. Full of character and distinct. Artistic, as his life was....)

 

But they kept traveling ...and after only 6 months in Spain...we were back in New York!

Here's my father holding me while taking a stroll in Central Park, on December 1960. 

                  

 And from here life was  "Between U.S.A and Spain"...and other countries. 

 

                                                     Venezuela 1967.

Mom and Dad seated at the right side of the table, with family. 1968 Venezuela. Back to 

New York, Chicago, Florida....and Puerto Rico where my father ends up divorcing my mom

for a young girl in 1970. My mother's life as she had known it, surrounded by family ended.

But...it was a chance for new found freedom. At 50 she learns how to drive!

The rest of the family goes to Argentina. Mom, Cary and I...to Madrid, Spain. Very

lonely...difficult time. We stayed for 2 years...

During that time Mom took us to meet our grandmother, uncles and cousins in Cieza.  Here 

she is  with Grandmother Pascuala. She  was in her 80's....and passed away at 103!

 

 

                           Then came California years close to Hilda.

 

 She was her happiest in California...

She visited Gabriel, who lived in New York....

 
She was always so proud of him...and loved him dearly!

More visits to Spain...

                                              Florida years....

Car

 

Florida, 1979. Mami, Cary, Alex, Hilda and Veronica.

 

 

 

 
Visits to Texas....

 

  

                                           Barcelona...

 

   

Madrid....

 

 

 

 

Holding her 14 th, and last  grandchild.

My sister Cary's named her Carmen, to 

honor our mother. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mom at 79 years old with her four girls....

On October 6th, 2002, my mother's heart stopped beating.

Her love for us never did...

We still feel it.

 

                                         Happy Birthday MAMI!!!

With love your children, Gabriel, Hilda, Maribel, Cary, and Juani...

Grandkids...Olga, Gabriel, Oscar, Alex, Veronica, Ana Isabel, Carolina,

Adriana, Laura, Alex, Carmen, Mayra, Christopher, and Sandra...

Great grandkids...Olga, Carson, Savannah, McKayla, David, Cameron,

Daniel, Ivan, Alberto, Gabriel, and Alonso. 

P.S. I will come back to work on this post. It has been too much in too little time...and 

hard on my emotions...

 

EVER HAD THIS FEELING?

Hang in there....

                                                                                                                                                    My niece Lacy...

      Things will get better!!!

About Me

                       IN A FEW WORDS:

Looking around this morning, I found a treasure....and I want to

share it with all my friends.

via elsita.typepad.com

Please read and share a comment with me or with HER!

     Elsita, I love your art!!

WEEK 46

                                                                                                                                              Thursday 6 - Wednesday 12

Three Wise Men.

Artist in the Family.

Is this Georgia or Sweden?

 

WEEK 46. Thursday, January 6 th. While in the U.S. Christmas is officially over,

in Spain and many other countries, it is not until "Dia de Reyes" (Three Kings

Day, or Three Wise Men Day). In remembrance of Epiphany, the three Wise

Men/Kings/Magi, visit Spanish children bearing gifts, as they once did with baby

Jesus...

So being that special day, as I had my first cup of coffee, in my quiet living

room, memories of  past  "Dia de Reyes"  paid a visit. I could see my kids,

Mayra, Chris and Sandra the evening of  January 5 th, writing their  letter for

the Kings, putting  their shoes under the Christmas tree, setting  plates of

traditional Christmas sweets and ...little cups of Anise liquor, (It's Europe, no

problem...it's very cold outside and the Magi need to keep warm!), on the

coffee table for Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar...Oh, and a bucket of water

for those poor, tired camels carrying loads of  gifts for children all over the

world! Yes, I could see them... going off to bed filled with anticipation. I could

even hear them giggling...

 

I poured myself a second cup of coffee, and called Mayra to see what the Kings

had brought the family. We ended up connecting with Skype. Sandra and Alonso

were up now,  so we actually got to see Alberto and Gabriel showing off their

new toys!! It was really great to share that  magical day with them...if only for 

a moment. 

 

But the kids weren't the only ones that got a present that day. The Kings came

by my house that morning and left an airplane ticket for Pepe to visit me on

February 23 rd!! YAY!! He will be staying for 20 days...Oh, Lord! I can't wait...I

can't wait...I really can't!

Also on Thursday, I found my son Chris, posted a background he is working on

in  his facebook wall. 

Isn't it cool? What great style you got my son!! I love it...Don't you?

If you would like to see more of his art go ahead and click here: 

CHRISTOPHER ALVAREZ

• Last 3 drawings from anatomy class
• Ready for the 11 second club
• Getting ready to clean it up.
• Lyp Sync # dos
• The first frame of my

 

Then, later that week I see that my nephew Alex, the one in Washington state,

(I got 2 Alexes) posted the following on his facebook wall...

Alex- "Well.... is she pretty??? that's my work... I painted left side dark

grey of this ship...This is her taking her trip to her home in Langley AFB....

Proud??? Hell ya I am!!! hehehehehe"

 

Is that something or WHAT!!! Hell ya Alex, I am proud of you too!!

We all are!!

 

Now... one thing I am not proud of is... the cupcakes I talked about on week

45....remember I said they were the ugliest cupcakes ever? I finally downloaded a

photo...

                             See? I wasn't lying.....

What about the rest of the week? Well, there was a tremendous winter storm.

One like Georgia hadn't seen since 1940! What a hot mess, I mean, cold mess

we were in!!

Sunday night  it snowed...and snowed...and snowed...all through Monday

morning! Everyone was stuck in their homes...and those few that ventured

out  in their cars found out soon...

                  The roads were NO place to be....

Now, Monday...it was fun in the snow with Alonso. How weren't we going to 

take him out and play! It was a shame my camera acted up again and didn't work

outside. I think it messed up when I took the picture of the cupcake. But we used

Sandra's cell phone to shoot a few.

                                This one I posted in facebook, and everyone loved it!! 

Check out Alonso's frozen sock-mittens!! He wanted to stay  a little more

outside, but got his mittens wet with the snow...so grandma put on several

socks. Hey...don't knock it I am in redneck country, anything goes!!

 

And this is all for now...I will keep talking about this historic storm in week 47!

Because there is plenty more to show and tell. But for now, I am keeping my 

promise of working on FOOD STORIES and posting less in Between U.S. A

and Spain. So far I have revised 3 more stories, and I am ready for 3 more

tomorrow. Hopefully, soon I will start writing new ones, and finish this book!!

If you have never read any of my FOOD STORIES go ahead and check them

out. I love feedback so please leave a comment...PLEASE!!!

 

• One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes...SMASH, SMASH, SMASH!!
• CRY ME A RIVER "PISTO".
• STOLEN SECRET SAUCE.
• SHERLOCK HOLMES RIBS.
• SPLATTER ME NOT BEEF STEW.
• LET IT ALL OUT TORTILLA. OLE!
• TOO MANY COOKS AND ONE CHICKEN. A DYNAMIC RECIPE.
• CONNECT ME TO THE PAST CHICKEN.
• AMNESIA FLAN
• RETREAT AT GOLDEN SQUASH CORRAL.

 

 Thanks for reading!!!