Between U.S.A. and Spain.

5 + 1 = 51

June 24, 2011. It's my day. I can add any way I wish...

5 + 1= 51

To my family and friends:

Thank you for all the Happy BIrthday wishes, phone calls and cards.

I felt the love!!

WEEK 67

 

                                           June, Thu 2 -  Wed 8

 

WEEK 67. A long stressful week, sandwiched between two dates that always bring memories. 

June 2nd, is my oldest brother's birthday. Gabriel, turned 69. I thought about him and wished him 

a happy birthday. And on June 8th, I got married back in 1979 to Tommy Alvarez. I should have

walked on my High School graduation day, instead I walked down the isle.

 

I would have posted a photo of me as a bride, but I gave that album for safe keeping to my sister, Cary. 

I tore up every photo of him after our divorce. As a matter of fact, the album of our honeymoon

looks more like I took off on a vacation trip to beautiful Aruba all by myself. But, I figured

the wedding photos, well... my children might want to see some day.

So what about in between these two dates? A lot of chaos. A lot of wondering. A lot of thinking.

A lot of nerves and not too many answers. All I know is that I see another 67 WEEKS

of blogging. It's no joke. 

I know... I know... hang in there. One day at

a time, Juana, one day at a time.

WATER MY PLANTS, PLEASE!

 

Well, it's been hot, hot, hot around Auburn... and my plants needed watering

So, I figured my landscaper could do that while I am weeding close by...

He is a great young man, I've had him around for about three years.... 

                    But, with him I have to keep an eye out...

                       You see, he gets distracted easily.

However, one good "EXCUSE ME?" and he gets right back to work. That's why I don't fire him.

Well, that.... and... he's just too cute!!

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

This is another entry for my friend Jillsy's JUNE Challenge.

Please visit her wonderful blog at:

 

My PhotoBlog: Jillsy Girl Studio 

My ETSY Greeting Card Shoppe: Jillsy Girl Studio Cards

 

 

WEEK 66.

                                                           

                            

                                                   May, Thur 26 - June, Wed 1

             WEEK 66 is brought to you by the letter: W

 

What a week! I won Jillsy's (Jillsy Girl Studio) contest on childhood with my entry

 OF NUNS AND CAULIFLOWERS.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! What fun!!

 

 

 Thank you Jillsy, for giving me the

opportunity to submit one of my

favorite childhood memories!

 

 

 

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

Wildly amusing is seeing Alonso, my grandson, say the letter W... he puckers up his lips and then lets out the funniest Oh-Oh-U! 

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

                   

Wanna laugh?

                   Go ahead....

 

I found this photo of me, cleaning out my closet. This is the longest I ever had my hair during my childhood.

Unlike my sister, Cary, who was known for her long, blond hair, I was known for my boyish look. My mom thought I looked "cute" like that. I HATED IT.

Then it happened! She must have had a lot on her mind because I didn't see any scissors for a few months... and I finally looked like a girl! I was as happy as I could be.

To celebrate my new look, I went to my friend's house, since her father was a photographer, to have my "long hair" immortalized. A few days later I told my mother she had to pay for the photos. 

                   WHAT  DO YOU THINK HAPPENED NEXT?

You are absolutely, right. It was cut really short. But, I got lucky and was allowed to let it grow for my FIRST COMMUNION! 

Didn't I look.... ummm.... pretty? This is in Puerto Rico. Because we were moving to Spain, I was the only child doing her First Communion around Christmas time....the rest would wait until MAY.

No comment on the crown and the smile... OR the haircut. 

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

                                                             

Why do young Mexican women like to feed me?

I don't know.... but here is Rosa, bringing me tacos and homemade salsa, the day I was missing Maricela the most!

Thank you Rosa, they were delicious!

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

Well, it's been hot, hot, hot around Auburn... and my plants needed watering...

 

So, I figured my landscaper could do that while I am weeding close by...

                     After all... with him I have to keep an eye out!!

                                  You see, he gets distracted easily.

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

Not so Wonderful this week... 

*Pepe's is taking antiflamatories for his knee and can't sleep well  because of the pain....

*My car is making an ugly noise...

*Alonso's speech therapist said "Ignore him if he cries or screams for    something, DON'T GIVE IN". That didn't go too well...

          *Sandra and her best friend, Diana went to get their hair done... 

                They were not very happy when they came home...

                             Sandra said, don't worry I can fix it!

                 I said, Gee!! Diana, looks like Woody Woodpecker!!

                                       I am not done mom!

                   Wow, Sandra, you did good!! Diana, looks great!!

*I had to go to a meeting where I thought I was going to fall asleep.

*I miss my husband too much... 

*I got very frustated when trying to learn about submitting a story.   

*My house is a disaster area now that I am packing things... not that   I have a date to go, but at least it gives me the illusion of leaving...

*With hot weather bugs come out...

          Well.... at least this one is a pretty color!

                          

 

 

 

 

NEPTUNE, KING OF THE SEA....

 This is my entry for my friend Jillsy's JUNE Challenge.

Please visit her wonderful blog at:

 

My PhotoBlog: Jillsy Girl Studio 

My ETSY Greeting Card Shoppe: Jillsy Girl Studio Cards

 

 

 

 

 

******************************  

                                                                                                              NEPTUNE, KING OF THE SEA...

        The ocean fascinates me. It always has. My childhood memories are filled with sunny days at the beach, where I spent countless hours by the shore, getting sunburned although covered in Coppertone from head to toes. I can still see myself with my blue swimsuit,  looking around for anything and everything; shells, crabs, starfish, drift wood, bird feathers, mussels, clams, lost treasures, AND poking with a stick at mysterious creatures, such as  jellyfish, that the tides washed ashore... just for me.

        I don't know... I guess I was a mysterious creature myself. Instead of joining the fun with my sisters and cousins, as they played ball in the sand, or went off swimming into the big blue,  I could be still, staring at that fantastic mass of water and it's powerful, rolling waves edged with bubbly, white lace.... wondering what lurked beneath... Wondering if the tall, white-bearded, trident-carrying, horse drawn charriot-riding,  god of Roman mythology, Neptune, really existed.  

                       YEAH, I WAS AN OCEAN-WATER NERD-CHILD!!

        Now, I wasn't always along the shore. There were times I liked being in the sea... floating upside down, in the clear waters, with my big, brown eyes open wide, until they hurt and my skin was well wrinkled. I had a great imagination back then, and one day I came out of the water to tell my mother, I was certain I had seen Neptune waiving his trident at me, as his beautiful horses neighed and took him deeper into his kingdom. I couldn't hear well because my ears were full of water, but she said  something about  being too long under the sun, and that I resembled a walking prune. 

        Today, I am all grown up, and the  wrinkles in my skin have nothing to do with being in the water too long. But, the ocean still fascinates me. Unfortunately, the closest beach is five hours away from my house. So, I brought the ocean into my home. I am surrounded by shells, starfish, boats, seagulls, lighthouses... you name, I got it. All I am missing is the water, but then again,  with a little imagination...

             I can even become, NEPTUNE, king of the sea... 

                       in a bathtub!!

 

 

                                    OR should I say.... NEP-TUNA?

***********

P.S. I had a suit on, no sea life was harmed in the making of this photo, and yes... my thinking was impaired by too much sun- Keep your children inside during the summer!

ALONG A SOLITARY BEACH....

                                           Along a solitary beach, 

                         a young couple with their two sons walked...

 
 The oldest child found treasures in the sand and had fun amongst the rocks...

 

 

The  younger child instead, was not enjoying that strange place very much....

Why did the sand have to stick to his little feet?

 
 
Definitely, it was best to stay close to Mom and keep an eye on...

 

                      all that WATER!!!

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

 

This is my entry for my friend Jillsy's JUNE Challenge.

Please visit her wonderful blog at:

 

My PhotoBlog: Jillsy Girl Studio 

My ETSY Greeting Card Shoppe: Jillsy Girl Studio Cards