Between U.S.A. and Spain.

WEEK 93, 94,95

Attention: Once again I am running behind schedule with my WEEKS. I had started the following post many days ago, but let it go because deep down inside I feel guilty about spending time in front of the computer. But today, I figured I should finish it- After all the photos had been downloaded and I am in much need of some quiet ME time. 

Also, it would be a shame not to blog my last weeks! After two years of hanging around Georgia telling you my life... How could I leave you hanging from a cliff just before I leave! Yes, I said LEAVE. You see, I will be leaving come rain, shine, snow, sleet, storm, or monsoon, on  the 11th of January to Spain.

Finally.

The waiting game will be over.

Somebody, pinch me!!

WEEK 93, 94, 95

December 1-21

I didn't need a clock to tell me it was 5;30 a.m., my body cried out it was too early.

In darkness, I rolled out of my blanket-bed and onto the living room's carpet.  Next, as

every morning since my bed sold, I got on all fours, thrust my butt up, stretched my legs,

and with my hands firmly on the carpet I proceeded to place my feet apart for better

balance. In that position I counted... one... two... three... before commanding my arms to

push against the beige carpet, and get me standing. I lost my balance a little in doing so.

But, ah! Finally erect like the homo sapiens I am. Before heading to the kitchen, I looked

down upon Sandra and Alonso, snuggled under a red and orange, poppy flowers

comforter, sleeping peacefully. I wondered. How long had I been sharing my "bed" with

them. Ten days? I couldn't remember. I couldn't think. But I was sure she wouldn't

be leaving any time soon. 

 

In the kitchen, the oven's clock glowed 5:32 a.m. I whispered to myself, "Gosh, you are

good at guessing time!" But then again, my body seems to follow a stress pattern. Oh, well!

I made myself a cup of instant coffee and headed to my computer. I might as well blog a little

until daylight. It's been hard to do lately.

 

So, without further ado:

Here is a little of what has been going on in my life.

 

WEEK 93

November 29- December  7

I did something extra special this week: I got together with wonderful friends, at

Mary Ann's home thanks to an invitation extended  by another friend that has kept

up with me by reading my blog- Donna Deckard Chafin. 

Gosh, I hadn't seen "the gang" in almost 2 years! And it was "Christmas ornament

exchange day"... 

So here they are doing the scissors, paper, rock thing to choose a bag.  

Don't laugh... BUT, do you know I don't know how that goes? 

 

O.K.  laugh. 

Oh, look what Mary Ann got!

Aren't these cupcake ornaments too cute? 

Time for group photo. Mary Ann as always, had something to say... was it "cheese"? 

When I showed her the photo she added with her great Scottish accent,

"Oh, no! Take another one... look at my mouth! I don't look good!"

So, I took another shot.

This one she liked better!

Thank you girls for the wonderful evening! 

Just like in the old days, I had a blast! 

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

WEEK 94

December 8 - 14

December 11, I find out my household goods are on their way to Spain.

They shipped out through New York in a cargo ship.

To be exact, they are sailing away in this strange looking ship: 

 Zim Qingdao (IMO: 9318163)

Photo of the vessel Zim Qingdao

 
Zim Qingdao by Dragon2 

Bon Vogage, three pallets of my things that only God knows how they will arrive in Madrid!!!

*********

DECEMBER 12, 2011

My niece Adriana and her husband Ruben are proud parents!

Ariadna is our new little princess! 

I can't wait to be in Spain and hold her!!!

And it was about time we had another girl in the family, because our last one...

Is certainly not a baby any more!

I realized it, when  her last photos on facebook...

CAUGHT MY EYES!

You might remember my niece Carmen from my post GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS.

 

She sure has grown into a beautiful young girl! Don't you agree? 

By the way if you are wondering about her blue eyes and blond hair

... she is 100% Spanish. 

********

 

WEEK 95

December 15 - 21

 

This week I was very stressed. With little sleep, I was tired, frustrated, disappointed with myself, and  

feeling  like I was not making any progress...  Christmas was near, I was doubtful about choosing a

date for my flight to Spain (things got a little more complicated for me, but I won't get into that) and to

top it off, my 2 year old grandson, Gabriel,  had to be hospitalized due to a severe bronchitis. So when my

best friends, Mary and Cheryl, wanted to take me out  to dinner, I said very enthusiastically,

 "I WOULD LOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooVE TO!!! JUST SAY WHEN!!!" 

So we met at a little restaurant near my house- DAKOTA'S. 

From left to right: Shawn (Mary's son), Mary, moi, and Cheryl.

 Curious facts: Mary and I, gave birth to sons on the same day- September 12, 1982 and named them Christopher!

Cheryl's birthday is also September 12! 

Shawn actually likes hanging around us... Hey! We are three funny ladies!!

I always wondered about this Southern dish...

But thanks to Cheryl ordering it, I wonder no more- FRIED PICKLES are delicious!!

And this chipotle- blue cheese burger was OUTSTANDING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, as you can see, we really enjoyed each others company, the place and the food-

Just look at Shawn eating his chicken wrap... the photo says it all!

Thank you, Mary and Cheryl, for a very much needed night out. I will miss you dearly my friends- we have shared

laughter, and we have shared tears for six years. Your friendship is priceless to me. I hope someday you can come and 

visit me in Spain! 

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

Looky here: I got another mysterious visitor! There is a person in the Netherlands that visits my blog frequently...

and she/he found my blog by "google-ing"  my paternal great-grandmother! Oh, please! Person from the Netherlands

do leave a comment. I would love to know who you are and why your interest in Virginia Foreaux? Could you be a long

lost relative perhaps? I am dying to know! :)

    

Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant arrived from google.nl on "A MOST PRECIOUS GIFT. (Between U.S.A. and Spain.)" by searching for virginia foureaux, daughter of the owner of el grand cirque foureaux.

 ************************************

And now, I will end this post with a smile!

Well, actually two smiles from Alonso! 

 

I love this photo! Even the burger smiles!

 

And this one is a "bad" photo that turned out great due to his winning smile! 

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

Whew!

Post is done and I feel good.

Now, back to business: My suitcases! 

I SHOULD KNOW...

DECEMBER 11, 2011

In my present quest to publish my book, FOOD STORIES, I was busy researching publishers, literary

agents, query letters and such, when Alonso came in the room and wanted to play with me. I said to my grandson,

"Oh, baby! Yaya needs to work a little here!" His big, brown eyes saddened, and I immediately said, "Just give

a minute... let's see what you can play with in the meantime..." He stood by my side quietly, while I looked around

the room. Darn. I realized there wasn't much to play with in this house anymore. Then, my eyes anded on the

paper wrapped, plywood board that I use as a base to pin movie posters for e-bay sales. I suddenly found

myself pointing at the board and saying excitedly, "Look Alonso! Why don't you draw here?!" And I handed him

what should never be handed to a 3 year old child... a big, black marker!!

As I sat on my chair to continue my work,

I prayed that Alonso would draw within the boundaries of the board and not on the walls...

Much to my surprise he went at it with utmost seriousness and dedication, being very careful with the marker. And I

realized he was being very passionate about his drawing- stopping, looking, and adding more lines. That's when I

stopped doing my research and grabbed my camera.

I needed to immortalize the birth of an ARTIST!

 

 

I mean look at this!

How very interesting...

Does it not remind you of

Jackson Pollock's paintings?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, I can guess what you must be thinking...

But I am not delirious! When it comes to artists- I should know...

Yes, I should know!

Because 25 years ago, I looked with awe at a drawing my son, Christopher, brought from school...

 

And that day I announced to everyone very proudly that Christopher would be a great artist someday.

Why! Look at those expressive eyes! Look at those cool boots! The wonderful colors!

My family thought I was crazy! They couldn't see what I saw... a four year old genius!!

But today I can say, "SEE! I TOLD YOU SO!" with a big smile on my face!

And someday I will say the same about Alonso...

Wait and see...

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

Chris, thanks for your support today. It meant so much...

Love you,

Mom

JUANITA'S CANTINA SOUTH OF THE BORDER JELL-O

 

JUANITA’S CANTINA SOUTH OF THE BORDER JELL-O

The horses whined as they crossed the waters of the Rio Bravo. Their riders-  a mighty strange

group of fellas. Some was good. Some was bad. And some…...

Well, they was just plain UGLY. But they all had something in common; They was thirsty… 

but not for water, mind you, nor for whisky!

Once in Mexico the men let out loud YEE-HAWS while waiving their cowboy hats in the air

and continued their ride south, lifting clouds of brown dust as they galloped all the way to 

JUANITA’S CANTINA.

It was a crowded place that there little cantina, and Juanita, a dark haired, big eyed, chubby woman

in her fifties that always wore bright yellow dresses and matching earrings, was the proud owner.

No liquor was served, just her palate-pleasing specialty- SOUTH OF THE BORDER JELL-O.

And in a land of blazing sun her refreshing after grub dessert was very welcomed by the rowdy

men that turned into little boys when Juanita, with a big smile, served it in  pretty margarita glasses.  

 Ah, yes! They liked pretty.

 

   So every day Juanita made 

   huge batches of sparkly

   pineapple Jell-o for her

   good, bad, and ugly boys.

 

  

                                                 

Then added cans

of sweet tasting pineapple.

And in big barrels she would

mix her secret ingredients:

sour cream and condensed milk!

                            

She cut limes in wedges and passed them around the rim of tall margarita glasses. Immediately,

Juanita would dip them in sweet sugar to give her dessert an extra loving touch. And finally she would

fill the glasses with her golden, refreshing mix and decorate it with slices of lime and lemon. Now, I

ask ya, what man could resist that on a hot summer day? I reckon none.

 

 

 

Yeap!!

 

That there cool and scrumptious

South of the Border Jell-o

at Juanita’s Cantina

was worth a galloping for!!!

 

Wouldn’t you a hurry too?

 

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

*It's been a while since I posted an update on my book FOOD STORIES. Although very anxious to publish... I confess I need help. With so much information on the internet I end up dizzy, and it's as if self publishing is the easy way out. However, that is not an option for me, because it's so expensive. Some of the publishers that have contacted me, actually just want to lure me into paying for their advice/editing/etc. A few days ago,  I thought Kickstarter, where people fund your project, might work... but I would have to be in the States to receive and ship my orders. That might complicate my situation since I have to leave to Spain. So.... I am guessing, that what I need is an agent. An agent would take care of everything, right? I just want to hand it to someone and let them handle it. Umm... does anyone know if I should copyright it first. I have read for hours on this matter and some sites say yes, other no. Ugh.

Publishing a book is certainly not as easy as one sees in the movies; Especially for a clueless person like me! But this week I am determined to get going with it... there has to be a way! I want to publish!!! 

Meantime, and until that happens I decided to  "self publish" one of my shorter stories here. It looks nicer in the book though!

I hope you enjoyed it! 

 

FINALLY GONE!

WEEK 92

Monday

November 28, 20011

 

Today is the day after Pepe left. Not much to say. Woke up beat. The painters didn't come.

Drank lots of instant coffee.

Why instant instead of my fresh brewed cups of coffee? Remember... I am moving. There is

hardly anything left in this house- no coffee maker, and no refrigerator either to keep the milk

for my coffee...

 

What I DO have is my dining room that will hopefully sell soon, a few small pieces of

furniture, my blanket-bed, my computer of course, and three pallets of household 

goods still outside right by the garage doors.

 

I am worried. So... so very worried that my artwork, framed photos and photo albums are

getting ruined by water condensation on the pallets due to lower temperatures at night,

and day time rainfall. Although heavily shrink wrapped and covered by large plastics, I see

thousands of water droplets shine like diamonds in between the tranparent material's folds.

 It can't be good.

They should have been inside the garage. However, there was no way around it. After calls

and e-mails to my New Jersey contact debating the "OUTSIDE" placement she insited on,

I gave up. No sense in explaining to her again that if pallet-jacks were going to be used to

move the pallets from drive way to truck- WHY, OH, WHY! Couldn't they be INSIDE the 

garage? There was plenty of garage door clearance. So what was the issue? But no. All I ever

got from her was a blunt, "BECAUSE they have to be outside". I still don't understand. This

could have been settled with the contact in Georgia and their trucking company, but she

refused to cooperate with me. 

Anyway, that was the reason for all my cups of coffee. Determined to end this pallet-ordeal  I

needed to be as alert as possible, after not sleeping a wink, to deal with that headstrong

person at Troy Container Line, and get a scheduled pick up like NOW! 

          To be exact I dealt with:  

Vijaya Neelam Satish

lcl@troylines.com

27 West Street, 

Red Bank, NJ 07701

ph: (732) 345-0818, ext 216

fax:(732) 758-0283

     ~~ _  _ _

____I_I__I_I_____________

\___Troy Container Line___/

  ~~  ~~~ ~  ~~~~~~ ~~~ 

 

What was the result of  long coffee drinking morning, filled with back and

forth phone calls and e-mails? The shipment will be picked up... tomorrow. I must

say Neelam was extremely cooperative this time. Probably, my e-mail stating I

had missed my flight due to the complications with this matter and the inclement

weather beating down on my pallets made her more open to solving my issue; AND

probably, because I had complained, a call from the operations manager at CGML

Imports in Barcelona, Spain, letting her know "this was no way to treat a customer"

did too. 

Hmmm... NEVER... EVER... will I ship anything. It's been a nightmare.

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

The rest of the day?

1)I went happily to the library to print the bill of landing for the

pick up. Yes, broken printer. 

2)I reupholstered my dining room chairs,because I think that will help

sell them.    

3)I took care of Alonso- Sandra had school.

4)I went to bed my blankets very tired and hoping to sleep better. 

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

           

Tuesday

November 29, 2011

 

Ha ha ha ha ha!!! They want to drive me crazy.

Thank goodness I read my emails early in the morning.

They switched carriers on me.

Look at this email...

Juana,

 

Attached is a copy of the revise bill of lading. The new pickup carrier will be

SAIA Motor Freight. Do not release to Holland.

 

Thanks!

Have A Great Day!

Jamara Morris

Customer Service Representative
Capital Transportation Solutions, LLC
1915 Vaughn Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144

WELL, WELL, WELL....

I guess I got to run to the library again and print the NEW bill of landing!

It's 9:30 A.M.

Thank goodness the trucker won't arrive until 2:00 P.M.

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

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER....

A funny thing happened on the way back from the library.

The trucker called me & said he was on his way.

???

I said, "Really? Because I am in Winder. Pick up was scheduled at two!"

Trucker: "Well, I am on 316 close to ya. Can you meet me at the B.P. station on 211?"

I said, "Sure. I can be there in ten minutes."

We met and he followed me from that gas station to my house.

CRAZY.

Alright, so he was way early.

But my stuff would soon be in  his truck,  and on their way. 

"Oh, wait you didn't bring help?"

Ricky, the fifty-ish truck driver, laughed.

"No Mam!  No help! That's how it is these days. Would you mind lending me a hand?"

Sigh. 

'Ummm... Mr. Ricky... would it have been a problem if these pallets had been INSIDE the garage?"

 "Don't see why. There's plenty of room for these to come out!"

Momentary silence as I gnawed on his response.

Then said, "See, I was told I couldn't."

He shook his head and laughed.

I wanted to bounce off walls... my pallets could have been safely stored in my garage.

But instead I said, "Sooo.... how should we do this?"

He smiled, "We's got to go  backward. I'll control the jack. Yous just try to hold some weight off, alrighty?"

Fear of heavy pallets rolling over me on my own driveway set in.

 Oh, boy... and to make it worse sleet started falling.

I was about to be road driveway kill. 

It was an amazing feat to keep our feet and the heavy pallets from sliding uncontrollably with the icy water! 

I confess to letting out little, panic shrieks at moments. 

My neighbors must have thought it was hilarious.

We did one... 

Then the second... 

Before the third, Ricky needed a breather.

Me too. 

 I had to run into the house and warm my red, cold  throbbing hands. 

I also had to set my eyes back into their sockets. 

With the third pallet safely in the truck, I felt relief. 

It was good to be alive.

Breathing heavily,  shivering, I walked up my driveway one last time.

I looked down upon the big truck driving away.

I wondered what the fate of those pallets would be. Sigh. I closed the door. 

As I thawed out I started hurting. Neck, shoulders, legs. Not good.

Took Advil and I threw myself on my "bed".

Stayed there most of the day too. I was a mess. But a mess with a smile on her face...

THE PALLETS WERE GONE.

FINALLY GONE!!!

*******

P.S. You can make your bets now.

Will those boxes make it to Madrid, or not?