Checking In

Wow, can't believe it's been over 2 months without posting anything.

One of the reasons I haven't blogged in a while, I think, is due to the fact that when I went to Chicago to see my family I left my camera, so in a way I felt naked.

Now I'd tell you that not much has happened but truth be told there have a been a few things going on.  First off, at this point, I'm back in Chicago visiting my family before heading back on Thanksgiving morning or very early afternoon.  I'm without Frances and am really missing her even though we've been apart only 1 full day; will be away from her only about 2 full days but nonetheless feels like an eternity.

Remember my Day Zero Project and how one of my projects is 365 pictures, 1 a day.  Well, I kind of gave up due to no camera.  Sure I have my phone's camera but it truly is not the same. I was pondering about this a few weeks ago and unsure of what to do in order to continue to take a picture a day.  Then I remembered all the posts on Facebook where every day is a "something" day, for example today, November 21st is World Television Day, World Hello Day and False Confession Day, and may base my pictures on that each day.  My only concern is now that I'm working longer hours at times it may be a bit difficult but I'll do my best.

Halloween week we headed to Sapulpa, OK, which is about 10 minutes outside of Tulsa, to visit Frances's family.  It was a very nice trip.  We got to see southern Illinois, you know, where the Hills Have Eyes, at around 3 am while running out of gas.  We also went to the World's Largest Candy Store and the World's Largest Gift shop.

So... Much... Saltwater Taffy...

Mmmm... Fuuuudddge

Guess what this is

Before the announcement of no more Twinkies, I enjoyed one... Dipped in Chocolate of course!

Frances, You got some 'splainin' to do!

But of course the main reason we went to Oklahoma, as mentioned before, was to visit Frances's family.  We had a wonderful time.  Celebrated Halloween there, sightsaw (is that even a word; don't think so), and celebrated her (and my future) niece's 5th birthday.

No, it's not snowing.  The camera lens was a bit dirty

I've never seen a child so excited to get a birthday card

A few days later, Frances got a text from her sister saying that Cecilia asked if her Aunt and Uncle could go back and stay forever.  I just don't want her to complaining when we're still there in our 70's.  I'll pull out that text and remind her.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

Run Scooby

Just in case you don't know, Frances (you know, the most amazing woman in the world [don't forget to check out her blog and her etsy shop]) is very afraid of bugs.  Case in point:

Last Sunday we decided to take a walk to one of our local parks.  I had asked her if we could take this trail we always pass to which she said yes.  Of course, I knew what I was getting ourselves into so I had to make sure she didn't freak out with the bugs and critters around.  On our way back I walk behind a rail and see a huge spider web.  I lean over and see a huge spider, to which I say, "Holy (beep) that's a huge spider."  Next thing I know, she's flying past me like when Shaggy and Scooby encounter a gh-gh-gh-ghost...

She claims she was going to "get help"

Run Rhaggy

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So just a few days ago I decided to "delete" and re-do my Day Zero Project list.  I put Delete in parenthesis because although I did delete what I had I did add some that weren't done or in progress, and just a couple that I had already done.

If anyone is interested you can check it out here and view my list and progress here.  If anyone decides to join in the fun, let me know (being that #54 on my list is "Influence a person to make a day zero list")

Happy 14th Chris

We both got a 3 day weekend so we decided to head home to see our families as we normally do.

Now just a few days ago, on 8/28, one of my nephews, Christian, turned 14.  So when I spoke to my sister Lety, she said that she and her husband were going to do a cookout for our nephew Chris.

Left to Right-Laura, Lety

Before I get into how that went, let's rewind a day before...

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Remember I mentioned on my previous post that I was starting a new Customer Service position very soon.  Well, a few of my co-workers decided to throw me a Going Away Party which was very nice on their part.  The two closest Going Away parties were when I was leaving Best-Tronics Mfg; they threw a party at the job, and then when I left El Cortez Restaurant by going out for drinks on my last day.

Before heading to the party, right after work I met with one co-worker who couldn't be there that night and one that would be there that night for a round of beers.

Afterwards, after Frances came home from work and was ready, we headed to our host's house.  There was delicious food along with desserts, drinks and good fun music.

Banana Pudding & Peanut Butter filled cupcake-It was so delicious that it was chosen as my picture of the day for Friday (Food Friday)

The next morning (actually in like less than 3 hours) we were supposed to wake up at 4 am but because I woke up like 2 minutes before my alarm I turned it off and we slept until 5:30 am instead.

Now on our way home it felt like it was International Jerk* Day.  The two worst ones were:

#1.  While driving home in Indiana, some guy was tailgating me. Finally when I moved to the other lane, he clapped... However, Victory was mine! When traffic was slowing down, I drove up next to him and gave him a thumbs up. I don't think he liked that.

#2.   At Meijer, some guy walked in the bathroom like a second before me. He washed his hands like a second before me. He then decides to turn on the only two air dryers, one for each of his hands. What a jerk*.

*In order to keep this rated PG, I've substituted the word I've really felt for one more family-friendly.

Now the first stop we always make (or the last one before heading home) is at the Albanese Candy Factory in Merrilville, Indiana.  They have the absolute best gummy bears we've ever had.

Eeeeeeeeeee...

Oh Joy!

"The early bird catches the bird."

After dropping off Frances and before driving to my family's house I decided to stop by my old neighborhood where I grew up before I was 10, reason being that today's photo of the day on Flickr's Our Daily Topic page was "School".  So I decided to stop at the elementary school I went to and along the way stop by the house I used to live at.

George M. Pullman Elementary School

The first street I remember living at.

The lighter colored one was where I grew up.

Boy did it bring back memories...

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And here are the photos from my nephew Christian's 14th Birthday party:

Happy 14th Birthday Christian

Counterclockwise starting with Christian-Christian, Fabian, Laura, Jasmine, Clara, Elaine.

Smile for the camera Fabian

Modeling Time

Jasmine & Fabian (twins)

Elaine

Snowball decided to join in the party

My favorite photo, with my brother-in-laws added (Salomon on the left and Jim in the middle)

Here I have presented part of my immediate family.  Just to clarify, my oldest sister, Laura, is the one who raised me and is married to Salomon.  Her children are Alex (not pictured yet), Elaine and Jasmine & Fabian.  Then comes Lety who is married to Jim, no children.  Next comes another sister, Mago (not pictured).  And finally my brother Juan (not pictured, he had to work).  He is Christian's father and Clara's step-father.  Chris and  Clara are half-siblings.

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Finally, don't forget to visit my Flickr page to see the latest photos including some that were posted here.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend everyone!