Tuesday, September 11, 2012

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")

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Stop the World...

First order of Business:  I'd like to say Thank You to my first subscribers.  "Thank You!"

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A few nights ago I woke up after a dream where I was 70 years old.  I'm not sure exactly what the dream was about but I do remember thinking to myself, "Oh, man, I'm 70.  I only have a few more years left.  20 more if I'm able to make it that far."

This brought to my mind what I wrote about a few days ago, the one about the Mid-Life Crisis.

Of course I still have a while til I reach 70 so there's still much to do to live a very full life.

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So I'm excited to announce that I will be starting a new job very soon.  I'm very excited because I'm not exactly happy there, not to mention that even though I won't tell you what I do now I will tell you this:  You will not want me on the other end of the phone line.

But now that I will start my new job in two weeks it will be customer service oriented which is my forté.

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Now time to share this weeks photos:

Picture(s) of the Day(s) (8/19/12-8/24/12):

Sunday-Lampy

Monday-Macros:  Cookie

Tuesday-Toys:  Domos taking a photo with Buddha

Wednesday-Letters:  D

Thursday-Self Portrait

Friday-Food:  Shrimp Tostadas
Have a great weekend everyone!

"Stop the world, I want to get on!"-Leo Bloom, The Producers (2005) .

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Columbus OH then Home

This past Friday and Saturday we went to Columbus, OH for an Introduction to Court Interpreting class.  It was quite interesting and am looking forward to starting that in the near future.

We didn't get to do a lot of sightseeing but did enjoy the little bit we were there.

Friday, August 17th:

The Gavel outside the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center

Part of the Architecture of the Thomas J. Moyer Center

A lamp inside the Thomas J. Moyer Center

Le Veque Tower
Frances at the Columbus Commons

Giant Chess at the Columbus Commons

Holy Cross Church

Deaf School Park Topiary Garden-recognize the painting?

Frances at the Topiary Garden

Me at the Topiary Garden

Muah

What a lovely woman... at the Jury Room around the corner from our hotel

Why Hello!
I'm Thinking... I'm Thinking...


Double Jeopardy-a mix of Cucumber Vodka with lemon juice and Creme De Voilette
 Picture of the Day:
The Jury Burger
Saturday, August 18th:

Frances at the Waffle House

Me at the Waffle House

Holy Crap, that's a big waffle

Breakfast at the Waffle House in Columbus, OH
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After the Waffle House we took a little drive to Books-a-Million bookstore then headed back home for lunch and dinner..

At Books-a-Million: 



Ermahgerd... Profile Pic


Back Home:

Lunch-our second attempt at Smokey Chipotle Chocolate Chili

Dinner-Marinara Chick Peas and Spinach over Squash Noodles
Picture of the Day:

Our Daily Topic:  Groups