Where did Advent go?

OK, it is getting closer now and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Of course the stores began the season this year as soon as Halloween passed but the Christmas Season has actually not even started yet. One thing many people forget is that December 25^th is the first day of Christmas and the Christmas season continues for 40 days until Candle mass, yet on December 26^th you see the Christmas trees aligned on the street ready to be picked up by the trash collectors.

I remember when I was a kid living in Mexico we never had a Christmas tree at our house but I do remember my aunt putting up a very elaborate Nativity set every single year. She always told me that this should be done on Christmas Eve but she cheated and on December 16^th the first day of the “Posadas” she would put it up, then kept it until at least January 6^th the day of the Three Wise Men.

These days we start celebrating Christmas too early and don’t pay attention to Advent (I for one love the Christmas Season and want to extend it as long as I can and I too have become a culprit in this practice), but let me remind you that the season of Advent is one of preparation for us to receive Christmas and should not be ignored.

Again, my wish for you is that no matter how you all decide to participate in this wonderful holiday may you all have the best and the most joyous Christmas season and that peace, love, and family unity is the main focus as we all remember and celebrate Baby Jesus’ birth.

Peace!

Glendale Glitters 2012

What to do on a lazy Saturday afternoon? Well considering we were already showered and fed as my mom and my lil sis came to visit earlier I thought I would show Abby what 1.5 million lights wrapped around trees, palm trees, and even buildings would look like on the yearly biggest block party in Historic Downtown Glendale. Yes, 16 blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale get the sparkling treatment for the delight of millions of people that come to visit from November 23 until January 12. Welcome to Glendale Glitters!

On our way over to Glendale Glitters we noticed that the Tanger Outlets are already open. As we exited the freeway a line of cars wrapping around the entrance to Westgate had formed already, then again it was still Black Friday weekend so it was obvious people would be flocking the brand new shopping center. For us, that will be a future trip to go and explore and probably blow some moula.

City of Glendale Arizona, City Hall.

As we got to Historic Glendale I expected to have a hard time finding a free parking space ($10.00 prime parking signs are posted all over the place) but luck was on my side and we found a nice semi-empty street within a very short walking distance. As we crossed 59th Ave I have a habit of trotting while I cross the street but Abby hates it. Well this SOB on a big Ram truck didn’t show signs of wanting to stop even though we were at the middle of the intersection and on the crosswalk. I pulled Abby harder and then hesitated as I still was not sure of what he was going to do. We finally got to the other side and I couldn’t help but scream to the fool on the truck out of adrenaline charged rage. His female passenger attempted to do the talking for him but he sped away. OK this was the only bad incident of the night. They will get their just reward for their stupid careless actions in due time.

If you have never been to Glendale Glitters try to make the trip at least once. I know some of my family members like to go every year more than once. Food row is a huge attraction at this event with the ever famous and always tasty Indian bread having one of the biggest lines. If you have kids this is a good place for them to have a fantastic time as there are lots of attractions, rides, and activities aimed just at them. However take some money as it will set you a few dollars back.

Historic Glendale houses lots and lots of Antique Stores and they keep them open late during this time. If you are into antiques this is the place to be.

We walked it up and down, had some Indian Bread, entered a couple of Antique Stores, took some pictures, enjoyed the lights, fought the crowds (on opening weekend this event attracts well over a hundred thousand people each night), enjoyed the typical Phoenix Winter weather (no sweaters or jackets required) and then decided to call it quits and headed back home.

All in all, a good time once again. Life is good and God is always great.

Peace.

Merry Christmas Familia!

I did not get the chance this year to print and mail the Christmas cards so I am sending you this virtual one in hopes that it will reach all of you my family and friends in time for Christmas.

Wishing you
a very merry Christmas
and an new year
filled with happiness.

Christmas Decorating?

And just like that Christmas is upon us, as every year I have been having fun watching Christmas movies although my list is a lot shorter this year since I no longer have the Hallmark channel and Lifetime basically sucked as they keep repeating the two or three movies they are showing.

Holiday Switch
A Christmas Proposal
Christmas in Paradise
The Holiday
Secret Santa
Dear Santa
An Accidental Christmas
Comfort and Joy
A Diva's Christmas Carol
Fred Claus
A Christmas Strike
Nothing Like the Holidays
The Road to Christmas
A Nanny for Christmas
Deck The Halls
Four Christmases

I used to get very substantial bonuses when I was working which year after year allowed me to buy a little something to almost every family member, but this year that changed so I called my magical daughter Michelle and gave her the task to take me shopping for Christmas presents for the kids and told her I was on a very tight budget. So armed with little money and a great attitude we left and when the girl at the register finished ringing all the items I was still left with three dollars to spare. Michelle you are magical indeed, thank you for the help.



As much as I love Christmas I normally don't do the lights on the house, I think the one year I did them they stayed up until that house was sold. However I love to see a Christmas tree and for one reason or another started getting Santas for Christmas and before I realized it I had a fairly big collections of Santa's. I grab a new Santa every chance I get. The best time to find things like this is right after Christmas as all the stores lower the prices to almost nothing. Oh, this year, my Santas also remain in a box in my garage.

Don't get me wrong, I am in a Christmas mood but I have been in a house deconstruction mode and so this year I am skipping all the decorating aspects of the season. But I am enjoying the religious side of it which should be the most important part to begin with.

As I write this I am listening to some of the Christmas Carols we will be singing during our Christmas Eve mass, and also going over the readings to be more prepared to listen to mass.

Since I am not decorating the house at least I made sure this post had plenty of lights.

The Christmas Season

Ever since I was a little kid in Mexico Christmas has been a special time for me, I can close my eyes and remember the "posadas" which start on December 16 and run through December 24. It is a tradition to celebrate a posada every night where many get together and reenact when Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem and asked for a room at the inn and time and time again they were sent away. We do this by way of song, where the group outside represent Joseph and Mary and the group inside rempresent the village innkeepers.

Then we would brake anywhere from two to four pinatas which most of us spent all morning making from scratch. This part of the celebration fun. The pinatas were filled with some candy but mostly fruits such as oranges and sugar canes, as well as a bunch of peanuts. The pinatas were made out of a clay pot which we covered with layers and layers of glued newspapers. We were pretty creative and many different designs were made during the fourteen days.

Every house had a very elaborate Nativity set and going to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was a must. Although we have our own Christmas carols we also have a Spanish version to most of the popular American Christmas Carols. Then believe it or not, firecrackers are a huge part of the celebration as well.

Although we knew of St. Nick most of us kids didn't expect presents, instead we would wait another 13 days and on January 6th we would write a letter to the three Wise Men and put it inside one of our shoes which then were left outside the room doors.

As we came here to the U.S. it wasn't hard to very quickly adopt the American way as we too got caught up with all the gift giving and the food and so on.

Christmas to me is just one happy holiday and the Christas season fills me with joy and peace.

So, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Celebrate Jesus' birth with your loved ones as this is a wonderful time to spend with the family.

Christmas

This is what makes my Christmas happy.
I did have a Merry Christmas, I am blessed to have my mom, my kids, my grand kids, and pretty much my entire family here with me. It is inevitable that as the family keeps growing customs change, right now the one pillar that continues to keep us together is my mom. She is fundamental in my life and I for one have been enjoying her as much as I possibly can.

If I think back, I cannot remember a Christmas without my mom. Yes there were a few during the time that some of us were here in Arizona and she still remained in California but that would not last because my parents made the wise decision to move here to be closer to us.

It is said that parents have kids and that it's our responsibility to raise them good and to eventually turn them lose to make a life of their own but no where it says that we have to be apart so I too continue to enjoy them as much as I can while I have them close to me. I know people that aren't as lucky as I am in that their kids and grand kids leave miles and miles away and they only get to visit once or twice a year if they are lucky.

Thank God and some very smart people for the Internet, at least now they can stay in contact through pictures and even through video. Still, not the same as having those little bodies so close to you that you can hug and kiss them at will.

Although I spent Christmas Eve with my family Christmas Day I spent by myself, something I had not ever done before.

I hope your Christmas was as blessed as mine was.

Granpa and Arielle.
Grandpa and Atallie.
My beautiful niece Marya and I.
Here I am with my sister Elena.
Michelle and I sandwiching Diego.
Here I am with my nieces from Church and fellow choir singers.

Santa and Sarah

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling.

"Your friend? Your sister?'" "Yes, Santa,' he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed.

"She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.

When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.

"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.

"The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes.

"Is there any way, Santa . any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."


Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon.

He knew what he had to do.

"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."

When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.

"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day. "C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly.

Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.

They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed.

The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.

And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.

Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes intact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug.

A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement.

Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he lookedat her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears.

Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.

As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes.

Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.

As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands.

Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels. "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you." he said. Layingone hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night.... all is calm, all is bright..."

"The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all.

When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"

He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed.

Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.

"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly.

"This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.

One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do.

Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only"child in the world at that moment.

"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed.

He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before.

He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.

He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed.

Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"

No Santa Claus?

My son sent me this and I really love it. I still believe in Santa Claus and his magnificent power to make children and grown ups alike happy.

I believe in Santa!

What? No Santa Claus?

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.

I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.

I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.

I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so.

It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. "Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.

The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care....

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Blessings

It's sad to see how we take things for granted. Because God is being good to us we don't realize how fortunate we are, but then you sing up to sponsor a kid or a veteran for Christmas just so that they can have a present to unwrap and it kind of put things in perspective. When you get your "star" (in this case a sheet of paper) the first thing you see is a number, mine was D133B, and yes after that there is a name, my veteran's name is Joe but weather it's easier or more convenient I would hate to bee files as D133B and would prefer to find my file under "J" for Jose or Joe.

Another year is gone. Another Christmas is here! And I can't help but wonder where did the year go? What happened to it? It slipped right through my hands in what seemed like a blink of an eye. I have mentioned this before, now that I am older I don't like my years to disappear quite this fast except they do not ask me for permission. The days just come and go it seems at will.

So hopefully this sweatshirt/long sleeve t-shirt my veteran chose will be easy to find.

In the meantime, this is the best time to reflect on all of our blessings, on our families, on our health, and on those things that we don't want in our lives, like unemployment and poverty. Let's pray that things change for the better and our politicians finally see the light and do as they are expected.

Otherwise, we will become a number in the long lines of poverty. A lot of us can probably live with the essentials but it's gotta be hard to live with nothing. So do your part and if you are one of the lucky ones working as I am do not complain about your work conditions, about not getting a raise, about how not getting along, because even with all that many of us are probably way better off than most. I prefer to look for the positives and not the negatives, it just makes my life so much easier.

Santa Must Be a Fellon

All through the month I've been having the Christmas Spirit and have been loving every minute of it. Certainly since we started our Bible Studies with my sister I've been seeing things from a different perspective. The true meaning of Christmas is alive and well but the commercialization of the season tries hard to over power it.

I remember growing up in Los Angeles, every year during Christmas Broadway boulevard in downtown L.A. was lit with colorful lights. Whittier boulevard was lit as well, cruising this famous place during December really got you in a Christmas mood, and just like those two streets there were many more throughout the city that also expressed with those beautiful displays of lights that we were celebrating something grand.

Now as a society we are losing respect for each other's customs and beliefs and in a world that demands political correctness people are not practicing some of these customs because of the risk of being sued for offending someone else. A principal at a local high school here in Phoenix banned any and everything Christmas related on campus and in the school, he simply didn't want to offend anyone.

Today a friend of mine from our car club was escorted out from an annual Christmas event called Glendale Glitters in the city of Glendale, Arizona. His crime was to be dressed as Santa Claus, yes you read it right, he dressed as Santa Claus and was kicked out of a Christmas event. Glendale Glitters is not an indoors event, it happens in the streets of Glendale.

As I was store hopping today I saw a few cars with these little reindeer antlers on their windows, I also saw a car with a red fuzzy ball tied to its grill, yes this car was impersonating Rudolph, I also saw a biker riding on a full dresser Harley dressed completely as Santa Claus. I truly hope cops won't start stopping people for daring to celebrate something we have been celebrating for centuries, something every body of every religion and of every part of the world knows as Christmas because for some odd reason to some is "offensive".

Because the Christmas season brings happiness to my heart and because I love my fellow man I wish a Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year. And if this simple warm wish of goodness and kindness offends anybody out there, believe me when I say that it's not my intention at all. Stop the insanity before it's too late and let future generations live and enjoy what for generations has been a beautiful custom.

.

Twas the day after Christmas

Christmas has passed but the Christmas Spirit should remain with us in our hearts all year long.

Not as crazy or as hectic as in previous years but just as beautiful and warm as ever. Christmas was toned down quite a bit this year. Mostly everyone made an appearance but some decided to stay home and celebrate it with their own clan. I am stuck on traditions and would really love for my grand kids to experience Christmas as I have done in the past. Too much is said about the commercial aspect of the season but it's up to us to determine what the real meaning of Christmas is. Family and family unity is always at the top of my list, with a family as big as ours it is getting harder and harder for us all of us to be together at the same time, but it's not impossible.

One of my brother in law had to leave to California on Christmas eve as his mom has fallen ill and he wanted to spend Christmas there with her. The rest of us decided to gather at my sister's house where we had some pretty good home made tamales, along with some salads, and beans. After that there was plenty of chocolate for dessert.

We had white elephant gift exchange with only twelve of us participating. As usual it's always fun to open a gift from under the tree but in many cases it's more fun to go and steal one from somebody else. Other than that the gift giving was kept to a minimal with the kids being the only recipients.

Me, I was happy enough just to have all those I love around me. I am certainly making sure that when I grow old--er I have my family with me. I refuse to grow apart from those I love as I grow old. So this year I gave my time, my love, and myself to those that matter and in return I got the same times two. Yes, indeed, I am a lucky man and I do not take anything for granted. This is an ongoing everyday activity, that somehow acquire a whole new meaning during Christmas.

As we prepare for the new year, I vow to continue to be the same as I always am. I am very approachable and have nothing but love for all my family and friends. With mi chica by my side armed with her love and support, I am ready to start the new year and to embrace whatever it may bring. I do wish a Happy New Year to all of you, may it be prosperous and good, just keep in mind that we are the masters of our destiny and it will take us more effort than usual should things continue the way they are these days.

The Christmas Award

This award was given to me by my dear friend
"Lucky Lady"

And I gladly pass it to my daughter Michelle of:
"My World... Through My Eyes"




Here are the rules for the award:
"You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award.
The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.
Link back to the person who gave you the award.
List 5 things that you love about Christmas.
If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space!
Pass the award along to as many people as you like.
That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you!
But keep the Christmas cheer going!
Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment.
Also, link back to the person who gave you the award

1-The birth of baby Jesus.

2-Family Unity.

3-The music

4-The festive mood and all the food.

5-The love

6-Seeing Christmas through my grand kid's eyes.

While some are busy trying to be "Scrooge" and gong Bah-humbug, some of us are just taking it all in. The festivities, the goodies, the food, the fact that the vast majority is in a good mood and spreading good wishes. And above all just looking forward to spend this wonderful time with all my family. I am a lucky man, my friend ChrisJ just commented on how some families grow up and grow apart. Mine is growing big and pretty much staying together.

There is just too many of us to agree on everything, but for the most part we all agree that family comes first. My little nucleus of 15 keeps growing and I am lucky enough to have them all around me.

Again, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Our Winter Wonderland

It's hard to believe that the above picture was taken just two weeks ago. I was sunny, a little hot, and believe it or not it was perfect weahter for a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. It kindda makes this a "Sunny Christmas".

Every year mi chica and my daughter decorate the living room for Christmas. Mi chica sets the table and my daughter does the tree, the windows, and wraps the presents. I pretend that I help but truth be told it's all their hard work that shows. Knowing how to delegate is a great part of being a good supervisor, and trust me I know how to delegate.

As promised on a previous post here are the images showing their hard work. This is our very own Winter Wonderland. Oh, and this year, the kids help decorate a lot.

Just so you know, it's 11:45 p.m. Arizona time as I write this and it's hella raining outside and it's windy. It kindda looks and feels like a tropical storm.

Every year mi chica sets the table a little bit different. Last year is was red this year it's gold.


The stockings are hung, all 15 of them. Let me see, Dad, Mom, Son, two daughters, 3 spouses, 7 grandkids. Yeap, it's fifteen alright.


The Christmas Tree is up and blinking, believe it or not there will be more ornaments on it by this weekend.


And one from the outside looking in.

Christmas Tidbits

They brought "Christmas Angels" and "Veteran Stars" to my place of work. I picked a "Veteran Star" and it turns out that all I had to do was buy a pair of large men's boxers. Wow, I guess although a very simple gift it's probably a needed necessity for someone. So to whom it may concern, I hope they fit. A big thanks to my daughter and her husband for going to get them for me late at night since I as usual procrastinated and waited until the last moment.

I knew that after Thanksgiving there were going to be all kinds of goodies to eat at work. I must admit I do try them but I am resisting going for seconds. Man, it's hard when there's so much good stuff coming in daily. There's been, plenty of chocolate, and some very tasty sugar cookies ummmm I really liked those. But to me my all time every year favorite is the caramel popcorn. I just can't get enough of the stuff. So today I got me a handful and walked away, otherwise I would have finished the whole container.

My 5-year old was having a conversation with probably another five year old and apparently this little kid was saying he wasn't happy with his parents. My grandson's reply was simply this and I quote: "You should be happy with the parents you got". Wow, my grandson is not only smart but he is also wise, must have take after a certain grandpa. Yeah, that's the ticket. lol


I'm already a proud grandpa, and then he comes home with a Student of the Month award.

Then my 22-year old daughter was out and about when she text me the following:

I saw something so cute in a store window today. I was gonna get it for you for Christmas but then I realized it was my reflection.

Now tell me that's not cute. I have said it before, I really am a simple man. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

This is how my Christmas season is shaping up. I am no Grinch. Christmas truly is my favorite time of the year. How is your Christmas season going?

Our Weekend

Yesterday was the last show of the 2008 instalment of the "Star of Wonder Celebration of Christmas" at Phoenix First. My daughter in law wanted us to go but neither mi chica nor I felt like going out at all so we handed the kids the keys to the van and sent them on their way. It was the last day they would be performing and of course it was packed. In fact it was so packed that they had to wait for the next show. I know for them it was worth the wait because Phoenix First puts out a great production.

In the meantime mi chica and I enjoyed a whole Sunday by ourselves without the noise of the kids and were able to watch Christmas movies all day long. I am sure by now most of you know that I am a serious Christmas movie watcher. lol

My daughter was supposed to turn our living room into a Christmas Wonderland since the day after Thanksgiving but apparently the lack of Christmas lights prevented her from doing so. Well, yesterday while they were out and in a matter of minutes mi chica finished what my daughter started. Every year she sets her dinning room table and it always looks wonderful.

My daughter had already hung the stockings and and put up decorations now the only thing that needs to be finished is the Christmas Tree. Yes, she now has lights and the tree should finally be lit by tonight. I wanted her to finish last night but my grandson had asked her to wait for him because he wanted to help her.

That is what Christmas is all about. Doing things together as a family. The presents are nice but the memories we can build together are better.

As always I will be posting some pictures of our little Winter Wonderland or in this case Winter Living room just as soon as the tree is up and lit.

A frind of mine forwarded this performace to me via an email and I liked it so much that now I will share it with all of you here on my blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Christmas Party Review

Thanks to all that were hoping I would win one of the two trips given away every year during our Christmas party but alas it was not to be. We did have a lot of fun at the party though. We got there a little late as mi chica did the best she could to get off work fast, considering she traded shifts and got here almost at six our getting there at around 7:30 p.m. was not too bad.

Our Christmas Party is always in a pretty nice place, the food is always good and for the past six years it's had a DJ which for us makes the party as we love to dance. Matter of fact the DJ was the same one we used in July for our Summit and he recognized us right away. He immediately told us that he was prepared to play some Cumbias and Salsa. He even threw some Merengue in the mix so that was pretty cool, however we taught he had some sort of deal with Michel Jackson because he played quite a bit of his music.

One of my co-workers is a professional photographer and he has always been hired to take portraits at this event. Granted they won't be ready until late February but hey they are also free as the company picks up the tab. This year I took an additional portrait with my two sisters that were there in attendance too.

But what's a party without a little drama. Turns out that one of the quietest employees we have there, you know the one that keeps to himself and pretty much works his butt off without ever messing with anyone. Well, he happened to be dancing with his wife and to tell you the truth most of us didn't think he would have it in him to dance. Anyway, as I said as he danced some of the co-workers of the female kind thought it would be a nice gesture to cheer him as he danced. Harmless right? Wrong, his wife whom strikes me as a "homegirl" got super jealous and wanted to start a rumble there. Now the girls were young and having fun and bottom line being friendly towards a coworker, the jealous one is already an older woman nearing the half century mark.

I, for some reason that will not disclose here to protect the innocent and along with my brother in law whom also works there got dragged into this dramatic situation and had to a certain point become the party police. You know the mediators as if we were back in grade school to try to keep things under control. I am happy to say that after a while the older woman calmed down and probably knew that if she wanted to rumble it wouldn't happen that night so finally left. Which was kind of a relief to my brother in law and I as we have to work with this innocent coworker that unfortunately was ridiculed by his wife in what should have been a joyous occasion.

I know comes Monday he will be full of apologies, but anyone that is smart will tell him that he has nothing to apologise for. Then again he may not say absolutely anything and just eat his pride and let life go on. Either way, I for one am cool with him and proud to be his coworker.

I guess the moral to these last three paragraphs is, if you happen to attend your spouses Christmas Party be aware that all his/hers co-workers both male and female will be there and will show camaraderie, and two if you can't hold your liquour then don't drink. While you can make an ass of yourself you won't have to face them again until maybe the following Christmas Party and that's a big maybe. However, your spouce the one you so willingly embarassed at that company event will have to keep seeing all these people at work every day.

All in all we had a terrific time, mi chica and I danced a lot and came home pretty tired. Luckily for me I could stay in bed the following morning, however mi chica had to go to work.

Now as I write this we are preaparig for tomorrow because we are hosting my grandson "Ducky's" fourth birthday, but that will be another story.

La Epidemia

I really don't know what happened but a lot of my family members got sick over the weekend. At first I thought maybe the food at Manny's was the culprit but when my son called us and told us they were sick too I knew that was not the case because they were not with us on Friday. My daughter was already feeling the bug as was my son in law.

My brother in law visited from California and the poor soul spend half the time on the couch passed out, then my sister also from California left on Sunday afternoon and didn't get home until midnight. First because the traffic was bumper to bumper when she got to Palm Springs and second because she started feeling sick to her stomach too. Well today mi chica had to call in sick too. Can anybody say epidemic. lol

But even with all this, the food was cooked, we all ate, we had fun, we got together, we visited more relatives, the majority of the presents were bought, we had a karaoke night at home, we were invited to eat the best home made enchiladas this side of the border, we worked on our Christmas cards, we mailed Christmas cards, so all in all, it was a fun productive weekend but some got sick.

My daughter started hanging Christmas decorations, she claims that soon the house will be a fabulous winter wonderland. Ummmm, we'll see if that's true. When and if that happens I will share a few images with ya all. So, as my daughter says, don't be "fun suckers" and get with the program. The spirit of Christmas is pretty much alive and it has arrived. I really hope you get it too.

The Economy

Ah! Much, much, much better. This is what I'm talking about. What gas shortage? What supply and demand? We all knew that gas prices were being gouched for no reason at all other than to break our wallets and to get their pockets full.

I went into the gas station with a nearly empty gas tank and I came out with a full one and all for $23.37. Yep, almost half of what I was paying two months ago. By the same token mi chica and my daughter went shopping and they bought a ton of kids clothes which will make a bunch of nice Christmas presents for less than half the original price. They spent somewhere around $62.00 for what should have been possibly over $150.00.

See, we are all scared about the economy and we should, but if everybody flat out decides to not go out and spend we will really be in deep doodoo. Stores are willing to sell even if it means making a very small profit. It's obvious that a small profit is better than no profit. So, this is the time to go out and browse to see what the stores are offering. We don't need to drive businesses out of business. I for one prefer to support my local stores and keep the area that I live in alive.

So, within the limited spending means we may have this year, have a happy bargain Christmas shopping season. If you can't or don't have the money to spend, don't worry, Christmas is not about the presents but about love and goodwill.

Christmas 2007

Hello my fellow bloggers, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas full of warmth and family unity as I believe should be. I had a wonderful time, my family gathered at my niece's house on Christmas eve and we all had a great time. There was plenty of food and presents for all.

The more is less mentality applied this year. We didn't go overboard with the presents, we had a simple gift exchange and of course the kids did get a plethora of things, the food was great and maybe more than we needed but at least we had a nice choice of dishes to eat. Plenty of deserts too.

After midnight, we all said good bye and as is a tradition of ours, my very immediate family came back home with us and spent another hour or two opening more presents, this time we usually reserve for the kids, they are the ones that have the most fun unwrapping gifts than anyone else. Us grown ups just sipped on coffee and watched them have their fun. After a couple of hours they all said goodbye and said that they would be back later for us to enjoy a Christmas dinner.

My sister in law and her family joined us later on and we all enjoyed a ham cooked by mi chica. Some of the guests brought deserts and and drinks and we all spent a nice afternoon together. To me being together as a family is what it's all about.

I remember growing up Christmas was not about gifts and Santa Claus, but about the celebration of Jesus Christ birth. We celebrated starting on December 16th with a nightly "posada" in which we would re-enact how Joseph and Mary went from door to door asking for a place to spend the night until finally they were given the barn to stay. This is a Mexican custom that I wouldn't doubt still exists today. After the re-enactment we would brake three or sometimes four pinatas that mostly had fruits inside and a few pieces of candy.

Fireworks are also popular during that time of the year, in Mexico everybody can buy and light up fireworks, they have from the mild firecrackers to the more sophisticated bombs. Dangerous, yes but a part of our custom just the same.

i really hope that your celebrations were just as fun and as good as ours was. Now we prepare to receive the new year. I really hope that 2008 is a better year for all.

Another You Another Me

Well it's still Friday and I am barely getting a chance to do my post for the day. It's Friday and I think I am going to use the new equipment Mr. Manuel gave me for Christmas. Karaoke was never this good. It is obvious that you don't know what I'm talking about but Mr. Manuel from Manuel's Views gave all his friends this virtual Christmas presents and the following is what he gave me.

Jose gets the most expensive gift on the list. This is the ultimate karaoke machine with video, speakers, etc. It truly is a unique and awesome machine and he can practice his love of singing whenever he wants.

So as you can see someone out there appreciates my singing. lol They say that it's the thought that counts, and Mr. Manuel went overboard with the virtual present. I appreciate it a lot.

So this week I am not going to post a song about giving, but this one is about love. It's a country ballad but I didn't make it sound too country, I lack the Southern accent that country music is known for and then I inject my Mexican accent and the end result sometimes is not what you may expect. This one has a soft rock ballad sound to it. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

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And just as I did last week I am featuring another good friend of mine that I met over at bix. When it comes to the classic country songs this man can sing them as good if not better than many of the artists that sing them on the radio. There is no doubt that there is a lot of undiscovered talent out there. We all know that in order to make it there's got to be a complete package. Now thanks to bix and other similar web sites we are finding these great performers that in my book are second to none.

Here is my friend Duke or Sir Duke as we now call him with a rendition of the Christmas Classic Mele Kalikimaka. I hope you all enjoy this one too.

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