Tidbits Time

So my daughter was in need to vent and who better to listen to her than El Daddy~O, yes she received good news that didn't turn out to be so good, needless to say she was not a happy camper so after she vented she asked what's for dinner. Normally that is a question I would ask but since she beat me to it I said enchiladas ala Joe Cool. We needed a couple of ingredients so Michelle went to the store and got me the stuff needed for the sauce.

I still had three Havanero peppers left over from our camping trip and they were still good so when I made the sauce I decided to use them. Since I had never used Havaneros before I decided to only use two instead of the three I had available, I was so glad I did because the sauce came out pretty hot.

The end result was pretty awesome if I may say so myself. The girls really loved them too although Nikki thought they were a little hot. We send a care package to Loyiel whom immediately called me upon finishing his plate and told me that it was not the enchiladas' fault, why did I make them so hot. lol I had to let him know that my enchiladas although hot, they were not that hot, and that he was a wimp.


I'll just call them Havanero enchiladas. Ummm que ricas!
Bottom line, I don't cook often but when I do, watch out.

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Last Saturday I went out with the kids and took them to Target. When I got there I parked the van and next to us this awesome Mustang sat there looking a little dirty but other than that it looked pretty awesome. I believe in using your car not putting it in a garage so it doesn't get dirty.



We went into the store, did our shopping and left the store. Then as I get to the van parked right in front of us was this beauty. Do you believe in subliminal messages? Were they trying to tell me something? Ummm got me thinking, I would go and buy me a new Mustang or a newer to Mustang, it doesn't have to be a brand new, I prefer for someone else to take the car's depreciation first.



This baby sit at the same dealer we bought the van and my brother's car. And as I passed the other day it was like it kept calling my name. Oh believe me, I was and still am so tempted. But I will resist.



Instead I am going to finally start fixing mine. I started it today and found out my battery is dead. So it's getting a new battery tomorrow, then it's off to emissions, hopefully it will pass with no problem then off to the transmission shop to get that ugly transmission fluid leak taken care off, then it's off to the upholstery shop to get my rear window installed. After that it will take many cosmetic items here and there but my car will once again look nice, oh yes it will.


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And while on the subject of Mustangs, the Copperstate Mustang Club held it's annual Ice Cream Social this Saturday. As always there was plenty of ice cream to go around, and this year we even had corn dogs and brownies. The banana splits and sundaes were a hit, as they had every imaginable fixing available, from the ever popular sprinkles to the chocolate and caramel syrups. Ummm it was all good.

Diego, Alayna, and Savannah posing for me before the sugar rush hit them.
The cockpit on a brand new 2011 Mustang convertible. The leather smell was oh so good.
The kids admiring the older Mustang. Call me sentimental but I am stuck on the Fox Bodied Mustangs.

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Party In My Tummy

I was hungry and in total need of nourishment and all the lanes at the store were long, then I spot a lane with not as many people as the rest but apparently this lady did too so she beats me to it and is now in front of me, I hated her, not because she beat me to the lane but because she had a rotisserie chicken in her car and the aroma was killing me, my insides started having a party in my tummy in anticipation of what was not to come. Yeah, my tummy hated me too because that chicken was more of a tease my stomach could take. I stood behind this lady for at least five minutes and it was torture. Has anything like this ever happened to you?

OK this didn’t happen to me right now but I remembered about it because I am so hungry and about a block away from my work there’s The BBQ Factory, ummmm they have the best BBQ ribs, and many other dishes that when the wind is blowing just a tad the smell finds its way into my office and it’s TORTURE!

But the consolation was that the girls at work took me to eat Chinese at this nice restaurant that we all seem to enjoy. Once upon a time I didn’t like Chinese food, now somehow it’s one of my favorite foods. The house chow mein / lo mein ummmm, ummmm good, love me the shrimp combined with the beef and chicken.

I am also happy to report that even though you hear me talk about food all the time, I have been not on a diet but basically watching what I eat, eating less and healthier and I am still at 179 pounds, remember at the beginning of the year I was tipping the scale at 198 and that was no bueno. It is a challenge to convince my mom that I can eat less. She always cooks so good and I still stop by her house three days of the week. Just when I think I am finished, BAM! I found more food on my plate and a side dish with fruit and stuff. “Mom, stop it, I am full”. Her reply is always the same, “How can you be full, that was not enough”.Ummm mom gotta love her.

I hope I didn’t get you too hungry with all these talk about food and if I did and you decide to cook… INVITE ME!



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Happy Anniversary To My Blog!

Wow! So who would have guessed that when I started blogging back in June of 2006 I would last this long? It's hard to believe but yes, this is my fourth blogiversary and even though I don't blog daily I say I still keep this pretty alive. This particular post is marking my 800th post, that definitely is a lot of writing and lots of information.

While I have touched on many subjects I try to keep away from controversy, I believe that negativity really won't take us anywhere so I prefer to remain as positive as I can be. What better way to achieve that than by concentrating on my friends and my family. Yeah, family, what can be more positive than that?

I will probably continue to post tidbits of my family life which is what this blog seems to gravitate around, and will try to keep it fresh or at least as fresh as I can and move forward into the fifth year, let's just see how far I can take this.

I am sure there will be lots more pictures to come, so stay tuned for that and as always I am open to suggestions and new ideas.

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Say No

Anybody that knows me probably already know that I live by this:



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They Love Me, They Really Love Me

"Gentlemen I know today is Father's Day and I just want to let you all know that today I AM THE MAN -- THE #1 DAD and all of you may come a close second. My shirt and my daughters said so and they would not lie to me."

At least that's what I told myself and since I know I don't lie to me than it must be true.

Yesterday I received more Father's Day texts than ever. It seems everyone decided to call me and I was just a happy soul. Between texts, calls, and face book comments I was actually feeling very special.

"Nichole posted something on your Wall and wrote:

Happy Fathers Day to the BEST Dad a girl could ever have! I love you Daddy, I don't know what I'd do without you <3

I love you!!!!"

Michelle posted something on your Wall and wrote:

"Daddy you know you're my number one... I mean my Mom constantly had to remind me that you and I we're like 2 peas in a pod. She always knew I have a special love for you... different than the love I had for her. Not more, not less, just different. I hope you know everyday how much I love you... but especially today because it's dedicated to you. Thanks for all you do for me. Thanks for always being here for me. Thanks for always loving me. You truly are the epitome of what a great Dad is. I love you! Happy Father's Day!

Oh and if you're are one heck of a Father... you are an even better Grandpa! So thanks for that too!"

Laila and I, yes I was enjoying a wonderful nap and I had a little angel watching over me.

And here is Atalie posing with me.

So as you can see these are just two of the many comments full of good wishes and wonderful words that came to me from all over the place. Know that I too love you all and yes "D" as you said in your text. "Enjoy your day and drink up because tomorrow it goes back to Mother's day".

I was also told I was the World's Greatest Grandpa.

Martha Isela Garcia commented on your post:

"Yeah, but I never known of a grandaddy (other that in the movies) stick around the hospital until his grandchildren are born. I salute you! "

Oh yes, I was blessed to be present when nine out of my ten grandkids were born. The other one came on a different but special way too.

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The Art of Ditching

Back in my school days, I am talking way back to Jr. High and High School ditching classes was not something I would do. When I came from Mexico and was enrolled in school I had to start in the 8th grade, back in those days we didn't call it middle school but Jr. High and it consisted of three years only, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Well, I did have perfect attendance as I didn't miss not even one day, yes I loved school that much, so much in fact that I always enrolled in Summer School as well. Pretty much the same could be said for High School with the exception of missing some days due to illness.

So, now obviously I no longer go to school but now as a member of the choir I am required to go to practice every Thursday night and early Sunday right before mass. But being a member of the Copperstate Mustang Club, and being an avid motorcycle rider, I find myself missing out on a lot of the rides and or functions and also on some family events as well so as much as I don't like to but I must ditch some practices and even some masses here and there.

Still, I have to call and ask for permission to ditch practice. lol Once a good kid, always a good kid (at least that's what I tell myself) and hopefully the teacher or in this case my sister (our choir director) will give me her blessing to miss the class/practice.

We went to this Hooters at the Arizona Center.Images borrowed from the Internet.

So when I was invited to go watch the Basketball finals at Hooters it was a little hard to turn down. And when you go watch it with the ultimate Lakers fan it's a little wild but nevertheless lots of fun. So, although I am far, far away from converting and leaving my beloved Suns, I found myself rooting for The Lakers if only by association. It was a good game, a nice night in the patio under the misters which kept us pretty refreshed, and the beer pitchers that kept coming. Me, being designated driver held at my limit of 2 only and still fell tipsy so even tho not hungry I had to chow down or some delicious chicken wings. OK, I am lying, Hooters chicken wings are really not all that delicious but the hit the spot. If not mine at least the guy's that asked me for my left overs as we were walking to the car. Besides, really do guys go to Hooters just for the chicken wings? *wink* *wink*.

As for the outcome of the game as if you didn't know already. It was Lakers by a few lucky shots.



Image borrowed from the Internet.

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Tidbits

I know, I know, I have not blogged in over a week, nothing really has come my way in the form of a post so while I wait for something interesting to happen, another family gathering perhaps, I will just post a bunch or nonsense. I little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Choirboy update. Somehow not only am I singing Sunday mass but last week I sang Friday, Saturday, and two on Sunday back to back. As my sister stated in my face book wall, I had another solo and the priest gave the choir special recognition. Although not necessary it boosts our drive to get better and to sing louder to God. I find myself in church so often now that I am catching up and making up for all those days I ignored it. OK, I know it doesn't quite works that way but it would definitely be nice.

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Me and my little Ducky Duck
This picture is not too old, I believe my daughter took it but now I am not even sure. One think I am sure though is that I love me this little "Duck". This has got to be one of my favorite pictures with him.

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So finally after a long hiatus I went back to Manny's last Saturday for karaoke and just in time as I believe they are now going on hiatus too as summer is here and it's just too hot to be out there in that patio. However this past weekend we got a brake on the hot weather and it was actually a very enjoyable afternoon. It was nice to see not all but some of my karaoke friends and I even sang three songs. Karaoke and singing in church are two different things. OK singing is singing but not really.

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Wow! Now that is a car seat.
This is Laila Graciela, the youngest of my grandkids or as I call her number 10. OK not really, I don't call her that but she really is my grand baby number 10.

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Atalie meets her great grandma for the first time.
It was love at first sight.

It is getting to a point when images like this are priceless. Give Atalie a month and my mom won't be able to carry them any more. So, she was very happy to be able to have her in her arms on this particular day.

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Humm! I wonder what she meant with this?

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Tidbits From Here and There

A little princess I tell ya!
It's finally here, oh yes I was missing it but at the same time I was a little happy it was late in showing up, but after this Sunday we can no longer ignore that the triple digits mean heat. Yes, it is hot in Phoenix and the swimming pool is almost swimable (if that's a word). We should be enjoying it by this Friday. Yey!

But in my case that also means less bike rides. I may or may not venture at least one day riding to work, remember the asphalt is hotter than the actual temperature so riding in 110 degree weather is really like riding in 120 degrees. Yikes! (I spelled it correctly, right Nikki?).

So, last Saturday Alayna had her dance recital. She looked so pretty in her bright yellow outfit, and looked like the little princess (or as she says, "Princesa")that she is. Mr. Diego had a flower for her which he held through the whole show. By the way, Diego was shouting at the older girls instead of the youngest ones. Ummm! Poor, flower I thought it wouldn't survive, but it did. She of course being as girly as she is was happy to get it.

Here Diego is holding that poor little flower. It survived and Alayna was happy.
I am sure there are more things going on these days but for the most part nothing out of the ordinary. So, I will leave you with some more images from past days.

Alayna is the one in the front at the left.
Of course she had to pose with grandpa and Diego.
And a kiss for good luck, instead of break a leg. It worked because she did great.
Here is the whole family.
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Memorial Day

So as you all know my camping trip was a success. I had so much fun and I loved the company soooo call me selfish but I want more. Therefore for the 4th of July 4-day weekend (what? yours is only three days, too bad, so sad) I am going to San Diego basically for the first time ever and will either go to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo or maybe just Sea World. One day for traveling and exploring, two days for Sea World my ticket supplier (Jen) can only get 2-day passes, and the last day for the beach (Jr. stop asking me to pronounce this word) and then traveling back to Phoenix, yeah that sounds like a plan. I am really looking forward to this trip so those of you that can afford it should plan to attend.

Since I have never been there, I need some pointers from those of you that have. What to see? What to expect? What is a must see at Sea World? What is a must see in San Diego?, Where to stay? Where to eat? What beach to visit? And so on, and so on.

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So Monday my daughter Nikki texts me first thing in the morning and asks:
Nikki: Daddy, are we doing anything today as a family?
Dad: I heard something about a carne asada.
Nikki: Really? I didn't
Dad: LOL that's cause I just made it up.
Nikki: Ja ja
Dad: So, set it up. Call everybody.
(Sorry huge family of mine, in this case everybody meant my big little nucleus)
Nikki: But I heard the sink in your house is busted. And Jen said we could do it at her house but they are having bathroom issues. Kika said maybe at Edgar's, but he said all spaces in his apartment were booked sooooo, Kika said her house it is.

So at about 1:00 p.m. we all started showing up. Carne Asada, rice, pasta soup, salsa, sodas, fruit, we had it all and we had a fantastic time together. the whole family showed up. I must be one heck of a lucky guy because all my 10 +1 grand kids were there. Even my cunado Mario was here from California, he got to see the whole family this time around.

Here are a few images captured during our get together:

My beautiful sister in law, and our gracious host.
My brother in law and I and a clown in the background.
Alex, Michelle, Nikki, and Loyiel.
Loyiel and Mario showing how it takes two to hug Juan.
Ariel just would not get away from me or let anyone get close to me.
My daughter in law dubbed this image "The Parking Lot".
Me, Juan, and Atalie.

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Camping

Joe Cool just taking in the beautiful view. One more step and I would be history.
The van was packed, every inch and cranny was taken by some sort of cover, ice chest, tent, supplies, etc. etc. No space was unused. We were supposed to hit the road at 3:00 a.m. but by the time we hooked up with the rest of the party we it was already 4:30 a.m.



















Not one inch was wasted, we had supplies or passengers occupying the space inside the van.
We got to Payson pretty fast, there was no traffic at all. A quick mandatory stop at the local WalMart to buy last minute things and a stop to McDonalds to get some breakfast and we were on the road again. We drove through some of the areas devastated by last year's fires. Not a pretty sight at all. When you catch a glimpse of how big the forest is I can see how frustrated the firefighters can get when they see the fires get out of their hands. To that add the fact that the wind blows pretty hard and it's easy to see why fires spread so fast.

The ground no longer black but you can see the lifeless trees.
A few minutes later we got off the main road and into the side roads. The pavement ended and it was nothing but dirt roads. Needless to say our pseudo off road vehicles (a Dodge mini van and a Cadillac) were completely covered in dust. I guess leaving late by one hour made a big difference because most camp sites were full and therefore closed. A nice older gentleman closing one of them told us our best bet was to to go some 25 miles outside Payson and into the forest.



















Those in the Cadillac were probably saying, "Eat my dust".
The van and Caddy had to morph into off road vehicles.
A dusty van and a wishful sign. Too bad we got stopped. See ya next year Suns!
We drove up and down those dusty roads and finally we found a pretty good spot for our camp site. No camping fees here, but no facilities either. But we managed just fine. The tents went up and so we started to enjoy the wonderful noises the forest make. When the gusts of wind came it sounded like we were camping next to a raging river.

Lunch consisted of Sandwiches and chips. The the task of building a fire pit started. I turned out to be one heck of a supervisor but the camping expert had the most awesome looking fire pit in no time. I pays to go with someone with experience.

Here's our campsite once all the tents went up.
We played catch for a while which by the way gave me a sore arm which still persist. The kids run free and got hurt, from falls to scratches, to every thing in between, but it was all fun and they loved it. So it was all good and part of the experience. Then it was time for dinner. The menu read, Havanero Burgers made from scratch. My tummy said yummy. Wow! those things were like totally and awesomely tasty. I for one had never had them before, now I want more. While at it, they also made the beans Havanero style.

Havanero style burgers and beans. Ummm yummy!
Sometime during this time, the weather started to drastically change and by the time we were finishing eating some of us were starting to feel very cold. I told them to pay the heater bill but nawww they chose to ignore me. lol I took a bunch of covers but the coldness seemed to perforate them all reaching all the way into our bodies. Yes it was cold at night, but again it's obvious we survived. I got up before everybody else and enjoyed the coldness of the morning.

Sunday morning I woke up to the smell of chorizo and eggs with jalapeno peppers. A coffee and some good music out the van made it for a perfect and fun morning. But of course neither of us had cables and then this happened.

Yep, dead battery. Luckily the people on the next campsite did have some cables.
All in all, this my first experience at camping was really nice. I'll do it again now with a little more of personal experience. I can understand why it is hard with large groups of people, but with a small group such as ours it was very easy and enjoyable.

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It Does Mean a Lot To Us

In memory of those who've fallen, and in honor of those who've served.
Most of you that have been following me for a long time, almost four years now have heard my story and or pieces and bits of how I came to be here in this United States of America. Living in Arizona and going through the crisis we are going facing the recent events it is easy to take us immigrants as ingrates just because we strive for something better for our families, our people, and ourselves. I wish there was an easier way to satisfy everyone but that won't happen anytime soon. America is so divided right now that I wonder how our soldiers do it. Thank God they do what they do and of course thanks go to all of them whom put their lives in harms way just so you and me can have a better way of life.

The following was sent by a dear co-worker of mine and it just made me remember my own story and that of my family. Although very different, it is also very similar. Mexico and Cuba, well not so much the same but here it is, a guest commentary by my dear friend Adela.

Memorial Day is a very meaningful holiday for me and I felt the urge to write this for all those who serve/are serving our country to maintain our freedom.

Most of you know that I was born in Cuba and understand what it is like to live in the realm of communism and appreciate the freedom our country allows us more than you could ever imagine. To better express it, about 5 years after my family came to make the US our new home, we were finally able to get my grandmother out of Cuba. On her first trip to a grocery store, she stopped cold at the entrance, looking toward the inside of the store with her mouth open. Once she got over the “shock” of what she was seeing she said, “This is paradise!”, and then proceeded to cry tears of joy.

My grandmother’s statement has always had a special meaning to me because it emphasized the fact that we are so fortunate to live where live, as well as a reminder that we often tend to take for granted what we have. Even though I was fairly young, I remember much. In Cuba, we stood in lines with ration books in hand not knowing what we would be able to get that day other than beans and rice. Meat of any kind was extremely rare, and fresh anything would be a crap shoot. There were no canned goods of any sort. If we found fish, it was usually bad and fed to the dog, as there was no “dog food”. You could only get milk if there was a baby in the house. Even for shoes you had a ration book that would only allow you a pair per year, if you could even find a pair to get!

Every where you went there were armed guards that would watch everything you did and said. There were also “committees” on every block that were “owned” by Castro who were responsible for making sure no one was doing anything against the “rules”. They would report incidents. Basically they were like “little” Big Brothers. Once my family declared to the government that we were leaving they came and inventoried our entire house, down to the last fork. It took 2 years to get their approval for us to leave including thousands of borrowed dollars from relatives and friends who had already left. Much of the money was stolen by the government, but you couldn’t say anything. Once approved to leave, they took over our house and made us move out. If there was anything missing from “their list” after we moved out, they would not had let us go because basically after you declare your leaving you are then a “traitor”. So, for 2 years labeled as traitors, we walked on eggshells all the time, making sure that we followed all their rules so we wouldn’t get into any trouble. Imagine!

I believe that sometimes we forget that we live in the greatest country on the planet. It’s a wonderful and awesome privilege to be able to live, eat, shop and travel where and when you please; to have a job; to practice whatever religion you choose, or not (I remember having to pray Castro in school after he took over; our churches’ doors were chained); to be able to publicly complain about our government, verbally or in writing, without fearing that we will be arrested never to be seen again (it happened to one of my uncles), or shot on the spot; and so many other things we need to treasure and be thankful for!

So, yes, THANK YOU! I so thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to help preserve our freedom. We owe you all very much!

When you cross paths with a military person, thank them! Most are so humble that they act almost a bit puzzled and shy about my thanking them (like it is undeserving), so I tell them again, “Really, I mean it, thank you!” It usually brings a smile to their face that says they understand that you believe what they are doing is very important. I think they need that from us!

I hope you all have a safe, great and happy weekend!

Adela

God bless us all! We are just one race. The human race. Happy Memorial Day and stay safe.
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