California Bound for Labor Day Weekend

So here we are just a few more days and then long weekend. Oh yes I am really looking forward to it. As it stands right now it looks like I'll spend it in California visiting my sister and in-laws there. I'll be leaving Thursday afternoon right after work so that I can have all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there and will head back to Phoenix on Monday. The idea is to make it a vacation and to really go places and probably take lots of pictures.

Now I have been without a working camera for a month now as my trusty Panasonic camera finally gave up after almost four years of going everywhere with me and capturing like a zillion images. So I will have to figure something. I do have my new digital camcorder but it does not compete with a regular camera. To me taking pictures is a big part of my going out anywhere so we'll see.

So, the car has a six CD changer and the i-pod shuffle has been refreshed by my daughter Nikki, so with over 300 songs I think the music department is covered, even though I am going solo it should not be a boring drive. What? Plenty of music and a trip in the new Mustang is a recipe for excitement.

Pomona's Antique Row.
As the itinerary builds we are planning on visiting The Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, and Pomona's Antique Row, as well as karaoke on Friday night at Casa Cabral and maybe some sightseeing downtown L.A. The possibilities are many the time is short so we will have to squeeze as many outings and activities as we can.

My sister has been wanting to take me here so we may just go this time.
For sure lots of eating will be involved, as my sister puts it, "zincronisadas" and "bionicos" will probably find their way into our tummies. But to me going to L.A. and not eating tacos would be a travesty. lol So yes, please add tacos to the menu please.

So don't be afraid to throw me some ideas, three full days in L.A. what can I do? Where else can I go? What to eat? Who to see? As I said before so much to do so little time, I will have to use it wisely.

Going to L.A. and not eating some of these would be uncivilized.
This "sincronisadas" were pretty synchronized with the tomato and guacamole.
And for desert, the "bionicos" are the way to go. Ummm que rico!"

Oh man, I don't believe me. Posting all these foods made me hungry, way to torture myself. As you can see, no shortage of planning here, I am leaving it to my sister and nieces to come up with a well rounded itinerary with plenty of things to do and food to eat.

I am sooooooo looking forward to it.

All images in this post borrowed from the Internet.

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Letter F (La F de Feo)

ABC Wednesday

This week is for letter "F".

Here a some F's that I like and love.

Friendship!
Family.
Fun Fords Forever.
Fun Fast & Furious Ford.

"F" is also for the FIVE hottest cities in the country according to Forbes.

1. Louisville, KY
2. Memphis, TN
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Raleigh, NC
5. New Orleans, LA

I for sure though I would see Phoenix here but I guess our desert is not the in the hottest spots. It could have fooled me.

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The Young Ones

Laila and Ramon Jose.
Laila.
Atali.

How fast they change, how soon they grow, how often the cry, how much they eat, how much love can be inspired from such tiny little persons. These are my three youngest grand babies and I have fun just looking at the tons of pictures posted by my daughters. I am seeing them change in front of my very own eyes.

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I Just Realized

So, the other day I was surfing the Internet and I came across a post from Mustang site I'm a fan of on Facebook. In it they were letting us know that a Mustang GTR prototype had just been sold and that it fetched a cool $110,000.00 in the process. Upon really looking at the image on the page I noticed I recognized that Mustang from somewhere, and then all of a sudden it just hit me, and all I had to do was scroll my blog up, up, up, all the way up to where my banner is.

Nikki picked this image which has been gracing my blog for a little over two years now and I am still very happy with it although I am thinking I am ready to have my page redone already. In any case, back to the Mustang take a look at the following image and let me know if you recognize it.

Mustang GTR - Prototype.

Then last night as I embarked in a long project I was searching for certain images I needed so I started going through all my old blog posts, and all of a sudden what popped right in front of me? Well, here it is, again just take a look at it and let me know if you even remember this post from three years ago.

Click Here for my story on this back on April 1st of 2007

Yep, not once I realized that the car on my banner has been with me for a while.

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"E" Is For...

ABC Wednesday -- Letter "E"

Wow, so I seat here going through my photo files and I can't find anything for ABC Wednesday. It's like today "E" is for EMPTY. But I am not giving up yet. I will continue to search my files until I find something, even it only one image. So... bare with me, I'll be right back.

OK, I'm back. I found one, "E" is for:

Entertained while watching my friend play Wii.
Elefant.
Event.
Love Ride
Glendale, California
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Happy Birthday Mom!

Just a quick not to wish my mom a Happy Birthday today. This is her, mother of five, grandma of many, and great grandma of a few more. My mom is a fighter, an economist, an entrepreneur, a cook, a gardener, a counselor, a friend, and many other wonderful things. Keeps us on edge, and still kicks our butts when needed. Me, I try to walk the right path before doing something I know she won't like, although I have done a few of those too.

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A Quick Reflection

Life throws you curves and gives you lemons, you just have to be a good driver and know how to make some nice cold lemonade and you'll be fine. Our choir director put an inspirational CD out and in it a priest talks about different topics. One of them touches on how God doesn't want us to be perfect but to just be the very best that we can be. I took that to heart and I try to apply it to my daily life, no I don't want to be the best, but I do want to be the best that I can be. I like thanking God for the new day and tackle it with as much love and enthusiasm as I can. I really don't want to waste my time not being happy or not doing things I love so it is in my power to put the effort towards that goal, then at night when I go to bed I can honestly say I tried and hopefully have no regrets.

To say my life has changed since last December is an understatement. It's been a challenge to deal and cope with these changes but as you all know the support group behind me is too huge and too great and I have taken advantage of it a hundred percent. It is a fact that losing "mi chica" suddenly showed me the fragility of life. The term "We live on borrowed time" makes total sense and I now perceive it with a whole new outlook. Every wasted day will never come back, so I say "Live Every Day As If It's Your Last".

DO NOT waste opportunities as they present themselves to you and learn to rely on that support group because like everything else in life, if wasted it will disappear and you'll regret it later.

It is better to set goals and fail at them than to not have anything to strive for. So... Why am I writing all this? Simply it was triggered while I visited another blog. I am happy within my sadness and happily invite my past to show me the way towards my future. My past I can't change not that I would want to but I still hope and strive for a full and happy future.


















Image captured by: Chely

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D's

ABC Wednesday.

OK I am still not playing but just for the heck of it here are some awesome "D's".

"Ducky"
Monday was Ducky's first day of school and he was ready for it. Doesn't he look handsome in his school uniform. Growing in Mexico we always wore uniforms and I loved it, I am glad they have to wear them here too.

Damage.
How can I forget this, I still remember the day "mi chica" called me crying and said she had been hit by a bit semi-truck. In the end, damaged as the van was we drove it home with the officer's blessing.

Drawing.
My dear friend ChrisJ of Flamblogger did this drawing for me about a year ago. Not only did she drawing thinking I would like the Mustang, which I did, but she also send me the original drawing along with three other miniature drawings she had done based on pictures I took during my Mexican vacation.


Dad.
Here's a painting of my dad done by my dear friend Tara of Soul Blessings. One day I said I wanted a painting done by her, I did not tell her what to paint. The very next day she posted this on FaceBook and tagged me with it. Needless to say I was beyond words when I saw it. I am still thanking her for it and I am not done yet.

Oh yes, the canvas made it's way to my house. I had it framed and now proudly hangs on my wall.

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Random Posts

Yes, it's that time of the year when one moment the sun is out and shinning in all it's glory and in a matter of minutes this happens:

This is how the sky looked before the monsoon hit.
And this is how it looked afterwards, rainbow and all.

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Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by unforeseen circumstances. While attending a Marriage Weekend, my wife and I listened to the instructor declare. "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other..." He then address the men. "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower? I leaned over, touch my wife gently, and whispered. "Gold Medal-All Purpose, isn't it? And thus began my life of celebacy.

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I was watching the movie Kick-Ass being totally entertained by the unexpected action and violence in it (Ithought this was a kids movie) when all of a sudden the character Red Mist brought out his awesome ride. Ja, ja, of course I had to highlight it here in my blog because Red Mist's car was BAD ASS.




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Crap

Even though I am not playing I'd say that "C" is for crap. LOL

CRAP
or

Camel

or camel's crap. lol

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Perspective

Image borrowed from: The Internet.
I can see clearly now... right?

Perspective is all about how we see things. What I see is not necessarily what you see even though we are both staring at the same thing. I believe that people perceive things differently based on the inner feelings as an individual.

I don't like pets so to me they are an inconvenience. To other's they are a part of their family, a companion, man's best friends if they are a dog. So, my feelings towards animals will not let me see what others see but that in no way shape or form means that pets are bad or ugly or despicable or a nuisance.

Some Americans don't like illegal aliens, we are an inconvenience at least to some, yet to others, we are an important part of their world, of their daily lives, we are companions, friends, workers, and most important of all... human! Yet, some of the feelings portrait on TV towards us show hate, discontent, distrust, and even jealousy. Hummm I can't help but wonder where this attitude we all have on both sides of the equation will take us. It is definitely interesting to say the least.

Democrats and Republicans may be staring at the same thing and yet they see it so differently. Americans and Mexicans, yep differently, males and females, Bingo! we all see things differently. Boys and girls, yepper differently.

So, I will just concentrate on one perspective, and that is the one of survival for me and for my family, I will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure my family is provided for, that my kids continue to have a happy life in this their country even if for me at one time was foreign. I will make sure my grand kids are always surrounded by love and will hope and pray they will see things my way so that they will not grow up thinking we are all different people. In Gods eyes we are all the same, so we'll just follow that great example.

"What part of "Illegal" you don't understand?" Oh I understand it very well, but sometimes in life there comes a time when you must decide to break a rule or even a law if the outcome will benefit your life and the life of your family. How can I ever not thank my father for breaking that one law, that one rule that allowed us to have a better life. If judgment has been passed on him now that he is in heaven I am sure that he has been forgiven.

So hate all you want, or accept us with love. Become our friend and discover that we are not at all that bad, or wish for our deportation. While we know we are survivors, you can keep thinking we are law breakers. It's your choice, your prerogative, your right.

In the end we are all individuals with different feelings so I understand that my perception of things will differ from yours but life goes on and we must do with what we have and continue to play the cards we have been dealt.

In the end it's all a part of His master plan for all of us.

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We Must All Be Criminals

Open your mind as you read the following:

It's 4:00 a.m.
You wake up and start preparing for the day
Lovingly you get the coffee going
Start preparing some breakfast for the kids
Make written and mental "to do" lists for the day
Find the clothes you want to wear
Plan on catching up on paying the bills
Wonder where the money will come from to pay the rent
Stops by the local church to pray to the Lord
To ask Him for a little help
Spend the last few dollars you had on generic brand foods
And still turn out some totally awesome and tasty meals
Walk to work because you can't get a licence to drive
And while walking always looking out over your shoulder
For on one side, the hood is not the safest place to walk
And you can be jumped at any given time
On the other side you are living here illegally
And you are now a criminal
No you don't deal with drugs
No you don't steal a thing
No car means no driving violations
And all you do is honest work
Because that's how it needs to be
Your kids here depend on you
As do your parents there
The worries and the stress you feel
Will really have to wait
Is today the day you will get caught
What will your family's fate be
Should you be caught and hand cuffed today
With that strong white plastic strip
And become a resident in "tent city" (jail)
And all because You're living here.

I was watching the news with my mom last night and they were talking about the new law here in Phoenix and the only image they showed was that of a Hispanic woman in her early 30's having her hands strapped with one of those plastic straps while facing a police cruiser. I am sure her fate is that of many that get caught as she will probably now be deported back to Mexico. I couldn't help but think of the "What now" what will happen to her husband, her kids, her friends, her life.

I keep hearing "What part of illegal don't you understand?" If you live here illegally you are a criminal and deserve everything the law throws at you. So I must wonder, where are the laws of humanity, the laws of decency, the laws of helping each other, the laws for caring for one another.

Is your mind still open as you read this.

Then I want you to think that the woman in the news was you.


Image borrowed from:
The Internet.

Wow, I just posted and this just came in:

Developing Story:
Phoenix -- July 28, 2010

Judge blocks controversial parts of Arizona’s Immigration law.
PHOENIX – A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect, delivering a last-minute victory to opponents of the crackdown.

There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens under the new (law)," Bolton ruled. "By enforcing this statute, Arizona would impose a 'distinct, unusual and extraordinary' burden on legal resident aliens that only the federal government has the authority to impose."

JACQUES BILLEAUD and AMANDA MYERS, Associated Press Writers Jacques Billeaud And Amanda Myers, Associated Press Writers –

Read Complete article by clicking HERE.

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Tidbits

So in an attempt to suck money out of our pockets the State of Arizona installed the speed cameras all over our freeways but apparently as of July 15 the cameras are no more. It's kinda erie now to see them still standing like a bunch of "Johnny 5s". There are three sets of these cameras on my way to work and I still slow down to 65 mph and I still expect to see that red light flash. The more I see machines run our lives the more I think about that movie with Stallone and Sandra Bullock "Demolition Man". LOL Every time I passed by these cameras I think I violated the Verbal Morality Statue and I was stripped of many, many credits.

Well, for better of for worse I rather see a real officer patrolling the highways, I truly go against any machine that will eliminate the actual work of more than one person.

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I've been waiting for a great kick butt kinda movie like the ones from the 80's and 90's. Remember, Demolition Man, Predator, Daylight, Assassins, The Specialist, Tango and Cash, Universal Soldier, The Punisher, Army of One, Harley Davidson and The Marlboro man, and the list goes on and on. Well here comes a reprise of what once was, even tho they are all past their prime this movie promises to deliver lots of good old fashion action, I for one hope it's cheese enough to be worth making it into my collection. Can't wait til it comes out.


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So it's Monday once again, the weeks just continue to fly by and swoosh over my head a little too fast for my taste but what can I do. While many people don't seem to like Mondays I for one really enjoy them. Then the next three days just kind of come and go and and then before we know it another weekend is upon us. Somehow when you are young that is actually the way to go, but at my age I just wish to slow time a little bit, no need for speed, slow time down and enjoy each day for its uniqueness, take the good with the bad, and do your best, then when the weekend comes again it will be that much more rewarding and enjoyable. It's like work hard during the week to earn your weekend. Nawwww! Just bring it on again.
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Grand Kids

My family life continues to be very active, this blog has been mostly an account of our family life, our celebrations, our activities, vacations, etc. etc. We continue to be very active and the celebrations just keep piling up. We have so many that now we kindda have to pick and choose, otherwise it is just too exhausting.

Last Sunday after mass my son and daughter in law invited us to their house for a "just because" reunion. It was like bring a dish let's have a pot luck. So lots of us showed up and had a really good time. While I ate and ate, the kids were out swimming and playing on the play station.

Food, swimming, and games! If you ask me that is just a recipe for a good time. All my grand kids were there so since I always carry my camera with me I decided to make ME the center of attention and hire anyone around me to capture some pretty cool images.

I am lucky and blessed to be able to have all my kids and grand kids at the same place and the same time on any given moment. It kills me to read how so many of you out there only get to see yours once or twice a year.

So, anyway I just thought I share some of these images.

This is me with Brianna, my first grandkid. Not the oldest but the first.
This is me with Talyanna, my oldest grandchild.
And this is the self titled "La Princesa" Alayna. Alayna is my #5 grand child.

""From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?"" --- ~Karen Mortensen

Surrounded with love.

"Do you know why children are so full of energy? Because they suck it out of their grandparents" --
~ Gene Perret

My mom with Laila, the youngest of my grand kids.
This is my son and my #8 grandson Ramon. I know he doesn't look like a Ramon but he is. lol
This is Juanito, my #6 grand kid.

"Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven't thought of yet."
~ Gene Perret

Grandkids.
Atali.
Laila.
Me and my "duck".
Alayna, me, and Arielle.
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