Let's Walk Again

We now have weather to envy, sorry East Coasters don't mean to rub it in but after almost four months of extreme heat (which I also love) we are now having temperature in the high 80s and low 90s and we are loving it. It sure is making my top down drives super enjoyable.

Wonderful weather like this calls for me to start my daily 2-mile walk again, the doctor has been buggin' me to exercise as my blood pressure has been borderline high and I just don't seem to be able to lower it so I am hoping the walking will help accomplished the task otherwise she will put me on medication and I really am trying to stay away from meds for as long as I can.

Yesterday I resumed my walk and I really enjoyed it, my Apple shuffle was charged and loaded with songs which make my walk even easier to do, of course I still sing along a the top of my lungs, people must think I am crazy or something, but hey they can think anything they want or better yet, they can join me on a duet.

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Tidbits For Today

A week ago it was hot, this morning everyone is running to get the sweat shirts and jackets out of the closets. Phoenix, we always go from hot to cold in a matter of days, we hardly ever get the in-between. So today I am still wearing shorts but had to find me a sweatshirt to keep my upper body warm. If this weather continues all my shorts will have to be put away until next summer.

For some reason unbeknownst to me I just could not wake up this morning, I actually woke up just fine, but once I got to work I could have just found a little hole to take a nap, instead I had to get me a coffee which I'm trying to cut down and then opted to take a walk around the block, that actually helped a little bit better.

But finally I felt a lot better at lunch time. Courtesy of a trucking company I use I was treated to lunch by my rep at his favorite restaurant Z-Tejas. I've been there many time now and it's always very good. Darn soda glass, if you finish it the fill it up immediately. Also their corn bread is one of the best around. Ummmm que rico!

At work, bottles of hand sanitizing gel were placed all over the company. I think, some of us don't think much of sanitizing our hands as of smelling the gel. It smells so good, you can get a mini high (not that I ever get high)with the smell of alcohol. Ummm somewhat addicting.

Today I stay with my mom at her house, also I start Bible studies. Wow! Finally. I am looking forward to both. I will be great since both mi chica and I are getting one on one lessons given to us by my wonderful sister.

Later readers.

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Diego.
Making a routine errands run into a fun time for my grandson Diego and I. It was Saturday afternoon and I had been putting everything off for a while until I realized that it was in fact getting late, so I took a shower (the only way I can really wake up) and I was ready to hit the road, but not before my little tag along asked me if he could go with me.


So we left the house and went on our way, first stop Hobby Lobby. I was picking up a frame for a future project of mine. Diego was happy to pose in front of Hobby Lobby for the camera.

I am sort of a regular at this store. Not known all over it but in the framing department they all know me by name and actually treat me like a valued repeat customer. So far even though Michael's is nearby about 15 minutes away from me versus five for Hobby Lobby I am trying to remain loyal to this store and it's starting to pay off. I wrote sometime back that I prefer to support my local vendors 100% over taking my business to other areas.

Second stop, Water Works. We needed water so I took all the empty bottles and loaded them in the van... OK I am lying, I told Diego "Diego, here are the keys to the van, take all those empty water bottles and put them in the van". Yeah, that sounds more like the way it happened. So after Hobby Lobby that's were we went.


We got to Water Works and it turned out it was closed. Actually there was a little note on the door saying "Be back in 5 minutes". Well I can't wait that long, luckily I have a few dollar bills which means I can fill my bottles in the outside water dispenser. One bottle here, the other here, a dollar in the slot, press this button, press the other button, great my two bottles are filling up, one side stopped, press the button again, the other side stops press the button again, everything is cool so far. Both sides stop and I put another dollar, press the button and it begins again, press the other button and it begins too, except side one decides not to stop after the one gallon mark and all of a sudden bottle one is full and the water won't stop. I put my hand over trying to close it and it only splattered all over me, then I tried to get it off the dispenser but it's heavy, slippery, and wet, in the meantime water is running down the dispenser and all over the walk way.

In the meantime I put another dollar to continue filling the second bottle and the dollar only fills a little over half the bottle, so Diego tells me, that the store is once again open. I put the full bottle in the van, and my half filled bottles in a cart and I go inside. I show the guy what I have so far and asked him how much more to fill all the other bottles. Well, it took another $2.25.

Never before had getting water been such an Odyssey. Well, I am proud to say I conquered it, but not before spending $5.25 and almost twenty minutes there. Normally five minutes and three dollars and change take care of this task.

Stop number three, WallyWorld. I really shouldn't support this store as it's practices are not exactly what I like but when short of cash you just can't ignore that this store beat the competition hands down.


We went into this store and took care of business very fast. For those of you in the valley when it comes to WalMarts they are always very untidy but the one on Camelback and the 101 for some reason break itself away from the rest and is always for the most part very clean and it always have a huge selection of what I'm looking for. Redemption kindda comes in the way of this one store.

Next stop, Walgreens or as my brother in law calls it Greenwals. Again here we were just picking up something for mi chica and didn't really take too long in there, of course that Diego had to go and push the buttons on a bunch of the Halloween stuff they have in there. Talk about a "Hunted Walgreens" with special sound effects. You want yours to be the same, I'll have Diego email your kids the instructions. It's actually pretty easy and it only requires a little time and willing hands to press lots of buttons.


Fun times running errands and being silly with your grandson. How something so common as going to the store can be easily turned into an awesome adventure.

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A Treasure Framed

Back on May 31, 2007 my dear friend Wanda of "Brush Strokes from the heart" had a post on her blog entitled "A Treasure on 7th Street". In this post she highlighted some old machinery in someones yard. She had passed by these treasures many times but funny enough she didn't really pay much attention to them until she became a blogger and like most of us starting searching for things to blog about.

I've driven down 7th street for over 20 years, and I've seen this old rusted farm equipment and just driven on by. It wasn't until today, when I came by, the sun was hitting the old pickup that I realized I had been passing up a treasure on 7th Street. ~Wanda

For five days I posted a picture taken by Wanda and highlighted it in my "Arizona... But it's a dry heat" photo blog. She was so happy that I did that and in return she sent me five greeting cards featuring her original water colored paintings in them. One of those images was the one that we have dubbed "The Old Truck". This image of the old truck was the first picture of hers I posted.

The Old Truck.
(According to Wanda this is the first vehicle she ever painted.)
Wanda is a very talented lady, her blog is so popular that it receives many hits per day and a healthy doze of comments per post.

On September the 18th I turned 50 years old and Wanda sent me as a present an 8 X 10 print of that old truck. I had received a gift card for Hobby Lobby and some cash as well so I went all out and took the print along with a copy of the original picture to Hobby Lobby and had them professionally mounted on a beautiful frame. The outcome was absolutely beautiful.




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Quinceanera X3 Photo Exhibition

The site for the exhibit.
It was a birthday party but it featured our Photo Exhibition. We took 20 framed photographs and they were well received. We have tried not to repeat any of the images we have framed therefore really making them originalz. We do carry the small prints just in case someone wants to order one of the ones we have done but for the most part they look at what we have in inventory at the time and buy from there.

This one was an outside show and I must admit the frames looked really nice under the daylight. Only four frames sold but two of them were big frames so it was worth our while.

Setting up the display area.
Now that I've done five shows I think I know what works and what doesn't and it's time to start applying all that learning experience into future shows. So far I am having fun doing this, it is rewarding to see our frames hanging on our friends and relatives homes but it's time to take this to the next level and maybe start attending church fairs and arts and crafts shows. That is going to be my next goal. I'll keep you posted.



And in the images above you can see how the whole thing looked once it was set up. I was very pleased with the way it came out and we did get very good reviews again.

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The Quinceañera X3

So we left for La Puente, California on Friday at around 5:00 pm and by 11:30 we were sitting at Rambo's enjoying some very delicious tacos. It's cooling down some in Phoenix and the humidity which is common for this time of year has not shown up yet, yey! So I was expecting the same for California. Actually it's usually cool at night but when we got there it was still hot. I slept on the couch with a fan pointing my way and the ceiling fan going as fast as it could.

The next morning we were greeted with hot temperatures and high humidity. The shower actually felt like a sauna, I had taken a white shirt for the party but when I tried it on I started sweating big time, I don't know what material it is made of but it wouldn't breath so I had to change it and wore a black polo type shirt that actually felt a lot better. We Phoenicians can endure extreme heat but for us it is a dry heat. The humidity there is more than I can take, I love visiting but I wouldn't want to live there.

The party went on as planned, there was a good turnout but apparently freeway closures due to a big accident may have prevented for more guests to show up. If that was not the case then they missed a good party and a great time.

We had some great tasting birria with rice "frijoles puercos" and an array of different salsas, I am sorry to say but I had to have doubles. The food was super tasty. To wash it all down some water, sodas, beer, wine, and tequila, and believe I tried it all, but no, I didn't get drunk, I spaced them out throughout the whole afternoon to where I actually enjoyed each drink.













The dancing and entertainment came via ourselves as we started the karaoke machine and we sang mostly all night.


A peaceful moment for reflection was provided by Father Adolfo as he blessed Chely, blessed the moment, and pray for all of us.


We had so much fun, ate great food, had some liquor, sang some songs, and basically just enjoyed a good party. At the end of the day, the birthday girl the quinceañera X3 was happy with the outcome and that's all that mattered.

Here is the Quinceañera X3

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Nikki Graduates

This is the historic Orpheum Theater in Downtown Phoenix.

What started four years ago finally culminated today. Yes my little girl got her Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design degree from The Art Institute of Phoenix.

A grand Graduation Ceremony was held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Phoenix on Thursday September 24, 2009.

The four years Nikki spent at Ai were long and hard. I saw her losing her sanity more than once due to deadlines and cash problems but with the support of her husband and family and her perseverance she finally did it. They celebrated their commencement into the next stage of their training, it is time to start thinking how to make that education pay off big dividends, not to mention loans that will need to start being paid very soon.

The marquee says it all.

I'll be honest, graduations are emotional, and important, but they are boring, I am seriously thinking that my daughter Michelle can offer her party planning services for future graduations. Maybe a little music, key note speaker, music, presentations, music and singing, diploma presentations, surprise celebrity guest, more music, some more singing, and why not let's throw in some dancing too, and since they have a culinary department have them serve hors d'œuvres... just sayin'

*Note to self: Not too bad of an idea! Joe Cool, you are a genius.

I think after they called Nikki's name the second most exciting thing was when some fool --(Whom shall remain nameless... Loyito) blew an air horn in my ear and made me jump from my seat.

The required photo session started promptly after the ceremony, we took pictures with Nikki for about half an hour and then the kids decided to go celebrate with pizza.

I am really proud of my little girl and we are already talking her into not stopping there and go beyond the Bachelors and pursue the next step in her education. Unfortunately it's sort of a never ending game but the future belongs to those that prepare themselves.

In my case with my limited schooling I reached my limit a long time ago, and regardless of how much I know and or how valuable I am the corporate world will not give us a chance to advance. Education is key and the only way to be successful. Trust me I'm in management and I know.

And now, please enjoy the following images from another milestone event in our lives.

Mi chica, our graduate, and I.

Michelle, Nikki, and Juan.

Photo op with the guys.

And then with the gals.

And lastly with her son, whom was more interested in making ugly faces for the camera.

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Finally, after a long month of inactivity and funds shortage we finally were able to raise the frame count to 21 pieces and we are now ready to travel this coming weekend to the beautiful City of La Puente, California where we will join my younger sister in her birthday celebration which as per her request will feature a melo-duckworth originalz exhibition and sale.

I really do have high hopes for this one but then again I always do for all exhibitions. It will be interesting and fun to mix it up a bit, being featured in a birthday celebrations has it's pros and cons. The worst thing that can happen is that I don't sell anything which to this day has not happened yet but on the other side of the coin we don't lose anything since we'll be having fun at the party anyway.

I think my sister's idea of featuring us at her birthday party was a good one and I guess we'll soon find out if the idea is going to pan out or not.

Wish us luck.

Mi little sister and I.
Image courtesy of Duckworth Photography

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Party Extras

I would like to share these two images with all of you. It's not often that both families are together. On mi chica's side only one brother couldn't make the trip to Arizona and is missing in the picture.


Mi chica and her family minus one brother that could not attend the fiesta.

And this is Mi Familia.

I have a true belief that family should always come first, without a family we are nothing. Even when sometimes things don't go as they should there are always occasions that will reunite most if not all family members. I was blessed to have everyone that mattered celebrating with me last Saturday.

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While on the subject of family my little sister will have a birthday too. She has dubbed her celebration "Quinceañera X3".

The background on this invitation is Chely's actual "Quincea ñera" dress" More on this on a future post.

I'll be leaving for La Puente California yet one more time. My third road trip in two months. I am excited to attend her party. She chose to host a melo-duckworth originalz photo exhibition in conjunction with her party so I am definitely double excited.



To see the detail please click on images to enlarge.

Images courtesy of: Michelle Duckworth of Duckworth Photography
Invitation art by: Nikki Duckworth

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And Then They Danced For Me

Ha, ha, ha bunch of liars, you keep telling me that the suspense is killing you, well I am here to wrap it all up. So far it's all been fun, and we haven't even started dancing yet. Some of my friends had to leave early and they were starting to say good bye when mi chica stopped them and asked them to sit down just for a few more minutes.

Next thing I know my microphone shy chica is holding a microphone and talking to the guests. She told us that all the girls in my life (at least they represented all of them) had prepared a dance for me and they were about to perform it. She proceeded to let us know that my two daughters, two of my grand daughters, my goddaughter, three of my sisters, my sister in law, and my daughter in law, along with my nieces were going to perform their original version of "El Jarabe Zapatio". (Yeah, she even changed the name of the song).



I had no idea they had planned this for me and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I was told they practiced maybe once back in June and then again before they actually performed it. My goddaughter wasn't even part of the group but she learned it in just a few minutes.



I was surprised to see that the Mexican motif carried even in the way they were all dressed. They all looked so pretty as "The Adelitas" with their rebozos. I caught a glimpse of mi chica dancing along with all of them from the side lines like a proud mama.

After that awesome performance we started to dance and kept dancing until past midnight. For the first time in a long time we were not asked to turn things off by the cops. We ended the fiesta when we wanted and not when the neighbors wanted.

I don't normally drink and yet I got five or six bottles of tequila. We opened two of them and we started drinking shots. I kept up with everyone else and yet didn't even feel buzzed. Oh, I was drunk alright but I felt fine all the time. The same could not be said for some of my drinking partners. (can you say barf) All I can say is... lightweights. lol -- My hangover consisted of a mild headache which was immediately taken care of by two aspirins.

Well, that pretty much sums up the fiesta. It was extremely well planned and executed, the guests had fun, my family had fun, but most importantly I had a blast. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful wife... errr chica that loves me enough to put herself through months of stress just to carry this through.

Thanks to all that participated and celebrated with me this milestone in my life.






































All images on this post courtesy of Michelle Duckworth Photograhy.
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A Charro Came and Sang For Us...

Not one, not two, not three but four cakes. How awesome was that?
So, the guests started coming in and it didn't take long until we had a pretty full backyard. My biker buddies, Mustang fellow club members, karaoke friends, work mates, and of course my huge family.

There was still plenty of daylight, mi chica asked everyone to please take a seat, I was still taking pictures when she said, "To you I order you to take a seat". I knew then she had some sort of a surprise. The music started playing a little louder than before, it was a popular Mexican song and I was about to start singing on my own when this mariachi looking señor comes out from inside the house microphone in hand and singing a the top of his lungs.

This guy was great, good singing backed up by good comedy. Gabriel Garcia is his name and besides singing he also teaches music. He gives guitar lessons, singing lessons, art lessons, and acting lessons. (480) 522-9515 and (480) 329-1035 or email at principecharro07@yahoo.com

Wow, mi chica had hired an entertainer to sing to us while we ate. LOL Except the food people were an hour late which thanks to the singer was not too bad a wait. Besides the food was worth the wait as the tacos were sooooooo tasty. It has become very popular among us Mexicanos to hire a caterer that prepares what we call a "taquisa". The plate consisted of tacos with three different choices of meat, salsa bar, rice and beans, ummmmm, ummmmmm, ummmmmm, tacos, you can't ever go wrong if you serve tacos at a party.

The tacos were so good the line was solid for well over an hour. Many came back for seconds, and so did I.

The entertainer had been hired for two hours but he stayed an additional hour courtesy of my brother in law and my sister. This guy not only sang nice but he also kept us laughing with a plethora of jokes. And additional surprise and definite crowd please was when his son whom I estimate was about seven or eight years old came out also dressed in his charro outfit and sang two songs to every ones delight.

El Charrito sang so good that he got the biggest ovation.

Even I had a turn at the mic as he graciously offer it to anyone who wanted to sing. So my sister and I sang a song but she claimed I kept singing in her tone. Hey I never claimed to be a professional. lol

My sister and I doing a duet.

As far as the food go, there was plenty of it. Normally food runs out within the two allotted hours for dinner, mi chica made sure and ordered enough to ensure that everyone was fed, heck most of us went for seconds and still the food didn't run out. Way to go baby!

The taco line kept forming for almost two hours, poor taco guy, he probably needed a brake but that was not about to happen. All of a sudden I saw mi chica take center stage holding a mic, she asked for our attention and pretty much came out with yet another surprise...

But that story will have to wait for the next post.

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The Fiesta

What an elaborate set up, there were plenty of tables for all the guests.
Notice the black clouds in the sky. Looked like rain.

And finally the day of the party came. Our California relatives got here on Friday night and Saturday morning. Everything was ready but to me everything was still a mystery, all I knew was there was a party about to happen but I had no idea of what mi chica had in store fore me.

I spent most of my morning in anticipation of what was to come, to kindda take my mind off things I run some errands in the morning, my black slacks were no where to be found so I had to go and find me a new pair, also buying some more beer and fresh flowers was in my to do list. Once that was accomplished I went back home and took a little nap, I found out earlier in life that naps are great time killers.

At around 5:00 pm mi chica and I headed out to my sister's house where the party would take place. Driving into Phoenix I noticed that the sky threatened to spoil things a bit, dark clouds had move in and we thought for sure a monsoon would visit.

Upon getting there they started putting the table decorations which had a plethora of Mexican related articles such as a Mexican hat, a Mexican soda, Mexican candy, and some Mexican toys. The flower vases were made out of "Salsa del Pato" hot sauce cans, and there was a tin luminary on each table. I am sure I mentioned before the party had a Mexican motif.



There definitely was a feeling that a Mexican Fiesta was about to happen. Just look at all those table decorations.

It took a good forty minutes to set all the table arrangements, everything look so good and pretty and then all of a sudden a gust of wind came and in 30 seconds undid every thing they had made so far, yes Mother Nature wanted to crash my party and it did.

Obviously I started taking pictures and capturing images as soon as I got there. The weather was a little on the hot side but it was bearable, normally our California guests complain a lot but I don't think I heard even one complain. Actually once the sun went down and the threat of a monsoon passed, we were getting this rather nice wind gusts that felt so good.

Ah, for those of you that still haven't met mi chica please allow me to introduce her to you. She planned this moment for the past six months along with my daughter. Yes I am lucky and I know it.

Exactly at 5:30 pm guests started showing up, and little by little a once empty backyard started getting full. The DJ got there early and immediately set his equipment up, the soft welcoming music started playing, yes we had all the makings of a fun party.

The DJ set up pretty early and started jammin' even before the guests had arrived.

But what happened next I leave for another post.

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