Emails

I'm supposed to be sifting through emails, saving, printing, filing, catching up, etc. but eh, if those emails waited this long, they can wait a little longer.  I've been on vacation since Friday, February 11.  Yay for me.  However, it wasn't all rainbows and cupcakes.  We were in the midst of moving and, while it only took 2 days to move all of our stuff over, unpacking and organizing and settling in while battling a nasty cold is not the ideal vacation.  But, at least I wasn't at work, not going to the doctor and dying a slow death.  Shit got done.  We're settled and the cats have settled in nicely.  Proof, check it.

A few scenes from my time away in a completely non-cohesive manner.

Helping a friend with his yard work.  Talk about embracing the Mexican roots.  I didn't know I had it in me.  I'm going to print up some business cards soon. 

My reward for the yard work was chicken fried chicken topped with fries and bacon infused gravy with a side of decadent mashed potatoes.  I couldn't finish the whole thing, which brings me to a small side note.  Dude, can we start using smaller portions?  This was a ridiculous amount of food and, while it was good, (definitely not something I would eat on a regular basis) wowza.  And, we're back.

Troop, sans gun, at House of Pies.

We moved back into the hood both the BNC and I grew up in.  We're extremely happy about our decision and are relishing in visiting the park 3 blocks away.  Since I was denied being a part of the little league, I am living my dream of learning how to properly catch a ball.  Verdict?  I suck at it.  My index finger and part of my palm are bruised but it's not stopping me.  Even B has offered to help me since he's a softball fanatic.  (That is downtown Houston in the background.)

It was incredibly windy and cloudy Sunday evening when these shots were taken.  There is a bit of a hill in the background where we used to fly our kites as kids.  I can't wait to do it again. 

Meat lasagna with Darth.  Yea.

Ugh, 71 emails still inbox.  Wish me luck.

Dia de los Muertos

A photo of B, my Grandpa and I many, many, many years ago at Grandpa's house in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It's the only photo of B and I with our Grandpa. We, just like, I'm sure, several other families, have an ugly family history and while my Grandpa LOVED us, he was not so kind to our dad, the greatest dad ever. However, my parents do not badmouth the old man, though they are honest about the ugly side of the family history. They also never prohibited me from having a relationship with my Grandpa despite the cold shoulder he gave my dad. I guess I just wanted to know this old man who was guilty of such mean-spiritedness and my parents encouraged me to love my Grandpa with all that I could. I don't hate that old man but rather, I hope he made his peace with his Maker because he certainly didn't make peace with my dad which is, within itself, very sad. I wish I could say I hate him but, in all honesty, the moment he entered my life, which was when I turned 15, he treated me lovingly and kindly, just like a granddaughter who had never had a grandfather before would hope to be treated. And, just as quickly as he entered my life, he was gone. He died 6 years later and opened up the void again.

It is what it is and while I wish I would have had more with my Grandpa, I'm ok with the little time we shared because it was very well spent. And, since we are being honest, I have many of his features: the dimple in my right cheek with the birthmark directly over it, the fair skin complexion and the eyes, my goodness, the eyes. It was those eyes, that day when I saw my eyes looking back at me, that urged me to not be like my Grandpa. I vowed to be a good person, to be kind to others, have compassion, understanding for everyone despite their rough exterior. Most of all, I vowed to never pass up the opportunity to tell the people I love exactly how much I loved them, how much they meant to me and how much I valued their presence in my life. How I wish my Grandpa had done the same to all of his family. Regardless, I thank him for being a part of my life for those 6 short years.


Feliz Dia de los Muertos, Abuelito.