LOVING FRIDA, Shining Star: September 2008

Monday, September 29, 2008

Ahem went the lady....at Starbucks.

This morning after exercise class I went to the post office and then went home. I took care of some household duties at home and then got Chocolatte' ready to go to the groomers. Her appointment was at 9am so I rushed in and rushed out. I put her in her cage in the back seat and heard her yipping. I reminded her that she was going to the groomers to get a bath and her nails clipped. She gets the groomers bit once every six weeks and the rest of the time I bathe her once a week and clean her in between baths. I keep her clean, so that she can feel good.

I took her in and handed her shaking body to the technician and just told the tech to give her the same treatment she had last time. In the meantime Chocolatte' is shaking all over the place and reaching out to me to take her back and I try to soothe her, but she just starts shaking more. I quickly kiss her little forehead and tell her that mommy will be back in a few hours. Shes taken to the back and I head out the door. All of a sudden I felt free, oh free at last, I thought. Of course it was only for a few hours but it would give me time to venture out in the world.

What to do, where to go, who to call. I sat in the car and called my esposo to let him know I dropped doggie off and I was free. He chuckled. After hanging up, I drove across the street eyeing MacDonalds and turning away quickly. I then remembered I had a gift card for Starbucks. I personally never patronize Starbucks because it is too expensive. At Safeway they have a Starbucks so after parking my car and trying to look like I was a busy woman who was ready to shop, I went in to the store and made my way towards Starbucks. I ordered a CafeLatte, whatever that was, and a roll. I took it to a table and thought about all the money spent at this place. Why I could make my own coffee, sprinkle cinnamon, beat the milk till frothy and wala!, I have the same thing. I noticed this lady sitting by herself and I commented on the idea of people coming here to buy coffee every day. She remarked, "I never come here, this is my first time." Mine too , I said. I told her about my dog being across the street at the groomers and from there we had a nice conversation. She moved to my table and we talked about dogs and how they become a part of your household and how much we love them and that people who don't have dogs, just don't understand the bond.

I turned around and saw this very small lady with white short hair, about 85 or so, making her way towards a table to the side. There also sat an older man about the same age if not older, white hair, face down, eyes on the newspaper. His face was so close to the paper, you'd think he was falling asleep. My table companion got up to go wash her hands and while she was gone I watched the little lady who was keenly watching the man. A couple of seconds went by and I heard her go....:::ahem:::ahem'::: I thought she might be trying to attract his attention. I guess he didn't hear her so she repeated the ::ahem::He never looked up. She looked exasperated and finally got up and went to his table. "Helllllo Bill." He still didn't look up. She touched him on the shoulder and he looked up and didn't seem to recognize her, and then suddenly his eyes took on this glint and he was 50 all over again. They began a conversation that was still going when I left. I bid my farewell to my table companion, I never got her name and started to head out the door. I saw a sign that said "Flu Shot Today." I turned around and went to the pharmacy, filled out the paperwork, got my shot, and left to pick up Chocolatte' I had gotten the call from the groomer that she was ready. I started to go out the door and ran into my friend who was going to go grocery shopping. We promised to call each other later.

I have no reason for this lengthy post other than it was nice talking to a stranger, and even nicer watching the two old timers re-connecting, but the shot....well the shot only stung a little, so it wasn't bad and its good that its only once a year. I picked up my little choco and she looked so cute with her ribbons and smelled even better. We went home, she konked out, and I sat at the table and did my homework. So this was part of today on Monday. Hope you had a good Monday.

ME AND MY HAT FROM YAYA

My friend YaYa sent me a knitted hat and a knitted dish cloth that she knitted herself. It was so much fun opening the package. She made both of them
and I am so proud to have received them and so grateful for her kindness. I promised her I would take some pix of me with the hat on and there below you see my terrible mugshots.
The hat is great and I will wear it to class when it starts getting cold. The dish cloth is very nice and colorful. Thank you amiga, you made my day today. I appreciate it very much.

Here is the dishcloth and it really looks so finely done. I like it very much. Below are the things she sent me with a card as well. How sweet it is.

And here you go yaya, me and my hat. This is a terrible shot but it was the best I could do. the only thing that looks good is the hat.

Here I am showing you that I have a chin, and boy what a chin and down below there I am in all my wrinkled glory for the world to see. But hey I have a hat, so there!

As you can see I truly enjoyed my gift and I promise to utilize and not get spaghetti over my hat. Thanks again and may you live to be 105. VIVA LA VIDA

Sunday, September 28, 2008

WHO KNEW SO MANY WORDS COULD FIT IN SUCH A SMALL BOX.

IT WOULD BE HARD TO UNSCRAMBLE THESE TWO CLOUDS OF WORDS AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS SO MUCH FUN. I'M TYPING LARGE BECAUSE I THINK IT GOES WITH THE CLOUDS OF WORDS. I VISITED ONE OF MY FAVORITE WEBSITES AND BOB HAD THE TOPIC "MOLE" AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE DISH. IT LOOKED SO DELICIOUS.

SO YOU WILL FIND ME DOING THESE CLOUDS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THAT IS BECAUSE I LIKE THE IDEA OF INTEGRATING SO MANY WORDS IN A SMALL BOX. HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

Mom's, Dad's and my Molcaquetes

I love molcaquete's and I was lucky enough to have acquired my Mom's, my Dad's, and I still have mine to use as well. I will always have these. I especially love my dad's because it is small and it still has the garlic smell about it. So you know how it goes, memories are activated when they are in use. My dad used to make some powerful chili in that little molcaquete and people were eager to get at it. My mom's chili isn't that hot and she doesn't make it anymore since her tummy acts up, but hers was just as delicious. I like mine hot and so does my esposo. So those little thai chili's are going to get ground up with garlic, onion, cilantro, and of course lime or lemon. Today is Sunday and it's good to know that although I have blenders and other fast machines to grind up the chili, I prefer to do everything the old fashioned way.

TO GRIND OR NOT TO GRIND

This is my molcaquete that I bought back in the 60's in Tijuana

Mine at the very top, in the middle my mom's, and the little one in front is my dad's. I love it.

This of course is the hot stuff that will go in one of these molcaquete.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

I am going to have fun with http://wordle.net/create I don't know if that link will work but if you want to create different things just do a search for Wordle.

WORDLE

I discovered http://wordle.net/create from another blog and it is pretty nice. You can type any words on it that you want and then use it on your blog or whatever. I chose this. I was going to put a scripture on it but decided not to, maybe next time.

My brain is fizzling out

What with all the homework, reading, writing and concentration....I'm fizzled out. I just can't think of what to post anymore. I spent this Saturday mostly doing critiques, and I still have to answer another 20 questions or so from the textbook. I need to analyze a movie, and do research on it. Who knew? I can hardly wait till December. Time goes by fast, but when I have class, it goes by slow. When December comes, its finals and that is it for me. From here on in, my time is my time. HooHaw!!

I wanted to try my hand at making a couple of aprons with my Grandmother's apron pattern, and I just don't have the time. I really have this very nice material that I will save for another time. I don't sew, but have in the past and very little. I mostly paint and write poetry.

I did find time to go outside with my portable cd player and listen to soft music in our newly finished garden area out in back and that was nice. I relaxed for a bit, then followed my esposo further back to the vegetable area and picked some thai chili again. We also picked walnuts since they are falling on the ground, and more butternut squash. I finally came back in to the house and in a little while I will finish making the linguine. I made the meatballs this morning and all I have to do is boil some water, toss the linguine in and warm the french bread.

Odd as it may be, my esposo got a nail in his tire and would you believe I did as well. So he had to patch my tire and his tire. He also chopped down a huge unwanted tree and took it to the dump. He works hard at home and at his job. Sometimes I feel guilty because I no longer work although I do keep up our household, keep a budget, clean house, wash and hang clothes, take care of doggies, cook dinner, make his lunch, pay and mail out the bills, and of course study. There are many other things I do as well.

I'm not complaining because I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happy, he's happy, the dogs are happy and we do what we do because we love and respect each other. We might even invest in another home out in this little town called Valley Springs. It is a very small town with ranchettes. Each ranchette has 1 to 3 acres and right now the prices are looking pretty good. So now I have cleared my head a little, I will make my way to the kitchen and finish cooking dinner, and open the window and yell out to my esposo, "Honey, dinner!!"

Unfortunately he will probably be way out in back and I will have to go out there and let him know it is dinnertime. Life is good as I always say. I am going to the Barn Mart on Monday and buying some very fine Tequila. We will be having company for dinner and my friend likes margaritas. I personally want to try it plain and see just what all the hoopla is about Tequila.

Viva La Vida

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Debates

Don't forget to watch the debate, it should prove interesting.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

papas con huevos y corn beef

Es todo que voy a cocinar hoy, papas con huevos y corn beef.

El esposo tambien no necesita mucho.

Tenemos que lose weight....uh....perder libras. si como no.

Bueno, tortillas de mais tambien

Agua fresca, como no.

Yo creo que no me da ganas de cocinar

Nomas poquito.

Si puedo hablar el Spanish pero poquito broken, ah ah quebrado? no se. heehaw

Bueno yo creo que ya me voy

Me entiendes? Viva La Vida

Regreso

(I'll bet there are all kinds of mistakes in my spellings and meanings.

That is all I'm cooking for dinner today. Potatoes with eggs and corned beef.

The husband also doesn't need much.

We have to lose weight, yes why not.

Good, corn tortillas also.

Fresh water, why not.

I think that I don't feel like cooking.

Only a little.

I can speak Spanish, but it is a little broken

Good, I think I will go now.

You understand me? Live the Life ? Eh, Viva La Vida!!

Just being silly today. Tomorrow I may be better. or not.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Taking A Break And Painting A Little.

Thought I would take a break from all that homework and just do things I like. We are done with the garden way out in back that we made for Chorizo, my never forgotten doggie. Although we will soon be putting up a metal sign outside the garden area, I thought I would make a wooden type of sign to hang right in her garden area. That's what you see up there. All I have to do now is drill holes on the top, one on each side and get some hanging wire and hang it from one of the trees in her garden area. That's my living room and connecting dining area. I used the table to do my work, I didn't feel like going to the studio out in back. Just down home type of living, we are very plain folk and just like the relaxed look. No I have to ponder about Prop 7 and Prop 10 and decide if I were going to select one, which would it be. An assignment for the class in an essay format with just a few notes allowed. An in-class essay, and that is not my cup of tea. I talked to my friend YaYa today and she is under the weather. I hope you are feeling better and eat that chicken soup for the soul.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

10,000 Things I Love About Fall

The other day I wrote about what I liked about Autumn. Now that I think of it....there are more.

Gets dark earlier

The smell

The crispness

The excitement

The feel

Lighting the fireplace

Making chocolate

cuddling with a blanket

Lighting candles with scent

Making soup, stews

The change of color

Baking bread

Putting on a hooded sweater

wearing sweatpants

The scent of pumpkin pie in oven

Cups of caffecito (I borrowed this word)

Hot buns out of the oven with butter

The smell of pine in the house

Walking in the backyard when its brisk

Pinecones

Wow this sounds good to me, especially the food part of it. I had promised myself to cut down, so I am not going to deny myself all the goodies, I just will moderate. Please enjoy your Autumn, I know I will....homework or not.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Blogging

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Case

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/810/A-Case-Study-The-Man-Behind-America-Online.html

That above is where it all started for me. I bought a computer back in 1987/1988 and that computer was a Commodore 64. Of course it was all DOS and it was a challenge to learn. This is where I got my first experience with online services. It was so expensive and I don't know how I paid for it, but I did. To have online services and to be able to chat with people would run you in the hundreds depending on how long you stayed on the Internet. UNBELIEVABLE. I got hooked on that computer and when we moved to Modesto in 1989, it came with me and so did the hook-ups.

Eventually Steve Case started AOL, so I switched to that and all too soon there were so many Internet providers, the choice was vast. Why am I talking about this? I guess because I see myself heading in the same direction of spending endless hours on the net like before. My computer is used for various things. When I was doing real estate, it was necessary, some online shopping, not much but it's there if I need it. My homework for college classes, it definitely works for that and of course this.

I feel like I am ignoring my doggie and should be playing with her and sometimes she sits on my lap as I type and I talk away what I am typing so that she hears the sound of my voice. She is fidgety though like all ChiPoo's are. But you know what? I enjoy typing, as a matter of fact I love to type. I once was a secretary in a real estate office and brother did I enjoy the typing. I was my own boss, so to speak. I think it is okay to spend time on the things you like to do, as long as it does not rule you. So I shall now remove myself from this chair and go finish cooking.

A simple meal of hamburger with potatoes, string beans, and a little habanero tossed in. A few corn tortillas and that's it. Oh I'll be back, later.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Autumn is the best time next to spring of the year.

And so the completion of an analysis of a political cartoon is done, kaput, over and out, no mas,

se acabo, fin, sayonara, finis and all that jazz.

The cartoon is of Obama standing behind a podium giving a speech and looking wild-eyed, mouth open, teeth bared, ears sticking out and finger pointing. The cartoonist Ken Catalino did an excellent job, but as far as me analyzing it, well that's another story, but my analysis is complete. I did what I could, and I done what I did, an elephant faithful, one hundred percent. ??? How did that get in here?

It was an excellent Sunday, very cool day and no sweat on forehead. I ask myself how many decades and I do mean decades of Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer have visited me. I don't want to answer that because I want to be revisited at least another 2/3 decades. I've grown to love what this wonderful world has to offer, and I don't mean material things.

Fall is when I begin to blossom, not Spring. Winter is when I really mellow. Spring I love the blossoms on everything and I am revitalized. Summer is when I put my air conditioner on and that material thing really matters. So much for not needing material things. This coming month of October, I will have my fireplace cleaned for the endless days, nights of cozy comfort. I really look forward to this. I think I am happiest during this time. I will bake bread, make tortillas and heat the house up with the oven on and something baking inside. I will make pozole, menudo, caldo de res, atole like they did at the church in the olden days. I will have fun, fun, fun.

Then I will take time to count my blessings for what we have, have had, and will have. I gotta say it again life is good. Viva La Vida.

To you all out there, happy posting.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

CHIPOO

<-December 2007

August, 2008

So here she is. Since every blog I have visited has had a picture of their best pal on their blog these past few days, I thought I would copy and post a little about my Chihuahua/Poodle mix, Chi Poo as they are known. That was her as a baby pie back in December of 2007, this is her now taken in the latter part of August 08. Time does go by. As I have said before, I lost my Chorizo back in 2007. I had no plans on getting another pet for awhile. One day I went to a lady friends house and she had all these puppies who were a mere month. I started bawling because it was so soon after I lost my baby and I just couldn't bear the idea of having another little dog. What would Chorizo think? I said they were cute and started to get up and simultaneously, one of the seven got up and walked toward me. She was chocolate, like Chorizo and she kept nudging my leg to pick her up, would you believe. I didn't want to, but I did. I looked in her eyes and thought, Chorizo sent me this little doggie so that I would not mourn so much. Chorizo was that way, always considerate. I started crying and said, I will take this one home with me. I did, that was then, this is now and I will always miss my apple pie lady Chorizo, but here we have Chocolatte' who is growing on us. She loves us, counts on us, enjoys us and we her to. I said a prayer that day for my soul mate Chorizo, and thanked her for being so kind and understanding. So I guess I could say that I am thankful I went to my friends house on that day. Not only did I capture the attention of this little doggie, but I began the healing process and though that still goes on, me and my new doggie are getting along just fine, just fine. I thank the lord.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

SLOW MODE OF OPERANDA

Everyone seems to be a slow motion today. I guess I am too, but probably for different reasons. I totally moved in slow motion today. In fact I'll save this for another day. I am at a loss for words.

Monday, September 15, 2008

In the dark about the moon.

We are in the dark here. Some camera I have. I can't even take pictures of the full moon. Guess its time for a new camera. The Last Supper though is pretty visible. It is very old, belonged to my grandmother on my mother's side. It was made in Mexico. Its quite beautiful.

So the moon is not visible on these dark pictures, sorry about that. I do hope you got to see the brightness of it. Bright orange and it even had a smiling face. I need a camera or I need to take lessons on how to take pictures. Its food for thought.

I managed to crawl out of bed this morning after my accidental falling off the hammock yesterday, and I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be. I made it to my exercise class and to a few shopping errands, but it caught up with me after awhile. Right now I'm sore again, but I just eyed chocolates on the table and all of a sudden I feel much better.

Please forgive these pix, maybe one day I will pick up the talent of taking picture. Vaya con Dios.

and Viva La Vida.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Falling off the hammock isn't any fun.

Now who would go do that? Me. Yes, I fell off the hammock today and as of a few minutes ago, I didn't think I would start feeling it as much as I am feeling it now. I landed on my butt, my shoulders, my elbows, the whole kit and caboodle.

Well now after about an hour or so later, I am feeling it.

I wonder if that means I can't go exercise tomorrow? Well its no excuse. I'm embarrassed to say that I could not get up and my husband who was on the other side of the yard and further back couldn't hear me. So there I sat with my books, my stuff all scattered and me laying on the grass trying to get up, but my arthritic knees would not accommodate me, and my dog running around like a crazy dog because she didn't know what to do and was frightened. I think it was all of 5 minutes before I saw my hubbers coming around the corner, and looking at me in shock. Of course he helped me to my feet and even that was hard since I had to put pressure on my knees to get up.

I just have one thing to say, if you are going to sit on the hammock, start by placing your butt in the middle of the hammock, lifting your legs, and then laying down. Don't ever sit at the edge of the hammock and then proceed to lay down, or you will find yourself where I was at. My neck hurts, and I still have to cook dinner.

Viva La Vida.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Mexican money, un peso

I was changing the lining on my cabinets in my pantry room and I found a "peso" under one of the linings. How cool is that. Of course I can't spend it, but you can have it, I'll mail it to you if you want it. I have no use for it, do I? I'm sure if I went into the store and tried to pay with it, I would definitely be arrested or kicked out of the store. I think I'll go visit one of the

Friday, September 12, 2008

Life and all its possibilities

There we sit quietly in the hidden garden

The trees block the sunlight from coming in, except for a few rays of light

The book is in my hand, I read, I sense the surroundings, calming

There is a very slight breeze with a cooling effect

That reminds me of autumn in the air

The end of the year is just around the corner

There is much that awaits us, so we prepare

Time's wasting, we must hurry and do

The things we have always wanted to do

Tear a sheet of paper out of that notebook

Tell it what is it you want in life

Treat it as if "it" was going to answer your prayers

Trust me, follow your heart

Then everything will fall in place

The world waits for you

There in that sheet of paper is written what you want

Try to accomplish each one, crossing out whats completed

Take time to compliment yourself

That's what I'm doing now, just me and my doggie, oh and my book.

I felt poetic today and I think it is because of where I sat comfortably. Life is good, despite its ups and downs. I prefer the ups, but hey, I'll take the downs as well.

VIVA LA VIDA

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/11

Although the day is almost over, I just came from a blog that said, "don't forget." Of course it was referring to 9/11.

Our prayers are with the people left behind and those that left this world on that day. God Bless.

What do you do when you feel old?

I know I will finish this English class, and next spring receive my AA. and will have accomplished what I set out to do years ago. But you know, every year the students get younger and I get older. Right now I sit in a classroom that houses about 33 or so, (but they are dropping as I speak) and there are about 3 of us that are a bit older than the younger generation. I know though, that I am the oldest in the classroom and now I am beginning to feel old, just plain old.

There is this young girl who sits alongside me, and we have gotten acquainted. When I see her, I am reminded of Ugly Betty, and of course we all know that Betty is really beautiful, and so is this young girl, Dana. Her hair is long and black, she looks, dresses, and even acts the part of Betty, except for the braces. Well today we had a conversation and she discussed with me what her plans were. This is her last class and she will transfer to San Fran State, get her BA, then she said her Masters, transfer again and continue on so that she can teach history. I sat there with my eyes glued to her face and her excited eyes and wondered, why I didn't do something when I was young. She looked at me and said, and you? I cleared my throat, probably because I was embarrassed and said, "Oh, I have been working on getting my AA for years now, and actually I'm retired, so I have no plans on really using it for anything, other than just knowing that I received an AA."

I felt old and decrepit and drained of energy at that moment. Until she looked at me and said, "I think that is wonderful. and keeping busy in this manner, keeps our brains active."She went on to say that she keeps trying to talk her mom into going back to school and she thinks she might have her convinced. All of a sudden, I was 21 again and not feeling old and decrepit. So I may not be 20 or 21 (far from it), but I know that what I am doing is for my benefit, and once I have that paper in my hand, I will have come a long way, and boy did it take a long time. I guess getting married at 17 years old back in those days was the thing, and women stayed home, cooked, and cared for the husband and children, so that was it. I think I have come full circle because here I find myself doing the same thing, except that the children aren't here. I only know I have no regrets, and what I didn't do then, I'm doing now, retired or not. Maybe I will always take classes, just for the enjoyment of it and who cares if one day I walk in with a cane and thick glasses and sit amongst the young generation and contribute my thoughts to the classroom. Its not too far off in the future so I better start looking for a good stick, I mean a good cane. LOL Have a great day muchachos y muchachas.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Lavendar Farm in Escalon, CA

Have a look at the Lavender Farm located in Escalon, CA.

We haven't been there since last June or so, but the scent at this farm is unbelievable. I wanted to share a few pix of this beautiful farm. There are places to sit, little lavender drinks, teas, cookies with lavender and a lot of gifts you can buy. It's located a few miles out of Modesto and we just decided to stop by one Sunday morning on our way out to the Casino in Tuolumne, about 1 1/2 hours or so. Its a soothing place to visit and by the time you leave, you feel so relaxed with all the scent around you that you just want to go to sleep. Of course I bought lavender plants and added different varieties to my own lavender area. There are so many varieties, its hard to choose from. I have a hard time growing them. They like sun and not too much water. I checked my lavender garden the other day, and there is quite a bit of growth coming out.

We really enjoyed this farm, I wanted you to see the beautiful layout of this farm. I took the pictures, but they are of the Lavendar Farm in Escalon. Hope you like them.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Monday and it's a great day.

This is part of the garden area we are working on right now. We've laid half the stones and today we will do the rest. It is totally enclosed with shade trees and the plants in there are all semi-shade plants.

This is the area that still needs the stones laid. It is going to be a great area to just kick back and read, or whatever. The next picture is from the outside looking in and you can see it is very shaded.

These standing cacti line the outside of the shaded garden and there are still more of these to plant.

My nopalitos still keep giving, but I think I will let these grow for now. Next year there will be a lot more.

Clothes line are complete and the bird cages further on down still have birds in there. We have about 3 huge cages where my husband keeps his various birds. He breeds them and sells them. It's one of his many hobbies. So today is his day off and we will spend the day in the back finishing up the shaded garden, which is actually called "Chorizo's Garden." We will work a little on the herb garden and of course water what needs to be watered. The plants need agua.

I finished my homework and now I have to think about a political cartoon I need to critique. It will get done, because it must.

I'm getting the CD by Chavela Vargas whose deep deep voice is just soul driven and I'm getting tickets to go see Lila Downs next March. I want good seats, so the tickets have to be bought now. Viva La Vida.

I'll be back later, have a great day.