Ren Fair Trip with Family & Friends

On Saturday, November 29, 2008 the family, our church friends, and a new blind couple we met went with us to the Texas Renaissance Festival. It was a real adventure for us since we had never met this couple before and we would be picking them up on our way through Houston. The weather was very cold this last weekend and we even dealt with rain. Kathy and Ed were very nice and we enjoyed talking to them on the ride up. It was a very good experience for the children to meet them. Our kids had not been exposed to people who were blind and so this was a learning opportunity for them. Zhivanna would later comment to me, "Mommy I am so glad that we got to met your friends Ed & Kathy and that we could help them go to the fair, it was a nice thing to do". Kathy was a bit frail with her age and medical needs and so I took to walking around the fair slowly with her. Glenn was able to wrangle the children in the red wagon and my other friends Katherine, and Carol helped to guide and walk with Ed. It was a group experience, we could all talk and visit and look at all the fair had to offer us. We were able to get some of the costumed guest and actors to let Ed and Kathy feel their clothing and wears. It was fun to see the 'Dead Bob Show', 'Mud Pit', and jousting. We got to tasted some good foods, shoot a few arrows and have nice hot coco while it rained on us. Getting dressed up as a family was also fun for us. Next year we will have to take the time and not come on the last weekend when it is so crowded. We lasted the whole day leaving the house at 6:45 AM and getting home after 8:30 PM. I was so proud of how well behaved and considerate the kids were. I know they liked it and we will plan to go again next year. Merlova at the archery booth, the group we went with, Akorren and daddy aim and shoot, Zhivanna and her arrows, the family in front of some food booths, eating.

Panter the Hamster

Our dwarf hamster 'Panter' died of old age, we discovered him after church today. Anytime a pet dies it is hard, since I am an adult and parent I want to teach my children that death is a part of life, and this seemed like a good opportunity to teach them this. Zhivanna, of course, shed the most tears over him (I thought she would make a good professional wailer), Akorren was very stoic about it, and Merlova really didn't understand and commented several times saying, "He is dead mommy?, Panter our hamster is dead, he is dead, that's sad!" This of course was upsetting for Akorren and Zhivanna who thought she was not being respectful about Panter's passing. They got to hold the little hamster body and say goodbyes to him and then daddy helped them to bury him under one of our bushed on the side of the house. Akorren did not want to touch him at all, the girls were not afraid about it and really wanted to hold him for as long as they could. Merlova kept asking, "But why is he DEAD mommy? Why he not working?" I was able to give her simple answers about his body and how his inside parts did not work any more. I have had many a hamster in my life growing up as a child and have seen them come and go. It's always a little sad. The part that got me choked up was seeing my children feel sorry and experience sadness but I do know that this is a part of life they will have to come to deal with. It was not until later in the afternoon that Akorren got sad and broke down, crying about missing his hamster (now that got me teary). To lift up spirits after this event, I took out some of the Christmas decorations and let the kids decorate their little trees and put a few holiday things out. I know we will look to get an new little pet in the coming year. But today was a good day to learn that death is not scary and that it's okay to feel sadness when someone you love is gone, it all natural and human. Merlova and her nutcracker, Akorren and his tree, Zhvianna and her purple one.

Thanksgiving with the Lanza's

This Thanksgiving we went up to our cousin's place in Katy to meet with them for a Thanksgiving dinner at their in-laws place (Orland & Doris). They were so kind to us through the hurricane evacuation and when we would come over to use their power and to feed us so well during our time of need. They enjoy having all the children around. This was the first Thanksgiving in quite a while that I did not have to prepare the whole meal, so it was a mini-vacation for me. We went up to see them around 3 PM and hung out with Joshua, Christina, Lester and Vanessa until around 5 PM then we went over to the other Lanza family home. We had delicious Hondura's style tamales, turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, bread, and several deserts. We had eaten our fill. The kids played games, watched a little TV, and had Lester's younger brother Daniel to keep them entertained. He played his guitar for the dancing girls, gave piggy back rides and tolerated the whole crew in his room for a bit. It was a nice relaxing day. The biggest surprise was that we actually got to see Glenn. He had been working crazy long full day shifts since the shuttle launch and it was not until around 11 AM that day when he was told not to worry about coming in to work. So we as a family were grateful to have him with us for the day. Thanks to the Lanza's for hosting us. We have a lot to be thankful for this year: good health and children, a new grandma in our family, minor damages from Ike, and love of family and friends. We hope that this day was spent with your loved ones and family and that you had time to think of all that is well in your life. Daniel, Joshua, Christina playing games, Zhivanna and her Lester, Daniel with the dancing cousins.

Go Rangers!

November 22, 2008 the Rangers play their last soccer game (League City parks and rec. soccer ages 6 & 7 yrs.) Papa Herman was the coach, he has had some of these same kids for about 3 seasons now. Akorren played goalie for him this year. Akorren is not all that into soccer like mommy is but he likes the social aspects of it more this year, and he is content to hang out in the goal and watch for the ball, if comes his way down the field. Akorren did not like all the running around the found and favored the defensive positions better. I think this season the Rangers were undefeated as Papa like it. I know in the Spring that Akorren is interested in learning a martial art of some kind. He has mentioned it several time and I keep telling Papa not to always expect Akorren to play for him. I know Papa plans on coaching again. I am busy with other things as well and have told him if he coaches that I don't have the time to do it. So it is a farewell to soccer for a few seasons, we will have to see if Merlova or Zhivanna want to play in the coming year. Akorren wearing his yellow goalie shirt holding up his trophy.

Dance Class/ Ava

The girls are still enjoying their dance classes at Starlight Dance Studio right down the street. Merlova is the smallest dancer in the class but seems to be able to handle herself for being one so young. She likes her dancing friends and teacher lots. This week was bring a friend to class week, so Zhivanna invited her friend Ava (from Little Friends Preschool) to come with her to class. They both had a great time together and it looks like Ava will now be joining the dance class with Zhivanna every week. They are both so excited to have a special friend in class. Afterwards we did a play date out to Mikey D's and let the girls run around the play place while the mommy's drank coffee and talked and talked. We plan to try and work out a play time every week that we can. It will be fun to get to know our new friends. Merlova showing us her footwork, Ava & Zhivanna (note who is dancing and who is making a face), a second shot now you can see our dramatic dancer.

A Sistrum

Had to show the off the project that the covenant group ('Ancient Reflections') that I lead at my church (Bay Area UU) made. This Egyptian rattle is called a sistra or sistrum. My friend Carol lead us through the construction of it. The most of the work on it had to be done ahead to time in the collecting, cleaning flattening, and removing of the plastic inside of the bottle caps, as well as putting holes in the middle. Glenn (my dear hubby) drilled mine for me. We used bamboo skewers and then the weaving reed parts from a basket to make the looped part, and carved wooden handles from a tree that Carol had in her yard. Tied leather helps to hold it together and then to seal it and make the skewers stick Carol got some rabbit glue for us to use. And from what I understand it is glue made from parts of a rabbit. They are very primitive in the sound they make and are fun to shake. It's not something I'm going to let the kids get their hands on much. These were ceremonial instruments used by the early Egyptians to celebrate with. My finished sistrum waiting to dry.

Daddy's B-day!

October 11th , 2008 marked Glenn's 41st B-day. I can't believe I am married to such an old man! I can say that now that he is 3 years older then me. The children made daddy some homemade large b-day cards and we know how much he likes to make fresh popcorn so we decorated a popcorn canister for him, made him an angel food cake topped with purple icing and a gummy spider and then got him some more candy. The kids know that daddy is a candy-man. Papa and Lois got Glenn some funny b-day cards, an I Spy Halloween book and a collection of Simpsons DVD's that the family will all enjoy. It was a nice simple little b-day letting daddy know we love him so. We also took the whole family out to Mongolian BBQ to eat, yummy! Glenn with his family and swag, looking at the I Spy book with kids, daddy get's help blowing out the candles on his cake.

Memories and thoughts

I was going to write something today about the condition of my ankle as I am really seeing an improvement from last week. I even took a photo (Glenn said it looked like the Monty Python foot) and I was planning to post that. But then my ankle seemed like no big deal. Yes, it still hurts, is bruised, and I still have to wear my fun boot for another week; but none of that matters.
Today I just found out that one of my parents, (Herman and Cecelia's long time family friends) Margaret Ariens died this morning. When she and her siblings were younger my parents took them on all sorts of camping trips and adventures, this was when my mom and dad did not have kids, so the Ariens kids were their kids, until I came along. I grew up with them. And it is saddening to hear of Margaret's passing. She was well loved and cared so much for her family. Today I also got news from our minster that one of our board members is now going to be released from the hospital and will be getting setup for hospice care. I guess the cancer in his body is progressing. That was a real shock. Then one of the other board members mentioned how he just lost an niece (of 38 years) to a sudden death.

So it is in times like this that I get a little sad and just want to stop all that I am doing and hold on to and hug my children and husband so tightly and never let go. (And I did do this with all the kids tonight before I put them to bed.) I have to admit in my mind I would like to be immortal, as I always plan on doing so many things, I can't just get it all done in one trip. My human nature makes me feel scared when I hear of all this death and dying; what is going to happen next? Who will it be? Am I in line to die? YES, well of course I am we all are. (Living is dying silly.) The gift those who have died give to us is that they give us a chance to stop, look, and live in the moment and to feel so much gratitude for all that we have and are. I want to honor my friends and friends of friends who are gone...

Thank for who you are
because just being you has been a blessing in my life
and in the lives of all those who have known you.
We love you
and will remember you
we will go on living the best we can
in your honor.
Blessed be.

The Ariens family Frankie, Nick, Lia, Margaret & Hans.

Nice Boot!

Had to show you a photo of my two new best friends for the next 4 weeks or so. Here is my oh, so sexy black ankle stabilizing boot and my 800 milligram motrin pills, yay! Good news, it is not broken, bad news is it still hurts, and I walk funny. I need to wear this (neat) boot for at least 2 weeks. Driving a car is now more interesting to say the least. And I can now march like a normal Frankenstein too. I have an elastic band that I am to use to do physical therapy exercises with, it is really sad how weak my right ankle is, I was laughing tonight when I tried some of them... so sad, really. The orthopedic doctor said to cut back on my exercising and modify what I can do, as the bruising heals then I can test it out more. He trusts me to wear my shoe otherwise he said he could put me in a cast, my response was "No Way! and even if you did you would have to wait a few days until the swelling comes down, so there." He laughed at me (of course).
I do have to admit the boot is cool and rather comfortable. It has a bladder system where you can add air by pushing in the grey bulb part, and I can almost walk without the crutches (I know I will have them gone by end of the week). So that is where I am at. I will see what around the house things I can get done this week and sneak into the YMCA to do some upper body workouts since I am permitted to do those without restrictions.

Dia De Los Muertos!

Inspired by my Mexican heritage and wanting to give my children a better idea of who their grandma Cecelia was I decided that we would celebrate Day Of The Dead or Dia De Los Muertos! in our home this year. With Papa Herman getting married this month to some one who would become "grandma" I wanted to make sure that they knew more about Grandma Cecelia other then the fact that she died before they were born.
So on Halloween night I talked a little about it and Glenn and I read them a book about the holiday celebration. The following night Nov. 1st I was able to find a video tape of Grandma Cecelia when she did a musical review play at her church. It was nice to be able to show them what she looked like, how her voice sounded and what fun and love she had for the theatre. We at pizza that night, drank Pepsi (Cecelia's favorite drink) ate some snickers candy and I made some pan demuerto (dead bread) to be eaten the following night for dinner.
On Nov. 2nd we ate spaghetti for dinner (another food grandma liked) along with the Pepsi, and pan de muerto, and then we took some time and made sugar skulls. It was a fun and messy process and I think we will have it down for next year. After the mess in the kitchen I took out a photo album and talked about the photos of Cecelia. These were photos taken right before she and Papa Herman moved up to Ukiah to be with Glenn and I. My plans for the following night was to make and decorate an altar for Grandma. But I since I did get injured with soccer I had to take it easy. So we will save that for next year. It was a great teaching moment with my family. Merlova watches Akorren & Zhivanna decorate, the finished skulls, more decorating, Merlova (crying) has to watch after making a mess with the skull making.

A Good Looking Couple

Had to show off the wonderful photos that my dad and Lois had done a local studio. They came out so nice. I was teasing my dad saying, "Wow dad, how did they get a photo of you without your mouth open, saying "shoot"? (as in shoot the photo now.) These will serve as their wedding photos. I know they plan to take off this month to Austin and have their wedding. When they return we will have some small celebration. The children eagerly await calling Lois, Grandma. They look so happy together, we could not be happier for them.

Yes, I Did It Again!

So you recall the posts about my toe. And how I kicked a guy playing soccer, well I was a good athlete and made sure that I took care of my foot; I did not play on it, I backed off on my exercise program and modified what I did. I saw a podiatrist for it. Well today was the first time I played soccer in about 2 months, good game, sportman like players, close game, tied. So I am playing forward on th right side and get a break away with the ball, I am moving into position to take a shot and this tall 20 something goalie slide-tackle-dives at me and takes my feet and right ankle out from me before he hits the ball. I flip up in the air and end on the ground unable to get up with a severe pain in my right ankle. (And it was probably a good thing too, since if I could get up I would taken a swing at the guy.) I am yelling as loud as I can at the guy about what a dumb thing to do since he had me cut off at the angle and he didn't need to do that, specially to a small woman player. I definitely gave him a piece of my mind on that one. Needless to say I was feeling more mad then in pain by the time my two male teammates carried me off the field. (I think the other bummer was that the referee did not even call a penalty on the play.) One of my teammates, Nick made sure to score a goal for me when he was on a break away, the same goalie dived and Nick popped the ball around him, stepped on the goalie, and scored the winning shot. On Monday I will see the orthopedic doctor and have him look at it just to make sure it is not broken. I will be hobbling around on crutches for the time being, take motrin every 4-6 hours, try to rest it and elevate it and plan on canceling all my sub teaching work for the coming week. I am still a bit mad about it, since up until the point I got hurt, it was a great even game and I was playing well and enjoying my team. Knowing that I now have do all the mommy/Melissa things that I do now with an injured ankle truly complicates my life, and since I am not 20 anymore the healing process takes more time.
My lovely cank-el ankle, the nice purple make on the inside, I know where he kicked me now!