Tequila.....

Thought some people would get a chuckle out of this.....

Summertime with the kids...

Today got home from Mr. S's and immediately got involved with the plans for the kids this week. Nicholas and my sis are going to Washington D.C. this weekend to visit the other cousins and tour around the town.

I went to the pool get together (I was the only adult male) with six kids (3 boys, 3 girls...all 10yrs and under). We had pizza and goofed around until 9pm. Tomorrow afternoon we are all going to the beach ... most likely Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. It will be games, food and hanging out on the sand and (if okay) the water.

In the morning I'm getting my mom to do her trip shopping done early. It is a family trait that we buy something new before we travel. Plus, we have to buy my aunt's birthday gift and card.

The bad new for the week: My camera is got knocked down and now the lens won't open. I'll play with it a bit and see what I can do. It is a sore spot for me right now. I'll survive. Have a good week!

Foggy Morning in Jersey (4th of July Weekend 2008)

Here we go again.... so in the in between time, enjoy some nice pics...

The kid just went home two weeks ago and now is coming back this Saturday and staying until August 10 ... but it is an open ticket...

Mom is going to see the family in Puerto Rico at the end of the month ... It was her idea and I am glad she is getting out and travelling.

Sunday will be 8 years since my Dad passed away, so Mom is having family friends over for dinner and some fun and music to remember him by .. they'll end with some prayers...

Many other things going on this weekend...Tommy and DJ Leo's birthdays....meetings, etc.

Enjoy some pics I took in San Antonio. Let me know if you like any of them....

If you want to see some of the video reports the kids did for YOU TUBE and articles written, go to: http://www.eye2008.org/.

Have a good weekend.

The Lady by the Window..

It was the middle of the week and it was the day we were taking all the participants of the Episcopal Youth Event to downtown San Antonio. I was one of the guides on one of the seven buses. It is a short trip to downtown from Trinity University. You do the math....seven buses, three trips, 57 persons per bus......

It was in the upper 80's/low 90's and my sister, Christy and I had just walked most of downtown and crossed the street from the Alamo to Hagen Daz to cool down. While in the midst of tourists, kids, adults yelling, seeing people pile up with the tacky souvenirs, my eyes were attracted to this woman quietly eating her ice cream by the window. Nothing was distracting her...she just gazed calmly out the window. When she was done, she picked up her bag and elegantly walked out the door, crossed the street and caught the next bus.....

One day to go........

Have been having a great and tiring time at the EYE. We have a day and a half full of meetings and events before ending the event on Sunday afternoon. Some of us on the team that are on the same flight time out will be stopping for some "adult time" before saying our good-byes and returning to our homes. Just in our little group of friends we are scattered across the USA ...California, Iowa, Georgia, New Jersey, Kansas, Florida, Western Missouri, Puerto Rico....
I made some new friends and reconnected with some old ones. I am going to try to keep in touch.

I am missing Mr. S and we have connected at least once daily by phone or text. I am really looking forward to seeing that sly smile he gives me when he gets "those thoughts" in his head....and all those other things that makes me love him......

EYE 2008

All the participants arrive today for the Episcopal Youth Event. It is held every three years. You can read more about it at:

www.eye2008.org.

Happy 4th of July!!!

I am in Mantoloking, New Jersey (the Jersey Shore) with Mr. S staying at the home of some of his friend's from Boston, their family and children ....including the wonderful Nancy and the uber intelligent Howard. The pics are from last year, since I don't think I'll be posting the current pics until after my trip.

Everyone down the shore has their American Flags up and decorate their homes for the festivities. There are fireworks in the evening and sometimes more than one day. I'm hoping we get to the boardwalk for a little bit this year. The water is too cold for a South Floridian .... anything under 75 degrees is cold.

I always remember spending different Fourth of July's with my family on the beach ... all of in red, white and blue outfits and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken or a Bar-B-Que ...

The last few fireworks we saw were at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. We would bring some drinks and snacks, enjoy the live orchestra and Carnival food and games for the kids and sit on the Golf Course lawn until dusk. Then, once it was dark Uncle Sam would appear and lead the orchestra. The display would be over our heads and everyone would "Ooooh!" and "Aaaah" then end with a big applause.

Please remember all those who believe and fight for our rights and independence in all aspects of our lives...

Have a great day!!!!

Getting Ready to Go....

Traveling by airplane used to be so much easier....

I'm packing my stuff for my trips and am trying to get everything in a carry-on bag.....not successfully. I guess I'll have to carry a set of clothes with me just in case my bag gets diverted to another location.

The one thing I have to decide is on my travel reading. I always have a book or two and I have yet to buy a new one. I'm thinking the new James Bond, Barbra Walters, Chelsea Handlers or maybe re-read one of my books in Spanish by Isabel Allende...

I am looking forward to being away with Mr. S for a few days, but disappointed that I won't see him for a week after.... We'll make up the time when I get back...

Hope all of you have a good vacation some time this summer.....