Aren't I the great bargain hunter?

So, yesterday I decided to buy tickets online to go see Poodle. (Yes, she misses me!)
I found an awesome deal on Orbitz - tickets for $400 total. Considering the tax for international flights is $100 that's a pretty good deal from Mexico City. Problem is, the computer has been a little slow and I'm a little impatient. When it was doing the spinning thing and verifying my credit card, I thought it was done, and closed the window. Then I realized I never received a confirmation number. I went to my e-mail and no confirmation notice - which usually happens instantly. Being the intuitive person I am, I assumed that I had interrupted the process and didn't have a reservation. So I made another try. This time it worked, and I received a confirmation. I then checked my e-mail to verify, but alas, I had not one, but two confirmations. Nonrefundable is the key word here. So my great bargain turned out not to be so great. Anybody want to go to D.C? (You have to come to Mexico City first)

Creative designers unite

I recently purchased this lovely bedspread (on the advice of Poodle) for the "guest room." It is a great improvement to what was there previously.

It clearly needs help. Any ideas? Poodle suggested light blue pillows.
I'd appreciate your ideas! (The color in the picture doesn't come through well, but it's dark brown - no reddish hues.)

Estimados jefes de la Ciudad de Mexico,

This is why we need wider lanes, larger parking spaces, and wider parking ramps. My husband would very much appreciate it if someone could facilitate this task.

Muchas gracias,
Madre la Bomba

Free lunch? I'll take it!

DTB and I spent a wonderful weekend in Costa Rica. The best part was that it was FREE! I know you've heard there's no such thing as a free lunch, but this one was pretty close. We stayed in a nice hotel, spent a day with a good friend and his wife who used to work with DTB in Mexico, dined at fancy restaurants, and were escorted on a canopy tour and shopping trip. The cost: a serenade with Nat King Cole,observing an exaggerated self image, and a whole lot of BS.

Viva Mexico!

While driving home from the airport with our chauffeur last week I noticed green, white and red lights draped over the streets, with huge red bells hanging from them. "This is unusual," I thought, as Mexicans aren't known for their "timeliness." I commented that they were getting the Christmas decorations up pretty early this year, to which Angel laughed. Apparently, the Mexican flag contains the exact same colors as Navidad. They were decorating for Independence Day, which is today, September 16.

At 12 midnight there is a shout, "El Grito" by Mexicans throughout the country to usher in "Dia de la Independencia" and commemorate the famous shout for Independence led by Miguel Hidalgo. Luckily it was raining pretty hard last night and it didn't wake me up.

Happy Anniversary!

After 32 years of marriage we finally broke down and bought some nice dishes. After 20 years of using China I bought at Randalls (grocery store in Houston) for the bargain basement price of $0.79 per plate, I opted for something different. We usually buy a joint gift for our anniversary, so this year Dad-the-bad and I went to Puebla and picked out Talavera, which is a high-end pottery made and painted by hand. We actually bought a 12 place setting. Isn't he the best to pretend that he wanted to buy dishes for our anniversary gift?

Who done it?

Apparently, someone edited the profile on my blog. It won't take much to figure out who. How did you get my password? Oh wait, I guess everybody knows it. That doesn't make it much of a password, does it?

Sweet land of Liberty

There's nothing like living abroad to make you appreciate your own country. Although I love Mexico and the wonderful people here, I am in my heart, and always will be a proud American. I am in awe today of the sacrifices so many have made for our great country. I am more aware now than ever before of the importance of maintaining our liberty, freedom, and land of opportunity. My thanks to all those, past and present, who have made this possible and to those who are attempting to maintain these values. I love America!

Parking Perfection

Try out the cool new game to the right. I hope you have better luck than I have. I crashed on my first try.

We have a winner!

Brandon correctly identified the photos taken by dad-the-bad and I on August 25 in Mexico City.

The news clip below tells of the devastation of the storm. Because of the snow (hail) a mudslide covered Ahuehuetes Norte. This caused water to dam up and begin flowing into the equestrian center just below the street. The water came so fast, the horses couldn't be saved, and the man trying to save them perished also. The man lived in a little home/shack next to the horses. On most days we watched chickens and small children playing in his yard as we walked past. The day after the flood an Acura was on his roof, (and it didn't drive there.) Very sad!

News Report:
Mexico flooding kills man, dozens of horses
MEXICO CITY – Heavy rains have killed at least 50 horses at a Mexico City equestrian club and the 71-year-old watchman who tried to save them, officials said Tuesday.

A Monday night storm sent mud and floodwaters spilling through the La Barranca horse club, trapping many of the horses in their stalls, said Mexico State emergency director Arturo Vilchis. At least 50 of the horses drowned.

Night watchman Emilio Campos died while trying to save the animals, Vilchis said.

The equestrian club is located at the end of a tree-lined cobblestone road in a wealthy neighborhood on the edge of Mexico City.

By Tuesday afternoon, the waters had receded and 10 horses milled about a large, muddy corral. Workers lifted the carcasses of the dead animals with a bulldozer and carried them away in large trucks. Neighbors, meanwhile, swept mud and debris from their own homes.

The club owners declined to talk to reporters.

Manuel Heiblum, 54, who lives nearby, said he saw ranch workers desperately working to keep the floodwaters at bay. "I saw a huge amount of water. Rivers and rivers of water.

"Obviously, the water won."

Pop quiz

The first one to correctly identify the exact date and place of these two photos (taken the same day) will receive dinner for two at their favorite restaurant.

Good luck!

Worth the Wait

No, this isn't a blog about abstinence. For those of you who have been DYING to hear/see how much fun Poodle had in Mexico - finally - you don't have to wait any longer!

Here's pretty poodle at the beach,


jetskiing,


wearing her swimsuit inside out,
(she's the only one that can pull that off)


and on the banana boat. (The water skiing is still being developed - the BEST)


There was also a trip to the zoo with cotton candy and a paddleboat ride.



We took a GREAT seven hour hike (and we weren't even lost)


and wrapped up the week visiting Templo Mayor and hiking to a volcano near Toluca.






Here is Poodle trying the local cuisine - elote (very chewy corn smothered with mayonnaise and sprinkled with chili - she elected to use lime and chili)




All in all, a great week! Thanks for coming, Brittany!

Learning

We experienced a family tragedy this past week. Although there was almost unbearable pain and heartbreak, we also had tender moments that I will cherish always. It was an experience I would never hope for, but one that brought tremendous insights. First, and most importantly, I learned how much I love my sisters. I was able to witness the incredible strength of my youngest sister, and the sensitivity and compassion of my middle sister. I watched as my sister's children rallied around her and came together as a family with tremendous courage, devotion, and support of one another. I witnessed unending acts of charity and love towards her family by neighbors, countless friends, and church members. Bountiful, Utah has some amazing people! I learned the importance of family and our role in uplifting one another. I witnessed the tender compassion and inspiration of leaders of our church. I learned how refreshing and healing the humor and candor of a six-year-old can be. And last, but not least, I learned that I need to chill out and not worry so much about myself and re-creating my professional life. Thanks, Cindy, for being my inspiration. I love you and your great family.

Soccer

Ben's Game Stats:
Score: 20 to 1 for the Black Rockets
Ben: 4 goals, assists on every goal that was made while he was playing
Cheerleaders: Lizzy, Tia Susan, Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Janet

You know you're playing soccer in Utah when . . .
the referees, coaches, and most of the spectators have a kid on their hip
the boundaries change every few minutes because someone's sibling on the sidelines took off with the cones
the strongest language from the players is "oh my heck"
and time outs are called most often for a child that has crawled onto the field.