Happy Birthday, Poodle!

Hope you had a happy birthday yesterday. Here are a few reminders of how great you are!
a wonderful sister . . .
a great athlete . . .
with an uncanny sense of fashion . . .
a loyal friend . . .
a cool aunt . . .
the best teacher ever - and a perfect daughter!
We love you!

Driving

I recently had a discussion with my husband, in which he noted (after I had backed his car into our neighbor's car) that my problem (with driving) is that I pay attention to other things besides driving. Well yes, I do. Doesn't everyone? Are you really supposed to think about NOTHING when you're driving (except driving)? Seriously? (this is not a rhetorical question - I would appreciate feedback from anyone and everyone. We may be on the verge of a breakthrough.)

Good job, Shady!

I asked the Harpers to make me some pillows to decorate my new bedspread and this is what they came up with. The long pillow has gold stitching, but doesn't show up well here. Hopefully, they're washable, because I smashed a big black spider all over one of them yesterday in self-defense.

Black Monday

Today I discovered the equivalent of "black friday," (the day after thanksgiving) - or the craziest shopping day of the year. Since Mexicans don't have a thanksgiving, apparently the holiday they use to set off the shopping frenzy is Dia de Revolución - which was today. It was crazy - just like in the US.
Today they celebrate a revolution that was spurred by Francisco Madero in 1910 against autocrat Porfirio Diaz, who was acting President of Mexico. Pres. Diaz was unpopular due to his exploitation and repression of the lower class. Madero eventually succeeded, and the Mexican Constitution was adopted in 1917.

Paris

Adjectives that describe Paris:
interesting - i don't know what more to say about this one

impressive - The Eiffel tower, built in 1899 is quite an engineering feat

stunning - the Sacre cour was my favorite historical monument ,filled with intriquitely beautiful mosaiques

Historic - I went to this famous graveyard and took pictures of the graves of Chopin (for me) and Jim Morrison (for dad) but I'm posting this one, which was far more interesting. I did have trouble finding Jim Morrison's grave, until I saw a group of piercing-studded 20-somethings smoking in front of a grave. It was a dead give-away. (get it?)
Delicious - with a pastry store on nearly every corner we had a heyday. my personal favorite - apple tart
pedestrian-friendly - it is pretty easy to see the entire city on foot -and this "Promenade Plantee" was one of my favorite walks. very clean. very safe.

"beautiful and awestruck" - (Eiffel Tower interview)


and romantic - this ia a video we took during our Seine River 5-course dinner cruise.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Turns out, I didn't miss Dia de Muertos after spending Halloween in Houston! Yep. The day after I returned was Nov 2, and this lovely chocolate skull was waiting for me in the clinic. The celebration of Dia de Muertos dates back to the Aztec, although the customs have changed considerably. Probably the most popular image of the day is the Catrina skeleton, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada. He created her as a metaphoric representation of the upper class - kind of making fun of them. Although many enjoy a sense of "entitlement," they - like the lower class - cannot escape death.

She is so popular, in fact, that in one city they painted this street in her image.
You usually start seeing pan de muerte in October. It is decorated on top with two crossbones (los huesitos de la muerte or bones of death.) Mexicans think it's "riquisimo," however, I haven't developed a taste for it.

These paper cut-outs are ubiquitous during Dia de Muerte.

and people make altars to their deceased loved ones - decorating them with flowers, their favorite food, and remembrances. It is a day where they forget the abyss that separates the dead from the living. They also decorate the graves with the same purple and orange flowers (la flor del zempazúchitl) and treats. According to custom, the deceased return to their gravesite (or altar) that day. It is important to have plenty of their favorite beverage ready (usually beer) to quench their thirst after the long journey.

Pretty cool tradition!

Pink

I love spending time with the grandkids. They make me laugh. While I was watching Caroline and Devin, Caroline gave me some insight into the Funk "house rules."
"Daddy. says. (to Devin) don't. hold. pink. things!"Apparently, he is allowed to ride around on a pink tricycle wearing pink sunglasses (at least when grandma is babysitting - oops!)

Halloween in Houston

Halloween means different things to different people. For me, it was having fun with my grandkids.
to Annie - it was all about the candy!

for Mabel it was about the clothes. (these are just two of the outfits she tried on that day.

Devin enjoyed being with the cousins - especially Annie! and after one week of adjusting to a new baby brother, Caroline enjoyed the freedom.

Asher cared most about the cute bucket his mom made him - so much, in fact, that he tried to eat it.

and Leah was all about being cute! (She did enjoy some "reprocessed" chocolate, however)

It was great fun! Thanks for letting me stay for Halloween.

Nieto #8 - Graham Rodney Funk

Welcome Graham
son of Carrie and Shawn
little brother of Caroline and Devin
cousin of Mabel, Annie, Leah, Asher, and Violet
8th grandchild of Reed and papa

Caroline is taking her role as big sister quite seriously.

I've never seen anyone so excited about a new sibling than Devin.

Month at a glance - first up - the Wedding

Wow! I can't believe I've been gone for over a month! I'm back in Mexico City with my computer, ready to record some of the events.
The first event was the wedding of David and Alyssa Ashton. It was so fun to be there and see them sealed for eternity. Here is my beautiful sister and her family after the wedding.
and here are the Ashton girls - so beautiful!