No necesitan ayudame!

Hoy you fui a cambiar mi clase de una clase menos alta. Necisito aprender el básico. Y yo no puedo llamar Ashley o Ryan cada dia.
Muchas Gracias Ashley, Ryan, and Bethany!!!

Ayudame! Ayudame!

Estoy in Cuernavaca por dos semanas para aprender español. Estoy in una clase de cuatros estudiantes: un mujer que es estudiante de español de la universidad de Iowa que estudiaba español hace 6 años; un mujer que es estudiante de epañol de la universidad de Utah que servió un mision de Argentina, un hombre que es estudiante de español de la universidad de Utah tambien, y servió un mision de San Antonio (español); y yo. Ayudame!

My Favorite Furniture

My favorite piece of furniture arrived from San Antonio last week, and even though they packed it in a special crate, they chipped a piece off the beautiful black finish. Interestingly, though, I don´t mind - I asked a piano tuner to come tune it since it had just been shipped. He thought my piano was a Boesendorfer (sp?) which is a piano that costs easily $100,000. He spent hours tuning it (I never thought he was going to leave) and it now sounds unbelievable! It actually sounds like a $100,000 piano. So what´s a little chip in the finish?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

So I love our new home. The construction is incredibly sound. There is 2 feet of concrete between floors, which means you can jump, scream, or have a wild party on one floor and nobody will hear you on the next floor. Which is great UNLESS - you happen to accidenetally lock yourself in the closet in the basement floor when your husband is on the main floor. Enough said.

Lost and Found

We´re finally unpacked and moved in. The amazing thing with moving is that you get to inventory all of your belongings and, believe me, you find things you never realized you had. such as:

32 (yes, I counted them) Books of Mormon (I believe these were all from dad calling the mission president in SA and begging for BOM´s because he had some people he was dying to give them to, and he couldn´t find any extra around the house. Pretty obvious he never gave them out.

3 Pirans from Brazil They´re stuffed, mind you, but they are truly Piranas.

20$ bill - stuck in an old Christmas Card from grandma to lindsey.

1 dried bouquet of roses from Bethany´s wedding (by the way, do you want them, Bethany?)

12 old bras - at least

1 large leather whip (yep, the kind you beat people with)

4 large stuffed frogs (pink or green)

2 Young women statues

1 crocheting project half finished (I believe this is Linsey´s. Perhaps Brandon can finish it for you)

So, if you´re missing any of the above items, let me know ASAP, or they´re going out in the trash (except for the $20)

Back in Mexico

After a wonderful vacation in Houston visiting my kids and grandkids, I´ve returned to good old Mexico. We moved into an empty house (until tomorrow when the movers arrive.)

Yep, we´re really Mexicans, and if you don´t believe it, take a look at the bright orange house we just spent a good part of our life savings purchasing.

This is a picture of the inside - living/dining room

And here is a picture of the view from our living room:

And my very own kitchen ( without Mario)

Christmas Plans
Thanks to "super planners" Ryan and Brianna we actually have Christmas plans for this year, a well as food assignments. Please take note:

Friday, December 21 - Lindsey and Harper arrive. Dad also arrives. They will rent a car and go to Ryan's where we will stay for a few days before Christmas.

Saturday, December 22 - Ashley is bringing Landon to Houston where everyone may meet him. Ask Ashley what time they will be coming. We will meet at Ryan's and decorate cookies/make goodies for caroling on Christmas Eve. Dad will spring for good Texas BBQ. We will be making sugar cookies, peanut clusters and truffles. If we have time, we could play basketball or baseball at the park.

Monday, December 24 - Poodle arrives! Yeah! We will meet out at Ryan's to go caroling to friends in Katy. Carrie and Bethany will bring petit fours and eclairs. We will visit Stewards, Gebauers, and anyone y'all suggest.

Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day. We plan stocking exchange at 11 am, Christmas dinner at 1 pm. Ryan has planned a great dinner with the following assignments:
Turkey - smoked by Doziers
Ham - Ryan
Funeral potatoes - Brianna
Rolls - MOMTHEBOMB
Veggies and crackers with dip - Poodle
Spinach salad - Fernash
Cranberry Salad - Bethany
Dessert - Bex and MOMTHEBOMB

When we say dinner is at 1 pm, it is actually at 1 pm. Ryan has invited the missionaries, so prepare your food for 14-15 people. Brianna's parents are arriving at 5 pm, so we need to be finished, hence the 1pm timeframe.

Thursday, December 27 - Ryan, Brianna and her parents (Patty and Dave) will be going to Brazos Bend State Park. Anyone is welcome to come along.

Sunday, December 30 - Devin Michael Funk will be blessed at their sacrament meeting, which is at 11:00 am. The Chapel is on Braeswood Drive.

Monday, December 31 - New Years Party at Ryan's - We do not have food assignments, but will post them if you tell us if you're coming. They will invite Suzy and Josh. You may invite anyone you wish, per Ryan. Just let him know.

Any other activities anyone would like to add - please let me know, and we can arrange them and coordinate via blogdom.

I'm so excited to see everyone!!!!

Thanks to Ryan and Brianna for generously opening up their home and for being super organizers.

New Address
Well, it's official. I finally moved out and will not be sharing an apartment with Mario any longer. We closed on our home in Houston a few weeks ago, and closed on our home in Mexico last night (after a very boring hour of listening to a notary read six legal-sized single-spaced typewritten pages in spanish - the only part I understood was the part that said I now owned 50% of the home.) We then celebrated with caldo at Vip's and sat in front of our new fireplace talking. I'm so excited!
Please come visit!

Happy Birthday Poodle!

Today Brittany is 27 years old, a successful physics teacher, and still gorgeous. She will be spending her birthdy coaching the swimming team tonight. What dedication! I hope they win! We love you, Poodle! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love, MOMTHEBOMB

Halloween
I leave today for Houston to go trick-or-treating with my "nietas." Am I lucky or what?

Hugs all around!
Friday I gave Mario (our male maid) a hug. Considering all of the complaining I've done about him for - letting himself into our apartment while I was showering, leaving the windows open all day when it never gets over 40 deg F during the day, etc. I thought I should explain.
I came home from teaching friday and attempted to back my large SUV into the open garage. Being not great at any type of driving, let alone the backing type, I ran into the outside wall of the apartment building and knocked off the water faucet. Of course, water sprayed out and, without a faucet there was no stopping it. Mario to the rescue. He broke up his homemade broom and hammered the broomstick into the faucet hole, a feat I believed impossible. Then he went to get a new faucet and installed it, which is quite a feat, considering there was no way of turning the water off. I was so grateful to him I gave him a big hug! Who would've guessed (well about the hug part, not the accident.)

Trees
So, we finally have a signed contract for selling our San Antonio home. I was getting a little concerned, as they were dragging their feet. They had a contingency clause stating if they could not pull out the trees in the backyard to put in a pool, they didn't want the house. The concern is unreasonable if you live in San Antonio and know anyone can take a tree out in their own yard. However, these people are from Mexico, where it is illegal. Yes, you can actually go to jail for cutting down a tree, or even running into a tree with your car. (which makes me a little nervous) You CAN, however, run down a person without repercusion, or sell poisonous food on the street, or exploit your children by making them dance in front of traffic for money. But you CAN'T harm a tree! Go figure.

New Home!
Today we made an offer on a home here and it was accepted! Hallelujiah! We can move in December 2, but I won't be here. The best part is - no more Mario! And we got an offer on our home in San Antonio. Exciting!

I love the good old USA!
There are a couple of things I have learned by moving to Mexico. First, I love my family, and miss them.(Actually, I already knew that) Second, I never realized what a great country we have.

The maid that lives in our apartment complex (Suzanna) had minor surgery this week (hemorrhoidectomy for those who are interested.) The surgeons didn't bother to clean her, or even wipe her up before cutting. Then they sent her home in pretty poor shape. Her husband came over that evening asking if I would inject some pain medicine "into her veins". I asked what the medicine was and why they didn't do it before she left. He said she got the medicine from a "friend", not the doctors, and showed me several small vials, which were obviously samples from somewhere. I politely said "no" and my husband told him I couldn't do it because it wasn't safe to give medicine for which I had no instructions. He told us it was no problem and went home. Apparently she did not agree with the "no hay problema" sentiment and came to my apartment, walked into the foyer, pulled down her pants, wiped her rear with an alcohol wipe and handed me a syringe that she had already filled with medicine. The needle was the largest I'd ever seen. I guess when you're desperate, you're desperate.

Although not perfect, we have a healthcare system that cares for the poor. We have guidelines for sanitation that save lives and prevent complications. We have a great country! I can't wait to come home to visit.

Policia
I convinced my husband to fire my driver last week. I just couldn't stand being carted around all the time. I needed my independence. It only took me one week to have a run-in with "la policia." I got pulled over while looking for a friend's house. I accidently took the wrong street, then turned around and came back out. The problem was that it was a one-way street. Since I was a prime target for "easy money" they decided to pull me over. The conversation was extensive, in mixed english and spanish. I argued that there was no sign for one way. I also argued that I had just pulled in the street to turn around. They insisted that I get out of the car. Luckily, the word NO! is the same in both languages. Then they took my license and told me they had to write me a ticket. I asked where I paid for the ticket and they responded "aqui" - (here) and that it would be $60.00 - and they did say dollars. Again, that common word came in handy NO! WAY! They then told me they had to keep my license. When they wouldn't give it back, I said, "That's it, I'm calling . . ." and that's all it took. They started laughing, gave me my license and told me to have a nice day. Then I asked them to direct me to my friend's house. The shook my hand and waved me on. Am I lucky, stupid or just plain old stubborn? Whatever I am, it worked for me.

Thanks, Lindsey!
Like my new blog? If you do, thank Lindsey. She did a great job!

Thanks!

Home Sweet Home
In our quest to find a home here in Mexico, I have discovered that Mexicans don't build houses the way Americans do. You never find the same house twice - no cookie cutter houses in pristine neighborhoods. They are pretty interesting, however -
-like the house that has one room that you can access only from the outside. Perfect for the teenager who wants an easy get-away.
-or the house with the long closet - and I mean LONG - in the master bedroom. It's narrow and longer than the width of the room. I could get lost in there.
-my personal favorite was the house with the miniature toilet and tub in the upstairs bathroom. By miniature I mean 1/4 of the regular size. What were they thinking? That their kids would never grow up, because that toilet is much too small for even a six year old, let alone one of our son-in-laws when they came to visit.
-the house that I LOVE, which is out of the question. Not because of cost, but because they have live high-voltage cables connecting in the corner of the front yard, which can easily be reached by a child.
-then there was the house that had a very small kitchen, but a room next to the kitchen with eight (yes, 8) refrigerators - for reasons that I will never understand.
-and then there was the house (very lovely) with glass stairs - they kind of float, because there is no obvious support other than a small side support- with NO handrail whatsoever. Being the clumbsy person that I am, I think we can rule that one out as well. (Not to mention the danger with the grandchildren.)
SO, I'm still looking. And probably will be for quite a while.

OOPS!
Today I was trying to ask our driver if he would come pick us (me and Lindsey) up to take us to the mall to shop. Unfortunately, I used the wrong verb. Instead of recoger I forgot the re part and used coger. Luckily he started laughing and didn't take me seriously. Time to study those verbs!

We have a winner!
Cooper (our dog for whom we are trying to find a home) had a sleepover with the neighbor's dog this weekend and it went so well they want to keep him! They even let him stay in the house and sleep by their bed. Wow! He's in heaven. So am I!

A DAY IN THE LIFE
Today I . . .
-got a blackberry for $50.00
-received two dozen longstemmed beautiful red roses from my husband (he paid $10.00 for them), and
-accepted a job offer to teach at one of the best medical schools in Mexico.
I think I can get used to this.