Proud Mama Me

Below is my daughter Lizzy in her high school production of Story Theatre.  She is the little old man in the story, The Golden Goose.  Doesn't she make a lovely old man?! 

Oh, and here she is as the Master Thief (the one with the beard and light) in the story, The Master Thief! 

OH, and here she is as Venus, in Venus and the Cat!

I

Here are just a few pictures from the play..  She is something else; I wish I had a pinch of nerve and talent when I was her age.  I'm very proud..just thought I'd share... 

Golf Anyone?

Yes, life is "tough" for the island folk in the Azores...  Sometimes, all there is time to do is golf.  Here are photos taken this afternoon of my cousins golfing under a rainbow. 

No, I don't golf, but I've personally walked this golf course many times before.  Hardly seems fair, however, that I'm stuck in this office right now... Ho..hum; such is life...

 

Weekend Assignment #96: Becoming Your Parents

Weekend Assignment #96: Becoming Your Parents :

Weekend Assignment #96: "For ladies: Name an incident when you thought: '"OMG I AM my mother! For guys: Same with your father!"

Extra credit: Weekend Assignment #96: "For ladies: Name an incident when you thought: '"OMG I AM my mother! For guys: Same with your father!"

Extra credit: What did you parents do when you told them about it?

Oh dear..this is a sensitive subject.. 

Growing up, I remember being tardy for school a lot, and  for everything else, including doctor and dentist appointments, weddings, school events, even to church.  I was even late to my own baptism.  The priest almost didn't baptize me because my parents didn't realize that they had to be in the church with the other people; no they were outside waiting to be "called" in.  I also remember sitting in the car along with my other siblings, with enormous ribbons in my hair and tight fancy church shoes, waiting for my mother to get inside the car to leave.  My father would usually be pacing back in forth in front of the car, or sit in the car with us, feeling very annoyed.  From the inside of the car, we could hear my mother still vacuuming inside.  My mother refused to leave the house without it being spotless, no matter where we should go.  You would think we were expecting a visit from the Queen of England herself. 

Anyways, as frightening as it may seem, I myself have caught myself more than once emerged in a cleaning frenzy of my own.  On one occasion, years ago, I was busily cleaning our little condo from top to ceiling.  It was really getting on my the husband's nerves (this is the first husband, mind you--everything I did got on his nerves).  I was busy cleaning for the last two days straight because my sister-inlaw was coming to stay with us for awhile to visit.  She was flying down from the Azores that evening.  I had never met the woman, and of course, I wanted to leave a good impression on her.  She was a lot older that I was, and I was nervous about her visit.  I knew that she would be going back to the Azores to report to the rest of the family about me and my wife and motherly skills.  (This was back when I REALLY cared about appearances and what others thought of me).  I wanted her to report to my mother inlaw (whom I had never met either) that I was a good housewife I guess.  At the same time, I was deathly afraid that because of her being so much older than I was, (she was old enough to be my mother) that she would take it upon herself to run the household while she was there. 

Well, as I was passing the vacuum for the 2nd time in the baby's room, my then husband snapped and unplugged the vacuum cleaner and threw it aside.  "The house is clean enough!!" he shouted.  I shuddered for I realized for the first time that I may have been turning into my mother. 

As for my sister-inlaw, she didn't take over the house, in fact, I would come home many an afternoon, with the baby, bags of groceries at hand, only to see her lying on the couch watching T.V.  The only thing she liked to take over in the kitchen was she liked to grate cheese. 

Extra credit: What did you parents do when you told them about it? 

I didn't tell my mother----according to her a house can never be clean enough of course, especially when company is coming. 

 

 

Monday Photo Shoot

 

Here are two of my favorite pictures that look kinda alike, but were taken years, and years apart from eachother.  They are from my Grandfather's Website. 

No, I didn't take these myself obviously.  This is a picture of two of my children and myself.  It was taken back in 2001 when I was still a single mom, working 60 hours a week..  I was approached at a grocery store for a free picture at a hotel, so I dragged my two kids, and had them dress up in old fashioned clothes behind a curtain to get an authentic 1920's picture.  Of course, as you can probably tell, my son wasn't too thrilled.  I let my daughter Lizzy snag all the fake jewlery.  The photographer was impressed by my son's close resemblance to Robert Downey Jr.  Great.  Thanks--what every mom wants to hear!  Your son looks like a washed up celebrity druggie!  (Although, I hear Robert has really cleaned up his act NOW, but at the time of this photo, I think he was still in jail or in rehab.)  There is another picture, but it's stuck in a frame at home---I'll have to share that one later. 

The below picture is one of the few pictures I have of my late maternal grandfather.  It was taken back in the 1920's near Los Banos, California.  He is the man with the hat, standing next to his brother.  I never met this grandfather.  His brother and sister came to California via the Azores, he followed, although, unlike his sibilings he went back to the Azores where he met my grandmother.  Shortly after my mother was born, he died.  I don't know if you can tell by looking at this picture, but he was quite a character.  He wrote music and dances, and was quite well known.  There have been books written about him, and the street where my mother's childhood home stands was re-named after him.  How I wish I met the guy! 

Only in Santa Cruz...

The following story appears today in my hometown newspaper (Santa Cruz Sentinel)--I used to work there actually...  I was born in a very diverse, small beach town where only things like the following story really do happen. 

January 23, 2006

BREAKING NEWS
Hollywood casting call in Santa Cruz today

Director David Arquette is seeking 200 locals to be extras in a movie he’s going to film in Santa Cruz.

The casting call begins at 2 p.m. today at Digital Media Factory, 2809 Mission St. Ext. (the former Wrigley building).

“The Tripper” is about a conservative man - a fan of Ronald Reagan - and his dislike for hippies. The man and his killer dog Nancy stalk a group of free-loving hippies while they’re attending an outdoor music and camping festival.

The movie crew is looking for people with tattoos, body piercings and beards – anything that represents the organic image of Santa Cruz. The movie is expected to be filmed here during the next few weeks.

For more information, call the hotline at 515-4114

NOTE:  Capitola is a beautiful beach town in Santa Cruz County--I used to live there.

Elvis marries fairy bride to pirate groom in Capitola

By Soraya Gutierrez
Sentinel Staff Writer

Under a black flag, they kissed.

Bride Sandy Hager walked down a path in Esplanade Park on Sunday afternoon with fairy wings attached to her strapless wedding gown, her smiling face adorned with fairy makeup.

Groom Indi Mage, admiring her from a distance, wore black velvet pirate pants and a black coat that bared his chest, a skull and crossbones painted on his face.

The Capitola residents attracted about 200 people to their wedding and "love parade."

Many of the guests didn't know the young couple, both of whom are massage therapists. But they all knew that pirates and fairies were the wedding's theme, and they dressed accordingly.

Mage wasn't about to wait until the end of the ceremony to kiss his new bride. He strode past the pirates, the fairies and the stilt walkers, and the pair kissed under the giant black pirate flag.

Applause filled the air, along with the sounds of kazoos and tambourines. Dozens of cameras snapped pictures of the two as they shared their love story with the crowd.

 "Every day with Sandy is crazy," Mage said. "I love that girl."

Then Elvis — of course — officially started the ceremony and married the pair, who had met eight years ago and got engaged three months ago.

"It's even more amazing than we imagined," Hager said, admiring the costumes, her two big yellow dogs at her side.

Rings were exchanged and more kisses were shared, moving some in the audience to tears.

"You're an inspiration," one woman cried.

After the vows, everyone was invited to join a love parade around Capitola, heading to Mage's house for a reception and barbecue. With drummers.

Contact Soraya Gutierrez at sgutierrez@santacruzsentinel.com.

Weekend Assignment #95: The Best Money You Ever Spent

Weekend Assignment #95: The Best Money You Ever Spent : "Welcome to the first of five Journaler-suggested Weekend Assignments, leading up to the 100th Weekend Assignment a few weeks from now. This week's special Weekend Assignment was suggested by Teeisme57:

"My ex-husband always said the best 10 bucks he ever spent was buying his dog, Ace, from the local animal shelter. What's the best money you've ever spent? Whether it's something you love, something you use all the time or something that doesn't owe you a nickel, what is it?"

"Extra Credit: Aside from food, what's the next purchase you plan to make?"

Hmm...  I have to think long and hard on this one; I've made some really good purchases in my life so far!

  <---The San Jose Biltmore Hotel-where I met my hubby, July 14, 2001---outside, of the hotel, near the tree on the right to be exact!

Okay, I'll start with this one; don't laugh, but one of the BEST money purchases I ever spent was on my AOL membership--(I think it was still $21.50 back then though).  IF I hadn't had my AOL that month, the probability of me meeting my husband would have been pretty slim.  You see, I met my husband at a hotel bar party that was hosted by an AOL chatroom.  If I hadn't known about it, I wouldn't have gone to this particular bar that was miles and miles away from home, and I wouldn't have met hubby---and who knows where I would be now without him!  I'm guessing I'd still be out there in the scary world of the loser dating pool--not a fun place!! 

The other best purchases would have to be the home I live in now with hubby and the kids, the diaper genie, the family van, and money spent on vacations with my family. 

"Extra Credit: Aside from food, what's the next purchase you plan to make?"  I want to take another trip to the Azores this summer with my family.  I want to give my children the same gift my parents gave me when I was growing up---and there really isn't anything better than spending quality time with the people you love in a beautiful place---money well spent because memories like those are PRICELESS!! 
"

Lapas!!

This weekend I got an email from someone I didn't know, who knew I was Portuguese...  I often wonder how these people find me, but, at the same time I was flattered--don't ask me why.. 

Anyway, this stranger, who goes by the last name of Pimentel asked me if I knew the correct translation for "lapas" in English.  I was at first stumped.  Like many languages, we all have our own form of "slang".  I am not quite sure if the word "lapas" for example is the correct word to describe the shellfish in the first place, but one look in Google, and mystery was solved.  Lapas in Portuguese means "limpets".  Is Lapas a "correct" Portuguese word?  I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that I've always heard it used throughout my life.

"Lapas" is a VERY popular seafood in the Azores.  I remember many a summer spent under the sunshine amid the volcanic rocks of my mother's native Terceira.  There my parents, aunt, and uncle, and cousins would gather the lapas from the rocks and feast on them.  I for one have never tasted a lapa.  The thought of something still alive wiggling in my mouth frightened me, as it still does today.  According to relatives, I'm really "missing out", but, oh well, I was enjoying soaking myself in the clear and warm ocean instead.  Damn I miss those summers so much!  Never mind the stinking limpets---what I would do to just be able to sit on a rock and let my toes wiggle in the sea of Terceira...  Sigh...

It's Friday the 13th...

Are you superstitious in any way?  It's Friday the 13th, so here are a few of some  "old country" superstitious old wives tales I grew up with:

Don't open an umbrella in the house---it will bring in death.  I make a point of not doing this; however, I really don't think it does. 

If a housefly (especially if it's a very large and fat one) flies around your head, it means you will be getting good news in the mail, or a telephone call from afar.  For some reason, I do believe this--it happens all the time with me. 

If a bird poops on your car, it's considered good luck.  I heard this one this morning, and it made me smile, because recently a flock of seagulls decided to fly by and poop all over my car!  I may not wash it off now!

If you think of someone for no particular reason, or see someone that reminds you of some person, you will hear from this person, or hear of this person soon.  This happens to me quite often, and I am always a little taken aback when I suddenly get an unexpected phone call, or hear about someone from out of the blue...it's the weird psychic thing that goes on in my family perhaps..I dunno..

If you see a penny, DON'T pick it up, unless the head is facing up.  I just heard this morning, and I find it very interesting... I remember one particular day I picked up a penny, and I had a really unlucky day.  I promised myself never to pick up a penny again.  I don't remember if the face was facing up or not... Hmm....

If a black cat crosses the street in front of you, repeat "bread and butter" three times to confuse bad spirits.   Hmm..never tried it, but I don't think black cats are bad luck--I think they are beautiful--and I'm not a witch. 

If you are busy cleaning, and you happen to be thinking of someone in particular, and you drop the cloth you are cleaning with, something bad will happen to that person.  Of course, this is another Portuguese wives tale.  I try not to think of ANYONE when I clean because of it. 

 

If you dream of rising water, and you are trying to cross a body of water, someone is trying to reach you to report bad news.  I do believe this..only because it's happened to me far too many times to not believe it.  (Yeah, it's also another Portuguese wives tale.)

If you dream of a wedding, someone is going to have a baby.  I do believe this as well. 

If you have a dream of a dead animal, or raw meat, someone has died.  Unfortunately, I've had a few of these dreams.. 

If you dream of black bulls chasing you, an argument or disagreement of a loved one is pending.  Yes, it's another one of those ole' Portuguese tales, but, I've had plenty of bulls chasing me at night.  Funny, after divorcing the ex-husband, I seem never to have them anymore.  Can someone explain this? 

Never whistle at night--it summons the devil.  I never whistle at night, and I have no real desire to. 

If your palms feel itchy, you will be getting unexpected money soon.  I welcome itchy palms, but I have yet to win the lottery. 

Oh, and here is yet another--one I have been experiencing a lot recently, I call it "juggling". If you pick something up, but have it fall out of your hand, but catch it before it falls to the ground, but it slips again and falls on the ground, it means that someone has been trying to contact you, but is having a hard time doing so. 

If you drop a spoon or a fork, company is coming!!  Yep, they usually do!

Yes, here are just a few...  If you have any others, please share.  :) 

Weekend Assignment #94: Evil Earworms

Weekend Assignment #94: Evil Earworms :

There are a few songs that come to mind when I think of those Evil Earworms...  One of them in particular is that Captain and Tennille "hit" from the late 1970's:  Muskrat Love.  Just check out these lyrics--they still make me squirm!  (Come to think of it, ANYTHING sung by Captain and Tennille makes me squirm!) 

Muskrat, Muskrat, candle light
Doin' the town and doin' it right in the evenin'
It's pretty pleasin'
Muskrat Suzie, Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug at a Muskrat Land
And they shimmy, Sam is so skinny

And they whirl and they twirl and they tango
Singin' and jinglin' a jangle
Float like the heavens above
Looks like Muskrat Love

Nibblin' on bacon
Chewin' on cheese
Sam says to Suzie
Honey, would you please be my Mrs
Suzie says, yes, with her kisses
Now, he's ticklin' her fancy
Rubbin' her toes
Muzzle to muzzle
Now anything goes as they wriggle
Sue starts to giggle

And they whirled and they twirled and they tango
Singin' and jinglin' a jangle
Floatin' like the heavens above
Looks like muskrat love

Another Evil Earworm song I'm not fond of is:  Dust In The Wind by Kansas.  Do not play this song if you find yourself any way near suicidal.  I can understand why the song was written, but I find it a little to damn depressing for my taste. 

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

[Now] Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.

 

Other songs that get a "unhonorable mention" goes to Madonna's "Hung Up"--(very annoying song---I like ABBA better), and 2 a.m. by Anna Naylick---(breathe already!!)

 

Extra Credit*  My answer to kill the earworm in my head?  I like listening to U2, Rob Thomas, or ELVIS...  :)   

What's in the Water?

I'm sitting here at work admiring my Fiji Water bottle.  It is quite beautiful.  On the clear, plastic label there is a perfectly bloomed lily flowers, reflecting in the water with palm leaves and blue sky in the background.  If you look at it long enough, it's not hard to imagine yourself walking on the warm sand of a tropical island.  Close your eyes, and you can actually smell the plumeria plants and hear the waterfall at it's forceful tide gently falls on the black volcanic rock. 

I wonder, since it reads that the water is "from the islands of Fiji", if the island natives gathered this water themselves in their hollow wooden gourds?  I'm picturing the tan natives, in beautiful sarongs, with fragrant and colorful flower wreaths on their heads and around their necks, frolicking into the clear waterfall with their gourds, possibly singing   a native Fijian song...  I hear tribal drums in the background, as the sun slowly melts into the dark blue horizon...  Is that Elvis standing there on top of a rock with his guitar?  Excuse me, I must be dreaming. 

Pretty cool, huh?  Anyways, I just took a gulp of this magical "natural artesian" (what does that mean?!) water, and it tastes just like, plain ole' water.  Oh well, I love my beautiful bottle anyway.  Just having it sit next to my desk, it just feels good, ya' know?  Yeah, I know---I need a vacation. 

Just having FUN :)

I just took this quiz, and man----it is so true for me!!  Kind of freaky!!

You're a passionate lover - you always have a huge fire in your heart.
Too bad it's hard for you to be passionate about just one person!

Your flirting style: Outgoing and sexy

Your lucky first date: Drinks and dancing

Your dream lover: Is both stable and intense

What you bring to relationships: Honesty

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorheartdoyouhavequiz/"> What Color Heart Do You Have?

Errrr....

Without getting too descriptive of what I do in the county government office that I work in, I will just say that at times I have to come face to face with our actual "clients"--you know the "charming" men and women of our criminal system.  When this happens, I am left feeling that I just don't get paid enough for what I do.  It doesn't happen too often, but I just got back from our lobby after dealing with a client,  who was obviously lying through his teeth with his little girlfriend.  Playing "dumb" just doesn't work with me.  I am constantly surprised how many times people think they can just play with the system and thinking they can get away with it.  Criminals are so manipulative and cunning when they want to be; I guess that is what makes them criminals, hey?  Oh well, they are keeping me employed, and I really shouldn't complain, but honestly; sometimes they make me want to spit!! 

You know what else I really can't stand?  When significant others, for example, mothers, and wives, girlfriends, etc. call on the client's behalf.  Time to cut the cord ladies!  Your son is an adult---have him call in for himself--I don't care if he is working, or not feeling well.  He isn't in elementary school anymore!!  What I find even more irritating is when these female "victims" call in for their men.  I just want to slap these women!  If he hits you, just leave--come on--you had courage enough to call the police when he hit you, why can't you just pack your bags and get out already?  I know I may be generalizing right now, but speaking from personal experience, men like that rarely change their behavior, unless they are willing to undergo some serious therapy!! 

Not too long ago we had this one "gentleman" trying to transfer his case from another state.  He had met a woman here in California (via the internet), and wanted to transfer his case over here, so he could live with her.  This guy was on probation for a domestic violence case (naturally).  He was really upset when the transfer was denied, but probably not as upset as he is now.  He now has a case in this county on another domestic violence. case with guess who?  Yeah, you guessed it, his internet love!  Isn't that romantic?  Word to the wise:  DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH A FELON!!!

Is it really that hard to comprehend?  Yeah, sure he might be cute.. (are most handsome clients are on the d.v. caseload)...but come on girls--can't we set our standards a little higher? 

 Interestingly enough I rarely get calls from men or boyfriends in general calling for our female clients. 

Okay, I've vented now. 

Adventures in "SKYPE"

    My cousin, Jose Carlos suggested that I download SKYPE, and at the time, I thought it was a great idea!  I mean, I do still like the idea--you can get online, and instant message, and make free calls to people who happen to be online the same time you are.  You can actually call anyone, anywhere around the world for only pennies a minute.  I thought this would be ideal for when I wanted to call all my relatives overseas.  I could reach out and "touch" someone without paying an arm and a leg to the phone company!

Unfortunately, there are people out there that choose Skype as another form of "reaching out" that I'm not at all comfortable with.

Since getting SKYPE, I've been getting calls while I am online by unwanted callers.  So far, I've gotten calls from Osama, Najirii, and Oppisiama.  Who are these people, and why do they think I want to talk to them?!  When you get a call, you hear a phone ringing in your headset, and a window pops up telling you that someone is trying to call you.  Then you have the option of hanging up and blocking, or write to them and tell them to get lost.  Most of the unwanted calls I've been getting are from India, Eygpt, and Sweden.  In one call in particular, I got an arabic message.  I don't know about you, but I find this all a little too frightening for my taste. 

Mind you, I'm all for "world peace", and international communications, but these people are not seeking that form of communication.  They are all perverts for God's sake!!!

I've learned a lesson--always make sure your icon is made invisible.  Never again will I put on my smiley face with "skype me"--it is far too suggestive to some people.   I am now looking into "Voipbuster".  Upon suggestion of cousin Jose Carlos, I downloaded it, and with Voipbuster you can make FREE calls anywhere.  I will let you know later if I hit any snags.