Reflections on Mexico, Part I

I'll try to just post the highlights of our amazing experience in Mexico. It's always difficult to describe and I'm still rather emotional, so I'll be brief....maybe.

Sat. 2/14

• up at 3:30 a.m., pick up Carol Bogle in Sapulpa at 4:30


• arrive at Ft. Gibson 5:30 a.m., load up and leave at 6:00 (we have a very prompt group)


• drive to Tyler, TX and pick up a plate compacter that Rick Owen has secured


• arrive at destination in San Antonio for the night

Fort Gibson & Sand Springs Missions Workers

Barrett Vanlandingham, Everett Laney, Glenn & Robin Elliott, Dan Rouse, Carol Bogle,
Neal & Lita Blevins, Jerri Collins, Kenny Lashley

Sun. 2/15

• after breakfast and a devotional, start out on drive to Colombia (less busy, "easier" to cross border than Nuevo Laredo)


• Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha..........it's NEVER easy to enter Mexico.....one of the members of our team doesn't realize his Visa from last summer is still tucked inside his passport...agent quickly snatches it up and says that since he didn't "check himself out of the country" in June, he'll have to wait 24 hrs to cross over


• we try everything, including a bribe....I mean offering to pay a "fee"...to let him in--but he won't budge


• plan B is to try to enter at Nuevo Laredo


• since there's no line for a vehicle permit, we decide to go ahead and get it while we're here, but the agent has trouble understanding the paperwork (no habla ingles) ....anyway...long story short, some bilingual tourists finally help us and we manage to get the permit and head over to Nuevo Laredo


• after another long wait we get our 10th Visa


• while waiting at the border, Neal spots an amigo! What are the chances? Francisco (worked for Neal at BP) is there trying to get his work visa, but is short on cash (about US$240)


• our kind, compassionate group chips in and "lends" him the money, which he promises to pay back the next day (he's staying in Monterrey and knows where our hotel is)

Mon. 2/16

• we are all amazed at the progress that has been made on the church bldg. in Santa Monica


• devo with Rick before starting the labor...Rick brings us up to date on the political unrest in Mexico

• it's cool and misty, so there's LOTS of mud, but a great day temperature-wise to work


• busy all day building forms for the columns/pillars

Arriving Monday morning.





Progress!

• lunch was fantastico! delicious tamales (which I don't even like in the U.S.) and spicy beans....yum yum!

Everyone is pretty tired and dirty after a long but rewarding day.

• Eunice (daughter of Ladie, the preacher) and Sergio (one of our Mexican brothers) accompanied us back to our hotel and took us to a great hamburger joint for supper ... the biggest hamburger I've ever eaten...but we still wanted ice cream to cool down our digestive system from all the hot & spicy food (or something like that)

sorry, Barrett, but this is one of my favorite pics--so much for the diet

• oh yeah, I can't forget--while we were hanging out in the hotel lobby, waiting for everyone to go eat supper, guess who shows up? Right! Francisco! Not only did he repay us all our money, but he came bearing gifts of assorted cookies.
  

Okay, so it looks like I can't be brief, after all. So I'll split this up a bit so that I don't have such a long post.

Tuesdays with Lauren

Lauren hadn't eaten breakfast when I picked her up this morning, so we took a cereal bar for the road. This wasn't my first rodeo, so I grabbed the blanket I carry in my car and covered her lap. That didn't go over well. "I can't like Bubby's blanket." Well....it's not Bubby's, it's Nana's. "Is YOU blanket?" Yes, and you're a very lucky girl that Nana's letting you get sticky cereal bar all over it.

On the way to BSF, she sneezed and I said, "Goodness." She sneezed again, and again I said, "Goodness," to which she said, "What in a woold?" And we both giggled. (Keep up...you'll need to remember this later.)

When I picked Lauren up at her class, (she's so much like me) she was "reading" a book to the other kids and holding the book up to show them the pictures. (Note to self: Go NOWHERE without your camera.)

Our weekly visit to Janet's office was good.....and bad. She loves to get in Janet's top drawer and today she found the petty cash container. While I was busy with paperwork, Janet was watching her stuff money into her Gap jacket pockets. Cute. Oh yeah, it's all fun and games until you have to give the money back! She reluctantly gave up the change, but she was NOT letting go of the bills. Uh uh! No way! I knew where this was heading. So we left Janet's office in tears. I put her in the car seat and she grabbed her blanket to wipe her snotty nose. I said, "Did you wipe your nose on your blanket? WHAT IN THE WORLD?" This brought out the "Trista look" and she informed me, "Non't say that....is not funny!"

Meanwhile...back at the ranch.

Just when I thought we'd been through the whole gamut of purses, she decides today to carry the backpack/purse. What can I say? She loves variety. And today we had to put a Bible in it.

Leading me to the car for a little play time.

If you're wondering why my head is jammed into the roof of the car, it's 'cause
I'm sitting in HER CAR SEAT!

And she's at the wheel.

It was a beautiful day...until this evening when the thunderstorms and tornadoes came through...so we enjoyed a walk to the pond with Gracie.

What a sweet pose.

Look out, here comes Gracie.

Gracie, you're gonna mess up my photo shoot!

Too late.

Grey Matter

Grey's Anatomy is going downhill, if you ask me. And I know you want my opinion. First it was the whole "Denny" thing. Too weird. If I have to see those puppy dog eyes and hear his sad, "Izzie Stevens," one more time, I'm gonna puke. But I think he's gone for good now, don't you? We can only hope. Then, just when we're rid of Erica and think Callie will come to her senses, Dr. Robbins, the new Ped. Surgeon, who I really liked up until now, steps onto the scene. Barf! And if I didn't already want to purge, there's Lexie and Mark. How does anyone get any medical help around Seattle Grace when all the docs are secretly (or not so secretly) rendezvousing in the on-call room? And although right now it's all very sweet, it's only a matter of time before Christina and Owen are doing more than brushing hands. I may have to cross this off my list of "shows I watch." And Amy, if this is what hospitals are really like, I don't want you to be a nurse. Kyle, you can quit Med School NOW.

Tuesdays with Lauren

Subtitle: Lauren's Obsession with Purses

After Bible Study, I was putting Lauren in her car seat and she saw my purse. She really wanted to hold it on her lap, and momentarily forgetting that she's TWO, I obliged. She was unusually quiet on the trip home, which should have been my first clue. Here are pictures of the crime scene:
Yes, Trista, this explains the powdery substance on her nice suede coat. It's a mixture of Arbonne Personalizer and Altoids residue. She also managed to smear lip gloss on random surfaces.

Over the past month Lauren has graduated from the classic clutch (Jan. 2)...


to the shoulder strap (Jan. 20)...


To the biggest honkin' bag I own (Feb. 3)...

Favorite phrase of the day: While we were coloring, she tried using an adjustable pencil, with several colors, that is missing a piece and therefore the tip just retracts into the barrel. After several unsuccessful attempts, she exclaimed, "Hey, what's the deal?"

A Typical Home Improvement Project - by Lita

The Objective:

The Method:

The Result:

Doctor: "Do you know when you had your last tetanus shot?"

Me: "April 2007." (another home improvement project gone bad)

Tuesdays with Lauren

So....everyone in our neck of the woods is iced in today. No school...no bible study. Since I don't have Lauren today, I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some of her "2 year old" pictures.

Think "Vogue" a la Madonna.

Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen

You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

Don't just stand there, let's get to it
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

Strike a pose
Strike a pose
Vogue, vogue, vogue
Vogue, vogue, vogue

Beans, Beans....

Neal LOVES pinto beans and cornbread. I also have a fondness for the culinary delicacy, but for some reason, I seldom make this meal. Maybe it's 'cause I know the effect it has on Neal's digestive system...if you know what I mean. And it's hard enough to get a good night's sleep without having to stay in a semi-wakefulness state in order to keep the covers tucked in tight around my neck. Last night, I made the best pot of beans EVER. I added a meaty ham bone and fresh garlic and the results were tres magnifique! However, I can't even hear the word "beans" without memories flooding in from the distant past. When the boys were little, Neal (the cultural enthusiast that he is) introduced them to the classic poem "Beans, beans, the wonderful fruit...the more you eat....." ...well...you know the rest.

On a visit to my grandmother's, with my parents present, we sat down to a meal and what did Grandma set on the table? That's right. A huge pot of beans. Neal and I both did the old "head jerk" and saw the boys' eyes light up in joy and anticipation. As Jeremy opened his mouth and began..."Dad! Beans, beans.." Neal, with fear in his eyes seemed to be in slow motion with his lips forming the word "NOOOOOOO" but the voice not cooperating. Ahhh. Good times!

Tuesdays with Lauren

There was a bit of confusion this morning. Due to some appointments I had last Tuesday, our routine changed and I didn't have Lauren for the day. So today when I arrived, no one was home. I tracked Jeremy down at the corner store and luckily I had a couple of diapers in my car and we headed straight for Bible Study...without the usual matching bow in the hair. Didn't bother me, but I'm sure Trista cringes just thinking about it. Lauren was excited to be back at Bible Study and literally skipped from the car to the building. I just walked fast. It was cold. When we got to her class, she wanted to put money in the offering jar. I had no bills, but dug out a quarter for her. Peering into my wallet, she saw I had more, so I gave her two. "One more," she said...I hope she ate her 75 cents worth of snacks today.

She loves to pretend she's a grown-up. I guess it's a girl thing, 'cause I don't remember Jacob doing this so much. She always wants one of my purses and fills it with pictures, cards, keys and "wipies." Today's purse of choice had a shoulder strap and the purse dragged the ground, but she didn't care. As she was flipping through the pictures, naming each one, she came to Jeff's and said, "That's you Jeff. He's pwetty." I'm sure Jeff is duly flattered.

Before naptime, I read her a book, then let her choose another. I sat back down in the rocking chair and she scolded, "Git dayon (that's southern drawl for "get down")." She proceeded to read the book herself.

I didn't notice until I uploaded the pictures that she had the book upside down the whole time.

She gets very animated when she reads.

And this is the pitiful look I get when I say it's naptime. No, I did not give in.

Hello 50's!!!

After a bitterly cold week, today was in the 50's, and boy, did it feel good. The grandkids had a blast helping Papa with the leaves. Well...mostly with the rides in the wheelbarrow. Fun day!

Gracie

I'm not an animal lover. Pets are usually a pain in the behind. When it comes to animals in the house--not a big fan. Most of you know that we have inherited Jeff's basset hound...at least until Jeff is out of training and settled in his new job, new territory, own house. I may not profess to love dogs, but Gracie is a heart-stealer. And I AM compassionate. The temperature has dropped down into the single digits the last two nights and Gracie has accomplished the unimaginable. Not only was she allowed in the house, but at her insistence, she has also managed to claim one of the living room chairs as her very own. The first night, she milled around the house looking for a good spot, even though I had strategically placed a rug and blanket on the spot I thought would be perfect. Next morning, I found her on the chair. So this has been her perch ever since. Last night she went straight for the chair when Neal started getting ready for bed.

Is there a problem?


Getting comfy.


Drifting....drifting....


And.....she's gone.

Challenge

Browsing through some of my favorite blogs, I noticed that I hadn't posted in FIVE days. It's pretty sad when I've been too busy to post, yet the very things keeping me busy were way too boring to write about. But since my last post ended with a very unflattering picture that in a moment of weakness I inserted, only to find it showing up again a few days later on Facebook, I felt it necessary to update.

Sunday night I was looking for something--which is one of the things that keeps me busy...

Can I get an "Amen?"

...when I came across my old Glamour Shots. I had them done for Neal for our 15th Anniversary--you do the math. But the underlying reason I really did this, was much more morbid. A friend had recently died of cancer, and they had the most beautiful picture of her (done by Glamour Shots) at the funeral. And I thought, "If I were to die, they would have a really hard time finding a good picture of me to put on my closed casket." Yeah, I'm shallow like that. But really, y'all, don't you think of things like that? Then yesterday a friend (who shall remain anonymous) was telling the funniest story about having his Glamour Shots taken. Okay, it was Terry Rush. So, anyway, I thought all the signs were pointing to me posting these beauties.

Does everyone look like Barbara Mandrell in their Glamour Shots, or is it just me?

Where DID I get all that hair?



Yeah, that would look good on my casket.




Oh mama!
Jeremy, I dare ya to post this one on Facebook!
(although the "psych ward escape" caption might still be appropriate!)

I challenge all my blogger friends, who will admit to sinking to this level, to post their Glamour Shots. I wanna see if you all look like country singers.

My Hero

Yesterday morning the live trap was shut. Okaaaaay..... I picked it up, but really wasn't sure by its weight if there was a mouse inside. I think this can wait until Neal gets home. Yeah. That's a good idea.

I know after a 10 hour work day, this is the first thing my husband wants to do when he walks through the door. He picked up the trap and shook it. Sure 'nuf, we think there's a mouse trapped inside. I said, "What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?" This phrase kept spewing out of my mouth at a higher pitch with each repetition. "WHAT DO WE DO?" His solution--"Tomorrow I'll take him out in the pasture, let him go and shoot him with my pellet gun!" (He's just been dying to try out his new Christmas present.)

He lives for this stuff.

Gotta shake him up and get him real good and dizzy.

The moment of truth.


And it's over in one shot.

Now just in case you still don't think we're hick enough....Neal took a picture of me, the photo journalist, in my pj's, robe and work boots....

I'm sure I've spoiled all my readers' romantic, idealistic views that I always have it "together." Get over it. This is life on the farm.

Mouse Fed? -- Check

I've decided just to add this little chore to my morning ritual. Make the coffee, feed the dog, feed the mouse, do my Bible study, eat breakfast. At the first sign of mice, we set traps under the sinks, both in the bathroom and in the kitchen. First night was successful in the bathroom. I hadn't even fallen asleep yet when I heard the trap. Next morning Neal tried to be sneaky and hide the dead mouse in the bathroom waste basket, but I know him too well and saw the little pink feet sticking up in the air underneath an Arbonne bag. Can't pull a fast one like that on this country girl. But the mouse in the kitchen is smarter and more agile than we anticipated. And may I say, after this morning's experience, MORE BOLD...or just gluttonous. The last two mornings I have found the trap, still in position, but minus the bait (peanut butter). This morning I re-baited, then sat down to eat breakfast and work on my BSF homework. It's very quiet in the house when I'm alone and I thought I heard some faint scratching noises. When I had finished eating, I checked the trap and, would you believe it? The dadgum mouse had finished his breakfast, too! Grrrrrrr! Then I checked the "Live Trap" that's supposed to be foolproof. Sure enough, the bait at the end of this little tunnel was gone too, WITHOUT TRAPPING THE MOUSE. Oh. He's good.

Play Day

Jacob came down with the dreaded stomach virus this week. MeMe got the privilege of cleaning up vomit, while I swept Lauren away from the house of puke for a play day.

Since I didn't have any daughters, I'm really having fun watching Lauren grow and repeat so many of the playtime roles that I remember playing with my sisters. She's really into "princesses" right now and last night took the clothes off her life-size Barbie and put them on herself. After she found her wings and wand she proceeded to ballet dance around the living room. Adorable.

Here are some pictures of the play day at my house. Notice the freshly polished finger nails--our first order of business for the day.

Miss Priss complete with purse, keys, phone and baby. How DO these mothers do it?

...and in heels, no less!

For Jenny

Yes, I would say he had hair.

We won't talk about my fat cheeks and Dorothy Hamill haircut.