Tuesday 31st December 2012….well the last one!!!

A bit cloudy this morning and the forecast for the next two days is for rain….I should not complain!!

This morning I went over to Sara's casita and made some changes to have it looking really nice for her.

Then it was chores in town and then at 2pm went to pick up Paola and I had promised her a big bike ride with me on the scooter so here we go!!!

We were soon on the side roads leading to the lake.

Amazing what you see…a golf course!!!!

Well sort of …see the hole next to the guy on the left in the green shirt…too funny!!

The lake looks lovely but it is polluted!!

We had a great ride and Paola was tired when we got home….we had time for a sandwich and a drink and then it was off to the market I had promised new shoes for her today…a photo later.

Then we bought some flowers and fruit and took them over to Sara's casita and then it was off to the dentist…Paola had complained of pain on Saturday…..for 50 pesos the dentist examined her

and the inflammation is caused by a new tooth coming through but she is not in pain anymore so I am to monitor and see how she feels and if she gets the pain back and it is severe the tooth may have to come out…the new shoes!!!!

Dropped her at home and she was happy and content.

My friend Diana called and invited me out for dinner tonight…..her boyfriend was supposed to arrive yesterday for a visit but he got really sick and had to cancel till later in the month…..so we had a lovely dinner in one of the nice restaurants down town and then watched the fireworks in the Jardin…packed with people and quite a thrill.

 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my readers and for putting up with my “sense” of humor….thanks for all the kind comments and words of encouragement.

I hope 2013 will be a special, safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for you all and may your dreams come true…..for me I feel it is going to be a year to remember…..

Leave you with this sent to me by my friend Mary!!!

This is something we should all read at
least once a week!!! Make sure you read
to the end!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of
the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote
the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most
requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so
here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are
sick. Your friends and family will.
5.Don't buy stuff you don't need.
6. You don't have to win every argument.
Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying
alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with yourself. You can take it.
9. Save for things that matter.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up
the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no
idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't
be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter
weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you
stronger.
19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to
you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the
fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear
purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words
'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your
business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. People love you because of who you are, not because
of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it
now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting
everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already
have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come ...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show
up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Yashi Koshi!!

Sunday 30th December 2012……almost there…..2013!!!

This is taken from my friend’s blog….Chris is a great guy, American and has been living in Mexico for over 20 years…a good post in my opinion!!!

Fallacies About Mexico

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

I know you would probably prefer to see photos from the last two days of our adventures but I really have the need to share some thoughts about Mexico. I have been reading information disseminated by some Mexico blogs and forums and it is simply not true or misconstrued.

Why does this happen in the first place? Don't get me wrong and don't think I have anything up on anyone who lives or travels here. However, that being said, some rvers and ex-pats live in an isolated Mexico. That is to say they never travel, work or live in major cities of Mexico, pay no taxes, utilities, construct or remodel their homes on their own. This leaves a lot of information about Mexico hanging in the air and their misinformation based on their experiences.

Let's start with worker pay. I know I have written about this before but it is worth repeating. In Mexico we have a minimum wage structure. There are three minimum wages scales based on areas of the country where people live. No one in Mexico makes 64 pesos a day. Not true. Mexicans at all levels and positions are paid in multiples of minimum wages. For example, construction workers make four minimum wages a day or 1280 pesos a week. This is after tax. In fact, anyone who makes less than 5000 pesos a month pays no income tax. In addition to their pay, all Mexicans who are registered (social security number) are by law required to receive a Christmas bonus, Social Security pension, medical attention for themselves, spouse, children and any other family dependent living in their house, utilidades (profit sharing), despensa (food coupons based on their income), one time fixed rate home loan, a subsidy of 50,000 pesos for buying that home. There are more goodies that each employee receives.

Education: Primary education is free in Mexico. There is a quota that is charged by the PTA in each school to help maintain the building and the grounds. The government supplies the building, furniture, and teachers. The rest is left to the PTA. Electricity is provided free to all schools in Mexico public or private including high schools and universities. Scholarships are available in large numbers for all reasons including lack of resources to those students with special needs as well as those living with family members other than parents. High school runs around 14 dollars a month and state universities 230 dollars a semester. Uniforms and school supplies are subsidized by the state and federal government and books are provided at no cost to primary and secondary students.

Someone mentioned that cigarettes are 3 pesos a piece and workers only make 64 pesos a day. In Mexico, some small corner stores sell cigarros sueltos or individual cigarettes. Why? Some people like a smoke now and then and don't have the need to buy a whole pack. Why three pesos per cigarette? It is what the market will bear. In general though, if smoking is really important to you, some cigarettes can be had for as low as 20 pesos a pack.

Businesses and self-employed pay taxes monthly via internet only. No manual forms exist and payments are made in any bank at no charge.

Utilities, credit cards, money transfers can all be paid in banks, online, and in the case of Telmex and the CFE they also have ATM machines to make payments with cash and return change.

Tax deductions for gasoline can only be made if a credit or debit card is used for payment so many gas stations now accept credit cards. Trust me, truckers don't carry 10,000 pesos in cash with them to fill their tanks on their routes. Some say that Canadian cards don't work well in Mexico and that may well be true. We use Mexican and American without any issue. All Pemex stations are franchises and are not owned and operated by the government. That was an issue that went on in the forums in San Miguel de Allende for over two months before I could prove that the major gas station was owned by the guy in the big house behind it. National oil company that gives franchises to individual owners. That is why we now have convenience stores with gas stations.

Speaking of convenience stores, 7 Elevens located in 9 Mexican states, now accept bank deposits, pay utility bill payements, credit card payments, buy cell phone service, Mexican pay pal, send money transfers and purchase insurance for U.S. travel by buying a scratch card depending on the number of days you want from 1 day to 3 months. (all of which can be done in dollars as well as pesos)

ATMs in Mexico also dispense U.S. dollars. Banorte banks in Mexico have 4000 ATMS of which 1100 dispense U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos. Checking bank websites will show lists of ATM locations and which ones offer dollars.

There is so much to share and I hope this clears things up for some people. I also hope that no one is offended by this post but I felt it was important

 

Two hours of great tennis again this morning with Carolyn, Rosy and Loren……it was well matched and a lot of fun.

I was home for a couple of hours and then went to pick up Paola

…Carolyn had told me that she had some really good mesquite wood that Paola’s Mum could use in her new stove so Paola and I went to Carolyn's house and picked up the wood..we then went for a drive and finally came back to the house where it was bicycle time…she loves the bike and rides around the neighborhood and I follow on the scooter.

Next stop was to load up some of Sara’s stuff that she left here last winter and we took it to the casita Sara is renting…Sara comes on Tuesday.. so tomorrow afternoon Paola and I are going to buy some groceries and flowers and set her place up for when she arrives .

So now home had supper and watching the Canadian v USA junior hockey game….with the big boys in the NHL fighting over millions of dollars it is great to watch an exciting hockey game….

Pura Vida!!!

Saturday 29th December 2012……….a bit of a day!!

First of all my one and only Uncle Bram is celebrating a birthday today and with him and his beautiful bride Rita now owning a computer, I hope he sees this birthday wish.

Bram is my Dad’s younger Brother and the last remaining old clan Pearson boys…..I know I posted this photo for Rita’s Birthday last month but it is worth showing again, well I think so and of course it is my blog so what I say goes!!!!

Sea side resort in England this summer!!!

Saturday morning so by now you know what that means the great men’s doubles tennis…on the way to the courts the church that is close by was hosting a huge baptism ceremony…..this was 8.45am!!!

One of the participants!!!

This is taken from the court with the church in the background!!

For the whole 2 hours we were playing the ceremony and music was blaring out!!!!

Came home for lunch and to watch a live soccer game from England.

I called Barbara the contact person for me at CH and explained that because I did not see Daniela as planned yesterday could I have her tomorrow at 3pm and to give her the bike I had got for her for Christmas and asked just for her this time……Barbara called me back after talking to the Madres and told me that she was sorry but Daniela  left two days ago to stay in the town about 40 miles away with the Brother of one of the Madres and that she was not coming back till 6th January …..for a rare moment in my life I was speechless….I thanked her for her time and I feel that I want to make no comment about the situation here but rest assured another meeting with the head Madre will be happening in the new year!!!

I then went back into town and met with about 25 other volunteers to wrap over 1000 Christmas gifts for needy children in the campos…this is the brainchild of a wonderful Canadian couple Sharon and John and I have been fortunate enough to be involved for the last three years…once the toys are wrapped and marked with appropriate age and gender they are delivered over two days next week.

So the plan today was that I was put in charge of one of the schools, the biggest school, and we had to get gifts for boys and girls from 3 years to 12  years over 270 gifts….my group was an awesome group and we sorted labeled wrapped and bagged all our gifts and now they are ready for delivery.

Then did some grocery shopping and now settled home with a good supper in my belly and  sorting out my appointments for the next few days which are going to be busy with tennis, Paola and picking up Sara who is arriving again this winter on Tuesday.

Yashi Koshi!!

Friday 28th December 2012……sage advice!!!

Years ago when I first started travelling to Mexico I was given what I think is great advice which was meant to be taken when I was driving but I think it applies to everyday matters as well.

The advice was never do anything unexpectedly and always expect the unexpected!!!!  This is so true of my times and dealings with CH!!!

Tennis was the order of the day for two hours this morning and then home in time to get cleaned up and to go back to my foot Doctor for another treatment on my toe.  Where else can you go to a Doctor’s office for treatment and in the middle he makes a call to a lady to try to fix me up on a date!!!!!

I try to talk to him in Spanish and the subject of wives, children and dating came up.  I told him that I never seem to meet any Mexican women.well……he picked up his cell phone and about 5 minutes later this lady arrives at his office…too funny…..it was all very discreet and she seemed nice and we all introduced ourselves…..only in Mexico!!!

Back to the house to get the car to go to CH where it was my scheduled time to get Daniela and I called last night to confirm this.  When I arrived there I never got past the big front door they told me that Daniela had gone with the Madre to the next town for the day.

This is not sitting well with me as I had planned for them to get their bikes but what could I do.  I will request another meeting with the Madre and ask again for my times to see her to be noted and also ask when I have her not to have another girl as it makes it really difficult to have Paola and Daniela who I plan lots of things for the three of us and another girl makes it so complicated.

I went to pick up Paola and she was her bright self except her Mother told me she was having a problem with a tooth.  We went to the dentist but she was closed I will try and get her an appointment on Monday.  Then we came back to the house and bicycle time…her smile was ear to ear when she saw her bike.

It took her two minutes to remember how to ride and away she went.

She just loved it and she rides safe!!!

Before we left we had a little lesson on cleaning teeth and washing hands and face and putting on cream..she is such a delight to be around!!

 

We then went around to see Diana as she had a gift for the girls…Paola loved her necklace and she could not wait to put it on..thank you so much.

Back to Paola's house and I showed her Mum how to use the stove and the best place for it. she said that she likes it and thanked me.

So another day closer to the end of the year and always expect the unexpected!!!!!!

Yashi Koshi!!

Thursday 27th December 2012……a bit of everything today!!

For a change I started my morning with two hours of tennis in the sun…..back home for a late breakfast and then off to meet the owners of the company that sell the stoves!!!

Local stoves for a global solution

Locally produced Ecocina cookstoves reduce wood consumption and harmful pollutants.

Pot

The Ecocina supports pots of almost
any size.

Removable “Plancha”

The plancha is used for cooking meat, tortillas or pupusas (filled tortillas).

Insulated Ferro-cement Body

Internal chimney of low-fired tile surrounded by insulating pumice keeps the stove exterior cool to the touch.

Pot Skirt

Adjustable metal skirt fits a variety of pots and pans and forces hot air around the pot for maximum cooking efficiency.

Pot Supports

The pot supports elevate the cooking surface above the stove top and allow cooking with almost any size pot or griddle (“plancha”).

Wood Support (Portaleña)

The portaleña raises the wood off the bottom of the combustion area to allow sufficient air to enter, increasing burner efficiency.

Ecocina Stoves:

• Reduce burns, respiratory, eye and skin problems
• Reduce carbon emissions and particulate matter by 70%
• Are portable and quick-cooking
• Require no installation or external chimney
• Reduce wood use by over 50%
• Are built from all local materials such as concrete, pumice and tile
• Provide local jobs in sustainable factories
• Are adapted to local cooking methods

 

“Rocket Elbow” Design

With an air-intake opening the same size as the exit, oxygen entering through the bottom moves efficiently through the internal chimney, driving heat directly to the cooking pot while burning the gasses and particulate matter.

 

I bought one of the stoves for Paola’s Mum they have very minimal cooking options so I am hoping this helps.

I delivered it to their small home and Paola and her older brother were there and I helped set it up for them and just hope her Mum likes it and finds it useful but I think she will need to raise it up on some concrete blocks to make it a better height.

.

Spent some time visiting with Paola and then had to go to the big mall to Radio Shack to get a connection for the computer to the TV so I can watch Netflix's on the big screen.

Came home and spent the rest of the afternoon doing some sorting out of my stuff, laundry, cooked a nice supper and now settling down for a good movie!!!

As I was going through some work on my computer came across this photo

The mud baths in Greece this summer…great memories but silly photo!!!

Yoshi Koshi!!

Wednesday 26th December 2012….Happy Boxing Day!!!

So what does it mean take your pick from below!!!

 

 

The 26th of December, also called St. Stephen's Day.

Boxing Day is a public holiday that forms part of the Christmas festivities in most of the countries that were once part of the British Empire. It was originally the first working day after Christmas Day, but is now always celebrated on December 26th, regardless of which day of the week it falls.

Origin

Christmas boxes were originally literally earthenware boxes. In mediaeval England, these boxes were used by the poor (servants, apprentices etc.) to save money throughout the year. At Christmas, the boxes were broken open and the savings shared to fund Christmas festivities. This meaning of Christmas box dates back to at least the early 17th century. The boxes were known in France as tirelire and are referred to in Randle Cotgrave's A Dictionarie of the French and English tongues, 1611:

"Tirelire, a Christmas box; a box having a cleft on the lid, or in the side, for money to enter it; used in France by begging Fryers, and here by Butlers, and Prentices, etc."

In a similar tradition, which is almost as old as the above and which is the one that has stayed with us until the present day, Christmas boxes were gifts, usually money, given to tradespeople or others who have rendered some service throughout the year but who aren't normally paid directly by the donor - for example, office cleaners, milkmen etc.

So, why is Boxing Day so called? Sporting fixtures, which used regularly to include boxing, have taken place over the holiday season for centuries. The view that Boxing Day was a day for pugilism gets some support via the earliest reference to the name that I can find, which is in The Sporting Magazine, Volume 25, 1805:

On boxing-day, Dec. 26, a numerous assemblage of the holiday folk were amused by a hard fought battle, in St. Pancras-fields. This fight was one that afforded plenty of diversion to several pugilists and admirers of the art present.

Nevertheless, the link to boxing in that citation is just co-incidence and the origin of the name is the giving of 'Christmas box' gifts to tradespeople, which traditionally took place, not on Christmas Day, but on the first subsequent working day.

Today, much like Americans associate Thanksgiving with football, for many Englishmen, Boxing Day has long been an ideal time to enjoy the national pastime, as a full schedule of professional soccer matches are played. These fixtures are some of the most anticipated of the season, because they are often played against local rivals to cut down on travel time.

For others, the day could be compared to Black Friday, since several major shops open extra early and have massive sales that day

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're looking for something that explains the origins of Boxing Day, well, you're not going to find it here. The day-after-Christmas holiday is celebrated by most countries in the Commonwealth, but in a what-were-we-doing-again? bout of amnesia, none of them are really sure what they're celebrating, when it started or why.

The best clue to Boxing Day's origins can be found in the song "Good King Wenceslas." According to the Christmas carol, Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen's Day — Dec. 26 — when he saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and wine and carried them through the blizzard to the peasant's door. The alms-giving tradition has always been closely associated with the Christmas season — hence the canned-food drives and Salvation Army Santas that pepper our neighborhoods during the winter — but King Wenceslas' good deed came the day after Christmas, when the English poor received most of their charity.

King Wenceslas didn't start Boxing Day, but the Church of England might have. During Advent, Anglican parishes displayed a box into which churchgoers put their monetary donations. On the day after Christmas, the boxes were broken open and their contents distributed among the poor, thus giving rise to the term Boxing Day. Maybe.

But wait: there's another possible story about the holiday's origin. The day after Christmas was also the traditional day on which the aristocracy distributed presents (boxes) to servants and employees — a sort of institutionalized Christmas-bonus party. The servants returned home, opened their boxes and had a second Christmas on what became known as Boxing Day.

So which version is correct? Well, both. Or neither. No one, it seems, is really sure. Both the church boxes and the servant presents definitely existed, although historians disagree on which practice inspired the holiday. But Boxing Day's origins aren't especially important to modern-day Brits — Britain isn't known for its religious fervor, and few people can afford to have servants anymore, anyway. Today's Boxing Day festivities have very little to do with charity. Instead, they revolve around food, football (soccer), visits from friends, food and drinking at the pub.

Boxing Day has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. For years in which the holiday falls on a weekend, the celebration is moved to make sure workers still get a day off (except in Canada, where it remains Dec. 26), but since visits to Grandma and other family obligations are fulfilled on Christmas, there isn't anything left to do on Boxing Day except eat leftovers, drink and watch TV. Just as Americans watch football on Thanksgiving, the Brits have Boxing Day soccer matches and horse races. If they're particularly wealthy or live in the country, they might even participate in a fox hunt.

The annual Boxing Day fox hunts — which have been held all over the English countryside for hundreds of years — were imperiled in 2005 when Parliament banned the traditional method of using dogs to kill the prey. Despite the dogs' limited role (they can still chase the animal, but they can't harm it) hundreds of thousands of people turn out at Boxing Day fox hunts around Britain.

The Irish still refer to the holiday as St. Stephen's Day, and they have their own tradition called hunting the wren, in which boys fasten a fake wren to a pole and parade it through town. Also known as Wren Day, the tradition supposedly dates to 1601, to the Battle of Kinsale, in which the Irish tried to sneak up on the English invaders but were betrayed by the song of an overly vocal wren — although this legend's veracity is also highly debated. Years ago, a live wren was hunted and killed for the parade, but modern sentiments deemed it too gruesome.

The Bahamas celebrate Boxing Day with a street parade and festival called Junkanoo, in which traditional rhythmic dancers called gombeys fill the streets with their elaborate costumes and headdresses.

And of course, there's the shopping. England and Canada's Boxing Day evolved into a major shopping event in the 1980s — the equivalent of post-Thanksgiving Black Friday. But this year, many of the sales started earlier in an effort to boost the slumping economy.

Boxing Day has evolved from a charitable day to an extended Christmas afternoon. It's a holiday with presents that have already been opened and a dinner that has been eaten. It's a holiday best spent lounging around in brightly colored sweaters, wondering, lazily and lethargically, what to do next. Come to think of it, it's a wonder Americans haven't adopted it yet.

All the above taken from the Internet!!

Thanks Robin for the following!!

With the Holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with my friends and family about drinking and driving.

As you may know some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" out with friends.

Well two days ago I was out for an evening with friends and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine. Feeling jolly I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the limit. That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a cab home.

Sure enough on the way home there was a police road block but since it was a cab they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a real surprise as I had never driven a cab before , I don't know where I got it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.

So following the Traditional Boxing day theme I had a lazy morning watching a really entertaining live soccer game from England seven goals scored and just fun to see.

At noon I took the yellow bike back to the bike shop and was promised I would get both bikes fixed and could have them tomorrow afternoon…I hope so.

I had an errand to do in down and saw this cute sight!!!

From there it was onto poker where if you can believe I sat a round a table for over three hours and walked away the grand winner…….5 pesos don’t even know what that is maybe 12 cents but it was fun!

 

So a fairly lazy day for me……

Yashi Koshi!!!

Tuesday 25th December 2012……..A Merry Christmas!!

I would like to thank all my friends and readers over the last 6 years of this my life story in that time over 130000 views and I would like to wish you all a very Merry and safe and Happy Christmas and may all your dreams come true in 2013!!!

What a dream start to Christmas morning speaking to all my family in England on Skype    …….then two hours of men’s doubles tennis…..the weather was just lovely sunny and warm.

Home in time to have a shower and clean up and off to CH to pick up Daniela and good news I was allowed to take just her and she looked beautiful even though she was dressed in a warm and new coat!!!

Then it was off to get Paola who also looked lovely and the first stop was for them to have some fun at the arcade!!!

We had been invited to an afternoon pot luck lunch at this very beautiful ranch and the girls really enjoyed walking around and seeing the animals!!!

The ranch was lovely and food really good the girls were a big hit and I was very proud of them…they were given bags to take home some cookies and we had a great time!!!

We came back home here….

I had a bit of a dilemma when I checked out the bikes when I brought them home last night I found that one of them the front tire was flat so when I went into town last night I took the bike with me and pumped it up at the gas station but when I got home it was flat again…so this morning I took the bike with me and after tennis went to the shop and had them look at it and this is when I realized that the brakes were sticking on both front and back…the man tried to fix it but could not and told me to come back tomorrow……when I got home I checked out the other bike and those brakes were not working properly I realize that when I picked them up they looked awesome but I should have been more diligent and check them out…so I had one bike in the store and one bike here that was not ridable…do I tell and show the girls or wait till another day.

With that 6th sense that I have I could tell they were expecting something so I tried to explain to them that I had bought them bikes but they would have to wait till Friday to get them but I did show them the yellow bike and they were thrilled and never complained at all.

Here they are opening a small gift left for them by Paula and Jerry..thanks so much!!!

Then it was time for tennis but first they need to sweep the “court”

I dropped them off around 6pm and we had a wonderful time together they make me feel like a million dollars!!!!

So tonight a quiet time at home reflecting on what a charmed and blessed life I have……

Yashi Koshi!!!!

Monday 24th December 2012…….honest Santa I have been REALLY good!!!!!

The below is borrowed from my good friend Croft’s blog!!!!

A Mexican "Night Before Christmas"

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through la casa,
Not a creature was stirring, I wondered, que pasa?
I was hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado,
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado,
To bring all the children, both buenos y malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.
My brothers and I went to sleep in our camas,
Some in long underwear, and some in piyamas.
When out in the yard there arose such a grito,
That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked afuera.
And who in the world do you think quien era?
St. Nick in a sleigh and a big sombrero
Came dashing along like a little bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados,
Were eight little burros, approaching volados.
I watched as they came, and this fat little hombre
Was shouting and whistling, and calling by nombre:
Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuca, ay Beto!
Ay Chata, ay Chopo, Maruca y Nieto!
Then standing erect, with his hands on his pecho,
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chimenea.
Then huffing and puffing, a little cansado,
He picked up a bag that looked muy pesado.
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad:
Merry Christmas a todos ... feliz navidad!

 

I am beginning to like these lazy mornings…French toast and bacon this morning…another English newspaper read and then Skype my Bro and Janet and then whilst I am talking them my Nephew Andy comes on the line and tells me to check my e mail..so I do and here is modern technology at work….Janet talking to me on the phone…….what happened to the old telephone system and Kodak Brownie cameras???

Janet that wall behind you would look fabulous in adobe red or chocolate brown!!!!!!!!!

So my first stop was the supermarket to get my usual Christmas gifts for the Madres I always buy them a nice hand lotion…so got 5 of those and off to CH….this time I was told I had to another girl with us so Chuya came along but not before I made an express point of asking just for Daniela tomorrow as I had special things for just her and Paola to do and attend and I was told yes I could have just Daniela tomorrow at 1pm.

From there we went to get Paola and when we got to her place her two smaller brothers were there, they live in a boy’s home in town but obviously home for the day…here is Paola’s Mum Ericka and little Adreas, 6 years old!!

As Paola was in the car I asked Ericka if Andreas could come with us and sure he could so off we go…the choice they were given were the park with a juice and muffin or the ice cream shop!!!!

The ice cream shop was unanimous choice!!

Paola made sure her Brother was looked after…

Hey if they get one I should too!!!!!

Back to the car

Next stop was the bakery to get some things for Paola to take home and for Daniela to take back to CH…

Too soon I had to drop them off and will them tomorrow again they were perfectly well behaved and they always say thank you when they get something.

Now I had to go and pick up their Christmas gifts and bring them back to the house do you think they will be thrilled tomorrow?????

I cannot wait to see their faces!!!

One of the ladies I play tennis with was telling me last week about the International Tennis federation and that for 20 dollars you can join and then go and compete in any of the tournaments around the world…she has been doing this for years and tells me it is a fabulous way to see a new country and play tennis and meet new friends….so I am now a member

perhaps I may be at Arthur Ashe stadium New York next year…just another option for travel and tennis….

Tonight I went with Diana out for supper at the Hotel Matilda, a really nice restaurant and wonderfully decorated for the holidays….had a lovely time……now waiting for Santa to come down the chimney and yes I have a chimney in the casa!!!!!!