DISAPPOINTED

When we arrived at Metro airport on Wednesday to begin our journey to San Miguel de Allende, we were mentally prepared to deal with the new stricter security measures.  We both said whatever it took to get through security quickly and safely were fine by us.  Bob had commented that if "Maria" was working, he would request a manual pat down and probably ask for a second opinion.  If "Bruno" was working, he would beg to have the x-ray.

Well, we moved through the security line pretty quickly.  We finally got to the point where we took off our shoes, belts, jackets, watches, emptied our pockets, and put our backpacks and computers on the belt, it was time for us to get searched.  The TSA agent asked Sam to step through, which she did.  We were careful to space ourselves and our belongings so we would never lose sight of our backpacks and computers.  On the other side, Sam asked if that was the new x-ray and was told, "No".  It was just the regular metal detector.  Bob told Sam to just move along and not ask any questions.

We wanted to get through quickly and safely.  We did get through quickly; however, we're not sure how much safer we really felt.  Don't know why we didn't have the x-ray, but here we are safe in Mexico.

JUST IN TIME

Yesterday morning, we had our alarm set for 5:00 a.m., for our trip to San Miguel de Allende.  Sam woke up around 3:00 a.m., and was cold.  She got up and checked the temperature on the thermostat.  She was right!  The temperature was 5 degrees lower than it should have been.  Of course, Sam now had a dilemma.  Should she wake Bob?  Bob was sound asleep and very comfortable. Or should she just ignore the problem and go back to bed?  She decided to wake Bob.  He wasn't a happy camper, but he was a trooper.  He got up played with the thermostat and finally got the furnace back on.  While working with the thermostat, he did break off some of the connectors to the batteries (they are just for back-up).  Now what do we do?  Bob wrote a long email to his brother and neighbors begging for their help.  We know the problem is in good hands thanks to Tom and Stacy!

Just as we were leaving, we had snow flurries.  It was enough snow for us for the season.  We can't say it is enough for the winter because it is still fall.  I guess we'll say it is enough for the season.  At the airport, they de-iced the plane.  It was great to land at the airport in Mexico City.  We had a great flight.  It was wonderful to walk outside in warm weather.

More later.

WHITEY IS BACK!!!!

As many of you know, our ducks are our babies.  We feed them all Spring, Summer, and Fall until they or we leave for the winter.  A few years ago at the end of the season, we were honored by a white duck.  We named this duck, Whitey.  He or she looks just like a barnyard animal. 

Each season Whitey pays us a visit.  Just about a week ago, I mentioned to Bob that we had not seen Whitey all season.  This afternoon, we were in the kitchen.  I had just finished making the batter for chocolate molten cakes and Bob was enjoying the chocolate off the spoon.  He looked out the window and said he saw Whitey.  I immediately opened the door and started calling for my ducks.  All of a sudden all of these ducks started coming towards the patio.  However, I didn't see Whitey.  As more and more ducks came up, sure enough so did Whitey.  All in all there were about 70 ducks.  It was hard to count them because they move so quickly.

It was indeed a great day!!

HOW LIFE CAN CHANGE

This past week has been busy and has had its ups and downs. Last Tuesday, my cousin who is 76 years old and very frail and weak was beaten in his home. He lives in the small town where I grew up. He lived on a street where my friends from school lived. Now he is in a coma and on life supports. How could this be? He wasn't hurting anyone. We continue to pray for him. His life has changed.

On Thursday, my aunt who was 5 days short of her 98th birthday passed away. She is the mother of my cousin in the coma. As a child, I can always remember her, "dressing to the hilt" and wearing lots of make-up. May she rest in peace. Her life has passed.

Thursday afternoon, Bob and I drove down to stay at my sister's for the weekend. Our niece was getting married on Saturday. We fixed dinner for my sister, Marcia, and enjoyed a quiet evening. Her husband had to attend a business meeting. On Friday, Marcia and I filled over 200 cannolies for the wedding. While we were doing that, Bob trimmed her bushes. It was really cold on Friday. I think the high was 42 F...if you can call that a high.

After the cannolies and bush trimming, Bob and I started prepping for dinner. Another sister, Shirley, and her husband joined us along with two of my nieces, Amanda and Jamie. Amanda was home on leave from the military because her twin sister Jamie was expecting a baby. We had the pleasure of meeting the new baby, Natalya. She was only 10 days young and a beautiful baby. She has a lifetime in front of her. Jamie's life has now changed. She is now a mother and has more responsibility.

It was indeed a long day on my feet prepping and cooking in the kitchen. It was like Thanksgiving dinner…many hours of preparation for a short time of eating. But it was good and great to be with family!

On Saturday, Andrea and Tony got married. It was a beautiful wedding. They too, have a lifetime of happiness and joy in front of them. We wish them well and hope they are as happy as we are after 28 years of marriage. Their lives have also changed.

Wow...in our book that is a lot of change in one week.

VOTING AND GOOD DEEDS

LUNCH TIME

Today we voted.  It was a great feeling to walk into the polling area and cast our ballots.  We walked out feeling very proud.  Bob even picked up one of those stickers that said, "I voted".  He wore it all day.

When we got back from voting, we went to our neighbors to pick up the three children.  The children, ages 10, 8, and almost 3, didn't have school today.  The parents were working and their nana wanted to vote and have lunch with some of her friends.  She lives near Lansing.  So, tios to the rescue.

The children were so good.  At one point Bob came out of his office and commented that they were like three little angels.  I am sure their mom and nana gave them very strict instructions. 

The oldest, Nathalie, is the same little girl that collected bottles this summer and donated the funds to Feed the Hungry for Los Ricos de Abajo.  As part of our good deed, Nathalie's parents are going to make a contribution to Feed the Hungry.  Everybody wins, and we got to spend time with the kids.

Bob will be ready tonight to watch the election results.  He will be glued to Fox News Special Report with Bret Baier.  Guess how he voted today?

BEAUTIFUL GERANIUMS

The other day I decided to take one last picture of my geraniums.  The sun was shining and they were absolutely stunning.  The geraniums looked better than they did all summer.  I really have not cared for them for the past 45-60 days or so.  All summer, I fertilized them weekly and watered them daily.  It's amazing how many buds/flowers were still on each plant.

Well, last night we had a heavy frost and we pulled the plants today as we were doing more fall clean-up.  We were commenting how long the geranium plants last in San Miguel de Allende versus the very short season here in Michigan.  Once again, proving a lower cost of living in Mexico.

BIG BUCK

This is a 10 point buck that was in our back yard yesterday.  We saw him in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  Bob was able to get pretty close to get this picture.