Free Associations

Marilyn Said It Best

2010-01-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

I make mistakes, I am out of control

and at times hard to handle.

But if you can't handle me at my worst,

then you sure as hell don't deserve me

at my best.

- Marilyn Monroe

*image here

Working In The Garden: Blissful

2009-11-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Lily In The Front Garden

I LOVE to work in the garden, and since moving back to Alex's Mom's house, I have been in garden bliss..the house has a gorgeous wide open (but enclosed) type sunroom, with outer walls lined with deep flower beds (Alex's Mom was a design genius!) I love that even when its raining outside (chilly, cloudy and cool here lately) I can still work with the plants...here, have a quick peek...

Back Corner

Back Wall

Next To Our Bedroom - Stairs Lead To Loft

(love my little giraffe!)

Door Leads To Front Yard

(notice the green algae on the wall - we have had LOTS of rain here)

I spend quite a bit of time in this room - next to being in the kitchen - and usually feel refreshed once leaving it (besides when I am cleaning up "accidents" from the dogs - yuck - thank goodness for tile).

Once the sun returns and rain decreases, we will venture back out into the front yard where the first picture of the lily was taken. Amaya loves it out there and is a great help with taking care of the plants:

Amaya Watering "Her" Plants

Say "Cheese"

2009-11-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

Amaya is growing up way too fast (but I am happy to see the tantrums becoming less frequent!)...today, with her play camera, she said to me:

Amaya: "Mommy, say cheese (pointing the backwards toy camera at me)"

Me: "Cheese! (and smiling at the camera)"

Amaya: "Look, Mommy, it's a "good one" (something I must say with my digital camera ha ha). Look, Mommy, you are a ghost (referring to what she wanted me to be for Halloween in the imaginary picture on her imaginary digital display)"

Me: "Oh, cool (really rather enjoying these moments over tantrums!)"

Too smart, I tell ya ;0) And yes, a preschool-er safe camera is on her Christmas wish list!

More Halloween pictures to be posted soon...

¡Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning, eager to write a post on how we spent our day yesterday -in part an early celebration of the Halloween/Dia de los Muertos weekend...

How silly of me to think that I would have all this marvelous time to myself to do just that...back to routine here!

Will try hard to get the post "off the ground" sometime during the day...

Wishing for you all, a family/friends/candy/costume/scary movie filled day!

Have fun and be safe!

¡Happy Halloween! (Part Two)

2009-10-31T06:14:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween, everyone! And Feliz Dia de los Muertos in the days to come!

This is a very festive time in Mexico (a whole other post, hopefully) - and we started our celebrations early yesterday.

Alex was traveling for work to San Juan del Rio (about 1.5 hrs from our home) so Amaya and I decided to join him. I thought a break from the house would do us good - a break from daily routine - a break from housework - a break from the insanity which has been the last couple of weeks with moving back to Alex's Mom's house (and yes, now in foresight, I really do question my sanity (ha ha), when I think a day in public with Amaya would be easier than staying home but my post-pregnancy brain - almost 3 years later - does not function as well as it used to and I seem to forget all our previous outings).

Amaya Relaxing On The Way To San Juan

Anyway, our morning started off early but well. We have never ventured into the downtown area of San Juan, so I was excited to see what a cute, clean, historic yet modern small city it really is. Instead of holing up in McDonald's like we had planned, I told Alex to just drop us off at the main square and we would spend the morning there while waiting for him to finish with his clients.

The square was busy - filled with Halloween vendors and stalls, selling everything you could possibly imagine in time for celebrating the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (translated "Day of the Dead" - a more spiritual family orientated holiday similar in some aspects to Halloween), this coming weekend: Halloween costumes, candy, little plastic bugs, trick or treat buckets, etc (I apologize now for the lack of pictures that would have made this post excellent but taking pictures is difficult with an adventurous 2.5 yr old!)

Amaya and I wandered among the stalls - looking for a Halloween treat - that looked safe (read covered in plastic and not swarmed by wasps), that was not over priced (read with the price marked so that I didn't have to try to understand Spanish numbers - I know - it's ridiculous that numbers throw me off even after 4 years of living here but go above diez (10) and I'm pretty much confused ha ha), and from a vendor that was friendly (read not staring at me in a strange "wow, are you white" fashion or glaring at me). This proved a bit tricky with Amaya wanting to buy everything from everyone but we finally found one stall complete with sale signs and a polite, friendly older gentleman vendor. We purchased one very cute pumpkin lollipop for 8 pesos (approx. 80 cents US) and carried on our way towards the church at the back of the square...in my mind, hanging out for the day by a church should mean that it is relatively safe (know that I do not follow the Catholic faith but do have enough faith in a higher power to hope that the area surrounding a "holy place" should be kept from evil...naive of me maybe but thats how my mind works!)

Pumpkin Chocolate Lollipop

San Juan Church (1 of Many)

Once seated on the church steps, I asked Amaya if she wanted to eat her pumpkin candy and was surprised when she said "No" in her very "new to this week", diva-ish voice (where did my little baby go??). Thus, time to find something else to entertain us...

I was interested to see that a group of ladies and some young teenagers were starting to build a large altar for Dia de los Muertos, across from the church's steps and in front of the squares' water fountain. That should have been entertaining for awhile and since even Mexicans were stopping to watch the process, I didn't think I would be rude to sit and watch and maybe even sneak some pictures. I could have happily spent the day watching this event occur but Amaya has a different concept of fun than I.

Altar Buliding: Start With Lots of Marigold Leaves & Caulk

Thankfully, the square began to fill with more kids getting out of early session school and Amaya was delighted (and a little scared) to see the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes. As she watched the kids playing and chasing each other, I continued to watch the group of ladies build their altar (by this point, most of the teenagers had lost interest and only helped when asked - strange how that happens in my own household too but no teenagers live here *wink, wink*). It soon became apparent that out of this group of women, one very large lady dressed in a very naco (tacky in Spanish) light pink jumpsuit was the ring leader. She commanded the other ladies with her orders on how to create a perfect altar; she reprimanded the uninterested teenagers; and yelled at her own son any time he got in the way (I can only guess that he was indeed her own son as she was much meaner to him!) The altar gradually began to take shape and I snapped a few pictures as new elements were added.

Add oranges.

Add more flowers, food offerings of bread, water and salt.

Soon the sun was shining something fierce and I was beginning to get too sticky in my fleece sweater (a must on these chilly fall mornings...what is with the weather??!!) so Amaya and I moved to the shade of some trees off to the right of the church, closer to the street. Here, some older citizens of San Juan, had begun to assemble and socialize. I was grateful that they seemed to take no notice of my younger presence around them and even more so that Amaya, now digging in the dirt, stones and litter at the base of a tree, was not disturbing them either (yes, I know, so unhygienic in this age of H1N1 and super bugs, but a Mom often lets many behaviors slide when trying to entertain a preschooler, and have no fear, I always carry disinfectant hand wipes and gel for when we can't wash our hands!) From this new position, I didn't have a good view of the altar building but I did have another new set of San Juan citizens to "people watch". Amaya's attention was now caught by a young boy that seemed to be wandering around the square by himself ("Take a picture of the boy, Mom", she said to me). So we did.

San Juan Boy

I just hoped he kept his distance as he was fairly dirty and his little nose was drippy (he was desperately in need of a disinfectant wipe!) I wondered where the little guy's parents were but was not really surprised as so many stall vendors tend to let their children wander without supervision (no, this is not a mean stereotype, but unfortunately, reality in several towns/cities I have visited in Mexico but I imagine most cannot afford childcare while they run their own businesses).

Amaya Watching San Juan Boy

Amaya stayed less entertained in our present location and we soon moved to sit on the grass surrounding the small fountain in the square. The germ-y little boy followed suit and I was worried that we had gained a new member to our troupe (something that has happened to us in the past - a post on our vacation for Amaya's 1st Christmas in Puerto Escondido some other time). But thankfully, he was only following us to our new location in search of his mother - who sat further down on the fountain wall - and who, unfortunately, looked to be either very ill from living in poverty or very ill from ingesting too much chrystal meth. As I type this post, I realize that to some I may sound very jaded but I am just trying to give an accurate description of our daily lives in this country - I have taken enough Sociology classes during my university years to recognize the sores/scars left on a person's face from using this dangerous drug - and this young lady's face was covered in them. Lets hope she was in recovery for both her sake and her son's.

Amaya entertained herself playing on the grass for awhile and then decided it was time for a sugar break. We washed her hands throughly with a disinfectant wipe (lol now you may be beginning to understand my OCD-ish love of all things germ killing) and she fully enjoyed her pumpkin chocolate and some milk.

Once again refueled with sugar, Amaya's quick little eyes spotted the elderly lady near the church entrance that was just setting up her display of balloons, toys, balls, and bubble blowers - great (yes, that is said sarcastically)! As fast as her little legs could take her, we reached the display and the kind lady told us that the bubbles were 10 pesos (yay, for the number ten *wink, wink*). Of course having spent my change on the Halloween treat, I only had a large bill and knew from experience that the lady would not likely have change this early in her day. So off we went to buy more Halloween pumpkin candy for Amaya's little cousins! I had a small sample of the candy and it seemed decent so why not buy more to use for gifts ;0)

The gentleman vendor at the candy stand, had labelled even more of his product with signs (yay!) and I was tempted to buy a large chocolate shaped teddy bear grim reaper for our altar at home (which we will build later today). Feeling more brave, as this man seemed friendly and kind, this short convo followed:

Me: "Todo, 35 pesos?" (translated - "All, 35 pesos?" - I do know how to say 35 in Spanish, although awkwardly ha ha)

Vendor: "Si, señora, (insert mumbled number that I did not recognize here)"

Me: "Okay, gracias" and handed him only my 9 Halloween pumpkin lollipops to purchase, thoroughly confused as to what the real price was...

So, that cute little chocolate teddy bear grim reaper will not appear on our altar, as a line up was already forming behind me and my bravery had shrunk to not allow for further questions to be asked...for the best maybe as I would not have wanted to eat him in all his cuteness...

Back to the elderly lady vendor to purchase our bubbles.

Now, as you are reading this, you may be thinking, "oh what a nice way for Mommy & Amaya to spend a day together"...and yes, it was an enjoyable hour or so together, but the purchase of the bubbles was our downfall.

We made our way back to the bubble vendor and once paying our 10 pesos for a bubble container, I told Amaya she could pick one out. She hesitated like all preschoolers do when having to pick just one of so many cool things. The elderly lady vendor, who had seemed friendly on previous contact, now seemed annoyed that Amaya couldn't decide (oh how, I wish SHE could spend the day with the child that I love so much but am frustrated with so often ha ha). Finally, Amaya chose a Strawberry Shortcake bubble bottle and I thanked the lady:

Me: "Gracias, señora"

Elderly Lady Vendor: "Ándale" (an informal way to end a business transaction - not meant to be rude - but I always take it that way as a simple "Your Welcome" ("De nada") could be used too in a more polite way but that may just be my own Canadian attitude showing)

Amaya: (echoing me) "Gracias"

Elderly Lady Vendor: (more impatient now) "Ándale" and walked away from us (LOL)

Back to the church steps, so I could watch the still on going altar build and Amaya could blow her bubbles - which in turn, she spilled most of the liquid on her, me and the ground...(insert the beginning of my bad mood here).

Further Altar Progress

(*note: previously mentioned naco pink jumpsuit lady at front)

Blowing Bubbles

More Bubbles

I decided it was time to check in with Alex and since my cell phone battery was low, I turned it back on (no matter how hard I try to prepare for outings, I am always forgetting something. This time I remembered the blanket and pillow for the car seat but forgot to charge my cell phone, urrggh!) At this time, a man hobbling along with crutches approached me, asking for money (or at least from what I could understand). Normally, I carry my heart on my sleeve and I easily get sucked into providing a peso or two to individuals in need (another blog post, another day - wow, I'm going to be busy writing!) but by this point, I had just spent the morning with Amaya and my patience was wearing thin - I replied maybe a little too snobby that I did not speak Spanish and returned my focus to my cell phone...the man stood there for a few seconds, debating I think if he should try harder, but soon caught someone else's maybe charitable eye and he moved on. I reached Alex and was alittle annoyed (I'm sure he would tell you that "alittle" is not an appropriate description ha ha) when he said that he would still be another hour...eeekk!

Time for mental pep talk #1 - "Okay, Heather, you can do this, just one more hour to entertain Amaya and then some sanity will be recovered once Alex can share in the care taking duties". Amaya, my clever little girl, always seems to realize when I have these little talks in my head (maybe I make a certain facial expression) and usually turns on her "terrible 2-ness" to full power...yesterday was no exception...she chose this time to have a full out meltdown over the fact that she now wanted a new ball in addition to the candy and bubbles we had already purchased. Me saying no always brings these meltdowns to a peak! The citizens of San Juan have now witnessed Amaya's wrath (one day I will get these episodes on video so people actually believe me!)

Altar Almost Finished - Time For A Break

The rest of our time spent in the square was a combination of me getting angry, Amaya continuing her tantrum and not listening to my requests of behaving, and several San Juan citizens looking on. Finally, when Alex called to say he was picking us up, I was relieved...I would not attempt to sell her at my own makeshift vendor stand...well, not yesterday anyway *wink wink*

One Last Picture Before We Left - Looks Fantastic!

Poor Alex (not the word I was thinking yesterday I admit), quietly endured my rant about Amaya's behavior (he always does, which I do appreciate) and knew that my anger would be soothed with food (I tend to get even more grumpy when hungry) and we carried on to McDonalds for a late lunch.

The food was great (ohh how I love a good serving of McD grease) and Amaya had fun playing in the kid's area. She surprised and scared both Alex and I by actually climbing the enormous playground to the top of the highest slide (her first time ever doing so and we were both very nervous as we weren't sure Alex could fit through those kid size structures to retrieve her if need be ha ha). She could have traversed that slide a million times over but the 3rd round down the slide proved too much for her full diaper and her pants were soaked (sorry to the other parents in McD's - I had no idea her diaper was THAT full!).

Amaya On Slide & Daddy On Work Cell

Amaya Making Her Way To The Top

The Slide

Wet Bum

Exhausted from our outing (as was Alex from his client meeting and then dealing with me I'm sure), we started on our way home, with a small side trip to our condo just to make sure it was still standing as it waits to be sold.

On The Way Home - Thank Goodness For The DVD Player

Condo Picnic

The condo was intact and we gratefully made it home safely, even though witnessing two vehicles in the ditch from the heavy rain and a washed out portion of the highway. We must have been just minutes behind the one accident as the small car was turned upside down on its roof with it's driver (a man obviously in shock, standing in the rain with no jacket and no obvious injuries, probably thanking God for his life) looking at the wreck of his car. As one other car had already stopped, we continued on to the next SOS call box and Alex reported the accident so that emergency vehicles could arrive. He heard the approaching sirens as he returned to the car and we continued our slow trip home (best wishes to all that had accidents on that dreaded highway yesterday).

What a day!

And now to the real celebrations this weekend! I have already blown up my first Halloween "pabloon" (balloon in Amaya-ese) and am looking forward to this spook-tacular Halloween weekend! More Halloween-ish posts to come when I get a chance. Booooooo to the rest of you - have a safe and fun filled weekend.

Happy Halloween From Amaya To You!

Besitos (kisses in Spanish)!

P.S. Aren't these boot-shoes adorable - think I could pull them off at almost 30 ;0) They were all the rage in San Juan with the teenagers!

Rainbow Bright Boot-shoes

Loving Nie Nie

2009-10-28T15:11:00.001-07:00

{Nie Nie's cute little blog gadget...which, with the help of 2 lovely ladies, now has a home on my blog! Yay!}

LOL!

I am still laughing after reading one of my favorite blogs today - Nie Nie's Dialogues - I have raved about this amazing woman to a few of you and even added a link to her Oprah debut on FB...but I could never say enough words of praise/adoration/respect/etc for this woman that has lived through so much, and yet teaches me daily (and now, hopefully you) how to appreciate all that we are given in life.

Although, I only "know her" through reading her blog - I love reading the adventures of her family and her post today was wonderful...I laughed and thanked her in my mind for letting me know that not all days are easy as a parent (and oh boy do I know that, with only one child to deal with not 4 like her, but its nice to read when others are feeling the same way!)...hope you have a good giggle too!

I Just Called To Say...

2009-10-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

{insert fave picture of me and my Nannie}

(Sadly, I realized upon writing this post that I don't have a picture within reach that I could use here...if I could fix this problem today, I would, but resign to fix it in the near future, once we return to Canada).

Just got off the phone with my grandma. Love that just hearing her voice, lifted my spirit. Looking forward to our next phone call catch up!

Miss you and love you!

Starting Again

2009-10-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends (old, new and undiscovered) - I am jumping back into the blog saddle (bear with me as I play around with blog layout/settings/etc).

You might remember, I started a blog when I first moved to Mexico (I plan to integrate some of those posts into this one) but that quickly died out for lack of an audience (ha ha). But since reading Julie & Julia (Julie Powell), as well as the numerous very talented blogs I read daily from women all over North America (I can't wait for you to "meet" them too), I have gained new perspective...in addition to maybe entertaining you, this blog can be a kind of creative release for myself (please, I encourage you to read and leave comments - it adds to my creative process!)

So lets see what we can come up with this time!