MOM'S VISIT: La VIEJA MENSA (at Wal-Mart)

God love and bless our Mama!  She's really a trip sometimes and can at times be uncouth.  She is very vocal and loves to state her opinion(s) even if no one asks for them (LOL).  Aurora and Betty drove over from Big Spring on Thursday late noon to take Mama back with them, but not before leaving her family here in Midland without some funny stories to remember and to share with the rest of the family.  Josie told me the funniest story relating to the shopping spree Mama and her had made the day before at Wally-World in Midland.  I had not laughed so hard in such a long time.  Josie retold the story later when Aurora and Betty arrived at her home to pick Mama up, and their reaction and laughter just made me laugh all over again and just as hard as I had earlier when Josie first told me.  We all went shopping before they left and we made smart-alecky comments about the story the entire time.  Mama was getting aggravated at times, but then it would get to be too much that Mama would crack up in laughter right along with us.  Josie gave me her approval to blog about it so here it goes...

Mom bought some stuff along with some pants and as they were ready to pay out, they decided to go through the self-checkout stand.  Everyone who knows Mama knows that she gets in too much of a hurry when she pays so according to Josie, the auto-register was having trouble keeping up with our Mama so Josie started bagging Mama's purchases immediately after scanning them.  Josie took the pants that Mama bought and quickly rolled them onto the hanger after scanning them trying to keep up with our dear, but impatient mother.  They arrived home and Josie heard Mama making some remark about the pants Mama had just bought.  Josie asked her to repeat it and Mama said..."aye que vieja mensa, me arrugo los pantalones".  English translation..."that dumb woman wrinkled up my pants".  Josie got a kick out of that remark and kindly reminded Mama that she, Josie, had been the one bagging up the purchases and had been the one who rolled up the pants around the hanger trying to keep up with her.  Josie told her..."lo hice yo, Ama, no te acordarste?"..."i bagged your items, Mom, did you forget?".   Mama felt bad and quickly apologized to Josie.  She said..."aye, Mija, discúlpame .  Se me olvidó  que tu lo habias hecho"..."oh, dear daughter, please forgive me.  i forgot that you had done that".  Josie non-chalantly said..."creo que yo soy la vieja mensa pues"..."then i guess i am the stupid woman"...
Like I said, before they left back to Big Spring, we all went shopping and as we rode in the car and shopped in the stores, we all referred to Josie as "la vieja mensa" and such.  It was freaking funny - we all laughed so hard and so much.  I had ppl (strangers) in another shop laughing earlier in the day when Josie first told me the story.  I dared Josie to dare me to go ask Mama about "la vieja mensa" so I started yelling for Mama until she answered me, and I told her that I was being followed by "la vieja mensa"!!!  She got a kick out of it as did the shoppers who spoke Spanish.  If the Wal-Mart story does not make you laugh by just reading it, then you must have Josie tell it to you and to do so in person.  I guarantee you that she will have you busting a gut.  She is gifted that way and is no mensa...maybe a member of Mensa (the high I.Q. group) but clearly not a "vieja mensa".

DOMINGUEZ STICK FAMILY (MAMA, 5 SISTERS AND BROTHER)

(L2R) MAMA - EVITA, SIS - AURORA DOMINGUEZ, SIS - BETTY GAMBOA,

BRO - RUDY DOMINGUEZ JR, SIS - JOSIE HERNANDEZ,

SIS - EVA GUZMAN, SIS - DORA CAREY

...SPORTS ARE A BIG DEAL IN OUR FAMILY.  EACH SIBLING IS DENOTED ACCORDING TO THEIR CAREER AND/OR ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE PAST-TIME ACTIVITIES. 

DRAWN L2R ACCORDING TO BIRTH ORDER. ;-)

Ash Wednesday: Mom's last day with us-today she is off to Hernandez home!

Sara and I had planned to attend a lecture by one Maya Angelou this evening at UTPB, but Maya had to postpone due to her current illness.  The lecture is tentatively re-scheduled for April.  We were disappointed, but more concerned for her health.  The lady is a true icon and someone to admire.  Anyway...

Today is Ash Wednesday...lent begins.  Mardi Gras was yesterday.  One day I hope to attend a Mardi Gras celebration in St Louis.  Many people do not know that STL puts on an awesome Mardi Gras which is said to rival New Orleans but without as much chaos and such.

Mom spends her last morning here with us.  Later this noon, we will take her over to Josie's so she can spend a few days with them as well.  I hope she enjoyed her time with us.  Sara was "suzy homemaker" and delighted us with some awesome home-cooked meals.  We ate late on Monday because we needed to go to H-E-B (per Alex, Hispanics Eat Better) to get some basic food items, but it was busy and it took longer than we expected.  Mom loves our H-E-B so we slowed down so she could play "investigator".  We got back late and Sara started dinner.  She made cornish hens and cornbread (with corn inside).  I made veggies out on the grill to accompany the meal.  I hated that we ate late since Mama seems to eat earlier than that, but she was a trooper and really like the meal.  Tuesday night, Sara grilled some steaks and made some potato soup as well.  I started feeling ill again Tuesday so the only contribution I was able to make to the meal was to eat (ha, ha).  Mom liked the soup; she seems to have liked everything.  I told her that we normally do not eat this well, but wanted to make something special and different for her while she was here.  Josie will surely make her some good eats as well.  Mom made a comment about how she eats really well when she visits me and Josie and feels bad for the meals she makes when we visit her in Big Spring.  Sara and I told her that her meals are always awesome and we do look forward to eating them.  However, we do not like to call too far in advance before we go over there because we hate for her to have to cook for us even though we love the foods she makes.  If she happens to have already cooked and we get to partake of the meal(s), then better for us.  Mom makes the best food.  I can always eat whatever she preps.  She makes the best spanish rice, carne guisada, tortillas, fideo...you name the meal - Mom makes it the best.

Sara and I are still headed to Odessa to meet with our friend (Dr.) Ana Martinez-Catsum (Sara's previous history grad professor).  We had already planned to have a late lunch with her even before we found out that the Maya Angelou lecture had been postponed.  Ana and Sara have other things to discuss as well so it worked out okay.  I may go to a church there for my drive-by for ashes. 

We're going to miss Mama when we drop her off at Josie's but we are glad that she will spend time with them.  She misses them bunches (and vice versa).  I hate for Mama to ever be home alone and as much as I prefer she be in Midland, she does love her home in Big Spring so we take whatever time we can get with her.

That's all for now, folks!  Good Lent to all.

Mom's visit to Midland con't...

Mom is still staying with us through Wednesday.  Then we take her to stay with Joise, Jabier and Alex.  Mom wants to attend mass with the Hernandez family for Ash Wednesday.  I will probably just go get "ashy" (jk) later on Wednesday evening and attend a drive-by service over at St Stephen's Church.  My confirmation process is getting to be slow, but Dennis assured me we would be finished and the priest could confirm me rather quickly.  Hope so cause Josie informed me that I need to have my confirmation sealed before March 18th.  St Stephen's is so not impressing me.  I should have made arrangements over at Holy Trinity in Big Spring instead for confirmation classes.  Oh, well, hindsight is always 20-20 and who knew it would become so technical and cumbersome with St Stephen's and their personnel.  As long as things go as planned going forward so that I am ready to be Godmother to Alex in May is all that concerns me.  

Mom's visit to Midland...yea!

Sara and I traveled to Big Spring on Valentine's Day and Mom decided to come back with us to spend a few days at our home and then with the Hernandez family.  We arrived back in Midland rather late on Sunday after delivering Valentine's Day goodies to family back in Big Spring.  It was fun.  We delivered to Betty at her home first.  It was nice to see her even if it was a quick visit to drop off goodies for her and for Billy.  Her dog, Casper (chihuahua), made us laugh.  Then we drove to Aurora's job and left her some goodies as well to share with Ernie later after her shift ended.  Our visit with her was also nice and quick since she was at work.  The last trip we made was to Erica and Nick's home.  We left enough goodies for them to share with Eva, Felicia and Wero.  Their home is nice and cozy as always.  Nick seemed excited to get the treats; he loves cupcakes and, boy, did we have plenty to leave there.  We tried to get Michelle via text so we could leave them some treats as well, but things did not work out.  At least we were able to deliver to everyone else.  We had already exchanged Valentine's Day gifts/goodies with the Hernandez' early that morning.  Anyway, we had a late dinner (Subway) before we came back to our house that night when Mom came back with us.  The evening ended on a good note.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Whatever meaning Valentine's Day holds for you, may it be a special day that you are able to enjoy with a loved one - even if you are only able to spend it with just one person - those far away are always in our hearts!

Whether you were able to buy that special gift or if you took time to make one, may it be as appreciated by the recipient as it was by you as you took time to pick it out or to create it. 

Let's share the love today and leave any feelings of ill-will behind.  If we took baby steps, maybe we could permanently stamp out all bad feelings and thus, all bad people.  "Imagine".  Anyway...Love to All!!!  XOXOXO!!!

2010 Milestones: Thus far!

Well…2010 entered on a good note.  The beloved matriarch of our "family Dominguez" is in excellent health and is doing great. T2G! Everyone who knows our family knows the situation behind Mom's ill-health from almost two years ago and her current path to wellness.  My family and I are thankful for all the good thoughts, well wishes and prayers from everyone.  Anyway...I will continue to post important data -aside from birthdays- as I get it!  Here is what is up and coming thus far for 2010. 

May 2010: We have two family members graduating high school.

1) My great-niece, Dominique, graduates from my alma mater, Big Spring High School (BSHS). She is the daughter of my niece, Michelle.

2) My nephew, Jacob, also graduates this May also from Big Spring High School. He is the son of my brother, Rudy Jr, and sis-in-law Yoli.  My bro is also BSHS alumni.

2010: Another family member graduates high school.

3) Felicia Nicole Guzman.  She is the daughter of my sister, Eva, and brother-in-law, Philip Sr.  Felicia is home-schooled and excels in all her studies.  We are all so VERY PROUD of her.  Way to go, Felicia.

Catching up: 2009 Milestones revisited!

I haven’t posted a story to this blog in a long time. Thinking that no one had really noticed, I was proven wrong this past week. I was trying to obtain data from family which would help me update/upload our family tree and birthday box. As I spoke with different family members and friends, it was clear…people have noticed and are watching! Ooops!  Anyway...Pardon me as I  backtrack to 2009 and review that year’s milestones.  <<< Milestones 2009 (click here for details for each event) >>>>

1) June 13th, 2009: My niece, Erica, married Nick Puentes.

2) June 14th, 2009: My nephew, Gilbert, married Christine Ryan.
3) June 25th, 2009: Our 5th generation begins with the birth of Ayden Anthony.
4) September 2nd, 2009: Mom Dominguez turns 75!

5) December 27th, 2009: My Niece, Felicia, turned 18!