Saldivar News: SALDIVAR REUNION 2011: More Data added:

I updated the Saldivar Reunion Blog today.
*** story linked here ***
Please visit it and send feedback or questions as needed.
Thanks to my Dominguez family!
Love 2 all, Dora!!!

Visiting Big Spring: The French Don't Eat Brunch.

We drove to Big Spring today to visit Mama and whomever else happened to be there. Sundays have turned out to be a better day to drive over there for us for various reasons and this day of the Sun proved to be another good day for a visit. Aside from Mama - Jay, Lucky, JJ and Bryan were there as well as Eva, Felicia and Betty. On Sundays, usually Eva, Felicia and Betty are at Mama's along with Erica, Nick and Billy (for brunch). This day it was just the aforementioned who were there having finished eating their usual "après église" (after church) brunch when Sara and I arrived. BTW, the French don't eat brunch so there is no true translation of the word so I will just say brunch. Kind of like life...you cannot translate certain things, you cannot define certain things nor can you explain certain things - life simply - 'is what it is'. Hence the title of my story: The French Don't Eat Brunch. This story along with the day's visit is kind of "Seinfeld-ish"...nothing significant, nothing eventful...'it is what it is' and this day turned out nice.
We found Mama in good spirits; she looked good and said that she was feeling very well. I managed some quiet time with her and got good stories and laughs out of her as I hope I did for her, too. As always she managed to sneak her way into the kitchen later in the day and made a huge, nice, and oh so delicious meal for all of us to eat. As much as we all protest to her cooking for us (for any of us), Mama still feels the need to feed us. Not out of obligation but out of love which she has for her familia. We just need to accept the fact that Mama is going to cook for us and once again I recite the words...it simply 'is what it is'. We love her for doing it.
Eva and Felicia stayed for a long while; it was nice chatting with them. Betty left at the same time in her own vehicle to prep for another work week; we had a good visit with her, too. John took Sara and I for a ride in his recently purchased car (a nice car). JJ stayed in another room and only made himself "social" whenever he had some rare facts to share with us all and, of course, when it was time "à manger" (to eat). John later helped Sara and I tend to an issue with the signal light on the SUV; it was difficult to remove the part of the lamp just to reach the bulb/socket, but he figured it out. The part was not available in any auto parts store in Big Spring (nor in Midland as we would later find) so it has since been ordered online. The task of removing it and driving around trying to find a replacement was fun. Aurora arrived just in time at Mama's to loan us her SUV to drive to the auto parts stores. She was a bit under the weather, but as things progressed through the rest of the day/early evening, she would be okay after John took her to get medically checked out as we returned to Midland. All was fine, TTL, with my sis.
It was a nice visit. The best thing about it was getting to see and to visit with so many of our family members for a lengthy amount of time. Our visits are usually about Mama, but whenever we are fortunate to have a houseful of other family members, it makes it that much special - especially when it is just a run-of-the-mill kind of day (not just a holiday, birthday, etc...). It's the little things which count. Anyway, I was delighted as well. We are a blessed family.

It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

Saldivar News: Only Pix: Mom's brother, Gab Jr and wife visit on 03-12-11

These pics correlate with the visit from March 5th, 2011: story linked (click here>>>

In pix...Tia Micaela, Mama and Tio (Gabriel) Junior...Eva and Felicia...me (Dora)
It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

Saldivar News: New Saldivar Family Reunion Blog.

PLEASE VISIT THE NEW BLOG

{click on "malande's" banner below to be re-directed to it}
It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

Saldivar News: SALDIVAR REUNION 2011: Tentative Data...TBC...

Hello to all. Good news to spew about this week.
Once again Mom continues on the road to great health...she is in great spirits and is ready to run a marathon. LOL.
As for news regarding the Saldivar Family Reunion 2011, things are still in the works.
However, the date and location appears to be set:
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011.
Times to be determined/posted at a later date.
(Link) Location: Hog Heaven Party Barn,
4009 West HWY 80
Big Spring, Texas
Costs are: $25 per adult, $10 per child (ages 5-10).
Billy P. is helping obtain Hog Heaven location.
For now it seems to be a one-day event, if that changes, I will post it via this blog and on Facebook.
Cousin Stella continues to do a great job -
she created our Saldivar family group via Facebook.
Cousin Diana is also doing her best to obtain other information.
Both Diana and Stella are researching hotel data.
Stella, Josie and me will be part of the finance committee
(more on that at a later date)...all money to be sent to Stella for now.
Registration forms and surveys to post on Facebook (maybe here) as soon as it is received and uploaded.
Those w/out Internet access will be mailed forms.
Again - changes to this idea or any other ideas and plans will be posted here and on Facebook as needed.

It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

***family shirt colors posted below ***

Saldivar News: SALDIVAR REUNION 2011: T-shirt Data!

T-shirt color assignments have been made:
Evita Dominguez Family = Brown
Adan Moreno Sr Family = Blue
Francisco Moreno Jr Family = Green
Gabriel Martinez Family = Purple
Crispin Martinez Family = Black
Juanita Garza Family = Red
Celia Martinez = White

It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

BIRTHDAY WISHES: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIANNA G.!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GREAT-NIECE, BRIANNA "LOKEY"!

This is hoping that today is an awesome day for you and that you receive all the things that your heart desires!!!
We hope you enjoy your day but mostly that it is a safe one
considering the latest weather and such. Stay well!!!

Japan earthquake, tsunamis: Praying for all!

This is a link shared by EA World View (one of my Twitter account followers): EA Quake/Tsunamis

Prayers to all people in Japan as they endure the brunt of this devastating quake (and tsunamis). Special prayers as well to people in our country as the tsunamis begin to reach the U.S. along the west coast (mainland) and in Hawai'i.
Hoping for the best. Luck to all.

Keeping the following family/friends in prayer:
Taita, Christine and Brianna (San Fran, CA area)
Welch family (Livermore, CA area)
Marvelous and Anderson family (Santa Barbara, CA area)...

I am not sure if our friends still live on the island of Honolulu or about the ones I had living in Oregon, but our best goes out to them and to everyone else we do not even know. As an altruist, I bid well wishes and prayers to everyone - everywhere.

Thus far the tsunamis hitting the U.S. west coast (and HI) are not as significant as those hitting Japan. Hope it remains that way.
I am taken aback by the extreme surfers who are out there riding the waves. I want to skydive (tandem) one day soon but not sure I would do it during a tornado. J.K.

R=E=S=P=E=C=T: WE LOVE MAMA!

Maybe it is my old age or maybe it is that enough is enough, but here lately when someone does something to "dis" on Mama, this person becomes an indignant, bad-ass, mo-fo, lunatic. Ha, ha, ha! It is really not that bad, but it does upset me as I am very sure it upsets the rest of my siblings. And the fact of disrespecting Mama does not garner any excuses about who did it or why they did it...it is like the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) in my book...if you "dis" on Mama it will be equal opportunity for you to suffer the wrath of me/us.
Never mind that as one of Mama's children, I try never to disrespect her myself. None of my siblings disrespect Mama. We might disagree, but we know (or we should know) when to stop and just let it go and shut (WTF) up. Deciding to choose our battles. So when someone other than one of Mama's children does something to "dis" on her or to upset her, we are gonna do a 'Rambo' on you. She has lived a long life and should now be allowed to enjoy life without the bother of someone else bringing problems into her life or treating her like she is new to this world.
She is not only matriarch and patriarch (since Dad passed away) to our family, but she is the oldest sibling in her entire family. That is something. She is the oldest in the Moreno family, the Carbajal-Moreno family, the Saldivar-Martinez family. That is awesome. As we go back to Mom's parents, Francisco and Evita (Saldivar) Moreno, only three children stem from that marriage...1) Mom 2) Adan and 3) Francisco Jr. Her parents separated (not sure they ever actually divorced) and grandpa Francisco (aka Pancho) married Francisca Carbajal (aka Pancha) and had numerous kids while grandma Evita (aka Malande) married Gabriel Martinez and they also had numerous kids.
That, folks, is a huge family and for Mama to be at the helm of it should make us as proud as it does her so when she is not revered in such a manner befitting someone in her position as head of such a huge family, you should be able to see and to understand why my siblings and I get angry. She has earned the right to be respected by everyone with family ties.
So regardless of where you are situated within her family, the next time you speak with her maybe tell her how proud of her you are and for goodness sake...keep the drama on a low-key and be mindful to not add to her woes or her stress.

BIRTHDAY WISHES: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUDY D.!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TODAY TO MY BROTHER, RUDY D!
Wishing him a wonderful and blessed day today as he celebrates his b-day on this great Ash Wednesday!
May all things and people in your life be great!
We are always extremely glad when you are around us, brother.
Mama especially loves it when you visit with her.
We remain proud and lucky that you are part of our family!
Have a blessed birthday - hope you get what you wished for today.
We love you!

Happy Ash Wednesday: Lent begins...

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.
(click on pic to be taken to web site with more data regarding Ash Wednesday etc...)

Dr's appt: A fun day was had with Mom and the Guzman ladies!

This was a nice day. Eva decided to bring Mom from Big Spring to Midland for today's dr's appointment. Felicia also came with them. They went to Josie's home first and swapped vehicles and then they came to pick me up. Mom's appointment went really well.
While Josie and Eva accompanied Mama back to the room to speak to the RA doctor, Felicia and I stayed in the main waiting room. We had a nice conversation; we made one another laugh. I kidded about how during past appointments when Aurora and/or Betty came with us I would offer to let them go to the back room with Mom and Josie to meet with the doctor. They always said it was okay and kindly passed up my offer and allowed for Josie and me to accompany Mom. Eva was the first to say yes to my offer. I told Felicia that 'there went my bluff'. Ha, ha, ha. Not really. I am always ready to tag up with any of my sisters and allow them to meet with Mom's RA nurses and doctor - especially when they come in from out-of-town to bring Mama to the appointments. I knew that Josie would share more finite details later with me about what was discussed with the doctor. That is exactly what she did do, matter-of-fact, after our Big Spring familia left and Josie brought me home. She stayed and visited with me until time to get Alex. We had a nice, long visit and caught up on lots of stuff.
Josie and I were thrilled at having had Eva and Felicia with us this time around. We all went and had lunch after the doctor's appt. Mama felt like having chicken strips so we went to What-a-burger. Her appt's are usually scheduled on Tuesdays which also means that we usually have lunch at Rosa's Cafe to take advantage of "Taco Tuesdays". For a while we were getting tired of eating there, but because it had been a long time since we had been to Rosa's, we were looking forward to eating there today. Mama usually enjoys eating their enchilada plate special. Josie was going to treat Felicia as a belated birthday gift to her since it is one of Felicia's fav places to eat here in Midland. I was taken aback when I heard Mama say she wanted to eat chicken strips; maybe more disappointed to the point to me almost letting out a loud doggie-like "arghhh" - ha, ha, ha. Josie later added that she was also surprised by this, but as always...what Mama wants, Mama gets. The food is also good at What-a-burger. Maybe it was better anyway because Rosa's tends to get crowded on any day during the lunch-rush and since it was Tuesday, it was for certain going to be a mad-house. Regardless, we were all together and we had good food to eat and good things to talk about and to laugh about as always.
Mom continues to be in good health. TTL!!! Her RA doctor had only positive things to say/add about her current health status; in his view with tests his office has conducted on Mama, he says she is doing great. We (her family) agree. She is in great spirits and is certain she has beaten the thing which remains to be moot and held at bay. Her faith and attitude continue to lead & guide her and to sustain her and we are lucky and blessed to have her as our Matriarch. We should all be as strong...physically, spiritually and mentally. Life is indeed as good as one makes it and with Mom guiding us, with our love, with our faith, with our mind -over-matter/positive attitudes, we will all lead happy, long lives.

Joyeux "Mardi Gras"! Happy "Fat Tuesday"!

Happy last day of indulgence before Lent!

TEXAS TRASH OFF 2011: SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd, 2011

Dear family and friends:
It is that time of the year again...the time when our family group gathers to take part in this annual event not only to help keep Texas highways beautiful and clean, but to honor and to remember Philip!!!
We always have fun and we always welcome ALL participants!!!
The start time is always at 8:00 A.M.so that we may finish up early and to take advantage of the cooler weather.
Most often this event is capped off with a get-together of food, goodies/desserts, and always with good conversation.
Note: more details on a possible post-event gathering later.
Friendly reminders to be sent as we near the clean-up via:
- Emails, Facebook, Twitter, texts and word of mouth -
So please mark your calendars...and help spread the word.
Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 @ 8:00 A.M.
*********************************
THANKS and much LOVE to all from the
GUZMAN/DOMINGUEZ Family!!!

Saldivar News: Mom gets more family visitors!

First, Mom continues to feel great. TTL.
Second, Mom continues to be blessed by visits from her respective family.
Saturday, March 12th, 2011, she had her baby brother, my tio Gabriel (Junior) Martinez and his wife/my tia Micaela, drive down from Liberal, KS to see her. That made Mama so very happy. Tio and tia arrived on Saturday morning and stayed through Sunday morning. Once again it was so much appreciated by Mom and us (my siblings and me - our entire Dominguez family). I arrived en route from Midland on our way to Lubbock Saturday afternoon (with Sara) in time to visit with tio and tia for a few minutes before we headed to Lubbock to see Sara's uncle Rain and his family. It was nice getting to talk to tio Junior. My great-nephew, John, took it upon himself to start the bar-be-que that day which Mom was looking forward to and it sounds like John did a great job. I was proud of him. He did not wait for someone to tell him to clean the grill, he just did it and prepped for the cook-out which was the first one he had ever led all by himself. For his first time doing this, he did a wonderful job so "kudos" to my great-nephew, John, for that. Sara and I left before the food was done, but we benefited from left-overs which Mama and Aurora brought to us during their trip to Midland that following Monday. Tio and tia took Locario back to Liberal with them, BTW. That was very nice of them. One of Lucky's sons drove from Ulysses to Liberal to pick him up. Mom appreciated it as I am sure Lucky's family did, too.
I asked Sara to take pics of us during our brief visit with them on Saturday before we went on ahead to Lubbock and as soon as I upload them, I will post them.

It's all good in Mom's neighborhood!

BIRTHDAY WISHES: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUDY G.!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NEPHEW, RUDY GAMBOA!
He turns a very young 30 today.
We are excited for him as well as he has opted to continue his college education...
CONGRATS on that decision, Rudy!
As always...we are proud of you.
Here is hoping you have a great and blessed day today.