Project Hacky update...

Here they are. They are going to Nicaragua. They are fun to make, that's for sure.

Our anniversary....

It was a beautiful day.

Today is....

Our anniversary! I am so grateful for all that I have and remember our wedding vividly. Our lives are unfolding everyday, but my love for you is endless. You were that guy that I fell in love with immediately..the tall, cool one that worked with me in that silly restaurant in Chicago. And now look at us...I love you so.

It's a jungle out there...

Can you believe these beauties?! We had some wild winds and a very brief period of hard rain this morning. And once the rain stopped, we went outside. And these snails are what greeted us. I love them. I always remember playing with earthworms when i was young, but i haven't seen any. But these guys, well, they are so wild looking and almost ugly.

After gazing at the snails, we headed downtown to a local coffee shop for chai and coffee. Then, off to the Suter nature preserve. This is what we saw:




There were so many lizards sunbathing. And Solan loved chasing them into the grass. He and Aaron even did some Yoga. And just when you think, that you've been so active with your kid that he's gonna take a nap...well, ha! Nope. No nap..so a bit of a wild day.

Celebrating Mother Earth...

Danza Aztecas...

I call on the four directions.
The ones that our ancestors would praise everyday.
For help in providing,
STRENGTH.
LOVE.
PEACE.
and
HARMONY.
I thank the
SUN
SKY
MOON
and
STARS,
for their existence
while my brothers and sisters
deplete Mother's resources.
I promise to do as much as I can
to continue the production of clean
AIR
WATER
and
EARTH.
May we continue to live in a
non-violent community
towards all living creatures
and help
make those aware of what they can do
to save the planet
for our children
and their children.

Happiness...

I am happy. For the first time, in quite a while. For noticing how special these two are in my life. I have had a very tough time finding answers within myself, which in turn, has lead to me answering those questions in ways that have harmed myself. And if you have read my other blog, you have read some of those tough moments. I have this feeling of love and excitement, especially when I look at my husband. They are feelings that I can't explain or pinpoint. And God knows how difficult these past months have been for us. I figure that no matter if you're married, dating, or single, you'll always find that Love within you. But when it is also right under your nose, when you can see that Love in those that are closest to you, it makes life and all of its silly struggles just that much more easy to bear.
You are the sunshine of my Life, the both of you.
I love you.

"Gonna take a ride into the DANGER ZONE...."

Maverick: "Too close for missles. I'm switching to guns."

"I feel the need...

the need...

FOR SPEED."

Saturday fun! Can't you hear the Top Gun song in your head? Or do you imagine Tom Cruise in his bomber jacket and naval shades? Well, I certainly did!!

What a spectacular day we had!!! It was so beautiful heading to the Air show at the Naval Air Base. I knew we'd have fun, but I had no idea how incredible it was. For years and years, my parents, especially my Father, would take us to the Air Show..to see the Blue Angels. So loud are those jets!! And I had his earplugs in my pocket but forgot all about them?!

The most fun we had was getting on some of the planes that were on the flight deck. Naval student jets, planes, and of course, the Army Depot helicopter. Ha! So we got on the Naval student jet... Solan in Captains chair, me in co-captain, and of course, Solan couldn't get those wee hands off all those tiny knobs and dials. The Naval guys were behind me, so I made sure to ask if it was okay for him to play with everything. Sure enough, one said, yes, I think so, but let me go check on something. He went down to ask his officer if the battery was disconnected?!!! Haaaaaa and OMG!?! He came back and said, "Yes, that it was fine, just needed to make sure that he wouldn't turn on the plane." Holy cow! So, thank God, because with me in the co-captain's chair, heading down the runway, that would have been a sight to see!

It was quite and adventurous day and by the time the Blue Angels got on deck..well, Solan says, "Mama? Can we go home?" So, we did. And it was an incredible day!! And the q and a of the day was:

Question: "Son, would you like to be a pilot some day?"
Answer: "Yes, I wanna be a pilot some day."

Backyard Thursday...

Beginning...

Middle...

Finale...

Whew! Man, that was quite a job. I had to go over the grass at least twice. And I think some of those weeds were as tall as Solan. I have mowed the grass a few times in my life. But it was usually a job for my Dad and any other man or boyfriend that was willing to do it for a few dollars. I did an okay job I think. A little crooked in my paths, but I did okay. Yep. That's the swingset and monkey bars that me and my hermanas grew up with. They are very rusted and we're hoping to restore them soon. I actually enjoyed myself with ant bites and all. Yep. That little white house was my Father's workshop. We are hoping to restore it too. Now, I can't wait to spend some more time in the backyard with the hammock and my green thumb.

Mowing in the backyard brought up a whole lot of things. Especially the fact that I was destroying homes. Yes. I was, you know. Ant hills, colonies of ladybugs, spider's nests, etc. And I actually felt bad. A little sad. Like I was this hurricane or tornado that touched down out of the blue and was forming a path of destruction. All for a manicured lawn. But as I was mowing, the black birds/grackles were coming by to feast as insects were screaming for their lives. And the birds, they'd give me this look of "Oh, Thankyou, thankyou!" So, many lives were destroyed today, by me and the blackbirds. I said some little prayers....thanking the grass and all the lives that were now harmed. I wonder if in the insect world there is a FEMA? Hopefully, it's better than the one we have here. Oops..did I just say that?

Oh me, oh my...

Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond

Confetti!!!

Easter Easter Easter..

It was a nice Easter for us. Pretty mellow, with a few cascarones and Shirley Temple movies. We had a good time. Solan had fun making some of these and had even more fun cracking them on Mama's head. There was no vinegar in the house, so no easter egg dye for us. Instead, we used markers and it worked out just fine. I grilled some tofu and veggies and we had a nice dinner too.

In other news, I found an old friend of mine, Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond. We worked together as Resident Assistants at good ol' Bruce Hall at the University of North Texas. Bruce was the "Art dorm." The one that carried the freaks, the geeks, and the most creative and outlandish. I had such a wonderful time working in the same environment that I lived in. It was remarkable getting to know so many people and I had a blast! Well, Shara is a very gifted vocalist and has been part of Sufjian Stevens' band!!! I wish I had known that!! I wanted to go see him when he came to Austin, but tix sold out, and it turns out that she opened for him...so amazing. I have always thought of choreographing movement and dance to her tunes, her voice is mesmerizing. And right now, I'm very much in a mood to hear her. You know, the kind of mood where you're not too happy and not too sad. Mellow, I guess. So, I hope you take a listen to her, you'll love her, I know you will.

It's almost...

EASTER!! And I'm looking forward to a fairly quiet weekend. These are old photos of the Montoya side of my family, my Mother's side. This is an old photo of me and my Grandma Montoya and Tia Sylvia. Grandma M. is no longer with us and truthfully, I wish I remembered more of her...she passed away when I was 3 or so. But this photo says it all. Easter egg hunts at the ranch, with barbeque and family. I do remember it being so hot and how tired I was after a full day of romping in cow poop and eating loads of candy. I'm hoping to spend as much time outdoors and in the sun. Sunday will be full of candy sweets, Easter egg hunts, and cascarones-confetti eggs. I'll post pics of our adventures. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and that your time is spent with your friends and loved ones. Happy Easter, everyone!!

Today...

These should all say enough for you....

Sand...

Nieve....

Wind...waves...water...beautiful.

When I was little...

I did a whole lot of things. I was an outdoorsy kinda gal, a little tomboy who loved to fish and walk around at our ranch. I fed cows by my hand, watched my Dad skin some deer, rattlesnake, and javelina (wild pig.) And now, I miss those days. But I look forward to showing Solan how to appreciate wildlife, without killing. That's exactly what we did yesterday. We ventured to a local wildlife refuge that contains migratory birds like terns, pelicans, and pipers. We saw lizards sunbathing and even fed some ducks and turtles. It was fun! Not to mention a goose hissing at Solan and then pooping about 10 inches from his shoe...guess that was his goose-way communication to say get away from me. We did. But today, Solan can't stop saying, "WE SAW A GOOSE DOO-DOO!!" Kinda funny.

Today, was supposed to have been a beach day for us. But instead, we are inside because of the rain. I do love the being at the beach when it rains, but it's not the safest especially when there is a thunderstorm. So hopefully tomorrow, we'll venture to the Padre Island. I'm looking forward to it and I'll have pics to share.

Yes, that' s me with my Dad. I miss him, so.

I've been challenged...

Dearest and most faraway friend, Zelia, has challenged me.

Things that I do well:

1.Dancing
2.Crocheting
3.Laughing
4.Crying
5.Smiling
6.Making up a silly song.
7. Standing on my head.
8.Writing a handwritten letter.
9. Love
10.Taking photos.

Things I cannot do well:

1.Math in my head.
2.Smoke
3.Finish craft projects before starting another.

Things that attract me in the opposite sex:

1.Humor
2.Silliness in front of friends and family.
3.Smiling
4.Not being afraid to laugh at oneself.
5.Creative talents.
6.Trying new things.
7.Outdoor lover.
8.Honesty.
9.Sincerity.
10.Having fun with children.

Your turn!!!