Alligator Ride

This post is for my blog friend Deb over at Paper Turtle.  You can read her blogs about Rex, her pet turtle at http://paperturtle.blogspot.com/

What do you do if your a turtle and need to get to the other side of the pond?  Simple.  Catch a ride on the top of an alligator.

On a recent trip to Sea World in San Antonio, Texas I spotted this cute little turtle catch a ride on the shoulders of this huge ugly alligator.

 

It's amazing how some animals can get along and help each other out.   Something we humans should take note of.  

So how did the turtle get off the alligator?  The alligator went underwater which made the turtle have to swim the short distance to some rocks.  

We must have spent a good thirty minutes watching the alligators and turtles, feeding the fish and enjoying the peace of that moment. 

The story behind the Donkey

If you ever come to my house you will see a donkey in one corner of my living room.  Everyone always asks about that donkey.  So here goes the story:

Mom had a donkey planter that she had in her front yard.  That donkey was a solid piece of concrete.  ADD  the dirt and cactus plant, it must have weighed about 150 lbs.  After mom died, my brother gave the donkey to Juan because it was too heavy for him to move every time he had to mow the lawn.  Juan liked that donkey because it belonged to my mom.  He had to use a dolley with the help of the boys to move that heavy planter. 

One night the donkey was stolen from our front yard.  Juan was very upset that the donkey was stolen.  I was not upset, I was more amazed that someone could pick it up and move it.   We agreed that it had to be more than one person and that they had to have a truck to take it away.  There was no way anyone could walk down the street with a 150 lb. donkey. 

About  three months after the donkey was stolen, my niece Bianca was riding in the back seat of the family car, on their way back to the U.S. from a visit with their grandmother in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.  Looking out the window she saw a vendor carrying a donkey and yelled.  "OMG, there is a donkey for my Tio (Uncle) Juan."  My sister in law asked for the price.  $25 (American money) seemed to much to pay.  So they kept driving (inching) their way towards US Customs, crossing the bridge.  The vendor walked along the car as my sister-in-law bartered the price.  Final price was something like $8.  Now the problem was how to get that donkey in the car, as they had a small car that was already full with the family.  Bianca was more than happy to carry that donkey on her lap that long 6-8 hour trip back to Houston.  Can you imagine the conversation in that car with that donkey on her lap?

Juan was so happy to receive an unexpected gift from Bianca.  He told me that the donkey was not allowed outside the house.  It is to stay indoors where it would be safe from thieves. I tried to put it up in the attic only to be told by Juan that it had to stay in the Living Room. 

Now, how am I suppose to deal with that donkey in the living room?  I have moved it around from one corner to the other.  I finally decided it was time to accept it and decorate it for the seasons.  It has worn a  Santa hat and a lighted wreath around it's neck for Christmas.  It has carried Easter bunnies at Easter and now I have decorated it for Cinco de Mayo. 

The funny thing about this donkey is that we have had small children in the house who are afraid to get near it.  Dogs who visit with their owners grawl and bark at the donkey. The truth is that the laughter this donkey has brought to our family and home is priceless.  It has earned it's higher place, so I have moved it from the corner of the living room to the entry way table, where all who enter can feel the pride of our Mexican heritage.    Happy Cinco de Mayo!.

4 Pieces of Glass

What could I make with 4 pieces of glass?

4 pieces of glass

Assembled in the right order, I can make an owl.

Grind glass so that the pieces fit together.

WHO you looking at with those big white eyes? This owl is foiled and ready to hang out in a new home.

Playing with old candles

Hey Everyone, its been a while since my last post. Life has been very busy for me with work and my family.   First, I am doing good, having fun making stained glass and keeping busy doing small craft projects.
Second, my family is also doing good.  My youngest son has been accepted to Texas Southern University in Houston and plans on majoring in Music Jazz Studies. So far he has received one scholarship from the University Ocean of Soul Marching Band and we are waiting to hear from  the University Jazz Band.   He is an awesome Sax player and has performed at several locations with the High School Band.  This April he will perform at The Alamo in San Antonio.  My older son is doing good at Houston Community College and is busy as the President of the Performing Arts Club.  He is working hard planning a Talent Show at the college which is scheduled the same weekend as Mathew's Alamo performance.  Hubby is still around.  Will blog later about this wonderful man of mine.

Okay, now  for some fun stuff.  I have some plain old candles that I transferred an image onto.  What you will need is : Old or New Candles, Stamps, Ink Pad, Heat Gun, Tissue Paper,Wax Paper

First stamp your image onto tissue paper.  Then cut out the image.  Place cut out stamped image on candle and wrap wax paper around the candle.  Hold excess wax paper with one hand while heating it with the heat gun.  You will see when the image is transferred to the candle.  It will look glossy.  Take off the wax paper, embellish your candle with pearls, beads, ribbon or whatever you have around.  Have fun with it.

Here is a small votive candle with Texas in the middle of a Heart.  Texans are so proud of our State.

Owls are so popular.  This is the first one I transferred,  I left the heat gun too long and the wax started dripping.  That was okay, I liked the look and plan to use it in my fall decor.

Here is a larger candle I placed on the Dining Room Table for the Lenten Season.  I think this is my favorite one as it is a reminder that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us.  Have a good weekend.

John 3:16-17

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.

Silvery and Gold Christmas on Piano

 I have finally taken down the Thanksgiving decoractions and am slowly putting up some Christmas decorations in my home.  Just a little silver, white and gold above my son's piano. 

I started by covering the piano top with a silvery vintage wrap designed by Emily Wetherby that belonged to my mother.  These pictures do not do the wrap/stole justice.  Believe me it is very GLAMOROUS, Old Hollywood looking.  (Not something I would wear.)

Sorry about the poor picture quality.  It was hard taking pictures with all that silver reflection. 

What I love about all four trees on the piano is the simplicity (What?) I mean - hardly any ornaments.   The tallest tree on the left is all white (glitter, of course) with gold ribbon wrapped around, it came with the glittered star on top.  The next is a small gold tree with a glittered star on top.   Next is the tiny silver tree with a hint of pink.  I decorated this tree with small bevels you hang from a chandelier.  The star on top is a glitzy star shaped pin. The tree on the far right is a silver lighted tree that I decorated with silver and gold ornaments.  It has a huge silver star burst on top.

The vintage looking Santa is a recent purchase.  He is carrying a small tree made out of (what else?)music sheets.

 

I think this is enough bling to brighten all my neighborhood. Hope you are having a wonderful time preparing for the Christmas Season. HO! HO! HO! 

2012 Photo Scavenger Hunt Part 3

This is part 3 of Rinda's 2012 Photo Scavenger Hunt. I found 20 of the 21 items on the list.  I had a great time looking for the items on Rinda's photo list.  Many thanks to my cousin Rinda for hosting this scavenger hunt and thanks to my family who were patient with me.  Many times I drove out of the way to get these photos with family in tow.  I know my family enjoyed playing along as I heard my husband talk about the hunt to my brother.  Click on the 2012 scavenger badge to the right to view other participating blogs and photos.

Item #5 A train.  

Items  # 6  A Historical Landmark and Item #17 A Church -   This is the first church in Houston to be built by freed slaves.  It is right smack in the middle of downtown.  I love how this small church is just nestled between the tall skyscrapers.

Item #13 A Library - Julia Ideson Library is downtown across from City Hall.  It has some amazing architectural elements.  It has just been restored and currently houses historical books.  Some rooms can be rented for events.  I was lucky to be invited to a Christmas party held on the second floor.  It is an old grand lady and the interior is gorgeous.

Item #8 An Angel

Item #11 A Shadow  A wrought iron room divider I have in back of sheer white drapes in my living room.

Item #14 A person playing with a ball.  Took this picture from television, Sunday Football on Fox Sports, Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Item #15 Someone dancing.  Don't know any of these youngster but they sure put on a good show.  

  

Endeavour leaves Houston

This morning the radio announcer reported the 747 giving the Space Shuttle Endeavour a ride to LA had left Elllington Field.  My son and I talked about how we missed seeing it fly by Houston's sky .  I dropped my son off at school and started driving toward the freeway.  From the corner of my left eye, I got a glimpse of it.   Thank God for the long red light and my handy phone camera.   Not a very good picture, the clouds did not help, but it was an awesome sight.

When I got to work my son posted his sighting of the same space ship from the second floor balcony at school.  

Later in the day I got a facebook post from the Houston Chronicle.  The 747 had made a stop at Ellington Field overnight to refuel.  

My son's friend, (K-DOG), drove out to Ellington Field and got a really cool night photo.

It was big news in Houston to see the Endeavour.  On a more personal note, it meant a lot to me as it reminded me of my Uncle Pete who worked for the space program when NASA first started until his retirement. Rest in Peace Uncle Pete and thank you for all you did  for us to be able to see this AWESOME  sight.

Endeavour piggie back ride by Houston

Isn't this awesome?

The Space Shuttle Endeavour made a piggie back fly by Houston's sky yesterday.  I was not lucky enough  to see it.  My cousin on the other hand was luck to get a really good picture from her work place. 

It spent the night at Ellington Field for the 747 to refuel before its final destination of Los Angeles.

New Sax

I had a lot of fun tricking my family on facebook about my 17 year old son's new baby being delivered soon.  They called asking all sorts of questions. I just kept on with the practical joke all week.   Read on and you will understand.  I hope my family will forgive me for tricking them.  

After a long weekend waiting for my sons new baby, it was finally delivered on Tuesday evening by UPS. My son acted like a father waiting for his first child to be born.  He kept pacing up and down the hallway and looking out the front door.  He would ask questions like "What time does the UPS truck stop delivering?" and "Does the UPS deliver on Sunday?".  He also tracked his baby on the UPS Website.  Once it got into the Houston area on Sunday night he asked if we could go pick it up from a warehouse where it was being stored until Monday's delivery.  It was finally delivered on Tuesday evening at 6:12 p.m

Unwrapping her.

Putting her together.

Playing her for the first time.

Lots of pretty buttons.

She is a beauty.  

Putting her to sleep.

2nd Round of Photos for Rinda's 2012 Photo Scavenger Hunt

This is the second summer I participated in my Cousin Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt.  Read about it at this link: http://gallorganico.blogspot.com/2012/08/photo-scavenger-hunt-link-up-party.html Here is a second round of some photo's I took for the Photo Scavenger Hunt.

Item # 4   A Roadside Stand.  I pass by this produce vendor every Sunday on the way to church.

 

Item # 18 A Movie Poster.  I love Andy Garcia and highly recommend this movie.  I love historical movies that get my boys asking questions and get their brains working over time.  I warn you though, it is a tear jerker. 

Item #'s  3  and  12    A Border and a Trail.  Guess I am cheating by getting two photo's in this one.  The trail is closed for now , but will get students from the back of the college to the front when it is finished.. 

 

Item #20   A swing hung from a tree.  I drove around several neighborhoods looking for a swing.  Doesn't look to safe.   

 

Mary Queen

A look at some of the stained glass windows at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood. 

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

Friday Night Lights and the Night the Music Died

So it starts - High School Football

and with it comes Cheerleading

and Marching Band

only this year the music dies.  

TAPPS has passed new rules that limits the band from playing while the ball is in play or when a player is injured.  Therefore, the band can only play before kickoff, at half time, when there is a touchdown and when the teams exchange possession of the ball.  If the band violates these rules, the football team will automatically lose the game. 

The Band was given these rules right before the first game on Friday.  It was the night the music died.  It was the most quite football game I have been to.  In the fourth quarter the band started playing music by stomping their feet on the bleachers and singing.  It sounded louder than if the band had played.  It certainly got the crowd excited and cheering for the band.   You know how musicians are, they will find a way to play with or without an instrument.  Saint Pius X won their first game on Friday and on Thursday, 9-6-12 ESPN-U will televise the game.  Hopefully, you will get a glimpse of my son Mathew playing the Tenor Sax.

Are you planning on going to any High School games this year and is the school band being limited in their play time?

Rinda's Scavenger Hunt 2012

Here are a few pics I have taken for Rinda's 2012 Photo Scavenger Hunt.  

#16 A Bride.  At the age of 61 and after twenty years of living together and three children, my cousin decided to get married by church.  

#7 A person playing a musical instrument.  This is my son Mathew playing his new tenor sax.  

#21 A picture of me standing by something that symbolizes my nation.  Who else can say they picked George Washington's nose.  Ha Ha

#2 A Clothesline taken a few blocks from my house.  Those sheets look refreshing.

#9 A Fountain in Downtown Houston

#19 An Outdoor Stairway  This once was a school.   I remember going down these stairs during a fire drill.

#10 A Horse   The community petitioned to have this bronze statue removed from Moody Park.  No, you are not drunk or color blind.   It is a  pistol toting vaquero riding a purple horse.