Category: MY PERSPECTIVE

Yes, it’s true. I have started several short stories about my life and the people and things in it. I have much to say (what a surprise) and much that needs to be said. It is time to take a few minutes each week and record it on paper. Not sure if anyone is going to find it interesting, but this will be my story, in, mostly, my words and on my terms. The beauty of life and the ugliness of the same life. It will serve as my therapy. Get ready.

Our little condo rental was so comfy, but it was time to head out to see the family. Katia’s family had brought a camper to the beach rv resort and rented a space for 2 days. Now other children had joined the family party; Berla, Blueberry (Ramon Jr), Cynthia, and a host of others. We brought the five grandchildren fold out chairs with attached umbrellas, and they were quite the hit. Mateo saw a dark green one amongst 4 pinks, and quickly claimed it as his! He is catching on!! The day was filled with beach and sea and too much food (okay – and a couple of strawberry daiquiri’s). All the kids came into the camper later in the day so we could decorate cupcakes for all of the adults who had April and May birthdays, and Mother’s Day (which is celebrated on May 10th in Mexico).The two birthday girls, Angeles & Itzel donned their birthday crowns and got the party started. Several people also brought gifts for Aracely since she had no party in December for her birthday. Wrapping paper flew and little giggles were heard and lots of both the American Happy Birthday song and the Mexican Happy Birthday song were sung into the darkness of night. Mateo fell asleep in my arms after en exhausting day of playing, gathering shells, and eating cupcakes and frosting. What a life! Fireworks from all around the beach topped of the night and we were soon back at the condo to look at the thousands of photos Grandpa had snapped. Old family, new family, Mexico and Arizona and California family – and this is how it should be. This is what THIS Grandma loves!
Angels can jump, too!
Originally uploaded by Connie.

We hurriedly put things away and then make the short drive to Katia’s rental home. The ever smiling Aracely greets us at the gate, unlocks it and waves us in. Itzel and Angeles run to greet us while Mateo, awaking from a nap on the sofa, sighs a sleepy sounding “it’s grandma”. After visiting for awhile and drawing rainbows on the fence wall, and entertaining ourselves watching the now quite awake Mateo chasing the girls (mostly Angeles who waits for him to make the first move before engaging in the chase), the three girls are lined up in order of age; shed their play clothes, and one by one, are washed and rinsed and shampooed and rinsed again, in the outdoor shower. With the smallest of the dark eyed beauties wrapped in a huge towel, I carry her in to her bedroom, and here Abuelita Maria takes over. She finishes the drying process, hands Angeles her clean unders, slathers her with lotion from head to toe, picks out her outfit with suggestions from the little one. As I carry Itzel into the house for step two, Angeles is burrowing through a little box of hair adornments and awaits mama Katia’s arrival after finishing the shower routine for Aracely. Katia then sits at the table and starts on the dark curly hair of Angeles, styling and placing hair trims here and there to perfect the halo of curls. Itzel is next with a sideways ponytail and her ever present grin. Aracely is older and has a little more input, but enjoys mama brushing her long, thick hair. Mateo is freshened up and new clothes are donned. Marluce follows Mateo with her tiny brown curls combed perfectly and an itty bitty purple headband put into place. This entire process plays out like a well rehearsed scene from a play. Then Katia moves to her bedroom brushing her beautiful mane of hair and putting on some makeup, and that is when it hits me; This is the Friday afternoon getting ready for the arrival of: dad or daddy to Mateo, da da da to Marluce, and Papa Rick to the three older girls.

view from condo terrace
Originally uploaded by Connie.

Another weekend trip to Puerto Peñasco. I found a one bedroom condo to rent for three nights and four days. My fears of what the condo may be quickly subside as we pull into the parking lot of the Sonoran Sea Resort. The condo is a private party ownership and all that you need is there. The entire wall of the living area is the biggest sliding patio door that I have ever seen The view of the Sea is breathtaking. She calls us outdoors to feel the mist from the sea and enjoy the sound of the waves. At once, we feel at home.

april 30, 2007
Originally uploaded by Connie.

and listens to the XM radio station for kids. He had played with the “ticket” tape, the new sand box that is going to Mexico, and the cupcake pans. That’s enough to wear ANY kid out. How cute are his little beach bum flip flops?!?

Late in the afternoon, he flashed a toothy grin, eyes squinted shut, asking for leche, He thanked grandma, situated a pillow just right on the sofa, crawled up to lie down, asks “where is my blanket?” I retrieved one of Marluce’s blankets, placed it over him while one hand twirls his hair and one hand holds the sippy cup – zzzzzzzz in less than five minutes!

Party Store 001
Originally uploaded by Connie Gardner.

of why NOT to let your husband go to the party store with you.

Ahhhhh…just look at that view! We will be staying at the Sonoran Sea Resort Condos (a privately owned condo rental) beginning Friday, May 4 and will be back home on Monday, May 7th. Going to celebrate two granddaughter’s birthdays and to enjoy the Mexico family! This was not any more than a regular hotel and since it is a condo, it will be more relaxing and home like. I gotta get me one of these!!

Birthday Goodies_20070427_1607
Originally uploaded by BGPantano.

Mateo’s tiny foot in abuela’s hand, Chase, Angeles, baby Karen

Tristan, Arecely, Itzel, Jeffry’s baby hand in his daddy’s hand.

Kerri Anne, Mateo, Leah holding Quinn, Marluce in her first ponytail!

If anybody sees square frames like these, let me know where! These were originally framed prints at Target. I took the little prints out and put my own photos in. The little 4×4 frame came with the inset color panels. I love all of the colors and should have gotten them all last year when I found them!!

Birthday Goodies_20070427_1593
Originally uploaded by BGPantano.

I found this little play table for the 5 grandkids in Mexico! It can hold sand or water – and since they live on the beach, the sand is o’plenty. They have plenty of little sand pails, shovels, rakes, sand cars, etc. and hopefully enough to go around. I also finished the baby wall and got it all up to date with the latest grandbabies!

Bob made a little collage of some of my flowers in the backyard. With the lawn getting so nice and lush, and the flowers scattered around in colorful pottery, the backyard is really coming along. We are installing small metal fencing on the top of the block wall to mask a bit of the equipment from the lot next to our yard. Painting it with the colors in my block wall, also. I love the look and cannot wait to have it finished. Last, will be to make a playful area for the grand kids behind the shed. There is almost 6 feet width and 10 foot length that we can somehow shade a bit and make a play area. I was thinking of doing a little mural on the shed wall with a tree and a tire swing, etc. However, the trees came out – shall we say – not so good. I will have to look around and use my imagination and start over. I want the grand kids to feel at home when they finally get to America and to have a place that they will enjoy. I think they will!

Something about Puerto Peñasco changes your perspective on life. The house is hectic with 7 (yes,, I said 7 – there were two cousins there to spend time with the family) kids running in and out of the house, each time bringing with them a little more sand for the floor. Giggles and screams and sometimes little arguments involving screaming and hitting and just little children noises in general become the background to all that happens around them. The noise level is high, the Little Mermaid dvd plays on the television, children are asking me things that I cannot answer since I do not know Spanish. (that has to change!) And somehow, in the midst of the chaos, the giggles, the Little Mermaid, and the noise in general – the mood is surprisingly relaxing. Katia’s Grandma Maria makes homemade tortilla soup and then you float these little crunchy noodles in them and it is heaven in a little cup. Maria’s sister, Berta, is visiting from Hermosillo as well as Berta’s son Chuy, his wife, Auxi, and two daughters Bella & Cynthia. Meals are like clockwork. No one asks Maria to get the kids lunch. She quietly gets out 7 little bowls and ladles the soup in each one. Places the Dora place mats in front of each chair and then calls the kids to sit. While the soup is slurped (hard to get those noodles in your mouth in one bite) Berta and Maria get some small plates and dish up refried beans for each child. The kids do not whine or complain or ask what something is. They are grateful for their meal and simply enjoy. One by one as they finish, they scoop up their plates and drop them into the kitchen sink. Then Maria and Berta wipe the table and serve the adults much the same way. After that, Maria feeds Marluce and finally, herself. Other meals are handled much the same way – no one asking anyone to do something. When Maria sits down at the table to start preparing for dinner, Berta quietly gets something from the refrigerator and begins her preparation while Auxi joins them with yet another part of the meal to prepare. Everything they do in the kitchen is similar to a ballet – every step carefully choreographed. It is a wonder to watch.

Mesquite Nursery March 2007 021
Originally uploaded by Connie.