La Familia, Al Fin

Greetings. My family visited in ahem, JUNE; it is now October; so apparently we are looking at a 3-4 month lead time between events actually happening and me recording them. But it's past midnight on a Friday night, which is an ideal time for catching up on all things we haven't got time for. Ready? Behold! Above. The shanty hut that housed my brethen.

 Look familar? It's the same palace the Fleets stayed at. Also possibly Rock Hudson, and Cleopatra.

 Hermanas! Reunited! Ah, how good and pleasant it is for sisters to dwell together on brightly colored couches. We quickly assumed our familiar positions...horizontal, reading.

I was engrossed in Mark Helprin and Paul in Zane Grey, not sure was Tara was onto, possibly an instructional booklet on impersonating Rosie the Riveter.

When reading became too strenuous we climbed inside tires. Well, Bronnie and I did; Melika floated atop a raft of luxuriousness.

 My whole family hopped on my bike; even good ol' daddio. My mom had the first honors; in the dark; in the rain; over the river and through the woods, on a mission to get soy milk we go! Props, Mom.

 Beaching at Carrazilillo, the enchanted cove of delight. Tara looking riveting. 

Mis padres. Ridiculously good looking, these two. 

 Lots of rain; but volleyball carried on. 

 Fishing was fruitful. We all caught fish. Mario, our driver, caught a turtle. 

And released it, of course.

My mom caught a fish. And...a bird, pictured above. Repeatedly. The feeble-minded creature would keep taking the bait, flap about until it detached itself, then do a recovery lap and come back for another nibble. If he weren't so stupid, he would have been talented. 

Not counting the bird and sea turtle, we still did alright.

We also discovered Monopoly Deal, a way faster and more fun version of regular Monopoly. I highly encourage you to pick your set up today, we found ours for $2.44 in the Target bargain bin. Watch out for Dealbreakers and players trying to "pull a Helen".

Ze laughing lovers were reunited with the land of their love. It's been two years since these simple days. Oh the things that we have lost; oh the things that we have gained! 

Time went swiftly. We basically just basked in the others' company and ate lots and lots of tacos. Which is a pretty ideal holiday, if you ask me.

Of course, there was the occasional Mexican mishap; like one taco outing, where assorted female drivers drove themselves into sink holes and had to be hoisted out by these strapping young lads.

Ah, a splendid time was guaranteed for all, and indeed, it was had. A few aunts, uncles, a cousin and some grandparents were missing, but otherwise it was close to perfect.

Let's see what country I can lure my family members to next.

An Apology to My Mom

On the honor of this mutinous sea turtle, I WILL update soon! 

Happy New Service Year!

pi·o·neer

noun /ˌpīəˈnir/  pioneers, plural A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area A person who is among the first to research and develop a new area of knowledge or activity A member of a movement for children below the age of sixteen that aimed to foster communist ideals in the former Soviet Union. A member of an infantry group preparing roads or terrain for the main body of troops A plant or animal that establishes itself in an unoccupied area

For those of you who get more excited for September 1st than January 1st, so begins another year of fine works and perfect wages!

(For those of you who are a plant or animal establishing yourself in an unoccupied area, you're on your own.)

Three Scenes of Happiness, In No Particular Order

Scene 1. At the pool. 

Natalie: See you tonight at the Split Coconut!

Chelsea: What?

Linda: We're all the going to the Split Coconut for dinner!

Chelsea: Ah, not I!

Linda & Natalie: You have to come.

Chelsea: Oh...but I was going to stay home tonight.

Natalie & Linda: But you must.

Chelsea: I can't.

Natalinda: You must.

Chelsea: I will. But only if we dress up like glamour girls from the 1920s. 

(Chelsea gloats inwardly at her foolproof plan) 

Lindanat: Ok, that's fine. Be at our house at 6 pm.

Chelsea: What, really?!

Natalindalie: Bring your red lipstick.

(Time elapses. Jenny joins us and shows up looking smashing. Celebrations occur, barbecue spare ribs are eaten, sunset modelling shoots commence, several fall prey to the meat sweats.)

Scene 2. Sunday. Post District Convention. Some local brothers have rented out a mechanic shop after hours and turned it into a chaste, florescent dance floor. A most welcome treat after three days of sitting and eight months of not dancing BECAUSE WHY DON'T WE DANCE IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO?? We bounce spasmodically to "El Sondito". We line dance without synchronicity to "Cotton-Eye Joe". I scare everyone with my tribal interpretation of "Waka Waka (It's Time for Africa)". Hours later we drop Helen at her hotel; the last time we'll see her before she heads back to England. She floats off into the CityExpress in a most Helen-like fashion. The cold Queretaro air hits our unaccustomed faces.

Scene 3. My Mexico family meets my real family. Two worlds collide. I love this picture. I love Vince's crazy red eyes, I love the spicy elbow pose that both Jacinta and my dad are popping. I must just love these people.

Anyway, these pictures make me happy and I felt like posting them. There's always so much more to say, but that is for another night.