tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11044262689629280262024-02-19T01:34:41.240-05:00The Sun Is Always BlueMarried to a police officer through the rain and shine.TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-83722272902840784132013-04-26T18:24:00.000-04:002013-04-26T18:24:15.152-04:00Day 4: Sacred Vally Tour<i>Sunday, February </i>17, 2013<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Early mass in La Cathedral de Cusco</i></li>
<li><i>Full day bus tour of Sacred Valley, Temple of Sun, Pisac Market, Ollantaytambo & Urubambo Pick up @ 8:00am, Lunch provided typical Peruvian buffet, return by 7:00pm</i></li>
<li><i>Dinner at a restaurant downtown </i></li>
</ul>
The day started at 6:00am once again. Breakfast, after a quick shower, in the dining room. Eggs, scrambled, and toast. Mate de cocoa tea of course. Today we were taking a guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Mama G and Mama R joined us. Osa was already up and at the Sunday mass. We agreed to meet her at the plaza where the tour bus was to pick us up & the cathedral was also right there. (I was not getting up to go to church, call me a horrible person, but 1, I am not Catholic and 2, getting up at 3am for a church service should be considered a crime!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_PGvcjLXqp_388wUFHSSnxh-zHqR52yerHC37sccEATXlVIJK6Kh0dWt2Dn3MD5OgFlse03gOiy3ijdbEWSfTtp-cQfOsnd4EjCaxl7MaeinV-CW-Y65RPZkAdxbKBwKdeCnXLysGs/s1600/DSCN2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_PGvcjLXqp_388wUFHSSnxh-zHqR52yerHC37sccEATXlVIJK6Kh0dWt2Dn3MD5OgFlse03gOiy3ijdbEWSfTtp-cQfOsnd4EjCaxl7MaeinV-CW-Y65RPZkAdxbKBwKdeCnXLysGs/s320/DSCN2813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Cathedral de Cusco</td></tr>
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Once Chancho found the bus the lady asked if we could switch to a Spanish tour. I vetoed that real quick. I would rather listen to a horrible accent then not understand a word. We boarded the bus, but they informed us that we would have to pay to get into the ruins. We thought we already paid for that when we signed up for the guided tour, but because Chile left our receipt at the hotel, there was no way for us to show that. The bus then took us to another location where they needed to switch buses. (Not sure why) When we tried to board the bus there were not enough seats for all of us. They asked some people to leave. I was frustrated at this point and didn't even want to go, but once the bus started to leave, the tour guide Silvia, apologized and said the company was not great. So off we went to our first stop. We had a brief stop at a scenic overlook to take pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep Crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Scenic Overlook</td></tr>
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We bought some spices from a local to bring home to my mom. We then stopped in a local village to use the bathrooms and shop their tables. You could take pictures with them and their animals (for a fee). They also brought a bigger bus for us. Continuing on we stopped at the Market Pisac. Every Sunday tourists fill it up and buy fruits/vegetables and local made items. Osa bought place mats, Chile bought a rock (yes, a rock. Nothing special about it.), and Chancho bought keychains for his coworkers. It was really neat to see everything. There were different meats, chickens, cows, intestines, all on the tables to be bought. We had an hour to walk around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZPRBSbkEA1eQkyQAa_5N8oup8ToC05wvnXlQoqDrTJ9tZyDkcm3EQkh-m69zeo4n3PRorkEz69ebddK38jRHyNQNxXmXL626fzvhDP8h1P5cvbF0S3LVNTwBAUOImuXCfQQXXjxFfJA/s1600/DSCN2863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZPRBSbkEA1eQkyQAa_5N8oup8ToC05wvnXlQoqDrTJ9tZyDkcm3EQkh-m69zeo4n3PRorkEz69ebddK38jRHyNQNxXmXL626fzvhDP8h1P5cvbF0S3LVNTwBAUOImuXCfQQXXjxFfJA/s320/DSCN2863.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Fruit/Vegetables</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJn1LBrQ4QH6RMlM3HBb1YirgJDBQ4VAjzrffzwj38AetIeSmbYiaj8U4EZKcpw7_T4WBKzmbVn2OYNFIGXYsykqFs8-avQ6BtUWKMEeeJ7tDQFCJi6amtI-sFDEZWNuYKGhiLHH4L_0/s1600/DSCN2847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJn1LBrQ4QH6RMlM3HBb1YirgJDBQ4VAjzrffzwj38AetIeSmbYiaj8U4EZKcpw7_T4WBKzmbVn2OYNFIGXYsykqFs8-avQ6BtUWKMEeeJ7tDQFCJi6amtI-sFDEZWNuYKGhiLHH4L_0/s320/DSCN2847.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Girl </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guinea Pigs waiting to be cooked - like a lobster tank</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9h74YfSi9_v126NqhGe8BPca79OoAC5n1Nq-7XUGvgFSY7wt6M0LKRixnOPDTJMM_txE_uUmaIFcEffuk8t2lyxsTXf9a91P-BJvcnfQ9o8KXqrPAOUOBK2ZbjL-fbDRPmfboLCEvME/s1600/DSCN2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9h74YfSi9_v126NqhGe8BPca79OoAC5n1Nq-7XUGvgFSY7wt6M0LKRixnOPDTJMM_txE_uUmaIFcEffuk8t2lyxsTXf9a91P-BJvcnfQ9o8KXqrPAOUOBK2ZbjL-fbDRPmfboLCEvME/s320/DSCN2856.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman selling her vegetables</td></tr>
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From there we kept on moving on to our next destination: lunch. We stopped in another town to have a buffet. The food was okay. Not anything I would crave later on. I did try the alpaca, which was stir fried and I enjoyed it so much better. I really liked the fried dough, which was made with squash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBPYGtArSlFSkT2xS5ZcLaiF8dvB87oasSjNArjaZhK2JKvipdntf8sm1bPNwh-xkBCd2gLiclFEyRkUnUqShTcPbBc58A7fzyTcVwB_EoJZTx9NQrZt9SekaJa33DUAJyE62ZT2rDlg/s1600/DSCN2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBPYGtArSlFSkT2xS5ZcLaiF8dvB87oasSjNArjaZhK2JKvipdntf8sm1bPNwh-xkBCd2gLiclFEyRkUnUqShTcPbBc58A7fzyTcVwB_EoJZTx9NQrZt9SekaJa33DUAJyE62ZT2rDlg/s320/DSCN2873.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My selections for lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Dough</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTEQUbbYz0cytZEVOHoLoE83N6bi85VM0NEpHtbNa2ISODgIRZkWVfJ5_1W7vI_knoRmkh7Yp57ggsXW8XXIMEtJ-gCV55uvPwjlxXO85XdCxacN6RCpyg1NUpHr0uUqFoyY8npQ3zHM/s1600/DSCN2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTEQUbbYz0cytZEVOHoLoE83N6bi85VM0NEpHtbNa2ISODgIRZkWVfJ5_1W7vI_knoRmkh7Yp57ggsXW8XXIMEtJ-gCV55uvPwjlxXO85XdCxacN6RCpyg1NUpHr0uUqFoyY8npQ3zHM/s320/DSCN2879.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside of the buffet</td></tr>
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Our next destination was the Incan ruins Ollantaytambo. (Yeah, don't know how to pronounce that correctly.) I paid 70 soles and Chancho paid 40 soles because he is a citizen. These ruins weren't finished because the Spaniards came in and killed the Incans. The temples were left unfinished. The Spaniards then took rocks and brought them back down the mountain. These ruins had a sun dial as well. This was the spot where you could see the "Man in the Mountain" and storage houses. We had to climb up high along the terraces. It was slow going, as we were high up in altitude and it was hard to breathe. We also walked a trail close to the edge of the mountain, which would have led us to another mountain, but we walked down to view the sun dial. The terrain was harder than at Machu Picchu. Chancho did it, even though he was terrified of the height. He later admitted that he had to do it so we wouldn't tease him about it since everyone else made it. It was a great trek. I really enjoyed every moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9C5zB7FEHYbG0DJqWtVPBbT2S3lYV-ao8W4dIqjcx6sGJPwgBvQ9MFrlJLNEeoAM1XvEOCjrRaCsVxlQqyim1TjLVSVROa8N7d6e6O9zyWnT2lZpehytl4GlpB1scpJWc_ex7OT1RG4/s1600/DSCN2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9C5zB7FEHYbG0DJqWtVPBbT2S3lYV-ao8W4dIqjcx6sGJPwgBvQ9MFrlJLNEeoAM1XvEOCjrRaCsVxlQqyim1TjLVSVROa8N7d6e6O9zyWnT2lZpehytl4GlpB1scpJWc_ex7OT1RG4/s320/DSCN2886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ollantaytambo Map</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLFCcGdRZRBEBtqh3vm7_83cJuBuXbb7g0CVut67uar9kC-olyySG0ng2iXIZ60916eXlvP373wLtG1NYT6Vuy43uF_ll_Or5qB5WByvkWjwzXbfOwijWk95pgMsNQ7UrWUoyNHe5dyU/s1600/DSCN2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLFCcGdRZRBEBtqh3vm7_83cJuBuXbb7g0CVut67uar9kC-olyySG0ng2iXIZ60916eXlvP373wLtG1NYT6Vuy43uF_ll_Or5qB5WByvkWjwzXbfOwijWk95pgMsNQ7UrWUoyNHe5dyU/s320/DSCN2888.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOuL3BCeJtLYAqtIrcSrllZvq5q0xz9z_5D6PIsElOqgsiBPqSj0dtw9WKSVNuDk2_BX5ZdHVp5fI4sYHimJ96p0ZwJSwdGxX77-pu9VVYLM4D4cFmmWcOdwZaDt1ViYED7OVxOlQD14/s1600/DSCN2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOuL3BCeJtLYAqtIrcSrllZvq5q0xz9z_5D6PIsElOqgsiBPqSj0dtw9WKSVNuDk2_BX5ZdHVp5fI4sYHimJ96p0ZwJSwdGxX77-pu9VVYLM4D4cFmmWcOdwZaDt1ViYED7OVxOlQD14/s320/DSCN2897.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Man in the Mountain" on the left. Storage House to the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5UXPzMLf72h5660huwCu6zYU7G-DtMTlA2KlrmCrgt6oLLoUcbqWcGeHPLX_Ugeu4egATHgXM8qB-US4XDS8LDwhipG7grk2kGPXS_j1_1lyOcvTxwyVosfulnF9sz3v3ijCbw-xST0/s1600/DSCN2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5UXPzMLf72h5660huwCu6zYU7G-DtMTlA2KlrmCrgt6oLLoUcbqWcGeHPLX_Ugeu4egATHgXM8qB-US4XDS8LDwhipG7grk2kGPXS_j1_1lyOcvTxwyVosfulnF9sz3v3ijCbw-xST0/s320/DSCN2927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from the top of the ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pathway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfngRQjkonc9Ip2M8KZN7ao04QlGXyPzV-umlCaM8larYBf62M4a67NJFzwjMqrrSiu_C2RQgkTSrhRikwuLgpigO1inXS1b9Ux3iaHCz64JMBumZV1HzJOziDdbssrlpNipL5p5wPtc/s1600/DSCN2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfngRQjkonc9Ip2M8KZN7ao04QlGXyPzV-umlCaM8larYBf62M4a67NJFzwjMqrrSiu_C2RQgkTSrhRikwuLgpigO1inXS1b9Ux3iaHCz64JMBumZV1HzJOziDdbssrlpNipL5p5wPtc/s320/DSCN2943.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Dial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back on the bus again to our final destination of Chinchero. We went there to see the weave houses. They demonstrated how they make clothes or really anything out of the alpaca hair/llama hair. Showed us the dyes, which are made from natural materials. i.e. corn, leaves, flowers & even bugs. The bugs found on cactus make a red color (from their blood) which can be used as lipstick (24 hours & kiss proof as the lady said). There we bought a beautiful red blanket made out of adult alpaca hair. It is one of the softest blankets I've ever felt. Some say it's comparable to cashmere. We also purchased 2 clay bulls from a little boy. The blanket was 120 soles and the bulls were 10 soles. The bulls indicate love, strength, health and work. People put them on their roofs to provide them with those things. <br />
The community was celebrating Carnavales, which is the celebration of summer. They decorate a tree with balloons and other items. They then dance around the tree eventually cutting it down if they aren't too drunk. This is the one day of the year when alcohol is allowed in the villages. The kids play with water and silly string. We were allowed to walk through the village and witness all the dancing and music. However, we were told to be careful of thieves. On our way back to the bus we were introduced to a Mayor of a village. It was a father & son. The son would become Mayor if anything were to happen to his father. We also were able to see the highest mountain, Veronica, which has snow on the peak. Our day was complete.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNx1L5fLiS1v_LOkjW65Fu5Q-LqnjLP-fdgy1Skedyo19OvS3B9X7FWjmvMk9YxsZevylApDsN7z7ztMKwOK1XaFQgT2vnaxqCAen8-ZmYq7SlAd3Mjc9nb0d3Mfan8sh26bGgKBRB9Q/s1600/DSCN2968+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNx1L5fLiS1v_LOkjW65Fu5Q-LqnjLP-fdgy1Skedyo19OvS3B9X7FWjmvMk9YxsZevylApDsN7z7ztMKwOK1XaFQgT2vnaxqCAen8-ZmYq7SlAd3Mjc9nb0d3Mfan8sh26bGgKBRB9Q/s320/DSCN2968+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different seeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7_PeTtjmpJMGfwqQHy1WnYOg03IU9blbzqy3NjF230-i1d1HwDQDz-udq8uXV7bVwt-6TlsSN5UG8YzXb1woZm3Vo8MhYmDjHNl-_Oy26vV3pzBjr-UTH-HXyOq50HPgoLF3hWbBHkQ/s1600/DSCN2976+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7_PeTtjmpJMGfwqQHy1WnYOg03IU9blbzqy3NjF230-i1d1HwDQDz-udq8uXV7bVwt-6TlsSN5UG8YzXb1woZm3Vo8MhYmDjHNl-_Oy26vV3pzBjr-UTH-HXyOq50HPgoLF3hWbBHkQ/s320/DSCN2976+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing how we get beautiful colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9aUturOfVXQcasdE7ABymNut4ely10Z-Wc47TjokTLfYT6cqps3feuDQufyxG0Nuvd5DAgs_WjNIpcznT6dIyYcabVHNCcJrZrRMkkCHApYcfNRsJHI5CVZ9LgnHAbLPtJ9kpwew0e8/s1600/DSCN2984+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9aUturOfVXQcasdE7ABymNut4ely10Z-Wc47TjokTLfYT6cqps3feuDQufyxG0Nuvd5DAgs_WjNIpcznT6dIyYcabVHNCcJrZrRMkkCHApYcfNRsJHI5CVZ9LgnHAbLPtJ9kpwew0e8/s320/DSCN2984+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dying them different colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_WMjztiX9g1Ga44yOVzvs1c2hvH9LQyaH71hTSNYKzbBJSoWGzYOTmkxzlfh4n88_F-EX9rVlB2ffX7dg1cw9mooWeZ2FPCuE7tr5oGbrUSgz10PRCNHnXShzigbZGLp5NB30llIrjY/s1600/DSCN2986+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_WMjztiX9g1Ga44yOVzvs1c2hvH9LQyaH71hTSNYKzbBJSoWGzYOTmkxzlfh4n88_F-EX9rVlB2ffX7dg1cw9mooWeZ2FPCuE7tr5oGbrUSgz10PRCNHnXShzigbZGLp5NB30llIrjY/s320/DSCN2986+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All natural beautiful colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FE4TYWKjWEGIeI06nBYCwf_GBZQvPhVDcnv8kF8UnDi5F8lqfLRIu7dy0Cy0GpRw8S0gbU6i0F2RF7yWOgDua-j9ge8Cb9hdpjZZOyPWmbimEj5E-B90KKkYoPhINnoJ1NSchepIvKM/s1600/DSCN2995+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FE4TYWKjWEGIeI06nBYCwf_GBZQvPhVDcnv8kF8UnDi5F8lqfLRIu7dy0Cy0GpRw8S0gbU6i0F2RF7yWOgDua-j9ge8Cb9hdpjZZOyPWmbimEj5E-B90KKkYoPhINnoJ1NSchepIvKM/s320/DSCN2995+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Veronica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wvOiAsgNiKXEO6NntWChpH-070sRs0u07J8WhLgna02ZtZtDQe-dSPeLOdTBJaWYyh8PvRVc28jDRAJWyTOvP59jTUNdlYNbbyBwt4Cfhhf9VlL0qVmz1ftKFL_cJeju4OdcGsUfV_E/s1600/DSCN2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wvOiAsgNiKXEO6NntWChpH-070sRs0u07J8WhLgna02ZtZtDQe-dSPeLOdTBJaWYyh8PvRVc28jDRAJWyTOvP59jTUNdlYNbbyBwt4Cfhhf9VlL0qVmz1ftKFL_cJeju4OdcGsUfV_E/s320/DSCN2997.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Carnavales celebrations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiSwKTsZCWfjr2Sk7FWr0BQqzoniK0K-WPSFxCjgH6Bq8_AMmWhcCP4NiviknD6T3FyCyq_uakbqAwlgExArOrJYgzlvB746CuUkWAX67KqsvP5_92pYIlzbdh0r1BFoCYBc3ih8ub9M/s1600/DSCN3010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiSwKTsZCWfjr2Sk7FWr0BQqzoniK0K-WPSFxCjgH6Bq8_AMmWhcCP4NiviknD6T3FyCyq_uakbqAwlgExArOrJYgzlvB746CuUkWAX67KqsvP5_92pYIlzbdh0r1BFoCYBc3ih8ub9M/s320/DSCN3010.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mayor and his son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Dropped off at the plaza again we found a restaurant, Plaza Restaurant Grill, to have dinner. We were able to Facetime with a friend back home for a bit too. We then headed back to the hotel where we sat by a fire and read for a little bit before heading to bed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmo053uqrb3fZaSGBlm2F6R8cv4Cgxp0KiIHEl_EWZX2ZyNMVYXUD1XPuaU2Rp2mPh-6g8mWRn02wZH1d-Z1KJjwMu-CKzhyphenhyphenx74BAhTDwECRChLKwVcwtvuWa4Lb6FsXjyAE99LwY9G8/s1600/DSCN3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmo053uqrb3fZaSGBlm2F6R8cv4Cgxp0KiIHEl_EWZX2ZyNMVYXUD1XPuaU2Rp2mPh-6g8mWRn02wZH1d-Z1KJjwMu-CKzhyphenhyphenx74BAhTDwECRChLKwVcwtvuWa4Lb6FsXjyAE99LwY9G8/s320/DSCN3045.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fire to end the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-9751017307443081372013-04-18T22:35:00.000-04:002013-04-18T22:35:39.023-04:00Scanner RadioI recently downloaded a scanner app on my phone.<br />
I think this may be adding to my insanity.<br />
I've always wondered what went on during Chancho's shifts and always wanted something to turn to when he doesn't answer the gazillion text messages from me <strike>freaking out </strike>wondering if he's ok. However, I've always steered clear of scanners. I thought that it would be too much information.<br />
A close friend of ours who happens to be a firefighter has a scanner and a few lazy nights here and there we would turn it on for shits and giggles. Now that we've moved into the boonies, I don't have that option readily available...or I didn't, until now.<br />
Here's the sad part. I don't recognize Chancho's voice over the radio. He has a "cop" voice. He's pulled this "cop" voice out a few times and I am not a fan of it. It scares the crap out of me. I would not want to be dealing with him if I were breaking the law. Which, I suppose, is a good thing for him to have. So while I am glued to this scanner during his shift, I listen and I listen and then I space out and then I think I hear him, but wait, oh no, not him. I can't say that I've actually heard him speak on the radio more than twice because of this "cop" voice. It's driving me crazy! Here I am thinking that it would help me ease my anxiety by filling in those gaps of silence, but no, there's even more silence because I can't figure out what call he's on either! Oy. <br />
I need to uninstall this app.<br />
<br />
Quote of the Day: <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Live and let live. Do not judge. Take it as it comes. Deal with it. Everything will be okay." - James Frey </i></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-54558599915540626872013-04-15T10:57:00.001-04:002013-04-15T10:57:39.678-04:00Day 3: Machu Picchu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Saturday, February 16, 2013</i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Leave to Machu Picchu aboard the Hiram Bingham train 9:05am arriving @ 12:24pm</i></li>
<ul>
<li><i>On board we will have brunch, cocktails & unlimited drinks</i></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu & tour the citadel by English/Spanish guide</i></li>
<ul>
<li><i>Afternoon tea & hor's deorves at Machu Picchu hotel</i></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Depart from Machu Picchu @ 5:50pm & arrive in Cusco by 9:16pm </i></li>
</ul>
I want to punch something. The alarm is going off at 6:30am.<i> Isn't this supposed to be a vacation where you get to sleep in and relax? </i>Breakfast will be served at 7:00am. Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, not the real kind, but powdered. I have this <i>thing</i>
about eggs. Maybe from having fresh eggs in my house growing up, I have
to have the real thing and made perfectly to my liking so this
breakfast was...below my standards. We also had rolls and kiwicha.
Kiwicha is a cereal that isn't eaten with milk. It was actually rather
tasty. I also drank a bunch of Mate de Cocoa tea to help with my
breathing. I felt like walking 10 steps was me running. Our ride was
waiting for us at 7:30am, which took us on a 1/2 hour drive to the train
station. We were greeted at the train station at 8:00am with mimosas
and then we boarded a bus, which took us to the Hiram Bingham train an
hour later. <i>We had to take a bus because of it being the rainy season some of the train tracks were washed away by the rain. </i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIptrNIjD7pLk382boAkLXldYBW4YWQRjuVTeLSwFjt-28iKNh1fyKyhzUbCEyC4N_MdPsrvHqMaubs8q6zneSmmABZ2e5EiIBC09m9Q3CJvYiOvh7qAF48pULoIcblCwnL5B4ldGKWCg/s1600/DSCN2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIptrNIjD7pLk382boAkLXldYBW4YWQRjuVTeLSwFjt-28iKNh1fyKyhzUbCEyC4N_MdPsrvHqMaubs8q6zneSmmABZ2e5EiIBC09m9Q3CJvYiOvh7qAF48pULoIcblCwnL5B4ldGKWCg/s320/DSCN2622.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWIhvs3jhfIm-DSTHGLHa7D4Ecf0IIoNxrAUyArK_t1i1YqVUn_p0DBOKzU5FX464VUyxfL9gPG5RnNWiqa-5A68BP5a37LHIYCnp_cPs9E6oXmpg9IGAVZQIO1tUgY2RLLTcL2rK30c/s1600/DSCN2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWIhvs3jhfIm-DSTHGLHa7D4Ecf0IIoNxrAUyArK_t1i1YqVUn_p0DBOKzU5FX464VUyxfL9gPG5RnNWiqa-5A68BP5a37LHIYCnp_cPs9E6oXmpg9IGAVZQIO1tUgY2RLLTcL2rK30c/s320/DSCN2625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio__vjY-72ePig3hJPHUaS7A1n_3yBRPiWrarkyoIzN67-J2XMZLcb6IPtaSqQMXmA-omHisbAqbZITWytYABYOo2lC9plKXR0s70qc1-oNOV9ySpH1UbtlolAVYsaXq5l5Achm4BhP-U/s1600/DSCN2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio__vjY-72ePig3hJPHUaS7A1n_3yBRPiWrarkyoIzN67-J2XMZLcb6IPtaSqQMXmA-omHisbAqbZITWytYABYOo2lC9plKXR0s70qc1-oNOV9ySpH1UbtlolAVYsaXq5l5Achm4BhP-U/s320/DSCN2626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain with clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm60-ztnnvYevjYPY4SIYf712a9e2jmEZ4Xnhg_ggoooBZvc6Tr5yq3pPw9NIWWgubDJISFK9hZXKJROPA34ZFO8s_zMRrDNHKDc8oalHpSOVbhZuf2vG_3GovIv_LGf2lHCkP-cG0g4/s1600/DSCN2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqm60-ztnnvYevjYPY4SIYf712a9e2jmEZ4Xnhg_ggoooBZvc6Tr5yq3pPw9NIWWgubDJISFK9hZXKJROPA34ZFO8s_zMRrDNHKDc8oalHpSOVbhZuf2vG_3GovIv_LGf2lHCkP-cG0g4/s320/DSCN2641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local farmers market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvT7bxcJGOsonsLXnJoNAwRk5WggZg5MYq96-RMChMs1aL6EC1uHKIuQc6Rhr9BZbGS11TAbpkfUKp5-H6dQyKvy4a5WV1crLIhiYyjTHFSFIloZYmj_ZHL01nPD6W29MqsozWerzf6Q/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvT7bxcJGOsonsLXnJoNAwRk5WggZg5MYq96-RMChMs1aL6EC1uHKIuQc6Rhr9BZbGS11TAbpkfUKp5-H6dQyKvy4a5WV1crLIhiYyjTHFSFIloZYmj_ZHL01nPD6W29MqsozWerzf6Q/s320/DSCN2647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8am Mimosas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenery </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds rolling in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IokloOEUxXSE-oGvsW73miac5zoHSw9eGUIuOZgiTKDS7Nqs2cp2XjTRX7hJHGjur8C2t8le3tL0VXL6jMQKcGkvYD2hXjCsmqLQhyphenhyphenok5Nwv_acXLdOhCIyLm0bjPKlw6JZYLugLs7c/s1600/DSCN2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IokloOEUxXSE-oGvsW73miac5zoHSw9eGUIuOZgiTKDS7Nqs2cp2XjTRX7hJHGjur8C2t8le3tL0VXL6jMQKcGkvYD2hXjCsmqLQhyphenhyphenok5Nwv_acXLdOhCIyLm0bjPKlw6JZYLugLs7c/s320/DSCN2655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Mountains with Clouds</td></tr>
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The Hiram Bingham train is a luxury train that travels 2 hours to bring you to Machu Picchu. It includes a 3 course meal and unlimited drinks! The views were breath taking. The railroad follows along a river, which the Incans considered to be their "Holy River".<br />
Once we arrived at Machu Picchu we were given a guide who led us to a bus, which then brought us up a long, winding road to the base of Machu Picchu. The road was muddy and stones made up most of it. It is a narrow road so when a 2nd bus needs to pass, it's a tight squeeze to say the least. There aren't any guardrails so if you slip, you're dead as you fall all the way down.<br />
Machu Picchu is 8,000ft above sea level. We began our guided tour learning about the Inca's life. The theories behind what they believe was done in the ruins. It is just amazing to see such ancient ruins in wonderful shape, in their true beauty. It was raining as we started the tour, but not enough to soak us. Thankfully! We walked in and out of the ruins going further and further up. No railings, just what the Inca's made. By the time we made it to the highest point, it had stopped raining. It got really hot! We saw some animals, which to me, looked like squirrels at first, but then they looked like rabbits with tails. Not sure exactly what they are. The tour guide didn't give me an appropriate response. Just said it was a rodent. (I now know they were chinchillas!) Once the tour was over we were given 10 minutes to explore ourselves. So Osa and I headed off towards the absolute highest point as Chancho headed down to the restaurant and Chile went off in another direction. Once Osa and I got to the most scenic spot we were so winded it felt like I ran 20 miles. The view was stunning, nothing like I've ever seen. It took my breath away, literally. We trekked back down to meet llamas and alpaca. Took some pictures and then headed quickly to the restaurant to have some finger foods.<br />
Back on the Hiram Bingham for another 4 course meal. We sat for about 40 minutes watching a Peruvian band play some music until our food was ready. The plan was to go out to the bars once we arrived back in Cusco, but we were way too tired.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our table on board the Hiram Bingham</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Menu for Lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pisco Sour </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids playing on the tracks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOGY_Xddik61gmZUOvKn9AFa8287rDFG7tbR9GsCcQBfUFFB8UCQ6uVG9bXq_S-KeuMl6TVpOw1eBL742NX0chGX72XhFEkw_BpCpABRcdQy0WuddYuW4mfULRiuFyrqN918cl0GyZD0/s1600/DSCN2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOGY_Xddik61gmZUOvKn9AFa8287rDFG7tbR9GsCcQBfUFFB8UCQ6uVG9bXq_S-KeuMl6TVpOw1eBL742NX0chGX72XhFEkw_BpCpABRcdQy0WuddYuW4mfULRiuFyrqN918cl0GyZD0/s320/DSCN2721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machu Picchu!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our rings - Chancho's idea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeN6SrccP9eGXnCA8md8P4P8xRzi5AfbfGruOUqF8NIcJG7C99Vju-83TwS0UNFLmcUdSc3dEMRqj97rmNKEGx4FYJ83NBtmoRyUPBXo6EU6ECGzN-TFqTD1NirHxudTOHRt_PbNz9Ow/s1600/DSCN2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeN6SrccP9eGXnCA8md8P4P8xRzi5AfbfGruOUqF8NIcJG7C99Vju-83TwS0UNFLmcUdSc3dEMRqj97rmNKEGx4FYJ83NBtmoRyUPBXo6EU6ECGzN-TFqTD1NirHxudTOHRt_PbNz9Ow/s320/DSCN2789.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the highest point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This has been by far the best day yet and it's only day 3. <br />
<br />
<u>New foods I've tried so far</u>:<br />
Alpaca Smoked with mint: Not Good<br />
Leak Soup: Pretty Good<br />
Duck: Good (sandwich meat)<br />
Cocoa Leaf Tea: Good<br />
<br />
Quote of the Day:<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i><span style="color: #ff6600;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You'll seldom
experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't
done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop
an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life
and savor it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any self-defeating
ways means you've lost them forever." -</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Wayne
Dyer</span></span></i> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i> </span></strong></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-88319603999338486152013-04-12T19:58:00.000-04:002013-04-12T19:58:02.289-04:00Happiest Day of My LifeI never got around to posting pictures from our wedding, which happened <i>almost</i> a year ago! I CANNOT believe it flew by that fast! I am still working on our wedding album. It has been the most frustrating/time consuming task! I decided not to pay the photographer to do our albums to 1: save money and 2: I don't think I can let someone else organize an album to my satisfaction.<br />
The photographer took over 700 photos and then we have bout another 500+ from family & friends to sort through. Ugh. How do you pick out your favorites?? So here are ones that I can share.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a68C_o3S05xcZ1pziBdUYzJByX64GrMe3LetcFpzJUZ8QHl95pTksmpJds4zXmTI5qYMk6h3cNM-nez3YVeEagtCHukPDR4TLd5axGB76JcoM3j2-5L0nlHLKR9OHCiFKfbOUSEaVLQ/s1600/TAWS-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a68C_o3S05xcZ1pziBdUYzJByX64GrMe3LetcFpzJUZ8QHl95pTksmpJds4zXmTI5qYMk6h3cNM-nez3YVeEagtCHukPDR4TLd5axGB76JcoM3j2-5L0nlHLKR9OHCiFKfbOUSEaVLQ/s320/TAWS-003.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Tables (Flowers by my mother)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtrkhMRCwZR6Qreb2bMEPlkobeco1AuZ3lLW8DifGUJ645TLRE0hwj2B3ilQHJgqCxBF7aTlF3LrNGJa4otwrqjySE1q3YjmLLOf97S58pcPjyXbocH2BF_dp1JLH1rWypWTG3eSntSk/s1600/TAWS-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtrkhMRCwZR6Qreb2bMEPlkobeco1AuZ3lLW8DifGUJ645TLRE0hwj2B3ilQHJgqCxBF7aTlF3LrNGJa4otwrqjySE1q3YjmLLOf97S58pcPjyXbocH2BF_dp1JLH1rWypWTG3eSntSk/s320/TAWS-001.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dress!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcKGYuaBcGuWCU-lwq0QCeGF_X7wiVG0ehuhM8OtK64TEfxTj4rvA1SpnDAwdU6F6VVe0DjwEUl-QmKmgo19GMqyZ6hDJD75V-9c277fgje5OZ-C0FbQiouMBq2uJgSj_hf8W28eWsi8/s1600/TAWS-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcKGYuaBcGuWCU-lwq0QCeGF_X7wiVG0ehuhM8OtK64TEfxTj4rvA1SpnDAwdU6F6VVe0DjwEUl-QmKmgo19GMqyZ6hDJD75V-9c277fgje5OZ-C0FbQiouMBq2uJgSj_hf8W28eWsi8/s320/TAWS-004.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centerpieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNSiL0iH8pSdLCDJJ5gvuPYWEt1PFdDvSBs48hf_VikWf3oEHSjaAVZrMqjiRz1RPPl7xRFMp13orr_hS7fbPji_Lxh3q0oqBa1o8XE7ByrYNSK2ZawIksL52LeqBBrczZqgCu4VkRNs/s1600/TAWS-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNSiL0iH8pSdLCDJJ5gvuPYWEt1PFdDvSBs48hf_VikWf3oEHSjaAVZrMqjiRz1RPPl7xRFMp13orr_hS7fbPji_Lxh3q0oqBa1o8XE7ByrYNSK2ZawIksL52LeqBBrczZqgCu4VkRNs/s320/TAWS-014.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocktail Hour centerpieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uDHHWxZADBK4_EUDorOBBCGRHk9i0FIzCQm0M0jIgTqudtJ6DTR8GlvMukNCHha3LzWKOLYUUbeAFwKExc4QFobmv7E1bVFh0YrNc0Viep1mBUatNxwIqN3lfDVmrQK0eOdZx17VHbg/s1600/TAWS-077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uDHHWxZADBK4_EUDorOBBCGRHk9i0FIzCQm0M0jIgTqudtJ6DTR8GlvMukNCHha3LzWKOLYUUbeAFwKExc4QFobmv7E1bVFh0YrNc0Viep1mBUatNxwIqN3lfDVmrQK0eOdZx17VHbg/s320/TAWS-077.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rings!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexZlv-NZSmFSDRgyIJ2bMLvZXoBEVpw_jIvVRnx2VRAp5HHVyKUARSTGMrQTjaCkXNJOO1c-KAiDGi8egm546bDJjuZLzAz-sHyzVVtJsw1I7K0KjdWQobPl7m27AY0Pv8wzuuLOdrJ4/s1600/TAWS-204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexZlv-NZSmFSDRgyIJ2bMLvZXoBEVpw_jIvVRnx2VRAp5HHVyKUARSTGMrQTjaCkXNJOO1c-KAiDGi8egm546bDJjuZLzAz-sHyzVVtJsw1I7K0KjdWQobPl7m27AY0Pv8wzuuLOdrJ4/s320/TAWS-204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With this ring...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS5QLPYecv3HHtYEXdFL57fK3acg8ZfbK8A2Q1C1WP3x3DPjibP41D7MvQ10ExWTW9YoyfUPvl2FitzMOw06dZ1pQrws5HcTe8tsaJhoO7LQzYFm79g5kgOvH-7VUQRsYy01T1HyZowg/s1600/TAWS-212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS5QLPYecv3HHtYEXdFL57fK3acg8ZfbK8A2Q1C1WP3x3DPjibP41D7MvQ10ExWTW9YoyfUPvl2FitzMOw06dZ1pQrws5HcTe8tsaJhoO7LQzYFm79g5kgOvH-7VUQRsYy01T1HyZowg/s320/TAWS-212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvhWBrBSdOiM3-4E05DsaPvgWguXD5B9ltGgWKZfTVVcO3iT9NIb0GQoRaN36KvDp8eNtbvrJ6ldbKiq_8fWDvAEBXXlXmDR4TAaZzpDVvSOn87RFKeB3KYcvTlLmhjjoE8oHzlINMp4/s1600/TAWS-379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvhWBrBSdOiM3-4E05DsaPvgWguXD5B9ltGgWKZfTVVcO3iT9NIb0GQoRaN36KvDp8eNtbvrJ6ldbKiq_8fWDvAEBXXlXmDR4TAaZzpDVvSOn87RFKeB3KYcvTlLmhjjoE8oHzlINMp4/s320/TAWS-379.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI4ZJRDX0RRWFNDZBdrGrJA4e0g3NTvmYuUi8ZLvN7Pjhqs-5lEXe00JIk29WEAdCT8Y6d9NugIAEEin5lZ1EmLQaqx7j45n-RYAWHt0MwrVN_L7tNc7wZ2pUUhk7lqTeOfLiKcFDm04/s1600/TAWS-226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI4ZJRDX0RRWFNDZBdrGrJA4e0g3NTvmYuUi8ZLvN7Pjhqs-5lEXe00JIk29WEAdCT8Y6d9NugIAEEin5lZ1EmLQaqx7j45n-RYAWHt0MwrVN_L7tNc7wZ2pUUhk7lqTeOfLiKcFDm04/s320/TAWS-226.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may kiss the bride!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqANXp0JnhR30q9WASkufXogzU4u9MtPjwnOSUb96gIDRqyInLRYMVYu3wdyOBFAXSyi2kIqTujPLteY-Yld0BDiFRX42jVYnR-y22zYvFMNbDcA_we_ROLOTruQGfTbZZqh_qAiO4FU/s1600/TAWS-119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqANXp0JnhR30q9WASkufXogzU4u9MtPjwnOSUb96gIDRqyInLRYMVYu3wdyOBFAXSyi2kIqTujPLteY-Yld0BDiFRX42jVYnR-y22zYvFMNbDcA_we_ROLOTruQGfTbZZqh_qAiO4FU/s320/TAWS-119.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My father walking me down the asile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79vchaYPjSqM1Zyw2pWMomtsYj5wWy5RbTuA04hCPFUfiHJV9GhCVwVmLM8LKf8GQ6RmEhKhWlgNbz7EV7_eASAhCfBSY64d_sxi3iYzy96PnClIo7ihUBZSQET05ob0vCAmL7COpCM0/s1600/TAWS-511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79vchaYPjSqM1Zyw2pWMomtsYj5wWy5RbTuA04hCPFUfiHJV9GhCVwVmLM8LKf8GQ6RmEhKhWlgNbz7EV7_eASAhCfBSY64d_sxi3iYzy96PnClIo7ihUBZSQET05ob0vCAmL7COpCM0/s320/TAWS-511.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother/Son Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZqC6Xj6ijz_NGMwD1xa-WulZFj9y5d9Gudel-DEh1vNyN1x_uvVcyrs6Ja18sQ28XO9hbXMlxYWOjZCKokj1C3qQo-YFIOQ217EQ096XG-sdXJGNvqGdToByCdEe1JRYd6Nj5I_Sxoc/s1600/TAWS-509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZqC6Xj6ijz_NGMwD1xa-WulZFj9y5d9Gudel-DEh1vNyN1x_uvVcyrs6Ja18sQ28XO9hbXMlxYWOjZCKokj1C3qQo-YFIOQ217EQ096XG-sdXJGNvqGdToByCdEe1JRYd6Nj5I_Sxoc/s320/TAWS-509.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father/Daughter Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIWgbpG6WAkNLguPK6oyW5rtAt6ioOVPOAIkzCNmwJdaA8WIx-G-TcBdmOUcqV4Drh6Bp0uDHbI-dSX1H8HLqPB4IB1h_SFBY2cioSn8QC0pP8sWhiVnmHObh9oSYouF9bzJeT1KINdw/s1600/TAWS-593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIWgbpG6WAkNLguPK6oyW5rtAt6ioOVPOAIkzCNmwJdaA8WIx-G-TcBdmOUcqV4Drh6Bp0uDHbI-dSX1H8HLqPB4IB1h_SFBY2cioSn8QC0pP8sWhiVnmHObh9oSYouF9bzJeT1KINdw/s320/TAWS-593.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autographed Baseball Wedding Present by Joe Girardi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally ready</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place Cards - Flip rock for Table #</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the women in our family (Mother, sister, me, sister-in-law)</td></tr>
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Back to working on the album....TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-51939553912167714742013-04-12T19:17:00.001-04:002013-04-12T19:17:13.026-04:00Day 2: Cusco<i>Friday, February 15, 2013:</i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Take flight to Cusco @ 8:00am, Arrive to Cusco @ 9:10am via StarPeru Airlines</i></li>
<li><i>Reservations for lunch t Senzo Restaurante @ 12:30pm</i></li>
<li><i>Planetarium tour at Llaullipata @ 5:40pm</i></li>
<li><i>Stay at The Garden House Bed & Breakfast</i></li>
</ul>
5:00am and I am opening my eyes once more. Chancho is up already and threatening to turn on the lights. I need a couple more minutes to adjust. My body is sore from walking so much and the lack of rest. <i>I swear I'll throw the closest thing I can grab and chuck it at him if he flips that light switch!</i><br />
Once I'm up, I brush my teeth, get dressed and am ready for our flight to Cusco! As I wait for Osa and Chile to get ready I drink a strawberry yogurt drink. I had to have something in my stomach if I was going to make it through the flight ok.<br />
We got lucky with a taxi pulling up in front of the house big enough to take all of us & our luggage. We thought for sure, we'd have to take 2.<br />
Check in went smoothly and we headed to Dunkin Donuts where I had an iced latte with caramel and an omelet of ham & egg on a croissant. That was in an interesting ordeal trying to order that. They don't have the same choices as we do in America. Standing in line I experienced my first true Peruvian. We were standing in a line that was probably 5 people long and this woman just walks straight up to the counter and orders, cutting everyone else. Of course Chancho said something to her and she played the innocent role of "what??" Please like you didn't see this long ass line.<br />
Anyways...we waited to board our plane and they announced it would be delayed due to weather in Cusco. We waited for a half hour and they announced once more that it was delayed.<br />
A few things to keep us entertained while we were waiting:<br />
When we went to the bathroom a woman (an older lady) tried to exit by going into the men's room. A man sitting next to Chile was sleeping and drool was hanging from his mouth dripping down landing on his wrist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYMI6sMkO34eH9gZHKCqzsi9hIrmynETzYmKMtRzlaRP2QEJm9_9tD53zbroSsib8JywHDrlda4mMBYiKfGtmVKZNFnDxQT-nQv0uZltqvxLtiHW5te0BYaegX6GdCMM3Bg2LqZWAsfw/s1600/DSCN2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYMI6sMkO34eH9gZHKCqzsi9hIrmynETzYmKMtRzlaRP2QEJm9_9tD53zbroSsib8JywHDrlda4mMBYiKfGtmVKZNFnDxQT-nQv0uZltqvxLtiHW5te0BYaegX6GdCMM3Bg2LqZWAsfw/s320/DSCN2532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tiny plane</td></tr>
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Finally, they announced we could board the plane. First we boarded a bus which then took us to our plane. It was a smaller plane, only about 50 people could fit and we had to use the stairs to board. It was a bumpy ride as we flew through clouds, but the views were amazing. We flew right over the Andes Mountains and they were a reddish color, no greenery at all. Once we got to Cusco it was all green and so lush. Just beautiful.The landing was rather smooth compared to the flight. We were picked up by our hotel, The Garden House. It was really hot outside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Lima</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLzUEcSsku_HRYaqdt29y3n2sLEe37m7E-hm6oys1Vh9fszQduZeiOFQ4o6y6YaekzbaxZsE3OTc0Fx1k4NCkvKOf3MFUhQldSInYpJ9hPKY1Pyu7BgKcZO-a5S6Ee3Ef2NeEFMlzcPc/s1600/DSCN2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLzUEcSsku_HRYaqdt29y3n2sLEe37m7E-hm6oys1Vh9fszQduZeiOFQ4o6y6YaekzbaxZsE3OTc0Fx1k4NCkvKOf3MFUhQldSInYpJ9hPKY1Pyu7BgKcZO-a5S6Ee3Ef2NeEFMlzcPc/s320/DSCN2542.JPG" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andes Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGPEs5xuJkCakAAR6uGIgwZ5cMmoT4-YD-eg5_n6ENmuSD3LJyKIJn2L2H5t0mNpeL8ITCDEciRWqCkapcol6Xda8QwQgwuaiJjbVeKYGgTOCV164YsE9wPmxN-POpvs94IG0TSYeJfg/s1600/DSCN2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGPEs5xuJkCakAAR6uGIgwZ5cMmoT4-YD-eg5_n6ENmuSD3LJyKIJn2L2H5t0mNpeL8ITCDEciRWqCkapcol6Xda8QwQgwuaiJjbVeKYGgTOCV164YsE9wPmxN-POpvs94IG0TSYeJfg/s320/DSCN2546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cusco </td></tr>
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The Garden House is located further into Cusco and is literally surrounded
by gardens. It is a bed & breakfast with a total of 4 rooms. We
have the whole house to ourselves. Once we arrived at the hotel we were told to drink a tea called Coca tea. It is supposed to help with the altitude. Cusco is very high up and it is hard to breath. Coca tea is made out of leaves from the Coca plant aka the plant which makes cocaine. You can find this tea everywhere in Cusco and is very popular. After placing our items in our suite
we met with Chancho's 2nd cousin, Mama G's cousin and Mama R's
niece/goddaughter. She brought with her, her husband and grandson. We
took a taxi to a fancy restaurant where we spent $350 on our meal. The
food was delicious. I tried my first "unusual" food here. I ordered and
ate smoked alpaca. It was quite the experience. After we saw that bill
we freaked. We just spent a ton of money and here we are only on our 2nd
day. We had to recalculate everything we were going to do from here on
out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekBG-e_0n14FQl9pm049GtuU0LfYUqyQazSaGyNvSuvotUF4H4CZ2sVApdKb52FKQ0NfyhFjWK9-QDdhK1PnpwTyeCckqWMENUYapu-7V42ap4sR33DBjj6LMDCHytOpmYjvfHxKh4Ac/s1600/DSCN2566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekBG-e_0n14FQl9pm049GtuU0LfYUqyQazSaGyNvSuvotUF4H4CZ2sVApdKb52FKQ0NfyhFjWK9-QDdhK1PnpwTyeCckqWMENUYapu-7V42ap4sR33DBjj6LMDCHytOpmYjvfHxKh4Ac/s320/DSCN2566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coca Tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg7CsdKPaQAwhnTvuvDdL02cPDEK1QJXGNTV-i-ONgDMCs7wTsWtmcp_yZ5rfuvSJFktvfPtc_qS1eFT6-6uLCLm5uncEMqsQ_WSkon0NdWTxjC6kxsjAi27h_GsTcxOlZrWmp-NYUeM/s1600/DSCN2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg7CsdKPaQAwhnTvuvDdL02cPDEK1QJXGNTV-i-ONgDMCs7wTsWtmcp_yZ5rfuvSJFktvfPtc_qS1eFT6-6uLCLm5uncEMqsQ_WSkon0NdWTxjC6kxsjAi27h_GsTcxOlZrWmp-NYUeM/s320/DSCN2579.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden House</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Restaurant Senzo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAK99Dd98cnL_AtxUVnzgRBcKoUO8dN2EHYKmjtzBP9YoJgMuu6kPCbQWSj9lEWV4NvwRfT1Xy8JNibjPbRnpKma48II6mtiutDnHC5R4a2TbxjsKVVCL3BEwmENYjhb2IJnCuOTx6bw/s1600/DSCN2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAK99Dd98cnL_AtxUVnzgRBcKoUO8dN2EHYKmjtzBP9YoJgMuu6kPCbQWSj9lEWV4NvwRfT1Xy8JNibjPbRnpKma48II6mtiutDnHC5R4a2TbxjsKVVCL3BEwmENYjhb2IJnCuOTx6bw/s320/DSCN2592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Alpaca </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planetarium </td></tr>
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From there we needed to find PeruRail beause Osa couldn't print her ticket from the train from home and that was the only place to get it. Once she got her ticket, we went to the plaza in Cusco to wait for our pick up for our planetarium tour.<br />
We were brought high up into the mountains to a place above trees and inside a small building. A woman gave us blankets to wrap around ourselves once we arrived and gave us a tour speaking all about the Incan constellations how they played a role in their lifestyle. We were viewing the southern hemisphere stars, for me so different. No big dipper. But they do see the Orian's belt, which is the center or above Cusco. Once the learning portion of the tour was complete we went outside to view the stars, but since we are visiting during the rainy season it was cloudy. We waited and waited in the chilly dark for some clear sky. Finally there was a brief moment when I was able to look through a telescope and see jupiter. To me, it looked like a big star. I wouldn't have known the difference. They could have been lying to me.<br />
It was a very exhausting day, once more. We grabbed a bite to eat once we were dropped off at the plaza. I had a strawberry milk drink. It was so fresh! I also ordered a chicken, tomato, lettuce & guacamole sandwich, which was banging! <br />
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Quote of the Day:<span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><strong> </strong><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>"Sacrifice is part of life. it's supposed to be. it's not something to
regret. It's something to aspire to. Little sacrifices. Big sacrifices."
-</i><i>Mitch Albom</i></span></span></span></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-18287539269320066662013-03-27T18:44:00.000-04:002013-03-27T18:44:45.487-04:00Squad 3 Impact SargePolice Wife Life:<br />
Today begins a new chapter. Chancho got called into the office last week. It was confirmed. He would be switching shifts. The possibility came up about a month ago when the Captain asked if he would prefer to stay where he was or to switch things up. We discussed it and said that it would be better for us if he stayed where he was. Well, go figure, NYPD decides what's better for us. <br />
Here we are with an altering life event again. Chancho will still be working overnight, just not the midnight shift. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. I think this fucking sucks. Instead of us having 3 hours together, we get 0. Zero, zilch, nada, no time together. Because of our schedules being completely opposite, we are now not seeing each other while we are both working. He's back out on the street. Granted, he shows up usually after all the crazy shit goes down, but he still has to be there. Before, he was inside, had the option of staying in sitting at a desk. Being on the Impact team, that means his team is out there looking for trouble. That is their only task. <strike>Yaaay!</strike><br />
I've been trying to focus on the positive, because that's what will get me through these next few weeks as I adjust to a new lifestyle of really being by myself. I think I've been doing really well with going to everything alone and I finally think our friends and relatives are realizing it will be "just me" at events. <br />
We get holidays off this year. It so happens that when he switched squads into the impact team the rotation of his days off also switched giving us the holidays. He also has his daytours back, which can get him home sooner some days depending on arrests. <br />
We'll see how it goes. Crossing some fingers and praying.<br />
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<br />TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-54319408051946435702013-03-27T18:13:00.003-04:002013-03-27T18:50:26.761-04:00Day 1: Callao<br />
<i>Thursday, February 14, 2013</i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Leave JFK @ 9:05am flight to Lima via Copa Airlines, Arrive to Lima @ 7:04pm local time</i></li>
<li><i>Relax & pack for Cusco trip </i><i></i></li>
</ul>
Wake up call was 5:00AM, but Chancho didn't sleep well as we ordered a pizza from the local pizza shop again. Which meant upset stomach. He fell asleep around 11:30PM. I stayed up until 1:00AM. I needed to make sure everything was packed and the house semi-cleaned. <br />
A close friend of ours met us at my mother in law's house to take us to the airport. She had left a week earlier, but we needed to bring 2 suitcases for her. Arriving at JFK we got there before my SIL (who will be referred to as Osa from here on out) and Chile (who is Osa's traveling companion).<br />
Check in went smoothly, but Chile arrived behind schedule so we had to wait about 45 minutes for him. Once he arrived we sailed through security and had a short wait to board the plane.<br />
The plane ride was easy going. I had minor motion sickness, but took Dramamine to keep it from getting worse. I get sick with any motion so I was really nervous getting on a plane for such a long time. Our flight was about 5 hours to Panama City. We had an on flight meal. I chose chicken with rice. There was a salad & roll, plus Milano cookies. We sat in the exit section with lots of leg room. Thank goodness. We did have a stranger next to us, but he wasn't too bad. For some reason we always get interesting strangers.<br />
Once we landed in Panama, we had a short wait to board our connecting flight to Lima, Peru. Once again we had an on flight meal. This time I chose spaghetti and meat sauce. Another salad & roll with a vanilla cookie. I had a glass of white wine to wash it all down. I didn't take any Dramamine this time around as the flight was only 3 hours. As we were arriving over Lima, the sun had set so we were able to view the city lights. It was beautiful. The lights were yellow in color and clustered where there is activity, the surrounding area left black.<br />
The landing was a bit rough, but we made it. <i>obviously</i>. The airport was quiet as we made our way to customs. We landed by 7:10pm. I got my first stamp on my passport! <i>Haven't had one since I was 12.</i> Once we got our luggage we exchanged some of our money into Soles. The rate being 2.45. We basically were more than doubling our money! woot!<br />
Here begins the true adventures of the trip. On the plane we were handed custom forms and we figured Chancho could fill it out for all four of us, but the woman denied our 1 form sending Chile, Osa and me to fill it out ourselves. Now, their system for making it through customs is if you push the button and a green light shines then you are free to enter the country. However, if you happen to receive a red light, that means you need to get your bags searched. So now with all of our forms filled out Chancho pushes the button first & the green light shows, but the woman sends him to get the bags checked. Osa goes next and also gets a green light, but is also sent to have the bags checked. I go through and get a green light, also being motioned to have my bags checked. Chancho and Osa are now arguing with security trying to figure out why the bags need to be checked if they got a green light. A police officer hearing the commotion approaches and Chancho finally agrees to just go and have the bags searched. Turns out all that meant was having our bags sent through another scan. They didn't physically go through our bags.<br />
Freed from getting our bags checked we walked out into the airport. There was a large crowd surrounding the exit. I mean I felt like we should have been applauded for something. Tons of people stood behind a roped off area and up above hanging over the railings. It was a bit overwhelming walking out into this crowd. As we emerged into it, someone grabbed Osa, it being her Aunt Brenda and closley followed by her cousin Maurico. Then her Uncle Chuco. Introductions happened and then my MIL (Mama G) showed up.<br />
I walked out onto Peruvian land it was warm. Definitely, a city, but not like NYC, a bit less developed. The luggage was loaded into Uncle Chuco's van and we jumped into a taxi. While the luggage was being loaded into the van, a woman came up and attempted to sell us some gum so she could feed her kids.<br />
The taxi ride was like a roller coaster ride. There is no nice flowing traffic. It's more like drive as fast as you can and slam on the breaks to avoid hitting something. Hold on to whatever you can in the car so you don't go flying through a window and forget about seat belts. Swerve if you must & honk your horn. Even just for the hell of it. The driver stopped to get gas at a NGV. The natural gas tank is located under the engine in the hood of the car. They rarely use gasoline. The seal to the tank is more money so the driver didn't pay to have that installed, which meant we had to exit the car while it was being fueled so we wouldn't get fixated inside the car.<br />
20 fearful minutes later we pulled up to Chancho & Osa's childhood home. It's a 3 story home. The bottom level is currently being rented out to a business called Claro. They sell cell phones. The front door is a double door and you walk in to a spiral staircase. It is yellow and metal. The staircase brings you up to the 2nd floor which has a seating area, 2 couches and off of that room are 2 bedrooms. Mama R and Mama G stayed in one, while Osa and Chile stayed in the other. The bathroom is also on that floor. The toilet and sink are located in the shower. It's one big room, just two different spots. The spiral staircase continues up another story bringing you to the kitchen/dining area. A small stove & refrigerator are off to the side. The wall is made up of windows looking over the main road. There is a large sink, more like a slop sink, tiled in blue. Another bedroom, Chancho's, located off of the kitchen. There is also another bathroom. The house is located a few blocks from the ocean, about a 5 minute car ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvR5tebIK1O-6GBLdQTlP_LbinOj0yzZU6lDFBhc3NYjCQxNMC7krklBwbd7SgzdNTbUZ8h4PKNxYTYXvnwunRVcYL_w9w6rS85JM3snJQaw5LzXl6HuhmkY5wD_zpVwfLSb9tuceThs/s1600/DSCN2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvR5tebIK1O-6GBLdQTlP_LbinOj0yzZU6lDFBhc3NYjCQxNMC7krklBwbd7SgzdNTbUZ8h4PKNxYTYXvnwunRVcYL_w9w6rS85JM3snJQaw5LzXl6HuhmkY5wD_zpVwfLSb9tuceThs/s320/DSCN2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the kitchen looking down over the main street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdLKFOqkkpOU5EJktCOJZDopbkcS3BmWYorrfcIcweDieAbUnBjs0CZeeo8KoyX9_yPs4QRCQuS8LDuaJf99QTleYafHpkGjC9OhQyaSZtvTJVF7V83OCWdhIOfFgfI_zC8PMG7uQJIc/s1600/DSCN2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdLKFOqkkpOU5EJktCOJZDopbkcS3BmWYorrfcIcweDieAbUnBjs0CZeeo8KoyX9_yPs4QRCQuS8LDuaJf99QTleYafHpkGjC9OhQyaSZtvTJVF7V83OCWdhIOfFgfI_zC8PMG7uQJIc/s320/DSCN2518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chifa- Peruvian Chinese food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the bags were placed in the right rooms, we headed out once more to get Chifa (Peruvian Chinese food). The one they grew up loving turned bad, so we traveled to find a better one. Another crazy taxi ride and we were there. We ordered (Osa & Chancho that is) and then headed back to the house to chow down. We had wonton soup, chicken fried rice & lo mien with vegetables. All of it was delicious. I tried a new beverage, Guarana, an orange colored carbonated drink. I am not a huge fan, as it is very sweet. I stuck with water.<br />
As we headed to bed/pack for our trip the next day, Mama G realized she was missing a bag. After a small argument we came to the conclusion that we had forgotten her bag at the airport!<br />
Chancho, Osa and I headed back to the airport to retrieve it. Once there, we found the info desk and they directed us to the Copa Airlines office, but when we got there, no one answered our knocks at the door. We went down to the departing flight area where Chancho tried to track down the luggage. Osa and I went back to the Copa offices just as they were returning. The man who helped us said we could meet him at the terminal & get the bag. They had found it. Osa & I ran to find Chancho so he could meet the guy on the other end of the airport. Chancho was then let in to get the bag. Osa and I waited for about 30 minutes watching all of the outfits on these people arriving. One woman wore all white, leaving nothing to the imagination. Another guy wore a shirt showing his man boobs. Finally, after much speculations as to where/what Chancho was doing, I heard my name being called. He had come out of another area 20 minutes earlier and couldn't find us.<br />
Once more we headed back to the house. Finally, back by 12:30AM we could collapse into bed for a 5:00AM wake up call.<br />
Laying in Chancho's twin bed, together, the street lights shown into the room. You could hear the honking of the cars and the combis stopping and going right outside. It was warm, as well, making for an unpleasant situation, but after the long day of traveling and a ll of the excitement my eyes closed quickly. <br />
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<br />
Quote of the Day:<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> "So just live, have wonderful times
and make mistakes but never second guess where you've been, where you
are, and most of all where you're going." -</span><span style="font-size: small;">Sex
and the City</span></i></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-81153354077485499512013-03-05T20:11:00.002-05:002013-03-05T20:11:38.971-05:00Visiting the Motherland-In-LawWe just took a very much needed 3 week vacation to Peru. Chancho is from Peru. He was born there and came to America at the age of 9. I was thrown in to the thick of things right from the beginning of the trip. (Side note: I don't speak an ounce of Spanish.) My SIL planned the entire trip for us, which was a great relief for me. I just showed up at the time and place and enjoyed every second of it.<br />
Backing up a bit. Chancho was promoted to Sergeant back in August, but didn't get his new precinct until September. With his new precinct came his new shift. He is now working midnights. <strike>Wonderful</strike>. We are literally working opposite schedules. I am out of the house by the time he gets home and I have a solid 3 hours with him after I am done with my job, before he leaves for his. So, this new lifestyle has been a bit challenging for, at least, me. I've said it before, I'll say it again, we were SPOILED, with his last position as a Domestic Violence officer. I miss it. Greatly. Even though this new life has just started for us, I need solid alone time with my new husband. And that's exactly what we got. For 3 weeks we were right beside one another 24/7. We even had the pleasure of sleeping in his childhood twin bed!<br />
We flew out of JFK on Valentine's Day. An early morning 5 hour-ish flight to Panama City. Then connected there for a 3 hour-ish flight to Peru.<br />
<br />
To be continued....TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-40493446544988112912012-09-15T15:28:00.001-04:002012-09-15T15:28:51.822-04:00A GlimpseNot many people that know me would think of me to be a person who would voluntarily choose to babysit. I didn't grow up gushing over baby dolls and little kids. I didn't ask mommy and daddy to have another brother or sister. I was content being the youngest and found little kids to be annoying. I did babysit here and there a few times, but only because my mother suggested it. It was a source of income for me since we didn't get allowance like other kids my age. They always had money to go out to the movies or get snacks after being dropped of the bus. Not me. So I found a way to make money. Babysitting.<br />
Once I was of age to get working papers, I did. The only thing I could say I had experience in was watching kids so my first job was working at Gold's Gym as the babysitter. It was awful. I had to watch any number of kids at one time and the ages could range from infant to preteen. Parents who came to work out would just drop off their kids and come back for them once they were done. I hated every second of that job. I didn't get paid enough to put up with that many kids at one time. I usually had five or six at any given time, if not more. It did teach me a lot though. I was able to figure out how to multitask real fast with kids. I found out how to read kids and their emotions, and how to be smarter than them, fast. I went from working at Gold's Gym to working at a ski shop. I had to get away from kids. The ski shop wasn't enough money, as I needed to save up for college and by that time I was in high school, I needed money to do other things on the weekends. I decided to give the whole watching kids things a shot again. I paired up with a friend from high school and we provided daycare at my church during the service. There were two of us and we only had 2 kids tops most of the Sundays that we worked. Definitely more manageable and the kids were also well behaved.<br />
From there, I bounced over to The Container Store. It pays so well that I was able to just work there. No kids necessary. That was, until we wanted to buy a house. I started watching a little boy, Buster. I have talked about him before in posts. He was a wonderful kid to look after. I really enjoyed it.<br />
Now, that he's in school, and we've bought the house. I was in desperate need of more money. I joined <a href="http://care.com/">Care.com</a> and found a family.<br />
It has been a complete nightmare. I've been with them for just about a year now. I have over a hundred different stories that I could share, but I'll stick with the one from 2 days ago. Now remember, this a typical, normal day for this house.<br />
3:50pm The twin 12 year old girls arrive home from middle school. They've just gotten a puppy for their birthday and Angelica takes her outside to play with her. Desdemona fed and cleaned the litterbox for their cat.<br />
4:15pm The tutor, Dydo, arrives. She gives them a small speech on how to behave around us and what is expected of them. Then asks that they begin working on their homework. They both have the same homework so we could all do it together. Angelica automatically gets her homework out and is working on it. Desdemona brings out her laptop. The arguing begins. Dydo tells her to put it away and to take out sheets of paper. Desdemona doesn't listen and continues to play on her laptop.<br />
4:40pm Angelica is done with Science homework and the homework session ends with the both of them. Dydo and Angelica go inside to finish homework and Desdemona is left to work on her chores with me. I tell Desdemona to go take her clothes out for the next day and then shower. <br />
4:50pm Desdemona has her clothes picked out, but she is refusing take a shower. I told her a total of 12 times to get in the shower, at this point. Remember she is 12 years old.<br />
5:00pm Desdemona is in the bathroom with the shower turned on but not in the shower. I was standing outside of the bathroom door and could hear her talking to herself.<br />
5:10pm She jumps into the shower.<br />
5:11pm The shower is turned off and she gets out. I told her to get back in the shower and to actually shower. She wasn't fooling anyone by that act. I told her she could come out when she had actually washed herself and her hair.<br />
5:15pm Desdemona finally comes out of the bathroom (unshowered), she grabs her school books and laptop then locks herself in the bathroom, refusing to talk to me.<br />
5:45pm Angelica has finished her homework and now needs to shower. Desdemona comes out of the shower to let Angelica in. However, she is still not showered. Dydo then argues with Desdemona to go start homework.<br />
6:00pm Angelica is done with her shower, picked out her clothes and finishes up her project that is due in 2 days. Dydo decides to help her with that since Desdemona refuses to work with her.<br />
6:10pm The mother arrives home and I speak to her about Desdemona and her behavior. The mother quickly places blame on me and Dydo saying we need to change our behavior to get her to do what she needs to do. I speak up saying that it is not my behavior that needs to change, as I am the adult and the child is the one that needs to listen. The mother then says that we will let Desdemona not do what she is asked to do and we will film it and the teachers can then see what we deal with and they can decide what will be done. (Again, passing the job on to someone else).<br />
6:30pm The mother leaves again to go for a walk, has me make dinner for the girls and tells Desdemona to work with Dydo. Dydo then writes an email to the teacher explaining that Desdemona doesn't want to do work, Desdemona flips out. She screams at the top of her lungs. Throws her books all over the room and takes off running, out of the house and down the street.<br />
She eventually comes back to the house after informing her that the email was not sent, just drafted up in case she didn't do work.<br />
7:30pm The mother comes home from her walk and Dydo and I are allowed to leave.<br />
<br />
This is a small insight to what I deal with, and this doesn't even give it justice. I wish I could post the videos I have of Desdemona and her tantrums. <br />
I feel bad for Angelica who is a wonderful kid and deserves all the best, but she is being overshadowed by her crazy sister who desperately needs help. I feel like I am still with the family because in some small way I feel like I will be able to help them. I think I am slowly coming to the realization that, I won't be able to help any of them. Not even in the slightest bit. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quote of the Day: "</span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;">You can try your hardest, you can do everything and say everything, but
sometimes people just aren't worth trying over anymore... they aren't worth
worrying about. It's important to know when to let go of someone who
only brings you down."</span></i></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-4498929286542918152012-09-15T14:40:00.001-04:002012-09-15T14:40:11.280-04:00A Week InWe've survived a week of Chancho's midnights. It's weird. It's messed up my routine. It's been a rough week. Chancho seems to be adjusting just nicely as he is back to his life of sleep. I think that bother's me the most. He doesn't do anything else, but sleep now. He is home by 9am and quickly falls into a deep sleep, not to be woken again until 5pm. He then leaves for work around 9:30pm. He does do a wonderful job of cooking dinner for us before I get home. I know it's just been one week and the body doesn't adjust that quickly, but this is a flashback to his other shift and how he always just slept. It irritated the crap out of me. I also think, it coincides with the horrible week that I have had.<br />
I am back into the full swing of things with work. (5am -2pm) I am trying very hard to become full time and have been putting out every effort to do so, only to be pushed back down and told to try harder. There are only so many times a girl can get kicked down before not getting back up. My review will be in 2 weeks. We'll see then, what happens. I am also back to babysitting the kids from a nightmare producing movie. (2:30pm-7:30pm) When I watch them, all of my energy is sucked out of me and I become very angry at the world. The mother has just hired a new tutor to work with them every day and that has added some tension to the mix as well.<br />
At least, I'm still kicking, we're still married and I have a honeymoon to look forward to. I spent today shopping for the cruise and taking a me day. To recuperate from the stressful week. I've regained a positive energy and am ready to tackle another week.<br />
Here's to hoping it goes as smoothly as my mind can handle it!<br />
<br />
We did get a few pictures from our photographer back. Here is one that I can share:<br />
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Quote of the Day: <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Love, being in
love, isn’t a constant thing. It doesn’t always flow at the same
strength. It’s not always like a river in flood. It’s more like the
sea. It has tides, it ebbs and flows. The thing is, when love is real,
whether it’s ebbing or flowing, it’s always there, it never goes
away. And that’s the only proof you can have that it is real, and not
just a crush or an infatuation or a passing fancy." -Aidan Chambers</i></span><br />
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TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-55389082881282242782012-09-07T22:12:00.001-04:002012-09-07T22:13:33.019-04:00I am Gloria's Granddaughter Yesterday marked the year anniversary of my grandmother's passing. My family had a memorial for her, but I had to work so I got someone to switch with me in morning so I could take some time to go to the cemetery. I got up early, made a cup of coffee and headed out. It was a chilly, gray morning with lots of clouds covering the sky. It matched my mood. I switched on the radio and tried to keep my thoughts positive as I drove the 30 minute drive to the cemetery. By the time I got there, it had started to drizzle and my eyes had begun to fill with tears. There was an older couple there walking the small cemetery reading gravestones and commenting on the plants left by loved ones. I noticed they had Florida plates.<br />
I sat for a minute in the car before heading out to the grave site. I looked out towards the mountain remembering the day we buried Nan. It was such a bright day, a much more peaceful day, than it was at that moment. I got decided I had to get out and go see my grandparents. I walked through the moist grass filled with the morning rain and stopped in front of their grave. Black Eyed Susan's were flowering and the American flag was moving in the wind. I knelt down to wipe off some dead grass cuttings and I let my tears flow. A few moments passed and I pulled out the two poems I had written. One was written soon after Nan had passed away, but never fully finished until that morning.<br />
<i><br /><u>She Deserves</u><br /><br />She sits<br />patiently <br />quietly<br />her thoughts<br />twirling around the room<br />but her eyes can only<br />focus on her<br />She prays<br />God take her<br />into your warm<br />embrace<br />let her know<br />we'll be alright<br />she's done all she <br />can with her life <br />here with us<br />Show her peace and<br />give her the wings<br />she deserves<br />She watches <br />her sleeping<br />wondering why<br />she holds on <br />so tightly<br />Love surrounds<br />the room<br />with laughter<br />singing and<br />smiles<br />Underneath it all<br />is sadness<br />acknowledgement<br />of what is about to come<br />They pray that <br />God takes her<br />into his warm<br />embrace<br />Let her know<br />we'll be alright<br />She's done all she can<br />with her life<br />here with us<br />Show her peace and<br />give her the wings <br />She deserves </i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second poem I left, I wrote quickly that morning.<br />
<br />
<i><u>Mountain </u></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Go rest high up on that mountain</i><br />
<i>Your troubles here are gone</i><br />
<i>May you find the peace you need</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Love travels as far as we need it to</i><br />
<i>We'll find it up on that mountain</i><br />
<i>On the wings of a butterfly</i><br />
<i>And in the beat of our hearts</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Go rest high up on that mountain</i><br />
<i>Your troubles here are gone</i><br />
<i>May you find the peace you need</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Stories fill the air</i><br />
<i>As we remember</i><br />
<i>We look towards that mountain</i><br />
<i>Bringing smiles to our faces</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Go rest high up on that mountain</i><br />
<i>Your troubles here are gone</i><br />
<i>May you find the peace you need</i><br />
<br />
<i>Warm embraces of family</i><br />
<i>Spreading strength and comfort</i><br />
<i>As we look towards that mountain</i><br />
<i>Finding peace as we need it</i><br />
<br />
<i>Go rest high up on that mountain</i><br />
<i>Your troubles here are gone</i><br />
<i>May you find the peace you need</i><br />
<i>Find the peace you need</i><br />
<br />
I placed them both into a plastic envelope and placed it on the gravestone, held down by two reeses peanut butter cups. I scribbled a little note to my family, as I knew they would see it when they arrived later in the day. I said a few words and as the rain fell harder, I walked slowly back to the car.<br />
I sat a little while longer and noticed that a man was there setting up a freshly dug grave for a funeral that was most likely about to happen. I said a few more prayers and then drove away.<br />
It has been a full year, but the hurt is still there. It's in a different way now, mostly sadness in the life that my grandmother has missed out on. It has been a big year for our family and I know that she would have been exceptionally proud of us all if she could have been here. I hope that she is looking down with a huge smile saying "that's my family".<br />
<br />
There was a gravestone a few rows away that had this saying on it: "Love doesn't die, people do so when all that's left of me is love, give me away." </div>
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TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-13247669372410147522012-09-03T19:54:00.002-04:002012-09-03T19:54:28.243-04:00New Man In TownChancho began his new job today. He headed out early this morning with his new commute and found himself in new territory. He did have a fellow newbie with him so it wasn't completely lonely. They were called in to the bosses office and asked which shift they would like - daytours or midnights- The other guy needed daytours as he was having childcare issues. So that left Chancho with midnights. I knew this was a possibility, but I was <i>really</i> hoping that he wouldn't get it. Midnights consist of him leaving the house around 10pm-ish to start and not getting home until about 9am-ish. He has never really worked this shift before. The closest shift was when he was working impact, he got out 2am. I'm not really sure how this new shift is going to effect us. All I know is that when he was working nights, he was <u>always</u> sleeping. He never had any energy to do something during the day. I'm hoping that with the complete switch that he will have the time to sleep in most of the morning to get up in the late afternoon to be up when I get home. Otherwise, we will be ships passing in the night again. I keep reminding myself that this is probably the best time for him to work this as it's just us and we don't have a family yet. It's going to be interesting to see how, being newly married, our relationship deals with this transition. Wish us luck as we enter in to this new journey! Today, I'm ready for wherever this takes us. <br />
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Quote of the Day:<i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "<span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="font-size: small;">I believe we write our own stories and each time
we think we know the end, we don't. Perhaps luck exists somewhere between
the world of planning, of chance and in the peace that comes from knowing
that you just can't know it all. Life's funny that way... once you let
go of the wheel, you might end up right where you belong." -</span><span style="font-size: small;">Little
Black Book</span></span></i>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-37825950856716455042012-08-30T20:49:00.000-04:002012-08-30T20:49:11.437-04:00Movin on UpChancho is officially an NYPD Sergeant. Yesterday, the memo came down and he was given his new precinct, or um, 2 precincts. He was given a Housing Bureau. Which means he is in between two precincts covering the housing developments. It is a Police Serving Area. So he is part of PSA _. There are several different numbers assigned to the PSA's. So PSA 7 or PSA 11, instead of saying he is from the 50th Precinct, he'll say he is from PSA _. Essentially, these housing developments are known to have high crime rates and are considered the projects. This is why they have their own police force within the precincts.<br />
When Chancho was talking about where he would want to go, not that he is given a choice, but if he did have one, he said he would like to go to Manhattan South. The least likely place he would like to go? PSA. He is not very happy about this transfer and is already talking about the next test so he can get out. From what I've heard, I'm not thrilled either. Like I've said before, we were both extremely spoiled with his last position. Even though he was a domestic violence officer and that is considered to be one of the most dangerous positions, he was behind a desk for the majority of the time. I knew where he was and that he was safe. My mind was usually always at ease, expect for those few times he would be out doing home visits. Now, he will be out on the streets all the time. When we first started dating he was out on the streets and those feelings have returned. The uneasiness. He hasn't even started his first shift and already my stomach is in knots. I can recall all of the crazy stories he would share with me over the phone at 1am as he was getting home and I would sigh a relief each and every time that he was heading home safely. I did it before, I can do it again.<br />
Today was the promotion ceremony at 1 police plaza. It was quick and to the point. I had a good time. They provided the promotee's and families with free food and drinks before hand and the ceremony was only an hour. Actually, it was probably less than that because we were out on the sidewalk by 3pm and it started at 2pm. <br />
This weekend we'll be having a BBQ to celebrate all of his hard work and have one last hoorah before he starts his new position. Lots of family and friends will be joining. <br />
<br />Couple of pictures from today's event:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO31e-3mRZrBe67Q-4I5waTgdV-jKL0iBs0piDfJHh6baadM4e8ZVmVhonTgedONoYxdMGOHG4djyA-YnYVgXDQvTAYYvbBOmFbe_3js6vnNrpFKvr2QfwAaRsdIgcwHcFiiCr7hK3W8/s1600/DSCN2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO31e-3mRZrBe67Q-4I5waTgdV-jKL0iBs0piDfJHh6baadM4e8ZVmVhonTgedONoYxdMGOHG4djyA-YnYVgXDQvTAYYvbBOmFbe_3js6vnNrpFKvr2QfwAaRsdIgcwHcFiiCr7hK3W8/s320/DSCN2179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before the ceremony began.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYPD marching band, which played while we waited. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commissioner Kelly giving his speech. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All 76 Sergeants being sworn in. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to place their plaques under their seats when they returned.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeling his grandmother back to the car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way home, found a NYPD boat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful drive home. </td></tr>
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Quote of the Day:<br />
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<i>"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those cards you hold well."
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TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-30570441055740962092012-08-28T10:56:00.000-04:002012-09-03T19:55:54.525-04:00Yale FieldTaking things back to April 14th...We were able to squeeze in some engagement pictures with our fabulous photographer <a href="http://www.chrisvolpephoto.com/" target="_blank">Chris Volpe</a>. Since Chancho proposed to me at Yankee Stadium, I really wanted our engagement photos to reflect that. I wanted to get pictures taken at a baseball stadium, perferrably Yankee Stadium, but once I looked into how expensive that was, we couldn't do it. We definitely put that thought out there for a month going back and forth about how it would be a once in a life time opportunity to have the stadium to ourselves and we could never get that again, but reality knocked on the door and we said we couldn't spend over $2000 for a photo shoot.<br />
So I spoke to Chris and and asked him if he knew of any cool stadiums that we could take pictures at. He loved the idea and automatically suggested we take our pictures at Yale Field, in Connecticut. He has connections there as he is always taking pictures for the school. The date was set and I was beyond excited to have these pictures done.<br />
The morning of the pictures we got a phone call from Chris saying that there might be a slight problem. There was going to be a double header that day between Yale & Harvard. We might not have access to the stadium. I sure as hell was not going to postpone the pictures or settle for a different venue. I stuck my ground and said we'll go and do what we can. I was hoping someone would have a weakness for love and still let us on the field.<br />
When we showed up the teams were already in uniform and roaming the field, but Chris had gotten there before us and was able to speak to someone. The man did have a weakness for love! He gave us the okay to take pictures on the field until the team was ready to start warmups. So thus began our wonderful photo shoot. We were there for about 2 hours. I was in heaven. It turned out to be a perfect day weather wise, we couldn't have gotten anything better.<br />
Here are a few pictures that I can share:<br />
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Quote of the Day:<i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "Happiness doesn't belong to those who have everything, but belongs to those who can appreciate what they have."</i>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-4788601615296250592012-08-24T16:53:00.001-04:002012-08-24T16:53:55.020-04:00Empire StateYou know how you try and get a hold of your husband or other person you love while they're at work and then they don't answer you in a suitable time frame? Well, that happened to me today. <br />
I had my lunch break at 10:30am and as I was going through my usual routine of checking the social networking sites, I read the news about the shooting in front of the Empire State Building. I cringed and ran a few thoughts quickly through my head. Chancho is in training right now. Does that mean he will be out of harms way? Does that mean they will take this opportunity to give him a "hands on" training day? How close is he to the Empire State Building and what would the <i>real</i> possibility be that they would send him to the seen? I quickly sent him a text. I got back to the break room and ate my lunch. Every so often checking my phone, even though it was sitting there on the table. It was close to an hour later and still no response back from Chancho. My fears were starting to creep up in my head. I kept saying over and over that there wasn't anything wrong, trying to win over the negative thoughts. However, there was the main thought that all through out training he has always responded back right away. It didn't help that the discussion at the break room table was all about the shootings. One coworker was giving up to the minute details on what was happening, even playing a video from an eye witness. Of course I scanned all the faces in the video, but no Chancho. A disgruntled employee decided he needed to shoot a coworker and then turn the gun on innocent people. I went back to work with still no word.<br />
Around 12:30ish I got a text saying he was sorry he didn't answer, but the Lt was teaching a lesson and he couldn't respond. The wave of relief washed over me knowing that he was okay. My mind was at peace. But then it quickly rushed into a panic of hoping every other cop was okay. Luckily, out of all the horrific nonsense that happened this morning, no NYPD were killed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who were injured or killed. My heart aches as I hear of these stories.<br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Quote of the Day: <i> </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i>"An hour, one hour, can change everything
forever. An hour can save your life. An hour can change your life.
Sometimes an hour is a gift we give ourselves. For some, an hour can
mean almost nothing. For others, an hour makes all the difference in
the world. But in the end, it's still just an hour. One of many. Many
more to come. Sixty minutes. Thirty-six hundred seconds. That's it.
Then it starts all over again. And who knows what the next hour might
hold." -Grey's Anatomy </i></div>
TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-78285394648115121742012-08-22T19:23:00.000-04:002012-08-22T19:23:02.803-04:00Hello Out There....Wow! I am married. I am a cop's wife. July 7th became the happiest day of my life so far. We were surrounded by family and friends who were just as happy to be there and to help us celebrate. All the worries and crazy nightmares all came to a halt that morning. It went as smoothly as a wedding could go. We are thrilled with how it all turned out. I can't stop looking at the pictures and reliving all of the moments. We haven't received our photographer's pictures yet (still anxiously waiting for those to arrive in September) so the guest pictures will have to do.<br />
And let me tell you, I have never felt more involved with a Police Officer more than I do now. Chancho took the Sergeants test wayyyy back in October of 2011. The results came back and he passed. He passed with flying colors (in my eyes at least). The NYPD started promoting people off of the list in January of 2012. Apparently, you don't just get picked off of the list based on your score. There are some things they take into consideration, such as, your score, college credits, open investigations, seniority and so on. So basically, even if you scored a perfect score and you don't have enough college credits or you have an open investigation against you, you aren't being picked. So Chancho had to wait his turn for the numbers to be gone through to get to him. He was number 292 out of 1650 people. He didn't have to wait long before his list number was picked. He got the notification on August 4th. He's been in the academy training for this entire month.<br />
He has to get all of his uniforms changed. He now has to have the chevrons put onto all of his shirts and a new stripe on his pants. He also has to switch out his badges to a Sergeants badge and that includes a new hat. And of course that means new boots and a new bag to hold all of his items because god forbid he gets caught carrying around his bag from the academy when he first started! I am currently trying to find a new mini shield wallet for a woman. Most frustrating thing to find. I saw a fellow cop wife who had one, but can't seem to find it anywhere. I have never been surrounded by all of his police stuff. He had 3 lockers at work. It all stayed there. Our guest bedroom aka Tommy's room, is filled with all of his stuff. It is just overwhelming. But I am so intrigued by it all at the same time. I finally am able to see the items he's talked about and finally understand why it's so heavy or itchy.<br />
He was set to graduate on August 31st, but as predictable as the NYPD is, it was changed. I have a party planned for his graduation for family and friends, which I am super excited about. Not only do we get to celebrate this wonderful promotion, but it is also our first party as a married couple.<br />
As excited as I am to have him become a Sergeant, I must say that I am a bit nervous as to how this is going to effect us. I have been incredibly lucky with his schedule as a Domestic Violence Officer. He was able to make his own schedule AND he had Fridays and Saturdays off. HEAVEN! Now, he will be transferred from his precinct, which means it will be further commute and he will not be on a schedule (most likely) that is convenient for any human. I was so spoiled. I knew it had to end, and I have to look at the bright side, that he is getting this part out of the way now, when we don't have kids. We will be able to deal with a crazy schedule now, when it's just the 2 of us and Tommy.<br />
That's us in a nutshell for now. We have a new laptop FINALLY. I hope to get back into the swing of writing. We'll see how it goes.<br />
<br />
Quote of the day:<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i>"You can't cling to the side your whole life. If you don't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim." -Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
</i></div>
TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-44862629483290217082012-03-21T18:34:00.001-04:002012-03-21T18:37:41.763-04:00AlmostThe computer broke. I pulled it out of the case to plug it i was and the prong was pushed all the way in so i can no longer charge it. So back to the faithful smartphone. <br> <br/> Chancho is back to work after his 2 weeks of sick leave. He couldn't be happier. He was bored at home playing MLB 2012 by himself. I didn't get much time with him, as my schedule has been crazier than ever now. Which is probably why i am feeling so overwhelmed with wedding stuff. Nothing crazy needs to be done, but enough, to wrack my brain into "omg i cant do this". I'm disappointed in myself though because I've been doing so well with the planning and not being stressed that, i think i should have a handle on it.</p> <br/> <p>Here's a picture of our lovely Tommy the tomato. </p> <br/> <p><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVZs3WW_Q8wlVFbBnFK22u5reJFGil2bR2RzimX8Img2H2u_29gSXcZkEqEs9iGv7r_zJrFcIfrnRyJU83wVvJ8DLKlZldIFVsz_xYP5EZIMBwEIJ_P7SI2yZ6OtGAaBxTj-NuBIh9H0/s0/2012-03-14_20-27-34_377.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVZs3WW_Q8wlVFbBnFK22u5reJFGil2bR2RzimX8Img2H2u_29gSXcZkEqEs9iGv7r_zJrFcIfrnRyJU83wVvJ8DLKlZldIFVsz_xYP5EZIMBwEIJ_P7SI2yZ6OtGAaBxTj-NuBIh9H0/s400/2012-03-14_20-27-34_377.jpg' /></a></p><p> <p>I'll have to do a post on all of his shenanigans later. </p> <br/> <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4</div>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-74327397593099889372012-03-11T11:19:00.001-04:002012-03-11T11:19:33.299-04:00Oh HeyYeah, I know. September was the last post. Yikes. I guess I'll do a quick, as quick as I can, recap of all the major events.<br />
<br />
<b><u>October</u></b>:<br />
Chancho was involved in a terrible accident. The freak snow storm which knocked the power out for a week and forced us to use our fireplace for the first time was the cause. Chancho still needed to go in to work, which was the reason behind why he was on the hazardous roads. He hit a spot of black ice and the rest was history. His car was declared totaled. We were without a car and out money to buy a new one. Thankfully, he wasn't injured and everyone involved made it out alive. I think it was an eye opener for how dangerous it can be and how you may think you have control, but in reality, a car is a machine that can have a mind of it's own.<br />
<br />
A small group of us, decided it was time to bury my grandmother, next to her husband. We took a trip to the cemetery one Wed. It was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining and the air was crisp. My aunt played a few songs from her boom box and a few words were shared along with a few tears. As we were preparing to leave, we noticed a hawk was flying above us over the mountain that was next to the cemetery. My aunt said that when we buried my grandfather, she noticed the same thing. <br />
<br />
Chancho took his Sergeants test. He thinks he did well. Only time will tell.<br />
<br />
<b><u>November:</u></b><br />
I served my first Thanksgiving dinner. It was just for my dad, and Chancho showed up after, but it was still a great time. I managed to cook the turkey too soon, but everything else turned out great. I was getting the house ready for dinner and as I was bringing the folding table up from the basement I smashed my head on the ceiling. I could feel the pain ringing through my spine. I shook it off and continued to have a wonderful night. The following night, however, the swelling from the bump on my head took it's toll. I woke up in excruciating pain. It felt like I had a charlie horse in my neck. I was yelling and crying from the pain. I couldn't move my neck. Chancho woke up and wanted to take me to the hospital. (I don't do doctors) I had him grab a warm washcloth and I placed it on my neck to ease the pain. I also loaded up on Tylenol. I was down and out for a good 4 days.<br />
<br />
<b><u>December:</u></b><br />
Christmas was interesting this year. I baked my presents as we were very short on cash. The wedding plans have really drained our bank accounts. I made about 10 batches of magic cookie bars. Christmas on Long Island was the last in my Grandmother's house. She had placed it on the market. I've been going to this house my entire life. It was the house my mother grew up in and her father built. Everyone was able to make it and by the end of the night, after a few too many glasses eggnog, my cousin began to cry, realizing this was the last Christmas. End of a era.<br />
<br />
Christmas for my father's side was extremely difficult. The first holiday is always rough. A few too many drinks were had by all, but it was a great Christmas to be surrounded by family. My aunt received a car. Yes, just like on those commercials that you think to yourself "Who does that? No one gives a car for a Christmas present." We all trekked outside to the garage and once it was opened, there was a brand new car saying Merry Christmas!! <br />
<br />
Christmas for our immediate family was difficult in a different way. We couldn't find a day that worked with every one's schedule. So we celebrated a few days after the fact. We all got what we wanted and more. This is a Christmas I'll never forget, as it was the Christmas that my parents gave us all our inheritance from my grandmother. We were all under the impression that we used all of her money to keep her comfortable and happy up until the end. But we each received a red envelope with a card stating that the check enclosed was from Nan. That now that she was gone, this money would be for all of the birthdays and holidays that she would have given us money for. So we are to think of her during those times. It was just what we all needed. My sister just bought a house, we have the wedding and my brother is expecting twins.<br />
<br />
I started a babysitting job for 11-year old twin girls, increasing my income by a lot! Goodbye money stress!<br />
<br />
We rescued a kitten from the freezing cold. Named him Tommy because Chancho found him in a tomato plant. Tommy the Tomato. He is a rascal. I am having trouble dealing with his naughtiness. <br />
<br />
<b><u>January:</u></b><br />
Chancho surprised me again on New Years. He said he was working, but showed up to the party and I got a New Years kiss. The last one I'm sure for many years as, he most likely won't have the day off again. <br />
<br />
I became an aunt on January 17th! 2 months early EM & EW arrived in this world! My sister-in-law's water broke for the girl(EM), but the boy(EW) was stubborn refusing to come out. She wound up having a c-section. Everyone did very well. It was a little touch and go for the twins while they were in the NICU, but they pulled through just fine. After about 3 weeks in the hospital they were able to go home. <br />
<br />
<u><b>February:</b></u><br />
Valentine's day Chancho took me to Peter Luger in the city for a wonderful, delicious, steak dinner. <br />
<br />
<b><u>And now: </u></b><br />
<br />Things are going. We have wireless, which makes this blogging thing so much easier now. I can sit on the couch in comfort and be in the flow of things. Wedding plans are rapidly wrapping up and I am quickly feeling like this wedding will be here before I know it (4 months away). I have a ton of posts saved up. I just have to get to it. Glad to be back!<br />
<br />
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Quote of the Day: <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~ Joseph Campbell </span></i>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-3812046614072757112011-09-09T11:29:00.001-04:002011-09-09T11:29:11.484-04:00In the Arms of an AngelIt's been an extremely rough week for me. And this weekend doesn't seem to look all that much better.<br />
First, let me start with saying, I was going about 3-4 weeks of not having had spent more than, oh let's say, 15 minutes of awake time with Chancho. And we live together. The joy of having opposite schedules. I would be falling asleep as he was getting home and he would be deep asleep as I would be leaving for work. So needless to say, I was on edge. So close to falling off with any tiny push. I needed quality time, really just some face time. I was back to being engaged to my phone. Saturday, we were supposed to have the afternoon together, but while I was on my way home from work, I got a text saying that he was at his mother's spending time with her. I was pissed. We had planned an afternoon together and he blew me off for his mother. I went for a run. I sweated myself into a calmer mindset. And good thing because Sunday morning I got a phone call from my father saying I needed to get to the rehabilitation center to see my grandmother. She was heading downhill and fast.<br />
I arrived at the center as she was dosing off. She did wake to see me and smiled. But for the rest of the day she was sleeping.They were giving her morphine every hour to keep her out of pain. There was one hour they didn't get to her in time and she woke screaming in pain. It was the most difficult thing to have to watch. I felt so incredibly helpless. There she was laying in bed not really being able to move and in torture. I don't want to remember that. I want to remember the better times and I'm upset that I didn't arrive earlier in the morning because my dad told me a story that just brings a smile to my face. The nurse had asked the family to step outside for a moment so they could reposition her and when the nurse told my grandmother that the family was coming back in, my grandmother thought she said they were coming back in to sing to her. They aren't sure how she heard that, but none the less, my family went in and sang to her. The first song that popped into there head was 99 bottles of beer on the wall. There they were singing to her and she was smiling and waving her hands like she was conducting them. That was the last happy memory of her. I wish I had gone sooner. My aunt told me that she had talked to her earlier in the day and my grandmother said she wasn't ready to go into the light. That she saw it and pushed through coming back to us. So I sat and watched her sleep and wondered why after all this time was she not ready to let go? Was it fear? Did she have something left undone? Did she think she was strong enough to fight through the cancer and pain? Or did she just want to stay with her family? I never got an answer from her. The morphine dosage was increased to every half hour and soon she lost blood circulation to her feet, turning them black. She was transferred to the near by hospital and Tuesday morning at 5:20am she finally let go. My father called and all I could her was him crying. I asked if he got the phone call and he responded with a "Yes, she's finally in peace." I drove down to my parents to spend the day with them. My brother came, along with my sister and brother in law. My two aunts came as well. It was really nice to be surrounded by everyone. At dinner, my aunt passed out cards to my dad and other aunt. Apparently, my grandmother had written letters to them, before she got too sick. I think it will help my dad, more than she will ever know. God has you in His keeping. I have you in my heart. Forever.<br />
Then Wednesday, I was called in for Jury Duty. They released me because I am no longer a resident of the county they called me for.<br />
And of course, this weekend. The anniversary weekend. The threat level is as high as it can get. I am praying that nothing happens. I am praying that they stop anything before it does happen. And most of all I am praying for all LEOs. Chancho has already been told to expect to be kept over night into the week. <br />
However, I do have some exciting and uplifting news. My brother and SIL are expecting! Not only are they expecting, but they are expecting TWINS!! I seriously cannot wait to be an AUNT!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkgu4h_Gm-3FpXX5Qgn3vuwqydtKSv-x_WL3RZScomPfifu1jCr80UL0fPuZbBBLzqx2FL2eK4vz0Zbkntq0HwL6amV1uc_5qGkuSsMD27W-Dh-R3F-OC8D97rTDFlXIkxcxvucF38UU/s1600/TwinsSonogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkgu4h_Gm-3FpXX5Qgn3vuwqydtKSv-x_WL3RZScomPfifu1jCr80UL0fPuZbBBLzqx2FL2eK4vz0Zbkntq0HwL6amV1uc_5qGkuSsMD27W-Dh-R3F-OC8D97rTDFlXIkxcxvucF38UU/s320/TwinsSonogram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Quote of the Day: <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The wind has taken you. You're free finally at peace. So still you lie. Leaving your cares behind. The pain is gone with the spirit in your eyes. Now you're above us wandering around above us. Looking downwards as we cry. You've flown in the wind escaping all the hurt within. Took to the sky leaving the world behind." - Mariah Carey, "The Wind"</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Listening to: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwC0RTAC2Pg">"Angel" by Sarah McLachlan</a></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-47601235837552981292011-08-29T13:56:00.001-04:002011-08-29T13:56:18.591-04:00Good Bye IreneWe made it through the storm just fine. I know others didn't as there is a TON of flooding, but as for our new home, it is a champ. Our good friend lost a huge tree in his back yard. It just missed the house. It did scrape the corner, but there is minimal damage as to what it could have done. It smashed through another tree and landed on their shed, smashing it to pieces. They thankfully are all okay.<br />
We are now stocked up on candles and batteries for the next storm. We had filled the bathtub just in case we lost power. Drained that this morning.<br />
Chancho was thankfully home Saturday night with me and we were able to spend much needed time together lounging on the couch together. Sunday morning he left around 5am to head into work. Which was probably the WORST time that he could have left seeing how the eye of the storm was just nearing NY. However, he was on patrol for downed trees for the rest of the day. There wasn't much action. When I asked him how his day went he nonchalantly said, "I saved some lives." He told the non-smart people to not touch the downed wires. Sometimes, I wonder about people. Chancho made it home Sunday night too, which was a huge surprise to me, as he usually works at the deli after being a cop. He actually scared the bejesus out of me. He pounded on the front door around 8pm. I wasn't about to answer it, so I stayed upstairs thinking "oh they'll go away". Then I heard the front door creak open and I almost shit my pants. Thankfully, he called out saying "Hi Babe!" so my heart could jump back into my chest.<br />
But the worst is now over. I thank my lucky stars that nothing awful happened to us and I pray for those who didn't do as well.<br />
Here are some pictures from the <a href="http://www.lohud.com/">local newspaper</a> of what damage was done where Chancho's mother lives.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280802&Ref=PH&Item=25&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280802&Ref=PH&Item=25&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the street from Chancho's mother's house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=87&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=87&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A block away from Chancho's mother's house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=57&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=57&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the town Chancho lived in before we moved upstate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=24&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=BH&Date=20110828&Category=MULTIMEDIA030101&ArtNo=108280803&Ref=PH&Item=24&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street my sister used to live on before moving to NJ</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Until next time, Irene.<br />
<br />
<br />
Quote of the Day: <span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Hope is a driving factor in helping us stay
on course in life, it may feel as though it comes and goes, but in
reality there is always hope, there is always a chance for something
else to happen, and you need to have faith that it will." </span></i></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Listening to: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5IIDn_JXE">"Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean</a></span></span></span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></strong></span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-63755228563344029512011-08-26T23:19:00.003-04:002011-08-26T23:19:30.952-04:00IreneWelp, Irene is heading straight for us. Being in a new place has me a little on edge because I don't know what the surrounding areas have been like in the past. I don't know which roads to avoid or which areas flood. I also have no idea as to how the house is going to hold up. Fingers are crossed that the surrounding trees have strong ass roots.<br />
As for work, well, they want us to come in. I'm thinking, I will probably not go. The building is entirely windows! I think I'll stay put in my little house away from windows. Chancho on the other hand, as you probably all know, is going to be right in the thick of things. He'll be home all day Saturday with me (Yipeeee!!) preparing for the worst, but come Sunday morning he'll head in to the city to brave the storm, helping those in need. Or yelling at those who are idiots. With that being said, I am sending out tons of prayers for everyone in this storms path. Catch you all after the rain and wind.<br />
<br />
Be smart, be calm, and most importantly, be safe!<br />
<br />
Quote of the Day: <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Braveness is not the absence of fear but the strength to keep on going forward despite the fear." ~Paulo Coelho</span></i>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-52437822347554991982011-08-08T09:00:00.006-04:002011-08-09T17:52:52.313-04:00August 8thThree short years ago, you stepped into my life for a second time. This time, you were here to stay. This time, destiny made sure we would stick together. There have been times when our love has been tested and tried as we found our way through this journey, but it has only made us grow stronger and more in love. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful for the times we have shared together and smile at the possibilities that lay ahead. I look forward to our wedding day and the many anniversaries that are to come as a married couple. I know times will not always be easy, but I do know that you will be beside me no matter what. I am grateful for all the work that you do and the kind of work that you do. I love you and am thankful you come home to me every night. Happy anniversary. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, With all my
heart, my soul, my mind, my body... Because I need a forever friend to
trust with the intimacies of me, Who won't hold them against me, Who
loves me when I'm unlikable, Who sees the small child in me, and Who
looks for the divine potential of me... Because I need to cuddle in
the warmth of the night With someone who thanks God for me, With
someone I feel blessed to hold... Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship... Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements... Because marriages do not
fail, people fail When they enter into marriage Expecting another to
make them whole... Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take
full responsibility For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness I
create me, I take half of the responsibility for my marriage Together
we create our marriage... Because with this understanding The
possibilities are limitless." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ Vows from <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2011/07/texas-art-gallery-wedding">this wedding</a></div>
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TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-16703998078574200632011-07-25T22:19:00.001-04:002011-07-25T22:19:09.567-04:00For Better...or Worse, but Not for GrantedToday was my day off and I spent the <b>entire</b> day doing wedding stuff. Tons of searching online for ideas and tons of researching different venues and photographers. (If anyone in the Hudson Valley area has any references, greatly appreciated.) Lots of calculating and lots of scratching things off. Now that it's later and I'm home waiting for Chancho to join me, I'm getting all mushy and picturing what our wedding day will be like. So I started to write my vows. I know, way far in advance, but why not get things done while I have the time? I had written down what I had thought to be my vows a little while back, but then went back and crossed out and rewritten a bunch of things, pretty much demolishing the first ones. Tonight though, I read what I had crossed out and I think I'm liking what I wrote the first time better now. It just feels write when I say them out loud. I do feel like it's a little long, but hey I have a lot to say. I was searching online to read other people's vows to see if I could get all sentimental and in a better mind set, but it turns out that I couldn't find much of anything. I feel like love should be shared. <br />
Would any of <i>you</i> who are married want to grace me with your wedding vows, if you did in fact write your own? I can post them here for all to read or I can keep them for my eyes only. <br />
<br />
<h1 class="single-title" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">‘I Do’ </span></b></i></h1>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>His ‘hello’ was the end of her endings.</i></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>Her laugh was their first step down the aisle.</i></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>His hand would be hers to hold forever.</i></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>His forever was as simple as her smile.</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>He said she was what was missing.</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>She said instantly she knew.</i></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>She was a question to be answered.</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<i>And his answer was “I do”.</i></div>
<h1 class="single-title" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<i><b><b><span style="font-size: small;">– Carrie Bradshaw, Sex in the City</span></b></b></i></h1>
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TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-17585507380204545492011-07-25T11:54:00.003-04:002011-07-25T11:54:56.964-04:00Putting it TogetherI think this is the first day where I'm not sweating while just sitting still. I woke up and shockingly needed a lite blanket on me. It's been brutal here and we've been going through water bottles like crazy. I've been putting water bottles in Chancho's hands every minute to make sure he's hydrated for the day. Sometimes I wish they were allowed to wear shorts on days above 85 degrees. I understand why it's dangerous, but I think it might be more dangerous not to wear them in that kind of heat.<br />
Anyways, in this ridiculous heat, that I know I'll be missing in a few months, I've been making my way through the list of venues in search of the perfect place. Chancho was able to make it to one of the appointments and he loved one place. I did not agree. I think he just wants to get the planning on the way already. He keeps telling me to just book the place, "it's nice enough". Well sorry honey, but I need perfect. Luckily, I have an event planner at work that may be able to get us a great deal with a place that is out of our range. I hope she can work her magic and I can have the perfect place. My search continues for cheap save the dates, cheap invitations, and a great photographer. I'm anxious to have some more things completed. I'm starting to have trouble sleeping at night. Tons of thoughts rushing through my mind, from the guest list, what we can cut out to save money, to me getting a second job to pay for everything and have money to save.<br />
One last thought. Chancho left his gun at home today. Thought that was odd seeing how he's a Police Officer and being a Police Officer, you NEED a gun to protect yourself. He reassured me he wouldn't be leaving his desk, only to attend a funeral for a fellow LEO's wife. Hope that he doesn't do that again.<br />
<br />
<br />
Quote of the Day: <span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Don’t be flattered that he misses you. He
should miss you. You’re deeply missable. However, he’s still the same
person who broke your heart. Remember, the only reason he can miss you
is because he’s choosing, every day, not to be with you." </span></strong></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo
</span></strong></i><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Listening to:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMeUY6pZ9aE"> "How Forever Feels" by Kenny Chesney</a></span></span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</i>
</span>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1104426268962928026.post-72405437739579474942011-07-20T19:57:00.000-04:002011-07-20T19:57:59.180-04:00Wish ListAs a little girl I've had an image in my head as to where I would be getting married. It has been a vague image, but it's there non the less. I wouldn't be able to describe it to you, but I would know it when I saw it. Well I saw it.<br />
Yesterday my mother and I ventured out to look at reception halls. I booked two appointments and we headed out to see them. The first place is it. It was like finding our home. I just <i>knew</i> it. You have to drive over a little draw bridge to get to an island and the island is covered in trees, bushes and flowers. It's definitely green and beautiful. You drive around the edge of the sound looking out over the water and come up to a beautiful grand entrance. There is a car port so if it's raining guests don't have to get wet and yes, valet parking is included! Upon entering the guests would be greeted by people who serve you champagne. There is a fireplace, a couple of chairs and a couch. To the side is a grand staircase that swoops down to the main door. Going up those stairs and around you enter into the ceremony site which is a room that has full length windows on three walls. You get a gorgeous view of the water. Chancho and I would be standing closest to the windows with a sky light above us while we said our vows. Our guests would be able to stare off into the sunset or just enjoy the view while the ceremony is going on. After the ceremony is done, everyone would be ushered into the cocktail room which again has a full wall of windows looking out over the sound. It gives you the feel of like being on a cruise. And I love cruises so this was perfect. Chancho and I would have our own suites to get ready in and I would have a girl "hermetically sealed to my hip" for the entire event, as the banquet manager so kindly stated. The cocktail hour would include 4 satellite/cooking stations and butler service of hors d'oeurves. Roughly 45 different kinds of food would be available. Once the cocktail hour was over everyone would be seated inside the ballroom. It is a square room so everyone is an equal distance from the dance floor and the doors would be left open so you can still have the view of the water and have the option of staying in the cocktail room to escape the music or if we have a photo booth or something else out there, it would be extra space. The room is ivory, which is great to work with any theme. They also offer a Peruvian option for food. I'm not sure many places do that, another reason we need to book this place! They also allow us to have access to the entire island for pictures. On the island is a beach, a castle and gardens. I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with this place. The catch is that they require you to use their florists. That is the only vendor they make you use. My mother was a florist before becoming a nurse and she has done the flowers for both my brother and my sister. She's amazing at what she does and she really wants to do the flowers for my wedding. I saw her heart break a little when the banquet manager told her she wouldn't be able to do them. We're going to see if we can make a deal of some sort. But this place has definitely allowed me to check off everything on my wish list: Water, beach, gorgeous views, awesome food, ceremony, grounds to take pictures...the list can go on. <br />
I don't even want to talk about the second place. It was like walking into a cheap motel. My mother liked it because of the price, but you get what you pay for. It's a country club so people would be swimming and kids would be yelling and splashing as we were having our wedding. You have to walk past the two pools (that have chain linked fences) and cabanas, which are white washed and have padlocks on them. It was no where near as classy as the first place. Plus the man who spoke with us didn't think I was old enough to get married. I think he should have kept his opinions to himself.<br />
I realize I have a bunch of other places to look at and there may be one that has everything I want and may be even better (where my mother can do the flowers). Patience is key. <br />
<br />
Quote of the Day: <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength" ~ Corrie Ten Boom</span></i><br />
Listening to: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOlDUeGQJQ0">"Summer Nights" by Rascal Flatts</a>TMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055635550588656925noreply@blogger.com0