Traditionally we have a card table out at Christmas time to work a puzzle. Glenn loves this family activity. This is a new puzzle we started just a few days ago and finished it this morning while visiting with Gary and Madison.
Madison was trying to figure out the sudoku puzzle, another Stewart family puzzle favorite.
~J
Women of the Harvest Retreat ~ I enjoyed a 3 day retreat with 50 other North American missionary ladies at a resort. The time was refreshing, rejuvenating and encouraging. I was pampered with gifts, free time, pedicure, haircut, special seminars & counseling sessions, an early morning water aerobics class in the pool & excellent worship time.
My sister, Sherrie, came for a 10 day visit with Flat Stanley. I'm thankful that Sherrie was able to experience my life here in Guatemala. Go to Sherrie's Snap Shot blog to read about her time with us in Guatemala.
A good friend, Virginia, from Bolivia, spent a few days with us in Guatemala on her way back to Bolivia. Thank you for the visit, Virginia.
My parents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in June. Happy Anniversary!
Lucille and Gene Tilley pictured here with my parents.
Do you have any long time family friends, those types of friends who gave you gifts...such as birthday presents, graduation gifts, bridal showers, baby showers and then blessed your kids with kindness? These words describes Gene and Lucille Tilley. Let me reflect on the Tilleys.
Then 52 might seem more like 30 or 40 degrees. This morning the fog was pretty thick up here in the neighborhood. Normally, there is fog down below in the city, but it's drifting up to the higher elevations today.
Three weeks ago, I tripped on the bottom steps and fell flat. My right big toe was swollen immediately & it was painful to walk on it. Since it was late at night, we decided not to go get the foot checked out. I had broken my other toe 15 years ago and there is basically nothing that can be done, except tape it up real good.
Two days later, the pain was so excruciating (I hope that is spelled correctly), that we did call the Doctor here in Guatemala and had my foot x-rayed.
It was not broken.
However, the x-ray machine was old. But at least it still works. My brother sells x-ray machines. I wonder if his machines look anything like this one?
Now, nearly 4 weeks since the incident, my toe is still aching. The Doctor said I should keep off my foot for 3 weeks and the pain should subside. It hasn't. I'm tired of taking Tylenol. Any suggestions?
How do you play the game? I was taught that if you had the double blank in your hand when a person went out, then you were charged with 50 points. I like the rule. I think it is a good strategy in playing the game. However, my friends disagree that it is a rule. What do you think?
When we have a lay-over in Dallas, we try to meet with our friends and play a round of Mexican Train Dominos.
Vickie, Charles, Helen, Delores, Barbara and Fred all say "House Rules" - meaning, whoseever house/home you play Mexican Train game in, then the hosts can call the shots. Well, I'm out of luck. I've invited the "players" to come to my home and play with Glenn and me in Guatemala. No dice!
~J
Gail's creation.
My sweet friend, Gail, came over yesterday for a 9am meeting, however, I asked her to come on over after she dropped the kids off at school at 8am. An hour is not much time to create cards, but it was enough time to make these 4 cards. We both agree that working with your hands is so therapeutic, relaxing and refreshing. Come back again, Gail!
A work in process...
All along the Arch street in Antigua, you can find artists painting away. Antigua is a paradise for watercolor and chalk artists.
Carol, when you come to visit us in April down here, I want you to bring your watercolors and I promise that I'll make sure you will have an afternoon to do your magic. You will enjoy the atmosphere and subjects to paint.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do...so while in Mexico, we had time before our flight to eat some comida Mexicana, Glenn had Lomito en Salsa Mexicana.
The pottery that we had our meal on was very similar to the pottery in the region where Glenn lived and grew up, the Mazahua area, just Northwest of Mexico City. The food was pretty delicious! Muy sabroso!! Olé!!!
As we traveled through Mexico, it brought back childhood memories for Glenn. Remember, he was born and raised in Mexico. As we traveled between Mexico City and Vera Cruz, Glenn remembered his 1976 Bicycle trip with Ben B. and the uphill battle to the pass and then the downhill ride where he got up to 65 miles per hour. Now that is the way I would want to travel.
Orbizaba, is the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere outside of Mt. Mckinley in Alaska. What a beautiful view!
Glenn's favorite childhood restaurant
Today we received our first Christmas 2009 card in the Guatemalan mail system. Normally it takes from anywhere between 7 - 14 days to get our mail here in the city. Back in October, we got a card that took 6 weeks to get to us! However, usually it's around 10 days for mail from the USA to get here.
