Hold on to your hats this is fun!

These are some pictures of fun times gone by.. Great memories!

Slowly, but surely..

I'm slowly learning this blogging gig. I see some of the things that people do with this and I can feel a little intimidated. Well, here's something I just learned. Below is a slideshow of some pictures Ambria took on one of her trips to Atlanta a couple of years ago during the Aquarium opening.

Tonka Trucks and Barbies

I was going through some files on my computer and found these old pictures. Aren't they the cutest thing! I think so.. even if I do say so myself! My kids have always been a source of strenght for me. Throughout life's challenges, knowing that they loved me and depended on me always made me work harder and helped me to be more patient and understanding.

Now Ambria Josh, and Kami are either working, or going to college, or both. Jared is in High school, and Gabby in first grade . I can't help but wonder where the time has gone. I remember when they were all so little, when they were born, I can see them playing with their toys and games running around like crazy people. Their laughs, their smiles. I can see so many good things in them. I hope you enjoy these.

Efrain

Looking forward to yesterday..

Most of today has been spent looking forward to yesterday. Kinda weird.. as if we were standing in a Star-Trekkie, Einsteinian tear in the fabric of space-time, if that makes any sense? (to most of my nephews it will). You may say "what in the heck is he talking about! He's finally lost it."

Well yesterday, I managed to take some good advise from folks in the family and started this blog thing. The only problem was that in the process of establishing what should be included in the blog alot of questions have been raised. For instance, Lili is convinced that this is just another crazy thing that I got involved in, and who knows she may have some points, (I'm not all there - mentally that is - all the time). However, I want it to be more than that. As Michelle, my brother's wife says in her blog (quite good, you should check it out) that this can and may serve as a way of preserving a piece of our lives and possibly add to our family histories to the benifit of those that come after us. If that is so, then a good deal of care must be taken to illustrate what that may be.

That whole concept has made me ponder? What is worth preserving? what is too private or too personal to share. And if you believe as I do, that the the "heart" of things, the kernel-of-truth are what is most valuable and should be shared. Then you have to put yourself out there, if it's really going to matter.

I've been going through old photos, albums and the like, seeing images of loved ones.. parents, kids, brothers, sisters, and friends. So many images and memories have been rekindled. Smells, sounds, and tastes have flashed through the mind and perception, and I find myself wanting to save it all! But I know that it's not practical, nor wise. Somethings are gone forever.. and they will never be back. Somethings should not be repeated as they are not meant to be. Like those horrible clothes we used to wear, but there is so much of yesterday that is good and wonderful, if we can only connect to it again. So I hope to post those things from yesterday - today..to benefit tomorrow. You'll be seeing some flashes from the past and you may stare in shock and horror. And you will ask the eternal question.. Why do we only have pictures of us eating? Well, the answer is.. I don't know, but the food sure was good! Let's all go "WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE".

Love,

EEscamilla

Eat dessert first - Life is too short!

You see.. the way I see things, life is full of ups and downs, zigs and zags, comedies and tragedies!

Eat dessert first, because you do not know what life is going to through your way next. I used to think that I could control and shape the events of my life in a fashion that I could reasonably count on an expected outcome. right... Well it's been officially and sufficiantly documented...that's an illusion.

Life is way too complicated, with what the kids have to do, what my boss expects me to do, what my wife demands that I do, what society wishes I would do, and what I know I should do. There's just too much do do. ;-} You see there are times that we feel as though life may be spinning out of control, and often times we find ourselves going round and round.

It reminds me of the old Steve Martin movie.. you know the one in the 80's, where he's going through a mid-life crisis of sorts. He quits his job because he didn't get a promotion, his yourger brother (favored by his father) is knee deep in big-time deals that always fail, and his dad is always bailing him out, His sister's teenaged daughter is pregnant with Keanue Reeves son and it's all going to hit the fan, and on top of it all he feels that his dad doesn't seem to appreciate what Steve Martin's character is doing with his family. You know? You know the one I'm talking about.

Well there's a great quote by the grandmother character in that movie. She says something to the effect of "when I was a little girl, I used to love to go to the fair. All my friends loved the merry-go-round, they just loved going round and round; and round and round seeing the same things each time around. While I loved the roller coasters, they would go up and down and side to side making me feel all dizzy and wonderful inside" Well that's the way I feel. Life is full of ups and down and zigs and zags and we never truly KNOW where we're going to be. So I say give up fighting to control the roller coaster and enjoy the ride ... eat dessert first.

In Mexico, there's a saying about bland food, we call it pan sin sal (bread without salt) we really don't care for food without some savor (flavor), we like some spice, some heat, some kick. A little something to make you pucker and say Ahh. As with our food, we feel our lives should also have some of those characteristics. I hope you live each day with a sence of awe and adventure, go out and dance a little salsa with your wife or loved one, feel alive. Enjoy Dessert!