Generations

Isn't it amazing to go to a Halloween party and meet more descendants? It is for me:) More info to add to Ancestry.
My 1st cousin 1x removed has a Halloween party every year. My sis and I attended it this year. We had the son of one of these women take our pic:

My Sis was Zipper face. Scary😮From left to right back row is Rosalie, me, Beverly, Char. Front row the shorties:) Flora and Margie. I love these women and praise God that we are related. Beautiful smiles, no? All of us grandmothers and Steel Magnolias, to borrow from the play written by Robert Harling, all of them.

I just celebrated a milestone birthday. 65!! And on that note I decided a month ago to get rid of some yarn (gasp), knitting needles and crochet hooks. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Loaded my vehicle and ran the load down to ART located in Albuquerque's health care for the homeless building. What a relief actually. The crafters and teachers came out to unload and were surprised when I told them to keep the containers too. Don't need the temptation of filling them up again.
I celebrated my birthday with casino bingo with my Sis. That won't be happening again. Too many variables to sit there for 2+ hours and not win. Although I must add that it is free on birthdays👍 Then we met my kids for dinner at Sadie's. OMG😋 I forgot how HUGE the 'small' portions are. My take home leftovers weighed about a pound. I got a new Kindle Fire from them. Wow! Love it. 

Now I've been going over genealogy books and records and have decided that most of my time will be dedicated to documenting my ancestors. My wish is to simplify my documentation for all my family. God willing.

In one of my books the author wrote about how many tourists describe Albuquerque as a little, sleepy, metropolitan wanna be city. 😁😂😂
One of my books quotes former Albuquerque planning director Jack Leaman when he left my beloved town in 1986 (buh-bye) that:
       "a quality growth program must be developed....The alternative is to lose the special sense of place and the diversity of lifestyles which make Albuquerque different from other major growth cities. Albuquerque should not become another Phoenix, Dallas, or Denver, or look like Anywhere U.S.A."
'Hell yes' most of us Albuquerqueans say even now. We want to keep our diversity and small city standing in tact some 30 years later. 
Unfortunately we have had some sporadic growth that has us fighting rush hour bottleneck traffic. Such is the pain of "major thoroughfares." But----it does demonstrate that people are hard at work, no? Glad I'm retired:)

So, back to one of the many documents in my arsenal of connect the dots research. I love old maps. They demonstrate the diversity of what is now known as Southwest USA. Many of these trails were traveled long before they were documented. Connect the dots?

While waiting to see my doc for my Medicare visit I picked up a UNM continuing ed notebook. I think I'm going to take Spanish II and Basic Navaho. These classes are offered at the junior high school I attended a thousand years ago. And are only $110.00 each plus the textbook. I also carted along Albuquerque in Our Time, 30 Voices, 300 Years by Debra Hughes. Ruben Cobos, a well known Spanish professor and writer, encouraged his students to document the different Spanish dialects spoken by their families. From that he was able to publish about a Spanish Dictionary to help those of us who don't speak 16th century Spanish. These were recorded onto reel-to-reel and later donated to UNM and Colorado College. Thank you Dr. Cobos. Can hardly wait to get my hands on some of those.
So easy to get lost in the research, forget to eat and then have the ole eyes go wong-wong-wong😵 And life goes on. Oh, better get back to it;)

My Sis' granddaughters are here from CA. The 6 y/o looks almost exactly like our mother! Loved listening to chatty grandnieces. I met them at Toys R Us! Toy shock store for me. I'd probably still be in there looking if we hadn't got hungry😜

Tuesday had a 3 hour lunch with Lyd and Antoinette. Most of our lunch was spent talking genealogy and memories.

So, to sum up the last month---I interacted with 6 generations. Gotta love it! Counting my blessings.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and are blessed mightily by our Lord. God is good!

Thank You for the much needed moisture for our parched land. 

Random thoughts;) ??

I started and erased blogs almost weekly over the last 2 1/2 months. So here goes:

Was remembering some of the large and in-charge women in my family. Who, when in heated exchanges of rapid fire Spanish and much gesticulating, would break into peals of laughter. Or often get louder and louder in disagreement. I was very young when during one of these exchanges my mother's cousin said, "Well excuse my ass all to pieces!" I broke into stunned but loud laughter. Which drew a look from my mother that said she had forgot I was in the room and she was not pleased.
Anyway, I broke into laughter at the memory:)) I have no doubt that one of these ladies would have achieved political greatness had she been born a few decades later.
This presidential election has been one of the most ridiculous and vicious campaigning in our history. Have not watched the debates or much news. Would rather watch reruns of History channels Vikings. BUT.....we all have opinions and must respect that. I'm buying more ammo as a hedge;) God save us from ourselves.

Vikings starts it's 5th season on November 30th. You know where I'll be. More, give me more, give me more.

While shopping with Sis at Michael's I asked the clerk if they were hiring for the holidays. She said to apply online. Their application form is equivalent to applying for Federal employment. Why would I want to work? Well...First-it's seasonal. Second-I want to go to Europe next year. Third-I must be losing my mind to work retail during the holidays. Must be equivalent to working medical during the holidays. Who knows? I might finish the application;)

No matter how small, silly or irrelevant, I appreciate effort.” - Billy Chapata. 

I have been dining out too often. Need to stay home and eat a healthier diet.

Some butt-hole broke into my son's truck.

This is crazy weather, no?

It's been two weeks since I finally finished signing up for Medigap and drug insurance. Since then I have received SIX college lab size booklets. Really? No wonder most folk by-pass this process until forced by co-pay costs.

I've been going through files and almost burned out another shredder getting rid of papers that don't mean anything to anybody else. In the process I found some of my kids' report cards, programs and Mother's day cards. So precious but time to pass them on. I have about a thousand pictures!

Found more genealogy documents from 1994. Elaine and I have traced our ancestral roots back 9 generations! My uncle's DNA opened up more generations than I can fathom right now. I read a novel to rest my brain. I've also made some out-of-this-world cousin connections:) Love it.

 My sister and I went to see The Lion King at Popejoy Hall courtesy of Mother's Day tickets my daughter gave us. Amazing production!
We also hit the Greek Festival and the St. Therese Fiesta. Nothing like Spanish music and local food smells. Mmmm. I miss being able to dance.

The Chile and Chocolate Fest was well attended and ok.

Went to the New Mexico Wine and Jazz Festival with Cyn. It was fun and eye opening. Did not realize how many wines are produced in our state. New Mexico True was still going on at the same location. While we were walking around these two tiny Native boys in full dress regalia walked by. They were both under three feet tall. Their dances were a wondrous site. Both their parents are also dancers. But only Mom danced that day. She was beautiful and regal.

Started a blog on ludicrous signs while at Costco when I noticed their new cart corral sign. These carts are 'providing for our customers as a courtesy'. Seriously? Can you imagine customers carrying industrial size packages from shelf to cashier to vehicle without this 'courtesy'? That's as far as that blog went. But, I must say the best sign I've ever seen was at TVI(now CNM). It read "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT PARKING HERE"

So there it is. Shredded most of my blog notes too. Hmm.

Be blessed.

Catching up;)

Yay!! My Medicare coverage starts 11/1/2016. Welcome to 65 y/o! I was having trouble getting on the Social Security website with all those "new security measures." Because as we all know----Killary's home email is the "ONLY" secure one in the world. Sure. Maybe I should have gone to her government provided house and asked to use her computer. Hmm?! Anyway, I have received more information from gap insurance companies than from SSA.gov. More on that later.

So much has happened since my last blog.

Ancestry wise:

 My g-grandfather Climaco Torres was from Seboyeta(Cebollita), NM and my g-grandmother Maria Nieves Chaves was from Cubero, NM as stated on their marriage license in 1890. Grandma Deluvina Torres, Grandpa Julian Garcia's wife, is their 1st and only daughter. I'd been wanting to travel to these small towns since Feb. But something always got in the way. Cyn, Elaine(2 cousins) and I finally were able to go. Talk about a WOW day!! In Cubero and by chance(?) we stopped at their local gas/grocery/liquor store that also houses a small government office. Met an 89 y/o man that everyone there declared him to be the local historian. And he was.  A 79 y/o man had a handle on the local politics and was on his way to Santa Fe but stayed and spoke with us. So much info. A woman there is documenting all the headstones in the cemetery. She has since called and told me she found my ggg father's grave marker. Hope to go back there soon to visit.

A short drive up the hill to Seboyeta to see if Prima Juanita's house was still there. Unfortunately the house has been demolished. But----we met two ladies who are lifelong residents and they spoke at length with us about the town. There's a shrine to Our Lady of Sorrows that we would periodically visit when I was much younger. My mother called it "La Cueva de las Golondrinas" because hundreds of these swallows  nesting in and around this natural cave could almost make you deaf from their chirping. Cyn and Elaine had never been there so we drove the short distance up the hills. I was amazed that the stream was just a trickle and all the nests were empty. The statues and pews are in amazingly good repair. We then traipsed around the cemetery but didn't find any ancestral names on markers.
   This trip was definitely God's timing because the three of us have obligations, and this was the only day we were able to be gone for a whole day!!! Thank you Lord^0^

Uncle Eddie's DNA results finally came to fruition after 2 tries. I needed his DNA results to 1-prove, or not, the story that Grandma Deluvina was full blooded Native American and 2--for a direct line y chromosome descendent.of my 4x great grandfather. No on 1 and YES on 2. So many Hints to research. Love it.

So many July birthdays to keep up with. Jackie 7/4, David 7/7, Char 7/20(we had dinner at AppleBee's) and many more. Now we also have a bunch of August birthdays! August 4 is Bren, Elaine, Aileen and Antoinette!! Tonight We celebrated Bren's at Yanni's. Yummy.

I started de-cluttering again since I need more space for genealogy stuff. While going through boxes and other containers of pictures I found some classics;) I was SO surprised to find cards and letters from co-workers who had moved out of NM dating back to 1980 in an old hatbox!! Some names were so foreign until I scanned the writings and comments. Then Aha moments;) Talk about a walk down memory lane:))
I've been carrying this box around for 36 years!! Had to remind myself, "Self. You are supposed to de-clutter. Remember?" Of course. So all those memorials went into the recycle bin. Not the hatbox though. I may need it:)
  I used to collect hatboxes for some strange reason, Then collected clowns, then a jungle of houseplants, then kachinas, then woven baskets, then pottery. Whew! And always pictures.

Vehicle wise:

Had to shell out 1695.00+ to replace refrigeration system in my car.  Much needed this time of year. I almost had sun stroke from heat while running errands.

Dental wise:

My new "lifelike" looking partial was 1800.00.

Potpourri:

Was anybody glued to the tube either during the RNC and/or  DNC Punch and Judy show? I watched a couple of highlights. Terribly disappointed. Best part was when Bill Clinton fell asleep during one of Hillary's speeches. I rented a movie from RedBox "Miracles from Heaven". A great tearjerker. Well worth the miniscule cost to watch something else..
Pray for our country

Well. It's 3:00 AM and my zolpidem is finally kicking in Goodnight All.

God is good!!!!!

Excuses, excuses, excuses.....

I've been trying to find any excuse to not finish the account of the car accident that resulted in the death of my Aunt Rufina(Ruth). I was named after her and my Aunt Maria.

I need to take a walk
I have to finish this mystery
I need to change my sheets
I have to vacuum and dust
I feel like making soup
I have to run to the grocery store
I have to pay bills
Need to check the mail
Have to touch base with family

On and on and on.

Every time I start to document on Ancestry the account of the accident that Manuel shared with me on 4/17/2016, I am reminded of the irony that we talked on Scott's (my dead son) birthday. I was sitting with Manuel in his dining room in Santa Rosa, CA. We had just had a great meal provided by his wife Donna. Manuel started sharing. I listened. The account played out in slow motion. How can it not? He was 16 years old and the woman he considered his mother died. They were 1600+ miles from any family.
A small sample of what is on Ancestry:

Faustino and Rufina had just bought a brand new 1950 Nash. Manuel was 16 and just received his CA driver's license. Rufina wanted to go to New York to be baptized  as a Jehovah Witness. A faith that she truly believed in. Faustino, Rufina, Manuel, Tino Jr, Angie and Jackie(1+ y/o) traveled 800 miles to Albuquerque. There they dropped Tino and Angie at my grandparents house, picked up Auntie Alice and Louie(1 y/o) for the trip to New York and then on to Niagara Falls. Manuel was thrilled that Faustino let him drive on this fateful trip. As they approached Charleroi, PA Faustino told Manuel, who was driving, that they would be staying in the nearest town for the night. So Manuel pulled over so Faustino could drive. They were at a crossroad. As Faustino watched the oncoming traffic he proceeded to turn. A car containing 4 drunk GIs decided to turn and plowed into the Nash. Faustino, Rufina and Jackie were in the front seat. Manuel, seated right behind Faustino, Auntie Alice and Louie in the back. He saw Alice wrap herself around Louie, and Rufina wrap herself around Jackie. As any mother would do to protect their children. Rufina was thrown into the windshield and suffered a fractured skull. Faustino who had some broken ribs jumped out of the car. He kept trying to open the passenger door to get to Rufina. He finally wrenched it open, grabbed her, and  started running down the highway screaming for help as he carried her in his arms. People stopped to assist. She died a few hours later in the Charleroi Monessen Hospital. Auntie Alice broke her neck and had some fractured vertebra. Manuel had a black eye. He  remembers that the people who took them, Manuel, Jackie and Louie, into their home were loving caring.

The pain, sorrow and crushing helplessness that my Grandpa Julian and Grandma Deluvina felt when they received that phone call is beyond my understanding. One daughter dead. The other severely injured. Their 2 grandkids, with not a scratch on them, in a strange place. So far from their ability to comfort. I can only compare it to the night I knew Scott died and all I wanted was my sangre, my family around me. And my heart breaks for them.
Rufina was born Dec 1917. Just 2 short months after the death of her 1 y/o brother. In Oct 1927 four of her siblings died in a fire. Maria died Oct 1951.

What happened to the GIs? Did they survive? Had they survived an overseas tour of duty only to suffer with the knowledge that their actions caused the death of an American stateside? Who could live with those regrets?

And my last excuse? I HAVE to cry.

The trip---

April 14-21:

My trip started at the ABQ International Airport. Sometimes it's a blessing to have an artificial joint because you don't have to take your shoes off. But...you do have to stand in a tube that searches for metal on your person. I was being scanned and saw that look on 3 of the TSA people. "I'm sorry ma'am, But you said you only have an artificial hip. You're showing metal in both shoulders and right knee. We have to pat down those areas" Hmm. One guard had his hand on what looked like a night stick. I said the only other metal in my body are staples from gall bladder surgery. So anyway they patted both shoulders and right knee front and back. Then sent me back into the tubular scanner. The metal shows up as yellow blocks. Still showing. So the wand came out.No beeps:) Asked if I could have a copy of the scan to show my doc. Unfortunately their is no hard copy for travelers. Everything is recorded up in Security. Well it was worth a try.

My trip to Roseville to reunite with 2 of my cousins went very well. Somethings are too intense to write anywhere but on ancestry where any of my family can read the memories of days gone by.
I was able to spot Jackie right away. She is the spitting image of her mother my aunt Ruth. What a rush. I've been looking at Aunt Ruth's face in Aunt Maria's wedding picture for years. And, of course, we took a selfie and Jackie didn't want me to post it 'cause she "looks like I'm dead":)) Her friend Judy was driving so had a very chatty trip from Sacramento to Roseville.
Didn't take long for her dog to get used to me. I also met her niece, my cousin 1x removed, her oldest son and Jackie's husband Bill.
Jackie fixed a fantastic green chile stew and pinto beans. True New Mexican food. Yummy.
We just talked and talked and talked. Then Bill said he was putting a movie on. The Cobbler with Adam Sandler. Not a comedy. Never heard of it. But I like most of Adam's movies and really enjoyed  this one. But I get ahead of myself. Thought we were going to watch on their massive TV in the family room. Nope. A HUGE screen dropped out of the ceiling turning the living room into a private theater. I told Bill I was getting screen envy. But I seldom sit quietly watching movies at home. We three spread out on the reclining sectional. He has done a great job on putting this mini movie room together with mere pennies. Quite the handy man.

Jackie got a little flustered cause she had all these activities planned for us but we just took it like champs and adapted:) The 2nd day we drove into Sacramento to see the other Bill. He had heart surgery so would be in the hospital until Wed.
Initially I was tempted to change my trip to later in the month because my cousin-in-law was having chest pain and was probably only in need of a stent. I should explain that both my cousins married men named William (Bill M). Angelina is the wife of this particular Bill. I got to visit with Bill M for a few minutes after he was home. He is doing well. Thank God
Two of J's very good friends came over for lunch. So I cooked some bean empanadas and red chile. Great gals:))

Jackie had asked me if I liked plays. She bought tickets to The Royal Family playing at the Roseville Theatre Arts Academy. Loved it. The theater is equivalent to our Albuquerque Little Theater.

She took me to some "repurpose" stores. Bought an earring and necklace set. Great stores. Have you noticed that the new word replacing thrift, used/reused and/or second hand is "repurposed"? Hmm. Even heard it on a mini tour of the Gutierrez-Hubbell house in my city. Don't really see the inclusion of all those words into just one word. Enough blathering;)

Sunday we drove to Santa Rosa to see Manuel, Jackie's uncle. His wife Donna is a lovely, lovely person. She also cooks New Mexican. Yummy. Manuel and I sat for a while as he shared so many memories about living in Los Duranes. Also told me about the car accident that killed my Aunt Ruth. It was a slo-mo account. Asked him if it was burned in his mind and heart. Yes it is. I am so glad for his ability to share and clarify/clear-up some rumors. Very very thought provoking and draining.

We finally made it to Old Town Sacramento:) I found a book on Native American History for $20!!! What a deal. I had foolishly loaned out my now out-of-print book and never got it back. Don't you just hate that? Now I'm very careful about who gets to take my books "for awhile."
Ate next to the river. I had calamari and catfish. Then we followed a sweet smell to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and bought caramel apples to take home. All in all a great day ending with a glass of Merlot and more talking/sharing.

 I kept sharing pictures and stories from my laptop with Jackie and Bill. Bill pulled out some of his family photos dating back 3 generations. AND there are names and dates written on back of same photos. I told him he had a gold mine. Needless to say (but I will) Bill and Jackie signed up with Ancestry.com and he ordered a DNA kit:) Yeah baby:)

My last day there ended with us getting up at 5 AM!!! to make it to the airport. Whatever possessed me to make a 7:30 AM flight reservation? Everyone knows I usually get up at the crack of noon;) But it worked out well 'cause my daughter picked me up in between classes.

Called several of the familia to share about my trip and our California familia. When I spoke with my Uncle Eddie I asked him if he would be willing to have his DNA tested to see the percentage of Native DNA. I'm pretty sure Grandma Deluvina is full blooded Native. At first he said no. But called me later to say yes. Ordered the DNA kit while on the phone with him. I also need a direct Y chromosome to break through my g-g-grandfather's line and he's the guy to test:) More genealogy.
Love it!!

This seems like such a short synopsis of a trip full of blessings. But will do for now.

Since being back home I've been to the gen library 3 times. One of those trips ending with a parking ticket 'cause I got so engrossed that I didn't hear my cell alarm reminding me to go out and feed the meter. It was worth the $10:)
Also went to a paint and coffee/tea painting class The theme was Momma Bird. I've never painted anything smaller that a wall. Nor did I like sitting to color when I could be in a ditch, orchard or jardine. I was pleasantly surprised with my picture. All mainly due to great instructors.

And how was you past month?

 May you all be blessed with fond memories, loving family and friends and the ability to recognize those blessings.
 Praying for rain and steady temps. No more cold for me this season. Don't know if I should carry a light jacket or rain coat. Definitely a sweater.

Vegan Craftastic: Chunky Button Bag

Vegan Craftastic: Chunky Button Bag

Familia, and other things;)

So....

after obtaining financial freedom from the last string with the ex I started planning genealogy focused family trips via highways and byways. Wouldn't you know it? God had other plans for me...... Probably because I had to pay my federal and state income taxes:(

I got rear-ended at the OFF ramp near my home. Didn't see a vehicle when I looked in my rearview mirror. Ever the adrenaline junkie my thoughts immediately sprang to "OMG! a motorcycle went under my car!" SO I jumped out to inevitably try to drag the driver out before my car or the bike exploded. I had just filled my gas tank. Thank God this was not the case. I was hit by a 2008 Nissan Ultima. The driver was kind of dazed and I asked him if he was ok. He hit me hard enough to deploy his driver airbag. After a couple of minutes he answered he was ok. He crunched the front end of his car. But it was driveable enough to reverse onto the shoulder and out of the rest of the freeway maniacs making their ever-so-important need to beat every one else to the OFF ramp red light. (say that really fast 5x:) Good thing he is an EMT for Bernalillo County and had relatively good insurance.
Long story, short. My car was in the shop for a week on Progressive's dime. I had a rental, also on their dime. BUT-------they wouldn't fix the hydraulic lifts for my tailgate. The adjustor decided it was normal wear and tear. Huh?!?! It was working just fine before the "accident." I repealed and the Progressive "mediator" decided that he agreed with their adjustor. Reeeaaalllly? What a shock. So I had to shell out $160.00 to have the lifts replaced. The mechanic said the gate is heavier than any other ones he had repaired. I certainly couldn't hold it up long enough to load/unload.
Would I recommend Progressive? NO. In fact there is a New Mexico class action suit filed against them for misrepresenting minimal NM liability car insurance. Didn't read all the rhetoric. I'll stick with my company. Enough said....

In the meantime I continued in my passion of genealogy and made flight arrangements to visit my cousins in CA. What a blessing and natural high to spend a week with my rediscovered family. The flight from Albuquerque to Phoenix was short, but my connecting flight to Sacramento was almost as far as possible from where we landed. Minor detail 'cause I was so pumped to finally see my cousins after 30 years! WooHoo:)

The more you discover the more you realize how important it is to get everybody's memories of the same incident(s). Have notes on receipts, paper napkins, shopping lists and my checkbook register taken during the week long visit because my digital recorder was still on my dining table awaiting new batteries. Ergh! But..minor detail, no?
Jacqueline has been blessed with the talent of hospitality. And she is the spitting image of her mother who is my namesake.

More detail later.

May you be blessed with family, friends and anything else important in your life.

Praying for moisture with these new storms. I'm COLD.