When John and I first arrived to BWI, we checked in and were concerned that our seats were not together. So we asked while checking in our bags if the seating arrangement could be changed. I even went on to explain that we were married in February and separated since April, and we'd sure like to travel together. The ladies there were fascinated with our story. They told us they couldn't help us but to be sure to ask at ... Read More
Featured News
Until August..
Everyone that knows me well, knows I stink at good-byes. I get misty weeks before the actual good-bye events. I love being around loved ones. That's it. Good-byes usually accompany others [+]
Waiting in New Zealand..
“For a while" is a phrase whose length can't be measured.At least by the person who's waiting.” ― Haruki Murakami, South of the Border, West of the Sun If saying [+]
Mothers Day Continued..
Not sure how it happened, but we bought our first book together and it was declared my Mother's Day present. Orchids of Western Australia Then John suggested we go [+]
Mothers Day..
I missed my own mom and my children on this day, but it was sweet to spend it with John. I got told Happy Mother's Day very early in the [+]
Birthday..
Since my birthday and my time here coming to a close was in the same week, the day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Won't do that again. But [+]
Whiteman Park Kangaroos..
John drives home from work past Whiteman Park and often sees kangaroos at that time of day. So on his day off, we went by at around the same time... [+]
One More Time at John Forrest National Park..
After nearly a week of rain, John and I thought we would make one more trip to John Forrest National Park, in the hopes that with all the rain, we [+]
Bird Watching..
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:20 First part of the [+]
The Chairs..
John and I decided each time I am in Perth that we should take on a project, like the last time it was the kitchen floor. We were online when [+]
Whiteman Park Classic Car Show..
Whiteman Park is a beautiful place and just the area alone would be an attraction for me, but it seems to hosts a lot of events and always seems to [+]
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, January 12th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: airport, auckland, Barb, bwi, flying west, john, new zealand, san francisco, seats, sfo, together |
When John and I first arrived to BWI, we checked in and were concerned that our seats were not together. So we asked while checking in our bags if the seating arrangement could be changed. I even went on to explain that we were married in February and separated since April, and we'd sure like to travel together. The ladies there were fascinated with our story. They told us they couldn't help us but to be sure to ask at ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, January 9th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: airport, bwi, sunrise |
John and I are off to Perth, here was the start of our journey.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, January 9th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: drivers, easton, laura, license, maryland, test |
A drive to Easton, Maryland (where Laura could get her earliest appointment), my youngest got her license to drive! Always a stressful time, hoping to pass, she didn't need to worry, she did a great job!
Laura sending me a signal after her test, that she passed!
She's very happy.
Calling family and friends to tell them the good news.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, January 7th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: 2013, Arthur, enric, fletchers, john, Kenny, laura, make up, miranda, new years day, rose bowl, Rubí, Silas, tournament of roses parade |
After all the Christmas celebrations, it was finally New Year's Day.
The day began doing my favorite thing to do with New Year's Day, watching the Tournament of Roses Parade. A fine tradition my dad started with me.
This year it was even better as the whole family, even Silas and Rubi, and John got to watch it with me. The children got excited with the different floats.
Laura gave Miranda a rare treat with some touches of make up.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, January 5th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: grandchildren, john, masha and the bear, Pop Pop, reading, Rubí, Silas |
I love how John has settled into his role as Pop Pop...
Watching Masha and the Bear with Silas and Rubí'
Both stayed on John's lap to enjoy the movie and share their favorite show with him.
I think John liked the movie too.
Silas enjoys the humor of Masha and the Bear.
Rubi enjoys some cheese snack with the movie.
John gets some of his English cheese, too. He even shared some with Rubi.
The next day, John reads ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, January 4th 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: birthday, dc, donna, jenny, laura, miquel, ruby slippers, smithsonian, washington, wizard of oz |
Some failed ideas of how simple it would be to take Jenny to New York City for her birthday, we ended up going to Washington D.C. Since I LOVE going to D.C. , it seemed like a good second choice.
We picked a blustery, cold, day to go to our Nation's capital.
We selected the American History Museum, since it had been eons we had gone there and there had been many changes since the last time we went.
The miniature ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, January 3rd 2013 In Featured, Personal | Tags: 2012, bah humbug, Barb, christmas, christmas village, cookies, dad, day, dinner, enric, george, jenny, john, kim, laura, Linda, miquel, miranda, mom, roger, Silas, stacey, turkey, yaya |
After many days of preparations, early celebrations, Christmas Day with the family was finally here.
To honor my dad, and make him feel part of the day, I had put out his favorite Christmas greeting on a prominent place in the living room. :)He liked to kid, but really, behind the scenes, he along with my mom, did a lot of work to make every single Christmas, MAGIC.
While we were still getting ready for the day, John got a ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, December 31st 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: calendar, christmas eve, enric, hobbits, jenny, john, john sloane, koala, kookaburra, larua, miquel, miranda, mom, nail polish, pillow, safe, time card, vest hollister, World of Warcraft |
After going to church and tucking Rubí to bed, it was time for the "Grown Ups" to open their presents.
Just what Laura needs, another nail polish.
No Miquel, Laura didn't name her laptop Jesus (Hay-soos), she has an ASUS!
Miquel video records the silliness.
Ooooh...........................All the colors!
Miquel got...Big Bang Theory Season 3, then season 2, and last season 1!
That's what he asked for, a neon lime green vest from Hollister.
Kookaburra with a Santa hat, perfect!
A ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, December 29th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, christmas eve, church, enric, jenny, john, laura, miquel, miranda, Rubí, Silas |
Each Christmas Eve we go to church for its Christmas Eve service.
This year, we decided to try to get some photos with the lovely poinsettias in the background.
The children were kind of wiggly during the service.
Had to got one of John and I
Laura and Jenny
Jenny is so sweet, she wanted one with me.
Miquel and Jenny
Some didn't want their photo taken, like Silas here.
Baffled kind of how to handle Silas's mini meltdown not wanting ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, December 28th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: christmas eve, jenny, john, kitchen set, legos star wars, magnetic paper dolls, miquel, nana, Pop Pop, presents, Rubí, Silas, yaya |
So it became the part of the evening before church when the children were allowed to open their presents...
Rubi starts...
A book about a koala!
Silas gets something real happy!
Rubi gets a kitchen from Yaya.
Ready to play
Magnetic paper dolls from Nana and Pop Pop.
Just what Silas wanted, Lego Star Wars!
Rubi quickly got the hang of opening presents.
In come Aunt Jenny and Uncle Miq!
Rubi clutches a present from them.
Silas loves his racetrack!
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, December 25th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, Boxes, british, cheese, cheeses, christmas, english, eve, john, laura, leoni, miranda, petra |
Christmas Eve was suddenly here. We had a few snow flurries and then it was time to begin our evening together.
John and I always take the photos and it's rare we are the ones being photographed. Seemed for our first Christmas together, we should pose for a few. Besides we wanted an image in our new ornament for the tree. So Laura was our photographer...or was it Silas? :)
John liked this one.
I kind of favored this one. His ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 23rd 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, christmas, john, laura, lights, photography, photos |
Sunday was a day of going to church, having a big lunch, shopping at Bj's, watching the Raven's game, baking oatmeal raisin cookies, and then Laura drove John and I around so we could take photos of the Christmas lights around the neighborhood.
First, Larua's favorite house in Pasadena.
One house made a statement with only ONE light, a spotlight.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, December 22nd 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: christmas, cookies, decorate, reunited, Rubí, Silas, slinky |
After two whole days of grueling travel, my husband from Perth has reached Maryland to celebrate Christmas with us.
Silas and Rubí both warmed up to "Pop Pop" right away, and it wasn't long John was showing Silas the workings of an old Pentax camera.
The tradition in our family is, we get together once before Christmas to decorate cookies. John picked up some icing and joined in.
Sugar cookies were the main items we have decorated over the years, ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, December 19th 2012 In General, News Items | Tags: 1949, daily news, democrats, welfare state |
Sometimes, not much changes, like how the democrats are all about the welfare state. The following was written in 1949.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, December 18th 2012 In General, News Items | Tags: generation, peter pan, stats, young men |
The writer of this article feels there is a big problem with young men in America. When I read it, some of the items sounded very familiar. Do you think the writer is right? Are our young men these days not ready to be men at all?
When are we finally going to admit that we have a very serious problem with this generation of young men in America? We have failed them so dramatically that it is hard to put ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, December 18th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: 2012, Barb, christmas, crazy, john, miranda, Rubí, Silas, web cam photos |
Things are getting a little crazy around here waiting for John to get here, for Christmas to come...
Nobody photo bombs like Miranda!
I love how Miranda gave Rubí "new" hair!
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 16th 2012 In News Items | Tags: alaska fisheries, hurricane sandy, mayor bloomberg, obama administration, victims |
***UPDATE BELOW***
The Obama Administration has been slow to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. It's been shameful in fact.
Now he wants to send help, but helping who??? Alaska, no where near Sandy's path??
From the New York Post:
President Obama’s $60.4 billion request for Hurricane Sandy relief has morphed into a huge Christmas stocking of goodies for federal agencies and even the state of Alaska, The Post has learned.
The pork-barrel feast includes more than $8 million to buy cars and equipment for ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 16th 2012 In General | Tags: australian, Day FM, djs, english, nurse, power, proverbs, station, suicide, tongue, words |
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
~Proverbs 18:21 (King James Version)
In Sunday School class today we are learning of the importance of communication. Words as stated in the Bible verse above, are powerful.
Pastor added an example for us to ponder:
Two Australian radio DJs made a prank call to the hospital where Prince William's pregnant wife, Catherine, is staying with acute morning sickness, claiming to be Queen Elizabeth ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, December 14th 2012 In News Items | Tags: al sharpton, dictators, harry belafonte, hugo chavez, opposition in prisons, third world |
Daylight's coming and I want to throw all who oppose Obama in the prison. That's Harry Belafonte's advice.
Harry Belafonte, He wants a new America, liberties gone except for the elite.
Enlightened Marxist Harry Belafonte was on with pal Al Sharpton this week. His advice for Obama was to imprison opposition like a “third world dictator.”
Any why not, he's quite friendly with dictators like Hugo Chavez.
Previously, Belefonte called President Bush “the greatest terrorist in the world” while praising Marxist tyrant Hugo ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, December 13th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: children, jesus, loves, Rubí, Silas, sing |
Laura was ready with her camera, but this time making a movie of Silas and Rubí singing in the back of the car. I guess they have some work to do yet, but cute as can be anyway!
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, December 13th 2012 In General | Tags: bottles, brown paper bags, green, old people, personalize, radio, retro, reusable, TV |
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have
this green thing back in my earlier days."
The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."
She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Wednesday, December 12th 2012 In News Items | Tags: michigan, right to work, SEIU, state, steven crowder, thugs, union thugs, unions, violence |
Right to Work States are in Blue
If you only watch the mainstream networks, you have likely not seen the violence or got a biased clip of the film.
First, what is "Right to Work" law?
A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union.
Michigan became the latest to join the Right to Work states.
Based on the definition, you can see why the unions are flipping out. ... Read More
You might not think this applies to you, or that the death tax is only for the rich. Don't believe the lie, it's just not so.
From the Washington Examiner
New legislation that jumps the death tax to 55 percent of estates exceeding $1 million threatens 526,421 family farms, of about 25 percent of all farms in America, according to a Senate analysis.
According to the analysis from the Senate Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Wyoming's John Barrasso:
If President Obama and Senate Democrats ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Monday, December 10th 2012 In General | Tags: democrats, free pread, laziness, little red hen, no one wants to work, starvation |
"Who will help me plant my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself." She planted her crop and the wheat grew and ripened.
"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the duck. "Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
"Then I ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 9th 2012 In News Items | Tags: cerebral palsey, disabled, florida, kidnapping, Marie Freyere, north tampa, nursing home |
Marie in her wheelchair, wearing a straw hat.
What kind of country takes a child away from their mother, and it results in the child's death? Kidnapping and murdering disabled children seems to be where we're headed.
Even after Marie Freyre died alone in a nursing home 250 miles from the family in North Tampa that loved her, Marie's mother had to fight to bring her home.
In March 2011, state child protection investigators took 14-year-old Marie from her mother, Doris Freyre, ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 9th 2012 In Featured, General, Personal | Tags: Louie Giglio, resonating pulsars, stars, stars sing, video, whale song, you tube |
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Psalm 19:1
What happens when you can record into space the songs of the stars, the beasts of the sea and the whales?
A symphony.
Creation itself proclaims the glories of God.
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, December 8th 2012 In News Items | Tags: al sharpton, debt ceiling, meeting, obama flip flop, taxes |
Obama the Senator, against raising the debt ceiling. Obama the president, FOR.
In 2011, Obama the President said, " “What we said was give us $1.2 trillion in additional revenues, which could be accomplished without hiking taxes — tax rates — but could simply be accomplished by eliminating loopholes, eliminating some deductions and engaging in a tax reform process that could have lowered rates generally while broadening the base.”
In 2012, the Congress presents him with that same plan, and Jim Carney, ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, December 6th 2012 In News Items | Tags: charlie brown christmas, christmas, christmas tree, grinch, hawaii concert, seniors apartment, war |
We keep hearing of stories of Grinches everywhere.
Seniors in their apartment building are told to take their tree down, the poor, sweet, old, dears are now victims and someone should be very ashamed.
Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it's a religious symbol.
On Tuesday, Tarzana-based JB Partners Group Inc. sent a memo to staff at The Willows senior apartment building ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Thursday, December 6th 2012 In News Items | Tags: dictator, egypt, morsi, muslim brotherhood |
I don't consider myself a brilliant political mind, but I am not surprised that The Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi, has become Egypt's new dictator. Why are the so called experts surprised? An even better question to the American people would be, why did Obama back Morsi? Even *I* knew this was bad news.
From Fox News
More than 200.000 filled Cairo's Tahrir square on Tuesday to protest against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in escalating unrest over decrees that granted him near absolute powers.
Waving ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, December 4th 2012 In General, Personal | Tags: flashmob, music, ode to joy, sabadell, you tube |
I lived a short while in Sabadell, and even though many people who are from there, don't like it, I always did. I went to school there in this center area. I enjoyed it. How adorable to see it again, even if it's only You Tube.
I didn't see anyone I knew though. :)
... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Tuesday, December 4th 2012 In General, News Items | Tags: expiration, light bulb, oldest light bulb, planned obsolescence, products |
The video that follows is long, but asks a LOT of good questions, such are things made today purposely NOT to last? Included in the video (which is primarily in Spanish, but also has interviews in English and German), is a birthday celebration for the oldest known light bulb.
Batteries that are languishing at 18 months of being released, printers that are blocked on reaching a certain number of impressions, bulbs that melt at the thousand hours ... Why, despite ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Sunday, December 2nd 2012 In News Items | Tags: golf, hawaii vacation, no leadership, obama |
One in six Americans in poverty.
Hurricane Sandy victims have no relief in sight, but Japan is willing to help.
Fiscal Cliff looming ahead with serious implications for all of us.
The Middle East is in chaos.
At least two crises (Fast and Furious, and Benghazi among a few) have hit his administration with NO real answers to the Americans who VOTED for him.
And....Our president plays golf for the third time since the election.
And why not? He needs time to relax before his 4 ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Saturday, December 1st 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: bedroom, decal, enric, guitar hero, Hobbit, laura, miranda, movie, present, Rubí, Silas, stairmaster, tree, wall, wall decal, yaya |
As I blogged yesterday, Laura got a wall decal for her bedroom as a birthday present from Yaya. Miranda was quickly enlisted for help, and she accepted.
The wall decal was split up in several sections. This is section "A"
Silas busied himself at Laura's desk.
He soon got into the spirit of joining Mommy and Laura on the bed (and jumping off it).
Rubi, in turn, busied herself right outside Laura's room on the steps.
This child created her ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, November 30th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: Barb, birthday, erin, Heather, jenny, laura, meg, miquel, miranda, yaya |
We make birthdays more than just a one day event around here.
With Enric and Miranda away for her actual birthday, we saved the cake for one more day.
Laura with her requested Moose Tracks ice cream cake from Friendly's
Well it's official, she's 19.
Waiting for cake and to watch Laura open presents.
A lovely bracelet Laura had "pinned" on Pinterest and Miranda had taken notice of.
A birthstone necklace from Heather
A homemade card from Mama with birds and ... Read More
Posted By Xerraire On Friday, November 30th 2012 In Featured, Personal | Tags: blessings, dad, mom and dad, old photo, on his birthday, poem |
My Dad and Mom a long time ago.
He never looks for praises
He's never one to boast
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken
His wants are very few
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken too
He's there.... A firm foundation
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold to
In times of stress and strife
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that ... Read More
