Friday, September 30, 2011

The blogosphere!

Since I am new to "blogging", the stats section is somewhat interesting to me and I am excited to say that it appears that I have a few followers from Russia.  I am not quite sure why.  Maybe they think this is some strange encrypted messaging site.  Little green men, big ears, strange signs. 

I hope they comment sometime.

And the winner is . . . . . . . .

I decided put poor Ben's mind to rest and post the name of the wine I picked up in Oz.

Peggy is the winner. It is "Can't find my way home".  But maybe we can all get together and share some of the other interesting things I have picked up along the way and I can prepare something from the "Roadkill Cookbook".

That is, if I can find my way home again.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

A mother's special unknown tricks

One of a mother's secret weapons!
Well, they caught me using my super sonic hearing.  This is proof for the rest of you out there that you will NEVER get away with anything.  We, mothers, have abilities you never knew about!

Home, Sweet Home! The Institute of Christ the King

St.Gianna's Oratory
Welcome to St. Gianna's Oratory (or locally known as Holy Family)
Sacred Heart statue in the courtyard

St. Teresa
What could make 5 little hootiekins super happy?
None other that the familiar face of the most awesome Abbe in the universe!
Sacred Heart altar
Mary's side altar
Side altar of St. Gianna
All of the local people know it as Holy Family and is one of Tucson's historic landmarks so when I said we were going to St. Gianna's Oratory everyone was quite confused.  Amazingly the family that I am staying with had grown up going to Holy Family.   Holy Family Parish is Tucson's oldest parish.  Its first pastor Fr. Lucas of St. Joseph O.C.D. and his associate Fr. Eduardo of the Child Jesus O.C.D. were beatified by Pope Benedict on October 28, the Feast of Christ the King, in 2007.  On August 6, 2010, Bishop Kicanas entrusted the parish to the Institute.

It was particularly refreshing to attend Sunday mass again at an Institute church and also be blessed to be able to attend daily mass there also. All through Sunday mass, I was interrupted by a small whisper asking, "Where is Abbe Alex?  I thought he was going to be here?"  Yes, it even made me a bit homesick and yes, I miss those blue pom poms and cassocks.

Please pray for this fledgling parish and also their new Sacred Heart Society as their first meeting is this Friday morning.

St. Gianna, pray us!
Bl. Lucas, pray for us!
Bl. Eduardo, pray for us!
St. Michael the Archangel pray for us! (as I post this on his feast day)

St. Gianna

This post is for all of the wonderful and blessed expectant mothers I know.  I have been fortunate to be able to attend daily mass here at St. Gianna's Oratory.  While there, you have all been remembered in a special way and prayed for at her side altar.
Pray for us St. Gianna and intercede on behalf of all expectant mothers especially those I know and hold dear to me.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A really fun, fun day! Day 7

My flat tire
Getting the keys out of my car
As I stated, we were ready to get out of town.  When I got to my car in the parking garage, the post about "Trouble coming in 3's" was born.

After sitting in a tire shop for a couple of hours, we were on our way again to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.  Lake Mead is particularly special to me as my grandfather lived there and when we would visit it was a great place to go.
Lake Mead Marina where I would feed the carp.
Carrying on the tradition
They love popcorn!  Children and carp

Someone felt sorry for the ducks.
Lunch time guys!

Pretty aren't they?
From Lake Mead, we headed over to Hoover Dam.  I was pulled over by security because of the suspicious black bag on the top of my car (carrying the sleeping bags and dirty laundry).  When asked if I was carrying any weapons with me, I replied, "Pepper spray and several children that can bite."
Arizona side of the dam

Nevada side of the dam.




When Security asked my if I had any weapons, I guess I should have turned over that pair of tennis shoes to them!






Upon the recommendation of my dear friend Peggy, we headed south toward Kingman, AZ to get our kicks on Route 66 for a bit.  It was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

Destination:  Oatman, Arizona

Wild donkeys can be seen on the side of the road on the way in to Oatman.

Welcome to downtown Oatman, AZ
Where the donkey rules!

Yes, they wander all over town like this!

Stores sell carrots to feed them.


You can't feed the babies but they can eat you!
Baby donkey wear a no carrot sign on their forehead.


And eat your car!











And try to gain entrance into your car!
This car appears to be particularly tasty.
The welcome sign for Oatman

After looking around a bit, we chose to eat lunch at this establishment.
This is the inside of the restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Covered with dollar bills from all kinds of people!

We wondered where Mr. and Mrs. M's dollar could be found.

Our favorite dollar
Maybe those Oatman residents are on to something!
Of course, we had to leave one too!

Oatman's other claim to fame is Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned there and frequently returned to play cards and obviously feed the donkeys.
Other fun things to do in Oatman . . .

Like finding a poisonous snake with your brother.
I liked it so much we're looking into this property!
I know now these signs are NOT kidding!

These fellow had just crossed the road!

 Mrs. M knows which road I speak of.

Other word of caution for anyone who might encounter one of these guys, I was told not to stop and take pictures because they will come up and ram your vehicle.

With all of my adventures so far with animals and my car in general, I took their advice and got a safe distance away before taking these pictures.  Had I stopped, I am sure my car would have been under attack and would have been bashed in everywhere!
I managed to dodge more cows grazing in the road too.

Once again, heed the warning!
 After Oatman, I finally relinquished the driver's seat for the drive to Tuscon, AZ.  It was really nice to sit in the back but that is when really knew THOSE SHOES MUST GO!


Upon arriving at my destination in Tucson, I knew I was in good company and would fit right in here!