Fall Times

Oh Fall! I think my favorite time of year! Beautiful colors and weather that is crisp and cool.

We were lucky to have Rubens' family here this month for a visit. Cathy brought her son Angel, and his two kids Michael Angel and Hannah, and the 6 of us in our little house was an adventure! We had the kids sleeping in the basement on our futon mattress and an air mattress assembled in the living room!. It made for a close and fun weekend. While there they went to the Chicago History Museum, and the kids + Angel went to Navy Pier. Ruben had a gig playing for a symphony out in the Northern suburbs. So, while he was gone to a performance the rest of us went to an arcade/restaurant called Dave & Busters. It was a lot of fun to head over and play some games.

Here's me and Cathy trying to pick out a game to play. :)
I think Hannah just beat her dad. And Michael did what he does, which is keeping the camera rolling.

He did let someone else video while he played.

But he never missed a moment!

The next night we went to see Ruben perform. Unfortunately Rubens' family doesn't get to see him perform very much. It worked out really well that he had a gig!

It was a fantastic concert!

The next weekend I got a surprise visit from my friend David Wahrmund. He was singing in a friends wedding and needed a place to stay. I always love to have the chance to see David! He is such a dear friend. So it was great to be able to hang out with him in his spare time. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of his visit.

I did get pics of a costume run that I had to make to Wisconsin. We have a dress maker who has been working on our costume for an upcoming production of Ernani. I volunteered to make the trip to Racine, WI to pick them up. It was a rainy, cold day! But I made it there and back with out any problems. Below is a pic of the Wardrobe Supervisor, Maureen Reilly, getting the load out of the jeep.

Since the visit from Cathy, I have been wanting to try cooking come Puerto Rican rice. It seems that is what good wives do (in Puerto Rico,) and so I have been wanting to try it. So, this past week I tried to do it on my own, all the while trying to remember what his mom had taught me. Meanwhile, Ruben is frying tostones (fried plantane.)

Puerto Rican rice is:

browned pork with tomato paste, sofrito (herbs & seasoning), cilantro (used from the garden), peppers, gandules peas, garlic, onion, white rice and water

The plantane was awesome, and the rice tasted good, but was a little soggy. I'll get it right someday! :)



Another awesome event that has happened in our house is the creation of a laundry room!!! No more lugging laundry to the laundry matt!!!

This past Christmas, mom gave is a mini washing machine. We had been using it for doing delicates to avoid the expensive smaller machines at the matt. But recently our landlord oked us to have a plug installed for a dryer!! I found a used dryer on craigslist for $50! Ruben and I took a nice drive to a Western suburb to pick it up. The building repairman installed it for us and it works great!!!! So happy!

Growing up, I think I took having laundry facilites for granted! What a gift!

The mini washer. The small loads are great, we use less water and only need to use the energy efficient level on the dryer.

Here it is! It's nice, for being used!

Our set up!



The end of the month my dear friend Sarah O'Neill is coming to Chicago! I'm really excited to see her!

Also, Ruben will be heading to Houston for his Houston Grand Opera Orchestra audition. He has been put in the first group to play for the day. This is for a full time bass position, and would be a great opportunity for him. Any prayers and positive thoughts sent his way would be appreciated. Is audition is November 3.

That's about it! Life is good, and I am understanding just how blessed I am! Ruben is amazing and I'm a lucky girl to have him in my life, just as he is lucky to have me! It's nice that I have found someone to go on this journey with. As well as have friends and family, like you, who follow and support me on my journey as well!

Much love to you all!

Babies are Blessings

I am Blessed!

I want to introduce a new blessing in my life, my God-daughter Miss Mallory Grace Moncrief. Two of my dearest friends Leslie and her husband Dakota have asked me to be their second child's God-Mother!! This is such an honor, I wanted to share it with the world!

Leslie and I met on our first day moving into Wall Hall dorm at Texas Tech University. We lived on the same floor, 3 doors down from each other for 2 years. We became instant friends, and continue to be very close despite our distance apart and life changes. No matter how long it's been since we've talked, we are always able to pick up our friendship where we left off, fill each other in, and support each other. This is a kindred friendship that holds a very special bond. I love her very much.

The first time I met Dakota, I knew he was the perfect man for Leslie. He is funny, and smart, and handsome, and he and Leslie share similar goals. They both are teachers and love being parents.

Here's Dakota with Mallory.

This is a beautiful picture of Leslie with her 2 year old son, Mason.

I love this family, and I love how much they love and trust me with the honor of being their daughters' God-Mother.