Merry Christmas

"And she shall bring forth a son, And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matt 1:21

The manger

and let us not forget the humble bed that the Christ child was placed in.

Nativity with Mary

"...And the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amoung women." Luke 1:27,28

Nativity with Joseph

"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:" Matt. 1:24

The wise men

"...behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of teh Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matt 2:1-2

Shepherds

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: adn they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:8-10

Camel

And a nativity isn't complete without a camel.

Christmas nativity sheep

Sheep have been added to my Careche. :)

Christmas dinner at Church

Had a great Christmas dinner at Church. The photo just the appetizer, then came chicken with onions and mucshrooms and for dessert, flan and peach half over slice of pineapple. Yum

This years nativity for my collection.

Found the cutest nativity to add to my collection. This year I sewed one. The Careche is finished. Stay tuned for future pieces.

WOW, the belén (nativity scene) is to the Spanish like lights are to some Americans

I just came back from my friend Teri's house. She showed us her "nativity". Like I said before WOW!!! I told José he is in trouble now. She wanted me to know it told the story of Jesus as you follow it along starting at the door.First we see the three kings on their journey on the upper level and daily life back in the day.Then we come to Harod and the Romans on the upper level and the market on the lower level. Just to the left of Harod are the shepherds around the tree which has an angel in it.More of the life of the people back in the day on the upper level and in the lower level you can see a pregnant Mary on the donkey with Joseph at her side.and on the upper level more of the life and times and the lower level shows Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus out in front. If you look closely in the background of the lower level is a scene of Mary again on the donkey with the baby Jesus in their escape away from Harod.On the end of this scene, you can't see it too well since it is sideways, is of Jesus as a boy working with Joseph as a carpenter. Comments are welcome so I can tell Teri what a fantastic job she did.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

Finally, we got our tree today. I forgot how pokey real trees can be. Christmas trees in Spain come complete with a root ball wrapped in plastic. New for me, but it makes sense. I actually bought ornaments for the tree. All those in red are compliments of Ikea, España. After putting all the homemade ornaments from the girls over the years it looked a little sparse. But I refuse to give up my paper angel for the top of the tree. I think she is about 20 years old now. I have my collection of nativities all around the piso about 12 now I think and I am just finishing the final touches to one I have sewn for this years addition. Spanish classes are coming to a close for this trimester, I take my trimester final on the 14th. English classes end for the holiday after next week and then begin again around the 6th of January.

A bike ride in the middle of November, only in Spain!

Since the weather hasn't turned too cold yet we decided to go for a bike ride last night. It was a perfect night and couldn't resist the opportunity to get the old blood pumping. It was great!

Friday night class of English

A much smaller class. Just two younger students Ivan and Mario. Mario (on the right) is a very serious learner. He comes in sits down and does his work. No playing around. He has come far since I arrived.

Thursday night classes of English

Sorry for the long wait for something new. Things are great here. I received an early Christmas gift from Jose. A new camera so I will try to be more active on my blog with photos. Today I am sharing our Thursday night English classes. Jose was drilling them on the word "Every" and threw a bunch of Spanish words at me using the word "every". I was able to give him the English translation to each word he gave me. One of the students in the class commented to me that I knew a lot of Spanish words in the four months that I have been here. That made me feel great.

Here is Rodrigo, he is the youngest student, he told his mom he liked having me in class. He's a sweetie.

And here we have L-R, Maria, Jose, Rodrigo, Liseth, Josue, Sarah, and JoseAlberto. I feel great when I can help them. :)

Flowers from my love

What a sweetie, Jose knows I haven't been feeling well so he gave me some flowers in hopes of making me feel better. Well after two days in bed, I am starting to feel better. Or maybe it was the flowers. :)

Mediaeval Fair in Elche

Went to the Mediaeval Fair in Elche yesterday. Great food and entertainment, it was wonderful. I had to buy some really yummy coconut macaroons and then toffee almonds that we watched them make right there. Mmmmmm Of course then we came home and I ate some carrots and hummus to make up for the sugar I had. You know you have to balance the good with the bad. :)

Alter update

Today in the mail I have received my birth record, complete with correct date, so I now I need to take all my documents to a translator and have them translated into Spanish. Jose has left a message with his attorney as we are waiting to hear how the divorce part goes. Step by step we are getting closer.

Eaten alive

We had a great day yesterday. It was a holiday here. No surprise there is a holiday almost every other week here. So we had toast at breakfast in the cafeteria and I hemmed a pair of my pants, we had a nice fish soup that I made for lunch and after Jose finished his siesta we went for a nice long bike ride. We went to visit a longtime friend of his in the country. It was a pleasant visit until it came time to go home. The sun started to set and the mosquitos came out in mass force. It was a long ride home and some of it uphill. Every time I would stop to push the bike up a hill I would be attacked. My only peace was when I was riding fast enough to keep them off my body. The harder I rode the more I sweat and then when I would have to stop they would be all over me. Was I glad to be home. I have about 15 bites on me now on my wrist, hands, neck and face. Two on my wrist swelled to a spot about 10cm in diameter. This morning Jose took me to the pharmacy to get some Gel to put on it. Yikes, I don't think I have ever reacted so badly to mosquito bites like that before.

Tia's fan club

Thank you to my good friend Andrew back in Washington for keeping me updated with Samantha clips.

Alter update

I finally received my birth record back from the State of New York with all the appropriate certifications and signatures. Do you think it will matter that it says I was born on July 30th 1952???? Grrrrrrrrrrrr and the County office says I have to pay the fees again because it wasn't their problem that it came to them with the wrong dates. Are you kidding me? I phoned the State department and told them what happened and they said they would waive the fee for the Apostille but to attach a note. I called the County office back and she didn't care that the State department was waiving the fee she still insists I send her a $3 check in the mail. Good brother!! I couldn't believe it when she said it's not our problem.

Bedroom and Kitchen

So the kitchen was a slow process only because I had to remove things slowly so not to attract too much attention. First to go was the rack he built next to the stove to hold cups and stuff. Then the trays found their way to the narrow cupboard to the left of the stove. Then I removed the little wooden shelf holding oil, sugar, salt, soap, each finding a new unseen home.

The sink strainer has found a new home and only comes out when I have a lot of dishes to wash. I also removed all the cup trees and on the counter flatware holders. Now all dishes and flatware not being used are put away in drawers and cupboards. (What a concept)I'm not too thrilled with the hanging cups under the counters but like I said, baby steps. The next step is for him to pick his favorite 4 and we give the rest to someone who will appreciate them more, and the four he picks have a place inside the cupboard. :)
The bedroom: I added pictures to the wall above the bed and my bed cover, which is actually a duvet cover and when the weather turns cold I brought my down comforter to put inside. I emptied all the junk from the drawers and put his clothes in them. (another concept that was new to him).The top of the low dresser seemed to be a catch all for everything so I decided to make it too pretty to mess up. :)



The TV doesn't work so I have suggested that it doesn't need to be here. Step by step. The low dresser has all my clothes in it. When I came it held towels and sheets. He must have 12 bottom sheets with about 4 top sheets. The ones worth keeping, along with my nice ones are now in a wardrobe we put in the small bathroom, (I now call the linen closet).

So if you like what I've done let me know in a comment or if you have a great suggestion, I am always open to new ideas. :)

Before and After shots

I thought some before and after shots are in order so you can see what I have been busy doing.

Laundry area before April came.
and as it is now. :)The computer area before me.and as it is now. I showed Jose how to make a monitor stand and I even stained it to match. It is still a little more clutter than I'd like it to be but I need to go baby steps, I've made a lot of changes.

April...unprepared. Not an option.

My first day of class this evening was cut short due to rain. I guess when it rains no one goes out. So our first day we filled out personal info for the teacher and were told we need to go buy the workbook for the class. José and I stopped at a bookstore along the way home, but the book I need was out of stock and would have to be ordered. It wouldn't be here for Wednesday´s class. Jose didn't understand when I said no, I need it by Wednesday, we will still look. He suggested that it was very common for students to go to class without their books. Hmmm He obviously doesn't know me very well, go to class unprepared, I don´t think so. Now I just hope I can find it in another bookstore.

Nice day for a bike ride

It was too nice this morning to stay in putting things away so I suggested to Jose to go on a bike ride. He gladly accepted my idea. We rode our bikes to the Elche Central park. I grabbed a couple of yogurt shakes and breakfast bars on my way out so we snacked on a park bench and watched a tour group from England pass through. It was great, after that we had a great Paella lunch with Mama. I am just about done with my last box. Jose has said I have turned his apartment upside down, but he also said I have turned his place into a home. I'll have to put up some before and after pictures.

Alter update

I received in the mail my Marriage and Divorce documents so now I only need my Birth record. After I get that I will need to have all three documents translated into Spanish.

Monday I start my Spanish lessons. Monday and Wednesday from 8-10 pm for 3 months. Looking forward to this.

The rain in Spain isn´t only in the plains

It poured yesterday, complete with thunder and lightening. The streets filled in no time at all. I thought I was in Washington for a moment. :)

A Samantha fix...

Thanks to a friend, I got this little video clip of Samantha. I think I´ve watched it about 15 times now. Such a big girl now and is very excited that she is going to be a big sister. :)

Alter update

Jose has received his Birth Certificate in the mail. I have ordered my Marriage and Divorce Certificates over the phone and just finished addressing the request for my Birth. Now we just have to wait for things to get here.

Speaking of things getting here. I just heard from the shipping company, they want to deliver my things Friday the 18th. Oh Happy Day!!!!

On another note, it has rained two days in a row here. But the temperature is still averaging around 77 degrees.

Alter update

We have been to see Jose´s attourney and started the divorce process. We have also started the marriage process as well and it is a lot of paperwork on my part. I need a State Certified copy of my Birth certificate, as well as State certified Marriage and Divorce certificates of my last marriage. These have to have been requested in the last year so I have typed up the forms and written out the checks to be mailed tomorrow. In addition to this the certificates have to be Apostille certified, which means they need to have a Stamp from the Department of State of which they have come from. So as soon as they arrive to me I have letters and checks ready to mail them back to the Apostille department of the State in which they came. Then when I get them back I need to take them to be legally translated into Spanish. I suggested to Jose it might be easier to fly to Washington and get married there, although he still has the divorce thing to finish with first.

Things I have noticed while living in Spain.

1. The Spanish women are totally comfortable with their bodies, no matter what the size.
2. The Spanish man has no problem adjusting himself while talking to you.
3. Always take Kleenex or TP in the bathroom stall with you.
4. Women in Spain are either pregnant or pushing a baby.
5. Men in Spain don't get a divorce, they only separate until they are ready to marry again.

In my attempt to get my Spanish residency, I discovered that waiting to be married is not a valid reason to be living in Spain. Once I am married, then within 2 months I am issued residency. So we are in the process. Step 1. Jose needs to get a divorce (a point he neglected to mention to me). Step 2. We submit our paperwork for marriage. Step 3. Marriage.... I will keep you posted on how this is going. It was a rather stressing day to be told that I need to leave the country in a month or live as an illegal and Jose was not divorced yet.

Puttng order to the Classroom

Sorry, nothing exciting to report lately. We have been very busy getting the classroom ready for the new school year. Jose has asked me to help him get organized. This is an understatement. After finding supplies, (pens, pencils, paper, markers, highlighters) in drawers and cabinets of each side of the room, I told him I was starting there. Now he has all his supplies in one place sorted in cubbies, I just need to put labels on the front so he knows what is in each cubby. I've just finished making a paper layout of the room and furniture now I get to play around and see how I can make things fit better and become more efficient to work. I'll post photos later.

Santa Pola coast

It was a great Sunday. Went to Church this morning. Came home and had a friend come over for lunch his name is Antonio (available if anyone is interested :) ). Talked to Jessica. Just got back from the coast with José and Toni. They went for a swim and I enjoyed the sun. For most of Spain today ended summer vacations. School begins tomorrow. :)

Delores for dinner with Jesús Sierra and Maiti

Tonite we went to friends Jesús Sierra and Maiti for dinner. I found myself actually using full sentences in Español. It was a lot of fun but I didn´t take a siesta today so I was really tired by 12:45 when José finally said, vamos (we go). The dinner was great and for dessert, churros and chocolate. Mmmm

Can´t get away from construction.

Still taking it easy on my back. Stayed in today keeping busy getting the place ready for my things to come. They are tearing up our sidewalk and putting in a new water line so no siesta for me today. I guess I´ll just go hang some laundry.

Here is a view straight down from our terrace.And this is looking down the street to the right.

They ripped the sidewalk out in one day and layed the pipe the next. Here they are lining up the walk with the exterior cement border and next came the cement dumped in. I am guessing on Monday they will complete the walk.

Just resting my back

It has been three days now that I have been taking it easy. I threw my back out of wack while lifting some things and have had to take life a bit slower. Jose has been working on a shelf to hold books. Good thing since I have 8 boxes of books almost here. :)

The Beach at night

Spent some quiet time at the beach last night. My back started bothering me so we didn't stay too long. It was 88 degrees at 10 pm last night. Crazy!

Cabo de Palos

Drove around a little today looking for an electric cooler. The ice just melts too darn fast here. The coolers we have are good for about 10 hours and then need a new bag of ice. I think we threw out all the food I packed with the exception of the drinks. Grrrr. Good thing there is a Cafetería and a super market at this Campsite. We are still looking for an electric cooler, but we are watching for the perfect one at the right price. Meanwhile we went into Cabo de Palos. By far the most beautiful of this trip. José could not resist. Off came the clothes and into the water he went. I had dressed for a swim, sun dress over my suit, but I´m not ready for swimming in the open sea yet.

As you can see in the picture the water is very clear and warm. I am trying to put a little color on just in case you see varying tan lines. I require UV protection of 50. :)


The Lighthouse of Cabo de Palos. This is at the farthest Eastern point of Spain.

Couldn´t resist this shot. It reminded me of the photo shoots the girls had when they were on the Drill team. José didn´t want to take the shot. He thought it was too close the the edge of a serious drop off into the sea, but I convinced him I would be safe in front of a big blue post. We sat and watched the sun go down after this shot and José spoke tender words of his love for me. It was precious.

La Manga Caravan

Much better campsite. We left Alcázares camp and found La Manga Caravan. This is by far the largest campsite I ever stayed in. It has a capacity of 6000. They have a supermarket, Sauna, Jaccuzi, Tennis, Pools, Bars, Showers, Laundry and their own medical center complete with pharmacy. The sites were very large with trees to separate each site.

Alcázares / Mar Menor / La Manga

Here is a shot of the Medeteranean Sea with a couple Islands. It was at this point that José learned that April does not generally make a statement she is not completely certain about. He tried to tell me the campsite was in one direction and I told him it was not. A fisherman passing by settled it proving that I was in fact correct. It was one of those things you had to be there to really appreciate. :)

Headed South and Stopped in Alcázares to camp at Mar Menor Camping. Not a very good choice, it smelled very bad, as if everybody woke up that morning stepped out of their tent/cabin and went pee! The water was filthy and it was also situated right next to a military airfield, so the planes were taking off and landing all through the night. Well it can´t all be great. You have to take the bad days to remind you just how great the good days are. :) We decided to check out what was near and drove to La Manga which is a strip of land consisting totally of Hotels and Restarants and beaches. You can see the strip in the left hand horizon of this picture. It has the Sea on the outside of the strip and Mar Menor body of water on the inland side of it.