Day 56 - Sis

Saturday afternoon snack. Thank you Landa, thank you Chickie and thank you God!

Day 56 - Lisa

I stayed up till 2am this morning.  My mom and I started discussing our trip to Spain and my Grandma Emily's family history in Avila.  So I tried again on the internet to find "something" about them via Avila.  Well I hit the Catholic Church Bingo!  I can now trace her father's family back to the 1500's and to the church built in the 1300's where they were all baptized till their move to the US in the 1900's is still standing.  In the Fall, I will be standing on the land they are from and in that church.  It's amazing and unreal to me.  I love the show "Who Do You Think You Are."  We watch it every Friday night and I sometimes close my eyes and dream of us having the experience those celebs do.  I realize we do not have a team doing the research but this was small step in making this a reality.  I cannot wait to get on the plane.  It's hard to explain why it's so important to my mom and I but it is.  I need that connection.  I want to understand my history.  We discovered that my Grandma Emily was correct when she'd tell my mom in her later years that her father used to always tell her we are from Avila, Santa Maria, Madrigal de las Altas Torres.  That is exactly what is on the church records.

Madrigal de las Altas Torres -

http://www.escapadarural.com/pueblos/avila_madrigal-de-las-altas-torres

Church where my ancestors were baptized -

http://www.aytomadrigaldelasaltastorres.com/turismo/visitar?id=3

CHURCH OF SAN NICOLAS DE BARI 

In the main square of Madrigal de las Altas Torres, a beautiful front porch, is the parish church of St. Nicholas of Bari. This is a cross-shaped church in America, of different styles, whose beginnings date from the twelfth century with a number of reforms during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, which was declared a National Monument in 1931. If something is known is primarily to conserve baptismal font where she was baptized Queen Isabella of Castile and for being the place where John II celebrated his second marriage to Isabella of Portugal. The uniqueness of St. Nicholas on the one hand lies in its splendid tower, the highest in the province, at to foot, and at its head formed by two apses very unequal, but also by the armor of the nave and Moorish remains of what was a choir stalls. In the nave, separated from the others by four pairs of pillars with pointed arches of triple archivolt we find the rococo altar-neoclassical late eighteenth century pattern images and reliefs with scenes from his life. At left is the alabaster tomb of marriage Castañeda, a work attributed to Basque Bush that was broken during the French invasion. And on the right, the alabaster tomb of Gonzalo Giral dated XVI century, on which stands an alabaster altarpiece with the image of St. John the Baptist in the center. Stresses the armor that covers the central nave: a Mudejar roof with Renaissance ornament which was built in the fourteenth century. The gilded and painted dome skylight has a star in the center. During the sixteenth century, undertook a complete remodeling of the church. Various chapels were added, including most notably the so-called Golden Chapel, rectangular cover with a stellar vault, endowed by Pedro de Ribera.Another chapel is founded by Francisco Ruiz de Medina, commander of Quiroga. In the chapel of Ruiz de Medina, there was a small altarpiece attributed to Alonso de Berruguete school which has been preserved only an image of San Juan Baptist. In 1977 appeared under some walnut boards Baroque period, who were ready as a backup in the choir stalls, others were painted with Gothic cardinas and skylights could be contracted to Mudejar. The stalls should be composed of 24 seats, 20 are preserved complete, the two ends with his overalls, and was hidden under a baroque choir came from the former Augustinian convent and had to move to this church in the nineteenth century.

Day 55 - Sis

Dark skies make these plant's colors stand out even stronger; like some people's colors seem to stand out better than others in the stormy, dark times of life.

Day 55 - Lisa

My mama's birthday present from my sister was the gift that keeps giving.  Soooooo good!  Especially when the temp outside dropped 30 degrees in about 3 hours time.  Nice bowl of chow'dah to come home too.

Day 54 - Lisa

The title has intrigued me.  I know PLENTY of these in my family.  ;>

Day 54 - Sis

Daughter sent the birthday present. Wow, really? I mean, really? Know what's for dinner tomorrow night, SF clam chowder in sourdough bowls! Salami,cheese and bread for snacks also a choice. Thanks to the Maciorski's.

Day 53 - Lisa

I donate to the organization called Donors Choose.  It's a place where teachers all across the USA can promote projects they want to do in their classrooms for their kids.  Most are teachers that are educating in high risk areas of the country.  Coming from a family of teachers, I feel compelled to help them and the most importantly the kids.  I do not normally publish my charity but when you receive such a heartwarming response it's hard to keep quiet.  I paid for some Native American children in Pembroke, NC to have individual white boards for their lessons and art classes.  Today I received individual thank you cards that touched my heart.  They have asked me to be their class penpal and I will gladly do so.  Please if you can, find your way to this site and help the teachers and kids.

http://www.donorschoose.org/?utm_medium=reprise&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_content=donorschoose&utm_term=donorschoose%2Bcom&gclid=CJn58_eDuq4CFcW8Kgod_hmjLQ

Day 53 - Sis

I prepared for the water stoppage we were notified about today at the complex. Notice on door said that the water would be turned off all day for some maintenance work. Wanted enough water available to fill animal drinking bowls, to wash hands or for clean-ups. Later saw sign posted outside that it would be an intermediate water stoppage for two days. So wondering if they didn't turn it off at all today, was this a practice drill?

Day 52 - Lisa

It's Fat Tuesday and I wish I was here!!  Good times, good food, good music, good people!

Day 52 - Sis

Beginning to believe what Lisa's been telling me, that I'm one of those persons who's body zaps the energy from batteries. Eh, I'm sure there are people who think that also applies to being in my company!

Day 51 - Sis

Another bonus you receive for walking!

Day 51 - Lisa

As you know oneeya celebrated her birthday yesterday.  She got a special can of dog food along with a sweet stuffed lamb to play with.  There was noted interest from the "other" pet in the house we noticed last night.  Getting is a few casual walk-bys that included a pause to sniff.  So this morning I wake up and find the below picture.  I do not think oneeya would have been happy to see this!

Day 50 - Sis

SSSSH, don't tell oneeya these are her birthday gifts. She's four years old today and so lovable. It's also a special day to remember for me and my family. Missing you brother.

Day 50 - Lisa

My tv watching time has been very limited lately but this is one show I do not miss.  I love the premise.  Being big music fans this is right up our alley.  The judges are great, especially Blake Sheldon, not bad to look at either!  Can't wait for Monday nights.