Friday Favorite Book

ARe you There God, It's Me Margaret? by Judy Blume has to be my all time, 1970-80's, teenage favorite author and book. I had all her collection. It was the first book I read without pictures in the book. I was in fourth grade during the year of 1978-1979. The same year they seperated the girls and boys to have a mini sex education class/puberty class. Remember our little box with our first pad/tampon included and brochure? Then when all the class got back together all the boys kept asking what we spoke of? And we all blushed and said "none of your bees wax!", Ha-Ha! Every girl must read this classic book about going through puberity. I don't care if times have changed, I think all girls of all generations can relate to Margaret or her friends.

Did you know...The phrase "I must, I must, I must increase my bust", which Margaret and her friends chant while doing exercises intended to increase breast size, has re-entered popular culture after being originally popular in the 1940s and '50s.

Did you know...In the 2006 edition, belted sanitary napkins have been replaced with adhesive sanitary pads (I thought best not to include a photo of this)

Well, this is my book for Friday. If you haven't read it, do. You'll get a kick through memory lane and be glad, if your not already there, almost over.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Ayla's 4th Birthday

Today is Ayla's 4th birthday. As a tradition, we spend the morning at 'her' parade and go support the Veteran's. We went to the Mesa Veteran's Parade. Here are some of the pictures taken at the parade.

I think this was a 1945 M29C "Weasel" built by Studebaker, Wow!

Here they were dressed in costumes of different eras.

Ayla's favorite, her ghost riders!

A special moment between brother and sister.

When low and behold we looked up above, I think it was a AT-6 Harvard aka AT-6 Texan a North American product advanced trainer used by almost all allied pilots trained in WWII. Eh, I bet ya didn't think I knew much of planes, like my french, "un petit, petit frances" it needs the accent and weird c.

Oh darn, taking pictures of the plane, I missed the front formation of the civil war hero's. I least I took the back picture of them. After I took the picture they shot their riffles! It sounded like cannon balls being fired.

Yeah, Dobson High Air Force Junior ROTC

World War II Veteran's

This was a line of Veteran's who died recently in Mesa alone. There was a moment of silent, and tears to follow, including mine. I feel the tears rising now...

The boys were touched as well as they all passed by.

Later after the parade, we went home and opened Ayla's presents.

Ayla received make-up and the double feature of Kung Fu Panda from Hannah. She cheated and opened her gift before we could take a picture.

Ayla received a dinner set of Camp Rock, her favorite, from Devan. She loves the Jonas Brothers because of Joe, who plays Shane on Camp Rock. She received Disney Princess Jewelry and Sleeping Beauty video from Dorian. A church dress and Sunday shoes from Mama & Papa. We went to McDonald's after opening the gifts. The kids and Bayardo tried to convince her to go eat Chinese, Wings, Mexican, but I said it's her birthday she needs to choose. So of course, McDonald's it was. She was so excited that we would eat inside and let them play longer in the playground.

Later, we sang Happy Birthday using her new Camp Rock plate to display her cupcakes. We didn't have a "Party", since our funds are short. We made the best of what we could and made it her day. I think she treasured her special day. Later, Ayla said, "We'll invite all the whole family so we can be together for my birthday party." Stay tuned for the date.

Until then, Sweet Dreams baby girl, we love you and wish you many more Happy Birthday's.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Oh Hail!

On Sunday we were over at my sister-in-laws for lunch in Queen Creek. The men; Bayardo, Kenneth(not shown), and Fabian were happily grilling until....

It started to rain....

Not just any rain...

But big Marbles size of Hail!!

I told my family that my instincts tell me to bring their jackets, only Ayla and I did:) Men never listen. Bayardo borrowed one while he grilled with Fabian.

Moral of the story, Mother always knows best.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day. I thought I would add some information on the history of Veteran's Day. May we hold our banners high in hopes that our troops are remembered and we hold our pride as Citizens of the United States of America.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

President Eisenhower’s letter to Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, designating him Chairman, Veterans Day National Committee
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
October 8, 1954
Dear Mr. Higley:
I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.
I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.
Sincerely,
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

I love history, and finding out the reasons for holidays. I found it interesting and hope you did too. As a tradition, my mom always took us to Mesa's Parades. I have always liked to take my children as well, however...

My own Veteran's Day Baby was born. Now as a tradition, we go to Mesa's Veteran's Day Parade for Ayla's Birthday, it's her parade, her special day to always have off and remember the veterans who fought on her "birth"-day. I also understand why the parade starts at 11am, instead of usual parades starting earlier.

My kids are hurrying me up so we can get ready for the parade. Enjoy your day and have yourself a moment of silence, if not celebrating at a parade, or visiting the cemetery.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Monday-- lets pretend its Favorite Book Friday.

Oh goodness, do I need to catch up. If I didn't do this now, even if it's Monday not Friday, I will start procrastinating. I have to stay focused. The book I chose is Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.
If your into vampires and werewolves, this is the book to read, if you haven't started it already. You need to hurry too. The release of Twilight is out on November 21, 2008. You must visit her website and see how she thought of her book and published it. For being her first novel, she has came along way. When my sister Deborah's sister-in-law Claudia,

saw me reading Cry for Iceland and Fablehaven, she mentioned that I must read Twilight. I never thought I would finish all four books in less than a week in a half! You can't put the books down. I loved that you can fell the love Edward and Bella has with out the fornication that most books have today. The weirdest thing is that when I was on Stephanie Meyers website, she has the link to the Quileute Nation. The way she described one of her scenes, and looking at the website, it was like déjà vu. Actually a lot of the photos in the links she has are like déjà vu. Anyway, this was my friday choice for a book to read, this way, if you see the movie, you'll understand it better.

Ciao for now,
Arnnette

Grandpa Nuco Came!

My dad came from Kentucky on November 1st, exactly a week ago. It was a short visit, but well worth it. Bayardo, the kids, and I loved every minute. When Dad came, we enjoyed lunch at Taco Tote.

I was so happy when Taco Tote opened in Mesa about 2 years ago. I remember going to Cd.Juarez, Mexico for lunch with my grandma, where it originated from. You can buy your meat cooked and prepared by the pound. The rice and charro beans are good too.

We missed Alex, Emma's babe, he had to work. Allen is Emma's brother-in-law.

Remember the Yearbook yourself? I think Oscar liked his 1960 photo a little to much.

Here's my dad, aka: Daddy, Papa, Grandpa Nuco, Papa Nuco, Great-Grandpa.

Here's the Grandpa Bayardo trying to comfort Leo'nel.

The girls were inseparable with their grandpa...

Really inseparable.

The blessing of Leo'nel took place on Sunday, November 2nd. It was an Arizona Stake Region Satalite Conference from Salt Lake. So, we did a private blessing in the high priest room.

Leo'nel smiled so much that day.

Well maybe, not all day.

Brother Tuft, Me, Ayla, Dad, Leo'nel, & Emma

Afterwards, everyone went to Golden Corals. No one wanted pictures taken there, Except...

Devan, who loves dessert.

Later, everyone went to rest. Except, Dad and his girls, we went to the temple.

The sunset light the temple as if it were glowing, it wasbreathtaking.

Sisters Hannah and Ayla posing with the Prophet.

Our last photo before dad left. It was hard to see him leave. I wish we lived alot closer. Even if he lived in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, El Paso, TX, etc., we could drive and visit dad and family easier than driving to Kentucky. Maybe next time we'll see each other with the clan in KY. Until next time!

Ciao for now,

Arnnette