2 Brothers and a Sister

I have two brothers, Ken who lives in Colorado and Phil who lives in Wisconsin.  When we grew up, we had very little other then our parents in common mostly because they are 'several' years older then I.  As the years have passed, we started growing little by little closer together, where today, not only are they my brothers, they are my friends.   I now like hanging out with them, sharing dreams and ideas with each of them. 

Ken & Ruth arrived Jan. 3rd and stayed until Feb. 5th.
Phil & Charla arrived Jan. 25th and will be here until Feb. 23rd.

My brothers and I!

The Italian came out in me tonight and made my best ever Spaghetti Bolognese.

Great memories of my brothers and I.



El Qulite for lunch

Ruth taking her break from walking all around.

All about peace!  

Ken & Joel hanging out.

Joel tequila tasting  from the jug!

Tres Hermanos Tequila Sipping

Phil preparing his chili for the winning recipe  for the Super Bowl party.

Janice preparing her chili recipe for the Chili Cook-off

Family dinner celebrating Ruth, Phil & Joel's birthdays

Celebrating Ruth's 72nd Birthday at El Aljibe

Celebrating Phil's 70th Birthday with his favorite Banana Pie at El Aljibe

 

 Super Bowl & Chili Cook-Off party and we gathered around the tv to see the exciting game and enjoyed a variety of chili, corn bread, appetizers and we enjoyed a great birthday cake brought in by Dennis for Sandy's birthday the next day.

Spanish Coffee
Prepared Table Side












 

There were plenty reasons to celebrate with each other and this evening I found myself with a Spanish Coffee and both of my brothers ordered Irish Coffees with a Mexican spin.  Ken and Ruth were to leave the next day for Colorado and we toasted a great time with the 6 of us before they took off.

Phil & Charla
Breakfast crepes with Smoked Bacon and notice the tulips (Charla's favorite)
Feb. 6th, 48th  Anniversary

While they were here, Carnaval was also in full swing. The previous post has all the pictures of that event.

We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, good health, beautiful view, magnificant sunsets, a win or two at Mexican Train Dominoes, you name it, we celebrate it.  Phil also had the experience of driving our van a few times here in Mazatlan, although with some trepidation. He did a great job and one certaily learns their way around a new city by putting them behind the wheel. Now I don't know if it was because of this experience of driving or just that margaritas taste much better here in Mazatlan but Phil even knows now how to make a perfect margarita.  He's had enough practice, so he better know how, right?

 

We've been to so many restaurants in the last 2 months that we've really done a fantastic job supporting our local economy. Most meals have been great, and there have been a few that now we would never reccomend again unfortunately.  We are sorry, but they've missed the mark.  However, for those very few, there are many many more that do rise to the occasion.  In a later post, we will share what some of our favorites are and why.

 

While my brothers and wives were here, we have made a plan, thanks to my brother Phil and wife Charla, to have a family cruise in September to Alaska from Vancouver, BC, Canada.   It will be a week long cruise with an additional tour on a train to Denali ending up in Fairbanks.

 

Phil and Charla have stayed with us, while Ken and Ruth rented a condo about 1 1/2 miles north of us.  While Ken and Ruth were here, they were here many times where the 6 of us were together, or we all jumped in our van and went for drives, shopping, or of course out to eat again.  With Phil and Charla staying here, that gave Phil and I many chances to have some great conversations on many subjects.  It has been a great time together that we will both cherish as long as our fading memories will allow.  Our little Ollie loved his snuggle times with Charla. She has a very tender heart toward him and gave him lot's of affection.  A dog can never get too much of that.

 

Tomorrow we take Phil and Charla to the airport and say good-bye to them until September.  For me, their younger sister, it has been a very special time which I will think back on fondly and be thankful to not only my husband for agreeing to have family stay here for this amount of time, but also to both my sister-in-laws for sharing their time and their husbands with me. Somehow I believe that they also enjoyed themselves and were able to enjoy our pace of life, but like Joel and I, they all will be glad to get back to each of their "normal". 

 

Here's to Health & Happiness,

Janice & Joel

and Ollie too!

I Choose to Live ~ A note to well-meaning friends and family!

A note to well meaning friends and family;

As many of you know I had a stroke 1 1/2 years ago and had an operation 10 months ago that allowed me to walk without a limp.

Over this time people who know and love me and want nothing but good for me have made suggestions that I have decided to reject. I have started to run again and am now running five miles, albeit slowly, three times a week. Some people who care about me have suggested I don't run again as it was old running injuries that put me walking with a cane and finally needing an operation where three joints were fused, some bone was taken from my tibia and three pins were placed in my ankle. I have listened to everyone, but my goal is to run another Marathon. My Dr. is amazed, but also is cautiously supportive.

The other advice I am going to reject is that I shouldn't do things like scuba diving and climbing on pyramids because I have had a stroke. Fortunately, I didn't receive this advice until I had already gone scuba diving twice and climbed up the pyramid at Coba. Had I received this advice prior to these adventures, I may not have gone or been worried while participating in these adventures and not had the extreme pleasure of doing something I've never before done.

I turn 66 less than two weeks away. I have decided I am not going to live life as an invalid for as many years as possible and I will not live in fear. I choose to live life with vigor and spare my wife the care of having to nurse a grown man. I am going to enjoy my time on Earth enjoying my time with my wife, enjoying visits with my friends over cold cerveza, (Lite due to Dr's advice) and continuing to seek out new experiences.

To my many good friends and family members; I value your advice and concern, but I plan to continue to do things that make you question my sanity. This is who I am and, I love you all. Be happy for me that I live this life of adventure and will not be held back from the goals in my life.
Joel, i.e. Ducky