never forgotten...

Dickie Brinson

Some of you know and others don't, but on October 17 Dickie, the director of the FSU circus (during my time there and way before) died of a heart attack. He was such a character. Dickie was a great person, funny, happy, master of the rubics cube and bop it, he made amazing blueberry cobbler (I've made it...it's his recipe), he was always there to back people up, generous and kind. There are so many stories... Here are a few links where you can read other people's stories. He was such a big part of mine and Evan's life and visiting the circus will not be the same without him.

Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=5209482#/group.php?gid=161049191745

Obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tallahassee/obituary.aspx?n=richard-walter-brinson&pid=134687012

Article about Dickie:

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091020/BREAKINGNEWS/91020009/FSU%20circus%20director%20Dickie%20Brinson%20remembered%20by%20friends

This pic is from Megan & Hunter's wedding this Feb.

Dickie and his girls.

Dickie presenting me with my award in 2006.

Bola Bolisima

I truly can't believe it has been 7 years since Bola became our angel in heaven. To this day I cry everytime I think of her (just like right now). Maybe she was my emotional turning point?...I used to never cry (ask Tia Tere and Kika, they know). I'm now an emotional wreck.

Anyway, I always think of how much she would have loved all these moments in our lives little and big...weddings, kids but also things like a silly dance, the cakes we've made, what we wear. I just picture her sitting on our couch or in the kitchen just smiling. She was always happy and excited. Her reaction is what I always think about....a smile with a little cheer. With her there was always a way and things would get done.

I guess the toughest thing is ....how do you describe her to someone who never met her, because in my mind, my description just doesn't do her justice. And, I never feel they truly understand how awesome she was because they never met her. My solice is that I did, and that those who did meet her DO know just how amazing she was...even those that met her only once. I'll never forget the time she cleaned Valeria's throat before our Regional track meet...I don't know if it worked, but she offered and cleaned MY friend's throat... She kept clothes that we had outgrown and she knew exactly what family needed it and who it would fit. If not, she would taylor it. Her patchwork was amazing(ly durable)...She didn't just know what was going on with everyone around her, she would help in any way she could.

I love her to death and wish she was still here.

Busy Weekend!

Last Weekend I visited Miami for the Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday Morning. What an amazing turnout...thousands of people! We had a big team too. Kika did a great job setting it up...getting our shirts, creating a team with an awesome name, and recruiting. I took a few pictures and made a video of a few of them.

Right after the race I headed back to Ft. Lauderdale so that Evan and I could head to Winter Haven . We worked on the lawn primarily. Here are a few before and after pics.

We are so excited to keep fixing it up. This was our first step because as you say it was a jungle out there. I'm sure our neighbors appreciate it. Speaking of neighbors ...we've met two of them, two older men. One lives in front of us and the other to our left. They are very nice. They told us that everyone looks out for each other. It's an older more established neighborhood. Our electrician updated and combined the many electrical boxes. He started Friday and will finish on Monday:) Next, we hope to visit with Mami and Papi (maybe Javo too?) to plan the order of the renovations.

Also, Kathy took me to grandmother's storage unit to see if I liked anything and I DID :) I am so excited about the purple chairs and the outdoor chairs pictured at the end of the video. I also chose a little antique table, a SEWING MACHINE (which I'm really excited about!!) and some of grandmothers old suitcases (including her hat box and makeup case -used for train rides). Evan doesn't understand why I see so much value in these items and why I think that they're so special. I tried to explain to him that in our family we don't really have anything like that because our family left anthing like that behind(if they even had anything like it). It's so nice to have a story. Love you all!!!

New Home

Evan & I bought our 1st home in Winter Haven! It's bittersweet since it is further than we are now and more permanent than Tallahassee was. I know I will miss my family but I am excited to not be in Miami traffic and the craze. Here are a few pics.

our back patio (sideways?)

the pool (also sideways)

the kitchen with the missing cabinet door

the dining room

the house!

More pictures and better pictures coming soon.I have to go watch Lie to Me....awesome show.

xoxox

Family Beach Day

We had a family beach day last weekend and it was great! I was so happy that so many people were able to go. TWENTY FIVE of us were there! The water and weather were perfect. I loved that everyone went to Jaxson's for some ice cream after...I was sad I couldn't make it.

Here are some pics:

Tia Ali always ready to hang out with her neitos.

The boys playing with sand.

The boys (MIA: Mando and Javo).

She's a natural!

Bet and his mini-me's

Cousins :)

I love this family pic

I love my family!


That afternoon after Evan got off work, he and I headed to

Winter Haven to celebrate Mateo's Birthday :)

Inspiration

I decided to create this blog after reading my lovely friend Valeria's blog. She is a great writer; I on the otherhand, am not. Although I am not a great writer, I thought that it would be a great way to let you all know what is going on in Evan's and my life. We have so many family and friends that it is hard to call everyone.

Hope you ENJOY it!! Love you!