Almost Done!

Well, the panels are up, and all we need to finish is some touch ups on the lattes panels and the ceiling needs to be completed. Then we'll be finished with the "Lardeo" or terra cotta colored paint on the patio. We still need to put up the fan when the ceiling is completed, but the most difficult part is finished. YEA! Carlos is on vacation all this week, so we really haven't worked on the patio. We'll get back on it next week. It's nice to sit out side in the mornings and evenings with the panels up!!!!

A Hot Day at Fiesta Texas

We spent the day in San Antonio yesterday at Fiesta Texas. The girls had won tickets in a reading program at the school last spring, so we decided to use the tickets. We had a really fun time, but it was so HOT! We invited Carlos' little niece to come along. The girls really had a good time. We spent most of our time in the water park, which was fine with me! The pictures are of the girls, as we were leaving the park. They had been eating Cheetos, so they all had orange/red hands and lips. Aden and Azul NEVER tire out, but Jenifer fell asleep in the car, she was really tired. We really had a fun time.

Thank you Carlos!!!

Thank you Carlos for picking up some of my work!!! My part of this project is the painting, but it has been slow going! I picked up some extra call last night, and I ended up working ALL night. I am working tonight and Sunday night. It is just SO hot outside in the afternoons, even with the sun umbrella, it's hot and humid! We just need to keep "TRUDGING" along, or we'll never finish. Carlos is off all of this up coming week, and we just want to relax and have fun. Thank you again Carlos! I love too!

How to ruin a paint brush:101

How do you ruin a perfectly good paint brush? Paint a lattes panel! Well, the one side is finished! The other panel is waiting on the patio, but I won't be able to paint it until next week. Carlos is taking all next week off, and the plan is to do some fun stuff, not paint, so it might be awhile. I just love the color of the paint! Carlos needs to add a piece to the bottom of the panel, since we had to take off a section to fit the tile. The tile is an inch thick. I painted for 3 hours this morning with dogs and little girls under my feet, but I did it! We had 3 inches of rain yesterday! And today, it is about 10 degrees cooler! We went down to the pool around 10 o'clock for about an hour. Both of the girls are finished with school, so the rest of the summer we can set our own schedules. YEA!!!

A Break with the Rain

Yesterday and today we are expecting more rain with hurricane Dolly. Yesterday we had a quick shower, hard but short. Today it is already raining in Austin, but nothing here in Round Rock yet. We put up one of the lattes panels yesterday, but we didn't do anything else. Painting with the roll left a lot drips etc....on the wood, so the second panel I'll paint once it is in place. I still have to go over the first panel again, since there were a lot of spots that didn't get painted. Today is Azul's last day at school.

Mother & Daughter team work

Aden and myself worked together on the lattes panel this morning. There were some sections we just couldn't get to, but we'll touch those areas up once the panels are in place. We finished one side of the panel, and we plan on working on the other side in the afternoon. My arms are "killing" me! No pain, no gain, I guess.

The never ending patio project

Well, the tile is down, and now it's time to paint. The painting is actually going much faster than I had anticipated. We bought good paint, which is why it's going quickly. It's been so hot in the afternoons, that we are limited to working in the morning or evening. I took some extra call shifts to pay for the paint etc...which, thank GOD, in my department there is always the opportunity to make some extra money! The plan is to paint the lattice panels this morning and place them tomorrow or Monday. We need to get the panels back up, since the afternoon sun is so hot and strong. I love the paint that we purchased! Very warm and pleasing.

Karina has been gone 10 years

Today, the 18th of July marks 10 years since Karina's mysterious disappearance. There are several pieces of the puzzle, but still no answers. The main suspect was killed in a car accident in 2004. I have had DNA samples taken twice in the last six months, and I am ready for some closure. I was contacted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC this morning to do a ten year story in San Antonio with Univision. Univision is running a 10 year story tonight, and the plan is to do an interview within the next couple of months. Karina I miss you so much, and I have not forgotten you nor will I give up hope. I love you. Mom

Aden's last day of summer class!

Today was Aden's last day of summer classes. Her class had a pajama party! How fun! I also took ICEE pops up to the school for the kids. Ms. Cadena was Aden's summer teacher, and she was very sweet. Azul's last day will be next Thurday, so I'll have some 1 on 1 with Aden, which I am really looking forward to spending some time with her.

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Happy Birthday Joseph! It's hard to believe that 28 years ago, I fought to keep you, and fought to prevent you from being adopted. It would be nice to hear from you every once in awhile, and for you to return my phone calls. Well, I hope you are well, and have a nice birthday. I do love you. Mom

Beautiful!

Well, it's all done! We are very happy with the finished patio. We need to put the lattus panels back up on the sides of the patio, and then start painting. But, the tile was the most difficult part of the job, the rest will be easier.

Working on the Tile, DITTO, DITTO!

Well, it has rained on and off ALL day today! Actually, we need the rain, but it hasn't rained for weeks, and it rained yesterday and today. It has been slow going today. The plan was lay the final 10 to 20 sq ft, and put down the grout. With the rain, Mario has had to stop and cover the area, then uncover the area to continue working. Mario is Carlos' older brother, and this is his trade. He is very good, and he also did our stone patio in the back last summer. I'll post a picture tomorrow of the finish tile. Hee, hee, hee, I am being VERY OPTIMISTIC!

Finishing up the Pato!

We have had the tile in our garage for months, but no time to lay the tile, but today is the day! We had a heavy rain shower in the middle of the job, but that didn't stop the guys. We couldn't paint until the tile was completed, but thank goodness, we should be able to finish the deck/patio next week. The tile is from Saltillo, Mexico. It is hand made and dried in the sun. Saltillo is famous for this type of tile. The clay in the region of Saltillo is a rich clay. There are a couple of pieces with animal tracks. Sometimes coyotes or other animals with run across the wet tile and leave their paw prints. After we finish with the deck, NO MORE projects for awhile!!

4th of July, Austin style!

Austin, has one of the best 4th of July celebrations that I have ever attended! The Austin Symphony ALWAYS preforms at the celebration, which is located right on Lady Bird Lake. The fireworks display lasted about 30 minutes. They always start off with the Overture of 1812, cannons and all! It is just so beautiful! We arrived around 6 pm, and set up camp, with a canopy for shade, picnic basket, and lots of water. Sissy and Sassy did really well with the noise etc...We all headed home at around 11 pm. The crowd was incredible! People come from every where to see the display. And, yes, our flag was on display! Happy 4th of July everyone!

SCHLITTERBAHN!!!!!

Thursday, we all spent the day at Schlitterbahn! This is one of my favorite water parks! It is in New Braunfels, Tx. This was the first time for Carlos and the girls, and they LOVED it! We left in the morning about 10 am and arrived home around 9 pm. We stopped on the way home to eat Faijtas. We had a great time. The girls and Carlos are off for the long weekend, and I took the holiday weekend off. We all had a great time! I took a picture of the girls by the car before we went into the park. I didn't want to take the camera with me.