Gluing our Car Together

Yes, it is true.

Mexico was made for very small cars -- VW bugs and the like. Keith was backing out of one such small area, and the passenger side mirror got caught on a rivet, on a door that was close to the car, and the plastic, protective covering of the mirror snapped off. Mind you, this mirror has been knocked "closed" numerous times when driving down skinny streets and striking another mirror of a parked car on the side of a road. Not for the faint of heart... or the shiny cars.

We are here for another six months -- and plan to sell the car either before we leave, or near Laredo upon our return to the US. We can't see replacing the cover of the mirror at this point. It's really just the cover, right? So we decide to superglue it back together. This really is a great idea, and we already have the glue.

So Keith and I are laughing hysterically as we are actually gluing our car back together. Who would have ever thought?

Then I realize I am actually glued TO THE CAR.

We are both horrified as my thumb is stuck to the mirror. I spend 5 minutes poking, prodding, twisting, and angling to see how far I can move the skin. Still stuck. Definitely stuck. Keith grabs the glue package and tries to read the emergency instructions in Spanish. I understand the acetone, and try to give my worried husband instructions how to find my nail polish remover among a variety of women's cosmetics. He disappears for 5 minutes. A passerby nods hello to me as I try to look as natural as possible. A neighborhood dog comes by looking for a pat on the head. He looks at me strange and then sits down. I swear, he'd break out laughing if he could.

Keith returns, no nail polish remover. I describe the bottle, trying to use my hands to show the shape. I have to bring my free hand down to the mirror, and Keith busts out laughing. I'd punch him in the arm, but I can't reach him.

He returns with the thumb-saving liquid, and after a few tries, I AM FREE!!!!

Time to READ

One new thing our "sabbatical" has allowed Keith and I -- and the kids as well -- to do is read so much more than we could before. I remember seeing in parenting commercials on PBS to "let your kids see you read, it will set an example" and thinking --"YEAH RIGHT --- WHEN???" Hmm, between getting home from work and dinner? Maybe between the 5:30 AM shower and the breakfast bar in the car? Oh, I know, when you get to the school play on your 10 AM lunch break 15 minutes late.

Enough Mommy guilt. We are reading now. Keith and I have delved in book club favorites: "Water for Elephants", "Eat, Pray, Love", "Into the Wild", "Talk Before Sleep", "The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara", "Tepper isn't going Out", and others.

We've some self imrovement and HELP books: "Talking to your Tween", "The Artist's Way", "Raising a Thinking Preteen", "Positive Discipline" (Whenever we get on Jessica's case, she scowls,"is that what those books tell you? Well they're WRONG!!")

And let me tell you --- it is working -- the kids are READING. All the time. We have to ask them to stop. "Put your book away, it's past bedtime", "Stop reading and come eat", "Only one more workbook, then we will need to go outside and play". Don't get me wrong == they still want their legos, TV, computer games, balls, etc., but it's good to see their noses in books.

And fun for us too!

What good books have you read lately that you'd reccomend for Keith and I, and why????


Jessica reading in the hammock

Jason takes up photography

San Miguel is a place for many talented artists. Photography is a passion here. Jason, our 5 year old, is discovering this calling. Either that, or he just loves playing with the camera. Here are some of his recent works of art. Feel free to print and frame!

sick, sick, sick

Bad blogger!!! So much to tell -- but I've (Mary) been so sick with a cold, coughing, fever, stuffiness, sore throat, you get the picture. And it has been going on for weeks -- since before Christmas! (Go ahead -- a collective "aaawwww Mary") It quickly passed through our family, first me, then Keith, then little Jason, then back to me. Skipping Jessica and Jacob (thank goodness).

I did go to the hospital on New Years day to get some relief from my high fever, tremendous headache, racking cough, and tightness in my chest (go ahead -- another "aaawwww Mary") which was treated appropriately with a shot in the arm, an IV with a little cocktail, another shot in the rear, and some great TLC from the Dr. and Nurse. Upon leaving, the Dr. gave us some medicines -- antibiotics and the like, and his parting advice in Spanish -- "drink fluids, soup, Jello, eat fresh fruits and vegetable, and salchichas".... SALCHICHAS??? we confirmed.... yes, he said... salchichas..... hot dogs. Really. "Si, si --- very good for her."

Well -- I'm still sick after finishing the antibiotics (another "awww Mary", just for effect) -- but I have to admit, I haven't had any Hot Dogs -- so maybe that is the problem. Trying round #2 -- a homeopathic route.

SO we will report on Keith's brother's family's visit, Christmas in Mexico, New Year's, Three King's Day, and all the little fun things as soon as I am up and about and able to stop napping!

Adios for now