I mentioned in my last post that I would be a bit late posting this because I was heading to a family reunion on Feb 16th and not returning until Feb 19th. I was right as today is Wednesday already. But I'm not late posting because of the reunion, but because on the way back from the reunion I got sick!
Sunset in Arizona - nothing more beautiful!
I am pretty sure it is just allergies. I tested negative for Covid and I haven't had a fever or anything. We had planned to drive back on Feb 19th, President's Day but the weather forecast was for a big storm heading in over the Tehachapi's late Sunday into Monday...just when we would be on the road.
If you remember, back in August 2023, Lisa and I had taken a trip to Arizona and on the way back home we became trapped in Mojave because of Hurricane Hillary that struck California and brought down the Tehachapi mountain closing the road while we were just a mere 2 hours away from home! You can read and see pictures about that HERE.
Some elders catching up. I be these ladies have known each other for more than 70 years! My own mom is the one in the bright red shirt on the right.
So we decided the best thing would be to leave on Sunday to beat the storm and have all day Monday off to rest and recuperate!
Mom and her Clan, Mom and Roselyn first row, me Baby J and Lisa second row, Lisa's son Sean holding his son Sean, Sean's wife Rocio in the last row.
Sunday morning we checked out of the beautiful Blue Water Resort & Casino in Parker Arizona and we headed to the goodbye breakfast in the park, then we headed to pickup mom as she was staying with her niece Mary Lou.
We headed out and I was feeling just fine, but before we even got to Needles, California I could feel my throat hurting and scratchiness in my ears, which I was sure was an allergy. Lisa happened to have Allegra with her since she always has allergies, so I took one and it did help.
More of our elders. My mom on the far right is the last living member of the her family. She is now the matriarch of our family, in the middle is her Niece Mary Lou, daughter of mom's sister Eliza and then our beautiful, sweet Tia Ninfa, she was the wife of our now deceased Uncle Jesus who was mom's oldest brother.
I didn't think I was going to make it, but I'm a soldier! I've always said that about myself and I pride myself on my strength and determination! I got us home safe and sound and then I collapsed! I was exhausted when I got home, barely made it to my bed.
Just say CHEESE! Lisa and I in our shirts that Lisa created. We had a t-shirt contest, we didn't win but I thought ours were the prettiest any way. See the group photo of the whole family below and you will see that we really stood out!
Luckily as I said earlier, I had Monday off for President's Day...thank you Mr. Presidents! I was able to sleep the whole day and that was good because I woke up feeling worse, my whole right ear filled with fluid and I couldn't hear out of it.
Today is Wednesday and my ear is feeling better, still a bit of fluid. I put in a whole day of work yesterday and though I was a bit groggy and not at 100%, I am a soldier and I was at work! Today I have quite a bit of cough as well, but I can feel that I am on the mend. Last night Lisa called me and she's got the "allergies" now. She sounded awful!
Mom standing out as always! We were just starting the games out with a Tug of War game between the kids and everyone wanted mom to play. She's always ready to comply and everyone love watching her, everyone was out there with their cell phones filming her. Sister Lisa with her back to us is a lot like mom, always the center of attention. I'm more like my dad, just stand in the background and laugh at them! 
Drone shot - Group photo. See that little cluster in red? That's mom and her kids, a few grandkids and her three great grandkids. Our brother Fred was missing as well as my kids and one of Lisa's sons and one of Jaime's daughters. We are small but mighty!
Well, that's all I have for now as it's 7:28 am and I need to log-in for work at 7:30am. We had a great time and I am so proud to be a member of this family. A family filled with love and compassion, unity and pride!
I'll leave you with these last photos that say it all!
wow, what a gorgeous sunset...it is my favorite time of day!! the reunion looks like such a fun event, i did not realize how big it was going to be. you have some wonderful pictures and i am happy to hear that you had a great time!! it must be a lot of work to organize a group that big!!
ReplyDeletei hope you continue to feel better, here is a little information about home chef.
alicia...we absolutely LOVE home chef. there are so many meal options, the ingredients are fresh and their customer service is awesome. i have had a few times where i have been missing one item, and they credit the entire meal. last week i ordered 2 salads and only received 1. they gave me a credit for the cost of both salads. i have never tried any other meal delivery service because i am really happy with home chef!!!
Thank you Debbie for the Home Chef info, I will check into it. Always better to hear from someone that has actually tried it. Yes, Arizona Sunsets have always been my favorite. It does take a lot of work to put together something that huge and was have some amazing family that gave up a lot of their time and energy to this project and they are all ready to do it again in 4 years!.
DeleteYour Mom, definitely stands out.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you feel better soon, Alicia !
Doesn't she? I think that is why red is her favorite color because she stands out in it, plus she is very tall and her white hair doesn't hurt either. She's always the center of attention wherever she goes. She gets stopped often in stores by people who love her hair or the way she dresses.
DeleteI love family get-togethers; happily mine get along and there isn't much hand to hand combat.
ReplyDelete