Celebrating Yaya's 75th Birthday

Last weekend, Teresa and I went to Phoenix to celebrate the 75th birthday of my wonderful cousin, Margaret Ellen, also known as Yaya to the family.

On Friday, the sisters (my five Phoenix Scott cousins) met for dinner at Durant's in Phoenix.  Teresa and Don came from Atlanta and Colorado, Marion and Ron from Turlock, and the rest of us from Arizona, Cecilia, Jay, Pat, Teresa, Judy and me.  It means so much to me that I am considered one of the sisters!

Durant's is an elegant restaurant in downtown Phoenix. It has been there since 1952.  We have had many fun times there over the years.  I hadn't been there in quite some time.  We had a wonderful time.  When we use to go for New Year's, my mom always said we were going to Duranti's.  Loved that!!

On Saturday, most of the Arizona family (which is quite large) and many of Yaya's friends, gathered at Paul's and Beth's house for a surprise party.  I am not sure if she was totally surprised, but it was awesome to see so many people there who love her.

I have written on previous posts about my Phoenix cousins.  They are truly like sisters and I love them all.  

We are blessed to have Yaya in our family!!  I know that I am blessed to have my wonderful Phoenix cousins!!!  Happy birthday to Pat, whose birthday is two days after Yaya's.  Don't know what I would do with out my "sisters" in Phoenix.  Love you all!!!

What a wonderful world we have with all of our extended family.  The Scott Family is the best!!!

And thank you to the next generation (Maggie, Monica, etc.) for all of your hard work to make this possible!!!!!!!!!!

An Emerging, Inspirational Leader!

This past week, we were fortunate enough to have Daniel Hernandez visit Douglas.  Daniel was the intern who was working for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and was with her that tragic day in January, 2011.

Daniel first spoke to our DHS seniors about the importance of civic responsibility and voting.  After that, he came to our monthly parent council lunch.  Many of our district office employees and principals also attended to hear him speak.

Daniel told the story of that awful day.  He told us about how he had just started working as her intern and was asked by Gabe Zimmerman if he would be able to attend the first "Congresswoman on the Corner" that was taking place that Saturday at a Safeway shopping center.  He said he got there a bit late, as did Congresswoman Giffords, which was unlike her to be late.  Daniel was helping people sign in for those who came and wanted a question answered by the Congresswoman's office.  He said that  he heard someone yell "gun" and then heard a series of gunshots ring out.  He said that it was chaos and he ran up to where people were wounded.  He checked and saw that some were already gone when he saw Gabby on the ground in a strange angle.  He was hoping she got down before the shots came, but when he got to her he saw that she had been shot through the head.  

Daniel had gone through Certified Nursing Assistant training in high school so he has some knowledge of first aide.  He saw that Gabby was choking on her own blood so he propped her up and held her against him to try to stem the flow of the blood.   He said that she was conscious and alert.  When the paramedics got there, he was allowed to go with her to the hospital.  He was able to assure her that her husband and parents were being notified.

Daniel told us that he learned much from knowing Gabby Giffords.  He told us of her optimism, even in bleak times.  He remembered the night of the 2010 election when it looked as though she might not win.  She told him that no matter what happened, to never stop trying to make things better.   She told him to find a cause that he really believes in and to do everything he could for that cause.

For Daniel, it is education and equality for all human beings.  He also talked about kindness and treating people with respect.  He  spoke of people working together, which is so lacking in our society and particularly in politics.

That evening, I went to a Democratic rally at my friend Susan's house.  Daniel told his story again, but this time with a political slant.  There were many candidates there who are running for local and state offices. Daniel currently sits on the Governing Board in the Sunnyside School District. 

It was beginning to get dark and Daniel had to drive back to Tucson after a very long day.  I asked him if he would please meet my Aunt Teresa and he told me he had met her at the luncheon.  However, he went over and sat down next to her and talked to her for quite some time.

Daniel is bright, articulate, personable, and charismatic.  It is hard to believe that he is only 22 years old. He was thrust into the public eye as a result of a horrible tragedy.  However, Daniel has conducted himself with maturity and grace.   When asked about his plans for the future, he said he isn't sure what he will do.  Right now, because of his age, he said he can only be elected to school boards or a dog catcher.  I believe that Daniel will be a very positive leader some day.

I sent him an email thanking him for coming to Douglas and his reply to me was a thank you for having him down here.

There is hope for our future if we have young leaders such as Daniel Hernandez!!  It was an honor and a privilege to meet him.  I think we will be hearing his name in a positive light in the future!!

Touching Moments

Earlier this week, watching the State of the Union address, there was a very touching moment when President Obama hugged Gabby Giffords.  That was something seen by millions of people all over the world.


Sometimes touching moments can come from the most unexpected day-to-day experiences. 

There is a saying that everything happens in threes.  I have experienced that a few times in my life.  However, yesterday it truly happened in threes--touching moments that I would never have expected.

I don't like to have to go to Walmart to shop, but there aren't many other options down here now that Safeway closed.  As I was going down an aisle, a darling little boy was so excited to see me.  He said "hi" and I responded and asked how he was.   He told me he was fine.  As we passed, I heard him tell his dad--El presidente de la escuela!!!  It made my day!!  There have only been a few times a child has known me.  And that is something I truly miss after so many years at an elementary school

Teresa and I usually go to 5:00 o'clock mass on Saturday evening.  Tonight, neither of the deacons or the altar server were there.  Father Gilbert was all by himself.  Everything went fine, but when it came time for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there was no one to help Father with the preparation.


As he started preparing, an elderly (and very distinguished) gentleman came forth and went up to the altar to assist.  This wonderful man is almost 90 years old and suffers from the early stages of Alzheimers.  He is always at 5:00 o'clock mass and is often one of the Eucharistic Ministers. It is always touching for me to see him participate, despite the fact that he has oxygen with him and has a bit of trouble getting around. I have known him all of my life.  Our families' friendship goes way back and I went all through school with his children.


However, what happened last night was amazing!  I am sure at one point in his life he had been an altar boy.  He helped Father with the water and the wine and all of the preparation.  He then went down to where the altar server sits and knelt down right on the carpet (and I can tell you I wouldn't be able to do this.)  He then became the bell ringer during the consecration.  After that, he went about his way and did his Eucharistic Minister duties.  Just watching this tonight was so powerful.  I have given him a ride home a couple of times after church.  My admiration for him is immense!!   I believe there was a message in what I saw tonight!


Right after I came back to Douglas last year, there was a terrible accident right after the 5:00 o'clock mass.  I was up at the cabin, so I wasn't there, but Teresa was.  Two ladies were crossing the street to get to their cars when a drunk driver hit them.  Both of them were seriously injured.   One of the ladies hit is the wife of the rancher who was killed here almost two years ago, so there was a lot of media coverage.  


The other lady is  elderly and she had several broken bones and was hurt quite badly.  Both of them have been back in Douglas for quite some time and seem to be doing fairly well.  Last night, I walked out of church with Shirley.  She uses a cane and you could tell she is still in a lot of pain.  However, she ALWAYS has a big smile on her face and a hug to give.   We walked her to her car and chatted.  She is so upbeat and positive despite everything that has happened to her. She is a beautiful lady--both on the outside and the inside.  My admiration for her is also immense!


Robert Louis Stevenson said, "The best things in life are nearest: Breath in  your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."

How true that was for me todayI  The simple acts of shopping and church were some of the sweetest things in life!

"Complimentary?" Name Calling?

Can being called a name ever be complimentary?  Believe it or not, I believe this to be true!!!  Yes, it is true and this is coming from someone who never allowed any student to call another student a name..............

Last Tuesday was my birthday and I just happened to be up in the valley for state meetings on the committee I sit on.  I had received an email earlier from Barb, my former secretary, asking if I was going to be up in the valley any time soon.  She said she would like to have a "little" happy hour with my Gilbert friends.  

The timing was perfect and I was excited to see some of the people who have meant so much to me over the years. As I walked in, they started singing a song that my dear friend, Jan, made famous.  It should end with "she's a lovely lass."  However, the version is just a tad "different."

I was so touched to see SO MANY of these wonderful friends!!!!!!!  When I left to come to Douglas, I truly left in a week.  Although I feel that there has been closure, I have to say that I truly miss the wonderful relationships that I had with so many wonderful people over the years.  And it was so awesome to see so many people there!!  I can't even begin to say what this meant to me.

I love my job down here in Douglas!  I feel rejuvenated and I feel that there is a reason that I came here.  At the time that I moved down here, I thought it was going to be because of my dear Aunt Teresa.  And it has been.  However, I truly believe that there was another reason.   And because of that belief, I know that my job down here isn't finished.  

Putting all of those reasons aside, I would just like to say how much last Tuesday meant to me on a personal level.  Today I was reading the many cards that I received.  I have to say that there were tears in my eyes when I finished.  I truly cherish those wonderful relationships and hope that no matter what life brings, I will always know that my time at that wonderful school was also a blessing for me in many ways.

So thank you to all of my wonderful friends for making this birthday so special!!  Words can't express how much it meant to me.  Love all of you!!!!! 

2012--Happy New Year

I have been reflecting on this past year and so much that has happened.  I haven't kept up with my blog and the enjoyment I get from writing.  It seems that so much of what has happened in my life has not been "blog material" so to speak.  

I truly believe that is has been a blessing for me and so many ways to be back here in Douglas.  Being with Teresa has been good for both of us and I have valued our time together. 

I do miss the times with the cousins up in the valley and know that they are going out tonight.  We had such wonderful times on New Year's Eve through the years.  Lots of laughter and fun!  I look forward to that in the future.

I also miss the dear friends that I have had for so many years.  It is wonderful to get together whenever I have an opportunity when I am in the valley.  However, it has been great to renew old friendships and make new ones down here!!

So as the New Year arrives, here is an Irish Blessing for those of you who read my blog:

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been

The foresight to know where you are going

And the insight to know when you have gone to far.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012

Thanksgiving Vacation (The Road Trip)

This is a work of fiction based 
on facts that truly happened. 

Names have been changed 
to protect the elderly.

Once upon a time, a long time educator decided to put her hat in as a candidate for the superintendency of a small town along the Arizona/Mexico Border, where she grew up.  This educator, also known as Cheela, applied for this position because her elderly Aunt T. Elizabeth was living in this small border town in the house where she was born in 1922.  Tia was the only one of the seven siblings who grew up in this town who was still alive.  She let all of the family know that she had absolutely NO intention of moving from this house where she was born and from this town that she dearly loves.  In consultation with several of the "cousins," Cheela decided to apply and low and behold, she was named the superintendent in July, 2010.

There have been many stories that have occurred over the course of the time between July, 2010 and November, 2011.  Many of those stories have been unbelievable and would have been thoroughly enjoyed by Cousin Felipe, who died prior to Cheela's term as superintendent.  Unfortunately, because of the nature of the job, Cheela hasn't been able to write about them on this blog.  However, Cheela feels that reality television would not even believe them.  The only consolation for Cheela is the fact that a certain retired CIA agent would have!!

And now to get to the "meat" (or turkey) of this story.  Thanksgiving weekend 2011 was fast approaching.  Cheela and Tia planned to spend the holiday in the valley with family.  Unbeknownst to Cheela, Tia invited two of her elderly friends to ride up to the valley with them.  So Wednesday morning, Cheela loaded her SUV with luggage, tamales, Tia, and the two pugs, Diego and Lucy.  The first stop was at Elena's house. Now Elena is 91 and is legally blind and a bit hard of hearing.  All she had with her was her suitcase and oxygen tank.  They then picked up Nani, who brought her "foo foo" dog along.  It took the pugs a bit of time to get use to the idea that there was actually a "foo foo" dog in the car.  They were not pleased.

The trip to the valley was uneventful.  Nani's daughter was going to pick her up at a shopping center where there was a wine store.  While waiting for the daughter, Cheela went in to the store to see if they had her favorite Irish Ale, which they did.  They also had a wine tasting going on and Cheela suggested to Tia, Elena, and Nani that they might like to go in and taste a bit of wine.  They didn't at that point, although Cheela really wanted to!

Thanksgiving went well and Sunday rolled around and the return trip was planned.  Cheela and the pugs picked up Tia at her daughter's house in the eastern part of the valley.  They then drove to another town and picked up Elena and her suitcase and oxygen.  They then went back to the shopping mall and picked up Nani, the "foo foo" dog, her suitcase and several other items.

On the way back, they listened to football games on XM as Nani was very interested in the outcome of games because she had bet on them.  They stopped for gas midway and Tia and Elena had to use the restroom.  This took quite some time.  Nani stayed in the car with "foo foo" listening to the football games and somehow the car doors were locked.  When Cheela tried to get the keys, the "foo foo" dog tried to bite her.  However, that worked out fine and they proceeded on their trip south.

Arriving in the border town about 4:00, Cheela took Nani home first.  After unloading her several items, she discovered that one box was a case of wine.  It was quite a struggle getting that up the steps to the house.  At one point the "foo foo" dog tried to get out of the house, and when Cheela tried to stop him, he growled and snapped at her.  However, everything was finally in the house and they could proceed to the next drop off.  Now Elena is legally blind and had some difficulty opening her door.  However, Cheela helped her get her one suitcase and oxygen into the house without too much of a problem.

Next stop, Tia's home where she was born...........  She had to be let out in front of the house so that she could disarm the alarm.   Cheela asked Tia to get out of the car quickly so that the pugs couldn't escape and run for a better life.  Tia doesn't hurry, but the pugs didn't escape either!  So around the block they went and opened the garage door.  After all of the luggage, etc. was unloaded and the pugs were safely in the back yard, Cheela put the garage door down.  As she went into the backyard, she noticed that Tia had a broom and a device that elderly people (and prisoners who are picking up trash) use to pick things up.  In addition, Tia was looking for the two garbage cans that weren't on the rack and weren't in the yard.  She has paid a child down the street $5 to put the garbage cans back in the yard after they were emptied by the city.   Unfortunately, both garbage cans were in the alley and completely full.  Cheela went to the alley to put the garbage cans back on the rack.  However, she was only able to pick up one, as the other was too heavy.  

So Cheela went back to the garage and into the backyard, only to find Tia bending over the swimming pool.  This pool is about two feet above ground and two feet below.  Tia had the "pick" trying to get the plug off of the drain as the pool had rain water in it.  Cheela was very concerned that Tia would fall head first into the pool and she wasn't sure how she would explain that to the police and to the family.  So Cheela immediately took the device and removed the drain cover.  Tia then took the broom and tried to sweep the leaves out of the way so that the rain water would go down the drain--not the leaves.  Cheela was not sure what the result of that endeavor was as she went into the house looking for her Irish Ale!

Although this could be considered a work of fiction, IT IS THE HONEST TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!  How could anyone make something like this up?  Cheela is hoping that there will be some award for this short story, maybe even having it made into a movie or a sitcom!!!

Who would have "thunk" there could be so much adventure like this here on the border??????????

Pug Tales--Volume 4

Recently I had to attend a conference in Rio Rico for three days.   This is usually never a problem as Teresa is here to take care of the pugs or the conferences are in the valley so they go with me and stay with one of the kids.  However, Teresa was still up in the valley and it had completely slipped my mind that I needed to find someplace or someone to take care of Lucy and Diego.

I did a web search and found a place in Hereford (near Sierra Vista) called"Goin' to Grandma's" (a bed and biscuit kennel) and all of the testimonials were great.  So I called and asked if they could stay there.  I had all of their shot records sent to them, but they needed the vaccine for kennel cough.  Our vet down here was out of town but I found a place in Sierra Vista where I could get the vaccine and give it to them myself.  Thank goodness it was not a shot, but a spray in their noses.

So off went Lucy and Diego to the pet resort.  When we got there, I signed them up for Camp BowWow so that they could play with the other dogs each day.  When I left them, they looked so pathetic and I felt bad.  It was a really nice facility so I knew that they would be well taken care of!

Were they ever glad to see me when I went to pick them up.  That morning, they had been to the groomers so they were all clipped, brushed, and washed!!  They even received a report card--they did very well!

Teresa got home a day or so later.  Diego started to have a cough and it was kind of bad.  I told her I would make an appointment with Dr. John (our vet down here and long time family friend).  The next morning when I was getting ready for work, he was coughing quite a bit.  Teresa wanted me to call Dr. John at 6:30 a.m., but I waited until they opened.  Dr. John works with all of the ranchers around here with their horses, etc., so he is on the road quite a bit.  He doesn't have an actual office because of this, and works out of the back of his truck.  He was out that day, but we could go in Saturday.  So as I am getting ready to take him in, Teresa decides she needs to go with me.  Now this is the same person who was not very thrilled about me bringing both of them down here when I moved down here!!!!

Diego is doing fine, but was on some medication.  Every day I was questioned to make sure that I had given him his meds.

Last weekend, we spent the three days up at the cabin.  The pugs love the mountains because they can run free.  I found out the day we were at the vet's office  that there is a vaccine out for rattlesnakes which I will be getting that for them soon.

Can't help but love those pugs!!!!!!!!!!