Christmas in Mexico

A few pictures of our Christmas in Mexico City.


Baby and Poodle sitting on the ledge outside our kitchen, solving the world's problems (or maybe just chatting)....






Poodle, Baby, and MTB playing with the kids at the Shelter for Abandoned and Abused Children.





The kids breaking the piñata. They were great. When the piñata broke, they all made sure everyone received some candy. Not one of these kids thought first of themselves.

The kids singing a Thank-you song to us. They were so grateful that someone would spend an hour with them.

We enjoyed our Christmas Day by sharing a bit of our time. It was a wonderful day. I hope your day was wonderful as well.

Just Catching Up

It's been a while since I have posted anything. Here are some events from the last few weeks.

1. I went to beautiful Beverly Hills to present my 2009 budget to the board of directors responsible for the company. A bit stressful, since my direct boss was pushing for more profit in a year that looks pretty bad.

2. One of the parties interested in buying the company sent 8 people to Mexico to do a detailed review of our operations. They stayed for 2 days. I don't think they found anything that would make them change their mind about buying us.

3. The peso devalued significantly, making collecting our accounts, which are denominated in dollars, very difficult.

4. Given the stress of the 3 items above, my defenses against illness were weakened, and I got sick.

5. While speaking with the Board of Directors, I mentioned that I was ill and it was probably a result of being stressed. My boss responded that I should not let things as 'trivial' as the budget and due diligence visits stress me out. I responded that people who know her are surprised that I'm not ill all the time!! I'm not sure she thought that was very funny.

6. Poodle and Baby and Little Brandon arrived on Sunday. Baby and Brandon arrived last, and their flight was late. We got home Monday morning at about 1:30 a.m.

7. All of us went to Puebla on Monday. Yesterday, we hiked in the area known as Rio Frio. It is in the mountains between Puebla and Mexico City. MTB will post pictures and give a more detailed report.

Merry Christmas to All!!!!!

A Big Surprise

My boss was in town this week. She was here for the weekend and stayed on Monday to visit us. She surprised me by offering me a job at another company in the USA after the sale of the operations in Mexico are sold. I at least have a good option available. (It is not in Texas)......

Ups and Downs, Continued

Number 1 on the previous list was probably neutral, but I had to make it a postive opportunity for the employees.

1. On Saturday, MTB dropped a small box of raspberries, which led to a major a meltdown.
2. On Sunday, MTB was called to be in the Stake RS Presidency. Those that know her won't have any problem deciding if this is an Up or Down. (And I'm still the High Counsel member responsible for Stake Activities. Is someone getting their wires crossed?)
3. On Friday, I was invited to go to a meeting in Miami (with Avaya, someone who wants us to sell their product) that was scheduled for Sunday. I declined, but it was nice to get the invitation.
4. I had planned on attending the Temple in Curitiba next week on the 22nd, but it is closed for maintenance.
5. Given the above, I'll be spending Friday and most of Saturday, November 21 and 22 in Houston.

Ups and Downs

Just a quick list of things that have happened this week: Some ups, some downs.

1. At an all employees meeting, I confirmed rumors that the company is for sale.
2. MTB thought she may have not renewed her license to practice medicine.
3. MTB found out that her license is still valid, no problem.
4. MTB and I spent 2 hours at an office of the Secretary of Education to start the process of validating her degree in Medicine, so she can practice in Mexico. After two hours, we found out we need more documents. And we had to smile and say thank-you.
5. A government owned aircraft, carrying the Secretary of the Interior and a former federal prosecutor crashed very near the presidential palace in Mexico City. Most people believe it was a sabotage by drug cartels, since the two government officials are in the center of the war with the drug cartels in Mexico.
6. MTB and I taught Institute on Wednesday night. We have wonderful students and it is always a positive experience for us.
7. The USA elected its first minority president.
8. I found out my boss will be visiting us on 1 December, my first day back from a 2-week absence from the office.

Life is all about ups and downs. We've had our share this week......

Fernash's Blog

Fernash -- You need to remember that your parent's eyesight is deteriorating. A deep blue color font on a brown background does not provide enough contrast for older eyes. Please at least change the font color. (Unless of course, you don't want us to see anything......)

Saturdays (without MTB)

MTB vistited Poodle this week, and arrives home today. When MTB visits family, she is usually gone at least one Saturday. So, what do I do when MTB is not here on Saturday? Here is a typical agenda.

1. Bike Ride. YEAH!!! (usually a bit longer than when she is here, but not much longer. I don't have the strength to do too much more)
2. Fumigate the house with Raid.
3. Wash clothes and sheets.
   
4. Thin the peace lilies that are in our indoor planters.
5. Go to WalMart or Costco or Home Depot, mostly just to get out of the house.
6. Fix something or iron clothes, or both.
   
7. Watch a sporting event (World Series Game 3 last night)
8. Prepare a lesson for Sunday.
9. Eat caldo tlapeño at VIPS.

WOW. What an exciting life!!!!