New Years Double Shot Jam

You made me do it. You practically dared me...
REZ band? I don't think so. The master is in the house.
I've got his whole collection (early stuff) on mp3 if you're interested. Keaggy too.
Norman just turned 60. You want to see something that will break your heart?
Watch his Christmas Greeting 2006 here. May God bless him.



Get your own playlist at snapdrive.net!

New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve.

At the close of this year, I’d like to say goodbye and lay to rest all the evil, unforgiveness, anger and selfishness of the last year. I’m looking forward to embracing an exciting, passionate, purposeful and God-filled new year. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future.

So, at the risk of sounding morbid, here’s my self written epitaph.

New Years Eve Jam

Dedicated to my Coffee House boys.
You know who you are.
I ask you: Is there a better guitar player? I think not.
Turn it up boys. You know you want to. The wives won't mind.
Jam on.


Get your own playlist at snapdrive.net!

Happy Holidays from the Cruz Family

Papo, Miriam and Nivek (Seidy's son)

From left to right: Papo, Abby (Omar's wife) with their baby Omar Miguel, Omar, and Kaitlin (Miguelito's Godmother).

This one's for Ron who last time asked me for a picture of Miguelito with his eyes open which are blue (for now).

Seidy, her boyfriend Luis, and Nivek.

Who can guess what this if for???

For the Christmas pig, of course. . .

On your mark. . .

Get set. . .

Come and get it. It was absolutely dilicious! We had all the traditionals, rice, potato salad, pasteles, arroz con dulce, cake, and lots of other goodies. It was great having all the Cruz family and our friends together. BUT THE BEST PART OF CHRISTMAS 2007 WAS A SPECIAL VISIT. . .

From two of my baby cousins, Nair and Millie. As we all know Nair went through a lot this year with her health. Thanks to all of our prayers and Gods blessings she is in great health and looking good. She, her family and Millie came to Florida for a short visit. I had the great pleasure of visiting with them in their hotel on 12/28. We did some catching up since we had not seen each other in at least 4 years. Thank you God for this special present that you gave me!

Millie, Miriam and Nair. Don't we look cute???

Here we are with our 2 boys Richie and Bryan. I had to force Bryan into this picture. You can tell he wasn't too happy since he's in the stage of "NO PICTURES". You can tell he's not too happy, just look at his hair.

Ah, and the night had to end . . .

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

Merry Christmas From Florida

Feliz Navidad

Merry CHRIST-mas from the Rolons of Harleysville and the Gils of New York!

These pictures were taken from our Christmas celebration at Chati and Dee's house on Sunday. As always, a great time had by all!

Merry Christmas From U and Laurie

We've got a dinner at Dave's house today. More pictures later.

Lansdale, PA

Feliz Navidad from Christina, Marie & Tommy.

An Early Christmas Gift

I was thinking of Nair ( and her family) and how saddened I was that that she lived so close by (Willow Grove) and the only times we got to see each other was at our family picnics. It was always a great time but that 2-3 times a years just wasn't enough.

I was directing this year's Christmas musical at my church and spontaneously decided to invite her and imagine how was blessed I was with one of my best Christmas presents ever when Nair, Richard, Richie & Alysa all came.

While it may have seemed like a simple courtesy to others, I know what an effort it is for her to step out and enjoy an evening.

Keep your big screen TVs and complete season of (enter favorite television show here) on DVD and anything else you may find in your stocking. This gift will be with me for a long, long time.

1 Corinthians 13 . . . at Christmas

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just a decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on my love for Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas

FOR THE LOVE OF PRETZELS

Oh my God!!! A Philly Pretzel Factory store just opened up in Waterford Towers in Central Florida. I went there tonight and walked out with a hugh bag full of pretzels (14), a bag full of nuggets, a hotdog roll, and a hugh knot for $6.00. I'd like to say I got it for close to nothing because I'm cute, but that's not the case.

The store had just closed at 7:00 pm and I knew that I'd missed them by 3 minutes. I called the store and asked for their location so that I could return another day. When I told the guy that I had travel about 40 minutes to get there, he gave me directions and told me that he'd have some waiting for my arrival. They opened the door for me and I ordered 9 pretzels. They gave me everything they had left. I felt like a theif in the night. Talk about a steal. Papo just laughed when I walked out because he said that he knew that my "labia" would get me more than I needed. It's not my fault that I'm such a sweet talker.

I shared some with our three kids and that was, of course, after I stuffed my face. Ah, the memories. Now if I could only find that store that will be opening in Oviedo soon with the Philly Hoagies. That will be my next challenge.

Clapper

A former student of Elba Cardona.

Ven, Ven, Ven
Siéntese aqui.
Los caballitos corren
Asi, asi, asi...

We Made It

After 3 days of celebration we finally came out on the other side. What a great 3 days it was. I was hoping to post more but a certain someone (ahem…) left his video camera AND digital camera in his garage. The only thing I had was Blue Eye’s camera and my useless phone camera. I’ll have to post the professional pictures when we get them.

Anyway, we all left for Tampa Wednesday morning because we had rehearsal at 10 am. The wedding and reception was held at the Kapok in Clearwater. It is a stunningly, beautiful place.





That night we headed over tothe Iwanski home to have a barbecue.




This is Nathan Poole, Adam's best man who came in from Arizona (he's in the Marine Corp). They've been friends since they were 6 years old.


When you marry someone you automatically become part of another family. Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes it’s not. We absolutely love Sarah. She is everything we could have wanted for Adam. When we met Matt and Rita (her parents), we came to understand why Sarah was the way she was. When we met their extended family it became even clearer. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more loving, giving and accepting family. Everyone from her grandparents to her cousins were as gracious as they could be. They also know how to have a good time.

Thursday was Thanksgiving so our rehearsal dinner turned out to be quite the event. We had it catered and had about 65 family and friends turn out. We capped the night with a two hour Karaoke bash. It was an evening we will never forget. At first folks were a little hesitant. We started with a few group songs. When we got to Billy Joel’s Piano Man, we had the whole place rockin’.

We even had our own Ruben Berrios belting out My Eyes Adored You. He did a great job!



The parents got together and sang Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills & Nash.


At one point we had both families up there singing We Are Family.

Here's a video clip of a group singing a song from Grease.



Friday was the big day and it went on without a glitch. It could not have been a more perfect wedding. Here are a few picts.


Whew! I'm tired. I'll post more later when I get the good pictures back.

I leave you with my boy and his boys.

At the end of this, Sarah's grandmother turned to me and said:
"This is the first wedding I've been to that's had a floor show."
What can I say? My son's a ham.
Superman

A FREE ONE FOR VISA

What a beautiful place for Adam and Sarah's wedding. The place was spectacular and everything was just beautiful. The happy couple was gleaming all night long. I'm really glad I could make it. Cheers to the newest Mr. and Mrs. Cardona. May the Lord grant them many many years of happiness.

Married for about 3 hours: Memories

in the making . . .

Married for 26 + years: A proud
accomplishment . . .





















Married for 51+ years: "PRICELESS"

2 hours and counting

Sorry for the bad picts. I need a new phone
Ulyses

My new grandson

I'm finally in with this blogging deal. I'm just starting to wet my feet so for my first blog I will post a picture of our new grandson Omar Miguel Cruz. This onesy that the baby is wearing was the first one that his father Omar wore 25 1/2 years ago. It brought tear to my eyes. We will be abuelita and abuelito to our boys.

Elf Yourself!

We decided to take dance lessons for the holidays and look how far we've come!

Click on the this link.

Feliz Cumpleano, mi hermanita

Con much amor!

Miriam and Papo Grandparents Again

Omar and Abby had a son, Oct.23rd.
His name is Omar Miguel Cruz. He weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Of course, via grandma's eyes, he's adorable. He was born with a full head of hair and features.

Waiting for pictures from Miriam.

Congratulations!

Two Weeks & Counting

Happy Birthday Lisa

28 years ago. Don't they go by in a blink...
Love you, Baby.

Thanksgiving a bit early

El Amor De Familia,

I was so moved this weekend that I thought it was “blog-worthy”. My very homesick Rosi came home for the weekend. Prior to her arrival, she called her family to attempt to gather them all together at a restaurant to see them all at the same time. She was disappointed in knowing that she will, for the first time, be missing our annual family Thanksgiving Day dinner. Rosi is very familial and loves to gather with her uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins.

Jim and Iris, God Bless them, suggested that we surprise Rosi and plan a “Pre-Thanksgiving Day” dinner/birthday party in her honor at their home. Everyone came. We had turkey, stuffing, green beans, potatoes….all the traditional Thanksgiving Day stuff. Rosi and Polito were very moved by our family’s gesture. I was moved even more!

In the words of Rosi, "Que emocion, I love you all!”

Cardona's Annual Christmas Party

Every year for the past 10 or so years, Dave and I have hosted a Christmas Party. It's a combination of family, friends and co-workers and everyone seems to really enjoy themselves. We've had lots of fun with trivia, karaoke, door prizes, dancing, and of course lots and lots of food. We almost cancelled this year because of the number of things going on, including a wedding coming up (Adam and Sarah), but we've decided it's a go! The party is on for Saturday, December 1st. I know it's early but we always have it the first weekend of December and that happens to be on the 1st this year. So we'll kick off the season with a blast! Ulyses will entertain us with his DJ talent and you won't be disappointed with the menu, so come and join us if you can for a fun filled night.

4th Annual . . . More Pics

4th Annual Rolon-Pérez Father-Son Retreat