Hispanic Spanish Honor Society - Isabel Angélica Allende Llona Branch

Alyzabeth attended her honor society induction ceremony (she could have gone in last year but was unable to attend). It was a nice ceremony, repeating their commitment to support the Spanish language, they called out each name, lit a candle and answered a few questions. A nice, simple ceremony with the officers presenting and the FIHS Principal shaking each student's hand in congratulations.

Announcing her name:

Lighting her candle.

Signing the society member book.

Kathryn volunteered to help serve the cake and soda afterwards.

The mission of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies.

The FIHS society name: Isabel Angélica Allende Llona: 

Allende has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author. In 2004, Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and in 2010, she received Chile's National Literature Prize. President Barack Obama awarded her the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Allende's novels are often based upon her personal experience and historical events and pay homage to the lives of women, while weaving together elements of myth and realism. She has lectured and toured U.S. colleges to teach literature. Fluent in English, Allende was granted United States citizenship in 1993, having lived in California since 1989.

Monday, President's Day and Weekly Activities

Monday: President's Day. We drove the green Subaru to Darren's to get the driver side front panel replaced (dent and rust). 

AA and I went to Achieve Fitness to see about a new trainer for her - we need to make an appointment. Then we went to Kohl's and did not find a bra or dress she liked. She is short waisted with a large chest for her size, hard to find a style dress that enhances her figure.

We went home, she studied, while I organized our 2023 taxes and cleaned part of the MB that had become cluttered.

Tuesday: Donna came and cleaned our home. Ford went to his PT. I worked a couple of hours at Larry's; took out the weekly trash. We went to Maple Street Biscuit for lunch, always have leftovers for AA's lunch. We met up with Hugh and Maureen at 5 pm at the RH; Kathy came at 5:20 as her son Tom was visiting, then going out to dinner with his boss (located in Jacksonville). Today was also the day Kathy's other son died. We ordered MoJo BBQ salads for dinner. I am catching a cold, so laying low, trying to get more sleep.

Wednesday: I worked as usual, then grocery shopped so Ford could make his meatballs and spaghetti sauce. Then I drove to Larry's for the day. I went through a nasty rotted box in the garage (came out of trailer), then shredded papers for 30 minutes, then tackled some other paper boxes. Found Charlotte's high school and college writing notebooks - lots of writings, storied and part of a book. Not sure what to do with them. It would take me forever to type them up - maybe they are good? I sorted through a hundred Madi Gras necklaces - Kathy's son would like them. Many broken but many are intact - looks like from 1960's - 1990's. 

I went home about 3:00 pm so AA and I could go get the green Subaru - the front panel has been replaced. BUT the driver side headlight and turn signal don't work now.....will take to Suburban even though I should take it back to Darren's.

AA and I attended her AICE Europe Trip meeting at 6:00 p.m. Very informative. Then dinner of spaghetti and meatballs Yum!

Thursday: Ford and I went over to Metro diner and met up with Charlie and Donna Perry. We enjoyed catching up on their family and news. They are going to the FUMCH children’s home open house "Day on Campus" where as we will be out of town that weekend so cannot go. After the breakfast at Metro diner, we went to Larry’s house, and I went through some papers while Ford shredded papers. A nice sunny day got up to 70°.

We came home, rested a bit and changed into our dining clothes as we met Tim and Kay, Ferchow, Lyndon, and Patty Johnson and Don Hester at Joseph’s Italian restaurant on Main Street at 4 p.m. We enjoyed our dinner chatting about Lyndon and Patti‘s plans to move north/Iowa and possibly Airbnb here in the winter for a couple months. Debbie Hester didn’t come as she wasn’t feeling well. Ford ate the muffaletta sandwich. It was large, brought over half of it home. Joseph did not have chicken piccata so I ordered the lasagna with the house salad. It was very good and we enjoyed getting together with these AQCS Operations Supervisors.  Norman Goodwin showed up with his wife (and another couple), recognized us and spoke to us. After dinner, we went over and talk to him and took a group picture. 

Leaving home to drive to Joseph's:

Norman on left, then Ford, Don, Lyndon, Tim and me!

After our drive home, Alyzabeth was with Laureen speaking Spanish, and we watched rerun of American Idol.

Friday: We started off the morning with Alyzabeth off to school and me doing an hour or so of work, got ready to take the green Subaru up to Suburban. The headlight and turn signal on the driver side has not worked since Darren replaced the front side panel and repainted it. Thankfully, it was a quick fix. Suburban had our car back in an hour and said the harness was not hooked up, so easy fix. We met our new handyman, Lee Myers at Larry's home to replace Charlotte's bathroom door. Also, shredded more papers, went through a few boxes and that’s when we got the call to go pick up the green Subaru.  We went home, walked Ginger and then went to Ford's physical therapy appointment at 10:45. It was sprinkling and threatening rain so I only walked about 500 steps and then called my Mom and chatted for a few minutes. After PT, we went to Sweet Sensations for lunch and enjoyed an outlaw chicken salad sandwich and ran into Kenny and Pam Davis. We sat with them and chatted and hopefully we get together, go to the local Mexican restaurant soon with them.  After I got home, I went to back to Larry‘s house and shredded papers for another hour or so, went through three or four boxes of correspondence and a box of Larry‘s high school stuff and Charlotte’s mother’s belongings (found 84 Lincoln pennies and 14 Indian pennies, plus $10). Felt like I made some progress and filled a few more trash bags.  After school, Alyzabeth worked at the library with Noah on their psychology study analysis project and then we heated up leftover spaghetti sauce and meatballs for dinner plus garlic bread. Alyzabeth and I looked at Macy's prom dresses online and actually ordered a prom dress, hopefully it will fit.  We had a few laughs while Ford was trying to fill his pillbox. He knocked over several things on the coffee table, including his cane, riled up Ginger, anyways had a few laughs tonight.  

Jesse texted us, his birthday gift, a LL Bean winter shirt jacket was delivered, said, fit well, sleeves were long enough.

Saturday: I worked - cleaning up emails and then went to Publix to buy the ingredients for my new recipe called the Rueban appetizers, also the ingredients for the jambalaya that I will make on Sunday. 

I made the Rueban appetizer that has two pickles on the top and bottom, and in between a slice of corn beef slice of Swiss cheese, some sauerkraut and a drizzle of 1000 Island dressing. The toothpick didn’t stay firm, it is loose in the pickle, pickle is not sturdy enough on the bottom especially to hold the little appetizer together. Next time I am going to buy Swiss cheese in a block and cut the slice thicker and use it on the bottom - I’ll swap the location of the pickle with the Swiss cheese on the appetizer. It’s a mini-stacker that looks and tastes like a Reuben sandwich.

I used bottled 1000 Island dressing (added some sweet relish, Worchester sauce, ketchup and horseradish sauce).

We all went to see Dylan dance a solo at UNF (refer to separate post), on the way we dropped off Alyzabeth's black Subaru at the River House and then we returned home and went to the River House for happy hour. Alyzabeth drove her car home rather than staying at the RH.

We enjoyed drinks at the River House, Hugh and Maureen and Kathy all loved the new appetizer. I gave Kathy a gallon bag of old Mardi Gras beads, many with old labels on them, probably 100 necklaces, plus a bag of loose beads - her son Tom wanted them. I try to find people who will recycle/re-use, cherish somehow keep many of Larry/Charlotte's "things" in use - bring some joy to others. 

We came home and snacked on popcorn and watched the Tuesday night show "Finding Your Roots".

Snow Moon will reach its full phase on Saturday, February 24, at 7:30 a.m. ET. - Photo taken at 6:50 p.m. River House.

Sunday: A lazy morning, then ready for church. After church, I went to Publix, bought the Alabama sausage needed for the jambalaya.

AA and I diced up red bell peppers, onions, garlic, celery, cleaned shrimp, all preparations. Carolyn came about 3:00 p.m. and we enjoyed champagne (she gifted us a bottle plus two boxes of Girl Scout cookies) and cranberry juice (poinsettias). The jambalaya was very good, will make again.

Sausage, chicken and the shrimp goes in next to last (and then the parsley):

Pecan Pie, part of our Christmas gift (Honey baked Ham Company) from Bill and Joan.

Beautiful weather - a great weekend seeing Dylan/Family and Carolyn!

Dylan Cruce - Solo Dance at UNF

We went to UNF to see Dylan perform a solo dance (the same one to Dolly Parton's song). She was awarded 7th place - her first time placing in the top ten - very exciting for her and all the hard work/practice she puts in.

Before her performance, we walked from the Arts parking garage to the back of the arts building and ran right into Dylan!

The family without Jesse (he's taking the picture):

Pearl loves dance competitions.

The Cruce Family:

Tuesday, Week of February 13th - 18th

Tuesday: Slept well, AA off to school. I did laundry, worked a bit, then off to Ford's physical therapy. I walked a little, called Mom and tried to plan the day and week.

Ford and I ate leftovers, AA came home from school while Ford was talking to Leaa on the phone. AA is enrolling in dual enrollment for her senior year.

Ford and I went to the RH, met Kathy, gave her some more of Charlotte's Mardi Gras items we found in their home. It was fairly nice, so we sat outside, a bit chilly, but so nice! Chatted with Michelle about her husband Patrick who is Post Malone's manager, was at Super Bowl while Post sang the song "America the Beautiful". He also played at the Chief's post party. Very exciting!

Back home, dinner of Lo Mein leftovers, with dumplings and a P.F. Chang frozen dinner - all was good. 

Wednesday: Valentine Day! 

I worked, put out the can tabs and two aloe plants for Trish Diggins.

Then drove to Larry's home, just to check in, got the rest of the bells, checked the box of glass for Hilary, got the mail and then headed home to get Ford. We went to the Lawyer; I signed the Inventory list and the Bank of America forms. We decide to stop at Chef X for first time (CR 16/GCS) and Kenny and Pam were just leaving; they visited with us while we waited for the menu to change from breakfast to lunch, then ordered (cheeseburger for Ford, chicken Club for me - both very good). Good seeing them, granddaughters are in third grade (Madeline) and the other in kindergarten. 

Ford went to his dermatologist, had several biopsy's on his forehead, painful but it needed to be done. I took him home, went back to the Lawyer's to get the notarized forms, then to the Vet to get Ginger's hip treats, then to Publix for a few items. After being at home for a few minutes, AA and I went to visit Ms. Penny. We took her some tulips and chatted for over an hours, catching up on her news, her sister sold the big house, niece loves Deland - Penny hopes AA will apply to Stetson, talked about Donna M. next door - put up a fence, renovating the house, their dog, two cats, Penny's cat, about the deer that are not coming to her yard; she thinks the new huge white fence has them detouring around it. Her shoulder still hurts - rotator cuff, AA said her knee isn't the same. Lots of general news.

Ford made chicken and dumplings with carrots and celery. It was delicious, with leftovers for tomorrow night's dinner. We opened our cards, ate too much chocolate and AA bought her Junior Prom ticket (cheapest price on this day only). 

Thursday: I worked (completed three required annual training classes online), Ford skipped his Parkinson exercises, staying quiet due to the three forehead biopsies. The landscape has been dramatically cleaned up behind our home - on the golf cart path and pond area. All overgrown brush, vines and many trees have been removed. Now have a clear view of the pond (and the houses on the opposite side of the pond). Ford's tomato plant is still producing!

Green glass is Larry/Charlotte's; Ford's new wine glass.

Friday: I worked and then went to Larry's home to meet Tree Tech (read separate post). Ford drove himself to Physical therapy. After Tree Tech crew left, I spoke to neighbor LouAnn Simpson about the work and she is planning to replace the fence on her and Larry's property line. I picked up a Chipotle bowl to share with Ford and AA for our late lunch/snack. For dinner I made panzanella after meeting Donavon Morris back at Larry's - he unloaded the trailer and took it away! I feel so accomplished!

Liv was in a musical, we didn't go.

Saturday: I worked and updated our blog, while AA and Ginger enjoyed some movies - lazy morning until 10 am. 

We were supposed to go to dinner with the Ferchow's, Hester's, Gail Browning, Lyndon and Patty Johnson but we were texted that Patty and Lyndon were under the weather today. So, our dinner plans were rescheduled for most likely this Thursday evening. Alyzabeth and I went to Dillard's at 11 AM when the store opened to look for prom dresses. There were many choices but none in petite size so tried on many dresses and found a couple styles that look good on her (she didn't like any - did NOT buy the dress in the photo). We’ll have to order some online in petites and see how they fit. After coming home, we brought Ford a spicy salmon and tuna bowl from Natural Kitchen that was at the mall. Alyzabeth and I ate there and enjoyed it very much. 

Once home, I cooked some Alabama sausage to take as the appetizer for the River House since we could now go with our usual group, and I did actually lay down for an hour and rested before going.  I took Ginger out and she peed and pooped; then we left for the River House. It’s been a drizzly raining weekend so sat inside with Kathy, Maureen and Hugh. We talked about the usual chitchat, about our recent visit with Penny, and Hugh's trip to Brazil for his grandson Tim's wedding. Hugh paid our tab again this time as he always says we bring better appetizers; I wish he wouldn’t do that. We appreciate it his generosity but it’s not necessary. We came home and ate our remaining bowls from lunch for our dinner and Alyzabeth was watching The Marvels movie in between studying history. Pretty much having an early evening watching TV and resting. 

Sunday: I made waffles for our Sunday breakfast, then went to church. 

After church, I chatted with Mom in the Publix parking lot, shopped for a few items, then home to a late lunch of leftovers. We drove to the new Mellow Mushroom near Golf Village (SR16) for Jesse's birthday gathering. He played with Richard Gregg (member of the One Good Ring Band - and Real Estate wife, Beth Ruggeri) for a few hours, while we visited with Nicole/family, Jordan's parents Nancy and David; Carl and Marsha, Cara and Miles (Pearl was sick), and Robbie (CPA, Palatka elementary school chum) and Kristen Wiles. We gave Jesse Larry's chainsaw plus ordered him a LL Bean Katahdin Insulated Shirt jacket. I gave Leaa her LL Bean Sherpa jacket (sent from Maine), two shawls, earrings for Liv, Dylan and Kilee, plus a puzzle (nine cards each) to Mila/Avery and Liv/Dylan. Marsha mentioned the bound National Geographic books (Larry/Charlotte's) and how she is using and sharing with her art guild. Larry/Charlotte's possessions are being used all over our family and community. 

Jordan's parents came - Dave and Nancy!

We drove home - a very rainy day and had dinner (take-out from Mellow Mushroom) and then made a saucepan of Carolyn's hot mocha cocoa to warm us up. We watched two reruns of Sanditon, then PBS show on walking the Dales/Swale like Herriot did with his sons.