Merry Christmas to All ~ Happy New Year

ACAPULCO, GUERRERO MEXICO

Well, here we are at years end already! What a year 2008 has been!

Many life changing events have transpired this year. A major move across country, acclimating to an entirely NEW environment filled with really DIFFERENT people that have a really funny accent. Different weather, Different stores, Different everything!
Getting used to all the DIFFERENT things has been one of the most stressful things I have had to do in a long, LONG time. The Eastcoast is not what I expected at all. Very 'back in time so to speak. I thought living in Arizona was a challenge and a big change from Washington State, however, North Carolina tops it all. I feel like a sore thumb here, that is always getting bumped. I haven't been called "Mam.."so many times in my entire life, as in ONE day in Fayetteville. Between the polite and formal military people everywhere, and the natural bred Carolinian's its been slightly weird. I feel like saying, ..."Iam NOT Maaaaam!!!" But, I have learned to try to not offend the 'natives.....

And, something my Dad always told me sticks in my head. He would say; "Val, when in Rome,do as the Romans do!"

(He always has the best, most practical advice, and I have found over the years, when I was much younger and thought I knew it all, that his logic has proven tried and true over and over and over. I guess that's what parents are for...aye?)

So, Julieanna having finished her Semester at School (pulling all A+) decided it was time to take a break, and she booked us all a Christmas vacation to ACAPULCO! (Chuys hometown).

Chuys boss, the big wig General Sup for SAUER gave Chuy the time off with a pat on the back, with only one request, that Chuy brings him back something from Mexico, namely Tequila.

(Go figure... how original)

Anyway, Julie went online and figured out a fantastic itinerary. We will have quite the planned adventure. Flying into Mexico City, renting a car, visiting Teotihuacan pyramids, the famous Museum at Mexico City, the Catholic Cathedrals, Cuernavaca, Tepotzlan, the silver mines in Taxco and finally arriving at Chuys house in Acapulco to visit all his family and friends, and of course to get some much needed SUN. Maybe a drive to Oaxaca to Huatilgo(sp?) to see his older brother and wife and new baby that they named after Chuy. (Jesus) Chuy says its very pretty down where his brother lives, and the beaches are fantastic there.

Its been over 6 years since Chuy has been back home, and I know he is going to have a great time seeing everyone and showing off his 'new' familia to everyone, and meeting all the new babies his sisters have produced. (two in all). This time I am taking my digital camera so I can actually post some pictures ..... yeah! huh!

(I promise Mom to post them as soon as I get back.)

All this planning sounds great but so many things to do to get ready, namely the panic of what to do with our little Chivas? I called the Vets, and its a ordeal to take her with us. A Veterinarian has to give an official Health certificate ($70.00) and up. Even though she is up to date on all shots etc. Then, we have to take her as a carry on in the airplane, ($150.00 one way) $300.00 r/t. And, the problem of taking her everywhere in Mexico...... it just doesn't sound feasible, and way to costly. I was quietly panicking until Chuy thought up a bright idea... (leave it to Chuy)...he suggested his sister could baby(dog) sit! Only problem is that she lives in Atlanta Georgia, and we are in Fayetteville North Carolina. This wasn't going to be the across town baby(dog) sitter thing like when my kids were little and we could drop off at Grammas house. However, a tank of gas was gonna be alot cheaper than the $370.00 plus expense to fly Chivas to Mexico with us....so off to Georgia we go. Its 399.25 miles and three states away. Another 399.25 miles back home. Another 399.25 + 399.25 = 798.50 to pick her back up when we get home. So, total it up. 1597.00 miles to get a baby (dog) sitter. ................. Ludicrous, YES. But, we justified it by reasoning we get to see Chuys sister. I guess that's ok? Its Christmas.... time to see the family...... havent seen um in a long time...... its not thaaaaaaaaaaaaat far........ lets try out the new tires............ gas prices are down............... its cheaper than a kennel.............. dont know any neighbors to ask to baby(dog)sit......we cant just keep Chivas in the garage for two weeks....on and on my worries continued. I cant beleive how much a little DOG can interupt your life at moments like this.

So, Friday night comes around, and after work Chuy and I head down the freeway towards Atlanta Georgia. It really wasn't that bad. The drive is pert near boring. The terrain is all about the same. Actually, from North Carolina to Atlanta, it really is just about all the same. Alot of pine trees, dead looking maples (all the leaves have turned brown and dropped a while ago), rolling hills, some meadows..... little rivers now and then. That's about it. Dead roadkill deers periodically, and opossums squished..ick!

It took us over 6 hours to arrive, but the way Chuy and I travel is very comfortable. We hit every other reststop, and a few stops for coffee, and just take our time.

We finally get to 'Sara's house. Chuy is happy to see his sister (of course) and we stayed the night. I fell to sleep listening to the hypnotizing sound of two people rambling on and on in a foreign language. I confess, I haven't learned my Espanol yet. (Shame on me). I pay the price though, cause sitting for hours and hours not knowing what in the heck everyone is saying is very boring after a while. You try to smile at the right time, you try to follow the conversation, but, I have learned to stop asking Chuy "What did she say?"after every other sentence, cause then after Chuy translates, the conversations just take longer. So, I just tune out......... and endure. (I am picking it up though, little by little).

So, I got some family photos (on a digital camera) for once. And, even though the pictures turned out horrible, I am putting them on here anyway. I blame it on the camera ....

The photos are of Chuys little niece Crystal, and his older sister Sara. I didn't get a picture of her husband, because he was sleeping when we got there, and left early for work the next morning.

Chuy wasn't actually this bored. It was just a bad photo!

Chuy, Crystal, and her mom Sara. Sara is Chuys older sister. She isn't mad, I just caught a serious look, even though I was kinda amazed at how quiet and serious his sister and niece were. Very different from the boisterous American family I came from!!! They sound like they are whispering when they talk. Very soft spoken people... and not what I thought a Mexican family was like. I always had the notion that Mexicans were loud and always whooping it up. Chuys family, being Aztecan Indians are so different than the Mexican sterotype I had of Mexicans growing up. I guess I am still in a learning curve at my age. I admire their sense of devotion to family. The attention paid to the kids, the importance they place on school, learning, homework, and devotion to parents. This little girl wouldn't think of back talking her parents, or sassing.... it just amazes me, and makes me think of a lost era of American culture. I think a long time ago, kids in America (USA) used to be more respectful and family minded, like the culture in Mexico. I admire them for that... Crystal is bi-lingual, gets straight A's in school, and is a fantastic artist already!

(Driving thru Georgia)

I tried to capture some of the landscape around Georgia. Not much to see from the freeway...... but you do see alot of roadsigns pointing the way to a lot of historical places.

I wish I had paid better attention in US history. The Civil War era never really interested me.... until now.

Georgia landscape. Somewhere between Atlanta and Agusta. A easy drive, fairly flat but slightly rolling freeway. Relaxing drive.

Lake OCONEE....sounds Indian.

Also, I think it was called Rock Eagle.

Kinda reminded me of Lake Goodwin in a way.

Chuys nose in Georgia.

And, then the funniest thing. You hit the southern border of North Carolina, and your instantly transported to "Mexico! Its a type of weird Mexican Disneyland or something...... really weird to find it here in N. Carolina. REALLY WEIRD.

Myrtle Beach? Where? We are in the heartland of the Carolina's?

And, by the way, WHO IS PEDRO?

PEDRO?

PEDRO?

MORE PEDRO!

Finally, the sign for home...........

Downtown Fayetteville. Coming North on I-95 you basically run right into Fayetteville. It was kinda late, so we didnt get out and walk around. I just pulled over to snap a couple photos (that didnt turn out very good).

We missed the annual Christmas Event held downtown, where everyone comes to the downtown square dressed like they did in the 1800's. Men wear big black Top Hats, and Women wear fur stoles around their necks and muffin mittens. They have horse drawn carriages giving rides, and everyone gathers and lights candles and sings Christmas Carols. Just like something out of an old Christmas movie. All that is needed is some snow, and its post card perfect, right out of history.

(Downtown Squre Exactly.)

There are some cute OLD 1800's stores and taverns and whatevers around this area. I think one old church dates back to the 1700's/ It was getting late, so we didn't linger long. I wish I had taken a few more pictures though. These pictures don't do it justice at all. It's very pretty downtown with all the lights up and festivities bringing downtown to life.

So folks. This was the latest little adventure for December. We will be gone until the New Year.

We wish you all a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS. And, of course a Happy New Year. May 2009 be a year of renewed hope and happiness and full of Gods Blessings to us all. We love you all very much, and miss you at this time of year. And, we dearly miss the ones not with us anymore (Gramma and Grandpa). I pray we all stay healthy and find contentment in this world, as crazy as it is. Never loose your hope.... Keep your chin up! Every new day is a day to live, and do our best. Love and be gentle with those you love. Give 100% and 100% will come back to you.

And, on that note, a quote that My Gramma Hazel always told me, and I found in her old Bible......

"Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" Psalms 37:4

Gods Blessings to you all, and to all, a Good Night.

All our love,

Valerie, Jesus and Julieanna (not forgetting the little stinkers Chivas and Cuidado)

~A Great Grand-daughter Remembers You Too!~

OMG! This made me cry!! Everytime I think about them I choke up. One major life regret for me was not being there when they passed. They did sooo much for all of us and kept us a 'family'. They never judged but gave their unconditional love freely. I'll never forget the year we brought Packrat and tribe to Christmas- and grandma was all smiles, open arms and sweet Christian spirit. As an adult looking back at that situation-with that one night- she more than earned her spot in heaven. God bless their beautiful souls-and thanks be given for having such profound and beautiful people in our lives!
December 15, 2008 1:31 AM


*Excerpt's from Julieanna Carsen's comments on Gramma and Grandpa Afseth's post*


I also remember her making krumkaka for me to take to class growing up... EVERYONE loved that stuff! One weekend she taught me how to make homemade playdoh- which Matthew and I made one afternoon after school while the Nobles were still at work. We used green food coloring- had a blast... and
I'm sure the green circles on the ceiling are still there from us rolling them into balls and tossing them into the ceiling fan... man we were hellions! I'm making a baby blanket as we speak for a girlfriend of mine in the Army- crocheting of course- as great Grandma taught me on days I stayed with her when I was too sick to go to school.
Four square and SEQUENCE!!--- there's a word FOREVER tied in memory with the Afseth's! Grandpa was ALWAYS competitive! And had that Elmer smirk when he won-and that under his breath whisper, "Let's play again", when he lost. I remember falling and getting bruised up trying to run on that OLDIE hoakie tredmill they had- that you had to push with your feet to move.
Grandma and her Poppies! Grandpa and his stingyness over giving me paper from the credit union- I always liked collecting paper and pens from them for some reason- and I loved going to work with him... they always had 'suckers' there! Going to visit and staying for 'supper' or their specialty... chick soup with dumplings......no one says 'supper' anymore.


They always had the best ice cream-and weird tupperware... recycled margarine tubs. :) Waking up on a Saturday morning at their house and crawling into bed with them as they sipped coffee-and I ate those cardboard wafers with butter or a cookie- grandpa's side of the bed was ALWAYS cold!

Most of all- the memory that in an instant brings back their smell, their faces, their voices, their love and presence..... when I remember the sweet mumble of their voices coming from their bedroom, on nights I stayed over, as they prayed for everyone they knew before falling asleep.



God listened to them. I miss their prayers.
December 15, 2008 2:09 AM

Gramma's Daughter Joan remembers......

Hi Honey,
What a beautiful memory of Mom. She would be so thrilled. One memory of her that has ALWAYS been with me since she died is of one day I was at their house before she died. Because I worked all the time I spent time there with her and Dad but I never did a lot of work there other than visiting. I was actually cleaning out her fridge. She was very sick that day from the dementia. You know some days she was almost normal and other days she was awfully bad. Anyway, this one day she sat at the

table and watched me as I cleaned the fridge. After a time she said "Joni, did I ever help you when I was younger". I said ALL THE TIME MOM. They painted, they papered they cleaned, Dad remodeled. Dad fixed. I'll never forget, Dad had to come and worked under our sink in the kitchen one day. Finally the leak was gone and so was Dad. After he left, John, at his young age came to me and said, "Mom, and Grandpa didn't cuss once". Sure wish Chuey could of met Mom and Dad. Gotta go but just had to tell you how sweet that was. On the second annv. of Dads death, Dec. 27th, I'm putting in a memorium of Mom and Dad. their Births and Deaths. I have a special picture of them I'm looking for. I will sign all us girls names and at the end put and families. I am going to put the saying, DEATH IS A SCAR NO ONE CAN HEAL, lOVE IS A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL. Can you think of any other saying that would be better?? Id love suggestions. By for now Love You Joni

~ Above photo: Auntie Joanie Sygitowicz with Chuy at Lake Goodwin Summer 2008~

Remembering You at Christmas

I remember sitting with Gramma Hazel in her kitchen nook at her house in Marysville. We would wile away the time watching TBN, or Jimmy Swaggart on TV, or just talking about things on our minds. Often Gramma would have her crochet hook in her hand, and be working yarn around and around on some perpetual new blanket. She liked doing that.

Grandpa seemed to be in the background alot. Whether it was putting on a new pot of coffee, or getting into the ice cream because 'company showed up, he always seemed to be mulling around doing something or other.....

I remember the year he secreted himself away in the backyard wormshed, working on some mysterious project for Christmas. He would hustle out back after the shared cup of coffee and cookie or two he always offered guests after the greeting hugs and how- to- do's. The departing warning went something like this: " Well, girls, I better get busy...." and then the sliding door would open, and close, and Grandpa was gone.... for a while.

This was the special time I shared with Gramma. We would share chit chat..... talking often of the 'Lord...... or some aspect of our Christain beliefs, or a passage in the Bible that had currently enlightened us.... no matter what, my visits with Gramma always had a bit of Godly advice thrown in some where.
Gramma and Grandpa always honored the Christmas season. I don't remember a year that they didn't put up a Christmas tree, or turn on the Christmas lights strung on the eaves of the house. They used to light up the white painted rockery a pretty reddish glow........ all the modes of the season were expressed at Grammas house.
Some years Gramma gave a pre warning that there weren't going to be presents that year, ( for whatever reason), but, always, ALWAYS, when Christmas Eve came around..... they had managed to have a little something for everyone.
I always looked forward to the PJ's. You just knew that on Christmas morning, you would be wearing brand new PJ's, thanks to Gramma and Grandpa.
Well, after all the secret escapes to the Wormshed, Grandpa finally handed out his handiwork on Christmas Eve. That year, all his girls got handmade Candle holders constructed out of wood. They spread apart on a spindle, and created a menorah. I am not sure that Grandpa understood that a Menorah is a Jewish thing, but they were beautiful!

One of my best memories of Gramma was a question she once asked me during one of our special talk times. She asked me ... "What will you remember about me when I die?"...
Of course my instant answer was, "Oh come on Gramma, your never gonna die..."
But, now a few years after her death, I remember that question.
I guess, now that she is gone, I can rightly answer that.

Gramma, I remember YOU!
I remember you cooking KrumKaKa for my wedding. I remember our catnaps in the afternoons. I remember you making a little fire in the wood stove. I remember all the 5 and 10's you would press into my hand and tell me not to tell Grandpa. I remember your favorite book in the bible...'Hebrews~ I remember the magnificent quilt you and Grandpa made me years and years ago. I remember the shots you had to give my horse cause I was too scared and you were a nurse and knew how......
I remember you giving love slaps on Grandpas big chest, and he would just chuckle as you pretended to be mad at him just for the show of it all, cause it would make me laugh. I remember the year you made funny little socks out of yarn! I remember your perfume, ESTEE LAUDER. I always knew when you had been to my bedroom while I was gone to school, cause the bed was neatly made, and the smell of your perfume lingered in the room. I remember you coming to all my childhood events at school to give me support. I remember you being my hair model in Spokane for my boards. I remember us fishing in a little aluminum boat in some lake, and Grandpa said he was 'trolling .... I remember a hundred thousand things about you Gramma.
I could never narrow my memories down to one memory.......
So, I just bunch them all together and remember you.

Love and Miss you so much Gramma.
Missing you at this Christmas Season.