HELLO!

I have been away from blog writing for awhile....a lot going on, so I will try to catch up here for a bit.
Mario and I had a genuinely calm, easy, low-key 4 days in Las Vegas in the early part of June.  Since he works the equivalent of two full-time jobs on some days throughout the school year, I decided to get him outa town to those nickel keno machines he loves so much and let his mind wander aimlessly punching in numbers repeatedly for hours and hours--sounds like fun, doesn't it?  Well he likes the old- fashioned slot machines, and they still have some at Tuscany, a small Italian-themed place that gives us $25 rooms a couple of times a year.  The highlight for me, since I am not much of a gambler any more, not that I ever was much of a gambler, but I did enjoy all the group efforts throughout the years...I saw "Jersey Boys."  It was worth every cent, and I was amazed that I knew the words to all those songs, even though I hadn't heard many of them for years.  We had some great times with Eddie and Connie; we always find some interesting things to laugh and talk about.
I've had some fun with the grandkids here, trips to the ice cream shop, the movies, (loved "Marmaduke"), and this weekend to watch 3 days of soccer in Iowa.  Blake's team won all 5 of their games, and he had a beautiful goal in one of them.  I am looking forward to watching his senior season; looks like he'll be the stopper and one of his best buddies the sweeper on their team.  I skipped out on one of the games and kept the younger kids and my buddy Carter at Fun City swimming center on Saturday afternoon.  I think Nolan jumped from the bottom step to my waiting arms about 50 times.  I am still recovering from the 50+ pounds of solid mass of body he threw at me each time!  Only for you, Nolan.
Mario and I have enjoyed a couple of shifts working at the soup kitchen; I am greeter and all-around well-wisher, and he washes pots and pans and does clean-up detail.  The soup kitchen workers come from a number of churches in Quincy. We now have a food pantry and a clothing closet too.  This endeavor helps many needy people.  Today, a young mother came in, wearing a uniform, carrying a sleeping 6-month old baby in one arm and a full tote bag in the other.  I thought the best gift I could give her in the moment was to offer to hold her baby while she had lunch.  She looked at me, not wanting to "put me out" as she said, and I said actually I would love to hold her baby.  She reservedly handed him over, and I did my best "grandma hold."  He lay his head down on my shoulder, took hold of my hand, and was totally cool with it.  Baby mommy couldn't believe it.  "He will never let anybody else hold him!" she said in amazement.  Well, when she came back from lunch, she was smiling and grateful, and I had enjoyed every moment of holding that little guy and singing to him.  Simple gifts.  There is no small service to God.  It all matters.  :o)
We go soon to San Antonio to visit Mario's sister Elena and her husband Fidel.  Mario's brother Frank and his wife Joanne will also come.  Also, we are going to take a trip to Kerrville, north of San Antonio, where Fr. Joe Anthony lives and works at the VA Hospital.  I will be happy to meet his seven cats, and of course I hope to visit with some of the people he helps there. 
The Dede Clan has a new apparatus in the backyard...I believe they are calling it The Fort.  Tony has built it, and I understand it will be quite a magnificent structure when he is finished, complete with monkey bars, fire pole, sliding board, rock climbing ladder, and I don't know what else.  If Carrie didn't have the best place in the neighborhood to hang out before, (if you are 12 and under), she will soon!  Tony continues to amaze me with his talent.
The Arizona Camachos are moving across the street (in Scottsdale)--they have purchased a home for a good price, and I am happy they will now have a place to call their own there.  They still have the two properties in Yuma and have no trouble keeping renters in them, so I am glad they have found this home for themselves. 
We will all be together in Breckenridge, CO, in late July.  Can't get enough of Makenna.  She sat down with Chris to watch TV the other evening, and when he turned the NBA finals on, she objected, saying "I wanna watch the soccer game, Daddy."  Well there you have it.
Peace and joy everyone.