The Last Workday

Here's me hard at "work" on my last day! (Yeah, right!)

Dolores

Here's my coworker, Dolores, putting the finishing touches on a perfect event.

She not only arranged every last detail of this party, she also learned every single detail of the job I left so she can carry on after I'm gone. I couldn't have left it in better hands! (Just call her Wonder Woman!!)

The Gift

My generous coworkers were so glad to see me go they pooled their loose change and bought two trees and a bench for my backyard!

They even came and planted them for me! (Well, not the bench. They just dropped that off.)

The Husband

Fortunately Juan was able to leave his work early and attend.

We held the party at Bo's toolroom which is located just beyond the centerfield fence at Sancet Field on campus. What a great view!

The Family

The family was well represented. Jan and Ma & Pa made the perfunctory appearance. (Thanks!!)

Generous Vendor

RSC Equipment Rentals catered lunch for everyone! They're one of our favorite vendors, of course.

Good Food

And Good Company

Some More of the Guys

The Gold Watch

Well, I chose a nice clock, instead of a gold watch (or the standard plaque).

That's my very LAST boss, Bill, representing the dozen or so I worked for over the years.

Carrot Cake, Of Course!

Kathia

Kathia worked with me in Grounds for many years before transferring elsewhere in the department.

Texas Red Oak

Planting day!

They even brought some fall flowers for color while the trees are getting established!

This Quercus texana will be a medium-to-tall tree whose leaves turn red-orange in the fall.

Purple Orchid Tree

I loved the White Orchid tree on the UA campus so thought this variety would give us some interesting color.

See more about it at this website: http://www.floridata.com/ref/B/bauh_var.cfm

3:1 Ratio

Let's see, three supervisors and one hard worker. Yup, must be a Government job!

Just kidding! They all worked (some) and everyone had a great time. Thanks SO MUCH everyone!!

MEXICO TRIP - Aug 2007

To start our trip we drove to El Paso, Texas, to visit Juan's cousin Irene and her sister Nellie along with Irene's husband Jim. They were gracious to drive us to the Juarez airport where we caught a one-hour flight to Chihuahua.

(CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO SEE IT FULL SIZE)

Juan's cousin Chayo and her husband Ron (from California) made plans to visit Mexico at the same time we did. They met us at the airport, helped us arrange a rental car, took us to dinner at this nice restaurant in Chihuahua, and got us on the right road to Anahuac where Juan's cousin Pavi and her husband Juan were expecting us.

Pavi's husband works at a big factory in Anahuac and they have two sons and a daughter, Paola, Josua, and Luis Carlos.

Paola and Josua took us to their neighborhood pool for a quick swim the next morning. Paola competes in swimming in school.

We met up with Ron and Chayo in Rubio where we visited this little church. The entire town block was owned by members of the Julian Marin (brother of Juan's Grandfather)family in the past, although this church dates from more recent times.

Ron, Chayo, me and Josua.

From here we drove out to Colonia Chupaderos to visit Juan's Uncles Chema and Carlos. Josua, who is 14-going-on-25, was our guide!