AW-W-W-W...KUDOS FROM A NEW FRIEND!

Blog by Marianna Carpenter. Participant April 14, 2007

This trip did not start out auspiciously---first of all, my husband couldn't come, so I was sure this would not be fun. On the plane, the flight attendant spilled a can of cranapple juice all over me, and while running to catch my connection, I managed to get a quarter-sized blister on my heel that broke. Oh joy...this trip was going to be a lot of fun! I can't get my foot in a shoe (I did bring four pair---yes, I am a shoe person!), and our first day is an all-day Guadalajara walking tour---don't these people know better?...high altitude, travel day, health problems, etc. I already hate this trip.

That was my Saturday evening thought while I was getting ready for dinner. By the end of dinner, I had laughed so much, my sides hurt, and I had 21 new friends! Never in my life have I made friends this quickly and for sure not a bunch at once---must be the "space portal!"
We all spent our free time, what little there was, together in the bar terrace every day. There was so much laughter and fun that no one wanted it to end. I can see spending the rest of my life with these people with no regrets! Seventeen people from all over the U.S. and Canada with nothing in common except a desire for a new life.

Problems---no sir!---Karen galloped in on her white horse with lots of bandages and solved the heel problem---muchas gracias! Rick walking with his cane solved the "I'm always going to be last, because I can't walk well" problem! And, Bill Hayworth, Kate and Barry solved the "I'm all alone" problem. Never in my life have I felt such a closeness to people that I just met. All of them, including the staff, are awesome people.

I cannot imagine this type of thing happening to someone more than once in a lifetime, and I will cherish it forever. And, by the way, we managed to learn a lot too!

Moral of the story: great things happen when you eat, laugh and learn with friends, new or old!

FOM's note: We loved you too, Marianna...you didn't even get mad it me for "making" you wear one of my hats in Guadalajara! You're a real trooper! Remember, you're coming back for New Year's Eve!

FULL OF MIRTH CLUB!!

You know, we've had lots of great people since our first group in September. We've had lots of guests who laughed a lot and really enjoyed themselves and gotten along from the first day. But the last group really took the prize...literally! They started laughing when they got off the plane and I know they're still laughing even though they've all gone home. It was a whole group of people who laughed easily and laughed often. They were a joy to be around.

Personally, I still remember the big smiles Kate Black and Barry Pajak had when they walked toward us at the airport. It made me realize why I always remember the Spanish word for smile: sonrisa. I always think of it as meaning "sun rises" and that's the way Barry and Kate struck me...seeing their smiles, I felt as if the sun was indeed rising.

Then, of course, it was the fact that the ladies flirted with ALL the waiters and the speakers and the Vita agents, including Omar! The only reason I didn't get more pictures of them laughing is because I was laughing a lot myself. Also, the reason some of them are blurry (the photographs that is, not the people!!) is because I was laughing myself, or I just wasn't fast enough to capture the perfect image. I decided to include them because they still made me smile...ah-h-h-h...the memories! And, the double entrendes and jokes we can't include here! They will have to remain always in our memories unless I want this blog shut down by the Blog Police! All I'll say is that one of them had to do with underwear!

The whole staff finally decided we needed to commemorate this group. We established the Full of Mirth Club...and, since, as we stated on the certificate, "Laughter is as good as jogging for our heart, lungs, and brain," we thanked them for "adding to our lives this week." And, because they were the ones responsible for our even starting the club, we made them Charter Members. We love you guys! We miss you guys! Come back soon. I believe we have made a pact for them to come back on New Year's...please don't forget us!

So if you just want to smile, click here to see pictures of mirth in action. I couldn't stop smiling as I got the pictures ready. I guarantee you will have a big sonrisa on your face when you finish!

Viva la musica!

Our April 14-20, 2007, Focus Program group left a few days ago, but one of the participants provided us with a unique experience. Seems like Carmen Konneker was singing along at her table with the performers at Manix restaurant.

When the performers noticed she was singing, they invited her to join them and sing along. After much encourgement, she went to the stage and performed a couple of songs to the delight of all. She was wonderful, and we can't wait until she comes down here and does it again!!

The see more pictures of this wonderful experience click here and then go to the food and restaurant section of the groups memories...

Bow Wow Chic!

Bow Wow Chic!

The invitation offered a front-row seat at a fashion show. Imagine that! Front row! I'd never been to a fashion show before, much less front-row! Ah yes, I read further...ah yes...I see...of course!

You're invited to the The Lakeside Spay and Neuter A.C.'s annual Doggy Fashion Show.

Well, it's not Paris or even New York, but it was a very chic event indeed, with all in attendance loving their furry friends, wanting them to wear nice clothing and meet the right sort of other little dogs.

The Doggy Fashion Show put on annually by Lakeside Spay and Neuter is an informal but fun event/dinner where mutts or bluebloods "strut their stuff' attired in costumes to reflect their owner's creativity, imagination and/or sense of humor! Costumes for human attendees were optional, but since it was after all April Fool's Day, the human contingent made the most of the occasion too...most capitalizing on a "theme" that complemented or contrasted with "Fido's" fashion statement!

There were the stylish, the bucolic and the Hell's Angel entries all vying for attention on the runway. The dogs and their masters displayed winning moves and everyone in attendance had a great time. The owners and their dogs were all pretty good sports, showing up to "show off" their support for a very worthy cause.

The winner was Vivien Michel and her dog, Daisy Mae McCoy... dressed in oh-so-chic faux leopard-skin with what can only be described as a Lauren Bacall veil...I was SO born in the wrong era. I long for the 40s with those plush muff/handbags and the flirty veils!! Daisy Mae definitely sounds like the name of a Raymond Chandler heroine! Maybe next year it could Film Noir-style Doggy Fashion Show. "Dust off your old fedora, grab your trench coat, break out your Bogey, and call out your Bacall." Okay, I'm getting carried away now...it was just a whole lot of fun, and a great evening was had by all with barbeque, lettuce wraps appetizers, dancing and an auction thrown in for good measure.

And, may I say one word for the seemingly most under-appreciated person there? Before the dinner, a singer by the name of Jack Fallon entertained us with soft ballads. He was delightful, but got very little applause because people were arriving, greeting, schmoozing and taking care of their doggies...we just didn't have two hands among us to clap! He was very entertaining and the perfect note to arrive on and start the evening. So...Jack, we apologize...consider this our online version of two hands clapping!

And, last but not least (to us, anyway!), Ana-Izela McConnaWAY-Kabande de Coxala made her public debut at this event, and, as you can see from the picture, became weary of the whole thing ...so much attention; so little puppy breath! Finally, overcome with ennui, she took her afternoon siesta in her chauffeur's lap!

You know, this Pet Chic fashion show has me thinking about reincarnation. In my next life, I want to be a Yorkie Poo, live at Lakeside, and ride around in a BMW with a rich lady. Chase cars? Chase cats? Chase mailmen? Are you insane? I have to get ready for next year's event. "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!"

And, if any of you out-of-towners feel like contributing to a worthy cause, here is the address and information. You'll feel great if you do it!

Checks should be made payable to: Lakeside Spay & Neuter Center , A.C.

Please write on the "memo" line on the face of the check: For deposit to account #23710683

Mail check to:
USAA Federal Savings Bank 10750
McDermott Fwy
San Antonio, TX 78288

And, for more pictures of this delightful event, please click here. And, my apologies to Raymond Chandler for the use of his words as captions!! Once I started, I just couldn't stop myself. Hope you enjoy!

Hello Xolo

Well, we did it! As all the participants who have come on our programs since we've been going to Monte Coxala know, we fell in love with the dogs there. We don't know why ... everyone else said they were ugly, but they just really touched our hearts. When we found out Mama had babies on January 27, we told Lola we definitely wanted one.

We picked her up on March 22, and she's been getting to know the rest of her family since then. Just to give you her background: She's a Xoloitzcuintle...a Mexican Hairless Dog (pronounced show-low-EETS-queent-lee)...usually shortened to Xolo...leave it to us to get an unpronounceable dog! They are very unusual-looking dogs, but Bill and I fell in love with them when we first saw them at the Spa. And, I have to share with you what happened when we went to pick out the one we wanted. As an intro to the story, here's one description of the breed:

"Many swear they have learned more from their Xolo than any other breed, because they are so intelligent and in tune with their family, they seem to know when you are not feeling well, and stay with you, comforting you when alone or depressed."

Well, Ana called Lola at Monte Coxala to make sure we were in line to get one of the dogs, and Lola said we could come out any time and pick out the one we wanted. So we immediately went. As we drove up to the spa, the Mother Xolo was out looking at our car drive up and dancing back and forth. We thought maybe she was 'expecting' someone and was going to be mighty disappointed when we got out of the car. She wasn't...she was so excited to see us. We've been up to Monte Coxala many times with the groups and not once has this dog paid any attention to us at all. In fact, she growled at Bill once when he tried to pet her. This time, she danced all around us and jumped up on Bill as if she were so excited that we'd finally shown up. Then she led us to her pups...I knew where they were since I had taken the original picture. Lola walked out then to go in with us. No matter how Mama was acting, I wasn't about to traipse in on her pups unattended. That seemed to be asking for trouble.

Mama had given birth to seven puppies...but only four survived...2 boys and 2 girls. I, of course, wanted a girl. And, the one that Bill had picked out from his first look at the picture not only was still alive, but was a female! Meant to be!

Our little one was buried under the other female, but we told Lola not to worry about showing us the female...that was the one we wanted, and we were happy just to know she was doing well. Well, at that moment, Mama got in the bed, and pushed the other female off 'ours' so we could see her better. She then preceded to groom our pup and push her toward her nipples. Once the little one was suckling, Mama looked up at us as if to say, "see; I'm taking good care of her for you!" It was so funny!

We were going to name her Izel (EE-zel) because it means "Unique, One of a kind" in Aztec...that's how old her breed is and the name Xoloitzcuintle is an Aztec name. However, our friend Ana Kabande (FOM program director) kept asking us why we wanted such an ugly dog..."she is muy feo!" So I finally told Ana that if she didn't stop calling our dog ugly, we were going to name her Ana!!! She looked at me and said, "Ana is muy bonita!" (very beautiful) ? We thought that was the end of it until we told Ana about the name Izel...she said, "I want her name to be Ana!" Then Peter (Vita agent as well as connected to Monte Coxala) said we should have something about Coxala (COKE-sah-lah) in her name...it was only fair. So now her official name is Ana-Izela McConnauWAY-Kabande de Coxala!!! Is that too funny or what? Name's bigger than the dog. A unique name for a unique dog!

Ana-Izela has been with us for less than a month, but seems to be connecting with our other dogs, Tillie (5-year-old white terrier), Maggie (3-year-old gray poodle) and Lucky (alpha dog, 16-year-old miniature dachshund!). It hasn't always been perfect, but, being a puppy, Ana doesn't take 'no' for an answer very often, whether it's chasing Maggie around the yard, wrestling with Tillie or sleeping on top of Lucky. They seemed to have worked out the pecking order somewhat. This is good, because Ana's probably going to weigh more than the other three combined. I think she thinks she's a lap dog right now, but, hopefully, she'll get over that.

If you want to see family pictures, click here. In our humble opinion, she's a real cutie!

A Keepsake of Mexico

Erison Taylor, one of the participants on the March 20 group, wrote about her feelings and thoughts on being part of the panoply that is Mexico. Or, as Marie sometimes says it, "you become part of the post card." Her words spoke to me...I hope they touch you too.

Brilliance
By Erison Taylor

Vibrant bird song: morning and evenings of intense chattering, chirping, and cooing as if each winged creature must fill this day's light with its music.

Wild flowers: riotous bougainvillea in cherry red, tangerine, sweet lemon, and grapefruit pink conquers stone walls and iron fences; bold red and white flags of geraniums and lilies parade along the garden walls; primavera yellow and papaya orange lantana guard the gate posts; the periwinkle jacaranda battles for attention with cerise-white mimosa trees not only amid the glorious hours of sunshine, but also by night, like spies their scents waft through the screens and catch you by surprise.

Street lives: a cloudless cerulean sky vies for attention with terra cotta, coral, fuchsia, and cobalt blue walls; the markets are saturated with beads and silver, carvings in stone and wood, fabrics with intricate embroidery, porcelain and carpets, and fresh foods of every kind available; mariachi bands whose loud bravura and staccato notes contrast with the soft, lyrical rhythm
of the vendor's voice.

The Lake: a giant silver iguana lazily glinting in the relentless sunshine or winking with a myriad of stars beckons you to look below the surface, into the stillness, and find the heart of Mexico.

Extreme Sensations: lime and chili bouncing on your palate along with iron-red chipotle, ribbon rolled candy called "dulces tipico de Chapala," molten molcajete, intense coffee, more shrill sweets in the bakery; we eat the flesh and flower of the cactus, we drink hibiscus-flavored water, and we nibble on jalapeno peanuts.

And yet, all this is not the end of Brilliance, nor even only the beginning, for each one who comes enters under the spell, the assault on the senses, and each one discovers amidst the grand, gleaming, and noisy terrain of this sub-tropical heaven the subtle emanation of another sense.

The sense that all is well in its rightly disordered, "mismanaged," and confusing entirety. In the brilliant roiling activity of life is the continuum, the heartbeat that leads each of us to our own place of peace.

We respond to the gentleness of the Mexican soul: passionate people whose hearts are brilliant and burst with love and acceptance, our own world-weariness begins to fade and we long to join the dance of life along the shore of Lake Chapala.

The see pictures of the group and what prompted the memories, click here...

Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth

Our participants on the March 20, 2007 program had a very special treat in store for them. We spent the evening of March 21 at Monte Coxala ushering in spring. The Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the spring. It is a solar festival, celebrated when the length of the day and the night are equal (this happens twice a year, at spring and autumn equinox).

The equinox is very special in Mayan history. The Mayans planned their lives around the sun; their daily lives centered on the sowing and harvesting of their crops, especially corn. At the spring equinox they planted the crops, and the fall equinox was their signal to begin the harvest.

It was a glorious night…not too cool; not too warm. Almost everyone was dressed in white…we had contacted our participants beforehand to make sure they brought some white (or cream-colored) clothing with them.

The see pictures of this event and to read the complete story, click here...

The see other events this group experienced and the memories they made, click here...

Our Groups and Their Many Talents

The March 20-29, 2007 Focus Program group left a few days ago, but provided us with some unique experiences. Seems like our groups continue to surprise us with their talents. On this group, we had George Marton who plays the Piano, his wife Lilian Marton who is an author and clown in her spare time. We also had Margaret VanEvery who plays Violin. In addition to that Erison Taylor provided us with a few songs and is an accomplished artiest.

The see pictures of the things this group experienced and the memories they made, click here...

Missing Person ...

One of our readers of the April 2007 newsletter seems to have misplaced someone. Normally if the Focus staff misplaces or loses someone, we get fined!

George in Florida remembered the missing lady while he was reading the article "All By Myself", by Marlene Robertson. The newsletter team answered his email as quickly as possible which resulted in the following dialog:

George: "As opposed to seeking an elderly American nurse with a purse, I would be inclined to look for a young Mexican woman. Has anyone found one?"

Focus: "We weren't aware that one was lost…can you describe her? If so, we will look high and low for her for you."

George: "Petite, dark, beautiful, mysterious, named Maria, have you seen her?"

Focus: "The only problem is that it describes a lot of the women here in México. Can you give us a bit more information? What color is her hair, does she have any tattoos, etc.?"

"We are organizing a search party as we are writing this and will keep you informed; it might be better if you came down on one of the programs and gave us a hand. :o)))"

Has anyone seen this lady? Please comment and help us (and George) in our search. Or better yet, come on a Focus Program and join the search team.

To help anyone in booking on one of our programs to join the search, here is a direct link...