This ones for Billy :)

One of my favorite cousins :) as always i came thru for you. :) saw ur status on facebook
im posting this wonderful blog for youu
I hope you get that tree up soon
love you
xoxo
Laura

Birthday Wishes.

I just wanted to take a moment to wish Jose a happy 44th birthday.  We lost him too soon. Destin just isn't the same anymore...

Happy Birthday Primo!

If you have any stories you would like to share about Jose please post a comment.

Replying to Billy And pictures.

aww billy ur not a geek! lol. I LOVE harry potter so does my mom! XD haha
Anyway I think you should buy me a plane ticket (only me) and take me to the french quarter for my very first mardi gras (ACTUAL MARDI GRAS ive only been to alla -once-).

Haha I wish. No actually I think you should dress up Olivia Jenna and yes even megan and throw a HUGE PARTY. I mean Megan does have school righ?? Haha.

P.S. I am sending (blogging...posting...whatever u wanna call it) pictures.

They are just of our kitchen.

Its called:

Jaen Kitchen Makeover: The Journey and the Outcome of the Journey.

(LONG TITLE)

P.S #2 For those of you who dont know how my old kitchen looked -sorry i dont have any pictures. But FYI it wasnt pretty (duh thats why we NEEDED a makeover.)

Poor Kitchen

cool

Nice eh?

Beautiful wood :)
Bye whiteness.
nice pots an' pans
uh ok?
preeeetttyyy

gettin' there.

ouch poor oven.

The pantry. (done.)

Fridge (look @ the oven!)

Ahhh beautiful wood (and granite)

Sorry its a mess.

i love that microwave *and oven its so cool*

Hope you like my kitchen!!

Mardi Gras 2009

I have spent the better part of today surfing the web as I try to decide on a costume for Mardi Gras. I am notorious for waiting until the last minute for any costuming event and just falling back on my resemblance to Harry Potter - not a hard costume for me to pull off (you know, brown hair and brown eyes). Case in point, this was me for Halloween in 2005:

Anyway, since I don't think I can get away with this anymore, I thought I would do something out of character and plan ahead. But the geek in me always prevails and I have been leaning towards Jedi Knight. Seriously. I've ALWAYS wanted to dress like a Jedi. I know - ubergeek.

Any ideas for me? To be honest, I haven't even made plans for Mardi Gras this year. Knowing what I'm doing might help with my choice in attire. What is everyone else doing this year? Does anyone have any special plans? Leave a comment or post your own entry. I'd love to know what everyone will be up to.

If worse comes to worst I'll just pick up a boa from a street vendor and call it a year.

Happy New Year!! (REALLY LATE!!)

Hey everyone happy new year! May this year bring lots of love and happiness and peace into our lives! I just wanted to say Happy New Year and wanted to wish my friend Eric a Happy Birthday! (Its late! It was the 7th) Hes very sweet and he has been a friend of ours for a long time. Of course, he doesnt have a username here but i still wanted to say Happy Birthday :)

<---- This is eric.

Oh! And Billy wanted me to put some pictures up for him from New Years Eve! (THE BEST EVER!!) *Billy you can save them on to your computer and put them in ur album!*

Haha Billy the cowboy!

P.S. this was the first day i got here!

Randomness

The Big Five Personality Questionnaire. I took this test on facebook so I don't have a link for you. I'm home sick so I am sharing my results. They are surprisingly accurate:

0 50 100	%
Openness	64%
Conscientiousness	95%
Extraversion	43%
Agreeableness	30%
Neuroticism	59%

Trait Explanations

          Openness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer novelty versus convention. Approximately 27.5% of respondents have a lower openness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who dislikes needless complexity, and prefers the familiar over the unusual. You might say that you are more conservative than many, but not to an extreme level, and that you value practical outcomes over flighty imagination.

        Conscientiousness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer an organised, or a flexible, approach in life. Approximately 97.7% of respondents have a lower conscientiousness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is a perfectionist. From your responses it appears that you prefer to plan everything to the last detail, which has consequently led to you being very successful and extremely reliable. From your responses it appears that more than most you enjoy seeing your long-term plans come to fruition.

        Extraversion

This trait refers to the extent to which you enjoy company, and seek excitement and stimulation. Approximately 16% of respondents have a lower extraversion raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is quiet and somewhat withdrawn. Your answers describe you as someone who doesn't need lots of other people around to have fun, and can sometimes find that people are tiring.

        Agreeableness

This trait refers to the way you express your opinions and manage relationships. Approximately 1.5% of respondents have a lower agreeableness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is willing to make difficult decisions when necessary, and will point out when something is wrong no matter what other people might feel. Your responses suggest that you would say that you can be tough and uncompromising.

        Neuroticism (Emotional stability)

This trait refers to the way you cope with, and respond to, life's demands. Approximately 84.1% of respondents have a lower neuroticism raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is generally calm. Based on your responses, you come across as someone who can feel emotional or stressed out by some experiences, however your feelings tend to be warranted by the situation.

(This next part I took online. I'm always amazed at how accurate Jungian Typology can be (if you answer honestly). I have posted a link below if you are interested in getting a better perspective on your personality.)

Research has found that the Big Five personality traits are significantly related to Jungian Typology (e.g. the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). This is a popular alternative personality framework regularly used for personal development, in which Types are used rather than Traits.

INTJ

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

INTJs are very analytical individuals. They are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are also commonly not susceptible to catchphrases and commonly do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank or title. Hallmark features of the INTJ personality type include independence of thought, strong individualism and creativity. Persons with this personality type work best given large amounts of autonomy and creative freedom. They harbour an innate desire to express themselves; that is to be creative by conceptualizing their own intellectual designs. Analyzing and formulating complex theories are among their greatest strengths. A breakdown of the INTJ type: http://typelogic.com/intj.html Take the test for yourself: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Two Reasons to Celebrate

Today is The Feast of the Epiphany (or Twelfth Night or King's Day or whatever you're fond of calling it). It is where we New Orleanians (and others around the world) take down the Christmas decorations  and celebrate the start of the Carnival season by enjoying a slice of delicious King Cake. By the way, it goes great with a freshly brewed cafe' bustelo.

We will enjoy the festivities, parades, parties, Mardi Gras Balls and the other wonders that come with the season until it all culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras this year is February the 24th. 

Today is also avery special birthday for our family. On January 6th, 1899, my great-grandfather was born - 110 years ago today. Fidel Francisco Fernández. Our patriarch. He passed away on December 30, 1986, at the age of 87 but has never been forgotten. 

I have fond memories of playing dominoes with him for hours while he enjoyed my company (as well as his tobacco) while occasionally hollering out, "Rosa! Cafe'!" She would bring out his cafe' but never excluded me - I would get a delicious cup of cafe' con leche.

We would play dominoes while he told stories as the days wore on until it was time for me to go home. Half the time he would drop me at the wrong house so my 4-year old self would just put on my back pack and walk home. I knew that if he said it was my house, it WAS my house and there would be no arguing with him. Luckily those were safer times. Walking two houses to the correct one wasn't a big deal.

These are really some of the fondest memories I have from my early childhood. I loved his stories. Or I just loved spending time with him silently playing dominoes. He rarely let me win but I didn't really care. I hadn't quite developed my competitive nature yet.

I've never told anyone but every once in a while I like to pull out the dominoes, brew some bustelo, and just sit at the table playing by myself. It helps me remember. It helps keep the hazy memories of a 4-year old from fading away. I never want to forget. He was my Titi and I was his Pachico.

So here's to you, Titi, wherever you are. Happy Birthday from all of us. I hope your watching over us. We miss you. By the way, I kept your fedora. I didn't think you'd mind :)

Love,

Pachico

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays to everyone!! I haven't had much time to work on the site with the busy holiday season. I uploaded some photos to the Photo Album today so check them out.

If you have photos to share of your Holiday celebrations please email them to me. I would love to share them with the rest of the family.

Even as I write this, though, I am almost 2 hours late for a New Year's BBQ. So I'll leave you with a slideshow Rafa was kind enough to put together for us on Christmas Day. May you all have a safe and prosperous New Year!

SNOW DAY!!!!

I have to be honest. I had the worst time getting up and going to work today. It was 5:15 AM and I should all ready have been out of bed...but it was so cold. I had to rush to work still half-asleep in a cold rain but I managed to make on time. I'm glad I did.

My retail day started like normal. We had received a shipment and we were working on a deadline. But as we were working, someone's cell phone rang. I hear, "Snow? In Kenner?" Now we're a tight-knit group of workers but we're not usually a cheery bunch this early in the morning. 

But the word had been said. SNOW. I could feel the elation in the room at the possibility of snow just under 4 years from the last time we saw snow here - Christmas Day 2004 (the last white Christmas was in 1954).  A few minutes later another phone rings. "In Metairie? Really?" Now we're just all plain ignoring work completely and making excuses for sudden breaks. We were underground, after all, and had no idea what was going on outside. But it wasn't snowing yet.

Disappointed, we were going to go into the mall and get some coffee. Realizing I didn't have my wallet, I turned around and told my coworkers I'd catch up with them. Heading back into the store, just before getting to the elevator I turn to hopefully look out the window (in the Christmas Shop) one more time before going back to the dingy and cold basement. 

There it was. Just that quickly. I had turned around for less than a minute and the sleet had become a flurry beautifully framed by two gorgeous, 7-foot tall Christmas trees. Now all bets were off. 

Those of you from here completely understand. Snow in New Orleans is rare. This is only the 3rd time in my life I remember seeing it snow here and I've been here 33 years. Snow falling in New Orleans is an event not to be missed.

Now it was time to play (for just a little while) because we knew this might not happen again for 30 years (or it could happen again tomorrow). So play we did. Like kids. I just love how it lifted everyone's spirits. 

It might just have been me, but the rest of the morning people were walking in with big grins on their faces. Of course we had to take pictures. I've only collected a few so far since I didn't have my own camera on me. I can't wait to collect them all and post them as an album. If you took pictures today please send them to me!

Now those of you who know me know I'm not a superstitious person. This is just something I kind of like to believe. It's one of my few superstitious indulgences. The first time I have a good memory of it snowing here was in December of 1989. That was the year my grandfather, William, passed away. Then, Christmas of 2004. That was the last Christmas I spent with Tata. And now this year we've lost three loved ones and it snowed for a good 3 hours. I just like to think it's their little parting Holiday gift...

Now it feels like Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays to all of you.

Billy

200 Visitors!

I just checked the counter on the website's home page and we reached our 200th visitor today! Not bad for 19 days online.

Now if we could get some more people blogging...

If anyone has pictures they would like me to publish on the photo album page, please get with me. I'll hook you up. You've seen what we've been up to now I want to see what you've been up to.

I hope all of you are well.

Billy

Happy (belated) 18th Birthday Stephen!!!!

18 years old. I am having trouble believing it. I was 15 when he was born - a sophomore at Brother Martin. He is now three years older than I was that year in 1990 when we raced out to Kenner in a raging storm. I remember the day clearly. I still have the "It's a boy!" pin hidden safely somewhere in a shoebox. Now he's a senior at Jesuit ready to head off to college.

I also remember when Rosa told us the news that she was pregnant back in '90. We were in the kitchen at my parents' old house in Terrytown. She gathered everybody together and said something along the lines of, "I have something to tell you," or, "or something special has happened." I obviously don't remember what she said verbatim. I was, however, always an intuitive child so I completely stole her thunder when I blurted out, "You're pregnant!" - Sorry about that Aunt Rosa, but apparently I was right ;)

And sorry Stevo - I meant to blog about this Wednesday night but I crashed out and made it in to work 5 hours late for work on Thursday. So here I am at work today finally blogging about your birthday :)

Stephen's birthday was this past Wednesday, December 3rd. Everyone please join me in wishing him a wonderful 18th birthday celebration, which I am sure will continue well into the weekend. We will be getting together tonight to celebrate at my grandmother's since he was in Baton Rouge Wednesday for a soccer game.

Happy Birthday Stephen - this is where the fun begins :)

Rosa and Paul - this is where the fun begins :(

Love,

Billy

Olivia loves being outside. She is Alyssa's newest and sweetest baby. In this picture Olivia is enjoying a pretty day at a local park. She is no longer the baby in our family since we now have two precious little twins. We cannot wait to meet Pricilla and Penelope!

Jenna

Jenna is also a bluejay fan. She loves to get her face painted.

Bluejay Fans

This is Megan and Emma at Stephen's school. They were tailgating for the homecoming game.

Do you see Emma's mom in the picture?

Happy Belated Birthday!

Well, Tuesday the 25th was Alyssa's birthday. She is now back to only a year younger than me again so the world feels right.

Prima, I hope you are enjoying your cruise. Happy Birthday!

Love ya!

Billy