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Sunday, June 13, 2010

30 years ago: Happy Birthday, Philip

Plain and simple,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PHILIP!
(06-13-80)

We miss you. Love always, your family!

Adopt-a-Highway June 12, 2010: Remembering Philip and Celebrating a Puentes Milestone

(click on pic to view my Picasa online photo album of the events).
Today some of us gathered for the yearly "Adopt-a-Highway" clean up. It is the one we have always scheduled on or as close to Philip's birthday each year since our involvement with the Texas program. It was for Philip that we implemented our family group so his birthday is probably the biggest event for our group each year. While we are committed to perform several clean ups through-out the year, the birthday one to remember Philip is the most important for obvious reasons. While we were hoping more would show up, the ones who were there were truly grateful for one another. The usual helpers were missing, but we knew there were important reasons and we missed them.
The weather was excellent, it was over-cast the entire morning accompanied by a nice, cool breeze. Mr. Sun tried to show up on occasion, but we reminded him that we were out there for a good purpose and to please kindly await the completion of our event before he showed his narcissistic self. By the time our 2 groups arrived at the sign at the northern point of the 2-mile stretch of highway (which marks the finish line), Mr. Sun decided to part the clouds and brighten our day.
As we always do upon finishing up with each clean-up, we all drove back to the south sign which we deemed the starting point and pix were taken (thx, Sara). This year to commemorate what should have been Philip's 30th birthday, we all signed some balloons which my dear sis, Josie, bought for us. Thanks Josie! We took pix and then let the balloons drift away into the beautiful sky. It was an awesome sight. Each one of the balloons traveled the exact same path; kind of reminiscent of how a flock of birds fly. I know all about wind patterns, velocity and such so don't bother with those explanations for why the balloons traveled as such. On Saturday, we all simply thrust aside all scientific brouhaha, and we just knew it was Philip guiding the balloons to a specific location.
Following the clean-up, we all drove to the cemetery to help deliver flowers which my other dear sister, Eva and her family (Wero, Felicia, Erica and Nick), provided for the sentimental occasion. They bought gorgeous flowers and then kindly shared beautiful roses with us all to place as we wanted at his grave-site. Thanks Guzman family! It was another beautiful ceremony. Lotsa pix also taken.
My niece Erica and nephew-in-law Nick took things up a notch and bought pizzas for everyone to eat at their lovely home. We were all happy that Mama was able to join us for festivities at the Puente's home. The pizza party was a riot. Thanks to Nick and Erica for being such gracious hosts!
Following the pizza party, Erica and Nick
invited us to continue to stay at their home so we could all partake in eating of their beautiful and delicious anniversary cake. We all had presents to give them for their 1st year wedding anniversary; they were very surprised, happy and thankful.
Later in the day, my niece Alex surprised everyone by serenading Nick and Erica as her gift to them. She chose the song "Your Guardian Angel" by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Excellent job, Alex. You were amazing.
It was an eventful day. Happy and glorious and a reminder of how fortunate we are to be a part of this family for all that we are to each other and for all that we do for each other.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

REMEMBERING PHILIP: Our annual "Texas Clean Up" to celebrate Philip's Birthday.

Our annual "Don't Mess with Texas" family- clean up to remember and to celebrate Philip's birthday is upon us.
This year's event will be held on Saturday June 12, 2010 @ 8 AM (Big Spring, Texas).
As always we will meet at the south end of the 2 mile route by the sign.
We hope to have many participants this year so please join us as we commemorate his birthday.
Philip passed away 10 years ago in May so that is another milestone, but Saturday we are only focusing on what would have been his 30th birthday.
Pizza party at Erica and Nick's home following the clean up event.
Love, peace and happiness to all!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

REMINDER TO ALL : "Texas Clean Up" to celebrate Philip's Birthday.

Our annual "Don't Mess with Texas" family- clean up to remember and to celebrate Philip's birthday is almost upon us.
This year's event will probably be held on Saturday June 12, 2010 @ 8 AM (Big Spring, Texas).
I will wait to hear from Eva and will let her inform everyone or I will send out a text as soon as everything is confirmed.
The day should be correct, though, as we have been performing a "clean up" on or near his birthday - always on a Saturday -since the inception of our family group to this Texas cause almost 7 years ago.

Please, please, please join us on this most special day as Philip would have reached a milestone -
30 year birthday.
Trust the word, this "birthday clean up" is huge in meaning and so, so important and very special - one NOT to be missed.
We've touched upon it for months - since the Puente's wedding last year on his birthday.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Don't Mess With Texas 2010: "Texas Trash Off " Pictures

Don't Mess With Texas 2010: "Texas Trash Off " - A Success.

The Trash Off event took place on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

I hope everyone enjoys the pics.

Thanks to Sara for taking them - she takes better pics than I ever do 4 sure!

Those in attendance:

Eva, Wero, Felicia, Erica, Nick, Sara, Rudy, Aurora, Jorge, Tom and 2 of Wero's buddies (DNK names).

Unfortunately, this year's annual Trash Off saw some of us "usual suspects" unable to attend for various reasons. Betty had to work and missed the event, and as for the rest of us who were absent: Josie, Jabier, Alex and I had a prior engagement for a day-long (8am-6pm) church retreat for confirmand's and their parents and sponsors (that's me).

BTW: Alex's Confirmation is another family event which we are geting ready for next month. That special event takes place on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

(6 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Midland, Texas).

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Another Adopt-a-Highway clean up approaches us in April 10, 2010


As part of our on-going family Adopt-a-Highway program, we always agree to partake in the annual Trash Off which is usually held in April.  This year it will take place on the 10th.  I hope many family members and friends are able to join us in the fun and follies which is a given during these clean ups.  Lots and lots of fun.  We usually break down into groups of 4 with at least 2 people per group - this helps us finish up rather quickly.  We start at 8 AM sharp to avoid heavy traffic and to catch the better part of the cool mornings thus avoiding the awful heat which is prone to west Texas. 
This program began as a way to help keep our Texas highways clean but especially as a way to honor and to remember my nephew, Philip Guzman Jr.  Philip's birthday (June 13th) is another annual trash pick up day for our family-based Adopt-a-Highway program.  We try to either get the clean up completed on his birthday or as close to it as possible. Last year my niece, Erica (Philip's sister), married Nick on Philip's birthday (06-13-09) so we had to perform the clean up on a different day. 
 This year Philip's birthday is on a Sunday so I am sure that my sister, Eva, who is another group leader, will want to have the clean up on Saturday 06-12-10. I will post a reminder later on with the data.
For now, please mark-off your schedules and calendars so that you may join us on Saturday, April 10th, 2010.  Food & more fun after the clean-up!!!