Catch Katie...

Sunday, February 26, 2006

always havin' fun....


we really had such a fit of giggles running around like we were from China - the pain of scrubbing the lipstick off was dwarfed.

parts of being a geisha are just hermanninn heredity, te. he. he. he...
I love my mum!

Happy geisha:)! Posted by Picasa

Saturday, February 25, 2006

rough hair day...?

don't let me go shopping alone:)


















talk about an instant face lift....:)

breathtaking baptism

Man, I totally forgot, in prep for my Texas days, I watched Walk the Line on the plane from Belize to Dallas.

Spent the day in San Antonio with my mom. We went up for Medjugorie friends' baby's baptism. It was great. Beautiful ceremony, beautiful baby and visited with beautiful travel buddies – my first reunion since the trip October before last.
Anyway, we spent the afternoon bumming around the Quarry before heading back home.

You know you are home when… you can go to H.E.B. Saturday night for eggs and sleepy time tea wearing ridiculously mismatched clothes, socks and yes my pink shoes and still get digits:)… ran into an old friend from high school, she accepted me even lookin' goofy:)!



Friday, February 24, 2006

Winds of change....

I can't let too much time pass without fulfilling my promise to be a better blogger.
I spewed out photos… hope ya enjoy some…..

Not sure what to share… the excitement of returning or the details from my final Belizean blast….

I spent my final days in Belize on San Pedro, way to go out in style, fur sure! Probably had my best weekend there - filled with leisure and friends, nothing better.

Tasha and I headed out Friday afternoon; we road with a volunteer who rented a car to pickup her visiting parents, way to go in style! It was my first trip to the city in a private vehicle since I arrived a year and a half ago…. Funny when things happen full circle….

We opted to fly (my first time); there was even half price deal! Everything worked out great! Because of the generosity of a grand lady, I was even able to leave my boxes (I mean luggage:)) in the city instead of lugging the extra 100lbs to the Cayes!

On the islands, we were fortunate to stay at a friends cabana while he is in England – a nice quiet location on the Laguna - beautiful, comfortable setting!
The whole weekend I felt as though I had visiting hours – as several people traveled for a weekend away and a goodbye. It was lovely to be able to say adios outside of Benque. When someone left the island, I felt like they were the ones leavening me and not vice versa. I liked it. Not to mention in the meantime we had a blast! Swimming, eating, playing with ricky (the monkey) and just enjoying the company. It was great!

Anyway, Tuesday was the final transition.
Tasha and I hopped the plane back to Belize City, had a terrific lunch with the most admirable women, and then I comforted Tasha until my departure. I know, I know, it sounds backward, but I even meet people in the Dallas airport who said seeing Tasha was sad:). Poor thing, she just needs a new good ol' friend.

The flight from Dallas to Corpus Christi was overbooked so American let me spend the night in and fly into San Antonio the next afternoon to surprise my Dad.
Long story, but my mom and dad were going to be there Wednesday and timing worked out for a flight whereas tips to C.C. were booked.
My dad was shocked. I honestly was wondering how long he would look at me with a look of total misrecognition before greeting me:).
Our first stop was Whole Foods, they introduced me back to the U.S. in style! Nothing like dairy-free cookies and tea in the afternoon!

Since my return things have been low key but great! Nothing like spending time with people you love. I feel like I really have been blessed to do that daily the last few months (while comprehending – quite different).

Anyway today was the big 75 for my dad. You would never guess by looking at him. Since the pacemaker he looks so so so much better! We had a quite day, but I hope he enjoyed.

Well, I have tried to cut as many details as possible, but this is still soooooooo long, oops!

As always, I promise shorter, more frequent blogs in the future…. as Catch Katie state side starts!

Love and prayers!

Whhhheeeeeeeeeee........................


out the window... Posted by Picasa

at the airport on San Pedro, our plane being loaded in the background.... Posted by Picasa

pre sunrise.... Posted by Picasa

sunrise on the laguna.... Posted by Picasa

Tasha and the after dinner Cohiba. Posted by Picasa

som'hing sweet...


gotcha'...
it's sorbet:)
Posted by Picasa

Out on the laguna...


our cabana at dawn... (Tasha's the obvious A.M. photographer:))
Posted by Picasa

Monkey see, monkey do...???


Tasha and Ricky - should have washed da hair...:) Posted by Picasa

no monkey on my back!


Ricky and I - she lived at our cabanas (in the "banana cabana" behind).
Posted by Picasa

Itchin' ta go....


Last Firday (my last day in Benque) - Tasha and I waitin' for the ride to the Cayes, the matching shirts were a coincidence, humph! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Feel the love:)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!
I hope everyones day is filled with love, hearts and pink:).

Sorry if this blog turns into a doozy…. Just so much to share – trying to pack in everything in my last weeks in Belize!

Guess it would do some justice to go in order of all that was missed…
Face Painting at the Bizarre:).
I have never painted so many hearts, flowers and butterflies. Great being with the kids, but, with the music… a bit exhausting. A blessing to have a large team of volunteers painting and tattooing.
While I marred pretty girl’s faces with glitter and hearts, some of the boy teachers took to the markers imprinting Spiderman, dragons and sculls on the boys.
Everyone was contentJ.

In an effort for sanity, Tasha and I grabbed some fine Belizian BBQ and ran off to the rectory for dinner and mass, completely exhausted.
We were a sight! The fatigue took away communication ability, so we quarantined ourselves in the corner. I didn’t revive until Tasha let me have her chicken too:)… What a loving sister.

The day wouldn’t end.
Tasha had to go back until 9, and I had a little meeting, ugh! As a surprise, Tasha’s friends from Cayo came. I like to think really just to meet me.
It was awesome, a wonderful married couple - so insightful, knowledgeable and blessing to be around. They alleviated the and balanced the day’s commotion.
The whole event sent me back to bed Saturday morning for a two hour nap.

Here is some fun practical lifestyle wisdom from a friend….
She doesn’t wear a watch on Sundays.
Two reasons: one it helps to kind of relax. And two every time you look for a watch you it’s Sunday. Anyway… a neat way to keep Sunday special and focus your awareness.

Now for V-day. There is nothing like a day filled with LOVE!!!! Who can’t just LOVE a day focused on loving and sharing?
In an effort to share a little around Benque, Tahsa and I mass produced the traditional Hermanninn heart cookies with the secret recipe (thanks mom:)! It took two day, much patience and several stout drinks, but we managed:). I don’t know if I am more excited to give away the dairy-laden cookies, or because I won’t have to roll and cut and frost for another year:). Labor of love, labor of love:).

This is a truly Belize story… Tasha and I meet some friends for lunch yesterday. Little shack down by the market. And, while we munched on R&B and stew chicken, we enjoyed the live entertainment… Two mice running back and forth playing with one another. Not just a run though but back and forth in the middle of the room like they were supposed to be there looking for banana cake….
I guess they were good for motivating us to make a trip to the zoo. I’ve never been to the zoo - broadcast as a must see by everyone; you may recall some failed attempts:).
We hopped on a bus some time well after 2, made it though Belmopan and on to the zoo. Amazingly, we had half an hour to view all the critters.
It really was incredible. A place you can get up into the animals face none of those pits and tall fences! Plus, since they were closing, they were feeding.
After the run though, we started along the highway and were picked up by a truly wonderful man, Albert, a Belmopan resident. His old Mercedes felt just like home. He was so kind – took us all the way to the bus stop. We ran to a stand purchased dinner, yep, R&B and stew chicken and squeezed onto the bus, even the isle was packed. Eventually, it cleared out enough that we had a seat and could, enjoy, our dinner.
Arrived in Benque just a bit after seven o’clock mass had begun and ran to and into the church. Thanks to Albert we made it!!!

Rest of the night was spent icing….

LOVE and prayers for all!!!!

Check out the dash, C.C. or BZE? Posted by Picasa

Me and the kitty. Posted by Picasa

Worth repeating... Phew! We made it! Posted by Picasa

Few more animals at the zoo. Posted by Picasa

The start of zoo day... waiting for a ride to Cayo for lunch. Posted by Picasa

On the bus to the zoo! Posted by Picasa


NO more cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted by Picasa

A bizarre Bazzar….




Bazzar Queen! Posted by Picasa

Friday, February 10, 2006


8AM gettin' the chicken ready for the Valentines Bazaar this afternoon! Posted by Picasa

Better shot of the meat:) Posted by Picasa

Making face paint last night... hope it works.... Posted by Picasa