Monday, October 12, 2009

Juan sometimes brings home magazines from the different stores at the mall and he happened to come home with a copy of "ESPN", "The Body Issue". Lots of athletic bodies. The above photo is of Natasha Kai of the Women's U.S. Soccer team and Olympic Gold Winner. While in Hawaii we met her father at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he displayed him many musical talents. He had told us of his daughter and her accomplishments and you could tell he was a very proud father and proud of the fact she was the only Hawaiian winning a medal.

Went out today and bought me a pair of black pants that fit. Had thought the ones I have were too big. Whata you know! Also bought me a new purse...not too dressy and not too casual...kind of inbetween.

When I came back I toyed with the idea of going out to the library for book # 4 of the "Twilight" series but had seen online that all were check out so didn't bother. John stopped by and said that you can reserve it online...which I didn't know. So after he left I went to reserve a copy and saw that one was just returned. Hopped in my car and drove straight over to the library. Got it! Know Alex had thought there was one more book after that but the author scrapped it once a bucnh of her chapters were leeked online. The book was to have been called: "Midnight Sun: Edward's Version of Twilight". Just happy I have the last installment. Don't know if the author will ever continue with the "Twilight" books. Will have to wait and see.

And that's about it. Back to my book!

40 Years!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

So...get up early...as usual when you have a puppy...and do my usual routine. Went to 7-11 and picked up a Free Press..which is $1.00 now...geeh! Came back, had breakfast and headed over to the library. Had to get the next book! And what book is that....the next installment to the book "Twilight". Bought the book before we went to Hawaii as something to read on the plane and never even glanced at it. So yesterday started reading it....and finished it in one day. You know...I probably would not have been interested in the next installment except for the fact that in the copy of "Twilight" they had the first chapter to the next book..."New Moon"...and I was hooked. And where in the library did I have to pick up the book? In the "Teenage Room"...ahhhhh! So be it....have to find out what is going on next. In fact, I also checked out the installment after "New Moon"...which is titled "Eclipse". Think there is one more after that...can't remember the title but will probably check that one out.
John came over...wants to borrow my car for tonight and after I made some goulash for dinner. Haven't made that in a while. Now I'm full! Called John to see if he wanted to come by for some...not sure if he will but said he would tomorrow.
Went to a store over in the mall where Juan cleans up and bought some things for the "thing" I made for next week-end. The party is getting close now...can hardly wait. People I haven't seen in a while and also cousins will be in attendance...should be a good time.
Tomorrow.....40 years!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Last night I did the stupidest thing! Wrote in this blog a BIG, LONG comment about the rest of our Hawaii trip and when I was finished, instead of posting it, I hit the close button. AHHHHHH! So....here I go again.
Sunday, Sept. 27th we took off for the Dole Plantation. A pretty place with a train ride, a maze to walk through and a large gift shop with everything you ever wanted in pineapple. Didn't realize there were so many varieties.
Then off to the North Shore with the big waves. A couple of days before it was reported that the waves were 15 to 20 feet high. Not this day but still nice to see. They were kind of quick waves....not long ones where a surfer could really ride well.
Drove over to Honolulu and saw the statue of King Kamehameha and saw big cruise ships docked right next to the highway. Weird! That night we went to a luau. But after seeing the Polynesian Center's dances that were dressed so authentic, this was more like Vegas....not quite...but almost. Saw them taking out the pig, had dinner and would have to say that their show was entertaining.
The next day, Monday, was our last day in Hawaii. We packed up all of our stuff...tons...and left our luggage at the hotel since our plane didn't leave until around 9pm. Then off to the Bishop Museum to see Hawaiian history and also a Dinosaur exhibit that was taking place. Interesting to see what Hawaii looked like years ago compared to today. At the museum they had some stuffed animals of the islands. A few days before we had seen this "thing" run across the road in front of our car and didn't know what it was. Found out, from the museum's stuff animals, that it was a mongoose which neither of us had ever seen before. They resemble, somewhat, a squirrel without the bushy tail.
Next we drove over to Nuuanu Pali State Park. If you ever get to Oahu, this is a place you must see. At the park there is this cliff which when you walk up to lets you see a beautiful view of the island and ocean. It was at this cliff that King Kamehameha I invaded Oahu and did battle with his enemies. Four hundred of his enemies were forced off the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below. This was suppose to the the turning point in uniting all the Hawaiian islands under one rule. The other thing about this cliff is the WIND!!!! It is extremely windy. The trade winds blow through the valley between the high mountains on either side, forming a strong wind tunnel of sorts. On extra windy days, you can even lean into the wind and let the gusts hold you up. Yup....windy!
After leaving the park we stopped at a couple scenic sites and then had lunch. After that it was on to The Valley of the Temples. Beautiful place. The best of the temples has got to be The Byodo-In Temple. It was built in the 1960's to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant workers in Hawaii who came to work in the sugar plantation fields. It is a replica of the 950-year-old Byodoin Temple located in Uji, Japan near Kyoto. Buddah is there and you have to take off your shoes to enter the temple. The whole place is very pretty and peaceful.
We then headed back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and off to the airport. Plane didn't leave until around 9:15pm and we got back to Detroit at around 4:30pm on Tuesday afternoon.
And here we are. Added some more photos to the slide show.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Alright...where was I...oh yeah....Hawaii! Ü After the rehearsal we Alex drove to some beaches and we had lunch near one of them. A lot of the public beach are connected to a park which is nice. Get tired of the water and sand, go up to the grass and trees. Love the trees of Hawaii especially those trees with all the trunks and branches going all over the place. That night Alex went to a "girls night" with Alicia and her friends. I went and walked around out front of our hotel, to the park, looked at shops, watched the "street entertainers" and had an ice cream. Then went up to our room and watched a Korean soap opera. Ü They are pretty good and have subtitles.
Next day we went to Pearl Harbor and saw the Arizona Memorial. Very nice and oil is still seeping up from the ship. Learned that Elvis Presley, who loved Hawaii, gave the money to have the memorial built. After that we went to a couple of Target stores looking for these special Target bags. They are really cute and only sold at the Hawaii stores. Alex received one from Alicia that was packed with goodies as a welcoming gift. She wanted to get them as gifts. I also picked up some to use instead of plastic bags at the stores. Of course, went grocery shopping today and forgot the bags. :( You will see the one pictured in the additional photos I have put up further down on this page. After that we headed over the Hilo Hatties a big souvenir shop on the islands. They had some really nice things and picked up a few items....including hula girls for both Juan and John's cars. That night we both went to the rehearsal dinner at an Asian seafood restaurant not far from our hotel. Tasted so seafood I had never tried before. Just told Alex not to tell me what I was eating. Ü There were quite a few people at the dinner as many had flown in from all over, including China. A very nice time talking with Tom & Alicia's friends and family.
Next day was the wedding and I had chose not to attend as I felt I would just be imposing. Alex left early as they were going to close the street in front of our hotel because of a big parade. It would be closed from 9-1 but since the wedding was at 10am it wasn't such a big thing for Alex to get out in time. I went and had breakfast, walked around and waited for the parade. Saw about an hour of the parade and had to go back into my air conditioned room. The thing about Hawaii is that it is HOT!!!! And for us the temperature was the same each day....90º. Being by the water does not help. Only thing was that when we went up to the North Shore of the island, it is cooler by about 8º. Felt sorry for the people in the parade as they had to walk a looonnnggg trek. Saw a young girl, who was in one of the bands, get ill and had to be taken into the shade and cooled down. With each band or float there was always people walking with them that had water and stuff. So watched some TV and listened to the parade go by down below. The wedding was to last until 2pm and it did! Alex was back at about 3pm. She rested a while and then we went out and walked around Waikiki beach and even saw my Uncle Stanley in a photo at "Duke's" restaurant. :)
That's it for today...will continue tomorrow.

Hawaii

So...back from Hawaii and it is sure a beautiful place. Some call it "paradise" and I can understand why. Would do a couple of things differently...like the flight going there. We went from here to Dallas/Fort Worth and that was fine...but...then the next flight was from DFW to Hawaii and that was way too long of a flight. Know I am well padded but had to get up several times as sitting there just hurt. Stood in the back of the plane for quite a bit and that helped. Coming home wasn't as bad. We flew out of Honolulu at 9:30 pm Monday night. Flew from there to LA and arrived at about 5:25 am Tuesday which wasn't as bad as you slept most of the time. Next was our flight at 6:10 am to Dallas/Fort Worth. Had about a 2 hour layover and then on to Detroit where we arrived at about 4:15 pm. You have to remember that there is a six hour difference in time...so getting here at 4:15 pm, it would be 10:15 am in Hawaii.
So, the first day we are kind of tired from the long flights and don't do too much. By the time we got our luggage and then had to take a shuttle to pick up our rental car then get to the hotel, it was about 5:30 pm....that would be 11:30 pm at home. Just unpacked all our stuff and then went out for a small meal. Went to the place kind of next door and upstairs there was a food court with all kinds of places to buy a meal. We just had a slice of pizza and a bottle of water. That's one slice a piece plus the water. Bill came to $13.68. Expensive in Hawaii....it sure is. Then went back to our room and went to bed.
The next day, Wednesday, we had reservations to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Now this is a place I would recommend to anyone going to Oahu. Place is fabulous! We got there a little early so went to the place down the road from it.....Mormon Temple grounds. Beautiful surroundings BUT our mistake was going in. They set us up with a Sister Paige....a young girl...a missionary. Needless to say she tried to "convert" us...but heathens that we are, she didn't. Ü Forgot to mention that this Polynesian Center is owned and run by the Mormon's. Ninety-five percent of the people working there are students at the BYU there in Hawaii. So we were there from noon until about 8:30pm. Everything was beautiful and the people are so talented. Well worth going. We had the VIP tickets so had our own personal guide. A young man from the Philippines named Ton Ton. He took up to all the right places at the right time and we had up front seats for everything. Web site for this place is: http://www.polynesia.com
Since Alex had been there before she knew a lot of the places to see...and she is good with driving directions. A couple of times we went in circles but no problem.
Thursday morning we went to the rehearsal for the wedding at the golf club. Another beautiful place. Alicia is Alex's girlfriend that she met while living in Virginia and Alicia moved to Hawaii where she met her future husband...a really nice man named Tom. Alicia is so funny as she like to take photos of everything and had her camera in hand to capture everything. Wedding will look beautiful the that setting.

Will have to continue this tomorrow as am doing to many things at once here. Put up some photos down near the bottom of this page. Just some...will have to do more tomorrow.

Friday, September 4, 2009

I'm here waiting for Alex to get her and I just got her call. She just left her place so guess I will be waiting some more. My back went out again last night and had an appointment with the chiropractor again for this morning, which was good. He said that the back sometimes likes to go back to it's old position so he push it back into place and I go see him again on Tuesday. Am having reservations about going on this trip. Will have to wait and see.

Have to go over to my Uncle Stanley's house today and pick up and photo to scan for Liz. Juan and I are suppose to take over a HEAVY statue for him but that will have to wait.

Hope my back stays in place. Took a couple of Tylenol to try and calm me down. Know I'm all tense thinking it will pop out again. And believe me....that HURTS! And....my blood sugar went WAY UP because of the stress. Just have to relax and clam down.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My two fuzz face doggies. Yesterday I wrote about GiGi being ill and thinking it was the food. Gave her new food yesterday and she was fine so am thinking that was what made her ill. Senór Lucky is bouncing around more and more each day. He goes to the vet next Friday for blood tests to see how he is doing. Hopefully, all will be well.

Went to the chiropractor again this morning and he did that both side back popping thing. Ehhhhh....not a fan of that but it's over fast so not that bad. Will be going back this Friday and probably three times a week until we leave for Hawaii. Also, he gave me some exercises I have to do a couple of times a day. Can't believe it's almost time to go. Haven't made any list yet of what I have to remember to bring. Will have to get going on that.

Alex will be here Friday through Monday. Yea! Think she is going to help me with transferring stuff from my old computer to this one. Have had that modem sitting here for over a year now. Would be nice to get my family tree back and also photos I lost on this one. Know I lost most of 2007 and 2009 photos and all of 2008 photos. We are going to get some kind of zip thing where I can store important files for myself and not have the fear of losing them.

Still busy making greeting cards for who ever. Am stumped with one card Alex wants me to make for Alicia's up-coming wedding. Want some cherry tree branches and flowers for an idea I have...still have to work out the placement of their names on the card. You wouldn't believe how much math is involved with scrapbooking/card making, especially lining things up right on the computer to print stuff out.

John is already back in the groove of going to work and Brandy isn't really working this week. She is at the plant but for the week is going through orientation. Guess she is trying to get onto days because of the kids. And that's about it for today.

Here I am again! Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Well...trying this again...blogging that is. Once I got on Facebook!!! seems like I just didn't feel like blogging anymore. The thing with Facebook is that you can't go on and on like I sometimes like to do. And the reason for the above photo you ask? Had to go to a Chiropractor this morning. My lower back went out big time! For the last three days have had really bad pain...but only in the late afternoon and evening. Last night was the worst. Seems like when I get up in the morning...pain is gone...so just thought that it would go away. Made the appointment yesterday as I just kept thinking that it's not getting any better...in fact, worse. A neighbor of mine, Gloria, recommended this guy to me as he had helped her and her husband. Knew he was around here for a long time...just never went to him. He is very nice and took x-rays and some other kind of x-ray, then pressed around my back and then we went into another room and he snapped my back into place. Yikes! Hurt a bit but not long. Then had to lay there for about 10 minutes with an ice pack on my back. Told him I was leaving in three weeks for Hawaii and he said well, we have to get that back in shape then. Feel much better and go back tomorrow morning. Couldn't imagine being on that plane for hours with this back.

And poor Daddy. Had to tend to the two dogs and me yesterday and then my poor little GiGi got sick last night. Around 2 a.m. Juan had to get up and let her outside...which we never have to do. Couldn't leave her out too long as a skunk was in the area...pheeeew! Once inside she began to throw up...not once...but five times. Only thing that we could think was making her ill was the food I gave her yesterday. I feed Lucky twice a day and GiGi once, since she is an adult. Both get their meals at around 5:30 p.m. I give GiGi a mix of two foods...dry Beneful and a 1/4 of a container of Beneful Prepared Meals...which is a wet food. I'm thinking it was the latter of the two foods since I had just opened up that container yesterday and it was the first serving of it I was giving to her. I usually listen for a hisss sound when opening the container but yesterday I didn't feel well and GiGi was barking for her food so am thinking this was a bad container. Don't know what else would have made her so ill. She is fine today. Threw that container away and will open a new one today. Hopefully she will be okay.

John and Brandy both went back to work yesterday. John at the warehouse where he used to work but Brandy was sent to a new place. The Warren plant where Juan retired. Boy...long drive. Both are on afternoons so don't know what is going to happen with the girls. They are both at their grandparents house for this week but next Tuesday school starts...soooo...who knows.

And that's about all I think I am going to write for today. Know three months have past since my last writing and there is probably lots to write about. But not today. Ü So until tomorrow...have a good day.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Reading the Free Press today and noticed that there is a two hour narrated cruise of the Detroit River which includes a BBQ buffet AND enjoy an overhead ‘front-row’ view of one of the grandest pyrotechnical displays in North America....the Detroit River Fireworks! The cruise is being sponsored by the Travelers Aid Society of Metropolitan Detroit and the money is going all for charity...sooooo....Juan and I are going! Yea! Haven't seen the fireworks in person since....geeh...must be 40 or more years. Not since I used to work downtown. Always envied the people with boats who could be on the river watching. The firework display is June 24th this year. Seems like they have it earlier and earlier as it is supposed to be for the 4th of July. Well...whatever. Should be fun and am looking forward to it.
Garage sale is almost here and starts this Thursday. Sooooo much stuff as there is every year. Juan was bringing found garbage in today....ahhh. Well, we are supposed to have nice weather....thank goodness. Hate when it is soooo hot.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

So Juan and I went out for dinner tonight. Went to Zack's up in Plymouth that used to be called Silverman's long ago. We usually go there for breakfast and I have never looked at the whole menu. Was surprised when I saw they had a list of "Senior Specials". Included on the list was Liver & Onions...ummmm. Don't make it much anymore as Juan isn't suppose to eat liver because of gout. But we both ordered it. You get soup or salad, bread & butter, choice of potato, vegetable medley, choice of beverage and either Rice Pudding or ice cream for dessert. All for 6.79 per person. Pretty good! And the meal was also good.
Juan had a follow-up doctor's appointment this morning and is doing fine. I had a foot doctor's appointment this afternoon. I have a condition with my left foot called Morton's Neuroma. It's a pinched nerve near my toes and I have had it for years. Anyway, went to see him a couple of weeks ago and he gave me a cortisone shot. Didn't help and I told him, so he said sometimes it takes two shots and he gave me another one today. ahhhhhhh Go back in two more weeks. Must say that so far it hasn't bothered me. Not like last time with that shot....my foot started hurting right away.
Got a new pair of sandals today that came UPS. Ordered them from Zappo's. Because of my feet conditions I have to get a wide size and order shoes online. I like these shoes. They are by Soft Walk and are very comfortable. So am pleased with these shoes. Pictured them above.
GiGi is obsessed with that frog! The frog didn't come today but she keeps looking all over for it.
And the Red Wings won! How great is that?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

So I'm in the house and hear GiGi barking on the front porch. Seems a friend has come to see her but, being GiGi, she is not that overjoyed. Just, "you are on my property and if it wasn't for this window in front of me I would get you" barking. Just a little froggy...sitting and watching GiGi knowing that it can't be hurt.
Aunt Bea stopped by after her dentist appointment this morning. She is staying at Sandy's house watching both Tinkerbell and Rocky until Sandy gets back from Pennsylvania helping Courtney move. And then John stopped by to pick up a coupon to get his hair cut. Must be hair day today as Juan went this morning, John this afternoon and I go at 5:30 today. I look like a bushman...need this haircut.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Well hello again! Haven't written anything in over three weeks. Was an odd few weeks for me. Was having anxiety attacks and couldn't understand why! This went on for over two weeks and finally realized it was some new medication I was taking. Boy..now I make sure I read all the symptoms that can come with a medication. Don't want that feeling again. Kept doing Lamaze breathing but it wasn't doing any good. Know there was reason to have anxiety but didn't think it should bother me sooo much. John and Brandy both are now laid off from their jobs at GM. Both are supposed to go back September 1st but since Brandy has the lowest seniority at the plant, she may not be going back. But, that's something we will have to wait and see.
Did the above scrapbook page of Alex and the Jaycees she belongs to in Lansing. This was Lansing's 150th anniversary so they made a float and were in the parade. She was here Saturday and Sunday for a BBQ that Juan made and she helped quite a bit with straightening up the garage for the up-coming garage sale which starts June 4th. Always is soooo much stuff.
And Brandy came over yesterday and dropped off her wedding dress for us to hold. Very pretty dress!
So, here I am again and will try to do a better job of blogging.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Well, it was announced today that the Plymouth/Canton schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of a suspected case of the flu. Said it was a 16 year old student. So...it probably has come to our town. Just hope everyone is fine and it sweeps through quickly without too many getting ill.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Went to the bank and to Target this morning and at Target picked up three cushions for the front porch chairs. Really was looking for a more solid color but they didn't have any colors I wanted so ended up getting the ones pictured. They don't look too bad in person as the flowers match the color of the rug. Was only going to get one cushion but they had them on sale so got three. The one cushion in the chair I usually sit in was really getting worn and the other two we will just save if John needs replacement cushions for his two chairs which match the two we have on the porch. I put Juan's dark green cushion back over the new cushion as he likes more fluff. More and more it's beginning to look like Martha Stewart. Ü
When I got home from shopping found that Juan had cut out the bottom part of a plant holder he found. Took the chair off the peony bush and replaced it with the plant holder. Think it looks a little better than the chair. The chair would have been good if the plant were up against a wall or fence but, just to have a chair sitting there didn't look right to me.
Nothing really planned for this week-end. Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, we are going to Mexican town to pick up some stuff and will stop by Uncle Stanley's afterward's to drop off some cat food our neighbor gave us. We don't have a cat anymore but Juan takes it to behind the mall he works at for all the critters. Uncle Stanley and Aunt Lois now have a cat...Patches.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The rug for the front porch came this afternoon and there it is...above. Like it! Went over to BB&B and picked up mat for inside the door. We had a really large one that was from the front door and out but will use that one now the for back patio. Now if only all the chair covers matched. I know...I could go out and buy some but probably won't...at least not now. The chair down in the right bottom corner goes with five other chairs that we have on the back patio along with the table. The other two green fabric covered chairs we got free from a neighbor who was getting a new set. Think we got four chairs all together and we gave John two of them. The dark green cover on the one chair (Juan's chair) is extra support for Juan since he sits out there for hours. The rug is an indoor/outdoor rug so should be easy to keep clean...although if you notice, I still put the one darker mat under Juan's chair because of his big ole' boots with the black rubber soles. They used to make marks all over the place where he sat. Got that mat after we have the porch enclosed.
And today Alex and I got our plane, hotel and car reservations. We are staying at the Outrigger Hotel on Waikiki Beach. http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/oahu-waikiki/outrigger-waikiki-on-the-beach
That's the web site if you are interested. You have to copy and paste. We are renting a car since you can go around the island is three hours and would be easier for all the wedding stuff Alex has to attend.

Monday, April 27, 2009

I can't believe that in eight days how much my peony bush has grown. So glad I put the chair over them as they would have fallen over with the first rain. Will have to wait and see what they look like in full bloom. The plant actually reminds of asparagus. Went off to the pet store and grocery store this morning. Food and another new squeaky small toy for GiGi and mostly food for John's lunch. Yesterday was fooled by thinking we were getting a slight sprinkle of rain. That sprinkle turned out to be buckets. Juan had to run out to his truck to close the windows. Talked to John later and he and the girls were at a nearby park when it started to rain. He thought the same thing that it was only going to be a sprinkle. When it started raining hard they started running and I guess Alexis freaked out and was wailing loudly. Think he had to pick her up and run.
Heard from Alex and she has her vacation days approved so will be going to Hawaii with her in September. The more I think about that 12-1/2 hour flight...ahhhhhh. Oh well.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Well, it was old times again today at my Uncle Stanley's and Aunt Lois's house. Juan and I went there to visit and to see my cousins Elizabeth and Judith who were both in town. Liz made a great rib dinner and I had brought dessert. Was fun talking old times and also current times as to what all everyone is up to now. Always fun to get together with relatives and laugh about who knows what. Coming home we ended up in the rain storm and boy, at one point, was it ever coming down. Hate driving in rain like that...you really can hardly see in front of you. But by the time we got into Canton the rain and left.

Friday, April 24, 2009

The above photo is of Alexandra's friend Alicia and her fiancee Tom. Alicia's family now lives Virginia and Tom's are in Los Angeles. Like some weddings, Alicia and Tom wanted a small wedding with just immediate family and a couple of friends but like things happen..it is becoming larger. Sounds kind of familiar. Ü And, Juan doesn't want to go. Once he found out how long the flight is...12-1/2 hours...that was it. So it will be me and Alex. Believe we will leave September 22nd and come back on September 29th as Alex needs to keep some vacation time. Juan says he will stay home and take care of GiGi and for me to bring him back a grass skirt.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Okay...John's car is fixed. Cost a bit more because more was wrong with it. Had to get a new water pump, radiator hose, serpentine belt, coolant, belt tensionr pulley, water pump pulley and a new thermostat. And the good news is I have my car back. Ü
The photo above is of Hawaii....Oahu to be exact....and the music is the Hawaii 5-0 theme. Why???? One of Alex's good friends that she met while living in Virginia and has since moved to Hawaii, is now to be married this September 26th. She asked Alex if she would be one of her bridesmaids...Alex said yes. Today, Alex called and asked me if Juan and I would like to go visit Hawaii while she is there. Hummmm. Have always wanted to go...yeah, when I was younger, thinner and wasn't allergic to the sun. But still would be fun. We have to let her know by Monday. Juan at first thought he might like to go but now says no...doesn't like the long, long, flight and his ears bother him when he flies. We'll see. Have four days to think about it. Think Alex would like to have someone come with her as Alicia will be on her honeymoon and Alex will be by herself. I probably will go but will keep talking to Juan.