Pilar's first birthday party ever

When my sister was born, my parents were on the brink of losing everything. And to make things even more stressful on my parents, she was born 6 weeks premature on January 5. Being born on this day basically means that for the first three years of her life, Pilar never had a birthday party, until this year! The weather this winter in the Bay Area has been unseasonably warm and dry, so our parents threw

her a small birthday party for her fourth birthday.  And all day long she kept reminding everyone who the party was for.

It was for her. Okay?!

Pen Pal-ing it up

This year I want write letters and spend less time lurking my friends and relatives on Facebook. Call me old fashioned all you want, but I get way more excited when I receive a letter or a card in the mail rather than some little red check mark telling me that I have a new message or comment on Facebook.

I'll be sending my uncle Jimmy a package full of metal goodness to start off my pen pal extravaganza in this new year.

BOYCOTT AMERICAN LICORICE

This past Monday, workers at American Licorice went on strike. All they're asking for is fair health care benefits, and in return the company wants to get rid of the union altogether. Bearded Man's mom has been working for this company for some 20 plus years and she's one of the people on strike. These are very confusing times, we work so hard at our jobs only to be told they want to get rid of you, that there's no money, that health care is too expensive. What the hell's going on in this country? Today we got a chance to go out there and join in on the strike. It truly was a family affair, people brought their kids and grandchildren. We were all there to support the people we love and who work so hard.

Bearded Man supporting his mommy.

Bearded Man's mommy, Hilda, has been working for this company for the last 20 years. 

This little girl was supporting her grandma. It was sweet.

Nora was supporting her mommy too.

Some of the American Licorice workers.

Our shift was over. Bearded Man decided to pose next to the Christmas tree the workers on strike had set up this week. 

Next time you go the movies, say no to red vines or sour punch straws. This company wants to get rid of their union workers, these people have families to take care of.