Is that why Daddy says you hug trees?

This morning began just like every other morning. I got up, got ready, and prepared to wrestle the Monkey into her uniform. Once the grumpy monkey was ready we took the usual route to her school for drop off. As we are driving down the road Monkey began talking about the clouds and how they looked like animals...a duck and an elephant. Then we passed between some trees and Monkey asked, "could we ask Gejus (Jesus) to cut down the trees so that we can see the clouds?" I then launched into how we can't do that because trees are very important. The trees help make the air we breath. That the trees take the bad air we breath out and turn it into the good air we breath in. That is why we need to keep as many trees as we can and that we should take better care of all the trees and not cut down so many. The Monkey was silent..........then she said...."Is that why Daddy says you hug trees all the time?" I couldn't help but laugh, since every time I put something in the recycle ben or insist that we take the extra time to drop off the rrecycling at the dump the marine rolls his eyes and grumbles that I am a D#@* hippy tree hugger! (I live in the Boonies where there are no recycling pick up and the trash service is very unreliable for the price you have to pay for it, so we take out trash & recycling the 7 miles up the road ourselves every weekend for free.)

Out of the mouths of babes.....

Indian Kiss!

Not too long ago Monkey and I were cuddling on the couch and every time I gave her a kiss she wiped it off. So I said..."Fine you don't like those kisses I'll give you an Eskimo kiss!" I showed her what an Eskimo kiss was, and then went on to show her the different ways people can show affection (NOT THE FRENCH KISS - no offense to the French). I showed her a butterfly kiss, the European Kiss (kiss both cheeks - I also taught her to say "Chow Bella" when she does this one), vampire kiss (a soft bite - teaching her to say "I vant to Suck your blood" wasn't as successful as "Chow Bella"), and the raspberry (zerbert - for you Cosby show lovers)kiss (every time someone tries to kiss you blow a raspberry on their lips). I must say that her least favorite was the Raspberry kiss. It was too messy apparently. But her favorite seemed to be the Eskimo kiss. She then asked me "Whats and Eskimo?" I told her they were kind of like Indians that lived where it was really cold. Well....she couldn't get Indian out of her head. So now it has become a ritual that every time we part ways, every night at bed time, and just randomly when ever she feels like it Monkey will yell "INDIAN!" and that means she wants an Indian kiss.....ahem Eskimo kiss.

Post Mom's Weekend....

Last weekend the Good Grief Mom's Group came together for their Semi-Annual retreat of healing and reflection. Although we faced several challenges this weekend, I believe we all walked away with a different perspective and a few less burdens. This weekend for the first time I shared with the whole group. This was difficult for me, but I was glad I did it. Although I am very private about my daughter, I saw the need to share a few memories of her. I wanted to convey that it is OK not to talk about the death of your child. For some it is cathartic to talk about it and share the milestone of recovery with others, but for others it is far more painful to speak of it. For me, I relive it as I say the words and that is too difficult for me. However it was important for other mothers to know that it is OK to hold private your memories and pain. The group is there to offer an ear if you are ever ready, advice if you want it, and loving arms and understanding if you need it. All in all it was a weekend of learning and reflection.

See the Good Grief Blog at http://beckylock.wordpress.com/ If you would like to know more please contact me or the group at this blog or send me a email or message on the Random Wiggles Blog.

Quote of the Day:

"Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives."
- William Dement, Newsweek 1959

I like the fact that based on this logic we are all crazy, out of our minds, if you will.

Resilience - It's not just a word it is a choice you make...

"Part of becoming functioning again was accepting what I could not do, much as my father had done as his body had failed him. I could not Bring him back, as much as I tried, as much as I prayed. I could not let him go, which is what people who cared about me wanted. So many people, thinking they were taking care of me, asked if I was over Wade's death yet. I will never be "over" it, I would tell them, and they would look back at me blankly. If I had lost a leg, I would tell them, instead of a boy, no one would ask me if I was "over" it. They would ask how I was learning to walk without my leg. I was learning to walk and to breathe, and to live without Wade. And what I was learning was that it was never going to be the life I had before. Not unlike the wives welcoming home their warrior husbands, I had to adjust to a new reality. Clinging to the old reality with a living Wade was paralyzingly unattainable. As long as I did that I would never learn to walk."

Resilience - Elizabeth Edwards

Above is an excerpt from Elizabeth Edwards Book Resilience. The chapter in her book where she intimately discusses the loss of her son is so touching and poignant. Every feeling she addressed, every thought she thought, and every step she took at some point I have taken or will take. My journey of learning to walk and breath again with out Noelia will never be over, but every day that I smile again and gain strides into the life my family now has is an achievement.

This weekend Marks the semi-annual retreat of the Good Grief Mom's group. We are a group of women united by our children that are no longer on this earth. We meet and cherish our children and each other. We grieve together and we guide one another. There have been many times where I felt my world spinning, and these amazing ladies have been there to pull me back from the ledge with love and an understanding that their pain only reveals. All of our moms are so amazing I am not sure where I would be without all of you. See you tomorrow.

See the Good Grief Blog at http://beckylock.wordpress.com/ If you would like to know more please contact me or the group at the afore mentiuoned blog.

Dinner with ZZ Top

A couple of nights ago The Marine was called out of state to retrieve a jet that was experiencing some mechanical problems. He flew out with all his gear, a small crew and even a spare engine, not knowing what to expect. They arrived and were able to get the "bird" (jet) up and running with-in and hour. That evening The Marine and his men when out to dinner at some hole in the wall bar/restaurant. They sit down, order a round, and look accross the room to see none other than ZZ Top and their band. The Marine was all a Twitter with excitement! He ventured over and talked to the guys. They just ate their wing, drank some beer, and "shot the s%*#" with ZZ Top. Well The Marine really enjoyed talking to Billy Gibbons. They talked about remote control cars and hot rods. Billy Gibbons paid for their tab and meals and even let them take a picture with him. The Marine is the one in the far left Brown Shirt and ....well....you can tell which one is Billy Gibbons. I must say I am a bit jealous...ok a lot jealous, but I am glad that The Marine had a Great night.

Monkey Conversation

Monkey: Mom.....

Monkey: I want a princess middle name like MJ.

Monkey: Why does MJ have a princess name and I don't? (sitting all pouty w/ her arms crossed)

Me: Because your Middle name is #%!%*......

Monkey: No!

Monkey: I want it to be Belle!

Monkey: My new middle name is Bell. You tell Dad.

Me: Baby, that's just not the way it works....

Monkey: No. You tell Dad. (Stated as she wags her pointer finger at me)

Monkey: I have decided (at this point she deems the conversation over and walks away)

Apparently the Monkey Queen....Ahem...princess has spoken and as her mere servant I must obey......NOT!

Although I did find the encounter quite humorous. I can see that I have created a monster with a lot of attitude. Maybe I'll send her to Fathead's house she s a lot stricter than I am. That will be a culture shock for my tyrant!

p.s. MJ is Fathead's daughter.

Quote of the Week:

Whe they discover the Center of the Universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it.
- Bernard Baily

I think Monkey is one of them.....

My Cuban Sandwich Slider

In my previous Blog I mentioned that I would be making Cuban Sandwiches for my family on the 4th of July.

Well....the question was asked "What in a Cuban Sandwich? I must know."

It is a very basic recipe. I will first give you the traditional recipe for a Cuban sandwich which the Marine's aunt taught me. (Yes, she is 100% Cuban!)

3 thin slices of ham
3 thin slices roast pork hot or cold (I use hot, slow roasted pork)
3 thin slices of Swiss cheese
3 or 4 slices of pickles
1/3 cut Cuban Bread hard crust (or French bread)
mayonnaise
mustard
A sandwich press

Marinate the Pork in the mojo for at least 1 hour (It's best if you do it for 5 or more hours - at least I think it tasted better that way). Roast in oven in a covered pan until meat is completely cooked and brown (must regularly baste pork through out roasting). Put Mayonnaise and mustard on both sides of the bread. Put the Ham, pork, cheese, and pickles on the bread. Place sandwich into press and hold until the bread is a golden brown.
Now.....I have found a way to make a Cuban sandwich with out a sandwich press (although I am still hoping I will get one for a birthday or something....ahem...marine...are you reading this?). I do not have to slave over my oven all day slow roasting and basting, I use a pork that is a bit healthier, and make the sandwich bite-size so my monkey will eat it too.

Now for the disclaimer: Any Cuban worth his/her rice and beans (The Marine included) will tell you that this is not a "real" Cuban sandwich. It does not have the slow roasted smokey flavor, the fatty yumminess that comes with a pork shoulder/butt, and it doesn't have the right bread (it really is all about the bread).

That said it is great for the mom or dad who doesn't want to slave all day in the kitchen, but wants something different.

2 thin slices of ham Smoked Ham (I get mine deli cut - it's worth it!)
a hand full of pulled pork loin hot or cold (I use hot, slow cooked pork )
1 or 2 thin slices of Swiss cheese (I usually use half or 1)
1 or 2 slices of pickles (I use the long sandwich ones and usually only need 1)
small rolls (anything will work, i.e. Hawaiian, yeast, hamburger, french rolls, etc)
mayonnaise
mustard
Crock Pot

I Marinate the Pork in the mojo for at least for 5 or more hours - at least I think it tastes better that way. Place pork loin(s) and 1 to 2 cups of mojo in crock pot and cook over night or until meat is completely cooked and brown . Drain fat/grease/and remaining mojo from Crock about 1 hour prior to serving. Pour about 1 to 2 cups of mojo into crock pot (enough to maintain the flavor and keep things moist) and shred pork (very much like you would do to make pulled pork BBQ). Put Mayonnaise and mustard on both sides of the bread. Put the Ham, pork, cheese, and pickles on the bread. Put sandwich(s) into non-stick frying pan. Use large pot or another frying pan and press on top of slider's, flip sandwich(s) and repeat pressing.



These are great with plantain chips and a sour cream and mojo dip!

Summer Time!

The Green Grass.
The blooming flowers.
The Heritage tomatoes (that for you mommy).
The humidity.
The 100 degree heat index.
The tourists
The beach comes to life.
The sun burns.

These are just a few indications that summer has arrived here on the coast. This summer is already starting out busy. Most weekends there is a BBQ or picnic to attend, not to mention maintain a normal schedule. For 4th of July weekend I have a hoard of family descending one my for Lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant Lady & Sons, a Louisiana Seafood Boil, Fireworks and Cuban sandwiches on Parris Island as we listen to the Marine Corps Band. Then maybe rest.....

Then the swim lessons begin. Every day for 2 months Monkey will have swim lessons on base. This means mommy will have to use her lunch break to pick Monkey up from Pre-school, go to swim class, turn around dry her and dress her and take her back to school and get back to work. By the time the swim class ends, It will be Monkey's Birthday and then Monkey will be starting Kindergarten. Oh dear.....this is the last summer my baby is still.....well....a baby. Wow, time sure does Fly.

This week over at Sprite’s Keeper: Spin Cycle, the topic is Summer Summer Summer Time! If you want to spin too, just start writing - don't forget to let Jen know over there.