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.

Toyota.......Ford

When the Marine and I started dating, we dated long distance. As our relationship progressed and we decided that we were in love, we would end our conversations with "I love you." (as most couples typically do) Often when the marine would talk to me in the presence of his men he would get very quiet when it came time to say...."I love you," almost as if he was a little embarrassed. We always had an ongoing argument over the better car...Toyota (which I thought were better) and Ford (which he insisted were superior). One night instead of "I love you" he said "Toyota" and in exchange I conceded "Ford." For a long time, we would tell each other "Toyota" or "Ford" on pace of the simple phrase "I love you." Eventually, the Marine stopped caring what his men thought and he would tell me he loved me no matter who was around. But occasionally when ever he is deployed I will send him a post card with only FORD in large letters written on it, for all to see. He says he gets some strange looks when he picks up his mail, but he knows what it means. It's not the words, but the meaning behind the words.

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

Batman is really...Catman?

Recently the Marine rescued a helpless kitten from his men at work. He overheard far too much enthusiasm over what would happen if you stuck a cat in a microwave....so he intervened and made them hand over the (at the time 4 week old) kitten. He brought the all black with blue eyes fur ball home, much to Monkey's delight, and we acquired another cat. We already have a 6 year old cat named Twitch who does not like the new addition to the family.
At first the kitten was very weak and slept a lot. We got him into the vet right away for shots and verification that it was a boy (which they still can't be 100% sure until he is at least 8 weeks). we cleaned him, clipped his claws, and fed him Kitten formula (who knew!).
I am a strong believer in waiting till your pets personality emerges before you name them. So for the first few weeks we called him "lil kitty." As 'lil kitty' grew stronger his personalty developed and I discovered that this cat likes to roll on his back to play/fight/cuddle/etc. When he is in play or fight mode is tiny little black smushed face (we think he might have a little Siamese in him)looks like a bats face (ugly picture right). We also discovered that this cat can jump! at a mere six weeks and still a bit underweight the cat can jump from the floor onto the bed and onto a few other high spots (leaping tall building sound like some caped crusader you know?). he likes to hide and snuggle into dark cave like places (under stuff! ya can't see him under and in there! also like a bat!). There fore the name Batman seemed like a logical name for this rat like creature who attacks my ankles from unsuspecting places. We have also discovered he is just plain psycho! He will attack anything that moves and seems to have a serious problem with the flowers on my bedspread. Imagine if you will.....It is 3 am and you are peacefully sleeping in your bed and suddenly you hear a tiny bell quickly followed by feeling tiny sharp teeth biting and attacking you all over. Only it isn't you...it is the 20 flowers that are covering your rear as a tiny rat attacks them. Kick him off the bed you say.....no Batman's skills are far to smart for that he merely attacks your hand and clings! Because Batman is so dark it is actually hard to get any pictures of this cat that come out, so I will add them this weekend, so that you all can enjoy seeing my Super Psycho Bat Cat.
This week over at Sprite’s Keeper: Spin Cycle, the topic is pets. If you want to spin too, just start writing - don't forget to let Jen know over there.

Gone so long.....Probably forgotten

Hello Friends and Foes,

It has been a long time since I update my Random to match my wiggles. In fact, I have been gone so long I have certainly been forgotten. So I am going to write one big fat blog to update you on everything we have been up to.

Here goes....

About 1.5 months ago the Marine returned from Iraq. Yeah! Big OORAH all around! Life is Pleasent in the Random Wiggles home. The marine complained about the lack of yard work I did while he was MIA (deployed), and I replonded to that by buying him a bagged mulching attachment for the riding lawnmower. Complaints have ceased.....

We went on vacation to Disney World! Yeah!! And we stayed at the Animal Kindom Resort. We did the whole five day park hopper pass and took out time at all the parks. If you ever get a chance to stay at the Animal Kingdom Resort...ABSOLUTELY DO IT! It is the cooles thing in the world to wak up in the morning and go out on your balcony and watch a Giraffe, Zebra, strange birds, etc eat their breakfast while you eat yours. Very cool. Plus the resort had a great water slide in the pool and cool activities for all ages. I should be on their comercial. It really did make me want to go work at disney. They had random people around the park tat it seemed like their only job was to give stickers out to kids! Well hell! forget givin stickers out at Wal-Mart...Hand over the Micky ears! The Monkey loved everything we did! I don't think there was a princess that we missed a picture with or at least didn't try to get one. We even had dinner with the princesses! I will blog separately about specifics. In fact by the time I'm done - ur gona be sick of Disney.

We also spent some time at Cocoa beach. There is this quaint mom & pop hotel that we always stay at that is run by a couple of old hippies. It is great! Enjoyed time on the beach and at the parks, we had the best of both worlds. Monkey even got to spend a couple of nights with my parents and spending time with Grandma is like Heaven on Earth for Monkey.

We then returned from our great vacation (the first we have ever had I might add) and went back to work. I have been buried in deadline, student paperwork, and advisement appointments, ever since. This is the first I have truly been able to surface.

Oh....I can't have some water?.........NO!

As an advisor and recruiter for The University of South Carolina on a military installation, my office is situated amongst other university offices and classrooms. Often the Base provides "leadership and responsibility training" for it's civilian employees. It's their way of making sure you know how to act on a military base and understand military protocol. Because my building is a very old one the water has turned a lovely shade of orange and I wouldn't drink it if my life depended on it. Due to the dirty water, I keep bottled water regularly stocked in my office (for myself).

Now that you have the background....

On one particularly ordinary day a class was being conducted in the room next to my office. That morning I brought in a new case of bottled water to replenish my supply. I placed it on my spare desk until I got logged in and had checked my messages (a bad choice on my part). I proceeded to work on some paperwork and get some things squared away. While on a phone call from a student the class happened to let out for a break. Occasionally in the past students would wonder in and ask questions. I have even had a few ask for water, at which time I referred them to the education office's water cooler and to the vending machines. However on this occasion, a brazen not so young woman walked into my office (talking on her cell phone). Walked right over to my plastic covered case of water bottles and proceeded to pull the plastic off and take a bottle out. I inquired "excuse me....can I help you?" "Oh....I can't have some water?" (proper english?)was her reply as she pulled my bottle out of the case. "Well, no.....that water is for my personal use it is not for the students in the classes, the university does not provide it for me." I explained. "It's just one damn bottle!". she exclaimed. "True" I replied, "but if I provide you with water, how can I discriminate from the next person who asks for free water, when there is a water cooler down the hall and a vending machine just outside the door." Now maybe I am selfish and a miserly Bitch, but I do believe in the common courtesy of asking before taking something that is not yours. At this point the (Insert unkind word here) lady inquired if she were interested in taking classes with USC, if I would then give her water as a marketing tool. I politely said "No....that's why I have the twizzlers on display not the water, help yourself to one of those." I then asked if she really was interested in college, and she stated "Fuck no! I go to Webster...so ha ha" as she waived her nasty finger in my face. Thankfully, she chose that moment to exit my office, because I was liable to throw the bottle at her. As she exited, she said to the person on the other end of the cell phone (yes! she was still on the phone!) "That stupid Bitch wouldn't give me my water!"

I must say, I was completely shocked at first, then rather amused. I decided to wander down the hall (after I put the water away) to share my new experience with my co-workers (who had equally horrifying experiences with this old hag and others). As the Education Director listened, it seemed my water debacle became the straw that broke the camels back and the it was brought to the training supervisor's attention. The ignorant woman was given a final warning, and encouraged to apologize (it has not happened, but when ever she is over here in my building, she sure is polite).

Moral to the story that turned out to a lot longer and annoying than I originally thought it would be.....Ask before you take!

I want an Enema!

I happen to be one of those fortunate people who live near a Drive-In Movie Theater. We used to go all the time before we moved from here, but now that we are back we are attempting to re-launch the tradition. This past weekend, the Marine and I decided to take the monkey to the Drive-in to see Monsters Vs. Aliens and Hotel for Dogs (a double feature!). we always try to make the drive-in as fun and comfortable as possible when we go. We take a bunch of pillows, put an egg crate in the back of the SUV, lay down all the seats and pop the back door. It is great! well....while we are waiting in the drive-in drive-thru to pay at the window and enter the drive-in, the building has a bunch of different candy and sayings painted on it. Monkey looks over and sees those dancing M&M's painted on the walls, and screams at the top of her lungs....."Mommy! I want an Enema! I want one of those! Can I have an enema pleeeeeeeze!" At this point the Marine and I are laughing so hard we can't answer her, much less explain the difference between and enema and an M&M. So I handed over the M&M bag I had purchased earlier that week for this occasion (They are so much cheaper at the store than at the movies!!!). I decided not to correct her, brcause....well.....I will never quite look at M&M candies the same again and to be quite honest, I want to see if she will say it again. maybe next time I'll luck out and she'll say it in public while she is w/ the Marine (he embarrasses far more easily than the Monkey and I do...it's kinda funny). So, for those of you chocoholic's out there.....Have you had your Enema today?

Quote of the week:

"Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everybody agrees that it's old enough to know better."

- Unknown

Every day I live and learn. I think that as a whole there are some lessons that are hard to compartmentalize, therefore we continue to make the same mistakes repeatedly. So maybe we really don't know better......Yet history shows that given enough time it can, does, and will repeat it's self often to the detriment of the human race. I am forgiving of mistakes, I just wish that our race as a whole were more kinder, more willing to learn, and more open to change. I know I wish this of myself. Then maybe then I really would know better.