Toto, I Don't Think We Are in Kansas Anymore...

We're moving.



Not quite into a house yet, but most definitely to a place which we will make our home. It helps it is much closer to his job, so no more toll roads for now= WOOOHOO.



It's been a bit crazy, but today is the last bit before we go in tomorrow to settle in.



So, that's where I've been and that's where I'll be for the following week (without internet and cable). What will I do? Read?! ha-HA!

Abuelo Raul

Abuelo Raul.

I have so much to be thankful for when it comes to my Abuelo. It is because of he and my grandmother that I am a proud citizen of this country. It is because he came to this country, learned to communicate and worked harder than a dog as a janitor that I was able to grow up in a safe home surrounded by love. It is my Abuelito that stepped up and took the place of "Daddy" when my parents divorced.



I remember Abuelito bringing home dolls for me to play with. I cherished every one of them, even though I now know that they weren't brand new. He picked them up from the garbage at the Children's hospital he worked at. knowing that now, I treasure his heart even moreso.



I had several operations on my arm when I was young and Abuelito was there for each one. He bought me a set of clowns from the gift shop, and though I got red jello vomit on one of them, they were amongst my most prized possessions.



I used to "perform" by lypsincing to my grandparent's music and using the doorknob as my microphone often as a child. Abuelito was always my biggest fan and never hesitated to cheer me on. No matter how tired from work he was, he was never too tired for my shows.



I remember Abuelito playing aserin aserran with me on the couch. Though I was young, we would sit and listen to Alvarez Guedes and randomly around the house you would hear Abuelo asking me"quieres que te cuente el cuento de la buena pipa?" Abuelito used to kill me with tickles by playing this little ditty: "Cuando vayas a la carnicería,

dile que no te corten por aquí,

ni por aquí,

ni por aquí,

que te corten ¡por aquí!"

With each motion I knew he was getting closer to my armpit and I would giggle with anticipation.



As I grew older, he and Abuelita divorced, but my love for them always remained equal. To this day I still get birthday and Christmas cards with the infamous $25.00 or $50.00 check inside to buy myself "algo chiquito."



In 2005 Abuelito footed the bill and enabled my now husband and I to visit Cuba for the first time. While there he arranged the miraculous task of getting together 92 of our family members at one location for a meet and greet!



I know he wasn't perfect. Really, who is? But, my Abuelito always rose to the occasion when it came to me and to this day every memory I have of him is of Love. I pray my son will be able to meet the man that made such a wonderful impact on my life, soon.



Thank you, Abuelo.

I'm paranoid of a great many things, but most of all I have a HUGE paranoia that if I speak of (or in this case, write about) them, they will turn into a reality. SO, easy answer- we'll skip this prompt!



Instead, I'll go with-When I grow up I want to be like:



Okay, so you're probably thinking at this point I'm going to say something along the lines of my Mom or [insert family member here]. See, you'd be wrong. I love my momma, but if I am to answer this honestly I can't pick just one person. So, I'm picking three people that I've never met in real life, and who cares if one is a fictional character, right? But, the image of the three combined is what I aspire to be.



June Cleaver

Dita Von Teese

Lucille Ball



There ya go. Perfect me.

Who can resist an amazing figure, a penchant for glamour, intelligence, an amazing caring heart, incredible family values, kickass domestic side mixed with a lot of funny and a quirky disposition? NOT I!



Yep, that's exactly who I want to be when I group up. Mhm.

Home Sweet Home

This is the first home I ever have a recollection of. This is the famous home that Abuleito and Abuelita built for us.

I'm not sure which one of you did it. I'm not sure why nor HOW, but it appears someone has taken my sweet, sweet boy and replaced him with a little monster!



Poor Munchkin. He's been showing signs of teething for a little over a month now. You know, the excessive drooling, gnawing on anything he can get his little paws, er, hands on. Hands are no exception either, let me tell YOU! All that is fine and good because, you see, my munchkin has pretty much been all gummy smiles and giggles through this all...up until this week. My boy has discovered the art of SCREAMING to show his discomfort. This is especially awesome when Daddy has come home after 2AM from a 12hr shift and just wants to give his son some love- but no, the little monster is here in his place and makes it oh-so-delightful!



I promise our neighbors will begin to wonder if we're one of "those" neighbors that will soon end up on the news. The screams, oh the screams. The wiggling around and flailing of arms. Mommy mode wants nothing but to comfort this little monster, but when you try and try to no avail sometimes it feels easier to let him win the round.



Oh little monster, I will find a potion and when I do, you will be off and in your place will be my sweet little boy with a sweet new tooth!

My Great Tia, to be exact. This was Tia Caruca (Caridad), my Abuelita's baby sister. A few days have passed and I still have not come to terms with the fact she is no longer on this Earth.



I have very fond memories of Tia. She was always quick to great you with a warm smile and a hot meal. She had awesome naturally long nails ALWAYS manicured with the nifty half moon. She always offered me sage advice and plenty of love.



Some of my first memories include my first visits to Miami and spending most of the time at her house. I remember watching "Siempre En Domingo" and "Sabado Gigante" with her and discussing the celebrities.



As time progressed, we moved to Florida and then Holidays at her home became routine for us. Pork, congri and her famous mashed potatoes with bacon topping were among my favorite dishes.



Tia loved with all her heart, and let me tell you, it was immense. She genuinely was one of the warmest, sweetest, most loving people I have ever met. I am sure she has a room waiting for her behind those Pearly Gates.



I love you , Tia. I pray your soul is at Peace.

WhyThis Cubana Should Not Speak After 1AM

So, last night the munchkin was nice enough to allow Mommy and Daddy a nice,loooooooooooooong nap in the afternoon. So long, in fact, that we didn't wake up until 1AM. Go ULY!

What do I decide to do at that time? Cook? Clean? Roll over and go back to sleep? NO! In pure Jess fashion, I decide to pick a fight:



Me: Honey, if you and I wouldn't have talked about getting married back in 2006, do you think we would be married now?



Him: No.



Me: -Grumble- Really? What do you mean no?



Him: C'mon. That's like me asking you if we wouldn't have had that conversation about having a baby, would Uly be here now?



Me: No, it's not. I've ALWAYS wanted Uly, just like I've always wanted to marry you...



Him: I don't want to talk about it. You know why I didn't want to get married. Why are you bringing this up?



Me: Well, because, it would be nice to know you married me because you WANTED to, not because I MADE you...



silence...



silence...



Me: -sigh-



Him: Come on! You know I wanted to be with you and I love you. Besides, we're married now and that's what counts.



Me: -Grunt-





So, a little while passes and he's making these motivational posters of Uly which are hella funny.

I happen to glance over to his facebook and notice he responded to someone that posted "Single now. Anyone interested?"



That's right. I ripped into him again.



Me: So, you're interested, ey?



Him: WHAT? What are you talking about?



Me: That post-"single now, anyone interested?" You replied. You're interested?



Him: See, you shouldn't joke around with things like that.



Me: Joke? I'm not joking. I'm serious. You're interested?!



Him: -completely baffled-...are you serious??? Did you even loo...wait. You ARE serious!! Look at the name!



Me: Yeah, cray...



Him: Cray...A MAN. Forget it. I'm going to bed.



Well, Cray COULD be a woman, right? RIGHT?!