Thursday 23 - Wednesday 29
'TIS THE FLU...
NICE DOGGY!
WHITE CHRISTMAS...
WEEK 44. Or maybe I should call it WEEK "Vick's Formula" 44? YUK...
COUGH....MUCUS...FEVERS. Not only my co-workers are sick, but also
the customers!! Yes, everyone seems to have the FLU.... strep throat....or
BOTH!!! It is a true Christmas miracle that I have not gotten sick.
Although healthy, I have not been able to write much. Not much time. Who really
has time around Christmas? Especially people like me, who leave shopping for
the last minute. But I am quite proud of myself...I actually saved money by
shopping "last minute" and, not only that...I did it without losing my nerves. Please
feel free to applaud. Frankly, I had a positive attitude...even within a very tight
budget. WOW, I guess I deserve another round of applause! Go ahead I am
waiting!
THANK YOU....THANK YOU....THANK YOU. I will take a bow now...
Yes, a positive attitude...and centering on "Christmas is really not about the
presents". PERIOD. It worked. My shopping was done in a jiffy and I was content.
Oh, alright! I will admit it. Knowing I would IMPOSE the wrapping on Sandra was
part of it too!
Oh, but before I go on talking about Christmas. I have a great anecdote...
Wednesday afternoon, Sandra, calls me at work and tells me there was the cutest
little Chihuahua in our deck. She then goes on about how sorry she felt for this
doggy...out in such a cold day. She goes on telling me how she gave him a slice of
ham, how fast he ate it, and how she gave him more and more. Sandra, asked
me, "How can a Chihuahua eat so much?". I answered, "He must have been very
hungry...is he still there?". No, was her answer. He left after his belly was full....
That night Sandra got home from work around 10:30 P.M.. As she left some
grocery bags on the kitchen floor she heard something outside. A noise. A strange
noise. She said, "Mom, come over here...there is something outside making
noise". I said to myself...oh, probably that puppy is back. He must be digging in
the trash bag I left on the deck. I looked out the kitchen window, looked at her
in disbelief, and ran to grab my camera. Now, I know it's not a good photo. Look
real good at it, and see what I saw.
Scary...ha? After taking the photos I asked Sandra...
"EXACTLY HOW MUCH HAM DID YOU FEED THAT CHIHUAHUA?"
That was one huge Pit Bull. Now what? I was certainly not about to go out there
and be in the 11 Alive News. I could see the news reporter saying " A neighbor
from Auburn, Georgia, has been mauled by a Pit Bull tonight...stay tuned".
Thank goodness we went to the other side of the house and looked out the dining
room window. We sas neighbors on the street seemingly searching for something.
Sandra opened our window and shouting asked if they lost a dog. They said yes,
and came over for him. At my request, the young man came back, and picked up
the mess his dog had made. He was very nice...and the dog harmless, but I will
make sure to fix the deck's door so this does not happen again!
O.K. now, back to Christmas. Friday the 24th I had to work. My schedule
10 A.M. to 7 P.M.. My plans for Christmas Eve were few. Work and Mass. But
I woke up earlier than usual to get things going for Christmas day's dinner.
Things were under control. On the 22 nd, I got my traditional pork roast, and set
everything up to add my mother's "adobo" to it.
This time I didn't want to peel a bunch of garlic, so I tried Mexican giant garlic.
Honestly. I wish I hadn't . Not the same flavor. No biggie though.
Then, I cut a few slits on the pork's
fat. Grounded the spices...and
rubbed them well nto the roast.
Covered it with aluminum foil and
into the fridge it went.
So with this out of the way I was free to do other things on the morning of
Christmas Eve. Like steaming home made tamales for my friend, Cheryl, at work
as part of her Christmas present.
Yummy....I knew she would love them...And while steaming those I took out,
the Yuca or Cassava, as some may know it, and boiled it. That way I would only
have to do the "mojo" the next morning....
While the tamales steamed, and the yuca cooked, I drank coffee and talked to
Pepe, Mayra, Raul, and my grandson Alberto. In Spain it was already 2 in the
afternoon and later on there would be a great Christmas Eve celebrations.
Hanging up that phone was a hard thing to do. This was the first one EVER to be
apart from my husband! I wished we all could have spent Christmas together...but
it couldn't be so. I just have to look forward to next year's.
Off to work, I went that chilly morning, with my mind full of memories...a little
something for my friends, Cheryl and Mary,...and fresh tamales, still hot wrapped
in foil. The day flew by. My department was constantly busy. I was grateful to
clock out, and still be able to rest a little before heading to St. Matthew Catholic
Church around midnight for Christmas Mass.
Bitter, cold winds blew that night. But going to Mass warmed me up. It was a
wonderful celebration of Jesus' birth. As I drove home I recalled some of my
most memorable Christmases...
The next morning, Alonso, woke up
to his 3 rd Christmas! This time he
was more aware of the presents.
I was so glad we had a small child at
home. He took away any sadness
that could have ruined my Christmas
day...
Seeing him open his presents was absolutely wonderful. What a blessing...
After opening presents....back to cooking. Chris and Beth would be over around 2
in the afternoon. So I started with the "mojo" for the yuca and when it was done
I poured it over it.
Pleased with it, I started the "arroz con gandules". Christopher loves this Puerto
Rican dish.
After the arroz con gandules cooked. My full attention went to the roast that
was cooking slowly in the oven...
I love opening the oven door and basting this roast. The aroma is unbelievable!
By the time it was done Christopher and Beth arrived. Bearing gifts for Alonso.
All I had to do now was pick up Maricela, Javier and the girls, in Winder. When we
arrived at my house we were ready to eat! All I had to do was fry the corn fritters
while Christopher carved the roast.
Snow started falling. A white Christmas in Georgia! What were the chances?
I looked at the chair my husband would have sat in, and wondered how his
Christmas Eve was going at my niece's home. It seemed odd...but because in
Spain dinner is eaten late...I knew he was probably sitting at the dinner table,
that very moment, so many miles away. I wished him a Merry Christmas...
After dinner, Mayra called and we got to talk with Skype. Now that was an
unexpected gift for me!! My three kids together...once again! See?
I really can't complain...we had a great Christmas!!
Now, Sunday the 26 th, was a different story. With this view, I wanted to stay
home and watch movies.
Unfortunately, I had to work. Not that wonderful, ha? At least the drive was
worth it...
