FREEDOM

I haven't had the energy or the desire to even think about blogging. Shame that work has taken my brain waves some (on top of second gig and being wife/mommy)!

BUT....

Now we are in sunny Alabama visiting my father for his 78th birthday. My son is climbing all over his rocking horse watching Nemo, the guys (consisting off my dad, brother and husband) are at our house taking care of some pipe or something and me?? I am enjoying the sun and regrouping from great exercise this morning.

I am NOT turning on a blackberry (started becoming an addict-but caught myself before I sold the tv). I will embrace this freedom and do whatever.....

EYES

Her eyes cried for help in our group session. Twenty plus one year old, five months pregnant from an over 40 control freak. Our subject matter was how to prevent harmful fights and she knew hers was escalating.

My partner and I picked up on her swollen eyes. Control freak sat there watching her every move. I had to speak to her alone. I had to ask her one question....

"Do you want to leave?"

I can go on and on about this situation that happened last night. NO he hadn't hit her yet - but hmmm does it matter if you push and trip a pregnant woman on to the floor??? "OHHH he didn't hit you....."

"Sorry - she doesn't meet the criteria."

Those were the words of a representative at House of Ruth. The script she followed denied this young lady a safe space because she wasn't "hit". So when she becomes a top story on the news -could she get in then???

WORDS

Haven't posted any words lately. Maybe it's because I didn't want to see the words that would come out of me lately. Watching daily buddies being exited out of a place they put their all into - dodging bullets of being laid off. Took a toll on my mind and heart. It's never a good time for being laid off - but during the holidays??? It was hard to think about shopping - was concentrating more on my plan b for funds.....

but we got thru it - I did and select others - for those who didn't I wish them well and send them plenty of prayers and will reach out to those I know who may need......

UHHHH OHHHHH

So my son's slowly but surely discovering Christmas. Somebody named Chris Crinkled (as he calls Santa) and flying deers and OHHH - MOMMY I WANT A BIG DIEGO......YIPES!

I have to admit, I am excited that he's finally getting it -getting what? Commercialized?? Sure, I'll give into a BIG DIEGO and a few more of what he considers BIGGER things - but I will also do an economical stop at the dollar store cause at almost 3 years old, he's excited about tearing the paper and having that be the gift.

Most importantly, I will get him to understand the birth of Christ and everything else about the holiday that DOESN'T involve money. We'll be in Alabama for Xmas with Pop Pop, sipping on homemade eggnog (me and POP POP that is) and figuring out is Diego could really be an animal rescuer....

Why not chicken

Hey - I happen to like chicken more than turkey. I baste turkeys well and it tastes good - but I like chicken. Keep the ham - gives me headaches.

Happy holidays and here's a great recipe for those who like egg nog - spanish egg nog Coquito! Enjoy!
1cup coconut milk
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup white rum, or to taste
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks
4 egg yolks, well beaten ground cinnamon for garnish

How to make Coquito

Combine all of the milks and the rum in a blender or a food processor. Set aside. Boil the water with the cinnamon sticks. Cool to room temperature. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
Combine all of the ingredients except the ground cinnamon and beat well in a blender or food processor in batches. Pour the eggnog into glass bottles and refrigerate until ready to use. To serve, transfer the eggnog to a punch bowl and sprinkle the cinnamon on top.

BRRRRRR!!!!!!

Red nose, numb fingers and no tan....an island off the coast of no-where would be nice right now. But in appreciation of this weather that was bound to happen, (hey, we did have some pretty nice days in October going into November) take the time to cuddle even closer to your loved one. Or make REAL hot cocoa (Google the recipe) - OR CHILI - nothing beats the hawk better than a nice bowl of chunky chili...

So - what will YOU do???

NEW DAYE

A NEW DAYE is here! In my heart I still carry the name that is so part of who I am and what I am made of. My maiden name is DAYE. So yes a new DAYE is here.

Something made me pull more from the DAYE side of me yesterday. Flipping thru old pictures of growing up in Brooklyn and dreams that I believed in. In respect to still believing in those dreams, I wrote a lot yesterday. When struggles put you against the fence, rely on what was given to you - that special gift uniquely designed for you. I focused on my gift so much yesterday that I couldn't get work done - I had to just see where my fiction pen would take me......

I hope it takes me to a place where I can sit back in a cafe, with a laptop and creatively pay for my bills and pleasures..