Good medicine

Most people have heard of Amber alerts, where police request assistance in locating a kidnapper in action by means of reporting a vehicle's tag and description over highway message boards. What I had never heard of until I moved here to South Florida are Silver Alerts, indicating that an old person has gone off driving and never returned. Presumably, the driver of the vehicle will be driving around without any idea where he's going or how long he's been trying to get there, and some family member has realized that he may never come home at that rate. It's a sad and scary situation I imagine, but something about it kinda makes me laugh when no one is looking. Life is too serious not to laugh. We went to visit my abuela Yolanda on her birthday, Feb 7. The nursing home was having a Valentines' Day party, complete with karaoke. If you've never heard a 90 year old woman sing Cielito Lindo, you are missing out. (Aaaaaaaye aaaaaaaaaaaye yaaaay yaaaaaaaaaay...canta, no llores!)

85 years old!

South Florida is pretty unique. A cold front swept in overnight a few days ago and we woke up to a 50 degree day, which, apparently, makes Miamians extra lively. As we pulled onto Kendall Drive, there was a man holding up a store advertisement poster and dancing to the music in his headphones the way people do in their pajamas when no one is looking. This was not club dancing, or suave by any means, but carefree manic dancing- an incredible cardiovascular exercise- á la "Honey I Shrunk the Kids." So we turned into Town and Country because I was craving a smoothie. (It's bad luck in Cuban superstition to deny a pregnant woman her cravings). When the thirty-something year old man in line in front of me got his smoothie, he walked over to his table by the window and, in a space no more than 3.5 feet in diameter, performed a little break dance before sitting calmly in his chair. What flair! Miami on a cold day is the place to be.


A little over a month ago, Danny began driving his own police car, responding to calls solo. He was nervous at first but towards the end of his first day, a drunk Puerto Rican told him he was a good cop and I think he found that somewhat encouraging.

I like taking pictures of Danny when he shaves. Please excuse the wallpaper.

We've tried to make the most of this weather by spending time outdoors, especially visiting new parks. There are a lot of big playgrounds around here. Yesterday we visited yet another new one while Danny was at the chiropractor. We were getting ready to pack up and go pick up Danny when Noemie said she had to pee. Dominic chimed in that he too had to pee. So I took Noemie by the hand and we made our way towards the restroom facilities. At the edge of the park, I turned around to make sure Dominic was following but he was not. No, he was standing in the square center of the playground with his shorts around his ankles, peeing all over the place. In panic, I let go of Noemie and ran...yelling...arms flailing...(7 months pregnant)... across to where he was firing, but when I reached him... what was there to do? Think about that the next time your kid buries himself in playground sand.

Too cold for the pool? Nonsense. Am I scared of them catching colds? Nope. The only cold Dominic has caught in the past year was the day he licked anti-bacterial cleaner off his hands. Who tried cleaning his hands with anti-bacterial cleaner? Definitely not I. I never use the stuff. It makes kids sick. Obviously.


5 reasons I'm extra cheerful these days:
1. Less than 10 weeks to go before #5 gets here!
2. 70 degree weather
3. Entenmann's doughnuts were buy one get one free at Publix yesterday
4. Strawberry season
5. None of my grandparents drive

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess 5:16