Momma came and momma left.

I had the most wonderful time with my momma and poppa Neal.   I was so excited about their trip.  Even with  all of the ups and downs that Ruben and  I have been through both individually and as a couple through the years and there is never any judgement.  That is, I am coming to find, a rarer thing that I had expected to find in my adulthood. 

From the moment that they arrived I felt better.  I had not even seen them yet and I was already in a better mood just because they were in my country.  There were some really crazy storms the day they go there and for the next several days.  That was perfect because my momma's favorite weather and thunder is her  favorite sound.  Picking them up was so easy because they had only brought a few things in a carry on.  The weather was pretty crazy so we stopped at a great place in PLaya del Carmen right on there on 307.  It was fantastic.  It was a great way to have them land.  We spent the rest of the evening at my house and the kids smothered their grandparents. 

The next day we went to breakfast at Don caffettos in pueblo.  We all had to commit to eating the marinaded veggies that are on the table.  These veggies are amazing. Onions, carrots, peppers, garlic, vinegar, oil, cinnamon... YUMMY!!!!!  IT was great.  We then got them checked into their room at Cabanas La Luna.  It was great.  They were in the garden room and it was perfect.  It was nice not being in the beach front room during some of those stormier nights  andthe garden room had this great little deck and "hot tub" that was obviously  not hot- thank goodness. 

We went to eat lunch at El Tabano.  This is one of my all time favorite places on the beach. The food here is to die for.  They have wide menu of great food.  We shared the pear and brie appetizer and had a few shrimp dishes and some great pork loin dishes.  The whole place is beautiful and I recommend this place to everyone. 

That night I had arranged a birthday party at Zamas.  My friend's band was playing at this is a great spot right on the beach.  Poppa Neal had called me a few days before and had said that he really wanted to do something special for my mom since it was going to be her birthday when she was here and he thought it would be great to have a party with all of my friends.  It was raining like crazy but no one minded.  It was great. 

The food was great, the drinks were great and all of my friends loved mom and Neal.  It was a prefect night. Zamas had prepared a very great cake.  It was a collection of their small chocolate cakes with ice cream and momma took the tradition of Mordeda.  This is when after the candles are blown the person must take a bite of the cake with no hands and some loving member of your family gently (in some cases not so much) shoves your face into the cake.  It was so much fun.   The whole night was perfect.

The next morning I had arranged massages for both of them on their deck with the amazing Margo in Mexico.  Pretty much everyone around here knows Margo's massages.  Other then the truck coming up to empty the septic tank - Poppa Neals was great.  Ruben tried to get the truck to stop but they are not able to once they start.  But you know... Neal had the right attitude-- You can't change it- just fine the music in the sound, It is all you can do.

Later that afternoon the kids and I just spent the day with them right there in their room.  For dinner we had dinner in the new Las Estrellas restaurant.  This has been newly designed and beautifully decorated by one of the areas most talented artists and the food we were about to eat was going to be incredible.  We already knew this.  I love this place when Jacob is cooking.  He is an incredible chef. 



The dinner was an amazing 5 course meal.  We started with a beautiful mushroom bruschetta followed by a nice green salad with green beans and celery.  It was great.  The fish course was a risotto cooked with a fresh fish stock Jacob had ben working on and was topped with a little grouper.  Then it was time for the Arrachera.  This steak was beautifully cooked and tasted amazing.  And that has not been a common experience for me in Mexico.  We finished with a homemade chocolate moose.  I was drinking red wine so all of the food went perfectly. 

Saturday we went up to Akumal's Yal- Kl Laggoon.  It was great except that mom is not much of a water person and the weather had already started to turn a bit.  We went to La Cuva in Akumal for dinner.  It was really good.  I had one of my favorite dishes- Camerones Diablo. Neal had a great sshrimpish with garlic and curry and a bit of coconut milk.  When we mixed the 2 it was amazing.  I cannot wait to play some more in the kitchen with chipotle and curry.  UUnfortunatelyy momma got really sick after eating her lobster.  This is common here and really unfortuante.  I do not think it says anything about the resturant it is just the luck of the draw. 

The next day Momma was feeling okay- not great but okay.  We all headed out to the jungle to spend the day at Crystal's house for Dreyken's 7th birthday.  It was a fun day.  We left and went to eat at another one of my favorite places Nero di Sole.  I love this place.  They had a mussel app which killer and the manager/head chef sent out these 2 HUGE platters of all of his best!!!! Fried oysters, several types of bruscetta, cheeses and meats, and fried eggplant. It was amazing.  I wish momma felt better but she held together beautifully.

The next day the weather was a lot brighter and hotter.  Momma could not get out of bed and spent her time in bed.  I wish she felt better but I know that it is just a reality of here.  I spent the day with Neal and the kids on the beach. It was really nice.  I do not get to spend a lot of time with Neal and so that was really nice.  We had a fun beach day and I watched as Neal played in the waves with the kids.  The water here is better then most places in the world and is so warm and beautiful.  I am sure many places are but I am partical to my little slice of paradise.  It was really nice to see it in his face that he really got why I live here and why I want to live here.  Things have really formed here for me and I could not imagine going back. 

the next day momma and Neal checkd out of their room and headed to our house to stay their last night with us.  Momma and I went to Playa del Carmen where she spoiled me rotten.  I could see in her face that she wanted to buy me one of everything.   I swear if it would have fit she would have thrown a dryer into that little car.  jajaja It was great fun.  I have dish soap and laundry soap and face soap!! There are so many basic things that I used to have that I do not buy anymore because we do not have the money to spend on it.   Well, I should say that there is not enough surpluss to buy the things and we choose to spend it on other things.  So no more poor me stuff.  BUT now I have mouth wash, face soap, CONDITIONER Y'ALL!!!!!!! I have not conditioned my hair in over 2 years and I have only cut it twice in 2 years so I am looking a little scruffy.   But these next few months I will look wonderful!!!!

The last night we stayed at home and made a nice dinner and watched a beautiful lightning storm.  Momma loves this weather so it was really nice.  We all played Wii and watched Ben10!  It was a perfect last day.
The next morning I felt a bit like I was taking my last walk on Death row.  Knowing that they were leaving nad not going to be here was so hard to face.  

One thing I am so happy about is that this trip was so much less difficult and MUCH less expensive for them so I know that they will come back and visit again soon.  Momma said that she might even come down for a long weekend sometime and just stay with me.  I feel totally re energized by having them here.  that feelin gof total love and acceptance.  Not just of me and who I am and have become- but also of Ruben.  He has fought an uphill battle at times with opinions people have of him- some earned and some not.  But I love that Momma and neal totally love and accept him and think of his as a member of their family.  I know that it means the world to him and that he feels it.  I could not ask for better people to call momma and Poppa Neal.  I am so lucky to have these guys in my life.  And they ended up adopting more kids here as well.  jajajaja

2 comments:

Samantha said...

I'm right there with you Minds! Kevin and I love visiting them in San Diego. It's always a breath of fresh air!
Sounds like you all had such a great time together. maybe next time Kev and I'll be able to make it.

Paula said...

Honey, it was such a great trip and being able to really see how you guys live and all the good friends you have made makes us feel less anxious at having you so far away. Thank you for calling in such great weather! You are the best. Love you
Momma

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