You can't make this stuff up folks.  Investigators in Colorado say a woman attemtped to rob a bank with an 'AIDS Syringe'... and it appears this was not her first time.

"On the June 9 (2010) robbery she has a note that indicated that she wanted money and that she would infect the teller with AIDS if they didn’t cooperate,” Cmdr. Jeff Satur with Longmont police said.

Police say the woman went back to the same bank on Monday when she was recognized and arrested.

To read more click here.

Suspect 64 year-old Datha Nation

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t see or at least hear about Time Magazine’s most recent cover photo.  It’s hard to miss… a slender attractive woman breastfeeding her 3-year-old son, bold letters asking ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH?.  It was shocking to some.  Normal to others.  Outright infuriating to the rest.  I myself wanted to read the article The Man Who Remade Motherhood about Dr. Bill Sears and the roots of so-called attachment parenting.  What I found was the article really had little to do with the cover.  Surprise, surprise, it was chosen to sell magazines.  Here’s my take.

The article traces the history of attachment parenting, a practice that has three basic tenets; breastfeeding (sometimes into toddlerhood), co-sleeping (sleeping in the same bed as baby or pulling a bassinet alongside it), and baby-wearing (literally attaching baby to oneself as with a sling).  This type of parenting requires much of a mother… those who practice it religiously are stay-at-home moms who don’t take breaks and rush to calm a child’s every whimper.  It’s funny though, because in the interview with Dr. Sears he says his thinking has evolved since he wrote his still popular book titled The Baby Book.  He says about 60% of the mothers with children in this pediatric office work outside their homes, yet still practice attachment parenting.  In the article you also learn more about Dr. Sears upbringing (he was abandoned by his father as a baby).  Yes the article has a tone that implies attachment parenting extremists are crazy! but I think there is still much that can be learned from the article. 

My take?  Common sense.  Each child is so different I think it would be unfair to believe one can apply the exact same practice with every child.  It’s unfair for a mother to think/believe the moment she gives birth to her first child, that she cannot take a break until they are 18 and out of the house!  At the same time, I also don’t believe, as other methods practiced, that a baby should be allowed to cry so long and hard that they throw up!  Everything requires balance… and each parent needs to find that balance with each child.  Raising children is not easy.  Plus, it’s something that both a mother and father should be participating in.  It is so easy for one to be critical of another’s methods, but if one focuses on their own children, and with true love and humility does what they believe is best… then who are we to judge? 

When you hear the title, “The Silent Killer”, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Carbon monoxide poisoning?  Perhaps high blood pressure?  I feel the title also fits appropriately to describe another health issue… sexual abuse.  It is much more than a physical health issue, it is such an emotional and mental problem as well.  It is for that reason that I feel it too can be called “The Silent Killer”. 

I have several people that are near and dear to me who were abused as children for many years.  When this finally came to light the rollercoaster that followed was almost too much to bear.  But what makes this rollercoaster of shame, guilt, and pain even more difficult to bear is the fact the one often bears it alone.  Sexual abuse is unlike any other in the sense that it is not openly spoken about.  When one is diagnosed with, say, cancer, family and friends will join in the fight.  But when one is sexually abused they often suffer the aftermath alone. 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  I hope we can all spend if but a moment to stop and think of those we may or may not know who have been victims of sexual abuse.  Let us also do what we can today to prevent such abuse.  There are many tips found on the National Sexual Violence Center website, including tips on bringing the topic up with young children. 

To those who have suffered from sexual abuse, do not let it silently kill your spirit.  Know that you are not alone in this fight and there are many out there who are willing and able to help.  And to those who have bravely struggled and in silence risen above it all… you are my true heroes. 

I was in the latest (and rumored last) issue of Fresno Magazine.  I was asked to submit a recipe and decided I would share my recipe for Pernil.  It is a delicious Dominican recipe... one of my hubby's favorites!  Once you click on the link... it's on page 68. 

Click here for the magazine link.

I was raised in a Mexican American home and we ate a lot of Mexican food.  When I married a Dominican I was introduced to the wonderful flavors of the Dominican Republic.  I have learned how to cook many Dominican dishes with help from my mother-in-law as well as the abundance of sources on the internet.  Pernil (roasted pork shoulder) is one of my husband’s all time favorites.  I have yet to find a person who does not fall in love with the tender pork that is sure to be a hit in any home. 

Pernil

7-9 lb. pork shoulder with the skin

1 lime cut in half

Seasoning:

½ cup of spanish olives

½ cup of capers

1 large onion

1 head of garlic

4 tablespoons of oregano

2 tablespoons of black pepper

1 tablespoon of chile powder

¼ cup of salt

2 tablespoons of vinegar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

Mix all the ingredients for the seasoning in a blender.  Prepare the pork by scrubbing with lime halves.  Then give the pork a good rinse with cold water and pat dry.  Cut the layer of skin all the way to one side so you can pull it back.  After seasoning you will lay the skin back on so be sure to leave one side attached.  Also, make superficial cuts along the skin.  This will make the yummy skin and fat even crispier!  Cut deep holes in the meat about an inch apart.  Using a small spoon (I actually just use my hands) spread the seasoning all over the meat and into the holes.  Lay the skin back over the meat and put the remainder of the seasoning on the skin.  Wrap the seasoned pork with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge for anywhere from 5 hours to three days.  I usually go the full three days.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cook the pork 30 minutes for every pound.  For the last 30 minutes, cook the pork at 450 degrees so that the outside gets dark and crunchy.  You know it is done when you take a fork to the side and it easily falls apart.  Take it out and let it rest for about 20 minutes before you carve.  Serve with lime wedges.  Enjoy!

My son hates most every vegetable.  So every night… it’s a war between the parents and the children.  While we most always win… the effort is so tremendous I often wonder if anyone has really won. 

But recently my son has started doing something that makes me laugh inside.  He takes a bite of his veggies and says, “hhmmm this is so good.  I LOVE vegetables!”  The whole time he is saying this there is a look of horror on his face… but he continues chewing and nodding his head up and down as though he can convince himself that the veggies are actually good. 

He takes another bite, “hhmmm.  Mom these are so good.  Vegetables taste like candy!”  I know, and he knows, he is lying right through his teeth.  But I don’t say anything because I know exactly what he is doing… practicing the power of positive thinking.  If he says it enough, maybe it will actually be. 

As a mother watching her son do this is hilarious.  But then I realize that he is actually quite smart.  I mean, this is a tool that will serve him well as he grows older.  When he struggles with math at school… he will tell himself over and over and that he loves math and that he is good at it.  When he is pushing himself to run faster or jump higher… he will tell himself he can over and over and over until he does. 

This is a lesson I should do a better job of practicing myself.  Many say positive thinking can change your life and help with stress management.  Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington said, “I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.”

Thank you son, for making me laugh and learn with you.

So... I have always loved Nutella.  Keep a jar in my drawer at work.  Our sports guy George Takata even calls me "Nutella".  I eat it with apples, graham crackers, by itself.

Today, my husband introduced me to Cookie Butter.  And it... is... GOOD!  Honestly, I ate my apple slices with the delicious spread today and I was in heaven.  It won't replace my dear Nutella, but it definitely gives it a run for it's money!

YUM!

Ok.  So I have been using Tweetdeck for a long time now.  But I kept getting booted out randomly and I would have to start all over building it up.  Then, the newer version just would not work for me.  Said I had the wrong password, I knew I didn't.  Then it would just not open up and I would get an error message.  Now I am going to try out HootSuite.  I did a bunch of research online and it's looking like this might work for me.  I will let you know how it pans out. 

There are no words that can express how much I appreciate what you have done for me and for my family.

Today, I would particularly like to thank the families of those who serve.  My heart aches as I think of the family of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales.  He is the man accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians.  What he is accused of doing is absolutely horrific.  What his family is now enduring… I can only imagine. 

This story is so sad on so many levels.  I think of the innocent victims who lost their lives, the families who are now burying their loved ones.  And I think of the family of the accused who must know live on without a father and husband… knowing what he is accused of doing. 

Bales leaves a wife and two young children.  Their home in Washington state was just put on the market this past Monday.  Bales was serving his fourth tour… a tour we are learning he was not happy about.  He had been injured… apparently told he would not return.  Yet he did… and now he will likely never be home again.  I pray Bales’ wife and children have the support they need around them during this difficult time. 

I hope I can do a better job of showing my appreciation for what these families go through while their loved ones are away serving.  To all of them… thank you.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales

Children are perhaps the greatest gifts.  There is nothing that can quite describe that emotional, spiritual, and quite sacred experience when a child is brought into this world.  I remember when my first was born.  I looked down at this tiny angel and said aloud… he’s beautiful. 

There is something about the miracle of life that is so inexplicably perfect.  These precious newborns came from somewhere special.  I believe they came straight from the presence of God.  It is this belief that makes cradling these tiny souls the minute they are born so amazing.  I am holding a living being that just moments before was somewhere I hope to return to some day.  And the feeling is… well… beautiful. 

These thoughts came to mind as I was told of the recent passing of a 15-month-old baby this week.  The youngest of three little boys, he somehow found a lima bean and sadly ended up choking on it… passing away in the arms of a family friend.  I was horrified when I heard of this tragedy.  But was even more surprised when I was told the families involved were doing well… resting assured that this beautiful child had returned to his Father in Heaven.  Of course, it has only been a few days since the baby’s passing and I am sure there are a host of feelings that are sure to come and go as the family deals with this event in the days, months, and years to come.  But their current peace draws me back to the feelings had when a child enters the world. 

I have not had many experiences with death.  The only person in my family who has passed is my grandmother.  I loved her so much and miss her terribly to this day.  She died about ten years ago, but I still have her phone number programmed in my phone.  I would call her almost daily from college to check in.  I miss those phone calls.  I remember seeing her body in the casket during her funeral.  I remember looking at her lifeless body, recognizing her face, but realizing she was no longer there.  But I didn’t feel as much sadness as I did joy… as I knew she was no longer suffering from the cancer that killed her.  She had returned to her God. 

It’s a beautiful thing… life.  It’s something I try not to take for granted.  When my 3-year-old drives me insane, I think back to the first moments I held him in my arms and realize what a gift he is.  There is nothing that can replace each moment I share with my children.  And I will count my blessings each day I have them by my side.

We have heard many stories about the devastation recent tornadoes caused in Indiana and Kentucky.  Dozens were killed, others injured, homes destroyed.  It can be depressing to think about.  However, there are also the stories that give you the chills... and in a good way.  Stories like that of Stephanie Decker, the Indiana mother who literally used her body to protect her children and lost both legs because of it.  She is alive to tell her story... and it is an amazing one at that. 

To watch the amazing interview click here. 

The Courier-Journal