May 2014 – Paloma Cruz

Sorry for having a moment of levity

In a moment of weakness I agreed to do a favor for someone when I don’t have the time and really didn’t have the inclination. I’ve come to regret that in a major way.

I’ve been out of town quite literally watching my grandmother die one breath at a time. It’s an excruciating experience.

I have been unable to meet with the “contact” for this favor. I sent a brief email explaining that I was dealing with a family issue and would contact her as soon as I was available again.

Tonight I got a message telling me that since she saw that I was posting “fun and informative updates on Facebook” she was going to assume I’d resolved my family issues and was available to meet. My reaction is not printable.

I explained that I advance post many many of my updates and that my grandmother had in fact died in another city, where I was staying for a few weeks (nowhere near the actual state where the meeting would have happened), so I was just a little bit too busy for her volunteer activity. In other words, back the fuck off!

Yes, I’ve been posting the odd little moments of my day as I move along — the truck stops and the weird food and the moments of hilarity that have made these weeks bearable. And now, because I was too stupid to say no when I should have, she expects me to justify this.

I will remember her name.

Image source: PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

Hospice

I just learned that the doctors have given in — they’ve told my family that there’s nothing else they can do for my grandmother. She’s too weak to survive any more treatment or the surgery.

My mother is devastated, though she says she already knew this was coming. But I know that you’re never really ready for your parent to die.

My grandmother is being placed in a hospice for end of life care. They are going to try and “make her comfortable,” but they’ve told my family that they need to start making arrangements. What they mean is that we need to make plans for what happens when she dies.

I don’t know what happens in the meantime. I’ve offered and offered and prompted and bullied my mother to no avail — she says she doesn’t want to go see my grandmother while she’s in pain and so sick. And I keep telling her that I think she’ll regret that later.

What she feels and why she’s made that decision are personal to her, and not something I feel I can share here. They’re not mine to share.

And now we wait…

Image source: Giuliamar / Pixabay

Dear Non-profit Organization

**I’m exaggerating,Â but not by much.**

Dear Non-profit Organization,

I am starting a new non-profit that will provide the same kinds of services that a dozen other small non-profits already offer. Since this service will be helpful for your clients, I’d like to partner with you. I’d do most of the work. All I need you to commit to doing is providing the space (dedicated) for 6 hours a day three days a week, at least three staff members to help set up and organize the services, and to promote the new service in all your marketing items.

I am applying for grant funding. I need to include a letter of support and commitment from your organization with the application. Can you get that to me today by 5 pm without reviewing a copy of the application, vetting my background and credentials, or checking to ensure that I’ve actually received 501C3 status?

By the way, the letter needs to be signed by your president.

Thanks.

Yours truly, new non-profit service provider

Image source: OpenClips / Pixabay

Recipes & Food Posts, May 2

Dulce de Leche

I’ve never made Dulce de Leche myself, but I love having the candy when it’s available. Food52 has a recipe that I’m going to try out, I think. It seems simple enough that even I can make it.

Pineapple-Lime Tequila Cooler

Sweet Life Bake has a good cooler recipe that will be good to bookmark for the summer. The main ingredients are pineapple juice, lime juice and tequila.