Flat Tacos and Flowers for Mom

Oh, what a couple of weeks it has been. We began moving from our apartment to a house in back of the apartment on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Now it's the 13th and we are involved in the cleaning up of our last residence. We still have so many boxes to unpack and along with that comes the question of, "Are we using this?" and "Where am I putting this?" All the fun stuff that comes with acquiring a new house. I do believe the excitement has worn off for the moment. Every morning I wake with sore hands, back, and legs. Hiking steps with boxes has never been my "thing". I have come to one conclusion. I hate moving. 

I love the idea of a new place, a fresh start. While it's almost complete, I am exhausted. Mallory (Terry's daughter) has come over almost every single day of the move. She has been a huge help in getting things done. Between Terry, myself, and Mallory, we have moved box after box, garnering bruise after bruise, back pain, and even a bruised and swollen toe. We are broken people now. I'm looking forward to one day soon that all of us can relax and watch a movie while sitting on the new furniture we bought for the new home. I keep telling myself that day will come. It seems so far away though. 

All three of us are sore. I had a router fall on my foot; my back is shooting pain from God knows where into my lower back, and my hands plus right shoulder is hurting and stiff from what I do believe could be arthritis setting in. Mallory has bruises along her arms where she carted boxes up and down stairs. She fell up against the concrete steps at one point and hit her tailbone. She has several bruises on her legs now and the colorful bruise across her kneecap added some artwork on her leg too. 

Terry is not supposed to be lifting anything over the weight of a milk jug, however, he has helped himself to lifting a TV stand and several other boxes and items we needed to move. I love my sweet man and his need to help but Mallory and I were upset with him a few times for ignoring the rule. 

But it's almost here. That special day we can plop on the couch and watch The Mentalist or other television shows or movie selections. We have watched a show here and there while eating, but we are typically so exhausted it means we fall asleep during the option we have chosen after eating. 

One night we decided to take Mallory out after a day of moving, putting items away, dealing with Harry's (our ghostly roommate who lives in the basement) antics, and just moving in general. We suggested several places, but Mexican food was the top option. She loves Mexican food and thought it was a great choice. Off we went to Hacienda Vieja.

We sat in a booth as is our usual practice. The wait staff began coming over, offering chips and salsa, drinks, and took our food order. I ordered a tamale and enchilada combination, complete with refried beans and Spanish rice. Mallory thought a combination plate sounded good as well. Her meal included enchiladas. Terry deliberated over the combo selections. He settled on a number three, a plate of enchilada and another dish such as a taco. I wasn't sure what it came with, but the food there is always amazing. 

Terry and Mallory each drank a blended pina colada while we waited. Our food arrived shortly after and wow! Hacienda Vieja never disappoints. The portion was large, and the food tasted so good. It's hot, it is good, and the price is very reasonable. The service is good too, with a very attentive wait staff. Amazing place!

As we devoured our food, Terry realized he didn't have what he thought he was supposed to get with the number three combination meal. He told Mallory and I that it should have a taco. It came with a lovely tostada, and he was confused by that. While we were telling him it still looked very good, he didn't care to have us touting the "flat taco." He didn't understand the concept of the flat taco and its existence. Mallory and I were both giggling at the helpless tostada Terry was shunning. 

I explained it was a tostada and that it wasn't a "flat taco". I told him he was being a bit bias against the tostada when it wasn't at fault. He complained again, "But what is the purpose of a flat taco? It makes no sense." By this time, Mallory and I were laughing so hard we couldn't catch our breath or eat. Poor picked on tostada. 

He proceeded to tell me that, "Because it's a flat taco, all the stuff is going to fall off." I really could not see three grown ass people sitting around having this conversation. About that time, our waiter came around to ask how everything was. Mallory and I were telling him it was great when Terry inserted his opinion. "I didn't order a flat taco with my meal." 

The waiter looked at him and began to laugh. I'm sure the thought, "You strange gringo," rushed through his mind. He let my sweet, funny man know that a number three comes with a tostada. I was laughing hard by this time. Mallory looked like she wanted to crawl under the table. We all had a great time around the flat taco scenario. We need the laughter and release. It had been a very long week and it continues through this weekend too. 

Terry was trying to pick up his flat taco without spilling the toppings all over the plate and himself. 

He did manage to eat his flat taco without spilling it all over. See what happens with a little patience? 

The flat taco went down just fine. No spillage and no issue. When we asked if he would ever order another one, he replied, "Uh, no. There is no use for a flat taco." We just couldn't win over that logic. 

We did have an adventure over this move. I believe it brought Terry, Mallory, and I closer. I do miss my family too. We have all been so busy that they are unable to come down to see us. They will soon, I'm sure. I love my family, all of them, including my new additions in Terry and Mallory and Hayden. It's been a blessing, for sure. The new home. My new man and my new daughter and grandson. Life is great, even though I feel my body may implode at some point due to the pain. It's been good. I am blessed beyond measure. 

Happy Mother's Day out there to all the moms! Have an amazing day tomorrow and may it be filled with love. You deserve it. It's a difficult job raising beautiful people. When I look back on being a mom to three daughters, a stepdaughter and a foster daughter, I wouldn't change a thing. Now, I have my daughters, my grandchildren, great grandchild and now a wonderful second stepdaughter is blessing me. I love them all. 

My new daughter, Mallory.

My daughters and other stepdaughter, starting from the left:

Brandy, Shar (stepdaughter), Dawn, and Marina

Happy Mother's Day to you all! It takes an incredible, strong woman to raise good people. Great job, mom! Have an amazing day, filled with love.