8/1/08

This work week is over

So the work day is just about over. I’m supposed to be going to happy hour tonight. And then tomorrow, I want to hit the track early. I have a funeral to attend at 11 am. My father and stepmother should be back in town by then and I’ll probably catch up with them. I don’t have any plans for Sunday.




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Peace, Blessings and Laughs

I didn't read

This morning on my train ride into work, I didn't read my book. Why, you might ask. Well I was partially consumed with both grief and guilt. You see yesterday I got an e-mail from my cousin in California. In the email she mentions hearing about Ma (my paternal grandmother), calling her brother over so that they could break the news to their mother together and lastly making travel arrangements to get here (DC).

Imagine, if you can, my shock and the gamut of emotions they I immediately began to feel. But I was at work, so I had to hold it together. I waited until I got home to start making the calls to get the complete information. I call my father's cell, no answer, I call the two houses and again no answer. So I call my youngest brother to ask him if he'd spoken with "Daddy" to which he replied not in a minute, and that my father was out of town. So he asks why and what was up, so I tells him I got an e-mail from our cousin and that it alluded to Ma passing on. I go on to say I wasn't sure if this was true but I was going to call our aunt to confirm.

So I calls my aunt and she gives me the update. My father and stepmother left a last week for a trip to Jamaica and sometime after my grandmother slipped into a comma. And she's currently on life support. The family is awaiting my father return before any steps can be taken. He has the power of attorney for my grandmother. My aunt was abit disturbed by this because she knows my grandmother's wish was not to be kept alive if on life support. She goes on to say that a an x-ray was taken of my grandmother's brain, and there was no activity.

I could have read my book, in fact I should have read my book on my train ride into work. I could have used the distraction. But you see the guilt I feel wouldn't allow me to use the distraction. The guilt from living in the same area as my grandmother all these years but rarely making a visit. The guilt of chasing my own life aspirations without keeping in touch with my grandmother. And I'll also admit that I feel guilty because I don't feel as if I deserve the right to shed tears or grieve for my grandmother because I didn't visit and keep in touch.

And as I sat on the train for the 35 minutes it takes to get me to work, I allowed the guilt to beat me up in order to justify the tears that have fallen and will continue to fall. And as I resume my day to day activities I'll slowly begin to grieve for my grandmother as she begins her transition.


Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
Matthew 5:4



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/31/08




Your Money Personality is Healthy



You have a good relationship with money.

You don't spend wildly, but you're not opposed to treating yourself on occasion.



In general, you save some of what you earn.

You know the importance of a nest egg.



You aren't afraid of being financially literate - you embrace learning more about finances.

From a retirement plan to having an emergency fund, you know what you need to have to be safe.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Anniversary trip

Mister and I will celebrate our third wedding anniversary in November. We have yet to make solid plans. Prior to our Florida trip we briefly discussed it. I suggested that we wait until August then begin the research. I said he should choose three places he wants to go and do the pricing and I will do the same. And then we’d sit down and discuss our findings and make a decision.



So I’m beginning my research now. I prefer to over prepare for our discussion. I already know his sights are set for Costa Rica. It’s on my list of places I’d like to visit, however there are a few other places we might be able to get to before Cost Rica, i. e. Mexico or the Bahamas. Money is definitely a huge factor in where we go and he’s already stated how much he’s willing to spend. Unbeknownst to him, I plan to add to it to ensure we get a better bang for our buck. So for instance, he usually looks for Monday through Friday; well I’d be willing to shell out the extra to make it a Sunday through Sunday. And then our preference is all inclusive resorts. Of course there are conditions on that as well; i. e. the resort has to have at least 4 dining options as well as a host of activities onsite. We don’t mind doing the various excursions, but sometimes the weather. Say for instance our trip to Jamaica last year, it rained briefly the first two days we were there. So we didn’t make plans for any excursions. But the resort has activities that got us out of the room.


My three choices are: Cancun or Puerto Vuellta, Bahamas or Barbados. From prior research we gathered there aren’t any or many “all inclusive” options for Barbados. So we’d have to count on an additional expense each day to eat. Mexico offers the largest selection of resorts that are all inclusive.

I’ll do a post soon with at least two hotel options for each destination.

Well I’m off go to begin my research……



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Thursday's Thirteen - 2nd edition

I will be the topic of this week's Thursday Thirteen. I'll reveal 13 things about myself. Without further ado:

1. I was born and raised in Washington DC. I moved to the suburbs of MD my freshman year of high school. I doubt if I’ll ever move back into DC. Frankly speaking the prices for homes are too high for what little you get.

2. I attended Norfolk State University my first few years of college. Then I came home and attended Bowie State University. I also briefly attended Prince George’s Community College. And now I’m at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). For the past two years or so, I’ve been taking only online classes. And I’m loving the flexibility.

3. My favorite flower is tulip. Actually I'm not much of a flower person, but my preference of flowers is the tulip. I also like lilies, orchids and iris. And probably would prefer them over roses as well.

4. My favorite color is blue. I also like green, orange, purple and brown. But if I had to choose one color to wear everyday it would be blue.

5. I am the oldest and only girl. My mother has me and my two brothers. And my father has me and my three brothers. (I have 2.5 brothers)

6. I am shy. Most people that know me don't and wouldn't believe this to be true but it is. If I were in a room of people I didn't know, guess where you'd find me? On the wall with a drink or some food.

7. I love to shop. What woman doesn't right. Every now and again I go over board, like Christmas. I try to start early and finish by the first week of December. But it never fails that the week before Christmas, I'm in the stores again buying items for my nieces or husband as if I don't have enough stuff for them already.

8. I'm a huge fan of R&B music. My favorite artist range from Pattie Labelle, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin to the likes of more modern day artist such as Anthony Hamilton, Chrisette Michelle, Brian McKnight and Mary J Blige.

9. I'm conservative when it comes to dressing. Although I'm a fan from afar of many of the current fashion trends, I wouldn't wear them. I prefer items that transcend time, like classic black pumps and black suits and A line skirts.

10. I’m a homebody. I like to go out and party, but for the most part, you can catch me at home curled up in bed watching tv or a movie.

11. I love the summertime. I get to dress flirty with my skirts and sandals. If I had to choose where to live, my preference would be someplace that’s hot all the time.

12. I love crabcakes. I could eat a good one every other day. Currently my favorite place to get them from is RedSky in Laurel, MD. If you are ever in PG County, stop thru. They have a crab salad that is really good.

13. I love the movie THE WIZ. I can watch it over and over and over and over again. My favorite character of the movie is the wicked witch Eviline played by Mabel King.


Peace, Blessings and Laughs


glitter-graphics.com

7/30/08




You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle



You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things.

You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks.



You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach...

Of all the types, you love summer the most.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Day 2 - Not So Cute


Yesterday I posted that my hair was cute. Well the humidity has had it’s way with my hair and it is no longer cute. In fact, I just looked in the mirror and I’m looking more like BUSHZILLA. Sure there is evidence that my hair is wavy/crimpy, but ummmmm to put it lightly, the humidity has added some unwanted volume to the mass of tresses on my head.

Here are a few pics:



So it looks like tonight I’ll be relaxing my hair. I have a Silk Elements relaxer at home, but I want to try Profectiv. So by the time I get to my car, I’ll decide whether to head straight home and use what I have or head to the beauty supply to pick up a new relaxer.

Hope you aren’t experiencing a bad hair day as I.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Moving Pic

This pic moved me:

And in case you wondering who might that be, well is presidential candidate Barack Obama being surrounded and touched in a circle of prayer.




Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/29/08

Today, today....

I was a little hung up at work today so I couldn't get a post in. But now that I'm relaxing at home I guess I have no excuse. Let's see here are some randoms for today:

* I didn't purchase lunch today. This is a small feat for me. I'm seriously trying to go a full week without spending the money at the eateries downtown. Sure it requires me to purchase frozen meals at the grocery store, but that's hella cheaper than spending $5 - 15 for lunch. The cheapest options I could do would be: 1) slice of pizza - $3, 2)baked potatoe from Potatoe Valley - $6, 3) ceasar salad from Cosi - $7.

* I decided to go to Norfolk State's homecoming this year. At least for the moment, there's still the likelihood I might change my mind. But a buddy will pay for me to party friday and saturday night and the first round of drinks each night, so that was tempting. But then a girlfriend agreed to take the 3.5 hour ride with me, so it's on.

* My hair looks nice. I don't know why I don't wear this style more often. Granted it's time consuming and will likely only last me three days at best, but it's cute and maintenance free. The style you might ask is a braid out. I co-washed my hair last night then did 7 braids, sat under the dryer for 35 minutes and allowed it to air dry for the duration of the night. I took it out this morning and well as I stated, it's cute.

* Despite the admission above, I'm debating whether to relax my hair this week. This will make 15 weeks since my last relaxer. And I try to stretch it 16-18 weeks.

*I've been doing a good job of taking the train to and from work. So I've saved a bundle on gas this month.

The Mister is walking thru the door now and we are supposed to be going over friends house for a birthday celebration. Let me get up before he comes up here complaining........

Have a great evening.

Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Morning eye candy



Looky at what I came across:












Can we say ummm...I'll have that please....



Peace, Blessings and Laughs
This Page is Rated

NC-17

crythenlive.blogspot.com/

Lets101 Quizzes - Blog Quiz



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/28/08




What Your Sunglasses Say About You



You are down to earth, stable, and practical.

You see the world as it is. You accept facts easily.



You need to be shaded from overly dramatic and problem prone people.

You feel sunniest when things are calm and peaceful



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Handbags.....


Oh how I love handbags......let Mister and my mother tell it I don't need any more. Well despite their views on my needing or not needing any more handbags, I'd like to add either of these if not both to my collection:


Both bags are by Dooney & Bourke....I'm loving the Red Patent more so than the Zebra.
I had bags on my mind........so here's a post for it.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Give me my money back

So as I mentioned I let a friend talk me into taking a powerpoint class, face-to-face no less. (My regular school classes are online, and I really prefer taking classes that way now) Well it was a complete waste of my money/time and I seriously want my money back. Mister copped the book for us and we get to class to find that we had the wrong book. We were taking 2007 powerpoint and the book was for 2003 powerpoint. Then we had trouble finding two computers next to each other that worked (we had to share the one book).........go figure, we are on a college campus in a computer lab and computers don't work???? So that is resolved, then we move on to logging in and commence to beginning our introduction to powerpoint 2007.

All in all I learned not a dang on thing. The difference between 03 and 07 is pretty much the set up. With the 2007 version, the layout is a tadbit fancy with a "ribbon" used to display the various application options. In older versions the options are located at the top of the screen, i. e. file, edit, view. Well in 2007 there's a ribbon at the top of the screen that has tabs with these very same options. I walked away from the class short of the cost of the class with no new information. I used powerpoint once last year to do a picture presentation of a family member to be used at the memorial services.

Sure I can chalk it up to spending time with a friend, but really we could have met for drinks instead. So I'm gonna send her a copy of this message letting her know she needs to treat me to happy hour or something making me spend money on this dang on class. I could have bought a new pair of shoes, spent that money on my niece or a host of other things.......oh well.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Weekend recap & randomness

Not much of a weekend for me. Let's see Friday the mister and I attempted to catch the 8 pm showing of Dark Knight in Bowie, but we get there with minutes to spare only to find that the show was sold out. RATS......anyway we quickly decide to grab a bit to eat and then comeback and catch the 10 pm show.

After grabbing that bite to eat at Friday's we still have 30 minutes to spare. So we get back and find a parking space and sit to people watch. And boy were there some characters. This older caucasian guygot out of his car with a book in hand. Really you gonna read a book at the movie theater? And then there was this other kid that pulled up in a purple Volkswagon bug with his crew and shouted out for all the hear that he had to get his wallet from the trunk. Ok, thanks for that bit of information.

At any rate themovie was good. Heath Ledger did a very good job as the joker. The movie was very entertaining from beginning to end.

Saturday - I had the powerpoint class. (A post on this specfically to follow shortly.) After that I was back home to wait for the Mister and his god son. The god son told me he wasn't going to come see me because I was mean. We went outside to fight it out......LOL and came back into to play some video games. He has a Wii at home so I just knew he'd be able to handle my little plug and play games. I keep them for my niece. At any rate he didn't really have the hand cordination and kept giving the joystick back to me. Well after 25 minutes of this he was ready to go home. So Mister and I drove him home where he quickly begin playing some wrestling game on Wii. So grabbed the second remote and attempted to play mimicing the motions he did. We finally overstayed out visit and left about an hour later. We stopped and had dinner and grabbed a movie from the Red Box.

The movie: Bank Job. It was pretty decent, but I had itis and feel asleep 20 minutes into the movie.

Yesterday - my mother in her true fashion decided I was sleeping to late and needed to get up and start preparing for the church function at 1. I got up with the intent to find some pics for my Spartunit page. I found a few, but mother rang and I needed to get ready to leave for the church function. I finally arrived about 1:45 (it started at 1) the set up was decent. They had vendors, food, activity for the kids: moon bounces, water moon bounce and pony rides. I thought the rain/storm would hold off for a few hours. But um......NOT......it was a scene straight from the Wiz, with the wind uprooting the tent and flying over the tent next to us, papers flying every where. My mother and I look at each other, like WTF and begin scrambling to gather up the items on the table and make a mad dash into the building. Moms and I wait the heavy rains out for another 15-20 minutes and then we head on out. The storm hadn't hit near my house yet, I live 8 minutes down the road. Anyway, I drop my car off, moms scoops by and we run the few errands we need and I'm at her house for Mister to come get me and take me home for the evening.

Exciting weekend huh....I hope you had a good weekend.



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/27/08


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Peace, Blessings and Laughs