7/30/08

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


glitter-graphics.com

Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/25/08




Your Fitness Type: Serene



You find exercise to be a great way to relieve stress.

Getting fit is important to you, but not as important as clearing your mind.



Try exercise that has a mind-body connection, like yoga or tai chi.

You may also enjoy exercising in nature - whether it's hiking or swimming or taking a long walk.




Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Weekend Plans

Not sure how my weekend will pan out. The only thing I have scheduled is a powerpoint class Saturday from 9 am until 4 pm. Mister mentioned going to see Dark Knight tomorrow night. But will I be able to go to a movie that is 2.5 hours long and then get up the next morning?

At any rate, I need to also plan on cleaning and locating some misplaced items.

I know, doesn't sound much like a fun weekend. Well hopefully some unexpected fun will occur despite the appearance of a bleek weekend.

At any rate:



glitter-graphics.com

Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/24/08




Your Learning Style: Enthusiastic and Imaginative



You are always up for an intellectual challenge - in fact, hard subjects are actually easiest for you.



You Should Study:



Advertising

Astronomy

Biology

Chemistry

Finance

Journalism

Marketing

Physics



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

CNN hit or miss?

So I’ve prolonged the inevitably long enough. I posted last night that my satellite went out because of the storm so I missed most of the segment on the black woman and family. CNN will re-air that segment this weekend and I plan to catch it then. I do plan to tune in tonight for the segment on black men.

In my daily blog perusing I’ve come across mixed reviews of the show. And I’d like to first point out that my life experience as a black woman will definitely differ from the next black woman’s life experience. Having said that, I’d also mentioned that my intention was to watch it with an open mind and no expectations. And in what I read it seems most people went in with preconceived notations. Granted valid points were made in that 2 hours is not enough time to cover the black experience of a black woman AND family, and the attempt made by CNN in documenting the black experience was abit too broad and general. Some even criticized the particular people they choose to spotlight. So in general I gathered it was disappointing.
So I’m really thinking to myself at this point, can we really expect the media to accurately document what “our” experience is like? I mean did they report on what it is like for us to shop where we are followed thru out upscale stores in fear that we all steal? Did they report on our dining experience in more affluent restaurants where we still get seated in the back near the restroom or how long it takes for us to even get seated? Did they report on driving while black? Granted this might be more of an issue for black men than black women. Did they report on blacks being over looked for jobs? Oh, what about the presence of blacks in the military and that experience?

As you can see there are still many other experiences they did not cover. But again, I’ll attempt to put all that I’ve read out of mind when I watch tonight’s segment.

Will this be a waste of my time or what?


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

CNN's Black in America installment - another one

Another installment of CNN's documentary of being black in america is "The Black Man". Here's what the website provides as a synopsis:

In the "The Black Man," Soledad O'Brien evaluates the state of black men in America and explores the controversial topics of black men and fatherhood; disparities between blacks and whites in educational, career and financial achievement; and factors leading to the dramatic rates of black male incarceration. The documentary also examines the achievements of black men and the importance of the positive influences of black fathers.

It air's tonight 7/24/08 at 9m on CNN. Of course I plan to tune in. Do you?


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Thursday's Thirteen - 1st edition

In perusing blogs I came across this post by Divalicious Opinions. And she mentions participating in posting a random list of 13 items on Thursdays and visiting the site Thursday Thirteens blog. So I says to myself: self, why don't you participate. It would give me a chance to share some interesting things about myself. Of course it'll take some creativity on my part, but I'm sure I can conjure up the brian power to participate every Thursday.

So without further ado here's my list on Thursday Thirteen:

Thirteen places I want to visit:

1) St. Thomas
2) Tahiti
3) Switzerland
4) Paris
5) Italy
6) Kenya
7) Costa Rica
8) Los Cabos
9) St. Marteen
10) Barbados
11) Aruba
12) Turks & Caicos
13) Australia


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/23/08

Rats....my cable is out

I can't believe I took the measures I did to ensure I watched the CNN special and guess what happens.......................wait for it.........................my cable goes out. Well not exactly cable, but my Direct TV dish is going in and out because of the storm. I'm gonna re-start the box, but of course that'll take a few minutes to reboot.



This is freakin ridicolous. You think it'll help if I write my Congressman, or woman in my case.




Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Shop shop.........

Do a little work, make a little money, and go shop aight....ok so that doesn't really fit the tune I was thinking of: Do a little dance, Make a little luv, get down tonight.......

The date has been set for tax free shopping in DC. I'll have a few dollars, so I plan to pick up a few items to add to my wardrobe. Not too mention I could really use some new shoes. Yeah, I know the limit is $100, but I can make as many transactions. Oh my, I just had a thought, Filene's Basement here I come. I can get that new blue suit I've been meaning to purchase.

I think in preparation for this, I'll go thru my existing wardrobe and donate items too small or probably won't wear again. I typically donate at least twice a year, spring and fall. But I'm thinking I should try to do it more often, maybe once every season. The mister will have to get on board or else. I make every effort to get to the nearest GoodWill. But a friend bought to my attention that GoodWill sells the items I donate, so that's not much of a real donation. She suggests giving the items to church clothing drives and the likes. Problem with that is I rarely hear about them anymore.

Do you donate clothing?

Peace, Blessings and Laughs



Your Personality Profile



You are dependable, popular, and observant.

Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.

In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do.



You are unique, creative, and expressive.

You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.

And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

CNN's Being Black in America installment

The installment entitled "The Black Woman and Family" airs tonight at 9 pm. Here's a synopsis (from the website):



CNN Presents: Black in America continues with "The Black Woman & Family." Soledad O'Brien explores the varied experiences of black women and families and investigates the disturbing statistics of single parenthood, racial disparities between students and the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS. O'Brien reports on the progress of black women in the workplace and the status of the black middle class.



I've already programmed my television to tune in. And I have reminders set on my phone to ensure I'm home in time. Do you plan to watch?



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

A visit from Mister

Mister came up today to bring me some bottled water. I often pester him about coming to take me to lunch on his days off. He complains about parking and that’s usually the end of it, for that day. Well Monday he said he had the day off and I suggested he bring me some bottled water to keep in the office. I catch the metro for the most part, so it would be difficult for me to carry even two packs of water on the train and then the short distance to walk to my building. At any rate he gave in to my request and brought me some water Monday, but it was the wrong one and he graciously returned today with the correct one. When I got in the lobby and walk towards the door, I saw him standing outside and I couldn’t help but to grin big as day. I so luv seeing him waiting for me, it just warms my heart. And of course he wants to know why I have the big “kool-aid grin” on my face. So I tells him and he blushes. It’s tiny things like this that makes me so glad to be know and have love in my life.

For all that talk about him getting on my nerves, the countless disagreements and arguments and despite his unwillingness to cater to my every whem, I LOVE MY HUSBAND. I'd marry him all over again, I'd probably extend the engagment but I'd still marry him all over again.

Love is wonderful.


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Good Morning

I woke up this morning with gratitude on in heart and feeling refreshed. I sent up a quick prayer of thanks, and then proudly proclaimed that “I choose to make this a good day”.

I then went about getting showered and dressed for work. I was able to make it out the door and in the car by 8:25 and at the train station by 8:33.
So I’m here at work now and trying to make the best of my morning. I don’t have much work lined up so looks like another full day of blog hopping/reading.


Hope you are having a great morning.

Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/22/08

Jackpot – What would you do?

What would you do with 30 million after taxes? That is an interesting question and I’d really love to be in that situation and having to make a decision.

First off, I’d take a major vacation, just hubby and I. I think it’s long over due and we both deserve it. Then we come back three weeks later and handle business. I wouldn’t quit my job immediately, seriously. I’d wait until I’d made all the appropriate decisions on what and how to do with the money. The key to ensuring that your winnings last is management. I’d find a very capable attorney, accountant and financial investment manager.

As far as investing, I’d really like to get into real estate. I’d probably purchase a few apartment buildings. This would help generate income. Of course I’d buy myself, I mean hubby and I, and family members homes. Or I’d give them money towards down payments. And I’d also have a widely diversified investment portfolio to include the likes of stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Each younger cousin, niece and nephew would get a CD of which they can’t touch until they turn 18 and gradate from high school. And for those willing to continue on to college or trade school, I’d be more than willing to help them financially. But that would come with a price of volunteer work.

I’d also like to start a foundation. I want to give out scholarships to underprivileged youth to attend college. But I’d also like to have some sort of community out reach program that builds playgrounds, starts after school and summer programs. These are the type of things kids these days need, we need to get them involved and keep them busy. Also on that list of out reach programs would be feeding the homeless and offering food to needy and low-income families.

One of the philosophies I try to live by is: To whom much is given, much is required. And with that in mind I’d make large donations to various non profit organizations and churches. My first hefty donation would be to the Hospital for Sick Children in DC. My niece has Downs Syndrome and when she was an infant she spent some time at this hospital. So I’d damn near by them a new building. It hurt my heart to see all those kids in there. There’s nothing like a child’s smile and laughter so I’d be on a mission to make it possible to have more kids smile and laugh.

Oh, I can’t leave out my friends. So I’d throw a girlfriends party, or maybe plan a trip of course picking up all the expenses and have them write down what they’d want and I’d accommodate their request, to a certain extent……LOL

As you can see giving is really a part of my core being. I think it is so important to give back and that is how things should be done. It’s how it all starts, come to think of it. Mother and father give of themselves to create a being.

At any rate, this whole post was inspired by the book I’m reading: One in a Million by Kimberla Lawson Roby. The main character wins the mega million jackpot and has just been told by her accountant that she’ll probably clear 30 million after taxes.


Peace, Blessings and Laughs



You Are an Ice Cream Cake



Surprising, unique, and high maintenance.

You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it.

You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Outstanding check - update

Cool, I just checked my account online and it seems the check for my mega millions subscription has been cashed. So I can anticipate receiving my subscription confirmation by the end of the week.

By the way, I'm reading a book now about a woman that won the mega millions jackpot the same day her husband of 10 years decides to tell her that he doesn't love her anymore and has been seeing someone for over 2 years now. He wants a divorce. It's a short book, so hopefully I can finish reading it by the end of the week. The title is you are interested is: One in a Million by Kimberla Lawson Roby.

Hope you are having a great morning.

Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/21/08

Time to go home!




Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Weekend recap

I had all those plans and things to take care of this past weekend, now ask me if I accomplished any of them……..NOT…….barely even one. I did wipe down my kitchen cabinets and washed two loads of clothes. So here’s what had happened:

Friday – went straight home, did not pass go, did not collect cash. I was tired bugged out and in pain. I popped a few advil and spent the evening reading my book and blogs.

Saturday – I signed up for home improvement clinics at home depot that was to start at 11 am. The first one was for laying tile. I arrived in the nick of time to the service desk to ask where the clinic would take place and was told the tile department. I get back there and the young lady tells me that the 11 am clinic would not start until 12 because she was the only one there and she was with a customer. Talk about a complete waste of time. I can’t stand home depot, I don’t care what location I visited there is always some dang on confusion going on. At any rate, I calls my mother and tells her I’m coming thru to gets my cash……..and I wound up hanging with her for a few hours and then going back in the house where I stayed for the rest of the day and evening. I put away clean clothes and washed one load. I finished reading my book then went online to play a few trial games. Lastly calling it a night about 1:30 am.

Sunday – My mother called me about 9:30, told her I’d call her back when I got up. Then my niece calls me at 10:08 am asking me to come pick her up. Hubby had to work, so he was up and getting ready to leave. I washed a load of clothes and watched TV while waiting for my niece to call back to say she was freshly showered and ready. That call didn’t come thru until 12:45, I was fit to be thru…….another day another story. So I swing by and picks niecey up and we head to 7-11 for a slurpee and some chips. We then hit the Wendy’s cause she wants some nuggets…..I really need to stop giving her everything she asks for. When then head to my house, she eats, we watch a movie, she eats again, we watch TV, she eats again, time to take her home! I drop her off and head to the walmart to look for these products I’d been looking for. Only to get there and they only have two of the products, of which I buy neither. After spending $30 I head on back home. I jump online to get caught up on my blog reading and attempt to do my homework. The very same homework that is due at 11:55 pm. I wash my hair and then do my homework. Finally hubby and I watch Vantage Point, and I fell asleep half way thru. I got tired of them rewinding and palying the dang on situation. If you haven’t seen the movie, wait until it comes on tv.

So folks, that was my weekend in a nut shell. I didn’t even have a drink nor a crabcake. Not much fun, I know. But one of these days I’ll surprise us both and have some darn fun.

Hope you had a great weekend.


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Outstanding check

So while on vacation the week before last, I needed to mail my mega million subscription, topic for another day. I inquired down at the front desk about a mailbox, to which I was told I could give the item to them and they'd mail it, so I gave them my stamped envelope addressed to the Maryland State Lottery. Well guess what, the check hasn't been cashed. Now what do I do? Do I call back to the hotel and ask the front desk staff to check for unmailed items, do I stop payment on the check? I'm clueless. Stopping payment on the check will cost me $25 so I certainly would hate to go that route. I guess I'd better call the hill billies at the hotel.

Listen to your gut, had I listened to my gut I would have found a mailbox and mailed my subscription myself. And not sitting here wondering what the fudge happened to my dang on subscription and check.

Peace, Blessings and Laughs
blog quizzes for myspace profile and fun

Lets101 Quizzes - Fun Quiz



Peace, Blessings and Laughs

7/20/08

My step father gave me a gift card to Home Depot cause my mother told him I asked for it to get my ceiling fan. Now I need to decide which ceiling fans to get. It has to have a lighting kit with easy access to the bulbs and at least 5 blades. My preference is for a nickel finish. I’m not too concerned about the price, although I won’t spend more than $100. Here are the three I narrowed it down to:


The walls are a pale grey and the furniture is black. And when we move/sale this will stay, so it’ll have to something that would go with any décor.

Next step is to find a handyman to install. I’m hesitant to ask my grandmother for my cousin’s husband’s number. He did some work on my grandmother’s house and it turned out nice. I could go with Mr. Handyman. At least I know the work will be guaranteed.


Peace, Blessings and Laughs

Funny....

I saw this and had to laugh......






Peace, Blessings and Laughs