Graduation Part 2 - The Finale

Yes, I did work out.

On Thursday morning, I woke up with a scratchy throat and I was like, uh oh! Seemingly, my cousin’s hot flashes were in overdrive so she cut the air down, mind you it was on 73, which to me is comfortable. But I woke up to it being on 65, really? And as everyone in the room was sleeping soundly, I got up and got dressed and went and worked out. At 6:30, east coast time, I was on the Elliptical for 15 minutes and got on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Got it in and I was sweating not only from the exertion, but the damn room was hot as hell. I would have done weights too, but seriously the heat was about to take me out. But my throat was no longer scratchy.


When I got back to the room, folks were like you got up and worked out? Yeah. Then I took a shower and got back into bed. But ya’ll I needed coffee so damn bad it was ridiculous. While the folks went shopping, I was like bring me back a venti mocha nonfat no whip. I was serious, but why or why could them not find a Starbucks. Ugh! I had to get a Cherry coke for some caffeine and it was not hitting the spot.

3 pics of me...trying to be creative

We were going to the barbecue for my niece at 3, so I was able to rest, work on book club stuff and just relax, because we had been running since we left Montgomery. So we headed to my sister’s stepmom’s house for fried fish and barbecue. Of course the graduate wasn’t there. Seriously, when they graduate they think they are grown and if you are the guest of honor, shouldn’t you be there to great your guests? Also, this would be the first time for me to meet my brother’s girlfriend. Sighing…I had to remind him I don’t call my sister’s husband by name and I am harder than my sister is on folks.

Because I was looking exceptionally cute, this one was taken for the guy...

The Graduation Cake...The drama involved...

The food was good and after we ate they decided to open cards and presents. My sister got my niece Dr. Seuss’ The Places You'll Go and that is such a wonderful book to give to high school graduates. We all were able to sign the book and offer thoughts for the future. Hunny Bunny, my nine year old niece, wrote the most profound statement in the book relating to Stars Wars and such. I wish I had taken a picture of the wording. Amazing. I even got a gift of pictures and it was sweet. My sister’s stepmom and Daurice were a crying mess. But I had my life and was not going out like that. Imma G. Plus, I cried looking at the prom pictures.

During the storm...and no lights

Why do I like this picture so much?  She is giving the stank face for real!

She was saying cheese so I could take her picture.

The Graduate, Caitlyn reading my book club newsletter which was about Her!

As we were still going through gifts and speech giving, the lights went out. Now mind you, The Guy told me that morning to stay dry because VA was going to get some bad weather. Well, after the lights went out it got windy and dark. Then the rain came. My goodness. We were able to keep ourselves entertained by talking and telling jokes. Best time ever!

Yes, I met the girlfriend. She called me Ms. Cashana, really? Anyway, I didn’t get to talk with her, because that is what I really wanted to do. I had questions that I needed answers to. And I wanted to let her know some things as well. But alas, she fled the scene when the weather started to act up because she lives in Portsmouth.

See the Applebee's menu...I am so for real.  They are getting it in!

Kay singing Aretha Franklin

My sister singing and doing the most

They dancing...in Applebee's

Tell me they ain't having the time of their life...

Yes, she took a picture with me.  Maybe she likes me a little bit...from a far.

On tap for the evening, was Karaoke. Yes, to my two readers, Karaoke. And it was at Applebee’s. I am not joking. We went to Applebee’s to do Karaoke and we turned the place out. Alabama turned Applebee’s into a night club with folks ranging from 1 to 65 years old. What? Lala was having the time of her life. Hunny Bunny was doing the wobble and she doesn’t dance much, but she was doing it! Caitlyn and her friends sang, my sister sang, AJ sang, JT rapped, my cousin sang and we all backed them up with dancing and singing. It was a blast. I will never forget how much fun as a family we could have. We shut the place down as we were the last folks to leave. The Applebee’s workers wanted us to come back next week, but Alabama had left the building.

Finally, we left Friday morning about 10 am and it was an uneventful ride back. Only thing was I had planned to drive from Charlotte to Georgia, but I my dreaded motion sickness kicked in and that was a no-go. This is why I didn’t put up a fuss at Captain D’s, where they chose to eat our only meal on the road. I haven’t eaten at Captain D’s in a decade or more. That is not real fish folks. It took me 15 minutes to order something that wasn’t going to make me hurl. Plain baked potato and 6 little shrimp. JT was like, “Who chose this place? I haven’t eaten here in years.” We weren’t happy. And thank goodness for the Sprite and later the Ginger ale. Yeah, my motion sickness was on fire. We got stuck in Charlotte’s traffic and when we were 30 minutes outside of Atlanta we got in more traffic caused by an accident and literally we went 6 miles in one hour. Talking about frustrated and I was co-pilot so I had to deal with short stops and shit, but AJ held it down. Once we dropped off AJ and JT, we still had an over 2 hour ride to Montgomery. I took advantage of the middle row because I was over the whole road trip thing. I got to my house after midnight. It was weird to see all the businesses closed; I guess I am rarely out that late.

Kay, Caitlyn - The Graduate and me!  I need a DSLR really I do.

This trip was a real blessing. To see my niece graduate with honors and to have come into her own was amazing. My family, man we are so good together. We do the dang thang. As much as we could have gotten on each other’s nerves, we didn’t. Seeing my sister and brother and all of us together for something wonderful is always a blessing. And now I can relax.

My garden survived, but my poor sunflowers and Zinnia’s took a beating, but they are looking much better now. I will post about my angst regarding my garden next. And best believe I have some randoms about road trips. Get ready!

Gail, me and Kay.  I don't know what Kay was doing, but I turn up when pictures are being taken.  What?  I am vain.

Graduation Part 2 - Part 1

Tapping the mic…Anybody out there? Seriously, I can’t believe it has been so long since I posted a blog and not one that was scheduled. I will say I did it purposely, because I didn’t want folks to know I was out of town and trying to get everything done prior to leaving took more time than I thought. Anyway, I am back from Virginia Beach, Virginia and we all returned the way we came, intake. So no one got hurt because we got on each other’s nerves. I am going to try to recap as quickly as possible over several days.


We left on June 11th and although we were supposed to leave at 8 pm, we ended up leaving at 8:25 pm, not too bad. And if you factor in the fact one of my cousins was in the shower when we got to her house, I think that was good. For the record, this cousin is going to be late for her own funeral. Her grandson told me he wasn’t going on this graduation trip and in my head I was like, ‘damn, skippy’. The next stop was Atlanta to pick up my cousin JT and my other cousin AJ. JT’s graduation was a few weeks before so he was going to support his bestie, my niece. We left Atlanta at about 11 pm or so.

My cousin, Kay was driving and I co-piloted because someone needed to stay woke with the driver. I don’t drive at night but I can stay wake. So with good music and snores in the background we set our minds on stopping in Charlotte and someone else taking over. Although I worked that day, I was amped so I was good until about 3 am and I was cranky and ready to go to sleep. However, in South Carolina we had a nice little treat. (sarcasm) We had made it to Greenville and we were pulled over. We were in the middle lane and we saw the Trooper when he merged from the ramp. We also noted he was behind us for several miles. Then he pulls us over at first we didn’t think he was pulling us over, but oh, he was. He asked for license and registration, we were in a rental. Anyway, when asked why we were stopped he said Kay was being passed on the left and right which means she was going to slow in the middle lane and she was weaving in her lane. Not weaving onto another lane but in her lane. First of all, really you stopped us because we were going to slow, but the cars passing while we were pulled on the median were obviously going 80 to 90 miles per hour because our mini-van was shaking? And she wasn’t crossing the lane, but weaving inside the lane. Secondly, she was weaving because I was struggling to find the defrost button and she was trying to help. Damn! He gave us a warning. However, I felt some kinda way about the stop he could have just warned us when he first pulled us over. And yes, she should have gotten in the far right lane, she slowed to 60 because he was behind us and we all tend to react in that manner. Like I said he followed behind us for miles. So middle finger to South Carolina and their bullshyte troopers. Of course, those other 5 folks in the van woke up and offered all kinds of assistance on how we were weaving and going too slow in the middle lane. Did I mention all their asses were sleep? Yeah. Needless to say Kay was mad and we took the family right into Charlotte doing well above the speed limit to hand over the keys to the next driver.

My cousin Gail, who was still in the bath when we go to her house, decided her blind ass will take over because the sun would be coming up in the next hour or so. Whatever. I got my ass in the back took two sleeping pills and my Dramamine because she slings your ass while changing lanes is a well documented fact. She hadn’t been driving but about 10 minutes and my brother called and I was slurring my words because the meds had taken affect so I was like I am going to call you later. And proceeded to sleep for about 30 minutes. Then we pulled off on an exit. I thought folks needed to go to the bathroom, but um no. Gail was done driving. After 45 minutes. Really. I was done because I thought we had been driving for at least two hours, but we had only driven 45 minutes and all the time Kay had gained was lost because Gail was driving 55 miles an hour. OMG! I was so tired and mad I didn’t know what to do. We lost time, man! AJ said he saw her driving 55 mph and said, “Auntie Gail, just pull over at the next exit.”

AJ is a seasoned road driver so he got behind the while and we ate up the lost time and I thank Baby Jesus because we had a 2 pm lunch with the graduate scheduled. We got to our hotel at 11:30 am, we made good time. Even though I had to relay my sister’s message to AJ, “Don’t speed in Emporia. It is a speed trap. You are okay after Franklin. Slow down!” He did, but not that much. We were on a time crunch, but we made it without any problems.

Randoms from the trip going:

*  Folks know to go to the bathroom at every stop.

*  Snacks help you stay woke.

*  Some folks will fall asleep as soon as the vehicle moves.

*  South Carolina…never mind.

*  My family can sniff out a Shoney’s on any road trip. Yes, we had breakfast at Shoney’s    
    and I did eat off the bar. I didn’t overdo it though because the food is still subpar at best.

*  No motion sickness.

To be continued, because this is too long already.

The One About the First of Two Family Trips…

Gorgeous Cake...



Traveling with family can be a rewarding experience. It can bring you closer and garner feelings of togetherness and a knowing that together as a family you can conquer the world! We decided last year we would be traveling to be a part of a couple of graduations. Everyone wants to support one another and let the graduates know how truly proud we are of their accomplishments. Well the first of the graduates had their commencement ceremony on last Thursday, May 23, 2013. So we packed into two vehicles and headed for Atlanta.


Since my break in, I am a bit neurotic and diligent about the security of my home so you know I wanted to leave during a time no one would notice and had a back-up plan for someone to watch my home for the one day I would be gone. So we left my house to pick up my cousin and her two grandsons and then we were to hit the interstate. For a trip that shouldn’t take but a couple of hours. Sighing…we stopped right before we go on the interstate so my other cousin could catch up and of course that meant folks were going in the gas station to grab up snacks and such. It is a two hour drive. Really? So technically, originally we were to hit the road at 11:30 am, however, we left after noon.

The drive was uneventful. We almost got lost getting to the hotel. Let me tell you this, using MapQuest is like taking your life into someone else’s hands. The MapQuest directions were slightly wrong, but my Navigation on my phone, was right. Once we got to the hotel, it was after 3 pm ATL time, so we knew we had to eat, shower, dress and be ready by 6 pm. Incidentally, my niece was already at her favorite cousin’s house because she flew in that morning.

All smiles on the way to the Commencement ceremony...

We met the graduate’s mother at a gas station on the way and it took us about 15 to 25 minutes to get to the ceremony location. Atlanta traffic is crazy. The graduation took place at Kennesaw State University. We had to pay for parking. But the school so graciously gave us a shuttled golf cart ride to the entrance of the commencement ceremony and the line to get in was ridiculous. Seriously, folks had been in line for at least an hour. Did I mention I had on 4 inch heels? Lucky for us, some of my family had gotten there early so we just slid in line. To wait. In heels.

JT the Graduate with his sister and brother

The thing about this graduation and what seems to be the norm now, is you must have a ticket to get into the graduation. The students are allotted only so many tickets and they have to hustle to garner more. My little cousin worked that hustle because he got 20 tickets. He is gangster like that. They tried the ticket thing here for our local graduates and let’s just say the shyte didn’t fly.

JT with his sister, the hand on the right is my nieces'

And when were allowed in they really did check tickets and take your tickets. Really? We were able to get a couple of rows where we were fairly close. My poor niece wanted to sit next to me but it didn’t happen. The ceremony started with the processional at 8 pm. This class was over 500. And the processional took 30 minutes. In fact, they didn’t hand out a diploma until an hour and half later. 9:30 pm they started handing out diplomas. Did I mention I have the attention span of a gnat? Did I mention that I forgot how boring graduations are? Did I mention my cousin’s last name begins with A? They sang and talked and gave speeches, awards, and scholarships for over an hour. I ate my four jolly ranchers up during that time period. And we had to stand through the entire processional and it was long. Long I tell you! My feet were over it. And yes, I sat down.

JT, with his cousins including my niece, Caitlyn

My cousin graduated with honors and over 200 of the students graduated with honors. What was funny was the Valedictorian had a 4.57 grade point average and my cousins were pondering how he got that average if the grading system is 4.0. Yeah, I had to explain the AP courses. We then had to stand for the Alma mater and recessional. We probably should have headed on out then. Getting out of the place was maddening. Or I was hungry. Seriously, I had road rage something awful. I just wanted to be out of there. And I did the cardinal rule no-no, I took off my shoes. There was too much stopping and going and holding up the exodus and it was either my shoes or … nevermind.

Proud moment!

We were able to take some good pictures after we found the graduate, JT. Then it was time to head to my cousin’s house for a small meal. It was after 11 pm before we got to their house. We took some kind of short-cut but it felt like we drove back to Montgomery with the time it took for us to get there. I was way over it. Our meal was simple and delicious or I was hungry.

On the way to the Cousins' before the cook out

The next day after very little sleep, because I was working on my book club website only for it to not upload, we headed back to the cousin’s house. They were giving the graduate a barbecue at 5 pm. So we were there a few hours before time to help. Well some helped and some slept. Any guesses who slept? And my poor niece was so tired she slept for about 3 hours solid on the couch, babygirl was tired.

This was my perch for most of the time at the Cousins'

The turnout for the barbecue was great. And we had a great time. However, we had to hit the road back to Montgomery. We started out at 5:38 pm, Central Standard Time. We crossed the Montgomery city limits sign at 9:48 pm. Maybe I was hungry, but I was truly irritated to actually get home after 10 pm. From a normal 2 hour trip. All I am going to say is we made 3 stops. Really?

We will be headed to Virginia in a few weeks and this trip has traumatized me. I needed all those traveling to get their bladders, stomach and minds together. I am not going to be stuck in a vehicle for 20 hours because they want to stop every few minutes. I am truly convinced me doing road trips will probably end in a few weeks. Really. I love my family but this is going to test my patience. And I already gave my niece notes on how her graduation better go, I am not for the standing, sitting, waiting and giving out diplomas hours after the start. I am not about that life.

A gratutious hair picture.  Looks lovely, huh?

Creative Cooking...Homemade Oreo Cookies

I am going to tell you right now this recipe isn’t low on calories, fat or anything else for that matter. I made these cookies to see if I could actually make homemade Oreo cookies. That is all. I like Oreos, but they are not something I buy on a regular, just an every blue moon taste. The kids at my second job have been begging me to bring them something to eat. For some reason they think I will bring in one of my shrimp dishes, um, no! So this recipe was for them and a challenge for me.


After researching recipes, I found the one on My Kitchen Addiction to be the one I could closely follow. A couple of things I need to say are I really need to invest in a biscuit and cookie cutter. It would so make things easier for me. I tried to do the heart shaped ones but that was too labor intensive because you had to work fast with the cookie dough. So a cordial glass was used. Yeah, didn’t have much to choose from to make these work, but I tried.

Homemade Oreos as adapted from My Kitchen Addiction

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons half and half

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

3 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, whisked to remove any lumps

First step is to get your dough made. Combine your butter and sugar in your mixer and mix until light and fluffy. Add your egg and vanilla until they are incorporated.

I mixed my flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together earlier in the day because I made these at night. Then on low, add the dry ingredients to your wet ingredients.

Wrapped and ready for the refrigerator

Divide your dough in half and make into two disc and wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.

After dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll your dough out on a floured surface into a 1/8 or ¼ inch thickness and using your cookie cutters have at it. Bake them for about 12 minutes depending on your oven, I baked mine 15 minutes and they were perfect.

While the cookies are cooling, make your filling. With my whisk attachment I combined the soften butter, half and half, salt and vanilla and slowly whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. I didn’t have any lumps to deal with. I tried the piping method, but I needed new piping bags and the Ziploc bags didn’t work because the frosting is a bit stiffer than most fillings. So I spread on with a knife. Worked just fine. Viola! Homemade Oreo cookies.

Not too bad...

Yummy filling...

Verdict: This was a simple recipe and to think when you look at the ingredients on the packages making them yourself probably is healthier. And for the record they tasted just like Oreo cookies. The kids agreed. Keep them refrigerated or the filling will melt at room temperature. These were easy to make. The only problem I had was the dough was not forgiving. You had to roll and cut quickly otherwise the cookies would get too sticky to transfer to the baking pan. Use enough flour. Other than that this is a recipe I will make again. More times I make them the better the presentation.  I had most of the items in my pantry or freezer and only purchased the Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa. Let me know if you try it.

Homemade Oreos...

Tales from the Second Job...

As I have mentioned a few times on this blog, I have a second job working at a family own fast-casual restaurant. Since I have worked there I have received 3 degrees and although I could have moved on years ago, my loyalty to the family and the need to impart a little wisdom to young folks have kept me there long after I said I would leave when the original owner died. Refreshing your memory, one of my duties besides supervising a group of young folks is to interview, hire and do orientation with the new hires.


Although besides the owner there are two other managers, I am the only one who interviews and have been doing so for almost 20 years. Yeah, a long time. In all my years I have noticed a change in the mentality of the youth who apply and actually get hired. For most, this job will be their first. I always tell first time workers the same thing. Your first job sets up your work ethic. If you maintain a hardworking and wonderful work ethic here, you will take that ethic to the next job you get because this job is meant to be your stepping stone to bigger and better things. Yet, I am seeing something totally different from new hires. These kids are spoiled, lazy and seriously have no idea there are ramifications and consequences for bad behavior.

I will give you a few examples. I make the work schedule every week. I normally finish it on the Sunday before the schedule is posted and give workers until Tuesday at 5 pm to ask for days off, because when I leave Tuesday night the schedule is done. I cannot tell you how many will post a requested day off on Wednesday and are surprised on Thursday they didn’t get their day off. Mind you on the schedule request sheet, it has the disclaimer about Tuesday at 5 pm. Yeah. The rule is if you need a day off after the schedule is posted, you must find someone to cover you, not management. You. They will call the day before or the day of and say they can’t work because they have a paper due, their dog’s sick or something equally ridiculous. The manager just tells them okay and writes it up in our manager’s book. Do it on my shift. My response is you have three choices: find someone to work for you, I will see you in a few or you quit. They come to work. It is easier that way.

I recently hired a young lady who was vibrant, personable, friendly and experienced to work for us. She had one of those memorable personalities. She also had great references. Seriously, amazing references. So when I called hire her she was excited and ready to work. So we schedule orientation and I always tell them to bring in picture ID and their social security cards and dress prepared to work. Although they will not work a whole shift, they will be shown the restaurant and the ins and outs of their position. Sighing…She shows up for the orientation one minute before time. And she is in wedges. With a big ole tattoo on her forearm. We do not hire folks with visible tattoos. If it is found you have one you have to cover it at all times when working. When I saw it, in my heart I knew this girl wasn’t going to make it. As soon as I saw it, I told her I didn’t realize she had a visible tattoo and she must cover it. She was all amicable about covering and saying at her previous job she covered it with makeup. Cool. Right? We made it through orientation and discussed the rules and regulations and I even made an adjustment so she could come in 30 minutes later to work during the week. Copacetic right? Sighing. After her first night working she was given rave reviews. Good. However, I worked with her that Friday. I hadn’t even clocked in when I saw the tattoo. I immediately told her to cover it up or go home. She asked for band-aids and covered it, but it made me upset because we discussed this thoroughly during orientation. And I find out later the cashiers on duty told her she needed to cover it up before Ms. Cashana gets in because she doesn’t play about tattoos. She responded, “I am just going to see if she says anything.” Sighing. During the shift, I realized this personable young lady from her interview and orientation, was not so friendly and she had a slight attitude. Sighing. We made it through Friday and she worked with the owner one during that weekend and he saw the band aid on her arm and was not impressed. What happened to the make up? After she had been there a week, at our Tuesday meeting the other manager said she wasn’t going to work out. My first thought was have we told her about her deficiencies? If not, that is our first course of action and goes from there and if we do not see immediate improvement, then we let her go.

Sighing. As adults, if your supervisor sits you down with a correction memo with items that need to be improved upon, don’t we realize shyte is real and we need to get ourselves together? With these kids, sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. I wrote the memo and outlined the deficiencies and what needed to be done. Well, the other manager presented it to her and she said she saw a little improvement. However, the young lady told the other cashier, “I am going to tell Ms. Cashana about herself.” I am still waiting on that sit down. I worked with her a few days after the memo and after I cut her days. She asked everyone in the store why her hours were cut but me. Remember I make the schedule. Sighing. I saw some improvement, but by the end of the night I was counting to ten because of her.

Then the other cashiers requested not to work with her. Why? Because she is lazy, rude and has an attitude. Wow! Then the manager told me she did her work for her one night and I told her if she isn’t going to do her job, why is she here? Then this young lady whose hours were cut for a reason started begging the other cashiers for their days. I was livid. I told one cashier you have to work your shift so call and tell her that is a no-go. Then I put in the manager’s book it is not okay for the cashier to garner more hours when I cut them. I need to see marked improvement. I do not reward bad behavior.

She was recently fired for voiding orders under a manager’s employee number and lying about them.

Moral to this story when you get that intuition shyte gonna be bad, believe it.

Harrison Is Pretty Randoms…

Saturday's high bun...For book club meeting

Am I the only one thinks this has been a long week? Geez, I am exhausted.

I am so glad I finally got my Scandal fix. Seriously, these past 3 weeks have been pure torture, what is one to do? I could watch the reruns, but seriously this show takes a lot out you emotionally and I just can’t watch the reruns. Yet. LOL!

So Beyonce is Satan now? Wow! You make a record basically to shut down your haters and folks think you are the devil. Seriously, the media is controlling too many people’s lives. Get you a life. And I ain’t even a Beyonce stan. Nobody has time for this shyte!

Speaking of Satan. I have been watching The Bible series, but I catch it on Lifetime, because I am working when it airs originally. So the Satan looks like President Obama? Seriously, people? Get you a damn life.

I can’t decide if I am doing a raised garden and/or a container garden. I love my flowers and I love saving money on fresh veggies, but I am going to be out of town a bit this summer and I fear my plants will suffer. We shall see. I have some seeds. Need soil and a new raised garden container. The one I have just didn’t survive the rainy winter we had. We shall see.

I need to tell my oldest niece that I will be twerking ala Miley Cyrus at her graduation brunch. I am so serious. Okay, I am kidding, but I want to see her face when I tell her what I am thinking about doing.

I almost got sucked in last Friday thinking Lil Wayne was on his death bed. Almost. But my sister reminded me I was on the slippery slope to being obsessive about it. She went through my bout after Aaliyah died. It was bad.

I need a new recipe for something anything. Nothing right now is grabbing me and seducing me to make right now.

I have a friend who is getting married. I am trying to be supportive. I refused any thoughts of me being in the actual wedding. Been there and am still waiting on a refund on the dress material I paid for. No can do. Plus, she has failed to express the emotional feelings she has for the dude. No mention of feeling cherished, loved or even he is paying all the bills. Sighing…All I hear are what things cost for a wedding, blah, blah, blah. Marriage isn’t the wedding. That is all.

Sighing…We have a “small” family trip ahead for my niece’s graduation. I have to go. I don’t want to go. Why? Because nothing good comes from me traveling to Virginia ever. I always say my mama intervenes because something always happens. It does and I am not exaggerating. The first time after my mama died, we went for my stepfather’s wedding. I told them, meaning the adults, I didn’t want to go and there was no need in me being there. But the “adults” decided I had to go, so they decided we would leave the Friday before and get there early Saturday. Well…they should have listened to me because the van we were traveling in broke down on Jimmy Carter Blvd in Georgia and we couldn’t get it fixed until the next morning. So we were stuck in Georgia and had to sleep in the van. Ugh! After the van was fixed my uncle filled up the van and preceded to hit the car behind us and drive off. I am not kidding. We never turned back. Then we got lost in North Carolina trying to find this hidden church. It was uncomfortable asking for directions from folks with confederate flags on their businesses. To add insult to injury, my stomach decided it boil over. Sorry, folks we had to stop every 15 minutes because of my stomach. (I could be graphic, but I won’t). We made it to the wedding, when it was over. We were hungry, tired and funky. My uncle said he was going inside the church because he wasn’t funky and to be sure we understood that he decided to but cologne over the funk. Thanks. And remember the BVD commercial where the guy goes to the front desk in his underwear because he locks himself out of the hotel room? My uncle did that well before the commercial ever aired. I almost died after my brother’s graduation because my uncle decides to drive us directly into a vehicle luckily the vehicle got out of the way just in time. I saw my life pass before my eyes. Or the time I went and we had to get on 3 different airplanes before we could fly to Norfolk and then when we get there we must circle the airport because of the major thunderstorm. So my nerves were tore up, bad. So I just don’t have this great want to be in VA, because these disasters follow us there. This year 8 of us are going in a 7 passenger van for a 13 hour drive. You know I wanted to die when we went to Myrtle Beach. I gotta to go pray on this some more because the family keeps calling about how long, when, where, hotel blah, blah. I am over it already. Why the hell were they planning to be there for a week? No way. I have been to VA and have lived there briefly. No. I don’t even do beaches. Ugh! Maybe you all should pray with me?

Where will The Guy and I go for some R&R?

Blood pressure is back to normal. Or at least my new normal.

I need a new physician. Badly. I love my doctor, but his office? No so much.

Is your weather wonky? Monday we had a high of 83 degrees and we endured a hail storm, bless it my area got pea size hail (I went to praying when I heard it hitting the house). And today’s high will be 55 degrees. And it is raining…again. We are going to hell…

Can people stop using FB as the place to communicate about personal issues and their woes?  I am easily irked when you post truly personal stuff on social media, but are unable to communicate your issues with actual people and in person.  FB is the devil.

This is what I am finishing and reading this weekend.

I will do a review of Black Water Rising by Attica Lock next week.  Sinners & Saints is book club read for April

Any plans? Not for me except relax.

Enjoy your weekend!

Sorry not kiddie pictures, but my smile will hold you until next time...



Rambling My New Normal...Randoms

I am back…I hope. You may want to grab a cold one or a hot drink because this sucker is long. Really long. I have tons of pictures and lots to say. I am reminded I must not ever take such a long break from blogging.


First, I would like to thank those who offered condolences for the loss of my stepfather. I am sorry I didn’t respond back, but as you can imagine things during this time were stressful and exhausting. I saw them and I do appreciate the time you took to respond.

So let’s begin the randoms and ramblings back to that week. My stepfather was in the hospital five days before my sister even knew he had been hospitalized for a ruptured appendix. When she found out on Tuesday evening she called me and I in turn called his hospital room. He told me what happened and then I admonished him for not letting his family know because he has a daughter in California and his son is in Virginia Beach. My stepfather loved to laugh and even though I was giving him the business he was laughing. He even told me to stop making him laugh because it made his stitches hurt. I told him I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it to the hospital but I was sending my cousin over to check on him. He said, “Shana, I appreciate you just calling and checking on me and that is enough for me.” Little did I know…

I implore you to make sure you have business in order. Make sure you have a will and make sure folks know what your final wishes are, because without that information things can get messy. My stepfather’s affairs were messy. He was legally separated from his wife, but he had a girlfriend who lived with him. I was the one at the hospital irked the officials were ignoring me and my stepfather’s brother to talk to the girlfriend but she told them she was his wife. My words, “He has a wife, but she lives in Virginia Beach. She will be calling so make sure you give her the information she requests.” Talking about some common-law shit. I wasn’t having it and when things went down, his first daughter had to be the one to sign papers and the girlfriend…never mind. Make sure your affairs are in order.

I got to see my brother. He flew into Birmingham and my folks picked him up from the airport. I forewarned him they were extra excited to see him so buck up and be prepared. My brother is big ya’ll. When I last saw him he was 17 years old. He ain’t 17 anymore. He gave me the biggest hug ever. But why he got to call me big sis? Geez, both my brother and sister are taller than me. Much taller.

My sister and her brood arrived Saturday evening. In fact, I was home before they got to my house and I worked that night. My sister was so frustrated trying to get to Alabama, because all the planning for my stepfather’s funeral fell on her. I told her the banks were closed and I couldn’t get her bail money if she messed someone up. At this point there were 5 people staying at my house. This is important okay?

The Sunday after they arrived, my sister went to the “country” to talk to the girlfriend. It didn’t go so well. The girlfriend said me and my cousin were starting with her. What the hell was she talking about? Mad because I told the truth in the hospital, byotch please!

Mind you I kept going to my second job and only took off 3 days from my fulltime job. This is important okay?

We were both like, "What the hell?"  Just before they left...

Lala wasn’t feeling me at all. She would be screaming and tearing up the den and as soon as I walked in the room she would shut it down. A mess. One evening she was playing with her mom’s phone so I decided to call and when she saw my face she threw the phone down screaming and hollering. A mess. Seriously, if you put her in any vicinity of me she would go to screaming. But things got better eventually.

She sees me, but she ain't acknowledging me.  And her stance was do not touch me, lady!

My sister’s stepmom and her oldest daughter arrived on Tuesday. So the number is up to 6 people in my home.

Pat was touched I invited her to stay, but I felt it was what I was supposed to do. I just prayed she wouldn’t work my nerves, because she can worry you to death if you let her. Pat had to be there because in reality, her still being married to my stepfather meant certain things fell upon her to deal with.

The funeral home that was chosen for my stepfather, wasn’t one known by me. And for the record, they were the worst I had ever had the pleasure to deal with. They weren’t like the folks who handled my mother’s, aunt’s or uncle’s funeral. My sister, brother, Pat and my stepfather’s brother had to do all the leg work. All of it. They had to go to the VA to get the flag for the ceremony, because my stepfather retired from the Navy. They had to locate the burial information. The funeral home director was late for the funeral. The notice in the paper wasn’t done to my sister’s specification. They couldn’t do a wake because the funeral home said because they were burying him on a Saturday and to do a wake on the Wednesday prior would cause problems because he was a donor. Bones, tissues, eyes and muscle donor. They told my sister he would be “leaking” before Saturday and they didn’t want that to happen. Mind you, no one could see the body until Friday before the funeral. I felt bad for my sister because I wanted him to look as good as possible. And he did. But the funeral home director was asked by my sister why they cut his beard and they said he didn’t have beard, but his side burns were too long. Liar. I know he had a beard that was absolutely beautiful it was salt and pepper and gorgeous I touched it when I saw him. I hate when folks lie to me. For the record, he was leaking on Saturday. Sighing…

The Thursday before the funeral my sister’s best friend arrived and my sister’s husband had to leave. The count in my home was up to 7. And by this point, Pat wouldn’t stop cooking and filling my refrigerator up with leftovers no one was going to eat. Seriously, by Thursday she was making some intricate dish that I knew I wasn’t going to eat. I do not under any circumstances eat white sauces. No can do. Cheese, which you know I am no fan of. I needed a break from my own damn house. My sister, her friend and I headed to the mall, Wally world and out to get happy hour drinks and eats. My nerves were on edge. When we got back home about an hour or so before Scandal, we were nice and mellow. And I politely told Pat not to cook another damn thing. My refrigerator looked like the bulbs were blown because of all the food in that sucker.

The funeral brought all the cousins together to reminisce about the old days. Why did they remember I hated to go outside? Why? I guess because I did. We (cousins) had to go to my stepfather’s home to try and retrieve any paperwork we could find. However, the girlfriend locked the door. My brother tried to break the door, but we didn’t really want to do that. I noticed a screwdriver on the porch and I ever so quietly popped the lock. When I turned around to let them know we could go in and everyone had their mouths open wide. In shock. I had to start explaining myself. “Look, I don’t do this type thing for a living, but I know how to do it and it ain’t that difficult.” Then they couldn’t stop laughing.

My gorgeous, blessed with the Voice, Niece.

The funeral went well. My sister and brother spoke so well and it was just a moving ceremony. My 18 year old niece sang the gospel song about this old building has a leak and she tore that song up. I was being a G up until that point. You know shades on and no tears. When she hit “that” note. I was done. Shades came off and tears were flowing and wouldn’t stop. I swear “that” sounded like my mama singing. We all said, “Betty Jean showed up at the funeral!” We didn’t have any visitor’s show out as anticipated because we were prepared to deal with the situation. Then we went to the gravesite which is on the church grounds, um, did I mention this was in the country? And let me tell you something, I do not care for men in uniform. Not at all. But, baby when the Honor guard was doing their thing I was in love. Those dudes were precision and they looked good as well. I had to tilt the shades because I didn’t want to miss a thing. And when they shook our hands, I think I may have held their grasp a little too long.

And as we were waiting to go back into the church, The Guy caught up with me. And ya’ll I was just so happy to see him there. To know he cared enough for me to be there for me and my siblings just meant the world to me. For the record, he meet my other family members, who live right here for the first time. I almost felt guilty about lusting after the honor guards. I said almost. Yes, he reads this blog. But he knows what is up.

The Cousins...I am still waiting on the good picture!

We got a picture with all the cousins. We only had one missing and he wasn’t able to make the funeral, but I saw him the weekend before when he came by my second job with his wild kids. They were bad rambunctious, ya’ll. Cute but OMG!

While at the repast, the cousins were cooking up a plan to find some cards and dranks for later. And my cousin was only too happy to oblige. Funerals calm me down when they are over. I just want to sleep. Some folks want to party. And they did.

I love my family but by Saturday I was ready for some quiet and my house to be clean again. Everyone left on Sunday. I washed about 6 loads of linens, clothes and towels. My goodness.

Since the funeral I have been trying to get back to my new normal. The time before the funeral was tense because they held the funeral later than expected and I tend to build up anxiety until it is over. And trying to clear things before my sister left also took time and energy.

Book club outfit...

I am vain...but my smile is beautiful!

Had book club meeting and we had a great meeting and even had an impromptu Dreamgirls movie night. Oh, and everyone enjoyed the book.

Sequestration. I can’t with the government right now. Although folks may not see the pain instantly, some will. My cousin, who works for the BOP, received her furlough letter a week before the deadline. This means I still will not get a cost of living or merit raise. Did I mention we haven’t had any of these since 2008? Did I mention the legislature has calculated some government workers pay has been cut by 1/3rd? I tell folks my check is less than it was 5 years ago.

My vision board has reaped me some wonderful blessings. I continue to review and know all that is on it will come to past when God deems it time. So I am working on my patience.

I need to lose weight. It is becoming a struggle again because they keep changing my blood pressure medicine. Yes, I am on a new one. This time I was given samples so I could gauge my reactions. One med though I just couldn’t take because my heart and mind were in conflict due to the severe reactions one could have. And the day I was supposed to start it I went to my pharmacist and he told me the effects and what happen with his wife I got scared again. He told me I should at least take the sample and see if I have reaction. No can do. I am too allergic to stuff and when you live alone this is alarming. One of the side-effects is you will become light-headed and will faint. No player. Good thing is the other med, which I didn’t have any qualms about taking is working marvelously. I purchased a new BP monitor, which had great reviews and I am ranging from 113/70 to no more 125/70. A couple times I took it right after eating and it was higher, and when I read not to do that I understood why. So hopefully, this works. Next up is to find a new doctor.

I am making smoothies to eat as snacks with spinach, carrots, apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and green tea. Yummy!

Smoothie central...

I am still exercising at work 4 to 5 days a week. I am back on my Wii in the evenings so I can sleep at night. Insomnia is kicking my but.

You know the time changes this weekend right? I am already over it.

My hair is too long. I am over it. It needs to be cut before the summer. When I was at the hospital trying to retrieve my stepfather’s belongings I looked on the floor as we were walking out and I saw a lock on the floor. Yeah, I pulled it out of my head when I was adjusting my purse. My hair stays in a bun now. Ugh!

The weather here has been down to 28 degrees this week with a high of 72 today. I am over it.

My sister's husband gave the girls balloons...Question how were they supposed to take them on the plane.  Question:  Why are they still in my living room? I hate popping balloons

I hugged my sister’s husband. You all need to be clapping, we have come a long way, baby.

Seriously, why was my stomach out? My mom, stepfather, sister and me.

My brother tagged me in an old family picture, which was also used in the funeral program for my stepfather. Well, last Friday I looked at the picture again and I noticed my arms were folded, which is a good indicator I am mad about something. When I blew the picture up I was immediately devastated. OMG! My stomach is out. They have posted on FB a half naked picture of me. And to add insult to injury this picture was on the program in a church. I am already going to have to explain things at the Pearly Gates, this just adds to the list. My sister didn’t believe me when I said they were posting child prone, then when she looked at it closer she stated laughing. Hysterically. Why? I didn’t want my stomach out that is why my arms were folded. Dang! My sister calmed down enough to ask did I have an outtie belly button. I don’t now, was my response. SMH!

Seriously, I do not know what to do with myself without Scandal on Thursday night. It doesn’t return until the 21st. Ugh!

JR Ewing is dead. I can’t watch the entire episode. Larry Hagman’s death was hard enough, but to do it twice. I just can’t. (I may need to get some therapy).

My washing machine stop spinning and draining the day my stepfather died and when I say I had a massive meltdown that would be an understatement. But I got it fixed on that Saturday. I was so thankful.

Did I mention my fluorescent lights in the kitchen also went out that Thursday and I had a meltdown that would be an understatement. I was able to get two new bulbs for less than $3 dollars and changed them by myself. I felt like Superwoman.

With all the family staying with me made me realize a few things. I am really particular about how things are in my home. I cussed everyone out in my house the 2nd time I came home from work and the screen door was locked and I had to ring my doorbell to get in. I did. I turned all my lights back on when they turned them off, especially my stadium lighting outside for the thieves. I didn’t realize I had certain bowls or utensils but they found them. I like the bathtub washed out after every use. Every use. I don’t like greasy food. Triple Ginger cookies are loved by more than Lala. Hunny Bunny got in trouble and I babied her up, I must be getting old. Then I told her to go wipe her face because Aunt Nana doesn’t like liquids coming out of edifices on one’s body, because it is nasty. My brother and my sister’s best friend just shook their heads. I am too old for too much change. And my life was disrupted for a full week. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. Family is everything!

The siblings together after 18 years under one roof.

Enjoy your weekend. I promise to come back with less rambling and more concrete blogs soon.

Funeral look...

Just because Carson is wearing his clubbing outfit I got him for Christmas.  Too Cute!

Lala looking like she is 2 instead of 1 years old.  Seriously?