Boring Randoms...

Caitlyn and I...I am feeling real nostalgic.  She graduates next month!

Last Weekend…Hell Weekend


Last Friday after doing a pretty grueling workout challenge, I noticed that my knee was sore. Uh, oh! I may have done too much. However, I felt damn good about the workout.

Then I went to the second job and I was short a cashier, which meant I had to work. Did I mention my knee was sore? And the cashier who did show up had to have her knee cap popped into place that Tuesday so we were limping around like cartoon characters.

When I got to the 2nd job the manager was angry and mad about a worker and I will not even say all the stuff she said, but know it was inappropriate. No one over 50 years old should have said the things she did. She even asked if I was tired of hearing the whining and I told her I really was.

The owner’s mother called and wanted to speak to the other manager who had just left. Come to find out she had fallen (she is 80 years old) in her garden. So I had to see how far the other manager had gone or I had to go get her up myself, with this crazed knee. Luckily, the manager wasn’t on the Interstate yet and she was able to get there and help her. She wasn’t hurt, but it so good she keeps her cell phone on her at all times.

Then the worker, who the manager was mad at, said she is thisclose to putting in her notice. She was angry and of course that attitude touched the other workers. I came in that Friday to have good day and as soon as I got there it was already a mess. I must have peace. Woosah!

We got through the night pretty well, considering I started having back spasms and my knee was really acting up. Then… I had to deal with a customer who was as wrong as two-left shoes. Folks wanted to order even after we closed. The owner came in after checking on his mother and a hell storm ensued as the worker let loose all that had been bothering her and the issues she has with the other manager.

At 9 pm my cousin called with a family emergency. Shyte!

When we finally closed and had cleaned up, it was a quarter to 10. Then I spent the next 45 minutes talking with the owner about the worker, manager and attitudes. Basically in a nutshell, both the worker and the manager were wrong. There is a problem with boundaries in the store. You can’t be friends with your workers and expect them to do what you say because on any given day you may want to act like a manager. As I told him, I didn’t understand why I didn’t have the same problems with the same folks on my shift. You know why? Because I am consistent, treat everyone the same and I have freaking boundaries. He actually heard me this time.

When I got home at 10:45 pm, I was tired; my back hurt and was wondering if I would be able to run errands the next day.

I did run errands, but I wasn’t able to see The Guy because I fell asleep as soon as I returned home. That made me mad. Because I miss The Guy!

When I got to work that Saturday, I was short a cook but I kept my positive attitude because seriously, I just didn’t care anymore. Maybe I should say I couldn’t change anything so work with what I had and I did. And it was a great night!

On Sunday, everyone showed up for work. I came in with almost dry hair, yep washed my hair that morning. The worker put in her two-week notice. And I wasn’t mad or upset. I sat her down and talked to her for 30 minutes about positive attitudes, karma, life choices and going forward in a better manner. She was opened and receptive to the discussion. Although she was still angry with the other manager, her putting in her notice made her feel so good. She recognized she didn’t handle the discussion with the owner properly and she needs to work on acceptance when someone corrects her. It was a good conversation and it was also a learning moment for me. I wished her the best and told her to make sure she lets me know how she is doing in the future.

That weekend was one for the books, but in the end I felt like I was winning.

Graduation

First graduation is next week. We have been planning this for months. So asked me why my cousin could only get 7 tickets for her son’s graduation? So I will be in Atlanta watching it on television. The only reason I didn’t back completely out of the entire thing was 3 of us were sharing a hotel room and I didn’t want to burden the other two. So yeah, answer me why high school graduations limit the number of guests? This is ridiculous. My niece is also having the same issue. They get 10 tickets. She lives in Virginia Beach, which is a military town, which means folks aren’t from the area and their family will be traveling from all over to attend. I told my sister I ain’t watching it on television. They are able to garner more tickets and my niece better be on it. Shyte! I have been practicing my twerking in stilettos.

Graduations are here this weekend. Some of the folks graduating probably shouldn’t be based on the knowledge they have. I work with a few and…never mind.

Garden

5/8/13

Is growing out of control. But I still have nothing edible yet. I guess since I had to plant later this is what happens. I plan to plant some jalapenos this weekend. Of course I have to start them inside the house and then move them outside. I am so ready for a juicy grape tomato and beautiful blooms.

5/17/13

Scandal…Spoiler Alert

Okay, I didn’t know Whitley’s fiancé was Olivia’s dad. Shit got real last night. Seriously, Quinn as a mini-Huck scares me. She was high off that shyte. The Guy and I text during the show and he and I finished last night’s episode with a WTH? So many questions and now we got to wait until the fall for answers. I saw a few folks saying the last episode wasn’t as intense or as good as other episodes. I actually was tense the whole show. It was like Shonda made things the way they were so the drama can start all over again.

Although I do not want Fitz and Olivia together, I am still not team Mellie. Hell, no. And why do I not want Fitz and Olivia together, because he killed Verna. He doesn’t have a conscious. Let Mellie have his crazy azz. Real talk. Mellie doesn’t love Fitz, so why would I be for a woman who is with a man who doesn’t love her either? Life is too short not to be happy.

Shonda, I need Harrison to be front and center next season.

Creative Cooking

Sneak peek...

I made whole-wheat apple cinnamon rolls. So good. I actually still have a pan in the freezer to serve to guests this year. It will be a while before I post that one.

I am making liver pate this week as a snack for my graduation trip next week. Should be interesting. Oh, you don’t like liver pate? Oh well, I do. LOL!

I am also been pricing camera’s so I can take better pictures, but my goodness I ain’t trying to hit the pole to pay for one. So the search continues.

Sorry I don’t have many pictures, but next week I will have plenty.

Mother’s Day

I spent Mother’s Day washing my hair and relaxing. And reflecting. For some folks in my family the day was bittersweet and I get it but for me it was a moment to be thankful I had a grandmother, a mother and an aunt to mother me and although they are no longer here, it was a blessing to have learned from them all.

Things That Have Made Me Happy This Week:

The 2 pounds I lost.

Peace on both jobs.

My garden growing.

Reading and Enjoying An Angry Ass Black Woman by Karen E. Quinones Miller.

Training a new Assistant Manager.

Spending, albeit a short time, with The Guy this week.

Caitlyn's Graduation Picture

My niece and her talents.

Saying Lala's name where she heard me on the phone and she starts to scream hysterically .

God showing up and out this week!  Blessed!


Have a wonderful weekend! And if things get crazy next weekend I will be sure to blog about it!



"If You Want Me, Earn Me! ...Randoms

Red Hybrid Tea Roses

Scandal

Last week...wine on deck and tissues...

Whew! Scandal came back from its 3-week sabbatical to pull our emotional strings and having us scratch our damn heads. This week’s episode was one of those oh shyte moments! Did he really choose her? Really? And in the back of my mind there are some jump-offs, side-piece chicks, mistresses or whatever thinking they are in the game now. As I come from a family of adulterers male and female, let me be the first to tell you, Scandal is fiction and in real life that leaving the wife for the mistress doesn’t happen often or at all. So…don’t go getting you some long-stem wine glasses to celebrate, because you will get your feelings hurt. Next week is the season finale and frankly I am scared for Olivia because this whole scandal has the potential to upend everyone and everything. Oh, but oh do we love the drama. At least this week I wasn’t sitting in bed with tears rolling down my face. I was an emotional wreck last week.

Can Harrison get a love interest? Damn! I ain’t gonna like her anyway because it won’t be me. But still!

Part-time Job Woes

I need peace in my life at all times. And when there is an unsettling of my peace, I don’t like it one bit. It is getting closer to the summer and these kids do not want to work. Calling off for insane reasons. I don’t know about you, but I do not lie about a family member’s health. Will not do it. Some of my college kids are coming back next week so maybe we can attract a better applicant. Seriously, this guy turned in an application last week high as a kite and smelling aromatic if you catch my drift. Luckily, I was there to intercept it and write NO! on it.

Book Club

We had a wonderful meeting last Saturday. We are now in our 14th year as a book club. And that is a big accomplishment when you have a group of diverse and strong-minded women.

This year we have decided besides reading, we would have our bonding this year over getting healthy together. We are planning on working out together, sharing healthy recipes and motivating each other to be as healthy as we can. You know some folks are already making up excuses of why they can’t exercise. Like I say, they are just excuses, if you want to get healthy, you will get healthy. It is truly a mind thing. A couple of us are on Myfitness Pal, which is helping me tremendously because ya’ll know I am competitive. LOL!

Our meeting was also our business meeting where we go over the books for the year and other plans whether they are community service, bonding or issues the book club may be facing. For the most part, since I purposely started focusing mainly on the books and not fundraising things have been going marvelously. We brought in 3 new members back in 2011. Of the three, only one has truly made herself at home with our group. One unfortunately became a caretaker for her mother which virtually made it impossible for her to leave her mother alone anymore. And the other one…sighing. Part of being in a book club is reading and coming to the meeting. This other member only made it to two meeting this past year. So I had to do what always dread doing and that is confronting the member about attendance and commitment. After the incident in 2010, you can understand my reluctance with dealing with situations like this, but I learned in 2010 not dealing with the situations makes everyone unhappy and we do not want that. Hopefully, she will continue to be a part of us but do so with a true pledge of commitment.

My hair is too long...

Dark mess, can't even see the outfit. SMH!

Working Out and Eating

So I have been getting it in this week working out. Sweating my hair out and everything. I even started back doing Wii Zumba I guess I had forgotten how much fun it was. I also did this challenge where you do jumping jacks, burpees etc. Man, that mess hurt, but oh did I feel good doing them. Frankly, I was tired of the treadmill and elliptical. So change is good.

I also found by putting my calories into the Myfitness Pal app keeps you on top of things. I found I was going over my sugar content some days. Not necessarily from sugar itself but from the fruit I snack on. So it gives you gauges to see where you need to make some improvements. Next week I am reducing my caloric intake.

Hair

I emailed my Consultant a couple of weeks ago because my cousin had a friend contemplating getting “kinky twists”. I don’t care how many times I tell her azz I have Sisterlocks she can’t remember it for nothing. I had my Consultant laughing about that one. Anyway, I told her I needed to see her anyway because I need my hair cut. She laughed at me ya’ll. Laughed! This isn’t funny. I can’t wear my hair down because it is too long and I have to be careful not to let my purse pull a lock out of my head. I can’t style it much anymore because it is too long. I really only what an inch or two cut so I can wear flexi-rod styles and soft spike styles. Geez! I even sent her a collage of my hair pictures and she still isn’t budging. Sighing…

Thick and too long...

Children

My niece sang the national anthem at her school’s last pep rally and she did that! I swear I heard my mama’s voice.

Hunny Bunny and I had a great conversation about her mom and Zumba. She said it is Hilarious to see her mama trying to do the steps.

Lala is on video shaking her head no to coming to Alabama to see me. Told you, that child doesn’t like me. LOL!

Lala with her two-strand twists.  Why does she look like she is 4 years old, instead of 1?

Carson had his 2nd birthday party last Saturday. That baby is growing. Had his muscles showing and everything. He is so club ready!

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson, my club partner!

Garden

My garden is doing fine. The weather here has been off and on raining for most of the week and this weekend is forecast for more of the same. Yet, the seedlings and plants are growing. But my yard guy is going to kill me. See, what had happened…I purchased some weed & grass killer so when I put together my raised garden I sprayed all the weeds around the garden bed and in the backyard. Yeah, I got a lot of brown grass. I didn’t think it would kill the grass, grass. I thought it would kill the wild crazy weeds and clover and the weird grass. When he sees my back yard he is going to be mad!

Resilient Roses...

Lettuce...

This was taken on Sunday, wait until you see this week's picture.  Amazing the growth!

These are the Geraniums I planted in 2011 and look at them now.  Um, yeah that Peace Lily is struggling...



Graduations & Traveling

The first graduation trip is this month. We are only going to Atlanta for an overnight. I almost cancelled out of it due to some family issues, but my sister made me feel guilty saying my niece was disappointed I wasn’t coming and she wants to see her “Aunt Nana”. I called bullshyte on the ploy, but I am praying and will be going. I am going to need ya’ll to pray otherwise you may see me on the news. Real talk.

Next month is time for Virginia Beach. 13 hours in a vehicle. You know what? Let’s not even deal with this right now. My anxiety is picking up.

Randoms

The pictures of my brother in his chef hat and coat were sent to me by his girlfriend. On that day, I was in a good place and didn’t curse her out. I am a work in progress. I don’t know this woman and I am private about my number and address. She is my brother’s girlfriend, she is nothing to me. My brother knows why I feel the way I do. And looking at how things went down with his father, I would hope he wouldn’t want to be in the same situation. Seriously, who sends or calls a family member of their boyfriend they have never met? I was nice the other day, but today…God is still working on me.

I have 4 Creative Cooking post scheduled…thank goodness.

God chin-checked me last week. I heard Him loud and clear. Humbled me down. I am truly grateful and blessed.

Last week my back was killing me, this week I pulled a muscle in my calf. I Flex-all it and wrapped it and soaked in Epsom salt, the devil was not going to keep me from exercising.

My co-worker was all upset yesterday because she had two grey hairs sticking up Alfalfa style. She said she didn’t even know she had them. She said she blends the grey into her hair so no one will see them. She asked me if I had seen the grey in her hair. I started laughing and said, “Um, I see the grey in your hair all the time. You trying to hide it? It ain’t working. I just don’t say anything, because of all the grey in mine.” Then I laughed until I was crying, because she was so outdone. She was so upset, she went home early. LOL!

The Guy has the sexiest salt and pepper goatee ever and one day he was joking about shaving it off. I got mad, with a quickness. That is My goatee and he shall not shave it…LOL!

My sister’s husband says she needs anger management.

I have been daydreaming about a real camera. You know a Canon Rebel. Sighing… Unfortunately, I have two other major purchases before I can even think about it. All I know my Creative Cooking posts would be majorly improved with the proper pictures. And my outfit shots wouldn’t look like dark blurs.

Sometimes I get really sad thinking about missing my Aunt. Then I think about my Uncle. In fact, last week I swear I smelled him in the den and instead of being scared to death, I felt protected. (No I am not crazy!) I also realize at 43 years old more people will be dying around me and I am not sure how I will handle it. Each death feels different, but they all leave this hollowness in my heart. And then the sadness dissipates because they are in a better place. I guess all this comes to mind because I wonder how well my sister and brother are managing their grief. Because I know it was well over a year before I was able to not cry every month about my Aunt.

RIP – Chris Kelly of Kris Kross.

Fantasia has a stylist and she looks Great!

Stars behaving badly. Did you know Billy the Exterminator was arrested and since plead guilty to the possession of synthetic marijuana? Lawd, I can hear his mama hollering about that now. And Reese Witherspoon, she got beside herself didn’t she? Teen mom, Farrah and her s.ex tape, seriously? Has MTV taken that show off yet? I despise it. I don’t know if this is a celebrity behaving badly but Martha Stewart is doing online dating…Wow! American Idol with Minaj and Carey is it working? I haven’t watched the show in many years. I even stopped watching the auditions. I am over AI.

My supervisor asked what was for breakfast this morning and I said oatmeal and turkey bacon. He looked at me so seriously and said, “That doesn’t sound good at all!” And laughed. I had to laugh because folks can’t get with my breakfast meals. I love oatmeal and cream of wheat.

Things that have made me Happy this week:

My niece asking my advice on her prom shoes. Seriously, she loves shoes as much as me.

My family and The Guy.

Having a real belly laugh with my co-worker.

My flowers and veggies growing in their containers.

My roses coming back with a bang.

God’s grace…

This is my favorite picture I took this weekend!

 

Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! For a Happy Weekend!

The MLK and 2nd Inauguration for President Obama Randoms

(This is kinda long.  Been working on it for a few days.)

Yeah, I took this before I got sick.  Freshly washed.  I need to dye my hair. The gray is out of control!

First of all, I haven’t been able to post lately, because I have been sick. I wasn’t really sick before I got sick, but damn! This was not funny as my sister seems to think because she laughed. On last Monday, I had a scheduled Drs. appointment to check on my blood pressure because after over a year of normal readings, in December the reading was high in the top number. I refused at the time to get on any other medicine just to insure it wasn’t a fluke. Plus, if you have read this blog long enough you know I have had blood pressure issues in the past and I am allergic to three classes of blood pressure medicines. My allergic reactions range from mild to extreme. What may not bother you may end up killing me. However, my reading on last Monday was up yet again. So, my doctor, who I waited 3 hours to see, prescribed another blood pressure medicine. He assured me there were no known serious side effects from this particular medicine. Um, yeah. Anyway, I started the medicine the next morning because it was well after 5 pm when I left the Drs. office. So I took it that morning about 10 am. At about 11:45 am, my head almost hit my desk because I fell asleep. At my desk. I knew I had to go home because I was so sleepy I couldn’t take it. I went straight home and crashed until 4 pm. So I sleep for almost 4 hours. The next morning I was at work bright and early. I decided to take a half a dose of the med at 4 pm and the other at 6:30 pm and the final dose at bedtime. I went home did a few things around the house ate and was in bed by 7:30 watching television and texting. In the middle of a text I fell asleep. Like completely knocked out for about 30 minutes. Ugh! Then I took the final dose and was sleep within an hour of taking it. I woke up the next morning feeling so lethargic it was ridiculous. I had on full make-up, but there was no way I could walk my tired azz to my car or walk from my car to the building because I was that lethargic. I felt horrible. Absolutely, horrible. After I called in, I got back into bed and 10 minutes later I was sleep and woke up at 10 am. I knew then I was going to take only half the dose and that is one pill at bedtime. So far it is working, there was no way I could continue taking two pills a day when I have to work. And if my blood pressure cannot be controlled by medicine I have to go on this very restrictive diet. Problem with the diet is it hones in on a lot of diary and cheese. Plus, eggs. You all know I am allergic to eggs right?


I finally feel like myself this week and I am so thankful. I am no helpless woman; I work and keep it moving.

My keepsake from feeding the homesless on MLK Day.

Plus, I had plans Monday. I was going to feed the homeless. And I did. The thing is, there were so many young volunteers i.e. teenagers, and there really wasn’t much for me to do. The worker directing the volunteers asked if I minded drying the dishes while the Alpha was there to volunteer washed. Sure no problem. It was interesting watching the process. They probably fed about 40 people that day for lunch. When the kids were done serving and cleaning off the tables, you know they left right? Seriously, they were only there about 45 minutes. The Alpha and I stayed and finished the dishes, I cut up fresh bread for the dinner meal and we both helped unload food donations. I was there to volunteer for the full 2 hours and I kept asking what do you need me to do. And I left there with a smile on my face. The ladies, who work there, said they knew me and the Alpha were sincere because we stayed until the end and asked what we could help them do. I heard them say they were short their dishwasher so the two of them had to cook lunch, then dinner as well as all the cleaning. So believe me they were appreciative as well as the men, women and children who were fed lunch. It was good to see young folks volunteering.

After my stint at the shelter, I went home and watched some of the Inauguration. I had already missed the speech so I was just waiting on the President to exit his car before the parade and he didn’t disappoint. Can I say this? I was just so proud. Really I was. I had to be since I was sitting in my bed crying. A mess. Plus, no matter how many times I see our President walk I am always taken aback by the fact he has a serious swagger walk (ya’ll know I am Southern and I wanted to say pimp walk, but I didn’t think that was appropriate). Then the Inauguration ball. First Lady Obama was wearing that red dress. I loved it. And Dr. Jill Biden, shoot her dress was amazing too. The first dance with President Obama and his wife was so nice. Made me cry a little bit. But for the record, I didn’t like Hudson’s version of my Al Green song. I kept wondering why they didn’t get Al Green to sing, because he still sings secular music. My question was answered the next day because he responded that he was asked but had a previous engagement and had to decline.

Speaking of the Inauguration, folks are all up in arms because Beyonce supposedly lip-synced the anthem. Well, I will say when I saw it on YouTube; I remarked she looked like she was lip-syncing. However, when you listen to the mic version, she is actually singing along with the back-up vocals. And when she took her ear piece out, ya’ll better be glad she did have the back-up vocals because she probably would have messed the song up. She isn’t the only celebrity to lip-sync or sing over the canned vocals and she won’t be the last.

Just lovely...

Another note, Malia and Sasha are growing up into some beautiful young ladies.

Had book club this past Saturday. The host made these wonderful taco salads. And we discussed Eric Jerome Dickey’s, An Accidental Affair. This wasn’t my favorite EJD novel. But it made for a great book club discussion, because some folks loved the book and others didn’t. I did kinda scare the members when I made a statement ***spoiler alert*** “He should have killed her.” And the fact I was so disappointed he didn’t. Yeah, the character made me mad.  (Reminder, I keep our book club website updated, regularly.  With book reviews and sometimes pictures...imanivoices.com)

Wednesday night after work The Guy and I had oysters and drinks, well he had drinks I am too scared to drink with this new med. They were good, but my goodness they were small. I got to get back to New Orleans to get the real, big juicy kind. Good company though. And as usual, I see folks I know when I am out. I was cute, don’t worry.

My sister didn't know this were raw oysters when she first looked at the pictures.  She may need some new glasses.

My office feels like the bowels of the Arctic. It is so cold in here I can see my breath. Okay, I am exaggerating, but I still can’t feel my feet and fingers. It is ridiculous. I have a small heater in my office but my office is too cold for it to heat and when it starts to struggle, it shuts itself off before it overheats. Really, this is beyond ridiculous. I can’t work in these conditions. The custodian, who was subbing for our usual one, came into my office the other day and said, “How can you work in this office?” I was like because of all the files and papers? She said, “No, it is entirely too cold in here. I am anemic and I can’t come in here no more. I am going to tell somebody, because this crazy.” Yeah, she was real mad about the temperature of my office. Sighing…

Do you watch Catfish the television documentary? I like saying it that way so I am not confirming I am watching reality television. This show is my guilty pleasure. Some mornings before work I catch episodes, man this is some captivating television. The stories are remarkable and sad at the same time. I keep asking, “How does one fall in love with someone they have never met?” I am diagnosing these folks and everything. Quite a few of them are suffering from self-esteem issues. Some are looking for substitutes for the things missing in their lives. Some are seriously gullible. I did the online dating thing up until 2010, but I stopped seeing it as an avenue for finding a love connection 3 years prior to that. Frankly, I used it as fodder for my other blog. The stories, the pictures and frankly the outright lies were great writing material. These folks will have “relationships” with folks who they may not have ever talked to on the phone. Seriously? Four years and you have never met? The most recent episode with the guy from Mississippi who thought the girl he had been talking to was transgendered and he seemed to be totally disappointed to learn she wasn’t spoke volumes. Nev kept saying the guy was bi-curious and I have to agree. And the other day I saw an ad on one of the celebrity blogger sites saying black folks who get taken on the internet are Fried Catfish. I laughed. But really is it a laughing matter?

In my town here in Alabama, we have already had 10 murders. I am sad about this, but what really irked me was when our mayor made it seem like crime doesn’t exist here. As a victim, who is still dealing with the turmoil, and no one has been arrested for my crime; it doesn’t sit well with me. We have crime and some more serious than others. And each time a new young man, young woman or just anyone is murdered it is significant their lives matter, so we do have crime and we need to address it and just based on the area of the city you live in.

Before I head out of here to work and enjoy my weekend, I see the GOP in Virginia pulled a fast one to change the districting lines for the electoral votes. It is sad our country has come to this. President Obama’s win has already proven underhanded methods and cheating didn’t help them then, and it will not help them now. The thing is America is this melting pot of all kinds of folks and it is no longer being dictated by those who think they are the majority. The majority now is what was once the minority.

I hope you have a wonderful, fun-filled weekend. I am going to work the second job and relax when I am home. We deserve it!

P. S. You didn't think I would leave without some pictures of the kiddies and me?  Come on, you know better than that!  

Lala being silly, so her mothers says.

Carson wasn't about no pictures, it was all about the drank!  Yes, I said drank.  

Finally got a chance to wear my Fedora and a scarf. 

 

Imma learn how to take full lenght pictures one day. LOL!



Rambling My Way Through the Christmas Holidays...

Wow, it has been a minute since I posted. Kinda hard to miss me considering all that has been going on in this world we live in. I purposely decided to post this on December 21st, since folks were thinking it was doomsday. I don’t know about you, but I believe only God knows when this world will end.


This week has been busy, but not busy. Does that make sense? I have a very clean desk because only about 3 or 4 of us are working in my unit this week. So I have been crazy productive. And my desk proves it.

It is hard to believe Christmas is next week. I worked like a fiend to get ready for our annual holiday meeting in December and once it is over, I finally get to relax only for Christmas to be knocking on my door. Since I didn’t buy a lot of gifts, I baked and did homemade gifts I feel kinda like superwoman or something.

So since I am really rambling my way through this posts here are some pictures of my Christmas decorations:    

My Hear No, Speak No, See No Evil Angels

Another ornament

Hair Puffs Angel Topper

More decorations

Dining table decorations

Livingroom decoration (excuse the bags on the couch)

Kwanzaa Centerpiece in my den

  So on Thursday, December 13th, I did some marathon cookie baking.  Yes, I got off work at 5 and went home and baked cookies until after midnight (I was off Friday).  I made sure that at least during Scandal I was only putting and taking pans out of the oven during the commercial breaks.

The cookies for my 2nd job kids.  Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chip Toffee Nut, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisins, Triple Ginger Cookies... Also, sent some to my brother as well.



Fed. Ex almost got me because I had been waiting on my beeswax to be delivered and you know when I got them?  When I was getting in my car to go to my 2nd job on Friday.  But I made the candles.  They turned out alright.  Had quite a few to crack and I did re-melt but it didn't keep it from cracking again.  However, the Ginger lime fragrance and the fact I actually made them made me pat myself on my back.  I am so glad I did this project.  And since I have a pound and 1/2 of beeswax...I have so more candle making to do...

 

One pound of the wax and my Ginger Lime fragrance and my free bottle of Plumeria fragrance.

Ready for the oven.

Up Close

Melted...

The finished product...

Wrapped and ready.  Smells wonderful.  And my book club members loved them.

My meeting went well.  I was well organized so I was able to enjoy a glass of wine before my members arrived.  My spread was amazing as well...

The spread with menu cards.  Looks good doesn't it?

Dessert table w/treat bags to take cookies home.

Mini Salted Caramel Apples pies...No Lattice work cookie cutter flowers.  LOL!

A little blurry by the end of the night, because I killed the entire bottle of the Cupcake Red Velvet wine...

 

What was on the menu you asked?  Chicken and Ham Salad finger sandwiches, Buffalo wings, Jerk wings, Crispy Asian Orange wings, Honey BBQ wings, Sweet and Spicy meatballs, Veggie stuffed mushrooms, Savory stuffed meatballs, Bottom of the Lake Dip, Asian Salad, Broccoli Crunch salad, Fruit tray and Veggie tray.  With cookies and the pies... Overachiever.  That would be me.

 

So my past weekend was busy, but satisfying.  Then Monday came and I had to mail packages.  I went to three different post offices looking for a box that I found I could only purchase online.  Ugh!  However, I mailed my packages.  I also tried to purchase my Kwanzaa stamps but didn't have any at the final post office.  So I ordered them online and it said it takes one to two days to get them.  As of right now.  I do not have my stamps.  I have addressed Christmas cards, but no damn stamps.  I quit the post office.

 

This weekend I work all weekend.  Some where in between working and running errands, I have to wrap The Guy's gift and see him to exchange gifts.  My life.  I also have to cook my dishes for Tuesday, but I have all day Monday to ponder those things as I relax in pjs and drink wine.  Looking forward to the brief time to relax, because I will be at work on Wednesday.

 

Guess who is here? 

 

 

Carson, baby!

 

Carson's school picture.  Look at those muscles.  I thought he was ready for the club because his shirt was showing off his muscles, but I looked closely at his shirt and realized the monkey picture would not do.

Lala cheesing hard after giving folks whatever crude she had.  Now she is feeling real good and everyone else is side-eyeing her.

I hope you and your families have a blessed Christmas and I see you next week!  And continue to pray for Sandy Hook Elementary.

P. S. I have my Samsung Galaxy 3...for much less than my provider was offering.  It is a good idea to read forums.

Thanksgiving Randoms...

                                                                   Pomegranate Seeds

I started some randoms on Friday, but didn’t finish them to post. Horrible, right?


Thanksgiving is two days away. I feel unprepared but seemingly almost done with the majority of my tasks. The cleaning and my cooking will be done Wednesday and Thursday morning. This year has gone by so fast. It has been filled with happiness, sadness and stress but I can honestly say I am blessed.

Carson is not really walking, but it sure looks like he is.

My cousin sent me a picture of Carson. What does he look like he is doing? Yeah, that is what I thought too, but um, he isn’t walking yet. He stands very well for very long time, but she says he isn’t confident enough to walk yet. I told her it will not be long.

Does anyone else watch Sisterwives? I don’t watch much of the reality shows, because of all the drama, but this show catches my attention on Sunday nights when I get home from work. I keep waiting for one of them to opt out of the lifestyle.

My cleaning is over-the-top especially using Pinterest as a guide. I have cleaned more things with vinegar, baking soda and Magic erasure. My house should be spotless. But alas, he is not because I am too old to be on my hands and knees scrubbing like my life depends on it.

My yard guy hasn’t gotten to my yard. Yeah, kind of upset about that one. On Saturday, his neighbor’s 3 pitbulls got into his yard and he couldn’t get into the yard to do anything. He tried to get the neighbors to wake up and everything. He ended having to call the police. He has children, but he also has a young female dog too and you know those pitbulls were trying to get to her. So he had a good excuse for Saturday, not sure why not Sunday, but I hope he keeps his promise and is there today.

I think one of the reasons I was perturbed about not getting my yard done was I got up early Saturday to clean out my raised garden and prepare if for the winter. I also worked on my poor rose bush. I was cleaning out the leaves from the pot they are growing in and there was this one green leaf that I was trying to remove. You know where this is going right? Yep, it was a damn frog. I screamed and nearly broke my neck trying to run backwards. And you know what I did? I just put fresh potting soil over it and water and feed it. Sure did. The next day I saw where it had gotten out of the soil because of the hole I saw in the pot. Feeling a frog, even with gloves on is still NASTY!

Book club meeting was really nice on Saturday. Went to a neighboring town because they have a fire pit, but hell it was too cold to be outside. I was disappointed they no longer have their signature crab claws dish. Man, I had my mouth salivating over them. I did however get the best tasting Tomato and Basil soup. It was amazing. A little funny, when we were discussing current events of course we were talking about the election; the host comes to our little room and asked if we wanted the doors closed. I waited a moment and said yes, but I knew exactly why they wanted the doors closed. Get over it people!

My plans for my 5 days off are to spend time cooking, relaxing and spending time with the family. I do plan to do a little Black Friday shopping, but I really don’t have much to get and since I don’t have my eye on anything right now the trip shall be short. My sister isn’t going to want to get too much stuff because they are flying so this Black Friday maybe one for the record books. Very little purchases and home before the sun rises.

I plan to replicate the Tomato and Basil soup for a Creative Cooking segment.

My sister thinks I am going to be baking cookies all Friday, but that is a negative. I ain’t got it in me. LOL!

The Guy asked me last week what I wanted for Christmas. Ya’ll I have the favorites or wants list to post, but I don’t know what to tell him to get me. I know what I am getting him. Sighing…

When you see the list, don’t laugh. And I don’t mind you getting me anything listed on there. Just kidding…kinda!

Here are some of the randoms I did last week:

Do you ever get tired and I mean really tired from doing a thorough cleaning because company is coming? My goodness it seems like I have been cleaning for weeks now, because it really has been. However, I can now see the end. Tonight after the second job, I will dust furniture in my living room and dining room. Tomorrow a complete cleaning of my kitchen, I already cleaned the oven and my deep freezer so I am ahead of the game. And Sunday I will finish with the cleaning of the last bathroom. Yeah, I still have to clean my bedroom but that will be done on Wednesday as I laze around. (I tried desperately to finish the kitchen Sunday, but I underestimated the time it would take to clean the stove top and the refrigerator. Hopefully, I will finish tonight. Cross your fingers.)

I voted...

Last week I had planned to come back on this blog and talk about the conclusion of the election, but the election really tore my nerves up! When I got to my polling area and no one was in line at 6:15 am, I got scared that folks didn’t have the passion they had in 2008 and weren’t going to turn out. By 6:55 am, they proved me wrong. The line was stretched to the middle of the parking lot before 7 am and the line snaked through the gym and down the hall when I finished voting. And I was the 11th voter. And as a red state, I already knew the GOP had the state, but in my county, Montgomery County, President Obama won the popular vote. Yes! My day after voting was productive, but baby by 11 am I had a headache so bad I couldn’t work out. In fact I got so nervous and worried, my stomach got to boiling and I had to go home early to take meds for the headache and the stomach. I also laid down for about 30 minutes, because I still had to go to my second job. By the time I got there, I was just peeved and worried out of my mind. I just couldn’t seem to let it go, but during our weekly managers’ meeting I just breathe in the sense that it was in God’s hand. And I made it through the rest of the night. Just a little info we have a worker who is a GOP advocate and all night he had been joking with the other workers about the only reason they voted for the President was because he gives them food stamps and such and ya’ll he was as giddy as a man on his first date. He was so sure of what the outcome was going to be. I even had to shush the fuss because it was getting out of hand and politics have no place in the workplace. Anyway, after his candidate lost he decided he was going to write a petition stating he had been harassed by the other employees and he was going to present it to the owner. Of course, I called BS on it because I heard him make the statement about food stamps and he sure had better said something about it in his so called petition. He was mad about the outcome, because his folks were mad. He couldn’t even vote and the folks he was making fun of on Tuesday could. He wasn’t talking to no one when he came back to work after the election. (And no he didn’t do his so called petition.)

The line to get out of the parking lot.

For the record, I never received my so called gift from President Obama as has been intimated by the GOP candidate. And for the states, including my home state who want to secede, good luck with that. You can’t. Hurricane Sandy wasn’t sent to insure President Obama won, but if that was God’s will… Finally, GET OVER IT! He won not by a small amount but the majority and he won the popular vote as well and when they break down the numbers he didn’t win just because blacks voted, he won because America voted for him and America is more than rich, white men. Now get the hell over it. Time for this country to get to work on the things that matter for all of us.
I still plan to go out Black Friday, but seriously with stores opening on Thursday I can be in and out and done by 9 am. And no, I will not be riding out Thursday to catch some sales I will be spending time with my family. And it seems kinda weird that salespeople will not get to enjoy their family because they have to be at work on Thursday. This is inherently wrong. I can’t imagine not going out for Black Friday even if I ain’t buying much.

The weather here is crazay…I told my sister I can’t tell you what to wear because it will be a hot 70 something on the weekend and during the week you need to break out a jacket and sweaters.

Dirty carpet.  Sorry I forgot to take an after pic...

I got my carpet cleaned yesterday and it looks so much better. As the guys were finishing and draining the water, some of the bad ass kids from the neighborhood were outside screaming about how nasty the water was and how much it smelled and on and on. I stood in the house shaking my head. I can’t stand them hellions. Seriously, they are disrespectful and I don’t trust any one of them because their mama or daddy broke into my house and tried to steal my identity.

Alice, I don’t know you and I want you to know, I do not appreciate you commenting on my blog with advertisements. Stay off my blog! I don’t play with things of that nature. Commenting on my blog posts about some damn expensive boots, really?

I do not watch the news often, but all week I have had to hear and see the scandal with the CIA director and his mistresses and I wonder, when did folk’s immoral behavior become newsworthy. I mean if you turn on the Today show they will talk about the real news for a minute then they will talk about Snooki’s baby. I don’t get it. We have become a world of shallow people.

Speaking of celebrities is anyone watching the Houston’s? I tried the night it debut and I couldn’t. This family is grieving and to actually follow them through the process is just painful to watch. And, honestly the few times I will try to watch it I am sadden because it obvious this wasn’t the time for this show. Bobbi Kristina has the husky voice similar to her mother’s, but she also appears to be slurring her words and obviously under the influence of something. And the other family members and Nick make watching this show very uncomfortable. I pray for the family, but I wish this show would end, quickly.

Yeah, I had a lot to say last week and this isn’t all I had either.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and take the time out to give thanks for all you have been given and thankfulness for your family and friends. Life is funny because there will be days everything is copacetic and other days when you just want to crawl back into bed and hibernate, but seriously each and every day you awaken is a blessing. Learning to enjoy them is our task and one we should take seriously. Allow no one to steal your joy and allow no obstacles to keep you from being Thankful for all life brings to you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Me on Saturday on my way to Book Club, protective style.  11/17/12