Me - 1 Lizard - 0 Draw - 1

Um, I still have a writing block to my two readers...


Here is a funny true story for you.

This past Friday, I woke up in good spirits and wasn't going to let my aching foot cause me to not make the most of the day.  In fact, I was on my way to being close to on time at work.  Go me!  So as I am locking the door I notice a movement from the corner of my eye.  Yep, as the title so told you, a lizard was in the doorjamb of the glass screen door.  Of course, I screamed immediately and dropped my bags.  And tried my best to calm down, luckily it moved away from the doorjamb and was in a position to go in my house if I opened the door.  So being a punk, I put my bags in the car, called my job and told them I would be late because I had a lizard on my door and then listen for a minute as the person I thought was my friend laughed...for a long time. 

After abruptly ending the call, I went to get my water hose from the back and attached it to the spout on the front, all the while watching this nasty creature scurry but not leave my doorjamb, I used a chair to prop the door open.  Oh, did I mention it was missing its tail?  Ugh!  So I turn on the water hose and got the nasty thing off my door and finally to the corner of the porch where I sprayed the water as long as I could hoping to drown the thing.  Ya'll it flipped on his back and I felt victorious except for the fact my off white pants were wet and now I must change clothes.

So I dragged the water hose to the back and went to unlock the front door and when I pressed the handle to open the door, the bitch pulled away from the door and fell off.  FML!  Did I mention it was already getting hot?  Now, I am outside and although the door is unlocked I can't get in and I am wet, soaking wet!  Seriously, the devil plays too much.

I call my cousin and he tells me he is on his way.  He said we would have to climb through a window.  Well, all of my windows are locked or sealed where you would break your damn arm if you tried to open it.  So I waited on him to get to the house sweating and smiling at the crackheads walking the street as they tell me how sexy I looked.  Yeah, with sweat and water dripping I knew to take the compliments with a grain of salt. 

It only took my cousin 10 minutes to get there.  And when he got on the porch I handed him the insides of the door handle that also fell off into my hands.  And my goodness that is when I noticed the damn lizard that started this mess, had flipped back on to his stomach and was trying to get away, but not coming towards my door.  Really?  Really? Thing was playing possum. 

My cousin used his genius and with the help of a screwdriver was able to get the door open.  I left him working on that to change clothes.  Then he handed me the handle to take with me to go to Lowe's or Home Depot for a door handle.  His parting words, "Hopefully, you will not have to get the whole kit." 

Yeah, I had to get the whole kit to the tune of $136, which by the way I didn't have.  There went my idea to sneak to a hotel for my birthday next week.  And sandwiches for lunch for the next two or three weeks.  No Creative Cooking segments to do and blog.  FML!

So, I made it to work where my co-worker who I called to tell I was going to be late twice was still laughing about my "lizard" and the office manager started laughing as soon as I walked into her office two hours late.  What started out as this great day turned to chaos, frenzy and wet clothes. 

I am thankful my cousin and his son were able to replace the door handle.  Anyone need a deadbolt?  I am thankful there is no lizard in my house.  I have to concede this as a draw.

Did you know lizards play possum?

I will have my Paypal button set up for donations...Geez!  Yeah, keep on laughing...

Happy Monday...Randoms

Sunflowers

I haven’t felt like blogging. And it isn’t because I haven’t done much in the last couple of weeks, but because I haven’t felt like putting fingers to the keyboard. I have been commenting on other folk’s blogs, so I guess it is only befitting that I finally grace you with some overdue randoms. Hopefully, this will ignite my writing mojo so I can write an editor’s note for my book club newsletter. So here we go, sit back get you some coffee or a drink because it is a long one.


If you live in the south or in Montgomery, we have had a summer of pure rain. Seriously, it rained 24 out of the 31 days in July. And August we just completed almost 2 weeks of hit and miss rain but it has been mostly hit. I can’t tell you the number of days I was soaking wet by the time I got into the house. Give you an example on August 13th I had to go take a Servsafe test for the second job. No biggie, it was bright and sunny when I got to the venue, but baby it wasn’t 30 minutes in when the sky opened and the rains of a torrential variety let loose. I forgot I had left my windows cracked. Seriously. Ugh! And a couple days later while on my main job I left my windows cracked because I park in the parking garage. Well, the sky opened up again and rained and rained. When I left that afternoon it was still drizzling, but where I parked there was a leak in the garaged and yeah you guessed it, my seat had a puddle of rain in it. My car was soaked. This is how you realize how damn dirty your car really is when everything is damp and dirt is all over your hands and clothes. I was miserable driving the 10 minutes home in wet car seat. It took two days to dry my car completely out, because with no sun and nothing but rain my car stayed damp. So I drove with towels on my seat. Very uncomfortable. So this rain isn’t giving me life, but it sure has disrupted mine.

My out-of-control grass and hedges

Due to the excessive rain, my plants and my garden have suffered. My lovely Portulaca (Moss Roses) has been basically killed because of the rain, the poor plant it is hanging by a thread. It is one of those plants that has succulent leaves, well with the rain it couldn’t hold all the water and the leaves started falling off. A mess. I just gave up on the garden because too much rain was causing too much damage on the tomatoes and cucumbers. Frankly, I was getting too scared to pick things out of the garden because ya’ll know I am scared of worms. One morning, I went outside a little later than normal to water the plants because the rain was slow to come that day, and I had been telling my sister something was eating my tomatoes because I find them on the carport looking like something had eaten them. She of course said rats/mice. I was like no it is birds because they want let my sunflowers have life because they are eating the damn seeds because I see them all over the carport. Well on this particular morning, guess what I found? A mama cat and a kitten enjoying the fruits of my labor. I am sorry you cat lovers, but I do not like cats. I am not scared of them like Mrs. TDJ, but I don’t like em. I was like shoo and get out of there. The kitten was all slow and the mama just left her baby, what kinda parenting? But I now knew the culprit to the tomato eating mystery. Anyway, this weekend when my yard guy came to finally cut my overgrown lawn and hedges, I had them cut all close to the raised garden because that baby is done. Dunzo. (My yard alone was systematically bringing the property values down because the grass was thigh high, just kidding I think.) The rain is going to have an effect on your veggies this year because the excess rain hurt them. So be prepared. I froze and gave away a lot of my tomatoes. So marinara sauce and tomatoes for my soup are available, because I ain’t trying to buy tomatoes out of the store because of the cost.

This is ridiculous...Over it!

Those holes are from roly polies, they are voracious this year.  A worm or two, but mostly roly polies...

Sunflowers will make you smile, but if you look on the ground you can see the discarded seeds of the birds. 

I did manage to make a few bouquets with my flowers, but I know next year plant more flowers. I miss my big, vibrant bouquets.

Probably the last bouquet...

A week ago I was reminded why I must have peace in all aspects of my life. I was on my 2nd job and the owner basically lost his ever loving mind. He basically went ham on the workers and tried to do the same to me. First of all, I am too old to be hollered at and told to stand somewhere and don’t move. All the counting in the world wasn’t going to keep me from handling him. Basically, I told him I wasn’t going to micro-manage these kids and I wasn’t going to argue and act a nut because he is having a temper tantrum. As I told my sister, “He forgot I have 3 degrees to his 2. I am here as a courtesy to his father, not him.” I was so mad. I haven’t been that mad in a long time. I was so mad it carried on through the entire weekend. I counted. Recounted. Counted again. I couldn’t shake the mad. The kids were excited that I “handled him”. Whatever, it shouldn’t have gone down like that. I talked to him later that night about the situation and told him with new people working acting in the manner in which he did makes it difficult to keep workers. You can get mad, but you damn sure better show it in a professional manner. Acting like a recalcitrant child gets you nothing, but hostile workers. Were the kids wrong in the situation? Yes, but it was done accidental by one of the new cooks still training. Instead of him listening or waiting until he calmed down he responded in a derogatory and demeaning manner and that isn’t going to cut it with me. I was thisclose to quitting. However, someone has to protect the kids. FYI – even his wife has cautioned him on his behavior.

So as I still blistered from that Friday night diabolical, I had a 50th birthday party to go to. A former book club member was having a big shindig to celebrate. The best part in my opinion was the scholarship she awarded to a student in attendance in honor of her mother who passed exactly a month to the day of the party. I went to get a glass of wine because I was still mad from Friday and when the bartender pulled the bottle out and started to twist the cap off of the Merlot, I declined the glass. I ain’t a highfaluting person, but I need my wine to have a cork. That is all.

I went to the party looking all staid and cute, but when I got home and had a drink I looked too different. See?

 Before I left...

Then the Amaretto Sour when I got home...

After the drink...

Just kidding, I didn't have the drink until I went to bed. My hair was falling out of the bun or whatever I had...so I worked it!

I haven’t been doing a lot of cooking either. Not feeling inspired. Rain man, rain.

Lala likes to scream Aunt Nana in the background when she sees my face on her mom’s phone. However, if you put her on the phone she says absolutely nothing. And I do believe she thinks she is a rock star. Check the pictures.

No photos please!  And she puts on her own sunglasses...

I will get to see Carson this weekend they are coming home to hang with family. Here is a picture of him with his 1st cousins in the pool. Those little muscles are getting ready for the club.

My niece is in college now. Sighing…I am still waiting on her to respond to my text from Saturday. I hate to have to show up on the campus of WSSU and embarrass her, but I will.

My cousin who I call my child will be here this weekend to celebrate graduating with his Master’s in Psychology. He didn’t march because he is heading straight to the PH.D program. So we are having a family get together to celebrate. Unfortunately, I am working but I will stop through after. Nope, didn’t take off because I am not a fan of crowds and folks doing the most drinking and playing cards. I can’t play any card games. Frankly, I don’t have the patience for it. Yeah, I am different.

I love muscadines. But I prefer the purple ones. I also tried some champagne grapes. Good, but too much work to eat them. Yes, I am lazy.

Muscadines

Champagne grapes...

The Guy and I are funny together because we make each other laugh. We do. He was telling me the story of his son who stepped on a carpenter’s nail and it went through his foot and how painful it was because they had to pack it and such. The Guy felt bad for his son and then his son asked if they were going to amputate his baby toe. I am sorry but I couldn’t help but laugh. He was serious when he asked. These kids are so dramatic. He will be fine if you thinking I am insensitive, he has to get another tetanus shot and he is walking with crutches temporarily, but he is fine.

I told my sister that folks are raising kids who may be book smart but they have no critical thinking skills. If they get a flat tire they will be unable to fix it or know who to call if it happens. Seriously. It is kinda scary folks. They can’t figure out the simplest situations without calling their parents. Lawd, help them.

I had book club Saturday. So I made sure to have a low-key day before the meeting because my left foot was hurting. See on last week I noticed there was an ache and it seemed to be more pronounced after working out especially if I was doing the walk/jog interval on the treadmill. So on Friday I decided to just do weights and the elliptical and to my consternation I found my foot was hurting more. Geez! And because I had to help on my 2nd job, by Friday night I was limping and of course I diagnosed myself with a stress fracture. So Saturday I was like early out and early back home to put the foot up. And I took some medicine to combat the pain. When I woke up that afternoon and to my amazement my foot no longer hurt. I had already planned to go to the Primed for an X-ray and diagnosis. It feels okay today so I am doing low key exercising so as not to put too much pressure on my foot. A customer told me I do not want a stress fracture on my foot. And I believed him.

Book club was great. I like our group with the smaller number because it is more comfortable and everyone gets to enjoy one another. Why are strawberry-ritas (in the can) so popular now? Anyway, we discussed The Perfect Marriage by Kimberla Lawson Roby. Of course I had a mini-photo shoot before the meeting.

So Vain...

Make up was cute...

Fantasia was here with Avant on Saturday. Of course I didn’t attend. One member was mad because she wanted to see Avant. I asked why? All his songs sound the same…shrugging.

I tried to watch the re-airing of the VMA’s last night when I got home. I watched Robin and Miley and my response was what the hell? And I saw Justin Timberlake’s performance, which was pretty good. Some of the guys from N’Sync are a bit thicker…just saying. After he finished, I turned and was like I can’t with MTV they do not play music videos except in the early morning. Hell, I watch MTV for Catfish.

See a lot of folks watch Reality television. I can’t say I don’t, but not that much. I prefer scripted television, but with my cable provider I don’t have enough channels for it to matter.

My book club members asked if I was watching the marathon of Scandal on BET. I didn’t. The emotions that I go through watching that show are too damn much! I can’t. But come October, I am back on it!

Labor Day is next week. I plan to do nothing. Seriously.

My birthday is on the horizon and I was asked on Saturday what I planned to do. Well, I will be going to both jobs that day and although I plan to take off the weekend, I have no plans. Oh yes I do. I plan to make ice cream, because I haven’t made any recently because my paddle broke. Oh and of course get a pair of gorgeous shoes. DSW gift cards are welcome. Just kidding…

Will someone tell my niece to text me? Geez…

Have a great week!

 

Happy Saturday Randoms...

I have a wonderful smile...I know I amVain

I don’t really have any excuses on why I haven’t really blog this past week, but the truth of the matter is I have been busy this week at work. And when I have a moment to think, I become busy again. Geez, I clean my desk off only for it to be covered in files, questions, answers and frustration. However, it makes for a quick week. So I really can’t complain.


And you know when I take too long to do some randoms these posts are filled with pictures.

Okay, taxes are due on Monday. You have done your taxes right? Well, everyone knows I wait until at least Easter to even look at my taxes. I use a program and punch in the numbers and Viola! I owe folks. Well this year I decided to wait until April 6th to do my taxes. I was having a pretty shitty day on Saturday so I decided let’s just make it worse since I am already in a funk. Well, I don’t owe anybody. Praise God! And I am so glad He heard my prayers. So, I wait until Thursday to print out the taxes and do a final review. Why oh why did my printer act a fool? I was so mad because I couldn’t save the info to a flash drive and print on another printer. I had to bring my entire laptop with me and find the forms online and punch in the numbers. I was so mad. Seriously, it was like doing my taxes all over again. They were finished. I refused to buy cartridges for my printers. I buy cheap ones, because I rarely print at home. Seriously, the cartridges cost $50 to 60 dollars. I can buy a printer for $30. You do the math. A printer and its cartridges last me at least 2 years. Seriously, do the math. My taxes are ready to mail. On Sunday night, because I am ratchet like that.

I know a new Creative Cooking posted this week. But just for the record I had 2 Creative Cooking fails. No real pictures. Just know they failed. I tried to make a Strawberry Cake, that thing was so heavy and dense and the icing I wasted butter on that thing and it was awful. I threw the whole thing in the garbage, well except the slice I tasted, which incidentally tasted like grass. And I tried to make soft pretzel bites. Failed. The things were so nasty I just was like ugh! Tasted like grass too. Seriously, I thought they tasted a bit like parsley and I do not like the taste of parsley.

Strawberry Cake Failed!

I am still making smoothies. They help when I am feeling a little hungry. However, I have been trying to eat every 2 or three hours, nothing big, just light meals to increase my metabolism.

Strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, yogurt smootie

This week I worked the 2nd job Tuesday and Wednesday and was off Friday night. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Friday I went to the grocery store then went home and washed, moisturized, dried, braided and styled my hair all before 8 pm. Then I was sitting there like, what the hell do people do on Friday nights? I have to work on Friday night or I am out of town, I was bored. I mean I painted my toenails, waxed and shaved. And it still wasn’t bedtime. And nothing and I mean absolutely nothing was on TV after SVU went off at 8 pm. I watched, Why The Hell They Got Married Two. I know that isn’t the title I just call it what I want to.

For Easter, the owner’s mom and sister gave me and the other manager a plant. I was thankful for the plant, but ya’ll I do not seem to keep houseplants growing. The last peace lily from my aunt’s funeral is on its last legs. The other manager assures me I can maintain it. Wish me luck.

My new Easter plant...

Well I have gotten most of the items I need for gardening. Got up early this morning to head to Home Depot to get stuff. Ya’ll if they didn’t have seeds for my Moss Roses; I was going to leave my buggy in the middle of the aisle and leave. I really didn’t care they didn’t have the particular raise garden I wanted and I forgot to get garden hose, I wanted my flower seeds. I love those flowers. Lucky for everyone, I found them when I found the racks on top of racks of seeds. I almost started turning around in excitement and I remembered I ain’t got time to do all that damn planting. I am traveling this summer.

My seeds...I also got two Grape tomato plants

I wrote this wonderful Editor’s note for my book club’s newsletter about Acts of Kindness and Paying it Forward and Sunday night I watched Joel Osteen and his message was about the same thing. How wonderful was that? I still get goose bumps thinking about it. I should have the site updated on Thursday so you can check it out. Especially since Scandal will not be on.

**Spoiler Alert***Okay, did you see the last episode? Why was I so piss with Olivia? I get she is a flawed woman. I get her personal life is flawed. But can she have some standards? I was so not happy she was in bed with Jake I was mad, actually. My texts to my sister went like this:

Shonda is on my nerves. I can’t deal man.
I am mad with her dumb ass.
OMG!
I am scared.
Bullshyte…3 weeks.

Since I didn’t have Scandal to watch on Thursday, I decided to watch the premiere episode of Hannibal. OMG! That show is amazing. It really is good. But, if you are opposed to violence and a lot of blood, this may not be for you.

My niece posted a video on FB of her singing this song. Love her voice. But I had to tell her, “Sweetie, you know your Aunt Nana loves you right? I love the song, but what is going on with your hair? We don’t appear anywhere with our heads looking rough.” She assured me she had a hair appointment. See the results below.

Lawd, she is growing up.  She goes to college this fall.  Damn, her mama is old.

Easter was spent at my cousins, very low key. Good dinner and then nice quiet night.

The Guy is under the weather right now. I keep asking him if he is allergic to gluten because this has been an issue for him since the holidays. So he was in the ER all last night until this morning. Sighing…I had no idea. He left his phone at work and couldn’t call me. Shoot, I would have had something to do on Friday night.

Lala has made it abundantly clear she does not want to come to Alabama to stay with me. And she is walking up a storm and talking gibberish up a storm. The other morning when her dad was getting ready for work, she called out, “Daddy!” He responded and she said, “Um, I want my breakfast.” Quite clear. My sister was like at least she knows her mama doesn’t cook breakfast. LOL! She is also banned from the movie theater.

Enough said!

Carson has a serious side-eye.

Carson side-eyeing his dad.  Side-eye proper!

I also got sick the week before Easter. The damn carpet on my 2nd job. I woke up on Monday feeling ugh so I called in saying I would be late. I woke up an hour later feeling worse than before. However, I made it to work on Tuesday, but I knew I was getting a sinus infection. Well, Wednesday I called and check my account balances and went to the Primed. I got my antibiotics and Mucinex and although I felt like crap I still made it to my eye appointment. You know I haven’t had a sinus infection since before we went to Myrtle Beach in 2011? I know my eye doctor hates to see me coming because what happened last year. However, things went magnificently. In fact, the vision in my left eye improved a little bit and the prescription changed slightly to a lower number and my right eye looks good. Only thing is I have to have pictures taken of both my eyes every year for now on.

Rick Ross’ lyric to whatever the damn song is should have been changed before it was ever recorded. Date rape is not to be taking lightly.

I love how Dallas is going this season. Even though I miss JR, the storylines are truly captivating.

Okay, I watched the last 10 minutes or so of Southland this week. And my nerves were so tore up I was in tears. I had no idea what lead to the scene I was watching but the violence was just too much. I mean I was crying ya’ll. I love Southland and the grittiness of the show, but this week’s episode affected my core. Really. The season finale is next week. I don’t even know if I can watch it.

I am going to try to enjoy the rest of the weekend, because next week is going to be quite busy. I have to volunteer for the Joy to Life walk. Nope not walking again. They are still doing the same route and I refuse to do the route again. However, I will be there to volunteer.

I am currently reading Leslie by Omar Tyree. I have had the book since it came out in 2001, but just now getting to it. I finished our book club read; Sinners and Saints can’t discuss the book with you all here because I have to for our meeting in two weeks.

Happy Saturday!

Carson's school Picture

Ya'll ain't ready

This is the same little girl who is banned from the movie theater

Yep, the same little girl...

Scandal(ous)...Spoilers

                                                                           (Source)

I am so glad Scandal returns this week. These last few weeks without it have been so hard. I never thought I would be so wrapped up in a show, which most of America watches, like I am about Scandal.


Thursday’s are planned out. I must get home from work on time not late. I must get my things ready for the next day upon my arrival home. I must work out for 20 minutes before I eat dinner and then take a soothing and calming bath. And then I prepare to watch an hour of fast-talking drama and mouth dropping antics. I know my blood pressure rises. I know it takes at least 1.5 hours for my heartbeat to return to normal and my body relaxed enough for sleep to grab hold of me so I can get to work on Friday. The frenzy of Thursday night is real. And complicated.

I love Olivia Pope. I love how she “fixes” problems of the rich, political and famous. I love the visual of the clothing, housing and DC. I was enamored with the episode where we saw her take to her bed after being hurt by President Ghost (alla Awesomely Luvvie). I have done that before where you are so hurt and depressed over a relationship you must take to your bed. To hell with baths, eating and brushing your teeth. When it hurts, it hurts to your core and it takes a minute for you to snap the hell out of it, but not before you commune with the bed.

Shouldn't Harrison have a love interest?
(Source)

I love the Gladiators in suits. They are flawed, strong, weaken but most of all they believe in the job they do and are truly committed and loyal to Olivia. They love what she stands for and nothing makes me smile harder than when Harrison puts extra bass in his voice. Seriously, that is some tingling right there. Shonda, can he get a love interest? I am available. Just kidding…kinda. I am scared of Huck one week and love him the next this pendulum is weird, but I can’t help it. Ever since he said he could skin a man, I just feel a bit creepy about him, but when he hopped in the bed with Olivia I realize he isn’t all bad, but he can skin a human being…

I love the diverse characters with their extreme issues. Sometimes the issues aren’t extreme but amplified because this is DC. Seriously, they stole the election ya’ll!

However, the show is complicated. As much as I believe Olivia and President Ghost loved each other at the beginning, now I feel some kinda way about things right now. The interracial part didn’t bother me a bit; in fact it was a welcome sight to see on television. The characters seem to really love each other and the love is mutually reciprocated. Yet…it is so wrong, so very wrong. One minute you are cheering them on and saying screw the First Lady, then you are like did he just do her in the closet? Something about that particular scene cheapened the relationship for me.

I am going to be honest with you as much as I loved the romance of Olivia and President Ghost and as much as I knew it was wrong it didn’t seem wrong until…he killed the Supreme Court Justice. Seriously, when I realized President Ghost was acting like the guy from Ghost or Goren’s brother from L&O: Criminal Intent I have been watching him with a side-eye. Me and my sister both said we don’t like him now and we need Shonda to make the killing of the Justice a dream or hell a nightmare because anything President Ghost does from this moment on is suspect. Seriously. Sighing…and I really love the love part of Scandal. Oh well, if Harrison could get some…all will be alright.

In my house, The Guy doesn’t call, text or anything during this time. My family knows I will cut you off and say, “I am watching Scandal.” Click. At 9 pm on Thursday night I am watching the last few seconds or so of Grey’s and waiting to watch Olivia in action. Scandal is scandalous but it gives me one of the few hours of actual television I enjoy every week. By the way I really need the really long stem glasses for my glass collection. Please and Thank you!

So who is watching Thursday?

*Awesomely Luvvie does a weekly recap after she wall slides on Scandal, so check it out because it is insightful and funny. 

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!



Post New Year's Randoms

So how is your New Year’s going? Mine is going pretty good. I am taking a new approach to this year by trying to stay positive and not dwell on the negative. And believe me it easier said than done. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks so I am going to randomly run through them. You may want to get yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine depending on when you are reading this because this is a long one…


My last significant post was on December 21st. Let’s see Christmas was on its way. I got to enjoy a very relaxing Christmas Eve on my couch in my pj’s all day. I also enjoyed some Cupcake Red Velvet wine as I finally was still enough to watch Think Like a Man. It was surprisingly pretty good. I laughed and I thought the way they worked the story from the non-fiction book was pretty decent. Of course, in my mind I wanted them to delve a bit more into the backgrounds of the women and men, but I am no screenwriter.

Christmas Day I woke up to rain. I was like it rained last year on Christmas, but this year it wasn’t so bad that I got drenched while packing up my food to take to my cousins. So, I was okay with it.

Christmas at my cousin’s was real nice and quiet. I mean there were about 20 folks there, but everything was low-key, which I like. The food was good and spending time with family is priceless. I did get to see Carson, but my clubbing partner was not having me holding and touching him. In fact I didn’t even try. Plus, my goodness he walks so damn fast I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with him anyway.

These are my 2nd cousins, their moms are my 1st cousins

Carson and his gift from me.  A clubbing outfit...

The only thing about Christmas being on a Tuesday is most folks have to go to work on Wednesday, and I was one of them. So most of Christmas I was preoccupied with getting back home at a reasonable time and trying to beat the impending storm.

Yes, we had tornado warnings and watches and by 6 pm, I was like I better start heading home so as not to get caught in the storm.

The only problem was I was storming on the inside. You see I got my brand new Samsung Galaxy 3, but as we were talking around the Christmas tree, I saw a warning sign on my phone stating I had gone over my text messaging by 120 messages. First of all, I have unlimited everything. And when I realized the folks at my provider T-mo, were enjoying Christmas, I knew my Christmas was over and I needed to get home. But first, I turned my phone off because damn lie if someone is going to text me and cause me unnecessary charges. I live on a budget. Shit. Yeah, I was mad.

The next morning, because you know I didn’t sleep I was on the phone with T-mo at 5:00 am. It took 50 minutes to get the mess straightened out. Seemingly, when I called to activate my phone on the 18th, the service rep offered me a new data plan that would only cost me a penny. I told her several times I did not want my services changed meaning I was okay with the plan as long as I kept my unlimited phone, text and data and my bill never went over $100. She was so sure that everything would be intact. Even before we hung up I asked her if I still had my unlimited everything and she said yes. Byotch was wrong. My plan was an old plan that they do not offer anymore and I had been grandfathered into. So, Rachael made the mistake and saying to me that her supervisor said I need to be careful changing my plans. I saw stars, stripes and had to count to 10, and then I proceeded to tell Rachel to be careful stating something so stupid. Why would I give up my unlimited messaging when I text all the damn time? She apologized quickly after I stated I have been with them for 15 years. That is loyalty. Anyway, she fixed the situation but those 50 minutes were quite tense. They gave me back my old plan and then I had to talk with the folks with the loyalty program because my January bill was supposed to be free and I would only pay taxes. Joshua was all about business, he knew when I accepted the offer and he took care of that and took off the upgrade fee that T-mo charges now. I swear the cell phone companies are trying to rip folks off. Let’s not mention I got a data alert on my phone today and had to cuss them out again. They fixed it, but this is the shyte that makes folks lose their minds. Also, my next month’s bill is credited except for taxes. Loyalty. And thank God!

Enough of that talk, that is negative and I ain’t trying to hear that. I worked the three days of that week and baby, my desk was clean. You hear me Clean! I worked on my 2nd job as well. I managed to get my tree down and things in storage room all on Saturday. And then I cleaned my house so you know I wouldn’t bring the New Year in with a nasty house. I am old fashion. What of it?

I took New Year’s Eve off from work and I used that day to make a giant pot of soup and watch mindless television. And drink wine. However, I also got some pretty disturbing news. One of the attorneys in my office son was murdered that morning. You read about this type thing happening but this was the first time it hit close to home. Our legal unit is small, but we are like a small family. His loss was our loss and we hurt for him. And the murder was senseless. RIP Jay.

I know you are dying to know what I did for New Year’s Eve night. Tell me you want to know. Ok, you don’t care, but I did nothing. Absolutely, nothing. I watched a movie and by the time it ended I was sleepy and I was in bed at 11 and when midnight came I was sleep. My cousin woke me up wishing my Happy New Year’s. The neighbors didn’t shoot guns much, because the police were out in force due to the murder earlier (suspect was on the run). So…I have come to the understanding I am old. I was where I wanted to be and before I went to bed, I had a heart-to-heart with God and prayed like my life depended on it, which it did. Happy New Year’s!

New Year’s Day, I slept in and then watched hours upon hours of Law & Order: SVU. Yeah, I am dry. LOL!

I woke up January 2nd ready for a great day. When I went out to my car to warm it up, it did a clicka, clicka. (My sound effect is wonderful.) I knew it was my battery. I called my cousin and he got out of his bed and we jumped my car off and I went and got a battery all this took about 20 minutes. My normal way of dealing with setbacks is to cry or get really angry. I did neither. New Year, new ways.

My vision board...

I even did my vision board for 2013. I did it New Year’s Eve. And I spend time reviewing what my goals are for the year every day. 2013 means I will do better to be better and I mean it. Do you ever just wake up and realize how truly blessed you are? I had some things to come up during the holidays that pushed me into a dark place, but I was strong in my belief things will be better. I know this.

Speaking of things, please make it your business not to be a victim of Identity theft. It is the gift that keeps on giving. The thieves managed to take my credit scores down. Now I have one more thing to clean up from this mess, pure turmoil. Don’t be a victim to this if you can help it.

My sister enjoyed her cookies she didn’t know she was getting until they arrived. I had been bitching about the cost of mailing some to my brother that she was totally thrown off by the fact, even when I asked if her box had arrived. When she was feeling better, because she was sick right before Christmas, she ran downstairs to grab up the box, because that is when she realized there had to be cookies in there. Bless her heart. However, you know who loved the Triple Ginger Cookies the most? Lala. My sister said she moaning after every bite in which she switched hands holding the cookie after every bite. Bless her heart. I am still waiting on their Christmas pictures.

Lala and her Triple Ginger Cookie...

Me and The Guy are still together, but he has been sick since right before Christmas. Like he had to have tests done and everything and he still has to have more tests done to figure what the hell is going on. Ya’ll pray for him because I am getting antsy. Geez!

Are people sick at your jobs? OMG! These folks are coming in here sick as dogs. I am around here washing my hand and standing in doorways because they really need to Lysol their offices. And the flu is epidemic now? Everyone should get a flu shot right? Well, I am allergic to eggs and I can’t get one, so what is a woman to do? Wash my hands, sanitize and stay the hell away from all these sick folks. I try not to ride the elevator with anyone. Seriously.

Scandal. That is all that needs to be said. OMG! Last night’s episode was amazing. I was screaming, rolling my neck, crying and jubilant. One should not have that many emotions happening in one episode of any show. Seriously, Shonda Rhimes, is a beast and her writers are amazing. However, I am going to need someone to tell me their secret into winding down in a reasonable amount of time so I can go to sleep. I do have to be at work the next day.

Why are there more reality shows coming on television? T. L. C should be ashamed of themselves. Best Funerals Ever, really? It is too much. I think the only reality show I watch is Catfish now. I can’t with the foolery. Except I will watch 1 minute or two of Honey Boo Boo. Don’t judge me!

Trinidad James. Jerome in the house…I keep saying that about that man and my goodness his mouth. He needs to put the mic down and get to a good dentist, stat!

Shawty Lo? No.

Deception…going to take me a few more episodes to see if I am going to like it and as long as they keep it on Monday there may be a problem. Because ya’ll know Dallas will be back on January 28th, so Deception may not see me anymore, because I love me some Dallas. RIP Larry Hagman.

I baked a pound cake recipe and review coming soon.

Coming up soon in Creative Cooking...

I am in a good place right now in my life and although this is only the beginning of the year, I know there are big things on the horizon for me if I just keep the faith. I am truly grateful. I may not have all I want; I do have all I need. How is the New Year treating you so far?

Christmas hair.  I think it is time to wash it now, any takers?  I didn't think so...

Fall Behind Randoms...

What a week, what a week. This week has gone by mighty fast. The temperature has dipped and we have been over here in Alabama freezing every morning since last Saturday. My prayers go out to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. She wasn’t playing with the east coast and northeast. So much has happen this week, I would be remiss if I didn’t give you all some randoms to tide you over until I feel like rambling again.


I have yet to start cleaning up for the holidays. I will start this weekend most likely cleaning up the debris from the remnants of my gardening months. Time to put the pots away and clean out the garden and yes, I do still have a few peppers. (I did make the pepper sauce, it is doing its thing right now.)  I also need to give my roses some tender loving care, they look like they need it bad. It is hard to go outside when it is chilly. But I will do that much so my yard guy can get in and do his fall/winter thing for me.

I already know what I am giving people for Christmas and it ain’t going to be much. I am not mailing any gifts unless they can go in a Christmas card. I like having a list of things and can scratch them off so must of my shopping will be done by Black Friday.

Speaking of Black Friday, I was contemplating not going out because I don’t have much stuff to get. However, since my sister is coming home for the holiday, this will give me the opportunity to get some things for Lala and Carson for Christmas. Usually there is something I have to get each year, but this year there is nothing. So we shall see, but the thing is I thrive on the hunt for sales and cheap shyte. I love getting out there getting bargains. I do not appreciate the large crowds and the fact the stores are opening up earlier and earlier, but the excitement is amazing! Okay, I get a thrill out of it.

I already know what I am getting The Guy and since his birthday is in January, I already know the b’day gift as well.

Oh, and my sister and her family are coming for Thanksgiving and hopefully my brother will make it down as well. I told him last week it is time to reintegrate with his family.

I do need to get a better camera so I can take my Creative Cooking pictures to the next level. I use my cell phone most of the time instead of my digital camera because it is so much easier. However, if I want to take this blog up a notch I need to take better pictures and think about attending a blogging conference.

I need to lose 5 more pounds before Thanksgiving so I got to ramp up my exercise and detox some as well. So wish me luck!

I have political fatigue. I am so over the Presidential race I do not know what to do. I purposely do not talk politics at work, but you can’t escape others discussing it and it is getting difficult to handle the blatant disrespect and the racist propaganda in the media and at work. Tuesday can’t get here soon enough. Those of you lucky enough to vote early count your blessings. Alabama doesn’t have early voting. So I have to get my azz up early as hell on Tuesday and stand in line in order to vote. And no, there is not time off to vote so you must do it on your own time. And Tuesday is my work both jobs day so Tuesday is going to be a beast for me. However, I will be there because our President is the one I want to see continue to move this entire country and not a small percentage of folks forward. Come hell or high water Tuesday is too important not to do my civic duty. And now I step off my soapbox.

Last weekend I made lasagna (I haven’t decided if I am going to post that under Creative cooking or not) and roasted some asparagus. Ya’ll I was eating the asparagus right out of the pan it was just that good. All I did was sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt and pepper and roast them in the oven. I am still thinking about it…

Lasagna w/turkey meat, italian sausage, roasted asparagus, green salad with balsamic dressing and garlic toast.  Yummy!

Last Saturday it was so cold when I was running my errands and I was so tired from the week, I could barely keep my eyes open so I made it my business to stop at Starbucks and get me a tall Salted Caramel mocha. That was amazing. I was in heaven as I shopped and sipped through Walmart. Unfortunately, I was sleepy again an hour later.

Yes, I drank my coffee in Wally World!

My second job husband got me an electric screwdriver. I am going to be messing fixing up some stuff now for real!

Don't be jealous because my 2nd Job Husband feeds into my weird desires for crazy stuff!

My cousin made me so proud last week because she sent us the Thanksgiving menu. Brought tears to my eyes. She NEVER does a menu so this was EPIC. Yes!

My responsibilities are highlighted.  I am so over the damn Millionaire Pies.  This is a Spring/Summer dessert!

The Guy and his youngest son went to Zoo boo last weekend. Last year he returned home sick as a dog because it was so cold and he wasn’t properly dressed. He sent me a picture where he dressed appropriately, because he didn't want to hear me fussing.

He does exist, but um, I had to cut out his son and blur his face.  One day I will post him on here, just not today! LOL!

I so missed Scandal this week. Last week my cousin called me during the last five minutes of the show, and I was so nonresponsive because if you are a fan of the show, you understand if you miss one minute or second of the show, your azz is going to be lost. You know the whole cast talks fast. And she was interrupting me gasping over all the people in that ROOM! I told her, “Um, catch up on the show online. I got to go!” Scandal is serious folks and if you don’t have an hour to spare on Thursday, I feel sorry for you. And the show has been given the green light for 22 episodes instead of the original 13. It is that Good!

I need to wash and retighten my hair this weekend as well. Any takers or this task? I didn’t think so. I don’t know why I whine about this all the time, because it doesn’t take but 15 minutes to wash my hair, it is drying that causes me so much pain and suffering. I retighten fairly quickly now so even that isn’t a problem, but drying this hair…Ugh!

I have a post I started this week that I think I am going to name as my favorite things, ala Oprah. Except, these are things I want in my life, but can’t get right now. Plus, folks always ask me what I want and why not point them towards those things. And let’s face it, most of the stuff no one is going to get but it makes my heart lighter knowing I actually have some wants in my life, because most of the time I say nothing. Now, when folks ask I will send them to the blog and then they will probably never talk to me again. LOL!

Music sucks right now on the radio.  I like Miguel's Adore, but most of the stuff is so blatantly sexual and crass I can't with the music industry right now.  This coming from a person who exercises to Watch the Throne, every single day!

I will continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I pray you all have a wonderful weekend as well.

Don’t forget to set your clocks behind before you go to bed Saturday night.

P. S. I can't leave you without some pics of Lala, Hunny Bunny, Carson and of course Me!

As her mama said, "No costumes, but she is cute."  Lala

Hunny Bunny as your Australian Tour Guide.  I let her know she would be on here, because she likes to know these things.

Carson, The Tiger

Carson, The Sleeping Tiger.  This will not do when we go clubbing, he has to be able to hang, Geez!

Hair is still cute!