365

Good morning!

Since I am awake (have thangs to do today, and I am skeered that I will oversleep. Therefore, I needed to get up and set the cell phone alarm clock), I thought that I would compose my final post for 2008.

Yesterday, I mustered the strength to spend an hour with this perky lady:
I look as if I just checked out of crack rehab and have been clean for 90 days. Ang said, "Please don't post this pic of me on your blog; okay, you can." Angie, you look so cute. Miss Olivia, I am anxious to meet you.

Afterwards, I opted to get off the Mesa bus and venture onto the new Phoenix Light Rail system. Since my bus from my neighborhood will no longer directly take me to ASU, I will have to catch the LR to Priest and Washington in order to connect with my bus. Here's a pic of the sign:

Verdict: I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bus driver drives faster than the LR glides along the rail. Heck, I felt as if this was the Trolley from "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood." Angie, Chloe will LUV it. You can catch it on Sycamore and Main the next time that you @ at your folks' home. The only people who truly enjoyed it were little boys and girls. They were all OVER the place. When I got off the LR, I truly needed a drink, but I am on this antibiotic. I had the shakes. It just moved too SLOW. I'm from an area with real trains, not a city bus on some "electric skis."

Last night, Mr. A. and I went and got "beautified." We had been talking about getting a pedicure since our break started; then, I got sick. Since I'm going out this evening, and I am wearing peekaboo shoes, I had no choice but to get them done. I called Mr. A., and he said, "Let's go."

We went to Bamboo Nails. They are the BEST. Mr. A. got the full treatment - seasalt scrub; brown sugar scrub. Then, he started clowning my toes. I have a couple "bruised" toes from running the dang vacuum cleaner over them as a kid. He said, "You need to get some of those false nails and put them on those toes." I said, "Fool, I did that once." He said, "YOU LYIN'!" I said, "No, I am not. You can do that." My toes are NOT that jacked up. The woman painted them a fire engine red with a snowflake on each big toe. Mr. A. said, "Damn, those feet look good!" My response, "SHET UP!"


Once again, these were all shot with my P&S. I didn't carry Big Gurl with me yesterday.


Day 365 - are we already here? Weren't we just on Day 100?

2008:

* Another year of life for me, my family, and close friends
* Another year of strengthening my relationship with Christ
* More peace than I received in 2007
* The strength to get rid of some emotional trash
* The strength to tell a few menfolks to hit the do' and allow it to spank both booty cheeks
* The opportunity to assist students who lack self-esteem/self-worth
* The chance to achieve some personal goals
* Joy and pain, which caused me to get back up to achieve more joy
* Tranquility at the workplace (especially from August-December - no, "You're in trouble on the double" phone calls summoning me to the Big House)
* The ability to properly TITHE
* Meeting wonderful people (both in person and electronically)
* BLESSINGS

To GOD be the GLORY, folks!!!! I hope that each of you are going out tonight - dinner, clubbing, watchnight service @ your choice. If not, do spend some time reflecting on how BLESSED you have been this year. If you don't feel it, consider that you woke up EACH morning in 2008 - that's 365 mornings if your booty woke up this AM and are reading this message!!!

GOD IS LOVE!

Folks, I leave you with this picture:


I purchased these in black; I will be wearing them tonight. Pray that I live to see the 1st day of 2009.


I look forward to reading about what you have to say about Day 365 on your own blogs. I am going to be out for a large portion of the day. Therefore, I'll hit you up tomorrow!

These are a few of my favorite READS

I am trying to set some goals for 2009. One of them is to read a novel each week (52 total). Although I am an English teacher, I am TIRED of reading. I associate reading with work (which is bad). I am going to start making extra credit assignments for my students to read/report on a novel a week.

This week's read: Joseph by Sheila P. Moses. Christina recommended the book to me about 2 weeks ago. I purchased it on Saturday, and I must admit that I raised an eyebrow to it. I said to myself, "Self, this is the same dang story over again, but with a male rather than a female protagonist."

Then, I had to re-evaluate and act as if I was 12 on up reading the novel. Then, I started to enjoy it. If you have a child in this age group, I recommend that you purchase the book for him/her. I plan on reading the novel to my Freshmen during the last 10 minutes of each class.

What are you reading?

TODAY

Good morning!

Thanks to those who sent me kind words RE: my health. I am still congested, but I am not coughing every other 5 minutes. Hopefully, the antibiotic is doing its mojo. My cousin called yesterday and chastised me for leaving the house for a hair appt. I'm sorry, but my stylist' last day of work for this week is today; I had to get in there before I return to work on Monday. My hair looked so much better that I winked @ my own damn self (in the mirror) as he was pulling the cape off of me. Mr. A. has continuously called me for the last 2.5 week EVERY day, at least THREE times a day, fussing @ me for being sick and hard-headed. Deep down, I know that he cares. I asked him, "What are you going to cuss me out once this cold ends? He said, "I don't know, but you will do something that is crazy."

I also went to germ city (the grocery store). It was like Mother Hubbard in my residence. Indeed,there was no "food in the cupbards." I only had rice, cans of veggies; cereal, but no milk.
I also picked up the beautiful roses that you see above (sorry for the photo; I wasn't taking out the SLR for one pic of some dang flowers last night). There's always something nice about fresh flowers in your home.

Today:

* I thank God for another day of LIFE
* Mi crazy-ass familia
* I can BREATHE. I haven't had a nose bleed since I started using this prescribed nasal spray.
* I can sleep without coughing through the night
* Winter vacations
* Folks who checked on my ass, especially those who called to see if I was still amongst the living.
* I pray that my voice returns to normal. I am still so nasal.
* I am thankful for Bath and Body Work's sale. Their stuff is overpriced, unless you shop at the the B&BW at the outlet malls. Luckily, I was cutting through the mall to get to Barnes and Noble when I passed by the $3 sign. When I am already spending $2.99 on shower gel from TarJAY, I said, "What the hey?" and went inside. I am going to smell so amazing in a couple of minutes
* Angie becuz I get to participate in her wonderful class today. Girlfriend, I pulled myself out of bed this AM for it. ;)
* I am thankful for the elderly. Although they can wrack your nerves with their stubborness and set-in-concrete ways, you know that they've been through alot, and deserve some props.
* I am thankful for the clean sheets that I am going to place onto my bed this AM. Oh, I cannot wait until my afternoon nap.

Readers:

Today:

* LIVE
* Pick up the damn phone and CALL someone. For once, give your fingertips a break from all that texting.
* Get some flowers
* Take a photo and share it with someone via email
* Talk about the goodness of GOD with someone
* Craft
* Decompress (emotionally)
* Laugh
* Hold someone's hand
* Read. Educate yourself, and I ain't talking about Soap Opera Digest or The National Enquirer.

That's all, FOLKS!

PRAYER

Please include this in your 2009 Prayer List:


AOL article

Holiday Scrapbook

Good morning!

Yesterday, I ended up back at Urgent Care (therefore, no Sunday Singin' Sensation/post). My body needed some antibiotics, and the doctor delivered. Mom asked me why I didn't receive any 2 weeks ago. I told her that the physician (aka DIRECTOR of the medical facility) didn't think that I needed any. Who am I to question? I am a Ph.D., not a M.D. (yet, in search of a M.D.).

After my appt., T. met me at CVS, hugged me like a long-lost relative, and off we went to eat @ Mimi's. We came back to my place, where he teased me about the need to complete some of my scrapbooking projects. I stuck my tongue out@ T., and I informed him that my Christmas 2008 album is complete (minus the journaling and NYE pic). Here it is:




Thanks to EVERYONE who sent me pictures in their holiday cards!

Supplies used: Creative Memories 8x8 album (Green)
Scenic Route paper (Garland); Bazzill cardstock (THE BEST!!!!)
Scenic Route Garland chipboard and stickers
Odds and Ends embellishments from Michael's (i.e. My Big Ideas, K&Company, and Jolee's), Petaloo (glittery flowers) and Bazzill (paper flowers)

Plans for today: Rest and a much-needed hair appt. My head is starting to look like Chia Pet (add water and GROW).

Toodles! ;)

Letting GO!

Dear Friends:

As you are aware, I have been sick for the past two weeks. I've been forcing myself out of the house, because frankly, I am tired of being in the bed. I have been congested, nasal, had a bad cough, etc . . . , since 12/11. An incident happened this AM (already), and I was prompted to post this message. I have great friends and family members, but have you ever had friends and family who just cannot manage to pull themselves out of their situation? Do you have acquaintances and peeps who relish wallowing in self-pity and get frustrated with you because you tell them ENOUGH? Something tells me that your answer is YES.

Folks, it's time to let go:

• Of feeling unwanted and unloved due to BS from your childhood. If folks don't care about you, they are doing you a favor. Seriously, do you really want the affection of someone that you are BEGGING to give you the time of day?
  
• Of feeling that you are undeserving due to childhood trauma; bad relationships. :Drumroll: How long has your ass been out of your parents' home? Out of these ill-fated relationships? If you are still surrounded by these individuals, block them out by putting a big SMILE on your face and stepping FORWARD. Do not allow them to rob you of your JOY!!!
  
• Of feeling "bad" because you have nice things or awesome talents. I'm sorry that there are those who are unfortunate, but if you think that I am not going to praise God for blessing me with nice things, think again. He's given me these gifts; I religiously tithe; I help the unfortunate on a daily basis. He continues to bless me, and I am going to speak about it. God grants us with talents. If you don't fully use them and fully acknowledge that you have them, God will take them away.
  
• Of being envious towards your siblings, family members, and friends
  
• Of family DRAMA.
• Of feeling unwanted because your wo/man left you. :Drumroll: As my Grandma once said, if a man doesn't want you, then YOU don't want HIM either!
  
• Of giving Satan the VICTORY
• Catering to these friends who relish in DRAMA. Tell them to get UP and do something, especially if you've been hearing about the same mess for over 2-5 years.
• Of committing DEVIOUS acts that can cost people their jobs, families, etc. . . If you know that you have done something bad this year to someone out of sheer malice,being an absolute BITCH or MITCH (male equivalent of bitch), etc. . . , but claim that you were doing it to "protect" yourself/family honor, etc. . . , ask for forgiveness. Folks ain't wrapped too tight, and when they decide to hurt you and your loved ones, don't THINK that your act and this post aren't going to come into you as you are trying to pick up the pieces. My parents and I discuss these types of individuals all the time (male and female), and it's SICK. Do you hear me, sick!
  
• Of relatives that HATE. Please let this go. Is it really worth discussing/losing sleep over
• Of people who have allegedly done you wrong.
• Of letting your friends and family use you to vent over mess that happened EONS ago. You ain't a psychologist. If they have health insurance, encourage them to USE it.
• Of "future fantasies" and dealing with REALITY
• Of telling EVERYONE your BIZNESS and then getting upset when they give you some advice. HELLO?!?!?! Learn how to keep some things TO YOURSELF if you are hyper-sensitive.
  

Whew! I feel as if I have preached a T.D. Jakes sermon. Work on this! Let all of this mess GO and do not allow it to enter 2009!!! If you have written a post this year about any of this mess, revisit the post, and say, "God, I am leaving this heartache in 2008; please give me the strength not to revisit it in 2009. You have blessed me with SO much in 2008, but Satan is angry at both of us, and is causing me to revisit pain from 1975; 1985; 1995; 2005, etc. . . Help me learn how to let it GO so that I receive the blessings that you have for me in 2009, 2010, etc. . . "

Pass this post around. This is something worth circulating.

:Hugs:

WTFism: BRUSH YOUR TEEF!!!!!

Good morning!

It's been awhile since I've listed a WTFism. Today is your lucky DAY.

Where does your city and state fall? Phoenix is # 52.

Where the Teeth Bite

WORST TEETH

Rank	City	Grade
100	Lubbock, TX	F
99	Philadelphia, PA	F
98	Spokane, WA	F
97	Salt Lake City, UT	F
96	Jackson, MS	F
95	El Paso, TX	F
94	Portland, OR	F
93	Tulsa, OK	D-
92	Tucson, AZ	D-
91	Baton Rouge, LA	D-
90	Los Angeles, CA	D-
89	San Antonio, TX	D-
88	St. Louis, MO	D-
87	Dallas, TX	D-
86	Tampa, FL	D-
85	Jersey City, NJ	D-
84	Denver, CO	D-
83	St. Petersburg, FL	D
82	Oklahoma City, OK	D
81	Billings, MT	D
80	Pittsburgh, PA	D
79	Miami, FL	D
78	Boston, MA	D
77	Kansas City, MO	D+
76	Newark, NJ	D+
75	Austin, TX	D+
74	Fresno, CA	D+
73	Sacramento, CA	D+
72	Birmingham, AL	D+
71	Buffalo, NY	D+
70	Corpus Christi, TX	D+
69	Houston, TX	C-
68	Louisville, KY	C-
67	Rochester, NY	C-
66	Bangor, ME	C-
65	Riverside, CA	C-
64	Burlington, VT	C-
63	Memphis, TN	C-
62	Orlando, FL	C-
61	Baltimore, MD	C-
60	Montgomery, AL	C
59	Milwaukee, WI	C
58	Detroit, MI	C
57	Cincinnati, OH	C
56	Fort Worth, TX	C
55	Oakland, CA	C
54	Albuquerque, NM	C
53	Chicago, IL	C
52	Phoenix, AZ	C
51	Cheyenne, WY	C
50	Columbia, SC	C+
49	Modesto, CA	C+
48	Honolulu, HI	C+
47	Bakersfield, CA	C+
46	Norfolk, VA	C+
45	Las Vegas, NV	C+
44	Fort Wayne, IN	C+
43	Richmond, VA	C+
42	Charleston, WV	C+
41	Lexington, KY	C+
40	Greensboro, NC	C+
39	Indianapolis, IN	B-
38	Hartford, CT	B-
37	Little Rock, AR	B-
36	Anaheim, CA	B-
35	Washington, DC	B-
34	New York, NY	B-
33	Atlanta, GA	B-
32	San Jose, CA	B-
31	Providence, RI	B-
30	Arlington, TX	B-
29	San Diego, CA	B-
28	Wilmington, DE	B
27	Seattle, WA	B
26	Cleveland, OH	B
25	Fremont, CA	B
24	Manchester, NH	B
23	Toledo, OH	B
22	Durham, NC	B
21	Boise, ID	B
20	San Francisco, CA	B
19	Columbus, OH	B
18	Wichita, KS	B+
17	Colorado Springs, CO	B+
16	Omaha, NE	B+
15	Jacksonville, FL	B+
14	Sioux Falls, SD	B+
13	Des Moines, IA	B+
12	Lincoln, NE	B+
11	Anchorage, AK	B+

BEST TEETH

Rank	City	Grade
10	Minneapolis, MN	B+
9	Fargo, ND	A-
8	Grand Rapids, MI	A-
7	Yonkers, NY	A-
6	Charlotte, NC	A-
5	Aurora, CO	A-
4	St. Paul, MN	A
3	Raleigh, NC	A+
2	Nashville, TN	A+
1	Madison, WI	A+

Seriously, I do not understand this. What is so difficult about brushing your teeth a few times a day. It's not even a $$$ thing. I see children who have NO money who are constantly talking about their teeth and either having gum, or begging me for gum. They are concerned about their grills and "fonky" breath. Now, the adults - that's another situation. If folks are offering you gum, and you know that you have recently eaten something that is "fonky," take it! Hell, suck on a cough drop; cough drops kill any fonk known to man.

QUIT LAUGHING!!!

When was the last time that you visited the dentist? If you have dental insurance, GO. There is no excuse. If you had time to hit X Mall during the holiday season to purchase gifts, you had time to get your teef cleaned. If you don't have dental insurance, yet carry around a $200 purse, get your priorities STRAIGHT and go get your teef cleaned with a $60 coupon (from the newspaper). If you are wearing $150 kicks, but have 3 inch plaque on your teef, GROSS. Better yet, how in the hell do men and and women put their lips on their man's/woman's mouth if they know that the teeth are cruddy; they don't have to be perfect whatsoever, but they should be able to tell that their significant other routinely brushes and flosses.

If you live in Phoenix, Atrium Dental is the BEST.

Folks, you never want to experience a deep clean. I had one tooth cleaned (becuz they thought that something was stuck in it). The tooth had to be numbed, and I still felt them go below the gum line. This was not fun.

Brush your TEEF!!!! FLOSS your TEEF!!! Brush your TONGUE!

On a serious note, Obama is using Lincoln's Bible for the inauguration. Who would have ever thought that the President who freed the slaves would have his inaugural Bible used by an African American?


Word.

Christmas Day RECAP

Good morning!

I don't know why stupid blogger is underscoring my text. I am going to just leave it "as is." How was your Christmas Day? Did y'all remember to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday Stevie-Wonder style? ;) Here are some pics from yesterday:

Me Acting as if I had some $$$
(Note: No single men in the house)

I spent Christmas Day at the Arizona Grand Resort. This is me wearing my Christmas dress and shoes. Adrienne - I so thought of you yesterday in this dress. It looks like something that you would create. ;) Needless to say, I don't sew, and just worked very hard to "create" the $$$ to purchase the darn thing. You'll have to click on the image to see the stitching on this dress. I've been wanting it since September; Dillards just was taking its sweet time marking the price down to 40% or higher off (the only way that I shop). When it did go on sale, my size was gone (gasp). The angels were looking on for me, because last weekend, this dress was back @ Dillards in my size.
The cooks at the carving station (turkey and smoked brisket)




The banana fosters cook preparing to do his magic.

Menu:

Grilled corn with parmesean cheese
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Grilled pesto chicken
Penne pasta with sausage
Crab legs
Smoked salmon
Turkey
Smoked Brisquet
Homemade rolls
(Other items that I cannot recall)

Desserts:

Petite desserts
Warm Apple Crisp
Banana Fosters

Beverages:

Water
Cosmopolitan (my order)
Hibiscus (my order)

Rating: ****

Christina, the food was excellent; however, I am sure that your culinary skills would have made this earn 5 stars. It was a great brunch, but not as good as the Easter Day brunch at Koi. That was simply divine. Koi was only serving a Christmas Day breakfast brunch. Thus, I went with the Resort.

My mom was content with her Christmas gifts. Indeed, it was "Miracle on ________ Lane" fo' sho'. It is hard to please someone that has EVERYTHING. The rest of the fam was happy as well.

Angie - thanks for sharing your lovely Christmas photos. Miss Chloe looks as if she got the major "hookup" from Santa and her relatives.

Love y'all!

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN!!!

Christmas 2008 Card

Over the hills and EVERYWHERE
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is BORN!!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!! Indeed, He is the true reason for this beautiful, holiday season!

What are your Christmas Day plans?

I opened my gifts:

* I pulled back my sheets and comforter and praised God for the best Christmas gift - another day of LIFE
* Sonic Care electric toothbrush (Praise God). I should have purchased one eons ago.
* Pretty party dress that I may wear on NYE (from Grandma)
* Great nightie and robe set (Christmas Eve gift)
* Vera Wang's Bouquet perfume (gift from Mr. A.)
* Juicy Couture's perfume (gift to self) - gotta do that. ;)
* My gift from the folks - Ten years ago, in order to curtail my mother's overspending at the holidays, Daddy implemented the policy that my bro and I were to receive cash only for Christmas; if Mom decided to get us gifts, then that was her choice. For the past few years, I've been spending my change on jewelry (folks' profession). The gift that is on its way (as soon as it arrives in the United States from the factory in Bali). I LUV John Hardy jewelry. For all you Tiffany locket necklace fans, Tiffany's silver necklaces and bracelets do not hold a candle to Mr. Hardy's craftmanship. I present you with my Christmas gift. It is a silver bracelet with pave diamonds. It matches my John Hardy toggle necklace. :

:drumroll:



Today's plans - putting on Diana Krall's jazz Christmas CD; nursing this cold from hell; reading some magazines; putting on a pretty dress and heels, going to brunch, and ACTING as if I have some $$$.

What are your Christmas Day plans?

Love y'all much!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve holds a special place in my heart. In December 1974, my mother started a tradition in our family that I would receive a new pair of PJs so that I was looking "fresh" when Santa arrived. 1974 was my first Christmas; in 2008, my mom still holds this tradition. Now my bro, "burned his ass" (mom's phrase) with our mother about 12 years ago; he stated that he would rather receive an additional gift on Christmas Day than to get pjs. He's yet to receive another pair of Christmas pjs from her.

When I lived in IN, I would get: a robe, nightgown or pjs, and brand-new slippers. Due to the warm weather in AZ, I usually receive pjs or a nightgown. Regardless, I am "ret" for Christmas morning. I look forward to carrying this tradition on with my own family.

Here's a better picture of my tree:


To my reader from Columbia, SC - MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks for always reading my blog. I hope that you eventually comment so that I can also read your blog. ;)



Friends, what are your Christmas Eve traditions?

Merry Christmas Eve!

Sunday Singin' Sensation: MARY JANE GIRLS!!!

Good morning!

Y'all know to give God some glory! glory! this morning. Leave that leaf ALONE!

This week's Singin' Sensation: the Mary Jane Girls. My joint is "All Night Long." I never tire of that song. IF you do not know who the MJGs are, take your booty to Wikipedia.com and become EDUCATED. They are the protegees of my boy, Rick James (RIP).

I heard this song last night at Va Bene, and I said, "Indeed, they deserve some SSS props!!!"

Here is my weekend in review (in color). I had a BLAST at "The Nutcracker." The children were WONDERFUL. A little girl (almost three) kept coming by my row and smiling at me. I thought that she was lost. The baby was trying to get on the STAGE and DANCE with the performers. Her mom grabbed her kicking and screaming. Hmm, it's time to enroll her in dance classes.

These pics suck becuz I used my point and shoot. Once you use a SLR, you don't want to go back to a P&S. I didn't think that I would be able to take a lot of pics; therefore,I just packed the Panasonic Lumix P&S. Boy, was I surprised when we were able to get on stage and meet the cast members:







Go to "The Nutcracker." Make this your tradition. I saw this adaptation @ Desert Vista High School. The Kimberly Lewis Dance School performed it. I met Ms. Lewis; indeed, she is a sweet woman who has a LOT of talent. Kudos, girlfriend!

Last night, I went to Va Bene with Mr. A. Do you know that we stepped out of his truck matching. I said, "Are you my Will tonight, and I am your Jada (y'all remember how they used to MATCH all the dang time "back in da day!"). We both had on gray and black. I love this pic:


Here are some pics of the books that I have made this holiday season. The ho! ho! ho! is a Little Golden Book (altered) with vintage Christmas ephemera. Truly, I enjoyed making this item. I used Daisy D's vintage Christmas paper (mistletoe). This is an actual sleigh bell attached to the coil binding:





I made the book with the bow @ a class. I still need to upload pics of another book that I made. Now, the bow book is just going to be a "keepsake." I have yet to add any pics to it. It is made out of canvas and heavy-duty cardboard.

Now, I am no way as talented as Sara, Angie, and Adrienne; however, I do try. ;)

Get those gifts wrapped so that you can sit back and TRULY enjoy the reason for this beautiful season: - JESUS!!!

Off to go praise the LAWD at church!

:Hugs:

8:39 AM. . .

was the time that I woke up this morning. I only woke up becuz Mr. A. was calling my landline, and I was thinking, "Who is calling me this early on Sat. morning?!?!"

HELLO CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!!!!!!! I'm officially off for TWO weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night, Miz Sara and Brad dropped off my DELISH carrot cake. Sara, it's wonderful. Thanks again. This cake is so moist and delicious. Sara, it's as good as the one @ The Cheesecake Factory. Note: They make the best one that I've had in my life; therefore, do take this as a compliment. ;)

I also got to spend some time with her sweet baby, Sawyer. Sara and Brad are excellent parents. That little boy is greatly loved.

This break, I said that I was going to do some ME things as well as create some new Christmas traditions for myself. In a few hours, I am going to see "The Nutcracker" at Desert Vista High School. Truly, I am looking forward to putting on a dress, heels, and partaking in this experience. I've been wanting to do this for years, but I've put it off. Today is the day.

Are you ready for Santa? Well, Santa (aka Fed Ex man) delivered Part One of my packages from the folks. I am waiting for one more shipment, but it will not arrive until after Christmas. Everything is nicely wrapped and contains a gold ornament (on each present). I don't know where Mom got these gold ornaments, but they are gorgeous. UPS safely delivered my parents' packages, and I now let out a sigh of relief.

What Christmas traditions are you honoring this upcoming week?

I will be sharing my holiday scrapbook soon!

Oh Christmas TREE. . . . .

Here she is:



Angie, my toddler days are over; however, I am like Miss Chloe - I am still in AWE of the magic that a Christmas tree brings to a room. ;) I would have liked to have been in a home this Christmas with a 6 footer; however, at least I have a place to lay my head at night. I am blessed for that.

Happy Thursday!

I WILL MARRY . . .

A FREAKIN' PHARMACIST!!!!! Folks, I have been MIA due to a bad case of the flu. It started last Thursday, and it's still going on. I had a cough that literally has kept me up for the past 5 days. The cough was so bad that folks would stop and ask me if I was okay. My cough syrup cost me SIXTY DOLLARS. Theraflu Nightime cough syrup wasn't cutting it. I have BCBS of AZ insurance, and of course, the syrup didn't come generic. The pharmacist refers to it as "Solid Gold;" hell, it should be "Solid GREEN."

LAWD.

I have been extremely hoarse and have had laryngitis-type symptoms. My students knew not to mess me with, because I had threatened to put them OUT for the day. It was so cold in my classroom that I called my principal's administrative assistant and said, "Heat, please."

I did manage to make some cookies with T. on Sunday. We made some cut outs; pumpkin bread, and I made some magic cookie bars. If you haven't made MCBs, you MUST. It takes you 10 minutes to throw everything together:

2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup of melted butter
1 14 oz can of condensed milk
2 cups of chocolate chips
1.5 cups of shaved coconut (grated will work, but I dig the shaved, and Krogers/Fry's sells it)
1.5 cups of chopped walnuts

Preheat oven @ 350 degrees. Spray some PAM in an 8x8 pan
Pour graham crackers into a bowl. Pour melted butter into bowl and stir.

Press buttery crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of pan
Pour can of condensed milk onto crust
Pour chips, then coconut, then nuts into milk. Make sure everything is even

Bake for 30 minutes or so.

DELISH and TRES SIMPLE!!!!!

I will post some pics tomorrow. I've been on a makin' Christmas projects kick. I just LOVE the paper. Scenic Route, Making Memories, and Cosmo Cricket have really outdone themselves.

Angie D., THANK YOU for the lovely Christmas card. It's the first card that I have received this season. I SO want Miss Chloe. Folks, visit Angie's blog - www.angieinpink.blogspot.com She always has something uplifting to say. My colleague calls me in the evening sayin', "Girl, are you reading that angieinpink over there? You're so quiet." We were out on Saturday evening, and I had him stop at the mailbox. He said, "Oh, is that angieinpink and her family?"

I managed to get my Christmas cards out. My girl, Alisen, as well as MPix did a heck of a job. Mr. A. has already framed my Christmas card (5x7), Kira, you have got to email me your address!!!

Miz Sara, your pics are in! I'm a ready for my cake when you have a moment to breathe. ;)

Time to catch up on my SLEEP!!!

On the 11th day of Christmas. . .

I am PMSing. . .

BAH HUMBUG.

S*** that has gotten on my nerves today:

* Laziness
* Kids who cannot get along with each other
* The fact that I have scrapbooking stuff waiting for me @ my leasing office and they are CLOSED due to a Christmas party? Note to self - get a box @ UPS down the street by Sat. I am SIK of this. I rush home and get things. The office closes @ 5:30pm. My cell phone says 5:28pm, and they are halfway to their car. Damn, I wanted to play tonight.
* This cold. It's good thing that Asterick #3 occurred, because I truly need to go to bed.
* Dryers that go on the fritz, which leads to laundry piling up. It's now fixed, and my washer is will be doing OT tonight.

Whew!

On to some positives:

* I had the PLEASURE of taking pics of Sara and her sweet family on Sunday @ The Pointe at South Mountain. Baby Sawyer is just so sweet. Here are a couple of my favorites



* Getting to work with crazy-ass colleagues like Mr. A:

This man is going to make me LOSE my G-I-G at the G-I-G!!! He is hilarious and always keeps me on my toes. I love this picture of him. I said, "Why don't you let me make some Christmas cards of this photo?" His response," Who the hell am I going to send them to? You?"

* Beringer White Zinfandel. I *so* need a glass.
* Kids who keep me ROLLIN'. Yesterday, I was informed that I resemble Bay Bay Bay from Real Chance Love (on Vh1). :Not:
* I am alive

I leave you with a laugh. If you haven't seen this clip, get ret to piss your clothes:

http://www.blackbottom.com/watch.php?v=QSonBANahFN


PEACE!

MISS M - PLEASE READ

I sent you an email from my yahoo acct. this AM RE: tomorrow. I am SO looking forward to it.

Call me. I included the digits in my email - mademoisellechitchat@yahoo.com

FOR KIRA AND MARK

Two years ago, my sweet friends, Kira and Mark C. urged me to leave this one fool alone. Mark said, "Tell C. to keep driving (figuratively speaking, because you know that I cain't SEE) and don't look back."

Did I take their advice? NO.

Am I taking their advice now? YES.

I met a man two years ago via eharmony. Y'all know that I am ghetto, and I wasn't paying for love. They had a free communication weekend, and I included my email address (which led to eharmony initially restricting my acct. for communicating outside of the eharmony forum). He has treated me like a poop on and off for the past 2 years. Last week, he volunteered to take me to my retinal specialist appt. I hate that appt. moreso than my annual gynecologist exam (which I had last week and hurt like HELL). I had retinal surgery 19 years ago. I have one small hole on my left retina, and I never want it to get bigger. Period.

He VOLUNTEERED to take me. I IMed him on Wednesday to remind him (which he now claims that he didn't receive the message when it showed that he logged off, and those messages will pop on even if you are not logged on - yahoo messenger). I took the bus to Mesa, and after my appt., I couldn't see ANYTHING but large items; I had my pupils dilated. I called him, and got no answer. I left him a message informing him to consider me non-existent. I couldn't see JACK, but I managed to text him an irate message on my Blackberry.

I had to call my Somalian cab driver who hightailed it over to Mesa to pick me up (Yes, I have his # in my cell phone address book). I had no problems taking the bus there; it was seeing to leave. I couldn't even read a cross walk, and I had on shades and those fake shades that the doctor's office gives you.

My phone died while out, and I didn't get clown's message until yesterday evening:

* He went off on me about not reminding him.
* He said that I needed to effing learn how to drive and that his nearly blind friend still drives (SCARY)
* I have all of these degrees, but cannot manage to find one decent paying job
* I will live in my apt. for the next 20 years, and I should go ahead and buy it.

I got LOW back, and I asked God for forgiveness

I said:

* My handicap is not funny
* I have seen my parents cry over my vision
* My bad nerves also contribute to me not driving, and you should be GLAD that is one less reckless driver on the road
* You talk about me not seeing? How would you feel if someone called your sister a barren bitch?
* I may not make as much $$$ as you, but I am employed.
* You feel threatened by my title, even though it doesn't come with your salary. Otherwise, you wouldn't have kept repeating my name/title in the message.
* I didn't realize your insecurity over it considering that you are about $100K plus in salary.
* You talk about how I handle real situations - my grandmother nearly died and my mom nearly lost it; my kids come to home starved from the weekends becuz they have NO food at home and depend on our free breakfast/lunch program
* I've got kids telling me that their relatives choked them with extension cords STILL plugged into the walls and how they are in CPS and the relatives are now locked up. These are REAL situations. I could care less that you didn't pick me up. You talked about something that I cannot help - my vision, and that's LOW. I told him that if he was going to talk about me, take his ass to Weight Watchers, especially since he makes SO much $$$, and lose his GUT. Y'all know that I used to be fat; therefore, I can still talk about big folks, becuz I still have my big folks membership card.
* I stated that I had a premonition earlier this week that he was going to lose his almighty engineering job. I told him to get ready to see how it feels to have NO job. I stated that I wouldn't have had so much difficulty finding a JOB if folks didn't feel so threatened @ the jobs that they didn't want me GONE becuz I had more education than them.
* I can afford a home; I just won't buy a house that is not worth the asking price. I have a new realtor, and on Thursday, I went looking yet again. The realtor came and picked me up and din't say a damn thing about having to do so after I stated that I don't drive. I stated that he lived in a glorified trailer that has NO furniture and needs some serious work to it. He has a home, but he has done nothing to it.

I woke up this morning, and I texted him something mean. I know that it wasn't right, but I am just livid and hurt. He stated that I should call him instead. I told his punk-ass that I don't call folks who have TOLD me that they like to community moreso online or texting. I also stated that he wasn't man enough to tell me anything that he put in those messages to my FACE.

He said that I need to grow up, especially since I teach kids. I went to TOWN on him about what I deal with on a daily basis with my kids and their non-existent finances and lack of food and how I have to handle these situations. I told him that his ass COULD be like these kids, and at the rate that he's going, he'll be eating ramen noodles on a daily basis, or beans, rice, and fideo EVERY day for dinner. I stated that this economy is FUBARED and NO ONE should laugh at ANYONE for right now about work, their salary, etc. . .

Kira and Mark, I have learned my lesson, and I am DONE. I apologize for being so hardheaded.

Love ya!

On the third day of Christmas . . .

I paid my RENT. Damn, I wish that I still had the CASH.

Then again, I thank the Lord that I have a place to LIVE.

GOOD EVENING.

Random thoughts;

* I have about 4 more papers to grade before my 6:05pm class.
* I cannot wait to take a shower or bath tonight.
* Wacoal bras are the BEST!!!
* It saddens me to give people a reality check, but sometimes, it has to be done. I thank for folks for encouraging me to pursue my dreams, but also giving my ass a financial reality check along the way.
* I feel like a character from "The Young and the Restless." There is no rest for this youngin'.
* I feel the urge to SCRAPBOOK, but I have NO DANG TIME!!!!!
* God is always good. Folks, embrace HIM.
* I am heterosexual, but I do have compassion for gays and lesbians. It amazes me how folks persecute this group. I am reading an essay. That's why I am bringing this issue up. Seriously, if God forgives OJ, then you KNOW that he forgives men for lovin' men and women for lovin' womenfolk.
* My girl, Christina, gave met his award. :Heart:
:Love:

On the second day of Christmas. . .

you need to purchase some DEPENDS. I have published 3 posts in a 48 hour period.

Today:

* I will be evaluated by my student teaching supervisor, My 12th grade Honor students will be discussing John Singleton's "Higher Learning." Their reaction, "Miss, why doesn't Tyra Banks wear her REAL HAIR and leave those weaves alone? Her natural hair is a nice length."

HMMM. . . .

* I am dead TIRED as I finish typing my lesson plan/Power Point presentation (PPT)

* Waking up at 4:30am to work AIN'T cool

* I have to make an effort to dress up today, and I AIN'T feelin' it.

* Will respond to Miz Christina giving me an award.

Now get your BOOTY all the way up and be PROACTIVE today!

:Word:

On the First Day of Christmas. . ..

PEE your pants, okay. YES, I am posting twice within a 24 hour period.

Deliver me.

My Monday:

* I am tired
* I am ready for Christmas vacation
* I purchased Revolutionary Road. Hopefully, I didn't waste my $$$.
* Being an educator is a great THANG, especially if it can get you a discount at high-ass Barnes and Noble and Borders
* I added clips of my dad's commercials.


Hmm. . , I never told you about these commercials, did I? WELL, Mom informed me that these commercials are now on YouTube. MIND YOU, when these commercials first aired, we didn't even have CABLE TELEVISION. Daddy would bring home the TAPES so that we could SEE the commercials. We cannot go ANYWHERE without folks recognizing my dad. In college, this one kid was on the campus BUS, hid behind the school paper, and said, "Come on DOWN to Albert's."

I beat him for that one.

Click on over to the right and let me know what y'all THANK.

Hey, we've got 24 more days before Christmas. Deliver me from the "all I want for Christmas is health and prosperity." What do you REALLY want? ;)

HO! HO! HO!