HILL HARPER - My future husband

He just doesn't realize it yet.


I so *heart* this man. I have loved him since the first moment that I saw him on the all-black cast medical show (on CBS) starring Vivica A. Fox and Blair Underwood. His performance in "Lackawanna Blues," - - - POIGNANT. I admire him for his poise and spirit.

It's time that we meet. ;)

I *HEART* THESE MEN

Readers:

Since my early 20s, I have tended to have more male than female friends. Why? I simply cannot stand the pettiness of the average female. With men, there is absolutely no competition over hair, clothing, etc. . .

My move would have had a lot of *bumps* if it had not been for T. and Mr. A. I so love them. THEY ARE TRUE FRIENDS!!! In appreciation, Mom and I had them over for dinner. Here are some pics of my men helping me get settled; having dinner with mom; and Saturday's BBQ:

Mr. A. putting together my scrapbook cart:


T. hookin' up the speakers and DVD player




Mom being cheesy:





The guests:




Pics from the BBQ:

Don't you LUV my new grill?!


Chef T. slicin' and dicing!!!


My DELISH Raspberry Lemon Curd cake.

Hippiegirl, you most DEFINITELY come to the next soiree! ;)

Sunday Singin' Sensation: BARRY WHITE!!!!

Greetings!

I hope that you are enjoying your weekend/remembered to give God some PRAISE this AM!!!

SSS is back. Barry White - this one is for you. The BEST instrumental of ALL time was composed by none other than THE Barry White. Mr. White should still be with us. If you don't know who Barry is, SHAME ON YOU!! If you were born in the 1970s, you may have been conceived while one of his songs was playing in the background. "Love's Theme" - - - -one of my favorite songs of time. This song is over in the Juke Joint. Play it!

R.I.P., Mr. White.


Here are some more photos of my home:



The kitchen:


The guest bathroom. I so *heart* this shower curtain and matching accessories.


I have the backyard photos to share. I have a 3rd bedroom; however, it is not finished, and I won't be sharing a pic of it.

Yesterday, I hosted a bbq for my "menfolk" (Mr. A. and T.). We had:

* Grilled chicken
* Spaghetti
* Burgers
*Tilapia
*Grilled veggies
* Yellow cake with a lemon curd/fresh raspberry filling (topped with cool whip icing) - I made it. Can you BELIEVE it?!?!?

Those pics are forthcoming. We had a BLAST! Mr. A. was in charge of the grill; T. and I did the side dishes. We GRUBBED and laughed our BOOTIES off!!! Both of my men are SIK. Do you hear me?!

I am still chuckling over what a student of mine did the other day. Some girl kept calling his name and he said (theatrically) - SHET UP HEFFA! SHET UP!!!!!!!!! She said, "What is a heffa?" Someone said, "He called you a cow." She said, "I ain't fat. (Mind you, she weights 50 lbs on a good day). Here's my response to you - :stuck out her middle finger:

I told those kids that they were CRAZY. I tried to be a professional and not laugh; however, the heffa remark and his antics were too much.

I'll be waiting for YOU. . .

Thank you for the kind comments; they are greatly appreciated!


My office/scrapbooking room:









The master bedroom and bathroom:






More photos to come!

Come and Knock on My DOOR!

My mom @ the front door.



The Living Room - If I hit the lottery, this furniture is being moved to my guest bedroom; the couch is a sleeper.





The dining room - - - where I hope to entertain my friends and family.

This home is a work in progress.

More to come!

First Thangs FIRST: He Wants to Sleep With You - - - Chapter FIVE

GREETINGS!!!

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! I am finally returning to blogland. Indeed, I was BUZY. If you were to visit my home, you would never think that I've been there less than 2 weeks. Everything is in its place and is absolutely magnificent. I will be uploading pictures soon. It's SO nice to be in a QUIET house. I don't hear any doors slamming/dogs barking, etc. . .

GOD IS LOVE!

I finally broke down and informed my mom about my blog. She read a couple of entries, and she said that I was CRAZY as all hell, and that she hopes that "Steve Harvey finds my s*** on the Internet and calls me." Mom said that my stuff was SIK.

I try. Indeed, Mom was an absolute BLESSING last week. Sweet Lord, she helped me get everything together and took me to Bed Bath and Beyond nearly EVERY DAY that she was here. There is only one bedroom that is unfinished. I have left it somewhat empty on purpose. And if you think that it's for a nursery, think again. ;) It's for when I eventually replace my current bedroom furniture. Hell, I can barely afford me let alone a newborn, crib, diapers, formula, binkies, etc. . .

I digress. Now, let's get back to STEVE:

It's time to break down Chapter FIVE to you folks. In Chapter 5, Harvey states that the average man desires to get "the cookie" ASAP. Steve states that a man "always wants something, " and first and foremost, it's the cookie. He initially sizes you up to see what how long he has to "invest" before he can get some of the "chip." He is curious to know if your "price" is high.

Ladies, what is your man's plan? Do you let him know upfront how much he is going to have to "invest (i.e. your values)," or do you allow him to "take" from you as if you are a human ATM machine? As aforementioned, all we have is our BODIES. Therefore, wake up and get a CLUE, chicks. Once again, IT AIN'T FREE. If the man does not have a sound "plan" in which you are a major player, then you need to MOVE ON!!!

Let your man know UP FRONT exactly what you're worth. Otherwise, if the relationship doesn't work, hey, it's probably because you didn't give him the "Value of MOI" talk prior to giving up the cookie.

WORD.

Sarah - give me until the weekend to answer your tag.

KUDOS to my girl, Angie (http://www.angieinpink.blogspot.com/) on the birth of her sweet, baby girl, Miss Olivia Kate Dunn. LOVE YA GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Need to TALK and Other Words That Make Men Run for Cover - Chapter Four

HAPPY FRIDAY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I get a witness? My Spring Break begins @ 12pm today. Once I arrive at work, I need to simply enter my grades and call it a DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!

I apologize for failing to post Chapter 4's breakdown yesterday. I am trying to finish organizing things for tomorrow's MOVE! That's right - this is my last DAY/NIGHT at Chez Apartment. PRAISE GOD!!!!! Today, Mr. A. is going to help me set up some wardrobe boxes. The movers packed everything, but my bedroom. I still needed access to things. Therefore, today, the clothes are coming down, and the shoes/500 handbags are being packed. I am still in shock that thisis IT. I've been waiting for this for SO long.

I digress. . . .


Here's the 411 on Chapter Four:

Steve states that menfolk HATE to hear the following phrase uttered from women's lips - We. Need. To. Talk. These 4 words can either mean that men did something wrong or women "literally" want to talk (as if their man was one of their girlfriends). Harvey contends that it is not in men's DNA to sit around sippin' tea while we gossip about what we learned at the hair salon; work, etc. . . . In short, they don't have time for idle chit-chat. Men are not in the "talk-it" bizness; they are in the "fix-it" bizness. Therefore, don't come to them with "mess" unless you want them to "fix" the problem.

Then, Steve brings up an excellent point - if you have a "fixable" problem (i.e. you need $25 until payday, and your man keeps at least $250 in his pocket at ALL times), and he does not attempt to fix it, then he is NOT your man; he is NOT in LOVE with YOU. Once again, He. Is. Not. In. Love. With. You. Let me break it down further for the folks who get picked up each day by the little short bus: Put. The. Cookie. Back. Into. The. Jar.

Got that?

Steve ends the chapter with a suggestion - rather than saying the 4 lil' words that you know will cause your man to wrinkle his forehead, say, "Honey, look, nothing is really wrong - I just really want to tell somebody something."

Dig?

The 3 THANGS That a Man Needs: Support, Loyalty, and THE COOKIE - Chapter Three

Good evening!

Happy Hump Day! If you thought that I forgot to post, think again. I accidentally left my book at home. :( Therefore, I couldn't post while on campus. Now, let me break down Chapter Three for
y'all. Steve Harvey argues that there are 3 thangs that menfolk "need":

* Support - According to Harvey, men need to feel as if we have their "back." All they want to hear after a rough day at the g-i-g is "Baby, how was your day?" He needs to feel as if he is appreciated.
* Our loyalty - As Tammy Wynette once said, "Stand by YOUR Man." Do you stand by your man? For men, love is loyalty. How do you show your man that you are loyal? How do you demonstrate that he is YOUR man? Steve says that if you show your man that you are loyal, he "ain't going nowhere."
* The Cookie - Aiight, regardless of a man's race, class, ethnicity, or religion, he needs "The Cookie." Steve says that this is a Captain Obvious fact. He said that women can take away everything, but do NOT ration off "The Cookie." Having sex with the man that you love is important. Your man wants to feel WANTED.

Steve states that if you support your man; are loyal to him; and give him some cookie, he will do anything for you - "pure and simple."

Ladies, this may sound like a "foolproof plan," but is it really "pure and simple?" How many of you DO these three things, and still feel unwanted/as if something is missing? What happens when you have done these things, and it's not enough? I am waiting for Steve to offer some supplemental advice to Chapter Three. Do we truly get the Earth moved for us each time that we demonstrate that we are supportive; loyal; and can remind our men that we can "rock their world?" Should a man automatically begin the "creep creep" if his woman opts to put the "cookie" back in the jar for awhile until she feels appreciated?

I know that there are some men out there that read my blog. Therefore, I encourage you to respond to this post.


Peace.

Our Love is NOT Like Their Love - Chapter Two

Howdy!

I hope that your week is off to a fantastic start! I'm ret to break down Chapter TWo of Steve Harvey's book. Now, I have to say that I was in SHOCK over what I read about his divorce from Mary Lee Harvey. There are two sides to each story; however, if any of her allegations are true (adultery, mental and physical abuse, neglect of their child), it does make me raise an eyebrow at Steve Harvey and his bestseller. How in the H can his ex get only $1K a month in child support and NONE of the property?!?!?! Can you spell bamboozled or BOO BOO the FOOL?!?!

I digress. . . Here's what Steve has to say. Regardless of his "issuhs" with the ex, bruh man is on the MONEY with what he says in Chapter Two:

* If you have been seeing a man for NINETY days and he still refers to you as his "friend," rather than his girlfriend, woman, etc. . . , HE HAS GOTS TO GO!!!!!!!! Do you hear me ladies? Therefore, if you are still "the friend, " and you have been giving this fool the "cookie" for at least 60 of the 90 days, and you are merely a friend, scrape your dignity off of the flo' and RUN!!!

* How do you know if a man loves you? He will show it in 3 different ways:

- Profess: He is willing to tell EVERYONE that you are his woman
- Provide: He will do ANYTHING to provide for you. Women, when are you going to learn that "the cookie" AIN'T free?!?!?! I'm saying this, not Steve. Mom taught me this a LONG time ago. Our bodies are all that we have. QUIT giving the cookie away for FRRRRRRRRREE! I am not implying that your body is a wager. I am stating that if he isn't doing anything for you emotionally and/or sees that you are struggling and is not willing to help you out, but wants the COOKIE, take your "jar" and RUN!
- Protect: He will do ANYTHING to protect you and your honor. Remember, you are his WOMAN.

In short, Steve reminds us that men love differently than women. If your man is doing the 3 Ps on a daily basis, then he is showing his love. Therefore, don't threaten to put his behind out if he isn't helping you fold the towels, but he is doing the aforementioned 3Ps.

Word.

WHAT DRIVES MEN?/THE MINDSET OF A MAN

Good morning!

As promised, I am going to bring you my sentiments RE: Steve Harvey's book on a daily basis (fingers crossed) until I finish it. If you haven't purchased the book, GO GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here we go.



I LOVE MEN. I am like Missy Elliot - "boys, boys, all types of boys, black, white, Puerto Rican, Chinese boys. . . " My problem is that they love me, but not "Dr. C." The damn idiots cannot recognize (HEY, did you hear that LA County is going to have a "NO CURSING WEEK?" WTF?!?!?! Don't bring that to Phoenix, please. I would surely have a nervous breakdown.) that Dr. C. and me (my name) are the SAME person. Therefore, I am waiting. In Chapter One, Steve explores men's motivation. He contends that regardless if your man is a NBA player, "CON," or hustler on the street corner, his actions are determined by his title, how he earned his title, and the reward that he gets for his efforts ($$$). Until a man achieves all three things, he will not give you his undivided attention. In short, until he is truly "the man," he's NOT going to have time for you.

How many of us have been there? How many of us are STILL there? Can I get a witness? Ladies, how often have you tried to "rush" things, and your man has told you that he's trying to establish himself? Ladies, how many of us HAVE more or less "arrived" and our men are pissed beyond all belief because as we are making it (and are willing to support them as they attempt to accomplish the "3s,"), and they are still trying to get his title? Chapter One really hit home for me, because I have a title - "Dr. C.," and the men that I have dated (black and white) have resented it. It has made me at times almost want to apologize for it, but then you know that lasted for 60 seconds.

Steve more or less suggests that good things are worth waiting for. If your man is trying to establish himself, you have to wait. If he's not worth waiting for/it's going to take his ass too long (according to YOU) to "arrive," move right along.

Comments?

THE DEBBIE HILL TEAM/Sunday Singin' Sensation: LIL' KIM!!!

Greetings!


I hope that y'all are remembering to give God (you know my sentiments about the leaf, but in case you have forgotten - who created LEAVES?!) some GLORY! GLORY! today.






This is going to be an extremely long post. Therefore, please bear with me. I would be remiss if I did not feature my realtor, Debbie Hill, on my blog. Indeed, Debbie (the woman in the center of the picture) and her assistant, Sarah Rice, are truly exceptional women. Their level of professionalism and dedication to their clients is extraordinary. If you have an A type personality (like myself), then you need to contact Keller-Williams East Valley, and ask for Debbie Hill. Readers, as you are aware, I have gone through FOUR realtors - two from KW, and one from Dan Schwartz. I was dismayed by KW after dealing with a KW team from Ahwatukee; I was DONE with Dan Schwartz after their representative treated me more like I was his daughter that he had to "scold" rather than a client who was going to help him get a nice commission; and, I thought that I was DONE with KW (another Ahwatukee team) after that realtor tried to bamboozle me at Christmas. Michael Brannstrom, the owner of Home Detail Inspections (NOTE: IF YOU NEED AN HONEST INSPECTOR AND YOU RESIDE IN PHOENIX, YOU MUST GO WITH MIKE! HE IS AN INSPECTOR THAT HAS YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART!!!), recommended me to Debbie after Realtor #3 exemplified that he was absolutely CLUELESS when it came to realty. When the market was good, a significant number of individuals opted to leave their jobs and get their real estate license; this individual should have stayed @ his job. Real estate is not for everyone. He reminds me of a used car salesman (from the 1970s - bad, plaid sports jacket and all).

Debbie met me at my apartment. When she said, "I would not show a property to a client that I wouldn't be comfortable having my own child live in, " I realized that I finally had a realtor that was working for ME. If Debbie says jump, folks JUMP. In short, listen to everything that she suggests, because: 1.) She knows what she is talking about. 2.) She cares.

ONLY go with the mortgage company that she recommends! I learned that the hard way (READ BELOW).

Here's Debbie's website. Get ready to SALIVATE at the homes that she has on the site. Sweet LORD, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would rent my current home out and purchase one of these residences from her:


www.debbiehillteam.com

Her assistant, Sarah Rice, is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You cannot go wrong with either of these ladies.

Folks, I went through a LOT to get to the closing date. I would be remiss if I did not feature the following business on my blog:


1st Rate Mortgage (Tempe, AZ)


I am going to share my experience with 1st Rate. They should change their name to no rate. I would not recommend 1st Rate (Tempe, AZ) to my worst enemy. To keep my booty from possibly being sued, I am going to omit names. I was dealing with another mortgage company back when I was working with KW Ahwatukee Team #1 (who, if the market was good, there is no way would have dealt with me because she is used to dealing with high-end clients - it's amazing how small Ahwatukee is once you start dropping a dime on folks. My friend rolled her eyes and said, "I am GLAD that you saw her for who she really is. I know her personally, and she does not have your best interest at heart."). I thought that this man and his company were reliable; KW Ahwatukee realtor #1 wouldn't have dealt with him otherwise. When I dumped her (which, as y'all recall, shocked the HECK out of her), I should have thrown him out with the bath water as well. He left the company that Realtor #1 used and moved on to 1st Rate Mortgage (Tempe). This man was my worst nightmare. He totally botched my loan process up. He kept saying that "Everything is great!" when it was not. My loan papers should have been returned w/in 5-6 days, and the company that they were using were stretching them out by 10-20 days. I was scheduled to close on 2/19; you saw when I closed.


His boss, Sweet LORD, puts the letter, "U" in unprofessional. This heffa could have really put the heat on the underwriters (and the man that I mentioned above) and have them expedite things, but did she? NO. She puts the "I" in incompetent. I could say more, but it will shoot my blood pressure up.You're welcome to choose who you want, but if you want the FULL low-down on my experience, email me. They gave me the run-around, and they added unnecessary frustration to an already stressful experience. On one evening, she made the black in me come out, and I nearly got ghetto on her. I had to get myself together and say, "Right now, I need this trick more than she needs me. "

FYI - I don't want any anonymous posts (if you live local) about these folks. If you've got something to say (and it's in support of them), you need to be wo/man enuf to say it. Otherwise, keep it to yourself.


I am BACK with Sunday Singin' Sensation. This week's featured artist is Lil Kim! My girl gets a bad rap, but folks, she indeed is the Queen B when it comes to explicit rap. Her lyrics are real, and I love her. Her first album - classic. Her collaboration with Mya, Christina, et al for "Lady Marmalade (They should have let my girl, Patti LaBelle sing w/them), was SUPERB.


Last night, Mr. A. took me out to celebrate. We went to The Keg (Chandler, AZ). The food was WONDERFUL - pesto salmon with tomato sauce; mashed potatoes; asparagus. Dessert - key lime pie. I had a golden cosmopolitan (made with orange juice). DELISH. I left my camera at home (accidentally) :( Therefore, no pics.


LADIES, I picked up a copy of the following book. My mom said, "Get it! Do I need to mail you a copy?!" Folks, the Barnes and Noble in Ahwatukee was SOLD OUT! The Chandler store only had forty copies left. Steve Harvey, I am PROUD of you!!!!:



I am going to feature a discussion RE: each chapter (as I finish reading it). Get ret to ROLL.

Love y'all much! If you doubt the existence of God, please let my testimony RE: my home; the BS that I went through with my previous jokes of a realtor, etc. . . let you know that He LIVES and He LOVES his children. Allow your hearts to open up and accept Him!