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.