HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

It's that time of year again folks....birthday time. It's not actually until 8/30 but I'm not guaranteed to feel like posting this then so ummmmm yeah........... The year between 31 and 32 flew by might fast! Oh who am I kidding, time has been passing me by since I graduated high school ('95 represent!). Thanks to my trusty sidekick lupus, this year has been the most kick ass and (mentally) challengingI've had in quite some time. I'm sure I'll have more to come but right now I'm just really thankful to have made it this far.

Still no definite plans for anything major but I will be going to dine on sushi (I'm a sirgin (sushi virgin)) and party with friends tomorrow. From what I've been told about the restaurant we are going to, I should definitely try the playboy roll, volcano, super white tuna, and yellowtail. What do you suggest? I'm also thinking about going to see Alex Ortiz, a comedian. Does anyone know anything about him? As in, is he funny? I'm not about wasting money....even if it is just $9! lol No tickets have been purchased so we'll see. Sunday it's all about me and my mane squeeze! I have been feening for cupcakes ever since I perused Barista's blog. Z has been informed of this and knows what he needs to do to satisfy my craving.

Anyhoo, that's all folks. Make it a great weekend. FYI....I accept all well wishes, gifts, cards, (paper or electronic), and payments via paypal.

By Jove, I think I've got it!!!

I think I FINALLY figured out why Sheree' (aka 'Who 'gone check me boo?!') on Real Housewives of ATL makes my stomach lurch.

She looks and acts like a younger, more melanin rich version of my boss! Her face, mannerisms, the whole package well minus the face wart but still..............

BLECH!

What Breakfast looks like...............

....well kind of. This is the end result of a tupperware container FULL of watermelon. I want another one!

Here's the thing...............

.................I've got lupus.

The facts:

• was just diagnosed two weeks ago
• it's incurable and genetic. My big sis reminded me that my paternal grandmother had it. I was only 11 when she passed away so I really don't remember much.
  
• my beautician found a spot on my scalp a few months back
• I tried OTC (over the counter) stuff but it didn't work
• Went to see a dermatologist
  
• He performed a biopsy. Translation, he cut the 'spot' out of my scalp so that it could be tested leaving me with a mini-crater in mah head!!
  
• It didn't really hurt but I felt him cutting. It's healing nicely. :)
• He thought it might be discoid lupus but based on the results of the biopsy and blood work it turned out to be systemic which is the really sucky kind.
• Here's a good explanation of all the types if you're interested.
  
• Went to see a rhuematologist (sp?)
  
• He did more blood work and had me do some weird 'exercises'.
• I have no symptoms other than this thing in mah head. Back up....I do have another alopecia type spot in my scalp but you can't see it.
• After visiting the Rhue and my PCP, it has been determined that (1) I am doing extremely well ...............so far and (2) it is not uncommon for one to have lupus and not have many of the common symptoms associated with it.
  
• No meds for me right now...only an emergency prescription for steroids should I experience a flare up.
• I challenged that method to both doc's but apparently the drugs most folks take while their lupus is active is not something you want to take while it's inactive (which mine is). According to them, the side effects could do more damage especially if nothing is happening...confusing right. Yeah for me too.
  
• Anyhow, my state could very well change at any minute.....here's hoping it stays this way
• Z has been AMAZING...I couldn't ask for a better support system during this time
• I still haven't told my mom. I was going to while she was here with the kids but I thought better of it. She was beat and I figured it would be better to wait when I go up to Memphis for the reunion so we can have some QUIET one on one time (hopefully).
• I haven't told my other sister either. I was thinking I could also just sit them all down together to have a big pow wow. As you can see I have not thought through the details all that well. :)
  

So that's the quick and clean version of my life for the past few months. I'm sure you all have noticed that I really don't get too deep and bogged down with 'heavy' (and personal) stuff on here. Posting this was actually a big step for me. I like to keep it light and upbeat and it will stay that way just maybe with an added update or two here and there about my status.

In better news, I bought these today from Target. They have them in black in the store and teal and gray online if you're interested.

Music in mah head........

I've got a reunion coming up in a few weeks in Memphis. I guess you can say I'm getting myself pumped up. lol

I miss the days when these songs first came out...*le sigh*






Bonus track just for S&G's (and because I haven't heard this song in soooooooo long!)

Raising Cane

Authorities: Wife whacked husband with frying pan
click to read story

(Thanks Goli *wink*)

A little bit of this, a little bit of that......

The fam is gone...finally! lol I love 'em like a fat kids love cake but I'd be lying if I said they didn't work my nerves.

I love peace and QUIET!!

4 year olds that throw temper tantrums are not cute.

5 year olds with smart ass mouths are even less cute.

He almost got thrown off the roof.

5 year olds can cuss too. Who knew? Probably his mama and daddy. lol

What the hell??? Those were his exact words by the way.

When I questioned what he said his response = Ummmmmmmmmmmm, oooops.

Auntie AR Gal will test that butt if you get out of line. This time I only administered a strong side eye and a good tongue lashing.

I need to ask his mama if she knows he's got a potty mouth. lol

My mother still drives me nuts!

I think it drives her crazy that she can't tell me what to do anymore.

She still drops hints though. lol

We did actually have fun while they were here. The boys LOVED riding go carts, this place called JumpZone (it's basically a warehouse with those huge inflatable things that kids can jump around in/slide down, etc), and the dogs.

Speaking of inflatable stuff. I found this this while surfing. Those damn others come up with some of the most peculiar stuff sometimes. lol

I wish I had another 2 day work week this week.

Oh well, I've got a few long weekends coming my way shortly.

My b-day is at the end of this month. I have no idea what I'm doing. There's usually some event like a concert or comedy show (since my b-day is so close to Labor day)but this year...nada. Booooooooooooooooo

Now I/we am rethinking moving. I came upon an area this weekend web surfing in North Little Rock that I never knew existed that would actually be great for us. The homes and neighborhood are comparable to where we are now and the commute would be much shorter of course. Now if I could just find a house......*puts on thinking cap*

I entered a contest to win tickets to the Cowboys-v-Titans game this Friday. It's the first game for the Cowboys in their new stadium. Now I am by no means a sports fan (at all) but my honey LOOOOOOOOOVES the Titans so I figured why not if we can score some tickets and make a weekend out of it.

Didn't win...boo.

I guess we're going to try to go to Nashville for a game this season. That would actually be great. I'd get to see my bestie!

Telling your wife/SO/lady friend/etc that she is irresistible is a sure fire panty dropper....well for me anyway.

I finally found the perfect pair of black shades today at Kohl's. I had been searching eh-ver-ree-where and couldn't seem to find a pair that fit my style. I'm not a big fan of CZ's in shades (well at least not the amount that I seemed to find at the places I looked at) or too much of a gold or silver accent. They are plain black with big & round lenses. Now I can finally throw the old ones I've had with the severely cracked lens away. lol

Z and I went grocery shopping yesterday like we normally do each Sunday. We totally forgot that this was the weekend that freshman arrived in town at my alma mater. OMG!!! There were like a gajillion people in the freakin store!! I was sooooooooo hot and sweaty like I had a fever. So not a good look when you are eye balling produce.

*watching a commercial with Simmons girls* (aka Rev Run's kids) Angela gets a bad rap (as far as looks go) but she is not an ugly girl to me (especially considering she looks just like her papi).

I plan on going to Sephora this week. I want to pick up a few products from the Rx for Brown Skin line.

A DSW just opened in Little Rock. Tell me why it is allllllllllllllllllllll the way on the other end of town(ie in the really really rich folks neighborhood)? lol I'm sure that is not stopping a lot of people though. Have shoes...will travel. I'll get out there eventually I just need to make sure I have lots of time....and all my bills paid prior to entry. lol

I'm about to watch Nurse Jackie...signing off.

Ummmm.......

......so I'm sitting on the couch web surfing while the kids watch *picks up the remote to look at show information* the Wizards of Waverly Palace. I just noticed that only one of the two is watching as the youngest (see kid in the blue shirt in the post below) is talking to himself....or someone else. I think he has an imaginary friend.

*keeps listening....from a distance*

They have arrived......

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers (cause ya'll know I'm not used to all this noise!!) lol

Higher Learning.........

I came across this little diddy by way of one of my online buds (*waves at Goli...I see you watchin me* lol). In case you can't view the vid, it's a clip of the Bebé Glotun by Berjuan (which translates to gluttonous baby (go ahead and laugh)). Basically it's a spanish toy that includes a baby doll and some kind of halter top that teaches little girls how to breastfeed.

I don't have any kids (and have no clue about how it would actually go down if and when I call myself trying to have and raise one) and I'm all for early sex-ed but this.....I don't know. It's left me feeling a bit weirded out. I think the difference (to me anyway) is that having the sex talk is just that...you talk! Or at least that's how I always thought it was supposed to go down. I didn't realize visual aides were a requirement. Then again what do I know?? My mama tried to have the talk when I was 12 and barely got a rise out of me as I had already had my first (french)kiss by the age of 5 (WHAT? I'm a quick study) therefore I thought I already knew everything. Anyway this thing, well let's just say it's more hands on......to say the least.

Watch and see.



Now after watching this, the only thing I could imagine was some little girl out and about with her mom in a shopping cart with her Bebe' Gluton doll and whipping that daggone top out to breastfeed it. LMAO I couldn't even be responsible for my reaction if my eyes were to ever see some shit like that. What do ya'll think? Is it too much, not enough, just right? Would you be comfortable letting your kids or future kids use this (in public or in private)?

YouTube Foolishness: Funeral Edition