A little bit of this, a little bit of that

My b-day weekend was fun!

Hung out with the girls Saturday… No one remembered to bring a camera. Oh well

The jury is still out on me and sushi. One kind I liked and the other was just well….nasty.

Ladynay, they didn’t have the brown rice sushi roll you recommended. :(

I’ll probably give it another go sometime in the (distant) future.

We then went down to another spot so we could, as my friend put it ‘really eat’. LMAO

FYI for anyone in the central AR area. The caribbean jerk and whiskey honey wings at Big Whiskey’s in the River Market are soooooooooooooooooo good!!!!

I got lots of calls on my b-day, cards, and cash (the people that love me really know my heart).

I got a new laptop for my b-day compliments of me and Z! He went half on an e-baby with me…awwwwwwwwwwwwww!

I didn’t get my cupcakes….boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

I did however get an all chocolate cake…yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! We didn't eat it all. I brought the rest to work so these leeches could take care of that.

He said he couldn’t find any specifically how I requested. All chocolate (icing and all).

Translation: he waited until the last damn minute to try and get some.

We went out to eat and came home to chill out for the rest of the day.

Family reunion (on my dad’s side) is this weekend.

I haven’t seen most of these people in years (haven't met some of them at all) and honestly wouldn’t know them if I did.

I have vague memories of the last reunion I went to when I was about 6 or 7. It was in the country in MS somewhere. I think I had fun. Lol I was little so I’m sure I probably did.

I really don’t have any expectation other than getting to know the other side of my family a bit better. The only people we truly associated with are all dead now with the exception of my grandmother’s remaining living sister who now lives in TX with her kids.

I need to make sure I have something to sit under during the picnic. Side effect of lupus = little or no sunlight exposure. I feel like a vampire. They should cast me on ‘True Blood’.

I bet my mama is going to try and get me to take her down to the casino. I just may take her up on it. I’ll take my winnings in cash, no check please and thank you!

I’m sure I’ll be ready to go after a couple of hours. That’s about how long it usually takes my attention and $20 I take to dwindle down. WHAT? I am not going to hand over my all my hard earned money all willy nilly to those folks! If I win $50, I’m doing it big!!

I took yesterday and Friday off this week. 3 day work week beeshes!!!!

If only they could all be like that.

I made chicken alfredo last night and threw in some homemade pico de gallo that was gifted. OMG, it was soooooooooooo good!!!

I think I may just have to swallow my words and get a FB account. I KNOW!! Shocker!!! I do believe my mama has one and that just ain’t kosher to have her out doing me! I’ll let ya’ll know if I decide to take a walk on the wild side.

I still can't believe iniquitous 1 (aka Nikki Indigo) has passed away. Thoughts of her and her work have lingered on my mind since reading the news. I was mainly a lurker on her blog but the power of her words always left an impression with me.

Ok, this post has suddenly become too damn long. What the hell is going on with ya’ll?

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

SNUGGIE: POOCH EDITION

The kids are next....mark my words.

Sooo, sooooo, soooooo funkdafied

I am currently sitting in a meeting typing this post on my pda. What? I'm multi-tasking! Anyway, I was so compelled to type this because of an issue I have with one of my co-workers. To put it bluntly, his funky ass stanks!!!! And it's not just any old funk either, it's like old wet rag funk.....sour as hell funk........muskrat love funk........just FUNKY!!!

We have a weekly meeting with he and his team for a project in progress and every week it's the same thing........that stench. I purposely sit at the far end of the conference table away him and everyone else so I can have as much distance as I can. The first week my boss invited me to sit closer, I declined. I told her I enjoy the view from the window on this end of the table....which isn't a total fib.

It's funny, the first time I met him I smelled that smell but just assumed (or hoped) it was something in the room. More recently he came by to introduce me to one of his, well I guess our, colleagues overseas. He shook my hand, as did she, and from that time until the next time I went to the restroom that stinch lingered......ON MY HANDS!!!!!!!! It took me about 15 minutes or so to figure out why and almost fell the phuck out when I realized he tried to pass that mess over to me. FAIL!!!!!! I ran to the restroom and let soap and water cleanse my skin for 10 minutes before I was satisfied that I could not smell it anymore.

BLECH....I just caught another whiff.

Needless to say being trappedin a conference room with him each week for an hour and a half is not my preference, it is however required. :-(

Ya know, it must really suck to be that person that people refer to as 'the one with the odor problem'. I've tossed around the idea of taking some soap and deordorant up to his desk (while he's not around of course) with a note that says, 'please use me'. Okay, that's mean but damn.......it's the truth.

Just poppin in.........

My snuggie......

(sung to the tune of 'my dougie)

my snuggie, my snuggie, my snuggie, my snuggie, my snuggie, my snuggie, my snuggie
she say she like
my snuggie, I'm fresh
YEP!!fly then a mu*fucka

That's right folks, the snuggie is back and it's badder and more colorful than ever! This is not your mama's snuggie either! You can now get a DESIGNER (their word not mine) one in leopard (hurls), zebra (bigger hurl), or the always stylish camel (lol).

GET YOU ONE!

BAM!

Picture it........ July 17, 2009.........lunch hour..........Wendy's drive through window

I should have known something was a bit off about her after placing my order. I heard her make a strange noise after telling me my total but just blew it off since I really wasn't paying much attention. I pulled up to the window to pay for my food and handed her a twenty. She takes it and I hear it again. Hmmmmm, sounds like she's saying ma'am I say to myself. As she hands me my change, I hear it again. I stop fiddling with my phone long enough to absorb what just came out of her mouth. Did this broad just say what I think she said???? Is she really saying BAM after each action???

She hands me my food and sure enough.....BAM!!

I check my order to make sure everything is there and ask for some dipping sauce (I guess she was so busy bam'n everyone she forgot to ask if I needed any).

She hands me the sauce and yep you guessed it.........BAM!!

The shit was so surreal I almost felt like I was in a freakin Billy Mays commercial.

I don't think this is what Michael had in mind...........

Ya'll I swear I don't go looking for this stuff....it just finds me.

I had never even heard of this lovely gem of a show, Operation Repo, until a friend shared it with me. It's a reality show about, you guessed it, people's vehicles being repossessed. I'm in love with it already (now I just need to see if we get this network at home). As I'm on the website looking at show clips I discover one (most appropriately) titled 'Just Beat It'. So I'm watching and suddenly become amused when the car owner appears.

Sidenote: I didn't even know Delorian's (sp???) were real freakin cars. I SO thought it was fictional like KITT in Knight Rider.

Anyway, so I really start taking notice of fake MJ at around the 1:37 minute mark. Then I REALLY take notice when I see his pants suddenly transfrom from a somewhat normal length to highwaters. And then he does it.............*weeps*

Pay close attention to 1:55 and watch what happens. If you're anything like me, you WILL make some type of loud outburst.

UPDATE: For those of you that are youtube challenged at the plantation, try this link Look for 'Just Beat It' to the right of the screen (it should be the 2nd video)

AR Gal PSA: 21st Century Rush Hour

I don't hate rush hour traffic simply because it is "rush hour traffic",
I am annoyed at the number and type of people who now drive in it
Who have no experience driving in it therefore don't know how.
People who drive timidly,
Who do not know that the left hand lane is for passing & fast cars,
Who defy the flow of traffic,
Who get the in way of those of us eager to get the hell home.
Those of us who did not spend a pleasant day at work or frolicking from store to store shopping all day.

I understand rush hour traffic can be scary.
There are a lot of cars on the road
And they are driving with purpose,
And many times, they are driving fast (sometimes way too fast).
I understand that it can be intimidating and interesting all at the same time but please realize that stopping a lane of traffic because you are switching lanes, are looking for a full car length opening, want to see the extent of the wreck damage, watch the state trooper hand someone a ticket, watch the driver of the 18 wheeler inspect his blowout, etc, etc, etc
Is pissing people off - not endearing yourself to the other drivers.
Find an opening and go (this is good advice for a lot of situations in life as well)
Don't wait for a hand delivered, engraved invitation.
You won't get one (but you may get a middle finger. I'm just sayin'.....)

Or better yet, time your travel during non-rush hour traffic.
Around these parts, that's roughly before 3pm and after 6pm.
I really think you will enjoy that drive more during those times.
And I will will enjoy it if you drive during those times too.

YouTube Foolishness: Entrepreneurial Spirit Edition

Not to be confused with Jones Good Ass BBQ & Foot Massage, lol.