YouTube Foolishness: 9th Ward Edition

At least they are learning I suppose........

GLEE........

...............are you watching?

I am and am slowly falling in love with this show. Here's a 'video' of the Acafella's (an all male singing group comprised of teachers at the high school) performance last night. It's pretty craptastic (just sound and a still image) but it gives you an idea of what their working with.....the right mix of corniness and soul. lol

More to Love

So apparently I became a fan of this show without even realizing it. This surprised even me since I usually go for more of the sillier versions of reality dating shows (ie, Flava of Love, I Love NY, etc) although I haven't really tuned in to watch any of those types of shows lately. If you aren't familiar with this show, it's basically The Bachelor with folks that have well, more to love.

I tuned in every week (well not really but whose counting) to see which girl (or two or four) Luke would give the boot to. What?! Let's face it, that's the most exciting part and if you say it's not you're lying to yourself. I never really had a favorite during this process but always found that one lady stood out a little more (read: had the most common sense)than the rest. It is also my humble opinion that she was the most beautiful of the women in the competition.

So tonight was the finale with the remaining two contestants, Tali and Melissa. In the pic above, Tali (3rd from the left on the first row with the long dark hair) is Jewish with a good head on her shoulders. Melissa,the devil in the blue dress (the blond 2nd from the right), is Christian and a little flighty IMO. And she wasn't really devilish, I just could resist. So the ladies meet the fam and it's obvious that the difference in religion with Tali (she's from Israel and Jewish) was a concern for his folks who are 'devout' Christians (which really means they probably only go to church on Easter and Christmas but I digress). After the meet the family trip, surprise visit from his mom and an unnecessary additional 30 minutes for him to contemplate his decision they finally got to the end.

Sidenote: To those that watch, were you at all annoyed at how they zoomed in on that damn pizza at the pool hall when Luke and Melissa were on their date? They would have never tried that if weight was not a factor. I'm just sayin......

Tali won and Luke proposed. Three cheers for the happy couple. Now, let's just see how long this loving union lasts after the promo tour, Hanukkah and Christmas.

Reality love...ain't it grand?

Me either!

That's what I said when I viewed this secret on PostSecret (one of my most favoritist blogs!) If you're not in the know about it, it's over there >>>>>>>>>>>>> in my newly updated blogroll.


With the lotto FINALLY coming to AR at the end of this month (can I get an Amen?!), I'm one step closer to my plan of financial freedom. I've got my bills crisp and ready to hand over to any random gas station attendant so when they ask, where dem dollas at?, I can say RIGHT HERE!

One thing I've always said is if, NO WHEN (I must speak it into existence) I win I will request to remain anonymous. No need to have long lost cousins coming of the woodwork. Ya'll see how my g-aunts did their own sister so just imagine what their offspring would do. VICIOUS! Once the money is deposited into my bank account, I will chunk the deuces to my place of employment and make my way to my couch EXPEDITIOUSLY so that I can figure out the next move. I figure I'll set the kids in the family up nicely for college and what not, buy my mom a place outside of Memphis, give my sisters a lil' coin change to spend at the mall and of hook mistah up real nice.

What about you all? Would you want the world to know 'I'm rech beyatch!!' or would you keep it under wraps? What major purchases would you make? Would you give any to the fam?

For some strange reason, I'm getting the vibe that I've done a post similar to this before. Stranger things have happened so just humor me, k? Thanks.

Family Reunion and Roots........................

The reunion was pretty much everything I expected it to be. I got a chance to meet and reconnect with my extended family and recalled a few faces from my childhood. I still don't know them but at this point I at least know we are related so if I see them in the street I can speak. lol While there, most of the folks in charge of this reunion had an impromptu meeting to discuss when the next reunion would take place (next year or the year after). It was decided to have it in 2010 since the matriarch (and oldest living member) of our family is up there in age (about 95 or 96). It was even suggested to have something with her prior to next summer as my (2nd or 3rd) cousin so eloquently stated, when you get that old a year is equivalent to 5. LMAO I got my bluntness honestly. The gathering was actually supposed to be in her honor but her child that cares for her was unable to make it so the show went on just without her.

You may (or may not) be wondering why I haven't laid eyes on these folks in years. Let me lay a bit of foundation just so you'll know what's what. My great grandparents had a total of 10 kids, one boy (who died as a baby) and 9 girls that followed. My grandmother was the 3rd, no wait 4th born. She had only one child, my father, who passed away when my mom was carrying me. Got it? Cool. So, when she passed away her WILL stated that most everything went to the kids and some other things went to her sisters. Makes good sense right? Yeah to me too. Anyway, her sisters decided that what they did get was not enough so these batty heifers took us to court. Yeah you read that right....TO COURT.

Ain't that some shit for your ass?

I really don't know why they felt the need to go to such extremes especially since my grannie was not wealthy AT.ALL. Never mind yes I do, can you say GREED?? Now that I that I think about it, I recall them saying that they felt like they weren't appropriately compensated for all the help they provided to my grandmother during her illness (she had breast cancer).

Again I say, ain't that some shit for your ass???

I didn't realize that compensation was expected when you voluntarily helped one during an illness and on their deathbed. Especially when it's your own flesh and blood. Anyway, I can't recall all the details of the verdict but I do remember having to auction her house, the items in it and having to split the earnings with them. She had a lot of antique stuff too that would have gotten good money in this day and age. With the exception of my oldest sister, we were still school age. My mom was so outdone by the entire ordeal she just said fugg it and rolled with the (gut) punches. As you can imagine, our contact with them going forward was few and far in between....hence why I haven't seen them in forever in a day. My mom still kept in contact with them (primarily the remaining sister because she lived in the same town as us) but me for the most part.......ehhhhhhhhh no.

Now I figure that was the past, this is now and even if I never go to another reunion I still made an effort. Tell me why I just realized that we didn't get a t-shirt??!! WTH!!

YouTube Foolishness: AARP Edition

Death To Smoochy....................

This is what I discovered a little while ago while attempting to retrieve the mail. After screaming like a damn fool, a picture was taken, a foot race occurred, and a text was sent to Z with the following message:

There is a big ass dead lizard HANGING on the mailbox right underneath where the mail goes. The mail has been delivered but you will want to check it when you get home 'cause I ain't touchin that shit!!!

And I mean it. I ain't going back out there until that thing falls off or until someone makes a way for it to fall off. On a different note, is that not a messed up way to go out?! Blech!

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.