February Challenge_Self Portrait

February Challenge_Front Door

February Challenge_Dinner

Dinner with my Daddy!

Greek Salad, Blackened Grouper, Cous Cous w/ Beans

February Challenge_10.00 AM

Peeping out of my patio door....

February Challenge_Hands

from Hand Facts: News about hands!

February Challenge_Photo with Words

My February Challenge...

I stole this from Nineteen Sixty Nine...hopefully this will help me get back into blogging.

(by anjelize)

Exactly what I am looking for....

(by anjelize): "

(by anjelize)
"

Update...

I have planned a post for weeks.  Something always came up.  Allow me to give you an update of what came up...

• I met someone!  Yep the person who has not dated since 2007 met someone who they actually wanted to spend time.
• The above person and I spent a lot of time together.  I even told other people about him.  (I NEVER do that.)
• My workplace became seriously crazy...unemployment checks are stopping...I have to tell them there is nothing else.  Do you get how hard that becomes?  Between feeling deeply empathic of their circumstances and trying offer other assistance that the DOL does not offer?!  I either receive full blown out tears or a dressing down.  No matter it presses down hard.
• The love of my life next to Platinum has been in PICU since July 3, 2010.  My Buddha.  Cameron, if you look at page.  He has a TBI.  It is July 18, 2010.  He is doing so much better than the 1st week.  And I honestly believe he will make a full recovery.  I have had dreams of him later in life.  (I have these dreams whenever a traumatic event happens and my angels show me the path.  Not the trials but assure me we will make it through.)  Whether he has to rebuild the 1st 2 years of his life...then so be it.  I will be there.  Outside of his Mommy and Grandma I have been there are almost everyday.  He hears our voices, he feels our touch.  He fighting to come back to us and we will fight to have him back.  We love him and need him. He bonds the family.
• The above mentioned guy turned out to flake out during my family crisis.  Wasn't spending enough time.  Could not understand why the phone calls changed or ability to call back in a timely matter changed.  Many discussions.  He did not get it.  My uncle said he would not make the cut.
• Throughout the valleys and peaks my life has taken me in the last 4 months...I am happy.  I realize and recognize friends and family.  I do not like them or understand every day.  They are my rock.  Check me when I need and wrap me in their arms when I need.  Could not ask for more.

99 Things I Have Done

Found this around the blog world.....

Enjoy!!!

1. Started your own blog 06 Baby!!!!
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii Wonderful...will do it again and again
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity Almost everytime I give
7. Been to Disneyland/world Too bad I don't remember it---about 6 years ago
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Calligraphy...then took classes
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning 2x's you would think I would learn, right?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill All the time! Would rather be at home well than at home sick
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping No comment when and where
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse Years ago in Elementary school
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset Sooo many places....I love to do it when I visit a new place
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight Yes SIR
46. Been transported in an ambulance 2x's...
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling In Hawaii
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater My childhood was spent at Drive-Ins
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class A long time ago
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason When I was working at an alternative high school, a kid who attended would bring me Lavendar Tulips. His family owned a flower shop and he knew how much I loved Lavendar.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving Once again Hawaii....I did so much
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check Who hasn't!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy Don't ask me how many I have still!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone My right foot!
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle Thanks Dimples! I think....
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car Forrest...my Mustang
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper Voting....
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox I pranced around nekkid the entire time...I believe that's why I am so comfortable with my nudist tendencies.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury Does 3 months of Grand Jury count?
91. Met someone famous What qualifies as famous? I know personally a lot of political officials...
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one Too many to count....
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit Yep.
98. Owned a cell phone Yep.
99. Been stung by a bee Goodness...of course...I am a GRITS

Happy Birthday Cameron!!

Last year my baby sis gave birth to this....

As you can imagine we were not exactly excited. She was 18. Just graduated from high school. Had plans to go off to school. Well...plans changed and we adapted. Like everyone else who has dealt with changes in the plan.

Thankfully Cameron Isaiah was exactly what she needed. She is now a sophomore in college. By summer '09 she will have 63 hrs...a junior! Who would have thought it? But he kicked her in the butt real good. Better than I could ever. She has goals. She has dreams and wants for her and my Buddha. Life is good.

Now this is what we have...

And this is his 1st BIRTHDAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDHA!

Family Time

Been MIA for a while...life is still making me stronger. (You see how I am making it a positive?)

So this past weekend my cousin Chase who you have read about a lot on my blog finally had the opportunity to come home and spend time with the family. It has been 4 years or so since most have seen him live in living color.

While in Hawaii visiting him I thought of having a BBQ or something for the family to see him and wish him well on his 4TH TOUR overseas. Yeah 4th. 23 years old. 4 times over there. I am sure that is abuse and a crime. Anyhoo....

It was great. The family behaved like they had sense although I am sure everyone went home and had some negative comment. Haters. Love my family but we have haters. Unlike most times we come together we had majority of the food catered. No one wanted to ask our 81 year old Grandma to cook everything. Although she did fix the dressing. Man....you just don't understand.

Below you will find a slide show of some of the pics....I love my family and love the size of it. It was weird to see how much we have grown. 2 new babies. New wives and girlfriends. Cousins who we remember being born now in middle & high school. Goodness these children are making me old. I remember when it was just me & my brother. My brother is almost 11 years older than the next kid after me.

Ok...I am rambling...check out the slide show...

Aren't we lovely?

My Grandma is in orange...check out the genes! (You know we are still scared of her. Even her children. They remember the backhand.)

My Family

This past weekend I was blessed with my baby Sis~Princess Diana & her son Prince Cameron. I wanted to spend time with her before she started her sophomore year in college. WOW. Her sophomore year. I remember when she was an impending birth & could not stand the thought of her. As you can see I got over that. She is my angel. Not the person who I know she can be but she is making great strides. And Prince Cameron is the fuel that she needed. Someone besides herself to take care. Trust me...she is a spoiled Princess. I contributed so I can't whine too much.

Maybe it's my ego that loves that she tells me she remembers what I have said in the past. Or she recognizes why I behaved in certain ways (she is living it now) towards family members or why I refuse to partake in family discussions, and my life lessons in love & friendships. She was listening. I believe it's great practice for my future children. Or maybe it's because I feel like a big sister finally since our ages have caught up somewhat. There is still the 13 year age difference. But I can remember. LOL

So here is a snapshot of our time together before her crazy boss @ the shoe store called her in to work.

TMI Tuesday

1. What is your favorite song to have sex to?
I Love U in Me by Prince

- Prince Lyrics

2. What is your vision of hell?
Don't really think about it...when I tell someone to go there I envision them going to a place where everything they hate, loathe, despise, literally drives them insane. I want suffering.

3. In the film made of your life, who will play you?
Thandie Newton


4. What is the one thing you most urgently need to tell your mom?
I talked to her 2x a day...if I haven't told her now...it doesn't need to be said!

5. What will be carved onto your tombstone?
A Loving and Giving Sister, Daughter, Wife, Mother & Friend
She Gave Her ALL

And the bonus: What is your drag name (which would be, first name: the name of your first pet; last name: the name of the street you grew up on)?
HA!!! Platinum Pinecrest

My Aunt

I am re-posting this as I am watching Primetime on ABC. They are recounting the life of Randy Pausch who died of Pancreatic Cancer. This is the same disease that took my Aunt. I am thankful that medicine has progressed in such a way that a 4 months to live diagnosis does not mean it will be. Her Dr.'s diagnosis was right on the money, but he lived. And hope that eventually it will be another cancer that people can survive.

On Friday April 14, 1995 I lost one the most important, influential and loving persons in my life. My Aunt Dorothy Lumpkin Weir. She died of Pancreatic Cancer. A cancer at that time killed everyone. I can remember the conversation she had with my father, her brother and she said "Jack, it's not good." I was sitting on my mom's lap. That was about a month 2 months before she passed.

I had recently went through reconstructive surgery on my shoulder in March and honestly did not believe she would die or leave me. I didn't die during the surgery so why should she die? I knew my Aunt. The woman who I wanted to be, the woman who taught me the art of cooking, the woman who showed me what a strong proud Black woman was about, the woman who would come and get me and take me on trips to show me more than Athens, GA., telling me she was not going to survive this disease. She would not be there for my children. She would not help me shuffle through life. She would be gone.

The day I received the call that she was no longer talking, no longer recognizing her surroundings I wanted to be with her. I wanted to die with her. She was my everything. She represented everything to me. She was the only person I knew that my Father was scared of, the person who was regarded as an authority. She had love. She represented love. She provided me the opportunity for me to be. Without question. She loved me. Unconditional. She loved me.

I spent her last with her. She could no longer speak. She could grunt and she held my hand and my brother's hand. He could not handle her state. But I wanted to be there. Her boyfriend of 25 years or so said she was waiting for me and I felt it. She as able to grip my hand and hold it tight. She told me so much in her grip as loose and firm as it was. I knew I was her light. Her nickname for me was "Lil' Heifer." It might sound demeaning or condescending but it was her name for me. I was always full of something. Had an opinion or thought about something. I knew I would be her Heifer for the rest of my life. She was bold, she was cunning, she grew hybrid Roses in her yard, she had an old old's named Betsy that I loved taking trips in. She was my everything.

I know it might seem strange, but when I am going through hard times, moments when I feel as if I cannot go on I dream and I see her. She comes to me. She talks with me. And she hugs me. I can feel her hug. Her smell. The woman she was before cancer. And she reassures me that it will be OK. That life will go on. I look for and cherish the love I receive from her in my dreams. She was a remarkable woman. The world was cheated when she left us in 1995. I need her now as I did in the past.

I Love YOU

A......Z About Me

I stole this from Lola!

It is a easy (read: lazy) way to tell you more about me!

Enjoy...

A is for your age:32....Lawd how did I get here?

B is for your burger of choice:So many...last greatest...Einstein's on Juniper.

C is for the car that you drive:Ford Mustang. His name is Forrest...Run Forrest Run


D is for dog’s name:Platinum

E is for an essential item you use each day:Toothbrush

F is for your favorite television show:Any Law & Order

G is for favorite game:Mah Jong.

H is for hometown:Athens, GA.

I is for instruments played:Never had an opportunity. Gymnastics took up my life.

J is for favorite juice:Apple. I pulled an Eve a la Barbershop on day!

K is for what you’d like to kick:The economy...is that possible?

L is for last restaurant you dined at:Harry Bissett's. If you are ever in Athens, GA it is a MUST!

M is for your favorite Muppet:The old men in the balcony.

N is for number of piercings you have:3, but wanting more.

O is for overnight hospital stays:Check out the letter X & let me know what you think!?

P is for people you were with today:The grand people who are unemployed and looking for their unemployment check! & Platinum.

Q is for what you do in quiet times:Read while marinating in the tub.

R is for regrets:Not a one!

S is for status:The girl next door...

T is for time you woke up today:6:20 AM

U is for what you consider unique:My caring spirit

V is for favorite vegetable:Spinach...I am Popeye the Sailor Man! (It came on this weekend, did you watch it?)

W is for your worst habit:Ignoring people

X is for x-rays you have had:Countless...head (6 concussions), shoulder (2 reconstructive surgeries, foot (broke), knee (needs surgery), stomach area (accidents)...yeah I am a mess

Y is for yummy food you ate today:Mickey D's Hot French Fries

Z is for zodiac sign: Gemini Baby!!

Childhood

Bozo the Clown has died.

Do you remember him?

I loved watching him & the games he played. Which is totally weird because I scared of clowns when they are in my space. Will run the other way. (But I collect porcelain clowns...I know I am so confused.)

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_us/~3/326233667/index.html

Thankful Sunday-29 June 2008

I am thankful for....

~the unmoving, non-changing rock that is my Mommie (yes, I call her that...or Ma)

~that my baby sis is growing up & I have not had to kill or her or had the notion to (not something I could say 3 yrs. ago)

~my apartment. I have been unemployed for almost 1 yr. & my folks have footed the bill (Thanks Old People)

Their 40th High School Class Reunion---seat dancing

~my nephew Cameron Isaiah. When I walk into the room I am all he sees. He forgets his Grandma (his caregiver while my sis in in school & @ work), his Granddaddy who screams his name. I couldn't do what I was suppose to do back home b/c he fussed every time I left the room. To be loved so much is a blessing.

~my Mommie taking me grocery shopping and spending time finding food that she "thinks" I should be eating. (I have lost a lot of weight during my unemployment. Parents are getting concerned.)

~my cousin Randall. My baby died last Saturday. He gave me 1 of his old phones. Not in the same game as my baby but I do have a phone.

~my cousin Chase. Emailing me & saying he still is missing me in Hawaii. How am I going to let him go back to Iraq? I stole his combat pillow...do you think that will help?

~my cousin Randall. He always makes me feel cherished. In his mind I am still that little girl who needs watching. (He was the designated walker w/ me to & from elementary school. My independent self made him walk behind me b/c I could do it myself!)

~my baby Platinum. She has been without me for 2 weeks. When she finally walked out of the bathroom (loves the cold tiles) she was sooooo happy!

~my Sony Vaio!!! It helps me keep in touch w/ all of you and the world wide web! What did I do before?

~Mommie giving me baby sis's dishes when we THOUGHT she was going off to school. (Pregnant her senior yr. @ home going to college.)

Wimbledon Fashion

Sports junkie (& unemployed chick) that I am have stayed glued to the TV for Wimbledon. It's a highlight of my summer since football is taking soooo long to get here.

Normally, the highlight is not the outfits the competitors were. Especially since the Americans seem to be dropping like flies. Ole England has a rule about Wimbledon. All white or no play. So how could you dress that up? This is year the maker's that be have taken it up a notch! Really.

Check out Huffington

To get you started...but please go to the link above to see the others.

Ms. Serena Williams in Trench
Photo Courtesy


& a little Hotness for the girls....James Blake
Photo Courtesy

RIP George Carlin

source

King Kaufman http://www.salon.com/sports/daily/feature/2008/06/23/carlin/index.html

Jerome Cusson http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/78549/A-Tribute-to-George-Carlin-.htm


Martin Lewis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-lewis/george-carlin-seven-words_b_108578.html