Blogdangit

Happy New Year

My friends, fellow readers – WE MADE IT!

I'm anticipating a wonderful year. I had a blast last night! It started around 10ish and ended around 5ish this morning. The New Year's wishes of text messages were pouring in most of the night/morning as I was sending many of them out as well. I did the club thing till almost 2 then we (close friends of mine) bomb rushed another long term friend's house for breakfast. And baby she did that! Biscuits, Sausage, Fried chicken, and the best scrambled eggs I'd ever tasted. I had the chicken (don't you just love cold leftover fried chicken?), eggs and biscuits. She puts parsley and other veggie ingredients in the eggs and baby, talk about some good stuff.

We sat around talking the breeze having good times as we always do. I didn't drink too much last night (well not enough to be hung-over), so this morning was all good. I'm going over to a friend's for the traditional New Year's meal after I finish writing this post, then I'll get back in the studio to work on some things. I have a few new little projects going on. I called an electrician (which a close friend recommended) to have him possibly add another circuit and more outlets for the studio. He says he'll try to come over this evening and check me out and shoot me an estimate. I wasn't expecting the man to come on New Year's Day. I didn't want to disturb his groove, but he was cool with it.

So that's another wrap my peeps.

 

 

Merry Christmas Eve

Hello blog readers. I just want to extend warm wishes and blessings from my family to yours. I am actually out and about now -- not last minute shopping but uhm -- in Barnes and Noble writing!

I stopped in to purchase books my Mom are getting me for Christmas. Yeay! she sends me with her credit card to buy what I love -- Books!!! Works for me! I'm always buying reference materials. I'm hungry like that! So I have a few (Mostly computer - studio - recording - software - etc.) stacked on my table while slightly browsing through them to decide which ones I want. I won't be here long though because I've got to get back home and make my lemon and coconut custard pies... remember the ones I made for Thanksgiving and whycome I have a CRAVING for my OWN homemade chicken 'n dumplings? (I aint gon' even lie -- I can make the heck out of this dish. I'm telling ya. And I don't use no canned biscuits baby -- I makes my dumplings.)

I was supposed to travel to St. Louis this week , but there was a change in plans. The weather across the country is not being friendly either.

Maybe for New Years -- we'll see!

The Jump Off!

Hello everyone. I'm just getting in from the party tonight. (Remember the one I told ya about earlier?) Wow! What an incredible turnout! There were some party people up in there. I kept the mix Jazzy and Christmas until after they ate and then honey, they GOT down. The hostess made a few announcements every hour or so giving away $25 gift cards from various vendors. During her last announcement, she gave away $100 bills. I thought that was really nice for the employees. The gifts were given away from a draw of tickets which the employees received at the door upon arrival.

The oblong room was quite elegant with two rows of about 4 or 5 beautiful chandeliers across the ceiling. The lighting was perfectly dim creating perfect ambiance. I've actually done some other events in that same room before. The food OOOOH man, the hotel DID that! It was seasoned well. The menu included turkey, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole to DIE FOR, candied yams, mashed potatoes, mixed greens salad, rolls, and pecan pie. The beverage was iced tea.

There was a professional photographer who had a really nice setup with props and gear. Of course she and her assistant and I did the network thing. I also participated in some test shots after they'd hooked everything up. They wanted to make sure their lighting was okay. So I got a couple great sample pictures as well. They were nice people.

I even got my dance on a few times. As I think back, when you have a good mixture of folks, black and white and young and old, having a good time as such, it's another one of those add 'em ups. I'm gon' get deep on y'all for a minute, but to look out at that group of people from the platform I was set up on; everything in that building at the time was genuine. People laughing, smiling, socializing and dancing – and what more perfect time than Christmas to share such joy.

I say that to say this, the supervisor of these people came in somewhere around mid-time the event and he HAD ON JEANS. This event was semi-formal attire. He was asked by the hostess to speak but he refused. He walked around a few, talk to a very few and left. This is the perfect example of a trifling leader heading off a squad of 400 plus people.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening. I was told by the head of the committee that they are definitely considering me for other various events, and possibly the Christmas gig next year.

Well that's it my good folks. My eyes are going together. I'm tired and My KNEES are CRYING out to me. Baby, I worked them over on that dance floor! I'll see the doc this week.

Sending Holiday wishes to you and yours…

I’m Stuffed!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Wow, I'm stuffed. And yes my jeans are unbuttoned! Everything turned out really good with another year of family folks and good friends. There was a house full!!!! I'm thinking of doing some house-hopping now. Although I'm full – I know somebody has cooked gumbo and I'd like to get that in before the day is over. (At least grab a bowl for later!) The weather is a bit nippy and I LOVE IT! I've got on a black sweater and jeans and black boots, so I'm ready baby. 

 

My niece and hubby also came over for dinner – you know the one who was married a couple weeks ago. She's a poet, so babygirl wants to record something in the studio tonight!  She's gone to visit other relatives now, and I aw know 'cause I've had two DEEP glasses of white wine and I'm on cruise control -- but we'll see whenever she gets back. Speaking of house-hopping; shoot I could really just open my bedroom window and let all that nice crispy weather in and sleep like a baby.

I'm hoping all of you are having a wonderful day with your peoples.

Gotta go,

Love ya

Thanksgiving Dinner 2007!

Hello all, I've been up and at 'em early this morning working on my part of the Thanksgiving meal. I just finished two lemon and two coconut homemade custard pies with my homemade meringue. I emphasize homemade y'all, 'cause this aint no boxed stuff. This is actually my Mom's old recipe, which as a kid; I used to watch her make every year.

I also chose to cook the turkey (22lbs), and ham. Last night I seasoned the turkey with salt, pepper, butter, and garlic powder. I stuffed it with two big white onions, 3 pieces of celery, and chunks of garlic. I then injected it with the famous Tony Chachare's Seasoned Cajun Butter. It's still marinating in the refrigerator.

I prepared the ham by using my good friend's recipe by creating a mixture of brown sugar, mustard and coke into a paste. I then rubbed it around and over the ham. It's also still marinating in the refrigerator.

On early Thursday morning, I'm going to cook the turkey in this 18 QT Roaster Oven I bought from Wal-Mart several years ago. I think they now have it in black also. Y'all this thing cook turkeys perfectly every time. The turkey is always juicy, tender and browned evenly. It's even much better than a fried turkey. I'll also cook the ham in the oven the morning of Thanksgiving.

So as far as my part of the meal, a sistah is basically done. My mom is doing the dressing, a beef roast, macaroni cheese bake, potato salad, green beans, and chocolate cake. I think everybody else is just gon' get their eat on.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

~Luvs,

MLK DAY, I forgot!

Shoot, sad but oh so very true, I'd forgotten it was MLK Holiday. I did my 10 and realized just as I was driving back to the hotel, that today was the day. I knew yesterday, but with work being another day of meetings, schedules, phone calls, notes, time-lines, communication, follow-ups and all that stuff in between of completing a project, it totally slipped my mind.

So at this moment, this due in remembrance of MLKJR.

..............

until next one...

Happy New Year!

Wow! I made it through! It's good to see 2007. There's something peculiar about its entrance too: In my grown years, last night was the first time I did not go out to party. I was invited a few places as usual, but me, my single self and I decided to stay in. Actually I worked in the studio till the ball fell on the east coast, then I called and extended my wishes to my close buddies out there.

I continued working in the studio trying to come up with some tracks for a potential client, when I realized an hour had passed, and it was OUR time. Isn't it funny how at that point, you just feel fortunate and special? The moment seems overwhelming, especially when you hear the old familiar tune, Auld Lang Syne.

The text messages and phone calls started up again. I'm thinking this could go on for another two hours 'cause the mountain and pacific time zones had not gotten theirs yet. :) But it settled down. I'm just glad everybody I know made it through.

I continued to get my drank on (Pinot Grigio) while trying to get some production done, but I wasn't feeling it y'all. My creativity was busted. I hate when I get like that -- but it does happen from time to time. I ended up writing for a few hours on my laptop.

Happy 1st day of 2007!

Reflections and Resolutions

Did you lose those pounds you were so determined to lose? Remember when you said, "this year is the year?!" Did you save enough money to buy that house you promised to buy before July? Did you go back to school because you felt like you were getting old and time was running out? Did you realize you're never too old? Did you get that degree you've been working on for 5 years?

You promised you'd go back to church because you'd been out of it for 10 years. Did you? Did you call and make amends with that best friend of 20+ years, whom you had not spoken to for years because of a little argument?

Did you break up with that mess-up in your life to get yourself together? Did you quit that 6 figure job which made you miserable, to start a home-business which makes you happy and complete? Did you let go of the sweets and the sodas to stick with eating healthy foods because you were concerned about your health? Are you still concerned about your health?

Resolutions are fun, aren't they? They are obtainable goals and they make sense and sound good, don't they? But you see, you're not alone if you didn't follow through. I didn't, but I'm proud of what I did achieve. Whether it was a part of the plan or not. I feel a sense of accomplishment.

New Year's day marks the anniversary of my father's passing back in 1991. A reflection which lives with me forever and especially on Jan 1. Other reflections lie within my job. (I won't elaborate, but I'll say, it's been a ride! I'm just blessed to have one.) As I reminisce, I think of the many friends in my life who have revealed very personal things to me because they trusted me and knew the conversation wouldn't go any further. Some of those conversations I cried and prayed about alone, just to keep my composure and be strong and brave and everything they needed from me.

Within me lies good memories of family and friends smiling as babies are born and gifts are given, good food and good times. Wedding bells and graduations. Sunday dinners and long distance phone conversations with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends far away. The most memorable for me is the many paths I've crossed and the connections I've made with good people across the country. We'll definitely stay connected.

Life is amazing in the way it interprets our past, and predicts our future. But the way we live is our choice. The people who influence us is our choice. The destiny is controlled by us; life just follows through as we design the path. The good, the bad, the other and the ugly is soul medicine for the mind. It's the prescriptive way of life. It keeps us in tune with our existence.

What will tomorrow bring for you? Is it NOW time to just do it? Is it?

I hope your resolutions are fulfilled. Go get 'em! May your reflections be sweet like fruit cocktail at the bottom of a dixie-cup on a hot summer day. (hmmm those were the days!)

Cheers...I'll holla at ya next year!

A Day With My 4-Year-Old

Okay, well not really MY 4-year-old, but close enough -- he's my God-son and the little tyke and I hung out for a few hours today. I'd bought him a gift for Christmas which turned out to be something he already had, so I had to treat this little man to an outing with his Nana to hand-pick his own gift.

We started out to the post office to renew my P.O. Box which had expired. Took care of that, and our next stop was Wally World. I needed to go there to see if the jewelry department repaired clasps and claws on two gold chain necklaces I have which have been broken for years. I got to the jewelry counter and found out they do not make such repairs. Bumber! I threw the chains back in my purse and headed toward the front doors when lil' Mr. Tyler asks to go look at the toys. I knew then, that was it. This boy was going to get his gift right here in Wally World.

It seemed he wanted everything he laid his eyes and hands on until I reminded him that we're not here to buy everything in the Toy Department. One gift resulted in three. Don't you love the excitement on their little faces when they've gotten something they wanted? He was so cute wanting to carry the bags out of the store.

Our next stop was Ruby Tuesday's for late lunch. I ordered the crab cake as an appetizer and the chicken strips in extra hot buffalo sauce with a baked potato for my entree'. Tyler ordered grilled cheese and fries. We both had the blackberry lemonade. (Good liquid y'all!)

After eating lunch, we drove to Barnes and Noble to browse. I knew I wouldn't be there long, but wanted to see what was new. We walked over to the children's section and Tyler found three books that he wanted. I looked through a few computer magazines and bought two. I then ordered the Gingerbread Latte extra shot extra hot for the first time. My all-time favorite was out of season (Pumpkin Spice Latte). The Gingerbread Latte was a bit sweet, but it was okay. I'd order the next one with less syrup for sure.

Tyler started to get tired, so I drove him home. He slept the whole trip back. I did sit and visit with his family for an hour or so while he played with his new toys.

My 4-year-old and I had a good day.

I'm Home and Happy!

I'm home for the holidays and have been since Thursday. The weather is much different here than it was in Virginia Beach. It was unusually warm there, then it turned cold. Here it's slightly chilly and very humid. Yuck!

My mom out-done herself again this year with the decorations in her home. I've included some pictures in this post. She should have been an interior designer.

I got out a bit yesterday for last minute things. I was supposed to DJ a function with a friend of mine last night, but the knees were like, It Aint Gon' Happen Ma'am! My mind wanted to be in the mix last night (and it was a grown folks party too!), but my body was like chill girl, you need to relax. My friend called after he finished and said everything was nice. I'm glad it all went well.

My Mom decided NOT to go with the traditional dinner this year. She decided on fried catfish, crawfish etouffee, potato salad, garlic toast, and since she's craving a pork roast and everybody else in the family enjoys it except me; she's cooking it with gravy and rice. I'm going to cook the etouffee and my infamous homemade lemon meringue custard and coconut meringue custard pies.

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year from my family to yours.