You know who’s dumb?

Someone who plagiarizes two semesters before they are scheduled to graduate *eyes stretched*

I read this this morning “the company you keep will ultimately determine the life you live”  I find this very true.  I can’t be bothered with nonsense.

I know you

Mr. K has been around lately so he came over and got my apartment thanksgiving ready…repairing odds and ends.  We went to home.depot so that he could an anchor that I was missing to mount my tv.  I was wondering on my own before I went to where he was.  I approached the aisle and heard him saying “man…why you giving me a hard time, you KNOW what size this fits” uh oh…I didn’t know exactly what led up to this point, but I could see this going south real quick.  Home Depot man didn’t know he was in danger, but I did.  I could see him yoking this man up  and whispering “tell me the size…tell me the size…tell me the size” in this man’s ear until he passed out.  Long story short, when we got back to the car he started telling me how pissed he was…yea I know.

Sick uh dis

*sigh* Who has a bday and gets sick right after? Me!

I’m so glad my bday has passed. Who says that? Me!

On Friday I purchased a tiara. Instantly I was in the mood.

Unfortunately the evening did not kick off without some drama.

Let me start by saying that I learned that friends have different categories and are good for different things. I knew that. I made the mistake of using my bday to mix to the two. I just didn’t give thought to it. Lesson learned.

I wanted to keep my list short because I wanted a round table. How that became top on my wish list I don’t even know. I figured I could get 10 people. In short things went all haywire the day before. The evening of, two of my guests had other engagements so they left early. We could only get a table for six so that was that. I had a last minute cancellation, in terms of count it all worked out. Except when one of my childhood girlfriends told me that X girlfriend of hers was gonna come because other girlfriend that cancelled was her ride. We had a couple of words because that’s HER girlfriend not mine, I want MY girlfriends there. In the end I decided to chalk it up, not that serious, be nice-ER.

We took a few pictures, had a cool time

I have got to work on my posture!

None of the women who were there really came from the same group of girls…know what I mean? One of my close girlfriends took the lead in putting it together for me. During the meal she whispered in my ear to ask if I thought that anyone would have a problem splitting the check. I said no, and perhaps that was my mistake. At the end she asked and girlfriend says “well I don’t think its fair that my girlfriend split it because she’s my friend..I had to hear her repeat it, and I think everyone else did too. Repeat it she did. Then she went into some explanation that doesn’t even matter. At this point I’m VERY embarassed. It was a nice place, yummy food. What is the problem? Unfortunately I know that the split was $47. We needed a bathroom time-out. Immediately I told her that if home-girl had an issue she shoulda stayed home. It’s tacky to talk across the table about what she doesn’t feel comfortable about doing. My friend even put down two $20′s and said well that’s all I got. That’s what infuriated me. TACKY!!!!!! Her point was that she didn’t feel the need to split appetizers that she didn’t order, and didn’t think it was right for her friend to split it either. Whatever.

Nevermind a bday celebration, the joy of going out to eat is the food, the company, the ambiance…the whole package. The ending definitely took a chunk out of my experience.

I guess when people ain’t never been no-where, or never hosted anything other than a baby shower and maybe a chucky/cheese bday party perhaps etiquette escapes them. I don’t know, but it was tacky and color me donkey if I EVER put myself in a position where that could happen.

I’m 34 young and will have more lessons learned by my experience or others.

On Sunday I had a wonderful massage, and then set out to meet a girlfriend at the theatre to see Affleck’s movie “The—-Town.” It was goood. It was like another good movie that came out. What me to tell you which one??

My birthday weekend was good. Great friends, Great food, New lessons..I really can’t complain.

North Cacalak

I just realized that I didn’t blog about my trip. I drove from MD to NC. We might have been in the car for an hour before my eyes got to rollin’. I got on the phone chatting it up with my bff, in no time I got my second, third, fourth wind. Ran into crazy traffic. After about 6 hours we arrived.

It was soo good to see my girlfriend. We became friends in the second grade. We were inseparable through the 8th grade. We attended different high schools and drifted apart. She moved to Boston for college, and well, I stayed here, so that’s that. We’ve seen each other sporadically since then, but have kept in touch. It’s been her goal to get me to move there. I arrived, and her job wasn’t so hard. I really enjoyed Raleigh. I’ve been thinking about it but I can’t really put my finger on what it is that I like so much. It just felt right.

We spent some time checking out potential areas where I could live. The girls were with me and got along well with her boys. Spending time with her was effortless. After a day of running around she did her thing, I went and did mine and it was easy. She didn’t have to entertain me…just cool. You know things are cool when you can be quiet and that’s just fine. She and her husband are in the medical field. We talked about some of the health issues that I’ve experienced over the years, and most recently. She has a better understanding of my family’s concerns about me moving. She stated that she’s there for me. That definitely increased my comfort level.

The most interesting thing was the daily rate system for rentals. Have you ever heard of that? If not, that seems to be sweeping in. The rental fee of an apartment can change from day to day based on supply and demand. Who knows what I’ll be facing next year, but it was good to get a sense of what I can get, the area, and neighboring school districts. I really like the year round school program. I am very interested in enrolling the girls in one of those programs. When I heard of those programs before I didn’t know that they had as many breaks as they do.

I asked my girl if she had friends there. She paused, and said she has friends at work. These are not women that she really chills with outside of working hours. She’s been there for 10 years. It made me wonder if friendship outside of the area where you grew up is over-rated. People are busy. You get up, go to work, handle home errands, come home and take care of your family. There are but so many hours in a day. For the past few months I’ve become a home-body. Well, that’s what I was called. I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything…I’m good. Soooo….I say that to say, does one need in-state friends? Just a thought. It won’t make or break my decision.

OHHH…and I visited the law school that I’m interested in. I really like it. I hit an obstacle when I first met with someone in the admissions office. Let’s call her Lucifer. At the end Lucifer stepped to the side, Michael reigns and it worked out in my favor. I had the best tour by a 3rd year student. I am completely in awe of where they are technologically. I left feeling totally invigorated.

*claps* Yay NC

Not ready

I start my spring semester tomorrow.  My fall semester ended just days ago it seems…well yeah…just days ago.  I’m not ready.  Usually at the end of a semester I feel like I’ve been beat down, but I’m rearing to go and really excited to my new classes.  Not this time.  I’m sore…I feel like I need another week or two to mentally recoup.  Time doesn’t wait so I’m gonna have to pull up my boot straps and get with it.

This past weekend was really nice.  Friday night after choir rehearsal I picked up my god-daughter (Tiny).  She’s 4.  Apparently she’d be talking about her Nina (me) picking her up all day, but when I get there that enthusiasm went into hiding.  My biggest concern was her crying “I want mommy” all weekend.  I wasn’t up for alldat.  She loosened up enough to come with me. 

We went to church on Saturday and she really enjoyed Sabbath School.  After church we went to a pot luck, and then headed back to church for a concert.  Howard Gospel Choir came and tore the roof off AGAIN.  They are so blessed..its like how can they alllll have such talent.  I had a banging headache, but that didn’t stop me from jumping up and showin’ out.

We got home and my poor reminded me how I ignored it all evening.  It was relentless.  I took some meds, including tylenol pm and laid it down.  I was happy to wake up with it gone. 

Tiny was having a good ole time with the girls playing candy land and then the Wii.  When her mother got there she wasn’t ready to leave, but it was time to go.  She copped an attitude.  I put her coat on, and then put her hat and scarve on.  She took her hat off and flung it across my table. *EYES STRETCHED*  Then her mother put her hat on…rinse and repeat *EYES STRETCHED*.  I picked up the hat, and put it on…again.  This time when she reached for it I said in my FIRM Nina voice “do.NOT.take.it.off”.  She buried her face in her mother’s lap.  Hmph.  When we were saying our goodbye’s at the door she grunted and refused to say goodbye.  I picked her up and she proceeded to kick and throw back.  Whose kid is this???  Tiny had been sweet ALLLLL  weekend.  I held her tight and told her she needed to behave and that pretty girls don’t act like that.  I’m sure she didn’t care.  Her mom was like “oh she’s just tired”.  She may have been tired, but you can’t excuse the behavior.  Her mother knows how I am with kids.  I’m godmother to her other daughter, and she’s 16 so we have history.  I’m not tolerating ugly behavior.  She’s on a “I don’t wanna hit” kick…yeah ok.  While hitting should not be extreme, and shouldn’t always be the first option, there is absolutely a time and a place for it.

I have another good friend, who I LOVE.  She has a daughter around Bird’s age.  Her daughter as she calls it is a “bad azz”.  I agree.  We got together at her house a few weeks ago.  She was yelling at her daughter about xyz..over and over.  Then she said something about hitting her…I made a sarcastic comment about her needing to do that regularly instead of all of this yelling.  Another friend said “Oh Kelly you do that? Your girls don’t seem like you do”  I said “That’s why…because I DO…understand?” *eyes stretched*

I would love to have Tiny again next weekend.  She’s my god-daughter and I’d like to have a consistent relationship with her…especially since I won’t be around in a year or so.  I also would like to respect her mom’s wishes re: discipline, but Nina is not a chump.

White Christmas in NYC

Saturday night shenanigans

East coast folks all knew a storm was a brewin’.  My girlfriend had her birthday party/holiday party planned for Saturday night.  Initially I thought “well that’s a wrap”, but then I felt bad so I said I’d see how the weather was by Saturday evening.  Originally the blizzard was slated to start at 9 am Saturday morning…then it was pushed to noon.  When I got out of church around 1:30 there were some flurries, but nothing major and it wasn’t sticking.  Six o’clock  rolls around and same thing.  I figure I’ll go, and if it starts to stick I’ll head home.   

I called my mother when I headed out and she could not believe I was going.  I tried to assure her that it should be okay…it’s just a little wet…she was NONE pleased.  I made a stop at the store to pick up a card and by the time I come out…it was sticking.  That wasn’t enough to deter me.  I was on a mission.  So I then decided that I’d drop off the egg nog and come back home.  Did I mention I was headed to Brooklyn, and that’s about 30 minutes from where I live? 

I arrived and well…the snow is pretty much stuck now.  Again I reason…it’ll be fine I’m sure.  NY shuts down for nothing.  If it were a work day I’d still be expected to be there and nyc public schools would surely be open.   I sat around chatting and laughing a little longer than planned and winded up leaving a little after 9pm.   Walking to the car the snow was so…idk..THERE…that I could barely keep upright.  There was a good 3-4 inches of snow on the car that I had to clean off before I could move.  Why was I amazed?  I really was. 

My mom texted me to call her when I got home.  I said ok.  On my way back  I missed my entrance onto the parkway because uh…I CAN’T SEE!  The visibility was insane.  I didn’t even realize that I missed the entrance for awhile.  I managed to loop around and get back on.  All of the cars were driving cautiously.  The two lane parkway became a one lane parkway…aside from the occasional idiot who opted to speed down the shoulder. My heart lodged in my throat when I saw the van in front of me start to slip and slide, and then the car in front of it.  OH LAWD!!! I prayed.  Please don’t let these vehicles hit each other or me.  We were going about 15-20 mph…and then my car started skating….scared was an understatement.  I called my friend E who was still at the party.  My voice was cracking..she told me not to cry because then I’d really be unable to see.  We were all were just playing follow the leader.  My windshield wipers were on full blast.  The snow was coming too fast, and it was just too cold.  Ice formed all over them…so now its ice banging against my windshield with each swoosh back and forth.

I had to call my mom.  She musta sent out a batman signal the first time we spoke because a minute into the call I get a text from HER…saying “She’s on the Jackie Robinson…pray!!!!!!!” I didn’t even bother to tell her that I got her text.

After several more spin outs, pulling over to remove the ice from the wipers, nearly having my head blown off by the wind and sitting in standstill traffic I made it home, but not before my wipers stopped working all together.  OF COURSE! 

When I pulled into my parking space my mother let it rip.  I took it.  I deserved it.  I’ve learned my lesson. *sigh*  I was never happier to be home.  I went to my window and saw another car spin and get stuck.  That one in the middle.

Rewind

Although there are more than a few bumps along the way, my holiday party was a hit.  Everyone had a good time.  We had  plenty of smiles and laughs.  It exceeded my expectations.

Sunday night I looked through the pics and got emotional.  I’m juggling alot.  Most times I have a good attitude about it all and I manage to not feel overwhelmed.  It’s during these moments that I usually get these brights ideas to do something else…like plan a party.  I had a low moment on Friday.  My mother told me she wished that I hadn’t decided to do it with all that I have going on.  I understood where she was coming from and agreed in that moment. 

After looking through the pics I knew that I do these things because soon I won’t be around.  Opportunities or occasions for me to gather with everyone in that manner will be few if at all.  So it was all worth it.

Here are some pics

The men were talkin’ REAL crazy about male/female dynamics.  Da hellz..See my face?

We played Catch Phrase and Taboo..good times.

Protest erupted as always!

The gag gift exchange was HIL.LARRR…RIOUS

Not quite Raid

Icy Hot, Sta.min.a Rx pills, and Couture panty liners just to name a few

A pack of gum for him…his lady was gifted a roll of toilet tissue….ya know…for those crappy days. 

 

My shoes were a hit…oooooowwwwwww

A wonderful evening with family and friends

The winner is…

……Pserendipity!!!!  Email me your addy Chica…why do I feel like I’ve betrayed TM??? lol

Thank you alll for delurking.  I’ll be doing another give-away very soon.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE YA’LL!!!

SHE DID IT!

I’m UBER proud of our own MzInspiredmind!!! She graduated on Saturday.  Even if you’ve never done it you know that working, going to school and taking care of a family is no easy feat…but its doable..know how I know? Cuz she did! WOOOHOOOOO

Congrats Girlfriend…you inspire me.

Weekend Turn-out

This weekend was chock full and a ball to say the least.

I headed to the DMV area Friday afternoon to hang out with family and friends.  Friday night we went to my cousin’s SIL’s home.  She was hosting a sister’s circle.  It was great to sit in.  The Thanksgiving theme was gratitude.  We took a moment and meditated on 1 Thessalonians 5:18  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” KJV

We shared some of the things we were thankful for.  It’s second nature to say we’re thankful for family or for our jobs and homes or our children.  What about some of the other things…maybe some of the things that we don’t pay much attention to…those things that are on auto pilot.  I’m going to touch on this again on Wednesday for a give-away.

Saturday I hooked up with CreoleinDC for her Nintendo Wii Fit Plus party.  Do we have a good time? DID WE? WHAAAAT???? It was a riot..check it out