Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The King of Pop

If you don't like Michael Jackson, that's okay. I do, and have for a very long time. As a child of the 80's, Michael Jackson was the Pop icon of my era. Everyone had the jacket, the glove, pins, posters, and tons of paraphernalia. I mean tons of it. This post is to focus on his accomplishments as a musician, and an artist. I love his songs. I have at least 20+ MJ/Jackson 5 songs on my IPOD. He's been in the spotlight since somewhere around 7 years old. The Jackson Five, and Michael Jackson as a solo artist have been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has won 197 awards through out his career.
Major AwardsWins
American Music Awards
22
Billboard Awards
40
BRIT Awards
7
Golden Globe Awards
1
Grammy Awards
19
Guinness World Records
13
MTV Awards
13
NAACP Image Awards
14
RIAA Awards
56
World Music Awards
12
Totals
Major awards won197

You can say he sucks, but your wrong. The numbers speak for themselves. The Jackson 5 opened for the likes of The O'Jays, James Brown, Gladys Knight, and Diana Ross. R&B legends. They rocked Motown's world. His success as a solo artist speaks for itself as well.

Not to mention his moves that were mimicked across the entire world by millions of fans. He was quite the entertainer. I just did the Thriller dance at my wedding. I bought a DVD called 'Thrill the World' to learn the moves. Once a year, this group gathers people all over the world to learn and do the Thriller dance simultaneously to enter the Guinness Book World of records. I'm not sure how many artists out there have fans that are doing this. I can't think of any. As an artist, he is, and always will be the King of Pop. Simply stated.





Friday, June 26, 2009

We're Back

We are back! We had an amazing vacation. We spent most of our time at Folly Beach. Visited Sullivan's Island, and soaked up historical Charleston. We slept in, we watched movies, we talked without interruption, and just truly got to enjoy each others company. We ate more than our share of calamari, shrimp, crabs, mahi-mahi...all of the fresh goodness.

Some hilarious hits:

Night number one, eating dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp. I had a plastic bib on, and was up to my elbows in crab juice. Robert just looked at me and was like....'That's my wife'.

Trying to get him to try on a salmon colored shiny speedo in the beach shop. He told me that he wouldn't even touch it with his hands, and that it was 'disturbing' that I would even ask him to do such a thing. I had tears rolling down my face in the store I was laughing so hard.

My husband telling me he was going to ignore me for the rest of the trip because I used a ziploc freezer bag as a shower cap. Have you ever? It works so much better than a shower cap. No water getting in that puppy. I guess it was a sight for sore eyes.

Robert also told me I deceived him by never telling him I was black. He was sipping the hatorade over my brown skin.


Here I am on the beach. I have mad skills on a boogie board. I kicked Robert's butt, and he didn't like it. I think he forgot I grew up 20 minutes from the water.

No relevance to the trip, just my favorite of Robert's tattoo's. He's speaking of a possible sleeve....yum yum.....
We met Mr. Crabs.
And Patrick. Spongebob was no where to be found. Go figure.
Would you eat this nastiness?
Talk about slop! I can do lots of seafood, but I can't do Oysters. GROSS.
Looks like a loogie to me, how about you?
Robert likes this hat on me. I guess I rocked it. I can't wait to wear it to my next outing only to be pounded by hours of redneck ridicule.
Crispy Critter.
Came home, threw my bags down, and picked up my son. Went food shopping with him, went for a 45 minute bike ride, bathed him, cut his nails, got him back in to tip top Mommy shape. My big girl is still in NY until Monday night. We are picking up Taylor on Sunday for a long summer stay. I can't wait to see them. There's no place like home.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Hasta La Vista

My husband was in my face at 6:50 this morning......'Wake up babe...coffee is on, I'm making breakfast...I feel like a little kid on the first day of school, I've been up all night. Let's go beautiful girl'..............

Our bags are packed.

The kids are safe and sound on their own vacation.

The car is clean and bad to the bone.

We are on the way to our honeymoon. Charleston, here we come!

Our first vacation, AND our first vacation as husband and wife! We are so excited! Have a great week!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Mom, I have no bathing suits.

This is what Amber told me a few days ago. I thought she was right. When you are Amber's age, you go through bathing suits like crazy, and you leave them places....I see my friends daughters in Amber's bathing suits and vice-verse. So, I assumed she was accurate with that statement. I went in her room to refold everything in her drawers because if you saw how she keeps them you would die, and this is what I came across in the bathing suit department. I can think of 2 that must have been in the wash or at Alex's house. You're looking at 11. 3 aren't hers, and 1 doesn't fit. When all is said and done, she has 9. 9 bathing suits. Me? I have 2 from Target that are from 2005. Not even good ones. When she walked in her room and saw all these bathing suits, her tune changes. It went from, 'Mom, I have no bathing suits' to...'Mom, I have no bathing suits that I like. Poor girl.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Good Word

Pastor Perry Noble nailed it again. I could listen to him preach all day. Definitely my second favorite Pastor. He used an analogy that I will never forget. I have already repeated it to anyone that stands next to me long enough. Here it goes again.

He takes his 2 year old daughter to change her diaper, because she has 'dropped a bomb'. When he takes her diaper off, he doesn't put the diaper in her face and say 'see what you did?', instead, as her father, he cleans up her mess, and he gets rid of it. He puts it in a place where neither he, nor his child ever has to look at it again, or even think about it ever again. Then he takes her back downstairs, and moves on with her life.

This is what our heavenly Father did for us. He cleans up our messes, and gets rid of them. He doesn't hold onto them, or shove them in our face, He takes away our sins, and makes us new. He doesn't dwell on our past sins, and neither should we.

Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Blast & Graduation

These past 2 days have been very exciting for Amber. She had Blast yesterday, and 5th grade graduation today. I am trying to figure out a way to prevent her from going to middle school. I will have to get back to you on that. Here are some pics from both days. After graduation, she went home with her friend Bonny, and her and a few of her friends are spending the night over there. She left with absolutely nothing, so of course I had to drop off a bag with the necessities. Toothbrush and clean underwear. (Along with clothes, of course). I can't wait to hear her talk about the past 2 days when she comes home tomorrow.










Tuesday, June 9, 2009

An UnGodly Day

What a day. Don't judge me. Admitting your sins out loud is a good thing.

Today was Amber's end of the year blast. It was at the community pool by her school. It was amazing. Swimming, DJ, dunking tank, big jumping/sliding/climbing moon bounce type thing, tons of food and decorations and activities. I was so impressed. After I got my bearings and calmed down.

There is a child in Amber's school that she doesn't get along with. Never did. Probably never will. Their personalities do not mesh. They aggravate each other. They had an argument today, and that child went to her mother and told her. Her mother was the Co-Chair for the event, and is also a member of the PTA.

I walked in to Blast, to see this woman hovering over my child, 2 inches from her face, screaming at her, pointing in her face, embarrassing and disrespecting my daughter.

BIG mistake lady. HUGE.

in about 1 second:

SNAP (The temper flares)

adrenaline hits the tipping point

I got the shakes

Momma bear comes out

I'm in this lady's FACE at a school function. I had said 'excuse me' three times, but she was so engrossed in yelling at my child that she didn't hear me until my daughter saw me, and a calm came over her intimidated little body, and she uttered with pride and relief...'Here's my Mom'. I gave it to her. I gave it to her good. My head and hands were flying. She never did expect me to walk up at that moment. She was shocked. A few things I am proud of:

I didn't curse at her.

I didn't push her down on the ground like I really, really wanted to.

I did get loud with her, and I did tell her to never, ever, get in my child's face again. But maybe I didn't say it quite like that. She later did try to apologize to me. WRONG. She owed my daughter the apology, not me. I told her I didn't want to hear it and to stay away from my daughter.

Not very Christ like. I wasn't ready for her apology. I am so glad that our God would never say such a thing to me. I felt convicted. I asked for forgiveness for all of my actions in those few yet insane moments. (this lasted all about 1 minute).

Problem is,

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I lost my temper, but I am justifying it with 'good reason'.

I am still harboring anger and resentment.

Tomorrow is a new day. I am so happy and thankful that I can start over again. Forgiven. Renewed. There is so much freedom in being a believer in Christ.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Video

Okay ladies....take a few minutes, turn your speakers on, and turn them up. Soak up this song. Sing along.

You are beautiful. You were made in Gods divine design, and you are a Queen. Appreciate yourself for all that you are today. Enjoy.




Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the game

A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law

This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicon I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Some Favorite Randoms

This is probably my favorite. I wonder which one is my sister?


This picture speaks for itself-but what you don't know, is that Johnny had no idea that that Isaiah decided he was going to fly over him.

Did you know that on Alex's long list of talents is break dancing?


Amber sang 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin, and she did not miss a word. sock-it-to-me-sock-it-to-me-sock-it-to-me.......

Proud parents.


This. is. HOT. Southern, Northern, European, Middle Eastern, I don't care who you are, this is HOT.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The Itch

I'm having an ongoing allergy

What it is, I don't know.

It's causing a subtle itch

From the top of my head, to my toes.

I thought it was a reaction

From a fragrance type of soap.

After switching the bar, and 2 days later,

Yeah...well....nope.

I'm trying not to scratch

In fear I'll never stop

Plus walking around and scratching yourself,

Can't look too hot.

There are no visible signs,

There are no visible clues.

Can anybody out there,

Tell me what to do?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Drill

Safety Sickness 101

I pick Amber up from school. Everyday we go home, or we run errands. Either way whenever we get home, we stop at the mailbox, she gets the mail, and 7 out of 10 times she wants to walk/jog home while I drive. I saw this as an opportunity to slip a safety drill in. I mean, who wouldn't?

I drive slow next to her, and I act as a stranger:

Me: Hey.

Amber: Hi

Me: want a ride?

Amber: NO.

Me: I have a puppy in my car, want to see it?

Amber: Silence

Me: your Mom asked me to pick you up

Amber: She starts running.

We have done this drill several times. This is how it went in the beginning. Then when the drill was over, I would tell her:

You answered too many questions
Shout NO and STRANGER
You should have been running after the 'Hey'.

She has gotten so much better. Her reaction time is quicker, and swifter. I'm happy. Today, we went to get her bike that was chained to a tree by the pool because we...uumm....forgot she rode it to the pool yesterday.

So, on the way back. I 'drilled her'. Me on foot, her on her bike. It ended with me running and chasing her, and her reply was:

"Mom, I hope who ever is going to chase somebody can run faster than you."

Hey, I'll humiliate myself to teach my kids safety. It's all good.