I will not lose

In 2009, we trusted God, and He came through each and every time. I know a lot of people were affected by the recession, but by God's grace, we weren't. I am thankful and grateful for God's grace. I didn't accomplish all that I wanted to in 2009, but, tomorrow is another year to go out and start again. It's kind of funny that I'm actually scared to post what my goals are for the year. If they don't come to pass, I'll be disappointed. I've shared with some people my goals for the year, only to be met with negativity. They don't really see it as being negative, they see it as being honest and helpful- but it caused me to doubt. Now I'm second guessing myself and thinking, "well maybe God didn't say that, maybe I should be more realistic," and that's not a place I like to be. I'm gung ho. I declare something and step out on faith knowing that it will be accomplished. If I do what I'm supposed to do, I know God will do his part.





I said all that to say this. In 2010 my only goal is to glorify God with every aspect of my life. To me that means, if He tells me to do it, I will. I will talk with Him daily, and He with me. When people look at my life, they should be able to see the hand of God on it. People that don't necessarily believe in my God, will want to believe because of the life I lead. I will be who He created me to be, and most importantly, I will not doubt.

What goal do you have set for 2010?

Thanks- NO- Get To Work

 

I got some super cute sparkly heabands in the mail on Monday from Kelly! I my hair didn't look all wild, I would take a picture of me wearing them, but I'll save that for next week once I look human again.Thanks Kelly!

 

*********

Yesterday my mom and sister came up to my job to meet me for lunch. While here, I took them around to meet some of my coworkers. There is a 20something black dude that I work with that I introduced them to. I knew I shouldn't have because my sister is me- but sexy. If you think I'm cute (and coworkers does), you'll think my sister is the deluxe model. As soon as we turned the corner:

 

SisterTM: You didn't tell me you worked with a cute dude! Is he looking for a wife?

Me: Yeah he is, but it ain't gonna be you!

SisterTM: Why not?

Me: He drinks too much

SisterTM: I can help him with that. Tell him I said hey.

 

Later on I delivered to message to my coworker:

Him: Well tell you sister, the feeling is mutual. She is quite attractive.

Me: That's nice, but she has a boyfriend

Him: Why you blocking? (it was funny to hear him say that because he tries to act all proper at work)

Me: I'm not blocking, but she's taken. And she's really mean anyway, I don't want you to hate me after she unleashes her fury.

Him: I can help her with that, I bring out the best in people.

 

I am not even gonna allow this to happen! My sister told me relay a quite spicy response to him, that made him get all wide eyed and start grinning, but I'm done passing the messages.

 

***********

Guys, make sure you set up your goals for 2010. If you don't like resolutions, then skip that, but you should at least have a vision of what you want to accomplish during the year! I know you're not doing any work today or tomorrow- so get your visions set!

 

 

Gift Awards!

Well I had an enjoyable Christmas holiday! How was yours?

 

On Christmas Eve we went down to my parent's house. TheCount went to deliver presents to the nieces and nephews and I stayed and baked cookies. My auntie came over to make her dressing so I stayed up with her and my mom until about 3 am working in the kitchen. TheCount and my sister had enough of the cooking and stuff around midnight and went downstairs to watch movies together. Even though I said I didn't want to see the movie I was still mad they didn't even invite me on their date- ingrates.

 

Christmas morning I went running through the house at 9am repeating, "It's Christmas, everybody brush your teeth, put on a bra, and report to the tree!" It's a shame I had to send 2 people back for not wearing a bra, and one person back for not brushing their teeth. We finally got around to opening presents around 9:20. Now, let's have gift awards!

 

The Most Creative award

 There is a play going on in town and when we heard the commercial in the car one day I said, "ohh, that sounds good." Then another time in the car I said, "you know, I love plays and ballets and concerts. I'll be glad when we have all sorts of extra money to spend going to them." Now, on Christmas day there was a huge box under the tree with my name on it, but it was very light. We always change the packaging on gifts to prevent snoops from figuring it out, so I knew it would be something small. Inside the box there was tons of shredded paper and a note that said, check your email. I picked up my phone and checked my email and saw the confirmation for tickets to see the play! They were so slick with it! I didn't even notice anybody get up to go send me the email :) I can't wait to go see The Screwtape Letters.

 

The You didn't buy this, did you? award

When I opened up the webcam that my mom said was from my dad, he said "ohhh, what's that?" LOL I knew he didn't go get me anything, my mom and sister were covering for him. He never gets me anything, so I'm quite used to it now. Although, next year I will be calling him and getting his credit card number so I can buy myself a gift.

 

The Wait! One more! award

After we finished opening presents, I refused to get up from the tree. I just knew there was another gift! My mom had called me the week before asking if she should get my sister a Juicy Couture perfume set. Since I love those perfumes I begged her to get it for me. Y'all I sat there just waiting and saying, "ohhh let's just wait, let's just wait." When my momma finally got fed up with me prolonging the day, she asked what I was waiting for. I was like, "I saw juicy couture wrapping paper. Where did it come from?" She started cracking up, she had forgotten all about that present- but I got my perfume :)

 

The Thanks, I really need this! award

 TheCount got me 2 games for my DS- I've been without games for months now because I beat them all and sold them back to the store. MamaCount got me a garment steamer. If you've seen the curtains in my bedroom- you'd know it was much needed! SisterTM got me some cardigans that go perfectly with my look for 2010. I cannot wait!

 

What about you? Do you have some gift awards you want to mention? Ohhh, let's add one more category in case you got a gift you didn't like, but you don't want to be ungrateful and call the person out. You can do it here! Sound as ungrateful and mean as you want- I don't judge! Here's mine:

 

Oh No You Didn't! or Don't Front! award

My SIL got us a $25 gift card to B. Smith's restaurant. Except she got it from restaurant.com, so I know she only paid $2, and we have to spend a certain amount to even use it and the restaurant is nowhere near our house and we never go to DC which is where the restaurant is. Know what happened the last time we tried to be like the cool kids and hang out in DC? Our car got stolen. The restaurant is right down the street from there. The funny thing is, she kept calling us asking what we wanted and when we told her, she said ok, she'd get it. I guess we didn't make the priority list this year :)

What were you thinking about?

Why oh why, did my momma call me and tell me "you better be glad I prayed for you and prayed ExBoyfriend right out of your life." I asked her why and she told me this: "His wife is pregnant, and so is his baby's mom- both by him." What the heck!? So now the tally is Baby's Mom: 2 Wife: 1. This is unacceptable. Dear Jesus, Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking him out of my life. My mom was like, "ugghhh, I couldn't imagine having him as a son in law and I sure wish his momma would stop telling me his business." When God takes people out of your life, please don't try and bring them back!  My mom said she feels bad talking to her because TheCount and I are actually doing well and she doesn't want to be the proud mama that she is and seem like she's rubbing it in.

 

I was supposed to have lunch with my mom and sister today, but they forgot. I talked to my mom about it LAST NIGHT and she said ok. I was so upset I just sat at work crying. It really hurt my feelings because they've made time to do everything else, but the one thing I was looking forward to won't be happening. I told all my coworkers and everything because I wanted to introduce them to my family. She said she'd try again for next week.

 

I'm looking forward to our Christmas Cookie Bake tomorrow. Maybe I should call my ma before she forgets about that too and I'm sitting at the house by myself looking stupid.

Early Morning Photo Shoot

Awkward: I was just standing around the cubicles talking to my coworkers when the v.p. came through handing out presents to everybody- except me. Technically I'm not on her team, but good grief, you could have waited until I left.

 

I got my Secret Santa gift from Nerd Girl yesterday! I got a beautiful scarf (pictured), earrings, and a candle that smells sooooooo good. I was so happy when the mailman knocked on the door. I think TheCount was jealous because of how happy I was opening the package. When I pulled out the scarf I said, "oh yeah, I know this is from Nerd Girl" and then he mumbled something about how he wishes I would be as excited about him as I was about Nerd Girl. Sighhhh, now I have to flip out and roll on the floor when I open his Christmas present or he'll hate Nerd Girl forever.

 

I am so glad to be back in my regular office. My comfy chair, a computer that actually works efficiently, and fridge that is fully stocked with beverages. Oh how I've missed this place :)

 

It really trips me out when people put down other people's beliefs. Seriously, I don't hate on you for me Muslim/Agnostic/Atheist/Buddhist/Wiccan so why can't you just leave me and my Jesus alone? A dude I went to high school with dedicates his facebook status to something so rude toward Christianity every single day. I'm only still friends with him because he's friends with TheCount and when people want to talk to TheCount they message me, but so sorry, next rude status, and he's gone. I don't do negativity. I don't dish it out and I don't take it. It has no place in my life. Seriously, dude I hope you are 100% right and that this Jesus stuff is all mumbo jumbo. If you're right, cool, when I die I cease to exist. But if I'm right, well, I'm sorry, I tried to show you. Did that come off as harsh? I hope not, but I mean it.

 

Anyway, I need to run to Walmart, there is a princess nightgown with my name on it :)

Saturday's Snow!

You knew goodness well your car couldn't handle this. Why embarass yourself like this? Seriously, staying in your house for one day won't kill you.

This is a tre, not a pair of shoes

Can somebody please explain to me why we are supposed to get 10 inches of snow tomorrow? and another question:

 

WHY THE HEEZY DIDN'T ANYBODY TELL ME CHRISTMAS TREES COST SO DANG MUCH? Growing up we always had real trees, all the lots in our town had signs that said any tree on lot $25. Some fancy places said $25 and up, but we always got a $25 tree. Let me tell you what happened last night.

 

• I got off work and ran to the store, I thought we were getting 5 inches of snow so I went and got a box of clementines, some milk, and bread. Then I went to Target and Old Navy. The Old Navy didn't have any men's jammies so I decided to go to the one by my house, they were sold out too. I got TheCount some Christmas boxers instead.
• I went home and started cooking dinner (thanks for the recipe Jamiel, I didn't have sour cream yesterday, but I'll definitely be making that soon). My sister got the house around 7. Technically, disappointed sister showed up, buttttt since she wasn't upset with me, it was cool. TheCount could hear her in the kitchen going off on why she was mad (it's a doozy, pray for my family y'all- for real) so he let her finish and then he lightened the mood with jokes and picking her up and spinning her around (yes, like a 3 year old). We ate dinner around 8:15ish.
• We left to go get the tree after dinner, drove the .4 miles to the tree lot, got out, walked over to the cutest little 3 foot tree and read the price tag- $55. SisterTM and I walked around and was like ohhh no and hopped back in the car.
• I decided to go to Home Depot- except I got confused and pulled up to Lowes. Lowes is right by Ulta- except I left the coupon in my car. We went to Home Depot- but they sold out of tree stands. We looked at their trees- they were all huge. We drove all around town looking for another tree lot- couldn't find any. We checked the fire house- they didn't have any. We went to the fancy part of town- they didn't have any. We went back home.
• I took my twists out and washed my hair.
• SisterTM stayed over until 3am twisting my hair.

I slept in a bit this morning because my bed was so warm and toasty but I made it up and out the door in 15 minutes :) Now I'm at work rejoicing with a friend over some good news in her romantic life and praying for a member of my family that needs to get it together before he looses everything.

 

Is it supposed to snow where you are this weekend? Be safe you guys!

 

A few minutes with good internet connection :)

The internet in the building I'm working this week is so janky! I keep trying to type up posts, but I'll be five lines down before any words appear. It seems to be working alright now, so I'm trying to hurry up and get this post up.

 

My sister is home :) We went by to see her after church last night. My parent's neighbor died last week and my mom volunteered to do the repast (they've been neighbors for 23 years) so everybody was in the house cooking food and the other neighbors were dropping off their contributions. It was quite the tasty night :) My sister is supposed to be coming up to the apartment today so we can decorate for Christmas. We have a pretty ambitious night planned, there's a lot to be done:

• Go get a Christmas tree
• Go to Home Depot to get Christmas tree accessories
• Fill out her job applications
• Wash and re twist my hair (don't think this will even be attempted)
• Wash and twist her hair (don't think this will be attempted)
• Cook and eat dinner
• Go get our Christmas jammies from Old Navy
• I want to go to Ulta and get those Orly mattes that B talked about on Clumps of Mascara yesterday
• Go meet my new hairdresser (I think I'll wait to do this alone. SisterTM has had some run ins with folks lately that have ended in disaster. I mean, who really says to the orthodontist "fine then you rude b!t(h, I'll just do it myself," sigh, what are we going to do with that girl?

Thankfully TheCount will be at the barbershop so I don't have to worry about him trying to give his input in my decorating tonight. I can see the tree lot from our apartment so I'm trying to decide if it will just be easier to carry the dang tree home (since we're getting a baby tree). I am really excited, let's hope good mood sister shows up and not ungrateful hussy sister.

 

Tonight I'm cooking a chicken wings and potato feast since my mom gave me a huge bag full of chicken wings and potatoes last night. Do you have a favorite chicken wing or potato recipe? I'm probably going to do baked garlic fries and broiled chicken wings as one set, but I haven't decided on the other varieties. I do have a sweet and sour chicken recipe in my folder that I've been meaning to try- but I haven't even looked at it yet. Leave me a link to some good recipes if you have them.

Too busy eating clementines to come up with a proper title.

I only have one Christmas present left to buy :) I think I'm going to get my daddy a sweater from Kohl's or something. He's tall and skinny so it's hard to find clothes that fit him. I saw a really nice cashmere sweater yesterday, but it would have been a belly shirt on him, lol. Tonight after I hit Kohl's, Old Navy (for our Christmas jammies), Target (for boxes to put everything in), and Safeway (noodles, tomato sauce, and cucumbers),  I'll be done for the season!

 

I'm also going to try and go meet this new hairdresser tonight. I'm not gonna lie, I'm scared. If I don't like this lady either, I'm going to start to believe that I'm the problem. Her shop is about 10 minutes from my house, so I'll be really excited if I like her and her other clients aren't all crazy.I'm going to need y'all to say a prayer- for real. If all else fails, SisterTM and I will sit in the bathroom with scissors (I really forgot how to spell that. I was so wrong spell check didn't know what I was saying, lol)  while MamaTM and TheCount yell on the other side of the door, "don't do it." I'm pretty sure we can learn how to do it properly on you tube.

 

Have you finished shopping yet? Who do you still have to buy for? Do you know what you're getting them?

It's the weekend (the weekend)

It's the weekend (the weekend) It's the weekend (the weekend, the weekend). I'm actually singing that in my head as I bounce up and down in my seat at work. Normally I'm not this giddy about the weekend because I like my job and don't mind working. For some reason I'm super excited today though :) It started off this morning when I finally dragged myself out of bed, 30  minutes after I was supposed to be at work. I checked my bank statement because our lovely payroll coordinator told me I wasn't going to get paid until Christmas because I was an hour late submitting my time sheet. I emailed her right back, "I faxed it over on Friday, it didn't go through and I didn't know that until just now (on Monday) when somebody handed me my cancelled confirmation stating that your machine was busy. I do realize that I missed the deadline though, but I still wanted you to have my time sheet." I then prayed about it and said, 'hey, you can pay me now, or you can pay me later, either way, I'm going to get paid' and kept on kicking. I'm glad she was kind enough to put my information in and pay me on time.

 

Tomorrow I plan to get up and go to a matinee of Princess and the Frog. TheCount begged me to "at least take a child" with me. Heck no, I don't want to be distracted. My mom told me to go get my nieces- but I don't want too! They got momma's and grandmomma's AuntieTM does not want to drive an hour, pay for their movie (cuz their momma's don't ever send money), and then pay for their food (cuz their momma's always get to disappearing around drop off time). Nawwww man SisterCount and SisterinlawCount won't get me this time! I might go see Precious too, but I don't see me sitting through it. I don't voluntarily watch rated R movies because they are too much for my little brain to handle, but my mom said I should be ok. We'll see. A Pecanbon from Cinnabon will cure any post-Precious blues.

 

I need to give the apartment a top to bottom scrub because 1.it smells weird, lol. Too much cooking with onions and garlic in a small place with carpet and 2. MY SISTER WILL BE HOME ON MONDAY! Not that she lives with me or anything, but she may stop by from time to time. I work in the nursery on Sunday and we may be getting a new baby, I'm not sure if his 6th week birthday is this week or next week. Y'all just don't know, I love those little kiddies. The 24 months and under class is where it's at!

 

Tonight I think I'll finish my Christmas shopping. I need to go to Ollie's to get toiletries for the homeless ladies we're making boxes for and Marshall's to finish off my family. I had a dream last night that I was shopping and I kept begging TheCount to let me buy a gucci wallet that was marked down to $25 and he kept saying no. Then I kept on finding money in all the wallets and he still said no, even after I had over $100. I took that as a sign that I shouldn't take him to the store with me, lol.

Cheese & Pasta Mini Cups

Did I blog about these already? Oh well, even if I did, let me reiterate, you need to go make them. Hopefully these emailed posts will post in order or else this will sound dumb:

Today is recipe day, Tasty Thursday! Scroll down and see some of the best of the best I've made over the past two weeks and go make them. I'm going to be mad at y'all if you don't make them. Seriously, are y'all going to make them? Get to cooking people!

 

 

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

 

 

Cheese & Pasta Mini Cups

via foodgawker by somaR on 9/25/09

Cheese & Pasta Mini Cups - a fun way to have your mac n cheese.Great for kids.

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to foodgawker using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

You need to make these. That is all.

 

 

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

 

 

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

via foodgawker by bakingbites on 10/31/09

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to foodgawker using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Harvest Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Tart

These were really good- but to me they tasted much better warm than when they had cooled down. While warm, they made me happy dance in my kitchen. They taste just like sweet potato pie with a pecan bonus. They were simple to make and kids would be able to help scoop the filling in each shell. Fancy look, simple prep!

 

 

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

 

 

Harvest Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Tart

via foodgawker by HoneyB on 11/12/09

Harvest Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Tartlets

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to foodgawker using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Sweet Potato Cupcakes

I don't eat cupcakes, but the people that did eat these said they were really good! I didn't make this marshmallow topping, instead, I put 3 or 4 mini marshmallow's on top and stuck them under the broiler until they got toasted, then mashed them down with a knife.

 

 

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

 

 

Sweet Potato Cupcakes

via foodgawker by annmarsh on 11/20/09

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting - perfect for Thanksgiving!

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to foodgawker using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Easy Parmesan Knots

These are so delicious! If I didn't think TheCount would judge me, I would have eaten them all last night. Instead, I stopped at a modest 5. I think these will be my staple meal biscuits because they are a lot easier than any of the other's I've made and just as tasty (and not covered in butter). Now I actually want to invite my family up for dinner so I can look fancy! If you can open a can of biscuits and tie your shoes (not at the same time), you can make these!

 

 

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

 

 

Easy Parmesan Knots

via foodgawker by realmomkitchen on 12/1/09

Easy Parmesan Knots - ready in 20 minutes

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to foodgawker using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

TM is totally self centered

I'm working from my client's building for the rest of the week. It's quite dreary here, but my commute is cut in half, so that makes me happy!

 

*************

People really need to get hip to TM's rules for life. I've had to school TheCount and Jazz this past week because they clearly missed my class. On the first snow of the season you must eat grilled cheese and tomato soup. If you don't like grilled cheese and tomato soup (you're crazy) and need to find an appropriate hot sandwich and soup combination to welcome the snow. Also, when it's snowing, the only fruits allowed are orange fruits (tangerines, tangelos, oranges, clementines). One final rule, in December you must eat Clementines in excess. Seriously, like 5 or 6 a day. It's the official fruit of December. Don't fight the rules, just follow.

 

*************

Lately I've been trying to figure out why the bathroom rugs are so dirty. Normally I can just throw them in the dryer on air fluff once a week and I'm good to go, but lately I've had to do full washes. I got out of the shower this morning and TheCount was brushing his teeth fully dressed with his work boots on.

Me: What the heck are you doing? Why do you have your shoes on in the bathroom standing on the rugs?

TheCount: I'm about to leave.

Me: But you're not gone. Those shoes go by the door and stay at the door. Don't you have to go out of it to leave? Put your shoes on last and don't ever wear them in the bathroom again!

TheCount: Sigh, alright babe.

 

Is it just me? I don't like wearing shoes in the house period (we have cream carpet), but definitely not on my bathroom rugs. Maybe if it were a half bath that people have in houses that just have a toilet and sink, but I don't think shoes should be worn where I bathe, it makes me feel dirty.

**************

My sister comes home for winter break on Monday :) I have about 3 weeks to convince her that when she graduates from FAMU in May, she needs to move back up here. She wants to live in Georgia with my cousin for a while and try to get a job down there. Is it wrong that I told her I'll only pray for her success in Maryland? It's selfish as all get out, but I miss my sister y'all!

 

*************

I finally broke down and emailed my best friend because we haven't really talked in over a month (except for the day she dropped by the apartment last month and I spent her entire visit trying to make her go home- I sound so mean today). I didn't want to really talk to her because I was so tired of the complaining. I asked how she was, she emailed back "overwhelmed". I gave in and asked what was wrong, it's funny how well she knows me. She said, "TM I don't want you to get mad at me, it's the same stuff I'm always complaining about, but I'm trying to do better. I've been reading that book you gave me {Everyday Deserves a Chance by Max Lucado (my favorite author)} and it's really helping. I realized I'm the type of person he's talking about, always worrying and complaining, and how nobody wants to be around that." I was so happy to hear that, I miss my friend! It's not that I don't ever expect people to have problems or anything, part of friendship is about helping each other through storms, but if it storms every single second of every single day? Guess what? You need to  move. It's not even big stuff. She's 24, has graduated from college, has a good job, lives with her parent's rent free, and is only responsible for her bills. What  in the the sam hill (is that right?) can you be complaining about every day!? Seriously, you're only responsible for you. She has a boyfriend, but that should be an enhancement. If he's that much of a burden- leave! Y'all ain't married and there are no kids involved. Maybe I should be saying this to her and not you guys. Let me get off my soap box and go eat a clementine.

Holiday Party

Friday night we had the company Christmas party. I was supposed to have another party to attend on Saturday, but it got canceled because of the snow. Here are a few pictures from the night :)

TheCount: "TM in her natural habitat- twittering in the midst of chaos."


\ At the Christmas party. This would be my silly face.


Her: Hey, let's act like we're drunk!


Me: I've never been drunk"


Her: Me either, let's just make faces





I was the only one that made a face, lol.





Cutest couple at the party!







I got ready for the party at "Her" house. Here is a photo from my personal photo shoot in her hall bathroom :)








The new car! The cleaning lady and our apartment in the background.





The car again, with TheCount reaching inside (so you'll know I'm not lying, lol). Well I guess that could be anybody, so I could still be fake internet pimping. I'd probably pick a better car to pimp with.


FYI: I will never go back to that hairdresser again! Getting beat in the head with brushes, being forgotten in the shampoo room for an hour, 2 blow driers and a flat iron later my scalp was sore and now has scabs (i'm super sensitive to heat- especially applied to my dang scalp), and too many loud cackling women. My mommy told me I was a snob. Oh well, it's my money.

This Stuff Works: TMI Edition

Withstood 2 games of football and that's all I'm gonna say about that (cuz you know you were wondering).

Clarification

Y'all I ain't barefoot at work! I just don't have on traditional work shoes, lol. My foot will only fit into my crocs so that's what I have on. I guess I forget y'all can't see me, lol.

Changes for the better

I'm at work this morning looking the fool because all the auditors and consultants are here and my boss isn't. I don't know where the people are supposed to go, what I'm supposed to give them, or anything. I was like, "heyyyyyy, here's the kitchen. We have free coffee, tea, soda, juice, and water, go crazy!" I never was one for professionalism, lol. Did I mention I couldn't wear shoes today? Due to my blatant refusal to take my medicine, I haven't been able to wear real shoes all week. Don't worry, TheCount AND our pastor have both told me I better stop being foolish. So starting today I will be back taking my medicine :)

 

Moving right along, I feel much better today than I did yesterday. I ended up taking a nap in my car halfway through the workday because I was that tired. When I got home last night I fell asleep for about 3 hours then TheCount and I had a lovely Bible study together since we missed church. At midnight we both decided that we had so much important stuff to do. I was in the kitchen baking caramel pecan tarts, and baked potatoes. He was in the kitchen doing laundry and dancing. We had a grand time for almost 2 hours just singing and dancing in the kitchen. So much fun that I left the whipping cream out of my recipe. I haven't tasted the tarts yet, but we'll see if I made a huge error. This is why I always make test food when I'm cooking for other people. Earlier this week I made sweet potato pecan tarts. They were good, but not what I want to sit out as my dessert at a potluck party. I wanted to make a cake- until I realized my idiot self doesn't have any round cake pans. Or a cake carrier, or even a cake stand. I also realized that I need a food processor, my tart crust probably would have come out a bit better if I wasn't using my hands as the processor. I'll put it on my Christmas list, that and a blender. Hopefully both of my parents will get me a gift this year!

 

I have a hair appointment today with a new lady that hopefully will be able to do my big chop for me on January 2. My mom went to her last week and she said I should like her. Would you believe my momma tried to refuse to let me go to her hairdresser? Just because I threatened to burn the last hair lady's shop down doesn't mean I'm the problem. SHE was the problem, old rude self telling me I was too young to get married. Shut up and flat iron my hair you old bitter woman. The other hairdresser I went to didn't know how to talk to her daughter properly. Telling your 6 year old she's getting on your nerves while you have her sitting in this closet sized room watching CNN everyday after school is not acceptable. She's bored woman, give her something to do! The other hairdresser I actually liked, but then she started talking about that stupid body magic crap and I was ready to go home. She also doesn't know how to answer the phone or return calls- must not need my business then. I promise I'll do better with this hairdresser (unless she's rude...).

 

I'm about to go through my recipe folder to find an appetizer for Kelly (go over and submit one too). It has been brought to my attention that I am a hater, so I'm going to go try and play nice with the other bloggers. LOL

 

 

Nerd Girl Stole My Title

All day long I've been trying to come up with ideas to give my Secret Santa. I don't know if it's the fact that I don't feel well, or that I shop too dang much, but it has been hard! Now, I shall ramble.

 

You know what I need? Some cool lunch containers. With sections and such and it would be awesome if it were microwaveable. Right now I pack TheCount and my lunches in old chinese food containers. I wonder if Santa knows where to get some cool lunch containers?

 

You know what else, Santa? I'm cutting my hair in exactly one month which means my big ol' head will need some decorating. I love looking at the earrings in Target. I have a big head and little ears though :) Bracelets and necklaces are cool too.

 

Ohhh, and I love cooking! My favorite cookbook is my Get em Girls cookbook (I only have the first one). I also have some Better Homes and Gardens cook books- but I find the flavors aren't as good in those recipes as they are in my cookbook written by the black women. What's your favorite cookbook? Do you think it would make a good Christmas gift Santa?

 

I think there is a bandit in our house. My luxurious white wash cloths that I use on my face keep going missing. I used to have six, but now I'm down to three. My mom makes fun of me because I'm always walking through the store looking for plush white wash cloths- but they feel so good on my face!

 

I probably should put on here that there is a fight about socks in our house every day. I wear TheCount's socks and he gets so mad! I really don't understand why, especially since I bought all the socks, so what's the big deal? I only wear black socks- which people seem to think is weird, but I really just don't like white socks, I haven't worn them since middle school (random fact that everybody needed to know).

 

Well Santa if you needed some ideas, I hope this helped. If you didn't need ideas and you already knew what you were getting me, just keep on trucking with your plan.

 

December already?

The year is over y'all! This year went by so quickly I'm too scared to blink because I don't want to miss Christmas. Almost all of the goals that I set for our family have been reached, with the exception of paying off our school loans. The year isn't up yet, so if anybody has a couple thousand lying around, feel free to help us reach our goal!

 

For the month of December I've decided that I'm not going to eat out. No drive thru's, no "I must have tacos al carbon for lunch today," and no Domino's cheesy bread Saturday snack. I am only allowed to get food from the grocery store or the grocery section of a store. This means that I have to be extra prepared because when I'm ripping and running on some days, I'm not at home to cook. I'm going to have a standby sandwich to carry with me (I'm not even joking). Thankfully there are so many holiday parties coming up that I shouldn't miss eating out too much. I have a party this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I don't have to worry about food this weekend.

 

It's Christmas shopping time! Every year at Christmas time, I get a lot of new clothes. It's like I walk in the store and get distracted and I swear my size is always like 90% off and I just have to buy it. When I write out my list I fare a lot better than walking in the store trying to figure stuff out, here we go:

 

TheCount: 2 watches (I ordered them for his birthday, but they didn't get here in time, they shipped today so Merry Christmas dude!)

MamaTM: she wants a suit- but not a black one, she wants a church suit. Where do you buy church suits? 

PapaTM:  Since he has a catering business I like to get him stuff that will further his business. Catering technique books, knives, etc. but he doesn't seem to care or even like his gifts...oohhh that knife sharpener Monica talked about on her site!

SisterTM: I really don't know what to get her. She graduates from FAMU in May, she's 21, I always get her clothes- ehhh, I won't deviate. If y'all have any good ideas- let me know.

Mama & Sister Count: Smell goods from Vicky's Secret- already purchased. Perhaps another small thing, those 2 chicks don't need ANYTHING!

Boss:  I don't know if I'm supposed to get her anything, I got her a small brooch last year. She never actually said anything about it, but she does have the ornament that I attached to the box hanging up in her office.

Work Best Friend: Satin pillowcase and some Biotin (I got her ant spray and Febreeze for her birthday- this is a come up- and it's how we became friends)

Best Friend I've been avoiding: I've been meaning to get her some lakers gear, maybe I finally will. Or another devotional book but they don't work if you don't read them :(

Blog Secret Santa: I don't even know yet, but I've been looking...

 

Any gifts that you're looking forward to buying for people this year? Do you have some creative gifts planned? Serenity3-0 needs socks in case anybody was wondering.

Shop till ya drop!

So how was your holiday? Did you eat a lot of good food? Find a lot of great deals?

Our Thanksgiving was fine. TheCount plays in the Turkey Bowl every year so I was just glad he came home injury free :) We went to his best friend's house for our first meal and our follow up dinner was at his momma's house. At one house the food was good, at the other house it wasn't- we'll leave it at that. This was my first Thanksgiving without my family :( My dad's side decided to have the family reunion this Thanksgiving down in Myrtle Beach. I refuse to travel for holiday's, especially Thanksgiving, so we didn't go. The traffic just isn't worth it to me to be out on the road (my theory was right, my parents were stuck in 5 mph traffic for hours coming back home- and they came back on Saturday). I also am not the biggest fannof my daddy's side. They never seem to know what to say out of their mouths and I didn't want to stay in a house with all of them.

At midnight on Black Friday we went to the outlets. I find that I get much better deals in the store than I do online. I won't go through everything I got, but lets just say I went crazy, and TheCount let me. I was honestly waiting for him to tell me it was time to go. I don't know what was going on in that generous heart of his. Perhaps it was the fact that he just got a raise! The highlight of my little shopping trip was Ann Taylor Loft. I have recently fallen in love with this store, two weeks ago I got 2 skirts from Loft for $13 each. Well Friday I got (drumroll please).........a lovely $128 blazer for $17.92, a $79.50 dress for 11.93, and a black button down shirt for $11.93 (I don't feel like getting up to see the original cost). I walked out of that store grinning from ear to ear. You couldn't tell me I didn't accomplish greatness. I got some other stuff from Esprit, Radio Shack, and Sears. I had so much fun shopping with TheCount, which is quite rare. I will say, if he weren't with me, I would have gotten much more stuff, so I'm glad he was there to remind me of reality.

After a 3 hour nap, we got up at 9am to go buy a car! As much as I teased TheCount about how girly the Pacifica looks- the inside is oh so lovely. The black leather seats, all the leg room, oh how heavenly. Once I load the software for my new camera (told y'all I went crazy shopping) on my computer, I'll post pictures!

I really want some bacon

Yo body. We're not going to do this. You can stop feeling like crap, we won't be getting sick. Thank you in advance for complying.

 

***************

Car Wants: Heated leather seats, separately controlled heat/air for driver and passenger. Yep that's about it. Car will not tolerates: red or green vehicles. Don't know why, but I just don't like red or green cars, I'm strange like that.

 

*************

My coworker ran up on this girl in the store this weekend thinking she was me. It wasn't me- it was his niece. He was so embarrassed but he keeps telling me we look just alike, even down to our acne- sigh, I gotta get this skin clear.

 

*************

We're supposed to be test driving cars tonight. TheCount still wants a Pacifica, I want a Mountaineer. There are other vehicles that we like, but they aren't in our price range. Of course God may do something crazy and miraculous so we'll see what happens.

 

*************

I'm really contemplating a January 2 big chop. I'm thinking long and hard on it. TheCount wants me to get locks, I'm 2 seconds from telling him to get out my hair and stop making suggestions. I don't want locks, I want big crazy hair that will make my momma mad and make me my aunt's favorite.  I have plans man.

 

************

My daddy has started making his own beer. Why oh why does this man keep telling TheCount and I about it? We don't care daddy, we don't drink! We don't drink wine, we don't drink liquor, we don't drink beer, we don't drink alcohol period!!!!!!!! I'm not going to taste a bottle of basement beer.

***********

Last year at work, we played a game where we had an anonymous gift exchange. Wouldn't you know the gift I picked was alcohol. Everybody in the room was all mad, they were like, "she don't even drink! Somebody steal her gift." I'm glad somebody stole it because I wouldn't have known what to do with it.

 

***********

I think I know what I'm getting my blog secret santa person ;)

Naptime yet?

Friday TheCount and I went down to my parent's house to spend the weekend there since all of our weekend activities were closer to their house than ours. My mom was giving my old bed to my friend for her daughter, so I went with her to drop it off. On Friday nights there house is a free for all. There are two 4 year olds and a 3 year old. Y'all it was mass chaos. At 11 p.m. they decided they wanted to be pirates and started getting dressed and singing pirate songs. I have a video on my cell phone so I'm going to see if I can post it.

Saturday TheCount hijacked my car knowing I needed to get some additional groceries for his birthday party. He plays football Saturday mornings and goes to the barbershop in the afternoon. His haircut appointment was at 4pm, when I called him at 5:30 his sorry sucka barber was in the background hollering "Sorry Mrs. Count, Sorrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy." This sorry sucka fool had me waiting for hours for him to bring me my dang groceries. He called me every 5 minutes from the grocery store making me want to chop him in his throat:

 

Heavy cream? What's that? Is it on the coffee aisle? By bread crumbs do you mean croutons? Does it matter if the cream cheese is reduced fat? Do you want name brand graham crackers? Where is this minced garlic? What if they don't have Italian salad?

 

 When TheCount finally got back to my parents house with my groceries he also had a new outfit, 2 video games, and some dinner, all courtesy of the barbershop. I spent all Saturday night cooking for his party. My wonderful mama was in the kitchen helping me and she kept asking, "how the heck were you going to do all this by yourself?" Ma, it's just what I do. I get it done.

 

Sunday morning we went to church went back to my parent's house and I immediately had to finish the food for the party. We got to the house at noon, the party was at 1pm. I served baked chicken sausage ziti, a vegetarian ziti in a cream sauce, cheesy garlic bread, salad, meatballs, sweet potato cheesecake, sweet potato cupcakes, and coconut/ caramel/ chocolate cookies. We had 9 additional guests than I was expecting, so yeah, there are no leftovers. The food got rave reviews though, surprising the thing people loved most was the ziti I was just throwing stuff in. That afternoon we went to my friend's house for an hour because she was having a jewelry party and I wanted to show my face. Since TheCount and my daddy had to work on my car today, TheCount decided we should spend the night at their house again, so I got to spend a fun filled weekend with my momma. Now, I'm tireder than tired can be so I'm glad I only have to work 2 days this week :) Tomorrow is my Friday!

 

 

Hi Lo

I have been quite busy these past few days. Let's play a game! Well it's not really a game for y'all, but it's a game for me, here we go!

 

Wednesday

 

High: I spent the night at my parent's house so my momma could drop me off at the place I was working for the day. I had an open house/health fair to attend and it was right around the corner from their house. The fair was wonderful, very well attended and the campus was very nice. There was a dude there that I went to high school with- he didn't remember me. He kept coming back to my table flirting and telling jokes, I just laughed. At one point he sat down at my table and we were talking (I honestly thought at this point he thought I was familiar and was trying to place it- nope, no clue). When he finally asked, "so are you from around here," I said, "dude, we went to the same high school. We graduated the same year, and you were friends with my husband." About 15 minutes later it finally clicked and he remembered me. I was laughing so hard, because he kept on asking, "are you serious? For real?" Dude yeah, but don't feel bad, I didn't talk until my Senior year of high school. He kept calling all his coworkers over to the table to tell them the story because he found it so funny.

 

Low: My daddy is tripping. He came into my room and said, "TM, I want you to pay for your sister's hotel room next week when we go on vacation." Say what now? I thought he was joking. I looked him in his face and laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more- he wasn't joking. He said it again, I got smart, he said it again, I turned the t.v. up. What's wrong with what he asked? Let me count the ways:

1. I'm not going on the trip. I'll be darned if I pay for somebody to go on a trip whilst I stay home because I already decided it wasn't a wise financial decision.

2. You're not going to tell me how to spend my money.

3. Did you ask my husband? No, you waited until he was distracted so you could come to me with this bull.

4. You're not going to TELL me how to spend my money.

5. I'm not obligated to financially support anybody I didn't birth.

6. You're not going to tell me how to spend MY money.

7. Vacations are a luxury, not a right. You can't afford to go- you don't go.

8. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TELL ME HOW TO SPEND MY MONEY!

 

 

Y'all I was really mad. I ended the conversation with my daddy by saying, "everybody should be talking to Jesus and not each other. I live in a rented apartment, his daddy owns Heaven." I texted my sister to see if she needed money, if she had asked me I would have gladly given it to her. She said, "no, I'm fine, daddy said he was going to pay for my room, so he needs to pay for it." I told my momma and she said, "HE DID WHAT? Let me tell that man, he don't have no business asking his kids for money. Maybe it's because we used to give our parents money. But our parents ain't have it like we do. Don't worry about it honey. We aren't asking for your money until we get old."

Was I wrong to be upset that he tried to tell me how to spend my money? Wait until after you read this next part to decide.

 

Thursday

High: So they found our car last week. For days and days, we called the impound lot but nobody could figure out which lot had our car. They finally figured it out- it was in the evidence lot because it was involved in a hit and run. We got to the lot to get our car and my shoes and TheCount's football cleats were still in there.

 

Low: Rest in Peace Nissan Altima- cuz you're going to the junkyard! Those sucker thieves took the whole radio/heat/air section, the fricking steering wheel (who does that? LOL), our gps system that was hidden under the seat, my sweet potato oatmeal chocolate chip and pecan cookies AND the container they were in (y'all could have left my tupperware) along with TheCount's sports equipment.

 

High: Our trip to the MVA took all of 30 seconds. As I was arguing with TheCount about me walking in that room full of people to ask a dumb question the exact person we needed walked outside and said "Are you here for XYZ? Push this button and walk here." Just like that we were done!

 

Friday

 

High: My outfit is banging!

 

Low: My hair is so horrendous I almost did the big chop this morning  so I could I could rock a fro to work. I've gone through a major hair growth spurt in the last month and blending wasn't even an option this morning. I rode to work with 3 bright orange flexi rods in my hair and my purple scarf tying down the back.

 

 

TheCount's birthday is Sunday, if you're in town and you wanna hang out and watch the Redskins/Cowboys game with us, email me!

Will this stuff work?

I love trying new things. I'm always grabbing something while in the store just to see if it works. That leads me to this awesomely random post today. The fresh balls product made me laugh and honestly that's why I bought it. Sherri Shepherd tweeted about it, I clicked the link, thought it was funny, and said "ohhh I'm so getting this for TheCounts birthday." Is this TMI? Probably! I just want to know if it will work (I'm not going to link the site because I really don't think googling fresh balls is a good idea at work, lol). TheCount uses baby powder everyday to keep his life fresh, but I get so mad because he always leaves a white coating of powder on the rugs/carpet/bed/wherever his crazy self is dressing and it is aggravating! I'll keep you guys posted on if this works or not (ok, I KNOW that's TMI).

 

The second product I saw in TJMaxx when I had no business being in there. The ingredients are Green tea with natural garcinia, natural black seed, natural cumin seed and natural fenugreek. The box claims that these are slimming agents. It was only $4 so I said what the, hey, why not? I made a cup yesterday and it smells and takes like cumin water. My solution was to add in another teabag of a flavor that I do enjoy so I can get through it. {BTW: that's the lovely view from my office window.}

 

What totally random product have you purchased lately? Anything you're thinking about purchasing?

He loves me!

I forgot to tell y'all MrC brought me my cheese from Wisconsin. What does it taste like? Cheese, but I was just so happy he got it for me. He let me rant and rave for 20 minutes on the way home from the airport and he listened to me threaten his life over the thought that he went all the way to Wisconsin and didn't bring his wife back her cheese. It reminded me of the time my mom called me from my favorite store on my birthday and didn't come back with any gift for me (I was mad at her for like 6 months. Turns out she bought it but lost it and was too embarassed to tell me, when she found it, she gave it to me).

Sigh, I'm crazy and unreasonable, but he knew that when he married me.

Another blame the hormones post

Friday

I had to leave work early to pick TheCount up from the airport. Somehow I found my way in TJMaxx buying boots, still not sure how that happened. We got home around 6, I think, and I had plans to cook dinner and chill out in the bed reading my Real Simple, Harper's Bazaar, and In Style magazines. My best friend called and said she had the stuff I ordered from her sister's fundraiser to drop off. I really didn't feel like having company, but I did want my stuff so I told her to stop by. In all honestly, I haven't talked to her int he last 2 weeks because I just couldn't take her constant complaining/worrying/drama. She also never knows what to say and most of the times I find it funny and can laugh it off, but sometimes I just want to say,"you are 24 and you have a college degree. You should have more sense than that." The very first sentence out her mouth when she arrived set the tone for the entire night.

Me: Heyyyy, EJ

Ej: Wow, your house smells like fish.

--stop the track. this heifer is rude--

Me: Yeah, we just steamed and ate 3 pounds of crab legs for dinner.

 

But what if we hadn't? What if we just had a stinky house? What if I was sick and had a bad body odor and was uncomfortable with the situation? Maybe I'm ultra sensitive, but I've been to some downright funky houses, but I never insulted the residents by saying, good lord your house stanks as soon as I walk in the door. That's rude. If you don't like the smell, go home. If you need to say something, find a more tactful way of saying it. By the way, your moms house smells like pee, but I haven't found a nice way to say it yet. There are 8 people living there, somebody must smell it too, maybe I should say if while I'm still at the door next time.

Anyway, she stayed, and stayed, and stayed. I was planning to get in the shower and wash my hair, but she stayed, and stayed, and stayed. What did we talk about? She's balding, she hates her hairdresser, her 16 year old brother is getting on her nerves, her car is messed up again, she hates her part time job, she wants to sue Yaz because she thinks it made her depressed, she was mad at Target because the pharmacist was rude, oh and she thinks I should cut my hair now.

 

Ej: You should cut your hair now, you have enough new growth

Me: TheCount doesn't really want it this short, so I'll wait.

Ej: But you have enough hair, you should cut it.

Me: I'll wait

Ej: But you have to face to get it cut short.

Me: I'll wait.

Ej: When?

Me: Either June of next year of for my birthday in August.

Ej: That will be a good birthday present, but you should cut it now.

Me: I'll wait.

 

Dear God, please deliver me from this madness. I started venting on Twitter because I was sitting next to TheCount and I knew he was reading what I was typing. He kept on accommodating Ej. Ej, want some food? NO!!!! I want her to be hungry and go home! Ej, you said you wanted to watch the Monique show? Well here it is. PJD finally typed some sense into TheCount and he stopped changing to shows that Ej wanted to watch and she went home. I washed my hair and was so tired I fell asleep on my magazine with my wet hair still in the towel.

Hmmm, reading that makes me seem mean. Well, it's how I felt Friday (perhaps this is PMS talking, yeah, lets blame hormones).

Saturday

I stayed home and cleaned up, braided my hair, and we had people over to watch the fight.

 

Sunday

Worked in the nursery at church, had a meeting afterward, went to my parent's house, went to a youth event at another church, went home to read my magazines and chill out. 

What's going on with you?

They found the car! It got towed on Monday and they mailed us a letter Tuesday and we got it last night. TheCount is working in Wisconsin today so we can't go get it until tomorrow. If it's totally trashed we'll probably just get anything out of it that's left and go buy a new car. At least we know where it is now. We won't have to sit around and wonder if we should buy a car or not.

 

***************

This morning when I dropped TheCount off at the airport I asked him to bring me back some cheese from Wisconsin. He told me no. How rude of you to go to a place I've been dying to go to since sixth grade and not bring my back some cheese. That's just mean. I should leave him at the airport if he comes back without my cheese. In sixth grade I had this boyfriend that was obsessed with cheese just like I was. He could name over 100 types of cheese. I used to sit and listen like he was reading poetry. If anybody knows a 24 year old Stephen Crocker, let me know!

 

**************

I've noticed something about our apartment. It's loud. Really, really loud. Not the apartment itself, but the inhabitants. If we're quiet, it usually means that somebody is upset. We don't do that yelling in an argument let's slam doors and act like words don't work stuff. We get quiet, calm ourselves, then talk it out. But when we're happy? I'm screaming random jokes {this week it's been "pow, right in the kisser" as I run toward him full speed with my fist out}, TheCount is usually chasing me trying to get on my back, or I'm dancing on the furniture to whatever song is in my head. We really need a house, we are too loud for apartment living.

 

***************

God answers prayers y'all. You should try it out.

 

**************

I really want a steak and cheese sandwich and a salad for lunch. You know what that means? I'll be having a steak and cheese sandwich and salad for lunch.

 

*************

I hate Dunkin Donuts' donuts. They're nasty to me. I just ate half of one so I would have some food on my tummy to take my vitamins. Gross. I had to wrap it up and move my trash can because the smell sickens me.

 

**************

Yesterday I was trying to tell a joke to TheCount and I messed it up so badly he wouldn't stop laughing. It ended up being funnier than my joke.

Me: Man, I left my B-12's at home today so I was walking around the office trying to bum a few pills of people.

TheCount: You on drugs man?

Me: Yeah, I was like a fiend, I had the scratches and everything.

TheCount: What!?

Me: I mean the shakes, you know what I meant fool. Don't judge me.

TheCount: Bwhahahaha, you're an idiot.

 

***************

I thought I had my shopping under control. I've proved myself wrong. I don't know how this happened: lovely cognac colored boots, 2 watches for TheCount (his bday is coming up), a new men's hygiene product (it's really funny, when it arrives, I'll post about it), some Victoria Secret smell goods, a new sweater (that's so warm I may go get it another color on Monday, it was only $20 from Nordstrom Rack), a really cute phone case, new gloves, new tennis shoes, some yoga pants (yoga pants are my version of leggings), a new face wash, mask, scrub, and moisturizer from Mario Badescu, and a subscription to Cooking Light magazine all within the last 2 weeks. Well the boots may have been 3 weeks ago, if they are, that doesn't count in my list. Dear Jesus, TheCount needs a raise, his wife is out of control. Please bless him with a raise, because I know you value our marriage. Thanks and Amen.

 

Goodnight Moon

Y'all I'm so dang tired I don't know what to do with myself! I started my new workout plan Tuesday, walked all around NY yesterday, and went to bed late, only to be awakened several time by my darling husband's monstrous leg crushing me. I almost didn't come into work today, but I put on my big girl panties and made my way in. I didn't but too much in NY because of our current car situation, and me not wanting to waste money, but I did buy some really cute gloves and my Mother and Sister in law's Christmas presents. When my momma posts the pictures on facebook, I'll steal them and post them here. Let me go get some tea and water so I can keep my eyes open, I'm the note taker for today's staff meeting (eek!). Enjoy your day folks.

Today's Tasks

My boss is working from home today which works out perfectly for me, because I have so much stuff I need to get done.

 

Eyebrows Threaded

 

Buy another pair of New Balances

 

Find some pants to go with an  burnt orange plaid boyfriend shirt. Any suggestions? I have a feeling it could be worn as a dress if I didn't have such a huge butt, but I do, so that makes this dress fall into the shirt category.

 

Not spend too much money because it looks like we'll be buying another car

 

Research cars, even though TheCount will be working in Detroit tomorrow. I told him to catch his flight there, do the inspection, then go buy a car and drive back. It made perfect sense to me, but he looked at me like I was a fool, lol.

 

Figure out what the heck we're going to do in New York tomorrow besides walk around. What's the weather like up there y'all? We're having mommy- daughter day. It'll be 6 of us up there. Why? I have no idea other than the fact that my mom hops on the bus like once a month to go to New York and this time she invited friends.

 

Start my new work out plan with my workout buddy. Today is Arms & Abs. Wednesdays are butts and thighs, but I'm off tomorrow.

 

My first order of business is to get some food. How I managed to leave my breakfast and lunch at home is beyond me. Not one of my finest moments.

 

 

What are your tasks for today?

 

 

 

Faith

Last night TheCount and I had to go to DC for a charity event for one of my coworkers. I had completely forgotten about the event and only remembered an hour before the event just as we were about to leave my parent's house and go home. I didn't want to go, TheCount really didn't want to go, but I had given my word, so we went. The event was nice enough and he was really excited that we came through. TheCount called one of his friends and he came and chilled too. We left around 7:30pm and walked back to where we parked the car, only to find that our car had been stolen. Sigh, deep breath, look around, call police. As TheCount called the police I called his friend:

Me: Dude, somebody stole our car.

Friend: What? Dag, I'm turning back around, I'll be there in a second.

 

While waiting for Friend, I called my momma:

Me: Ma, somebody stole our car

Ma: Are you serious? Well don't stress, you know you can use my van for the week. You'll just have to pick me up on Wednesday, but it'll work out.

 

The police officer came and we talked to him for a while, he was a very polite fellow. Around 8:00 we were getting into Friend's nice shiny fancy Lexus (seriously thieves, you chose a 1996 Nissan Altima out of all the cars on that street? You're dumb).

Friend: Y'all want me to take y'all to your house?

TheCount: No, you can just take us to TM's parent's house.

Friend: I don't mind taking y'all up there {It was an hour away}

TheCount: Nah, her parent's are giving us the van to use

Friend: Oh ok, cool

 

We got to my parent's house and went inside to talk as TheCount called his momma to tell her what happened.

Daddy: Where were y'all at?

Me: H street

Daddy: Oh, ok. Well I work over there so I'll drive around tomorrow and see if I can spot his car.

 

When I think about all that happened last night, I don't get mad that somebody stole our car {and my dang tennis shoes that I need for Wednesday, and my freshly baked Sweet Potato Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies}. In fact, I don't get mad at all, I laugh. Our friends and family all did what they could to help us, to make sure our needs were met. They took care of us. I know my Father in Heaven loves me much more than they ever could, so I know He has our back. Those character-less thieves tried to do us evil, but God will work it out for our good. I firmly believe that. Funny thing is, TheCount knew something was going to happen. He was praying on the way to the event so he could make sure his attitude was right, because he really didn't want to go.

God: will you still have your joy?

TheCount: Of course, it's only a few hours with her coworkers.

God: No, will you really have joy if something happens to you. If something happens to your car?

TheCount: Yeah, of course.

 

It reminded me of Kelly's post a few weeks ago, His Voice. God has our back. Always has, always will.

 

 

This Stuff Works: Nails

Weeks and weeks ago Nerd Girl asked what I used to make my nail polish stay. After years of research dealing with chipped/smudged nails I finally found my winning formula. I use the polish as a base and top coat, after a few minutes I spray the Sally Hansen on which doubles as a hand moisturizer. Tonight I used it with Zoya's Yummy polish and it dried so quickly! I didn't even have time to think about smudging it. What do you use to protect your paint job?

Finished!

Our living room is finally home-y! The redecorating bug that hit me 2 weeks ago wasn't an expensive one thankfully. I got the rust pillows from Home Goods for $20 (for both) and the black pillows are from Kohl's and they were like $17 (for both). The rug came from Kohl's for $89.99 (I also got $20 Kohl's cash that I used toward a pair of boots on Saturday- don't tell TheCount, he hasn't noticed them yet). The candle was $5 from B&BW because my huge purple candle was throwing off my design asthetic. The table is never that clean though. We normally at least have our 2 laptops, 2 glasses of water, and whatever mail we got for the day- but there was no need to show y'all all that.

My week in 4 counts

Me:Do you remember what happened last night?

TheCount: No

Me: Really? Because you woke up after I licked your eyelid for the sixth time

TheCount: What!?

Me: Hahahahaa, I was messing with you in your sleep. I kept taking pictures, but I couldn't get a good one of me licking your eyelid so I had to keep doing it, but then you jumped up. You don't remember me laughing and running?

TheCount: Naw man, what's wrong with you? Of all places for you tongue to be, you choose my eyelid? Did you put these pictures on twitter?

Me: No babe, TheWorld doesn't need to know I'm crazy

TheCount: I'm going to start a blog to expose you, just wait

****************

Phone conversation:

Me: Babe, can you freeze that meat I have in the fridge?

Him: Sure

3 days later

Me: You put all 3 packages of meat in one big bag?

Him: Yeah, see I wrote on the bag like you do so you would know how much meat is in there, 5.74 pounds.

Me: That made sense to you? We are 2 people! If I want to cook one of these steaks I now have to thaw them all!

Him: Oh

***********************

Me: Yeah, we're having steak sandwiches for dinner

Him: If you buy me some milk, you don't have to cook

Me: Yes I do. I have 5.74 pounds of raw meat in my fridge!

Him: Well as long as it's tender, I'm all for steak sandwiches.

Me: What? Did you think this was time for requests? Just for that, we are having tough steak sandwiches for dinner. How about that, so tough your jaw will hurt. Make another suggestion, hear?

Him: Whatever, bye girl, I'm about to go up on the roof

Me: Alright be safe

Him: Nope! I'm not taking your suggestions, I'm going to be soooo reckless

I have a picture he sent me from the roof, but I can't get it to post correctly, I'll try again tomorrow.

************************

Me: What the heck is this stain on the floor?

TheCount: That's been there babe.

Me: so you saw it and did nothing, sigh I asked what it was

TheCount: I don't know

It always amazes me that somebody can see something wrong and not fix it. I got out my carpet cleaner and went to work. As payback for him not taking care of it, I waited until he was good and sleep at midnight and then started vacuuming. I was laughing so hard because I just knew it would wake him up- that sorry sucker didn't even flinch.

Addiction

Confession: My name is TM and I have an addiction to smell goods. Most of these items were purchased in the last 2 weeks. We'll ignore my 3 bottles of Febreeze in the hall closet, my 4 sticks of deodorant, TheCount's 3 sticks, and my 20+ bottles of body spray/perfume. Yes I have an addiction, but boy doesn't my house smell good!

What's your addiction?

Life Rules

According to my mom, I'm crazy. There are certain things that I do that causes her to ask, "where did that come from?" Like my rule about shorts- only during the summer. It could be the day before summer and 182 degrees outside, and I would not put on shorts because it's not summer. I have another rule- no jackets in August. This year August 31st was quite cold, but I refused a jacket because it was August and arms should be free in August.

 

I hung with my mom from Thursday- Sunday and I'm pretty sure when I left last night she went in her prayer closet to ask God where she went wrong with me. Apparently my daylight savings time rules are stupid to her. We only have 2 comforters in our apartment because we don't have space for anything else. We have a lightweight cheap one from Target, and a heavier nice one from Macy's. When the time changes our comforter changes. The same thing with the curtains in our bedroom. The time has changed so the curtains must change. When we "spring forward" I'll change them back. My other weird rule is about when I eat oatmeal. Since we "fell back" yesterday, I pulled out my oatmeal for today's breakfast (for my birthday in August I got a packet of oatmeal for a gift, and I ate it, see I'm flexible). I'll eat oatmeal almost every morning from now until the time changes again, then I won't even touch it. 

 

The other thing I said this weekend that made my momma raise her brows at me was about "trusted food sources." I'm willing to bet most of y'all are like this too though, so I think she is the odd one. Friday at work we had a potluck. I wasn't on the invite, but they told me to come. Since I didn't know about it until 2 minutes before, I didn't bring any food and I didn't know who was bringing food. They make fun of me for being a picky eater and I really didn't feel like being bothered so I had to make some tough choices. These were the dilemmas I faced:

1. Only one person was a trusted food source. All others were of questionable sanitation practices. I cannot risk my health trying to be polite.

2. Thankfully a lot of people bought pre-made food from the store. Stores are trusted food sources because my family can sue them if I die from their mess, lol. However, Popeye's was the main food source.

3. I think Popeye's is the devil (their commercials anger me so much). I will not spend my money on Popeye's even though I had been craving their biscuits for over a month. I couldn't sit down with just a cup of chili, so I got a piece of chicken and a biscuit. It seem the lesser of the evils I faced.

4. My blackness was questioned in a room full of white people. The only other black person at our potluck brought cornbread from Safeway. He told me to get a piece and I declined because I don't like cornbread. He told me I wasn't really black then as I looked at this room of white folks chomping on cornbread. Seriously? I had chicken on my plate- clearly I'm black {sarcasm folks}.

5. I have a problem with home made baked goods. I don't eat cupcakes (thank God because apparently they were gross, and had 475 calories a piece) but I love brownies, but I was scared to eat them. I could just picture the person cutting them up and getting chocolate on their hands and licking it. Then picking up the rest of the brownies to put them in the container- yuck!

 

What are some of your strange life rules? I know I'm not the only one (please tell me I'm not the only one)!