Don't these look delicious!!!!!!! So in an attempt to look and see what I've missed over the past couple of weeks of being MIA I stumbled across One Perfect Bite's Lemon something or another but it caught my attention. If you didn't know, I've been asked to make my cousin's wedding cake PRESSURE! No, not really.... Right! RIGHT! Ha! Any who, we had one cake tasting and it came out OK but not like I felt it should so I will be attempting my cakes again....

She's toying with two concepts right now. Something out of the ordinary, and the normal stacked tiered cakes...

I didn't think she would like this, but she loved it... So we'll see.

I didn't like how the cakes their selves came out. They were very dense, but tasty none the less. I have to redeem myself.

Meanwhile as I posted pictures of my cakes on FB my friend asked me to make them a Lemon any thing. Now I LOVE lemon in cakes and pies. So I've had it on my mind for a minute now. I think the recipe below will be my tester. If I like them enough I may present them as an additional add on. (Smiles)

http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2011/05/lemon-tea-cakes.html

Pretty Darn Cute III

OK so, I wore the dress. BIG SMILES! The consistent compliment that I got was that I was "Colorful" I guess for some that would be weird but if my use of colors makes me stand out as refreshing and NEW! DAG NABIT I'll take it. LOL! I wore its with my shoes that I thrifted, it was like the shoes were made to go with this dress or something. I will take a picture the next time I wear it. But the dress was a SMASHING success!

Dr Oz

OK so, one day I made it home early, just in time to catch the end of one of his shows and he mentioned a product "Just a Drop" that provides a courtesy to you and others that you may share a bathroom with when the second number comes calling. Since I commute to work, its always a COVERT mission to find a private bathroom when that other number comes knocking at the backdoor. I thought to myself.... hmmmmm could this actually work. I found some on eBay a little better priced than Amazon. So the other day I was getting the knock, I still ran off to a private bathroom but I tried it. Wouldn't you know it worked. YES! I will be on the look out to find larger bottles of this stuff locally and I will promptly supply them for my home, car, and purse. I know its not healthy to deny yourself the privilege to evacuate when the knock comes, but we also learn that it is just rude to subjects others to your bodily functions. So for those of you out there who sometimes have a hard time finding a private bathroom I suggest you give it a try.


FYI - you will need a few drops, but it does work. THANK YOU Dr. Oz!

Coconut Oil

OK so, yesterday just before washing I pulled out the coconut oil to prepoo the hair. Then I looked over to the left and there was my four month old niece. Big smile as I approached her with coconut oil saturated hairs. I rubbed it all through her head of beautiful black curly locks. Her hair said PLEASE and THANK YOU! I don't think she knew how to feel about me rubbing the oil through her head. She held onto my nephew who holding her at the moment and looked at him for an explanation. It was too cute. Then I picked up the REALLY soft brush I picked up for her at the beauty supply store and started brushing. Like her mother said after she took my advice and put olive oil on Lady Bug's (that's what I call her) hair just after a bath, her hair tends to straighten when oil is applied. That's not a bad thing but an interesting note. So I brushed her hair, but left her in her little Afro. I need to get some little barrettes for her hair. Her mom said I could do her hair which makes me happy. Now its time to get it growing. Lady Bug was born with a head FULL of hair. And at four months its only gotten fuller. Her mother's hair is VERY thick and my hair ain't so thin either. I anticipate a head full of beautiful hair on this baby girl.

So that was last night, and I was looking at my container thinking I should restock very soon on more coconut oil and then I check my dashboard and one of the blogs I follow had a list of wonderful uses for coconut oil. What's funny is that the toothpaste recipe calls for items that I have separately around the house.... I may actually try it out. LOL!

 http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/homemade-toothpaste-with-coconut-oil.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+oneGoodThingByJillee+%28%22One+Good+Thing%22+by+Jillee%29

My sister-in-law has been asking me about a homemade shampoo. I think I will look up some recipes and figure out one to test on my own hair. If I like it.... you'll hear about it.

As it stands I use my own concoction of oils as a daily lotion and moisturizer for my hair and it has done wonders for me.What's in it? I'm glad you asked....

Ingredients

Raw Shea Butter ( I prefer to use the white kind, gold will do fine, but my skin and hair like the white )
Coconut Oil
Emu Oil
Peppermint oil
Tea Tree Oil

Now since the peppermint and tea tree are essential oils I only use like a fourth of a teaspoon. But I measure nothing and I really just eyeball it all. Since the Shea Butter is the hardest to whip I start with it first, I mix it until its smooth, then I add the coconut oil. Once that mixture is smooth, I add about a tablespoon of Emu oil. I don't care for the smell all that much, but I read that the fat in this oil is really good for combating stretch marks etc, so it GOES IN! Then I lastly add the essential oils. I mix it up really smooth, but there's always like little chunks of coconut and Shea butter still in the mixture which I don't mind at all. Lately when I pour the mixture into my container I've had enough to fill two. Which I like cause two containers last me about two months. I've been doing this since about hmmmm I'd say since August or September cant remember the exact date, and my skin and hair has said THANK YOU!

If you don't know about Coconut Oil you need to read about it. Its really good for those who have eczema and other dry skin conditions. You can eat it, use it in your hair... Its becoming a staple in my house.

My thing is that I'm tired of becoming dependant on products and then they're discontinued. I'm tired of spending $6 or more dollars on a lotion and its not helping like it should and the price keeps going up. If I'm gonna pay more for it, can it at least do what I need it to do? By going the natural route I'm hoping to eliminate this frustration in my life.

Pretty Darn Cute II

OK so drum roll please...... I bought the dress! I tried it on, and I'm gonna be honest. I twirled and twirled in the mirror. I kept saying, "I don't know, I don't know" I kept fidgeting with the dress , but overall it really is cute. One thing that caused the fidgeting was  that the bottom of the dress is asymmetrical and the way the dress slants its looks funny if the left side line is twisted to the back. BUT! I think it was falling to the back because the store tag (you know that device that is meant to deter thieves from stealing) was heavy and hanging on the bottom falling which ever way I twirled. Now I just need to get some shoes and a bracelet. I happened to have on a neckline that went pretty OK with it. I will have to see what I have and really decide whether I want to buy more accessories. But I had to share, YES! I got the dress and I am overall very happy with it! SMILES! Thank you for reading, I'll be in touch shortly.

Oh HAPPY Day!!!

http://www.behuetiful.com/store/

I just ordered my Huetiful Steamer. I cant wait for it to get here. I will be able to do regular deep conditioning treatments on my hair. It even has an attachment to do facials. Now I don't know anything about that, so I will have to read up on facial treatments. I am so excited, and I cant wait to give this machine a test run. I've even had some volunteers. Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm gonna be playing beauty shop for real. YES!

Pretty Darn CUTE!

OK so, I'm minding my own business when I see this dress. What is ASHLEY trying to do to me! At first I tried to ignore it, looking at the other items on the site. But my eyes kept going back to this one. Notice how the right shoulder is bare... I was in love! I just wish that it would look like this on me. Who knows it might, I'd have to go to Ashley and find out. Fortunately there are currently two locations close to my home. So I could try both  if one doesn't carry it. I'm thinking the shoes I got in Long Beach would be KILLER with this dress.... or they could possibly be too much. Hmmmmm I'd have to see.

This dress, those shoes, or my new shoes, and a chocolate purse. I have a perfect purse to pair with this. My amazing friend  Betty #1 sells the cutest purses. Just the other day I almost wiped her whole inventory clean as she had some REALLY good stuff. When I look at my purses I see outfits. I think its pretty amazing that someone like me has become so girlie. But hey, I think its about time that my attention started running this way. Shoes, purses, clothes! Whoa!

This is not the 80's or even the early 90's when clothes weren't made to flatter big girls. As if it was our punishment for how we looked. Nowadays it can still be somewhat of a challenge to find cute clothes but no more a challenge than when I was smaller and still couldn't find anything that flattered my curves instead of highlighting them. Modesty will always be a challenge for any person out who wants to represent their self nicely but not cheaply. Just because you got them doesn't mean they have to hang loose.

What the world needs now is imagination. NOTHING is left to the imagination anymore. I guess a lot of people are more in your face about things that I still value as mine, and only shared with a SPECIAL someone. I try to instill this in my child, not to think the little girls running around with everything hanging out is just the way things have to be, and just accept them. No, a lady should conduct herself a certain way. And since everyone is going in the opposite direction, a lady shouldn't be hard to spot. OK, ok, I'll get off my soapbox...

My new Batman Phone

I am ALL smiles about my new toy! I got it last week. I am so happy with this thing. The ONLY compliant I have is in regards to the navigation system on this phone. What's up with the "pins" my last phone would call out each turn in advance and it was awesome only in that regard. OK so yea, I don't like the navigation on this phone. But other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. I took it to the beach Monday and I took this picture:

Look at the beauty! I was standing there in Awe! And then I snapped this photo and was in more AWE! I'm going to get this picture blown up to poster size or really big picture size, frame it and put it up on my wall in my newly painted living room. (Painting will happen shortly)

I love taking pictures on this phone. I went to a wedding Sunday and I took pictures. My cousins were teasing me because I had it out the whole time. I told them it was a new toy and I was so excited to use it. I took some pics and then I ZOOMED on some of them and re-saved them... YES!

Like this picture for example. When I took it there were people, etc in it. When I zoomed in and saved it, YES! I loved the end result.

OK, OK, I'll stop talking in my excited chopped up language. But I was very happy to have my new toy with me. It was a wonderful test drive on this phone to use it like I did. I was able to easily share my photos as well. I don't care that the following week after I get my phone they REALLY begin talks about releasing the iPhone 5s. I am content with my purchase and it me and this kid for the two years and beyond.

Reflexology

So yesterday was my first trip to see a reflexologist. A few of my cousins have been talking up this service so my curiosity was peaked. Not really knowing what to expect I texted my cousin with a little concern as I soaked my feet in a tub of water with a tea bag in the water. I couldn't smell anything specific so I wondered if I was getting the actual service. I don't know what to call her so I'll call her the technician, when the technician began my massage I didn't know what to expect,, you might say I was a little tense. Yes, due to the stress of the week, but also from not knowing what to expect. My cousin Nellie had given me a chart like the one above pointing out the nerve endings in our feet. I tried very cautiously to pay attention to any pain I may have felt in any of those areas. But yea, outside of tickling a little from time to time I didn't really feel any pain. The only tenderness was in my legs, she massaged up to my knees. And I haven't found a chart for that part of the body. Afterwards I felt like jello, just wiggly but relaxed. Thanks reflexology technician.

If NOTHING ELSE I needed to RELAX! There were point where I almost fell asleep. AW! SIGH! RELAXATION is a must have in LIFE! Next I wanna try a day spa. I've only ever been to a spa once in life. I would love to try that kind of massage.

The only thing I don't like is when they "pop" your joints. Or make cracking sounds. As I was soaking my feet I watched a guy at the end of his massage and the technician popped his fingers, arms, and back. I was CRINGING at the sight of it. I don't like that, and it tenses me up when doctors do it to me. Why don't I like it? What if they do it wrong? I just don't like it. That is my condition. Massage me, massage me GOOD! But don't Pop or Crack ANYTHING! We're gonna have problems if you do. Silly I know, but I cant help the way I feel. See how my dramatic side comes out. LOL!

Over all I give my experience a 6, and my cousin said the more often you have it done the better you will feel. So I'll give it two more tries. If I dont notice a difference....I guess I'll move on to the next thing...

Hey Now!

OK so tomorrow is the 70's party. My costume came last week. I didn't try on the Go-Go boots but they should fit. Tomorrow I will be picking my Afro and flying free to the groovy tune of me. CHEESY I KNOW! But hey what can I say? If I don't look too ridiculous... I'll try and post a picture of me. If everything comes out like I hope it does, I should have a GOOD time grooving on the dance flooring and leaving all my cares behind. How come I didn't see this picture before I bought my costume???? Oh well. I have to like what I bought and be content with it.

So until we meet again.... I'm wishing you PEACE, LOVE, and SOUL!

The BEAUTIFUL 1!

OK so, THE BEAUTIFUL 1 is engaged! It all happened Friday in a wonderful and detailed plot against her. Perfectly executed by her loving sisters, brother-in-law, fiance, his brother, and his bestie. I wasn't there for the actual proposal, but I got to see the recording of it. I don't know if you're anything like me, but the proposal is SO important to the marriage. I really feel like the proposal sets the tone for the effort the husband will put into the marriage. Some may not agree with me. But in my limited experience for what I've seen... the husband who takes the time to make this experience special tends to take the time to make other experiences special through out the course of the marriage.
I am so excited for her. When her sister texted me to give me a heads up about what was going on I got emotional and couldn't focus for the rest of the day. Aw my baby is about to be within Marital bliss! Marital nightmare at times, but bliss none the less. They looked so happy together, I just wanted to sit an watch them for hours. You could really see the love and that's what I like to see. And when I threatened him regarding her happiness.... he didn't seem concerned. For half a second I felt like WHAT???? Did he hear what I just said??? But then when I thought about it I was happy that he wasn't phased by my threat. It really tickled me even.
So I asked her Bestie The Fashionista if she was the MOH, and she said that TB1's sister The Chic 1 is the MOH. So I said she's 2nd in command... I cant wait to see how they put things together. Then the Fashionista mentioned something about my cakes. WHOA! Later on that night TB1 asked me DRUM ROLL!!!!!!!! To make cakes for her wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!!!! I told her, "I'm flattered and scared! All at the same time!" My mind has been racing all day.

She gave me a brief idea of what she's looking for, but I will pick her brain later. I was on Youtube looking at all kinds of things. So I need to get my practice on and then have her over to taste the ones I can definitely execute properly.

Everyone over here is about to get CAKED out! LOL! They'll be sick of cakes and RUN when they see me coming! LOL!

MJ

When I went to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago, I HAD to see Captain EO again I HAD 2!!!!! I know the younger generation (and by younger I mean the ones born now) may not understand the obsession with this man. But he has ALWAYS been an IMPORTANT part of my life. Now my Soul Sistah #1 would cry just watching him on television. I was never that gone, but he always found a way to pull me back in. Like when I was a teenager I was trying my best to out grow him and then....... The sands of an hour glass went across my TV screen and there was Eddie Murphy and Iman looking like WORLD CLASS ROYALTY! My mission was clear, I had to master this dance routine! My sister and I busted out our "King Kong" cups of ice water, cranked up the sound on my father's SLAMMING stereo system, and proceeded to practice practice practice until we had it down. Oh! All the beautiful sweat we were shedding in our living room in front of my father's big screen TV trying our best to mimic Michael's moves.









Move in a little closer I wanna tell you something. Let me whisper so no one else hears. My favorite MJ song is.... Let's see if you can guess:

I tell you when this video came out it was the first time since I was a little girl that I drooled over Michael. I LOVE this song, and the VIDEO!!!!! AWESOME! I know I probably shouldn't be saying this out loud, take the lyrics to heart but... YEA! I LOVE ME SOME MICHAEL JACKSON! I cant believe he's gone. Sitting in that theater watching the last midnight showing of that 18 minute show brought back a lot of memories and emotions. Like looking at his gelled baby hair, remembering when everyone was doing that. One of my cousins even dyed her baby hair purple in honor of her love for prince and then gelled it all up. Pretty soon you may see that style come back too. MJ seemed so innocent up there on the screen. I loved the show, all the dancing and singing. MICHAEL! I guess today is a missing MJ day... next I'll be hit by a:



Check it! He's wearing BLUE!!! HEART BEATING!!!! LOL!!!!

Now if you know nothing about MJ then I'm sure this entry reads like a riddle of sorts. But for my fellow MJ lovers, you know EXACTLY what I'm saying to you.


Thank you for reading, come back now you hear me.

MAGGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously??? For Real???? Really????? I don't think I ask for a lot. I think I've been a good girl (which may be half the problem so I'm starting to believe), so why did Maggie Sottero discontinue the dress that I feel was designed for me and when I meet that special fella? I want a silver gown like the gown above (that's not the dress but it is the right color), but now that my ultimate dress pick has been discontinued I just don't know anymore. I am REALLY bummed out about this. I tried to look for a place to ask "if I know the dress name can I still request it ten years from now when I'm OLD and finally snagged me a man out the old folks home". But alas they don't deal with the public. I guess like everything else in life I'll be jipped on this one pleasure as well. I could go on wasting your time listening to me whine about the things that make me sad like why your hair gets frizzy even when you spend money on products that claim they prevent this. Or why cant Chocolate and Ice Cream be fat free? (and when I say Fat Free I mean FAT FREE! No weight gain!) Why do we have to gain weight? Or why cant those with the physical attributes you wish you had and they tend to hate, why cant they don't donate them to you? See how useless this is... but I just wish I could convey my disappointment and sadness! Oh well! This is nothing new, I should be used to disappointment by now!

JCP

So my friend Betty #1 told me about the pricing change at JCP after I told her my cardigan story. Out of curiosity I went online to check out their inventory, and what did I find? I like this style of dress. Not only does it look comfortable, but it looks like it would hang so flattering on me that I would love it.


These over the knee boots are ONLY $30!!!!! SHUT UP! I need them! I have no idea where I would ever wear them or even how I would wear them. But need them I do. Let's not mention the heel on these shoes... How about I don't know how to walk in skinny heel shoes. But I guess as part of my big girl license I need to learn. And then I gotta ROCK the mess out of them! I think its time for me to become a big and put on my big girl boots and WORK IT! LOL! Maybe an over sized sweater and leggings with these boots. What you think? I'm thinking Orange, Sage Green, or Burgundy....


I can see these as my everyday style... can you believe these are $12? YES! These are my kind of prices. JCP is about to come up as far as I'm concerned. Shopping I will be. YAY!


Loving these, but am I fashionable enough to pull them off? How in the world would I wear them? I'm at a loss, but I want them....


And these come in Brown. I have a brown purse that deserves to be worn with brown boots. I think these could do the job.

Now if only I had the money to make all these things come about. Hmmmmm, I guess this is where my bottle recycling will come into play. You think I'm kidding but I'm not. At these prices I can afford at least one treat a month. But first I need to clean out my closet again. Get on the ball with my donations and make room for my new items.

Shopping

OK so Friday I was on a mission after work. The last ten minutes of the day became the MOST stressful of the entire week. Still determined to go to the wedding the next day. I decided in my mind that I needed a cardigan to wear with my strapless number. BUT! 1st I went to Lane Bryant looking for my dress just in case the person over the phone didn't understand what I was asking for and they actually did receive it in. But alas... NO! No dress. (insert sad face) When I walked into the store I was greeted by an associate who asked if I needed any help. And since I didn't have all day to stroll their store I told her what I was looking for. She pointed me in a direction, but she offered me no real help. I hate when people pretend like they want to help you but they really have no desire to. She sent me to the Clearance rack... and now that I think about it... I guess I should be insulted.

Here's why:
She pointed me to the clearance rack. There were all kinds things thrown about here and there. No real organization to that section which made it impossible to find anything. I did find a cardigan and it had sequins on it. Fancier than I wanted but hey if its nicely priced I'd take it any ways. Do you know at 50% off that cardigan still cost more than the dress I was wearing. So I walked away from the clearance section and took one last glance around the store for the dress. And I spotted a cardigan like the one I had in my mind in a bright lime green on a mannequin. So I ask the associate where could I find that sweater in black. And she takes me to the table right in the front of the store. If I asked you for cardigans why wouldn't you have shown me this if you knew this is what I was looking for????? Any way I pick up the sweater, and although the material felt thin and cheap, I was going to buy it. Then I looked at the price... lets just say not quite $50. And I said out loud, "WHOA!" and the associate says a very sarcastic "yea". And so I said, "let me see if I can find this cheaper somewhere else, otherwise I'll be back". If I wasn't so DOG GONE SLOW I probably would've given that associate the look of death as I the returned the cardigan to the table and walked out of there. I passed a few other stores and one I actually stepped inside of when I saw their cardigan in the display window. They were only a couple dollars cheaper than LB. Then I made my way to JC Penny. I found not only one cardigan but two (AW! Options!) and each priced at $18! I wanted to cry. I was so happy. I tried them both on right there on the floor next to the racks. And then I paid for my purchase. I felt so good finding what I was looking for and the total was less than $20! Oh yes! That's what I'm talking about! As for that Associate, I felt like going back to that store and holding my purchase out in front of her and saying:
"You work on Commission don't you? BIG MISTAKE! HUGE! OK now I must hurry! I have more shopping to do." END SCENE! SMILES

Its not right....

I know its not right, but I WANT this dress from Lane Bryant! I have nowhere to wear it (doesn't mean I cant find a place) but I want it in my closet silently waiting as my secret WEAPON of love, devotion, and MASS DESTRUCTION!!!! HA! HA! HA! I'm feeling close to you right now, so I'm gonna tell you. I went to Lane Bryant the other day looking for this dress to see what it looks like on me. But they didn't have it. The store clerk told me that they were getting a shipment in the next day and to call and see if this dress was part of the shipment before I came back down. I didn't call, but now that I think of it... Maybe I'll call now. Although I have dreams of no longer being a Big Girl. Reality is I don't know when that day will actually be here. So meanwhile I can work on my present regardless right????? MAKE IT HOTTTTTTTT! No matter what the size right? I know modesty should be my goal... and for the most part I think I got that down. "But every once in a while you gotta go in the back of that closet and put your freak 'em dress on" LOL! Yea, I think my brain may be a little twisted right now, but so what. I think I wanna bite the bullet and put this in my closet. I just need a short leather jacket to go with this, and the right heels. Yep! Its going down. Heaven forbid the day I started falling in love with clothes.

Coming up shortly. I gotta show you the shoes I thrifted when I was down south. HOOOOTTTTTTTT!!!!! Again! I need a nice black sheath dress to wear with them. Because they will be the STAR of my ensemble when I wear them. Watch out summer here I come! LOL!

I think these eyebrows and quick weave are going to my head. How dare I look in the mirror and LOVE what I see?!?!? Its like a whole new me. A whole new way of looking at things. I'm only too big for whatever I tell myself that I'm too big for. My size will not hold me back anymore. Beautiful I am! Loving me I will! Watch out world like it or not HERE I COME!  Big! Beautiful! And Confident! YYYEEESSSS!!!!


Side note.....
Yesterday I was invited to a 70's themed anniversary party! I'm telling you, I'm loving all these invites lately! LOL! So after cruising the web I think I found my look for the party:

Yep! I think I'll do it all just like its shown here! Loving this site as well. I even found these on there, but I ain't gonna wear them:

Yea that's right the Platform shoe with the fish tank in the heel. I wonder if Huggie Bear himself will make an appearance! LOL!

Now I debate....My hair, do I wear my Afro? Do I straighten my hair (probably not)? Do I fluff out my hair? Do I buy a straight wig? Hmmmm so many choices...I think I'll have to close my eyes and really think about this. BIG CHEESE!!!!

So I'm back

So I'm back and I will have to say that I had a GREAT time! There were a few exceptions but not really worth dwelling on. I had no idea that Long Beach Airport was a SMALL outdoor airport. I was so thankful it wasn't raining otherwise that would've been upsetting.

So the poetry reading was cool. Nellie read her poem and she did such a GOOD job. I admire her courage to get up in front of a room full of people you don't know and share yourself with them. She kept trying to convince me to get up and read mine. But I disappointed myself by not even considering it.

This is about as bright as the evening got LOL! That DARK spot in the back is all me LOL! The room stayed pretty dark, I guess to keep the poetry vibe going even after the readings were finished. It was a long nite but we cut it short. We were all pretty tired.

This ride was pretty awesome! The different smells or aromatherapy if you will is just awesome!

I was so sad when my day at the Magic Kingdom was over...

This definitely was one of those you had to be there type of situations. But I laughed the rest of the night behind this one. We call this one "Professional Failure"! LOL! We'll just say when the suggestion was made to put the ice cream in a cup, the idea was declined. The consumer felt that they were Professional enough to eat their ice cream on a cone. TWO licks in and the ice cream jumped off the cone. I could not contain my laughter. I LAUGHED the rest of the night about this one. When I snapped this picture a woman walking past saw the ice cream on the ground and immediately began cracking up as if she was there when it fell. Oh the laughter. GOOD TIMES!

Sunday we went to Hospitality... and lets just say I noticed a difference when I did not present myself as the shy unworthy female. LOL! I was not bold and daring either, but I was definitely there. He was a nice guy and we made new friends. Can you say REPEAT trip down south to happen one day soon. LOL! But nothing happened. Nothing worth writing home about or mentioning. But we had a GREAT time. I had never been to South Central LA before. It was nice. Hospitality was held a block up from the Debbie Allen school of dance. We wanted to stop and take pictures but the guys weren't feeling that idea. But we did get them to stop at the mall, we had an emergency stop to make. When we walked into the Crenshaw mall we were greeted to the sounds of EU singing "Doing Da Butt!" ROTFL! Aw! Memories! We couldn't believe they were playing that song. Yea we had a good time but I was READY to come home Monday. I was so happy to be home. Until my next vacation can you say HEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Almost there

OK so the weather forecast has changed yet again. It went from possible showers to clear with highs in the 70's for the entire stretch of my trip. Yay! Not overly excited anymore as I have done the typical me things to rob me of my joy. :o( I just don't perform well under the pressure of the unknown. I will have a good time because I will be with AWESOME people, but hoping and wishing for anything amazing in my direction is OVER!
I have a little more packing to do. My cousin is coming to pick me up at 6:30am sharp, and he's a "on-time" type person. So that means I need to be ready by 6:15 at least. I have restricted myself to nothing stronger than wine for this trip. As it turns out this trip.... its an attempt to mask the pain that I feel right now. Oh well, only worry about the things you can change right? I wish that was easily done, at least in my case its not. I worry about everything until I don't care anymore. And since the events of this weekend bring me emotional pain its kind of hard not to care about what's hurting me.
So what if I'm the ONLY person in the world to understand how I feel or to even care. To know me is to know that all my venom stems from the pain I feel. And if you knew that you wouldn't try to reason with me, judge me, or change my mind. When I was talking to Neville he said although others maybe going through the same things or even worse your experience is unique to you. It warms my heart to at least have felt understood by the last person I would have thought would get it. From where I sit my situations are always unique to me because there are certain things that I fight for, some that I should fight for, and some that I ask why didn't you fight at all? I know I let Jasmine down, and I'll spend eternity trying to explain that to her. Although we talked about it, some fights in theory are not easily executed. Last night I was driving home and the car in front of my had the spare tire attached to the back of the car. The cover over the tire mentioned the dealership and city of location. Palo Alto, California. My heart became heavy as I thought of Jasmine and the life she had there.
PMS kicking my butt? YES! But the timeline in play here isn't helping either. Regardless of everything else, when I walk out the door Friday morning I'm leaving all of this on my bed. I'm going to have a ball and for the first time in a LONG time enjoy myself and not worry about being in service to anyone else. Call it selfish if you want to, but I've spent my life that way and its about time that I have some enjoyment for me. I'm gonna miss my child, and I will hurry home to be with them. But I'm gonna enjoy being away for the first time. Yay! No secret (which was never really a secret) boyfriend to rush home to. No loyalty to anyone but myself. Single as the description on my birth certificate. BUT not looking to squish any square pegs into a round hole. Just going to get away....If only I could afford a Spa day, cause I really believe that's what I'm needing right about now. I hope my silly EXCITED self kicks in. I really wish she would appear right now. She makes me LAUGH! I could use a good laugh right about now.

Truly Amazing and Inspiring

http://thebellavitaofhair.blogspot.com/2012/01/old-hollywood-glamour-photo-shoot.html

Ok so she lied

Friday I found myself wandering the mall. I knew I wanted to find a small travel friendly umbrella. But I had some time to kill, so I mozied over to the mall. We actually stepped into the Ashley store, and to my delight I did see a lot of the things I saw online (but I didn't see the zebra print dress). I tried on one of their bras, I HATED the way it fit me and when I explained to the Associate in the store how it fit me she said I needed a "bigger" size I ran out the store in horror! LOL! I know a lot of women want what they don't have, but thanks to my daddy's family I'm not lacking in the bosom area. It is a challenge most days to find something that fits them and still makes me look nice. The fit was not right on this bra and I refuse to buy a bigger size. I will stick to Frederick's Of Hollywood. They carry my size and it fits right every time. I may go back try another style at Ashley, but Friday wasn't the day. So we're walking around the mall and I see "EZ Eyebrow" on the upper level. And I remember they used to have a booth in the middle of the mall. Now they have store space. We stood in the doorway looking at the pricing sign. My hands INSTANTLY broke into a sweat... Why you ask? Um well, this whole be a girl thing is still something that I'm slowly breaking myself into. And I know that getting my eyebrows done HURTS! So I asked the lady who approached us if it hurt. They had a video going, which showed the whole string process. Then she said "No it doesn't hurt..." so I nervously said OK. I sat in the slanted chair. And another woman comes over to actually do the work. The woman who told me no, disappeared in the back. She was probably laughing knowing that she just LIED to me. So this was my first time like this... and all I can say is OUCH! It hurt so bad I had to twitch my leg. I wanted to jump out the chair and RUN! But I didn't want to run around like this:

So I sat there and endured. It went pretty fast, thank goodness. And in the end I liked the outcome... but I tell you.. the things girls go through in the name of beauty!