Random Thoughts from the TRIBE!

Memorial Day Transformation

I'm sure you all remember this room:

http://creoleindc.typepad.com/random_thoughts_from_the_/2008/12/i-need-paint-su.html

Well I received several suggestions.  The most wanted change was color.  So here is the new and improved version.  Question now.  Do I need to put something on that big blank wall to the left of the teddy chair.  And yes that is a teddy bear!  LOL

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Tribal Giveaways

First I have a few Bath and Body Works items that have never been used:

Cucumber Melon: 10oz Shower Gel and (2) 4oz geletin soaps

Fresh Pineapple: 2oz body lotion

Black Raspberry Vanilla: 2oz body lotion

Pearberry: 8oz body lotion

Sensual Amber: 10oz shower gel

Wild Honeysuckle: (3) .5oz eau de toilette

57 pieces of crossstiching floss:

Madden Girl Shoes, Verruca Grey Paris, Size 8 1/2

Predictions, Bone Kailey, Size 9

Sag Harbor, Navy Blue Slacks, Size 16 Short

Contact me at mscarla1922@yahoo.com if you would like to possess these items.

 

Tribe Giveaways Category

Monica has graciously created a Tribe Give Away Category so we can keep the Giveaway items in a place that can be reviewed later.  Please use the Tribe Give Away category when you post your cool giveaways.

Tribe Giveaway

I've cleaned out my closet once again. If you want them, let me know. Hopefully someone out there can fit them.

Top Row:
Gap Flare Jeans: Size 4
Red Willi Smith Linen Pants: Size 4
Petite Sophisticate Silk Shirt: Size 2

Bottom Row:
Black & White Kasper Pant Suit: Size 4
Isaac Mizrahi Pants/Jacket: Size 4
Petite Sophisticate Dark Purple Pant Suit: Size 4

mmholley@hotmail.com

TAKEN - Tribe Giveaway: Girl Toddler Items

The Girl Toddler Items have found a new home with another little girl of the same size. I will be shipping your box by Friday at the latest and will send you an email with the confirmation number. This was fun and I look forward to sharing other items shortly. Happy New Year. Thanks to all who are participating in "Cooperative Economics".

I have 2 trashbags full of girl toddler clothing (3-4T), about 5 dresses (3-4T), 2 coats (4T) and assorted shoes (all size kid 10-11; a couple of pairs never worn). See pictures below.

If you have a need of these clothes for your girl or know of someone who could use these items, send me an email at salesdiva@bww.com. All items are in great condition and good quality. It would be helpful to me in deciding who to send this to, if you could include a few lines of your reason why you want them. I will send them UPS at my expense - another reason why I'd kinda like to have a sense of the need.

Email me your name, address and a few lines to salesdiva@bww.com. I will post an update when taken.

If you don't use all the items sent, I would ask that you share what you didn't use with someone else and not just toss them.

   

   

Tribe Give Away

So...I have all kinds of stuff that I could give away if someone wanted it.  Nice stuff that I've maybe used or worn a few times that someone could use I'm sure.

I got an email yesterday and it made me think about how this economy is affecting all of us and that we could prolly help each other out a bit.

TravelDiva suggested we use Freecycle but when I went to the site it seemed to be a whole lot more difficult than I think this needs to be...LOL.  So she and I were talking and we decided that we'd do it here.  That means that YOU would be in control of it completely.

So...post a pic of what you have to give away with a description including size, of course.  Include your email address and folks will email you DIRECTLY and yall deal with it in email land.  Yall decide how you're going to pay for shipping, etc.  Like...I can't see me asking someone to pay me back for spending $10 to ship them something but someone else might want their $10 back so yeah...getcho money back.  LOL!  You can also control who you give it to.  It could be the first person who emailed you or it could be the person who is going through an extra hard time.  YOU DECIDE.

If it's a large item then I'd  think only someone in your area should get it so they could pick it up but again...YOU DECIDE!

Aiight...I hope yall see this in the spirit it's presented in.  If not...oh well...do you!

As always...any and all suggestions are appreciated, requested and NEEDED!

Adventures of Apollo

My sexy pose:

Ummm, you want to use the laptop?

   

For 1969

Okay this is in the family den.  No man cave, dungeon, or any out of the way place. LOL.

My mom actually latch-hooked this rug.

I need paint suggestions

The rug is the centerpiece:

   

Thanksgiving with Cbean

We had a marvelous time with family.  We actually had no friends this year. LOL

The infamous traveling turkey

The chef: Momma Cbean

The spread

The grazers

 

The End

Back in the Kitchen

Okay, as you all remember, I started getting my feet wet with cooking while I was in Miami.  Well the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  LOL.  So anyway, a group of us at church have embarked on a lifestyle change to eat healthier and exercise.  Okay, I got the eating part down.  Baby steps mmmkay.  So here are all the books we get with the program:

So I added the following book to get back into the kitchen.  For someone who doesn't like to cook, I figured it would be the best way to have fun with it.

 

Sorry for the fuzzie wuzzies.  Anywho, with the grocery stores not fully stocked yet, I opted for something easy, and here ya go. 

Even though the recipe was for 4 servings, after making my plate, I made four tupperware bowls with the rest of the major ingredients.  Sooooo, lunch and dinner tommorrow is already prepared!!!

I even bought a new digital scale.  I clocked in at 179.6.  Not keeping it a secret, because I want you guys to hold me accountable.  I will update you guys every Saturday on my progress.  Our class meets at 8am every Saturday to weigh in and do our bible study.

Should I do anything?

I have two friends who were the very best of friends.  Roommates, were in each others weddings, etc...  They both lived in the same town, until Jana & her husband moved away.  Jana got a great job and was doing very well.  Well, so was Kate -- she has a great job, and her husband is seriously a millionaire.  Kate and her husband are very down to earth, would give you the shirt off their backs.

So, Jana was moving back to town and she didn't tell Kate because it was a confidential thing at work.  She told me cause I can keep a secret.  I knew Jana and her husband were looking for a house in either one of the better parts of town.  Eventually, they told Kate they were moving back.  Eventually.  And Kate wondered why Jana didn't tell her, but she just let it ride.

Soooo, Jana would always consult me about the house business -- just generally venting about the process.  One day she calls me and asks, hypothetically, "If I were going to buy a house in your exclusive neighborhood, what would you say?"  I say "I'd be fine with it, Jana, why?"  Jana says "Cause some people would be like why is she trying to copy us?  We don't want her in our business.  They might always be trying to come to your house and stuff."  I honestly thought she was talking about moving close to one of the people who work with her, cause who on earth would be a hater like that?  I knew she wasn't talking about me cause my neighborhood is only exclusive if you come from Cabrini Green.

I found about about 2 weeks later, she was moving down the street from Kate --  in Kate's very exclusive neighborhood.  I knew because she told me, but she never told Kate. (The killing part about this is that Kate would have been absolutely ELATED if she had only told her.)  Kate just happened to see her husband driving down the street one day and was like WTF?  So, Kate calls me and I act surprised.  Then Kate relays that husband was acting all funny like he didn't see her when he clearly did.  Of course, Kate is suspicious. I remain silent, because what am I supposed to say?  I call Jana and say "Listen, you need to tell Kate the deal cause she's figured out that you're moving down the street."  So, Jana calls her and tells her.  Kate acts like its no big deal, but Kate is PISSED that one of her best friends was being so shady with her.  Eventually, Kate figures out that she wasn't told because of the fear that they'd react negatively -- and Kate is now 44 HOT.  So, Kate and her husband just decide they're gonna cut Jana and her husband loose.

The problem:  Jana thought all was well with Kate, but has noted that their family has been getting the cold shoulder.  It's a long drive to see either of them.  I haven't been to Jana's new house yet because I feel odd going to her crib and not going to Kate's and vice versa.  Normally, we'd all be hanging out together, going shopping, doing silly stuff with all the kids.  I feel bad cause I haven't been because, really, gas is too damn high to drive 90 miles roundtrip and they haven't both been home at the same time. Anyway, Jana still asks me about Kate, like how she and the kids are doing, etc., and she never mentions it, but I know she's hurt and possibly confused about the treatment she's getting.  Kate ain't really giving a dang about Jana.  Everytime I even try to talk to Kate about Jana, she's like "Jana who?"

Okay, end of story:  Kate is having a surprise party for her husband next Saturday night, and Jana asked me and Tim to come do something with her and her husband.  What am I supposed to say?  Nah, we can't cause we're going to the party that ya'll weren't invited to and probably don't know about given by your former best friends that you probably don't know can't stand you any more? Should we try to make both events, and just not bring it up?

Should I not feel caught in the middle?   How do I handle the tension between them when I invite them both to something, like my son's birthday party or a BBQ ? 

Pserendipity

I've learned, it's not always what people say it's HOW you RESPOND to what they say or do.

I usually stay out of discussions about politics. It's not that I can't carry my own weight, it's just that I really can't stand when people go on and on about the 'opposing' team. For instance, when they draw out all the dirty laundry, all the negatives, and so on. If you're for a team, stick to that team and build on why you're for that team. Leave out all the extras.

You don't need to say, I'm for such and such team because the other team does this, this and that.

Just state why you're for YOUR team and focus on why YOU'RE for that team! GAWD!

For instance, I hate hate hate to see those campaign commercials.

Insert the dramatic music. This candidate ate meat for 6 weeks only to find out that this person is really a vegetatian.

Closing remarks of the stupid campaign commercial: Ask yourself, do you want a candidate that will lie about eating meat when in all actuality this person is really a vegetarian?? Insert the shock and awe music.

See....it's campaigns like that, they just get my goat. Stop already with bringing up all this crap. NO ONE is perfect, EVERYONE has skeletons. Bring them all out and let's move on already.

That's why I couldn't run for office. People would NOT be ready for me. I would have a long list of 'scandals' I've done in my past. I would have it on a spreadsheet and powerpoint ready. Ask me if I did such and such and I will bust you down and say, "hey you see it on my spreadsheet right?" Then, yeah I did it AND ?????????????????

Yeah, I thought so!

So....that's why I just don't discuss politics and other taboo topics with certain people. It's my choice. I am OK with that. I don't have to defend why I choose NOT to have a conversation with people about it. And this doesn't make me less knowledgeable about the topic either. So, please, don't get it twisted.

I was with a few friends the other day at the coffee shop, reading my move on.org email and the email subject line said: "Did you get your Obama shirt yet?" I read the topic aloud.<<---HUGE MISTAKE.

Before I could say anything else, one friend said: (laced with sarcasm) NO! I'm getting my Palin shirt. Thank you very much.

Then the other friend said "yeah, I'll get an Obama shirt to shit on and another one to cover it up."

I said areyoufuckingkiddmerightnow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sat back and pondered on what just happened. I felt my blood boiling. It's a feeling I've never felt before like I could have committed murder. Yes, it became that serious at that very moment. It was the most horrible feeling ever.

It was the way they said it and the way they were so sure of themselves about it. I mean really is it necessary to say all that? Just say, NO. I'm not getting an Obama Shirt. And move on!

I guess it's better to find out what people feel about certain topics so you can make an honest judgement on their character, beliefs or whatever is important at that moment? I suppose? This is all mind boggling to me.

I then said, "Ok now----It's time to change the subject because this is NOT what I'm trying to be a part of. This isn't a fun time right now"

Well, they just said....Oh......we were just joking and that's when I lost it.
(For me, I would rather a person say something and stick with it than to try and change what they said or cover it up to not hurt my feelings or to just smooth things over. If you're serious about what you said, then just roll with it)

I YELLED and said, you were NOT joking and we are NOT going to have this conversation. I don't have conversations about politics because motherfuckers don't know how to act like they have some sense and just discuss shit without getting into childish behavior. Then I bust out laughing saying, "Look at me all yelling and cussing, being immature about all of this."

HaHa. Gotta love it.

And at that very moment you could hear a mouse pissing on a cotton ball.

After the pearl clutching of course, I began to feel my blood boiling. It was a very HORRIBLE feeling. It was like, I honestly don't want to be around these people ever again in life. Now, I know that's not how I really feel. I love these people like my own family. I also realize, people closest to you, piss you off the most. Like they do annoying shit and it just drives you BONKERS. You can get over it if it's someone you don't know or like but, if it's a friend or family member, you usually hold them to a higher standard.

Whew. I could NOT believe I responded in this way. It's obvious that my temper speed can go from 0-60 in a millisecond. Who would have "thunked-ed-ed" it.

The best part ....we decided to never ever ever discuss politics again. Hell, I also threw in religion, money and sex too for GP. I thought I could discuss any topic and it's apparent that I can't. Unless the person has a mature state of mind to agree to disagree, myself included of course.

What is up with the taboo of speaking about politics with people? Why does it have to get so ugly? I have to be honest, I've never been in this type of situation before. This is all news to me. Hindsight tells me, I should have asked "why do you feel (like shitting on a shirt) this way?"

And I'm sure they would have been giddy to give up the goods on their hatred for Obama. It doesn't bother me when people talk shit about Obama or Palin. What bothers me is when people decide to attack others or attack the political party instead of just sticking with why you're supporting your candidate.

See, for me, I can hear a person's side all day long. You can take it to the limits but, the moment it starts to become attacking, then the claws will come out.

In closing, if you can't learn from a mistake or situation then what really is the purpose for wanting to grow?

I never should have read the email subject line aloud. So, looking back on it, I started this mess.

My husband said the minute politics is brought up, be ready for it to "BE ON".

It's just the way it is. Why it's this way boggles my mind.

I need to just stick with going to the park and playdates. All this is just a bit much for me!

I've learned, it's not always what people say it's HOW you RESPOND to what they say or do. I need to drop this. I will drop this as soon as I click post.

*Off to chant and center myself*

Working Hard on Labor Day

I was up early this morning to get in position to bring this baby home.  Yall almost had to bail me out, cause if that hefer would have bid one mo 'gin, I was gonna cut her!  But I was victorious!!!

Transformed

Okay, here are the befores and afters.  Looks like I need to clean my lense.  Sorry.

Ummm, anyone know how to get paint out of carpet.  Don't know how I got paint under the drop cloth.  **sigh**   Oh, I want to put a lamp on the table.  Too much?  If not should I go tall or short?

I HATE my school right now...

Normally, I am proud to say that I am an alumn of XYZ University--but they have pissed me off beyond belief! In order to register for grad school, I need at least an unofficial transcript from XYZ. I figure, hey no problem, i can just pop on the web portal and get it. For some reason, I can't recall my password. after numerous attempts to log in, I get shut out of the portal for "security reasons". Fine. I call the systems administrators so that I can reset my password and log in. I am told that there are only students admins in the office at the moment, and they have to wait for the real admin to reset. This should be done by "first thing tomorrow, someone will call you." Liars. I had to call them in order to find out the new password. They give me the user name of wt3. Wt3? It has always been wt1. "Oh, well you havent logged into the system since you graduated, we had to change it." Ok, fine. I'm skeptical, but fine. I log in. Immediately, I notice that my name is spelled with a Y instead of an I. There are two of us with the same name who attended XYZ, both from Brooklyn--but my name ends in I and not Y. I go to look at the address information. Guess what? It's not my info, it's hers. When I specifically gave these fools my ID number...I am so aggravated. I need to be at the new school by 12:30 with transcript in hand! I have called at least 3 times since then and have left a message on the real admin's cell phone.

It seems like everything I have done to get in school this week has gone wrong. First, my recommendation came late. Then, I couldn't get in contact with my dean. Now this. Am I just not supposed to be in school this semester?

I came, I saw, I conquered!!!!

Before......

During.......(notice the sweat droplets)

After.......

Another before.....

And MISSION COMPLETE!!!

Now I have to get the patches to grow out.  LOL

For My T-Monnie

Somebody took a gazillion unfocused pictures, but I stayed in place cause my T-Monnie wanted this picture.

i'm scrunched up eyebrows - grrr

It is not fair - absolutely not fair.  It’s not right and I’m angry as shit.  Again a doctor has dropped the ball, absolutely and unequivocally.  Again I’m getting a call to come to the hospital, because there is nothing more that they can do. 

The sign on the door says “Family only please.”  We are not family by blood, but the love is there.  I hug my friend and go to her mother and let her know it’s me.  I haven’t seen her in some time and now she does not look like herself.  I can make out her features, but they don’t look right because the fluid is building up and her organs are shutting down. We all talk and I steal glances at her.  She is a beautiful woman and I am seeing it again.  She’s there, but in a haze.  I don’t know if it’s the pain medication or the cancer, but she's no longer able to speak.

My friend leaves the room and shortly after I follow.  She’s been there for weeks and now she’s afraid and having a really hard time understanding why things are progressing as they are.  I want to let her know that I’m sorry that I've let life get in the way of our friendship.  When she speaks of how the depression took over her after the death of her father, I shake my head knowingly.  I remember hers and I when it was me. I want her to know that her mother has always been wonderful to me.

I silently wonder if her mom is going because she’s ready to go or if the cancer has beaten her down so much that she’s tired or if she’s just made peace with her situation.  I share bits and pieces of how things were when I was in the same position.  I want my friend to sue the doctor.  I want to help her settle the estate.  Mostly, I want her to not be in this position.  Nothing she does will bring her mother back, but she's not at that point yet.

She is afraid to be there when her mother passes.  I hope that she can be there for her mother.  She doesn’t want to fall apart.  I share with her that I had to be picked up from the floor and carried from the room, but I am still grateful that I did not miss my grandmother’s passing.  I understand why she doesn’t want to experience it, but I think that her mother would want her there.

We sit in the lobby venting, reminiscing, and laughing.  When it's time to go I linger.  I hug her again and let her know I’m here.  Later that night I send her a text to let her know that I’m thinking of her and she can call me anytime.  She thanks me and lets me know that she appreciates us being there and making her laugh.  Tomorrow we will talk again.  I will continue to support her and will do my best to help her through it.  Today I am sad, angry and pissed because I know what's coming and that there is a chance that it did not have to go that way.  Soon it will be her feeling all of these emotions and I will be there.

Names

Monnie's post on her blog led me to ask this question.  What ya'll think?

My boyfriend and I have a son together.  Our son carries his father's last name. 

My boyfriend's ex-wife kept her last name in their divorce. She is now pregnant, but unmarried. Perhaps she will give her unborn son the same last name as my boyfriend...and my son. Even though it's her last name from marriage, it's a last name that you rarely hear. People would probably assume that the child belongs to my boyfriend because of his last name. In all honesty, this bothers both of us. That child is not my child's brother, nor is it my boyfriend's son. There's nothing we can do about what she chooses to name her child, but would that bother you?

When I got the email, I was on my way out for breakfast at the small taquiera hut around the corner. A quick glance showed MP, a moniker I hadn't seen for months.

With so many other mini emergencies to address, I hadn't even remembered to look at it until hours later.  Even then I only initially gave it a rough scan between sips of lemon tea and writing quick notes for my next meeting. I know I'm a coward, I couldn't call or say it face to face but last friday I got m a r r...

A quick check of my watch notes that I've been sitting, blinking, breathing (have i been breathing?) for five minutes. If I can will that little hamster in my brain to work the wheel, maybe I can process coherent thoughts. Instead, I grab the pen closest to me and begin to click as the flood of memories rushes at me.

Click. Meeting after the game.

Click. Movies at sunset.

Click. Warm hands on my thigh.

Click. I'm pregnant. Let's keep it.

Click. Where are you? With my boys. Giggles in the background.

Click. Sharp pains in my abdomen. Fear. Crimson soaking my pants. Where are you?

Put down the pen. Put Down the Pen. Put DOWN the PEN. Exhale.

Years have passed. Relationships newer and better have come and gone.  I proclaim myself a better, smarter, happier, more secure person than I was when I was with you. I will even read and acknowledge the rest of your note - in which you claim that my love, my honesty with you helped you prepare yourself for a better life. I'll also ignore the not-so-subtle hints at your remaining "feelings" and "emotions". I will wait until the knot in my gut subsides and resist considering that you would choose to treat me so shamelessly and have the sheer unmitigated gall to THANK me for helping you become mature enough to marry another while I - I remain single. In an email.

Reply all.

Congratulations!!! Best wishes on your new life You Bastard MP!!!

Send.

What say you?

You are meeting a new guy for the first time.  You agree to meet and have dinner.  You both order an entree, he further orders an appetizer and also ends the evening with desserts for both of you.  Dinner has lasted 3 1/2 hours and the conversation was really good.  He pays for everthing.  Fast forward to the next date.  You agree to meet for a matinee movie.  You are five minutes from the theater when he calls to see where you are.  You tell him you are at the light and can see the theatre.  The movie start time is 5mins from now so you tell him to go ahead and buy the tickets so we won't miss the beginning.  As you enter, he has purchased the tickets, but now you guys are waiting so he can complete signing up for some frequent movie watcher program or something.  So you go to get snacks, because you haven't eaten all day, you want at least popcorn.  You say you will pay for the snacks since he got the tickets.  He proceeds to order a large popcorn and large drink because they come with free refills.  You get a bottled water and proceed to the theatre.  He eats most of the popcorn.  As yall are LEAVING the theatre, he goes and gets the free refill on the popcorn and drink and never offers you any.  Never asked for a bag so you guys can split the goodies.  Nothing!

I thought it was quite tacky.  What say you?

Tribe members...please send your positive thoughts my way! I have interviewed for a new position and I really want it. I HAVE to get out of my current job as soon as possible. This new position would bring me back to the human resources field and actually allow me to use my brain cells on a daily basis. Please, please keep me in your prayers that I will be hired! Thank you all.

UGH.

I feel like I've lost my ability to write. Back in the day, I was a very good writer. I won scholarships and all that jazz, I was an English major. Now, I can't write a lick. Working at this job has turned my creativity to mush. I'm trying to write my personal statement for grad school and I'm so stuck it's not even funny! I've given about 6 openings to my friends to critique and they hate them all. Ugh!

Sleeping Beauty

Help Needed

I have been looking for a couple of months for some plus sized trouser styled jeans in a dark rinse. I've  checked out my usual haunts but have ran out of steam. Any ideas of other places to look?? It would help if they were petite so I don't have to have them hemmed.

Thanks!

 

Random Question

When wearing heels and walking up the stairs, do you put your whole foot on the stair or just the ball of your foot? Any particular reason why?

Really random, I know, lol.

Dumpster Diving???

Now when I was in college, I got my dining room table from a frat that had left it out with a FREE sign on it. But this mess is taking it to a whole other level.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24879628/

*sigh* Dealing with parents RANT.

Alright Lady.

I KNOW that your kid is special. The most specialist, best dancer with the greatest attitude ever in the history of creation. The WORLD has never seen anyone with such greatness. Rather than be her instructor, I should grovel at her feet and marvel to the WORLD how I was honored to be in her presence on a VH1 special. Or Maybe even Oprah.

BUT.

I will not make your eye-rolling (maybe a twitch?), class missing (she broke a nail? gotta stay home!), wrong outfit wearing (Lawd the Creativity!!!!), teammate bullying (oh she's just Assertive!), chronically off-beat (she really FEEEEEELS the music!) child the alpha and omega of my performances.

You know what? When I was growing up, when I didn't make a team, or get first place or get the things I wanted, I knew my mom had by BACK. That meant that as I dealt with disappointment, she was BEHIND me to help me grow emotionally. Not in FRONT of me acting as an emotional crutch and live vicariously through me fight all my battles. And yes, I hurt for a little while, but I also learned a few things... about myself and about perseverance.

I shouldn't be teaching your child these lessons at the age of 17. And I'm being really gentle about it. Trust me - the WORLD isn't going to be so kind.

Nasty Azz House

As y'all know we've recently moved into a new home. We're very happy, but for one thing. The previous owner left this house absolutely filthy. I've literally been cleaning for more than a week! Don't get me wrong, I would've cleaned anyway, but there's simply no excuse for anyone leaving the kind of crap in this house that she did. People, I'm talking a USED toilet brush, and a bottle of Summer's Eve in the shower!!!!

The refrigerator was absolutely unspeakable. It took me two solid hours to scrub it down, and I'm still determined to buy a new one before the summer is over.

The house is definitely dated, and we'll be modernizing the kitchen and the bathrooms, but there's simply no excuse for somebody just being filthy as hell. Whit removed four industrial sized bags of crap from the work shed, and we're still clearing brush and assorted rubbish.

I just can't understand how somebody could sell a house for nearly a quarter of a million dollars and leave it in worse shape than I've ever left a $500 a month apartment. Just a goddamned shame.

I work in a very small office (4 people, including me). I've decided that's it's high time for me to find a new position elsewhere, and here are my reasons:

1. I am tired of being someone's bi*&h. I am still highly indebted to Sallie Mae for this piece of paper called a B.A. It entitles me to a certain kind of respect, so why are you running me ragged like I'm your personal lackey?

2. Our "cultural" differences are getting to be a bit of a burden. It is not okay for you to say "Hey girl". Somehow it reminds me of slavery times. You are not allowed to touch my hair. I don't know why you would even think this would be okay. You are not allowed to invade me personal space. And yet you do, on a continual basis.

3. I have my own issues, I don't need to know about yours. I am not a therapist. Please stop sharing the details of your personal life. I gave you advice, and you chose not to follow it. Now you want me to be sympathetic about what I already told you was going to happen.

4. I am tired of doing your work for you. Every time you say "we're going to get right on that", you mean InnerDiva is going to get right on that. You also have a tendency to volunteer me for things that you should be handling. At my old job, I was given things because no one else could do them. Now I'm given things that no one else wants to do.

5. I am far too qualified to be a receptionist. I am also tired of being an assistant. Someone should be assisting me. I'm too smart for this job.

I've sent out my resume and applied for some jobs through careerbuilder. Inevitably, someone will call me for an interview. What am I supposed to tell them when they ask why I want to leave my current position?
And what do I tell my current boss when I'm ready to leave?

The Game- Recap

As requested, here is the recap I sent to Monnie.  I thought it was a great episode for the season finale.  Maybe not as good as last year when Melonie slapped the fillings out of Derwin's mouth, but good just the same.  What did you think?

The Game was Good, guurrrlll. Everyone ended up at some swanky hotel in L.A. Derwin and the dummy football player went to see about their women. Derwin wanted to tell Mel he loved her and dummy wanted to propose to Robin Givens. I'm not sure why the rest of the football team was there.

1. Dummy proposed to Robin. she told him she didn't really like him and the chex wasn't even that good. But then he mentioned it would be good for publicity so they eloped. he woke up the next day and realized he was gonna be in trouble with Tasha Mack.

2. Derwin bumrushed Mel in the ladies room and told her he loved her. She told him she didn't love him. Then her hottie boyfriend came in and he decked Derwin. Later, she was icing hottie's cheek and told him she couldn't be with him anymore. She said she loved Derwin.

3. Jason basically pimped out his wife. Told her to dress like she did when they met for a meeting with the GM. The GM was all over her and Jason was encouraging her to "be nice" to him. She realized that her marriage was over and pached her isht and got in a cab. Jason followed her and was PLEADING for her to give him another chance. She did not look at him or say a word. The cab drove off.

4. Derwin gets back to his apartment and the Ex is waiting for him. She tells him she is pregnant. Shocking! At the same time Mel shows up knocking on the door to tell him she loves him.

End Scene. Credits Roll.

Can't Help Being a Girl

I just had a revelation (while bumping to a little Van Hunt) today that made me smile to myself.

I can't stand my job. That's no secret. I regullarly imagine squeezing the tops of my coworkers' heads like little pimples until all the stoopit oozes out. But the more dissatisfied I become, the better I look.

It's as if my girl-armor activated and my old pants and fitted tee combo morphed Transformers-style into pencil skirts with mid thigh slits, clustered pearls, peep toe heels and curly updos. I catch my coworkers giving me the once over and I imagine POW and ZOOM (along with requisite Batman soundbites).

Poohead #1: Uh.. you look nice today IJ.

Me: Killer smile as my only response (Insert BAM! da da da da da da Batmaaaaaaan!)

: )

Elope?

Has anyone eloped?  Know anyone who did?  Thought about it?  What's your stance?  Any ideas on where to do it that would seem a tad less impulsive than Vegas?  I have a friend who did it in Vegas and a friend who did it at the courthouse but neither of those are appealing.  Wedding planning isn't appealing either though. 

My Road Dog!

 

Ummm, are you going to sing the whole ten hours?

This drive is really boring.

Are we there yet?

No?  Okay, wake me when we get there.

 

I-10 baby.  Half way there.  Let me catch a tan.

Umm, 'cuse me.  This face.  Yeah, means I'm thirsty. 

 

Thank ya.  Sho 'preciate it.

She thinks I'm protecting her purse. I'm actually catching some shade.  LOL

Finally!  What?  Nah, playa, I got the right side.  I claimed it while you were getting that funky laptop.

Anybody need a road dog!?!?!  LOL

Angry at the j. o. b.

Ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired?

I'm sitting here at my desk, thinking about how upset I am right now - stuck in a job and feeling like there's no way out. Yet another issue has arisen, and all sides are working together to ensure that I'm the sucker left holding the bag.  I'm seething - and I rarely get this upset.

So upset that my cheeks are burning.

So upset that I can feel my eyes start to water and the horizon of my vision blurs with a tinge of red.

So upset that my voice is tight and my walk is stilted.

I catch myself daydreaming of being the neck rolling, finger wagging, gum popping, take no prisoners harpie with scathing commentary leaving folks slinking into their corners in shame and embarassment. In reality, my emails have no trace of the venom I taste - actually, it's blood. I'm so pissed I've bitten through my lip.

I don't really have anything else to say. I just wanted to vent - I know I have to remain the consummate pro. And fill out more applications. STAT.

Retirement Party Planning

My mom is retiring and my dad wants to have a party/dinner for her. He wants it at a resturant. We will foot the bill. My parents are very informal and used to entertaining at home so he'd like this to be an bit more swank but not super saditty. I think we are looking at around 50 folks.

What should I be asking when I call around??   

Your thoughts and tips for fabulousness are appreciated.

Need A ING Referral

I plan to open an ING or similar online savings account with my stimulus money. I heard that if I got an email referral from someone who had an ING account I could get an extra 25 bucks deposited into my account.

Does anyone have a line on a referral I could use?? Thanks much!

My email is TiffanyinHouston at yahoo dot com or you can drop the link the comments.

What's On My Mind...

Is it worse to have married and then divorced OR to never have married at all????

Say WHAT?

I interviewed for a job on March 28.  Here is the sequence of events:

1. I sent in a resume package at the very last minute. I overnighted it and got to the place on Friday, the closing deadline, at noon.

2. On that same Friday, I get a call at about 2:00 from the very nice guy asking if I could come interview ASAP. So, we agree that I would drive to Memphis within a week for the interview.

3. The interview went very well, we laughed and talked about everything from family to the job to the political climate. I talked to this guy about an hour, then the interview was over. He genuinely told me that he had enjoyed the interview, that he had more people to interview, and the he expected to know something within 2 weeks, if his schedule allowed him to make the choice that soon.

Okay......... it has been 5 weeks. Still, no word. So, I call today and office chic answers. I explain to her who I was and that I was just calling to speak with the gentleman re: a follow up or to see if he had filled the position.

She says, all stank: umm, the job description says "no phone calls" so he isn't going to talk to you about the position.

Me: I'm looking at the job description and mine doesn't say that.

Stank: Well, he isn't.

Me: (like WTF??) Okay, well is it possible for you to check with him about that policy?

Stank: Nope.

Me: Okay, you know what, don't worry about it. Just don't even mention that I ever called.

Stank: Okay, bye.

What the hell? I am definitely going to send him a letter, but I'm probably too mad right now. For some reason, that just pissed me the.hell.off. After 5 weeks they don't extend any courtesy whatsoever and then I call and get stankgirl? Oh hellz naw.

Just ugh, Pserendipity

Trash TV

GUILTY or NOT, whether the death penalty is wrong or right, a Black woman is set to be executed in Louisiana on July 15, 2008 and popular talk shows are interviewing the pregnant man. Could I just be concerned about the wrong things?

How Does PayPal Make Money?

I've used PayPal pretty much since its inception. I've shopped on ebay quite a bit and always used them. I've also sold some quilts and other projects as well. The transaction was always smooth and there was never a fee. I didn't quite get it. I know they belong to ebay, but I didn't sell my quilts on ebay and it still didn't cost anything.

Anyway, I had a bunch of electronic equipment and other stuff that I sold to someone the other day. My previous sales never came to more than $500 so I thought maybe that's why there was no fee. I assumed that a big sale like this one $2k plus would incur fees. Nope.

Goodness knows I'm not complaining, but seriously, how the hell do they make money?

Question for the dog pound

I am sitting here trying to sneak out to go shopping.  Apollo, he is following me everywhere.

Apollo **thinking** I see you getting dressed.  Where we going?  We going outside?  Huh, huh, huh?

This only happens on the weekends.  During the week, that little booger won't even get out the bed until I am getting ready to leave.  Then he comes gives me a lick and then gets back in the bed.

Do your dogs know the difference between the weekend and the weekdays?

Question

Would you accept a job you know you don't have the wardrobe for and even with the new funds will not be able to purchase anytime soon?

Tips needed to throw a party.

I'm looking through Monnie's archives for suggestions on how to throw a little party for about 10 people.

I keep getting sidetracked.

I will click on something about a party in the archives then I'll start reading other posts.

Then the comments, Then it's 30 minutes later.

Then I remembered we have the Tribe for questions like this.

I really need your help.

It's a chocolate theme (Hershey's Bliss) has provided me with

10 bags of (milk and dark) chocolate
Pens
Shopping lists
Gift Bags
Magnets

I want to make the bags as take home gift bags.

I'm trying to come up with something for dinner.

2 of my friends are coming at 5pm to watch the Color Purple so I want to make some munchies for us while we watch the movie BEFORE the party starts.
Time of party 7-10pm

Casual Dress

No Children

6 People have CONFIRMED they will be there.

I invited 10 but, I guess 6 is better than none ;)

DJ and Daddy are BANNED to the back of the house! LOL

--Tanyetta

Roz and Whit's Excellent Adventure Continues

Tuesday I went over to Atlanta to look at houses. The traffic, was, as I anticipated beyond horrible. We had picked out some in Tucker, but our realtor wanted us to look at some in 'almost-Dunwoody' as well. Of course, I fell madly in love with one that's probably just a wee bit out of our price range. Our realtor said if we can manage to swing it, it would be a terrific investment as the homes in that area are already mostly in the $400k range. With a little work, turning the carport into a garage, and re-doing the bathrooms and kitchen and some nice landscaping and this house would be there really quickly.

Mainly I love the screened in back porch and the lovely fenced-in backyard. Whit said it's a perfect backyard for building a fort. (Why is it that I suspect that he'll be playing in the thing more than Luke?) All the floors are hardwood except the living and kitchen. The bathrooms have those glass shower doors, but we know how to re-do a bathroom, so it's not a dealbreaker. The kitchen has a nice breakfast nook and it has a double oven.

Nobody's bothered to landscape it, but we could rectify that pretty easily. It's zoned to a good school.

I must say we saw some particularly horrific stuff in people's houses. One of the houses we really liked had been totally trashed, and nobody bothered to fix it up for sale. I mean, I thought it was a foreclosure it looked so bad. And another one had a big, round furry white bed in it. Yeah, you heard me right, the bed was big and furry, and literally looked as though it would eat you if you lay down on it. These people also had a snow-white Christmas tree (still decorated) up in the den. It looked a bit dusty, so I think it's been there for a while. I guess I was just surprised that it seems that beyond putting up a For Sale sign, some folk just haven't put any effort into selling their homes.

Anyway, here's the pics from the house we want. What do y'all think?

You're not from here, are you?

I had a nice conversation with an engineer who I thought had a speech impediment, but who turned out to be from Brooklyn.

: )

After we got through with business we schmoozed a little bit and then she said:  "You're not from here, are you."  "Here" being Florida.

"No," I said, "I am actually from Mississippi.  Only been here since July."

"I guessed Louisiana," she said, nodding.

Do you have an accent?  Do you like it?  Wish you could get rid of it?  (I don't.)  Do you lay it on thicker sometimes?  How about nonstandard English - do you indulge that sometimes for effect?  How comfortable are you doing that at work?

CoCo Loco. Question for the Dogpound

Remember a couple weeks ago, we got a Puppy, CoCo? Well, I'm about to call Supernanny for her. When she first got here, she was sick. So, about $600 later, she's been treated for Parvo after a 2 night stay in the hospital, then she had to go back again. Now she's on about 3 antibiotics, but she's okay. Everything seems normal, but let us pray that once the antibiotics are done, she remains the same. So, anyway, she must be feeling better because:

1. She jumps on my son and bites at him.
2. She runs full speed in the other direction when she sees me coming. This is a game to her.
3. Just now, I saw her walk INTO her crate to pee. Then come out to play.
4. Potty training? She ain't even trying to do it.

She is 10 weeks old now, when we got her she was 6 weeks. And she has digressed. I have moved on to crate training because even though she did great the first week without it, she just started going everywhere all of a sudden. It's like now she goes out to play, and comes in to potty. I have stayed outside with her for an hour, no potty. Had treats, repeated the same phrase, sprayed stuff in the spot. Nothing. Back in and straight to potty. So now I take her on the leash so she won't run in and hide and potty. This is because I've found many surprises that I am not pleased about.

I know, I know, I need to be patient and keep working with her. But, I'm at my wits end. Maybe I just needed to vent. Or maybe you guys have some tips?????

Pserendipity

Pics of my (Queeny20) girls

This year for Easter, I decided to press the girls' hair myself. Foolish me decided to do all 3 in the same day. Can you say, NEVER AGAIN?!!! It took what seemed like forever. They were tired and so was I. If you look real close, their faces are saying, "hurry up Mom!"

This is a back shot. I didn't do a hard press, I just used my maxi-glide to go over it. I think I did a good job.

This year, they wanted to pick out their own dresses because they wanted to look different. Monnie's child's dress was the most expensive of the 3, go figure. Even though they are different and wanted to dress differently, if you look closely, something is very similar!!! I ended up twisting the hair in the ponytails and putting in matching barrettes. This is an Easter preview because they spent Easter with the spoilers, oops I mean their grandparents. I had an entire week to myself because dh was away for training as well.

Enjoy. Q

VA TECH

We still remember.