Rantings of a Creole Princess

S/O Tag!

1.  Your S/O is sitting in front of the tv...what is on the screen?

2.  You're out to eat what kind of dressing does your S/O get on their salad?

3.  What's one food your S/O doesn't like?

4.  You go out to eat and have a drink...what drink does your S/O order?

5.  What size shoe does your S/O wear?

6.  If your S/O was collecting anything what would it be?

7.  What is your S/O's favorite type of sandwich?

8.  What would your S/O eat everyday if they could?

9.  What is your S/O's favorite breakfast?

10. What is your S/O's favorite music genre?

11. What is your S/O's favorite sports team? 

12.  What color are your S/O's eyes? 

13.  Who is your S/O's best friend?

14.  What is something you do that your S/O wishes you wouldn't?

15.  What is your S/O's heritage and where are they from?  

16.  You bake your S/O a cake for their birthday...what kind of cake is it?

17.  Does/did your S/O play any sports?  

18.  What could your S/O spend hours doing?

19.  What is one unique talent your S/O has?

20.  How long have you known your S/O?

Question...

What skills do you always wish you had and just haven't found the time to learn?

Question...

What would your parents say was the worst thing you did as a kid?

Describe...

...how the closest relationship you have makes you feel in three words.

Write it Down and Make it Happen!

List 5 of your short term goals.

 

Uncle Billy

This is Uncle Billy.

He was Uncle Billy to soooooooooo many.

If you were blessed enough to meet him...you'd look forward to seeing him again.

He was truly the loveliest person.  Fun, funny, helpful, accomodating.  Uncle Billy was the guy who made sure everyone was having a good time.  Uncle Billy was the guy who, if you needed something...would help you until there was a solution.

Uncle Billy was a charming, charming gentleman.

Yesterday, Uncle Billy died.

His heart gave out.

He was only 50 years old and he looked the picture of health.

I saw him Saturday and got my hugs and kisses.  Had a good laugh with him, of course, because being around him was always a good time.

And now he's gone and I can't believe it.

He was so vibrant.

So...amazingly present.

He is going to be missed by every.single.person who knew him.

Uncle Billy...

 

 

Dear friends of onefromphilly:

If you are still friends with onefromphilly after her last comment on the blog...I must disassociate myself with you too.

It was nice knowing yall.

Enjoy.

SIP:  Whatever for you...me and onefromphilly go HAM!  (What does that even mean?  No one knows but it's provacative!)

Happy Birthday Shelly Bean!!!!!

Yesterday, after school, Cole revealed his plans for Shelly's birthday.

I knew it was going to be delightful by the sound of Shelly's voice as she was telling me.

Cole never, ever, EVER gets to have sugary cereal so in his mind...they are obviously the BEST.THING.EVER!

So he figured he'd make her a breakfast of Apple Jacks this morning to celebrate her birthday.  (Yes...he got to have some too, of course.)

For dinner tonight she'll get anything she wants that comes out of a can.  He was VERY 'pacific.  I love how he keeps expectations where they should be you know?  Like...that kid was thinking.  He was like...I don't want her to get it too twisted...I am only 7.

Oh...and she can have corn.

LOL!

When I called this morning to sing to her she told me the other part of her FABULOUS breakfast!  She got to eat it with the Buzz Lightyear spoon.  I mean sure...it took her much longer because it's a really small spoon which only fits one circle of sugary goodness per scoop...but it made the special mommy breakfast that much more memorable.

And long.

COLE BRINGS ME LEVELS OF JOY WHICH ARE LIFE SOARING!  ROFL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELLY BEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I LOVE YOU LIKE A SISTER I FIGHT WITH CONSTANTLY!  LOL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONEBLACKMAN!!!!!!!!!

I'm putting together a care package for you!  Happy birthday to one of my bestestest!  Love you dude!

Good Morning!

When you got out of bed this morning...what did you do for the first 10 minutes?

The Usual Suspects NYE Brunch 2011!

My FAVORITE get together at our home is The Usual Suspects' New Year's Eve Brunch.  Many of us have gotten so busy that we can't get together as often as we'd like throughout the year...so it's good to see everyone and play catch up.  The brunch starts early and usually lasts until the new year arrives and everyone brings a dish so I don't have to do all the cooking.  I simply put out servingware and utensils, make my own dish and pull out all the alcohol the crew left LAST time we all got together.  LOL!

This year I made black eyed peas and brown rice and gave everyone a piece of cabbage leaf to put in their wallets to bring the new year in right. 

SIP:  CUZ SHE KUNTRY!

Everyone is welcome to come, menfolk, kiddies, cool people you know whom we haven't met yet and we laugh, talk, clown, play games and drink! 

This year was no different and a good time was had by all!  GO US!

What did YOU do for New Year's Eve this year?

Spotlight on a Tribe Member: kiz4tj

I met kiz4tj via blogging.

I met her in person for the first time when I was in New York during my internship with Mr. Spike Lee.

I fell in love with her and her daughters then.  They were just soooooooo full of life.

Our friendship has flourished over the years and she's one of the people I consider a part of my very private counsel and I wanted to share her story.

She married at a young age and she and her husband had two beautiful daughters.

They got a divorce and she continued working her behind off and got her bachelor's degree while working full-time.

She wanted to be a lawyer.

She quit her job and lived off of her savings for a minute while she studied for the LSAT.

She got a GREAT score and applied for law school.

She got into the law school of her choice but it was out of state.

She and her ex-husband made the decision that their daughters would live with him during her first year of law school because everyone knows the first year is the worst year.

It damn near broke her heart...but she was doing it FOR.THEM.

She just finished her first semester and seriously...she's kicking azz and taking names.

I'm so proud of her I could just BURST.

The second she finished her final exams she was on the first thing smoking to New York to get her babies and then came down and visited family and framily.

We had a BLAST!

The decision to leave her daughters with their father for a year was a major sacrifice for her but it was the right decision.  She loves her babies, their father loves his babies.  Those girls see how much their parents love, sacrifice and work hard for them.

I'm so proud of her and share her story with anyone who needs encouragement.  Anyone who has an excuse.  Anyone who believes they can't move the mountains out of their way to get the things done which need to be done.

I'm so very, very proud of her I could burst.

We don't talk as much as we used to because she's in school and she's FOCUSED.

We don't get to kee-kee and shoo-shoo practically at all.

But when I picked them up Wednesday night...everything fell right back into place as if there was no time at all betwix the LAST time we got to kick it.

She's one of my heroes.

Her daughters? 

My nieces.

I've met a lot of FABULOUS people through blogging.

I've invited many of them to my home and we're still alive and have never had a thing missing nor would we ever think to look for anything missing.

kiz4tj is just one of them. 

She is SUCH an amazing mother, daughter, student and friend.  She is kind.  She is gentle.  She is NOT the help.  She is every.single.thing a mother should be.  She's following her dreams and showing her daughters how REAL.WOMEN do it.

In 2012...Imma tell yall about many more of the FABULOUS people I've met via the blog.

The Tribe rocks.

Yall have no earthy idea.

If you have a dream and think you have obstacles...try being a single mother of two daughters trying to finish your bachelor's degree, studying for the bar, passing and going to law school.

She wrote it down and is making it happen.

I love, love, LURVE me some her.

Yall should be proud of her too.

If you have time...comment and let her know.

Sometimes...the encouragement helps us soar.

Prayer Request!

Hello Monica,

I am messaging you in hopes that the prayers of many will help one. Her name is Patty. She has beaten breast cancer twice now, but cancer has returned for a third time. She goes in for surgery tomorrow morning, which is earlier than we'd all thought originally. Would you please ask The Tribe to keep her, her family, and her medical staff all in their prayers?  Thank you in advance!

--
Brandi

Question...

What's the grossest thing in your purse?

Christmas Memory

What is your fondest Christmas memory?

SingLIkeSassy's Tree!

Tiffany In Houston's Tree!!!!!!!!!

She and M2 went for traditional colors too!  FABULOUS!

BK's Tree!!!!!

It's stunning but...more importantly...it's BK BABY'S FIRST TREE!!!!!!!!!

Mellow's Winter White Tree!!!!!!!!!

Tongue Flip

Can you flip your tongue over?

Which way?  Right side over left?  Left side over right?  Both sides?

ONEFROMPHILLY IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'M SO, SO HAPPY! AND YES!  I'M CLAIMING THE WEDDING PLANNER POSITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(Unless I'm shooting...cuz seriously...that comes first.  LOL!)

Question...

Would you consider yourself to be a brave person?

Question...

What did your Grandfather do for a living?

Dream World

Do you remember your dream from last night?

Name ONE thing you're worried about.

Me?  Rotoscoping.

"For me...and how I like it...you know...for me!"

This article totally rocks:  How to be THE LUCKIEST GUY ON THE PLANET in 4 Easy Steps

Like...I LURVED IT!

Probably because I feel it validates a lot of what I think as it relates to how I choose to live my life and the things I need to focus on in order to continue to get better.

Question...

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

Mr. Jobs has left us...

I'm 42 years old and I'm in the 5th year of following my dreams.  Every single time I feel overwhelmed or disheartened in my journey…I watch Mr. Jobs' commencement video from 2005 and I get right back up and do what I need to do because it's what I love and his life was a testament to the type of peace that follows. 

Mr. Jobs' life changed my life.  When I heard he'd left us I teared up and had to catch myself. 

I considered him family.

My sincerest condolences to those he held dear. 

Sincerely,

Monica Mingo

Pick Me Up

I need a pick-me-up.

Any funny jokes, kid stories, cut pics? 

Whatchall got?

Question...

If a celebration was scheduled in your honor based on YOUR life and YOUR accomplishments...name 5 people you'd want to speak.

Name one person that would make you GULP if you saw their name on the program.  LOL!

Question...

What is the sexiest thing about you?

NEW FRIEND SEARCH! - Replacement for Nerd Girl

I'm thinking about replacing Nerd Girl.  Why?  She's evil to me.

ALL.

THE.

TIME.

Sure...she has a cute kid and yes...T-MONNIE LOVES HER SOME LOVEGIRL but seriously?  I don't know if I can take the CONTINUED harry-ass-ment of her! 

Humph!

She hardly EVER says anything nice about me or to me and never, ever, ever supports my ri-damn-diculousness.  I think friends should be supportive right?

RIGHT!

Imma let yall vote.

Should I keep Nerd Girl or should I REPLACE HER AZZ?????????

AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT!

I'm replacing:

Sissy

Erica B.

Kelly

Mel

Deme V.

AR Gal

Tiffany In Houston

Keelah

Roslyn

1969

Kayla

Gladys

Honest

Ms. Smart

Travel Diva

Mia

Toni

Tsiporah

onefromphilly

Roycee

Slim

NOT The Robinator

The Robinator

Dr. Punkin

Les

Tan

Carl

Marla

CaliGirl

V Renee

Ted

Abe

Tonda Renee

AND YOU TOO!  I'M REPLACING ALLA.YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR 3 Words!

I enjoyed watching Your 3 Words on GMA today.

Whatchu got?  What are YOUR 3 words today?

BK HAD THE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...full disclosure here!  When she sent me the pic of the NEW, BEAUTIFUL Princess last week I was sooooooo annoyed that when I sent it to my email the pic was super dooper small and I couldn't post it without the baby looking all pixelated and whatnot.

She sent the links to the hospital pics and I stole one cuz seriously...they can't be taking pics of OUR Princess and acting a donkey's butt with THEIR name all over them.  That made me feel some kinda way.  So yeah...I stole one.  Act like yall don't see it.  ROFL!

CONGRATS BK AND FAMILY!  BABY J IS THE CUTEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Share...Shall We?

Now lookie here.  Yall know I'm crazy.  I make no bones about the fact that I am truly BAT.SHAT.CRAZY.  I know how to CONTROL my crazy, however, and much of what I do extra crazy doesn't really affect others so yeah...I'm good.

SIP:  Somebody needs to poll The Robinator.

See?  Crazy.  SIP is PROOF!

My kinda crazy is...air drying my brand of tangle-ey hair without ANY product in it.  Crazy.  Just don't make no kinda sense crazy.  Just crazy. 

But let me tell yall about something I do all the time that takes the cake.

Re-Post: HOWDY! It's De-Lurking Day!

**IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!  WE HAVE SOME NEW FOLKS READING AND WOULD LOVE TO KNOW A BIT ABOUT YOU!  NO NEED TO RESPOND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE! 

Happy DeLurking / Get to Know You Day! Today is the day to come out of hiding and tell us a bit about yourself!

Please post the following:

1. Your screen name

2. Location

3. How you found my blog

4. Male or female?

5. Age?

6. Married or single?

7. What keeps you coming back?

Holla atcha girl!

10 Pieces of Me

1.  I'm doing my Spring cleaning smack dab in the middle of Summer because I wasn't here this Spring.

2.  I have so much to do and I've learned to not kill myself trying to get it all done.

3.  I love that I'm so comfortable in my skin that I never, ever have to wear a mask.

4.  I love my framilly and friends.  They really, really know me and yet...love my evil azz anyway.

5.  I require a lot of down time to be me and I don't like to be rushed for ANYTHING and yet I perform better under pressure.

6.  I'm not trying to cook when it's hot.

7.  When someone tells me I inspire them I look around to see who they are talking to.

8.  I miss some members of my family.  Some...not all.

9.  I'm happier and more fullfilled than I believe I've ever been in my life right now.

10. My husband found out he won another contract this morning and I thanked God that he feels as good about his life as I do about mine.  Dude is constantly WINNING!

Share 10 pieces of you with us. 

(Lurkers...yall know yall on probation right?)

Right.

From My Inbox: Just breathe...

Hi Monica, I hope this email finds you doing well and in good spirits. Before I go any further please excuse all typos/grammatical errors. I know you've been super busy, I check your blog on the daily (smile) and just wanted to give you a chance to breath before I sent you this email. I haven't spoken to you in a minute and so much has changed. I finally moved from an apt. into a house and it has been a challenge, but I'm tying hard to make things work. I woke up this morning around 2:30 asking God to help me, because I feel like I'm "breaking". It's like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and I have no one to lean on or talk to. Don't get me wrong I know someone out there is worse off than me. However, at this time all I can deal with is my issue/issues. I'm trying so hard to move forward and it's like for every one step I take two steps back. I'm feeling some kind of way and just trying to think positive. I've been eating more than I should it seems to help with my frustrations/pain at the moment. I think I've been bitten by the "bitter bug" because lately I've been very bitter. I just want to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest. I've taken so many wrong turns Monica and it's like pulling teeth trying to make those wrong turns right. I wanted to go into detail about some things, but I'm at work and time is limited. It never hurts to ask for prayer, so please do that for me. You know Monica, I think your pretty awesome and I'm not just saying that either. I'm always in awe of your beauty, style, grace and candidness. Well I won't take up anymore of your time I hope you and your family have a good day/night. May you continue to be a blessing to others.

 

I just received this in my inbox and I need help in responding because I'm working on something major today so I don't really have time to say what I'd like to say to the person.

That said...please respond to her.  Let her know we've all been there and felt this.  Let her know we all figured out a way to overcome a lot of stuff that was keeping us down and some of us still are.

Let her know she's not alone. 

Let her know it's okay to BREATHE...

Question...

Do you have things in your life that you are un-apologetically selfish about? 

DIVA527 IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Monnie,

Your post about the single ladies reminded me that I haven't shared my good news with the tribe....I'm getting married!

Yep, my honey popped the question in late May. He came back early from travel and conspired with my friends to get me to the exact place we met on our one year anniversary  When I showed up, there he was on bended knee. We have been planning a small, intimate wedding for close family and friends for the beginning of September.

We are super excited, happy and looking forward to our life together as a family. I know I wouldn't  be at this point in my life had it not been for a number of reasons, one of which is you and the tribe. A lot of your advice, anecdotes, and suggestions have really put me in a much better place to be a better person, friend, woman, and soon to be wife.

Thanks everyone!
Diva527

Don't Judge Me DAMMIT!

I keep a wine bottle opener in my travel toiletry bag. 

DON'T JUDGE ME DAMMIT!

 

Your turn.

KRISTEN HAD THE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome The Recovering Attorney!

Hello Monica,
 
I having been a fan of your blog for a number of years; though I've been reading (not lurking...sounds creepy!) your blog almost daily, I have never commented until just last month.  Honestly, I thought it was a little forward of me to comment without us being formally (e)-introduced. But I said what the heck, if she does not like my two cents worth, SIP can swiftly put an end to my visits:)---- we are all grown people.  No hard feelings, right?  Right!  
 
But today, as I was looking over your site, I discovered your e-mail address . . .soooooo allow me:  My name is "The Recovering Attorney."  I am a stay-at-home attorney (no longer practicing), wife and mother ("of a certain age").  I love witty, modern and intelligent blogs--and most importantly, I love reading about personal success stories. . .
 
So, if you will have me, I will continue to comment---- hopefully adding to your insightful, current and intelligent community.
 
Many thanks,
The Recovering Attorney" 

__________

I think you're funny as hell.  I was somewhere recently and looked down and read something you'd said and laughed my azz off.  ROFL!  Welcome and thanks for the email!!!!!  Watch out for Tiffany In Houston!  She's evil!  LOL!

Welcome J!

I love your blog and I love the pet posts. I have a quick question - do the dogs cause much damage to your hardwood floors or leather couch? I am moving and my new house has hardwood floors. People have been warning me that my dog will destroy them. Just wanted to know your experience if you have the time. I know this is a minor question, no offense if you do not reply.

p.s I would typically describe myself as an outsider; someone who does not fit in, but then I found your blog, which introduced me to an entire world of virtual soul mates, each more fabulous than the next.
-J

Welcome jcangrl6!

Hi Monica!
My sister sent me a link to your blog- she's been reading you for a loooong time- thinks she found u thru search for make-up or hair tips. Anyway, she's a lurker, but is an avid reader, and from time to time has mentioned some lil nugget from you- and she recently sent me another link (not utube this time) to inspire me because of your journey w/ the films and now you're doing a feature! Congrats and get rested! lol
 
SO I of course cant keep my mouth shut! and I've gone and commented, which felt kind of rude- so I wanted to drop a note to get familiar and let u know that I'm not trying to be rude or intrusive- I just like the fact that your site is quite diverse and I'm a blabbermouth who might be piping in where i dont belong, but dont mind me! Let me know what proper etiquette is- never been on a blog b4.
 
Take care....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. PUNKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my big sister's birthday and I'm going to wait another hour before I call her and sing a goofy song to her as I usually do.  LOL! 

She's one year older and wiser and 24 pounds lighter today nearing her goal of 30 pounds.  See...that's what she does.  She sets a goal and then...she makes it happen.  That's how the greats do it.

Happy, happy birthday beautiful!  Love you like crazy!

 

Queeny's Husband

Queeny's husband is in the hospital dealing with some serious stuff.  Please pray for them man.  This is serious.

In Three Words

...describe you.

Appreciation

So I'm just now getting around to reading the comments on the private screening comments.  Yall know you made my evil azz tear up right?

Right.

You have no much how much it means to me that YALL enjoyed it as much as your comments suggest you did.  Yall will ALWAYS be our most IMPORTANT critics and we are SO appreciative of your support and genuine well wishes for our success.

Thank you guys so very much for taking the time to always be there for us.  We're growing and learning and getting better and bigger and more amazing and I know you guys expect great things out of us.  That's not pressure...that's EXPECTATIONS.

We get that.

Here's to expectations becoming REALITY!

Champagne all around!

Oh...and, as always, if our dreams somehow coincide with yours and there is anything we may do to work together...we're always looking for good people and if we can work something out...we'll try our best to make it happen.

Love,

Monnie / SIP

 

Edesio Alejandro IS HIS NAME!

Edesio Alejandro