Rantings of a Creole Princess

October 9th: Journey Back to My Favorite Face

If you know me truly, you know that my favorite person on Earth is my husband.  He's down South heading up a program currently and I haven't seen him since mid-August but the days are counting down until I see his face again.  Until I'm wrapped in his arms again and my cheek rests on his shoulder.  Until I wake every morning to a kiss from him and his knowing and thoughtful perusal which always seems to capture what I'm feeling and what I'm thinking.

I don't know if absence has made our hearts more fonder because we love each other and are in love with each other, but I do know that absence has made us know that we're truly the other's touchstone.  I'm not even me without him.  Nobody knows me as well as he does and nobody knows how to put me back together when something triggers me into memories that threaten to pull me apart yet again.

I have the type of personality that everyone looks to when they need something.  If I'm out and about with people I tend to be the one who finalizes decisions or helps everyone make a decision.  My framily, family and friends call me when they are attempting to figure out the major things in their life and I always consider their situation thoughtfully before I offer my opinion.  People count on me to have answers or to know where they can find the answers.  They count on me to provide a safe landing for them when they are overwhelmed or need a hug or need to sit quiet or simply to have a good meal and share a bottle of wine listening to good music.

And I am able to provide that because my husband constantly provides that for me.  That love, unconditional support and loving kick in the pants when I need it.

I was talking to a framily member the other day and we were talking about marriage.  He said that whenever he tells people about the best husbands he knows, the ones he looks up to, Robby is one of the two he would love to one day be like.  He shared how we were all somewhere doing something once and that I was all the way across the room in a stressful situation and that it was like I FELT that Robby had arrived.  He said he looked up at me and my face broke out into the most joyous expression as I rushed over to meet Robby as he was rushing over to meet me.  He said he watched how we hugged each other and he knew that none of the chaos in the room was there anymore for either of us and that it was clear that each other was all we needed.  He then said that's what he wanted.  A woman who looked at him that way and that he felt the same about.

I didn't know what to say other than I prayed that he found that one day and I was struck by how he'd put into words exactly what I'm always feeling about my husband.  He is so prominent in my entire being and the world doesn't quite work the same without my being able to see his face and touch him.  I'm not the type of woman who can be without her man for long.   I'm built for partnership.  I'm built to love and be loved.  I'm built to take care of my loved one.  I'm a simple, simple woman when it comes to what I need.  It's him.  Always will be.  Just him.  I can function without him but I'm not LIVING.  

It's been a rough week on my spirit.  I ran across my family photo albums from when I was growing up and I flipped through them and got deep down into myself and The Robinator wasn't here to make it all better.  He tries over the phone and over Skype...but you and I both know they are poor substitutions for the real thing.  

The countdown to seeing my FAVORITE face is near.  October 9th is right around the corner.  I can't wait.

What does love feel like?

Happy Birthday to the LOVE OF MY LIFE!

My husband is still the best dude in the entire world.  I love that guy so much it's crazy.  A few months ago, while attempting to come to grips about Lucy, I had a dream that I was dying but I was so upset because I knew he would be so sad.  Crazy huh?  I'm dying...but all I could think about was how it would make him sad and lonely.

That's how you know you truly love someone.

And I truly love that man so very, very much.

I love him so much that I braved the mall again this week to buy him new pants for his birthday and spent over an hour searching for NON-SLIM FIT pants...cuz he's not a slim fit pant kinda dude.  LOL!  I did not think that would be so difficult to do...but it was.  All the pants for men are now European slim fit.  My dude is Southern.  He doesn't like slim fitting pants.  LOL!

Happy birthday honey.  Thank you for all that you are.  You should be celebrated every.single.day and I hope you feel as cherished as I do.

I love you,

Your wife,

Monnie

The Robinator's Gluten-free Weight Loss

The Robinator works out no less than 5 times a week.  He's lost a lot of weight and pretty much kept it all off for a minute.  He had about 20 pounds (give or take) left to go that he was trying to get rid of and simply couldn't without starving himself and well...dude ain't about that starvation life.

He's currently in the best shape of his life and pretty much at his college athlete weight.  In the past year he's finally lost the weight he's been trying to lose all this time.  

The other day he was musing out loud that he's finally where he's always wanted to be but that he hasn't done much different.  He was seriously puzzled and then I shared with him something that HAS changed that he hasn't really done much TO change.

Him:  What?

Me:  You've gone gluten-free by proxy.

Him:  I'm not gluten-free.

Me:  Yup...you kinda are.  You eat what I cook and I pretty much only cook what I can eat.  When you have business lunches and dinners, sure...you eat what you want but that's not all that often where it's considered the norm.  So...basically...you're pretty much gluten-free.

And he was all hemming and hawing.

Later that week he finally admitted that it could be the reason he's finally gotten over that plateau.  Says it probably changed his body chemistry up and restarted his metabolism in a healthy way.

I pretty much *YAWNED* in his direction because I already KNEW that's what went down but he didn't want to admit I was correct.

Why?  Cuz that's marriage for ya.  LOL!

Thoughts?

 

Raphael Saadiq & D'Angelo: "You Should Be Here"

I'm on my way to the airport to pick up my husband who has been gone since Thursday golfing with his father for Father's Day.

It should come as no surprise that I've missed him like crazy and always find myself appreciating him in his absence even more than normal.  It's like...I don't even realize how much I require him to be close enough to know I'll see him at the end of the day until one of us is traveling.

My anticipation at seeing his face has me grinning from ear-to-ear already.  I combed my hair and put on something cute even though it's Monday, my off day, and I'm not going anywhere nor am I even getting out of the car other than to move to the passenger seat.  I'm not putting on lipgloss because when I kiss him...I don't want to leave any on him because I know he hates that.  LOL!

There is something about this level of security and cherishing I wish everyone knew and I look forward to the day when more of the people I love have found someone to love as much as I love him and he loves me.  I have many family, framily and friends blessed with this same type of love and I'm so happy that, in my world, it's not an anomaly to see good men BEING good men.  Good sons, good brothers, good husbands, good fathers, good friends, good employers and employees.

So many in my life have lead by example and I'm so blessed my expectations matched up with my reality.

I wish you love and I hope those of you who have it recognize your blessing and focus on reciprocating and creating a happy, loving home.  Now bye...I'm going get my BOOSCHNICKA CUZ I MISSED HIM SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPRING CLEANING CONTINUES!

Robby's Grandmommy has left us...

We are currently in Mississippi putting Robby's Grandmommy to rest.  She left us on Tuesday, January 8th and she left a sudden void with all those who loved her and were blessed to have her love.  

When the call came, my darling, sweet, loving husband broke down.  He was so shattered...it cut me to my core.  I would have done anything...and I mean ANYTHING to have him not hurt as much as he was hurting.  As I held him while the pain wracked through his body...I rocked him and prayed for God to send him visions of better, happier times to get him to the other side of his grief.  

Within a couple of hours we were on our way to the airport so he could get home to see about his mommy, who'd spent the previous day shopping with HER mommy...who'd left us that morning.

*sigh*

I couldn't catch that flight with him because I needed to make arrangements for Lucy but my heart was heavy as I kissed him and hugged him tight through his tears and I watched him walk into the airport to go home to a new tapestry...one which no longer included hugs, kisses and long talks with his Grandmommy although many lovely memories will always remain.  

He was so hurt.  My baby...he was so, so hurt.

My Grandmommy-in-law's obituary contains the following:

She loved the outdoors and being able to enjoy a great sunny day. While she didn’t like to travel, she was always up on current events and knew what was going on in the world. She was always looking out for the neighbors and family in the community. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh at the everyday things in life. She never missed a phone call and was always a pillar of strength to her children and taught us to appreciate hard work. She lived a much uncomplicated life in a very complicated time. She loved listening to gospel music and reading her Bible. She liked things simple and tried to live her life that way as much as possible. She enjoyed visits from many family members and friends.  She was married for 42 years when her husband passed away in 1989. 

And that...is how I knew her as well.  The first time I met her...she hugged me tight and kissed me right above my jawline softly.  She was warm and soft with the loveliest sense of humor.  The most important thing to her was that  her family was happy and healthy.  She knew how to LOVE.

As you're reading this...we are getting ready to go lay her to rest with honor, dignity and, above all else, love.  Her memory will always remind us to be kind and nurturing.  Her legacy to us will be to strive to be the person who brings out the best in others.  

As you're reading this...I hope you're smiling and not sad for her family.  She wouldn't want that.  She'd want you to have a "good old time" and smile.  She'd want your life to be of comfort and of purpose.

Thank you for reading this.  My husband thanks you as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ROBINATOR!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!  THIS GUY!

A Cypress Hill member from 1990 and a Ghost Rider Princess greeted you if you were trick-or-treating at 13700 yesterday!  I can't tell you how much fun we had laughing and cutting the fool with our neighbors!  We truly have the best fun and I'm so happy I get to share the rest of my life with The Robinator.

He is truly perfect...FOR ME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!  YOU MAKE LIFE PERFECTION!

Family.

Brian Culbertson feat. Vivian Green: "Still Here"

DEDICATED TO MY ROBINATOR BECAUSE THIS SONG IS SO HIM!

Happy Birthday to My Robinator!

Today is my love, my life, my Robinator's birthday.

He got up this morning, walked and fed the dogs, got in some exercise, made coffee, put together the recycling, emptied the dishwasher, watched the news, read the newspaper, did some work and found my hiding place where I put some of the GOOD candy before I gave it out last night.

He left our home this morning dressed in an impeccable suit looking sharp and went to the office to do what he does.

When he returns later, he's going to get dressed in some jeans and probably a nice sweater and we're going to the Kanye West, Jay Z concert.

We love Yeezy.

My husband is truly the most well-rounded man in the world.  He can switch from jamming MC Hammer, EPMD to Journey and Duran Duran seamlessly.

He can leave his executive position at the office and throw his hands in the air at a concert.

He has never allowed anything to make him feel it wasn't for him based on appearances and or stereotypes.  He's always been his own person and he's always done whatever he wanted to do.

He is TRULY true to himself.

In that instance he is a man to be envious of because really...how many people do YOU know who have never, ever, ever cared what anyone thought of them?

That's truly a trait to be envious of.

Last night he told me some things he wants to do and I listened and we discussed.  Flushed out some of the details.  He spoke authoritatively and dreamy.  As a man who believes in his plan would.

Robby:  I want to BUILD something.

Me:  Go for it baby.  I got you.

I'm usually pretty darn good with using my words but when it comes to expressing how I feel about my husband...sometimes words escape me because he's so vast in all he does that words seem paltry strung together to try.

That said...I'll just say this...

Every morning, when I get my first kiss of the day from him...I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Because I am.

Happy birthday my love.  Here's to many, many more milestones, laughter, crazy dances, and pulling your underwear up past your naval and doing your old man impersonation with your socks on.

You are the best of my world.

Thank you.

Your wife,

Monnie

Baseball

The Robinator is all about baseball.  He played in college and after college and grad school it seems he was always on a league team.  He LURVES baseball.

Me?

Not so much.

Last night I was trying to think of something special to do for him to thank him for being so awesome and I turned on the television and found the channel on a baseball game and DING, DING, DING...I went online to purchase baseball tickets so he can go see the Nationals play ball!

I'm going to be there right next to him and enjoy watching him enjoy himself.

Sure...I don't like baseball but I love and appreciate him more than anyone and anything else in this world.

I woke up this morning to find him grinning at me with this big cheese eating grin.  LOL! 

Him:  Thank you for getting tickets so we can go to a game!

Me:  Ugh!  Moooooooove!  Leave me alone!!!!!!!!!!!!

And he gave me munchy kisses until I giggled so hard I was gasping.

Imma go watch me some baseball with my love.

Now...what should I wear?

He makes me smile!

The Robinator

I ADORE my husband as you guys know.  He's the smartest, funniest, most loving man I've ever known and he brings me sheer joy.  He's had a really hectic, fast paced schedule for a minute now and today he breathed a sigh of relief and came home early.

He walked through the door exhausted around 3:00pm and handed me one of the Caramel Brulee' lattes I enjoy as an occassional treat...walked upstairs and took off his suit.  He chilled with me in the office for a bit and then it was time for something on ESPN so he went into our bedroom to relax and watch it because E was in the mancave playing some kinda something on the Wii.

I was just happy to have him home relaxing and was smiling softly the entire time thanking God for how blessed we are to have such a comfortable, loving life.

And then...I went into our bedroom to kiss him for no reason just because and saw this:

*sigh*

"Thanksgiving ain't over till the leftovers are gone."  - The Robinator

What say YOU?

Who ya HATE?

My husband is a HUGE sports fan.  He has his teams and players he LOVES, LOVES, LOVES and, he has teams and players he HATES, HATES, HATES.

He thinks Kobe Bryant can walk on water ('cept for them pics he took).  He used to love Michael Jordan but then he came to realize dude is a big azzhole.  He LOVED Larry Byrd and hasn't heard anything about him that changes that for him.  Drew Brees?  GET.OUTTA.HERE!  That's his Q-back DUDE!  Terrell Suggs?  When dude gets a sack Robby sounds like a stadium full of people whooping and hollering.  Ryan Zimmerman?  Dude isn't a superstar but Robby can go on and on and on about him. (Ask me how I know.)

The joy dude has when telling me that the Miami Heat lost again is comparable to a kid at Christmas getting his first shiny, new bike.  It's like...he has GLINTS in his eyes, SPARKLES in his teeth, Disney birds flitting around his head.

It brings him JOY! 

Something else this past weekend brought him joy too and it made me realize that dude is evil-er than I thought.  He's been watching the following video over and over and over again laughing his azz off because he SERIOUSLY hates Roethlisberger.

He also HATES Tom Brady.  He straight up HATES the Yankees because of Alex Rodriguez.  According to Robby dude was tipping off the other team to the pitchers when he was with the Rangers and that should be punishable by stoning and then shat on.

He doesn't like Michael Vick as a person but gives him his props on the field.  He says the game Vick played against the Redskins is probably the best game ever by a quarterback that wasn't a playoff and hey...dude loves the sport.  Oh...and he can't stand the Redskins.  The name 'Redskins' pisses him off because he says it's disrespectful to Native Americans.

I was, of course, confucious as to his level of dislike because I am all goodness and light and then he said two names to me:

Sarah Palin

Michael Steele

I OVERstood.  He must have a burning in his chest and azz with the heat of a thousand suns.  The sounds of their voices must pierce his ears, their images must damn near blind him.

Poor baby.

So...let's keep it real.  In sports...WHO YA HATE?  Who ya love?  What about your S/O? 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBINATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband's birthday is today and we're FINALLY the same age.  We were born in the same year.  Me, September 5th and he...November 1st.

He tells everyone he married an older woman.

*sigh*

For an entire month and 3 days I have to hear...Well...you're older than me or...how does it feel to be so old?

Ya gotta love him.

My husband is seriously the most fascinating person I know.  Even when I want to stab him in the eye...he's still the love of my life...the reason it's easy for me to quiet my demons and smile.

We've had a pretty remarkable year since his last birthday and find ourselves a year older, a year wiser, a year richer in life, a year we can continue to count as BLESSED.

This year has been remarkable for us and next year will be even more so.

A lot of people need to make changes to their lives but I'm blessed to say that all I have to do is keep building on what we already have and to do that...all we have to do is keep loving each other as much as we do now.

Happy birthday to my most FABULOUS, lovely, loving, smart as hell, funny, warm hearted husband.  I love you and wish for you nothing but the best of every.single.thing.

YOU.ROCK!

SIP:  You know you're 41 now and that means a whole new test during your physical this year right?  RIGHT.  :)

From The Robinator:

"If you have to think about love on a daily basis you'll never get through the tough stuff. Love simply is. I don't have to think about if you love me or if I love you. It's an absolute. I just have to think about how to make sure you always have what you need because I know you do the same for me."

What say you?  Do you agree with him?

My Husband...

My husband is always there for me.

My husband is good with my always wanting him by my side.

My husband always understands.

My husband knows how to step back and let me be me.

My husband gives as good as he gets.

My husband can tell me no without making me feel some kinda way.

My husband recognizes my vision and allows me to work it.

My husband holds me when I'm hurting.

My husband knows I have Princess Syndrome.

My husband kisses me softly just because.

My husband carries the heavy stuff.

My husband gets angry with me when I forget to eat.

My husband is good with doing the things he knows I hate to do.

My husband always shows up when I need him the most.

My husband recognizes I'm an artist.

My husband understands I'm a woman.

My husband recognizes my drive.

My husband always tells me I look beautiful.

My husband knows the depth of me.

My husband knows when I'm sad and why.

My husband would make an excellent father.

This shit is deep and it's REAL.

From The Robinator: "I Threw it on the Ground!"

I was walkin' through the city streets And a man walks up to me and hands me the latest energy drink "Run faster, jump higher" Man, I'm not gonna let you poison me I threw it on the ground You must think I'm a joke I ain't gonna be part of your system Man! Pump that garbage in another man's face I go to my favorite hot dog stand And the dude says, "You come here all the time! Here's one for free." I said, "Man! What I look like? A charity case?" I took it and threw it on the ground! I don't need your handouts! I'm an adult! Please! You can't buy me hot dog, man! At the farmer's market with my so called girlfriend She hands me her cell phone, says it's my dad Man, this ain't my dad! This is a cell phone! I threw it on the ground! What, you think I'm stupid? I'm not a part of your system My dad's not a phone! DUH! Some poser hands me cake at a birthday party Whatcha want me to do with this? Eat it? Happy birthday to the ground! I threw the rest of the cake, too! Welcome to the real world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBINATOR!

I am me, you are you, we are we.  I'm in love with you and love you.

Love in me is you.

Do good stuff today and everyday. 

Reason # 19,462 Why I Love Him So...

Not only I think he gives the BEST hugs.

He makes me happy (PERIOD)

From The Robinator:

The Robinator is THE.MAN!

The Robinator just scored BIG and is walking around here like a peacock strutting.  Me?  I jumped up and down cheering when he shared the good news and I'm grinning from ear-to-ear cuz I'm SUPER proud of my husband.

He works hard man...HARD so it's always awesome when he gets a good win. 

I'm soooooooooooooooo proud of him!  :)

My husband ROCKS!

From The Robinator:

Dear husbands and boyfriends EVERYWHERE:

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever suggest to your woman that she should be used to Midol Week by now therefore it shouldn't be so bad.

It doesn't go over well.

I promise.

Signed,

The Robinator

From The Robinator: "I could DJ the Quiet Storm..."

From The Robinator:

Vice President Robinator!

Yall know over here at 13700 we are big on the concept of write it down and make it happen!  Well...The Robinator wrote down some stuff and took the steps to make it HAPPEN!  My FABULOUS, SWEET, WONDERFUL, FUNNY AS HECK husband is moving on up in the world and I am OH-SO-PROUD of him!

Yup...Vice President Robinator!  I'm so proud of that dude...I could BURST!  CONGRATS HONEY!  YOU ARE EVERY.SINGLE.THING!

The Futon...

HAS BEEN MOVED!

Monnie & Robby

When I'm in a bad space...seems all I need is him.  I have the kind of love I always dreamed of having.  I have the kind of husband I always wish my mother had.

I'm blessed beyond reason.

From The Robinator: Did you see Monica?

I am so lucky to be married to the woman who watched Michelle Obama deliver that speech last night.

Monica was electrifying, inspiring, and absolutely magnificent as she lay sprawled across our sofa watching the 2008 Democratic Convention. I get a lot of credit (actually I get beaten about the head and shoulders constantly) for watching sports such as golf, football and baseball -- but I think she may have me beat.

You had to see it to believe it.

And make sure to forward this email to your friends and family -- they'll wish they had seen it, too.

And I'm not just saying that because she's my wife -- I truly believe it was the best speech watching of the campaign so far.

Roback Omossa

From The Robinator:

From The Robinator

This Man of MINE!

Robby worked from home this morning and I mean he WORKED. He's the kind of man that does NOT mess around when it's time to work. The weather was crazy today and he knew the traffic would be ridiculous so he closed himself up in our office and got to it.

Every time I passed by the door I heard him on a conference call or typing away on his puter.

Around bout oneish he emerged and got dressed. Put on his suit and tie and packed up for his office/office. I kissed him goodbye and told him to have a good day. And then...I got my house right. Spit shined the kitchen and got things ready to cook dinner later.

We touched bases late, late afternoon and then he called around 7:15 to say he was on his way home.

That man of mine sounded tired. Beat. Worn out.

When that man of mine walked through the front door I hugged and kissed him and I let him know how much I adore him for taking such good care of us. I complimented him on his work ethic and listened to him talk about his day. When I asked him how his day went, he said with a smile, "It was a good day." And I know he meant it.

See...this man of mine is a hard worker. He does NOT play. He does what he needs to do by ten, what he's expected to do by noon and above and beyond by six. I.JOCK.HIS.MIND!

He didn't get home until 8:00 pm. We had dinner and talked while he caught up on a baseball game. It's 9:30 and he's fallen asleep on the sofa. Lucy is on top of him. I'm looking at him thanking God that He blessed me with a good man. A good HUSBAND. Someone I can learn from and look up to who listens to me and respects me and treats me like a Princess all the while looking at me side eyed when need be.

I'm about to wake him and take it upstairs for bedtime. We old and can't stay up too late. ROFL! I just wanted to remind yall why I love that man so. This man of mine...he is EVERY.SINGLE.THING.

Robby...I love you.

Your wife,

Monnie