Mango Hunting

I laughed when she text me that.

"Can we go mango hunting after work?"

Mango WHAT???? 

I stopped by Kitty's place and she was ready for me with a 10ft pole made longer by duct taping a hanger to the end of it.

"Where is that going to go?"

"All you have to do is put your seat down and we're ready!"

"So you are so serious about this 'mango hunting'?"

"HELL YEAH!"

We head east.  Listening to Yacht Club, we change the words

"Its a paaaarty goin on! All the mangoes welcome!"  

Right before Flagler Dr, we stop at  a nearby business and park the Tima.  Pop the trunk to get the weapon and and we're off.  Hitting up the empty lots with mango trees in them.  Damn it, why didn't we wear sneakers?  Walking thru lots is NOT the beat in flip flops.  Whatever the case, Kitty uses her apparatus to hook a nice looking piece and I play catcher as the mango comes hurtling down.  The first one her her in the breasticle.  The second one tore my foot up.  The third one?  My wrist will be okay.  Oh but wait, we're over here on Dixie Hwy and the neighborhood isn't the best for two chicks to be walking in.  Some dudes parked under the bridge are whistling and cat calling.  We know what nationality they are so we DEFINITELY keep it moving.

Meh. all the really good ones are too high for us. Even with a 13 foot hooked pole.  We take our measly gains and walk back and talk crop eating microorganisms and antibiotics.  Next lot.

Now, we're in the Old Northwood Area.  Kitty used to live here so she knows where ALL the good trees are.  I park and pop the trunk.  Kitty, looking like a for real Masai Warrior, heads over to the lot owned by Soth.eby's. 

*sigh* 

these better be some good mangoes.

She hooks, I miss.  She hooks again, I catch!!! I caught the mango rocket!!!  I really don't think i should've been as excited as I was but freak it, make your fun where you can!  Oh yeah, we're ona roll over here!!  Then the po-po coasts by...

"Ummmm, I have warrants."

"Shut up, Stace.  He's not even running your tag."

"Okay, maybe not warrants but I'm sure I have an unpaid ticket looming in my past.  Great, he's turning around"

He didn't turn around but he did park.  That was enough for us.  Our re-usable Publix bag now halfway full, we drive down 20th street.

JACK POT

We spot a tree with low lying, just turned the perfect shade of peach, mangoes.  Oh, but its on a commercial property with a barbed wire fence.  Damn you, MAC Fabs.  

I start reminiscing of my days when I used to wear all black and engage in stealth and covert actions... "we need to come back at night.  I will NOT hop a fence in broad daylight with turquoise and a bright orange scarf on." Mind you, Kitty is rocking the hell out of a pink tank-top, multi hued pink tam, and pink flip-flops.  Florida guls till the death.

So commercial prop is out... for the time being.  We coast down Dixie and scope properties on the road that have trees hanging over the sidewalk.  Technically, its a free for all.  Then we hit up GPark but the sky decides to open.  Tropical Storm Baqueena is here.

TBC

Ummm...

school is over in EXACTLY one week.

that's 5 school days.

I can't believe it.

As of now, I'm not sad yet.  Watch out for a mopey Monday post about my babies going on to 1st grade.

Awwwww!  That's what I do!!  I send children on to 1st grade!!!  Hopefully, I've done my job and they flourish the rest of their academic careers!!!

I know my students love coming to school!  Parents tell me they have to beg their children to stay home AFTER BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL!!! True story, my little Dani woke up from emergency surgery and asked, "Can I go to school now?"  AWWWWWWWW!! MELTED MY HEART!!!!

But yeah, this year, so different from last year.  the children came in lower (see: not as bright) and as usual, I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it.  Maaaaaaan, I'm sending this class on better than the last!  I worked harder this year, had a bit more swag with mine, and I have writers!! I think that is my biggest accomplishment this year... serious writers.

Anyhoo, as you may or may not have heard via tweeter, I have the best kindergarten class at school.  I can't wait for next school year :-)

Summer Goals

1. get physically healthy

or at least on the track to being healthy.  it's really a crime the way I look on the outside and feel on the inside.  

2. get financially healthy

I was on a roll and then I lagged... those 61 points my credit went up?  I hope it stayed there cause its been a while since I've paid anything.  I also plan on having at least $7,500 in my savings account before school starts in August.

3. get mentally healthy

i need to clear out a lot of garbage.  i need more church and more focus.  in my impulsive moments, i've left a lot of loose ends in the atmosphere.  i need to tidy my mind up.

TBC

the Party and titles

A former employee/regular sub at my school got married last weekend.  Since I was busy tutoring a neighbor in IB chem, I wasn't able to go so Mom Dukes went in my place.  She brought back hella favors (plastic heart-shaped picture frame, M&Ms in an origami thingamajig, a mix CD, a bookmark, and bubbles).  The thing I was most interested in was the wedding party!  Oh yes.  Was there a wedding party or what??!

First of all, in the program, they were names The Stars.  

Here it goes

The Stars

The Radiant Bride (1)

The Dashing Groom (1)

The Debonaire Best Man (1)

The Fabulous Matron of Honors (2)

The Handsome Ring Bearer (1)

The Gorgeous Bridesmaids (4)

The G.Q. Groomsmen (4)

The Adoring Jr. Bridesmaid (1)

The G.Q. Jr. Groomsman (1)

The Adorable Mini Maids (2)

The Lovely Future Bride (1)

The Handsome Bible Carrier (1)

The Fine Bride Announcer (1)

NOTE: the numbers were not posted after the title, I just wanted you all to know how many of each they had

THAT'S 21 PEOPLE IN YOUR PRO AND RECESSION!!!

NO

MA'AM!

and of course the mommas and the daddys and big mommas and pop-pops have to walk out first...

now for the names

Dekeith

Eudreka

D'Anthony

Ron'Tesha

Tiffonye

D'Kevius

Be'Carri

Breontae

T'Aubri

Breon

Thernadrick

with splashes of Jenkins, Jackson, and Young as last names...

I'm done.

the Art of Hosting

anything related to the social graces can be an art form.  dining, plating (JOY!), drinking, eating, writing, fashion, etc.

there are some people who take the aformentioned and more and MASTER them.  then there are some people who make you suffer through their bludegeoning of something that should be effortless.

I guess it's only effortless if you have it like that.

"you know who be worried about the wrong thing?"

that's what my brother asks when you're dwelling on the small, insignificant things.  its a, at times rude, wake-up call to what's really good!  we have to ask our mom that sometimes...

Today after church, the graduates had a reception in our parrish hall.  all the prep work and present work that went into it made me not want to ever throw a shindig.  my mom was scowling, cutting her eyes, fussing, worrying, NOT HAVING FUN with it!!!

but then i remembered how fun and effortless Jam and I made my brunch!  Honestly, I haven't had that much fun cooking, reading recipes, mixing, and juicing since the days of Tally when Kitty and I would scour my neighborhood for timberwood and have impromptu barbeques!  and then invite hella people over for no reason except that we cooked!!

The weird thing is that she knows how to be a nice hostess.  She would offer you her whole fridge, find whatever you want and prepare it in a way you never thought of... maybe its being on the inside looking in... maybe i saw the non gracious hostess side of her...  I think Drew got a 2 second flash of her in me right before the brunch guests started arriving... but that's cause he was being touchy-feely Drew when things needed to be done!!

Any hoo, have fun with whatever you do!  and don't "be worry[ing] about the wrong things"!

I have to update you all on something.

You know how I just KNEW I was getting out of here; moving back to tally with my homie Kitty and attending grad school??  yeah, well the assistant dean called me on my cell phone and let me know that there will not be a fall 2009 class.  Why?  

Only TWO people applied!!!  ONLY 2 PEOPLE APPLIED to get a Master's in Elem Ed!!!  

*sigh*

The dept needs at least 10 students so it's not even close.

I canNOT spend another year here.

*

Aside from that info, I was actually more hurt at telling Kitty I won't be back.  But, I do know EVERYTHING happens for a reason so I am actually, taking it well.  I see it as I am not meant to be in Tally this fall.  Dean Newell said she'll hold onto my app and put me down for Spring 2010 in hopes that more people will apply.  We shall see.

In the mean time, I told Drew I think we're getting too comfortable.  he felt the need to let me know that he feels taken for granted and I let him know, "well, we've been doing the EXACT same thing for over 2 years so I don't know what you want me to say.  You're right, I do think, 'Drew will be there'...*shoulder shrug*  what do want to do about it?  We can't do this forever"

He wants me to move down there this summer.  I asked if Broward county schools is hiring.  They aren't.  I guess I won't be in the 'wood then, now will I?

What's next in my life?  We can't do the same thing 2 years in a row!?  Come on change!!

*shoulder shrug*

blogger isn't doing it for me anymore.

before I totally abandon it, I must send a shout-out to Dani, Shayne, and Jameil for one of the most wonderful birthday parties ever!  I felt like I was back in grade school!!  27 is great so far!

okay, blogger is perkin with the pix...

anyway, y'all are my friends on FB so it doesn't matter!

just that quick

i freaking just typed this on my sidekik and it doesn't want to publish.  fcuk ish.

i need my mother to realize we are not the same person.  just cause she's the type to tell you whatever is on her heart and mind and I am not doesn't make me an inconsiderate person.  

am i secretive?  i don't think so.  am i an open book?  i wouldn't say that either.  now granted, you all get a lot on blog but you know and i know that this is some, "tip of the iceberg" ish.

she wanted to know why i didn't tell her i'm considering going back to school.  from my p-o-v, its cause I really wasn't sure yet. many people do but don't know I got into grad school last year but didn't go.  i talked a big game, on an impluse took the GRE and did nothing with it this past school year.  yeah, i didn't want that again.  not this time untill i am freaking registered for school! or at least have an admission letter.

another reason why i didn't readily share that info... she came out and said it!  "I'd never discourage anyone from getting an education but i would  mention that you're turning 27 and the guys in tallahassee are younger.  andrew and his job are here so you know he's not moving to tallahassee.  you can go to FAU cause andrew is here and you aren't getting younger.  ms. farrington stayed in tallahassee for her phd and to this day, she never married and never had kids."

REALLY?!?!

anyway, she just put a damper on my balloon blowing and in essence, birthday prep.  she's emotional cause she feels left out of the loop.  well, if you act like your sunsign (cancer) every time someone has a zest for change, what do you expect?

this is only conditioning.  ask anyone if i tell my motives.  i remember the days of highschool and even college from far away when I found myself telling her my moves only to be intercepted or prevented from something. "A couple of us are going out after the game so Kitty will drop me off"  "NO! Come home right now!  You're not going anywhere!"  It was a running joke over chirstmas break when everyone was down from college that I was out and about.  in my almost 27 years, I can't shake that feeling that I cannot share my moves with you. 

maybe i am secretive.  but its a defensive mechanism.  don't judge me for it cause you judged me before it.

Ocho de Mayo

Who: Me

What: Birthday Brunch

Where: Village Blvd

When: Friday, May 8, 2009, 12 noon

Why: cause I'm going to be 27 years old and I want a brunch on my birthday!

Dress Code: Breakfast at Tiffany's 

Menu: fresh squeezed orange juice, grapefruit mimosas, homemade waffles, buttermilk biscuits, shrimp cocktail, bagels & lox, etc.

RSVP ASAP

Whew!

What a week!!

Again, I am tired from the weekend!!  How is your 2 day vacation (that I made 4 day) worse on your body than a 5 day work week?!?!  Well, between hair and nail appts, Mini Me's b-day, work, drives up and down the state of Florida, TWO graduation ceremonies and whatever else happened in the time it took God to make the world...

my birthday still hasn't come yet.  

So you mean there is more mayhem on the way?

I think there is!

For Ocho de Mayo, I thought long and hard and decided on a brunch.  

since restaurants think people only want brunch on a sunday,  my fiesta will be a la Kasa de K.  

SIDENOTE:  No, I'm not a Kappa Sweet, I just wanted alliteration.  and it looks ugly as hell.  

SIDENOTE'S SIDENOTE: I really don't like it when dudes who AREN'T neos still use a K in place of C's...

So yeah, Brunch... my neighborhood... bring your A's!!!  AND LOOK PRETTY!!! We grown 'round this b!tch... matter of fact, I think I want a dress code...  thinking, thinking...

I get real extra around my birthday, in case you don't know.  and to think, I used to be worse.  I haven't celebrated a half birthday in a long time!

BIRTHDAY LIST 

(in case Drew calls you, he does things like that)

GOSSIP GIRL box set.  I think its only 2 seasons

SEX & THE CITY COLLECTION (or any season after the 1st 2.  I have those already)

UGGS, size 7.5.  

yes, I still want them.  Someone hid my 1st pair and I have not seen them in some 4+ years!!!! *ANGST*

CROCS, size 7.5.  

yes, I want those.  actually, I'd prefer these.  but will settle for a regular pair of only THE most comfortable shoe in the whole wide world!!!

RAINBOOTS and a MATCHING UMBRELLA

SCARVES

anything JUICY COUTURE

gift cards to Narnes and Boble, Express, or Meve Stadden.

anything ROMERO BRITTO.  yeah, he's the homie

you know you can't go wrong with ART or PHOTOs/books

FAMU 'nalia (I hear PINK has somethings.... ;-))

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG still has a place in my heart

RED APPLES, and the kind to eat but maybe wear or place on a desk/wall

oooh, anything with an S on it.  I might have too much paper at this time but I plan on using some of it this summer!!!

I can't really think of anything else I WANT right now...

toodles!!