Vanity

so this guy I used to talk to back in the FAMU days just asked to be my friend on FB. He's the one who after a while, I couldn't STAND b/c he loved being a light-skinned Alpha who happened to be Catholic. He was starting this up while we were talking and even used some places we'd frequent to promote on the site. I remember putting him on to chocolate martinis on V-Day then all the hoes started jumping on my drink cause they read about it on DGL... *eyeroll* he didn't even give me credit. He was a certified asshole once his lil webpage started to jump-off.

it's changed. well, it has been 5+ years, lol

Anyway, I confirmed request and started looking thru his pics. Yo, he has NOT aged well. Like, he looks OLLLLLLD. Receding hairline, crows feet, poppa belly, et al. Meanwhile, I'm here getting better with age (lmao).

I just wonder if he's looking thru my pictures and saying, "Damn, I messed that up." or "Wow, she looks really good! She's always been cute but now she's simply gorgeous!" or whatever else guys say when they realize the err of their ways, HA!

I'm a mess right now.

Next note, I think I have a really nice clavicle.

Totally random, I know.

But for real, in the pictures that people like of me, I noticed my clavicle frames my head/face quite nicely. I think it's one of those unconscious things about beauty. You know why someone or something is pleasing to the eye, but you can't put your finger on it.

Lastly, I really and truly believe with all my heart, all my girls look amazing. I don't think there's a weak link in my crew. There is no "ugly friend" in my group. Whatever your type, she's here with personality to boot.

So that's my Saturday feel good rant. I'm wearing my sweatpants, went to the salon and now i'm thinking about sushi :-) Life is good (on the weekend).

What am I 'posed to be doing right now?

Again, I thought I'd be having more fun at this time...

I DO however, have a renewed vigor in planning b/c Ricardo is back! I get it from my daddy! His energy is what I need right now, not Lyds faux martyr approach of "not wanting to get in the way"... really? You usually are very imposing ANY OTHER TIME...

Dani Colored Glasses helped me find some dresses online. I LOVE her immensely for that cause in case you don't know I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!!! And the MSW checklist said I'm behind on EVERYTHING! Makes me not want to go back and see what a failure I am :-(

This weekend, I'm going to a jewelry party and possibly a bridal store with the 10-10-10 bride whose BMs were everything I wanted. Their dresses and jewels made me so excited! Lyds was like, "Calm down!" I think I was jumping up and down a little bit, while you playing...

So Drew's neighbor is a photog; an AWESOME one with whom I've spent HOURS talking to abt the art and can spend hours not talking at all, just admiring his work in albums and on his walls, right? I'm going to ask him to take our e-photos. I'm hoping... *fingers crossed* he will find it in his heart to gift us e-party and wedding day shoots!!!!! HAHAHA!

MSW says I need my website up and running. I asked DCG's lil sis who did hers and it's the same person who did their photos... can I just get her to be my web mistress? I mean, the photos were great but I want to ask Drew's neighbor for photos and Chelsea for web techniness. Drew's neighbor JUST got a cell phone... and JUST got a digital SLR. I don't think he's doing websites.

Another photo op, a teacher I used to work with is married to this guy... ummm, HELLLLL YEAH!!!! I am a fan of his wedding port, but not the biggest fan of his e-photos... how does that work? Whatever the case, photos are a big deal so I'm doing my research on that!

Speaking of e-photos, I asked the boy if he wanted to do them,

D: (hesitantly) "Do you want to?"

Me: (matter-of-factly) "Don't answer a question with a question. Yes or No?"

D: (whiny) "Daaah, I don't want to do anything! But if you want to, we will."

Me: (terse) "Whatever."

So I thought having free reign would be fun... it's not.

Randoms

I know you guys think I'm kidding, but I really do wonder what Craig Mack is doing right now and like I did on Twitter, I do wonder, "What Would Craig Mack Do?". It's soooooo random but he was the first victim of Diddie so I worry about him :-(

i've taken up to running. I would rather do conditioning (the whole nine; weights, sprints, balance, agility, etc) but seeing how I don't play an organized sport for a university, that's out. I do miss the gym and having a trainer...

speaking of working out, someone said we're going to play tennis this weekend. If not, I'll continue to get my solo run on.

i've started waxing again. It's amazing to not have to worry about unwanted hair for 3 or more weeks at a time!

we've narrowed it down. Summertime. LAWD, be a cold front!

who here knows how I feel about deadlines?? Planning a wedding doesn't mesh with me... all I know is I want dark pink fabulousness. oh yeah, and a gray dress.

School isn't fun right now. I don't like pressure... I'ma flip out one day...

the political ads that simply DOG the opponent piss me off. I tweeted about one that was simply, "If you like Barack, you'll LOVE (gov candidate)." are you freaking serious?!?! THAT'S what we've come to!?!? and you know there are STUPID people out there who don't know what the fluck is going on but now know NOT to vote for someone cause an ad used psychology on they dumb asses!!!

woosah.

when a person pisses me off to no end, I call them a ninja and I qualify it with their race. "I know this white ninja did NOT ignore my question!!!!!!!!" yes, I've called DFB that a few times. One time, to his face.

I have a grown up costume for Halloween this year!!! I thiiiink, you can click my 'pix' tag and see what i wore 4 years ago. It was not a game!

My favorite ex and I keep in contact. We are the only other person each other knows who loves MJ as much as the other does (did that make sense?). I was thinking about him this morning and guess who sent me a text? Fave ex! I then told him, "I wish we lived closer! We'd be awesome friends and couples!" He replies, "Hell yeah! More ig'nant than 50 Tyson! Y'all should move!" #ChileBoo. The next place I'm moving is to a tower overlooking somebody's water! wait, that can apply where he is... okay, next place I'm moving is the M-I-Yayo!

Art Ba.sel Miami Beach is coming! I's so excited! I LOOOOOOVE visual art!! and my last issue of W mag had a ginormous article on America's most important art show!! woo hoo, can't wait! We haven't been since 2007; that needs to be fixed asap-edly!

speaking of art, I think that adds to my LOVE of Kan. He can do no wrong in my book. People like to ride on him cause he's wearing a red v-neck with hella chains but who else would have the guts to wear that? I LOVE him for that!!! Just cause you're in "hip hop" doesn't mean it has to be jeans and timbs/af1s, stop with the pigeonholing. although I didn't like the song he did on SNL, i LOVED the performance. so simple!

nevermind, people just think you drank the Ye kool-aid if you like what he does. real talk, he's up there with Barack. DON'T TALK ABOUT MY PREZ OR MY 'YE!!

I plan on getting WBW this weekend. We know what happened last time I did that... I found myself an(other) WB admirer. a marine one. BTW, we google chat once in a while... bless his crazy heart. I told him I was engaged before I put it on FB and he said I broke his heart. *snickering*. You're doing the most right now. THEE.most.

I'm ready for my hair to be long again. It was growing like wildfire when I was in the salon every 10 days... but i can't be spending money on frivolity anymore! I gots to put some away for you know, that thing I'm having sometime in the summer... LOL!

Is it too soon to try on dresses? Jam and I are ready to fly to NY and stop by kleinfelds. Anitra, we'll layover in DC and you're coming with. Dani, meet us at 133rd and White Plains. *BREAK!*

Chic-fil- a made me feel better after my trying afternoon that included ig WW, data entry, unsupervised children, and CRYING.

I don't do crying.

Today should've been Friday.

Day 7- Your Best Friend

I have two best friends.

The oldest one is Andrew. He's been my guy best friend since we met in high school my freshman year (Fall 96). We instantly clicked and the rest is history.

My other BF is Jameil. We met at the Illustrious Hampton University. I don't remember her freshman year but I know we had University 101 Honors. I'm sure she was the loud and obnoxious one reppin Queen City or something like that. Ugh. (lol)

I think we got closer towards the end of freshman year but I know for a fact we really hit it off sophomore year. I don't even know what instance brought us together but we've pretty much been inseparable (as inseparable as people can be living in different states!! LOL) "every" since.

Hmmm, I really want to know now... we never stayed in the same dorms, totally different majors... maybe during one of my trips to the dorm most of the KDY Queens lived in (DuBois Hall), I met her thru a Queen Journ major... that has to be it!

Whatever the case, we had a BLAST sophomore year! We frequented the on campus apartments together (for cool music and movies), ran around campus together (literally. like, it'll be 2:10am and Jam and I would be running around), chased after guys together (we stayed looking for an Expo with Carolina tags! LMMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and partied together (remember when Amerie's sister stepped on my foot and almost got her behind whooped, calmly?). When I got over my major (Rx), I would sit in her class (also cause I had a crush on her prof) and then we'd do whatever it is sophomore girls do (I really don't remember. Go to small caf for lunch?).

Right before junior year, I was abducted transferred from my Home By the Sea. Jameil and I kept in touch. I think we e-mailed like crazy. Then she introduced me to Blogger and that's how we really kept in touch with eachother's lives. It wasn't until 03-04 do I really remember talking to her on the phone on a regular basis. She was always the level-headed, rational one when I got delusional in my thoughts. I really love her for not being judgmental even though she kind of comes off as being so. Let me explain.

When I was going thru straight and utter foolishness with a guy, Jameil was never that friend who was like, "Oh helllll no! You need to leave him! Why are you still with him!? OMG, are you stupid for staying? He is thee worst!" She would listen to me rationalize foolishness of why he likes me more than his other girl (smh) or even better, come up with the brilliant idea of doing to him what he was doing to me. Then she'd and say something like, "Just don't get hurt. You know it's not like you to do that so why pretend that it is?" Almost like, "If you like, I love it" (even if she really doesn't love it. as long as you're happy...). From reading her recent post abt her mom, I'm sure she got that from her (letting you make your own decisions instead of telling you what to do). Those are my FAVORITE things about Jameil (rationality and objectiveness).

Now the reason why I say she comes off as judgmental is cause she knows what she likes and what she knows what she doesn't like. If you try to get her to see your way, save your breath. Jameil's mind is usually already made up. People may take her having a strong point-of-view as judging their p-o-v but that is totally not the case. She likes what she likes and entitles you to your opinion, take or leave hers.

Jameil and I have many common interests. One of the first ones we shared was InStyle mag. We used to spend hours poring over each page via phone. Utter glee emanated when we were in the same place with our magazines! (we have pics to prove it. word? iPhoto wants to show out now. ::FACE::). We also share a love of fashion. In a split second, we can tell you what's right or wrong with an outfit. we are firm believers in accessories and "less is more"/CocoChanel's "take off one thing" rules.

We have been known to be extra the life of the parties (FB pics to prove it) and we can have fun in a paper bag.

OMG, do you know how awesome that paper bag party will be?! PARTY IN THE BAG! I CAN'T WAIT! AND I KNOW YOU CAN'T EITHER!

I know you just got hyped off an imaginary party in a paper bag. Admit it, for a split second you really wanted to be invited to our Paper Bag Party. It's okay, you knew it would've been all the way live!

So yeah, my BFFL! Drew and Jameil!

"I'd like to call up Angela and Danielle to the front... these two ladies are spending their last Sunday with us because one is moving to New York and the other is moving to California! Let's pray for them and wish them all the best!"

*applause all around*

Our Father? Cannon? What ever he is made an announcement similar to that abt 6 weeks ago. I was beaming with pride cause Dani clued me in several weeks before it all happened and I was soooo happy to see it come to be. The other one, *shoulder shrug*. I just "feel" for the liturgical ministry we'll be missing. (sarcasm)

During the peace time of service, one of the ladies I actually like* at church scurried over to me with great concern. Her face was painted with worry as she started to speak, "Angela and Dani are leaving! You're not going anywhere, are you?"

I was touched; smiled to show my appreciation and assured her I wasn't going anywhere. "No, I'm staying right here." She gushed and hugged me. "Good."

The minute I got home, I started applying to school districts in northern virginia and Washington, D.C.

*

What crossed my mind the split second after I was happy someone was worried I was leaving was, "Why can't I go?" It seemed like everyone was able to go on with their lives but I have to stay where I am? No, I don't have to stay, but it was highly recommended and strongly suggested I keep the "good" thing I have going. It started with my father "putting his foot down" when he found out I was moving out last year. Then at the end of the school year, he was all with the "So things are looking good... you don't need to go anywhere. You have your tenure, why lose that and start over wherever you're going?" etc.

You already know mom was upset I moved out last year. It took me flying to Texas for interviews for her to realize I'm really moving on with my life, 3 years after she persuaded me to come home after graduation. But when I was walking down the street in Arlington, she called me and wished me the best cause she knew it was time for me to grow up. Let's see how she takes my pending move to the DMV... it seems like I always have something up my sleeve when she's gone.

Believe it or not, my brother has not been the most supportive of my ideas to move. I'm sure in his head, he's being concerned but with questions like, "So if you move but don't get a job in DC, how will you pay your car note?" (that was the latest, there were tons more when TX was on the horizon), he makes me feel like I'm a dreamer. Maybe I do come off as a dreamer cause I've been talking a big game abt moving every summer. But people don't know what goes on in my head that prevents me from leaving.

Martina said it best once, "I know you like to keep details to yourself so stop me if I'm asking too many questions...". She's right. I've learned to keep certain things to myself. Why? Cause when I talk abt it, it doesn't seem to happen. Remember all that talk of moving back to Tally for grad school? Yeah, the whole neighborhood knew abt it (I only told Stan who told his friend and the rest his history) and it was hell getting questioned abt why I was still in WPB the following school year. "Not enough students applied so they won't be having that major this year." Then the pseudo sympathetic look...ugh.

Whatever the case, despite the haters and even the lovers who really want what's best for me and think it means staying right here, I have a support group of friends near and dear to my heart who have been praying me up. I'm counting on them and myself to make this the year I do ME. I can't stay here for you. I can't help with Koko, I can't join ECW. I can't do faux long distance, I can't be a club sponsor. I can't live with my parents, I can't do City Place. I'm too big for this big village. I love you, WPB but I love me more.

* regarding the women at my church; I speak to all of them, I tolerate many, I like very few.

Birthday Fab

You guys already know I always have something up my sleeve for my birthday... after Easter, May 8th is my favorite holiday

*lol*

Y'all don't front. May 8th tends to be an awesome date! How many college graduations fall on on May 8th? and if it wasn't for May 8th, how else would you honor your mom on Mother's Day?

Okay, my birthday doesn't fall on Mom's Day every year (it will in 2011) but it's always close enough.

So last year, I had a fabulous Friday brunch with my close friends, a jaunt to the beach with the bestests (Kitty, Jam, Drew), and sushi for dinner. Saturday, my favorite day, the fun continued with a music fest in Miami that Drew was playing. VIP, Goose, and the fabulous Jameil and I was good.

Now Sunday was a little downer cause when we got back to WPB, I found out my dog was taken away for attempted caninicide. Russell tried to kill Koko :-( But, since it was Mother's Day, I presented Lyds with her gift and she loved it (upper). Let me find out my mom is a closet Gap groupie! She looks so cute in their jeans and tunics!

Anyway, I'm turning 28 this year. I've been wanting a Living Single 90s party for the longest but Kitty presented me with a better idea: Las Vegas.

!! HELL YEAH !!

We've been trying to go since we were 21. I'm so glad we didn't go back then, I don't think we'd be alive right now. Me and Kitty got into some stuff in Tallahassee so imagine us in Sin City.

Anyway, that's the plan!

Who: Me

What: My 28th Birthday

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

When: May 6 or 7 thru May 9, 2010

Why: Not?

Tentative Plans

- Fly out of south florida thursday night (5/6) or friday morning (5/7) for LAS ($242 round trip)

-Check into the Venetian 5-Star Resort ($189/night divided by at least 4 (maybe more) girls

-Put the Club Hopper Pass to work ($84 for access to 20+ clubs, casinos, parties)

-Eat, drink, and be merry with my girlfriends!

Who's down?!?!?

Friend

Sometimes, I feel like I'm not a good one. and it all stems from my phone use. Or lack thereof.

*

I have two groups of friends. Pre College and During College.

Pre College are the people from home. We met at church, in elementary school or summer camp. WPB being a little big city, I didn't make anymore friends after el. school cause I pretty much saw those same people in middle and high school. If wasn't your friend at ICY or Roosevelt Elem, I'm most likely not your friend now. These are the friends for LIFE who will show up at a moment's notice for whatever is going on in your life, good or bad.

During College are the Hampton Homies. With the exception of Jameil, we all lived in the same freshman dorm, Kennedy Hall. These are the girls I will and have hopped on a plane to celebrate a birthday on the weekend for. Or freeze my butt off for in whatever N.E. city for. These are the girls I've road-tripped for. These are the chicks you hear about meeting in college that will be your friends for life. The girls you lived without for 18 years but can't imagine doing that again.

Now you'll notice I don't have friends from FAM. Yeah, WPB sends a lot of its Black students to Tally. A few might go out of state but for the most part, my pre-college friends were already there getting the place ready for me.

*

My friend Kitty has been calling me all week. Between school, work, safety patrol sponsoring, pops leaving, mom going away, LIFE... I've been missing her calls. I had EVERY intention of calling her back, but me being me always forgot. Then she'd call me again and I wasn't able to answer cause I was teaching or in a meeting or on the phone with mom trying to buy her a plane ticket (she's going to Boston for my godfather's funeral and hanging out till whenever). I'd make plans to call during Planning Period but get caught up in an spur of the moment conference. Okay, I'll call on the way home from school but the day would have me just wanting to get home and not think about anything.

I found out her grandmother passed away Thursday night. How did I find out? On FB.

Oh my heart broke.

Even though she didn't leave any messages, I can only assume she's been calling me to talk about her grandmother being in the hospital this past week.

Way to be there, Stace.

*

I have another friend who I PROMISE you, I haven't spoken to since I was flying out of Jaxson, MS this summer. I know that cause she called me on our way to the airport and I didn't want to be rude by having a conversation in the car. Yep, July. Nearly 4 months to the DAY, I called to wish her a Happy Birthday and the conversation flowed like we talk EVERYDAY. *sigh* I was actually very nervous about calling her cause I know I've been missing her calls and always putting off calling her back (as usual) but for us to laugh the way we did, I know everything is alright.

This post goes out to my FRIENDS. They are the people who know who you are and love you anyway.

Eww, that was such a corny cliche I feel like I got from a forward my mom sent me... (I actually read them)

Thank-you guys for putting up with me. I know we don't talk everyday and I'm glad you aren't mad at me for that :-) I love you!

(Dani, Kitty & Keesha, Martina & Jameil; my Fab 5)

Mrs. Patti

We've been following her blog for several months and to think, her day of careful and meticulous planning has finally come!! Might I add, from an outsider's point of view, it went off without a hitch!

A blogger shot of Soon to Be Mrs. Patti, her MOH Dani, and MnOH KBrock. See her DIY hair flower?

Remember her talking about this?

and the bouts for the honorable ones are GORGE!

It was so cool to be in attendance to the lovely wedding and to see everything we've been reading about serving it's purpose. Mrs. Patti, you did a WONDERFUL job! Congratulations, girl!!

SWITCH!

I'm Back

Sorry for the delay. Two days after my MJJ died, I left town and didn't really have internet handy. Plus, I was trying to stay away cause the coverage of his death was too much. Y'all already know I was done. I almost called of my trip to the A and Mississippi cause I just wanted to mourn and listen to MJ. Rah asked Jam if I was still coming... I ALMOST DIDN'T!!

As you may or may not know, I've been in Jackson, Mississippi for about a week. I got to hang out with Jameil, her mom AND grandmother :-) I had a blast! Just chillin and seeing and eating... so what summer vacation is supposed to be about. and you already know Jameil and I make fun WHEREVER we go...

in Atlanta. (i am in LOVE with my bang!!!)

in Jackson. the heat made a Kate out of me. no swoop.

the infamous pig ear meal
we be grubbin!

me leaving. smiling on the outside :-(


yeah, we eat for fun

Who Wants to Party with Us?!!?

I GUARANTEE IT'LL BE SO MUCH FUN!!

Swag

Surfin
Swag
Clean

Jameil, how my shots do you have of this SAME pose!?!? LMAO!!!

WE HAD FUN!! PARTY IN THE 'SIP, COMING SOON!

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

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"!

*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!

read the tweets to fully understand!

please go to FB to get ALL the pics! and be nice with your comments cause one of the maids is a FB friend!

one of 7 groomsmen + sister/maid

one of 2 ushers who didn't know what was going on. cream tux, white belt and I didn't have the heart to get the white loafers

20 y.o pregneesha with 10 month old and twins on tap

flowergirl/child of bride & groom. peep the drop curls. in her defense, that is her hair

hostesses. the one with the long, drop curl got out of her shoes the minute she got in the car and before she got to the reception site. they are the ones who told us to sit down when we weren't supposed to. father got us right on up!

1 of 4 junior bridesmaids. drop curls in a pony.

holding the mic to the boombox. please peep the face.

transformers! more than meets the eye!

"did I just get my new cole haans stuck in some sand??" she didn't say that but I think that caption is funny. oh yeah, peep Diego's face!

(christmas) lights, camera, HOLLYWOOD!

SMH. you don't have to look raggedy to be a caterer

fronts and johnny gill haircut. johnny hit on me

3 bites and I was done. oh yeah, handing out water bottles str8 out the box

the lilac linen suit looked soooo much "better" in person!

Talking with our Hands

today's text convo

Adei von K: how do we feel about french mani-ed toes? French pedis?

Dani Colored Glasses: ha ironically, I'm getting them done now

AVK: LOLOL! SHUT UP! I take it they are a "go"! I was worried cause I've seen too many acrylic big toes with french and was nervous...

as I sent that, she sent this:

DCG: I'm really particular about them cause they can be so hood... as the woman next to me is getting a giant french tip on her toe... (sigh)

ADK: can you pleeeeeaaaase get out of my head?!

DCG: lolol!
So out of sheer budget, I'm forgoing the hands but why do I feel I'll be back in the morning getting them done?

ADK: here's my plan. Throw some polish on at home and go in for a polish change. WE'RE IN A RECESSION! But we still have to look good ;-)

*

I still don't have a dress.

I need a break

I should've taken a break from my break. Can we talk about tired!? that's what I am! I literally did a tour of florida. Well, minus the west coast but honestly, not really the biggest fan of west-side "beaches". When you live on the east coast, why would you drive to swim in gulf water? No thanks, I like my ocean to be Atlantic sized.

So, I left here for the 'ville and hung out with Jam Rock. We ate WELL and made cool things for our siblings. We were supposed to go to Tally but Kitty got back to me too late and Jam already re-arranged her week. I got there a day later than planned, handed in my app and hung around longer than planned. I wanted to be back in SoFla by Thursday so I can defrost for a day before heading further south. Yeah no. I left Saturday, stopped by the crib for a change of clothes and kept it moving to Hollywood. We had fantabulous sushi and I crashed. Being on the road for 6+ hours will do that. At least I didn't get lost this time.

Sunday, 8am service that was much longer than planned cause of the Passion reading. Yeah, I don't really like yelling, "Crucify him!" cause that's not what I would've said if I was around back then, you know?

Got my church in, picked up my pictures and some dental floss cause my teeth/gums have been hurting. Have you ever flossed with braces? Do you know how time consuming that is?! OMG, I spent half car ride to Big Pine Key flossing my teeth!? They did feel much better though :-)

So if you tweet, you'd know I was at a reggae fest yesterday. It was so cool! Lots of hippies of course but they are a loving, peaceful people. I saw old men with sun bleached blond hair down their back vibing. Chicks with tiny locs and Loving Day babies all over. So cool! In my haste to get further south, I didn't pack a bathing suit. Oh well, I got in to my knees then splashed water all over myself and let it sun dry. I don't think I got the tan black I was yearning for... I think its so cool when you can tell someone had a serious vacation by their tans. A couple of my kids came back ruddy faced and bronze. So cute!

I decided I was going to be "mean teacher" while Drew and I were coming back to Hollywood. The kids didn't even let me be her, they were so good! I even gave them a star *tear*. 10 stars and they get a themed party. If the prin gives them a compliment, that's 3 stars. AP, 2. An adult, 1. Or, if everyone stays on green all day. Yeah, my class was so focused today, I was impressed and gave them a star myself!

So excited this is a 4-day work week! Thinking about doing Maundy Thursday vigil and I'm def doing Good Friday's Stations of the Cross even though it usually makes me cry... Holy Saturday and EASTER SUNDAY!! YAAAAY!


Wait. I don't have a dress.


T o be continued...

The Road Trip

I made it to G'ville, FINALLY!! For those of you who tweet, you know I missed my exit messing around with the radio DJ... naturally, I won something... blah, blah, blah. Luckily, I keep a giant randmcnally in my back seat so finding the next state road that will take me to the turnpike wasn't THAT scary... it's just that being lost in anywhere north of Palm Beach Gardens isn't what I consider fun. I was riding west down one road when I realized it wasn't going to take me where I wanted. U Turn and back up 95. I got onto the next road and it happened to run thru St. Cloud. Let me find out its a quaint little city! But, as Jam and I were talking on our way to Ocala, "quaint" in central florida = Hangan!gg@ville. Yeah, that good ole Strange Fruit. Maybe I can come back with Dreezy.

After we ate at Dragonfly- speaking of last night, can I tell you how fab we looked?! Str-8 print models (cause we're not tall enough to be runway although we carry ourselves as such). And all in some jeans with a solid tee. Jam had a purple off the shoulder joint with a purple ribbon tied in her hair. Gold shoes and bag finished the accessories. A Que's dreamgirl. I went the rockstar route with my hair and big gold hoops. brown peep-toe basket weaved pumps and my speedy, I was reds-ta-go. we thru on minimal makeup (mascara for me, lilac eyeshadow for Jam) and it was a wrap.

After we ate at Dragonfly, we dropped our leftovers in the fridge and went to pick up Jam's classmate in Ocala. The sky looked so amazing; I tried to take a picture of the stars... yeah, the flash didn't reach. lol. Fake John is funny, reminds me of Jimmy Neutron. We were talking about organic chicken farmers and Madonna's bell ringing. You had to be there.


We are supposed to go to Tally today... yeah, I think I will go tomorrow. Jam and I have to make our younger siblings' gifts for their graduation/birthday. Arts and Crafts galore!! Then we're going to buy hella picture frames, spray paint them and make her wall a friend museum, to compete with her shoeseum of course. TTYL!

Numbers

I usually put 10% of my paycheck in my savings account and literally go thru 89% of it in 2 weeks. So not healthy seeing how I have nothing to show for the hundreds of dollars I spend in a month. My jewelry was given to me and the last time I bought myself a pair of shoes was 9/2008... from Ross.
I will admit, I bought this brown bag.

Wait, there was that "sale" at GBCB...

Okay, so I have a gray dress and a brown bag.

Anyway, I decided to put 40% of my check away and play with what is left. I'm already in love with how the savings side looks and I'm okay with the checking side looking smaller than usual. I've written out tithing checks to place in the collection plate here at home and to mail off to St. Mike's in Tally. I didn't have my checkbook or cash with me when I went to St. John's in Hollywood :-(
No more broke Sundays!


*


On another numerical note, Dani and I decided to go to the sure to be entertaining bridal shower of her. Thinking about her upcoming marriage made me think of mine. Oh, I didn't tell you? I had a talk with Drew and marriage is in the future. the "not right now but soon" future. Whatever that means, I was thinking about who would be my 'maids.


8


I so didn't want to be that person with a harem, that person that Dani and I make fun of, that person who is usually in a sorority and picks her front, back, ace, tail, teen and double digit, neo and prophyte number,

THAT CHICK WHO HAS EVERYONE IN HER WEDDING PARTY!!!

I was sold on 6 till today. Then I realized, there is someone I JUST CAN'T LEAVE OUT!

and....... while we're still on the topic of weddings, I found out kindergarten homie of mine got married. Then this info came out,

"he's had a crush on you for the past 20 years"

*blink blink*


*


My 27th birthday is in 2 months.

What am I going to do?!

Go to Disnee???

I think so :-)

Random Day

1. Ummm, I have FIVE pairs of Chucks.
Pink, Cream, Green, Yellow, Red.

Really, Stace?

The next number I have multiples of is 3. Then there are a lot of fraternal twins


2. I don't think I'm going to get tired of American Boi. Estelle is my GIRL! and you know I love 'Ye

3. I just found out an ex, the first boyfriend I had at FAM, passed away last week. Gastric bypass gone wrong. I was shocked, more so by how big he must have gotten to need gastric bypass.

4. I have to get my chronic sinusitis in order. Just found out my grand uncle and Ghanian godfather found multiple myelomas in his nasal cavity. He's been a long time sufferer of sinusitis.

5. I still can't open my mouth to its widest cause of what the ortho tech did to me and the resulting infection. I was almost in tears trying to eat a breakfast sandwich from Micki Dee's this past Tuesday

6. Last week, I was thinking if marriage is what Drew and I do on the weekends but everyday, I'm not sure I want that. Kinda boring.

7. I still don't know what the Poke feature on Stacebook means. Mini Me said it's to get someone's attention. the person who has been poking me EVERYDAY has my phone number and unlimited text... I don't know what the problem is.

8. My car has been at the shop since yesterday evening. You know how much money that thing is going to cost if its been getting worked on for 24 hours? Now I know they aren't working on it round the clock but damn! Where is my Tima?!

9. Diana Ross is my celebrity idol. I love her almost as much as I love MJJ. When I was younger, I used to fluff out my hair out and sing along to her videos; much to the dismay of Mom Dukes

10. Drew and I have challenged Dani and Shayne to a game night. Jam and Rah, Joy and Kesi, Patti and PHI, La and BOB, y'all are next in our Will and Grace-esque domination.

11. I am seriously going to have a coffee table book of children's art one day. It's like invented spelling without words. So straight to the point and literal. and don't let there be a caption like, "It is sunee. We can rid bix" (It is sunny. We can ride bikes. the long 'I' is tricky, as is the trailing 'y')

12. On the way home from work on Friday, I realized I only want one child. A girl with the prettiest name I can think of. But that can be lonely...

13. I really want a black Coach with gold hardware. This one. But she's too big for me. I cyber tried her on.

14. I think I might send myself some flowers on Friday. Naw, I'll just get some from Publicks.

15. I'm bored.

16. I'm waiting for 'Single Ladies' to come on the radio while Drew and I are in the car so I can abruptly ask Drew if/when he's going to put a ring on it. I think that would be an awesome ice breaker.

17. I need new music in my life.

18. I think I need a good cry. I feel like I'm on emotional auto-pilot

19. My bro is turing 25 this Thursday. I can't believe it. I hope 25 is as good for him as it was for me. Then there's the other side of 25...

20. I burst Jameil's bubble about going to the beach in Virginia in October and it was funny.


-log out-