Gotta get it out!

Ok, so...(Do I start all of my blogs like this?) Anyhoo,

So, there's a track on the new Mary Mary CD "The Sound" titled "Boom". Its about holding stuff inside that you need to release. Lyrics say, "My grandmama told me/you'd better tell the truth/'cause if I hold this information/and just let it brew/its gon' build like/BOOM".

This puts us at this post today. I was talking to one of my sisters (Hi T!) about a recent meeting we had at church where appointments were made. To give you the short history: we got a new pastor and he asked who was over what auxiliaries and if you were over more than one, you had to choose which one you were more dedicated to. Ok, so our church is in a district with a new leader and now, a new pastor. At the district meeting is where we are at the beginning of this paragraph. You still with me? Keep readin'.

Ok, so I was put into a position on the district level that I am debating on whether or not to keep on the local level. Let me explain: I am over an auxiliary at my church and was appointed to the same auxiliary within the district, meaning, I'd be the overseer of the auxiliary within all the churches in the disctrict. Thankfully, there are only 2 churches in the district at the moment.

Here's where my dilemma begins. I want to and-eventually-hopefully-really-soon talk to my pastor about how I feel about all this. I am over several things in our church. And the hubs and I tiff over it all the time about how busy I am and why I HAVE to be there all the time or why I HAVE to go all the time. But, its a thing for me and many of the other members thatfeel like, "I'll take it on because I don't want it to fall/fail." The group that I'm over is definitely needed and I'm not sure who would/could take it on if I don't want to or can't do it anymore. So, again, I don't want it to fall, which makes me again obligated to stick with it. I know what type of response I can get from the group and it frightens me that they won't respond the same way with someone else over them.

Don't get me wrong: I don't mean this in a vain way at all. Its just that just anybody couldn't do this particular job. The right person has to have a certain repoire with the participants. That's about as much of that as I can touch, so I'ma let this go for now.

Anyhoo, I have a young family at home. My husband doesn't understand the church lifestyle that I live and he and my almost 3-year-old son need me to be at home. Don't think I'm like running out on them and heading for church every free second I get. (I'm sure if you ask hubs, he'll say so, but he's crazy so don't ask him anything.) I LOVE being busy. It...um...gives me something to do! (Duh!) But I guess I am trying to cut back a little, but honestly this one particular gig is one that I think I am officially ready to give up. I have my reasons that I won't list here, but I'd tell if asked.

I guess I just need the right time, words, and opportunity to discuss this with my pastor and district superintendent. I at least need to get it off my chest.

This is a start...

To model or not to model: silliness answers the question

Happy New Year!

Ok, so Jo is into taking pictures. He's always been in front of the camera, but now he likes trying to find his subject in the viewfinder of the camera and coordinate his body with holding the camera still all while pushing the button. He's the most serious little photographer. Well, he can't help it! My sister is a photographer and "Tee Tee" has this huge camera with the big light on top and this long thingee in front and...who wouldn't wanna use that! At Thanksgiving dinner, Jo decided to give it a try. "Tee Tee" supported it, while Jo posed and snapped the picture. He did let her take one since he was in the mood to pose.

Another time, we were at home and I pulled out my camera for some reason, and Jo wanted to take a picture. Here's his random modeling session:

I'm really thinking about getting him to do some modeling. I have one of my favorite shots that is pushing me to do so. He could do some small prints or ads or something. I say anybody that likes to take pictures as much as he does, may as well get paid for it!

Merry Christmas. I Cheat. So What.

Ok, so hubs and I signed up for a new gym membership. So far so good. We signed up right before the Thanksgiving holiday. I've been trying to go at least (at most too) 3 times a week. Only last week was I so busy that I didn't get my 3 days in. Well, last night was the first time that I went to the gym by myself. I took the kid with me and he goes to play in the kids area. It's a real nice set up and he enjoys it. It was cold as all get out, but I was determined to go. Not because I wanted to work out all that bad, but because...well, I needed to go.

Ok, the real reason is because from time to time, you should reward yourself for all your hard work. I've been eating a lot better: no fast food, very little fried foods if any at all, lots of salad. (I swear I'm a rabbit.) And on top of the workouts, I think I am due to a little treat now and then.

Its Christmas time, and of course all the clients at work are bringing in treats for the office. Either its a calendar or something covered in chocolate. So far, I've already got 4 calendars...and yesterday, I simply ran out of options. I mowed down whatever was covered in brown cocoa goodness. I had nerve to even find out that there were this little chocolate covered sandwich cookies, like Oreos. OMG! Then it was the cashews, and the Kit Kats, and the Reese's bells...

I did eat my salad for lunch though. Hey, SHUT IT!

Don't Say That!

Ok, so we, well I am watching the words that my son picks up. He's in a home daycare during the day and of course anywhere he goes, he is impressionable and picks up what he sees. Even at home, we may say things around the house and he sees it as ok to say, so he does. Sunday night, JoJo was sitting in the bed with me and we were watching one of our favorite movies, "Hairspray". (The latest version of the musical with Nicki Blonski.) Ok, so we've seen it like 85 billion times, but at certain parts, (when he wasn't singing), JoJo would say, "Are you kidding me?" I of course took it as a reaction to some part of the movie, but later he said it again. I'm trying to figure out where he got the phrase from, and it didn't take long to realize that I SAY IT ALL THE TIME! OMG, HE GOT IT FROM ME! LOL! It already sounded so funny with his 2-year-old vocabulary and phonetics, but when I realized that he's heard me say it in plenty of phone conversations with the girlz, or with new news I've just heard, or when JoJo is trippin' and I use the phrase to get his attention. I couldn't get mad; there's nothing wrong with the phrase. But when he said, "shut up" last night...I almost tore his head off.

He was getting ready for bed and of course moving too slow. It was already late and past MY bedtime, so you know HE was running late. I must've been fussing about the whole process and JoJo thinking he was being playful said somewhat under his breath, "shut up." I stopped...backed up...and asked, "What did you say?"
JoJo very softly said, "Shut up."
I asked, "Who?"
He quickly thought and carefully answered, "Daddy."
Daddy wasn't home, so I know he wasn't talking to him. I looked at JoJo and my eyes said, "You little twerp! You were telling me to shut up and while you may be right and I may need to, you are a 2-year-old and nothing gives you the right to so rudely tell me to leave you alone because I AM THE MOMMA and I am in charge of you, and how dare you use the phrase in such a timely and correct manner!"
He knew he was wrong, and there was no point for me to harp on it.
I simply reminded him, "We don't say shut up. You don't say that. Ok?"
With a sheepish look, he said, "Ok."
Returning to the queen of mean I said, "Now get your narrow tail in that bed!"

I try to remind my husband that we can't say everything we want in the house. Yes, its our home and we should be comfortable enough to say and do whatever, but we must be careful because we have young, impressionable, LISTENING, ears in the house with us. Hubs and I say shut up, whether we're talking to each other or in a shocking conversation with others. I don't put it past that little boy that he's listening and absorbing every word! Kids are funny like that! They're listening to see fist of all, how engaged in your conversation you are so that they can see what they can get away with while you are not paying attention! Secondly, they're simply nosy and listening to the actual words you're saying. Trust me, that "Are you kidding me" through me for a loop because while I'm sure JoJo has no ideal what it means, he said it so correctly...and JUST LIKE I SAY IT! LOL!

My mom was telling me about my niece "Peanut" who stayed with her this weekend and the conversation they had over her saying, "What the heck?" My mom explained to her that she was cussin'. "Peanut" slipped and said it 1 or 2 more times, but then she reduced it to, "What the...?" Momma had to advise her again.

My cousin's son was visiting with my aunt (his grandmother) and she must've been getting after him for something. His reply, "Alright grandma,...JE-sus." She had to walk away to keep from laughing because he said just like she says it around the house.

I do monitor what he watches, because I wan't him to pick up good things if he's gonna watch movies at all! One of our favorite parts in "Hairspray" is when the clothier Mr. Pinky calls Edna to ask if Tracy can be his new spokesmodel for his store. Edna signals to Tracy that she's talking to Mr. Pinky. Tracy squeals, "Thee Mr. Pinky?" JoJo and I both look at each other and squeal just like she does. Weird I know, but its amusing to us!

270? How 'bout 364

I in no way mean for this to be or become a political blog. I try to stay away from following or even being involved with politics. But I guess you could say, I'm still excited. President Elect Barack Obama has won the electoral votes from states (North Carolina) that haven't elected a Democratic candidate since the late '70s! Is this awesome or what?! I have been constantly blown away that Obama only needed 270 electoral votes to win the election, but to push it beyond that number and blow the entire election away with a whopping 364 of those bad boys is flabbergasting! See story here: http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2008/11/obama-wins-north-carolina-now-001318.php

I love the poise that the Obamas carry. I just read from a story dated from February 2008 that Michelle told Barack that she would agree to his running for the presidency if he agreed to quit smoking. Obviously, they came to terms on it. He was smoking 3-4 cigarettes a day. She warned him that if he wanted to campaign for P.O.T.U.S, the stress would make that 3-4 become more. I believe Michelle had him do it for his health reasons and for his image. Ain't nothing like an intelligent black woman. See story here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/817951,obama022808.article Another point to ponder: did you notice on election night, after the family and the Bidens had come out after Barack's speech that when it was time to leave the stage, Michelle walked behind everyone as they cleared out? She then stopped and waited for Barack, who was having his shining moment and was still out waving to the people at Grant Park in Chicago, IL. Then as a wife showing her support, put her arms around him (again) and walked with him off stage. I thought that was absotively posolutely classy! It was like, "Ok, Obamas and Bidens, clear the stage and let my man have his moment to shine!" She did it all so gracefully. I love folks that know what they're doing!

I admire the Obamas for being in the spotlight but remaining normal. On the day of election, Michelle sent the girls to school. When their school day was over, they got their hair done in preparation for their dad's big night. Michelle's mother cares for the girls during their school days and says she was hoping Michelle wouldn't make them go, but that if she did, she was going to take them. Now, think like a "momma with a mission": You're trying to help your husband win a presidency, and all has come down to this 1 day where we get the results. Would you keep your 2 kids at home with you while the 2 of you are pacing the floor, wringing your hands, and full of nervous excitment? Case closed.





The Obamas were recently spotted exiting the girls' school after parent-teacher conferences. Could you imagine being the teacher and having the next president and first lady of the free world coming to visit you in your classroom? You talkin' 'bout peeing your pants! Hopefully, everything fared well for Sasha and Malia.


Alright, I'm out. I gotta call Jo Jo's caregiver and have a parent-teacher conference of my own.

OMG! I cried...didn't you?!

Okay, so like, how excited are you right now? Its the day after the presidential election and so much history has been made that it makes our future all the more promising. I stayed up after hearing all the projections and predictions to wait until the final vote count. I heard Senator John McCain's concession speech. I watched the people in Grant Park in Chicago as they waited with baited breath, as I did, for our nations 44th president-elect to take the stage. I wanted to roar with them when his name was announced before he hit the stage, but my family was asleep.

President-Elect Barack, daughters Malia and Sasha, and wife Michelle Obama hit the stage at the end of election night.

Instead, I cried like a baby. It was so overwhelming. It was all a culmination of the last year with all the campaigning, voter registration drives, and urgings for voter turn out.

President-Elect Barack Obama seemed pleased, but tired. It seemed he needed to breath a sigh of relief, but witheld it only because his work is just beginning. I simply pray that God blesses him, gives him strength, guidance, and insight on how to lead this nation. And just as important, I want him to go home and rest until his inauguration in January! Let's have a fresh start all around.

I'm looking at CNN online, watching their video posts and I came across the one showing Barack Obama arriving and voting with his family.


I am going to vote after work. I'm going home to pack a bag of activities and snacks for my 2-year-old. Then my husband, son, and I are going to get in line at the poll. I am so excited. I got emotional watching the video of Senator Obama voting. I loved the fact that he had his daughters with him. My hubby and I were discussing last night what we were going to do with Jo Jo while we go to vote. My mother lives nearby, so we were considering taking him to her house while we wait in line. I so honestly wanted Jo Jo to be with us. He may not remember this in 10 or 16 years, but I want to remind him later in life so that he'll be able to recall that he was part of this historical event. No matter what the result, this election in itself is historical. There is so much at stake and so many possibilities of change, that this election will not soon be forgotten.

I truly believe that we are in God's hands. God is sovereign and he knows what's best for his people, and the people that rely on him....and those that don't. For example, gas was over $4/gallon like a week ago. Yesterday, my neighborhood gas station had gas at its lowest for the week at $2.09/gallon.

The Lord knows my money is funny and my change is strange!

I believe that our country will have the leader that will be best suited to lead our people. We have gotten so far away from morals and standards that this country was first built on, and as a result we are witnessing (or have witnessed) its decline. I do so hope that things will get better. But all is just a sign of the times: the wicked become more so and the day gets more evil. But God is still on the throne and as long as our will is His will, he will take care of his own.