Surprise... Surprise... Surprise

October 14, was Men and Women's Day at our church. And guess who was voted Woman of The Year... Me silly! It was not only a surprise, but a total shock. In the above picture I was trying my best NOT to do the ugly cry.

I am honored that the women of Mt. Harmony MBC, think that much of me. My parents were there, which was not a totally surprise, but was a little odd. They were suppose come down for dinner.

They messed up and gave me a tiara! After getting home, I changed clothes, but DID NOT remove the tiara. I cooked, and took a nap... yep, still wearing the tiara. When it was finally time to go to bed, I removed it, and put it on the night stand next to my bed.

I've been thinking of ways I can get more ware out of it since. Got any ideas, that won't make me look too crazy?

Mr. Husband giving me a hug





Readers Are Leaders

Yesterday, I visited Martin Luther King Elementary Magnet School in Little Rock, where I spoke about the importance of reading. I also read my children's books, and told one of my favorite African Tales, 'The Dancing Granny.'

I haven't done a school visit in a very long time, and forgot just how much I enjoy impressing upon kids the joy, and power of reading. When I shared that I've sat with a council of animals including a lion, monkey, and python, and lived in a WalMart for 6 weeks, I got a few strange looks. After explaining I did those things by reading books... their mouths were open, and I got a few side eyes. One little girl said she was going home, and taking a trip with a book that evening.

One my drive home, I started thinking about the last book I read. I'm over due a good book, any suggestions?

The Crud Caught Me

Okay, I'm sick. There... I said it. After fighting hard trying to be the "healthy" one, and take care of everyone else I have joined the ranks of the sick.

It has been officially confirmed Mr. Husband and I have the flu. We have prescriptions (plural), and directions to rest, and take in plenty of fluids. The doctor said, "It doesn't matter, drink water, juice, Coke, tea, beer, just get plenty of fluids."

For the past two days, I've done NOTHING to my hair. As a result, it's all over my head, and mad as hell at me! I would share a picture, but it's way too embarrassing! Just believe.

I've had to cash in my rain check with my duaghters, but I'm working hard to get off the couch, and back to business.

Fighting A Nasty Bug

There is a nasty bug crawling through my house, infecting one person after the other.

Early last week, my 14 yo started coughing, snotting, and sneezing. Friday, baby girl called from school crying, she was experiencing all of her sister's symptoms, plus a headache. Sunday morning my 16 yo woke up feeling a little off, by early afternoon she had all of baby girl's symptoms, plus a burning sore throat. Monday morning, Mr. Husband took her to a walk in clinic, where she was diagnosed with a highly contagious virus. 

As this bug passes along it's picking up momentum. It's kicking butts, and taking names!

Yesterday, my oldest daughter started feeling bad, with all of the 16 yo's symptoms, and body aches. Mr. Husband also fell prey, and this morning he's running a fever.

When baby girl started feeling bad, I started taking the cold and flu medicine I was giving everyone else. So far I've had a throat tickle, and light cough. Warm tea with fresh ginger, as well as eating lemons have been my home remedy. 

I'm trying my best to stay well, and fight that bug that has invaded my household.  The 16 yo promised she'd take care of me, if I get sick. Can I get a raincheck please?!    

 

Digital Dr.'s Office

This morning at my regular scheduled Dr.'s appointment the receptionist announces, "We're going digital. You'll soon be able to access lab results, schedule appointments, and request refills all online."

That's great... I think. Then I started to think, WHAT IF something happens, and everything is wiped out... THEN WHAT!

I am one to embrace technology, and all that it has to offer. But with something as delicate as my medical history, I'm concerned. My bank is backed by FDIC, so if someone should steal all $5, I am guaranteed it's safe return.

Who's protecting my medical records. I know I'm probably over thinking it a bit, but it's heavy on my mind. Call me crazy!

What about technology, and being able to access so much information from just about anywhere in the world are you concerned with? 

Cinnamon Challenge

Keeping up with my 29 Day Challenge, has been a challenge for me recently! My girls playing basketball, mom sick a weekend, my 16 year old's birthday, work... and general life. Finally, I'm back.

I couldn't for the life of me think of one thing I wanted to blog about. Then it hit me. Recently, my children told me about the Cinnamon Challenge, and we took to Youtube to watch a bunch of them. You've never heard of the Cinnamon Challenge either. You're in for a really good laugh.

Idiots  People purposely attempt to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon. As absurd as it sounds, it's seriously funny! Watch.

Warning... Go pee before you watch the following videos. If your shoulder, back, stomach, or head hurts... watch at a later date. These videos are hilarious!

Happy Sweet 16

Today my middle daughter is Sweet 16!

Last night I couldn't wait... I had to show her a little something I bought for her to wear on this momentus occassion. A crown that said "Happy Birthday." Thinking it was a really good idea... I was the only one who though so. She, along with her sisters DID NOT! Mr. Husband said, "She's no longer three."

Fine! I'll save it for a three year old I know will appreciate it... one of the Suga Babies.

Today, not only does she turn 16, her status as a driver changes. She can now drive WITHOUT adult supervision. Excited... my child who is no longer three, and needs me less every day, hopped in her car, and drove for the first time by-her-self. *Deep sigh*

Happy Birthday Girly.

I'll Always Love You

I will always remember where I was when I heard about Whitney Houston's death... In Sam's! I received a text, and I immediately took to Twitter to confirm. My heart dropped.

The first thing I thought of was her music, and the first song I remember her singing. Then I thought back a little further, I remember her before her music career. Whitney was a model for Seventeen Magazine, and was the first black woman to be on the cover.

In 1995 I danced like I was crazy to I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and sang The Greatest Love of All to the top of my lungs! 

  

I loved her in The Preacher's Wife. I literally burned up a cassette tape of the soundtrack. Although I loved the entire soundtrack, my favorites have to be I Love The Lord, and He's All Over Me.

When my oldest daughter was little, Whitney produced "Cinderella," where she was the Fairy God Mother. We still have that video tape somewhere. Our favorite song from that movie was Impossible.

When she sang The National Anthem for the Super Bowl XXV, I was on my feet with tears streaming down my face. I was so very moved. I had never before cried during the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, and haven't since.

My favorite of all time Whitney Houston song has to be I'll Always Love You, from the soundtrack of The Body Guard. She has given the world plenty of music, as well as memories. No matter what else she did, I choose to remember her as the song bird she was.

RIP Whitney Houston!

Going To Work

Last week my 9th grader #2, joined my 10th grade daughter #4, on the high school girls basketball team, after the Jr. High's seasoned ended.

Like the mother, blogger, and daughter of my dad that I am, I had my still camera, and a video camera with me. I was snapping, and recording away. This picture is my favorite. I don't know why I love pictures of people walking away so much. I used Picnik to work a little magic, and wa-la!

This was a great game, and we won! The older of the two, #4 led the team in scoring, with 15 points. Her game high is actually 21 points, and she plays shooting guard. Number two plays point guard. They both  have had sights on attending University of Tennessee, since they played at the "Y."

If you can't tell... I'm a very proud Mama. Go Fillies!!!

Milton Crenshaw - Tuskegee Airmen

This week my Electronic News Gathering class, at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Milton Crenshaw, the last surviving supervising squadron commander flight instructor of the Tuskegee Airmen, of World War II.

At 93, Crenshaw is sharp, and quick witted, and can talk, "until Jesus returns," he laughed.

Mr. Crenshaw shared his experiences at Tuskegee, and training just under 1,000 men, but stressed the importance of getting a good education, and having a relationship with God. He's depended on God for almost 100 years, and "He's always taken care of me," Crenshaw said.

Although I met Mr. Crenshaw this week, I grew up knowing his father, Rev. J.C. Crenshaw. He was the assistant pastor of the church I grew up in, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since his return to Arkansas, Mr. Crenshaw and my parents have become very good friends. In fact, they are responsible for him being there.

What wasn't said, or made known during the visit, Rev. Crenshaw is also an Arkansas Black History maker. He was the president of Little Rock NAACP chapter, during the Central High Crisis. Both are highlighted in an Arkansas Black History coloring book for their accomplishments.

There was also another gentleman in the audience who is a Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Thomas Vaughn who retired from UAPB's Agriculture Department in 1986, and lives in Pine Bluff. I've seen Mr. Vaughn numerous times, and had no idea. We're surrounded by so much history, not just black history, and we don't have a clue.

I challenge you to learn from those around you, especially older people. Once they're gone, so is the information they hold.

Photo Credits: Alvin Williams (my dad).

Dinner Co-op

With work and the kids in school, sports along with other activities, getting dinner on the table before mid-night, is a challenge.

After a full work day, her children’s extra-curricular activities keep them busy for hours. Although a priority, there is very little time to cook a healthy dinner, or otherwise.

Recently, my friend and her mother came to an amazing agreement. In exchange for taking care of one of her mother’s needs, mom is cooking dinner for her daughter’s family of four.

I thought it was not only a good idea, but they were on to something. That something is very similar to a cooking co-op, and is nothing new. Creative homemaking describes a cooking co-op as a group of people who prepare meals for one another on a rotating basis.

Cooking co-ops can be made of groups of friends, co-workers, and even family members. It takes the stress out of dinner, and is a money ‘Saving Strategy.” With the right group, I could really enjoy a cooking co-op. I’m putting that on my “to-do” list.

Have you ever been a part of a cooking co-op, were you satisfied?

“Originally published on MyBlogalicious”

Wordless Wednesday - Daffodils

It's February, and daffodils are growing in my yard! All courtesy of Arkansas weather!

Who's Afraid of Tuna Casserole

I've never liked tuna casserole. Coming up, the only way my mom prepared tuna was, tuna salad. When I met my husband, one of his favorite dishes his mom made was tuna casserole. In almost 22 years of marriage, I've never made tuna casserole, because I didn't like it. The truth is... I never tried it.

Recently, I watched Food network's Sunny Anderson make her version of Tuna Noodle Casserole.

In the past two years, I've cooked and eaten dishes I've never eaten for Project What's For Dinner. It was time to try Sunny's Tuna Noodle Casserole.

After planning my menu for the week, I went shopping and got everything including necessary ingredients for tuna casserole. Excited, I tweeted "Making tuna noodle casserole tonight #whatsfordinner." Receiving a few retweets, and positive replies excited me even more. That night came and went, and no tuna noodle casserole.

I was scared. It sounds crazy, but it's much like being afraid of the dark, not knowing what's lurking.

Forging ahead, I would not be intimidated by a tuna casserole. Following the recipe, I left out a few ingredients my family isn't fond of thyme, horseradish, and peas. I also substituted Sunny's recommended cheeses, for a fiesta blend. An adaptable recipe is very important.

The key component of this dish is the homemade cream of mushroom. It pulls all the flavors together in creamy goodness. After adding panko bread crumbs for the topping, it was a masterpiece, and I couldn't wait for it to come out of the oven.

My fear was unnecessary. It was delicious, and my family enjoyed it. I served it with Parmesan zucchini chips.

Are there any dishes you're afraid of cooking or eating?

Panty Hose Are Still Evil

I absolutely HATE panty hose! When possible, I try to avoid wearing them at all cost. But then there are times when I just can't get around it, like yesterday! Three years ago I wrote Panty Hose Are Evil.

I was wearing a winter white skirt suit, one of those suits that "require" panty hose. Plus, the formalities of why I was wearing the suit, paired with winter still... you understand.

Remembering I didn't get hose, I ran to WalMart to pick up a pair of sheer, oatmeal. The reason for my disdain goes far beyond the itchy and scratchy. I can never get a pair to fit! They're always too short, too long, or something! I am 5'2 and one half inch, one hundred and fifty something pounds, and currently wearing a size ten/twelvish. I fall in the size 2 range, on the panty hose chart. Due to experience and to be safe, I buy a size three.

I gingerly pull the hose out of the bag, and they look a little short. Trying my best to make it to Sunday School, I dismiss it, and precede to put them on. Starting at the toes, like my mother showed me... I put one foot in, then the other, easing the panty hose up. They stop at the top of my thighs. Are you kidding me???

I take the hose off, and give them a stretch, trying to lengthen them. Starting over, I put them on again, the very same way. This time they just barely make it all the way up... and the crouch is still between my legs. Refusing to take them off again, I start lunging, and POW! The seat of the hose popped like a fire cracker, sending runs down the left leg.

On our way to church, I had to stop by WalMart, again. This time I was going to make sure they were big enough. I bought QUEEN SIZE. There were thousands of people (exaggeration, but there were a lot), and the lines were long! I put the new hose on after getting to church (I missed Sunday School). They fit.

By the time church was over, the queen size panty hose had given up on me. I had elephant legs. When I was a little girl, I couldn't wait to wear panty hose. Now, I feel like panty hose are a punishment.

What have been your experience with the evil ones?

Sunday Inspiration

A few days ago, going through a stack of Cd's in my car, I ran across a Kirk Franklin Cd, 'Storms.' I had forgotten just how much I loved this song. I've played in more than a dozen times in three days, and then watched it on Youtube. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I'm Pooped

This week the ONLY day my girls didn't have a basketball game was Wednesday. The only reason we didn't have somewhere else to go was due to the threat of thunderstorms.

Dinner was ready, and we were eating by 6:30. Afterwards, I sat on the couch and fell asleep, and Mr. Husband nodded off in a chair. Not long after drifting off, I woke up to find the Mr. had vacated his chair. He was in the bed... Shocked I asked what he was doing in the bed at that hour. It was entirely too early.

He responded something about me asleep on the couch. Then I did the most sensible thing... joined him. We were in the bed by 7:30 p.m. We talked for only a very few minutes... I don't even remember falling asleep. But I did think, I would wake up about 2, or 3 a.m. It didn't happen. I didn't wake up until the alarm went off at six, the next morning.

I must have REALLY been tired. Going to bed that early CAN NOT become a frequent occurrence. It's a sign of getting old, and I'm trying my BEST to stay as young (at heart) as I can!

Going Red

Today was National Wear Red Day, an initiative of American Heart Association's, Go Red For Women. I wore read today in support. Did you?

Over The River, And Through The Woods

I love having a GPS system. Instead of calling for directions, or getting on the computer to look them up, I simply set my location and go. A very nice lady, Miss GPS, tells me where to go, when to turn... No problem, no hassle.

That was until earlier this week.

Headed to my daughter's basketball game, I knew how to get to the city we were going to, but I had no clue where the high school was. After inputting the address, the kids and I hit the road, to meet Mr. Husband there. Thirty minutes into the drive, Miss GPS told me to turn left. But Mr. Husband had already given directions to turn a few miles later.

We finally arrived at the game, after being caught in terrible traffic, and 30 minutes late.

After the game, I set Miss GPS for destination home. Like getting to the school, I had no idea how to get back to the highway. This time, she didn't take us back the way we came. We went left... right... right... right... Around a corner, through back woods, up a hill... down a hill... right turn... NOTHING looked familiar, but I continued to drive, and follow her directions.

Miss GPS took us the way I wouldn't initially go. Finally she lead us back to a familiar highway, and from there I shut her down. Like a homing pigeon, I returned to my roost.

Sooner that right away, I will be updating Miss GPS. I don't ever want to have that experience again. It felt like I we were being lead into a horror movie, with a very bad ending.

I'm Walking

Last year, I created a 28 Day Challenge, pushing myself to write a fresh new blog post every day in February. It's February again, and this year it's a 29 Day Challenge.

Like millions of people on January 1, I set goals, (not resolutions). Included in those goals were lose weight, start exercising/working out, and become healthier.

January has come and gone, and I haven't lost any weight. I thought about exercising (but I don't think that counts), and I haven't gotten any closer to becoming healthier. Yesterday, a conversation with my mom kind of sparked a little something.

She reminded me, I had the perfect schedule. I could walk mornings after the kids leave for school, and still have plenty of time before going to work. True.

Then she got started on my affair with Coca-Cola. If I cut back on drinking Coke, I could lose a few pounds, reduce my risk of various health issues, and save a few dollars that could use for a gym membership, she said. True again.

I listened, opened my Coke, and sat at my computer.

This morning, I could hear her voice in my head replaying our conversation. After the kids were gone. I took advantage of this lovely spring like weather. I strapped on my shoes, and hit the door. I walked 30 minutes, for a total of 2 miles.

Instead of drinking a Coke today, I'll make cranberry tea. I've not giving it up, but I will cut back, then we'll see how it goes. I'm committing to two Coke-less days THIS week. That's all I can promise.