Today's Baby Boo's birthday but we celebrated it last night. It's been years since I'd been to the Big C's place (Chuck E.'s). I'll suffice it to say that this may be my last for a long time. It's a place for parents who don't seem to care that their kids are climbing in sticky, gooey, germy slides or putting tokens in broken machines while eating pizza that tastes like cardboard. As Baby Boo put token after token in each machine, I had thoughts that if it was a slot machine, at least I might have a chance at winning some money back. Thank God she's two because we literally convinced her (faked her out) that she was driving the car or playing the games when we hadn't dropped in a single token. We cheered her on even when Game Over flashed across the screen. In the midst of the screaming kids who were running around unsupervised, there was a glimmer of hope that we wouldn't be there for too much longer. Baby Boo was afraid of Chuck E. Ch...

Your talents and gifts, I mean. I don't know why I thought of this but in the middle of things getting crazy and hectic, the gifts that I have haven't been necessarily been put to use. Sure, I use my writing talents while blogging and working on my children's book series BUT, it's not to it's fullest extent and I know it. I used to write poetry and music. I wrote short fiction and even entered some in contests. I journaled (not by computer but with an actual hardcopy) that I was quite faithful with. I loved learning something new and for that reason, when html was fairly new on the scene, I learned the codes the "old school" way and designed web pages. I also hosted a Bible study forum, a homeschool forum and a mom's forum which was featured in ivillage....many years ago. I painted wall murals and was featured for some of the murals that I've done, in my local newspaper. I also taught art and English at an alternative education school because not o...

I love me some Idie.arie. She speaks truth eloquently in many, many ways. The song I Am Not My Hair resonates loudly for me today. For one, after reading my daughter, Apricot's blog , I was shocked at the callousness that advertisers (some of them) have adopted to gain sales. Do they realize that little girls are now struggling with self-esteem issues? I interviewed a well known celebrity that told me that her niece is 8 years old and thinks she's fat and has asked her how to lose weight. When I worked at the elementary school, I had a little one that was 5 years old who wouldn't eat because she was afraid she was going to be "fat" like her mommy. The mom came into the office, distraught and crying because she was beside herself with what to do to get her to eat. The little one had cookies, candy, fruit, yogurt, cheese, pretzels...anything offered to her and she'd say, "No thank you." Finally it came down to telling her that she's got to pick one...

This is not an advertisement for Kleenex brand tissue although I'd be so grateful if they chose to sponsor me through this allergy season. I wouldn't mind receiving endorsements because after all, I use their products often. When I cough, sniff, sneeze, cry...the first thing I grab beside Boo's shirt sleeve, is the Kleenex box. And if Nyquil is listening in....I'm sniffling, snuffling and snorting (not that type of snorting) so ya think you can kick down a little bit of free products in this direction as well? While I'm at it, I'm also pmsing so to the following companies, I'd be so very grateful if you'd grace me with a lifelong supply of tampons, See's chocolates, Chocolate covered oreos and for good measure, a box or two of animal crackers. (There's just something precious about biting the tail off of a tiger.) Oh, and I can't forget Ben and Jerry's. What does a girl have to do to become a product taster? I'm willing to do product ...

I've had the joy of having new bloggers to follow as well as who are following me via the UBP. It's an awesome way to stumble on new blogs and also check out the great prizes that are being given away! If I win, I would love to have the first three prizes numbers...56, 49, 89 but if not, then I would love 9, 37, 12, 18, 19, 91, 28, 51, 57, 60, 131, 134, 68. Click on the button and follow the crowd and enjoy the party!

Sometimes I have a tendency to think outloud. My thoughts have been centered on wishing. When my sister and I were little, we would break the wishbone but not before closing our eyes and wishing...really making a BIG wish. Back then, we wished for stuff like, "I wish I was rich." "I wish I had a goat." "I wish I had a baby brother." "I wish I had long hair." Now that I'm older, the wishes have grown along with my age...well...in some ways. Here are some of the things that I wish... I wish I could play in the rain in bare feet. I wish I was a little girl again...just for one day. I wish that I could travel and see my blog friends face to face. I wish I could stay in bed and watch old movies, eat popcorn and only come up for air because I'm getting Ben and Jerry's. I wish I could spend time with my dad. I wish that it rained chocolate dipped Oreos. I wish that it was easier to love for most than it is to hate. I wish that I could bottl...

Don't forget to check out the blog, On Being where the guest poster is my daughter, Ev'Yan who is answering questions about being a fashion extraordinairre. She's filled with creative ideas for those days where you don't know what to do with your hair, your makeup or what to wear. Check it out! Julie has a nostalgic glimpse of childhood that totally brought back memories for me. Check it out here . Because I can sometimes be an imitator (not a copycat), I thought I'd go down memory lane of my childhood too. For shear honesty sake.. here goes... I remember when going to church meant being in church for hours. It also meant that the usher would tap you on your shoulder and hold out her hand if you had gum in your mouth. It also meant that if you acted up in church, all it took was the "look" and I straightened up and fast. If that didn't work, a trip outside meant one thing…a spanking and then back to try all over again. I remember eat...

That's how my weekend was! First, I had the greatest time hanging out with Sandi at the Cheesecake Factory on Saturday. I'm surprised they didn't ask us to pay a rental fee for hanging out at the restaurant for so long! Time flew by fast though but with the promise that we'd get together again...that's for sure! Sandi is EVERY BIT of who she is on her blog. I knew that she was even before we met face to face but being able to hang out with her, I adore her for the wonderful person that she is. (She's also pretty gorgeous too!) On the way back from the Cheesecake Factory, I stopped off at Super Walmart. I should've worn my hard hat. I got ran over by an old lady driving an electric shopping cart. She went to back up and hit turbo reverse or something and then forget how to brake. I went flying, right into the cart in back of me. Nothing is broken, all though my back hurts like heck. I think the lady was worried that I was going to sue her because she waited ...

I followed the great advice that I got here. One that seemed to be an overwhelming majority was chocolate for getting rid of the blahs. So, I went out and got some chocolate....not just any chocolate but Lindtz Chocolate Cherry Chili. It's an interesting blend of sweet and spice with deep dark chocolate! Yum! Next, I had a glass of wine and then went blog hopping. As I blog hopped, I went to my Girl Sandi's blog and she had a cool music hit list going. Now, for those of you who know me....I love music. In fact, it often reflects how I feel. If I have it on, I feel so calm and happy. Without music, it feels like something is missing. So, I enjoyed the music, sang and chair danced a bit and then chilled out with a good book. That was the key...chocolate and music....I woke up feeling much better today. On the topic of music, I play the piano although I aspire to be much better than I am. My ex played the guitar and also piano and together, we wrote and produced quite a few song...

Have you ever had one of those days? I can't pinpoint why I'm feeling blah but I am. I don't think I'm physically sick....nothing hurts although I am yawning, ALOT!! I'm emotionally tired. Is it possible I could be coming down with an emotional flu of some sort? The kind where even thinking takes up too much energy? Here are the symptoms... 1. Don't care 2. Don't give a rip 3. Can't stand to look at myself in the mirror. 4. Smile is on neutral...just can't get the edges of my lips to form into one. 5. Don't feel like laughing but crying can be easily achieved. 6. My thoughts are, "What now?" 7. Even a massage wouldn't make it all better. It's not that time of the month... My head doesn't hurt... Whatever! I guess I'll go and have a good cry and see if it makes it feel better whatever it is that isn't.

(a letter to my daughters) When I get old.... 1. Smell me before I walk out the door. I don't want to be responsible for anyone being overcome by ancient perfume fumes. 2. I want a chia head. Yep. I can cut the hair, braid it, part it in the middle...rub it's head.... 3. I want the clapper. I live to grow old just so I can clap on and clap off. 4. Don't withhold any information from me. I want to know when I'm expected to kick the bucket so I can go out and raise some hell before I go. 5. Don't expect me to eat my foods soft. If I can't chew, then I would much prefer a fried chicken IV with Ben and Jerry's ice cream IV for dessert. 6. If by chance I end up needing a walker, please make sure it has turbo boost on it so it can fly me wherever I want to go. 7. If I look like crap, don't tell me that I look good and then behind my back talk about how I have one foot in death's door. 8. If I end up with alzheimer's, don't feel bad if you have to t...

I have to admit that if I'm talking to you and you have an accent, then 99.9 percent of our conversation will not be understood. I don't understand why I'm so accent challenged, even when the person is speaking English but I am. Case in point...my best friend and I were at the Cheesecake Factory and the waitress whose name was Inga or something close to it said, "Would you like bed and vodka?" I looked at my friend and she looked at me. I had hoped she would answer her but since she didn't, I asked her, "Exucse me???" meaning for her to repeat it, which she did. Hmmm, bed and vodka. Sure! So I told her, "Sure!" After she left, my friend asked, "Are they giving massages while we wait for our food?" I said, "I dunno but if vodka is involved, sounds god to me." Well, a few minutes later, it hit me,. She said, "Would you like bread and butter?" Big difference from bed and vodka. Another time, my ex and I went out...

Ever since I can remember, there's always been not one but two. In fact, I wouldn't know what to do without my other half, my twin sister. Everywhere she went, I went. My earliest memory is of her feeding me flowers, although she would deny it and tell me that it was my idea and she was the one being coerced. Just like it was "my" idea to catch bees, getting stung and all and coloring on the walls. When she hurt, I hurt. When she cried, I cried. The very first time we were separated was in kindergarten. According to state laws, twins weren't allowed to be placed in the same classroom. So off she went to her own classroom and I went my way. The day was the beginning of sheer panic for me. What would I do without her? Who would keep me company when I went potty? Who would laugh at my jokes that only her and I got? That was the day that I began wetting my pants. I couldn't explain it but I was crying out to be back together again with my twin. Finally, the teache...

Just a reminder that there's another blog to ask all questions pertaining to the guest blogger on a specific topic. This week, there's more questions on Being Black. Check it out here

As long as I am Black, I will never read another Chicken Soup for the ….. book. My sister and I were jilted big time! Three years ago. We worked our butts off to get a book proposal in to the publishers. The book idea was Chicken Soup for Twins and Multiples. We would be the authors. The proposal was carefully laid out as was their requirements. We received a letter that stated that they were appreciative of our proposal but not interested in using the idea. March 10th, the book Chicken Soup for Twins and More will be published. Most of the chapters and outlines belonged to my sister and I. We were jilted by Chicken Soup. But, what made it easy for them to “steal” the idea was that there is a three year spectrum of time where they aren’t able to utilize any book proposal ideas and then after that, null and void. Their next publication should be Chicken Soup for the Thieves Soul.

This is our weekend to have Baby Boo and each time she's here, she has learned something new. She's now managing to carry on a full conversation. It may not be the most interesting thing to chat about but she's happy to talk as long as someone is listening. Here is the conversation her and I just had. Me: Baby Boo, I've got to clean up. You wanna help? Baby Boo: Hep. I hep! (She dances foot to foot, anxious to get started) Me: I'm going to vacuum.Do you want to help? (Baby Boo disappears in a flash. Then I hear a scream. She's in her room with her lip quivering.) Baby Boo: Momo! Momo! No like vacuum. Scared. (she lifts her arms for me to pick her up) (I carry her to the vacuum and touch the handle.) Me: Vacuum is nice. See? Nice! Baby Boo: Put way. Put vacuum way. Coset. (I move the vacuum around.) Me: Varoom. Varoom. Don't you want to help Momo clean? Baby Boo: No. Vacuum way. Coset Momo. Put way. (I sigh loudly and put it away. She peeks behind my leg to ...