In 2010...

I literally cannot believe that another year has passed!  I am truly blessed with so many wonderful friends, and a loving family who have been a huge presence in the past year.  As always, some people have come, others have gone, but the true ones have remained the same.  I have purposed in my heart several new years resolutions (as I'm sure you have too), and am determined to see them through this time! 

I also want to thank YOU for checking out this blog (which I am determined to spend more time with this year). 

And so I leave you with an irish blessing (or two):

"In the new year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship,

never in want. 

May the road rise to meet you,


May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

J'adore: Hawaii

I haven't posted in FOREVER! But I absolutely had to write about my travel lust at the moment. I am dying to go somewhere and just get out of town. I've been to Honolulu twice and absolutely adore both the island of Oahu and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort (where I stayed both times). The tropical sunshine, soft breeze, and glittering blue waters are to die for. Not to mention the delicious food and drinks! I will remember their macadamia coconut pancakes until I die, they are AMAZING. And I swear I staked out the coffee shop in the resort for the entire week I was there last time for a Passionfruit Muffin - I've seriously considered calling and asking them to ship them to me. It's so sad, I know. Trust me, if you had one you'd also suffer from the same withdrawal. In the meantime, all I have are some photos to remind me of the beautiful island and I thought I'd share them with you - if you ever get the opportunity, GO. The (for me) 12 hours in a plane is totally worth it once you get there.

Feel Good Moment of the Morning - Miley

This really made me shed a tear. How absolutely adorable was this! For all the smack people talk about Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) this was so great for her to do! She gets mad love from me for doing this for this ADORABLE little girl, who is suffering from some type of illness. :)

Feel good moment of the morning.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, people, it's coming. The Holiday Season.

My most favorite and wonderful time of the year...Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc! Who can resist the delicious smells of winter pine, fresh baked christmas cookies, the potpourri of scents...

The beautiful twinkle lights decorating houses and buildings, the hustle and bustle of the season, the decorations, the traditions! Yum! I get all excited just thinking about it!

Since I was a little kid, I absolutely adored Christmas - not for the presents (don't get me wrong, Santa is THE MAN), but the sounds, sights, and smells of the season were the real draw. The anticipation of Christmas morning, and now that I'm a grown up - it seems to fly right on up and then it's over in a moment.

Why is it that the Holiday season lasted so much longer when we were in kids, enduring endless days of school until Winter Vacation crept up? We wrote list upon list and sent them to "Santa" and his Merry Elves, assured that we had been good enough to receive plenty of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. We shuffled from our homes to visit our loved ones for the holiday, and the best part of the season: Getting the tree, bringing it home and taking out the treasured ornaments and decorations that had been carefully packed away the year before. Each ornament on our family tree at my Mom & Dad's home has special meaning, was created by little hands at some point in elementary school, or was a treasured heirloom. They are treated like the finest spun glass, and packed away again just as carefully at the end of the season for the next year.

Who doesn't love turning off the lights and watching the lights on the tree twinkle after working so hard to put everything together?

Yes, it's still early, this year. But Halloween always marks for me the beginning of the most fabulous season of the year...Christmas!

Thanks to Starbucks for putting me in the mood this morning when they handed me my Venti CHRISTMAS cup!! You know it's coming when Starbucks is handing out the red cups! lol.

J'adore: LNA

I absolutely adore LNA clothing! At my birthday dinner a few weeks ago, I wore an outfit comprised of an LNA deep v-neck tee and their metallic silver zipper leggings paired with an Express Studded Boyfriend blazer. EVERYONE was asking me about my outfit and especially my Leggings!

Ladies & Gents, I give you.... LNA!


Lauren Alexander and April Leight are the fabulous designers (hence the LNA name, get it?). They started with the simple idea of creating the perfect men’s tee for women. “Our idea behind the line has always been to create perfect basics with some edge”, says Alexander.

With a collection that now includes everything from Lace Tee’s to their signature Zipper Legging, LNA will always have their initial goal in mind: designing wardrobe staples with a twist. “Our focus is always finding a new way to put our own spin on basics. Every season comes new inspiration and a new twist”.

After discovering this brand, I fell in love. While a little on the pricey side for those of you rocking Hanes tees, they're well worth their cost, and you can often catch them on sales (google search). Right now, Singer 22 is offering a free LNA tee with a $100 LNA purchase (Click the pic to go to their page):

If you're on Twitter, you may want to follow @LNAClothing to keep up on their latest trends and the designers' success! Otherwise, check out their website (where you can also find deals) http://www.lnaclothing.com/!
(Excerpts and image taken from LNA's website)

Gabriella G. is entered into the Gap Casting Call

Hi, Gap is holding a nationwide contest to find the next faces of babyGap and GapKids, and Gabriella G. is entered into the contest. Check out Gabriella G.'s entry here:	Contestant # 795827350
This email was sent to you by your friend to refer you to the Gap Casting Call. You have not been added to Gap's marketing list.

This message was sent using SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend Report spam Remove me

Gabriella is falling into...the GAP!

Ok, so I'm pulling out all the stops here and asking people TO PLEASE vote for Kip's niece (and my fave kiddo) Gaby:

To vote for Gabriella go to:

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall

Then see the link on the lower left that says “Search Entries”


In the Search box enter: GJGMom

That should bring back all of Gabriella’s entries for you to click on and vote.

*You will need to register your email address for fair voting. If you are not interested in receiving “junk” emails from Disney/Family.go.com then please remember to un-check the boxes. This will opt-out your information. You only need to register ONCE.

Good luck & Happy Voting!

Dad for a day: Young surprises McNair's sons

Dad for a day: Young surprises McNair's sons

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This is seriously the sweetest thing! NFL Star Vince Young surprised Steve McNair's elementary school aged children by arriving to escort them to their school's "Dear Dads Breakfast". (For those who don't know, their father Steve McNair was shot and killed on July 4th by his alleged mistress).

Not only is this man stepping up to the plate, but he's doing it for someone else's kids! He says that McNair was so good to him and basically a father/big brother figure to him growing up that it was the least he could do.

Not true, I say. There are many kids out there with absentee fathers (for many different reasons), but Vince Young - when you have kids of your own they will be blessed with a truly great father!

Hats off to you!

I Can Do Bad All By Myself

So last night we went out and caught Tyler Perry's new movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myelf.

WOWWWWWW....

I always love Tyler Perry's stuff, and who doesn't love Madea?!

This movie was incredible. The songs in it were amazing and there was a significant part of the movie that took place in church - like most Tyler Perry movies - but for whatever reason this one took the cake.

As a huge fan of the plays, when I saw Meet the Browns in the theatre it just couldn't touch Mr. Brown's performance in the play. While still very enjoyable, it didn't really compare to the play. I was anticipating the same from I Can Do Bad All By Myself. But whaaaaaaaaaat.....was I surprised!

I LOVED Taraji P. Henson's performance, and I ABSOLUTELY ADORED the musical numbers in the movie. Mary J. Blige looked sublime as Tanya, and although you can take her out the hood - you sure can't take the hood outta Mary. lol. She was doin it, don't hurt em Mary!

So my point is this: If you have the time and some money (Hey, matinees are cheap or check your local theatre for discount ticket night - yes, they exist) go out and support a GOOD black film.

Tyler Perry and Madea can get my money any day of the week!

Caster Semenya: Follow Up.....It's a Girl!

Photo courtesy of lemondrop.com
http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/09/09/runner-ignores-gender-scandal-gets-a-glam-makeover/?icid=webmailwbml-aoldl2link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemondrop.com%2F2009%2F09%2F09%2Frunner-ignores-gender-scandal-gets-a-glam-makeover%2F



Check out this article that shows magazine photos after they do a makeover of Caster Semenya (as seen in a prior post).



Awww. She is cute. Who cares whether she's a girl or guy...I feel bad for her either way.

Slapping Other People's Kids: Don't Do It.

Courtesy of http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0902091slap1.html:

Busted For Slapping Stranger's Crying Child
Georgia man, 61, threatened to "shut that baby up" at Walmart
SEPTEMBER 2--Meet Roger Stephens. The Georgia man, 61, was shopping Monday morning at a Walmart in Stone Mountain when he crossed paths with Sonya Matthews and her two-year-old daughter Paige. The child was crying, which apparently greatly perturbed Matthews. "If you don't shut that baby up I will shut her up for you," Stephens warned Matthews, according to a Gwinnett County Police Department report. Moments later, Stephens acted on his threat, slapping Paige "across the face approximately four or five times." Though the child "started crying and screaming" after being struck, Stephens told Matthews, "See, I told you I would shut her up." After police were summoned, Stephens told a cop that the child was crying "and he just slapped her," according to the report. Stephens was arrested for felony cruelty to children and booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. Paige sustained "slight redness to the face," but was otherwise unharmed.

People, please don't bust other people's kids upside their heads. That's their job (no matter how ill-mannered their child may be) - not yours.

Lesson: If you hit my kid and I don't know you, I will fight you in the middle of [insert Store name here]. That is all.

Girls' Date at Ketchup

Photo courtesy of PinkRoom Photography (http://blog.pinkroomphotography.com).

This weekend I went on a Girls' Date to Ketchup at the new National Harbor in DC/MD. (It's more like D.C., but technically Maryland). Can we just say YUMMMMMM...after this I'm thinking of changing professions to food critic. The experience overall was great. They were extremely accomodating on a Saturday evening for a party of 8 - which is beyond surprising considering how busy they were. They were ready to seat us within 10 minutes of arrival! The only catch is that you have to have 75% of your party there.

We were seated in "the Back Room" which was super nice because it was quieter and separate from the rest of the restaurant and....we had our own large flat screen tv at the head of our table. Our waiter, Chris W. was very entertaining and certainly made the experience even more fun for our group. He was very honest about his recommendations and people's opinions of the dishes. Just how we like 'em.

One of my besties, NOLA native, Auntéa brought two of her friends, Claire and Karen to dinner and as we waited on Jessie and Wuyah to arrive we ordered two appetizers for the table.

If you take anything away from this it's: ORDER THE THREESOME at Ketchup.

In case you're wondering, the Threesome is Old Bay fries, Cheddar fries, and Sweet Potato Fries served with 7 different kinds of Ketchup (i.e. Maple, Raspberry, Herb & Garlic, Regular, Chipotle, etc.).

No words can describe the subsequent foodgasm. Next...

Make sure you order at least one of their AMAZING martinis. While pricey at $12 each, the menu is amazing. I tried three different ones (no, I'm not an alcoholic, lol) and each one was equally as good as the first. At the table we had an array of 5 or 6 of the martinis offered.

The American Psycho, had yoo-hoo, kahlua, and vanilla vodka (I think). If you like mudslides, try this one.

The Gallagher, was a watermelon flavored martini that comes in a martini glass rimmed with green sugar and topped with a slice of watermelon - the general consensus was that this was the best they had, it certainly looked it!

The Honeymooner, was a champagne martini - don't ask me what it had in it other than that, it was my third - don't judge. lol. It also was pretty good - think pink mimosa.

Taya and Karen tried the Dazed and Confused, which I'm told was similar to a margarita, and had Patron Silver in it. I'm not a tequila fan - hence, my avoidance, but hey - everyone else thought it was great!

The second appetizer we tried was the Crab Dip - as a true Baltimorean, I have to say I thought it was pretty good - but it reminded me more of a Spinach & Artichoke dip than real Baltimore Crab Dip. Also, they got minus points for serving the dip with fried bowtie pasta rather than chips or garlic bread. We found the pasta to be a) extremely fattening, and more importantly, b) not as good.

For dinner we had several "Young Chick"'s at the table, which were lemon and herb roasted chicken on brown rice with fresh steamed veggies - everyone who had it loved it. We also had the BLT Sliders (which were just the right size for a small meal).

Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera to the restaurant so we are without photos. But, hopefully I've described well enough the tasty treats we got at Ketchup and entice you to go there and try it out soon - if you haven't already!

Here's their contact info:

http://www.dolcegroup.com/ketchup/

KETCHUP

152 Waterfront Street

National Harbor, MD 20745

(301) 749-7099

*Note: They don't accept reservations on weekends...so you better go either before the crowd between 6 and 7 PM or after (we went after).

J'adore: Peter Thomas Roth

Ok, people. I've never had really awful skin but once I hit my twenties (managed to make through my teen years unscathed) I started with breakouts randomly. I've been to the dermatologist, had plenty of prescription items, completely messed up my skin with Proactive (don't do it. I'm warning you.), and tried almost everything...

AND THEN.

I found Peter Thomas Roth products. I actually was recommended while reading Khloe Kardashian's blog (http://www.khloek.com/). She mentioned that she and her sisters are loving the PTR line right now. And then as fate should have it - they opened a Sephora in my building at work. So "Why not?", I purchased the Gentle Foaming Cleanser, the Radiance Oxygenating Serum, the Viz-1000 and the Max All Day SPF 30 Lotion. Don't get it twisted, it costs a pretty penny. But the results are worth every one of those little pennies!

Within one week of twice daily usage, I've seen my skin transform! My next step is to try their un-wrinkle product for my eyes (yes, I have A wrinkle. And it's awful. It's right in between my eyes). 25 year old's can have wrinkles too, people. :o)

I'll let you know how it turns out, but I am seriously worshipping Peter Thomas Roth right now.

Caster Semenya's testosterone levels are off the charts

Caster Semenya's testosterone levels are off the charts (Click the link to read the article)

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I don't know if anyone's been following this story about Caster Semenya the track and field runner from Africa. But.....it's definitely questionable. Check out the youtube videos as well...




I mean...I feel bad for her in either case - whether she doped or she's just naturally got high levels of testosterone. How embarrassing! But DANG. She SMOKED the competition! They need to let her run with the boys and see how she does.

Yes, We Can.

That's how I feel about this healthcare reform.

"Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change." - Barack Obama, January 8th 2008, "Yes, We Can" Speech.

WE WANT CHANGE.

LMAO. Why you shouldn't talk about your job on Facebook...

http://www.mediatakeout.com/2009/34723-busted_heres_why_you_should_never_talk_about_your_job_on_facebook.html

Courtesy of MediaTakeout.com

They are the best...I check their website daily...lol.

The More Loving One

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

-W.H. Auden

Jamaican Independence Day - 8/6/09!

Join Jamaicans all over the globe and show your support for Jamaica on our Independence Day (August 6th) by wearing clothing/shoes with the colors of the Jamaican flag, Green, Black and Gold (Yellow). We are aiming for people all over world to wear Green, Black and Yellow for this celebration every year.

Jamaica has influenced the world with our food, music and culture. Join millions of people all over the world in this symbolic celebration and let them know it is Jamaica Independence Day.
Each color in the flag is symbolic: the black stands for hardship, the green for both hope and the fertile land, and the gold for wealth and sunshine.

The flag’s original symbolism is “Hardships there are, but the Land is green and the Sun shineth.”

New Symbolism as of 1996 - Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" is the symbolism of the Flag. Black symbolizes the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people ; Gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources. Spread the word and don't forget to wear Yuh Colors on August 6th, Jamaica’s Independence Day!

Since I'm Jamaican by Affiliation, lol....I wanted to let you know about this! I know my Man and his family will be representing JA!! Get more info at http://www.jamaicans.com/funstuff/wearyuhcolors.shtml.

Grad Sues College for $70,000 Because She Can't Find a Job - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Grad Sues College for $70,000 Because She Can't Find a Job - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Happy 25th Birthday, Shlee Lee!

You are the most fabulous, glamorous, spectacular gal I know. I love you a million!

I cannot believe that the shy little soccer player with all that bright blonde hair has turned into the fashionista that she is today, and I'm fortunate to have such a wonderful and loyal friend as yourself. You're more than my friend, you're family! :)

I wish you all of my happy thoughts today, and am toasting you from afar to many more years (omg. i can't believe it's been 11 years since we met - we be old, Kid!) of friendship!

Moving Day is On It's Way!!

Why is this stuck in my head? LOL!

Because this morning when I was getting ready for work, it was playing on TV. And like an idiot I sat there and watched it. But you have to admit it's catchy though!!! lol.

Oh to be a kid on summer break again.....*sigh*.

Six Phases of Work

Courtesy of my Aunt Donna up at Good Ole Southwest Airlines, I only wish I could figure out how to copy and paste the hilarious pics that accompanied it:


Which stage are you in???


Phase 1


You are listening to jazz -- Your first day at work is great
Your co-workers are wonderful, your office is cute,
you love your boss, and your President is the best!

Phase 2

You are listening to pop music -- After a while you are
so busy that you are not sure if you're coming or going anymore.

Phase 3

You are listening to heavy metal --
This is what happens after about SIX Months!

Phase 4

You are listening to hip hop -- You become bloated due to stress,
you're gaining weight due to lack of exercise because you are so
tired and have so much work to do and when you get home you have more work to do.
You feel sluggish and suffer from constipation.
Your fellow co-workers are too cheerful for your liking and the walls of your cubicle are closing in.

Phase 5

You are listening to GANGSTA RAP --
After more time passes, your eyes start to twitch,
you forget what a 'good hair day' feels like as you
just fall out of bed and load up on caffeine.

Phase 6

You are listening to the voices in your head --
You have locked the office door to keep people out,
You wonder WHY you are even here in the first
place and WHY did I come to work today!

Tyler Perry Sends 65 Inner City Kids to Disney World

This message has been reproduced from Tyler Perry's website (http://www.tylerperry.com/):

See also People.com (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20292532,00.html).

"7.19.09

This made me so angry.

Since Michael Jackson died I have not watched the news. I have just been so disgusted at how the mainstream media has riddled this family with disrespect, and no matter what anyone, you or I included, might have thought of him, the truth of the matter is this - the man was still a human being and his kids and family deserve some privacy and space. And I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way, so I purposely kept the TV off. Anyway, I was walking through the house, and I don't know how this TV was on, but I saw a little boy on the news crying his eyes out. So I turned it up. Here is this kid talking about being kicked out of the Valley Swim Club outside Philadelphia because he was black. Did you hear me? I said, "No way, this can't be! It's 2009. I don't believe this!" But, I know it happens even in this year of Obama.

As I listened to the story the anchorperson went on to talk about a woman named Althea Wright. This young lady started a non-profit called Creative Steps to help inner-city children. And apparently she had booked the Valley Swim Club's pool and paid for it to be used by the children through the summer. As we all know, this is such a great thing. During the summer our kids can get into a lot of trouble if they don't have something creative to do. Anyway, as the story went on I was shocked to find out that it wasn't just him but 65 children in all, black and Hispanic kids, that were kicked out of the pool. You should Google this story and read it online for yourself. It's crazy! I went from being mad to being furious.

The news reporter went on to say that the president of the club and its members said, and I quote, "We don't want to change the complexion of our club." The president refunded the money of the children and asked them not to come back. WHAT?! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I said I have to do something for these children. I can't let them think that they are inferior because of the color of their skin. Then that night I saw the president of the Valley Swim Club on the news again saying that he misspoke and that it was a safety issue and the club wasn't able to accommodate so many children. But the children themselves reportedly said that members were taking their kids out of the pool, and that they were saying things like, "Why are they here?" and "They're black", even insinuating that these kids would steal or maybe hurt their children. Now get this. A few days later I catch the story again on CNN. This time the club was inviting the kids to come and swim. WHAT?! I'm confused. If you refunded the money because there was not enough room in the pool and it was a safety issue then why are you asking the same 65 kids to come back?

This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life. These kids see the images of President Obama on TV and then they see the drug dealers and thugs on the corner. Which do you think is more their reality? One act of kindness, one person telling them that they are special, one moment of encouragement can make them move mountains. I know it to be true because I was one of them. They don't need to be called names and be told that they are less than, because of the color of their skin or because of where they come from.

I was told that one of these children, a seven year old, asked her mother if she was "to black to be in a pool." How do you answer that? How do you get a seven year old past that? Again, it broke my heart and I wanted to do something, and I feel like you all would want to do something, too. That's why I'm telling you this. Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something I feel like by me doing this we are all doing it together. So what I did was on Aug 1st thru 3rd I'm sending these kids to Disney World, and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much. And do me a favor please. When you see these kids coming through the airport, (I'm sure you won't be able to miss them. I imagine they are going to be super excited) when you see them in the park and in the hotel, let's show them a whole lot of love and respect. Show them that they are just as good as anyone else. And show them that they can do or be anything they want to be no matter what any one says!

Thanks,
Tyler Perry"

Ummm...ok. First of all - what the hell. This is so many kinds of wrong. No, let me say it like this. THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR COMMUNITIES. I just had a debate earlier today regarding white v. black and the status of racism and then this comes up. Me personally, I think that I'm one of the most open-minded, culture embracing persons out there. I just wish everyone could be like me (not to toot my own horn here or anything). My point is this: these are kids. Young, impressionable, disadvantaged children. They are in a program that is supposed to expand their horizons, give them opportunities that they may not get in life, and still they are turned down, turned away and ostracized. Thank God for people like Tyler Perry. If I had any kind of money, I'd contribute to this cause too! What I don't understand is why people aren't more aware of their actions. As a white person, I can't understand the closed-mindedness, the ignorance and the audacity of some of these people. How will we ever heal and grow from the generational gaps and discordance if we don't start with the kids? Give them positive images, positive role models, and OPPORTUNITY.

Maria Robinson said this, "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.". And I'm seconding that.