Farewell to Black History Month

Today is the last day of Black History Month. Unfortunately my children did not have a lot of activities at school that honored BHM. I plan to do something with them today. They learn about the basics, Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, etc... But there were so many AA that have contributed so much to this world. Charles Drew-performed the first open heart surgery. Garret Morgan-invented the stop light. Madam C.J. Walker-first black female millionaire, revolutionized black hair care. George Washington Carver-made many peanut inventions, including peanut butter and peanut oil. It's amazing how much we have contributed to this world.

I am going to get on a committee next year to plan a program in honor of Black History Month. History is very important! When I was a child, the only person we learned about was Martin Luther King, and that we were once slaves. My 5th grade teacher Mrs. Maebane, was the first to introduce me to black history. She told me if you don't know where you came from, you will never know where you are going and that is so true.

So, today I will collect my reports from my children. I had had them draw out of a hat, some infuential African American, from both present and the past. My oldest had to do a 3 page report, my 9 year old a two page report, and my 6 year old, an oral report. They even have a skit planned!! This should be so much fun. My oldest child is so creative. I think its on Rosa Parks, but not sure.

I am going to cook a big dinner (Soul Food, of course lol) and my parents are going to come over and talk to the children about how things were different when they grew up and how far we have come and the importance of education, so that should be interesting. Who knows what the heck will come out of my dad's mouth...lol

Should be fun. Gotta go! I have to go clean GREENS! What fun. I am cooking Collard Greens, Candied yams, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Ham, and Corned Bread......
My mom is coming over later to help out.

Dana

Good night folkes

I am super-tired. I did alot today. I managed to get laundry done, clean the kitchen, cook dinner, get kids ready for school, clean my room and scrapbook. Wohoo! Now I am dog-tired. I will post my layout on tommorrow. Turned out sooo cute.

Dana

Gladi-haters

If I could be on a reality show, it would be Gladi-haters! Yes, Gladi-haters. I would challenge my mil, sil , my dad, and all those scrapbook haters out there. We would have to get in a ring (with gloves) and fight until somebody goes down and I have 16 years worth of pinned up frustrations so I know for a fact it won't be me....lol.
Do you remember Gladiators, red team, blue teams, 2 men, 2 women, competing. They had to go thru several rounds of competitions and at the end they had to do the joust, where they had climb thru tunnels, climb walls, jump over walls, run thru tires, etc... Whoever did it the fastest won. That was one of my favorite shows.


I would also do couples fear factor. I don't think I can eat any bugs though! Yuck. But, would totally watch my husband do it.....lol

I could also, see my self on a talk show..... Scrapbookers Gone Wild...lol. I am such a fun-loving person. I like to have a good time! I love to talk and meet new people. I am soo much like my mother in that aspect. I never meet a stranger. Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. My husband tells me all the time, that I am going to be kidnapped, because I am too friendly and too trusting, but anybody who takes me will definitely bring me back, because I would talk them to death....lol

Dana

I saw Madea's Family Renunion

It was funny as HELL!! My husband, my cousin, her boyfriend, and I went to see it last night. It was really good! Had some hella fine men in it too. I love me some Blair Underwood and Boris is fine as heck! I just kept smiling. Tyler Perry is a genius. I saw all the Madea plays and I am ecstatic that they decided it to turn the play into a film. I want to see Madea goes to Jail in a movie.....that is going to be awesome. My oldest son can really imitate Madea, he cracks me up. Madea reminds me so much of my own grandma, in her no NONSENSE personality....lol

I have to go pick the kids up from my mom's. She just got home from Acapulco on Wednesday night and already came to collect her grandkids for the weekend. She spoils my kids rotten. They love her to death! I am getting some cleaning done, much easier to do without the kids. Then I am going to go have dinner with my parents and come home. The kids are going to be sooo upset I went to the movies without them. I will just let them go see it this weekend.

Don't walk, RUN to go see it! Two thumbs up!!

Dana

What annoys me...

I can post 20 pages on the things that my family does to annoy me, but I will try to my best to spare you the agony...lol Let's see, I will start with my Mother-in-law, she is one of those people who thinks she knows EVERYTHING. She always has to say the opposite of what I say, for instance, alot of people think that my daughter looks like me, she will argue all day long that she looks nothing like me....only her son. She's also one of those people who thinks that they CAN SAY ANYTHING THEY WANT, without repercussion. She once told me that scrapbooking was a waste of GOOD PAPER. I wanted to tell her she was a waste of space, but decided that wouldn't go over to well with my husband...lol. She is so comparative too, If I say my son started walking at 7 and 1/2 months(this is true of my second son), she will say all my kids were walking at 6 months and they were all potty trained before the age of 1. She always feels the need to be better at something. She tries to challenge me on everything, but I know she's just jealous and insecure. She bugs me to no end!

My sister-in-law, is just like her mom! Except she is NOSEY as hell. She always comes to my house and she has to peek in every room. She has to go in my bathrooms and look all around. I am not Martha Stewart, but my house is always decent. And her house and her mom's house is always filthy.....GO FIGURE. LOL

My mom- She should have been a preacher. She's always telling me what to do. You need to do this, you need to do that? I am the youngest of 3, and I think she still thinks I am a baby, even though I am 31 years old...lol. She also TELLS me what to do, but she will ASK my siblings. Hate that.

My dad- I love my dad, but he doesn't know how to communicate well. His delivery is always wrong. We are adults now...He still yells at my siblings and I, like we are teenagers and we sometimes get into these shouting matches. My dad is very ARGUMENTATIVE. He lives to argue! He should have been a lawyer. He will argue with a sign post. He is another person who doesn't care what he says. He speaks his mind at all costs. I can respect that to an extent, but I still feel that if you don't have anything nice to say...you know the rest....lol

My husband- He is sooo old fashioned in his way of thinking. He totally believes in the woman job is inside the house and the man works outside the house. He is super protective of my daughter and I. Sometimes can be overbearring, because he is always checking on me. He calls for hundred times a day and he stops by on his lunch. My daughter can't even mention she has male friends in his presence, but my son's can talk about girls all day long. He can be a bit obnoxious, he's fun, don't get me wrong, but sometimes he can be embarrassing...lol

My oldest son- He is a great kid, but he is in this mouthy stage. He's 13 going on 30. He can be a little self-centered at times. He constanlty wants, wants, wants, but sometimes gives nothing in return. He is very spoiled. Totally my parents fault! He was their first born grandchild and whatever he wants he gets..

My youngest son- He whines and cries alot! He is freaking 9 years old. I want to shake him and say snap out of it. He is a little bit too sensitive...lol

My daughter- lets just say we bump heads. There is only enough room for one queen in the castle and she think she's the queen. Her dad has her so high on this pedistal, that she thinks she is untouchable. I have to give her a reality check every now and again...She is very fiesty! Extremely bossy! she wants what she wants when she wants it...lol Drives me nuts.

My brother- He can be so mean sometimes! He has a really bad temper and is sometimes unapproachable. He's also the pop up kid, what I mean by that is he's always popping up over my house without calling...I never do that! I don't mind, sometimes, but sometimes he didn't pick the right time, if you know what I mean...lol

My sister- Very bossy! She thinks she can still tell me what to do and guess what sometimes I listen....lol

Don't get me wrong, I love my family to death, but every now and again, I wished they came with a remote, so I can push the off button...lol

Dana

Dating Disasters

Well, I never had the priviledge to do much dating. I met my husband a month after my 16th birthday and we have been together ever since...But I have been on some so-called dates. Once I went on a date with a guy named David Prince. I was a sophmore in high school and it was our Homecoming dance. It was my first year, in a new school and he was one of several guys who asked me out. He seemed like a great pick. He was very good looking, dressed nice, and seemed very charming. We talked a few times on the phone. He even came over my house and we talked. Finally we went to homecoming. I was so angry, because I did not want to wear a dress. My mom made me. She made me wear this hoop floor length strapless gown, with a tiara, and these semi-high healed glass slippers. When David arrived, she wanted me to make this grand entrance, down the stairs, so I thought I would give myself a practice run. I waltzed down the stair, ended up tripping and falling and breaking the freaking heal off my shoe. My cousin Kevin had to nail the heal back on (that was a sign). My hair had come down, so my sister had to pin it back up. David arrived 45 minutes late and we headed to the dance with our other friends. He kept telling me over and over how pretty I looked, and I was blushing from ear to ear. When we got to the dance, he didn't want to do anything, we didn't talk, all he did was stare at me. Making me soooo uncomfortable. My god-brother Nic ended up babysitting me and David the whole night...He said that David had STALKER tendencies...whatever that meant. Finally,David asked me to dance. I looked at him, and he started to look a little funny...He looked as if he was melting...turns out David had on foundation and eyeliner....HE WORE MAKEUP! When I asked him about, he acted as if it were the most natural thing on earth. He said it brought out his good qualities... I was so unnerved by this. We ended up leaving with our other friends and going to the movies. We went to see Halloween 4 Michael Meyers return. When we were in the movies, I tried to put the makeup thing behind me. David had his arms around me... a scary part of the movie came on...he screamed, i jumped and kicked my glass slipper to the front of the movies, hitting some man in the back of the head, he laid his face on my chest, foundation was everywhere...the man who I hit with my shoe, stood up and starting cursing about being hit with the shoe...I was so embarrased that I never claimed my shoe. I just left the movie theater with one shoe on, we ended up going to White Castle ...and then we went home. Needless to say, David and I broke up about 3 weeks after this...he was not my type......lol

I shopped! Wohooo.

Yesterday, my husband had to go up North to pick up some new CD mixers, he's a dj.....723 dollars per cd player, but anyway, that's another topic. Windy City Scrapbooking is right around the corner, so I went there. I only got 20 minutes in the store, because he had to go to another store and they were closing, but you can't keep a good scrapper down. I am a determined woman. I bought tons of the New Kaliedoscope 3, boy are those papers to die for...kinda reminiscent of Basic Grey. I bought some Primas, those huge Heidi Swapp flowers in Pink and REddish Orange Color, the ghost letter in upper and lower case, HS white chipboard letters Schizophrenia, cute 7 gypsies rubons, and American Crafts Element Letter, I spent 110 dollars in 17 minutes now that is a record. He promises me that he will take me back and I can spend more time....does this man not know who is wife is....what kinda of damage does he think I will do in an hour???? LOL I will be posting pics of the goodies later...

Dana

Fun facts about Dana

I am a complete DAREDEVIL...I love going to amusement parks and water parks. There is not one roller coaster I won't ride. I once got on the Giant Drop (Six flags Great America), 6 times in a row, I felt horrible after, but had to prove a point. The killing part is...I am afraid of heights...I am terrified to go on a ladder...go figure.


I love HORROR movies. I scan the television everyday to see if a horror movie is coming on. A few of my all time favs are Candyman, The Exorcist, Salem's Lot, Halloween, Carrie, and Prom Night. When I was a kid, we always saw our horror films at the Drive-In, my brother and I would lay on top of the car, stick our hands in the windows and scare the hell out my mom and sister. My dad always fell asleep in the back.

I have 6 pets and the children want to add on...ugh. I have one crazy Chi-rat (Chihuahua/ Rat terrier mix), one crazy kitten, 1 Beta Fish, and 2 red ear aquatic turtles and 1 yellow baby... we had 9 hermit crabs and a Alligator Gecko, but they croaked....I am thinking about allowing the kids to get a bird, haven't made up my mine yet...

Nobody believes I am 31, everyone thinks I am a teenager. I get carded everywhere I go. I can't even buy freaking lottery tickets without being carded. I think its the height....lol

In school I was always on the honor roll, but I was always in trouble for fighting. The kids used to pick on me because I was short and many thought they would bully me, but after a couple of KNOCKOUTS....they left me alone really fast. My brother wanted a little brother, instead he got me and every Saturday, he would teach me how to box, wrestle, and teach me his Kung-Fu moves. I started testing it out on all the little boys in the neighborhood and got dubbed the TINY TERROR....Now my daughter is the same way and I hate it. PAYBACK IS A MUTHA...

I am a TOTAL and COMPLETE MOMMA'S GIRL. I am sooooo spoiled that is sickening. I get jealous when my mom spends toooo much time with my sister. Sometimes I even get mad, but then I have to snap back to reality, after all I'm 31 and not 13. I spend lots of time with my mom. She is my absolute best friend. I see her atleast 3 times a week and talk to her all day...
She just got home from Acapulco, she was there for 2 weeks and I was dying....


I was a teenage mother. My husband and I dated in high school and when I was a senior, I found out I was pregnant. At first, I was in denial. Praying for my monthly friend to arrive, but she was a definite no show. I first suspected I was pregnant in February....I got soooo sick in class, but passed it off as a bug. I knew for a fact I was pregnant in April, told myself I would tell my parents after prom which was in May, then I said I better wait until after I graduated in June, by the time July rolled around I still said nothing, I didn't know how to tell my parents. One night I decided to sleep in my mom's room and I was stretching and she looked at my stomach and it was just a little curve and she said " Dana, are you pregnant?" I started crying and told her yes...she was not MAD, just disappointed. My dad went into a rage, banned my then boyfriend, now husband from the house. He didn't get a chance to step foot in my house (atleat while my dad was there) until the day I came home from the hospital. It was a very stressful time for me. My mother-in-law was not supportive, nor was my father. My mother-in-law told me to my face that under no circumstances would she allow her son in the delivery room, because he was not old enough or mature enough to witness a birth...HUH? Was she freaking real..he was obviously old enough to make our son, but not old enough to see him being born. My husband didn't listen and was there every step of the way. He has always been there. We proved so many people wrong. 8 years after the birth of both of our son, we were married. We have been married for 8 years and together 16 years. Still in love. I finished college, he is a successful district manager for Walgreens.. I didn't slow him down, the children didn't hinder me from getting my degree, and we are still TOGETHER...all things people said would never HAPPEN....

I hope I gave you a small peek into my life..until next time...peace

Dana

Great day ahead!

I just checked the status of my many qvc orders and found that my Vintage binder clips are out for delivery. Hope they arrive soon!! Yippppeeee. I am waiting on my chipboard words, neopolitan paper pack, my k&compnay tags and file tabs, the breeze and meadow mini albums (may be sending back, because I heard they have these at Michaels for 5.99), and K&Company towering letters... I am sooo bad when QVC has scrapbooking on...

I just spent a small fortune in January on the stuff I ordered back in January. I got the TSV and have yet to put it together, but have plans for doing it this weekend.

I am going to Windy City Scrapbooking. They have all of the new Kaleidoscope papers and embellies in...and alot of the new HS. I go to Windy City, everytime my dh goes to get equipment from Audio Lines (he's a part-time dj), so I always make the excuse to tag along for the ride, and end up going to Windy City..I love this store!

I am going to head off to Target, heard they have some super cool stuff in the dollar spot and can't wait to get over there....

Can't wait 'til my hubby gets off work.

Now off to wash my linens and do dishes! Gotta butter my dh up, so I can get extra cash...lol

Dana

Random scrapbook facts..

1. How did you get into scrapbooking? I had just had my daughter and I was reading Parents Magazine and saw the cutest article about Memory Books. I was so impressed I went to Michaels and bought one of those kits. Didn't know where to begin. I found out Michaels had a scrapbooking class. I signed up! Loved it. Found tons of scrapbooking sites on the webs and the rest is history....


2. How do you define your style?I think I would say I am trendy scrapper...I love using all the trendy stuff.

3. Do you like scrapbooking with other people? Yes, I love going to crops. I find it inspiring. I have met and learned from so many talented scrappers. I even met a hall of famer. Joy Uzaranga at a crop in Archivers, Naperville

4. Do you have friends that scrapbook with you? Yes, but not often enough

5. Do you ever scrapbook about yourself? Rarely, but plan to include myself more. How else will my legacy be passed on...

6. Do you scraplift? If yes/no, why? A little, I have never totally lifted a whole layout, maybe one or two elements, maybe a color combination or design, but never the whole layout

7. Do you stamp in your scrapbook pages? Yes, I use a lot of foam stamps in my scrapbooking. I have a ton of rubberstamps that just sit inside my iris carts, but I plan to start using them more often...

Getting to know ...

If I had a chance to get to know someone better by reading their blogs that would be awesome. I would love to read:\

Oprah's blog- I love her so much. She is such a phenomenal woman, I would love to have a peek into her life, seeing what makes her tick. I respect her so much~

LL Cool J- just for the eye candy. Pray for a web cam....lol

Denzel Washington- above same reason. I think he is a total hottie and a wonderful actor.

Alicia Keyes- I really love her as an artist and think that she is a really down to earth person

Mike Epps- because he is so utterly funny! I probably wouldn't be able to get thru his blog without peeing my pants. Mike Epps has played in movies such as Next Friday, Friday after Next, All about the Benjamins, Fighting Temptations, Resident Evil Apocolypse, and recently played the garbage man in Roll Bounce.

Patti LaBelle- love her personality, she reminds me so much of my mom and she's a great cook love to get some recipes.

Zane- my favorite author....her stories are so erotically good, that I wonder what she would publish in those blogs of hers...lol. She is a literary genius.

Bill Clinton- I love this man. He is my favorite president and I would love to have a peek into his life.

Star Jones- I would really like to know how she lost all that weight. Boy she looks great!

Jesus-Could you imagine this....Would be great! Forget bible study...lol

10 things I can't live without

Wow, this is an awesome topic!

The ten things I cannot live without are:

1. Hearing my children's laughter and seeing smiles on their face
2. Cuddles and hugs from my husband
3. Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
4. Chocalate
5. Borders Books ...I love to read
6. TIVO
7. Being around my family and friends
8. My magazines
9. Talking to my mom on the phone
10. Shopping (especially for clothes and scrapbook supplies)

ADDED PICS OF MY BABIES
JACQUES 13
JARIEL 9
JAREE 6

Now playing...

If I could pick anyone to play me in a movie, I would pick Halle Berry, she is short and beautiful...she's a great actress....and I would be honored for her to act out my life. My life would be a mixture of DRAMA and COMEDY! I would have Will Smith play my husband, they act so much a like. I would have Bow Wow play my oldest son, the little boy from That's So Raven play my youngest son, and I would have the little girl on the Bernie Mac Show play my daughter. There would be many moments that are comedic! My children are so goofy! They make me laugh all the time. Especially my oldest son. My husband is NUT too! There will be those dramatic moments, because I am such a emotional and sensitive person. I have my moments. My feelings can get hurt so easily sometimes...lol. I think the movie would be A BLOCKBUSTER.

Dana

I love scrapbooking!!!

It has to be the most wonderful hobby in the world. I am so glad I found scrapbooking. It has truly become a way of life for me. I have met so many wonderful people that I would not have met unless I started scrapbooking. I feel like I have found my niche. I love to scrapbook. I have really got into the altering things too. I have altered notebooks and lunch boxes and journals...you name it. I really don't know what I would be doing, probably be bored out of my mind, if I could not stay up late at night drawing sketches, or reading a magazine, or working on a layout, or watching taped qvc programs, or shopping at Archivers, or hurrying to Michaels to use my 50%coupon, there are so many positive things involved with scrapbooking. Just talking about scrapbooking makes me happy! Many of my family member and friends don't get my obsession, but I know many of my scrapbooking buddies have already caught the scrapbooking bug! Dana

On the road again....

Road trip. If you could take a driving trip (in a reliable car!) and go anywhere in the country and take 2 of your scrapbooking friends/buddies/celebs with you-- Where would you go ?? Who would be the friends/people you would go with? What would you see? How long would you be gone?

If I could go on the road with two of my absolute favorite scrapping buddies or celebs who would I bring....wow, I would have to take NIA REDDY and my cousin Nataya...We would go on a scrapbook killing spree, killing our credit cards and pockets alike...we would travel to Twin Cities, I hear that their Archivers rock ...head on over to the mall of america and visit the QVC store....take plenty of pics to scrapbook. Hit every scrapbook store too and from MINNESOTA. I would be gone for one FULL WEEK. We would check in a nearby hotel, get some R&R, order in, watch a couple of chick flicks, hang out at the pool, spread all of my new scrapbooking goodies all over the bed, look at them and smile for hours, and crop away. I would insist Nia teach us some great tips and head home to the kiddies....

Wohooooo Sounds like fun...

I wish I could also stuff Lisa B, Heidi Swapp, Donna Downey, and Faye MB in my suit case..the more the merrier....lol

Dana

Feeling a little blah...

For the past couple of days I have been feeling so bad. I have been feeling both physically and mentally drained. I hate feeling like this! I have battle bouts with depression ever since I was 13 years old and I hate feeling this way. I think its a mixture of all the things that have been going on, finding out my daughter has epilepsy, battling with the children to keep the house in living conditons, trying to live up to everyone's expectations have really started to take a toll on me. I am just going to slow down, take a couple of deep breaths, take a hot bath, drink some hot tea, and start all over... I am a very strong person and I know I will come out of this dark cloud thats hanging over me. I will continue to pray for strength and take baby steps. That is all I can do right now.

Dana

What was I thinking..o

.....when I agreed to babysit a 11month old baby, my 6 year old nephew, my 14,15, and 18 year old cousins, and my 15 year old god-daughter......CHAOS! The baby was actually the best behaved! Really he is so good. It's the 6 yr old and the teens that have been driving me NUTS! Constant arguing, teasing, whining, fighting. The six year old is the biggest TATTLE TELL, I have ever seen and an even bigger cry baby. My daughter has turned her witch mode to TURBO. She is not having a good day at all, being crabby and stingy. My 13 year old is blasting his radio, that is why I bought a 350 dollar IPOD....HELLLLLOOOOO! He also keeps teasing my younger son, showing off for his cousins and that is pissing me off. No one is listening! I am about to go postal! Hopefully they all get really sleepy and fall asleep, since no one went to sleep until 6am....aaarrrgggghhh!!! I am trying to watch my soaps and have baracaded myself in my room. Not coming out until its time for lunch. Just cooked breakfast at noon, because everyone slept until noon....I AM NOT HAVING ANYMORE COMPANY UNTIL 2010! LOL

Dana

What if??????

What would you do if you won a million dollars? If I were to win a million dollars I would take my entire family on Disney cruise. I would buiild a 5 bedroom home, with a huge scrapbook studio. I would also build a sound proof music room for my dh in the basement. I would take a trip to Africa, one of my biggest dreams to visit the land of my ancestors. I would give a big chunk of money to further Alzheimer's Disease research. This disease has rocked my family's world because it claimed the life of my beautiful grandmother. I would by a pimped out car...lol You guessed it, I would go on a scrapbook shopping spree. I would go on another cruise and visit my cousin in Hawaii again...


What would you do if you have no children? Honestly, I don't know what my life would be like without my children. They are my world. I probably would be a workaholic!

What would you do if you are the president of the United States? I would try to end homelessness and poverty in our own country. Improve race relations and move towards global peace.
What would you do if you skip a meal? I skip alot of meals already. Mainly breakfast!

What would you do if you are in your ideal weight? (let's face it, who ever is?) I would just be even more confident! I try not to focus too much on my weight

What would you do if you could meet anyone you want and who would that be? LL Cool J..I am so in love with this man!

What would you do if you are famous? Show off my house,cars, and closets on Mtv Cribs...lol

What would you do if you are a "scrapbooking celebrity"? Encourage more ethnic oriented products

What would you do if you could change anything in the world? End Poverty

What would you do if you don't scrapbook? Live a boring, mediocre, meaningless life. Scrapbooking is such a big part of my life that I cannot begin to imagine life without it...

Embarrasing Moments

Well, I have had many embarrasing moments in my life. Once I was laughing so hard at a party that I cut the cheese...totally embarrased. I went to the bathroom and when i came out my skirt was stuck in my undies revealing everything...but of all of my most embarrassing moments this one took the cake...


When I was 16 years old, I went to church with my boyfriend (now husband). This was the first time i was meeting alot of his family. I looked so cute. I had got my hair done and even bought a new outfit. I was so excited! Everyone complimented me on how cute I was and told me I was a sweet girl, yada yada... Everything was going smooth....UNTIL.... I had to give an offering. I didn't get an envelope, so I just walked up to the altar and went in my purse to get money and 10 different condoms, spermicides, fell out of my purse. I did a report on safe sex, and left all the props in my purse. The minister bent down (my husbands uncle) and help me retrieve my belongings...we met eyes on the way up from the floor and he smiled and said "Atleast you are safe", I just started explaining myself and apologizing...He assured me it was ok...but the rest of the congregation burned a whole in my forehead from all the stares they were giving me. I can't believe I am sharing this...well needless to say I did not make a good first impression, I think my mil has judged me from that day forward....lol

Dana

Guilty Pleasures

My guilty pleasures only give me pleasure and not guilt....atleast not always..

Lets see:

Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey Icecream

TIVO

My soaps All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital

Jerry Springer and Maury (When it comes to the case of 15 month old Briana, you arreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee NOT the father...lol love those paternity shows on Maury, you would think after the 15th guys tested, one would leave it alone.. ya think?)

American Idol

Invasion

Horror Movies

Apple pie ala mode

Twopeas

Internet

buying a new purse or a pair of shoes (Lord know I don't need anymore)

Target dollar spot

Target period! LOL

Chocalate cover almonds

Reese peanut butter cups

Chocalate Chip cookies and oreos

Okay I am revealing too much about my eating habits

dana

You know what? That makes me mad!

Do any of you remember Droopy, that's where I got my title...lol

I try not to get angry, because don't have the best temperment...lol.

Things that make me angry

. leaving the toilet seat up in the middle of night, and I sit down fall in the toilet
. when people tell me I have gained weight. Once I said " oh really, I did, my mirror is broken"
. when people talk in the movies....why not pay them, and let them tell me the plot
. when someone messes with my children
. when my husband ignores me, intentional or otherwise
. racists and bigots anger me
. when my children ignore me or talk back....burns my butt
. when someone tells me how I should or shouldn't be raising my children
. when my inlaws comeover, they are total snoops
. when I get interrupted while talking...
. being lied to


Those are some of things that gets my blood a boiling....
Dana

BRRRRRR!!

It cold!!! I am going to retreat to my bed this weekend, as it is supposed to be the coldest day of the year. I hate to be cold. I plan to take a hot bath, put on some warm pjs, but on my fuzzy socks, and watch Saw 2, I bought it today. Bestbuy had a good sale. I bought Saw 1 and 2. Also made it to Michaels and got some cool ribbon, the new CK Scrapbook Solutions, some cute little Album kits by K and Company, some rubons, some monogram stickers, and some charms. I was supposed to head over to Target, but its to cold. I just went to the grocery store, to buy stuff for Chili. The boys are gone! Jaree and I are home alone watching Twitches. She absolutely loves this movie. It is a cute story. Well, I am going to get back under my fleece blanket and make some tea....

Dana

Fun facts about me

I was born 2 months premature

I am a good swimmer

I love riding roller coasters, the higher the better

I can roller skate really well

I love horror movies

I have one sister and one brother

I have been with my husband since I was 16, we were high school sweethearts

My favorite food is steak

I have over 300 purses

I collect Boyd Bears

People walk up to me alot and ask what nationality I am...huh, thought it was obvious I was AA...LOL

I am in love with LL Cool J

I danced professionally for 9 years, not exotic...lol (tap, ballet, jazz, modern)

I am a total momma's girl

I have a BA in Psychology and Mental Health (need to practice on myself)



That's it for now folkes!

Never say Never...

there have been many thing I have said "I would never do", then I turned right around and did them. But there are those things tht I stand firm on.

I would never turn my back on my children

I would never put anyone or anything before my children

I am not going to allow my daughter to date until she 16 yrs old

I am never going to stop scrapbooking

I am never going to allow someone to define who I am

I am never going to allow anyone to stand in the way of my relationship with my parents, siblings or my best friend

I am never going to stop loving my husband..

I am never going to live up to my own expectations..

I am never going to pretend to be someone or something I am not

I am never going to stop being me...

I am never going to stop being a worry wort

I am never going to stop coming up with more answers, so I better stop now


Dana

Complete Idiot's Guide to Parenting..

As you know already, parenting does not come with a handy dandy manual. Something you can refer to when all of your kids get sick at once, or when homework is a hassle, or when your has straws lodged up his nose, or when your daughther refuse to get her hair combed, or when nobody wants anybody to look or talk to them....excuse me I got a little of course.

What are my parenting do's and dont's:

I never allow my children to visit anyone whom, I have not met the parents first(hated my mom for this very same thing)

I do not allow company in the bedrooms, big no no!

I do not allow my children to have company when I am not home

I will not respond to a child who is yelling, crying or whining. They must get it together before I will talk to them

I do not tolerate any back talk, especially the WHATEVA'S

I do not allow my chidren to fight or argue

My children do not have a consistent bed time ( guess I won't be winning mom of the year)

I do joke and kid around with my children

I do value my children's opinion, even though we may not agree

I do not believe that children should be seen and not heard (never understood, wth my dad meant and still don't to this day)

I don't always follow thru with my punishments

I do allow my children to watch a considerable amount of tv, however they must have finished chores, homework, and study time

I do allow my children to sleep in my bed sometimes, even the 13 year old, we call it family campout night

I do allow my children to watch some rated R films, mostly horror, they love it. Especially Jeepers Creepers....lol

I guess that sums it up..
I don't always know what the hell I am doing...
Sometimes I feel so lost!
Sometimes I get really frustrated!
But my biggest pride and joy is being the mother of my 3 beautiful babies...

The ones I adore

List your immediate family members and share what you admire most in them, young and old. These people can be in your immediate family if you are married and have a family of your own, or these people could be part of the bigger family YOU are a part of. Journal about what makes each family member special. The things you admire most in them.

First and foremost I have to say many wonderful people in my family have shaped and have been influential in my life. When I think of those who won my admiration, the first person that comes to mind is my grandmother. My grandmother was a beautiful woman, both inside and out. She exudes of all things that are great. My grandmother only had an 8th grade education, but she was one of the wisest women i know. No matter what was going on in the family, my grandmother was always there to make things right. She put Martha Stewart to shame. My grandmother was an awesome seamstress. She sewed many of my dresses when I was growing up. She also was great a knitting, crocheting, and quilting. My grandmother was the ultimate hustler. She raised 9 children on income rats could not suffice off of, but somehow she managed to keep food on the table and a roof over her children's head. She ironed clothes, baked pies, cooked dinners, sewed dresses, cooked cakes, babysitted, she did whatever was neccessary to maintain. My grandmother was one of the most generous and kind hearted person to walk the face of the earth. She reached out to the homeless, took care of the sick, always shelling out monies to help those who she considered less fortunate, when she herself was less fortunate. She made the best of every situation. She made us its not what you HAVE in life that matters, its who you SHARE it with that counts. My grandmother was a woman who stood up for what was right and never allowed anyone to walk all over her or her children. She was very respectful, but demanded her respect as well. She taught me that anything I wanted was at my grasp. Too always dream big! Never settle! AND the importance of a GOOD EDUCATION. I will always be grateful to her for that.

My son 9 year old son Jariel is another person whom I admire. He is SO LOVING! Everywhere he goes, I am told how special he is. How lucky I am. He is always making sure I am okay or happy. He is so sweet. He looks after me, as well as many others. He is also a great listner and even greater problem solver. He is so incredibly smart. He is so much like my grandmother. He stands up to bullies who pick on other children. He will not back down, for what he feels is right. His smile lights up a room and he is such a pleasure to have around when chips are down. Something about his presence gives me reassurance that somehow everything will be ok.

My hubby is another person to whom I admire. He is such A GREAT FATHER. It boggles my mind how someone who never had a father (his father died when he was 18 months) would even know how to be a dad... I mean who's example did he follow. He is such a big part of our children's life, that I sometimes suspect that he is the favored parent. I guess it helps that he is a big kid himself. I mean this man will spend hundreds of dollars on water guns and ballons just to have a water fight with our kids and all the neighborhood kids. He has to pick out all of the toys and play with the children... He gives the children their baths and reads bedtime stories to my daughter. My daughter think he's the KING OF ALL DADS anyway. He is a Gentle Giant!

My eldest child Bee is one to be admired, because of his strength. He is wise beyond his years. He takes such good care of his siblings and God help anyone who messes with his baby brother or baby sister. He acts like a mad dog, when it comes to them. He is so mature. I can trust him! He is so helpful. He is so protective of me, that its not even funny. My dh always tells him that he is the man of the house when he's not home, and boy does he take this job to heart. I sometimes have to ask myself who's the parent?

My daughter Jaree = I admire her courage. She has been thru so much. From the day she was born, she was a fighter. She doesn't let anything stop her. She is so independent! She is also such a neat freak and a priss, don't know where she gets it, because I was the total opposite. I admire her beauty, both her inner beauty and outter. She is a wonderful little person.

I also admire my sister. She is so successful. A go getter! A hustler. She makes her dreams a reality everyday. She is such a hard-working person. She is like my grandmother in that since. I am so proud of her.

Last but not least, I admire my mom.... She is such a sweet person. My world would crumble without her. Last year, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer and my world came tumbling down. I love my mom so much. She is truly my best friend. She is the most non-judgemental person I know. She always sees the good in anyone. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she took the news well. She was so strong. When she found out she needed chemo, the cancer became a reality to us all. Slowly my mom transformed into someone unfamiliar, she was so fragile, so sick, she was getting darker, her hair was coming out, yet she never COMPLAINED. She took it like a champ. One day I asked her "Mom, how do you do it? Where do you draw your strength". She said "I want to live, I want to be with my children, I want to be with my grandchildren, my family and this brief bout of sickness means nothing if I can continue on knowing I will be here to see my grandson graduate, or watch you dance, or hear your brothers sing his stupid songs, or listen to your father rant, or to taste your sisters cooking, all of this chemo is worth while.......I balled! She did it for us! Without one single complaint! I am happy to say my mom is CANCER FREE! PRAISE THE LORD! and I dance with her all the time...I finally taught her how to do the Beyonce Booty Bounce(uh oh uh oh uh uh a oh).....lolDana

Taking a much needed break

Today I decided to do some housework. My kitchen was trashed. I have about 15 more loads of laundry to wash, and my room looks like an atomic bomb hit it.... I got up with the children and totally gave my kitchen a good cleaning, took me 2 hours. I didn't have much dishes, but I had groceries to put away, the counters needed a good cleaning, cleaned out the refrigerator, wiped out all the cabinets and drawers, cleaned stove inside and out, and finally mopped the kitchen. Then I moved on to the laundry, So far I have washed, dried, folded, and put away about 9 loads of laundry, with about 12 more to go. I am not stopping until I finish. I went upstairs and cleanedd my dressers and made my bed. I got a laundry basket and got ALL the things that DID NOT belong in my room, kids toys, clothes etc... Then the kids started to arrive home, I made them a quick snack, prepared for dinner, took son to basketball practice from5-6, then daughter had cheerleading practice at 6-6:45pm, came home cooked dinner, washed dinner dishes, got all the children's clothes prepared for tommorrow, and looked over homework. Then I got the children ready for bed! I am winding down for a minute before I go back to the laundry. Tommorrow, I am heading out for some shopping time......I deserve it!

Dana

The wrong Impression

List 5 or more false impressions you give people when you first meet them. Things they assume of you but is completely wrong.


What a great topic!

When people first meet me, they think that I am:

unapproachable
mean
conceited
wild
a great singer

I don't know how many people have approached me and said "You sing don't you?" I have been told on countless occassions I resemble Chaka Khan, so i guess they figure I can sing like her...boy are they wrong.

In my dating years many guys thought I was unapproachable and conceited. Boy were they way off. I love to talk, to anyone! I am not concieted at all, however I am confident. I love the skin I am in!

Alot of my college buddies thought I was wild. I can be at times. But, not over the top! I was asked to participate in alot of things that would make Madonna and Dennis Rodman, say 5 Hail Mary's. LOL

Also, alot of women think that I am mean. In fact, some of my husband's female co-workers have asked him "Is your wife mean, I don't think she likes me". I am a no nonsense type of person. I speak my mind, but I am generally a kind person. I can get along with anybody. I am a total socialite! I love to talk and enjoy being in the company of people. I mean, I spark up conversations with people I don't know at the grocery store. My husband hates that...He says " he never met a person, who talks more than him, until he met me...." I love intelligent, adult conversation. When you are a stay at home mom, those moments are far and in between. Its always good to go out and have some adult time.

I have oftened wondered where do people get these preconcieved notions about me. If you really get to know me, you would find that I am approachable, I am not mean, I am not conceited, I can be fun, but not wild, and I can't sing to save my life...lol

Dana

Against all the Odds

I have been through alot in my lifetime... I look back and ask myself, why am I here? How did I make it? My childhood was not as rosy as, I would have liked it to be.. My father was an alcoholic, who could be verbally abusive. The arguments my parents had, when they thought we were asleep are engraved in my memories. When I was 13, a close relative, started a nasty rumor about me. As a result, I was not allowed to associate with most of my cousin, this rocked me to my core. I spent sometime in a psychiatrict hospital, battling a horrible bout of depression. I have just accepted this within the last 8 years. I used to be ashamed of this brief chapter in my life, but I have accepted it and learned from this experience. I do not care what others say about me. I define Dana, no one else can. I was also a teenage mom, I got pregnant my senior year in high school at 17. I was so scared and ashamed, I did not tell my mom until I was 5 months pregnant and actually she told me. My father did not speak to me until the day I delivered. He did not accept my then boyfriend (now husband). He was always mean to him and this just tore me apart. When I was 19 years old, I was sexually assaulted, by a man unknown. This haunted me for years. Right now, I have flashback and nightmares. My favorite cousin Sean, was murdered at the age of 19. This devastated me! We were two peas in a pod. Everyone thought we were boyfriend and girlfriend, because we were always together. The day he died, I was supposed to be on my way to spend the weekend at his house. My husband (boyfriend then), did not approve of our close relationship and went into a jealous rage and I was arguing for hours with him. I was just about to step out of the door when the phone rang, it was my dad telling my mom, that Sean was murdered. This was crazy, because about 25 minutes earlier he had called to see if I was still coming and told me to meet him at his friend Andre's house. I was in such denial, that my dad picked me up and took me to Roseland Hospital, to see for myself... When I got there, he was lying on a gurnee with his head facing the wall. He had gauze on his head and neck. When I touched him he was still so warm, and he looked as if he was asleep... I tried to wake him up and literally pulled him up and off the gurnee. I was so angry and blamed myself for years for his death. I felt if I had gotten there sooner, like I planned to, he would still be alive. I have struggled with his death for years...I don't blame myself anymore, but I do wonder what would have happened if I was there ... Would he still be alive or would we both be dead?

Of all things in my life that happened, Nothing affected me like the day my grandmother died.. Lets just say, my grandmother was like my mother...I mean my mom has always been in my life, but my grandmother was my mom too. She spoiled me and my sibling rotten! She got in our butts if we misbehaved. We lived with my grandmother our whole lives. When my grandfather died, my grandmother asked my mom to live with her, and she was with us until she died. My grandmother was a very strong woman. She endured a lot in her lifetime. Widowed twice. She grew up in an error when AA were not even considered human...She made a living for herself and her children. She raised not only her own 9 children, but many of her grandchildren, and tons of nieces and nephews. She was kind and loving. She was nurturing. She was a great cook. She was an excellent story teller. She was my everything. When she died, I was the first to get the news. The hospital was calling my mom, and I actually thought it was my mom calling, because my sister had been admitted to the hospital, she was threatening a miscarriage, so I thought it was my mom calling to tell me how she was doing. I was actually on my way to the hospital when i got the call. My mom had just left about 20 minutes prior, she could not wait for me..I was 6 months pregnant but HUGE...i could not get ready fast enough I guess... When the lady said she was calling from Mercy hospital, i kinda brushed her off, she asked for my mom, and I said she wasn't home and I had to leave, so what did she want... She said she was calling to inform us that Rosabelle Kennedy had expired...now it took about 2 minutes for the news to register and when it did...i took off. I started running and screaming. i ran down the stair and out the house. My husband caught me and just started saying "I'm sorry about Tracy's baby", he thought my sister had miscarried, when infact my grandmother died. The hardest thing I had to do was go tell my mother, without lettting my sister know what was going on...She kept saying "stop crying, the baby is fine, and i am too". I was thinking to myself, I am not crying over you..lol
I finally got a chance to go over to Mercy and see my grandmother, who looked at peace. I laid on her chest and cried for hours...My mom and aunt had to carry me out of there. For years, I have felt a void. I miss my grandmother soooooooo much! I wished she could be here. When she was here, I felt like I could overcome anything.. I felt this void the most at my wedding, but I felt her presence, right before I had to walk down the aisle. The room got so bright and warm, and I knew it was her. I know she saw me walk down the aisle. My son's birth actually helped me over my slump. I really felt like he got her soul. He has her eyes and in many ways is just like her... Her death taught me to enjoy each day you have with your family. Live life to the fullest and never take someone you love for granted. You never know when the next goodbye will be forever...woo can't believe I am getting emotional. Guess I will stop typing now..

Dana

My dream job

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the elderly and children. I also have fondness of animals. I have always dreamed of having a daycare center for children with a petting zoo. I would love for the elderly to come and interact with the children. My grandmother passed away of Alzheimer's Disease in 1996, and this was very difficult for me. She was in the nursing home very briefly before she passed away. She was in the hospital for months prior, and needed long-term care and the hospital suggested she be placed in a Nursing Home. My whole family was against it, but we knew that we could not give her the 24hour care she needed. I was very diligent about visiting and found that so many of our elderly are just thrown away. I found my self splitting my time with other patients who did not have visitors. My eldest son, and only child at that time, would often come along on my visits to see my grandmother. The people their loved him. Their eyes would light up, everytime I would come visit with my then 3 year old son. He was very fond of them as well, and had more grandmas and grandpas than he could count. I believe that children and pets are great therapy for our elderly. Even though my grandmtoher was in her final stages of Alzheimer's, she lived to see her great grandson.
I would also like to work to find a cure for Alzheimer's. I have lost my grandmother and uncle to this horrible disease. I would love to work actively to find the cure.

I would also like to be in the scrapbook business. It brings me so much joy. Everyone wants a job that they enjoy working and nothing brings me more joy than preserving my family's memories.

Dana

Truths Revealed

How do you think you scored? This was so much fun!!
Things highlighted in red are false:
10 facts or fiction about me;
1. I am a stay at home mom
2. I am in love with LL Cool J
3. I love green peas
4. I have 4 children
5. I love horror movies
6. I love to exercise
7. I am a great swimmer
8. I have been married twice
9. I love to dance
10. I am a great housekeeper

Most of you guys were pretty darned close. I hate green peas, once my grandmother told me I could not get up from the dinner table until I was done eating my peas. By 10:30pm, she realized I was just not going to eat them. Especially since, dinner began at 4PM. I only have 3 children, that I birthed, but I feel maternal towards more. I have only been married once and he's not going anywhere 16 years and counting.... I hate to clean, I do it, but hate it.


You think you know, BUT you have no Idea.....

My husband is such a sweetie!

I love him to no end! He came home with the biggest stuffed puppy, with a rose in his mouth and biggest Russell stovers Heart filled with chocalates. We are also going out to dinner on Tuesday night. I love him so much! Love teddy bears and chocalates. Dana

My husband is surprising me with my Valentine's gift today!

This is the love of my life. My husband of 8 years. In my life for 16 years. This man means the world to me. He is what gives my life meaning. I love him so very much. There is no place I would rather be than in his arms. I am truly blessed to find someone who is as wonderful as he. He adores me to no end. I feel like I am the only woman in the world as far as he is concermed. When we gaze into each other's eyes, the earth stands still. Nothing else matters. I have found my soul mate in him. Today, he called me and told me he already had my Valentine's gift and he wanted to give it to me today, because Tuesday, he plans on spending Valentine's day with our daughter Jaree. She is such a daddy's girl. I can't wait! I will be counting down the minutes until he gets off of work. He is such a sweetheart. He spoils me rotten! Gotta love this guy! He is so sexy and handsome! Isn't he?

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

Truth and deception.....how fun! Let me see how convincing I can be in my tales of what's real and what's not real..

10 facts or fiction about me;

1. I am a stay at home mom
2. I am in love with LL Cool J
3. I love green peas
4. I have 4 children
5. I love horror movies
6. I love to exercise
7. I am a great swimmer
8. I have been married twice
9. I love to dance
10. I am a great housekeeper

Can you guess which 4 are not true? I will post which ones are false on Tommorrow...stay tuned....... Dana

These are my babies!

I totally love these pictures and just wanted to share. This is my beautiful daughter Jaree who was diagnosed with epilepsy this month. She is such a ham. I don't know what happened to my other 200 pics I uploaded, but we will see if they post. 

Defining Dana

My name is Dana Brooks.
def./ Dana- morning glory. That is the definition of my name. But If I had to define my self with letters in my name, I can come up with a more intimate view of who I am ...


D- Devoted. I am devoted in every walk of my life. As a mother, wife, scrapbooker, child of God, I am devoted in all things I do.
A- Addict- Yes I have an addiction. My addiction is Shopping...lol

N- Nurturing. I am a very loving person, not only to the children I birthed, but to a sleuth of other individuals. Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends of my children. I love children and it brings me joy to be around to help, guide, and love.
A- Atrticulate- I am very bright and intelligent. I value education.


B- Beautiful- Inside and out. Beauty fades, but your personality speaks volumes about who you are. I try my best to treat others the way I want to be treated
R- Reliable- When anyone is in need, I am there on the double.
O- Open Minded- I am open to anything. I try to keep a clear head and think things through. I hate judgemental people.
O-Obsessed- With taking pictures of my children ..they hate it sometimes
K- Kind Again, I treat others with the respect I want to receive in return
S- Scrapbooker - That little word speaks volume of who I am ...Scrapbooking is not just my hobby. It is my way of life. It's always on my mind and I do something scrapbook related everyday. Wheter its looking in idea book and magazines or going to a crop, scrapbooking is very much a part of who I am ...

Those words are but a small glimpse of who I am ...
but speaks volumes of who I have become

Dana

What's the dress code?

Wow, what can I say, I am love fashion. I am very trendy, but I love to put my own spin on things. I am also a trend setter. 3 years ago, I brought back furry boots and leg warmers and now I see it everywhere. I am a denim queen. I have went to thrift store, bought denim jeans and jackets, bleached, ripped, studded and added sequence and have gotten more comments than I have on things that I bought out of the store. I like to be unique! I like to stand out. I always have to wear what I call a "conversation piece". Whether its a piece of jewelry, a purse, boots, a belt, it something that I have that is unique. I am a big purse and shoe fanatic, so I receive tons of compliments on my purses and boots. I am also big on 30's and 40's fashion, love the glamour and glitz. I wear the flowers in my hair, the sequins, the pearls, the beads...

Just last week I went out to the movies, and I just threw a little something together..
It was a green t-shirt with gold and bronze sequins letters that spelled out sexy, a cut off jean jacket, boot cut jeans, gold and bronze sequins belt, gold and bronze hoop earrings, gold and bronze beaded hand bag, with matching boots, gold and bronze sequins hair clip, my make up was even gold and bronze.... I could hardly get into the movies without someone complimenting me about my ensemble.

I will throw some of the most bizzare colors together, and I don't always color coordinate. I admit, my shoes don't always match my purse, because I want one of them to stand out. Often times it is my purse! I have over 300 purses and counting! I love designer handbags, but don't get it twisted, I have found some of my trendiest handbags at stores like Target or Dots!

I love costume jewelry. The bigger the earrings the better! Right now I am into long beaded necklaces. They are really fashionable. I always rock something in my hair, whether its chineese sticks, beaded hair pins, flowers, cute hair clips, its always a must.

I am passing the torch, because my daughter is quite the fashion diva! I get tons of ideas from Glamour, Style, Life and Style and Essence Magazines..

Things that bug me!

1. Impatient people
2. Dishonest People
3. Rudeness
4. Jealousy
5. talking behind my back
6. People who don't take care of their children
7. People who try to be something they are not
8. Bigotry
9. Infidelity
10. people who drive slow in the fast lane


whew...
Dana

She's back!

My daughter is feeling much better because she is as BAD AS EVER! She's a one woman hurricane. She is very mouthy and fiesty as ever. Guess what? I am happy, because she is finally back to normal. I was so scared that my baby was going to morph into some type of zombie. I have heard so many horror stories about Dilantin and I was stressing big time.

Today, for the first time. She did not sleep alot. I am so happy. She played well with her brothers and cousins. She didn't doze off once. Plus, the pharmacist told me that she is not on a high dosage anyway. I'm counting down the days that she will be off medication for good.

I thought she would be sick and tired of me by now. I hug and kiss her and tell her I love her, every 2 seconds. I am just waiting for her to say "Mom, no more kisses and hugs please". Until then, I am going to kiss her and hug her every chance I get.

I will never delete the memories of that horrible seizure....It's a miracle she is here and I am not going to take for granted another second of her life. She is my precious angel.

Dana

Moments of bliss

Today, I woke up on the RIGHT side of the bed! I got up early had some coffee cake and cappucino. Got the kids ready for school, got in the shower, layed in bed for a bit reading O magazine, one of my favorite non-scrapping magazines. My husband, who is still giving me the silent treatment decided to touch my arm. I know he wants to make up with me, but his pride is getting in the way. Thought I would break the ice and kiss him on the cheek. He couldn't resist and gave in and gave me plenty of kisses and cuddles. Bath and Body Works Breathe line always does the trick. No man can resist a woman who smells good and feels good. Love the way that line makes me feel.

We got up and went to the flea market, then to Best Buy, to get a new printer, turns out our printer was still under warranty and we ended up getting a new HP PSC1610, we originally had an Epson,but that was the second time it broke on us. So we decided not to go with that one anymore.

We went to Hog wild and got some Good ole Pork Chop sandwiches and roasted potatoes. It is the biggest broiled pork chop you have ever seen, topped with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce....mmmm mmmm good! We came home watched One Life to Live. I am so mad, when the heck are they going to find out Todd's innocent and Margaret's psychotic crazy a$$ is still alive and kicking. I totally hate SPENCER TRUMAN and now I am starting to hate Blair Kramer. She is such a little slut bag!

Alright, getting back to reality ( I tend to get a little emotional over my soaps), I am going to my moms later this afternoon. She is going to Acapulco for 2 weeks tommorrow (wished it was me). I am such a momma's girl and I am going to miss her. These two years are going to seem like an eternity. My sister and I are going over to help her pack and go out to dinner. We are such big babies!

I guess I will be able to get a lot accomplished while my mom's gone, we talk 25 times a day. I am going to miss my baby sitter. She is the only one I trust with my daughter! They are peas in a pod!

My daughter is doing much better. Right now she is working on a strawberry shortcake puzzle, she received as a gift, from being in the hospital. My husband's coworkers are soooooo sweet! I am making thank you cards this weekend, so I can thank them all for their wonderful gifts and cards they gave to my daughter during the time she is ill. She loves getting cards and letters now, since she reads so well. She helps me open and reads alot of my mail. I have been reading alot about epilepsy and it's not so bad. However, I am taking her to Children's Memorial to get a second opinion. A second opinion is always good.

Overall, my day has been drama free and blissful. Wished all days can be like this. Plan to get alot of scrapping done tonight and this weekend. Can't hardly wait!

Dana

Meme Challenge 2-6-06

In all the time you have been scrapbooking, what does this hobby do for you? Emotionally? Physically? Creatively? How have you evolved as a scrapbooker? as a person? Have there been any dramatic changes in your life due to scrapbooking? Share your life here. Feel free to write about it like this: If 'scrapbooking' was a person, what would you say to him/her to thank them for all they've done for you/your family/your life?


I love scrapbooking in every aspect. Scrapbooking has changed me in so many ways. I think I have a deeper appereciation for family history, and the importance of documenting my life. I live and breathe scrapbooking. I love how I feel when I get some of my scrap goodies in the mail, that is what I would call a good mail day....I love going to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Archivers, Joanns, or my LSS . When I get home I spread all my goodies over the bed and just gaze at them for hours. Then immediately I start making plans for layouts, and rush through whatever to get back to scrapping. I feel my appreciation for family has grown since I started scrapbooking.

I also feel like scrapbooking has bought back my youth. I feel like a child in a candy store, everytime I get some new goodies. I have to have everything! Just like a kid. Have even stuck my bottom lip out, when I can't get what i wanted...LOL I remember when I was a young girl, I used to collect stickers and spend hours arranging them in my various sticker albums, and how I used to look at my albums for hours...I am the same way when I create a new layout. It brings me so much joy!

Scrapbooking has also allowed me to tap into my creative side. I have incorporated scrapbooking into everything I do. Not only do I feel the need to alter everything, but also finding layout ideas from magazines, billboards, clothing logos., etc.

I have come along way since my first layout. I think I am pretty darned good. Not only have I become a strong scrapper, but a better photographer.

I have met so many amazing people through scrapbooking. Each day I continue to meet more and more amazing people, who share this wonderful hobby! I can't imagine what my life would be like if I did not find scrapbooking. It has truly changed my life!

Dana

My husband is driving me nuts!!!

Yesterday, As you know I went to my best friends superbowl party. My husband was invited as well. However, his cousin Allison's and her husband just moved here from Boston, and they don't have many friends. Well, Devin invited my hubby to an all guys shin-dig. I guess my husband wanted me to just stay at home and be bored. The first argument was with my choice of attire. He did not approve. I am well endowed, in the chest area so anything I wear will reveal my boobies. The second argument was that he wanted me to call him every hour. WTF? Was he serious? I guess he was, because he was superpissed when he came to get me and my daughter. I was talking to my best friend, her boyfriend, andher cousin in the living room. He starts acting ugly saying I guess you didn't miss me at all, you got better things to do I see. Right there, I was starting to get annoyed. I don't know where all this was coming from. He is usually not a jealous man, but yesterday he was in a full blown jealous rage.

I am the most faithful women in the world. I don't do much. Most of what I do is with him. When I do go somewhere its usually a crop or with my mom and sister. I am such a homebody and I think he is just spoiled to me being home all the time. I did look nice yesterday, hair done, nails done, and I was dressed up. Some guys were eyeballing me, but I am a married woman and that should be a compliment to him as a man that he has an attractive wife.

I am also very understanding, he has more female friends than I do. I mean some women would not accept that. Doesn't bother me, because at the end of the night, he is at home with me. I am not insecure, I trust him. It hurts me that he does not feel the same.

It's sad that we are not speaking to each other, over this childish crap, but I refuse to bow down. After all, I did nothing wrong.

Dana

Superbowl Sunday!

I must admit, I know nothing about football! My best friend's dad always throws the most elaborate super bowl parties. They are kinda on the wealthy side. They have some of the most awesome food. A great bar, with real bar maid. They have 22 flatscreen monitors throught out the house, karaoke, pool, everything you can think of.. I just go to eat and talk with my best friend. Every know and then I wil scream when I hear everyone else screaming, to act like I'm interested...lol

I am really looking forward to going. My hubby is going to his cousins, I wished he would have come with me, but didn't work out this way. I will have Jaree with me. I am scared to send her to a sitter, with her epilepsy. It is still very raw for me. I am not letting her out of my sight.

My nephew is here from Iraq too, so we will going to his house after the superbowl party. Alot to do today. Looking forward to it too!
Have fun!
Go Steelers....I think?

Dana

Embarrising Moments

This is a day in the a life occurence for me. Once, I was at a crop held by a good friend of mine at a church. It was one of those all day crops. So, I had tons of stuff. My dh sent my boys in to help me get all my supplies and my then 4yr old says "God mom, you are the only black person in the world that scrapbooks". I was so embarrassed. I could not believe he said that. It rolled off of his little tongue, as if he was saying hello! The ladies thought he was too cute, but I wanted to strangle him about then. OUt of the mouth of babes!
Dana

~UNBREAKABLE~

If I was asked what song comes to my mind, that would describe my life right now, I would have to say Alicia Keys Unbreakable. I have always been such a strong person. It takes alot to break me down, but if I am at a breaking point, my husband is always around to pick me up.

I am a good mother my bond with my children is UNBREAKABLE!
I am a good wife my relationship with my husband is airtight UNBREAKABLE !
I am a great daughter my relationship with my mother is undoubtly UNBREAKABLE!
I am a good sibling, I am always there for my brother and sister and that's something that will never stop...therefore we are UNBREAKABLE!
I am a good friend, I have true friends, who we would take the shirt off our backs and give it to one another, there is nothing that will come in between our friendship...that is a bond that is UNBREAKABLE!
I am a child of God, my faith guides me and shapes me into the woman I am today. With my Lord and Saviour on my side...I am truly UNBREAKABLE!
I am a strong, determined, motived, intelligent, and loving woman. I never let anyone or anything stand in the way of my goals, my dreams, my happiness...I never let anyone tear me down, or stand in the way of my aspirations. I am UNBREAKABLE!

Everytime I hear this song it empowers me and lifts me up! I sing it from the top of my lungs, much to the dismay of my husband and children..lol. I love this song! I feel happy and uplifted everytime I hear it. Once I listened to this song 13 times in a row. My dh was ready to snap the CD in half. Wouldn't have mattered, I downloaded it on every computer and also my son's IPOD. Lol

Dana

TGIF!!!

Yessss! I am so glad this week is almost over. It has been a tumultous week for me. As you know, my daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy, she had horrible seizure on Saturday afternoon. She is at home and doing quite well. I guess I brace myself for the very worse and she is doing wonderful! Yesterday, I took her to build a bear and I am happy to report I am a grandma! Jaree brought home a health baby girl cat that she dubbed Alicia Brooks. She is absolutely gorgeous a white cat, with blue eyes.....I am so proud. We bought the baby some clothes, panties, shoes, socks, a cat bed, toys, choker, and purse to come home with. My bill was $83 bucks....sheesh! But, Jaree is worth it! Her dad, promised her as soon as she got home, and was feeling better he was going to take her, and he kept his promise. I didn't want to do too much! She got on the Merry Go Round(now that I think about it, this probably wasn't the smartest move). We ate. She went to Claires (she got a whopping 37 buckaroos, from family and friends while in the hospital..wohooooo) and bought the cutest Hello Kitty purse and bracelets. She still has 25 buckarooos to go! Maybe this weekend, we'll get to ToysRus and get some artsy stuff. She loves to draw and paint, so who knows. I am just doing whatever she wants. I am happy she's home. We already planned a trip back to Build a Bear next month.

I realized that I am truly blessed. Even though my daughter has epilepsy, I thank the Lord, every single day that she is still here. While she was in PICU, I saw so many parents lose their children. One happened in front of me, and it really broke my heart. A realized how precious, but yet fragile life can be. My heart went out to this couple who ceased life support for their 7 month old daughter, who had a twin to die prior. This little girl was absolutely gorgeous! I didn't ask what was wrong with her, but she looked normal to me. Around 3pm, Sunday the took her off life support and I have never heard a scream like that. Her mother let out a scream, that was so primal, I knew the little girl had passed on. I just cried. I had to pull myself together, because as a mother, I felt for her so bad. We love these babies, from conception...and to actually give birth and bond with your child and then you have to give them back to God... forgive me but I am a bit selfish. I want my children here with me. My heart just ached literally. I just couldn't get it together after that. Not knowing what I was facing with my own daughter at that point. That could have very well been Jaree. Thank Jesus, it wasn't!

I am truly blessed. My husband was right there with me, every single step of the way. My mother and mother in law, My sister and sisters in law, my best friend, cousin, aunts, everyone was pulling for Jaree. At one point the security guard came up and asked for her autograph. I was puzzled. He said" Anybody who has these many visitors, must be famous". I told him she is a celebrity in our eyes and that we are just a close family. Jaree had 23 visitors in one night! Christ Hospital was very nice too, because she is only allowed 2 visitors at a time, and we had about 20 people in one room, but she had a private room. So that was ideal!

I can't express enough gratitude for all the people who have expressed concern and sxtended their prayers for my daughter. It helps! Thanks!
Dana

Help, I am about to commit murder...

...My 9 year old has turned into such a little whinebag! I cannot believe it. He is freaking 9 years old! He cries over anything and everything. If you say the littlest thing or tell him anything he does not want to hear he just starts to whine and cry. I am trying so hard to be patient, hoping that this is just a phase he is going through. But, my God, he is as big as I am, and such a cry baby. He never used to do this. This is totally driving me nuts. I am going through enough stress with my daughter, so now everything is 10 times as nerve wrecking. I told him to take out the garbage, and he started talking back, andI yelled at him and said "shut up, and do as I say now..." You would have thought I wacked him over the head with a cast iron skillet.

I am trying to be as patient as I can, without killing this poor kid....arggghhhhh!
For those who do not speak metaphorically, I don't mean I am going to kill him literally...
Dana

Random me!

Here we go:
1. Where were you born?I was born in Chicago, IL

2. Name something you've always wanted to do. Ice skate, when I was a child I dreamed of being a figure skater and synchronized swimmer...lol
3. What do you want to be when you grow up?Psychologist, I love talking and helping people solve their problems, so why not

4. What's the number one problem we face in the world today?Prejudice, on all levels, racism, classism, homophobia, just wished we could end this problem and just love everyone for whom they are, and not what they are.

5. If you could change the world, what would you do? End war! I am a peaceful person I would love to have a world full of peace and harmony

6. What's the most dangerous thing you've ever done?Jumped in front of a guy with a knife, he was trying to stab my brother. Didn't think twice about it. My brother threw me out of the way, and took the guy down, but my brother and I are twopeas in a pod or a bucket...lol

7. Favorite word?WHATEVER! dh hates this word!


That was fun!

My goals as a scrapbooker

Hmmmm, What are my goals as a scrapbooker? Let's see:

. I want to leave behind a true account of happenings in my life. I want my children and grandchildren, and great grandchildren, to know the importance of family history. As an African American woman, so much of my family is a mystery. My grandmother's mother passed away when she was six years old. She was raised by Mama Irene, whom I loved dearly. However, we know nothing about my grandmother's biological mothers family. Was she an only child? Did she have aunts, uncles, cousins....that has always bothered my mom. She herself, did not find about this until she was 12 years old. Back then, things were so private and kept under the wraps. I want to alleviate that mystery for my children. I am leaving them a legacy, in hopes that they would do the same for their families.

. I want to be more organized

. I want to start using my own handwriting

. I want to stop shopping so much and start scrapping more(this may never happen..lol)

. I want to document my daughter's journey thru epilepsy

. I want to start including myself in my scrapbooks

. I want to get published

. I want to start going to crops again

. I want to create a scrapbooking schedule, so I am consistent and stay current

. I want to become a IRW consultant

. I want to host my own crop and invite people who don't scrap with hopes to convert them.lo

. I want to involve my family more in my journaling, get their perspective

I guess that is about it. I live an breathe scrapbooking. It is a total creative outlet for me. I love everything about the hobby and am glad it found me.

Dana