It's been awhile but I am back.....

You know what today is...
Old School Friday....

I used to love this song!
Where have I been?

Where there has been a lot going on here...
Lots of DRAMA...

BUT I AM OKAY!

It's a shame when you can't even send your children outside without it being some bull crap!!!

These kids todays are like little territorial warriors, they want to fight for any little thing and everything, but not HEAD UP, they like to jump you....

Make a long story short, my oldest son got into an argument with a girl that lives across the street, and she called 10 boys to jump my son, and my son hit the biggest one in his mouth and my niece fought the girl, and Baptiste broke it up.....

So every day since Memorial Day, they have been walking by my house and my next door neighbors house making threats, just Wednesday, they let their pit bull out on the kids while they were playing, my youngest two, Jariel 11 1/2 and Jaree 9. I went down there to the house and told them that if that ever happened again and one of my babies would have been hurt, there would be no rock big enough to hide under because I would seriously beat the hell out of whoever sent the dog out.

We call the police and they think it's such a joke!!!! They think it's funny!!!

It has been ongoing since Monday!!!!

And my patience is wearing thin....

These little kids today are nothing but little punks and it makes me sad. It is one of the reasons why, my children still go to school in my prior neighborhood....

I was telling Baptiste, after this year, I seriously need to think about is it really worth it....

Maybe we should consider relocating to another city, because Chicago is getting toooooooo bad!! And even the suburbs are changing....

I want my children to be able to play outside and me not worry that someone is plotting to get them hurt. Because I will KILLL over my babies!!!!

I have been outside with them every day! They don't have to stay inside because of this bullshit! This is where they LIVE TOO!

Anyway, I bought myself a camera....
I just couldn't take it anymore...
I bought a Canon Powershot S5 and so far it's awesome...

Great quality pictures!!!!!!
It is a 8 megapixel 12x optical zoom...

I really want the 40D, but I am just an amateur at this point and I don't know all the ins and outs of a slr....

So this man in the store told me that this camera had the ability to give good quality professional pics without stepping over to a slr.... and I was amazed at all the functions and options it has and I am really happy with it so far...
I have been reading the 7 manuals it came with....LOL
Man this camera can do so much and I just hope I use it's full potential and also I an buy optional lenses for this camera, which is cool....wide angle, telephoto, and close up. It also has a range of filters that can be purchased, so cool!!!! It was only 400 bucks too!!! I got it at tiger direct and I got a 4 gig SDHC for only 20 bucks!!!

I will be posting regularly now....
I just was not in the right frame of mind to blog....

Until next time.

Todays ramblings....

a night of excitement, anticipation and drama!!!!

Congrats to Kristi Yamaguchi for her win on Dancing with the Stars.  She deserved it! Even though Mario was my favorite!  Congrats anyways..... I am a happy a girl finally won though!!!

And the Bad Girls club reunion show came on yesterday and it was full of DRAMA!!!  I was so upset.  Star Jones was the host.  I mean Star Jones ..... Is that what you RESORT TOO...I couldn't believe it.  She is so much bigger than that....But anyways, I was hoping Tanesha would "pop off" and whoop Lyrics NATURAL ASS.  I can't believe how she turned on Tannesha like that.....  And was Genevecia HIGH or what?

Anyway this is my Guilty Pleasure!!!  I love the Bad Girls club!!!

Yesterday I cooked dinner early...

I was still sick, so I knew I would run out of gas as the day went on...

I cooked short ribs, mash potatoes and gravy, and string beans....

I napped...

woke up and watched the Dancing with the Stars Finale and then the Bad Girls Club Reunion.

Baptiste worked afternoons and didn't get off until 11:30pm...

We talked a bit and went to bed around 12:30...

Got the kids up for school....

This is Bee's last week of school

And then Jariel and Jaree's last day is the 30th...

I can hardly believe it!!!

School is almost out for summer...

Which means fun, fun, fun in the Brooks Household...

On our agenda for this year

Tons of lazy days at the beach

Wisconsin Dells for 4 days

Six Flags Great America

Indiana Dunes

Deep River Water Park, in Indiana

The Taste of Chicago

The Brookfield Zoo

The Field Museum

The Museum of Science and Industry

Picnic in Millenium Park

Navy Pier Boat Ride...

and trip to Memphis and Minnesota to visit family

and one special trip to visit a certain someone in Alabama...hmmm wonder who that could be...LOL

We always have the kids make a list of 10 places they want to go and we try to do atleast half of their lists!

We are going to Disney next year for Spring Break, so we couldn't do an extravagant trip this year, because we are saving all of our nickels and pennies for Disney World.....LOL

The great part is we do not have to pay for hotel and lodging.....we will stay with my uncle who lives 35 minutes from Disney for 7 fun filled days.....

The kids are excited....

Dh and I are going on a cruise in January celebrating our 10 year anniversary this August...

I can't wait for that...

this will be my 3rd cruise and his second ......So he is excited!!

We are doing a 5 day.....I wanted to do 7, but dh got sick last time, so he said 5 is sufficient!!!

so many fun things planned!

I want to do a Mexican Cruise as I have been to the Bahammas, Caymen Islands, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St. Croix, St. John.....

I have never been to Mexico, so I would love to go...

Although I heard Hawaii is the bomb!! But I can't afford Hawaii, right now....LOL

I was just thinking of places I would like to visit before I leave this earth....

The Holy Land when its safe...

Paris

Italy

Africa (not the whole continent ...but you know what I mean)

Greece

Barbados

The Grand Canyon

Niagara Falls (again to take the children)

California (I went but to small to remember)

Las Vegas

Virginia Beach (again with kids, so beautiful)

Amsterdam (cousin lived there and loved it)

That's just a few....

what are some of the places you would like to visit, that you have never been to???

That is an interesting topic...

On the agenda today...

Just relaxation

Thank God, the house is clean....kids have been little angels, picking up around the house.  They know I wouldn't be able to rest with it a mess....Even when I am sick, I will clean the house.  I can't stand filth.....LOL  I know I may be a little anal, but clutter all around the house, makes me physically ill!  I will literally get a headache.

But, my room is my HAPPY CLUTTER, can't seem to keep that clean, weird but true!

I have a lot of weird hang ups, like:

I have to go to sleep with the television on...

I have to sleep with socks on my feet, even in summer, my feet are always cold

I like to sleep on a cold pillow, I will keep flipping it if it gets too warm

I eat a lot of sugar in my food....I know I am a diabetic waiting to happen, but I will put sugar in chili, spaghetti, grits, rice, oatmeal, sloppy joes....

I read a lot of celebrity gossip and watch a lot of bad reality tv  (like Flavor of love and Bad Girls club)

I don't like for anyone to read my magazines or books before I do...I know kinda a selfish but true...

I love getting mail....I check my mailbox like 20 times a day....not the bills though

I am a total mac geek now....I love my mac! I mean I am in love with it and Now I want everything mac related....I just ordered the Ipod touch....well It's my mother's day gift from Baptiste and I am putting more memory into the computer already....I love my mac.  I buy all the Mac Magazines....I love it!

I bird watch.... I love to get my binoculars and watch birds...i get this from my granny , who loved birds and when I was young I thought My grandmother was a total geek for doing this and now I do it....

I am a big kisser...I kiss my kids and Baptiste a hundred times a day...I am extremely affectionate....I also am big on hugging too!!!

I don't like just anyone touching my face, it unnerves me for some reason, I had a guy do this and I tried to twist his damned arm off!!

I hate doing my hair!  Its long and curly and tangled most of the time, and very thick and I just wash it and put setting lotion in and go.....

I have to talk to my mother every single day! Or I am lost....I love my mom and we are extremely close.

I don't have many female friends, I have a lot of male friends though and dh hates it.  I just don't click well with a lot of females....I don't like cattiness...and that is why I have 3 friends that are females.....LOL 

Well I have rambled on enough...

Tommorrow, I am going to show you some projects I have been working on.....

Until next time

I am almost killed my husband today....

Do you want to know why?

He ate the LAST &*%$#@*&^%%!@# fudge brownie.....

I wanted to choke the $hit out of him....

Doesn't he know that during a woman's "monthly visit", we crave CHOCOLATE...

I am furious....

I am not speaking to him either.

I am so serious right now...

I really am Pissed!

the reason is he ate 3!!!!! 

I only had 1.

WTF????

Just didn't know how I would explain that to the police...

did he beat you ma'am?

Hell no! 

He ate the last muthaf%$#@!*(@  BROWNIE!!

I could just see myself in jail now, trading stories with Big Bertha and the gang...

What are you in for?

Big Bertha: I killed a whole family and ate their dog

How about you?

Me:  Oh, I killed my husband for eating the last brownie...

Talk about street cred....LOL

Ok, now that I am semi-calm...

I can't wait to see the result show on DWTS!!! I really wanted Mario and Karrinna to win, but now I have to settle for the last 3.  I think Christian and Christi are the best finalists!!!  

But, Christi is definitely going to take it!!!! Finally,  a woman wins!!!

Also, I will be watching the BAD GIRLS CLUB REUNION...

I really want to see Ginavecia get her ass WHOOOPPPPPED!!!!

I  could not stand that girl!!!

Looks like Tanesha and Lyric will get into it.....

I can't wait.

Flavor Of Love and Bad Girls club are my GUILTY PLEASURES....

I am so craving something sweet right now..

You see how my mind came right back to that damned brownie....

Pray for me guys....

LOL

Nagging cough,sleepy-itis, and headaches....oh my

I have had this crazy nagging cough for over a week now...

It's just a dry, gagging cough....

I coughed so much yesterday, that I thought my head would explode!!!

I got this KILLER HEADACHE....

I don't get headaches much, but this one was KILLAH!!!

I have been doing a lot of sleeping too!

I guess it's because I am sick.

You know what they say, rest is the best medicine.

I have tried everything, ROBITUSSIN, chicken soup, tons of liquids, teas....

I cannot get rid of this cough!

No chess burn, no mucus, just a crazy dry throat cough....

Anyway, I did get a chance to go see the Forbidden Kingdom with Baptiste and the kids...

it was so good.  I will admit it....I LOVE KUNG FU.  

My brother and I LOVED Bruce Lee, my favorite movie was the Fist of Fury....

Baptiste said he couldn't be more happy to have married a girl who can appreciate good Kung Fu....LOL

Anyways, the Forbidden Kingdom was excellent this new actor Michael Angarano really looks like Shia La Beouff.  He is too cute. 

We rented the Mist a few days ago, and just decided to watch it last night...I guess we were in MOVIE MODE!!! LOL  It was sooooooooooo good, but hated the ending.  

Today, Baptiste took off to take care of me....

he really wants me to go to the doctor, but I am such a wimp when it comes to the dentist and the hospital.....LOL

We have pretty much just laid in bed all day....

I guess I will get up and attempt to get some laundry done, but if not, I won't feel bad.

The house is clean and if it wasn't I don't think I could tackle housework right now...

I am running on empty here...

I want to scrap....

Jaree did ....

Well atleast she made some posters for her room.....too cute!!!

I have to share a funny story about my crazy psycho dog Goldie...

Our next door neighbors have a Golden retriever pup named Arenis....

She is now 8 months old and so BIG....

Goldie on the other hand is 4 years old and is a small Chihuahua and Rat Terrier Mix ...

Goldie has never been neutered.  I just didn't want to take the risk ....

My crazy dog was in his dog run and arenis was in her dog run, which happens to be side by side....

I came home from picking up some slushies for the kids.....

and Goldie was humping Arenis through the gate......

He was really only humping her side, but he thought he was really doing something....

Arenis left the scene, and Goldie was still humping in her absence.  

I about died...

Jaree went inside the gate and started beating him with newspaper, telling to "Stop that".

She was sooo mad and embarrassed!!!!!

But, I had to share that with you guys!!!!

Well that's all folks...

I had a blast!!!!

Yesterday was sooooo nice!

The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, Baptiste was off work....

those ingredients right there is those of a PERFECT DAY....

We got up early and worked out...

We sat in our lawn chairs and just soaked up the sun...

Then he worked a little in the yard...

I watched....

My husband is so sexy when he works in the yard!!!!! LOL

Muscles poppin out, sweat glistening in the sun... You know.....JUST SEXY!!!

The kids woke up and we fed them ....

They came outside to enjoy a little sun too.

Baptiste played the boys and their friends in basketball....

Jariel and Bee had some friends sleep over on Friday...

Then the kids came in and cleaned up....

Then they got ready for a SKATING PARTY...

well atleast Bonnie and Clyde did....

B decided to stay behind because Katie came over....

Baptiste and I stayed and laughed our heart's out at the kids...

Jariel can skate like a pro...so COOL AND SMOOTH...

But my nephew Aaron, niece Aaliyah, and Jaree went as welll...

And that is where the laughter came in....

I think those three fell a total of 23 times.....

It was HILARIOUS.....

My nephew thought he was BOW WOW, off of Roll Bounce, how can you do tricks, but you cannot even SKATE??? LOL

Aaliyah and Jaree held hands .....but neither of them skate well, so when one fell, you guessed it, the other was on the floor too....and they took some people down with them quite a few times.....LOL

We came back home and took a power nap..

I showered and got ready to pick the kids up from the skating rink...

Then we came home and played bean bags with the neighbors....

We kicked booty....

After that, we went to my cousin Wayne's 57th Birthday celebration and he doesn't even look 40, let alone 57!!! 

Baptiste deejayed and we had a ball!!!!!!!!

The DOUBLE DUTCH BUS came on and I almost lost my natural mind.....

That is my all time favorite song!!!

I was eating and all of a sudden  I heard " Give me a ho'........"  And I popped up like a jack in the box .....LOL

I danced all night long!!!!

Me and my crazy cousins....

It is so many girls in our family that Baptiste gets so bored.......

All we do is laugh and act silly, just as we did when we were younger....

Let's see: There's my cousin Shellice, Tonya, Michelle, Mara, Monique, Me, Yvonne, Shekika, Tammy, Renee, LaMeika, Cherrone, Alicia, Shannon, and Nicole.  That's 15 LOUD female to a 3 guy ratio.  Yeah, I could see the boredom!!!

Baptiste ended up leaving at 11pm...

I didn't leave until 3 am.....

I had a ball!!!

The only thing was my çousin had invited a few of his friends and they were some DIRTY OLE MEN...

I don't know if they thought my cousin and I were THE ENTERTAINMENT for the night of what...but they kept grabbing  me and telling me they wanted to see something shake....

I blew it off at first, but I had to put them in their place....

Baptiste is already a JEALOUS MONSTER, so I didn't need the extra drama!!!!

My cousin Shannon said 'girl I am so glad Baptiste is here, because those men are on you so tough" I told her "It must be the leggings"  Everytime I wear them I swear this is what happens.....LOL

Other than that, I had a ball....

I got tipsy, but NOT DRUNK...

I learned my lessons...

Those heffa's will NEVER catch me slipping again.....

My cousins will get ya....LOL

The cutest thing happened, my parents were dancing and I do what I always do, I got in the middle and they danced with me too....

My aunt went and found a picture of me doing the same thing, when I was 5 years old...

I have always jumped in the middle of my parents when they dance...

My mom just cried, and my aunt gave her the picture...I am going to have to scan it...

I did look adorable!!!  I was looking up at my mom.....and holding her leg!  And my mom was blowing me a kiss and my dad was just CHEESING like it was no tommorrow.  

So my aunt took a picture of my grown self doing it again!!!!

The FOOD was a whole other thing....

I am talking:

Collard Greens

Turkey and Dressing

Ribs

Grilled Salmon

BBQ Chicken

Jerk Chicken

Corn on the Cob

Spaghetti

Baked Beans

Potato Salad

Corn Bread with the corn and salsa in it...

Peach Cobbler (My favorite)

Banana Pudding

Pineapple Upside Down Cake 

7 different Cheese Cakes

7 Layer Salad

Fruit Trays

Hawaii Salad

Spinach Dip

Deviled Eggs

Chicken Salad...

I am sure glad I worked out!!!! My family knows how to cook and everyone bought a dish, I made the the BBQ  Chicken and Pineapple Upside Down Cake...

Kids were mad, I didn't make brownies....LOL

We partied so hard...I HAVE NO VOICE today!!!! 

Today is family day for the kids....

We will watch movies today and chill....

I need some rest anyway.....

Until next time...

TGIF!!

Today is Friday and by now you know that means.....

OLD SKOOL FRIDAY BABY!!!

When I was younger my aunt Mae owned a tavern, and on Saturday, she would host KIDDIE DISCO....

My cousin Darcel's boyfriend was the DJ, and he was quite fond of me as a little girl...

So, I would always go up to him and request my favorite songs...and he would stop whatever he was playing to play whatever I wanted...

Everyone caught on and soon they start to send me upstairs to the dj booth to request their songs too!!!

Needless to say this song was on HEAVY ROTATION by me...

I loved this song...
Along with: Another one bites the dust, The Double Dutch Bus, and Jamaica Funk by Chakka Khan......

I love music and I swear its a time machine vessell because this song just took me to the 80's .....

When a pony tail to the side was considered sexy.....
and when I wanted to do it "BIG" ... I would have my mom put shirly temple curls in the ponytail and have some of my extremly long hair down in the back....

I thought I was a DIVA....

With my Pierre Cardin pale pink courderoys that fit just right
and my pink v neck cashmere sweater...
My pink cowgirl boots.....
I thought I was something....

I was 7.....

LOL

I miss those days...
My aunt passed away shortly after that of a massive heart attack..

I was devastated! She was my very favorite aunt!!!

Kiddie disco will be REMEMBERED for years to come, it was our Saturday morning treat....

For years....
I think it started when I was 2 and until she died when I was 9 years old...

That was my stroll down memory lane.....

Today, not much planned...
I have KILLA CRAMPS.....

So that means hot tea and laying in bed ....
No club for me today....

Not feeling too hot!!!!!

I am going to attempt to finish cleaning my scrap room, I have been organizing, purging, adding news stuff and it's a mess. My expedit is officially and totally FULL.....at capacity....
Now I have to get some more storage...and a scrapbook table. Still don't have one....I want something that is going to LOOK GOOD....but different......

I bought some more stuff from Target....
Mostly making memories stuff.....

Did I ever tell you how much I love Making Memories?????
Always have!!!

They had some cute Garden party paper and embellishments that I didn't see, so picked that up...
got some cute flower Marcella by K stickers...Some travel tags by MM and some simply shabby chic embellishment kit....it was on clearance and had the cutest little butterflies in it....

It is always "one" item in a kit that will make me buy the whole entire thing....and I have no shame in telling you it is usually the one thing that I will use and the rest gets rak'd or given to Jaree.
Who has a massive scrapbook selection.

I did get my orders in from etsy, just some cutesy tags, that I just learned I can do MYSELF in photoshop.....thanks for the tip Adrienne....

I spent 60 dollars on some really cute items mostly journaling tags and low and behold I found I can make these things on my own...

That is the power of scrappers coming together...
I saved future money from that one conversation....

I was kind of upset, but then what I bought was absolutely beautiful and now I take it as a learning experience....

Well, I gotta go.
I feel like climbing up the walls right now, because of the %^$$$#@##% cramps!!!

Until next time

I'm bacck!

ETA:  A few of my favorite pics of Jariel from the zoo

Took a break for a while....

but I am back...

I had to get my mind right! YOu know how that goes.

Today everyone is gone.

Baptiste is actually off, but went with Jariel to his field trip.  

I went to the zoo with him on Monday, and today Baptiste went to Hollywood Park.

Jariel graduates 6th grade this Month and he is sooooo excited!!!

Jaree is mad, because she doesn't think it's fair that Jariel has so many field trips this month.  This girl is so full of the "green eyed monster".  

I told her when she is in 6th grade then they will do the same thing...

That didn't fly over well, because I got a "What's so special about 6th graders'.

I can't keep up with that KID...LOL

I ordered the ATC HOLDER kit from QVC.  It came in yesterday....

I already bought an Atc Holder, but his one came with soooooo  much!!! 

I just had to get it...

You can see it HERE

I know, I haven't used the first one, but I still had to get it.

I plan to get scrap happy real soon.

I am such an impulse buyer and that so has to stop!

It made me think about this post from the blog.

There is no doubt about it that I am a collector!

I had to kind of chuckle out loud when she talked about the unused Basic Grey papers, still in their cellophane wrappers,  just waiting for the perfect occasion!!! LOL

I have bought so much stuff I just had to have, but have yet to use it!!

Let's see

Hambly overlays

The entire new line of Fancy pants including transparencies

Noteworthy by MM and Noteworthy 2 is coming out....LOL

Tons of acrylic stamps...

Lets just say I have used less than 25%  of the new stuff I bought this year!

I know I just heard a 'gasp', when you read this ...

My shopping habits are soooo bad!

But, I have been on a scrap roll.....

But I need to "rolling on a river", before I buy  ANYTHING ELSE.....LOL

Well, let me roll my butt out of here and go start on Jariel's album

Until next time!!!

Kiss your babies and tell them....

.......you Love them everyday!!!!!!

My husband's cousin Will lost his 7 year old son from a massive asthma attack....

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT....

I cannot fathom it!!!!

I cannot imagine what he and his wife are going through.

I cannot imagine what his 3 other siblings are feeling right now...

What the grandparents are feeling...

It seems so surreal...

You find yourself questioning WHY?

This child was SOOOOOOOOOOOO SMART!!! I mean on the lines of GENIUS SMART.  

He has hundreds of awards, he was a ¥oung author, very much into church..

His dream was to grow up and be a Minister and help the homeless....

My God!

I have known Will longer than I have known Baptiste, as his grandmother, owned a candy store that was adjacent to my dad's BARBER SHOP!!! 

I have known him since I was 8 years old....

It makes me so sad, yet so GRATEFUL,  because in 2006 I could have very well walked down this very same road with Jaree....

My baby flatlined  5 times.....

I almost lost my mind.....

I just cannot imagine, 

and that is why I have not been posting for the last day or two...

He had it in the wee hours of the morning and his little body couldn't handle it...

I love my children soooooooooo much, just like any other mother, but God knows I couldn't handle anything like this...

They may as well just dig two holes...

My children are MY LIFE, MY WORLD, MY EVERYTHING...

I cannot imagine, not kissing their little foreheads, or cuddling, or hearing their laughter, and wiping their tears away....

My heart is soooooo HEAVY!!!!

I just keep thinking about Jaree and her battle with epilepsy...

I encourage all of you to just kiss your babies and tell them how much you love them.....

Jaree is probably soooo sick of me because I cannot stop kissing her, hugging her, holding her, looking at her,  

Wow...just wow!

I am at a total loss guys...

Please pray for William and his wife Wanda,

and also say a prayer for little Day'Vione  .....

He was born on Christmas Day, can you imagine what their Christmas will be like this year...

My heart is breaking for them, and  I cannot stop crying...

So unbelievably sad!

Kiss your babies now...and if they are grown call them and tell them you love them...

Kids are only children for a mere 18 yeårs, but we never stop being a MOTHER...

oops.....It's Friday Baby!!!

It's Friday baby!!!

Ok these guys were a little strange, but I LOVE THIS GROUP IN THE 80'S!!!!!

Who else can get away with wearing a red bup over their tights and not be considered a little suspect, if you know what I mean...LOL

I used to love this VIDEO TOO!!!

I loved all of their songs, She's a Strange and Word Up were among my favorites....

you giving me a heart attack, it's the kind I LIKE....LOL

on the agenda, more scrapping and more altering....

I have been on a kick this week..Will share all of my creations on Sunday!!!!

Have a safe and happy weekend...
Still sick but not as bad!!!

Until next time

Still feel icky

My door bell rings at 6:30a.m.....

I awoke to a terrible headache, a very dry throat, and extreme congestion...

I immediately start coughing, I grab my water, only to find that Baptiste has CONSUMED all of my Figi Water (I love it to Adrienne, do you have a Sam's, because you can get a good deal there)

Anyway, I am soooooooooo freaking aggravated by now...

Jariel jumps out of bed, to go answer the door.  

I am thinking whoever the hell this is, it better be LIFE OR DEATH...

It's the neighbors...

Turns out, Jariel put MUSIC on their mp3 players (thanks for asking Jariel) and they were coming to pick them up before school.

Now I am really mad....

Now usually I am up at 6ish, but Bee had a late start today...

He didn't have to be at school until 9am

Which means I could sleep in until atleast 7:30...

Now I am sick, miserable, aggravated, angry, and I can't fall back to sleep...

Then Jariel comes and knocks on the door looking for his PSP, do I ever touch that stupid thing.  

I said a lot of things to him that would make Alec Baldwin look like a saint.....

I was so mad!

Baptiste tried to calm me down and comfort me, but IT WAS NOT WORKING...

SO NOW I AM UP...

SICK

PISSED

ANNOYED

and ready to kill someone....

Finally, I turned on the televison, watched some news and then turned to my favorite sitcom CHARMED....(you know they run all the re-runs on TNT)

Finally, started to calm down, but not for long...

I had to get Jariel and Jaree ready...

Thank God Baptiste took Bee to school...

And now I am finally winding down!!!

My boys are so gullible....

They let any and everybody use them...

I swear the only reason they have friends is because they can "use" my kids...

and they are just to stupid to realize it...

Everytime I look around they are either borrowing clothes, coming over to use the computer, coming over to use the printer, coming over to play the wii or the xbox 360, coming over to put music on their freaking mp3 players at 6:30am...

I told the boys NO MORE!!!! 

I am sick of it....

It's okay to be nice, but don't be a FOOL!

I will never have that problem with Jaree, she is very wise and observant for her age.

She is very OUTSPOKEN too, which gets her into trouble....

The other day, one of the kids came over to use the printer, and she told them "Why don't you tell your mom and dad to buy a printer, this is NOT THE LIBRARY, and we are going to start charging 25 cents a sheet!!! Ink ain't free"

True, but HARSH!!! LOL

Only one more day until the weekend.  I am so happy too!  

Can't wait to sleep in!!!!!

Today, not much planned.  I am supposed to work out today, but who knows.  I feel horrible right now....

I am going to lay around and try to feel better for tonight!!!!

I need to WORK OFF SOME STEAM!!!

I need to go over to Target and Joann's.  Hopefully Baptiste is in a good mood!!!! LOL  Lord knows I don't feel like driving...

Have you guys checked out all of the new stuff by Making Memories....

I am in love!!!!! 

You can see it here...I  cannot wait.  I have to have it all!!!

I am also in love with the new Sassafrass Lass Line, you can see it here.

I WILL BE BUYING IT ALL.......

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!!

Humpty Hump day

It's Hump day...

Only 2 more days left to the weekend...

And I couldn't be more happy..

No more fighting with the kids to go to bed....

No more fighting with the kids to get out of bed ....LOL

No more 6am alarm clocks going off...

No more helping the kids with homework.....

No more running around like a chicken with it's head cut off...

I GET TO RELAX!!!!

FRIDAY CAN'T GET HERE SOON ENOUGH....

I know this may sound insane to some of you, but I am ready for the kids summer vacation.   Only 3 weeks away....wohoo!

Can't wait to plan our summer activities and vacation...so stoked!!!

Yesterday, was soooo BEAUTIFUL!  Baptiste, the kids, and I had a picnic in the backyard....we ate quizno subs for lunch and then fired up the grill for dinner.  I cleaned the entire yard.  Baptiste and the boys cleaned the garage.  We had a really nice time at home...

I have really turned into a homebody guys...

I just enjoy being home...

It's my safe haven...

I hope I am not turning agoraphobic, but I just sometimes don't like to leave my home!

I think I watch way too much news and 'OUTSIDE' is such a scary place...

We live in a time when you can be driving down the street and someone can drive on the side of you and spray your car with bullets ....

YOu can be sitting on your porch or playing outside and be shot...

I recently had something happen in my family that was so TRAGIC and BIZARRE, that I just feel we are living in troubled times...

I just pray....

because if my grandmother was alive, she would be saying "we are living in our last days".

I used to hate hearing that as a child..

But every time you turn on the televison, you hear about mothers killing their children, children killing their parents, brothers killing brothers,  innocent children being killed, mass killings, IT'S JUST SAD...

Satan is busy guys!! So busy!!!

Yes, I am a Christian, and I believe in God, and all of these things were revealed in the bible..

Just crazy times...

But any ways,

I do plan to get some major scrapping done.  I am so inspired by my INSPIRATION journal I have been working on , that I am ready to just dive into my supplies and get my scrap on...

I am done with Jaree's album FINALLY,  will share that later this week.

I am just doing all the journaling!!! Well printing it out.  I have a lot of my own handwriting included, but I did do some computer journaling as well...

I will start Jariel's album today!!!

But, I so want to play with my atc holder....

I just ordered another one from qvc, good deal it came with extra atc cards in black, 99% journaling atc cards, transparancies, patterened paper, stickers....I cannot wait.

I am doing a people, places, and things I love for the first one...

Don't know what I will do for the second one yet....

On this gloomy day, it's rainy and cold today.  Yesterday it was 83 degrees. I know.  Crazy, huh?

I have been reading my Artful Blogger!!! I am so loving this magazine...

So much good stuff in there.  

Borders does carry it, so for those of you who are having trouble finding it, just go to your local Borders, it's in the Computer section.  Not with the scrapbooking mags.... 

You will not be disappointed.  If not, you can order it directly from the Stampington company.

Today, I will be doing more grilling!!!  We love our grill.  Rain and all.  

This Baptiste's basketball day, so I will definitely be getting my scrap on....

Until next time

Sick Tuesday

I am sad to report, I have caught a nasty, nasty head cold.  

I feel like a MACK TRUCK slammed into me..

Yesterday, I worked out for an hour and a half, and I think I may have over done it.  

I did 40 minutes on the treadmill, very fast paced and the last 10 minutes on an incline, I normally do 30 minutes with a 2 minute cool down, but never an incline!

I did the bike for 10 minutes, normally can only do 5, man that thing kills!!!!

I did free weights for 15 minutes

I worked on the weight machines for my arms and legs did 20 sets for each machine...

50 lbs for my legs

25 for my arms

I have more strength in my legs!!!!

Did 25 lunges and 20 slow squats 20 fast squats

Stretched and went home...

I was sweating like it was 110 degrees in there and the fans were on...

I felt good originally, but after I showered I was extremely sore....

Especially my arms and thighs...

I was almost in tears, Baptiste felt so sorry for me.

I watched a tv for a while and zonked out...

This morning I am still sore, but its bearable...

I think I tried to do too much too quick!!!!

I work out 3 days and walk every other day!!! 

I am really serious about getting healthy, but I can't kill myself doing it.  Kwim???

I am down 31 lbs from last year and really excited.  I  have 29 lbs more to go.  I cannot wait until I am completely down,and then I will do my best to maintain!!!

I will never allow myself to get as heavy as I was ....no way, no how.

Baptiste has been sooo supportive!!!

Today,  is a day of rest for me and it will just that!  A day of rest!!

I will probably do some stretches, crunches and reverse crunches, but nothing more than that.

My body is aching!! LOL

I did pick up some stuff from JLMS.  She had a 35% coupon and I indulged myself in some Heidi Swapp papers, Pink Paislee Papers and transparancies, and some glimmer mist...I got the order yesterday and can't wait to play with it.....

I went to Borders with Baptiste and picked up the latest copy of the Artful Blogger.  I plan to lay in bed today and dive in  to this magazine.  I love this mag!!!!! 

Jaree is home sick too!!! And guess what?  She's in my bed, do they ever leave "mommy's bed", Even my 15 year old will come in and lay in my bed..... Goodness.  Get off the breast already....LOL

I know I breastfed longer than normal.....Bee 15 months Jariel 21 months and Jaree 15 months....but gee wiz!!!

That's all folks, until next time

Happy Monday!!!!

HAPPY MONDAY!!!  

OK!  Mrs.  Jaree is a mess!

She was reading my blog over and saw all the pictures of Bee....

She says " Mommy I know you were happy about his (Bee) prom and all, but where am I???"

So here is Jaree and all of her HANNAH MONTANA glory!!! This girl loves Hannah Montana, controversy or no controversy...

Hanna Montana shirt

Hannah Montana watch

Hannah Montana earrings

Hannah Montana bracelet

Hannah Montana Head band

Hannah Montana Necklace

Hannah Montana Sunglasses

Not shown, Hannah Montana purse and Hannah Montana bra and underwear..

Move over THAT'S SO RAVEN, now it's all about Hannah Montana...

This girl wants everything that she see's....

These pictures were actually taken on her birthday, So Jaree when you read this...

Are you happy now????

Ok, I know I am a  proud Mama, but my son, my baby went to PROM guys...

I remember when I  had to throw wipes over his little "you know what", so he would not pee-pee in my face and now he's driving and going to prom ladies...

Truly emotional moment for me....

I have to fix these pictures in Aperture or Photoshop???  But I wanted to share anyways

Sherice was truly happy Bee went on prom with her and VERY PROUD!!!

Love this shot of them, even though blurry!  Bee and Nic will probably have a DUAL WEDDING, these kids do everything together!!!!  They are TRULY BEST FRIENDS!!!

There's that freaking tongue again....He gets that from me, it must be hereditary, my tongue slips out every time I dance!!!!

Love this shot too!!!

Blurry but nice!

Love this picture too.  

Bee and Nic may as well went to the prom together, because as you can see the two of them are inseparable.  

Funny!!! They did the same pose on HOMECOMING.  Look at this post!!!!

Had a fun weekend.  Friday I saw Bee off to prom and worried like a maniac that they would return safe. 

Purposely, stayed home on Saturday, because Bee and all his friends drove to Six Flags and the oldest person was 17.  So that screams inexperience drivers!!!!  It's an hour drive and I was so scared!!!  I was going to have them just trail me there and then I was going to go pick them up, but Bee says I was treating him like an infant, so I just sat by the phone.  Katie has a NAVIGATIONAL system in her car, so I took comfort in that.  She actually drives better than the other boys who drove!! I was so glad Bee rode in her car!!! LOL 

Sunday, we went to our friends  house for a BBQ.  We ate good!!! Played Wii!!!! Had great conversation, and then I came home and crashed.  

I seasoned so much meat, I think I am going to turn Vegan...

Brats

Hot links

Parker House Sausage

T-Bone Steak

Sirloin Steak

Chicken Legs

Chicken Wings

Chicken Breasts

Tilapia

Catfish

Shish-kabobs

Didn't have to season the sausages, but everything else!!!

I also cooked the spaghetti and baked beans...

and get this....

I was the guest!!! LOL  I didn't mind.   Juanita doesn't cook and since the guys were watching the meat, I went ahead and did all the seasoning and cooking of the sides...

I also made potato salad.

I know my way around the kitchen!!!   LOL

I think that is why Baptiste has been around for 18 years....LOL

That is how I snagged my husband.  I cooked him a 6 course meal when I was 16 years old...t

Turkey, dressing, collard greens, candied yams, ham, potato salad....and a 7 up cake!!!

He told me then I am going to MARRY YOU, guess he meant it!!!

My granny didn't play....

Not only do all the girls know how to cook, but all the men cook just as good if not BETTER...

I don't mind cooking!!!  Well, I take that back.  I don't mind BAKING!!!!  LOL

Today, not much planned!

3 Loads of Laundry

Clean my room

Work out at the gym for an 1 hour

Watch Dancing with the Stars!!!!

So there you have it!

Until next time

Wow this week went by LIGHTENING FAST!!!

Look at my baby.......

Here are a couple of my favorite pics from Bee's prom!  This kid is soooo POPULAR, he's only a sophmore and was asked to prom.  You would think it was his SENIOR prom. His Friend Sherice said she wanted to go with a "jock", I said "you mean my son Jacques", she said "no  a jock, like a popular kid".  I said are you talking about my son, she said yes...everyone knows he's the POPULAR...ALRIGHTY THEN!!!

Bee was so sharp in his royal blue...In the other pic he is with my parents and Baptiste's  mother.

The girls...his date is in the blue

Baptiste had to get a piece of the action...HILARIOUS!!!

Bee took tons of pics with his tongue hanging out of his mouth....LOL

Bee with girlfriend Katie and best friend Nic who went on prom too!  These two are literally glued together at the hip.

Like father like son!!!

Love this shot of my mom and dad with Bee, it was so windy, my mom's hair was blowing in the wind....

This is my favorite shot of the kids in the LIMO!!!!   I don't know what the guys were talking about, but I guess it was funny to Bee, because he's cracking up!!!!  I took 253 pictures....woah!!! But these were my favorites!!!!! 

Hope you enjoyed.  Will post more later, but I promise it won't be 253 pictures!!!  LOL

Throw it own back....

Yes, it's Throwback Friday!!!

I am a PROUD CHILD of the 70's.!!! Being a child from the 70's how can you not appreciat the wlld and crazty George Clinton and Parliament and the Funkadelics.....

From Flashlight, Atomic Dog, and One Nation Under a Groove, but of all songs put out,

I will still jump to my feet and dance to this...

I love Parliament...

and this song makes me think of the scene in GOOD BURGER, when they escaped from the Mental institution. Remember Keenan Thompson, was jacking the orderlies up with his dance moves.....LOL

Have a Happy and Safe Friday..
Until next time

Shopping Spree

With so much going on around here, it was nice to get out and go shopping.....

Today, my baby is going on PROM!!!!!!
YES, Bee is only a sophmore, but he has been asked to go on prom with a friend. He is soooooo popular so I was not shocked!!!

Expenses, expenses....
$140 for tux rental
$75 prom ticket
$75 dollars limo rental (3 couple are going in on this)
$25 bouquet
$188 dollars in lost books and Id fees in order to go to prom(He almost stayed his butt at home....LOL)
$45 Six flags ticket
$150 in spending money

and this is not his PROM!!!!!! If it wasn't for his friend Sherice, I would have just said NO.

You don't know how bad I wanted to say HELL NO!!!!! LOL

We did get help from my parents who bought his tux and gave him $100 dollars...

He works with his dad so he paid half of his fees and for his LImo

So it wasn't that bad!!!!

I will be taking tons and tons and tons and tons of pics so stay tuned!!!

Dana