Self Portrait Thursday

I have to admit I hate taking pictures of myself!
I am always critiquing something!

As my mom always said, I AM MY OWN WORST CRITIC!

I always find something wrong with my pics!
I have always been told that I am a very photogenic person, and that I take nice pics!
But I always find something not to like about them.

But, not in this PHOTO.

I guess it's because I see my Mom! I am my mom's CARBON COPY!
We are identical. I have to post a picture of her when she was my age!
We look the EXACT SAME!!! LOL

Don't get me wrong, I don't have low self esteem at all!
I am very beautiful woman!
Just hate the way my pics turn out sometimes.

Am I the only one who feels this way????

Tomorrow, I have some big things to share with you! So stay tuned.........

Adventure of being Dana

Yesterday, I cleaned, did laundry, cleaned, and did more laundry!!!
I am 95% done in my scraproom! Now all I have to do is put up all the new stuff I just bought!
And put away some other stuff. Maybe I will have some motivation to get in there today! I definitely want to be finish by Friday so I can post the new clean scraproom on my blog!

Yesterday I went to two of favorite places. TARGET and BORDERS!
I had to exchange Jariel's camera for the 3rd time. If he breaks it this time, or something goes wrong. He is SOL. I refuse to go back to Target to exchange that thing. I bought him the Kodak MX1063, it's a 10.3 megapixel camera. It takes really nice pics!!! He loves it!!!

I browsed around, and lusted over all the cute stuff. But restrained from buying anything!!!
If you know me, that was hard!

Then I went to Borders in search of the latest copy of Artful Blogging, was not lucky in my search! I ended up coming home with this Somerset magazine book instead ( Yes, I said magazine book! When you pay more than 6 bucks for a mag, it becomes a magazine book..LOL)

It looks pretty good! See!!!




I plan on reading it later this afternoon when I am done with my work!

Today the kids have a half day. So not much me time going on! That is Jaree and Jariel have a half day. Bonnie and Clyde should be home around noon!

Today, the kids want steak, baked potatoes, ceasar salad, and garlic bread! So that is what what's on the dinner menu for today!!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
blog ya later!

Tuesdays Ramblings!

How's about a weekend recap first! Friday, I just stayed around the house and organized my scrapbook room!!!! Saturday morning the same thing! And guess what, it is still not done, I still have to put my new goodies on the clip it up, organize my papers, and dust the last 5 shelves of my expedit! Ugh!

Saturday night I went out with friends and had a good time.

Sunday I went out to eat with my mom, sister and my sister's good girlfriend Katrina. We went to Red Lobster and ate ourselve into a coma. I love their Lobster Fiesta Rolls!!!!!! I had the Ultimate Feaat (snow crab legs, Maine Lobster tail, shrimp scampi, Fried Shrimp) and baked potato and salad. And their famous cheddar rolls! We all look like the abomidable snow man. Winter time is not the time to be cute in Chicago! It's time to be warm, but I still think we look cute, puffy, but cute! LOL

Yesterday, was a a day of organizing my room, because it can get out of HAND fast!!!!!! LOL
It was also Laundry day. I washed 5 loads of clothes, folded and put away! Well I put away my stuff, the kids put away their own clothes. Hey, If I can wash it and dry it, you can fold it and put it away! I cooked a big dinner. English Roast, Mashed Taters and gravy, and corn! I love English roast!!!!!

I read some mags, Glamour, Family Circle, and Essence!!!!
Watched some television: House, Intervention, and Paranormal State.

Had a Berry Pomegranite, Banana smoothie from Baskin Robbins!!!

Took a long shower, drank some Chai Tea, wrapped up in fleece and read some more Eclipse!!!

And fell asleep watching televison!!!

On the agenda for today:

1. Giving Goldie a bath. It's time!!!!!
2. Target run. Have a few thing I need to pick up
3. Trip to the apple store, my Ipod runs out of battery very fast, and needs to be fixed
4. Making doctor, dentist and Optometrist appts for me and the kids!!!
5. Border's trip to see if the new Artful blogging is in.....
6. American Idol and Bad Girls club!!!

Last but not least my kitty Sugar is geting so big!!!! That is her getting her nap on!!! LOL She is so fun and playful!!! Love it when they are rambunxtious little kittens!!! Well, most of the time!!! LOL
So some fun stuff and not so fun stuff planned today!

That is all folkes....

It's Friday baby!

Gotta love my mom, she took Jaree to get her hair done yesterday! Jaree's hair broke off really bad and I have been sending her to the shop to get treatments so that her hair can be healthy. It's grown out a lot. We cut off all the damaged hair, and it's been growing like weeds. She literally had NO HAIR on the left hand side. No more micro braids for Jaree, if so, she can only wear them for 6 weeks and not 3 months. I can't see myself paying $300 for only 6 weeks, so she won't be getting them any more. Her hair is to fine for it.

Just like a WOMAN, you know you get that NEW ATTITUDE when you get a NEW DUE!

It's hard to believe this girl is only 9. She is developing so fast.

Yes, she is something else!!!! Can you tell?


Look what my mommy bought me!!!! I have been wanting these ladder shelves for my scraproom for the longest time! And guess what mommy brings over yesterday. Yes, I am spoiled and Proud of it!!!! LOL

Went to ARchiver's! Why? I don't know! I don't NEED SHIT ELSE (says Adrienne)! but these were so cute had to get!

Look at those cute pins by MM!!!! The new Love Notes Collection!

My faves from what I bought!

And this is everything I bought! LOL
Archiver's is finally carrying HAMBLY, but they so need to upgrade their collection and get the new stuff and the rubons I want!

And you know what it means! It's time to Throw it back. Before Tupac and Biggie, Before Jay-Z and Nas, there was Rakim!!! One of the greatest AND FORGOTTEN rappers of our time. A master lyricist. I loved this group when i was growing up. He is truly one of GREATS, and does not get his due!

I love paid in full!!!

Today Baptiste and I are going to see Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. He really wants to see this movie. It's like an action, type of horror! Which is all good with me.

Can't wait!

That's all folkes. I have rambled enough!

Self Portrait Thursday

In case you are wondering, I really am sleep on this picture. I have a husband who just loves taking pictures of me while I am sleep or not paying attention! LOL

This is truly the softer side of me!
I am a gentle person!
I love hard!
I put my all into whatever I do!
I wear it all on my sleeve!
What you see is what you get!
I am a very sensitive person! I sometime get my feelings hurt!
I am a passionate person!
I AM A GENUINE person
I am a a very generous person!
I am a positive person!
I AM DANA!!!

I have decided that every Thursday I will do these types of posts.
I rarely show pics of myself, mostly post pics of my kids and the hubs.
But this is my blog and you should know the woman behind the screen...LOL
Hope you have enjoyed it!

Wonderful Wednesday

Yes we can! Yes we will! Yes we did!

I am on floating on cloud 9!
The first thing that came to my mind. ...
One day after MLK day was...
...and HIS DREAM WAS FULFILLED!

Martin Luther King Jr's dream has FINALLY BECOME A REALITY!
When I look into the eys of my children and tell them "you can be anything you want, EVEN PRESIDENT OF THE U.S." ,it won't be just a FANTASY!

I am still taking it all in..
Soaking it up...

Yesterday was a TURNING POINT in my life...
I feel like I can achieve ANYTHING...
The only sadness I felt was NOT having my grandparents here to Witness this MIRACLE!

and yes, I do look at this as a Miracle!

I am so exctied to see what our President has in store for us...
I know he will do a Wonderful job at leading our country, for this, I have no doubt!

I pray for this man...
I pray for his safety...
I pray for his family...

Because you have so much hatred in this world.
I am hoping one day, that too will change!

Again, I am unable to put into words what I felt yesterday!
I am just alive that God blessed me with life to be here to witness such a HISTORICAL MOMENT!

I hit the motherload!

I was over on the twopeas website and I came across a post about all the new goodies at Michaels. And one of things that struck me was the new Martha Stewart Valentine Lace Edger Punches, so I decided to go in and see what the hype was all about.

Now I told you I was only really looking for this:




So why o why did I come home with all of this:




I never stick to plan! So what is all of that?

New Prima Stuff!!! I love it

I love this new line by Colorbok called Friendly Forest I grabbed every single thing I saw that was left. I am going to make another trip to Mike's because I want the alpha's and ribbons


In my excitement I left these out of the pic. Love the cute chipboard animals!!

Didn't really know how I felt about Chloe's Closet by MM, but now that I really got home and looked at it, I love it and will be going back to get more. The paper pack and maybe a few more embellies!!!


I fell head over heals in love with the Sabrina Line By MM. I got everything I saw!!!!

That's me Dana! Go to the store for one thing and come home with all of this. LOL I am definitely my mother's child! LOL


This is some other stuff that I picked up, some K&Compnay, Soft Spoken, MS Acrylic Stamps, Love those Autumn Leave stamps with the cute owl, got the AL acrylic ink from Walmart, and some Felt Lace Ribbon by Recollections.

So there you have it! I am a binge shopper.
I am so glad that Baptiste was NOT with me, because he would have FLIPPED when he saw the bill. Which was RIDICULOUS! But, hey I deserve it! LOL

Also, it was brought in, in spurts! This was two Michaels trips!! Within two days of each other, so he never really saw the heap all at once!

Now I have to hustle and put everything away before he gets home from work! LOL Well, that is after I look at it all one more time!

I know the pics are kind of small, so you can click on the images to make them bigger.

If you haven't done so already! Run to Michaels, they have so much new cute stuff!!!!
YOu have officially been ENABLED!!! LOL

Tribute To Martin Luther King Jr.

In honor of the late Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.


A man who stood for Pease
A man who stood for Justice
A man of Ambition
A man of Dreams
A man of Determination
A man of Love
A man of God
A man of Patience
A man of Triumph
A man of Endurance

A man that soo deserves a day of Recognition!

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr.

YOu will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!
BUT YOU DEFINITELY WILL BE MISSED!

Self Portrait Thursday

I am me!
Flaws and all!
I am not perfect.
I have a potty mouth!
I can be a big BITCH at times
If you step on my toes, I will crush yours!
I am not a perfect size 5 like I was in high school!
I don't have all the answers!
I can be stubborn sometimes...
I can be a spoiled brat..
I don't keep a clean room!
I love junk food!
I talk a lot of shit! but I can back it up!
I can be a big flirt!
I spend way too much time on the computer
I spend way too much money on THINGS...
I can be competitive
I am a TIT FOR TAT type girl
I have big thighs and even bigger butt!
I don't go to church every Sunday
I have did things that I am not proud of
I have been hurt
I have hurt others
I lust after LL COOL J

But at the end of day...

I AM ME!
DANA
I am loving
I am strong
I am smart
I am beautiful
I am kind
I am honest
I am Bold
I am a whole lot of fun
I am a mother
I am a wife
I am sister
I am daughter
I am a wife!
I am a child of God!

And guess what ?

I LOVE MYSELF!

Embrace who you are...
Love yourself, because if you don't no one else willl.....

Random Thoughts

Today it's super cold, snowing, and miserable outside...

but inside my house, it's cozy, and quiet!
I have no plans of leaving my house today...
Except for picking up the kids...

Days like this, give you a lot of time to think!

I have been thinking a lot about this blog and the direction I want it to take...

A few things I would like to do, is include a Randm thoughts day, self portrait day, creative moments day.... Just don't know what day's I would like to do it on.

I really love blogging. I have met so many wonderful people, that I would have not otherwise met, if not for blogging. Some people I have grown, so close too! Those of you know who you are ....LOL

I have been really scrapping for the last couple of days. But have only completed 2 layouts....LOL I have more in me. My mojo is really flowing, so I am going with it. Before this, I haven't scrapped in like forever..... So I am happy to be scrappy...LOL

Days like this you want to stay in bed all day under the covers, take a hot bath, never get out of your pj's and sip on hot cocoa. Grab a good book or magazine and never leave the house. Maybe even a good movie!

Today, I will be cooking a HUGE POT of Seafood Gumbo, Chicken, Sausage, Crab Legs, Lobster Tails, and Jumbo Shrimp!

I can't wait for dinner!
Baptiste said, he is so glad, that he married a woman who can cook. And as my dad says, I can BURN!

My grandmother started teaching me to cook at 7 years old.

By the time I was 11, I could cook a full coarse meal!
Thanks Granny!!!!

It's so bitterly cold outside! I am a person who HATES COLD!
I have my crazy fuzzy socks on, fuzzy pj's and I am still cold. Heat is on a record 78. Normally my dial doesn't go past 74, but shit it's cold as a mutha out there! LOL Baptiste is just going to have to deal with it!

That's all I have today!
Until next time

Straight hair

My mom blow dryed my hair and flat ironed it for me.
I have tons of hair! It's super curly! But mom took care of that for me. Thanks MOM!

I am blessed with a head full of thick pretty hair!
I get that from both sides. My mom has beautiful hair and so does my dad!

I usually keep it curly and I do like it curly, but it was time for a change. When I get sick of this I can just wash it and it will go back to the little ringlets!

It's funny because I am always asked what my NATIONALITY is....
And I look at them funny, because to me I look African American...
However I am a mutt...
I am the product of a bi-racial father and a multi-racial mother...

My mother is African, Native American, East Indian, and Irish...
My father is Creole (mother) and father was French and Native American.

So yes, I am all mixed up...
I have always claimed to be African American, because that is what I see when I look in the mirror! That is what identify best as being....

I am going to the movies and out to dinner tommorrow, well actually it's later today! I am going to see the Unborn! Can't wait!

Just wanted to show my new do!

Last but not least, as a woman it's always nice to hear "Damn baby, you look sexy", and the look he gave me PRICELESS! I said don't start no shit Baptiste. That's how I got knocked up 3 times...LOL Just kidding! I mean I know I am pretty, but it's always nice to hear it from some one else....LOL

Until next time!!!

It's Friday Baby

And you know what that means!!!!
Old School Friday!

I chose this because I am in love with this man!!! I mean I have a grown up crush on this man!

And who doesn't love "You're jingling baby"

This is the sexiest man alive!!!!!!

Today I am going to see the Unborn!!!
Yes, Adrienne you heard right!

I have been awaiting this movie since the previews at the Twilight movie.

Going with a few friends!

Then we are going to grab a bite to eat.
No drinks for me, I am on meds.

But come next week, it's on and popping.

Have a safe and fun filled weekend!

Peace!!!

New Year=New Attitude

With this new year, brings new Perspective.
A new leash in life...

I have gotten rid of all the bullshit people in my life
I have gotten rid of people who bring nothing but drama....

If you don't mean me any good, then you are as good as gone!
I am 34 years old and it's time to live my life, free of NEGATIVITY and TOXIC PEOPLE...

I only surround myself around people who are positive and uplifting....

Unfortunately, some of these people are family.....
I have just got to this place where I like PEACE...
I don't feel like being STRESSED OUT!

With this new year, brings NEW BEGINNINGS...
new friends
new endeavors, that include (finishing Grad school, starting a few new hobbies like knitting,beading and maybe sewing, I am kinda of accident prone, so the sewing maybe a little dangerous)
New business ventures
New outlook on life...

I don't do resolutions...
I have goals!
One is to live a healthier lifestyle!
I have lost 22lbs, but I want to lose 30 more!!!
So with that, I plan on exercising more and watching what I eat!

I also plan to make more time for my family ...
Not just my immediate family...

My extended family as well...

Plan to take more TIME for myself!! And do things that DANA wants to do...

I also plan to blog more in this NEW YEAR....
I know that seems a little rocky, since I haven't blogged and it is already a week into the new year, but I plan to change all that.

I plan to be more creative with my blogging, and post more of my CREATIONS, whether it's a layout, a painting, decoupauge art, mixed media, I will share it. Want to take my blog in a more artistic direction...

I also plan to take my photography to the next level!!!

These are just a few of my goals for this year!
I am optimistic and eager to start working on these goals!

Look for this blog to take another direction soon!

Still will be the same, but with added perks!!!!

That's all for now!
See ya soon!