It's New Year's Eve already....

Wow....
I can't believe another year has come and gone! Time really flies.....
I remember New Year's Eve of 2010, I had lost my father June of that year and I was so ready to see 2010 go.... that was such a BAD YEAR year for me! In January we found out my dad had lung cancer, in fact January 6th, so the year started off BAD....and then 6 months to the DAY....he died on June 6th! That whole ordeal was A NIGHTMARE! I was so scared!!!! I was heartbroken!!!! I was angry with GOD! I was ANGRY WITH EVERY BODY! and then I was numb....

Fast forward to 2011, I am still a little angry....I miss my dad so much sometimes, I can hardly breathe! Until you have been in my shoes, you can't possibly imagine how I feel! I wouldn't wish this on my GREATEST ENEMY! My heart still aches! I still feel a void in my life. My dad and I were very close! I was dubbed THE FAVORITE, but I know my dad loved all of his KIDS! I WAS JUST HIS BABY GIRL!

I still wake up sometimes and reach for my phone to call him....it's almost been two years!

Gahhhh!
anyway....
Moving on...

2011 had it's ups and it's downs!
Baptiste got LAID OFF....but thank God, we have a A SAVINGS ACCOUNT!
He got a MUCH better god as a Manager for Walmart, less responsibilities and MORE MONEY!
WHO CAN BEAT THAT?

I had a DIABETES SCARE this year!
I went to the doctor for a mass under my arm...mentioned how much I had been urinating every 5 minutes...I initially thought, I may have gotten pregnant, but soon found out my BSL was 487. I was devastated! I lost over 30lbs, I had really put on the pounds in the last couple of years! So I started changing my diet and exercising....after just 3 months I was TOTALLY OFF MY MEDS. I believe I prayed my diabetes away.....I was a praying sister! I was TERRIFIED! and I slip off my diet sometimes, but I always go back!

I, really don't talk about my personal life, but the last two years have been trying for my marriage! I love Baptiste, with all my heart, BUT, he has TRUST ISSUES! LOL It stems from his own upbringing! I told him he needed to work on that, and that's all I am going to say!!!!

I, also, this year created a SIDE HUSTLE for myself! That has brought some income in the house! I have always created everyone's resume in the family and some of my friends. Baptiste came to me, and said he had a friend on his job, that wanted me to create a resume and cover letter for me and he was willing to pay $100 ....I jumped on board and HE GOT THE JOB! From then on, 4 other of his family members had me create resumes for them! ALL 4 of them got the job! I'm not saying that my resume, got the job, their skills SPEAK volumes! But, it did help! Toot Toot! So, I have been creating resumes for people! I am in the process of going a little bigger, Baptiste and my sister Tracy are my biggest supporters! I love them both so much!


2011, is the year I saw a lot of change in my children....some things good, some things bad....

My oldest B, has really matured! He is a manager for Sonic and he also works part time for Walgreens. He is in college. We helped him get his first car, and MY MOM PAID IT OFF! He is doing very well and I am so proud of him. He is very generous too! He looks out for both of his siblings. Even tries to slide me cash, but I do NOT take money from my children! I am FINE!

However, I worry about him, he works a lot of hours, he goes to school, he teaches dance, and I am afraid he is going to burn himself out! He just made 19. He basically has 3 jobs and goes to school! He is so much like his DAD, it's pathetic! LOL

JARIEL, my baby boy, really matured as well! His GRADES are really impressive THIS YEAR, as opposed to last year! He has really taking the initiative to give it his absolute best! He is trying to get a scholarship, to go to the college of his choice. He is already guaranteed a sports scholarship, but he says he wants the GRADES to go with it, HE IS TRYING TO GET A FULL RIDE, to college. His coaches for wrestling, football, baseball, and track have really worked with him, and helped tremendously! Jariel went from a C average to almost an A Average! I am so proud of this kid!

However, he gave me the BIGGEST SCARE of my life this year, he came home complaining of chest pains and before I could get my shoes on, he started screaming and clutching his chest! I was in TEARSSSSSS, SCREAMING, CRYING, and so was Jaree! I HIT 100 in my pajamas, scarf, and house shoes to the hospital. I didn't have time to get dressed, nor did I CARE! I thought my child was having a heart attack. He already has a heart murmur and chronic bronchial asthma! but, my doctor always encouraged to let him do anything, WITH IN REASON, that he wants and he is VERY ATHLETIC....turns out Jariel caught an extreme CASE OF STAPH INFECTION, from unsanitary wrestling mats from his school! It had got so bad, that it infected the lining of his heart which caused the heart attack like symptoms! I was LIVID....

to add INSULT to injury....HIS GRADES suffered, I had so many problems with his school, but when i went up there and WENT ANGRY BLACK WOMAN ON THAT ASS, every thing was handled. I tried to be nice , prim, and proper at first, that didn't work! I had to get IGNANT! and then I got results.....LOL

but, JARIEL, has changed for the worse too....HIS ATTITUDE SUCKS...he mouths off like he doesn't know who his PARENTS ARE....Just in case you didn't no, I DON'T PLAY WITH KIDS, especially my own. I will fugg a kid up on site *in my Bernie mac voice*. LOL And I had to get him a couple of times this year....I guess he is at that age, where he is feeling himself, I went through that with B, and I had to show him as well, who the PARENT was....LOL


Jaree, has really matured as well, NO FIGHTS THIS YEAR! That is the biggest improvement! Jaree is not a bully, BUT, SHE WON'T LET ANYONE PUSH HER AROUND! and this year, no arguments, AND NO FIGHTS! Jaree's grades are always Good, she has been on the honor roll since Kindergarten, nothing has changed there! She is smart as a whip.....BUT SO IS HER MOUTH! I had to SQUAD UP, a few days after Christmas and really kick her butt! She likes to challenge me more than any other child I have! She is so MUCH like me, that we bump heads! I definitely got my PAY BACK, with her! LOL


My biggest concern of the year is MY MOM AND HER HEALTH! My brother moved in on September 1st, and my mom's life has been in TURMOIL ever since! I kinda feel guilty, because I am the one who talked my mom into letting him stay there. It was only supposed to be 2 months, and it will be 4 months tomorrow! My brother and his family are DEFINITELY A BURDEN on my mom, her bills doubled, no one pays her a dime, THEY DON'T EVEN BUY TOILET PAPER, things have gone missing, my mom is always arguing with my brother, and I am just scared she is going to have a stroke, because all she does is yell, scream, argue or cry! I had a BIG argument with my brother and his wife, I let them know, that if ANYTHING happens to my mom, I am COMING FOR BOTH OF THEM....I DON'T PLAY ABOUT MY MOTHER ......
and my sister is RIGHT ON BOARD! In fact, she's the ENFORCER, she is CRAZIER than I am, and that says A LOT...

ME: this year has been really hard for me....in fact, it has been more hard for me this year, than last year in regards to my dad's death! I GUESS, last year was just a SHOCK...this year is A REALITY that he is gone. I am still grieving and it's hard!

This year we had two tragic deaths: The death of my cousin Tamiko and my little cousin Dominique. Tamiko had an abnormality in her heart that went undetected, and she died at the age of 27. Dominique was struck and killed by a woman who was texting while driving. She was just 3 weeks shy of her 2nd birthday!
this is the year of HATERS for me! I am used to people hating on me! BUT, THIS YEAR, it was ridiculous! I am the MOST DOWN TO EARTH person you would ever meet, I am so cool, I can get along with anyone, but WOMEN AND MEN hate on me all the time. but, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, and I don't know why? I always, get NEGATIVITY, DIRTY LOOKS, OR PEOPLE WHO TALK BEHIND MY BACK! But, what THEY don't realize is, I FEED OFF OF THAT, it just makes me happier! IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME ONE BIT, because I know who and WHAT i am, and your opinions of me, DON'T MEAN SHIT! LOL I AM JUST, glad, my mother and father instilled that in me from a child, because all the HATE i received this year, IF I WAS A WEAK PERSON, i'd be ready to kill myself! AND MOST OF IT WAS FROM FAMILY.....
SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT? LOL People don't like the fact that I live comfortable, that I have a husband that adores me and OUR 3 children, that we do things as a family, that I basically get any and everything I want, but I DO NOT HAVE A JOB....this JUST BURNS MY IN LAWS UP! my husband isn't SUPPOSED TO DO ANYTHING for me.....according to them? Folks is crazy! But I just smile and pray for them fools! LOL BUT....MOVING RIGHT ALONG...

We've also had some good things to happen, my dad's parents left he and his siblings, some land in Mississippi, and they think it's oil on the land. I got my first payment of $485, if they find oil on the land, it can be worth so much more! I am crossing my finger and toes! LOL

I, also won $1,800 this year at the casino! I went once this year and one once this year! LOL I AM NOT a big gambler! But, I always seem to win! LOL

I won $600 on a $2 7/11/21 scratch off....

This has been my LUCKY YEAR....LOL

I have fell back in love with reading this year....I really wasn't reading, since my dad passed, didn't have the mind for it! Didn't have the mind for anything really, but I am back at it full swing! Reading 32 candles as a recommendation by my little sister Sam!!!! LOL

Any good book recommendations? Feel free to comment!

What else, oh....I AM SCRAPBOOKING FULL SWING, well, I should say SMASHBOOKING....I have fell in love with the whole smash book idea! I will have to devote an entire post on that!
But, it's so much fun!

Last but not least, I have fell in love with God again....when I lost my father, I was really in A DARK PLACE, I did a whole bunch of things I am NOT PROUD OF....I lost my way....but towards the end of this year, something happened to me, and I just fell to my knees....and I just started PRAYING....and GOD, restored me!!!!! I will never turn my back on God again, he never turned his back on me, and accepted me with open arms! and that's MY TESTIMONY!


WHAT ARE MY GOALS FOR 2012:
To focus on DANA.......

i have really lost myself in the midst of being a MOTHER, A WIFE, A DAUGHTER, A SISTER, A FRIEND.....

I really NEGLECTED ME....
and I am NOT doing that in 2012

This year is ALL ABOUT ME...not in a selfish way, but a taking care of DANA WAY....
starting first is my HEALTH...

I am really going to eat healthy (which I have been doing anyway, since the diabetes scare)
I am going to workout 4 times a week....
pray and meditate DAILY.......
AND PAMPER MYSELF MORE....
get focused on my business.....to earn extra income for myself and my family....
and CUT a lot of NEGATIVE PEOPLE FROM MY LIFE...even if its FAMILY..


I am going to take AT LEAST one trip BY MYSELF A YEAR.....
GET MORE INTO MY HOBBIES.....

just taking more time for ME, ME, ME!!!!



What are some of your goals this year?

Well that is all, didn't mean for this post to be so long, but I guess I had a lot to say...LOL

with that being said, I love you all, have a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR...
AND


UNTIL NEXT TIME.....

It's New Year

Out of the mouth of babes

So, My baby girl Jaree and I were having a conversation about Christmas? And she said, "do you ever think Jesus gets angry because people have made both his holidays about something else?" I asked her what she meant and she said "Well Christmas is the day that Jesus Christ was born, and they make it all about SANTA AND PRESENTS.. Then Easter is day that Jesus rose from the dead, but they made it all about the Easter Bunny, Easter baskets, and Easter Egg Hunts, if I was Jesus, i would be mad, because all of the attention was not on him, when it should be"


I STOOD THERE with my MOUTH HANGING WIDE OPEN! My daughter is 12, this is really the first year that she doesn't believe in Santa! My kids believed in Santa, but knew all about Jesus and the reason for the season.

But, I sat there and I thought about IT.....she was so RIGHT! and on POINT!

FURTHER MORE....My cousin made this post on Facebook today:

Santa comes but once a year Santa fills your stockings with goodies Santa comes down your chimney uninvited then enters your heart. You have to stand in line to see Santa name. Santa lets you sit on his lap
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?" Not only does Jesus know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly All Santa can offer is HO HO HO Santa says "You better not cry" JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you. Santa's little helpers make toys, WHILE JESUS Repairs broken homes and builds mansions. Remember why we truly celebrate Christmas!

I would like to add to that:
Santa may make you chuckle and fill your tree with gifts, but Jesus gave us the GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE, MERCY, AND GOOD GRACES.

SANTA rides a sleight, Jesus walks on water! He knows our names, he's always with us, he's our healing , help and hope so much more then fake that comes only once a year!



It's obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember WHO and WHAT Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in Christmas!


Darn shame, they want to call CHRISTmas trees....HOLIDAY TREES
CHRISTmas Parties.........HOLIDAY PARTIES...
They want to separate Jesus from everything, BUT NOT IN THE BROOKS HOUSEHOLD, we know the reason for the Season and IT'S JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!

I AM NOT ONE TO PUSH MY PERSONAL BELIEFS on anyone else, if you practice some other type of faith, no offense to you! But, I don't apologize for PRAISING GOD! Not now, not ever! I never want to hear these words on Judgment day "Depart from thee, I never knew you"

With that being said,
have a safe and wonderful CHRISTmas!

Craziness and Insanity

Have you ever had a day that just kept getting progressively getting worse and worse....

Well that was me yesterday!

First, I got a call from my mom, saying that all the money in one of her checking accounts was missing, and my mom has had fraud done on her before and I just cringed! Turns out, mom wasn't paying close attention to her account and that she was over doing it a bit! Kind of worries me because Alzheimer's Disease runs in our family! My grandmother, her twin brother, another one of her brother's and her sister all have been diagnosed! And my mom, is starting to do things to make me raise my eyebrows!


The second thing that happened is that Baptiste and I got into a huge argument yesterday, HE PISSED ME OFF SO BAD, until I wanted to just SMACK HIM! SERIOUSLY! So, I just left and went shopping......WITH MY MOM OF ALL PEOPLE.....

While I am shopping with my mom shopping, B (my oldest son) calls me upset, saying that my brother was talking about him and his sister, as well as mom LIKE a dog! AND things that were said, HAD TO BE SAID, because there is NO WAY OF the person knowing if THEY WEREN'T SAID.....hope that made sense! However, I don't play about my kids, he talked about B and Jaree like a dog, and if you don't like my kids.....FUCK YOU! And that's in black and white! I don't LOVE ANYONE ON THIS EARTH, better than I do MY OWN KIDS! Are you insane? Did you think that would fly with me? So I have NO USE FOR HIM OR HIS RAGGEDY MOUTH WIFE! And I was going to get his kids something for Christmas, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THEY WEREN'T GIVING MY KIDS SHIT! but I am not even doing that! HE PISSED ME OFF, just that bad!

While I am on the phone with B, his boss calls, and he accidentally made it a conference call! She says "Jacques (B's gubment name) I understand you were in my drawer today, and I can't have that, if we are short, I am HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE, and I want you to fully understand that" So B said "Well is the drawer short" she said "no" and he said "well check the drawer, if it's short, then call me back and we'll go from there, but I don't understand why you are calling me if you haven't even checked the drawer" He told her he needed change, and the other manager was being a butthole and not getting it for him, so he's a manager himself and he got the change! He made her look so stupid, AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, she wasn't short! But that pissed me off, took everything in me not to get involved in that! He's 19, very much a man, but he's still my baby! LOL

Then, I check my email and it's Jariel's chemistry teacher, telling me that Jariel is not showing interest in her class, and that he has work missing from the 17th to 23rd.....and I thought to myself, is SHE INSANE, Jariel was in the hospital during that time! I spoke to the counselors at that school and they told me that Jariel would have ample time to complete the work, He just went back to school last Monday! That pissed me off so bad! Where was the communication, I did my job as a parent, I contacted the school, I spoke to his counselor, I put in a homework request, and I am helping my child complete it! Why wasn't this relayed to the teacher????? So you know where I will be bright and early on Monday!


Then I come home and by now my temperature is BOILING.....and I see a white car in my drive way! I am thinking who is this? It was my cousin Lattaniah, at this point, I don't want to be bothered! Plus, I hate when people show up to my house UNINVITED....I think it's RUDE! But, once I got in, I ended up having a great time.....

but, then ....MY MOM CALLED....and said that there were police cars everywhere, with a bunch of ambulances, and while we were on the phone, I heard 3 big booms, like GUNSHOTS, I was scared to death and so was Lattaniah!!! She ended up staying here all night!

We had a murder/kidnapping just on Monday, where I live and the same day someone broke in B's car and stole his wallet, his ipod touch, and his girlfriend's purse!!!! So, I hope this isn't a sign that it's getting bad in Lynwoood. This is a quiet city for the most part, but this has really unnerved me! and it doesn't help that Baptiste works nights now....4 days on....4 days off! Just scary! So keep our family lifted and covered in the blood!

Love you all....
Until next time

This is the first time ever....

THAT I AM DONE WITH MAJORITY OF MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BEFORE DECEMBER 1ST!

This year I wasn't really feeling it, if I am being honest!
Most of my Christmas shopping was done ONLINE! Which is so UNLIKE ME! I love being out in the hustle and bustle. I am just in a funk! I think it's harder for me this year, than last year not having my dad. If you can believe that!

I did get a little HAPPY when I went in KMART and TARGET, I was looking at all the Christmas Decorations and they had the Christmas music playing, so I felt happy about that!

I am completely done with my children! Which feels strange! I have reached their budgets, but I get the urge to go out and get them more every now and again! LOL

they always have a great Christmas THANK GOD!!!!!! For blessing us with the means to be able to indulge our kids in SOME of their wants! So many are less fortunate!

I STILL HAVE TO VENTURE OUT TO THE MALL....for Gift cards! Ughhhh!
My niece Aaliyah loves Forever 21
My nephew Aaron loves Hollister
My brothers kids are getting gift cards too, just don't know where?
I do believe I am getting my nephew Nas a Toys R Us gift card, he's 7!
The girls maybe CLAIRES....
My mom's gift is ordered!

and that's all! Baptiste and I don't exchange gifts until NEW YEARS! It's our little traditon! It's like having Christmas all over again!

But of course he wants a projection machine for video dj'ing! NERD! LOL
ALREADY ORDERED!

BUT, I wonder what he got me! I had 3 things on my list! I'm almost sure he didn't get one of those things, but I think he may have got me 2 gifts! He's been acting really strange, which means he has hidden it somewhere! but I won't peak! I like to be surprised! LOL

Again, for me it FEELS odd being done this early! I almost feel like I have NOTHING TO DO! LOL

I am not going to get the gift cards until next week! Then maybe I will experience a little HUSTLE AND BUSTLE....

Are you done with your Christmas Shopping? Have you even started? LOL

Oh and I already got MY SECRET SANTA PARTNERS PRESENT, gonna mail it this weekend! wohoooooooo! I hope she likes it, but I think I know her style! So I think she will love it!

Well that's all I have! I am trying to get back into this blogging thing!
but twitter, pinterest, and tumblr are DISTRACTIONS!!!! LOL

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

What's on your Christmas List???

I have been a good girl (for the most part) and I think Santa should consider some of these gifts for Christmas this year! I have been wanting a new camera from quite some time and I have my eye on this camera right here! It's a Cannon Rebel T3i. I want to venture out into the DSLR instead of my high end Point and Shoot with Manual capabilities!


The next thing on my list is the Epson SP 1400 Photo Printer! It can print up to 13 x44! Perfect for scrapbooking!!!!!






I know you are thinking why does she have two cameras on her Christmas list.....welll let me explain below...
I have become really huge on smash books and mini books (Scrapbooking) which calls for smaller scale pictures! The pictures come out the size of a credit card with white thick border at bottom to write notes! How ingenious! And it's INSTANT! How freaking cool is that! and look at the design on that bad boy! Sleek and sexy!!!

I would be happy with either of these for Christmas! But if I get all 3, it would be the Best Christmas ever! LOL

Somebody email this to Santa for me! LOL
Welp, that's all for me! What's on your Christmas list this year?

Welp...

This Thanksgiving was NICE, but HARD...
I think I had more of a hard time this year, that I did last not having my father here...

I had a big crying spell....couldn't seem to stop....
Had to excuse myself, a couple of times...

Also, it's the first Thanksgiving in I don't know how many years, that my husband and I did NOT get to spend together, because he was sleep, because he had to be at work at 7pm after getting off at 9am! So he slept in.....

I worked my butt off....

As you can imagine, my mom had a rough time! So I basically cooked for two houses!

We ate our selves into oblivion.....

I didn't take many pictures this time around because i was so freaking tired.....

I did capture a few of the kids....but that was from my phone and not my camera!
Which is basically, how I have been taking pics lately....lmao!
What can I say, I have an excellent camera on my phone....

I did the CRAZY...and went Black Friday shopping as USUAL....

BUT, BEST BUY WAS SO DANG ORGANIZED, it was worth it! I was in and OUT in 20 minutes, bought the Kinect and a few games for the kids....Then we just wanted to see how chaotic walmart was...and IT WAS INSANE! We just walked around and walked out. We went to Target and I got Jaree's white ipod touch and accessories for it...We were done black Friday shopping by 2am! We sat down and enjoyed some Starbucks....and headed home! i was in by 3am!

I slept for most of the day on Friday....LIKE IT WAS A SHAME HOW MUCH I SLEPT!
But I tirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreddddddddddddddddddddddddd!

I slept most of Saturday too!

Hopefully things get back to normal, but I am still just getting caught up on rest for staying in the hospital with Jariel for 5days .....

By the way, Jariel is DOING GREAT! Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!

Welp, that's all I have....

Wait, I am also 85 percent done with my Christmas shopping! Jariel's Samsung Galaxy Tablet is being shipped as we speak....

All I have to do is get Jaree a digital camera, set up an appointment to get B's remote start installed, go to Forever 21, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Gilly Hicks to pick up gift cards for the kids and my nieces and nephews! That's easy!

This is the first time I am done this early! Normally I am out in the HUSTLE AND BUSTLE....because I LOVE IT! But, this year, I wasn't feeling like it! Most of my gifts were ordered and shipped to me....LOL

I am putting up the TREE TODAY...well, I will say this...The decorations are out of the attic....and in my living room! That's a start! LOL

Well, that is all for REAL THIS TIME....
UNTIL NEXT TIME....

One of the scariest things...

is something happening to your child and you have no control over it!
Thursday, Jariel was rushed to the hospital for chest pains and pain in his shoulder and arm! I was at my computer tuning in to 12kyle radio and all of a sudden I heard Jariel say OHHHHHHH, then he said OHHHHHHHHHHH again, and to be honest I thought he was just acting silly, so I turned around and he was face down on my bed clenching his chest with tears in his eyes....WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, i mean it, instead of calling the ambulance, i got in the car and hit 100 all the way to the ER! I blew through stop lights and stops signs and thank God we made it to the hospital in one piece!

They immediately too him to back! The hooked him up to all kinds of machines and I WAS HYSTERICAL....I totally lost it!!!! I THOUGHT MY CHILD WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK....I felt so HELPLESS.....I was by myself me and Jaree for about 5 minutes before my mom Got there! Jaree was crying hysterically and so was I!!!! He was short of breath, it was TOTAL CHAOS! THEN A CALM CAME OVER ME, I didn't want Jariel to feed off of my energy so I shook the tears off and kept telling him he was ok!

Turns out Jariel has a SEVERE CASE OF CELLULITIS! I am upset about this too, because it seems it came from dirty mats from Wrestling! Jariel got a scratch, no bigger than a mosquito bite and it got severely infected! So much so that he has inflammation around his heart lining, which caused this severe pain in his chest!!!

He is now in the hospital and has to get intense IV antibiotics! We probably won't be released until Monday, because he has to get 3 or 4 doses every 12 hours!

He has been in so much pain and I HATE SEEING MY BABY SUFFER!

I have only felt this way a few other times, the first time Jaree had a seizure, when Jaree almost died in 2006 from a grand mal seizure, and when Baptiste cousin panicked and almost drowned Jariel at the beach!!!!

That is the WORST FEELING in the world!!!!!!!!!

Please keep Jariel in your prayers!!!!!! This has not been easy on any of us!

R.I.P HEAVY D

I WAS FLOORED when i heard the news that Heavy D passed yesterday! I honestly was in disbelief! I had just seen him on the Hip Hop Award on BET and he KILT (YES I SAID KILT) IT!!!! I loved Heavy D! We got our own Thang still gets HEAVY ROTATION on my iPOD!

He was a HIP HOP ICON! and we will truly be missed!

Hello, my name is Dana and I am addicted to Pinterest!

Ever since I was introduced to Pinterest, I have been a pinning fool! Anything from recipes to scrapbook ideas, from fashion to make up ideas, from diy projects to quotes, you can find it on pinterest!!!!

Here are some of my favorite pins:











If you have NOT got your self a PINTEREST account, I do NOT know what you are doing with your life? LOL

Run, run fast and open a pinterest account and start pinning!

Warning, it is very, very, very, very, very addicting! But so much fun!!!!!

Helllloooooooo, can anyone hear me...

I don't know why it is so hard for me to stay consistent with this blog thing! But here we go....

For those of you who may or may not know, Baptiste recently started working overnight! This is so hard for me! I miss him so much! I mean in our 13 years of marriage, this is his first time working the night shift! and I HATE IT!

I AM SCARY AS HELL! So needless to say, I am up all night because I think I am hearing things!

Jaree camps in my room now! SO IT'S NOT SO BAD! Except the fact, that she sleeps so damn bad! Ughhhh!

Jariel just finished up football, I am kinda sad! I loved spending my Friday evenings cheering my baby on! They finished first in their conference! did I tell you that a scout from Ohio State University was looking at my baby! More on that later!!!!!!

Jaree is in basketball and babbbbbbbbbbbby, my baby has to learn SPORTMANSHIP, anybody that fouls her, she is ready to kick their ass! SHE IS ONE TOUGH COOKIE! Lawwwwwwwd! PRAY FOR HER PLEASE! I did tell you that a little girl pushed her when they line up and shake hands and Jaree DEBO smacked the hell out of her! All the way down to the ground and told the little girl "Don't get back up" What am I going to do with this child?

B's birthday is November 2nd. Can yall believe my baby is going to be 19 years old! Where does the time go????????? He thinks he is SO GROWN TOO! I have to put him back in his place and give him a reality check on several occasions! I'm still YOUR MAMA DAMMIT!

Last blog, I told you how my brother and his family moved in with my mama! Well, they have been begging my son for money! When I found that out! I had to contain myself!!!!!!!! I went over there and told them, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT ASK MY 18 YEAR OLD SON FOR SHIT! He works hard for his money, I suggest you do the same! I DO NOT PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO MY BABIES!!!!!! NOT AT ALL!

I am a giving person, and I teach my children to be too, but I also tell them NEVER LET ANYBODY USE THEM, and my brother, his wife, and their daughter ARE USERS!!!!!!!

Jaree is getting on my damn nerves! She tells me what she wants for Christmas every single day! What does she think? I have Alzheimers or something! Ugh just ugh! and can we get past Halloween first pleasee!!

I am medicine free! I have been off Metaformin since July! My bsl are being maintained by exercise! Diet NOT SO MUCH! I got to do better! But I haven't had a bsl over 120!

I love Fall, it is my favorite season, but man, it's like we went straight into winter, it's been cold as ever!!!!! Great snuggling weather, but Baptiste works night, and I have no one to snuggle with! *cries*

Well, that's all I have....

Until next time...

A little of this and a little of that...

I went to Memphis earlier this month and had some bluebell icecream for the first time and I cannnnnnnnoooooooottttttt find it here in Illinois! Adrienne loves to tease me about that! I had the homemade vanilla and lawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwd, it tastes exactly like the homemade ice cream granny used to make! So good!

I had a great time in Memphis, we went to the Lorraine Motel Museum. It made me feel a certain way! JUST EERIE. Knowing I was standing in the very spot where Martin Luther King was shot and killed! I am going to bring the kids back there. I think all children should go!!!!

We went to Beale street and I got this drink called "Call a Cab" and babbbbbbbbbbbbby, I don't know how I made it home!

My auntie Carrie threw down while I was there! I know I gained atleast 5 lbs while I was there!

I really had a great time!

Facebook can be the devil sometimes! Lawd! if you guys only knew the half.........

My brother has moved in with my mom, can you say, drama, drama and MORE DRAMA......

I made oxtail stew, can you say GOOOD-T! I don't mean to brag, but I can cook my ass off! Thank God, my granny called me in the house, while playing Mr. Freeze with my friends, to teach how to cook! I was madder than of mofo then, but I am so grateful now!

Do you know Baptiste and I have been together for 21 years! Where does the time go?

It feels so good to be loved and desired by a person that you love so much and desire too!
He still stares at me and says 'baby you are beautiful"
He still holds my hand in public
He still kisses my cheek and forehead and says "baby I love you'
I love my husband!

Jaree made the basketball team, yes another expense, but it keeps her busy and out of trouble!!!!!!

Jariel made a 80 yard touchdown at his last game! I am just now, getting my voice back! LOL

My oldest son B, makes me so proud. He is in college, he works, he helps out with his siblings and that boy can dancccccccce! In fact, both my boys can dance! Jaree, well, ok! LOL

I have been in the scrapbooking mood, yet I have not scrapbooked, plan to change that reallllllly sooon!

I cleaned my art studio, and boy I have way too much stuff. I need to purge!

I am going thru True Blood withdrawl! However, I am so glad Vampire Diaries is back on!!!!!

why does everything good either come on Mondays or Thursdays! Damn! I wanted to check out the new Charlies Angels, but I will watch it online!

I just got sleepy as all get out! Maybe it was the big breakfast, I just ate! LOL

I need a mani and pedi bad!~

My hair is breaking off on right side! gotta work on that immediately!

I haven't read a book in months! Just not like me! Any suggestions????

I can't think of anything else to talk about so I guess this is it!

Until next time............

A little of this and a little of that...

Happy 15th birthday

15 years ago today I gave birth to a 9lb 11 oz baby boy! I named him Jariel Breon Brooks! I was so upset when I found out I was having another boy, that I broke down and cried! Especially since my sister was having a girl! But, the moment they placed that little boy in my arms, I fell in love instantly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has brought so much joy into my life! He is my easy going child! He is so loving and kind! He is very humble, he is my child that does not ask for much! That is why, whatever he asks for anything, I break my neck to get it! and that's not often! that he does ask for something!

He is my child that I think, looks the most like me! I labeled him my twin!

He is my baby boy! and I love him to pieces!

Happy Birthday Jari, mommy loves you!

HEARTBROKEN

Saturday our family was dealt yet another DEVASTATING BLOW, my cousin Tonya and her granddauggther Nique Nique was walking to the corner store and on the way home a woman driving an SUV ran into them and Nique did not make it!

This has HURT US beyond words!

I'm sure most of you hear me talk about my cousins all the time, we were raised like sisters and they were always around! We are very close, so this just knocked the wind right out of us!

I am still in shock!

She shares a birthday with my son Jariel!

She would have been 2 the 21st of this month........
I don't know how we will ever get over this......

there is a blessing in the fact that my cousin Tonya was not killed too, but she WILL FOREVER be TRAUMATIZED by what happened! She loved her grandbaby beyond words! She was the light of our eyes , because she was so grown!

That little switch she had in her walk, how she told somebody "shut up punk" She was something else!!!! 1 going on 45!

I am so heartbroken, but I know she is home with the Lord!
and one day I will see her again!

This picture speaks volume of her personality!!!!!!!


Sleep Nique Nique, TT loves you, and I will be there with you one day!

6 Places

Bermuda
Fiji
Aruba
Hawaii
Sydney Australia
Kenya

I am a beach person, and these places have some of the most amazing beaches!!!!! Look at the black sand beaches of Hawaii! So freaking sexy!

5 foods

1 Rock Lobster tail with lots of butter and lemon

2 Blackened Mahi Mahi with Diablo Sauce

3 NY Strip steak Medium well please

4 Fresh water prawns

5 Red Velvet Cheesecake


That was hard becau se I love foooooood!

So you know I kept my brother's kids for 5 days without a change of clothes! I had been blowing his phone up and finally he came to get the kids.


He came walking his happy jack rabbit ass up like everything was ok


I turned around and looked at him like wtf?


and I felt like slapping the shit out him and his wife!

Four books

I just realized I was doing this thing backwards but OH WELL!!!! LOL

Anyone that knows me, knows that i keep my head buried in a book! I love to read! Four of my favorite books are:

Addicted by Zane



The Coldest Winter Ever


Shame on it All

and last but not Least the Twilight Series, because I couldn't pick just one:

3 films

3 films, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm this was so Hard, because I am a movie buff!!!! Growing up we always went to the movies as a family and also the drive in and now me and my family do the exact same thing!!!!! In fact the kids are looking forward to seeing the Transformers 3 in Imax 3d, this weekend!

The first film is the Color Purple! Come on now, did you not think this wasn't going to make the cut!!!! This is one of the best movies ever made ....... I Know this movie back and forth! In fact, my cousins will sit up all day and quote movie scenes from this movie! Like "Sattin at jail, Sattin at jail til I done near bout rot to death, I wanna thank you Miss Celie for everything you done for me, I memba that day I was in the sto with Miss Milly, I was feelin real down, I was feelin might baaaad, but then I see'd you and I knows there is a God-t, I know'd there is a God-t..... can you finish the quote???? LOL

My second movie has to be The Green Mile, I love this movie ....I cried my eyes out when they killed John Koffey, like the drank, but not spelled the same! But for the most part, I laughed Especially when they threw Wild Bill in Hole and he said "All I wanted was me a lil cornbread, you motherfuckers, all I wanted was me a little cornbread" Lmao! !!!! We laugh everytime that part comes on!!!!!!!

Last but not least is Life.............enjoy the clip enough said........

Two songs

There is not a day that goes by that I DO NOT miss my father. I feel so lost sometimes. Even though I am a married woman, I called my daddy for everything, from repairs to killing a bug! LOL I am forever a daddy's girl! Also, July 1st in the one year anniversary of my nephew's death and I miss him, like crazy!




This is my CURRENT SONG OF THE MOMENT! Yes, I like ghetto music! Hey sue me! LOL

Ten Secrets

I saw this on Adrienne and Monique's blog and decided i wanted to to play along!

One picture!
I recently took this picture! I was not going to smile and Jaree said something that made me laugh! LOL

The tweet that made me livid

Actually, there were two tweets!!!!


Now I remember why I only follow @traycee30 intermittently. Her ass up here admiring foolishness in a damn suit smh

@traycee30 I forgot I be unfollowing yo ass...til I saw that pic and had the urge again lol

Now if that wasn't RUDE, I don't know what rude is!

As one of my fellow twitter friends said, Just because you put a LOL after a statement, doesn't make it any less RUDE!

I am not going to mention this person's name, but she has rubbed me the wrong way on more than one occasion!

The first time she pissed me off is when she called myself and a friend of mine (Adrienne) elitists, because she said we only talk to each other. First of all, I have been knowing Adrienne since 2005, through blogging. So she is like family to me! SEcond of all, that couldn't be further from the truth!!!!!

The second thing she did, was she went in on people for watching the BET AWARDS, saying we had to be idiots to watch the BET awards, BEt has never done anything good for the community, and a lot of other MEANINGLESS bullshit. I don't know who the hell she thinks she is, but I deleted her real quick, before I said something REALLY IGNORANT!

It made me wonder, if that person was in your face, would they DARE say that!
I know it's wrong, but I am from the WHOOP A TRICK ASS TRIBE, I don't play!

She really needs to go sit her little NEUROTIC ass down before her feelings get hurt! Seriously! That really made me HOTT! I was mad, because Tracy is one of the sweetest people on twitter. REally! And she is my girl and I didn't appreciate that foolishness!

You know it had to make me mad, if I dedicated a whole blog about it!

Some people should think before they tweet! Really!

and that's all I have to say about that!

My head is spinning

So much has happened since the last time I blogged. I found out I have diabetes, my cousin Tamiko died at the young age of 28, and June 6th was the one year annivearsary of my father's passsing. Oh, and I became a great aunt! LOL

When I found out I had diabetes, I was DEVASTATED .... I cried, and cried, and cried! You would have thought they told me I had a week to live. Then I thought about it, this is something I CAN CHANGE! I DON'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS...with diet and exercise this can be beat. And so far, I have not done anything drastic and my bsl has been in the 90's!!!! Which is good! Made me even wonder if I had it in the first place .... The doctor already lowered my meds and told me to keep up the good work!

Then, I find out my cousin passed. This knocked me flat on my ass! When someone dies unexpectedly and when they are so young, it is mind boggling! She didn't have any health problems, but she did do a lot of things right before she passed, that has me wondering if she knew.... She even purchased a dress and said, this will be perfect for Saturday, she bought that dress the day before she died, and she wore that dress Saturday, just like she said, for her own funeral .. If you knew her, you would love her! She never met a stranger. she made a friend every where she went! Makes me sad! She left behind her husband Jamar and her 4 year old daughter BK (Brooklyn). My family was devastated by her passing. We still don't have closure, because the cause of her death is still unknown, pending autopsy results. You just never know when your time is up! That is why I TRY my best to live right.

On June 6th, it was hard of me to get out of the bed, everyone went to the cemetery, but I just COULD NOT.....I cried most of the day and night! You guys have NO IDEA, how much I miss my father . I was a daddy's girl to my heart. My dad and I were very close! I talked to him every single day and I am not ashamed to say he spoiled my ass rotten, even as a grown woman, up until he took his last breath!!!! My kids loved him so much! There is not a second that goes by, that I don't think about him! I still break down.... getting choked up right now, but I know he is with God and I will see him again one day!

I recently became a great aunt! My niece Khadejah had a beautiful baby girl! I have mixed emotions, but a baby is a blessing and I love her already! I was pissed off at first, because she had so much going for herself, but hey she still can get her education I am going to help her all I can! I had fun shopping for her! I went crazy in Babies R Us, I am ashamed to say how much I spent! Baptiste was looking at me like I lost my mind! LOL But, we needed some happiness amidst all the sadness that was happening.

They say what does not kill you, makes you stronger, and I can honestly say I am such a stronger person t han I once was.....

Until next time