I Told You....I'm trouble.....

Where to start, where to start? Memorial day weekend was nice. On Friday, Rev and I just hung out and watched Intervention. Drugs are bad y'all. They will lead you down a slippery slope of destruction. One man had a successful business as a chiropractor and then he lost it all by freebasing heroin. That is crazy. On Saturday, we did not do anything really. We went to dinner at Olive Garden and gawked at all the kids going to prom. Jesus, I'm old. On Sunday (the crux of this story), we went to a cook-out being held by Rev's uncle. My complaints? It started an hour late and there were bugs everywhere. Don't get me wrong, I know we can all run behind and yes since it was outside I knew it would be some bugs. But an hour late? In the heat? With flies and 'squitos abound? He had a real nice set up so it escaped me why he did not have the foresight to get some citronella candles. Finally Rev's Aunt Eunice came on the scene with some OFF bug spray and liberated us from the 'squitos. Aunt Eunice is gonna a get VIP seat at my wedding. I got a chance to hang with my mother in law to be. Let me preface this by saying, I LOVE my mother in law. I could not have asked for anyone better. From the first day we met, we clicked. She fell up in the spot with her cooler, and let the beer flow(thank God because I needed to be a little tipsy to deal with the heat and bugs). I had a good time.
Work has been an absolute beast. We are having a new file cabinet installed in my office and it has been the bane of my existence. Yesterday the man was drilling wood and my entire office was left covered with a layer of dust. Nasty.
On the wedding front, I had my first wedding-induced nervous breakdown. I have decided to cut cost, I would print my own invites and save the dates. My sister recommended to me that I use my old printer because if I use my Mom's and anything happens, she will be talking about that until one of us goes on to Glory. I broke out my printer and I remembered that I was missing something crucial. The install disk. Let me add here that the disk was probably lost during the Great Break Up of 2004. I won't even get into that here....I digress. So, I go through all these motions trying to download drivers and all this other mess and everything was just out of wack. I ended up sitting at my computer desk crying while Miss Beasley looked on. Rev was on the speaker phone trying to talk me down from the ledge. It was just a bad night. I emailed tech support and they are supposed to get back with me. It's in God's hands now.
To round out the stress in my life, my previously smooth chocolate skin is going through this breakout phase. I mean bad. I have this bad spot of acne sprouting up on my right cheek. It looks horrible. Every time I look in the mirror at it, my self esteem plummets another notch. I took some action today. I bought the Neutrogena Acne System, On the Spot treatment, and Astringent. I am attacking this with everything I have. I will let you all know my progress. Be Blessed!

P.S. Miss Von Kutiboots, if you are reading this.....thank you for recommending Amy Winehouse. "I'm No Good" is a dayum anthem!

Kickoff!!!!

Yesterday Rev and I went to the opening of the Griffon at Busch Gardens. I know we went last weekend, but this was the real deal opening. We got to the park around 9:00am, making perfect time. As we were getting ready to get in line on the Loch Ness Monster, this guy from the park comes up and ask us do we want to be one of the first 30 people to ride on the Griffon this morning. Of course we do! I have a phobia of long lines, and our whole reason for coming on a weekday that early was so we could ride it and get it over with. So we stand with this group of 28 other people and we wait for the park management to escort us to the ride. We all load up on the ride and this time I got to ride on the very end. This is important because on the end of this ride you are straight up dangling off the track. This time around was much better. When the ride was over the park management asked us, "Do you all want to ride it again?" Hell yes!!! This was better than sex! We rode it a second time and it was even better. I misjudged this ride a little at first. I will be getting on it the next time we go provided the line is not all out of control. We had to cut our trip short because Rev got a call from his job that he needed to come back. You know my ass was pissed. I wanted to spend the day with my man at BG. But alas we went back home.
Everything at church is going good. Lately I have felt myself pulling away from some of my ministry work. I don't really know what the reason is. I have been reading my word and praying to the Lord for understanding. It is not that I don't want to, its just that I have loaded myself with so much that I can't find the time in the day. Rev told me he has been reading the book of Habbuk in the Bible and it deals with priorities. I think I may need to visit that book. I want to do all of these things in church (choir, usher board, newsletter, praise team) but I don't have the time for the other things that I need to to (homework, spending time with Miss Beasley, working out). I just pray that the Lord give me some guidance on what to do next.
Wedding planning is at a slow creep, though time is winding down(almost 9 months to go). I told y'all I was a procrastinator. I was gung ho on my favors, now them things are just sitting. I will get to it eventually. I was really excited to print up my Save the Dates. That requires ink for my printer and for whatever reason I always forget to pick some up when I go to Wally World(I am too distracted by the 50 million other things they have). I need to get on the ball in that area too. Be Blessed!

Funerals

Last weekend I went to a funeral. The deceased was Nevada's daddy. She is in the hospital and asked for us(the choir) to sing at his funeral. After attending this funeral I have made an executive decision: I do not want those funeral arrangements with the ribbon and flowers designed in various shapes(cross, bible, etc). From where I was sitting in the choir stand, they did not look good. Please just use a simple flower spray for the top of the casket. That will be all.
After the funeral Rev and I went to Busch Gardens to ride The Griffon. I must applaud BG on their line control, as this is a new ride. We waited in line maybe 30 minutes at the most. That is good considering I waited almost 2 hours to get into Outer Limits Flight of Fear and Kings Dominion. Ultimately, the ride was a big letdown. I was not impressed. It was just like Apollos Chariot except you have a harness. The drop was steep but it could have been a little longer. The best part of the ride is right before the first big drop. You kind of just dangle there for a second then you drop. It gives the element of surprise. We are going back on Friday, we'll see how I feel about it when I ride it again.
My mom is going out of town this weekend.....fun times. Rev and I are just going to watch movies and I may even cook (gasp!). My little fro is growing. I finally have enough to use a little headband. I call it my little Pff....it's not big enough to call a puff. It's getting there. Be Blessed!

Work, Work, Work (update with pics)

"Look at me I'm drivin'!"

Miss Beasley working on her Miss America wave

Gabby and Jay-Jay on the Balloon Ride

Me and Rev

The Parrots...made me want some rum!

I look pregnant(but I'm not!)

Gabby and Jayden on the horses

I have not been blogging like I want to because my job has been working me like a Hebrew slave. I know one thing, I am off next Friday and I am going to enjoy it. Last weekend Rev and I took the children to Busch Gardens(pic to follow). Mind you it was our first time taking them to BG. A good time was had by the children, but I needed a drank when we got back. It is crazy stressful taking two three year olds to an amusement park. We had a double stroller and let me tell you that not every place in BG is stroller friendly. The children had a good time and that was what was important.
On the wedding front, things are moving ahead. Its funny how time is flying. Its almost June and I have to get my save the dates printed and put together. I am still waiting on a hotel to call me back so I can block some rooms off for the out of towners. I may start printing them this weekend. I am a busy lady....paging the Bridal Brigade...you're needed on save the date duty.....STAT!
Rev and I are going to start our little church world tour next Sunday starting with my cousins church in Greensboro. This should be interesting. Christina has been a preacher since she was about 15 years old. You know I am going to have a story to tell. Be Blessed!

Folks Have Some Nerve

I am sitting here at work and I am going to give you all an example of how selfish people can be. Every morning, the TV is set at channel 3. Personally I like Channel 3 and I like the Early Show. This broad(a patient's wife) comes up to the desk and ask if I can change the TV to Channel 10. Fine. This bitch(yes, I said it) then picks up the newspaper and says she going to read it. WHAT!?!?!?! Your ass just asked me to turn to a channel you aren't even watching. I want to slap her ass. I have mind to just change it. WOOOOOSSSSSAAAAAAHHHH.......
This weekend was nice. On Saturday I did not know what to do with myself. Miss Beasley was with her daddy and Rev had to work. I ended up loafing around at Barnes and Noble and eating a peaceful meal at Boston Market. I went to see Rev at his job and we decided to go to Busch Gardens (we are going to get some use out of those season passes!). For about two hours we were waffling on what we wanted to do because it looked as if it was going to rain. After an hour of debate, we decided to get on the road and go. For some reason we always end up there when there is some kind of high school competition. Since we were there kinda late (7pm) most of them were leaving. We weren't there for all of 20 minutes and it started to lightly sprinkle. We ate, walked and talked and all the while the rain was picking up little by little. At this point I was thanking God for my napptural hair since that was a worry far from my mind. After about a hour of rain, we decided to leave, but first I needed to ride some coasters. Here's a tip when going to Busch Gardens in the rain: Don't sit in the front row of the Alpengiest. The rain was pelting me and Rev like tiny BB's. I couldn't even enjoy myself because my face hurt. The second time we rode in the middle row. Much better.
Sunday Miss Beasley came back home. I think she realizes the grass is not always greener. When she came back she looked all sad and depressed. I knew she would get home sick. There's nobody like mama.
Weezy came over and she helped me plan my wedding. She is the most helpful bridesmaid ever. She even had a binder with dividers and a bridesmaid handbook. We got started on the design of the reception hall and she collected my bridal shower invite list. I thank God for her. My mom is zero help. Not to say she doesn't have ideas, she will give you ideas but she wants you to use all of them. This week Rev and I start counseling. I can't wait. This is where we get to the nitty gritty. Pray for us. Be Blessed!

Pastors don't Care About People With Natural Hair

I was wondering when this was going to happen. I was wondering when someone was going to have the nerve to insult my new choice of hairstyle. As you all may or may not know, I did the Big Chop on 4/19. I am now sporting a TWA(the way it's growing I don't think it will be that way but for a couple more months). Yesterday I was talking to one of Rev's pastor-friends and he asked me why I cut my hair. *sigh* I explained to him I was tired of getting relaxers and since I had no patience when it came to my transition, I just cut the relaxed part off. All he seemed to be able to focus on is the fact I cut all of my hair off. He asked me if I had a haircut like a dyke. WTF!?!?!?! What does going natural have to do with sexual preference? That gets my vote for the most ig'nant statement I have heard. Then, the final insult...."If I was Rev I wouldn't have let you cut your hair like that." Again, I say WTF???? Rev is not my daddy. If I want to shave myself Britney Spears bald everyday, I will. I am not going to suppress my right to wear my natural hair that God gave me to fit some prototype of what a First Lady should be. I was more in shock by this man's comments because I considered him to be an alright person. He too is a pastor(I am holding sensitivity training for Pastors, I'll call it PFS--Pastors For Sensitivity). I am coming to the conclusion that Rev surrounds himself with people who are rude as hell. I don't go up to women with relaxed hair and start questioning why they straighten their hair. That is none of my business.
My mom is getting on my nerves. One of these days I am going to sneak and Prozac in her food. When it comes to my wedding she feels like she is the holder of all ideas that are great and I should take no one's advice but hers. Yesterday Miss T called me to tell me about some invitation wording she saw in regards to having a child-free reception(note: this is no longer an issue because Rev and I are gonna let people bring their kids, as we have children too) and she got a business card from a lady who does floral work. Cool. I love how the people I thought would be helpful(My mom) aren't and the people I least expected are(i.e. Weezy and Miss T). While Miss T and I are discussing the invitation wording, Mama is in the background repeating the. same. information. Didn't she see I was on the phone? Uh, Mama sit down. Miss T beat you to the punch. Deal with it. When I told her about Miss Dee getting the number for the florist, I could feel the jealously pouring out of her. I don't have time for all of that drama. If you are not helping don't get mad when someone else jumps in. As far as wedding planning goes, the next thing on my list is to get with the cake bakers(3) and the florist. I will start in June. It's going to be a busy month for me because I have to also help coordinate the Choir Anniversary. So I will have plenty to do. Be Blessed!

Not Drinking the Kool-Aid

I hate when my higher-ups at work think I am not doing my job. I may appear to not be doing any work, but I am doing my work. Anyway, I am having a good hair day. My curls are doing what I needed them to do. I took it back to basics and used the mango butter and Castor oil. I promise pictures are coming. I need to stop being so lazy when I get home.
I started doing the Crunch Pilates tape. Let me just say that I thought pilates was a lot of stretching, you know, lightweight stuff. I am sore as all get out. That DVD is no joke. That's going to be a good look for toning up my body(Lord knows it needs it!)
Rev and I had the best weekend ever. On Friday, we drove to Williamsburg. When we got there, there was nothing for us to do but either eat and go to bed(lol) or go to Busch Gardens. We chose the latter. It was nice because it was half capacity and we were able to ride what we wanted. When we got back the room we got ready to go out to eat. My plan was for us to go to Olive Garden(one of his favorite restaurants). On our way there, we saw this place and we just had to stop and eat there. The food was good. The ribs could have been wetter and the beans did not need to have those jalapenos in them. On Saturday we went to Busch Gardens again and there was a cheerleading competition going on. Since I am a former cheerleader, I was all up in there. I have decided Miss Beasley is joining a competitive team. She needs something to do in the summer besides watching "Cars" and being grown.
On Sunday Rev and I went with my church to Union Chapel Baptist Church in Butner, NC where our pastor was the guest preacher. It was a long but pleasurable drive. Rev and I did not ride the bus because we have a "No Church Bus" policy. We like to be able to leave when we want to. After a OK service(see my previous post about my pastor's preaching style), we left and went to Cracker Barrel. That is my favorite place to eat. The drive back home seemed to go much faster and when I got home I fell slam out. You can say I spent my weekend in a car.
My momma is still trying to hijack my wedding. She wants some lady at her job to sing at my wedding. Hell no. I don't even know this woman. I want my choir director to sing. I had to break bad with her and let her know that this is my day and she and daddy can have a vow renewal service and that lady can sing till the walls come tumbling down, but at Vicky Page's wedding that lady will not sing.
I have been having some drama with my reception site selection. At first the plan was to have the reception at the Coast Guard Base Hangar 7. That is were just about everybody has their reception. I wanted it because I could use my own caterer and I would be able to cut a step without the church mamas throwing holy water on me. Well, after much struggle, I finally get in contact with the lady at the base and she informs me they no longer allow you to use your own caterer at that facility but you can at "35"(wherever that is). Well, I got the scoop about "35". In order to get to it there seems to be a mountain of stairs to climb. Sorry, not trying to do that in my dress. So at this point I want to scream because that means I am going to have to go back to having my fellowship hall reception where we all just sit and look at each other. I thought all was lost, but I was speaking with my caterer/choir director/soloist and she suggested a place called Knobbs Creek Recreation Center. It is next to the golf course(who knew that EC had a golf course?). Rev and I are going to take a look at it next Tuesday and see what the deal is. If it is what we want we are going to book that sucker and call it a night. I hope this is it because I totally want to get this part of the wedding out of the way. Be Blessed!