There's Always One......

There is always one person who is going to be bound and determined to work your nerve at your job. I have been working in this department for two months, and I have discovered the co-worker that has just worked my nerves. Let’s just go down the list. First of all, she feels it is her civic duty to tell me what to do and when to do it. Last time I checked she was NOT my supervisor. She is always on my desk telling me to straighten it up and the FINAL straw for me was this morning she looks over at my area and says, “You need to move those boxes, management really cringes on that.” So I turned to her and said, “Where am I moving them to?” The boxes had envelopes in them that I use to put tax bills in. I should have just put them on the roof. The second most annoying thing is her repeated practice of getting all in my cubicle when I am helping a taxpayer. If I need your help, I will ask. You are just in the next cubicle. I am capable of leaning over and asking. Jeez, let me exercise my problem solving abilities. What I really think this boils down to is she in under the impression that I have no idea what I am doing. Which leads me to my revelation for today: I need to get my degree. No, really. It is time. I have a plan. I am praying that it works. If it does, by July I will have my tail back in school full time. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.

Rev came by last night. Yeah. He wanted to get his soap. WTF?!?!? I don’t know what he is doing but is seems he is systematically moving out little by little. First a bar of soap, tomorrow one t-shirt. This is ridiculous.

Why is it when you are single, all the man candy of the world shows up? My God, I have seen some fine, fine, fine men this past month. But, the difference is this time around I am looking for quality over quantity. I am in the process of making a VERY detailed list of what I want in a man, and I plan to stick to it. I will not settle in ’08! Be Blessed

Pressing Issues......

This weekend was very interesting.

True to form, when I got home on Friday I began the daunting task of taking out my sew- in. After scrubbing my scalp like a maniac and deep conditioning with a mixture of coconut milk and honey, my hair was like butter and IT HAS GROWN!!!!! When I got my first sew-in in February, my hair was mid neck….it now sits on the lower part of my neck. So, what do I do Saturday when I get to work at the shop????? Devise a master plan to press it (raise your hand if you can see where this is going). So, I blow dried it with the Conair Yellowbird ( I LOVE THIS DRYER….on other people’s heads…) then I pressed it using the CHI iron and Dudley’s Crème Press. Oh honey, it was long, thick, and blowing in the wind. Fast forward to Monday. It was raining and my hair looked a mess about 5 minutes after I stepped out the door. So, when I got home I got in the shower and washed my hair…..when I got out……I almost fainted…..why? A piece of my hair had lost some of its curl. I wanted to cry…..but I pressed on and braided up my damp hair and this morning? FIERCE BRAID OUT!!!!! I love and missed my natural hair, so for the duration, I will not be doing ANYTHING to alter the state of my hair.

Saturday, I went to work early at the shop and then I went home and made some steamed crab legs and had a “beverage” then I called it an early night because I had to go to church in the morning.

Sunday, I got up early, got dressed and went to church with my mom and Miss Beasley. Yeah, I am gonna need a new church home. I would get into all of the drama of “The Branch” but I am just going to leave that alone. When I got home, I threw down in the kitchen (I am trying to bring Sunday dinner back). I made a baked whole chicken, black-eyed peas with okra; cornbread and drum roll…….collards! I added the drum roll because I have never cooked greens before and I was afraid I was going to mess them up, but I did alright. I am slowly building my cooking skills and adding little recipes to my repertoire. I think I may try a banana pudding this Sunday. We’ll see.

On a serious note, I have been trying to find my mode again. Since the whole purpose of this blog is to celebrate my emancipation (singleness) I am going to share some new things going on. First and foremost, I joined Weight Watcher at Work. I am excited to be back on the WW wagon and this time I hope to make PERMENANT changes in regards to my eating habits. The next thing is I have started hitting the gym at least three days a week. I just put some good music on my MP3 and I am starting out gradually. Each day I do 30 minutes on the elliptical machine followed by 30 minutes of targeted weight training and 30 minutes on the treadmill. This whole thing isn’t about losing weight it is just about feeling better and not sitting in the house watching Judge Joe Brown. The next upgrade is to my spiritual life. I am not going to get into all the details here, but let’s just say after the dissolution of my engagement, I backslid….and last night I prayed that God would reach way down and wrap me up. This morning when I woke up I felt new and engergized. And for the first time in a month, I felt peace and joy. My advice, don’t EVER lose your joy and peace. For a few weeks, I could not get happy about anything. And I discovered why. I had lost my joy that I have in Christ. I NEEDED the Holy Spirit like nobody’s business! And I got it! So I refuse to be depressed, sad, lonely, etc. because I am a child of God! Be Blessed!

I Miss My Hair.....

Ok, so it is time for the sew in to go. I miss my hair. Rather, I miss the simplicity of my hair. For the first time last night I missed getting in the shower, scrubbing my scalp and braiding my hair up in little braids and brushing it out in the morning with my Denman. My sew in is beautiful, but I just can’t take it anymore….plus I am anxious to see how long my hair has grown since it has been hidden since February. So tonight after my mom gets Miss Beasley, I am going to take out my sew in. In commeration of this event, I bought some Cream of Nature Moisturizing shampoo. I am going to do the deep conditioning of the century with coconut milk and honey.

Today I went to lunch with my co-workers. It was nice, but that walk through Downtown Norfolk was crazy hot. Yes, it is 80 degrees here today. I ain’t complaining…..I hate cold weather. When I retire, I will be retiring to Florida where it is warm. On this pilgrimage to Tropical Smoothie Café, we came across McArthur Park, which may be my new hangout when I want to have lunch in the park.

This weekend I don’t have much planned….just a date with my hair. I am supposed to go to a party on Saturday. My best friend’s boyfriend is throwing a party for his friend who is “coming home” (from jail). I dunno. Last time I went to one of these coming-home-from-jail soirees, I ended up falling down drunk. That was the whole mood of the party. It felt extra high school…so maybe I won’t be in attendance. Be Blessed!

Fast Times at City Hall

As you all may or may not know, I work for the City Treasurer’s office. We handle the personal property taxes for vehicles and real estate for the city. Lately, I have just had an issue with the public…..

Please stop calling me and telling me that you want penalties waived because you just “threw the bill way because you thought it was junk mail”….that is not my fault

If I am on the phone in my office…..dear title searchers…..do not just make yourself at home loitering around until I get off the phone. I don’t know how most people operate, but I want my tax business on the low……

The city is not and will not be issuing the rebate checks…..I don’t care what your hairdresser told you

Everyone’s tax situation is not the same…..just because your stickgirl got a tax bill last week does not mean the tax due date has changed….depending on when you purchase a vehicle, you may get a tax bill at a different time of year.

I just had to get that off my chest because the good people of this city are driving me a little crazy.

Everything in my cozy life is going ok. Miss Beasley is going to my mom’s house on Friday night, so I will be baby free this weekend. I don’t really plan on doing much. I have decided not to go on the aforementioned date. Why, you ask? Because I don’t think I am ready to jump back in the whole dating realm. Let me re-phrase that…..I am reveling in my “singleness”. I have been in a relationship for about 2 years and now I am getting a chance to see what it is like to be single and loving it! In the past I used to abhor anytime that I was single. That would lead to the great “any man will do” search. But this time around I am just going to fall back and just let the perfect man fall in my lap. But for right now, I am enjoying being single.

The Weekend is Work.......

Well, I started my weekend early. I ended up picking Miss Beasley up early on Thursday and she didn’t go to school on Friday. So we ended up going to Garden Ridge Friday and getting the car washed. I worked a little bit at the salon Friday, didn’t really make all that much.

So I am sure we are all holding our breath in anticipation for the date night story. Sorry winners….there was no date night due to Miss Beasley being ill. We will try again this Saturday. But there was some shopping. I have not been to Marshall’s in a LONG time and I decided to go on Saturday evening. I found the cutest drop waist dress and fierce black suede peep toe pumps to go with it. Total cost….60 dollars. I just have to find somewhere to wear it.

I think I need to decide what I am going to do about working at the shop. I think it is time to hang it up, or at least decrease my hours. First of all, I don’t feel like I am spending enough time with Miss Beasley, hence that may be the reason for her bad behavior in school and second….money isn’t everything. Hell, money isn’t even real according to the movie “Blow”. What I mean is, I have fell into that trap of worshipping the almighty dollar…..and I just had a revelation this weekend that some things are more important than money. So, I am going to limit my time to every other Saturday and during the week ONLY if I can find someone to watch Miss Beasley. Another rule is I will only work on Thursday and Friday during the week. Monday through Wednesday is my time. The weather is getting nice and I want to enjoy it.

I finally got around to phase one of decorating my apartment done. On Friday, Gabby and I went to Garden Ridge and picked out some pictures and got new pillows for the couch. I did not know that I could get pillows at Garden Ridge. Usually I am rushing around, when I go there so I never have time to look around. I also bought some reed diffusers to go in each room. The pictures and the pillows made a BIG difference.

Sunday, I decided to cook some ribs in my slow cooker and they turned out wonderful. I love my slow cooker because it saves me the trouble of standing over the stove, which I hate. I also tried to make a cake, but that just fell to pieces. I tried to get all innovative and make a strawberry banana cake and ended up with something that resembled spiced ham wrapped in a thin layer of cake…..gross….so, I am scouring the internet trying to find a good cake recipe so I can make a cake sometime this week. Be Blessed!

Sick Kids and Date Night.......

Miss Beasley is sick ya’ll…….I think it is strep…..and I did the worst thing in motherhood history……I sent her to school….hopped up on Motrin. I am going to ride it out until lunch and then I have got to get my child. I could tell she was miserable this morning, but I felt like my job needed me more…..being a single mother sucks……

So, I am supposed to be going on a date Friday (Miss Beasley’s health pending) and I am nervous as hell. What do I wear?!?! We are supposed to be having dinner and drinks at……..drum roll please…….SMOKEY BONES!!!!! I know it is probably not some folk’s idea of a date place, but I love ribs, it’s up the street from my house, and I wanted to be in a comfortable environment. I am sure your next question is, “Who’s the date?” Well, I was asked out by friend’s brother-in-law. He is 35, no kids, and works for a commercial HVAC company. I am not getting my hopes up or anything because I am just dating…..not really looking for anything serious.

So it is Busch Gardens season in my house…..I think me and Miss Beasley will be heading there this weekend provided the weather doesn’t act up. Be Blessed!

Arrrrghhh…..last night was a difficult night. As my “woulda been” wedding date approaches, I get a little down. I think it was the wedding of Jay and Bee that just threw me over the edge…lol. But I am OK. I didn’t feel like cooking, so I just ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut and Miss Beasley and I just chowed down on that.

I am worried about Miss Beasley. She is not doing her work in school, and it is starting to show. She is only 4 and I really did not think I would be having this issue with her this early. Her inattentiveness in class is showing. I was going over sight words with her and she just kept staring off into space and trying to make me laugh. Ain’t nothing funny about illiteracy. So, to get her back on track, I have instituted a no TV rule. I am not completely cruel; she can watch TV on the weekends, but on a school night, no TV. Since I usually have to take her to the beauty shop with me after work, I have started packing a variety of workbooks (the Hooked on Phonics ones ROCK!) that she will be working on while I am working. I am an AVID reader, and I want her to love reading too. So lets just all cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Since I love my part-time job so much, my goal is to get into it full time. I was sitting around thinking the other day, that since I work for the city, I could be let go at anytime. This is a finance and election based position. The Treasurer is an elected official and his term is up in 2009. I keep hearing rumors of everyone being let go when a new Treasurer is elected. So to say I am nervous it putting it mildly. So, I have decided to get my cosmetology license so I will have something to fall back on.

I know in my previous post I said I was not entering the dating world for another 14 years, but as my luck would have it, I was asked out on a date by a nice gentleman, who will be known as J. We will see where this goes. You just KNOW I have to write about it here. Be Blessed!

Randon Thoughts

I am really digging that song with Rick Ross and T-Pain

Blue Bunny Vanilla Ice Cream—I love the container, and some how the ice cream really stays soft. I will never buy another brand as long as I live….

Captain Morgan’s Coolers is my new favorite after work drink—it creates a nice little buzz…..
I love watching Cinderella with Miss Beasley. *singing* A dream is a wish….your heart makes….when you’re fast asleep…..

I am wrong for having a wedding supply garage sale a la “Waiting to Exhale”

I am in love with Smokey Bones restaurant.......

God is Good…..I just got this job in February and this month the city instituted a six month hiring freeze.

This getting paid semi-monthly is kicking my tail

I want to throw my first grown up dinner party…..

Reading X’s blog has inspired me to start saving for a cruise

I hope it rains Saturday….as that will be all the affirmation I need that Rev and I were never supposed to get married.

I will be mad as hell if it is nice outside.

I need that MJ that is on Stace’s page STAT!

I think I have become addicted to ringtones….I have the phone bill to prove it.

Why are ringtones that important….I are realize that I have more ringtones than people to assign them to….

The Questions.....

Alright! I am back winners…..just giving everyone to suck up the shocking news....I digress….

I guess the big question has been what has been up with Victoria Page? Well, when I last posted, I was on the hunt for a more fulfilling and adult job….and I found it. I am working in the tax department in the City Treasurers office in Norfolk. It’s a nice job, the pay is good and the benefits kick ass.

The next big question is if I am dating again. Uh, no. I think I would like to take this time to just enjoy being single. I am going to flirt till I pass out and give out fake phone numbers until I can’t do it anymore. This is a time for enjoyment. Well, you know all of this singleness comes with some rules. First rule is I will be instituting the three month rule. If you have ever watched Girlfriends you know what that is….lol. The second rule or rather, new habit to take up is, I HAVE TO GET BACK IN THE GYM!!!!!!! Starting next Monday, I will be rejoining my gym and going every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night! I have about 20 pounds or so that need to be gone. I have already gotten my eating habits together in preparation.

Right now, I would probably call this time in my life the Emancipation of Vicky. There are about to be a lot of changes. For a while I have been struggling with what will become of my hair. For the last two months I have been wearing a variety of sew in weaves. I started out with a curly one and then I got all nostalgic for my straight hair and got one of those (by the way…..if you every buy any human hair, Model Model Dream weaver is the way to go!) and now, I am wondering what to do with my hair when it is time for the sew in to go (I am starting to miss scrubbing my scalp with reckless abandon). I think I may go back to the ‘fro for the summer. I just can’t wait to see how much my hair has grown…..which reminds me that my Big Chop anniversary is coming up on April 20th. I think that will be the day I take the sew-in out. Be Blessed!

I Was "This" Close......

To getting married...that is.....March 2, 2008 Rev decided he didn't want to get married. Yes, you read that right. Invites were sent....dress had been altered...payments made....and he dropped it on my at 10:38 that night. He said he just could'nt do "this" anymore. I am sure the first question is "Why are you not in jail?" I have one answer: Jesus. I had to plead his blood to keep me from killing that man or myself. So.....I am.....

BACK AND SINGLE BABY!!!!!!!

After spending about two weeks crying into my Blue Bunny Vanilla Ice Cream, and watching Waiting to Exhale 50 million times, I decided I would focus on the good in my life. So.....this blog is about to get extra exciting.......venture with me into the Single Life!