My Favorite Gift...

One gift I received really stands out.

Look at these headphones.

They are not regular headphones.  They are bone conduction headphones.

Why come nobody told me about them?

In a nutshell, these headphones allow the user to bypass their eardrums. You listen through vibration through the bone near your ear. 

How cool is that? Who knew such a technology was available. I didn't.

Like I said, my brother sent them to me. He uses them himself. I have come to prefer them when I am walking, as I can listen to my music and leave my eardrums free to hear everything going on arrive me. 

And that's a good thing!

I hope they are using this technology to rid the world of deadness. I am sure they are or have been working on that.

Minnie in Pink

There's a baby shower today at work for one of the young ladies in another building. I don't really ever remember meeting her, but I was sitting in one of the Administrator's offices, catching up on things, when the young lady walked it... big and swole with child.

"When are you due?" I asked.

"On the 9th," she replied.

My eyes went wide. It was June 6th. "You're due in 3 days!?!?"

"No," she said. "I'm due on July 9th."

"Oh okay," I said.

So today is her baby shower. I wish I would've known she was pregnant, as I would've made a blanket. She is having a girl.

And one of my coworkers made the most WONDERFUL gift for her.

And it was befitting of the theme of the party... Minnie Mouse.

Isn't that special?

And look at Minnie's bassinet... sitting on 20s, as another coworker said.

LOL

I think that is wonderful. I am always amazed at the creativity of my coworkers.

Not everything is science, honey. No it's not.

We are also creative.

Yes we are.

Extra Special Delivery

Look at what was delivered to my beloved lab!!!

An edible fruit arrangement!

(as usual, Lil' Serenity Chicken has to be in the picture. Humph.)

**cartwheels**

:::crying uncontrollably:::

Imagine my surprise when I got a phone call from a courier talking about a delivery, and how they wouldn't let him in the building. I'm thinking "Hmm, is this a crank call?"

LOL

So I met him out on the loading dock and recieved the delivery... Ya shoulda seen me walking back up the ramp smiling HARD like Miss Celie.

I looked at the security guard, looked back at my vase of fruit. "Hey man, do I need to put this through the X-ray machine? (everything that comes in the building has to be put through airport-type xray equipment).

He said something. I have no idea WHAT. But it amounted to, "No."

(Good. I didn't want to have to pull "Dr." rank on him. I was NOT going to put it through the machine. NOT a good look.)

I ran on back up to my cubicle, looking for my cubicle mate, the Cowgirl Cre. Turns out she knew about this allll along.

"You coulda told me, Cre!"

"Noooo!" she hollered.

LOL

This beautiful arrangement was from my "play Mama", my online Mama Adrienne.

Thank you soooooooo much, honey! Ain't everyday I get a nice surprise here at the Plantation!

That was so nice of you! I truly appreciate it!

I appreciate your friendship :)

Easter is Coming...

Easter is coming up...

And I realized that when I walked into work on Monday and saw a gift bag on my desk.



It was from my Boss.

*lee afraid to look in it*

Oh well. The little chicken, Serenity, with the scarf covering her natural hair, gave me courage to open it.



She stood on top of the bag and said, "Look inside, LadyLee!"



There was candy inside...


My Cubiclemate, the Cowgirl Cre, doesn't like milk chocolate, so she traded her milk chocolate egg for my Whoppers.



Serenity the Chicken liked this very much.


I didn't know how to feel about this, as I am very leery of our interim boss. I just try to stay out of the way, stay out of trouble. These folks like to put targets on people's backs, and as long as I keep my back against the wall and shut up, I should be alright.

So you will be proud of me. I sent a nice email thanking her for her kindness in doing something nice for us.

Ya'll be patient. I'm working on my attitude. I really am...

The Bestest Gift!

When I made my pilgrimage up to That Original Oldgirl Serenity30's Housewarming extravaganza, I was really looking forward to seeing a couple of my favorite folks:

The LBeezy and Ms. Blackliterature.com.

Sherri, aka "Celie 2" aka Ms.Blackliterature.com, one of my favorite readers (and proud member of "Lurk City") and premiere members of the Original Oldgirl Elite Critique Team (lol), resides in Charlotte. But she called me a day earlier and said that she had a prior commitment, and would not be able to make Serenity's party. She would be in Atlanta that day.

I was sorely disappointed. She and I had broken bread at the 'Shed the last time she was in the ATL!

I told her that I would stick my hand out the window and wave at her as I traveled 85-North and she traveled 85-South. I knew we would be passing each other on the highway!

I wanted to see that chick.

*Wail, holler, screech*

Shoot, man. Sherri is one COOL chick. I've even whipped up a quick batch of chocolate chip cookies for her before we went to dinner a few weeks ago (after leaping from couch and yelling "I have to do something nice for her!" lol).

After talking to her for 2 hours over dinner, I'd felt like I had had either some really intense therapy or a very nice blunt.

LOL. (Therapy! Good therapy!)

I like smart people!

I like good people!

She is both.

*HARD SIGH*

Anyway, when I arrived at Serenity's house, there was a lovely gift awaiting me! It was from Sherri! It contained the following:

*Lee smiles hard like Miss Celie smiles*


You know, Sherri... I've been looking at this set of journals in the store, wanting one. Lo and behold, here YOU come with one for ME!

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!

And uh, girl... why is it that I have started reading this book, Stand the Storm by Breena Clarke, and it's about a family of slaves who are weavers, quilters, knitters, and the like?

OH JOY!!! You know what I like, don't you? OH JOY!!!

HAPPY HAPPY!!! JOY JOY JOY!!!

And to top it off, Sherri left a little note for me in the journal.

Dear "Old Girl",

Because you

-are the 1 woman PR firm of Tayari Jones
-keep it real with the old school jamz
-make a mean chocolate chip cookie
-prove that chemistry is cool
-remember School House Rocks
-are an awesome and gifted writer
-have a spirit of generosity
-can be counted on for a good book recommendation
-have inspired and been a blessing to my life

I saw these and hope one would come in handy :)
Maybe you'll start your next novel as you journal.
Seriously, you are appreciated!

Sherri.

Now, ya'll know how hardcore I am. I'm a tough Oldgirl. Really, I am.

Why in the world did this bring tears to my eyes?

Goodness gracious alive...

Somebody hand me a Martin Luther King church fan so I can fan myself. Hurry up, now.

That was the bestest gift right there!

You alright with me, Sherri. You sho nuff is, Chile....

All, I can say is... Wow.

You really surprised me. Really did. Wasn't expecting this AT ALL.

I know with you in my corner, I will do great things. Thanks for supporting the LadyLee blog since like... forever and a day. Thanks for whipping me all about my head critique-wise (lol). Thanks for all that you do!

And most of all... thanks for being the kind person you are.

You are very much appreciated!!

You really are!