Monday...

Good Monday Morning...

On my way to the dentist this morning. I wonder how that's going to go? I will be getting a few fillings. They are surface cavities, so hopefully I don't need novocaine. I told my boss "If they deaden my head, I will not be coming to work!" She looked perplexed at the head deadening statement, but I think she knew what I meant.

Alas, I don't want to meditate on that now. The gorgeousness of Dr. Watson better keep me calm. LOL.

Weekend. I had a great weekend. Nothing like a 3 day weekend, man.

Really though.

LadyTee's birthday! Friday was exciting, as it was LadyTee's 44th birthday. We try to spend our birthdays together, since we don't talk much or hang out that much. Yes ma'am, it is not like the old days when we were 10 and didn't have busy lives. The last couple of years it hasn't worked out that well because I have been skipping out to some warm country near the equator for my birthday. (This year I bought a car, so no traveling).

Here's her birthday card!

We usually do a movie, lunch, and some shopping for our birthdays. This year for my birthday in February we went to see Albert Nobbs and we ate at Chow Baby. For LadyTee's birthday, we went to see Hunger Games.

Normally I wouldn't go see some young adult film. I like the themes of Young Adult fiction, and I have written one YA story, which I like a lot. But the teenage angst is a bit unnerving from an adults point of view.

But I learned about this movie a month ago from Play Mama, who was reading the book. She told me what it was about, and I remember saying "That doesn't sound interesting at all." She urged me to go pull a sample from my kindle, and I bought the trilogy.

I LOVED the book. I read for style moreso than entertainment, and this book was superbly written. It was close to 400 pages, and I read the bulk of it in one day. The movie was good, and I think someone who hasn't read the book would really enjoy it (LadyTee really like it. I can tell based on how much she talks during the movie, lol). But the book was MUCH more detailed. MUCH.

And the movie had that "Cops" show feel to it, where the cameraman is running and not still, running with the action. This was a bit disturbing since we were sitting close to screen. You need to sit waaaay back from that type of thing.

We went to see it in the hood to avoid the crowds. This was a good idea, as the theartre for the first show was 1/3rd full. There were 4 shows at the ATL Movie theater in Camp Creek. Other theaters had 24-40 shows per day. Hmm... Thank goodness for the hood!

I liked that there were some black folks in it... The tributes from district 11, Rue and Thresh.

Now, they were from the agricultural district, where they picked crops... hmmm, was this a throwback to slavery days? This looked to be the black district, with a heavy sprinkle of white folks.

Why couldn't they be from the lumber, electronics, or seafood District?? Hunh??

Al Sharpton, are you gonna protest this? (I am surprised this didn't come up with the movie critics.)
I was just glad to see some diversity. You don't see that much with the super popular teen flicks.

And to top it off, they were killed in the Hunger games. Sigh. But they played their parts.

The movie was a little violent. I am surprised that the rating was PG-13. Good movie, though! I would've stood in line at midnight to go see it if I was a teen. (Play Mama hit up the midnight show with her kids. She got home at 3 in the morning, just a texting my sleep behind. LOL)

We had a late lunch at KiKu Hibachi grill. There was much fire going on.
And the food was quite good. One of my meat cheat days if I wanted it. And it was all good, even though I had an unsual case of the itis afterwards. I had a Women of Color writing group that evening, but an Oldgirl came home and went STRAIGHT to sleep.

Ugh!

Anyway, it was a good time. We spent some 2 hours in the restuarant, talking about things, about life, which was good since we don't talk all that often.

No major shopping this time. We went to the Wal-Mart, which is my favorite store! I only spent 10 buck in there, which is STrANGE!

Saturday and Sunday were errand days for me. I stocked up on my vegetables for the week. Organic produce prices are dropping, which means a drop in my grocery bill, which is a GREAT thing.

I did a good bit of reading this weekend. I'm trying to finish up the final book of the Hunger Games trilogy. I didn't get any writing done. Taking a small break until April, and I will get crunk again. Well, that's not exactly the truth. I am working on a short story anthology as a surprise for someone's birthday, so I am editing that down, and I do have two more short stories to finish up before the week is up. I still can't believe that by the end of the first quarter of this year, I will have finished the second half of a novel AND written several short stories. That is highly productive for me. Highly.

No telling what the rest of the year will bring.

I can't wait to see.

Song of the week. For some strange reason, i've been listening to Chico Debarge. Not sure what that's about. Not going to post his songs. But as usual, I have been stuck on Jill Scott. There's this one song that has caught my attention.




I'm interested in that song because it makes me want to pick up a story I was working on some 6 years ago that was a bit difficult to write. If you read my Sweet Heat Manuscript, there was a situation between Samuel and Maria, the married chick he worked with at the computer store. That was a heck of a "situation". I may have only spent a page talking about it, but the short story, which should be no more that about 1500 words... is from that married chick's point of view. I had been wondering why she was behaving the way she was, when she had a seemingly perfect husband at home. Hmm.

I might be able to finish that story now. I come across remnants of it written on a raggedy scrap piece of paper whenever I am cleaning off my bookshelf. I think I may be able to finish it now.

Songs help me a lot. If I can transfer the emotion out of a song onto paper, then I am good. All good.

So that's the gist of my weekend.

Gotta go holler at this dentist, see what he's talking about.

I hope he knows that this is gonna be a good week on purpose... and he better not have my grill all achy...

Better not!

You have a good week. On purpose!

Rainy Rainy Monday...

Just pure rain.

That's all I can think about when it comes to today, and to this weekend.

RAIN.

Lots and lots of water from the sky.

I woke up at around 3:45 am in the morning to earth shattering thunder. It's rare to hear thunder that loud, to where it rattles the whole house and shakes me awake.

Very rare.

The first thing I do is look for Oscar-Tyrone, and observe his termperment. He wasn't rattled, so that meant that no tornado or tsunami was coming our way. (Yes, I do believe animals know these things).

And since he was his usual self (staring at me intently, hoping to be rubbed, I suppose), I lay there in the dark, a bit cold due to the ceiling fan being on. I don't feel like going and turning the heat up, so I gather my micromink throw and down comforter a little closer around me, hoping to warm up a little.

And I quietly hope for a better week.

For this week to be a better week than last.

For I've been a bit sick the latter part of the week and during the week, with some lupus flare-ups. This is rare for me. And I don't discuss it. Part of me was expecting it, because of the stress of coming off of vacation and having to get back to my normal routine. Plus I'm suppose to stay out of the sunlight and lately it's been bothering me. Add that with a few other things bothering me lately and I have a bad immune response.

I know for me, my lupus has a strange cognitive component to it: I get terribly moody, edgy and anxious, and I have a hard time concentrating, and my writing starts gettng illegible. I think I start paying attention when it's difficult for me to sign my name. I lose interest in my normal activities and people. My joints ache and I have bad headaches and I can't sleep. Then my appetite is just shot and I have to force myself to eat. I'm dehydrated. And I have NO energy. I was a bit mucousy, which is VERY rare for me.

Let's just say I've pretty much been in the bed since Friday evening.... been a bit horrified at even the mere thought of trying to pull myself together to go and run errands. Luckily, I didn't have anything pressing to do.

And I have a doctor's appointment this morning. I'll probably get scolded about something, like messing up my meds last week or spending too much time in the sun. I'll just lean against the wall and give my doctor the vacant Lil' Lee look.



LOL. She don't like that at all.

I'm hoping for a better week. I don't think I can take being all wiped out. I spent a few months like that back when I was first diagnosed, and ended up doing time in the hospital and having to have blood transfusions. I want NO parts of that. Ever again. There is nothing worse than laying in a hospital bed watching someone eles blood go into your body. All kinds of ish went through my mind seeing that.

Nothing means more to me than being able to take care of myself and to function normally on a day-to-day basis. I don't live the glamorous life, but I have independence, and just being independent, it makes me very rich indeed.

I really don't want to lose that. If I do, I have nothing.

I feel a lot better today. Actually felt better yesterday, as I did a couple of things I like to do (I wrote 4000 words on my story, and I participated in a weekly story crafting chat group on Sunday).

I have to spend the rest of the week working on my concentration, etc., which shouldn't be a problem. So I may or may not be blogging. Man, if I would've blogged last week, it would've all been some food-for-thought or something to the point where ya'll be hollering "Good grief, gal, what's wrong?" lol

I am off today, due to the doctor's appointment. Normally I would go in, but our Director got isshas. He might think I'm trying to sneak in late, and uh.... dude, I ain't in the mood for shenanigans. Run this workplace, and stop sweating an Oldgirl. Humph.

We have a new interim boss, which has left us all O_O. Our last interim boss was stellar. That's all I got to say about that. Although my work has been very light lately... I haven't done any lab work in 3 weeks. Hmm... All paperwork. Can I keep it like that? Don't know. Had a big argument with the new boss on Friday. I think I may be on her list. So I may be back in the lab. Sigh. And I'm cool with that.

So bear with me while I get myself straight. I may or may not be blogging this week. We'll see.

I'm going to make it a point to find a way to make this week a good one... on purpose.

You do the same.

Monday Morning. Vacation... Over.

My 30 day vacation is over.

30 wonderful days off.

Man... now it's over.

I am hurt.

I feel like the baby here.

I feel like crying with my mouth wide open. I mean, I need a good holler, some tissha for my snot, just need to get it all out.

Not gonna happen, though. I was weepy most of Sunday. Had a two minute crying spell this morning. Teary-eyed and it surprised me. Because you know me. I'm a hardcore Oldgirl. I am hoping to find a quiet bathroom stall if I just feel like I will totally lose it.

But when I think about having to spend my day with people who I just don't like and who don't like or give a flip about me... It blows my mind. And it's been magnified by not being at work. My mind is clear, and I had a chance to concentrate on what's really important.

Me.

And I'm not being selfish when I say that. I'm just determined not to let them run me in the ground. And I can show them better than I can tell them.

And uh, we gonna keep it that way. Stay in that lane.

This was my time to figure out what and who is important, and what and who ain't. That's been determined and I will act accordingly. And if I have to verbalize, uh, I have no problem doing that.

'Bout to put my mouth on this, babes. And when I do, it's gonna be like verbal dynamite: things get rearranged, blown up, and set straight...

(Some of ya'll will get that now. Some of ya'll will figure it out later. Some of ya'll will never get it.)

Blog fam hollers "Calm it down, Oldgirl! Get back to smurfy!"

I am smurfy... doggonit.

Let's just say my priorities are straight.

Really though.

It will take time for me to get acclimated back into the process of things. And that's cool.

I will have a GOOD day on purpose, babes.

But first I need me some good gospel music!

I leave the black gospel channel on for Oscar-Tyrone during the day, so he can get his praise on.

When I come in the house from whereever i've been, he's like "Meow, Meooow, GLORY! Meow Meow!"

LOL

(Told Ya'll I was still smurfy)

This song is in hot rotation. Always good to come in the house and hear it playing.




Glory!

Feel better all ready.

Let the new week begin... Now.

Right now.

Good Monday Morning!

Good Monday Morning to YOU!!

'Tis me, Your Friendly Neighborhood That Original Oldgirl LadyLee!!!

Happy Presidents Day to Ya!

"Obama to You!" LadyLee yells!

LOL

I'm STILL on vacation.

Doing it big like the Queen of England.

That means I'm on Holiday, Shawty.

"Holiday!!!" LadyLee hollers in her classic Queen's english. "Holiday! Holiday!"

LOL

The temperature in my beloved ATL is a nice 45 degrees. I plan to get out and about today, go get a pedicure, get a few last minute things done...

Bags are mostly packed and ready to go.

In a little over 48 hours I'll be on that SHIP!!

Not sure where my room is, but it's one of those with the balcony!

GLORY!!!!

I am PMSing like a mug right now. WHY oh WHY must Aunt Flo accompany me on this journey. I need her to show up RAT NOW, but she will show up the 2nd day of the cruise. UGH. So right now, I'm dragging. I'm like one step behind where I need to be right now. I just wanna SLEEP. Not a 100% chipper, but it's all good. My shopping is done, save for a few little things. I go today to get some cash out of the bank, go to Target, and get a pedicure in the morning. All that's left to do is a little more packing, getting Oscar-Tyrone set up for his solitude (Uh, stop tripping. Kentucky will be coming through hanging out with him).

Then I'm OUT!

I'm baking a gang of cookies, and spending the evening boxing those up and mailing them, because I am behind on that. So if you are suppose to get cookies from me, and you are high on the list, they are coming. So bear with me, please. Ya'll know I'm slow.

I should do better since I found a post office that I like. I can do more mailing, without all the danger!!

Purpose Week. I'd like to thank you for pulling up a rocking chair on the porch of the House of LadyLee and sitting a spell and reading my ramblings concerning the whole "purpose" mystery. Oh how I wish I'd found my book on Life Assignments and Purposes out in the garage, but I couldn't. It would have lent more clarity to the whole subject. I guess it was just best to go from some recent church notes, and my own personal thoughts and observations on the matter. I think it will stick with me better that way.

(Some of you wanted the link for Pastor Sarah. Her name is Sarah Omakwu. I didn't write her last name because I didn't want to spell it wrong, lol)

Just a little food for thought on spiritual matters, which honestly, I think about 90% of the time. Those are things that are most important to me anyway, and it helps my courage to write about things that are in the forefront of my thoughts.

I know earlier this year, I said instead of making resolutions, I needed some revelations. That purpose saga is an example of revelation. I need some stuff revealed, something that's going to stick and changes will grow out of it. Some revelation, man! An Oldgirl needs revelation!!!!

So with that said, we have a book giveaway at hand.

Serenity and I just finished a 6 week workbook. As usual she picks the book. (This always causes an argument. When she asks what to read next, I yell "I don't know, Chicken! Just pick something!)

So she picked up the following book.

This workbook... I don't even know what to say about this. All I know when people whine about not getting answers and hearing from God, well this workbook breaks it down where you need to back up and get in a position to hear from God. Good grief. What an eyeopener.

I like Priscilla Shirer. She's an exceptional teacher and she presents subject matter in such clarity that you have to be deaf, dumb, blind and stupid not to understand thoroughly what her point is. She's a sister like me. With issues like me. And she STILL working on her isshas. And she gets alllllll the way up in your personal business and gets down to the business of why there's so much wax in your spiritual ears.

I think we've stomped through 4 or 5 workbooks, and this one is the best thusfar.

So, I'm giving it away. I'm drawing names from whoever leaves comments over on the Purpose posts. Commenting is closed on Tuesday evening at 10:00 pm.

So leave a comment to win. Good workbook. I think you'll like it.

Great workbook. That was one that generated a couple of good long discussions betweenst me and that Chicken Serenity. Definitely an eye opener.

I think Serenity is about to start up a group workbook exercise over on her blog soon. You should get in on that. And the thing about workbooks is that it's a lot of information, combined with mini-personal journalling. All you want is to get a couple of morsels that apply to you concerning your situation. That's all. Just one or two points that will help you do better.

I like Workbooks. They got em on everything. If you trying to get off the pipe, or stop being a ho, if you lie, cheat, steal, or cuss out folk all the time, they got a workbook on that, where someone has sat down and compiled allll the scriptural info into one book and you just work through it. Very interesting concept, and a great way to learn your bible indeed!

Post of the Month. I would be remiss if I didn't mention a post that has been on my mind ever since it was posted close to a month ago... It's by a blogger than I just adore, and I stalker stan her every time I get when I see her on Twitter.

"Next Door" by the Infamous Ladidahdi, La Bella Vita.

Man, some of La's posts. Man... she's only 26 or 27 years old, but I swear she had to start writing them when she was 2 years old. So much THOUGHT put into them. When i found out she lurks over here at the House of LadyLee, man... I was just ashamed. I'm so ebonic, and smurfy. My stuff just wasn't worthy for her eyes to fall upon. Sheesh.

If I don't read another post this well crafted the rest of the year, then fine. This was EXCEPTIONAL. Left me without air.

Oh La! I will stalker stan you even more now!

*La kicks the hard eyeroll*

Song of the Week. Especially for one of the Original Oldgirls Chele. I think you will like this one, hon. I listen to it when I need a good pick me up. One of my favorites by ol' Mary J!

With that said, I am done. I won't be doing any blogging for the next 2 weeks, as I'm GONE!

But never fear, you have exciting reposts of some of my favorite posts. Don't worry, I picked the short ones. Lots of food-for-thought. Some funny stuff. All pretty short! LOL

Tomorrow I have a short story that I wrote last week for a friend. I hope you enjoy it.

I plan on having internet on the boat. So I will probably be on twitter, or answer comments around this way!!

So for now, I'll holler!

The final leg of my vacay is at hand!

Ya'll have a great workweek... on purpose!!

I'll holler!

Monday is Here... Again.

Monday is HERE again....

Big and bold, standing out as usual.

Sigh!

I need another day off. But that's not going down. Gotta go to work!

But not before I report on my weekend.

I did my usual: chores and errands.

And I also hung out with my Grandma.

I need to visit her more often, as she only lives 10 minutes away. It's just a matter of working into her schedule, because even at 80 years old, the woman stays busy. So I took a chance and called her early Saturday morning (which is usually too late. I have to talk to her a few days prior), and lo and behold, she wasn't busy that day. So I told her I'd come over around two in the afternoon.

So I prepared a huge salad, gathered up some stray bottles of bottled waters and headed to Grandmas...

But not before I went and got something else. Not sure I could show up at her house with just a salad. I stopped by one of the most popular places deep in the hood:



Bankhead Seafood!

You know, I haven't been there in 18 years! But I know Grandma loves fried fish. So I was going to pick up a plate.

That place is a trip. You walk in, there are signs all over- you bet not walk up in there with credit cards or debit cards. Cash only. And you better turn that cell phone off.

It was a dark place, crowded with people. But I went at a good time, when the line was not snaking out the door.

You get a plate of fish for five dollars cash, tax included.



That is A LOT of fish. I didn't even count how much. It was easily 10-15 pieces of pollack. (Never heard of that type of fish)/.

Now you can see why the place is so popular. You get a whole lot of fish, so much that they can't close the container. They don't have a closing time. They close when they run out of fish.

So I headed to Grandma's. She was happy to see me, her "little girl". (This use to unnerve me. Grandma is like, five feet tall. I am seven inches taller. I just go head on and let her call me that).

We watched a college footbal game. (Not sure what was up with that. Didn't know she liked football.) I worked on a crochet project. She read a book. We talked. She has a VERY soft book, and she's a little hard of hearing these days, and it was a battle hearing her over the television.

But she did tell a story of a possum that lives in the backyard. It has a thing for getting in the trash and eating up the bones. She was very detailed about this (I could imagine her leaving out bones just to see the critter).

I was sitting there thinking "Thank goodness we're not going in the back yard."

Then after all this, she says "I want you to come in the backyard and see my hibiscus plants and roses."
*crickets*

Man, I did NOT want to go in that back yard. I haven't been in that backyard since I was 15 years old. It was where my Granddaddy kept his junk, and there was just too much going on, something straight out of the show Hoarders. I would knock stuff over, and I just decided to stay ouf from back there.

Plus the doggone possum was back there.
But how could I say no to Grandma?

So we headed back there close to evening time, when it wasn't so hot.

And I was wary, eyes darting back and forth, forever mindful that there was a possum probably perched in the bushes glaring at us...

The carport leading to the backyard was interesting. My Uncle Tweet has a bunch of lawn gear out on the carport. Not sure what's up with that, and I didn't ask. I assume he is repairing the stuff.
There were plenty of stray kittes running around.


Maybe I should've taken one home to Oscar-Tyrone, so he'd have a friend.

NOT!!

Grandma has some rose bushes that are 20 feet tall. (Didn't know they grow that tall). Here's one of the yellow rose bushes, which is big as a tree.



I remember this tree as a child. This is the pecan tree in the backyard.

My Uncles would climb up in the tree and shake it, and pecans would fall, and there would be SO many pecans. My grandfather would divide them up, and let us get whatever we wanted. It still produces pecans every other year.

Uncle Tweet has a garden. He's doing his fall garden now, and his turnip greens are starting to come in.

That's gonna be some GOOD eating!

Here's where Grandma sits and swings.

There wasn't much to see, as the blooms have died off of many of her flowers. But she was so proud, and told me every single detail of each plant.

I listened to all she said, while looking out for that possum.

(My heart jumped in my chest when a squirrel ran across the fence. UGH)

We went back inside, and I left for home.

One last picture. My Auntie Joyce's old Camaro.

She gave that to my Uncle. My aunt LOVES camaros, and has always bought them. I never cared to ride with her, because she drives REAL fast. Maybe she has slowed down now. I think she's getting older now, and prefers less power.

So that's the highlight of my weekend... hanging with Grandma.

And since she's getting up in age, I need to make sure to see her more often. I always learn something new from her about life and our family history.

And it will help me this week, reflecting on our visit, that is.

It will help me to remember what is truly important.

And that is what truly matters.

I hope you all had a great weekend... on purpose.

Monday Morning Madness

Good Monday Morning.

Good Monday Morning Madness.

The only reason I say this is because it's bitterly cold in the ATL.

Sunny and 19 degrees.

Just cold!!!

Ugh.

One thing I'm glad about. I don't have to get out there in all that "coldness".

Right now, I'm laid up in bed. The heat is blowing. And I'm under the Polo down comforter. My head is laying on my comfortable down pillows
.
(There's a hole in this comforter. I wake up to many feathers every morning. Sigh).

Thank goodness for the laptop, cuz I don't have to move if I don't want to... I could just lay here all day long.

(Not gonna happen though. I got thangs to do).

My weekend. It went by in a blur. I don't think I did anything on Saturday, just meandered around the house doing the usual chores. I don't like chores.

I started crocheting a baby blanket. I'm looking at it and it's too big, so I may just have to start over. Ms. Blackliterature.com, that blanket would be big enough for you, the new baby, and the toddler to crawl under. HARD SIGH. So I may just have to start over. I'd hate to mail it and Ms. Blackliterature.com be like "What the World????"

LOL

Yesterday was nicer for me. I spent time with my Auntie Joyce. I took her her usual Christmas gifts (an assortment of bottled water, a box of spices, and a small cookbook). I baked my Uncle Sean a batch of cookies. She gave me some house shoes and some body sprays. We had dinner and watched movies. (Star Trek and The Proposal).

Afterwards, I swung by my work cubicle mate's house, the Cowgirl Cre. Her big sis, Sista Cre, who just had a nasty bout of pneumonia, was in town from Cali. I am suprised she made the trip.

I walked up in there hollering, "I came to see the sick and shut-in!!"

(Even though she's better now and clearly "running the streets", lol).

I also yelled "It's Amber Rose, Kanye's girlfriend!!!, when I saw her short platinum blond hairdo!!

LOL!!!

(I am such a crackup).

Cowgirl Cre is my crochet mentor. I needed her advice on Ms.Blackliterature.com's baby blanket. She too thought it was too large.

"That's more than a notion, LadyLee," she said.

So, I guess I will ge starting over.

*Lee throws self out of window*

But I had fun doing all of my Christmas visiting... in early January. Fun, Fun, FUN!

Have a safe trip home today, Sista Cre... it was good to see ya!

Today. Today is my last day off. I go back to work tomorrow. I'm trying to straighten out my feelings on all that. Hopefully it will be a good day. But I'ma let tommorow be tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

I have a bit of writing to do today. I may make a short trip up to the vegan grocery store. I'm jacked up when it comes to the post office, so I need to get that out the way today, as there are wrapped packages sitting on the table. (Ugh!! That is something I plan to get better about in the new year. I hate the post office, as their is always some MESS going down when I am up in there! I think I found one nice place, but I have to drive to the southside for that nice experience).

So that's all I have to say for this morning. I'm still continuing with the "40 by 40".

Are you enjoying that?

It's a bit more spiritual driven than I expected. Afterall, that is like, 90% of what I think about on a daily basis. 'Tis rare to get inside my head like that.

I tell you one thing. I'm treating it as private convos with myself, and interestingly, I've made some choices and plans surrounding some of my own notes to myself.

I found that I have to insert some regular posts up in here too, just to have some balance. I do like my smurfy side, you know. lol

Well, the saga continues. Post 7 should be up sometime later today.

I find that I have to sit down and organize what goes up on what day, because many of the posts can be grouped together. I find this development of various themes mighty interesting.

Happy Birthday! My baby blog sista, Serenity23, had a birthday on yesterday!

Happy 32nd Birthday, Gal!

I'm cooling it with the Birthday dedications this year. Ya'll can look at your past birthday dedications and relive those.

We spent quite a bit of time texting yesterday... I've known her since she was 27, and I have commented on how much she has grown up since then. She was a deranged chickenhead back then, but now she's just a "Chicken" (my pet name for her).

I also told her that she was an incredible asset to my life, and I have learned much from her. I've grown much as a person because of her friendship.

She'll forever be close to my heart, as she was one of the primary people to rush in and pick my wailing tail up off the floor back in September. She's held my hand, and helped me get myself back together, back hopeful, and refocused.

That's what I call an incredible asset.

A shining example of what I hope to be to my friends.

She said I was getting all mushy. This is impossible, as I ain't touchy feely.

I'm a hardcore Oldgirl! LOL.

But I love you, Gal!!!

*Lee gives S a big intannet hug*

You's good peoples. You scratches out my head when I was ailing!

You alright with me, gal!!

Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep writing.

Keep being who you are...

Well, It's after 9, and I need to get out of this bed and get my day started.

This is the first workweek of the year. Ya'll make it a good one.

On purpose...

Monday, Monday.

Monday, Monday.

COLD MONDAY!

The current temperature in the ATL is 29 degrees.

29 degrees!!!?!

The weatherman just said "It's cold, but you're not going to be thinking about it, because it's going to be soooo pretty outside."

*Lee throws brick at TV*

Uh, I guess we can say that summer is officially over.

LOL!

I'm going to work today. I don't know WHY I just didn't take the entire 2 weeks off, like most people. I think I was thinking of my birthday vacation. But we won't be thinking of that next year. I'm dipping just like everyone else.

But I only work 2 days this week. That will go by VERY fast. Very fast indeed. I plan to work hard as I can, despite having a fight with my boss on Friday. (I am still suprised that I wasn't written up and sent home), and being thrown under the bus by a couple of coworkers (which was quite funny, as the boss paid no attention to them).

I'ma make these 2 days count. Then I am OFF.

My weekend. I have a decent weekend. Saturday, I decided to go donw to see Baby Bandit, one of the House of LadyLee Mascots, play in one of his high school basketball games.

I got directions from his Mama on how to get there, but I fooled around and got off at the wrong exit. I called up the Green Eyed Bandit, and she was like "That's wrong, I'll have to talk you through the street way."

I whined the whole time. It was waaaaaay to deep out in Henry County, and ya'll know I don't like running around down there.

Once I got out there, in the middle of nowhere, I was all good.

But Green Eyed Bandit... that was the last basketball Im making. You got me all out there with Hansel and Gretel. Ugh.

The game was cool. But Baby bandit's team lost.

And he had the gall to say afterwards, "Miss LadyLee, did you see me dunk the ball?"

*Lee gives Baby Bandit the hard side-eye*

His friend Kool-aid asked if I saw the smooth alley-oops.

By that time, it was time for me to go. (Before I got the unction to throw both of them into a choke hold).

I'm always glad to support the boys. But I'ma need ya'll to move within the ATL metro area.

Afterwards I went to a bookclub meeting. I didn't care for the book, Eric Jerome Dickey's The Other Woman, but we had a very spirited discussion. We have one male member, who was trying to convince us that 95% of all men cheat. That cause a ruckus. He took a verbal shanking for all the things he, as a married man, said about cheating.

Certain things you don't say to a room full of black women. I thought dude was gonna get tackled. But I appreciate his presence, as the male point of view is always helpful (no matter how strange it may be).

I didn't do much on Sunday. It was a chore day. And I spent time with my sister. She cooked her tail off: curry chicken, rice, cabbage, broccoli cornbread, and blackberry cobbler. Goodness! She's a school teacher, and she's off for the next 2 weeks. She could've hooked that up some other day when I wasn't around!

I had a homemade veggie pizza, loaded with tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, and peppers. It looked like something off the Flintstones. (You know how big that prehistoric food looked). I also had some braised kale/swiss chard. I meant to cook some baby lima beans, but I'ma hook those up when I come home tonight.

Post of the week. My special goals technologist Aretha closed on her first home. She didn't mention anything about it, but I knew that chick was up to something. I am sooo happy for her.

You go girl.

And she, being my goals technologist, posted her goals for 2010. I guess that means I better get working on my own!

Well, that is all I have for this Monday morning. I'm going to go into work early. So I can leave early. (Well, at least try to). That may be one of those things where I sneak out after my 8hours are done. We'll see.

I won't be posting everyday this week. We'll see.

Ya'll have a great week!

I'll holler!

Monday Morning...Once Again.

Mondays seem to roll around a bit faster than any other day.

Must be because it's the most dreaded day of the week.

But I can't think like that. It's a new day. And something wonderful will happen today.

If not for me, then for you.

And that is something we have to believe.

I've taken a vacation... my second of the year.

I also found it necessary to take a vacation from the House of LadyLee.

I am in no ways tired of blogging. I really like my blog, you know. I just needed to get a little time freed up to reevaluate my priorites and needs at the moment. My mind has been in limbo, while my world continues to move forward, and move forward a bit to fast.

Priorities have been reevaluated, reset. I have given myself some time to step into new routines, and doing things that I have let slip ever so slightly. Things that are better for my heart and spirit.

And I am all the better for it.

Blogging fits in there somewhere. Not a hundred percent where "somewhere" is, but it has it's place. More conducive to my creativity than anything...

My weekend. I had a decent weekend. Got home from Mexico on Thursday afternoon. (It is HELLACIOUS getting back into the country through the ATL airport.) So as a result I had a three day weekend.

Friday, I slept in. Then that afternoon, I hung out with Nikki's Mom, helping her sort some of her things out. I myself was on yarn duty, and Nikki had a LOT of yarn. So we spent several hours sorting, unraveling, and rolling yarn. I had a lot of fun, and it felt good to laugh and joke with Nikki's fam.

And I hadn't cried much that week, so this was really good to go over and not be beside myself.

Saturday, I didn't do much of anything. I unpacked, and lazied around the house. It was sunny that morning, so I slept in. But I decided to make a dash to the eastside to do some grocery shopping, and on my way home, at around 3:30 in the afternoon, the bottom fell out the sky.

I never seent so much rain in my life. I thought I missed all that when I was in Mexico, because the ATL westside surburbs flooded something terrible. But the Saturday rain was the last "hoo-rah", I suppose, and let's just say, it took me about 45 minutes to drive 15-20 miles home. We got about 4 inches of rain.

But I made it home safely, and that's all that matters.

Sunday was quiet as well. I did A LOT of housecleaning. This was good, but in a way it wasn't because I've been dealing with a stomach bug since Friday, and I aggravated all of that, so much so that I didn't make my Sunday finance meeting.

Let's just say it was best for me to stick around the house, lol.

So here we are, back at Monday morning. I am a little remiss about going back to work today... It will be full of complaints, full of slights that are thrown to make me feel guilty about taking time off.

I will never apologize for needing some "me" time.

My job is not the bane of my existence.

I am not my job.

My job is not my source. God is my source.

Thank goodness for that.

I did much praying this morning, just so I can stand in the face of all that, and not let it get me down.

Because, you know, I will be taking more vacations. More time off, you see.

I will be doing that on purpose.

This vacation opened me up to a whole new world...

I ain't never been nowhere before where, when you step out of your travel van...

There's a dude standing there...




...with a glass of chilled champagne, and a cold wet towel for my face.

They don't do that type of thang at the Motel 6, shorty...

I guess that's what 4 and 5 star is all about, hunh?

Stay tuned for vacay pics this week...

And in the meantime, have a good week... on purpose.

Good Monday Morning...

Good Monday Morning, ya'll...

The weekend went by a bit too fast. And it was a scorcher. The average temperature hovered in the 90s, and I think it's gonna hit the 90s today.

Today's the first day of school for many in Georgia, and this is pretty late because a lot of schools started last week.

What happened to school starting after Labor Day? That's when it started for us.

It's too doggone HAWT outside to be lugging backpacks around.

Oh well... I'm not in school anymore. But I do have to go to work today, and I don't know if I am all that excited about going to work. For last week was one of the most mentally taxing weeks at work that I've had in a long time. A very long time.

I may write about it. I am still trying to gather my thoughts on the whole thing. We will see.

My weekend. I had a pretty decent weekend. I planned on spending it alone, as my weekends have been pretty busy, but it didn't work out like that.

Saturday. I ran a bunch of errands, and Saturday night I hung out at the Green Eyed Bandit's house with a couple other book club sistas Kita and Ray-Ray. We had nachos and liquor, and watched some old TiVo'd shows.

I, of course, had to bring my own goodies: a bag of rice chips and some fresh salsa and guacomole. I had a 4th of a bottle of those little 8 ounce Sutter Homes White Zinfandel. That's about it. That little bottle still sits in the fridge.

I need to stop hanging with you lushes. LOL

And I need to stop watching so many crime shows back to back. I believe by the time I was ready to go home, I was ready to beat some folks down if need be. Same effect as watching a Snapped marathon!!

Sunday. I hung out at Nikki's house. (By the way, the chick finally blogged after some months off. She wrote a piece entitled membrane [begin] that had this Oldgirl over here crying. Sigh).

Mama and Papa Nikki were having a cookout, and she wanted me to stop through. She's been home from the hospital for a few days, and I hadn't been out to see her. I wanted to give her a few days to rest and get situated. But I made the 20 minute drive out to the Eastside and hung out with them.

I tell you, Mama Nikki threw down on the food. She fixed braised short ribs, rotisserie chicken, fried pork chops, t-bone steaks... I think there was even some barbeque wings up in there.

I didn't eat any of that. I did get the phat contact high off of it. It smelled REAL good.

I had the steamed spinach, mac n' cheese and brown rice. Haven't had pasta or real cheese in about 2 weeks, if I'm remembering correctly. Yeah, I got the 'itis off all that, lol. They almost had to give an Oldgirl a cot and a blanket. LOL

I took a gang of cookies over there. Mama Nikki gave me the hard side eye behind that. (Nikki is not suppose to have cookies). This explained Nikki's wailing over text messages about me not bringing cookies.

But I am like the black folks of old. Never show up empty handed.

Next time I will bring her a few apples. Or some of this good tofu. See how she feel about that.

(And that's enough to make anybody mad, lol).

We sat around watching television. I even got a good bit of crocheting down. Most of all, it was great just hanging out with Nikki and meeting her BFF. I also met her brother, who's in town from California.

A good time was had by all.

Mama Nikki walked me outside. She told me how glad she was that I have been there for her daughter through her illness, and how good a friend I was.

That made me feel good, to be helpful. Nikki has been totally supportive of me and has kept me in check over these past few years. I am glad to be there for my friend, and glad that she is doing much better.

A mighty fine weekend, if I should say so myself. It has definitely been one that has smashed the mental mess of last week.

In dealing with several situations this weekend, I learned, or should I say, was reminded of, what is really important in life:

Good friends.
Being there for friends.

And these all important things will stay on my mind as I head off to work every day this week.

They truly will.

So, I ask you now, don't let the stress of it all get you down. Take time to stop and appreciate what is really important. Everything else is just a set of monkey wrenches thrown your way to offset your happiness.

And we can't let that happen, can we?

Heck no.

*Ladylee says that with a hard foot stomp*

With that I urge you to MAKE it a good week... on purpose, with purpose, and all that!

Good Monday Morning... From the Road!!!

I am beautiful sunny Florida for a FPR Workshop.



(That picture is suppose to be a roundbottom flask. Looks more like Qbert to me. Whoever designed that must've been drinking and smoking something at the time).

Well, not so beautiful. It has been stormy, dreary, and just plain nasty.

You don't believe me? Look at this.

The palm trees look more weepy willows.

Florida is NOT suppose to look like that.

Despite the nastiness, I am sooooo happy to be here.

Not. I have been handcuffed, thrown an airplane, and FORCED to attend a weeklong work-related conference/workshop.

I got an email back in March from the head man in charge, telling me to sign up and go. I wanted to tell my boss "Can't you tell dude I don't like to travel for the job, and I don't care to go?"

That would've been a problem. ALL of management are VERY afraid of this guy, who is basically Zeus in their eyes.

An Oldgirl HATES traveling for work. It is too stressful getting there and getting square. I tend to break out in hives or something weird. I didn't this time. I'm just a little tired. (Moreso from hiking a mile up the road to the local grocery store for fruits and salad fixings....)

I slept well last night. Despite being in a very orange room...

When I turn off the lights, it glows in the dark, lol.

Okay, enough of my whining.

I'm gonna be POSITIVE. That is the word of the week. Be proactively POSITIVE.

I'm doing that ish on purpose, babes!

My goal this week is to learn 5 things I didn't know, catch 5 ideas that I can bring back to the lab. And I want to meet some of these chemists who I chat with on the telephone or on monthly conference calls from time to time.

That will make it a good week for me! A very good week if I can work that out.

My specialist told me the other day, "LadyLee you're gonna have to keep me from cussing folks out."

*LadyLee gives him the side-eye.*

Far be it from me to forbid folks from opening up their Book of Cuss.

I told him that I would ball up a piece of paper and throw it at him if he gets out of hand.

He knows me well. I think it is his way of saying, "Lee, stop working your puzzles, writing stories, and reading books and pay attention to what's going on!!!!"

LOL

(I get a case of ADD when things aren't interesting. My attention span is a bit better these days. However, I will be playing Scrabble on my laptop if I get TOO bored).

Hopefully the sun will come out and I can walk down to the beach. It'd be nice to wiggle my toes in a little sea water and get a few nice pictures.

Why, I could even pretend (for a few moments), that I'm on vacation!!

LOL!

I should be posting every day this week... Not sure. I had a couple of prescheduled posts worked out just in case I had no internet. I can now add more!

Book giveaway is still in effect. Comment and you are entered in the drawing.

You all be sure to make it a great week.

As always, on purpose.