Happy Birthday #2, Justin

Today's my nephew Justin, aka Scoot Booty's birthday!

GLORY!!!!

It feels like he was born just yesterday.

Then we celebrated his first birthday!

Now he's TWO!!

***Happy Birthday Justin***

Crackle and Hiss (Birthday No. 48)

It is my Birthday!!
And it is birthday #48

And I must say that I am very happy about that. It has been a part of my prayers lately...

"Lord, can you believe that I'm going to turn 48 soon? How awesome is that??"

Of course He does. But I have been thinking about that. For some odd reason I have felt deep inside that I really needed to pay special and close attention to whatever is going on some seven days out, the seven days leading up to my birthday. And I was thinking... what is that about?

I don't know. I wasn't all that interested. I've just been praying a bit more since I am doing this 40 day prayer challenge book with Serenity. So I just guess I have stirred up some things that have been bothering me, things that have been on my mind. And I am the type that really don't tell people what's bothering me. I really don't think anyone cares. And I am not saying that in some sad way. But do you realize that we ALL have SO much going on in our lives? On top of the rat race of daily life? So I rarely talk about what concerns me. I pray about it. And stuff gets done. Answers show up. Quick and in a hurry. And I think I am just spoiled by that. Hope that makes sense.

Anyway, looking over the last year, I've had to admit to myself that I have been dealing with some job worries and anxiety. That's not like me. The whole management team hears me holler more often than not that "Ya'll better have my paycheck in my account every other Friday!!"

That is the bottom line. Yes, it is crass... but raise your hand if you would show up to your job every day for free, just for the joy of it.

NO.

But with that said, I have some anxiety issues I am dealing with. I was switched into another group, and it bothered me. I liked the supervisor I was under. And there was some hostile ish going on in the other group. I was always like... whatever, I am not in that group. So I don't have to deal with that. We would have fervent whispered conversations about the shenanigans going on in the other group.

(Thank goodness I don't have to deal with that).

Then I got dropped into that group. I was in my director's office and he told me. All I could do was lean against the wall. It had nothing to do with their ongoing disagreements. We were just all being grouped based on expertise. I must admit it was such a blow. I felt like I had been hit upside the head. I was upset and quiet for days. What did I do to deserve this?

So I'd been living on the edges of work, being real careful not to do or say the wrong thing. And that has been mentally taxing. And it has made me anxious.

My supervisor has his favorite people. As all supervisors do. I was talking to another supervisor about it, and she agreed. We decided and understood that it is just human nature.

I am nobody's favorite. Nor do I care to be. I do not want to depend on that favoritism for my well being.

God's favor is so much better.

Anyway, this has been something that I have been dealing with. I have been scrambling hard for the past few months through a difficult report. I finally turned it in. I was nervous about it, seeing how I have been anxious.

Let's just say, I have been functioning well enough. But you know how, if you've ever played a record on a record player, you hear the music, the song playing....

... but you also hear the crackle and hiss in the background of the song due to the contact of the needle to the record.

That is how life at work has been. The crackle... the hiss... in the background of my mind has been bothersome.

I was praying some months ago and I remember saying... actually I think this supervisor is better for me, Lord. You would not have allowed this to happen if it would hurt me. So I am going to just roll with it all.

But I tell you one thing. I stayed my tail out of the way. You don't bother me, I won't bother you.

So I had my annual review last week some time. I was anxious about it, but whatever happened, I would deal with it. I am pretty much out of the way, and I did not know how I would score. Mind you, I had heard stories of people not signing their reviews and walking out on the discussions. I did NOT want to deal with that. Who wants to deal with that crap???? NO.

But you know what? I did much better than expected. And my supervisor was very detailed about expectations. It was a good discussion and I even got a chance to explain some things without it being a big mess.

I was happy for that. This may seem like a small thing, but it is just mentally painful to go to sleep thinking about work concerns and wake up thinking about work concerns and not being able to talk about it without judgement. I must say it was a hot topic of prayer.

I think prior to that, maybe a week ago, we had a 2 hour meeting over this technical report that has been giving me fits. THAT was a good meeting. That supervisor is like Yoda from star wars. I walked out with a better understanding than I did when I walked in.

And this has all been like a weight lifting off my shoulders. Off my mind and spirit.

And what better birthday gift could I ask for?

I cannot imagine.  The intangibles are so important to me. This was an intangible indeed.

The crackle... the hiss... in my mind isn't so loud anymore.

Then there's another question of concern.

Do you move and behave by what you see (your perception of things) or do you move by your faith and what you hope to see?

That is a hard question. I will be thinking about that for the rest of the year.

So today I am off. LadyTee is coming through and we are going to go do our Thelma and Louise rituals, as we always do on our birthdays. I look forward to this time together every year.

And I got a HUGE birthday present. HUGE. Just HUGE.

Look at THIS!

My girl! My friend! And the absolute BEST writing mentor in the galaxy!

The first person to officially publish a story of mine (where I got paid)...

The chick who has had to deal with my "stalker stan" antics for over a decade...

... is now an Oprah book club author...

Hmmm...

You know. I have a whole food-for-thought post concerning this.

And it is not what you think.

Man oh man... all this happened on the eve of my birthday. Happy birthday to ME! I will always connect this occurrence, this feat, with my 48th birthday!

HAPPY 48TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!

A Special Birthday Month!

No it's not my birthday month. But it's my brother and sister's birthday month.

Happy 30th Birthday to Kari (Milk and Cookies), and Happy 36th Birthday to Kentucky.

(Today is actually Kentucky's birthday!)

I wanted to post my favorite picture of us. No, it is not a recent one, but it is one from some 29 or 30 years ago.

That picture is SO funny to me. We were so young. I was only 19, and I think Kentucky was 6 or 7, and Kari had just turned 1. (He was past 1. Maybe 18 months).  Kari had just learned to walk, no run, and I had to be sure to carry him. Whenever I put him down, he would take off running!  And it got old trying to chase him down before he fell down or ran into something.

That day, Kari told his first joke. The photographer said  to me, while posing us for the picture, "You got started early didn't you?"

I was bit perturbed by this, as people always thought (and still think) my brother and sister are my kids. "No, this is my brother and sister."

"Yes I is, Lisa," my brother yelled. "Yes I is!"

Meaning Yes I am your child.

The look I gave that boy as he fell out laughing. He was full of giggles.

Lawd. How upset that made me. And not to mention the awful look the photographer gave me. He looked at me like I was a liar.  

Kentucky had her own special brand of issues that day, namely her fascination with her arm on my shoulder. She thought propping her arm on someone shoulder like she did was a way of putting a curse on them.

(I to this day have NO idea where she got that whole idea from. NONE).   

And I myself was suppose to take a picture with my boyfriend that day, but I was mad at him. I snatched up my little brother and sister instead.

I am so thankful I did because that is the only picture I have us all together.

That is such a special memory, that day.

And over the past 30 years, it has been a pleasure to see them go and grow and do great things.

It makes my thoughts of them on their birthdays all the more special!

***Birthday #47***

47.
47?
47!

47!!!

I have been thinking about that all year long. I realize that amounts to a little over a month of days, but I have spent time thinking about that number.

47. 

I have spent time thinking about that age. 

Why? Because I never imagined turning that age. I remember when I was little always thinking about turning 30, because I would turn 30 in the year 2000. And who could imagine the year 2000?

But here it is... 2017. And i am 47. I am middle aged for real. And I never thought of that.

This time of year I wax nostalgic about the past 12 months. What was the good? What was the bad? What was the ugly? What do I need to change? Where did I succeed? All of that becomes much personal food for thought.

And I especially begin to think about what lingers on the walls and in the corners of my mind.

And I think about something I saw that has had an affect on my outlook.

A few months ago, I was thinking about increasing the amount of money I save each month. But it required that I pay my bills a bit differently. For some odd reason, I like to pay most bills off of one paycheck. That in itself is a high class problem. But I remember being a bit miffed by this.

And then one day, while leaving the freeway at the exit that leads to my job downtown, I saw a woman.

A homeless woman.

She was under the bridge next to the exit, and she was pouring water from a bottle over her naked body. She was washing up with a soapy rag.

That exit is curved and fast, but I remember thinking... did I see what I thought I just saw.

After a couple of more times, I understood that I did.

And I filtered my annoyance with having to rearrange how I pay my bills through those thoughts. Suddenly it wasn't that important that I had to make a few minor changes in order to meet a goal. Here was someone who lived under a bridge, and then got up everyday to get ready... in view of everyone. That is a sad thing. But it made me more thankful.

I don't see her that much. But I see her things: A black duffle bag, a gallon of water, and a few other items, all sitting on a ledge under the bridge. It is a reminder of Atlanta's homeless problem. It is a reminder to be thankful for the roof over my head. Truly thankful.

At this age, I find that I am thinking of those types of things, among other things that go on in life throughout my day, throughout my year. I feel like God shows us much to think about, if only we pat attention.

And that is what is on my mind this morning.

That is on my mind as I turn 47.

I am thinking about my problems...
I am thinking about my triumphs...
I am thinking about my adventures...
I am thinking about growth.

And I am excited about what is to come.

I took yesterday and today off. I remember all to much of how melancholy I was last year because I had to work (My birthday was on a Sunday, but I usually take that Monday off when that happens). I am at a point right now, especially since taking off 3 weeks in December and traveling to the UAE to spend time with my sister, that if I want to be off, I will be off. I realize that I don't take off much because of a fear of some mess going down when I'm not at work. Mess is going down whether I am there or not. I have had to realize that I have been dealing with some anxiety concerning work, and that ain't good. I am getting the job done. I have met my goals. But when I have to dodge the insecurities of others while dealing with my own, well, that is mentally taxing. I don't talk about it, because no one asks. I don't want to complain and whine. I listen to enough of other people's wailing as it is. I don't want to add my own gripes to the mix. I am learning to pray about it. And watch things change. Period.

One thing I have learned is this: there is ALWAYS a lot more going on than we think is going on... with people, places and things.

Even with our own selves. These days I spend much more time on self introspection and making the adjustments than on pointing my fingers at others. Sometimes I am the problem. Sometimes not. I need to be crystal clear about the distinction.

Those are my thoughts at this moment and time, on the day I turn 47.

Today I am off. I woke up and listened to the radio, and I watched the news just to see what the weather would be. It is going to storm later on, so I better get out and do what I got to do now.

Me and LadyTee are going to go do our Thelma and Louise thing... That didn't happen last year.

Minus the driving off of cliffs.

I want to go to the movies, and there is this high end Mexican place I want to try. That food better be good!

I am thankful for seeing a new year of my life. I am always mindful of there being those that didn't make it this far, so I will make the best of it.

I will make the best of year 47.

Food for Thought: Birthday #46... Sigh

I would be remiss if I didn't do a birthday post.

No fanfare this year. (You know how I get all excited about my birthday).

Not this year. I feel more like Sister Callie Jo looks here.

She looks like she is stuck but she is not. Her toys are on top of the bookcase below the stairs and she is trying to figure out how to get to them. She can't figure out how to get her whole body through the rail. (Lord help us if Big headed Mitch tries the same thing).

But she looks caged and trapped. When she is not. That is how I feel.

I am in the middle of a big project at work, and I couldn't take off for my birthday like I usually do. Heck, I can't even keep my doctor's appointment in the morning. Hope I can reschedule it in the next two weeks, or even on Presidents day, as I have that day off. (And incidently, I have a doctor's appointment that day too. Hmm).

So, I must admit that I have been all caught up on my feelings. I don't like being inconveinced on my birthday. Afterall, it's a LadyLee National Holiday. It is.

So if my birthday falls on a weekend, I like to take the prior Friday and the following Monday off from work. That worked well last year, as my birthday fell on a Saturday. And it was super special because my last job ended on my birthday, and my promotion and work group change kicked in that following Sunday. What a nice gift from God, I thought at the time. And it most definitely was.

But things went a bit sideways this year. I have been gearing up for a project and well, my birthday celebrations and work leave have to wait. My boss had come over and sat in my cubicle as he does from time to time and I said...

"Uh yeah... I'ma get ya'll back for this one."

And I will. I'ma take a whole week off after it's said and done.

So needless to say, I have been a little all in my feelings. And that is okay. I give myself permission to be that way as long as I don't stay stuck. And I think I am PMSing anyway. That's probably my problem.

I didn't do much of anything today. I only wanted to get myself together for the week- get clothes washed up and folded and clean up the house. I don't know if I will have to work upwards of 10-12 hours and I know that I will not want to do a darn thing once I get home. I noticed this last week when I would come home late from work and not even eat. I would just take off my clothes and get in the bed. And if it's going to be like that, I want to at least have a clean house and clean clothes.

I did manage to get my drivers license renewed last week and I got an emission for Lucy Jr. I will have to worry about Pam later. I will order my tag online for Lucy Jr. this week, as I will not have time to go to the DMV and get it.

The best thing I did was on yesterday, when I spent some time journalling about the past year, on the cusp of turning 46.

I have changed. I know that much.

I definitely ain't the same person I was when I was in my 30s. I most definitely do not put up with a lot of tomfoolery. And please don't make me have to think to hard concerning our friendship. In other words, my patience has run out when it comes to funky or suspect behavior.

I notice I tend not to be very interested in people if I'm not being a blessing or positive influence. And vice versa. We all dealing with enough people wearing us down. I don't want to be in that company.

I wrote about something I'd written a time or two about lately: I have noticed some anxiety about things going on in my life. It's almost like I'd be on the edge of panic. I have no idea where that comes from. I look to make sure I'm not around any terribly anxious people, as I notice that type of things tend to rub off on me.

This tends to show up when I have some things to do and I have to plan well enough. I was anxious about this trip to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. I am so use to my sister being around and taking care of my house when I have to travel, but she's not here. So I was mentally bothered and anxious about asking for help. I don't have a lot of friends, and I rarely have company. So asking someone to look in on my house is just a horrid thing for me to even ask. I just asked a couple of friends just to drive by my house to make sure my door wasn't all kicked in. And that worked out. But I remember being in San Francisco just wondering... and I remember the sigh of relief when I got home and everything, including the cats, were just fine. I really had no idea and had not even talked to anyone about it. And my sister always called or hung out when I was out. So that was a point of anxiousness. Unnecessary, but I pay attention to that and I write about it. I wrote much about it out in San Francisco and I did all I could just to encourage myself.

This past week I was anxious about all this car stuff I needed to do: I needed new tires, emissions and tags for two cars AND a drivers license renewal. I was anxious about it. What set much of this off is that there was a drivers license place a mile from my house and it was torn down the week before. (Ain't that a mutha!!?) So there was much discussion about where to go get one where I won't have to be up in the joint for hours and hours. My coworker Lady M encouraged me to go find the one down by the city jail (where I just didn't want to go). Just do a simple drive-by and look around. And you know, I did that for a couple of days. This place was on my way home. And I decided to go in and see how long it would take to get my license. And you know what? There were only 4 people in there and I was in and out in about 10 minutes.

Same scenario with new tires. I was bellyaching about having to have a very specific tire for Lucy Jr. No bootleg for her. There was no need in driving a luxury car riding on some ol' cheap tires. I'd read enough online that screamed that the car would drive like a Yugo if I did that.

I got up early on a Saturday morning and drove out to the suburbs for the tires. There were 10 folks in line in front of me so I sat in the waiting room, equipped with all my charged up electronic devices, prepared to just sit there all day. But they moved me ahead of folks who dropped their cars off for the day and had people to come pick them up. I was in and out with my new set of tires and alignment in a little over an hour.

There have been a plethora of scenarios like this this year. I get anxious and mentally overwhelmed about something I need to do, and it turns out that everything goes FAR better, quicker and cleaner than I expected. FAR and beyond.

So i spent time writing about this, as it is a problem area I happened to see with myself. And as a result, it is an area I have targeted for prayer. I think much of it is tied to me missing my sister, and not being part of a tight knit family. So I have had to just figure out things by myself without having anyone I really feel comfortable depending on for help. And I do have people around. There has never been a time when God has not made provision, over and beyond, especially if I'm stepping out on faith. I have no evidence of failure to get things done. None at all.

It's just the fear of provision not being made, or hardship that seems to bring on anxiety. And I am praying about that.

I know that's a lot of writing I just did. My birthday is suppose to be such a happy time. But I use it as a time to examine what's going on and what I need to target for improvement.

I wrote something interesting in my journal last night, when pondering all of this, amongst other things I choose not to write about.

"... It is all akin to, 'If a tree falls in the middle of the forest, and thre is no one around to hear it, does it really matter that the tree fell?'  It does. Because if no one heard the tree fall, God heard it fall. And that is what really matters."

I'm not sure what that means in its entirety. But it means something, and I will be chewing on it for awhile. It gives me solace and peace for some reason.

That's it for my birthday. This has been an eventful day. My church had it's 30th church anniversary. That was a LONG service. I streamed it, and it was very good. Also this was Super Bowl Sunday. I was just surprised that all of this fell on my birthday. So I have been busy not only cleaning up and getting ready for my workweek, but also taking all these festivities in. It is all so exciting.

But today I am 46 years old. I am closer to 50 than I have ever been, right? And that's fine. T

I am more in tune with having the courage to deal with my issues. And that means I am maturing.

I have come a long way since the attitudes of my 30s and 40s. I am just happy to recognize this.

And I look forward to a great year. 

Onwards to the Future (Age 45 Randoms)

Whelp!  This is the last post for the Birthday Sweepstakes. Get your comments in. One winner will be chosen. And I have a new person drawing names: LT Commander "Get Jiggy Wit It". She's a very interesting Oldgirl. And she is HIGHLY ecstatic about pulling a name from the bucket. Go girl.

I wanted to spend some time thinking about 45... what I have learned leading up to here. And what's going on currently.

1. I am much different than I was at age 30. I am much different than I was at age 35, the age at which I started this blog. I don't fly into panic mode when something goes wrong. I know that it is a temporary situation. Just like a hairdo. Temporary. And I think that comes with life experience. Things go wrong. And on the way to working through it, much is learned. Specifically, much is learned that can be used for the future.

2. My interests are very abstract these days. I am waaaaaay bored by what the masses are interested in. Last year, I spent time reading a bunch of books that really changed my perspective in some key areas of my life. My prayer life, beliefs, and trust in God is strengthened. I saw a whole slew of results based solely on that.

I get a bit excited about things, and unfortunately, I get the deer-in-the-headlights look when I discuss some deep piece of knowledge or enlightenment that has helped me. I was discussing with a friend, and she felt this way too, that it is rough when the pool of people you have to discuss things with gets smaller... and smaller.

So I have to dial back, keep things to myself. Lord have mercy, the things that I could post here on blog would have you O_o. But they make sense to me. They move me forward. But I want to keep this a fun and interesting spot. Never preachy. Never over-your-head. Just a good balanced spot. And much of what I learn is for my own learning. Yes, some will leak out on blog here and there, but you have to peer... closely.

You never know. I may surprise you. Like when I said how I read in a couple of spots that we live in 11 dimensions. And the implications that has. There's way more going on around us than we pick up on.

Hmm...

3. Personal writing is going strong. Well not my fiction writing. There's been a goal to pick up on that. And lo and behold, things are shaping up QUICKLY in that direction. Some help I need, specific help, is at hand. I just have to grasp it and hold on. Just like, some of the information I got at the writing workshop this weekend singed my eyebrows. Really.

But personal writing is what is going uber-strong for me right now. During a long holiday break, for instance, Christmas, I do a little personal hardcore journaling. 3 pages every morning when I first wake up. This is what's called Morning Pages. A brain dump before you even get the day started. It supposedly frees up your creativity. It was from a book entitled The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. It was a book my favorite author Tayari Jones had us going through over on her blog. I remember after a few days way back then, I told her... "Girl, I'm learning I have a lot of stuff going on inside," She said she did too.

And we need to know that, you know.

Well, this is going so well for me that I have challenged myself to do this the whole year. That' s going to be a doozy. That will be a little over 1100 handwritten pages by the end of the year. Oh my.

I hit page 170 yesterday.

I usually write about whatever happened the day before. I don't go back and read. I have a TON of interesting conversations, so my pontifications about those. I would say 90% of the time, those convos are the answers to some problems I prayed about recently. It gets really interesting when I write out of my subconscious. And I love when I write out of my spirit.

And I read recently that those morning writings, even for a shorter amount of time (3 pages takes me around 45 minutes to an hour), strengthens the immune system. 

4. I need to become more aggressive  in the workplace. Much more aggressive. It seems this new position calls for this.

AGGRESSION

And that is such a harsh angry word. And you know that is SO not me.  That's like, too close to wanting to be validated to me. It skims real close to having self-esteem issues or something. And you can assume how I feel about that.

But it's a promotion, a new position, calling for a whole new tactic. I have to come up with a tactical plan. This is a more creative type position, so I have to do a lot of reading and I have to use more of this pure genius psyche of mine.

In other words, I must put on my tight fitting Dr. Parker sombrero. And my Dr. Parker neon pink hot pants.

Glory.

5.  I  like to go back and look at my personal vision statement from  time to time. I like to see where I have grown stronger in relation to it. Here it is. 


"I am 100% healthy in my body, soul, and spirit. I acknowledge God in all my ways, and I seek Him before I make any decisions, big or small. I am a blessing to my family and to those that God sends across my path. I am an incredible asset to my friends. I am a good listener. I am an excellent employee, and I not only work hard, but I work smart. I take time to periodically evaluate myself, and I make changes accordingly. I stick and hold fast to the path God has charted out for my life. I accept and openly welcome constructive criticism, as I know it will help me become "a better me". I am a good steward, a fine manager over the finances He has blessed me with, to the point that God knows He can trust me."

That part in purple. Here and now, at age 45, I am mighty strong in that. And growing.

I didn't realize this, but I spend time each and every day, several times a day thinking about how I can be a blessing today, or if I have even been a blessing to someone today. And not a day goes by, in the past few years, where this is not the case. It is something I constantly think about. It is my mindset. Thank goodness for that.

Now the other parts are coming along. For me it's not a sprint, but more of a marathon.

A lifelong marathon.

And I hope that I grow in that vision, more and more each day, 'til it's time for me to be out.

So that's what I am thinking about now, at age 45. It's what I thinking of in terms of growth and growth potential over the next year. Over the next few years, even.

I wonder what 50 will look like?

I can't ponder that now. I will march onwards from here onwards to 46... and the future.

That's  it for my birthday posts. I posted all I wanted to post up.  So stay tuned for the Sweepstakes drawing tomorrow evening!

Birthday #45 Spare Change

I save all my spare change from birthday to birthday.

I first heard this idea some 20 years ago on a radio talk show. People were saving their dollars from Christmas to Christmas. That's how they had their money for the Christmas holidays. I decided to try it. And for many years, I've saved all my spare change in a mason jar.

This year, the grand total is...

I forgot to take a picture of the full jar of change. This was a quart sized Mason jar, and it was 80% full. Here is the aftermath.

That change in the bottom is old leftover bus tokens and foreign coinage.

I still trip over the square coin from Aruba. There's some dutch change in there also. I will always keep that!

I use to have around $80-$90 worth of change. But I don't use cash enough... always a debit card. I remember at one time before the popularity of debit cards (when we only used debit cards), I would save DOLLAR BILLS from birthday to birthday. And at the end of the year I'd have $200-$400. That was GOOD birthday money.

And so is $63.19.

That's good birthday morning. I won't knock that. That's groceries. That's a tank of gas for Lucy Jr.

Right now, I am just holding it. For something special.

I don't know what that something special is.

But it will be special. 

Good Monday Morning... The Post Birthday Edition

Oh it is The Morning After...

Or better yet, The Monday After...

The Monday after my birthday. My 45th birthday! I still marvel at that.

And it was a good weekend. The weekend continues. I was off on Friday, and I am off today. No more partying for me. I just have a doctor appointment today, in the middle of the day way down in the southern suburbs, so no need to go to work today. This is the first day of my new job, but oh well.  I will show up tomorrow.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by my boss with a Happy Birthday/Congrats on your Promotion Party.

First, back up. Earlier that day, Cowgirl Cre and I went out to lunch at Gordon Biersch.

I rarely go there because it is so darn expensive. But I wanted some seafood, and even though there are some 15 restaurants near the job, there aren't any real seafood places.

But I had the seafood.

I had fish and chips.

Cowgirl Cre had the fish tacos.

That was the lightest fried fish I ever had. And Cre enjoyed her tacos!

Cre was throwing out all kind of cues that there would be cake when we got back. I didn't pick up on any of that. I remember her saying "Save room for dessert." But when the check for lunch came and the waitress asked if we were having dessert, Cre said no. I was thinking, oh well, maybe she changed her mind. And then when we parted ways at work to go back to our respective cubicles, she said "See you at two!"

I thought that meant she was coming my way at two.

A party was the very last thing to cross my mind.

Why? Because I don't go to celebrations at work. I'm not part of any of the controlling cliques and crews. They do grand stuff. I stay out of it, because there is some bit of drama involved. Even down to inspection of the envelopes to see who gives how much money. Who needs that ish? And then folks come to me with their complaining about it all. Ugh.

Many years ago, people were big on potlucks, parties and what-not.. We REALLY looked forward to it, especially if management was gone off to training or something. But these days, that is all touch and go. It can either go bad or good. I consider myself a fringe character, a loner. Hence, no parties for me!

And that's fine. When someone leaves, retires, etc... I bake them a batch of cookies, decorate up a nice card, and/or, if they were especially impactful in my life in the workplace, write a check to make their eyes pop. That is how I... cope. That's how I... sow some seed, and show my real appreciation.

But when I got back to my desk, and was prepping to go into the lab, my old boss called and said that there was a party.

O_o.

And to come on over.

And she'd bought a cake:

Aww...

And there were 2 cakes!

Happy Birthday and Congrats! How wonderful... and highly unexpected!

And there was fruit!

You know I love fruit. I wanted to open that top and put my face in it, lol.

That was so nice, especially since I'm not really "leaving". I am in another group, in the next building over. I come over to the other building for meetings, etc. I still see people.

There were 2 nice cards.

I thought that was really nice. And there was a gift certificate for $50 to the Whole Foods.

I almost passed out when I saw that. You know how I feel about Whole Foods. I'm gonna go in there and buy that GOOD lettuce now. LOL!

It was such a nice gesture. I truly appreciate it. Sooooo unexpected. Really cool. Thanks boss!

Anyway, I spent a couple of days with my best friend, which is a rarity. I haven't seen her 2 days in a row in over a decade, lol.

She came over to my house and we watched 2 movies:

No Good Deed.

That was GREAT! I didn't care for the hershey bar dark Idris Elba as a villian. But he played a great psychopath.

And we watched one of my favorite movies: Limitless

LadyTee had never seent that one. She loved it. It was my umpteenth time seeing it. I love it more every time.

All it all, it was a good birthday weekend. Very relaxing. And that's all I could wish for.
I want to put up my other food pics but they are way too fuzzy. It is wack trying to take pictures in a dark restaurant.

But I found some pics online from Agave...

LadyTee had the tequila shrimp

 I had the stuffed Mountain trout Tomatillo!

Trout stuffed with crawfish. Good good good good GOOD. I had that with a strawberry margharita. You could've knocked me over with a feather, I was so full.

I've been wanting that for YEARS. And it was well worth it. Lawd!

Too much meat this weekend. Probably the reason I am all headachy right now. But it was all good!

Back to my veggies and fruits... and water..

Tomorrow begins a new time, a new era. And I'm happy for that.

Have a good week... on purpose!

**Birthday 45**

It's that time. It's Birthday 45.

I don't feel any different. I don't even feel 45.

I always tell my doctor, "I just want my 20-year-old self back."

She rolls her eyes. She's not all that confident in that happening, I suppose.

But I am happy for age 45 and all the joy and experience it will bring.

I've been getting calls and text messages hollering "Whatcha gonna do on your birthday?"

Nothing particularly special.

So far today:

At midnight, I prayed over my year and had some communion. (You know I wear out some disposable communion cups at will!). Then I separated some clothes for the wash. I sang a couple of songs and prayed some more. Then I finally went to sleep to a talk show on SiriusXM.

I woke up this morning around 6:30 am and hand wrote my 3 full pages of morning pages (I'm like, on page 132 now. Wowzers.) I noticed Mitch and Callie paying me more attention than usual, so that meant they were out of food, so I fed and watered them. Then I got up and folded some clothes. I cleaned up the kitchen. Cleaned and vacummed the living room. Mopped the kitchen floor. And now I'm going to go shower. LadyTee is coming over later to watch some movies and we may run up to my local coffee house.

Just a regular Saturday, I suppose. She and I ran the streets yesterday for my birthday. We went to see Taken 3.

Then we headed to Cabbagetown to Agave for dinner.

That was great. I had some really good crawfish stuffed grilled trout. I will post pics later.

Early that morning, I took Pam to get repaired. Her engine light is on. It will be a nice $1400 bill. Oh joy! Poor mechanic... he was wailing over it. And I was wailing back, "Dude, I don't care how much it cost. I just need to pass my emission. And I'm sick of worrying about money. Whatever. Order them parts and fix my car!"

He was O_o!

I was happy. Because I am 45 now, and I am growing. The stuff that bothered me at age 25 does NOT bother me at age 45. I would've fell out over a $1400 repair bill. Today, I just swipe one of my spare debit cards. And rebuild that account before spring.

Bootleg baller... indeed. LOL

So I will enjoy this sunny day. And I will go to Saturday evening church and sang some songs and do some church jogs and church spins. I may even break out my Obama Church fan.

Happy Birthday to me...

Your friendly Neighborhood Oldgirl... LadyLee.

And my promotion kicks in on Sunday!

Thank you Lord for the bomb birthday gift. That is all!

Amen!!

HaPPy 50th Birthday to the Uncommon One, Chele

I want to say a extra special Happy Birthday to one of my favorite bloggers CHELE!!!

Wait!

A Happy 50th Birthday!!!!

And this is what 50 looks like on Chele! 

Ummph, Ummph, Ummph.

That Chele don't look a day over 20.

I wish I could look that way at my age of 44. Might don't make it, ya'll. Nope, might don't make that one.

I look at her and think... "Lawd... I wish I could be uncommon like her."

She is uncommon... meaning unconventional, unusual, atypical, extraordinary.

Don't forget exceptional and noteworthy.

She is uncommon. In other words, Chele is ALL THAT and a bag of chips.

And like the caption reads in the picture above...  

"If you believe in yourself, anything is possible."

Anything. 

Chele has had such a powerful influence over the way I look at things over the years. So many times I've prayed about problems and I turn to one of her posts, and all the answers are laid out right before my very eyes. I have loved her transparency in so many of her posts, and I have learned much from her willingness to self assess and make the necessary changes. And that's saying a lot in this world that has the mentality of "I'm right and everyone else is wrong". With her, it's more of "I see a problem and I want to change to make things better and to make things right within my ownself".

And we know that true change comes from within.

I have never met her. She came to Atlanta one time several years ago, and I had a fleeting thought of asking if I could meet her... if only at a stoplight or in the Wal-mart parking lot.

But I was afraid. It would have been like that scene in The Color Purple, when Shug was leaving, and Celie wanted to say something... But she fainted.

Chele hollers  "Hey LadyLee!" in the Wal-mart parking lot.

I try to speak. But my words are caught in my throat. And I faint. I pass out on the hard concrete.

No way man. I would not embarrass myself like that. Un-unh.  So I just left it alone.

I will be like Celie, and just follow from afar.

She is iconic in my minds eye... so uncommon. Almost to the point of being mythic.

So Chele, I wish you a Happy Friday... and a Happy Birthday.

And I end with one of the quotes I've posted in the past that you seem to like.

"Don't discuss your uncommon dreams and goals with common people".

Dear Chele, the dreams you have had over the years are very uncommon, even recently. I have sat by and read what you've dreamed, and I have whispered a silent prayer of agreement. I have hoped your dreams, these uncommon dreams, will come to pass.

And I see that happening, right before my very eyes.

And what a blessing it is.  No hate from me... just a standing ovation and a mighty hand clap of support.

So here's to 50. 

Your 6th decade of life has begun.

And I am more than sure that you will uncover more layers of yourself, and make even more discoveries of who you are and find out just how far you can go...

I am sure you will reach more of...

The Uncommon.

Much love, Uncommon Original Oldgirl.

Enjoy your day...

From your fellow Original Oldgirl...

LadyLee.

Happy Birthday, Milk and Cookies!

So... my brother Kari, aka, "Milk and Cookies", turned 26 today. This post is a day late, but that's alright.

Happy 26th Birthday Milk and Cookies!!!!

I thought I would post up a random picture show.

Most recent picture... a slightly uh... buzzed Milk and Cookies.

Milk and Cookies at my house, posing next to one of his old pictures from when he was 5 years old...



Baby pictures of Milk and Cookies, the day he was born!






Picture of when he came out of the womb!! Hollering down!

Cut out all that hollering, Milk and Cookies!

His first day home! He's buck-nekked. Every baby has a buck-nekked picture.


My sister Kentucky at age 6 with the 3-day-old Milk and Cookies.


A picture of a week old Milk and Cookies, fast asleep.


Milk and Cookies during his Army reserve days.




He wore that shirt to death. He had that shirt on every day seems like. 
Milk and Cookies on his first birthday!



Him in his army gear.





Me and Cowgirl Cre were pondering this picture.

"He looks dangerous," I whispered.
Cowgirl Cre nodded in agreement.
"Look at that grass," I said. I tapped my LCD screen with my ink pen. "That is not Georgia!"
"Sure ain't, girl." CowgirlCre replied.

A Picture of Milk and Cookies Sr and Jr.

This doo-rag thing. Even got the oldest boy wearing one. Not cute.

I like this picture of Milk and Cookies. People say we look just alike. I never see it, but I see it right here.


This picture also sparked another mini Notes from the Peanut Gallery moment between me and my cubicle mate, CowgirlCre.

LadyLee: "Look at him. We look alike in this picture. And he has on all that black. Wonder where he was heading out to?"
CowgirlCre: "He looks like he's been hanging with some Latinos."

A recent picture of Kentucky and Milk and Cookies.







All of us... Kentucky was 7,  Milk and Cookies was 1.5, and I was 19!

LadyLee rocking the silver herringbone. Oh yes, yes, ya'll.

Kentucky and a 6 month old Milk and Cookies

I think this is a picture where Kentucky and Milk and Cookies were ages 9 and 3 respectively.


There are so many more pictures. But those are my favorites. 

One more...

Milk and Cookies and his sons the day he came home from a tour in Afghanistan.

Glory!!!  That was a happy day. An Obama church fan waving day indeed.

Milk and Cookies favorite song at the age of 2.



That song...

... and this song:



Whip Appeal and Secret Garden.  My goodness. I cringe to this day when those songs come on. I remember thinking way back then... "Can somebody PLEASE put on a Disney record?"

I mean, we couldn't even turn the station fast enough. He would hear those songs and come running and he would sing his little heart out. Sigh.

Those were the days!

Happy Birthday, Seargent Cookies! Enjoy your day!

Happy Mardi Gras + Sweepstakes Winner!!!

Oscar-Tyrone wishes you a Happy Mardi Gras!

He refused to look at the camera...

But he has his beads on, and he's ready!
Happy Mardi Gras!

He is all bling!

So, with that said... I ran up on my official prize puller, Lieutennant Commander By, so he could pull the winner of the Great 43rd Birthday Sweepstakes.

(I looked at his hands first. His nails were fresh, and his skin smooth and ash free as always. Thank you Mrs. By for lotioning him up this morning. You must've known he'd be on program today.)

My cubicle mate Cowgirl Cre allowed us to use her special cup to hold the potential winning names.

Here he is reaching into the cup!

There he is pulling the name!

And the winner is Thoughts of a Southern Gal. (I like to call her Southern Black Gal... TI Jocka, Lil' Rocka, Showstopper.. That Southern Black Gal).

The good Lieutennant Commander makes it official...

CONGRATULATIONS SOUTHERN BLACK GAL!!!!

See... Southern Black Gal knows how a LadyLee sweepstakes works: Comment on every post that week. It ups your chances of winning. There were 59 entries. Her name was in there 7 times. She had a 12% chance of winning.

Go Gal.  You did the darn thing. You are one of my favorite people. When I was on business in Arkansas, you and O came and picked me up from the hotel and took me to the Whole foods so I could get my fruits and vegetables. Then you came back and chaufferd me allllll around Lil' Rock. You made me feel alright gal!

Good for you, girl!

And now, you's a winner! I smiled ear to ear when he pulled your name!! 

A $43 gift card for YOU, honey!

Holla at me on Twitter to let me know where you want the gift card from... a'ight???

Ya'll have a good Mardi Gras... on purpose!!!