Good Monday Morning... The Halloween Edition

Monday Morning... once again.

And it is COLD in the ATL... 41 degrees.

Funny. It doesn't feel that cold outside. And I can't really judge since I don't spend enough time outside when it is cold.

Fall is definitely here. You can tell by all the earthtone stuff in the stores. And then there are the pumpkins.

I took that picture at my local Whole Foods. If you look at the top right hand corner, some ballsy chick had jumped up on the display to get a pumpkin she wanted. I was waiting for her to fall and bust her behind. Luckily she didn't. And if she did, I was gonna snap a picture.

I don't celebrate Halloween. You won't see me getting all dressed up, or decorating the house. Never have, never will. To each his own. Not sure I've enjoyed too many holidays in general as and adult. We aren't big holiday family people. So Halloween is no different.

I give out some candy to trick-or-treaters, but that is about it. I already separted it out into bowls on the counter.





That bottom picture... What the heck is "Swedish Fish"??

I also have chocolate. I brought it to work and placed it in our stash place.



Can't put that out. It disappears instantly. Especially when I am not at my desk.

Interesting how grown folks act that way. Sheesh.

I put the cheap candy out on my desk...

Peppermints, speariments and tootsie rolls. Cheap candy. Lasts longer.

And I rarely eat any of it. (Well I like chocolate, but trying to get away from it.)

So that's it for my Monday morning rambles.

Man... I almost made it 31 days posting everyday. Messed around and fell asleep on Friday night without posting. Sigh. 30 out of 31 days was great... not bad at all. I especially like my Sunday Spiritual thoughts, even though I don't want this to be a spiritual blog. I can look back at all 4 sundays of the past month, and actually see that I was actively working on myself in that aspect.

Maybe I will extend the daily posting on out the rest of the year.

O_o

Not sure about that. But it has done my heart good indeed. And it is good when that happens... on purpose.

Have a great week, ya'll...

Sunday Night Thoughts and Scripture

Ah yes... alas, here we are... Sunday night, where I can list out my spiritual thoughts from the week...

This was a good week. I did a lot of things I need to do for my spirituality this week.

The most interesting thing that happened this week is that I had a good conversation at work with a coworker who has been a member of our church for close to 18 years. He's 50 years old, but I always thought he was joking because he looks like he's in his early 30s. I've always kidded with him that he's a vampire!

LOL!

(I know he had to be kicking the hard eyeroll, and going "This chick here is tripping.")

I didn't know we attended the same church. He seem to know. I think we talked about it before, but heck, I forgot.

But I got a chance to sit down and talk to the brother on Friday afternoon. Short convo, only about 15 minutes long. But I tell you, it was REFRESHING to talk to someone who isn't seeped in misery and negativity. I spend way too much time around that all day long, which accounts for my janky attitude at times. I got a chance to give my thoughts on a few things, and this dude really imparted some good advice and wisdom into my spirit. And it is good to talk to someone and just get their heart on a few things, what they are believing God for, and to discuss the last sermon we heard, etc. It was good to talk to someone who is focused on their personal spiritual growth. That's a gem to find these days. Trust, the "crowd" ain't thinking about that.

I know earlier in the week, I ran up on him about a particulary interesting sermon on last Sunday. He was sitting in a chair at his desk, typing on his computer.

"Man, was you at church last Sunday?"
"Oh yeah, oh yeah! I got the DVD! Sent it to my Mama!"
I grabbed his shoulder, shook his hand. "Could you believe that? That was something good!"
"Yeah," he said. "Already sent Mama the DVD."

LOL

That was funny. I think I've watched that sermon on the internet at least 5 times. I am doing my best to work up a few notes. I rarely buy recordings, but I went to church today (which is rare. I am a friday night church girl) and bought the DVD and the CD. It was something I needed to keep, and I am still working on my notes.

The sermon was on the triune being and understanding your own triune functionality. We are spirit, soul, and body... and it was about getting a crystal clear understanding of the functionality.
Interesting stuff. And it has been something I have been thinking on and working on all year in my personal time, and it was good to hear a sermon on it. And my pastor is the type to stay on a subject for a few months, really purging out and finding every scripture on the matter. So I am spending time with my concordance looking up a few things, and combining them with my notes.

So that was all a very good thing....

Verse of the week. I was discussing some issues with my online play mama, and I told her of a scripture I heard some 7 years ago that has stayed on my mind, and it especially helped me in my faith concerning my prayers. It was out of 2nd Chronicles. One of our assistant ministers was speaking about how his son was born a preemie, and was in an incubator, and how it was a scripture he stood on concerning his hope for his son to pull through.

2 Chronicles 20:9 KJV If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

2 Chronicles 20:9 MESSAGE 'When the worst happens—whether war or flood or disease or famine—and we take our place before this Temple (we know you are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that you will listen and give victory.'

I highlighted what stands out to me. Actually it all stands out, but that part highlighted is the easiest thing for me to remember... and it gives me faith towards the fact that God hears when we cry out, and will help.

I find with many, when they haven't been praying about things (because that is the first thing I ask), it is always pointing back to some unbelief or not being sure that God hears... and will help.

I have struggled at times with that. But I always go back to this verse. And I, like many, have a long laundry list of prayer victories.

So we discussed that. A good discussion.

I usually like to look at about 10 different version of the same verse. The most interesting one I found was, pararaphrasing, "In our times of distress, we can pray, and You will hear and You will help."

Distress. You find out what you believe in times of distress. You find out what you are made of in times of... distress.

That has been my meditation scripture of the week. I can write all day on it.

But I will spare you.

Jeremiah. Still reading through. I came across a much quoted verse. I loved reading it in context of what is going on in the book. But I think you will recognize the scripture. I am posting up the Message Version.

Jeremiah 29:11 "... I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you home for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you will find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's decree. I'll turn things around for you."

That's is one heck of a faith filled verse. Goodness. And to read it in context was great. The jankiness of the people in the book of Jeremiah is paramount.

I love that verse. It helps me remember that I am on God's mind.

Joyce Meyer's Living Beyond your Feelings.This is a fantastic book. I have it on my phone via my kindle app. So I can highlight and save the parts I want to remember and go over later.

I am on the chapter on forgiveness, which I must admit that I struggle with. This was an interesting passage out of that chapter.

I have learned that once I make a decision to forgive- to let the offense go and forget it- I must also stop talking about it unnecessarily. The more I pay attention to the offense, the more strength I give it. But if I ignore it, then it is easier to get over it emotionally.

Joyce Meyer gives a little insight into her own process. Looking at my own process, it made good sense. You know if I am harping on something, I am mad, and I am struggling to forgive. If I ain't talking much about it, it's not really renting out space in my mind. And I've probably forgiven, and made my peace with it.

Something for me to think about indeed.

Song of the week. One i love when my choir sings it. It was good to come across it on Youtube earlier this year. I am glad someone posted it up.





That is Constance singing. She starts off soft and ends strong. Today at church she started and finished strong. Make me wanna yell "Sang that Song, Constance!"

That's my song I play in the mornings when I am all grouchy about going to work. Right before I go out the door, when I am packing my bags, and locking the house down.

Right before i say "Bye Oscar! You have a fine day, boy!"

LOL

Well, not bad for this week. Sorry for the long post. This could have been a 4 part post, couldn't it?

A lot on my mind. I must say that I spend a good 90% of my time pondering my spirtuality and growth.

I'm still working on the other 10%.

Nice to take a break from my tomfoolery...

Saturday Seven

Shame on Me!

But I forgot to put up a post yesterday.

Normally, during the week, I tend to put up something at night.

But last night? I sent a few good-night texts....

And I was OUT like a light.

Sigh.

I was a sleepy Oldgirl. By Friday evening, I am worn out from a long week.

So today, I will do a Saturday Seven.

Seven things I wanna do, seven thoughts, seven whatever...

Potpourri!

1. I must crochet today. One of the most difficult things for me to do is to get a crochet project started. So that is what I will do today. For November, I want to finish my baby blanket project. Yes sir!

2. Chores, chores, chores! Chores all day today. Sigh. I had been doing great with my weekly chores, but goodness gracious alive, honey... It has been a busy week at work! Goodness! I need to switch up my strategy. I am pretty alert in the mornings, so I need to assign myself at least one chore for the morning.

3. Yardwork. I am currently awaiting a local to drop by and paint my porch rails and stain my porch. I must admit I was mean to him during the week. I told him LAST Saturday to come by on THIS Saturday. I needed to go buy supplies.

Why on earth did I come home Monday to my grass cut?

Looks mighty nice. Even my bushes are all trimmed up.

Sorry bruh... I will pay you on Saturday.

He has been coming by all week... making me madder and madder.

That first 30 minutes of my arriving home is decompression time. I don't want to talk to NOBODY. I just want to think about my day, and decide what I want to do with the evening. Talking to local folks just short circuits the cheese out of my process!

Yes I was mad. Yet it caused me to stop and think. It forced me to rein in that anger emotion. So yes, it was an opportunity for growth.

Yeah, I haven't seen him this morning. Fine.

You don't get paid until you finish everything. Have a blessed day! LOL

4. Reading. I have to read today. I am close to finishing up the book of Jeremiah. And I am 3/4ths of the way through Living Beyond your Feelings by Joyce Meyer. So some light reading is on my schedule today.

5. Prayer. That is already done for the day. I think that has been one of the best activities of my year thus far: to get up in the morning, before the sun even comes up and pray. Hands down, the best thing I have done for myself all year. Especially if I spend a good hour doing it. You wouldn't believe the answers and clarity concerning many issues in my life that I have received this year. I am so thankful for that.

6. My favorite picture of the week. One of that Original Oldcat, Oscar-Tyrone.

I took that right after prayer. He knows prayer time means get somewhere and sit down and have some quiet time of his own.

He looks less surley than usual. And that's a good thing.

Oscar-Tyrone turned 14 this month. Happy Birthday Oscar-Tyrone!

7. Television. Man, I need a good Lifetime Movie. I love Lifetime... television for women. But as the SNL skit a couple of weeks ago said... television for White women.



LOL!!!!! If you can't see that, then click this link.

Yeah... you learn from shows like Snapped, and virtually anything on Lifetime: White women got some issues, too.

Really though.

Well, that is my Saturday 7 for this Saturday!

Hope you are having a great weekend!!

Mattress Tales!

This post right here goes out to Ginae.

Because she has been waiting for my matress post!

Here you go, gal!

Anyway, I needed a new mattress set for my master bedroom. The old one was 10 or 11 years old, and it was time for a new one.

No, my old mattress wasn't some nice Sealy Posturepedic. I couldn't afford that back in 2001. I bought a matress set off a guy who was suppose to be an interior designer. A friend had told me about him. He didn't "look" like an interior designer. He looked like a red neck. I was living in New Orleans at the time, and LadyTee was visiting. He took us to a storage facility, to some storage slot.

Me and LadyTee were set to beat the cheese out of this dude if he was shady...

But...

He was an interior designer for real. And in his 20ft by 20ft storage unit, he had lovely mattresses and furniture. We had a fine time in there, looking around.

I bought a king size set with support rails for $400 bucks.

What a lovely deal.

Then we decided to get on out of there.

That stuff coulda been fenced. Mighta been hot.

And LadyLee is too cute for prison.

BUT. We bought it.

That's my story. The short story of my old matress. Good matress, but cheap.

Alas, time for a new one.

I didn't wanna do all this research about it. I just knew I needed something and how much I wanted to spend. That is all. If I laid on that sucka and it felt alright. Then cool. Let's roll with it.

So, I went down to the local mattress spot. Yeah, I did a little bit of looking around on the internet to get a thought or two about what I wanted and different prices. So I was just going to wander around the local mattress spot and see what I thought.

Interesting place. Especially when I walked in and saw $2000 matrresses.

I lay on them. And they felt okay. But uh, no. I wasn't trying to spend $2000 bucks. NOPE.

My goal was $700-900 dollars. I continued to follow the saleswoman around the store.

Lovely chick.She was a big girl like me.

We will call her "Sista Wanda".

Such a nice saleswoman. They taught her well.

Because she ran me over to those Tem.per.ped.ic memor.ary foam beds.



I didn't lay on them. I pressed my hand to them. I mean, they felt alright. I didn't get chill bumps from touching them.

I wasn't laying on NUTHING that cost $5000.


Oh it was cute. You can press the area around the wine glass, and the glass wouldn't fall over.

Cute.

Sista Wanda talked about it. She's a great saleswoman.

I had to tell her... "Look honey, if you hear tell of me having this mattress in my house, you can assume it fell off the back of the mattress truck. And I tied it to the top of my Mazda and took it home."

She had a look on her face that said "I can't wait to call all my friends and talk bad about you."

Not in the budget, babes!!!

And I have had friends over the years who have paid upwards for $3000 for a mattress set. They say it feels good. Real good. And i believe them.

Better feel good. But the Oldgirl was gonna pass...

Then she tried to sell me these interesting pillows.



I pressed my hand to it.

"They are coconut oil infused," Sista Wanda said. "Really nice."

I pressed my face to it. Inhaled hard. "Ooooh, that right there smell good."

Coconut oil. I like coconut oil. I use it on my natural hair.

I inhaled the pillow again. I could get with these. "How much are they?"

"$129.00," Sista Wanda said.

*ladylee letting out a holler and throwing pillow down like it's a rattlesnake*

"$129.00?" I yelled, my voice a good ten octaves higher than normal.

"Yes," she said.

I laughed.



"Yo homie, hold up. That's like, that's like for like a set of 4, right? 4 for 129?"

"No," Sista Wanda said, lovingly as if talking to a small child in danger of having a temper tantrum. "They are $129.00 each."

I smirked. "Honey, if you hear tell of me having those pillows, you know I stole them... Out of somebody's house."

Sista Wanda had that look on her face again. One of difficulty and confusion. Like she was searching her mind for the training on how to properly deal with fools who walk in the store.

"If I pay all that type money for a bed and accessories, I better be spending 18 hours in that bed!"

"Come on, now," Sista Wanda said. "Nothing like a nice bed."

I am sure that is true. But for $5000 dollars for the bed and $130 pillows, I better be spending 18 hours in that bed...

With a man, some liquor, some BBQ ribs...

and a bag of weed.

I'm just saying.

That is all.

Needless to say, she left all that alone.

I kept gravitating over to a cheaper memory foam set. It was on sale. It felt really good.



I lay on a bunch of beds and I liked it best. That low price probably made it feel very good.

That is a queen set. The king set was $150 dollars more.

I bought both. Really because I could get them both delivered for one fee. I was a little miffed at the delivery fees. So that was best for me, since in a perfect world I wanted 2 mattress sets. I plan on moving upstairs sometime soon.

And there they are in their rooms.

Upstairs bedroom.



I rarely go upstairs. I live downstairs. Upstairs was my sister's domain before she moved out in June 2010. I'd been meaning to get up there, but was lollygagging. After getting a few things done to the bathroom and cleaning up up there... I have to say that I like it... Feels like I have a second house!

Here is the bed in the downstairs master bedroom.

I hang out downstairs more. I am trying my best to break in both beds.

I covered both sets with waterproof covers. Sista Wanda was trying to sell those to me too, for $119 per set. Uh no. She left me alone.

(My sister later hollered. "Girl you can get the mattress covers for $25 dollars at Wal.Mart!!"

She was right.)

I LOVE the new mattresses. Memory foam is the bomb. That is all.

Get yourself a good high thread sheet set and it is ON!

I did more research after buying the beds. (I know. I am backwards). You can get away with buying a cheaper bed, and then go buy the memory foam mattress pads. Not the same thickness, but I think it would work. Memory foam mattress pads are aroung $200. After adding everything up, I did okay.

But I got two nice mattresses, with about 4 inches of memory foam, for about $1400 bucks total. You cannot beat that.

Sista Wanda is the bomb. She worked in some friends and family jazz, etc... Hooked me up for buying 2 sets. (Maybe she didn't, and that's what she told me. Once I started whining about buying 2 sets, she started jumping down on the prices).

I have had the sets two and a half months. I love them. I am sleeping better. No strange pains when I wake up...

And that is all I can ask.

I am satisfied.

Yes indeed.

Well, Ginae... and blog fam in general... that's my illustrious mattress post.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Crochet Projects

I have been crocheting a little lately.

Not as much as I would like, but crocheting nevertheless

I love crocheting. We are living in a time when everything is high tech. I like to skip all that and make things with my hands, do something homemade. It takes patience, time and care to do so.

And I love it.

Recently I worked on a blanket for a baby girl. My blog bruh 12Kyle and his wife recently welcomed little Skyler into the world. He wrote the most WONDERFUL post about this new venture as father to his daughter on his blog entitled the father/daughter bond.




I like it. All pretty and girly.

I like baby blankets. Those take about 30 hours give or take a little. I'd never made one like this before (made for a girl). I've made 2 or 3 for boys, substituting the pink for the blue.

I am about to make one for my new nephew, little Dillon or Devon, due in January. It's going to be like the one above, but less stripey. 80% blue body, with green and white ripples near the ends. I have the yarn and I hope to work on it for the month of November.

I keep forgetting that a baby's due date, even though given, is an estimate. I finished this blanket on October 1st. Little Skyler was due in October. So I was on time, right?

NO.

Kyle's wife had the baby around September 26-28th. I don't know when, but it was NOT October. Humph. I went over to his twitter page looking for his email addy so I could get his street addy, and there he was holding a baby.

*lee throwing self out of window*

I snapped at a couple of people for not telling me. UGH.

I finally got around to mailing the blanket some 2 weeks late. Lawd help me! CP time is something else!

Next project, a big blanket.



This one has been laying around, half done for the past 3 years. I've taken it out and draped it on the couch. I suppose if I keep seeing it, I will work on it.

We'll see how that works out...