My sister, BIL, nieces and nephew came for a week long visit a few weeks back & we had so much fun ! We got to just hang out, cook out, sleep late, watch movies, relax at the pool and just enjoy one another. My Beau took my BIL to a couple of his Cigar spots and now he is hooked ! My sister was not amused. LOL. One day we all went to Kemah Boardwalk & took the kids to the Amusement Park. Of course we made day trip to Galveston Beach which the kids loved. Mr. Mixologist was cheffin' it up while they were here. He grilled some nice steaks and also managed to get every body hooked on his grits ! LOL
Last weekend we took a road trip home for Father's Day. We had a Fish Fry at my cousin's home for all the Father's in the family. The women (my generation) did all the cooking, the men thoroughly enjoyed it. My sister gave a nice little speech before the prayer about black fathers and acknowledged the positive examples in our family. What a blessing. It was fun, but a lot of work, I was on my feet for a long time that day, but it was worth it. I need to sit down this weekend for sure.
On the flip side, my close friend's daughter had a meltdown on Father's Day. We were not surprised, but it was still very upsetting. In response to that, she took her to see a counselor today. I think that was a great move. Daddy issues are so real. Sometimes kids are afraid to burden their parents with their troubles. I truly believe this will help her.
My sister and I are planning an event for our parents Anniversary in August. Planning events is a lot of work. One thing I am not looking forward to is the RSVP nightmare that is sure to ensue. I wish people understood how critical it is to know how many people you are going to feed, especially when you are trying to do something nice.
I am super excited that Mr. Mixologist & I are heading to NOLA next week for the Essence Festival ! This will actually be my 13th Festival, but the first time with my Beau. I try not to miss it. He has been before several years ago, but he is not the " Essence Veteran" that I am. LOL There are so many things, I am excited for us to experience together in one of my most favorite cities. I have got to get my rest this weekend, so I can go hard in the paint next weekend !
Last week, I finished reading a new book by one of my favorite Bloggers, A Belle In Brooklyn. I thought it was a pretty good read. She is a go getter & I respect her grind. I relate to her mindset a lot, she has some really good advice for young women. Much of it is common sense, but as we know, that isn't always common ! LOL I am looking forward to seeing her at Essence too, because I missed her panel discussion last year. I am waiting on my RSVP for " Cocktails with Belle" , so hopefully I can get my book signed and hopefully a photo.
I was so excited to wake up to the Thunderstorms yesterday. I was running around doing a rain dance LOL ! Right about now, my lawn looks a hot mess ! This drought has been crazy in Texas. I hope it is over. On Sunday we actually got stuck on I-45 trying to get back to Houston due to several wildfires that were burning in the area. We could smell the smoke & see the smoke clouds in the area very near to us. They actually SHUT DOWN THE INTERSTATE ! We made a detour that added 1 1/2 hours to our trip but we made it safely, gracefully.
What's going on random with you ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Showing posts with label NOLA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NOLA. Show all posts
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Birthday Edition - Just Me.......... Randomly
Happy Birthday to me....... Happy Birthday to me !
So thankful to be blessed to see another year and this one went by very fast. I am seriously understanding the meaning of enjoying life every. single. day. because this time is not waiting... at all. LOL
I am appreciating simple things more and more it seems. I don't know if its age, maturity, wisdom or a combination of all three but I am enjoying the fullness of my life and every experience that each day brings.
I am learning the art of saying no...without the guilt. I am a reformed "people pleaser" and I used to allow it to stress me out. I say "used to" like it has changed totally LOL ! The truth is, it is still hard for me occasionally, but I am definitely getting better. I used to want to commit to everything and everybody, but I am learning to accept that I can't do everything. Conflicts arise some out of your control. I recently missed my line sisters baby shower which would have required traveling quite a distance. I really did want to see her and everyone there. I just couldn't make it happen and I am OK with it. On to the next one.
Just got back from NOLA last week. I attended my 12th Essence Festival ! I have to admit it took me about 3 days to recover no joke. Now on the way home I can honestly say I was really beginning to feel my age for the first time. I used to bounce back much faster. Either way I can't imagine going anywhere else for the 4th of July it just wouldn't seem right. I appreciate the way that Essence tweaks things a bit every year so that it's what you expect, yet still different. Now for the record, I definitely missed Frankie Beverly and Maze and cry foul on the decision to remove them from the lineup this year. Not that Earth Wind & Fire isn't a good band, because they most definitely are, but I just feel like Frankie & Maze are just staples of the Essence experience & they should not have messed with that tradition. But they didn't consult with me. LOL
Saw my favorites of course, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Mint Condition, Joe to name a few. I looooooove the Superlounges so much better than the main stage. It seems the Artists that I like the best are always there. I love the intimate setting & the fact that I can make eye contact with the Artists & get right up close to the stage. I follow Lalah & Ledisi on twitter so that was pretty cool to keep up with them while being in such close proximity.
On the relationship front.....things are going wonderfully ! We have made it to the six month mark just this week and we BOTH are pretty proud of that fact and still excited about it. I am still smiling everyday and feeling blessed to have found someone that accepts me as I am. Also, I think I am going to give my honey (formerly known as Eastcoast) a new blog name, Mr. Mixologist for a couple of reasons. First and foremost because of his talents with creative libations. He prepared some Lemon Drop Martini's for me and my girls to take with us to NOLA and baby, we were feeling it as soon as we got settled in our rooms and broke into that cooler ! He also makes a mean Cosmo and a Mojito that will make you think you are down in Cuba ! Secondly, because he is a hilarious jokester, that keeps me on my toes daily. He is always teasing me and makes me laugh at myself all the time. We have all these inside jokes now, where he or I can say one word, that reminds us of something that we were laughing at last week and we are dying laughing again ! I really like that about him.
This year my birthday is pretty low key since I had the big 3 day Extravaganza last year. However, I do have some family coming in this weekend that will be meeting Mr. Mixologist for the first time. I am both excited and nervous about that. There is one person in particular that I really want him to click with, but I want it to happen naturally. Mr. Mixologist plans to take him to his Cigar spot & just might get him some extra points.
My nieces and nephew will be here soon, to wear me out for a couple of weeks before they head back to school. I am sure to have some blog fodder during their visit, so hopefully I can get into a habit of posting more timely.
Lately, I have been doing more listening and asking more questions and being quiet so I can hear HIM. I am definitely being more reflective these days and being open to receive what is for me. I am learning to accept some things in a real way. This has led me to experience a level of contentment that I haven't felt in a while. It feels good.
Be Blessed !
Beautifully Complex
So thankful to be blessed to see another year and this one went by very fast. I am seriously understanding the meaning of enjoying life every. single. day. because this time is not waiting... at all. LOL
I am appreciating simple things more and more it seems. I don't know if its age, maturity, wisdom or a combination of all three but I am enjoying the fullness of my life and every experience that each day brings.
I am learning the art of saying no...without the guilt. I am a reformed "people pleaser" and I used to allow it to stress me out. I say "used to" like it has changed totally LOL ! The truth is, it is still hard for me occasionally, but I am definitely getting better. I used to want to commit to everything and everybody, but I am learning to accept that I can't do everything. Conflicts arise some out of your control. I recently missed my line sisters baby shower which would have required traveling quite a distance. I really did want to see her and everyone there. I just couldn't make it happen and I am OK with it. On to the next one.
Just got back from NOLA last week. I attended my 12th Essence Festival ! I have to admit it took me about 3 days to recover no joke. Now on the way home I can honestly say I was really beginning to feel my age for the first time. I used to bounce back much faster. Either way I can't imagine going anywhere else for the 4th of July it just wouldn't seem right. I appreciate the way that Essence tweaks things a bit every year so that it's what you expect, yet still different. Now for the record, I definitely missed Frankie Beverly and Maze and cry foul on the decision to remove them from the lineup this year. Not that Earth Wind & Fire isn't a good band, because they most definitely are, but I just feel like Frankie & Maze are just staples of the Essence experience & they should not have messed with that tradition. But they didn't consult with me. LOL
Saw my favorites of course, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Mint Condition, Joe to name a few. I looooooove the Superlounges so much better than the main stage. It seems the Artists that I like the best are always there. I love the intimate setting & the fact that I can make eye contact with the Artists & get right up close to the stage. I follow Lalah & Ledisi on twitter so that was pretty cool to keep up with them while being in such close proximity.
On the relationship front.....things are going wonderfully ! We have made it to the six month mark just this week and we BOTH are pretty proud of that fact and still excited about it. I am still smiling everyday and feeling blessed to have found someone that accepts me as I am. Also, I think I am going to give my honey (formerly known as Eastcoast) a new blog name, Mr. Mixologist for a couple of reasons. First and foremost because of his talents with creative libations. He prepared some Lemon Drop Martini's for me and my girls to take with us to NOLA and baby, we were feeling it as soon as we got settled in our rooms and broke into that cooler ! He also makes a mean Cosmo and a Mojito that will make you think you are down in Cuba ! Secondly, because he is a hilarious jokester, that keeps me on my toes daily. He is always teasing me and makes me laugh at myself all the time. We have all these inside jokes now, where he or I can say one word, that reminds us of something that we were laughing at last week and we are dying laughing again ! I really like that about him.
This year my birthday is pretty low key since I had the big 3 day Extravaganza last year. However, I do have some family coming in this weekend that will be meeting Mr. Mixologist for the first time. I am both excited and nervous about that. There is one person in particular that I really want him to click with, but I want it to happen naturally. Mr. Mixologist plans to take him to his Cigar spot & just might get him some extra points.
My nieces and nephew will be here soon, to wear me out for a couple of weeks before they head back to school. I am sure to have some blog fodder during their visit, so hopefully I can get into a habit of posting more timely.
Lately, I have been doing more listening and asking more questions and being quiet so I can hear HIM. I am definitely being more reflective these days and being open to receive what is for me. I am learning to accept some things in a real way. This has led me to experience a level of contentment that I haven't felt in a while. It feels good.
Be Blessed !
Beautifully Complex
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