After years of living so far away from my family, going through a divorce and living single for a long time, I used to wonder how long it would take for someone to discover that something tragic had happened to me. I speak to my Mother by phone once or twice a week, my sister once or twice a week. My friends.... some weekly.....some every month or so.....some not for several months at a time. However, my best friend and I do speak daily and have for some time now. She lives locally and is listed as my local emergency contact. I am so thankful for these relationships. I am sure that it would not be too long before my mother & sister would get on a flight to Texas. But what if I didn't have them ? What if I didn't have a "best" friend ? Nobody would ever want to believe that this could happen to them, but this story was very intriguing.
This article here is so very thought provoking. I would read the article before you watch the trailer below.
Dreams of a Life Trailer from Dogwoof Documentary on Vimeo.
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Just Me........Randomly........It's Christmas Time
It has been a whirlwind since last Wednesday. I took off Thursday & Friday but today I am really feeling the results of running the streets non stop....................
Thursday was the Birthday of my best friend Kim. We took off work & spent and epic 12 hours together. We started off at the Breakfast Klub for some Chicken & Waffles and Katfish & Grits. We then headed over to the Urban Oasis Spa for massages & facials. We shopped in Rice Village, had lunch and went to the Galleria. I got to meet her boyfriend's daughters for the first time when I took her home. His daughters & her daughters bought a cake & gifts awaiting her.
Friday night I hosted a Happy Hour for her and we had a wonderful time at Peli Peli in Vintage Park.
After the "Party" her guy wanted to have an "AFTER Party" so about ten of us ventured to Midtown to go to Bar 5015. We had a blast. My girlfriend's new man partied like it was his birthday & was paying for it the next day. LOL
Saturday me and Mr. Mixologist had to do some more Christmas shopping. For some reason, he changed our initial plans to stay put, so now we are heading to my sister's home at the end of the week and will be joined by my parents. When I made the calls in the car, they were soooo happy. I missed last Christmas as we were with his family.
Saturday night we had two confirmed parties to attend. And though I was exhausted ......the party don't stop. First stop, Tarsha who blogs at THREE FOOD WORDS has been celebrating her Birthday this month. The DJ she had was out.of.control ! I didn't get to spank anybody in Taboo like I planned LOL. We had to leave early to get to our next event, but not before taking some shots with the Birthday Girl and Tiffany in Houston. As usual I was given some cupcakes for the road. Tarsha is the Hostess with the Mostest. I tasted them today... the Lemon flavored ones....pure goodness !
The last stop was a Housewarming Christmas Party at the home of another girlfriend. She made a wonderful Gumbo and the decorations were lovely. We didn't stay too long because I wasn't feeling well. Just my body's response to DOING.TOO.DAMN.MUCH ! LOL
Sunday, I slept in late. I still wasn't feeling well at all. But I had to pull myself together to do some Holiday Baking and help Mr. Mixologist wrap the gifts for his niece and nephew so that he can get them shipped first thing Monday. He is such a sweetheart. He nursed me back to health. He cooked breakfast, made me some hot tea, got my meds and even went to the grocery store to get all the ingredients for the Gooey Butter Coffee Cake that his family raved about last year. I was able to get them made & I can tell he was very appreciative since we won't be with his family this year.
I am still not feeling 100% but I gotta pull myself together this week to get all these last minute things done & get ready to travel at the end of the week.
Are you enjoying the Holiday Season ?
Have you attended or hosted and events ?
Have you finished your Christmas shopping ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Thursday was the Birthday of my best friend Kim. We took off work & spent and epic 12 hours together. We started off at the Breakfast Klub for some Chicken & Waffles and Katfish & Grits. We then headed over to the Urban Oasis Spa for massages & facials. We shopped in Rice Village, had lunch and went to the Galleria. I got to meet her boyfriend's daughters for the first time when I took her home. His daughters & her daughters bought a cake & gifts awaiting her.
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| Getting ready for some pampering ! |
Friday night I hosted a Happy Hour for her and we had a wonderful time at Peli Peli in Vintage Park.
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| The Birthday Girl |
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| Me and my love |
After the "Party" her guy wanted to have an "AFTER Party" so about ten of us ventured to Midtown to go to Bar 5015. We had a blast. My girlfriend's new man partied like it was his birthday & was paying for it the next day. LOL
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| Getting it in ! LOL |
Saturday me and Mr. Mixologist had to do some more Christmas shopping. For some reason, he changed our initial plans to stay put, so now we are heading to my sister's home at the end of the week and will be joined by my parents. When I made the calls in the car, they were soooo happy. I missed last Christmas as we were with his family.
Saturday night we had two confirmed parties to attend. And though I was exhausted ......the party don't stop. First stop, Tarsha who blogs at THREE FOOD WORDS has been celebrating her Birthday this month. The DJ she had was out.of.control ! I didn't get to spank anybody in Taboo like I planned LOL. We had to leave early to get to our next event, but not before taking some shots with the Birthday Girl and Tiffany in Houston. As usual I was given some cupcakes for the road. Tarsha is the Hostess with the Mostest. I tasted them today... the Lemon flavored ones....pure goodness !
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| Bottoms Up ! |
The last stop was a Housewarming Christmas Party at the home of another girlfriend. She made a wonderful Gumbo and the decorations were lovely. We didn't stay too long because I wasn't feeling well. Just my body's response to DOING.TOO.DAMN.MUCH ! LOL
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| Celebrating Christmastime |
Sunday, I slept in late. I still wasn't feeling well at all. But I had to pull myself together to do some Holiday Baking and help Mr. Mixologist wrap the gifts for his niece and nephew so that he can get them shipped first thing Monday. He is such a sweetheart. He nursed me back to health. He cooked breakfast, made me some hot tea, got my meds and even went to the grocery store to get all the ingredients for the Gooey Butter Coffee Cake that his family raved about last year. I was able to get them made & I can tell he was very appreciative since we won't be with his family this year.
I am still not feeling 100% but I gotta pull myself together this week to get all these last minute things done & get ready to travel at the end of the week.
Are you enjoying the Holiday Season ?
Have you attended or hosted and events ?
Have you finished your Christmas shopping ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Dear Santa......
It is Christmas in Blogland once again. I so appreciate Pserendipity for hosting this gift exchange again this year and I love traditions. Santa, since you might be lurking around my blog here, I want you to know that I have been a very good young lady this year ! I am pretty much the good girl most of the time and last year I got this. You may be trying to figure out what I like and I think I am a pretty simple girl. But here, are some ideas of some things that I might like just in case you were wondering......
Wishing all of Blogland a very happy holiday season, have fun shopping, spending time with loved ones, partying and just enjoying the blessings in your life !
Beautifully Complex
- I am known by all those who really know me as a bona fide Wineaux. LOL Since you may not be able to legally transport liquor
through the mailon your sled, any related accessories or paraphernalia is appreciated ! Something like this Monogrammed Wine Stopper, of course Santa you already know my government initial is " J"
- I love putting up photos of loved ones all over my home & I can always find space for a new picture, so you can never go wrong with a lovely frame for something like this......
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| Me & my Nephew |
- I love great music and there are a couple of CD's that I have really been wanting but have not yet picked up. You know how love Foreign Exchange and especially group member Phonte who has a new CD out called Charity Starts at Home that I would love to be jammin' to on Christmas day.
- I have a Nook Color, so Barnes & Noble gift cards are always welcome so that I can use my e-reader whenever I am not busy blogging !
- I love candles, soft pajamas, and nice thick socks for lounging, anything that allows me to be comfortable while relaxing next to this....
- Now Santa, if you are feeling EXTRA generous this year, my dream car the Lexus SC430 always puts a smile on my face. I already have my personalized plate BTFLYCMPLX !
- OK........ well, maybe I technically haven't been THAT good this year ! LOL Anyway you can blame a girl for trying! LOL
Wishing all of Blogland a very happy holiday season, have fun shopping, spending time with loved ones, partying and just enjoying the blessings in your life !
Beautifully Complex
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Give Love on Christmas Day.....
Yesterday myself and several co-workers in our Unit hosted a little Christmas Party for some residents at an Adult Day Center. This is an annual event that we really enjoy & they really appreciate & look forward to it as well. I blogged about it last year but for some reason didn't post any pics. If you want the background on the event check it out here.
I will just post some pics from this year....
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| Setting up the Refreshments for the Party |
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| Lots of smiles and excitement ! |
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| Trimming the Tree ! |
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| Coworker passing out the Ornaments |
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| Resident tops off the Tree |
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| The Big Finish ! |
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| The Teams all Here ! |
As usual, I left this place humbled by the blessing of my life and with more appreciation for those less fortunate than myself.
Do you do any Holiday Community Service Type events at work ?
Have you personally spread any Christmas Joy this year ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I Believe the Children are Our Future.......
Hey Blogland,
I just wanted to share something with you. My little cousin is currently living as an expat in Lagos, Nigeria due to his fathers work. He is a student at the American International School of Lagos. He has been living abroad since 2007. Prior to Nigeria, they lived for 2 years in The Netherlands. I was blessed to go & visit them there. You may recall I blogged about it here. Any way, he is a really sharp young man and we are extremely proud of him.
He is the Founder and President of this group called Citizens of the World that is trying to bring awareness to environmental issues. This is such admirable goal. I think it's great that he is socially conscious. He has always been the most respectful, polite, considerate person from a very young age. I really want to support him in his endeavors.
Please click the link to watch the video. My cousin is the guy holding up "Leadership" and has one of the main speaking parts. Feel free to share this video on your FB(Like their page) Twitter, or wherever, to help them spread awareness.
Thanks in advance !
Citizens of the World
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
I just wanted to share something with you. My little cousin is currently living as an expat in Lagos, Nigeria due to his fathers work. He is a student at the American International School of Lagos. He has been living abroad since 2007. Prior to Nigeria, they lived for 2 years in The Netherlands. I was blessed to go & visit them there. You may recall I blogged about it here. Any way, he is a really sharp young man and we are extremely proud of him.
He is the Founder and President of this group called Citizens of the World that is trying to bring awareness to environmental issues. This is such admirable goal. I think it's great that he is socially conscious. He has always been the most respectful, polite, considerate person from a very young age. I really want to support him in his endeavors.
Please click the link to watch the video. My cousin is the guy holding up "Leadership" and has one of the main speaking parts. Feel free to share this video on your FB(Like their page) Twitter, or wherever, to help them spread awareness.
Thanks in advance !
Citizens of the World
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
Friday, December 2, 2011
Family Fun
I had a nice holiday with the family. Our grandparents are no longer with us, so our gathering consists of my parents, my sister and her family, all of our aunts, uncles, cousins and all of their children. There were about 35 of us gathered this year at my Aunt's house.
We had....Turkey...Ham...Fried Chicken...Chitlins....Greens...Dressing....Giblet Gravy....Mac & Cheese....Green Beans....Mashed Potatoes....Candied Yams....Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole....Potato Salad....Cranberry Salad.....Cole Slaw...7 Layer Salad....Corn Bread....Rolls....Sweet Potato Pie....Banana Pudding.... and Caramel Cake... WHEW ! I only ate left overs once, but it was that damn Caramel Cake that really did me in. It was at my mama's house, so it was calling me from the kitchen table every morning for the next 4 days! LOL
We had a great time, the ladies & the kids did Karaoke in the living room, while the guys got into the Football in the den. Later on we played Taboo. Karaoke turned into a dance contest.......which turned into a Soul Train Line. At one point my dad, who uses a cane, came into the living room to see what all the laughing was about & ended up doing his thang for a minute ! LOL It was fun.
We had....Turkey...Ham...Fried Chicken...Chitlins....Greens...Dressing....Giblet Gravy....Mac & Cheese....Green Beans....Mashed Potatoes....Candied Yams....Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole....Potato Salad....Cranberry Salad.....Cole Slaw...7 Layer Salad....Corn Bread....Rolls....Sweet Potato Pie....Banana Pudding.... and Caramel Cake... WHEW ! I only ate left overs once, but it was that damn Caramel Cake that really did me in. It was at my mama's house, so it was calling me from the kitchen table every morning for the next 4 days! LOL
We had a great time, the ladies & the kids did Karaoke in the living room, while the guys got into the Football in the den. Later on we played Taboo. Karaoke turned into a dance contest.......which turned into a Soul Train Line. At one point my dad, who uses a cane, came into the living room to see what all the laughing was about & ended up doing his thang for a minute ! LOL It was fun.
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| Getting ready to sing ! |
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| Little ones want to shine too ! |
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| The cousins |
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| Ol School shows how its done |
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| Dad in the Soul Train Line |
Friday night my generation went out together. Me and my Beau headed down to Bricktown to hang out with them and have some cocktails & of course Cigars at Mickey Mantles #7 Lounge. It was a really cool vibe, appetizers were pretty good, drinks were on point. They had a pretty good band and the area is pretty much the entertainment hub of the city with lots of restaurants, bars & lounges. It was a good time !
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| Aficionados! |
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| My sister & cousins |
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| Sis & BIL |
Saturday we took my nieces & nephew along with all the little cousins to see the Muppet Movie. One of my cousins wives got sick, so it ended up being 3 adults & 11 kids, which was more than a notion. I know we broke some seatbelt laws getting them all to the theatre ! LOL After that we took them to get hamburgers and ice cream at one of my favorite spots, Braums before dropping them off to all their parents. It was a little stressful keeping up with all those kids, but it's always worth it to get that family bonding time in.
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| Shortest to Tallest |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Trotting Like a Turkey
We got up early Thanksgiving morning to head downtown for the annual Turkey Trot. This was our 9th year to participate. We have been doing this as a family since 2002. The number grows each year & this year we had 10 participating. Half did the 5K (3.1miles) and the other half did the 1 Mile Fun Run.
We ate bananas for breakfast. I was trying to save my appetite for later in the day. This turned out not to be such a great idea. We found this out later in the morning after the race.
I was posting a status on Facebook, or Tweeting or Texting somebody, just before we hit the ground running.
The recruits from the Fire Dept Academy ran the 5K with us. They were bringing up the rear & since I ended up straggling in this race, I really appreciated that Cadence they were chanting. It helped me to make it through ! LOL
We had perfect running weather. I ended up coming out of some of my layers. If I had properly trained for this race, it could have been great, but I was struggling. I can't deny it.
This was probably my worst 5K ever ! And I have run a lot of them. Ugh! My niece hurt her ankle and I had to walk with her for a large portion towards the end, but I can't lie, I was GLAD to be walking ! LOL
We finished the 5K just in time to watch the rest of the family do the 1 Mile Fun Run. The hilarious part was watching my 4 year old nephew (he will be 5 in a week) suddenly appear sprinting to the finish line without his parents or Mr. Mixologist who all started out the race WITH him ! LOL
We were so excited to see him out front & by himself, we started cheering & calling his name, he heard us, got excited & really dug in & then lost one of his shoes just before he reached the finish line. He ran back & picked it up and ran across the finish line holding it in his hand. We were laid out laughing at this point! LOL
My sister, BIL, & Beau came trotting in WELL AFTER my 4 year old nephew. We all sat around & relaxed before heading to the cars. Not long after that my BIL became light headed & was short of breath. To the point that he had to lay on the sidewalk. I saw some panic in his face & my sisters. By this time they were breaking down everything from the race, but there was still an ambulance there about 200 yards away. You should have seen me sprint to those Paramedics !
They rushed right over and gave him some oxygen, asked him some questions, took his vitals & he was feeling better in no time ! (Praise God) This was his first year to actually participate instead of being a spectator. It turns out, if you are 6'4" , 250 lbs, haven't done any significant cardio in a while and only eat 2 bananas before coming downtown to run a mile, that is probably not a good idea. LOL We were all so scared for a moment & I remember thinking " Lord please don't let my BIL have a heart attack out here." I am the coordinator of this event & try to get as many family members to participate & I was feeling real stressed in those few moments.
Now I don't know how your family is, but once we got into the cars & headed to our respective homes, word was spreading through calls & text that my BIL had to have help from the Paramedics. By the time we got to my Aunt's house for Thanksgiving Dinner that afternoon, my cousins were.going.in.on.him ! LMAO. I mean they cut him no slack. They were laughing & clowning him big time ! I was just glad we were able to laugh about it. I already know it's going to be extra hard recruiting for next year !
Do you have any family traditions ?
Did you do anything different for the holiday ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
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| My nieces & nephew are ready to go ! |
We ate bananas for breakfast. I was trying to save my appetite for later in the day. This turned out not to be such a great idea. We found this out later in the morning after the race.
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| Addicted to the Smartphone |
I was posting a status on Facebook, or Tweeting or Texting somebody, just before we hit the ground running.
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| The gangs all here ! |
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| Fire Academy recruits |
The recruits from the Fire Dept Academy ran the 5K with us. They were bringing up the rear & since I ended up straggling in this race, I really appreciated that Cadence they were chanting. It helped me to make it through ! LOL
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| Sea of Turkey Trotters ! |
We had perfect running weather. I ended up coming out of some of my layers. If I had properly trained for this race, it could have been great, but I was struggling. I can't deny it.
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| Family Finish ! |
This was probably my worst 5K ever ! And I have run a lot of them. Ugh! My niece hurt her ankle and I had to walk with her for a large portion towards the end, but I can't lie, I was GLAD to be walking ! LOL
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| He left his parents in the dust ! |
We finished the 5K just in time to watch the rest of the family do the 1 Mile Fun Run. The hilarious part was watching my 4 year old nephew (he will be 5 in a week) suddenly appear sprinting to the finish line without his parents or Mr. Mixologist who all started out the race WITH him ! LOL
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| Just before running out of his shoe ! LOL |
We were so excited to see him out front & by himself, we started cheering & calling his name, he heard us, got excited & really dug in & then lost one of his shoes just before he reached the finish line. He ran back & picked it up and ran across the finish line holding it in his hand. We were laid out laughing at this point! LOL
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| Me and my Beau :) |
They rushed right over and gave him some oxygen, asked him some questions, took his vitals & he was feeling better in no time ! (Praise God) This was his first year to actually participate instead of being a spectator. It turns out, if you are 6'4" , 250 lbs, haven't done any significant cardio in a while and only eat 2 bananas before coming downtown to run a mile, that is probably not a good idea. LOL We were all so scared for a moment & I remember thinking " Lord please don't let my BIL have a heart attack out here." I am the coordinator of this event & try to get as many family members to participate & I was feeling real stressed in those few moments.
Now I don't know how your family is, but once we got into the cars & headed to our respective homes, word was spreading through calls & text that my BIL had to have help from the Paramedics. By the time we got to my Aunt's house for Thanksgiving Dinner that afternoon, my cousins were.going.in.on.him ! LMAO. I mean they cut him no slack. They were laughing & clowning him big time ! I was just glad we were able to laugh about it. I already know it's going to be extra hard recruiting for next year !
Do you have any family traditions ?
Did you do anything different for the holiday ?
Thoughts ? Comments ? Questions ?
Beautifully Complex
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