Happy Birthday Mommy

You are as wise as you are annoying

You don't hesitate to say I told you so but then again most times you are right

You obviously love to hear yourself talk but when you're defending me I don't mind hearing it either

The good definitely out weighs the bad and I'll take it all because no one has ever had my back like you. Love you forever

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy Anniversary

"Love begins in a moment, grows over time and lasts for eternity"

Happy 31st Anniversary Mom & Dad

Happy Birthday Daddy

As I get older, I realize more and more how lucky I am to have a dad like you

I wouldn't trade your understanding and support for anything

Thanks for giving me the kind of love that made the difference all through my life

Happy Birthday Daddy

Thanksgiving 2010 weekend recap

Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday! Not because of the food (although it's a close second) but because of the family I'm surrounded by. My grandmother passed away Thanksgiving week 7 years ago so it's only right we commemorator her memory every year by doing what she always encouraged: for us to always remain close, keep in touch and always remember that no matter what, we're family.

This year was extra special because my older brother Dean and his family was able to come to NY. They haven't been here for Thanksgiving since 2005 when Dylan was only 6 months. This was my first Thanksgiving without my little brother David. I'm so sad he missed out this year because of work but having his daughter Niyah here made things better.

On Saturday, our cousin Jr invited us over to his house on Long Island to just hang out since Dean isn't in town with his tribe (his wife and kids) that often. He cooked us a delicious meal and I enjoyed listening to the stories and memories my brother and cousins shared of growing up in Jamaica where my grandmother had them under heavy manners (a Jamaican saying meaning heavy discipline and punishment). I love hearing things about grandma that I didn't know before.

Jr had his Christmas tree up and we couldn't help but have a little photo shoot with the kids

Even my sister in law J'nyne and cousin Dawn got in on the fun

My cousin Jr and his girlfriend Anita

Nelson came to NY for the weekend making everything even better. He got a chance to meet my brother and cousins and everyone seemed to like him. We were so inspired by Jr's beautiful Christmas tree we decided to buy one when I go to DC next week. I can't wait!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and I'm thankful for each and every one of you, my readers. Now click the follow button..lol!

30 years of marriage

*Singing* Do you know what today is... It's my parents' anniversary! So I altered the words a little, you get the point. 30 years ago today my parents jumped the broom and became one, well actually three (my older brother Dean was already on the scene). I picked this picture because I think it really embodies the nature of their relationship: daddy with his arms around Dean, accepting him in his life as his own, daddy with his eyes closed, pretending or actually ignoring the antics of mommy, and mommy with her arm around daddy always trying to be in control and her smile (which I get for her) which translates into grin and bear it regardless of the circumstance.

They share a love that I hope to have one day... not a perfect love (because it's DEFINITELY not that...lol) but one that is accepting, always compromising, real, and most importantly endures all things.

I hope they enjoy their anniversary gift my brothers and I got them, a Hawaiian cruise, they will take in September.

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy

I wish you two 30 more years together!

30 years later, youngest granddaughter in tow

Thought of the day:

Unthinkable

I've always loved Alicia Keys. I know all her CD's back to front but she really out did herself with her latest single Unthinkable from The Element of Freedom. The song is so dope, the lyrics are bananas (good job Drake). It makes me think of a certain person and what we could have *sigh*.

Why give up before we try

Feel the lows before the highs

Clip our wings before we fly away

I can't say I came prepared

I'm suspended in the air

Won't you come be in the sky with me

Summer rain

My i-pod was on shuffle and Carl Thomas’ Summer Rain began to play. I haven’t heard this song in forever. Instantly I started smiling and began reminiscing about the summer of 2000, the first time I fell in love. I would lay on the couch in my basement (when my grandmother lived down there), listen to the quiet storm and if I’m lucky hear the rain beating against the awning and sit on the phone all night, talking about everything under the sun. Sometimes there would be silence but we were so comfortable with each other it wasn’t awkward.

Don’t get it twisted, I don’t miss the person or the relationship but I do miss the TYPE of love we shared. We were young but the love was pure, very innocent and kinda intense. There was no underlying motives or using of one another (at first anyway…lol). When I fall in love again I want that teenage love affair sort of love that I Alicia Keys sang about and I experienced back then.

What song brings back memories of your first love?

My Pre- Valentine's Day

Yesterday morning I was exhausted! I mean I was so tired that I couldn't even go to church. My plans included sleep, sleep, more sleep, and then watching the 3 point and dunk contest. I was content with my game plan for the evening until I got that bbm from Naomi, "What are your plans for the evening?". Ahhhh shoot I thought to myself. That means she wants to do something. I quickly hopped off the bed and looked in the mirror. My hair looked a hot mess and my eyebrows weren't done because of my work schedule this week so of course that would be my excuse but my red skin friend wasn't having it. She told me her brows weren't done either and to get my hair done ASAP because we were going to Sugarcane no ifs, ands or buts about it.

So after spending 4 hours (yes 4 hours) in the hair salon I got dressed and made my way to Brooklyn for date night with my girls and I'm so glad I did. Nothing feels better than sharing real love amongst girlfriends (well somethings do but the good feeling doesn't last as long.....lol). They take away the lonely feelings, make you laugh, keep you from going crazy, and most importantly allow you to be who you really are.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal, a few drinks (just one for me, I'm dieting...lol), took a few trips down memory lane, good conversation and many laughs. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my Pre- Valentine's Day with anyone one else. Like Busta Rhymes said, I love my ladies yup yup, I love my chicks.

Someday....

A couple of days ago, an old friend and I, we’ll call her “Carmen” (insider…lol), were having a conversation via bbm (l ♥bbm) about still being single. She stressed how much she wanted a husband and kids. She questioned if any God-fearing, single men were left. Being the optimistic person I am (ummm maybe 90% of the time) and maybe trying to convince myself as well, I told her in God’s time it will happen. She responded, “God knows I ‘m ready “. I told her, “You may THINK you’re ready but God might think otherwise.”

I just want to encourage all the ladies in me and “Carmen’s” situation, those who have lost loves, and yes even the lucky ladies currently in love, with the quote below. Terry (you sure are getting a lot of shine on my blog) sent it to me earlier this week (it was my facebook status as well) and it brought actual tears to my eyes:

Who cares if this isn't grammatical correct, just look past that and believe and embrace it!

Definition of L-O-V-E

In honor of Valentine's Day all my posts this week will be about... you guessed it:

THE L WORD

The best definition that I've come across by far is from one of my favorite authors Eric Jerome Dickey:

Love is a mental illness, an obsessive- compulsive disorder romanticized

Have you ever been crazy in luv?