Christmas Decorations 101

All I can say is... WOW!

After a long day of playing where in DC is Erin & Ashley to do some much needed shopping for our big extranganza on friday... We were off to the Sterlings residence in Baltimore...

Driving through the neighborhoods became an adventure of the Christmas lights show of the year. Who needs to pay Merriweather $20 to see some lights... When you can drive around town laughing your freakin head off trying not to blow any brain cells... I mean for real..

So we finally arrive at the Sterlings Residence to be greeted by an array of Christmas decorations that worlds can not describe... So of course I took pictures to share with you our experience...

Preparation for the 80th Birthday Bash

Tomorrow is the big day and we are preparing for the festivities... in the mist still dealing with my everyday life...

So last night I was out with one of my friends, when suddenly I received an urgent text message from my brother. Now let me say this... My brother barely even calls me nor sends a text... So I am to scared by this in the 1st place...

The text messages goes a little like this:

Jordan: we have a situation

Me: whats the problem... u have no more life lines

Jordan: a dress that looked good in the 1980s ain't gonna work... seriously...

Me: lol... ur so crazy

Jordan: lol I'm not trying to be funny, if you saw you would understand the seriousness of the situation.

Me: oh god!!!! NO!!!

Jordan:HOLY FREAKIN GOD! GRANDMA NEEDS HELP WITH HER WARDROBE FOR SAT. of course i told her she looked fine but you or mom need to break it to her that sparkles just wont do!

Now today after work I am headed to the mall to find this woman a dress, so she doesn't embarrasses me and of yea.. HERSELF... Lord help me...

Beauty is Pain!

Today was the offical day of my mother's transformation! How exciting can this be? Well...very... Except one minor aspect... Damn the pain! lol... But I can almost relate! Key word here... ALMOST!!!

After a long day... work... straight to class... and than the hositpal... I saw the newly reinvented DIVA! Boy is she hilarious when on drugs... She was so happy and almost cried to see me... Telling me how much she appreciated that I came and didnt have too... But this is my mother.... Where else would I be....

Now I must say... the hosiptal was quite nice. Private rooms... your very own nurse and tech... tv... and free local calling... I didnt get to experience the food though... as the darn Cafe shuts down at 8pm... Isn't this when the party gets started!?!?!?!?

Back to the Diva at hand... Looking good.. for being in the hositpal. In and out of sleep... But I would be to if I had all these drugs pumping through my system. She did manage to stay awake to listen the Vick Story and how much he stands to lose $$$$ wise... Oh yea... and some story about fat people... how ironic... lol... But the time is now coming for the private nurse to come in and do what they do best... ANNOY THE SHIT OUT OF YOU ... you may ask how... THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE DIVA MOVE OUT OF THE BED.. I can only imagine how this is going to go down... They better give some major pain medicine...

With a very supporting job... and some great dear friends... They helped even me overcome the fact that my mother was going to be in a 8+ hour surgery... And you never know what can happen... But I thank you all for your support and prays and phone calls! It has meant a great deal!

Anyways... This is only day 1... I shall be spending the rest of the week with my Diva mother at the Estate! Beauty is Pain and we have a ways to go!!!! BUT WE GOT MEDS!!!!

A moment for my Parents!

You all ways need to take a moment to say THANK YOU!

I just want to acknowledge my wonderful parents! My mom and dad have been the backbone in all of my endeavors. Positive motivators and very inspirational! Everyday is a life lesson and I continue to grow from their guidance. They have been dished so much over the years and taken in children that aren't even theirs! How can one not be grateful. Not only am I grateful but extremely fortunate. They have been a great support system! They have taken in my friends like they were their own and treated them with the utmost respect and love! I thank you again for all you do for me and each individual in bring forth! You both have effected people's lives in ways unspeakable!

I LOVE YOU BOTH and never in a moment do I take you for granted!

One can only do but so much!

When you put so much effort into one individual, when is enough ... enough! I love hard and unconditionally, and its very hard to let something go when you try and demonstrate that their is more to life then where you have been. I wanted so much to share a my friends, my life, and even more my family. Each and everyday, I exhaust myself trying to show the way of happiness. How can one not see? I give it my all and now I am tired. I want to share my life and be completely part of my better half that makes me complete. This is the person I want to love me and I can love too! No longer will I allow myself to become angry and miserable. No longer will I sit at home waiting him to come over and turn my girlfriends down. I will be free and independent! I will do me and be happy! I will enjoy my girlfriends who I have neglected! I will mix and mingle! I WILL HAVE FUN AND LIVE MY LIFE! We can still be friends and perhaps it will evolve again.... but I will not live a false hope! I do enjoy his company, and we still hang out. But their is more to life than what we have now. If your not ready for I want right now... than we need to make a change before I turn to resent you in ways unspeakable... Than their is no hope for anything.

I want to take the time and thank those who have affected my life in ways unspeakable. For you all have been the foundation in my life and continue to mold me into the person I am! I love you! I love my mom and my dad and my whole family!

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Lately I have been extremely busy with people being in town and visiting, like a blast from the past reunion and all. So my time as been very limited going out with them and trying to incorporate working, fitness and the occasional sleeping factor. So thank goodness school is over with for the summer! But it has been like a mad house for me!

I am extremely grateful that my friendships are still on and poppin like time as not pasted by! Cause for the most it has been damn near 6 years since we have all seen each other! WOW!!!! And we all were best of friends. Luckily it still has remain that way and reminiscing about the past has been very interesting. Some things we all choose to forget!!! LOL ... But you know its hard too, cause the sh*t was actually hilarious.

Now we are all staying in touch whether its picking up the phone or via e-mail. The fact of the matter is, it is the effort we put into maintaining our friendships that mean more than words can imagine. We all live very hecked and stressful lives... I ain't mad but am VERY fortunate to hear whats going on in peoples lives in some fashion. We all are not big phone people and may really have nothing to say via the phone or e-mail except WHATS UP! So, we don't take it personally either way! I love my girls and we all understand... LIFE IS CRAZY!!! But, I mean at least we are doing something instead of nothing! And its received as a blessing!

CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR DECEMBER BIRTHDAY EXCURISON!

I LOVE ALL MY GIRLS AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YA'LL AGAIN AND AGAIN!

Best Friends: How to Grow a Friend

A twelve-step program

The best time to grow a best friend is before you need one!
Written or compiled by Joy Stevens

1. People Equal Friends.There is a certain chemistry with friends just as in a love relationship. Therefore, contact with other people is the first building block to grow a friend. Friends can't grow in a vacuum. Best friends take time.
2. Talking Is Essential Among Friends.Talking between friends requires reciprocity. In a mutually satisfying friendship, both friends talk and both friends listen. Friends talk appropriately to each other.
3. Friends Acknowledge Friends.Friends acknowledge each other when talking. Many conflicts in your personal relationships can be avoided if you will take the time to acknowledge other's feelings and points of view.
4. Friends Listen to Friends.Listening to friends in an important step in building a closer friendship. We often take listening for granted, never realizing what it means to really listen to a friend.
5. Friends Attend to Friends.Friends focus during conversations. Friends pay attention in conversations. It means that your ears, your eyes, your body and your feelings are all focused on that person at the time.
6. Friends Show Empathy With Friends.Empathy is identifying with your friend's feelings and seeing life through your friend's eyes. Confidences are freely given when they are received with empathy among friends.
7. Friends Touch Friends.Touching is a warm form of communication between friends. When you see best friends communicating, you will notice friends "listen with their eyes," stand close together, and touch comfortably.
8. Friends Praise Friends.Affirmation is a powerful tool for growing a friend. Genuine praise can affect your friends' lives. Be liberal with praise for all of your friends, including your casual ones.
9. Friends Are Loyal and Trustworthy.Trust and loyalty go hand-in-hand for friends. Friends can trust you with their secrets, both large and small, because good friends never break a confidence. Good friends are forever loyal!
10. Friends are Equal.Friends are on a seesaw. In a healthy relationship, friends are equals. Not 50/50 every time, of course, but with a true, lasting friendship it always evens out in the end.
11. Friends Reveal Their Feelings.We feel closest to our friends when we are suffering together, when we feel like our friend needs us, or when we feel a friend has shared something of great importance with us.
12. Friends Do Not Mind Read.The person who thinks, "If you really liked me, you could read my mind" can not have an adult friendship. No friend can read your mind. And you can not read your friend's mind.

Friendships

Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more humans.

Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating on a consistent basis:

• the tendency to desire what is best for the other,


• sympathy and empathy,


• honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart


• mutual understanding.

And their is nothing better than having a wonderful BEST Friend! We may have our trials and tribulations, but nonetheless we have overcome and our friendship has in the past become stronger and unwaving! I just wanted to take the time out to say I LOVE YOU and wish the best for you. I wish that the we could share all of our struggles together and continue to grow. We may have our issues but hopefully we will have the ability to continue to listen, be receptive, open, understand , motivate and overall overcome!

To all of my other close friends ... Remember the I do love you and wish you the best in all of your endeavors! I am here to listen and to motivate you and always KEEP IT REAL! Whether you want to hear it or not... its my JOB for all of my friends and family!

LOVE YOU ALL!

10 Thoughts towards Life

There is always a time in life where you have to sit down and ponder about the things going on around you! I feel like I am a pretty open individual about my thoughts most of the time and other times I just don't feel like conflict or confrontation.

Its very difficult speaking to some people, when you realize that no matter what they still will only perceive things the way they see things regardless. So, perhaps I should try and break things down. I only want the best for all those in my life: Friends and Family alike!

So these are my thoughts towards life in general.

1. I don't like the feeling of being taken advantage of or any member in my family.
2.I feel like each person should contribute and in return good things are bound to happen.
3. One should always recognize when people are doing things out of the kindness of there heart. But also, recognize it may not always happen without a change in attitude and outlook!
4. Things are not always about you! I know its hard to believe... but true... And it isn't always about me either... DAMN... hate when I have say that.. lol
5. Believe... When someone is saying something.. perhaps their trying to tell you something you may not even recognize... you cant always see what people see... as an individual we keep our blinders up and want to think that what we see and feel is the only way... NOT TRUE... people are only trying to make someone else better if they truly care about you they will tell you character traits that have flaws... YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT ... BUT WE ALL HAVE FLAWS..
6. Be grateful... every one deserves something in life.. such as happiness... but it may not come from the areas where you would like or from the people you wish it would come from...
7. Make an effort... Offer to do things... don't just wait... when you see people doing things... offer to contribute on a regular bases... at least this demonstrates to one that you notice what is being offered... And somethings take the extra effort and switch the role completely. this exhibits the WOW FACTOR!!! Even I need should do this... lol... STILL LOVE YOU MOM!!!!
8. Watch your actions... Actions speak louder than words... Body language is a tell all... when you change that.. people know whats going on in your head...
9. Be passionate... Love yourself before you can love others... Love the things you do and what people do for you! AGAIN ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU OR ME FOR THAT MATTER! There is always someone else going to through a more difficult time!
10. Remember.. you are loved... don't take things personally... observe... listen... understand...

EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR

I AM SO EXCITED... ITS OFFICAL...

THE AIRLINE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOOKED FOR MY TRIP TO CANCUN ON NOV. 8TH... ALREADY STAYING AT MY FAVORITE HOTEL...

The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1092

AND IF YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE WESTIN ... THEY HAVE THE BEST BED IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD... THE HEAVENLY BED... AND IT IS TRULY HEAVENLY... PLUS... YOU KNOW THIS IS A FIVE STAR RESORT...

ITS GOING TO BE A BLAST... MY MOM, HER BF, GRANDMA, HER BF DAUGTHER, ME AND MY ROOMIE!

WHAT A GREAT CREW...

GONNA BE RELAXIN AND SOME PARTYING TOO!!! MAINTAINING A TAN THROUGH THE WINTER...

ONE TRIP THAT IS PLANNED... NOW I GOTTA MOVE ON TO PLANNING NEW YORK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS...OCEAN CITY WITH THE FAMILY IN AUG... MIAMI LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND LAS VEGAS PROBABLY IN SEPT... ALONG WITH A CONVENTION IN DC... SUCH A BUSY MONTH... I AM GOING WORLDWIDE...

AND WHERE THE HECK AM I GOING FOR NEW YEARS..
WORK HARD TO PLAY HARD...

Getting Sexy Back

This has been such a day of reflecting for me...

I am attempting to do so many things... reconnect with my friends... get my groove back and go out again... Now I am sitting here thinking about my body... Why because there are things I still dont like...

So.. I have this trip to miami coming up and so this means i have to bust my ass even more... I mean what is 15lbs or 20lbs more to lose... is that to much... i dont know... i mean if i can have a sexy stomach... i just might be happy... so i am really watching what i eat.. and if i eat something wrong... here comes the gym twice as hard... i have a personal trainer who works the hell out of me and than my own workout.. which now has an extensive ab workout... that just may kill me... but what it takes to be beautiful...

i cant complain... i have lost about 20lbs since the beginning of the year and i am truly blessed by that...

this is all in my attempt to get sexy back 100% mentally and physically... plus i am trying to get my groove back and go out more... i mean i am only 23 and should still be having fun too...