Merry Christmas!

Christmas is a special time of year to remember those who are close to
our hearts!
May your days be bright, and your heart be light!
May this glorious day of our Savior's birth
resound with hope and peace on earth!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Lots of Love,
Tasha and D


**Back to regular posting after New Year's**

What in all the hell...

is wrong with the Spears family? I just read that Bri.tney's 16-year old sister Jam.ie Ly.n.n who stars in her own show on Nicke.lode.on is pregnant by her 19-year old long-term and live-in boyfriend (read here).

Ok, now I got into some shit when I was that age, but at least I had a mother who cared enough to make sure that the shit I got into wasn't completely life-changing to that degree. What kind of parent allows their minor child to have a live-in boyfriend?? And the boyfriend is of majority age (over 18)?! What in the name of everything good?

And they met in church they say; I guess they don't believe in birth control for religious reasons. But this is where my confusion about this subject sets in. It's not okay to use birth control, but it's okay for a man of majority age to impregnate a young woman out of wedlock? There's no fire and brimstone 'you're going to hell in a handbasket' sermon for that? I need help understanding.

Stuff like this is exactly why I'm not surprised that I have a girlfriend who is a 29-year old grandmother of a 2-year old and a 6-month old. Trust, I'm not the morality police (Y'all know I've been through some shit in my life), but at some point you really have to ask what's happening in our society where this is alright, accepted, and seen as no big deal.

*sigh*This is why birth control is A-ok in my book. People need to stop hiding the truth from their kids. You have to be prepared to talk about sex and arm them for life in the real world. All actions have consequences, and kids need to learn that. Thanks mom for having that talk with me at a fairly young age and being real with me and not sugar coating anything. Thanks even more for brining me to work and allowing me to watch a live birth at age 10. You got your point across.

Friday Flashback

This week it's Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" cuz you know we can all use it sometimes, lol.



Happy Friday!

TV Talk Thursday

So I watched that mess of a show "Crowned" that came on after the finale of Top Model last night (yay Saleisha, btw) and tragically I liked it. I guess watching mothers and daughters make fools out of themselves for the sake of being on TV makes me thank the heavens that there's some pride left in my family. Almost trailer trashy good. It will do as a replacement for ANTM I guess.

And then I almost burned my retinas out watching Snoop Dogg's Father Hood show. I don't know if this is supposed to be a bootleg Run's House, but it was a funky fried hot mess. First of all, I thought Snoop had a bigger house than that, but seeing him and his wife interact was painful. The show seemed to be scripted, and they weren't doing a good job at keeping up with the script. Boring, big yawn. The funniest part of the show was Snoop running out of the blind accupuncturist's office screaming, "Chuuch on the Move". Might catch the marathon when it comes on, but I can't make that a part of my regular TV watching.

I'm looking forward to watching "The Choir" that starts on the 17th. I guess Patti LaBelle and some other singers put togehter choirs that are going to compete against each other. Should make for good TV, if not good singing--I hope.

What have yall been watching? I'm looking for some good shows that maybe I haven't had the chance to watch yet.

Come get yo' kids

It's Christmastime. I'm well aware of it, but all the kids in our families won't let me forget. With me having 70+ nieces and nephews--I stopped counting at 72 (that does include the step fam) and with D having 7 of his own, we have frequent reminders that it's time to buy gifts. About 25 of them are under the age of 18, so we get emails and phonecalls all the time that go something like this:

"Uncle D! Aunt Tasha! I've been good all year. You know it's Christmas riiiiight? I'm really good at playing the bowling game on my friend's Wii. It would be nice to not have to play the game at their house. I could share it with my sisters/brothers/parents"

I don't know when it became okay to solicit gifts like that, and I've attempted to put the kids (AND their parents) in check, but since we're family we get it the worst.

But outside the family, kids everyone is getting bold. Maybe it's that time of year or maybe people just need more home training. Here are some conversations I've had lately:

Conversation with my Jewish friend's 11 year old daughter while at their house for dinner
Her: So what are you going to get me for Christmas?
Me: Don't you celebrate Hanukkah?
Her: I'm an equal opportunity gift receiver. My mom taught me that.
Me: Do your mom and dad celebrate Christmas?
Her: Sure do. We're Jewish, but we have a Christmas tree. We don't do that birth of Jesus stuff. We just give gifts
Her mom: *looking horrified* TV. The kids see the stuff on TV so we don't want them to feel left out *chuckles*

Conversation with my 7 year old niece and her friend when they came to visit
Me: Are you ready for Santa
Niece's Friend: Ms. Tasha, you are not keeping it real. There is no Santa.
Me: Oh really. What do you know about keeping things real
Niece: Yeah, I know it's fake. I watch the news.
Me: I still believe in Santa, because he lives in everyone
Niece: So we're Santa's representatives?
Me: Something like that.
Niece's Friend: You're really smart Ms. Tasha. Wow. She's Santa's rep-uh-sentive. You know what I'm gettin' this year?

Conversation with a grown ass man (one of my uncle's friends) just before Thanksgiving
Man: *with that 'game' look in his eyes* What do you want for Christmas?
Me: A can of mace
Man: Damn it's like that huh?


Like my mother would say: "Come get yo' chirrens!"

Monday Mashup

This weekend was one of the more uneventful weekends of my life. Due to my tooth situation (which has been taken care of) I was laid out. A new filling and some "good" painkillers made my day. Thanks Gunfighter!! I owe you big time! I left the house twice this weekend--to run to the store and to run to Su.bwa.y. It was rainy and cold, and none of the girls wanted to go out, and D had to work. So I spent time with the couch, with my blankies, and with my eyes closed catching some zzz's. Loves it.

Today I have a phone interview at 10:30AM. Hey, I may as well make use of this time off and find a new job. Really hoping this comes through so I don't have to go back, lol. But I'm kinda mad that the lady doing the interview said that they'd call me at 10:30 but I need to be available for an hour after that time in case they call me late. Wow. Isn't it rude to be late for a meeting that you scheduled? But that's a state gov't employer for you. This is a position I've been eyeing for about a year, so hopefully it will come through. Throw some prayers up for me!

How was your weekend? Get at me in the comment box

Help a sista out

It's 1:40AM and I'm looking for either a dentist or a pair of pliers. Right now, I'd kinda prefer the pliers. Just take matters into my own hands and get things done quick fast and in a hurry. My neighbor made us some peanut butter and toffee cookies and brought them over last night. Wonderful! Ahh yes, we love our neighbors.

But apparently my teeth don't like my neighbors. I think Mrs. Neighbor put a little too much toffee or molasses or whatever sticky stuff goes in those things cuz a filling in my back tooth got caught up in the cookie and came.completely.out. I spat out an entire filling. Granted it's like 5 years old, but I thought fillings are supposed to last a lifetime.

Now I'm in pain. I can't describe it but to say I feel like my molars got hit by a train. I only had three fillings in my mouth, but I guess I can now bring that number to 2. Except for me being in pain at such a stupid hour of the morning, it normally wouldn't be a big deal--just go to the dentist ASAP and get it taken care of right? Well, MY DENTIST'S OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR VACATION AND WON'T BE BACK FOR ANOTHER WEEK.

This is where I need the help of my DC or Bmore people. I'm so desperate I'd drive to Philly to get this mess taken care of. I hurt so bad there are no tears. Can any of you recommend an emergency dentist? I called one, but they're on call so I'm waiting for a call back. I can't go a whole weekend like this.

Email me or leave your suggestion in the comment box. Thanks in advance.

I Know What You Did

Dear Waiting Room Lady,

Going to the doctor can be stressful I know. Really, I understand. I've seen more labcoats and stethescopes in the last three months than I have since birth. And I understand everybody reacts to stress in different ways, but I'm at a loss when it comes to your situation.

The small talk was fine. Yeah, I know snow is in the forecast and we have differing opinions on the white flaky stuff. I love it, you hate it. I can drive in it, you can't. It's alright though, cuz we share a common ground in our appreciation for the Jackson 5 Christmas music that was playing in the office. Jokes about what Mike's done to himself. Cute.

But then you started up, and things got awkward. You untied your shoes and proceeded to remove your red socks, which just happened to be full of lint pillballs. Yeah, you were that close to me. I could see that ish. Then you took a tissue out of your little kitty cat kleenex holder and wiped the sweat off of your feet. I threw up in my mouth just a little, and you looked at the receptionist (who was looking at you like you stole something) and looked back at me then whimpered and said, "My feet get so sweaty when I'm stressing and nervous. Important doctor visit you know". You then pulled a Mr. Rogers move and calmly put your sweat-laced socks back on and tied your shoes back up. Jesus, take the wheel.

From one woman to another, and because I know the receptionist wanted to say something to you but didn't have the heart, let me advise you that this is not normal waiting room protocol. I can understand fidgeting because you're nervous, or maybe even passing gas because your stomach is unsettled from the nerves. But full out shoe removal is wrong. If you're going to do something like that, at least change your socks or put some powder in your shoes, woman. I'd understand if it was summertime and you were wearing flip flops and just took your foot out of the shoe. Hell, I do it all the time. But no. It's cold, it's December, it was 8AM, and you were wearing hiking SHOES (wtf, I've never seen hiking shoes before, but this isn't about me). That's not acceptable. You are a nasty ass. Oh, and your feet smell like goat cheese. You need to work on that.

Thanks for ruining my morning!
Love,
Tasha

Three Hunned

Wow, this is my 300th post! I can't believe that milestone came so quick. *wipes tear* And I'd like to thank the Academy...

Moving on, this leave of absence has given me the chance to do stuff and go places during the weekday that I usually wouldn't get to otherwise and I keep running into situations where I'm asking "where is your mother?".

Like one day last week, I went to Dun.k.in Don.uts at like 11:30 in the morning to get some yummy high-calorie coffee goodness and there was a kid probably about 8 years old standing at the counter in front of me.

Employee: "How can I help you young man?"
Kid: "I want coffee. With creams and sugars and equals and milk"
Employee: "All of that in one coffee? What size"
Kid: "Coffee is liquid. It doesn't come in a special size"
Employee: "Well what size cup do you want me to put the coffee in?"
Kid: "Well it's for my mom and my mom's pretty fat so I'd say the biggest Extra Large you have"
Me: "Where's your mom?"
Kid: "In the car"
Employee: "You might want to go get her so we can make sure we get her order right"
Kid: "FINE!! But I'm gonna tell her that you're mean"

Umm, really now. Parental guidance is mandatory, not suggested. I know you want Timmy to learn how to function in a grown up world and learn how to order for himself, but you need to be there to help him along the way. Watching from the soccermom van is not the same.

And last Friday I was on my way to get an oil change and had pulled up to the stoplight leading out of my complex. I saw three boys and two girls who couldn't have been older than 7th or 8th grade walking on the sidewalk next to me. Mind you it was 1:30 PM, not a book or bookbag in sight. One of the little dudes pulled a black n' mild from behind his ear, lit it up and took a puff, then passed it to one of the girls. My light turned green, but I was ready to scream out of the window, "Shouldn't you be in school? Where is your mama?!"

People, why are your kids running amok? I guess I shouldn't be surprised at seeing stuff like this cuz we all know 8 year olds and 7th graders act more grown than real grown people, but damn is it so hard to get them to stay in the classroom for a little while?

Have any of you had to ask "where is yo' mama?!"?? Get at me in the comments

Yeah yeah

I figured it was about time I got back to blogger, I kinda missed yall maybe just a little.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Turkey Day. I know I'm all late since it's December now and all. Speaking of it being December, where the hell did the year go? I'm mad that I've been seeing commercials for "Best of 2007" specials and what not.

My Thanksgiving was good I guess. I had a sinus infection paired with an ear infection and a touch of bronchitis, so I was all stuffy and couldn't taste a damn thing. I didn't really have an appetite either cuz I was sneezing and huffin and puffin everydamnwhere. I hear the food was bangin though. Me and D spent the day with his family, and while I was sad that I couldn't go home to see my parents, it was still cool. His family just accepts me like one of their own, and I never feel like an outsider so it was actually really nice. My only problem with the day was all the old people giving me their remedies for getting over the flu (they swore up and down that I had the flu even though I'd gone to the dr. the day before and was armed with 900 prescriptions). Those remedies were some real random ish too:

-Soak a brown paper bag in white vinegar, then put the bag on your forehead to draw out the fever. Ummm...the fugg is that really gonna do but make my head smell like a pot of old chittlins?

-Drink a mix of shaved ginger and lemon rind steeped in hot water with honey (not sugar). Ummm....why not just drink some lemon-herb tea?

-Put V.ick's on the bottom of my feet, then put a pair of wool socks on and go to bed and wrap up tight. Ummm...the directions say to put the stuff on your chest. Feet don't get congested.

-Drink a "white lightning" toddy. Ummmm....white lightning is moonshine. I don't have a distillery in my backyard. I'll add a lil blackberry brandy to my tea if I'm gonna be all alcoholic about this thankyouverymuch.

So I stuck with what the doctor gave me, and I'm feeling fine now except for a few sniffles. Great. The weekend before Thanksgiving, I took D up to NYC to see some fam and we played tourist and trolled around Times Square and Rockefeller Center. I thought D had been to Manhattan before, but he hadn't...only to the Bronx. So he had a good time, and I think I was a pretty damn good tour guide. He loves the city just as much as I do, and we tossed around the idea of taking up my great aunt's offer of taking over her brownstone and continuing to rent out a portion of the house and using the other portion as a weekend/getaway spot. She's getting older, and wants to move upstate closer to my mom in about 5 years, so we might be able to do that but we'll see. It's nice to dream though, right?

The day after Thanksgiving, I made the decision to take a leave of absence from work. I get the latest pathology report tomorrow and I'm not really concerned because I know the result can't be too far off from the first reports. I know my prognosis is still great. But I wanted to take some time to get me together physically, mentally, spiritually and all that, and also to get things situated with the wedding planning and house buying. D's been encouraging me to take about a month or so off, but I wasn't listening until my body basically shut down from being sick and stressed out. I'm glad I finally listened, and I must say it's been a welcome change. I'll be going back to work mid-January. I'm so surprised that I was able to get such an immediate approval, but I'm not complaining.

So that's the short version of what's been going on in my world. I've got so much blog reading to catch up on to see what everyone else has been getting into, so don't be surprised if you get some random-azz late comments on some of your posts.