Another go 'round

Well, my on again off again relationship that I've posted about many times is back on again. I've hesitated to even put my thoughts into words because I wasn't sure how long it would last. It all started with Valentine's Day. Much to my surprise I receive this gorgeous braided Lucky Bamboo plant with a big pink bow and red & pink balloons attached to it. I have never seen anything like it before. When the receptionist brought it to my office, I was puzzled. I just knew it wasn't him who sent it. I was wrong. His note said that he would do his best to make up for his past transgressions, signed Love *****. Of course my eyes watered and my heart was filled with joy. All I could think was -- maybe he really does care about me.

I sent him a text message letting him know how much I loved the plant and that he made my day. I let him know that I had a gift for him as well (I had purchased it about a week before -- before our latest fall out). He stopped by that evening to get it. It was a bottle of cologne by Estee Lauder (it smells soooo good). I had already made plans to go to the track with a girlfriend for a little exercise and then take my kids to karate practice. He ended up coming back later. We talked some and things have been going well for the past 9 days.

This past weekend he took me out to one of my favorite restaurants (Pappadeaux's). The food was delicious. We ate, had a glass of wine and then went to Blockbuster to purchase some movies (a movie he wanted to see at the movie theater wasn't showing in our area). He fell asleep on me while I was enjoying a movie that he picked out (The Bourne Identity). I fell asleep as well and didn't get to see all of it but I definitely plan on re-watching it. It was a very nice evening -- even if we did fall asleep early.

The shocker of all times came yesterday. I knew that he was wanting to buy a new car soon. He called me to let me know that he had been approved for a car loan. To make a long story short, he told me that he found 2 cars that he really liked and he would let choose?! I was so puzzled. Why would he let me choose a car that he was going to be driving and paying for (no he did not need my help coming up with the down payment :) ? He had already told the salesman that he would wait until after I made it home from work before he made his final decision. I was floored!! So, he meets me (and my kids) at our home and we go to the dealership. We test drive both cars (for my sake, he already test drove them). The salesman then asks what I think of both cars. One was white and the other was polished peuter. I chose the white car (which is what he liked best as well). After about 3 hours at this dealership he signs the papers and is given 2 sets of keys with the keyless remote devices. We get outside and he hands me the extra set of keys (with the remote) to his brand new, fully loaded with leather interior and sunroof, 2005 Nissan Maxima!!!

I'm A Survivor

I'm not a big fan of e-mail chain letters/messages or forwarding the many that I receive each day, but, every now and then I receive one that is very inspirational, such as this one (it's kind of long):


I AM A SURVIVOR

Many times in life we struggle with our past and fail to walk in our potential future. Let me make a profound statement ....Your past has nothing to do with what God can do for your future!

God says "In spite of what you used to be or have experienced, I CAN STILL BRING YOU OUT!

I know that you used to be a dog, but I can bring you out!!

I know that you slept with half the football team, but I can bring you out!

I know that you have bad credit and now you want a house, I can still bring you out!

I know they call you by your problem and not your name I can still bring you out!

There is no past too troubled and no person that God can't redeem. He took a murderer named Moses and made him a prophet.

He took a pimp named Abram and made him the father of many nations... (If you wonder why I call him that, go back to Genesis and see how many times he sold his wife off for possession because he was afraid of being killed.)

He took a liar and cheat named Jacob and made him a prince named Israel and blessed his seed...

He took a prostitute named Rahad, called her blessed and changed her profession!

He took a Christian hater named Saul and made him a great apostle, Paul. If God used those people, he can use you.

So what, you've had a bad past? That is the problem! --- you keep living in the past. God wants to bring you into the present and develop you a great future!

He says it best in 2Cor. 5:17,"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old one has gone, the new has come!"

Hold on my brothers and sisters, your change is coming. No more low self esteem! No more worries about your credit history!

Hallelujah! Glory to God! Do you realize that most people have lost their mind over what we survived? We made it through! Sometimes we need to just thank God for survival.

We are looking for the big testimony, but the true testimony is your boy/girlfriend cheated on and left you, but you survived it.

You thought you would be on Prozac the rest of your life, but God healed your wounds. We are survivors.

Stop right where you are, stand up and give yourself a high-five because you made it through life's trials & tribulations. Now tell someone: "I made it!"

They may not understand, but you know what time it is! Stop trying to make people understand you and praise God anyhow! Baby, after all you went through and you're still serving the Lord....You are a survivor.

I thank God for being a survivor! God brought you out.

The truth be told, you may have had suicidal thoughts about the problems, but God brought you out.

Most people could not go through what you have been through and make it. Others have given up on life and are homeless, but God brought you out, so that He can bring you into the joy of life!

Repeat after me....

"God has brought me out for a reason. I survived because he has a plan for me. All my bad relationships, all the suicidal thoughts. The bad credit, the repossessions, the death of my loved ones. The back stabbings from my friends.

The negative thoughts, the lack of support I made it because I am blessed! I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings and grudges because I am blessed!"

Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears And walk in the
victory!!!!!!!!!!! Bless another, by passing this on....

IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, GOD WILL BLESS IT RIGHT!!!!

National Girlfriend & Sister's Week

I received the following from a friend this morning:

I am only as strong as the coffee I drink, the hairspray I use and the friends I have. To the cool women who have touched my life -- here's to you!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tan2471068/detail?.dir=/fcae&.dnm=8d4c.jpg

Some Positive Stuff

The math test that I was stressing about (because I couldn't access the website from home and was also having problems pulling it up at work) is no longer a problem. I took the test and made an A!!!! I'm so pleased. Now if I can just do well on my Biology exam. We had an on-line review this morning with the instructor via a chat site. It made me feel better about taking the test. The exam won't be ready until Monday. We have a week to take it (which must be taken on campus). There's also an essay due the following week (on our opinion of the use of steroids among athletes).

My Biology instructor also allowed me to submit the remaining half of an assignment that I inadvertantly forgot to include on the initial e-mail I submitted (even though it was past the due date). I now have the maximum amount of points for that assignment! Biology has never been one of my favorite subjects, therefore, I need every point I can get in this class (just in case I mess up on a test or 2).

Can't shake this feeling . . .

it's not like I'm moping around or walking around in a total state of depression. But since this last split -- the pain just won't seem to go away fast enough. I'm still taking care of business, tending to my kids & dog, going to work and doing my job, trying to be cheerful and all.

I talked to a friend this morning about the upcoming Valentine's Day event that the church I attend is having for singles. He is going and wants me to go as well. He even offered to buy my ticket. We are strictly friends and I do enjoy being around him. Part of me wants to go and then part of me doesn't. This could be an opportunity to get to know others in my church family. I do know of 2 other people going (my friends aunt & cousin).

I'm sure I can find something nice to wear that's already in my closet. The attire is Urban Sheik. Never heard of it. I'm assuming it's something similar to semi-formal. I'm picking up his tickets for him today so I guess I will need to decide by this evening. Hummmm, what shall I do?

Aaaaahhhhhhhh! ! ! !

This is how I'm feeling right about now. I just found out that I missed out on 50 points for a Biology assignment that I turned in because I left out some required information (that I had the answer to but forgot to include it in my e-mail). On top of that, I am unable to sign on to the website for my Math class. I was supposed to have taken my first exam by this past Tuesday. I'm getting an error message that my username and/or password is not found. Fortunately, I'm not the only one having problems accessing the site. The instructor has extended the deadline, but I'm still stressing.

My on-again, off-again relationship is now off -- this could permanent this time. I am sick of hearing about Valentine's Day and seeing red, pink & white throughout every store I walk in (although I've been told many times that red is my color). I will still lift my spirits enough to do something nice for my kids.

I also forgot to deduct the money I paid for my upcoming trip to Vegas from my checkbook (BIG oops!). My mortgage is due but I'm going to just suck up some late fees and pay it a week late (making sure it's not 30 days late).

I have a hair appointment today that I had been contemplating cancelling -- I don't think so. After the way this week has been going, this is something I can't do without.

This thing called life . . .

one minute you're up, the next you're down. You see sunshine and blue skies when it's pouring rain and the skies are really gray. One week you're on cloud 9, the next week you feel as if you've slammed into a brick wall. Some days you can't stop smiling, other days you're trying your best not to frown. What is it with this thing called LIFE? Not to mention the mental, spiritual & emotional roller coaster ride that comes with it.

Don't get me wrong, I like amusement parks. There are even a few roller coaster rides that I don't mind getting on (more than once). But the one associated with daily living -- I can do without. I'm tired and I want this particular ride to end.

African-American Inventors

In recognition of Black History Month, my children's school is daily requesting each student to find out what African-American invented certain things. They write their name, grade, teacher and the answer on a sheet of paper and submit it. I believe there is a drawing each day with prizes given to the student(s) with the correct answer.

I'm starting to enjoy going on-line to find out who invented what. So far, we have learned of the following inventions:

Ironing Board (Improvement) - Sarah Boone (patented 4/26/1892)
Golf Tee - George Grant (patented in 1899); graduated from Harvard Dental School in 1870
Letter Drop Mail Box - Phillip Downing (patented 10/27/1891)

I think we should keep this up throughout the year.

My first REAL vacation

No lie. For the FIRST time in my 36 year old life I am about to go on a true vacation -- in Viva Las Vegas! I am so excited. What's even more exciting about this trip is the other people traveling with me. 2 of my sister's (I have 3), one of my closest friends, a cousin whose like a sister to me and a friend of the family. There is nooooo way that we won't have fun. I've read mixed reviews about the hotel (the Plaza Hotel in the downtown area). The original hotel that we were trying to get was booked (due to it being Spring Break and all). We're leaving on March 18th and returning on the 21st. My kids will be in Oklahoma and -- oh, my God, I almost forgot about my baby boy! I'll have to see if his daddy will check up on him and as a back-up I'll have two of my friends on stand-by. (One of my girlfriend's labeled my male friend as 'my baby's daddy'. This is because he is truly crazy about Diesel -- and Diesel is crazy about him. He goes wild when my friend comes over, it's as if everyone else in the house at that time does not exist. I love my dog but I don't kiss him on the face! His daddy does! It's hilarious. The expression on Diesel's face looks as if he is in dog heaven.)

Looks like I've got everything taken care of. I faxed the travel agency all necessary info they needed yesterday and I've requested two days of vacation at work. Now all I need is some decent luggage. Sounds like a trip to Sam Moon may be in order or maybe I need to do some searching on e-bay.