Birthday Reflections 2010...Part II

I did something a little different this year. My birthday weekend started out with my first event on Friday. We competed with three other events and the opening night of the Potter movie but we did well all things considered. The feedback has been mostly positive so far and the Sangria I whipped up the night before went really quickly! (The marinated apple slices from the white sangria were a big hit :) HA!

The REAL hit was the tres leches cake I picked up from the spanish bakery near the job. I was a little leery when they messed up my order but the replacement cake was fabulous! A line formed as I cut it and everyone wanted to know where I got it. It was delicious!





Friday was great. Plenty of dance floor space, great music and a happy crowd. I had to tell a few people who hit up the beverage dispensor that it was not filled with punch, LOL! It was a great night and a good party. Of course we went out to grab food after we closed which meant I crawled into my bed at a whopping 4 am. After being up for almost 24 hours I used Saturday to recoop. My body was mad at me! I could barely move. I slept most of the day and hardly ate but it was so worth it.

Sunday I finally met the man behind the cupcakes! Fellow blogger Darius, Mr. Everyday Cookin' himself, was visiting the area and I met the crew for brunch at a popular breakfast spot. He is a joy to be around and I am glad I got the chance to sit, talk and laugh with him. We had a celeb sighting and enjoyed the view of Mr. Weber made famous by the Fab Five as he enjoyed his food at the next table over. I do not have a photo of Mr. Weber (who looked great, BTW) but I do have a photo with Darius, check out the cupcakes ;-) LOL!





I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of well wishes and love. There are many more photos that I am keeping to myself :) I so enjoyed my weekend and thank you to everyone who came out to my kick-off event. That is one memory I will cherish for a lifetime. On to the holiday season ...


Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

My Birthday Reflections 2010

This year has been...great, good and horrible all in one neat little package. I have learned that love is not always what you expect and that tingling in the pit of your stomach is not love. I have learned that family will always be there for you even when you turn your back on them. I have learned that REAL friends pick you up when you fall, stand behind you to push you when you stop walking and encourage you along the way. I have learned that REAL friends cheer you on but also tell you when you're wrong.

This year, as I look back and reflect on the past 365 days, as I look back on the party I threw last year and the people who surrounded me to celebrate. I am thrilled that 99% of those people are still in my life. They are still cheering with me, performing with me and want the best for me. I have added new people to the circle and added new activities to my favorite things to do.

I now know to listen to my gut, that little voice that speaks to you louder than anyone else. I know to let go when that voice tells me to, I know to be still and be patient when I don't know what else to do. I know to follow that gut instinct when people try to convince me they know what's better for me than I do. And yes, I know who I am, know what I want and I will not compromise that.

I have learned so much this year. I am coming to terms with the fact that I may never be someone's mother but I plan to be one hell of an Aunt. I am coming to terms that I will travel and see the world even if it is with my cousin instead of a male partner. I am coming to terms with the fact I love jeans and sneakers more than I like dresses and heels. And I LOVE big curly hair more than I like straight, flat and sleek looks.

I am coming to to terms with the woman I am, the woman I was and the woman I am destined to be...

Yes, there was a wicked birthday party. Photos will be posted soon (well, the ones that are safe to post ;)

Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Random Thunderstorms...(I Thought)

I thought my family would be traveling to my city for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There was a change of plans. Instead of our traditional large gathering, there will only be four family members together for Thanksgiving. I can't remember the last time that happened.

I thought I would be in a better position in my career at this point. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up but I am trying to have fun as I figure it out.

I thought my event would go off without a hitch (the event planner in me should have known better) now thanks to a shady location owner my event may be in jeopardy. A week before it takes place...and this too shall pass. We shall laugh about it later when the event is a rousing success...SIGH. Pray for me and my 'Dream Team' please?

I thought I would take a dating hiatus and be by myself for a while. One of my boys laughed at me and said, "Yeah, we'll see how long that lasts. Men will come out of the woodwork!" He wasn't right about the "woodwork" part but I have said "No,thank you" a lot lately.

I thought I would feel better about being an Aunt. My sister is pregnant again and complaining. I was fed up with the complaining and told her to just be happy and enjoy it. She has no idea how many women would absolutely adore to be in her shoes with her "oops babies" that her and my brother-in-law did not plan. Enjoy it...cause there a lot of women out there who can't do it!!! Then I had to get off the phone and wooooossssaaaahhhh. It's not her fault, I was just pissed at the complaining.

I thought I would not be able to handle it when my former Addiction contacted me. I knew it would happen eventually, people always have to try, right? I looked at his request, let it sit in my inbox and deleted it a day later. *fist pump* I think I am moving on. One step at a time.

I thought I would try something different with the man-magnet tresses. My poor tresses were dry and catching hell from the weather change. I whipped up a batch of whipped shea butter with shea, mango, coconut and a dash of rosemary oil. Put the tresses in small twists and man...that is some good stuff! The tresses are soft and shiny. Even my accomplice on Saturday noticed the "shine and volume." (Was given the side-eye for the volume comment, LOL!)

I thought I had lost a friendship with my cousin. We grew up together but grew apart when my mother moved me to another state. Recently I got word from him through his father, who told my mother to tell me to call him :) It was soooo good to talk, laugh and just hear his voice. He was indeed one of my first brothers (along with his brother) and some things the spirit needs. His voice and laughter definitely lifted my spirit. Small world, he lives a few doors down from my sister. Guess where I will be on my next visit?

Enough of my ranting...I have a huge stack of things to do this week before my vacation week.


Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Gearing Up for the Debut

After working and nurturing my idea for almost 2 years I was a nervous wreck when I launched the marketing campaign and went live with the first event. I can not tell you how many times I checked the social media pages to see if we had followers, if anyone RSVP'd to the event online. I have never been that nervous in my life.

Then it happened.

Slowly people began to respond. They began to ask questions. Other people started to post on their pages they would be attending the kick off event. That made me kick up my marketing efforts a few notches. Every bit of what I learned in PR and Communications over the past 10 years began to go into overdrive. I started to put personal touches on the evites. I began to reach out to the maybe respondents and get them to say yes.

I began to really believe in my product.

These past few weeks have been nerve wrecking, fulfilling and joyous. I have planned many events in the past and none of them compare to the emotion I have wrapped up in this one. I have worked into the wee hours of the night, sent emails and phone calls to make this event a success.

And you know what? I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Since this line of events is a Salsa dance night, I thought it only appropriate to attach one of my favorite salsa tunes. Enjoy this mellow groove. This band is one of my favorites, no worries...I will feature them soon:

(I must send a very sincere thank you to Charles at the Illuminate Darkness Experiment for the wonderful Logo, he is truly talented. Stop by his spot and check him out)

Until Next Time,

Enjoy each and every day God gives you...

Peace & Blessings...

Random Thunderstorms...(Really?)

All of your emails can not be urgent. If they are, maybe you should REALLY reconsider your definition of urgent?

I have gone through some emotional and spiritual healing. Some people did not make the cut. Such is life, really.

No raises, again for the third year and furloughs on top of that? Really? At least it is only one furlough day this year.

I REALLY thought I was ready for love to enter my life again and it seems I have met the last men in my city that want to 'take things slow and get to know me' and I am speechless. Enjoying every minute of it but...speechless.

I am really trying to get my fears under control. One step at a time, one day at a time. Fear is really a powerful motivator.

I went skating for the first time since 4th grade. Yeah, you read that right, the 4th grade. My accomplice skates every Sunday and let's just say KayC provided the entertainment and busted my ass! My accomplice? Skated over, helped me up, made sure I was ok before cracking up and telling me to keep going. Yeah...it was a funny night. Watching my accomplice skate was poetry in motion...REALLY!!!!

In speaking with a few male friends over the past few years I now realize that men and women face the same issues with dating and relationships. Men meet fake women and women meet fake men. Why is that 'real' men and 'real' women can not seem to meet each other? Especially before the 'fake' ones get to them and mess them up? REALLY?!?!?! Food for thought...it is a vicious cycle.

I finally realized men and women are not different. We all want the same thing (at least most of us) and that is to be treated well, with respect and care. Although there is a minority that is out there blazing trails reminiscent of General Sherman's march to the sea. Take your time, follow your gut and you can better tell the difference between the two.

Working in event planning/marketing/communications feels like banging my head against a brick wall sometimes. You give people a response to their requests and they want the opposite. Sigh....REALLY such a waste of my time.

When my divorce was final, the only thing I took was my name back. It REALLY irks me when people refer to me with the old name. Especially since he is married and there is another 'Mrs' now. Can you please get it right people? Geesh!

I'm really trying to stay positive and I realized this Random Thunderstorm is a vent....REALLY!!! LMAO ;-)

Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...