A conclusion of Christmas and Home

I spent 10 wonderful short days at home.  I love to sneak into town but my Pappy told me that he couldn't handle me sneaking in on him so I had no choice but to tell him.  Other than that no one knew the exact date.  I did give them a short window of when to expect me.  All of the pictures were taken on my iPad.  None of the photos were taken by me.  My 2 cousins Syd and La had a wonderful time playing with my ipad.  They made videos, beat Angry Birds (as they call it- Space Birds) and more.  The first pictures is Syd and La.  The second picture is La pointing at my Tootsie's husband and my Tootsie who is sitting on the floor.  The third picture is my Cousin Britt waving at the camera and last but not least is La with 2 of my Aunts and uncle in the background.  I spent time with everyone that I could.  I went to my Winnie's bball game and my good friend Sannie drove down to visit me and ended up spending the night.  My Kay May took pity on me and also drove down to visit me.  She actually had to drive and pick me up from my Dad's because my truck died on me.  I really appreciate that.    The whole holiday was great.  I went to church on Christmas Eve with my fam and then did dinner with them later that night.  I even talked my dad into coming.  On Christmas, I went to church with my dad and meet his new church family.  He recently switched churches and everyone was very nice.  I had lunch with my Dad's sister and then drove over to have dinner and games with my mom's side.  I had a funny feeling that my brother was trying to sneak in on me.  He wasn't answering my phone calls and I knew that he wasn't going to be able to come home for Christmas.  But on Christmas day he was at my Grammy's!  A very nice gift of having your family together.   I was flying back out on New Years Day so I didn't want to do much; just spend time with dad before I left.  I was actually asleep when the New Year came in!  It wasn't too hard to say see you later to my family.  I miss them so much and still pray for a job closer to them but I know that they are ok.   It was difficult to see my Grammy- She had a very bad day while I was at home.  But I am so glad to be able to have tons of memories of her from her good days.  That was my holiday all wrapped up pretty!  I hope that you all have a great Friday the 13th~

The Christmas Shake Down

I had a Fabulous Christmas with my family!  Here are a few pictures!  I will explain later!

Hello 2012

Happy New Year!


I have so many stories and pictures from Christmas!  I promise to post them sometime soon!  But let's celebrate the new year with q&a.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Got a Facial

-Learned to trust God more.  Learned more about being patient- because I am sure that if you look up the word "impatient" my picture is right there.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did a really good job and kept up with at least 2 of them.  I want to make more but I am not sure what they will be.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Another year full of babies...

Grace added baby number 2- Davon
Queen B had my VBP
and Krissy my Missy had baby T

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes- My Grandma Bea

5. What countries did you visit? 

 

None!  Traveled enough in the US

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?

LOVE

 

More patience, a better relationship with God

 

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

September 15- the day my granny B passed away

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Losing 20 pounds

 

9. What was your biggest failure?

No failures- still growing and becoming a better woman, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, cousin, workers and such

 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My memory foam.  Best thing ever
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Krissy my Missy because she graduated and is a Dentist

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

No one

14. Where did most of your money go?

TRAVEL- PLANE TICKETS-  Over $4000 dollars this year alone.  

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

nothing really 

 

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Grove St Party

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter?

 c) richer or poorer?

a) the only reason that I am not happier is because I am still so far from family.  Other than than- Happier

b) Thinner

c) I don't know if I'm poorer or not.  I can assure you that I am not richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

spent more time at the gym, volunteering, more quiet time with GOD

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worring-  Give your problems to GOD.  Just let them Go

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Went to Church with my Daddy, lunch with my Aunt, Dinner and gifts with my mom's side of the family

21. Did you fall in love with 2011?

Nope.  Not at all

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I am a reality TV junkie so -  All Real Housewives of (pick a city), The Walking Dead, Top Chep, Iron Chef, Chopped.... and so much more.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No... trying to let all of that stuff go.  

24. What was the best book you read?

The Help 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

.Adele

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted weight loss and that is what I got.  

27. What did you want and not get?

To relocate...  I still want to be closer to home.  I want a job that I love, in a new city that has more diversity, that is closer to home, where I can find a good church family, a new boo, that is WARMER, and start a PHD program.  

28. What was your favorite film of 2011? 

Way to many to name.... but 2 of my fave were The Help and Mission Impossible:  Ghost protocol.  

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I am still under thirty and I celebrated it with family and friends!  

.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Continuing to listen to God 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?

Comfortable and trying to find clothes that fit

32. What kept you sane?

Jesus, all of my expensive trips and friends

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

None that come to mind

34. Who did you miss?

I miss being able to see my friends and family more.  

.  

35. Who was the best new person you met?

CS and Michael.  Two great friends that keep me sane up here in the north.  

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Pray without ceasing.  Giving it all to God and let him handle it.  Portion control

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

Jesus- He will fix it

After while!

 

 

 

That's it!  Hope that you are having a fabulous day!

 

Love you all and Happy New Year!

 

~TC 

Almost a Birthday

Yes the title is true!  It is almost a Birthday.... MY birthday.  I am 4 days away from my birthday and I have been celebrating for the past couple of days.... So I have had multiple dinners with friends, many pieces of cakes and tonight I am going to a basketball game.  


I am not home yet... I will be home soon (just a few more days- actually I could be home anytime between Tuesday-Friday.  and I am really looking forward to seeing my friends and family.  I started Christmas shopping- 2 out of the 3 gifts that I had to buy have been purchased and put in the mail!  

I wish that I had a better update for you.....  hang in there with me!


~TC

Remember December

I was checking out all of my favorite blogs and decided that I had neglected mine long enough!  In my Wendy Williams Voice (HowYouDoin!)  


The pictures were all Christmas related!  'Tis the Season to be Jolly!  The Gingerbread House was made by a few students here at the J-O-B!  They were very proud of the house and I must admit that all of the houses looked beautiful and smelled great!  When I was in Phoenix, my brother was at home doing the usual- putting up the Christmas tree!  He texted me a picture of his hard work.  I sent him the picture of the last Christmas tree and told him mine was prettier!  He didn't like that too much!  


I have not started Christmas shopping and the little shopping that I need to do has to be done soon!  Because I have spent so much dinero on plane tickets, I am not buying much for loved ones.  I can't afford it!  My goal is to put something in the mail to my niece and nephew and some small things for others.  


A few have asked how long I was in PHX and what I did.....
I enjoyed the 75-80 degree weather!  That is what I did! For 4 days!  My Uncle, who is my mom's youngest brother, picked me up from the Airport!  We chatted about the family and he quickly told me that he had bought his wife a Kindle Fire for Christmas!  It would be arriving in the mail any day.  I told him way to go.  We relaxed at his house before my Aunt came home from work and fixed dinner.  She started chatting about Christmas shopping and said that she had ordered herself a Kindle Fire that was on its was to their house.  I said nothing.  My Uncle chatted with me later and said he wasn't happy about the situation.  I talked to my aunt later and said maybe she should wait until Christmas.  The next day, my cousin took me to lunch and around town.  We went to the Cardinals football stadium and enjoyed Coldstone icecream while looking at the Christmas tree outside.  The were having a mini holiday market outside complete with a Foodtruck.  I was sad that I had just had lunch because the jerk chicken was smelling heavenly.  My cousin was sooo sweet!  He treated me like the sister that he never had!  Dinner with my fam was great and we even played family games! 


On Thanksgiving Day, my Aunt and I went to Old Navy before breakfast!  I didn't buy much.  We returned home and had brunch.  We had dinner and started making a plan for Black Friday shopping.
We started on Thursday night.  We went with her friend Tonya and daughter Cortney.  Same as last year.  We were at Walmart by 9:45pm, Target by 10:45pm and at the mall by 12:15am.  We didn't leave the mall until 4:45am and then headed to JcPenny's home store until 6:30am.  We had breakfast at Mimi's and made it back home by 7:35am.  I showered and was in the bed by 8AM.  I may not ever go shopping with my Aunt AGAIN!  On Friday, her Kindle Fire arrived but she didn't open it. She asked if my Uncle had ordered her one and I told her yes.  


When I returned, my uncle texted me and said that he had given her the Kindle Fire he had ordered that day as an early Christmas gift.  All was well with the world!


Sorry for the lengthy post but I had to get this all on "Paper"!


Have a great weekend!


~TC

Can't be true

Where in the world did NOVEMBER GO!


I can't believe that it is already December!  Oh well!  Let the Good times roll! 


Thanksgiving was wonderful!  I was sad that I didn't get a chance to go to church but I was very happy that I spent the holiday with my family!  I had a GREAT time in PHX and the weather was Perfect!  I really need to move to a warm city! 


I didn't sleep much last night and the only things that are keeping me sane are Anita Baker and Coconut Creme Coffee.  Here are a few pictures!  I will explain Later!

Thanking

Happy Thanksgiving (Almost)!  Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday!  I am heading to Phoenix for Thanksgiving this year (just like last year)!  I wish that I could go home to see my Daddy, brother, Grammy, cousins, Aunts, Uncles and such but until I live back in the South that is not the case.  Phoenix is so much closer so that is where I will be and I am So glad that I have family who will let me come visit!  LOVE IT!  That is one thing that I can say about my family!  We are always so excited to see each other and it isn't a big deal to come for a visit!  Also, My Tootsie, who is my cousin in case you forgot, told me that she was chatting with a lady yesterday at work and said that it is time like these (the holiday season that is) that makes her miss me so much more.  The reason being because we would make MULTIPLE trips to the store for items that her mom or our grammy had forgot!  


Also, I helped served a Pre-Thanksgiving Lunch on Sunday at our church.  We helped feel over 250 people and most of them were homeless.  It was such a humbling experience.  I forget and don't appreciate the fact that I have a job, had a car, have an apartment and know where I will be laying my head down at night.  God loves us all so much!  Thank HIM for EVERYTHING!  Even when you want to complain- Praise HIM!
I saw a couple there who had a little baby girl who wasn't older than one and I couldn't imagine being homeless and having a baby.  Broke my heart!  


I have so much to be Thankful for!  And I am!


Love you!  Happy Thanksgiving~


TC