Musings

I'm back and still on the weightloss journey

2011-02-28T09:55:00.007-05:00

OK... I come and go here, but I'm going to try to get consistent with this once and for all. I'm still on my weight loss kick as I didn't make my goal of 80 pounds by the time I turned 40. Since I didn't die on that day, I still have a chance to cut down some more weight from this frame. I would like to wear a bikini again, one last time before I check out. To that end, I've given up Coke again. I firmly believe its the elixir of life but I know for a fact it adds a pooch which is unattractive and not sexy at ALL! Those 150 calories per 12 ounce can surely will be better used somewhere else in my diet. Plus I had slowly increased my Coke (I had better say Coca-Cola lest someone get the wrong idea) habit to 2 and 3 cans a day because my fast food habit resurfaced with a vengeance.

As of last Tuesday (February 22, 2011) I gave up fast food for the most part, gave up Coca Cola and plopped my voluptuous self back on the scale. I went grocery shopping, called myself buying healthy food and have been determined to cook at home, and eat at least 90% of my meals from my own kitchen. A huge undertaking for me considering single, living with just my Cocoa, cooking is overrated. I can cook and cook quite well, but I just don't find any joy in it when I'm just cooking for myself. I even started logging my food intake into www.myfitnesspal.com which has an app for my iPhone so I can eat just a certain amount of calories per day. I've started to research my in-depth what foods I should eat and what foods I should avoid. All in an effort to get into that bikini of my dreams.

Here are some pictures of the food I purchased, and the first salad I've ever made and consumed 100%. I'm going to do this! This time! For Sure!

A Complaint against Intimacy

2010-05-04T10:09:00.004-04:00

The pen is often mightier than the sword, so here is a copy of my complaint letter to Intimacy (A custom undergarment store in Metro Atlanta). I will post in as many public venues as I can find:

As a larger woman, I've made the commitment(and investment) over the course of a few years to buy my undergarments from the Atlanta location, and more importantly I've made the commitment to take care of my undergarments by hand washing 100% of the time with the custom made washing product sold in your stores. I purchase from your company because of the commitment you have to repair bra's free of charge. Investing 100+ dollars per bra, and rotating through 14 bra's, I wear the same bra only 2 times per month. It would stand to reason that I've not "broken" or "bent" an underwire within 6 months time.

I took a bra back to the Atlanta location yesterday 5/3/2010 because the underwire was coming out of its sewn casing between the breast bone. As you can imagine, quite painful to wear. I was told that they "might" be able to repair but because I'd been washing my bra's in the washing machine and dryer (the plastic casing was missing) that I would do better to buy another bra.

I was quite miffed that it was insinuated that I machine laundered my undergarments. I was told when I purchased the bras NOT to do so, and was upsold on buying the hand laundering products. I informed the associate (Jessica Flores) that this was not the case and she became very rude and unaccomodating to my request. I was told to call her manager (Annie Goins) and when Ms. Goins called back she again stated that heat from the dryer was the main culprit in the deterioration of my bra and they could try to repair the twisted underwire.

Let me state emphatically and unequivocally that no product which has been purchased in your store, has EVER seen the inside of my washer and dryer. I live alone, nobody else launders my clothes. I am upset that your apparent free repair policy is actually another ploy to get a good customer to buy another product. While certainly I have no problems investing in good foundations, I do so in part because of your generous repair policy. I'm disappointed to know its a sham. If indeed the underwire is twisted, I wouldn't mind buying another underwire to have the twisted one replaced, but there is no option for this. The only option I was presented with was to buy another bra.

Have I misconstrued your repair policy? Especially since I've had other parts of different bra's repaired with absolutely NO hassle in the past.

Signed,

Disappointed in Atlanta,
Sharon Hudson

Anonymity

2010-04-29T22:46:00.005-04:00

I knew one day I would have to write this type of blog and I do so with much regret but what must be done, must be done. I apologize in advance if this post doesn't apply to you, it is specifically written for two spineless Sons (or Daughters) of Bitches - yes I'm talking about you and your momma and have no shame! I have no shame in admitting that I'm an educated hood rat. Allow me to expose my hood rat side for the space of this blog. I've never backed down from a fight -verbal or physical- and I have no intent on starting that bad habit now. I am sorry that I didn't see these comments on the day they were posted.

To those persons who insist on Anonymity with comments on my blog, here is your 5 minutes of fame: You wrote the following in a comment because you didn't have the opportunity to spew your blasphemous venom out in the open. Well tonight is your lucky night.

Anonymous said...: Sharon, I am calling you out because I think you were/are very jealous of Des. Unless you can prove without a doubt that the picture Des posted wasn't her, you should not make those statements. I hope she does come back because most of us enjoyed her and she was like a breathe of fresh air. GET OVER IT!!

Q-group member!!!

Lets dissect your nonsense, just the first sentence, the rest isn't material to this point. To "call someone out", as you wrote, would mean to identify yourself so that dialogue between us can happen. You can't call someone out from behind a curtain. The crux of your post is about jealousy. ANYBODY who knows me, knows a few things about me. I am not an emotional person at all. People called Jesus all manner of names, so I have no illusions that I'm anything special. Unfortunately I really do feel that no human is important enough for me to waste my time on needless emotions such as jealousy. So sorry to disappoint you, but no jealousy here. What is here is complete and utter disdain for an adult who acts like a coward and won't come out and face me - personally or even on line in an open forum.

I guess April the 5th was a lucky day for me. I actually received 2 anonymous posts so let me address the other one too.

Anonymous said...

You are still a fat ugly pig!!!!!!!

April 5, 2010 1:25 AM

My reply is simple: My mother taught me manners and she taught me to always be proud of what I said. I grew up with the motto that my word was my bond. With that in mind, I graciously say "Thank you. You took the time to read my blog, look at my pictures and comment." Seems like you should be proud enough of your words to sign your name, but cowardliness reigns. Sounds like you didn't have proper home training to me, but that isn't surprising in this day in age.

The saddest part of all of this? I'm sure nobody will step up and claim ownership. In effect they've wasted their time and I've wasted mine writing this response to them. The good part is, I KNOW you're reading this, so my mission has been accomplished!

Weight Loss Progress -3/29/2010

2010-03-29T20:13:00.006-04:00

Wow its been a long time since I've written a blog. Not that I've not had a lot on my mind from time to time, but time has been the biggest hurdle to updating this area of my existence. So the time has come for me to update my weight loss progress. I believe pictures are worth a thousand words so I'm going to post here and include pictures of this arduous journey. The first picture was taken of me Mother's Day 2009.
It is entirely fair to say that I should have removed myself very politely from any dinner table but good food has always been a good thing to me.

I joined the Gym in July and worked up the courage in October to take a "beginning" picture. I've finally worked up the courage to post all of these pictures on line.

I thought I might keep up this routine and took another picture in December. Can you notice any weight loss yet? I would like to think I can notice some difference in the stomach region but that might just be wishful thinking.

I worked up the courage to take another picture today 3/29/2010. There is a definite difference here, but I still have quite a way to go. I will continue on this journey. I've decided that I will participate in the Peachtree Road Race (10K- 6.2miles) and I really have the desire to run in the race as opposed to merely walking the course. To that end, I've taken up the Couch to 10K program and I'm walking and running on the days I don't go to the gym to lift weights and do the Elliptical or Stair Master. I hope my increased intensity will pay off with even more weight shift/weight loss.

I'm doing everything possible to get rid of my stomach... I do Crunches, leg lifts, twists etc... and it still persists. Any recommendations? I have a form fitting dress to fit into on 10/10/2010. More on that later.

16 pounds gone and 306 Days to Go

2009-12-08T19:54:00.002-05:00

Gee it been a long time since I've updated my blog so I'm back. I keep forgetting to write here, but I haven't forgotten to document my weight loss progress other places. Weight loss has been slow and painful, but I'm very much a believer in "slow and steady wins the race". Though the weight hasn't gone away quickly, I have clothes that no longer fit and will be properly passed on to others. I have lost 10% of my waist, and 5% of my overall weight. I seem to be better proportioned and clothes fit better so I have no complaints.

I do however have a complaint about pain. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a real and present danger. I've committed to doing what my trainer says do - he's the expert, what do I know, I'm the fat one. His exercise routine/weight routine I trust, is designed to make me more stable, more agile, stronger and building enough muscle mass to burn more calories while my body is at rest. OK I know the theory, I can talk a good game but I gotta get real! This program is quite painful. Thankfully it doesn't hurt immediately while I'm doing it or else I wouldn't go back PERIOD. But the next day, at about the same time as my workout session, I can vividly and painfully remember exactly what muscle group I worked out. So happens today is DOMS day, and I'm feeling it.

Yesterdays routine was a bit different than most. My trainer has no respect for a motor- he much prefers human energy to electrical energy. What do I mean? Have you ever used a motorized treadmill manually? Try it for a few minutes, then write me back. Well I'm used to this- he springs this one me every once in while but its truly an energy zapper for me. Next we head to the spin bike- lighter tension sitting, heavier tension standing. Why couldn't I sit long? Next was the stairmaster. All I can say is that I'm glad I could at least turn on the machine and use its motor but I really think I'd just rather walk a few flights in a highrise. I can see the value of my own pace with this exercise.

A few weight machines were employed next, to "give me a break", and if you think I believe that insert hilarious gales of laughter here. I think my session is going to be over, we've done lots of things including the leg curl and leg extension and the butt defining glute press when something happened which has ruined my day today. We played catchball while I had to do full situps. How do these instruments of torture work? Well... I have to lock my feet under a bench. Then I have to lay back and hold a 6 pound ball. When I sit-up, I throw the ball to my trainer. As I lay back down, he throws the ball to me. Repeat 20 times. Yeah right! I manage to do it, even though I'm really nervous that the ball is going to smack me in the head or that I would throw a complete air ball and then that sit up wouldn't count. Sweat pouring down I complete the task only to experience horrible pain today. My Coccyx (tail bone) is in rigor. If its not the bone, I was unaware there was a muscle there as I haven't felt it before today. Sitting in a chair is not an option, I stood up most of the day. Laying on my back is impossible, I will be sleeping on my side tonight. Misery is the only way to put it.

I have to be honest, I really don't want to complain all the the time about this 80 by 40 goal. I can see the progress in what I'm doing. I'm getting a better handle on the diet portion too. I have about 60 pounds left to lose, and the numbers guru comes out. I can and I will lose at least 1.37 pounds a week! I had my first salad Monday. I'll save that story for another blog post.

How to work out 3 times a week and GAIN weight

2009-09-21T18:46:00.002-04:00

Know that I am NOT happy. I haven't had the same attitude about going to the gym since I stepped on the scale last Wednesday and the weight increased instead of showing a marked decrease. Now let me say from the onset, I'm not interested in the theory that muscles weigh more than fat. That doesn't impress me, especially when I started this weight LOSS journey in July. Notice its called a WEIGHT LOSS journey, not an effort to turn fat into muscle! I can't understand how I can lose inches on my arms, my thighs, waist, abs, and bust and gain weight.

How am I supposed to lose 80 pounds at this rate? Am I never to eat again? I've already started eating food I'm less than impressed with in an effort to LOSE weight. I've already sacrificed the elixir of life - coke toward my goal, and how am I being rewarded? An increase in the number on the scale.

Since I last wrote about my 80 by 40 plan... I actually signed up for a personal trainer. He's great - I mean really great - (I don't know if he reads my blog or not but he really knows his stuff), but maybe I haven't adequately impressed upon him, my desire to LOSE weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful just for the time we've spent together, I feel my balance getting better, my stamina is increasing and while I haven't conquered the sweat thing, I can do the exercises and weights much better than when we started. I even walked 6.77 last Saturday, something I would have never dreamed of doing but I am NOT happy to see the scale increase.

Most of all I hate to fail, seeing the numbers on a scale increase, I feel failure in my weight LOSS endeavor. So, this is how one can work out 3+ times a week and still gain weight - this isn't supposed to happen.

Signed,

Frustrated and afraid of failure

Oatmeal

2009-07-29T07:45:00.002-04:00

Why? Explain to me why its good for a person? Better yet, just cut to the chase and explain to me how to eat it - in a bowl, instead of baked in a cookie. Or, can I get the same nutritional value out of a eating a oatmeal cookie versus hot oatmeal for breakfast.

Maybe I need to back up and examine this from the eyes and tastebuds I had as a child. Every day in the fall and winter, momma always made me eat a hot cereal as part of breakfast. Matter of fact, I never ate cold cereal growing up, she called that stuff candy and I snacked on it after school. Back to the hot cereal as part of breakfast. Momma cooked a big breakfast every morning. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, syrup, toast, juice and milk. That was standard fare. In the fall and winter, when the weather broke and cold started creeping in, she added Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat to the menu. Even as a child I couldn't tolerate the Cream of Wheat so that is definitely not a consideration, but I did eat with regularity, Oatmeal. This was a yearly ritual which lasted at least 4 months and looking back maybe it was the lessor of the two evils but I remember eating it and asking for it. As I became a teenager and momma backed slowly out of her kitchen and invited me to have an intrigal role in meal preparation, I made the oatmeal on cold mornings. I can remember going to college and making oatmeal because it was the thing to eat to get me started in the morning on cold mornings. So why... can I not stomach it anymore?

I moved south, married a southern man, and adopted a southern baby. Grits are all the rage here, so I learned to cook creamy butter and cheese filled grits but never liked them for myself. On cold mornings, my family ate Grits, I turned to Coca Cola and left Oatmeal alone. Then along the way Oatmeal became the rage, its lowers cholesterol, is full of fiber, comes in a microwaveable mix and seems to be the cereal to eat. Why can't I get a spoonful down now? My gag reflex can't handle it, not to mention the taste of it is just "off" to me.

If I want to get the benefits of oatmeal: cholesterol lowering, high in fiber, fulfilling breakfast, what would be a more palatable substitute? Oatmeal just doesn't go down well...

Operation 80 by 40

2009-07-21T13:26:00.005-04:00

OK, I did it. I'm on a weight loss plan. This is something I really don't understand, especially since I'm really happy with myself, but I want to see what all the hype is about so I'm going to find out for myself. I've decided that I am going to lose 80 pounds by the time I'm 40. Then I've also decided that I'm just crazy enough to report my progress for the entire world to see... it might keep me on the target. I've always been adverse to doing things I don't like to do. I don't see the point, and life is too short to do things which you don't want to do. I realize people have differences in opinion about such a statement, but I've lived this far in my adult life, doing just what I please.

I started this insanity of Friday July 17th, weighing a whopping 236 pounds. I also had 450 days exactly. Today (July 21) 5 days into this, I've lost one pound and I'm breaking the coca cola addiction I have. To date, I've have 1, (Saturday) and I have a cold one sitting here in front of me, which I might indulge in shortly. If I can keep from having one on exercise/gym days and if I can only have 1 a day when I do decide to have one, I will have come a long way.

I put my money where my mouth was and joined the gym yesterday. Can you believe I've never used a piece of exercise equipment? I can read and they have detailed images on the machine, but the gym gives me 2 personal training sessions so I'm going to use one, to just get acquainted with the machines. I can see myself strung up on a cable at some point if I'm not properly shown. Honestly though, I hate to sweat. Its plain and simple not ladylike in my opinion. I don't like the feeling or the sensation of sweat, and I don't like to be wet, unless I'm in a shower or in some... um... other... um... well never mind. Going to the gym, encourages sweat. Getting on the equipment after someone else has been on it and has perspired (sweated) on it, is just nasty to me, so I gotta learn to like to sweat.

My water intake has drastically increased. I used to drink a gallon of water a day, then I started drinking less and less as my coke intake increased. I am very pleased to be back on the water kick again. I am conscious of what I eat all of the sudden too. I haven't had fast food since Friday, which is another miracle for me. No shame in my game, I'm a Wendy's girl. I didn't get to be this size on coke alone, Wendy's was a contributing factor. Alas, if I'm going to lose 80 pounds in 445 days something else is going have to go too. I found this nifty little app (for free) for my iPhone. Its called Lose It. It is a calorie and exercise counter. I'm pretty good with budgeting money, so I can be equally as good with budgeting calories. I only have a set amount to use each day, I can get more calories by exercising which is what I will have to do if I indulge but I'm trying to start off right, and stay on the wagon for as long as I can. I did walk outside today and smell Burger King and it made me weak, but I kept moving to get my 1.5 litre bottle of water. Hey, and that walk, counted as exercise too :)

My goal: Get back in a bikini, and have a last hurrah before I let it all go to pot again. Now I'll freely admit, I used to be a wild thing. There isn't too much I didn't do when I was younger and I had the time of my life doing everything I pleased. Then I married, and along came a child and decided that I would settle into adulthood. Now, the child is almost grown, and being "settled" isn't all its cracked up to be. I intend on putting the top back (on the cabriolet) when I turn 40, and riding out having people exclaim that I can't possibly be 40. I won't look like it and I won't act like it!

In your comments, I would love to hear about what exercises you do for various body parts. I need a routine of some sort I think.

I hate the iPhone... my $1000 project

2009-06-24T08:29:00.005-04:00

I know, this admission is like branding myself with a scarlet letter but I'm going to forge on with my blog posting, yes MY blog posting LOL.

"Why do I hate it"? you might ask, or better yet, "why did you purchase it"? Well I didn't know I'd be stepping back into the dark ages with such a modern device. I thought I had done my due diligence, waited a few years for the bugs to be worked out of the first generation models, done my homework/research and then.... utter and total disappointment.

For starters: Cut, copy and paste is just now arriving for the iPhone? Are you serious? and iPhone freaks are ecstatic with this revelation? I'm glad I waited. Then I've gone back in time with no MMS features, but this is AT&T's fault. I'll register my complaint again today with their customer service...see I can talk to them for free from my iPhone so I take full advantage of testing out some of my features and calling them on their nickel to test them. All of their other phones do MMS, why not the iPhone, but of course they are figuring new ways to charge iPhone because they see $$$$ instead of customers. Ooh and while I'm ragging on AT&T, whats the deal with 3G. Either let us have it, or not. My phone can be in the same place, and every hour, for a portion of that hour, no 3G service available, then it pops back with an oddly regular schedule.

Back to my hatred, and believe me I'm trying to work it out. My number 1 complaint is the need to transfer contacts. I'm sorry but the iPHONE is a phone and as such, should be able to seamlessly convert contact information between it and other mobile devices. Some say AT&T should make that happen to which I reply whatever. BOTH have failed me. I guess its my fault, I'm coming from a Palm OS environment where I used every feature available to me. My contact list has become a massive database, unfortunately including many fields other programs such as Outlook, Google and Yahoo don't know what to do with the format. Bottom line I'm stuck doing 1000+ contacts by hand in a format Rotten Apple can comprehend. I have gained one thing though.... now I have my contacts in a universal format, stored in a couple of places, backed up on my external harddrive and should I EVER have to move them again... I'm ready!

I'm used to a great many fancy applications on my Palm Centro, the most used has been my ringtone maker. To think iTunes wants a piece of this lucrative market is to be expected but I'm not willing to shell out money for ringtones when I have to assign ring tones by PERSON not by group. Come on its 2009 already. Groups in contacts is supposed to be a convenient way of lumping commonalities together. I'm used to identifying the group/person by their ringtone and to go though the afore mentioned 1000+ contacts one by one assigning them a ringtone is preposterous. But what do I expect, iPhone just received contacts with the 3.0 Operating System upgrade.

I'll talk about the battery issue and then I'll shut up for today. I reserve the right to complain loudly and with passion in a later blog. All of the "bells and whistles" of the iPhone come with a heavy price. If I have 3G on, and I'm not in a 3G location, the phone whirls endlessly trying to make a connection, thankfully it reverts to the Edge network so I can at least communicate. During its mindless whirl, it gulps battery life. If the bluetooth is on, when its not in use, battery life is gulped. If Location Services are on, you got it, battery life is gulped. In 2009, I need to wear the charger cord around my neck like a necklace. You never know when I might need to make a PHONE call. (Said with biting sarcasm.)

OOh and why is $1000.00 in the subject line? Well I wonder how much its going to cost me to get my iPhone to mimic my beloved PDA... So far I have only the cost of the phone, but I've been too busy fighting with my contacts to get heavily involved in the App store... Stay tuned though, I"ll report on my progress.

How did I graduate high school before I as old enough to drive...

2009-03-27T22:07:00.002-04:00

First let me say "thank you" to Yolanda for topic starters, I have at least 10 more blogs to write based on topics she suggested. I'll take more anytime.

Yolanda isn't the first person to ask me how did I manage to graduate high school at 15 years of age. Well simply put, a comedy of errors or sheer genius allowed it to happen, I'll let you pick which one. I remember starting school when I was 4 years old. School started the day after Labor Day in the city of my youth, and my 5th birthday was Columbus day. Now days kindergartners have to be 5 before the cut off date/start of school so this wouldn't be allowed to happen now. I went to public Kindergarten and frankly was bored out of my mind. I can remember Mrs. Casper (to this very day) reminding me to let the other children have a chance. We would be reciting the alphabet, they would be on G I would be on Z happily singing "now I know my ABC's next time won't you sing with me". I could write my entire name, my address entirely, and phone number while my classmates were struggling to even learn their real name from their nickname. I could write my great-grandparents names, and they were "Wenonah" and "Everette" (and pronounce them too), I could even read so Kindergarten was a big waste of time.

Momma decided that it was a waste and I guess that was a good thing. Back when I was a child, and dinosaurs roamed the earth, children could be skipped in grades and to further that effort, momma introduced me to Catholic school were they tested and placed their students in what they though were the appropriate grade without regard the age of the student. I was in 2nd grade by the time I turned 6. Things continued well until I reached the 8th grade. I passed another test which skipped me to the 9th grade...fine by me.

All of the years of Catholic school had kept me from going to school with my friends from the neighborhood. You have to understand where I grew up. I firmly believe to this day, it is the most economically depressed area in the country. East St. Louis, Illinois ain't nothing nice but it is home. I went to school 30 miles from home, in an entirely different state, St. Louis, Missouri. I'm sure getting me back and forth to school and various school activities took a toll on my folks, and my uncles but they managed forever. However, by the time 10th grade rolled around I waned to go to school with the neighborhood kids. I was sick of the plaid skirts and patent leather shoes, (although I think that started my shoe fetish, I had a pair of Patent Leather Mary Janes in Green, Red and Navy). The kids in the 'hood played football in my side yard (the parking lot), we rode bikes together, walked to the candy store, went to church together, I wanted to go to school with them. I set out to regularly throw fits to get to go to public high school. I worked on the plan and on my folks ALL summer long between 9th and 10th grade. I knew the school had a floundering Orchestra program, but they had one so I wouldn't have to stop playing the violin. They had a marching band and the best football team in the entire state of Illinois so I knew I could get into the band with my Clarinet. I had years of voice training so I promised I would join the choir. Working, working, working.... they weren't giving any answers throughout the summer. Finally they allowed me to attend public high school.

I loved every minute of public school once I made it there. Sadly, I knew a whole lot of what I was being taught. The one lesson which stuck out the most was Illinois history, I was required to learn Missouri history when I went to catholic school. I did like the competitions in academics and music between other schools state wide. I seemed to excel in the competitions and I won at least 90% of those activities. Graduation was the happiest day of my life at that time. I was able to walk across the stage with lifelong friends and an "A" average.

That fall my freshman year in college, school started in August and I was 15. I received a car for my16th birthday.

Joyful and Joyous Occasion

2008-11-05T20:54:00.003-05:00

I've had about 24 hours to let it sink in that Barack Hussein Obama is now the President Elect of these United States of America. I've had my own private moments of reflection and I've witnessed others public thoughts as well as expressing mine on many online forums. I've heard of others overwhelming disappointment and I've reflected as long as I can before writing my entry in my blog.

The question most asked of me is did I vote for President Elect Obama because of his race. I'm disappointed when I am asked this question. I'm intelligent, well spoken, well read and I remind the questioner of these attributes when color comes up. I don't think in terms of color, until I'm reminded of the fact that my color doesn't represent the majority. This is different from my progenitors who could never imagine a life where their color wasn't the first and last thing a person thought of them. I'm rather taken aback that color or race would be my motivation to vote for someone. If that was the case, I wouldn't have participated in every voting opportunity since I was 18. NO I didn't vote for Obama because of his color. Especially since his heritage is multi-cultural and multi-racial. I however am proud of what he stands for, how he represents the Democratic party, and as I stood in my voting booth casting my early vote, I silently reflected on the sacrifices members of my family made so that I could stand there and have opportunity to vote for Obama. As I pressed the box in front of his name, I did so in memory of Everette and Wenonah!

Next question people ask me, as if we're playing 20 questions, what exactly does he stand for if it isn't for the plight of black people. What plight? But again I remind the person asking the question that Black people are the minority in this country. If not for the votes of Americans, of all colors, he wouldn't be President Elect. Whatever ceiling black people may have felt confined under, there is a crack where the chandelier is, its coming down on January 20, 2009. I've never been a Black person who thought I couldn't accomplish something, just because of the color of my skin, not going to start entertaining such a notion now.

Finally, I've heard he's unGodly. To which I hear crickets. I need definition of that one... to even properly address the claim. Here we have a lame duck in office who stole the election to get his seat and we're entertaining claims on the Godliness of someone. I see Obama as a God fearing Christian, one who is a family man, who loves his wife of 16 years, together they are raising 2 beautiful daughters who, by the way were conceived under the confines of marriage and who honors and esteems his family. Ungodly? Help me understand where the thought even came from.

I'm proud to be an American today. I'm proud to be a Black American today and I'm proud to claim Barack Obama as an able bodied representative to my political AND religious beliefs. May God bless him and his family. May God protect him and his family. Hide them under the shadow of His wing as we know there is a price on his head. May God grant him discernment and wisdom, prepare him mentally and physically for the task before him is my humble prayer.

Electa Grand Queen Contest

2008-09-28T20:26:00.005-04:00

Sharing pictures of queen contest where I came in as 2nd Runner-Up

Dating in 2008

2008-08-27T20:52:00.001-04:00

II'm really trying here to expand my horizons, be more amenable to meeting men and getting in the dating pool again. Wouldn't you know, the first date I have been on in YEARS turned out to be a flop. First the man (and I use that term only to acknowledge gender) seemed over anxious to meet. What is wrong with talking for a couple of weeks over the phone getting a general feel for the other person. This guy was just impatient, or desperate one... My next clue that I should probably back out came when he seemed to be offended that I wasn't interested in riding in his car. Call me paranoid if you want to, but I ride with very few people and a virtual stranger is definitely not among the few. He insisted we meet at a place I would know how to get to, (the big chicken for the Atlantan's reading this blog) and we could go from there to dine someplace. Uum. No... Just tell me where we are going to dine and what time, I'm a smart, intelligent, always on time, NOT directionally challenged woman. I'll find it.

Fast forward to date night, last night. We agreed to meet at 5:30pm. He calls at 4:30 to see if I had left yet. No, I hadn't. He asked me if I was sure I would make it on time. Yes, I'm sure I'll make it on time. 5:10 he calls back and asked me where I was, I replied that I was about 10 minutes away, and he said that was impossible with traffic. I informed him that I don't "do" traffic and that I would be there by the agreed upon time. All the time I'm getting pissed that he would doubt me, especially when he asked if was I sure I knew where the restaurant was. WTF? I'm not 16... nor prone to getting lost and again, definitely not late. I arrived at 5:20 and of course he was already there and waiting. Dinner was uneventful, conversation was easy I chalked up his insecurity of my ability to arrive on time with his bad experiences with women,or the myth that women can't drive and don't know their way places. I told him over dinner that I could give him the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates to the restaurant if he wanted me to and lay it out on a grid and triangulate it with restaurants of similar cuisine. (Hey I'm a geocacher, what can I say and no I don't have a GPS mounted in my car.) Let me not belabor the point here, let me get to the good part, when the gender turned into an ass and has thus prompted this blog posting.

He (and I use the term loosely) informs me that he was going to the restroom. He gets up, and I see him talking to the waitress, I assumed he was asking for directions to the facilities but it turns out he was asking for separate checks. Yeah you read right, separate checks, as in he pays for his meal, I pay for mine! He comes back, the waitress comes back and hands us both our checks. Well before I knew it I had called him an ass. I did thank him though but it was definitely a back handed compliment. I thanked him that he proved my family right, they raised me right and to recognize an ass when I saw one. His behind came from a cave, from a family of asses and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree no wonder he's single. I paid my tab and left. My sister said I should have paid for his check and told him to take notes on how it is done.

The more I think about it though the madder I get. Is this the way dating is in 2008? Alright single people, let me hear from you. What motivates you to date? What motivates you to play the dating game? I hate more than anything to be considered dumb, and cannot stand to play games, is dating for me?

Hometown Pride

2008-08-20T08:05:00.000-04:00

I get so tired of people giving my hometown of East St. Louis Illinois a bad time. True, we aren't Beverly Hills by any stretch of the imagination, but home is where the heart is and right now my heart is proud of a hometown hero, Dawn Harper! I just want to give her kudo's on my little corner of the 'net and wish her the best as she brings home the Gold in the 100M Hurdles from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. You Go Girl!

Here is what the Olympic page says about her:
Track & Field
Born: May 13, 1984 East St. Louis, IL
Hometown: East St. Louis, IL
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Ht: 5'6"
Event(s): 100m hurdles
Olympic rookieDawn Harper will make her Olympic debut for the United States this summer in Beijing, where she will compete in the 100m hurdles. Harper, who is coached by Bob Kersee, competed in the 2004 Trials but was eliminated early.
Beijing bound...barelyHarper qualified for Beijing by placing third in the 100m with a time of 12.62 at Olympic Trials in Eugene. She crossed just .007 seconds in front of Nichole Denby for the final spot in the event. "I honestly did not know if I finished third or not," Harper told the Belleville News-Democrat. "I was able to get out of the (starting) blocks well, but then I hit the seventh and eighth hurdles and I saw my dream maybe ending. I just leaned at the finish line as far as I could."
Opposing interviewAfter losing out in her bid to defend her Olympic gold medal, Joanna Hayes surprisingly appeared at the post-race press conference and played the role of a reporter. Hayes picked up a microphone and asked Harper, Lolo Jones and Damu Cherry, "Do the three of you think you can go 1-2-3 at Olympics?" After each of them replied that they believed they could, Hayes said, "That's all I needed to hear," and wished them good luck before leaving.
Kersee connectionHarper is coached by Bob Kersee, the husband and former coach of six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Joyner-Kersee, who, like Harper, hails from East St. Louis, has stated her intention to get to Beijing to root on Harper.

100 Things you might not know about me

2008-08-17T09:28:00.003-04:00

I tink I will edit this post until I list 100 things you might not know about me. I got this idea from reading another blog and thought it was a great thing to do, not to mention the person whose idea I'm about to copy had so many things for which I could relate. Thanks for giving me a topic to discuss, I would love to hear feedback or read others lists of 100 obscure hings.

1. I'm from East St. Louis, Illinois
2. I graduated from high school when I was 15 years old
3. I am unable to birth children
4. I am a Coca-Cola classic addict and collector, and happy about it, no plans on giving it up, put a little Crown Royal in with it, and I'm just as happy as a pig in slop (I'm a country girl too)
5. I am quite opinionated, don't ask if you really don't want to know
6. I have 3 degrees, 4 if you count a funeral science degree
7. I love animals... they give you unconditional love
8. I found love once and lost, not interested in finding it again
9. I cannot draw a straight line, even with a ruler
10. I love to travel, I have incurable wanderlust

What is in it for me?

2008-07-30T21:46:00.000-04:00

Is the title a selfish statement? Or is it something that you subconsciously practice, but feel there is a stigma attached to admitting it? I ask because I've been the strange one before, I freely think AROUND the box and its dawned on me that I do NOTHING without something being in it for me.

I don't think its a selfish statement.... for instance: I give because the bible commands me to do so. I will do anything for my fellow human being if its within my power to do so. If a person is on the street and says they are hungry, I'll go out of my way to buy them a meal and other examples such as this. What it is in it for me? The bible says "to whom much is given, much is required" or "you are your brother's keeper". The question then becomes, do you ask yourself what is in it for you or is the question unconscious.

Would you volunteer to help a friend who has no family and is struggling with cancer alone? Or would you wait to be asked, or do you have the demeanor whereby a person would even think to ask you? What would be in this gesture for you?

Would you open your home for a friend or family member to stay with you? What would you get out of it?

Just some things to muse over.

I need topic starters

2008-07-17T16:06:00.002-04:00

OK... I know I said I was going to write every day for the next 21 days to start the habit, but I have to be up front with everybody. I'm don't have topics to write about every day. For the past 3 days, I've contemplated what to write about, and nothing seemed intriguing enough for me to sit down and discuss here. So in an effort to write something, I thought I would write with a request. You give me topics to discuss, any topic to discuss, and I'll do it.

Some things like what did I eat today= boring. I'm looking for more stimulating conversation, and moreover, I'm looking for conversation on a two way street. I see that people are reading my fledgling blog, but very few comments. Hearing from you will inspire me to keep this up, and get better with it.

Anyone care to help me out with a few topic starters?

What a difference a year makes

2008-07-11T13:38:00.006-04:00

Life changes so much but have you ever stepped back to take notice? So many things have happened in the past 365 days and oddly I marked the time in a rather unique way, the growth of the hair on my Maltese. I'll start by showing her picture 1 year ago today. She had to undergo a near scalping, due to my mismanagement of her care on a week long, 1500 mile car trip. Cocoa's long hair required daily care so I was heart sick when her groomer said he couldn't save her beautiful hair after we found other more interesting things to do besides brushing hair.

In the next 365 days, a lot more things have changed besides the loss of hair. I've acquired so much. I gained a home, I've gained friendships, I've seen the renewing of life through a person receiving a liver transplant, the birth of nephews and neices etc. I've lost loved ones who even in their departure saw fit to bless others with their organs. I've been a shoulder to cry on, and through friends, I've had a shoulder to lean on too.

I've learned that love is an action verb. I've learned that its great to tell someone you love them, but the greatest gift of love is to show it. I've learned more and more just how much value complete honesty has on me as an individual. I understand that not everyone is capable of disclosing the truth, but as you are able, one should strive to.

A black man is the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party... In my life time! I think of my great grandparents who raised me, the stories they told of sit-ins, marches and other acts they took so that I and those who come after could be seen as equal. How I wish their life would have extended so that they could be alive to see 2008.

In conclusion, there is a gospel song that is ringing in my ears today. The lyrics in part, read: When I turn around, and I think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days, I won't complain! My what a difference 365 days makes.

Here is a picture of my baby Cocoa today!

The Jump Off

2008-07-08T16:08:00.002-04:00

Alright lets have a candid conversation if we can. Lets talk about the jump off. You know, the woman a man has, or the womEn a man has, he goes to get his needs satisfied. She's not a steady woman, she doesn't get anything out of the deal and if she says she does, she's fooling no one but herself. The question then becomes, does she know she's a jump off and if so why is she so accepting?

Or.... Lets get down to it.

Does the man know, she knows she is the jump off? Or is he actually her jump off? How would man take it? Does he even care? Usually men think that they have a harem of women at the ready, just call up a chick, if he has to take her to dinner once, ok. But before 2 weeks is up, or whatever other arbitrary time he's set he's going to tap that booty. What happens when he finds out he's just another stallion in the stable?

Time to fess up ladies... do you have a stable? Are you opposed to having one? Do your men know? How do you think they would feel if they knew?
Men, how do you feel as the jump off? What? You didn't know?

Welcome My newest Nephew

2008-07-06T23:01:00.002-04:00

My brother's wife had baby Jonathan on Independence day! Help me welcome him to the world! I think this is a very fitting blog entry!

Jonathan, named after his father, was born at 6:38PM, weighing 8 pounds 7ounces, and 20 inches long. Just in time to enjoy the fireworks.

Bad Hair Day- or in this case, Bad Hair Week

2008-07-05T09:44:00.003-04:00

Life gets in the way when one ties to write a blog everyday. I see 4 days have slipped by without an entry from me and I really don't know how that happened. I have observed writing is easier when I've been in the routine of going to work and then writing when I get home in the evening. When I don't go to work, the routine is less regimented and therefore I haven't set aside a proper time to write here. Working on it..... all I can say, working on it!

Lets talk about bad hair for minute... In 13 years of going to the same beautician (stylist) I can honestly say I've never had a bad hair style. But then credit goes to her, not me, because I'm not capable of doing it on my own. I've never sat in her chair and had an idea of how my hair should be, I place myself in he complete control so the ONE time I've had a coherent thought, it turns out to be a flop. So what do I do now? I'm sitting here and one side says do it myself... the other side says, its not so bad... So what would you do?

Exercising

2008-07-01T07:41:00.000-04:00

I've finally reached the stage in my life that I've come to value exercise. I've become more sedentary the older I've become and the metabolism isn't what she used to be. I've also become addicted to Coca Cola (the specific brand) and literally every time I drink one, I gain ounces. Instead of graciously filling up my womanly figure, the womanly figure is almost butterball like and totally unacceptable.
I first noticed the unseemliness of my hourglass figure when I took up caching. Its not so bad in urban settings, but get in the woods and this body doesn't really want to cooperate. I have yet to pass out, or just flat out stop, but I'd be less than honest if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind a time or two. My caching bud then decided that we should participate in The Great Urban Race and while I had a great time, in order to win, you have to run from location to location and running isn't in my sight at this moment. So I've known for some time that I have to take drastic changes, but I hate to exercise. I hate to sweat! For years I've said the only exercise I'm willingly interested in participating in will be sex and now that I'm not even getting that... I've had to reconsider my position. (Pun totally intended.)
Meanwhile, it seems the world around me is becoming obsessed with diet and exercise. I've always maintained the position of live life to the fullest, enjoy every minute of it, eat what you want, drink what you want and be merry. I've also maintained I have to die of something, and die I shall so.... While I'm not changing position necessarily, I'm willing to change a partner or two. I've resigned myself to one coke a day and I've been at it for three weeks now. I've signed myself up for the Biggest Loser - NSBC (my church team) and so I have teammates who are counting on me. I have noticed some change with the deletion of 2 or 3 cokes a day, so I've decided to try to exercise more. I've starting a walking program at home. So many physicians have recommended http://www.lesliesansone.com/ to my friends, I obtained a DVD and have, for the past two days, embarked upon a walking journey.
Now to be honest, I really didn't think I'd sweat just from walking in place basically. Let me be the first to tell you, that yes I do get a workout from following the DVD. It might be slow but slow and steady will win the race, I'm sure. It was because of my exercise routine last night, 3 miles of strenuous walking, I failed to have the required energy to write a blog last night. I was bathed, powdered, fed and asleep at 8:30pm last evening. Using this DVD is another of my 21 day habit forming changes. Doing something is better than the nothing I'd previously committed to.
Now truth be told, if I get some of my womanly figure back, I can get someone to accomplish my sex only exercise plan LOLOLOL. A girl can hope, can't she?

Bull Riding

2008-06-29T21:59:00.000-04:00

Funny title I know, but just bear with me. I am always a student, I enjoy learning new things so I seek those things which I might not normally expose myself to. Though I hadn't expected to learn something new and different today, after a long weekend, I availed myself to meeting with a friend for dinner. After dinner we retired to my house and as a person with manners should do, I offered the remote to my guest. Imagine my shock when the picture came to rest upon the Professional Bull Riding circuit. I was stunned even further when my guest was knowledgeable about the goings on of riding a bull. Bring out the feathers, you could have knocked me over with one as curiosity got the better of me and I asked questions on the intricacies of the sport. My guest was knowledgeable enough to answer them with shocking clarity. How many of you know how long a rider must remain on the bull? How many of you know that a rider can only have one hand on the bull? What makes the bull buck? Did you know there are professional women bull riders? I must admit bull riding would have never been on my radar screen, I would have never stopped my surfing on the sports channel and spent ANY amount of time watching but its good to learn new things and for that it turned into an enjoyable evening. By the time all of my questions were answered, I even managed to turn the conversation toward a statement full of double entendre and received hearty laughter from my teacher.

Even a topic such as bull riding can be found to be interesting, what information have you found intriguing that you normally have not given second thought to? Or do you quickly file the information you learn into the "useless information" file.

Title not necessary

2008-06-28T23:26:00.000-04:00

This is just a place holder. 11:30pm on Saturday night... I want his dated for today. I'll write more about the goings on of today, tomorrow. I have a lot to say about today, but I'm too sleepy to do so. Maybe if I wake up early, I will write this blog then, and then write Sunday's blog after church.

10:35pm on Sunday and I'm not going to edit this post, nor add to it, as I was just too sleepy on the day to give this too much thought. I will say though as a topic to discuss with others, anybody wanna guess about a "shim"? Anybody care to hear the story of the shim? Let me hear from you.

Just in the nick of ime

2008-06-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

The clock says 11:42pm. I'm writing a blog. I'm the type of person who means what I say and says what I mean. I meant my commitment to getting into the habit of writing this blog so even though I'm tired, I wanted to write something.

I've had a busy day. I completed the quilt for Vacation Bible School. (Pictures later) That of course meant that I rose this morning as if I was going to work, and I've been working up and until I had to leave to go to church. I even had to go out to the fabric store to pick up more supplies, but again. I'm committed to doing what I say I'm going to do. In the midst, I managed to even wash all of my dirty clothes, my normal last Friday of the month chore! I'm a creature of habit.

This is going to be short, I'm sleepy and I have a busy day tomorrow... ooh and by the way, I know the time difference of whn I'm writing the blog and the time it displays, but I want to be true to myself, and keep my word. This blog counts for Friday!

Cell Phone Technology

2008-06-26T12:01:00.000-04:00

Alright, another confession. I'm a techie geek. All things technology I absorb like a sponge. (Consider this a warning, my blogs might be top heavy in this category) So I'm always interested in reading (and probably purchasing) new gadgets which will make my life so much easier. I've been a fan of Palm (www.palm.com) for years. I love the versatility of either using my creativity and tech savvy to create a functional program based on my personal need or using the creativity of others who have already invented the wheel so to speak, to come up with what I need. There are very few open source products on the market so I jump on them when I can. I started with Palm when it was THE handheld Personal Digital Assistant. The device large and clunky, the screen dimmed as only a true monochrome device can be. It weighed a ton, but it kept my contacts and appointment secure and at a fingers reach. I moved up to the Handspring Visor when they moved to 256 True Color brightness and I was the cats meow. I vacillated for a few years between my beloved music phone Nokia before finally taking the plunge with the Treo 650. Whatever was I waiting for? the functionality of a phone and the convenience of having an all in one device sent shivers through my spine.

Now another generation has come, the Centro. This time I didn't hesitate, I was there the DAY my cell phone carrier offered the Centro and I've been taken to heights of ecstasy previously unknown. Every day, I see new opportunity to make the Centro a more important part of my life than it has been. There are programs available that have helped me take Geocaching paperless, soon I hope to take it wireless as well. I have programs that help me manage ringtones -everybody can have their own sound, their picture will display when they call, and I can listen to the ENTIRE song when I get ready! Love it, I tell you, just love it. But one thing... I've literally spent all of this morning, putting my contacts into proper categories. I didn't know I had so many friends, family, business contacts and... I'm about to say it... nuisances! Yup I said it.

So here is where you can help me, surely I'm not the only person with problem people in their contact list! You know the folks that you want to know when they are calling so you don't have to answer? Come on, everybody has one or two folks who fit in the category. They can leave a message, you'll deal with them when YOU want to. People (or businesses) who call you but you have too much invested in your phone number to go out and get a different one. What group would you categorize these people in? It might be rude to name a category "Pest", or "People I don't wanna be bothered with" etc. I know I can give them a morphed acronym but really.... shouldn't I just spell out the category for what it is?

One other thing: any Centro users reading this blog, be sure to pipe in with the latest "gotta have it" programs you've discovered! A Techie Geek such as myself can never explore too much.

The mindless things I think about from day to day.... I'll talk about the Jawbone on a different day.

Lazy days of summer and its just starting!

2008-06-25T16:38:00.000-04:00

I have cage fever. I go to work every day, have work to do, but outside in the sunshine is so much more fulfilling at this moment. Sad but true. I'm sure others feel the same way I do about it, so I'm interested in hearing what you do to combat the lazy days of summer. I need suggestions.

To finish a thought from a previous blog, Cacheing....I did attain my 200th cache, but I should probably mention that its hot as hades outside in Hotlanta so this isn't the best time to get aquainted with nature. I will recommend the Camelbak (www.camelbak.com) though. Last year I was green to the heat and humidity of the forest and if it wasn't for my sheer excitement over caching I would have been perfectly happy just fainting. Carrying water bottles was heavy, and cumbersome and going down a hill was a lot easier than coming up and something about tilting my head back to get the last precious drops of water while walking up the hill produced vertigo. I splurged, bought a backpack and a bladder (yeah that is what it is called) and it has made all the difference.

My last comment of the day, they say that doing anything repeatedly over 21 days forms a habit. As this is my 3rd entry... the 3rd time is the charm. Consider this day 1 on my 21 days to making blogging a habit. I'm even going to add my blogger address to my signature, with readership comes encouragement to continue. LOL.

I'm a little slow

2008-05-30T09:25:00.000-04:00

But I've learned that slow and steady win the race. Its been a little over a month since I posted a one line blog, but today I managed to update my profile. I even added a picture. I've also determined that most people's blogs have a theme, and I've not decided on what is appropriate as my interests are quite varied.

Does anybody geocache? I'm striving to reach 200 today. I'm at 190 and a geocaching friend and I are striking out to finish a series today, and I have just got to find 9 more. There is a list that ranks cachers starting at 200. I really want to be on the list. Is it really important? Probably not in the whole scheme of things, but its a goal, and I want to achieve it. I've saved in my GPS 220 caches. Regardless of what my friend and I find today, I'll find a few more to make sure I can attain my goal to get on this list.

200 Is a goal for several reasons. I started caching on July 31, 2007. I found 100 in 6 months, I would like to find 200 by my anniversary. Then my goal will change to increase the level of difficulty of my finds. If I increase my Terrain rating I hope that it will increase my stamina and help me loose a few pounds. More about that later.

Well I'll report back, hopefully this evening, on my quest for 200. I would love to hear from fellow cachers world wide.

Everybody does this

2008-04-27T13:27:00.003-04:00

So I think I'll try it. First things first. Figuring out how this setting works.