FACESPACE

Go check out my plain old "POORMANS FACEBOOK PAGE" !
I just like to add music, thats why I have it.
oh, I have like 10 friends-sad, but I dont like that site.
But if you want to add me on Facebook, do so here :)
It's hard to keep up with all of this "facespace" crap. Plus, Nick is always like...."how many dudes did you talk to on facebook,today?" Thats why I dont add anyone hot,even if I went to kindergarten with you, if I can help it.
Wonder why he never asks that about my blogspot? ha ha

Go check this out!

I wrote a short lil blog posting over at Jackie-ohhhhs that you have like 2 minutes to read. Not serious, but about a designer that I look forward to writing. Check it out :)

A Conversation with Dad -God ...Part 2

This is as honest as you can get. Telling what you talk about in your prayers.
I'll add a bonus in there and tell you that, as much as this might upset some, and make me look like an idiot to many Catholics, I dont pray in a tradiotional way. No "hail Mary's" or "Father who.......in Heaven, Lord I come to you"... nope-none of that. I usually do say,In Your name I pray, when I do "pray"...but usually Jesus and I just chat. Accept he doesnt talk as much as I do.

While Riding in the car (this is the way it plays in my head)

Me:Dear Heavenly Father, I really need to talk to you today. Ok, so I want you to know how happy I am with the fact that you let me keep my job, even though I am slack. Thanks,Dad.
And thanks also, for not letting Donna get on my nerves as much this we------------"WHAT WAS THAT?!?! DID YOU SEE THAT?!?! Please Lord Jesus, teach that dumb lady to drive, PLEASE!" Oh, that wasnt nice,was it-to call her dumb?...I'm sorry. That was just a dumb move on her part.
God: You actually pulled out in front of her
Me: Okay, you're right.Can we talk about that later? I'm sorry. Now I feel like you are telling me to wave and apologize to her through the window. Are you telling me that?
God:
Me: Guess not, anways............Thanks for not letting Donna drive me crazy! I don't think I could handle that right now.OOOOh, look-remember I wanted that house over there?
God: nodds head and smiles
Me: I am so glad you didnt let me have it. Wow, what a mess that would have been... I would have neer met Nick, and Andrea and I would have never moved to Rock Hill. Thanks for that
God:
Me: Anyways, I feel bad because I have zero sex drive lately. I know, I know, I shouldnt have one anyways before marriage, and I also shouldnt be living with my boyfriend, but c'mon-its hard these days
God: excuses,excuses
Me: but I think it is hurting Nicks feelings...please dont tell me that wouldnt happen if I would have settled down with a choir boy,PLEASE!
God:
Me: Well, what should I do?
God: You are not going to take my advice, so what do you think you should do?
Me: ugh, dont know. Its not him at all, it is just that I dont have the energy.Anyways, will you help me remember to save more money this week?
God: Will do!
Me: oh, and please look after that homeless man, I dont know if he needs money for drugs or food, but I guess you do, and whatever it is, will you help him?
God:Silence
Me: oh, and that lady who cant drive?
.....................................phone rings,I answer

Conversation with God-My Dad..Part 1

I don't picture God like God at all. When I was a child, I thought he looked like Charlie Chaplin. I don't know why, but I did. My family was agnostic, but my grandmother was southern baptist. She didn't speak of God often, but went to church regularly...for a while, at least.

Then my sweet Great-Aunt Mary Sue (who just died Saturday..R.I.P) would take me to church with her, probably so that I could get out of my grandmothers hair.

I made the decision there, in Sunday School that God looked like Charlie Chaplin.

It wasn't until a few years ago, that I started to picture God as "My Dad", and when I did, I pictured him looking like a professor. Looks aren't important, but for me to get into talking with someone, I can't help but to put a face with a voice, with the conversation.

I call God, my "Dad" when I talk to him, because he is just that.He is all of our Dad's! He is our heavenly father. So he is my "dad". The difference between him and any other father is that he is omniscient and omnipresent-which no other father can be. Although, if you have had your father in your life as a child, I am sure you thought he was both when you were a child, not til adult-hood (or teenage years we you started sneaking out) did you realize that he was not either.

I picture God,sitting at a desk, with a big book in front of him, and pictures of whoever he is talking to at the time, and their loved ones in frames on the desk. He has white hair, a plaid shirt and a sweater vest. He looks as though he might smoke a pipe, the ones that smell like cherry. He waits patiently for our calls to come, and when they do, he is ecstatic to hear from us. He does not jump up and down, because he always has the best attitude and demeanor. His voice is soothing, and he is a good listener. He often gives you answers that sound like cliche's that you have to think about to get, for he is a scholar,a therapist,a doctor,and most of all, a father.

He knows what is right for you, and exactly what you are going to do. He is patient in the fact that he doesnt yell, or hang up on you when you cry about the same thing over and over again, making the same mistakes. He is respectable, but when you have acted "not so much" he doesnt call you out on it. He loves you just the same. He warns you of troubles, but believes in tough love, and lets you see for yourself. You have to learn your own lessons. It breaks his heart when we go through things, but he knows that this is the only way we will learn, and is wise and disciplined enough to let us go through whatever hard times we endure. WHATEVER they are, he knows we will learn and be better people because of them. Most of our decisions, he gives us advice on, but if we dont take it, he doesnt scold us, he just lets us see what the consequences are for ourselves.

He bails you out often, but we are soooooo involved in ourselves, that we often don't see. Yet he patiently,waits for our call, and gets exited when we take the time out of our day to talk to him.

I believe that when we dont call, he still takes care of business, because he is that giving, but he is saddened, and he rewards those who call on him often, and take his advice, out of selflessness and trust. He rewards those who are obedient, but he rewards us all everyday,anyways. But to those who are grateful, he is so pleased, that he pours out his blessings a little more freely. After all , it is only fair!

I picture God as a man, some picture him as a woman. I picture him in the flesh,although I know he is not. I dont think he minds. I think he is actually rather pleased that I picture him looking as though I always wished my father looked as a child. I love my Earthly Father, and everything about him now, but growing up, I wanted him to be sitting in a Study with bookcases for walls and a mahogany desk. Instead he wore John Lennon tee's and jeans, and I love that now. IT wasnt so much about the "look" but about the personality behind the look. Caring,patient, and wise. Clever and understanding, and always ready to "take care of business"...and my Heavenly Dad, is all of that and so much more.

I talk to him like a friend, a father and a pastor,and he understands and never places judgment, but tries to help me rationalize and gives me his word as advice. He keeps his promises, is always on time, and I can talk freely with him about some things I cant with my Earthly Father, or anyone else who roams this earth. He knows me better than anyone,and I cant get anything past him, so I dont even try.

Even if you feel as though you dont have a "Dad", I promise that you do!

Okay, another great idea from someone else

I can't claim this, I have to give credit to a girl I work with (and fellow blogger). Ususally when she tells me that something is affordable, I don't believe her. She is "too cool" for The Limited and Victoria's Secret (ha ha- jk) and buys overpriced swimsuits (I still order mine from Victoria's Secret and occasionally Target). I think I am fashionable, she however-does not!
I have learned in this world that there are pretty people, and people who are prettier, smart people, and people who are smarter,rich people and people who are richer. I thought I knew a thing or two about fashion, but she knows more.......and the chain begins. So, I am not hatin'! It's ok...I know more than someone...........maybe it is a granny, but it is someone.
Anywho....she told me about a great REALLY affordable (like Old Navy,Target,Gap affordable)website for independent designers. IT IS COOL!!! Check it out HERE! I am a new Fan , so I can make this site ultimatly UNCOOL too ;)
Also, Victoria's Secret Pink (not a huge fan of this line-too college-ey for me) came out with a new line of bath & body treasures!!! I looove the Comfort.
100% organic and recycled, and smells GREAT!
Too bad I am broke :(

Why do Diamonds have to be a "girls best friend"?

They are expensive, cold, and complex. They are pretty, but I find them rather plain, but most of all....a little "generic". What made the diamond a symbol for love and "foreverness" anyways? And why is it sooo important in an engagement to get a diamond? I have asked myself this question for years.

I, myself love Emeralds. I suppose it is because they are GREEN, my favorite color. There is something majestic about an emerald. Mysterious and alluring. A sapphire is sophisticated and bold. A diamond...well is just supposed to be BIG......and CLEAR!

I just dont get it.

When Nick and I were searching for an engagement ring a while back (something we put on hold some time ago) he was not surprised in the least that I did not want a diamond. He had no idea how hard it would be to get an emerald engagement ring though. As he was on his search, he was told that "emeralds are too soft for everyday wear" and that a diamond is the hardest stone. So, how convenient that the most durable stone, is also the hardest to find, and the "plainest" of them all?

I have never been crazy about jewelry. Clothes....yes, perfume...absolutely, but jewelry has never been my thing. I guess that is why when I watched the movie Blood Diamond, I was sooo outraged. Most of my friends wear them, and the bigger the better. I will tell you that I would rather have a big one than a small one, myself.......but I would really rather not have one at all.

Not all diamonds are mined in Africas war zones. Not all diamonds are sold to buy fire arms and violate peace treaties.One in two diamonds comes from southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana and South Africa), where democratic governments use funds from diamond production to support growth and prosperity for its people....but how do you know which is which?

De Beers, came up with the fraze "A Diamond is Forever" in 1947 and that is around the time that the engagement ring started to be recognized as a Diamond Solitaire. Before that, engagement rings were of all stones of every color and group. From semi-precious to most commonly precious stones such as diamonds,emeralds,rubies, sapphires, etc. Tiffany's even had a very famous "Tiffany Diamond Engagement Ring" that we still see today! (notice that "diamond" had to be specified, because it was not AS common).

JFK proposed to Jacqueline with an Emerald engagement ring with diamonds surrounding it, (picture above) and Princess Diana made her engagement ring famous, with a huge sapphire in the center.

While I do like diamonds, I dont think that I am a diamond girl at all, and a few small ones here and there make me feel less guilty because maybe a small child didnt lose his arm over it.

NOTE:

De Beers hasn't done business in Sierra Leone or Liberia since the mid-1980s. It has adhered to diamond sanctions the United Nations imposed on Angola since they were announced in June 1998 and has worked with Robert Fowler, who heads the U.N. sanctions committee, in overseeing the ban. It also recently decided to cut off all purchases of diamonds from Angola when it became apparent that even government-sold diamonds might be tainted. De Beers is considering suspending buying operations in West and Central Africa due to ongoing concerns about the uses of diamonds in those regions.

Although many diamonds are mined in war zones and many people are treated as slaves in Africa in the diamond trade (something that I feel is very hypocritical for racist rappers who wear "bling"- unless they are taking the time to find a "non-conflict" diamond.) There are still some that arent, but you have to do your research...the person at the counter at your jewelry store may not be the best source of info.

...And I most certainly AM making meatloaf tonight!

This will be my first time making it with ground turkey-ewwwwwwwwwww!~
Wish me luck,right????
I am making cajun meatloaf. I love ANY kind of meatloaf (as long as it is with quality meat) but cajun-yum yum!
But turkey???? We'll see. Maybe Ill mix some ground beef in there :D
Nick and Andrea hate meatloaf...but theyll eat if they are hungry. I told them it is the same as hamburger, they wont even try it!!!!
I'll let you know tomorow!
Pray it turns out good!

OMG!!!!! How could I forget!

...to tell, once again, about how grateful I am to my employers! You have noooo idea!!!!! These people keep me afloat, and have taught me a little about responsibility, a lot about paying it forward, and more than I could have ever imagined about loyalty. I love them!

An Attitude of Gratitude! YOU KNOW I NEVER " HALF-ARSE" DO ANYTHING.GET READY TO READ!!!!

I have been given the Turning Lemons into Lemonade award by my friend @ A Form of Therapy . (This isn't really an "award" if you ask me, because it is asking me to do something, and I have never heard of an "award" that assigns you work...... ha ha,but I am still grateful :) xoxo)


I have been asked to write about a few people that I am grateful for, so here goes!


1.My Father! Not my biological father,here on earth...but my Heavenly Father. He has loved me,completely,100% all faults,sins,and horrible,wicked ways ,included. No human being can love another the way that he can love me. I have been angry with him before, but he forgave me. I have turned my back on him, and he has never done the same.I wrote down on index cards all of my "wants" for my future when I had just had my daughter. Selfish and unselfish wants. I found those cards not too long ago, and the most UNREAL to me at the time, my biggest struggles, and biggest hopes and wishes had all been met. I did not ask for a BIG mansion, I asked for independence and a humble home that I could be proud of. I did not ask for a Maserati, I asked for a dependable car. I asked for Andrea to be healthy. I asked for independence, and the ability to take care of Andrea without any help,financially. I asked for my parents sobriety.I asked for the little things that people take for granted, that I did not have. Nothing happened overnight, but it all happened, because I trusted him. He has been there emotionally through my darkest hours, and is only one prayer away. Sometimes not even that much! I am grateful!


2. My daughter! She has taught me soooo much about life and love in her few short years of existence than I could imagine. God knew the remedy for my selfishness and stubborn immature ways . He had a recovery all mapped out, and it all began with her. She is my best "earthly" friend, and words can't express what her loving me, and even more, me loving her has accomplished in my lifetime.


3.My parents. They did the best they could raising me. They made mistakes along the way, but no one is perfect. They cared for me unconditionally, and stood beside of my through my darkest times. I thank them for my childhood, and my upbringing. It may not have always been the best way to grow up, but it made me who I am inside, and made me strive for what I want to accomplish. They made me not rely on earthly possessions alone,and made me yearn for love and kindness. They instilled a sense of appreciation and compassion for all mankind, no matter what they struggle with, and helped me to understand humility. Even at their hardest times, which were also mine, they forced me to be independent and strong, all by accident (because if my mother was clean at the time, she would have carried me for the rest of her life), but I am still thankful for it. My father taught me to appreciate people who are different and gave me a love for music and writing. My mother taught me to put others first, but to also never neglect yourself. I love them both. I don't say it enough....I call my mom and apologize anytime I think of something terrible I put her through. Often times she has forgotten. I call her to tell her I appreciate her whenever I am stuck with all the chores and Nick and Andrea are being unpleasant, because she has been there. I text my father, just to say "I love you" or "I heard a song/watched a movie you'd like" you would have to know my dad to know what and why that means something. Yesterday I received a text from him that made me cry. It said " If you tell anyone about this, I'll deny it-I have a rep to uphold! I just want you to know that I love you and am so proud of the way you take care of Andrea and YOURSELF". I just love them!


4. My "sisters, brothers,fathers and mothers.... from other mothers"! I am grateful for my group of "ya-ya's".Heather,Tara,Ashley. First thought,My cousin Heather, for being her...unselfish,reliable,understanding,and unique! I once asked her why she was so blessed, in a feeling sorry for myself kinda way. She had a cute lil house, a wonderful husband and a great relationship with her family and friends and a stable,secure, fun job-sh loved. She told me..."I am blessed because I am grateful for every little thing God has given me.When I had to save up money for that Saturn for my first car, I was grateful that I had the job and found a car that I could afford and like.Same goes for Jason, when I met him, I was grateful for him, and have never complained about any of the things he did that annoyed me. I dealt with it, silently because I was so happy to have him, and when I was single..I was grateful for my friends and loving, dysfunctional family". I know her enough to know this is true. My friend Kristin, for just being her and being present throughout my life. For feelings what I feel, for standing behind my crazy decisions, for getting in and out of trouble with me, and listening and loving the same music! My friend Vicki for being my "soul mom" and my friend Jim, for playing the role of the "fix it dad" because my dad isn't always good at handling those things.


5.My Nick for being solid and reliable. For pushing me........constantly. Sometimes it's my buttons, sometimes it's over the edge, but usually it is to be a better "me". I love him for it!

6. My other CURLY FRIES!!!!YOU- readers!!!! I vent to you, you read and empathize and GOD BLESS YOU for it! Thanks for accepting ME, crazy me, for all I am, and thanks for coming back for more. It makes me feel like maybe I am not the only CURLY FRY IN THE BOX anymore.

Now it's your turn. To play along:

1) Put the logo on your blog or post.

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

3) Link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to the person from who you received your award.Passing along the award love onto....

These should be entertaining, so if you don't know someone on this list, please check them out...and if you already got this award, you dont have to do it again...Quit bitching about it..I obviously heart you!

1. Shopaholic Blonde
2. A Nut in a Nutshell
3. Stereos and Souffles
4. Ellabee
5. Blonde Goddess
6. Compulsively Yours...
7. Princess Katrina
8. Abby
9. Hope floats
10. Just Me

Damnit!!! That was a lot of work.........I appreciate all of the hard work you had to endure to give this to me, but the next award that I get, could I not have to do so much copy and pasting??? Thanks for thinking of lil ol' me, though. Smoooooches!!!

ManIIIIIAAAAAAAAC Monday!!! (I know it is supposed to be Manic, ya know-it-all)

Okay, so I don't blog on weekends. I should start, but I don't. I am a busy bee on the weekends. Besides cleaning the house, being forced to snuggle (Nick holds me down when t.v is on because I can't sit still to watch on weekends) going to the gym, and taking care of Andrea and doing fun things with her on my weekends, or taking her to her dads and then going out to paint the town red on her weekends away..........I dont have time, or privacy. These people I love that live with me, are like magnets. Where ever I go, they stick to me!
So anywho, this past weekend Andrea went to her fathers and I drug Nick (not drugged him, DRUG aa in forced him, kicking and screaming) to go out with my best friends and their men. We all take turns goin to each others neck of the woods. Tara lives in Charlotte, on the "upper" side of town. Heather lives close to her in Indian Trail. Ashley (who was not present) lives at the lake.
I tried to think of a classy lil spot to show them in my area. But then I thought to myself "hell, we have been to enough classy spots in Charlotte together, all of our lives. If I am going to do this, I am going to do this right" (Rock Hill is known as a redneck town, although it is growing and getting much nicer by the year.WE got a s starbucks and Chico's right across the street from me. Oh, yeah)
I also didnt want to straighten my hair or wear heels.
So , I took them to eat at Rock Hills most popular resteraunt. The White Horse. A Winthrop University favorite, with food to DIE for. They loved it!
Then I took them to Rock Hills Country/Western Bar (ha ha ha ha) The Long Branch......and believe it or not. Tara and her Attorney boyfriend,Jason and Heather, and even my Nick-HAD THE BEST TIME!
I have in all of the years knowing him.....never seen Nick on the dance floor. He was a little aggresive, but it was okay. After drinking and dancing the night away, with all of the rednecks (some who danced and dressed so disgusting,Jerry Springer would be appauled) we went to.....................................................................................................................THE WAFFLE HOUSE!!!!!! You cant make me go there , usually-but Nick needed to sober up, quite a bit, so I aggreed, and that was the best waffle I have ever had!
I am picky about my eggs and meat, so a waffle is safe.The waitress looked at me like I was an idiot when I asked for sugar-free syrup. I contemplated telling her I was diabetic, but then was like "screw it!". That's just how I am.
I'll post pics soon :)