Barack-sploitation

They say that the wheels of commercialism will turn no matter what. In this economy I would've been hard pressed to find anyone making any money. Then Barack Obama was sworn in as America's 44th President. I braved the meticulously cold weather on Tuesday and went to DC, so that I could say that I was a part of history. I was awestruck by two things: 1) how very nice and well behaved everyone was. DC police reported that not one of the 2 million people that was reported to be in DC that day was arrested. 2) I was dumb founded by the amount of Obama gear that people were selling. Let's see...I saw:

1. Obama Coins
2. Obama hats, tshirts, socks, shirts, shorts, and underwear (yeah...figure that out)
3. Obama blankets and throws
4. Obama lanyards and key chains
5. Obama mugs, glasses, shot glasses
6. Obama bobble head dolls
7. Obama Chiahead
8. Obama stationary, pens, pencils
9. Obama bumper stickers
10. Obama clocks, wall hangings, paintings
11. Obama 44 Sneakers (oh, by the way...they lit up)
12. Obama sunglasses
13. Obama dog collars

14. Obama buttons

15. Obama golf balls

16. Obama paperweights

But by far the worst offending Obama items are the Sasha & Malia dolls put out by Ty. Of course Ty came out with a statement that said that the dolls had nothing to do with the two sisters and that the release of the dolls on Inauguration night was pure coincidence. Each doll is $9.99.

I guess someone has to make money.

Lolita Wine Glasses

are my new muse. I used one at a friend's Holiday Party. My friend had the neatest idea, she assigned each guest a glass. The guys got a pilsner glass (more manly you see) and the ladies got a wine glass. As each glass has a different design, no ones glass got confused with the next persons. Each person was able to keep track of their own glass for the night. My friend assigned glasses based on what each person was known for. One of the other party guests (another friend) was given the Fashionista glass, another got the glass with the 18th hole on it. The glasses covered all the basis: they were functional, utilitarian and festive all at the same time.

I drank out of the one to the left at the party and the one I ordered for myself arrived today. I think the glass is fitting, as anyone who knows me knows that I live in sandals....well I live in them up until the first frost.

I've made a list of the other glasses I'd like to add to the one I just got. I'll treat myself from time to time. I'm thinking a finish line one (if they even have one) for after the Shamrock in March.

On This Evening...A List

1. Alton Brown's new show Feasting on Waves is now a favorite of mine.
2. I have less than 6 weeks to go until the Marine Corps Marathon.
3. Life, for me, is indeed a cycle. I have lost touch with a second set of my married friends. Unlike the first group, I am not that hurt.
4. I am physically strong. My knew motto is: Better, Stronger, Faster.
5. My new addiction is local wines. I am really digging this Pennsylvania wine called Liberty White. Yummy!
6. I am bored with teaching. I am mortified that I am even able to utter the words.
7. I love learning. It doesn't matter what it is, learning is just plane old fun.
8. I am a closet style & fashion junkie.
9. Laughing is indeed the best medicine.
10. God has given me many blessings and I am grateful.
11. I have come to detest people that are without honor.
12. I am at peace doing quiet and solitary things.

That is all.

My Birthday

Another Birthday has come and gone. I am a year older. I feel a bit wiser. Well, kinda. On sour note, I worked all day on my birthday. Because I had to do Back to School Night the work day was even longer.

I did manage to do something nice for myself in the one hour break that I got on my birthday. I got a spa pedicure. I love those things. My toe nails are bright neon pink. My big toes have hand painted flowers on them. The guy who did my pedicure said I didn't have to pay. Smile.

Lazy Hazy Days

I love summer for just that reason. July 4th, I decided that everyone would come to me for eating, drinking (none for me though...I had a long run the next morning), and laughs. No invites were issued. I used technology to spread the word....general text messages. The text read, "Looks like its gonna be @ my pad. It starts @ 2 n' will end at 3 if y'all don't show by 2.30. Bring what you want to eat."

It worked...(smile).

Michael ran the grill. I think I have a crush on him now. Smile.
Amanda had dessert. She really needs to open a shop. She had her "Betrothed" with her.
Sarah showed up looking like she just left the runway during NYC's Fashion Week. She still hasn't told everyone where she was going. She came with Cruz.
Dalila made her grand entrance...of course way after she was told to arrive.
Odelia our family's resident nut. She is absolutely hilarious. Her latest CD single was cool.
Debbyann arrived 1st. I should have given her a prize.
Paulette arrived with Ms. Marissa. OMG, I had no idea that Marissa could put down potato salad like that!!!
Trudy arrived after everyone left, so we spent quiet time eating the grilled lamb that Michael made for us...yummo.

Then the kids....Jaylynn, Ariel, Ty'Heil, Caleb, Malachi, Marissa (I mentioned her already) and PJ (who let me know that she gained 3 pounds). I was exausted just by looking at them.

We laughed, looked at old family photos, ate (and ate and ate) great food, listened to music, caught up and had a good time.

Party Like It's 1984

This past weekend was a weekend that I needed and was definitely a long time in the making. I was invited to a 40th Birthday Party on Saturday. All attendees were required to dress in their best rags from the 70's or 80's. I decided on 70's Hippie. My date (and everyone else for that matter) did 80's Crush Groove. The evening was full eating, dancing (Lord, that is another blog), and reminiscing about the the past.

Do you remember...

1. Now and Laters
2. Pop Rocks
3. Boston Baked Beans
4. Lemon Heads
5. Sugar Daddy's
6. Charleston Chews
7. Candy Cigarettes
8. Mary Janes

What about....

1. Crush Groove
2. Fat Boys
3. Run DMC
4. Purple Rain (God, I love that movie)
5. Asymmetric Hair Cut
6. Bamboo Earrings
7. Human Beat Box
8. Adidas Outfits
9. Madonna
10. Flashdance

My New Crown

For the summer I have decided to try something different with my hair. I've decided to get it braided. I grappled (for weeks) with what kind of style I would get and who I would get to do it. Once I decided what I wanted and who was going to do it, I had to then find out what was required to get the style. K (the lady that braided my hair and also does my cousin's hair) told me that I was going to need 2 packs of Yaki 100% Human Hair. I almost fell back when the man in the beauty supply shop told me the hair would cost me $49.99 a pack! But since I was dealing with my hair, I absorbed the shock and plunked down the $106. I got a darker version of the bundle pictured below.

I interviewed every person (their mother, my cousin, and the neighbor) who I have ever seen with their hair braided. I wanted to know everything, even though I already did my own research online. How long does it take to have your hair braided? How long does it last? What kind of shampoo will I need to wash my hair? Does the process hurt? What should I be aware of? After arming myself with all the info I thought I needed...I took the plunge.

Yesterday was the day. K started braiding my hair at 8:15 am and she finished at 2:45 pm. I didn't use all of the hair she made me buy, but I don't have enough left over to return what I didn't use. When she was done I thought I might have needed a Tylenol, but I resisted. I don't know if I like it yet. Is that bad? I have it styled like the model in the picture.