A Spin on Slang

The hubby and I have a general distaste for being like everyone else. We take pride in being different than mainstream society so when he came home today expressing that he no longer wanted to use slang, I wasn’t surprised.
“How about not using contractions”? I suggested. That is a difficult task for [I find] the American- English is full of idle syntax. He relished the idea. I originally got the idea from some stupid tv show on UPN last week where a character dumped a guy because he would not use contractions.
In a lengthy discussion we had decided that we will:

avoid the use of contractions (can’t is now cannot; don’t is do not)

use proper terms of a forgotten era (like parasol instead of umbrella; directional or indicator for car blinker)

make $hit up and be creative (I’ve been saying “shoot a monkey” for years!)

use slang that has not been used for decades (I’ve been familiar with “Gosh Darn” (I NEVER say God D*** and I discourage people from saying it around me..it’s the Catholic school girl in me), “Groovy”, and “Pishaw”and “Swell” since high school.
We will see what happens. With the babe learning how to talk now, we do not want her to be one of those potty mouthed urchins on the playground.

Isi Wake Up Call

This morn I struggled to get back to sleep and found comfort when I thought I heard the hubby changing the babe’s diaper around 8 or 9 am. I heard “oh stinky,” and “yay!” from her. With that, I drifted asleep singing the hubby’s praises.
Around an hour and a half later my sassy toddler burst into my bedroom as if it was her Broadway entrance. “Hi!” she cried as she climbed up the bed.
“Where’s daddy”? I concurred as the room filled with the most unpleasant stench. I vowed to cuss him out for acknowledging her stinkiness and not cleaning it.
I searched all around to find locked doors, my car gone and no daddy in sight. I rang his cell. He hadn’t been home since he left around 6am! OMG, she had successfully climbed out of her crib and came to me!
I reckon it is time for someone to graduate to a big girl bed.

IHOP Rulz

Bed rest could not keep my family and I away from a tasty rainday breakfast treat from IHOP. The babe was quite well behaved and we stuffed ourselves. I just do not understand why they’re food is just so damn delectable.

Scootin' on my Hog, er piglet

I don’t want to jinx it, but I may be getting a scooter. The hubby has a buddy that has one to sell for dirt cheap. It may not look as spiffy as the one in the pic above, but it’s still cool. I'll get a personalized plate that says "Piglet"
I won’t be able to venture on it with the oldest babe riding shotgun (or the hubby) but it’ll be something to run to the grocery store or Sonic or library that are all within a 5 min drive. Do you see gas prices these days!!!

Not So Good News

The not so good news I have to share is that I am on bed rest for the next 2- 3 weeks. Today I had a visit and the doc did not like what he saw. “Not reassuring” he said.
Since our first babe was born at 28 weeks (me being already 5 cm dilated at 27 weeks), he suggested that I stay off my feet as much as possible. It’s not strict bed rest, but nonetheless its still bed rest.
Our addition is still growing well and no problems are foreseen at this time. We just don’t want her to come right as yet. At least for another 5-7 weeks.

Chick Fil-A

Chick Fil A just opened today with its first location in James Island. They had a promotion that the first 100 customers got free sandwiches for a year. Tingling for those tickets I recruited the hubby to get there at opening on his way to work this morn.
To our surprise last nite, there were about 150 people camped out with tents and $hit like they were waiting for Janet Jackson tickets. Oh well.

I Voted

I voted today! I feel like such a citizen.
James Island rules!!!

Scrapbooking Warehouse

Scalding. Fervent. Sweltering. F*cking hot. That in a fiery nutshell can best describe today. And I drove 45 semi unproductive mins in it to the only craft stores in all of Charleston! I tried again (refer to July 15th entry) to head to AC Moores and Michaels in search of Gel Medium and some resin crafting supplies.
Let me tell you that AC Moores is beginning to get on my nerves. It should be renamed “Scrapbooking Warehouse” for they now dedicate 4 whole aisles to it. I’m not a fan of scrapbooking. I know many that love to do it but I just find that the Marketing machine has generated a whole overpriced industry that can easily be accomplished with construction paper, Dollar Store markers, scissors and glue. Why in the hell should one spend $12.50 on “ripped edge effect” ruler?!?! Come on! But I digress.
I didn’t find anything on the blistering journey to the Michaels next door but thankfully I wasn’t plowed over by college co-eds and others attempting to get that last “graduation” sticker packet.
I left $12 poorer on Gel Medium. The babe and I slept for 2 hours when we returned home..

New Crafting Books

I’m totally in love with my new craft books! They rock my world of inspiration. ..lol
Yesterday we all ventured to Barnes and Nobles for a little R&R. There I bought (can’t leave empty handed) “Bazaar Bizarre” by Greg DerAnanian and “The Art of Resin Jewelry” by Sherri Haab excitedly.
“Bazaar Bizarre” I fell in love with at the first sentence:
I was but a wee flaming homosexual when my mother wisely took me under her wing...and so began my love affair with crafts.
Come on! Isn’t that a catch.
The book is real easy to follow despite containing not many pictures. There are crafts ranging from sock monkeys to hand-printed playing cards.
“The Art of Resin Jewelry” was the answer to my resin casting questions. I bought a resin craft book several years ago but it being printed in the UK it had names and suppliers that were useless to me. Also it was kinda advanced.
Haab’s book is very easy to follow and being published here in the US within the last 6 months, it truly is a find. I’ve been wanting to work with resin forever but was clueless on what to do. I have dabbled in glass working but that left many 2nd degree burns..lol. I find that resin crafting will have just as playful results but no fire will be involved (only toxic chemicals). Wish me luck!

Weeds

I cherish my new ipod! It’s so F-ing awsome that I wish I was a millionaire ‘cause I would buy one for everyone I know. She’s just so exquisite.
I downloaded my first itunes tv show for $19. I debated between Scrubs (NBC) and a show that I have been dying to watch titled Weeds (Showtime). I decided on Weeds and so far, that show is hilarious!!
The show stars Mary Louise Parker , Elizabeth Perkins and Kevin Nolan. It centers around a newly widowed mother of two who makes ends meet by peddling the ganja to her fellow wealthy suburbanites in a California subdivision. Among the many that she sells to are her accountant (McDonald), her son’s Karate instructor and lawyer. All while maintaining her PTA membership.
I highly recommend this program to those who enjoyed films like Half Baked or Grandma’s Boy or dick and fart jokes..lol. Watching it on my ipod was definitely an experience. I was able to watch tv without disturbing the hubby (who is battling a cold presently). Ahhhhh I love technology.

Did You See: Britney’s White Trash Makeover

**WARNING: For Britney fans this is not. **
I only have 5 channels on my tv since I haven’t any cable. We ended up stopping for a brief moment on the interview Britney Spears on NBC. In the words of my husband, she had a “white trash makeover”.
What the hell was that broad thinking?! She looked like nothing more than a trashier version of herself (which was pretty skanky to begin with). Awful! Her hair looked like she hadn’t washed it in a week. The makeup looked like she went to a make up counter at Kmart for a free consultation (her face was 3 shade lighter than her plunging neckline). The constant gum chewing during close ups..lmfao. And don’t even get me started on the choice of clothing for a tv interview (do I smell a whore?)! All that was missing was a cadillac hanging from her crimson lips (for those that don’t know a cadillac is a term for 100 sized cigarettes. They are about the length of 1 ½ cigarettes. ).
Being a pregnant woman I know that sometimes it is difficult to feel sexy, but let me tell yah Mrs. Spears surely showed all of us what not to do. After a few hearty chuckles at her expense I felt like a beauty queen with my swollen buddha belly and engorged breasts, I actually started to believe my husband when he said that I look- how does he put it?- ravishing. “Well, ah shucks Mister,” I blush.

SCDOT to the Rescue

Got out of bed this morning and didn’t feel to do a damn thing, but I had $20 burning a hole in my pocket. I packed up the little one and headed toward Dollar General.
To my dismay they didn’t sell the cute piggy banks that the West Ashley store sold so I headed off to N. Charleston to A.C. Moores (a 20- 30 minute drive) in search of Gel Medium.
We bopped along to my new ipod singing loudly to the Blackeyed Peas driving onto I26. Suddenly the driver’s side seemed strange. It felt like my car was shrinking on the busy interstate at 2:00pm. There was no noise just a sudden flatness so I pulled to the right side.
“OMG, where is the shoulder?!” I yelped as semi trucks whizzed by me going 70 and 80. “Am I on a bridge?!?!” Frightened, I called the hubby. No answer. I called him 6 times by the time I finally got an answer. Isabella giggling at her peanut butter cracker as I’m in tears.
He dropped his tool belt and headed toward us but he was all the way in John’s Island (beautiful place but about 20-30 mins past where we live in James Island!). I called the police who patched me through to SCDOT . Thank God I had a kind police woman escorted me to the shoulder (about ½ a mile up) and calmed me down. Whilst we waited, she properly installed the babe’s car seat (“it’s too loose,”), gave me some water and kept traffic at bay.
By the time the hubby arrived, I felt awful because I called him off of work (one hour from quitting time) and SCDOT man, Danny, already put my spare on.
After all that, I still wanted to spend that $20 but opted for Super Walmart (only 1 exit away) instead. They didn’t even have Gel Medium.

She Climbs

Our daughter had discovered that she can get out of her crib..almost. This morning I woke to find her awake and all smiles. I returned to my bedroom to get her sundress out of the freshly folded laundry. Low and behold, she was giggling at me as she straddled her crib.
I helped her get down so that if in fact she does it in the middle of the night, she knows to not simply jump like a hot popcorn kernel. Let the games begin.

Ryan's Buffet: ICK

I don't do buffets. i haven't been to a buffet since they OCB (Old Country Buffet) in N.Charleston (plus they are just not very healthy). But today we lost power. No, the bill was not passed due but due to some bulldoodie about 700 homes on the island were affected. We ventured to West Ashley and dined at Ryan's.
I had never been there before but passed the establishment a number of times since college. The food was dreadful. Everything was overcooked in what tasted like day old butter water. The meats were drier than hell and could only be tolerated if soaked in the watered down drinks.
Maybe it was just the location that we chose but assure you that i am not rushing to try another location any time soon. Thank God they had an all you can eat ice cream bar which i had 1 and a half servings before i shared with the hubby that i am ready to go any time (plus our baby girl has the beginnings of a summer cold she aquired from Grandma).

Crafting: Work Station for Office/Craft Room

I finally got a long table to go in the office. Craft room and it only cost us $36 in new materials at Lowes . I’m totally elated.The hubby let me actually help (eventhough he wouldn’t let me use any saws or anything remotely dangerous. He says “I don’t want to flirt with fate”) him prep and assemble to let me feel like I accomplished something.

First, I sanded the table top, and braces with an orbital sander on both sides.

2, after wiping down the wood, we painted the first coat. Here we were lazy and didn’t prime it with Kilz.

3, I sanded down the first coat once dry and repeated step 2.

4, the hubby assembled the braces and attached it to the table top. With that completed all that was left was the legs (old pickets that I purchased 2 years ago at the Habitat for Humanity store for $1 each).

It now sits at the same level as the computer desk. I can’t wait to use it!!!

Mommy!

My mother has come to visit and i couldn't be happier (well, if my whole family came to visit i would be floating)!She decided to pop in for a quick 36 hours and visit us before she goes out on training and Trinidad again.
The babe warmed up to her immediately and couldn't get enough of her Grandma. We (the hubby was working) went to lunch and talked about everything. Then we shot over to Babies 'R' Us and purchased alphabet building blocks, a new swimsuit (no more poka dot tans), and a pair of summer sandals for the babe..still having our mother/ daughter talks. Afterward my mom bought me the coveted ipod that i have been desiring for a belated anniversary present (the hubby has now inherited the Nano with much enthusiasm)! It was a VERY hot day so we concluded the day with ice cream from Marble Slab. Before she left on Saturday evening, we had got our nails done (me a pedi and her a mani).
I love it when my mom comes to visit. Yea, she buys us all sorts of stuff, but i miss her company. We don't fight as much as we use to (God, we use to argue and hang up angry..lol) and she's actually talking to me like an adult which is about time since i am afterall almost 30 with two children! She's a foxy, groovy lady that i admire and miss when she's not around (eventhough we talk at least once a day). I only wish her visits could be more frequent. I miss my family so much.
*I look like a blemished house in this pic but i don't care, i'm freakin' pregnant, man..lmao*

Not doing a thing

I woke up this mornin'; got out of bed; the baby in the crib wanted to run around the house and the one in my belly was kickin' like crazy. It can be assumed that my was head pounding by lunch and my back wouldn't stop spasming.
I decided to take a me day and propped myself in bed watching Entourage: Season 2 as the Belle ran through the house (everything that could harm her or the home securly put away) playing by herself contently.
Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do. Thank God we live in one level home.

27 Week Hump

Yahoo! We got over the 27th week hump of my pregnancy with everything coming up tulips. The doc found everything kosher and we are thinking that we may actually make it to full term this time around! Keep your fingers crossed.

New Freezer

We have the coolest neighbors named the Ropers (no lie). They are an older couple that have lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years and make beautiful cakes. Today a Berlin's truck pulled in to deliver their new freezer oprhaning their old one.
The hubby wheeled the small freezer into our kitchen. It fit perfectly in the corner like a glass slipper. It was funny timing because our freezer was over flowing with reserved WIC cheese and tons of meat from Windham Farms. I wanted to start making casseroles, cookie dough, etc so that once our new addition comes along we'll actually have food that simply needs to be defrosted and baked. I gained like 15 pounds after the first baby came home (even though i lost like 20 the first month after she was born at 28 weeks 'cause i was always at the hospital visiting her for those stressful 31 days) because all i ate was chocolate and fast food. Anyway, now we have a place for me to store "wholesome" meals. Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Roper!!!
By the way, the King Cobra box is not from a craving for cheap and nasty 40s but the box which now houses my felt scraps..lol

Shout Out to My Bro

Please read the speech my brother gave to our wonderful elementary school St. Michaels in Silver Spring, MD on June 2. I'm very proud of him that he was able to give back to our beloved alma mater. I attended the school for 8 great years and every time i go home i have to go back and talk to my old teachers.
Parents, Family, Friends, Students, Faculty and Graduates, I bid you all a humble, “Good Evening.”
For the many of you who do not know who I am, my name is Marken Smith. I am a former student and 8th Grade graduate of St. Michael’s, Class of 1986 to be exact. Now I know that a lot of you current students and Graduates may think that 1986 was some 20 years ago, but please be forewarned…
”Time waits for no one.”
On this 20 year anniversary of my own 8th Grade Graduation, I find myself in a unique and fortunate position. The past couple of years have been more than normally blessed for me and my family. Even with this, what I would call newfound success as of late, I at times, personally feel that I am not doing enough.
I sat and deliberated on how I could reverse these feelings. I’m not sure how those who have long reached their pinnacle moment of achievement come the conclusion that it’s time to give back, but I personally do not want to wait till my elderly years to do so.
There are a lot of things one can do with money, but what is the best manner to utilize it?
There are only but so many material things one can buy.
“How many cars do you have to have?
How many houses?
How many or how big of a television does one need?
How many vacations and fancy dinners does one have to have before they give back to the very institutions and organizations that were critical in one’s development which contributed to that success?”
My parents raised me as a child of the earth and I do not deny the fact that they (parents) were instrumental in my personal development. In addition, I can not deny that there were family friends and teachers who were also critical to that development at different stages in my life.
From another aspect, it is also very important for me to tell current grade school students in general that I
Sat at the same desks,
Walked the same halls,
Tripped up the same steps,
And even hung out at the same libraries.
“I am you and you are me.”
I simply want you to know that even though the road of education may seem to be a long and tedious process, your efforts are not in vane. The very items that you study will have an impact on your future and professional career.
So, in light of all of this, I recently coordinated with St. Michael’s School to establish not one, but two Annual scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to two graduating Eighth Graders whom are planning to further their High School education with local private school Institutions. These scholarships will provide a face value of $500 each and will assist you and your Parents to lighten the financial load associated with Private High School Education.
Now, I know that $500 may not sound like much to some students, but take a look around at the faces of your parents and family right now!
I don’t want to take any more time, but I would be negligent if I did not take this opportunity to thank a few people before announcing the Inaugural Recipients of the Marken G. Smith, Class of 1986 Scholarship exclusively sponsored by the company I founded, Mocmedia Industries Inc. I must let you know that I originally wanted the scholarship to bear the name Raymond-Rybczyk, but after a lot of arm twisting, I was convinced to place my own name, which sounds kinda’ awkward, but anyways.
I’d like to thank Ms. Blaine, Mrs. Victoria Bell, Mr. Rybczyk and Ms. McCann for their instrumental input and opportunity to bestow this honor. I would also like to thank my Parents, Marjorie and Kendrick Smith, and Sister, Janelle, who could not be here this evening. I would like to specifically thank Ms. Della Douglas for being a second Mother and providing words of inspiration. Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to express my eternal gratitude and thanks to my wife Jennifer and my 6-month old daughter Erielle. For without you, I would not possess the capacity to be in this position.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to present the Inaugural Marken G. Smith, Class of 1986 Scholarship sponsored exclusively by my firm Mocmedia Industries Inc. to:
“Mr. Joseph Boursiquot who will be attending Archbishop Carroll High School and Miss Jessica Julien who will be attending Elizabeth Seton.”

Happy Anniversary!!!

We have been married for 4 years (been together for 7 years)! I'm very excited that yet another year has passed and we are still doing well.
Since we are a tad tight on cash this month so far, i made ribs from Windham Farms (it's what i call my in-laws' 11 acre land where we get fresh meat and produce) with a blackberry bbq sauce from this month's Rachel Ray Magazine and for dessert Strawberry Shortcake. I topped with the Strawberry Sauce (same Rachel Ray issue) Vanilla ice cream, homemade whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. Yumm.
I got started cooking late so we actually didn't stuff ourselves as it may sound we did. We ate only a small portion of ribs (with a baked potato and sauted green beans and red peppers) and only i ate dessert (i ain't gonna pass dessert). We fell asleep shortly afterward. Man we're hot!!!!..lol