Long Time No See

Yes...I know...it's been, like, years since I've updated this thing. Not that there hasn't been a lot going on, I just haven't been taking time out to keep you all up-to-date. Bobby and I just came back from a trip to Las Vegas (our very first time ever going) with his best friend Kel and his wife Yolanda (the purpose of the trip was for them to get married). We just got back today and I have TONS of pictures to post as well as some video but not right now. I'm sooo tired and my feet are KILLIN' me! So for now, I'll just post a few pictures as a preview for you.

The Recession Hits Home

I was informed this past Friday that at the end of the month, I will no longer have a job. After that, the company I work for will no longer be able to afford me. Not just me, but my boss also. I'm having a lot of mixed emotions about this. One minute I'm "up" thinking, Bobby and I can do this...we can handle this. Just need to tighten up our finances because it's not like we have a lot of bills. Of course there's the mortgage and utilities, things like that, but we own our cars free and clear. We have two credit cards, which thanks to my husband, don't have large balances (if it were up to me they would...I like to buy "stuff"...LOL.). So we should be able to manage. But then I hear the news saying things like "...a job was posted for a part-time janitor position at a school and over 1,000 applicants applied". What the hell is that? And...what if Bobby looses his job too? It's possible. On top of it all, I have a really cool job, with an AWSOME boss and people I really like to work with. This job is perfect for me...and now I've got to leave it.

Just trying to keep my head up, keep a positive attitude and most importantly...PRAY!

Petting the Monkey

Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE the monkey (pun intended...SMILE). It must've been fate for me to meet Erica (I met her thru Bobby, she's in the Ruff Ryders) who owns a monkey herself. Her name is Aiyanna (think I'm spelling that wrong) and she is the best thing EVER! She's a shy girl until she gets to know you but when she feels comfortable with you, she'll hold your finger with her little monkey hands and will groom you. It is the funniest thing to have this little monkey cleaning under your nails, picking tiny unseen items off of your clothes and seperating your hair just like you see monkeys grooming each other on tv.

Yana loves to eat, her favorites are Rice Krispie Treats and Starbursts

I told Bobby I want a monkey too...

Happiness on Wheels

What could bring about such happiness in a little 'ole boy....

....and tight hugs not only to his Daddy....

....and a very long hug to his big sister (a hug which she allowed...that doesn't happen often)

....as well as a big family hug.....

...a Brand New Bike....

Bobby and Precious were out together when they came across this bike for Max. His got chewed up by the dogs last year. Precious even put in some of her very own money to help buy it. Max was so very happy and surprised.

Feeling a Little Like Eeyore

"Ohhh Bother..." thats just what I feel like. Hanging my head low, my outlook on the world shaded grey. I don't like feeling this way and although I know what's causing it...I'm not sure what to do about it. Sometimes I wish I was more...I wish I could let things roll of off me easier. I wish I could wear my feelings "on my sleeve". So if I'm feeling sad and want to cry, i would cry. If I'm mad, I let it out...but that's not how I'm made. When I'm sad/depressed/anxious (did I spell that right?) I've trained myself to put on that smile. You know the one..."All is fine with me world. I'm a strong black woman and nothings going to hold me down." When really, I want to ball up in my bed under the covers and cry until my nose is stopped up. Sometimes, being a grown-up SUCKS!

Walk That Walk

Our little girl is growing up. You would think that that we'd realize that seeing as how she's just an inch shorter than I am...or that she's 12 years old...or that she's in the 6th grade but no...it's the everyday things like this. Bobby was in the garage doing...whatever it is he does when he's out there (smile) with the music going and Precious was out there with him. He told me to come outside so I could see what Precious was doing. There was a song playing called "Walk That Walk" and Precious was doing the Walk That Walk...how does our little ole girl know popular dances? What happened to the "bounce-all-over-the-place-little-girl" dance?

Guess we can't hold onto her forever...

Well, Bobby decided to show her how it was really done stating "Gangsters don't dance...we boogie", and proceeded to do so...

Sorry about this pic posting first, it should be down on actually Valentine's Day but I couldn't move it. I woke up on Friday the 13th and went to warm up my car and this is what greeted me...a card and some roses in my car from my wonderful husband to start my V-day weekend. I had the BIGGEST smile all day long.

What was I surprised with on Friday, Feb. 6th as an early Valentine's Day gift? A new laptop!!! I've been wanting one for about 6mts now (probably longer). Bobby stopped by my job to tell me he was looking for me. My boss told him about a deal at Office Depot and he went and paid for it then I picked it up. YAAAYYY for me. I'm so in love with this thing.

Bobby gave me my 2nd Valentine's give on Sat. the 7th. A beautiful charm bracelet with three charms: a little girl with my birthstone, a small book with "I Love Scrapbooks" and a monkey charm (cuz who doesn't love the monkey?) with three little monkeys symbolizing "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil"...I LOVED IT.

Saturday, Valentine's day, Me, Erica and Yolanda (friends of mine) were treated by our husbands to manicures/pedicures and massages (I got a mani/massage because I had my pedi done the week before). This was my first time getting a massage and it was wonderful. I plan on treating myself to one at least once a month.

We stopped for breakfast at IHOP...mmm, mmm...delicious!

Ok...for some reason I can't get this flippin picture to rotate, but you get the point (psh)

That evening we ended our Valentine's celebration over another couple's house who's a friend of our's, Raymond & Zoe who cooked dinner for us and had their home all decorated with valentine decor. The menu was shrimp/crab cakes for appetizer, and chocolate covered strawberries. Dinner was salad with strawberries, apples, walnuts with a stawberry vinegrette, talapia, wild rice and asparagus, with chocolate cake for dessert. We had a very good time with our other friends, Rhionel & Erica, Kel & Yolanda.