Top Ten "Regrets" Thurs. 6/11/09

I've been thinking about a lot of things in the last few weeks & as usual, the regrets come to mind.

Now I've heard several people say they have none.  I find that extremely hard to believe, but hey. 

I have a few regrets about quite a few things & since y'all are my people I can share it with you.  {Can't do FB for reason mentioned in another discussion.}

1. Having sex way too soon & getting knocked up shortly after.  No before you burn me at the stake, I don't regret giving life, I do regret indulging in the process long before I should have...if that makes sense.

2. Letting my grandfather take most of his 88 years of knowledge & wisdom to the grave because I was too busy doing me to stop & listen.

3. Not being a tad bit more patient with my long-distance love before giving up.  I truly believe he is my soul-mate.

4. Being too busy trying to further career to give my son whatever it was he was missing.  I hate that I had to work & couldn't be there for him like my mom & grandparents were for me - 24/7.  Funny how now he says, he understands & doesn't blame me.   Wow......

5.  Not making my BFF go home instead of letting her convince me to attend a party were she was raped (when we were teens).

6.  Not telling my mother how sorry I was if my funky attitude towards her male friends caused her any form of loneliness/unhappiness.  Ma, I now know better.

7.  Not sitting in that kitchen with Muda to learn her trade kitchen secrets.  She kept her info in her head, not a book.

8.  Hmmmm...guess I don't have 10...and that could be a good thing!

Feel free to comment and/or share.

Toodles!

Top 10 Home Improvement Projects

I drafted this blog this summer & due to my recent acquisition of "Boyfriend -Version 2008", I had to make some updates.

I've been in my house for 6 years and 4 months.  Of course my house came with nothing but the best & cheapest items/products money could buy.  Off-white walls, beige carpet & the cheapest lighting fixtures Home Depot offers, throughout.

When I moved in I had to focus on the important missing items - like appliances not supplied by the builder (i.e., w/d & fridge) and furniture I needed/wanted.

As of now, I don't need for anything, but my wants are forever building.

Here are the top 10 things I want/need to do around the ranch:

1. Repair back fence/gate.  I live near the corner & a lot of folks tend to use my parking pad as a u-turn ramp.  Some jackass hit my fence once & then I hit it and made it worse.
   
   
2. Fix the crack in my foundation where the water seeps in.  I love the rain, but I don't want it in my house.
   
   
3. Get new carpet throughout.  I 1st considered professionally cleaning what I have, but I've never liked it anyway. (My *ahem* boyfriend cleaned the entire 1st floor & the stairs this weekend & believe me when I say, that was no easy task.)
   
   
4. Install shelving in the family/guest/music/TV/computer room. Yes, it multi-functional! *lol*
   
   
5. Add hardware to the kitchen & bath cabinets (I bought the stuff 2 years ago. *smh*) (Thanks to my boyfriend, this has been done.)
   
   
6. Install a digital thermostat. (Yep!  Boyfriend has taken care of it.)
   
   
7. Paint the entire interior (except the living room (already done) and basement (unfinished). (The 1st floor is done, thanks to boyfriend again.)
   
   
8. Switch out & upgrade the lighting on the 1st floor and landing.  (You guessed it, boyfriend has completed this as well.)
   
   
9. Fix the cracked concrete at the bottom of the front steps.
   
   
10. Install nice, laminate (hardwood ain't even necessary in my 'hood) flooring in the kitchen, faux foyer & possibly the bathrooms. (Boyfriend promised to do this also.  I think he's trying to get some serious browning points.)
    

Do you have any wanted, lingering or undone home improvement projects?

Top 10 Travel Tips

I haven't done a Top 10 Thursday in a while and it's perfect timing for this.

Here are my Top 10 travel tips.  Feel free to add yours.

1. Triple check your printed reservations for dates, scheduled arrival/departure times, room type, etc.  It's easier to correct a mistake within the first 24 hours.
   
   
2. Copy all itineraries & confirmations on color paper and keep a copy in all travel bags.  The colored paper makes for quick & easy locating.
   
   
3. Leave copies of said itineraries with a few trusted individuals.  I always leave my manager a copy.  She'd come to my rescue quicker than my family would.
   
   
4. Triple check the websites for do's & don'ts - baggage/carry-on & weight limits, hotel/rental car check in/out times, etc.
   
   
5. Overnight stays times 2 equals the amount of underwear you might want to pack.
   
   
6. If you still use camera film (non-digital), do not send unprocessed film thru airport security's x-ray machine.  You will be sorry if you do.  (Still fuming about Orlando 2000...*dammit*)
   
   
7. Pack travel chargers - cell phone, blue tooth, batteries, sex toys (lol), etc.
   
   
8. Arrive at the airport at least one (1) hour early & have someone go with you if you're afraid your bag is overweight or if you're unsure if you have contraband.  That way, they can take the excess crap back with them & you save $50 for a heavy bag charge and they don't pitch your $9.00 bottle of lotion.
   
   
9. Check in with friends/loved ones upon arrival.
   
   
10. HAVE A FREAKIN' BLAST!

Top Ten 'Don't Cha Love it When..,'

1. You talk to God, Jesus, Allah, Jehovah (or whomever you look to for spiritual guidance) and you feel them answering your prayers;
   
2. Your kid(s) & family say they love you and it's not followed by a gimme, loanme, letmehave (ran it together intentionally because that's how they sound);
   
3. Your period comes...after the condom broke;
   
4. Your child support is on time & just the amount you need;
   
5. Someone offers to help without you asking;
   
6. You put your stuff down & can come back & pick it up;
   
7. Your kid does his chores without threats of bodily harm;
   
8. A significant other totally & completely satisfies you in mind, body & spirit;
   
9. You find a nice blouse that shows off your "rack" quite nicely;
   
10. Your hairstyle turns out exactly how you wanted it;
    

Yeah I just love it when these things happen!

Your turn!

Top Ten Thurs. - Cyber Friends I'd Like to Meet

I've already met quite a few cyber friends & some I keep regular contact with (check the photos for Sunshine, Deedles, Play, San & 'nem).

Here are the top ten cyber friends I'd like to meet & the reason why:

1. Blkbttrfly - This is my twin and I've never met her.  We clicked when our paths crossed & have been like family every since.  She's a Taurus (extra points) and a single mom holding it down, and she likes to sip on lil something er' now then.  We have those things in "Common" (inside joke) and I haven't even scratched the surface.
   
   
2. Shancole - She sounds like a 5 year old and sometimes makes my skin crawl, but I love her like the lil sister I never wanted.
   
   
3. Divam1107 - This is my lil sis.  We connected a long time ago in a Yahoo group & have always stayed in touch.  This child made a move that not many would've dared & I so admire her for that.
   
   
4. Bhinddagroove - I've know T for several years.  She's one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met on-line & there's a chance I might be related to her son.
   
   
5. Texasshoney - We have so much in common it's kinda scary - we love old school music, traveling, The Muppets & are recovering pyromaniacs!   How's that for things in common?
   
   
6. Silkee - One of the realest, rawest chics I've encountered in while.  Plus, she agreed to teach me a few things about sewing.  (Muda is smiling down on her as we speak.)
   
   
7. Magic/Mister/Doctor Mike - I'd pay good money to see him twirl & faint just once!
   
   
8. Ncognegra - The little I know about Kels tells me we'd get along just  fine and I can show this woman how to care for that hair & cook a meal (and I ain't all that great myself!).
   
   
9. TNPATL - We could kick back & have a reality TV marathoning good time!
   
   
10. Udigginme - Man stealing wench! I just really wanna size up the competition up close!   Diggs, the new hair color is cute, but I still don't trust ya!
    
    
11. Redeyewire - Lawd this chile...I don't even know what to say.  Oh yeah, give me one weekend with her & she'll be strutting 3 inch heels & a mini skirt like a 1st time hooker!
    
    
12. Nae905 - We haven't been connected long but this chic keeps me laughing & I know she'd do the same personally.
    
    
13. BigdaddyT - my play cousin for real.  Period.
    
    
14. Starrdustt - She's about give birth to a little girl who'll be Taurean (keeping my fingers crossed for May 3) and when she's cutting up Mama will call her Lil Mo'.  Gotta love it!
    

OK so that's more than 10 but you know where I'm coming from.  To those in my circle, I failed to mention, charge it my head & not my heart. 

Luv all y'all!

Top Ten Thurs. - Chaps My @$$

Normally, I try not to sweat the small stuff, but there are some things that just chap my ass, like:

1. Muthafuckas who thump lit cigarettes/butts from moving vehicles.  Damn!  The least you could do is put that shit out in your car before thumping it out.  Hell, you smoked it in your car didn't you?
   
2. Dumb asses who call your phone with that "Did somebody call here?" bullshit.  Negro/bitch please. Ain't nobody looking for your raggedy ass.  If I wanted you, I would've left a message.
   
3. Folks who walk in my cubicle & eyeball my monitors (I have 2).  Get outta my damn business!
   
4. Muthafuckas who forward stupid ass/chain text messages.  Stop it already!  Some of us have to pay for that bullshit.   Matter of fact, if you are not a Verizon customer keep all that to a minimum with me.
5. Busted ass weaves - if you must weave it, weave it right.
   
6. 4 year olds in Pampers!  Come on now, if he/she can form complete sentences it's time (unless, of course the child has special needs).
   
7. Menstrual Cramps - After 25 years this shit still makes me sick.  I think there needs to be an expiration date.....way before age 50....may 30-35. 
   
8. Folks who dog out other folks for any number of things & turn around & do the exact same.
   
9. Pants that shrink in the wash.  I bought tall & I expect them to stay that way.  Is that too much for long-legged sista to ask?!
   
10. DirecTv going out when it rains!  That's when I wanna be inside chilling with the remote.

Whew!  Thanks for listening y'all and as always feel free to comment & share.

Top 10 Thurs - Makes Me Wanna BBBBLLLLLL

Turn of the Lights by World Class Wrecking Crew goes without saying.  That song literally makes me wanna retch.

The sound of Justine Simmons' (Rev. Run's wife) voice.

The stench of chitterlings and anything remotely related.

 

 

Top Ten Thurs. - Bucket List

I'm sure you've all seen the previews to The Bucket List.  With that being said, here are the Top 10 things I want to do before I "kick the bucket".

1. Finish my degree
2. Travel to the Motherland
3. Clear 6 figures (net)
4. Design & build my home from the ground up
5. Learn to fluently speak a foreign language, preferably Italiano or Espanol
6. Learn to drive a stick shift
7. Finish my novel & get published
8. Visit all the US States
9. Design my own wardrobe
10. Retire while I'm still healthy & {hopefully} have enough loot to really enjoy it.

Some of these are a no-brainer, while a few will take some work, but dammit I'm determined!

What about you?

Top 10 Thurs - Vacations

 

The top 10 places I'd like to visit before I meet my maker:

1. Egypt
2. Milan
3. Cannes
4. Belize
5. Seattle
6. Barcelona
7. D.C.
8. Jamaica
9. Hollywood (I think it's highly overrated, but I wanna see for myself.)
10. Alaska (specifically a cruise)

What about you?

 

Top Ten Thursday

The Top 10 Reasons I Like/Love My Job

1. I'm bossy, grouchy & sometimes nosey. I get paid to be in other folks' business & boss them around. What more could I ask for?
2. I'm the youngest & only minority female on the management team.
3. I don't punch a clock. I'm free to come & go as I please.
4. Even tho I have a manager, she doesn't micro-manage me. I do my work, my way.
5. I get to put folks in their place, tactfully of course, and there's not a damn thing they can say or do.
6. As a young, black, teen mother, from the projects no less, it feels good when the higher educated, stuffed white shirts need to come to me for the answers.
7. I have the respect of the executives, managers, fellow middle managers & subordinates.
8. White folks think I'm the go-to person for all things "black". They know they won't be met with eye/neck rolling and attitude, when they simply want to know something about "us".
9. I have a say in all social functions. I try to make sure "we" aren't bored to tears or starve to death {which happened once & I'll tell about it later}.
10. Lastly, I can mess around on-line at my leisure & have no worries.

Now tell me what you like/love about your job.