10/31/07
How Do You Know You Are All Grown Up?
10/29/07
Losing Your Blog Comment Virginity
Nevertheless, let's get something straight. Let me set some ground rules. We can agree to disagree. You can feel free to express your opinion on a subject as will I. However, if you decide to make it personal and resort to name calling - ("dumb ass", "Ho", "delusional" to name just a few) and on top of that do all of it anonymous - I am willing and able to bring it. I will track you, I will reverse track you IP address to your home, your job, to where ever. I will ban you, I will nip that nonsense in the bud direct like. I am not going to play with this or even let it escalate to some crazy stalker/hater mess. Uniqua will jump up and open palm slap the shyat outta the first mouth she comes upon.
As a neophyte to this kind of hate, Uniqua took over and she exchanged words. Luckily, I was able to get her under control and get some good mentorship in this arena from someone who has been at this adventure much longer than I. God Bless you and thank you for your advice, help and action.
My daddy always told me to pay no mind to to when people talk about you. They wouldn't be talking about you if you weren't doing something right. There will always be haters. But don't get it twisted...my daddy also told me that in life & business, never wound your opponent/competition (in this case haters), "put em down for good, baby. That way they can't get back up to hurt you later." I will bring down the thunder - don't let the smile fool ya. As my husband is fond of saying..."Careful, she may be beautiful, but she does know how to kill."
I welcome your comments. I would love to be getting more. I welcome your opinion and if you disagree with something - your constructive criticism. Let's chat without the nastiness.
As for my anonymous commenter...I accept your apology. I can't imagine what I could have possibly said in any of my posts that would bring out the kind of venom that I experienced, but I hope that you and your loved one are okay. God Bless.
10/28/07
Diva's in the Park
Cara is passing all of her DIT (Diva in Training) exams.
A Diva's Gotta Have Shoes
Anyhoo...I did some damage
And what I love about some of these shoes (the Betsy Johnson's & the Naughty Monkey's) were that they came with an extra set of taps. Just too cool.
I bought the Tadashi Cocktail dress for the party in red to rock at the party. I'm sure Grandma will come in a full ball gown & gloves (or pretty near close).
And YES, Virginia, the new body does rock in this kick azz dress. HA! I even took the bod out for a spin at the gym this week. I was winded a bit but I still got it. I rocked the Master Step class Saturday morning. Gonna try the Spin class tomorrow. Don't want all that money spent to go to waste. Heck Naw!
I was crackin myself up at the gym when this lady I take step with on a regular came up to me and said "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight." I smiled and said thanks, but I was waiting for her to ask me how I did it or is that your body? Kinda like when people walk up to ya and ask "Is that your hair?" I was chuckling to myself as I walked out of the gym thinking that I would answer, the same way I do the hair question..."Why, of course it is my body (hair). I have a receipt." I was crack myself up.
Spree over. Now have to focus on the details for the party.
10/24/07
Toolbelt Diva Strikes Again
We built an addition onto our house and it was finally "finished" August of 2006. What was supposed to take 18 months took 3 years to complete and the drama (#1 - our Architect turned out not to be one and not even licensed to do home improvement) that lead to us commissioning a sign for the house (True Blessings Estate) is fodder for another blog. In fact, it was the all the drama, tears, heartache and fear of losing our home that led me to start blogging (and the insistence of my country girlfriend - now suburban soccer mom - Terri). If you would like to see a video slide show of the drama and blessings, check out "The Building of a True Blessing." . All the tile, appliances, cabinets, drywall, showers and more - I bought at auction. All of the decoration, wallpaper, paint, etc - I did - cause after cause overruns in an amount that I don't care to discuss - we had to do a lot of the finishing ourselves.
Anyhoo - I finished the family room today by finally hanging the valance and putting the curtains up. Whew. I sanded the fireplace (it was originally fuchsia) & painted it white. Added the bronze tiles to the mantle piece, painted the back wall in a rust "sand textured paint", hung the textured wallpaper, picked all the art, Ron selected the carpet in Turkey, and wha la! we be finished. I love it. It is warm and inviting and leads right into the home theater which is behind the french doors. Here are some pictures of the finished project...
Oh, and P.S. I don't care if you don't like it...we do. Everybody has their own decorating tastes so if you don't care for it...keep it to your dang self or Uniqua is going to make an appearance.
10/22/07
Sunday Afternoon in the Park
By time we finished the pony ride, the masses of people at the park rivaled the Howard County Fair. We made a bee line for the car and Cara's sweet disposition melted down. She was exhausted and just fell apart. I ended up having to carry her to the car - she be heavy. She took a 30 second nap in the car and got her second wind. She is a trip.
All in all, a good day with my mini diva.
10/19/07
My Fifteen Minutes of Fame
If you want to take a listen....Click Here.
http://www.irocktalkradio.com/JR_Show_Lisa_Steptoe.htm
10/15/07
Women Over 40
As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:
A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.
If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.
Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
Women get psychic as they age.
You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off that you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?", here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!
10/10/07
Reflections from Captiva Island
Although it is supposed to be beautiful down here (and it is), I really didn't want to leave home. I just got home and there is a lot going on at home. I feel like I'm gonna miss something.
That "something" being the beginning of a new adventure, a new phase of Ron and my life together. I can feel the excitement in the air, that electricity or change in air pressure when something is about to happen.
We've had several of these periods in our life together....
1. The Academy Years - our dating, making it through West Point which all came to a climax during Grad Week. I remember the moment...right after Recognition Parade (I bet my Mom remembers, cause she was there after the parade when I just couldn't stop bawling and didn't know why since graduation wasn't till the next day). I had arrived at the top of my first mountain - VICTORIOUS - and I was overwhelmed in the moment.
2. The Army Years - those were some tough, but fun years. Living together for the first time although we had been together for 4 years at West Point. WOW. I was not fit to be a wife, but Ron (in his infinite wisdom) grabbed me by my shoulders one horrible, confrontational night and said..."I didn't get married to get divorced. I saw something in you way back when, my diamond, and you need to get your s----t together cause I'm not going anywhere." Despite the fact that during the 1st 3 years of our marriage, I tried real hard to drive him away. (WHY? I dunno, cause I was stoooopit). Anyway, I snapped out of it at that moment and started my trek towards divadom. We decided our goal was to get back to West Point to be Outreach Officers, Ron developed a plan of action, we executed and orders were cut. This phase (in my eyes - Ron might have a different moment) came to a climax when I found out I was pregnant. It was a glorious year - we had so much fun - and we decided together to leave the service and strike out on our own.
3. The "Find" a Dream Phase - our 1st corporate job (with the same company), owning our 1st place, our new baby and Ron was still restless. He wanted more. More what? Stuff? He didn't know, but he wanted more so we was gonna figure it out. He decided that he wanted a "Dream Home"and to be a millionaire before he turned 40, but it was killin' him to figure out how he was gonna do that on just our paychecks alone. He met a co-worker who asked all the right questions and said all the right things to appeal to Ron's dream...and if Ron was excited then damn sure I was gonna be. (P.S. If you want to crush your knight in shining armor, crush his dreams and smash his ego - If you want to keep you knights fighting the good fight and delivering your hearts desire, shut your mouth and stand beside him). So we became Amway/Quixtar distributors...and the journey began.
4. The "Build" the Dream Phase - Over 12 years, we built a large organization, traveled the country and even opened up Amway South Africa. Ron and I built a network of friends & family that would rival any one's Rolodex. Ron met the realtor who (after 5 years of looking) found us the house we are still in (and expanded on) today on a trip back from showing the business plan to our organization in Chicago. That person introduced us to our financial planner (Ron calls him our "Rich Dad"), who got Ron to stop thinking that the ONLY way for an average guy to make money was through Quixtar. We build a real estate and asset management company from the ground up, at one time owning 9 properties at one time...and guess who handled the property management and finances for several years...MOI! When we started making WAY more money in our real estate ventures than in Quixtar - we had to walk away. I knew we were transitioning to a new phase of our lives when Ron could walk away from 14 years at P.fiz.er and venture out on his own.
So, the past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Ron is on the phone constantly, the fax machine and computer is about to explode. I swear that he is gonna get cauliflower ear from that dayum cell phone and carpel tunnel from the crackberry. But all Ron will tell me is..."Hold onto your spanx baby, what's about to go down will set you free (from the corporate world) real soon. Just hang tough with me, and we will be......
Phase 5 - "LIVING THE DREAM"
It is killing me not to nag, ask a million questions, nag some more...but I see the fire in his eyes - again - and when my man is on his game - well - stand back and watch him burn. I've been told that I WILL be put to work. No plain ole lady of leisure for me. Gotta brush up on my financial knowledge and math skills...He gonna make me CFO. HA! I'm ready with the runway walk and the princess wave. I can handle them books. BRING EM! Oh, and I have no problem spendin' some too. He actually told me to do some dream building while here and look (just look -see) at the beach homes and see what I like. Not a problemo.
Nevertheless, right now, I wanna be home. I don't want to miss the moment. I wanna be there when Ron finally hangs up the phone, closes his computer and says "Baby, the contract is signed. It is done." Champagne anyone?
The sunset was beautiful, but it would have been better - oh, so much better - if "RonnieBear" was here watching it with me.
10/9/07
Pass & Review
Well, we are back to the daily grind from a glorious reunion. This had to be one of the best Class Reunions I've been to...and I've been to all 4. (5,10, 15, 20). Reconnecting with old friends was wonderful and I hope to make a best effort to keep in touch - not letting another 5 years pass before speaking or seeing my fellow alumn.
Unfortunately, the fun is over and it is back to work. The very first thing I had to deal with was a flat tire on my car. Thank goodness for a company car and a company repair service. I just didn't see the diva changin' a tire. Lord, what if I broke a nail.
I'm off to a conference tomorrow. I SOOOOOO don't want to leave home, but that's why they pay me the big bucks. Yeah Right.
10/8/07
Video Clips from 20th Class Reunion
Check out the video clips by CLICKING HERE....
There is a great one of me acting crazy after 2 energy drinks...or was I just plain being silly. You guess.
10/7/07
Class Dinner & Concert Update
I promised some pictures from the Class Dinner and the mini-concert that Walter Cunningham put on after the dinner. Can you tell that we were having a blast. We sure do LOOK GOOD 20 years later. HA! We haven't cracked yet.
You know what's really CRAZY...The Class of 87 is still to this day the largest class of African Americans admitted to West Point and the largest group that actually graduated. At the Superintendents briefing, he showed up the statistics on the Class of 2011 and while there is a record number of women entering this year, only 6% of the Class of 2011 is Black. WTF. War - Smore. That is not the only reason we (West Point - aka - The United States Military Academy) can't find and recruit qualified minorities to attend. I looked around the room at all my fellow Black Alumni and what I saw was good looking, prosperous, makin' it happen Black people. The kind of "makin it happen" Black's that I not only want to hang with but also wouldn't hesitate to put my life into their hands. Several of them are still on active duty ( 2 doctors, 1 Aviation Brigade Commander, 1 at NSA and more). WHERE ARE THESE KIDS!!!???? We all agreed that we had to step up our own personal marketing and recruiting campaign or it simply isn't going to happen. The Supe is even talking about "at risk kids" and those are not the same at risk academically kids that we are talking about at most other schools. He said the "at risk" kids that are admitted to West Point graduate at the same rate or better than those who did not have academic risk. WELL, let's get busy.
You can turn your nose up at a military education or the military if you want to. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but I would NOT be the person I am today and I'm sure all the beautiful Blacks you see in these pictures wouldn't either if we had not attended West Point. Freedom ain't free, there is a price to be paid for your right to live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." Are you willing to give back 5 years of your life to the Army for an Ivy League education at the bargain basement price of $0, get paid while in school, have a guaranteed job upon graduation and transferable skills when done if you decided to leave the service? Then what will you do? What will you settle for? You won't even consider it or let your children look at the opportunity? Shame...cause opportunities just don't jump up in your face. You best be prepared, done some homework, "STAND IN THE DOOR"...cause it is only when PREPAREDNESS & OPPORTUNITY meet, that you find fortune.
Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox and back on to the FUN we had at the reunion. Yesterday was one of the most exhausting but exhilarating days. For the 1st time in 15 years (or 2 reunions -10 & 15) has our class been able to participate in the Alumni Parade and Review cause the last 2 reunions the parade was rained out. This year, it was sunny and 86 degrees. It was one of the longest Parades (at least it felt that way) in human history and we did the Alumni March and Memorial Service and then lined up for the Corp of Cadets to honor the 4 alumni classes in attendance (2002, 1992, 1997, 1987) with "Pass & Review." The Cadets march onto The Plain in Full Dress Grey and salute all the dignitaries and alumni and then parade past us in salute. It was so DAMN hot I thought I was freakin' gonna pass out, but I was also choked up. I was moved at the whole ceremony and DAMN PROUD - HUUUAH! to be a graduate. I was in awe.
Almost out of battery power here in the car. I'll get the pictures from the parade up later.
10/6/07
Cupid Shuffle...
We started the day off with a trip to the Cadet Store. Ron and I HAD to replace at least one of our "green girls." WTF you ask is a "green girl?" Well, you kinda had to be here (as a cadet) to understand but I will do my best to 'splain it. A "green girl" is a blanket...an adult binkie. Each of us (old and new grad) has a personal and binding relationship with their "green girl." See... a green girl is olive green and one of the most comfortable, transportable, sleep (aka "rack" inducing) binkie's know to modern man. My green girl was one of a few things that got me through West Point. If I didn't have her to wrap myself in and catch a few minutes of "rack" or to just keep me warm and comfort me when I needed a warm touch...since there IS NOT PDA (public displays of affection) at WP...I would have snapped and gone home. But after 24 years and several moves, both Ron and my "green girls" have seen better days or have gone missing. We needed at least one new one for posterity sake. Not only did we purchase a "green girl" but another "throw" for our chaise in our bedroom and numerous other items for our WP collection.
Now that we are "old grads" and the "Corp of Cadets has...gone to hell" we now "collect." WHATEVER. $200 and an hour later we have made our Cadet Store purchases.
Joe and Terri seemed to purchase the ENTIRE store and had to even change checkout lines. Guess they had TOO MUCH STUFF!!!!! We ran into several of our classmates trying to renew a relationship with a green girl and other stuff. Just when I thought Ron and I were crazy, there has to be someone who buys 2+.
After the Cadet Store, we road march back to Eisenhower Hall (technically the "Student Union" for you civilians) for the Class lunch, Superintendents Briefing and Class Meeting. Lunch was fine, slept through Supes briefing and the Class Meeting went ON AND ON AND ON AND ON. By time we got back to THE Thayer, Ron and I barely had enough time for a nap and dress up for the class reception and dinner.
We get back to Eisenhower Hall, where the reception and dinner is going to take place and they have set up this piano in a room of 2000 people off to the far corner behind a wall where 90% of the class would not be able to see nor hear Walter Cunningham play from his new CD. (Check out my classmate in the sidebar of my site here). Well, Ron just was not going to have it. Why is it that they always SHAFT the black man. While "they" made time and room to do a 30 min slide presentation about a guy who was so mal-adjusted that he didn't even graduate with us. Matter of fact, he was kicked out of the Academy 2 weeks before graduation. Go Figure! SOOOOOOOOO. We can accommodate (ie. get a mike, set up the projector, ect) for a NON-GRAD!!!!!, but we simply CAN'T move a freakin' piano out of the back far corner of an over 20,000 sq ft ball room for someone who DID graduate? WTF OVER!
Ron was not going to let it rest. He (being the diplomat that he is) managed to find the manager of Ike Hall and get him to open Benny Haven's (formerly known as the Firstie Club = Senior Club), get a piano moved in there and several microphones so we could conduct a private concert to promote Walter's new CD. THAT IS MY MAN!!!!!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
The concert starts about 9:30 and Walt starts off with "audience involvement." He gets all of us singing old love songs as he plays the piano, then he gets everyone to start singing all choir like...there were 3 ladies who stood up for soprano; me and 3 other ladies who stood up for alto's and so forth. We did about 3 popular gospel songs...which I have on video and will load as an update later... and then Walter premiered his CD. I haven't had this much fun NOR sang like this in YEARS!!!! Seriously. After Walt finished playing on the live piano for 2 hours, his business partner and classmate, Nate J. mixed some jams for us to "DROP IT LIKE ITS HOT" on his Ipod. I danced till my feel almost exploded out of my shoes.
When Ron and I got back to THE hotel, I kicked off my shoes and hobbled up the stairs to our room. I danced and partied till my bunions SCREAMED Uncle...and they did.
I have pics and video which I will update you with later. It is 1:00 am and I just ain't doing it now. Tomorrow we have lunch is Washington Hall - our "Mess Hall", Class Picture, Alumni Parade and Review, Tailgate, and then BEAT TULANE!!!! Yeah Beat Em.
To the left, to the left, to the left to the left.... to the right to the right, to the right, to the right....now kick, now kick now kick, now kick...now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself. HA! We did the Cupid Shuffle!!!!
I LOVE BEING AN ALUMNI!!!!! and I had a great time today with all of my classmates - specially Walt, Nate and all my African American Alumn. See you tomorrow.
10/5/07
Reunion Kick-Off Reception
We arrived at THE Thayer Hotel today about 3:30 pm. THE Thayer is the ONLY hotel ON post so it is "allegedly a big deal to be able to get a room here. ALL hype. Call me a hotel snob if you want to, but the rooms at THE Thayer are one step above a room at the Super 8, except the doors here are on the inside instead of the outside of the hotel. For all of this money, I need a mini bar, robe, and something resembling a Heavenly Bed. Not even close. No mini bar, no robe, bed sucks but we do have a coffee pot...IN THE FREAKIN BATHROOM of all places. Whatever. We are here and that should be all that matters.
We take a little nap...well, I do while Ron wheeled and dealed on his crackberry and cell. Then he decided it was time to find out if the plumbing still works after all the surgery. Okay, I'm game...been awhile ya know. Turns out that everything works JUSTA FINE!!!!!! WHEW!
We get dressed and hitch a ride with J&T up to Herbert Hall Alumni Center for the reception. The Steptoe brick in the walkway is holding up nicely. We get into the Alumni Center and it is a freakin mad house. We get our gift bag and hat fine but the whole name tag thingy was a complete MESS! WTF! WHO THE FREAK IS IN CHARGE? Certainly NOT the Conference Chair who walked around viewing the mess and not doing a DAMN thing about it. Irritated the sheeyat out of me. Over 1200 name tags strewn across 2 tables in absolutely nor order. Pandemonium. Being the obsessive compulsive, type A personality that I am, I simply could not let this go, so between myself and my classmate Mike B., we managed to get R-Z organized by letter on one table while his wife and Terri organized A-Q on another. EXCUSE ME!!!! CONFERENCE CHAIR. Do you want to take some LEADERSHIP of this fiasco. Obviously not. Mike and his wife (and classmate) Connie have told me I need to let it go, but DAMN. The SHEEYAT was everywhere.
Anyway, we managed to get it under control and moved onto the bar. Time for some serious drinking but since there is only beer and wine, I best be quick about it since it is gonna take a whole lot of wine to get a tad silly. I decided to just sit back and take a look around to make some observations:
- 20 years sure do make us look all grown up. Some a whole LOT more than others. Some look not a day difference (RON) and others look like life just beat the crap out of them.
- I was overdressed but not a problem. As my grandmother always told me, it is better to be overdressed than to be underdressed. You can't fix or dress down UNDERdressed. I ask myself several times, "What, on God's Green Earth, were you thinkin' when you put that on." HOTMESS.
- I loved Terri's comment about how the more that time passes and she comes to these things, the less she is worried about what she looks like or what she is wearing. Re-read comment #2.
- Realizing just how great my life is and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Just when I thought I was far gone in the alcohol department, there was one lady who had WAY more than me. She was absolutely hilarious. I managed to get her under her husbands wing who told me that she was doin fine and they were goin to a after party. I told him "No, baby, SHE BE DONE!" Hope she is takin' some aspirin right now cause tomorrow is gonna be a long day.
10/4/07
20th Class Reunion
Do we feel old? NOPE. We LOOK GOOD! I'm so excited to see my classmates (at least some of them), but mostly excited to see the African-American classmates (with exception of my girl Terri & Joe - they honorary). Only 90 total graduated in my class (15 women) and all of us were either in the Contemporary Affairs Seminar Club, the Gospel Choir or both. It's gonna be a CAS & Gospel Choir reunion. I just know we are gonna break out in a mini concert.
Well, I'm prepared with some fierce clothes. New shoes and new hand bag. Packed the best jewels and dusted off the tiara (just kidding... I meant bayonet). Of course, I'll keep you posted on the happenings with commentary and pictures. Tonight is the opening reception.
Stay tuned...