Chapter of the Year!

Oh Yeah BABY! The DC/Baltimore Chapter of the National Sales Network ROCKS!!!!!!! We dropped it like it was hot on Saturday Night at the NSN Conference Black & White Awards Dinner & Dance, taking home the highest award.....CHAPTER OF THE YEAR!

We said it, we claimed it, we TOOK IT. YEAH! In other words, we came and kicked some chapter butt! I was so excited, I thought my teeth were gonna pop outta my head from smiling so hard. There are 119 active (that means you paid your raggedy dues) members and we brought 112 to the conference. We got a lot more stats but I'm not gonna bore ya with em here. NUFF SAID. We WON the damn thing.

Chapter Picture (not entire group pictured) & (Some of the...) Executive Committee

DAMN WE LOOK GOOD!

After it was all said and done, we rocked the house with the DJ and I even tried to "drop it like it was hot" for a little while...had to take several rest breaks but I managed to not blow a stitch or drop one of those drains....And yes! I managed to find something to wear that didn't make those damn things showed up. Took me almost a freakin' week to plan a wardrobe for the conference where you couldn't see that I still had my drains in, but I thought FO SURE that Howard Hewitt was gonna squeeze em outta me the other night. I survived or rather "I was healed." It is amazing what you can do with a half a perc, a handsome husband, top honors, a hot gown and a slammin DJ. We partied hard.

Now you know I'm a gonna be haulin' that plaque to every function the chapter has for the next year and workin' our sponsors to renew their sponsorship for the chapter for 2008. A President HAS to use ALL of her assets. For those of you in sales...ABC...Always Be Closin'

Forwarding Emails

Don't you just get SICK and FREAKIN' tired of people sending you emails asking you to forward them to XX number of your friends & family or you will have 20 years of bad luck or you don't believe in God. Don't you just HATE it when you get forwarded an email with some kind of disturbing news and asked to pass it along to your entire address book...and when you check the veracity of it at http://www.snopes.com/ (YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE YOU EVER FORWARD AN EMAIL - cause just about 99% of all the ones I get are HOAXES).

I CAN'T STAND THAT. Most of the time, I just delete you email without even reading it.

If you hate it just as much as me, you will find this little video ditty HILARIOUS.....

Getting on my Soap Box

NSN Career Fair, Cathy Hughes, Winning & Howard Hughes

Yesterday was an awesome day at the National Sales Network 11th Annual Conference. We started with the Career Fair. We even offered a one day tickets so people could attend the Career Fair, Networking Reception and Concert. I know I've talked about this enough and sent out enough emails to choke a horse so if you missed your opportunity to attend the Career Fair - YOUR BAD. Just about every company was conducting interviews right on the spot or at least screening you for the next step. It was thrilling to go around and see some of the people from our chapter (and others) really utilize the Career Fair as an opportunity - having 2-3 interviews in one day. FANTASTIC.
(ADP is one of the DC/Baltimore Chapter Sponsors)

I even stopped by the P.F.E booth and just COULD NOT resist messing witht he recruiters. I walked up to the booth and introduced myself. One of the ladies said "Are you interested in a career with P.fiz.er?" So, I planted the huge smile on my face and said, "Well, I recently enjoyed a 15 year career at P.fi.zer and you saw fit to lay me off with a huge severance package...so, no not really. But I will take a few pens for nostalgia sake, okay?" These two ladies stood there with their mouth hanging open not knowing what to say. I thanked them for the pens, wished them luck and moved on to the next booth. HILARIOUS.!!!!!!

After the career fair, there we had our Keynote speakers luncheon and I had the honor of introducing Kathy Hughes, Radio Maven of Radio One. WOW! She was fantastic. Her talk was right on and her side bars (the tangents she went off on regularly) were so funny, I thought I was going to blow a one of my surgical drains out from laughing so hard. She went on for 2 hours (only scheduled for an hour) and nobody wanted her to stop. She commented on everything from OJ, Clarence Thomas, Michael Jackson, Jena 6, hip hop, the N word and more. I just know some of the corporate sponsors were squirmin' in their seats, but don't you just wish that you made so much money (Radio One is worth 2 Billion Dollars and 10 years later she is STILL the only African American woman on the stock exchange) that you didn't give a rats bootie what you said?

All I can say is that you missed one of the best luncheon lectures that I've heard in years.

Later that night we had a Networking reception, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. They were NSN's very first sponsor and they have always sponsored the Friday night reception and concert. The reception was very nice and they raffled off some awesome prizes ('bout 5 portable DVD players, 'bout 4 30G Ipods, 'bout 6 GPS units, and 5 leather jackets). I have been running around or 2 days, claiming that I was gonna win something. Dell was raffling off computers, Abbott gave away jump drives just if you talked to 4 people in thier hospitality room on Thursday night and a PSP player. I WON! I WON! I WON!. My name got pulled out of the bowl and I chose the 30G Ipod. I had to then protect it with my life. Everyone was wantin' to "see" my pod and I would hold it up and say SEE!

After the reception, we went into the ballroom for the Howard Hewitt concert. He was AWESOME. He did some old Shalamar stuff, songs we all knew and then a song from his new album. We had the best time. He stayed out in the audience to sing and went around to everyone. I was having so much fun and even forgot or a short time that I still had a compression suit on and 2 drains in. I was feeling great! Then the DJ came on and we partied like rockstars, tearing up the dance floor. Wish you had been here!

DC Power Team (Pfizer) Reunion

Last night, Stan Wilson (middle guy, back row), came in town from Texas and wehad an impromptu DC Power Team Mini-Reunion. It was just awesome to see some of my teammates from the good ole days at P.fizer - when selling was selling, when we kicked butt, and won everything...District of the Year, Circle of Excellence, Vice Presidents Club. Ha! We Rocked! We even had a mascot...The Power Bot...with a set district code of ethics and rules of engagement. You can read the HISTORY OF THE DC POWER TEAM by clicking link.

We were only able to get a few of us together last night for dinner at Acadiana's (which was YUMMY), but the stories and memories were great. Two of my personal favorites were when Stan won an award trip to Kiawa (I think it is in NC or GA - can't remember) but he was told that it was an island in Hawaii (as a joke) but he went home and told his wife anyway. He still hasn't forgiven us. Or my man Mike Taylor (1st guy on the left, back row) who has ALWAYS been a Texas Ranger in his heart and hasn't changed a bit...Always wore cowboy boots, the big Texas buckle, etc...you just had to love him...and notice his attire last night...

Nothing has changed at ALL...but at least he has invested in a DVD player and a big screen TV so his family wouldn't have to gather around his Pfizer computer to watch "VCR-CD's" - HE WILL NEVER live that one down either.

The funniest thing last night, was after talking about all the differences at P.fi.zer now and how there are not teams and friends like we used to have (it's definitly CYA time at the big blue now), Ron runs into a friend who works in Government Relations for PFE and he was there having dinner with the damn CEO of the company. You just don't know how much I wanted to go over, shake his hand and say thank you VERY MUCH for the awesome severance package and yes, I'm now kicking your but at a rival company. HA!

Anyway, it was wonderful to spend time with people I used to work with that I actually consider my friends...how many times can you EVER say that.

Well, I'm off to the NSN Conference which starts today officially. I can't WAIT for the Hospitality Suites Tonight.

Ron and Stan RAN DC back in the day. They were a formidable Institutional Hospital Rep Team. You can just see that they ROCKED.Sam Harris (from Ron's old District -"The Federals"), Mike and Debbie.

Now, these are some SHARP brothers. (Stan, Ron, Mike)

Why Not to Blog on Valium

Just a short note to say that:

Friends don't let Friends Blog on Drugs

My girlfriend Pattey called to remind me that our sons (16 years old), were born a month apart and that I was at her wedding (over 19 years ago). That would OBVIOUSLY mean that we have been friends for over 19 years (NOT 12). I am reviewing my post to see what other drug induced mistakes I've made, but I can tell you one thing....ALL THE MISCHIEF THAT WE'VE GOTTEN INTO OVER THE YEARS IS TRUE.

Hopefully, I won't need the Val.iu.m by November so I don't go knocking down some Mayan ruin by mistake.

Cara's ABC Adventure

As most of you know, Ron and I are in the process of adopting our 3 year old niece, Cara. We currently have full custody of her right now. Cara is a little language delayed because she had constant ear infections and we finally got her tubes in her ears so she can actually hear. She is doing marvelous now as I WISH to God sometimes that she would stop talking. She does have her own language when she is in the throws of workin' her dollhouse, but she is really improving since we got her enrolled in a special program at the pre-school nearby.

She goes to Brookfield Christian Academy all week, but 4 times a week for half a day she goes over to Dayton Elementary for extra speech therapy and language work. They are doing a marvelous job. I just got this video via email from her Dayton teacher and it is a hoot....


http://www.myabcadventure.com/index.htm?movieid=48FE4A86-F63A-4C50-BC33-859B6F6DA609
You know I'm sending this to everyone I know.

Girls in My Circle

My Girl Pattey sent this ditty to me today...I had to post it here cause it made me smile, it made me cry, it just made me sit and reflect on a friendship of over 19 years. Have we seen each other a lot...No? She's in KY and I'm here in MD but we have talked to each other on the phone almost every Sunday for 10 years and then some in between. We have shared joys, sorrows, tears, laughter, similar family drama and just stuff you can't even write about.

Pattey lost her husband this year after a long battle with cancer and handled his care and passing with the grace of a Saint...and now her son (a soccer and track star) broke both of his legs this past weekend during a soccer match and she talks about it as if its no big thing. We both have crazy sisters and the inside joke (since nothing they do EVER makes any logical sense) is to just say "Noodle" whenever they do something CRAZY/IRRATIONAL which is all the time.

And just when I didn't think my girl could get a break...GOD was RIGHT ON TIME...just like He always is, and she finally gave 2 weeks notice at her job today that we have been talking about ditching for years and is starting a new job/career come October 1st. Can I get a Hallelujah?!!! from the congregation!!!!

We still talk about the time we rode jet skis together in Hilton Head - we smiled and lauged so hard I think a burst a kidney and Pattey's teeth almost popped out of her head; the trip to the Grand Canyon and the helicopter ride back to Vegas - were I swear she was gonna slap me silly for wanting to play with the instrument panel; the NYC trip where we got up at the crack of dawn to try and be on the Today Show and where I acted like a complete tourist on the subway and almost broke some art that looked like a dresser at MOMA. I don't even want to think of the stories we are going to have when we get back from Cancun in November.

Anyway, here's the poem. I hope you enjoy it, just as much as I enjoy my friendship with my girl Pattey.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, "Let's cry together,"

another, "Let's fight together,"

another, "Let's walk away together."

One friend will meet your spiritual need,

another your shoe fetish,

another your love for movies,

another will be with you in your season of confusion,

another will be your clarifier,

another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..

those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it's wrapped up in several..

one from 7th grade,

one from high school,

several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs,

on some days your mother,

on some days your neighbor,

on others, your sisters,

and on some days, your daughters

So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years, AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO, pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life to make a difference.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Today, we spent a lazy Sunday sitting in our front grassy courtyard at 5135 and it was one of the most enjoyable days we had doing absolutely nothing in a long time. I actually put a sweatshirt (my River Hill Hoodie - as Jordan calls it) over my PJ's and sat out in one of the rockers. The pictures just don't seem to do justice to all the work I had done since I spend so much time hiding my drains and trying to keep the swelling to a minimum. I swear I could have made a fortune for one of those reality shows if I had just taken pictures of all the drama that goes on in between plastic surgery work. It is a BEEYATCH. NUF SAID....
A friend of ours left a bunch of lawn furniture in our garage and Ron decided he wanted to put the H3 in the garage with 2 of the other cars so he moved the furniture outside into the courtyard. Took me a while to convince him that we couldn't leave this furniture outside permanently because it REALLY isn't outside/outside furniture. We decided just hang out in the courtyard for a while and watch Ron move the furniture around and vacuum the garage with the wet/dry vac. He seems to have a fetish for that thing.

I took pictures of my Cana's which turned out so nice this year. I absolutely love these plants. They are huge and just keep blooming and blooming.


Jordan spent time putting together his skate board...I thought they were like SOOO played, but then again my son does play lacrosse and now tries to do tricks on his skate board. Any minute now, he will be building his own personal ramp.

Even Cara had a great time riding around in her Dora Mobile and eating Doritos - one of her favorite snacks. Even my mom got in on the deal and we opened a bottle of wine and just enjoyed the sun going down.

All in all, it was a great lazy Sunday afternoon.

NSN DC/Baltimore Pre-Conference Party

Last night was the NSN DC/Baltimore Pre-Conference Party at The Gallery in Silver Spring. WE HAD A BLAST. We had a private lounge area where we could listen to "Soulful Sounds" play and enjoy great food and drinks. WHUR was there hosting the live jazz event and we just got to take part in it all.

The 11th Annual National Sales Network Conference begins next Thursday at the Wardman Park Marriott in DC. If you are not registered...YOU ARE GONNA MISS a great conference.
So WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND (Do what you want, I'm just sayin...):

The NSN conference workshops are designed to assist you with the development of the skills required to ensure that you are competitive in the fast paced ever changing sales environment. The workshop presenters as well as the featured speakers are carefully selected and represent the absolute best of class.

Personal Development
It's not all about what you can do for your company. Your personal development is critical to your health and well being without which you could not be a star producer for any company. The NSN conference makes every effort to incorporate and address issues that impact your personal development.

Networking
The NSN conference provides a unique opportunity to interface with sales professionals that represent all industries from around the country. In addition, attendees are able to have one-on-one conversations with VP's of Sales from some of the leading companies in the US. The annual NSN conference has the dubious distinction of having the highest concentration of Africa-American VP's of Sales then any other annual meeting or conference in the world.

Cost/Value Relationship
The National Sales Network Conference & Career Fair has one of the best cost/value relationships. The very low registration fee far exceeds your return on investment.

Conference Profile 2006
Over 600 Attendees
Over 22 States Represented + International
Account Executive to VP of Sales Titles
Attendees Manage Up to $1.2 B / 200 Employees
Average Yrs of Selling Exp. = 10.3 yrs
Average Yrs of Management Exp. = 5.5 Yrs Average
51.4 % Company Paid (Career Development)

NSN Industry Representation
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Products
Medical Devices
Technology
Financial Services
Hospitality
Real Estate
Consulting
Advertising / Media
Telecommunications
Industrial
Education

FW: Breaking News!! Second-degree battery charges against Mychal Bell Overturned!

Late breaking news on the Jena Six case!! The Associated Press has reported that the 3rd Circuit of Court of Appeals has overturned the second-degree battery charges against Mychal Bell! Bob Noel, one of Bell's attorneys stated that the court has ruled that 17-year-old Bell should never have been charged as an adult. Though this decision offers a glimmer of hope for Bell amidst what seemed to be a sea of judicial disappointments, he will not automatically be released and the charges can be upped by LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters. Walters can appeal the decision, accept the decision and charge Bell as an adult with attempted murder, or charge Bell with aggravated second-degree battery as a juvenile.   CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY...   Breaking News! Mychal Bell is Free!! Be sure to check AFRO.com for updates on the Jena Six Case!! Other articles... Justice in Jena - Mychal Bell's Conviction Overturned! Court overturns conviction in Jena beating Appeals Court Tosses Conviction In Jena 6 Case     Click here to join our mailing list!

My Alter Ego - Uniqua

Uniqua is her name and her species. She’s graceful, agile, and as light on her feet as a ballerina. But when it comes to playing, she’s more “adventure” than “ballet.” Unafraid and daring, Uniqua loves to run, climb, and ride her bike faster than anyone. She also loves to tell silly jokes, make silly noises, and tickle her friends. Yes, Uniqua is mischievous, but she’s also sweet – she knows whether her friends are happy or sad, and she’ll always say something to show that she cares.

Unless you have kids and watch the Backyardigan's, you have no idea, but Uniqua is MY GIRL, MY ALTER ego. She has always been the super hero plump girl that that was lurking inside me and always waiting to break out.

Well, I went and had "some work done"....(which I had to get several brochures from Dr. Markmann's office since now I have a "following"...as if I was the colored girl guinea pig for plastic surgery...considering his practice is now about 70% African-American women)... and like I've said before...NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT THE IN-BETWEEN...all you see on Discover Health & Extreme Makeover is the before and after. Well, let me tell you there is some SHEEEEYAT during the in-between and me and Uniqua are having a conversation again.

Between the body compression suit, the corset, the 3 drains, the foam padding in certain places to keep the fluid down, the swelling, blah, blah, blah (I'll spare you the more gruesome details), I don't look a damn different. At least in clothes. So Uniqua and I had a pity party over 800mg of M.otri.n and a val.i.u.m, until Ron decided that I would probably feel much better if he sat me in the shower for a while (we have a seat in the shower). So, it takes like FOREVER to get me out of the clothes I have on, unhook my drains, remove the corset, the pressure stockings, the compressions suit and WHALAH I'm naked.

Ron immediately starts mumbling and cursing under his breath..."this sh*& is going to cost me more than just the procedure. Now I'm looking at alterations, new clothes, hell." When you can look past the swelling and stitches (which will dissolve, I've been told) I will eventually be FIERCE!!!!

Right now Uniqua is still hanging on to the title role.

Jordan's Slammin' 16th Birthday Party

My baby is now all grown up. He turned 16 on September 1st, has his learners permit and is 6 ft tall with a harem of girlfriends. What is a mother to do? We threw him a slammin 16th Birthday Party at Dave & Busters on the 25th and we had a great time. Enjoy the pics...

In Sickness & In Health

For those of us who have been married a long times, there are moments when you wonder "does my other-half really love me...or how much do they really love me?" You know...those random thoughts when you've been with someone a LONG time. Well, I can tell you that when you are part of the sick & shut in...THAT IS WHEN THE REAL TEST OF UNDYING LOVE...No matter what...shines through.

Here are some examples:
1. When you have the stomach flu and stuff is coming from both ends and you pass out right off the of the toilet....YOU KNOW THAT YOUR MAN LOVES YOU...when you wake up and ask him to wipe you up and put on something decent before the paramedics get up the stairs. My man cleaned me like a newborn baby, puts on a nightgown and brushes my hair before the paramedics get up into the bathroom. NOW THAT IS LOVE.

2. You get food poisoning on the way to the Caribbean. I take an airsick bag off the plane, just in case, and end up having to use it. My man stands beside me, opens his coat and blocks every one's view and I blow chunks into this little airsick back.
He man wipes my face with his only handkerchief, gets me a wheelchair and arranges for a flight attendant to "attend" to me in the ladies room while we wait for our connecting flight. NOW THAT IS LOVE.

3. You have elective plastic surgery and your man is right there with you, emptying your drains, helping you unclog them, helping you remove a pain pump catheter (and not one bit of pain) and helping with sponge baths. NOW THAT IS LOVE.

4. You finally have to go #2, but your are in a compression suit. It is near impossible to hold the suit open in the back and do your business AND wipe clean. My man, WHO LOVES ME, holds the opening open while I take care of business and then cleans me all up (okay --- he did take it to an extreme for a moment there when I thought he was gonna try and get the insides of me spotless too!). Did he flinch, did he make a face, did he say anything derogatory? NOPE. Just took care of business, asked if I was comfortable and tucked me back into the chaise that he set up for my comfort. NOW THAT IS LOVE.

Would I do the same. OF COURSE, without question. Just the look in his eyes as he ministers to me. The care, the gentleness. The way he wipes away my tears and consoles me when I think I can bear no more.

I know my man love me...in sickness and in healht.

The Disappearance of a Blogger

How does this happen? One day your spending an evening catching up on your favority bloggers and the next minute you find out that than one of your favorites just literally disappeared not only off the face of blogland, but off the face of the earth. WTF???!!!!

I went to get my dose of "Thoughts of an Angry Black MF" and there is some crazy blogg with a bunch of rediculous adds and a completely stupid post on "Enthusiasm." WTF. Where did the original blog go? How does someone completely disappear from the blogosphere? I couldn't even find any of his old blogs...not a one. The only way for me to find any old writings was to search my deleted files for his feedblitz emails...

"Thoughts of an Angry Black MF" - 1 new article
Why I'm Pissed Off This Week
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Why I'm Pissed Off This Week
1. If you gon sneak in my office cabinet and steal some Girl Scout cookies, close 'em the fukk back up. Now my shyt stale as a mf. Greedy, thievin' bytch!!

2. How come my cell phone loses service in certain parts of the building, but Al Qaeda can forward videos and text messages from caves and underground tunnels? What kinda service do THEY have?

3. If we both know I don't fukks with you, don't make small talk with me at the office. I hate a fake azz, smile in your face, but hate your mf guts, punk bytch. Don't say a mf thing to me. Shyt like that just makes me violent. Ask for what you need in an email.

4. MFs who try to convey a mood on their mf voicemail. They got Sadé or Mary J. from 95 playing. Or better yet, they got some ignorant azz message that tells you what they're dealing with: "If this is them haters, then i'm not here right now." So I leave a mf message: "Call me back, girl....lets re-evaluate your priorities." (What if I was a mf job?)

5. Ok...I saw a rat in the office last week. So, I inform the building manager....and this mf says to me, "Awww, no biggie." Really?! No biggie, bytch?! A mf rodent in the office is "no biggie?" Note to self: Never eat a mf THING he brings in to the office...'cuz what ELSE is "no biggie?" If a rodent can slide, so does a WHOLE lot of other shyt. "No biggie," though? Like he's at Wendys and they asked him if he wants to upgrade his shyt. This is a mf RAT. Be concerned, mf!! Now, it's 3 days later, and he's lookin' for it with a flashlight and a mf ladder...INSTEAD of calling an exterminator. WTF! What's he gonna do when he finds it? Pick it up? And whats the mf ladder for?

Now when I click on the link to his old site, I get some weird stuff. I've even clicked his link on other friends blog rolls. NOTHING. Anybody got the scoop?

Blog Carnival

I participated in my first Blog Rodeo/Carnival. Not sure what all happened, but here is the results...

Lisa Steptoe from Stories of a Traveling Diva writes her own Package Insert, complete with contraindications and dosing instructions.

Aloha_50 from In Praise Of The Female Form blog answers the question Why do I blog? with pictures of women in suggestive poses.

CyberCelt from CoolAdzine for Marketers invites y'all to join Bloggers United to Stop Abuse.

Jan from The Poodle (and dog) blog shares her story about a notorious hotel heiress named after the capital of France in The day the stats peaked.

Robert Hruzek from Middle Zone Musings officially kicks off his What I Learned From… project for September with What I Learned From... Change.

Sue from Nuttin' But Pimp asks a delicate question: What Happens When A Blogger Dies?

Anthony from The Lives and Times... of Anthony McCune writes a unique post about A Year of Bloggability.

Kilroy_60 from Fear And Loathing - The Gonzo Papers shares the interview with which he was named the Blog Village's Newest Featured Villager.

Naomi from Diary From England writes about A Wonderful Blogging Experience. She also shares information about England Goes Gonzo Carnival, the next Gonzo carnival, on Monday October 1, 2007.

If you ever get invited to participate, give it a try. You meet and read some interesting stuff.

Ghosts of West Point

Chip Armstrong

Chip Armstrong grew up in Washington, DC. His mother, a DC public school librarian, introduced him to books at the earliest age, and he never looked back on his love affair with them. Growing up with no brothers, his saxophone, sports, his books kept him occupied. Edgar Allen Poe was his favorite writer.

From the time he was born he had a passion about the Army. He grew up with toy rifles and helmets, GI Joes, and the "Ballad of the Green Berets". The Viet Nam War intensified his interest in serving and leading soldiers. This led him to pursue becoming a commissioned officer by first attending St. John's College High School in Washington, DC, which at the time, was the Nation's second largest JROTC program. Ultimately, he entered and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He served in staff and command positions around the globe until he resigned after eleven years of commissioned service as a major to pursue a corporate career.

After four years in engineering and manufacturing with DuPont, he spent the next eleven years as a financial advisor with top Wall Street firms, earning vice president positions. It was during the next two years as a senior manager at Under Armour in Baltimore that he decided that the passion to write had to take precedence.

Now he writes.

Chip Armstrong is a family friend and alumni and we have had a great time listening to his stories over the years and being included in his research and other aspects of his books. Please take a moment and check out his website. I know you will enjoy his stories.

Metamorphosis - Part 3

I had a bad moment last night. When the doctor says 1-2 happy pills every 4 hours...HE MEANS IT. No joke, don't be playing with the time cause it is extremely hard to get yourself back from screaming to a steady state of dull ache.

I messed up. I got up to do my walk and decided to clean up a tad, brush my hair, empty my drains, etc and as I was trying to shuffle back to to the chaise that Ron has set up as my comfort station, WHAM! - I knew something was horribly wrong. It hurt so bad to get back into the chair, I was crying up a storm, body trembling. Ron started freakin out...Jordan was rubbing my hair and putting a cold compress on my head. It took an hour after they got 2 perks & a val**m in my system before I stopped hyperventilating and was calm enough to go to sleep. I got a great night of sleep, but was up at 4:00am. I decided to get ready for my 1st post-opt appointment...I sponged bathed again, teeth, coiffed my hair and even put some makeup on. I then sat in a chair until about 7:00am waiting for Ron to get up. We dropped Cara off at school and went to see Dr. Markmann.

He was very impressed with how well I was healing and Ron was like "WOW! even through the swelling I can see a huge difference. You have a lot of altering your are gonna have to do. How much is this REALLY gonna cost me." Made my day.

Well, I'm tucked into my comfort station (chaise lounge w/lots of pillows, computer, cell, remotes, books, puzzles, water/juice, PILLS...all with hands reach) Tomorrow, I think I'm going to try 20 minutes outside on the deck getting some fresh air.

Till next time...and DON'T FORGET YOUR DOSE!

Metamorphosis - The truth behind the scenes

I'm not even sure that this post will be coherent - CAUSE I'M SUCKIN DOWN DRUGS LIKE THEY CANDY. I am not missing a dose. When the time comes when I can suck down another happy pill, I'm there.

Plastic Surgery AIN'T no joke. I have no idea how the people who lost hundreds of pounds from bariatirc surgery and then have a Body Lift stand it. THIS MESS HURTS LIKE A MUG!!! The tummy tuck is what hurts the most. I now have a new understanding of phrase...Beauty IS pain. Oh Yeah.

- I was told that I would be in a body shaper for weeks. Yep.
- I was told that I would have a minimum of 3 drains. Yep...but they didn't explain to me that I would have to get up every few hours to drain them my dag on self. EEWWW!
- I was told that I wouldn't be able to stand up straight for about a week. Yep...but they didn't tell me how much it was gonna hurt to just move around.
- I was told that I would be swollen cause of all the fluids they put in ya. Yep...but they didn't tell me I would really look like the Pillsbury dough girl. I can finally bend my fingers to even type.
- I was told that that I would love the results. Yep...just when will that be?

When the swelling goes down perhaps I'll be able to share some before and after pictures for you. This too shall pass and I will be fierce!

Metamorphosis

I never thought that my letter to my sister would stir up so much controversy. WHEW! It has been the discussion of my friends (who came in town to celebrate Jordan's 16th Birthday) AND family...my mother definitely has strong feelings on the subject of my sister...VERY understandable considering she has had to deal with the angst, guilt, heartache of having Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as daughters. God Bless her strength. I look at her sometimes and don't understand how she keeps standing when weight of it all is just sometimes too much for anyone to bear. I know where I get it from. So, when she occasionally has a Foamy Rant - ya gotta let her have it - I think she's entitled.

Anyway, it was a blast on Saturday night, sitting around the kitchen island while my girl/classmate Ila (who is "anointed" with the gift of apple martini's) practices mixology and we argued the merits of sending the letter or not, reminisced over family drama that is funny years later, tellin lies mixed with some truth AND........

....discussing my impending Metamorphosis tomorrow...

Metamorphosis

"A change in appearance, physical form or substance, a striking alteration in appearance of character, changes in form and life function...

... an all together makeover, rejuvenation or artistic enhancement; to help make you look the way you fell inside - helping to give you the facial or body features you desire."

The Diva's metamorphosis begins tomorrow at 8:30am.

Enhancing beauty through Finance.

HA! - how's that for controversial.

How to Tell If You Need Prayer at Work

After spending a week in training class where I thought my brain would explode from my head, I got this email from my bestest girlfriend....and knew it was so true.

How to Tell If You Need Prayer at Work -

1. When a coworker comes in a little to happy singing "good morning" to everyone and you think, "Somebody needs to slap the s#@! out of her.".....You need to pray at work.

2. When someone comes in and announces, "Office meeting in 5 minutes," and you think, "what the f*&% do they want now."....You need to pray at work.

3. When you computer is mysteriously turned off and you want to say "which one of you sons of b*&#%'s turned off my computer.".....You need to pray at work.

4. When you and a coworker are discussing something and a third person comes in and says "well at my last office...." and you want to say "Who the f*#$ cares?"...You need prayer at work.

5. When you're in the elevator and it stops to pick up someone who stood for five minutes waiting for the darn thing only to go down ONE floor, and you say "that lazy b*$&%#."....You need to pray at work.

6. When you hear a coworker call your name and the first thing that crosses your mind is, "what the f*&% does she want now" and you try to hid underneath your desk...You need to pray at work.

7. When you take some vacation time and come back to find a mountain of paperwork sitting on your desk because no one would do it and you think "sorry a@@ m&*%$#* f*&%$#'s....You need to pray at work.

8. If you have ever thought about poisoning, choking, punching, or slapping someone that you work with....You need to pray at work.

9 If you avoid saying more than "hello" or "how you doing" to someone because you know it's going to lead to their whole f&%#ing life story....You need to pray at work.

10. If you know all the words that have beeped out...You DEFINITELY need to pray at work.

Let's all bow our heads.

A Letter to My Sister

I've been getting a lot of calls from the detention center from my sister...send me this....I need that....I need some money...blah blah blah..

Well, I was bored OUT OF MY MIND today in a training class and penned this letter to my sister....

Dear Laura,

I'm writing this letter to you because I am weary...weary form having to deal with your drama, weary from cleaning up your mess, weary from the financial burden you have put us all through...just plain weary.

You ended our last conversation with tears; crying about your lot in life; how nobody will visit you or send you money; how nobody is there for you or will help you...and I just got sick of listening to the lies, the bullsyat, the manipulation.

It is time for you to take responsibility for your life, your actions and take care of yourself. For over 20 years, you have relied on and taken advantage of your family and all the while whining about how nobody will ever help you. Let's review "the help" you haven't gotten over the past 20 years:

• We've gotten you jobs ----- you were let go/fired/just didn't show up
• Mom got you a scholarship and accepted to college ----you dropped out w/o ever going to a class
• We've bought you (at least) 3 cars ----- you've destroyed/had repossessed/refused to register each one of them
• We've given you hundreds and if not thousands of dollars ---- you've squandered, waisted, and/or more
• We've raised your children ---- you've tried to manipulate and extort your children and family every step of the way for the privilege of caring for your offspring.
• We've treated you life family and forgiven your transgressions time & time again----

^ You've stolen our property to sell
^ You've stolen our money & that of your own children
^ You've stolen my identity which resulted in a warrant being issued for MY arrest
for YOUR crimes
^ You've continued to lie manipulate and abuse your family while treating your
crackhead friends, trucker tricks, and toothless 60 year old boyfriend as if
they were as silver refined

Your lot in life, your circumstances are NOT the result of your families lack of support. It is entirely due to your own making...your own actions. Everything that has happened to you - YOU HAVE DONE TO YOURSELF. You chose to do everything that resulted in your current circumstance through no fault of anyone else in your family...and until we kick you out of the nest without a safety net...nothing will change.

Enough is enough. It is time for you to start handling your own business. It is time for your family to cut the strings that have bailed you out for years. It's time for you to take responsibility for your life

You are now on your own to figure out what you are going to do once you get out of jail. NO you can NOT come live with us. NO WAY, NO HOW. (NOT WITH ME, NOT WITH MOM, NOT WITH GRANDMA). You can choose to go back to the street with Clarence or you can figure out how to access the social services that we have all paid taxes for you to tap into. Find a group home, emergency housing upon release. Once done, apply for section 8, food stamps & welfare. Get a job. I don't care anymore....JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN. Apply for medical assistance so you can get the medical treatment you so desperately need. Start doing the things that regular people do to live day to day. STOP making excuses and execute instead of MOOCHING & STEALING!

The only think I WILL help you do is get access to your legal documents that will be necessary to apply for benefits. That is the last thing I will do for you. I AM DONE! I am doing enough raising and/or financially supporting 3 of your 4 children. THAT'S IT. PERIOD.

Don't ask me for anything else. You've burnt this bridge and it isn't under reconstruction. I'm busy trying to raise you children and my own. I'm busy with my marriage, my home, my career, my life. I no longer have the energy or time to handle my family & life AND take care of you.

At 40 years old, it's time to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!

God will bless you if you would just lean on HIM and believe. Believe that you can and that you can do all things thru Christ. He can strengthen you. The choice is yours. We love you, but will no longer be manipulated and taken advantage of by you. We will pray for you, but we will not finance or house you. We wish you the best and hope you will finally take this opportunity to turn your life around.

God Bless - Lisa

Unbelieveable in the 21st Centrury

I don't need to rewrite what my husband sent to me while I am away at a training conference...You have got to read EVERYTHING in its entirety and make up your own mind. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION....http://www.PetitionOnline.com/aZ51CqmR/
When are we (those of us living in the lap of suburbia) going to get uncomfortable and take a stand. "They" (ignoranat foke) can NOT get away with anything they want to without consequence...we must make sure that it doesn't happen......

Family,

I do not often send out things like this. But this story has caused me to say something and let my network know what has happened to six young teenagers in Jena, Louisiana. Read the facts for yourself. The injustice is in the manner is which the Black boys were treated and manner in which their White classmates and peers were treated. STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO. I first heard about it yesterday on the Michael Baisden radio show on WHUR. This could have easily happened to my son Jordan. It is time that our generation begins to fight for our children. This has to stop for the sake of the next generation (Cara, Tyler (Derek and Linda), Greg Jr, and any kids).

I have embedded the story in this email. I also placed a link to sign an online petition , so that the United States Justice Department can investigate if the Civil Rights of these young men have been violated. The link is at the end of the email. We can make a difference if the community acts. These boys have to be saved. Please take the time to sign the petition to the Justice Department investigate.

Thanks
Ronald J. Steptoe
Owens Development Company

Help Support the Jena Six

This site was set up to provide news on the plight of the Jena Six and information on how to support their cause.

A timeline leading up to the Jena 6

In the front yard at a high school in Jena, Louisiana, with a total population of 4,000, there sits a tree. This is "the white tree", where only white students sit during breaks.In September of 2006, a black student asked 'permission' from the school administration, if he could sit under the tree. They said he could sit anywhere.The very next day, three nooses, in the schools colors, hung from "the white tree".Three white students were identified as being responsible and the principle recommended they be expelled from school. However, the white superintendent said, "Adolescents play pranks," the superintendent told the Chicago Tribune, "I don't think it was a threat against anybody," and gave them a three day suspension instead.

A few days later, the entire black student body protested the no-nothing 'punishment' and sat under "the white tree". That day the white District Attorney came to Jena High School for an impromptu assembly, with back-up law enforcement. It has been reported that the DA threatened the silent black students who were sitting under the tree, saying if the did not stop making a fuss about the "innocent prank...I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen." The school was then put on lockdown for the remaining week.

Thursday night, November 30th, 2006, a fire burned down the main academic building of Jena High School. This incident is still unresolved.

Friday night, December 1st, a black student was beaten by a group of white students at a "white party". Saturday, December 2nd, at the Gotta Go convenience store, the black student who was beaten up the night before, along with his friends, ran into one of the white students who beat him. A confrontation broke out and the white student went to his vehicle to get his shotgun. The black students wrestled the shotgun away from him and brought it to the police department and told them of the incident. The black students were arrested for stealing the gun. The white student was not charged.

Monday, December 4th, 2006, a white student, Justin Barker, was attacked at school by a group of black students for taunting them with racial slurs and verbally supporting the nooses that were hung on "the white tree" and also supporting the white students who beat up the black student at the party. He was treated at a hospital and released the same day, attending a social function that evening. Six black students were arrested for beating Barker, and charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. These charges hold a possible sentence of twenty to one hundred years in prison. They were all immediately expelled from school.

17-year-old Robert Bailey Junior -bail was set at $138,000
17-year-old Theo Shaw - bail was set at $130,000
18-year-old Carwin Jones - bail was set at $100,000
17-year-old Bryant Purvis - bail was set at $70,000
16 year old Mychal Bell - bail was set at $90,000 (a sophomore in high school, was charged as an adult.)

Mychal Bell remained in jail from December 2006 until his trial because his family was unable to post the $90,000 bond. Theo Shaw has also remained in jail. Several of the other defendants remained in jail for months until their families could raise the money for bond.

In the local paper, the 'incident' was reported as fact and the white DA Reed Walters published a statement saying, "When you are convicted, I will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law.". . . .On July 31st, 2007, Mychal Bell will be sentenced. He is facing up to twenty-two years in prison. The remaining five students await their trial on charges of attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

They face up to 100 years in prison.

"The white student who was beaten at the convenience store was later arrested for bringing a hunting rifle loaded with 13 bullets onto a high school campus. He was released on $5000 bond. The white man who beat up the black youth at the off-campus party was arrested and charged with battery.

The white students who hung up the nooses in "the white tree" have never been charged.

When you get a chance read about the story on Michael Baisden’s

http://www.minglecity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=617

http://jenasix.org/timeline.html

Amafights/Quixspats

My husband and I were Amway/Quixtar Distributors for over 12 years...can you even believe it...before we decided that we needed to move on and focus our energies on other ventures that were significantly more profitable. I've kept my peace about the business to myself for the most part, you can revisit two other posts where I've mentioned our experience in Amway/Quixtar...

http://salesdiva.blogspot.com/2007/03/believe-hilarious-movie-about-network.html

http://salesdiva.blogspot.com/2007/04/this-weeks-funny-mlm-story-contest.html

Although Ron and I are no longer actively "building the business" anymore, we still have an organization that generates a nice monthly residual income that pays for a couple of "toys/niceities" and keeps me in decandent shoes and clothes. I don't begrudge a dollar of it and gladly satisfy the "member/client" volume each month inorder to keep that check coming. HOWEVER, I have had just about enough of the drama and intrigue that has gone on over the past couple of months to put down a few rambling thoughts on it all.....

1. I'm just sick and tired of all the BULLDOOKIE about the "books, tapes, functions." It makes me sick to hear about the UK putting a halt on the business over there because of serious questions about the BTF's. Or the mess in India over the same nonsense. WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE JUST FESS UP!!!!! A good majority of the money in the business is made by higher level pins through the sale of the books, tapes and functions. JUST ADMIT IT. I'm a freakin math major and the daggon numbers just don't add up. I'm not buying it, that a new Diamond Direct (based on what you show in the plan and all the other "bonuses") adds up in the first year to a $500K house & 2 new porches paid for in cash the first year. BULL! Ron and I combined made from our jobs (and now more) what they were claiming these Diamonds made and WE CAN'T PAY FOR OUR HOUSE OUTRIGHT.

JUST STOP THE MADDNESS. Tell everyone that if and when they get to a certain level they will make a whole heap a lot of money from the btf and that is why you have to shove them down everyone's throat. If Ron and I had known that from the beginning, perhaps we would have gone direct and stayed there and more so we could REAP the rewards of the big money.

2. Amway/Quixtar...WHOEVER...just fired/let go (did they resign - who knows) about 12 IBO's cause they didn't like their business practices. SO, what about the thousands of people that are beneath them. You sent out this fancy letter letting the rest of us IBO's know that you kicked thse people out of the door, but do you even give a damn about the thousands of IBO's who were under those Diamonds. Obviously not...this is from the Alticore (the parent company of Amway/Quixtar) blog...http://media.alticorblogs.com/2007/08/10/just-go-team/ . What kind of professional response is "Just Go TEAM Go"...away.

3. I'm sick of the infighting. I'm sick of hearing about a new change every 5 seconds...Changing the name from Quixtar back to Amway....teams breaking away or not from Bri.t.t...new "motivation" systems to get your "tools" from (of course, NO DISCLOSURE, on who is making all the money from the "tools"....the Communikate voicemail URGING you to change over IMMEDIATLY (what ya gonna do if I don't?)...blah blah blah.

4. I'm still saddend over the loss of so many people I thought were friends. The only propaganda that I bought over the 12 years was the "friends for life" stuff. What was always left off and I never saw it coming was that what they really meant was "friends for life...ONLY if you are actively building the business." There were some people that I thought I got really close to...one was the daughter of my upline and she pretty much spat me out and said "screw you" (her husband seems to still be a decent person). The only people we are still on a speaking basis with is our immediate upline and a few of the people we personally sponsored. That part of the business...the relationships you "think" you've built...it's all a lie and I've still haven't gotten over it yet.

5. Prices. Most of the products simply are not retailable anymore. No matter how you slice it/dice it or how concentrated you make it, we just can't compete on just about all of the products except the Nutrition Line...and that was the only line Ron and I focused on YEARS before it became popular. I think Ron snapped a head gasket when he went to hear G.re.g Du.nca.n speak about how the company focus was as a Health & Beauty company. He was waxing eloquently on everything Ron had been teaching our group for years and people in the audience we lapping it up like it was the freakin' gospel. Ron was usually treated with skeptisim. That was one of the breaking points for him...no longer would he expend his intellectual capital in an area where nobody will list nor will he get paid. Best to focus on the real estate deal. The returns were much higher.

6. Just keep doing what your doing!!!!!!! That was my breaking point, almost 2-3 years before Ron snapped. I just shut my mouth and ate a piece of humble pie cause I wasn't going to kill my man's dream. If I heard that priceless BULLSHYAT quote one more STOOOOOPIT time, I would scream. IF YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU GET THE SAME DAYMN RESULTS...STOOPIT. So when, we had lunch with our upline Diamond one day to go over our business and get some advise as to why were were not growing, what we could do to step up our pace, etc...YA KNOW WHAT THIS MAN SAID!!!...Just keep doing what you are doing! I WAS DONE WITH THE BUSINESS FROM THAT MOMENT ON. Ron could do what he wanted but, LISA LEE had had enough. I pushed away from the table and said...NO MORE JELLO FOR ME, MA. Took Ron 2 more years to see the light, but nobody can say that I wasn't the dutiful, supportive wife.

Whew. I'm tired. I'm glad we are done. I'm glad that my man found his "thing" and together again we are achieving our dreams of walking the "beaches of the world" NOW! Ron worked like a dog for 12 years for that little residual check we get, so we are going to now ignore all the drama and cash our checks for as long as possible.

New Rules for 2007

My mother sent me GEORGE CARLIN'S NEW RULES FOR 2007 and I've reprinted some of them here with minor edits as I found them true and hilarious and MUST be implemented immediately....

New Rule 1 : No more gift registries.

You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now people use it for babies, new homes, kids birthday partyies, and graduation from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting. STOP THE MADDNESS

New Rule 2: Stop giving me that pop-up ad for classmates.com (and let me add Linkedin and other social networking sites)

There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them! Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days -- mowing my lawn. I don't want to "hook up" with you...like duh...you were at my wedding 20 years ago and I am NOT interested in a little something on the side with your pot belly - looking for a job behind. PULEEESE

New Rule : There's no such thing as flavored water. Water is dang water.

There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, water, but, without that watery taste. Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water, for bout the same calories. And as a side note...don't even go there with "diet" flavored water. WTF!? Water is "diet"....free of calories in of itself. Why are you paying good money for flavored diet water? Spare me.

New Rule : The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the anal retentive spinkter muscle.

If you walk into a Starbucks and order a 'decaf grandee, half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low, and One NutraSweet,' ooh, you're a wind up a bit too tight. What ever happened to a plain freakin' cup of coffee. Maybe a cappuccino...just a cappuccino. PULEESE.

New Rule : If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than Minimum wage, then for God's sake don't pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh.

If so, then plan your future around saying, 'Do you want fries with that?' And I'm speaking from corporate experience. Best to start your own business (that only people with a dumbell in their tongue will patron) cause I have never seen a walking magnet as the CEO of any company I've been a part of.

It Costs Me Less

It always costs me less money when my sister is out of jail than when she is in. Unfortunately, she is back...more than likely she violated her parole (couldn't pay the fine) and now she had to go back for about a year.

She even had the audacity to try and convince me that she just "decided" to go back to jail, that she was taking my advice to go back. WHAT THE F? I didn't know that you could walk up the gate of the state prison, knock on the door and ask to be let back in. She makes me crazy.

Now she calls COLLECT ($.85 each call) every dag on day. She needs me to send her money (cause she needs personal items)...as if raising two of her children don't cost anything. She needs me to get her some puzzles etc cause she is bored. SPARE ME.

It is always something.

The Travel Diva Truly IS!!!!

I was SOOOOO tired of having to wait till I got to some wireless spot to access my blog or to read my faves. I was also SOOOOO tired of having a wireless router AND a cotton picken signal booster so I could try and have access all over the house (turns out, the place is a little too large for that) AND still not being able to connect in the comfort of my bed. UGGGGGAAAAAH!!!! It was makin me crazy. I finally caved and got me a wireless PC card (free with 2 years of service of course) and a plan and I am TRULY WIRELESS.

I was ridin' in the H3 and I was checkin email. HA! I was at grandma's house tonight (totally in the 19th century) and I was readin' my favorite blogs. HE HE! I am TRULY a TRAVELIN' DIVA now. I can blog, email, check the internet ANYTIME I WANT. SO THERE!

I'm in computer, cyberspace heaven.