Ok.  Like I said a million times–I’m behind on posting these blog awards.  I’m sorry.   There were some other posts I was trying to get out of the way first… and, well… you know how it goes.  Don’t hold it against me.  Better late than never, right?

Because I want these bloggers to know that I take their effort seriously and am honored for the recognition and link-love, I am dedicating this post to them.  Please visit their sites when you have a moment:

12-17-08, Janajera from WriterWAHM presented me with the Lemonade Award.

1-5-09, Kara from FrugalAngel presented me with The Noblesse Oblige Award.

1-5-09, Kim from Life With Kim presented me with the Lemonade Award.

1-11-09, Caregivingdaughter presented me with the Proximidade Award.

1-17-09,  Yanjiaren from Greennotmean presented me with the Lemonade Award.

1-28-09, Windmill from D Fool on the Hill presented me with the Passionate Blogger Award.

I am very grateful, and hope this makes up for my neglect.

Instead of keeping the rules and passing the awards to specific bloggers (I love so many of them and have probably already passed on awards to the same ones too many times), I’d rather extend the invitation to the bloggers mentioned above to add a comment about their blogs.  Tell my readers (all 2 of them) what you want people to know about your blogs in the comment section.

I hope you will accept this free publicity olive branch.

If I missed anyone, please forgive my oversight.  I tried to go through all my comments to find your messages.  If I left you off, leave me a message and I will add it promptly.  Thanks!

So, you know we have a million photos of our daughter… well, our family in general.  My husband submitted one photo on Chron.com (”The Houston Chronicle” Online Newspaper).  If you’re a regular reader, you may recall the cake beard my sweetie had as she enjoyed some of her first birthday cake:

It was truly one of our favorite pictures of 2008.  Apparently,  we weren’t the only ones who thought this photo was a true gem.  My friend Vanessa texted me today that she saw the photo on the list of favorites for January.  It completely caught me off guard because we hadn’t told anyone he submitted it and had thought nothing else of it.

Anywho…

As with most proud parents, we wanted to share our enthusiasm.  If you’d like to vote for our darling’s photo, click here.  Scroll to the center of the page until you see Photo Galleries, click on “Jan.’s best family photos”, go to #31, click on the “here” button to vote, scroll down the next page, and leave a comment about picture #31.

Whew!  That’s a lot of steps.  I’ll understand if you don’t have time to do it.  I mean as far as I know, there’s no prize or anything… unless you include bragging rights… and who doesn’t like to brag on their baby?

Are we the only ones who take LOTS of photos?  Do you also share your child’s photos with anyone who will take a look?

BTW, for my blogger-buddies, you can leave your url with your comment on the page and maybe even get some publicity for your site… just a thought.

Have a great weekend everybody!

My husband is desperately trying to figure out which look is better for him.  And, by better, I mean which one is more professional?  He’s noticed that most of the men at the professional networking events he goes to have no facial hair.  That’s right.  Bare.  Although he loves his mustache and goatee, he thinks professional circles might appreciate his bare face more.  So, what do you think?

Pros of having decorative facial hair:  He was able to get away with his crooked smile when he had hair to masquerade the slant.  He also didn’t have to shave as often to keep the skin nice-n-smooth.

Cons of having decorative facial hair:  He ended up having to go naked-face sometimes anyway when he had a shaky hand or misjudged the symmetry of his face.  Apparently, the legal profession, and maybe all professions prefer a clean-shaven look.

Why doesn’t he just ask me?  Well, he did.  Of course, I told him the truth… the whole truth… and nothing but the truth, so help me… He looks gorgeous either way. 

Cast your vote in this poll:

Online Surveys & Market Research

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Poor baby.

My daughter and I made the journey to the doctor’s office for her fifteen-month check-up.  The journey was complete with getting lost on the way from our new residence, claustrophobic rides on several elevators, a waiting room full of snot and germs, confused staff trainees, a rejection from my payflex card (gotta check on that tomorrow), three shots of infections and diseases, and lots of soothing.  Good times.

I never really liked visiting the doctor’s office and I see that my daughter has the same characteristic.  She was happily walking up to all the strangers in the waiting room, offering her pacifier to the thumb-suckers, and refusing to share her teddy bear with anyone who dared reach for it.  She even played with some of the toys, as I cringed at the thought of what germs may lay dormant (I’m crazy protective like that).

We were finally led to a private room.  For some reason her doctor wasn’t there so the wait time in this room was extended beyond what I was pleased with.  I went through all the nursery rhymes I could think of to keep her occupied.  I even tried to throw in the ones that had “doctor” in it, like”Five Little Monkeys” and “Pattie Cake”.

All was well.  Until it happened.  As soon as she saw him she started wailing.  I mean, HIGH-PITCHED wailing… and she’s really not a “cry baby”.  You know who “him” is–the DOCTOR (insert evil laugh).  He wasn’t even the one to stick her with the needles, but even after her shots, she screamed every time she saw him.  Needless to say, the actual shots were terrible.

And, since most children around her age seem to develop fears of some kind, she picked the elevator to be the thing that just doesn’t work for her.  She wailed each time the elevator moved.  It was kind of embarrassing.  A woman stepped in the elevator and said, “Oh, how precious.  She’s so cute and calm”.  Then the elevator started.  And, so did Dasha.  I looked at the lady, she looked at me and said, “I guess I spoke too soon.”  Ha!  I guess she did.

Now, is this experience some rite of passage that’s supposed to be the end of the world every single time and actually gets worse over time because the child is bigger and can scream and fight more OR is there something I’m missing?  How can these doctor visits be less traumatic for us BOTH?

This is my 100th blog post!!!

 As I mentioned several times within the last few months, I really ENJOY writing about marriage and family.  This blog has provided an outlet for me to connect with others and share of myself.  It has also allowed me to learn from reader comments and other blogs that I visit daily.  I have gained more than I ever imagined from doing  something I love to do–How cool is that!

Blogging Tips I’ve Picked Up Along The Way:

1.  One of the most effective tools I’ve had to generate traffic is Entrecard.  Because I appreciate the visits and comments I receive from Entrecard bloggers, I try to return all drops.  In fact, I drop the maximum 300 daily (except that one day I actually forgot).  My husband helps me do this, especially during the times that I want to devote to returning comments.

2.  I return comments.  I try to make sure that whoever leaves a comment on my blog (provided they have a blog), that I leave a comment on their blog.  I also try to respond with a follow-up comment on my own blog to whoever leaves a comment.  Most of the time, this may be a group response though, depending on how time permits.

3.  I link other blogs to my page that I enjoy and check as often as possible OR because they have linked me to their page.  So, I return link-love.  This is also true of those who post my button on their page.

4.  I’ve tried to generate traffic by other means, as well.  I’ve recently started to post my link to my facebook and myspace pages, but I’m not so sure anyone cares.  I may pick up about three readers per day that way.  I have a link in my email and I sometimes “buzz up” my post on yahoo.  I recently learned my google page rank is 2, which is supposed to be good.  I’m only averaging around 250 visitors a day, so I know there’s more that can be done.

5.  Sometimes I participate in blog contests (never originated one myself, although I’m helping to sponsor others).  Sometimes I participate in award passing.  I make sure to thank those who think enough of my blog to pass the award on.  Sometimes, it will take me a minute to actually continue it on and I usually try to do a mass posting, when I do.

6.  I try to make sure each post fits within marriage and family in some way and I try to mix up my style between humorous story, serious inspiration, personal thoughts, reviews, etc.  My regular readers should have an idea of what tone to expect from me… always respectful.  I haven’t really done many controversial topics yet (unless you include my unwavering support of President Obama), but I will.

7.  I try to have a new post daily.

So, that’s what I’ve developed from my short time of blogging.  Now, it’s EVALUATION TIME.  I’d like to make the next 100 posts even better.

Now, what I want to know is, what do I need to do to make this blog better?

What would you like to read about from my perspective?

I am open to any serious critiques and reviews.  What do you like or don’t you like from this blog?

As always–THANK YOU FOR READING AND COMMENTING!!!

  My husband and I just finished watching Death Sentence (2007), the unrated version.  What a powerfully intense movie about a man, Kevin Bacon, who had the perfect family, perfect job, and perfect life, until something tragic suddenly happened–his son was killed by a gang member.

Kevin Bacon put on an excellent performance as the tormented, protective, and revengeful husband and father, Nick Hume.  Garrett Hedlund displayed a ruthless gang leader, who raged war against Kevin’s whole family.

This movie is based on the novel by Brian Garfield and intentionally tests the limits of retribution and revenge.  It begs the question about whether murder can equalize murder.  It also makes one wonder what he or she would do if someone hurt, or even killed a loved one.

This is a movie about a family, but it is not a family movie (unless your children are adults).  This action, drama, thriller earned its “R” rating for the theatrical version and was even more explicit for the unrated version, which offered ten more minutes of violent scenes.

I recommend watching this movie only if you don’t mind violent scenes and want to have a peek at what grief over the lost of a loved one could do to someone… and the entire family.  It can also serve as a fantasy movie for those who would never act out revenge, but would see a man fight back because he loved his family.

Although this is just a movie, it breaks my heart to think that a family would have to go through something so senseless and painful.  It also makes me wonder what I would do if I were in the same situation.

As you watch this movie, you may find yourself rooting for revenge. You may find yourself feeling sorry for the villain after you glimpse his origin.  You may find a way to think of forgiveness.  You may wonder if your own death would be a better solution.  You may find… and I suspect this is more the case when you watch this movie… you may find yourself knowing that you just DON’T KNOW what you would do in the same situation, but hope you never find yourself in it.

I suppose this question could be answered by traveling mileage, but that’s not what I mean.  I’m talking about those times when you get on your hands and knees to bark like a dog, just to get a few giggles.  Or when you read the same book fifty times a day, just because your daughter’s face lights up when you read that story to her.  Or maybe you pay someone to come over for your son’s birthday party dressed as Spider Man because that’s his favorite superhero (great idea, Elana).

Well, my daughter absolutely loves Elmo… and if I’m being honest, so do I.  This perpetual 3 1/2 year-old fury “monster” is just too cute.  We make sure we watch him on Sesame Street every weekday morning at 9.

And, that’s why I dragged my family to Joe’s Crabshack tonight.

On the radio (102.1 or 97.9, can’t be sure which one), they’ve been advertising that if you want free tickets to the upcoming Elmo show, go to Joe’s.  If your child colors a picture from Joe’s and you send it in, you may be selected to win free tickets.

I thought this was the coolest thing since “Sesame Street Live:  Elmo’s Green Thumb” will be here, in Houston, at Reliant Stadium, during February.  It’s not that her coloring is all that great (she still prefers the nice white surface of a door to color on).  It’s not even that we stood a high chance of actually winning the tickets.  It was all about participating in a fun family event… and maybe getting free, front row tickets.

We went all the way to Joe’s, only to find out they (Joe’s staff) didn’t have a clue as to what we were talking about.  So, if you’re in Houston and planning to go to Joe’s for this contest, call ahead to make sure they’re participating.  The only redeeming quality of this trip was the apple crisp ice cream dessert we split.

We’ll have to buy the nose-bleed tickets now or wait until next time.  Bummer.

Those of you who’ve been keeping up with the blog are probably thinking she’s too young anyway.  Yes, she’s only fifteen months and probably too young to really appreciate what Elmo’s saying, but that doesn’t mean she likes him any less.  I agree that she’s too young to spend $250 on front row seats though.  Ha!  I’m not that silly… or am I?  She really would enjoy Elmo…

BTW, that Elmo Live doll is a hoot!

This is a video clip of Elmo singing his song.  Isn’t he adorable?  I think he may have to be our guest for my daughter’s birthday.

How far will you go to entertain your child?

Well, today I’m featuring a poem my husband wrote for the same competition three years later…and won.  I was and am so proud of him.  Thankfully, this is one of his cleaner poems that I can actually share with you because before I met him, he was busy writing about women and… well, nevermind.

He said he thinks my poem was too long and that was a big setback for the competition.  He also wanted me to let you know that he wrote this poem in five minutes.  Cocky, isn’t he?  Please enjoy…

 “Coming Together”

 Brothers and sisters, please lend me your ear,

I want to address the issues in our community that seem to get worse with the passing of each year,

Drugs, violence and poverty just to name a few,

Behaviors that although seem bad are nothing new,

They stem from hundreds of years of hate, jealousy, and a lack of self-pride,

And we tend to turn our backs on each other, when our arms need to stay opened wide,

Our small differences have kept us so far apart,

And used against us to keep every other emotion, but love in our hearts,

While we are a blessed group of people and able to adapt with variations in our life,

We shouldn’t use them against each other to cause one another strife,

Claiming to be from the East and West Coast, the Caribbean and the Motherland,

Using these differences to the point were some of us have began to keep guns in our hands,

Being divided is how we have progressed to our present state,

Both slavery and colonization are the result of self-hate,

Small difference used to divide our people into controllable groups is where our problems stem,

Where our people can’t get along with someone who looks just like them,

Think of how our community would change if instead of being critical of our brother,

We would embrace the difference and come together to support one another,

There would have been a different story after Katrina hit New Orleans,

If all the children were instructed to embrace the evacuees instead of treating them so mean,

And why did they pick on those children from New Orleans, because it wasn’t due to color,

It was just the small differences the children found amongst one another,

So lets make a change and not result to childish ways,

And ensure that our future outshines the our past in the most recent days,

Lets learn to look beyond the minor differences to the common thread we have together,

We have a past that stretches to the beginning of mankind and we continue to influence the world wherever…

We decide to make our home, whether it be Houston, New Orleans, East, or West Coast,

Coming together is the only way for us all to move forward, and that’s what matters the most.

April 16, 2007

I promise you this is a RARE occasion… and honestly, I don’t know what has come over me to do this now.  I feel vulnerable because I am going to open myself up and share something very personal with whomever dares to read this blog.

No, it won’t be about my bra fitting Saturday, where I learned that I’m a 36H (visualize two large tents).  No, it won’t be my Valentine’s Day plans for my honey.  And, no.  It won’t be about how I was kicked out of my church group four months ago or how I managed to be accepted again recently.

Let me just get to what it’s about.

I wrote a poem during my second year of law school for a poetry competition at the school.  Since it was a historically black university, I had to write about the Civil Rights struggle.  And, so I did.  It saddens me to tell you the rest of the story, partly because I’m still sensitive about losing the competition.  No, I didn’t win the free PMBR bar review course (my classmate, Michael Knight, did), but that was no big deal (apparently, I didn’t need the course anyway).  What hurt the most is that I didn’t place first, second, third, or FOURTH!  My confidence in my writing was crushed.

Yes, I know it was the first time I had written a poem since I was knee-high to a fly.  Yes, I know I wrote the poem in about an hour.  BUT still.  I thought I was a good writer and the judges didn’t like my poem (big sigh).

Anywho, I’m going to subject myself to artistic scrutiny again.  Read it and remember the words of Erika Badu’s song, “…Remember, I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my *%$ish.”

It’s better if read aloud… Maybe I should have made a note of this for the judges.

I only let two other people read it:  the Law Review secretary, Ms. Goffney (who thought the poem was brilliant and unfortunately, passed away a year later.  RIP), and later, my husband.

(clearing throat)  Without further stalling…

“The Struggle”

Sister! Brother! Oh, what a story!
How African-Americans rise
From rags to riches,
Oppression to glory,
So many sacrificed lives
But–worth it all, for
We have come a mighty long way.. .

The strength of our forefathers
And mothers passed to us
Through hard lessons
And their power
Is in our possessions
No guns or knives as weapons
But–wisdom and understanding…

Grandma and grandpas’ spirits
Sang out loud and strong–

Let freedom ring!
Ring! Ring!
Do you hear what I hear?
The sound of rising African-American
Men and women.. .

Rising in their careers
Letting go of their fears
Of failure and of
Inferiority.
Education a necessity,
Ambition a must,
Success–more than mere possibility.. .

Rising in their finances and credits
Yes, “credit”
Oh, just let it
be so–as this is capitalism and democracy
Don’t you see?
How much the struggle
Really means. . .

Maybe you don’t or won’t
Open your eyes to see
Or maybe it’s just–
Nobody knows the trouble
We’ve seen,
Or where we’ve been,
Or where we’ll be.. .

But we’re destined for

 Great things
Ask Martin Luther King,
Jr.–but then again,
You can’t because he sacrificed
His life
For the struggle.. .

The “Civil Rights Struggle”
That is–
So that African-Americans
Might live
More in harmony with Caucasians
Than we did
In the past.. .Alas!

Why must we suffer?
Oh, Lord
While many others
Live what seems the good life
Not thinking twice
About what it means to have
Families broken apart.. .

Those close to your heart
Taken. . . sold. . . for what?
Money? Labor?
People like Rosa Parks
Forced to the back of the bus
Or jail, but forever leaving a mark
On the “Civil Rights Struggle”. . .

What a shame! What a pity!
African-Americans treated unfairly
Discrimination, no compensation,
Only an apology
But DON’T pity us, for really
We have a plan, AND
We still rise
To everyone’s surprise.. .
Through the “Civil Rights Struggle”.

April 30,2004

Thanks for being a good sport and reading.

  Two days ago, I blogged about Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore answering Obama’s call to service by enlisting the help of other celebrities and making a video encouraging the nation to pledge to give back to the community, in some selfless way.  Well, apparently, MANY have answered Obama’s call… even coffee giant, Starbucks.

The Starbucks Pledge 5 campaign goes like this– If you say, “I’m in”, you pledge to volunteer at least five hours of community service this year.  As a sign of appreciation (and incentive for coffee lovers), Starbucks will give you one free tall brewed coffee.  How awesome is that!  Click on the link to learn more and make your pledge.

Over 400,000 hours have already been pledged.  Even more awesome!

Can you imagine what our community will look like once more and more people begin to sacrifice their time to help their neighbors?  What would our community look like if we ALL did?

You in?  Spread the word…