Happy Independence Day!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!

ENJOY THE FIREWORKS!

A Home of Our Own

I recently watched the movie “A Home of Our Own” starring Kathy Bates and Edward Furlong. Such a touching movie and that mother was strong as an ox to keep her family together. I won’t spoil the plot by telling you what happened in case you do happen to see it. I only mentioned it because it reminded me of my childhood and the constant moving that we did.

Bear with me. I digress.

Well, before leaving the urban jungle that we called home in Brooklyn NYC I always knew that my father was a shady character. When I was thirteen, my father decided he made enough enemies in NYC after living there all of his mean life, so he decided to move my mom, me, my three sisters, and my three brothers to the state capital. Yup. That’s right. Washington D.C.

I apologize in advance if I offend anyone reading who is from the D.C. area, but that place is off the chain! I learned so much about drug paraphernalia I am surprised that I didn’t become a pharmacist. I would have made straight ‘A’s’.

I also watched a neighborhood kid get shot, numerous drug busts, and one too many fights. After three weeks in that place called home, my mom decided that it was too much trouble to go outside, so we spent the next year and a half watching all of the action from our second story windows. I vaguely remember that we didn’t watch too much television around this time either.

After we were evicted from our gray painted peeling and in desperate need of a paint job house called home, we moved in with some friends in Baltimore, Maryland. My mom had the last of the Hann tribe in D.C. which made the grand total of children that my mother had an even eight. Yup. Five girls and three boys. She was only three shy of the total that my father had. He has eleven kids total. At least, that’s what he told us. But who knows.

Yes, with eleven children under his belt my papa was a rolling stone.

Anytways.

We stayed in Maryland for a total of eight months before heading to that great big state that always shines. Yup. Californ-i-a!

I was fifteen by then and would be sixteen in a couple of weeks of arriving there and it was not pleasant circumstances. We lived in the high desert and we were not aware that it only rained but once a year in the Mojave Desert and we just missed the annual downpour. I was missing the East coast by the time I was sixteen and three days.

After almost two years in the desert we made it back to the East Coast. My father liked driving and it took us almost a week, and he was the only driver. And I didn’t feel sorry not one bit for that mean scoundrel. He was a mean wheel man with caffeinated blood that accelerated his hatred. I was so happy to reach my grandmother’s house.

My grandmother has lived in her home since 1971. A year before her first grandchild (that would be me) was born. She has the same phone number and I’ve know her Queens address since I was six. It was the place that I called ‘home’ away from our multiple ‘homes’ before I married and got my own.

Now when I look at it, we moved so much that I began to look forward to the next road trip that would bring us new adventures, a new place to lay my head, and new friends. I never had a problem making friends, just a problem keeping them.

But we finally settled in VA in 1990, after a long extended-stay at my grandmother’s. I call this place home now, with its southern atmosphere, slow-paced patron’s who take the time to smell the roses (or who drive slow enough to watch them grow), and that everyone knows your family, and you know theirs. All of my children were born at the same hospital, they have the same pediatrician for the last 16 years, we visit the same library, and my children check out the same books now that I picked out when I was a teenager starting off here.

It’s a wonder I don’t get ‘town fever’ for staying put in one place for so long. I guess home IS a place where you lay your hat. Or in my case a Yankees cap.

I am still a New Yorker deep inside.

Bear with it!

The Sweetest Thing

Awarded again. You guys are to much and are too sweet! I truly feel blessed to have such great friends. The first award comes from Akilah, Gemmerzz, Sheri, and Lucy. It is called the Awe-summ award. With this award you:

List 7 things that make you Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love. Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won! Also link back to the Queen that tagged you.

Hmmm... seven things that make me Awe-summ are:
1. I love charities
2. I love and respect my family
3. I trust far too much but can be trusted.
4. I love the finer things in life like sunsets, relaxing moments, and laughing with friends.
5. I love to stand up for those who can't speak for them selves like; children and animals.
6. I love to make blogging friends and to make them smile.
7. I love to be part of the solution and not the problem.

The seven people that I will send this award to are:
Akilah
Sheri
Ashley
Mom
Gemmerzz
Lucy
Christine

Mommy award

This award was given to me by Lucy. She is undoubtedly a great blogger and always on her game. I can never surpass her talent and she has just the words to comfort you or make you laugh. You go girl! Check her out today!

Rules of the Award:

•Admit one thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are No Longer allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

I feel awful when I feel bored being with my children. I love interaction with my children but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when you are with them 24/7.

•Remind yourself you are a good mom, list seven things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself everyday that you Rock!

I rock because:

1. My kids do have fun whenever we are together. Whether we are making playful videos, or playing a card game, we have fun.

2. My kids make me laugh. Especially when they argue with each other. It's like watching a hilarious sitcom.

3. My kids love when I make a 5 course meal with plenty of dessert for after wards.

4. I love playing Wii fit with kids. They love showing me up but I can always beat them in the walking aerobics game. Nobody has matched my stride yet!

5. My teenage girls love when I do their hair. They won't really go out of their way to say 'Thank You', but I can see their hidden joy.

6. I will go into my girls room and organize it just to spend some quality time with them. About nine hours of laughing, talking, and throwing things away that we found hilarious to even consider holding onto.

7. I love snuggling up with my kids and watching movies with them on an impulse. We don't have a scheduled family night, just spontaneity that we feel when we all need some quality time together.

Send this to five other Mom's Of The Year that deserve credit for being great moms and remind them that they are the best moms they can be!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you.

Here are my five nominees:

1. Akilah (my sexy mama)

2. Mom ( my Canadian mom)

3. Christine (my other Canadian mom)

4. Lilly (my Australian mom)

5. Lucy ( My suburbia mom)

This award was given to me by Sheri. No rules or strings attached. Anyone who wants it can take it because every blog that I came across is truly enchanting to me. Plus, Tinkerbell is truly a cutie!

So take it and have fun. I love you all!

Schools Out and I Don't Intend to Stand Around and Twittle My Thumbs Either!

I apologize for being such a bad blogger of late. I promise, now that my semester of school was officially over this past Friday I can now pay attention to more important things! =^)

First things first, I have to post a BIG thank you to some of you for giving me awards. You are the best!

Second I have to write SOMETHING that has been plaguing the news of late. I don't like to talk about death, but my conscience won't let this one go away. (You are too bossy dude, go away!)

Third, I have two new followers. Thank you guys for being my friend. I totally enjoy the extra company.

Fourth, everything on the BIBI home front is doing okay!

The Diva and her little bro (my very articulate son) are in N.Y with my little bro. Rock on kids, school is not for another 7 weeks!

My kids go back to school in August. Something to do with making sure we get in early before the snow falls and we miss weeks and weeks of school. (Hey! I say the earlier the better! Like August 19th early )

Anytways, the hubby and I are doing okay. He has sleep apnea and sounds like Darth Vader when we go to bed now that he has to sleep with the CPAP mask on every night. But hey! it's a great idea for some role playing before I put my nightcap on. ; )

The baby, my little Trinity, turned 3 on the 24th of this month and I am exhilarated. This is the first time in a LONG time that one of my babies turned three and there is not another bun in the oven. Thank you Doc B for making sure that my momma factory stays closed. (no chastity belt required, besides its too late to observe some chastity now.)

I have only 5 children at home right now and I have no idea what to do. Why do I feel like a part of me is missing since my two oldest kiddies have been gone for two weeks now? Little bro will probably let them loose in about a week or so.

Until then, I'll take Tiana (14), Tisha (12), Taj (9), Tamara(6), and Trinity(now 3), to the community kiddie park for some quality time. Ohh! my creative mind is in overlaod.

Average Jane

Just recently my sis and I were talking about celeb actresses and I mentioned that I love any movie with Anne Hathaway. My sis then replied:

"I DO NOT like her, she is so average looking!"

Which I then replied:

"Huh?"






We woman are all average Jane's'. We can multitask like no other. We get the job done. We can be sometimes very emotional, while laughing hysterically at the absurdness of it all. Those of us who have kids know the emotional ups and downs of having to think for them, you, and your partner while trying to do laundry, cook, and catch up on gossip with your girlfriend(s).

I love being an average Jane. Who doesn't?

I think that the average look escaped most of the Hollywood crowd though. Anyone see Janice Dickinson lately? Especially on 'I am A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!'

One word: 'Collagen'.

Question : 'Why?' Boy the tabloids have nothing to talk about apparently. (Neither do I)




Unless you are Halle Berry and are blessed with good genes, a beautiful bod, and a gorgeous boyfriend. It doesn't help that you are one of the hottest celebs in Hollywood either. (The girl can look gorgeous just signing a book).





But then again, there is the character Edna (played by John Travolta) in the movie version of 'Hairspray'. John Travolta is a scream in that film, and I had a soft spot in my heart for Edna, the overweight, loving wife/mother, trying to run a business at home to avoid any social interaction.

Hmmm... sounds a little like me after baby number 7 as I tried to hide from view.

But in all seriousness, hubs if I ever get that big and decide to stay at home, please just say my big sparkly moo-moo gown looks good on me. It'll do wonders to set the mood in the house.