BARACK THE VOTE

Okay, I had to do a double post today. . .the Red Beans & Rice were delish but I had to get serious for a minute.

I voted early in my state on Wednesday, October 22nd. It took me all of 15 minutes. It was the first time I voted early and can't believe I never thought to do it before. There are a lot of people who didn't vote early for various reasons (maybe your state didn't allow it) but today is do or die!!! I have called and harassed everybody I know that is registered to make sure they vote!

So much has been made about this being a "historical" election that it's almost a cliche. This is BEYOND historical. This is destiny. This is more than Dr. King probably ever even dreamed of. Not only is there a black man running for President. He could ACTUALLY win!!! And he's not just any black man. . .he's intelligent, smart, informed, dignified, distinguished, family oriented, funny, attractive, and just totally awesome.

But I do not for one naive minute think that Barack Obama is going to come in like Superman and clean up the economy and end the war in his first hundred days. Realistically it might not even happen during his presidency BUT I do think he will leave a mark that will forever change politics and this country. I think an Obama Presidency will mean that America regains the respect of other world leaders, an Obama Presidency will seriously force America to deal with this ugly thing called racism that eats away at our society every day and most importantly an Obama Presidency will make black children and ADULTS aspire to do more and be more because ANYTHING is really possible if we work hard, treat people right and never give up.

Please, please, please VOTE today if you are reading this and you haven't already cast your ballot. I do not want to wake up tomorrow and feel like it was just another dream deferred. This is real and it can happen VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

French Quarter Flavor

Looking for a quick meal with homemade appeal? Try Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice Mix. All you need to do is add sausage (Chappell Hill brand made in Texas is my fave) and a little garlic spice or Tony Chachere's to kick it up a notch. (I made a big pot last night and can't wait to get home for leftovers!)

Make a pan of "from scratch" cornbread to accompany the meal. If you've really got the time and want more down home flavor try Chef G. Garvin's recipe for Southern Fried Chicken:



Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons pepper
2 tablespoons garlic salt
2 tablespoons seasoned salt
2 tablespoons paprika
olive oil (enough to deep fry)

Instructions
1. Coat skillet with enough olive oil. 2. Pour flour in a bowl. 3. Season flour with seasoned salt, garlic salt, and paprika. Mix. 4. Remove chicken from ice bath and set on plate. 5. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, garlic salt and seasoned salt. 6. Coat all sides of chicken with flour. Pat off excess. 7. Place each piece in heated skillet. 8. Fry for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. 9. Remove chicken from pan. Place on paper towel to soak up excess oil.

Enjoy!

Potential Drama

I had a routine prenatal visit today and my doctor, God love her, says to me, "it's looking a little girl-ish," Ha ha! She said she felt about 75% sure that I was having a girl. I'm 16 weeks, 5 days today and won't find out 100% until I'm 20 weeks. But I've been saying all along I think it's a girl also, just because I feel totally different than when I was pregnant with my son. I basically feel like crap EVERY DAY. I think this is a sign that I'm growing a little "princess" inside of me- I think drama is on the horizon in our household.

I guess I shouldn't be so sexist considering I am a woman BUT because I am a woman I know what this could mean. There were three females in my house growing up: me, my sister and my mom. For the most part the drama was extremely mild and I think that was the case for two reasons- 1.) there were no men in the house, 2.) my sister and I KNEW there was only ONE woman, one QUEEN in our house and that was our mother. Period end of story. But there were those times I would run through the house screaming bloody murder because my sister not only borrowed my clothes without permission she put a hole in a shirt or got food on my pants.

We would yell and fight about the most petty, random ISH ever! But at the end of the day it was all good. And to this day my sister and I have a really close bond. My cousins on the other hand- two boys- would wrestle and play karate all day and unless one of them accidentally hurt the other one for real trying to be Kamala the Big Ugandan Giant (remember him?!) they never really fought or cared if someone was wearing someone else's underwear let alone a stupid shirt.

I don't really anticipate drama between my kids. . .since I'll have a son that's 5 years older than his female (potentially) sibling. I think the drama will be the fact that my husband will allow a daughter to get away with ten times the things my son will be allowed to get away with. . .I've seen it happen. Never mentioned it before but have a step-daughter who is about to be 11 and when I tell you SHE CAN DO NO WRONG IN HER DADDY'S EYES. . .it's kinda sickening. All I have to say to the potential princess is that she just needs to always remember who's the QUEEN and everything should be copacetic. Ha ha!

I'm kidding. . .kinda. . .seriously, I just want her (or him) to be as HEALTHY as possible! Besides I have no doubt this child will know their place once they arrive since my son mentions EVERY DAY that he's going to be the big brother, which means he's in charge! Like I said. . .drama is a-coming!

Boo to You!!

Happy Halloween!!! I've posted a preview of the tonight's costume. . .what else would TheGenius be but a POWER RANGER?! He woke up at the crack of dawn this morning all excited because today is "pajama party" day at his school and he got to wear his "cool" Batman pajamas- two superheroes in one day?! Life doesn't get any better than that!

We sat together this morning and watched the sunrise since he woke up so early. I was late to work but who cares? That was a priceless, special moment. I know people say this and then go on love their other children just as much BUT as I was sitting watching the sunrise with my son, witnessing the wonder on his face and hearing the excitement in his voice as he talked about his upcoming party, I started thinking to myself, "there is no way this second child will be nearly as special and awesome as this one," I KNOW, I KNOW. . .that's horrible, right? But this new baby seriously has a tough act to follow so far.

I just hope and pray that baby number 2 arrives (God willing) healthy first and foremost but I also hope that we at least have another laid back, go with the flow kinda kid that just meshes with the family dynamic we've established. The last thing I need is a high maintenance, drama prince or princess. I seriously don't know if I'd be able to deal. My husband is super laid back and unflappable (for the most part) and I am about the most low-to no maintenance chick around. And usually when you give my son a choice to do something, go somewhere or wear something he says, "whatever you want me to do Mom," LOVE IT!! I just get this feeling that this baby is gonna come along and shake us up and mess up our little cocoon of comfort! Ha ha!

Anyway, enough of my baby bashing- already giving this unborn kid a complex! I hope all of you have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!!!

Mama's Boy

It's no secret that I love the fact that my son is a mama's boy. He told me the other day that I was his one true love! Of course this was after he asked me what that meant because Bruce Banner said it to Betty Ross on the Incredible Hulk. But I digress, despite our "love affair" I do realize there are times when I need to "turn him over" to his father for some tougher love and discipline. Being the little Pisces that he is, my son, is always looking for rationale. It's not enough to say to him, "because I said so," he wants to know WHY are you saying so and why is it not up for negotiation. He tries to play that game with me all day long but something in his father's tone let's him know that perhaps he should not have all the answers to life's questions at FOUR so, he backs down and does what he's told.

Now when it comes to him not feeling well is where I draw a line in the sand with my husband. It incenses me sometimes when he tells him to "shake it off" or tries to make me feel bad for "mothering" him when he feels bad. He says I take it too far and I MAKE him act like a baby. . .AH! The nerve!! For example, last week my son had an allergic reaction to soap that contained perfume and dye (don't ask) - his entire body broke out into a rash and he was miserable. He was itching ALL OVER. We gave him Benadryl and lathered him in Cortisone and Calamine but the relief was not instant. So, there were times- not even that often- that he would take his nubby little fingers and start a scratch fest (he has NO NAILS because he's starting to bite them again). My husband would chastise him saying he was going to make it worse and not to scratch. The little Pisces says to him, "Daddy, if it itches I have to scratch." OK!

So, me being the mother that I am, hating to see him suffer through any discomfort no matter how small, I had the bright idea to take a sponge that was for the most part soft but it had just enough texture to provide relief if you rubbed it over your itching body. I took off his shirt and proceeded to give him a rub down with the sponge. My husband came UNGLUED! He actually said what I was doing was GAY and that I was going to turn my son into a marshmallow.

If I wasn't so pissed when he said it I probably would have laughed because he sounded so damned stupid. I proceeded to yell, "HE IS FOUR AND HE IS ITCHING!" Gimme a break, I'm nine times his age and if I was itching I'd want to scratch too! I never pegged my husband as homophobic and I happen to know for a fact he had a sappy relationship with his mom, God rest her soul, so I don't know why he's trippin'! I think that my son needs and deserves equal parts NURTURING and discipline. I don't want him growing up to be some cold, heartless, MAN because of the idiotic notions that his dad is unconsciously planting in his head. Hubby and I need to have a serious heart to heart because this morning my son told me, "Men don't cry,". I proceeded to tell him he's NOT a man yet and that REAL men do cry if they are hurt. I want him to be a strong, righteous, noble, man who is not afraid to be in touch with his feelings because of some bullshit societal rules that are imposed on him.

Besides as much as I love him and want to protect and nurture him I KNOW when it's time to put the hammer down and get tough and trust me my son, knows when he's pushed THAT button. But for the most part I just love him, nurture him, teach him, hug him, kiss, show him right from wrong and just try to enjoy each day with him DRAMA FREE. Because ten years from now if he's getting into all kinds of trouble he will NEVER be able to say he didn't get enough love or hugs from his mama!

Jack Move

It appears throughout my business travels I have become the victim of a form of identity theft. I remember sitting in the airport, after my flight had been delayed for two hours, realizing I forgot my American Express card. So, I called my bank to transfer money since all I had was my debit card. The balance in my checking account seemed a little low but I was semi-delirious and didn't really think anything of it so I just made a mental note to check it once I returned from Orlando.

The alarm went off when we checked the mail this past Monday and there was a envelope from my bank that resembled an insufficient funds notice (there was a time a couple of decades ago that I got those all the time!) so I rip open the envelope and it's a notice saying they tried contacting me via e-mail but the message was returned undeliverable. I'm thinking why are they trying to contact me. . .so I call and check my balance. . .it's really low so I listen to the transactions that have cleared and the first cleared item threw up a red flag. I press zero to speak to a representative while simultaneously checking the transactions on line.

Someone has gotten my debit card number and charged $636 within a three day period at the most random places. They paid their T-Mobile bill, ordered some movies from Comcast, $200 for flowers, $200 at some bar, and the purchase of eyeglasses.

The bizarre thing is that I actually have my card, this has never happened before and I am super cautious about when & where I use my card. I never even use it online. So, apparently the last time I went out to eat someone jacked my number. Now I'm thinking I might need to just start taking the AMEX card and paying it off at the end of each month. Because I think I was extremely lucky that this sorry bastard didn't charge more or put me in an extreme financial bind.

But what's really crazy about this entire thing is that they were able to use my number in person at most of these places. . .they had to have a connection at these places. I don't think I could go to Chili's or Macy's or Eyemasters and say, "Oh, I don't have my card but here's the number" I wonder if they duplicated my card?? That settles it I'm carving a hole in my mattress! Why are people so damned devious?!?!? If they would only use their evil powers for good!

I'm Baaack!

Man, I totally forgot I even had a blog! ;-p It even took me two tries on the password. So much for trying to blog once a week this month. . .this month has been totally insane. Here's the recap:

1. Traveled to six different locations for annual enrollment meetings at work.

2. Verbally assaulted by wonderful co-workers in Newark. Such a classy bunch.

3. Got snowed on in Salt Lake City. Seriously, snowflakes in my hair!! Needless to say I was semi-afroed for the remainder of the trip.

4. Was able to fly first class to Orlando after sitting in airport for 2 1/2 hour delay due to weather.

5. Tomorrow will mark my 16th week of pregnancy. . .

Yep, I know who cares about 1 through 4, more on this number 5 bombshell. First of all, I am very hesitant to even talk about my pregnancy because if God forbid, something goes wrong and I don't deliver a healthy baby or any baby for that matter on April 13th then I'll have to address my feelings about that. . .which might not be a bad thing. . .

But I digress, I am expecting and this was TOTALLY unplanned and I have been in denial for three months. Especially after this tirade. Still scratching my head on how this happened. . .I mean I KNOW how it happened but still. . .anyway, I'm getting a little excited and will also get FIXED when this is over. I thought one was enough but I'm certain TWO will do! I think I'm most excited for my son. He will have a sibling and get the opportunity to impart his wisdom on another human being who will think he hung the moon. He will also get a chance to boss someone around, blame things on and from time to time be best their friend. I can't imagine my life without my sister and hopefully he will develop that kind of bond with his un-gender known sibling as well.

We haven't really specifically told him that he's going to be a big brother but we've spoken more in hypothetical terms and he is beyond excited at the prospect. He even has every one's role figured out. He will feed the baby, I will change the pee-pee diapers and daddy will change the poopie diapers. I love that plan! I think the age spread between the two will be perfect also because my son will be old enough not to still want to be a "baby" and require so much of my attention so, I'm hoping there won't be much jealousy or regression. Besides my " first baby" will be starting KINDERGARTEN next year! (She says throwing herself on floor and crying hysterically) I cannot believe how fast the time flew by. . .and to think just when I got him all trained to be semi-self-sufficient here I go bringing another person into this world who will be totally dependent on me. I think I know how this happened now. . .it was the blue pill that I took with the shot of Patron. . .

Needless to say hubby is ECSTATIC!!! This has been his plan all along! Come to think of it he gave me the blue pill! Ha ha! I have been in a shitty mood everyday exhausted, nauseous, bitchy, craving weird stuff and then not eating it, did I mention exhausted and bitchy? Whatever the case, I'm taking good care of myself and I ask for God's mercy daily and hope that he will bless me with a healthy child at the end of 40 weeks. I'll keep you posted as this journey continues on.