I have imported my blog posts from the days of Multiply and I also post my writings from my Weight Watchers blog. I hope to inspire someone and I hope to continually inspire myself. I welcome your comments. Excuse the language in the older posts, I have evolved....some, LOL.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Hey Peeps
Monday, July 28, 2008
Real Talk: Deedles Unwrapped
I know some of you have been concerned of my whereabouts. Thank you.
A few of you know exactly where I've been and what I've been doing...thank you so much for being here for me.
I'm not a person who likes to show their weakness and I HATE for people to take pity on me, so PLEASE don't.
My life has changed since you last heard from me...
First of all (and I have yet to take the pics off my camera, so expect more soon) the Andre Iguodala Celebrity Weekend was this weekend and ya girl took pictures with Morris Chestnut and Chico Benymon (Spencer from Half and Half).
I took the boys and my nephew to the celebrity basketball game Saturday and we had a good time. We got to meet Dee Brown, newly signed to the Washington Wizards and Channing Frye of the Portland Trailblazers (that dude is 6'11 WOW).
That was the highlight of my weekend. The low?
I went to the doctor on Wednesday and he didn't like my lab results and he told me that if the vascular surgeon ok'd my fistula's maturity, that he wanted me to start my hemodialysis treatment on Friday.
I think that for all I've been through physically and mentally, I'm a trooper. Let me tell you...when it comes to dialysis, I'm a PUNK. I didn't cry, well, not much. That shit HURTS! They put two not so small needles in you in the same location, every other day. There's a topical creme that kind of numbs the area for you, but it does nothing for the pain you feel after the treatment.
And it wears me out physically. I'll be doing this 3 times a week for 4 hours until I receive my healing (Yes, I'm STILL believing for it!).
Trust me when I tell you that I take some of your words of encouragement and support in to the center with me. (I love each one of you for it).
Right now the biggest effects it has on me is I get REALLY tired fast now and I have muscle spasms/cramps and it's hard for me to sleep. My appetite is almost nil (I'm making myself eat Kesha dammit! LOL) and I've lost some weight.
They say in about 2 weeks my body will adjust and I'll feel better. In the meantime, I have some other issues that concern me, so I'll be visiting another doctor on Friday.
That's all for me...What's been up with you since we last talked?
Oh, and I'll still be able to make the Labor Day Weekend out east!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Personal Finance Thursday, July 24, 2008
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I'm giving you a reading assignment and I want a short report afterward. I'm serious.
As the mortgage crisis continues to pick up intensity like Hurricane Dolly, let's look at not just how the banks and mortgage professionals push the economy down the toilet, but how Americans have radically changed their view of what it means to own a home.
To see how we got here you have to read Alexander von Hoffman's op-ed article from Sunday's Post.
The headline alone sums it up: Home Values Are Down, and Not Just at the Bank.
Hoffman, a senior fellow at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, brilliantly writes about how our changing values of homeownership helped contribute to this mortgage mess.
"We have strayed so far from what made owning a home an unassailable American value," Hoffman writes. Becoming a homeowner no longer requires patience, thrift and strong moral character. In the last few years, just about anyone could, and did, get a mortgage. As home prices skyrocketed, Hoffman writes: "Outright greed took hold." Some homebuyers "flipped" houses for a quick profit, while others treated their homes as ATMs, depleting their equity to finance purchases outside of their means.
Hoffman says too many people have stopped thinking of their home as a shelter for the family or a sanctuary in troubled times, and instead thought of it as an "investment," that would only ever go up in value.
Take a look at this question submitted to Kiplinger's Money & Ethics column penned by editor-in-chief Knight Kiplinger. A reader was concerned that her husband wants to intentionally default on their mortgage because they've lost all their equity. They can afford to pay the mortgage but her hubbie says "Everybody's doing it." By defaulting he thinks they can take advantage of lower home prices and get a cheaper house. She disagrees and thinks it's unethical.
Read Kiplinger's response in Keep the House, Especially When You Can Afford It (July 20).
This situation certainly proves Hoffman right.
So can we change? Is it too late?
"Maybe we should rethink what it means to own your own home," Hoffman says in his op-ed piece. "We could think of it as a source of emotional security instead of a collateral security."
Read Hoffman's article and tell me what you think. What has owning a home meant to you? Be honest. Was getting wealthy from the built-up equity high on your list of reasons to buy your home? Have you extracted equity to consume more and now regret it?
Folks, we won't get out of this mess and certainly we won't learn from it until we all examine our own views of homeownership. So read Hoffman's article. Then report back to me. Send your comments to colorofmoney@washpost.com. In the subject line write "Home Values." Please include your name and hometown.
Housing Crisis Hits Hard
Studies have shown that African Americans have been hit particularly hard by the housing crisis.
The Root columnist Kai Wright has a personal take on the issue. In his column Homewreckers he writes about how his mother lost her home after accepting a subprime refinance loan from Countrywide. "She did everything a woman of her generation was supposed to do to earn economic security in her golden years, not least of which was moving from being a renter to investing in a home more than 10 years ago," Wright writes. "Now she's back to being a renter, having lost the house."
Wright was online last week to discuss his story and how the subprime mortgage meltdown has affected African Americans.
Not only are people chatting online about their housing woes, but they're also turning to their church for help. My pastor, John K. Jenkins of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, has been preaching for years about the danger of overspending. He's been on a mission to get worshippers to cut their credit card habit. Read what Jenkins and other ministers are doing to help their congregants be better stewards of their money during good and bad times in Calling on Gospel to Call Off Debt by Post staffer Ovetta Wiggins.
Loss of a Job Requires a Plan B
Earlier this month, Starbucks announced that it would be closing 600 stores and laying off up to 12,000 employees. Wachovia has announced it plans to lay off 6,350 employees and leave 4,400 more positions unfilled after posting an $8.9 billion loss in the second quarter, reports Post staffer David Cho in Banks' Health Questioned as Wachovia Posts $8.9 Billion Loss.
You may not work for one of those companies, but what if you got a pink slip? Do you have a plan to weather unemployment? Financial professionals participating in this week's "Ask The Experts," addressed this question on Sunday. Read what they suggest:
* Barry Glassman, Senior Vice President at Cassaday in McLean
* Ryan B. Wibberley, President and Founder of CIC Wealth Management in Rockville
* Jim Ludwick, Founder and President of MainStreet Financial Planning in D.C., Md. and Ca.
Take a look at my column Staying Out of the Red Despite the Pink Slip (June 12) for more advice about surviving a layoff.
Financial Crash Triggers Animal Instincts
Much of the news of late should make us reflect on our tendency to react first with fear.
Post staff writer Michael S. Rosenwald, the brains behind the Financial Lobe column, examines our herd mentality in Why We Buy Into the Herd, Even When It's Not Good for Us (July 20).
"Behavioral economists and psychologists see some classic behaviors at play here, leading to herds of people taking measures -- dumping stock, lining up outside banks when they don't need to -- that can actually exacerbate the problems for everyone, causing tornado-like spirals that suck in even wider swaths of people," Rosenwald writes.
If you want to find out how to act counter to the crowd read Rosenwald's article.
Retirement Money
The Social Security Administration unveiled a new online calculator for retirement planning that helps you estimate your retirement benefits at different ages.
This new tool couldn't arrive at a better time. On Sunday, I wrote about how an increasing number of workers are raiding their retirement accounts by taking out a loan against their 401(k) plans.
Read more to find out why there are more pros than cons to tapping this money.
Some of you agreed with me. Here's what you had to say:
Maureen Zupan said that she was happy I pointed out that this money is not tax-free. "You are going to get taxed on the money," said the resident of Syracuse, N.Y.
Mark R. Lindon of Virginia wrote: "Retirement accounts should be placed off limits except for dire circumstances. First house or college is not dire. Potential life threatening illness and loss of job are the only reasons anyone should tap their account. Relying on the government to support someone in retirement is not viable anymore. We must fund our own. My wife and I max out contributions to all of our retirement accounts and have no intent to tap them at all until we need them for retirement."
Despite similarity in location, others had a different point of view.
"I appreciate the flexibility of borrowing against a 401(k)," wrote Jeff A. of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. "My wife and I have used this option to fund short-term cash flow and paid ourselves back in 12-24 months. And, perhaps more importantly, we generally find it comforting to know that the borrowing option is always there should we find ourselves in need of emergency funds."
Charles Morrill of Charlottesville, Va., says that yes, borrowing from one's 401(k) is a bad idea and Americans should know to save. But he wrote: "There isn't enough money, and at the rate prices are rising, there never will be. It's dirt simple to write stories about the individual issues and point out that we're not saving enough, or we're irresponsibly borrowing from our 401ks, or that we've not saved enough for the child's education. Piece of cake! Very hard though, to come up with a complete picture of how most Middle Americans ought to navigate the financial shark infested waters of the new century."
I understand the pressure that rising prices can place on your finances. Perhaps Mr. Morrill should read my column Whip Inflation Now, Before It Whips You (July 3).
You Asked
Here are a few questions left over from my online chat last week:
Q: My husband and I are looking to buy a home (rent just went up 30% and we need the tax break). We have $20,000 in student loans (paid down from $50,000 in two years) and a house in a depressed market (Ohio). We've been renting it (no income, but covers costs) for four years. We have about $35,000 for a house, which is about 3-5% using a fixed FHA loan. Given the current market, should we buy a home now or rent one more year, pay off the student loan, sell the Ohio house (maybe we can get $5,000 to $10,000 if we're lucky) and wait for the mortgages/banks/general economy to balance out?
A: No. Yes. Probably yes. I have no idea.
No, you shouldn't buy a home with $20,000 in student loan debt. Yes, pay off the student loan so that when you buy your next home, you move free of a major debt. If you don't want to be landlords then sell the Ohio home and use the proceeds to build back up the down payment fund because you should take $20,000 of that $35,000 and pay off the student loan. Now I can't tell you when to buy. I can't tell you when the economy will balance out. It's crazy right now. Banks are losing billions. Homeowners are losing their homes and the numbers don't seem to be going down. Housing prices in many areas of the country are still dropping. Good for buyers, bad for sellers. But I can tell you the best time to buy a home is when you can afford it.
Q: Do you believe that freezing your credit with all three bureaus will prevent identity theft? Clark Howard believes that it is a foolproof way to stop ID theft. Dave Ramsey thinks it is not foolproof since ID thieves go to merchants who don't do credit bureau checks before giving credit. What is your opinion regarding freezing one's credit standing?
A: I think both Howard and Ramsey are right. A good crook will figure out a way to steal from you. But your job is to make that as hard as possible. So if you are concerned about your identity being stolen getting a security freeze is a good way to protect yourself.
If you want to know more about how a security freeze works read my columns, A Way to Freeze Out The ID Thieves and A Security Freeze Can Protect Your Credit But Take Some Time to Thaw.
Q: Michelle, following up on your idea I recently started a "life happens" fund for funds separate from my "home" monthly budget and my emergency savings (currently around 7 or 8 months). I want a year, as I know I could not really replace my current job since I'm in my early 50s. Should I keep the "life happens" fund separate from the emergency savings?
A: If you're very disciplined you can keep the two funds together. A life happens fund is money you keep to pay for the things in life that happen and you don't typically plan for such as a major car repair. You build up this fund so you don't deplete your emergency stash which should be used if you lose your job for example.
If you aren't disciplined, keep the two funds separate. You could just have a checking and savings (separate from your household budget accounts) and make the checking your life happens fund and the savings your emergency fund. Definitely keep both your emergency fund and life happens fund separate from your regular checking and savings otherwise you'll be too tempted to tap it.
Q: Michelle, What do you think of the idea of home ownership as an investment? Has it come to the point where it is yet another example of an "unnecessary luxury" dividing the rich from the rest of us? I bought my house 3 years ago as a step to save for my old age (which at 53 years old is next week). I also bought it because I feel rootless as a renter. But now I wonder if the added expense now will actually pay off at any time in the future. Any opinions?
A: This is a good place to end this week's e-letter because it brings us full circle.
Let me say it again. Read the op-ed piece by Alexander von Hoffman Home Values Are Down, and Not Just at the Bank.
I think home is where the heart of the family is. I treat my house like a home not an investment. It's a place where I can go and be with my wonderful and fine husband and three great kids. It's where I live, love and laugh. If by some chance I can make some money when I sell my home, great. But while I'm living in it, I hope to get more than anything I could buy with money.
You are welcome to e-mail comments and questions to singletarym@washpost.com. Please include your name and hometown; your comments may be used in a future column or newsletter unless otherwise requested.
Charity Brown contributed to this e-letter.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Are You A Survivor?
Some folks have been blessed enough to have never experienced anything out of the ordinary. Life has just been the proverbial bowl of cherries for them.
Others of us have survived something, be it natural disaster, health scare(s), physical danger and even war.
What have you survived? How did it make you feel?
Remember the tornado I blogged about? Soon as I remember, I'm gonna post the piece I wrote about it.
http://icnonlybme.multiply.com/photos/album/7/Storm_Pics-Tornado_of_March_2006
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Do You Believe?
I was told that a happy marriage is a fairytale and I was accused in beliving in fairytales...
First of all, I don't believe that a fairytale wedding equals a fairytale marriage, but what's wrong with wanting happiness and believing there's someone for you?
Some folks will have you believe that women can be faithful beings, but men just don't have it in em. I don't believe that (though some guys make it very hard for the rest of you). Nor do I believe that all women are innocent and faithfully sitting at home waiting on their man. Nuh uh. I ain't buying it!
Idano. I still believe in happily ever after with a little work dispersed here and there. It ain't easy, but nothing worth having is, is it?
Do you believe in the fairytale?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Mystery Is Solved...They Were Soda Cans
Nori saw the video on 106 and Park and it's Ashanti's Good Good.
LeeAura said this:
Has the Hood Gone Too Far?
Have you ever heard of rolling your hair with soda cans instead of rollers? Can anyone tell me what that's about?
A friend swore up and down he saw a chick with her hair rolled in soda cans in a video with Nelly.
WTF? 
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Did You Ever??
I'm sick of the Obama/Jesse/Bernie thing, sick of dissecting Will and Jada's union and of some of the other stuff we've gone back and forth about the past few days. And instead of making up another 20 questions, I decided that I'd rather know whether you were a Girl Scout or Boy Scout and if so, what was your most vivid scouting memory?
I started in Brownies and stayed in scouting until I was a Cadet, which I believe was 5th grade. My most vivid memory was the year I sold so many cookies that I got to go to camp for a week, for free. That was a big deal to me because my mom didn't let me do many sleepovers and for me to go for a whole week? Yeah...
I remember the first day my cabinmates asked me if I was gonna go with them for the Polar Swim...SHEEE and IT!! Go jump in the lake at 6 am? I'on thank so!
I had a great time though overall and that's when I discovered how much I like canoeing. I ain't gonna lie though, it'll be a cold, cold day in shuckyduck fo I get in that dirty lake again!
I do believe that I learned quite a few life lessons while earning badges. A thousand years later, when my boys were old enough, I put them in Cub Scouts and was even a Den Leader and a Popcorn Colonel (how does that end up sounding like Kernel?) It was a disappointment of sorts because there was one male leader and the rest were women...*shrug* but what can ya do?
Tell me 'bout your experience(s) in scouting. If you weren't a scout, but wanted to be, why weren't you?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Just Cuz SOME Folks don't wanna read 50...
Not metioning any names *Dante', bigdaddyt are two of my friends*...
I put together 20 really random questions.
20 (more) Thangs About Me
1. My best friend’s name is? Harmony
2. The last person on my contacts I met in person? Boosie
3. My cell phone is a LG Muziq?
4. One event that changed my life was my son's father's death.
5. My first online page was at Blackplanet?
6. I have/have not ever posted on Nude Africa (anonymously or not) have anonymously on a dare
7. My first online friend turned real life friend’s name is/was Christian aka Kobain
8. One cd folks wouldn’t expect me to own Nickelback-All The Right Reasons
9. Single, divorced, never married? Never married
10. How many folks from your contact list are you crushing on? At least 5 *damn*
11. I am/am not a registered voter. I most certainly am!
12. I sleep in...most of the time, nothing
13. Shampoo/conditioner I use Kenra Deep conditioning
14. My favorite teacher Joyce Beard
15. My first date’s name was? Dwayne Curry
16. My favorite fruit is? Fresh Pineapple
17. What I like most about my job? The solidarity I have
18. My best physical feature? my eyes
19. One blog I MUST visit daily ALoveSupreme
20. I’m way more innocent than folks think. T/F T *dodging lightning bolts*
50 More Random Things about Deedles
Snatched from Pineapple***If you like this, fill it out and post!
1. Do you like blue cheese? No way
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No way!
3. Do you own a gun? No, but I own a FOID card.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? At Sonic, I only get cherry limeades.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Every single time
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love hot dogs at the ballpark the best. Ketchup, mustard, relish and diced onions
7. Favorite Christmas movie? The Preacher’s Wife
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water with ice
9. Can you do push ups? *If someone’s under me for motivation!
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My gold hoop earrings
12. Favorite hobby?
14. Do you have A.D.D? often
15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Sometimes I’m so disorganized. (only with my personal stuff)
16. Middle name? M*****
7. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Man I’m sleepy! Do I want to get my nails done? I wonder how much fun I’m gonna have when I go back to MD.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Grapes, a wet/dry vac, toilet paper
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, root beer, kool-aid
20. Current worry? money
21. Current hate right now? The way black folks treat each other
22. Favorite place to be? In the arms of one I luv and who luvs me in return
23. How did you bring in the New Year? sleeping
24. Where would you like to go? On a Mediterranean cruise,
25. Name four people who will complete this? Who knows?
26. Do you own slippers? Yes but I usually kick around in flip flops
27. What shirt are you wearing? Peach short-sleeved shirt
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, don’t like sliding across the bed!
29. Can you whistle? A little
30. Favorite color? It depends on the day....I favor fall colors though
31. Would you be a pirate? *What Pineapple said* Hell yeah! But I’d be a Robinhood kinda piratess, with a crew of rippling muscle men with thick thighs and long tongues ~giggle~
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I usually don’t.
33. Favorite girl's name? my mind is sooooo not in baby naming mode today
34. Favorite boy's name? ditto
35. What's in your pocket right now? A rubber band
36. Last thing that made you laugh? I just saw this chick walking across the street in a white, long sleeve sweater with fringes off the shoulders. I KNOW that heffa was HOTTTTT!!!
37. What kind of sheets did you have on your bed as a child? Something with lots of colors and clean
38. Your worst injury you've ever had? I stepped on the bottom of a broken beer bottle and the glass went through the shoe and into my foot. I still have nerve damage and often have to stick to sneakers.
39. Do you love where you live? Sometimes
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4
41. Who is your loudest friend? I AM the loud one! LOL
42. How many dogs do you have? None
43. Does someone have a crush on you? They say they do
45. What is your favorite book(s)? Anything by Eric Jerome Dickey, Kimberla Lawson Roby or Carl Weber
46. What is your favorite candy? Tangy Twist Mike n Ike’s (Since I can’t have chocolate anymore *sniff*. It used to be Turtles/Pixies or Heath bars.
47. Favorite SportsTeam? No favorites really, I just like to rile folks up and go against their teams.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Need You To Survive, as a reminder to folks that we need each other
49. What were you doing at 12 a.m? Falling asleep on Harmony
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I’m going to sleep on time tonight...SHEESH
Daughter's of Legacy
Did anyone else catch this, this weekend? It was an excellent look into the lives of Attalla Shabazz, Sherrie Poitier, Tiffany Cochran, Rasheeda Ali and Berniece King.
Don Lemon presented the viewers a chance to see the men who in some way, have influenced the black community as Daddy and not as the heroes we tend to see them as.
Click the link
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/07/14/lemon.daughters.legacy.cnn
Good Monday Morning To Ya!
glitter-graphics.com
Try to make the best of it.
I barely remember Friday night. When I got back from St. Louis, that storm made me sleepy. Saturday I ran errands. Later I watched Ryan Busch take the NASCAR weekend.
Saturday night around midnight some idiot mofo decided to shoot out one of our 2nd floor bedroom windows. Still not sure how that happened. It passed through a screen and a double pane window.
We found a beer bottle in the room, but I don't see how that could've gotten through. Honestly I thought my son did something, but the glass did fall from the outside in...*shrug* I filed a police report and now waiting for the apartment maintenance to board it up or fix it. Yes, I said SATURDAY nigh...
Yesterday was pretty uneventful. Ended the evening with a dip in the pool. Wore a swimsuit I hadn't been able to wear for a couple of years. Yeee haww! LOL
How was your weekend? What'd you do? (Man, I can't wait to get back to the MD/DC/VA area!)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Are You A Transplant?
This is gonna be pretty much short and sweet.
Are you originally from the city in which you reside? If not, what prompted your relocation? Do you regret it?
If you're contemplating relocation, but aren't sure where you want to go, this is a useful little site www.findyourspot.com
My top 5 places according to my responses are as follows:
1. Norfolk, VA
2. Baltimore, MD
3. Chesapeake-Virginia Beach, VA
4. Charlotte, NC
5. Greenville, NC
As much as I love Virginia Beach, I don't know that I'd want to live there. Hurricanes aren't necessarily my cup of tea.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Stolen from Unka Q, Toi, Silky and all the other who posted while I was gone...
Hi, my name is: DeAnna
But you can call me: Deedles or Butters… Mo and Gigi gave me my nicknames, ya'll made me a celebrity! LOL
Never in my life have I: been married.
The one person who can drive me nuts is: My sister. I deal with her in small doses and NEVER again traveling!
My high school is: Springfield Southeast High School, Springfield, IL
The last song I listened to (sang along with) was: Don't Change, Musiq Soulchild
If I were to get married right now it would be to: __________ but he ain't ready to be real.
My hair is: all mine.
When I was 4: I started kindergarten. Mrs. Tutt's class.
Last Christmas: was spent without a S/O AGAIN
I should be: bitter toward men with all the hell I've been through, but I'm not.
When I look down I see: a popcorn hull. I caught it on my "shelf" when I was eating.
The happiest recent event was: My trip to Maryland. If it didn't cost so damn much I'd consider relocating.
If I were a character on 'Friends': I'd be Phoebe. Just goofy as hell.
By this time next year: I hope to be on the kidney donor list.
My current gripe is: Timing sucks.
I have a hard time understanding: how some women will just give, give, give to a man who is more than willing to take, take, take, without contributing.
If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Harmony
I want to buy: A house of my own.
Where do you plan to visit : Maryland again, Tampa, Jamaica
If you spent the night at my house: You'd be a rare guest. I don't normally entertain at my abode.
The world could do without: racism
Most recent thing I've bought myself: A round trip ticket back to Maryland.
Most recent thing someone else bought me: a Mickey D's Value meal.
My middle name is: M***e
In the morning I: Stretch before getting out of bed.
Last night I was: trying to make sense out of a situation.
There's this girl I know who: was always jealous of me. Why I don't know. I doubt she could survive all I've been through.
If I was an animal I'd be: a cougar
A better name for me would be: Not sure, give me some suggestions....
Tomorrow I am: Surviving another day
Tonight I am: Fixing pork chops for dinner.
My birthday is: December 30th
You got this from: Toi, Uncle Q, Silky, etc. etc. etc.
Monday, July 7, 2008
My Weekend
First off, let me say that if you've never met any of your online friends in person, you most definitely should! I've met quite a few of mine (even dated a couple) and have found for the most part that what you see is what you get.
I traveled to Maryland for the holiday weekend and the first day I met Robsr, who was gracious enough to pick me up from the airport *muah and wink* (thank you again) and eventually handed me off to Harmony (Poetessnyx) and Mr. P and I hung with them at home for a few hours.
The next day I had the great fortune of meeting Silky. We went out to dinner (that's another blog in itself *HARD eye roll at Chili's service* and went back to the hotel and hung out with none other than The One, (remember him) Bee-Randon... We hung out til the wee hours of the morning. I have a picture of Silky, but I promised her I wouldn't put it up cuz she was Knocked da Fucc Out!
I went and hung with Harm and family on the 4th. It was mostly family I hadn't seen since the reunion last year, but I was surprised when
Franchise113 aka E. and DaBomb aka V. showed up.
(Sorry E., that's as close as you get to your own blog, lol)
Saturday I hung, no, I slept on Harm's couch, lol. Til it was time to go to Q's.
Once at Q's, I had the pleasure of meeting Q of course *ya'll always worried about Q's biscuits, ya'll know I love lips and man oh man, Q's lips............*
Anyway, I met Starrdustt, My Lil Punkin Gianna, her big brother (I forgot his name, but he beat "Jesus" in Wii Boxing! LOL), Uncle Kardio, walked right past Boosie cuz I didn't recognize her (that heffa is much prettier in person), I got to meet Pineapple (who got to meet 15 *drool*), Oh God, xtrathyckkebonii (sp), Cherry, my mind is getting fuzzy now cuz we got to playing I Never...and I guess I did a lot. I have faces in my head though.
We were there so late and I had to be at the airport so early, there was no point in me attempting to go to sleep. So I hung out a lil more before getting to the airport at the late hour of 4 am (what the hell was I thinking?).
Needless to say, I'm off work today in an attempt to recover from the weekend.
Overall, ya'll folks in Maryland sho nuff know how to make a girl feel special! 
**Side Note** Let me add that the pics we see don't do folks justice. I have the sexiest/finest friends ever!!
And let me add that if I'd realized that Upper Marlboro isn't at the top part of the state, I'd have met Don too! (I'll be back for Labor Day!)