I ran away from home . . .

I can't remember how old I was and I can't remember what "pushed me over the edge," but I do remember trying to run away from home once.

Yes, TRYING to run away.  I packed my little bag, mustered all my anger, girded my loins (LOL, always wanted to use that in conversation) and walked my little too grown behind out the door.  I walked ALLLLLL the way to our retaining wall and sat for probably 10 minutes, but it seemed like 10 hours.

Yeah, they'll be sorry when they see I'm gone. . . tick tock tick tock . . . yup, they'll be crying and sad and come looking for me . . . . tick tock tick tock . . . I finally gave up and went back into the house.  I don't think they even noticed I was gone.  Or maybe they saw me sitting on the wall the entire time and were laughing at me from their bedroom window.

Fast forward, to present, three of my girlfriends and I "ran away from home"  this past weekend and had a girlfriend road trip.  Before I give you the snapshot of our weekend, allow me accept this award from Tica @ Tica Tattleteller.  To accept this award, I have to say where I see myself in 10 years and then pass in on. Okay, in 10 years, I'll be forty . . . wow . . . and I see myself celebrating 10 years of marriage, raising two children and traveling more (hopefully visiting one of the places in the blog award pic).  I'm passing this award to Momarchy, The 5th Girl and The Baby Plan. Thank you Tica for the great award.  It's amazing how it fits with my post, LOL.

So, my girlfriends and I hit the road, fleeing the DC area, and drove the Atlanta, GA.  I mentioned before that I'm Seventh-Day Adventist.  All of our churches are connected under one General Conference.  From last Wednesday to next Sunday, all of our churches around the globe have descended upon Atlanta like the plagues of Egypt come to Atlanta to fellowship and conduct meetings/elections.  We saw old friends, I met up with a classmate I haven't seen in 12 years and, of course, did some retail therapy (GA sales tax is a murderous 8%, but it's better than DC's 10%). We even drove through the set of a zombie movie, which initially FREAKED US OUT because there was a car on it's side and it looked like it was an accident.  (When the movie The Walking Dead comes out, if you see a silver Dodge Charger with four chics looking completely bugged out, that's us, LOL).

During the drive back, we all said we wanted to stay in Atlanta, but jobs, husbands and a plethora of bills beckoned us to returned.   We're already in talks for our next run for the border.  The Word of the Week (WOW is plethora, which means overabundance, excess).  Come play along in this word meme by the Nerd Mafia. (click on pic for link)

What happened to the 9 year old?

Last week I shared with you that at the age of 9 my then boyfriend taught me a lesson about dating that stuck with me for the rest of my life.  I learned that in relationships, especially the immature, self-serving relationships that you have as pre-teens, in teen years and quite often into adulthood, people are in it for what they can get out of it.  I also shared that after I got a new boyfriend at the age of 12, I was never single again.  So here is how that happened.

Like I said, the lesson stuck with me.  I vowed I would never let myself be on the side where anyone else got more out of the relationship than I did.  I know it's the absolute WORST attitude to have about a relationship.  Every time I felt I was on the losing end or less beneficial side of a relationship, I moved on to guy who was waiting in the wings.  That was my MO, my defense mechanism, my foible.

But I eventually lost myself in that cycle and the cycle started to define me.  I was not the sassy 9 year old who told her boyfriend he could step off.  I wasn't even the teen girl, who moved from the 13 year old gentleman to the 17 year old older guy to the 15 year old funny guy as I saw fit.  I became the 22 year old who started defining herself by being in a relationship.  I became the 24 year old who stayed too long in a bad relationship.  I became the 25 year old who accepted mediocrity in a "relationship" because at least it was a "relationship".  My independent spirit became needy.  My sassy 'tude became deflated.  My foible became my downfall.  I finally woke up and realized I didn't like who was looking back at me in the mirror.  And although I did move from the "relationship" to my husband, I was no longer THAT girl.  My husband has no idea why I need to be so strong, so independent and so unlike the girl I became, but I'm happy about who I am today. 

What were some of your dating missteps and regrets?



This post was written as a continuation of my last post and I'm surprised I opened up this much on here.  It's also my submission in this week's Word of the Week, a blog hop led by Nerd Mafia (Natalie, Liz and Kristin).  This week the word is foible; one definition is a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior.  Come join us (click on pic for link).

Oh for the love of gadgets

My husband and I spent the better half of yesterday online at Apple's website trying to buy the phone of the century decade year moment, the iPhone 4.  No such luck.  We're Mr. and Mrs. Gadget over here and Apple has seen a  pretty penny of our money with our Ipad 3G, two iPhones and an iPod Touch.  (The gadgets don't stop there, I have a touch screen slow cooker, LOL)  I've decided to wait until I can get the iPhone in the store to purchase mine.  He's going to pre-order and have his delivered.

On to the purpose for my post.  For the past several months, I've been wanting to purchase a big girl camera.  I've asked around the blog world and gotten suggestions from some very helpful ladies (thanks Megan @ Twinsomnia and  Katie @ Katie's Dailies)
 
Canon PowerShot Elph SD1100 IS
photo credit

Canon EOS Rebel XS

Megan @ Twinsomnia uses this camera and if you check out her blog, you will see how gorgeous her pics are - although it might be the skill of the photographer, not just the camera.

Features include: 10.1 megapixels, EOS integrated cleaning system, 2.5" LCD screen, external flash mount, SD/SDHC memory card compatible, 3 frames per second shooting and a host of other features.  This one retails at the big box store for $499 and comes with the the camera, lens, camera strap, software, two cables, the battery and charger. photo credit

 Nikon D70
Katie @ Katie's Dailies uses this camera and if you check out her blog, you'll see her amazing photos there as well.

Features include:  6.1 mega pixels, 1.8" LCD screen,  external flash mount, 25 custom settings and a number of other features.  This camera was introduced in 2004, yet it still sells from between $1500 - $2000 new.  In the box: camera, lens, strap, software, cables, lens cap, battery and charger.  photo credit

 Canon Rebel T1i
While checking out the previously listed cameras, I found this little beaut.

Features includes: 15.1 megapixels, HD video capture, 3" LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, face detection, 3.4 frames per second shooting, EOS integrated cleaning system and a number of other features.  I found one online from a pretty popular site for $734 that in addition to everything in the box (camera, lens, strap, eye cup, cables and software), it included some additional software -an 1.5 hour video course on using the camera, an extra battery and a shoulder carry bag.  photo credit

I will be honest.  When I saw these prices and knew I had the money to pay for a camera at this price, I couldn't help but think, why not get this gorgeous little shoulder carry bag for about the same price instead (LV Montorgueil PM MSRP $800).  photo credit

I'm still on the hunt.  Anyone else looking for the perfect camera?  Any other suggestions out there for cameras?  Anyone think I should just get the purse instead?? LOL (my little pink camera would fit in this just fine).  I wonder if I just say the word "gullet" if I could post this on the WOW blog hop.  They'd probably shove a a camera down my gullet if I did (LOL).

He broke my heart when I was 9

Well, I guess not really, but I was pretty bummed about it.  Why did I have a boyfriend at 9 years old? It was that childhood kinda relationship.  The one when he asks someone else to ask you if you would be his girlfriend and you figure why not since you have no major commitments for the next few years other than sixth grade graduation.  So that's how I got my first boyfriend at 9.  Hey, what can you expect from a girl who started wearing heels at 11 years old.  So how did he break my heart?  The conversation went kinda like this:

10 year old boyfriend - Umm, you should kiss me (he was so smooth, LOL)
Me - No way dude
Boyfriend - Other people get to kiss their girlfriend
Me - So. You ain't putting your lips on me
Boyfriend - Well, she said if I made her my girlfriend, she'd kiss me *points to girl standing 10 feet away*
Me - Whatever, guess you got a new girlfriend then *boyfriend walks off into the sunset with his new girlfriend who was willing to give up the goods . . . . wench*   LOL

So I learned a harsh reality that 9 year old shouldn't have to learn.  He will leave you for the girl who gives him what he wants. I considered wrapping my little 9 year old hands around his gullet, but didn't.  Instead I licked my wounds for the next couple years, enjoyed telling guys that I didn't want a boyfriend.  I started dating again at the ripe old age of 12 (you know, cause I was so mature now).  I was never single again.  How is someone never single again from the age of 12 on?  I'll tell you more in a little bit.

How old were you when you started dating?  When was your first heart break and how did you deal? 

It typed this entire post then save it proofread.  I visited Natalie @ Mommy of a Monster and learned about the new word game that she and her blog friends came up with.  Check it out.  It's loads of fun.  This week's word is gullet - one definition is throat (technically I used it in my post as neck, LOL)

Shoes and Shakes

As I stated in my last post, I love high heels and I have been wearing them for the past 19 years (oh boy, I'm really telling my age, here, yeesh).  I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you, so you can see a little bit more about my shoe obsession, fetish, compulsion, preoccupation love.  Shoes are my fashion go to item.  They make or break an outfit.  They take it from causal to chic to glamorous.  So here are a few of my little lovelies. photo credit

These are from Bakers and I've had these shoes for YEARS.  They are 4".  They are my only metallic shoe.  I would love to get another (higher) pair of silver shoes.






 I *heart* these shoes.  I love that they aren't the regular looking shoe that everyone has.  The bow says cutesy, but the overall look is edgy.  

 These are 4 1/2" heels from Nine West.  Love these shoes (although I've never worn them out the house.  I like walking around in them in the house cause they're cute.  Still looking for the perfect outfit.

 
These are my tried and true 4 3/4" peep-toe leopard prints.  I wore these for our engagement photo shoot while we walked about Georgetown taking pictures.  Didn't hurt my feet at all, which is a very important part of picking shoes for me.

 These are my favorite pair of wedges. They are 4".  I wear them literally everywhere with anything.  I wear them to work. I wear them to the movies.  Dresses, pants or skinny jeans, it works across all outfits.  I find it hard to find a nice pair of heels at Coach (I have lots of sneakers, ballet slippers and sandals, but only one pair of heels).  Coach tends to have chunky heels on their shoes and that's not my style, but they did it right with these wedges.

So, now on to the shakes.  Crystal @ Wanna Be Balance Mom posted a couples weeks ago about a product line called Isagenix.  I posted a comment about checking them out and Crystal, being the awesome chic she is, sent me a sample of the IsaLean Chocolate Shake.  I tried it out yesterday as I was running out of the house. 

I didn't mix it particularly well (which was evident as I drank and found some powder lumps).  In the flavor department it was a weak seven (6.8 - 7.3). But I have to say in the fulfillment department, this thing is a TEN!!!!  I drank it at 8:30 am just before jumping on the train.  Usually if I grab something to eat (say croissant sandwich), my stomach starts talking an hour later.  10 o'clock rolled around . . . no hunger sounds.  I wasn't even thinking about food.  At about 10:30 am my training group took a break - snacks were provided - and I grabbed a mini danish.  I took it back to the conference room and it sat on my plate until 11:30 am.  I wasn't even hungry when I ate it, I just knew we were about to break for lunch in a half hour.  When I got eat lunch at 12:30, I wasn't famished like I usually am.

I have to admit, I was skeptical.  So I googled to see if it had an appetite suppressant in it.  How can I be full FOR HOURS off essentially a milkshake?  I haven't seen anything that says there is an appetite suppressant in it.  So I'm happy to say I'm gonna get this product.  I really need something to stand in for breakfast because I'd frankly rather sleep for the extra 20 mins (which leads to eating donuts/muffins/croissants when I get to work).  I'm so grateful to Crystal for sharing her diet gem with the blog world. 

So, what are you dieting secrets?  I'm still on the road to getting my Mii to stop being chubby.   And what is your fashion go to item?

I lost my virginity . . .

It was a bright sunny day in the August . . . . oh wait . . . wrong post. 

(photo credit  This is a picture of Carambola Beach in St. Croix, USVI - my hometown.  Yes, our water is that blue.  Definitely worth the trip.  Make it when you can. *end of shameless plug for hometown to increase tourism*)

This post is about me getting my FIRST BLOG AWARD!!!!  My wonderful blog buddy, Natalie @ Mommy of a Monster, gave me this award.  As such, I've now lost my blog award virginity.

So to follow the rules, I must:

1. Thank the person who honored me with this award.

Thank you so much Natalie.  This girl is amazing.  She has three little ones, a little guy just under 3 years old and twin infant daughters.  They are so adorable!!!  Her blog posts are hilarious and she's definitely a blogger to follow.

2. Share seven things about myself.

• I only get pedicures.  No manicures.  Every time I go in for my pedicure, they ask if I'd like to wax my eyebrows or get a manicure.  Nope, no thanks.  I'm afraid to have to draw my eyebrows back on and, besides, I bite my nails.
• I play Wii Tennis like I think I'm at the US Open.  I don't get into a tennis outfit or anything, but I get tennis arm by the next day.  I go hard.
• I have retail fetishes, particularly Coach and Tiffany & Co.  I shop there all the time even though I know I'm over paying.  I'm pretty happy with my collection.
•  I'm afraid that my husband and I will never get to the point where we think we can afford to have a child. Being a Stay At Home Mom is already out of the question.
• I've been wearing high heeled shoes since I was 11 years old.  I used to practice wearing my mom's heels in the house and then she let me wearing high heels for my sixth grade graduation.  Been smitten ever since.
• I met my best friend, Ms. DD, in 1985, thus making this year our 25th anniversary of our friendship.
• I don't like apples or apple pie.  I love apple sauce and apple juice.  Go figure.

 3. Pass the award on to fifteen four bloggers who I've recently discovered who I think are fantastic.

• Shannon @ Green Monkey Tales - Shannon is an amazing writer.  She has a post about summer love that will having you hanging on to every word.  She is so real with what she posts.
• Jennifer @ Baby Making Machine - Jennifer is a future mom, only about three weeks to go.  Her blog is great.  I especially love her letters to her daughter, Lil' J.
• Megan @ Twinsomnia - Megan is a mom blogger who always has a great post about her ever exciting life.  She has a hilarious post about her daughter's dance techniques.  Plus she loves purple.  That makes her great in my book.
• Lori @ Tiny Little Reveries - Lori is a fun blogger to follow.  Her Tuesday post-its make me laugh every time.

There are other blogs that I love,  Teri @ The Bipolar Diva for one, but she recently got this award.  Check out these blogs.  If you aren't already following them, I'm sure you will be after checking them out.  Thanks again Natalie. 

I used to have a pen pal . . .

Last week I spoke with Natalie @ Mommy of a Monster and Teri @ The Bipolar Diva via email about SITS and how it's great that we met up through that site.  It got me thinking about how technology has changed the way we communicate.  photo credit

I've mentioned before that I'm a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Christian.  Growing up, we had a magazine called Guide, which basically is the equivalent to unisex, mini version of Seventeen Magazine for SDA kids.  The magazine had all sorts of articles, games, jokes, etc.  But near the very end of the magazine was a section for  pen pals.  (come to think of it, it was almost like personal ads for kids  . . . whoa)  I remember reading through the names and descriptions and thinking "Hmmm . . . . she sounds interesting, maybe I'll write to her."

So I wrote my letter and sent it on it's way. . . . and waited.  Things didn't move as fast back in 1994 as they do now.  Finally one day, my father brought home a letter just from MY PEN PAL.  I ripped it open in anticipation and read through it.  We exchanged letters and got to know each other.  It was amazing to know with all our differences (I was black, she was white; I was in the Caribbean, she was in the states; I went to private school; she went to public school), we had sooo many things in common (we both LOVED Kris Kross; had crushes on guys who had no idea; could relate to everything each other wrote in the letters).  Eventually, we stopped writing to each other, but I still have her picture in one of my photo albums.

One thing I never did was tell my friends I had a pen pal.  I could just imagine hearing, "What?!? You are talking to a COMPLETE STRANGER!!"  Then one day, a wise man named Al Gore invented THE INTERNET (tee hee).  Now talking to complete strangers is the norm.  With Myspace, Twitter, Crackbook, Facebook, blogs and a multitude of other internet-based social mediums as close as your smart phone away, you're strange if you don't talk to complete strangers.  However, just like my pen pal, I keep my blog life to myself.  Only my husband and my friend Audrey know I blog.  My blog, like my pen pal, is my dirty little secret . . .

Do your friends and family know you blog?  What do they think about you baring it all on the net?