Its been a long time...

Haven't been on her in a while.. Busy with the holidays and the internet being off for a lil bit. Getting back on it tho. Had a wonderful birthday month. Got a gift card to Copelands. It was Marcus and I first time eating there. Can I say that this was the most fresh tasting food I have EVER tasted!? So flavorful! We put our Christmas tree up a month early. Noticed a lot of my other friends put up their Christmas tree early too. Guess everyone wants to get into the holiday spirit early. Our lil neice Selena was the first person to have a gift under the tree. :)

Christmas 2011

 

We finally got to go with a few friends of ours to the Festival of Lights in St. Augustine. We missed the actual lighting due to the heavy traffic and people not knowing how to park correctly but seeing it was a great adventure. I never really seen Downtown St. Augustine that way.  Hopefully next year we will be able to get there early to see it.

Thanksgiving was nice. We went to my Granny's house and had a little Thanksgiving with her then we had some extended family come over for the dinner we prepped here.  We had so much food but it was worth it. We has overh roaster garlic and herb turkey, chicken dressing with gravy, cranberry sauce, collard greens with neck bones, loaded mac n cheese, deviled eggs, sunkist orange cake, chocolate pecan pie, cupcakes, honey baked ham, dinner rolls and some mulled apple cider, which was great! Sneaks up on ya. We nicknamed it "The Creeper".

Just had a recent possible pregnancy episode where I thought we finally were able to concieve because I got motion sickness while sitting on the passenger side, then I was having on and off nausea for about two weeks. But Mother Nature stepped in and confirmed that I wasn't. Oh well. When God says we are ready and he blesses us to get pregnant then it will happen. :)

I was getting pretty happy for this cool weather we were getting for those few weeks there but you know how Florida gets. We only get a brief cold spell then it gets hot again until like Jan. Not good for my sinuses and chest.. *cough, cough* lol Well I guess that is all for now. Gotta stay up on this. :) Have a awesome Sunday and the rest of the week.

Pumpkin Carving...

DISCLAIMER: If you don't like horror movies and get nightmares easily from seeing horror pictures like Jason from Friday the 13th or Freddy Kruger, I highly suggest you do not read this post. Thanks.


Every year for Halloween, it's a tradition for us to get a pumpkin and we design it. Well this year it was my turn. I was looking through different websites and found one called www.zombiepumpkins.com. They have pretty awesome designs. Anything from the girl off of the original Exorcist to Freddy Krueger and Twilight. Ok, yes I love the books and the movies, but I am not that obsessed to carve a pumpkin into Bella or Edward. Talented but no thanks! They even had a pumpkin that was carved into the guy from The Shining. I figured Marcus would like these designs since he is a big horror movie fan.

Jason from Friday the 13th

Freddy Kreuger from Nightmare on Elm Street (original)

The Shining (drawing a blank on his name)

After I picked Marcus up from work, we stopped by a church that we always get our pumpkins from. They had a very good selection this year. We picked up our pumpkin ($8.00) and headed home. I showed Marcus the different designs and he decided to choose Jason Voorhees. This is one of his favorite horror movie characters. Now, I was supposed to be carving the pumpkin this year but after he saw the stencil, he got all excited and said "If I pick this one then I would have to carve it out."  While he was copying a stencil (he freehanded the pumpkin picture) I did the tedious task of carving out the pumpkin.

The stencil that was on the website

This one was really gutsy.

Hubby concentrating hard on carving the pumpkin.

Finished product (lights on)

Finished product (lights off)

It actually turned out great! I have been itching to do another one, but we will have to see how this payday works out. Well gotta go pick up Marcus from work so we can watch the Saints game at our friend's house. Jags are getting their arses kicked by the Steelers. (What's new)

In the case of Filmore vs The Jones Family...GUILTY!

 

 

The Suspect: Filmore

The Witness-Slim (not really helpful)

Sorry for the not so good picture. My phone is being stupid and I can't transfer my pics from my phone to the computer. Earlier this week, we had a run for our money! We have two hamsters named Filmore and Slim. (Marcus named them) Filmore is our small dwarf hamster and Slim is our "fat boy" hamster.  Marcus decided to change up cages on them to give them a new environment. Well Filmore, who I always says is obsessed with exercise because he spins on his wheel after he eats, figured out how to get out of his cage. One morning when Marcus was at work, I was doing my normal cleaning and happened to look in the empty box that was next to his cage. Filmore was in it looking back at me! lol I was like "How in the world did you get in here?!" I inspected his cage and there was no evidence on how he could have gotten out. So I just scooped him up in his ball and put him back in his cage. (Note: I left that same box that I found him in next to his cage...just in case)  

 

Now one thing about Filmore is that he is a very scary hamster. Scary as in he is is so skittish when is comes to trying to pet him or pick him up. He runs away so fast. The next morning I got up and checked the box again and he was in the box again. No evidence on how he was getting out. This time I woke Marcus up and showed him, just so he didn't think I was crazy. Marcus even looked at the cage and thought that there was no way of him getting out of the cage unless he was bumping the top. Remember how I said he was running in his wheel so fast. Well sometimes when he does this and he stops abruptly, because he is so little, the wheel throws him out and he goes flying to the top of his cage. He falls down and "shakes it off" then goes right back to running in his wheel. Weird huh?! So that's one way Marcus was figuring he could be escaping. I told Marcus that if it happens again, then we would have to switch their cages back. A few days past and on Tuesday, I just had this weird feeling and decided to check Filmore's cage. No movement. Looked in Slim's cage and he was still there. I opened the top to Filmore's cage and pick up his house and he is not there; dug around his wheel, even tapped the cage, no Filmore. So I wake Marcus up again and tell him that he got out again and that he is not in his cage. Marcus jumps up and we search frantically pulling out the couch, closets, searching around the stove..any small nook and cranny that a small hamster could go into. No sign of him. I told Marcus that he will eventually have to come out because he will get hungry or thirsty. I had to go to work so Marcus decided to put some food out in hopes that would coax him out.

Later that evening, Marcus and I was on the computer and I was showing him how to play the Sim's game on Facebook (not a big fan of all the game apps but there are a few that I play). We were about to give up on finding him because we didn't know where he could have been or if he ran out the door. I just so happened to look up and there goes Filmore scurring across the living room floor. (we have hardwood floors...absolutely love it! Cuts down on allergies) I tell Marcus "Look, look, there he goes! Quick get him! Ha ha...You should have seen us two, tripping over the chairs to the dining room table, running after a tiny hamster. I had my hands on him two or three times but he kept squiggling out of my grasp. He actually screamed a little bit when he saw us coming and grabbed him. No lie!

The chase kinda played out like this except the mouse was him and the cat was us:

  Once we got him in the ball and closed the lid good (he found out how to unlock the door and climb out of this too) we both looked at him. He was breathing so hard. We switched the cages back and fed and watered him. We have been incident free for about 4 hours. ^_^ He is his happy normal self doing his same routines or eating, sleeping and exercising...

So excited that my birthday is coming up in 8 days. Whoo hoo, the big 26! Nothing really to look forward to except living another beautiful fun life and continue to inquire about things that perplex me. For instance, why does my body decide after 25 years to not tolerate 2% milk!? It was bad enough I couldn't tolerate whole milk. Thank God I can still eat cheese (moderation) and Starbucks does soy milk! <3  I leave you with this cute pic that I got from Facebook. I love cute animal pictures!  We want one of these dogs!

Smile :)

This is all I wanted to post today besides that my Jaguars lost for the 4th straight game against the Bengals. This is an embarrassment to Jacksonville. Most of us are ashamed to even say we are a fan but we will stick by our team. (They are still on my poo poo list until they win a game). The Saints came back and won their game against the Panthers. On another note, this rainy weather sure does make a girl super sleepy.  And now for my happy picture...

Have a wonderful evening! <3

Food for Thought

Just a few articles that I thought were interesting: 

First off, I read that Denmark has imposed the world's first fat tax. Yea...that's right, a fat tax.  On October 1,2011, many consumers saw an increase on the cost of their bread friendly products. The hike went up 35%. Its pretty much a tax on anything that has more than 2.3% of saturated fat. Denmark has also been one of the first countries to ban trans fat. (the solid fats that are commonly used in snack foods and industrially produced baked goods). This is one of the ways that the Danish government is trying to regulate the not-so-healthy foods. I guess this is sorta like the tax hike on cigarrettes in hopes of getting more people to quit. Some people don't think that the tax is gonna be very effective. 

Every since the strict immigration law in Alabama had been put into effect, most workers have  not  been present. No workers present + no production+ no profit= heated farmers! Parents have even pulled their children out of their schools in fear of being deported. The law allows police to detain people indefintely if they are suspected of being in the country illegally and requires schools to check the status of new students when they enroll. This is supposed to target employers from hiring temporary workers from the side of the road and making tax deductions for wages paid to illegal workers. I understand that yes we shouldn't have illegal workers but give them a chance if they get caught to get their citizenship as well as their families so they can stay and continue to work. I feel the children shouldn't suffer. 

Buckingham Palace just discovered skeletal that was on a small island near the building. The small island is about 100 yards from the entrance of the palace. This was a guy named Robert J. Moore. He was found by a tree surgeon who was trimming back some branches. The skeletal remains went unnoticed for 3 years.  He was found with some vodka bottles and a decayed yellow cushion. He was known for being a drunk. He had a fixation with the Queen and the Royal Family. He sent hundreds of strange and offensive packages to the Queen for over 15 years. Some of these letters ran to 600 pages.  Talk about obsessive! I bet you're wondering how on Earth did this go unnoticed for 3 years. Well, the island is only accessible by boat or swimming across. The island is checked by Wildlife Officers three times a year, and pruning and inspecting is every two years. That's how he was discovered. 

Well back to work I go! Have a wonderful afternoon!

Full moon in the works or just a typical Monday & a Saints game.

Yea, seriously...is there a full moon brewing or was this a typical Monday cuz after coming off my awesome weekend and actually having a wonderful Monday morning, my afternoon got shot to crap because of people and their poor attitudes. It was just for little things and I get lip. I let most of it fly by but after the fourth time it started to work my nerves. (My daily goals are to work on my attitude and how to not let certain things get to me. I know that will aid in reducing my stress levels.) Luckily for me, time was going by quick today! Tomorrow will be a better day.

As for this weekend, I did have an awesome time. I went to my uncle's house for our family reunion. Then on Sunday, my hubby and I went to the New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars game. This was by far one of the most exciting experiences for us. This was our first time attending a Saints game. My first football game was the Gator Bowl last year. It started out nice and cool for a Florida morning but after the day progressed, it did get hot. A few of my friends did get sunburned. Of course, my hubby was crunk and was yelling WHO DAT as we walked almost half the stadium to find our seats. Today, he now has no voice. He is talking just above a whisper. lol We all had fun though. Everyone was getting along although we were going for different teams. I am glad we went. I would love to attend more games in the future. Here are a few pics from the game. Hope everyone has an awesome night! 

The hubby all decked out! <3

Our view

During the Anthem

Family time! Go Saints!

After the game. Feeling a little crispy.

Super exciting weekend and busy month!

I am so excited that I get to go to my first NFL game this Sunday!!!

Well we didn't get tickets but we are hoping to score some when we get there. If not, best believe we will be tailgating in the parking lot. Now both are my my teams I go for, in that order, but this time I will be going for the Saints. The Jags are on currently on my "poo poo" list. They gotta get their heads out of their arses! lol 

Courtney (my friend from High School)

 

Molotov Cocktail Party (the group)

Every 1st friday of every month I try to go to a fire show that one of my friends participates in.The group is named Molotov Cocktail Party. It is an event where they have these instruments called poi, that are shaped differently. The only best way I can describe it is that they look like giant wicks hanging from string and they light up the night to music. It's really cool. And preettttyyy! :) (Yes, that was the firestarter tendencies in me. No I don't intentionally start fires!) They do some amazing tricks. If you havent checked it out they are usually in Five Points in downtown Jacksonville in the Riverside/San Marco area. For more information, you can check them out on facebook.

Embracing the fall season means cooler weather and nice breezes right?! Yea...8:00pm and its still 80 degrees. Gotta love Florida! lol Hoping I can beat the fall-winter transition and not manage to get bronchitis this year. Having that deep annoying cough is crazy. I have been wanting to do something very creative lately but money hasn't been flowing right. I have wanted to take on the task of making some curtains. I have found the fabric and the pattern on how to make it. I can't remember the name of them but either when I find the paper or I actually make them, I will post them. Well hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Pain & Consciousness

Just a little poem I wrote to clear my mind of some things. 

Feeling indifferent,

My mind wants to be copasetic, but the pain is unbearable.

Got to stay strong and keep my head up

Fighting the storm clouds move in, darkening my world

It’s harder to see clearer, losing some hope

The pain builds up like a ton of bricks, heavier and heavier

Until that very moment where forceful winds makes it all come crashing down

The floodgates break and the turbulent waters begins to flow

Small cries for help but no one cares

There are no life vests, rescue crews, nothing

Just the washing away into a dark tunnel of loneliness

But there is a light at the end

The light that embraces us and creates happiness

Comfort and understanding, a sense of harmony

I know where I stand in this way of life

It all seems clear now, the wounds will eventually heal

Hopefully one day things will be easier

And the sun will shine a little brighter

 

                                                                Staysha J.-9.25.11

Did you know that American Sign Language is not related to English? | The Hot Word | Hot & Trending Words Daily Blog at Dictionary.com

Just thought this was a cool article. Will post a blog later today. Have a great morning!


Did you know that American Sign Language is not related to English? | The Hot Word | Hot & Trending Words Daily Blog at Dictionary.com

My Saturday

Today consisted of....well...homework (one week ahead! ^_^), watching the news and riding my hubby's bike to the KFC down the road. I haven't rode on a bike since I got my car. lol. Great workout though! I was surprised at myself that I got there and back so quickly. But you know, due to me being vertically challenged ( that's short in tall people terms), I was a little scary that I was gonna run into something because the bike was almost too tall for me. I am on my tip toes when sitting on the bike. Shhh....don't laugh! I have hope and confidence, that one day I will grow at least two more inches. Even if this calls for me borrowing  someone's for a few months "tall gene" to do so! lol  

Well if you don't know by now, I am interested in any new health breakthroughs and technology breakthroughs that are beneficial to people whether it stimulates the brain or improve something for people. Making life easier. There is an app out now, i'm not sure which phone, but it is supposed to aid people with color blindness. It helps them see the colors they normally can't see. Most color blind people see only black and white and it affects more men than women. (Please correct me if I am wrong)  I didn't get to see much of the segment and i am having a hard time locating the article. But when I find it, I will post it.

Can you see the number inside of this circle? Most people can't see the number 74. This new app is supposed to allow them to see this with no problem.

And although I haven't picked a college team yet, I was surprised at how the Gators spanked Tennesee Vols tooshie today! Hoping the Noles win though! ^_^  I saw some of my facebook friends posting about how they are tailgating all day!  Also in sports news, why did someone at the Dallas game get tasered because he didn't stand up for part of the National Anthem ceremony?! I mean ok, you can voice your opinon about them not standing up but they didn't have to go all out as far as attacking the guy to the point he had to use the taser. So of course the rules for entering the game has changed. Fans are going to be subjected to a pat down. There has to be a full moon coming out soon. People have been tripping lately! lol I don't know whats up!

There has always been this debate and new rules on how you should discpline your child. Spanking is not allowed in public or if someone catches you hitting your child you can be charged or fined. Back in my childhood days, it was called a beating and it did teach me not to do what I did anymore. Children need some discpline in their upbringing but it doesn't necessarily mean a parent is abusing them. I think society takes things out of context. Then the ones that are being abused are going unnoticed almost before its too late. In my opinion, there has to be some structure in upbringing whether it be a smack on the butt or taking away privelages. Time out doesn't always work. Now if there is a different approach, please let me know. All I know is that if the Lord blesses us one day to get pregnant and have a child, my child will not be one of those kids that hit their parents when they don't get their way. But they will have respect for us as well as others.

There has been a rumor going around from mediatakeout.com saying that Beyonce used a fake prosthetic belly for a more dramatic appearance. They later stated that this was not true. It is still in the air about how far along she is. I wish people would just let celebrities be and enjoy the joys of pregnancy. Giving them some privacy.

Well I am gonna finish watching the Florida State vs. Oklahoma game. I love football season! Good night everyone!