HBD, Sheryl!

Happy Birthday to Sherika Jenkins James Jacob...on this, her 30th birthday!It's dawned on me a few times over the years that I'm getting old. But, knowing that Sheryl turns 30 today makes me feel really old. It seems like just yesterday that we were cutting her cake for her 16th birthday...my how time flies! I feel like I've watched her do a lot of her growing up and seen her through many of her stages...and it's been a pleasure watching her journey and seeing how God has molded her into the person she is today!

Though life has changed immensley since this picture was taken...I think it perfectly depicts who she is to me. She is the one who always brings the fun into my life with her misadventures that she drags me into...and makes me smile and laugh even when I don't feel like it.

Happy Birthday, Kid!

Spent the weeked in Houston this weekend...I had a good time visiting CCL and Suetee and spending time with their kiddos.Now it's back to reality...I'm on a time crunch. I have to find a church and reception hall this week for a wedding I'm working on. That means I have 3 more days, folks! I've been on the phone all morning! P.S....the lunch with the total stranger went fabulously. She was an event planner at a fancy schmancy hotel downtown. We had a great time...never a lull in the conversation! Maybe I'm getting better at this!

False Alarm...

So, my friends went on vacation this past weekend, and I was left to watch over their puppy and their home. They live approximately 65 seconds away from me, so I didn't think it was necessary to actually stay in there home the entire time. I went by and checked on the house Saturday. And although I told my friend I'd be staying there that night, I was bit by the lazy bug and decided that the 65 second drive was just way too long...and snoozed at home.

Sunday morning at 7 am, my phone started to ring. It was my friend calling from vacation. Considering it was 5 am there, I knew it couldn't be good. When I picked up, he asked if I was at the house. I said no. He said the alarm was going off at the house, and the alarm company called him. He asked if we could go by and check it out...and he suggested we take Mousse along. (What was she going to do? Lick the intruder to death??)

We raced out of the house...during the 65 second drive, my mind was racing with "what ifs." What if the intruder was still there? What if he had a gun? Suddenly the fiction writer in me came alive and my mind was creating a million stories that all ended badly!! (I'm not quite sure if the writer in me awoke from her deep slumber or if I've just been watching way too much Forensic Files, Investigators, 48 hour Mysteries, and Dateline)

We got to the house and I opened the garage. So far, no criminals. Then, I opened the door leading to the house. My heart dropped to my toes. Every single light was on in the house, and every bedroom door and closet was open. That was definitely not how I left the house the afternoon before!! My friend was still on the phone with me, and I said, "dude, some one's definitely been in here." He urged me to...."Get the hell out!" And that's exactly what I did. Shoot...no one needs to tell me twice!

I ran to my car and called 911. I'm not quite sure how I got my fingers to stop trembling long enough to press the numbers. The operator assured me that the police were on their way. So, I sat and waited. Two minutes later, I got a call from the police. They said they had already responded to the alarm...and that the front door was open, and they came in and THEY were the ones who turned on all the lights and opened the doors! Can you believe they scared me like that? I couldn't believe they didn't turn off the lights...or at least leave a little note that said "sorry we missed you....we turned on all the lights, and there are no criminals on this premises."

Uh, I guess you're wondering how the front door was open....Good question. Well, I guess I sort of forgot to chain the door, and although I locked it, it didn't latch correctly. =) It was a windy morning...and the door blew right open. Oopsie!

The Art of Small Talk

I went to a party tonight...and as Jason Derulo would say, I was "ridin solo." I knew a lot of people would be there and so I was very apprehensive about not having an FBF with me in case I ran out of people to talk to. What's an FBF? (Excuse me, I've been watching a little too much Jersery Shore, which has inspired me to use more acronyms these days) FBF= Fall back Friend. This is the person that usually accompanies you to a party or social event, and although you may get separated whilst socializing with others, you eventually make your way back to...and you can rely on talking to this friend when you are officially out of other people to talk to. Pretty much when you're married...your FBF is your spouse by default. But, when you're spouse can't make it and you're ridin' solo...you got no FBF, which is not good for someone like me.

I've realized that to successfully socialize among a group of people, one must master the art of small talk. I've attempted to do this time and time again, but fail miserably. I'll talk to someone and think to myself..."That's it...you're getting it!" And then the thought triggers my brain into a relapse, and I start feeling akward...and before I know it, I've failed yet again.

My friend, Shines is like the Pablo Picasso of small talk. The guy can start a conversation with a cashier at Walmart. He's forever lecturing me about the importance of talking to people because you never know what a simple conversation can lead to...business/job opportunities, new friendships, discounts, etc, etc.

I guess my issues is that I like in depth, meaningful conversations. I can't do the "hi, how are you?, good to see you, give me a call sometime" thing. It seems...well, not meaningful. I feel like I have to know the person, and at least know about some aspect of what's going on in their life, so I'll have something to talk about. I'm just not good at asking questions to people I don't know to find out more about them.

This week, I am stepping out of my little social box...or should I say my anti-social box?!? I have a lunch meeting set up with a perfect stranger. I am quite nervous...but in a way, a little excited to see if I'll pass the test that I usually fail. Will I master the art of small talk?!? Stay tuned...

I've spent the past few days helping my friend NC set up her 3rd grade class since school will be starting in just a few days. She's very pregnant and having a hard time dealing with the heat (AC is out in the school) and all the work she's gotta do before school starts. Spending the day in an elementary school made me quite nostalgic...especially seeing my 4th grade teacher! Oddly enough, she remembered me and said, "Yes...Susan..I remember you. You were always so quiet in class and only spoke when you were asked a question." Yep, that was me. We moved quite frequently, so I was really shy and hesitant to make new friends. (Which is still how I am to this day.) Anyhoo, I thought it was interesting that she remembered me after all these years (it's been a long time since I was in 4th grade!!).

I recently found a picture of myself when I was in elementary school. It reminded me of a time when life was easy and good...My jeans always fit because my mom always bought elastic pants ;) and I always had good hair days because I wore pigtails every day. Back then, we played outside with neighborhood friends, rode bikes, and watched cartoons on Saturday mornings. Life was simple. Today, kids are inundated with modern technology...and sure, it has simplified their lives in ways, but it has taken away the simplicity of life as well.

I'm glad I was a kid when I was a kid....before there were Wiis, ipods, cell phones, and strange cartoon characters. =)

I've spent the past few weeks hanging out with my niece and nephew. Today, we did a photo shoot with their favorite chocolate lab...Moussey. I thought I'd post a few shots so the blogosphere could not only see how big Mousse has gotten...but how big the kids have gotten as well!Mousse was beginning to get a lil' tired of modeling...but the kids never get tired of modeling with her.
And finally, she could take it no longer...She needed her beauty rest.