It is here. The terrifying storm that I've been tracking since it left Texas earlier today. I'll give you info as I'm able to get the reports in... so send me some reports of what's going on in your area because you know you're up right now just like me waiting on it to get here so we can make sure the babies are safe and don't get blown away by any tornadoes.
Mrs. Ashley posted a blog today that reminded me of a story that I wanted to share with you guys because it outraged me at the time. The billboard that you see at the start of Mrs. Ashley's post defines exactly what it's like in my corner of the Dirty D. Racism is something that I deal with daily.
Seriously, if people knew that I referred to myself as AFRo in cyberspace, I can only imagine the repercussions IRL.
ANYWAY.... About a year ago, I worked on a redesign for the bank's website. This included taking individual pictures of each employee to be featured in a scrolling marquee under each branch location. You can only imagine the flack I got from 85% of the women who work with me who despise having their picture taken.
Anytime, they complained, I responded with this story:
When I was editor of the campus newspaper, we did a full page thank you advertisement from the newspaper staff at the end of every semester. This ad included an individual picture of everyone on staff. Because I had quite a few smartass staffers that refused to show up to have their mugshot taken despite repeated appointments to do so, I implemented a new rule.
They had one week to make another appointment and have their picture taken and if they refused to get it done, yet again, their pictures would be replaced with photos of various species of monkeys in the actual printed ad. Most of them took me seriously. Two did not.
So, when the ad ran at the end of the semester, it included two photos of monkeys each with the name and position of the newspaper staffer listed under it. One of the monkey's was scratching his pits, the other was hanging upside down on a branch with a finger stuck up his nose.
The next semester, I had no problems getting folks to show up for their scheduled photo session.
It never even crossed my mind that this could be construed as some sort of racial slur. EVER. We all got a kick out of it at the newspaper. Even the staffers who were pictured as monkeys. They loved the fact that they got more attention campus wide than any of the rest of us who were pictured in that ad.
Fast forward to the bank website and the complaining women. I told this story to one woman in particular (who happened to be of a different race than myself) and wrapped it up the same way I did to all the rest of the complainers, "So, it could always be worse, you could be pictured as a monkey on the site."
Oh My Goodness! In less than 5 minutes, I was being called into my supervisor's office to discuss my comments toward this woman. Apparently, she reported me and said that she was HIGHLY offended by my remarks. I did not get written up or anything, but I did receive stern warnings about my words and they made me take online courses about diversity in the workplace.
Such bullshit. I am still pissed to this day that those people thought that there was some sort of racial innuendo in my comments. Seriously, it never even occurred to me that they could be construed that way. But, I guess I was just naive, which is surprising considering I grew up in the Dirty D.
Fast Forward to the company Christmas Party 2007: An anonymous group of my coworkers gave me a wonderful candle that was purchased from a local store who makes them. Know what the scent was?
Monkey Fart.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I've always had a bit of a secret obsession with fairies. I think they are beautiful creatures. Do I think they are real? Not unless you've taken some serious drugs and I don't know much about that. LOL.
I have to learn to be a tooth fairy and start a new tradition for our boys so I'm hoping you guys have some suggestions on this. According to BK and Mr. AFRo I've got some time to devise a plan for when the day comes that the tooth fairy must visit and I want it to be special. So, help please.
Also, what the hell do you do with the teeth that the tooth fairy gets? Do I have to keep those things? If so, I feel another panic attack in the making.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
After dinner tonight, I did snuggling session with the boys.... I look over and BK has his finger in his mouth for the millionth time today. So, I asked him what he was doing.
*Ready for this?*
"My tooth is aloose," he replied.
I immediately stuck my fingers in his mouth. Holy shit crap! Both of the bottom front teeth wiggled.
I am now FREAKING OUT.
Teeth are my weakest link. I despise the dentist. Literally, have to take a Valium and get the happy gas just to get them cleaned. The thought of Big Kid losing one tooth makes me want to vomit, much less two at one time!!!!
WTF am I going to do? I know this is one of those things I'm supposed to be a cool mommy about, but I think I have to draw a line here. Teeth freak me out. SERIOUSLY. I'm cringing and gagging at the thought. It's making my heart flutter and I swear I think I'm going to have a panic attack.
The boy could squirt blood/mucus/other nasty fluids out of any most parts of his body and I'd be fine. Teeth? No.
No ma'am. No thank you. I just can't do it.
Do you think the dentist would pull them for me, just so I don't have to be responsible? Is that taking it too far?
HELP.
ETA: I have a confession to add in here. My kids haven't been to the dentist in two years because of my issues with the dentist's office. I schedule appointments for them and then a couple of days before they're supposed to go, I get all freaked out about having to take them and I cancel the appointment. It's that bad people.
Mr. AFRo just suggested that I call my dentist and see if he'll give me a Valium to bring my kids in for a cleaning. Something tells me the dentist won't go for that. They already think I'm a freak because the last time he cleaned my teeth with no meds, I freaked out and started crying and made them stop halfway through.
Then left the office sobbing and didn't come back until he convinced me over the phone that I would not even be in this world the next time they did anything in my mouth. I think I even made him pinky swear I'd never have to be unmedicated in that chair again.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
My little sister sang this song at the wedding about a week ago. I've been OCD about it ever since. Had to share it with you guys. It's called In Better Hands and I'm loving singing at the top of my lungs to it... Mr. AFRo is not appreciating it as much, but he's still got his basketball.
I hope ya'll don't get sick of my music posts, but I know I am not the only woman on the planet who feels music like I do. Don't watch this depressing video though. Just close your eyes and listen to the song. The video will have you sobbing like a madwoman.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I'm feeling pretty needy lately and the comments are slacking. So, let's play a game. I'm going to reverse my former game that got me upwards of 150 comments... only because blogger's comments do not give you the option to reply to conversations amongst us. (Which is one thing I've found that I don't like about blogger.)
Alright. One question. You each get to ask me one question. I will update this post to answer them as they come in and if you leave me your site address, I'll link you. Should work out for both of us, if it doesn't I may spend the rest of my night nursing a vodka tonic and sobbing. So, bring it because college basketball season just doesn't seem to want to end and not only do I need love, I need some entertainment.
1. Dre the Texican wanted to know how my life would change when Mr. AFRo finished school. Well, he finished before me... in 2004 he graduated with a BBA in Accounting. However, I hope that in the next few years, he will be able to complete the CPA exam... at that point I think that I will be doing more of the kid watching/housekeeping than I've ever bargained for due to his absence during the dreadful tax seasons, but on the flipside, I hope we'll be vacationing in the Swiss Alps spending lots of loving down time together during the off season. My shoe size? 8.5
2. Teri, who claims to be a bad mommy, but is actually one of the most amazing people I've ever stalked gotten to know, wants to know what makes me so fabulous.... I personally think that's a question for you guys... I do have a shred of humility in me after all.
3. Tabitha, I think that if it weren't for the internet, it would've been years before we connected... if ever. We were only in school together for a year before you graduated and left my freshman ass behind. But, you will forever be etched into my mind as the first editor I ever had. I do think that our shared love of real journalism is what put us back on the same page.
4. Nichole wants to know if we'll stay in the Dirty D. I tell you, I never thought it's where we'd end up, but actually it has been wonderful. (Despite the private schooling bills) Mr. AFRo and I have been presented with opportunity after opportunity here which is rare (as you know) and it makes me think that we are exactly where we need to be. We have no plans on making a jump out ANY time soon. And I don't really know why I call it the Dirty D. That's just how I hear it referred to from time to time and thought it'd be a great term to keep my anonymity, but that's pretty much out the window at this point so I suppose it doesn't matter?
5. Destin asked... and I had to delete it because she put LK's name up, which is a no no.... when I'd be having another kid. Who knows? I'm back and forth from week to week on that issue. I want another one, but I don't think we're quite ready yet. Then again, when is anyone ready? I told Mr. AFRo last night that I wanted to adopt a little girl.
6. Mommy Cracked was so sweet to compliment my "go get 'em" attitude. The only conclusion that I can come to is the whole "overacheiver type A personality" thing which is pretty much annoying as hell and is the source of a lot of my mental health stress issues.
7. Conner's Mommy, who still hasn't started her own blog even though we're all anxiously awaiting it, wants to know which actor/musician I'd marry if Mr. AFRo didn't exist and why I'd pick them. Well, at the moment it would be James "Sawyer" Ford (Josh Holloway) from Lost because I've been watching him run around half naked and sweaty with those adorable dimples for the last 3 weeks. (I'm catching up... Seasons 1, 2 and 3 in three weeks.) Plus, we could live on a deserted island with no cares in the world. *I put a picture of him up there, but this damn blogger formatting prevented me from putting it down here next to your answer. Sorry.*
8. Jenn from Maine, who also does not have a blog that I could locate wants to know my most embarrassing moment. Geez. I have to pick just one? The most recent was at my birthday dinner with the ladies after I returned from the restroom, they had the waiters come and sing Happy Birthday and they made me wear the sombrero. I had not had enough tequila at that point and didn't really appreciate the loving nature of the whole ordeal that took place in a crowded room full of college kids. (Who did send a shot over in honor of the occassion.)
9. Hair Girl wants to know what I'd do if I weren't a "banker." I thought we'd been over this... I'd be a STORM CHASER!!! Maybe for the Weather Channel or AccuWeather.com so that I could travel all over the country and take bad ass pictures of everything from tornadoes to hurricanes to floods.... I don't care... as long as I get to chase storms. I keep thinking maybe when the kids grow up, if I can convince Mr. AFRo to do it with me.
10. Hair Girl's Do Over: *Giggling* If money were no option... the South Pacific. At one of those resorts that the celebs go to with the clear water with the little huts where you have your own private chef, masseuse (sp?) and a nanny to play with the boys for most of the time, because I just couldn't miss out on letting them see something like that.
11 Moosh in Indy, who has the most confusing blog list EVER, wants to know about the best meal I've ever had. In order to do this, I've got to take a few and smoosh them together just for you. *Giggling at myself again for using smoosh in that sentence.* Best meal was the Veal Saltimbocca from Amerigo's in Jackson. It was actually Mr. AFRo's dinner, but I loved it.
Best dessert is going to have to be fried cheesecake from Ryan's Catch just outside of Orange Beach, AL. It was a restaurant set on a marina and it was blown away by one of the hurricanes a couple of years ago. To my knowledge they've never rebuilt, but if anyone knows otherwise, please let me know. That cheesecake was so good, I even ate my mother in law's piece that we brought back to the condo for her babysitting time.... I didn't even save her a bite. Ate it right in front of her too. It was cold of me, but I just couldn't not do it.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Little Kid looked like this every single time he found an egg today. It was great. Big Kid found an egg with money in it and he was done hunting for the day.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
...why Christians celebrate Easter. Here's my song for Easter Sunday. Hope you all have a wonderful day and feel as blessed as I do by the end of it.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive this morning in the wake of my ramblings last night over being a working mom. It is something that I beat myself up over on occasion and I think I wouldn't if I felt as though it were a choice for me. But, after examining my life philosophy, it is a choice... just like everything else. Life is what you make it right?
Being superwoman just has its downside sometimes and when the two worlds (working and home) collide (which they inevitably will) and I can't just fix it, I blame myself for not juggling things appropriately. I have no idea why I do this to myself other than the fact that I am an overachiever by nature and I have issues with failure. <--See the therapeutic nature of this blog. LOL.
Also, in hindsight, I made my boss look like a complete ass in last night's post because I didn't explain what happened in our "talk" and while I don't really feel the need to go into a long explanation of everything that was said, I feel as though I should defend him against my own implications. After saying what he felt he needed to say, he asked me to speak freely and explain my side of things... which I did (hence the comment about still having a job) through unrestrained sobbing. (Which I felt like an idiot for doing and tried repeatedly to stop, but just couldn't.)
After I let it all out, he insisted that I take Monday to spend with my children. He also praised the work that I've put in over the last six months and went as far as to say even his boss (corporate) had noticed and mentioned on more than one occasion. Which made me feel validated in spite of my blubbering. I really do love my job and my boss. The voices in my head just have issues with them sometimes. LOL again at the painful truth in that last sentence.
So, I just finished the dreaded trip to get Easter Bunny goods and on the way home I jammed out and got my head mood right for a work free fun filled 3 day weekend.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
WARNING: This is a really long blog all about my day. While I know you probably don't care to read everything I'm about to write it is necessary for me to get it out in an orderly fashion so that I can move on with life. I'm a bit down tonight. Quite frankly it's been a day of battling the "dark side" for those of you who understand what I'm talking about and NO, it's not Star Wars.
The boys were out of school today and I still haven't located a decent babysitter in my area of the Dirty D yet. So, Mr. AFRo had to take the day off which is wonderful in the feminist world, but realistically, he makes over twice what I make and if he misses a day, he forfeits the money for that day. However, I could not take the day off because we are working on skeleton staff at the moment and it was my understanding that my absence would not be acceptable to my employer.
After trying to settle two boys who were not in normal routine today, I walked into work at exactly 9:00 which is when we open. As soon as I walked through the door I was met with a smartass remark about how I needed to call my boss (who is in another branch about 75 miles away) and tell him that I was an hour late for work. To which I wanted to scream F-ck you! Walk a day in my shoes and see if you're even standing by the end of the week! But, I did not. I simply pointed out that even though I am an hour late, I would have well over 40 hours for the week and that I don't get paid overtime.
The morning was complete chaos. I was literally.... filing taxes, handling our internet banking customers, (Sidenote: DO NOT buy QuickBooks Online EVER) telephone banking customers, opening new accounts, closing CDs, adding names to existing accounts, answering telephones and coordinating a 14 branch - bankwide name change..... and it felt like I was doing them all at the same time, but I never once took my stresses out on any of our customers regardless of how computer challenged some of the internet banking folks are.
My lunch hour fifteen minutes is supposed to begin at 1 p.m. but I had a customer park in my office and needed help. Even though my stomach was eating a hole in itself, I suffered through while paying close attention to the clock because my boss, who walked into my branch just before 1, scheduled a name change conference call for 1:30.
1:30 - Conference Call
1:45 - Conference call over and boss pulls out something he needs to "talk to me about." It was my time sheet.
The ENTIRE day went down hill from there. Let's suffice it to say that I do still have my job, but my boss has now seen me cry. The boys will also be home Monday but, against all odds their mom will be home with them. It's a good thing too because I didn't even lay eyes on them before they went to bed tonight.
I feel like a complete F up as a mom. I love what I do most days, but I hate that I have to work. I wish it were optional. But, life's just not fair!
I'm really tired now and I'm not even sure this post is making sense anymore so I'm signing off. Hopefully, this weekend will be better
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Felt the need to share it with you guys (the song more so than the video). Takes me back many years, but I love it to this day. It will forever be one of my favorites.
You see music is embedded in my soul. Seriously. It dictates my moods a lot of the time. I love all kinds of music from rap to country and everywhere in between. I come from a musical family and when my brother and sister and I get together, our favorite pastime is sitting around singing and playing the guitar together.
They can both play the guitar. Not me. However, I LOVE to sing. I've been upstaged by supportive of the little sister in that department for years now, but she still remembers who taught her to belt it out.
Mazzy Star was always one of the artists' that made me want to roll down the windows and sing my heart out while flying down one of the famous backroads that are BEEEutiful during the Dirty D springtime.
Favorite stretch of Dirty D Highway? Number 1 for miles and miles.
Tell me one of your faves.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
That's how we roll.... in a "log truck" made of torn pieces of construction paper. Goodness he's brilliant for the tender age of 5.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Just in case you live under a rock like I do and you've missed this breaking news story... I am demanding that every single one of you go and read this. Please post your comments on the issue. I will update this post with my thoughts on the issue after I get kids fed and bathed and in bed.
Seriously. This deserves discussion. Immediately.
Here's a video if you're also too lazy to read that article I posted.
Some are saying that these comments are taken out of context. I don't give a crap what context they were in... this is unacceptable. I'm very disappointed. I actually favored Obama for years after hearing his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He is a powerful speaker.
I see that the racial slurs are being thrown in all over the Reverend's speeches, but that's not what gets me the most. It's the fact that a congregation that spews these radical beliefs has raised a man that has managed to make it into the presidential race on a platform that supposedly sees no color. WTF? How does that happen?
How can you call yourselves Christians yet, preach about a black or white America? That's not Christianity! Remember, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
I could rant all night long about about the different problems that I see in this whole situation, but I will stop here because essentially my point has already been made and this thing has spun out of control in the media and I'm afraid that it is all over for Obama.
However, I must add: I cannot understand how people can live in this country, under all of the liberties that being a U.S. citizen affords them and denounce it as though they are not a part of it. I don't know that these statements are actually the beliefs of Obama, but you cannot be an active member of a congregation for over 20 years and not have some piece of your mentality that doesn't agree with the hatred for American government that is repeatedly bashed throughout the sermons of Reverend Wright, a man that Obama has publicly declared one of his long term mentors.
Thoughts? I shudder to think that we can all sit around and blog back and forth about children and the random goings on in our lives, but we can't have some sort of serious discussion about politics. Please, indulge me this once and give me your thoughts on the matter.
[I reserve the right to delete comments that do not contribute to the topic of discussion at my discretion. It is my blog people. Participate like an adult please.]
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I am baking like some Southern woman who actually knows how to cook or something. I'm using butter and sugar and vanilla... Oh My! Look at what I'm making! They still have 15 minutes left in the oven, but my house smells divine and I'm feeling pretty accomplished. Let's just hope it tastes half as good.
Mr. AFRo hung out in the kitchen for moral support as I cut apples and melted butter and did all of the domestic diva things that Pioneer woman does in the kitchen. I think Mr. AFRo was really supervising and making sure I didn't f-ck it up because he was pretty excited when I announced I was going to attempt to make it.
OoooohhhhhhMyyyyyyGooooooodness! They just came out of the oven and it is to. die. for. I can see we are going to have problems stopping with just one of these things. The warm apple goodness mixed with the vanilla ice cream. It's amazing and it wasn't even that hard to do!
Big Kid announced earlier that he wanted two more moms. One to cook and clean and another to work. Apparently this will free my time up to just, "do some fun stuff." He followed this statement with, "maybe I could get a magic sister." WTF!?!?!? I have no idea how this thought pattern evolved, but I was liking it up until the last part. I'm not into having another kid this week... crazy is on vacation.
That's about all I have for today. Except a very special birthday wish to my baby sister who turns 19 today and will surely be famous in the next few years when she makes it big. I wanted to upload one of the songs that she has written, performed and recorded herself, but her laptop is broken at the moment and she couldn't email it to me. Isn't she gorgeous though? I wish you could hear her voice! I will make sure you hear it soon. I promise.
My little brother is only about 18 months younger than me and after he was born, my mother had her tubes tied. Yes ma'am. Eight (8) years later.... Allyn arrived and we all called her the miracle baby. She is now a freshman in college and I couldn't be more proud of her. *sniff*
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I'll never forget six years ago standing in the sanctuary, watching you guys exchange vows and sobbing like the 4 weeks pregnant lady that I was. (None of us knew at the time and I really looked like a crazy woman... but I digress.)
I am so thrilled for your little family and the opportunity that has just presented itself in your lives. I am going to miss the heck out of all of you, but as you mentioned before, I am grateful that we will still be in the same time zone for those late night phone calls that are crucial to my well being. We will all miss having you close, but now we can look forward to the sleepovers that we haven't had since Mr. AFRo and I moved back to the Dirty D.
We love you guys and we're looking forward to many more anniversaries in the future.You guys looked beautiful today and I'm so excited that there is finally another grandchild who is married in our family. Geez, I was beginning to think I'd be the only one forever. 
The ceremony was the boys' first wedding to attend and believe me, it was an experience for us all. The only thing they worried about while ya'll were up there sweating was, "Is he really gonna kiss her... in church?!?! With his mouth open or closed? When is he going to do it? etc. etc." Thank goodness you guys didn't drag it out too long or one may have suffered a meltdown from the anticipation of the moment... at which point they both scrunched their noses and closed their eyes and if it hadn't been for the threats of spankings I'm sure you would've enjoyed a "GROSS!" mid kiss.
Outside the church there was a fabulous tree that mom recommended I attempt to get some pics of the boys in. Big Kid was all about this photo session, but Little Kid wasn't having it. He was pissed when we tried to put him on the branch, but look at how awesome this turned out...
They loved the reception or "party" as it was referred to. They learned about fondue and it was declared their favorite "food" at the first bite. Fondue is a cooking concept that I never really felt would be one I'd enjoy cleaning up after, so I've avoided it at all costs. I was right... they had to be bathed in the bathroom sink at your "party." Thanks.
But, their favorite part of the whole day had to be the band. Who knew my kids had moves? Your mom was brave enough to accept a dance invitation from Little Kid, but I don't think she expected the throwdown that ensued. She hung in there like a champ though. She even danced with both boys at the same time. I was pretty impressed considering they each had one of her hands and both were moving in opposite directions.
I hope that your guests enjoyed the breakdance moves that were continually integrated into my children's choreography. I swear I have no idea where they learned that. Also, Big Kid and his ability to kick his heels up to his butt repeatedly while standing upright was truly amazing. Not to mention the twinkle toe move like the one in the picture with your mom up there. Goodness. It was fun. Thank God most in attendance were family or friends we've known our whole lives. Otherwise, I may have been slightly embarrassed or something.
All in all, it was a fun day with you guys. I wish you could've seen the 3 year old chase the blown up condom that blew off the car as you drove away. He caught it and popped it and the look of horror on his mom's face when she realized it wasn't a balloon was priceless.
I love you both and I know that you've got many wonderful years ahead of you!
-AFRo
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Mr. AFRo is in the midst of March Madness and the bulldogs were playing Bama in the Georgia Dome tonight on live television. Did any of you guys see when the tornado came through downtown Atlanta in the middle of overtime?!?! Being the dork that I am, I went straight to the bloggers to find out what was really going on over there.
Thanks to Mama Fidel who was kind enough to indulge my storm chasing obsession. She confirmed that there was in fact a tornado within blocks of the dome. I'm sure we'll hear more on the news tonight considering there's never been an event like that recorded on live television.
Little Kid is home tonight and got all into the storm chasing with me. His face just lit up when I explained the cold and warm air coming into contact with the jet stream. He asked a lot of questions too. (and not just because he's at that stage) We went on to discuss debris fields and why we cover our heads if there's a tornado.
I'm training him early. Who knows? Maybe when he grows up, he'll be my storm chaser kid that I can live vicariously through. Is that crazy? I don't think I could stomach him actually doing it, but I can have that fantasy for now.
I told him about when I was a little girl and the hurricane put a tree in our house and the waterfall in our living room as a result of the tree. I told him about how his MaeMae and Papa filled up plastic swimming pool after plastic swimming pool from the waterfall in an effort to keep our house from flooding. But, that story is another blog altogether.
We had a great storm come across the river last night with lightning like I haven't seen in a while. It was gorgeous. I wish I could master the art of lightning photography. I don't even know where to start though. Maybe Ashley could give us some pointers one Friday. (Yes, that's the one the letter was to.)
That's all I have for tonight. Sorry it's about the weather, but you know.... it's one of my things.
Go Dawgs and Roll Tide. I'm a hotty toddy kind of girl myself.
P.S. - How do I do the font with the slash through it?
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Well, it happened. Quite by surprise I might add. I came face to face with the Wench today. Let me tell you about it. You all better be proud of me and I want a lot of comments about how awesome I am...
Had lunch with Donkey... I do this once a week and usually it's pretty good because he is very much like a brother to me. We ate at our family restaurant and when I was done, I went to the back to talk to our cook... who hates the Wench like I do and we like to gab it up once a week about the goings on with her.
So, I'm sitting in the kitchen and who should walk in the front door? That's right. The Wench. Me and Cook had a ball talking just quietly enough that she had to have known we were talking about her and giggling about the joke that she obviously is. But, the time came that I had to go back to work and I realized I couldn't hideout in the kitchen forever.
I called Mr. AFRo and told him I was trapped. He advised me to walk out front and remind her that she wasn't supposed to be in the family restaurant.... by strict order of the patriarch. (She's a crackhead. Member? And she used to run the cash register a bit... guess how that turned out?) I told him I couldn't do it. I'm just not the aggressive type. Ugh. I wish I could be, because I am in my mind.
I decided to go with the "paint her invisible" thing like I'd promised myself I could do. So, I walked out and Donkey asked if I was going back to work. I shook my head yes and scowled at him. Took a Coca Cola on my way out the door and I NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT HER... despite the fact that she was less than a foot away from me as I got my Coke.
That whore. She never spoke to me either, but that was no surprise...it's been the status quo for years. But, I kind of wish she had, just so it would've opened the door for me to remind her that she wasn't supposed to be there.
I got in the car and called the patriarch myself and made him aware of the situation. He was very appreciative and assured me that he would take care of it.
The End.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I love your rants, but I swear ever since I added you on my blogroll I get questions about the things you write from folks IRL who think that I am you. (My IRL name is EXTREMELY similar... in case you haven't noticed.)
At least once every couple of weeks you post something that is friggin identical to what is going on in my world and it does confuse the few readers that I have because most of them know me IRL and have heard me bitch about the stuff all week. But, unfortunately it is you that has like a gazillion readers or something, not me. *SIGH*
My mom doesn't think I should be your friend because of the whole Golden Compass thing, but I spent an hour at my desk that same morning forwarding your blog to everyone I knew because it was EXACTLY what I'd wanted to say for months. This also helped contribute to the identity confusion. But, thank you for giving me my voice. Mom will get over it... I disappoint her regularly. She's used to it and she loves me anyway... I think.
What inspired this letter: My boys are off on hiatus for the next few days for Spring Break. Tonight was supposed to be about total vegging out. However, my neighbors have been doing some refurbishing on their weekend/seasonal/whatever home next door for the last two weeks and today they are spreading gravel to cover where the backhoe has ripped up the rest of the yard. The backhoe is spreading the gravel.... and every time it backs up... it beeps.
I thought I'd try to drown my annoyance in a Corona and my blogger friends. But, the beeping continues... Then I came across your post. My goodness. It inspired me to write a whole post just to you and in the meantime I forgot the beeping. Sorry for the attention, but I needed to get all of that off my chest and started to leave it in a comment but got halfway through it and thought, "Write a blog why don't you." So, I did and let's face it, you LOVE the attention... don't even try to deny it.
Thanks for helping me out by making the people IRL think I'm cooler than I am and for sending more traffic my way daily than anything else... EVER. You're awesome and I heart you and maybe one day I *will* have the same cult following that you've managed to acquire in the last year. It's really impressive.
Sincerely,
AFRo
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Yesterday, following my post of a possible family throwdown, I had 5 TIMES the normal traffic coming out of Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama. Um. I don't think it's just a coincidence. Us Southerners... you know, it's how we roll. How come none of you said anything though? HELLo... comment.... I may be more inclined to be dramatic if someone is egging me on. Seriously.
However, Arizona? WTF?
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
The issue with Donkey and the Wench resolved itself. She didn't show. There were many comments and some questions on this issue. So, if I may.... I simply do not want to have anything to do with this young lady UNTIL an apology is made. She may think that because she went on hiatus for three months following Thanksgiving that I've forgotten. However, that was the old AFRo who, "killed her with kindness" (Katie that's for you.) and I cannot be that person anymore because I end up being too kind and feeling like a doormat.
UNTIL that apology is made, I will be "painting her invisible" (those are my MIL's words) and I mean this literally. She could stand in front of me and I do not plan to acknowledge that she is there. PERIOD. Since there will obviously be some family functions that I simply cannot avoid (hence the last post) this will be my method of coping. But, next time I hope Mr. AFRo gives me a little more warning than telling me the night before. Seriously.
So that situation is over for now. I'm sure you will hear of it again in the future.
For Teri: I did finish that list from two weeks ago...everything but the dentist trip for the minis. I cannot tell you how it got done and I know Mr. AFRo contributed a great deal to its completion. But, in my defense, I laid the groundwork for it to all get done.
That's all I've got today guys. Sorry. I'm brain dead from a day of commercial shooting.
Have I mentioned yet that my bank is changing names in 2 weeks and since I'm the marketing guru, I'm kind of coordinating the whole event? I've been stressed the f-ck out for the last 4 weeks. But, the end is near. April 1 is our "go" date and hopefully by the end of April I'll have it behind me along with banking school. You guys know what that means right? Take a guess.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I swear I have serious "holding grudges" issues. Especially when it comes to Donkey and that wench of his. I would link to the post reminding you guys of who these people are, but I deleted it after digressing on the whole issue. So, I'll try to catch you up and be vague enough that this post might actually remain for more than 24 hours.
Donkey is a family member. The wench is his live in girlfriend of over 5 years. The wench is socially and emotionally damaged. Which = not knowing how to interact with normal people in any kind of a normal way. For five years I've tolerated her treating me like a stranger even though HELLo she's known me for five friggin years.
During the holidays, she always stirs up some type of drama with the family in an effort to avoid having to attend the family get togethers. She also has a drug problem, which we are all supposed to just overlook because we love Donkey. Whatever. That's not even my issue. If the chick steals stuff out of his home and pawns it for her drugs and he still allows her to live with him... he's the dumbass and it's his problem.
However, this year during the holidays, I was the target of her drama stirring. I read in Good Housekeeping that a great way to make others feel comfortable is to try to make something that has always been a tradition in their family. Since the wench's family lives far away, I thought I would try this to include her more. Yet when I asked what I could do, she said that she didn't care. Which was like a slap in the face to me.
I pressed on though and turned the other cheek in an effort to pull her into the loop. I tried yet again to get her opinion on the matter and again I was told that she didn't care and whatever. To which I asked her why she was so stand offish. She replied with, "F-ck you. Leave me alone. I'm not coming anyway because I can't do your cooking."
So, I'm done. When I say done, I mean I don't want to see the girl. PERIOD. EVER. I don't think much of her to begin with, but I'll be damned if I reach out to someone over and over again and receive nothing in return but insult. It would be just plain stupid of me to do it again.
I'm stopping here. I'll post more in a bit, but I have to call the BFF first.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
We never get a "snow day," but it appears that God did want my children to know the true meaning of the term. We have 2+ inches on the ground and it's still coming down. Look at what we did...
And since their mom has some skills making snowmen because I remember 20 years ago when it snowed like this, I taught them to roll these big huge sections. I love that they caught right on. Uncle J better be proud! The first is LK and the second is BK.
That's all I'll bore you guys with for now. I know some of you see this pretty regularly, but seriously... it's been 9 years since the last snowman I was able to build. The minis didn't even exist!
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
So glad that I took the day off, but of course they closed the bank at 3 due to inclement weather. WTF?
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I debated all night about posting this story, but alas, I cannot resist. Because as it was going down all that my OCD self could think of was, "What would the bloggers do?"
The mini's school had a fundraiser last night and I helped. I was assigned to "bagging" up the fundraiser goods and Little Kid's BFF's mom joined me. You guys remember that LK's BFF is a girl? I've got to come up with a nickname for her.
I had some issues with this when the relationship began, but I've dealt with the fact that it is inevitable that girls will forever be a part of my boys' lives. Plus, she's the only little girl in the class, so she needed a BFF and I'm glad she picked Little Kid because they do get along splendidly.
So, me and BGF's (best girl friend) mom are bagging stuff and talking and she says, "Afro, I haven't had a chance to tell you, but you should know that when LK came for the playdate last week, he and BGF showed each other their... "
*Shock and Awe*
I know the horror had to be written all over my face because she immediately went into explaining the scenario... they were outside playing in BGF's playhouse and how neither touched the other and when she came to check on them they told her what they'd done. She also tells me that it is normal for them to be curious about these things. She's got older girls and I trust that she knows WTF she's talking about.
I will add here that BGF's mom was in the house when this happened because I know that you guys will ask. But, that doesn't bother me because I put my kids outside on a daily basis to play while I sit in the house. We just stick our head out the door and make sure they're breathing about once every hour or so. Does this make me a bad mom? Probably. But, the alternative is being that mom that scares my kids' friends by stalking them everywhere they go.
*Wink to my ladies who know what I'm talking about there.*
The more I ponder the situation, the more I calm down and begin to realize that if LK's BFF is going to be a girl that I am insane to think that this wouldn't happen at some point and if he had a sister he might not be as curious, but whatever.
I haven't said anything to him about the situation because BGF's mom explained to them that it's not nice to show each other those things. I don't want to shame him because I'm terrified of giving him permanent issues over the whole ordeal. I am kind of hurt though that he didn't tell me about it. I might drill him later about telling me what happened at the play date.
There. It's out there and I'm coping with the fact that we've hit a new stage in life. I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. But, please do not be pretentious because as I mentioned, I'm over people who are pretentious.
I haven't fussed about comments in a while, but I'm averaging about 1/25 as far as viewers/commenters and that is pathetic. Out yourselves people... don't be afraid. Contrary to Dre's accusations, I will NOT bite.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
This is Big Kid again. They are studying outer space now. (We've moved on from anatomy and physiology.) It's his alien helmet... made out of a paper grocery bag. I love it and thought it was blog worthy.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
Big Kid has recently entered the phase of insisting upon everything he wants. When I say insisting, I mean demanding... in that, "I'm going to nag the crap out of you until you give it to me...even if you tell me I'm not getting it for years," kind of way.
Last (2006) Christmas, he got a GameBoy from Santa. Thank goodness Santa and Mr. AFRo are tight because I was pretty against the whole idea.... until it arrived and I got used to it. Now, I'm cool with it.
BK enjoyed his little GameBoy for a few months but that all ended when his BFF had a birthday and guess what he got? A mother effin Nintendo DS. Which BK insisted he needed to get from Santa this (2007) year. However, I held firm... he did not get one.
Negotiations have been ongoing for MONTHS now and I swear if I hear one more friggin thing about a DS for his birthday, I'm going to scream. There have also been mumblings of a Wii and an MP3 player. WTF?!?! He will be 7 in July. I didn't even get a Nintendo until I was like 10 and that was SPECIAL... you think I asked for more? Hell no. We were grateful for what we got.
Which is the spill that I want to give BK. You can't always get what you want... blah blah blah... grateful for it... blah blah blah... 10 miles uphill in the snow... blah blah blah. Except BK could give a crap about all of this and the being grateful thing isn't really his problem. His problem is redundancy. He just wants to ask me about it 10 million times a day to make sure that I remember what he wants.
How in the hell do I make this stop? ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please do not suggest threats of any kind though because I promise, if they could be made, I've already capitalized on them.
We need a different plan of attack people and no, I cannot just send him away. Although, when he told me I had to put a "Britney" song on his new MP3 player that he was "going to get," I did have the thought that maybe I had seriously effed this parenting thing up long ago and I should just quit now while I'm ahead.
I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm a bad mommy. I just need some pertinent suggestions on how to divert his attention from asking for the same shit all the time. Please. Help me.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
I had a great time with the girls this weekend for my birthday. I'll try to post some pictures soon. But I'm not making any promises. I did have a blast though and I thank them for making me make a decision... no matter how last minute it was.
Little kid is sick today so I'm home watching him and the weather. Have any of you guys seen the massive storm system making its way through Arkansas at the moment? I'm a little nervous to say the least... that thing looks huge. I know it has already come through some of the states you guys live in, so please give me an update on if it's as bad as it looks on the radar.
That's about all I have at the moment. Little kid will probably be sleeping a good bit, so I'll get back with you guys later on.
© 2008 AFRo. All Rights Reserved.
