Well...This is it...for 2008!

Greetings,

I want to wish each and every one of you a well, prosperous, peaceful, and blessed 2009. I look so forward to all that the Lord has in store for me. I will be turning the BIG 4-0 in March and am preparing to party like it's 1999!!! I have been working like a minx, getting an upcoming project ready to celebrate my year. Here is a sneak peek...

I will share more peeks later on as I work on it.

Again, God Bless each and every one of you all. Happy New Year!!

Sending you Chrismas Greetings from the Mann Clan

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Enjoy!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I refuse to give in!

Dear God,

Thank you for all the blessings you have given and continue to bestow on me and my loved ones. There are many issues and road blocks that I face on a daily basis, but I continue to hold steadfast to my faith knowing that there is better waiting for me. There are many times when I want to give in, give in to my health issues, give in to financial woes, give in to disobedient children, give in to martial stress and strain. I ask now for your patience and guidance.

Lord, I ask you to continue to give me strength, continued strength in my diet - food and exercise choices, continued strength in making better informed financial decisions, continued strength in guiding my children in the right manner so that they will become strong and viable Black men in their families and communities, continued strength in communicating effectively with my husband for complete understanding on household needs.

Full Original Serenity Prayer
by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

peace and blessings!!

I promise...I"ll get back to it!!

Greetings,
I was thinking about the "original" reason I started this blog. I wanted to get a chance to share my layouts as well as other creative things I have created. Unfortunately, I am not as savvy as those who are able to immediately post their newest creations (yes...I'm hatin a tad LOL) on their blogs. Believe me, I am "dancing as fast as I can" and am even getting chances to scrapbook. I look forward to sharing with you out there in BLOGLAND my creations prior to the end of the year.

If I don't get a chance to as we get closer into the holiday season, I want to wish you all a festive holiday and a prosperous 2009!! Let us continue to pray for one another and spread good cheer.

I'll leave you with some Obamatoons(thanks Trina)!! Enjoy!!

I couldn't agree more

Greetings out there in BLOGLAND!
I am still floating on CLOUD 9 after the realization of an African American man as our next President!!!!!

Well I watched David Alan Grier's (DAG) show last evening and I just can't agree more with what he said. Although what he says may not be the EXACT way I would say it...the sentiments are the same.
Sidebar---can u tell I just learned that I can embed videos in my post?!?!?
(click video anyway...it will load)


Also he has some THANK YOU'S for those who helped the OBAMA VICTORY possible.
(click video anyway...it will load)


PEACE!!!!!!

YES WE CAN

What else can be said?!?!?

Let's lighten up some already

Hey Peeps!!

I want to lighten the atmosphere some. We as a nation are all stressed out about our future as a nation. I am sick and have been off work for the last 3 days. My father is hospitalized, but THANK YOU GOD, he is doing better. I will need to take a short leave from work to go to Michigan and "collect" him because, well damn, I don't want him there and I am here in Georgia. Nonetheless, I try to humor myself from time to time. If you have not had an opportunity to watch Chocolate News on Comedy Central...YOU MUST! It is hosted by David Alan Grier (remember him from In Living Color?!?!?) and so far, it's not too bad.



Here is a joke that I got...enjoy!

I am a Father
A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore his collar backwards. The man, who was a priest, said, 'I am a Father.' The little boy replied, 'My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that.'The priest looked up from his book and answered, ''I am the Father of many."

The boy said, ''My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way!' The priest, getting impatient, said. "I am the Father of hundreds", and went back to reading his book. The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said,''Maybe you should wear a condom and put your pants on backwards instead of your collar. "

HE'S GOTTA LOT OF DAMN NERVE!!

That Damn Old Ass Man running for the White House gets on my nerves. I could run a list on why he shouldn't be in the white house (other than being the butler). I was TOO OUTDONE by his comment in the 2nd Presidential Debate...THAT ONE?!?!?!?!?! WTF?!?!?!? Here is what I think about ...That One!!!!

Who has been organizing in the community right out of college...THAT ONE!

Who voted against the unjust war in Iraq seven years ago...THAT ONE!

Who left the "President Designate" Hillary Clinton in the primary dust...THAT ONE!

Who draws 250,000 people to hear him speak in Germany and is not even a Head of State or Rock legend...THAT ONE!

Who draws 100,000 people on the banks of an American river and does not even sing, dance or rap...THAT ONE!

Who packed a stadium designed for 80,000 with 85,000 people at the 2008 Democratic convention...THAT ONE!

Who has written two New York Times bestsellers...THAT ONE!

Who has won two Grammy's for the spoken word of his two bestseller books...THAT ONE!

Who wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury warning him of the looming prime-mortgage crisis two years ago...THAT ONE!

Who acted calm and statesman-like during the current fiscal crisis in America...THAT ONE!

Who has generated tremendous buzz, especially among young voters in America - Black, White, Asian, Latino...THAT ONE!

Who has the Republican Party wondering what else from the kitchen they should throw...THAT ONE!

Who is 25 years younger than 72 year-old John McCain?....THAT ONE!

Who's medical history is one page compared to 1,173 pages for John McCain? ...THAT ONE!

All of the above is true.

Also true is John McCain in a very disrespectful tone referred to Barack Obama, during the second Presidential debate as...THAT ONE!

Who graduated at the TOP of their college class ....at HARVARD LAW, no less........ THAT ONE! (unlike McCain, who graduated 5th from the BOTTOM of his class).

We need to command respect for and attention to ...THAT ONE! THE CHOSEN ONE!
On November 5th when the question is asked...Who won the election?

We must all be able to say in one clear loud voice...THAT ONE, while saluting our new President Barack Obama.

Hey! Where have you been?!?!

I know I have been MIA for a while. I know that it has been FOREVER since I have updated my blog. Trust me, it is not because I didn't want to. Life itself is what it is...so let us rejoice in it!! I am back to work and am really liking my new position as an EIP teacher. Although I didn't get the position I interviewed for, I am most gracious for this opportunity.

If you are reading my blog, please add me and my family to your prayer list. Thankfully, nothing is going that we can't handle with the Lord's direction but at the same rate who couldn't use assisstance in the prayer department :>). Know that I am praying for you!!

I have not scrapped a thing in such a long time. We really enjoyed our vacation in Hilton Head and even had an opportunity to visit the local scrapbook store there. They had some very unique items and the owner of the store was so pleasant! The kids LOVED the beach!! I will make it a point to at least post pictures of our vacation even if I don't get to scrap them!

Let me officially state that I must eat crow!!! I have been bad mouthing Wayne Brady for years. In the past I have thought of him as a faker, uncle tom, wanna be cracker, etc.. There was not much positive I could state in the same sentence with his name. Now it has come FULL circle... I am so in LOVE with this song that I have been hearing on the radio because it just embodies how I feel about my life, my loves, and my family ties. I have been searching high and low for it, to only find on the internet that a Japanese group sang it originally and no other information was available. Yesterday while riding home from work, the song played again and luckily after its completion the DJ stated that the song is entitled "Ordinary" by Wayne Brady. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?! Once I got home, I googled Wayne Brady to then be directed to his website. He has an upcoming album to be released in September and guess what...let the crow eating begin because I MUST purchase his album!!! Good Luck to him because it is truly a great song and his voice is very good.

Be Blessed and stay Positive...God is Love!!

Can't win 'em all...

I didn't get the job I spoke of in an earlier post! I was needless to say devastated!! I cried all the tears I'm going to cry over that and press on!!! One thing that did make laugh and smile was the comedian J. Anthony Brown's rendition of Marvin Sapp's "Never Would Have Made It". J. Anthony Brown's version is "Never Shoulda Paid It". Turn your speakers up, press the play button to the right of this entry in the sidebar, and get ready to laugh. Peace and blessings!!

At a Snails pace...

My mind that is. I guess the real blessing is that my mind is fully funtioning, so Praise God!! Yesterday morning I was watching TV church (side note...we have GOT to find a church home...I feel like a heathen that my boys aren't established in a church...I am glad that they know the Lord through us and that we sit and talk often about the Lord and his word) and Pastor Dale Bronner reminded me that Fear is not failure, Quiting is failure. It is so simple, yet so profound. As a family, we are facing/working through some financial difficulties. Even though there are MANY TIMES I just want to quit and give in to failure, I THANK GOD that Ivan and I have the drive and determination to go forward if for no other reason than our boys.

Please don't think of this a "whoa is me" because I know that I have a tremendous amout of gratitude for all of the Blessings I have. I guess I was moved to have a testimony!! Speaking of blessings...here are some that I am most proud of...My babies!

Our Outing on the 4th of July...Fireworks at Arbor Place Mall, Douglasville, GA

Dylan wondering..."Why are we out soooo late at night and I'm allowed to have snacks?!?!?"

Evan has waited (according to him) all his life to sit on top of the truck! Mind you, he's just 10!!

Kyle flashing that winning smile to me and Dad. I am certain that he is more than happy to have his turn in the "Da rita" bag!!

My 3 Sons!!! You couldn't pay Evan to think he is anything but FIONE...Lord, what am I going to do? Secretly...I know he is...so who really created the monster? LOL!!

I wish I had focused a little better for this shot! This is truly my little STINKER!!!!

I have soo many layouts to share with you all. I am going to wait until we return from our vacation and create more layouts from those pictures. Thank you for reading and your inspirations as well.

Smooches!!!

Hello...is anyone there?

Does anyone listen anymore? I know in my house, they don't but hey...I'm used to that. Is it just me? I find that I have to repeat myself more than I care to when I am either on the phone with a customer service rep. or if I'm in a store asking for assitance. What's up with that? I really think I am going to insist on better listening skills for any group of students I come in contact with this upcoming school year. We've got to start somewhere...right?

We had a great 4th of July. I BBQed via the George Foreman Grill and then we headed to Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville to watch the fireworks. It was better than I expected. Although I do miss the Detroit fireworks, we only saw them on TV because there was/is no way in the hell I nor my family was/is going Downtown Detroit to fight the crowds for fireworks!!! If I figure out how to upload flickr pixs in this entry, I'll show you the fun the kids had. Take care!!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July Peeps,

What do you all have planned? The Mann family is keeping a low profile today. Ivan has to work so I'm a little bummed about that although he gets off at 7:00 p.m.. Later on tonight, all of us will go to Douglasville to watch fireworks. Last year we missed them although we had GREAT intentions to see the fireworks show at Stone Mountain Park. We were posted at the wrong spot and the fireworks were not able to be seen where we were.

This year is the first year that Dylan will get a chance to see a fireworks show. I'm kind of on the fence about taking pictures of the kids at the fireworks because I want to enjoy the show myself. My thought is to take the camera anyway and see what happens.

I WANT RIBS! Not just any ribs...my Daddy's BBQ ribs!!! Since he is still in Michigan and not down here yet, I guess I'll have to wait for him to get here later on this month. Maybe not having a BBQ grill is a problem too LOL!!!! I decided that today, I'm going to have gourmet hotdogs (thank you George Foreman), baked beans, and cole slaw so I better get to Kroger's soon since they close early.

I am so happy that my good friend, Kalah Leone FINALLY had her baby. Knoelle Loren is here...

I am waiting (and not so patiently I might add) to get some more pictures of her to scrap. Hopefully, the price of gas will go down so that I can visit them and kiss those cheeks!!!!!

Take care for now. Enjoy today and be glad in it!! Blessings, Peace, and Love always!!!

LynnePatrice

Chile...I gotta lot going on!!

Greetings,
I am so TUD (a term meaning Tired, Underappreciated, and whateva you want for the D!) but at least I can honestly say TUD in a good way. My intentional means for this blog was to go on and on about my daily happenings and what not, but chile I have no time to even do that!! I am stealing time away from a power point presentation I am working on to secure a career opportunity that I have been dreaming of for so long (if I figure out how to share it with you all, i will...add that to the "to do" pile).

I WANNA SCRAPBOOK!!!!! yes, consider that screaming/whining/etc.! Thankfully I have different subject matter to make scrap pages for since many of my friends, family, coworkers, and sorors are poppin' out babies like there is no tomorrow. I am anxiously awaiting some pixs to arrive in the mail so that I can Scrap 'em!!

My interview is on the 16th, so please squeeze in a prayer for me. I have alot going on after that interview as we prepare for our family vacation, so maybe it will be a cause for extra celebration. I am going to sign off for now and carry myself to bed. I am sure I've got to fight off a brother, since the "headache" excuse has only worked the last 2 request from him. Sorry I had to go there and maybe we'll get into that discussion later...but really...I feel like I'm just mattress wrestling...ugh!!!

I know...I'm slipping

Hey Peeps,
I know I slipping, especially with the enthusiasm I had for starting the blog in the first place. I have a million things going on right now and will update asap. Keep hope alive...run Jesse run...I mean run Obama run!!!

I was ready to fight...if I had to!

Well I thought I was going to have have to fight. I can not stand Elisabeth Hasselbeck from the View. Today, Michelle Obama was the co-host and Ms. H has no problem speaking her mind on her thoughts of the republican party and her disregard for the democratic party.

I was all ready to have Mrs. Obama's, Whoopi, Sherry, and Joy's back when it came to fighting that woman if and when she said something crass. But to my surprise, Mrs. Obama shut her down right away by stating..."Me and this strong woman can disagree on just about every issue, but at the end of the day we have to come together as Americans and agree to do what is best for our families and this country". Damn, that was classy as hell!! If I wasn't an Obama supporter at that moment, I would have been then.

On a different note, I am in the process once again in organizing my scraproom. It is taking longer than I anticipated but I hope well worth it once it is done. I am scrapbooking this weekend and looking forward to it. I hope to get a chance in playing with a die cut machine. I have the original cricut, but I'm not that keen on it. I really enjoy working with my hands and even enjoy cutting out letters by hand. If you have suggestion let me know. I'm going to sign off, since I have the house all to myself right now!!

TAG...you're it!!!

Hey Loyal Fans :>}

I was reading another blogger's entry and she stated that if you found yourself reading her blog on that particular day, you were to consider yourself tagged. So with that being said gang, YOU ARE TAGGED!

I would love to read your responses to the following as well what you thought of mine. Happy reading!!

I am...Blessed. I often forget that. I am glad that when I’m sick of my own complaining, I can always remember just how blessed I truly am.
I think...that I am pretty good person…definitely not a saint, but a good person.
I thank...GOD for my family and my friends. I really don’t know how a person who chooses to be alone gets by with no one to confide in.
I know...that GOD is in control no matter what others seem to think
I wish...that outside forces (bills, responsibilities, job/career, etc.) didn’t interfere with the blessings and serenity of peace.
I hate...when I am impatient with my children. I also hate voice mailboxes (I know, those of you who know me are cringing since I NEVER check mine).
I miss...my loved ones who have passed, especially my mother. I miss the innocence of youth.
I feel...Blessed and happy about life in general.
I shop...not like I used to that is for DAMN sure…Thanks to George W. Bush, dammit!!
I cry...at the just about anything sentimental. Especially, when younger children are doing something positive and/or their accomplishments.
I don't always...straighten up the house as much as I probably should (cleaning house, that's another thing I hate).
I pray...usually first thing in the morning as soon as I wake up.
I lose...the simplest things like rubber bands, ink pens, etc.
I listen...to various forms of music.
I am scared...of dying and leaving my family without a mother and wife.
I dance...just about anywhere, even at the embarrassment of my oldest son.
I need...to get active by starting off with either walking or yoga.
I surf...the internet CONSTANTLY!!!
I dread...the end of summer vacation and having to get up and go to school.
I anticpate...an opportunity to scrapbook and my upcoming family vacation.
I laugh...ALL THE TIME!!! I love laughing, even at myself. I think I’m pretty funny, too.

"Jelly Doughnuts"

Yesterday while watching tv, one of the characters on Two and a Half Men said "rolling manure in powdered sugar doesn't make it a jelly doughnut!"

I got the BEST KICK out of that. How many times do people often try to give you this particular type of jelly doughnut? I get it often, especially with the men I live with...

Me: Ivan why are your clothes all over the floor but you choose to ignore them?
Ivan: I'll get to them, I didn't know they were there
Me: Sure, that's what you said 2 weeks ago

JELLY DOUGHNUT!!
*********************************************

Evan: Mom, can I go over my friends house?
Me: Did you do the (place any given chore here) that I asked you to do?
Evan: I thought I would do it later.

JELLY DOUGHNUT!!

*********************************************

Kyle: I'm hungry (to nobody in particular, just an observation he is having)
no response from anyone
Kyle: Mom, if I'm hungry aren't YOU supposed to fix me something?!?

JELLY DOUGHNUT!!

**********************************************

Dylan: wofhjaoroejfoafjoeioowjfoj?!?!?!?!?!?!? Shoe.
Me: (In my head...WTF???)

JELLY DOUGHNUT!!!

Not risk your "wholesome" and "pure" image of me, I won't share with you what my final response or action was to above responses.

I am so looking forward to scrapbooking tomorrow. I wasn't able to get it in yesterday evening since a lightening storm came our way and knocked power out until around 12:30 a.m.. This evening I am going to get some other things done around the house and keep myself busy so that I am not tempted to go into my scrap room and doodle around. In tomorrow's class I will be making an acrylic album and can't wait see the results.

I do my best in remembering to relax, relate, and release frustrations as they come while remembering to not take a bite into the JELLY DOUGHNUTS that come my way. You do the same...the taste...EEWWWWWW!!! Definitely doesn't go with a cold glass of milk!

Thanks for reading!!
Smooches!!

Let's do it again...

Hey Peeps!! I am way too "geeked" up about my little slice of the internet. I had to stop myself from posting several times last night because...I really do have things that must be done around the house.

I am planning on getting some scrapping done today, but first I must reorganize my scrap space. I may post a pix of it so that I can get some suggestions on how to better organize the madness of it all. It is a shame that I feel like I'm "sneeking" to scrap in my own home, because Ivan (my dear husband) can ALWAYS come up with something else he thinks I can be doing.


Ivan giving me that "what?!?" look. Guess what? It doesn't work!!

Remember to relax, laugh, and love even harder than you did yesterday!!

disclaimer: for those of you who know me personally, know that I am a conversational curser!! I am going to TRY very hard to not "color" my language in this forum :>} .

Check out my Slide Show!

Well...here we go...???

If you found this...LUCKY U!!! I have no idea what I am doing but I have to admit that I like it.

I have read and "surfed" the web of so many other scrappers, mothers, wives, and oh so happy to have this forum...I decided, WHY NOT?!?!?

I really think that once I get the hang of this, my blog may even rival that of others. One thing I do know, that is okay to not blog everyday. I really thought that there were "Blogging Police" that would get me if I didn't update them on my life...day by day...honestly, that thought scared me. My plan is to get more comfortable doing things like this and just stepping out on FAITH! I have to share that is something my mother would have definitely done.

I am learning every day on how to become a better something. Today I have started trying to be a better photographer. My boys reluctantly agreed to be the subject matter. I trying to do a little better with candid shots. I am constantly thinking of how I want to scrap the pictures when I get them printed.

Dylan and Kyle showing me just how agreeable they are.

Evan, Dylan, and Kyle...MY GUYS!!

Until next time...SMOOCHES!