We're Still Here!

We are just taking a few days off, putting some thoughts together and gearing up for more writing.

My LP and I celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary last night and it was a really nice celebration with close friends and family.  I got wasted - so much so that I had a tough time getting out of bed today.  I even felt so bad about the shape I was in that I sent a text to my guests, apologizing for my behavior.  Partly because I was really sorry that I got drunk, but mostly because I cannot remember anything that happened after the toast.  THAT is really drunk.

So, with that, I am going to go on a drinking hiatus and I am putting it on my blog because I want accountability.  No, I do not believe I have a problem with drinking.  Yes, I do believe that you can have fun without alcohol.

Dstevens and I will be back soon.  We are both having fun learning features on our new, fancy cameras, so stay tuned for great shots and great posts!

Be well good people.

H and a A and a P P Y, Happy Birthday!

G is for Godly (he is a man of God)
R is for Real (no airs about him)
E is for Exceptional (he is that and more)
G is for Great (great husband, great father, great dad, great brother, great son, great friend), and

What do you have: GREG!!!!

(Christmas 2011)

To my favorite brother[-in-law] in the whole wide world, I pray that God allows you many, many more happy and healthy years on this here earth.  You are a breathe of fresh air, your humility speaks volumes and you bring joy to every circle.  I am so happy to call you brother and especially blessed to call you friend.

Happy Born Day Greg!

Much love,
DT

Be Calm and Follow Me

I attended an emergency preparedness meeting this afternoon, at the church I attend.  The meeting was informative, and the small group in attendance walked the church to see where all of the exit and fire alarms are located throughout the church.  The church I attend is small, my LP and I joined about a year and a half ago and I have since joined the Usher Board, so I felt that it would behoove me to know all that I can about emergency preparedness.

Most of the conversation was around being prepared in case of a fire, but as I sat there I started to think about other types of emergency situations that have been in the news over the past few years.  I'm not sure why my mind went there, but I began to pray that we never are in a situation where we would have to use these tactics and I also wondered if I would be capable of behaving calm and directing parishioners to follow me.  I want to believe that I would be able to assist - without panic.

I also think I'll be more mindful of exits and persons who might need more assistance, even when I'm not on duty.

In due time the church will conduct a fire alarm and we all will have to demonstrate how to clear the building in an emergency.  Unfortunately, it will not take place during a regular Sunday service, but rather after a Sunday service, when most of the parishioners have left to go to brunch home.  I wish that wasn't the case because I believe everyone should know what to do and how to behave in case of an emergency.  But, like I said above, I hope we never need it.

Are you prepared?

Repondez, S'il Vous Plait ~ plain and simple.. argh!

R.S.V.P. stand for a French phrase, "repondez, s'il vous plait," which means "please reply."  The person sending the invitation would like you to tell him or her whether you accept or decline the invitation.  That is, will you be coming to the event or not?  Etiquette rules followed in most Western cultures require that if you receive a formal, written invitation, you should reply promptly, perhaps that same day.  For hosts who are planning a dinner party, a wedding or a reception, this is important from a practical point of view, because they need to know how many people to count on anyhow much food and drink to buy.  More important, though, is the simple courtesy of responding to someone who was nice enough to invite you, even if it is to say that you regret that you will not be able to attend.

Copied retyped from "howstuffworks.com."

I recently sent invitations out for a dinner party that my LP and I will host in celebration of our 15th Wedding Anniversary.  The invitations went out in a timely fashion and we asked the invitees to R.S.V.P. by January 10, 2014.  To date, only a few people have responded and of the few, only two responded in the manner that was requested of them (via email to a specific email address that both my LP and myself check periodically).  Can I tell you how much this pisses me off... this makes my blood boil.  I don't live in a large house, I cannot grant my guests valet service, or a park on my block for that matter, but I love to entertain.  That being said, when I open my house to entertain, my goal is to always be prepared, properly.  I am praying that those persons who responded positively will be the only invitees at the event.  Technically, all those who have yet to respond have another day, but I am finalizing a menu with caterers and preparing for only the invitees who responded positively.

Would I be wrong to not prepare for others?

  (LP = Life Partner)

Be well good people.

Aww, feedback!

Debbie and I started this blog because we wanted to open a dialogue about turning 50.  Our bodies are changing, our minds are changing, relationships are changing, and it is all good (well, most of it)... anyways, we are slow to get the blog off the ground, but grateful to be living in an age where this platform is afforded to us and many like us.  Give us time and the posts will be more frequent and substantive.

My wish is that you read, give us feedback (good and bad), tell a friend, share your ideas and let us know of any topics you want to discuss.

Here is a note from a friend in response to (I believe) our second post.

As a 51 year old yes I said 51!  I have always said that when it comes time for me to pass that I would die with laugh lines and not frown lines.  I laugh each and every day even if it’s at myself.  I try and find something to make me smile.  Turning 50 is only hard if you have regrets.  Are you happy that the first fifty years of your life have made you into the beautiful women that you are today?  Then the next 50 will be a walk in the park.  I am more beautiful today then I was yesterday, because I smiled yesterday and I learned something new.  Keep smiling!

Be well good people.

It's Hump Day!!

We are well into our first full week of 2014 and I am feeling good!  Not much new going on in my world, but nonetheless, I feel optimistic about what this year has to offer and how many doors will be opened (and closed) on my behalf.

I hope you are feeling happy/good/optimistic/encouraged too!

Be well good people.

PS- I prayed for you today.  Stay in touch.

Baby It's Cold Outside

An ode to Debbie's love for Turner Classics. I need not say anymore, except  that even my hot flashes are cold!

When You Have a Choice, Skip!

Today was a "snow day" in the DMV area, so I teleworked from home. While working, of course, the television was on and man, daytime television is awful!  My set got stuck on The Wendy Williams Show and her guest was Whoopi Goldberg. The show was previously taped and aired back in November 2013. Although difficult to watch - between work and it just being daytime television, something that Whoopi Goldberg said resonated with me. Wendy was going on about turning 50 (at the time of the show she was 49 and may still be) and asked Whoopi how she prepared herself for that magical age (not her exact words), Whoopi's response was that the alternative is not of interest, so why not celebrate the gift of turning 50. I love that! She further lamented about the fact that so many others didn't and don't make it to this age... the segment was SO in line with how I've been thinking lately. Everything isn't exactly how I want it to be, but dammit I am going to celebrate every day God gives me (even if I'm the only one who knows I'm celebrating -- after all, it is an act that comes from my heart).

I choose to be happy; even to the point where I might just go outside and skip... tomorrow <wink, wink>.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!

Actors Who Have Played Nelson Mandela in Film | Black America Web

Actors Who Have Played Nelson Mandela in Film | Black America Web

Think On These Things

It's snowing in Washington, D.C. According to the meteorologist we may get 2-4 inches before it is all over with; this means schools will be closed, the city shuts down and forget about finding eggs and milk at your local super market.  I think I will go to sleep with this image (Aug. 2013).

Whatever is good...

Philippians 4:8.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Be well good people.

It's Here Already? Oh My!

So, here we are, a new year and a new blog!  DStevens and I began talking about starting a blog sometime last year -- around the same time we started bouncing ideas for our big birthday bash in July 2014 (which plans still need to be solidified).  We wanted to introduce our thoughts about turning 50 (gracefully).  We also thought this blog would serve as another method to communicate with friends and family.

So here it goes, 1/2/2014 - today was a good day and we are both looking forward to what the year has in store. I am sure I can speak for DStevens when I say 2013 was a challenging year for the family.  But by the grace of God, we are still standing.  But God.

Be well good people.