Today was a good day

I woke up like I usually do on a Saturday to one of my kids telling me they are up and hungry. As usual I tell them to go brush their teeth and they will be fed soon. Then I turn over and go right back to sleep because my husband knows that's his cue to get up. We have this unspoken agreement about the weekends. He gets up with the kids and allows me to sleep in, shop and run errands. During the week I take them to school or their summer program, I go on field trips, participate in PTA stuff, and attend awards functions. So Saturday and Sunday I get a little break. Yes he even picks out their outfits and gets them dressed for church on Sunday.

Today I was laying in bed watching t.v. and I got a call from Lorena. She wanted to go to the mall and I was down. She came by and picked me up and off we went. We window shopped a little and then went to get a pedicure. I had never had one before but I was down. We sat in these chairs that had a massage function and I took full advantage of it. I decided on a dark red color and had some white flowers with a blue stone put in the middle. Being the great friend that she is, she paid for both our treatments. Next we went to the food court, ate, and had a good time talking. Lorena is leaving in 8 days because her husband has orders to Nevada. It was great spending the day with a good friend. I am going to miss her but it is days like today I will remember most. Q

Congratulations!!!!

Today it was officially confirmed that Thomas will be promoted to Technical Sergeant. He studied very hard, and it is well deserved. I am soo proud of my husband. I know I rarely mention him but those who know me, know Thomas is my heart. He absolutely adores me, he puts up with me, he is a great father, a true man of GOD, and I can go on and on. I don't know anyone who deserves this more. I love you baby and I am soo proud of you. You are an amazing person and deserve all this and much more. Q

July 11, 2007 Phoenix ,Arizona

So I saw Trey Songz and Ne-yo in concert. I have been recovering from that and putting in a lot of hours with our summer tutoring program and have not been able to post as much.

Here is my recap of the concert and some pics (I'll add them later).

Trey came out and performed mainly new songs but also did about 3 or 4 from his old one. I showed up with a blue shawl and matching flower in my hair. I think it worked because he pointed and sang to me 3 times. Then he came out in the crowd and held my hand. All those little girls began to fight to get next to me because they were wondering why he kept focusing on me. I told one of them it was because I was happily married and he doesn't stand a chance at getting me.

Then Ne-yo came out and his dancers were fierce. When he sang "Do You" during the part that says "if she looks anything like her mother, she's the prettiest thing in this world" he stood right in front of me, kneeled down a little, and pointed at me and sung. Then at one point I focused on his dancers and they waved and winked at me. My friend Veronica was like "darn Q even the dancers like you". After the show we paid to go meet and greet him. They told us we would have a cover signed, but not personalized, and could only take a pic. Well when it was my turn to get to the table, he looked up with this big kool aid smile, shook his head and said "I remember you from the front row". I smiled and laughed. So then I told him that my friend and I drove 7 hours from Albuquerque, and would have to drive 7 back tonight just to see him and that he really needs to come to Albuquerque and to make sure he sings "Go on Girl". He said okay I will remember that. Then he stopped and was like, "you really drove that far" and I said yeah. Then all of a sudden he gets up, walks from around the table, passed his 3 bodyguards and walks up to me and says "you have got to give me a hug for that, that is wonderful". Yall this wasn't a quick type hug. I mean he hugged me and rocked and was said "thank you so much, I really appreciate that". So you know I had the haters looking wondering what I said because he didn't do that for anyone else. Then as we were leaving, he was signing for someone else and he looked up and said "yall have a safe trip back and I hope to see you again". I yelled "just come to Albuquerque"!!!!

So a lot of the girls thought I was their age and was shocked to know I was older. I exchanged numbers with some and they wanted my myspace page so they could keep in contact with me. I told them, it was the flower, I put a spell on it, lol. Q
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Red Velvet Cake recipe

I am always asked for my recipe so I decided to share. I don't use buttermilk in mine. Instead I make my own butter milk with the lemon juice and milk. I use a little more than a cup that most recipes call for in order to keep it moist.
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon of cocoa powder
2 oz red food coloring (2 boxes)
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar

Mix lemon juice and milk in a cup. In another cup mix the food coloring, vanilla, and cocoa powder. Mix it well to get rid of any cocoa clumps. In a large bowl mix vegetable oil and sugar until creamy. In a small bowl sift flour and salt. Add the eggs one at a time to oil and sugar mix. After adding each egg, mix for 30 secs. Gradually add the food coloring and cocoa mix. Next alternate adding the flour and homemade buttermilk mixing for 30 secs after adding. After it is mixed well, take a small cup and add the vinegar and then baking powder. Immediately pour it in the cake mix and fold (do not beat) into mix. Bake in 3 8 or 9 inch cake pans for 30 minutes at 350. I slowly turn my cakes halfway in order to avoid any dry or overcooked spots.

Cream cheese frosting:
I let the ingredients sit at room temp while making the cake because it blends better.
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 stick of unsalted butter
16 oz of powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
a pinch of salt
1/2 cup of pecan pieces
Q

Life Interrupted

I got thrown for a serious curve ball this past weekend. First with my trip to the hospital and next my grandmother had a heart attack Friday night. I try soo hard to stay focus and to be strong but I am only human. Things don't always go the way we planned. I have yet to do my workouts this week so tonight I am going to bed early and am going to get up early in the morning and head to the gym. I am stressed right now. All I want to do is roll up in a big old ball and just cry. My life has been soo interrupted. I can't think straight. This is when I lean all the more on the LORD and will just trust in HIM to carry me. This load is too much to bear on my own. Q

Gastroenteritis (GAH-stroh-en-tuh-RY-tis)

Definition: An infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines. May be caused by bacteria or parasites from spoiled food or unclean water. Other causes include eating food that irritates the stomach lining and emotional upsets such as anger, fear, or stress. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping.

Causes of gastroenteritis

* Bacteria
o Escherichia coli.
o Salmonella.
o Shigella.
* Viruses
o Norwalk virus.
o Rotavirus.
* Parasites
o Cryptosporidia.
o Entamoeba histolytica.
o Giardia lamblia.

Also Known As: Infectious Diarrhea and Travelers' Diarrhea.

Common Misspellings: gastrointeritis

This is what knocked me out today. Shout out to all the ladies at work who assisted me to the car when I was on the floor. I am feeling a little better. Q