mirror mirror...

who's the most talented of them all?...well it definitely is not Z and me! but somehow we won 1st place at Faye's/my talent show birthday party last weekend.

I have our blue ribbon displayed with pride.

But man...the competition sure was stiff!

 There was a puppet show, skit, interpretive sign language...

 ballet performance, a hysterical comedy routine, and singing.

 our talent...we did a pantomime with the theme song from Aladdin.

 Here is our BIG finale...I felt this repercussions of this move when I woke up the next morning.
Just for the record...Talent show b-day parties are a blast, I can't believe I never had one before. Also there was a team Karaoke competition - Lots of laughs Believe me!

 Then there was the usual Cake...

and Presents!

stares and more stares...

People stare here...I was always taught that it was rude to stare at others...but not here, so remind me to never tell my children that because then they will suspect every one around them of being rude. The staring is harmless but because of the social norms that have been ingrained into me by my birth culture some days I get really frustrated with the staring.
I have decided to make a game out of it...from now on when someone stares little will they know that I will now stare back...and I will maintain eye contact until I win this so called staring contest smack down!
I found these simply steps on WikiHow to ensure my staring contest sucess:

• Take a nice long blink and close your eyes tightly right before the contest begins. This will produce tears that your eyes will need to keep moist
• Think of something really sad while staring at your opponent. This will help stop you from laughing or smirking which is not permitted.
• Remember to relax. Too much stress will cause you to strain your eye muscles and could lead to eye strain.
• Open your eyes really wide during the contest and, when you think you are about to blink, open them even wider. This goes against your natural instincts, but will actually make your eyes water, thus keeping them moist.
• Time yourself in the mirror and see how long you can hold it for. Remember, practice makes perfect!
• When you are about to blink, squint and furrow your brow. Again, this will produce tears and help to keep you staring for longer.
• Study the techniques of staredown athletes like Tony Patterson.

...should I know who Tony Patterson is?

Slumdogs

I have a love/hate relationship with stray dogs. My heart melts when they come up to me wagging their tails and begging for food, but then at night I seethe with rage as they bark and howl incessantly!

Right now across from our house there are ELEVEN puppies

 The other day Z and I plotted to take one from the pile and raise it as are very own...then that night we quickly changed our minds when they kept us up with their whimpering.

This is one of the mama strays...I feed her on a regular basis, she has a gimpy leg and I just feel sorry for her, even on days when her rascally puppies have kept me up all night.

Birthday bananza!

Last week I finished marking up my calender for the month of January...and I couldn't believe how many friends and family members will celebrate birthdays this month...so here are a few shout outs to my fellow b-day peeps!

 Grandma Papps :) she will turn 88 on January 20th...I would like to point out that this picture was taken on Grandma's 85th birthday...I know the candles are ghetto and there are 5 single candles lit to represent 80 + 5 yrs...hopefully grandma gets legit b-day candles this year :)

 On the 23rd I share a birthday with this little cutie....

and this grown up cutie ;)

...Warmest Birthday wishes and shout outs to all my January b-day pals (I will spare listing your name, date of birth and age)...and the only reason you are not pictured in the post is because I couldn't find pictures of y'all sitting in my lap in order to match the 'theme'

..."those who live in concrete houses"...

are probably as cold as those who live in glass houses in the winter time...because both building materials do not insulate.

7 year itch...

for a new computer.
The old one is barely holding on...

This week Z was traveling and took the newer laptop so I had to go to the recesses of my closet and dig this jalopy out. A hing is broken, buttons are dismembered and wiring is exposed...It is a wonder I didn't shock myself when I went to turn it on.

Welcome 2011!!!

This year I have a few goals for myself...these goals are merely being implemented in efforts to make 2011 better than 2010...which there was nothing wrong with 2010, but there is always room for improvement...

• #1: I vow to never run out of coffee in 2011...we ran out for about a month and a half in 2010 and it was scary!
• Goal #2: when temperatures are above the high 90's I will only run the AC at night time...that way I can build up my heat tolerance and save money on our electricity.
• #3: Read all 106 books that I downloaded onto my Kindle...and in conjunction with this goal; watch less movies
• Eat more tofu :)
• and the last and very important goal = See E and Ray Ray!

Have a great 2011 Everybody...

or else!