"Feel Like Makin' Love"

Mr. Gene McDaniels and I

Gene McDaniels was a guest speaker at our music workshop yesterday and although "Feel Like Makin' Love" shouldn't automatically pop into my head when I hear his name, it does.

No, not just because I'm young and frisky (...well that too) but also because he's accredited for that Roberta Flack hit.

He's had several hits on the Billboard Top 100 chart ("A Hundred Pounds of Clay" made it to #3) and his best known song "Compared to What" has been recorded/sampled by various artists (at least 200 times!) the most recent being on the new John Legend and The Roots album "Wake Up!".

(Wiki image)

I've met Mr. McDaniels on a few other occassions but this was an especially exciting visit because I had the opportunity to perform for him. I sang the very first song I ever wrote, "Love Me", and HE loved IT......I quote "your song...kicks...ass".

Needless to say I was smiling for the rest of the day and that will remain one of my most memorable moments because there's nothing more precious than when someone connects with your music...or with you. 

For more on Gene please visit http://eugenemcdaniels.com/

"Don't Quit!"

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but you don't quit,
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tints of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst
that you must not quit."

I need this from time to time to be the wind beneath MY wings, so I hope this motivates you in all your endeavours as well.
Much Love,
Mandy

Package Received !

A friend of mine won a book from one of my quizzes and this is what he wrote on my facebook page:

"So you may see her little quizzes and think, "oh well I probably won't get the prize anyway,"...Well I beg to differ....as promised I received my both prizes(Book and Poster) on time from Mandy, but I posted late(my bad)......Sooooo Get ya prize on peeps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He sent me this pic with his notes and his photo in the middle lol

The Grammy poster was actually a token gift to him. The book he won as a result of being an avid reader of my blog........ (hint hint lol)

Me, the fat bastard and the little heiffer with wings!

I FINALLY had 'the talk' with my son about Santa and the tooth fairy. How do you spell relieved? M-A-N-D-Y!
Back in July I told you about his suspicions about me being the tooth fairy (if you missed that blog entry click here) well we finally discussed it.
We were in the car when suddenly he asks "Mommy are you Santa?"
....BUSTED!! How do I answer this without crushing his spirit or him thinking his MOTHER is a big fat liar! So I in turn ask him "What made you think of that?" (after all we ARE in September!) and he replies "Well I was thinking about my Christmas list (yes he's a pre-planner! smh) and I was just wondering if YOU were Santa".
So I fessed up. I explained to him how it all started and I didn't really want to lie to him but I also thought he was too young to understand and I didn't want him to think that "Santa" didn't give him any presents because he was "naughty". Of course that led to the Tooth Fairy in which I also had some 'splainin' to do.
But while I was worried that this might totally devastate him, and would ruin his trust in me forever, the little runt says "so Mommy, now that I know YOU'RE Santa, should I just give YOU my list?"
(sideways glance).

(Google image)

Here I am relieved that I not only 'came clean' but also ecstatic that I no longer have to buy presents and stash them, or figure out how to get him to bed early enough so that the presents mysteriously appear on Christmas morning, no longer would that fat bastard get all the credit for the "REALLY GOOD" gifts, no more "Santa gave me EXACTLY what I wanted" while mom just gets a dry thank-you for all the 'other' stuff....and this little ingrate is already preparing a list for me for DECEMBER????
All his innocence was washed away as he said "SOOOOOOOO Mrs Claus, (his tone dripping with sarcasm) I want an iphone, plasma tv, a..."
I stopped him immediately, "no YOU need a job!"

My letter to George Michael

I LOVE George Michael! LOVE! So I was disheartened to find out that he will be going back to jail for 8 weeks!!!! Why? His love affair with cannibis (you know, weed/ marijuana/ ganja/ spliffs/ the oooooweeeee...ahem back to the story) in addition to all his car accidents.
This isn't his first offense, or his second, OR third for that matter...WHAT IS HAPPENING GEORGE? WE WANT YOU AND YOUR MUSIC BACK!

So here's my letter to George:
Dear George,
"Last Christmas" you said you would stop smoking weed..."WHAM!" I heard you got busted again.
You might have to do some time before you're even considered for parole but I'm sure the judge will realize that you need counselling and give you "One More Try".
Yes, she will be tough on you, after all this is not your first offense George. C'mon, you must expect her to run out of "Patience" for you and your she-nanny-gins! She's not gonna talk to you like "Jesus to a Child", hey even Jesus said 'spare the rod and spoil the child"...but listen, just tell her "Everything She Wants" to hear okay George? No debating or justifying the weed, no "Careless(ly) Whisper(ing)" that you've cut back from 25 spliffs a day to about 8! oh and DEFINITELY don't mention using it to "Heal The Pain" (I find that somehow the law doesn't look too favorably on things like that).
Yes I know you will probably be "Praying for Time" because you would much rather head to the slammer, shack up with some big burly dude and sing "I'm Your Man" to him in "A Different Corner" of your cell every single night but, but.....but George, WE need you!
So I'm gonna have "Faith" in you. Yes YOU George! I am going to pray that when you finally get your "Freedom" you don't do this "Monkey" business again, okay?
When you come out all of us, your fans, will be waiting! Yes, waiting for YOU George. But I don't want you to take us for granted thinking that everytime you come out you could simply sing "I Knew You Were Waiting For ME" and just sing your way back into our hearts. No George! You're not "Twenty Five" anymore, you're "Older" now so it's time to get it together, okay George? OKAY?
See ya when ya get out!
Luv Always
Mandy

Here's Alicia singing her version of "Freedom" LUVS IT !

"I'm the blonde cake boss"

My co-worker did the cutest thing for her fiance's birthday and I asked her to share it with you guys. She created a cake for him.

Ok so right now many of you are probably thinking "what's the big deal?"...well first of all she is not domestic AT ALL (heck she learned how to do laundry via youtube! lol) and now she's gone from being pals with Betty Crocker to the self-proclaimed "blond cake boss".
Here are some pics from her very noble effort...

When she realized how much baking was involved for her creation

she opted for Rice Crispy treats for the foundation :)

Then when she realized how expensive fondant is

she used frosting for the grass and graham crackers (as the wall I guess)

He's a firefighter so she made the cutest little firetruck out of cake...

...THIS is covered in fondant, with a licorice ladder on top and oreo cookie wheels

(yes it looks like the truck has flat tires but I give her E for effort! :)

And here's the finished product.

The house is made of cake, designed with gel piping,

the flames are hard candy and peep the little fire hydrant in the front.

The Queen of Cakes (Sheila) and Cake Boss better watch out! lol

By the way ladies, this is the same girl who told me about the vajazzler so guess she knows how to keep it interesting for her man! lol

Where were you on THAT 9/11?

I used to be annoyed year after year on September 11th with all the hoopla of that ill-fated day. TV, newspapers, everywhere would have some reminder of the tragedy at the World Trade Center. In my naivety I thought they should just leave it alone already, stop re-hashing it, stop reminding so many families of their loss. But that was just it: me being naive.
For many families, it is a day of reverence, a day to honor their loved ones and also a reminder that Americans, and human beings on the whole, have incredible fortitude.
Most people remember exactly what they were doing on that day. I was at work and when the first tower was hit I thought it was just an unfortunate accident, but by the time the 2nd plane crashed we were all huddled around a television watching in disbelief.
Immediately I thought of my son and panic set in. If anything else was about to happen, I needed to be with my son. I picked him up from daycare, went home, and watched the news for the rest of the day. I cried as I saw the towers crumble, people covered in ash, running for their lives, helping strangers, bodies falling from the buildings as though it was a movie scene. I hugged my son even tighter. I couldn't imagine being out there and I was grateful that I wasn't.
I remember when my friend, Tamyka, told me her 9/11 story. She was pregnant at the time and IN the WTC and had to run down  flights of stairs to get out. She named that baby Destiny and we sure are happy to have met them and have them in our lives today.
So my prayers go out to the families, the survivors, and anyone who suffered a loss on that day.
Luv from my heart straight to yours.
Mandy

"Some Friends Are Forever"

Candice et moi

at dinner on her recent visit from Trinidad

"Sometimes in life

you find a special friend:

someone who changes your life

by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh

until you can't stop;

someone who makes you believe

that there really is good in the world..."

Candice and I have been friends since high school. She's always been the down-to-earth, keep-it-real sista with a heart of gold and just an all around great personality.

Although we are STILL young and supple, (hey high school wasn't THAT long ago :) it DOES seem like forever. It's a great feeling and truly a Blessing when you share a friendship over such a long period of time.

So Candy girl I luv ya, I cherish our friendship and God Willing we share many more years!

Luv Always,

Mandy

"This is ridiculous!!!"

My son's first words as he woke up this morning to get ready for school. Over 2 months of Summer vacation and STILL he was not enthused about his first day back. Of course he was excited about his new backpack, all the new school supplies etc but when he remembered the routine: the early mornings, school and HOMEWORK???? He wasn't too thrilled. lol

Fake smile hoping I would hurry up and get this over with

(EVERY first day of every grade I take his pic lol)

I know the feeling all too well. I HATED school! Well at least at his age I did (high school was MUCH better). I loved the excitement of "first day". The new crisp uniforms, the fresh pack of crayons (yes, to this day I love the smell of crayons) and sharpening all my brand new pencils. But after that nostalgia wore off I was like WTH? And back in my day we got beatings in school so you KNOW I wasn't a happy camper.
I'm glad my son doesn't have to go through that. I think it's so traumatizing for a child. You already have to deal with teachers that are PMS-ing, friends who are as clueless as you, and math that you'll probably NEVER use (has ANYBODY ever used "pi" for anything in life??? remember this "π" = BARF!...then they add beatings to the agenda? SERIOUSLY!?
But I suppose the first day back after any vacation is the same regardless (slump shoulders and insert HUGE sigh here).
I'm sure he'll have a great day once he re-connects with his classmates, but ready or not the school year has begun.

The end of Summer...

Thought this was cool; saw it in Brooklyn on Labor Day weekend.

I had a fantastic Summer! I relaxed, I partied, I had time to reflect, I enjoyed the company of great friends and family, and I definitely enjoyed the weather!!!! Nothing beats the sun kissing your skin, the cute outfits, not having to layer just to go outside... the warmth.... the barbecues.... the fun!!!! 

Alas Fall is creeping in as evident by the chill on Labor day weekend. 

My cousins and I enjoying the last of Summer weather

It's back-to-school, and jackets and boots, which might not be such a bad thing by the looks of the Victoria's Secret Fall line! (They have cute boots and summer wraps out now! :)

But apart from the Fall fashion it's also the beginning of a new season. The trees shed their leaves in preparation for the Winter, squirrels and other animals prepare to hibernate and I look at it as a time of new beginnings for myself as well.

It's time to finish my degree, re-dedicate myself to my music, and work on other goals that I want to accomplish for myself and my family.

Louis L'Amour was an American writer who was once said "There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."

So yes it's the end of Summer but it's also the beginning of Fall...how are YOU re-dedicating yourself to YOUR life?
Be Blessed,
Mandy

Time after...

"With trapeze artists there is a special relationship between the catcher and the flyer. The moment comes when the flyer must let go...a moment when he is suspended in nothingness. Yet, at that moment, it is too soon for the catcher to grasp him. He must wait in absolute trust, knowing that he will be caught. If he tries to grab the catcher or flails in anxiety it could kill him. Learning to trust and to wait is his hardest job...and sometimes ours."

I found this and thought it was so poignant so I'm sharing with you guys... it also reminded me of this Cyndi Lauper classic that I absolutely LOVE so enjoy...