Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Not So Wordless Wednesday: 7 1/2 Months!

Well, I have 9 weeks left and I am ready to get it over with. Let me clarify. I am ready to meet my little boy, but I am still terrified of childbirth. As life begins to move in slow motion, I am thinking, oh crap, I've got so much to do. I don't know what to do first. I'd like to stop working now so I can focus on the task ahead of me. I will continue working for at least 3 more weeks and then see how I feel. As I get bigger by the minute, I try not to take it to heart when EVERYONE feels the need to comment on how big I'm getting. I especially love the comments about how big my butt is and being asked if I'm having twins. Happy Wednesday!
~Joan
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sugar Coma: Somebody Revive Me!

This is the No Mas Cantina store. I felt like a bull in a china shop with my big belly and all of the fragile items that were around. LOL!








Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Here's How You Know It's 2010
My 5 year old niece is showing my 87 year old grandmother how to play solitaire on the iPhone.Priceless!
~Joan Read more...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Happy New Year!
Okay, so I know I'm like 3 weeks late, but better late than never!
Here is my 6 months picture (notice I am sporting the Macy's Path to Peace O bracelet that my sister gave me for Christmas). I just turned 7 months this week. Unfortunately, I've already gained all of the weight I'm supposed to gain for the whole pregnancy, and I still have 3 months to go. I guess I'm eating too much. I just love food though. Somebody stop me! The nurse literally had to weigh me twice because she thought the scale was wrong or that she had read it incorrectly. Sorry. The scale does not lie (isn't that what the host of Celebrity Fit club always says). Anyway, my second trimester rocked! Now that I'm entering the third trimester, life is getting increasingly difficult. Putting on socks, shoes and underwear, shaving, cleaning, and walking up steps, all seem like Olympic sports these days. And a good comfortable night's rest is a thing of the past. I can't complain too much because I have had a really uneventfully pleasant pregnancy, so thank God for that. I hope you all have had a great start to your new year.
**Prayers for Haiti: Click the button in my left sidebar to donate to disaster relief for the people in Haiti. May God bless our brothers and sister in Haiti!
~Joan
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! This is a random post, but who cares. It's Christmas!
Just finished the little bit of Christmas shopping I had and managed to get all gifts $10 and under (patting myself on the back).
Bought some much needed maternity clothes. My bras and underwear were cutting off my circulation and something needed to be done (was that TMI?)!
I managed to almost give my husband a heart attack. How, you ask? I placed my laptop on the edge of my dresser (dumb, I know). Then instead of detaching the cord from the computer first, I picked it up by the other end. Suddenly the laptop began to spin off of the dresser. I rushed to catch it and...."HONEY, NO!!!!!!!!" screamed my husband. He scared me about half to to death because I'm not sure I've ever heard him scream that loud. The first scream was followed by a, "DAMN THE COMPUTER. LET IT FALL!" Well, I did end up dropping it anyway. I apologized and told my husband I was fine. It was just a reflex. You must understand his concern though. You see I don't have one of those cute 1/2 pound Macbooks. I have a 2003 Dell Inspiron 6000 which weighs almost as much as a desktop. Not to mention, I'm six months pregnant.
My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. Running a close second is Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli's rendition of What Child is This.
I hope you all have a very blessed holiday full of joy and new memories!
~Joan
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I Feel Naked
My fingers are officially too fat for my wedding rings, and I feel completely naked. I put my rings on a chain, but it still doesn't feel right. I keep feeling my finger, and something is missing. Anybody else feel this way when you stop wearing something that you've been wearing for years?
I don't like the feeling :(
~Joan
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
And the Winner is...

From the desk of me... from How Full is Your Bucket?
Congrats on winning a wonderful Path to Peace Basket from Macy's.
~Joan
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Letter: There's Got to Be a Better Way
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Seriously?

Maybe it's just me, but I always thought that "ashy" was synonymous with dry skin. Did they really need to put that on the bottle of lotion and did it need to be 3 times bigger than "dry?"
~Joan
Friday, December 4, 2009
Funny Friday: Lessons Learned
So I'm a little late on my Funny Friday, but I have 2 funny stories to share.
Lessons learned this week...
1. When playing the name game, one should carefully choose the names.
Niece: Let's do Chuck!
Mom: Chuck Chuck bo Buck banana fanana fo....(voice trails off)
Niece: F@#$ Grammy!
My mother and I just had to look at each other and chuckle inside. My mom just moved on to the next name not making a big deal about the profanity that my 5 year old niece had no idea she just uttered.
2. Know where you shop...
A couple of weeks ago, I bought some reindeer antlers from Dollar General. One of them was broken so this week I decided to return it. So I walk into the dollar store back to the isle where I got the antlers from. Hmm that's strange the Christmas stuff isn't over her anymore. I ask the clerk where the antlers are and he directs me to the other side of the store. Hmph, guess they redecorated. I find the antlers, but they are not the same ones I bought before. These were much nicer and were 2 for a dollar. Oh well. I pick up a pair and proceed to check out.
Me: I'd like to exchange these because they are broken.
Clerk: These are not our product.
Me: Yes they are. I bought them from here.
Other Clerk: They're ours, we just don't sell them anymore.
Clerk: Okay, but they are not ours. (Scans item and it gets rejected) See.
Me: Yes they are. Look, I have the receipt right here! (getting a little belligerent and shoving the receipt in her face)
Clerk: Yes honey. That receipt says Dollar General. This is the Dollar Tree!
Me: This is not Dollar General?
Clerk: No ma'm. This is the D-o-l-l-a-r T-r-e-e.
Me: Oh. Oh, I'm so sorry. I really thought this was Dollar General. Sorry.
Clerk: That's okay. Have a nice day!
I sincerely apologize for taking you on that unnecessary roller coaster ride. You see I am almost 6 months pregnant and my brain as I knew it is officially gone. You could have easily had a bad attitude, but you were so patient with me, and for that, I thank you. I am sorry I shoved that receipt in your face as if you were the idiot and not me. But I promise you, I really really thought I was in the Dollar General. Yes, I now know that the sign outside the store clear says Dollar Tree. However, I distinctly remember myself going into your store and getting the antlers so vividly that I couldn't even imagine getting them from somewhere else. I couldn't even tell you where the Dollar General is. Scary. I know, but this is my reality right now. Please pray for me.
Remorsefully,
A Deranged Pregnant Woman
~Joan Read more...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Past the Halfway Mark
Here I am in the same shirt this past Saturday at 21 weeks pregnant. What a difference a month can make!~Joan Read more...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Freckle Face
While viewing a commercial for ProActive:
My Niece: Ooo Grammy, that's what you need!
My Mom: Really? Why do you think I need ProActive?
My Niece: (pointing at my mom's freckles) Because of all of this on your face.
My Mom: Oh no honey, those are just freckles. Your mommy has them too and so does Auntie.
I just have a lot more. Does it look that bad?
My Niece: YES! You should get rid of it!
Ouch! At least she's honest...
Don't forget to enter the Path to Peace contest here.
~Joan
Thursday, November 26, 2009
10 Things I'm Thankful for This Year
2. My Husband
3. My baby boy
4. My family
5. Being employed
6. FOOD
7. SHELTER
8. TRANSPORTATION
9. getting a break from work
10. Barack Obama
What are you thankful for this year? Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
~Joan Read more...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving: Path to Peace Giveaway
As a kid growing up I always loved the holidays: spending time with extended family, playing games, and of course, EATING GREAT FOOD. As a young adult, holiday were not as much fun because my parents got divorced. I felt torn between the two families, so I would spend all of the holidays driving all over creation to please everyone except for myself. Now that I am older and wiser, I do the holidays my way. I go wherever I feel comfortable going, and I've learned how to say no. Surprisingly, no one's feelings are hurt.
This year, we are hosting Thanksgiving at my house. I think it's becoming a tradition. My husband's family came over last year for Thanksgiving and this year my family is coming over. One thing I really love about my family gatherings is the games. You'll find us singing karaoke, throwin' down on some spades or Phase 10, or wildin' out over Taboo or Scene It. If you have a problem with noise, steer clear of my family during the holidays. WE ARE LOUD!
I know you are thinking, okay on with the giveaway. A couple weeks ago I had a giveaway for the Macy's Path to Peace O Bracelet via The Blogrollers. This time I'll be giving away a Macy's Path 2 Peace Basket. 
Here is the basket and placemats I received courtesy of the Macy's Path to Peace project.
Here are some links to more information about how the Path to Peace project is bringing together the women of Rwanda and New Orleans for the greater good of their respective communities.
Rwandan Textiles
The Origin of Path to Peace
Rwandan Recipes
Macy's In-Store Events for Path to Peace
Macy's is having a series of FREE in-store events for Path to Peace. There will be product discounts, door prizes, and special guests from Fair Winds Trading and...you guessed it...Rwanda! Below are the dates and cities. Feel free to spread the word about these events on your blog, to your communities, and to your friends/family. Formal announcements will also be on The BlogRollers Blog prior to each one.
*Atlanta: Macy’s Lenox Square Thu, December 3 - 6:30pm
Washington DC: Macy’s Metro Center Fri, December 4 - 5:30pm
Brooklyn: Macy’s Downtown Brooklyn Sat, December 5 - 3:00pm
Miami: Macy’s Dadeland Home Store Sun, December 6 - 3:00pm
*New Orleans: Macy’s Lakeside Tues, December 8 - 6:00pm
Louisville: Macy’s Oxmoor Center Sat, December 12 - 3:00pm
*The BlogRollers will be live streaming from these events!
You can do any or all of the following to win a basket. The more you do, the more entries you get.
1. Follow my blog
2. Follow me on twitter @joanofalltrades
3. Follow The Blogrollers blog
4. Follow The Blogrollers on twitter @theblogrollers
5. Tweet the contest (link to this post)
6. Post about the contest (link to this post)
*** Best of all, you do not need to write me individual comments for each one. Just leave me 1 comment saying, "I've done x, y, and, z and I would love to win a basket."***
The winner will be chosen by random.org. The contest ends on December 13th at 10pm EST. Good Luck!
Happy Thanksgiving! What are your holiday traditions?
~Joan
Friday, November 20, 2009
Funny Friday: Weekend with the Peeps
Last weekend my dad and his wife came down for a visit. Here are a couple of the conversations that had me saying, WTH. Some of the best laughter I've had this year...
Conversation 1: While watching a tribute to Michael Jackson...
Dad's Wife: Who is Jamal?
Me, Hubs, & Sis: Huh?
Dad's Wife: He is always referring to somebody named Jamal in his songs and I wonder who this Jamal guy is.
Me: Do you mean when he says, "Shamon'?"
Sis: Yeah, you me "Shamon." It's like he is saying, "come on."
Everyone: laughter
Conversation 2: While watching a tribute to Michael Jackson (The Way You Make Me Feel video)...
Dad: Oh, isn't that Tavoy right there on the end?
Me, Hubs, & Sis: Tavoy?
Dad: Yeah! Look!
Me: You mean Latoya???
Dad: Oh yeah whatever...
Everyone: laughter
Conversation 3: Talking about the Blogalicious 2009 Conference
Sis: India Arie even made a quick appearance at The Blogrollers' party.
Dad: Who's India Arie?
Everyone except Dad: OMG!!!!
Conversation 4: In car listening to India Arie...
Dad: I don't know if I like her?
Me: What do you mean? Why not?
Dad: Well, when we were watching her on TV it sounded like she was doing those...you know...drug chants.
Me: Drug chants? What the heck is a drug chant?
Dad: You know...like that rap stuff.
Me: OMG!!! Drug chants? Where did you even get that from? And India Arie is not a rap artist.
Dad: Was she the one with the short hair or the one with the big hair (referring to Jill Scott)?
Me: She was the one with the short hair, but Jill Scott was the other one and she's not a rap artist either.
Dad: Well she sounded like she was doing drug chants.
Me: Sigh. Shaking my head.
Hubs: So why are you calling it drug chanting?
Dad: Because all those rap guys do drugs.
Everyone except Dad: Big SIGH...laughter
I mean did he really say, "bareback on a mule?" What century was this man born in?
What is the funniest thing your parent has said to you in his/her old age?
~Joan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Things I Took For Granted
10 Things I took for granted before becoming pregnant:
1. Breathing: I have not been able to breath for 3 weeks. They say it could last for the rest of my pregnancy. WTH?! You mean I might not be able to breath for the next 5 months?!
2. Running: I think if I ran right now, I would definitely need a medic. Sometimes I forget and catch myself "running" up the stairs. By the time I reach the top, I am panting like a dog in heat.
3. Cleaning: So I had stop cleaning for a while because I just didn't feel like it. I recently got the bright idea to clean the whole house. Why do I feel like I've run a half marathon?
4. My Memory: Not that my memory was the greatest before pregnancy, but now I can't even remember what I was just about to type.
5. Patience: Again, not that my patience was the best before either, but slow and/or bad drivers are getting the horn a little bit quicker these days.
6. My Body: I have gained 14 pounds and it's kind of weird weighing more than I ever have in my life. I know it's normal, but still weird. I wonder what my body will look like post-pardum. Actually, I'm a little scared that my body as I once knew it will be gone forever. It also doesn't help when people say things like, "Dang girl! You gettin' big! Um, gee thanks...
7. Sleeping: I am used to sleeping on my back or my stomach. Yeah, great. Can't do either of those now.
8. Privacy/Personal Space: I normally keep to myself, especially at work. Now everyone is always in my business. Everyone has an opinion about what I eat and what I do. Everyone wants to touch my stomach. I am quite the showpiece right now. I'm not sure how I feel about all the attention. It's okay sometimes, but at times it can be a little annoying.
9. Grooming: Shaving and doing my hair is like asking me to perform surgery at this point, and I am no doctor. My hair takes 3 hours to do, and I just don't have the energy. I am close to giving up on shaving my legs. Can't see...can't reach...who cares...
10. Portion Control: I used to pride myself and attribute my girlish figure to exercising portion control when I ate. I have always loved food, but made it a point to never overeat. Well, that's all out the window. If I had a dollar for every time I used the old "baby has to eat" excuse every time I'm going up for my fourth or fifth helping of food, I'd be rich.
Just sharing. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying...
~Joan



