Family and Beach Fun!

I took my first road trip with my sister, my 2 youngest and my niece to see our cousins in Winterville, North Carolina. They moved down there 2 years ago and it was my first time seeing them in about 4 years. I like where they live. It's really nice and cozy. It is on the list of places I would move too. We went to Atlantic Beach too and I truly enjoyed that! Gotta love the beach!

Is it me, or are the clouds lower in NC than anyplace else? They were absolutely beautiful!!!

Peace and love.
Charisse

Hey Y'all....Long time no see...Aint he FINE????

I got a bunch of random stuff to talk about today...

-The trip to ATL ended up being extremely fun and happy time because we celebrated Love's mom's life! She was a fun woman and so her children and extended family had fun instead of wallowing in sorrow. The services were all held in Macon and we got together at Love's uncle's house to celebrate! Then we all went back to ATL and Love and I house-hopped to make sure we had everybody covered. The only downside was that Love was so overcome with emotion and pain when he saw his mom for the first time in the chapel that he punched the wall. His strong hand was no match for the brick, mortar and touch of asbestos in that old Macon funeral home. It swelled up, turned colors and everything. He went to the dr. when we got back to NY and they claim it isnt broken but wanted to wait until the swelling went down to exam it again. It is almost back to normal size and color, but still hurts. I can't wait until he takes x-rays.

-My oldest, Diva, has done what she wants to do and will continue to do so no matter what. She sent me a nasty email disowning me and disrespecting me, then posted a disrespectful note on my Facebook wall. I just responded to both by telling her that I love her and hope all is well with her. Her father was supposed to take over and do some stuff but it doesnt seem that way. He doesnt like to share things with me, and so I only know what I happen to find out here and there. I see that her little missives to me are actually very informative so I take them with a grain of salt and try to look for the good in them. At least I know she is alive! I figure that I will get served with some papers soon from her father, for either ceasing child support since she doesnt live with me, and/or custody. Either way he will lose so I am not worried.

-Love's daughter, Miss Missy, and my youngest, Little Momma, both had dance recitals this past week! They did so very well and I am so proud of both of them! I used to dance when I was younger too. I even went to the Dance Theater of Harlem for a summer when I was 13. I miss dancing and keep saying that I want to get back into it! I need to get off my ba-dunk and do it!

-Love and I like to get out early in the morning and spend quality time together, just talking and connecting to each other, getting coffee and sorting out our days. I feel that it is the most important thing we do to maintain our relationship with each other and I wouldnt trade it for another hour or so of sleep, as much as I may complain inside about really wanting to sleep later. LOL

-While on a morning run in ATL after borrowing his sister's car, I had this feeling, in my left ring finger. A feeling like I needed to have something on that finger and in my mind, I heard "someone" telling me that I needed to get that divorce that I have been putting off. The feeling was very strange, almost real, like a ring was actually on my finger and then having those words go through my head, it was very surreal. I later told Love that I would be work on getting the papers together so that I could be free from the ex (Moe) by the end of the year. Love smiled but didnt say a word. I told him that just in case he decided to propose to me when we hit 20 years together, I wanted to make sure I was free! LOL

Ok, that's it for right now y'all.

Peace and love..
Charisse

Going to the ATL.....but not for vacation :(

Love's mother passed away on Friday, May 1st. He took it pretty well but I know from experience that it will truly hit at the funeral.

Ms. Margaret is a woman who raised 8 wonderful children, with lots of laughter and love. A woman who endured physical abuse and kept going strong. A woman who endured two of her sons going to prison and loved them the same. A woman who worked to provide when her husband was too ill to work and stayed dedicated and true until the day he passed away 10 years ago. A woman who was able to live a less strenous and leisurely life in Atlanta after her husband passed because of the children who brought her there and provided for her day in and day out to pay her back for the love and more she provided for them.

Before she became my mother in law, she was my best friend's mother. I spent a lot of time at their house, fooling around and hanging. Ms. Margaret was always there, cooking something, talking sense into us and making us laugh so hard that our sides would be sore. This is how I will always remember her. She was very no-nonsense and very sweet at the same time. A reflection of the life she lived and how life in general had treated her.

I respect her so much and now that she is gone, that respect will live on more and more each day because although I was in the family through her youngest daughter, I am doubly in the family because of being loved by Love.

She indeed gave me a blessing and I am eternally grateful.

Airline tickets to and from Atlanta, Georgia - $800
Cost of dog boarding that was quickly replaced by Plan B - $200
Having a Joyful Celebration in bright colors for Margaret Ann Reeves Sr. -
PRICELESS