The M Spot

How Do You Make Friends?

Thursday, May 24, 2012 by Jenni

A while back I took a typical trip to the nail salon for a pedicure and some “me” time. While I waited, I ~~overheard~~ eavesdropped on a conversation between a nail tech and a female customer. The nail tech was of Asian decent the customer,Hispanic. *I’m only specifying this because it may have some bearing in the point of this post…may.*

Anyway, the customer is saying something that was really annoying me at the time but escapes me now. *Obviously, it’s not important to the story or I would remember!* So, I deduced she wasn’t someone I would get along with. Of course, it didn’t matter if she was or not because we were in the nail salon and I’ve never made an actual friendship connection in nail salon!

Fast forward to me sitting in the massage chair having my feet pampered. The female customer ends up in the chair beside me. Our techs are hilariously funny and goofy. While joking around with them, I realize the female customer has a sense of humor and is quite nice. In between the awful jokes the techs are telling, I’m playing Scrabble on my iPhone. My the female customer’s tech asks, what I’m doing and I tell him. I’m floored to find out he has NEVER heard of Scrabble! I almost fall out of my comfy chair when the female customer admits the same! I proceed to show them the screen and explain the game. I tell them the game is an American classic and they have to play at least once. That gets the female customer to tell me that she and her friends have game nights often where they play cards and board games, etc. *At this point I’m really not understanding why she’s never heard of Scrabble * Then it happened!

She says she must get my cell number before we leave the salon and invites me to her home for game night!

Ok call me crazy, but I don’t randomly give my number to strangers I’ve met for 20 minutes in the nail salon. *Granted, I’ve given my number to guys in clubs, bars, airports, but I was a 20 something then and that’s besides the point!* I really thought an invite to her home was a bit forward for the start of an impromptu friendship! Could we start with getting together for coffee at Starbucks, lunch at Panera or at least see each other again at the nail salon?! I had no clue where her house was, what her living situation was, what kind of friends she had… or if her idea of “game night” was to sacrifice a seemingly innocent, 30 something, black female with perfectly polished toes! *Too much?! Ok!* Also, have you noticed I haven’t used her name? Well, it’s not for anonymity purposes, it’s because I have NO CLUE what it is!!! How do invite someone to your home and they don’t even know your name?!

Maybe this is a common thing in her culture. Has being born and raised in America made me so skeptical I can ‘t even take a nice gesture for face value?

That may very well be the case. However, needless to say, I smiled nicely and said “sure”, then quietly forgot to give her my number as I snuck out of the salon.

Please know, I make friends with new people I meet all of the time. I’m a regular social butterfly! However, they are usually people I encounter through friends I already have. You know, my friend pool! That way I know someone I trust and love has already vetted them for instances of crazy, deranged, psycho tendancies:)

What do you think? Did I totally overreact? Would you have given her your number and gone to game night?! Do you have steps to making friends with with people outside of your friend pool?

Posted in I'm just saying | Tagged friends, game night, nail salon, Scrabble | 6 Comments »

We Need a Vacation…but Where?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Jenni

We I’m are trying to plan a family vacation. I’m all over the place with this. It’s so unlike me and it’s driving me nuts! I usually hone in on a place and idea and run with it. Now, I can’t lock in what I want to do or where I want to go. I do know the ocean and sand are a must. If only I could pick a coast or country, I would be just fine. I plan to take RJ for his passport pictures this week…just in case our travels take us out of the U.S. He needs a passport on hand, anyway. I’m not sure when we will be able to take a real vacation after this year, so I don’t want to sleep on the opportunity. I’m just shocked that I’m so indecisive on the issue.

Some of my girlfriends also want to take a trip this year. There just isn’t enough time or money for that! We really need a REAL family vacation so I’m trying to focus my energies on that. I would love to head back to Anguilla, my all time FAVORITE vacay spot, but it’s VERY laid back and though lounging on the beach or island hopping would be wonderful for me and Hubby, I would want something more exciting for RJ. *Maybe that’s just a me and Hubby or girlfriends only trip, for now!* I thought about a cruise, but we want to take the trip in September and RJ won’t be two. Children have to be two years old to participate in the onboard kids clubs. Some will keep younger kids but only during certain hours of the day. Also, since we would have to keep him with us at all times, he would be too young for a lot of the excursions off the ship. So, I would rather be on land somewhere. That brings me to my first two choices, Anahiem, California or Miami, Florida. Anahiem because it smack dab in the middle of LA and San Diego. It’s chocked full of family friendly attractions, we could hit the beach and we can knock two more baseball stadiums off our list, yes that’s one of our lists, the Angel and Dodger. *We would then be able to cross all Cali teams off the list * Miami is closer to home, of course there is the beach and I’ve found oodles of family friendly activities.

Now, I just have to decided where Mommy and Daddy would enjoy themselves the most and quickly before airfare gets ridiculous! Are you taking a family vacation or any vacation this year? If so, where’s your destination?

A look at some of my past vacation destinations:

Anguilla, British West Indies

San Francisco, California

Belize City, Belize

Tybee Island, Georgia

Asheville, North Carolina

Muir Woods – Mill Valley, California

Mission Beach – San Diego, California

Royal Caribbean Cruise – Somewhere in the Atlantic

Charleston, South Carolina

Key West, Florida

Ochos Rios, Jamaica

Chicago, Illinois

Posted in If we took a holiday | Tagged family vacation, travel | 8 Comments »

Happy Mother’s Day!

Friday, May 11, 2012 by Jenni

I want to wish all mothers a wonderful Mother’s Day. Relax and enjoy your family!

This Mother’s Day, I remember my mother, all she life lessons she taught me and all of the wonderful memories she gave me.

I also thank God for the blessing that is my son. I’m honored to be his mother.

Posted in If we took a holiday | Tagged children, Mother's Day, mothers | 3 Comments »

Well, Hi There!

Thursday, May 10, 2012 by Jenni

It has been awhile, huh?! This post is strictly a recap of what I’ve been up to the last several weeks!

Easter was low-key. Mass and a buffet brunch at one of my favorite restaurants. I’m glad we had an early reservation because it was fairly empty wen we arrived. It started to get crowded by the time RJ started to turn back into a pumpkin, so it was good we were done. Later that day RJ and I dyed eggs for the first time:)

Easter baskets for the guys.

The week after Easter, we loaded up the car and headed to NYC. Hubby wanted to see his aunt who was dying from brain cancer. (She passed away a couple of weeks after our trip.) Also, his sister was having her 30th birthday party and one of his little cousins was having a his 1st birthday party. (The little cousin is the grandson of his aunt with cancer.) So, as always our NYC trip was jammed packed. We did manage to see family friends we rarely get a chance to visit, I got to spend time with my sister and we took RJ to the Queens Zoo. The drive back was a NIGHTMARE!! We always try to maximize our time in the city which means leaving around mid-day. That not a good idea when travelling with a toddler who hates the car seat. Well, a screaming toddler and the fact that I got a speeding ticket in NC has finally convinced Hubby that we should no longer drive to NYC!! Hallelujah!

Little cousin’s birthday party. RJ was NOT a fan of Cookie Monster!

Hubby and his Titi Aida dancing at his sister’s party.

Abuelo, Hubby and RJ in the fake Bald Eagle’s nest in Queen’s Zoo.

Our new floors were installed a week after we returned from our trip!!! Let me say I LOVE LOVE LOVE the floors! They have altered the entire look and feel of our home and I’ve fallen in love with our home all over again! The installers were wonderful! They gave us the lowest price. Their work was impeccable and they were very efficient! They got the job done in one day. I highly recommend Greene Flooring!! Ben is awesome:)

Before…

After…

It’s May! Two nights ago I finished up the Mother’s Day gifts for RJ’s grandmothers. I think they will like it. Here is a sneak peek. *Sometimes his grandmothers read my blog.*

This weekend I kick off my May travel season! First up ATL. One of my dearest and oldest friends is getting her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health. So, I’m heading south Friday afternoon. I’ll spend time with another girlfriend that night and we will both head to the graduation bright and early Saturday morning. I’ll attend her luncheon after the ceremony and then head home. Originally, I was going to make this weekend my “Me, Myself and I” weekend and stay until Sunday evening, then I discovered it was Mohter’s Day weekend. I think I will cancel my alone weekend, for now, because we’ve decided to take a nice family vacation later this summer. So, I’ll save the money.

Next weekend, my sister is getting her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She lives in NYC. I’m sad I won’t make it, but I’m happy I got to see her a few weeks ago. However, I will be heading to Charlotte for a girlfriend’s baby shower. We are letting her use some of the RJ’s baby gear, so I’ll have to get Hubby to go in the attic and get that stuff.

Then, we head to the Lowcountry of SC, Charleston area, for Memorial Day weekend. My nephew is graduating high school that Saturday morning and my little cousin will graduate high school that evening!

June is right around the corner, but so far it looks like it will be a quiet one for us…so far…

Thanks so much for still stopping by to read the blog even though I’ve been MIA:)

Posted in Day to Day | Tagged ATL, Charleston, Easter, floors, graduation, NYC, Queens Zoo, travel | 6 Comments »

Dear Blog,

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by Jenni

Life has been very busy here lately. So, like always, you are the first one to suffer! It all started with Easter. I almost drove myself batty running around looking for Easter basket goodies as if I were looking for the perfect Christmas gift. I jumped straight out of Easter into our NYC trip. Packing and over packing was the name of the game. *Is there a therapy group for over packers? * Somewhere in there, I squeezed in an appointment to the ENT for RJ. *He will have tubes placed in his ears next week.* We purchased the flooring for downstairs and chose a company to install it. *We’re picking up the flooring this week, the install happens next week.* I’ve also been on two planning committees for work related events. The smallest event was last Monday. A larger event will be held this coming Monday and then we have our 2nd largest fundraising event of the year, a black tie, live auction gala on the 28th. I’m also supposed to be planning a Spring Fling event for RJ’s daycare, but I don’t think I can fit that in… I should probably get around to telling them that, huh?! Oh and May doesn’t let up! A baby shower and 3 graduations, 3 consecutive weekends. The M Spot tour will make stops in Charlotte, Atlanta, and the Lowcountry!

So you see, my calendar has been and is very full! However, you’re always so understanding and forgiving! That’s why I love you so:)

image source

Posted in Day to Day | Tagged blog neglect, blogging, busy, travel | 7 Comments »

It’s Iggin Me

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by Jenni

Hello my name is Jennifer and I love the movie Stomp the Yard! I loved the music, ~~stepping~~ dancing and most of all the eye candy. However, when the sequel came out I didn’t go see it. Well, while channel surfing a few nights ago, I caught the last 15 minutes of the Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming. Those few minutes validated my choice not to pay an arm & a leg to see the movie in the theater. Ummmm…ummmm…What The Hell?!!! How do you take the fineness who are Columbus Short, Darren Henson, Brian White and Laz Alonso and replace it with the likes of David Banner??!!! Where they do that at?! Ok, Pooch Hall is awight, but huh? Thank goodness for the few glimpses of Columbus I was able to catch or I would have be too through!

First, let me just say, if you or someone you hold near and dear to your heart is a supporter of or takes part in this, it is my personal opinion that you need to RUN not walk to your nearest mental health provider! The other morning, I was watching The Today Show and saw this story about “reborn dolls”. For those that didn’t see the story, female baby boomers are filling a need to nurture their now adult children by collecting and caring for realistic looking dolls. One lady drove to some gym with the doll in a car seat! There is no need for me to go on about this, is there? I’m just saying collecting dolls is one thing, but a grown a** woman putting a doll in a car seat and taking it to story time at the library…. I mean Ann Curie was interviewing these chicks as they are rocking and doting on these dolls as if they are humans! You can tell she’s thinking “There are days I love what I do and then there are days like these!”

Speaking of The Today Show, who told them that all of their regular viewers, such as myself, wanted to be force fed hefty doses of Sarah Palin this morning? Was there a vote? If so who voted? I had to click over and see what Gayle was talking about on CBS This Morning! *Note to The Today Show: Don’t do that again!*

Finally, we are process of getting rid of the carpet on our downstairs floors and replacing it with a laminate floor. For about a week, I’ve had various floor installers in and out of the house for estimates. Some for just removal of the existing floors and installation of flooring we would purchase separately. Some for the whole kit and caboodle, purchase of flooring, removal of existing floors, and installation. Yesterday, I met with the final candidate. This was the only large chain we had come in. He showed me their product, which came with a good warranty but didn’t look as good as others I’d seen. He went through what I’ve come to know as the usual steps of opening and closing doors and measuring. Then, we sat down to discuss $. He pulled out his trusty calculator and got to work. He then, very pleased with himself, presented me with the total. He was $5,000 OVER our highest estimate!!! *That includes a kit and caboodle installation of hardwood flooring.* He gave me the deal about how much better their product is and blah, blah blah. Then, he got on the phone with his manager to work out a “better” deal for me! Whatever! A note to businesses out there who meet with the lady of the house and think we’re just going to fall for the okie doke! THINK AGAIN!! I’m no dummy. I’m not falling for that “deal” you “worked” with your “manager” in front on the phone in front of me. Oh and you say he ”never” makes an offer like that?? Oh really? The “deal” that put the price closer to where it should have been from the get go? Whatever! No one in their right mind would pay that high ass price I was quoted without getting a “deal”. Did I mention we were looking a laminate floors for 640 square feet?! I hope he found another fool because “She” was not the one!

Posted in I'm just saying | Tagged flooring estimates, floors, home improvement, reborn dolls, Stomp the Yard, Stomp the Yard 2, The Today Show | 3 Comments »

The Park: Then and Now

Saturday, March 24, 2012 by Jenni

The weather has been wonderful here. Last week, we took RJ to the park for the first time this year! Though we spent time outdoors with him last year, I realized I’d only taken him to the park to play once last year. I’d taken him for rides through the park in his stroller but not to actually play. He was too young and not walking during the warm weather months. Well that has all changed. He was walking around, climbing stairs and sliding down the slide, and crawling through tunnels all by himself yesterday. He had a blast and we enjoyed watching him play. Just look at how much he has grown!