My Favorite Christmas TV Ad!!!

Hey guys!!! How was your Thanksgiving? Mine when well. A very normal day with family and family friends. Oh, and I LOVE normal.

Even got to watch my church service online. Planned the Christmas meal. We will be doing Mexican again like last year. I'll do the rice. Might also try out a small pot of the Ginger Rice that I love a Blue Mesa Grill on the family. Then it was me, "Piece of April" and foot tub with hot water Epsom salt, Isopropyl alcohol, mouthwash & vinegar in it. If you want your feet to fall in love with you put that in your foot bath. Oh, I did feel sad at one point. But I sat with it and made it through.

Prayerfully, I will get through the Bayou Classic (Grambling & Southern) without hard grief. Football Nerd played for Grambling and always reminded me to watch the game. ☺♥☺

Well, I mentioned in the Are We Skipping Thanksgiving post, my favorite Christmas commercial is the Hershey Kisses Handbell Choir. That commercial gives me fond memories of elementary school. Every year in the 5th & 6th grades we got to pick three choices for Fine Art classes. Then we were assigned to a class out of those choices. Every year, I would put down

1. Piano

2. Orchestra

3. General Music

Every year I was placed in General Music, As a preteen, I would feel slighted. Now, as an adult, I feel blessed to have been assigned to that class. In that class, I learned true music appreciation. I learn the history of music. We studied a few operas like Madame Butterfly. I learned to sing many songs. I also know how to read music and play the following instruments

Tambourine

Glockenspiel

Xylophone

Handbells

Recorder

I still have my recorder. It's in my mom's (my former) bottom dresser drawer. Who knows "Twinkle Twinkle"? Let's meet up!!! We can have a jam session. LoL

The Hershey Kisses Christmas commercials also remind me of a time & a place where a heavy, big busted, awkward & clumsy preteen could find a tad bit of refuge. For some odd reason in that class, I was never teased.  Our teacher was the best. She was firm but caring. I sometimes ask one of my cousins who was once a music colleague of hers at their church how is she doing and he fills me in. I just had a great time in a class I didn't realize at the time would help shape me culturally. I remember taking Music Appreciation at UT-Arlington and knowing a lot of what my professor would present. I made an A in that class. I have to say Elementary General Music may have been a part of getting that A.

I love to see handbell choirs. One of the best parts about catching a Christmas Eve service on TV. If the church doesn't have a Christmas handbell choir, why are you on my TV?  The gloves and rhythmic ringing put a childlike grin on my face. If you ever see me when that commercial comes one you would get a kick out of me. I am the silver kiss directing the other bells. I learned that tune as a kid too. Give me some sheet music. I have some gloves.

Yes, be on the lookout for posts about my favorite Christmas Song & Movie. The Song may not shock you but the Movie might stump you. Let's just say it is an 80s reboot. Well off that watch some TV. Maybe the Hershey Kisses Christmas ad might come on and I will get to direct.

☺☺☺

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Shondaland Winter Finale Recap (Yes and More Observations, Theories & Wishful Thinkful)

I finally left that place Thursday with a shocked & confused looked on my face. I was perplexed. Not only did Shonda Rhimes debunked All my Theories, she also gave me more to think about.

Grey's Anatomy

First I want to give Shonda Rhimes a Great BIG Thank You for the breakup of Callie & Arizona.

I hated them together. I don't like Arizona. She is a good pediatric surgeon but spoiled & selfish person. Callie can do so much better. I Do Not want them back together. Please Keep Them Divorced!!!

Arizona will be busy anyway. She has to learn from the great Dr. Herman before she dies.
Or will she??? Amelia Shepherd feel likes she could turn the illness around for her. Will she accept the offer especially since Arizona snuck and got her personal records to give or Amelia.

Richard & Maggie are finally starting to heal. Got a little shaky there for a moment. After she told him off on the Shepherd's porch,

I just knew it was going to be 2015 before she would come around. But I told you Meredith would be the common thread to mend all of this. I loved when Maggie told Meredith she was excited about dinner at her house because as a single person she was lonely. I really loved when Meredith took her to the Grey home and let her know that she was welcomed to use that as a loneliness refuge. 

Well Ellis Grey's daughters are playing nicely. Now can we get her oldest girl's marriage out of limbo when we come back. I knew he going to take the job. Meredith kept on pushing him.
I predict they will drag this out until the finale. And if the rumors about Patrick Dempsey leaving the show, a Divorce decree will be sent to Meredith.

The baby of April & Jackson is having bone problem in the womb. And who knows this, Stephanie Edwards, Jackson's ex.

I will predict there will be drama. The words jealous and bitter will thrown Edwards way. Jackson & April will fight about what plan of action should be done about the fate of Baby Japril. Catherine Jackson & Karen Kepner will join forces and become Super Grandmas to keep some sanity to these awaiting parents. I know that is frightening

Scandal

Ok I was wrong about a Mellie-Olivia showdown. But that Mellie-Elizabeth showdown was the best.

I can't wait for the a Mellie-Andrew showdown. Mellie is going spit fire upon this man's head. Mellie is Back!!!

Okay Olivia Pope has been Kidnapped. The Fixer has been stolen. First episode back, All hands will on be deck. That will include Papa Rowan/Eli Pope.

Oh Fitz & Jake will need his help. But when they find out Papa Pope's help comes at a price or he is actually working with Andrew & Elizabeth to set the "Fixer-Napping" up, they better not be shocked. If they are I will them that "Shut all That Crying Up" look of Maya Pope.

Oh and Huck's wife will come around and allow him slowly back in. Let's just hope it's not too late to save the mental stability of little Javi. He can't unsee his daddy kill that man and that can mess a kid up.

How to Get Away With Murder

Okay yes my theory was debunked. 

Now for my theory. Sam Keating's murder may have been an accident. He goes to confront Rebecca and it got violent and he's dead. She called Wes and the other students and they "help" her. Annalise Keating does Not know her husband is dead, right now. The point of the show is "How we, Keating's client & students got away with the murder & cover up of her husband". This will be a big cat & mouse game with one question, Will Annalise Keating ever find out?

All Sam had to do was die the first time when he fell chasing Rebecca and the others. The accident part would not have been so off. As for Annalise not know well she's like Papa Pope on Scandal, they just have to know everything. I could Not with TV when they showed her at that desk when Wes apologized to Sam's lifeless body.

I can't wait to see the events that she saw through her eyes. 

How does I feel about Sam being the murderer? I'm good with that. It gives him another bargaining chip to use with Keating. I am just happy it was not Fine. Fine. Nate.

That character is already bitter & scornful because he lost his job (Because of Bonnie, not Annalise and I wish that would be told to him). I didn't want my Eye Candy to be a killer also. My heart couldn't handle it.

Now my heart can handle that Nate, Annalise, & Bonnie are in on the alibis. When Annalise fired Bonnie, I think that was a rouse. Annalise may have been planning to kill Sam herself and Bonnie was in on the plan. The plan went awry when 4 of the Keating 5 and Rebecca got in the way. Plans had to change when she saw him dead. Wes filled her in on the details. That phone call to Bonnie was so Annalise could catch her up to speed on the details.
Nate is in on the 2nd albi after Sam was dead. Why??? Sam is dead & out the way. I'll keep you secret as long as you have sex with me. Also if Nate gets his job back, don't be surprised. Also don't be surprised when 4 of the Keating 5 (maybe all 5 if Bonnie who slept with Asher sways Annalise) get automatic A's in the class. 

Laurel will tell Frank during pillow talk. Sam will be at a crossboard.

The Season Finale we will find out who actually killed  Lila Standgard.

So that's that!!! I might be back after the first shows of the Spring. I have feeling Scandal will move quick with getting Olivia Pope back. She is the linchpin. 

So would do you think about what is going on in Shondaland so far? Leave your comments in the inbox.

Always, Talking to You in Adult

Oh Yeah, can we All sing "Vagina"!!! LOL That was so Funny!!!
I ♥♥♥ Drunk Meredith & Callie!!!

Racey, Don't Leave Me! The Ending of The Unwritten Rules

First it was RoomieLoverFriends now The Unwritten Rules has ended. I've known for a week or two.
It still makes me sad. I really like that web series.

It is about Racey Jones and her journey in being the only black woman in her department at work. It is a hilarious view on an issue many black people face everyday. Each episode ends with a rules or lesson to be learned.

It is based on a great book (Yes, I read it) called "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a N***er, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman" by Kim Williams. Aasha Davis stars a Racey. Racey's superior is Kathy. Kathy is racist. Not KKK racist but the kind that knows how to play the affirmative action ball as long as blacks are in their place.

Well, of course the blacks (Especially the new CEO, Kaneisha Jackson) don't stay in their place and Kathy can't take it.

Also to add to the white worry of Racey is Jessica & Lauren. The mean well but with their unawareness to their white privilege keeps Racey questioning their motives and friendship.

Oh white people are not the only headache causing people on the show for Racey. Craig & Derek, who understand the plight of Racey have different agendas they want met at work. Both take different paths in executing them. Both affect Racey. Racey's only allies in the show are her co-worker, Peter, Kaneisha's assistant, Annabelle and her boyfriend, Will.


Yeah, I watched the Series Finale during the lunch hour.

Racey was at a crossroads. Should she stay or should she go? I'm not going spoiled the ending but I will focus on one the scenes in the beginning of the episode. Racey asks Kaneisha how did she not lose her mind while being the only black woman to eventually becoming the CEO. Kaneisha told her how she did it in very creative way to me.
"It is all just a game. And you just have to grab the ball and force everyone to play with you"
That was powerful advice, in my opinion. And "the game" becomes a good point of thought for Racey in this episode. I'll give you a spoiler hint, "The field will change and Racey will make a decision, then". I loved the ending. It stopped on the right point and the last rule was perfect.

Gosh, I can Relate. For me it started...
I told y'all I lived an all black life until I got to middle school. Yet, it was not until I got into Lamar University's Nutrition & Dietetics classes did I experience life as the only black. It started Summer I. I am a career Code Switcher whose experience with race (Blacks were a different, too) at this school was already eye opening. But even that didn't prepare me for this experience. First, it was the name game. My biological name always gets butchered. I was used to it. I was prepared for it. I was not prepared for the relief I saw when I corrected the saying of my name. It was like they were prepared for me to have an attitude. Then the questions about how I got the name and the practicing to say it right. Yes, they broke it down into syllables. Secondly, some how became the expert for the eating habits and self image of black people. "So, do you think Black people feel that BMI & body shape charts are for White people only"? I'll never forget that day to save my life.

There I was a full hourglass, maybe an apple shaped black woman sitting among quite a few rectangles and inverted triangles wondering when my name became "All Black People". Third, when Fall began and all those black students I saw come in and out the building before that Summer I session returned. The first day of Fall classes I heard a few black students murmur in confusion about who I was and why did all the white people know me. I saw the writing on the wall quickly. Well, the instructor wanted us to pair off and that we would be partners for the semester. I ended up being partners with the newest new student to the department, a hispanic woman around my age. She was one of the best partner ever. Fourth was when I decided to help drum up some business for my buddy Dee and got my hair cornrowed. My classmate, Becky was so enamored with my hair. "These are extensions, right"? She was so disappointed when I took them down and put my hair back into a bun. Finally, Summer I of the next school year rolled around. I walked in and I saw this lone black lady's eyes light up when I walked in. She was new & was happy to see my black face. She clinged to me for few classes until she found her stride.

If you watched the show, some of these life experiences would remind you of  the episodes,

Let's Talk About Hair

The Whack Girl (Which actually describe my feeling at LU as a whole)

Just A Group Of Us (When Craig gets there)

Guess Who's Coming to the Fundraiser.







My Favorite Episode:
The Merry Christmas episode is so funny. It starts when Racey is chosen to decorate her team's cubicle. Who does she bring?

She brings Leroy, the Black Santa!!! It gets the conversation about the ethnicities of Santa and Jesus.

Then at the holiday party, the company finds out the old CEO is being brought up on charges and in comes the New CEO, Kaneisha Jackson. Racey & Craig have party at the party. The company was being ran by a black woman, Oh Happy Day!!! The Merry Christmas is the beginning of the harder conversation underlying within the show. What is "race'" in post-Obama USA? After Jackson gets there, the show looks a lot like the current political climate in this country. The Republicans (Kathy) got violently upset at the changes. The "Black Voters" (Craig & Derek) that were first on board may or may not stay on board because of the changes don't exactly fit their agenda. And All the citizens who just want a better, fairly ran country (Racey & Peter) but see their voices being quieted by the others.

Fascinating work, I say!!! I'm going to miss this show. I love the theme song also (that is not it in the clip). It's called Ox Tails by French Telefone. Pick it up on ITunes & Amazon. Oh when you watch Unwritten Rules,

Check out another series on Ink Spot Entertainment channel called Everything I Did Wrong in My 20's. It is very life affirming. I have yet not to finish an episode in awe or in tears. Also as I said in my tweet you saw, there will be other thought provoking shows in 2015 to "Start A Conversation".



Don't know what I will watch on the first Wednesday of the month now but I am glad I spent past ones with The Unwritten Rules. One day hope these rules are broken. One Day... and Even on that day, Racey Rules!!!

Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Oh I Forgot!!!!

In Your Presence...

For the past few nights I have been thinking about this topic. I decided to share it with you guys, my Blogger audience. It will be quick

At the Big Box store near my sister's home there is this male worker I've seen a couple times (actually just saw him this past weekend) that always speaks. He says the same thing when he sees me.
Him:    "Hey. How are you doing"?
Me:      "Hi. I'm fine and yourself"?
Him:    "Great, now that I see you".
I always smile & chuckle in response. No matter how I may look in the store that is what he says.

Tired Eyes + Headache = The Specs

No matter how focused I am (because grocery shopping is not on my faves list) that is what he says. I don't know his name and what he says may very well be his standard line. (I'll await comments and/or questions from the FBFs that have seen me there (and other nosy FBF) on FB.) But let's play the "What If" game.

The word Presence comes to mind. Presence means the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing.

What if every time I walked into that store and my presence really did brighten that man's day? What if everywhere I went, I brightened someone's day? It makes me think about what does our presences say when we are anywhere, especially in places where most people don't know us. Just the fact of being somewhere like a store, park, bank, etc, not even saying a word and just moving about doing whatever activity that is done, can speak to someone.

That is powerful.

I would hate to know that my sheer being somewhere turned a virtual stranger off. That would tell me that my aura stunk with negativity. I consider myself a mostly positive person. This is Pic Collage is I have envision what I look like on the inside.

I don't want strangers to feel they would get Ms. Tired Sweat Pants all the time by being around a few moments simple energy I giving to the atmosphere. Especially if I thought I was giving out positive energy.

So, let's work on what Presence is saying. Let's work making "just being around" us more positive. Never know how "Great, Now That I See You" feeling you could give someone without ever saying a word.

Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Are We Skipping Thanksgiving This Year!!!

I know this cold weather has me hibernating at night but I know didn't miss Thanksgiving. Did I miss the memo about skipping Thanksgiving? I hope not because that means I won't get to curl up in bed that night after everyone has left with my mother's green bean casserole (She omits milk & soy sauce & add cheese soup) and watch the best Thanksgiving movie ever, Pieces of April.

I really don't want to miss doing that.

Oh I didn't miss Thanksgiving!!! There was No memo stating to skip Thanksgiving!!!
Then Can We Act Like It???

For the past few years I think the Christmas sights are starting earlier and earlier. We barely get finished passing out Halloween/Harvest?Hallelujah Night candy. I know what it is. We are excited to celebrate the birth of the man sent from God, who came to die for our iniquities, rise in three days with All power in his hands and ascend to Heaven to make preparations so, he can come back for us.

Oh I get it. But can we acknowledge the day we made to set aside to be thankful for not just for Jesus' birth but for Everything, God the Father blesses us with.

I know that is not the initial reason why American Thanksgiving (I'm thankful for that also) was made but we Americans can't even keep our own traditions. We spit on the our own observances to go shopping in the middle of the day to buy more stuff . I wonder how many Christmas gifts are actually bought during these early "Black Friday" sale days. I just heard a consumer advisor say the cheapest an oven will be 3:oo pm Thanksgiving day. Who will be giving a oven this year? I would love to meet the giver because that is a great gift. And who is truly benefiting? Not the worker who can't enjoy the day of gratefulness because they are at work. They have to corral you crazed sale wanting shoppers. Not your pocket books because that's why you want the sales, you afford that stuff at regular prices. Maybe the economy but that is just a short while because when are we buying like this the rest of the year.

Again I said I get it. Oh it is a sale before the hustle and bustle. I've been known to buy something for a Christmas gift for someone in September because it won't be there when I come back. What I don't understand the spirit of ungratefulness the early shopping is done in. Pushing and shoving for a deal, opening stores before 12 am the day after Thanksgiving, advertising Christmas commercials early promotes that spirit. Everyday is a Day of Thanksgiving but when I see Hershey showing my favorite Christmas commercial

(Next month I'll discuss that) before most of us have bought all the Sweet Potato pie ingredients (still need to get potatoes),
it makes you question are we being sheepily lead into believing that Thanksgiving day should be canceled.  I hope not. I would hate to see in the future we become a country that Never sits down as a whole show God all the gratitude he is owed, Consumerism & Commercialism are trying to take advantage by using our excitement to celebrate Jesus' birth. Don't let those greed factions beaugard the Thanksgiving spirit away by pushing up the sights of Christmas up earlier.

Okay I'm jumping off my soap box. What are doing for Thanksgiving? What are you cooking? Anybody celebrating the day with a Friendsgiving? Let me know in the comments.
And if I don't talk to you on that day, Happy Thanksgiving!!! Not an Early Thanksgiving because Everyday is a Day of Thanksgiving. Whoo, I could shout off that fact right there. I know I'm so churchy but you love me because I am.

Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms