Four Plus Years Later....

This past weekend I flew to Los Angeles, CA to watch my godson play in his last collegiate game.  He was one of 50 of the best college players selected to play in a special NFLPA collegiate game.  The two teams were the Nationals and the Americans.  NFL scouts were there, so it was their time to shine to show what they could do.  The game was televised on ESPN2.  My godson did well.  He is a linebacker and made the first five tackles of the game.  

I figured this was a good time to reintroduce my godson, Quentin's doll alter ego.

He was dating Brandy, but his good friend Jasmine had a crush on him.  She is the one in the orange top.

I introduced you guys to the real Quentin in June 2011, when I attended his high school graduation.

Here we are Friday, Jan 22, 2016.   What a difference four years makes.  Physically he has changed, but he is still the sweetest, most caring guy I know.

Left to right:  Quenin, his older brother, his first cousin, Andre Reed (former Buffalo Bills player), Quentin's uncle, and his cousin.

Here we are at the game.  Ten of his family members and friends were able to attend. 

Computer is down

Sad to say, my computer will not boot up.  I'm hoping to be back on line later this week. For some reason my tablet won't let me leave comments on any blog.  I was in Los Angeles this past weekend.  I will tell you all about when I'm back on a regular sized computer.

The Ladies Reunite (Photostory)

Danielle felt the house was finally in enough order that she could invite her girlfriends over for a visit.  For those of you who are relatively new to my blog, the stories started with these five families, plus Leslie's family.  Leslie, her husband and two kids are away for the weekend, so Leslie is missing from the group.

The ladies have just finished the grand tour.  This is the first time all the ladies have been together since Danielle announced her pregnancy.

"Thank you guys for coming over and visiting.  It feels like forever since we have sat and chatted.  So what's happening?  Anything going on that I've missed?"  (Danielle)

"Not much talk out there, except about you and your expanding family."  (Vanessa)

"Oh, so I am now the talk around town.  Now that's funny."  (Danielle) 

"People are really happy.  Ever since you and Rod got married, people have been wondering if you were going to have more kids.  You look great, by the way."  (Antoinette)

"Thanks.  I'm not sure I like being part of the conversation that's happening."  (Danielle)

"Well, you were so immersed in the community doing the fundraisers, and hosting the Daddy/Daughter dance.  Everyone knows and loves you.  So we are all happy for you guys.  And this house is gorgeous."  (Sunni)

"Speaking of gorgeous houses, didn't you just move into that new Uptown house?"  (Lisa)

"Yes, we did!  I have to admit, I love it.  I'm not ready for company yet, but you will all be invited over soon."  (Sunni)

"You and Danielle are inspiring me to get my act together."  (Lisa)

"Speaking of that, how are you and Charles making out?"  (Antoinette)

"Well, we made love a couple days ago for the first time in almost a year."  (Lisa)

"What!"  (Vanessa)

"Oops, I forgot the girls were in the next room.  We will talk about the details later.  I'm feeling a lot more hopeful that we can find our way back to each other.  He's still living at his mom's house, but we've been talking about him moving back in."  (Lisa)

"That's great news.  I'm always happy when married people can work through their issues."  (Sunni)

"I'm always happy when married men can keep their parts out of other women."  (Antoinette)

"Antoinette!  The girls."  (Danielle)

The girls they are referring to are Nikaya, and Alicia who are in the next room looking at Nickolodeon.  I don't think they are even paying attention to the conversation, but you never know.

Danielle's stern voice startles Lisa's baby.  Maybe she knows they are talking about her daddy.  (As you may have noticed, Lisa's baby girl has grown.  She was an infant the last time we saw her.)

"Shhh, it's okay.  Ut oh.  Someone needs a diaper change."  (Lisa)

The baby noise sends Vanessa's daughter, Alicia, running to her mommy.

"What?  I thought you were watching tv."  (Vanessa)

"Danielle, where can I change the baby?"  (Lisa)

"You can change her in my room."  (Danielle)

Isn't she adorable?  She is the Hispanic Happy Family baby.  For my purposes, she's just a light skinned AA baby.  I made her little outfit.  

"I'll come with you.  I'm sure Maya is due for a change, too."  (Sunni)

Maya hears her name and looks up from playing.

The ladies grab their babies and diaper bags, and head upstairs.

"Can one of you guys look in on the kids?"  (Danielle)

"Sure."  (Lisa)

Antoinette moves closer to Danielle.

"So tell me.  How did you get Rod to agree to a new house?  I've been talking to Tony (her husband) about moving and he is not budging."  (Antoinette)

"Why don't you call Rod sometime and see if he can give you some insight into how his brother operates.  You know men speak a different language."  (Danielle)

"Excuse me."  (Niyaka)

"Yes, Nikaya."  (Antoinette)

"Mommy, can I call Nicole to see if she can come over?"  (Nikaya)

"This isn't your house.  You can't just invite people over without asking the person who lives here."  (Antoinette)

"Aunty Danielle, is it okay if I invite Nicole over?"  (Nikaya)

"Yes, but there's a chance her mom won't be able to bring her."  (Danielle)

"Okay."  (Nikaya)

"Mommy, where's your phone?"  (Nikaya)

"In my purse."  (Antoinette)

"Has Melanie seen the house yet?"  (Antoinette)

"If you mean the inside, no.  I don't know if she's driven by or not."  (Danielle)

"I heard she wasn't happy about the baby."  (Antoinette)

"Where did you hear that?!"  (Danielle)

"Tony told me."  (Antoinette)

Danielle doesn't know what to say.  She decides to say nothing until she can have a conversation with her husband.

Ut oh.  I guess Rod had the conversation about Melanie with his brother and not his wife.  

Lisa checks in on the kids after changing Chelsea's diaper.  She stands outside the door so they won't see her.  They are in playland heaven.  Jacob and Kenaz are playing with the toys.  The other three are playing school, with Ms. Zahara as the teacher.

"Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"  (Julian)

"No.  No bathroom til you finish your work."  (Zahara)

"Ming, did you finish your lesson?"  (Zahara)

"Yes, Ms. Zahara."  (Ming)

Satisfied that everything is okay, Lisa heads back downstairs.

"So are the kids doing okay?"  (Antoinette)

"They are just as content as ever.  Danielle that playroom is just like having a babysitter."  (Lisa)

"I know.  Jacob will play in there for hours."  (Danielle)

Lisa heads towards Danielle with baby Chelsea.

"Here, it's time for you to refamiliarize yourself with babies."  (Lisa) 

"I don't need an excuse to hold this cutie."  (Danielle)

"Hand me the burp cloth."  (Danielle)

"Hello precious.  Is that a smile?  It is.  You are such a cutie pie."  (Danielle)

Danielle starts getting a little teary-eyed as she looks down at baby Chelsea.  She can't wait to hold her own new baby.  

"Are you okay?"  (Lisa)

"Yep.  I think it's just my hormones, again."  (Danielle)

Roberta's New Furniture (Photostory)

What?  Roberta's furniture is done?  Well almost.  I still need to put the legs on both pieces, and add the throw pillows, but I'm soooo happy to have this much done.  I had the delivery people deliver the living room set today, so Roberta could start using it.  Sharmaine just happened to stop by for a visit.

"Yes, they delivered it about 1/2 hour ago.  You are the first to see it."  (Roberta)

"It's nice, Auntie.  Coomfortable, too."  (Sharmaine)

"I still have to pick out some nice throw pillows.  I'll do that over the next couple of weeks."  (Roberta)

"I've been looking at some nice accent rugs.  I wanted to wait until the pieces arrived to see what size would be best."  (Roberta)

"But that's enough about me and this furniture.  How are you?"  (Roberta)

"I'm doing okay.  Just busy trying to find a place to stay."  (Sharmaine)

"Oh, that's right, you were staying at Danielle's.  Where are you staying right now?"  (Roberta)

"I'm still at Danielle's old place, but I have to be out of there by the end of this month."  (Sharmaine)

"I wish I had two bedrooms, I would offer to let you stay here."  (Roberta)

"That's sweet, Auntie.  I don't think I'm going to have any problem finding something.  Me and a couple of friends were thinking about getting a place together."  (Sharmaine)

"Are these females or males or both?"  (Roberta)

"Females, of course.  I'm not looking to live with any men until I get married."  (Sharmaine)

"Speaking of men and getting married, how is that cute lil' fella you brought to the cookout?"  (Roberta)

"Kobe?  Oh he's fine."  (Sharmaine)

"So you guys are still dating?"  (Roberta)

"Yesss, we are still dating."  (Sharmaine)

"You will have to bring him over for dinner one day."  (Roberta)

"He would like that.  That boy can eat."  (Sharmaine)

"Well check with him and let me know what is a good day."  (Roberta)

"Will JT be there?"  (Sharmaine)

"Probably, unless you don't want him to be."  (Roberta)

"Oh no, that would be great.  I like him and I like the two of you together."  (Sharmaine

 Roberta starts blushing.  

They chat for another 15, 20 minutes before Sharmaine heads out.

Now that Roberta has her furniture, I can finish decorating her house.  It won't be a total overhaul like Danielle's house.  Maybe some new curtains, a new rug, and some greenery to start.  The plan wasn't to have two navy pieces, but I'm hoping to lighten up the room with the pillows and curtains.

P.S.  My computer totally crashed today and I had to take it all the way back to factory settings.  Luckily I had the whole thing backed up, so I didn't lose anything.  When was the last time you backed up your files?