Redskins Wk: Trampled by the "Giants"

While I was on my way home from New York, the Giants were in town trampling the Skins.


New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) carries the ball through Washington Redskins safety Chris Horton (48), linebacker Rocky McIntosh, rear right, and defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, front right, during the second quarter of their NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Nov 24, 2008

Redskins Wk 12: With much insight, they caught the Hawks

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss catches a pass with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Kelly Jennings defending during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, in Seattle. Jennings was called for interference, setting up a touchdown for Washington. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"
Greetings,

Yes, the wait for the much anticipated cookbook from Cynthia at Taste Like Home will be available on January 23, 09. Congratulations Cynthia!

The book is titled, "My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home" is available online at My Caribbean Cookbook: Tastes Like. The book will be available in stores in the Caribbean and in the United Kingdom.
There will be two editions, hardback and Paperback, the hardback will retail for US$45 and the paperback for US$30.

The book is more than an average cookbook given that through the various articles, the user learns a little about our Caribbean culture through food. It will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for what and how we cook and eat. Please get you copy and let me know what you have prepared. Enjoy. Take care and stay well, Del.

It was His birthday, but I enjoyed the gifts!!!

I recently wrote about people who do not say thank you. Less I fall into that group myself, I am saying thanks to my dear friends for a wonderful weekend.

Recently my friend called to ask what I'll be doing on the weekend of Nov 15. While I knew that is the weekend of my DH's birthday I told her I had no immediate plan. Her response was great how about joining a group of twenty to purchase some discount ticket to a matinées to see "The Marriage Counselor." To which I agreed; fast forward two weeks later when I gave her my payment and mentioned that it's DH's birthday that weekend and I was thinking about dinner after. She said great I'll get you some restaurant suggestions. We did not communicate with each via my work email until the day before the day before the play and I was off from work. I just happened to check my mail from home that morning and there was a message from my friend asking what was my restaurant choice and the arrangement to collect the tickets. I responded to her and saying I have decided to forget about dinner and I'll see her the next day.

We were a little late for the show so at halftime she said did you see my message about dinner after the show? To which I responded and she said "well you better unforget about dinner since I went through the hoops to make reservation at McCormick and Schick. Mind you I already told DH's buddies that we'll stop by after the show.

Fast forward we had a great meal and then the bill. I place my card in the holder and before anyone else could look at it the server took it away and charged it all. For reimbursement the other diners at the table gave me cash and a check which my dear friend coordinated. After leaving the group and I checked the total she had given me the total for the bill and then invited us over for homemade dinner.

Us Redskins people showed up at those Cowboys people home for dinner with a warm sweet potato cake in tow. They made one of the dishes I like very much Jamaican oxtail and red beans and rice. After making another of my concoctions for cold, confirming that she intended to pay for dinner and having some great fellowship we called it a night and sealed a great weekend at the halftime of the game. So to that great group of friends I say many thanks and happy belated birthday my love. In response to my thank you this is her message. "You guys are more than welcome... You both are very special to us and we appreciate the great friendship we share... I truly enjoyed the weekend.
Thank you for making my cold remedy -- I made it into work today because of it, I'm sure... I am feeling much better - which surprises me. My body was not aching when I woke up this morning. So to great friends and beautiful relationships, I say thanks. Take care and stay well, Del.

Redskins Wk 11: Fence broken, lassoed and barbered by the Cowboys!

Greetings,

If you are a Redskins fan like me you are as dejected as I am. Can someone please tell me what happened in that game? I was so angry my head hurt. They did not even show up at their own stadium, could not convert on the defense created turnovers. And maybe I am dreaming but didn't they say that Campbell has a strong arm, if so then why is it that we had only one long pass which was incomplete? Also I thought that was Romeo's first game back? Hopefully they can answer all these questions in the coming weeks. I love this from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, "despite the victory the era of cowboys in washington is nearing an end."


Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett (80) scores a touchdown against Washington Redskins safety Chris Horton, left, and safety LaRon Landry, center, during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Thank you Veterans

Greetings,

How are you today? I at home relaxing thanks to the many people who chose to serve their people and country. The formal definition for this day is to honor military veterans, however I would like to extend that further to those people who served and fought for their people in a different way. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the people who fought and allow people president elect Obama to be is this capacity today deserves to be considered as official veterans. Does it count; there are many families who have lost several relatives in the war so does my point make any sense.

Despite your views I wish to consider them as my veterans as well and to say thanks. Thank you to the many, who has fought, bled and died so that we might our freedom, I say thank you. A special thanks to my friend Nigel who is currently doing a15months tour in Iraq. Also to my friends and relatives have done their tour and remain on reserve, I say thank you. On that note, do you know any one who has experienced post war adversities? The worst I know is of a friend who lost her marriage after her husband returned from the war. Please let me know in what other ways have the wars affected you and yours. God bless and keep all those who continue to serve.

Talking about people how do you deal with someone who is connected but yet not connected if that makes sense? I have a friend who for the life of her cannot get her act together or as her hubby puts it clean up her mess. While being technologically savvy you can never get a hold of her sometimes for hours. Please tell me what suggestions I can make to her or her husband. Here is a scenario, I was leaving work and said to her on the IM am leaving the office, she respond already so I called her on her office phone and told her that I’ll be there to get her so that we can go home together. I arrived at her building at 03:50 called her desk and cell and received her voicemail. With persistence I finally got her at 04:05. Long story short I never picked up the woman until 04:20 and her excuse was, “I do not know where my cell phone is.” Whhhhhhhat, a mother to two who are in daycare and a husband out at work and you do not know where the cell phone is, great. By the way, is that the cell phone that you replaced just two weeks ago, maybe I am tripping but that does not sound cool to me?

As I dropped her off and she said when get home and as soon as I find my phone I’ll call you. Well I waited until 9 and still no call so I did the honor. Helllllllllo, oh hi I am sorry I can in and just got taking care of the kids, bla, bla, bla and then she said I would call you back. Oh, no need to, no I definitely will call you. I am so glad that I did not wait for that call because it’s 10:50 AM and I am still waiting. Please, please, tell me how I should deal with her. Love her to death, but boy oh boy this one kills me and her husband says to her, “you’re a mess.” I do not want to say all of that. So, take care and stay well until next time, Del.

That is President Obama to you!

There is no word to describe what we have witnessed. But I can say that this is a victory not just for black Americans, but this is an American victory. God bless Barack Hussein Obama and God bless the USA. Yes We Can, Yes We have! I am glad that I was blessed to be part of this history. I received this as a text message; Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther could walk... Martin walked so Barack Obama could run...Obama won so that our children could fly. Congratulations president BHO, black has never looked so good. Tell me what you think. Take care and stay well, Del.

Do you always remember to say thanks?

I would like to say thanks to the judges at my polling place. Often times they get the wrath and rudeness of unappreciative voters. Having served as a judge before at a general election time I can say that it is really a sacrifice for some people to do that task. They are required to be there one hour before the polls open and remain there until the votes are verified. For most of voting judges that entails standing for the entire day except for half of an hour lunch break and maybe a bathroom break.

I entered the line at my polling place at 3:25 and was out of the voting booth by 4:00. I guess most people did not take any chances and did it this morning at which time I heard the lines were down the streets. So gain thanks for a job well done to those election judges.

Do you always remember to say thanks? No really, do you? I attended many events where gifts and sometimes food were contributed and I did not receive a note of thanks. Am I expecting too much or is that the new norm? Because I usually talk about people who are like that I feel obligated to highlight a thank you know we received recently.

Because of an incident I mentioned recently involving some children I had vow not to attend any more children functions, especially since I have none of my own. However, when the parents of one of our godchildren invited us to their birthday celebration we could not resist. Another time I will tell you why I felt obligated to be there. We showed almost at the end of the party with our gifts, no pans or boxes in tow, ate and left.

Then we received this little card with the words “thank you” outside and a personalized note inside. I felt warm and fuzzy; “God daddy… Auntie Del, thank you so very much for coming to our ‘Funners’ Spiderman/Princess B-day party. Thank you for the wonderful gifts also. Auntie Del my mom has put away my learning laptop. I hope to play with it soon. How far away is Christmas, Auntie? I do enjoy playing with my brother’s speed racer hot wheels though.
Thanks again for celebrating with us. You truly made our special day extra special. We love you very much.” Thanks Ms. J.

Call me corny but that really made my day. You do not know what it may take to make someone’s day, so why not go ahead and be courteous and thankful always. So while you await the results and even after remember to smile and even to the naysayers, go ahead and say thanks. Until next time take care and stay well, Del.

Redskins Wk 9: Fenced with steel; but I am excited!

Greetings,

For the first time in a while the Redskins have lost and I am giddy with excitement. There is a saying in this town that the Monday night game before the election is an indication of the outcome of the election. So for that reason I am elated. Jokes aside we got fenced with steel and then beaten down. Maybe it was those golden shoes CR wore, but we got a good old fashion beating; with some seven sacks I thought I was looking at the Cowboys all over again. Who by the way is the next team that comes to town after our week of resting and healing. I am saying congrats to my friend over at I'm Definitely Up to Something who is a big fan of The Steelers and had a chance encounter with Redskins Carlos Rogers.

By the way, have you voted yet? What, you did not just say you are not voting because of religion or some other superficial belief. Anyway this is different for many people like me who has paid $$ for the privilege to do so. So, please just go out and get it done, but then again did you even register to vote? I am sorry but this conversation is over because you are raising my blood pressure and I have to get to the polling place.

BHO all this time I haven’t even said thanks. Thank you for reawakening the dreams of many. Thank you for putting yourself on the line and giving many of us the opportunity to continue to dream. MLKJ and all the others including your grandmother must be singing that victory song, “How we got over”. Besides our faith as religious people we thank you for the hope you have given to us as people and a community. One of my co-workers who is not Afro-American recently said to me, “I am excited about the hope that he has given to my children, I feel good and excited about what their future can be in this country.” Thank you BHO! Take care and stay well until next time, Del.


Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, left, makes a catch in front of Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)