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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Tie Tuesday (Darrell Wallace Jr.)

Remember this name:  Darrell Wallace Jr.  He recently became the first African-American driver to win in a NASCAR national series in nearly 50 years with a victory in the Kroger 200 Camping World Truck Series race.  

No African-American driver has won a NASCAR national touring race since Wendell Scott won in Jacksonville, Florida (my hometown - Woot!) on December 1, 1963. 


Darrell is only 20 years old (so young!) and grew up in Concord, North Carolina.  He started racing at the age of nine.  Nine?!  I was baking cakes in my Easy Bake Oven at nine years old. :)   



When asked about this historic win and what it means to him, he said: 

“I want to be a role model and inspiration to the younger kids and just change the sport as a whole and change it for the better, bring in a new face and just new activity into the sport, and winning helps everything."  

Nice. 


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

(BEST) Dog Halloween Costumes Of 2013 (LOL!)

Dogs make me smile.  Dogs in Halloween costumes make me laugh.  Loudly.  :-)  Here are my favorite pics for Halloween 2013: 


Double Trouble :)

Itty Bitty Bumble Bee


No costume needed.  #Fierce

Where's Waldo???

Star Wars Fans

Divalicious!


Family Portrait


No Caption Needed...


Taste the rainbow :)

Scary...Really


GQ












Friday, October 18, 2013

Vine Video Of The Week (The Doggy Paddle)

I don't know about you, but I feel like this sometimes: 


LOL!!!!!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tie Tuesday (Dennis Kimetto, Chicago Marathon Winner)

Last year in November, I ran my first half marathon.  It was one of the most challenging and rewarding accomplishments of my life!  I was soooo proud of myself - 13.1. miles!  I plan on running a full marathon.  One day.  I'm not quite ready yet, but yeah.  

Anyway....the Chicago Marathon was held on Sunday, October 13th.  The winner, Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, finished the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 45 seconds.  Whew!  He beat the previous record set by Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede last year (2 hours, 4 minutes and 45 seconds).

The Chicago Marathon was Dennis' second major victory this year.  He won a race in Tokyo in February.  And to think, just a few years ago Dennis was a farmer, tending to cattle in a west Kenyan town.  Pretty dope, right? 

Dennis Kimetto






Monday, October 14, 2013

Unwritten Twitter Rules - What They Don't Tell You When You Sign Up (Vol. IV)

This is my fourth installment of Unwritten Twitter Rules!  Tremendous milestone, I know. :)  In case you missed Volumes 1-3, here you go:

Volume I: http://dld.bz/cwwD2

Volume II: http://dld.bz/c52tT

Volume III: http://dld.bz/cHySq 


You're welcome.   And now for your reading pleasure....Unwritten Twitter Rules - Volume IV: 

  • Never let your momma know your Twitter handle.  NEVER.  :-)

  • If someone retweets you five times a day, ya'll go together.  #TwitterBoo

  • A tweet that takes two tweets to express is usually wack. (I do it all the time though - Lol!)

  • People who live to bully folks on Twitter always have some type of real life issue(s). Pray for 'em.
  • It's hard to believe, but people embellish A LOT on Twitter. *side-eye*  Always remember that they're just people...sitting behind a computer.

  • Being a black person who tweets vs. Being a part of "Black Twitter." *sigh* (There's a difference.)
  • The same people who create drama on Twitter do so in real life also.  #Fact

  • Just because you have a Twitter account doesn't mean you have to comment on EVERYTHING.  Feel free shut-up on some topics.

  • Twitter Beefs - People fight allllll the time on Twitter.  It's best to stay out of it because more than likely there's way more to the story than 140 characters.







Friday, October 11, 2013

Wow....Just Wow (Pic Of The Week)

Check out the cover of Tan magazine, circa 1955.  The magazine was published by Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony, Jet).  It was a "true confessions" type of magazine.  Interesting.  

Anywho, I LOVE this cover!  Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. *swoons*  It confirms that old adage that says a "picture is worth a thousand words."  When I look at this photo, I see love, passion, art, beauty, history, race...  If I stare at it for a long time, I can get lost in it.  When you look at this picture, what do you see?  


Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Tie Tuesday (Dr. Joseph Lowery)

I've been thinking about Dr. Joseph Lowery lately...  He's an icon who is best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement.  His tireless work has stretched over 60 years.  In fact, after Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955, Dr. Lowery was instrumental in leading the Montgomery bus boycott.  And at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, he led the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965.  He later founded the Christian Leadership Conference with Dr.King, and led the organization from 1997 to 1987.  In 2009, Dr. Lowery was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

He celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Sunday in Atlanta at Morehouse College. Celebrities, politicians and community leaders came out to honor his life and contributions. One person was missing though.  His wife of nearly 60 years, Evelyn.  She passed away a week ago. 


My heart goes out to him for his loss...60 years is a long time to love someone.  But I know he's a man of faith.  And I know he'll keep pushing forward.  One of the many reasons I love and admire him...

Monday, October 7, 2013

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month (My Favorite Pink Things)

It's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Unfortunately, most of us have or will be affected in some way by this disease.  The statistics are really alarming: 
  • About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
  • Caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer, but it's more common in African-American women under the age of 45; Black women are also more likely to die from breast cancer.
  • About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
  • Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.  
It's a terrible disease and we all can do our part to support research, treatment and health education.  Start by "purchasing with a purpose" by buying pink products that support the cause.  Here are a few of my favorites: 
Brooklyn Cruiser Limited-Edition Pink Willow Bike


Juice Beauty's Authentically Pink Makeup Kit

Edible Arrangements Pink Dipped Strawberries


Bicycle Playing Cards


Coach "Mini Boyfriend" Watch  


Conair's Power of Pink Collection


Gaiam Yoga Mat



Officemate Pink Office Supplies

 Microfiber Sherpa Lined Sparkle Boots

Friday, October 4, 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Obamacare 101 - What You Need To Know

The subject of health care is probably one of the most complex, confusing and frustrating subjects out there.  I swear, it gives me a headache. *massages temples*  But, it's soooo important.  And Obamacare?  Extremely important.  I know folks with high IQ's, health care backgrounds, law degrees and a partridge in a pear tree who don't fully 'get' it. Here are the basics about America's new health care plan (Hope it helps!): 

 The Facts - Real Quick
  • There are 48 million Americans who don't have health insurance according to the Census Bureau.

  • More than 9 million children lack health insurance in America.

  • The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without a universal health insurance system.

  • Half of all bankruptcies are caused by medical bills.  Three-quarters of those filings are people with health insurance.

  • U.S. health care spending is approximately $2 trillion per year, or $6,697 per person. The United States continues to spend significantly more on health care than other countries in the world.
What Is Obamacare?
OK--In 2010, President Obama enacted a law called the Affordable Healthcare Act.  The purpose?  To "increase" the number of Americans covered by health insurance and "decrease" the cost of healthcare. 

With Obamacare, no one will be excluded from getting insurance, and everyone will have to get insurance.  If you already have insurance, chances are you can probably keep what you have.

Cost? 
It will vary with each plan. Some plans have higher deductibles and/or higher co-pays. Costs will vary based on where you live also.  The majority of uninsured people should be able to find a policy for $100 or less a month.  The Kaiser Family Foundation has put together a calculator that will give you an idea of what your bill will look like: http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ 


Important Dates
  • October 1, 2013 - Open enrollment for health insurance begins (ends on March 31, 2014). You don't have to sign up that first day. (Don't wait until the last minute though!)
  • Enroll by December 14, 2013 if want your coverage to start by January 1, 2014.
  • January 1, 2014 - All legal residents and U.S. citizens must have qualifying health coverage.
  • Oct. 15 - Dec. 7, 2014 - The next open enrollment period begins.         
Getting Started
Go to www.healthcare.gov to get information and sign up for the program.  (If you don't have access to the Internet, go to your local library - they have computers there.) 

The government has set up call centers to help people with open enrollment.  You can call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance.  You can also enroll by mail. 

Penalties For Not Signing Up
If you don't sign up to get health insurance, you'll have to list that on your 2014 tax return.  The fee for the first year is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child (up to $285 per family), or 1% of your income, whichever is higher. 

The penalty is higher in 2015 ($325 per adult/$162.50 per child), or 2% of your income. 

Exemptions
Some people will be exempt from signing up for health insurance.  For example, people who make so little that they don't file tax returns will be exempt.