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Diva Dialogue-May, 2011

Well May is not quite over but nonetheless, I got something to say. Well, I always have something to say but hey I have been MIA and I know you all are wondering why. May is not the best month for me. It signifies so many things, good and bad. As usual, this one was no exception. May tends to be an emotional month for me. My dad passed in May and though it has been six years, sometimes it seems like yesterday. Our relationship was complicated. That is another blog for the future. Let's suffice it to say that despite the complexities, no one person has ever been less judgmental. Without a doubt, I knew he loved me. Some days, I just wanna hear his voice and see him interact with his grandchildren. Unfortunately, I only have memories and hopefully they will not fade any time soon.

I realized how much of a wishy-washy relationship I have with Facebook. I love that I have connected with old friends and acquaintances. I hate how people use it. I try to be positive. My messages are not issued subliminally and I don't project my life drama in my statuses. Anyway, I went to write on the Wall of a friend who had been on my mind. Lo and behold, I notice messages of condolences to her and her twins. My heart immediately skipped a beat. Long story short, her husband had passed away unexpectedly the day before. We are talking an individual the same age as me in the prime of their life. Made me pause and think that life is short and you betta tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Forgive easily too. I am holding my friend in prayer because I don't know how I would deal with becoming a widow at such a young age. I did talk to her and I commended her for her strength but I reminded her to take her time to grieve the loss of her hubby/best friend/soul mate. Society has no patience for people and their pain. Grief is necessary and all the stages must be dealt with for you to be healthy and move forward. It is a never ending process too.  I encouraged her to get a grief counselor for her and her children. 

Okay, okay! I am bringing you down, huh? Well, on a lighter note, I attended my 25th Class Reunion. I had not returned to the hallowed halls of Laurel School since I graduated. There really wasn't a reason. Just not convenient. I went to a private all girls school. I got an excellent education and some experiences that I would never have in a public school.  A couple of classmates started campaigning early to make sure I'd attend. I made them a promise and I followed through. I had an awesome time catching up with the girls. It was a blast to see where life had taken us over the years. It was also cool to reflect on the past but I'm thankful that time had changed us for the better. (SN: I was a minority child in a sea of non-minority faces. (Think about 6 of 58). I was a scholarship recipient amongst girls who got BMWs and Benzs for their 16th birthdays. I went home to the city, they went home to suburban sprawl.....you get the picture). The reunion was well attended. Yes, we had a record turnout. I was happy I was a part of the celebration and I have a much better appreciation of the women we each have become.

Yesterday was my 15th Wedding Anniversary. Wow! All I can say is that is has been a whirlwind relationship. Some up, some downs, and everything in between. Last year was a rough year for us and some times I wanted to walk away. Nothing worth having isn't worth fighting for. My husband is a good man. We both have issues and some times getting past them and working through them is a difficult task. Our union is one for the storybooks and so to keep it simple, we weathered the storm. Oh we both know there are more to come. For me, prayer and communication are the key. For him, it may be something else. What we know is that we love each other and we work well together. We have fun together. We have two awesome children who make us crazy. We both like wine and food and travel. We have aging parents and grandparents who we worry about. We have life stuff, just like every one else but at the end of the day, it is in each others arms that we find love, trust, and understanding. I wish that for every one. So we raise a glass to the next 15 years of love, life, and drama. I encourage married folks who are having a difficult period to stay the course and trust God.  I love Dmitri more now than the day we said, "I do!"

The month is almost over. The grill will be going, the wine will flow. We will share it with good friends. I will bid my dear friend Rose a sad so long as she returns to South Africa where she is a missionary sharing the gospel and mentoring others to grow their relationship with Christ. I will wish my dear friend Yvonne a Happy 50th birthday. We will light a candle in honor of Julius Luciano Torres, our nephew lost to SIDS. His 1st birthday would have been celebrated on May 30th. If you remember, please say a prayer for his parents, Tiffany and Dennis. The past few months have been difficult for them as it would for anyone who suffers loss of a baby. Two of my nephews will graduate and so will my 3rd child born to my friend, Dorna! The future looks bright and I wish Tre, Lorin, and Bryan well in their future endeavors. I have high hopes for each of them. Then on to the best month of the year June! Geminis unite! LOL! My birthday is coming. School will be over! Praise the Lord! Well, I gotta go! I love you all! Be safe this Memorial Day Weekend! Don't drink and drive! Be blessed and be a blessing! Ciao!

Copyright on May 26, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe

Osama is Finally Dead

Last night Pres. Obama announced that Osama Bin Ladin had been killed by US Navy Seals. What a whirlwind of images floated through my mind and another torrent of emotions surged in my heart. Wow! After 10 long years, where most American were confident bin Ladin would never ever be caught, the master of hide and seek was found and killed in a mansion in Pakistan. So many thoughts floated through my mind. I had gone downstairs to make a sandwich and came up to find my husband watching his favorite station, CNN. He quickly advised me that something BIG was happening but had no clue what. I stated, "maybe they caught and killed bin Ladin" in jest. He looked at me like I was crazy said that he thought it would be something to do with Libya. Moments later it was confirmed that I was actually on point. I patted myself on the back and waited with bated breathe for the President to appear and make the formal annpouncement.

As we waited, I reflected on that fateful day in September. I prayed that the families of the victims would feel some type of relief and closure. You can't minimize their loss and you definetely sympathize with their grief and pain. I pictured then Pres. Bush saying that we would seek justice. I thought about all the troops that fight tirelessly. I had a realization that there may be retaliation, so the troops are probably no closer to coming home. I prayed for their families, too. I prayed for the Obama family. Running this country can't be an easy task and of late I feel the public has made a mockery of the position. We are going to see all kinds of fallout from this one event. Some of it will be good and some of it will be tragic. What I am waiting for is to see how we proceed in our dealings with Pakistan. That is a very fragile relationship right now.

What I know is this, God is in control. He blesses in the midst of messes. We should all feel good about our country and pray for our leadership. Our daily security is threatened in ways we never know. There is another Osama bin Ladin who is already trained for the next task. We must be sober and vigilant. Yes we must always have hope. Only God knows why things have been orchestrated this way and we have to trust that His plan really is good.

I initially was gonna write about the White House Correspondent's Dinner. Obama and Seth Myers took it to Trump. We know he will be asking to see the body and wanting to check the DNA for himself to assure that Osama is dead. Let's face it, after waiting 10 years, we all need some proof. It is just the nature of the beast. Here's what I like about how things played out.....Yes, Obama dogged Trump. He deserved it. It was a classy way to get a Southside Chicago beatdown without throwing a blow. It was triumphant that the Pres pre-empted Trump's show the next night at what I know to be a pivotal moment. He interrupted the show and then arrived on CP(for my Caucasian friends, that's Colored People's) time to show that he can be gangsta if he has to. Tee hee hee. He delivered a clear concise message to the American public.

The Americans cheering outside the White House made me reflective. Was it really a moment to cheer? Would justice have been better served if bin Ladin had to meet a judge and jury? How were the families of the 9/11 victims going to feel? Hope or hype? Are we any safer? Are the troops going to come home any time soon? Only time will tell how things will play out. God bless America!!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on May 2, 2011

Royalty or bust?

So...Who's caught up in the drama of the Royal Wedding? Who is getting up early to watch? Who is setting your DVR(Tivo) to record it?  Who wants to know who designed Kate Middleton's dress? Who really cares? Is it really that serious?


The hype over their nuptials and all the pomp and circumstance is really getting on my last nerve.Thank God it all ends tomorrow. We will all know who designed the dress and how long the train is. God forbid it look as painful as Princess Di's. We will know who attended and who wore the flyest hat. We will no longer be subjected to seeing every bar, hotel, and other places they spend their time. I won't even discuss the various souvenirs and paraphernalia being sold with the faces plastered all over them.

People are camping out. People have gone to London to be a part of the atmospshere. We really have become obsessed with all things Kate & William. We should all be well aware of the etiquette involved. We know how long it will take to get to Westminster Abbey. The photographer who gets the first shot of Kate will be the cat's pajamas. Kate Middleton's life will never be the same.  Her life will never be her own either. I do like that she and William sort of don't play by all the rules. I l also love that they are charitable and seem to enjoy partying. They are young and they should be having the time of their lives.

All that said, if you live on the East Coast, you need to get up before the crack of dawn to catch the festivities. I just wanna remind you that if you miss it, there will be highlights all day long and I'm sure all weekend too. The knock off dress will be available by Monday at a fraction of the price. I am not a hater but there is so much going on in the world that it is difficult to muster excitement over a wedding. I hope they really love each other and they know they need a third party involved to make it. I am referring to Jesus, if you are clueless. I will not be getting up to witness the nuptials, nor will I record it. I pray they make it.  Right now my mind is on the victim's of the past week who have been affected by the tornadoes. I am impressed that NBC's Brian Williams decided to leave the Royal festivities to return to the States and cover our tragedies. Excellent move on his part. I mean that is serious news. So you all let me know what I miss. As if I will be able to avoid it! I am not obsessed with Royalty but I stand in the Presence of Royalty several times a day. Jesus Christ is King of Kings, and the Prince of Peace. That is truly the only royalty I care about. That's all for the moment. Ciao!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on April 28, 2011

Political Roundup

Today, President Obama released his birth certificate to the public. Guess what? He is an American citizen! No $*!+, Sherlock! Of course he is. I mean when has a President being a legitimate American been questioned. Oh, I know! NEVER! The reason the BS surfaced, and yeah, I am going to say it, is because he is a man of color.  American patriotism my behind. We have a long way to go and we can't be honest about it because there would need to be an admission of wrongdoing on some one's part. It ain't the colored folks either.


So what is the "Hair" going to say now? Oh I know, he is gonna question the legitimacy of the President's education. The man went to Harvard and graduated. Do his grades make a difference? Donald Trump is irritating with his pompous self. I believe he is a media whore seeking ratings for his show. I don't believe he has a desire to run for President but to blur the issues and hide the fact that there are no real options for Republican candidates. Let's face it! Do we really trust Trump with money? He's filed bankruptcy on three separate occasions. He's also been married that many times.  Does that make him a viable option for President? Would it make him a better choice than Obama. Obama has been married once and there is no indication that he filed bankruptcy. Jus sayin! Let me just say this and I am done for the moment, Trump is gonna have a million skeletons in his closet that he ain't gonna want out there. We know he isn't gonna just put all his ish out there. That is the difference between being able to run as a Caucasian candidate and running as a person of color. If you aren't Caucasian, you better not a have a damn skeleton anywhere. It will be the source of your demise. We still can't do what they can. Not meant to offend, just the truth of the matter.


America has to realize that we really do need to stop looking at color and allowing superficial issues to keep us from looking at real issues i.e. education, defense, civil rights, etc. We need to stop being swayed by minor BS. Obama is not perfect but I have NEVER seen a President so disrespected and forced to deal with insignificant crap. It sickens me that so called patriotic individuals can dis him so easily and don't give him the respect of the position.  Yadda, yadda, yadda!


So what do you all think about Obama's latest appointments? He is shaking up his Security team. The question is, will we all feel safer or confident in these appointments? CIA Director Leon Panetta has been selected to succeed Robert Gates as defense secretary. He also selected General David Patreus as the replacement for Panetta. Other appointments will follow. I don't always keep up with these appointments but I often think change is good. What do you think about it?


As much as I hate to journey here so early, I am gonna do it. What do you think will be the hot button issues for this upcoming election? My thoughts are this and I am sharing them here first. Immigration, abortion, and I wish I could say education but we don't seem to really put our money where our mouth is on that issue. So the third issue is probably related to finance and business. We will also see some discussion around same sex marriage. My final question is this.....(insert drum roll)....is Hillary gonna run?

Okay, that's it for now. Politics really is not my thing but as I've grown older, I have had to become more serious and really review the issues near and dear to me. I have to stay up on current events to have hot debates with my handsome hubby, too. Till next time, be blessed and be a blessing!!!!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on April 27, 2011

Weekend Round-up-Holy Week, 2011

We just returned from Ocean City, MD. We had a lovely Spring Break despite the less than warm weather. I am always thankful for time away from home. No routine and the pleasure of my little family, uninterrupted. I read two books this week. I read Satan's Sisters: A Novel Work of Fiction  by Star Jones and Private by James Patterson. I wasn't impressed with either books. Star's book read like a grocery store tabloid. I have higher expectations for such an intelligent woman. James Patterson and I have a love hate relationship. I hate it when his books are formulaic. This one was not, but it wasn't his best work. The story had potential but it left you lacking in some ways. So life really is good for me. Oh and I didn't drive or cook the entire time. Yes, Lawd! It was a good week.

This is the end of Holy Week! Easter is not about bunnies, chocolate, or eggs. It is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after He was wrongly crucified. Easter is really about hope. We all have a second chance to make things right. Jesus took the pain and suffering on the cross so that we can spend eternity with Him. It is up to each of us to choose Christ and accept that His blood has atoned for every one of our sins, past, present, and future. The concept is overwhelming and mind-blowing at the same time. Nuthin but the blood! The blood that gives me strength from day to day, it shall never lose it's power. There is Power in the Blood! That is one of things you simply have to know for yourself. Happy Resurrection, Day!!!!

Diva Dialogue-April 2011

What's up everyone? I am alive and I am fairly well. I am not going to make any excuses. I simply have not had the time to post. It is still a passion and desire so don't count me out yet. It is still an outlet for me. I told you all a long time ago that I was working my issues out in this forum. LOL!


Tax season ends in a couple of days. Very happy about that. This year the side hustle didn't net a sista as much money as it usually does. (Insert a very sad face). You have till Monday to submit your Federal tax return without penalty.


Spring Break is next week. I am looking forward to chillaxing with my wonderful husband and kids(plus a friend for each). It is a much needed respite from the mundane routine. We all could use some one on one time with each other. Life moves quickly and sometimes you need to connect in a different environment. Hopefully, I can fit a novel in as well.


Have I told you all that I hate my job? Well I do. I am thankful for having it. It solved some problems on the home front and well, I like money. What I should say is that I like having my own money. God blessed me with what I asked for.....a part-time gig, close to home that would allow me to maintain my fun schedule. By that I mean, volunteering, attending Community Bible Study, and an occasional lunch with a friend. So I am thankful that my prayer was answered. I work at a Montessori school. I have learned that I really don't like other people's ill-mannered children. Now I need to pray for another gig that would afford me those same opportunities but in a more professional setting. Pray for me, please!!!!


Okay! So enough about me for the moment. There is so much going on in the world right now. Gas prices are rising like crazy. Blame is being placed on the issues in Libya. Seriously? We only get 1% of our oil from them. Yep, you read correctly, 1 freakin %! So please tell me why we are paying almost $4 a gallon for gas. Senseless! Japan is still suffering but the news on them has just about disappeared. Their damage is far reaching and widespread. It will take a while before they are back on track. News on Libya is also pretty minimal. Stuff is till happening over there but I guess mums the word given all the money the US is spending over there.

Discussion is increasing on the 2012 Presidential election. Oh joy! Happy! Happy! I am so not ready for all that rhetoric and BS in general. Being President is NOT a job I'd ever want. jus sayin! Donald Trump considering throwin his hat into the ring.....REALLY? What a farce! Sad thing is some of my Conservative friends will think he is a viable option. Can't wait to see who all the contenders are this time around. You can hear it here first, I think Hillary is gonna run against Obama. That is all the press I am giving the election for now.

The Money Challenge...if you are participating, by Monday the 18th of April, you should have $276. I am current. Finally, nuff said!

So you know you are no longer an A-lister if you have been selected for Dancing With The Stars or a reality television show is based on your family drama. Another random Pam thought. Brandy and Ray J, the Braxtons, Sinbad and the list goes on. Why people? Better yet, why do we watch these train wrecks waiting to happen?

Shout out to my son who has made the Honor Roll yet again. DJ, I am very proud of your hard work and effort. Keep up the good work. Chante, you need to step up your game, girl. You have the potential but you seem to enjoy under-achieving. Stop being lazy and do what you have the potential to do. 

Well I got several blogs in my head.....I wanna share my thoughts on the book of Revelation. My Bible Study has worn me out. I got a marriage and parenthood blog in my mind. God only knows what else is rolling around in my head. Things are coming. Trust me on that. Thanks for being patient with me. I gotta go! Peace!  

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on April 14, 2011