What’s Brewing at the Cafe

February 1, 2013 by 6 Comments

Happy Friday everyone.  Let me start with crime and the older person.  A 62 year old woman was stopped by Illinois State Police for improper lane change and guess what they found on ole girl….$1.5 million cold cash in her vehicle!  The woman gave the trooper permission to search her vehicle and  found the cash vacuum sealed in her car.   While we were in Kansas City, a 62 year old man was burned alive in his car because police stopped him and confiscated drugs he had in his car.  They couldn’t keep him because it was a small town that stopped him and they couldn’t get the drugs analyzed.  Less than 48 hours he was found dead because he didn’t have the drugs, and one of the men wanted for his murder was his nephew.  I know you all probably have similar stories, but really at that age why?  The economy is rough, but I have never seen it get this bad that I need to run drugs or money for a drug dealer.  It’s been hard job hunting, especially if you are over 50 but keep on looking, get creative and don’t give in.  My guess was the money was too good, and they couldn’t pass it up, I don’t know but I pray that I never get caught up like that.  One thing I’ve learned, never say what you won’t do…just keep pushing and doing the right thing so you never have to be faced with a dilemma like that.

When we go out to eat, my husband and I are great tippers.  Give us good service and we’ll leave you a good tip as a token of our appreciation.  A pastor here in St Louis who’s receipt went viral when she left that note on her receipt about how she gives God 10% why do you get 18 has really been in the news the last few days.   I have an extensive customer service background and I believe whether it’s over the phone or in person, it’s our job to deliver good service and represent the company we work for.   Everyone knows when you have a large party, a gratuity will be included in the bill.  Now the young lady that posted this online lost her job, because Pastor Alois Bell called in and complained that since this went viral, it’s ruined her reputation.  I’m trying to not really rant about this because I have a problem with people that use their “titles” or “influence” to get out of doing the right thing.  I believe the pastor should use this as a humbling experience and rebuild  her reputation.  Take responsibility for your actions Pastor Bell.

 

(Reddit)

Source: Reddit

 

Do you all watch Betty White’s Off Their Rockers?  That show is off the chain, I love it.  I’m a people watcher so I love this show and how people react to the older people.  They do some crazy, sometimes a little questionable things, but that’s what makes it so funny.  Check it out.

 

 

I am in the process of planning a Girl’s Night Out in my area, I’m putting together ideas, themes and anything I can to make this jump off.  It will probably include some wine drinking, the people in St Louis love wine, I even like a glass of Moscato every once and a while.  It’s probably been 8 months since I’ve had a glass, but I love the taste of Moscato.  I plan to go to a few restaurants and inquire about the private dining rooms and see if I can find one that we can use and hopefully women will order food, drink a little wine and network.  It’s in the beginning stages, but I also want it to have a purpose, fundraiser, discuss issues of the day or just because we need a break and change of pace.  I also plan to use it to introduce my new business.  Any suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated. 

Hand Painted Wine Glasses

Source: Cafe Mocha Reflections via Lauren Alicia on Pinterest

 

I am a contributor for Parent Society, and my first post has been published.  I’m going to write about issues for women over 40, and some issues about special needs children.  I don’t really think I’m an expert on that issue, I love my daughter and want the best for her.  Guess that give me some degree of being an expert?  Click here and go check out my post and leave some comment love please and thank you.  

The weather has been crazy here in the Midwest, at the beginning of the week people had on shorts and flip flops, today it’s big coats, hats and gloves.  I had to remind my girls that it’s still winter, take your coat because you don’t know what the weather will be like when you get out of school.  The older I get, the more I sound and look like my mother.  She used to tell us that all the time.  I still can’t wear white before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, it’s in my soul.  Every time I try, I feel so odd and have to change.  I saw a young woman in a pair of white jeans the other day and I almost lost it!  I know, I need to get over that, but I just can’t.    Were any of you raised that way?  What are some of the things you were taught that you still practice today?  

Have a good weekend!

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What’s Brewing at The Mocha Cafe

August 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

It has been a busy week!  I’m really getting my groove back, girls in school, husband getting used to his new work location, it’s all coming together.  Haven’t been able to do much this week, we did go to Fort Leavenworth yesterday to break the place it.  My husband believes in using his military services, and will ask any company if they give a military discount.  He will put that company on the back burner if they don’t.  The brother takes that stuff seriously.  

The Rep Todd Akin (R-Mo) doesn’t seem to be going away, we’ll see how that all turns out.  Did you see my open letter to him?  Check it out here.  I try not to use this platform for politics, but I felt I needed to say something in regards to our rights.  I just ask that you all vote, it’s our right and duty.  

Did you all see the video clip or read on social media about Tony Farmer, the high school basketball star from Ohio that was convicted for attacking his ex-girlfriend?  He was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for the attack and fainted during the sentencing.  Please go here to read this article and see the video and tell me what you think.  What if that were your daughter?  Yes, he has ruined his future right now and won’t be able to play college ball, but he beat this young woman up, kicked her repeatedly, while she cowered in the corner trying to protect herself.  This is another one I’ll show my girls so they can see it first hand what I mean about boyfriends, and what to look for.  It can happen to any of them, so I won’t say it can’t happen to my girls.  I pray of course that it won’t, I talk to them about what really happens in life, I don’t sugar coat anything.

I’m getting out this evening, going to see Sparkle with some old friends/co-workers.  I’m excited, haven’t done much face to face socializing in a very long time.  I’ll give details and my opinion about the movie next week, been getting mixed reviews.  I saw the original Sparkle when I was in high school, loved it but I was 15 at the time.  I bought the soundtrack which was done by Aretha Franklin.  Check out this clip with Irene Cara and Philip Michael Thomas, one of my favorite parts of the movie.  

 



 

As you all know, I’m an independent contractor for Arise, they contract people to do customer service work from home.  I started working for my new client in January, and just got offered a new contract.  Yay and thank you Jesus, it’s hard finding jobs these days and I’m just glad I am working and that I can do it from the comfort of my home.  For those looking to work from home, go to The Work At Home Woman it’s filled with jobs, entreprenuer opportunities and just about anything for women who want to work from home.   Sorry this was so late, have a great weekend.

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Open Letter to Todd Akin

August 21, 2012 by 4 Comments

Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo), 

My sister was raped in 1986, while walking home from catching the bus.  She was 38 years old, a mother of two and a caregiver at the time.  It was a very traumatic experience for us because she made me promise that I wouldn’t tell my parents.  She refused to go to the police, she was so afraid.  I remember it like it happened yesterday, she called me at home and I went running to her, begging and pleading with her to let me call police.  She refused, to this day I still don’t understand why she wouldn’t let me call.  We just cried and I helped her get herself together.  She was my only and older sister,  15 years older than me.  I was a young woman, not sure what to do or how to help her at this painful time in her life.  All I could do is cry with her.  

After listening to your statement, over and over I just couldn’t take it anymore.  My definition of rape is when a person forces you to have sex with them, whether it was by grabbing you off the street as this man did my sister, or on a date with a man and you tell his ass no.   Women should be tired of men telling us what to do with our bodies.  I personally do not believe in abortions, but I don’t want to take away any woman’s right to make that choice.  You should withdraw from the race, your apology is not enough.  We, the residents of Missouri do not want you representing us in the United States Senate. 

This is a picture of my sister who would have been 65 this year, she’s the same age as you are.  She died in 1997 with her rape still unsolved and no one arrested.  It was a legitimate rape. 

 

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Heat Exposure

July 19, 2012 by 4 Comments

It’s a record breaking heatwave here in the mid-west.  It’s been over 90 degrees everyday this month, with the temperature at over 100 degrees most of this month.  We are in the middle of a draught, we haven’t had any serious rain since spring.  It’s bad here, with different municipalities banning watering your lawn, washing your car and other bans because of the shortage.  The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are at an all time low.  We have had 13 deaths in this area due to the excessive heat, very scary.  My husband is a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, and I am very concerned about his health while he is out working.  He takes plenty of water and other drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and what his postal customers give him while he is on his route.  One bad thing is he doesn’t eat during the day, so he’s exhausted and starving when he gets home.  He says the food will weigh him down and make him sick.  Let’s keep everyone that works in these elements in mind throughout the day.   If you are able, offer your mailman, landscape worker, street worker or anyone that works outside some water.  They will truly appreciate it.  

 

 


 

 

 

Photo courtesy stltoday.com

 

 

I also don’t understand why the walkers and joggers exercise in the heat of the day?  The walk from the house to the car about knocks me out.  I love walking, but I don’t do it in the summer at all.  When it cools off in September, I’ll start up again.   Hot flashes and walking in the heat, bad idea.

 

Don’t forget to check on your elderly and disabled neighbors and relatives.  Most of the deaths that have been reported could have been avoided but older people don’t like to run their air conditioners.  I saw a report on the news that explained our body temperature changes as we get older, and we don’t get as warm as when we were younger.   What’s happening is they don’t think they need the air conditioner.  One lady that died, accidentally turned on her heat instead of the air.   Try to get them to turn it on, go to a cooling center, or take them to the grocery store/mall to get them out of the house and cool off.  Also, let’s not forget our four legged family members as well, they need to be cool as well.  I just don’t want to hear about any more deaths due to the weather.  Stay safe and let’s pray for some rain.  

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Inner City Blues

April 11, 2012 by 2 Comments

The skit on Saturday Night Live this past weekend about East St Louis, IL has created interesting conversations this week.  The mayor, Alvin Parks is upset, doesn’t like East St Louis being referred to as a “hell hole”.   He admitted that East St Louis has an image problem, he didn’t lie about that one.   This city has had that reputation for a long time.   It’s easy to speak ill of the city and the plight of the people in East St Louis, but this is the story of the inner city.   From my research and conversations with The Mr, East St Louis is it’s own enemy, bad politics, night life and crime.  The mayor is fighting to allow the city to keep the sale of late night liquor, when they need to find jobs and ways to bring the city out of the “hell hole”.  The city government needs an overhaul.

Looking at the responses from Facebook let me know that people who have never lived in the inner city, ghetto or whatever you chose to call it have no idea what it’s like to live that way and they actually believe people want to stay or live that way forever.  They make the rudest remarks, without a solution and hit below the belt.  I love living here in St Louis, and what I know about the history I learned from research, local news and The Mr.  He was born and raised here, so he knows the city well.   Last year, on one of many visits to his old neighborhood, we saw abandoned buildings, open land where businesses and homes have been torn down or new homes in an area where there is nothing around it, no grocery store, church, corner store or anything.  They have the same problem in  Kansas City, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Atlanta and any other major city in this country where disadvantage or poor people live.   Everyone knows that the inner city isn’t the only place where poor people live, just always seems to be the target.

I grew up in the inner city, went to high school in the city, even went to a historically black university.  I am very proud of where I come from because I came from a home where my parents loved me.  Was it perfect?  No, but it was love and a sense of family in that home. My parents took pride in their home, so did our neighbors.  Let’s not give up on these neighborhoods, they are our past and the future of the people that currently live there.  Jobs are needed, crime is high, and the state and federal government must do better.  There are still lives in East St Louis, IL.  Let’s not forget people that live in our inner cities working and struggling to provide for and take care of their families.

 Don’t forget to make sure your voter registration information is correct, address, name change if you recently married, or register to vote please.  This is where we make the difference, I’m a believer in that.  Marvin Gaye didn’t know the affect of this song, or maybe he did.  Have a good day everyone

 

Whitney


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