All Things Natural: 2014

On October 30, 2014, I officially turned the big 4-0. In a previous blog I wrote about my 40 days to 40 countdown. There was one thing I planned to do that I didn't write about because I wanted it to be a surprise. To celebrate my birthday I wrote 40 letters in 40 days (well 40+ days--I got a little off track) to 40 people that have had an impact on my life. Writing these letters was one of the best presents I could have given myself. I was able to tell people that may or may not have known how much their presence in my life has meant.

I once heard a minister talk about people entering your life for a season. We have difficulties in our lives when we allow people to remain in our lives beyond their season. I have learned that everyone entered my life to teach me a lesson regardless of how long their season in my life may have been. Unfortunately, I may not have learned the lesson until long after they were gone, but you know what, that's called life and maturity.

Throughout 2014 I took time to celebrate with all my 1974 crew. I hope you enjoy the pictorial that follows.

Twana got us started with a surprise celebration in March.

Twana and I

FHHS and Jim Hill c/o '92

In April, Baraka got it going with brunch for her 40th.

Love the chicken and waffles!

Bubbles bar was awesome!

The old crew just missing Teri

Baraka and her hubster

In May, Teri had brunch and a surprise birthday party for her 40th.

Felt adventurous and tried this appetizer with Terrian

Pink and gold themed

Cute and delicious cake

Ladies in black posed for photo opt

Teri and Reign

In May we also celebrated with my boss for his 40th all white birthday bash.

T, T, and Bran

In August, I celebrated with Chan at Underground 119.

Chan celebrating at work

Red velvet cake was fabulous

Celebrating at Underground 119

In October it was my turn to celebrate.

I started by sending out the following itinerary to my crew:

October 4 Weekend Events

Friday— Natchez High Football Game

Saturday— Shopping in Baton Rouge, LA with my Sissy

Sunday— Church, Brunch, and Football

October 10 Weekend Events— JSU Homecoming Weekend

Friday— Noon to 3ish Hang on the Yard

3-5 pm Day parties

6:00 pm dinner at Julep’s, Babalu or Sal n Mookies (any suggestions?) I thought it would be nice to have a sit down and catch up but still go to party later if we want. 10 pm until Alumni party at Marriott or wherever for those that want to keep the party going.

Saturday— Tailgate (I have few to crash)

2 pm JSU v MVSU game

10ish Party!

Sunday— 1 pm Lunch/Brunch (if everyone isn’t too tired)

October 18 Weekend Events

Saturday— 1 pm Brunch with the ladies—Mint Restaurant—More deets to come just save the date.

October 24 Weekend Events

Friday— Travel to Huntsville, AL

Saturday— Terrian’s 40 and Fly Fish Fry

October 30!!!!

Today is my 40th birthday! (I hope to take off work and relax)

October 31 Weekend Events

Friday— Natchez High School Football game (Gotta support my fav Coach)

Saturday— Viking Cooking Class Party 5-8 pm (Greenwood, MS)

Please let me know if you will attend any of the events but especially the cooking class, so I can send you the details and make certain to reserve enough spaces. Boys are allowed at the cooking class event :-)

I truly enjoyed the months events. My girls said they thought my birthday celebration would never end (they got jokes). I truly enjoyed my birthday, as well as celebrating with everyone else. Here are a few pictures from each event.

No pictures from our sisters getaway. We were busy enjoying one another's company and didn't take any pictures. Sorry...kinda sorta, but not really. Sometimes you have to stop taking pictures to post and enjoy the moment. I find myself doing that more and more. Hmph...guess that's part of aging, too.

Here are a few homecoming pictures.

On the yard celebrating 65 years of Glamorous Rho

Tailgating with Tanisha, Erika, and Kiki

Caught up with Charita

Mean mugging at some party with my sissy

The entire crew for the night minus Brandy (she disappeared for a sec)

Back together again (I love these girls)

Look who we found...one of our favorite guys, Mr. D. Reese

My birthday brunch pictures

I got Twana out to celebrate with me

Payton and Reign

Birthday girl

Brunching (I made up a word)

Payton and Mia

Tracee and Erika (my crew since '92)

And I got all my sisters with me

Boss ladies and one ninja (What is Teri doing?)

We released balloons in honor of breast cancer awareness while also releasing any baggage we are not taking into our forties.

Yay!

We ended the day celebrating with Soror Glenda Gover

Our fuzzy selfie (Love my sisters/sorors)

Terrian's 40 and fly fish fry

We decided to surprise our favorite Delta by adding a splash of Pink and Green to her gathering

Celebration Time!

One Delta and Two K's (as Terrian would say)

Terrian treated me to see "Gone Girl" for my birthday.

I ended my birthday month by spending it at The Alluvian in Greenwood, MS. For years, I've wanted to visit and it did not disappoint. We will have to return again and try the spa. For my birthday weekend, I had a private cooking class party and the menu was "Cajun Creole." We made gumbo, pickled shrimp, sweet potato biscuits, pork loin, and for desert there were pralines and ice cream. While cooking we nibbled on cheese and sipped on wine.

My cooking crew

The boys tried to hang with the ladies

Mastering the art of chopping veggies

I was fascinated with the potato masher

Making sweet potato biscuits

Guys getting instructions

Gumbo

Gumbo brewing

Photo-bombed

Delicious and nutritious

On Sunday we left Greenwood and mister had a surprise gathering for me at Burgers and Blues in Jackson, MS. I was truly surprised and that rarely happens. A great end to my birthday month.