The Oreo Archives

"Your total is <insert large amount here>." "Ooo shit...what?" *Awkward giggle..repeats total* "Did you get the coupons?" "Um..yes, ma'am" *Holds back tears and vomit while sliding card into reader* This is me at HEB - every week. Eating fruits and veggies and low carbs all day sucks. All you get out of it is maybe a hotter, slimmer bod, a little nicer skin, maybe less digestion issues, and some energy. You know what you don't  get? TO EAT CEREAL FOR DINNER EVERY DAY . Got me over here having withdrawal... ("Got me all stressed out, hair fallin' out, my weight up and down" ...you should be laughing if you get this reference...) I'm looking at fast food commercials like a crackhead looks at a cooking rock, and I don't even like fast food! In all seriousness, you know what seems to hurt the most when I try to correct my diet? My damn bank account. I know so many people make the same resolution every year

Twenty-five. Two and a half decades. A quarter of a century. What the f*$! happened?! Everyone is always making a big deal out of the "milestone birthdays" at work. I chimed in with an "I'm turning 25...that's kind of a milestone" and got a few eye-rolls, a "pfttt", and a "call me when you're turning 50!". Well screw you guys - turning 25 is just as scary ! If you're anything like me, you've graduated from college, gotten a "real job", have a dog....and that's about it... So as your 'special day' of the year approaches, all you can think about is all the things so many other 25-year-olds have accomplished that you most certainly have not (married, kids, world traveling, dream jobs, cute brunches with friends, etc., etc.) . Ohh, and let me not forget to mention that my birthday happens to fall on New Year's Eve (yes, every year...Dec 31st is always New Year's Eve...and yes, I get asked th

December 26th - January 1st As an African American, I have never actually celebrated Kwanzaa, and damnit, I have been missing out! With so many members of the black community coming together this year to fight injustices and stand up for the rights of all, I made a vow to learn more about this holiday and participate in a historical, yearly celebration of my heritage. So, of course, I decided to share the background on my blog as a step  (trying to cross off my Kujichagulia and Kuumba...see below) . Kwanzaa is a holiday that honors our African heritage (here in the US, and across the world) with a week-long celebration after Christmas. The name " Kwa n zaa "  is derived from the Swahili phrase " matunda ya kwanza ", meaning "first fruits". This represents the origination of the celebration as the first harvest to the home, celebrating the bonding, appreciation, gifts, and values of our people. The holiday consists of:  The Seven Principles  (The N

Earlier this week, I was lucky enough to be given the  Sunshine Blogger Award  by a fellow blogger, Sheila Tagaro, a.k.a.  The Solo Tripper . ( Newbie love - woop woop!)   The  Sunshine Blogger Award  is an award given to bloggers, by bloggers, "who are creative, inspiring and bringers of sunshine into the lives of their readers".  (who...me??)  I am so new to blogging that I didn't know what this award, or really any blog awards, were. So I am very gracious that Sheila voted me as one of the winners! Sheila is the writer of  The Solo Tripper , a blog combining her love for writing and traveling. Her blog contains experiences from traveling alone, discoveries she's made along the way, stories of strangers she's met, destination guides, and even some travel tips. Check out  her website  for some cool stories and stunning pictures of adventures we can all be jealous of. Thank you, Sheila, for nominating me!😁 The  Sunshine Blogger Award  is a 'share-

"Oh, I can tell you're single" ...The ever-so-reminding phrase that you're as single as Adam before Eve. That was the sweet  response I got from the comical woman behind me in the grocery store checkout line after I told her she could start putting her groceries on the conveyor belt. I guess my frozen meals, three boxes of cereal, and dog food gave away my non-existing relationship status. Is it just me, or does your "single-ness" stick out like a sore thumb during the holidays? The holidays bring cool weather (well, sometimes) , long nights, the best movie releases (like The Last Jedi...go see if you haven't) , and all the lovey-dovey Hallmark movies you can stand - all of which make for perfect snuggling... unless you're single . And we can't forget all of the perfect engagements and beautiful weddings that fill your newsfeeds in sweet December. Oh, the sweet love and warm hearts we feel when we see old friends getting their fairytale endin