HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. A short, simple, and to the point blog entry …….. I'M GOING TO MARIAH'S ATLANTA CONCERT ON JANUARY 19th!!!!!!!!  Bring it to the freaking runway!!  I am beyond excited and still can not believe I have a ticket.

This excitement is due to THE PINK DIVA, who knew I wanted to go as much as she did.  Well, we were talking today …….. and now we both have tickets to see THE VOICE!  Of course MISS PINK has a few concerns that she may become injured due to my singing, dancing and screaming [we both saw Madonna for the first time together, so she has an idea of how the Diva acts at a concert].  I'll try to keep my excitement under control, but no promises.

Mariah Carey YALL!

Here is the video for one of my favorite Mariah songs that many people do not know about .. "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life!"

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!  Roscoe and I just wanted to send out a quick Christmas week catch-up / blog entry.

First, Roscoe's First Annual Holiday Open House was a great success last Sunday!  Almost everyone that I invited came [many with gifts for myself and/or Roscoe .. I did not anticipate this - nice surprise], stayed, mingled and ate, ate ate!  The party was far more successful than even I thought it would be.  HMMMMM, maybe this could be an annual holiday tradition?

I have to give a HUGE shout out to my Mom and the Hackberry Divas [Miss Diana, Miss Gina, Queen Cindi, Miss Anne and Miss Peggy] for the food they brought and the great words of encouragement.  I seriously could not have had this party without them!

Besides my family and friends who helped to make the party a great success, I was also thankful for the party itself, since I finally begin to get into the holiday spirit.  For some reason, it has been very, very hard to get out of the "blah" mindframe I had for Christmas this year.  And nothing seemed to improve my mood .. shopping, Christmas music, parties, etc.  However, if you read my last post, KATHY B's hat began the transformation!

I don't know why my mood was blah.  I am extremely thankful and had been looking forward to the season, but it just seemed like a "spirit" that was just out of my reach.  As a hint, watch THE CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – it works everytime! 

Anyway, the Christmas work week was short, Christmas Eve at my parents was the typical craziness and laughter, and then came the best part, a relaxing Christmas Day .. Roscoe and I laying around my parent's house watching old movies [LITTLE WOMEN - The 1949 version with Elizabeth Taylor as Amy, Margaret O'Brien as Beth and June Allyson as Jo.  WHAT WAS MGM THINKING??  Amy is the youngest, and yet Elizabeth Taylor looks older than all the girls, and with more make-up??], and eating leftovers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. I already know what you're thinking!  "What a fantastic Christmas hat, that looks like it was made to be worn by a true DIVA!!  And I'm so jealous that I don't have one!"  Well, you should feel a little tinge of Christmas Grinch envy, but not much since it is the season!

This INCREDIBLE hat was given to me by my friend KATHY B, who thought I need a little holiday pick me up.  I LOVE THIS HAT!!  Not only is it beyond stylish, but it also plays music [hence the little "press here" sticker], lights up AND the tip goes up and down!

THANK YOU again Kathy B!  I needed this little Christmas reminder!

WHY?

Well, for those who do not know, Uganda is in the process of passing legislation that would allow for the death penalty of known gay men and women, as well as the incarceration of those who knew of gay people and did not alert the government within 24 hours.  Naturally human rights groups and some European governments [but not our President, only Hillary] are making public statements, but to no avail.

So, you think to yourself, who actually visits Uganda?  Why should I care?  That is just one country in Africa.  But now leaders in Rwanda are putting forth similar laws.  On top of these developments, the BBC actually held an internet debate with the title, "Should Homosexuals Face Execution?"  Due to an outcry, the title was changed to, "Should Uganda Debate Gay Execution?"  Ever heard of the domino effect?

PEOPLE!  This is really happening in the world.  A sad and very scary gay hatred that is beginning to show up everywhere.

I really needed this hat today. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. It has been a busy weekend of par-tays, par-tays, and more par-tays!

First, this past Friday, 12/11, was Mr. Roscoe's second birthday!!  My little man is growing up!!  For the past few weeks, Mr. Man and I have been getting up way to early, in order to walk 2.5 miles with my boss.  Well, when Roscoe and I arrived at my boss's home on Friday, there was a surprise birthday party!

Roscoe's birthday is on the same day as my friend, JT's beagle, Doobie [who also turned 2].  So Roscoe and Doobie were each given a "rope monkey" [wrapped I'll have you know] and a peanut butter lollipop!

My little guy is now 2 .. we are either going into the terrible twos or the twisted teens depending on how a dog ages.

Later that night, my parents were having there annual Christmas open house.  The divine Miss Gina [who gave Mr. R a great squeaky "Christmas Tree Light" for his birthday] graciously accepted my offer to attend the party as my guest.  The place was packed for a while there.  Of course, everybody just loved Miss Gina, while I had trouble remembering which face went with which name.

The next night, it was off to my office Christmas party held at my boss' home.  Great food – I ate so many of those deep fried, cream cheese filled, jalopeno poppers!  Damn those things were good!  Unlike previous years, we did not start pumping the music.  Alas, the dance floor was not brought to Duluth! 

And here we are on Sunday night, December 13th!  Less than 12 days until Christmas, but more urgently, less than 7 days until I throw my own open house!  What was I thinking ??

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice …….. 

HAYYYYY!!  OK …….. Had a fantastic time last night with Miss Gina and Miss Diana.  After we grabbed some dinner at Shane's Rib Shack [which could have been a little bit better], the decision was made to hit Dollar General, Target and Wal-Mart .. all before 10:00 pm.  Success [and red plastic plates] was had by all .. ie .. the trunk of the diva-bug was full.  Miss Anne, Queen Cindi and Miss Peggy .. we missed you!

Diva say what .. but my first ever, being a grown up DIVA, Christmas Party is in two weeks.  I have never hosted a party [reason for the red plastic plates] of this size alone, and in my own home!  I went over the menu at least four times last night with Gina and Diana.

And speaking of Miss Diana, I have to send a HUGE shout out!  In the 40 degree [and below] temperatures today, she strung lights around all the car ports on my street!  The lights, along with the snowflakes and bells she hung earlier, have us looking mighty Dollywood Peppermint Village festive tonight!  THANKS DIANA!

You know a Diva like me .. decorating on the inside is great!  Not so much on the outside! 

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice ……..