Change Is Really Good!

Hi, Everybody!

It’s only  been about a week since I last holla’d at y’all, and considering that today is the last day of the month of June 2015, I figured that I would at least give y’all an update on what’s been going on with me since we last spoke.

 

If you recall in my last blog post, I was a touch agitated on account of I hadn’t heard anything from any potential prospects for so much as a part-time summer job… and after taking a look at my last blog post, I see that I wasn’t “just a touch agitated.” To tell y’all the truth, I must’ve been some kinda frustrated… hahahaha! And then again, y’all really can’t blame me; after all, I am a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. I reckon that it’s just time for me to take it to that next level—I just need a change in my life, y’all. It used to be once upon a time where I was this quiet little homebody—an introverted hermit, if you will. However, those times have passed by, and I’ve shed my skin, thanks in part to my future alma mater Rust College. I have really enjoyed my new life as a social butterfly—pun definitely intended!

 

Don’t get me wrong, though—a part of me still enjoys my introverted moments, but I’m merely saying that I have evolved into so much more than that, and all within the course of three years. My Auntie Brenda was absolutely right when she said that change is really good, especially when you can look back and see from whence you’ve come. I gotta admit, though, that sometimes change can be a little scary, but overall it is very beneficial.

 

And that’s why I want to keep myself as active as possible, at least until my internship starts in September.

 

Until next time, y’all be good.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Thinking About My Peeps

Hi, Everybody!

 

I’m here chillin’ in the library, after hittin’ the pavement this morning—and just for the record, ain’t nothin’s biting yet.

 

Now, I’m not giving up—and I don’t want anyone to think that I’m complaining—but I will admit that I’m starting to get a little frustrated. All I’m asking is for a part-time job that will tide me over the summer, at least until it’s time for my internship this August. Heck, I’be satisfied if the job lasts until I go back to Rust in January. Let me just tell y’all the truth: I’ve grown sick and tired of sittin’ my ass at home all day! I need some stability in my life—I wanna be free!

 

And I’ve noticed that I feel so much better after having bared my soul. Maybe I just needed to vent.

 

It’s funny that I mentioned the word “vent,” because if I was back at Rust, I would vent my problems to my peeps. I know my girl Ruby would be a great listener—and even Theo would lend me his shoulder to lean on—but due to the fact that so many miles are in betwixt us, the best form of communication is via email.

 

It goes without saying, but yeah—I MISS MY PEEPS!!!

 

That’s all that I have for today. I’ll holla at y’all later.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Happy #44, Daddy-O!

Hi, Everybody!

Today is a special day for a very special gentleman who I love with all my heart. He was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and he is a graduate of the University of Memphis, where he met and subsequently married one Danielle Renee Jones. To this union was born a sweet little girl, whom they named Natasha Renee Stewart… hahahaha!

That’s right, y’all—I’m talking about my father, Benjamin David Stewart!

I more or less gave a tribute to my dad a couple of days ago in the form of a pre-Father’s Day blog post, but what the heck—since it’s my dad’s special day today, I can give him another tribute if I want to. Besides, he still holds the record of being the greatest daddy in the universe, and on top of that, today is my daddy’s forty-fourth birthday.

I mentioned this in a blog post two years ago on this very day, and it still holds true: One of the things that I love about my dad, is that he goes out of his way to make sure that I have a smile on face, regardless of whether or not I’m already in a good mood. I still recall how he called me every day during my freshman year at Rust, and I still laugh at how excited he was when I told him about the time I had to kick some jerk square in his jewels, and I’ll never forget how excited he was to see me during my Christmas vacation. It was as if it was meant for him to pick me up from the airport that day.

When I asked my dad what he wanted for his birthday, he started singing “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia, and then he segued into “Special Lady” by Ray, Goodman, and Brown. Daddy then told me that as far as he was concerned, Mom and I were the greatest birthday presents that he ever received. If I remember correctly, he said: “I realized only three years ago that you and your mother make my life worth living. God knew what He was doing when He blessed your mom to be my rib, and then He sent you down to be my HoneyBee. And as far as I’m concerned, you and your mother are the gifts that keep on givin’.”

Awwwwwwwwww, Daddy’s just a big man with a big heart—he’s a big ol’ soft teddy bear, if you will!

Well, with that said, there’s only one way to close this blog post:

HAPPY #44, DADDY-O—I’M GLAD THAT I MAKE YOUR LIFE WORTHWHILE!!!


Smooches,
Natasha

My Quest to Secure A Summertime Job

Happy Monday, Everybody!

Well, I made a promise to y’all over the weekend, and I intend to keep it.

Over the weekend, I made mention that I was out looking for a job all last week, if for nothing but to have a little spending money… heck, maybe even have my own savings account. Well, I want y’all to know that I applied for everything, just to show that I’m not picky… oh, and for the record, I was lookin’ rather stylish while I was job hunting! I had on my purple dress suit, and I was not ashamed to take the bus in my good clothes, either… hahahaha! I must’ve filled out at least twenty job applications overall, and I would venture to say that over half of those applications were shops in the neighborhood mall. My modus operandi is this: Since my money mostly goes to the mall, I may as well work there so I can get some discounts… hahaha!

In all seriousness, though, I spent all of last week (Monday through Friday, mind you) hittin’ that pavement and looking for all kinds of jobs. I applied for a customer service rep, a data entry operator, and I even applied to work at Hot Dog on a Stick. I think I’ve got the legs to wear those cute shorts, and I ain’t too proud to wear the hat… I’m just sayin’!

Suffice it to say, despite the fact that’s it’s been a week, I haven’t heard anything just yet. I’ve been on the phone with every place that I know is hiring, and I’ve left message after message—I ain’t heard a peep from anybody! Heck, I’ll be content if I hear from Hot Dog on a Stick… and yes, I’m being very serious.

I already know that the job search is not easy… trust me when I tell y’all: I’ve got the sore feet and the tension headaches to prove that! I’m just sayin’, though—can’t a sista get a break? I’m actually willing to earn my stripes before I become the best damn kindergarten teacher in all of Southern California. Shoot, I know what my Grampa Clark had to go through before he realized his dream, and he was forty-three years old when his dream finally came true. As you all can see, I already recognize that it’s gonna be a minute before I hit the “Big Time,” but again, I’m willing to work for what I want.

And I may as well tell y’all: The main reason why I want a part-time job, is because I’ve been feeling like a prisoner in my own home as of late. I’ve got all of this energy and vigor, and I’ve been wasting it indoors. I’m not claustrophobic, but ever since I’ve been home, the walls have felt like they’ve been closing in on me. Why do y’all think I spend my time in libraries, malls, and parks?

It’ll get better soon, though, but in the meantime, I’m asking that y’all keep a sista in your prayers.

Peace Out!

Natasha

Ode to Daddy-O

Hi, Everybody!

I trust that you’re all enjoying your warm, sunny Saturday afternoon—I know I am!

Before I jump into today’s blog post, I would like to first of all apologize for neglecting you all this past week. The last time y’all heard from me, I had given my own special tribute to the legendary Virgil Riley Runnels, whom we all knew and loved as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes—if ya weeeeeeeeeeeee, Baby! In any event, I promise that I have a very valid reason for not updating my blog this past week: You see, I’ve been out looking for a part-time job, just to make a little money, is all. I’ve got more to this story, but y’all are gonna have to wait until Monday… that’s right, y’all—I’m makin’ y’all wait until this Monday!

In the meantime in between time, I wanna dedicate today’s very special Father’s Day edition blog post to all of the great men in my life, particularly my father, Benjamin David Stewart—and yes, that’s the main reason for this special selfie of me and my Daddy-O.

As y’all know, tomorrow is Father’s Day, and I am eternally grateful for having such a great dad. Yes, I realize that every kid says that about their day, but I know for a fact that my is the best daddy in the entire universe. He’s a gentle man and a gentleman—a gentle giant, if you will (sorry, I couldn’t help myself)! He’s just a big ol’ teddy bear when it comes to me and my mom… matter of fact, my dad has stated on several occasions that he would do whatever he could to make sure that we were safe. He has proven that on more than one occasion. I still remember how he never left my mom’s side when she pulled a muscle in her leg a couple years ago—he actually took off from work, just to nurse my mom back to health. And it was during that same year (two months later, if you will… hahahahaha!) that my dad did everything he could to heal my broken heart. I still remember his sweet words: “Honey Bee, long before you were born, I fell in love with you, and ever since then, you had me sititn’ on top of the world, and I ain’t come back down yet.”

Who could ask for a greater love than that?

In conclusion, I would just like to say that I don’t really need a special day to show how much I love my dad, especially when I show him just how appreciative I am of him. At the same time, I still would like to wish a Happy Father’s Day to my daddy, and let him know that his little Honey Bee loves him to the utmost and beyond.

 

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

Still Thinkin' About Big Dust

Happy Friday, Everybody!

I’m still trying to get over the shock in regards to the sudden passing of one of the true legends in the wrestling business, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. As you may know, Big Dust passed away sometime yesterday morning; he was only 69 years old.

In yesterday’s blog post, I talked about how my Grampa Clark was a big fan of Big Dust—pardon the pun, if you weeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Likewise, my Gramma Jewel was an avid supporter of Sweet Sapphire. Well, as y’all can see, the proof is in the photo. All things considered, Grampa Clark and Gramma Jewel were huge supporters of Dusty and Sapphire.

This photo was taken on the day of WrestleMania VI—Grampa Dream and Gramma Jewel joined up with Mr. & Mrs. D and threw a WrestleMania Party. Aside from the historic main event between Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, the Joneses and the Douglases were excited to see Dusty & Sapphire wrestle against Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri. And considering who my grandparents were dressed like, y’all could only imagine Mr. & Mrs. D were representing the Royal Couple. Well, as it is forever etched in the record books, the Common Peeps prevailed over the Royal Couple when Sweet Sapphire rolled up Sensational Sherri for the 1-2-3. It also helped that Dusty & Sapphire had that crowned jewel in their corner—an ace up their sleeve, if you weeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

And as this photo shows, that crowned jewel was the lovely Miss Elizabeth!

 

I can understand why my grandparents loved Dusty Rhodes so much, and I also understand why my aunts and uncles talk about this particular feud which lasted a good chunk of 1990. Although I’m only twenty-one years old, I can appreciate the memories that Big Dust left us. Granted, it hurts that he’s gone, but as I said yesterday—the American Dream lives on in all of us, Babies!

 

 

Thanks again for those memories, Big Dust—WE LOVE YA, BABY!!!

 

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

Long Live the American Dream, Baby!

Hi, Everybody!

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I dedicate today’s blog post to a legend in the wrestling business. He was born Virgil Runnels, Jr., but the wrestling world knew him better as “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.

All things considered, I know all about Dusty’s career, thanks in part to my aunts and uncles—and incidentally, Dusty was my Grampa Clark’s favorite wrestler. I watched an old home movie where Grampa Clark referred to Gramma Jewel as his “sweet, sexy Sapphire,” and how he was gonna “humblize royalty, ‘cuz common peoples gotsta stick together, Baby!” I heard so much about Dusty over the years that he may as well have been a close family relative. Heck, my Uncle Ronnie would refer to him as “Big Dust” so much that I eventually started referring to Dusty by that very name.

Dusty Rhodes was unquestionably one of (if not) the greatest talkers in the business. Dusty was just a common man—the son of a plumber, if you weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Baby! He wined and dined with kings and queens, and he slept in alleys and ate pork and beans. He was a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and he most definitely deserved his spot in wrestling’s Hall of Fame.

I got a chance to see Big Dust in action in September 2013; his sons Dustin and Cody (better known as Goldust and Stardust, respectively) took on the Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose of the Shield. When Big Dust started throwin’ them bows—droppin’ those bionic elbowdrops, if ya weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee—I liked to have jumped up out of my seat! I remember shouting: “Get him, Big Dust—you still got it, Baby!”

The following clip is considered one of Big Dust’s greatest promos ever. He discusses hard times.

 

Thanks for the memories, Big Dust. It’s sad to know that you’ve left us too soon, especially considering that we were about to celebrate your #70 in about four months. I tell ya what, though, Baby—the American Dream is still livin’ strong in this ol’ heart of mine.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

 

Miss Summer Lily, This Is Your Moment!

Happy Friday, Everybody!

I really don’t know why I give formal introductions to these blog posts, especially when the subject title pretty much sums up everything. Blame it on proper etiquette, I reckon… hahaha! Nevertheless, a leopard doesn’t change its spots, and this California Vipress is not about to shed her skin just yet. With that said, today’s blog post is a very special one, as it is dedicated to a woman named Summer Lily Bloom!

 

If that name sounds familiar, then that’s because she’s the lady whose life was saved by my Auntie Cherri some two years ago. You can check out the blog post that I wrote entitled “This Day in My Family’s History.”

Now granted, some-a-y’all are probably wondering why all the fuss for Miss Summer this time… well, let me tell you: Today is Mrs. Bloom’s birthday—she is 29 years old.

The best way to celebrate Mrs. Bloom is to highlight her striking a pose with my Auntie Cherri and my Gramma Jewel. They took this picture right after they made their debut on the very first episode of The Dennis Hughes Show.

 

 

 

 

I don’t know if y’all can tell, but they looked some kinda sad in this photo… hahaha! I’m only kidding—they had themselves a grand ol’ time; I sure wish I was there to help them celebrate, though.

And of course, I gotta play a song from her favorite singer, Celine Dion.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bloom—with love from the Jones & Stewart Families!

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

 

 

My Meeting with Mrs. Martin

Hi, Everybody!

So, as you can tell by the title of today’s blog post, I spent the entire day up at my old elementary school… and yes, I want to state for the record that I was lookin’ my absolute bestest! I had on a smart violet dress suit with a pastel purple blouse, and just for the hell of it, I wore my fashion faux eyeglasses… hahaha! I asked my mom to take a picture of me, so I could send it to Ruby ‘nim, and of course, my mom hits me with an oldie but a goodie; she looks at me and says, “Tasha, there really ain’t no conceit in our family, because you got it all!”

I just laughed and winked, and then my dad dropped me off to get my internship paperwork situated.

Well, I am happy to announce that the paperwork for my internship is all in order. Seeing as how the first day of school starts on September 1, that’s when I will begin my internship. Now, according to the rules that Rust set, I am to complete a total of fourteen weeks. I just looked at the rest of this calendar year, and I see that my last day is somewhere around the Thanksgiving vacation. No matter—I’ll still have a great learning experience, and I’ll be working side-by-side with Mrs. Martin.

Speaking of Mrs. Martin, y’all already know that she showed me off to her kindergarteners; she even had me introduce myself to the little ones. I guess my Fundamentals of Speech class really paid off, because I talked for a good ten or fifteen minutes, and those little ones hung on to my every word. And of course, every last one of them were shocked when I told them that I sat in those very seats just a little over fifteen years ago. I got a little tickled, though, when this one little girl said that I was old, and then this one little boy looked at her and said: “Shut up, Joycelyn! She’s not old—she’s beautiful!”

I told Mrs. Martin that the little fella was growing up to be quite the heartbreaker… hahaha!

Overall, I had a great visit with Mrs. Martin and my old elementary school. I promised Mrs. Martin that I would be in touch with her in the weeks leading up to my internship. She also told me to keep in contact with Principal Burkes, just as a precaution.

Well, that’s gonna do it for today—I’ll holla at y’all later.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Summer-Summer-Summertime!

Happy June 1, Everybody!

Before I begin today’s blog post, I’ve got to wish a Happy #56 to my godmother—the incomparable Ms. Susie, better known to me as Mrs. D! She knows for herself that she is blessed beyond all recognition, and today ain’t no different. Celebrate the way you know how, Mrs. D, and make sure that Mr. D takes you someplace that he knows you love!

Well, it goes without saying, y’all, but here it is—a groove slightly transformed, just a bit of a break from the norm. It’s just a little something to break the monotony… actually, all I need is a soft, subtle mix, and if it ain’t broke, then don’t try to fix it. Just put your cars on “cruise” and lay back, y’all, because it’s… Summer-Summer-Summertime, so just sit back and unwind!

For those of you from the ol’ skool: YOU’RE WELCOME!!!

So, today is Monday, June 1, 2015, and I’ve gotten pretty adjusted to my familiar surroundings, what with returning home just a couple days ago. Oh, for the record, I did call Mrs. Martin this past Saturday and let her know that I’m home, and she told me to call Mr. Burkes, the school principal, so that I get at least get the paperwork squared away for my internship. Well, I did in fact call Principal Burkes this morning, and he asked me to stop by the school tomorrow morning at 9am PST... and y’all already know that I’m well prepared to do just that. I’m gonna make a great first impression, though—I reckon I’ll go up there in business casual, just as a safety precaution. Yes, I realize that I was very relaxed dressed last year when I visited, but that was just to visit. Seeing as how this is my internship, I’m gonna have to look and dress the part. Now, if I am told to dress relaxed, then so be it; otherwise, they’re gonna see a spiffy-lookin’ Natasha Renee Stewart on tomorrow!

Incidentally, my dad’s job is closer to the school, so I’ll catch a ride with him, and then take the bus home afterward… y’all see how I’ve got this all planned out?

In the meantime, I’ve also thought about getting a little part-time job, just so I can have some extra money, you know. I don’t mind getting an allowance, but I think it’s time I show the world exactly what I’m made of. If my accolades at Rust ain’t proof enough, then they just ain’t knowin’—I’m here to show the world, so they just better bring it on!

Well, I reckon I’d better close up today’s blog post and get out of the house for a moment, if for nothing but to walk around a clear my head. I’ll holla at y’all tomorrow, but until then, y’all be good.

 

 

Smooches,

Natasha