Blockbuster News Regarding Cousin Calvin and Miss Karen

Hi, Everybody!

Yes, I’m back again, and I’ve got a very special update. There was absolutely no way that I was gonna let this day slide by without sharing this great blockbuster news.

So, my Cousin Calvin called me about an hour ago, and he was so excited about something—in fact, he was so excited that he was a touch incoherent. When I asked him to repeat himself, he was still kinda garbled, but I managed to make out the words “Karen,” “date,” and “yes.”

And it took less than a microsecond for me to understand why Cousin Calvin was so excited—apparently he worked up the nerve to ask Miss Karen out on a date, and she said yes.

“You were right, Tasha—I had nothing to be worried about!” he exclaimed joyously. “I can’t lie, though—I really was expecting her to say no. She really threw me for a loop when she said yes. I can finally rest my mind at ease.”

I want to go on record and said that I am so happy for Cousin Calvin! Not only did he face his fears and push through, but he got the answer that I know he was praying for. As you may know, Cousin Calvin has had a crush on Miss Karen for a good minute or so… and quiet as it’s kept, I believe that Miss Karen has feelings for my cornball cousin. Now, I realize that I’m gonna be biased when I say this (after all, Calvin is my cousin), but it must be said: Calvin is one helluva guy, and any woman would be grateful to have him as a future husband. And yes, I realize that Calvin and Karen are going out on their first date, but knowing Calvin like I do, he’s gonna do everything he can to make Karen feel special.

And lest I forget, their first date is tomorrow evening. Even though I know in my heart that they’re gonna have a great time, my prayers go out to both of them.

Until next time, y’all take care, and I’ll holla at y’all later.


Smooches,
Natasha

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ronnie!

Good Saturday Morning, Y’all!

I’m just gonna cut right to the chase in today’s blog post and say…

Happy 48th Birthday to my Uncle Ronnie!

My Uncle Ronnie is the coolest—he’s always got a big smile on his face, and he’s always one to make people laugh, even if it’s at his own expense. Now, I will admit that Uncle Ronnie is a touch corny and even a bit mischievous, but he makes it work for him. Besides, it is well documented that Uncle Ronnie is his daddy’s son; he got his charisma from Grampa Clark!

I remember a story told to me in which Uncle Ronnie was about twelve years old. It was a Sunday morning and everyone was getting ready for church… well, all except Uncle Ronnie. Well, Gramma Jewel was under the impression that Uncle Ronnie was sick, so she ran upstairs to see what was up. Much to Gramma Jewel’s shock and chagrin, Uncle Ronnie was lying in the bed and watching cartoons. Naturally, Gramma Jewel demanded to know why Uncle Ronnie was not ready for church, to which Uncle Ronnie answered: “Well, Mom, I learned in my religion class that God is omnipresent, meaning that He’s everywhere at the same time, so there’s really no need to go to church every Sunday.”

Now, y’all already know that Gramma Jewel was not about to accept that answer—and Uncle Ronnie himself admitted that he was not expecting the rebuttal that he received. He said that Gramma Jewel chuckled rather ominously, then she put her hands on her hips and said: You’re absolutely right—God is everywhere, but I know that yo ass betta be ready for church in the next ten minutes!”

Suffice to say, Uncle Ronnie got up and got ready for church—quick, fast, and in a hurry!

There’s another story that Uncle Ronnie tried his absolute bestest to prank phone call Gramma Jewel about seven years ago. Gramma Jewel admitted that she would’ve never known it was Uncle Ronnie had he not broke out laughing. And y’all already know that Gramma Jewel told Uncle Ronnie not to quit his day job.

Well, that concludes today’s blog post, but before I do, I want to say once again: Happy Birthday, Uncle Ronnie, and celebrate it well. Love you lots!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

The Final Day of Vacation Bible School

Happy Friday Evening, Everybody!

Well, tonight marked the end of Vacation Bible School, and it was—as my Gramma Jewel would say—a real gooden! Personally, I had a lot of fun this week, not just in teaching the Cradle Roll class, but also in learning more about my passion for teaching.

Oh, and for the record: I was led to teach the Cradle Roll class about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—and both Gramma Jewel and my sweetie pie Ray were there to see me in action. And just for such the occasion, Mom and Dad brought along my camcorder!

I taught the little kiddies that even Jesus Christ was obedient, even up to his crucifixion. Y’all should’ve seen how awestruck the little kiddies were as I told them the story—I mean, it really blew their minds. Quiet as it’s kept, I was blown away more than my students, and I was teaching this lesson! Nevertheless, it was a wonderful lesson that was filled with so many questions from the Cradle Roll. One question in particular (which I admit I have asked on more than one occasion): “Miss Natasha, since God is Jesus’ Father, why didn’t He help out His Son and get those Roman soldiers?”

I gotta tell y’all: I gave the answer so fast that it made my head spin—I simply said: “If Jesus had come down from that cross, then we would still be living in sin. And none of us want to live in sin, now do we?” And since it was the last day of Vacation Bible School, I gave the review along with my little kiddies. For the fifth straight day in a row, those little ones answered all of my questions with such strength, energy, and vitality—and of course, a little innocence. Oh, and just for the record: Beverly, my top star pupil, took it to a whole nutha level; she went on record and said, “Miss Natasha showed that she too is an obedient lady when she taught us the story of Jesus saving our souls on the cross. Miss Natasha admitted that she didn’t want to teach this lesson because she was kinda scared, but like Jesus said to God in the garden: ‘Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy Will be done!”

And of course, I gave Beverly one of those award-winning hugs, just to let her know that I was—and still am—so very proud of her.

When it was all said and done, I received so many compliments from my family, my friends, the elders, and finally my pastor. And check this out: Mrs. Helmsley, the original Cradle Roll teacher, made it perfectly and emphatically clear that I was truly born to teach. She then went on to tell me that when the time was right, I would most definitely be her successor, but until then, she would like for me to be her assistant, at least until I return to Rust in a couple of weeks.

What an endorsement! That right there is just phenomenal, and I am humbled and honored to receive such a compliment.

Well, that’s gonna do it for me this evening. I sure had fun at Vacation Bible School, and I’m very glad that both my grandmother and my sweetie pie were there to see me share my gift with the world.

Until tomorrow, y’all take care and God Bless!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Momillennium Sends Her Love

Hi, Everyone!

First of all, my mom says that she sends her love in the form of a “great big ol’ kissie-kiss.” As y’all know, she celebrated her 41^st Birthday yesterday. My mom is a pretty basic lady, but yesterday she decided to treat herself. Generally, she takes the day off from work and just stays at home, but this go-round, she went all out! She treated herself to a spa day—I’m talkin’ about a mani and a pedi… the whole nine yards. When she returned home, she looked all relaxed and everything. Of course, Dad and I treated her to dinner later on. When it comes to restaurants, Mom is easy to please—she loves Sizzler, but because yesterday was her birthday, we took her to the Cheesecake Factory. Oh, I tell y’all—Mom was like a kid in a candy store… a big 41-year-old kid in a candy store, but a kid nonetheless!

Basically, I said all that to say that my mom truly enjoyed her birthday, and she sends her love to each and every one of you who took time to send her well-wishes and birthday prayers. She also wants you all to know that she has graciously embraced her foxy 40s, and that she has not lost any of her sexiness—her exact words.

After hearing my mom’s comments, I’ve come to one conclusion: Ain’t no conceit in our family—she’s got it all! Hahaha!

Well, tomorrow is the big day over at Auntie Cherri & Uncle Alex’s house in Long Beach. I’ve got to call Ray and let him know that I’ll be riding with my mom and dad; we’ll be leaving at or around noontime, but he can meet us over there at 1:30pm. I know that Gramma Jewel is gonna bring along Mother Davis and Mr. Hawkins, and I already know that Becky’s coming along… and y’all oughta know by now that the strawberry seven-up cake is gonna come along as well!

Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, I’m trying to decide if I should wear my patriotic sundress or my orange, yellow, and purple sundress. I already know that I’m gonna look gorgeous, but I kinda do want to look extra good for Ray. Yes, there’s an added incentive—a method to my madness, if you will. Heck, I’ll even go ahead and say that I have a special modus operandi! I’ll probably make my mind up about three hundred times between now and tomorrow afternoon. Pray for me y’all, that I come to a conclusion and make my mind up!

Well, that’s gonna do it for me today. I don’t know if I’ll post a morning blog or an evening blog, but rest assured—I will be posting a blog on tomorrow. Until then, y’all take care and have a good one.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Well-Wishes from Cali

Hi, Everyone!

So, I’m sitting in my dorm room, finally finding time to read all of the cards and well-wishes from my family and friends. These are but a few of them:

“Hey, Natasha! We are so proud of you. Continue to rise above the stars and sparkle.”

—The Douglas Family.

“Natasha Renee, we are so proud of you. You just keep on doin’ the damn thing!”

—The Fraziers: Chuck, Gina, and Kevin

“Congratulations and best wishes on your college freshman year. Just remember: You’ve got more back-up than reverse all the way out here in Cali.”

—Frank & Clara Roberts

“Dear Cousin Tasha, they saved the best for last. You’re the last one in our generation to attend college, but you’re the first one in over 50 years to attend Rust—that in itself speaks volumes. Go get ‘em, Girlie, and remember: No pressure!”

—Cousin Candace

“Best wishes and remember that God is on your side.”

—The Takashis

“As you embark on this journey, remember who you are and whose you are. Never forget that The Lord is on your side, and He will always be there. Just trust in Him and depend on Him, and He will guide you safely on your academic journey.”

—Pastor & Mrs. Richardson, and the First Baptist Church Family

“Little Miss Natasha Stewart, on behalf of the St. Matthew Baptist Church, we wish you nothing but the best in your new journey. Study hard, have fun, and most importantly, trust in The Lord.”

—Pastor & First Lady Clark

“May The Good Lord continue to bless and keep you on this new chapter in your life.”

—Clarence & Mavis Burkalter

“Go get ‘em, Girl! You already know that your Gramma Jewel is proud of you, but guess what—so am I. May you receive all the knowledge that you can obtain, and may you also be fed spiritually; after all, you are in the Bible Belt.

—Mother Thelma J. Davis

It goes without saying, but I have a lot of thank-you cards to make.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha