Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate Brownies 

Greater love hath no man, Than to lay down... His life, For a... Chocolate Brownie I only ate one, the rest I will wrap up for my co-workers. A 'sweet treat.'

Being A Diva Is Not Easy

Bad Hair Day - Go Away!

A week before my scheduled haircut, I start having what is known as 'bad hair days.' I wore a hat yesterday, after work. One week from today, on September 6, 2011, I will go in for my regular hair appointment. I have debated letting it grow to (almost) my shoulders, but then I back out. I like it that length, and have worn it that length, but lately I have worn it shorter, which suits me better. I get many compliments, from other ladies, and four females I know have cut theirs similar. They even ask my technique. I have worn my hair in the same style since I was three years old. You read that right - three years old. Though, there was three years I let my hair grow, past my waist, and had it cut for 'Locks of Love' and donated it to the American Cancer Society to make a wig for a young girl.  Remember: If you have a bad hair day, wear a hat!  It does not bother me if someone ask me about my hair or has their cut similar, for I find imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. They truly honor me. Also, we get into these conversations about how I apply my cosmetics and other such things. I have been asked to do the 'makeup' of a few friends who are going out for a special event, a wedding party, a birthday, a prom, a pageant - name it and I have been asked. I thought of having a girls nights and everyone bring their cosmetics and I would tell them what colors best suit them. They often ask, 'What colors are you wearing, Elena?" Well, what works for my complexion may not work on their complexion. For instance, I have a dark eye color, many of my female friends have a light eye color, so, I tell them to choose something that compliments their eye color. There is a universal color that all ladies can wear, regardless of eye color - purples and lavenders. In fact, purples and lavenders are shades I wear often, but not every day.  A good cosmetic is essential - it will be true in color, texture and performance. I use Laura Geller. Her products do everything I ask for in a product. I purchase in advance, so I always have a fresh shipment. Yes, I know it looks like a lot, but a shipment arrives four times a year. Besides, I need all the help I can get!  Laura Geller The Tropics Lipstick I am a 'Geller Girl' and have products for home and handbag. A few things to know: 1. Cleanse your face thoroughly morning and night. Expensive products do not guarantee they are good or effective, so read labels. 2. Moisturize your face and neck after every cleansing. 3. Throw away your cosmetics every three months and purchase new. Bacteria can lead to skin breakouts and eye infection in products that are old. It is only four times a year, so with each season, do yourself a favor a select the new shades and you will be styling the latest trend in color for the new season. 4. If you have brushes that have been purchased separately (they are expensive), you know they should last a long time, so care for them by washing once a month in lukewarm water using a mild shampoo, allow them to air dry completely, before using. 5. Never share your cosmetics or brushes with anyone. You would not share your toothbrush - right? If anyone ask to use your lipstick or eyeliner say, "No!"...and mean it. 6. Do not touch your face during the day. Touching your face can also lead to bacteria and other things ending up on your face. No good comes from it. The best thing you can wear is a smile. So smile :) I need to have a get-together with my friends and have a ladies night, with party trays of food and mixed drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. We can learn from one another on 'how to look like a diva' - if only for a day.  Oh, I reached my weight loss goal! Can you tell? I did see my MD. He is not happy, but I am.  ELB 2011

My Uncle, the Reverend Weston J. Burnside, Jr.

Reverend Weston J. Burnside, Jr. 

I am a big Harley-Davidson fan, I do our local chapter HOG Ride Events and I like stopping by on a Saturday and have a grilled burger, brat or hot dog with the gang. As much fun as it is, there is a potential danger I am fully aware of. But that is so with life in general. we can fall getting out of bed in the morning and hurt ourselves, we can drive to or from work and be involved in an accident, that may or may not kill us - such as the accident I was in this past week. Danger is all around us, but it does not keep us from living. God wants us to have joy, experience life and yet be responsible as we are His.  As I continue riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, I do wear DOT regulated helmets and protective gear. No matter how I try to be safe, there is still a possibility an accident could occur, but I rather focus my thoughts on the joy of the open road and trust this: I pray for God's eye to watch over me and His hands to cover me - and He has. But this is not always the case, so let me share with you this...Continue to read through? A 47-year-old Slidell man was killed Saturday morning when his motorcycle crashed into a pickup that failed to yield as it pulled onto Gause Boulevard, authorities said. Weston J. Burnside Jr. was pronounced dead on the scene, and the driver of the truck, William D. Gunnels, was booked on several charges after the 7:10 a.m. crash, Slidell Police spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz said. Burnside was riding a Suzuki motorcycle east in the right lane when Gunnels pulled his Nissan Frontier out of a parking lot in the 1900 block of Gause Blvd., Foltz said. Gunnels did not initially see the motorcycle and, when he did, he tried to stop the truck, the spokesman said. Burnside lay the motorcycle on its side in an attempt to stop, and was thrown off of it in the process, Foltz said. Burnside struck his head on the truck's bumper and was killed instantly, he said. Burnside was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, he said. Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, Foltz said. Gunnels, 70, (I removed his address), Slidell, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish jail in Covington with failure to yield and negligent homicide. OBITUARIES Weston Jennings Burnside Jr. August 19, 1961 - October 4, 2008 James F. Webb Funeral Home 2514 7th Street Meridian, MS 39301 Map to Funeral Home James F. Webb Funeral Home 2514 7th Street Meridian ,  MS 39301 10/21/2008 at 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Map to Visitation Location Chapel James F. Webb Funeral Home 2514 7th Street Meridian ,  MS 39301 10/22/2008 at 10:00 a.m. Map to Service Location Services for the Reverend Weston J. Burnside, Jr. will be held at James F. Webb Funeral Home, in Meridian, MS, with the Reverend James A. Ruffin officiating the services.  Services will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at Webb's Funeral Home Chapel, at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, on Old Hwy 80.  Reverend Burnside died from injuries he sustained in an accident, in Slidell, LA, on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Reverend Weston J. Burnside Jr., 47 was a Meridian native, where he attended Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church.  he was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout with the Choctaw Area Council.  He was a graduate from Meridian High School, class of 1979. He was Licensed: in 1994 and ordained: in 1995 from Russell Baptist Church.  He held a Master of Divinity, in Pastoral Ministries/Evangalism from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and studying for his Doctorate in Divinity.  He held a Bachelor of Arts, in Pastoral Ministries,Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Undergraduate College. He served as Pastor at Center Grove Baptist Church, in Meridian,  He served as Minister of Music at Arrowood Baptist Church, in Meridian.  He worked for Harper's Hospice Care, in Meridian.  He was a Senior Pastor at Pikes Park Peak Baptist Church in Colorodo Springs, CO.  He was Senior Pastor at Oak Street Baptist Church, In Kingham, AZ.  Also he was the Musical Worship Leader at College Park Southern Baptist Church, Kingam AZ. He taught seminary in Quitman, MS, and worked at First Baptist Church in New Orleans. He taught English at Kingman Unified School District #20 and sophomore English at Mohave Community College in Kingman, AZ. At the time of his death he was teaching at First Baptist Christian School in Slidell, LA, after moving there July 2008.  HE was a singer/songwriter of Christian music.  He worked at Peavey Melody Music and taught privat lessons.  he worked with Larry Pinkham, owner of Rocky Ridge Recording Studio, in Collinsville, MS.  He worked with Lon Abbot, owner of Taylor D Ranch and Recording studios in Kingam, AZ. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 21, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. We were not able to view Weston's body, it was a closed casket. He is with The Lord whom he served so well. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Weston was my maternal uncle. He left behind two sons, ages five and seven years old. He loved life and The Lord. He loved his family and friends. Things happen and sometimes they just cannot be avoided. The one thing my Mom did was call Mr. Gunnels, the next day, after he was released from jail. She told him, if Weston were sitting here, next to me, he would be the first to say:  'Brother, I forgive you. Now, forgive yourself.'  To forgive is to be forgiven.  Mr. Gunnels was overcome with grief, and was so burdened by what he saw after getting out of his truck. Others, who stopped, tried to stop him from going around the front of his truck, but he had to see. I understand that, because I am that way. So, my Grandmother sent several photos of Weston and many CD's of Weston's music and songs, so Mr. Gunnels would not see Weston in the condition he was, but as we remembered him. Our family asked the District Attorney not to prosecute Mr. Gunnels, for it was an accident, and he had a clean record and retired from the U.S. Navy. What purpose would it have served a man of 70 years old? He and my Grandmother still talk on the phone occasionally. When people go through a life changing event, it will either unite them or split them. It has helped my Grandmother to be able to forgive, too. Some ask me how I can ride a motorcycle knowing what I know? I do not know what my future holds or this moment, but I know God is with me at all times. I know, too, when He calls us home, it will be in His time - not my time. I just have to live and be prepared for that time - drive safe, play safe, be safe. "Sweet Hour of Prayer" was one of Weston's favorite hymns.  This is Weston playing at the studio. I hope you enjoy it, too. Sweet Hour of Prayer Weston with his sons Jonathan and Lil Weston III My Mom with Weston's sons Jonathan and Lil Weston III, after laying Weston to rest. Weston and my Grandmother on Weston's Wedding Day Weston on his Wedding Day

Men Inspired - Menswear Attire

Elena - I wear the pants in my family! 

I love playing dress-up, and have since I was two or three years of age. I have gone Trick or Treating since infancy. And I still dress in costume on 'All Hallows Eve' - usually two costumes a season. I took dance since three years old, and I was in costume - a lot. I dressed up for church plays and home-school programs - I dressed-up as Clara Barton, she was the founder of the American Red Cross. My Mom spent one week working on that costume and braided my hair into an up-do. That was when I had my hair long, past my waist. I cut my hair for 'Locks of Love' and donated it to the American Cancer Society. So, yes, I did my share of quick changes, but it was always in fun.  Yesterday, for work, Wednesday, August 24, 2011, I played dress-up for work. We ladies dressed as men, the men dressed as ladies and we had sponsors that contributed towards a fundraiser. I had a difficult time finding a white button down Oxford shirt. I went to three major department stores and in each store a man would measure me. In menswear the smallest is a 14-14.5 (neck). So, at the last store, it was suggested I go to the little boys department and try one on. I did and it fit! I will admit to purchasing a few items in the little girls department. I can wear certain things, like skirts - the pants are never long enough. I am 5'8.5" tall, so they look more like a Capri short.  I am looking forward to Halloween. I dress up each year and I cannot wait to see what I come up with this year. Maybe, menswear attire? Oh, NO! That is, too, easy. I have to be more creative and thoughtful when coming up with something. That is half the fun of it!  I am in a little boy's white button down Oxford.  Me in a black tie, but I liked the other one better. Hello, I am Mr. Elena Lopez Burnside

Tuesday - The Day The Earth Quaked

Here I am, outside after learning about the 5.9 earth quake felt along the East Coast and that everyone was fine.

One Tuesday, August 23, 2011, an earth quake rumbled the East Coast and this was considered the largest quake along the East Coast, since 1944. Those on the West Coast mocked those on the East Coast, but with a sense of humor. California alone has seen 35 quakes of that size - "5.9?" What? That is what most Californians stir their coffee with. Or just enough to settle the dust? The flippancy partly disguises how serious the quakes are taken in California, Alaska and other earthquake-prone parts of the country. They understand a 5.9 quake is relatively mild, but for those on the East Coast, it was a new experience. Also, they are still sensitive to the affects of 9/11. Threats have been made in recent weeks, retaliation against the U.S. has been a frequent topic. That may explain why more was said in regard to Washington, D.C. than where the quake's epicenter was...in Virginia -Right? I was at work when the news of the quake came across newswires and the Internet. When I heard it was in Virginia and felt from Canada to Georgia (as reported) I was concerned. I remember the day being bright and sunny - rather HOT, but we here in Mississippi did not feel the slightest tremor. Had it not been for the news coverage, we would have just gone about our day at work. My thoughts were with my brother Drew and his family in Chesapeake. My family is fine and in life that is what is important - that our loved ones are all right.  Happy all is well.  Thinking - My what a beautiful day in Mississippi. I did not feel a thing.

One Tuesday, August 23, 2011, an earth quake rumbled the East Coast and this was considered the largest quake along the East Coast, since 1944. Those on the West Coast mocked those on the East Coast, but with a sense of humor. California alone has seen 35 quakes of that size - "5.9?" What? That is what most Californians stir their coffee with. Or just enough to settle the dust? The flippancy partly disguises how serious the quakes are taken in California, Alaska and other earthquake-prone parts of the country. They understand a 5.9 quake is relatively mild, but for those on the East Coast, it was a new experience. Also, they are still sensitive to the affects of 9/11. Threats have been made in recent weeks, retaliation against the U.S. has been a frequent topic. That may explain why more was said in regard to Washington, D.C. than where the quake's epicenter was...in Virginia -Right? I was at work when the news of the quake came across newswires and the Internet. When I heard it was in Virginia and felt from Canada to Georgia (as reported) I was concerned. I remember the day being bright and sunny - rather HOT, but we here in Mississippi did not feel the slightest tremor. Had it not been for the news coverage, we would have just gone about our day at work. My thoughts were with my brother Drew and his family in Chesapeake. My family is fine and in life that is what is important - that our loved ones are all right.  Happy all is well.  Thinking - My what a beautiful day in Mississippi. I did not feel a thing.

One Tuesday, August 23, 2011, an earth quake rumbled the East Coast and this was considered the largest quake along the East Coast, since 1944. Those on the West Coast mocked those on the East Coast, but with a sense of humor. California alone has seen 35 quakes of that size - "5.9?" What? That is what most Californians stir their coffee with. Or just enough to settle the dust? The flippancy partly disguises how serious the quakes are taken in California, Alaska and other earthquake-prone parts of the country. They understand a 5.9 quake is relatively mild, but for those on the East Coast, it was a new experience. Also, they are still sensitive to the affects of 9/11. Threats have been made in recent weeks, retaliation against the U.S. has been a frequent topic. That may explain why more was said in regard to Washington, D.C. than where the quake's epicenter was...in Virginia -Right? I was at work when the news of the quake came across newswires and the Internet. When I heard it was in Virginia and felt from Canada to Georgia (as reported) I was concerned. I remember the day being bright and sunny - rather HOT, but we here in Mississippi did not feel the slightest tremor. Had it not been for the news coverage, we would have just gone about our day at work. My thoughts were with my brother Drew and his family in Chesapeake. My family is fine and in life that is what is important - that our loved ones are all right.  Happy all is well.

Thinking - My what a beautiful day in Mississippi. I did not feel a thing.

One Tuesday, August 23, 2011, an earth quake rumbled the East Coast and this was considered the largest quake along the East Coast, since 1944. Those on the West Coast mocked those on the East Coast, but with a sense of humor. California alone has seen 35 quakes of that size - "5.9?" What? That is what most Californians stir their coffee with. Or just enough to settle the dust?

The flippancy partly disguises how serious the quakes are taken in California, Alaska and other earthquake-prone parts of the country. They understand a 5.9 quake is relatively mild, but for those on the East Coast, it was a new experience. Also, they are still sensitive to the affects of 9/11. Threats have been made in recent weeks, retaliation against the U.S. has been a frequent topic. That may explain why more was said in regard to Washington, D.C. than where the quake's epicenter was...in Virginia -Right?

I was at work when the news of the quake came across newswires and the Internet. When I heard it was in Virginia and felt from Canada to Georgia (as reported) I was concerned. I remember the day being bright and sunny - rather HOT, but we here in Mississippi did not feel the slightest tremor. Had it not been for the news coverage, we would have just gone about our day at work. My thoughts were with my brother Drew and his family in Chesapeake. My family is fine and in life that is what is important - that our loved ones are all right. 

Happy all is well.

Happy all is well. 

Thinking - My what a beautiful day in Mississippi. I did not feel a thing.

Thinking - My what a beautiful day in Mississippi.
I did not feel a thing.

Nothing endures but change - Heraclitus

Change (noun)-the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another :a change of seasons Change is consistent and ever present.  It is always taking place in our lives. I tend to fight change. I like things to stay the same. It is comfortable for me. God is teaching me to embrace the changes He brings. I am often hard headed. He is so patient. I am so thankful. God is all about change. Change is good. However difficult it may be at the moment, eventually that change becomes something beautiful. How do I know this? I have experienced it time and time again.