THE NEEDY AND THE GREEDY

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

Part 3

The next day after I got off work, I met April at the building she wanted to buy. The building was a stand-alone 2 story with a locker room and shower. The inside was huge it even had an elevator in it. April started showing me where and what she would put into the building. We then went up the stairs and she showed me this is where she wanted the oxygen and juice bar to be. April was so excited, but she realized that the place needed some work done; I agreed with her.

I received a telephone call from April about 2 weeks later. Instead of sounding her happy go lucky self, she seemed down in the dumps. I asked her “Baby what’s wrong, you don’t sound good.” April told me that she had good news and bad news. She said the good news was that she did get the loan to buy the building. I told her that was wonderful. She quickly interjected to remind me that she still had to tell me the bad news. I told her that I was sorry please go ahead and speak. April told me that she did not get enough money from the loan for the repairs and the remodeling of the building less along all the equipment, supplies and furnishings. She told me that she needed additional capital but she did not know what she was going to do. She then ran the ideal across to me that maybe she should get a business partner who could put up the funding and what did I think about that ideal?

I was at that point, so proud of her that I would have agreed to anything she wanted. I told April, “Baby do what you need to do you deserve to make your dream come true.” She looked me deep in my eyes gave me a deep kiss and told me “Thank you.” That night we made love. Two weeks later she told me that she had found a partner but the partner wanted to be a silent partner. This partner was willing to put of most of the needed funding but she still needed another fifty thousand dollars. She had no idea where that was going to come from.

The next couple of weeks we saw each other every day. We would go to the gym and I saw the transformation in action. I wined her and dined her. I was so proud of her accomplishments. We made love every day. I knew this was the time I needed to pop the question. I honored my mother’s request to take it slow, I felt that April had taken off the mask; I was ready for her to become my wife. A few months ago I had bought April a three-fourth carat diamond ring. Yes my mind was made up I was going to ask her to marry me. Why not? April fit my criteria perfectly, plus she was going to be a business owner.

I had chosen a Saturday night to propose to her. I made reservations at the most elegant gourmet restaurant in my city. I ordered a limousine to pick her up. I bought her a dozen long stemmed roses. I arrived at the restaurant early and arranged for Champagne to be served upon her arrival. Everything was perfect.

When April arrived at the restaurant she was escorted to our table by the Maître Dee who pulled out her chair; as she sat down he placed a linen napkin on her lap. I then handed her the roses. The champagne was presented and served. We had eaten a four course meal laughing and having fun. When desert was served, that is when I pulled out the box the ring was in and got down on my knee and proposed to April. She put her hand over her heart and told me “Yes.” I then put the ring on her finger and we kissed passionately. It seemed like the entire restaurant applauded us. That night we made love again.

The next day April called me she wanted to get married in June, the month was December. I agreed with her. April had a special request, that request was that we not make love again until our wedding night. I reluctantly agreed and told her, “She was my baby and what my baby wanted she got.”

About a week later April called me and asked me to meet her at the gym. When I arrived at the gym, she had these big puppy dog eyes and said she could not get the fifty thousand dollars she needed to complete the gym. April told me that once she had the money and everything passed the inspections, she could open the gym in March. She then asked me would I please fund the money to her. She said it would be considered a loan because we are not married yet and that she would pay me back before we got married in June. She also said that she had some money coming in but she was not expecting to receive that money until May. I agreed with her, after all this, woman was going to be my wife in June. So the next day we went to my bank to withdraw the money and she insisted that she sign a promissory note. So, I had the bank draw up the paper work. She signed the promissory note, and then I signed the promissory note in front of a notary public. I then gave April a cashier’s check for fifty thousand dollars.

Why did I wake up with cold sweats one month later? I realized that since I had given April the money we were talking and seeing each other less and less. I would have to go to the gym sometimes just to see her. I thought to myself, “Man she is really serious about opening up the gym. Well at least she is passionate about this gym.” “Honey,” I told her when I saw her, “I miss you.” April told me, “Baby I have a deadline. I am working seven days a week, plus I am here most of the night. I really do need to do this so I can open on time in March. After which, I have a wedding to plan. So if you will excuse me, I would appreciate if you would not come to the gym until opening day. I want to surprise you, and by the way don’t call me I will call you soon.”

I told April, “Okay I see you are serious girl, I trust you and I will let you do what you have to do. I won’t bother you. I think it is cute that you are so ambitious.” I gave her a kiss on her cheek and asked her to call me soon. I then left the gym and met with my guys. Of course the guys were surprised that April and I was apart. But they warmly welcomed me. I explained to them that April was busy putting the finishing touches on the gym. The guys were surprised that I had not kept them up to date of what was going on in my life. One of my guys named Dave told me that he planned to stop by the gym to check it out. He said her idea of a gym, oxygen and juice bar sounded interesting to him and that he might consider joining the gym once it opens. The month was February. So when the month of March rolled around, I had barely heard from April. Of course we did go out a couple of times, but there was no word of her grand opening day for the gym.

So one evening the second week of March, I met with the guys for drinks. Among the guys that I met with Dave was not present, I found out that he would join us later. When Dave did arrive at the bar he looked at me with a strange look on his face and asked me to please step outside for a minute. I told him, “sure.” Once outside Dave told me something that blew my mind. Dave told me that he joined April’s gym today. He told me that she did not even recognize me. “What!” I said to Dave. “Man, get out of here!” Dave told me, “Clarence you have to remember I only met her once so that is why she did not remember who I was.” I pondered in my mind, “Sorry Dave you are absolutely right.” Dave then asked me to take a deep breath, “I have something to tell you.” I told him, “Okay, I felt I could handle anything.” Dave then told me that April was hugging and kissing on some guy at the gym. Of course I did not believe him and played it off. I told him “thanks but I am sure there was some reasonable explanation and I would check it out later.” So we went back into the bar and started drinking.

Later on that night I went by the gym, the time was about 11:30 pm. Sure enough the gym had a grand opening sign posted on the building; the sign also offered a discount for joining. I was livid, why didn’t she tell me the gym was open. I had a lot of questions. I wanted to know about the guy Dave told me that April was hugging and kissing on? Questions I had a lot of questions that I needed answered. So I decided that I would pay April a surprise visit. I decided to go over to her apartment that night.

At first when I pulled up to April’s apartment I did not see her car, so I waited. About an hour later I saw her car pulling up and she got out of her car on the driver’s side, and to my surprise and guy came out of her car on the passenger’s side of the car. They proceeded to her apartment. I waited until 10 minutes after they entered and I went to her door and knocked. I heard her say, “Who is it?” I told her, “It’s me baby, Clarence!” April then asked me to come back later tomorrow because she was sleep. ” Bull crap!” I said to myself she is in there with that guy. “So I told her okay.” Then the next thing I remember is me kicking in the door. Before she could react, I found April in the bed with that guy. “Baby,” April pleaded, “I am sorry!” I asked her who the guy was! She told me his name. The guy looked somewhat familiar, and then it hit me! That was the guy who rolled his eyes at her and had the crooked smile on his face when I met with April at the Jazz Club. April broke my chain of thought when she told me she might as well come clean and that man he is her silent business partner. I just turned around and walked out of the apartment.

For the first time in a long time, I thought about Trina and felt badly as to how I had treated her. Furthermore the words my mother spoke to me rang loudly in my head, “You cannot go around breaking people’s heart for you will reap what you sow.”

June has come and gone, I haven’t spoken to April since that night. The gym is not doing well at all. I have hired an attorney in an attempt of recouping the money I loaned her. After all, I do have a promissory note.

THE NEEDY AND THE GREEDY

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

PART 2

I remember letting the guys know I was back in action they looked at me like they had seen a ghost. They liked Trina too. But the code was never pickup our leftovers.

Six months later, I was at the grocery store when I met April. Man April was a knockout; she had the prettiest face in the world. April had the most fly shape body possible. I asked her what she did for a living and she told me that she worked and managed a gym. She made it clear that her life goal was to own that gym. April told me that she had a bachelor degree in general studies and had a love of helping people through weight management and healthy lifestyle change. Wow, I was amazed.

We started dating all was fine. She would invite me over to dinner and prepare low carb meals. She could really cook. We would go to Jazz concerts in park, go to the museums, and take horse drawn carriage rides. We loved to travel on the weekend and we even went on a week’s vacation to New Orleans. I was falling in love with this woman but I needed to give April the test, so reluctantly I took April to my parent’s house for dinner.

As usual my mother opened the door and invited us in. I introduced April to my family. As usual my mother began to ask April questions, April was a little hesitant but she did answer my mother’s questions. My mother noticed that April did not eat very much food, so I explained to my mother that April was on a low carb diet. My mother seemed to understand. After dinner we all played cards and had fun. April and I left my parent’s house that night at about 10 o’clock. I dropped April off at her house and went home.

That next morning the telephone rang it was my mother. “Good morning Clarence I hope I am not disturbing you.” I told my mother “no I was up.” My mother then asked me was I alone. I told her “yes.” My mother then asked me what my intentions with April were. I told my mother that I intended to marry April soon. There was then silence on the telephone. I then said “mother, are you still on the telephone?” My mother replied, “Yes son, I am.” What she said to me blew my mind. She said, “Son I don’t know how to tell you this but I received bad vibes and feelings about that girl. I cannot put my finger on it but she is not right for you.”

I then told my mother, “Okay, I hear you, but I really like her and I am going to marry her unless she tells me no.” My mother then asked me to please take my time and wait until she “takes off her mask.” With that we said to each other have a good day as we hung up the telephone. “Man!” I said to myself what was that about? My mother has always been my best friend; she is not a possessive or controlling so I knew she was not jealous but I couldn’t figure this one out. With that I shrugged the feelings out of my mind and went to work.

Three months later April and I were still a couple. She wanted to have a serious talk with me. We decided that we would meet at a Jazz lounge for Happy Hour. I arrived first and secured our table. When April arrived 15 minutes later, she lit up the room. She was simply gorgeous! It seemed like every man’s eyes were following her accept for one guy. He had a crooked smile on his and rolled his eyes at her. I immediately stood up and pulled out her chair so she could sit down, then I kissed her on the lips. We ordered our drinks and selected appetizers. After we were relaxed, the Jazz band began playing. Everything was perfect. When the band went on break, I asked April what she wanted to talk to me about. April then took my hands into hers and gave me the most seductive look with her eyes as possible. I melted like putty. April then reminded me that when we met, she told me that she had intentions of buying a gym. Of course I was happy to hear one of her goals in life was becoming a reality.

“So you want to own your own business?” I said with a smile. April said “Yes, you see I have a business plan that I want you to look at and tell me what you think.” She handed me a folder. She said “I want you to take the business plan home and after you look at it call me.” By then the band was back playing. We ordered a couple more rounds of drink, I was drinking Cognac and she was sipping on Martini’s. Then we decided to leave. I asked her could I go home with her. She told me, “Not tonight honey, I have things to do.” Disappointed, I told her that I understood. I let her know that I would read her business plan and call her tonight. I gave her a kiss and wished her good night.

When I got home I went and took a cold shower, after which I put oil on my body and popped in a Miles Davis CD and began to read her business plan. So in addition to purchasing the building she also wants to open up a combination oxygen and juice bar. I said to myself that is my baby! She is always concerned about people’s health. The name of her gym was “The Empowerment Gym, for Healthy Living.” I said to myself “I like it.” So I called her to give her the news.

I dialed her telephone number but she did not answer the telephone. I hung up the telephone without leaving a message. I thought to myself, “She will look at her caller id and she will call me back.” Wrong, two hours passed with no telephone call from April. After, another hour passed, I called her again; this time I left a message the time was 10 o’clock. The telephone rang at 12 midnight, it was April. “Baby, April said apologetically I fell asleep and did not hear the telephone when it rang.” She further said “I must have had too many Martini’s, what’s going on?” I was a little upset but that mood was quickly quashed when I heard her sexy voice. Like a whipped puppy, I told April, “Baby I really like your business plan.” April told me “Good, I knew you would love it.” “Baby could we visit the building I want to buy tomorrow?” I replied to April, “Sure Sweetheart, it’s a date!” April then said something to me for the first time, “Clarence I love you.” Flabbergasted, “I told her me too.” We hung up the telephone and I went to sleep with a smile on my face.

THE NEEDY AND THE GREEDY

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

Part 1

My name is Clarence Sims I always thought I was the king of life. I am 42 years old, have a MBA, and a pretty good paying job from a very reputable firm. I like the finer things in life you know; good liquor, pretty women, and lots of action with the women.

Some people consider me to be materialist and arrogant, but I could care less. So what I desire particular requirements from the people I associate with. The people I associate with must have a degree, have class, and have their own money. My guys, with whom I hang out with, are like me, single. We have the same expectations and requirements, so we get along real good. We love Jazz and make it a point of going to concerts together. We also love our sports cars and elegant condos. We are going to be players for life.

I remember the time when I met a young Lady named Trina in the month of November, she really had it going on. By that I mean she met my expectations. She was pretty, had a degree, money, a nice car, and her own apartment. Oh by the way, she loved Jazz. We got along fine; she was not clingy or demanding of my time. So I could still hang out with my guys with no problem. We would laugh and have a good time together.

After a year of dating, I decided to let Trina meet my family. You see in my mind, if she could pass the test (my mother’s approval) she may have a chance with me. I may be willing to give up my bachelorhood. Although the guys were in shock when they found out I was considering marriage, they realized that I had my mind made up that she may become my wife.

It was Thanksgiving Day, I picked Trina up and we headed over to my parent’s house. I knew if my mother liked her then she would have passed the test. My family consisted of my mother, father, sister, and brother. I was raised in a modest neighborhood and in a moderate house, which was far from my standard of living I have accrued, it was still home. My father was retired from an automotive plant; my mother was retired from the county government. My siblings also worked for the county government. I was the only one in my family who graduated from college.

As we approached the house I let my friend, Trina know a little about my family. She told me she was honored to be invited to dinner. My mother answered the door and invited us in. I introduced Trina to the family. The family smiled at her. Actually they were in shock because this was the first woman I had bought home for them to meet.

At dinner my mother wanted to know all about Trina, so she asked her a lot of questions. My family really seemed to like her and told her that she could feel free to visit again with or without me. We did visit my family a few more times over the holidays, but then something happened. I began to realize that I liked Trina, but I was not in love with her!

After much pondering, I decided that Trina and I needed a break. So I broke up with her. I told her I needed some time to myself, because I needed to know what I really wanted to do in my life. Believe or not, Trina took the news of my decision of the dismissal of our relationship like a champ which made me admire her more.

One day my mother called me on the telephone to invite Trina and me over for dinner. When I told my mother we broke up, she let out a sigh and asked why? I told my mother that I was looking for a wife and I thought Trina was the one, but something was missing from the relationship. My mother then told me something that I would never forget. My mother said, “Son, I raised you the best I could. I am proud of you and how you turned out as an adult, but you forgot where you came from.” My mother also told me, “Son you think higher of yourself than what you really are, that is not good. You cannot go around breaking people’s heart for you will reap what you sow.”

I asked my mother, “What do you mean by that?” She told me, “Trina is a good woman who is hard to find, she is like gold and you are making a mistake. You need to go to her and ask for her forgiveness because the next woman you may find may not be the one for you. Be careful because there are many women who look like sheep, but they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

With those words spoken to me by my mother, “I told her thank you and I will take what you said into consideration.” With that said we hung up the telephone.

REVERENCE

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

The two definitions of the word reverence I would like to use come from the Encarta Dictionary: English (North America) is a noun. The first definition is respect felt; which is feelings of deep respect or devotion. The second definition is respect gained; which is the respect or devotion that others show somebody or something. My personal definition of the word reverence is to love.

The strongest love above the earth is God. The strongest love on the earth is the love from a good mother. I am not saying father’s love is not less than a mother’s, but to get my point out I am focusing on mothers. Whether you carried your child in your womb or adopted your children; a mother’s love is priceless.

I remember when I won the lottery; I made sure my kid’s needs were met. You notice I used the word need and not the word want. You see, I believe if I gave my children everything they wanted, they would become spoiled unappreciative brats.

As a mother I have always wanted my kids to have a better life than me. I wanted them to get their college degrees. But I had to be an example first to my children, so I went to school and got three degrees. Being a divorced woman, I raised my children myself. Living from pay check to pay check, I managed to budget and maintain my household. So I could be that example of what hard work can get you in life.

After winning the lottery, I retired from my job, set up a budget from the interest I earned from my investments, and began traveling. Although I traveled, I never forgot about my children so I made it a point to do something I never was able to do before; take family vacations with my children!

My heart swelled to the size of a watermelon when we took our first vacation together. We flew to California and went to Disney Land and Universal Studios. Sometimes I believe that if we were ever being filmed America would get a good laugh because we can be very entertaining in our own rank. Our vacations contained a lot of first time experiences. The memories of our family vacations will last me a life time.

From the laughter to the disagreements, I would not change a thing. For all the madness and drama my family can bring. Through it all, we have to learn to appreciate and honor one another. In the end love wins.

A TRUE FRIEND EMPOWERS

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

One definition of the word empower (a noun) according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is “to promote the self-actualization or influence.”

For most of my adult working life I have always been active with unions. I was a shop steward; I fought for people’s rights. When I worked for Child Support Enforcement I fought for children. My degree in Psychology helps me to be able to evaluate people and problem solve. Why am I telling you this? I am telling you this because the other day I was reminiscing about a friend of mine who is closer than a sister to me whom I love very much. I had to empower her through a situation she was experiencing.

One afternoon I received a telephone call from Sally. Sally’s voice was not her usual cheery one but somber. So I asked her “what’s wrong?” Sally told me that she had got into some trouble. She told me that she was accused of a crime that she did not commit. After she told me what happened. I could tell while she was talking, she was traumatized. I have known this God fearing lady for years and I knew she was innocent of this alleged crime.

I asked Sally did she have an attorney. She told me “yes.” However she was very concerned about how much money that attorney was charging her, her reputation in her community, her job, and her record. Sally told me she never even got a traffic ticket before. Sally was really scared and she started crying.

When I heard the pain that was coming from her, the soldier in my spirit stood up. I began to counsel and encourage her. My style was a little rough but I had to get her attention and pull her back from fear. After I got her attention, she stopped crying and began receiving what I was about to tell her.

I told her she had nothing to worry about. Just give this situation over to the Lord and believe He will fight your battle. You are a good person, with no criminal past, even what you do for a living is commendable. I reminded Sally that she was an Angel of Mercy. Make a payment plan with your attorney, because no judge will condemn you. “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper.” Be strong, be brave, and stand up for yourself. This situation is of the devil, don’t let the enemy win, and fight back!

Well a few months later I received a telephone call from Sally, she told me that all of the charges were dropped and her record was clean. She started laughing and told me “girl, you really got stirred up that day and you really set me straight.”

I told her that I was sorry if I went overboard. Sally started laughing again and told me that she needed that speech because it kick started her to fight back. She told me that she had gotten mad about the lie the enemy was trying put on her, plus how that storm was not going to affect her self-esteem or her worthiness. She knows who she is in the Lord and that she was a blessed child of God. She then thanked me.

RUN AWAY MOM

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

My offspring have named me the runaway mom. Why, because when I am stressed out I do go out of town for a couple days of without telling them where I am going and how long I will be out of town. I have Lupus and I am easily stressed out. Pressure that may not affect normal people, but affects those who have Lupus. Many people do not understand this but those who have Lupus do.

Stress is a killer it may come in the form of a heart attack or a breakdown for people without Lupus but for people who have Lupus stress will show up as an episode.

An episode means that your body is off beat and something bad is going to happen to your physical body. So whether I am stressed out about people trying to get money from me, or those who have received money or some type of gain from me who have failed to keep their word, it affects me. Also what affects me is; the sun, the cold weather, but the right sun and temperature makes my body feel good. So off I go!

So when stressed I leave St. Louis and travel. The problem is that I did not tell my offspring where I am going. They have a problem with that fact. At first I would tell them, “so what!” Now I understand. I now will let them know where will be and how long I will be gone. Of course when they presented their case to me with the utmost most affection, I now understand. I will no longer be a runaway mom.

LEARNING TO SAY NO WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

Because I am giving birth to my new book, “Through the Storm,” this week’s blog is going to short and come straight from the hip.

The majority of people in this world want to have a good reputation. Most people want to be favored.

Most people in this world are givers. They love to help. They donate to charities or give what they have within their means. Giving is not just about money, many people will give their time. Whether that time is listening on the telephone with empathy, or volunteering their services to accommodate someone; giving is giving.

What concern me is this, people who try to take advantage of givers. Strangers who come out of the wood work asking for money. Whether requests are solicitors, organizations that are not listed on your Attorney General’s list, financial
companies, or people; the victims does not want to be exploited, black mailed, or exposed unfavorably.

In this day and age there are a lot of thieves, scams, and con artist going around. These people prey on the young as well as senior citizens. Never give them your financial information such as your credit card number. Always check out your source and learn to say “no” without feeling guilty. If you loan out money please make sure you write up a promissory note. You are not the bank or an ATM machine. When you have some money, you will be surprised how many people plot to get it. Just because a deal sounds good and the person who you speak to seems like an angel, do not go for it. Learn to say “no.” Nothing in this life is free, watch out for those free deals.

Lastly, never give your money to strangers without first checking them out.

STOP YOUR NAGGING

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

The art of nagging is defined by Encarta Dictionary as a verb which means to ask or urge somebody persistently and annoyingly to do something. It always bothers me when I watch a television show in which the woman in a relationship who are a couple; complaining about what they do not have or wanting to live above their means. She complains when her girlfriends’ husbands bought his wife a new car or they went on vacation. They live their lives trying to keep up with the Jones’s. They will nag, nag and nag their husbands and put them down. The truth is that wife may be a stay at home person or lazy who needs to shut up and get a job to help out their financial situation. I saw this week a story of a woman and husband who were living with the woman’s mother. This lady was upset because she wanted to get her own place, however, she did not work and hubby could not afford to get them an apartment. She was ranting and raving on that show and was wondering why her husband found comfort in the arms of another woman. He told her you did that, I am tired of being called names and being put down. That woman made me feel like a man again. I made a mistake, I am sorry, it will not happen again.

Nowadays most families not all, need to have both the wife and husband to work in order to make ends meet. Gone are the days of old where the man was the sole bread winner. It takes two people to tangle life. I have a friend whose husband decided to become an over the road truck driver. What did she do? She quit her job and became his partner. Today they have seen most of America through their job as truck drivers. As partners, their marriage improved.

We as women have to become independent not co-dependent we have to help out. We must stop whining and fussing about what we do not have, and thank God for what we do have. You want a vacation, save money. Maybe you cannot eat out once a week, but aim for once a month. Build up your man, do not tear him down. Nagging a man turns him off from you. For even the Bible states Proverbs 21:9; “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”

These are lessons I have to remind myself of. I found out that I can get more from my man with honey rather than vinegar. Now here is a quick twist to this blog. I remember while growing up as a child in my household; on Sunday mornings my mother would be fussing at my dad because she wanted him to go to church with us. He would not give in. Finally my aunt told my mother to leave him alone. She told my mother you and your children go to church, stop fussing at him, he will see your example and when he is ready, he will start going to church. My dad did start going to church after I turned 18 years old. My dad became a deacon and took his duties seriously; he would leave to get to church if my mother was taking her time getting ready for church. Yes, she had to drive her own car to church; I think that happened at least one time. She did not mind because God had answered her prayers.

This blog is short and to the point. I hope my message is delivered, believe you me, I have run many potential husbands out of my life by fussing. Constructive arguing is a different subject and another blog. Until I am inspired to write about that, have a good laugh at this blog.

SUNSHINE & RAIN

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Sandra Hayes

The year 2012 had been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I had to do a lot of pondering. As I pondered, I found myself asking the question “why God why?” I could not believe all the senseless murders that took place that year; and yes, too many children have been murdered last year. I cannot remember the names of all the people who lost their lives prematurely. God bless the children. I will not and cannot forget Trayvon Martin and Sandy Hook. However I do remember local senseless murders, such as in University City, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Illinois. It seems that every day I have hear of yet another senseless murder. May God bless those families and friends who are affected, for they are victims too.

My spirit cringes, I remorse too. I am angry and sad, but I will not hate. Hatred is a coward’s emotion.

As I look back, the year 2012 has produced not only rain, but also sunshine. I have met people that I never dreamed I would ever meet. I found myself on the radio, newspaper, and on television. I was blessed to have two publicists that really help push my book. When I was invited to New York, I felt as if I was walking the red carpet. A few weeks after leaving New York, Hurricane Sandy hit. Yes this was a real busy year for me and a busy crazy weather year.

One of my favorite television shows is the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.” Although the original airing of one particular story was not in 2012, but hit close to home, was Meglio’s Italian Grill and Bar, LLC. This restaurant is located in Bridgeton Mo, on St. Charles Rock Rd. The President is John Meglio. Because I watched in 2012 that particular episode of “Restaurant Impossible,” my finance and I decided we wanted to visit that restaurant and eat. The restaurant is a clean cozy family styled facility. The food is reasonably priced, good friendly service, good portion of food, and believe me the food is delicious. I love Italian food. My favorite is the shrimp scampi on Italian bread.

When visiting the restaurant, we usually sit at the bar, so we can talk to Mr. Meglio. He is a character, we laughed about how he reacted on the show. In my opinion, he is considered somewhat of a local celebrity because of the show.

In 2012, we had re-elections. I lost loved ones, both family and friends. But I also found through facebook, my other family members who live in other states. It feels good being connected to them.

I know my blog is late but straight to the point, I am wishing everyone a blessed 2013 where we can look up and have faith in God, for tomorrow will be a better day.

THE NEEDY AND THE GREEDY

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Sandra Hayes

BROS, WOES, AND GIGOLOS

Part 1

My name is John, I am a Leo, and I am 36 years old. I love all women. I am not looking for a long term relationship. I just like to hit and get. I use on-line dating sites and facebook to find my prey.

One day I decided to explore a dating site and read the profile of a lady named Trish. Trish was looking for a single man who is employed, has his own car, must be between the ages of 30 to 40, and race does not matter. She was seeking a long term relationship. Trish described herself as a 5”6’ blonde bombshell, who is employed, no children. Trish’s picture really blew my mind. I decided to respond to her ad.

My name is Samantha, I am a Virgo, and I am 25 years old. I like men with money. I like meeting men at night clubs. I will check out a man and if he is wearing an expensive suit, fine jewelry, and he does not mind buying my drinks; I will take him home at the end of the evening. This is how I find relationships. But mind you I do not like cheap men. If they do not want to keep me and provide for me financially, they will get dumped.

It was a Saturday night when I went to this upscale club; the club was filled with men without dates. I went into my hunt mode. You see I was dressed to the nine wearing my Gucci dress, matching Gucci shoes, and purse. My hair was freshly done. My makeup was on point. As I sashayed towards the bar, I spotted a gentleman wearing a brown Armani suit, brown Tyndall wingtips, and a Rolex watch. This man was average looking, but he was tall. So I made my way to the bar and stood next to him. He promptly got up from the stool and asked me did I want to sit down. I told him yes. He introduced himself and told me that his name was Winston and asked me did I want a drink?

My name is Dwayne, I am a Taurus, and I am 40 years old. I am divorced and will never get married again. I use social networking to find my women. Did I tell you that she has to be well-off financially. I like older women because they are easier to work with than younger women. I find their mature nature divine. I also will not commit to one woman. I let that fact be made known from the beginning. If they can hang, cool. If not, too bad. I run the show. I pick my women carefully. My women cannot be clingy or possessive. If they show the slightest hint that they are that way, I will dump them. I cannot have anyone in my life that tries to change me. You see I forgot to mention that I am a very neat and handsome man with hazel eyes, and a body many men would kill for and many women want. Oh, and there is one thing I did not mention, my women keep me. I expect that.

To be continued…..

This story is pure fiction and does not reflect any person I know.