DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for the ‘Birthday’ Category

Happy Birthday and Vote 4 Me

Today is my 55th Birthday and the perfect gift would be your vote for DeDivahDeals as the BEST BLOG in the 2016 Delaware Black Awards contest.

www.DelawareBlackAwards.com

Vote DeDivahDeals as BEST Blog

You can vote only once per device, so please vote using your Android Smartphone or iPhone, Tablet, Laptop, and computer at work and please ask your friends to do the same!

Thank you very much and I’ll see ya tomorrow!

HAPPY 55th BIRTHDAY TO ME

Also, if you missed Sunday’s episode of Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger on AAU Teen Talk Radio, please click the pic to hear the replay.

AAU Teen Talk Radio with the Delaware Blogger

 


Happy Birthday in Heaven Sis – Not a Day Goes By

Gloria

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

I DON’T THINK OF YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE….

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

I DON’T MISS YOUR VOICE OR THAT TWINKLE IN YOUR EYE…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE ON JUST ON VACATION…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

I KNOW ONE DAY WE WILL BE REUNITED…

WITH NO EARTHLY TIES TO BIND US…YET I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE NEAR…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT

I DON’T THINK OF YOU AS I FIGHT BACK THE TEARS…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN LIL SIS….

IN MEMORY OF GLORIA CROSS, JR

4/10/63 ~ 9/14/92


HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN

 

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say “Goodbye”.
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you –
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.

Since you’ll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today~
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you’ll always stay.

Author: Unknown


The Gift of Glamour and Glasses

The Gift of Glamour and Glasses

Last week I “celebrated” my 54th birthday with hubby and #1 son, I also received a mid-afternoon phone call from my youngest who is away at college, and it was the best birthday I could have ever asked for. Actually I stopped “celebrating” my birthdays many years ago after the death of my sister on September 14, 1992.

However, I know that everyday that I wake up ~ looking up is a gift, a gift that I definitely do not take for granted. However, even with all that being said, it’s always nice to get a little something something to commemorate the actual date of your birth. So this year to commemorate my birth, my gifts were ones of glamour and glasses.

On Sunday morning, I had an appointment with Dawn V. Gilmore, owner and photographer extraordinaire of DawnVGilmorePhotos. I had made an appointment a few weeks prior for the September Special, which was $50.00 for 4 headshots. I was super excited because I had always wanted professional headshots for my blogs and Social Media platforms and this was such a deal, making it a perfect birthday gift. Dawn is a personable and talented photographer who not only made me feel comfortable but she also made me look glamorous!  

Check out these photos!

Headshots by Dawn V Gilmore

By the way, her specialty is Boudoir Photos so if you are looking to have these taken, give her a call!

After the 30 minute photo shoot, I drove to Dunkin Donuts to use my AARP discount of getting a FREE donut with the purchase of a large cup of coffee. I decided to splurge and also purchased a Pumpkin Muffin, a Blueberry muffin for hubby and a dozen munchkins for my son, then headed home to relax.

get a discount with AARP

With his bi-weekly chemo treatments, hubby has his good days and then his not-so-good days, so when he’s smiling, I take full advantage of it with a selfie! #ihatecancer

hubby having a good day

I love to cook more than I enjoy eating out so I decided made a special dinner, Slow Cooked Mediterranean Chicken, you can see the full recipe in a Friday Foodie post next week, but check out this quick video.

Slow Cooked Chicken recipes

The final gift to myself was a new pair of glasses, yes, glasses. I have been wearing them since the age of 50, however, I only wear them to read. I’ve always purchased a pair after each eye exam, but hubby and Malik started purchasing theirs from Spec$forLess, so I decided to give them a try. There are many styles from which to choose and the prices are great, made even more so with our insurance plans.

Spec$ for less in Middletown

Monday afternoon I drove to their store located on 12 East Main Street in Middletown, and the sales person, Janine was a pleasure to work with. I had a lot of fun trying on different pairs and she indulged my lunacy by taking a few pictures.

love my big frame glasses

glasses 1

I love larger rims, AKA Sally Jessie Raphael so those are the ones I tried on. I won’t show you which pair I finally ordered, but I will tell you that they are cute and I may just start wearing them all the time, including in my OOTD photos…we’ll see.

enjoying the glamour of glasses

All in all It was a great birthday, and I want to thank all my virtual friends for their wonderful wishes as I look forward to another blessed year.


Happy Birthday in Heaven – In Memory of my sister Gloria

 Happy Birthday in Heaven – In Memory of my sister Gloria

Happy-Birthday-in-Heaven

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON’T THINK OF YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE….

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON’T MISS YOUR VOICE OR THAT TWINKLE IN YOUR EYE…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE ON JUST ON VACATION…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I KNOW ONE DAY WE WILL BE REUNITED…

WITH NO EARTHLY TIES TO BIND US…YET I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE NEAR…

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON’T THINK OF YOU AS I FIGHT BACK THE TEARS…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN LIL SIS….

 

IN MEMORY OF GLORIA CROSS, JR

4/10/63 ~ 9/14/92


Taco Salad | Friday Foodie Feature

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Today’s Friday Foodie Feature is dedicated to  

MY BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE, KAREN!

HAPPY 53RD BIRTHDAY KAREN!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!

In the late 80’s, my hubby who at the time was my fiance and I went to Fort Lee, NJ, to visit her at her mother’s house.  She had just flown in from Cali with her first born son, RJ and for lunch she made a Taco Salad.  Neither one of us had ever had it and it was also the first time I had ever eaten an avocado.  I fell in love with the recipe and over the years, have made it during the warmer months.  Last week when I chose to make it for this week’s feature I didn’t realize that it would be on her Birthday!  Further proof that we were meant to be friends for life!

Taco Salad with Black Beans

 

This is such an easy-to-prepare salad and my men simply loves it, Malik was having a fit because he had to wait until I took the pictures!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Ground Turkey – fully cooked

  • 1 package Taco Seasoning

  • 1 Can of Black Beans

  • Iceberg Lettuce – shredded

  • 1/2 Avocado – diced

  • 1 Package of Cherry Tomatoes – halved

  • 1 Cup of Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese

  • Catalina Dressing

  • Tortilla Chips

  • OPTIONS: Cilantro, Black Pepper, Hot Sauce, Sour Cream

Ingredients for Taco Salad

Thoroughly cook the Ground Turkey then add Taco Seasoning and 1/3 cup of water – preparing according to package directions.

Wash veggies, cut tomatoes in half, shred the lettuce and dice the avocado.  Drain and rinse can of black beans.

Wash all veggies and rinse and drain black beans

 

Put lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and black beans into a bowl and top with taco seasoned ground turkey.

Add veggies and black beans into a bowl

Add taco seasoned ground beef to bowl

Pour in just enough Catalina dressing to lightly coat then mix.

Serve with Tortilla Chips and top with options - sour cream and hotsauce

Serve with Tortilla Chips and top with options, sour cream and Hot Sauce.

Thank you Karen for introducing me to this salad and thank you for being my friend!

Best Friends for Life

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Don’t forget to come back at 6:00 p.m. for the #WWDParty!

 

 


When Your Baby Turns 18!

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!

Eighteen years ago today, I gave birth to my 2nd son, al-Malik Glorian Blake and now I sit here wondering – WHERE DID THE TIME GO????? 

People would often say, “cherish the moments because they go by fast”.  I remember when I just wanted him to sleep through the night…to learn how to walk…to learn how to talk…to learn how to feed himself…to be potty trained…to start school…to get his driver’s license and after all that happened…this is him today ~ an 18 year old mini man!

 

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY SON!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malik's Birth Day

The Day We Met

Malik at UD

Senior in High School

Friends on Freshman Football Field

First Formal Dance

Officially a licensed driver!

Border’s Book Signing with Spike Lee

Summers in Orlando – Cypress Harbour

Age 8

King of the Crab Legs

malik 9

Seafood Smile

 

malik's 8th

Birthday King at 8

malik at 7

Happy and Toothless at 7

malik at 6

Where did the time go?

 


My Birthday Day in Review

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Last Friday I was blessed to have celebrated my 52nd birthday.  I want to thank each and everyone of you for your birthday wishes, greetings and blog shout-outs, it touched my heart and I truly appreciated it.
It wasn’t too long ago that I would start my birthday day with a scheduled appointment for a mani/pedi, a spa treatment, out for a nice lunch then ending it with a shopping spree at the Mall. This year I started my birthday day with a scheduled doctor appointments/medical tests, a bagel and latte at a local cafe, a sidewalk sale then a meeting with my son’s case manager.  It’s amazing how my priorities changed as I got older.
Birthday 2013 045 One thing that never changes is the excitement of getting Birthday cards sent via USPS – I still love getting cards in the mail. Birthday 2013 056 I received a few from family and friends…

Birthday 2013 059

…but this was my favorite one from #1 son…definitely a keeper!

September 2013 018

I went to Whereabouts Cafe for breakfast and ordered an Oregon Chai Latte with an Egg Bagel and a Lox Spread.
Rugged Wearhouse was having their annual Sidewalk Sale and everything on the outside tables was $1.00.  I couldn’t resist picking up a few pieces of costume jewelry, spending a whooping $7.00, how my priorities have changed!

September 2013 033

When son #2 arrived home from school he and I went in town to Verizon Wireless where he helped me choose a new Smartphone.  No, it wasn’t the Apple iPhone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 a b c or d, instead I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S4 which I love – older eyes need bigger phones!

Smartphone 003

Before heading home, I stopped in at Cochran Liquors where they were hosting a taste testing for Bacardi’s new Light Strawberry Daiquiris.  With the first sip my mind was immediately transported back to an island in the Caribbean, it was a wonderful mini mental vacation.  (BTW my son was driving).  I decided to purchase a bottle of Bacardi Light Pina Colada to toast my 52nd birthday.

20130920_171247

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Later that evening hubby came home with a beautiful white floral arrangement containing Roses, Carnations, Lilys, Daisys and Baby Breaths.  This made for a perfect ending to perfectly blessed birthday day.

20130920_180303

Last Summer Weekend 060

dedivahdeals-signature

 

 


J. Crew Inspired Rossette Necklace

Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday

Today’s outfit of the day is featuring a J. Crew Inspired Rosette Necklace that I won in a sponsored contest given by fellow blogger Susan at Charming Lucy.  I got home late last evening after attending the Delaware Today Fashion Awards and a package was waiting for me on the kitchen table.  When I saw it I immediately fell in love and knew I wanted to wear it before Spring.

Avon watch and blue “stone” ring helps to tie it all together.

Delaware Today Fashion Awards 081

Both the knit top and patterned skirt were previously purchased at Marshalls.

Delaware Today Fashion Awards 090

RocketDog Peep Toe pumps from The Shoe Dept in the Exton Mall

I am thankful to have received yet another wonderful surprise this week and tomorrow’s post will be a wrap up of my birthday.  Linking up with some lovely ladies at A Lovely Blog Hop, come on over and share.

Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!

dedivahdeals-signature

 


September in the 60’s

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

I know some of you were wondering why this week’s posts were  dedicated to the 60’s…well I’ll tell ya…

September Twentieth Nineteen Sixty One

I was born!!!!

 Yes, today is my 52nd Birthday

birthday to me

 

I was going to post some old baby pictures of myself, but unlike me, my mother didn’t take many nor did I have any.

Yesterday a co-worker surprised me with a card, candy and this balloon so here I am pre-celebration

ootd 9 19 13 034

ootd 9 19 13 030

ootd 9 19 13 036

 

 BTW – I didn’t make the 152 by 52 weight loss challenge…but I’m not giving up!

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME – IT’S BEEN A BLESSED LIFE!