Monday, February 13, 2012

Ode To Whitney Houston

Happy Monday, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

Today, I will break from the norm and pay tribute to one of the most talented singers of my day. She was no ordinary lady, but she was every woman. No, her name was not Susan—her name was Whitney Elizabeth Houston.

I’m still at a loss for words behind Whitney’s sudden passing, but I will say this: I have nothing but the utmost respect for LL Cool J. He showed true class when he opened up the Grammys with a prayer.  I appreicate LL for being bold enough to thank The Lord for blessing us with Whitney.

When the news of Whitney’s passing broke, it seemed apropos to ask “Why Does It Hurt So Bad?” After all, we didn’t know her personally, but we all welcomed her into our lives in some way, shape, form, or fashion. So now we ask the question: Where Do Broken Hearts Go? Well, Whitney gave us the answer in a song from The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack when she said: “Long as I live and troubles rise, I will hasten to His throne.”

No matter what Whitney sang, every man, woman, and child felt so emotional and felt the need to dance with somebody. And I can testify that it seemed like she was singing to me when she uttered those four words: I’m Your Baby Tonight!

It’s human nature to feel that Whitney left us too soon. We may even think to ourselves: It’s not right, but it’s okay, because overall, we must remind ourselves that The Lord Almighty sees all and knows all. He does not make mistakes, so hold on—help is on the way.

And to you, Whitney—thank you for the many songs that helped inspire my life. I will always love you.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Message from the Future Mrs. Howard Douglas

Happy Thursday, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

As promised, today’s blog features the recently engaged Jessica Dawn Torres. She’s here to talk about her upcoming wedding, as well as her true feelings about her future husband Howard Allen Douglas.

Hi, Everyone!

Let me start off by saying first of all: Oh my God—I’m getting married!

I’ll forever hold December 17, 2011 close to my heart. Howie and I were on our way to a Christmas party at his brother-in-law’s house… we had already heard the news that Howie’s sister Sarah was pregnant with twins, so it was more like a double celebration. Anyway, Howie picked me up and asked if I would help him with a quick run to the grocery store to get some apple cider. Upon leaving the grocery store, I noticed that Howie seemed a little flustered about something, and when I asked him if anything was wrong, he just shook his head and said that he was okay. And then, he dropped to one knee. I was under the assumption that he was about to fall, so I caught a hold of him quickly.

“Howie, are you okay?” I asked him.

“I’ll be alright,” he said nervously. “I just fell… in love… with you.”

Okay, I blushed a little when he said that, but I did not expect him to pull an engagement ring from out of his pocket and show it to me. One of the jewels in the ring was my birthstone. All of a sudden, I couldn’t breathe, and tears just came cascading down my cheeks as Howie uttered those sweet seven words.

“Jessica Dawn Torres, will you marry me?”

I thought about the time that I was nine years old and I watched the legendary “Macho Man” Randy Savage ask Miss Elizabeth that question, and just like Miss Elizabeth, I looked at Howie and said, “Ooooooooh, Yeahhhhh!”

Howie placed that gorgeous engagement ring on my finger, and then he scooped me up and kissed me. For that very moment, we didn’t care that a mini-crowd had witnessed what had just come to pass. I clearly remember a big dude walking up to Howie and giving him a high-five. An elderly lady squeezed my arm and congratulated me.

Who would have ever thought that a meeting in a grocery store in April 2009 would result in a wedding coming up on Saturday, June 16, 2012? I certainly didn’t think so. I will say this: I am so excited to be Mrs. Howard Douglas… and it’s so apropos that my sister-in-law Sarah got married back in September. Oh, wow—I’m so excited!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

An Update On Howie & Jessica

Happy Wednesday, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanaticals!

So much has been going on that even I can’t keep up with everything. As you all know, Ms. Viv’s book Life, Love, & Strawberry Seven-Up Cake has just been published, and I have been so busy marketing and planning book signings that I haven’t had time to update my blog… that is, until this very moment.

We broke the news to you all on January 9, 2012 about Howard Allen Douglas and Jessica Dawn Torres. In case you missed it, these two are engaged to be married, and despite my busy schedule, the happy couple are planning to wed on June 16, 2012.

It all began in a grocery store in April 2009 when Howard and Jessica met. While waiting their respective turns in line, the two killed time by singing—of all things—a theme song from a professional wrestling show. One thing led to another, and they exchanged phone numbers that very day. Three days after that, they had their very first date, and here we are, planning a wedding.

We will have more on this story as it develops in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, stay tuned for tomorrow, as the blushing bride-to-be gives her thoughts and feelings about becoming Mrs. Howard Douglas.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Life, Love, & Strawberry Seven-Up Cake Has Arrived!

Hey there, Ms. Viv 'Nim Fanatics!


Vivian Jewel Jones has finally arrived!  I am happy to introduce her autobiography, Life, Love, & Strawberry Seven-Up Cake.



“No matter what life throws at’cha, you just keep on in spite of, Baby!”

These are words to live by from everyone’s favorite senior citizen, Vivian Jewel Jones—a.k.a. Ms. Viv.

A native of the Mississippi Delta, Ms. Viv is known for her beautiful spirit and her delicious strawberry seven-up cake. She is a strong down-to-earth Christian woman who loves professional wrestling, rap music, and get even boogie on the dance floor.

A rock of stability with a genuine love for others, Ms. Viv is always willing to give words of encouragement and prayers, but when an unexpected tragedy hits home, it’s up to Ms. Viv to practice what she has preached.

Life, Love, and Strawberry Seven-Up Cake is an uplifting and inspirational story that will make you laugh, touch your heart, and encourage you to think about what is most important in life.  Through Ms. Viv’s testimony, we are reminded that nothing is ever promised, so it is best to find joy in life, live for the moment, and most importantly of all, trust in The Lord.


Just as a reminder: Life, Love, & Strawberry Seven-Up Cake is available in paperback for $22.00, and hardcover for $32.00.

Monday, January 9, 2012

A New Year, A New Blossoming Romance

Happy New Year, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

It’s been only one week into the year 2012, and already we have something to talk about.

When we last left you in 2011, we made mention that congratulations were in order for Howard Allen Douglas and Jessica Dawn Torres.  Here is the official announcement:

Antonio and Valerie Torres of Los Angeles, California, are honored to announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Jessica Dawn Torres, to Mr. Howard Allen Douglas, son of Bret and Susan Douglas, of Culver City, California.  The June wedding is in the making.

Jessica, a 2004 graduate of UC Irvine, is a First Grade teacher at Wiley L. Sapp Elementary School.

Howard, a 2003 graduate of UC San Diego, is a photojournalist at the Culver City Gazette.

Stay tuned, as we will keep you all posted regarding 2012's cutest couple.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Ms. Viv 'Nim Ends 2011 With Great News!

Hey there, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanaticals!

First of all, I humbly apologize for the unexpected one-month hiatus, but I have a good reason.  For one thing, my second book, Vivian Jewel Jones: Life, Love, and Strawberry Seven-Up Cake, is due to make its debut sometime in the upcoming new year.  In preparing for the release my second book, I have also been working  on my third book.

In light of the excitement, I have some great news involving Ms. Viv ‘Nim.  See if you can keep up with it all… LOL!

  • Duane & Sarah Anoai are expecting… that’s right!  Our little princess-turned-queen is an expectant mother.  Even bigger news from the Anoai household: Sarah is expecting twins!  You could imagine the reaction from both of their families, as they revealed the exciting news on Christmas Day. Congratulations to the Anoai Family on their additions.  Also important to point out: the due date is sometime in September 2012.
  • Sarah Elizabeth is not the only one who is expecting.  Her best friend Amy Rochelle Newhart is also pregnant.  Amy and her husband Travis received the news around the Thanksgiving  holiday, with the due date expected sometime in May 2012.  Congratulations to Travis & Amy Newhart.
  • And yet, more congratulations go out to Howard Allen Douglas and Jessica Dawn Torres (pictured above).  It was on Saturday, December 17, 2011, that Howard proposed to Jessica in a uniquely creative way, and Jessica lovingly said yes.  Both Mr. Douglas and Miss Torres are scheduled to wed in June 2012.  Once again, congratulations to the future newlyweds.

We would also like to acknowledge some December birthdays:
  • Happy Birthday to Olivia Denise Parker, who turned 33 years old on December 3.
  • Happy Birthday to Barbara Louise Zuckerman, who turned 25 years old on December 7.
  • Happy Birthday to Thelma Jean Davis, who turned 81 years old on December 8.
  • Happy Birthday to Theodore Marvin Drozdowski, who turned 46 years old on December 17.


This is all of the news that we have for you today.  Consider this the last blog of 2011.  Until New Year 2012, take care, love you all, and God Bless.

Monday, October 10, 2011

All About Andrea

Hey there, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanaticals!

Before we get on to today’s blog, I want to thank you for the feedback regarding last week’s blog series entitled “Susie’s Testimony.” It was a special blog that I had a lot of fun writing, in addition to joining the rest of the world in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And you know, it is so apropos that today’s blog features a character whose favorite color is pink.

With that said, I would like to introduce to you: Andrea Michelle Cornette.

Born an only child on October 5, 1986 in Los Angeles, California to Joseph and Rachel Cornette, Andrea made her Sapp Elementary debut in the Third Grade, and immediately made friends with the Chickadees.

Andrea graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2008, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She currently works as a secretary, but her goal in life is to be a “singing tennis player.”

It should come as no surprise that Andrea’s favorite color is pink, considering that she wears it almost always. She is also known as “Bubblegum Blondie” by her fellow Chickadees.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
After the Chickadees and I graduated from Eighth Grade, we all went to celebrate at Disneyland.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
I was giving a speech in class, and I broke out with a case of the hiccups.

FAVORITE ACTOR: Dave Coulier

FAVORITE ACTRESS: Tisha Campbell

FAVORITE SINGER: Ne-Yo

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Full House

FAVORITE MOVIE: Miracle On 34th Street

FAVORITE ATHLETE: The Williams Sisters

FAVORITE CARTOON: Sleeping Beauty

FAVORITE COLOR: Pink

FAVORITE FOOD: Chili Cheeseburger

FAVORITE ICE CREAM: Strawberry

SECRET TALENT: I absolutely love karaoke—just give me a mic and I’m on!

IN MY FREE TIME, I LIKE TO: Play tennis and hang out with my fellow Chickadees.

IF I COULD’VE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY:
I would have convinced my mom and dad to get my a younger brother or sister.

MY ROLE MODEL(S) GROWING UP:
My college professor, Mrs. Linda Cole

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME:
The time to plan for a rainy day is when the sun is shining.

SOMEONE WHO SHARES MY BIRTHDAY:
Bernie Mac, Terri Runnels, Grant Hill, Heather Headley, and Kate Winslet

MY DREAM/GOAL IN LIFE IS TO:
Be a singer or a tennis player—maybe both.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME:
Bright, Beautiful, and Bubbly

MY BEST FRIEND (ACE-BOOM-KOOM):
Nikki, A.J., Barbie, and Di

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
My old elementary school, just to show my appreciation to my teachers.

IF I HAD ONE WISH:
I would be Derek Fisher’s girlfriend.

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME:
Since I was born in the 80s, I consider myself an 80s child. I love the music, the ponytails… everything. I am like, so totally an 80s girl!