MplusM Presents...

36 Recipes From Behind Closed Doors

My mother says, “Kimmie, you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.”  Recently, my mother’s saying ignited into a full-flame lesson when I emailed my friend, Kanesha Obi, this message:

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Subj:           36 RECIPES!

Date:          10/6/2008 3:30:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From:          KS@FullyEmployed.org

To:              KO@Unemployed.home

1.  Michelle Dole - MD@FullyEmployed.org

2.  Kimberly Strong - KS@FullyEmployed.org

Kanesha -

You've been invited to be part of a recipe exchange.  Please send a recipe to the person whose name is listed in the #1 position above (even if you do not know him/her).  The recipe should be something quick, easy, and without rare ingredients.  It’s probably best to send one that you know in your head…So you can type it out and send it right now!

Then copy this letter into a new email, move my name to the #1 position, and put your name in the #2 position.  Only your name and mine should appear in the list when you send it out.  Send this email to as many people as you can (preferably about 20).

In fairness to the other participants, if you cannot do this within 5 days, please let me know.  If this email works properly, you will receive 36 recipes!  It’s fun to see where these recipes come from!  Seldom does anyone drop out because we can all use new recipes.  And the turn around is fast because only 2 names are on the list. Thanks.  I can’t wait to see your recipe!

Kimberly Strong, Vice President
Strong Entertainment | 2200 Corporate Drive, Apple Valley, CA 92307
Phone: 760-111-2222 | Fax: 760-111-2223 | www.strongentertainment.com

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Subj:           Re: 36 RECIPES!

Date:          10/6/2008 4:15:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From:          KO@Unemployed.home

To:              KS@FullyEmployed.org

Kimmie – SORRY!  As much as I would love to oblige you b/c you’re one of my favorite people, and I know you all want some good-down-home soul food recipes, I cannot.  As you know, it has been more than a minute since I’ve been unemployed.  Ironically, what you don’t know is that I had to sell my condo and move into a cheaper place…So cheap that it came w/o a stove!  The landlord has been promising to put one in for over a month.  I’m surviving w/a microwave and electric skillet! …Along w/eating a lot of fast food; not good.  So, I can’t bear the thought of a good recipe, any more than I can bear to pull one out of these boxes I haven’t been able to unpack in order to live in this rat hole of a place!  I’ve been reading this book by Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life, and it talks about examining your choices, self-esteem, medical issues, and etc…All the things that landed you right where you didn’t want to be.  So I’m trying to do that, but it’s hard when one is broke and hungry!        

Kanesha

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Jesus!  Who knew?  I assumed Kanesha was fine despite unemployment.  She’s so beautiful and smart.  Always well dressed and poised.  She appears to have it going on.  I assumed her finances were in order.  Turn up the flame, another lesson from mother:  Never assume anything.  Assuming makes an ass out of you and me (ass-u-me; assume).  Until now, Kanesha never gave an inkling that anything was wrong.  You never know what’s going on behind closed doors.  Don’t assume anything.  It may be true that –statistically- the average American is only one paycheck away from homelessness. 

Flashback:  Kanesha and I are on a ski trip at Big Bear Mountain Resort, snuggled in front of a fire reading about millionaire entrepreneur Felix Sabates.  When he was leaving Cuba, his grandfather advised, ‘Even if you’re hungry, put a toothpick in your mouth and pick your teeth.  Let people think you just had a big dinner.  Don’t ever let anybody know you’re broke.’

I left the office immediately and drove directly to Lowe’s where I purchased her a stove.  The next day I had it delivered with this note:

NOW SEND ME A RECIPE!  And I’ll be over this weekend to help you unpack, or load you up to come stay at my place.  You decide.

Love, Kimmie

PS:  Don’t let the stove be a factor in your decision…we can return it…use the money to go out on the town!  Then we’ll deal with Louise Hay.      

That’s also a lesson from my mother:  A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Fallen on hard times?  Shame in your game?  Feeling alone?  Well, you're not!  Millions of Americans are unemployed.  Many more have downsized.  Don't know where to turn?  Need a bail out?  Hold on.  Help is on the way!

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