No one does family drama like Mrs. Smith - and she’s got the pictures to back it up. She submitted this Wednesday afternoon, but I was backed up a bit and couldn’t post it. Excuse the dated references to the Sunflower Showdown - it’s not her fault. Here’s the latest in “Mama Sayz”:
One week, four days, five hours, 33 minutes and 17, 18, 19 seconds…
Why the countdown, you might ask? Maybe the Sunflower Showdown? No. That’s how long little Miss Tiffany and the rest of the family had to “bond” before her daddy returned from his latest road trip adventure.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Tiffany is as sweet as she appears in person to 
most people at the games, the mall, daycare and the countless other places that people may meet her. However, she is the only one of my five roommates who challenges EVERYTHING I say or do! The whole time that her daddy was gone on his longest road trip ever we practiced with her what she was going to do during the Little Cat Slam Jam Competition and had it down to perfection. The moment she and her Dad walked into the tunnel just before half-time of the Iowa State game, she tells him, “Daddy, I don’t want to do what Mommy showed me. I wanted to spin around and then dunk — like Michael.” He said to her to do what ever she wanted to. Although I was pleased that she pulled out the win, I just couldn’t figure out what happened to the big performance we had planned until she announced what happened when we got to the car.
“Mommy, I did what I wanted to do — not what you wanted me to do!”
I just looked at Calvin and thought to myself how great it was for him to be home… so that he can take his turn at playing with MISS TIFFANY!
After the game, this young lady came over to congratulate Tiff
any for winning the dunk contest and actually asked for her autograph. We were really shocked but Tiffany jumped at t
he opportunity to write her name, which she LOVES to do. That started a line for others to get her “autograph,” and she acted as if she had been doing this for years… Naturally, we had to celebrate Tiffany’s win, so we headed to BWW in Aggieville. It was very cute and she can’t stop talking about it.
I have to mention the fact that Malik was a little upset that his baby sister was getting so
much attention and I completely understand. He told me that a few kids asked him for his “autograph,” too, and that I kept missing the opportunity to take his picture while doing so. He also said, and I quote, that I “need to pay attention to his needs too!” I will admit that I felt a little guilty, but the only thing I could catch on camera was him sneaking another slice of the pizza his brother, Lil’ Mike, had neglected while being interviewed by FSN. How’s that, Malik? Have your needs been met?! LOL!
The other day while at work, my co-workers and I were discussing homemade cookies and how long it’s been since we’ve had time to make them. On the way home that day it dawned on me that the holiday package of baked goodies which comes from Calvin’s parents EVERY year around Christmas time hadn’t yet arrived. I then started to think, Hmmmm… I wonder if Calvin received a notice to pick up the package from the post office and he just shoved them in his rig and took them on one of these long work trips, which took through some below freezing weather in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa over the last week or so. So I decided to do some investigating… I promptly made a phone call to Pa Couch and the conversation went a little like this:
Me: Hey, Mr. Couch, how have you been?
Him: Hey, Fatima, things are great. How are you guys? I hope you all are managing to stay warm out there.
Me: Yeah, we’re doing a good job of it but Calvin is freezing his hindparts off in Minnesota right now!
Him: (laughing) What makes you call today — is everything OK?
Me: I was just wondering if I could ask you something. Now, I’ve noticed that we haven’t received our holiday package of baked goodies and I just wanted to clear this up with you before Calvin comes home. Because if he received that package and took it on the road with him without telling me, Minnesota will seem as hot as a desert when he returns home.
After laughing hysterically, he explains that there no package this year because of various reasons. But I think — or at least I hope — he will talk Mrs. Couch into sending a little touch of Richmond, Va., this way soon.
Well, the whole town is excited for the Sunflower Showdown. I haven’t seen such a rivalry since back home, where my dad and I loved the Redskins and the the rest of the family was die-hard Cowboys fans. I never understood how you can be such a die-hard fan when you have never been to that town or have no connection to the town , but hey, to each his own.
Now for some questions:
FROM: superksufan
WHEN: Jan. 24, 2008
Mama,
Thanks again for a great read. Sharing your stories about ALL your children is extremely entertaining.
What game(s) are you looking forward to watching/cheering/going to this season? Outside of KSU, so far — which school would you say has the nicest fans?
Hey Super K,
I look forward to ALL of the games, to be honest. I just love to watch sports of all kinds. I’ve only been to one true away game and that was at OU. Their fans weren’t bad at all. I hope it’s that way all the way across the board. (J-MART NOTE: Don’t bank on it, Ma.)
FROM: Zac
WHEN: Jan. 24, 2008
Mama, just wanted to apologize for doubting this blog early on. I am a full-on believer now, and really do look forward to it each week. Keep it up.
Hi Zac,
Apology accepted. I really didn’t know what this was going to be like in the very beginning but I must admit that I am quite pleased with the response. (J-MART NOTE: We are, too. )
FROM: BikerCat
WHEN: Jan. 24, 2008
Mama, at first, I didn’t give you the credit you deserved for putting in your opinion in the blog, however, it really is something to read each time you “post up.” Hopefully, you won’t be moving for another three and a half years but I’m not sure your insanely great son will remain in his purple jersey much longer — or in the classroom that long. As a senior at K-State, we as a student body are very fond that Lil’ Mike is bringing so much attention to the school and only wished that he would stick around and give us four full years of “edge of the chair excitement” as great college basketball players do to help establish the dominance of the program… And that goes for Bill, too. However, it is really hard, I know, to anchor Mike when he wants to chase after his dreams in the NBA, especially when he’s not even 20 and has the real possibility of inking a multi-million dollar deal in a few short months. In any event, hopefully he will reach his goal this year of helping take the Cats to the championship game and winning it all! Here’s to you for raising a great son!
BikerCat,
I’m not sure how long our stay here in Manhattan will be but I will tell you that I am enjoying my stay here even more than I anticipated. I’m just glad that the attention that is brought to Lil’ Mike, the team and the school is appreciated so much. Thanks for the compliment of him being a “great son,” but I can’t take the credit for myself. I have a strong nucleus of friends and family that has helped out in various ways throughout his life and for that I am forever in their debt.
FROM: Katalyst
WHEN: Jan. 24, 2008
Hey Mama-Beaz,
Just recently stumbled upon your blog and thanks to J-Mart and The Beacon (J-MART NOTE: Or the Eagle, but carry on) for bringing us fresh stories for the Wildcat Nation to look forward to daily. K-State fans living in Kansas City tend to react negatively to the Kansas City Star’s coverage of K-State, so it is often nicknamed the KU Star for its perceived bias toward KU. (J-MART NOTE: I don’t agree, and I’ll explain more in-depth at a later time.)
Speaking of KU: are you aware of some of the antics that fans have passed down from over the last say 80 years for the KU game? If not, expect the KU game to be the loudest of the year (unless there’s a Big 12 championship game on the line during a later home game). Expect to see fake and possibly live chickens painted red and blue. Live ones will fly onto the court, fake ones will be hung in effigy. In other words, buckle up your seat belt because it’s going to be a wild ride.
Katalyst,
Oh, no… Not the chickens!!!!
FROM: Lisa
WHEN: Jan. 25, 2008
Thanks for taking the time to do your blog. All of us Catbackers are sure glad your family came to Manhattan. We love watching the Cats on television and enjoyed the A&M game in person. I can tell that Mike loves to sing. What are his five favorite songs? Have fun at the KU game!
Lisa,
Lil’ Mike loves music. He thinks he can rap, too, which in all actuality he’s not too shabby, but I wouldn’t tell him that. As far as favorite songs, he likes to listen to “To Zion” by Lauryn Hill before every game (J-MART NOTE: It’s also played on the public address system at every home game, about 25 minutes before the opening tip). In fact, he loves her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” CD.
Well, once again I must cut this short because I have to get ready for the Sunflower Showdown. Before I leave I would like to say thanks to everyone for even wanting to know what goes on behind the scenes of this crazy family of mine. Until we meet again… Ta-ta!
22 Comments
Mamma B/Smith, WE LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL BE A PART OF THE K-STATE FAMILY FOREVER111
are the pictures suppose to be that small?
Amazing stuff as always Fatima. I know it can be tough keeping a blog going, but we all really appreciate it. Did you get a chance to come check out the student line before the ku game? It’s always a sight to behold.
Hi momma, How long has Mike been driving the Hummer?
Thanks
Eric
It was a lot of fun watching Lil Mike, Walker and the rest of the cast beat down KU! I hate them! Anyway my question has nothing to do with them. When Miss Tiffany was signing autographs, did one of those happen to be her letter of intent to play basketball for the KSU women’s team? Sure it is 14 years before she can play but you already know you like Manhattan and if my dream comes true you won’t be leaving for another 3.5 years anyway so that would mean you could just hang here for 10 years and wait for her to dominate the big 12 like Mike does! Come on, what do you say?
Fatima -
I guess you’ve read by now the very unflattering Jason Whitlock piece that ran in the Kansas City Star.
What are your thoughts on it? Does Mike drive a Hummer?
I’d hope that Mike is done talking with anyone with the KC Star moving forward…especially with the way you invited Howard Richman into your life and shared with him intimate details of your day to day and the journey from Maryland to Manhattan, only to have it used against you in that hatchet job Whitlock wrote.
I sent this e-mail to the Kansas City star, I suggest anyone who is upset with it this morning would do the same.
If we expect readers to view us as credible, then Star editorial employees must aggressively seek and fully report the truth while remaining independent and free from any legitimate suggestion that their independence has been compromised.
In today’s sports section, Jason Whitlock wrote an article that publicly defamed Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley’s mother, and Kansas State University. Jason suggested that K-State was/is handing Michael Beasley money under the table, and that Michael’s mother was publicly lying that she has problems with money. The article focused largely on the fact that Michael Beasley drives a Hummer around campus (a $40,000 vehicle). He is correct that any player driving a Hummer is probably getting a little extra cash from somewhere. The only problem is…he does not drive or own a hummer. He drives a used Chevy Tahoe. I think I speak for all K-State fans when I say that we would love to have a public apology as well as some action taken against Mr. Whitlock. For the fans of KSU that do not live in Manhattan or for rival fans, this article could be mistaken as truth, and the involved parties’ images would suffer from it. If I don’t see an apology of some sort, I will likely unsubscribe from the Kansas City Star.
With Concern,
[Insert Name]
E-mail this to readerrep@kcstar.com. Feel free to make changes, I’m not the best at writing e-mails. If you can put it more eloquently, do so.
BTW Love Mama Sayz, keep it goin!
Howard Richman didn’t write the story about Ma. And for the record, Whitlock is a columnist. He opines for a living. Remember that, people. Not saying he’s right, but this is what he does.
So making false claims about a player is now opinion? I realize newspapers are doing anything to stay relevant in the 21st century, but to print false claims in order to get a reaction is pretty much the stuff that TMZ was made for. I wonder if Whitlock is just bitter about the fact that his one-man crusade to bring down African-American society is more or less falling on deaf ears.
Ms. Beaz,
Why did you make me pay my co-payment the other day at the doc’s office? Now I am broke.
Great blog entry. Ignore the KU Star and Whitlock. It’s the day after and the haters are out in force. Really a shame after 25 years a team can’t enjoy any success.
Thanks for sharing what’s going on with yourself and family and hope these kind of negative articles don’t stop you from doing so but can’t really blame you if they did.
PS was the game bigger than you imagined or just like you thought?
ONE MORE YEAR….ONE MORE YEAR…..ONE MORE YEAR
“J-Mart
Posted February 1, 2008 at 9:38 am | Permalink
Howard Richman didn’t write the story about Ma. And for the record, Whitlock is a columnist. He opines for a living. Remember that, people. Not saying he’s right, but this is what he does.”
It’s irresponsible.
J-Mart, I understand that Whitlock writes an opinion column but making something up about a player isn’t an opinion it is liable. If he truely did make up the part about the Hummer I hope he writes an appology letter and puts it in the paper or the KC Star fires him.
An opinion does not involve making false accusations/implications. If Fatima were a litigous person her “money problems” would truly be over prematurely to the payday Mike will most likely bring her family. The irony involved in that outcome would surely be worthy of another of Jason’s “columns.”
As a K-State fan, I am extremely proud that Mike represents KSU, and to me he embodies the spirit of K-State to a tee. Aside from all of his on the court heroics and accomplishments, it’s obvious there is so much more to Mike than this. He is a good human being with a big heart and a good teammate. He knows what is important in life and that is a tribute to you and an compliment to the University no matter how long he chooses to stay. You can see it in his eyes, his actions, and his words. This is what makes K-State special; people like Mike. Somehow, K-State is drawn to them, or they are drawn to K-State. We may be seem to be out in the middle of nowhere to a lot of people, but this is a very special place, and we are glad your family is, and always will be a part of it all. I hope to see Mike’s Jersey take it’s place in the rafters of Bramlage when he is finished here, and will always count it a privilege to have watched him play in person. I enjoy reading your blog, and appreciate you sharing your experience with all K-State fans.
So journalists can write opinions and say whatever they want about anything they want and are Protected? That can’t be.
What are the perameters?
j-mart, do you know why the pics are so small?
Did spongebob look like he was enjoying Manhattan?
Good Blog!! I love reading it. I missed Tiffany’s dunk anyway to youtube it? Did Mike get to see it? If so what’d he think?
Jason has always been about himself. He’s extremely self motivated and the path of destruction that he leaves behind is irrelevant. Jason has had several opportunities to expand his relevance on a national scene, but it’s his personal relationships with his contemporaries that are his demise.
I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve dealt with people like this.
As always, I wish you and your family well.
Enjoy reading the blog.
Hello Mom Beasley, I have been saving Wichita articles about Michael and the team. Do you have a scrapbook for yourself or Michael?? Would you like these articles or like for me to put them in scrapbook form for you?? Email me back or call me.
Lesa Field 316-721-8123 Lfield1@cox.net