Words of wisdom

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.

You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.


You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.


So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every

sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.


Don't be afraid that your life will end,

be afraid that it will never begin.

Be blessed

Is it too much to ask

that the next POTUS puts building up our infrastructure, schools, economy as job one on his agenda?

I'm not suggesting that we cut ourselves off from the rest of the world. I'm just asking that my tax dollars be spent on something that MY country can benefit from, instead of continuing on this road of making us even more hated than we are now.

Be blessed

People ask me

Why do I go out of my way to say thanks to the brave men and women in uniform?

My answer: How can I not?

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, 2008. Before you kick back with friends/family to enjoy a day off from work in the traditional American manner, go out and thank a service person. Hug the family of a fallen man or woman.

Put flowers on the grave sites of those who have returned to Him.
Do something special for the children who will never be able to turn to Mommy or Daddy for comfort.

We are blessed

Parenting does not mean enabling

A very good friend of mine pulled my coat tail this morning. I told her of my frustration with Fuss' parents. After almost 7 months of co-habitation, they are still "playing house". I told her of my efforts to help them get on their feet both financially and by being emotionally supportive. Lord knows there are times I want to tell them both to piss off and stop sucking the life out of me. However the "Mom" in me has battled with not wanting them to go without.

Make no mistake I love them, and I know they love me, but at some point, they started taking advantage. This past 48 hours has put an end to that...for good.

Thank you AM, our talk has put things in perspective, and just like they had to be shown unprotected sex can result in pregnancy, they are about to learn the lesson of tough love.

On this I stand firm, no more Ms. Nice Mommy.

Still blessed,

Cee....once again, Level

My hope for you, Fuss

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Natural Highs

1. Being Fuss' Grandma

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A long hot shower.

4. No lines at the supermarket

5. A special glance from that special someone

6. Getting real mail.

7. Taking Gloria on a drive on a pretty road.

8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.

11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).

12. A bubble bath surrounded by candles and music.

13. Giggling.

14.  Being in love

15. Driving though the Blue Ridge and Smoky  mountains.

16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.

17. Laughing at yourself.

18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you

19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

20. Running through sprinklers.

21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS

24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).

27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

28. Playing with Princess.

29. Having someone play with your hair.

30. Sweet dreams.

31. Hot tea, made just the way I like it.

32. Road trips with my Mom.

33. Swinging on swings.

34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

35. Making chocolate chip cookies.

36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.

37. Holding hands with someone you care about.

38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.

40. Watching the sun rise or set.

41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.

42. Knowing that somebody misses you.

43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.

44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

45. Princess' delight when I come through the door, or wake up in the morning

Be blessed

Yesterday

My cousins @ my place

Christmas 2007

Sean - 22

Karen - really old

Nicky - 12

Barry - slightly older

I managed to get one whole kitchen cabinet packed up. My choice of packing material--contractor weight-- plastic bags. They can then be used for taking clothes to the goodwill later, not to mention trash and storing comforters in the summer.  Only 1,042 sq feet more to pack. Did I mention I'm moving next Saturday.  I've taken procrastination to an art form.  Heck instead of packing right now, I'm blogging.

I went by Karen & Barry's house, to drop off a pair of beautiful shoes for Karen to wear to Sean's wedding. Well an hour's visit turned into an evening of fun and laughter. 

We also gave a mini concert of Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, the Temptations, Brooke Benton and a few others.  OK the beer added to the frivolity on my end, and Karen's rum & coke boosted her vocal stylings.

A friend of mine came by and we went to house of pies. By the time we got back to Karen's the beer was a memory, and I was ready to drive myself home.

Nothing like hanging out with nutty family. I'm blessed to have these particular nuts nearby.

Hoping yo are as blessed

Tips for Better Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer.
They provide us with daily fuel for our b usy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28.REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Ge t rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

LaVeda: 9 Things I’ve learned from Watching Judge Shows

I don't watch judge shows but my GF LaVeda hits it on the head

LaVeda: 9 Things I’ve learned from Watching Judge Shows

Pretty Dressed-Up Baby

Fuss wore a dress for Mother's Day...Lord I love my Grandbaby

Be blessed

I forgot!

To post the pictures from my birthday party!

My faith

I would say the two people who have had the most profound influence on my spiritual life is my Nana and my cousin Lesle.

My Great Grandma Agnes Stephenson's faith was a tangible thing to me from a young age. I remember a few times spending Sunday in church. Holy Sanctified. Ya'll ain't had no "chuch" unless you've been one of those services. Think that's where I got my love of bringing-down-the-walls-of-Jericho, gospel music. She was the first one to really instill in me that no mater what is going on in my life, God's got His arms around me. When I first heard this song, I thought of Nana.

I remember being in labor with JB, and hearing it over and over again in my head. Maw was there with me, but so was my Nana, she was letting me know that no matter what was happening right now, come the morning, all would be right. Nana never lied to me!






Next at bat was my cousin Leslie Ann Jones. One day I'm going to be able to sit down and write about our history. Today's not one of them, the hole left by her passing hasn't even begun to heal yet. Suffice it to say that no matter how much pain she was in, she'd shake herself loose and go at life full throttle. A year before she passed, we had a good talk, there were no words left unspoken, no laughter not shared, no memories we didn't rehash. I am a blessed one. I got to tell her what was in my heart, she shared her own with me.

Les, I'm still doing what you told me, and I miss you terribly my friend.

Happy Mother's Day Ma

This cracks me up

Happy Baby

Standing in for Grandma today

Hanging out with Grandma this weekend

We had such a good time that Grandma didn't really mind sitting on the patio with me at 1am because my tummy was gassy.  She rubbed it, cuddled, kissed and hugged me until I was able to get to sleep.  She also nibbled my toes, blew on my tummy and made funny faces.

I think she's a little sleepy so I wrote this for her.  

I am,

~~Grandma's Fuss~~

Another year older

Celebrated the 47th anniversary of my birth by working organizing my contacts on my computer. I'm still adding a few here and there, but believe you me, I will be burning a cd of this information just in case.

Took a good look around and decided that there are things that I will be changing in the not to distant future. One of the things I will be doing is getting rid of a high maintenance person in my life. For some reason my personal choices cause them great angst ... mind you this person is not a personal friend of mine.

The other thing I'm changing is my address. I'm also looking forward to getting my passport so I can add a few trips to Mexico and Canada in the coming year.

I'm certain there are more changes on the horizon ... some planned some not planned.

I'm just glad I'm here to experience them.

Stay blessed,
~~Cee...Level~~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

JB and his Grandma 8th grade graduation


to my Mom.

May God double your blessings from this day forward.

Love you

Maw!

That's Life!

Nine years ago this July I moved to TX from NYC.   Things were really tight for a while, but thanks to help from my Mom, and the Census, along with my regular job, I was able to get started.

Some changes in my life include:

Losing my best friend  (and cousin) Leslie

Paying off the IRS

Gaining 104 lbs

Seeing my son graduate high school

Losing my Aunt Nellie

Becoming a Grandma

Various life changes, some good, some not so good.

All in all, as I sit on my patio in my nightshirt, enjoying the stars and the dog barking down the block, life is good.

I'm blessed, hope you can say the same,

~~Cee...Level~~