Blessed again!

I am so very, very blessed

Three months ago, I walked away from a job that I disliked, and which was bad for my physical and mental health.

I walked out on faith that I would find something to replace the job without all the drama. Today I did. I’m so over the moon because after the interview, I figured that another bites the dust. Imagine my surprise when I was offered the job. I couldn't believe it. In fact after I hung up with the HR person, I just sat and shook. Then I called my Mom! My 2 best friends, text my brother and tried to catch up with my son. I also posted it on the list I’ve been part of for over 12 years.

I was so overwhelmed at the happiness each person expressed for me. It humbled me once again, to behold God’s benevolence. Having so many people who love, support, cry and rejoice with me, is something I never take for granted.

I wish for each of you who read my blog, to experience just an iota of my blessings in your life.

I took Fuss to church today

It's the first time she's been, other than a wedding.  It was actually a great experience.  She's very inquisitive so all the people kept her captivated for a good 40 minutes.  It was when the Pastor said "Let Us Pray" that she decided to give her impressions of everything she had seen.  Loudly!!!!  "Badadadadadadadadada".  Next week, we'll try the church nursery.

Be blessed,

Sarah Palin....No thanks

and that's all I'm gonna say about that!

A few hours with Fuss

Spent a few hours with Fuss.  Fed her carrots.  Need to work on my aim.

She and Princess are working on a truce....wonder how long that will last.

Tuesday August 26th, 2008

Here I am, more than 1/2 way home, and I really miss my Auntie. While driving to dinner last night she told me of the time she and my uncle drove to Georgia to see Uncle Kenny graduate from Moorehouse. She described what it was like having to drive straight thru from NY and back again. The only time my uncle would only fill up the car was at stations that would allow them to use the bathroom. She said she didn't breathe easy until she hit 34th Street in NYC.

Last week I sat on the lanai and saw the ducks, geese and pelicans walk across their back yard. They have a beautiful house in the South. Something she would never have thought to imagine owning.


Today I drove over the Suwanee River, and past Jellystone Park, home of Yogi and Boo-Boo. I saw eagles soar! It was beautiful to behold.

I am so in awe of all that God's created, and each time I drive the roads, the scenery always takes my breath away. Today, more so than any other day, the possibility of a Black Man in the white house strikes a chord so deep in me that words fail me.


Be blessed,

On the road again.....

While I was with my family in Chicago in June, it was brought home to me just how much my "Rocks" have been worn smooth with time. My cousins and I tease each other about being our parent's age, but seeing my Aunts/Uncles are now my Grandparent's ages shook me to the core. So much of who I am and the pitfalls I've avoided are by the Grace of God, and was His beneficence which put these people in my life.

I've got time, a few dollars and Gloria is road ready. I'm going to spend time with myself, some audio books, and Sirius radio on the drive down. I'm going to go into Leslie's room, touch her things, and think about the great times we had. I'm not going to dwell on how much I miss her, or the fact the hole her passing has left in my heart is still as big. I'm going to sit on the lanai, read, write, look for work, and swim but most importantly, I'm going to love up on my Aunt Arnoline and Uncle Tommy until they beg me to stop!

Family is what it's all about. Don't ever forget it! Yeah, they drive me crazy, I wanna put them over my knee and give them a whuppin, and there are times I do bite into my pillow and scream with frustration but Lord knows I love my family. Ya know what the best part of it is? The feeling is mutual.

Despite what they say, I'm not responsible for one grey or white hair, nor their baldness. It was the other cousins. I'm innocent!

Ya'll sitting here writing this has once again taken my breath away with the love I feel for them. God is so very, very good to me on the regular. I sincerely hope that you can say the same about your life, and those in it. If not, then get out there and find your blessings. He's got them for you. I know it!

Be blessed,

A morning with Fussalicious

My granddaughter will be 7 months old next week. Time sure flies. She spent a few hours with me earlier this week. She's extremely determined, very opinionated, and has quite a lot to say in her own language of course. 

As you can see from these snaps, she's also very happy and very, very busy.  She puts those two tiny teeth to good use, chewing on everything, and everyone. I often tell my doglet Princess that she had her eye on her. I think it's the wagging tail that captivates her.

Experiencing Fuss is truly an adventure.  Her smile, her barking laugh, her curiosity and yes nibbling on her chin, bring me so much joy.  

Be blessed,

Is he/she the one

My Girlfriend Naeswirl posted an interesting article on her blog. Check it out, it applies to both men and women.



http://naeswirl.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-can-be-applied-to-both-men-and.html

Be blessed,

5 things you can do for others which cost you nothing, but gain you a lot

I didn't write this, but I will be doing what's suggested below

Often people tell me that they wish they could help someone, but don't know how. I know that this is a struggle. Some people, when they get help, will ask, "how can I help you," but unless the other person has a specific favor in mind, they cannot think of what to do. Yet everyone can benefit from help. When I meet someone, or talk to them, or even think of them, my first thought is how can I help them. Equally, when I see an article, or come
across an interesting person, I wonder whom it would help. So I thought that the following list of things, each of which I have done at least once recently, may be useful:

1. Write a letter about someone you know to someone else you know recommending them for a job or consulting assignment. You can't do this about a total stranger, as you have to vouch for them, but it is amazing how effective a third party endorsement can be. This benefits both seeker and hiring manager.

2. Introduce someone to another person who should be of mutual benefit. Send information they can use. If you introduce someone, don't simply give them an email or phone number, but actually introduce them by email so that it is not a cold call for them. Senior corporate executives need help in being more successful, so do not assume that they do not need help. Since the average senior marketer is in their job about 2 years, how can we help them stay longer?

3. If someone is job hunting, do not think that they only want introductions to hiring managers. An introduction to someone who knows a hiring manager or can tell them about an industry is valuable. Note that job seekers and consultants are each constantly seeking a hiring manager, albeit for a different purpose.

4. Provide straightforward, honest, and complete feedback. You do no one a favor by not giving bad news or criticism. You will hurt someone less and keep them as a friend if you are open with someone. Equally, if you make an introduction, ask for open feedback and really push it. You need to know who reflects poorly on you.

5. If you cannot think of anything else, write them a glowing recommendation on LinkedIn. I am amazed at how few of those there are. While it may not always be huge, it helps, costs you absolutely nothing, and
will benefit you, the writer.

Coming out from Under and new beginnigs

I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. I'm looking forward to having family and friends over for dinner tomorrow.

I also am beginning to feel ready to finish unpacking and start decorating my new place. I've been up for the best part of 36 hours, and to be honest, I'm not tired. In fact I'm about to go into the kitchen and start tomorrow's dinner. I plan to get up at a decent hour, sit on my upstairs patio with a cup of tea and the Sunday newspaper. Something I've yet to do in the two months I've lived here.

After my company leaves, I'll check out what's on TiVo and get ready for another week.

It feels good coming back to myself...I'm beginning to feel like I can do anything.

Hoping all your tomorrows are blessed ones,

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

How do YOU measure a year?

Mrs. O on the View

Say what you will, this woman is beautiful, poised, and well spoken, and devoted to her family.




God Bless,

Life is good

Some days, no matter what is going on in the world, or my personal dramas, I take a moment to give Thanks.

Today is one of those days. I'm surrounded by boxes (still), I'm still in my pj's and I'm worried about my brother Keith. Yet and still, I looked out the window, and the sun is shining, it's hot as all get out, my doglet is by my side, and I've got my health.

I'm going to celebrate with a cup of tea and a slice of lemon cake! Then I'm going scratch the doglet's belly, and look for work.

Hoping you are as blessed as I am

OH Brothers!

I got a rare treat July 4th weekend! My brothers! For those of you who don't know, I'e got the best bunch of 'em in the world.  I've not seen the younger in over 9 years!  He's beautiful, smart...actually he's just like me!  OK so they all share the same qualities...they're my brothers, they get it from me!

One looks like my Dad, and the other holds himself like Daddy did.

Fuss adores her great Uncles as they do her.  It was such a good time.

I truly hope you are as blessed as I am

Someone wants to crawl

Where does the time go?

Truly a profound and insightful message from a 78 year old African-American woman.

To The Editor:

As a 78 year old American of African descent, I feel compelled to respond to all this 'much ado about nothing' when it comes to the statement that Michelle Obama made about the fact that this is the first time in her adult life that she has been proud to be an American.
The country needs to hear this from the Black perspective.

Long before I was born, my grandfather Joseph Burleson, owned a considerable amount of land in oil rich Texas. Because during that era, Blacks could not vote, nor could they contest anything in the courts of the United States, my grandfather's land was STOLEN by his White neighbor. My grandfather, who was literate and better educated than my grandmother, drove to town. Seeing my grandfather leave, the covetous neighbor asked my grandmother to show him the deed to the property. He snatched it. She could not insist that he give it back, nor could she have reported this THEFT to the sheriff because of the fact that Blacks had no rights in the 1800's. The prevailing law at that time was he who held the deed owned the land. Do you think that is something that I am PROUD OF? Right now I should be living off the oil and gas royalties.

In 1934 when my dad drove us to Texas to meet his family, when he stopped to purchase gasoline, his daughters and wife were not allowed to use the washroom. As a man it was easier for his to relieve himself in the bushes, but not for the females. We were, however, reduced to having to go in the bushes, also. Do you think I am PROUD OF THAT?

In 1938 when my oldest sister went to enroll in Hyde Park High School, she was told by the counselor that she did not want to take college preparatory courses, she wanted to study domestic science. Do you think I'm PROUD OF THAT? Of course, when Beatrice Lillian Hurley-Burleson went to school the next day, that was the last time anyone thought that the Burleson girls wanted to study domestic science.



When in 1943 my parents attempted to buy the 2 flat at 5338 South Kenwood, where we had lived since 1933, in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL we were told that we could not buy it because there was a restrictive covenant that said that the property was never to be sold to 'Negroes.' Do you think I am PROUD OF THAT?



In 1950 when I graduated from college, I was unable to get a job because I was considered 'overqualified.' the code word for they would not hire me because of my race. All of the want ads called for Japanese Americans or Neisis (the word given to Japanese Americans at that time). Do you think that was something that I should have been PROUD OF? I understood that America was trying to make up for the interring of innocent and patriotic Americans who were our enemy by association.



My cousin's barbershop was bombed in Mississippi in the 50's because he was encouraging Black people to register to vote. His wife who had earned a Masters Degree from Northwestern University lost her position as the principal of the local school because of the voter registration activities. Is that something I should be PROUD OF?



Now we get to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of the Obama family. Rev. Wright like so many religious zealots overstates many things that many of his members do not agree with. To suggest that Senator Obama should leave the church of his choice is not only a double standard, but it is absurd. Would any of the talking heads who are so alarmed by Rev. Wright's thoughts and speeches suggest that Catholics should abandon their faith or denounce and reject the Pope because so many priests have molested children. These children were exploited and taken advantage of and they had no choice to even know they could resist, reject and denounce. To me the situations are parallel, except for the fact that the priest’s behavior is a physical violation of the innocence of children who are marred for life; and the priest’s behavior is a crime. Rev. Wright's speeches are just words, that one can listen to or not, the members have a choice. Should Govern or Romney denounce and reject the Mormon Church because some of their members practice polygamy?
As Senator Obama has previously stated, we have entered the silly season.



Barack Obama is an adult, and most importantly, he is an exceptionally intelligent adult. Like most of us adults, fortunately, we do not accept all we hear or see. If we did, the world would be more amoral, debased and perverted than the world of today is. I see all these 'so called' ponderings an attempt to marginalize the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama. I cannot truly call this racism because some ignorant Blacks have also spoken disparagingly about him.



I accept this as the darker side of mankind who because of their own inadequacies, they project their deficiencies on others. Barack Obama is a very rare individual, the likes of whom the world seldom sees. Like most geniuses, they are often misunderstood. They are objects of envy and jealousy. They are suspect because they soar above the average man who does not have the intellectual ability to understand the greatness of special people. They are also targets to be pulled down to the level of the mediocre who cannot stand to see an individual with deep convictions and high standards.


We have not seen a phenomena like Barack Obama in many years and many generations. Like Ghanda, like Jesus, like Einstein, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., like Mother Theresa, genetically, intellectually and spiritually, these people offer the world so much, but they are often maligned and misunderstood.

Barack Obama is a Christian in the true sense of the word. A true Christian loves his fellow man unconditionally. A true Christian wants the best and tries to bring out the best in his fellow man. A true Christian wants to unite and bring the world together in peace and harmony. This is what Senator Obama stands for; but, unfortunately, he has had to get off point to answer these false charges, innuendos, and just plain lies.



We are in the presence of an angel unaware in Senator Barack Obama; and this country needs him, more than he needs us. He is the only person at this time in history who can restore respect for America with the worlds' people. Because of his family background, the influence of his beloved mother who instilled great values in him, the influence of his absent father who vicariously inspired a son to go to Harvard as the father had done, the influence of a minister who brought him to an understanding of the value and meaning of Christianity, the influence of a brilliant Harvard educated wife who inspires him and keeps him grounded; he is the epitome of a citizen of the world. He is of the world because the world is in him; and this is what America needs to bring us out of the abyss to which we have sunk in the eyes of the world.

Like, Michelle Obama, after living in this country all of my 78 years, loving my country and not understanding why my country has not loved me, I now for the first time in my adult life feel PROUD OF MY COUNTRY because I sense a maturing, a recognition of talent and character, and not color, and a field of candidates aspiring to lead this nation coming from very diverse backgrounds of gender, religious beliefs, national origin, ethnicity, age and experiences. This to me is the HOPE that America is coming into her own and will begin to CHANGE and will embrace the philosophy upon which this country was founded, where all men are created equal and are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Now I truly believe, YES WE CAN!

For further information:
Contact: Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration (708)747-0919.

Old Friends become new ones

Recently I found an old friend on LinkedIn.com. We went to college together for a year. He was a wonderful person then, and from our correspondence nothing seems to have changed.

Who have you reached out to from your past? What was the outcome?


Be blessed

Just in case you want to get a jump start on your holiday baking

Rum Cake


Prep: 20 min., Bake: 1 hr., Cool: 15 min., Stand: 45 min.


1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
1/2 cup dark rum
1/4 cup banana liqueur*
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup whipping cream
Rum Syrup
Powdered sugar

Beat butter and granulated sugar at medium speed with an electric
mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla, beating
until blended. Add lemon rind, beating until blended. Gradually add
rum and banana liqueur, beating until blended. (Batter will look
curdled.)
Stir together flour and next 3 ingredients; add to batter alternately
with whipping cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat
batter at low speed just until blended after each addition. Pour
batter into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan.

Bake at 350° for 55 to 60 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted
in center of cake comes out clean.

Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Pierce cake multiple times
using a metal or wooden skewer. Pour Rum Syrup evenly over cake. Let
stand 45 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.
Sprinkle evenly with powdered sugar before serving.

*1/4 cup dark rum may be substituted.

Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings


Rum Syrup


Prep: 5 min., Cook: 15 min., Cool: 10 min.
This recipe goes with Rum Cake


10 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark rum
1/4 cup banana liqueur*

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; stir in
remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring often; reduce heat to
medium, and cook, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly
thickened. Remove from heat, and cool 10 minutes.

*1/4 cup dark rum may be substituted for banana liqueur.

Yield: Makes about 1 cup

Be blessed

Ain't this the truth?

A biker is riding by the zoo, when he sees a little girl
leaning into the lion's cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and
tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes
of her screaming parents.

The biker jumps off his bike, runs to the cage and hits the
lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of
the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified
parents, who thank him endlessly.

A New York Times reporter has watched the whole event.

The reporter addressing the biker says, "Sir, this was
the most gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole
life."

The biker replies, "Why, it was nothing, really, the
lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in
danger, and acted as I felt right."

The reporter says, "Well, I'll make sure this
won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist from the New
York Times, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have
this story on the front page... So, what do you do for a
living and what political affiliation do you
have?'"

The biker replies, "I'm a U.S. Marine and a
Republican."

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys The New York Times to
see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on
front page: *

U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH


Be blessed

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