Changes...the stuff that makes life interesting.

Well here we are at T-6 and counting until my Mom relocates. Preparing for her arrival, the holidays, and putting on a holiday party for the job is challenging. Although I do enjoy Christmas Day, the commercial frenzy has diminished my joy in the season itself.

My bouncing baby boy turned 22 last week. Wow, has it really been that long? His paternal Grandma came out to celebrate with him. I'm tickled that they are getting to know each other and enjoying the process so much. We went bowling with a group of family members from both sides. Yes even my Fuss bowled...heck she bowled a better game than I did. Sadly, that isn't hard to do, even for a two year old. LOL.

It's been 3 months and 7 days since RLW moved and I started living together. Let's just say it's a process, and leave it at that. He and JB have bonded and it's wonderful to see the respect and affection they have for each other...off the basketball court LOL.

McKenna is healthy and as lively as ever. Still bouncing around the house like the tiny puppy she's not. She and Fuss are still working out their ownership of my lap. I try not to get involved until it become a full-fledged shoving match.

Well it's late, and the office still needs to be taken down and turned into a bedroom for the next two weeks.

Wishing you and yours a joyous, healthy and prosperous Season.

Thanksgiving 2010

Wow is this year really so close to being over?  It seemed while I was going through all the drama that the day would never end, much less an entire year!

I'm thankful for so many things, that I can't list them all.  My family has managed to hang on to all it's members, despite Uncle Tommy's cancer.  He got a clean bill of health a few weeks ago.  God is so good all the time.

My Girlfriends are yet another source of strength.  They have prayed me through so many bad times this past year.  I can't imagine not being able to lean on them, and hopefully they know I'm here praying for them.

McKenna has settled in to her routine.   Darn Dane thinks she's a puppy and at any given time starts bounding and jumping around like she's 10 lbs instead of 110 lbs.  She and Fuss have their moments, and even though Mac tries to push her around (literally) my 2 year old grand daughter is having none of it.

My son has been a constant source of amazement.  God has made him into a fine, responsible young man.  He loves the stuffing out of his daughter, and the feeling is returned one thousand fold.  Reminds me of how I idolized my own Dad.

Mom will soon relocate here, and I'm sure that will bring many more challenges and opportunities.  I'm hoping she'll like her new home town and love it here as much as I do.

Well, even though I'm not "officially" cooking, I do have my collards on the back burner and my sweet potato pie in the oven.  Time to check on them.  Have a blessed, happy Thanksgiving.  Cherish the good people in your life over any material things you may or may not have.

Sending love,

Here it is a mere 3 months later

and I've since picked up a fiancee and no desire whatsoever to plan a wedding. A 23 minute talk with my Mom and my cousin convinced me that I was not even close wanting to fight over details. After the the 5th "you don't want that" and "oh no, you can't do that", was sorry I even mentioned a wedding.

So, my "young" man and I are off to the Justice of the Peace at some point. At some point in the future, we will or won't have a reception. I'm still holding out for a party outside where our two families can informally mix/mingle and get to know each other.

On the other hand, we can just take the $$ and go on a cruise, which is what he really wants to do.

Life is truly amazing

This weekend showed me again, just when you think you know something, it's not so.

Let's start with Saturday:

A very dear friend of mine has a fear of driving long distances on the interstate.  For years, she'd say she was coming, and would later recant.  Well I thought that this weekend would be more of the same.  So instead of cleaning for company, I did the opposite. I took the house apart (moved furniture, cleaned out cabinets) in general made a huge mess of the place.  Well lo and behold, guess who made it down the interstate!  So I had her over in a topsy turvy house.  We later went to see another GF that I'm ashamed to say I hadn't seen in 2 years, despite living 10 minutes away. I'm so damned proud of my Maris, I still break out in a smile when I think about it.

Moving on to Sunday:

Have been talking via cyberspace and Ma Bell to an old friend from 30 years ago. We met my freshman year in college. We would stay up all night talking about many different topics.  After two months we  started "seeing" each other.  When I didn't return for my sophomore year, we lost contact.  Reconnected 30 years later via Facebook, and it was as if we had just talked the day before.  We still talk about any and everything under the sun. Yesterday, we finally got to see one another F2F.  No tension  or nervousness.  It was a great day.  Ain't Facebook amazing?!

It's days like the past two that let me know just how truly blessed I am.

Hope you can say the same,

 

McKenna

Here's my newest "baby".  Her name is McKenna.  She's 3 years old and a rescued Great Dane.  A little underweight due to her previous owner using her only to breed and not feeding her enough.  She's beautiful, house trained, and a couch potato LOL.

She's brought new joy to my life, and I'm hoping to bring love and security to hers.


I'm so very blessed.  I'm sure you can say the same.

Good for me

I got news yesterday that I do not have breast cancer. Two mammograms and one ultra sound confirmed that the girls are just dense, not lumpy.

Funnily enough, I wasn't worried, I was able to give it over to God and not worry about it.  How liberating and freeing.

I also had a mid year review, and I'm doing ok according to my manager.  I start my new case with Child Advocates next week.  Really wish there wasn't a need for people who do my job there. However, I will do everything in my power to ensure my new clients are taken care of and that their best interests are represented.

Today was a good day, started out at the Bark Park with some Great Danes, Fuss and Crew were there as well.  Later drove out to the airport to look at a possible dog to adopt.  Of course I'm deeply in love with her already. Not sure what's going to happen, but if my home is not for her, she will be taken care of by someone who will love her at least as much as I do.

Hoping to finish unpacking the last of the boxes tomorrow, and yes I'm even going to the gym.

I am praying that you are as blessed as I am.  More importantly, I hope you are giving thanks regularly.

So blessed,

Locs Are Beautiful!

I'm not a "hair" person.  In the past I've cut off the strands that wouldn't conform to the hairstyle of the day in a NY minute.  I remember cutting it so short that my Dad said he loved it, but his baby now looked like his son!  LOL.  I admit that wasn't a wise move, only because it was February in Brooklyn.

I will have been locked four years as of tomorrow.  The reason I remember the date, was I had just cut all my hair off on July 31st, and had no idea what to do with it.  Did I mention I had to go to work the following day?  

I'm still not a hair person, but I admit being in love with my locs.  The beautiful sister that maintains them for me, is an angel.  

Because of her I love their healthy look and feel.  

I enjoyed this clip and hope you will too!

Be blessed,

I like this one

http://naeswirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-love-black-man-biblically.html

Will you be there?

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There's a storm a'comin!

Faith, Biblical Interpretation, and a Good Friend

I recently reconnected with a friend from my past. Surprisingly we seemed to pick up where we left in terms of conversation and being at ease with each other. In fact, life and all it's lessons make it easier for us to relate as there is none of that teenaged angst thing going on LOL.

Anyway one of the things I enjoy discussing with him is religion. The original bad boy has a knowledge of the bible that astounds me. I am not a person who attends church regularly, yet my belief, faith, reliance on God and all He is has always been strong. What surprises me is my friend being in agreement on the bible being taught according to the interpretation of the religious figure. I don't ever remember anyone agreeing with that premise, much less the willingness to see another point of view

Hoping you have someone who you can discuss all sorts of things with as I do.

Blessedly,

What the Hell?

http://bit.ly/aXyJtP

Of course it's more important to rewrite history than to create a new future!

How Come? ***Warning*** Adult language

I managed to have a ball!

Despite financial concerns, feuding family members and fighting off a cold, I managed to have a blast for my birthday/Mother's Day weekend.  My "children" came through big time for me.  JB, Alyssa & Fuss showed me that once again we don't need $$ to have a good time.  Sitting on the patio of my new place (did I mention I moved?) I watch Fuss and JB play with her "ball game", I received lots of kisses and hugs and big laughs.   


My trio came over and hung pictures, removed trash and even shopped for the items I forgot  (Did I mention I threw myself a combination birthday/housewarming/Mother's Day celebration?).  I got the most beautiful roses and an I Love Grandma paper weight.  


OK so I forgot to mention a few things.  However the bottom line is that I had a great 4 days!  I'm now ready to take on my next year of life.  God willing.


I am so very blessed.  I'm sure you can say the same if you really gave it some thought.

49 and counting

...upward I hope.

It seems like just yesterday that I turned 19, and here it is 30 years later!  It was a wonderful day.  I heard from friends and family, and got kisses from JB and Fuss.

I've been ruminating on what path I'd like the rest of my life to take.  Since it is up to the Creator and not me, I've let that whole thing go LOL.  I do know that whatever path I find myself on, I intend to be my best self.  My promise to myself is to take better care of the mind, body and feed the soul that's mine for the time being.

Looking forward to living this year to the fullest.  Pursuing my dreams, continuing to step out on faith, and being more open to the possibilities, which in the past, I've shied away from considering.

Happy 49th to me!  I hope my life enriches yours, as much as yours has my own.

Blessed beyond measure,

Blessed with family

In this picture are my Grandparents, Great Aunts, Aunties, Uncles, Mom, Step Dad, cousins, my brother and my good daughter.  I was so blessed with family to love and be loved by from the beginning.

Sadly 10 of these beautiful people have since passed on.  They left behind a wealth of love, wisdom, strength, and laughter for me to draw from when life is not giving me it's best.

Those that are still with me are my touchstones.  My base, my heart and soul.

I hope you have been or will be so blessed,

Thursday past

I had to put my beloved dog Princess down. It was just as hard as it was putting down Pooh Bear two years ago. On top of that I had an allergic reaction to the vet's office. My eyes were swollen shut.

I keep thinking that I'll see her poking around and getting into things she shouldn't. She was a master at making herself seem smaller than she actually was when she was caught. My mind knows she's in a better place, but my heart hurts from the hole that is left in it.

Sleep well Princess. I hope you and Pooh Bear are together again, and having the time of your after lives.

Missing you soooooo much.

Easter 2010

Not at all like I thought I'd spend the day, but it was a nice slow day.  Did some cleaning, packing, shopping, planting and watched a little HGTV.  Most of the day was spent with music and memories playing in the background and in my head.

Didn't reach my goal of having the entire upstairs cleaned and packed away.  The good part is that I will probably finish it up during the week.

Leaving you with a rendition of Crazy Love.  One of my favorite songs when sung, by Van Morrison, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles & Van Morrison and yes Brian McKnight

Hoping your Easter was/is as blessed as my own.

Look who's Two!

Mixed Feelings

http://bit.ly/amPUm7

Your thoughts?

Blessed,