Look at the time!

Mac has been with me for a year and two days. She's the ruler of my heart. My granddaughter is very much her own person (at 3), and just 3 days ago, Faith joined our crew. She's a cousin and so beautiful. I wish her and her parents every happiness.

I finally start school on Tuesday, and have actually started the materials and the paper due.

Both mom and Brother have moved here. Mom is settled in and Brother is unsettled.

Oh yeah, son going to be a Daddy again, this time to a little boy. Exciting things happening the second 1/2 of 2011.

What's new with you?



Stay blessed,

6 months gone already!

Wow, this year is flying by. There have been so many changes in my life, that it's hard to remember what it was like last year this time.

Still working on myself. My relationships, my patience, my job, my business, my weight, my dog training skills. As I type this my 120 lb Great Dane is taking up 1/2 the floor. She's a wee one compared to some of the others, which is good as we live in an apartment.

Looking forward to starting school next month. I'll probably look back on this post and shake my head at my ignorance LOL. I'm finally in the mindset where I'm ready to put in the work that's needed. NO MATTER WHAT. I'm determined not to let outside forces sway me this time. Slow and steady also wins the race.

Like a lot of people, have a few health bumps to smooth out. Once again, I realize that the only person that can fix this is me. It may take me a while to get it (12 years) but I've had my "aha" moment and am moving in and towards the positive.

Hopefully, it's all good and positive in your life.

Stay blessed,

~~Cee~~

Every Girl Needs a Theme Song

In the midst of home-improvement, a lot of self-improvement. Always a work in progress





Stay blessed,

Something is moving me forward

I have approximately 80 college credits. Yep 80 from 6 different universities in 5 different cities/states, and then I stopped cold 12 years ago. I've been thinking off and on about going back, filled out an online application, ordered a copy of a transcript. That's as far as it went. For some reason, I'm moving forward. Not only have I completed the application, I paid up a past due fee, ordered all my transcripts, and yes even spoke with a counselor. I'm a procrastinator, BIG TIME. Yet today when something had to be signed and mailed, and I found myself w/o a stamp, I left the office, drove to the post office and not only purchased a stamp, but paid the extra 70 cents for delivery confirmation.

Not sure what is propelling me forward, but I know that I'm moving in that direction, even when I don't feel like moving. Perhaps this is the time that I'll finish this college thing I started a few months after turning 17? I have to admit, the prospect of a BA or BS in Business isn't all that appealing, as I've become disillusioned after working in several fields for the past 29 years. However, it's a beginning of the ending, and it needs to be completed.

Should I decide to go for the MA, I'll chose another field....not sure what, but probably not Business Administration/Management. Maybe something exotic like Global Whoseys in Whatizdiggit.

I clearly remember a 14 wanting to be an attorney who represented children's rights. Well, I am at least doing part of that as a Child Advocate. Is it something I would do full time? Hell is it something I can AFFORD to do full time without adding a lottery winning ticket?

So let's see where this leads me. I'm intrigued, and excited, not apprehensive in the least. In the past when this force has persistently moved me, the outcome has been more than positive.

Hoping you have a good force moving you in the positive.

Stay blessed,

Decorating or redecorating...what a headache

I've been in my current place for over a year. Recently signed a 15 month lease so I decided to finish unpacking. LOL. Yep you read that right.

Once I started, I realized why I stopped. I don't have places to put these things. That means I have to go out and get them (or point and click them here). OK so what do I need? Great, now what style? Transitional? Traditional? Contemporary? Eclectic? Assembly required or built and delivered? OY VEH!!! Yes, that's the reason why a good deal of my stuff is still in boxes


Stay blessed,

You're in my life because??????

People come into your life for a reason, a season or
a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will
know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They
have come to assist you through a difficulty, to
provide you with guidance and support, to aid you
physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may
seem like a godsend and they are. They are there
for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at
an inconvenient time, this person will say or do
something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a
stand. What we must realize is that our need has
been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and
now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or
learn. They bring you an experience of peace or
make you laugh. They may teach you something
you have never done. They usually give you an
unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real,
but only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid
emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson,
love the person and put what you have learned to use
in all other relationships and areas of your life.

-- Author Unknown



Stay blessed,

My Pride and Joy....yep here's MY baby

Stay blessed,

Have I been left behind...or did they just go ahead?

Just a few of the people who loved and made me the woman I am today.

blessed,

MAC!!!

Here's my baby! She's been with me for 9 months, and she's grown! Something we didn't think she do as she was 3 years old! She's filled out (gained 20 lbs) and is extremely possessive/protective of me. The skittish dog who was afraid of my home office exists no more. She claims the couch as her bed and sleeps there most nights.

Thank you Judy Jones and the Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas!

Another Chapter

So I was sitting at my desk, paying company bills in SAP, and next thing I knew I had completed an admission application for college. 45 minutes later, I had spoken to two admissions counselors and started the process of transcript gathering.

Later that night, I came home and began setting up the office to function as a classroom as well. (I'm taking online classes.) I'm hoping to finish my BS in under two years, and then....we'll see.

I've been stagnant these past few months. Aside from one case for Child Advocates, and sponsoring different people for different charitable efforts, I've not done much community service. I think I'm feeling that it's time to achieve some of the dreams I have for myself. Serious weight loss and attention to my health, and the completion of my degree are two goals I've had for the last 10 years. Well, as my Granma would say, "Piss or get off the pot".

I'm sure working full time, making time to exercise, and being the logistician for the Global Women's Leadership Forum, having an exponentially growing business, and sharing my living space with my partner and a Great Dane will present challenges. I even more sure I've no idea of the challenges. However, I finally feel that I can meet these things head on and triumph.

Keep me in your prayers.


Be blessed

Turning 50

Truthfully, I've been 50 for almost a week. So far, so bad. Was it because I asked for too much? A day at the beach and 50 hours of not doing anything for anyone? Maybe it was opposite day. What I got was a weekend of cleaning, shopping and cooking and serving. Hell I even had to turn back because I forgot my own birthday cake!

Yes, there were some bright spots in the day. However, in this instance the bad so far outweighed the good, that I feel entitled to a do over LOL.

One day I'll be able to look back and laugh. I just think that day is YEARS away.

In the meanwhile, I'll continue to count my blessings and give thanks to my Maker that I've lived to see 50.

Best Friends

I can't believe how much my Fussalicious one has grown. Here she is pictured with her best friend in pre-school.

Mary J. Blige - Just Fine

Woo Hooo!

Thanks to my friend Elizabeth for thinking of me when she saw this. I'm so loving my life.




To quote Maya Angelou "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now."

...love liberates, it doesn't bind... - Maya Angelou

As you all know, my dad was murdered 17 years ago this week. Hearing these words immediately made me think of him and all the wonderful men in my life. My strength comes from the fabulous women who raised me. They've loved me as well as taught me, it's ok to make mistake, just never give up.

I've been a blessed woman since drawing my first breath, and with God's favor, death will find me the same way.

Be blessed,

January...always a rough month

9 years ago this week, I lost my best friend and cousin Leslie Ann Jones. 17 years ago this month I lost both my Granpa and my Dad. Still, after all this time, I go to the phone the call them. Just to say "Hey! What's going on with you?" Then it hits me again like a kick to the gut.

Sitting here now has me fighting back the tears, but also laughing at some of the fun time we shared.

Remember life is short. Stop what you're doing, and let those who mean the world to you know it. I was/am so blessed to have the strength, courage, and memories of Leslie, El Hajj, and Granpa to lean on.

Hope you are thusly blessed as well,

New Year and a New Chance to.....

As I sit here with my feet up on the ottoman watching Pickers with RLW, I'm glad to made have it to this point. The last two weeks of 2010 were frustrating and stressful. So much so that I lost my center, and took the eye off the prize. Let's just say that finding out closing on the NY place may not take place at all, put a crimp in my celebration.

Fuss had a great Christmas, the bonus of being the only baby in the family. She's still too young to grasp the concept of Santa Claus, or the birth of the baby Jesus. However, she was overjoyed with her play kitchen. I forgot to purchase food for the kitchen, and was pleasantly surprised to see her imagination kick into gear as she prepared meals for every one. Dinner brought my cousins over and it was a terrific evening.

Mom moved into her new apartment 1.1.11. It's really a cute place. I'm hopeful that she's have a great life here in Houston.

RLW and I are plugging along. As I said in an earlier post, meshing two lives is a process. Thankfully, we're both committed to making this work so the drama factor is extremely low.

There's more I want to say, but I just realized it's almost 11:30 and I need to get to bed. Time to finish the tea, and call it's a night.

Happy New Year ya'll. Let's make 2011 a great one. Be blessed!

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,