CELEBRATE!!

HAPPY FRIDAY BEAUTIFUL READERS!!!

I hope that everyone has had a great week and you are ready for the weekend. I'm so glad it's Friday!

I have have been BLESSED, PRIVILEGED AND HONORED to be able to celebrate another year of life earlier this week and I am beyond happy. I read a quote (on Pinterest of course-yes I'm a Pinhead) that said 'never regret getting older, it's a privilege denied to many'. This really inspired me, because when you think about it, the way things are going and the way people are hurting each other, there are many that are not making past their teens. So I'm very happy to be another year older.  God has truly blessed me, helped me, protected me and showered me with His unfailing love, mercy and grace. Life has had it's 'mountain high and valley low' moments but He has brought me through them all. He has sustained and provided for me an my family. My siblings and my mother is still in the land of the living (please pray for my mom, she's been a little sick lately). Although we don't all live in the same state, we are all alive. I am encouraged, inspired and determined to reach that destiny that God has ordained for me even before I was formed in my mother's womb. I am determined to create laughter, encourage and help people to the best of my ability. I thank God for my awesome husband and all of my beautiful children. I'm grateful for family and friends. I shouldn't be here, I should have been taken out when that glass from a second story window fell on tip of my head and all I had was a cut on my forehead that I got 7 stitches for. I should have been taken out when I had that car accident , but God said 'not-so' you have a calling on your life, I have ordained a journey for you. There are many waiting to hear all that I have placed in you. So I am still here and still pressing forward. Yes many are afraid to get older and I admit, it can be a little intimidating, but I'm seasoned and I'm marinating to perfection. With each year I hope to grow stronger and wiser. In all that I do, I hope to touch someone in a positive way.

So my FABULOUS READERS, Happy Birthday To Me and if any of you are celebrating a birthday this year, I wish you a blessed and happy one!

BE BLESSED, BE ENCOURAGED, AND SMILE!

Freebies and Giveaways!

Visit Penny Pinching Polly on Facebook. There's a lot of freebies and giveaways on her wall! Good Luck!

Getting Ready for Next Week

One day closer to Friday. My fabulous readers! Was out in Epicenter today and they are certainly getting ready for DNC 2012. They're almost done with the mini park on the corner of Trade and Tryon. They have erected a stage, they have banners and signs up, cleaning the columns, and CMPD is becoming more prevalent. Unfortunately a lot of the restaurants will be closed. Here's a couple of pics.

Master of Multitasking!

HAPPY TUESDAY EVENING FABULOUS READERS! 
  I hope your week is getting off to a good start. I'm sitting here with about four windows open, hoping my computer doesn't lock down on me.

Today's deals--FROM MY INBOX TO YOURS:
Penny Pinching Polly has a link where you can sign up to be a member of the Fresh Ideas Panel. Ladies only. Click here  Also she will be hosting another giveaway Labor Day weekend where you'll have a chance to win some really nice prizes.

 ShopAtHome.com

‎5 winners, $2,000 in Kohl's gift cards! Enter the KOHL'S FASHION GIVEAWAY: http://shp.hm/PyYsbf

The $1,000 Grand Prize would equal A LOT of Kohl's Cash! ;)

RetailMeNot

Don't procrastinate on this offer, it ends tomorrow! Save 45% site-wide at The Limited. http://bit.ly/TpLfAu

Also get a 9" Android Tablet from nomorerack.com for $129.00!!

Website that Lists REAL Work At Home Opportunities and Reviews

Evening greetings, FABULOUS READERS! I hope your weekend was great. Now it's back to the Monday grind.

Just wanted to make a really important post before calling it a night. I was on the armywife101.com website and Krystel has a Work At Home category. I clicked on it and found quite a few links for some work from home jobs. One of the companies call ChaCha I did sign up for and am waiting for my results to see if I would become a guide. While clicking on some of the links, I came across a website called www.workathomenoscams.com which is owned by Eddy Salomon, where he has a wealth of links for different work at home companies, all which he has given a review for. He is straight forward and gives you the pros, cons and the scams. I know that times are getting tough with people loosing their jobs and taking pay cuts and I believe this site will help you greatly! Some of the companies many not replace your income, but if you sign up for enough of them, it can be something in your pocket or paypal account and something is better than nothing. I'll definitely be visiting his site often. As the saying goes, every little bit helps.

If you decide to visit his site, and I really hope you do, I wish everyone the best of blessings!

Until next post, BE SAFE, BE BLESSED AND SMILE---

Deals and More-From My Inbox to Yours!

GOOD EVENING FABULOUS READERS!!

I hope all is well.  Getting ready to wind down, I hope. The little miss is pushing a box through the box like it's a car.  She's so easily entertained.

I did say I would be posting some deals and giveaways this week, and although it's the weekend, I promised it, so I'm going to deliver.  Here they are:

Kohl's is having an awesome giveaway! The Grand Prize is a $1,000 gift card and there will be 4 $250.00 runner-ups. The contest ends September 2nd!

ShopAtHome.com is offering 25% off entire purchase at Banana Republic + up to 5% cash back

They are also hosting a giveaway of a $250 Grocery gift card. Check it out here

Don't forget to check out nomorerack.com for some AWESOME deals! This evenings Live deals include MP2/4 Clearance; Field and Stream Rugged Tool Collection; Sweet Dreams bedding sale;
Elle-C Professional Hair Remover kit; Just for Kids Crazy Socks Sale up to 63% off and lots more!; Also the BACK TO SCHOOL SALE HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH TOMORROW, AUGUST 27TH  New deals go LIVE everyday at 12pm EST; $2.00 flat rate shipping per item and 24/7 customer service--HAPPY SHOPPING!

Also check out sneakpeeq.com where you can find unique items such as clothing, candle, health food for good deals. It's free tos ign up and you get 20 'peeks' everyday. click on the 'peek' button and it reveals the price you pay.  The more you search the site and 'peek; items the more badges you gain like free shipping, 10% off, 5% off, etc. I haven't ordered anything from them because they don't use paypal. But the do have some really nice unique items that you won't see in the stores.

That's all I have so far.  I'll definitely do my best to post deals and giveaways at least once a week. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their evening.

BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE!!

I'm A Pinhead!

Happy Saturday FABULOUS READERS! I hope that everyone is having an awesome weekend.  If not you have one more day to make it a great one.

In recent days I've gotten hooked on Pinterest! Yes I'm a Pinhead and there is a link to follow me on Pinterest.  I've been pinning all kinds of stuff! Mainly landscapes - mountain, waterfalls, sky, etc.  I also have a board called I Love Furry Animals which has the cutest animals ever! I started a Beauty and Fashion Board where I found some awesome nail art, and a couple of cute hairstyles. Going to also start a do-it-yourself and of course a FOOD board!! yumm!!! This site is extremely addictive! Here are the links to some of the things I have Pinned.

http://pinterest.com/pin/293648838172885622/

http://pinterest.com/afambuswmn/nature-at-it-s-best/

http://pinterest.com/afambuswmn/beauty-and-fashion/

Hope you enjoy them. Don't forget to click on the 'Follow me on Pinterest' link at the top of my blog!

Charlotte's B-Cycle Program

Happy Friday!!! Not too long ago I posted about Charlotte's Bike Rental Program called BCycle. Here's a couple of pictures of the bikes. Sorry for the picture quality-

For more information visit  B-Cycle Program

So Many Changes Around Here!

Good Morning Awesome Readers!! It's the middle of the week. We are almost there!

Since the DNC is head to the Queen City, they are make some major changes. I learned that they are removing at least 19 mailboxes and Express package boxes, FedEx and UPS. They will probably remove the free publications boxes as well. Also, there will be no mail delivery that week. If you work uptown, check with your employer for more specifics.

Also, they are putting up a 60 foot statue by the Airport exit, as if Obama is going to get out his car on the side of the road and admire it. Yeah, right!

They are doing a lot of improvements around the city in preparation for the upcoming events, so if you plan to be uptown, good luck with that. They will have checkpoints and you will have to show identification in order to get to your job if you're working that week.

It's going to be sewed up and locked down!

Ain't NO WAY!!!

Greetings FABULOUS readers! It's Tuesday, one day closer to Friday. Usually I go back to sleep after I get the hubby off to work and the baby off to the sitter, but I couldn't go back to sleep this morning.  Seems like I just laid there, thoughts running 300 miles per hour. So I figured what better thing to do than blog!

Listening to the news, unintentionally, this morning and I heard about the elderly bus monitor that was taunted and bullied by some middle school students until she cried. The video went viral on YouTube and people sent in $700,000 for her to take a vacation. She said she is going to start an anti-bullying foundation. Kudos to her and I really hate that she had to go through that.

First and foremost--THERE IS NO WAY IN SAM HADES I would get bullied by nobody, especially some little stinking tail middle school kids! I would have seriously lost my job because I would have put them in check real quick! What the heck is wrong with kids these days? Oh, I know, since everything that used to be discipline is now called abuse, I guess adults are supposed to stand to be disrespected by some kids and not say anything. We're supposed to just take it? I don't think so! That's the problem with alot of these kids, they feel like they don't have to respect any adults, they just as grown as you are and of course, 'you ain't my momma or my daddy' so I can do what the hell I want. Well, it starts in the home and if the parent is not teaching these kids to respect their elders, I'm sure society and the police will be glad to teach them a lesson or three. It's really sad when it seems like the children have the upper hand because they've been advised to dial 911. Well you gotta get to the phone. When I was growing up, that teacher would have straight spanked your a@@ and then you got it double time when you got home. The neighbor would have spanked your a@@ and then you got it double time when you got home. There is NO way we were allowed to disrespect grown folks. Don't get a phone call from school, you can hang it up! You a@@ is grass! You were there to pay attention to that teacher and get an education, playtime and talk time was for recess and lunch. Guess what, I turned out just fine. I've never been to jail. I've never been an alcoholic or on drugs. I didn't have my first daughter until I was 23 and 11 months. Does it make me any better than someone else, by no means. I just made the decision to listen to what I was taught. Yes, I got my behind spanked, they were far and few in between but I got them. I'm not dead, but I damn sure ain't trying to do nothing to put myself in the hospital or the grave.

I was taught, that teacher is like your parent when your parents are not around. They are responsible for you as long as you are in their class so you need to sit the hell down and listen. They got their education, you need to get yours. Some kids these days are so smart, yet so damn dumb. They are wiser yet weaker. They know so much, yet follow after any and everything. Word from the wise, if you don't teach your child respect and manners, somebody else will. Everybody is not scared of these kids thinking they big and bad and there's plenty of folks that don't mind popping off a gun, and don't think they're going always get that police officer who really wants to turn them around. True enough, some of them act like I'm big and bad, but I bet if you say, I'm going to call your mom or your dad, or I'm sending you to jail, they humble as a pit bull with no teeth. Their whole demeanor will change.

Things are really change since my school days and I really can't say it has changed for the better. You couldn't have told me twenty years ago that it would be like this. Yes I acted a certain way with my friends, but we knew our limits, because our parents didn't play that at all! I'm grateful to all of those adults that were influential in my life. I appreciate them so much. Many of them have passed on, but it was a blessing to have them around.

Well, that's my rant for the morning. I hope you all have a great day! I'll be doing some 'internet scrubbing' this week and posting some deals and giveaways that's going on around the Internet Community.

Until next post, BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE!

WalMart is Bringing Back Lay-A-Way!

Happy Monday!! Hope you all had a great weekend. Lay-A-Way will be available starting September 16th-December 14th!! Items eligible are: toys, electronics, small appliances, jewelry (which jewelry layaway is available year-round), and select sporting goods.
Rules:
$10.00 down or 10% - whichever is greater.

$15.00 open fee, which is refundable to a WalMart gift card upon full payment.

$15.00 minimum per item; $50.00 minimum total purchase.

Let's go shopping!

Randomly Speaking

HELLO FABULOUS READERS!! I hope you are having an awesome weekend. If not, you got one day left to make it a great weekend.

It's a reality check moment for me. I got my daughter's high school class schedule in the mail today. She is officially going to be a high school student in a couple of weeks. Such a bittersweet moment. Time went by so fast.

I Really Am From The Midwest!
Was talking to my coworkers yesterday and somehow we got on the subject of accents. My coworker and others have told me I sound like I'm from down south. I said no, born and raised by country people in Chicago. My family roots as far as I know are in Arkansas. So I started talking about pear preserves, fried apples, elderberry and Polkberry wine. So my coworker says, you sure you not from L.A.- lower Alabama? I was just raised by country people. I think my 'accent' has gotten a little more southern since I've been in the south, but I'm a city girl. Even my husband jokes and says I'm from Mississippi. : )

Oh My Goodness Moments
I know we have all had them. Lord knows I have had plenty! My most recent one, which was today, my baby threw my phone on the ground, I guess she was done with it and I was talking and forgot about it. Came in the house and left my phone outside! Glad I realized it within a few minutes and ran back out to get it.

Next, when I left my purse at work and didn't realize it until I got off the train at my stop. Wallet and everything in the drawer at work. I was so glad the train man wasn't checking tickets that day. That would have been a $50.00 fine for a 1.75 ride.

Next, left the curling iron on. I know we've all done this one, or the iron.

Nomorerack.com is having a back to school sale until August 24th. Get in those awesome sales!

Well beautiful people, I'm going to catch me a movie while the hubby grill some steaks.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend. Be Blessed, Be Safe, and Smile!!

Job Security- What's That?

Happy Almost Friday! I hope everyone is enjoying their week.

In response to some recent layoffs that I've heard about, two yesterday and one today, about 7 or 8 people in one month, not to mention one of them is out of the office today, I started thinking, is there a such thing as job security anymore? People are loosing their jobs like you lose pocket change in the couch! One lady got laid off and had been with the company 16 years! That's a long time and a lot of energy to invest in a company. You would think they would keep someone who has that many years of experience for their knowledge alone. Although I'm sure she received a great severance package, and who knows, she may be glad, but its a lot of years. So now her work has to be divided between others who already have a heavy workload. </p>
<p>Personally, I think companies want cheaper labor and aren't willing to make a long term commitment, so they hire temps to get them caught up or they wait until the summer to get college students who are doing internships. I've seen job descriptions with at least 20-30 duties paying 10.00 an hour, plus they want you to have a Masters degree on Engineering just to work on the mailroom. I've seen a job description that wanted you have a 4-year Law Degree to be a Secretary/Admin Assistant. You would've thought they wanted an Attorney. Nope, Secretary. I'm thinking, a person with a Law Degree may want a job as a Lawyer, but that's just my thinking.
Jobs are going moreso than coming. All I can say is God is my security and He keeps us afloat even when I get an electronic call from an agency that I was laid off and I hadn't worked there in over a month! Now who's doing their paperwork that you don't know who is there and who isn't? Yes, I got laid off from a job I wasn't even working at. Reality is there will always be layoffs, there will never be a100% employment rate no matter who they blame. We just have to hope and pray for the best. So in the midst of it all, BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE! LOOK FOR YOUR RAINBOW IN THE MIDST OF THE RAINSTORM.

Middle of The Week!

Greetings Fabulous Readers! It's the middle of the week. One day closer to Friday! Stuck on the train on my way to work. The train I was originally on had a door malfunction, so I got off and waited for the next one. Then it got slowed down because they had to disconnect that car and take it to the yard. Needless to say, we are moving again and I will still make it in time to get my breakfast! It pays to leave early! Let's make it a great one!
Be Blessed, Be Safe, and Smile!!

Series Finales

Hello All! I hope all is well.

So, I watched two Series Finales - House of Payne and The Closer. The House of Payne finale really had me disappointed. It just seemed to lack so much and didn't seem well put together the way we KNOW Tyler Perry can do what he do. So, here's the basics of what happened in a nutshell and four sentences:
1. Floyd said he was moving to Africa because he traced his roots and found out he was some kind of king
2. Commissioner C.J. finally convinced Uncle Curtis to return to the Firehouse because there were some problems at three of the stations and Chief Payne was the only one who could fix things. You know his resolution 'Fire all of 'em!'
3. C.J. and Calvin is trying to plan an anniversary celebration for their wives, Jenine and Miranda. They were going to have it at a fancy restaurant, but that caught on fire; so Floyd has his cousin, Peaches, to decorate the health center and cater a dinner.
4. Fast forward, because there was really nothing exciting in between. Most of the family, C.J. Jenine, Curtis and Ella is already at the help center waiting on Calvin and Miranda. Calvin comes in from picking up Miranda's dress from the cleaners to find her packing her suitcase. She tells Calvin she can't do this anymore and she wants a divorce. She walks out. Calvin throws a vase of roses across the room. The End.  Yep, The End. No really, The End.
Nothing much else to say about that. I wish he would have brought back some of the previous cast members, especially Claretha. I still can't really get into For Better or For Worse, even with the 'obvious' laugh tracks thrown in here an there. It's one of those I'll watch it if I remember it's on shows.

Onto the big finale of The Closer.  I only caught the last thirty minutes of it, because I forgot it was coming on. Brenda Lee was doing what she do best. Using her wit, her charm and personality to catch the bad guy and get a confession. At the end she ends up getting suspended well pretty much fired, because of her tactics to get a DNA sample from the criminal. She purposely attacked him in an elevator so she had his blood and hair on her. Now that's a hell of a way to collect some DNA. You know Brenda Lee will do what she gotta do. Anyway, it's written to appear that she has retired from LAPD and is taking a job in Atlanta. It was a very emotional episode and I don't doubt those were real tears. I'm sure Kyra Sedgewick will be missed. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast was truly a perfect match. We will see what stonefaced Captain Sharon Raydor brings to the show in the spinoff Major Crimes. Their efforts to keep things going. I watched the first few minutes of it and she seems a bit stiff and emotionless. I'm sure they will still have a large number of viewers, but it's not going to be the same without Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson.

Well, until next post......Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!!

I Love Music!

So I'm going to learn how to play an instrument!  HELLO FABULOUS READERS! I hope your week is off to a great start. If not, the week isn't over yet.

So, I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano/keyboard. I did take music class waaaaaaayyyyy back in high-school, but that was it. Over the weekend, my beautiful mother-in-law blessed us with a keyboard! We also have a DVD for learning to play the piano and the other one was learning to play the bass. My hubby plays the bass, which I picked up once and he was showing me some notes, but maybe I'll learn that later. I watched part of the DVD and took some notes. Honestly, after he got to a certain point, I was totally lost, tired and ready to go to bed.  Not to mention my baby was sleepy and for some reason instead of just going to sleep, she has to do anything and everything to stay awake. She's a professional sleep fighter, but she always ends up giving in, usually an hour after she should be sleep.

What I noticed about myself is that I'm a more hands on person and watching this guy teach some of the basics had me as confused as that fly on Family Guy who can't understand to just fly through the open window. Yesterday after I got home, I sat down and started playing some of the Major Scales. The more I did it, the better and easier it become. I figure if I practice for at least 1-2 hours a day, I should get pretty good. I just have to be consistent. The baby loves to play too. I don't know what she's playing, but all she knows is that it's making a musical sound. So I'm going to be taking this on and hopefully, I can learn enough to write some songs and my own music. Wouldn't that be nice!

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!

Hello Kitty Extravanza at nomorerack.com!

I'm so addicted to this online shopping site! I got the last of my orders a few days ago and I'm extremely

pleased! I wore one of the dresses today. I bought two for my daughter, which I think she'll really like. She's

tall, so she'll have to wear some leggings with it, because moma believes in modesty. I was pretty in pink!

Well they are having a Hello Kitty Extravaganza that ends in about two days. Get up to 60% off on a Tin

Lunch Box that has cosmetics; handbags, cosmetic bag, backpack etc.  They're also having a big sale on

August Birthstone jewelry - the Peridot. There's a ring sale ($11.00) and under and some $5.00 deals.  Join

for free! Now for some SHOPPING!!!

nomorerack.com

Too Many Long Lines!

Happy Sunday FABULOUS readers! I hope your weekend has been great! Had an awesome time at church today. I feel very lifted.

So, I'm in Family Dollar yesterday and it seems like every time I go in there, there's a long line and only one cashier! My theory is, there's too many people that are looking for jobs, why are you understaffed? It's ridiculous! The McDonald's we usually go too, it takes forever to get our order. Once again, people need jobs, why are you understaffed? Same situation with the Burger King at Transit. Newsflash! Everyone that applies for a job is not a criminal, for goodness sake, it's Family Dollar and McDonald's! If you're waiting on Michelle Obama to put in an application, don't hold your breath. She got a job! I don't understand these companies. Of course I understand a criminal background check, but seriously, people need jobs and if you're not hiring, please say so. It's unfair to a person who is looking for work to take an hour filling out your app PLUS that stupid questionnaire where they ask 10 questions 8 different ways and you're not hiring in the first place. I guess that's just my way of thinking.

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy the remainder of my Sunday. I wish the time wouldn't move so fast. Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!!

Charlotte's New B-Cycle Program

HAPPY SATURDAY! It's almost the middle of the month, half the year is gone, and it's still in the 80s. Anyway, greeting my FABULOUS readers! I hope that you are enjoying the beginning of your weekend. 

Soooooo.....Charlotte launched their B-Cycle Program on August 1st of this year, in an effort to promote wellness, excercise, decrease the amount of vehicle exhaust in the air, etc.  I was waiting on the train at 7th Street one day and noticed they had some bikes that you could rent. It's an annual $65.00 membership or you can just swipe your credit/debit card and pay $8.00 for a 24-hour pass or if you don't need it for a whole day, then it appears you can check the bike out for free for the first 30 minutes then it will be $4.00 for each additional half-hour. If you decide to check out one of these bikes, make sure you lock it up real good, or else there will be a nice $1,000 replacement fee, there is also a tracking device on the bike as well. There's 200 bikes available at 20 stations. They also come equipped with a cute little basket on the front that can hold up to 20 pounds.

I think it's a good program for those who want to exercise in efforts to stay healthy. Me personally, if I can't ride on the sidewalk, I will not be riding. Something about those bike lanes that's no wider than my computer screen doesn't sit well with me, especially with folks talking and texting while driving, I would hate to get my rims bent up and my legs broke. So if you would like to take advantage of the B-Cycle Program, by all means help yourself and have fun.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!

Happy Friday!!!-Support This Entrepreneur

HAPPY FRIDAY MY FABULOUS READERS! I hope that everyone has had a great week and that you will have an even greater weekend. I had the pleasure and blessing of meeting a wonderful lady yesterday at work. We talked like we knew each other for years which is usually the case when I meet someone. This lady was absolutely amazing and a great joy to talk to. Not only does this lady has some anointed hands with the handcrafted creations she makes, I also enjoyed listening to her as we talked about history and heritage.

She makes the most adorable TuTu's! Not to mention some funky earrings with different images on them like Lauryn Hill, Dororthy Dandrige, Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix, etc. I'll definitely be getting a TuTu for my girls. She said she can even make them in adult sizes as well!


Here is the link to her website. The name of the company is called Sankofa Soul.
Also here is the link to her Facebook page.

Please support this awesome lady, L.T. Alexander, with beautifully hand-crafted items.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, Smile!

DNC-2012

If you pick up a Charlotte Observer today, there is a map of the street closings for the DNC. Some streets will begin shutting down as early as Sunday. Get more updates, photos, schedule of events, maps, etc at:
www.charlotteobserver.com/dnc

Time To Balance The Budget Ladies!

Good Morning FABULOUS readers! I hope everyone is having a great week!

Watching the mudslinging campaign commercial can be a bit entertaining as well as frustrating. I get tired of hearing the bad things the other candidate has done. Why not just talk about what YOU plan to do and let the other person dig their own ditch. Anyway, you know the nation's budget is always an issue. We are the richest country in the world, but always broke as ever and never have any money for anything, well the things that are important to us anyway. I figured, if they want to balance the budget, let's get a group of responsible women together and let's do what we do. I'm talking about women who balance motherhood, being a wife, worklife, and home. I'm talking about women who get them bills paid every month and still have money left for a tank of gas and a Pepsi. I'm talking about women who can negotiate a payment plan like you've never seen. We will move that money around like three card Marley, decrease the debt and create a surplus. Yes ladies, we good like that.

I will never understand how they have money for a $2.5 billion dollar rover to be put on Mars looking for stuff that was probably never intended to be found but they always want to cut money for education, crime prevention, health, community centers, etc. This war overseas, that is supposed to be over, is costing millions daily trying to regulate a country of people who will strap a bomb to their children and send them in a public place, but can't find the money to increase police presence on the streets of Chicago to decrease the murder rate. There's a war going on right in the US everyday, right on US soil. Where is the money to put things back in order in our own country? Think about it.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!

DNC 2012

Good Evening! P.S.A. If anyone is planning to attend to DNC uptown Charlotte or travel uptown via the Lynx Lightrail, be prepared to walk. The train will only go as far as Stonewall Station. Also, the entire Square will also be shut down as well. There will also be security checkpoints. I'm going to see if I can find a map with more details.

It Hit Me.......

My oldest daughter is going to high school! My big baby. It wasn't an easy journey. Lord knows it took a lot of praying, fussing, crying and more.  As I watched her praise dance as church one Sunday, so many thoughts flooding my mind. I couldn't help but cry and think look at God using her to minister through dance and how I'm truly blessed. That was my daughter whom I have raised. I may not have done everything right but I know I have instilled strong morals and work ethics in her. She may not be perfect but God is going to use her and where I may be lacking, He is going to fill in the gap. Oftentimes my parenting skills were criticized, and many times I've questioned myself, but she has great aspirations to be someone awesome. I've told her as long as she keeps God in her life, treat herself and others with respect, and work hardshe can go far. Yes, that's MY daughter.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!

The Thrill Is Gone

Hello FABULOUS readers. I was sitting one day thinking since I've had my daughter, I don't want to see anything on TV that involves labor or delivery! When I was pregnant,  I would sit in front of the TV for hours watching A Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby, Bringing Home Multiples, and just ooohhh and aaahhhh over the little babies. I would be Baby Center for hours, reading endless posts about the progress of our growing baby bumps. Now, I don't want to see anything dealing with labor, delivery, pain or any of that. They can have that table and all of the elements that come with it. The thrill is gone and I'm done!

On that note, Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!

Get In On those No More Rack Deals!

Join nomorerack.com for free! Today's deals include and unlocked iPhone, Jewelry, Tablets, cute purses, etc.  I'm addicted to this online store! I seen some cute colorful purses I think I'm going to have to snatch up!

http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=5184361

BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE!!

Not My Usual Post-But A Good Read: S A G G I N

This is a post that I posted on my FB notes recently. It's not my usual post, but I'm sure that some of you will agree with me.

Can Someone Answer This Question?by Carla Mason-Dubose
on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 11:43am · This is something that has had me puzzled since it began. SAGGING PANTS!!! I'll never understand, and perhaps somebody, anybody, can help me understand why this will not die! I refuse to call it fashion or stylish, because it certainly is neither. I recently visited Atlanta and had the privilege of visiting the church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, Ebenezer Baptist Church. It was a great experience to sit in the church where a great man stood, fighting for equality for our people, for all people. I also visited the King Center, where the had displayed various photos from that era. Just from that experience, it caused me to reflect on how so many of our people, even before Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks fought, marched, were put in jail, and brutalized so that we could walk with our heads held high with integrity, with dignity. They fought for us to have opportunities to educate ourselves and our children and have the chance to become productive people of society. They fought so we could travel the world, learn about different things and put this knowledge to use so that we can be enlightened and aware of what is going on around us and learn new things. But over the years, it seems like the fight and the struggles that were endured is constantly being trampled under the feet of those that don't understand, don't want to understand or who have not been enlightened or made aware of how awesome, smart and intelligent they are and how successful they can be.They don't understand what was established in them before the foundation of the world.
From that introduction, I just want to know why in world do our young men AND women sag their pants below their butt!! This is the most idiotic, asinine, form of wearing clothes I have ever seen. First of all, it is something that started in prison. The men wear their pants low to let the other prisoners know, their butt is available. This brings me to my first question-why in the world do you want to follow something that is associated with prison life?! I don't care if you have been to jail before, why do you want to continue to do things that represent that life. Another thing that puzzles me is, why do you want to walk like you've had an accident in your pants? Why do you wear a belt to keep you pants below your behind? Why do you wear pants that's two sizes too big knowing they are going to fall down? Why do you want to walk down the street holding your pants up? Has their self esteem become so low and are they so beaten down that you feel like you have to follow something that is associated with such negativity? Does how low you wear your pants determine how low your self esteem or self worth is? Why do you want to show your undergarments? That is NOT for everyone to see. I especially can't understand it when women do it. You may call yourself a stud, but the truth is, I doubt you have a penis, just because you sag your pants and wear boxers. It's ugly, and I believe if Malcolm X or Martin Luther King were alive they would wonder, is this what we gave our lives for? Is this the generation of people that is supposed to be the future. It doesn't make you look cool, and it for darn sure is not sexy! There is NO way my husband can walk down the street with me with his pants sagging. Come on people, stop following the crowd, and with sagging your pants, you look foolish, right along with the crowd. I've even seen a couple of guys sagging their pants in CHURCH! Are you serious, in the church?! I saw a woman walking with her son, and his pants were sagging and they looked dirty. If I owned a business, and I believe one day I will, there is no way you would work for me with your pants hanging off your behind. You are a representative of me and my company and you will not represent me in a way.Even the young ladies who tolerate this form of wearing clothing puzzle me as to why they think that is cute. You're walking down the street with your boyfriend and he got is underwear showing, and some of them look very 'unkept'.
I'm not saying that everyone who sags their pants is a drug dealer, or in a gang, or is telling the world 'my butt is available for the taking', but if that's not who you are, then why are you doing something that represents those attributes or that lifestyle, yet you don't want to be judged in that manner. The truth is, people are STILL being judged based on their appearance before you can even say 'hello', but you want to blame society or 'the man' for your state of living. I'm not saying it's easy to get ahead. The truth is, it does take hard work and some people have to work harder than others. Inequality still exists. Injustice still exists and Lord knows racism is definitely alive. I'm saying the opportunity is there. Our ancestors fought and died for us to have those opportunities. Honestly, there is NO excuses. We don't have to sneak off to learn how to read or write any more for fear that we may get beaten. There's millions of educational opportunities available across the world. I don't care where you've come from, how you were raised, where you were raised, where you've been or who you've been with. I don't care if you started and then fell off the path. Get up, get back on it. Someone is waiting to hear what you have to say. Our experiences are not just for us, but somebody needs to hear it.
It's time to move forward in the future. You hold that key. Use your talents and gifts to teach others and lead others in the right direction. Use your tests and trials to point someone in the right direction. If anyone is reading this, you may not agree with everything I have said, but I know you have got to agree that it's time to be different, PULL YOUR PANTS UP! Hold your head up and march forward.
　

I Love nomorerack.com!

Happy Saturday my FABULOUS readers! I hope that your week was great and your weekend was greater.
I'm so addicted to nomorerack.com. It's an online shopping site where you can buy everything from clothes to big screen TVs. I have bought 7 dresses from them so far. Four, I have received and the others I will get next week. Here is a pic of two of them:



nomorerack.com

I'm addicted to maxi dresses this year. They are so comfy and flowy, just throw one on, grab a cute pair of wedges and flats and I'm out the door. The blue and white dress is very elegant, yet very sassy, and has a small belt that ties around it, so I'm definitely going to have to dress that up perfectly.

Everyday I receive an email about new deals that go live at 12:00 noon EST and you have the chance to buy it before it's gone. There is a flat shipping rate of $2.00 per item.  Alot of the clothing usually sells out pretty quickly. The majority of their prices are very reasonable. I haven't purchased any jewelry from them yet, but I certainly plan to since alot of it is very reasonable and the pictures I've seen are very pretty. They also have a program called friendrack where you can earn prizes for referring friends.

It's free to join, it's takes about an average of 10-14 days to receive your merchandise. I'm really pleased with them, and will definitely continue to shop with them. Here is a referral link to get you started.

http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=5184361

IN OTHER NEWS.....My life as a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) has come to an end. I'm certainly grateful for all this time I've gotten to spend with my baby girl and to have been able to help my friends out, but as always, God is truly on time, so back to work I go. I can't complain, since I have worked with this company before, so I'm very comfortable with the atmosphere and the people. With school starting back and my daughter starting high-school, it will be a blessing. I will still be on the blog via mobile or at home, and pretty soon via laptop, so please keep visiting. I will also be launching my new blog soon, so you'll get a double dose of li'l ole me. I'm very grateful to see visitors stop by and appreciate your support.

Until next post, BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE!

Oh So Natural!



Photo Courtesy of Yahoo!:Shine
http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/black-beauty-trend-oprah-rocks-her-natural-hair-184400770.html;_ylt=A2KLOzKp9BtQHm4ACh4hmolQ

 Oprah is ROCKING THAT NATURAL FRO! and I'm loving it!

ON this month's cover of O Magazine, Oprah is wearing her natural hair and it is gorgeous! I think it's an inspiration and encouragement to many, like myself, who want to go 'oh so natural.' Some say it may be a twist out or a braid out on her relaxed hair but I don't care.  Twist out, braid out, blow out, it is really beautiful.

I decided to 'attempt' to go natural myself.  I haven't relaxed my hair since May 19th of this year, so I really a newbie on this natural hair journey. My natural hair is fairly thick, so I'm going to see how this journey goes. I must say, I do like my 'introductory waves', meaning I don't have a whole lot of new growth but it's noticeable. I am not so bold as to do the 'big chop' just yet. I just don't think I'll look right in a 'Teeny Weeny Afro' or TWA. My hair has always been long and although I have cut it some, I still have a lot of length to it. However, I have been doing twist-outs and I really like the look. I didn't think I would be a big fan of 'big hair', but I've gotten complements on it.

I got on alot of highlighter. It didn't look that way before I left the house. But, I like to use Cantu Shea Butter strengthening treatment, B&B Foam Wrapping Lotion, and Africa's Best Herbal Oil. I twisted my hair , rolled up the ends and let it airdry overnight. I must say, I really liked the way it came out.  I've done a couple since then. Usually after the first day, I put it in a high ponytail and decorate it with a flower or colorful hair decoration.

Another time I did a Twist-Out I used Murray's Gel Loc-Lock. I will never use that again. My hair was so hard to the point I couldn't even comb it out. I ended up just shampooing and conditioning it. So, I think I'll just stick to my three products that I do like and maybe try out a few others just to see how well I like or don't like them. I'm excited about go natural, so I'll definitely keep you posted.

Until next post, BE BLESSED, BE SAFE AND SMILE!

Staying-At-Home but Not Sitting Still

A Good Thursday afternoon to my fabulous readers! I hope that you have had a good week so far. It's one day closer to Thursday. It's 88 degrees, super sunny and hot in the Queen city, so yeah, I'm happy to be in the house.

Just going through my random thoughts this morning, and you know being a stay-at-home mom (unintentionally) is not that easy, especially when you have a teen and a TODDLER! There's always crumbs to vacuum, noses to wipe, butts to clean, constant monitoring (even when they are sleep), breakfast, lunch and dinners to prepare, diswasher to load and the occasional 'darn, I don't have any spaghetti sauce' trips to the store. Since becoming unemployed, I was so desperate to get back to work because like the Destiny's Child song lyrics 'all the women who independent, throw your hands up at me!' I consider myself to be an independent woman, not used to and not wanting to depend on anyone. I've been working since the age of 16 and strong work ethics have been instilled in me since I was a child. I'm not saying I didn't have help along the way, but, for the most part, I've always taken responsibility to provide for myself and my kids.

So now, since the job market is not all that great, I mean you've got people with Master's and PhD's looking for administrative support jobs, which is my field, I'm now a stay-at-home mom. Many times I get frustrated because although my husband works (I truly thank God for him) I'm just used to waving my 'Independent Woman flag. Well now that flag is flying at 'half-staff' and I realized, 'honey, you may as well embrace it and count your blessings!' I realized that maybe God has me in this position because I need to be available to be a help to others. When I was 'real pregnant' and desperately looking for a job before the baby got here, my friend in Chicago would say 'girl, sit down somewhere and wait for that baby to get here.' I know some are not in a position to be able to stay at home, and for those that desire to, I truly hope and pray that a door opens for you.

I had to look at being a SAHM in this manner:  I don't have to worry about stable child care, especially when it comes to the cost of childcare, although if I get called to do a one or two day assignment, I do have a babysitter. I'm on the childcare waiting list which is at least 2 years long and I"ve been on that list since I was 8 months pregnant. I don't have to be out in this 100+ degree weather, I don't have to worry about getting up super-early to get myself and the baby ready. I don't have to watch the clock wishing that 'lunch-time' or 5:00 would hurry up so I can go eat or go home. I don't have to worry about those nerve-wrecking employee reviews every year, hoping that my hard-work will be rewarded with a nice 5% raise.  Although these are the pros to being at home, I do miss interacting with other adults, besides my husband and using my skills to be an asset, but I figure I can use those same skills at home, managing my household.

Although I have decided to embrace the SAHM life, I'm definitely not sitting still. I figured I've sat down on my gifts TOO long. I've got a lot to offer and if I'm offering it and helping people sitting behind this screen, then so be it. I know that someone can be enlightened, empowered and encouraged by using what is inside me. I've joined the newsletter staff at my church, which I'm excited about since at my old church I established and implemented our weekly church newsletter. I'm also working on writing an Abstinence Program for our Youth Division at my church and I'm working on launching a new blog, which I'm also excited about. So I'm definitely not sitting still. I've got a lot on my plate, but I know to eat one bite at a time. I pray for supernatural strength, because it's in my heart to do these things and I don't want to get burned out. No more sitting still, I'm doing whatever it is my hands find to do.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!!

Chick-Fil-A In The News

Greetings fabulous readers!

I was watching the news today and since the CEO of the organization doesn't support gay marriage, there is a petition going around for, UNCC the big university here to remove their two restaurant locations.

First of all, what the world does that man's opinion have to do with chicken? That's his personal beliefs and opinion. They can't force him to accept it any more than I can get someone to believe in God or that I'm a mermaid, and you know I'm not a mermaid. Do they really think UNCC is going to eliminate am establishment that is making money for them. So they want to remove the locations and the employees possibly loose their jobs?

People are dying over $5.00 and a pack of cigarettes and they making a big deal because someone doesn't support their lifestyle. Needless to say, Chick-Fil-A will live on.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Smile!