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  • Let Your Voice Be Heard

    Source: MS Clipart
    Today is a very important day for us as Americans.  Today is the day for all those 18 and over to get out and  let your voice be heard through your vote!  I can’t begin to stress how important it is to not be content to just sit home on your bum.  When you don’t vote, you’re gambling not only with your future but your family’s future as well.
    Today, we’re not just voting for who our next president should be.  We’re voting on congressional representatives, policies and some states are voting on gay marriage.  I urge you to take a few minutes to read up on each candidate and vote for the one whose platform you feel in your heart is best.  Voting is good but an informed vote is better.
    I voted early and I am glad that my voice was heard.  I’m blessed to have had my kids there to witness the process. Exercising their right to vote is definitely something I want them to be passionate about it.  We love to look at the Civil Rights Movement as being something that happened way back when.  However, if you think about it’s not that far back.  Heck, in some ways we’re still fighting for equality.
    My women certainly know how hard it is to be considered equal.  We’re constantly being referred to as the weaker sex or too emotional or too soft.  Well, ladies make sure you speak up at the polls.  I’m hoping the next time we vote for President, we’ll be electing our very first female president into office.  Yes, I’m keeping hope alive on that!
    There’s just so much riding on your votes.  There are so many people who sacrificed their lives, safety and families to get us to this day.  Please, please, please go and voice your opinion and concerns through your vote today.  And if you know of someone without a ride, volunteer to take them to the polls with you.  
    Be an example. Be a light. Vote!

    Source: MS Clipart

  • Mind Right Monday

    I’ve never been more happy to see a Monday! We’re getting closer to my favorite holiday-Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m definitely getting giddier and giddier like a kid in a toy store. So, it’s a good thing I have Mind Right Monday to help me keep track of everything I need to get accomplished from week to week. 

    This week my goals are:

    1. Blog everyday (I’m taking the NaBloPoMo Challenge)
    2. Go visit my friend (Her mom passed away yesterday)
    3. Spray paint my decorative storage baskets
    4. Look for a location for Moo’s birthday party
    5. Wrap more Christmas gifts
    6. Start buying food and ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner
    7. Steam floors
    8. Join new playgroup (our current one just isn’t working out)

    I am grateful for:

    • A loving husband who always has my back
    • The special bond that I have with my baby sister
    • The ability and strength to let go of negative family members (Blood is not always thicker than water)
    • Reconnecting with friends
    • My iPhone and its wonderful selection of apps
    • My friends and family surviving the devastation that was Hurricane Sandy


    What’s on your goal list this week?

  • Sleep Fighters

    This is my second night doing a late night post.  Why?  Well, it seems like my kids have turned into sleep fighters lately.  For example, tonight I started getting JJ settled down for bed around 7:30.  I put on his steroid cream because he was feeling a bit itchy and changed him into fresh clothes.  Since, his bouncer seat incident I’ve been just bouncing him to sleep on my lap.

    He was having no such thing tonight.  He squirmed, twisted around, kicked his legs, flailed his arms and whined off and on for almost 3 hours before he finally fell asleep.  I was feeling proud of myself for not giving in and letting him get down and get crunk again.  I probably wouldn’t even be typing this post right now if I had.

    And then Moo decides to start up her ‘I’m hungry’ song.  Ugh..  I have one kid to sleep and another who’s now trying to fight sleep by refueling up with food.  I can even get started on how she woke up at 1 AM demanding yogurt.  What is about sleep that kids don’t like?  I loved my sleep when I was kid.  It wasn’t until my teenage years that I started to enjoy staying up late. 

    However, as an adult, I’m not a happy camper when I’ve been up too long.  My eyes start to burn, I get a headache and things that simple small end up getting blown out of portion.  I’m struggling right now to focus long enough to hit the publish button.  Seriously, I’ve had to backspace and correct the spelling of so many words in this post. LOL.  

    So, tomorrow I think we’re going to bundle up and head outside for some extra exercise.  Hopefully, that works and will help to burn off this extra energy that they seem to have built up these last few days.

    How do you tackle restlessness in your children? 

  • Taking The Challenge

    It’s National Blog Post Month and I am officially taking the challenge to blog everyday this month. This is quite an undertaking for me. After all I do have my hands full chasing after a one year old and keeping my three year old entertained. Then you add on all the other hats I wear during the course of the week and it seems like an almost crazy task.

    But I am committed to becoming a better blogger and writer. That is why I made the commit and linked up on BlogHer. You’ll be seeing a lot more intimate and personal posts on here. I’m playing around with a few photo editing apps to up my photography skills.

    All in all, I can’t wait to see if I make it. Life happens but I am confident that I will come out on top!

    Are you taking the National Blog Post Month challenge?

  • Almost 4

    My little lady is almost 4!  I can’t even believe it because it doesn’t seem like that much time has gone by.  But is has and so we’re in the thick of birthday party planning.  4 is one of those big birthdays and this year I wanted to give her a nice party that included more than just family.  I also wanted to get some decor elements that would make it even more special for my Moo.
    So, when Signazon.com contacted me about an opportunity to work with them again, I knew it was a gift from the man upstairs!  I had already been looking at some banners and getting Moo’s input on the designs.  It’s her birthday after all.  Anyways, we started browsing through some of the pre-made templates.  They have a blank template feature available for too if you want something 100% unique.
    They have a great variety to choose from!
    Then Moo finally saw a template she liked.  She loved it actually and refused to consider any others.  So, we selected it to get started on customizing it for her party.
    You can customize the font, wording and background color
    Once we had all the colors to her liking and the wording to my liking, we added it to our cart and checked out.  Yep, it was just that simple.  The banner editor widget is pretty straight forward and you don’t have to be a technology genius or anything to use it.  Anyways, here’s a sneak peak at the finished product. 
    I got her real name printed on the banner. So, of course I had to blur that out.
    We’re very pleased with how the banner turned out and can’t wait to debut it at her upcoming birthday party!  I highly recommend that if you’re thinking about adding elements to take a birthday, anniversary or any event up a notch that you check Signazon.com and consider ordering one of their custom banners.  The quality and selection are great.  Plus, delivery doesn’t take a million years either!
    Have you ever used a customized birthday or event banner?

  • Thankful Thursday

     
    This  week with all that has happened due to Hurricane Sandy, I realize just how truly blessed I am.  I’m thankful that all my family is safe.  None of them suffered any damage to their homes.  And as of today everyone has power or has been able to make their way to somebody’s house with power.  I’m thankful that all of my blogger friends and their families in the affected areas are alive and well.
     
     
    
    
    I’m thankful that I was able to share my voting experience with Moo and JJ.   This is a huge milestone.  No, they may not remember it but I was glad that I was able to have them there none the less.  Moo asked a lot of questions about what I was doing and why.  I felt proud that she was taking such an interest my voting.  I’m setting the foundation early.

    I’m thankful that my husband doesn’t complain about me pursuing my freelance career.  It’s refreshing to have such support.  I’m thankful for all the love and genoristy that is being shown as the East coast starts to rebuild and heal from Hurricane Sandy.  I’m thankful that our state has cracked down on gas stations to prevent them from raising prices during a natural disaster.  I hope that more states will follow.

    What are you thankful for?

  • Happy Halloween

    Well, the treat buckets have been pulled out, costumes are going on and we’re watching all of the Halloween cartoons on the Disney Channel and NickJr.  Moo is beyond ready to get out and start trick-or-treating.  We’re just hitting up a few houses on our block this year because it’s entirely too cold and windy to have them out.  The nebulizer hasn’t had to be used in a while and I’m hoping to keep it that way.
    This year Moo is dressed up as Snow White.  I was finally able to convince her to give her princess costume from last year a break.  And JJ will be dressed as Iron Man.  He hasn’t been interested in putting on his costume all morning due to his obsession with a McDonald’s straw.  Kids. 
    I’m super excited to see if we’ll get any trick-or-treaters of our own this year.  Once, I take the kids to collect their candy from the neighbors, we’re coming back home, turning on the porch light and pigging out snacks while we wait for candy collectors.  Let’s hope that we don’t have any battles when it comes time for Moo and JJ to turn over their loot and go to bed.
    Also, we’re still waiting to hear from some family members in New York.  With all the power outages and down cell phone signals, all we can do is pray that they are somewhere safe and warm with food and water. Thankfully, all my family in Jersey, VA and DC were able to go further inland.  So, please keep my family in prayer. 
    Lift up Alicia from Mommy Delicious in a special prayer too.  She and her little man lost power yesterday evening.  I hate thinking about everyone who has to literally stay warm by putting on tons of layers and blankets at night and venturing out to find shops with power to occupy during the daytime.  It’s rough out there for real you guys.  I’m in the process of trying to contact some charities and local churches here to see what they are going to due to help with relief efforts and maybe team up with them to help out.  
    Please everyone be safe, dress warm and have fun! 
     Happy Halloween!

  • Deuces Sandy

    These last few days have been rough to say the least here on the East Coast from the Carolinas and all the way up to Maine thanks to Hurricane Sandy.  This storm was large (she spanned a 1,000 feet) that people dubbed her Frankenstorm before she even made land!  Thankfully, we were spared the worst being snugged between the mountains and the coast.  Our biggest worry has been all the heavy winds knocking over trees and downing power lines and a threat of snow or freezing rain.
    Last night there was a little wet snow but it wasn’t sticking and was turning into a rain drizzle before it even made it to the ground.  And due to our previous bad storms, I think our city pretty much made sure that any old or dangerous trees next to power lines where either cut down completely or trimmed back.  Our neighbors in the mountains have been getting lots of snow and had power outages.  And the Carolina coast took a quite a beating in the Kitty Hawk and Outer Banks areas.
    Source: Google Images
    My heart really goes out those further north in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maine.  Seeing how badly flooded out their outward towns and cities got broke my heart.  A lot of people were still in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Irene and let’s not forget those twisters we had.   Then seeing those nurses and doctors having to evaluate the hospital in New York had my eyes filled with tears as they showed video of medical staff carrying babies out to ambulances.
    I felt like such a nervous wreck because many of my bloggers friends hadn’t and weren’t able to evaluate and I was a tweeting and Facebooking fool trying to see if they were ok.  Even more nerve wrecking was the fact that I have tons of family in DC, New York and New Jersey.  I had heard from a few and they assured me that everyone had gathered further inland to wait Sandy out and would be ok.  However, I still stayed up until well past midnight thinking about them.  
    These colder months are absolutely horrible for severe storms like this (not that there is a good time per say.)  Not only do have to battle the storm itself but then with so many without power, that means a lot of families are freezing and struggling to stay warm.  Not every one has a fireplace or kerosene heater.  I can’t say how happy and thankful I am that we can chuck up these deuces to Sandy.
    Now, the real work of rebuilding once again starts for so many.  I hope that you will join me in keeping those affected in your prayers and thoughts.  Tweet and Facebook them words of encouragement and kindness.  Donate to charities if you can.  And if you have power, make sure your neighbors who don’t have blankets to keep warm and take them clean water and food is possible.
    Regardless, of how badly your area was hit, please know that we are all in this together!

  • Mind Right Monday

    Hurricane Sandy and this winter storm that’s blasting us from the west will not get me down this week.  I’ve been feeling very motivated and inspired these past couple days.  While the good spirits are still flowing, I’m going to get busy some projects and ideas that have been floating around in my head  (and on paper) for some time now.  So, be on the lookout for more details and posts coming up all this week.
    Also, for my fellow East coasters, know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  Be sure to stock up on water, food, flashlights, candles, batteries, radios powered by batteries, diapers, wipes and anything else you might need in the event of a power outage.  
    This week my goals are:
    1. Blog everyday (I missed Sunday)

    2. Exercise my arms and upper body (I got in a few leg exercises last week)

    3. Purchase Halloween candy to pass out and put in Moo & JJ’s baskets (It’s going to be too cold to go out this year)

    4. Cut back on the amount of tv the kids watch by an hour

    5. Upload pics and add listings to Moo’s Closet (Finally got a moment to take pics of some new creations Saturday)

    6. Get better at calling or video chatting with my friends instead of Facebooking them

    7. Hem JJ’s costume pants (They didn’t have it in his size so we had to go with one a sizer bigger)

    I am grateful for:
    • Family
    • A husband who puts his life in harm’s way to protect and provide for us
    • Funny text messages and phone calls from my baby sister (Love you MainSqueeze!)
    • Online tutorials (I’m getting good at this blog designing thing)
    • Welcoming church members (We’re one of four Black families at our new church & it feels good to not feel like we’re being judged or discriminated against. All the members have been nothing but welcoming and very loving)
    • Being of help to another blogger who is just starting out
    • Instant messenger convos with my older sister and rebuilding our bond (I love you and am thankful for the new start CK)
    • Stores setting out Christmas decor early (I am not a last minute shopper and have been able to score some great finds before they get picked over)
    What’s on your goal list for the week?

  • A Run For My Money

    My little guy is giving me a run for my money.  OMG, I had forgotten how much a new walker could get into.  I feel like all this chasercise (yes, I made that up) is definitely helping me to burn off some calories.  Remember, I told you guys that he was doing a fast walk-hobble?  Well, he’s getting better at improving his run.
    It’s fun watching him get better and better at walking and running.   Then on the flip side it’s also scary.  I can certainly start to see dare devil/fearless streak in him.  Just today alone he’s gone from climbing and standing up in the couch to trying to climb up the tv stand.  He can even grab hold of the tray on his high chair and with his foot on the foot rest, pull himself up.
    He’s getting into the laundry baskets when I’m trying to wash clothes.  He can even open the dryer door.  I had no clue he was that strong.  I’ve caught him attempting to pry open the frig and reaching for the oven handle!
    Talk about scaring my wits out!  I haven’t a clue what I’m going to do with this little guy.  Let’s hope that I last until this newness of walking wears off.  I miss my cuddly lap baby.  The only time he wants me to hold him is if I’m eating something he wants or he wants to nurse. 
    Now worries though, Moo is taking advantage of him not wanting to be held.  I think that with all the chasing around of her little brother that I do has her feeling a bit left out.  So, she’s always asking me to hold her, give her big hugs and covering me with kisses when I have a chance to sit down..  I think that after Halloween, we’re going to have a girls’ day.  
    Maybe, we can do manicures and pedicures.  I want her to always feel that she’s just as loved and wanted as her brother.  Meanwhile, I think that I might actually invest in a baby gate or two to keep my little man out of his own way and out of danger.
    How did you keep your new walker safe?